Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, October 24, 2013

"It's about time," said Roberts Tours bus driver and guide Harvey Damo yesterday afternoon after his band of visitors read and photographed the new signs at Kalae Lookout on Hwy 11 near Ocean View. Two signs were prepared and installed by the Ka`u
 Scenic Byway Committee of Ka`u Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U SCENIC BYWAYS COMMITTEE held a blessing yesterday  for the new educational roadway signage  designed for the Ka`u community and its visitors. The blessing, given by Ka`u Hawaiian Civic Club President Blossom DeSilva and attended by Gov. Neil Abercrombie representative Barbara Dalton, was held at the South Point Lookout near Ocean View at Mile Marker 75 on Hwy 11.
     Roberts Tours leader and driver Harvey Damo proclaimed: “It’s about time, as his passengers photographed the sign and the views of the lava fields, Kalae Point and the shoreline, the longest uninhabited coast in Hawai`i.

Ka`u Scenic Byway Committee members meet at their first project site,
 South Point Lookout. Photo by Julia Neal

     The Ka`u Byway Committee of the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce has been working on the signage, under Chair Marge Elwell, for two years. Byway Committee secretary Dennis Elwell said, "The signs have been very well received. We have met visitors from as far as Austria and Japan," photographing them and reading about Ka`u.
     Funding came from the natural resources program of the Hawai`i Tourism Authority, with some matching funds from Ka`u Chamber of Commerce. The Byway Committee is working on a management plan through the state Department of Transportation and looks toward establishing six additional turnouts with signage to inform people about the beauty of Ka`u and its natural and cultural history. "We are trying to tell a story and help visitors understand they are traveling around a huge volcano as they approach Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park," Elwell sadi.
     In addition to the signage Ka`u Scenic Byway - the Slopes of Mauna Loa - Hawai`i, is represented
on a website with information about many features of Ka`u. See www.hawaiiscenicbyways.org and click on Ka`u.

SCHOOL COMMUNITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS are coming up at Na`alehu Elementary School. The school is seeking individuals to serve as a community member representative or a parent representative on the council. The nomination period began on Monday, Oct. 21 and will continue for two weeks ending on Friday, Nov. 1. 

Na`alehu School will hold Community Council elections.
Photo from http://naalehuel.k12.hi.us

  Following the nomination period, an informative session for SCC candidates will be held on Thursday, Nov. 7 at Nā'ālehu School in Room 33, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Voting will be held from Friday, Nov. 8 to Friday, Nov. 15. Each family with children attending Nā'ālehu School will receive one ballot, which will be sent home with the oldest child in the family.
     A full school community council includes six stakeholder groups: teacher, administration, classified staff, parent, student and community. The role of the community member is defined as an individual living within the school's geographic area; owning or operating a business in the community, or who is an alumnus of the school. A representative in the parent role must be an individual with a child currently enrolled at Nā'ālehu Elementary. SCC meetings are held the first Thursday of each month. "SCCs focus their responsibilities on school improvement and student achievement. From a best practices point of view, councils that focus on student achievement are by far more successful. They tend to see themselves as trustees or facilitators of the school's vision and mission, and are very clear about what the school stands for and what it wants for students," stated Principal Darlene Javar.
     "Successful councils practice good stewardship and act as a whole, taking responsibility for communicating with all role groups and for the benefit of all children rather than as individuals representing a role group and specific agendas. The SCC provides an opportunity for input to the school's Academic and Financial Plan as well as recommendations for revisions," Javar added.
     Interested persons can contact Denise Garcia, Parent Community Networking Center coordinator, at 313-4020, or email Denise_Garcia@notes.k12.hi.us. Nominations must be received by Friday, Nov. 1.

Al Galimba is featured in a story about Heritage agriculture in Honoluu Star Advertiser
Photo form www.kuahiwiranch.com

