Ka`u News Briefs Sept. 15, 2012

Wind power was one of the alternative energies discussed at the Dept. of Energy meeting last night in Hilo.
Photo from jawsnap.net

THE ENERGY FUTURE OF THE BIG ISLAND hearing drew a large crowd from this county and as far away as Honolulu and Lana`i last night as the U.S. Department of Energy took comments for its Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement on energy alternatives for the islands.

Billy Kenoi. Photo by Julia Neal

Harry Kim. Photo from Harry Kim

      Mayor Billy Kenoi said the county is looking for cheaper renewable energy not just more renewable energy. He pointed to photovoltaic on county buildings, small windmills installed by the county and energy efficiencies that are saving the county millions of dollars a year in electric bills. He asked the federal Department of Energy in helping to find additional options that would lower energy bills for government and citizens. He said the burden of high energy could fall on the poor people.
      Harry Kim, the predecessor to Kenoi who is running to get his seat back after terming out before the last election, stood in the back of the Hilo High cafeteria, silently. He said after the meeting that he was pleased that so many people showed up to the hearing. He said that he was proud that many people who have grave concerns about geothermal were able to get past anger and emotion to ask the Department of Energy to seriously study and answer questions about possible health effects of geothermal to the land, the people and the ocean. He said that people in the small communities around the island often feel like no one is listening to them when they have concerns about how new industry and developments are going to change their lives. He said both sides need to meet with each other to create win/win results and sometimes these negotiations can take years.

Russell Ruderman. Photo from russellruderman.com

      Russell Ruderman who is running for state Senate from Punalu`u through Puna, pushed for solar, wind and more energy efficiency as solutions for the high cost of energy in Hawai`i. The owner of four Island Naturals food markets on the island, he decried the cost that energy adds to the price of food, saying, “High food prices harm people every day.” He said that in every case, the rent for each location of his food stores is less than the electric bill. He asked whether energy solutions could “plan not to harm people.”

      He asked the Department of Energy to analyze the cost and risks of installing local energy production versus industrial scale projects such as geothermal with cables on the ocean floor taking the power to O`ahu and other islands. He suggested studying locating electrical production at the demand site. “There is precious little land here that is dearly loved,” said Ruderman.
      Fifty-five people signed up to give comments. Most of them spoke in favor of small-scale solutions where energy is produced where the energy is needed. 

Cables carrying geothermal energy could connect the source on
Hawai`i Island with the rest of Hawai`i in channels where
telecommunications cables already rest on the ocean floor.

     Several people from Lana`i talked about the plan to “industrialize” the island by building giant windmills and said it would detract from the lifestyle of the people who live there, its attraction for visitors who go there for the quiet and natural beauty and the attempt to attract more people to live there. One Lana`i resident said that Castle & Cook, which is also the landlord for her home, wants to build windmills nearby, but “won’t even let me have a clothesline.”
      One woman from the Big Island said she opposed sending energy from the Big Island to O`ahu where “they are growing more houses” on some of their best agricultural lands.
      A number of people said they feared scaling up geothermal without understanding the chemical makeup of byproduct – a brine – and how much brine would be re-injected into the land each day and whether it would make its way into fresh water sources and the ocean if geothermal grew to a large scale that would send electricity to other islands. Testifiers also said they were afraid of what could happen with a strong earthquake in Puna, a blowout at the geothermal plant and the long term health effects of living near noise and emissions. One man claimed that the geology of Hawai`i makes geothermal more toxic than other places because of the porous earth.
      One woman said she doesn’t “accept the industrialization of Hawai`i for energy. Solar is a far better option.”

