Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Aug. 22, 2014

Bob Herkes, accompanied by his wife Jo-Anna, often carried his stuffed nene, the state bird, in parades through Volcano and Na`alehu. Photo by Julia Neal

BOB HERKES, 83, a champion for Ka`u, died yesterday after a brief illness at his home in Volcano. Herkes successfully advocated for providing potable water for Ocean View, development of Ka`u irrigation water systems using former sugar plantation sources, the regional gym and shelter now being built in Pahala and scientific analysis of disaster risks in this district of earthquakes, slides, tsunamis, fires, floods and vog. He championed HMSA’s mobile medical van for Ka`u’s remote communities and the state task force that brought great attention to preservation of the Ka`u Coast. He went after Bank of America, declaring that people were unfairly being foreclosed on by its mortgage division. He helped make Hawai`i’s foreclosure laws some of the strictest in the country, favoring homeowners over bankers.

Rep. Bob Herkes, center, at the Ka`u Gym & Shelter groundbreaking
Oct. 3, 2012, with Gov. Neil Abercrombie, Mayor Billy Kenoi and
other dignitaries. Herkes advocated for Ka`u to have its own regional
disaster shelter. An activities room off the gym will help serve that
function when the complex is completed. Photo by Julia Neal

      In his early years, Herkes worked for InterIsland Resorts, which owned the Kona Surf, Kaua`i Surf and other hotels and resort destinations in the state.

      He first entered politics in 1984 when he served on the Big Island’s County Council. He was Ka`u’s longtime member in the state House of Representatives from 1992 through 2012 and previously served as an appointee to a state Senate seat from 1988 until 1992.
      Herkes most recently served on the Board of Directors at Hawai`i Tourism Authority after the state Senate unanimously approved his nomination in April. He was also a board member of Volcano Art Center and a favorite legislator for Ocean View Community Association and Ocean View Community Development Corp. Over the years, he also served as a leader in numerous organizations, including Hawai`i Island Chamber of Commerce, Hawai`i Hotel Association and the Masons. He emceed the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament yearly, including the event at Kona Pier this July.
      Herkes advocated for small businesses with his history including operating and partnering in restaurants and local enterprise.
      Born on Jan. 24, 1931, Herkes is survived by his wife Jo-Anna and three children, Bobby, Doug and Kenny. Services are to be announced.

A LAWSUIT FILED YESTERDAY BY THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION of Hawai`i Foundation and Pahoa residents asks the state Supreme Court to allow any registered voter affected by Tropical Storm Iselle to cast a vote that will be included in the August 2014 primary results. 

      The lawsuit also asks the Court to find that the Legislature failed in its constitutional obligation to protect the fundamental right to vote by delegating all decisions relating to natural disasters to the Office of Elections.

      The lawsuit concerns the fundamental right to vote and what the ACLU referred to as the disenfranchisement of hundreds and potentially thousands of affected voters.

      The lawsuit does not challenge the results of any particular race or endorse any campaign.
      On Aug. 6, Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed an emergency proclamation, in advance of two anticipated storms projected to impact Hawai`i: Hurricanes Iselle and Julio. The proclamation – valid Aug. 6-15 – included a statement that “the danger of disaster is of such magnitude to warrant preemptive and protective action in order to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the people.”
      Facing massive damage from Iselle on Aug. 8 and thousands of Hawai`i County residents dealing with historic flooding, power outages, property damage and road closures, the Chief Elections Officer, Scott Nago, determined that the primary would go on as scheduled on Aug. 9.
      Nago changed the rules of the election at least two more times over the course of three days. “This series of decisions led to the denial of the right to vote for many Hawai`i County residents. Indeed, Precinct 04-03 had among its lowest voter turnout ever,” according to the ACLU.
      Senior Staff Attorney Daniel Gluck said, “Although the votes in question may not change the outcome of any of the various races, the ACLU filed this suit because the right to vote is a cornerstone of our democracy. Every vote counts equally – this is about an individual exercising a fundamental right and not about the results of any single race. The government has a duty to respond to conditions on the ground to make sure people can vote. Here, the government failed to do that, and changes are needed now to preserve the integrity of future elections.”

GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE HAS SIGNED A REQUEST for a Presidential Disaster Declaration asking for federal assistance to help pay for damage caused by Tropical Storm Iselle, which impacted Hawai`i from Aug. 7 to 9.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie with state Emergency Management Administrator
Doug Mayne. Photo from State of Hawai`i

      The request seeks Individual Assistance for Hawai`i County. Individual Assistance would make additional funding, loans and services available to affected residents.
      For updates on Iselle recovery efforts, see Hawai`i Emergency Management Agency’s website at scd.hawaii.gov.

HAWAI`I ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY HAS BEEN INFORMED of scams targeting Hawai`i Island customers in the wake of Tropical Storm Iselle.
      Customers reported receiving telephone calls from someone claiming to be a Hawai`i Electric Light claims representative. The customers were asked to provide their Social Security numbers.
      Hawai`i Electric Light wants to remind customers that the utility will not contact customers to request personal information or direct customers to submit payments via options other than those listed on the back of the billing statement.
      For customers’ safety and protection, HELCO advises: 

• Never provide personal, confidential or financial information to an unidentified individual; 
• Ask questions, or ask for proper identification; Request the individual’s name, company name, and phone number; 
• Be cautious when responding to a caller from an unidentified phone number -- phone scammers want to remain anonymous; 
• Be aware that today’s technology can be used to mask the caller’s phone number, and caller ID could indicate the call is originating from Hawai`i Electric Light, even though it is not; 
• Report any suspicious activity to local police. 

      To obtain a claim form, visit one of HELCO's customer service locations in Hilo, Waimea or Kona or www.hawaiielectriclight.com.

Dates are set for Ka`u to choose art for the cover of
The Directory 2015. For this year's Directory,
see kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S DIRECTORY 2015: Beauty of Ka`u Art Show & Contest at CU Hawai`i’s Na`alehu Branch is set for Monday, Sept. Sept. 29 through Saturday, Oct. 4.
      The public may vote Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
      Adult categories are Graphic, Wood, Craft, Photo, Sculpture and Quilting.
      Keiki categories (no larger than 8.5 inches x 11 inches) are Graphic and Photo. Keiki division includes all entries from grades one through six.
      Artists may register on Friday, Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Artists may enter up to three pieces, with no more than one in any single category.
      Registration fee is $5 per piece for adults and $1 for keiki. All proceeds go to help defray costs of the show, and any surplus is used for the scholarship program.
      Public favorite wins the cover of The Directory 2015, $50 and an article inside The Directory.
      All first-place winning art will be featured in The Directory with the artist. Keiki entries are not eligible for The Directory cover. Keiki grand-prize winner will receive $10.
      First-, second- and third-place ribbons will be awarded in each category, and both the public winner and the judges’ choice will receive a Best in Show grand rosette.
      For more information, call Dallas Decker at 516-662-8789.

TOMORROW FROM 9:30 A.M. TO 12:30 P.M., a guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park focuses on the area’s human history. Call 985-6011 for more information.

TROJAN FOOTBALL FUNDRAISING RODEO takes place tomorrow at Na`alehu Rodeo Grounds. Ka`u paniolo raise funds for the team’s travels to Moloka`i and Maui this season.

VOLCANO ART CENTER’S HULA KAHIKO SERIES continues tomorrow at the hula platform near VAC Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park at 10:30 a.m. with performances by halau under the direction of Kumu hula Ab Valencia, Kumu hula Pohaikealoha Souza and Kumu hula Patrick Kapuawehi Choy.
      Cultural specialist Loke Kamanu and `ohana offer Na Mea Hula, All Things Hula, on the lanai of the gallery from 9:30 a.m. with 1:30 p.m.
      Free; park entrance fees apply.

