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Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Halau Hula Leonalani in Japan: Top row dancers are Jamie Kailiawa, Jezarie Dacalio, Alexi Navarro, Kumo Debbie Ryder, Khloe Moses, Leiahi Ka'awa, Arabella Ortega, Zaelee Navarro, Christy Gross and Chelsea Kobzi. Bottom row are Japanese hula sister, Mona Wroblewski, Sensei Miko, Zendaiyah Kobzi, Florida Ortega, Mia Manatan and Melani Manatan.
Photo by Laurie Roush-Ortega

All aboard for a cultural exchange in Japan are members of Halau
Hula Leionalani, based in Pāhala. Photo by Laurie Roush-Ortega
HALAU HULA 'O LEONALANI RETURNED FROM JAPAN on Tuesday after performances, cultural exchanges and visiting historic sites.
    The halau members, under the direction of Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder, participated in Mele Paina on July 9 at Kawasaki City's Sangyo Shinobu  Kaikan Hall. The event was sponsored by Kanto Gakuin University College of Intercultural Studies, Ala Moana Produce, and Kawasaki Hawaiian Project.

Dancers from Pāhala share their skills with students in Japan.
Photo by Laurie Roush-Ortega
    Some of the halau and their family members stayed extra days to see more of Japan. Halau members chosen for the trip ranged from keiki to kupuna. They are: Jamie Kailiawa, Jezarie Dacalio, Alexi Navarro, Khloe Moses, Leiahi Ka'awa, Arabella Ortega, Zaelee Navarro, Christy Gross, Chelsea Kobzi, Mona Wroblewski, Zendaiyah Kobzi, Florida Ortega, Mia Manatan and Melani Manatan. In addition to Kumu Ryder, Demetrius Oliveira and Gene Beck traveled to Japan to accompany the halau with music.
Halau Hula Leionalani offered public presentations in Japan over the past week. Photo by Laurie Roush-Ortega

Halau members form Pāhala practiced calligraphy with Japanese preschool
and kindergarten students. Photo by Laurie Roush-Ortega
    In addition to hula, calligraphy was an activity taken up by halau members who visited a Japanese preschool and kindergarten class. They also took up origami, hosted by the young Japanese students.
    The trip to Japan was funded by families and patrons, with numerous fundraisers during the last year.
    Sister halau from Japan plan to visit Pāhala for their own performances and cultural exchange later this year. Also in Japan over the past week were sister halau from Mexico, Okinawa and Virginia who plan to come here this Fall. 
    Halau Hula Leonalani holds its free classes at Pāhala Hongwanji with regular keiki and adult sessions. Call Kumu Rider at 808-649-9334.

Japanese preschool and kindergarten students welcome halau members from Kaʻū to origami class. Photo by Laurie Roush Ortega














VIBRANT HAWAI'I IS OFFERING AN ART FELLOWSHIP. The sponsors will select up to 12 local artists with the purpose of creating art that enhances collective well-being, celebrates diverse stories of home and culture, and builds community resilience and social cohesion. The Fellowship is part of a national One Nation/One Project cohort that focuses on the intersection between arts and wellness. All disciplines welcome, and we're aiming to have an artist from every district on the island. For one year, art fellows will engage in monthly fellowship gatherings to develop relationships and learn from experts in personal and professional development. In July 2024, at the end of the 12-month fellowship, artists will exhibit their work in a one-day showcase.

CIVIL DEFENSE UPDATED THE BRUSH FIRE SITUATION NEAR KAMA'OA ROAD on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m., revealing some damage to structures and vehicles. By late morning at least one hot spot had burst into flame on the Green Sands side of Kama'oa Road, the firefighters killing it.
        Civil Defense reported, "Hawai'i Fire Department reports fire personnel continue to fight the brush fire that started yesterday near Kama`oa Road in Kaʻū District. The fire is reported to have consumed 42 acres and caused some damage to structures and vehicles in the area.
    "All roads are open. Motorists in the area, please drive with caution as fire crews and equipment remain on scene addressing hotspots.
    "If you are a resident in the area and sustained damages due to this fire, please contact and report damages to Civil Defense at 808-935-0031."

