Ka`u News Briefs March 11, 2013

On the second anniversary of the Japan tsunami, Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, which has a Ka`u Coast Cleanup this Saturday, points out that marine debris has been a serious problem for decades. Photo from Hawai`i Wildlife Fund

CNN IS AIRING ITS KA`U STORY during hourly news cycles today, using Kamilo Beach on the east side of South Point to illustrate how the world’s plastic waste reaches the most isolated beaches. “Slamming the shores of one of Hawai`i’s remote beaches, debris, big and small, covering every inch of the Kamilo Beach coastline, foreign markings tell where some of it comes from,” reports CNN correspondent Kyung Lah.
      The CNN news crew visited Kamilo last week with volunteers and Hawai`i Wildlife Fund’s Megan Lamson, who pointed to the lid of a pickle jar, saying, “This is definitely from Japan.” Debris has been coming to Hawai`i shores at a growing rate since 1.5 million tons of destruction in Japan was sucked into the Pacific by the tsunami after the March 11, 2011 earthquake, the story says. Lamson, who grew up in Ka`u, is shown in the CNN news story cleaning up the beach and saying, “It’s disheartening to come out here and see all this marine debris in this area that is otherwise so remote, debris that is washing out from other countries.”

      The CNN reporter states,“This is not just a litter problem.”  The story illustrates the marine debris problem by showing the necropsies of seabirds and fish, with scientists cutting open their stomachs full of indigestible plastics.

Megan Lamson and CNN reporter Kyung Lah identify Japanese debris
at Kamilo Beach. Image from cnn.com

      The CNN crew filmed the inside of a dead two-month old baby albatross from the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. 

      About 80 percent of the baby bird’s stomach contained indigestible plastics, fed by its parents who confused it for food. Professor David Hyrenbach, of Hawai`i Pacific University, who conducted the necropsy, says in the news story,  “Morally, this is terrible. How is this possible? I mean majestic, far ranging beautiful birds in a pristine place of the North Pacific. And then you open them up and this is what you find.” He says every single bird he’s opened up has plastics.
      “It goes way beyond the albatross,” Hyrenbach proclaims. The CNN story turned to NOAA fisheries biologist Lesley Jantz, who studies lancet fish, a major component of the diet of tuna. About half the fish she opens up have plastics in their stomachs. The next step is to measure how much of the plastics are absorbed into the flesh of the fish and passed onto humans who eat tuna.
      Plastics found in fish and birds included lighters, hairbrushes, toys, garbage bags and many other items.
      The story concludes by saying there is something consumers can do to help environmentalists. “Consumers can simply use less plastic.”
      See the film at http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_c3#/video/us/2013/03/11/pkg-lah-japan-tsunami-debris.cnn.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND ISSUED A STATEMENT regarding today’s second anniversary of the Japan tsunami, saying the organization “would again like to express our deepest sympathy to the victims and victims’ families of this natural disaster. First and foremost, this event was a human tragedy. Thousands of people died, and yes indeed, tons of debris were also released into the ocean. While we are thankful for the amount of attention this event has caused for marine debris awareness around the globe, we want all of our volunteers to recognize that marine debris has been a serious problem for decades (basically since the invention of plastic). Hawai`i Wildlife Fund has picked up international debris from shorelines throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago since 1998 and realizes that marine debris is a people problem, not solely the result of a single tsunami event or country of origin.
       “Let us not forget that each of us contributes to this problem daily by using (and improperly disposing of) single-use throwaway and non-recyclable plastic products. In turn, we can each be part of the solution and choose to re-use, reduce, recycle, and refuse (excess packaging, single-use items, etc.) and participate in local cleanup events. While CNN was setting up shop, Hawai`i Wildlife Fund and volunteers quickly removed over 200 pounds of marine debris from the coastline with an hour’s effort. And until there is a better solution, Hawai`i Wildlife Fund staff and volunteers will continue to pick up the pieces here in Hawai`i nei.”
      Volunteers can join Hawai`i Wildlife Fund’s Ka`u Coast Cleanup this Saturday. Sign up with Lamson at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or 769-7629.

