Ka‘ū News Briefs Monday, February 5, 2018

The waters near South Point proved deadly on Monday for a man who tried to help his struggling lady friend at
South Point Landing. Also dangerous is diving off the South Point cliffs (above) in rough waters.

AN ADVENTURE TOURISM DEATH TRAGEDY befell Ka‘ū on Monday, when a man tried to help rescue his struggling lady friend at South Point Landing. She was unable to come to shore in rough waters. The woman survived after a fisherman threw her a cooler, but her friend perished, his body recovered, according to witnesses at the scene.

     Bruised bodies, broken backs, and other injuries to visitors and locals are reported by people frequenting the area, especially those diving off the cliffs, as visitation to South Point and Green Sand Beach soars. Locals have also perished when setting net, or by falling off the cliff when fishing.

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SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN's bills regarding health, environment, energy, housing, and other issues can be followed on the Hawai‘i Legislature website. Click on each bill to read testimony and reports, and to give testimony. Bills introduced by Ruderman, who represents east Ka‘ū into Puna, include the following:

     SB829 would establish a community food forest program in the Department of Land & Natural Resources and require DLNR to work collaboratively with local government and community organizations to provide sources of healthy food statewide. The bill would also appropriate funding.

State Sen. Russell Ruderman has introduced 
numerous bills into the Hawaiʻi Legislature.
They can be followed online.

     SB830 would create an income tax credit based on real property taxes paid for landowners to incentivize leasing land for community food forests.

     SB809 would allow a county to enact and adopt local laws, rules, and policies that regulate pesticides use within its own jurisdiction under certain conditions.

     SB810 would prohibit application of neonicotinoid insecticides without a permit after 6/30/18 to protect honeybees and other pollinating animals.

     SB3095 would establish disclosure and public notification requirements for outdoor application of pesticides in various sensitive areas or by large-scale, outdoor commercial agricultural operations. It would also set up a pilot program that creates a vegetative buffer zone around five selected schools near a commercial agricultural production area. 

     SB823 SD2 would require insurers, mutual benefit societies, fraternal benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for health care services provided by a naturopathic physician. Requires the insurance commissioner to receive and investigate complaints regarding discrimination with respect to participation under a health insurance plan against any health care provider. 

     SB821 would provide an income tax credit to taxpayers who install or operate an electric vehicle charging system that is available for use by the public, unless otherwise required by law. 

     SB822 would require the state Department of Transportation to install and operate public electric vehicle charging systems on Kaua‘i, Maui, Moloka‘i, and the Island of Hawai‘i. Appropriates moneys to fund installation and operation of the electric vehicle charging systems. 

     SB3098 would authorize construction of tiny homes for residential use within agricultural districts, on farms that are engaged in agricultural production. Provides that a tiny home shall be subject to county ordinances or permitting requirements that are directly applicable to residential uses of tiny homes in agricultural districts. A similar bill passed the legislature last year but was vetoed by Gov. David Ige and opposed by County of Hawai‘i Planning Department.

A prepared family wearing headlamps prepares to enter the Nāhuku,
Thurston lava tube during its dark, natural state. NPS Photo/Janice Wei

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NEW LIGHT IS SHINING FROM WITHIN Nāhuku, the Thurston Lava Tube in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Visitors can choose to the explore the cave in the dark with their own light source, or time their trip to coincide with a new lighting schedule.

     Park staff installed a new electrical system with 12 energy-efficient amber LED lights to illuminate the 400-foot-long lava tube - plus an additional amber spotlight to shine light on a low part of the cave ceiling. The lights automatically turn on every day at 10 a.m., and go out at 8 p.m. The cave will remain open overnight. It remains  pitch black inside from 8 p.m. until 10 a.m. the next day.

     Visitors must carry their own light source if planning to explore the lava tube in its dark, natural state: before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m. Park rangers recommend head lamps and flashlights; cell phones are not recommended as the only light source.

     "When we turned the lights off to install the new electrical system, visitors told us they were in favor of leaving an option for a 'lights out' natural cave experience in Nāhuku," said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. "We're excited that the new lighting schedule satisfies visitors, is better for the environment, and supports our goal for a sustainable future," she said.

     The new lighting system also increases visitor safety by illuminating the interior, and protects the cultural integrity of the ‘ana (cave) by inhibiting the growth of non-native plant and algae species.

A family explores interior of Nāhuku during illuminated hours. NPS Photo/Janice Wei

     Located near the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, off Crater Rim Drive, Nāhuku and its lush rainforest trail are popular features in the park. An eruption from Kīlauea 550 years ago produced vigorous streams of lava, and the long, hollow tunnel was left behind when the molten rock drained away.

     The native rainforest surrounding Nāhuku is home to endemic plant, bird and insect species, like the Happyface Spider. Visitation is heaviest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and parking is limited to 30 minutes.

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SECOND ANNUAL MAULI OLA FESTIVAL, put on by Malian Lahey, Ka‘ū Coffee broker and owner of the Wood Valley Farm venue, will be dedicated to Healing, Art and Music, says its poster. It begins this Friday, Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. with activities scheduled 5 p.m. Friday until early morning Sunday. Campers will be allowed to stay until 2 p.m.

     "Mauli Ola Festival brings together a global tribe to celebrate, learn and generate new conversations about coffee, human rights, and earth-friendly practices like permaculture and Leave No Trace. Conversations like these are powerful force multipliers that can create real shifts in how the world works,” says the festival description on http://mauliolafestival.com/.

     Tickets for one day are $30, $60 for two days, and camping passes are $10, which includes hot showers. Organizers suggest bringing warm clothing for nighttime, layers for daytime. Vendor spaces are still open. Sponsors are welcome. Kids under 12 are free. Purchase tickets, see the schedule, and get more info at http://mauliolafestival.com/.

