Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Saturday, June 18, 2016

Summer is nesting season for green and Hawksbill sea turtles. The Ka`u Coast is one of Hawai`i's primary
nesting grounds. See more below. Photo from NPS 

CAN HAWAI`I COUNTIES REGULATE GMO’S? That’s the question a federal appeals court is considering, reported Anthony Quintano, of Civil Beat. He attended a hearing on Wednesday in Honolulu where three California-based judges heard arguments on cases from Hawai`i, Maui and Kaua`i Counties. All three passed laws limiting genetically modified crops.

Andrew Kimbrell Photo from Center for Food Safety

      Hawai`i County Council passed Bill 113 in November 2013 that prohibits introduction of new GMO crops and requires GMO papaya growers to register their crops.

      Hawai`i Papaya Industry Association appealed, calling for a summary judgment and permanent injunction against enforcement of the law.
      During this week’s hearing, Earthjustice Attorney Paul Achitoff said that state law governing agriculture is not comprehensive and doesn’t prevent counties from passing their own laws. Quintano reported Achitoff saying the state didn’t object when Hawai`i County passed a law eight years ago prohibiting genetically engineered coffee and taro.

      Attorney Margery Bronster, representing GMO producer Monsanto, countered that the state has an “incredibly centralized government” that includes school, hospital and community college systems.
      “The argument seems to be if the Legislature did not say the counties couldn’t do it, they can,” Bronster said. “That simply disregards the manner in which our state government is set up. Counties are only allowed to do what is specifically delegated to the counties.”
      “It was historic, not just for Hawai`i and its future,” Andrew Kimbrell, executive director of the Center for Food Safety, said to Quintano of Wednesday’s hearings. “This is also a historic moment for states across the country who want the right to know about what pesticides are being used and want the right to say yes or no to GMOs.” He told Quintano that the center counted 137 state and county laws that could potentially be affected by the rulings.

      When a decision will be reached is unknown.
      See civilbeat.com.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

A pre-hearing conference on the Thirty Meter Telescope
took place yesterday. Image from TMT

ALL PARTIES WHO APPLIED will participate in a contested case hearing on the Thirty Meter Telescope’s land use permit, Tom Callis reported in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald.

      At a pre-hearing conference yesterday, Judge Riki May Amano accepted additional parties, including 12 Native Hawaiians opposed to the project. They join six others and University of Hawai`i at Hilo, the permit applicant.
      “I have a lot of aloha for everyone here,” Callis reported Amano saying. Project opponents had previously called for Amano to be replaced because of conflicts of interest, but Department of Land & Natural Resources kept her on as hearing officer.
      All parties are required to attend the hearing that Amano said could last three to four weeks. Pre-hearing motions are scheduled for Aug. 5.
      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

SENATE DEMOCRATS UNVEILED an amendment to provide an additional $41 million to Department of Justice programs that prevent discrimination and hate crimes.

      Introduced in response to the targeted attacks against the LGBT and Latino communities in Orlando, the amendment would ensure the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and Office of Community Relations Service have the necessary resources to reduce conflict and prevent, investigate and prosecute hate crimes throughout the country.

Sen. Mazie Hirono called for legistion to prevent
discrimination and hate crimes.
Photo from Office of Sen. Hirono

      “Last weekend’s tragedy in Orlando should be a sobering moment for our country. It’s time to move beyond thoughts, prayer and reflection. It’s time for action,” Sen. Mazie Hirono said. “This massacre was not just an act of terror; it was a hate crime that took the lives of 49 innocent people far too soon. Our amendment provides emergency funding to prevent and mitigate future hate crimes that target vulnerable communities across the country. I … call on the Senate to adopt this amendment without delay.”

      The amendment would help the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division hire additional staff to enforce federal civil rights and hate crime laws. Additional funding would help the Office of Community Relations Service work with communities to reduce conflict after hate-related violence, bullying, and discrimination. Hirono and Senate Democrats have also pushed for Congress to pass legislation to prevent suspected terrorists from purchasing firearms and explosives and fully fund the FBI to prevent domestic terror attacks.