Hawai`i's U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard appeared on Meet the Press yesterday.
Images from nbc.com

U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD, who represents Ka`u, joined Meet the Press host David Gregory  in a panel discussion with former Republican Congressman Joe Scarborough from Florida who hosts MSNBC’s Morning Joe; former governor and now Democratic senator from Virginia, Tim Kaine; Republican senator from Oklahoma, Tom Coburn, who he was one of the 11 Republican senators who dined with President Barack Obama last week; and freshman Republican Congressman Cory Gardner of Colorado. Gregory described Gabbard as a Democrat and one of the first female combat veterans in Congress. 

      Gregory asked Gabbard: In this “slightly cooler atmosphere where we’re not in the middle of fiscal crisis, do you sense more inclination to get something done?”
      Gabbard replied, “Absolutely. I really see great opportunity here – for a few reasons. One is because you don’t have these kind of created crises that are constantly happening. It creates an opportunity for those of us who have come here with a very clear mandate from people in our districts, both Republicans and Democrats, that we want to see action. We want to see you guys sit down, spend some time together, and talk through things. And in order for that to happen, there has to be a basic level of respect, sincere discussion, listening, and consideration. And there will be things of course we disagree on, but there will be things that we can agree on. And that’s really where the opportunity I see that lies ahead.”
       Regarding the nation’s budget, Gabbard said, “I think that’s why it’s important that the – first of all – these conversations are happening. I think frustration by the American people and frustration by members of Congress of – as well have stemmed from the fact that a lot of these debates have taken place on TV or on the House floor and not had – very meaningful discussion so we can figure out areas we can agree on."

Meet the Press host David Gregory described U.S. Congress freshmen Tulsi
Gabbard (D) and Cory Gardner (R)  as  "two fresh voices."

      She talked about areas in the budget discussed by Republican Sen. Coburn: “Waste within Medicare that we can agree needs to be cut. Issues like prescription drug negotiations from Medicare to bring the cost down. I think everyone agrees that the rising cost of healthcare is the driver,” said Gabbard.
      She said, “We really have to be creative and talk through what are the options that are out there. When we talk about – making it so that Medicare can negotiate with these prescription drug companies, that right there is on average around $14 billion a year. We look at some of the major tax loopholes that exist. Again, I appreciate the work that Senator Coburn has done and – and read a lot of it to see where are these areas that we can agree that we can cut back.”
      Gregory also asked Gabbard what she thinks of the president having authority to use drones in the U.S. to kill Americans suspected of being terrorists.
      She again agreed with the Republican: “Cory and I agree. We have a great responsibility in Congress. And from my background and my experience, I obviously come in with a first-hand perspective on the value of these counterterrorism tactics and strategies – during a time of war overseas in enemy territory, and that being the appropriate place for them, not here on American soil. And it is our responsibility to hold hearings, because it’s an important discussion that the American people are very concerned about, as are we. And we have to set the parameters for what the measures will be,” said Gabbard. See the full roundtable discussion at www.meetthepress.com.

Ocean View Community Center offers videoconferencing for tomorrow's
 committee meetings and Wednesday's County Council meeting.

KAHUKU PARK IMPROVEMENTS are on the agenda of Hawai`i County Council’s Finance Committee meeting to be held tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Council Chambers in Hilo. In addition to a previous bill calling for water system improvements at the park in Ocean View, Council member Brenda Ford introduces more measures funding ramps to comply with the American Disability Act; playground equipment, matting, a gazebo and barbeque apparatus; and a senior center, gymnasium and emergency shelter.
      Other committees meeting tomorrow are Governmental Relations and Economic Development at 9 a.m., Public Safety and Mass Transit at 9:15 a.m., Environmental Management at 9:45 a.m. and Planning at 10:45 a.m.
      The full Council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m. at Council Chambers in Hilo.
      Meeting agendas, along with information on how to submit testimony, can be viewed at hawaiicounty.gov.
      Ka`u residents can now participate in committee and Council meetings via videoconference at Ocean View Community Center, 92-8924 Leilani Circle. The system is available until 3 p.m. or later if public witness testimony has not been completed.
      For more information, call 961-8536 or edistrict6@co.hawaii.hi.us.

