Kaʻū News Briefs, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023

Chinese New Year was celebrated this week at Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences. It's the Year of the Rabbit.
Photo by Michelle Buck

CHINESE NEW YEAR was celebrated throughout January, with most festivities to wrap up Feb. 4 with a Lantern Celebration and family and friend reunions in Chinese communities. The Year of the Rabbit runs from Jan. 22, 2022 into Feb. 9, 2024, the next Chinese New Year's Eve.

PreK students parade for Year of the Rabbit at
Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences.

    Years of the Rabbit are 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 and 2021. Each is attached to an Element, with this year's being water, the last Rabbit year being gold. The one before was earth the those before it were fire and wood.
    Those born in the Year of the Rabbit are said to be ingenious, witty, quick-minded and vigilant. They are also known to be gentle, quiet, elegant, and alert as well as quick, skillful, kind, patient, and very responsible.
    At Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences, students recently learned about Chinese culture by reading books, watching videos and decorating the classroom, as well as the parading around the campus.

    

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KILAUEA GETS WEIGHED IN is the title of this week's Volcano Watch, written by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:                   Measurements of gravity can be used to determine how mass is distributed beneath a volcano. Microgravity surveys can measure changes in the subsurface mass. At Kīlauea, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory performs routine microgravity surveys to monitor volcanic activity and to determine changes in gravity. 

    The Kīlauea microgravity monitoring network is comprised of about 50 benchmarks. Annual microgravity surveys are crucial in confirming whether ongoing uplift or subsidence is caused by magma intrusion or withdrawal. HVO conducts these surveys using small, shoebox-sized instruments called relative gravimeters that can measure a change in the force of gravity to one-in-one billionth of the force you feel every day.
    Measurements of gravity can be used to determine how mass is distributed beneath a volcano. Microgravity surveys can measure changes in the subsurface mass. At Kīlauea, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory performs routine microgravity surveys to monitor volcanic activity and to determine changes in gravity. The Kīlauea microgravity monitoring network is comprised of about 50 benchmarks. Annual microgravity surveys are crucial in confirming whether ongoing uplift or subsidence is caused by magma intrusion or withdrawal. HVO conducts these surveys using small, shoebox-sized instruments called relative gravimeters that can measure a change in the force of gravity to one-in-one billionth of the force you feel every day.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory volunteer Claire Ruggles measures variations in the strength of gravity
(grey box) and precise location (GPS on antenna) at the summit of Kīlauea. She is a Ph.D. candidate
 at University of Wisconsin -Madison. USGS photograph by HVO geophysicist A. Flinders

    A single gravity measurement consists of leveling a small baseplate (less than 1 foot or 30 cm diameter and 3 inches or 8 cm tall) on the ground, placing the gravimeter on the baseplate, and making a five-minute measurement. Along with gravity, high-precision positions are also collected using GPS.
    Gravimeters are extremely susceptible to vibration, so hard and stable surfaces, like solid rock outcroppings, are required to take a measurement. The measurements are non-invasive and do not disturb the ground.
    In addition to tracking changes over time, gravity surveys can be used to map the density characteristics of the ground beneath the surface. These “Bouguer” surveys, named after an 18th-century French geophysicist, measure the gravity at hundreds to thousands of locations at a single point in time and do not need the repeatable location benchmarking or precision of microgravity surveys.
    Bouguer surveys use the same relative gravimeters that are used for microgravity surveys, but measurements are tied to a reference “base station,” where the actual value of gravity has been
determined absolutely. 

    While both microgravity and Bouguer surveys are used to determine how mass is distributed beneath a volcano, microgravity surveys are used to model changes in these parameters, whereas Bouguer surveys can reveal the overall characteristics of the materials at depth. Two-and three-dimensional Bouguer models can provide insights into the geologic structure of volcanoes including identifying magma reservoirs, intrusions, landslide and collapse piles, and unexposed faults. At Kīlauea, they’ve also been used to define likely areas of hydrothermal fluid circulation. Together, microgravity and     Bouguer data can see not only subsurface structure, but also changes within that structure.

