Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, March 6, 2023

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The 1925 Nā'ālehu Theatre is slated to be torn down, with a permit approved by County of

Hawai'i. A demolition crew was on site on Monday to assess the work. Photo by Bob Martin

A PERMIT HAS BEEN ISSUED BY THE COUNTY TO TEAR DOWN NĀ'ĀLEHU THEATRE. The non-residential Public Works demolition permit PW.B2022-002127 is to "Demolish existing Nā'ālehu Theater structure in entirety. Cut/cap/plug all utilities."

    On March 13, 2017, Hawai`i Tribune Herald reporter Ivy Ashe wrote, “The southernmost theater in the country sits abandoned as it has for more than a decade. It is unclear what the future of the Nā'ālehu Theater, the plantation-era building known to passing drivers for its still-vibrant paint job, will hold, but many residents aren’t optimistic.”Hawai`i Tribune Herald quoted Joe DeMoruelle, who managed Nā'ālehu  Theatre with Sandra DeMoruelle from 1980 to 2006. They hosted a radio station, films, concerts, hula performances, guitar and `ukulele classes and television and film production courses for area students. 

Nā'ālehu Theatre sits idle and unrepaired, remaining a colorful backdrop
in this 2012 photo of the Fourth of July parade. Photo by William Neal

    Among the acts playing Nā'ālehu Theatre were George Na`ope who founded the Merrie Monarch Festival; the band Steppenwolf; and Big Brother and the Holding Company, the band that backed up Janis Joplin. Big Brother brought to Nā'ālehu a young singer who starred in an off-Broadway play about Joplin's life.

     During the life of Nā'ālehu Theatre, there was a food concession for a period of time and numerous volunteer days to try to upkeep the building.

    Much community organizing and political support, from mayors to County Council members and legislators, during two decades supported leasing Nā'ālehu Theatre and restoring it. The owners turned down repeated proposals.

The old projection room and classroom at Nā'ālehu Theatre.
See Abandoned USA

     However, in 2011, developers of a proposed Nani Kahuku `Aina resort on more than 16,000 acres makai of Ocean View (including Pohue Bay) said they had a lease on Nā'ālehu Theatre. As they aimed for government to approve their resort, they proposed a board of local residents to oversee Nā'ālehu Theatre. They said they would pay to restore the theater as part of their community involvement. When the development plans for Nani Kahuku `Aina were put on hold, the restoration planning for Nā'ālehu Theatre paused as well. 

    Pohue Bay and surrounding lands were purchased for conservation and annexed to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

    The 2017 Hawai'i Tribune Herald story about Nā'ālehu Theatre reported that the theater building went up in 1925, constructed by the Hutchinson Sugar Company and that its 10,237 square feet contained three separate sections. The story said the theater property was more recently owned by 300 Corporation, a division of the Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Foundation. The parent foundation is a nonprofit and major landowner in Hawai`i.  At the time, Weinberg also owned Pāhala shopping center, which has since been sold to the Olson Trust. Nā'ālehu shopping center was sold in May of 2019 to Nalu aio, LLC led by Duane Kurisu whose group also owns Punalu'u Bakeshop. Nā'ālehu Theatre was sold to aio Foundation in December of 2021.

The main theater with roof tiles fallen and the theater seats
side by side at Nā'ālehu Theatre years ago. See Abandoned USA

    Back in 2017, Ashe interviewed Joe Demoreulle for her Tribune Herald story. He told her: “I don’t think they’ll rent it to anybody now. I don’t think anything will happen there.” Ashe wrote that “an attempt to list the theater as a historic property was made in 2005. "At the time, representatives from the state historic preservation division of the Department of Land & Natural Resources visited the site and determined that it was eligible for listing."  Hawai`i Tribune Herald also reported that  “in June 2005, Alvin Awaya, then president of 300 Corp, sent State Historic Preservation Officer Peter Young a letter stating that the company ‘respectfully objects’ to the listings and would request a contested case hearing if the listing was not rejected. 

