The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Thursday, January 25, 2018

Students gather at Kāwā for a workday mentored by Nā Mamo o Kāwā, the local-based non-profit that partners with the County of Hawai‘i in stewarding 7.5 acres of 775 Kāwā acres preserved along the Ka‘ū Coast. See story below.
Photo by Nalani Parlin

A MEETING ON THE FUTURE OF KA‘Ū LEARNING ACADEMY has been called for next Monday, Jan. 29, by the Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission. The commission announced Wednesday that it invites Ka‘ū Learning Academy families and community members to the community meeting Monday at Discovery Harbour Community Association Assembly Hall at 94-1604 Makaliʻi Street in Discovery Harbour.

The meeting will take place from from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Commission will be on hand to "talk with the community about the Commission, its oversight duties of all public charter schools, including KLA, and to explain the Commission's recent action in issuing the Notice of Prospect of Revocation, the first step of a multi-step process. The Commission will provide information and also receive feedback from the KLA and Kaʻū community," said the statement from the Charter School Commission.

KLA requested a public hearing after the Commission suggested withdrawing its charter. See the story on Dec. 8 Kaʻū News Briefs and on Page 18 of The Kaʻū Calendar newspaper, January edition, at kaucalendar.com. The meeting scheduled for Monday is unrelated to the KLA request and is not a public hearing. However, KLA Managing Director Joe Iacuzzo said that the school administration and board are encouraging attenance by community members "who want a better future for Ka‘ū children."

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Sen. Brian Schatz urged missile alerts be carried out through

federal channels, via many ways that people communicate.

See and hear the hearing.

THIS IS NOT A DRILL: AN EXAMINATION OF THE WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM is the title of a hearing held Thursday by the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet. Hawaiʻi Sen. Brian Schatz is the lead Democrat on the committee, and promises a field hearing in Hawaiʻi later this year to review the false missile alert that terrified many people throughout the state earlier this month.
Schatz proposes that such missile alerts be carried out by federal rather than state governments, and has introduced legislation to prevent states from giving out such alerts. During the hearing, Schatz brought up the many ways people communicate, from radio in rural places to television and social media and said alerts need to reach "cord cutters" and other people not watching TV, listening to radio, or using telephones in traditional ways. See and listen to the hearing.

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Nohea Kaʻawa, Keone Kalawe, and Christian Giardina
discuss a map of Kāwā. Photo by Nalani Parl

COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO KĀWĀ to join Kaʻū-based, non-profit Nā Mamo o Kāwā, in a weekend work day on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 9:30 a.m. Open to people of all ages, the workday continues stewardship efforts at Kāwā, the county-owned land between Punaluʻu and Honuʻapo, which has long been a site popular for surfing, walking, fishing, and recognition of significant archaeological sites.

Nā Mamo o Kāwā - translated as the descendants of Kāwā - is working in concert with the county, Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund, and Honoliʻi Paka, to build community capacity in conservation efforts, and intends to host monthly workdays at Kāwā.
In mid-January, more than 80 people converged at Kāwā for a work day led by Nā Mamo o Kāwā executive director James Akau. The entire Volcano School of Arts and Sciences middle school, and Kaʻū High and Middle school students, worked alongside field experts from county, state, federal, and private entities. Akau said the event was meant to "start off the new year on the right foot, celebrate mālama ‘āina and all the people that have been a part of work, as well as provide recognition to all of our collaborators."

Nā Mamo o Kāwā executive director James Akau shows
VSAS students, from Pāhala, how to mark newly planted
naupaka grown by the students from cuttings, with
stones and coral to prevent them from being trampled.
Photo by Nalani Parlin

Supporters of Nā Mamo's stewardship efforts include County of Hawaiʻi Parks and Recreation Department, County Department of Finance, Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, The Nature Conservancy, Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, U.S. Forest Service, County Fire Department, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Honoliʻi Paka, and many community members.

Several work groups were formed and given tasks, with students working alongside experts in their respective fields. One group used tools to control invasive species, wililaiki and haole koa, encroaching on remnant existing populations of native alaheʻe and cultural features. Another group removed trash and debris along the coast, and raked and cleaned around recreational areas. Others watered and collected native seeds of plants on site, such as milo, kou, kūkui, and ‘aʻaliʻi, and transplanted keiki milo into pots. Students also set out bait to test for Little Fire Ants, outplanted naupaka they grew from cuttings, and harvested more cuttings for future outplanting activities. Another group reinforced rock walls around the springs and other areas to control sand inundation, and removed sand from clogging springs.

Archaeologist Matthew Clark, who compiled an archaeological report for Kāwā, led students on hikes to identify cultural sites. Another highlight included Keone Kalawe, a kuhikuhi pu‘u one (Plain Table mapper) and apprentice Britni Kuali’i, sharing how to create a detailed map of components of a heiau at Kāwā.

Nā Mamo o Kāwā, formed in 2012 and founded by Pueo Kai McGuire-Turcotte, of Waiʻōhinu, has been working hard for several years to forward their mission, which is "to curate and steward the natural and cultural resources of Kāwā to honor the past, provide for the present and preserve for future generations." Board members include McGuire-Turcotte who serves as chair; Ryan Kanakaʻole, from Waiʻōhinu, and his wife Kaipo; and Koa Morris, of Kahuku. Longtime volunteer and worker on the project is Native Hawaiian lineal descendent of Kāwā families, Kauʻi Kaupu Felder.

Native lineal descendent of Kāwā families, Kauʻi Kaupu Felder,

left, welcomes County Dept. of Finance Business Manager
Reid Sewake and Dept. of Parks and Recreation
Deputy Director Maurice Messina, and experts in
archaeology and other fields, to help lead area

students in stewarding the land. Photo by Nalani Parlin

Nā Mamo o Kāwā is contracted by the county as area stewards, and is funded by the County Department of Finance PONC Grant and the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. The County also provides support with two portable bathrooms housed on site. The group services and cares for about 15 acres of the some 775 Kāwā acreage acquired by the county.

