About The Kaʻū Calendar

Friday, June 21, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Friday, June 21, 2019

A new Hale under construction inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in honor of Kumu Hula Ab Valencia, with
assistance from Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and many others. See story below.
Photo from Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
THE COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI'S $585.5 MILLION BUDGET became law this week for the fiscal year beginning July 1, without Mayor Harry Kim's signature. The mayor allowed it to stand without his veto, but said he believes, "we should be more conservative with spending." With a 9-0 vote of approval for the budget by the County Council, a veto would have likely failed.
     The mayor wrote to the County Council this week saying he is concerned that the council approved extra expenditures of $1.6 million plus $1 million from county reserves. He pointed to $630,000 that the County Council members will spend through their contingency funds. He said the reserves come from county departments cutting their own budgets to save money for expected increases in county spending for employees from union bargaining.

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.

Keliʻi Freitas at a new ʻahu on Mauna Kea. Photo from Big Island Video News/Leinaʻala Sleightholm
NEW ʻAHU – TEMPLES – WERE ERECTED ON MAUNA KEA TODAY, after the state removed four "unauthorized structures" yesterday to make way for "safe" construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope, reports Big Island Video News. See more on the removals on yesterday's Kaʻū News Briefs.
     A press release from Mauna Kea ʻOhana, received by Big Island Video News, said the ʻahu were erected in the area where "the State destroyed and desecrated ʻahu as a direct attack against our cultural practices and rights yesterday." The release states the ʻahu were not erected "as a protest to the proposed devastating TMT development, as falsely inferred by the State," but "in the exercise of our traditional and customary rights and practices as Kanaka Maoli (aka Native Hawaiians)." The statement said ʻahu "were traditionally erected to honor and connect in lōkahi and aloha to our beloved mountain in alignment with summer solstice ceremonies on this day. The hundreds of ʻahu found in this area are evidence of our ancestors' pilgrimage to Mauna a Wākea. As such, we continue in the footsteps of our kupuna. We are Mauna Kea."

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.

Coral reefs support clouds of reef fish. DLNR photo
TO PRESERVE, SUSTAIN, AND RESTORE CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEMS via a prize competition is the goal of legislation introduced on Thursday by Sen. Mazie Hirono and Rep. Ed Case. The Coral Reef Sustainability Through Innovation Act of 2019 addresses threats to U.S. coral reef ecosystems by directing the 12 federal agencies on the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force to use existing funding to carry out a coral health prize competition. The legislation allows federal agencies to work with private entities to both fund and administer the prize competition.
      Said Hirono, "The waters surrounding Hawaiʻi are home to more than 620 square miles of coral reef and a quarter of the world's marine life, including thousands of native species found nowhere else in the world.  Hawaiʻi's coral reefs generate nearly $800 million in economic activity each year for our state. We cannot afford to sit by as the health of our oceans continues to decline. This bill encourages federal agencies as well as the private sector to come together to find innovative solutions to help our declining reefs. Collaborative partnerships such as these are desperately needed to ensure that our marine environments and the numerous services they provide will be around for future generations."
Coral bleaching and other forms of coral death lead to a lack of reef fish.
DLNR photo
     Said Case, "This no-cost bill amends the proven Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000... Prize competitions that encourage public-private partnerships, such as the one that this bill proposes, have an established record of spurring innovation that can be integrated into a next-generation federal ocean management strategy. This small step could generate huge leaps forward in the preservation and protection of one of the most critical and endangered corners of our natural world."
     A peer-reviewed study commissioned by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates the total economic value of coral reefs in the main Hawaiian Islands alone to be nearly $34 billion. Healthy reefs contribute to local economies through tourism and provide shoreline protection during severe weather events by mitigating damaging wave action.
     Threats to coral reefs include climate change, bleaching, disease, overfishing, pollution, and more.
     Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is a cosponsor of the bill. Read the full text here. A one-page summary and fact sheet about the bill is available here.

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.

The Hale under construction at pa hula in Volcano uses ironwood instead of ʻōhiʻa posts to prevent the spread of
Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death. Photo from Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
The late Kumu Hula Ab Valencia.
Photo by Dinno Morrow

THE HALE PROJECT, supported by Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Puʻuohonua O Honaunau, is building a traditional Hawaiian structure at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes. Friends reports that money raised since 2015 is going toward reconstruction.
     Friends Executive Director Elizabeth Fien said a promise was made to Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner Irenio "Ab" Kawainohoikalaʻi Valencia to rebuild the Hale. "He was the original FHVNP project manager, and we were devastated when he passed in 2017. Every time we pass the Hale, we can feel his presence and love.
     "The project started with the stripping of bark from ironwood logs (due to Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death, we no longer are able to use the ʻōhiʻa trees), and collecting materials to rebuild. The pa hula is a very special and significant cultural area. The Hale allows for dancers to get ready before a performance."
     Those interested in volunteering to help build the Hale can call 985-7373, See more on Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park at fhvnp.org.

Heaviest boar of 2017 was captured by Team 12 led by Tyrell 
Mason, of Kaʻū, weighing in at 150 lbs. Photo by Guy Sesson
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.

THE THIRD ANNUAL PIG HUNT HOSTED BY KAʻŪ MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY happens Saturday, July 20 at the parking lot adjacent to 96-3258 Maile Street, near the old Radio Station Building in Pāhala. The location for the home base of the event is provided by the Edmund C. Olson Trust.
     The scale for the weigh-ins for the wild pigs will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Food booths and a variety of contests are featured, including Over-All Pua‘a prize for heaviest pig; Heaviest Boar/Laho‘ole; Heaviest Sow; Biggest Tusk; and the Smoke Meat Contest.
     Contact Kalani Vierra at 938-2005, Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740, or Liz Kuluwaimaka at 339-0289.


