Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Meet Hawai`i Island potters and view their works at the eighth annual Volcano Pottery Sale. See more below.
Photo from Volcano Art Center

MORE WATER IS ON ITS WAY to Ocean View. Gov. David Ige released $725,000 in capital improvement budget funds to finance plans and designs to develop a secondary Hawai`i County potable water source there.

Gov. David Ige

      “Projects such as these are critical components of the public infrastructure and contribute to building a better home for our kupuna, keiki and all the residents of Hawai`i,” Ige wrote in a letter to Ka`u’s state Rep. Richard Creagan announcing the action. “By working collaboratively, we can climb the mountains of challenges that face Hawai`i.”

      “The release of the money for a second source and the willingness of the Water Department to agree to use it is very important,” Creagan said. “An ample and secure source (sources really) of water for Ocean View is a health and safety issue. The mosquito, dengue and zika problem is water-related, and having another reliable and high quality source of water may help people find solutions to mosquitoes breeding in catchment tanks. The need for a public restroom at the highway intersection and restaurant area is critical and should be helped by a second source of water.”
      “Mahalo a nui loa Gov. Ige, Rep. Creagan and Sen. (Josh) Green for your support of this very important CIP funding for our Hawaiian Ocean View Community,” Hawai`i County Council member Maile David said. “I also want to aloha and mahalo Mayor Kenoi; Keith Okamoto, Manager, Chief Engineer for the Department of Water Supply; Warren Lee, Director of Public Works; and their awesome staff who worked so diligently to timely submit the necessary request for allocation to Gov. Ige and the state Finance Department.
      “I am humbled to have been a part of a very positive and successful multi-agency collaborative effort and look forward to our continuing relationship.”
      Green said he was very pleased for the community. “Good work on your part, Maile, and mahalo to the administrations.”
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

YESTERDAY WAS THE DEADLINE for potential candidates to register to run in this year’s upcoming elections. The ballot will include county, state and federal offices.

One of thirteen candidates will replace Mayor
Billy Kenoi, who has reached his term limits.

IN HAWAI`I COUNTY AND STATE RACES, 13 candidates want to take over for Hawai`i County Mayor Billy Kenoi, who cannot run again due to term limits. Those who filed papers to succeed Kenoi are Alvin Akina, of Kailua Kona; Paul Bryant, of Papa`aloa; Daniel Cunningham, of Hilo; Marlene Hapai, of Kurtistown; former Hawai`i County Council member Pete Hoffmann, of Waikoloa; KAHU 91.7 FM radio station founder Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a, of Hilo; former Mayor Harry Kim, of Hilo; former Hawai`i County Managing Director Wally Lau, of Kailua-Kona; Helen Luta, of Kealakekua; Shannon McCandless, of Kamuela; Gene Tamashiro, of Hilo; Timothy Waugh, of Hilo; and Eric Weinert, of Papaikou.

      Hawai`i County Prosecuting Attorney Mitch Roth, of Hilo, faces a challenge from Michael Kagami, of Kea`au.
      Hawai`i County Council District Six member Maile David, of Captain Cook, faces a challenge from Raina Whiting of Ocean View. David came into office in 2014, when former council member Brenda Ford reached her term limit.
      Three candidates are running for Ka`u Democratic state Rep. Richard Onishi’s office in District Three. Challengers are Libertarian Gregory Arianoff, Democrat Ainoa Naniole and Green Party candidate Kealoha Pisciotta, a Native Hawaiian opponent to the Thirty Meter Telescope. All four candidates are from Hilo.
      Ka`u’s state District Five Rep. Richard Creagan, of Na`alehu, is opposed by Michael Last, also of Na`alehu.
      In state Senate District Two, Ka`u’s Democratic Sen. Russell Ruderman, of Kea`au, faces challenges from Hawai`i County Council member and Democrat Greggor Ilagan, of Kea`au, and Libertarian Fred Fogel, of Volcano Village.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz

U.S. SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ, following yesterday’s deadline to file papers to run for U.S. Senate, faces several challengers. He is the only U.S. senator from Hawai`i in the running this year, as Sen. Mazie Hirono is up for reelection in 2018.

