Ka`u News Briefs Monday, July 15, 2013

Pastor Troy Gacayan, of River of Life Assembly of God Church in Pahala, gave the blessing at the opening of Longs
Pharmacy this morning. Photo by Julia Neal

LONGS PHARMACY OPENED this morning, the first free-standing pharmacy in Ka`u. Manager and pharmacist Leona Goda thanked all of the people who worked with her at the former location at Ka`u Hospital and now at Pahala Shopping Center for helping make the move over the last several weeks. She said that she is grateful that Longs believes in this community and is willing to expand its business here. The pharmacy for the public at Ka`u Hospital is now closed.

Longs staff, including pharmacy
technician Candrie Pascubillo,
moved from Longs at Ka`u
Hospital to the new facility.
Photo by Julia Neal

"This is your store," Leona Goda told
residents at Longs Pharmacy in Pahala.
Photo by Julia Neal

      Pastor Troy Gacayan gave the blessing and talked about Longs being a “very reputable and well known company willing to make Ka`u home." He called Longs “Ka`u’s newest business and family member.”

      By mid-morning the parking lot was full at Pahala Shopping Center, with people going to Longs also parking in the street and the parking lot by R&J Store.
      Hawai`i district manager Raul Sicardi said that he expects to expand some of the food offerings and noted that Longs will not be selling liquor, ice, fishing supplies and many of the other items sold at other stores in the shopping center. He said he expects to keep the space being used at 2,500 square feet.
      Several Ka`u residents attending the grand opening said they thought that people coming to Longs for their prescriptions may make the shopping center very popular and possibly the site of noodle shops and other small restaurants in the three empty bays between Longs and the post office. Longs is open 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. until noon on Saturdays and closed Sundays.

Longs staff opens the new Longs today. (L-R) Pharmacy technician Jamie Gutierrez, Pahoa pharmacy manager Jeime Kon, who helped out with the opening, pharmacy technician Terri De Sa and clerk-cashier Donna Tsukamoto.
Photo by Julia Neal

      In addition to the pharmacist, employees at Longs in Pahala are Pahala residents Candrie Pascubillo and Terri De Sa, both pharmacy technicians; Na`alehu resident Donna Tsukamoto, a clerk and cashier; and Kurtistown resident Jamie Gutierrez, a pharmacy technician. The pharmacist lives in Moutain View.

Attendees at today's blessing of Longs Pharmacy shared a celebratory
cake. Photo by Julia Neal

      Longs Pharmacies are owned by CVS Caremark, the largest pharmacy health care provider in the United States, with mail order, retail and specialty pharmacies as well as retail clinics. CVS is a leading provider of Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans. CVS provides access to a network of more than 65,000 pharmacies nationwide.

HEFTY FEDERAL FLOOD INSURANCE RATE HIKES could land on “more than 13,000 Hawai`i property owners — including businesses, owners of vacation homes, and those whose properties have had major problems with flooding.” They “could see their annual federal flood insurance premiums climb by 25 percent before the end of the year,” writes Washington correspondent Kery Murakani in Civil Beat this morning. Murakami reports a Federal Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman saying that thousands of other property owners may also face huge increases. 

      Civil Beat says that “nationally, the rate hikes are sparking concern. The increases were passed by Congress last year to prop up a federal flood insurance program that’s billions of dollars in debt and that makes big payouts every time a major storm hits.”

Flood insurance could go up for places like Okoe Bay near Miloli`i,
which was hit by the Japan tsunami in March of 2011.
Photo by Kaiali`i Kahele

      Hawai`i Reps. Colleen Hanabusa and Tulsi Gabbard are trying stop the hikes for now. Murakami points to “an amendment to the Homeland Security appropriations bill last month that would delay the premium hikes for a year. A proposal in the Senate would delay it for three years. Both chambers would have to agree on an approach to stop the increases.

      “With Congress unable to agree on much these days, it’s by no means certain that a delay will be approved before the increases kick in on Oct. 1.”
      “Increasingly frequent and severe storms have overwhelmed the National Flood Insurance Program, created by Congress in 1968 to offer subsidized flood insurance because basic homeowners’ insurance policies did not cover floods,” writes Murakami.
      See more at civilbeat.com.