County Department of Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Maurice Messina, who visited Kāwā during the workday with Department of Finance Business Manager Reed Sewake, said "It is amazing what is happening here. Coming out here and seeing the partnership that has developed, not only with Parks and Recreation, but also with the schools, we are going to throw our support behind Nā Mamo o Kāwā 100 percent."

Over the past few years, Nā Mamo o Kāwā has helped several hundreds of students, of all ages, to engage in place-based learning and mālama ʻāina at Kāwā. In addition to students from Volcano School of Arts and Sciences, and Kaʻū High and Middle School, Nā Mamo o Kāwā has hosted and helped many learners from Youth Challenge, University of Hawaiʻi PIPES interns, UH STEM Manowaiohanakahi and Maʻa, Kua o Ka Lā Charter School site at Miloliʻi, the Hipuʻu, and Queen Lili'uokalani Childrens Trust programs to engage in learning about and caring for Kāwā.

VSAS educational assistant, Hal Tredinnick, leads a student working
group to clean up the coastline, picking up trash and driftwood.
Photo by Nalani Parlin

Akau said the organization seeks to form more partnerships with other area schools and programs, including Nāʻālehu Elementary. Akau is also helping schools start native plant nurseries for eventual outplanting at Kāwā, and provides educational assistance through classroom visits. Another future Nā Mamo o Kāwā initiative will be to "outfit community members with grow back materials, so they can be involved with Kāwā stewardship efforts from their own homes," added Akau.

For the students of Volcano School of Arts and Sciences, who visit weekly, teacher Tamara Morrison said she has already seen the positive impact. She shared that students who may have met with challenges in a traditional classroom setting have flourished since coming to Kāwā. She added that as these students get to showcase their talents in the outdoor classroom, their self-confidence has increased and so have their scores in other content areas, such as reading. Volcano School has taken advantage of the opportunity to work with Nā Mamo and anchor student learning around the place of Kāwā to create cross-content lessons which include language arts, science, social studies and math knowledge and skills, and continue on back at their Volcano campus.

VSAS middle-schooler Elisha Viernes-Navarro
Photo by Nalani Parlin

Akau pointed to what he feels is one of the most important lessons that students can gain from visits to Kāwā. He said, "Students need to create their own relationships with the space. Go enjoy yourself and love this place."

For more information about the Feb. 10 workday or to engage with Nā Mamo o Kāwā, contact James Akau at namamookawa@gmail.com or call 430-3058.

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GOV. DAVID IGE'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS this week took up education; Kūpuna care; environmental responsibility and sustainability; growing food; and diversifying the economy.
Regarding education, Ige said, "It is one thing to say our children matter; it is quite another to do something about it. We have invested more widely in classrooms than in previous years." He mentioned the 1,200-and-counting classrooms that now have cooling, and the more than 3,000 community members who came together to create "a new Blueprint for Education. This blueprint for change is now in the hands of new DOE leadership." Said the governor, "I also recognized that it is not enough just to say to our teachers, 'We respect how hard you work.' That's why we have given our educators the pay raises they have long deserved."
Ige brought up care of the elderly: "I am proud that together we were able to pass Kūpuna Caregiver legislation that provides assistance for full-time family caregivers who also have full-time jobs. This is a win for Hawaiʻi's families."

Gov. David Ige brought up the importance of protecting thousands of acres of watershed,
with one of the most important on state land. It's called the Kaʻū Forest Preserve.

On taxes, Ige stated, "Together we have made tremendous strides in this task – rebuilding our Rainy Day fund to $310 million. We have gone after the tax cheats and collected millions from those who were not paying their fair share. And we are working to modernize our tax collection system to make it easier and fairer for the people of Hawaiʻi. We made needed changes to improve the system so we can collect the tax revenues we rely on for state services. I believe we're on the right track to accomplish this major task."
Ige spoke about environmental responsibility and sustainability: "We're also making great strides in protecting our ʻāina and ocean resources. To date, we have protected over 40,000 acres of watershed forests on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi and Hawaiʻi islands... We helped preserve and protect Turtle Bay lands (on O`ahu) from development. A joint agreement with the US Navy is helping us reach our renewable energy goals. And together, we've established guidelines to use recycled water on food crops."
"Hawai‘i is a leader in solving the issues of our time... Hawai‘i is home to many talented individuals breaking new ground every day." He talked more about diversifying the economy. "I hope you'll leave today knowing that we have laid important groundwork and that Hawai‘i is on the edge of something exciting. Imagine a future economy for Hawai‘i that isn't reliant solely on tourism and the military. Imagine a future where local entrepreneurs are inventing useful products and services that are sold across the globe.

"Imagine that we use our temperate weather and four growing seasons to develop new high-tech agricultural tools that increase yields for farmers from Hawai‘i to India. Imagine that we farm our nearshore ocean waters, too, feeding our own communities and the growing global demand for seafood. And with these new businesses, there's new demand for scientists, technicians and marketing professionals.

Learn the art of playing the ‘ukulele with Wes Awana in Volcano on Feb. 2.
Photo from Volcano Art Center

"And what does this mean for the people of Hawai‘i?" he asked. "It means a healthier economy with quality jobs that enable us to improve our schools, take care of our kūpuna, and provide more affordable housing. This future Hawai‘i isn't as far off as it seems."
Read the governor's entire speech here: 2018-Gov-Ige-STATE-OF-THE-STATE.pdf.

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VOLCANO ART CENTER HAS ANNOUNCED ‘UKULELE WITH WES AWANA as next weeks' Aloha Friday cultural demonstration on the porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Volcano area musician Awana shares his love of ‘ukulele and Hawaiian music by giving family-friendly lessons on Friday, Feb. 2, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The free cultural event is supported in part by a grant from the County of Hawai‘i Dept. of Research and Development, and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. National Park entrance fees apply. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org.