"RANCHING ON THE HILLY, ROCKY DROUGHT-PRONE terrain of Ka`u requires tenacity - not to mention cattle that can handle the rugged environment,” states an article in yesterday's Honolulu Star Advertiser about the Al Galimba family growing heritage livestock on land between Pahala and Na`alehu.  The story, by Joleen Oshiro, reports: “ The Galimbas, owners of the 10,000-acre Kuahiwi Ranch in Ka`u, delved into research to find such a cow and discovered the British White, a heritage, or ancient, breed of cow traced back in the United Kingdom to the Roman Empire.”
      The story quotes rancher Michelle Galimba, who runs Kuahiwi Ranch with parents Sami and Al Galimba and brother Guy, as saying that "British Whites have good, strong feet and legs to handle the rocks and hills, and they gain weight easily in less-than-ideal pasture.”
     The Star Advertiser writer noted that “On the plate, the beef has a mild taste rather than a strong grassy flavor, and unlike many grass-fed cattle, some of its fat is marbled into the flesh.
     "Kuahiwi's experience with the British White illustrates the practical application of heritage breeds to a viable, localized food system.
In fact, the ranch has been so successful with British Whites that it is now able to supply Whole Foods Market with 10 head a month.”
           The Galimbas will offer tasting of their British White Beef at Whole Foods on O`ahu in Kailua this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and at Whole Foods Kohala on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
       Chef and restaurateur Alan Wong was quoted in the story as describing the Kuahiwi beef as “a great product," Wong told the reporter that "The most important thing is how the animals are cared for, what they are fed, and Al Galimba takes good care. It's a locally raised product by a local family, and I always support that." See more at www.staradvertiser.com.  Also see www.kuahiwiranch.com

See hawaiizerowaste.org

THE COST OF COMMERCIAL TRASH HAULING COULD SOAR, as county fees may follow the nearly 300 percent increase in surcharges proposed by the state on landfill operations. According to a story in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune Herald, “The surcharge, currently 25 cents to 25 cents a ton, could rise to as much as $1.35 a ton under a bill that has so far seen little traction in the state Legislature. Writer Nancy Cook Lauer explained that the state surcharge pays “for the state Department of Health’s monitoring of solid waste operations.” According to the story, county Environmental Management Director Bobby Leithead Todd is considering “whether the county would be better off adding a cost factor, similar to the Department of Water Supply’s power cost component on water bills, to account for costs the department has no control over.” 

     The story reports that tipping fees account for about $6.3 million of the $25 million county solid waste budget. However, costs for fuel, equipment, and union labor keep going up. See more at www.hawaiitribune-herald.com
      Commercial trash hauling in Ka`u is particularly expensive, requiring a long drive to Hilo or Kona, as, technically, no commercial trash is allowed at the public transfer stations. The old practice of dumping on open land or into gulches can draw steep fines. Even those collecting trash from an elderly person’s home, if paid, are supposed to be hauling it to designated tipping stations in Hilo or Kona, a distance that garners a huge expense in fuel and time.
     Hawaii Zero Waste organizers recommend that everyone Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to cut down the expense of garbage. See
www.hawaiizerowaste.org.

Dick Hershberger resumes his role as Thomas Jaggar next Monday
 at 10 a.m. Photo from KDEN

ANOTHER LAW SUIT has been filed in the tragic accident that left Ka`u residents Trini Ballesteros and Richard Taylor and three visitors dead near the Punalu`u Stream bridge on Highway 11. The law suit is being brought by the family of Taylor against the family estate of Donald and Patricia Ingoglia. Donald Ingoglia, who died along with his son and grandson, was the driver of the Nissan Altima rental car, whom the plaintiffs claim negligently crossed the center line and crashed head-on into the 2002 Ford F-350 dually pickup truck that caught on fire. The accident killed all five. Another suit was recently filed by the family of Trinidad Ballesteros. See more at www.hawaiitribune-herald.com.

A WALK IN THE PAST resumes now that Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park has reopened. Kilauea Drama Network reports that the first Walk in the Past will be next Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 10 a.m.
      The program features a living history presenter, dressed in period costume, bringing back to life Dr. T. A. Jaggar, founder of Hawai`i Volcanoes Observatory and a prominent figure in the history of volcanology, the study of volcanoes. Ka`u actor-director Dick Hershberger portrays Dr. Jaggar.
     Hershberger’s extensive experience on the many theatrical stages of the Big Island has finally brought him to a new venue in HVNP. He has performed with Aloha Performing Arts Company, Waimea Community Theater, The Palace and University of Hawai`i Hilo and Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network.
     The program takes place in the Whitney Vault, a 16 feet by 12 feet underground laboratory that still has original seismograph equipment, and is located under a mound in front of the Volcano House. The time is April 1912 when travel was by ship, train horse and carriage. There were only four airplanes in America. Teddy Roosevelt was running for President and the Red Sox won the World Series.