WALK-IN REGISTRATION will be available for the Food Business Basics workshop on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Some of the topics are Understanding the food marketplace and distribution channels; identifying target consumers and developing product niche; business planning and food processing options; local state and federal regulations, product development and funding. See laulimacenter.org/foodbasics.html.

A HUGE RUMMAGE SALE is planned for Friday through Sunday at Discovery Harbour Community Center. The bi-annual sale raises money to support the local volunteer fire department. Donations for the sale will be taken Wednesday and Thursday. “We are looking for anything you want to get rid of that is clean and in working condition,” said rummage sale organizer Elizabeth Girard. The sale typically has good deals including CDs, DVDs, jewelry, artwork, electronics, exercise equipment, furniture and clothes. Discovery Harbour Social Committee will be selling $5 hot dog lunches. Girard said proper firefighting gear is expensive; a good pair of boots costs $300. Using fundraiser money, Discovery Harbour volunteer fire brigade was able to purchase seven 3M full-face respirator masks.

BLUEGRASS MEETS HAWAIIAN MUSIC this Saturday at Pahala Plantation House. Keoki Kahumoku and Aloha Bluegrass Band present the Piligrass concert at 7:30 p.m. Suggested donation is $15 to $20. For more information, call 938-6582.

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 10, 2013

CNN correspondent Kyung Lah interviews Hawai`i Wildlife Fund's Megan Lamson on the Ka`u Coast.
The story airs on CNN tomorrow. Photo from Hawai`i Wildlife Fund.

A CNN STORY ON MARINE DEBRIS IN KA`U is scheduled for tomorrow at 4 a.m., 5 a.m. and throughout the day. March 11 is the second anniversary of the Great Tohoku Earthquake, which sent a damaging tsunami to the Big Island’s coast and Japan tsunami debris toward Hawai`i. The CNN crew filmed Hawai`i Wildlife Fund staff and volunteers last week at Kamilo Point for the story on potential Japanese tsunami debris landing here and other marine debris problems along the southeast coast of Ka`u.

Volunteers Megan Lamson, Stacey Breining and Patric Leatherman pull
up a large derelict fishing net from the rocky nearshore of Kamilo before
the CNN interview. Photo by Harold Leatherman, Hawai`i Wildlife
Fund volunteer

      The story will be told by CNN news correspondent Kyung Lah. Megan Lamson, of Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, said a link will be posted at www.wildhawaii.org and on facebook.com/hawaiiwildlifefund as soon as the CNN story appears online.
       A follow-up story on CNN in April will include NOAA’s Nets-to-Energy Program and recycled “ocean plastic” bottled cleaning products by the San Francisco-based company, Method.
      Hawai`i Wildlife Fund holds a Ka`u Coast Cleaup this Saturday. Volunteers can sign up with Lamson at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE from $7.75 to $9.25, and tagging the minimum to the cost of living each year, passed the state House of Representatives and Senate during the past week. The two chambers will negotiate the timeline for the changes.

      Patricia McManaman, director of the state Department of Human Services, offered the following testimony: “According to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau for Labor Statistics, of the 321,000 hourly workers in Hawai`i, 8,000 were paid the minimum wage of $7.25 in 2011 while an additional 7,000 residents were paid below the minimum wage. For those workers earning minimum wage at a full-time job, annual earnings total $15,080.” 

      She said the hike in the minimum wage “will ensure that Hawai`i’s lowest paid workers will earn wages that will at least support their basic needs.… Hawai`i will also join the 10 other states across the nation that adjust their minimum wages annually to keep pace with the rising cost of living – a policy known as indexing. Indexing to inflation ensures that real wages for our lowest paid workers do not fall even further behind. 

      “If we accept the figures used by the United States Census Bureau to apportion cost of living expenses, then 13 percent of an individual’s earnings are applied toward grocery items, 29 percent toward housing, 10 percent toward utilities, 12 percent toward transportation, four percent toward healthcare, and 32 percent toward other miscellaneous items…. A family earning $7.25 per hour would allocate $350 per month towards housing, $120 towards utilities, $145 towards transportation, and $157 towards groceries."

      In Honolulu, she wrote, “it is a stretch to find apartments renting for below $1,000 per month and difficult to imagine utility bills including electricity, water, and telephone at costs below $120 per month. 

