Ka`u News Briefs March 4, 2013

A sign at Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary campus gives information about construction of the Ka`u Gym & Shelter.
Photo by Julia Neal

HAWAI`I STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION DIVISION is getting more time to convince the administration and Legislature to fund some of its empty staffing positions and to reorganize to qualify for continued federal funding. The National Park Service put SHPD on notice that it could lose federal funding if it didn’t improve its operations which aim to protect and document Hawaiian historic sites, burials, artifacts and historic buildings representative of Hawai`i’s multi-ethnic history. The extension for the review came when National Park Service personnel cancelled their trip to conduct a weeklong review that was scheduled to begin today. The cancellation was due to sequestration – the planned $85 million in federal spending cuts to roll out over the next seven months. The review is not considered “critical travel,” which is the only travel being allowed, according to announcements by the park service.
      The state Department of Land & Natural Resources chief William Aila, Jr. told Civil Beat that hiring for some of the positions that have gone unfunded by the Legislature could help the agency meet federal requirements to receive the federal funding.

The sign at Pahala's school campus shows a completion date of
May 18, 2014 for the Ka`u District Gym & Shelter.

      SHPD was most recently involved in Ka`u in archaeological studies of Kawa lands at the beach where the county is planning to preserve sites and create a park and preserve. The agency was also involved in reviewing the findings and protection plan for burials on the Ka`u High School campus where a new community gymnasium and disaster shelter are soon to be constructed.

KA`U SCHOOLS are named as examples of educational institutions having made tremendous strides over the past several years. Ronn Nozoe, deputy superintendent of the state Department of Education, writes in Civil Beat that “the road to transformation in our public schools goes through the rural towns of Ka`u, Kea`au and Pahoa on Hawai`i Island. Just three years ago, schools in this area were among the lowest-performing schools in the state and the complex, known collectively as Ka`u-Kea`au-Pahoa, was identified as being part of the Zones of School Innovation. Today, through the hard work of dedicated teachers, principals, staff, and students all pulling in the same direction, the results are remarkable,” writes Nozoe.
      “How did this complex area get there? For one, its teachers who are enthusiastic and energetic, and who work tirelessly to raise student achievement at their schools. It also took an understanding about how evaluations play a key role in success.

Ka`u District Gym & Shelter as depicted on a sign at the construction
site in Pahala. Photo by Julia Neal

      “Educator evaluations comprise two full-cycle observations per year. Currently they are taking place at 81 different schools, including schools at Ka`u, Keaau and Pahoa. The evaluations are based on a pre-observation, and observation, and a post-observation meeting with the principal/administrator, a Tripod student survey administered two times per year, and Student Growth Percentile calculation (annually), and a still in development Student Learning Objective, which has not yet been administered at all schools just yet. In addition, the school and complex area engages in a rigorous school improvement model (on-site school review) where teachers are required to gather evidence about their student achievement/progress and discuss them in teams on a regular basis to track overall school improvement.
      “A team of observers went to each classroom twice in August, September, October and November. From December through the remainder of the year, observations are held twice a month. This year, there will be 14 informal observations per classroom; and may be done in pairs. Again, these observations are informal and NOT individually evaluative. One other fact about these observations: the principal does not ever see individual results of these observations – only at a school – or department-level,” Nozoe reports in Civil Beat.

Ronn Nozoe

      He also explains that “standardized tests, which help gauge student achievement, are not required monthly. In fact, formative assessments used to gauge a student’s proficiency in reading and math are not standardized. Also, with the exception of the Hawai`i State Assessment test that is administered to students in third through eighth grade, and 10th graders, other tests are not standardized.
      Nozoe invites parents, teachers and community members to see that “numbers don’t lie. On the Department of Education’s Accountability Resource Center Hawai`i website at arch.k12.hi.us, you can go to the ‘Accountability Data Center’ from the home page and see that the complex has practically outperformed the entire state over the last three years – especially in reading and math proficiency. In fact, these schools have accelerated the learning of students by more than a grade level. This is the kind of data that stirs enthusiasm among educators. It’s what makes educators put forth their best, and the results speak for themselves. The department believes in the evaluations as a tool for success. When teachers succeed, students excel,” Nozoe writes in Civil Beat. See more at civilbeat.com.

