The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Thursday, April 04, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Thursday, April 4, 2019

Storybook Theatre visited Pahala Elementary, Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences and Kamehameha School this week.
The marine education was sponsored in part by Pahala Plantation Cottages. The children enjoyed an inflatable humpback
whale and her baby, with storytelling inside the mama whale's belly. See story below. Photo by Julia Neal

A COMPROMISE THAT COULD EXTRACT KAʻŪ RANCHERS AND FARMERS from a fight over water has been crafted by Hilo state Sen. Kai Kahele. The measure would make way for farmers and ranchers using less than two million gallons a day to more easily renew their water permits from the state. The Kaʻū agricultural community was caught up in proposed legislation that would have made new permits onerous, by requiring environmental assessments in the near future and possibly putting the permits out to public auction. The aim of the legislation that put fear into local ranchers and farmers was to manage large volumes of water diverted by large landowners from streams and small farms. The water was carried long distances across ahupuaʻa and district lines for irrigation during sugar plantation days.

Kaʻū ranchers and farmers have spent much money to make use the
old sugar cane water to feed new crops. Hike along some of the irrigation
lines and flumes on Wednesday, May 1, during Kaʻū Coffee Festival week,
See story below. Photo by Jessie Tunison/Kaʻū Coffee Festival

With sugar gone, companies like Alexander & Baldwin on Maui want to retain rights to divert water and sell the water rights along with their real estate. However, Hawaiʻi courts ruled that the diverted water shall be returned to the natural stream beds. To keep the diverted water, A&B sought delays through the legislature.
In Kaʻū, all of the ranchers and farmers are small users. Combined, they use far less than two million gallons a day, said John Cross. Unlike on Maui, there is no long distance diversion of water from streams. He said this evening that water in Kaʻū stays in the local ahupuaʻa and district when used in agriculture. Most of the ag water here comes from horizontal wells drilled into Mauna Loa more than a century ago by sugar planters.
The proposal from Kahele would authorize the state Board of Land & Natural Resources to reissue permits in good standing to those farmers and ranchers whose use less than two million gallons a day. It would require BLNR to be tough on renewing permits to those who use more than two million gallons a day. It would exempt small farmers growing Kalo (taro) along streams, in watershed wetlands.
The Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. issued a statement today, saying, "Finally, we have courageous leaders willing to champion the rights of Native Hawaiians and small farmers in the face of powerful corporate interests all too accustomed to using our laws to inflict unnecessary suffering upon our people and their ʻāina."

Kaʻū's old sugar plantation water systems are now in use for irrigation
of diversified agriculture. Photo from the Olson Trust

Office of Hawaiian Affairs issued a statement urging the state to "uphold its public trust responsibilities in its management of our precious water resources by not allowing any bad faith diverter from continuing to flout a court order... For far too long, our state has managed Hawaiʻi's water in favor of for-profit enterprises at the expense of our environment and the rights of Native Hawaiians..."
Senate Committee on Water & Land, chaired by Kahele, passed his measure today, 3-2, with one member voting 'aye' with reservations; Ways & Means deferred the measure.
In her testimony at the legislature this week, Marti Townsend, of the Sierra Club, addressed the ranchers of Kaʻū, noting that they use a small amount of water, "and have been actively producing food for many, many years. The water used by these ranchers is sourced from naturally impounded water, not streams." She said it would be "reasonable to extend the temporary revocable permit regime to the ranchers of Kaʻū while they complete their water lease, including a state-funded environmental review."
Townsend called it "extremely disappointing to see local agriculture and renewable energy production used a shields for blatantly excessive stream diversions for the private profit of a few. The Sierra Club has a long history of supporting local agriculture and renewable energy. We know that our watersheds are abundant and can support all of these endeavors and more if the water is shared."

In 2011, Edmund Olson, Glenn Panglao, and John Cross celebrated one of

the first water restoration projects from old plantation tunnels.

Photo by Julia Neal

Legislation to extend the permits received supportive testimony from Kapapala Ranch; Kaʻū Agricultural Water Cooperative; Hawaiʻi Cattlemens Council; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Electric Light Co.; Kaʻū Mahi, LLC; Kaʻū Soil and Water Conservation District Board; Mahi Pono; and many more.
Those in opposition to the permit extension for the large landowners diverting water include: Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; Hawaiʻi Advocates for Consumer Rights; Hawai‘i Center for Food Safety; Young Progressives Demanding Action; Ke One O Kākuhihewa; We Are One, Inc.; Sierra Club of Hawai‘i; Hawaiian Affairs Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Audubon Society; Sustainable Agriculture Committee; Earthjustice; The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs; Prince Kūhiō Hawaiian Civic Club; Hui O Malama ʻĀina, LLC; and numerous individuals.

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A HIKE ALONG OLD PLANTATION WATERWAYS refurbished for agriculture in Kaʻū is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1 starting at Kaʻū Coffee Mill.

Agricultural water in Kaʻū comes from horizontal shafts drilled
into Mauna Loa Volcano. Learn about their development on
a Hike on May 1. Photo by Jessie Tunison/Kaʻū Coffee Festival

An activity of the Kaʻū Coffee Festival, it begins with a walk into the rainforest. Follow old wooden flumes that carried water down the mountain to float sugar to the mill. Learn about the water's use for Kaʻū Coffee, macadamia, and other crops. Hear about a plan for a new hydroelectric plant for electricity to use at Kaʻū Coffee Mill and beyond. Talk story with local conservationists John Replogle and Shalan Crysdale, and Kaʻū Coffee Mill manager Louis Danielle, who will share stories and facts about the journey.
This hike is limited to 30 people, so reserve a spot as soon as possible, by April 30. The $45 ticket includes lunch. Meet at Kaʻū Coffee Mill, 96-2694 Wood Valley Road, Pāhala, before 9 a.m. Hike concludes around 2 p.m. To reserve a spot, call 808-928-0550. See kaucoffeemill.com.