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.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF HAWAIʻI'S 4TH OF JULY ANNUAL PICNIC happens at Old Kona Airport Makaʻeo Pavilion on Thursday, July 4 from noon to 2 p.m.
     Entertainment is hula by Beamer-Solomon Hālau O Poʻohala. Hear and meet elected officials, candidates, and learn about 2020 presidential candidates. 
     Hot dogs provided, bring a potluck dish to share. Contact Bronsten Kossow at brons10kalei@gmail.com or 808-217-7285 with questions.

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.

CU HAWAIʻI FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, with branches in Nāʻālehu, Pāhala, and elsewhere on the island, launched new online banking services this week. Online banking, mobile banking, and bill pay services are now available to members.
     The new features include access to all each member's CU accounts through a single login, with Fingerprint Touch, Face ID, or PIN access available on mobile devices. Other online tools include stop payment requests on a consecutive series of checks; notifications on credits and debits; transaction search function; transaction memo and image attachment; and secure messaging with Member Service Representatives during business hours.
     Mobile Banking users will need to delete the old CU Hawaiʻi application and download the new app. Sub-account nicknames will not be converted to the new system and must be re-entered into Online Banking. All scheduled transfers will not be converted to the new system. All scheduled future transfers must be re-entered into Online Banking.
Future dated Bill Pay payments will continue to be processed on the new system as long as customers re-register. Once registered, Bill Pay payments may be made using any of the customer's checking accounts to any of their payees in Bill Pay. E Bills function in Bill Pay data will not be converted to the new system; re-input of information to the new E Bills system is necessary to ensure continuous payments. Availability of current E Bill payees may differ under the new system.
     For technical support with the new system, call tech support at (512) 436-0767. Stop by the nearest CU Hawaiʻi branch, email info@cuhawaii.com, or call (808) 933-6700 or toll free 1-800-933-6706, with other questions.

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.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
UPCOMING
SATURDAY, JUNE 22
Dementia Caregiver Boot Camp, Saturday, June 22, 9a.m.-4p.m., Kaʻū Rural Community Health Assoc. in Pāhala. RSVP by June 17. Free. Three workshops, movie, and lunch. Attend one or all segments. Learn more and RSVP at alz.org/Hawaii or 800-272-3900.

A-Mazing Triangles, Bookbinding Workshop with Charlene Asato, Saturday, June 22, 9a.m.-noon, Volcano Art Center. $32/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. See supply list. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Abstract Collaging Workshop with Darcy Gray, Saturday, June 22, 10a.m.-2:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. $85/VAC member, $90/non-member, plus $20 supply fee. Advanced registration required. Limited to 10 adults. See supply list. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

The Joy of the Brush: Paintings by Linda J. Varez, daily, June 22 through Aug. 4, 9a.m.-5p.m., Opening Reception, Saturday, June 22, 2-4p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees may apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

MONDAY, JUNE 24
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Coastal Net Patrol, Monday, June 24. Free; donations appreciated. Limited seating available. RSVP in advance. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, 769-7629

TUESDAY, JUNE 25
Mobile Spay & Neuter Waggin', Tuesday, June 25, 7:30a.m.-4p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Low income pet parents and those with limited transportation qualify for mobile spay/neuter service. Free. Surgery by phone appointment only. Hawai‘i Island Humane Society, hihs.org, 796-0107

HOVE Road Maintenance Board Mtg., Tuesday, June 25, 10a.m., HOVE Road Maintenance office. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, June 25, 11:30a.m.-1p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Volunteers welcome. Dave Breskin, 319-8333

Performing Arts Activity: Karaoke Sing Along, Tuesday, June 25, 2-3p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6 & up, June 17-21. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wednesday, June 26 – last Wednesday, monthly – 9-11a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors 60 years and older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i – referral required, 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org

Lei Tī, Wednesday, June 26, 10a.m.-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Hands-on demonstration with rangers and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association staff making tī-leaf lei. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo

Ka‘ū Community Children's Council
, Thursday, June 27, 3-4p.m., Classroom 35, Building F, Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. Provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

THURSDAY, JUNE 27
Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, June 27, 4-6p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Additional packaged goods to take home for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

FRIDAY, JUNE 28
Coffee Talk at Kahuku: Planting Pono, Friday, June 28, 9:30-11a.m., Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station. Learn how to identify plants at home that don't need removal and how to integrate natives and non-invasive plants into the landscape. Free. nps.gov/havo

The Sky is Full of Stories with James McCarthy, Friday, June 28, 1:30-2:15p.m., Nā‘ālehu Public Library. McCarthy, a trained actor, storyteller and musician will captivate audience with wide variety of sky stories from myths and science, using tales and songs. Suitable for all ages. Young children must be accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver. Free. 939-2442

ONGOING
Seamless Summer Program, open to all people under age 18, no registration required, offers free breakfast at Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School cafeterias. Meals are available weekdays through July 11; no meal Thursday, July 4. Kaʻū High serves breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Call (808) 939-2413 for Nāʻālehu Elementary mealtimes.

