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Sunday, September 17, 2017

Ka'ū New Briefs Sunday, September 17, 2017

HI-SEAs crew explored outside their dome, but only when wearing spacesuits, during their eight
months of isolation on Mauna Loa, where they simulated living on Mars. Photo from HI-SEAS
HI-SEAS MISSION V CREW MEMBERS EXITED EIGHT MONTHS of isolation today after simulating life on Mars on Mauna Loa, living in and around a dome. The six crew members of the fifth Hawai‘i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation belong to a University of Hawai'i at Manoa team, funded by NASA. They are Laura Lark, Ansley Barnard, Samuel Payler, James Bevington, Josha Ehrlich and Brian Ramos. See their diversified backgrounds, from engineering to biology and agriculture, with hobbies from sewing to fiddle playing, singing, cooking and SCUBA at hi-seas.org.
     A story at phys.org describes the return to civilization and the mission: "Their first order of business after subsisting on mostly freeze-dried and canned food: Feast on fresh-picked pineapple, papaya, mango, locally grown vegetables and a fluffy, homemade egg strata cooked by their project's lead scientist.
The six members of the HI-SEAS V crews. See their very varied 
backgrounds and their interests at hi-seas.org. Photo from HI-SEAS
     "The crew of four men and two women were quarantined on a vast plain below the summit of the world's largest active volcano in January. All of their communications with the outside world were subjected to a 20-minute delay—the time it takes for signals to get from Mars to Earth.
     "They are part of a study designed to better understand the psychological effects that a long-term manned mission to space would have on astronauts. The data they gathered will help NASA better pick crews that have certain traits and a better chance of doing well during a two-to-three year Mars expedition. The space agency hopes to send humans to the red planet by the 2030s.
     "The Hawai'i team wore specially-designed sensors to gauge their moods and proximity to other people in the small, 1,200 square-foot (111-square meter) dome where they have lived.
     "The devices monitored, among other things, their voice levels and could sense if people were avoiding one another. It could also detect if they were next to each other and arguing.
     "The crew played games designed to measure their compatibility and stress levels. And when they got overwhelmed by being in such close proximity to teach other, they could use virtual reality devices to escape to tropical beaches or other familiar landscapes."
    Phys.org reports the opinion of Laura Lark, an IT specialist and crew member with HI-SEAS V: “Long term space travel is absolutely possible,”she said. "There are certainly technical challenges to be overcome. There are certainly human factors to be figured out, that’s part of what HI-SEAS is for. But I think that overcoming those challenges is just a matter of effort. We are absolutely capable of it.”  Read more at phys.org.

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The sunrise ceremony at dawn at Punalu'u, which opens the Ho'okupu Hula No Ka'ū Cultural Festival.
This year the main festival day will by Saturday, Nov. 4 at Pāhala Community Center.
Photo by Julia Neal
HO'OKUPU HULA NO KA'Ū CULTURAL FESTIVAL will be held, with main events at 
Pāhala Community Center, on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sponsored by Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai'i, Inc., the festival is directed by Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder, who teaches hula on Wednesday evenings to all ages at Pāhala Community Center.
      Organizers are holding a meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 6:30 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center. Ryder said the meeting is for "all interested volunteers to come and kōkua your community. We invite all organizations to come and join us. Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai'i, Inc. needs your support to showcase our Ka‘ū hospitality to all the participants who are coming from afar and here in our islands to experience the true aloha spirit of Ka‘ū."
The late Bobby Gomes and his granddaughter dancing
at a Ho'okupu Hula No Ka'ū Cultural Festival in
Pāhala. Photo by Julia Neal
      Community members interested in becoming vendors for Ho'okupu Hula No Ka‘ū can also call 649-9334 for an application. There are openings for craft vendors, food vendors, informational booths, and game vendors for children. Deadline to apply is Oct. 27. Craft vendors fee is $50.00. Food vendors fee is $75.00. Informational booths are free. Game Vendors fee is $50.00. 
     The festival started in 2009 on the island of Lana'i and resulted in a cultural exchange between Pāhala and Lana'i residents.
     Volunteers from Pāhala, including Dane Galiza, the late Bull, and Jamie Kailiawa, Jarrett Pestana, Harry Evengelista and Robert Ahia, along with the late Bobby Tucker, Pāhala Plantation Cottages and Olson Trust, helped with the event.
      The Pāhala based Hālau Hula O Leionalani, under the direction of Ryder, traveled to Lana'i for the 2013 festival. Ryder and her family soon moved to Pāhala and brought the festival with them.
     Ryder said that Lana'i folks, and hālau from Japan and Honolulu are planning to come here for the 2017 Ho'okupu Hula No Ka‘ū.

