Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015

Ka`u `Ohana Band is preparing for a holiday concert at Ocean View Swap Meet on Saturday, Nov. 28. See more below.
Photo from Lisa Archuletta

KA`U STUDENTS ARE TAKING fewer tests this year. The state is ahead of President Obama’s call to reduce testing in schools. Last school year, Hawai`i Department of Education performed a review of all assessments required by the state. Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi and Deputy Superintendent Stephen Schatz listened to concerns from the field, including administrators and teachers, and held discussions with Hawai`i State Teachers Association. As a result, HIDOE streamlined state requirements for testing students for this school year.

Kathryn Matayoshi

      “Teaching and learning is the primary mission of our schools and our work,” Matayoshi said. “Tests play a role in supporting teaching and learning, but that role must be balanced with the critical importance of instruction and student supports.” 

      HIDOE eliminated the requirement for five tests and has proposed eliminating an additional required test. Actions to reduce testing for this school year include:
      Ended mandatory statewide requirement for three End-of-Course exams. The state no longer requires that high school students take a 60- to 90-minute test at the end of their Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and U.S. History courses;
      Ended mandatory statewide requirement for ACT exams in grades 9 and 10. This reduced testing for high school freshman and sophomores by four hours per student in each grade; and
      Proposed to U.S. Department of Education to eliminate statewide requirement for grade 8 ACT test, which is a readiness measure in the Strive HI Performance System for middle schools. This would reduce testing of eighth-graders by 3.5 hours/student.
      In July 2015, Matayoshi sent a letter to the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium expressing concern about the “burden of test administration during the spring testing window and the time required for testing.” She will be reiterating the call for more streamlined Smarter Balanced testing at a meeting of all state superintendents this month.
      The Smarter Balanced Assessments in mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy are aligned to the Hawai`i Common Core Standards and designed to measure whether students are “on track” for readiness in college and/or career. These are mandatory assessments given to students in grades 3-8 and 11. On average, tested students in Hawai`i took seven hours to complete the tests. The test is not timed; students are given appropriate time to answer all questions.
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KA`U NEWS BRIEFS are five years old today, a daily Internet extension of The Ka`u Calendar newspaper, which is mailed to 5,500 postal addresses at the south end of the Big Island, with an additional 2,000 in stands. Ka`u News Briefs are at kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com and on Facebook and Twitter. These outreach sites were designed by Geneveve Fyvie, and the Facebook page is managed by intern William Neal. Editor for all three is Ron Johnson. Publisher is Julia Neal.

      The Ka`u Calendar was founded by Neal in November 2002, 13 years ago, with Associate Editor Nalani Parlin. Art director is Tanya Ibarra.
      The Ka`u Calendar and Ka`u News Briefs are supported by volunteer photographers and news gatherers from throughout Ka`u. Send news and images to ron@kaucalendar.com. The print version is supported by volunteers who meet each month to assemble the paper, including a contingent from Na`alehu Hongwanji.

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U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO EXPRESSED CONCERN about the Obama Administration’s announcement of additional military commitments in the Middle East. 

      “Congress and the American people need to hear more details from the Administration about how the deployment of a team of approximately 50 Special Operations Forces to Syria and other additional resources being provided to our regional partners fit into a broader strategy to defeat ISIL and stabilize Syria, Hirono said.
      “The President’s latest decision, which follows a number of other instances where Special Operations Forces have been on the ground in Syria, raises the question of whether a prolonged military campaign against ISIL requires the need for specific Congressional authority.
      “The civil war in Syria and our coalition fight against ISIL there add layers of complexity in a country and region where there are no easy answers. These two complicating factors in Syria require a multi-pronged approach. I support Secretary Kerry’s efforts to bring parties, including Russia and Iran, to the table to begin to find a diplomatic path forward to end the Syrian civil war.
      “In our effort to degrade and destroy ISIL, the President has reiterated that it is not in our national interest to send U.S. combat troops into yet another ground war in the Middle East. I agree, and as a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, I will hold the Administration to that commitment.”
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HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK has announced flight plans for November 2015:
      Nov. 2, between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., and Nov. 6, between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m., flying camp supplies and equipment from lower `Ainahou fuel break to Keauhou campsite for guinea grass control;
      Nov. 4, between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., for training and short-haul recertification at Kilauea summit;
      Nov. 4, 10 and 19, between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., to transport fencing material and equipment to Kahuku-Kapapala boundary between 7,000- and 9,000-ft. elevation;
      Nov. 10, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., for ungulate surveys and control work in Kahuku between 3,000- and 7,000-ft. elevation; and
      Nov. 12, between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., to transport fencing material to `Ola`a approximately 4,000-ft. elevation.
      Management of the park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources and to maintain backcountry facilities.