Malian Lahey, Ka‘ū Coffee broker, owner of the Wood Valley Farm,
and founder of Mauli Ola Festival. Photo from mauliaolafestival.com

      Lahey said, "Every day, I find my inspiration in people who dare to create from the best of who they are, to express their inner beauty and see the beauty in others. The greatest experience of our own happiness comes about when we live in a happy world. So, here's to music that makes us think of something greater than ourselves. Here's to music that brings us out of our personal pain and inspires us rise to co-create something higher and more connected than ever before. Here's to music that talks back to our demons and wins. This music is a love offering to the sublime spark within you."

      The website invites attendees to: "Dance your prayers into the earth, where the roots of malama ‘āina get mycelial on a beautiful, remote permaculture farm & soul sanctuary in the sacred Wood Valley area of the Big Island. Healers of the land, culture, economy, body, mind, & spirit come together to give and receive in sacred reciprocity with Gaia. The purpose of the Mauli Ola Festival is to create a living culture based upon New Paradigm spiritual principles. Dance, Camp and Immerse into the healing vibes."

     Music headlinners are Jamaican singer Clinton Fearon, Mike Love, Mishka, Youssoupha Sidibe, Jamie Janover, Dragonfly, Tubby Love and Amber Lily, Love Eternal, Carl John, Green Machine with David Laurence, Love Lena, Yaima, Dread Ashanti, Faye Adinda, Heartifact, Diane Patterson, Nerissa, One Love, Rootz Within, Malian, Prema Rasa, Trill, Drew Daniels, Kaila Weaver, Selassie Ites, AhluxAh, Gaia Experiment, and Keyframe.

     Also promoted is a Wisdom Keeper Gathering with Honourable Guest Elders: Grandmother Flordemayo, Chase Iron Eyes, Delbert Black Fox Pomani, Youssoupha Sidibe, Laulani Teale, Liko Martin, Maria Owl Gutierrez, Jose Federico Munoz, Mazatzin Acosta, and Ketzali Acosta.

     Workshops include: Pagan George: Expanding the Wings of your Prana; Aeo Wildflower: Kundalini Yoga; Devin Fredericksen: Successional Food Forests, Resilient Relations; Kaila Weaver: Vocal Empowerment: Becoming our own Tuning Forks; Nico Van Engelen: Resilience Through Empowering Local Communities; Leila Wright: Herbal Magic Remedies; Shane Bee Charmer Lee: Bee Charming 101; Drake Weinert: Seed Starting With Korean Natural Farming; Clinton Fearon: Reggae Songwriting Workshop ($35 fee); Jamie Janover: Unified Field Theory; Maria Owl Gutierrez: Transforming Grief to Gratitude; Julian Reyes: Reinhabiting the Village; Chase Iron Eyes: Legal Update on Standing Rock; Mazatzin Acosta: Aztec Calendar Keeping; Jose Federico Munoz: Mayan Calendar Keeping; Tuvasana Maya: Yoga and Cosmic Consciousness; Lydia Kindheart: Feeding The Festivals: How I Started Lydia's Kind Foods; Alaina Hernandez: Festival Ecology; and Lee Walczuk: Kiddie's Corner.

     Other activities include: Alchemeyez will be curating the Visionary Art Temple; Keyframe presents a VR experience, including opportunity to paint ideas in 3D; Film screening of Amplify Her; Keiki-friendly activities, includeing Lizard Tag, Puppet Making with Lee Michael Walczuk, Coloring, Bubbles, Alphabet with Youssoupha Sidibe, Kite flying, and T-shirt block printing.

     The website states there is "a lot of space" for camping; composting toilets and port-a-johns; hot shower passes; "abundant", non-chlorinated, fluoride-free spring water; and hand washing and dishwashing stations, in which they ask that only all natural, eco-friendly soap is used. Vendors will offer "locally crafted organic, locally grown food and of course, award-winning ethical coffee." There will be limited cooking space available, one catered meal offered for purchase each day, and a ticket type that includes meals (not listed on website). Camping alternatives include nearby bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

HAWAIIAN STORYTELLING, a performing arts event for keiki ages 6 to 12 years, has been announced for Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., at Kahuku Park, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. Register from Feb. 21 to 26. For more, call Teresa Anderson at 929-9113 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at 

 kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/februaryevents.html. 

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, weekly events at 
kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/februarycommunity.html.
February print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i 
through Volcano. Also available free on stands throughout
the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

AN ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY ROAD CLEAN-UP, between mile markers 78 and 79 on Highway 11 in Ocean View, is hosted by Ocean View Community Center on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Bags, water, and vests (volunteers shirt sizes should be emailed to address below) are provided. Volunteers are asked to meet at 8:30 a.m., and are advised to wear work gloves and sun protection. Confirm meet-up location by emailing Pat at mcmathorama@gmail.com. Ocean View Community Association can be reached at 939-7033 or by visiting ovcahi.org.

REGISTER KEIKI, GRADES K-8, BY FEB. 6, FOR A YEAR OF THE DOG WALL HANGING arts and crafts class that takes place Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Pāhala Community Center. Free. Call Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro at 928-3102, or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation, for more.

DISCOVERY HARBOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETS Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., in Discovery Harbour Community Hall. For more, call 929-9576 or visit discoveryharbour.net.

A LEARNING TOGETHER WORKSHOP AT THE OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER, sponsored by Nā’ālehu School, is offered Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more, call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.

KA‘Ū COFFEE GROWERS COOPERATIVE MEETS Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at  Pāhala Community Center.

PRESERVATION OF STONE ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE: Pu‘uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historic Park, is presented Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m., in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Archeologist MaryAnne Maigret gives an historical overview of early and mid-20th century restorations of Hōnaunau, and a behind-the-scenes look at 50-plus years of preservation at the park. Free; park entrance fees apply. Suggested donation of $2 to support park programs. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEES MEETS TUESDAY, FEB. 6, with a full Council meeting taking place the following day on Wednesday, Feb. 7. Both meetings occur in Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. The Council will meet again on Tuesday, Feb. 20 (committees), and Wednesday, Feb. 21 (Council), in Kona. Agendas can be found at hawaiicounty.gov.