Volcano Art Center Gallery is open 9 a.m. 5 p.m. daily and is fundraising, following
the federal shutdown that forced the gallery to closer for more than two weeks.
Photo by Julia Neal

    Thomas Jaggar moved to Hawai`i from his offices at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he was the head of the Geology Department, in order to study firsthand the activity of Kilauea and Mauna Loa, thereby gaining valuable knowledge about the inner workings of earth systems. He founded the first geologic observatory dedicated to saving lives. He co-founded the Park itself. It was Jaggar’s vision that inspired the idea of predicting geologic hazards worldwide.

     Performances of A Walk into the Past will be every other Tuesday, at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., starting Tuesday. Meet at the Kilauea Visitor Center. There is no charge for the performance, but park entrance fees do apply.

VOLCANO ART CENTER GALLERY is open for winter hours, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The non-profit is looking for community support and is fundraising, following the federal shutdown that

closed the gallery for more than two weeks. 

Call 967-8222.

TUTU & ME HOSTS ITS FIRST-EVER `OHANA DAY this Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center.
Activities represent a typical day at Tutu & Me. Families, keiki and kupuna from the local community are invited to participate in fun learning activities that Tutu & Me provides every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the school year at the community center, along with live music, health screenings provided by Hui Malama Na `Oiwi and Ka`u Rural Health Community Organization, giveaways and a raffle.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM ANDKAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013

Paradise Helicopter crew prepares to spray pestsides on 24 acres near Pahala this morning to fight the macadamia felted coccid,
which can kill the trees.Helicopter spraying is more targeted than the old crop duster spraying, familiar from plantation days.
Photo by Julia Neal

FIGHTING SCALE, THE MACADAMIA felted coccid pest, was the aim of Royal Hawaiian Orchards aerial spraying of 24 acres (14 blocks) of macadamia orchards this morning. Unlike the old crop duster spraying by airplanes that temporarily left paths of pesticides in the skies above sugar fields and orchards, the current method is by helicopter.

Macnut trunk damaged by the scale pest. Photo from U.H.-Hlo

      Aerial spraying employs the helicopter’s ability to fly slowly and hover, targeting the orchards from five to ten feet above the macadamia canopy. Flying in early-morning windless conditions prevents drift onto other farms, pastures and to places where people live. Distributing pesticide in large droplets that fall faster than mist makes it less prone to being carried by wind. This is the third time that macadamia around Pahala have been sprayed by helicopter from the air as the orchards have been threatened by few pests.
     The crew attached a spraying rig to the helicopter early this morning at the old mill site in Pahala. A state agricultural inspector documented the loading of the pesticide onto the helicopter, noting that the crew handling the pesticides wore protective clothing. Paradise Helicopters owner Calvin Dorn captained the flights, spraying orchards below Hwy 11 toward Volcano and past the transfer station toward lower Moa`ula. It was a test run to see how well the pesticides and the aerial spraying worked. The pesticides were Movento and Closer mixed with water with ten gallons sprayed per acre. 

Felted macadamia coccids on macadamia husks.
Photos from state Department of Agriculture

      Glenn Sahara, an Environmental Health Specialist with the state Department of Agriculture, was on hand to ensure that all label directions were followed. He said the rules include notifying beekeepers about the pesticide spraying schedule. He also noted that macadamia nuts in the areas sprayed will not be harvested for seven days after spraying.
      The macadamias now managed by Royal Hawaiian Orchards in Ka`u have been subject to the scale since 2009. According to the state Department of Agriculture, the pest Eriococcus ironsidei William was found in South Kona in February of 2005. The insects feed by inserting their needle-like mouthparts into plant tissue and removing sap. The pests can infest all above-ground parts of the macadamia tree, distorting and stunting new growth and causing yellow spotting on older leaves. Severe infestation can cause dieback, reduction of yields, delay of ripe nuts falling to the ground, and death of the tree.
      Such scales are native to Australia from where the original macadamia trees were brought to start the industry in Hawai`i.
      While no public notice is required for aerial spraying, Royal Hawaiian Orchards asked that the public be informed of their work to fight the scale. Royal Hawaiian also informed commercial beekeepers about the spraying. Beekeepers station hives in the orchards to help with pollination and to produce macadamia honey.   To comment on or “like” this story, go tofacebook.com/kaucalendar.

