Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013

Ka`u High Trojan quarterback Chance Emmsley-Ah Yee carries the ball during Hawai`i Island's inaugural eight-man
football game last night in Pahala. Photo by David Berry

THE KA`U TROJANS SCORED 20 POINTS last night in the first-ever Eight-Man High School Football game on Hawai`i Island, hosting the Cowboys from Maui’s Seabury Hall. Down 7-0, the Trojans used quarterback Chance Emmsley-Ah Yee’s arm and Cy Tamura’s height to complete a long pass down field to tie the game. At the half, Ka`u was up 13-7. A long run from scrimmage by Tamura put the Trojans on top.

Ka`u wide receiver Cy Tamura caught a long pass for a touchdown.
Photo by David Berry

      In the second half, it was all Cowboys, except for Kupono Leffwe-Palakiko’s 78-yard run. Though the final score of 32-20 did not favor the Trojans, their never say die attitude kept the game close. Cramps and injuries plagued members of the home team, but they kept fighting until the end.
      Up next for the Trojans is a game on Sept. 20 at home vs. Kealakehe JV.

      To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.  

A BILL INTRODUCED BY KA`U’S COUNTY COUNCIL member Brenda Ford that would have banned genetically modified organisms is dead, reports Tom Callis in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald. The bill was one of two considered during a meeting of the Committee on Public Safety & Mass Transit. The second bill, introduced by Kohala Council member Margaret Wille, is still alive and will be considered during a continuation of the meeting. Wille’s bill exempts GMO papaya from the ban.
      “We don’t want to be exempted,” papaya grower Eric Weinert told the committee members. Weinert expressed concern that the bill would cause GMO papaya to be considered bad and that “it will taint our reputation” and cause irreparable harm to the industry.
      Callis said the Council seems to be in favor of some action against GMOs, “including keeping the main biotech companies off the isle.”
      See more at hawaiitribuneherald.com.
      To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

A bill by Brenda Ford would ban fracking on Hawai`i Island.
Image from today.uconn.edu

KA`U’S COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER BRENDA FORD is also introducing a bill that would ban fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, a process that uses pressurized liquid injected into the ground in order to extract resources. Ford told Tom Callis of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald that her concern about the practice is that it could contaminate the island’s drinking water supply. “We need to stop it before it starts,” she said. 

      According to Wikipedia, “proponents of hydraulic fracturing point to the economic benefits from the vast amounts of formerly inaccessible hydrocarbons the process can extract. Opponents point to potential environmental impacts, including contamination of ground water, depletion of fresh water, risks to air quality, noise pollution, the migration of gases and hydraulic fracturing chemicals to the surface, surface contamination from spills and flow-back, and the health effects of these.”
       While Hawai`i Island has no sources of hydrocarbon, Ford said she is concerned about the possible use of fracturing in geothermal energy development.

      The bill will be considered during the Public Safety & Mass Transit Committee meeting Tuesday, Sept. 17.
      See more at hawaiitribune-herald.com.
      To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kathryn Matayoshi

HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION asks parents of public school students to complete and return to their school a federal census survey card that was sent home on Sept. 4. The annual survey determines the number of federally connected students in the public school system for whom the state receives impact aid funds which provide partial reimbursement to the state for local tax loss resulting from tax-free federal installations. 

      “Federal impact funds are critical to support our students, educators and the overall operation of our schools,” said Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. “All parents are encouraged to complete and return the cards.”
      During the 2011-12 school year, the state accounted for more than 30,000 federally connected students and received more than $80 million — or an average of nearly $2,700 per student — in federal impact aid the following school year. The amount represents about 20 percent of the state’s average per-pupil expenditure.
      Parents should contact their school in case they have not yet received a survey card. Cards should be filled out and turned in as soon as possible.
       To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Volcano House held an open house and grand opening yesterday. Photo by David Boyle

VOLCANO HOUSE HELD PUBLIC TOURS, events and a blessing yesterday, followed by an event hosted by Ortega National Parks, the company that won the concession to renovate and operate Volcano House Hotel, campgrounds, restaurant, lounge and gift shops. Ortega and National Park representatives said they looked forward to being the stewards of one of the most beautiful and exciting locations on the planet. Diana Aki played music in a place where she entertained decades ago, looking out over Kilauea caldera. Spontaneous hula erupted among Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park staff members and friends.

