Ka‘ū News Briefs Sunday, October 1, 2017

Three thousands pounds of marine debris were gathered this summer from the Ka‘ū Coast and will be shipped to New York to help build a 30 foot whale sculpture to be installed in a European city to remind everyone about plastics in
the ocean. Photo from Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund

A THIRTY FOOT BLUE WHALE SCULPTURE, made of marine debris, some 1,250 lbs. of it from the Ka‘ū Coast, will be installed in Europe in May of 2018. In early July, Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund and volunteers began working to fill a 40 ft. Matson container with blue and white plastics for the architect couple in Brooklyn, N.Y., Jason Klimoski and Lesley Chang of StudioKCA. They will build the blue Bruges Whale and ship it to the city of Bruges, a UNESCO World Heritage site like Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Known for its canals, Bruges is the capital city of West Flanders in Belgium. The Bruges Whale will be installed as part of a triennial event of contemporary art and architecture, called Liquid City.

Architects Jason Klimoski and Lesley Chang (center), of
StudioKCA in Brooklyn, N.Y., came to Hawai‘i to help gather
 marine debris for a whale sculpture with Hawai‘i Wildlife
Fund's Nohea Ka‘awa, Bill Gilmartin and Megan
 Lamson-Leatherman. Photo from Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund

     “The Bruges Whale is meant to spark conversation and raise awareness about the tremendous amount of plastic waste that is ending up in our oceans, hopefully helping the nearly 2,000,000 anticipated visitors reconsider what and how we consume, package, and dispose of plastic," said Klimoski. "Special thanks to Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund for their tremendous effort over the course of the last several months, helping us collect blue, white, and grey plastic to build ‘Skyscraper’, or ‘the Bruges Whale’ for the 2018 Bruges Triennial.”

       Seventeen Hawai‘i Island cleanup events were coordinated by Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund to fill the shipping container with approximately 3,000 lbs. of plastics while it was stationed at the Wai‘ōhinu Transfer Station in Ka‘ū. Additionally, Surfrider Foundation volunteers on Kaua‘i collected 1,000 lbs. of plastic debris that were added to the container once it reached Hilo, courtesy of a Young Brothers gratis-shipping grant that was received by Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund.  

     Matson Navigation was another supporter of the project with a free extension of time allowed to fill the container. Kona Trans also provided StudioKCA with a discounted hauling rate for the project and the County of Hawai‘i’s Department of Environmental Management provided HWF space to store the 40 ft. container for 12 weeks as volunteers contributed to fill it with plastic debris, making this effort an especially collaborative project by local businesses and residents alike.  The container will ship from Hilo on Oct. 4, to begin its journey to New York, and later Belgium.  

      "We are thrilled to able to work with artists to create awareness installations, like this Blue Whale project, and simultaneously divert some of this plastic pollution from our island landfills," said Megan Lamson, Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund's Hawai‘i Island Program Director. "Since 2003, HWF and volunteers have removed nearly 225 tons of debris from the shores of Hawai‘i Island. Whatever cannot be recycled, generally ends up in landfills. Innovative projects that include re-use, art, research, and recycling are always preferred." 

StudioKCA's mockup of a blue, white and gray whale sculpture, made from marine debris from Ka‘ū and
other Hawai‘i sites. It will be installed in Europe in 2018. Image from StudioKCA

     HWF is a small nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1996 to conserve native wildlife.  During its 21 years, HWF and volunteers have removed 260 tons of marine debris from the shores of Hawai‘i Island (86% by weight), Maui, Midway and French Frigate Shoals. In 2017, HWF and volunteers have removed 63,343 lbs. of marine debris from Hawai‘i Island and Maui during 51 community cleanup events. The majority of HWF’s marine debris removal work is conducted by volunteer labor, with financial support from the federal government through NOAA's Marine Debris Program, local businesses including Matson Navigation, Kona Surf Film Festival, Kona Brewers Festival and Norwex, and individual donations from around the world. 

      For more information on the project or how to get involved with HWF, contact kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or at 808-769-7629. See Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund. See more on Jason Klimoski and Lesley Chang of StudioKCA. See more on the Bruges Triennial.