IN SPORTS TOMORROW AT 10 A.M., Ka`u High Girls Volleyball team travels to Parker, and Boys & Girls Cross-Country meets Kamehameha-Hawai`i in Kea`au.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014

Ka`u paniolo return to Na`alehu Rodeo Grounds Saturday to raise funds for Ka`u High Trojans' eight-man football team.
Photo by Julia Neal

WHILE MUCH OF THE FOCUS IN THE AFTERMATH of Tropical Storm Iselle has been on damage caused by hundreds of falling albizia trees that blocked roads and damaged homes and power lines, many of the downed trees in Wood Valley were elderly eucalyptus trees and silver oaks, along with the albizia.
      It also doesn’t take a storm for eucalyptus to come down. Days before Iselle, near the intersection of Wood Valley and Kapapala Ranch roads, a eucalyptus fell across the bed of Mona Chow’s truck as she was driving toward Pahala, throwing her into the steering wheel and totaling the vehicle.

Eucalyptus trees covered stretches of Wood Valley's roads following
Tropical Storm Iselle. Photo by Anne Celeste

      During Iselle, a large silver oak fell onto Clint Strong’s farm shed and nearly took out  his farm machinery and vehicle, said Wood Valley residents.
      According to an Associated Press story in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz met with state Sen. Russell Ruderman, county Director of Civil Defense Darryl Oliveira and other local officials Tuesday regarding formation of a hazard mitigation plan for albizia trees on Hawai`i Island.
      They agreed that all levels of government share responsibility for dealing with hazards the trees pose. The story states that the officials say the next step is to create a budget and figure out how to split the costs.
      Schatz said that because albizia wreaked havoc on power infrastructure and damaged private property, officials must work together to reduce the likelihood of it happening again.
      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

RICHARD ABBETT, RUNNER-UP to Maile Medeiros David in the August election to represent Ka`u on Hawai`i County Council, said this morning that he is more determined than ever to work on public issues on the island.
      Abbett said that one of his major concerns is industrialization of the Hawaiian Islands. “It is starting to happen and can be seen on every island. Efforts are being put forward that are ignoring the current residents’ economic and quality of life issue all in the name of progress,” he said.
      On Kaua`i, the County Council is considering enacting an excise tax, in addition to the state general excise tax, that would “continue  a regressive tax structure that could force people out of their homes and off the island,” said Abbett.
      On the Big Island, county government “continues to ignore the concerns of the people over the planned waste-to-energy project to handle the island’s garbage. Rather than creating economic opportunity by using the waste stream for new businesses such as recycling discarded wood and other materials, the plan would reduce the amount of recycling and upcycling,” he contended. “So much garbage would be needed to feed the incinerator to make electricity, it would incentivize more burning and less recycling and undermine our zero-waste policy.”

Hawai`i County Council District Six runner-up Richard Abbett, at left,
wants to work on the island's public issues. Photo by Julia Neal

      Abbett said that the waste-to-energy contract, as proposed, could increase the tax burden to citizens for decades. He said the county won’t have enough waste to feed the generator and would have to truck in recyclables and reusables or pay the incinerator company for not having enough garbage. “In Honolulu, the contractual obligations to feed their waste-to-energy incinerator cannot be met,” he contended.
      Abbett said there is a huge increase in infrastructure investments on all the islands. This relies on local tax revenue, and increased taxes lead to local people becoming more impoverished and less able to keep their homes here.
      He also pointed to housing costs. On O`ahu, for example, $400,000 and $500,000 condos and townhomes are marketed as affordable for local people, when, in fact their income cannot support these expensive homes, he said. This will lead to more out-of-state people moving here and displacing the local residents, he predicted.
      He said one approach to reduce the local tax burden is to increase the counties’ share of the transient accommodations (hotel) tax to mitigate the impact and support services necessary for the visitor industries. Last legislative session, he said, some of the transient accommodations tax revenue was diverted to O`ahu to pay for the Turtle Bay preservation project. While in support of protecting that coastal area on O`ahu, Abbett said more money still needed to come to the Neighbor Island counties. This prompted Neighbor Island counties to consider levying an additional excise tax on all the citizenry, which would hurt the local people, he said.
      Abbett said he also worries about the citizens of Ka`u and other County Council districts having their voices heard. He said he testified yesterday in support of Ka`u County Council member Brenda Ford’s resolution to ensure that each County Council district’s representative is allowed to speak before close of debate on any issue before the council. He said that the tactic of stopping debate has been used in the waste-to-energy incinerator discussion, with debate cut off before council members were allowed to present their constituents’ concerns.
      Abbett recommended that counties refrain from committing to expensive capital improvement projects that are not sustainable through current revenues. Even with increases in property taxes as the values of homes and lands increase, there will not be enough money to fund many of these CIPs, he predicted. “This threatens all of our other policy initiatives to maintain the quality of life for our current residents,” he said. “This is particularly harmful to the Native Hawaiian population.
      “These economic policies are where the rubber hits the road. We can’t support our social policy initiatives with such unsustainable capital investment expenditures and continuation of a regressive tax structure.”
      Abbett said he is networking with other people who have been running for office to continue the public discussion and build a movement around these issues.
      To contact him, call 333-6241.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Ronn Nozoe discusses results
with Board of Education's Human Resources Committee. Photo from DOE

AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE STATE’S more than 11,000 teachers are effective and highly effective educators, according to Educator Effectiveness System results from school year 2013-14 released by the state Department of Education. The 2013-14 school year was the first year of statewide implementation, with no negative consequences for tenured teachers.
      EES results indicate that a vast majority of teachers are performing at the highest levels:

• 16.0 percent of teachers are rated highly effective, meaning they demonstrate excellence in teacher practice and positive student outcomes;
• 81.7 percent of teachers are rated effective, which means they demonstrate effective teacher practice and positive student outcomes;
• 2.1 percent of teachers were rated marginal, meaning improvements are needed to demonstrate effective teacher practice and positive student outcomes; and
• 0.2 percent of teachers were rated unsatisfactory, which means teachers do not show evidence of effective teacher practice, positive student outcomes.

      EES gives equal weight to two major categories – Student Growth and Learning Measures, and Teacher Practice Measures. Educators are evaluated on several areas, including classroom observations, student survey, core professionalism, student learning objectives and the Hawai`i Growth Model. A working portfolio is used to evaluate non-classroom teachers.
      “Overall, the results reflect more or less what we what we expected: most teachers are effective, with very few teachers rated as marginal, and even fewer rated as unsatisfactory,” Deputy Superintendent Ronn Nozoe said. “More importantly, EES is designed to help teachers and their administrators have high-quality conversations throughout the year about how to improve teaching and learning.”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

There's still time to sign up for tomorrow's Healthy Soils workshop.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN STILL SIGN UP for the Healthy Soils workshop at Pahala Community Center tomorrow from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information and to sign up, call Jennifer at 933-8350.

KA`U HIGH CLASS OF 1979 HOLDS ITS REUNION tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Rays on the Bay at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay. Contact Margo Lu Takata or Holli Wade on facebook for information.

ON SATURDAY FROM 9:30 A.M. TO 12:30 P.M., a guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park focuses on the area’s human history. Call 985-6011 for more information.

TROJAN FOOTBALL FUNDRAISING RODEO takes place Saturday at Na`alehu Rodeo Grounds. Ka`u paniolo raise funds for the team’s travels to Moloka`i and Maui this season.

VOLCANO ART CENTER’S HULA KAHIKO SERIES continues on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. with performances by Kumu hula Ab Valencia and Halau Hula Kalehuak`ieki`eika`iu, Kumu hula Pohaikealoha Souza with Halau Hula Kamamolikolehua and Kumu hula Patrick Kapuawehi Choy with Halau Hula Kalehua`apapaneoka`au.
      Cultural specialist Loke Kamanu and `ohana offer Na Mea Hula, All Things Hula, on the lanai of Volcano Art Gallery from 9:30 a.m. with 1:30 p.m. for.
      Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014

Macadamia nut trees in Wood Valley were knocked down by Iselle, with winds whipping down the valley's slopes. Trees with
shadow are standing; those without are on the ground. Insurance adjusters are evaluating ag damage in Ka`u. Photo by John Cross

STATE SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN plans to fly to O`ahu to attend a state Elections Commission hearing this Friday. “I have very serious complaints about how the recent primary election was handled,” he said, referring to storm damage that prevented voters from reaching the polls. Ruderman represents east Ka`u and Puna.