      “Raising the minimum wage is good for Hawai`i’s families and good for Hawai`i’s economy. Money in the pockets of working people will be spent to make ends meet, boosting our economy and creating jobs in our communities. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, every $1.00 in wage increases for a minimum wage worker results in $2,800 in new consumer spending by the worker’s household over the following year.

Patricia McManaman, chief of
Hawai`i Human Services

      “Raising the minimum wage is also good for Hawai`i’s working women who, together with their children, will benefit from increased economic security. In Hawai`i, 47 percent of full-time minimum wage workers are women, and 75 percent of our heads of household for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Temporary Assistance to Other Needy Families programs are women. Across the nation, women workers are concentrated in low-wage industries such as food service, retail and home health care, and despite the progress women have made, women still earn less overall than men in all occupations – a wage gap that translates into thousands of dollars of unearned income over a lifetime. As applied to Hawai`i’s TANF/TAONF beneficiaries, women with children are disproportionately represented in low-wage jobs and will accrue the greatest benefits from an increase in the minimum wage. 

      “Raising the minimum wage is the right thing to do. Franklin D. Roosevelt called the minimum wage “a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.” Yet, today’s minimum wage of $7.25 buys 30 percent less of what it did 40 years ago. It’s time for Hawai`i to ensure that poorest of our wage workers can at least support their most basic needs. It’s time for a New Day for Hawai`i’s poorest wage workers,” wrote the state Human Services chief.

      Jack Temple, a policy analyst at the National Employment Law Project, wrote in Civil Beat that, “Despite having the highest cost of living in the country, Hawai`i’s minimum wage remains stuck at the federal level of $7.25 per hour.”
      Temple wrote that “this proposal would boost the local economy while delivering a much-needed raise to the state’s lowest-paid workers. Roughly 74,000 workers in Hawai`i would receive a raise.” He wrote that, if the state’s minimum wage were increased to $9.25 per hour, the pay raise would generate more than $54 million in new consumer spending and support the creation of 470 new full-time jobs as businesses expand to meet increased customer demand.

Jack Temple, of the National Employment
Law Project

      “Nineteen states across the country have already raised their minimum wages above $7.25 per hour, including states with much lower costs of living like Montana, Arizona and Nevada. Moreover, more than a dozen states across the U.S. are considering legislation this year to raise their minimum wages, forming a growing movement to boost pay standards for low-paid workers. 

      “Contrary to common misconception, fully two-thirds of all low-wage workers are employed by large companies with over 100 employees, not the small mom and pop shops that many assume. And the largest employers of low-wage workers – the national retail and fast food chains like Walmart and McDonalds – are earning strong profits today and can afford to pay higher wages.
      “Furthermore, there are often-overlooked savings that result from paying higher wages. When workers earn higher pay, they are spared from having to balance multiple jobs in order to make ends meet – as a result, employers that pay higher wages benefit from reduced employee turnover and higher worker productivity. Many major companies such as Costco are able to offer low-price products while paying their workers high wages precisely because of the savings generated by higher wages.
      “Hawai`i’s lawmakers are showing wise judgment in calling for a minimum wage increase. A higher minimum wage will promote economic growth, offer some relief to the state’s lowest-paid workers and help protect the promise of upward economic mobility for those who work for a living,” wrote Parker.

Jobie Masagatani, chief of Department of
Hawaiian Homelands

NEW HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS CHIEF is Jobie Masagatani, confirmed unanimously Friday by the state Senate. Masagatani served as interim DHHL director beginning in May. 

      During confirmation hearings, she faced opposition by former deputy DHHL director Michelle Kauhane, who accused the administration of offering Kauhane a job as homeless czar, using DHHL funds, if she would step down from her job as DHHL deputy director. According to a report in Civil Beat, “the governor’s offices said at the time that the offer was not improper because DHHL employees are allowed to help other agencies.” Kauhane and several other critics said using funds for Native Hawaiians for the homeless would have been inapproporiate. Kauhane was fired from DHHL in December.
      Before the vote, Sen. Malama Solomon and Sen. Brickwood Galuteria “spoke glowingly of Masagatani’s qualifications.
      Masagatani, 48, graduated from Kamehameha Schools, earned a bachelor of science degree at Northwestern University in education and received a master’s degree from Princeton University in public affairs and urban and regional planning. She worked as deputy to the Hawaiian Homes Commission chair and as a Land Investment Analyst for Kamehameha Schools. She worked at The Queen’s Health Systems as assistant to the president and CEO and served at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as special assistant to the chief executive officer.

