Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015

A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect as Tropical Storm Niala passes south of Ka`u. Rain in its outer bands could bring heavy rain.
Map from NOAA

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE has cancelled the Tropical Storm Watch for Hawai`i Island. As of 11 a.m., Tropical Storm Niala was approximately 215 miles south-southeast of South Point and moving in a west-southwest direction. Currently, Niala continues to move away from Hawai`i Island, and the threat of tropical storm conditions is expected to continue to decrease. Although conditions are expected to improve, the Flash Flood Watch for Hawai`i Island remains in effect through tomorrow afternoon. In addition, the High Surf Advisory for southeast-facing shores will remain in effect through 6 a.m. tomorrow. Surf heights of eight to 12 feet can be expected, with highest surf conditions occurring with peak high tides. All roads are open at this time, and motorists are advised to drive with caution, prepare for possible hazardous conditions and anticipate traffic delays.
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Sen. Brian Schatz

“THIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT GIVES US a real reason to be hopeful,” U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said after President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping announced significant steps to address climate change, including a pledge by China to curb carbon emissions using a cap-and-trade program.
      “The momentum is palpable,” Schatz said. “People, governments, companies and institutions are beginning to take the kinds of actions that give us a legitimate chance to solve this problem. I've never been so hopeful on this issue. We’ve got a long way to go, but this was enormously important.


      “This agreement marks a historic step toward protecting our planet from the impacts of climate change. What our two countries are saying with this agreement is that climate change is real, caused by humans, and is solvable. 

      “For years, naysayers and deniers said that the U.S. shouldn’t move forward to regulate carbon pollution until and unless China took action. As of today, that argument is no longer valid.
      “This agreement gives momentum to the ongoing international climate negotiations and will inspire other countries to commit to action prior to the Paris talks.
      “While this agreement is an incredibly important foundation and gives people around the world hope, we must not let up. We have to work toward full implementation of the Clean Power Plan, a successful Paris conference, and the eventual passage of carbon fee legislation.”
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U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, co-introduced a bipartisan resolution with California Rep. Duncan Hunter recognizing the persecution of religious and ethnic minorities by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant as genocide and calling for the United States to prioritize providing refugee status to such persecuted families and individuals. The resolution comes as Pope Francis made a historic address to the U.S. Congress, where he stated, “Our world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since the Second World War.”

Mark Arabo with Pres. Obama

      The persecution of minority populations in Iraq by ISIL and related groups has been condemned by the United Nations Secretary General, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and much of the international community. The U.S. State Department recently announced plans to increase the number of refugees resettled in the U.S. to 85,000 in fiscal year 2016, and 100,000 in fiscal year 2017.
      “Christians, Yezidis, and other minority groups in the Middle East are being targeted specifically because of their religious beliefs, and face forced conversions to Islam, mass abductions, sexual enslavements and executions due to this ISIL-inflicted genocide,” Gabbard said. “As the U.S. and international community consider lengthy procedures to address the rapidly growing international refugee crisis, these people continue to be targets of this genocide. These persecuted religious minority groups must be our first priority as the U.S. increases the number of refugees it will accept from that region, not only because it provides humanitarian relief to those who are most in need, but also because there are tens of thousands of them who already have proper identification and sponsors within the U.S., making them least likely to be a national security threat.”
       “We commend Congresswoman Gabbard and Congressman Hunter for their efforts in bringing awareness to the tragedy of the genocide that is occurring against religious minorities of Iraq and Syria,” said human rights activist and community leader Mark Arabo, who has been a spokesperson for the Iraqi Chaldean community. “In light of the Pope’s words, and of the present situation, we as a nation must do more. Our inability to unify as one political body has only led to more death, more destruction, and brutality of some of the world’s oldest Christians. We cannot turn a blind eye to the victims of genocide. This resolution is an important step forward to reaching substantive action on the crisis we face. Our silence must not condemn those who remain displaced by Islamic fundamentalism; it must not condemn those who flee their homes as refugees. It is time that we as a people must act.”
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Sen. Josh Green discusses Breathing in Hawai`i with Kim Nguyen
and Dr. Eric Crawley. Image from Think Tech

