Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016

Kilauea Military Camp is dressed up for Christmas and welcomes the public to vote on the best decorated cottages. Photo from KMC 

GOV. DAVID IGE'S TOP BUDGET PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS are detailed in his executive biennium budget to the State Legislature, submitted yesterday. Highlights for the budget of over $14.2 billion for each year, include addressing education, homelessness and affordable housing, and Sustainable Hawai‘i initiatives, according to a statement from the governor.
      The operating budget proposal includes $14.2 billion (all revenue sources) for Fiscal Year 2018, an increase of four percent and $14.3 billion (all revenue sources), an increase of 5 percent for Fiscal Year 2019.
     The capital improvements proposal includes $2.3 billion for FY 18 and $781.8 million for FY 19. “This budget proposal aims to balance our state’s current needs with our investments for the future – providing basic needs for our residents such as affordable housing, quality public schools, primary healthcare and essential social services,” said the governor.

Gov. David Ige's new budget stresses education, reducing homelessness, more
affordable housing, better health and sustainability.

     For education, Ige's proposal includes the highest instructional budget allocation ever -- $28 million each year to the Weighted Student Formula, $10 million annually for the new Innovation Grant Program and $9 million ($3M in FY 18 and $6M in FY 19) for Early College programs. The governor proposes $800 million for new schools and classrooms, as well as repair and maintenance of Department of Education campuses, University of Hawai`i campuses and libraries. This includes $61.7 million in FY 18 for heat abatement statewide and $373.6 million in FY 18 to address classroom capacity issues (including $264.7M for new schools).
     “Our future begins with our investment in education which is tied to economic growth. It is a top priority. We continue to focus on the classrooms and schools. We continue our push for cooler classrooms. No one is more disappointed than I that we haven’t met our goals due to initial high costs,” Ige said.
     For housing and homelessness, the governor proposes an investment of more than $123.4 million in new housing projects and $59 million for public housing improvements. For the homelessness effort, Ige asks for $20.9 million annually for rent subsidies, supportive and outreach services. The legislature appropriated $12 million for homelessness programs in the current fiscal year.
   “We have made great strides in collaboration, where all parts of the system are working together toward the same objective of moving people from homelessness to permanent supportive housing,” Ige said.
    Toward a sustainable Hawai`i, the budget proposal dedicates more than $30 million in operating funds to agricultural and natural resources and $31 million in CIP funds for sustainability initiatives, including $7.5 million for the Watershed Initiative.
     “Our goal is to protect our forests, water and other natural resources while working to double our local food production and grow our economy,” Ige said. “We hope to work collaboratively with state lawmakers on our budget proposal as we shape the future of our state,”
said the governor.

VETTING U.S. SUPREME COURT NOMINEES nominated by Pres. Donald Trump will be one of Sen. Mazie K. Hirono's tasks as she returns to serve on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee  Hirono said yesterday that the Judiciary Committee will be instrumental in defending civil rights, vetting Trump Administration's Supreme Court nominees, and standing up for immigrant communities and DREAmers – in the 115th Congress.

     “The Senate Judiciary Committee will be on the front lines of fighting to protect Hawai`i from the incoming Trump administration’s proposals that erode civil rights and target immigrants,” said Hirono. “I look forward to continuing to advance Hawai`i priorities on committees that are vital to our national security, growing Hawai`i’s economy, and protecting the environment.” Hirono previously served on the Judiciary Committee in the 113th Congress, where she was a key author of the Senate’s 2013 comprehensive immigration reform bill.

Sen. Mazie Hirono says she will stand up for immigrant communities
and DREAmers in the 115th Congress, fight for the environment, and
vet Trump Administration's Supreme Court nominees.

     Hirono will also continue to serve on the Senate on Armed Services Committe with chair John McCain and Ranking Member Jack Reed.. She said she will continue to advocate for Hawai`i’s interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, "setting strong parameters about the use of our military, and advocating for military families." As a member of the Armed Services Committee this year, Hirono successfully included several Hawaii-focused provisions in this year’s defense authorization.