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AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE FOR HAWAI'I FAMILIES is an effort by U.S. Sen. Mazie K. Hirono and Sen. Patty Murray, state of Washington, who partnered to introduce the Childcare for Working Families Act.
     Said Hirono, “For many of Hawai'i’s working parents, child care has become unaffordable —exceeding other household costs and expenses and eating into their hard-earned income. This legislation represents a long-term investment in our keiki to ensure that every family has access to high-quality early learning and child care programs that are affordable.”
     Most Hawai'i families can expect to spend more than 11 percent of their household income on child care this year—exceeding the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ standard of affordable care, Hirono pointed out.
      Murray, Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, said, “At a time when far too many working families are struggling, finding quality child care that doesn’t break the bank shouldn’t be another thing keeping parents up at night. As a former preschool teacher, I know what quality early learning and care can do for a child’s development, so I’m proud to introduce the Child Care for Working Families Act to address our child care crisis and support access to high-quality preschool so that all children are ready for kindergarten and beyond. This is not only the right to thing to for working families, but it’s a smart investment in our children, our future, and our economy.”
     The Child Care for Working Families Act would:
· Ensure that no families below 150 percent of state median income pay more than seven percent of their income on child care. Last year in Hawai'i, this would have included families of four making less than $128,034.
· Promote universal access to high-quality preschool programs for all three and four year olds.
· Improve compensation and training opportunities for the child care workforce.
     Hirono has advocated for high-quality early childhood and child care programs during her career as an elected official. As Hawai'i’s Lieutenant Governor, she introduced the Pre-Plus program to provide for preschool facilities on public school campuses. As Hawai'i’s U.S. Representative and Senator, she authored and continues to advocate for the Providing Resources Early for Kids Act, legislation that provided a structure for the Preschool Development Grant program established by the Obama Administration and funded by Congress. Hawai'i was awarded a four-year Preschool Development Grant in December 2014. A new program was authorized by the Every Student Succeeds Act signed into law in December 2015.

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KA'Ū HOSPITAL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION is making great progress on its lānai and garden area for long term residents and patients who are enjoying the outdoors, says a news release from the organization.
Long-term resident Richard at Ka'ū Hospital enjoys
the outdoors and the new lānai and garden area.
Photo from Ka'ū Hospital Charitable Foundation
Hospital Administrator Merilyn
Harris and Nursing Director Sherrie
Brazin with new Desert Rose plants.
Photo from Ka'ū Hospital
Charitable Foundation
     The Foundation gives an example: "Richard is a resident at Ka'ū Hospital and he is thrilled to see the progress being made on the garden/ lānai project. He likes being outdoors with the guys when they are working on the project because he enjoys socializing! He says being in the garden in the soft air and breezes is very healing for him and he is so happy to have this space to go to!"
     Hospital Administrator Merilyn Harris and Nursing Director Sherrie Bazin said they are thrilled to see the forms in place for the concrete work, which will be accomplished soon to provide more access to the outdoors for residents in wheelchairs, using walkers and other assistive devices that help them be more independent.
     Last week Joah and Vicki Swift donated Desert Rose plants. The Swifts said they look forward residents being able to see beautiful views, colorful flowers and feel the soft breezes on a regular basis.

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EVENTS CELEBRATING WORLD FOOD DAY, presented by Hawai’i Island Food Alliance, KTA Super Stores, and The Kohala Center, are set for Tuesday, Oct. 24, at KTA locations - Puainako, Waimea, Waikoloa, and Keauhou - from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
     The Kohala Center describes the event as following, “Support local farmers showcasing their value-added products at this in-store event. Enjoy tastings, samples, and purchase a selection of products direct from farmers." The Kohala     Center will distribute plant starts as supplies last. Farmers and value-added producers who would like to distribute samples at KTA for World Food Day, may contact Nicole Milne at nmilne@kohalacenter.org or 808-887-6411. See a short slide show called The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World by the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

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KA'Ū TROJANS BEAT KOHALA 48-0 on Saturday in eighT-man football, after traveling to Kapa'au on the north end of the island. The Trojans put 40 points on the board by halftime: J. Badua ran for an 18-yard touchdown, with extra point by Echalas. Z. Kai made a one yard touchdown, with extra point by I. Pilanca-Emmsley. Pilanca-Emmsley intercepted and ran 73 yards for a touchdown, with extra point by Kai. Kai ran a 32-yard touchdown with extra point by Badua. Pilanca-Emmsley ran for a 28-yard touchdown. The extra point was good.
       The final touchdown for Ka'ū came in the fourth quarter when Kai ran 83 yards, Naboa made the extra point.
Pick up the September edition of The Ka'ū Calendar delivered
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka'ū, from Miloli`i 
through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout
the district. See it online at kaucalendar.com

UPCOMING FALL TROJAN SPORTS:

Girls Volleyball
Monday, Sept. 18, Ka'ū vs. Makualani, away.
Wednesday, Sept. 20, Ka'ū vs. Konawaena, away.
Friday, Sept. 22, Ka'ū vs. Christian Liberty, home.

Eight-Man Football
 Thursday, Sept. 21, Ka'ū vs. Pāhoa, away game at Kea'au Field.
Saturday, Oct. 7, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, home.
Saturday, Oct. 21, Ka'ū vs. Pahoa, home.

Cross Country
 Saturday, Sept. 23, Ka'ū vs. Hawai'i Prep, away.

Bowling
 Saturday, Sept. 23, Ka'ū vs. Kealakehe at Kona Bowl.

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REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8 FOR ART:  For Tissue Art, register until Tuesday, Sept. 19. The art class will take place at Pāhala Community Center on Wednesday, Sept. 20, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more, call 928-3102.
     For Metal Stamped Bracelets, register tomorrow, Monday, Sept. 18, to Sept. 26. The art class will take place at Pāhala Community Center on Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more, call 928-3102.

MELE AND HULA shared by Hālau Ke ‘Olu Makani O Maunaloa, is on the Wednesday, Sept. 20 agenda at Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium at 6:30 p.m. Kumu Hula Meleana Manuel and her halau perform. Park entrance fees apply. The event is sponsored by Hawai'i Volcano National Park's interpretation division. See details on park events.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD meets Wednesday, Sept. 20, at noon in the Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033.