      In a statement, the park said it regrets any noise impact to residents and park visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.

Interested Ka`u residents can learn all aspects of the farming business.
Photo from The Kohala Center

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APPLICATIONS ARE DUE by this Wednesday, Nov. 4 from Ka`u residents for The Kohala Center’s Beginning Farmer-Rancher Development Program. Since 2012, the program has taught 78 aspiring farmers and ranchers on Hawai`i Island the knowledge and skills essential to running an agricultural business. Instructors include researchers and extension agents from the University of Hawai`i, agricultural experts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, successful farmers and food producers and professionals providing support services to ag businesses.
      The 14-session course begins this Saturday, Nov. 7 in Honoka`a and meets every other Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Subjects covered include production planning, farm design, soil management, composting and vermicomposting, cover cropping, pest management, business planning, marketing, sales and accounting. See koha.la/farmer for more information and to apply or call 887-6411.
       Although no previous farming experience is required, preference is given to applicants who have taken steps to become agricultural producers but would benefit from a comprehensive curriculum. The course includes classroom training, hands-on field days at The Kohala Center’s Demonstration Farm, visits to local farms and farm apprenticeship opportunities. Students who successfully complete the course and create viable farm and business plans may receive one-on-one technical assistance from the center’s Rural and Cooperative Business Development Services team to access start-up capital and/or leasable land.

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Yoga practitioners line up for class at Na`alehu Hongwanji.
Photo from Stephanie Pepper

NA`ALEHU HONGWANGI OFFERS YOGA tomorrow. Stephanie Pepper teaches classes in the Iyengar tradition on Mondays as well as Wednesdays from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. She uses props to help students achieve proper alignment safely, avoiding injury. All props are provided, and the first class is free. 

      Donations afterward are $10 for 10 classes for participants over 65 and $5 per class for those 65 and under.

      For more information, call 937-7940.

THE BEAUTY OF KA`U opens tomorrow at CU Hawai`i Federal Credit Union in Na`alehu. Hours for public viewing and voting are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Thursday, Nov. 5. Each day, the public may sign in and receive a ballot for their favorite entry. Each ballot, a numbered ticket, will also be entered into a drawing for door prizes to be held each hour, and the winner does not need to be present. Prizes are being donated by various Ka`u merchants.

      The overall winner, chosen by judges, will be featured on the cover of The Directory 2016 and receive $100 and an article inside The Directory.

Ka`u growers can learn about Korean Natural Farming Saturday.

KOREAN NATURAL FARMING comes to Ka`u this Saturday, Nov 14, rather than Nov. 7 as originally announced. Drake Weinert shares his knowledge during a free workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. According to Weinert, the method improves soil quality and boosts nutrients using non-toxic materials farmers can find in their own homes. It can also help reduce costs while increasing long-term health of farms. 

      Sponsored by Ka`u Specialty Coffee, the event takes place at 96-2384 Wood Valley Road above Pahala. Go past Ka`u Coffee Mill. About five minutes later on the left there is a small gravel road. Go past the gravel road until on the left appear a big pasture with some little green and grey buildings at the bottom and a small blue house with white roof at the top of the hill.

      For more information, email malian@kauspecialtycoffee.com.