Kupuna offered hula `auana at the grand opening of Volcano House.
Photo by David Boyle

      During the open house, coffee and cookies were served in the lobby. At the Pa Hula, Rupert Tripp, Jr. played music, and kupuna presented hula `auana. One-hour History of Volcano House interpretive walks and guest room tours were offered.

      The Ortega group presented illustrations on screen and in print – the before and after – of their changes at Volcano House.
      Regarding the Grand Lobby, Ortega writes: “Volcano House has undergone many changes since it was originally built in 1941. The simple elegance of the 1940s had long been lost, leaving the hotel tired and dated. Prior to our remodel, the grand lobby was a dark room that was not inviting. Now the grand lobby is open and airy with lighter colored wood paneling and the original polished concrete floors. The grand lobby previously served as a queuing area for a lunchtime buffet, which made sitting and relaxing in the room unpleasant. We changed the lunchtime food service style to eliminate the queuing problem. The lobby is once again the center of Volcano House and invites guests to relax by the fire.”

Lobby of renovated Volcano House, with retail space in the background.
Photo by David Boyle

      Regarding the guest rooms, Ortega writes: “The remodeled guest rooms retain historic elements such as the original built-in desks. Island prints and natural materials have been incorporated into the room décor. Guest reviews have been very positive; many visitors voice their surprise at seeing such a high quality guest room in a National Park.”
      Ortega writes: “Views and Public Sitting Area ‘Reclaimed.’
      The previous concession located the main retail store in the original lanai footprint. The merchandise blocked views of the caldera. We moved the main retail store and ‘reclaimed’ the famous caldera views and created an inviting sitting room for the public.”
      “Excellent Thematic Merchandising – Very Local,” states Ortega. “The thematic retail product mix has been upgraded significantly. We carry 92 Hawaiian vendors and artists, and 76 percent of our retail products are made or finished in the USA.”

Volcano House guest rooms include island prints and natural materials.
Photo by David Boyle

      Regarding Uncle George’s Lounge, Ortega writes: “We transformed Uncle George’s Lounge from a snack bar with hot dog roasters and ketchup packets to a fully functioning, classy bar. The original polished concrete floors were restored, and an outdoor deck was added for visitor enjoyment.”
      Regarding the dining room, Ortega writes: “We expanded the usable dining space for visitors and guests, removed unusual features (e.g. dance floor), added a service bar, created two outdoor decks to view the caldera and replaced or refinished all of the personal property in the dining areas.
      “In the recent past, the Volcano House dining experience did not match its special location and amazing views. Volcano House has become the premier dining spot in the area, where visitors and locals come to enjoy the view, have a nice dinner and cocktails, and even celebrate special occasions,” states the Ortega presentation.
      Regarding the view from Volcano House, the Ortega presentation states, “The glow is not the sunset – it’s the lava!”

      To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

IN CELEBRATION OF ENERGY AWARENESS MONTH in October, Hawai`i Electric Light Company invites all Ka`u students in grades K-12 to participate in its My Clean Energy Hawai`i poster and poetry contests.
      The poster contest is for students in grades K-6, and the poetry contest is for grades 7-12. The contests offer students the opportunity to explore clean energy in Hawai`i and to share their ideas with the community in a creative way. Posters and poems should show how the students plan to do their part to conserve, save, and help keep Hawai`i beautiful for future generations.

Brenda Ford comes to Ka`u Monday.

      Entry deadline is Friday, Sept. 20. Entries from the finalists will be displayed at Hawai`i Electric Light’s Clean Energy Fair on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo. Winning entries will be announced during the fair. Winners receive prizes ranging from mega electronics kits to clean energy-themed field trips.
      For more information, call 969-0137.

MEDICINE FOR THE MIND, free Buddhist healing meditation for beginners and advanced practitioners, takes place tomorrow from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. For more information, call Patty Johnson at 985-7470. 

KA`U’S COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER BRENDA FORD holds a talk story at Pahala Community Center Monday at 6:30 p.m. Ford seeks input regarding naming of the new gym/shelter and other issues.

