Kaʻū News Briefs December 13, 2023

Hukihuki, Hawaiian tug of war at the Makahiki Grounds celebration on Tuesday. Photo from Ki'eki'e Ka'ū

 MAKAHIKI 2023 AT KAHUA 'OLOHŪ KAUNĀMANO AHUPUA'A welcomed many students on Tuesday to participate in Hawaiian games at the Makahiki grounds. Ki'eki'e Kaʻū sent out a statement saying that this year's Makahiki event featured 355 Keiki competitors including haumāna who assisted as Kia'i at differing stations for the games.

Hōlua, Hawaiian sliding was introduced to 
 the 2023 Makahiki. Photo from Ki'eki'e Ka'ū

   Haumāna of Kua o Ka Lā from as far as Miloli'i, Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences, Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary, Pāhoa High School and several haumāna of Nāʻālehu School attended.
    They competed in Kōnane, Kūkini, Hukihuki, Pala'ie, 'Ō'ō'ihe, Ulu Maika, Moa Pahe'e, Pōhaku Ho'oikaika, Pā 'Uma, Haka Moa and Hū.
    In addition, a new featured game station, the Hōlua, was introduced by 'Anakala Keone Kalawe of Puna. Tūtū Pele and Poli'ahu were known in mo'olelo for their expertise in the traditions of Hōlua, sled riding.
    Another new station featured Ku'i Kalo, implemented by Kamomi Bivings and his 'Ohana of Honaunau Momona. They also taught keiki how to weave lau niu.
    Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder, Demetrius Oliveira and Hālau Hula O Leonalani entertained, along with emcee Kumu Kiliona Moku.
    The statement from Ki'eki'e Kaʻū said, "Mahalo to many 'Ohana from Kaʻū, South Kona and Puna Moku and to our Kaʻū community along with all who contributed with helping hands to make this successful event happen for all of our keiki.
    "Special Mahalo to our collaborators: Kua O Ka Lā, Kahua 'Olohū Stewardship group, Ka 'Ohana o Honu'apo, Hawai'i Wildlife Fund, Waikapuna hui, The Nature Conservancy, Ho'omalu Kaʻū, to all of our Kumu Kula who brought their haumāna and mostly, to our Kupuna who continues to guide us in the work that we do! Lonoikamakahiki."

Haumana from numerous schools gather for the Makahiki on Tuesday.  Photo from Ki'eki'e Ka'ū

Kōnane, the Hawaiian board game. Photo from Ki'eki'e Ka'ū

Pā 'Uma, Hawaiian arm wrestling. Photo from Ki'eki'e Ka'ū

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VOLUNTEER POSITIONS FOR 2024 ARE OPEN ON MIDWAY ATOLL. Friends of Midway Atoll announced on Wednesday that the organization is providing $1,000 stipends for each volunteer accepted to a six-month Biological Field Crew position. Applications are being taken by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Volunteers will be serving in the biological program at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge from early April 2024 to early September 2024.

    See https://friendsofmidway.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Volunteer-Announcement-Spring-2024.pdf

2023 volunteers banding Laysan Albatross. Applications are open

 for 2024 volunteer positions. Photo from Friends of Midway Atoll

    The biological program focuses on controlling and removing non-native species and maintaining, conserving, and restoring quality habitat to support indigenous plants, seabirds, waterbirds, monk seals, and sea turtles. In addition to being a National Wildlife Refuge, Midway Atoll is also designated as the Battle of Midway National Memorial and is part of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Midway Atoll is a remote field site located over 1,300 miles from the main Hawaiian Islands and is inhabited by a small community of ~50 residents comprising FWS staff, volunteers, and contractors. 

     Another opportunity to volunteer opens the application period on Jan. 1. It is for the December 2024 - January 2025 Albatross Census Volunteer positions. 