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A "TRY WAIT" TO GO FISHING program along a Hawaiʻi Island shoreline led to dramatic recovery of marine life, according to a study by The Nature Conservancy. The organization surveyed waters in North Kona where a ban on fishing, the "Try Wait" initiative, is resting the reefs of Kaʻūpūlehu Marine Reserve. "Try Wait" is year three of a ten-year rest period, and some fish populations increased more than 60 percent in the first two years.

The initiative is led by Kaʻūpūlehu Marine Life Advisory Committee, comprised of kūpuna, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kamehameha Schools, Kona Hawaiian Civic Club, and local kamaʻāina, landowners, and lineal descendants who have observed fish decline for decades.

School of manini at Kaʻūpūlehu. Photo from TNC

In 2009, the committee invited scientists from TNC to conduct coral reef and fish surveys at Kaʻūpūlehu and neighboring Kūkiʻo. TNC's monitoring documented decreases in important food fish observed by community members. The community led a rule-making process to rest the reef for 10 years to replenish depleted fish stocks to levels that could support sustainable harvest. After numerous public meetings, the Department of Land and Natural Resources created the Kaʻūpūlehu Marine Reserve in July 2016.

Hawaiʻi Island marine program director for TNC, Chad Wiggins, said TNC's 2018 surveys supported what community members witnessed. "On more than 183 dives over seven miles of coastal reefs, we observed more fish – fish we hadn't seen in the area before – and bigger fish. While it is too early to determine the long-term effects of the rest area, these signs of recovery show promise for the community's goal of supporting a sustainable subsistence fishery in the region."

Baseline surveys conducted from 2009 to 2016 showed no difference in reef fish communities inside or outside the rest area. TNC's September 2018 monitoring data shows populations of some fish are on the rise. Increases inside the rest area are higher than in adjacent areas. The surveys found 62 percent increase in some wrasses (hogfish) inside the rest area, and 3 percent outside; 30 percent increase in some parrotfish (uhu) inside the rest area, and 3 percent outside; 46 percent increase in some surgeonfish (kole) inside the rest area, and 21 percent outside; and evidence of spillover – fish populations increasing just outside the reserve boundary.

Kaʻūpūlehu shoreline. Photo from TNC/Christine Shepard

Coral surveys showed stable or slightly increasing coral cover, said TNC, following the mass bleaching event in 2015-2016 when high ocean temperatures killed about 50 percent of the coral in waters off West Hawaiʻi. This is another indicator that reducing impact on an area can help promote reef resilience, said TNC.

Said Wiggins, "The reef resilience survey findings we completed last year showed that reefs with the most recovery from the coral bleaching events are in areas with limited exposure to human impacts. Resilient reefs can resist or recover from stressors such as warmer ocean temperatures, land-based pollution, or high fishing use."

Leinaʻala Lightner, a lineal descendent of Kaʻūpūlehu and curator of the Kaʻūpūlehu Interpretive Center at Kalaemanō, said, "We've been hearing from long-time fishermen that the area is starting to remind them of 'old Hawaiʻi.' Divers who came to our invasive fish removal event last summer said they were seeing big schools of weke, pualu, uhu and manini, as well as healthy coral, limu, ʻopihi, and wana. Many of them shared that seeing the recovery completely changed their opinion of the rest area and community-based fishery management."

Kekaulike Tomich, a fisherman from the area, said, "Auntie Lei is right, it's better than it was three years ago, but not like I remember when I was a kid, not yet."

Dr. Eric Conklin, Hawaiʻi director of marine science for TNC, said: "This is preliminary data and these fish have a long way to go before they are fully recovered. But after decades of documenting decline for highly prized food fish like uhu that are so important in keeping reefs healthy, it's a big step in the right direction."

School of opelu at Kaʻūpūlehu. Photo from TNC

Resting an area is one of the best ways to increase fish populations in coral reef ecosystems, concluded TNC, with populations of certain species needing years to recover. During the remaining seven years of the rest period, Kaʻūpūlehu Marine Life Advisory Committee and community members plant to continue resource management efforts and work with the state to develop a fisheries management plan to guide sustainable harvest once the area reopens.

Recent science shows that populations of some favorite reef fish in Hawaiʻi have declined by up to 90 percent. To address this decline, the state Division of Aquatic Resources has committed to manage 30 percent of Hawaiʻi's nearshore marine environment by 2030. The Marine 30x30 Initiative aims to collaborate with communities and other stakeholders to develop management strategies for specific marine areas, modifying fisheries rules based on current knowledge and traditional practice, increasing education and enforcement, and improving monitoring of marine resources and management actions.

Brian Neilson, Administrator of Aquatic Resources, said, "The results at Kaʻūpūlehu are very promising in terms of what can be achieved through the Marine 30x30 Initiative. By increasing public awareness and engaging our communities and fishers to find solutions to the many threats facing our oceans, we have the best chance of restoring thriving fisheries and healthy reefs that can feed our families into the future."

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In the belly of the inflatable whale, children settle in for Storybook Theatre
presentations on marine life. Photo by Julia Neal

MARINE EDUCATION THROUGH STORYTELLING was on the agenda of area schools this week when children sat in the belly of an inflatable mama humpback whale.
Storyteller Mark Jeffers and his Storybook Theatre visited Pāhala, Volcano, and Kamehameha school campuses to make the presentation on the importance of clean oceans and respect for marine creatures.
Jeffers employs humor in presenting his 40-foot long humpback and calf as a classroom. Young children learn about their human connection with whales, as both are mammals, born live from their mothers, and both drink milk. The local presentations were sponsored, in part, by Pahala Plantation Cottages.
Storybook Theatre also produces a television show called Russell Da Rooster. Led by puppet friends, the show educates children in a wide array of areas, including native species, solid waste management (reduce-reuse-recycle), and greater environmental awareness.
In its 20th year, Russell Da Rooster airs on OC16 on Sundays at 9:30 a.m., Tuesdays at 2 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 a.m., Fridays at 7 a.m., and Saturdays at noon.
See storybook.org and facebook.com/StorybookTheatreOfHawaii, or call (808) 335-0712.