ADVOCATS, INC., comes to Ocean View Community Center on Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., to perform free cat spay and neuter services. For more, call 895-9283.

KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP'S LAVA LOUNGE HOSTS OPEN MIC NIGHT on Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. KMC is located inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Singers, Bands, Comedians, etc. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests 21 years and older. Park entrance fees apply. For more, visit kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

ABSTRACTS AND PROPOSALS ARE DUE FRIDAY, FEB. 9, for symposia, forums, workshops, trainings, and individual oral or poster presentations for 2018 Hawai‘i Conservation Conference in July. For more, visit hawaiconservation.org.

MAKE A VALENTINE FOR YOUR VALENTINE! at Nā‘ālehu Public Library on Friday, Feb. 9, starting at 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free. For more details, call 939-2442.

JOIN PAUL AND JANE FIELD IN VOLUNTEERING FOR STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT on Friday, Feb. 9, and remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing. Meet at 8:45 a.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO. This event will also be held Feb. 17 and 19.

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY HOSTS A VOLUNTEER WORKDAY on Friday, Feb. 9, at their Ka‘ū Preserve (located between Pāhala and Nā‘ālehu), from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     Space is limited. For more details or to reserve a spot, contact Linda Schubert at 443-5401 or lschubert@tnc.org. The following Volunteer Day will take place on Friday, Mar. 23, at TNC’s Kona Hema Preserve.

A PERFORMANCE OF NORA EPHRON'S LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE is offered Saturday, Feb. 10, at 7:30 p.m., at Kīlauea Military Camp’s Kīlauea Theater in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park to raise funds for Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network. The play is based on a best-selling book by Ilene Beckerman. Tickets are $20 per person. For reservations or more info, call 982-7344.

ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BONSAI AND HOW TO GROW THEM, a workshop taught by well-known Bonsai Sensei Bill Newton, is offered Saturday, Feb. 10, 17, and 24, at Volcano Garden Arts. Sign up for all three classes and receive a complimentary meal at award winning Cafe Ono. Space is limited. For more, call 985-8979 or visit volcanogardenarts.com.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HAWAIIAN HOSPOT AND CREATION OF KAHUKU on a hike, Birth of Kahuku, on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., in Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku on this easy-to-moderate hike that traverses the vast 1868 lava flow, with different volcano features and formations. For more, see nps.gov/HAVO.

KĀWĀ VOLUNTEER DAY, arranged by Mā Mamo o Kāwā, is hosted Saturday, Feb. 10, starting at 9:30 a.m. Sign up with James Akau by emailing namamookawa@gmail.com or calling 430-3058.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST AND A RAFFLE are offered at by Ocean View Community Association at Ocean View Community Center on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. To volunteer, call 939-7033. Visit ovcahi.org for more.

LEARN SOMETHING NEW OR WORK ON A FORGOTTEN PROJECT at The Art Express on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Classes held once monthly. Instructions will be on oil, acrylic, watercolor, and other mediums. Class size limited to 25. For more, contact Meliha Corcoran at 319-8989 or himeliha@yahoo.com. See discoveryharbour.net/art-express for future dates.

ZENTANGLE: THE ELEGANCE OF LIMITS, is offered Saturday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Volcano Art Center. Learn how to use tangles for boarders and how to create elegant frames to hold Zentangle art with Lois & Earl Stokes. Zentagle Basics is recommended but not required. All art supplies provided. Class fees are $30 for VAC members and $35 for non-members, plus a $10 supply fee. Bring a light refreshment to share. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org.

THE VITAL ROLE OF ‘ŌHI‘A LEHUA in native Hawaiian forests, and the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower, are presented on a free, easy, one-mile, guided walk on Sunday, Feb. 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

HEATHER METTLER'S GLASSWORK - handblown, chiseled, and etched - is showcased in a new Volcano Art Center Gallery Exhibit: Passage and Place. The display will continue to be shown until Sunday, Feb. 11, during normal gallery hours - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Mettler's unique collection of glass explores the themes of migration, navigation, and immigration - how plants, animals, and people find their way to Hawai‘i. Free; park entrance fees apply.

REGISTER KEIKI, GRADES K THROUGH 8, BY FEB. 13, FOR A VALENTINE'S DAY FLOWER & BEAR CRAFT class held on Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Free. Call Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or visit  hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation/.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Ka‘ū News Briefs Sunday, February 4, 2018

Kaʻū Learning Academy students on a field trip to Kilauea Volcano with their Every Kid in a Park passes. 
The public is invited to the school's board meeting on Monday, 4 p.m., at its campus, the old
Discovery Harbour Golf Course, concerning KLA's future. Photo from NPS

PUBLIC RESPONSE TO SHUTTING DOWN A MEETING LAST WEEK about the future of Ka‘ū Learning Academy public charter school is flowing onto the school's and The Ka‘ū Calendar's web and social media sites. KLA invites more public comment Monday, Feb. 5, at 4 p.m., during a gathering at the school campus at 94-1581 Kaulua Circle, in the old Discovery Golf Course Clubhouse. The event is a KLA board meeting, with public invited to give opinions on video, to be provided to Hawai‘i State Charter School Commission, and possibly the State Board of Education.

     KLA Executive Director and founder Kathryn Tydlacka wrote, "This is a meeting with our own KLA board, so this will be a friendly environment. Negative or positive - we want to hear from everyone. We are running out of time." She requested that those who cannot attend the meeting make a two-minute recording of themselves and email it to kaulearning@gmail.com.