WITH THIS MORNING’S LACK OF A BREEZE, sulfur dioxide levels are in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range, according to the Department of Health’s readings in Pahala. People in these groups, including healthy individuals with mild asthma, may experience health effects, and they may be affected at lower levels than the general public, DOH reports. Toward the upper end of this range, most asthmatics who are active outdoors are likely to experience some breathing difficulties. The general public is not expected to be affected in this range. DOH suggests avoiding outdoor activities that cause heavy breathing or breathing through the mouth. Potential health effects are not expected, however actions to reduce exposure to vog may be useful.

Ka`u Preserve Photo from The Nature Conservancy

AT TOMORROW’S AFTER DARK IN THE PARK program, John Replogle, of The Nature Conservancy, addresses how the organization created a preserve in Ka`u and how the Three-Mountain Alliance has played an important role in this endeavor.
      The Ka`u Preserve is part of the largest and most intact expanse of native forest in the state. Made up of four separate parcels of forested land, the preserve features mountainous ridgelines with narrow plateaus framed by steep valleys. A closed-canopy koa and `ohi`a forest shelters a lush understory of native ferns, where rare plants thrive, along with endangered forest birds like `apapane, `i`iwi, `elepaio, `amakihi and `akepa.
      The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply.

HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS CAUCUS of the Democratic Party of Hawai`i holds a general membership meeting Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at its headquarters in Honolulu. Ka`u residents are welcome to attend via teleconference by calling 605-477-2100. Participant access code is 697371 #.
      The meeting will be conducted by Dante Carpenter, chair of Democratic Party of Hawai`i. Agenda items include a motion to ratify reorganization of HACDPH steering committee and an open election of all HACDPH steering committee members. For more information, visit hawaiianaffairscaucus.weebly.com.

Stewardship at the Summit follows Halema`uma`u Trail.
Map from NPS

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK invites volunteers to join Stewardship at the Summit led by Paul and Jane Field. Loppers and gloves are provided for participants to cut invasive Kahili ginger along park trails. Work is often in the shade of the forest with sounds of native honeycreepers like `apapane, `amakihi and `oma`o above. Water, snacks, rain gear and sun protection are recommended. 

      No reservations are required. Stop by Kilauea Visitor Center to get directions and more information. The hike is a moderate one-mile round trip down Halema`uma`u Trail into Kilauea caldera, leaving from Kilauea Visitor Center. It involves walking over rough, uneven terrain on a dirt and rock path, with up to a 400-foot elevation change.
      The program takes place on different days each week. This month, the dates are this Thursday, March 7; Friday, March 15; Saturday, March 23 and Thursday, March 28.
      Call 985-6017 for more information.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

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

Ka`u News Briefs March 3, 2013

Kamehameha Schools eucalyptus trees above Pahala will have 150 acres of koa planted near them, as
koa has been shown to be more tolerant of volcanic conditions. Photo by Julia Neal

Koa seedlings  planted
 above Pahala may be
20 feet tall in two years.
Photo from wikipedia.org

NATIVE KOA TREES are being planted by Kamehameha Schools and Forest Solutions as they reforest 150 acres of slope above Pahala. After testing eucalyptus, koa and other hardwoods, they found the native tree to be the best suited for the land, said Kirk Derasin, who grew up in Ka`u and works on the project for Forest Solutions. 

      He said the koa trees are little affected by volcanic emissions – the vog - unlike eucalyptus trees which are visibly damaged in tree farms above Pahala.
      Derasin said that he and his crew gathered koa seedlings in Wood Valley and nurtured them for three months at the Forest Solutions nursery near Kona Airport before returning them to Pahala to be planted on Kamehameha Schools land just above the Hester vegetable farm.