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Ka‘ū chapter of Farmers Union United operates a Farm School in Ka‘ū.
Photo from Farmers Union United

KA‘Ū FARMERS UNIION UNITED held elections on Saturday in advance of the statewide annual meeting of Hawai‘i Farmers Union United next weekend on O‘ahu. The elected officers are President Kyle Studer who grows corn and other vegetables at the Hester Farm above Pāhala; Secretary-Treasurer Raina Whiting, a kindergarten teacher at Nā‘ālehu School, who advocates for school gardens; and Vice President Greg Smith, who operates Earth Matters Farm at Kama‘oa and South Point Roads.
      During the meeting at Pāhala Plantation House, members discussed working more closely with the local schools, the Farm School initiative, the upcoming Hawai‘i Farmers Union United state convention and 2018 state legislature. Studer and Whiting will represent Ka‘ū at the state convention.
See more at Hawai‘i Farmers Union United.

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Pele & Friends won the popular vote last week
for The Directory 2018. The mixed media work
is by Meriam Meliha Corcoran.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

THE COVER ART AND BEST IN SHOW from the annual Ka‘ū Chamber of Commerce art contest have been announced. The popular vote, which determines the cover art for The Directory, according to Chamber co-chair Allan Humble, went to Meriam Meliha Corcoran, of Ocean View. Cocoran is the Office Assistant at Discovery Harbour Community Association. Her artwork of mixed media is called Pele & Friends.
    The Best in Show award went to Thomas King, of Honu‘apo for his woodworking. King's winning art is a podium with a Ka‘ū emblem on the front.

Thomas King, of Honu‘apo won Best in
Show at the annual Ka‘ū Chamber of
Commerce Art Show with his
podium displaying the Ka‘ū emblem.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

    Cover of  the
guide will be
Pele &
Friends, said Humble. The publica-
tion is an
annual community and business resource for all of Ka‘ū.
     The art show, with the popular vote for the cover, was held during credit union hours all last week, at the CU Hawai‘i Federal Credit Union facility in Nā‘ālehu.
     See Ka‘ū Chamber of Commerce.

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TAI CHI QIGONG DEMONSTRATION SESSIONS will be given by Dr. Myrtle Miyamura, a certified Tai Chi for Health Institute Instructor. The new Ka‘ū Gym in Pāhala is the venue on Fridays, Oct. 6, 13 and 20 from 10 a.m. to noon.
     The tai chi instructions include movement for injury and arthritis management and prevention.          According to the state Department of Health, injury prevention information online, Tai Chi for Health "is an evidence-based program endorsed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention."
     The classes are cosponsored by Ka‘ū Rural Health Community Association and the county Department of Parks & Recreation, Call KRHCA executive director Jessie Marques  at 928-0101.
     See Ka‘ū Rural Health Community Association.

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A HEALTH FAIR AT DISCOVERY HARBOUR COMMUNITY CENTER has been announced for Saturday, Nov. 4. The time is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. On the program are healthy cooking demonstrations with the Blu Zones Project from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Island Health Care from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
     Dr. Renee Dufault will offer a talk on her new book called Unsafe at Any Meal. Longs Drugs will offer Flu Shots, others will offer massages. Also making presentations will be Bay Clinic and the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as Ornish Lifestyle Medicine.
      Demonstrations will include Yoga with Suzanne Brady at 9 a.m., Hula with Kumu Hula Hannah Uribes at 10 a.m., Pilates plus with Judy Knapp at 10:30 a.m., Tai Chi with David Copeland and Qigong with Shary Grogker.
     See Discovery Harbour Community Association.

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Pick up the October edition of The Ka'ū Calendar delivered

free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka'ū, from Miloli'i 

through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout

the district. See it online now at kaucalendar.com

UPCOMING FALL TROJAN SPORTS:

Girls Volleyball 

Friday, Oct. 6, Ka'ū vs. Kealakehe, home.
Wednesday, Oct. 11, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, away.
Friday, Oct. 13, Ka'ū vs. Honoka'a, home.

Eight-Man Football
Saturday, Oct. 7, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, home.
Saturday, Oct. 21, Ka'ū vs. Pāhoa, home.

Cross Country
Saturday, Oct. 7, Ka'ū vs. Kea'au, away.
Saturday, Oct. 13, Ka'ū vs. BIIF, away.

Cheerleading
Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Konawaena.
Wednesday, Oct. 18, at Kamehameha.

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REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8 FOR AN ART CLASS until Tuesday, Oct. 3. The class, Cupcake Liner Owl, takes place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at the Pāhala Community Center. For more, call 928-3102.

VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETS TOMORROW, MONDAY, Oct. 2, at 4 p.m., at the Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033.