How to support vitality of Hawai`i's
organic food production is the topic
of a survey. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

THE ORGANIC FOOD INDUSTRY is being surveyed on feasibility and potential roles of organizations and agencies to support growth and vitality of Hawai`i’s organic food production and delivery. The initiative is supported by a grant from the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture; the surveys conducted by Kohala Center. They are accessible online at laulimacenter.org/organic_survey.html through Friday, Aug. 2. 

      Farmers, producers, distributors, retailers, consumers, and agricultural professionals are encouraged to participate in one or more of the surveys. Participation is voluntary and anonymous. Data collected from the surveys will influence the development of solutions and recommendations to strengthen Hawai`i’s organic industry, says a statement from The Kohala Center.
      A nine-member advisory group comprised of organic farmers, producers, retailers, and agricultural professionals from around the state was convened in February to determine the primary barriers affecting the growth and sustainability of Hawai`i’s organic industry. Representatives from local processors, distributors, retailers, certifiers, and the state Legislature have also provided input to the group’s work. Based on the issues, barriers, and potential solutions defined by the advisory group, surveys were developed to gain insights and data from a broader range of industry constituents statewide.

Voluntary and anonymous surveys are being conducted by
The Kohala Center. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

       “Organic agricultural producers operating in Hawai`i currently don’t have a central place where they can obtain information on critical issues such as infrastructure, processing, marketing, certification, and business development,” said Melanie Bondera, Rural Cooperative Development Specialist for the Laulima Center, a program of The Kohala Center. “There are many entities in the state providing specific services, but no central educational or advocacy group. Our research seeks to determine how existing entities can support organics in Hawai`i, and how the local industry can overcome the barriers that are affecting farming operations, production, distribution, quality, and costs.”
       Survey data will be analyzed and integrated with the advisory group’s research to develop actionable solutions and recommendations to the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture, as well as provide input on a legislative agenda for the industry in 2014. The advisory group will conduct an open meeting on Hawai`i Island in late October, at which the group’s findings and preliminary recommendations will be presented to the public for feedback and further input.
       Interested participants may access the surveys online at laulimacenter.org/organic_survey.html or contact The Kohala Center at 887-6411 for more information.

Ed Case spent a lot of time in Ka`u as a congressman and a
candidate, including trips with his wife Audrey.
Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U’S FORMER CONGRESSMAN Ed Case has announced he’s moving out of politics into the visitor industry. Case was known in Ka`u for having come here more than any other member of Congress, meeting directly with constituents and getting back to them with details on their concerns. 

      In a statement released last week, Case said he is joining a hotel and travel company. “Sometimes in life it’s just time to start a new chapter. That’s what I’m doing in joining Outrigger Enterprises Group as senior vice president and chief legal officer on July 22nd.”
      Case said that his political career, in which he lost bids for governor and U.S. Senate in recent years, “has been deeply fulfilling, with challenges faced, contributions made, friendships forged and promising opportunities right over the horizon.
      “But I’ve always looked for that next mountain to climb, that next contribution to make, and Outrigger is an opportunity I can’t resist.”
      Outrigger is a 66-year old local company “which has stayed true to its Hawai`i roots and values. Outrigger wrote the book on Hawai`i’s travel and tourism industry and, with its 4,200 employees, is central to 25 percent-plus of Hawai`i’s economy,” Case stated.

JAPANESE THEATRE CALLED BENTO RAKUGO will be performed at Na`alehu Public Library Wednesday at 2 p.m.

      In Rakugo, the performer presents a comic story while sitting on a Japanese cushion throughout the entire performance, speaking all of the voices in both first and third person. The troupe specializes in popular traditional forms of Japanese theatre by bringing a modern twist to Japanese comedy. The program is for ages 5 and older. Call 939-2442 for more information. 

HAUNANI’S ALOHA EXPRESSIONS comes to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center this Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The hula halau of native Hawaiians has shared the aloha spirit with visitors arriving at the Port of Hilo and Hilo International Airport and patients at hospitals and health care centers around the island for many years.
      Haunani’s Aloha Expressions won the overall competition at the Kupuna Hula Festival and the Moku o Keawe competition on numerous occasions. Members make their own costumes and lei. They sing and dance hapa-haole hula, and have performed at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park annual cultural festival regularly.