KA`U `OHANA BAND PERFORMS at Ocean View Swap meet at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28. Holiday music selections feature something for everyone with beautiful, moving songs as well as fun and lighthearted tunes. The concert is free.

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

FOR AFFORDABLE COMPUTER HELP, call John Derry at 936-1872.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for Retail Sales Associate: Full-Time, Competitive Wages, Medical & Dental Plans. Apply at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Call 928-0550 for an appointment.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_Nov2015.pdf.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015

`Ohi`a Lehua is the topic of a free program at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park's Kahuku Unit tomorrow. Photo from NPS

STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS CANNOT REVEAL information about dengue patients or locations on Hawai`i Island “because the investigation into the source of the mosquito-borne disease is ongoing,” according to Colin M. Stewart, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald. Stewart reported they think that, since the disease is not endemic to the island, dengue was brought here by a traveler.

Hawai`i health officials think a traveler brought dengue fever to Hawai`i Island
from a country where it is endemic, shown in red. Map from Wikipedia

      “Unfortunately, we cannot pinpoint a place. … It’s so hard to know,” state Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park told Stewart. “We’re not trying to hide anything, we’re just not sure at this point. It’s looking like pretty much a good portion of the Big Island is a potential risk. … I do suspect that there is not one particular hot-spot. We’re looking for a few, at least.”
      Park said mosquitoes tend to stay within 200 yards of where they hatched, and the biggest factor in spread of the disease is movement of humans infected with it.
      Aedes aegypti, the species most likely to spread the disease, is found on the Big Island.
      DOH recommends that those infected stay indoors while recovering to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes that could spread the disease.

      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY seeks public comment on its proposal to ban chlorpyrifos from use in agricultural fields some 15 years after the agency banned the pesticide from residential use. The announcement came after a recent court of appeals decisions gave EPA a deadline to take meaningful action on a 2007 legal petition to ban the chemical.

      Chlorpyrifos a crystalline organophosphate insecticide. It was introduced in 1965 by Dow Chemical Company and is known by many trade names, including Dursban and Lorsban. It acts on the nervous system of insects.

Earthjustice Attorney Patti Goldman

      According to EPA, based on its current analysis, “there do not appear to be risks from exposure to chlorpyrifos from food, but, when that exposure is combined with estimated exposure from drinking water in certain watersheds, EPA cannot conclude that the risk from the potential aggregate exposure meets … safety standard.”
      EPA stated that issuing a proposed revocation provides an opportunity for public input prior to any final decision.
      “This is what we have been seeking for years,” said Patti Goldman, the Earthjustice attorney handling the case. “EPA’s and other independent findings show that chlorpyrifos causes brain damage to children and poisons workers and bystanders. At long last, the agency is signaling its intention to protect children, workers and their families by banning this hazardous pesticide. It is imperative that EPA move quickly to protect workers and children by finalizing this important rule.”
      “It’s a step forward on the path to environmental justice,” said Virginia Ruiz of Farmworker Justice. “Farmworkers and their families, who are predominantly poor and majority people of color, bear the brunt of poisonings from pesticides and pesticide drift.”

      To submit comments, see regulations.gov following publication next week. Docket is EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0653.

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HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY researchers return to the June 27th lava flow that threatened Pahoa last year in the current issue of Volcano Watch. 

      “One year ago, the now infamous June 27th lava flow was headed toward the middle of Pahoa and threatening to cross the main village road and cut off Hwy 130 for thousands of residents,” the article states. “During this time, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory was forecasting that, if the flow continued, it could also cut Kahakai Boulevard and overrun Keonepoko Elementary School. 

      “Fortunately, at the same time, the supply of lava from the Pu`u `O`o vent on Kilauea Volcano's East Rift Zone was decreasing. Tiltmeters at the summit of Kilauea were recording a deflationary trend, which suggested that less magma from the summit reservoir was getting to Pu`u `O`o and ultimately, that less lava was reaching the flow front in Pahoa.
      “As a result, the tip of the flow stalled about 155 meters (170 yards) from Pahoa Village Road on Oct. 30, 2014. This was because lava was no longer traveling through the tube all the way to the flow front. The delicate balance of lava supply needed to continue growing the lava tube had tipped to the town’s favor.