TWO STORY TIME EVENTS ARE OFFERED AT KA'Ū LIBRARIES the first week of October. Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool staff will read a book aloud to keiki of all ages, with "a fun activity and snack provided following the story,” according to the event flier issued by Hawai‘i State Public Library System.

      Story Time is free to attend and will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Nā‘ālehu Public Library tomorrow, Monday, Oct. 2, and from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Pāhala Public Library on Thursday, Oct. 5.
      For more information call Nā‘ālehu Public Library at 939-2442 or Pāhala Public Library at 928-2015. For more library events, visit librarieshawaii.org/events.

DANCE IMAGINED, a class lead by Karen Masaki that “encourages exploration and builds strength and fluidity for pure exhilaration of movement,” will be held on Tuesdays this month: Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31. The classes will take place at the Volcano Art Center from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and incur a fee of $20 non-members and $15 for Volcano Art Center members or $50 for the entire series. For more, call 967-8222.

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS Tuesday, Oct. 3, and Wednesday, Oct. 4. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

HO‘OKUPU HULA NO KA‘Ū CULTURAL FESTIVAL organizing meeting will be this Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Pāhala Community Center at 6:30 p.m. for those who would like to volunteer and support the Nov. 4. event.

KA‘Ū COFFEE GROWERS MEET TUESDAY, Oct. 3, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Pāhala Community Center.

NATIONAL COFFEE WITH A COP DAY takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 4. All are welcome to celebrate with Ka‘ū police officers from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Ka‘ū District Gymnasium Conference Room in Pāhala. The event is a casual talk-story opportunity with no agenda, where attendees can meet local police officers. Coffee and pastries will be available at no cost.

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S LAVA LOUNGE, in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 4, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more details, call 967-8371.

HULA VOICES takes place on Thursday, Oct. 5, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates this free event, with Kumu hula Iwalani Kalima of Hula Hālau O Kou Lima Nani E presenting her hula experiences. Park entrance fees apply.

OCEAN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETS THURSDAY, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. in the Ocean View Community Center.

REGISTER THROUGH THURSDAY, OCT. 5, FOR A KAHUKU PARK CLEANUP that takes place Friday, Oct. 6, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.. Those interested in joining must register. Call 929-9113 for more details.

LEARN THE ART OF TROPICAL FLOWER ARRANGING at Volcano Art Center on Friday, Oct. 6, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Kaipo Ah Chong will provide cleaned tropical flowers. The class is $45 plus $20 supply fee. For more, call 967-8222.

Ka‘ū News Briefs Saturday, September 30, 2017

Looking somewhat like an old plantation tunnel in Ka‘ū, this tunnel was bored after a volcanic eruption landslide
 plugged the outflow of a lake, preventing its overflow and catastrophic flooding. It is an example
of managing conditions around a volcano, this one Mount St. Helens. See Volcano Watch below. 

HELP FOR SISTER COFFEE FARMS in Puerto Rico, devastated by Hurricane Maria, and in Mexico, devastated by its own natural disasters, is the call from Specialty Coffee Association, Barista Guild of America, Roasters Guild and others. These organizations represent a number of Ka‘ū Coffee farms and host events that have showcased Ka‘ū Coffee.

Specialty Coffee Association, a new unifying
organization of Specialty Coffee Associations of
America, Europe and others, is calling for help
for Puerto Rico and Mexican coffee farmers.

     A statement from SCA yesterday said, "Coffee communities around the world are coming together to raise funds for general relief efforts. As always, specialty coffee professionals are supporting one another and we encourage all SCA members to participate in these activities."

     SCA is searching for organizations working to support the coffee sector in each country. "We hope to help amplify their message and connect them to professionals within the SCA’s membership who are willing and able to volunteer their skills and time to help the Puerto Rican and Mexican coffee communities recover." Coffee farmers and other coffee professionals interested in supporting relief efforts for the coffee sectors in these two countries, can submit their information using this form.

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A 3.3 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE shook Pāhala at 10:33 a.m. this morning. The epicenter was along Wood Valley Road, just above town in macadamia orchards. No damage reported.

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THE U.S. COFFEE INDUSTRY is valued at $48 billion. WalletHub came out with statistics this week showing the location of the most intense coffee culture cities in the country, many of them places where Ka‘ū Coffee is sold at such outlets as Starbucks and other specialty coffee shops. WalletHub lists the 2017's Best Coffee Cities in America.