Kirk Derasin Photo from
forestsolutionshawaii.com

      Kamehameha Schools gained ownership of the 150 acres in 2002 in a land swap with C. Brewer, which owned the former Ka`u sugar plantation.
      Derasin said that 130 of the acres has already been planted in koa, with 20 acres left to go. The seedlings are about a foot in height. Within two years, they should be 20 feet high, he said.

      Derasin is grandson of Na`alehu resident Bill Derasin and nephew of Pahala resident Harvey Galapier. Derasin is district forester for Forest Solutions and the manager for native plant reforestation. He studied forestry at Hawai`i Community College and manages a crew and technicians.

Hinamatsuri, Girls Day, is celebrated with displays of dolls including
these Emperor and Empress dolls, often collected by families.

TODAY IS HINAMATSURI, GIRLS DAY, which is celebrated on March 3 in Japanese families with the display of traditional dolls. The custom stems from ancient Japanese culture where straw dolls were sent on boats down a river to the ocean, taking the family’s misfortunes along with them. The custom of displaying the dolls arrived with the Japanese, who first came in groups to Hawai`i to work in the sugar industry in 1885 after King Kalakaua visited Japan to negotiate lifting a ban on Japanese immigrating to the Hawaiian Islands. Sugar companies in Ka`u were soon served by Japanese workers bringing their many traditions, with some of them still living on after the closing of the last sugar plantation here in 1996.
      In addition to Girls Day, the Japanese brought Boys Day, which is celebrated on May 5 by flying fish flags that look like carp. Called Tango No Sekku, it marks the beginning of summer and dates back to 600 A.D. in Japan.

FOOD BUSINESS BASICS: Getting Started and Finding Your Niche in the Specialty Foods Business is the title of a workshop to be held at Pahala Community Center on Wednesday, March 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The workshop with value-added and specialty-foods consultant Lou Cooperhouse is designed for farmers seeking to develop their raw product into a value-added product and bring it to market, entrepreneurs and restaurateurs interested in diversifying their revenue streams with specialty food products, and established producers looking to take their food businesses to the next level. To register, call 443-2755 or see laulimacenter.org/foodbasics.html.

John Replogle treating ginger on the trail to Keaiwa.
Photo by Shalan Crysdale

AT TUESDAY’S AFTER DARK IN THE PARK program, John Replogle, of The Nature Conservancy, addresses how the organization created a preserve in Ka`u and how the Three-Mountain Alliance has played an important role in this endeavor. 

      The Ka`u Preserve is part of the largest and most intact expanse of native forest in the state. Made up of four separate parcels of forested land, the preserve features mountainous ridgelines with narrow plateaus framed by steep valleys. A closed-canopy koa and `ohi`a forest shelters a lush understory of native ferns, where rare plants thrive, along with endangered forest birds like `apapane, `i`iwi, `elepaio, `amakihi and `akepa.
      The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply.

HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS CAUCUS of the Democratic Party of Hawai`i holds a general membership meeting Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at its headquarters in Honolulu. Ka`u residents are welcome to attend via teleconference by calling 605-477-2100. Participant access code is 697371 #.
      The meeting will be conducted by Dante Carpenter, chair of Democratic Party of Hawai`i. Agenda items include a motion to ratify reorganization of HACDPH steering committee and an open election of all HACDPH steering committee members. For more information, visit hawaiianaffairscaucus.weebly.com.

Paul and Jane Field removing invasive Kahili ginger.
NPS Photo from Jessica Ferracane

VOLUNTEERS PAUL AND JANE FIELD lead a new program at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park called Stewardship at the Summit. They invite Ka`u residents and visitors to help out the park and the `aina by cutting invasive Kahili ginger on park trails. Loppers and gloves are provided. Participants are encouraged to wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and closed-toed shoes. Work is often in the shade of the forest with sounds of native honey creepers like `apapane, `amakihi and `oma`o above. Water, snacks, rain gear and sun protection are recommended. 

