Kaʻū News Briefs Nov. 26, 2024

LAHAINA STORY BEHIND NEW HANA HOU LEADS TO COMMUNITY MAHALOS: New Hana Hou Restaurant and Taco Tita owners Zane Monteleone and Marc Umayam, said that during this holiday season they would like to thank the community for the outpouring of support. They announced a mahalo gingerbread event for Dec. 15 and a promotion for all of December to support high school wrestling.
    After losing everything in the Lāhainā Wildfire last year, and having no housing available, Monteleone and Umayam, like the rest of the Lahaina community, were unsure of what to do next.

Kupuna from Pahala Senior Club at Hana Hou with Patty Fujimoto on right and new owners
Zane Monteleone and Marc Umayam there to serve them. Photo from Hana Hou

    Hana Hou's Patty Fujimoto stepped up to give solace and a place to stay to her dear friend, Monetleone's dad, Noel, who barely escaped the fire, covered in ashes. With Fujimoto's help, a new path began to form in the way of opportunity to buy Hana Hou in Nāʻālehu.
    Monteleone and Umayam released the following statement: "As a thank you to their new community, Hana Hou will be hosting a free Gingerbread cookie decorating event, led by Zane's wife Cynthia, internationally recognized Team USA athlete World Track and Field Champion and mural artist, Saturday Dec, 15 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the restaurant.
    "As another mahalo, Hana Hou will donate $2 from every pizza sold in the month of December to Kaʻū High School's wrestling team. Monteleone was wrestling coach for Lahainaluna for over 20 years. Umayam was also a wrestling coach and jiu jitsu athlete. "We are passionate about seeing the keiki thrive in wrestling," says their statement.

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A FAMILY, CHILD INTERACTION LEARNING PROGRAM, called Kū Hāweo, is announced by the founders of the first designated Hawaiian Immersion School in Kaʻū,

Family Hawaiian immersion activities
are available at the future school.
Photo by Cadence Feeley

called Ke Kula Nā ʻAʻaliʻi Kū Makani ʻO Kaʻū. The campus is in Wai'ohinu.
    Co-founder Ralyene Auli'i Fujikawa-Moses said, "We are excited to announce an opportunity for interested ʻohana (families) with keiki (children) ages 0-5 to join our Family Child Interaction Learning Program, Kū Hāweo. This program will offer ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) and cultural-based engagement activities, aimed at establishing a strong foundation for our upcoming PreK program."
    Kū Hāweo is designed to provide interested ʻohana the opportunity to introduce Hawaiian language and culture into their homes and daily lives, creating early learning readiness in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi for their keiki. Through interactive sessions, families will engage in culturally-rooted activities, including the Moʻolelo (stories) of Kaʻū, school readiness activities, and traditional practices designed to deepen connections to community and place.
    For more information or to sign up for Kū Hāweo, (space is limited), contact through kauhawaiianimmersion@gmail.com.

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VOLCANO FESTIVAL CHORUS CELEBRATES 30 YEARS year with its annual Holiday Concert, this year entitled "Christmas Is...". The concert is a gift to the

community from KDEN, Kīlauea Drama and Entertainment Network. The musical performance is Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. in Lehua Room of Kīlauea Military Camp. Park at Kīlauea Theater and follow the path past the chapel to the Lehua Room.

    The chorus will perform a mixture of sacred and secular holiday music under the direction of Melanie Oldfather, accompanied by Walter Greenwood with Jan Gandy on the flute. 

    "This is Melanie's first year as our director," says Suzi Bond, KDEN 's Executive Director and the only remaining member of the original chorus.
    "The chorus was founded in 1994 by the late great Camille Almy. When she moved away, she passed the torch to Tom McAlexander who conducted the chorus until Roch Jones took over and directed for ten years. After last season, Roch decided he wanted to sing. Melanie had been our accompanist in the past and wanted to direct and we are so lucky to have her lead us." This year's concert is dedicated to the memory of Tom McAlexander who passed away earlier this year.
    Admission is free, donations gratefully accepted. For more contact KDEN at 808-982-7344 or email kdenhawaii@gmail.com.