Solar power was the alternative energy most touted last night at a
 public hearing on the future of energy. This is the county's civic center
in Kona powered by solar voltaics, which will also charge electric vehicles.
Photo from government-fleet.com

      Another asked that government be wary of “powerful interests that want to make a quick buck” off the energy crisis and another asked government to be wary of “proposals that look clever today but foolish tomorrow.”
      A testifier asked that industrial sized energy project developers be required to put in escrow funding that would tear down their facilities and restore the land, should their projects fail.
      Another asked for energy proposals be considered through a “certificate of need” process that connects directly to each community needing electricity at lower rates.
      A testifier stated that Saudi Arabia was powering towns with solar in the 1970s, while selling its expensive oil off to other countries who stay behind, using oil for power plants.
      The public can read more about the Department of Energy’s Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement at hawaiicleanenergypeis.com. Also see hawaiicleanergyinitiative.org. Public comments are being accepted through Oct. 9.

THE FARM BUREAU hosts a candidate forum entitled All About Agriculture, tomorrow, Sunday at 6 p.m. at Christ Church Episcopal Meeting Hall, in Kealakekua. Candidates seeking legislative office, both state and county will include incumbent Brenda Ford and Maile David who are running for Ka`u District 6 in the County Council. Also on hand will be incumbent Josh Green who is running for state Senate and incumbent Denny Coffman who is running for state House of Representative to represent Honu`apo through Kona, along with their competitors Dave Bateman, Jeff LaFrance and Michael Last.

Maile David and fellow co-workers volunteered for Habitat for Humanity
Thursday. Photo from Maile David

      Questions at the forum will range from economic development, land use, resource management to product development and protection, with agriculture being the common theme. 

      “Diversified agriculture is providing an increasing contribution to our economy and is a huge component of our culture and lifestyle. It will be important to learn what perspectives these individuals hold. It will also be important for these candidates to see that many people in Kona place a very high priority on agriculture and the policies that may impact the industry and the life style,” said Stefanie Delmont, president of the Kona County Farm Bureau, which is sponsoring the event. For further information, call 324-6011.

COUNTY COUNCIL EMPLOYEES, including District 6 council candidate Maile David, volunteered Thursday for Habitat for Humanities Blitz Build at Hawaiian Home Lands "La`iopua" at Kealakehe. David says, “I nailed stud brackets and stapled moisture paper and other miscellaneous construction duties for a few hours. It was a great feeling helping families build their first home! Such a outpouring of aloha and working together.” She said she also plans to attend the Hawaiian Homes Commission community meeting in Pahala Monday.

THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION will host a meeting Monday at Pahala Community Center, 6:30 p.m. for local input to the regional plan for Ka`u. From 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. community organizations will present information booths and representatives from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will be available for one-on-one consultation with beneficiaries. The Ka`u Hawaiian Home Lands Association urges everyone to attend. Read the Ka`u Regional Plan at hawaiianhomelands.org.
      The commission will host their regular annual meeting Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., at Na`alehu Community Center regarding the properties in Ka`u under Hawaiian Homes Lands, both residential and agricultural. The meeting is open to the public.

KA`U TROJANS FOOTBALL lost 56-0 to Honoka`a last night. They face a home game against Kamehameha Friday at 7 p.m.

KA`U SPORTS TODAY include girls volleyball against Laupahoehoe at Kamehameha Schools at 10 a.m., Air Riflery at Konawaena starting at 9 a.m. and a bowling challenge against St. Joseph’s, 9 a.m., and Kamehameha Schools at Hilo Lanes.

KA`U FARM BUREAU HOSTS A LENDER FAIR TODAY, noon to 4 p.m., at the Pahala Community Center. Attendees will hear a brief presentation and meet with representatives from Hawai`i Department of Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture and Farm Credit Services. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call Ka`u Farm Bureau President Chris Manfredi at 929-9550.

RECYCLING AT NA`ALEHU SCHOOL gym is accepted today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more call 929-2413, extension 230.

SOCIETY OF CREATIVE ANACHRONISM, a medieval recreation group, meets, talks, plans events, does handicraft and more today from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Call for location, 895-8013.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION HOSTS A BBQ today from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 937-7033.