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 Sunday, July 14, 2013

Young hula dancers of Keiki o Halau o Kekuhi share their message and skills at the Kahua Hula Dance Platform yesterday during the 33rd annual Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Cultural Festival. Photo by Dave Boyle

OVER 2,000 PEOPLE took in Hawaiian culture yesterday at the 33rd Annual Cultural Festival at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The theme stressed the learning of the child, and cultural practitioners shared their mana`o – knowledge – with keiki and adults. `Ukulele playing, feather lei making, lauhala weaving, beating kapa, quilting and making hula instruments, hats, baskets, bracelets, bamboo stamps and cloth, using plants for medicine and creating a native garden were among the skills that were taught during the day. Keiki o Halau o Kekuhi, Halau Ulumamo o Hilo Paliku and Hua Halau Ke `Olu Makani o Mauna Loa presented hula and chant. Diana Aki, Ben Ka`ili, and Leabert Lindsey offered song. Children learned to make and play the nose flute.

Hawaiian nose flutes are fashioned and played at the cultural festival yesterday.
Photo by Dave Boyle

      HVNP superintendent Cindy Orlando talked about event: “The beautiful Pele mist, incredible practitioners, mele and chant all contributed to what I thought was one of the best festivals we have hosted. What a legacy to those who began this event in 1980.”

FORMER KA`U POLICE CAPTAIN Andrew Burian, who transferred recently to Hamakua, encourages landowners and tenants to report illegal hunters. Burian told Hawai`i Tribune-Herald staff writer John Burnett that the issues with illegal hunting are the same in both locations.
      “In Ka`u, we’re addressing (illegal hunting) with some of the landowners,” he said. “At Kapapala Ranch, for instance, one of their concerns is trespassing to go up to lands to hunt up above the ranch. At the same time, it also involves hunting on their lands.”

      County Prosecutor Mitch Roth told Burnett that “we’ve had problems with people illegally hunting on private property, not just pigs, but shooting cows.”

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park superintendent Cindy Orlando at
Volcano Art Center with Dietrich Varez, whose artwork was chosen
to represent the festival. Photo by Emily Catey

      Hunting on private property requires permission from the landowner, and night hunting is prohibited. Hunters must be licensed and abide by laws governing transportation of  firearms.
      Roth said that trespassing with a loaded firearm is a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, in addition to a misdemeanor trespass charge.
      “These guys who are illegally hunting give a bad name to the guys who are actually doing it legally,” Roth told Burnett. “We have a lot of really conscientious hunters on our island who are concerned about preserving the sport and subsistence hunters who are conscious of the environment. It really looks bad when these other guys are out there breaking the law. It gives all hunters a black eye.”
      According to the story, Burian said, “Just like with any other crimes, we may not be able to find any leads, but there are going to be times that we catch somebody. “And more often than not, it’s going to be the same people who are responsible for many of these incidents.”

      See more at hawaiitribune-herald.com.

Keiki play Hawaiian games at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Photo by Dave Boyle

COUNTY OF HAWAI`I HAS SUBMITTED QUESTIONS regarding Hawaiian Electric Co.’s testimony on the proposed contract to purchase biofuel from `Aina Koa Pono. AKP plans to use feedstock from Ka`u to refine biofuel at a facility it would build along Wood Valley Road above Pahala. 

      Hawai`i County questions Hawai`i Electric Light Co. president Jay Ignacio about his statement that “HELCO’s use of the biodiesel will reduce carbon dioxide emissions on the island of Hawai`i, as AKP is contractually required to demonstrate that its project achieves at least a 50 percent favorable reduction in greenhouse gases over the petroleum diesel currently used by HELCO.”
      “Do you believe that AKP biodiesel will result in no less than a 50 percent reduction in GHG emissions when production of all inputs and all other processes related to biofuel production and deliveries are accounted?
      “If so, would you please provide the complete analysis based on actual AKP process, relevant feedstocks, and all input materials?