     Tydlacka is responding to Hawai‘i State Charter School Commission's public meeting of the future of the school, held last Monday at the Discovery Harbour Community Association Assembly Hall. Only three community members were allowed to testify before the Commission's Executive Director, Sione Thompson, shut down the meeting, when KLA supporters asked him to give the school administration more time to talk.

     At risk is Hawai‘i State Charter School Commission possibly shutting down the school. The commission put KLA on notice that its charter could be rescinded, pointing to accounting practices that the school administration promises to repair.

     On The Ka‘ū Calendar Facebook, regarding shutting down last Monday's meeting, Sel Danslard commented, "Shameful, let the parents be heard!" Cherub Akin posted, "Let the residents be heard!" Peggy Souza said, "I've attended many public hearings/meetings and this did not remotely resemble any of them... shameful."

     Regarding a comment during last Monday's Commission meeting - when Tommy Akin objected to the school being located in Discovery Harbour, which he described as a retirement community - Melissa Ann Swinsen posted on The Ka‘ū Calendar: "I live in DH. I’m not retired; my 23 year old daughter isn't retired nor are my grand kids." David DeMello posted that Discovery Harbour "is not a retirement community; never has been. I grew up in Ka‘ū. I remember back when Mister Lum ran the golf course." Brucke M. Sene wrote, "I was under the impression that Discovery Harbor was just a beautiful subdivision, not anything specifically catering to any one demographic."

Community member Rachel Ballesteros Velez defended Discovery
Harbour as a family community, not just a place for retirees. 

     Rachel Ballesteros Velez posted, “I was born and raised in Ka‘ū and as far as I remembered Discovery Harbor never was a retirement community. It used to be a place where mostly elderly couples lived because they usually were the ones that could afford it; but since then there have been tons of families who have raised their kids there. Discovery Harbor has stricter rules than the surrounding areas like Mark Twain, but it's never been known as a retirement community. And as far as the school being and eyes sore(sic), it looked way worse before the school started. It was a clubhouse for the golf course, but sat vacant for years. At least it's not there rotting."

     Rachel Fitzner posted statistics about Discovery Harbour to show that it is not a retirement community.

     Part of a comment left by Marcia Duncan on the KLA comment site read, "Some parents were sporadically vocal about their displeasure but in no way was the meeting 'out of control' or needing to be shut down." and that the meeting was "bizarre". Other comments described the meeting as "absolutely infuriating" -Andy Charles, "completely outrageous" -A. Bradford, and "a joke and an insult" –Mike. Priscilla H., Nicholas Bordonaro, and Shirley M. referred to the Hawai‘i State Charter School Executive Director as a "bully". Bonnie and Harold S. wrote, "It makes us pause and wonder just what is this investigations true objective. It certainly does not have the best interest of the students or the families of Ka‘ū! We strongly support the states continuation of Ka‘ū Learning Academy's charter."

From Rachel Fitzner's post showing Discovery 

 Harbour is more than a retirement community.

     KLA administration posted the following on the school website, concerning last Monday's meeting: "The commission promoted the meeting as an opportunity for the parents of the school and other community members to get information about the commission actions to revoke the school's charter, effectively closing the school. The meeting was set up the previous Wednesday. The school found out about the meeting not from the commission, but from a community center staff member. On Thursday, the commission posted a notice on their website. They did not directly contact any of the families of our school as they had previously done when sending out notices of the possible revocation. However, they did provide notice of the meeting to several individuals whom they knew would provide negative comments."

     See KLA's public comment page and the Charter School Commission's portal for community input. See documents regarding Commssion's concerns about KLA. View the wind-up of the Jan. 29 meeting and read more on the KLA website. Read more on page 18 of January's Ka‘ū Calendar, Jan. 30 Kaʻū News Briefs, or Feb. 1 Ka‘ū News Briefs.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

IN THE WAKE OF THE FALSE BALLISTIC MISSILE ALERT Jan. 13, Vern T. Miyagi resigned his state position as Hawaiʻi Emergency Agency Administrator as of Tuesday, Jan. 30. When the false alert of an incoming nuclear missile blared on cell phones throughout the state, panic lasted 37 minutes, the time it took for HI-EMA to send out an official correction. The mistake was made during an unannounced internal practice drill at HI-EMA.

Vern T. Miyagi stepped down after false missile alert led to a terrified population.

     Prior to Miyagi's resignation, actions by HI-EMA included: Drills suspended until a full analysis of the mistaken event completed; implementation of a two-person activation/verification rule for tests and real missile launch notifications; set up of an automatic cancellation command to be triggered within seconds of an error.

     The employee who erroneously implemented the alert is terminated from his job. The other members of the State Warning Point team are offered mental health counseling to help recover from the trauma. The warning system that allowed the error is new, installed in mid-December. A federal analysis states: "No technical training was provided to the SWP, only basic application. Many SWP personnel felt this training was inadequate."

     The official report points out several areas where protocols and SOPs were not followed, or not updated sufficiently. The report notes that thorough training and procedure practice is planned for the resumption of drills. Many official recommendations are on record, says the federal report.

     Miyagi closed his resignation announcement with this message: "And to the people of Hawaiʻi, recent events have cast a bright light on our emergency preparedness, and caused many of you to consider whether you are ready for the emergencies we will surely face. Don't let that feeling pass without taking action. Here it is from me one last time: Know where to go, what to do, and when to do it. Have a plan. Be safe, and know that whatever happens, good and courageous people will be there to help."

Young members of Halau Hula O Leionalani, which is open for new registration, with
practice each Wednesday at Pāhala Community Center. Photo by Julia Neal

     Read more on the DOD website or the Jan. 14, 16, and 25 Ka‘ū News Briefs.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

REGISTRATION FOR HALAU HULA O LEIONALANI  classes, led by Kumu Hula Debbie Leionalani Ryder, is open for new students. Ryder teaches Wednesdays at Pāhala Community Center. Keiki classes are 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., adult beginners 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and adult advanced 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Register by coming to class or call 649-9334.