Register online by Sept. 21.
For more details, see the Ka'ū News Briefs from Aug. 30, 2017.
HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA'Ū meets Thursday, Sept. 21, at 5:30 p.m. at Nā'ālehu Methodist Church. The new President is Berkeley Yoshida. For more details, call Blossom DeSilva at 929-9731.

IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP KEIKI SAFE, National Child Passenger Safety Certification, a Safe Kids Worldwide program, is offering free car seat checks at Pāhala Community Center on Friday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to noon. Partners for Safe Keiki and Hawai’i County Fire Department co-sponsor the event. All are welcome.
     Those with recalled or structurally unsound car seats will receive a free new car seat, acquired through grant funding from the Department of Transportation. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call or text 808-896-1336. For information about Child Passenger Safety, visit safekids.org.

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY HOSTS A VOLUNTEER DAY at its Kona Hema Preserve in South Kona on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     Space is limited so those wanting to volunteer must contact Schubert in advance to reserve a spot on one of the trucks. For more, read the Ka'ū News Briefs from September 8. To contact Schubert, email lschubert@tnc.org or call 443-5401.

HAWAI’I SEED FEST: LOCAL SEEDS FOR LOCAL NEEDS, sponsored by The Kohala Center and Hawai’i Seed Growers Network, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. to noon in Pāhoa and Honalõ. "Check out variety trials in progress, learn how to conduct successful trials in your garden, enjoy refreshments and tastings of crops being grown from local seed, talk story with a local seed grower, and meet others in your community interested in improving local food security," says an announcement from The Kohala Center. Attendance is free but space is limited. Reserve a spot online at localseeds.eventbrite.com or call The Kohala Center at 808-887-6411. Visit Hawai'i Seed Growers Network.

ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENT PLAYERS, DRUMMERS, SINGERS AND DANCERS ARE WELCOMED for Kanikapila on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Nā‘ālehu Methodist Church Hall. For more, call Desmond at 937-6305.

A field day is set for Kohala Center's Demonstration Farm next
Saturday, Sept. 23. Photo from Kohala Center
THE KOHALA CENTER’S DEMONSTRATION FARM HOSTS A FIELD DAY on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  at 45-434 Lehua St. in Honoka’a.
     The Kohala Center’s event description offers "a farm tour, hands-on training, and planting of an agroforestry system designed to diversify crops, control weeds naturally, and improve soil health."
    This event is open to the public, with high school students and teachers encouraged to learn about the upcoming fall High School Sustainable Agriculture Program.
      Contact Dave Sansone at sansone@kohalacenter.org or 808-887-6411 for more information.

NATURE & CULTURE: AN UNSEVERABLE RELATIONSHIP, a moderate hike approximately 2 miles takes place Saturday, Sept. 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Palm Trail hikers visit a place where catastrophic change (hulihia) and subsequent restoration (kulia) can be observed as the land transitions from the 1868 lava flow with its pioneer plants to deeper soil with more diverse and older flora. Learn about native plants that play a vital role in Hawaiian culture. Free. See details on park events.


Saturday, September 16, 2017

Ka'ū News Briefs Saturday, September 16, 2017

Less than a week left to sign up online for the annual Ka'ū Coffee Trail Run starting at Ka'ū Coffee Mill
up Wood Valley Road. See poster below. Photo by Pam Taylor
CLIMATE WEEK IS Gov. David Ige's destination. He left for New York City on Friday to attend one of the key international summits that has driven climate action since it was launched in 2009. It will be held at the Morgan Library & Museum.
     The Climate Group is hosting the summit, which will be the first international climate conference in the United States since Pres. Donald Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
Gov. David Ige heads to New
York for Climate Week.
     The summit brings together international government, business and community leaders to discuss global climate action. Climate Week takes place alongside the United Nations General Assembly. Ige will speak at the opening session and and participate in moderated discussion between the speakers.
    The governor is traveling with Scott Glenn, director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control and a member of the governor’s security team. Ige departed for Los Angeles Friday for a brief lay-over. He arrives in New York City on Sunday. He returns to Hawai‘i on Wednesday, Sept. 20.
     Attorney General Douglas Chin is acting governor while Ige is out of town.

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The two largest earthquakes in Hawai'i
in the last two days were in the sea-
bed off O'ahu and near Pahala. Map
 from Hawai`i Volcano Observatory
A MAGNITUDE-4.2 EARTHQUAKE was felt on Hawai'i Island last night, though its epicenter was 20 miles northeast of Kaneohe on O'ahu below the seabed. It struck at 8:40 p.m. and according to Hawai'i Volcano Observatory Seismic Manager Brian Shiro, "The earthquake was likely due to bending of the oceanic plate from the weight of the island chain and poses no significant hazard.” 
     On Thursday, a 3.04 earthquake struck at 3:45 p.m. 0.6 miles south, southeast of Pahala at a depth of 22 miles.
     Learn more on HVO's website at volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/.