Making a lauhala bracelet at yesterday's cultural
festival. Photo by Dave Boyle

      “If you cannot provide this complete analysis of the actual AKP process, then would you please justify why a twenty-year commitment is being requested, when the ability to deliver on the project’s main promises is in question?”
      Hawai`i County questions HECO fuels department manager Cecily Barnes about her statement that “a successful AKP Project is expected to attract additional high-tech investment in the advanced biofuel industry.”
      “An underlying argument behind the proposed AKP contract is that the fixed, high-priced, long-term contract is necessary to attract investors,” the county states. “However, there are multiple incentive programs offered by the federal government, and many other companies have raised funds to demonstrate their technology at pilot/demonstration scale, and then use those demonstrations to fund commercial plants –without requiring such a lucrative off-take agreement. With utility rates that are three to four times as high on average as on the mainland (and, based on the current utility business model, possibly going to an even higher-multiple), could you please explain why yet further price increases to the consumer are justified to ‘attract additional high-tech investment in the advanced biofuel industry.’”
      Regarding Barnes’ statement that “it is expected that the AKP Project will generate direct and indirect jobs, stimulate economic output, and generate tax revenues that are quantifiable,” Hawai`i County says, “This may be true, as any project where higher-priced goods are imposed on customers by government fiat (as is the case with a regulated utility) will in fact ensure that at least some jobs are created and sustained. What is left unsaid in such cases, however, is that consumers are then denied choice (unless they opt out entirely from the system, which many seem to be doing or now seriously considering), and many other sectors of personal preference and economic activity are curtailed.
      “Would you please provide an estimate of how many jobs … AKP will generate, compared to how many jobs would be generated across the Islands and across other economic sectors if electricity rates were reduced by 25 percent, 50 percent, or if we were to work together to reach a mainland equivalent pricing of a 75 percent reduction?”
      This and more testimony is available at puc.hawaii.gov. Docket number is 2012-0185.
      Responses from the utilities are due Friday, Aug. 2.

Longs is ready to open its pharmacy in Pahala tomorrow. Photo by Julia Neal

Pharmacist and manager Leona Goda

LONGS PHARMACY opens in Pahala tomorrow with a blessing at 8:30 a.m. becoming the first pharmacy in Ka`u outside of clinics and the small Ka`u Hospital pharmacy. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. until noon on Saturdays, closed Sunday. Longs is located in Pahala Shopping Center between Bank of Hawai`i and Pahala Post Office. In addition to the pharmacy, Longs will offer reading glasses, beauty and health care products and snacks. 

      Pharmacist Leona Goda is the pharmacy manager for Longs in Pahala. Her pharmacy degree is from University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. She has worked in Hawai`i for Longs since 2003. She was previously a Senior medical writer for DoMed Communications. She is certified by the Amercian Pharmacists Association for pharmacy-based immunization delivery. Her skills include medical writing and patient education.
      Overall contractor was The Hatch Group. Local contractors on the project included Taylor Built Construction Company, Inc.

Bento Rakugo performs at Na`alehu Public Library Wednesday.
Photo from Bento Rakugo

BENTO RAKUGO COMES TO Na`alehu Public Library Wednesday at 2 p.m. The troupe honors one of the most popular traditional forms of Japanese theatre while bringing a modern twist to the Japanese comedy. The program is suitable for ages 5 and older. Call 939-2442 for more information. 

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK Visitor Center hosts Haunani’s Aloha Expressions Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The hula group of native Hawaiians for years has shared the aloha spirit with visitors arriving at the Port of Hilo and Hilo International Airport and patients at hospitals and health care centers around the island.

      Haunani’s Aloha Expressions won overall at the Kupuna Hula Festival and also won the Moku o Keawe competition on numerous occasions. They make all of their own colorful costumes and lei, singing and dancing hapa-haole hula, and have performed at the park’s annual cultural festival on numerous occasions.

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 Saturday, July 13, 2013

Longs Pharmacy opens with a blessing for the public at 8:30 a.m. Monday at Pahala Shopping Center.
Photo by Julia Neal

LONGS PHARMACY opens on Monday, becoming the first pharmacy in Ka`u outside of clinics and the small Ka`u Hospital pharmacy. It is located in Pahala Shopping Center between Bank of Hawai`i and Pahala Post Office. A pharmacist will be on duty. Other items to be offered for sale in this apothecary-style Longs will include beauty and health care products and snacks. Local contractors on the project have included Taylor Built Construction Company, Inc.
      The public is invited to a blessing Monday at 8:30 a.m.