    In 2010, Honolulu Magazine listed the theater as one of Hawai`i’s Most Endangered Historic Sites,” reported Hawai`i Tribune Herald. See photos of the abandoned exterior and interior and a story on the Nā'ālehu  Theatre's history at http://www.abandoned-usa.info/abandoned-naalehu-theatre-hawaii.php

Nā'ālehu Theatre. Photo by Julia Neal

 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.

NĀ MELE PANIOLO, SONGS OF THE HAWAIIAN COWBOY is the title of the 103rd annual Kamehameha Schools Song Contest to be broadcast live this Friday, March 10 on K5. The pre-show begins at 7 p.m. with competition at 7:30 p.m. Encore presentations will Friday, March 17 at 7 p.m. on KGMB, Saturday March 18 at 2 p.m. on KHNL and Friday, March 24 at 7 p.m. on KGMB.

    The Kamehameha Schools website explains:

    The Song Contest is unique to Kamehameha – a tradition that has involved all students in musical competition for one hundred and three years. Miss Laura Brown, Director of Music at Kamehameha from 1926-1947, stated that "the objectives of the song contest are to build up the repertoire of the best in Hawaiian music for the cultural heritage of any student who attends Kamehameha; to develop leadership, cooperation and good class spirit; and to give students the use of their singing voices and to give them pleasure in singing as a means of expression."

    The first song contest for male students was held at the School for Boys in 1921. A cup named for George Alanson Andrus, a former director of music at Kamehameha School for Boys whose life inspired the idea of an annual song contest, was offered as an incentive in the competition.
    1922 marked the first year that both the Kamehameha boys and girls held song contests. Mrs. E. G. Scoville, a visitor to the Islands from Watertown, Connecticut, was so impressed with the singing of the Kamehameha girls that she donated the New England Mothers’ Cup for the School for Girls competition.
    In 1967, an additional trophy was offered by the Trustees in honor of Charles Edward King, an 1891 graduate of the School for Boys. The trophy is awarded to the class winning the combined class competition.
    The Louise Aoe McGregor Award, named for a member of the first graduating class of the School for Girls in 1897, was first presented in 1972. It recognizes the student director who has made the most significant contribution to the class in organizational ability, leadership, assistance to others, and persistence.

    

    The Richard Lyman, Jr. ‘Ōlelo Makuahine (Mother Language) Award recognizes excellence in the use of the Hawaiian language within a song. Mr. Lyman, a Kamehameha Schools Trustee from 1959 to 1988, was keenly interested in the preservation of Hawaiian language and culture.
    The Helen Desha Beamer Award recognizes the best musical performance. Donated by the Kamehameha Alumni Association, the award honors the substantial contributions of Helen Desha Beamer to the lexicon of Hawaiian music. Helen Desha Beamer was a 1900 graduate of the Kamehameha School for Girls.
    In the early years, the girls’ song contest was held in front of the Assembly Hall, and the boys’ was held in front of Bishop Hall. When the School for Girls campus on Kapālama Heights was completed in 1931, separate contests for boys and girls were held in the auditorium. In 1952, the first combined contest of the School for Girls and School for Boys Senior Division took place in Kekūhaupi‘o, the newly constructed fieldhouse. The song contest moved to the Neal Blaisdell Center in 1964 and has been attended by capacity crowds there ever since. A highlight of the evening is the Hō‘ike, a show to entertain and inform the audience while the judges’ score sheets are tallied. The Hō‘ike is an exhibition of the beauty of Hawaiian mele and hula.

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

https://www.okaukakou.org/scholarships
-for-local-students

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 Kona Dr. Drive and Hwy 11, near Thai Grindz. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no rez needed. Parking in the upper lot. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.

          

Kaʻū News Briefs, Sunday, March 5, 2023

After the Storms
Rainbows popped up after the weeks of storms, as Kaʻū residents started traveling about
during the weekend, including heading past Honu'apo toward Punalu'u, Pāhala and Volcano.
Photo by Julia Neal

REP. JEANNĒ KAPELA VISITED KAʻŪ during the past two weeks in order to immerse herself in the citizenry of the state House of Representatives District that she represent. For the 2023 Hawai'i Legislature, her district expanded to include Punalu'u, Pahala, Volcano to Keaau, in addition to Nā'ālehu,

Jeanné Kapela
at Kaʻū District
Gym, supporting
free eyeglasses
for all students.