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TSUNAMI AWARENESS MONTH includes many events at the Pacific Tsunami Museum in Hilo:
Saturday, April 6 – Keiki Day Open House. Free. During the event, guests can learn how to best prepare for tsunamis.
Saturday, April 13 – Tsunami subject matter experts. Guests can speak with scientists, natural hazard planners, and others.

Saturday, April 20 – Survivor Stories from April 1, 1946.

The Pacific Tsunami Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting tsunami awareness and education through a combination of science, history, and personal accounts. Former Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense head Darryl Oliveira became the new museum board president this week.

Tom Travis, Administrator of Emergency Management at Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, said, "We cannot stress how important it is that residents be prepared for a possible tsunami that can strike at any time. Being aware of potential hazards and knowing how to be notified of an impending catastrophe is key to surviving a disaster. Just as imperative are emergency preparedness kits to be used in the aftermath period as well as the information on knowing how to evacuate and find shelter during a catastrophic event. A tsunami cannot be outrun."

HI-EMA encourages the public to prepare for tsunami in a recent release:

"Over seventy years ago, on April 1, 1946, one of the deadliest tsunamis to ever hit Hawaiʻi caused widespread devastation on all islands. Generated by an earthquake in the Aleutian Islands, the massive tsunami took 159 lives and caused more than $26 million in damage. April was chosen as Tsunami Awareness Month to honor and remember the lives lost in all tsunamis that hit the state.

"Due to Hawaiʻi's location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, we are extremely vulnerable to the threat of tsunamis. Distantly generated tsunamis can reach Hawaiʻi within several hours and are triggered by earthquakes that take place along the Ring of Fire, which circles the Pacific Rim.

Hilo, after the 1946 tsunami.
Photo from starbulletin.com

"Locally generated tsunamis are caused by earthquakes or volcanic activity that occur in or near the Hawaiian Islands and can make landfall in a matter of minutes. For distantly generated tsunamis, outdoor warning sirens will sound statewide. For locally generated tsunamis, however, there may not be enough time to sound sirens. If you are near the ocean when an earthquake takes place, immediately move to higher ground.

"Upon hearing any warning sirens, the public should tune immediately to a radio or television for updates and the latest information. Additionally, everyone should be able to recognize the natural warning signs that a tsunami may be imminent. Signs include: rapidly rising or receding water from the ocean, the sound of a locomotive or jet plane coming from the ocean, and empty beaches.

"People located within a tsunami evacuation zone should quickly move to higher ground, or inland until they are at least 100 feet above sea level, while avoiding steep cliffs and watching for falling rocks.

"To find out if you live, work or play within a tsunami evacuation zone, enter your address into the Tsunami Evacuation Zone Map Viewer on HI-EMA's website at ready.hawaii.gov or turn to the disaster preparedness pages in your local telephone book."

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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

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and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū Trojans Spring Sports Schedule

Baseball:

Sat., April 6, 11 a.m., @Kealakehe

Sat., April 13, 3 p.m., @Kamehameha

Fri., April 19, BIIF Semi-Finals

Sat., April 20, BIIF Semi-Finals

Fri., April 26, BIIF Finals

Sat., April 27, BIIF Finals

Softball:

Fri., April 5, 3 p.m., @Kealakehe

Fri., April 12, BIIF Semi-Finals

Sat., April 13, BIIF Semi-Finals

Fri., April 19, BIIF Finals

Sat., April 20, BIIF Finals

Boys Volleyball:

Fri., April 5, 6 p.m., @Christian Liberty, Varsity

Tue., April 9, 6 p.m., host Waiakea

Fri., April 12, 6 p.m., @Keaʻau

Wed., April 17, 6 p.m., Kamehameha

Fri., April 19, 6 p.m., host Honokaʻa

Mon. April 22, BIIF First Round

Wed., April 24, BIIF Semi-Finals

Thu., April 25, BIIF Finals

Track:

Sat., April 6, 9 a.m., @Waiakea

Sat., April 13, 9 a.m., @HPA

Sat., April 20, 9 a.m., @Kamehameha

Fri., April 26, 2 p.m., BIIF Semi-Finals

Sat., April 27, 3 p.m., BIIF Finals

JUST ANNOUNCED

HAWAIʻI COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION happens Saturday, April 13 at 45-527 Pakalana Street, Honoka’a, HI. Credentialing happens from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Program starts promptly at 9:30 a.m. Lunch is provided as part of the registration fee.

Delegat, alternate, or observer applicants must register by Monday, April 8 at hawaiicountydemocrats.org/2019-convention-registration. Look up a code from your District Chair to register. Hawaiʻi County Chair Officers will be elected at the convention; see hawaiicountydemocrats.org/hccnominees to learn about the nominees.

A release from convention organizers said, "The 2019 County Convention is almost here! We have an exciting program planned to include speakers covering the history of the Party in Hawaiʻi County, the 2020 Presidential Preference Poll, and organizing efforts at all levels of the Democratic Party. On behalf of DPH Environmental Caucus, we remind you of our goal to make the convention a 'zero waste' event. Please bring your own utensils and tableware if possible. We will also be offering a reusable DPH tote bag to store your supplies available at the check in table."

Questions about the convention, contact Heather Kimball at hkimball98781@gmail.com, 808-333-1535, or Michael Janovsky at mjninole@gmail.com, 808- 963-5439.