AJ Libunao, pictured with June Domondon of OKK and Trojans

Athletic Director Kalei Namohala. Photo from Ka‘ū Athletics

KA‘Ū ATHLETICS RECEIVED DONATION OF ANOTHER $250 prize, won this time by AJ Libunao, during the ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou half-court shot Jan. 20. So far, 2018 has seen Ka‘ū Athletics, which supports Trojan Sports, receive $1,500 in prize monies, donated by six talented young men.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

OCEAN VIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETS on Monday, Feb. 5, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at 

 kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/februaryevents.html. 

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, weekly events at 
kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/februarycommunity.html.
February print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i 
through Volcano. Also available free on stands throughout
the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

AN ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY ROAD CLEAN-UP, between mile markers 78 and 79 on Highway 11 in Ocean View, is hosted by Ocean View Community Center on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Bags, water, and vests (volunteers shirt sizes should be emailed to address below) are provided. Volunteers are asked to meet at 8:30 a.m., and are advised to wear work gloves and sun protection. Confirm meet-up location by emailing Pat at mcmathorama@gmail.com. Ocean View Community Association can be reached at 939-7033 or by visiting ovcahi.org.

REGISTER KEIKI, GRADES K-8, BY FEB. 6, FOR A "YEAR OF THE DOG" WALL HANGING arts and crafts class that takes place Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Pāhala Community Center. Free. Call Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation, for more.

DISCOVERY HARBOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETS Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Discovery Harbour Community Hall. For more, call 929-9576 or visit discoveryharbour.net.

A LEARNING TOGETHER WORKSHOP AT THE OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER, sponsored by Nā‘ālehu School, is offered Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more, call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.

KA‘Ū COFFEE GROWERS COOPERATIVE MEETS Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center.

PRESERVATION OF STONE ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE: Pu‘uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historic Park, is presented Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m., in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Archeologist MaryAnne Maigret gives an historical overview of early and mid-20th century restorations of Hōnaunau, and a behind-the-scenes look at 50-plus years of preservation at the park. Free; park entrance fees apply. Suggested donation of $2 to support park programs. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEES MEETS TUESDAY, FEB. 6, with a full Council meeting taking place the following day on Wednesday, Feb. 7. Both meetings occur in Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. The Council will meet again on Tuesday, Feb. 20 (committees), and Wednesday, Feb. 21 (Council), in Kona. Agendas can be found at hawaiicounty.gov.

AdvoCATS, Inc. comes to Ocean View Community Center and offers free 
cat spay and neuter services. Image from adovocatshawaii.org

ADVOCATS, INC., comes to Ocean View Community Center on Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., to perform free cat spay and neuter services. For more, call 895-9283.

KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP'S LAVA LOUNGE HOSTS OPEN MIC NIGHT on Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. KMC is located inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Singers, Bands, Comedians, etc. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests 21 years and older. Park entrance fees apply. For more, visit kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

MAKE A VALENTINE FOR YOUR VALENTINE! at Nā‘ālehu Public Library on Friday, Feb. 9, starting at 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free. For more details, call 939-2442.

ABSTRACTS AND PROPOSALS ARE DUE FRIDAY, FEB. 9, for symposia, forums, workshops, trainings, and individual oral or poster presentations for 2018 Hawai‘i Conservation Conference in July. For more, visit hawaiconservation.org.

JOIN PAUL AND JANE FIELD IN VOLUNTEERING FOR STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT on Friday, Feb. 9, and remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing. Meet at 8:45 a.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO. This event will also be held Feb. 17 and 19.

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY HOSTS A VOLUNTEER WORKDAY on Friday, Feb. 9, at their Ka‘ū Preserve (located between Pāhala and Nā‘ālehu), from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Space is limited. For more details or to reserve a spot, contact Linda Schubert at 443-5401 or lschubert@tnc.org. The following Volunteer Day will take place on Friday, Mar. 23, at TNC’s Kona Hema Preserve.

A PERFORMANCE OF NORA EPHRON'S LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE is offered Saturday, Feb. 10, at 7:30 p.m., at Kīlauea Military Camp’s Kīlauea Theater in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park to raise funds for Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network. The play is based on a best-selling book by Ilene Beckerman. Tickets are $20 per person. For reservations or more info, call 982-7344.

ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BONSAI AND HOW TO GROW THEM, a workshop taught by well-known Bonsai Sensei Bill Newton, is offered Saturday, Feb. 10, 17, and 24, at Volcano Garden Arts. Sign up for all three classes and receive a complimentary meal at award winning Cafe Ono. Space is limited. For more, call 985-8979 or visit volcanogardenarts.com.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HAWAIIAN HOSPOT AND CREATION OF KAHUKU on a hike, Birth of Kahuku, on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., in Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku on this easy-to-moderate hike that traverses the vast 1868 lava flow, with different volcano features and formations. For more, see nps.gov/HAVO.

KĀWĀ VOLUNTEER DAY, arranged by Mā Mamo o Kāwā, is hosted Saturday, Feb. 10, starting at 9:30 a.m. Sign up with James Akau by emailing namamookawa@gmail.com or calling 430-3058.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST AND A RAFFLE are offered at by Ocean View Community Association at Ocean View Community Center on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. To volunteer, call 939-7033. Visit ovcahi.org for more.

Example of a Zentagle-inspired frame. Image from pinterest.com

LEARN SOMETHING NEW OR WORK ON A FORGOTTEN PROJECT at The Art Express on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Classes held once monthly. Instructions will be on oil, acrylic, watercolor, and other mediums. Class size limited to 25. For more, contact Meliha Corcoran at 319-8989 or himeliha@yahoo.com. See discoveryharbour.net/art-express for future dates.