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MORE JAPANESE VISITORS ARE EXPECTED to travel to Ka'ū to Green Sands Beach, Punalu'u Black Sand Beach and Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, with the return yesterday of Japan Airline's daily flights to the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport. Gov. David Ige was on island to welcome the inaugural flight from Narita International Airport.
Gov. David Ige welcomes the return of daily JAL flights to
the island. Photo from the Office of Governor David Ige
    The new service is expected to generate $9.8 million in tax revenue and create 900 new jobs, according to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.
    Said the governor, “We warmly welcome Japan Airlines back to Kona. We are extremely excited about the daily service to Kona, which is on its way to becoming Hawai‘i’s second major international port of entry. JAL has offered excellent service to the Aloha State for more than 60 years, and has played a significant role in expanding and supporting our tourism industry and economy. We are also thankful for the opportunity for cultural exchange with Japan.”
Hawai'i Tourism Authority predicts
 $9.8 million in tax revenues and
 900 jobs from new JAL daily flights.
Photo from Office of Gov. David Ige
     George Szigeti, President and Chief Executive officer of Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, said, “Our thanks go to Japan Airlines and Chairman Masaru Onishi for being such a great and loyal friend to Hawai'i’s tourism industry. This new non-stop flight connecting Tokyo and Kona reinforces Japan Airlines’ commitment to support travel to the Hawaiian Islands, while offering its customers an enticing new vacation experience to discover the allure and natural beauty found on the island of Hawai‘i.” 

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MELE AND HULA will be presented by Hālau Ke ‘Olu Makani O Maunaloa, this Wednesday at Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium at 6:30 p.m. Led by Kumu Hula Meleana Manuel, the halau mission is to strive to perpetuate the native Hawaiian culture through mele (song) and hula. The event is free. Park entrance fees apply. The event is sponsored by Hawai'i Volcano National Park's interpretation division.
Hālau Ke ‘Olu Makani O Maunaloa performs this Wednesday
at Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium. Photo from NPS
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ONLINE NATIVE HAWAIIAN CULTURAL RESOURCES will be more accessible to remote Ka'ū residents as more online programs receive funding. Sen. Mazie Hirono announced yesterday that Native Hawaiian organizations will receive more than $500,000 from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services to enhance access to Native Hawaiian language and cultural resources.
     Hirono said that “By increasing access to Native Hawaiian manuscripts and historic materials, the projects supported by this grant will help to preserve Native Hawaiian traditions and culture. I will continue working to see that Native Hawaiian programs receive the federal support they need to implement important projects like these.”
     Yesterday's federal investment announcement includes four grants that support research, archival, and educational projects from the Bishop Museum, Hawai'i Maoli, Hula Preservation Society, and Papahana Kuaola.
Digitizing and providing online accessibility
to songs of old Hawai'i come with the
Welo Hou project.
Image from Bishop Museum
     “Mele are an invaluable primary resource for Hawaiian scholarship and cultural connection. Welo Hou: Building Connections to the Roberts Mele Collection will improve the digitization, indexing, and accessibility of a unique and treasured collection of mele dating from pre-Western contact to the early 1900s. This pilot project will serve as a model for improved access to and increased engagement with the Bishop Museum Library & Archives’ other mele collections,” said Leah Caldeira, Library & Archives Collection Manager for the Bishop Museum. “In support of the Museum’s mission to inspire our community and visitors through the exploration and celebration of extraordinary history, culture, and environment of Hawai'i and the Pacific, Welo Hou honors the connections between Hawaiian voices of the past and our community of the present.”
      Maile Alau, Executive Director of Hawai'i Maoli, said, “Our teachers are on the frontlines of addressing the critical learning needs of Native Hawaiian students. Through Nana I Ke Kumu (Look to the Source), we will offer professional development to train librarians and other educational leaders to use Hawaiian cultural repositories and resources that support curricular goals of Hawaiian students. With so much culturally relevant digital content available at any computer, tablet, or smartphone, we believe that teachers and students will be able to expand and deepen their knowledge of Hawaiian history, culture, genealogy, chant, and language.” The project will provide library research skills training for 40 Native Hawaiian students and Hawaiian resource database workshops for at least 125 educators.
Hula Preservation Society preserves oral
histories and creations of hula elders, like
the late George Na'ope who mentored
kumu hula and wrote songs for Ka'ū.
Image from Hula Preservation Society
     Maile Loo, Executive Director of the Hula Preservation Society, said: “Hula Preservation Society’s cultural library is built upon the oral histories and associated materials of our late hula elders, who helped lay the groundwork for the Hawaiian Renaissance in the last century. This grant from the Institute of Museum & Library Services will assist the Hula Preservation Society in providing first-time direct online access to these resources, digitally preserve an additional 700 treasured historical items under are care, dating back to 1890, and provide internship opportunities for Native Hawaiian youth entering the Library Information Science and Hawaiian Studies fields."
     The project will develop online tutorials and digital preservation of 150 audio pieces and 550 historic photos.
     Papahana Kuaola's Makaikai Mele a Moolelo project will provide moolelo/mele tours specifically designed for kupuna and the general community to nurture understanding and appreciation of traditional Hawaiian literature and the places to which they are connected.
     Hirono said she continues to support federal funding for Native Hawaiian programs and services, and has consistently supported the Institute for Museum & Library Services, National Endowment for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Humanities during her time in Congress. Earlier this year, she signed letters with her colleagues requesting support for Institute for Museum & Library Services Office of Museum Service. She said it is the country’s largest dedicated commitment "to our nation’s museums, which support around 400,000 Americans and contributes $21 billion to the U.S. economy ever year."

