Kaʻū News Briefs Monday, Nov. 27, 2023

Christmas in the Country is open daily at the historic Volcano Art Center Gallery. Image from VAC

HEAVY RAINS ARE EXPECTED WEDNESDAY EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY and University of Hawai'i Cooperative Agricultural Extension Service Agents Andrea Kawabata and Matt Miyahara urge farmers, ranchers and homeowners to be aware.
     They quote Glenn Sako of Hawai'i County who said that "National Weather Service briefed the Hilo Emergency Operations Center regarding an anticipated Kona Low forecast with heavy rain (3-5 inches) expected this Wednesday through Thursday. Showers will be following Friday into the weekend. Thunderstorms are also expected as part of the weather pattern." Sako said that southerly winds are forecast, most affecting the leeward coast. "Please take the necessary steps to prepare for possible flooding events."
     The Ag Extension Service Agents wrote that storms should be anticipated this time of year and noted similar storms on Dec. 4, 2021 and Dec. 20, 2022. The ag agents recommended paying close attention to the forecast and to agricultural areas that could be impacted. They recommended knowing "what to do before you clean up if you have crop insurance."

     Click here for the statewide NOAA forecast discussion.  Go to this link for the County of Hawai'i Hazard Impact Map to get the latest closures and to increase awareness of the hazards. Kawabata reminded farmers and ranchers that crop insurance is like life, medical, and car insurance. "If you don't have a current policy when an emergency occurs, an insurance company will not help pay for your losses and recovery. Consider crop insurance policies before storms and hurricanes cause damage and be sure to sign up during their open enrollment period. Farm information and records will be required by the insurance agent."
    Those who would like information about crop insurance, visit: http://bit.ly/2eVzuc5. Click on List of Crops That Can Be Insured on the left side of the page or scroll down until seeing photos of fruit and nut trees and the factsheets for Hawai'i's insurable crops for an idea of deadlines and other insurance

information. Contact an agent for updated details and inquiries. Deadline to enroll or make changes to existing policies is Dec. 31for banana tree, coffee fruit, coffee tree, macadamia nut, and papaya tree crop insurance.
    When home, farm, ranch, trees, crop and/or structures sustain damages from a storm, high winds and/or rain, contact home and crop insurance agents immediately.
    Should damage be done, document with (clear and focused) photos and/or video. Review inventory and take note of anything damaged or missing. Be sure to receive clearance from insurance agent before doing any clean-up, repairs, or replacements related to an insurance claim.
    The County and/or USDA Farm Service Agency may ask for an assessment of damages and losses from growers and ranchers and may be able to provide support to those affected. When an announcement is made by the County and/ or FSA, contact them so they can learn of the full impact of the storm, damages, and how to best assist.

Wally Andrade recently donated crew and dozer to clear land along Hwy 11 next to Hawai'i Island Community Health Center's
Kaʻū Family Health & Dental in Nāʻālehu. OKK hopes to put in a dialysis center. Photo from OKK

'O KAʻŪ KĀKOU CELEBRATED THE THANKSGIVING WEEKEND giving out $2,000 in gift cards to needy residents in Kaʻū. "The gifts were available, thanks to funding from Carol Elwell, of Discovery Harbour," said OKK President Wayne Kawachi. 

    Kawachi said mahalo to Wally Andrade, who recently donated a bulldozer and crew to help clean up the land next to Hawai'i Community Health Center's Kaʻū Family Health & Dental in Nāʻālehu. He said he hopes someday the land will become the site of a dialysis center for Kaʻū residents who often have to travel hours to and from Hilo and Kona up to three times a week for their diabetes treatments.

     Kawachi also noted that on Veterans Day in November, OKK celebrated at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji with food, music from Keoki Sereno, hula by Honey Girl - Hunnay DeMello, and Pāhala Hongwanji Taiko Drummers to honor veterans. See more on OKK at https://www.facebook.com/okaukakou/ or call Kawachi at 808-937-4733.

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. 

7,500 printed, 5,000 in the mail

Directed by Kaʻū's own Farley Sangels and four other
musicians from Kaʻū.