Rusty's Hawaiian is a local Ka‘ū Coffee that has penetrated a number of 

coffee intense markets, like New York, New Jersey, Portland and

Seattle, as well as Honolulu and its international airport. Ralph Gaston 

and Lorie Obra are two of the team. Photo by Julia Neal

     To determine the best local coffee scenes, WalletHub compared the 100 largest cities across 14 key indicators of a strong coffee culture. The data set ranges from coffee shops, coffee houses and cafés per capita to average price per pack of coffee.

    Identified as the Top 20 Cities for Coffee Lovers are Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, Chicago, Denver, Boston and Washington, D.C, followed by Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Honolulu, Miami, Atlanta, Long Beach, Austin, Las Vegas and Jersey City.

    WalletHub reported that Miami has the lowest average price for a pack of coffee, $3.43, which is 2.3 times lower than in Honolulu, the city with the highest at $7.87.

     Fremont, California, has the highest average annual spending on coffee per household, $185.00, which is three times higher than in Detroit, the city with the lowest at $61.29.

     Gilbert, Arizona, has the highest share of households that own a single-cup/pod-brewing coffee maker, 21.1 percent, which is 2.9 times higher than in Hialeah, Florida, the city with the lowest at 7.3 percent.

    New York has the most coffee shops, coffee houses and cafés (per square root of population), 1.0739, which is 45.5 times more than in Laredo, Texas, the city with the fewest at 0.0236.

     Portland has the most coffee and tea manufacturers (per square root of population), 0.0180, which is 36 times more than in Riverside and San Bernardino, California, the cities with the fewest at 0.0005. To view the full report.  visit: wallethub.com/edu/best-cities-for-coffee-lovers/23739/

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RA‘IĀTEA HELM WILL HEADLINE HO‘OKUPU HULA NO KA‘Ū CULTURAL FESTIVAL at Pāhala Community Center, on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Helm is a famed singer and 'ukulele player from Moloka‘i.

 Community members who would like to volunteer and support the event are invited to a public meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 6:30 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center.
     Hālau from Tokyo, Okinawa, Honolulu, Mexico and West Virgina will come to Pāhala for the festival. Cultural practitioners from Lana‘i will share their skills.

      Those interested in becoming vendors for Ho‘okupu Hula No Ka‘ū can also call 649-9334 for an application. There are openings for craft vendors, food vendors, informational booths, and game vendors for children. Deadline to apply is Oct. 27. Craft vendors fee is $50.00. Food vendors fee is $75.00. Informational booths are free. Game Vendors fee is $50.00.

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Aerial view of Spirit Lake looking north from above the crater of Mount St. Helens. The lake’s outlet to the west (left) 

was blocked by the 1980 landslide, which required a new engineered outlet to maintain the lake at a safe level. A 

tunnel was drilled through a bedrock ridge on west side of the lake in 1984-1985. Glacier covered Mount Rainier 

in distance. USGS photo by M. Logan, 2005.

A CASE STUDY IN MANAGING RESPONSE TO VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS is the subject of this week's Volcano Watch, written by scientists at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. While it involves Mount St. Helens, it also brings up Ka‘ū history when horizontal tunnels were hand-dug into Mauna Loa to bring out water. In this case, sophisticated mechanical borers did the job:

      Thirty-seven years after the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens, Washington, scientists, engineers, land managers, and federal, state, and county officials are still grappling with a challenge created by the eruption—how to prevent potentially massive downstream flooding by the release of water from Spirit Lake, located at the base of the volcano.

      A new report published this summer by the U.S. Forest Service describes the complex and interrelated natural hazards—volcanic, seismic, and hydrologic—and risks associated with several options to manage the water level of Spirit Lake (fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/54429). The USFS is the agency charged with management of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, including an engineered outlet for Spirit Lake.

A tunnel was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after
the Mount St. Helens eruption, to allow Spirit Lake water to flow again
into the Toutle River, in order to prevent catastrophic flooding below
the lake. Photo from Army Corps of Engineers

      The 1980 eruption began with an enormous landslide, released as a series of massive blocks of rock and ice from the volcano. Most of the sliding debris sped 22 km (13.7 mi) down the North Fort Toutle River, filling the valley to an average depth of about 45 m (148 ft) in about ten minutes.

      Part of the landslide slammed into Spirit Lake, blocking its natural outlet and raising the lake level by 60 m (197 ft). In the area between Spirit Lake and the North Fork Toutle River to the west, the landslide deposit is as thick as 195 m (640 ft).