     Hirono will serve on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. She said she will fight against policies "that move our nation away from sustainable, clean energy sources, support research and development into the next generation of clean energy systems and sources, and ensure that Hawai`i’s entrepreneurs and workforce can take advantage of advances in clean energy." As a Committee member this year, Hirono held a field hearing on strengthening Hawai`i’s water security.

    As a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, Hirono said she will continue to promote science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and entrepreneurship opportunities for women and minorities, and make sure Hawaii businesses have a fair shot at federal opportunities. Hirono held a field hearing to examine how to boost women and minority participation in STEM careers.
     As a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Hirono said she will continue her work expanding access to earned benefits, improving care for all veterans, and ensuring a smooth transition from active duty for veterans and their families. As a member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Hirono passed legislation that equalizes paid leave for veterans who work for the Transportation Security Administration and Federal Aviation Administration, and improves access to health care and benefits for veterans.
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Santa sets up for keiki at Kahuku County Park.
Photo by Ann Bosted

MANY HANDS HELPED WITH THE KAHUKU COUNTY PARK KEIKI CHRISTMAS celebration on Saturday, which featured food, Santa, gifts and music by Demetrius Oliviera and Gene Beck. Pastor Rod Ducosin, of Heavenly Hands Outreach, said that so many presents were donated - over 600 - that "some of them will become more blessings for more children this season."
     O Ka`u Kakou offered up shave ice and covered liability insurance and served as the non-profit organization to receive donations, Ducosin said. The long lists of acknowledgements includes "Auntie Hazel Taetuna who worked for two weeks, helping with the event  and a Kahuku Park `Ohana comprised of many volunteers who joined in along with many businesses."
       Among those donating were: L&L Drive In, which gave gift certificates for food at L&L. The Spin Zone donated $100 in gift certificates from Walmart. Hawai`i Community Federal Credit Union gave a big donation and Pohue Gifts and Ocean View Auto Parts donated gifts. Dawn Marie, an Ocean View part-tine resident, sponsored 100 gifts. Toys for Tot sponsored a drop off box at Kahuku Market. Tutu & Me helped with the gifts.
      Hillbilly Car Club of Ocean View donated over 60 gifts and delivered Santa - Robert Jones to meet with keiki.
      Catholic Charities, Ocean View Baptist Church,  Ocean View Evangelical Church and Hope Diamond Ministries at South Point assisted.
      Ardie from Kona donated plates, forks, knives. ACE Hardware in Ocean View provided supplies and DJ's Pizza helped feed volunteers. Ka`u Business Center printed flyers. Dodo Mortuary made a donation as did Triple F Paper Supplies.
      A group of people volunteered to cook, including Auntie Hazel, Auntie Shiela, Gerri, David, Lisa, Ziggee, Lisa and Rod. Kelsey and her children helped decorate and with the food. Art and Christine donated a pig. Auntie Kemalu Waltjen prepared the meat. Queen Liliuolani Chidrens Center donated 400 apples.
      Steven Hemmerich and Frances Garcia was a big help with the food, said Ducosin. Alan and Nancy Stafford, Mat Prowse, Doug Castro, Alan Humble and Ian Baily were also strong supporters and volunteers.
     Police officer Clayton Tayaman was another assistant helping with  the well-attended event.
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Mauna Loa Weather Station, operated by NOAA in Ka`u, captures this morning's
 view of snow-topped Mauna Kea as the Winter Solstice approaches -
43 minutes past midnight, tonight. Photo from NOAA 

WINTER SOLSTICE IS TONIGHT AT 43 MINUTES PAST MIDNIGHT. The first day of Winter for the Northern Hemisphere marks the longest night, shortest day and completion of the solar cycle for the year. It is the time when the North Pole is tilted the farthest away from the Sun. By Christmas the days will begin to be longer. When looking at the horizon from the south end of the island, sunrises will be earlier and sunsets later. The sun will arise farther to the north - toward Hilo and sunsets will be farther to the South and visible from more places on the coast of Ka`u.