KAU`S STATE SEN. JOSH GREEN, M.D. hosted a discussion about lung health and disease prevention in Hawai`i. He spoke with Kim Nguyen, of the American Lung Association and pulmonologist Dr. Eric Crawley. The experts discussed vog and smoking and how they effect illnesses such as asthma and COPD.
      The Think Tech: Hawai`i’s Global Future program entitled Breathing in Hawai`i is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wycCUbGLvCU&feature=youtu.be.
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THE STATE INVITES TEAMS to sign up for LifeSmarts Hawai`i Competition after the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Office of the Securities Commissioner announcement of the start of the 2015-2016 competition. LifeSmarts is a fun, free, national educational program, which teaches youth critical life skills in five areas covering Personal Finance, Consumer Rights & Responsibilities, Health & Safety, Environment and Technology through online quizzes and in-person competitions.

      High school teams are invited to sign up now. Teams must consist of a minimum of four students and one adult coach. LifeSmarts Hawai`i begins at the local level with an online competition, found at www.lifesmarts.org, which will be open from Oct. 26 to Dec. 4. The four highest scoring teams will be invited to compete at the state championship competition in Honolulu on Feb. 20, 2016. The winning team will represent Hawai`i at the national LifeSmarts competition, scheduled for April 9-12, 2016, in Denver.
      Middle school or Junior Varsity teams with students in grades 6-8 may participate in an online-only competition through February 2016. Winners of the JV competition will be recognized online.
      For more information about the LifeSmarts Hawai`i program, including up-to-date consumer educational resources for coaches, see www.lifesmartshawaii.com. For team registration, see lifesmarts.org or contact the LifeSmarts State Coordinator, Theresa Kong Kee, at 587-7400 or tkongkee@dcca.hawaii.gov.
      Over 850 local students have participated in LifeSmarts in the past 11 years that DCCA has sponsored the competition. Local businesses interested in becoming a sponsor are welcome to contact the State Coordinator for more information.
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Ka`u residents can share their thoughts regarding the future of Ka`u Coffee growers today at 4 p.m. at Pahala Community Center.

A PUBLIC MEETING FOR THE FUTURE of Ka`u Coffee Growers takes place today at 4 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Its purpose is to explain the 20-year history of the farmers who planted coffee for a new economic future when the sugar plantation shut down in 1996. The farmers said they also plan to talk about risks to their future land security, as the land is in escrow to be sold to a new owner.

RAPID `OHI`A DEATH IS THE TOPIC at After Dark in the Park on Tuesday. The disease is caused by a fungus known as Ceratocytis fimbriata. In 2012, it had killed `ohi`a trees across about 1,000 hectares (nearly 2,500 acres). By the summer of 2014, that number had swollen to over 6,000 hectares. Still isolated to Hawai`i Island, researchers have yet to determine the origin of this virulent strain.
      Plant pathologist Lisa Keith, of the Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center; Flint Hughes, Research Ecologist with USDA Forest Service Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry; and J.B. Friday, University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources provide an update on this new threat to Hawai`i’s native forests. Research so far has determined that within two to three years of detection, a majority of trees in some measured stands have succumbed to the disease. This means the fungus has the potential to threaten forests statewide, resembling not so much a tree disease as a house on fire.
      The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
      For more information, see nps.gov/havo or call 985-6011.