      Without an outlet, the lake rose with each rainstorm and seasonal snowmelt. By August 1982, the lake level had risen another 16.5 m (54 ft). At that filling rate, water was projected to possibly breach the blockage and produce a catastrophic flood by 1985.

      Such a flood would likely lead to loss of life and extensive damage (more than $1 billion) in communities downstream along the Toutle, Cowlitz, and Columbia rivers.

A mammoth tunnel boring machine used to give relief to water in Spirit
 Lake after Mount St. Helens erupted. Photo from Army Corps of Engineers

      To mitigate this potential flood hazard, President Ronald Reagan, on Aug. 19, 1982, directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to develop a strategy to prevent breaching of the landslide blockage. While various outlet alternatives were proposed and studied, a temporary pumping facility was installed to lower and stabilize the lake level.

     Ultimately, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed a 2.6-km (8,500 ft) long, 3.4-m (11 ft) diameter tunnel through a bedrock ridge on the west side of Spirit Lake to deliver its water back into the North Fork Toutle River. The tunnel has successfully controlled the lake level since 1985.

     However, several major and costly repairs to the tunnel, owing to damage caused by surrounding rock squeezing it, were necessary in 1995, 1996, and 2016. Additional repairs are expected in the future.

      When sections of the tunnel are repaired or upgraded, the tunnel is closed for many months. Repairs always happen during the winter rainy season to ensure adequate streamflow downstream for fish. With the tunnel closed, the lake level rises, and during each repair water has approached its maximum “safe” level.

Tunnel from Spirit Lake, following Mount Saint
Helens eruption's landslide blocking natural outflow of
water in the lake. Photo from Army Corps of Engineers

      Such high water levels raise concern. If the lake rises only a few meters (yards) higher than it has during prior repairs, for example during an exceptional weather event coincident with an extended tunnel closure, the consequences could be “severe” according the USFS report.

      To address this concern, an interagency task force evaluated risks associated with the current tunnel and alternative outlets. The new report summarizes those potential risks, including those to an engineered open channel just below the volcano’s north-facing crater, an option exposed to volcanic events that could block or damage the channel, and a buried pipe through the chaotic landslide deposit.

     Another much anticipated report is expected soon from the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (dels.nas.edu/Study-In-Progress/Long-term-Management-Spirit/DELS-BESR-15-03). This report will focus on a “framework for technical decision making related to the long-term management of risks related to the Spirit Lake/Toutle River system” and take into consideration “regional economic, cultural, and societal priorities.”

       As yet, the USFS has not made any decisions regarding a new outlet strategy. The new reports will help inform such decisions given the volcanic, seismic, and hydrologic hazards that threaten each alternative as well as the long-term costs.

     Visit HVO website for past Volcano Watch articles, volcano updates and photos, recent earthquake info, and more. Call for summary updates at 808-967-8862 (Kīlauea) or 808-967-8866 (Mauna Loa). Email questions to ask HVO@usgs.gov.

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Pick up the October edition of The Ka'ū Calendar delivered

free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka'ū, from Miloli'i 

through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout

the district. See it online now at kaucalendar.com

UPCOMING FALL TROJAN SPORTS:

Girls Volleyball 

Friday, Oct. 6, Ka'ū vs. Kealakehe, home.
Wednesday, Oct. 11, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, away.
Friday, Oct. 13, Ka'ū vs. Honoka'a, home.

Eight-Man Football
Saturday, Oct. 7, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, home.
Saturday, Oct. 21, Ka'ū vs. Pāhoa, home.

Cross Country
Saturday, Oct. 7, Ka'ū vs. Kea'au, away.
Saturday, Oct. 13, Ka'ū vs. BIIF, away.

Cheerleading
Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Konawaena.
Wednesday, Oct. 18, at Kamehameha.

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

REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8 FOR AN ART CLASS until Tuesday, Oct. 3. The class, Cupcake Liner Owl, takes place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at the Pāhala Community Center. For more, call 928-3102.

HAM RADIO OPERATORS POTLUCK PICNIC takes place Sunday, Oct. 1, at Manukā Park. All American Radio Emergency Service members, anyone interested in learning how to operate a ham radio and families are invited to attend. For more details, contact Dennis Smith at 989-3028.

VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETS MONDAY, Oct. 2, at 4 p.m., at the Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033.

TWO STORY TIME EVENTS ARE OFFERED AT KA'Ū LIBRARIES the first week of October. Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool staff will read a book aloud to keiki of all ages, with "a fun activity and snack provided following the story,” according to the event flier issued by Hawai‘i State Public Library System.