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KAʻŪ GIRLS TROJANS BASKETBALL TEAMS WON THEIR FIRST GAMES OF THE SEASON on Tuesday at Kea'au. Coach Troy Gacayan reports that JV won 37-25 and Varsity won 42-27. The next three games are at home on Monday, Dec. 2 hosting Honoka‘a;  Saturday, Dec. 7 hosting Konawaena; and Monday, Dec. 9 hosting Kamehameha. 

    Trojans go on the road Thursday, Dec. 12 to Waiākea and host Kealakehe at home Tuesday, Dec. 17. The teams hit the road again on Saturday, Dec. 21 traveling to Kohala, and to Christian Liberty Academy on Tuesday, Dec. 23. The play resumes in January.

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Kaʻū News Briefs Nov. 25, 2024

Mr. & Mrs. Santa will be back at the Pāhala Town Lighted Christmas Parade on Dec. 14 after the
first Kaʻū Taro Festival. Photo by Stacyn Lopez Sakuma

ORGANIZERS OF THE PĀHALA TOWN TREE LIGHTING & CHRISTMAS PARADE have given the latest on their events, Friday Dec. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 14 along with a map of the parade.
    Committee President Shai Lopez-Castaneda said, "We are blessed with the help of many individuals and businesses around the island who help make these events a success. I want to personally thank them all for their contribution towards the tree lighting and parade."

Pāhala Town Lighted Christmas Parade Committee after last year's
event. This year it will be on Dec. 14. Photo from the Committee

    On Friday Dec, 13 the tree lighting starts at 6 p.m. at the lawn of Pāhala
Plantation Cottages above the gas station. Lopez-Castaneda advised, "We do ask that the community bring their own chairs/mats to watch our spectacular event, when you arrive at our event please check in at our information booth.
    "We will have hula performances, food trucks and vendors on site during the tree lighting. On Saturday, Dec. 14 we will be having our Lighted Christmas Parade starting at 6 p.m. Please plan ahead as parking is very limited along the route, food trucks and vendors will be on site during the parade."
    Public parking for both days will be at the Pāhala Community Center. Friday night a portion of Kamani street will be closed from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. and on Saturday night Pikake and Kamani Streets will be closed 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
   At Pāhala Community Center after the parade, the parade committee will serve free chili bowls, hotdogs and refreshments to the community. Bring children to visit Santa and take photos. "We can't wait to see you at our festive Christmas events!" said Lopez-Castaneda.

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South Hawai'i Symphony musicians gather after the Christmas concert in Ocean View last year. 
This year they play at Holidays in Kahuku and Kaʻū Taro Festival. Photo by Annie Bosted

THE HOLIDAY SEASON BRINGS LIVE SYMPHONY MUSIC to Kaʻū this year with two appearances of South Hawai‘i Symphony. This community orchestra, composed of about 20 musicians and directed by top musician, Farley Sangels, will be opening one popular family holiday event, and also closing another, both in December. 

    On Dec. 7, the orchestra opens the crafts and entertainment fair Holidays in Kahuku, which will be held at the Kahuku Unit of the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Holidays in Kahuku is a free outdoor family event that draws many artists offering hand-made crafts for sale. Santa is a popular visitor. South Hawai‘i Symphony will play from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The entrance to the Kahuku Unit is on Highway 11 at mile marker 70.5. 

    On Dec. 14, the orchestra will present the grand finale of Taro Festival from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Herkes Kaʻū District Gym complex in Pāhala. The orchestra's concert is followed by the Pāhala Town Lighted Christmas Parade. 

    At both performances, the orchestra will play holiday favorites from the classic and modern era including Gesu Bambino, White Christmas, Let it Snow, Hansel and Gretel, Do You Hear What I Hear and much more. Both events are free to the public.

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BUCKLE UP FOR SAFETY AS THANKSGIVING APPROACHES, urges Hawai'i Police Department. HPD, in collaboration with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is reminding drivers that seat belts save lives. Whether driving across town or across island during the long Thanksgiving weekend, everyone in a vehicle should Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time. In addition to being required by law, buckling up is the best defense against injury or death in a crash.
    Hawai‘i Island police along with state and local law enforcement agencies across the country will be issuing tickets to drivers who choose not to buckle up. In Hawai‘i County, the fine for not wearing a seatbelt is $102 per person.