ABOUT 15 PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED UP for the Food Business Basics workshop to be held Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Getting Started and Finding Your Niche in the Specialty Foods Business is the title of the session for helping local residents to develop raw products and bring them to market. Some of the topics are Understanding the food marketplace and distribution channels; identifying target consumers and developing product niche; business planning and food processing options; local state and federal regulations, product development and funding.
      Advance registration, which includes lunch, is still available at $35, and scholarships are available. See laulimacenter.org/foodbasics.html. 

TUTU & KEIKI, Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo’s first 2013 Sunday in the Park family event, takes place today from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Whittington Beach Park. Co-hosts are Tutu & Me Traveling Preschool and Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka`u. The event features Hawaiian activities, games and prizes.

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 9, 2013

Whale pinged by Navy sonar. Illustration from Natural Resources Defense Fund

NAVY SONAR TRAINING EXERCISES ACROSS 120,000 square miles of Pacific waters, from Hawai`i to Southern California, received a thumbs down yesterday for a five-year permit. It was an attempt by the California Coastal Commission to mitigate impacts on marine mammals.
      However, the same California Coastal Commission turned down the Navy permit in 2007, and the Navy carried on, leading to a federal lawsuit.

      Coastal Commissioner Jana Zimmer told Navy representatives meeting in San Diego on Friday: “I understand you see this 120,000-square-mile range as your theater, but the bottom line is we don’t see it that way. That theater is occupied by creatures of the sea.” Regarding marine protected areas, she said, “you need to start looking at this theater as a theater where some of the seats are reserved.”

      While there is no such obligation in Hawai`i, in California the Navy is required to apply to the Coastal Commission for use of waters for war games. The commission asked the Navy for more proof that sonar technology and explosives have small impacts on marine mammals, such as dolphins and whales.
      Environmental groups contend that Navy sonar affects marine mammals’ own sonar, used to locate food and mates, that explosives damage their hearing, and that both can lead to deaths and injuries.
      The Navy’s latest training plan predicts as many as 130 marine mammal deaths and 8.8 million impacts by Navy actions over the five-year period. The hours of training proposed are increased over previous plans, and the Navy reports considering a larger geographic area for training to ensure readiness for the Pacific Ocean. The Navy pointed to danger looming with the Chinese military buildup and from North Korea, which this week threatened a pre-emptive nuclear strike on the U.S. The Navy testified it needs the sonar exercise to test new equipment, in particular for detecting mini and large “quiet diesel-electric submarines.”

Sonar on the bow of a surface Navy ship. Photo from Navy EIS

      The Natural Resources Defense Council testified that the Navy expects 13 times more impact on marine mammals through its military exercises than estimated in earlier plans.
      The Defense Council website states that “when a sound thousands of times more powerful than a jet engine fills their ears, the results can be devastating -- and even deadly. “This is the reality that whales and other marine mammals face because of human-caused noise in the ocean, whether it’s the sound of airguns used in oil exploration or subs and ships emitting sonar. Manmade sound waves can drown out the noises that marine mammals rely on for their very survival, causing serious injury and even death.”
        To mitigate effects on marine mammals, the Coastal Commission staff proposed that the Navy shut down war games when marine mammals or sea turtles are detected by blacking out areas of up to two kilometers offshore; blackout areas for sonar use in marine sanctuaries, and those protected and coastal areas with such rare species as bottlenose dolphins; reduce emitting sounds at night and when visibility is low; reduce speed in sensitive areas to 10 knots when possible; improve training for marine mammal spotters aboard Navy ships; and create a contingency plan for near-shore explosives, should additional marine mammal deaths occur.
      Members of the Audubon Society, Greenpeace, the Sierra Club and Surfrider Foundation also attended the meeting in San Diego.