      This project is open to the public, and no reservations are required. Interested people can stop by Kilauea Visitor Center to get directions and more information. The hike is a moderate one-mile round trip down Halema`uma`u Trail into Kilauea caldera, leaving from Kilauea Visitor Center. It involves walking over rough, uneven terrain on a dirt and rock path, with up to a 400-foot elevation change.
      The program takes place on various days each week. This month, the dates are Thursday, March 7; Friday, March 15; Saturday, March 23 and Thursday, March 28.
      Call 985-6017 for more information.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

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

Ka`u News Briefs March 2, 2013

Jon Cran, of Kapapala Ranch, has been named Pa`u Queen for the 2013 Merrie Monarch Royal Parade to be held Saturday, April 6. Photo by Julia Neal

“PUT ON A HAPPY FACE,” Gov. Neil Abercrombie told reporters yesterday at the end of a press conference held to comfort Hawai`i residents. He said his administration has set aside $25 million a year to help weather federal sequestration of funding that went into effect at midnight. The governor said he will look for support from the 2013 Hawai`i Legislature to help fund local programs that usually depend on money from Washington, D.C.
      Sequestration means $85 million across the board cuts in the federal budget. Federal projects in Hawai`i will be stalled, and expenditures on education, health and other social services reduced. Abercrombie held his press conference before Pres. Barack Obama was forced to sign the federal spending cuts yesterday, following months of congressional gridlock.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie holds press conference on sequestration.

      The governor urged Hawai`i residents “to take a deep breath and understand that we are on this on a daily basis.” Abercrombie said he plans to establish a Sequestration Impact Response Team comprised of public and private stakeholders to analyze the funding cuts coming Hawai`i’s way. The task force will measure the expected impact on reduced spending by the military, which shores up a large sector of Hawai`i’s economy. Some or all of the 19,000 civilian workers for the U.S. Department of Defense serving the military’s U.S. Pacific Command could face furloughs, costing workers $138 million in wages, another loss to the local economy. Army bases in Hawai`i could lose more than $100 million in federal funds. The governor said, “We understand the Department of Defense will be issuing letters later this month to notify those who are going to be furloughed.”
      Abercrombie said he has “contacted local financial institutions to encourage them to assist federal workers in the islands who may experience financial difficulty. This is a time when we need to show and practice aloha to those directly affected by these nationwide cuts.”
      Another $4.7 million in federal funding for the statewide school system could be gone, as well as federal money for environmental protection, meals for seniors and health care for the needy.
      Kalbert Young, director of the state Department of Budget & Finance, said, “It is not presumed that every program that loses federal funds will be able to be accommodated to maintain their current operational level.” He predicted a two-year loss of up to $45 million in direct federal grants to Hawai`i that may be at risk. “Sequestration will likely impact everyday activities, whether it be going to the airport, law enforcement support, border protection, food security issues,” the budget director said.
      However, Abercrombie predicted that sequestration will not endure, saying that Congress will most likely come to an agreement. “No one wants to be on the receiving end of the blame if stubborn clinging to this confrontational attitude continues in Washington,” said Hawai`i’s governor.

Wendy Spencer

KA`U’S CONGRESSWOMAN TULSI GABBARD yesterday announced federal grants for two Big Island organizations. The Hawai`i County Office of Aging will receive a $68,254 Senior Corps 2013 RSVP grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service to support senior volunteer activities.
      “Empowering and supporting community service leaders of all ages is our responsibility and privilege,” said Gabbard. “Volunteers are the backbone of our communities. The CNCS service grant will allow for our Senior Corps volunteers to continue their great work in serving those in need, and inspiring others to do the same.
      Wendy Spencer, CEO of Corporation for National and Community Service, said, “At a time of increased need and declining resources, volunteers age 55 and over continue to step in to fill the gaps. Today, more than ever, communities need the talents and skills of all Americans to help move this nation forward. Senior Corps volunteers are delivering enormous social and economic benefits to our communities and demonstrating that service is good for the nation and those who serve.”
      Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail will receive a $275,000 U.S. Department of Transportation grant to improve infrastructure and access to the historic 175-mile trail.
       “Support for the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail will protect cultural and natural resources and enhance visitors’ experiences, while honoring Native Hawaiian culture and the environment. Preservation of the trail will ensure that it will be enjoyed and valued for years to come,” said Gabbard.