Acadia in Maine has many similarities with Hawai`i Volcanoes
National Park, as seen in new film tonight at 7 p.m.
Photo from NPS

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HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK AND MAINE'S ACADIA show similarities in the After Dark in the Park  film presentation tonight to raise awareness of the other national parks. Acadia and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Parks are thousands of miles apart, but they have much in common. Both parks turned 100 this year, and both are on islands defined by their indigenous host cultures, fascinating geology, and intriguing biodiversity. Learn about Maine’s iconic national park in the new film,  A Second Century of Stewardship: Science Behind the Scenery in Acadia National Park, by filmmaker David Shaw. Screening time is this evening at 7 p.m. and Kilauea Visitor Center. Park Fees apply.

OCEAN VIEW’S OWN MUSICAL CONDUCTOR Michael Cripps will lead the Chamber Orchestra of Kona in a Christmas Concert, tonight, Tuesday, Dec. 20 at Sheraton ballroom at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.chamberorchestraofkona.com and at the door.

NA` LEO MANU - KENNETH MAKUAKANE, TOMORROW at Kilauea Visitor Center auditorium, 6:30 - 8 p.m. The free event showcases the melodies of multiple award-winning artist Kenneth Makuakāne. His accolades include 15 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, and six Big Island Music Awards. A prolific songwriter, Makuakane’s compositions have been recorded by artists such as the Brothers Cazimero, Nā Leo Pilimehana and many more. Park entrance fees apply.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY is ongoing through the holidays at Volcano Art Center in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

VOTE FOR THE BEST DECORATED Kilauea Military Camp through the holidays.

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Ka`u News Briefs Monday, Dec. 19, 2016

Steve Moon directs the Ka`u `Ohana Band with Christmas music at Ocean View Swap Meet on Saturday See more photos
and story below.  Photo by Ann Bosted

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DR. RICHARD CREAGAN will meet with the public tonight, Monday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Creagan was recently appointed Chairman of the House Agricultural Committee, so farming and ranching, as well a as food security may be among the topics raised by the audience and Creagan himself. He said he hopes constituents from District 5 will come with constructive ideas to improve the Ka’u community. Discussion of all issues is welcome. District 5 includes Honuʻapo to Nāʻālehu, to Ocean View, to Capt. Cook, Kealakekua and part of Kailua-Kona.
     The 2017 Hawai`i Legislature opens on Jan. 18. To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

State Rep. Richard Creagan hosts a public meeting tonight in
advance of the 2017 Hawai`i Legislature which opens Jan. 18.
The gathering is at Ocean View Community Center at 6 p.m.

IMPORTANT AG LANDS LEGISLATION is proposed for the 2017 Hawai`i Legislature by all of the counties in state. The bill supported by the Hawai`i State Association of Counties asks for $500,000 to for more work to identify and map Improtant Agricultural Lands.

     The bill points out that the Hawai`i State Constitution establishes the state's duty to "conserve and protect agricultural lands, promote diversified agriculture, increase agricultural self-sufficiency and assure the availability of agriculturally suitable lands." The state Constitution also provides protections for lands identified as Important Agricultural Lands. The state legislature in 2005 enacted Act 183 to help carry out that duty.