ZENTANGLE: THE ELEGANCE OF LIMITS, is offered Saturday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Volcano Art Center. Learn how to use tangles for boarders and how to create elegant frames to hold Zentangle art with Lois & Earl Stokes. Zentagle Basics is recommended but not required. All art supplies provided. Class fees are $30 for VAC members and $35 for non-members, plus a $10 supply fee. Bring a light refreshment to share. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org.

HEATHER METTLER'S GLASSWORK - handblown, chiseled, and etched - is showcased in a new Volcano Art Center Gallery Exhibit: Passage and Place. The display will continue to be shown until Sunday, Feb. 11, during normal gallery hours - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Mettler's unique collection of glass explores the themes of migration, navigation, and immigration - how plants, animals, and people find their way to Hawai‘i. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Mauna Ulu and Pu‘u Huluhulu. Photo from NPS.gov

JOIN VOLCANOLOGIST CHERYL GANSECKI for a Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Sunday Walk-in-the-Park event, Feb. 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

     This moderate three-mile hike explores the Mauna Ulu area, a landscape that was transformed during a five-year eruption, which tells the story of one of the longest-known rift-zone eruptions of Kīlauea. The course skirts gaping fissures, traverses massive lava fields, and features spectacular visuals like lava trees.

     Due to the fragile nature of this significant cultural area, space is limited to 15 people, and reservations are required. The hike is free for, but restricted to, members of Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. If you are not a member, you can join at https://www.fhvnp.org/become-a-member/join-or-renew/. Call 985-7373 or visit their website to reserve a spot. www.fhvnp.org

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Ka‘ū News Briefs Saturday, February 3, 2018

Dissolved gasses in groundwater can sometimes precede volcanic unrest or earthquake activity. Learn about the Development of a New Geochemical
Tool to Predict Volcanic Unrest and Earthquake Activity on Tuesday, Feb. 13. Photo from nps.gov/HAVO

BRENDA FORD PULLED PAPERS ON FRIDAY TO RUN FOR STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. She campaigns as a Democrat for the District 5 seat, which covers the communities of Honu‘apo through Nā‘ālehu, Discovery Harbour, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Ocean View and Ranchos, up the coast through Miloli‘i, into Kona, to Hōlualoa.
     Primary Election is Saturday, Aug. 11. General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 4. Ford served as a Hawai‘i County Council member for eight years. During her first three, two-year terms, she served Kona. After redistricting placed her home in Council District 6, she ran and became the Council member serving parts of Kona through Ka‘ū into Volcano. However, County Council members are allowed only four successive terms and Ford was unable to file for reelection in 2014. She was succeeded by County Council member Maile David.

Brenda Ford

     The House seat that Ford seeks is held by Dr. Richard Creagan - who announced he is running for the state Senate seat held by Dr. Josh Green, who is campaigning for Lt. Governor.
     Ford, 70, said she is eager to get back to work for Ka‘ū. As a County Councilwoman, she focused on such projects as constructing a second well for Ocean View, adding fire hydrants, upgrading water lines, the new permanent transfer-reuse-recycling-mulch center in Ocean View, the Ka‘ū interactive communication site where citizens can testify and listen to public meetings, and more.
     She said she plans to work toward "permanent low-income rental housing, maximum funding for studies of Rat Lungworm Disease, emergency housing for the homeless, faster State responses to medical emergencies like Dengue, a new South Kona Police Station, and Statewide legal reapportionment and redistricting for a fair and equal vote.
     "I believe we need funding for anti-abuse training for teen dating violence, domestic violence, and sex trafficking. More rehabilitation centers and support will help those who are caught in the cycle of drug abuse," said Ford.

     Regarding allowing houses on farm and ranch lands, Ford said she supports permitting one extra dwelling on each farm for long-term rental income, workers, or family, but opposes using farms for vacation rentals. She also advocates for truth in labeling for Ka‘ū and Kona Coffee, and other local produce, with country origin labeling.

     Ford and her husband Larry live on a small farm in South Kona, where they are retired from growing coffee but still manage their fruit trees.

     Find out more about her campaign at votebrendaford.com.

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DRU KANUHA PULLED AND FILED PAPERS ON FRIDAY TO RUN FOR STATE SENATE. He will run as a Democrat in the primary against Dr. Richard Creagan, who serves in the state House of Representatives for west Ka‘ū into Kona, and has announced his own bid for state Senate.

Dru Kanuha

     The Senate District 3 seat, sought by Kanuha, spans from Honu‘uapo through Nā‘ālehu, Discovery Harbour, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Ocean View and Ranchos, up the coast through Miloli‘i, and through all of Kona. It is now held by Dr. Josh Green, who is running for Lt. Governor.
     Kanuha has held the County Council seat representing Kona since 2012. He noted his efforts on projects related to traffic congestion in Kona, like La‘aloa Avenue, and recreation, like Ali‘i Kai.
     He is the chair of the statewide Hawai`i Association of Counties, and lobbies for its agenda before the Hawai'i Legislature. This year's initiatives include affordable housing funding through the property conveyance tax, a higher share for counties from the Transient Accommodations Tax, and additional funding for ambulance services for Hawai'i Island.
     "I believe my experience working for my constituents at the state and federal levels will make me a more effective state Senator, fighting for access to quality education and health care, building a stronger economy, and making more affordable housing available to local families," Kanuha said.
     Kanuha has worked for Kamehameha Schools Land Assets Division and as a legislative aide at the Hawai'i Legislature. He grew up in Kona, and graduated from Kealakehe High School and University of San Diego. He is a longtime member of Kai 'Opua Canoe Club.
     Find out more about his activity at Kanuha's facebook page.

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PROTECTING SEA GRANT is a continuing focus of Sen. Mazie Hirono, who has joined Democrat and one Independent Senators to write to Pres. Donald Trump. Efforts led by Hirono and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) last year helped to prevent proposed cuts to the university-based program.