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A FUNDRAISING DINNER FOR KĪLAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK is hosted by Almafatano's Italian Restaurant, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Friday, Feb. 2, in Hilo. The event, KDENte, offers musical entertainment by Karl Halemano, and a buffet including pasta, lasagna, and salad.
KDEN is a non-profit community theater organization founded by experienced community theater organizers and performing artists. KDEN's mission is "to provide and promote top quality community theater in East Hawai‘i, seeking to enrich and unite our community through participation in the performing arts."
KDEN produces a summer musical, winter production, and sponsors the Living History program in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and the Volcano Festival Chorus. Proceeds will go towards KDEN's next production, Alan Ayckbourn's comedy, How The Other Half Loves, which plays in March at Kīlauea Miltary Camp's Kīlauea Theater in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Tickets for the fundraiser are $20 per person, available at the door. Reservations may be made by calling KDEN at 982-7344.

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See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at

kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/januaryevents.html.

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, weekly events at
kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/januarycommunity.html.
January print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i
through Volcano. Also available free on stands throughout
the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE

Swimming: Friday, Jan. 26, @ Kamehameha (BIIF Championships, prelims).
Saturday, Jan. 27, @ Kamehameha (BIIF Championships, finals).

Boys Basketball: Saturday, Jan. 27, HPA @ Ka‘ū.
Monday, Jan. 29, @ Parker.
Wednesday, Jan. 31, Kealakehe @ Ka‘ū.
Saturday, Feb. 3, @ Kamehameha.

Wrestling: Saturday, Jan. 27 @ HPA.
Saturday, Feb. 3 @ Kealakehe.

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MUSICIAN AND TEXTILE ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE GIVE A DUAL PERFORMANCE in Friday, Jan. 26, starting at 6 p.m., in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Will Oldham (performs as Bonnie "Prince" Billy) will sing and play music, and his wife, fiber/textile artist Elsa Hansen Oldham, stitches on stage as her handiwork is projected on a movie screen. Oldham is an acclaimed singer/songwriter whose music has been described as an alternative blend of country-folk and punk; Hansen-Oldham's quilting and cross-stitch work puts a folksy pop-art spin on history and modern culture. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, see nps.gov/HAVO.

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT takes place Friday, Jan. 26, with volunteers removing invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Interested volunteers should meet Paul and Jane Filed at Kīlauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, see nps.gov/HAVO.

KA‘Ū RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION offers a free informational and educational presentation, Crystal Meth Addiction in Communities, as part of their Call to Action Prevention Campaign. Certified Prevention Specialist Gary Shimabukuro will give the presentation on Friday, Jan. 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Ka‘ū Gym & Disaster Shelter's multi-purpose room. Pre-registration is required. For more information, call Ka‘ū Resource & Distance Learning Center at 928-0101.

LEARN MORE ABOUT AND DISCUSS THE AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM USED IN PRE-CONTACT HAWAI‘I during Coffee Talk on Friday, Jan. 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Kahuku Unit Visitor Center of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (entrance located south of the 70.5 mile marker on the mauka side of Hwy 11).

Make lei with Kaipo AhChong in Volcano Friday.
Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

During the January event, Farming the Rock in Ka‘ū: The Agriculture Field System of Kahuku, University of Hawai‘i Professors Seth Quintus and Noa Kekuewa Lincoln discuss their work uncovering the Ka‘ū field system at Kahuku, as well as how this knowledge might serve Hawai‘i in the future. Ka‘ū coffee, tea, and pastries will be available for purchase. For more, see nps.gov/HAVO.

MAKE LEI WITH KAIPO AHCHONG AT VOLCANO ART CENTER'S ALOHA FRIDAY event on January 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the VAC Gallery porch.
Tropical Agriculture farmer AhChong shares his expert lei-making skills. As a member of Halau Na Kamalei, his unique experience marries the science of agriculture with Hawaiian lei and hula traditions.
Aloha Friday cultural demonstrations are held each week. These free cultural events are supported in part by a grant from the County of Hawai‘i Dept. of Research and Development, and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. National Park entrance fees apply. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org.

COUNT HUMPBACK WHALES FOR THE SANCTUARY OCEAN COUNT on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., at one of four locations along the coast in/near Ka‘ū District: Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at Ka‘ena Point - end of Chain of Craters Road; Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park; Ka Lae Park - at the end of South Point Road; and Miloli‘i Lookout - from Hwy 11, continue makai towards Miloliʻi Beach Park, 1.9 miles down, turn left on Awapuhi and continue to dead end.
Participants tally humpback whale sightings and document the animals' surface behavior during the survey, which provides valuable data to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Bring sun protection, water, snacks, and a cushion to sit on. Arrive 30 minutes prior to start time for orientation. Register at sanctuaryoceancount.org. Free; park entrance fees apply. Count will be held again on Feb. 24 and Mar. 31. Read more about locations at hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov.

‘O KA‘Ū KAKOU'S 10TH ANNUAL Keiki Fishing Tournament is held on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilions. The event is open to keiki from one to 14 years old. Pre-registration has ended. Register at the event on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., with fishing until noon, then lunch and prizes. Every participant gets a prize. Grand and mini-grand prize drawing - including personal tablets. For more, call Guy Enriques at 217-2253, Wayne Kawachi at 937-4773, or visit okaukakou.org.

A BUILD YOUR OWN MINI ORCHID DISPLAY workshop is offered by Volcano Art Center on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Pre-registration is required. Volcano Art Center members pay $20 and non-members pay $25.

The event description on volcanoartcenter.org says, "Not only will you learn a thing or two, but also, thanks to the Hilo Orchid Society, you'll be able to take home an orchid."

Learn about Coffee Berry Borer with Andrea
Kawabata. Photo from cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu

U.H.-CTAHR EXTENSION AGENT ANDREA KAWABATA offers a Coffee Berry Borer Identification and Management Presentation at the Hamakua Harvest Farmers' Market on Sunday, Jan. 28, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Learn about identifying CBB and how to manage this coffee pest. "This class will be fairly basic, but see me after the presentation if you have specific questions," says Kawabata. The market is located at the intersection of Mamane Street and Hwy 19. For more details, visit hawaiicoffeeed.com.

JOIN ASTRONOMER AND CO-HOST OF PBS STAR GAZERS, DEAN REGAS, as he hosts Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's first-ever Star Party at Kīlauea Overlook (on Crater Rim Drive, before Jaggar Museum) on Monday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. Explore nearby planets and deep-space celestial wonders above the glow of Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Dark Skies Rangers will answer questions. Powerful telescopes will be available at the Kīlauea Star Party event. Free, but subject to weather conditions; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

A LEARNING TOGETHER WORKSHOP AT THE OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER, sponsored by Nā‘ālehu School, is offered Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more, call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.

KA‘Ū FOOD PANTRY, INC., distributes Tuesday, Jan. 30, at St. Jude's Episcopal Church on Paradise Circle-Mauka, Ocean View, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All participants are asked to respect the grounds where this will be held. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on the last Tuesday of each month.

VOLCANIC GEOLOGY ALONG SADDLE ROAD is the topic of an After Dark in the Park presentation given by Rick Hazlett, affiliate geologist with the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, on Tuesday, Jan. 30. The presentation begins at 7 p.m. in the Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Hazlett describes the "outdoor classroom" along Saddle Road, in which visitors can learn more about how the Islands aloha ‘āina (precious land) came to be. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

WITNESS THE LUNAR ECLIPSE WITH ASTRONOMER DEAN REGAS, co-host of PBS Star Gazers, as he guides event participants through the total lunar eclipse expected Tuesday, Jan. 30, atop Kīlauea Volcano. Meet Regas at 8:30 p.m. at Kīlauea Overlook (on Crater Rim Drive, before Jaggar Museum). Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's event description says "the park will provide an excellent vantage point to view the spectacle – weather permitting." Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

HEATHER METTLER'S GLASSWORK - handblown, chiseled, and etched - is showcased in a new Volcano Art Center Gallery Exhibit: Passage and Place. The display will continue to be shown until Sunday, Feb. 11, during normal gallery hours - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Mettler's unique collection of glass explores the themes of migration, navigation, and immigration - how plants, animals, and people find their way to Hawai‘i. Free; park entrance fees apply.

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Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Double rainbows over Pāhala Community Center as Kamehameha Schools holds a community outreach meeting inside. Photo by Shalan Crysdale

KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS REACHED OUT TO KA‘Ū Tuesday evening, Jan. 24, holding an open house at Pāhala Community Center to share information about the organization's vision and strategic plan, its current work and lands in Ka‘ū, and to talk story with the community. Ideas included fitting education to Ka‘ū young people, as well as their locally learned skills and desires to help their ‘āina and community.

Mayor Harry Kim came to Pāhala, Tuesday evening, to take in the interaction
between Kamehameha Schools and the Kaʻū community. Photo by Julia Neal

Leadership from Kamehameha Community Engagement & Resources Group included Hawaiʻi Island Director Alapaki Nahale-a, and both East and West Hawai‘i Directors Kilohana Hirano and Kaimana Bacarse.
Both principals of Ka‘ū High & Elementary and Nā‘ālehu School attended, as did the administrator of the Tūtū & Me program in Ka‘ū for keiki and their caregivers. Both principals voiced their support for continuation of KS Kealapono services in their schools. The Kealapono Department fields four staff in Ka‘ū, who collaborate with the schools to provide science and literacy support, reading and writing intervention, and ‘Ike Hawai‘i. Mayor Harry Kim came to listen. Graduates of Ka‘ū schools talked about their love of place, the kūpuna, and the history residing within the people living in Ka‘ū.

KS Kealapono Kumu Joni Shibayton discusses rock classification with
Nā‘ālehu Principal Darlene Javar and student Kamaha‘o Alcoran.

Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder talked about learning from the elders who have so much knowledge about the land and culture here. "When they're gone, they're gone," she proclaimed. Donna Kekoa recalled her class at Ka‘ū High School in 1975 going into homes to document the knowledge of kūpuna in the 1970s. Ka‘ū High Principal Sharon Beck recalled teacher Maile Moulds Carr organizing students to take oral histories in the 1990s. Beck said she would look into bringing it back.
One woman proclaimed that Ka‘ū doesn't need Walmart and other such establishments. She talked about there being much land, but a need for education and training in sustainable practices to grow food.
KS Director of East Hawai‘i, Kilohana Hirano, talked about building an economy that works with the place, and the talents and desires, of the local people. He mentioned young people who like to hunt and use their skills. He also mentioned fishing.

The idea of a Hawaiian-based charter high school was mentioned in the audience, and the mayor brought up the idea of working through existing schools that have Kamehameha outreach programs.
Representatives of Kamehameha Schools talked about wanting to connect with those who know about the ‘āina and the community, and those connected to important Hawaiian cultural sites, and families related to them.

Student displays and projects were shown around the room during the outreach program.

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U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD ENDORSED U.S. REP. COLLEEN HANABUSA, on Wednesday, for Governor of Hawai‘i. Hanabusa has announced she is running against incumbent Gov. David Ige in the Democratic primary race in August.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa will run against Gov.
David Ige. U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard endorsed
Hanabusa on Wednesday.

Gabbard said she has worked with Hanabusa for many years and has seen "firsthand her love and commitment to serving the people of Hawai‘i. She grew up in Wai‘anae and is proud of her roots. No matter where she has gone - to Honolulu to serve in the State Senate or to Washington, D.C. to serve in Congress - she has carried her values with her, working with aloha and fighting for what's right and best for our state."

Said Gabbard, "Colleen asks the tough questions, and she makes the tough calls. When she sees a problem, she takes action to solve it. We don't always agree on every issue, but we have always been able to work together for the people of Hawai‘i. Colleen's experience and proven record of leadership have prepared and equipped her to be the effective Governor that Hawai‘i so desperately needs right now."

Gabbard said that she knows and respects Hanabusa and Ige. "Both are good people, and both have spent their lives serving the people of Hawai‘i. But we live in a time of unique challenges. What has become abundantly clear, now more than ever, is that Hawai‘i needs a strong, dynamic leader at the helm of our state. I'm endorsing Colleen Hanabusa for Governor because she is the right leader for Hawai‘i in these times. Not only when dealing with terrifying crises like the false missile alert earlier this month, but in taking on the tough challenges we face like homelessness, lack of affordable housing, crumbling infrastructure, the need to strengthen our economy and food security by supporting local farmers, and so much more," said Gabbard.

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HOMELESSNESS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS were key topics in Gov. David Ige's State of the State address to the Hawai‘i Legislature this week.

Robert Taylor, of Taylor Built Construction Co., Inc.; Arnie Koss, Managing Partner of Punalu‘u
Bake Shop; General Manager Connie Koi; Architect Lloyd Sueda; and owner Duane Kurisu at
the opening of Cookie Kitchen in 2015, in Nā‘ālehu. Kurisu was honored by Gov. David Ige
Monday, Jan. 22, during the State of the State address for his work toward ending homelessness.

Photo by Pamela Taylor

During his speech, the Governor recognized Duane Kurisu, who has grown Punalu‘u Bake Shop in Nā‘ālehu to employ many more people in recent years, and expand it from its Portuguese sweetbread beginnings to include a Cookie Kitchen. Kurisu - who grew up in a sugar plantation camp on Hawai‘i Island to become a successful business person statewide - has been working on plantation-style housing for homeless people, with the first in Honolulu opening late last year.

Regarding the homeless, Ige started by saying, "When we say ʻohana, we truly mean nobody gets left behind. For those who want to live in Hawai‘i, probably no issue is more challenging than finding a decent, affordable place to live. And probably no issue challenges us as a society more than the daily sight of those who are now living on our streets and in our parks.
"We have dedicated more money to mental health treatment and services, including to our homeless population. We have initiated the largest annual increase in production of affordable housing, with thousands of new units. We're on track to meet our goal of 10,000 new housing units by 2020, with at least 40 percent affordable."
The Governor said he is requesting $100 million from the Hawai‘i Legislature this session "to maintain the momentum and produce more affordable homes across the state." He said, "Our 'Housing First' policy focuses on transitional housing as a way to get people into permanent housing. The New Kaka‘ako Family Assessment Center (on O‘ahu) moves families off the streets and into permanent housing in less than 90 days. A 'special team' in public housing reduced the vacant unit turnaround time from 267 days to just 7 days.

Housing is in short supply and many homeless people have jobs. Graph from Homeless in Hawai'i

"And our landlord summits increased the number of landlords willing to rent to families transitioning out of homelessness," Ige said. "Even in the tragedy that is homelessness, there are significant signs that these policies are starting to work. Homelessness is down 9 percent statewide – the first decline in eight years."
The Governor said his budget request also includes $15 million in additional funding for Housing First initiatives, outreach services, and "maintaining safety in our public places."
Pointing to Kurisu, Ige said, "We also know how important community partners have been in tackling this challenge. Take Kahauiki Village, a permanent housing project for homeless families launched by local businessman and philanthropist Duane Kurisu. Duane brought together city, state, nonprofits, and businesses, to make the village a reality in record time. The first 30 families recently moved in." He then asked Kurisu to stand and be recognized.

The Governor continued the subject of housing with regards to Hawaiian Home Lands: "It has been my firm belief that the state must remain committed to developing and delivering Hawaiian homelands to beneficiaries. In 2016, we provided $24 million in funding to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. This was the highest level of funding in the department's 95-year history and more than double what had been set aside previously," the governor said. "For its part, Hawaiian Home Lands has been ramping up development of vacant and turn-key lots. More than 220 lots were awarded in 2017, and that number will more than double in 2018."

He said his administration has "worked hard with the department to spend down federal funds and identify alternative sources of revenue that can be used to sustain the agency over time."
See more about the 2018 State of the State address in Thursday's Ka‘ū News Briefs.

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KA‘Ū RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION invites the public to register today to give input this Friday during its informational and educational presentation, Crystal Meth Addiction in Communities.
The session is part of KRHCA's Call to Action Prevention Campaign. Certified Prevention Specialist Gary Shimabukuro will give the presentation this Friday, Jan. 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Ka‘ū Gym & Disaster Shelter's multi-purpose room.
Pre-registration is required. For more information, call Ka‘ū Resource & Distance Learning Center at 928-0101.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

REGISTER TODAY TO HELP DOCUMENT HUMPBACK WHALES FOR THE SANCTUARY OCEAN COUNT this Saturday, Jan. 27, from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Ka‘ena Point on Crater Rim Drive in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is one site of the annual

Sanctuary Ocean Count of humpback whales. HIHWNMS photo by Thomas C. Stein

Registrations help the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whales National Marine Sanctuary staff ensure that the south end of Hawai‘i Island will be covered by volunteers. There are four locations along the coast in and near Ka‘ū District: Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at Ka‘ena Point - end of Chain of Craters Road; Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park; Ka Lae Park - at the end of South Point Road; and Miloli‘i Lookout - from Hwy 11, continue makai towards Miloliʻi Beach Park, 1.9 miles down, turn left on Awapuhi and continue to dead end.
Participants tally humpback whale sightings and document the animals' surface behavior during the survey, which provides valuable data to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Bring sun protection, water, snacks, and a cushion to sit on. Arrive 30 minutes prior to start time for orientation. Register at sanctuaryoceancount.org. Free; park entrance fees apply. Count will be held again on Feb. 24 and Mar. 31. Read more about locations at hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov.

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A FREE PERFORMANCE THIS FRIDAY NIGHT, JAN. 26, at 6 p.m. is offered by Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's 2018 Artists in Residence. The event will be held in Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium. Park entrance fees apply.

Musician Will Oldham - who performs under the name Bonnie "Prince" Billy - and his wife - textile artist Elsa Hansen Oldham - will present a dual multimedia performance. Oldham will sing and play music while Hansen Oldham stitches on stage, as her handiwork is projected on the auditorium's movie screen.
The couple lives in Louisville, KY, and will reside in the park for a month. Oldham has performed since 1998 as Bonnie "Prince" Billy, and prior to that as Palace Brothers, and Palace Music. His songs have been performed by Johnny Cash, Marianne Faithful, and others. His new record, Best Troubadour, is a collection of Merle Haggard songs.
Hansen Oldham's textile art is displayed at the Dickinson Roundell Gallery in New York, and she was recently profiled in the New York Times.
The non-profit National Parks Arts Foundation announced the selection of singer/songwriter Oldham - whose music is described as an alternative blend of country, folk and punk - and his wife - whose quilting and cross stitch work puts a folksy pop-art spin on history and modern culture - in October of last year.
The project is supported by the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and other benefactors. National Parks Arts Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to the promotion of the national parks, through creating dynamic opportunities for artwork based in the natural and historic heritage of America. All of its programs are made possible through the philanthropic support of donors. Visit nationalparksartsfoundation.org for details.
For more information about the event, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

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See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at

kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/januaryevents.html.

KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE

Boys Soccer: Thursday, Jan. 25, @ Pāhoa.

Swimming: Friday, Jan. 26, @ Kamehameha (BIIF Championships, prelims).
Saturday, Jan. 27, @ Kamehameha (BIIF Championships, finals).

Boys Basketball: Saturday, Jan. 27, HPA @ Ka‘ū.
Monday, Jan. 29, @ Parker.
Wednesday, Jan. 31, Kealakehe @ Ka‘ū.
Saturday, Feb. 3, @ Kamehameha.

Wrestling: Saturday, Jan. 27 @ HPA.
Saturday, Feb. 3 @ Kealakehe.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

STEWARDSHIP OF KĪPUKAPUAULU takes place at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, with volunteers meeting in the Kīpukapuaulu parking lot on Mauna Loa Road off Hwy 11 in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Volunteers will help remove invasive plants, like morning glory, from an area said to be home to an "astonishing diversity of native forest and understory plants." Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, contact Marilyn Nicholson at nickem@hawaii.rr.com or visit nps.gov/HAVO.

LEARN MORE ABOUT AND DISCUSS THE AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM USED IN PRE-CONTACT HAWAI‘I during Coffee Talk on Friday, Jan. 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Kahuku Unit Visitor Center of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (entrance located south of the 70.5 mile marker on the mauka side of Hwy 11).
During the January event, Farming the Rock in Ka‘ū: The Agriculture Field System of Kahuku, University of Hawai‘i Professors Seth Quintus and Noa Kekuewa Lincoln discuss their work uncovering the Ka‘ū field system at Kahuku, as well as how this knowledge might serve Hawai‘i in the future. Ka‘ū coffee, tea, and pastries will be available for purchase. For more, see nps.gov/HAVO.

MAKE LEI WITH KAIPO AHCHONG AT VOLCANO ART CENTER'S ALOHA FRIDAY event on January 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the VAC Gallery porch.
Tropical Agriculture farmer AhChong shares his expert lei-making skills. As a member of Halau Na Kamalei, his unique experience marries the science of agriculture with Hawaiian lei and hula traditions.
Aloha Friday cultural demonstrations are held each week. These free cultural events are supported in part by a grant from the County of Hawai‘i Dept. of Research and Development, and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. National Park entrance fees apply. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org.

A LEARNING TOGETHER WORKSHOP AT THE OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER, sponsored by Nā‘ālehu School, is offered Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more, call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.

VOLCANIC GEOLOGY ALONG SADDLE ROAD is the topic of an After Dark in the Park presentation given by Rick Hazlett, affiliate geologist with the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, on Tuesday, Jan. 30. The presentation begins at 7 p.m. in the Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Hazlett describes the "outdoor classroom" along Saddle Road, in which visitors can learn more about how the Islands aloha ‘āina (precious land) came to be. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Join internationally renowned, award-winning local Artist Gwendolyn O'Connor on Saturday, Feb. 3, and learn how to professionally prepare artwork
for galleries and competitions. See story below. Photo from Volcano Art Center

HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK reopened Tuesday morning, Jan. 23, following funding of the federal government on Monday, Jan. 22. A statement from the park reports, "All regularly scheduled programs and ranger-guided hikes will resume as usual, including tonight's After Dark in the Park presentation about volcanic ash from Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake. The program is part of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's Volcano Awareness Month outreach, and starts at 7 p.m. in the Kīlauea Visitor Center.

After Dark in the Park is on for Tuesday evening after
the reopening of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

"We appreciate the support and patience of our community, visitors, and our partners. Our employees are happy to be back at work, serving the American people and welcoming visitors to their national parks," said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. "We are a proud member of our community, and contribute nearly $200 million to the local economy annually," she said.

Visit nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes for additional information about the park, including the calendar of events.
Also reopening are Volcano House, Volcano Art Center Gallery, and all Kilauea Military Camp facilities.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

IN HIS 2018 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, Gov. David Ige presented his priorities to the Hawaiʻi Legislature on Monday, Jan. 22. They include improving education, working to reduce homelessness, and providing affordable housing.

The Governor started the speech by proclaiming, "The State of our State is strong. We are a resilient people and the future is bright. I am struck by the beautiful and often challenging complexity that makes Hawaiʻi our home. We really are the most beautiful place on earth. We are of many cultures and faiths, and we live together in greater harmony than any place in the world. People from all over the planet come here to enjoy our environment, our host culture, and their gifts to all of us: gifts of aloha, tolerance and respect, and the celebration of each other and our differences. We often need to be reminded of what makes us so special."

Gov. David Ige presented his State of the State yesterday.
See segments of his speech at Big Island Video News

He listed achievements by Hawaiʻi: "We are one of the healthiest states in the nation. People here live longer than anywhere else in the country. We have led the nation in health insurance for decades, and in the current chaos, we stand firm in caring for each other.
"We have the lowest unemployment rate in the nation. We are strong financially.
"Our bond rating is the highest it's ever been in our history, making it possible for us to get the most bang for our buck when we borrow money. This saves the state tens of millions of dollars, allowing us to make critical investments in our schools, housing and highways."
He also talked about Hawaiʻi fighting for its causes: "We have made our voice clear: Hawai‘i will not stand for the hateful and hurtful policies of the Trump White House. We are doing more than any other state to stand up for what is right – such as DACA and the Paris Climate Accord – and stop what is wrong, such as the travel ban and stopping transgender members of the military from defending our flag and our freedoms."
The governor also listed Hawaiʻi's domestic challenges: "So many of us are living paycheck to paycheck, relying heavily on our extended family to make ends meet. Owning a home is out of reach for many families, with housing costs rising faster than wages. Too much of our time is spent in traffic, affecting our families and quality of life.
"The growing gap between those doing well and those who are not should concern all of us. We depend too heavily on imported food and fuel. We must find a just place in our relationship with our own history and with the people of the first nation of Hawaiʻi. And the challenges to our island environment, such as global climate change, stare us in the face every single day."

A 7.9 earthquake Tuesday morning generated at tsunami warning for Hawaiʻi,
which was cancelled within an hour.

Read more of the State of the State in Wednesday's Kaʻū News Briefs, including the Governor's message on housing and other issues.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

A 7.9 EARTHQUAKE IN THE GULF OF ALASKA GENERATED A TSUNAMI WATCH for Hawaiʻi at 12:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23. The estimated time of arrival was at 4:15 a.m. While such large earthquakes are capable of causing devastating tsunamis, the location of the the quake was south of the Aleutian Trench, where the floor of the Pacific slides under the North American Plate in Gulf of Alaska. The quake was on a smaller horizontal fault, perpendicular to the main fault line. Such quakes are called strike-slip earthquakes. See more details at The Verge.

The Hawaiʻi watch was cancelled at 1:13 a.m. Alaskans and residents of British Columbia, however, evacuated the coast in the middle of the night. When a destructive tsunami failed to arrive, the alert was cancelled. Small waves of around a half foot were registered.

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KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS AKS FOR INPUT FROM KA‘Ū this evening, Tuesday, Jan. 23, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. The public is invited to learn about Kamehameha School's Strategic Plan 2015-2020. Representatives will be on hand to take community input for future planning. See ksbe.edu for more information.

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Photo taken along Saddle Road. Photo from nps.gov/HAVO

VOLCANIC GEOLOGY ALONG SADDLE ROAD is the topic of an After Dark in the Park presentation announced for Tuesday, Jan. 30, starting at 7 p.m., in the Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
The new Daniel K. Inouye Highway, Route 200, commonly called the Saddle Road, crosses the center of the Island between its two largest volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. The road takes travelers through a varied landscape of historically interesting geological features, including large and young lava flows, cinder cones, kīpuka, and ancient ice age dune fields. "This contrasting scenery shows outstanding examples of how Hawaiian volcanoes mature and age," says a press release issued by Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Join Rick Hazlett, affiliate geologist with the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, as he describes this "outdoor classroom" in which visitors can learn more about how the Islands aloha ‘āina (precious land) came to be. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

A PROFESSIONAL DOCUMENTATION FOR ARTISTS WORKSHOP with Artist Gwendolyn O'Connor has been announced by Volcano Art Center for Saturday, Feb. 3. The class, which is open to artists of every medium, takes place from 9 a.m. to noon.

Gwendolyn O'Connor teaches a Professional Documentation
for Artists workshop in Volcano. Photo from Volcano Art Center

O'Connor's art is exhibited in public and private collections in over 15 Countries, and in 33 of the United States. She is internationally renowned for her award-winning Watercolour on Silk. Raised in the Islands, Gwendolyn is a resident of the Big Island. Self-taught, she was influenced by art in the Honolulu Academy of Arts on O‘ahu, the Louvre Museum, and Musee d’Orsay in France.
The event description says, "Are you aware of all of the proper professional documentation necessary for selling your art in Hawai‘i? Artist Gwendolyn O'Connor will show you how to professionally prepare your art for galleries and competitions. Discover how the backside of art is presented and so much more."
The emphasis of the workshop is on learning how to prepare a Certificate of Authenticity, an Artist Biography, and an Artwork's Title & Description. Each participant will partake in hands-on, step-by-step preparation of their own individual documentation, regardless of the art medium. "In the instance of three-dimensional art, one should provide the same documentation in a folder to be given to the art patron. Next to the original artwork itself, good documentation is the best long-term investment you can make in your art practice," states the event description.
Attendees are asked to bring a laptop or other device with a word processor or Photoshop, or a notebook for writing. Artists should also provide a photograph of themselves that they are happy with, or prepare to be photographed. Professional photographer Lester Brandt will be on hand to take photographs for artists' biographies. Class fee is $35 for Volcano Art Center members and $40 for non-members. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at

kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/januaryevents.html.

KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

AUDITIONS CONTINUE WEDNESDAY, JAN. 24, for Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network's performance of How the Other Half Loves by Alan Ayckbourn. There are parts for three women and three men. Auditions begin at 6:30 p.m. at Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences. The show will play Mar. 9 - 25. For more information, call 982-7344.

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL meets Wednesday, Jan. 24, in Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

REGISTER KEIKI BY WEDNESDAY, JAN. 24, FOR ‘O KA‘Ū KAKOU'S 10TH ANNUAL Keiki Fishing Tournament, held on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilions. The event is open to keiki from one to 14 years old, with pick-up & drop-off locations for registration forms at: Nā‘ālehu Elementary School, Nā‘ālehu Ace Hardware, Pāhala Elementary School, Mizuno Superette in Pāhala, Pāhala Gas Station, Wiki Wiki Mart in Nā‘ālehu, Ka‘ū Learning Academy, Kahuku Country Market in Ocean View, and Ocean View Auto Parts. Pre-registration ends at 4 p.m. tomorrow, Jan. 24. Register at the event this coming Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., with fishing until noon, then lunch and prizes. Every participant gets a prize. Grand and mini-grand prize drawing - including personal tablets. For more, call Guy Enriques at 217-2253, Wayne Kawachi at 937-4773, or visit okaukakou.org.

STEWARDSHIP OF KĪPUKAPUAULU takes place at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, with volunteers meeting in the Kīpukapuaulu parking lot on Mauna Loa Road off Hwy 11 in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Volunteers will help remove invasive plants, like morning glory, from an area said to be home to an "astonishing diversity of native forest and understory plants." Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, contact Marilyn Nicholson at nickem@hawaii.rr.com or visit nps.gov/HAVO.