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou's Annual Nāʻālehu 4th of July Parade and Summer Fun Fest happens Saturday, June 29. The Nā‘ālehu Independence Day Parade begins at 11 a.m. at Nā‘ālehu Elementary School and ends at the Nā‘ālehu Hongwanji Mission. The parade features floats, Paʻu riders, Kaʻū Coffee Court members, and more.
     The Fest, which begins after the parade, features water slides and bounce castles, hot dogs, watermelon, and shave ice, plus Senior Bingo and lunch at the community center for seniors. The free event is open to the public, no registration required. okaukakou.org

Volcano Village 4th of July Parade, Festival, and Craft Fair happens Thursday, July 4 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The parade starts at the Volcano Post Office, travels down Old Volcano Road, and ends at Cooper Center on Wright Road. Free entry to activities, food, and entertainment. Leashed dogs allowed. Provided by Cooper Center Council, Volcano Community Association, and more. To be in the parade, download the entry form at volcanocommunity.org and email to vcainfo@yahoo.com. Vendors, download applications at thecoopercenter.org and email to idoaloha@gmail.com, or call Tara Holmes, 464-3625, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Head Coaches for Coed Judo, Coed Swimming, and Boys Basketball are wanted by Kaʻū High School for the 2019-2020 school year. Applications, due Monday, July 8, can be picked up at the school office weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Coaches hired by Hawaiʻi Department of Education are required to pass a criminal background check. Contact Kaʻū High Athletic Director Kalei Namohala 313-4161 with questions.

Full-Time Teaching Assistant Sought by Tūtū & Me to implement curriculum for caregivers and keiki in Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool in Kaʻū. Competitive salary and benefits package, including medical, dental, drug, and vision; flexible spending plan; 403b retirement plan; vacation, sick days, and 14 paid days off; and more.
     Minimum requirement is a high school diploma. Early Childhood Education, related coursework, and/or experience working children preferred. For more, visit pidf.org/about/careers. Apply by emailing resume and cover letter to hr@pidfoundation.org or fax to 808-440-6619.

Hi-Employment Seeks Student Employees to work in a macadamia nut orchard on weekends and holidays. Duties include hand-harvesting macadamia nuts, filling and transporting nut bags and buckets, loading 25-plus pound bags into truck beds, and possible clearing of brush and branches. Applicants must be at least 15 years old, have a work permit, two forms of ID, and transportation to "Panaʻewa Stretch." Call for more details, 238-3741, hi-employment.com.

Experience Volcano Festival is still looking for vendors. Booths for the event are $25 per day for Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28. The event is coordinated with the new ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 5K, and Keiki Dash on the 27th. Apply at experiencevolcano.com/vendor-application.
     Experience Volcano is a group of businesses and residents helping to rebuild the economy of Volcano, following last year's volcanic disaster that shut down Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and drastically reduced the visitor county which is now recovering.

ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 5K, and Keiki Dash happens Saturday, July 27 in Volcano Village, It replaces the Volcano Rain Forest Runs. Register at ohialehuahalf.com.

6th Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run Registration, webscorer.com/register?raceid=166020. 5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon races through mac nut and coffee fields along slopes of Ka‘ū starting at 7a.m., Sept. 21, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Sponsored by Ka‘ū Coffee Mill and ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou. Prices increase after July 9. okaukakou.org, kaucoffeemill.com


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.


Thursday, June 20, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Thursday, June 20, 2019

Hawaiian Telcom dug up and replaced its large underground fuel tank next to the telephone exchange building at
Maile and Pikake Streets in Pāhala this week. The tank holds fuel to power a generator to keep communications
 going when the power goes out. See story, below. Photo by Julia Neal
THE STATE DISMANTLED TWO ʻAHU ON MAUNA KEA TODAY to make way for construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope. The $1.4 billion telescope is designed to be the most powerful and advanced telescope on the planet, 12 times sharper than the Hubble telescope, and "will allow astronomers to address fundamental questions in astronomy ranging from understanding star and planet formation to unraveling the history of galaxies and the development of large-scale structure in the universe," according to tmt.org. The ʻahu – temples – were removed, along with two other structures, "so that construction of the telescope can begin safely," said a statement from Gov. David Ige.
     The governor also announced "a notice to proceed" for the telescope. The telescope project has weathered opposition all the way to the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court, with a group of Native Hawaiians and their supporters contending that the telescope will desecrate a spiritual site.
ʻAhu were removed from Mauna Kea today to make way for the TMT project.
Photo from Big Island Video News/Leinaʻala Sleightholm
     The four "unauthorized structures" were on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands property on Maunakea Access Road near the Daniel K. Inouye Highway intersection; on Department of Land and Natural Resources property, near the mid-level facilities on Maunakea Access Road at the 9,000-foot elevation; and on the TMT site on the summit of the mountain. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court ruled that the two ʻahu on the TMT site "did not constitute a traditional or customary right or practice, and they were removed with guidance from Native Hawaiian cultural advisors," states the release from the governor.
     Big Island Video News reports that one of the structures, Hale Kukiaʻimauna, was "constructed by those in opposition to the Thirty Meter Telescope project in 2015." Another, called Hale Kūhiō, built in March 2018, "was the base of the Mauna Kea Rangers effort to collect data and was a symbol of the dissatisfaction with the state-run Department of Hawaiian Home Lands."
Image from tmt.org
     The notice to proceed with the telescope is issued to University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, following DLNR confirmation that pre-construction conditions and mitigation measures required by a Conservation District Use Permit were met. TMT will be constructed on land sub-leased from UH. Use of the property will be overseen by the Board of Land and Natural Resources.
     Said Ige, "We will proceed in a way that respects the people, place, and culture that make Hawaiʻi unique. I will continue to work with the University of Hawaiʻi and all our partners to make meaningful changes that further contribute to the co-existence of culture and science on Mauna Kea."
     Suzanne Case, Chair of BLNR, said, the TMT project plans have been "carefully reviewed" to align with the Conservation District Use permit. "As this project moves forward, I ask everyone who goes to Mauna Kea to respect this unique place, and its fragile natural and cultural resources."
     Hawaiʻi state Attorney General Clare Connors said project managers, workers, and others from our community "will need safe access to the work site and safe conditions under which to work. The state will work to ensure their safety as well as the right of individuals to engage in speech about the project."
An intact cultural structure atop Mauna Kea. Bigstock photo
     UH president David Lassner said, "This notice to proceed is an important milestone in what has been a decade-long public and consultative process through which every requirement in statute, policy, and procedure has now been met. We firmly believe in the benefits of the most advanced telescope in the world on the most magnificent and awe-inspiring mountain in the world. We also accept the increased responsibilities for the stewardship of Maunakea, including the requirement that as this very last site is developed for astronomy on the mauna, five current telescopes will be decommissioned and their sites restored."