A GARDEN TALK STORY & PLANT & SEED EXCHANGE is hosted tomorrow at Na`ohulelua Historical Church and Garden from noon to 3 p.m. Call 929-8164 for more.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM.AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

Ka`u News Briefs Sept. 14, 2012

Yesterday, the Indian Affairs committee approved Senator Akaka's amendment to the "Akaka Bill" which streamlines
it to work with the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission created by the legislature and Gov. Abercrombie.
Photo from Sen. Dan Akaka

THE U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS passed a trimmed down version of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act yesterday.

Sen. Dan Akaka.
Photo from progressivepatriots.com

      According to the bill’s author Sen. Dan Akaka, the streamlined bill “builds on recent efforts by the State of Hawai`i,” which is in the process of registering native Hawaiians across the state.
      “The Native Hawaiian people are the only federally-recognized Native peoples without a government-to-government relationship, and no clear path to securing one without legislation,” Akaka said. “This bill will create parity in federal policy so that Native Hawaiians will be treated the same as all other recognized indigenous peoples - no more, no less.
      “Congress has created and continues to fund programs to address the Native Hawaiian needs in the areas of health, education, welfare and housing, but has failed to uphold the final and most important piece of the trust relationship with Native Hawaiians, a guaranteed right to self-governance. By approving this amendment, the members of this Committee took a stand for justice and a step towards equity,” said Akaka.

Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming.
Photo from wyofile.com

      Sen. Dan Inouye said, “Federal recognition for Native Hawaiians is long overdue and I will continue the fight started by my longtime partner and friend, Sen. Akaka. Whether it be during this Congress or the next, I will not rest until the sovereign rights of Native Hawaiians are recognized and Sen. Akaka's legacy is fulfilled.”
      According to a Michael Levine Civil Beat story posted yesterday, the bill faces a battle to be heard on the Senate floor as it has never made it that far before. The story states, “Indian Affairs Vice Chairman John Barrasso, a Wyoming Republican, was the lone panel member to raise his voice in opposition to the bill. At the end of the hearing, he noted that Sen. John McCain, who was absent, wished to be marked down as a "nay" vote as well.”
      However, the story quotes Barrasso addressing Akaka – the only Native Hawaiian ever elected to the U.S. Senate, “You've dedicated many years of your life in the Senate to recognition of Native Hawaiian government. So, regardless of how I or anyone else feels about the merits of your bill, I admire your tenacity, your dedication, your leadership, not only to this cause but to the well-being of native people everywhere.”
      Senate candidates Mazie Hirono and Linda Lingle both have stated that they support the bill.

GERALD ERICKSON DIED WEDNESDAY, after attempting to extinguish his neighbor’s burning home with a garden hose, according to Hawai`i Fire Department. The house fire on Kama`oa Road was reported at 10:35 p.m. on Wednesday night. A press release issued by the fire department claimed personnel arrived on scene and found the four-bedroom house full of smoke, with the kitchen cabinets burning. The fire was put out with portable extinguishers. Within the 2,000 square foot home, an estimated 550 square feet sustained damages estimated at $50,000 to $88,000.
      Erickson, 68, was found and transported to Hilo Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. Police have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
      An unattended propane stove is reported to be the cause of the fire.

Axis deer are a threat to ranches, farms and
the native environment.
Photo from redbubble.net

THE PILOT WHO FLEW AXIS deer to Hawai`i Island to introduce them as game for hunters was sentenced yesterday to helping the organization tasked with eliminating the invasive species. Along with a year of probation, Maui pilot Thomas Hauptman, who owns Pacific Helicopter Tours, was ordered by U.S. District Court Magistrate Kevin Chang to contribute 500 hours of helicopter flight time, a value of more than $300,000. The judge declined to imprison the pilot, though the law would have allowed up to a year of incarceration.
      Michael Song, the Assistant U.S. Attorney who handled the case against Hauptman, said the introduction of axis deer to Hawai`i Island could still create years of ecological problems. Ranchers and farmers say they fear what happened on Maui – destruction of crops and competition for grazing land.
      While several deer have been eradicated, there could be more, particularly in Ka`u and Kohala where they were first spotted in 2011. Song also said that finding and eradicating deer takes precious funding away from eliminating other invasive species.
      In his defense, Hauptman told the court that deer were brought by boat for years to the Big Island from Maui where nine were introduced in the 1950s on the Valley Isle where they exploded to a population of more than 46,000, according to an Associated Press story. He told the judge, however, that he would do “Whatever it takes to get it right.” He said he released one male and two female on Hawai`i Island. A fourth axis deer died during the flight.
      For his community service, which will be managed by the Big Island Invasive Species Committee, it is estimated that 1,000 acres can be covered by helicopter to look for axis deer in about one hour. To report sightings, call 443-4036. 