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UPCOMING

FRIDAY, APRIL 5
Stewardship at the Summit, Friday, April 5 and 26, Saturday, April 13 and 20, 8:45 a.m. – noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center. Volunteers remove invasive plants. Gloves and tools provided. Free; park entrance fees apply. RSVP to Paul and Jane Field, field@hawaii.edu. nps.gov/havo

Skateboard Movie Night, Friday, April 5, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Free; open to public. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

SATURDAY, APRIL 6
yART Sale, Saturday, April 6, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Gigantic rummage sale with proceeds to benefit VAC programs and workshops. Accepting donations of garden, kitchen, art, collectables, tools, appliances, and furniture. All items clean and in working condition. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Keiki Science Class, Saturday, April 6, 1st Saturday monthly, 11 a.m. – noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. acehardware.com

SUNDAY, APRIL 7
Sunday Clay - High Fire! with Erik Wold, eight week workshop starts Sunday, April 7. Morning session, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; afternoon session, 2:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Handmade functional pottery art – max. eight wheel throwers and three hand-builder spots per session. All skill levels. $180/VAC member, $200/non-member, plus $15 supply fee per person. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sunday, April 7, 1st Sunday monthly, noon – 2 p.m., Manukā State Park. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. View sites.google.com/site/southpointarc or sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058

MONDAY, APRIL 8
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Coastal Net Patrol, Monday, April 8. Free; donations appreciated. RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, 769-7629

Free STD Testing, Monday, April 8, 2nd Monday monthly, 9 a.m. – noon, Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Hawai‘i Department of Health. Call for appt. on different day or time. Teenagers 14+ do not need parent/guardian consent. Confidential. Free condoms and lube. 895-4927

Kickball, Monday, April 8 through 29, 2:30 p.m – 3:30 p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12 April 1-5. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Pāhala Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Monday, April 8, 2nd Monday monthly, 5 p.m., activity room at Kaʻū District Gym.

Kaʻū Coffee Festival Meeting, Monday, April 8, 5 p.m. at Pāhala Plantation House.

TUESDAY, APRIL 9
Free Vision Screenings, Tuesday, April 9, Nāʻālehu Elementary. Students receive free comprehensive eye exam and sunglasses. If given a prescription, keiki will receive free eyeglasses with choice of frames, with parental consent. Mission co-sponsored by Tūtū & Me and Project Vision Hawaiʻi. pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me, projectvisionhawaii.org, 808-430-0388

Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, April 9 (Committees), Wednesday, April 10, (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tuesday, April 9, 4 p.m – 6 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Community Emergency Response Team info and training scenarios. Public welcome. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10
Scholarship Application Deadline for American Association of University Women-Kona, Wednesday, April 10. Two $1,000 awards for two-year vocational program attendees. Application packets at kona-hi.aauw.net. sharonnind@aol.com

Volcano Bay Clinic Mobile Health Unit Visit: Dental, Wednesday, April 10, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Medical, Thursday, April 25, 1 p.m – 5 p.m. Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Must be Bay Clinic, Inc. patient. 333-3600 for appt. thecoopercenter.org

Ki‘i, Wednesday, April 10, 10 a.m. – noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Acclaimed artist James Kanani Kaulukukui Jr. shares his expertise and the essential role of ki‘i, statue, in Hawaiian society. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo

THURSDAY, APRIL 11
Free Vision Screenings, Thursday, April 11, Volcano School of Arts & Sciences. Students receive free comprehensive eye exam and sunglasses. If given a prescription, keiki will receive free eyeglasses with choice of frames, with parental consent. Mission co-sponsored by Tūtū & Me and Project Vision Hawaiʻi. pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me, projectvisionhawaii.org, 808-430-0388

Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū and Me, Thursday, April 11, 10:30 a.m. – noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. Free; includes craft activity. 929-8571

Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thursday, April 11, 6:30 p.m., United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Mtg., Thursday, April 11, 6:30 p.m., Aspen Center. okaukakou.org

Tales of Forgiveness and Tales of the Three Monks, performed by Storyteller Jeff Gere, Thursday, April 11, 6:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center. $10/VAC member, $15/non-member. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

ONGOING

Two $1,000 Scholarships are available from American Association of University Women-Kona to any female high school graduate or older women attending a two-year vocational program leading to a marketable skill at Palamanui Campus. Applications must be postmarked by Wednesday, April 10. Application packets available at kona-hi.aauw.net. Contact sharonnind@aol.com.

Beginning Farmer Institute Cohort Applications open through Monday, April 15. Free training program which "prepares new producers of any age or operation type for a successful future in agriculture." Applications at nfu.org/education/beginning-farmer-institute.

Kaʻū Coffee Fest invites non-profits, clubs, cooperatives, and businesses to sign up for booths at the 11th annual Kaʻū Coffee Fest Hoʻolauleʻa on Saturday, May 4 at Pāhala Community Center. The all-day event comes with music, hula, coffee tasting, and meeting the famous Kaʻū Coffee farmers. See KauCoffeeFestival.com.

Booth fees are $100 for food vendors; $60 for non-food items and crafts, including coffee and coffee samples; and $35 for pre-approved information displays. No campaign and other political displays. Fifty percent discounts for non-profit organizations and cooperatives selling food, crafts, and coffee. Vendors must also obtain county vendor permits costing $30 each and a Department of Health permit, if serving food. Call Gail Nagata 933-0918. Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Email to biokepamoses@gmail.com; mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses, P.O. Box 208, Pāhala, HI 96777; or call 808-731-5409.

Exhibit: On Sacred Ground by Dino Morrow is open daily through Sunday, May 5 at Volcano Art Center Gallery. The public is invited to see documentary and portrait photography of Hula Arts at the Kīlauea Program. Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more information.

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Wednesday, April 03, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Rep. Richard Onishi announced $2 million in funding to promote tourism from the mainland and $1 million to
promote tourism from Japan during a press conference today. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority money aims
at helping Hawaiʻi Island to recover from the downturn in visitor arrivals following the volcanic eruption.
Photo from Hawaiʻi House of Representatives

A $2.5 MILLION BUDGET TO PROMOTE HAWAIʻI ISLAND TOURISM was announced today at a press conference held by east Kaʻū Rep. Richard Onishi, who chairs the Tourism & International Affairs Committee in the state House of Representatives. He and visitor industry representatives described a program, funded by the Hawaiʻi Legislature and Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, to help tourism rebound on this island, following last year's volcano disaster. Also on hand was west Kaʻū Sen. Dru Kanuha and Hilo Sen. Kai Kahele.