`AINA KOA PONO’S PROPOSAL TO lock in the 20-year fixed-price sale of biofuel produced in Ka`u to Hawaiian Electric Co. and Hawai`i Electric Light Co.  is expected to be approved or disapproved soon by the state Public Utilities Commission.
      The production of the biofuel would involve a rate increase for electricity on O`ahu and building a refinery along Wood Valley Road. AKP would harvest brush, trees and crops between Pahala and Na`alehu, and would take over cattle pasture and some land that could be used to expand the coffee industry. There would most likely be a need to use agricultural water, AKP presentation indicate.
     In light of the expected decision, Dr. Dennis Elwell, a Ka`u resident and scientist, has written to PUC Chair Hermina Morita asking for AKP to give more proof of the process they plan to use, and noting that the PUC has decided to refrain from holding hearings to require AKP to provide evidence of their claims. Writes Elwell:
      “Re: Docket 2012-0185, I understand that the PUC issued a docket on 10/15 that there will be no evidentiary hearing regarding the `Aina Koa Pono proposal but that you are still accepting input. 

Cattle pasture where `Aina Koa Pono plans biofuel crops. Photo by Julia Neal

      “My concerns are mainly technical:
      “Does AKP have a professional Chemical Engineer to provide real experience to the proposed project? The last time I looked at their website their scientific/engineering expertise was from a former dentist.
      “Is the process mature or not? Do they have standard operating procedures and sufficient background data for Statistical Process Control? If it is mature, they should be able to provide data on the yield of usable diesel for various potential plant species that can be grown locally. I doubt that any such data exists. If it is not mature, then more research is necessary and should not be done in rural Hawai`i.
     “Similarly, the process to produce diesel from plants is commercially viable only if catalyzed. Has research been done to establish the optimum zeolite or other catalyst for plants that might be grown in Hawai`i?
     “The zeolite is mixed into the source plant material in a shaped charge that is processed. Presumably the zeolite cannot be recovered after processing. Is this not a serious contributor to the cost of the fuel produced?
     “The residue after processing is a carbonaceous char that AKP has suggested might be dug into the soil. Has any research been done to confirm that this is a viable idea? Chars are often contaminated with traces of toxic organic matter, such as free radicals. Has testing been done to show that this is not a viable concern for the community? Any contaminants could leach out over time and contaminate agricultural land. 

AKP presentations drew many questions from the Ka`u Community.
Photo from Big Island Video News

     “If disposal of the char as a constituent of soil is not viable, what alternatives does AKP propose?
     Pro and con testimony over several years to the PUC regarding the issue can be seen at http://puc.hawaii.gov/trending-dockets/, Click on Aina Koa Pono-Ka`u LLC’s docket, 2012-0185/ 

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

LOANS FOR PRODUCING FOOD for local consumption are available to people with passion for the goal of food sustainability, Feed the Hunger representatives told a group of Ka`u residents in Na`alehu this week. Introduced to the community by state Board of Agriculture member Michelle Galimba. Feed the Hunger founders talked about having success in loans given out to people who are passionate about farming, producing, processing, transporting and selling food products. Loans can be as small as several thousands of dollars.
     Galimba said she is passionate to “Keep Ka`u Ka`u” and to encourage the creation of small, diverse farms, producing many kinds of foods.
     Feed the Hunger co-founder Patti Chang grew up in Hawai`i, left for more than 30 years and returned to work locally. She said she has been involved with microloans in many places around the world, from California to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan to Nepal. She said that Hawai`i people with little financial background have come to her organization and received not only loans but mentoring on business startup and financial recordkeeping. She urged farmers and food product producers and processors, transporters, marketers, caterers and restaurateurs to be 

brave about coming forward with their financial situations. She said that some of her organization’s most successful investments have been with people afraid of filling out forms and revealing finances. “It is the passion and the knowledge that is most important to us” when selecting projects, she said. Her partner Denise Albano also talked about the local knowledge that can bring success to producing food  for residents.  The organization claims to strive for “Food that travels within our island chain from farm to table; food that does not harm to the environment; food that is healthy, culturally diverse, affordable and accessible to low income communities; food that harnesses local entrepreneurship; and food that brings together a family and a community.” 

