Kaʻū News Briefs Friday, Dec. 2, 2016

PARENTS, Inc., serving Hawai‘i families since 1975, recently set up shop in Nāʻālehu with many

services. Call 808-333-3460. See story below. Photo from PARENTS

PARENTS, INC. IS SERVING KAʻŪ with a program entitled Promoting Safe and Stable Families, contracted through the Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services Child Welfare. Location is Nāʻālehu Shopping Center.  PARENTS stands for Providing Awareness, Referrals, Education, Nurturing, Therapy, Support.

     Program counselor Leʻa Moses Alcover, MSW is a graduate of Kaʻū High School and University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa. Brenda Larson, a Kaʻū resident, is the program’s Parent Educator. She facilitates Parent Education classes. Larson is graduate of UH West Hawaiʻi and holds a Certificate In Substance Abuse and Addiction Studies. She has worked with Big Island keiki in West Hawaiʻi and Kaʻū for more than 20 years. Clinical supervisor is Marvin St. Clair, who holds a Masters in Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He is a 15-year resident of Hawaiʻi Island with prior experience working in the district. 

     St. Clair said the program is seeking a full time bachelor degree level case manager to provide parenting skills training services to clients in their homes and to manage the program’s data reporting procedures. He noted that the program would especially welcome a Kaʻū resident.

PARENTS encourages reading time with dad.

Photo form PARENTS

     PARENTS, Inc. has helped families in Hawaiʻi since 1975. Last year, 3,401 parents and children were served. According to PARENTS, of those who benefited, 69 percent showed an increase in their parenting knowledge, and services received a 98 percent satisfaction rating. Last year, 58 percent of families served were single parents, and 43 percent of participants were native Hawaiian or part-native Hawaiian.

    St. Clair explained that the program Promoting Safe and Stable Families “uses professional educators, counselors, and facilitators to focus on the healthy growth and development of all family members. The organization provides a full range of parenting education, skill building and support services to men, women and children. Parenting classes include a nine week Confident Parenting Class, open to the general public, and a 12 or 16-week Positive Parenting Class open to those referred through Child Welfare Services.”

     Parenting intervention with parents referred for issues involving child abuse or neglect may include home visits and therapy for families, case management; crisis intervention; outreach; and many different types of skill building. All services are multiethnic, non-judgmental, non-threatening, supportive, and easily accessible, said St. Clair.

     PARENTS, Inc. will host its 2nd Annual Kickball Tournament in Hilo this April. Everyone is invited to help Kick Child Abuse out of Hawaiʻi,  said St. Clair.

     Call 333-3460 for inquiries about the program and for information on the case manager position. See more on PARENTS at www.hawaiiparents.org.

INAUGURATION FOR MAILE DAVID IS MONDAY. Kaʻū’s County Council member will be sworn into her second term by Judge Ronald Ibarra on Monday, Dec. 5 at noon in Hilo. Location is Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium, 323 Manono St.

Maile David at her 2014 swearing in ceremony.
She renews her vows to serve Kaʻū again
this Monday. Photo by Julia Neal

    The ceremony will include inauguration of Mayor Harry Kim for his third four-year term after a two-term break. Also reelected is Prosecuting Attorney Mitch Roth and County Council Chair Valerie T. Poindexter. All nine council members will take the oath on Monday.

    The program will begin with music from the Hawaiʻi County Band, which will accompany the procession.  J.E. Orozco will serve as master of ceremonies. Kim, Roth and Poindexter will deliver addresses. 

   There will be a Presentation of Colors by Hilo High School JROTC Color Guards, and Waiakea High School students will perform musical renderings. The National and State Anthems will be sung by Alexandra Roth accompanied by the Hawaiʻi County Band. Senior Pastor Sheldon Lacsina of New Hope-Hilo will provide the Invocation, and the Benediction will be provided by Kahu Charles Kama, of Hale Pule Ke Ola Hou.

      Na Leo O Hawaiʻi will televise the inauguration live on Channel 55.

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IN ADVANCE OF TULSI GABBARD’S TRIP TO STANDING ROCK this Sunday, the Congresswoman took to the floor in opposition. She said she is standing with the Sioux tribe to protest the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline for shipping fracked oil from North Dakota to Illinois.
    In her speech she asks Pres. Barack Obama  to “immediately halt the construction of this pipeline, respect the sacred lands of the Standing Rock Sioux, and respect their right to clean water.”
     Gabbard said, “Growing up in Hawaiʻi, I learned the value of caring for our home, caring for our planet, and the basic principle that we are all connected in a great chain of cause and effect. The Dakota Access Pipeline is a threat to this great balance of life.