Chris Tatum, CEO of Hawaiʻi
Tourism Authority

Said Onishi, "The Legislature last week approved an additional $60 million in emergency relief funding to repair damaged infrastructure. But money for infrastructure alone will not fix the damaged economy. That is why I was gratified to learn that the HTA is stepping up to the plate to provide funds to help revive Hawai‘i Island's economy."
Among the $2.5 million in expenditures will be a traveling tour bus. "Wrap it in scenery from Hawaiʻi," said Chris Tatum, CEO and President of Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. He said the bus will head out of San Diego and up the West Coast to Seattle with a sales team visiting travel agencies and television stations. It will take about a month. Money will also go for new photography to promote the island. "The skies are clear," said Tatum.
Onishi said, "We are going to be going back to the major markets the U.S, the West Coast, Japan, and trying to promote Hawaiʻi in a different fashion, besides just the Volcano. There are many, many more things that can be done on Hawaiʻi island for people to come and see and participate on and that's the key."
Tatum talked about the challenge of attracting visitors following the eruption. "We see a little drop off in pace on all the islands, but nothing like what we're experiencing on Hawaiʻi Island, especially from what happened last year, with the volcanoes, the storms. And we have an obligation to support their effort to bring that business back. That's what the whole effort is. It's not only to manage tourism on the Hawaiʻi Island but to reposition ourselves, enhance our brand, share with the world all the things that Hawaiʻi Island has to offer other than just the Volcano."
Tatum said, "We need to focus on driving business." He said there has never been a better time to visit Hawaiʻi Island. He said he is working with Hawaiʻi Tourism United States (with $1.5 million in funding) and Hawaiʻi Tourism Japan (with $1 million in funding). He said they are "our two biggest contractors," and described their efforts as "really focusing in not only on Kīlauea, the volcano, but

Ross Birch, Hawaiʻi Island Visitors
Association

really the incredible experience that happens on Hawaiʻi Island for all our visitors: the culture, the beaches, world class golf, great resorts and natural beauty. But let me throw in on the managing piece. We want to make sure that whatever we promote, we engage the community. We want to make sure we're promoting what they want us to promote."
Said Tatum, "We want to drive people into Hawaiʻi Island. We got to keep people working, but we also got to keep those panes flying that fly direct from Japan and the U.S. As long as we can keep those load factors up, they'll keep flying," He mentioned that the Japan market responded during the volcanic eruption with a 30 percent drop tourism to Hawaiʻi Island.

Ross Birch, President of the Island of Hawaiʻi Island Visitors Bureau, said, "It's been a very slow recovery." He called the promotion "a defibulator where we're going to actually jump start and kind of get things rolling again, create the messaging, and give an opportunity for our island to kind of showcase and really rebrand itself to the point where we can get the eyes on our island, get that visitation, and filling those seats that we've accomplished to increase over the last few years.
Birch pointed out that 2017 "was a phenomenal year for the island. We had a record breaking year of 1.77 million visitors; 2018 was a definitely a roller coaster. We had the highest highs in the first six months of the year and the lowest lows in the second six months.
He said the goal is to get "ahead of the pace of 2017."
Tatum and Birch said they look forward to working with local visitor industry businesses on the program to increase tourism. Download the video of the press conference from https://www.dropbox.com/s/e8rqz6yl0tqnxoy/HTA%20VNRv1.mp4?dl=0.
Contact Onishi at reponishi@capitol.hawaii.gov.

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HAWAIʻI RANKS 42ND IN STRESS LEVELS, compared to the other 49 states, according to a recent WalletHub report. American stress levels have been rising for many demographics since their low point in 2016. Common stressors include the future of America and money, along with health insurance costs, but not all demographics are affected in the same way. Millennials report the highest average stress levels.

Certain states have contributed more than others to elevating — or decreasing — stress levels in the U.S. WalletHub compared 40 key indicators of stress to determine the places to avoid and achieve a more relaxing life. Data assessed ranges from average hours worked per week to personal bankruptcy rate to share of adults getting adequate sleep.
Hawaiʻi ranked first in Fewest Average Hours of Sleep per Night and Least Affordable Housing. Hawaiʻi ranked third, as one of the states with the Lowest Job Security.

The Aloha State ranked 18th in Average Hours Worked per Week, 21st in Work-Related Stress, and 29th in Crime Rate per Capita.

In Psychologists per Capita, Hawaiʻi ranked 32nd, 38th in Family-Related Stress, and 39th in Money-Related Stress. It ranked 44th in percentage of Adults in Fair to Poor Health.

In Lowest Percentage of Population Living in Poverty, Lowest Divorce Rate, and Highest Credit Score – in a tie with several other states – Hawaiʻi ranked 46th. The 50th state ranked 49th in Health & Safety-Related Stress.
Read the report.

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HAWAIʻI SOUTH TŪTŪ & ME TRAVELING PRESCHOOL FUNDRAISER features Big Island Candies Crunch bars. The 3 oz. bars sell for $4 each, available while supplies last, at the Nāʻālehu Tūtū & Me office; call 929-8571. Funds raised help support Tūtū & Me's parent organization, Partners in Development Foundation. Copies of the PIDF Annual Report are available for review at the Tūtū & Me office in Nāʻālehu.

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DONATE TO SUPPORT MILOLIʻi-KĀʻŪ VOLLEYBALL CLUB on trips to Oʻahu and California this summer for tournaments. Donations will be applied to 10U travel to Oʻahu for the Aloha Summer Classic as well as 12U and 14U to Anaheim for the Summer Soirée Tournament.
Chelsea Velez said, "Your help allows us to provide our young ladies with a supportive and competitive club so they can compete to the best of their abilities… help us offer a higher quality experience for all participants. Raising dollars for extra curricular activities is very difficult to do but is vital for our program. If you could please spread the word about our fundraiser by sharing it with your friends via Email, Facebook, and Twitter we would greatly appreciate it. Our young ladies have been training hard to properly represent this great town and club, any support is truly helpful. Here's to another great season of Miloliʻi-Kaʻū Volleyball Club."

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Kaʻū High's culinary class at last year's Hoʻolauleʻa.
Photo by Julia Neal

CULINARY CLASS AT KAʻŪ HIGH SCHOOL is planning two big events in the next few weeks. The students will compete at the Big Island Chocolate Festival April 26 and 27 in Waikaloa. They will also host a booth at the Hoʻolauleʻa on May 4 at Pāhala Community Center, to raise money for a culinary education trip to Japan in June.