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Ka`u Chamber of Commerce logo by Tanya Ibarra
CU HAWAI'I OFFERS TO PAY $1 ENTRY FEE FOR KEIKI ARTISTS submitting art to the Ka'ū Chamber of Commerce's Annual Art Show, which accepts entries on Monday, Sept. 25. The art show will be open for public viewing from Tuesday, Sept. 26, to Friday, Sept. 29, in the CU Hawai'i Federal Credit Union Annex Building (behind CU) in Nā'ālehu, during normal credit union business hours.
   An Artist Reception for distribution of prizes and art pickup will be the morning of Saturday, Sept. 30.
     Categories include: painting, graphics, photography, craft, lei, weaving, jewelry, quilting, sculpture, and woodworking. There will also be categories for Youth and Keiki entries, for which the entry fee is $1 per artwork.
     The winning popular vote piece will be displayed on the cover of The Directory 2018, according to new Chamber co-chairs Alan Stafford and Allen Humble who describe the annual art show as a fundraiser for the Ka'ū Chamber of Commerce scholarship program. For more details, visit the Chamber website at kauchamber.org or call 936-5288.

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Hawaiian Petrel
Photo by Jim Denny
THE ENDANGERED HAWAIIAN PETREL, ‘UA‘U, will be the subject of discussion at Coffee Talk on Friday, Sept. 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. inside the Visitor Center at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
     The ‘ua‘u, an endangered Hawaiian seabird that spends the majority of its life at sea, lands only to nest and raise its young in deep burrows. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Avian Research Technician Charlotte Forbes-Perry will present a talk about the life of the ‘ua‘u and the National Park’s efforts to monitor and protect them.
     Coffee Talk at Kahuku, an informal conversation on a wide variety of topics, is open to the public, and takes place on the last Friday of every month. Ka‘ū coffee, tea and pastries will be available for purchase. Entrance to the event and park is free. Visit nps.gov/havo for more.

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TROJANS TRAVELED TO KOHALA today, Saturday, for the eight-man Ka'ū High School football team to take on the Cowboys. Ka'ū beat Kohala on Sept. 2 with a score of 26-6. In other games this season, Ka'ū traveled to Lana'i, losing 58-90. Ka'ū lost to Pāhoa, 8-32.
    Ka'ū's Cross Country team traveled to Kea'au on Saturday.  The bowling team  went to Kona.

Pick up the September edition of The Ka'ū Calendar delivered
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka'ū, from Miloli`i 
through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout
the district. See it online at kaucalendar.com
UPCOMING FALL TROJAN SPORTS:

Girls Volleyball
Monday, Sept. 18, Ka'ū vs. Makualani, away.
Wednesday, Sept. 20, Ka'ū vs. Konawaena, away.
Friday, Sept. 22, Ka'ū vs. Christian Liberty, home.

Eight-Man Football
 Thursday, Sept. 21, Ka'ū vs. Pāhoa, away game at Kea'au Field.
Saturday, Oct. 7, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, home.
Saturday, Oct. 21, Ka'ū vs. Pahoa, home.

Cross Country
 Saturday, Sept. 23, Ka'ū vs. Hawai'i Prep, away.

Bowling
 Saturday, Sept. 23, Ka'ū vs. Kealakehe at Kona Bowl.

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PEOPLE & LAND OF KAHUKU is a free, guided, 2.5 mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain through the Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park that focuses on the area’s human history from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. tomorrow, Sunday, Sept. 17.

REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8 FOR ART CLASSES IN PĀHALA.
     Tissue Art: register until Sept. 19. The art class will take place at Pāhala Community Center on Wednesday, Sept. 20, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more, call 928-3102.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD meets Wednesday, Sept. 20, at noon in the Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033.

HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA'Ū meets Thursday, Sept. 21, at 5:30 p.m. at Nā'ālehu Methodist Church. The new President is Berkeley Yoshida. For more details, call Blossom DeSilva at 929-9731.

IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP KEIKI SAFE, National Child Passenger Safety Certification, a Safe Kids Worldwide program, is offering free car seat checks at Pāhala Community Center on Friday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to noon. Partners for Safe Keiki and Hawai’i County Fire Department co-sponsor the event. All are welcome.
     Those with recalled or structurally unsound car seats will receive a free new car seat, acquired through grant funding from the Department of Transportation. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call or text 808-896-1336. For information about Child Passenger Safety, visit safekids.org.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Register online by Sept. 21.
For more details, see the Ka'ū News Briefs from Aug. 30, 2017.
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY HOSTS A VOLUNTEER DAY at its Kona Hema Preserve in South Kona on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     Space is limited so those wanting to volunteer must contact Schubert in advance to reserve a spot on one of the trucks. For more, read the Ka'ū News Briefs from September 8. To contact Schubert, email lschubert@tnc.org or call 443-5401.

NATURE & CULTURE: AN UNSEVERABLE RELATIONSHIP, a moderate hike approximately 2 miles takes place Saturday, September 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Palm Trail hikers visit a place where catastrophic change (hulihia) and subsequent restoration (kulia) can be observed as the land transitions from the 1868 lava flow with its pioneer plants to deeper soil with more diverse and older flora. Learn about native plants that play a vital role in Hawaiian culture. Free. Visit nps.gov/havo for more.

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ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENT PLAYERS, DRUMMERS, SINGERS AND DANCERS ARE WELCOMED for Kanikapila on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Nā‘ālehu Methodist Church Hall. For more, call Desmond at 937-6305.