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

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Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015

Tropical Storm Niala is expected to pass well south of Ka`u but drop heavy rain here this weekend. Map from NOAA

FLASH FLOOD AND TROPICAL STORM watches continue as Niala approaches Hawai`i Island. At 8 a.m., the storm was 275 east-southeast of South Point. Although the center of the storm is expected to pass 100 to 150 miles south of Ka`u, tropical storm conditions can extend well out from the center. According to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, total rainfall amounts of six to 12 inches, with isolated maximum amounts to 16 inches, are expected within the watch area. These rainfall amounts could cause life-threatening flash floods as well as rockslides and mudslides.
       Swells associated with Niala will produce large surf along southeast facing shores this weekend and continue into early next week.
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Concervation and recovery of Hawai`i's false killer whales is receiving
support from NOAA Fisheries. NOAA Photo by Colin Cornforth

NATIONAL OCEANIC & ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION Fisheries has awarded nearly $1.2 million dollars over three years to Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources, in partnership with Cascadia Research Collective and Hawai`i Pacific University, to support conservation and recovery of the state’s endangered false killer whales. 

      The grant will support tagging research on movements and habitat use of false killer whales and will also examine the potential overlap of the species with state fisheries. Work in June by Cascadia Research Collective included tagging three false killer whales that are part of a rare social group that is one of the focuses of the grant.
      The grant will allow DLNR to build on the successful outreach work it is already conducting with shoreline fishermen to help reduce harmful interactions with monk seals and sea turtles. “With this new funding, DLNR will now be able to partner with boat-based fishermen who may be sighting and interacting with false killer whales, in order to collect new data and develop new ways to reduce harmful interactions that may be occurring,” DLNR Chairperson Suzanne Case said.
      The grant will also support stranding investigations of false killer whales, sperm whales, and humpbacks.
      The award is part of NOAA Fisheries Species Recovery Grants for 2015. This year’s award also provides continued support to DLNR for monk seal and sea turtle conservation outreach efforts, including the successful Barbless Circle Hook Project that is conducted in partnership with NOAA Fisheries.
      To view the latest information on false killer whales in Hawai`i, see 
facebook.com/False-Killer-Whales-Hawaii-342365899233834/timeline/.
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HAWAI`I’S ECONOMIC OUTLOOK CONTINUES to look bright, according to a new report from the Economic Research Organization at the University of Hawai`i. Tourism is pushing toward new records, and the construction upswing is building in strength. The overall expansion remains solidly on track, delivering better labor market conditions and the prospect of further household income gains.

      The visitor industry continues to exceed last year’s performance and expectations. Through the first seven months of the year, visitor arrivals, days and real spending are all up three to four percent, and visitor numbers will almost certainly end the year in record territory. This reflects a surge in activity on the Neighbor Islands, which has pushed hotel occupancy above 70 percent, even if this still lags pre-recession levels.
      The number of visitors to Hawai`i will top 8.4 million for the first time this year, a greater than three percent rise over 2014. With statewide occupancy pushing toward 80 percent, gains will be smaller in 2016, falling to roughly one percent for the next several years. Spending will slow as well, rising at a rate below local inflation in 2016.
      Construction activity is ramping up, although high variability and long delays in permit issuance continue to make it difficult to assess how far along the state is in the current upswing, according to the report. Through the first half of the year, the real (cost-adjusted) value of issued private construction permits was up more than 27 percent from the same period in 2014. Job growth has accelerated after a rather weak showing in 2014.
      Going forward, the employment outlook remains positive. Incremental gains will be smaller, with job growth easing from 1.5 percent this year to one percent by 2018. But this reflects a labor market that by now has largely completed the long and painful recovery from the 2008-2009 recession. Unemployment has settled near its long-run average, and job growth will converge to a level consistent with trend growth of Hawai`i’s population and labor force.

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HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY scientists discuss the commonly used analogy for volcanic eruptions - bottled soda, when opened suddenly after shaking - in the current issue of Volcano Watch.
      “Perhaps the first use of this analogy for Hawaiian volcanoes was during the 1899 Mauna Loa eruption, when Sereno Bishop, a missionary with an interest in science, suggested the idea in a letter to the Hawaiian Star newspaper on July 20,” the article states.

      “The 1899 eruption started with explosions and high lava fountains visible tens of miles from the eruption site on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. In his letter, Reverend Bishop asked the question, ‘Whence and what is the force which ejects such enormous quantities of molten rock from the earth’s interior with such stupendous explosions?’