     People attending the meeting included Ka`u Farm Bureau President Chris Manfredi who talked about the lower interest rate provided by government programs but the hesitancy of some farmers to bring forth financial information and fill out forms.
        Feed the Hunger interest rates for the loans, at 8.5 percent, are higher that state and federal agricultural programs, but less complicated in the application for approval. Individuals, community groups and small companies can apply, Feed the Hunger founders stated.
     Several Ka`u residents with land spoke about interests in coffee, aquaponics, aquaculture, cattle and access to irrigation water.
         See more at www.feed-hunger.com. Contact denisealbano@feed-hunger.com  To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Chisum Silva grabs a pass during an Eight-Man Football game
with Kamehameha. Photo by Tim Wright KHS`77

KA`U SCENIC BYWAY COMMITTEE of the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce celebrates completion of its first project, installation of wayside signs at the scenic point just south of Ocean View at mile marker 75 on Mamalahoa Hwy, with a blessing today at 4 p.m. For more information, contact Dennis Elwell at 929-7236.

HA`AO SPRINGS & MOUNTAIN HOUSE Ag Water Co-op meets today at 4 p.m. at Wai`ohinu Park. Agenda items include approval of the user agreement and a survey group update. For more information, email katywhite@hawaiiantel.net.

IN SPORTS, KA`U HIGH TROJANS go on the road to play Kealakehe Waveriders this Friday, Oct. 25. Homecoming game will be Friday, Nov. 8 against the Moloka`i Farmers. The traditional homecoming steak fry to raise money where presold steaks are be purchased and picked up at the barbecue on the school grounds has been delayed until later in the year. Homecoming coronation is Thursday, Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the gym. 

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS ATPAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM ANDKAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013

HMSA's Medical Van offers free medical exams, athletic physicals and flu shots today and Thursday, as well as several
days next week, at Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School. Photo from HMSA

KA`U HUNTERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO HELP CONTROL FERAL CATTLE at the Pu`u `O`o area of the Hilo Restricted Watershed. The Department of Land & Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife is opening special access and has extended the deadline for applications to this Friday, Oct. 25.

Ka`u hunters can help control feral cattle in Hilo Watershed.
Map from DLNR/DOFAW

      Special access will be granted to one hunter group each Saturday beginning Nov. 16 and running through the end of March 2014.
      Hunters will be selected through a random lottery drawing to be held Wednesday, Oct. 30 at East Hawai`i DOFAW office, 19 East Kawili Street in Hilo.
      Applications may be obtained at East and West Hawai`i DOFAW offices or online at hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw.
      Applications must consist of a minimum of five and maximum of 10 licensed hunters as a group. Applicants may only submit their name on a single application. Duplicate entries will be discarded.
      Permits will be issued and/or validated at the entrance gate into Pu`u `O`o near the 22-mile marker along Daniel K. Inouye Hwy (formerly Saddle Road) on the Saturday morning of the assigned hunt.
      Interested persons wanting additional details regarding the feral cattle control program, application process and/or special accommodations may contact Division of Forestry and Wildlife in Hilo at 974-4221.

HAWAI`I COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT reports a 30.3 percent decrease in traffic fatalities so far this year as compared to the same period last year. The number of major accidents is 7.6 percent lower, and DUI arrests dropped by 9.3 percent.

West Point is one military service academy for which Rep.
Tulsi Gabbard is accepting nomination request letters.

KA`U’S U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD is accepting nomination request letters from individuals in Hawai`i’s Second Congressional District for admission to U.S. Service Academies in summer of 2014. Nomination forms are available at gabbard.house.gov/services/military-academy-nominations. 

      “It is an honor to nominate Hawai`i’s best and brightest to attend our nation’s prestigious Service Academies,” Gabbard said. “There is no greater privilege than to serve our country in uniform, and I encourage anyone in the Second Congressional District who is qualified and interested to submit their application for a nomination.”
      Potential candidates must have reached their 17th birthday and not passed their 23rd birthday on July 1 of the year they would enter the academy; be a U.S. citizen; have graduated from high school; be unmarried; have taken the ACT and/or SAT; and meet the stringent entrance requirements of their preferred academy.
      While formal nominations will not be made until Jan. 2014, all applications are due by Thursday, Oct. 31. Applications can be submitted to John Towles, Office of Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, 300 Ala Moana Blvd Room 5-104, Honolulu, HI 96850.
      Constituents may also call the Gabbard’s Honolulu office at 808-541-1986 for additional information.