      “The stalled front and apparent clogging of the lowermost part of the tube instead resulted in upslope breakouts of lava, spawning numerous surface flows that widened the flow field in the following weeks.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists' one-on-one interactions
with Pahoa residents provided up-to-date information
about the June 27th lava flow. Photo from USGS

      “Before the June 27th lava flow became a threat, many people in the Puna District – long-term residents and recent arrivals alike – were unfamiliar with the vocabulary of volcanology. Summit deflation and inflation, lines of steepest descent, lava breakouts and flow advance rates were just abstract concepts initially. But residents quickly became well versed in these terms, making it easier for them to realize the unpredictable nature of slow-moving pahoehoe flows.

      “As the lava flow approached Pahoa, the questions asked by the community were difficult to answer with certainty and required full explanations instead of short sound bites.
      “How far would the flow eventually travel? When will lava arrive at this or that location? How wide will the flow spread? How long will Pu`u `O`o erupt lava into the tube? Is ‘my’ house going to be covered by lava? How will scientists know when the June 27th flow will stop?
      “HVO scientists answered these questions and shared new information about the flow in all kinds of ways. They provided written updates, image, and maps of the flow’s activity, location, and likely flow path(s) on the HVO website (http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov) and responded to hundreds of individual questions by telephone and email through askHVO@usgs.gov.
      “But perhaps most importantly, nearly all of HVO’s staff, at one time or another, participated in dozens of Puna District community meetings that were organized by the Hawai`i County Mayor’s office between Aug. 24, 2014 and Jan. 22, 2015.
      “At these meetings, HVO summarized the flow activity and discussed lava flow behavior, Hawaiian volcanism and volcano hazards through an illustrated slide presentation. Afterwards, HVO staff interacted with residents through one-on-one discussions at map stations set up around the room.
      “Without a doubt, these meetings were vital for HVO scientists, emergency management officials, business leaders, community organizations, elected government representatives and hundreds of residents at a time to listen to each other. Through these interactive discussions, people developed a common language, which helped everyone better understand the flow activity and the ways in which response plans were being developed and implemented. Online broadcasts of the community meetings allowed even more people to listen in.
      “The meetings helped Puna communities to appreciate the challenges and uncertainties HVO scientists faced in trying to forecast lava-flow paths and advance rates. Residents were able to speak directly with scientists, emergency managers and representatives from other government agencies about the lava flow activity and their individual concerns. Everyone was able to learn of plans for the worst-case scenario, all the while hoping for the best possible outcome.
      “The Puna Resiliency Block Party in Pahoa this past weekend was welcomed by HVO scientists as a time to visit once again with Puna residents and to talk about Kilauea’s eruptions and ongoing hazards, as well as Mauna Loa’s recent unrest. It was also a reminder of the ways in which the community meetings helped us develop a common volcano language and understanding. Mahalo Pahoa! We appreciate your resiliency!”

      See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.

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Community Tea-in is a week from today.
Photo from VAC

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN 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 tomorrow. Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers a free, easy, one-mile walk at 9:30 a.m. Call 985-6011 for more.

TEA IS THE TOPIC AT TOTUS Awards Community Tea-In, which follows Tea of the United States competition to be held on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The event a week from today, on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., features talks and presentations by professionals in the art and science of tea worldwide, plus an exhibition of TOTUS competition entries.
      Speakers and topics include Bruce Richardson, The Book of Tea’s Influence on Western Art; Jane Pettigrew, The World’s Less Well-Known Tea Growing Regions; Kevin Gascoyne, Talking Terroir and Tea and Scotch Pairing; Selena Ahmed, Tea and the Taste of Climate Change; and Jane Pettigrew and Bruce Richardson, The Social History of Tea in Britain and America.
      All events are held at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Admission is required with preregistration before 12 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6 at $20 per person and $18 for VAC and Hawai`i Tea Society Members. Tickets may also be purchased at the door at $25 per person or $20 for active VAC and Hawai`i Tea Society members.
      See totus1awards.com and volcanoartcenter.org.

