The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, March 31, 2022

Nāʻālehu Elementary School's fourth graders, led by Kumu Maile Tavares, took part in a simultaneous statewide dance,
Liliu E, the Queen's Hula, on Thursday, joining other schools virtually to celebrate the 175th anniversary
of Washington Place, the home of Queen Lili'uokalani, and now the Hawai'i Governors Mansion.

DANCING HULA, NĀ'ĀLEHU AND PĀHALA FOURTH GRADERS CELEBRATED 175 YEARS IN HISTORY OF QUEEN LILI'UOKALANI'S HOME. On Thursday the students joined in a simultaneous performance with other fourth graders from around the state, numbering in the thousands, from some 38 schools. While students danced on the grounds of the historic home in Honolulu, Nāʻālehu and many other students performed in their own venues, sharing their hula kahiko online. It was Liliu E, the Queen's Hula, to the chant composed by Hula Master Antone Ka'oko in honor of Lili'uokalani.
The Nāʻālehu performance was led by Kumu Hula Maile Tavares. Parent Maile Jean Makuakane said, "I'm so blessed to have my fourth grader attending Nāʻālehu Elementary to have been able to participate in this beautiful performance along with 2,500 fellow fourth graders.. I'm sooooooo extremely touched my heart is so happy!"
Also performing were fourth graders from Pāhala Elementary. See the performances and the entire celebration at https://www.facebook.com/GovernorDavidIge/videos/696457218 36667 1.

Queen Lili'uokalani on the grounds of Washington Place.
Photo from Hawai'i State Archives

Queen Lili'uokalani's home in Honolulu is known as Washington Place, built by the family of Capt. John Dominis, whose son became husband to Lili'uokalani. King Kamehameha decreed that the home forever be called Washington Place in honor of the first President of the United States. It serves as the Hawai'i Governors Mansion.

The event on Thursday was the kickoff of the 175th Anniversary of this National Historic Landmark. It included a proclamation signing by Gov. David Ige and the performance of musical compositions by Lili'uokalani. First Lady Dawn Imano-Ige chairs the celebration, which is ongoing through May 14. In attendance were representatives of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and many other local organizations and agencies.

Hula Master Antone Ka'oko, who wrote Liliu E.

On Friday, Washington Place opens a new exhibit on the life of Queen Lili'uokalani, followed by tours on Saturday with a concert on the grounds by the Royal Hawaiian Band. Public tours are available by reservation through May 14.
Virtual opportunities are available online. See a tour of Washington Place through excerpts from Liliʻuokalani: Reflections on Our Queen, directed by Edgy Lee at https://washingtonplace.hawaii.gov/news-and-events/in-the-news /.

Pāhala fourth graders joined in the statewide celebration of Queen Lili'uokalani's home.

HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KAʻŪ has announced applications are open for its scholarships for higher education.

Royal Coat of Arms of Hawai'i is the
Hawaiian Civic Club logo.

Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka'ū has been providing scholarships for higher education since its founding in 1969. The first scholarship was awarded to Paulette Kaihilani Ke in 1970, who now serves as the Vice-President of the Civic Club and is also a kupuna at Ke Kula Nawahīokalaniopu'u.
Civic Club President Berkeley Yoshida was also a recipient of the club's scholarship in 1983. Most recently, scholarships were awarded to Mālie Ibarra and Dacy Davis in 2018 and to Ryan AhYee and Josiah Barrios in 2019, all of whom are graduates of Ka'ū High School.
Last year's scholarship was awarded to Elyssa Abellera, a 2021 graduate of Kamehameha Schools Hawai'i. She is pursuing her undergraduate degree at the University of Portland majoring in Biology, and minoring in Psychology and Neuroscience.
Abellera shared the following about her college plans. "I hope to graduate with a Bachelors of Science in Biology in 2025. Following my graduation in 2025, I will then attend medical school. With my hopes of attending medical school, I aspire to become a Surgeon. Specifically, I plan to pursue the speciality of Pediatric Surgery or Cardiothoracic Surgery." A statement from Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka'ū said, the organization "is extremely proud of Elyssa and and all of our scholarship recipients, and we look forward to awarding a scholarship again this year."