The Trojans' Culinary Class took first place in Knife Skills in the statewide Hawaiʻi Career and Technical Student Organization Convention competition on Feb. 26 at Hawaiʻi Convention Center.

To make a donation toward the culinary program, contact instructor Aina Akamu at ainaakamu@gmail.com.

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KAʻŪ TROJANS BOYS BASEBALL team fought hard against Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy's Ka Makani at an away game yesterday. HPA took the game, 13 to 6.

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 Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū Trojans Spring Sports Schedule

Baseball:

Thu., April 4, 3 p.m., @Waiakea

Sat., April 6, 11 a.m., @Kealakehe

Sat., April 13, 3 p.m., @Kamehameha

Fri., April 19, BIIF Semi-Finals

Sat., April 20, BIIF Semi-Finals

Softball:

Fri., April 5, 3 p.m., @Kealakehe

Fri., April 12, BIIF Semi-Finals

Sat., April 13, BIIF Semi-Finals

Fri., April 19, BIIF Finals

Sat., April 20, BIIF Finals

Boys Volleyball:

Fri., April 5, 6 p.m., @Christian Liberty, Varsity

Tue., April 9, 6 p.m., host Waiakea

Fri., April 12, 6 p.m., @Keaʻau

Wed., April 17, 6 p.m., Kamehameha

Fri., April 19, 6 p.m., host Honokaʻa

Mon. April 22, BIIF First Round

Wed., April 24, BIIF Semi-Finals

Thu., April 25, BIIF Finals

Track:

Sat., April 6, 9 a.m., @Waiakea

Sat., April 13, 9 a.m., @HPA

Sat., April 20, 9 a.m., @Kamehameha

JUST ANNOUNCED

BENEFIT CONCERT FOR KAʻŪ LITTLE LEAGUE happens Sunday, May 19 from 4 p.m. to 8p.m. at The Terraces in Ocean View, 92-1885 Princess Kailulani Blvd. Performing at the venue is D-Tech Solutions. Performing live from Kona is Lopaka Rootz. Tickets are $10 advanced or $15 at the door – plus a can of food at entry. Sponsored by Criminal Justice Solutions and Kahuku Community Block Watch, "Helping our youth and community via physical fitness and teamwork." Contact Gabe Morales at gcmorales2020@gmail.com or Kathi Griffeth at kathiegriffeth@gmail.com.

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.

UPCOMING

THURSDAY, APRIL 4

Women's Support Group, Thursday, April 4, 1st Thursday monthly, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. Women welcome to drop in. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Thursday, April 4, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Skateboard Movie Night, Friday, April 5, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Free; open to public. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Keiki Science Class, Saturday, April 6, 1st Saturday monthly, 11 a.m. – noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. acehardware.com

MONDAY, APRIL 8

Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Coastal Net Patrol, Monday, April 8. Free; donations appreciated. RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, 769-7629

Kickball, Monday, April 8 through 29, 2:30 p.m – 3:30 p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12 April 1-5. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Pāhala Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Monday, April 8, 2nd Monday monthly, 5 p.m., activity room at Kaʻū District Gym.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10

Scholarship Application Deadline for American Association of University Women-Kona, Wednesday, April 10. Two $1,000 awards for two-year vocational program attendees. Application packets at kona-hi.aauw.net. sharonnind@aol.com

ONGOING

Exhibit: On Sacred Ground by Dino Morrow is open daily through Sunday, May 5 at Volcano Art Center Gallery. The public is invited to see documentary and protrait photography of Hula Arts at the Kīlauea Program. Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more information.

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Tuesday, April 02, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Makahiki Grounds near Nāʻālehu are PONC acquired lands stewarded by ʻOlu Kohu, which testified in
support of more stewardship funding and PONC management. Photo by Nohea Kaʻawa

LAND PURCHASES FOR PRESERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP RECEIVED UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FROM TESTIFIERS IN KAʻŪ on Friday. All eight Kaʻū residents speaking to the County of Hawaiʻi Charter Commission favored changes to support Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation.
The Charter Commission met in Nāʻālehu to seek public comment on a variety of proposed amendments to the county's charter. About 20 Kaʻū residents attended. Chairman Doug Adams reported receiving more than 500 comments on 27 proposed Charter Amendments. Those approved by the commission will be placed on the ballot for the November 2020 election.
All testifiers spoke in favor of Charter Amendment-9 to create a position for one full-time staff member to work for PONC within the county Department of Finance. At present, PONC work is performed by a staff member with other duties. Supporters of CA-9 said a full-time staff person would cost the fund about $100,000 per year. More than one staff person could deplete the fund, which is primarily for land acquisition. John Vose from Ocean View said "a multi-million-dollar program - which PONC is - needs the full and undivided attention of at least one full-time staff person. The duties are far too important to be done in between other Finance Department tasks. The staff person needs to be focused on one very important job in order to do it to a high standard."

John Vose said PONC deserves a
full time staff member.
Photo by Annie Bosted

Renee Dufault, a teacher at Kaʻū High, testified that the PONC fund should be kept separate from Mayoral and County politics to stop raids on the fund.
Keoni Fox told the commission that he supports a full-time staff position as the county needs at least one person to carry all the responsibility. He said that the PONC program has huge potential to grow, and he wants to see it succeed.
Annie Bosted, from Ocean View, pointed out that a full-time employee could save the county millions of dollars by applying for matching funds. She noted that when PONC bought the Kahuku Makai property, the county spent about three quarters of a million dollars to acquire a property worth $2.6 million - the rest was paid with state and federal grants. The price of Kāwā, the coastal property between Nāʻālehu and Punaluʻu, was nearly $4 million, but the county paid less than $2 million, thanks to grants.
Testifiers also favored CA-18, which would transfer the administration of the PONC maintenance fund from the county's Department of Parks and Recreation to Finance. The fund receives a quarter percent of all property taxes collected, which amounts to about $500,000 per year. At present the balance in the fund is close to three million, which, critics say, points to poor management. Since 2013, only six organizations have received grants, which amounts to nine per cent of all monies deposited in the maintenance fund.