County and Volunteer Fire Department fought this 42-acre fire from Monday morning into Tuesday off Kama'oa Road which was shut down for part of Monday. On Tuesday, a hotspot launched more fire on the Green Sands side of Kama'oa. 
Photo by Bob Martin


Five thousand in the mail, 2,500 on the street.
See the July edition of The Kaʻū Calendar Newspaper
www.kaucalendar.com 


2023 CIRCULAR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIES: PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER is a conference sponsored by University of Hawai'i - Hilo July 17-19  at Waikoloa Beach Marriott. A statement from U.H. says it "will provide an overview of what it will take to implement climate change solutions. Industry leaders will address technology, business, cultural, and community issues, and tours of NELHA and the Kona Brewpub will highlight novel approaches to sustainability."

2023 MALAMA HONUA: INDIGENOUS. PERSPECTIVES ON SUSTAINABILITY is a conference sponsored by University of Hawai'i - Hilo July 19-21 at U.H. Hilo's Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language. A statement from U.H. says, it will "re-examine sustainability from a Pacific perspective through the context of voyaging, indigenous agriculture, language, and education. The conference will give voice to insights, knowledge, values, and cultural practices from the Pacific. Speakers include Nainoa Thompson (via video link), Noa Lincoln, Larry Kimura, and Konai Helu Thaman. The conference is supported by the UH Center for Indigenous Innovation & Health Equity.
    Registration for the public is free for both conferences . See hilo.hawaii.edu. Walk-in registration (no conference food) is open through July 12.


KAʻŪ ROPING & RIDING RODEO WRAPPED UP ON SUNDAY with many memories for paniolo and enthusiasts and an abundance of photos of the winners and attendees. See them published in last Saturday, Sunday and Monday Ka'u News Briefs and below, as well as in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs. 
Elle-Marie Jose won the four and under Dummy  Roping and Goat
 Un-decorating contests at the Kaʻū Roping & Riding events over the
weekend, accompanied by Rodeo Princess Shaelia Freitas.
Photos by Marlene Freitas

Kaʻū Roping & Riding Rodeo Fan. Photo by Dee Peters

Paniolo carrying the U.S. and Hawaiian flags at Kaʻū Roping & Riding events were Lorilee Lorenzo and Ikaika Grace,
accompanied here by Rodeo Princess Shaelia Freitas. Photo by Marlene Freitas






















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Monday, July 10, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, July 10, 2023

This fire shut down Kama'oa Road for part of Monday. County and volunteer firefighters responded and worked into the night. Photo by Bob Martin

KAʻŪ FIREFIGHTERS WORKED INTO THE NIGHT Monday to put down the fire near Kama'oa Road, inland from Kamilo and Ka'alualu Bay. County firefighters from Nā'ālehu and Ocean View responded along with volunteer firefighters from Discovery 
Kamilo and Ka'alu'alu Bay in the background.
Photo by Bob Martin
Harbour and Nā'ālehu. County Civil Defense sent out a message at 2 p.m. saying "Fire personnel are on scene and activity fighting the fire. Fire and smoke may be visible." 
    Kama'oa Road was shut down for a period of time, with motorists using South Point Road and other alternate routes. No communities nor structures were reported threatened. Firefighters were mopping up Monday night.
    Civil Defense sent out a message saying Kama'oa Road has reopened. "Motorists in the area, please drive with caution as fire crews remain on scene working the fire."
    The area hit by the fires was described by local residents as full of guinea grass, haole koa and Christmas berry with a lot of fuel supported by rains over the winter that supported heavy growth in pastures and in wildlands.