THE KOHALA CENTER’S DEMONSTRATION FARM HOSTS A FIELD DAY on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (45-434 Lehua St, Honoka’a).
     The Kohala Center’s event description offers "a farm tour, hands-on training, and planting of an agroforestry system designed to diversify crops, control weeds naturally, and improve soil health."
Seeds adapted to Hawai`i's environmental niches
will be exchanged on Saturday, Sept. 23.
Photo from Hawai`i Seed Growers Network
    This event is open to the public, with high school students and teachers encouraged to learn about the upcoming fall High School Sustainable Agriculture Program.
      Contact Dave Sansone at sansone@kohalacenter.org or 808-887-6411 for more information.

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HAWAI’I SEED FEST: LOCAL SEEDS FOR LOCAL NEEDS, sponsored by The Kohala Center and Hawai’i Seed Growers Network, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. to noon in Pāhoa and Honalõ.
     "Check out variety trials in progress, learn how to conduct successful trials in your garden, enjoy refreshments and tastings of crops being grown from local seed, talk story with a local seed grower, and meet others in your community interested in improving local food security," says an announcement from The Kohala Center. Attendance is free but space is limited. Reserve a spot online at localseeds.eventbrite.com or call The Kohala Center at 808-887-6411. Visit Hawai'i Seed Growers Network.

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Friday, September 15, 2017

Ka'ū News Briefs Friday, September 15, 2017

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist monitored the advance of an 'a'ā lava flow on April 6 during
the 1984 Mauna Loa eruption. This flow was about 4 m (13 ft) high and advancing at a rate of 50 m (55 yards)
per hour. Lava reached within 6 km (4 mi) of Hilo city limits before the 22-day-long eruption ended on
April 15. See story below. USGS photo by P.W. Lipman
 SUPPORTERS OF THE PUBLIC ACQUISITION OF WAIKAPUNA took enthusiasm to this week's county Public Access Open Space and Natural Resources Commission meeting. John Replogle, Nohea Ka'awa, La'akea Suganuma, Megan Lamson, Michelle Galimba, Rick Gmirken from the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail; Keoni Fox, Linda Gallano and an intern from Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail Association; Marcie Davis from E Mau Na Ala Hele, Wendy Vance from Ho’omalu Ka’ū and Laura Ka'akua, Native Lands Project Manager for The Trust for Public Land, traveled to the PONC meeting in Kona.    
Waikapuna, in orange and Kaunamano, in purple are two proposed area for preservation along
the Ka'ū Coast. Image from state Department of Land & Natural Resources
                                                    Those speaking to the commission shared their connection to Waikapuna and their ability to kokua through a partnership with Ala Kahakai Trail Association owning the property and the local community helping to steward the land. Suganuma shared stories of his kupuna connection to Waikapuna. Galimba talked of her family ranch connection. Lamson, a marine biologist, spoke of commitment to malama marine resources.
    Also in attendance were Bruce Rae and Olivia Ling of Ka'ū Agroforestry Association who testified in support of their separate Waikapuna nomination where the County would own the property and Ka'ū Agroforestry would steward. 
       After public testimony, the commissioners discussed their Waikapuna site visits and PONC commissioner Rick Warshauer, of Volcano, summarized his site visit report on the record. Gmirkin, an archaeologist for the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, clarified the nature of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail corridor to the commissioners.
     Fox explained that two kuleana lots within the larger Waikapuna parcel are not for sale because the landowner does not have clear title. Fox and Ka'akua spoke about the need for balanced and managed access.
      Council member Maile David said after the meeting that once the PONC scoring is finalized and released, prioritizing those properties on the PONC to be negotiated for purchase, she hopes to submit a resolution to the County Council to authorize the County to protect Waikapuna in perpetuity.
      Another proposal is for acquisition of  Kaunamano and the Makahiki Grounds, which comes before the PONC committee on Oct. 9. See map.

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FRIENDS OF THE KA'Ū LIBRARIES held its annual meeting this week at Pāhala Plantation House. Officers for 2017 - 2018 are President Sandra Demoruelle, Vice President Linda Morgan, Secretary Debbie Wong Yuen and Treasurer Ann Fontes. Directors are Kirsi Klein, Deborah Lynn Dickerson and Joe Demoruelle. DD Davis was thanked for her years of service and allowed to step down to concentrate on her art and design work.
Friends of the Ka'ū Library, former President DD Davis, Secretary Linda
Morgan, Treasurer Ann Fontes, Director Kirsi Klein, President
Sandra Demoruelle. Back row Nā'ālehu Librarian Sara Kamibayashi,
 Directors Joe DeMoruelle and Deborah Lynn Dickerson.
Photo by Julia Neal
    Demourelle said that since Friends of the Ka'ū Libraries formed in 1995, volunteer members "have continuously worked hard raising funding which has been used to improve library services and resources for the Ka'ū community." This year, the organization supported programming at both Pāhala Public and School Library and Nā'ālehu Library such as the Summer Reading Program. The Summer Reading Program is for every age group – children to senior citizens – encouraging family members to participate together.
     Demoruelle said she enjoyed challenging her great-grandson Daniel to keep reading during summer vacation to have a head-start on kindergarten. Friends of the Ka'ū Libraries volunteer readers also participated in the Ka'ū Health Fair in April.
     Along with the regular resources provided to the libraries, Friends of the Ka'ū Libraries has funded the Ka'ū History Project which has maintained and expanded the historic record through oral histories of Ka'ū’s seniors and records of events like the Keiki Fishing Tournament.
      Each year, volunteers work to sponsor fundraising book sales, with the most successful, said Demoruelle, being the annual Ho'olaule'a for the Ka'ū Coffee Festival in Pāhala.
    To join or learn more about Friends of the Ka'ū Libraries, email at friendskaul@gmail.com.