    It requires volunteers to pay for airfare to and from Honolulu, 40 percent of the round trip from Honolulu to Midway and $15 a day for food. Lodging is free to volunteers. Volunteers must be able to hike six to ten miles per day, sometimes in strong wind; lift 25 lbs. and carry a day pack. Each volunteer will serve approximately 20 days for the Census.

    See https://www.fws.gov/refuge/midway-atoll/get-involved.

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POLICE ARRESTED 23 MOTORISTS FOR DUI during the week of Dec. 4 through Dec. 10. Hawai‘i Island police arrested them for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Five of the drivers were involved in a traffic collision. One was under the age of 21.
So far this year, there have been 888 DUI arrests compared with 923 during the same period last year, a decrease of 3.8 percent.
Hawai'i Police Department's Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 797 major collissions so far this year compared with 790 during the same period last year, an increase of 0.9 percent. To date, there have been 15 fatal crashes, resulting in 16 fatalities, one crash with multiple deaths; compared to 30 fatal crashes, resulting in 32 fatalities, one crash with multiple deaths and another reclassified to a medical condition for the same time last year. This represents a decrease of 50 percent for fatal crashes, and 50 percent for fatalities.
The non-traffic fatality count (not on a public roadway) so far this year is one compared to zero non-traffic fatalities for the same time last year.
Police promise that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.

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Kaʻū News Briefs December 12, 2023

Mayor Walks for Merry Christmas in Pāhala

Mayor Mitch Roth and First Lady Noriko Yamada Roth walk the inaugural Pāhala Town Lighted Christmas Parade last Saturday along side the County of Hawai'i float. See more photos of event in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs. Photo by Stacyn Lopez Sakuma

PĀHALA IS THE FIRST FULLY FIBER-ENABLED ZIP CODE ON THE ISLAND. That is the announcement from Hawaiian Telcom on Tuesday. Pāhala has access to Hawaiian Tel's "reliable high-speed internet Fioptics that that offers 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) download, which is among the fastest speeds in Hawai'i, and the state's fastest upload speed of 500 megabits per second (Mbps)."

    In addition, Hawaiian Tel reminds residents that they may qualify for support to receive free internet through 

August 2024.

     Installation of the fiber internet service was an effort in "closing the state's digital divide," where wealthier, more populated places have good internet and rural, less wealthy areas are underserved, said Hawaiian Tel.
   The statement from Hawaiian Tel says, "Part of the Kaʻū District, Pāhala is a former sugar plantation town that is now home to many family-owned farms and ranches. It is considered one of the most remote, rural areas in Hawai'i. Hawaiian Telcom's fiber expansion extends into Na'alehu, including Wai'ōhinu Town and the Discovery Harbor subdivision, both of which incorporate some Hawaiian Home Lands."
   Other zip codes fully enabled with Hawaiian Tel Fiber include 96763 at Lāna'i City; 96751 at Kealia, Kaua'i; and 96765 at Lāwa'i, Kaua'i.

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Kaʻū Desert Trail from Footprints Exhibit
to Pepeio Cabin and beyond has reopened.
NPS Photo by Jessica Ferracane

TWO ROADS, A BACKCOUNTRY TRAIL AND CABIN have reopened in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
    Thanks to recent rainfall, wildland fire risk has decreased and Mauna Loa Road and Hilina Pali Road are now fully open to vehicles. Campfire and open flame cooking fire restrictions are also lifted in areas that allow them. Although the risk for wildfire is low, visitors are reminded to recreate responsibly. Campfires and cooking fires should be completely extinguished and are only allowed in specific areas of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
     Kaʻū Desert Trail past the Footprints exhibit to Pepeiao Cabin, Hilina Pali overlook and the coastal backcountry areas has also reopened. The cabin is also open for overnight use with a permit. In addition, the backcountry trail crew recently cleared overgrown vegetation from the trail between Pepeiao Cabin and Hilina Pali overlook.
    The park temporarily closed Pepeiao Cabin and much of Kaʻū Desert Trail in October because of increased seismicity in the area south-southwest of Kīlauea caldera. Kīlauea volcano is not erupting but the unrest continues. According to USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists, most of the earthquakes are now focused a cluster just southeast of Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera).