KAʻŪ'S NATIVE PLANT OF THE MONTH IS ʻILIMA. The column by Jody Rosam with illustration by Joan Yoshika is called Lāʻau Letters: Native Plants of Kaʻū and explores Kaʻū’s native plants and their
moʻolelo (stories), uses, preferred habitats, and opportunities to adopt them for stewardship. The author and artist say, this column seeks to encourage making new plant friends and to reunite with others.
    Description: ʻIlima, ʻIlima, Sida fallax, is one of Hawaiʻi’s marvelous Malvaceae, and the only species in the Sida genus native to Hawaiʻi (although it is not endemic; it is found elsewhere in the world). ʻIlima leaves range from less than 1” long to over 5”, and can be light or dark green, or even silvery in color, and while they can be smooth, they are usually very soft and sweetly fuzzy.
    The delicate ʻilima flower is the official flower of the island of Oʻahu. They are referred to by different adjectives including kaukea (light yellow), melemele (strong yellow), ʻilima lei (deep gold), ʻilima ʻulaʻula (bronze red), and kolī kukui (rusty red). They bloom year round, and the flowers open fully by midday and only last about 24 hours.
    Once pollinated (often by the native nalo meli maoli or yellow-faced bee), they give way to small tan seeds which are readily dispersed by the wind. Early Hawaiians recognized and named many wild forms of ʻilima, including ʻilima kū kahakai a.k.a. ʻilima papa (a flat coastal form), ʻilima kū kula (a tall form), ʻilima kuahiwi (from the mountains), and ʻilima makanaʻā (a plant with smaller flowers, medium in height, and found on old lava flows in Kaʻū).
    Uses: Ola no i ka pua o ka ʻilima (there is healing in the ʻilima blossoms; ʻŌlelo Noʻeau #2489).
You guessed it! ʻIlima is a very useful plant. Medicinally, pua ʻilima (ʻilima flowers) were given to young babies as a pleasant-tasting and mild laxative, and also to help women during pregnancy. The root bark and flowers are helpful to those suffering from asthma, and when mixed with other plants, can be consumed as a tonic to revitalize energy. ʻIlima was used in house furnishings (and to some degree, construction), and even used as a layer in imu to prevent the food from being burned by the hot stones. ʻIlima was one of the few plants cultivated by Kānaka Maoli specifically for lei making. Pua ʻilima make a treasured lei poʻo (around the head) and lei ʻāʻī (around the neck) - but both require a lot of flowers to make! The flowers are edible and taste delicately sweet - I recommend sprinkling some on top of a fresh salad or even a cake as a native plant bonus to your meals.
    Habitat: ʻIlima grows across all of Hawaiʻi Nei, and can be found from sea level to over 6,000’
Five thousand in the mail, 2,500 on the street.
See the July edition of The Kaʻū Calendar Newspaper
www.kaucalendar.com 
 elevation. They can be found growing on rocky or sandy coastlines, lava fields, dry forests, and even in mesic forests, with different forms found in different environments. They are even a prominent part of the flora of Pihemanu (Midway) and Moku Manu (Nīhoa). Pollen records indicate that they were plentiful on Kamole a.k.a. Kauō (Laysan). In Kaʻū, you can find ʻilima along the coast and in the lowlands. Learn to recognize them, and you will quickly realize how plentiful they are in your neck of the woods.
    Growing and Purchasing: ʻIlima are often sold at local big box stores (and of course, you can contact the author for plants, too), so no excuses - go get yourself a couple! Just one plant will continue to provide lovely flowers and an abundance of seeds for you to propagate. Propagation is easy (and usually happens without any intervention): simply remove the seeds from the capsule and place them in a moist but well-drained media and sit tight! Germination is variable (so is viability), but with plenty of seeds to sow, ʻilima keiki should begin to germinate within a couple of weeks. Plant them in a sunny spot that won’t get too wet (they are susceptible to fungal diseases if overwatered). Prune them as needed (though not necessary), and enjoy the sweetness that ʻilima provides!


KAʻŪ ROPING & RIDING RODEO WRAPPED UP ON SUNDAY with many memories for paniolo and enthusiasts in an abundance of photos of competitors and attendees. See photos below and in upcoming
Kaʻū News Briefs.

Wahine Mugging with Lorilee Lorenzo and Denecia Derisin. Photo by Sophia Montoya 

Keiki Calf Riding. Photo by Joy Marie Ridgely

Keiki around the barrel. Photo by Joy Marie Ridgely
 


















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Sunday, July 09, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Sunday, July 9, 2023


Kaʻū High School football players helping the 'Ohana Flag Football program are left to right
back row Baron Marinovich and Keyson Pagan; Ocean Sesson kneels front right. Photo by Mark Peters
THE NEW KEIKI 'OHANA FLAG FOOTBALL PROGRAM drew more than 30 players on Saturday to
'Ohana Flag Football Coach Todd Marinovich
and Coach Jerry Nwosuocha lead the keiki.
Photo by Mark Peters
Pāhala Ballpark. Kaʻū High Trojan football players Baron Marinovich, Keyson Pagan and Ocean Sesson assisted Coaches Todd Marinovich, Jerry Nwosuocha and Mark Peterson to mentor the younger and older keiki squads. 
     Head Coach Todd Marinovich is a former University of Southern California quarterback and LA Raiders quarterback who moved his home to Kaʻū. The program is free. 
    Marinovich said the idea is for keiki to play flag football without pads and helmets. Head injuries are prevented as flag football has no tackling. He said young people should not put on helmets and pads until high school.
      New players, ages 6-12, are welcome to join in from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. each Saturday. Next week on July 15, the practice moves to Nāʻālehu Ballpark. The program continues through Aug. 5.
    For more information, contact Todd Marinovich at 510-387-5669.
     