     "Sea Grant is vital to local businesses and an important part of preserving coastal communities for generations to come," Senators wrote to Trump. "Sea Grant's work supporting waterfront and maritime businesses speaks for itself. The federal investment in Sea Grant centers yields $611 million in economic benefit, an 825 percent return on federal investment. We encourage you to provide robust support for the program in your final Fiscal Year 2019 budget."

      Sea Grant initiatives related to Ka‘ū  include the Coastal Storms Program to help reduce and mitigate risks from storms, weather and climate change; the Voice of the Sea television program and the study and protection of wetlands. The Sea Grant Extension Agent who serves Ka‘ū  is Pelika Andrade who can be reached at 329-2861 and at pelikaok@hawaii.edu.
     A statement from Hirono's office says: "Deep cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which administers the Sea Grant College Program, would disproportionately hurt Hawai‘i and other coastal states." University of Hawai‘i received $1 million from Sea Grant in 2017, according to an announcement made by Hirono in July of last year.

     The letter to the President also says, "We urge you to fund the National Sea Grant College Program at no less than current levels. The National Sea Grant College Program is a federal-local partnership that funds 33 university-based research, extension, and education centers. These centers are results-driven and provide vital resources to local businesses and communities in our states."

Sea Grant Extension Agent
Pelika Andrade.

     The Senators wrote that 2016 saw the program staff help "300 communities improve coastal resiliency, aided 494 communities in adopting sustainable development practices, and supported 4,600 resource managers in using ecosystem-based management strategies. They also helped preserve or protect 1,400,000 acres of wildlife habitat."

     The Senators stated that "Sea Grant is helping to educate the next generation of freshwater and marine scientists. Last year, Sea Grant programs reached 781,000 K-12 students and in 2016 Sea Grant supported over 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students.

     "Sea Grant is vital to local businesses and an important part of preserving coastal communities for generations to come."

     Twenty-one other senators also signed the letter, including former Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders. Read the whole letter online (pdf download).

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VOLCANO WATCH ENTERED ITS 27th YEAR of publication in November 2017. Here is this week's Volcano Watch:

     The long history of this column is, in large part, thanks to the USGS's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates who write the weekly articles, Hawai‘i newspapers and online news outlets that print and post the column, and the dedicated readers who peruse it each week.

     Given the longevity of HVO's weekly column, two milestones are noteworthy. The first may be of interest to readers who refer to the Volcano Watch archive for information.

     This past week, more than a hundred Volcano Watch articles that were written between 1991 and 1995, but had not been available online, were posted to the HVO website. The entire catalogue of articles can now be accessed and searched at https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/hvo_volcano_watch.html.

Figure from the first Volcano Watch,  Nov. 11, 1991. From Volcano Watch archives.

     Starting in 1991, the articles were simply titled Volcano Watch, and described lava flows erupting from the Kupaianaha vent, the lava pond in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, and earthquakes beneath the Island of Hawai‘i and the Lō‘ihi submarine volcano. As activity of Kīlauea waxed and waned in subsequent years, topics covered by the weekly column expanded.

     Through the years, articles have included insights from ongoing volcanologic research, eruption and earthquake histories of Hawaiian volcanoes, noteworthy eruptions elsewhere on Earth, tsunami that affected the Hawaiian Islands, and emerging technologies for monitoring volcanoes. HVO's Volcano Watch archive can now serve as a starting point for anyone who is interested in knowing more about how volcanoes work, especially about Hawaiian volcanism.

     The second milestone will likely be of interest to people who are interested in Yellowstone - its remarkable eruptive history, fascinating hot springs and geysers, earthquake activity - and what is being learned by scientists who monitor and study Earth's largest volcanic system.

     On January 1, 2018, a new weekly column inspired by HVO's Volcano Watch was launched by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO). This new column - the Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles - is posted each Monday on the homepage of YVO's website, https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/. Like HVO's Volcano Watch series, the YVO chronicles are peer-reviewed and edited before publication.

Halemaʻumaʻu crater on Jan. 30. Arrows indicate scarring on
 the crater rim from rockfalls. Photo from USGS.gov

     YVO's new column was launched soon after Dr. Mike Poland, a former HVO staff geophysicist (2005–2015) and author of several dozen Volcano Watch articles, was appointed YVO Scientist-in-Charge in late 2017. Poland's enthusiasm and commitment to write about the science of volcanoes, in addition to the widespread, and often intense, public interest in the geologic activity at Yellowstone, motivated him and his colleagues to start the chronicles.

     The inaugural issue of the Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles reviewed activity that occurred in Yellowstone during 2017. It was followed by an article titled, "Just what is the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory?" Topics covered by YVO's chronicles in the weeks since include Yellowstone gas emissions, a history of Yellowstone earthquakes, and what is known about the calderas in Yellowstone.

     YVO scientists are also responsible for monitoring volcanic fields in Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Colorado. So, in future editions of the Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles, you can expect to read about past volcanism in those states. Future articles will also address new efforts to learn more about volcanic centers and potential hazards in the western United States, as well as updates and geologic history related to Yellowstone Caldera.

     HVO's time-tested Volcano Watch and YVO's new Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles will challenge scientists to be creative as they select subjects for these weekly columns. Readers can look forward to updated information on continuing and new volcanic activity, reports on recent discoveries, accounts of past eruptions, and descriptions of monitoring techniques and what they reveal about volcanoes and potential hazards. Stay tuned and read on!