    Bouguer surveys have been a routine tool at Kīlauea for more than seven decades, with the two most recent summit surveys performed in 2009 and 2000. Over the month of January, a three-person team comprised of HVO geophysicist Ashton Flinders, University of Wisconsin Madison PhD candidate Claire Ruggles, and UW student Sophia Thompson measured gravity at over 400 locations around Kīlauea’s summit. Their Bouguer gravity survey will be the first to address significant large-scale changes associated with the 2018 caldera collapse. Seismic velocity and density are fundamentally related and results from this gravity survey will be used to help refine the model developed from the anticipated summer 2023 Kīlauea summit seismic study. If you see three orange-shirted scientists hiking around Kīlauea summit, carrying a shoebox-sized case and a long pole with a GPS antenna on the top, that’s us! Feel free to stop and say “aloha,” we love to talk about what we’re doing and why.

                     Cultural Resource Management Jobs at Hawai'i Volcanoes

Hiring until Monday: Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park has three full-time, temporary positions available. Those considering a career in cultural resource management can find out more athttps://go.nps.gov/HAVOjobs through Jan. 30. Jobs include: Museum Technician, Archeologist, Archeological Technician. Job announcements are not through USAJOBS. Click the link above for more information. NPS Photo

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VOLCANO ACTIVITY UPDATES: Kīlauea is erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is at WATCH. Kīlauea updates are issued daily. Kīlauea volcano's summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park continues. Activity is concentrated in a large lava lake in the eastern half of the crater, as well as a smaller lake to the west, in the basin of the 2021–2022 lava lake. Summit tilt has shown several deflation/inflation trends over the past week. Summit earthquake activity remains low and eruptive tremor (a signal associated with fluid movement) is present. A sulfur dioxide emission rate of 3,000 tonnes per day was measured on January 20. For Kīlauea monitoring data, see https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/past-week-monitoring-data-kilauea.

Yuko White walked the most miles in the Kahuku
Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, earning her
the 2022 Kūkini Challenge award. Photo from NPS

    Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at ADVISORY. Mauna Loa updates are issued weekly on Thursdays. Webcams show no signs of activity on Mauna Loa. Seismicity remains low.
Deformation rates show inflation somewhat above background levels, but this is not uncommon following eruptions. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates are at background levels. For Mauna Loa monitoring data, see: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/monitoring-data.
     There were four earthquakes with 3 or more felt reports in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M3.6 earthquake 13 km (8 mi) ESE of Pāhala at 30 km (18 mi) depth on Jan. 24 at 10:35 p.m. HST, a M3.1 earthquake 17 km (10 mi) ESE of Nāʻālehu at 35 km (21 mi) depth on Jan. 23 at 11:58 p.m. HST, a M3.1 earthquake 16 km (9 mi) E of Nāʻālehu at 35 km (22 mi) depth on Jan. 21 at 10:27 p.m. HST, and a M3.0 earthquake 8 km (4 mi) E of Pāhala at 31 km (19 mi) depth on Jan. 20 at 12:32 a.m. HST.
   HVO continues to closely monitor the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea, and Mauna Loa.

    Please visit HVO’s website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

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MOST MILES WALKED IN THE KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK has earned Yuko White the 2022 Kūkini Challenge award. She recorded 245.6 miles this past year and probably walked twice that if she counted the miles her dogs traveled with her.
    Non-profit partner Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association, rangers presented Yuko with a Kahuku logo t-shirt designed by Dietrich Varez and Bark Ranger bandanas for her faithful canines.
    Another Kahuku regular, Sylvia Pena again earned the “Most Miles Walked” title for the fourth and final quarter of 2022. Rangers presented Sylvia with a red thermal Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park flask to help keep her hydrated on the trails at Kahuku.

Sylvia Pena again earned the Most Miles Walked title
for the fourth and final quarter of 2022. NPS photo 

    A statement from Hawai'i Volcanoes says, "We congratulate both of these wonderful wahine as Kahuku Kūkini Challenge winners!  Even though the challenge is pau (over) we invite everyone to take a hike. Kahuku is peaceful and serene with no crowds. One of eight beautiful trails is sure to match your abilities and goals. Kahuku is open Thursday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and entrance is free!" For more information, visit https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku.htm.

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FREE FOOD
St. Jude's Hot Meals are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until food runs out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 96-8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View. Those in need can also take hot showers from 9 a.m. to noon and use the computer lab from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Free Meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are served from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Nā'ālehu Hongwanji. Volunteers prepare the food provided by 'O Ka'ū Kākou with fresh produce from its gardens on the farm of Eva Liu, who supports the project. Other community members also make donations and approximately 150 meals are served each day, according to OKK President Wayne Kawachi.

OUTDOOR MARKETS
Volcano Evening Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See facebook.com.

Volcano Swap Meet, fourth Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. Large variety of vendors with numerous products. Tools, clothes, books, toys, local made healing extract and creams, antiques, jewelry, gemstones, crystals, food, music, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also offered are cakes, coffee, and shave ice. Live music.