Ocean View to South Kona. While Kaʻū had two House of Representatives members, Richard Onishi and Kapela with the line between them at Honu'apo, it is now up to Kapela to represent all of Kaʻū.

     At 29 years of age, the second-term legislator said she loves Kaʻū, particularly the small town and country atmosphere that reminds her of her childhood days, growing up on a coffee farm in Kona. She said she appreciates the work by community members to conserve the coast and perpetuate the growing of food for local consumption. She met County Council member Michelle Galimba for the first time, along with education, health and business leaders in Kaʻū.

     Kapela noted that her work at the legislature includes advocating for free community college. She said, "Strengthening access to community college is essential to delivering the promise of higher education to all Hawai'i residents. Too often, the cost of college tuition is unattainable to local families, many of whom are experiencing financial hardship because of our islands’ high cost of living. That’s why I sponsored HB 78 this year to make community college free. Doing so would cost our state less than $15 million per year. That’s a small price to pay for the tremendous benefits of lifelong learning.
    "Unfortunately, HB 78 was not heard by the House Finance Committee. But we’re not giving up hope. We’re currently evaluating other ways of advancing free community college this session and empowering students to develop the skills that are necessary to meet the demands of a modern and sustainable society.
    "We’re not giving up this fight. We have a responsibility to ensure that the dream of higher education is not reserved for the privileged few. For working families and their keiki, the chance to make community college free is an opportunity that our state cannot afford to miss."

Rep. Jeanné Kapela signing resolutions to
benefit Kaʻū and the rest of her district.
Photo from Kapela

    Kapela also said her following CIP Requests would provide benefits for Kaʻū:

    Nā'ālehu Elementary School gutters for building A: $150,000.
    Miloli’i distance learning satellite facility: $2,500,000 (for acquisition and refurbishment of property to establish a distance learning center in extremely remote communities in the southern part of West Hawai’i to address chronic absenteeism).
    HB233- State Child tax credit- Establishes a state child tax credit, to be paid out monthly.
    HB82- Provides a tax credit for medical preceptors.
    HB828- Makes bus service free for students on free/reduced lunch.

    Kapela also proposed House Resolutions, saying, "Resolutions are instrumental in calling on specific agencies and departments to take action to benefit the public interest." Among her Resolutions are:
    Calling on the Hawai’i County Department of Water Supply to convene a working group to explore ways of bringing water to barren areas of West Hawai’i.

    Requesting the DOE to establish a priority list of schools for fire alarm repairs. "I'm horrified that some schools in our state do not have working fire alarms." said Kapela.
    Urging the Office of Digital Equity to provide free Wi-Fi in public parks throughout the state.

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.

Gov. Josh Green presents his plan for $1 billion
investment in affordable housing. Photo from Green

FOR HAWAI'I'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS, Gov. Josh Green recently reviewed his plan for the "state of emergency." Team Green issued a statement saying that the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism has determined that Hawai'i will need an additional 50,000 homes by the year 2025 and that Green "is taking action on this issue and proposing to invest over $1 billion in housing for families and essential workers in our state." 

    Green's statewide effort to address the affordable housing crisis focuses on: Providing housing for families and essential workers like teachers and nurses; investing in critical infrastructure and development of new housing units; and collaborating and coordinating with federal, state, county, and private sector stakeholders to streamline processes. "These funds will be used to support major investments in the Hawai'i Public Housing Authority to renovate and upgrade public housing units, to provide state rental subsidies to low-income families, and to boost financing for more affordable housing units through the Hawai'i Housing Finance and Development Corp.," said a statement from Team Green.

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.

Na'alehu Elementary School teachers and Student
 Council Advisors stay in the shade and raise
 money with their Rice, BBQ Chicken and Corn.

A FRIEND-RAISER IS THE EVENT THAT ENGAGED FAMILIES and raised money for student activities at Na'alehu Elementary on Saturday, sponsored by the school and its Student Council. 

     One focus and slogans for the day were "Building Relationships" and a "Family Fun Day." It was called "A day full of fun and friendship building!"