Early evening view of the lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano on January 30, 2018, when the lake level was 27 m (88 ft) below the crater floor. The bright yellow area of spattering marks the location where the circulating lava descends into the lake, thereby releasing gases trapped beneath the solid black crust on the lake surface. The area around Halemaʻumaʻu remains closed due to ongoing volcanic hazards associated with the lava lake, including high levels of sulfur dioxide gas and unexpected rockfalls and explosions. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

  

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TWO FREE GIRL'S DAY ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITIES have been announced by Hawai‘i County Parks and Recreation - one in Pāhala and the other in Ocean View.
     A Girl's Day Paper Flower class, for keiki grades K-8, takes place Wednesday, Feb. 28, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center, with registration from Feb. 20 to 27. Call Nona Makuakane or Elijah Navarro at 928-3102.
     A Girl's Day Headbands class, for keiki ages 6 to 12 years, takes place Friday, Mar. 2, from 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., at Kahuku Park in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, with registration from Feb. 26 to Mar. 1. Call Teresa Anderson at 929-9113.
     For more about these and other recreation programs, visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

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June Domondon, Masen Dacalio,
Andre Carvalho, and Kalai Namohala

‘O KA‘Ū KĀKOU'S HALF COURT SHOT WINNERS from Jan. 15 - Masen Dacalio and Andre Carvalho - are shown receiving their $250 prizes from June Domondon of OKK and Trojans Athletic Director Kalei Namohala. Like the other winners of the January shots, these young men donated their winnings to support Trojan Athletics.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

LEARN ABOUT NATIVE PLANTS THAT PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN HAWAIIAN CULTURE in a free, moderate, guided hike along the Palm Trail - approx. 2 miles - on Sunday, Feb. 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The hike, Nature & Culture: An Unseverable Relationship, takes place in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Observe the catastrophic change and restoration of the land as it transitions from the 1868 lava flow to deeper soils with more diversity and older flora. Free. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

A SUPER BOWL EVENT, WITH QUARTERLY PRIZES, IS OFFERED AT Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Sunday, Feb. 4. Doors open at 11 a.m. and kick-off is at 1:30 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Call 967-8365 after 4:00 p.m. for more details. Open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Visit kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

SOUTH POINT AMATEUR RADIO CLUB AND AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICE sponsor a Ham Radio Potluck Picnic on Sunday, Feb. 4, from noon to 2 p.m., at Manukā State Park. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. For more, call Rick Ward at 938-3058, or visit sites.google.com/site/southpointartc or
sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home.

OCEAN VIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETS on Monday, Feb. 5, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at 

 kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/februaryevents.html. 

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, weekly events at 
kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/februarycommunity.html.
February print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i 
through Volcano. Also available free on stands throughout
the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

AN ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY ROAD CLEAN-UP, between mile markers 78 and 79 on Highway 11 in Ocean View, is hosted by Ocean View Community Center on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Bags, water, and vests (volunteers shirt sizes should be emailed to address below) are provided. Volunteers are asked to meet at 8:30 a.m., and are advised to wear work gloves and sun protection. Confirm meet-up location by emailing Pat at mcmathorama@gmail.com. Ocean View Community Association can be reached at 939-7033 or by visiting ovcahi.org.

REGISTER KEIKI, GRADES K-8, BY FEB. 6, FOR A "YEAR OF THE DOG" WALL HANGING arts and crafts class that takes place Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Pāhala Community Center. Free. Call Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation for more.

DISCOVERY HARBOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETS Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., in Discovery Harbour Community Hall. For more, call 929-9576 or visit discoveryharbour.net.

A LEARNING TOGETHER WORKSHOP AT THE OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER, sponsored by Nā’ālehu School, is offered Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more, call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.

KA‘Ū COFFEE GROWERS COOPERATIVE MEETS Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at  Pāhala Community Center.

PRESERVATION OF STONE ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE: Pu‘uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historic Park, is presented Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m., in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Archeologist MaryAnne Maigret gives an historical overview of early and mid-20th century restorations of Hōnaunau, and a behind-the-scenes look at 50-plus years of preservation at the park. Free; park entrance fees apply. Suggested donation of $2 to support park programs. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEES MEETS TUESDAY, FEB. 6, with a full Council meeting taking place the following day on Wednesday, Feb. 7. Both meetings occur in Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. The Council will meet again on Tuesday, Feb. 20 (committees), and Wednesday, Feb. 21 (Council), in Kona. Agendas can be found at hawaiicounty.gov.

ADVOCATS, INC., comes to Ocean View Community Center on Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., to perform free cat spay and neuter services. For more, call 895-9283.

KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP'S LAVA LOUNGE HOSTS OPEN MIC NIGHT on Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. KMC is located inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Singers, Bands, Comedians, etc. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests 21 years and older. Park entrance fees apply. For more, visit kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

ABSTRACTS AND PROPOSALS ARE DUE FRIDAY, FEB. 9, for symposia, forums, workshops, trainings, and individual oral or poster presentations, for 2018 Hawai‘i Conservation Conference in July. For more, visit hawaiconservation.org.

MAKE A VALENTINE FOR YOUR VALENTINE! at Nā‘ālehu Public Library on Friday, Feb. 9, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free. For more details, call 939-2442.

JOIN PAUL AND JANE FIELD IN VOLUNTEERING FOR STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT on Friday, Feb. 9, and remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing. Meet at 8:45 a.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO. This event will also be held Feb. 17 and 19.

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY HOSTS A VOLUNTEER WORKDAY on Friday, Feb. 9, at their Ka‘ū Preserve (located between Pāhala and Nā‘ālehu), from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Space is limited. For more details or to reserve a spot, contact Linda Schubert at 443-5401 or lschubert@tnc.org. The following Volunteer Day will take place on Friday, Mar. 23, at TNC's Kona Hema Preserve.

HEATHER METTLER'S GLASSWORK - handblown, chiseled, and etched - is showcased in a new Volcano Art Center Gallery Exhibit: Passage and Place. The display will continue to be shown until Sunday, Feb. 11, during normal gallery hours - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Mettler's unique collection of glass explores the themes of migration, navigation, and immigration - how plants, animals, and people find their way to Hawai‘i. Free; park entrance fees apply.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.