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.

AN UNDERGROUND FUEL TANK was replaced by Hawaiian Telcom this week at Maile and Pikake Streets in Pāhala. Excavation equipment lifted the huge tank out of the ground next to Hawaiian Telcom's telephone exchange building. The fuel is needed to run a generator that automatically goes during power outages to keep the landline phones in Pāhala operable during power outages. Hawaiian Telcom also offers some media services in Pāhala.
Several crew members and large machines were needed to replace the underground tank for fuel to power
a backup generator to operate the Hawaiian Telcom building in Pāhala. Photo by Julia Neal
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.

THE EXPLORE AMERICA ACT was reintroduced today by U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and two colleagues. The legislation would strengthen the Preserve America Grant Program, which supports state, tribal, and local government efforts to preserve and enhance heritage tourism.
     The bill would prioritize gateway community coordination - such as with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and communities that surround it, like Volcano Village and Pāhala - by providing financial and technical assistance, tourism development and promotion, visitor management services, and access to federal resources. It also establishes a program to measure effectiveness and reports findings to Congress.
     Said Schatz, "This bill is about returning control to the people who live in the places everyone else wants to visit. It gives local communities the chance to see more benefits from tourism, including better jobs, and it puts the story of Hawai‘i in the hands of our own residents. With this bill, we can strengthen what Hawai‘i has to offer, and make sure local people benefit along the way."
     The Preserve America Program was established by Executive Order in 2003. The grant component of the Preserve America Program is a matching partnership between the Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation and the Department of the Interior.

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.

THE CULTURAL FESTIVAL AT KAHUKU UNIT of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will celebrate 38 years with two hālau hula and three local bands from Hawai‘i Island performing. The free 38th annual event happens Saturday, July 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year's festival theme is E Ho‘omau: to continue. Last year's festival was canceled due to the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.
     Taking the stage, in order of performance, are Debbie Ryder and Hālau O Leionalani; Russell Mauga and Da Kahuku Mauka Boyz; Mamo Brown and Hālau Ulumamo O Hilo Palikū; Demetrius Oliviera and Gene Beck of Keaiwa; and Brandon Nakano and the Keawe Trio. Each performance will last about 45 minutes. 
Keiki making ‘ohe kāpala, bamboo stamping at Kahuku Cultural Festival.
NPS/Janice Wei
     In addition to hula and mele, the festival offers visitors and the community a chance to connect to Hawaiian cultural practices through hands-on crafts and demonstrations.
     National Park Service and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association staff will provide ‘oli, chant; ti leaf lei making; lau hala weaving; and ‘ohe kapala, bamboo stamping.
     Capt. Kiko Johnston-Kitazawa will ply imaginations with his authentic Hawaiian sailing canoe, while the Ka‘ū Multicultural Society will share a fascinating glimpse into Kahuku Ranch's not-so-distant past with their popular paniolo, cowboy, photography exhibit. 
     As Hawaiian culture is deeply connected to the ‘āina, land, learn how to protect native species and about the latest conservation efforts from organizations like ‘Imi Pono no ka ‘Āina, Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death education and outreach, The ‘Alalā Project, and NPS Natural Resources Management.
     Festival-goers are welcome to bring a picnic lunch, or purchase food and drink at the event. Volcano House will have food for sale, the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will sell shave ice and soft drinks, and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association will sell Ka‘ū coffee and bottled water.
     Sunscreen and a hat are recommended. Bring water, rain jacket, and ground mat or chair. This family experience is a drug- and alcohol-free event. Co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Volcano House, and the Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association. Can't make it? Follow the Park's official social media for live streaming, festival photos, and more.

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.

HEAD COACHES FOR COED JUDO, COED SWIMMING, AND BOYS BASEBALL are wanted by Kaʻū High School for the 2019-2020 school year. Applications, due Monday, July 1, can be picked up at the school office weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Coaches hired by Hawaiʻi Department of Education are required to pass a criminal background check. Contact Kaʻū High Athletic Director Kalei Namohala 313-4161 with questions.


Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
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.

UPCOMING
SATURDAY, JUNE 22
Dementia Caregiver Boot Camp, Saturday, June 22, 9a.m.-4p.m., Kaʻū Rural Community Health Assoc. in Pāhala. RSVP by June 17. Free. Three workshops, movie, and lunch. Attend one or all segments. Learn more and RSVP at alz.org/Hawaii or 800-272-3900.