A ring toss game generated prizes for hand and eye
 coordination. Photo by Julia Neal

    Children engaged in games with numbers and hand eye coordination. They enjoyed a bounce house. Teachers and their students and community supporters presented food, crafts and other creations for sale to raise the funding. Non-profits and government agencies presented their educational materials. 

     The Title 1 and Migrant Ed School received support from numerous community businesses, agencies and non-profits, including KTA, Punalu'u Bakeshop, L&L Hawai;i, Mizuno, Precious Jara, doTERRA: Elizabeth Crook; Imiloa Astronomy Center, Volcano House, Big Island Candies, KKP Complex Area Team,, Body Glove Cruises Hawai'i, S. Tokunaga Store and Walmart. 

Friend-raiser Coordinator Amber Keohuloa, a sixth grade teacher and Student Council Advisor,
emceed the event at Na'alehu School on Saturday. Photo by Julia Neal

 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

https://www.okaukakou.org/scholarships
-for-local-students

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 Kona Dr. Drive and Hwy 11, near Thai Grindz. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no rez needed. Parking in the upper lot. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.

          

Kaʻū News Briefs, Saturday, March 4, 2023

Halau Hula O Leionalani at the public opening of Ke Ola Pu'uhonua in Nā'ālehu on Saturday. Photo by Lee McIntosh

PUBLIC OPENING OF KE OLA PU'UHONUA CULTURAL GARDENS, on the grounds of Punalu'u Bakeshop in Nā'ālehu, drew family and community members to enjoy hula from Halau Hula Leonalani 

Kumu Debbie Ryder with woven gift baskets and local
fruits at the fundraiser on Saturday. Photo by Julia Neal

under the direction of Kumu Debbie Ryder.
    Music filled the air from Demetrius Oliveira, Gene Beck and Hulali.   Uncle Chucky Leslie provided education in fisheries. Kupuna Linda Saffery taught lauhala and makaloa weaving. Kupuna Bully Davies demonstrated coconut weaving; and Uncle Waltah Wong's traditional hale was featured.
    Ke Ola Pu'uhonua will be open to the public and visitors with performances by the halau and cultural presentations on a regular basis. The gardens include many native plants and trees. The program is headed by Kawehi Ryder and Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder.

    The event on Saturday included fundraising for an educational journey and performance by halau members who will travel to Japan in July. To donate, contact Debbie Ryder at leionalani47@hotmail.com.

Dancing on the hula platform with its rock walls at Ke Ola Pu'uhonua public opening. Photo by Julia Neal

Students of Halau Hula O Leionalani are raising money to travel to Japan in July. Photo by Lee McIntosh

Families like the Ortegas are gathering community support to send keiki  of Halau Hula O Leionalani to Japan for a cultural
tour and to dance hula there. They took their appeal to the opening of the cultural gardens with this photo display.
 

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.

MANA UP ACCELERATOR PROGRAM FOR LOCAL PRODUCT COMPANIES is open for six applicants. It is designed for local innovators who want to boost sales, overcome operational issues, and hone leadership skills. Visit manauphawaii.com to apply.

Take a survey on the impact of wild goats and other
ungulates on ranching and farming. Photo from DLNR

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.

WILD UNGULATES AND THE IMPACT ON FOOD PRODUCTION IN HAWAI'I is a survey being conducted by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agricultureand the Natural Resources Conservation Services team. For this island the survey involves impact of wild pigs, mouflon sheep and feral goats. Livestock producers and farmers are encouraged to help tell the story of the economic impact of these wild ungulates. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes and answers will remain confidential. See https://tahr.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cCJVou5etIE4Whg.

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.

MICROLENDING FOR FOOD BUSINESSES is an online workshop for food businesses

this Monday, March 9, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. online with the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership and Veterans Business Outreach Centers. Learn from experts about best practices, food safety, and state regulations from the Department of Health, how to get started with a Food Establishment in Hawai'i, available microloan funding in Hawai'i, and more. To learn more visit the MCBL website for more information at https://clients.mcbl-hawaii.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=1430020

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

https://www.okaukakou.org/scholarships
-for-local-students

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 Kona Dr. Drive and Hwy 11, near Thai Grindz. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no rez needed. Parking in the upper lot. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.