State-owned land includes much of Hawai`i Island's
watershed.

PROTECTING THE WATERSHED went unfunded in the state House of Representatives state budget passed by its Finance Committee this week. Finance chair Sylvia Luke said, however, that the committee is still looking for money, perhaps through the general fund or by issuing bonds. Gov. Neil Abercrombie had proposed an increase in the conveyance tax levied when real property changes hands – limited to properties valued at more than $2 million. He said the tax would generate an estimated $10 million for watershed protection. He also proposed a 10-cent fee for single-use checkout bags to go into the natural area reserve fund, estimating income of $15 million. Neither have traction in the 2013 Legislature. 

      In his State of the State address on Jan. 22, Abercrombie said: “If we are going to nurture and expand our local agriculture – if we are going to be talking about how we meet the challenges of the 21st century and ensure that we perpetuate ‘our’ Hawai`i, its natural beauty and environment – the question is what must we do keep our watershed areas protected. The Department of Land and Natural Resources Watershed Initiative remains a top priority.
      “Our forests can capture and collect up to 50 percent more water than through rainfall alone.
 When forests disappear, Hawai`i shrinks its source of water. In the last 200 years, more than half of Hawai`i’s forests have been lost. The longer we wait to take significant action, the higher the cost will be to reverse the damage, thereby threatening water supplies for future generations.
      “I thank the Legislature for providing funding last session. But what we need is a sustainable and ongoing source of funding. I will be asking the Legislature to look at alternative methods of funding this critical initiative.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie under the campaign signs of Ka`u's new legislators
last November at Hilo Bandstand. Photo by Julia Neal

GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE yesterday announced the release of more than $46.39 million for various capital improvement projects across Hawai`i, including investments required to qualify for federal funding toward state projects. “Many of these priority projects require matching state funds to access federal dollars, secured before sequestration, to maintain and upgrade our public infrastructure and facilities,” Abercrombie said. “These CIPs will have the added benefit of stimulating Hawai`i’s economy and generating local jobs. Priority has been given to projects that can begin quickly.” 

      Allotment of funds for the following priority projects, identified by members of the state Legislature, has been approved by the governor:

• $14 million for design and construction for various repair and alteration projects to existing state office buildings. Projects may include roofing, other repairs and improvements. 
• $3.1 million for transfer of general obligation bond funds to the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund to match more than $15 million in federal funds to finance wastewater infrastructure construction projects (such as wastewater systems, storm water, and non-point source projects) across the state to attain and maintain compliance with the federal Clean Water Act. 
• $2.7 million for transfer of general obligation bond funds to the Drinking Water Treatment Revolving Loan Fund to match more than $13 million in federal funds to finance drinking water infrastructure construction projects across the state for public water systems to attain and maintain compliance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. 
• $1 million for design and construction of renewable energy sources for state park facilities and replacement of aging energy and water systems with efficient fixtures, systems and facilities statewide. 



Pu`u Pua`i Photo from fhvnp.org

• $1 million for design and construction to provide public accessibility at several DLNR facilities statewide pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK explore Pu`u Pua`i area on an easy-to-moderate hike of about three miles. Non-members can join the nonprofit organization in order to attend. Call 985-7373 to join. 

PEOPLE AND LAND OF KAHUKU, a guided 2.5-mile hike over rugged terrain, focuses on the human history of the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

TUTU & KEIKI, Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo’s first 2013 Sunday in the Park family event, takes place tomorrow from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Whittington Beach Park. Co-hosts are Tutu & Me Traveling Preschool and Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka`u. The event features Hawaiian activities, games and prizes. For more information, call 929-9891.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND holds a Ka`u Coast Cleanup next Saturday. Volunteers can sign up with Megan Lamson at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

A VOLUNTEER FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT next Saturday takes place in the Mauna Loa strip section of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Pre-registration is required at 352-1402 or forest@fhvnp.org.

BLUEGRASS MEETS HAWAIIAN MUSIC next Saturday at a Piligrass concert at Pahala Plantation House. Keoki Kahumoku and Aloha Bluegrass Band perform at 7:30 p.m. Suggested donation is $15 - $20. For more information, call 938-6582.

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.