U.S. Rep. Gabbard asks President Obama to
stop the pipeline at Standing Rock.
Photo from CSPAN

    “Despite strong opposition from the Standing Rock Sioux and serious concerns raised by the EPA, the Department of Interior, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and other Federal agencies, the Army Corps of Engineers approved permits to construct the Dakota Access Pipeline without adequately consulting the tribes, and without fully evaluating the potential impacts to neighboring tribal lands, sacred sites, and their water supply. Just one spill near the tribe’s reservation could release thousands of barrels of crude oil, contaminating the tribe’s drinking water.”
     Gabbard is going to the construction site with a group of veterans. The video of her speech on the House floor can be seen on youtube.com.

SNOW PILED UP ON MAUNA LOA while a fire burned below,  yesterday morning at Punaluʻu. The National Weather Service issued a storm warning for high elevations as snow began to fall, the day after the end of Hurricane Season. Rain bands, with thunder passed over Kaʻū mid morning. The wildfire, following days of strong winds and dry weather, burned makai of the highway at Punaluʻu,  the rain giving firefighters some assistance.    

Mauna Loa weather observatory blanketed in snow yesterday.

     High winds and heavy snow led Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park to close the summit of Mauna Loa on Thursday to day use and overnight camping until it is safe to reopen. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the summit of Mauna Loa in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park early Thursday morning. Heavy rain, high winds, and a foot of snow were expected, and by afternoon, a thick blanket of snow was visible as low as 10,000 feet. Visitors at the park’s Jaggar Museum were treated periodically with views of snow-capped Mauna Loa, a novelty for many who don’t expect snow in Hawai‘i.

     The summit closure is in effect above the Red Hill (Pu‘u‘ula‘ula) Cabin. Hikers can still obtain a backcountry permit to hike to and stay at Red Hill Cabin, but backcountry permits to areas above 10,000 feet are suspended and day hiking is prohibited. Hikers going to Red Hill will be advised to proceed with caution and carry appropriate gear. In January 2014, park rangers and a helicopter pilot rescued a backcountry hiker stranded on Mauna Loa in an unexpected blizzard. The weather observatory on Mauna Loa was also blanketed with fresh snow yesterday.  

     An unusual storm left snow on Mauna Loa in late July, as Tropical Storm Darby passed over Kaʻū.
   

MORE DETAILS ON THE VOLCANO FARM & FOOD EVENT have been released by the Volcano Community Foundation. The new farm to table tour on Saturday, Jan. 14 will feature Chef Audrey Wilson with a gourmet lunch.

Chef Audrey Wilson will prepare a gourmet lunch
for participants in the Volcano Farm to Table
event on Saturday, Jan. 14.
Photo from Volcano Community Foundation

     The tour takes participants to three working farms, one growing tea where attendees will learn about processing for green, white, oolong and black and enjoy tea and pastry tasting. The second is a flower farm with cut orchids shipped worldwide. A greenhouse visit features a demonstration on separating and repotting orchids. The third is a vegetable and berry farm, where the owners will explain their work of growing in their greenhouse for market. At the lunch, the chef, a cookbook author and food columnist, will show off her specialty of using the freshest local ingredients, inspiring a pivot from using the 80 percent of food consumed here – food that is imported.
    Funds raised from this event support a scholarship that is awarded each year to an outstanding high school senior from Volcano. To reserve space, contact volcanocommunity@gmail.com or call 967-7366. Reservations will be confirmed when payment is received.

DEADLINE FOR THE ALYSHA & PETE 3-ON-3 BASKETBALL WINTER JAM is today, Friday, Dec. 2. The tournament will be held at the new Kaʻū District Gym, Dec. 9-11 with opportunities for adults and youth of all ages. Age groups are ten and under, 12 and under, 14 and under, boys, girls and co-ed. Men and women are also invited to compete. Cost is $10 per person with five players maximum per team. The tournament raises money to help fund Trojan Senior basketball players Pete Dacalio and Alysha Gustafson to travel to the mainland with coach Jen Makuakane to look at colleges who may provide them with sports scholarships. To sign up or donate, call Summer Dacalio at 498-7336, Pete Dacalio at 498-3518 or Alysha Gustafson at 339-0858.

VOTING IS ONGOING AT KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP. The stone cottages across from the parade field are decorated with lights and displays for Christmas. The public can stroll along the sidewalk with Christmas cottages lights and vote for best decorated units. Ballots for the voting are available at the front desk, KMC General Store, Crater Room Cafe, Lava Lounge and Bowling Alley. The competition is between groups of KMC staff members.