Nurse practitioner Susan Field will move
from teaching at UH-Manoa to practicing
at Ka`u Rural Health Clinic.

FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER Susan Field will join Ka`u Hospital Rural Health Clinic’s staff on Aug. 1 to replace Debra Kettleson, who is transferring to Hilo Medical Center cardiology clinic. Ka`u Hospital administrator Merilyn Harris said, “It was really important that we find someone who was not only well qualified on paper but also somebody who would be very caring and willing to go the extra mile for her patients like Debbie did. Susan Field fits the bill.” 

      Field is a highly skilled nurse practitioner with over 12 years of experience working in clinic settings in Idaho, Hilo, Ocean View, Moloka`i and Lana`i. She is an assistant professor of nursing in the University of Hawai`i at Manoa’s Nurse Practitioner Program. Field teaches supervision for nurse practitioner students throughout the Big Island.
      Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, Field worked as a registered nurse in a variety of roles, including house supervisor in a 250-bed hospital in Idaho and director of Emergency Services in a rural community in Colorado.
      Field is a resident of Ka`u and lives within six miles of the hospital and clinic. In the community, she is a photographer, plays tennis and teaches karate. She is known to many as “Suz.”

INTERVENTION INTO HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC CO’S FIVE-YEAR ACTION PLAN is a suggestion by Life of the Land. The document was recently submitted to the state Public Utilities Commission. Life of the Land writes that the plans “call for expanded geothermal, importation of liquified natural gas, smart meters, Hu Honua and `Aina Koa Pono. The plans include virtually no community input nor any discussion on externalities. The PUC is establishing a window of opportunity for potential intervenors to enter the regulatory proceedings. Being a party means being able to file written requests for information to the HECO companies, responding to any questions asked of your group, being able to submit written testimony of witnesses, etc.”

      Life of the Land is providing a description of using the PUC website for e-filing and e-notification and a guide to creating a motion to intervene. “There is no reason that Big Island interests should have only one community group intervening,” said Life of the Land executive director Henry Curtis.
      See lifeofthelandhawaii.org.
      The five-year action plan can be read at hawaiianelectric.com/IRP.

HIKING REGISTRATION FEES for vehicles passed a final County Council vote this week with the only opponent being Ka`u’s Council member Brenda Ford. Last Wednesday, the Council passed the hikes with a vote of eight to one. Registration for cars, trucks, vans and buses will increase $5 to $12 depending on the class of vehicle. For most vehicles, the tax will go up from 75 cents per pound to $1.25 per pound.
      Ford said her objection was based partly on the additional $2.8 million expected to be generated by the hike in vehicle registration and taxes going into the county fund. “There is no way for us to know where this tax increase is going to go and what it is supposed to do,” she said, according to a Tom Callis report in the Hawai`i Tribune Herald on Wednesday. Proponents of the hike promised that it would go to improve roads. The mayor is expected to sign the bill to raise the fees and taxes.
      Another hike to raise money for transportation began Monday with higher public bus fees. The fee to ride the Hele-On Bus went from $1 to $2. Seniors, students and the disabled who previously rode the bus for free now pay $1. Keiki five and under still ride for free.

Hokule`a, sailing past Volcano in June, is expected to be at Miloli`i later this month.
Photo courtesy of Polynesian Voyaging Society

HOKULE`A IS EXPECTED back on the Big Island soon. The Polynesian Voyaging Society canoes Hokule`a and Hikianalia were last at Kalae on June 16 before sailing from South Point to Maui, Kaho`olawe, Lana`i and most recently Moloka`i. Hokule`a and Hikianalia are expected to sail into Miloli`i later this month, where a program for restoration of fishing village canoes is planned. See www.hokulea.org.

      At Miloli`i, the Lawai`a Fishing Camp for youth is being held this weekend by Pa`a Pono Miloli`i, Kua O Ka La Pubic Charter School, Hau`oli Ka Mana`o Congregational Church, Kalanihale Educational nonprofit and Ho`oulu La Hui. 