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

FOR AFFORDABLE COMPUTER HELP, call John Derry at 936-1872.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for Retail Sales Associate: Full-Time, Competitive Wages, Medical & Dental Plans. Apply at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Call 928-0550 for an appointment.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_Oct2015.pdf.

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Oct. 30, 2015

Tiger sharks pup and migrate to the main Hawaiian Islands in the fall, increasing the population during this time of year. See story below. Photo by Albert Kok from Wikipedia

TWO CASES OF DENGUE FEVER are confirmed on Hawai`i Island. The state Department of Health is also investigating four more probable cases of the disease in Hawai`i residents and visitors that were acquired on the island. Further testing and confirmation at the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention is pending. The department sent out a medical advisory to Hawai`i County clinicians yesterday to alert them and urge them to report suspect dengue fever cases.

Aedes aegypti carried dengue fever. Photo from Wikipedia

      “Although dengue is not endemic to Hawai`i, we do have the mosquito species capable of transmitting the disease,” state Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park said. “It’s likely an infected traveler infected the local mosquito population, which led to this cluster, so we want the public to be aware of this mosquito-borne disease and the steps they can take to prevent infection.”
      Hawai`i District Health Officer Aaron Ueno said local environmental health assessments have not found significant mosquito activity in the affected area, but the department is conducting mosquito prevention activities such as spraying with consent from property owners.
      Travelers to areas with infected mosquitoes where dengue fever is endemic are at the highest risk of acquiring the disease. Mosquitoes breed in areas of standing water, such as planters, old tires and pet water bowls.
      Hawai`i DOH recommends using mosquito repellents containing 20–30 percent DEET and wearing long sleeves and pants in areas where mosquito-borne disease is a concern.
      For tips on mosquito control, see http://health.hawaii.gov/san/files/2013/06/Vector-mosquitohandout.pdf.
      For more information on dengue fever, see health.hawaii.gov/docd/dib/disease/dengue.
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FOLLOWING THE SEVENTH HUMAN/SHARK encounter in the state this year, Dr. Carl Meyer, of the Hawai`i Institute of Marine Biology, said there are more tiger sharks in water surrounding the main islands now than at other times of the year. “Tiger sharks pup during the fall, and migrations from the northwestern Hawaiian Islands … during this time of year are proven facts. Native Hawaiian oral traditions clearly link the fall months to a risk of shark bites. This traditional knowledge is reflected in our current shark incident statistics.    

      “In recent decades, almost one third of all shark bites in Hawai`i have occurred during the months of October and November. It is also important to remember that shark bites occur in all months of the year in Hawai`i and that the number of encounters at any time of the year is extremely low compared to the number of people in the water.”

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono

      In December 2013, a tiger shark bit a bodyboarder at the Ninole Horseshoe area of Punalu`u. The 29-year-old Captain Cook man was paddling out for his second session with two friends when a shark knocked him off his board. He received stitches at Ka`u Hospital.

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SEN. MAZIE HIRONO VOTED EARLY this morning to support a budget agreement that removes caps put in place by the Budget Control Act for two years and keeps the country from defaulting on its debt. The measure overwhelmingly passed the Senate 64-35.

      “This bipartisan measure is a reasonable compromise that protects our seniors, keeps our economy on track and takes a number of manufactured crises off the table for two years,” Hirono said. “By removing harmful sequester caps on both military and domestic spending, this legislation is the first step to enacting a National Defense Authorization Act that appropriately supports our military and avoiding a government shutdown in December. While this agreement is not the one I would have written, it is a pathway to negotiating appropriations bills that adequately fund priorities like education, housing and community development, medical research and job creation.”
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U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz

SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ VOICED his opposition to the Obama Administration’s announcement that it will deploy a small number of Special Operations Forces to Syria.