Sen. Russell Ruderman said he has very serious complaints about how
the recent primary election was handled. Photo by Julia Neal

      Ruderman said this morning that while it is not his place to tell the Elections Commission how to solve the problem that occurred after destruction by Tropical Storm Iselle isolated people from voting, he will point out some of the problems to the commission. “One was the fact that the election was held on Saturday, Aug. 9, when many people were physically blocked in their homes and couldn’t make it to the polls. Ruderman said that the state Elections Division decided to open the polls after a fly-over determined that major roads were open but did not take into account the voters that could be blocked in from reaching the polls from their neighborhoods. 

       Ruderman said he tried to call Chief Elections Officer Scott Nago to no avail. Ruderman contended that the turnout was at least 40 percent lower due to people being unable to reach the polls. There was no accommodation made for them to vote later, he said.
      The secondary problem involves polling stations that were closed on Election Day. Official notices were posted and given out saying that ballots would be mailed. However, “two days later they changed their minds and decided to hold the election three days later. … So many people didn’t receive the word to go vote, and some waited for the ballot to come in the mail.” Ruderman asked, “Why after making a decision to mail out ballots, change to a three-day-notice, walk-in election when it was hard to get the word out?”
      Ruderman said that if Nago would have returned his call before Primary Election Day, Ruderman could have “corrected Nago’s misinformation about the conditions.” Ruderman, who was not running as he has two more years before campaigning for reelection, said, “I was not running for office. I was fighting for the right of the voters and wanted to tell him.”
      In contrast, said Ruderman, “County Clerk Stewart Maeda is always responsive.”

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

Rep. Richard Creagan at Ocean View Community
Center's County Council District Six candidate
forum. Photo by Ron Johnson

WEST KA`U’S STATE REP. RICHARD CREAGAN is studying health and educational issues in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the National Conference of State Legislatures. He said this morning that about a third of Hawai`i state House of Representative members and a quarter of Hawai`i state senators are attending. “It is a place to meet other legislators and find out how they do things and how they are addressing certain issues.”
      Creagan said that legislators from Washington and Colorado have talked to him about their marijuana issues, since Hawai`i could be considering expanding and decriminalizing marijuana use. Creagan said he was surprised to learn that Hawai`i is on the short list of some websites predicting where marijuana could be legalized. Creagan said he does not see legalization here as imminent. He said that some people are against legalization, but then when money becomes involved, people start to change their minds.”
      Creagan said he does not support legalization of marijuana at this time. “There could be some unintended consequences, and there is a downside to legalizing marijuana. On the other hand, some people think ‘the train is coming down the track; might as well get on board.’ However, I think it would be premature to legalize marijuana before we thoroughly look at decriminalizing marijuana and also at medical marijuana issues.”
      Creagan said he recommends watching the experiments where marijuana sales have been legalized “in Washington and Colorado, which have very different legalizing systems, and see how they play out.” Creagan said that in Washington, the liquor board is responsible for licensing marijuana distribution. In Colorado, the system is more wide open, with more liberal licensing of marijuana outlets, Creagan said.
      Regarding health care, Creagan said the National Conference of State Legislatures has included presentations from the two largest medical systems in Minnesota, including Mayo Clinic.
      He said he visited Mayo Clinic and sees its health care services to about half the geography of Minnesota as a model to study. Creagan said he has heard positive results from Hawai`i people seeking help from Mayo.
      Regarding public schools, Creagan said, “We need to reinvent our education system. Otherwise, we are going to lose a generation of people.” He said the conference has included discussions about federal initiatives having been “so rigid that they have been less rather than more effective. We need to look at education to free up the creativity of children. Don’t make them fit into a rigid mold,” Creagan said.
      The weeklong session ends this Friday.