Soda bottles like this replica of a 19th century one played a part in creating
the analogy of how and why volcanoes erupt. Photo from USGS

      “James Dwight Dana, an American volcanologist, favored steam as the propellant for all volcanic eruptions. ‘Steam is generated by the contact of the interior molten masses with surface water or sea water percolating down through the intervening rocks.’ But it was difficult to visualize how this worked for all eruptions —how surface or sea water could get under or into magma before expanding into steam to propel it out of the earth — although it has worked for some events, like the 1924 Halema`uma`u eruption. 

      “Bishop favored another theory: ‘The whole of the superheated magma or lava of the interior is saturated with condensed gases under pressure in liquid or solid form, but ready to expand and effervesce when the superincumbent pressure is removed. This condition is analogous to that of the water in a soda bottle. It is heavily charged with carbonic acid gas, but looks like simple water. Remove the stopper, and the liquid particles of carbon dioxide instantly fly into vapor with explosive force. Just so, the various gases included in solid or liquid form throughout the molecules of the hot magma, fly into vapor wherever an exit is opened. …’
      “Bishop made one mistake in his analogy statement. He hypothesized that the carbon dioxide was pressurized into a liquid or solid before being combined with water in a carbonated drink. Another letter writer, using the pen name of Scribendi Caccoethes (Latin for ‘insatiable desire to write’), took him to task for this error and pointed out that the carbon dioxide gas was dissolved into water.
      “The discussion between Sereno Bishop and Scribendi Caccoethes consisted of eight letters. Afterward, the Pacific Commercial Advertiser labeled it ‘A Painful Controversy’ and suggested that a well be drilled in Punchbowl Crater on O`ahu ‘10,000 feet to the locality of the Earth’s hot innards’ where the truth will be found. They also suggested that if the well were to allow lava to come up to the surface and fountain, it would act as ‘volcanic fly paper which will attract and catch all of the tourists of the world.’
      “This controversy has been largely forgotten, but the soda bottle analogy for erupting volcanoes has endured the test of time. Other methods of simulating an eruption by mixing two ingredients can be found online — for example, Mentos® candy and diet cola or baking soda and vinegar — but carbonated soda is a better analogy because only the release of the confining pressure is needed for an ‘eruption.’
      “On active volcanoes, as magma rises and pressure drops, dissolved gases come out of solution to effervesce, expand and drive lava out of the ground in fountains and flows, just as soda effervesces and sometimes foams out of an opened bottle. Both eruptions can be delightful, but both can also pose some danger.”
      See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
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HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK waives entry fees today to celebrate National Public Lands Day. Also, Kilauea Military Camp offers an open house.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD holds a kick-of event today from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Assembly of God. Pastor Devon Rachae, of Grenada, will be guest speaker. Operation Christmas Child collects and distributes shoeboxes full of age-appropriate toys, hygiene items and school supplies to children in need around the globe.
      Free shoeboxes and supplies will be available at the event.

UNCERTAIN FUTURE: HOW MANY KA`U COFFEE FARMERS WILL KEEP THEIR FARMS? This is the subject of a public meeting tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Called A Public Meeting for the Future of Coffee Growers, its purpose is to explain the 20-year history of the farmers who planted coffee for a new economic future when the sugar plantation shut down in 1996. The farmers said they also plan to talk about risks to their future land security, as the land is in escrow to be sold to a new owner.

E PILI KAUA PA`INA tickets are still available. The fundraiser is for Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai`i, a nonprofit that works with challenged youth though agriculture and traditional Hawaiian skill building. The evening features entertainment by Mark Yamanaka and a roast pork dinner on the grounds of Pahala Plantation House on Thursday, Oct. 1 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Donation is $25.
      For tickets, call Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder at 315-7032 or 649-9334.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_September2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Buy a book bag for $7 and fill it with books for $3 more
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Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Sept. 25, 2015

Hawai`i Wildlife Fund staff and volunteers load 1,068 pounds of marine debris that they gathered from Kamilo on Sunday.
Photo from HWF