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

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

 

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Sept. 6, 2013

Hannah's Makana `Ohana travels to Kona to participate in the Kupuna Hula Festival next week. Photo by Julia Neal

HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC CO., OF WHICH HAWAI`I ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY on the Big Island is a subsidiary, announced that it is making procedures “easier, faster and less expensive for customers seeking to add rooftop solar photovoltaic systems, while continuing to ensure safe and reliable service for all customers.”

Scott Seu

      Solar installations in Hawai`i have doubled yearly since 2008 and are on track to double or nearly so in 2013, according to Scott Seu, HECO’s vice president for energy resources and operations. With more than 32,000 PV systems installed with a capacity of more than 240 megawatts interconnected, Hawai`i utilities lead the nation in solar watts per customer and in the percentage of customers who have rooftop solar, he said. “It’s a big contributor to achieving our state’s renewable energy goals, and we know it’s an important option for our customers to help reduce their electric bills.
      “At the same time, as our customers add more solar systems, circuits on all islands are reaching the level of PV that requires added care to maintain safety and reliability for all customers. But with additional studies and more experience, we are making changes to minimize the times when an interconnection study may be needed and making it as easy as possible for customers in cases when a study is needed.”

      HECO is changing the threshold so more small systems consisting of 10 kilowatts and under can be added without a potentially costly and time-consuming interconnection study. The new threshold for a possible interconnection study is 100 percent of the daytime minimum circuit load, increased from 75 percent. In addition, Hawaiian Electric is doing a limited number of studies on several representative circuits and will apply the results to as many projects as possible on similar circuits. Previously, each project requiring a study would have to go through its own separate study. “This new approach will greatly reduce the number of studies needed and reduce costs to customers,” Seu said. 

      Customers, or contractors on their behalf, should provide a name, address and proposed PV system size in kilowatts to the utilities by calling 969-0358 or emailing lvm@helcohi.com.
      In this way, a customer or contractor can get the most up-to-date status of the circuit on which they propose to add a solar project. Depending on how much PV is on the circuit, the utility may perform a supplemental review at the utility’s expense to determine if a more extensive study is required. Customers or contractors must still submit and get approval for a completed net metering application to connect to the grid and get the financial benefits of net metering.
      “We want to avoid the situation where our customer signs a contract for PV or starts installation and later learns about added costs for studies or circuit upgrades because the circuit already has a high amount of PV,” said Seu. “We are making changes to make adding solar faster, cheaper and fairer, but we do ask customers to call so they have the most current information when making a decision about a very big financial investment in improving their homes or businesses.
      “As we continue to monitor circuits and do representative studies, we anticipate that it will be possible in the future for even more small systems to go forward without an interconnection requirements study,” Seu said.

      To comment on this story or “Like” it, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE U.S. NAVY’S OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH will invest $30 million in Hawai`i-based Energy Excelerator, an energy startup program that aims to help companies bring innovative energy solutions to the marketplace, expanding on the clean energy economy in Hawai`i and the Asia-Pacific region. 

“This shows that the Department of the Navy is serious about clean energy, because they understand that energy security is in our national interest,” said Sen. Brian Schatz. “The Navy’s investment will pay dividends to our state, our economy and our national security.” 

      The Navy’s commitment more than triples the funding that Energy Excelerator has received in the last three years.
      According to its website, Energy Excelerator provides energy startups with
 “non-dilutive funding, strategic relationships and a vibrant ecosystem.”
      See more at hawaiirenewable.com.
      To comment on this story or “Like” it, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION IS OFFERING a Streamline Refinance Loan product for lessees with Hawaiian Home General Loan Fund direct loans in good standing, and an Interest Rate Reduction Loan product for delinquent loans (either in the HHGLF or to be refinanced with monies in the HHGLF) who meet specific criteria. 

      The purpose of the programs is to provide qualified lessees/borrowers with loan products to lower their monthly payment through a refinance of their loan via an interest rate reduction and/or extension of the term of the loan similar to those loan programs outside of DHHL. However, the DHHL products will require minimal loan documentation, and no loan fees will be assessed to the lessee.
      To request an application packet for either the Streamline Refinance Loan or the Interest Rate Reduction Loan contact DHHL’s East Hawai`i District Office, 160 Baker Avenue Hilo, HI 96720 or call 974-4250.
      For more information, see dhhl.hawaii.gov. 