Water tunnels will be restored for agriculture.
Photo from Gov. Neil Abercrombie

THE KA`U AGRICULTURAL WATER COOPERATIVE DISTRICT committee met yesterday to work toward establishment of agricultural entities that want restoration of the old sugar plantation water systems from Wai`ohinu and mauka of Na`alehu, to Pahala and Wood Valley to Kapapala Ranch. The Kohala Center is helping entities to come up with local agricultural water organizations, such as cooperatives and the Ha`ao cooperation has been set up and its articles have been sent to the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
      A Moa`ula area entity is expected to complete its organization soon, to be followed by others,. Gov. Neil Abercrombie has released $700,000 for surveying the old horizontal shafts that were dug into Mauna Loa for water that once carried sugar cane to the mill in flumes. Those sources would be used for farm and ranches and would be carried by pipe rather than open ditches and flumes. Some of the tunnels need to be made safe as they are subject to caving in. Additional money has been passed by the state legislature to do the actual work of restoration of tunnels and distribution of the agricultural water. For more information, contact Jeff McCall at 928-6456.

THE NEXT HA`AO AGRICULTURAL WATER MEETING will be hosted Thursday, Sept. 27, at Wai`ohinu Park at 2:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend. For more, call Jane at 939-9461. 

Testifier tears up PLDC rules at Big Island hearing.
Photo from Big Island Video News

TODAY IS THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY on proposed rules to govern the new Public Land Development Corp., which would allow more private sector economic development on state owned lands. Post public testimony on this island has opposed the idea of the state handing off public lands for development. Comments can be emailed to joy.y.kimura@hawaii.gov and randal.y.ikeda@hawaii.gov. The PLDC has oversight from the state Board of Land and Natural Resources.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND hosts a beach clean up tomorrow at Kamilo, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. All volunteers will meet at Wai`ohinu Park on Hwy 11 near mile marker 65 at 7:45 a.m. Those interested can contact Megan Lamson at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

KA`U FARM BUREAU is hosting a lender fair tomorrow from noon to 4 p.m. at the Pahala Community Center. Attendees will hear a brief presentation and meet with representatives from Hawai`i Department of Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture and Farm Credit Services. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call Ka`u Farm Bureau President Chris Manfredi at 929-9550.

RECYCLING AT NA`ALEHU SCHOOL gym will be accepted tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more call 929-2413, extension 230.

A GUIDED PALM TRAIL HIKE, within the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, will be held tomorrow and again on Sept. 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more call 985-6011.

Hawai`i Wildlife Fund hosts a clean-up tomorrow. Photo from HWF

HALAU HULA KA MAKANI HALI `ALA O PUNA, under the direction of kumu hula Ehulani Stephany, performs tomorrow on the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Hands-on cultural demonstrations will be from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at VAC Gallery. The events are free, however, park entrance fees apply.

SOCIETY OF CREATIVE ANACHRONISM, a medieval recreation group, meets, talks, plans events, does handicraft and more tomorrow from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Call for location, 895-8013.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION HOSTS A BBQ tomorrow from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 937-7033.