Genevieve "Jon" Cran

KAPAPALA RANCH’S GENEVIEVE “JON” CRAN has been named Pa`u Queen for the Merrie Monarch Royal Parade to be held on Saturday, April 6 at 10:30 a.m. in Hilo. The parade begins and ends at Pauahi Street and winds through downtown Hilo along Kilauea Avenue, Keawe Street, Waianuenue Avenue and Kamehameha Avenue. Cran will be accompanied by two ladies in waiting, a page and two gentlemen escorts. The horses and riders will be adorned with lei made by Mona Chow. Cran is the wife of the late Gordon Cran, who served as pa`u marshall of the Merrie Monarch parade. The Cran family operates the 32,000-acre Kapapala Ranch between Pahala and Volcano.
      Also in the parade from Ka`u will be contestants in the Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant, which is scheduled for Friday, April 27 at Pahala Community Center.

RECYCLE HAWAI`I INVITES KA`U STUDENTS to enter its 8th annual Art of Recycling School Competition, open to all students ages six to 18 on Hawai`i Island. Free registration takes place throughout this month.
      Original creations made from recycled or reusable materials are submitted to the appropriate district site with an ARSC entry form. For West district of Na`alehu to Kailua-Kona, entries go to Kona International Market in Kailua-Kona on Friday, April 12 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. For East district of Pahala to Hilo, entries go to Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo on Friday, April 19 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Kiko Opala by Janessa Tupe
Photo by J West

      Entries focus on themes of reduce, reuse, recycle, island sustainability, preserving and protecting Hawai`i’s natural environment or zero waste. Entries are judged on originality, theme, personal expression, execution of materials and artistic merit. Outstanding entries for individual and group categories in elementary, middle, and high school levels are awarded prizes.
      For complete details including registration and entry forms visit www.recyclehawaii.org and click on Art of Recycling. For questions call 985-8725 or email hiartrecycle@gmail.com. This program is funded in part by the Hawai`i County Department of Environmental Management (www.hawaiizerowaste.org).

THE BUILDING OF A WILDLIFE PRESERVE and the Three-Mountain Alliance is the topic at Tuesday’s After Dark in the Park program. The Ka`u Preserve is part of the largest and most intact expanse of native forest in the state. Made up of four separate parcels of forested land, this Nature Conservancy preserve features mountainous ridgelines with narrow plateaus framed by steep valleys. A closed-canopy koa and `ohi`a forest shelters a lush understory of native ferns, where rare plants thrive, along with endangered forest birds like `apapane, `i`iwi, `elepaio, `amakihi and `akepa.
      John Replogle, of The Nature Conservancy, addresses how the TNC Preserve in Ka`u became a preserve and how the Three-Mountain Alliance has played an important role in this endeavor. The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply.

Ka`u senior Shaylin Navarro received All BIIF girls basketball honorable
mention.  Photo by Jemy-Ray Palancia

IN SPORTS, SENIOR SHAYLIN NAVARRO, of Ka`u High School, received All BIIF girls basketball honorable mention. Navarro is a multi-sport athlete for the Trojans, playing all four years of her high school career. She also served as team captain. Coach Cy Lopez noted her leadership and positive attitude, helping to keep morale high. He said that even when the team was down, “they never gave up.”

KA`U HIGH’S SOFTBALL TEAM has a home game against Kea`au Tuesday at 3 p.m. then travels to Hilo High Thursday.

THROUGH SHAVE ICE SALES, `O Ka`u Kakou recently raised $1,016 for the Ka`u High wrestling team so the team could go to states. They also raised $859 for South Side volleyball club’s trip to a mainland tournament and $150 for Ka`u Parks & Recreation Track and Field team transportation costs.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

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