      To comment on this story or “Like” it, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Draft Ka`u CDP documents show development in relation to
Hawaiian ahupua`a.

MONDAY IS THE DEADLINE FOR PROVIDING FEEDBACK on the initial draft of Ka`u Community Development Plan’s Appendix V4B: Community Building Analysis and Appendix V4D: Preferred Future Growth Patterns. The documents and feedback forms are available at the project website, kaucdp.info; at libraries and community centers in Pahala, Na`alehu, Discovery Harbour, and Ocean View; and at Hilo and Kona Planning Department offices. 

      Appendix V4B: Community Building Analysis focuses on land use, infrastructure, services, design, and redevelopment strategies. It does not include policies and plans of action that will make up the heart of the CDP. Planner Ron Whitmore said the appendix is not designed to be read from start to finish. “Consider reading through the introductory section and then using the tables of contents, figures, and tables to find material of greatest interest,” he suggested.
      For more information about Ka`u CDP, see the website or Steering Committee members, Community Planning assistant Nalani Parlin, or Whitmore. Contact information is available at the project website.

      To comment on this story or “Like” it, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

A member of Hannah's Makana `Ohana
performs at Pahala Plantation House.
Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U KUPUNA ARE HEADED TO KEAUHOU next week to compete in the statewide Kupuna Hula Festival competition at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa. Members of Hannah’s Makana `Ohana, led by Hannah Uribes, will compete in kane, wahine, mixed and solo competitions in the annual event on Wednesday and Thursday. Member Ron Ebert said the group made money using `O Ka`u Kakou’s hotdog and shave ice machines to sell snacks at Punalu`u Beach. 

      Tickets for both days are sold out. The theme of the Kupuna Hula Festival is Noho Ali`i Ka Lani – the Heaven Reigns Above. Each halau has chosen a song that celebrates the natural elements such as heavens, sky, stars, moon, wind air and clouds.
      The event also includes local arts and crafts sales. It is part of the Aloha Festival around the island, which includes the Clyde Kindy Sproat Falsetto & Story Telling Contest, the annual Poke Contest and a Paniolo Parade. See more at hawaiiislandfestival.org.

      To comment on this story or “Like” it, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Don Elwing displays his art using plastic marine debris from Kamilo
Beach this Sunday in Ocean View and next Saturday at Wai`ohinu Park.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND’S UPCOMING BEACH CLEANUP at Kamilo Point on Saturday, Sept. 14 is the first of four events in collaboration with Recycle Hawai`i. Objectives are two-fold: collect and remove marine debris from along the shoreline, and attempt to sort out debris that can be re-used for the Ocean Plastic line of dish soap by Method. 

      This cleanup is also in conjunction with the International Coastal Cleanup event called Get the Drift & Bag It!
      Volunteers meet at Wai`ohinu Park at 7:45 a.m. to talk about cleanup logistics, view artwork by local debris eco-artist, Don Elwing and to caravan/carpool down to the cleanup event.
      Sign up at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or call 769-7629.

      To comment on this story or “Like” it, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

DON ELWING AND OTHER ARTISTS display their works using plastic marine debris Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Ocean View Swap Meet. Elwing visits Kamilo Beach near South Point weekly, collecting ocean debris which he sorts and cleans before turning it into what he calls awareness art.

Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park explore
the Mauna Ulu area Sunday. Photo from FHVNP

NICK SHEMA LEADS A THREE-MILE WALK exploring Mauna Ulu area during Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s monthly Sunday Walk in the Park on Sept. 8 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Free for members, and non-members can join the organization in order to attend. 

      Call 985-7373 or email admin@fhvnp.org.

ALMOST 40 GROUPS HAVE SIGNED UP for booths at next month’s Ka`u Plantation Days, according to organizer Darlyne Vierra. A planning meeting takes place Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center.
      For more information, contact Vierra at 640-8740 or dpvierra@yahoo.com.

VARSITY VOLLEYBALL FROM THE KA`U HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS overcame the Pahoa Daggers in five sets on Wednesday, Sept. 4 during an away match. Scores were 25-14, 25-11, 17-25, 15-25, 15-11. Junior varsity girls lost in two sets. Scores were 19-25 and 19-25. Next game for Ka`u girls volleyball with be at home tomorrow, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m.