PĀHALA’S CHRISTMAS PARADE welcomes community groups, churches, sports teams coffee farmers, classic vehicle drivers and more to travel through the village on Sunday, Dec. 11. The

Eddie Andrade has been organizing the
annual Christmas parade in Pāhala for
38 years, including Sunday, Dec. 11
Photo by Julia Neal

parade, in its 38th year, travels through the streets of Pāhala, with Santa and his helpers handing out candy to kids. A traditional stop is Kaʻū Hospital where long term patients come outdoors to see the decorated trucks cars and floats, marching groups and costumed characters. Participants begin gathering at the old Pāhala Armory at noon and the parade starts at 1 p.m. The parade ends at the Catholic Church on Pikake Street for refreshments. Organizer for almost four decades is Eddie Andrade. For more information, call Andrade at 928-0808.

FRIEND-RAISER IS NĀʻĀLEHU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL’S Winter Fest theme for Saturday. Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Make New Friends,” declares the poster, which also reports on opportunities to enjoy shave ice, drinks, hot dogs – all for $1. Games are 50 cents. Also featured is a bounce house, raffle, bake sale, splash booth, jail, face painting and information vendors. Winter Fest is sponsored by the Nāʻālehu School Council. Anyone wishing to donate prize items or make a monetary donation should contact Nāʻālehu Elementary vice-principal Christina Juan or student council adviser Amberly Keohuloa at 323-4000.

Olivia Ling holds one of  her three masks
that won first place in sculpture.
Photo by Ann Bosted

DEADLINE FOR THE DIRECTORY, to sign up for listings and advertising for businesses, community groups, churches and agencies is Dec. 15. The annual business and community resource guide is sponsored by Kaʻū Chamber of Commerce and produced by The Kaʻū Calendar. It includes photography and art by Kaʻū residents, a calendar of events, listings and feature stories including winners of the recent Beauty of Kaʻū art show, sponsored by the Chamber.
     One of the winners of the recent Chamber Art show whose work will be included is Olivia Ling holds whose three masks  won first place in the sculpture category. She built them by hand from clay, using Hawaiian rocks as the hump mold. She pit-fired them and colored them with acrylic paints, before adding natural or synthetic fibers for the hair. Her entries are part of a collection called Indigenous People of the World.
     The Directory raises scholarship money for students from Kaʻū throughout their higher education in trades, college and university studies. Printed each January, 7,500 copies of The Directory are distributed throughout Kaʻū and Volcano. To sign up, contact geneveve.fyvie@gmail.com .

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY holiday exhibit daily through Jan. 2 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Featured at Christmas in the Country is the 17th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibit, with prizes awarded for the best wreaths. To participate, contact Emily Weiss at 967-8222 or gallery@volcanoartcenter.org. Free; park entrance fees apply.

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Kaʻū News Briefs Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016

Central Pacific Hurricane Season ended yesterday with two major scares. Hurricanes Maedline and Lester
at the end of August. Tropical Storm Darby made landfall in late July with a lot of rain. See story below.
Image of Lester’s approach from NOAA

PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP’S TULSI GABBARD MEETING last week has drawn comment from Kaʻū’s Congresswoman regarding the future of the U.S. in Middle East wars. Gabbard, a war veteran herself, released this Op-Ed yesterday, which also appeared in The Nation.
    “I recently met with President-elect Donald Trump to give voice to the millions of Americans, including my fellow veterans, who desperately want to end our country's illegal, counterproductive war to overthrow the Syrian government. We had an hour-long, meaningful, back-and-forth discussion about the problems with current U.S. policy in Syria and where to go from here. I felt it critical to meet with him now, before warmongering neocons convince him to escalate this war that has already taken more than 400,000 lives and left millions of Syrians homeless and in search of safety for themselves and their families.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard served in Iraq
and opposed regime change in Syria.
Photo from Tulsi Gabbard