      Story Time is free to attend and will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Nā‘ālehu Public Library on Monday, Oct. 2, and from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Pāhala Public Library on Thursday, Oct. 5.
      For more information call Nā‘ālehu Public Library at 939-2442 or Pāhala Public Library at 928-2015. For more library events, visit librarieshawaii.org/events.

DANCE IMAGINED, a class lead by Karen Masaki that “encourages exploration and builds strength and fluidity for pure exhilaration of movement,” will be held on Tuesdays this month: Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31. The classes will take place at the Volcano Art Center from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and incur a fee of $20 non-members and $15 for Volcano Art Center members or $50 for the entire series. For more, call 967-8222.

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS Tuesday, Oct. 3, and Wednesday, Oct. 4. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

KA‘Ū COFFEE GROWERS MEET TUESDAY, Oct. 3, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Pāhala Community Center.

NATIONAL COFFEE WITH A COP DAY takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 4. All are welcome to celebrate with Ka‘ū police officers from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Ka‘ū District Gymnasium Conference Room in Pāhala. The event is a casual talk-story opportunity with no agenda, where attendees can meet local police officers. Coffee and pastries will be available at no cost.

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S LAVA LOUNGE, in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 4, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more details, call 967-8371.

HULA VOICES takes place on Thursday, Oct. 5, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates this free event, with Kumu hula Iwalani Kalima of Hula Hālau O Kou Lima Nani E presenting her hula experiences. Park entrance fees apply.

OCEAN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETS THURSDAY, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. in the Ocean View Community Center.

SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WHO HELP WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES IN THE COMMUNITY is offered by The Nature Conservancy. The Nature Conservancy has announced a call for applications through Nov. 3 for student projects that develop nature-based, green infrastructure solutions to an environmental challenge in their community. For full details on requirements, eligibility, and how to apply go to NatureWorksEverywhere.org/#grants.

Ka‘ū News Briefs Friday, September 29, 2017

A monk seal rests along the Ka‘ū Coast. Photo by Julia Neal

MONK SEALS AND OTHER MARINE MAMMALS will be further protected as Hawai‘i conservation programs receive nearly $200,000 in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration funding for the recovery and treatment of stranded marine animals. Sen. Mazie Hirono said this morning, "Marine mammals are threatened by climate change, development, and pollution. This funding will help two Hawai‘i organizations with a history in marine mammal protection to conduct research on marine mammal mortality and rehabilitate and release monk seals."
     This year's John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance grant was awarded to The University of Hawai‘i and The Marine Mammal Center for their work to support conservation research. As part of the grant funding, UH will receive $100,000 to investigate causes of mortality in Pacific Island marine mammals.
     "Whales and dolphins are sentinels of ocean health, and like a canary in a coal mine are one of our first indicators of change to Hawai‘i's marine ecosystem," said Dr. Kristi West, standing director for the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. "As the only entity in the state that conducts cause of death investigations for stranded dolphins and whales, we rely heavily on the Prescott grant to determine what threatens the survival of 20 different species of dolphins and whales that call Hawai‘i home."

Keiki play behind a monk seal at Honu‘apo years ago, during the
early efforts to conserve the Ka‘ū Coast. Photo by Julia Neal

     In addition, The Marine Mammal Center will receive $98,951 to support its Hawaiian Monk Seal Rehabilitation Program.
     "Public-private partnerships are essential for the successful conservation of the endangered Hawaiian monk seal," said Dr. Jeff Boehm, Executive Director of The Marine Mammal Center, which operates Ke Kai Ola in Kailua-Kona, a dedicated hospital for monk seals. "The critical funds from this award allow us to continue to rehabilitate vulnerable seals, understand health trends in the population, and enhance community involvement in recovery efforts."
     A statement from Hirono's office says that she continues to advocate for the protection of federal funding for NOAA. Earlier this year Hirono and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) led a bipartisan letter to the Trump administration urging reconsideration of proposed cuts to NOAA's budget that would disproportionately hurt Hawai‘i and other coastal states.
     The Trump administration's 2018 budget proposal currently threatens to zero out funding for the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program and other NOAA programs.