A GARDEN TALK STORY & PLANT & SEED EXCHANGE is hosted at Na`ohulelua Historical Church Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. Call 929-8164 for more.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS will hold a community meeting at Pahala Community Center at 6:30 p.m. on Monday. The meeting involves the regional plan for Ka`u and organizers ask for input for the community.
     The Ka`u Hawaiian Home Lands association urges everyone to attend. The Ka`u Regional Plan can be read at hawaiianhomelands.org.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM.AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

Ka`u News Briefs Sept. 13, 2012

Sustaining marine life for recreation, food and biological diversity is one of the goals of new federal funding.
Photo from J. Hara Store

HAWAI`I’S MARINE HABITATS AND FISHERIES will receive $1,146,085 to protect, conserve, restore, and monitor them, according to Congresswoman Mazie Hirono and Sen. Dan Inouye. The funding comes through five grants administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Young Ka`u fisherman with an ulua.
Photo from Hawai`i Fishing News

      Said Inouye, “Throughout our history, life in Hawai`i has been closely tied to the ocean. As an island archipelago situated in the middle of the Pacific, we must continually improve our understanding of the ocean. We are especially susceptible to rising tides, tsunami, fishery depletions and marine debris fields therefore we can never have enough data about how the ocean operates. To ensure future generations can continue to enjoy the ocean for recreation, and turn to it as a source of food, energy and natural resources, we must create a sustainable marine environment through protection and conservation. I would like to thank the Obama Administration for recognizing the oceans’ importance to our livelihood and future, and for investing in the management of sustainable fisheries and habitats.” 

      Hirono stated: “If we want a Hawai`i that is sustainable, it is our kuleana to be stewards of our marine environment. These waters have always had great cultural and economic significance, so it must be a priority to protect the ocean, coral reefs, estuaries, and fish to ensure they will continue to help sustain us. Mahalo to the Obama Administration for supporting restoration and conservation efforts and related research on our marine environments and fisheries.” said Congresswoman Hirono.

Aku Hauanio, a Hawaiian kau la`au fisehrman.
Photo from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park

SEN. DAN AKAKA makes a last push for his Akaka Bill today in the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee. The measure is called the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act. 

      The new and shorter version presented today would leave to the state a requirement for a Native Hawaiian roll – a kind of registration – that is already underway by the state’s Native Hawaiian Roll Commission. Both U.S. Congresswoman Mazie Hirono and former Gov. Linda Lingle, who are vying to take Akaka’s seat in January, issued press releases.

      Lingle stated: "I am very pleased to learn that the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has scheduled a 'markup' of the Akaka Bill in an effort to move this very important legislation forward. This would be a great testament to Sen. Dan Akaka's service to our state.

Kau Inoa has been the campaign to register
Native Hawaiians in a statewide effort. The
registration will be dropped from the Akaka Bill.
Image from hawaiimaoli.org

     "I have been consistent and unwavering in my support for federal recognition for native Hawaiians. I personally traveled to Washington, D.C. on several occasions to attract bipartisan Senatorial support by convincing key Senators to become co-sponsors of the Akaka Bill, and was successful in ensuring that Sen. John McCain (then‐Chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs) scheduled committee hearings, where I offered testimony in support of the bill. These hearings helped the bill pass out of committee but unfortunately it did not have enough votes to pass the full Senate.

      "If elected as the next U.S. Senator from Hawai`i, I will devote myself to assuring native Hawaiian recognition by convincing my Republican colleagues to do the right thing and vote in favor of this important legislation. Our lack of a Republican Senator is one of the primary reasons the Akaka Bill has not passed."

      Hirono stated: "After the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act is marked up this Thursday, I hope the critical measure will be brought to the Senate floor for approval before the end of the year."
      "I have long supported the Akaka Bill, and since being elected to Congress, I have been a strong advocate of the bill in the U.S. House. In the current 112th Congress, I proudly introduced the House version of the bill. We must continue to fight for federal recognition of Native Hawaiians."

FEDERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE ENERGY FUTURE OF HAWAI`I begin today at Kealakehe High School in Kona at 5 p.m. and continue Friday at 5 p.m. at Hilo High School. The hearings are for a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Hawai`i Clean Energy Initiative. According to a statement, the federal Department of Energy and the State of Hawai`i have established “a long term partnership to transform the way in which renewable energy and energy efficient resources are planned and used in the state.”
      The EIS covers energy efficiency, distributed renewables, utility-scale renewables, alternative transportation fuels and modes, and electrical transmission and distribution.