    “I conveyed to the President-elect how the post-9/11 neocon agenda of interventionism and regime-change has left U.S. foreign policy absurdly disconnected from our actual security interests. Our actions to overthrow secular dictators in Iraq and Libya, and attempts now to do the same in Syria, have resulted in tremendous loss of life, failed nations, and even worse humanitarian crises while strengthening the very terrorist organizations that have declared war on America.
    “Since 2011, the United States – working with Saudi Arabia, the Gulf States, and Turkey – has been providing support to ‘rebel groups’ fighting to overthrow the government and take over Syria. A recent New York Times article reported that these ‘rebel groups’ supported by the U.S. ‘have entered into battlefield alliances with the affiliate of al-Qaeda in Syria, formerly known as al-Nusra.’ How the United States can work hand-in-hand with the very terrorist organization that is responsible for the killing of 3,000 Americans on 9/11 boggles my mind and curdles my blood.
    “This absurd alliance has allowed terrorist groups like al-Qaeda to establish strongholds throughout Syria, including in Aleppo, where they are now using the civilian population as human shields and their deaths as propaganda tools.
    “Additionally, escalating this regime-change war by implementing a ‘no fly/safe zone’ in Syria would not only be ineffective, it would put the U.S. in direct military confrontation with nuclear-power Russia, require tens of thousands of ground troops and a massive U.S. air presence, and commit us to yet another endless war in the Middle East that does not serve American or Syrian interests.
    “In short, even if the U.S.-Saudi alliance were successful in overthrowing the Syrian government, we would be saddled with the responsibility of building a new nation in Syria. Trillions of U.S. taxpayer dollars, and who knows how many American lives, will be lost, and there will be little to show for it. As was true in Iraq and Libya, the U.S. has no credible government or leader able to bring order, security, and freedom to the people of Syria if Assad is overthrown. To maintain order after Assad's fall would require at least 500,000 troops in a never-ending occupation.

Gabbard says she wants to save American lives from regime-change wars.
Photo from Tulsi Gabbard

   “The most likely outcome of this regime-change war is that it will open the door for ISIS, al-Qaeda, and other terrorist groups who are the most powerful fighting forces on the ground, to take over all of Syria, amass powerful weapons (many of which will have been provided to them by the U.S.), and pose a far worse threat to the Syrian people, religious minorities, and to the world.
   “The crux of my advice to President-elect Trump was this: we must end this ill-conceived, counterproductive regime-change war immediately. We must focus our precious resources on investing in and rebuilding our own country and on defeating al-Qaeda, ISIS, and other terrorist groups that pose a threat to the American people.”
      Gabbard sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Armed Services Committee. She is a Lt. Col. in the Hawaiʻi National Guard with two tours in the Middle East. She has launched a petition called End the counter-productive regime change war in Syria at www.aloha.votetulsi.com

State Sen. Josh Green and family.
Photo from Josh Green

WEST KAʻŪ STATE SENATOR JOSH GREEN has released a statement about his plans for the 2017 Hawaiʻi Legislature. “As we approach 2017 and the legislative session, I will be focusing even more than usual on key issues that have emerged as Hawaiʻi’s greatest challenges, such as homelessness, economic equality, and our state’s safety net,” said the physician senator.
    “

As Chair of the Human Services Committee, it’s my job to make sure that in Hawaiʻi we don’t leave anyone behind, and that we take care of our most vulnerable citizens: our children, our seniors, the homeless, those struggling with addiction, the disabled, and people who just need an extra hand to lift themselves out of poverty.


     “These are our values in Hawaiʻi: we are all one ʻohana, our compassion is our strength, and we build a better future when we take care of each other and don’t leave anyone behind.


     “We should judge ourselves as a people by how we treat our most vulnerable, so I’m going to keep fighting to make sure our keiki and kūpuna have a basic standard of food, shelter, and health care, and working families can earn a living wage.

 I look forward to working with you to implement the best policies we can develop together, for the good of Hawaiʻi’s people,” concludes Green’s message.
    See more at www.capitol.hawaii.gov

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Hurricane Madeline approached but weakened,
Image from NOAA

HURRICANE SEASON WRAPPED YESTERDAY, without major damage from storms visiting Kaʻū.
     The most threatening hurricane was Madeline at the end of August with Lester on her heels. She reached Category Four  status and prompted a hurricane warning and the closing of schools, parks, businesses and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. However, she weakened to a Tropical Storm as her eye passed 75 miles south southeast of South Point. Lester, which reached Category Three, passed north of the island a few days later.
    On Saturday, July 23, Tropical Storm Darby made landfall in Kaʻū, the large eye overhead, bringing much rain but little wind. The highway at Kawa flooded and was closed. Waterfalls appeared and streams rushed by. Bus service was suspended and emergency declarations signed, shelters opened and parks closed.
    Darby marked the first time in recorded history that two tropical storms barreled into the Big Island within a span of three years, following Iselle’s devastation in 2014.
     The 2016 Central Pacific Hurricane Season witnessed seven tropical cyclones, with Madeline and Lester blowing up into major hurricanes. Though a higher number of storms than normal, it was a mellow season compared to the record breaking 15 storms of 2015. Another unusual event of 2016 was the formation of Hurricane Pali in the Central Pacific in January, totally outside of any hurricane season. Pali stayed out to sea and left no damage.

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GALLIARD STRING QUARTET PERFORMED IN NĀʻĀLEHU on Tuesday. Nāʻālehu Library patrons were treated to a short program of classical music. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi, the Galliard String Quartet, performed the last of five Big Island concerts among the books to a standing-room only audience. 