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

SUMMER IS HERE, AND WITH IT comes sea turtle nesting season in Ka`u. As a result, beachgoers may witness increased sea turtle activity, including mating in nearshore waters as well as more basking on beaches. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries and Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources reminds everyone — locals and visitors alike — to respect the sea turtles at all times of the year.

      The two species that nest in the islands are the green sea turtle (honu in Hawaiian) and the hawksbill sea turtle (`ea). The majority of Hawai`i’s honu migrate to French Frigate Shoals — located in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands — to reproduce. However, an increasing number of honu are now nesting on beaches of the main Hawaiian Islands.

Honu is one of two species of sea turtles that nest in Hawai`i.
Photo from DLNR

      Primary `ea nesting beaches occur along the south Ka`u Coast, south Maui and eastern Moloka`i. Both species are protected under state and federal laws.
      If a honu or `ea is seen on the beach or in the water, remember:
      View sea turtles from a distance of 10 feet. Give turtles space, and don’t feed, chase or touch them. Hawaiian honu bask on the beach. This is normal behavior. Don’t try to push them back into the water.
      “It’s OK to help!” Fishermen should check gear often, use barbless circle hooks and adhere to state gillnet rules. If safe for both the fisher and the turtle, release accidentally caught turtles by reeling in the turtle carefully, holding by its shell or flippers, cutting line as close to the hook as possible and releasing with no (or little) gear or line attached. Barbed hooks may cause more damage by trying to remove them rather than leaving them in place.
      “No white light at night.” Use wildlife friendly lighting near the coast (yellow/amber and shielded lights). Don’t use flash photography, and keep lights and beach fires to a minimum from May to December, when turtles are nesting and hatchlings are emerging.
      Avoid beach driving. Off-road vehicles crush nests, create tire ruts that trap hatchlings and degrade habitats. Driving on the beach is also illegal in most areas.
      Prevent debris and rubbish from entering the ocean. Participate in beach and reef cleanup activities.
      Report all hawksbill sea turtle sightings, any nesting activity (turtle tracks or nest digging), and injured or dead turtles to NOAA’s Sea Turtle Stranding Hotline at 286-4359 in Hilo or 327-6226 in South Kona.
      Report illegal or suspicious activity that may result in turtle injury or death to Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement at 808-587-0077 or 643-DLNR.
      An animal that appears to be sleeping on the beach may be a basking turtle and should be allowed to rest undisturbed. However, if an animal in distress — with visible signs of injury, bleeding or entanglement in debris — or one that has not moved for more than two days, it may need assistance. Call the hotline numbers listed above to report an animal in distress.
      For more tips to prevent or reduce the potential for interactions, search online for Fishing Around Sea Turtles.
      For more, see http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

The People & Lands of Kahuku are topics of a hike tomorrow.
NPS Photo by Julia Espaniola

LEARN ABOUT THE PEOPLE & LANDS of Kahuku tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit. This free, guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain focuses on the area’s human history.

      See nps.gov/havo.

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers Father’s Day Buffet tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Entrees are prime rib, shrimp Alfredo with spinach and mushrooms and Asian-infused Hawaiian ono. Adults $28; children $14.50; 967-8356. KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests.
      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/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_June_2016.pdf.

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Friday, June 17, 2016

Keiki swimming lessons at Pahala Pool continue in July. See more below. Photo by Tanya Ibarra

KA`U LEARNING ACADEMY plans to upgrade its administrative functions, now that it heads toward its second year with the proposed addition of seventh-grade classes. The public charter school invites third- through seventh-graders to enroll. The addition of seventh grade is on the agenda of the Windward Planning Commission meeting to be held on Thursday, July 7 at Aupuni Center in Hilo.
      The application asks for a special permit to increase enrollment from 65 students to 100 students with facility improvements. Location of the school is the former Discovery Harbour Golf Course clubhouse on 3.69 acres of land within the state Agricultural District.
      Joe Iacuzzo, managing director of the school, said this morning that the school “had a very successful first year.” He noted that Roy, of Wong Yuen Store, said the other day, “I am seeing these same kids that I have been seeing, and they look like they have life back in their eyes” since starting to attend Ka`u Learning Academy.
      “Parents are telling us that children are not only learning more. They enjoy going to school,” said Iacuzzo.