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Ka'ū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.

'O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nā'ālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Ocean View Community Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in the upper lot only. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.

Kaʻū News Briefs, Friday, Jan. 26, 2023

A young honu, sea turtle, dead and decomposing in an abandoned fishing net on the Kaʻū Coast. Photo from James Akau                   

James Akau and Jackie Ka'ili'awa with an abandoned
 net they found on the Kaʻū Coast containing a dead honu.
Photo by Nathan Bears

A TURTLE DEAD, ENTANGLED IN AN ABANDONED NET ON KAʻŪ COAST is recent evidence that abandoned fishing nets kill honu. The mess was found recently by fishermen Jackie Ka'ili'awa, Jame Akau and Nathan Bears. The young turtle was dead and decomposed in a net found along the Ka'u shore, with other marine life caught in the tangle. 

    Sea turtles are endangered and protected under federal and state law. Under state regulations, it is unlawful to leave a lay net unattended for more than a half hour. Lay nets and gill nets must be inspected completely within two hours after the beginning of the set. All threatened, endangered, prohibited, or unwanted species must be released. 

    It is unlawful to discard, abandon, or leave any lay net, or peice of a net in the water for longer than four hours. Lay nets are illegal to use from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise. Drift gill nets are prohibited in Hawaiian waters.
    When finding an entangled marine animal in a net, call U.S. Fish & Wildlife's Marine Animal Response Hotline at 888-256-9840.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FUNDING will go into environmental restoration and protection in Hawai'i. including projects on this island. U.S. Congressman Ed Case announced on Thursday that $10 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Defense will implement four natural resource conservation projects under DOD’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program. The funds will be matched with $18.5 million in private partner contributions to work towards improving coastal, forest and watershed resilience on military-utilized lands and nearby communities. “Our military’s operations in Hawai‘i are critical to our country’s national security and a major contributor to our local economy, but require a constant commitment to full partnership in our present and future and full stewardship of our communities and resources,” said Case. "The REPI program is a key avenue for our military to fulfill this commitment.

Sec. of the Army Christine Wormuth, center, with Ed
Case, right) visit the greenhouse at Pohakuloa. 
Photo by Tiffany DeMasters/Big Island Now

    Case recently accompanied Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth at Pōhakuloa Training Area to view the Army’s REPI-funded conservation efforts to protect and recover native Hawaiian plants and animals, including Hawai'i's state bird, the nēnē goose, and several endangered endemic plants, all located on the military’s owned and leased lands. It's part of the military's REPI work with state and local governments, conservation organizations and willing private landowners to implement compatible uses of lands for both the military mission and conservation. Case said the unique partnerships and funding opportunities for natural resources protection have made REPI a main focus for him in his role as a member of the House Appropriations Committee. For the current Fiscal Year, Case helped secure $175 million for the national REPI program.
    DOD REPI awards this year in Hawai‘i: $1.3 million to mitigate impacts on rare plants on Hawai‘i Island, supported by $1.3 million in partner contributions; $3.1 million for detection and management of land and waterbased invasive species near military installations on Hawai'i, Kaua‘i and O‘ahu Islands, supported by $5.6 million in partner contributions; $2.9 million to increase the resilience of endangered wildlife on Lāna‘i Island, supported by $4.8 million in partner contributions; $2.7 million to preserve threatened and endangered species and enhance watersheds on O‘ahu Island, supported by $6.8 million in partner contributions.
   Since 2021, the REPI program in Hawai‘i has matched $30.2 million in federal funding and $35.2 million in partner contributions for projects at eight locations restoring critical habitats and native forests, protecting island aquifers, climate adaptation efforts, and promoting compatible land uses.

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The mahiole stolen from
Volcano House lobby. 
Photo from NPS

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVESTIGATORS continue to seek the public's help in identifying a person of interest wanted for questioning in the theft of Hawaiian cultural artwork from a hotel located in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. On Friday, Jan. 13 around 11:45 p.m., a contemporary replica of a mahiole - the traditional Hawaiian feather helmet - was stolen from the Volcano House hotel. An image from a hotel surveillance camera shows a man carrying a large item beneath a red cloth in front of the hotel's front desk. The person of interest appears to be a man wearing a dark ball cap and bandana face covering.
    According to NPS, a woman seen in a separate surveillance image reached out to investigators and is no longer a person of interest.
    The stolen mahiole was created by renowned local artist Rick San Nicolas, who sold it to the hotel several years ago. Traditional mahiole were worn by high-ranking Hawaiian chiefs and painstakingly crafted using feathers and native fibers such as the roots of the 'ie'ie vine. It was displayed in a clear case near the hotel's front desk and featured brightly dyed crimson and yellow goose feathers.
    Anyone with information can  contact the National Park Service by calling or texting 888-653-0009. Tips can also be submitted online at https://go.nps.gov/SubmitATip or via email at nps_isb@nps.gov.