     Act 183 directed each county to work with government and community stakeholders to, within 60 months of funding, identify and map potential Important Agriculrual Lands and recommend to the state Land Use Commission the designation of Important Agricultural Lands. Once designated, ag operations on these lands are eligible for state and county assistance and incentive programs, including grants and other funding assistance, tax incentives, favorable infrastructure and permit requirements, and farm and business education assistance.
     The bill supported by the Hawai`i State Association of Counties for the upcoming Hawai`i Legislature, asks for $250,000 for 2017 and $250,000 for 2018, noting that "to date, most counties have not received State funds to assist with identification and mapping duties under Act 183."  Each county would receive $62,500 per year to carry out the mapping and identification of important agriculural lands.
    See more on Important Agricultural Lands incentives and mapping and other work accomplished at http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/chair/new-agriculture-initiatives/important-ag-lands-ial/

Drone's eye view of macadamia trees in Wood Valley and the Ka`u Coffee Trail
Run, taken by Vernon Harvey, with permission of the race and property owner.
Photo by Vernon Harvey

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DRONE REGULATION LEGISLATION is proposed for the 2017 Hawai`i State Legislature by all the counties in Hawai`i. The proposal states that the "legislature finds that unmanned aerial vehicles are becoming increasingly popular in Hawai`i and the rest of the United States. Hobbyists use them for recreational purposes, and businesses and government entities use them in a plethora of ways that benefit society and individual residents. The federal government is regulating the use of these devises and the airways see more usage all all stakeholders."
      The Hawai`i bill  proposes that no person shall operate an unmanned aerial vehicle  while intoxicated or drugged. It also would prohibit flying drones above an altitude of 400 feet or outside the visual sight of the operator (no binoculars or night vision goggles nor magnifiers). It would prohibit operations within five miles of an airport or 500 feet of an emergency response vehicle or first responder during an emergency. No drones within 500 feet of any water intake facility or electrical generator, substation or control center; and no drones within 100 feet of electric transmission facilities and 25 feet of any electric distribution facility or overhead cable would be allowed. Prohibited sites, without written permission, would be any open air assembly, school, school yard, hospital, place of worship, prison or police station.
     The legislation would also prohibit intentionally collecting, publishing or distributing personal information acquired through operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle, as well as using the drone to intentionally cause harm to persons or property.

Drone photography shows Ocean View's temporary transfer station.
Photo by John Fretz

   However, it would allow law enforcement agencies to gather evidence and other information pertaining to criminal conduct or other violations, provided there is a warrant.
     Law enforcement and safety agencies would be allowed to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles, without a warrant, "when there is a reasonable belief that an emergency situation exists, whether or not the situation involves criminal activity, and the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle is necessary to prevent immediate danger or death or serious physical injury to any person."
     The bill also would allow drones for public agencies to use for search and rescue, to respond to a hostage situation, to dispose of a suspected or actual explosive device, and conduct training exercieses. It would allow public agencies to conduct environmental and disaster response and damage assessment, and  to monitor plant or animal populations, conduct atmospheric testing and monitoring, review traffic congestion, inspect public lands and survey ocean and coastline.
      For more on the drone legislation see http://hicounties.com and look at the Hawai`i State Association of Counties' 2017 Legislative Package.
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A 4.5 EARTHQUAKE shook the south side of the island yesterday at 6:30 a.m. The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory recorded an offshore magnitude -4.5 earthquake about 59 km (37 mi) south of Ka Lae (South Point) at a depth of 36.5 km (22.7 mi). A map showing its location is posted on the HVO website at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/seismic/volcweb/earthquakes/.
     The earthquake was felt on the Island of Hawaiʻi, with the the USGS "Did you feel it?" Web site (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/) receiving over 50 felt reports within an hour of the earthquake. Weak shaking, with maximum Intensity of III, has been reported across the island. At that intensity, damage to buildings or structures was not expected.