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PUBLIC INPUT FOR HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK is sought, including review and comment on recommendations for improving in-park access and timeframes to implement changes and such improvements as upgrades to park structures, programs and services. The document is called Draft Accessibility Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. 

    The stated goals of the plan are to "document existing park barriers to accessibility for people with disabilities; provide an effective approach for upgrading facilities, services, activities, and programs; and instill a culture around creating universal access."
    The document is set to become available this week for public review and comment, following work by an NPS

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Rhonda
Low invites the public to comment on the Park plan.
NPS photo by Janice Wei

interdisciplinary team, including individuals with expertise in planning, design, construction, and interpretive, resource, visitor safety, maintenance, and accessibility specialists. The team developed site plans identifying the location of accessibility barriers and crafted an implementation strategy to assist park staff in scheduling and performing required actions and documenting completed work.
    "It is important that visitors of all abilities are able to enjoy the incredible experience that Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park offers," said Superintendent Rhonda Loh. "This plan describes our proposed strategy to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment in popular locations throughout the park. We look forward to hearing from you."
    The Draft Accessibility Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan was prepared to provide analysis and an opportunity for public review and comment. The link to the draft plan is available on the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/HAVO-SETP.
    Comments may be submitted online at the project website by clicking on "Open for Comment." Comments will be accepted through Jan. 11, 2024.
    All comments, including personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. Although respondents may request that their comments and personal information are withheld from public review, the park cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.
    For more information on Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, visit the park website, www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes.

NPS Photo of a person in a wheelchair being assisted on a wooden boardwalk through a steaming volcanic landscape.

 

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Kaʻū News Briefs December 11, 2023

Young Santa and his Helpers
Santa and menehune helpers from Halau Hula O Leionalani at Ke Ola Pu'uhonua in Nāʻālehu last Saturday. Photo by Brenda Iokepa Moses

A COUNTY MEASURE TO REDUCE THE COST OF INSTALLING SOLAR AND TO MAKE PERMITTING EASIER is a reality. The County Council passed the bill and Mayor Mitch Roth signed Bill 66 this week. He said that it will bring about cost reductions for homeowners and bolster the clean, green energy transition on Hawaiʻi Island.
    It was authored and introduced by Councilmember Matt Kanealiʻi-Kleinfelder, who stated, "The intent of the bill is to align Hawaiʻi County with our sister counties, create cohesive efficiency in permitting requirements, and decrease the cost of Residential Solar Installations for our community."
    Bill 66 amends Chapter 5, Article 4, Section 5-4-3 of Hawaiʻi County Code 1983 and streamlines the

Cost of installing solar and ease with permitting is expected under new bill from
 the county council signed into law this week. Photo from ProVision Solar

permitting process for solar electric systems and ensures that electrical design drawings and specifications, as well as plans and specifications for building work, are prepared by licensed professionals, simplifying the process for most solar electric systems, says the statement from the County.
    The Mayor said, "We know that the cost of living is going up, that building material prices are increasing, and that interest rates are at a high. That's why we're doing all we can to ensure that our residents can continue calling Hawaiʻi Island home by working to eliminate the red tape and replacing it with commonsense approaches. We'd like to mahalo Councilmember Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder for drafting this bill and our Council for ultimately approving it."
    Marco Mangelsdorf, representing ProVision Solar, commended the collaborative effort that led to the successful passage of Bill 66. "From the initial idea this past summer to implementation in the fall, this beneficial and practical policy change coming to fruition reminds me that the government can and does work to promote the needed change to accelerate the clean, green energy transition on our island." Mangelsdord said, "Bill 66, going into effect, will make it easier to get the vast majority of solar electric systems permitted and bring down the cost to homeowners."
    The Mayor said he encourages residents to explore the benefits of this policy change and take proactive steps toward adopting solar energy solutions for their homes.