THE KA`U TROJANS INTRODUCE EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL to Hawai`i Island at 6 p.m. today. They play Seabury Hall from Maui. Ka`u Trojans team includes Anthony Emmsley-Ah Yee, Tala`i Ke, Chance Emmsley-Ah Yee, Cy Tamura, Kainalu Ke, Walter Espejo, Derrick “Bubba” Velez, Makana Gravella, Kaweni Ibarra, RJ Kahele, Rigan Kaapana, Chisum Silva, Kaliimaka Aipia Dolan and Carlos Ornelas.

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

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES

Ka`u News Briefs, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013

Del Bothof, of Volcano Winery, invites the public to explore the acres of vineyards and fields of tea at the fist annual Harvest Festival on Sunday, September 15, with food, wine, music and tours of the winery. Photo by Julia Neal

THE ANTENNA FOR KAHU RADIO came down yesterday from the pole behind the radio station building on Maile Street in Pahala.  Removal took place under the direction of Christine Kaehuaea, who was manager of the radio station until it shut down earlier this year and she sold off equipment, sold its license to Hawai`i Public Radio for $20,000 and promised to pay vendors and leave the antenna, transmitter and feed line for HPR to restart radio service to the community.

KAHU radio antenna came down yesterday,
delaying the broadcast of HPR2 in Ka`u.
Photo by Julia Neal

Hawai`i Public Radio CEO Michael Titterton said this morning that he had no idea the antenna was to be taken down. He said that a radio engineer came to the KAHU site over the weekend to make plans to start broadcasting HPR2 to the Pahala area.  He said that HPR planned to broadcast to the town until a space on one or more communications towers could be acquired to provide radio service across the southern part of Hawai`i Island. The owners of the radio building and site offered free rent, until the antenna could be moved.
Taking the equipment means that HPR broadcasting will be delayed until HPR can buy new equipment. “Don’t worry,” said Titterton. “We’ll get her done.”
According to O Ka`u Kakou President Wayne Kawachi, whose volunteers helped take down the antenna, he was told by Kaehuaea that Hawai`i Public Radio no longer needed the antenna. Kawachi said that she asked him for help to take it down.

ELECTIONS ARE COMING UP for School Community Council leaders for Na`alehu School. The first meeting for Na`alehu School started today at 3 p.m. in room 35 on campus. Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School’s first meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013 at the SCC room, near the School office.

GMO HEARINGS in Hilo yestserday drew Civil Beat reporter Sophie Cocke. She writes at www.civilbeat.com about two bills before the County Council, one by Ka`u’s County Council member Brenda Ford that would ban the growing of Genetically Modified Organisms in this county, giving farmers 30 months to switch over to non-GMO crops. Her bill would also require registration of GMO crops, and violators would face penalties of $1,000 a day and possibly misdemeanor jail time. It would also ban growing of GMO animal feeds.
Council member Margaret Wille’s latest Bill “113 would ban all open air testing and cultivation of GMO crops. The measure exempts current and future genetically altered papayas, as well as the few other GMO crops already under cultivation. The bill requires farmers to register with the county if they are growing GMO crops and to pay an annual $100 fee. Registering the crops is aimed at facilitating the county's efforts to assess whether GMOs cause any harm. Violators of the law would be fined $1,000 a day and they would be liable for court and legal costs associated with any damage to non-GMO crops, neighboring properties or water sources.” says Civil Beat’s summary of her bill.
“Both bills prohibit biotech companies from operating on the Big Island and ban all new GMO crops,” the Civil Beat story says.
“There were few voices representing large biotech companies like Syngenta, Monsanto, Pioneer, Dow and BASF, despite their growing presence in the Hawaiian islands over the past decade. On O`ahu, Kaua`i and Moloka`i, the companies have been experimenting with GMO cops and growing genetically altered seed for export elsewhere. But the multinational biotech companies don’t operate on the Big Island. The proposed bills aim to keep it that way,” notes Civil Beat. See more at www.civilbeat.com.