      “The Administration’s announcement that it will deploy Special Operations Forces into Syria to combat ISIL marks a major shift in U.S. policy – a shift that is occurring without congressional debate, is unlikely to succeed in achieving our objective of defeating ISIL and instead threatens to embroil the United States in Syria’s civil war and could bring us into direct confrontation with the Russian Federation military and Syrian government forces,” Schatz

 said.
      “In the 16-months since the United States began its participation in the regional fight against ISIL, our military involvement has escalated without a clear sense of how our escalating involvement will achieve our strategic objectives. With ISIL’s control of northern Syria, we cannot reasonably expect that the deployment of Special Operations Forces would be limited in scope or duration.
      “As we have seen from our failed train-and-equip program, U.S. support for moderate Syrian opposition has its limits. Rather than ratchet up our own involvement, we must look for other opportunities to strengthen the coalition’s ability to effectively prosecute the fight against ISIL. 

 “This shift in policy is a strategic mistake. Regardless of my views, the War Powers Resolution requires Congress to debate and authorize the escalation of U.S. military involvement in Syria.”
      Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION offers tips on keeping safe this Halloween. 

      When choosing a costume, stay away from billowing or long-trailing fabric. If you are making your own costume, choose material that won’t easily ignite if it comes into contact with heat or flame.
      Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costumes. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough so he/she can see clearly out of it.
      Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs and heaters.
      It is safest to use a glow stick or battery-operated candle in a jack-o-lantern. If you use a real candle, use extreme caution. When lighting candles inside jack-o-lanterns, use long fireplace-style matches or a utility lighter. If you choose to use candle decorations, make sure to keep them well attended at all times. Do not leave them near flammable objects or where trick-or-treaters may walk. Remind your children to avoid open flames. Make sure children are watched at all times when candles are lit.
      Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes.

      Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

Yoga participants at Na`alehu Hongwanji use a variety of props to maintain
alignment and avoid injury. Photo from Stephanie Pepper

IYENGAR YOGA TEACHER Stephanie Pepper now offers Gentle Senior classes on Monday as well as Wednesday from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Na`alehu Hongwangi. Pepper uses props to help students get into proper alignment safely, avoiding injury. All props are provided, and the first class is free. 

      Donations are $10 for 10 classes for participants over 65 and $5 per class for those 65 and under.
      On Wednesdays, Velvet Replogle leads a meditation class for about an hour.

KA`U LIBRARIES CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN this afternoon.
      Na`alehu library holds its Halloween party from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. with goodies, crafts, activities and a costume contest.
      Call 939-2442 for more information.
      Pahala Library’s Halloween Bash is from 2:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event features two Halloween movies, games and a snack-making demonstration.
      For more information, call 928-2015.

KA`U ARTISTS CAN DROP OFF THEIR Beauty of Ka`u entries today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for the Monday, Nov. 2 through Thursday, Nov. 5 show at CU Hawai`i in Na`alehu.
      See more in ad below, at kauchamber.org, or call Donna Masaniai at 238-0505.

SOUTH SIDE SHAKA’S Restaurant in Na`alehu celebrates Halloween today. Call 929-7404 for more information.

Janice Morimoto

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S Halloween Party is today from 7 p.m. to 12 p.m. DJ Thomas Ramirez keeps the music going in the Lava Lounge in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Entry is $3 for partiers in costume; $5 without. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.
      Call 967-8371 for more information.

AUNTIE JAN READS ISLAND KINE STORIES a week from today on Friday, Nov. 6, at 1:30 p.m. at Pahala Public & School Library. Janice Morimoto shares humorous folktales, poetry and participatory games from around the world adapted to local style. The program is suitable for ages 5 and older, and parents or caregivers must accompany young children.
      Call 928-2015 for more information.

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

FOR AFFORDABLE COMPUTER HELP, call John Derry at 936-1872.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for Retail Sales Associate: Full-Time, Competitive Wages, Medical & Dental Plans. Apply at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Call 928-0550 for an appointment.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_October2015.pdf.

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