Kāwā is one of the PONC properties with stewardship by a nonprofit organization. Photo by Julia Neal

Tomislav Gracanin of Ocean View, Chairman of the Cave Conservancy of Hawaiʻi, testified that "these resources right now are maintained by enthusiastic volunteers at no cost to the County. They do it at their own expense, and spend enormous amounts of time on important projects. These include invasive plant removal, garbage cleanup, resource evaluation (including plants, animals, cultural features, underground resources). This is a great deal for the County! So I do support the use of funds as proposed in CA-18 for controlled reimbursement for managers of 501(c)3 organizations that spend lots of time and money planning and organizing projects."
John Replogle, of Ocean View, a Windward Planning Commission member who formerly worked for The Nature Conservancy, testified that the issue of building or providing toilet facilities on PONC lands needs to be addressed.
Dennis Riordan, a County Park Maintenance Supervisor for Kaʻū, pointed out that PONC controls a lot of land. He said that we need to take care of it and make sure it is being protected, by keeping the PONC fund going. He advocated hiring a second full-time employee to inspect the properties.

Keoni Fox, seen here with petroglyphs on PONC's
Kahuku Makai property, testified in support of
PONC stewardship funding and management
Photo by Annie Bosted

Aina Akamu, a Kaʻū High teacher and volunteer for Kahua ‘Olohu, who cares for the Makahiki Grounds PONC property on the eastern edge of Nāʻālehu, advocated keeping all PONC management and administration in the same county department. He explained that voluntary stewardship is a big commitment involving hard work, such as mowing, fencing and a "robust application for stewardship." It takes about two years for a stewardship grant to be awarded.
Dufault advocated "giving power to the people at the community level," saying that they are the best ones to protect important cultural resources.
Vose told the commission he favors the maintenance fund being administered by the County Department of Finance rather than Parks and Recreation. He said, "Parks and Recreation's track record is not up to standard. The department appears to lack the expertise to manage the maintenance grants." He also talked about timing of releasing money for stewardship. Submitting the budget to the County is based on a calendar year. "When they get their money in September, as happens, that only leaves four months which is definitely not enough time to accomplish a year's worth of tasks. These delays have caused frustration among groups of volunteers."
Bosted agreed, adding, "I understand that there is $3 million in the stewardship fund, yet money is not being awarded to all the non-profit groups that steward the lands. Many applicants are turned down, and others must wait 'till September or so for the grants that they were awarded."
Fox testified that Open Space lands are not parks, but natural resources, and so should not be managed as parks.
Charter commissioners who attended the meeting were Doug Adams (Chair), Jennifer Zelko-Schlueter (Vice Chair), Billy Bergin, Paul K. Hamano, Kevin D. Hopkins, Michelle Galimba (who represents Kaʻū), Sally Rice, and Bobby Jean Leithead Todd. Three commissioners did not attend.
Two Charter Commission public hearings remain, tomorrow, Wednesday, April 3 at Kona Council Chambers at 5 p.m. and Thursday, Hilo Council Chambers at 5 p.m.

Keoni Fox, who helps steward PONC lands in Kaʻū, gave testimony to the County Charter Commission.
Photo by Julia Neal

EXTENDING COUNTY COUNCIL TERMS TO FOUR YEARS got the cold shoulder at last Friday's County Charter hearing in Nāʻālehu. Testifiers supported keeping the two-year terms.
Aina Akamu told the commission that council members need to be more involved in their constituencies, adding, "Kaʻū is used to being forgotten."
John Vose said, "I am firmly convinced that a council member that faces re-election every two years is far more likely to stay in touch with the needs of his or her constituents, than one who faces re-election only once in an eight-year term."
Tomislav Gracanin agreed, saying, "I do not support increasing the term from two to four years. The shorter term makes Council members more responsive to voters."

Two Charter Commission public hearings remain, tomorrow, Wednesday, April 3 at Kona Council Chambers at 5 p.m. and Thursday, Hilo Council Chambers at 5 p.m.

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HELICOPTER NOISE CANCELLING TECHNOLOGY could help reduce noise along aerial tour routes over residential areas, according to Senate Bill 1069 SD1 HD1. The bill would establish a tax credit for a helicopter with any modification or equipment installed to reduce noise.
The tax credit would be available 2020 and 2021. The bill would also establish "a tour helicopter surcharge," and "a helicopter noise-canceling technology system special fund."
If the bill passes the third reading in the state House of Representatives, it will go to the governor's desk for approval.
The House Finance Committee passed the measure on Friday, March 29. The House Judiciary Committee removed a proposed prohibition of "commercial flights of tour helicopters within one mile of residential neighborhoods" between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. on Sundays and holidays.

Residents testify helicopter flight noise disrupts
their lives. Photo from Big Island Video News

Residents of Hawaiʻi Island, especially those in flight paths near Kīlauea, have spent years protesting helicopter noise, stating their quality of life is negatively impacted. Residents of other islands also complain to the state regarding helicopter noise.
Helicopter companies contend the Federal Aviation Administration is the only entity with authority to govern U.S. airspace.
Hawaiʻi County Mayor Harry Kim testified "noise canceling technology… might be welcome news, if it makes a meaningful difference." He "regrets" prohibitions on flight times were removed, and asked the Committee on Finance "be as stringent as reasonably possible. To qualify for the benefit of a tax credit, the helicopter industry must become a responsible and considerate corporate member of our community, and it is not there yet."

Mayor Harry Kim submitted testimony, asking for

stringency in rules about helicopter noise.