An oceanic plate likely bent near the seamount Lo`ihi to produce the
4.5 earthquake yesterday. Image from Mr. Ash's Science Website

     The earthquake occurred about 70 km (43 mi) southwest of Lō‘ihi, the live volcanic seamount south of Honu`apo. However, yesterday's tremor was not caused by activity on that submarine volcano. The depth, location, and recorded seismic waves of the earthquake suggest a source due to bending of the oceanic plate from the weight of the Hawaiian island chain, a common source for earthquakes in this area. Aftershocks are possible and could be felt.
     The earthquake caused no detectable changes in Kīlauea Volcano's ongoing eruptions, on Mauna Loa, or at other active volcanoes on the Island of Hawaiʻi.
     For information on recent earthquakes in Hawai`i and eruption updates, visit  http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
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Ocean View Swap Meet receives
musical Christmas cheer with Ben
Houghton, next band leader on
clarinet. Photo by Ann Bosted

SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS WITH KA`U `OHANA BAND livened up the weekly Ocean View Swap Meet on Saturday. Ka’u Ohana Band huddled under a collection of umbrellas and played crowd-pleasing music.

Christmas music by the Ka`u `Ohana Band. Photo by Ann Bosted

     This was a swansong for the band’s conductor, Steve Moon, who will hand over the baton to the band’s clarinet player, Ben Houghton.
     Moon, a talented trumpet player, stepped up to the plate when the former conductor, Lisa Archuletta, had to leave the island unexpectedly.
    Moon plays trumpet for the Chamber Orchestra of Kona (COOK), which will be playing a Christmas Concert on Tuesday at the Sheraton Hotel’s ballroom in Keauhou.
     The Ka`u `Ohana Band is actively seeking community musicians who want to join.  It meets every Friday evening at 4p.m. at the St. Jude’s Church in Ocean View, starting in January.  

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KEIKI FUN DAY AND OPEN HOUSE will be held at Pāhala Community Center, tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., sponsored by Tutu & Me.

OCEAN VIEW’S OWN MUSICAL CONDUCTOR Michael Cripps will lead the Chamber Orchestra of Kona in a Christmas Concert, tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 20 at Sheraton ballroom at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.chamberorchestraofkona.com and at the door.

VOTE FOR THE BEST DECORATED Kilauea Military Camp through the holidays.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY is ongoing through the holidays at Volcano Art Center in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

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Ka`u News Briefs, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016

Gabe and Jana Heschler's home in Ranchos, Ocean View, is a destination for touring Christmas lights enthusiasts.
Photo by Peter Bosted

ʻALALĀ FLEW INTO FOREST NEAR VOLCANO last week after almost 15 years of the species being extinct in the wild. The five critically endangered young Hawaiian crows now live in Pu‘u Maka‘ala Natural Area Reserve. The release date was last Tuesday, Dec, 14. A film from San Diego Zoo, edited by Big Island Video News, documented the release. Bryce Masuda, Conservation Program Manager for San Diego Zoo Globals, described the ‘Alalā 's first minutes in the wild. “When they left their aviary, they were curious and immediately went out and started exploring their new home, foraging around in the forest, looking for different food items. Each of the ‘Alalā are wearing a small light-weight transmitter that will allow us to track it in the forest, so we can determine where they are going, how they behave and what they are feeding on.”

ʻAlalā have been released in the wild near Volcano, after being exinct
in the wild for almost 15 years. Photo from San Diego Zoo

    San Diego Zoo Global and many partners, including the state Department of Land & Natural Resources, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, worked on the conservation breeding that brought the ʻAlalā back from the brink of total extinction. Masuda said that, “Although the birds have now been released, we will continue to monitor them and provide appropriate supplemental food, to ensure they are supported as they encounter challenges.”
     Jackie Gaudioso-Levita, project coordinator of the ‘Alalā Project, spoke about the birds’ new home. She told Big Island Video News that “Decades of intensive management by the Three Mountain Alliance watershed partnership have led to the preservation of some of the most intact native-dominated wet and mesic forest on windward Hawai‘i Island, known as Pu‘u Maka‘ala Natural Area Reserve.”
     ʻAlalā have existed only in captivity since 2002, hatched and raised under the care of Bird Conservation Centers at Volcano and on Maui, managed by San Diego Zoo Global. More than 100 are living at the two centers.
      The release was preceded by great fanfare, including Volcano Art Center's  juried Return of the ʻAlalā art show, as well as an ‘Alalā mask-making workshop and several presentations on the bird’s recovery. An ʻAlalā release party was held in November at Mokupaʻpapa Discovery Center in Hilo.
     See more at www.bigislandvideonews.com and at www.sandiegozoo.org.