THE 33RD ANNUAL CULTURAL FESTIVAL for Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is taking place today until 3 p.m. The fee-free day is focused on interpretation at Kahua Hula at Ka`auea – the hula platform near Volcano Art Center inside the park. The theme is Ka `ike o ke keiki: i ka nana a `ike; i ka ho`olohe no a maopopo; i ka hana no a `ike, which means: The learning of the child; by observing, one learns; in listening, one commits to memory; by practice one masters the skill.

Diana Aki, here with Keoki Kahumoku at Pahala Plantation House,
performs at today's Cultural Festival at Hawai`i Volcanoes
National Park. Photo by Julia Neal

     Enjoy hula kahiko and music with Keiki o Halau o Kekuhi, Halau Ulumamo o Hilo Paliku, Hula Halau Ke `Olu Makani o Mauna Loa, Leabert Lindsey, Ben Ka`ili and Diana Aki.
      Watch skilled practitioners demonstrate art and learn to beat kapa, weave lauhala hats, sew a feather lei, create a native garden and use plants as medicine.
      Play Hawaiian games, weave a coconut basket and lauhala bracelet, make a feather kahili and traditional lei. Taste taro, sweet potato, sugar cane and breadfruit.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is live theater this weekend with shows today at 7:30 p.m. and tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. The show runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through July 28. The venue is Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. KDEN is the sponsor, and tickets are available at Kilauea General Store, Kea`au Natural Foods, Paradise Plants, The Most Irresistible Shop and by calling 982-7344. Prices are $15 general, $12 students/seniors and $10 children.

BEFORE THE PLAY, Beauty and the Beast, a casual dinner is served at Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8371.

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP HOLDS AN OPEN HOUSE today in conjunction with the Cultural Festival. KMC invites visitors to experience how it serves our troops by enjoying all facilities and services.

Na Leo Manu presents Haunani's Aloha Expressions Wednesday.
Photo from NPS

HAUNANI’S ALOHA EXPRESSIONS, with wahine and kane kupuna from 70 to 90 years of age, will present hula Wednesday, July 17 at the Na Leo Manu Heavenly Voices presentation from 6:30 pm. to 8 p.m. at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center. The hula group of native Hawaiians for years has shared the aloha spirit by welcoming malihini (visitors) on cruise ships arriving at the Port of Hilo and at Hilo International Airport. The kupuna also entertain for patients at Life Care Center of Hilo, Hale `Anuenue, Extended Care, Hawai`i Island Adult Day Care, Aunty Sally Kaleohano Lu`au House Senior Program and more.
      Haunani’s Aloha Expressions won overall at the Kupuna Hula Festival with the song, Tutu E. They also won the Moku o Keawe competition on numerous occasions. They make all of their own colorful costumes and lei, singing and dancing hapa-haole hula, and have performed at the park’s annual cultural festival on numerous occasions.

FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK host their next volunteer Forest Restoration Project on Friday, July 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This month they will be planting native trees in one- to three-gallon pots in the Kilauea section of the park. The area chosen depends on how much rain has been received by possible planting sites.

Ranger Corie Yanger helps during a forest restoration project.
Photo from FHVNP

      Volunteers should be at least 12 years old and be able to walk up to 1/2 mile over uneven terrain with a moderate slope. Sturdy walking shoes and long pants are required, along with gear for variable weather conditions (hat, raincoat, sunscreen, etc.) plus drinking water and a snack.
      In addition, it is imperative to scrub soles of shoes prior to arrival on site in order to ensure that outside dirt and invasive species seeds are not tracked in.
      “Our goal is a crew of 12 people, and pre-registration is required,” said coordinator Elizabeth Fien. All participants need to sign a Friends release form and a park volunteer form. For those under 18, an adult will need to co-sign.
      “Be aware that there can be vog or high levels of SO2 in the area. If it is too heavy or the park is closed, we will cancel the project and try to notify everyone in advance,” Fien said.
      To register, contact Friends at 985-7373 or forest@fhvnp.org by Wednesday evening, July 17. Include your first and last name, email address and a phone number.

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.