A-Mazing Triangles, Bookbinding Workshop with Charlene Asato, Saturday, June 22, 9a.m.-noon, Volcano Art Center. $32/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. See supply list. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Abstract Collaging Workshop with Darcy Gray, Saturday, June 22, 10a.m.-2:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. $85/VAC member, $90/non-member, plus $20 supply fee. Advanced registration required. Limited to 10 adults. See supply list. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

The Joy of the Brush: Paintings by Linda J. Varez, daily, June 22 through Aug. 4, 9a.m.-5p.m., Opening Reception, Saturday, June 22, 2-4p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees may apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

MONDAY, JUNE 24
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Coastal Net Patrol, Monday, June 24. Free; donations appreciated. Limited seating available. RSVP in advance. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, 769-7629

TUESDAY, JUNE 25
Mobile Spay & Neuter Waggin', Tuesday, June 25, 7:30a.m.-4p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Low income pet parents and those with limited transportation qualify for mobile spay/neuter service. Free. Surgery by phone appointment only. Hawai‘i Island Humane Society, hihs.org, 796-0107

HOVE Road Maintenance Board Mtg., Tuesday, June 25, 10a.m., HOVE Road Maintenance office. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, June 25, 11:30a.m.-1p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Volunteers welcome. Dave Breskin, 319-8333

Performing Arts Activity: Karaoke Sing Along, Tuesday, June 25, 2-3p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6 & up, June 17-21. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wednesday, June 26 – last Wednesday, monthly – 9-11a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors 60 years and older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i – referral required, 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org

Lei Tī, Wednesday, June 26, 10a.m.-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Hands-on demonstration with rangers and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association staff making tī-leaf lei. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo

Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, June 27, 3-4p.m., Classroom 35, Building F, Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. Provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

THURSDAY, JUNE 27
Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, June 27, 4-6p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Additional packaged goods to take home for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

ONGOING
Seamless Summer Program, open to all people under age 18, no registration required, offers free breakfast at Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School cafeterias. Meals are available weekdays through July 11; no meal Thursday, July 4. Kaʻū High serves breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Call (808) 939-2413 for Nāʻālehu Elementary mealtimes.

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou's Annual Nāʻālehu 4th of July Parade and Summer Fun Fest happens Saturday, June 29. The Nā‘ālehu Independence Day Parade begins at 11 a.m. at Nā‘ālehu Elementary School and ends at the Nā‘ālehu Hongwanji Mission. The parade features floats, Paʻu riders, Kaʻū Coffee Court members, and more.
     The Fest, which begins after the parade, features water slides and bounce castles, hot dogs, watermelon, and shave ice, plus Senior Bingo and lunch at the community center for seniors. The free event is open to the public, no registration required. okaukakou.org

Volcano Village 4th of July Parade, Festival, and Craft Fair happens Thursday, July 4 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The parade starts at the Volcano Post Office, travels down Old Volcano Road, and ends at Cooper Center on Wright Road. Free entry to activities, food, and entertainment. Leashed dogs allowed. Provided by Cooper Center Council, Volcano Community Association, and more. To be in the parade, download the entry form at volcanocommunity.org and email to vcainfo@yahoo.com. Vendors, download applications at thecoopercenter.org and email to idoaloha@gmail.com, or call Tara Holmes, 464-3625, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Full-Time Teaching Assistant Sought by Tūtū & Me to implement curriculum for caregivers and keiki in Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool in Kaʻū. Competitive salary and benefits package, including medical, dental, drug, and vision; flexible spending plan; 403b retirement plan; vacation, sick days, and 14 paid days off; and more.
     Minimum requirement is a high school diploma. Early Childhood Education, related coursework, and/or experience working children preferred. For more, visit pidf.org/about/careers. Apply by emailing resume and cover letter to hr@pidfoundation.org or fax to 808-440-6619.

Hi-Employment Seeks Student Employees to work in a macadamia nut orchard on weekends and holidays. Duties include hand-harvesting macadamia nuts, filling and transporting nut bags and buckets, loading 25-plus pound bags into truck beds, and possible clearing of brush and branches. Applicants must be at least 15 years old, have a work permit, two forms of ID, and transportation to "Panaʻewa Stretch." Call for more details, 238-3741, hi-employment.com.

Experience Volcano Festival is still looking for vendors. Booths for the event are $25 per day for Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28. The event is coordinated with the new ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 5K, and Keiki Dash on the 27th. Apply at experiencevolcano.com/vendor-application.
     Experience Volcano is a group of businesses and residents helping to rebuild the economy of Volcano, following last year's volcanic disaster that shut down Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and drastically reduced the visitor county which is now recovering.

ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 5K, and Keiki Dash happens Saturday, July 27 in Volcano Village, It replaces the Volcano Rain Forest Runs. Register at ohialehuahalf.com.


6th Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run Registration, webscorer.com/register?raceid=166020. 5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon races through mac nut and coffee fields along slopes of Ka‘ū starting at 7a.m., Sept. 21, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Sponsored by Ka‘ū Coffee Mill and ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou. Prices increase after July 9. okaukakou.org, kaucoffeemill.com

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.



Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Location of planned Pāhala wastewater treatment plant. Read testimony given to the county council today at the first
reading of Bills 75 and 76, to fund the proposed facilities, below. 
County map
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WOULD GO TO HAWAIʻI IN THE FEDERAL SPENDING BILL that passed the U.S. House of Representatives today. Congressman Ed Case, who serves on the House Committee on Appropriations, issued a statement, saying that increased funds for Native Hawaiian programs are approved for healthcare and education.
     Agencies to be funded include Partners In Development, which operates Tutu & Me in Kaʻū; Alu Like; INPEACE; Keiki O Ka ʻĀina; and University of Hawaiʻi Center on Disability Studies. Funding for the East West Center would be restored, should it be included by the U.S. Senate, providing $17 million. Last term, the House zeroed out the funding.
One of the local agencies that would be funded
if the Federal spending bill passes.
     The budget calls for an increase in military spending in Hawaiʻi for missile defense, computer modernization, and Impact Aid for the continued education of dependent children whose parents are based in Hawai‘i. Hilo harbor is budgeted for $582,099 in improvements. Additional money is budget for Flood Plain Management Service; a National Shoreline Management Study; and Planning Assistance to State and Coastal and Deep-Draft programs. The Energy and Water Development budget supports programs that will mitigate and adapt to climate change and improve the water infrastructure in Hawai‘i.