The scholarship amount is currently $600. Application deadline is Friday, April 29. Applications must be downloaded from the Civic Club website at the web address below. Applications may be submitted by Email, US Postal Mail, or in-person. Further details are found on the scholarship application, which can be viewed on the website.
Email any scholarship questions to hawaiiancivicclubkau@gmail.com and share this information with any students graduating this year. To make a donation to the Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka'ū Scholarship Fund, send a check to P.O. Box 6108, Ocean View, HI 96737.
The scholarship application may be downloaded from https://sites.google.com/view/hawaiiancivicclubkau/scholarship.

SEE UPCOMING EVENTS IN KAʻŪ & VOLCANO

at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/03/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.

See The Ka'ū Calendar Newspaper online at

www.kaucalendar.com

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Coach Pitch game in action during Ka'u Little League Tournament, sponsored by Hawai'i
Police Activities League last Saturday. Photo by Katie Graham

KAʻŪ LITTLE LEAGUE TOURNAMENT sponsored by the Hawaiʻi Police Activities League (HI-PAL), was held last Saturday, Mach 26 at Nāʻālehu Ballpark. Dane Shibuya, Sr., the community liaison officer at the Kaʻū Police Department, attended the tournament with his granddaughter, Keulu and provided snacks and refreshments to players and attendees.

Keulu presents the players with medals.
Photo by Elizabeth Crook

Shibuya noted that this was the first HI-PAL tournament held in three years and expressed his excitement to finally have kids back playing ball.
Both Coach Pitch and T-Ball participated in the tournament. Coach Pitch is made up of mostly 7 and 8 year olds, while T-Ball is made up of 5 & 6 year olds. The MVPs for Coach Pitch were Isaiah Castle and Stefan Tepei, while Izzy Young and Ashten Jaedtke took home the awards in T-Ball.
Opening day festivities for Hawaiʻi Island Little League teams will be held at Old Kona Airport Park this Friday, April 1 at 6 p.m. The next scheduled home games for Kaʻū Little League will be a double-header on Saturday, April 9 at Nāʻālehu Park with

Community Police Officer Dayne Shibuya, Sr.
with granddaughter Keulu, representing HI-PAL.
Photo by Katie Graham

Coach Pitch playing at 9 a.m. and T-B all playing at 11 a.m.
Contact Ka'u Little League President Josh Crook to offer contributions, donations and Little League involvement at 808-345-0511.

POLICE ARRESTED A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT FOR BRINGING A WEAPON TO SCHOOL. Hawai‘i Island police arrested and charged the 17-year-old male after he brought a weapon to the Kamehameha Schools campus in Kea‘au on Tuesday. Around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Puna patrol responded to a report of a student possibly in possession of a revolver at the high school campus. Arriving officers learned that school security already detained the juvenile suspect and had retrieved a revolver from the student.
Police contacted Kamehameha Schools administrators who reported that there was a social media post with a photograph of the juvenile suspect with the revolver which was viewed by other students on campus. After seeing the social media post, school administrators said they became concerned for the safety of the students and faculty, and campus security contacted the juvenile and the revolver was found in his waistband.