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Aerial view of Mauna Loa erupting on the morning of March 25, 1984, the 
first day of the volcano's most recent eruption. The lava flow was
 advancing southeast, toward Kīlauea, from fissure vents at about
 11,200 feet on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone. Moku'āweoweo, Mauna
 Loa's summit caldera, is visible at top left. USGS photo by J.P. Lockwood
MAUNA LOA'S UNREST CONTINUES, BUT OUTCOME IS UNCERTAIN is the word in this week's Volcano Watch written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists:
     On Sept. 17, 2015, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory upgraded the Volcano Alert Level for Mauna Loa,  Hawaiʻi Island's largest volcano (on which most of Ka'ū is located). The Alert Level was changed from Normal to Advisory and the Aviation Color Code from Green to Yellow. Two years later, the volcano remains at Advisory/Yellow.
    What's up with Mauna Loa, and is any change in sight? Should residents relax or stay vigilant?
    The 2015 alert level upgrade followed more than a year of inflation as magma slowly filled shallow reservoirs beneath the summit and upper Southwest Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. This was new behavior for the volcano following several years of no new magma input into the shallow plumbing system. At the same time, the rate of shallow, small earthquakes beneath the volcano was elevated, reflecting stresses that built as the volcano became pressurized.
     Since then, rates of inflation and seismicity have waxed and waned, but have remained above what is considered to be long-term background levels. In addition, HVO has detected more small magnitude (less than M3) earthquakes beneath Mauna Loa than at any time since the previous eruption in 1984.
Erupting vents on Mauna Loa’s northeast rift zone near Pu‘u‘ula‘ula
 (Red Hill) on Mar. 25, 1984, sent massive ‘a‘ā lava flows down 
the rift toward Kūlani. Photo from HVO/USGS
    From 2013 to 2015, shallow earthquakes clustered in locations similar to those that preceded Mauna Loa's two most recent eruptions in 1975 and 1984. But, the cumulative energy release—basically, the sum of the energy of each individual earthquake—remained relatively low compared to the years before the 1975 and 1984 eruptions. That low energy release was one indication that an eruption was at least many months to years away. 
     But today, the cumulative energy release of earthquakes since 2013 has essentially matched the pre-1975 and pre-1984 energy releases. Does this mean an eruption could occur within weeks to months?
     Not likely, say HVO scientists. If Mauna Loa follows the "script" of 1975 and 1984, before the volcano ramps up to an eruption, HVO would expect to see lots of small earthquakes occurring frequently beneath the summit—many more than are currently recorded—over a period of months. HVO would also expect at least an hour, or hours, of tremor (constant ground vibration) as a final warning that magma is on its way to the surface.
Hot and cold, the summit of Mauna Loa at 13,679 feet, with pit craters
Moku’aweoweo Caldera, 3 miles long, and Mauna Kea in the
background. HVO/USGS photo
    But how certain is it that Mauna Loa will follow the script of 1975 and 1984? That's the unknown.
    Scientists cannot discount the possibility that Mauna Loa will move from current conditions to eruption more quickly than it did in 1975 and 1984, potentially with only days to weeks of sharply increased activity. 
     It also remains possible that the current unrest will gradually cease without the volcano erupting, as it did during periods of unrest in 2002 and 2004. HVO scientists concluded, We must continue to live with uncertainty about the timing and details of Mauna Loa's next eruption.
    In the meantime, HVO is closely monitoring the volcano and working with partner agencies and communities to prepare for a future eruption response. HVO scientists are also identifying the key scientific questions they would seek to answer in the next eruption.
Pick up the September edition of The Ka'ū Calendar delivered
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka'ū, from Miloli`i 
through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout
the district. See it online at kaucalendar.com

    Since 1984, HVO has upgraded and added monitoring instrumentation, developing alarm systems to rapidly notify changes that might indicate that a Mauna Loa eruption is imminent or in progress. HVO also created map tools and other products to assist authorities and the public during the volcano's next eruption.
    Getting back to the question, HVO scientists ask, "Should residents relax or stay vigilant?" The answer is, "Be prepared. Develop a family emergency plan and review emergency supplies. Know where you live and work with respect to Mauna Loa hazard zones."
     More information on readying our island community for whatever Mauna Loa has in store for us can be found at volcanoes.usgs.gov/vhp/preparedness.html.
     Counsels HVO, "In Hawai'i, we also face hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunami, flooding, and fires, so there are many possible emergencies year round. Preparing for one helps prepare for all."
     The USGS Fact Sheet, Mauna Loa—History, Hazards, and Risk of Living with the World's Largest Volcano, provides valuable info and is available online at pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2012/3104/fs2012-3104.pdf.
     Residents and visitors can also stay informed about Mauna Loa through volcano updates and monitoring data posted on the HVO website at volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/. Sign up to receive email updates automatically through the free USGS Volcano Notification Service at volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns/.