Ka`u Learning Academy hopes to add seventh grade
for the upcoming school year. Photo from KLA

      Iacuzzo said that the first year was focused on acquiring the teaching staff, refining the curriculum, the permitting and licensing and setting up the campus. 

      A story in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune-Herald reported on administrative issues reviewed during yesterday’s statewide Charter School Commission meeting in Honolulu.
      Regarding statements that school payroll had been late on some occasions, Iacuzzo said this morning that the school uses a payroll service and is never late in submitting its payroll information to the company. However, on one occasion when a teacher was ill, the payroll was sent to the payroll company on time but delayed in reaching the Charter School administration, he said. “The staff was always paid on time the exact day they were supposed to be paid,” said Iacuzzo.
      Regarding concerns on whether any employees lost health insurance for a time, Iacuzzo said that the situation involved a new teacher who was to pay her own insurance for the first month of work until the school health insurance kicked in. The late payment that cancelled the insurance did not involve the school, he said, stating that KLA always submitted its payments for the health insurance on time.

KLA's Joe Iacuzzo, with founding director Kathryn Tydlacka
and state Rep. Richard Creagan. Photo from KLA

      According to the Tribune-Herald story, union dues payments were delayed. About halfway through the school year, Iacuzzo said, KLA learned that union dues were the only deductions not taken out by the Charter School Commission administration and corrected the procedure as soon as it was known.
      Also regarding administration, KLA missed a May 27 deadline to submit a plan to correct issues, the story reported. “As a result, the commission will issue a ‘notice of deficiency’ to Ka`u Learning Academy and continue monitoring its finances,” the Tribune-Herald reported. Iacuzzo said a preliminary report with a request for clarifying information needed was sent on time, followed by the final report.
      According to the story, Iacuzzo yesterday told the commission by phone, “As you all know, this was our first foray into administration of a school, and we had a really steep learning curve despite experience we have had in the past.”
      For more about the school, see kaulearning.com.
      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

CHINESE INVESTORS IN HAWAI`I are spending nearly a billion dollars in buying real estate throughout the islands. With a middle class of some 300 million people, about the population of the U.S., China is home to many who want to travel, and a number of them would like to invest in Hawai`i’s economy, an article in Pacific Business News points out this morning.

Ka`u Royal Coffee & Tea representatives are at the World
Tea Expo in Las Vegas.

      The purchase of 1,200 acres above Na`alehu is planned for a tea farm with coffee and other diversified agriculture and may include an agricultural visitor center. A tea plant nursery is being constructed between the Na`alehu cemetery and the pig farm. Representatives of Ka`u Royal Coffee & Tea, LLC and its Ka`u Valley Ranch are attending a World Tea Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center this week. Their investment group and management includes both residents of China and the U.S. Some of the Chinese nationals are investing through the federal EB5 immigration program that helps them obtain green cards through investing in economically depressed communities.

Ko Olina Resort is the site of many Chinese investment properties.
Image from wikipedia

      According to PBN, Chinese investments on O`ahu alone range from “an office building in Honolulu to several development sites at Ko Olina Resort to more than 500 acres that connect Ko Olina with Kapolei. But it’s unknown whether this first wave of Chinese investment will resemble the tsunami of Japanese investment in the late 1980s and early 1990s that was more commonly known as the Japanese bubble.”