    “Wearing your seat belt is one of the easiest ways to stay safe while out on the road,” said Torey Keltner, program manager of Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section.

    “We want everyone to have a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Please, make sure everyone in your vehicle is buckled before you ever turn on the car — and that includes children being in the correct car seats, too,” he said. “Far too often our officers see the horrific results of traffic crashes where the occupants were not wearing seat belts. There’s no good excuse…Just wear a seat belt.”
    Last year in Hawai‘i County, 31 percent, five of the 16 people killed as a result of a vehicle crash in which they were not wearing a seatbelt. As of Nov. 20, 2024, 22 percent, five of the 23 people killed on Hawai‘i Island as a result of vehicle crashes were not wearing their seatbelts. "These deaths represent needless tragedies for families across our island and could have been prevented with the simple click of a seat belt," says the HPD statement.

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Kaʻū News Briefs Nov. 24, 2024

MORE DETAIL ON THE FIRST TARO FEST IN Kaʻū is released for the Saturday, Dec. 14 event.
The first Kaʻū Taro Festival will be held at Herkes Kaʻū District Gym Complex in Pāhala. See www.okaukakou.org/kau-taro-festival. The event is free and open to the public from noon to 5 p.m. Its major organizing sponsor is 'O Ka'ū Kākou. It will be followed by the Pāhala Town Lighted Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. All money raised from this festival by 'O Ka'ū Kākou will fund its 2025 Scholarships for Kaʻū residents.
    Pāhala Kupuna will conduct the opening protocol. An Ali'i Court of Ka'u youth will be coronated to oversee the event. Pāhala Youth Taiko Drummers will present their premiere performance, followed by

One of the many art pieces depicting taro, this one with an
internal poi pounder by Alan Moores will be on display
and for sale at O Ka'ū Kākou's Kaʻū Taro Festival.

Pāhala Adult Taiko Drummers.
    Keoki Sereno will sing and play 'ukulele. Na'a'alil'i will dance hula. Pāhala Seniors will play 'ukulele. South Hawai'i Symphony will play.
    Prospective vendors and presenters can apply through Nov. 26. Sign up for a booth online at www.okaukakou.org/kau-taro-festival.
    Alan Moores will present his kalo paintings and prints. Ka Lae Quilters will offer their fabric crafts. Kamakanaokalani's will present kalo crocks, jewelry and apparel. Paradise Preserved will offer kalo hummus, freeze dried pa'i'ai. Wong Yuen Hui will have kalo mochi and kulolo. Fused Fragments will sell kalo sun catchers and nightlights.
    Kaʻū Hospital Charitable Foundation will offer salad greens with taro chips. Sugar Sweet will present its freeze dried poi. Flyin Hawaiian Coffee will create peanut butter banana taro smoothies. Taylor's Bears will be featuring kalo themed stuffed teddy bears.
    Hana Hou Restaurant will offer poi ahi poke bowls. Kaʻū Civic Club will sell chicken laulau stew. Lacy's Food Trailer will sell laulaus. Lynda Nolte Watercolors will show her kalo watercolor images. Tools for Quantum Living will sell taro popsicles and laulau seasoning. Ku'u Ihi Flowers will offer kalo boba drinks and poi balls. Pohaku Coffee will make taro smoothies.
    Pua'ala LLC will sell its kalo bags, towels, clothes and coasters. Sel's Lunch Wagon will prepare laing (kalo w/coconut milk, meat and seafood). Ka'ū Creations Boutique will offer kalo key fobs, pouches and bags. Ohia Creations will sell its kalo tiki lights and magnets (carved in wood).
Looking Glass Art will display will feature kalo stained glassworks. Woods of Hawai'i will present kalo wood carvings and boxes. The Artist Vei will sell kalo cards, portraits and images. O Ka'ū Kākou will be selling festival t-shirts and live taro plants. 'Aina University will have an informational booth.
    In addition to the taro-related products listed above, vendors will offer a wide variety of other non-taro items. Note that many vendors aren't equipped to accept electronic payment.