Kaikala Grace makes a move with the ball
in Flag Football. Photo by Mark Peters
Imogen Ortega and Matea Ridgely joined 'Ohana
Flag Football. Photo by Joy Marie Ridgely
YOUNG WAHINE HAVE SIGNED UP FOR 'OHANA FLAG FOOTBALL. The Ka'u Calendar intern Joy Marie Ridgely, age 13, sent in the following piece regarding the view of  participating families with young ladies in Flag Football:
    "For fifty-one years Title IX has enabled female athlete participation nationwide. Despite being monumental for the women’s rights movement, Title IX is surrounded by an abundance of controversy. However, Pāhala tells a different story. Instead of tiptoeing around each other's differences, Pāhala doesn’t seem to even notice them. 
    "An example of this can be seen in the local football camp run by the former NFL player Todd Marinovich. In addition to adding depth to Pāhala’s high school football team, this program welcomes children of all genders. Imogen Ortega and Matea Ridgely, ages five and six, participated for the first time this last Saturday, and will continue to do so at Nāʻālehu Ballpark for the remaining two weeks of the program."
     'Ohana Flag Football next Saturday, July 15 will be 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Nāʻālehu Ballpark. It wraps up on Saturday, Aug. 5, also at Nāʻālehu Ballpark.

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.

'Ohana Football players with Coaches Mark Peters left, Todd Marinovich Center and Jerry Nwosuocha.
Photo by Joy Marie Ridgely
'Ohana Flag Football, no tackling.
Photo by Mark Peters
CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF ACTIVE VOLCANOES is holding its annual summer International Training Course in Volcano Hazards Monitoring. This year is the 30th course since its inception in 1990 after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic. The training course is a product of the partnership between the University of Hawai'i at Hilo, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, and USGS Volcano Disaster Assistance Program.
    The program is the focus of this week's Volcano Watch, the weekly column from USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. It is authored by Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes staff Darcy Bevens and Meghann Decker: Participants are scientists and technicians working at volcano observatories in developing countries with active volcanoes that threaten populated areas. This year, our twelve participants have traveled to Hawaii from the Philippines, Indonesia, Peru, Chile, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Colombia, Costa Rica, and El Salvador. Andrea Aguillar, ageophysicist from Chile, said, "After 3 years of waiting I'm finally here, directly from Coyhaique from Chilean Patagonia, happy to learn from the instructors and my colleagues...Everything I learn here will be useful for what we do as a country and without a doubt this experience will be the most enriching that I will have in my training as a professional and it will be worth being away from my son for so many weeks."
  The eight-week course begins on the Island of Hawai'i, where participants learn techniques HVO uses to monitor shield volcanoes and the hazards associated with Hawaiian-style eruptions.
  According to Juan José Idárraga, a geologist in Colombia, "CSAV international course is the best experience that every volcanologist wants to have. I've been waiting for the course for some years and it is absolutely worth it. We have seen and learned amazing things just in a week. This course gives us the opportunity to learn from the best scientists and in the best natural laboratory: Hawaiian Volcanoes."
    The CSAV International Training Course provides an invaluable natural laboratory for studying volcanic eruptions due to the frequent activity on Kīlauea. Dave Rivera, a research specialist from the Philippines says, "Three years in the making and finally we're here. It was definitely worth the wait to finally see the famous Hawaiian Volcanoes we only see in textbooks, plus a warm welcome by Pele."
    The timing for the course was perfect because three days into the program, a spectacular eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater began. CSAV International participants were able to examine the eruption safely from Uēkahuna bluff, where they viewed the distant lava lake and fountains within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park during the first day of the eruption. The group had been anticipating the eruption 
after observing increased seismic activity on Kīlauea. Most participants work on volcanoes that can generally erupt more explosively tha volcanoes in Hawai'i. So, after six weeks of hands-on field and lab work in Hawaii, the group travels to the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory to spend two weeks working with VDAP. There they will conduct field work to observe geologic hazards such as fast-moving lahars (mud/debris flows) and pyroclastic flows associated with more explosive volcanoes such as Mount St. Helens. Wahyu Kusuma, a volcano observer from Indonesia, says a "Big thanks for all of the best instructors. In my few days here, I learn so much." Besides learning from highly dedicated course instructors, CSAV participants also learn from one another and build invaluable connections with other scientists.
    Many challenges exist in volcano hazard monitoring, as no two volcanoes or eruptions are identical. CSAV International participants return home not only familiar with modern monitoring techniques but also with a network of scientific experts and contacts at partner organizations to communicate and share ideas about eruption forecasting and hazard mitigation. You can read more about the CSAV International course here: https://hilo.hawaii.edu/csav/international/.
Color photograph of scientists and eruption
On June 7, 2023, the first day of Kīlauea's most recent eruption, CSAV International Training Course participants visited Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to observe the Halemaʻumaʻu lava lake. These participants are scientists and technicians who work at volcano observatories in the Philippines, Indonesia, Peru, Chile, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Colombia, Costa Rica, and El Salvador. CSAV training is a product of the partnership between the University of Hawai'i and the USGS. CSAV training in Hawai'i emphasizes volcano monitoring methods, both data collection and interpretation, in use by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. UH Hilo photo.  