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ONE OF KA‘Ū'S SISTER COFFEE PRODUCING REGIONS IN THE U.S. IS PUERTO RICO where coffee plantations were recently ripped to shreds by Hurricane Maria. Puerto Rico and Hawai‘i are the only places coffee is grown in any quantity in the U.S. Ka‘ū coffee farmers have met their Puerto Rican counterparts numerous times at the annual Specialty Coffee Association of America conventions across the country as both regions have developed a specialty coffee. Coffee pickers from Puerto Rico also come to work in Ka‘ū.
     Jayson Harper, a professor of agricultural economics at Penn State University, who has spent time in Puerto Rico, told the Associated Press, which reported yesterday, that Hurricane Maria destroyed the high value crop that cannot be simply replanted like corn taken out by a tornado in the Midwest.

Coffee tree from Hacienda Pamarossa were ready for picking before
Hurricane Maria destroyed them and the industry. Only Hawai‘i
and Puerto Rico grow coffee in the U.S. Photo from Pamarossa

     He told AP writer David Pitt that coffee trees, when destroyed by wind, take several years to mature enough to produce beans again.
     The story stated that the Puerto Rican "coffee industry was hit at the worst time, just before the beans are picked, said Eva Legner, who with her husband Kurt operates Hacienda Pomarrosa in Ponce, a city on the island's southern coast where they have eight acres of coffee plants. The couple operates a small specialty coffee growing operation and a cottage where guests can stay on the coffee farm, tour the field and experience production. It is part of the island's growing agri-tourism industry.
     "She said the storm cut right through the island's mountainous coffee-growing area. The specialty beans their farm produces grow on bushes that are planted beneath taller trees to protect them from direct sun.
     "We've lost many trees which fell on the bushes and broke them," Legner said. "My husband tells me we lost a complete harvest," Legner told AP.

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Image from change.org

THE STYROFOAM REDUCTION BILL is expected to be signed by Mayor Harry Kim, after passing the County Council and after much campaigning from individuals and non-profit organizations. The Hawai‘i County Council passed the bill last week. The council vote was 7 to 2, with Ka‘ū member Maile David in favor and only Aaron Chung and Sue Lee Loee Loy in opposition. It goes into effect July 1, 2019.

     Bill 13 reduces styrofoam use on the island by food vendors.

     The measure prohibits “food vendors from dispensing prepared food in disposable polystyrene food service ware.” The bill “exempts food packaged outside the limits of the County.” 

     It also allows for use of styrofoam ice chest and coolers; and packaging for raw meat, fish, and eggs that have not been further processed, 

     For years, proposals to cut back use of styrofoam have been proposed to the County Council but all have failed until now. Recently, Puna councilwoman Eileen O’Hara resurrected the effort by paring it back from an outside, business-wide, islandwide ban to use by those involved with county government.

     Mayor Harry Kim said he is grateful that the council gave him lead time for the transition. “They did a great job packing it into a tight bill,” he told West Hawai‘i Today.

     During the months prior to the bills passing, local non-profit Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund made many public posts on Facebook asking community members to send in written testimony in support of the bill using the hashtag reference #HOLDTHEFOAM. Foam Free Hawai‘i, another non-profit organization, shared an online petition found on change.org that sought to encourage Hawai‘i County Council to “Ban Single-Use EPS (Styrofoam) Containers in Hawai‘i County.”

     Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund’s Megan Lamson said there are solid reasons to ban styrofoam: negative impact to Hawai‘i’s marine environment, the economy, solid waste management, and common sense. To read more of her testimony, visit the Sept. 6 Ka‘ū News Briefs.

     See the films on the council meetings at Big Island Video News.

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on 

THE ANNUAL ART SHOW WINNERS will be announced tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 30, between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at an Artist Reception, which is arranged by Ka'ū Chamber of Commerce in the CU Hawai'i Federal Credit Union Annex Building (behind CU) in Nā'ālehu.

     Door prizes and art show winner prizes will be distributed.

     The winning popular vote piece will be displayed on the cover of The Directory 2018, according to new Chamber co-chairs Alan Stafford and Allen Humble who describe the annual art show as a fundraiser for the Ka'ū Chamber of Commerce scholarship program. For more details, visit the Chamber website at kauchamber.org or call 936-5288.

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Pick up the October edition of The Ka'ū Calendar delivered

free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka'ū, from Miloli'i 

through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout

the district. See it online now at kaucalendar.com

UPCOMING FALL TROJAN SPORTS:

Girls Volleyball 

Friday, Oct. 6, Ka'ū vs. Kealakehe, home.
Wednesday, Oct. 11, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, away.
Friday, Oct. 13, Ka'ū vs. Honoka'a, home.