    Lucky number drawing prizes will occur throughout the festival and include a round of golf at Volcano Golf Course, gift cards from HPM Building Supply, Don's Grill Hilo, KTA Superstores, Ono Café Volcano, Ocean View Pizza, Locovore Store Hilo, Flyin' Hawaiian Coffee, Polished Pina Nail Salon, Wyatt's Place Hawai'i and A Unique Boutique. Other prizes include gift bags from Elizabeth Crook doTerra, gift baskets from Aikane Coffee and a keiki taro patch tool kit from Tractor Supply Hilo.
    Games will include Corn Hole Toss by 'O Ka'ū Kākou, a Taro Patch challenge game by Hawaiian Telecom and a Taro Spin the Wheel game by CU Hawai'i. Hawai'i Police Dept. Community Police Officers will offer Free Keiki IDs at their festival booth. Opala management will be handled by Kaʻū's Malama 'Aina Compostables and PA system is courtesy of Netcom Enterprises.
    Sponsors include: Kaʻū Coffee Mill, Olson Trust, 'Ohana Foods Hilo and Nāʻālehu, Mizuno Superette. CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union, Luana Hospitality Group with Huggo's, On the Rocks, Lava Lava Beach Club and Kai Eats, Drinks, Kaʻū Auto Repair, Punalu'u Bakery, Malama Kaʻū Foundation, Gone Fishing, Inc., Backyard Monkey LLC Tree & Yard Service and The Club at Discovery Harbour.

    For more, see http://www.okaukakou.org/kau-taro-festival or call Tim DeLozier at 808-582-2342.

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HAWAI'I GAP WILL LAUNCH ITS ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM in 2025. Hawaiʻi Gap, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering environmental stewardship, is a subsidiary of Science Camps of America, which hosts students for two ten-day sessions every summer in Pahala.

Developing environmental leaders is a mission of Hawai'i Gap.
Photo from Hawai'i Gap

     The additional ten-week gap year program will begin next September, "offering a powerful opportunity for recent high school graduates or those taking a gap year to immerse themselves in the breathtaking Hawaiian environment while developing critical leadership skills to champion environmental causes," says the statement from Hawai'i Gap. Like Science Camps, it will be held in Ka'ū.
    "We are passionate about inspiring the next generation to protect our planet," says Michael Richards, founder of Science Camps and Co-founder and Executive Director at Hawaiʻi Gap. "This program offers a unique opportunity for young adults to gain a deep understanding of environmental challenges while developing critical leadership skills so they can effectively create positive change."
    Designed for recent high school graduates or those taking a gap year before or during college, the program immerses participants in the diverse landscapes of Hawai'i Island. Through interactive learning, hands-on experiences, and expert guidance, participants will:
   Gain a comprehensive understanding of environmental science: Explore topics like climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable practices.
    Take action through hands-on conservation efforts: Participate in beach cleanups, invasive species removal, and coral and native plant restoration projects.

Hawai'i Gap will begin in 2025 in Ka'ū for students taking time between
high school and college or during higher education to do some 
environmental field work. Photo from Hawai'i Gap

    Develop critical leadership skills: Learn effective communication, collaboration, and problem-solving techniques to advocate for environmental solutions.
    Build a supportive community: Live alongside fellow passionate individuals and experienced instructors, fostering lifelong connections and shared experiences.
    Dr. Floyd McCoy, University of Hawaiʻi Professor Emeritus in Geoscience and Oceanography, is also a co-founder of Hawaiʻi Gap. "The highlight of every semester I taught was when we went out to do field work. In the field the students gained perspective and an understanding of nature, of history, and of the human impact. With this gap program those five day field courses are expanded to ten weeks - the students spend the entire semester immersed in the environment. The experience will be transformative."
    Richards adds, "We have created this Environmental Leadership gap year program to be an unforgettable journey that goes beyond academics. Our goal is to provide participants with the tools and confidence to become active environmental stewards and leaders towards a more sustainable future."
    Applications for the upcoming semester are open. To learn more about the program, eligibility requirements, and the application process, visit https://HawaiiGap.org or contact Hawai'i Gap at info@hawaiigap.org or (808) 235-3612. Follow Hawaiʻi Gap on Facebook and Instagram. See more on Science Camps of America, including its program next summer, at https://ScienceCampsAmerica.com.

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