Helping serve food at UPLINK All-Stars' ho`ike are, from left, Mikela
Torres, Teani Grace andAlthea Ramones. Photo by Thu-Tam Doan

UPLINK ALL-STARS AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM held its fifth ho`ike on Friday, Oct. 4. Students served a feast to parents, `ohana, teachers and other guests. They prepared local dishes using mostly local ingredients. “This is something I emphasize greatly in Ka`u – a land full of riches, in terms of natural resources. My vision is that the students will gain a deeper appreciation for all the riches that Ka`u provides them,” said Thu-Tam Doan, After-School All-Stars site coordinator for Ka`u. 

      The menu included Ka`u-caught ono poke, Ka`u-caught ahi poke, wild Ka`u pork smoked meat with veggies, wild Ka`u kalua pork and cabbage, organic kalo from the after-school garden with sweet potatoes and coconut milk, fresh organic salad from the after-school garden, fried rice with Portuguese sausage, pancit with veggies, pork lumpia with veggies, crab rangoon, banana pudding and banana bread.
      For more information on the UPLINK All-Stars after-school program, contact Doan at 557-7414 or UPLINK program coordinator Liza Saplan at 333-4903 or 928-2006.

TUTU & ME HOSTS ITS FIRST-EVER `OHANA DAY this Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. 

      Activities at the event represent a typical day at Tutu & Me. Families, keiki and kupuna from the local community are invited to participate in all of the fun learning activities that Tutu & Me provides every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the school year at the community center, along with live music, health screenings provided by Hui Malama Na `Oiwi and Ka`u Rural Health Community Organization, giveaways and a raffle.
      The purpose of the event is to demonstrate the unique, high-quality early childhood educational program Tutu & Me provides for free and to invite eligible families to enroll. “We serve families with keiki from birth to five years of age and their caregivers – whether that be mom, dad, Tutu, aunty, uncle or a friend,” said site manager Betty Clark. “An integral part of our program is a cultural component; Hawaiian language and Native Hawaiian values are incorporated into our curriculum on a daily basis.”

FREE HEALTH EXAMS ARE AVAILABLE today and Thursday at the HMSA Medical Van in Pahala on the school grounds near the band room. The van returns Monday, Oct. 28, Tuesday, Oct. 29 and Thursday, Oct. 31. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to free exams for the public, nurse practitioner Jackie Aprin offers free physicals for school athletes and free flu shots.

Anne Shimojima

KA`U SCENIC BYWAY COMMITTEE of the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce celebrates completion of its first project, installation of wayside signs at the scenic point just south of Ocean View at mile marker 75 on Mamalahoa Hwy, with a blessing tomorrow at 4 p.m. For more information, contact Dennis Elwell at 929-7236.

HA`AO SPRINGS & MOUNTAIN HOUSE Ag Water Co-op meets tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Wai`ohinu Park. Agenda items include approval of the user agreement and a survey group update. For more information, email katywhite@hawaiiantel.net.

STORYTELLER ANNE SHIMOJIMA TELLS TALES just right for the Halloween season Thursday at 3 p.m. at Na`alehu Public Library. This 45-minute program is suitable for ages 8 and older. 

      Described as a graceful, spirited and a mesmerizing storyteller, Shimojima tells literary stories, historical pieces and folk tales from her Asian heritage and around the world. She has performed for over thirty years before audiences of all ages across the country at schools, libraries, festivals, museums and conferences. She teaches graduate courses in storytelling and gives workshops on the use of storytelling in education and the creation of family history projects.
      For more information, call 939-2442.

Tim Tunison explains backyard reforestation.
Photo from VAC

BOTANIST TIM TUNISON HOSTS A BACKYARD REFORESTATION workshop Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Participants learn to begin developing a step-by-step plan of action and what the long-term requirements of restoring or recreating a native forest are. The day begins within the Ni`aulani Rain Forest, which VAC has been restoring since 1996. After examining the forest, attendees carpool to the botanist’s own backyard inside Volcano Village, where he is in the early stages of restoring it to native rain forest habitat. 

      “I explain the nuts and bolts of weed control, how to do it safely and not harm native plants intermixed with weeds. We also discuss how to identify a target forest community to model efforts after and the important differences between true ecological restoration, replacement communities, and general horticultural landscaping,” Tunison said.
      A brief demonstration on how to begin a simple propagation project completes the day. Students take home an informative supplemental CD. Tuition is $15, and pre-registration is required. Contact Volcano Art Center at 967-8222.

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.