Police report that the juvenile did not brandish the firearm at anyone and Kamehameha School was not locked down during the incident. The student was arrested for disorderly conduct and terroristic threatening in the first-degree and transported to the Pahoa police station. Upon examining the pistol, it was determined to be a “starter” gun that cannot fire projectiles due to the barrel being obstructed by a piece of welded metal inside the barrel. However, the weapon resembled an authentic gun.
After conferring with the County Prosecutors Office, the juvenile was charged for terroristic threatening in the first-degree and disorderly conduct. He was released to his guardian.
“Though this firearm was not loaded or operational, we treat these types of threats to our schools seriously and will aggressively prosecute these types of incidents,” said Puna District Captain Scott Amaral.
“Working in cooperation with Kamehameha Schools, this incident was resolved quickly and peacefully with minimal interruption to school functions. Our children deserve to be able to learn and grow in a safe environment and not be afraid of gun violence.”
A statement from police encourages students "to immediately report to an adult if someone they know has brought a weapon on campus."
Police ask anyone who may have information relative to this case to call the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311 or Officer Robert Kamau of Puna Patrol at (808) 965-2716 or email him at Robert.Kamau@hawaiicounty.gov.

HAWAI'I COFFEE ASSOCIATION REMINDS GROWERS that its 13th annual Statewide Coffee Cupping Competition is open for submissions between April 1 -29. Winners will be announced May 20 at the 2022 Annual HCA Conference Cupping Competition Awards Ceremony at 3:30 p.m. and include a sampling of the top scoring coffee from each growing region.
The cupping competition is part of the Hawai'i Coffee Association's in-person 27th annual Conference and Trade Show to be held at Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa in Keauhou, May 19-21.

According to HCA's Executive Director and past President Chris Manfredi, competition coffees will be blindly cupped using the Specialty Coffee Association's scoring system. Pacific Coffee Research will oversee the competition. Complete rules and entry forms may be found on the HCA's website.

New live events for the Conference will include local baristas vying to win the the first Café Collective SigBev Competition at 6:30 p.m. on May 20 at HiCO in Kona. A panel of judges will score beverages featuring local coffees and attendees will have an opportunity to taste them. This event is open to the public; admission is free.
Also new to the conference is the Seed-to-Brew Roundtable. The interactive panel brings together stakeholders representing four major elements of the local coffee chain: producers, processors, roasters and baristas. These industry experts will discuss their roles and answer questions prompted by a moderator. The panel will be followed by an audience Q&A.

Last year, Jose and Berta Miranda took
first in Kaʻū and tied for first statewide
in the HCA Cupping Contest.
Photo from Miranda's Farm

Jennifer "Vern" Long will give the conference keynote on Collaborative Coffee R&D—Working Together to Secure the Future of Coffee in Hawai'i. The CEO of World Coffee Research, "Long brings 25 years of experience in international agricultural research with a focus on smallholders," says the HCA statement. "Long has experience convening industry, government, scientists and farmers to formulate a shared crop research agenda for improving small farm productivity."

"This year's conference features a full lineup of educational opportunities, fellowship and fun," says Manfredi. "We've planned interactive workshops on cupping, roasting and field-grafting; plus talks on soil health, coffee origin traceability, on-farm technology and updates on the latest industry research and legislative issues. Attendees will also enjoy a trade show, silent auction and plenty of networking opportunities."

For Kaʻū coffee growers and enthusiasts interested in going the convention, the cost is $300 per person for Full Registration with meals; $135 for a two-day pass with Friday lunch, $235 for a three-day pass with Saturday lunch and dinner; $50 for a Friday tour and $100 for only attending the Saturday dinner.

To register and learn more about the HCA, go to http://www.hawaiicoffeeassoc.org/.

SEE UPCOMING EVENTS IN KAʻŪ & VOLCANO

at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/03/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.

See March edition of The Kaʻū Calendar newspaper at

www.kaucalendar.com

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Land on the Hilo side of Nīnole Loop, near the long-abandoned restaurant, shops and museum at
Punalu'u, is being cleaned. Machines are clearing overgrowth, picking up rubbish, bringing in fill
to smooth out the landscape. Photo by Bob Martin

THE CLEANUP HAS BEGUN along Nīnole Loop, the road to Punalu'u beach and pond, and the adjacent parking lot. Machines are clearing overgrowth and trees, pulling stumps, picking up rubbish and bringing in materials by dump truck to spread and smooth out the land along the roadside adjacent to the old Punalu'u Restaurant and museum area. The old parking lot has been cleared and the roadside along Nīnole Loop looks like it could become a walking path from the parking lot toward the beach.