Photo from Big Island Video News

Paradise Helicopters testified that "helicopter noise canceling technology currently does not exist," that the bill does not provide "the necessary guidelines to help reduce or mitigate noise, instead it penalizes both businesses and the consumer by placing a surcharge per seat that will make an already large expense even more expensive."
Safari Aviation of Hilo and Lihue, Kauaʻi, testified that early morning complaints will continue as "the offenders are often self-labeled 'media flights' that both the National Parks and the FAA fail to properly regulate," and that "the State of Hawaiʻi seems intent on challenging the federal preemption of all aviation activities, as it seeks ways to discriminate between and among operators."
Jeannine Johnson testified as an individual: "My neighborhood experiences loud invasions of helicopter noise on a daily, even hourly, basis. It is more than just a nuisance. It negatively impacts our quality of life, afflicting our health with undue stress, disrupting our sleep, and depriving us the right to the quiet enjoyment of our homes. If I had neighbors as noisy as the helicopters who fly incessantly overhead, I could ask HPD for help. I've called the FAA to report noisy helicopters at 11 p.m., 4 a.m., and many times in-between without relief. Is it fair that residents have to suffer endlessly while the helicopter industry suffers no consequences? So although I support Senate Bill 1069, all commercial flights of tour helicopters within one mile of a residential neighborhood should be prohibited, period."

Calvin Dorn, owner and pilot of Paradise Helicopters.

Photo from Big Island Video News

Michael Schabel testified as an individual: "I oppose this bill because it is a bill that is being pushed with no real substance to it and no research that went into it. Decibel levels are never mentioned and it is clearly a viewpoint of some people that have a bias against an industry that employs many people."
Michelle Matson testified as an individual: "Commercial tour helicopter operators repeatedly fly as low as 300 feet over residential areas, constituting helicopter harassment that causes unbearable living conditions for thousands of Island residents and places the health and well-being of entire communities at stake… Flight altitudes must be increased significantly and flight patterns must be controlled. Flight distance from residential communities and natural land forms must be increased... The FAA Flight Standards District Office, state Airports Division, and state Health Department need to work collectively to remedy helicopter tour noise impacts on Hawai‘i's communities… The affected residents, schools and businesses in Hawai‘i's impacted communities cannot wait another year for this to happen."
Read the bill and testimony. Read more in Aug. 17, 2018, Kaʻū News Briefs.

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A SURVEY ON COMMUNITY SATISFACTION WITH SAFETY in Hawaiʻi County is open through Tuesday, April 30 at 4 p.m. Every three years, Hawaiʻi Police Department asks the public questions on how safe Hawaiʻi Island is, if or how residents have had contact with police, and their characterization of the interaction.

HPD Chief Paul Ferreira said, "In keeping with our department's Vision Statement that 'The Hawaiʻi Police Department is committed to providing the highest quality of police service and forming partnerships with the community to achieve public satisfaction making the Big Island a safe place to live, visit, and conduct business,' we are again asking members of the public to participate in an anonymous Community Satisfaction Survey.
"Knowing that our department's effectiveness is ultimately determined by the confidence and cooperation of the community we serve, the survey includes both multiple-choice questions and an opportunity to make individual comments that will aid us in determining the Police Department's strengths and weaknesses.
"By comparing the results of this year's survey with the results of past surveys, the department can gauge where it has improved and where it needs further improvement."
Take the 2019 Community Satisfaction Survey. The survey takes about six-minutes.

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 Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū Trojans Spring Sports Schedule

Baseball:

Thu., April 4, 3 p.m., @Waiakea

Sat., April 6, 11 a.m., @Kealakehe

Sat., April 13, 3 p.m., @Kamehameha

Fri., April 19, BIIF Semi-Finals

Softball:

Wed., April 3, host Waiakea

Fri., April 5, 3 p.m., @Kealakehe

Fri., April 12, BIIF Semi-Finals

Sat., April 13, BIIF Semi-Finals

Fri., April 19, BIIF Finals

Boys Volleyball:

Wed., April 3, 6 p.m., host Ehunui

Fri., April 5, 6 p.m., @Christian Liberty, Varsity

Tue., April 9, 6 p.m., host Waiakea

Fri., April 12, 6 p.m., @Keaʻau

Wed., April 17, 6 p.m., Kamehameha

Fri., April 19, 6 p.m., host Honokaʻa

Track:

Sat., April 6, 9 a.m., @Waiakea

Sat., April 13, 9 a.m., @HPA

Sat., April 20, 9 a.m., @Kamehameha

JUST ANNOUNCED

FREE VISION SCREENINGS happen Tuesday, April 9 at Nāʻālehu Elementary and Thursday, April 11 at Volcano School of Arts & Sciences. Students receive free comprehensive eye exam and sunglasses. If given a prescription, keiki will receive free eyeglasses with choice of frames, with parental consent. Mission co-sponsored by Tūtū & Me and Project Vision Hawaiʻi. pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me, projectvisionhawaii.org, 808-430-0388

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.

UPCOMING
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3

Arts and Crafts Activity: Plastic Spoon Flowers, Wednesday, April 3, 3:30-5p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki grades K-6 March 25-April 2. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Hula Voices with Kumu Kini Ka‘awa, Wednesday, April 3, 1st Wednesday monthly, 5:30 p.m – 7 p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

Open Mic Night, Wednesday, April 3, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., Lava Lounge, Kīlauea Military Camp. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up and for more details. Park entrance fees may apply. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests, 21+. 967-8371, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 4
Women's Support Group, Thursday, April 4, 1st Thursday monthly, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. Women welcome to drop in. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Thursday, April 4, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Skateboard Movie Night, Friday, April 5, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Free; open to public. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Keiki Science Class, Saturday, April 6, 1st Saturday monthly, 11 a.m. – noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. acehardware.com

MONDAY, APRIL 8
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Coastal Net Patrol, Monday, April 8. Free; donations appreciated. RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, 769-7629

Kickball, Monday, April 8 through 29, 2:30 p.m – 3:30 p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12 April 1-5. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Pāhala Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Monday, April 8, 2nd Monday monthly, 5 p.m., activity room at Kaʻū District Gym.

ONGOING

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About The Kaʻū Calendar

Thursday, April 04, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Thursday, April 4, 2019

Wednesday, April 03, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Tuesday, April 02, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, April 2, 2019