Na`alehu Library hosted Galliard String Quartet on Tuesday.
Photo by Ann Bosted

    The quartet’s members are all also members of the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra. Hung Wu and Helen Liu played violin and Colin Belisle played viola, while Pauline Bai played the cello.  

    The quartet’s programs typically include works of famous composers, such as Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert and Brahms. Galliard is famous for recording Songs of Liliuokalani, the Hawaiian monarch. However, the musicians are equally at home playing more esoteric music. The Nāʻālehu concert included a tango, and concluded with the Christmas favorite, Jingle Bell Rock.

    Wu, who does not think of himself as the leader, but rather “the oldest one” has vivid, if unusual, memories of playing in Kaʻū 20 years ago with the Galliard String Quartet. “We played in a church,” he says, recalling the performance at Nāʻālehu Methodist. “It was the first time I ate Pineapple Upside Down Cake.”

    The many Nāʻālehu music lovers, who squeezed themselves into the small Nāʻālehu Library, expressed their enjoyment of the free program by giving the quartet a resounding standing applause. 

    After the Nāʻālehu performance, the quartet flew back to Honolulu in five seats – Bai’s cello needed one of them.  

   See more at www.chambermusichawaii.org.

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OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION is reporting on its holiday feast, which took place on Thanksgiving Day. The free dinner for the community at Ocean View Community Center drew about 350 people from Ocean View and other communities in Kaʻū.

The free holiday feast sponsored by Ocean View
Community Association drew about 350 people.
Photo from Ocean View Community Association

  Ocean View Community Association vice-president Ron Gall said the association wants to send a “Mahalo to all the wonderful volunteers who prepared and served the meal (especially Dave Anderson and Paulette Frerichs), those who helped with setup and cleanup. Also much aloha to all who attended.
     “Since OVCA is a private nonprofit and does not receive funding from the county or state, we greatly appreciate the generous donations from local businesses and private parties: Hawaiʻi Food Basket, South Point U-Cart, HELCO, Kahuku Country Market, Kaʻū Water Delivery, Kona Walmart, Malama Market, Ocean View Pizzeria, Punaluʻu Bake Shop, Dr. Cindy from the VA Clinic, Evie Becker and Loren & Diane Heck.”

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I VULCAN VOLLEYBALL CLINIC is today at the new Kaʻū District Gym  from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for youth five to 14 years of age. Free admission for spectators. Coaching will be Vulcan and Trojan volleyball star Marley Strand-Nicholaisen and other Vulcan players who just finished their season. Participants must have Dept. of Parks & Recreation release of claims form and the HI-PAL permission Release Form. Court shoes or rubber sole shoes are required. To register, call Pāhala Community Center at 928-3102 or 854-7316. Community police Officer Blaine Morishita is helping through the Hawaiʻi Isle Police Activities League and can be reached at 936-7192.

DEADLINE FOR ALYSHA & PETE 3-ON-3 BASKETBALL WINTER JAM is tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 2. The tournament will be held at the new Kaʻū District Gym, Dec. 9-11 with opportunities for adults and youth of all ages. Age groups are ten and under, 12 and under, 14 and under, boys, girls and co-ed. Men and women are also invited to compete. Cost is $10 per person with five players maximum per team. The tournament raises money to help fund Trojan Senior

Pāhala’s Christmas parade is Sunday, Dec. 11.
Photo by Julia Neal

KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP COTTAGES are decorated with lights and displays for Christmas and the public can vote on the best decorated units. Ballots for the voting are available at the front desk, KMC General Store, Crater Room Cafe, Lava Lounge and Bowling Alley. The competition is between groups of KMC staff members.

PĀHALA’S CHRISTMAS PARADE welcomes community groups, churches, sports teams coffee farmers, classic vehicle drivers and more to travel through the village on Sunday, Dec. 11. The parade, in its 38th year, travels through the streets of Pāhala, with Santa and his helpers handing out candy to kids. A traditional stop is Kaʻū Hospital where long term patients come outdoors to see the decorated trucks cars and floats, marching groups and costumed characters. Participants begin gathering at the old Pāhala Armory at noon and the parade starts at 1 p.m. The parade ends at the Catholic Church on Pikake Street for refreshments. Organizer for almost four decades is Eddie Andrade. For more information, call Andrade at 928-0808.

Cover of The Directory, a quilt by
Reta Hill

FRIEND-RAISER IS NĀʻĀLEHU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL’S Winter Fest theme for Saturday. Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Make New Friends,” declares the poster, which also reports on opportunities to enjoy shave ice, drinks, hot dogs – all for $1. Games are 50 cents. Also featured is a bounce house, raffle, bake sale, splash booth, jail, face painting and information vendors. Winter Fest is sponsored by the Nāʻālehu School Council. Anyone wishing to donate prize items or make a monetary donation should contact Nāʻālehu Elementary vice-principal Christina Juan or student council adviser Amberly Keohuloa at 323-4000.