The abandoned buildings and grounds at Punalu'u have long been considered hazardous for visitors and locals who for decades have explored them. The official clearing comes after Black Sands Beach, LLC. received a County of Hawai'i exemption from Special Management Area permits for the cleanup.

Also being cleaned out is the parking lot makai of the old Punalu'u Golf Course and the grounds of the old tennis center with its courts and building. The building is to be repaired under a Minor SMA permit.

Also to be cleaned up and repaired under an SMA Minor permit are the buildings that formerly housed the Aspen Institute.

Repairs and cleanup of Punalu'u's water and
sewer system are exempt from SMA permits.
Photo by Bob Martin

To be cleaned up and repaired under an exemption from SMA permitting are the sewer, water and road systems at Punalu'u, says the permitting approval document.

The permitting document from county Planning Director Zendo Kern says the exemptions and conditions of the minor permits do not create waivers from building and other county, state and federal permits, where required.

It also requires the work to keep distance from Punalu'u Pond and the shoreline.

THE CONDO ASSOCIATION AT PUNALU'U IS LOOKING FOWARD TO THE CLEANUP AND IMPROVEMENT to roads, the sewer and water system, fire hydrants and dilapidated buildings. Vern Hughes, President of the Board of Colony One Association of Apartment Owners, said he welcomes the approvals from the county to do the repairs and cleanup. He noted that the deferred maintenance has been an issue for many years, going back to the time before the property was purchased by Black Sand Beach, LLC and Eva Liu. Hughes said, "Eva's got good people in place to get the jobs done now."

Clean up and reconstruction of the tennis center
and former golf check-in have begun at Punalu'u
with praise from the President of the condo
association there. Photo by Bob Martin

There are 76 units at the condos, with the Vacation Internationale timeshare company having 29 of them, the rest privately owned. Hughes said he looks forward to visitors and the community to be able to use the tennis courts, planned pickleball courts and eventually the golf course, which has been closed for about three years.

Hughes said, "The trees, shrubs and undergrowth - they have really been working very hard to clean it up and it is really showing a lot of difference. They have been hauling away truckloads. It's amazing to have someone come in here, spend money and fix the place up, after all the years of neglect."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/03/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.

COUNTY COUNCIL CANDIDATE MICHELLE GALIMBA issued a statement in late March inviting community members to apply to serve on the Kaʻū Community Development Plan Action Committee to help steward the future of Kaʻū.

"I had the privilege of serving on the Kaʻū Community Development Plan Steering Committee, which worked with County of Hawaiʻi Planning Department staff and
consultants to bring the Kaʻū Community Development Plan to fruition," said Galimba.

"The Kaʻū CDP was based on the highest level of community input and engagement of any CDP in Hawaiʻi County. This input from small group meetings, surveys and speak-outs was then synthesized into our communityʻs values and vision statement, which then led to a set of policies, objectives and proposed actions.

"The Kaʻū Community Development Plan (CDP) was passed into law by the Planning Commission and the County Council in 2017. As land values and development pressure increase, the CDP is an important tool educate newcomers and to help our community shape a future that is an expression of our values and our love for this ʻaina." Galimba said there are "many proposed actions in the CDP that need engaged citizens (that means you!) to shepherd them forward into reality."
The County of Hawaiʻi is seeking applicants to serve on the Kaʻū CDP Action Committee. Galimba said, "This is an opportunity to see that the values and vision that we expressed in the Kaʻū CDP are honored and that we create a thriving, sustainable community that is rooted in our districtʻs unique natural and cultural heritage."

Find out more about the Kaʻū CDP and the Action Committee at https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/general-plan-community-planning/cdp/kau .
Galimba also offered this option: "Get in touch with me at https://votegalimba.com to find out more about the CDP and what it was like to serve on the Kaʻū CDP Steering Committee."