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KAʻŪ TROJANS BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM heads to Honoka'a on Monday, Jan. 30 for a chance to make the finals in Big Island Interscholastic Federation championships. Coach Troy Gacayan said the Trojans will play the Dragons in the semifinals. If Kaʻū wins, the Trojans will advance to the Division II Chamipionship Game on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at the Hilo Civic.
    "If you are able to, please say a prayer and come out to cheer and support our Kaʻū Trojans," said the coach. Thank you all for your continued support!
    "Go Trojans! Let's make history. Play hard, stay humble," Gacayan told the team.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

 
FREE FOOD
St. Jude's Hot Meals are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until food runs out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 96-8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View. Those in need can also take hot showers from 9 a.m. to noon and use the computer lab from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Free Meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are served from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Nā'ālehu Hongwanji. Volunteers prepare the food provided by 'O Ka'ū Kākou with fresh produce from its gardens on the farm of Eva Liu, who supports the project. Other community members also make donations and approximately 150 meals are served each day, according to OKK President Wayne Kawachi.

OUTDOOR MARKETS
Volcano Evening Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See facebook.com.

Volcano Swap Meet, fourth Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. Large variety of vendors with numerous products. Tools, clothes, books, toys, local made healing extract and creams, antiques, jewelry, gemstones, crystals, food, music, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also offered are cakes, coffee, and shave ice. Live music.

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Ka'ū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.

'O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nā'ālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Ocean View Community Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in the upper lot only. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.

Kaʻū News Briefs, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023

Ke Ola Pu'uhonua is a new cultural garden sponsored by nonprofit Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawaii, Inc. on the grounds of Punalu'u Bakeshop in Na`alehu. A blessing and presentation of hula and cultural demonstrations took place on Saturday, Jan. 21.
 See more below. Photo by Laurie Roush-Ortega

   

THE PROPOSED NEXAMP NA'ALEHU SOLAR FARM DREW COMMUNITY MEMBERS Thursday evening to Nā'ālehu Community Center. More than 30 attended and many spoke up asking questions about location, management of the land and the amount of savings planned for those who sign up to receive up to 15 percent in savings on their Hawaiian Electric bills.

    Location is makai of Hwy 11 near Kamaoa Road on a 20 acre site that as part of a 190 acre parcel of Class D agriculture land. The solar farm would serve about 500 households and 20 nonprofits according to Nexamp's Business Development manager Mike Billet, of O'ahu.

     A representative of the Carpenters Union asked what legislative permits would be needed to proceed with the project. 

Solar panels would be 15 feet above ground and
move to tilt toward the sun. Photo from Nexamp

    Billet said the project would need approval from the Public Utilities Commission and is going through the state Department of Land & Natural Resources' State Historic Preservation Division process that involves assessing impacts on any historic, cultural and archeological sites. 

    With those approvals and a successful final negotiation with Hawaiian Electric for a 20 year contract, Nexamp would move forward with permitting for construction. Nā'ālehu Solar would be operative in 2025.

    Billet said the company prefers to hire local contractors and subcontractors and would provide ongoing employment for maintenance of the solar farm. 

    While Billet said that the 15 ft. tall posts with solar panels would be hidden from views from Hwy 11, several people with land adjacent and on hillsides above the site objected to the location. A woman said she owns 14 acres next to the site and doesn't want it by her. Billet said it might be possible to move the 20 acre solar site from being close to property boundaries within the 190 acre property in order to address concerns of the neighbors. 

    A resident who lives about 1200 feet in elevation, above the site, said that he and neighbors would have the solar farm in their view plane. He called it "industrial solar" and said that solar farms are not recommended in the Kaʻū Community Development Plan. Another man said the site should be industrial like the old sugar mill lands.