Ag tourism could include walks to such places as the irrigation systems serving
Ka`u farms, like this one above Ka`u Coffee Mill. Photo by Andrew Richard Hara

AN AGRITOURISM BILL was heard today before the Hawai`i County Council. Bill 25, put forth by Puna council member Zendo Kern, would allow “major” and “minor” ag tourism on agriculturally zoned land, with limits on the numbers of visitors. A major ag tourism operation would need a plan approval from the county and would be allowed to entertain up to 30,000 visitors annually. A minor ag tourism operation would be exempt from the plan approval, be required to register with the county, and be limited to 5,000 visitors a year, with a maximum of 100 visitors a week. Compliance would be overseen by county Planning Department review of financial records.
Hours of operation would be allowed only from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. during winter months and 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. during summer months.
Various forms of the measure have been discussed for several years with Ka`u’s County Council member Brenda Ford saying she wants to make sure that neighbors are not bothered by the volume of tourism in agricultural communities. Other concerns have included the idea that ag operations could turn into gift, food and trinket shops, with the ag side of the business neglected.

Cultural exchange between Lana`i and Ka`u took place during Ka`u Coffee Festival
at Punalu`u and continues on Lana`i during the week of Oct. 5. Photo by Julia Neal

ON THEIR WAY TO LANA`I, Halau Lei Hula O Leinoalani dancers are raising money by teaching, feeding people. The group earned $600 from a bake sale, $500 from teaching at Science Camps of America this summer in Pahala and are raising more money from donors who are plan to match funding for the travel. The dancers going to Lana`i will fly to Maui and take a ferry from Lahaina. They will take part in a cultural exchange with Lana`i. Lana`i kumu hula Debbie Ryder  brought her dancers from Lana`i, O`ahu and Japan to Pahala for three years for the Ka`u Coffee Festival. “It is time for the dancers in Pahala to be welcomed by Lana`i,” she said. Anyone wanting to donate, can call Jamie Kailiawa at 895-6099. She said the halau also plans a rehearsal performance and dinner as a fundraiser before leaving for Lana`i on Oct. 2.

OPEN HOUSE AT VOLCANO HOUSE takes place tomorrow at the newly reopened hotel, restaurant, lounge and gift shops in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. From 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. coffee and cookies will be served in the lobby. Music will be played by Rupert Tripp, Jr. at the Pa Hula, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Hula `Auana will be presented by Kupuna at the Pa Hula, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. One-hour History of Volcano House will be shared through interpretive walks, 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.; and Guest Room Tours will be conducted 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. Parking is available on site and at Kilauea Visitor Center. Park entrance fees apply. For more information about Volcano House visit hawaiivolcanohouse.com or call 1-866-536-7972.

Japanese visitor Ko Ueno tries the new 

tea-infused wine at Volcano Winery where a 

Harvest Festival is on tap. Photo by Julia Neal

VOLCANO WINERY’s new Harvest Festival will provide the rare opportunity to tour the acres of vineyards, tea garden new fig plantings and greenhouse and vat room of Volcano Winery. The event is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are $25. The Harvest Festival includes Hawaiian and popular music with Lito Arkangel and other entertainers, heavy pupus and wine. Volcano Rotary Club will sell hulihuli chicken.
The Volcano Winery vineyard grows a variety of grapes, including Pinot Noir, Cayuga White, Symphony, Marechal Foch, Chambourcin. Tea has become an important part of Volcano Winery's business in recent years particularly with the introduction of tea-infused wine, said owners Del and Marie Bothof. The event is limited to 100 persons. Call 967-7772 or see volcanowinery.com.

EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL KICKS OFF tomorrow at Ka`u High School with Seabury Hall from Maui coming to town to play the Trojans. The first-ever eight-man football on this island gives the opportunity for the smaller school teams to score more, run faster and catch more footballs.
Head Coach is Duwayne Ke. Assistants are: Tammy Ke, Kaleo Phillips, Marcus Douglas, Eric Ervin, Donovan Emmsley and Darrel Shibuya. and are raising money for the trip. On Sept. 20, Kealakehe Waveriders come to Ka`u with a 6 p.m. kickoff. On Saturday, Sept. 28 Kamehameha Warriors host Ka`u.  On Oct. 5, the Trojans Play Moloka`i on the Friendly Island. On Friday, Oct. 25, Trojans travel to Kealakehe and on Friday, Nov. 8, Moloka`i Farmers come to Ka`u for  the Trojans' Homecoming and Senior Game night. To donate to the travel expenses for the Warriors, come to the game tomorrow night at Ka`u High School.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND

KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.