Wind generated energy is one of the current alternative
energies being produced in Ka`u.
Photo from btrplc on flickr.com

      The federal DOE “invited federal, state, and local government agencies, Native Hawaiian and other organizations and members of the public to submit comments and participate in the public meeting on the scope of the PEIS – that is, the proposed action, the range of reasonable alternatives, and the potential environmental impacts and other issues to be considered,” the statement says.
      The sessions include exhibits on potential clean energy approaches and the opportunity to ask questions and submit comments vocally and in writing. See more at hawaiicleanergypeis.com.
      According to the website, documents involving energy alternatives are available at the website and at public libraries in Hilo, Kona, Waimea and North Kohala, but not at libraries in Ka`u.

REGISTERING FOR MOLD CERAMICS, for grades 4 through 8, must be completed by the end of today. The classes, held at Pahala Community Center from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., start Thursday, Sept. 20, and end Thursday, Oct. 25. There is a fee for supplies. For more, call Nona at 928-3102.

THE NEXT KA`U AGRICULTURAL WATER COOPERATIVE DISTRICT meeting is scheduled for today at 4 p.m. at the ML Mac Nut Field Office. Each region between Kapapala and Ha`ao Springs is expected to send a representative. The organization is restoring agricultural water from the old plantation system. Meetings are open to the public. For more information, call Jeff McCall at 928-6456.

Image from Red Cross

A RED CROSS VOLUNTEER MEETING is hosted tonight, 7 p.m., in Ocean View at the H.O.V.E. Road Maintenance Corp. office. The meeting is geared towards current volunteers and those interested in becoming volunteers. For more, call Hannah Uribes at 929-9953.

TOMMOROW IS THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY on proposed rules to govern the new Public Land Development Corp., which would allow more private sector economic development on state owned lands. Comments can be emailed to joy.y.kimura@hawaii.gov and randal.y.ikeda@hawaii.gov. The PLDC has oversight from the state Board of Land and Natural Resources.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND hosts a beach clean up at Kamilo Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those interested can contact Megan Lamson at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

KA`U FARM BUREAU hosts a lender fair this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. at the Pahala Community Center. Attendees will hear a brief presentation and meet with representatives from Hawai`i Department of Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture and Farm Credit Services. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call Manfredi at 929-9550.

Recyclables are collected at Na`alehu School Saturday.
Image from hawaiizerowaste.org

RECYCLING AT NA`ALEHU SCHOOL gym will be accepted Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sort by type and receive 5 cents per HI-5 container and an additional 20 cents per pound on all aluminum will be redeemed to the school, courtesy of Atlas Recycling. For more call 929-2413, extension 230.

A GUIDED PALM TRAIL HIKE, within the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, will be held this Saturday and again on Sept. 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This relatively easy 2.6-mile loop crosses scenic pasture along an ancient cinder cone with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. For more call 985-6011.

NA MEA HAWAI`I HULA KAHIKO PERFORMANCE is Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, with Halau Hula Ka Makani Hali `Ala O Puna under the direction of kumu hula Ehulani Stephany. Hands-on cultural demonstrations will be from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at VAC Gallery. The events are free, however, park entrance fees apply.

SOCIETY OF CREATIVE ANACHRONISM, a medieval recreation group, meets, talks, plans events, does handicraft and more on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION HOSTS A BBQ Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p. m. at the Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 937-7033.

Na`ohulelua Historical Church

A GARDEN TALK STORY & PLANT & SEED EXCHANGE is hosted at Na`ohulelua Historical Church Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. Call 929-8164 for more.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS holds a community meeting at Pahala Community Center at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 17. The meeting involves the regional plan for Ka`u and organizers ask for input for the community. Hawaiian Home Lands staff and all the commissioners from around the islands are expected to attend.
     The Ka`u Hawaiian Home Lands association urges everyone to attend. The Ka`u Regional Plan can be read at hawaiianhomelands.org.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM.AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.