DEADLINE FOR THE DIRECTORY, to sign up for listings and advertising for businesses, community groups, churches and agencies is Dec. 15. The annual business and community resource guide is sponsored by Kaʻū Chamber of Commerce and produced by The Kaʻū Calendar. It includes photography and art by Kaʻū residents, a calendar of events, listings and feature stories including winners of the recent Beauty of Kaʻū art show, sponsored by the Chamber.
     The Directory raises scholarship money for students from Kaʻū throughout their higher education in trades, college and university studies. Printed each January, 7,500 copies of The Directory are distributed throughout Kaʻū and Volcano. To sign up, contact geneveve.fyvie@gmail.com.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY holiday exhibit daily through Jan. 2 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Featured at Christmas in the Country is the 17th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibit, with prizes awarded for the best wreaths. To participate, contact Emily Weiss at 967-8222 or gallery@volcanoartcenter.org . Free; park entrance fees apply.

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Kaʻū News Briefs Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016

‘Ōpūkaha‘ia likely fished, swam and played at this black sand Nīnole beach at Koloa Bay.
The view is from the Kaʻieʻie fishing heiau. See story below.
Photo by Chris Cook

FILIPINO WWII VETERANS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS with the unanimous passage of a bill today by the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill was co-introduced by Kaʻū’s Senator Mazie Hirono and Kaʻū’s House member Tulsi Gabbard. It passed the Senate unanimously in July.

Filipino WWII heroes to receive Congressional Medal
of Honor after unanimous passage of legislation today.
Photo from Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project
www.filvetrep.org

     The legislation acknowledges the more than 200,000 Filipino and Filipino-American soldiers who responded to President Roosevelt’s call-to-duty and fought under the American flag against the Imperial Forces of Japan during World War II.
     Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret), chairman of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project, said: “Today is truly a great day, a significant seminal period in American history – second only to the liberation of the Philippines and surrender of the Japanese Imperial Forces on August 15, 1945. Now we can tell our veterans with pride in our hearts that this grateful nation has, at last, granted them recognition for the selfless sacrifice they endured in war, and restored their dignity and honor in service to their nation.”
       Hirono said, “These veterans were instrumental to our victory in the Pacific, but had to fight for decades to receive the benefits they earned. The unanimous support this bill earned in the Senate and the overwhelming backing it has in the House honors the sacrifice so many of these veterans made for our country.”
       Gabbard called it an “historic vote to honor our Filipino World War II veterans with the Congressional Gold Medal – our highest civilian honor. These loyal and courageous soldiers suffered, fought, and gave up their lives alongside their American counterparts throughout the war, and have waited decades for their service to be recognized. They cannot afford to wait any longer. It has been an honor to personally get to know some of these veterans and their families, and to hear them humbly tell their courageous stories of service. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting to pass this timely legislation, and to honor our veterans with this long-overdue recognition.” 

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MICRO UNITS OF HOUSING for the homeless is a new outreach by the County of Hawaiʻi. Twenty-three were dedicated yesterday, after completion by Kona-Kaʻū Construction and several subcontractors in nine months at a cost of $2.5 million. The County handled the design and engineering. The housing addresses a critical need within the chronically homeless community.

     According to a statement from Mayor Billy Kenoi, the number of homeless on this island increased ten percent in one year, totaling about 1,400 in January. About 500 were unsheltered and living on the west side of the island. “Our families who are homeless need a sense that they have a chance. They can believe that because they can sleep in a clean, safe place,” said Kenoi. “We’re creating a puʻuhonua, a safe haven, a place of refuge where people can walk around with dignity and respect.” 

Hale Kikaha, 23 micro units to house the homeless, was constructed by
Kona Kaʻū Construction in nine months. Photo from County of Hawaiʻi

     This first micro-housing cluster is now open in Kailua-Kona on Pawai Place in the industrial area. The name is Kikaha, which means to soar. According to the mayor’s statement, “Hale Kikaha represents the County's hope and  commitment to the residents that will call the project home.” 

     Nearby is the county’s 31-bed emergency shelter built in 2010, along with “wraparound” services. The statement says the County has adopted the best practice Housing First model for dealing with the homeless problem.

     The County has also partnered in constructing affordable homes to be rented and others to be owned by low-to-moderate income families. In addition, it administers programs to assist tenants renting existing housing. More than 2,000 families receive over $14 million in assistance every year through Tenant-Based Rental Assistance and the Housing Choice Voucher programs on this island. 