THE VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES LIFTED ITS INDOOR MASK MANDATE on Monday, March 28 for faculty, staff, and students. The change was anticipated after outdoor masking became optional at VSAS in early March and the state mask mandate was lifted on March 26. Safety precautions, however, are still in place to limit the spread of COVID-19, with weekly testing available for all students and staff and quarantine requirements for those who are in close contact with someone with COVID-19.

Cobra will join the staff of The Volcano School
of the Arts & Sciences to sniff out COVID-19.
Photo from Volcano School

On Tuesday, March 29, Principal Kalima Kinney announced to faculty and students that the school will welcome a new member to its community– Cobra, a dog trained to detect the presence of COVID-19. Cobra is a seven-year-old female Belgian Malinois, who is part of a COVID-19 dog detection pilot program being run in five public schools on Hawai'i Island.

Cobra was previously trained to detect the scent of a fungus that causes Rapid 'Ō'hia Death and had highly accurate results. When the pandemic began, Cobra began putting her nose to work to detect coronavirus after researchers were able to isolate the odor of the body's response to the virus.

Beginning the week of April 4, students and staff at Volcano School can begin signing up for Cobra's weekly "sniffer tests" to keep Volcano School coronavirus free.

Kaʻū Trojans Boys Volleyball team, left to right, is comprised of Iverson Salmo, Kelso Gallano, Triton Blanco,
Kealiikoa Reyes-Nalu, Tyson Junior Kuahuia-Faafia, Syrus Baniaga, Roger Migueland Mardani Sugai.
Not shown are Dmitriy Fedroruk, Michal Espejo and Patrick Riehle. Photo by Harry McIntosh

BOYS VOLLEYBALL IS WELL INTO THE SEASON with Kaʻū High hosting Hawai'i Preparatory Academy on Saturday, April 2, the encounter beginning at 10 a.m. The Trojans head out to Christian Liberty Academy on Wednesday, April 6 for a start time of 6 p.m. Kaʻū heads out to Kohala on Saturday April 9, starting time at 10 a.m. Playoffs games will be announced later in the month.

KAʻŪ TROJANS BOYS BASEBALL team travels to Hilo to play Hawai'i Preparatory Academy in a 1 p.m. game on Saturday, April 2 . Kaʻū goes to Kamehameha Schoool on Monday, April 4 for a 3 p.m. game. The Trojans head to Kealakehe High School to play Konawaena for a 1 p.m. game on Saturday, April 16. Playoff dates will be announced later in the month.

GIRLS SOFTBALL TAKES THE TROJAN TEAM to Hawai'i Preparatory Academy in Waimea on Saturday, April 2 for a 10 a.m. game. Kaʻū hosts Kamehameha Schools on Thursday, April 7 at 3 p.m. and Kaʻū travels to Konawaena on Saturday, April 16 for a 1 p.m. game. The playoffs follow.

BIIF TRACK is taking Trojans around the island. They will compete on the tracks of Hawai'i Preparatory Academy on Saturday, April 2 with a 9 a.m. start, Kea'au High on Saturday, April 9 with a start time of 2 p.m., at Hawai'i Preparatory Academy on Saturday, April 16 with start time of 9 a.m., at Kea'au, on Saturday, April 23 with start time of 2 p.m. The Freshman & Sophomore Invitational will be on Saturday, April 30 at Konawaena, 2 p.m. Championship Trials will be on Friday, May 6 at 2 p.m. at Konawaena, which will also host Championship Finals on Saturday, May 7 at 3 p.m.

SEE UPCOMING EVENTS IN KAʻŪ & VOLCANO

at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/03/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.

See March edition of The Kaʻū Calendar newspaper at

www.kaucalendar.com

About The Kaʻū Calendar

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, March 31, 2022

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Tuesday, March 29, 2022