U.H. COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESOURCES Kona Cooperative Extension Service will reschedule its Jan. 25 and 27 Coffee Berry Borer 101 Workshops for New and Beginning Coffee Farmers. The free two-hour class teaches the basics of coffee berry borer identification, biology, and management. Extension Service Agent Andrea Kawabata says classes will be rescheduled for February, at the Kona Cooperative Extension Service office at 79-7381 Mamalahoa Highway in Kealakekua. Kawabata will be in Honokaʻa this Sunday, Jan. 28 at the Hamakua Harvest Farmers Market with a CBB presentation. For more details, visit hawaiicoffeeed.com.

LEARN MORE ABOUT AND DISCUSS THE AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM USED IN PRE-CONTACT HAWAI‘I during Coffee Talk on Friday, Jan. 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Kahuku Unit Visitor Center of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (entrance located south of the 70.5 mile marker on the mauka side of Hwy 11).
During the January event, Farming the Rock in Ka‘ū: The Agriculture Field System of Kahuku, University of Hawai‘i Professors Seth Quintus and Noa Kekuewa Lincoln discuss their work uncovering the Ka‘ū field system at Kahuku, as well as how this knowledge might serve Hawai‘i in the future. Ka‘ū coffee, tea, and pastries will be available for purchase. For more, see nps.gov/HAVO.

MUSICIAN AND TEXTILE ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE GIVE A DUAL PERFORMANCE on Friday, Jan. 26, starting at 6 p.m., in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Will Oldham (performs as Bonnie "Prince" Billy) will sing and play music, and his wife, fiber/textile artist Elsa Hansen Oldham, stitches on stage as her handiwork is projected on a movie screen. Oldham is an acclaimed singer/songwriter whose music has been described as an alternative blend of country-folk and punk; Hansen-Oldham's quilting and cross-stitch work puts a folksy pop-art spin on history and modern culture. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, see nps.gov/HAVO.

KA‘Ū RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION offers a free informational and educational presentation, Crystal Meth Addiction in Communities, as part of their Call to Action Prevention Campaign. Certified Prevention Specialist Gary Shimabukuro will give the presentation on Friday, Jan. 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Ka‘ū Gym & Disaster Shelter's multi-purpose room. Pre-registration is required. For more information, call Ka‘ū Resource & Distance Learning Center at 928-0101.

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT takes place Friday, Jan. 26, with volunteers removing invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Interested volunteers should meet Paul and Jane Filed at Kīlauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, see nps.gov/HAVO.

MAKE LEI WITH KAIPO AHCHONG AT VOLCANO ART CENTER'S ALOHA FRIDAY event on January 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the VAC Gallery porch.

Tropical Agriculture farmer AhChong shares his expert lei-making skills. As a member of Halau Na Kamalei, his unique experience marries the science of agriculture with Hawaiian lei and hula traditions.
Aloha Friday cultural demonstrations are held each week. These free cultural events are supported in part by a grant from the County of Hawai‘i Dept. of Research and Development, and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. National Park entrance fees apply. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org.

A BUILD YOUR OWN MINI ORCHID DISPLAY workshop is offered by Volcano Art Center on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village.

Hilo Orchid Society's Shelby Smith and Donna Barr will be on hand to answer questions and show tips, tricks, and their orchid "know-how." Different categories of mini orchid displays will be covered, including Garden, Flower Arrangement/Cut Flowers/Ikebana, and Keiki.
Pre-registration is required. Volcano Art Center members pay $20 and non-members pay $25.
The event description on volcanoartcenter.org says, "Not only will you learn a thing or two, but also, thanks to the Hilo Orchid Society, you'll be able to take home an orchid."

COUNT HUMPBACK WHALES FOR THE SANCTUARY OCEAN COUNT on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., at one of four locations along the coast in/near Ka‘ū District: Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at Ka‘ena Point - end of Chain of Craters Road; Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park; Ka Lae Park - at the end of South Point Road; and Miloli‘i Lookout - from Hwy 11, continue makai towards Miloliʻi Beach Park, 1.9 miles down, turn left on Awapuhi and continue to dead end.
Participants tally humpback whale sightings and document the animals' surface behavior during the survey, which provides valuable data to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Bring sun protection, water, snacks, and a cushion to sit on. Arrive 30 minutes prior to start time for orientation. Register at sanctuaryoceancount.org. Free; park entrance fees apply. Count will be held again on Feb. 24 and Mar. 31. Read more about the locations at hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov.

U.H.-CTAHR EXTENSION AGENT ANDREA KAWABATA offers a Coffee Berry Borer Identification and Management Presentation at the Hamakua Harvest Farmers' Market on Sunday, Jan. 28, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Learn about identifying CBB and how to manage this coffee pest. "This class will be fairly basic, but see me after the presentation if you have specific questions," says Kawabata. The market is located a the intersection of Mamane Street and Hwy 19. For more details, visit hawaiicoffeeed.com.

JOIN ASTRONOMER AND CO-HOST OF PBS STAR GAZERS, DEAN REGAS, as he hosts Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's first-ever Star Party at Kīlauea Overlook (on Crater Rim Drive, before Jaggar Museum) on Monday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. Explore nearby planets and deep-space celestial wonders above the glow of Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Dark Skies Rangers will answer questions. Powerful telescopes will be available at the event, Kīlauea Star Party. Free, but subject to weather conditions; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

HEATHER METTLER'S GLASSWORK - handblown, chiseled, and etched - is showcased in a new Volcano Art Center Gallery Exhibit: Passage and Place. The display will continue to be shown until Sunday, Feb. 11, during normal gallery hours - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Mettler's unique collection of glass explores the themes of migration, navigation, and immigration - how plants, animals, and people find their way to Hawai‘i. Free; park entrance fees apply.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

About The Kaʻū Calendar

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Thursday, January 25, 2018

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Tuesday, January 23, 2018