Eight-Man Football
Saturday, Oct. 7, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, home.
Saturday, Oct. 21, Ka'ū vs. Pāhoa, home.

Cross Country
Saturday, Sept. 30, Ka'ū vs. Waiakea, away.
Saturday, Oct. 7, Ka'ū vs. Kea'au, away.
Saturday, Oct. 13, Ka'ū vs. BIIF, away.

Bowling
Saturday, Sept. 30, Ka'ū vs. Kamehameha at Kona Bowl.

Cheerleading
Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Konawaena.
Wednesday, Oct. 18, at Kamehameha.

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REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8 FOR AN ART CLASS until Tuesday, Oct. 3. The class, Cupcake Liner Owl, takes place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at the Pāhala Community Center. For more, call 928-3102.

Birth of Kahuku is offered tomorrow. Photo from nps.gov/HAVO

HAWAI'I FARMERS UNION United will hold its annual Ka'ū chapter meeting at Pāhala Plantation House, at 96-3209 Maile St. tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 30, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Members and friends are invited to participate in the Ka'ū Chapter business and Convention discussion, election of board members and a potluck dinner.

BIRTH OF KAHUKU a free hike within the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is offered tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 30, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku on this easy-to-moderate hike that traverses the vast 1868 lava flow, with different volcano features and formations. Learn about the Hawaiian hotspot and the creation of Kahuku. Visit nps.gov/HAVO for more details.

NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY IS TOMORROW, SATURDAY, Sept. 30, and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is offering free entrance and two opportunities to help to remove invasive plant species, one in the park and the other in the Ocean View community.

     To join the Stewardship at the Summit program from 9 a.m. to noon, meet volunteers Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m., then head into the forest to remove Himalayan ginger from the summit of Kīlauea. Volunteers receive a free park pass to use on another date of choice. 

     In Ocean View, volunteers will remove invasive fountain grass. Meet at the Ocean View Community Center this Saturday, Sept. 30, at 9 a.m.; bring lunch, water, a hat and sun protection. Contact Park Ecologist David Benitez at 985-6085 or email him at david_benitez@nps.gov for more information about this project.

HAM RADIO OPERATORS POTLUCK PICNIC takes place Sunday, Oct. 1, at Manukā Park. All American Radio Emergency Service members, anyone interested in learning how to operate a ham radio and families are invited to attend. For more details, contact Dennis Smith at 989-3028.

VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETS MONDAY, Oct. 2, at 4 p.m., at the Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033.

TWO STORY TIME EVENTS ARE OFFERED AT KA'Ū LIBRARIES the first week of October. Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool staff will read a book aloud to keiki of all ages, with "a fun activity and snack provided following the story,” according to the event flier issued by Hawai‘i State Public Library System.

      Story Time is free to attend and will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Nā‘ālehu Public Library on Monday, Oct. 2, and from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Pāhala Public Library on Thursday, Oct. 5.
      For more information call Nā‘ālehu Public Library at 939-2442 or Pāhala Public Library at 928-2015. For more library events, visit librarieshawaii.org/events.

DANCE IMAGINED, a class lead by Karen Masaki that “encourages exploration and builds strength and fluidity for pure exhilaration of movement,” will be held on Tuesdays this month: Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31. The classes will take place at the Volcano Art Center from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and incur a fee of $20 non-members and $15 for Volcano Art Center members or $50 for the entire series. For more, call 967-8222.

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS Tuesday, Oct. 3, and Wednesday, Oct. 4. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

KA‘Ū COFFEE GROWERS MEET TUESDAY, Oct. 3, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Pāhala Community Center.

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S LAVA LOUNGE, in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 4, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more details, call 967-8371.

HULA VOICES takes place on Thursday, Oct. 5, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates this free event, with Kumu hula Iwalani Kalima of Hula Hālau O Kou Lima Nani E presenting her hula experiences. Park entrance fees apply.

OCEAN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETS THURSDAY, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. in the Ocean View Community Center.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP REMOVE INVASIVE, NON-NATIVE PLANT SPECIES that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This Stewardship at the Summit event will take place four times in October - Saturdays, Oct. 7 & 21, and Fridays, Oct. 13 & 27, at 9 a.m.

     To join the efforts, meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. on any of the aforementioned dates. Volunteers should wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants and bring a hat, rain-gear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools will be provided. No advance registration is required, and there is no cost to participate, but park entrance fees apply. Visit the park website for additional planning details: nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm.