Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015

The glow from Halema`uma`u is one of many highlights Ka`u residents can enjoy at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park during fee-free days today and tomorrow. Photo by Peter Anderson

WOOD VALLEY RESIDENTS LOST POWER once again during yesterday’s windstorm that felled trees onto utility lines and homes throughout the island and other parts of the state. Telephones continue to work.
      Hawai`i Electric Light Co. crews continue to respond to the outages.

      According to HELCO, as of 5:30 p.m., an estimated 5,000 customers were without power in portions of Volcano Village, Volcano Village, Hawi, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Orchidland, Ainaloa, Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaiian Shores, Kapoho, Nanawale, Leilani Estates, Fern Forest, Fern Acres, Hawaiian Acres, Eden Roc, Aloha Estates, Hilo, and Waimea.

Wood Valley residents are once again dealing with downed trees and utility lines
as they did following Tropical Storm Iselle. Photo by Julia Neal

      Customers in Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaiian Shores, Kapoho, Nanawale, and Leilani Estates were advised to prepare for extended outages which could last until later this week and in some areas, much longer.
      HELCO reminds residents to be safe and treat downed power lines as energized and dangerous. Do not handle or move any fallen or damaged utility equipment. If someone is injured by a downed power line, do not approach them. Call 9-1-1 for assistance. For more safety information, see the Handbook for Emergency Preparedness at www.hawaiielectriclight.com, at HELCO business offices, or by phone at 969-0137.
      HELCO asks customers who have not yet reported their power outage to call its trouble line at 969-6666. Due to the high call volume, customers may experience a longer wait time before speaking with a representative. The company sincerely apologizes for this inconvenience and thanks customers for their patience and understanding.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL WEDNESDAY will consider a bill that would require Planned Unit Development applications to be reviewed and acted on by either the Leeward or Windward Planning Commission, depending on properties’ locations. Currently, only the Planning director has to approve PUDs, and public notice follows the decisions. Decisions can be overturned by the Board of Appeals and the Third Circuit Court. The Council Planning Committee unanimously approved the measure earlier this month.

      While the initial intent of the PUD was to make for better planning by avoiding simple cookie cutter developments, PUDs are sometimes used by developers to obtain smaller, more desirable lots for estates and houses.
      Council committees meet Tuesday. All meetings, held at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona, are live-streamed at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings on left side of page. Ka`u residents can also participate via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center.
      Agendas for all meetings are available at hawaiicounty.gov.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Sen. Brian Schatz

Sen. Mazie Hirono

HAWAI`I PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY will receive a $9,036,788 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as part of its Capital Fund Program for Public Housing Agencies. 

      “Safe, affordable housing is a basic necessity that every person deserves,” said Sen. Brian Schatz. “This important investment by HUD will make sure the Hawai`i Public Housing Authority has the resources to help build and maintain public housing units in our most vulnerable communities. As a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, I am committed to ensuring that Hawai`i receives its fair share so that those individuals and families most in need have a safe place to call home.”
       Sen. Mazie Hirono said, “Having a safe and stable home is a basic necessity. However, 28,000 Hawai`i residents are on wait lists for affordable housing. Every family in Hawai`i deserves a place to call home, and investing in families striving to enter the middle class is one of the best investments we can make. This much needed grant will allow the Hawai`i Public Housing Authority to modernize and develop affordable housing across the state.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE CURRENT ISSUE OF VOLCANO WATCH discusses Mike Poland’s 10 years at USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Poland is returning to Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Washington later this month. 

      Poland “has accomplished a tremendous amount of research, mentored a vast number of students and young researchers, forged close friendships and warm collegial relationships at HVO and spent considerable time trying to instill in us an appreciation for hockey,” the article states.
      “Mike came to HVO to focus on deformation – changes in the shape of a volcano resulting from magma movement and earthquakes - particularly in how those changes can be measured with satellite radar (InSAR). He quickly realized, however, that volcano monitoring requires cross-disciplinary teamwork and innovation – skills that he has proven to have in abundance.

 

Mike Poland programs a GPS receiver near Pu`u `O`o on Kilauea's East Rift Zone.
Photo from USGS/HVO

      “As an example of teamwork leading to great insights, Mike collaborated with HVO colleagues on a study that combined deformation measurements with gas emissions, lava eruption rates, lava chemistry and seismicity to reveal a dramatic increase in magma supply rate to Kilauea. This study – the first of its kind – showed how information about supply rate changes on a short timescale can help forecast the eruptive behavior of the volcano. The surge in supply started in late 2003 and led to the start of a new, long-lived volcanic vent on the East Rift Zone in 2007 and probably contributed to the opening of Kilauea’s summit vent in 2008.

      “Through Mike’s work, we also know that the opening of the summit vent was actually the result of a process that began decades ago. Analyzing data from microgravity measurements on Kilauea, he helped identify an accumulation of magma in the area beneath the current summit vent that had not been detected by any other means.
      “This insight inspired Mike to establish instruments to continuously record subtle changes in the gravity field on Kilauea. One revelation from these data is that the density of the upper part of the summit lava lake is much lower than expected – less than the density of water, implying that the lava is extremely gas-rich, similar to the foam on beer.
      “Mike put his InSAR skills to good use as well, authoring many studies that range from widespread deformation, like that associated with intrusions into Kilauea’s rift zones to localized deformation in hazardous areas such as the unstable new land formed where lava enters the sea and the rim of the Kilauea's summit vent. He also used InSAR in innovative ways, for example, in mapping lava flow coverage over time to estimate Kilauea’s lava effusion rate. ...
      “HVO staff may still not have learned to fully appreciate hockey, but we have certainly learned much about volcanic processes through Mike's work. While this Volcano Watch article mentions just a few of his accomplishments at HVO, we thank him for his countless contributions and wish him well in his future endeavors.”
      See the full article at hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard's wedding will be a
Hindu ceremony.

REP. TULSI GABBARD’S WEDDING DETAILS are coming out. The 33-year-old’s marriage to 28-year-old Abraham Williams will be a Hindu ceremony in April on a Hawaiian beach. 

      Gabbard accepted the marriage proposal from the cinematographer, surfer and campaign worker during a Thanksgiving surfing outing last year, according to a story in this morning’s Honolulu Star-Advertiser by Nadine Kam. The couple has been dating since last April.
      The Washington Post has called Gabbard the most eligible in Congress, and The Hill called her “the Hawaiian Heartbreaker” and number six on its list of 50 most beautiful people on Capitol Hill, the Advertiser story points out.
     Invitations go out this week. Fellow kama`aina President Barack Obama is on the guest list, but “she doesn’t know whether he will be able to attend,” the Advertiser reports.

      See staradvertiser.com.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

ENTRY FEES ARE WAIVED today and tomorrow at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park for Presidents Day Weekend.
      Kilauea Military Camp inside the park invites the public to see how it supports America’s troops by utilizing any of its facilities and services today and tomorrow.

LEHUA LOPEZ-MAU SPEAKS ABOUT Ka`u Heritage Center at Hawaiian Ranchos Community Association’s Annual Membership Meeting tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Ranchos Road Maintenance Building on Kohala. All are welcome to hear about these 15 acres of Ka`u Dryland Forest acquired in Kona Gardens for preservation and display.
      Email ranchos96737@gmail.com for more information.

KA`U RESIDENTS ARE INVITED to participate in a vog focus group Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Library. Host Claire Horwell, director of the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network, is studying how people cope with volcanic emissions. To sign up, see https://www.facebook.com/groups/421925067973152/ or call 808-967-8809.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf and
kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_February2015.pdf.

Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015

After 18 years serving the Ka`u community, Island Market is closing at the end of February. A closeout sale begins Monday.
Photo from Island Market Facebook page

ISLAND MARKET, KNOWN IN THE KA`U COMMUNITY as Na`alehu Market, is shutting down on Feb. 28. A closeout sale will begin Monday, Feb. 16, according to Carl Okuyama, president of the parent company Sure Save Super Market, Ltd.

Fresh fruits and vegetables fill the shelves at Island Market.
Photo from Island Market Facebook page

      Okuyama said he is concerned that the closing of Island Market will create a hardship for the community, especially in providing meat, poultry, fish and produce items to those without transportation. However, according to Okuyama, several food businesses are considering opening at the Island Market location. The property is owned by the 300 Corp., which is associated with the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, based in Honolulu.
      The dozen employees were informed of the closing earlier this week. “I wanted them to be the first to know,” he said. He said employees are being given the opportunity to transfer to either the Hilo or Na`alehu Wiki-Wiki Mart and that jobs will be secured according to seniority and merit. Vernon Takaki, for example, has been working at Island Market in Na`alehu for 18 years, Okuyama said. “He is very dependable, and we hope to keep him with our company.”

Tutu & Me director Betty Clark eyes free cookies and recipes given out by Santa
and Mrs. Claus, Carl and Amy Okuyama, at Wiki-Wiki Mart in Na`alehu
during the Christmas season. The Wiki-Wiki will remain open after
closure of the Okuyama's Island Market at the end of February.
Photo by Julia Neal

      Okuyama said one reason for the Island Market closing is that in recent years, buying trends for groceries and other home goods have changed, particularly with the advent of box stores like Walmart, Target and Costco. Longs and Walgreens are also selling food, he said.
      Okuyama, now 64, said he has used much of his retirement savings to keep Island Market going but can no longer continue. He called the situation “sad” and said, “In our hearts,” he and his wife Amy “wanted to continue.”
      Hours for the closeout sale beginning Monday will be 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily except on Sundays, when Island Market hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The last day of sales will be Saturday, Feb. 28.
      Two Wiki-Wiki Marts will remain open, Okuyama said, one in Na`alehu, associated with the 76 gas station and known for its bulk food and home supplies purchasing options, and the other next door to Ken’s House of Pancakes in Hilo.

      Island Market has been open for 18 years. Okuyama recalled the many community activities sponsored by the market, including Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter recipe and food events. He and his wife Amy were Mr. and Mrs. Claus during Christmas seasons, complete with their costumes, cookies, recipes and ingredients at the Na`alehu stores.

Carl Okuyama judging the Triple C Recipe Contest, now known
as the Ka`u Coffee Recipe Contesst, coming up on Saturday,
April 25 as part of the Ka`u Coffee Festival.
Photo by Rachael Sauerman

      Okuyama has been a judge at the annual Ka`u Coffee Recipe Contest during the Ka`u Coffee Festival. He is a member of the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce, supporting its scholarship fund for local students. “I have enjoyed being part of this community. There are many wonderful people in this rural place. Over the years I have been invited to people’s homes and many family and church events.”
      Sure Save has a long history on the Big Island, founded in 1953 by Okuyama’s grandfather, Tomohide Okuyama.
      Carl Okuyama started working with this grandfather’s and father’s company in 1975 and took Sure Save from three stores, in Hilo, Kona and Waimea, to 12 stores, with at least one in every district, including Kailua-Kona, Waimea, Hilo, Na`alehu and Kea`au. The company’s brands were Sure Save, Island Market and Wiki-Wiki Mart.
      After financial struggles in the 1990s, Carl Okuyama became chairman and president of the family company in 1999 and has reorganized and managed the Sure Save entities through several steps in downsizing. All along, and particularly in the small community of Na`alehu, Okuyama said, he saw his responsibility as “servicing the community.”

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

 
HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL’S COMMITTEE on Agriculture, Water and Energy Sustainability Tuesday will consider bills related to aquarium fish collecting.

      Bill 318 would establish provisions for protection of marine life that is harvested with intent to sell for aquarium use. Protections would include prohibiting withholding food from aquarium life for more than 24 hours, requiring ample water supply when transporting aquarium life and prohibiting transport of aquarium life in a manner likely to cause injury or death. 

      Any person violating these provisions would be subject to a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment of up to 30 days, or both.

Yellow tang is a popular species for aquariums. Photo from wikipedia

      Bill 24 would regulate aquarium life operations by setting forth procedures, terms and conditions for issuance of licenses. Conditions include a $100 application fee, annual renewals, an annual fee of $2,000 for operations with an additional $1,000 for certain species and a report every 180 days to the Finance Director.

      Any person operating without a license would be subject to a fine of $1,000, each violation of one or more conditions of the license would result in a fine of not more than $500 per incident and failure to file a report would result in license suspension.
      According to a report in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald by Nancy Cook-Lauer, Kohala Council member Nancy Cook Lauer introduced the licensing bill “because licensing business is one of the county’s core authorities.”
      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

GOV. DAVID IGE HAS NOMINATED two deputy directors to his cabinet. Both are subject to confirmation by the Senate. 

       Brigadier General Joseph Kim is Ige’s choice to be Deputy Director at the Department of Taxation. Kim has served as Deputy Adjutant General, Deputy Commander, Hawai`i National Guard since 2011, where he ran the day-to-day operations for the State Department of Defense. Prior to that, he commanded Air National Guard’s largest Wing, a combat-ready, 1,900-person flying organization consisting of three major flying systems and associated support organizations supporting over 2,500 personnel. He has trained military pilots and aircrews in various locations throughout the United States.

      Keith Yamamoto has been appointed to remain in his current position as First Deputy Director of the Department of Health, a post he has held since March 2011. He is primarily responsible for overseeing general administration of the department, which includes budget, fiscal, facilities management, human resources, information technology, planning and vital records as well as District Health Offices on the neighbor islands.
      Prior to his appointment as First Deputy Director, Yamamoto was Chief of the Department of Health-Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division. He worked for the Department of Human Services – Office of Youth Services as the Program Development Administrator and has also managed various school-based vocational education and career development programs for at-risk youth while employed with the State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

TO CELEBRATE PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park waives entry fees today through Monday. Some of the many activities Ka`u residents can enjoy are exploring more than 150 miles of trails, taking part in ranger-led programs and dining at Volcano House.

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park invites the public to see how it supports America’s troops by utilizing any of its facilities and services today through Monday.

VALENTINE’S DAY CELEBRATIONS are available at local restaurants today.
      Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s buffet from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Call 967-8356 for more information.
      Hana Hou Restaurant’s menu includes prime rib, seafood platter, fresh fish or Cupid’s Combo. Uncle Earnest Kalani entertains from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
      South Side Shaka’s features prime rib and snow crab. Call 929-7404 for reservations.
      Tonight from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Gilligan’s Café in Discovery Harbour offers its regular menu. Lucky Lizardz provide entertainment. 

Yellow `ohi`a lehua NPS Photo by David Boyle

PARTICIPANTS BRING LUNCH AND LEARN about the vital role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a lehua tree and its flower during a free program tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 985-6011 

HAWAIIAN RANCHOS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION’S Annual Membership Meeting, is Monday, Feb. 16 at 4 p.m. at Ranchos Road Maintenance Bldg on Kohala. Lehua Lopez-Mau speaks about Ka`u Heritage Center. All are welcome to hear about these 15 acres of Ka`u Dryland Forest acquired in Kona Gardens for preservation and display.
      Email ranchos96737@gmail.com for more information.

KA`U RESIDENTS ARE INVITED to participate in a vog focus group Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Library. Host Claire Horwell, director of the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network, is studying how people cope with volcanic emissions. To sign up, see https://www.facebook.com/groups/421925067973152/ or call 808-967-8809.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_February2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf and
kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Feb. 13, 2015

King Tyren Fukunaga-Camba and Queen Tristah Amps Nurial-Dacalio at last night's Trojan homecoming coronation with members of their court, Freshman Princess Alexia Tudela and her escort Isaiah Naboa, Sophmore Princess Arjhell Salmo-Grace and her escort Jacob Flores, Junior Princess Staeci Breithaupt-Castaneda and her escort Treison Pascubillo, and Senior Princess Sky Kanakaole-Esperon and her escort Kaweni Ibarra. Photo by Tanya Ibarra

HAWAI`I ELECTRIC LIGHT CO. AND OTHER Hawaiian Electric Companies customers’ bills are at a four-year low due to lower fuel prices, the companies report. 

      “We are happy to pass these savings straight through to our customers,” said Jim Alberts, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president of customer service. “At the same time, we’ve seen oil prices drop before, only to rise again. Today’s lower oil prices must not distract us from reducing our dependency on imported oil.

“We remain committed to reaching our goal of getting 65 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030,” he said. 

      HECO said it also continues working to reduce costs to customers through efficiency improvements and by pursuing cleaner, low-cost natural gas to replace oil while continuing to increase use of renewable energy.
      Hawai`i Island’s residential effective rate is 33.8 cents per kilowatt-hour, and a 600 kWh bill is $214.71. That is $12.49 lower than last month and the lowest since Oct. 2010.
      On O`ahu, the residential effective rate is 27.9 cents per kWh. A typical 600 kWh bill is $177.45, a decrease of $9.77 since last month, and the lowest since March 2011.
      Maui’s effective rate is 31.5 cents per kWh and a typical 600 kWh bill is $198.78, $21.46 lower than last month and the lowest since February 2011.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Senior Princess Sky Kanakaole-Esperon and escort
Kaweni Ibarra Photo from Carla Andrade

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND coastal cleanup manager for Ka`u recommends that people listen up regarding a new study on the amount of plastic being dumped in the ocean. Megan Lamson shares an Associated Press report entitled World Dumps 8.8 Million Tons of Plastics into Oceans.

      “That’s the equivalent of five grocery bags full of plastic debris dotting each foot of coastline around the world,” lead author Jenna Jambeck, an environment engineering professor at the University of Georgia, told AP science writer Seth Borenstein.
      According to Jambeck, the largest polluters are developing Asian countries that aren’t managing their waste streams properly. Jambeck projected that by 2025 the total accumulated plastic trash in the oceans will reach around 170 million tons based on population trends and continued waste management disposal problems.

      Five countries – China, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Sri Lanka – create more than half of the world’s marine debris. The U.S. is number 20 on a list of industrialized western countries that are plastic polluters.