VOLCANO ACTIVITY UPDATES: Kīlauea is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is ADVISORY.
Active lava has not been visible within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea since June 19. Earthquake activity in the summit region has been low over the past week. Summit tiltmeters showed gradual inflation for much of the past week. A sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rate of approximately 135 tonnes per day was measured on June 30.
    Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.
Webcams show no signs of activity on Mauna Loa. Seismicity remains low. Summit ground deformation rates indicate slow inflation as magma replenishes the reservoir system following the recent eruption. SO2 emission rates are at background levels.
    There were three earthquakes with three or more felt reports in the Hawaiian Islands for the week ending last Wednesday: a M3.0 earthquake 12 km (7 mi) SSW of Honoka'a at 36 km (22 mi) depth on July 4 at 4:27 a.m. HST, a M3.0 earthquake 3 km (1 mi) SSW of Pāhala at 35 km (21 mi) depth on July 3 at 10:32 a.m. HST, and a M3.4 earthquake 15 km (9 mi) S of Pa'auilo at 18 km (11 mi) depth on June 30 at 2:23 p.m. HST.
    HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.
 
The Kaʻū Roping & Riding Rodeo wrapped up Sunday with events for adults and keiki.
Photo by Dee Peters
THE WINNERS OF THE TWO-DAY KAʻŪ ROPING & RIDING RODEO this Saturday and Sunday have been announced.
     In the keiki class, Dummy Roping Buckle Winner in the four and under category is Ella Mae Jose.             Dummy Roping Buckle Winner in the five to eight category is Whip Sevens. 
Leaning into the barrels. Photo by Joy Marie Ridgely

     Goat Undecorating Buckle Winner, four and under, is Ella Mae Jose. 
     Goat Undecorating Buckle Winner, five to eight, is Chiono Ramos.
     The Calf Riding Buckle Winner is Hunter Derago. 
     Po'owai U Buckle Winner is  Bronson Branco.  
     Youth Barrels winner is Hilai Karratti. 
     Youth Breakaway Buckle Winner  Hilai Karratti
     Century Team Roping Buckle Winners are Alan Hanoa and Warren Hanoa. 
     Open Dally Roping Buckle Winners are Ethan Awa and Colton Kehano. 
     Kane Wahine Dally Roping Winners are Macey Loando and Bronson Bronco. 
     Kane Wahine Ribbon Mugging Buckle Winners are Macey Loando and Bronson Bronco. 
     Double Mugging Buckle Winners are Micah Ching and Kama Kalanikoa.
     Wahine Mugging Buckle Winners are Makayla Awa and Katie Andrade.
    Kane Wahine Breakaway Winners are Damien Flores and Rasha Karratti.
    See more photos and details in Monday's Kaʻū News Briefs.
CALLING ON ALL KAʻŪ HIGH & VOLCANO SCHOOL OF THE ARTS & SCIENCES FOOTBALL PLAYERS. The coaching staff reports that practice begins on Monday, July 24 at Kaʻū High in Pāhala. The coaches will present a preseason potluck at Punalu'u Beach Park on Sunday, July 23 from 1 p.m to 4 p.m. With questions and to RSVP, call or text Mark Peters at 510-387-5669.












































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