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

One of Rep. Colleen Hanabusa's campaign stops was Pahala Community Center.
Photo by Julia Neal

“THOUGH I WILL NOT BE CHALLENGING THE RESULTS of this election, I remain very concerned about the public’s confidence and trust in our election process,” said Rep. Colleen Hanabusa regarding her loss to Sen. Brian Schatz by 1,769 votes in the race for the seat vacated by the late Sen. Daniel Inouye. “I ask former colleagues and friends in the Hawai`i state Legislature to explore what is necessary to ensure the people that their vote truly counts.
      “I heard from many who feel strongly that they were disenfranchised from the voting process this election, and I stand ready to support any collaborative effort to have those voices heard.”
      Schatz responded, “I want to congratulate Congresswoman Hanabusa on waging a spirited and tough battle. Now it is time for us to unite as we move forward to the general election.
      “I thank the voters for placing their trust and confidence in me. I will never lose sight of the fact that I am only able to do my work representing the people of Hawai`i because of the voters’ support.”
      Schatz faces Republican Cam Cavasso, Libertarian Michael Kokoski and nonpartisan Joy Allison in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

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

INSURANCE AGENTS ARE DESCENDING ON KA`U to measure damage caused by Tropical Storm Iselle, especially to macadamia nut orchards and Ka`u Coffee fields.

      Ka`u farmers and ranchers can obtain crop insurance and funds to repair damage through Farm Service Agency. The deadline to sign up for 2015 NAP crop insurance is Monday, Sept. 1. 

      For information about FSA’s programs, including what to do in advance of the next disaster, see fsa.usda.gov/hi. For a more comprehensive look at USDA disaster assistance, see usda.gov/disaster.

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

HVO's website is being updated regularly, and the observatory's
monitoring capacity is back to normal after repairs to
its electrical system. Photo from HVO

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY IS ONCE AGAIN fully operational following power issues created by Tropical Storm Iselle. The storm caused only minor damage to HVO’s field instruments, but electrical problems within the observatory impaired processing of data and updating of the website.
      The National Earthquake Information Center in Golden, CO monitored earthquakes during HVO’s power problems, and scientists at Alaska Volcano Observatory scanned satellite imagery for data on Hawai`i’s volcanoes.
      Updates for Hawai`i’s active volcanoes and earthquake data for the state of Hawai`i are available at hvo.wr.usgs.gov, 967-8862 or askHVO@usgs.gov.

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

RANDY LEE SHARES THE ART OF LEI MAKING Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the porch at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

KAHUKU PARK IN OCEAN VIEW hosts a Music Appreciation Concert Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call Teresa at 929-9113.

Three kumu hula present their halau this Saturday. From left are
Ab Valencia, Pohaikealoha Souza and Patrick Kapuawehi Choy.
Photo from Volcano Art Center

ATTENDEES LEARN HOW TO OPTIMIZE INPUTS, protect against drought and increase production during a Healthy Soils workshop at Pahala Community Center Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event features vendor booths, food and door prizes. Seating is limited. Sign up with Jennifer at 933-8350.

KA`U HIGH CLASS OF 1979 REUNION takes place Friday at 6 p.m. at Rays on the Bay at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay. Contact Margo Lu Takata or Holli Wade on facebook for information.

VOLCANO ART CENTER’S HULA KAHIKO SERIES continues on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. with performances by three halau: Kumu hula Ab Valencia and Halau Hula Kalehuak`ieki`eika`iu, (Kilauea, Hawai`i); Kumu hula Pohaikealoha Souza with Halau Hula Kamamolikolehua (Kaka`ako, O`ahu); and Kumu hula Patrick Kapuawehi Choy with Halau Hula Kalehua`apapaneoka`au (Palolo, O`ahu).
      These three kumu hula `uniki’d (graduated) together in 1991. Each established their own halau after their `uniki. They continue the hula traditions of their teacher Mae Kamamalu Klein, of Kane`ohe, O`ahu, and enjoy coming together to share the mana`o, aloha and traditions of hula.
      Cultural specialist Loke Kamanu and `ohana set up shop on the lanai of the Volcano Art Gallery from 9:30 a.m. with 1:30 p.m. for Na Mea Hula, All Things Hula. Kamanu shares a variety of instruments, implements and lei styles that play an integral role in the life of the hula practitioner. This memorable demonstration is hands-on and family-friendly.
      Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.