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Ka'ū Trojans traveled to Lana'i and took a loss to the
Wildcat but Ka'ū freshman Isaiah Pilanca-Emmsley
won Hawai'i Tribune Herald Athlete of the Week.
Photo from Lana'i High Athletics
ISAIAH PILANCA-EMMSLEY has been named Hawai'i Tribune-Herald Athlete of the Week. The Tribune-Herald story, published Sept. 14, praises the freshman for his five touchdowns last weekend when the Trojans traveled to Lana'i to play the Wildcats.
     Pilanca-Emmsley won the award for standing strong as the Trojans suffered a devastating loss, with Lana'i scoring 90 points and Ka'ū 58. According to the Tribune Herald, the game "was reported to be the highest-scoring Hawai'i high school football game on record, and the Trojans' freshman played a big role with five touchdowns."
    According to the Tribune Herald, Pilanca-Emmsley's farorite song is Hail Mary; favorite food is steak; favorite sports role model is Michael Vic; football makes him happy and SpongeBob SquarePants is his favorite cartoon character.

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Ocean View Pickleball, including Dakota and Stephanie
Hensley meets three times a week and invites new players.
Photo by Jacquie Lee Woodmansee
THE OCEAN VIEW PICKLEBALL CLUB is reaching out to the community, offering to teach and welcome more players. Secretary Jacquelynn Lee Woodmansee said the hui has been "playing Pickleball for a little over five years. We have players of all ages. We welcome new comers and beginners. Equipment is available for all."
    Stephanie Hensley is President, Roberta Barger is Treasurer.
    Ocean View Pickleball meets Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Kahuku Park on Paradise Parkway Circle. Bring water and a chair.
See facebook.com/oceanviewpickleball/
       For more information, call 929-7092.

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IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP KEIKI SAFE, National Child Passenger Safety Certification, a Safe Kids Worldwide program, is offering free car seat checks at Pāhala Community Center on Friday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to noon. Partners for Safe Keiki and Hawai’i County Fire Department co-sponsor the event. All are welcome.
   The program flyer states the event is a “non-profit community effort to promote traffic safety through awareness and education. Future Child Car Seat Safety Checks will be available. We ensure that children leave checkpoints safer than when they arrived."
     Those with recalled or structurally unsound car seats will receive a free new car seat, acquired through grant funding from the Department of Transportation. Check points have certified technicians on hand who have been trained according to National Child Passenger Safety Certification standards.
     For more information or to schedule an appointment, call or text 808-896-1336. For information about Child Passenger Safety, visit safekids.org.

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UPCOMING EVENTS FOR FALL TROJAN SPORTS:

Eight-Man Football: tomorrow, Sept. 16, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, away game.
Cross Country: tomorrow, Sept. 16, Ka'ū vs. Kea'au, away game.
Bowling: tomorrow, Sept. 16, Ka'ū vs. Hilo & Konawaena at Kona Bowl.
Girls Volleyball: Monday, Sept. 18, Ka'ū vs. Makualani, away game.
Wednesday, Sept. 20, Ka'ū vs. Konawaena, away game.


BATTLING LITTLE FIRE ANTS has come to the attention of the Queen Lili'uokalani Foundation, Ma'ona Community Garden and The Kohala Center, which are sponsoring an information session led by the Big Island Invasive Species Committee tomorrow, Sept. 16. It will be held at Ma'ona Community Garden in Honaunau.
     Attendees will learn about the impact and threat of little fire ants to Hawai'i, how to survey for ants, and how to plan an effective treatment approach if ants are found. BIISC will also provide strategies and suggestions for working with neighbors to address an infestation in the neighborhood.
     Also offered will be an on-site confirmation of ants - people can bring collected ants in a plastic bag after at least 12 hours in the freezer.
     Read the full story on Wednesday, Sept. 13's Ka'ū News Briefs.

WOOD VALLEY WATER COOPERATIVE will hold its annual meeting at Pāhala Plantation House, 96-3209 Maile St., tomorrow, Sept. 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

REDEEM HI-5 RECYCLABLES AT NĀ'ĀLEHU SCHOOL GYM tomorrow, Sept. 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and receive 5 cents per container (sorted by type) and an additional 20 cents per pound on all aluminum. Atlas Recycling donates 20 cents per pound on all aluminum redeemed to the school. For more details, call 939-2413, ext. 230.

A MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND POTLUCK, open to members and the public, will be hosted by Hawai'i Farmers Union United East Hawai'i Chapter tomorrow, Sept. 16, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at a private farm in Onomea. "Activities will include hands-on farm work, chapter updates, potluck lunch, and a special presentation from Hawai'i Island Swine Producers Cooperative about no smell piggeries using localized feed. There is no cost to attend. Please contact Drake Weinert at drakew@gmail.com to register and receive directions to the farm."

"Pele and Hi'iaka," an oil painting by Linda Rowel Stevens
depicting Hawaiian Goddess Pele holding an egg
bearing her little sister, Hi'iaka.
DISCOVER THE HAWAIIAN GODDESSES HI'IAKA & PELE and the natural phenomena they represent on a free, moderate, one-mile walk tomorrow, Sept. 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. within the Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. For more, visit nps.gov/havo.

PEOPLE & LAND OF KAHUKU is a free, guided, 2.5 mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain through the Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park that focuses on the area’s human history from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 17. For more, visit nps.gov/havo.

REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8 FOR ART CLASSE IN PĀHALA.
     Tissue Art: register until Sept. 19. The art class will take place at Pāhala Community Center on Wednesday, Sept. 20, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more, call 928-3102.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD meets Wednesday, Sept. 20, at noon in the Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033.

HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA'Ū meets Thursday, Sept. 21, at 5:30 p.m. For more details, call 929-9731 or 936-7262.