      Schatz competitors in the Democratic Party are Makani Christensen, Tutz Honeychurch, Arturo Reyes and Miles Shiratori. Challengers in Republican Party are John Carroll, Karla Gottschalk, Eddie Pirkowski and John Roco. Others running against him are Libertarian Michael Kokoski, Joy Allison of the Constitution Party and John Giuffre of the American Shopping Party.
      Schatz, 43, became senator in December of 2012, appointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie after the death of U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye. In a 2014 special election, Schatz was elected to continue.
      John Carroll, one of the Republican contenders, an 86-year-old attorney who owns a Hamakua farm, held a press conference yesterday in Honolulu.
      According to a report in this morning’s Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Carroll is “known for his outspoken opposition to the Jones Act, a post-World War I law that requires all shipping between U.S. ports be conducted with domestic vessels and crews. Carroll argues that the federal law has led to Hawai`i’s high shipping costs.
      “Carroll denounced Hawai`i’s high shipping costs, the soaring price tag of the Honolulu rail project, Hawai`i’s high cost of living and the state’s slow pace in moving qualified Native Hawaiians onto homesteads.”

      See staradvertiser.com.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

U.S. REP TULSI GABBARD, who serves Ka`u and rural areas of the state, faces challengers in the upcoming elections. Yesterday was the deadline to sign up to run against her.

      Challenging her in the Second Congressional District race is Democrat Shay Chan Hodges. Republicans against Gabbard are Eric Hafner and Angela Aulani Kaaihue. Nonpartisan Richard Turner is also running.
      Gabbard, 35, defeated former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann in 2012. She campaigns for the Bernie Sanders movement and frequently appears on national TV as a veteran commenting on foreign policy.
      Democratic challenger Hughes contends that Gabbard is not a true progressive, scoring an F In the Progressive Punch ratings, compared to Schatz and Hirono each earning an A, according to a story in this morning’s Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

      See staradvertiser.com.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

MEET STATE SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN at a legislative talk story at Cooper Center in Volcano Village this evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

A SCREENING OF RIVERS AND TIDES takes place tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. The documentary directed by Thomas Riedelsheimer depicts the engaging and interactive relationship between art and nature and follows artist Andy Goldsworthy all over the world as he opens up about his unique creative process and demonstrates how he engineers and collaborates with nature, space and time.

Volcano artist Liz Miller presents Rivers and Tides
and moderates a discussion afterward.
Photo from Volcano Village Artists Hui

      Local earth-media based artist Liz Miller, who has done many earthwork installations, presents the film and moderates a discussion afterward. There will also be a book collection of Goldsworthy’s work for people to peruse that show photos of his latest works as artist-in-residence at The Presidio/Golden Gate National Park.

      The film received a number of awards, including Best Documentary of the San Diego Film Critics Society and the San Francisco Film Critics Circle. It is an Anglo-German co-production by Mediopolis Film and the British independent film company Skyline Productions.
      Call 967-8222 for more information.

JOIN 14 DIVERSE CERAMIC ARTISTS from Hawai`i Island for the eighth annual Volcano Pottery Sale on Friday afternoon and Saturday. The sale is held at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
      This is a great opportunity to see a wide range of ceramic works, all in one location, and to meet and talk story with the artists. Functional pottery and ceramic sculpture ranging from low-fired raku wares to high-fired porcelain with crystalline glazes and soda-fired stoneware will be shown.
      There will be wheel-throwing demonstrations on Saturday.
      Bentos and sushi from Volcano Hanabi will be available on Friday, and Thai food from Aunty Pon’s Café will be available on Saturday.

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

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_June2016.pdf.

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Scientists discovered the largest sponge known in the world at Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.
See more below. Photo from NOAA Office of Exploration and Research/Hohonu Moana 2015

 THE RECORD OF DECISION APPROVING Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Abbreviated Final General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/Environmental Impact Statement was signed into approval on May 24, the park announced today. The plan provides long-term management guidance about the preservation and use of the national treasure, UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve.
      “Having a comprehensive plan to guide management decisions as we enter our next 100 years is an important step in protecting Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park for future generations,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando.  While work may start on some plan elements, Orlando said implementing the plan will not happen all at once. “It’s likely to take many years, as funds and resources become available,” she said.

Hawai`i Volcanes National park's management plan, wilderness
study and environmental impact statement has been approved.
Photo from National Park Service

     Over the past several years, many people have participated in the planning process through public meetings and formal comments received via mail, comment forms and website forums. The National Park Service released the Draft GMP/WS/EIS in May 2015 and the Abbreviated Final GMP/WS/EIS in March 2016. The approved plan is identified as the “selected action” in the ROD and as the “NPS preferred alternative” in the Final GMP/WS/EIS. The ROD includes a description of the selected action, synopses of other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, a description of the environmentally preferable alternative, a summary description of measures designed to minimize environmental harm and an overview of public involvement in the decision-making process.

      “Having a comprehensive plan to guide management decisions as we enter our next 100 years is an important step in protecting Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park for future generations,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando.
      While work may start on some plan elements, Orlando said implementing the plan will not happen all at once. “It’s likely to take many years, as funds and resources become available,” she said.
      The Record of Decision and related General Management Plan documents can be viewed at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/havogmp.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

SCIENTISTS DISCOVERED THE LARGEST sponge known in the world at Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. The scientific journal Marine Biodiversity published a study describing sponge found at a depth of 7,000 feet within during a deep-sea expedition last summer. The sponge was close to 12 feet long and seven feet wide, comparable in size to a minivan.

A remotely operated vehicle photographs the sponge. Photo from

NOAA Office of Exploration and Research/Hohonu Moana 2015

      The sponge was documented during an expedition aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer to explore deep-water habitats in the monument using remotely operated vehicles at depths ranging between 2,300 and 16,000 feet. 

      “The largest portion of our planet lies in deep waters, the vast majority of which has never been explored,” said Papahanaumokuakea research specialist Daniel Wagner, Ph.D, science lead of the expedition with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. “Finding such an enormous and presumably old sponge emphasizes how much can be learned from studying deep and pristine environments such as those found in the remote Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.”
      While not much is known about the lifespan of sponges, some massive species found in shallow waters less than100 feet are estimated to live more than 2,300 years.
      The sponge was captured on high-definition video during a remotely-operated vehicle dive on a ridge extending from a seamount south of Pearl and Hermes Atoll. Scientists from NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, NOAA’s Office for Exploration and Research and the University of Hawai`i described the sponge after a year of study.
      The article, titled The Largest Sponge in the World? can be viewed online at http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12526-016-0508-z.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING for people who have some contact and relationship with youth is planned for Ka`u and Puna. The training is open to schoolteachers, counselors, coaches or interested parents and other adults. Participants learn what youth want to do to keep them occupied and eventually wanting to give back to their community where they live. The interactive two-day training equips educators and community members with strategies and tools to engage students with social and emotional learning in culturally relevant ways. It takes place on Aug. 25 and 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Refreshments and light lunches will be provided.
      Results of past trainings include helping high school students raise grade point averages a full point in as little as ten weeks, increasing school attendance from 55 percent to 96 percent and helping an alternative high school achieve 100 percent graduating students.

Roberto Rivera brings Professional Development Training to Ka`u
in August. Photo by Bryce Richter

      The training engages participants with cutting edge research on Social and Emotional Learning spanning from the fields of Positive Youth Development and Culturally Responsive Practices. It also raises awareness of popular youth culture and how it can be used to activate social and emotional practices while engaging students critically and creatively on individual, interpersonal and institutional levels. Participants will become equipped with the theoretical foundations and practical tools that allow them to begin engaging students.

      Trainer Roberto Rivera is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in a major he created titled Social Change, Youth Culture and the Arts. He has worked with some of the top Social and Emotional Learning and Positive Youth Development organizations in the world such as CASEL, Search Institute, and YMCA-USA. He received his master’s in education focusing on Youth Development, Social Justice and Hip-hop at UIC in Chicago. He is a published author and highly sought after public speaker. He is currently also working on his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and is dedicated to making his work with Fulfill The Dream in Chicago Public Schools a national model for engaging urban adolescent youth of color.
      In 2014, Rivera gave a TedX Talk entitled Hip-Hop(e): the Art and Science of Cultivating Hope in the Hip-hop Generation. He has been featured in numerous television shows, articles, radio shows and magazines. Rivera sees his work as giving back and believes that working as an educator is more than just a career but a calling.
      The training is free. Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center and Pahala Boys and Girls Club are raising funds for expenses to bring Rivera here. They and Hawai`i County Department of Parks and Recreation are allowing their staff to register for the training. The partners are seeking more participants who can help raise funds to cover the total expense of the training.
      `O Ka`u Kakou has consented to be the fiscal agent receiving all tax-deductible donations. Total cost for the training is $10,000, of which $5,000 has been raised. The deadline to raise funds is June 15.
      Contact Leina`ala Enos at 929-8641 or lenos@qlcc.org or Elijah Navarro at 808-430-9461 or e38navarro@gmail.com.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Apply for Science Camps of America scholarships.

JUNE 13 IS THE DEADLINE for Hawai`i Island students of Hawaiian ancestry between the ages of 13 and 17 to apply for full scholarships to this summer’s Science Camps of America. In support of its mission to support the educational needs of people of Hawaiian descent, and through funds provided by the TMT International Observatory, the Pauahi Foundation is sponsoring twelve students to attend Science Camp in 2016 – six for Land & Sea camp and six for Air & Space camp.

      All students stay at Pahala Plantation House & Cottages. Each ten-day session features six or seven travel days to sites around Hawai`i Island where students interact with and help scientist working in the field, from astronomers to weather experts, geologists and biologists. Interested students can learn more at http://ScienceCampsAmerica.com. Additional information and application forms for the scholarships may be found at http://www.pauahi.org/science-camps-of-america/.

      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

ADVOCATS OFFERS A FREE SPAY & Neuter Clinic tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Make appointments at 327-3724.

KA`U'S STATE SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN holds a legislative talk story at Cooper Center in Volcano Village tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

MAKE A HU KUKUI tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Help revive the practice of making and playing the traditional Hawaiian top.
      Free; park entrance fees apply.

VOLCANO ART CENTER in Volcano Village screens Rivers & Tides Thursday at 7 p.m. An open discussion about artist Andy Goldsworthy, moderated by Liz Miller, follows the film.
      Call 967-8222 for more information.

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

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_June2016.pdf.

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Monday, June 6, 2016

Eric Silberger, who will join soprano Amy Shoremount-Obra for a concert in Pahala this summer, was featured
on the Icelandic National News Network Ruv in Iceland for being the first violinist in history to perform
inside a volcano. See more below.

A JOINT TASK FORCE IS ASSESSING the threat of rat lungworm disease in Hawai`i. The task force’s mission is to share scientific knowledge in the application of diagnostics, treatment, mitigation and public education activities. The task force follows the state Legislature killing bills introduced by Ka`u’s state Rep. Richard Creagan and Sen. Russell Ruderman calling for funding to research the disease.

      Rat lungworm disease is caused by a nematode, which is a roundworm parasite called Angiostrongylus cantonensis. The parasitic nematode can be passed from the feces of infected rodents to snails, slugs and certain other animals, which become intermediate hosts for the parasite. Humans can become infected when they consume, either intentionally or otherwise, infected raw or undercooked intermediate hosts.

Slug love on a Ka`u sidewalk. These slugs can carry
rat lungworm disease. Photo by Julia Neal

      Although rat lungworm has been found throughout the state, Hawai`i Island has a majority of the cases. Some infected people don’t show any symptoms or only have mild symptoms. For others, the symptoms can be much more severe, which can include headaches, stiffness of the neck, tingling or painful feelings in the skin or extremities, low-grade fever, nausea and vomiting. Sometimes, a temporary paralysis of the face may also be present, as well as light sensitivity. This infection can also cause a rare type of meningitis (eosinophilic meningitis).

      “Establishing a joint task force with local experts in the medical field and leaders in government will produce a set of best practices that be used to target rat lungworm disease not only on Hawai`i Island, but on a statewide scale as well,” said Wil Okabe, East Hawai`i Liaison to the Office of the Governor. “There is no specific treatment yet identified for this disease, so finding the best ways to prevent its spread and educate the public is crucial.”

      Members of the task force are Wil Okabe (Facilitator), East Hawaii Governor’s Liaison Office; Robert Cowie, Ph.D., Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawai`i at Manoa; Robert Hollingsworth, Ph.D., U.S. Department of Agriculture; Sue Jarvi, Ph.D., School of Pharmacy, University of Hawai`i at Hilo; Jerry Kahana, Hawai`i State Department of Agriculture; Kenton Kramer, Ph.D., Department of Tropical Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine; John Martell, M.D., Hilo Medical Center; Marian Melish, M.D., Pediatric Infectious Disease, Kapiolani Medical Center; Donn Mende, Research and Development, County of Hawai`i; DeWolfe Miller, Ph.D., Tropical Medicine Microbiology and Pharmacology, JABSOM; Peter Oshiro, Sanitation Branch, DOH; Sarah Park, M.D., F.A.A.P., State Epidemiologist, DOH; Joanna Seto, Save Drinking Water Branch, DOH; Aaron Ueno, Hawai`i District Health Office, DOH; Chris Whelen, Ph.D., State Laboratories Division, DOH; and Jonnie Yates, M.D., Kaiser Permanente

      For more information on rat lungworm disease, see http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/news/rlwd/.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Unique Hawaiian fishes populate Papahanaumokuakea Marine
National Monument. Image from R. Thiel/Marine Biodiversity

SCIENTISTS DISCOVERED GLOBALLY significant abundances of unique Hawaiian fishes on deep coral reefs in Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.

      The scientific journal Marine Biodiversity recently published a study documenting deep coral reef fish communities composed exclusively of fishes unique to Hawai`i, which represents a globally significant reservoir of biodiversity.
      Scientists refer to species with restricted geographic ranges as endemic species. Hawaiian endemics are those species that are only found in Hawai`i and nowhere else.
      “This the highest level of endemism recorded from any marine ecosystem on Earth,” said Randall Kosaki, PhD., first author on the study and NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries deputy superintendent for Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. “Hawai`i’s one of the most remote archipelagos on our planet, so we have many, many species here that are not found anywhere else.”
      Fish communities referenced in the study were documented at depths of 300 feet at Kure Atoll, the northernmost of the remote, uninhabited Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, part of Papahanaumokuakea. Kure Atoll lies about 1,300 miles northwest of Honolulu.
      The discovery was made on a research expedition aboard NOAA Ship Hi`ialakai last fall. Divers using advanced closed-circuit rebreather dive technology conducted dives at depths far beyond the range of most scientific or recreational scuba divers.
      Deep coral reefs at depths of 150 to 450 feet, also known as “the coral reef twilight zone,” are among the most poorly explored of all marine ecosystems. Deeper than most scuba divers can venture, and shallower than most submersible-based exploration, these reefs represent a new frontier for coral reef research.
      The article, entitled 100 Percent Endemism in Mesophotic Reef Fish Assemblages at Kure Atoll, Hawaiian Islands, can be accessed online at http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12526-016-0510-5.

      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

OPERA SINGER AMY SHOREMOUNT-OBRA returns to Pahala Plantation House on Saturday, Aug. 13. The concert, a tribute to the 20th anniversary of the Ka`u Coffee industry, features the soprano, internationally acclaimed violinist Eric Silberger, cellist Daniel Lelchuk and pianist Kwan Yi. It is one in a series in the inaugural year of the Hawai`i International Music Festival, with other performances at Maui Arts & Cultural Center and on O`ahu.

Amy Shoremount-Obra

      Shoremount-Obra’s family includes the founders of Rusty’s Hawaiian 100 Percent Ka`u Coffee. She brought operatic music to Pahala in 2009 as a community outreach program for her graduation from The Juilliard School. She brought with her a pianist and tenor. The trio performed humorous operatic music for Ka`u Coffee farmers and other community members at Pahala Plantation House.

      Shoremount-Obra made her Metropolitan Opera Debut in October 2014 as First Lady in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, singing all nine performances of the opera, three of which were Sirius XM Satellite broadcasts.
      Her recent operatic engagements have included Donna Anna in Don Giovanni with Opera Las Vegas, The Savannah Voice Festival and New York City’s new Venture Opera, Marchesa in Verdi’s Un Giorno di Regno with Odyssey Opera of Boston, Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte with Annapolis Opera, and most recently, Leonore in Beethoven’s Fidelio with Grand Harmonie.
      Shoremount-Obra has appeared at Carnegie Hall as the soprano soloist in Fauré’s Requiem, Brahms’ Requiem and Schubert’s Mass in G and at David Geffen Hall as the Soprano Soloist in Verdi’s Requiem. She was a National semi-finalist and New York regional winner in the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions and holds degrees from Manhattan School of Music and Juilliard.
      Eric Silberger is a winner of the International Tchaikovsky Competition and recently played violin inside a volcano in Iceland. He is excited to visit the volcano here in Ka`u, said Shoremount-Obra.
      For more, see himusicfestival.com.

      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAI`I COUNTY ECONOMIC Opportunity Council’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program 2016 application period continues through June 30. LIHEAP assists households with their utility bill (electric or gas).
      Ka`u residents can apply at Na`alehu HCEOC Office on Monday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Ocean View Community Center on Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Edmund C. Olson Trust Office Building in Pahala on Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

A Walk into the Past takes place every Tuesday. Photo from KDEN

KA`U RESIDENT DICK HERSHBERGER brings Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar to life during A Walk into the Past. Programs are every Tuesday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Meet at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK presents Ha`upu tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Students from Kamehameha Schools Hawai`i presents the Hawaiian language opera based on the legend of Hina and her son Kana. This all-school production tells the story through mele (song), oli (chant) and hula (dance). Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and seating is limited.
      Free; park entrance fees apply.

ADVOCATS OFFERS A FREE SPAY & Neuter Clinic Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Make appointments at 327-3724.

KA`U'S STATE SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN holds a legislative talk story at Cooper Center in Volcano Village Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. "Be a part of crafting legislation that will drive change and help create the community that we all deserve," Ruderman said. Light refreshments will be served.

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

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_June2016.pdf.