    “We are measured not by what we do for those who have the most, we are measured by what we do for those who have the least,” said the mayor.

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IN THE LIFE OF KAʻŪ BORN HENRY ʻŌPŪKAHAʻIA, new key historical detail has come to light, with oral history identifying his probable place of birth at Punaluʻu-Nīnole. Author Chris Cook recently updated his 2015 edition of The Providential Life and Heritage of Henry Obookiah, a biography of ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia. The more specific location of the childhood home comes from history handed down to the Rev. Henry Boshard Ph.D., who served as pastor at Mokuaikaua Church on the Kailua-Kona waterfront from 1964-2006. Boshard told Cook that his family believes the ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia homesite is located below the Hokuloa - Henry ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia Chapel near Punalu‘u Beach Park. 

      ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia grew up along the black sand beach and lava rock coastline along the strand at Nīnole and Punalu‘u. Referring to the scant published documentation on the early years of ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia, it was earlier assumed that the beach at Koloa Bay in the ahupuaʻa of Nīnole was the location of ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia’s home, said the author.
        Kahu Boshard also grew up in Punalu‘u and his wife Iris Boshard has ties to Ka‘ū through her paniolo father from the Kanaka‘ole family with heritage at Kapapala Ranch. Boshard said his grandmother, Adeline Nihokula Akiu, related to her family that the location of a beachfront parcel makai of the Hokuloa Chapel at Punalu‘u as the birthplace and childhood home of ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia.
     The Hokuloa Chapel was dedicated by the Women’s Board of Missions of the United Church of Christ in Hawai‘i in 1957 in honor of ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia. The walk up the unpaved drive takes visitors to the chapel mauka of Punalu‘u black sand beach park. From the rock wall gate at the chapel, one can look down upon ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia’s beachfront parcel homesite, writes Cook.
     ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia and his family departed Ka‘ū in 1796. His father Keʻau was recruited as a minuteman-type soldier in a Ka‘ū army marching under orders of the district ali‘i nui, Namakeha. The Kaʻū chief hoped to reconquer lands taken earlier by Kamehameha, taking advantage of the king being distracted while completing his conquest of O‘ahu following the Battle of Nuʻuanu.
    The fate of ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia’s family resulted in their never returning to their kuleana at Punalu‘u. ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia’s father, mother Kamohoʻula (a cousin of Kamehameha) and infant brother were slaughtered following the Battle of Kaipalaoa fought near the Wailuku River in Hilo in the summer of 1796. ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia, about age 10, was spared – as too young to cause trouble, but old enough to take care of himself, and to able to provide useful labor for his captors. ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia was taken to North Kohala by a warrior who killed his family. His maternal uncle Pahua, a kahuna at the Hikiau Heiau at Napoʻopoʻo along the shore of Kealakekua Bay, adopted ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia into his priestly family and began training him as a kahuna. In 1808 ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia chose to sail away aboard the New Haven sealing ship Triumph.

Cynthia Lehua Nani Hoʻomanawanui-Akiu, left, and cousin Deborah
Liʻikapeka Lee at ʻŌpūkahaʻia Memorial Chapel during a history tour.
Photo by Chris Cook

   “The decision of ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia, then about 21 years old, to venture outside Hawai‘i as a sailor, would result in great changes to Hawaiʻi in later years,” writes Cook. “‘Ōpūkaha‘ia became well known in New England churches in the mid-1810s, a ‘heathen’ converted to Christianity who translated the Book of Genesis directly from Hebrew to the Hawaiian language, preached in English, and was being groomed to lead a Protestant mission to Hawaiʻi.

   ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia died of typhus fever at Cornwall, Ct. in February 1818. Following his death, the 100-page, hand-sized book Memoirs of Henry Obookiah spread his story. The widespread reading of the little book drew strong public support for sending the pioneer company of the Sandwich Islands Mission to Hawaiʻi, out of Boston in October 1819.
     In 1993 Deborah Lee of Hilo, supported by her ʻohana, successfully undertook the return of ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia’s remains from Cornwall to a raised stone gravesite at the Kahikolu (Trinity) Church at Napoʻopoʻo. 

     She has also been involved in putting together a Hana Hou History Tour, which  is returning to Hokuloa Chapel in mid-February to focus on the life of ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia at Punaluʻu-Nīnole. The tour draws visitors from the mainland and Hawaiʻi interested in the Christian history of Hawaiʻi Island. The tour will also visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park where a native Hawaiian guide will relate the story of Chiefess Kapiʻolani challenging the goddess Pele at Kīlauea Volcano in the mid-1820s. For more information: hanahou.info. 

      Author Cook said he seeks comments on his account of ‘Ōpūkaha‘ia, especially information from Kaʻū about the notable native Hawaiian’s childhood in Punaluʻu and Nīnole.  This account is based on a post at his blog www.obookiah.com. Interested persons can contact Cook at obookiah@gmail.com

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WINTER CRAFTS FOR KEIKI will be offered today, Nov. 30 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m at Pāhala Community Center, for grades K-8. 928-3102.

Keiki gets a lift at the new Kaʻū
District Gym. Photo by Ron Johnson

REGISTER FOR UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I VULCAN VOLLEYBALL CLINIC to be held tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 1, at the new Kaʻū District Gym. The clinic, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. is for youth five to 14 years of age. The clinic is expected to feature Vulcan and Trojan volleyball star Marley Strand-Nicholaisen and other Vulcan players who just finished their season. All participants must have a parent sign the Dept. of Parks & Recreation release of claims form and the HI-PAL permission Release Form. Court shoes or rubber sole shoes are required. To register, call Pāhala Community Center at 928-3102 or 854-7316. Community police Officer Blaine Morishita is also helping through the Hawaiʻi Isle Police Activities League and can be reached at 936-7192.

DEADLINE FOR THE ALYSHA & PETE 3-ON-3 BASKETBALL WINTER JAM is this Friday, Dec. 2. The tournament will be held at the new Kaʻū District Gym, Dec. 9-11 with opportunities for adults and youth of all ages. Age groups are ten and under, 12 and under, 14 and under, boys, girls and co-ed. Men and women are also invited to compete. Cost is $10 per person with five players maximum per team. The tournament raises money to help fund Trojan Senior basketball players Pete Dacalio and Alysha Gustafson to travel to the mainland with coach Jen Makuakane to look at colleges who may provide them with sports scholarships. To sign up or donate, call Summer Dacalio at 498-7336, Pete Dacalio at 498-3518 or Alysha Gustafson at 339-0858.

Pāhala Christmas Parade is Sunday, Dec. 11
with floats, marchers, and Christmas music.
Photo by Julia Neal

PĀHALA’S CHRISTMAS PARADE welcomes community groups, churches, sports teams coffee farmers, classic vehicle drivers and more to travel through the village on Sunday, Dec. 11. The parade, in its 38th year, travels through the streets of Pāhala, with Santa and his helpers handing out candy to kids. A traditional stop is Kaʻū Hospital where long term patients come outdoors to see the decorated trucks cars and floats, marching groups and costumed characters. Participants begin gathering at the old Pāhala Armory at noon and the parade starts at 1 p.m. The parade ends at the Catholic Church on Pikake Street for refreshments. Organizer for almost four decades is Eddie Andrade. For more information, call Andrade at 928-0808.

Beauty of Kaʻū art show artists and supporters of The Directory,
with a Dec. 15 deadline to sign up. Photo by Ron Johnson

                     
DEADLINE FOR THE DIRECTORY, to sign up for listings and advertising for businesses, The Kaʻū Calendar. It includes photography and art by Kaʻū residents, a calendar of events, listings and feature stories including winners of the recent Beauty of Kaʻū art show, sponsored by the Chamber. Deadline to sign up by businesses, community groups, churches and agencies is Dec. 15. The annual business and community resource guide is sponsored by Kaʻū Chamber of Commerce and produced by The Kaʻū Calendar.

A mamaki wreath by Lanaya Delly at
Christmas in the Country at
Volcano Art Center

     The Directory raises scholarship money for students from Kaʻū throughout their higher education in trades, college and university studies. Printed each January, 7,500 copies of The Directory are distributed throughout Kaʻū and Volcano. To sign up, contact geneveve.fyvie@gmail.com.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY holiday exhibit daily through Jan. 2 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Featured at Christmas in the Country is the 17th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibit, with prizes awarded for the best wreaths. To participate, contact Emily Weiss at 967-8222 or gallery@volcanoartcenter.org . Free; park entrance fees apply.

DONATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE FRIEND-RAISER, NĀʻĀLEHU Elementary School's Winter Fest. It takes place on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Make New Friends,” declares the poster, which also reports on opportunities to enjoy shave ice, drinks, hot dogs – all for $1. Games are 50 cents. Also featured is a bounce house, raffle, bake sale, splash booth, jail, face painting and information vendors. Winter Fest is sponsored by the Nāʻālehu School Council. Anyone wishing to donate prize items or make a monetary donation should contact Nāʻālehu Elementary vice-principal Christina Juan or student council adviser Amberly Keohuloa at 323-4000.
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