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WORD ABOUT A LIFE SIZE MECHANICAL SANTA that waves, sings and laughs “ho, ho, ho” is quickly spreading around Ocean View’s Ranchos neighborhood. He is making a reputation for the two nearby houses, whose over-the-top Christmas light displays are attracting the curious to Maikai Blvd. between Jasmine and Macadamia.

The Hardin home on Maikai Blvd. in Ranchos, Ocean View, is decorated with hoops

 and arches that the Hardins built, and a lighted Santa with reindeer that they rewired 

with LED lights to save energy. Photo by Peter Bosted

     Bright, colorful Christmas decorations light up front yards on both sides of the street. On the right, the street is lined with colorful lighted hoops, and larger hoops form arches leading to the house where lighted Santa and five reindeer cover the home’s front wall. Across the street, lighted candy canes lean against the front wall, along side the word “Noel” in lights. Behind Noel, lighted reindeer leap across the yard past lighted penguins, lighted Santas and more. 

     The home on the left belongs to Gabe and Jana Heschler, and their toddler George. Gabe is a retired marine studying for a master’s degree in education while teaching two days a week at Kaʻū High in Pāhala. Jana is a supervising nurse. 

    Gabe explains how his obsession with Christmas decorations began with his being raised by his grandparents who could not afford them, but would drive him around to look at homes that were well decorated.

     “My first job was packing chickens, where I made $50 a week, enough to let me buy a few strings of lights to decorate our bushes. I spent money on lights each year until I had a good enough display that people would drive by to look at my lights. That Idea has stayed with me. When we bought this house, we closed just before Christmas of 2011. Our first purchase was a Christmas tree – before we bought a fridge. Here in Ranchos, people drive by to look at my lights. They honk or wave or stop and get out of their cars to look at our yard. I like that.”

Santa in his house outside the Heschler home in Ranchos, Ocean
View. The life-size  Santa will sing and “ho, ho, ho” as admirers
walk or drive in close proximity. Photo by Peter Bosted

     The home on the right belongs to Mike and Jennifer Hardin who keep bees and have a successful honey business. Asked about their obsession with decorating, they explain that unlike Georgia where they came from, Hawaiʻi does not have a “real” winter, so they need to decorate to remind themselves that this is Christmas.

    Both couples admit that a bit of friendly rivalry has driven them to their extravagant displays.

    “We egg each other on,” explains Gabe. “When I put up a few reindeer, Mike and Jen added some huge snowflakes to keep up.” 

    However, as both couples bought homes within months of each other, they have become close friends, and seasonal decorating has become a strong bond.  Ask them what they will do next and Jen replies: “We could build a bridge over the road between our properties!”

    Gabe replies, “It would have to be higher than the water trucks,” and Mike adds, “We would need a crane and maybe a forklift . . . “

    “Perhaps there will be more surprises in Ranchos next Christmas,” said a fan.  

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THE CHRISTMAS KEIKI PARTY drew nearly 600 to Ocean View on Saturday at the Kahuku County Park. Booths, cooked food, gifts, prizes, Christmas decorations and a visit from Santa put party-goers in the holiday spirit.