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.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANS FOR NĀʻĀHALU AND PĀHALA received unanimous approval, on first reading, from the County Council today. Bills 75 and 76 would authorize the Mayor to apply to qualify for bonding the projects, which would allow the county to borrow, at low interest, $10 million for the Nāʻāleju project, and $37 million for the Pāhala project.
     Marine biologist Megan Lamson-Leatherman, who works on coastal cleanups and restoration in Kaʻū, testified in favor of the county's plan to create lagoon-style wastewater facilities. The design calls for treatment of sewage through aeration and absorption through soil, plants, and native trees. She said they are "well worth the money."
Red lines indicate where sewer lines are planned in Nāʻālehu. County map
     Sandra Demourelle, of Nāʻālehu, referred to a petition she submitted last year, urging the county council conduct a fiscal and performance audit of both projects to ensure compliance with federal and state environmental statutes and the Kaʻū Community Development Plan.
     In testimony submitted today, she wrote: "The Kaʻū community is going to stop begging for a legislative audit." She called it "too expensive" and accused the county of "public corruption." She said she plans to take her case to the FBI Public Corruption Officer. She said, "This fraud needs an investigation."
     Via video conferencing from Nāʻālehu, Demoruelle said she is concerned that the proposed Nāʻālehu site is too close to a viable water well. She said there is a "big lie" about the well failing, that it has "100,00 gallons a day of overflow." She also said there are alternatives to the lagoon-style facilities, but that the county cannot move forward until a final environmental impact statement is done. She opposed the lagoon facility in favor of a less expensive septic system.
William Kucharski. Photo 
from WestHawaiiForum.org
     Jerry Warren, of Nāʻālehu, also expressed concerns for the high cost of the lagoon systems and the location "next to the county water well." He contended the "original 2007 septic tank plan" would save $20 million over a lagoon-style system in Pāhala.
     Director of the county Department of Environmental Management, William Kucharski, explained that both projects must move forward. He said the EPA has issued an administrative order of consent on the projects, and the current Large Capacity Cesspools, which are illegal under federal law, must be closed "as soon as possible." He said they were to have originally been closed in 2005.
     Regarding cost, Kucharski said $8 million is "a direct result" of moving the proposed location away from Nāʻālehu Elementary School. He said he worked "very hard" to find the new location.
     Kucharski said the purpose of the new wastewater treatment facilities is to "not endanger" the communities, but to make them "cleaner and safer." He said he didn't know what to say about having to "spend a lot of money to do the right thing."
     With today's approval, the measure to fund the projects moved to a second reading before the council. Watch all the testimony from today at hawaiicounty.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1440. See more testimony in the June 14 Kaʻū News Briefs.

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.

"LEARN ABOUT YOUR ANCESTORS," encourages Jan Sweetin of the Family History Center, located at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Nāʻālehu. The center is open to the public, free of charge, on Sundays from 11 a.m. to noon and on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Entrance is off parking lot with Family History Center sign on wall. "Please come check us out and learn more about the joy of finding your ancestors. We are happy to instruct beginners as well as supply resources for more experienced genealogists," says Sweetin. Call 808-731-7133 with any questions.

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.

THE QUANRDRY OF SELF CARE: TAKING CARE OF SELF TO HELP OTHERS, is a free Brown Bag Lunch Talk, featuring Lindsey Miller who works in Nāʻālehu at the PARENTS Inc. office. Attend the event Thursday, June 20, noon to 1 p.m., at Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, 655 Kīlauea Avenue, Hilo.
     In this interactive talk, learn simple self-care ideas, and mindfulness techniques like breathing and setting intentions.
     Said Lindsey, "In our culture of extroverts and outward appearances, it's important to take good care of ourselves in order to feel grounded and peaceful in our bodies and spirits. Focusing on ourselves and what we need in the day-to-day moment is often the best way to take care of others."
     Ku‘ikahi's Brown Bag Lunch Series is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunch, enjoy an informal and educational talk-story session, and meet others interested in "Finding Solutions, Growing Peace." For more information, contact Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center Program Coordinator Majidah Lebarre at (808) 935-7844 x 3 or majidah@hawaiimediation.org. No RSVP needed – walk-ins welcome.

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.

HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK continues to share Hawaiian culture and tradition with its Cultural Festival in mid July, ongoing ‘Ike Hana No‘eau demonstrations, After Dark in the Park talks, volunteer programs, and opportunities to explore its Kahuku Unit. Unless otherwise noted, events are free. Here are the July events:
     Celebrate Hawaiian culture at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's Cultural Festival at Kahuku Unit on Saturday, July 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free, family-friendly day shares the connection of Hawaiian people to this storied place on Mauna Loa volcano. See more details in tomorrow's Kaʻū News Briefs.
Living history actor Dick Hershberger points out the large boulder in the Park 
that has "Wanderer" and "B Boyd" carved into it. NPS photo/Janice Wei
     Kīlauea 2018 Volcanic Pollution: from Source to Exposed Communities is the After Dark in the Park program on Tuesday, July 2, 7 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium.
     It will explain that gas and aerosol-rich volcanic plumes can have serious impacts on human health and the environment. While impacts from major components like sulfur dioxide have been the subject of multiple studies, the trace components such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium are poorly understood.
     Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone eruption of 2018 provided an unprecedented opportunity for volcanologist Dr. Evgenia Ilyinskaya and her team from the Universities of Leeds, Cambridge and Oxford, U.K., to collaborate with U.S. Geological Survey and the State Dept. of Health to deploy ground-based and aerial monitoring equipment for analysis. Come for a fascinating look at what volcanic pollution really contains and its potential implications for environmental impacts.
     Postcards from the Edge – Painting Workshop with Artist-in-Residence Alice Leese will be held Saturday, July 7, 10 a.m. to noon behind Volcano House. Artists of all abilities can participate in this rare opportunity to meet and paint with the Park's resident artist for July, Alice Leese, on the edge of Kīlauea Volcano. Leese, a Texas cattle rancher whose oil paintings and other mediums capture the colorful west, will provide one workshop during her residency. Limited to 12 people, attendees will receive a postcard-sized blank canvas but must bring their own paints and a small travel easel. Cost is $75, and includes lunch at Volcano House. Register with the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Co-sponsored by the Volcano House and National Parks Arts Foundation.
Ranger Keoni demonstrates how to ku‘i kalo, pound the 
kalo root. NPS photo
     New Insights from Kīlauea Volcano's 2018 Lower East Rift Zone Eruption, part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ongoing After Dark in the Park series, happens Tuesday, July 9, 7 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. The May to August 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption resulted in numerous new insights into how Kīlauea Volcano works, and provided scientists new opportunities to improve their understanding of volcano hazards. Matt Patrick, a geologist with USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, describes the expected and unexpected aspects of this eruption, and discusses how the activity might be used to improve his and other scientists' ability to forecast future hazards on Kīlauea.
     Kui Kalo Demonstration, part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ‘Ike Hana No‘eau, Experience the Skillful Work, workshops, happens Wednesday, July 10 from 10 a.m. to noon at Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Make poi, the staple food of the Hawaiian diet. The root of the kalo plant is cooked and ku‘i, pounded, to create this classic Hawaiian dish. Join Ranger Keoni Kaholo‘a‘ā as he shares his knowledge of kale for this authentic cultural experience.
     Texas Rancher & Painter Alice Leese – July's Artist in Residence, part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ongoing After Dark in the Park series, co-sponsored by the National Park Arts Foundation, happens Tuesday, July 16, 7 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Come see how Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will inspire Texan Alice Leese, who was chosen as July's artist in residence. Leese is renowned for her evocative and vibrant oil paintings of western landscapes – including wildfire – nature, and ranch life that she says don't necessarily capture a specific area, but instead, what it feels like to be there. While in the park, Leese – who works her family's 100-year-old ranch – will feel the volcanic panoramas, plants, and animals, then share her artistic interpretations with the public.
     A Rock in the Park: Tale of the Wanderer, part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ongoing After Dark in the Park series, happens Tuesday, July 23, 7 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. A rediscovered rock near an overgrown hiking trail within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park reveals mysterious letters and words carved into it: Wanderer. What unfolds next are the amazing voyages of Benjamin Boyd and his yacht, Wanderer. Storms at sea, a daring rescue, pitched battles in the South Pacific: Join historian Hugh Montgomery and actor Dick Hershberger in a two-man play that brings this epic tale to life.
Kāhili feather standard. NPS photo
     Kāhili Demonstration, part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ‘Ike Hana No‘eau, Experience the Skillful Work, workshops, happens Wednesday, July 24 from 10 a.m. to noon at Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Create a small kāhili pa‘a lima, a handheld feather standard. Kāhili are a form of Hawaiian feather work that traditionally acknowledged a person's status and genealogy, and offered spiritual protection. They are beautiful examples of Hawaiian art.
     Stewardship of Kīpukapuaulu. Help remove troublesome plants at Kīpukapuaulu, home to diverse native forest and understory plants. Meet every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in July, except July 4: 5, 11, 18, and 25; at Kīpukapuaulu parking lot, Mauna Loa Road, off Highway 11 in the Park. Bring clippers or pruners, sturdy gloves, a hat, and water. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothing that can get permanently stained from morning glory sap. Be prepared for cool and wet, or hot and sunny, weather. New volunteer? Contact Marilyn Nicholson for more info, nickem@hawaii.rr.com.
     Stewardship at the Summit. Volunteer to help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, a World Heritage Site. Meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at 8:45 a.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center on Friday, July 12 and 26, or Saturday, June 6 and 20. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, raingear, day pack, snacks, and water. Gloves and tools are provided. Under 18? Parental or guardian accompaniment or written consent is required. Visit the park website for additional planning details: nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm. 
Oil painting of Frying Pan Fire by July 2019 Artist in Residence 
Alice Leese. Photo from Alice Leese
     A Walk into the Past with Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar. Meet at Kīlauea Visitor Center Tuesdays in July: 2, 9, 16, and 23, at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. Each performance is about an hour. Walk back to 1912, and meet the founder of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, at the edge of Kīlauea Volcano. Dressed in period costume, Ka‘ū actor-director Dick Hershberger brings the renowned geologist to life. Dr. Jaggar leads a tour of his tiny lab located below Volcano House, showing original seismograph equipment and other early instruments. Learn what motivated Dr. Jaggar to dedicate his life to the study of Hawaiian volcanoes and how his work helps save lives today. Space is limited; pick up free ticket at Kīlauea Visitor Center's front desk the day of the program. Program includes climbing stairs and entering a confined space. Supported by the Kīlauea Drama Entertainment Network.
     Explore Kahuku. Kahuku Unit is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free. Take a self-guided hike, or join rangers on Sundays in April for a two-hour guided trek at 9:30 a.m.; the trail will vary depending on visitor interest. Enter the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on the mauka (inland) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5. Kahuku is located in Ka‘ū, and is about a 50-minute drive south of the park's main entrance. Sturdy footwear, water, raingear, sun protection, and a snack are recommended for all hikes.
     See updates on the Park's online calendar of events, and look for program flyers posted after 9:30 a.m. on the bulletin board at Kīlauea Visitor Center.
     Park programs are free, but entrance fees apply. Some programs are co-sponsored by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
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.

UPCOMING
THURSDAY, JUNE 20
SIGN UP for Nā‘ālehu July 4th Parade, open until Thursday, June 20. Parade and Keiki Fun Day held June 29, 10a.m.-1:30p.m. - see separate event listing. Sponsored by ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou. Call Debra McIntosh, 929-9872. okaukakou.org

SATURDAY, JUNE 22
Dementia Caregiver Boot Camp, Saturday, June 22, 9a.m.-4p.m., Kaʻū Rural Community Health Assoc. in Pāhala. RSVP by June 17. Free. Three workshops, movie, and lunch. Attend one or all segments. Learn more and RSVP at alz.org/Hawaii or 800-272-3900.

A-Mazing Triangles, Bookbinding Workshop with Charlene Asato, Saturday, June 22, 9a.m.-noon, Volcano Art Center. $32/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. See supply list. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Abstract Collaging Workshop with Darcy Gray, Saturday, June 22, 10a.m.-2:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. $85/VAC member, $90/non-member, plus $20 supply fee. Advanced registration required. Limited to 10 adults. See supply list. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

The Joy of the Brush: Paintings by Linda J. Varez, daily, June 22 through Aug. 4, 9a.m.-5p.m., Opening Reception, Saturday, June 22, 2-4p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees may apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

MONDAY, JUNE 24
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Coastal Net Patrol, Monday, June 24. Free; donations appreciated. Limited seating available. RSVP in advance. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, 769-7629

TUESDAY, JUNE 25
Mobile Spay & Neuter Waggin', Tuesday, June 25, 7:30a.m.-4p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Low income pet parents and those with limited transportation qualify for mobile spay/neuter service. Free. Surgery by phone appointment only. Hawai‘i Island Humane Society, hihs.org, 796-0107

HOVE Road Maintenance Board Mtg., Tuesday, June 25, 10a.m., HOVE Road Maintenance office. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, June 25, 11:30a.m.-1p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Volunteers welcome. Dave Breskin, 319-8333

Performing Arts Activity: Karaoke Sing Along, Tuesday, June 25, 2-3p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6 & up, June 17-21. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wednesday, June 26 – last Wednesday, monthly – 9-11a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors 60 years and older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i – referral required, 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org

Lei Tī, Wednesday, June 26, 10a.m.-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Hands-on demonstration with rangers and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association staff making tī-leaf lei. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo

Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, June 27, 3-4p.m., Classroom 35, Building F, Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. Provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

ONGOING
Seamless Summer Program, open to all people under age 18, no registration required, offers free breakfast at Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School cafeterias. Meals are available weekdays through July 11; no meal Thursday, July 4. Kaʻū High serves breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Call (808) 939-2413 for Nāʻālehu Elementary mealtimes.

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou's Annual Nāʻālehu 4th of July Parade and Summer Fun Fest happens Saturday, June 29. The Nā‘ālehu Independence Day Parade begins at 11 a.m. at Nā‘ālehu Elementary School and ends at the Nā‘ālehu Hongwanji Mission. The parade features floats, Paʻu riders, Kaʻū Coffee Court members, and more.
     The Fest, which begins after the parade, features water slides and bounce castles, hot dogs, watermelon, and shave ice, plus Senior Bingo and lunch at the community center for seniors. The free event is open to the public, no registration required.
     To participate in the parade, volunteer, or donate, contact Debra McIntosh at 929-9872 by Thursday, June 20. okaukakou.org

Volcano Village 4th of July Parade, Festival, and Craft Fair happens Thursday, July 4 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The parade starts at the Volcano Post Office, travels down Old Volcano Road, and ends at Cooper Center on Wright Road. Free entry to activities, food, and entertainment. Leashed dogs allowed. Provided by Cooper Center Council, Volcano Community Association, and more. To be in the parade, download the entry form at volcanocommunity.org and email to vcainfo@yahoo.com. Vendors, download applications at thecoopercenter.org and email to idoaloha@gmail.com, or call Tara Holmes, 464-3625, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.


Full-Time Teaching Assistant Sought by Tūtū & Me to implement curriculum for caregivers and keiki in Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool in Kaʻū. Competitive salary and benefits package, including medical, dental, drug, and vision; flexible spending plan; 403b retirement plan; vacation, sick days, and 14 paid days off; and more.
     Minimum requirement is a high school diploma. Early Childhood Education, related coursework, and/or experience working children preferred. For more, visit pidf.org/about/careers. Apply by emailing resume and cover letter to hr@pidfoundation.org or fax to 808-440-6619.

Hi-Employment Seeks Student Employees to work in a macadamia nut orchard on weekends and holidays. Duties include hand-harvesting macadamia nuts, filling and transporting nut bags and buckets, loading 25-plus pound bags into truck beds, and possible clearing of brush and branches. Applicants must be at least 15 years old, have a work permit, two forms of ID, and transportation to "Panaʻewa Stretch." Call for more details, 238-3741, hi-employment.com.

Experience Volcano Festival is still looking for vendors. Booths for the event are $25 per day for Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28. The event is coordinated with the new ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 5K, and Keiki Dash on the 27th. Apply at experiencevolcano.com/vendor-application.
     Experience Volcano is a group of businesses and residents helping to rebuild the economy of Volcano, following last year's volcanic disaster that shut down Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and drastically reduced the visitor county which is now recovering.

ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 5K, and Keiki Dash happens Saturday, July 27 in Volcano Village, It replaces the Volcano Rain Forest Runs. Register at ohialehuahalf.com.

6th Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run Registration, webscorer.com/register?raceid=166020. 5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon races through mac nut and coffee fields along slopes of Ka‘ū starting at 7a.m., Sept. 21, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Sponsored by Ka‘ū Coffee Mill and ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou. Prices increase after July 9. okaukakou.org, kaucoffeemill.com

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.