      “Similar to the Japanese investors of 25 years ago, the Chinese investors entering the Hawai`i market are targeting hotels, golf courses and, now, development sites that may include residential subdivisions,” PBN reported.
      The story by Duane Shimogawa says, “There are three main reasons why Hawai`i should expect to see more real estate investments by the Chinese, including the loosening of visa restrictions, increased airlift and the emergence of the middle and upper classes in China.”
      Manny Mendez, who works in China, specializing in Hawai`i-China business, told Shimogawa, “You can get a 10-year tourist visa with no problem, and you can get a five-year student visa. You have airlift now. There are three airlines that offer nonstop flights from Hawai`i to China – China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. Then there’s that robust middle-class society, and those people are traveling to Hawai`i and the rest of the United States. These are three big game-changers.”
      PBN points out that Chinese investment in U.S. businesses over the past three years has “created more than 35,000 jobs, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. It is considered another reason for the influx of Chinese investments. China accounts for 85 percent of the EB-5 visas issued.”
      See more at bizjournals.com/pacific.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAI`I COUNTY IS SEEKING Election Day workers. Polling places at Ka`u High School, Na`alehu School and Ocean View Community Center are extremely short of workers for the primary election on Aug. 13 and the general election on Nov. 8.

      Applicants must be 16 years of age on or before June 30, registered or pre-registered voters in Hawai`i and able to read and write English.
      For more information, call 933-1591.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

PAHALA POOL OFFERS NEW Keiki Red Cross swim classes Mondays through Fridays and on weekends in July. Most classes are full, but interested persons can call to be on a waiting list.

      A Level One class from 8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. begins July 5 and wraps up July 15. A Preschool Aquatics class from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. will also be offered July 5-15. From July 18-29, a Level Three class will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and a Level Two class from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
      Additional classes are held Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. One is a Level Four Class from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., July 3-16 and a Level Five class July 17-30, 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
      Instructors are Rina Martineau and Cassandra Beccia.
      Classes cost $15 per child per two-week session.
      Novice swim team sign-up and tryouts start Aug. 8 for ages 5-7. Interested youth and their parents can call Pahala Pool at 928-8177.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Pahala Holy Rosary Church holds a thrift sale
and silent auction tomorrow.

PAHALA HOLY ROSARY CHURCH holds a thrift sale and silent auction tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT the formation and various uses of Pu`u o Lokuana over time and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka`u at the Kahuku unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The moderately difficult, 0.4-mile hike to the top of the grassy cinder cone and back begins tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. and lasts one hour.

SOUTHSIDE VOLLEYBALL CLUB raises funds with a Krispy Kreme donut sale tomorrow from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Pahala Shopping Center.

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_June_2016.pdf.

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Thursday, June 16, 2016

Ka`u Roping & Riding Association is preparing for its annual Fourth of July Rodeo. See more below.
Photo by Julia Neal

PUNALU`U BAKE SHOP OWNER DUANE KURISU is reaching out to homeless people through his foundation and will partner to create affordable housing with gardens on O`ahu.

Duane Kurisu, at right, owner of Punalu`u Bake Shop, is building
affordable housing for homeless families on O`ahu. Here he celebrates
the new cookie factory he opened last year in Na`alehu.
Photo by Pamela Taylor

      Duane Shimogawa reported in Pacific Business News that Kurisu is partnering with Honolulu and the state to build more than 200 affordable, plantation-style homes on reclaimed land in Honolulu. Rent would be $500 per month. The city is purchasing 13.1 acres from the state and leasing it to Kurisu’s Aio Foundation for one dollar per year.

      “The mayor stepped in to help facilitate the property and the project to be part of the governor’s emergency proclamation (addressing homelessness issues),” Kurisu told Shimogawa. “It is the culmination of the state and the city coming together to seek and work out solutions to one of the most acute problems facing us today.”
      See bizjournals.com/pacific.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

A backpack drive for children in need continues
through August. Photo from Airport Bags

HAWAI`I POLICE DEPARTMENT is again participating in a backpack drive for children who cannot afford to buy them. As in previous years, all police stations around the island will double as drop-off points for persons interested in helping children in need. Backpacks may be dropped off between now and Aug. 30.

      Backpacks have been identified as the most requested non-food item for charities in Hawai`i. The donated backpacks will be distributed to children at women’s shelters, homeless shelters and transitional housing facilities around the Big Island.
      This is the eighth consecutive year the Police Department has worked in partnership with HOPE Services Hawai`i (formerly known as the Office of Social Ministry). The organization provides a continuum of homeless and transitional programs from outreach to emergency shelters, including permanent supportive housing placements.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

THE CHAIR OF THE STATE House of Representatives Energy Committee has a lot to say about the backpedaling of Hawai`i Electric Co. alternative energy projects. Rep. Chris Lee, whose legislation makes Hawai`i the first state with a 100 percent renewable energy standard, writes in Civil Beat this morning, saying that NextEra, which seeks to buy the utility, has been controlling the company’s decision making:

Rep. Chris Lee Photo from University of Hawai`i

      “Before NextEra, Hawaiian Electric Company had been busy asking investors to bring their money to Hawai`i and construct over 150 megawatts of solar, geothermal and biofuels projects to reduce our dependence on costly fossil fuels, create local jobs and attract investment to our island economy.

      “Most people don’t know that since NextEra arrived, it has contractually controlled HECO’s actions, exercising power over final decisions. Unfortunately, those decisions reversed course and canceled more than $350 million dollars in solar projects already under construction, putting over 100 local people out of work and eliminating over 400 jobs that were to be created.
      “Investors lost $42 million they had already poured into these renewable energy projects. The PUC issued a strong statement calling it ‘a step backward.’

      “Three months after NextEra arrived, the utility unilaterally ceased allowing local residents installing solar panels to connect to the electric grid, killing competition from the solar industry and threatening thousands of local jobs. Fortunately, the PUC intervened and forced the utility to backpedal, though hundreds of jobs were lost because of the slowdown with many residents now waiting years to be interconnected.

      “About the same time, the utility appeared to reverse itself on a 25-megawatt geothermal project on the Big Island that it initiated. Hawai`i Electric Light Company pushed the business partner it had selected to build the project out of negotiations, killing jobs and millions that investors already poured into the project.

      “Most recently, the utility terminated a PUC-approved power purchase agreement with developers of a biomass project already under construction and halfway complete; $137 million was already invested, and another $125 million was committed to finish the work. HELCO has resisted attempts to restore the agreement. Hundreds more local jobs and all that investment have been put at risk.
      “If the utility is allowed to continue to act in this manner, Hawai`i will continue to suffer.
“Every project has its challenges and delays, but in Hawai`i we work through them in good faith. To suddenly cancel contracts, change the rules mid-stream and treat investors and local workers so poorly is not how we should act here in Hawai`i. So why would the utility take actions that hurt so many people, businesses and investors in our community?

      “The answer may have materialized two weeks ago. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the utility disclosed that it planned to charge ratepayers $458 million to convert existing power plants to liquefied natural gas. It would also buy a 60-megawatt Big Island power plant and convert it to LNG.

      “The utility earns a profit off every dollar of ratepayer money it spends on LNG plant conversions, which means bigger utility profits than switching to renewable power from competing geothermal or biofuels plants.
      “Nearly everyone thinks it would be easier for the utility to win approval for its LNG plan and purchase of the additional fossil fuel plant if it cancelled or delayed geothermal and biofuels plants competing to provide the same power. In fact, HELCO offered to buy the additional fossil fuel plant six months ago, which could mean the utility strung renewable project developers and investors along for months without ever intending to finish negotiations.
      “I know the people at Hawaiian Electric. They are from here and would not sacrifice the jobs of hundreds of local workers, undermine renewables and critically damage Hawai`i’s reputation as a place to invest money. But I have no doubt that’s exactly what NextEra would do to squeeze every last dollar out of Hawai`i for its shareholders.
      “If the utility is allowed to continue to act in this manner, Hawai`i will continue to suffer. The Legislature must empower the PUC to review this kind of utility behavior next legislative session. There are too many jobs and too much more at risk to stand idly by as investors are chased out of our economy.”
      See civilbeat.com.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Rodeo action returns to Ka`u on July 2 and 3. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U ROPING & RIDING ASSOCIATION hosts its annual Fourth of July Rodeo on Saturday and Sunday, July 2 and 3, with a slew of gold buckles for the winners sponsored by local businesses and community groups. The rodeo draws competitors to Ka`u from all over the island and afar. 

      Ty Correa, Andrew Yanagi and Mario DeRago will be the bullfighters (formerly known as rodeo clowns). Emcee is Al Cabral. Food, T-shirts and other items will be sold to raise money to maintain the rodeo grounds. Cost to enter is $7 presale and $8 at the gate.
      Gate opens at 6 a.m. each morning. Slack roping starts at 8 a.m., and the rodeo starts at noon both days. To be announced is the rodeo queen. Kalia Andrade and Jamieann Losalio, both eight years of age, of Na`alehu, are finalists.
      President of Ka`u Roping & Riding Association is Ralph Ka`apana. Secretary is Jennifer Shibuya. Treasurer is Tammy Ka`apana. Barney Malicki is vice president.
      Here are the events and their gold buckle sponsors:
      The two winners of the Open Dally will each receive buckles sponsored by Miranda Country Store. Kane-Wahine Dally buckle is sponsored by Robert Kawamoto and his Umi Ranch. Team 90s header buckle is sponsored by Ka`u Andrade Contracting Inc. Healer buckle is sponsored by Steven and Phina Wroblewski.

Ayden Benevides won two buckles
last year. Photo by Julia Neal

      Double Mugging buckles for the roper and mugger are sponsored by Edwin DeLuz Trucking. Kane-Wahine Ribbon Mugging buckles are sponsored by West Hawai`i Towing.

      Wahine Mugging roper buckle is sponsored by Waimea Hill Country & Tack, Inc. Wahine Mugging mugger buckle is sponsored by Kenneth and Jonette Gaston of Slack Enterprises.
      Po`o Wai U buckle is sponsored by Justie Mona Wroblewski. Tie Down Roping buckle is sponsored by Wally and M.J. Andrade with M.J. Ranch. Wahine Breakaway buckle is sponsored by Robert Kawamoto and his Umi Ranch.
      Youth Barrels buckle is sponsored by Hana Hou Restaurant. The buckle for the Dummy Roping for contestants four years of age and under is sponsored by Sherlene Rosario, of Pahala Pops. Dummy roping buckle for contestants five to eight is sponsored by Patti Barry, of the Land Office real estate company.
      The buckle for Goat Undecorating, four years and under, is sponsored by Wayne Kawachi and `O Ka`u Kakou. For the five to eight years of age category, the sponsors are Carl and Amy Okuyama of Na`alehu 76. The Bull Riding buckle is sponsored by Tammy and Ralph Ka`apana, of Four K Ranch. The All Around Buckle is sponsored by Ka`u Roping and Riding Association.
      To donate and for more information, call Tammy Ka`apana at 929-8079.

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

ALTOGETHER: WE ARE ONE, presented by the Sisterhood of All Women on Earth and the Brave Brothers, meets for the second of a four-part series at Hawai`i Nature Retreat in Wood Valley. The organization's website describes the event as “a journey of exploration, expansion and focus of the energy that flows through us all, creating a golden grid of love and light across the island of Hawai`i to usher in a new age of civilization.” 

      Registration and set-up is at 1 p.m. this Saturday, June 18, and the event begins at 2 p.m. Fee is $20. Participants are asked to bring one topping for the salad bar. Soup, bread and butter are provided.
      See altogetherweareone.com.

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_June_2016.pdf.