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Plan Steering Committee approved a 1/4-mile shoreline setback at its meeting yesterday. In its current version, Policy 29 states: “On lots that are partially within the Special Management Area in the Ka`u CDP Planning Area, establish shoreline setbacks at the earliest stages of the land use planning and development process at 1,320 feet (1/4 mile). However, the applicant may request that the setback be reduced by providing information, including information required for SMA review, to the department which would allow the proposed activity’s impacts and in consideration of the physical limitations of the property. For lots created prior to the date of the adoption of the CDP with an average lot depth of two hundred feet or less, the shoreline setback line shall be 40 feet.”
      Ka`u residents who testified at the meeting all favored some sort of setback. One Ocean View-area resident said ¼-mile is not enough, suggesting that having development at that distance would still effect ocean life because of run-off associated with such activities. She said 1.5 miles would be more effective in creating a balance between the environment and human impacts.

Ka`u CDP Steering Committee approved a 1/4-mile shoreline setback yesterday.
Image from Ka`u CDP

      Another Ocean View resident, citing South Kona Wilderness Area as a successful example, said, “We must be very vigilant” on saving coastal land.
      John Replogle, of Ocean View, said he understood people wanting a 1.5-mile setback, but that 1/4-mile “meets owners halfway. Everybody will be treated equally,” he said. “People feel this 1/4-mile setback will be taking something from them. It’s to keep our coast open and take care of the things that can’t talk. Ka`u will benefit so much from having this setback.”
      After changing language from previous drafts of Shoreline Setback Policy 29, people previously and currently involved in stewardship of Honu`apo supported the current language. Megan Lamson, current President of Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo, expressed concern about a clause regarding choosing methods of determining setbacks, but the committee removed that language.
      Former KOOH Executive Director Lehua Lopez Mau said, “I see no conflict with any future development at Honu`apo. It would only be reasonable to limit human (development activities) within 1/4 mile of the shoreline.” She cited climate change with rising sea levels, increased hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural events as reasons to keep development further inland.
      Steering Committee member Ron Ebert, of Punalu`u, argued against the setback. “The Steering Committee is charged with creating economic development,” Ebert said. “How would this proposed setback affect anyone who wanted to come in here and provide a lot of jobs?” He gave examples of possible desalination and wave energy plants. “It seems this is very restrictive to any kind of development that … would provide jobs,” Ebert said.
      CDP Project Manager Ron Whitmore said such projects can apply for variances.
       Michelle Galimba, who represents Ka`alaiki and Honu`apo on the committee, said, “Protecting our resources will have an economic impact.”

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Tropical Storm Niala is expected to bring heavy rain to Ka`u. Map from NOAA

NIALA IS HEADING TOWARD KA`U. The tropical storm, 455 miles southeast of South Point at 5 a.m, is expected to track south of Hawai`i Island this weekend but bring heavy rain with it. 

      A flash flood watch will be in effect for Hawai`i Island from this evening through Monday. According to the National Weather Service, a surge of deep tropical moisture north of Niala will approach the island by tonight and remain in place through the weekend. Heavy showers and thunderstorms will favor east through south slopes but may reach any part of the island. Individual showers may be relatively brief, but extreme accumulation will be possible if showers train over a given location.
      Overall coverage of the island should start relatively small tonight and expand significantly as Niala approaches tomorrow and tomorrow night. The threat of heavy rain will diminish as the very moist air mass moves away to the west next week.

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HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND AND VOLUNTEERS removed 1,068 pounds of marine debris from Kamilo on Sunday, with 87 percent being plastic. They removed 43 bags worth of debris, nets and line and large marine debris items, of which 219 pounds was recyclable or reusable. Forty-eight people participated from around Hawai`i Island (and one from California), including student groups with Hawai`i Community College and UH-Hilo. This was HWF’s eighth annual cleanup event at Kamilo for the International Coastal Cleanup (aka Get the Drift and Bag it) event.