Junior princess and esort are Staeci Breithaupt-Castaneda
and Treison Pascubillo. Photo from Carla Andrade

      Borenstein said that, according to researchers, the U.S. and Europe are not mismanaging their collected waste, and their plastic trash is due to litter.
      While China is responsible for 2.4 million tons of plastic marine debris, the U.S. contributes 77,000 tons, according to the study published in the journal Science.
      This is mostly because developed countries have systems to trap and collect plastic waste, Jambeck said.
      “The amount of plastics estimated going into the water is equal to how much tuna is fished each year, so “we are taking out tuna and putting in plastic,” said study co-author Kara Lavendar Law.
      Nancy Wallace, who is head of the marine debris program for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said plastic waste in the water is a crucial worldwide issue because it is eaten by sea life, and it collects ocean toxins. There’s also a clean-up cost, and it affects tourism, she said.
      Previous estimates of plastic marine debris, based on samples, were less than one million tons.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE ARE SEARCHING for a 38-year-old Ka`u man who is wanted for abuse. 

      Benjamin Acasio, of Na`alehu, is described as six-foot-two-inches tall, about 180 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen driving a red Acura two-door sedan with white rims.
      Police ask anyone with information on his whereabouts to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.
      Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn't record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Sophomore Princess Arjhell Salmo Grace and her escort
Jacob Flores. Photo from Carla Andrade

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO HAS BEEN NAMED Ranking Member on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hirono will also serve on Energy and Public Lands Subcommittees. 

      “Hardworking middle class families, farmers and small business deserve affordable energy and abundant clean water supplies,” Hirono said. “I look forward to working with Sen. Mike Lee, the subcommittee’s new Chairman, to find bipartisan solutions to meet the needs of a growing sustainable economy in Hawai`i and across the country. In addition to my new leadership role on the Water and Power Subcommittee, I look forward to working with all of my committee colleagues to work on many issues important to Hawai`i, including transitioning to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future and building on the tradition of conservation that has gone hand in hand with our economic growth for generations.”

      The Subcommittee on Water and Power is responsible for overseeing programs related to irrigation and reclamation projects, including related flood control purposes; power marketing administrations; energy development impacts on water resources; groundwater resources and management; hydroelectric power; low head hydro; and energy-related aspects of deepwater ports.
      Earlier this year, Hirono was also named the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Seapower, placing her in a position to oversee matters directly relating to the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE ANNUAL HOMECOMING CELEBRATION this year at Ka`u High School is centered around tonight’s home basketball game against the St. Joseph Cardinals at 6 p.m. The homecoming coronation filled the school gym last night. This year’s king and queen are Tyren Fukunaga-Camba and Trystah Amps Nurial-Dacalio. Senior princess and escort are Sky Kanakaole-Esperon and Kaweni Ibarra. Junior princess and escort are Staeci Breithaupt-Castaneda and Treison Pascubillo. Sophomore princess and escort are Arjhell Salmo-Grace and Jacob Flores. Freshman princess and escort are Alexia Tudela and Isaiah Naboa.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Isaiah Naboa escorts Freshman Princess Alexia Tudela.
Photo from Carla Andrade

VALENTINE’S DAY IS ON THE MENU at local venues. 

      Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers a buffet tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. featuring prime rib, chicken piccata, shrimp and mushroom alfredo. Price is $27.95 adults and $14.50 for children 6 – 11. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Call 967-8356 for more information.
      Hana Hou Restaurant in Na`alehu invites diners for prime rib, seafood platter, fresh fish or Cupid’s Combo tomorrow. Uncle Earnest Kalani entertains from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Cupid’s Combo and fresh fish are also available tonight, with music by Keoki Kahumoku. Call 929-9717 for reservations.
      South Side Shaka’s, also in Na`alehu, features prime rib and snow crab tomorrow evening. Call 929-7404 for reservations.
      Open tonight and tomorrow night from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Gilligan’s Café in Discovery Harbour offers its regular menu. Tiger and Bob provide entertainment tonight, and the Lucky Lizardz play tomorrow night.

TO CELEBRATE PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park waives entry fees tomorrow through Monday. Some of the many activities Ka`u residents can enjoy are exploring more than 150 miles of trails, taking part in ranger-led programs and dining at Volcano House. 

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park invites the public to see how it supports America’s troops by utilizing any of its facilities and services tomorrow through Monday.

OVER & UNDER: MORE OF HIS NATURE closes Sunday. The exhibit at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park features original paintings by John Dawson. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

KA`U RESIDENTS ARE INVITED to participate in a vog focus group Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Library. Host Claire Horwell, director of the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network, is studying how people cope with volcanic emissions. To sign up, see https://www.facebook.com/groups/421925067973152/ or call 808-967-8809.

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