    A Waiohinu man said he opposes the project being located on ag land, even though it is Ag D, a state classification ranking it as poor for production. Another woman asked whether the site being unused for ag during 20 year solar farm contract with Hawaiian Electric, would fare well for future agriculture. Billet

Concerns were expressed about siting the Nā'ālehu Solar
 away from homes and views. Photo from Nexamp

said that there is a possibility of planting native crops or other farming around the solar panels as well as on the rest of the parcel. He said some solar farms include productive agriculture on their grounds.              Another woman said she is concerned about big trees being chopped down for the project, saying some are at least 100 years old and it would take a long time to grow them back, should the project be abandoned after its 20 year commitment.
    The question of electric bill savings to local residents came up, with one man saying that he would hope that Lower to Moderate Income families, which the project is mandated to serve, would receive more than 15 percent savings on their electric bills. He called a 15 percent savings "shallow."
    Another said he can't get approval for Hawaiian Electric to buy power from his rooftop solar because Hawaiian Electric is maxed out accepting it in his neighborhood. Would Nexamp's contract with Hawaiian Electric make it harder for people in the area to sell their rooftop electricity to Hawaiian Electric? Billet noted that Nexamp would be improving infrastructure for the grid, which could allow Hawaiian Electric to use more solar from the area.
    A man who said he was an engineer at the sugar mill in Pahala, which closed in 1996, noted that the sugar factory produced back up for power for Hawaiian Electric - burning the sugar cane waste - the bagasse for electricity. He said he approves of the solar farm and other energy producers like windmills for backup. He also said he worked for the Navy on nuclear ships and said that solar is a lot better than nuclear.
    Another man said he already has solar on his house, but supports Nā'ālehu Solar for the community. "One thousand solar panels is better than one smokestack. I'm in, because it's clean energy."
    Other topics included safety of the lithium batteries to be installed on the solar farm. If they were to catch fire, could the fire be stopped? Billet said there is NEST, the Nexamp Energy Storage Team that

Agriculture could possibly surround the solar panels,
according to Nexamp. Photo from Nexamp

works on safety. One man asked about the environmental cost of using lithium batteries, given how they are manufactured. Billet noted that the batteries would provide "smoothing" for the ups and downs of producing electricity and also could act as a microgrid for the area during outages. He said he believes that the best option for the environment overall is solar with batteries. In the future that could change with the invention of better energy options.
    Several asked whether Nexamp's solar panels would soon be obsolete. Billet said they are the latest development, using a single access tracker, "already using tomorrow's module." One man noted that an advancement allows the heat of the solar panels to be harvested for extra electricity.
    One man asked whether the solar panels will be made in America? Billet said Korea and that components come from all over the world but that Nexamp prefers to source from the U.S. He noted new federal incentives to buy parts made in the U.S.
    Regarding the 20-year term of the contract with Hawaiian Electric, Billet said 20 years is a common contract, given the likelihood that innovations will create less expensive electricity sources in the future. He also said without the kinds of community solar proposed by Nexamp, Hawai'i may not reach its goals of becoming energy self-sufficient.
    Nexamp is planning another community outreach in April. With questions, contact naalehusolar@nexam.com. Billet said the company website will be updated at https://www.nexamp.com/naalehu-solar.

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GOV. JOSH GREEN DEFENDED HIS EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION TO FAST TRACK HOUSING, particularly villages for homeless people. His statement issued Thursday says, "The proclamation allows for exemptions from certain processes that typically delay projects in order to expedite construction of low-impact kauhale, or tiny home communities." Green said, "We amended our homelessness emergency proclamation to reflect guardrails that will ensure we don't have to choose between our kuleana to culture and land, and our responsibility to the people who are most vulnerable in our communities.

     "My intention in signing the emergency proclamation was always to protect sacred sites, iwi kūpuna and the environment – while building kauhale and working towards aggressively ending chronic homelessness and unsheltered suffering statewide. To do this, we must take bold but thoughtful action."

A groundbreaking for a Kona Kauhale, with permanent and temporary
housing for the homeless, was held on Thursday with Mayor Mitch
 Roth and Gov. Josh Green. Photo from the Mayor's Office

    Signed during his State of the State Address Monday, the initial emergency proclamation contains the same language as previous proclamations in effect from 2015 to 2020, that allowed for expedited construction of kauhale – including Pu'uhonua o Wai'anae, a project that was 100-percent community-driven, said the statement from the governor's office. "Past proclamations had no rules or processes guiding how projects would qualify, or how basic considerations of life-safety, the environment, culture, or other considerations would be addressed." 

     James Koshiba, Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, said, "The Governor has amended the proclamation to make it clear that this process is required, and his Administration is crafting rules to outline how that process will work. The proclamation does not signal a free-for-all, for developers. Construction projects designed to serve and house the houseless are deeply unprofitable and are unattractive to for-profit developers."