St. Jude's Church brought a second Santa to the Ocean View keiki's party.
 Don Hatch listened to Christmas wishes from Lio, aged 4, and his
two-year-old sister Keala. Photo by Ann Bosted

     Ian Bailey, who reluctantly acknowledges that he was the organizer, modestly called the event “a big block party,” explaining that “anyone who worked events was here. We had churches and all sorts of organizations. It was a real community effort running on community spirit. I see the organizers as being part of a community I call ‘Kaʻū Strong’, meaning that we live in a hard place, so we need to be strong. This makes us all more capable. We were helped by an amazing response from businesses – we got a lot of donations from all sorts of people.”
     According to Lee and Kathie Griffeth, the planning for the Christmas Keiki Party began two short months ago. Informally calling themselves the Ocean View One Crew, the group of local residents got organized. First they had to fix up the dilapidated Kahuku County Park, which needed painting and cleaning. Then they did some fund raising, which continued right up to the night before the party.
     “People and businesses donated a lot,” recalls Bailey. “People donated Kaʻū beef, a Kaʻū pig, 400 apples, buckets of flowers and even services.” When shopping needed to be done, Ocean View One Crew members dug deep into their own pockets or came up with innovative ideas.

Volunteers Kailani Toriano and
Rowena Puakela get into the
Christmas spirit while they wait
for keiki to visit their booth to
create personalized Christmas
cards. Photo by Ann Bosted

      Lee and Kathie Griffeth donated gift certificates of labor – so each is now beholden for about 20 hours of yard work and house work.
      Many volunteers organized themselves and opened booths to either feed or entertain the keiki. The booth handing out shave ice had the longest line, and booths helping kids make Christmas cards were also popular.
     “Each keiki was given a bag,” explained Griffith, “so they could keep their handouts, gifts, prizes and treats safe. I can’t tell you how gratifying it was to see all these kids with bulging bags and smiles on their faces. It was a magical moment.”
      Across the street, St. Jude’s Church also had booths and a Santa with elves, gifts, treats and a hand-made stockings for each child.

St. Jude's church volunteers made hundreds of custom stockings for 

the keiki that came to the Ocean View Christmas party. Here two of 

Santa's elves, Linda Law and Marvelle Rau, each hold two stockings.

Photo by Ann Bosted

     A white vintage car, provided by the Hillbilly Car Club, brought Santa to the party in fine style. Once ensconced on his throne, surrounded by Christmas trees, lights, flowers and other decorations, Santa conducted personal interviews with each keiki. The keiki could then choose a wrapped gift from a huge selection. The selection was big enough that some kids were able to go through twice. They also gave away door prizes.
    Many members volunteered to cook the donated food and set up a kitchen. They produced enough to feed nearly 600 keiki and adults.
    By mid-afternoon, members of the Ocean View One Crew were cleaning up and breaking down the decorations and food table. An exhausted Kathie Griffith exclaimed “I’m so happy now.”
     “All those smiling faces and laughing kids have put me in the Christmas spirit,” admitted Butch Light. “I wasn’t in the Christmas spirit before, but I am now.”
    Ann Snow and her 16-year-old daughter, Annika joined the Griffeth family in camping out over night at the park to ensure that the elaborate party decorations and preparations were not tampered with. Annika also organized the keiki games.
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REP. RICHARD CREAGAN’S OCEAN VIEW FORUM will be held at Ocean View Community Center next Monday, Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. Creagan represents District 5 in the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives and chairs the Committee on Agriculture. District 5 includes Honuʻapo to Nāʻālehu, to Ocean View, to Capt. Cook, Kealakekua and part of Kailua-Kona.

KEIKI FUN DAY AND OPEN HOUSE will be held at Pāhala Community Center on Tuesday, Dec. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., sponsored by Tutu & Me.

OCEAN VIEW’S OWN MUSICAL CONDUCTOR Michael Cripps will lead the Chamber Orchestra of Kona in a Christmas Concert, Tuesday, Dec. 20 at Sheraton ballroom at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.chamberorchestraofkona.com and at the door.

VOTE FOR THE BEST DECORATED Kilauea Military Camp through the holidays.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY is ongoing through the holidays at Volcano Art Center in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

www.kaucalendar.com