Kaʻū News Briefs Sunday, Nov. 26 2023

Created by artist Makanani, this wreath is named Alice Returns to Volcano Park. It was created from green/blue jewel beetle wings, pūkiawe berries, bromeliad leaves, ʻaʻaliʻi flowers, jobʻs tears seeds, red wiliwili seeds, kalanchoe beharensis leaves, brown monkey pod seeds, araucaria needles, waewaeʻiole, red ti leaves, juniper pine, dried bamboo leaves, agave, podocarpus, autograph tree, uki grass, orchid root, coconut branches, succulents, rabbit foot fern and bay leaves.This and other wreaths in the competition can be purchased at Volcano Art Center or online at https://volcanoartcenter.org/product-category/featured-exhibit/.

THE ANNUAL WREATH EXHIBIT AND COMPETITION AT VOLCANO ART CENTER opened over Thanksgiving Weekend at Volcano Art Gallery, the 1877 Volcano House Hotel historic building

Kapapala Wreath by Jennifer Gomez

within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. 

    The Wreath Exhibit is part of the 24th Annual Christmas in the Country, which continues through Dec. 31. "This year’s Christmas in the Country promises an abundance of creativity and cheer to welcome the holiday season," says the statement from Volcano Art Center Gallery. It is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed on Christmas Day).
    The exhibition presents one-of-a-kind wreaths in a variety of media, techniques, and styles. This year artists engaged with the theme A Walk in the Park. "Those looking for truly original wreaths as well as one-of-a-kind, handmade gift items will not be disappointed by the selection created by the local artistic community," says the Volcano Art Center statement. The exhibit is free, however park entrance fees apply.

Anchiote wreath by Roy Kaneko

    The 34 wreaths in the exhibit can be seen at the gallery and most of them online and for sale at  https://volcanoartcenter.org/product-category/featured-
exhibit/.
    Christmas in the Country also features holiday offerings of island-inspired gifts, ornaments, and decorations made by Hawaiʻi Island artists.
    Christmas in the Country has expanded this year to Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus on Old Volcano Road, with additional  handmade art and gifts by Hawai‘i’s local artists.

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PĀHALA TOWN LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE on Saturday, Dec. 9 is drawing folks to walk and ride starting at 6 p.m. with the route along Pikake and Kamani Streets.
    Mayor Mitch Roth and Hawai‘i County Council member Michelle Galimba are on board along with Santa Claus, the American Red Cross, local sports clubs, local church groups, community groups, and Pāhala Senior Center members.
    The parade honors Eddie Andrade who has retired from hosting the renowned Pāhala  Christmas Parade with his family for more than 40 years.
    The new evening version parade will conclude with picture-taking with Santa and his Buddies, some arts and crafts and light refreshments until 8:30 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center.
    Pāhala Town Lighted Christmas Parade is co-hosted by County Department of Parks & Recreation.
    Parade Committee Chair Shai Lopez-Castenada said that more parade participants are welcome. "We are calling all businesses, farmers, agencies, clubs and individuals to join in the parade."
Parade participants will be entered in a drawing for a Two Guest Deluxe Snorkel & Dolphin Watch, sponsored by Body Glove in Kailua-Kona.
    Those who would like to enter the parade can call Lopez-Castaneda at (808 )345-0649 or email him at pahalalightedchristmasparade@gmail.com.

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. 

7,500 printed, 5,000 in the mail

Directed by Kaʻū's own Farley Sangels and four other
musicians from Kaʻū.

Kaʻū News Briefs Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023

 A classic from marine debris artist Don Elwing, called Peace at the Temple Bell, components collected from Kamilo Beach in Kaʻū. He will display more recent works at Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's Christmas in Kahuku event Saturday, Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Art by Don Elwing

HOLIDAYS IN KAHUKU is next Saturday, Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Hwy 11 at the 70.5 mile-marker. The free family event features food, a craft fair and music, along with Santa bringing 200 gifts for keiki.
    "It's Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's own festival to highlight the Kahuku Unit of the National Park and to thank the community for all of their support," said Friends CEO Elizabeth Fein.
     Emcee will be Makana Kamahele. Performers will be the Kipapa Sisters, Kumu Debbie Ryder and Halau Hula O Leionalani, South Hawai‘i Symphony with holiday music, The Jazz Gardeners and the rock band Hot Potaytahs. John Replogle will perform the skit Little Lei Puahi & The Wild Pua‘a.

  Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will present its new logo and first line of clothing, long and short sleeve shirt, for sale for the first time, with colors from a wild dark brown, to Kelly green to heather, white, royal blue and slate. Traditional wear with the retired logo on jackets, youth shirts and women's tees
will also be on sale. Buy a new logo shirt and receive a 2018 Hawai‘i Volcano National Park Cultural Festival Shirt for free. The 2018 shirts were made but the Cultural Festival was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.
    Those selling gifts include makers of Christmas ornaments, clothing, art made from marine debris, park-inspired paintings, pottery, jewelry, and locally produced packaged foods like Kaʻū Coffee and honey.
    Food and drink will be available from The Hawaiian Civic Club of Kaʻū, 4 Scoops of Aloha and Flyn' Hawaiian Coffee Truck.
    There will be free shave ice minis and free face painting for keiki donated by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
    Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park financially supports numerous activities and projects in the Hawai‘i Volcanoes, including the Park's own annual Cultural Festival. Friends also raises money to support the Tuesday night After Dark in the Park presentations and cultural practitioners in the Ikahana No‘eau and Naleomanu Concert Series at Kīlauea Visitors Center. It financially supports the Youth Rangers Program provides work training for young people and can lead to long term employment with the National Park Service. Friends helps fund the Hawksbill Turtle Project, nēnē conservation efforts, the Park's native plants nursery, and supports volunteers to collect seeds, outplant and help with forest restoration, including removal of endangered species.
    Friends financially supported remodeling of the ‘Ōhi‘a Wing at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and the building of the grass hale next to Volcano Art Gallery.
    It also operates its own programs, including Hawai‘i Volcanoes Institute, with educational experience in the National Park for school, college, non-profit and private groups. It produces and funds the upcoming Holidays in Kahuku.
    Friends also financially supports the new Kahuku-Pōhue Bay unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
    Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has been featured in numerous media, including the upcoming hour-long Nick News Special on Nickelodeon, to be released in December. The show features Guardians of the Trails and Youth Rangers programs.
    The mission of Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is to support the National Park Service in the protection, preservation, and interpretation of the natural and cultural resources at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park for the enjoyment of current and future generations.

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Laurel Wilt has killed more than 140,000 commercial
avocado trees in Florida and U.H. warns it could come
to Hawai‘i. Photo from University of Florida

A THREAT TO AVOCADO TREES has been announced by University of Hawai‘i College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources. It's the Laurel Wilt spread by redbay ambrosia beetles and movement of infected avocado wood products. 

    The beetle bores into avocado trees, leaving sawdust exit tubes hanging off the trunks. Green leaves wilt, and turn brown, stems and limbs die back and avocado trees die.

    The infestation was first detected in Savanah, Georgia and moved across southern states to Texas but is not yet detected in California, where there is fear it might arrive through importing firewood from infected states.

    U.H. warns that it could come here. In Florida, more than 140,000 commercial avocado trees have been lost, valued at about $46.2 million. 

    The U.H. statement says Laurel Wilt "is not yet found in Hawai‘i, but we must be aware of this problem and learn how to identify LW and its vector, prevent its introduction, and manage LW should it arrive in Hawai'i."

    U.H. asks avocado tree owners and commercial producers to participate in a survey "to provide feedback on objectives that are important to you" and to help shape the U.H. and University of Florida team effort for funding to control Laurel Wilt and its vector. Click here to download the survey.
Click here to learn more about Laurel Wilt. Questions and completed surveys can be sent to Dr. Jonathan Crane (jhcr@ufl.edu).

The redbay ambrosia beetle that kills avocado trees. U.H. says be aware. Photo from University of Florida

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TROPICAL STORM RAMON, southeast of Hawai‘i Island, is forecast to become a remnant low within 60 hours. The storm held winds of 45 mph on Saturday and all forecasting predicts reduction and not much movement toward Hawai‘i, according to the National Weather Service.

7,500 printed, 5,000 in the mail

Directed by Kaʻū's own Farley Sangels and four other
musicians from Kaʻū.