     The governor's statement noted that fewer than one dozen projects were built during the 2015 to 2020 Emergency Proclamation period, largely led by County or State governments, using public funding. "In only a few instances did private nonprofit developers attempt to build, because the process is costly and difficult, even with the exemptions."
    The amended emergency proclamation expires March 20, 2023, the same end date as the original document signed earlier this week.

    A groundbreaking was held in Kona Thursday for a Kauhale for permanent and temporary housing, with Green and Mayor Mitch Roth attending.

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KE OLA PU'UHONUA IS A NEW CULTURAL GARDEN, sponsored by nonprofit Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai'i, Inc. on the grounds of Punalu'u Bakeshop in Nā'ālehu. A blessing and presentation of hula and cultural demonstrations took place on Saturday, Jan. 21. The non-profit is led by cultural practitioner Kawehi Ryder and Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder of Halau Hula O Leonalani, based in Nā'ālehu. On hand for the blessing were former Mayor Harry Kim, Ka'u's County Councilwoman Michelle Galimba and Punalu'u Bakeshop owner Duane Kurisu, along with members, friends and family of the Halau. The opening of the grounds to the public is expected in March.

Cultural practitioners teach keiki at the new Ke Ola Pu'uhonua.
Photo by Laurie Roush-Ortega

    Cultural practitioners teaching keiki and the community include Uncle Chucky Leslie for Lawai'a, net making. He is often called the  Last Traditional Opelu Fisherman. Kupuna Linda Saffery shares the skills of a Lauhala and Makaloa master weaving. Kupuna  John (Bully) Davis teachers coconut weaving. Kupuna Waltah Wong shows skills of a Traditional Hale Builder and Kupuna Meheula shares traditions as Floral, Lei
maker.
    These practitioners are some of the cultural experts who will be at the Pu'uhonua in March with its opening. A Live Traditional Keiki Hula show is expected to perform twice a month on Saturday at noon,

Duane Kurisu, Harry Kim and Kawehi Ryder
Photo by Julia Neal

with dates to be announced.
    The slogan of Ke Ola Pu'uhonua is "A Living Cultural Refuge embracing Humility, Reverence and Disciplien with Aloha of the Spirit." The stated mission is "to provide Native Hawaiian Cultural Practices to all youth, their families and the community to create living environments integrating Mauka to Makai opportunities for places of learning and healing through the concept of Pu'uhonua, place of refuge."
    The organization's statement says, "We have experienced that the development of heritage based life skills can perpetuate economic success and independence with a sense of family for individuals."
    Planning for Ke Ola Pu'uhonua includes a walk for the public to experience places of: Hawaiian Food Plants; 'Aumakua Ancestral Forest; Lawai'a - Fisherman's Environment; La'au - Medicinal Plants; Kukui Grove - candlenuts; Plumeria Garden - flowers, foliage and lei; Hawaiian Antiquities Mo'olelo - Storytelling; and Makahiki Games - Hawaiian Games.
    For more information, email leionalani47@hotmail.com. Call 808-238-5633.

Halau Hula O Leionalani, under direction of Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder, during the blessing of the new cultural
garden, Ke Ola Pu'uhonua on the grounds of Punalu'u Bakeshop. Photo by Julia Neal

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FREE FOOD
St. Jude's Hot Meals are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until food runs out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 96-8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View. Those in need can also take hot showers from 9 a.m. to noon and use the computer lab from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Free Meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are served from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Nā'ālehu Hongwanji. Volunteers prepare the food provided by 'O Ka'ū Kākou with fresh produce from its gardens on the farm of Eva Liu, who supports the project. Other community members also make donations and approximately 150 meals are served each day, according to OKK President Wayne Kawachi.

OUTDOOR MARKETS
Volcano Evening Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See facebook.com.

Volcano Swap Meet, fourth Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. Large variety of vendors with numerous products. Tools, clothes, books, toys, local made healing extract and creams, antiques, jewelry, gemstones, crystals, food, music, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also offered are cakes, coffee, and shave ice. Live music.

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Ka'ū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.

'O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nā'ālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Ocean View Community Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in the upper lot only. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.

Ocean View Swap Meet at Ocean View makai shopping center, near Mālama Market. Hours for patrons are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Vendor set-up time is 5 a.m. Masks required.

The Book Shack is open every Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Kauaha'ao Congregational Church grounds at 95-1642 Pinao St. in Wai'ōhinu.