HWF volunteers push a large debris item
away from the coast. Photo from HWF

      “Thanks to Hawai`i Kombucha for the amazing keg of pineapple booch,” coordinator Megan Lamson said. “Mahalo for your help shuttling volunteers, Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Many thanks for your attendance: Tobacco Free Coalition, Surfrider Foundation, Nurdle in the Rough, UHH, HawCC, `Aina Provide, Kona Hiking Club and many more individuals!”
      To participate in a cleanup event or make a donation to support these efforts, email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or call HWF’s debris hotline for Hawai`i Island at 769-7629.

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TWO PROGRAMS AIMED AT TRAINING and supporting the next generation of farmers in Hawai`i are seeking applicants for sessions being offered this fall.
      The Kohala Center’s Beginning Farmer-Rancher Development Program’s 14-session course begins on Friday, Nov. 7 in Honoka`a. The course meets every other Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. University of Hawai`i researchers, extension agents and other agricultural experts cover subjects such as production planning, farm design, soil management, composting and vermicomposting, cover cropping, business planning and marketing and sales. The deadline to apply is Friday, Oct. 30.
      For high school students and recent graduates interested in sustainable agriculture, The Center’s weeklong High School Agriculture Internship Program runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Oct. 5 through 9 in Honoka`a. With the `aina serving as their classroom, interns are introduced to various aspects of agriculture in Hawai`i – from learning about pre-contact indigenous farming systems to modern local, sustainable and organic agriculture. Interns gain hands-on farm experience from seed-to-sale and visit successful agricultural businesses. Upon completion of the program, students receive a $125 stipend. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, Oct. 1.
      More information and application materials are available at kohalacenter.org by calling 887-6411.
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Laureen L. Martin

GOV. DAVID IGE RELEASED NAMES of judicial nominees that were provided by the Judicial Selection Commission to fill a vacancy on the Third Circuit Court of Hawai`i Island. 

       The Judicial Selection Commission reviewed and evaluated the backgrounds and qualifications of all applicants before submitting its nominees to the governor.
       Ige has 30 days to submit his selections to the Hawai`i State Senate, which must confirm the nominees.
       Gregory A. Ferren specializes in general litigation and business transactions, including real estate, contracts, personal injury, constitutional rights, public sector law and legal ethics. He has represented clients such as Oracle, Yahoo! and Apple. He graduated from Mid-Pacific Institute in 1987 and the William S. Richardson School of Law in 1995.
      Melvin H. Fujino is a District Family Court judge. He has also served as a deputy attorney general and was a team leader responsible for the statewide Wiretap Review Unit and Asset Forfeiture program, a deputy prosecuting attorney, and was the supervisor and community oriented prosecutor for the West Hawai`i branch of Hawai``i County’s Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
      Robert D.S. Kim has a private practice where he concentrates on civil litigation, commercial, real estate, environmental, family and criminal law, as well as public interest litigation. He has practiced law in Hawai`i since 1990. He received a B.A. from the University of Hawai`i at Hilo and his J.D. degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law.
      Laureen L. Martin is Section Chief for Hawai`i County's Litigation Division. Martin received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts at Boston in Business Administration with a minor in Economics. She received her Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University where she graduated cum laude and was the recipient of the American Jurisprudence Awards in Products Liability, Criminal Law and Real Estate Transactions.

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Paul and Jane Field lead Stewardship at the Summit tomorrow
for National Public Lands Day. Photo from NPs

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK invites everyone to volunteer and help protect the native Hawaiian rainforest on National Public Lands Day tomorrow. Everyone gets in for free, and volunteers receive a free pass to use on another day of their choosing. 

      Stewardship at the Summit takes place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participants meet at Kilauea Visitor Center, then head into the forest to remove Himalayan ginger from park trails.
      For more information, see nps.gov/havo or call 985-6011.

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers an open house tomorrow to celebrate National Public Lands Day. Park visitors can experience how KMC supports America’s troops by using its facilities and services.
      For more information, call 967-8371.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_September2015.pdf.

Buy for $7; fill with books for $3 more.