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AN IDEA FROM MAUI COULD HELP local people solve the housing shortage by using their own land and equity in their properties to finance and build 'ohana units to rent at lower than market price. The idea was before Maui's County Council before the Lahaina fires that destroyed homes and exacerbated Maui's extreme housing shortage. The Maui program would provide grants of up to $100,000 to each property owner who, for ten years, would rent 'ohana units at rates under federal affordable housing guidelines. 

    On Maui, last Friday a bill passed the County Council's first reading to provide $2.5 million for the funding. Second and final reading is set for January.
    On Maui, two 'Ohana dwellings area allowed on lots that are at least 7,500 square feet. On Hawai'i Island, lots have to be at least 14,500 square feet for one 'ohana dwelling.
    On Maui, anyone receiving the grant who breaks the agreement to rent at affordable rates would have to pay the county back the prorated amount for the time the additional dwelling unit is not used in affordable housing.

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Various fishes attracted to dFAD. Photo by Kydd Pollock of The Nature Conservancy

USING FISH AGGREGATING DEVICES AS CONSERVATION TOOLS is an idea supported in a study by The Nature Conservancy and Queensland University of Technology in Australia. Assistance also comes from TNC's Lab at Palmyra Atoll. The study, published in the journal Conservation Letters. says research shows that using FADs could enhance the effectiveness of blue water marine protected areas. The
paper suggests FADs, deployed by commercial fishing fleets worldwide, could also be used to retain targeted fish species within Marine Protected Areas, where there is no or limited fishing, long enough to benefit the local fish population.
   "As governments and conservation groups world-round set sights on protecting 30 percent of the world's ocean habitat by 2030, figuring out how to maximize the value of protected ocean patches for pelagic species should be a key objective," says Alex Wegmann, Ph.D., co-author of the paper and Lead Scientist for The Nature Conservancy's Island Resilience Strategy.

dFAD in the waters of Palmyra Atoll

Photo by Chris Ryen of TNC

    A FAD is a matt or raft attached to floats or buoys that can be anchored or designed to drift (dFAD) in the open ocean and attract fish that swim past in schools. dFADs are usually fitted with a satellite location device that also monitors fish biomass beneath the FAD. The species of pelagic fish commonly targeted by commercial operations using FADs include tuna, billfish and mahi-mahi (dolphin fish); globally, most canned tuna are caught using dFADs.
    "The technology has transformed the world's open ocean fisheries over the past 20 years," says co-author Michael Bode from QUT. "Drifting FADs attract schools of these fish, making them easier and cheaper to catch."
     While larger than nearshore MPAs, blue water MPAs are small relative to the vast ocean, making protecting pelagic species in these areas difficult.
     "By putting FADs inside MPAs, we could increase the time that species like tuna spend in those MPAs (where they can't be caught) thereby reducing mortality rates," says co-author Edward T. Game, TNC's Asia Pacific Lead Scientist & Director of Conservation. "Somewhat amazingly, we found that even a small number of FADs inside a blue water MPA can meaningfully amplify the benefits of that MPA."
    Palmyra Atoll is a protected area in the central Pacific Ocean roughly 1,000 miles south of Hawai'i, managed by The Nature Conservancy.
    "Using FADs as a conservation tool is unique," says co-author Kydd Pollock, Pelagic Conservation Strategy Lead with The Nature Conservancy's Climate Adaptation and Resilience Laboratory at Palmyra Atoll. "We can have control over where they are positioned, so therefore can keep them inside an MPA and use them to aggregate the fish and increase their residence time within protected waters."    See nature.org/HawaiiPalmyra. 

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HAWAI'I FARMERS AND LANDOWNERS CAN APPLY FOR FUNDING TO PLANT TREES. Deadline to apply is Dec. 31. The $6 million for Hawai'i comes from the Expanding Agroforestry Project and is one of 141 projects funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative. Local applicants can be landowners, leaseholders, or negotiating leases for new agroforestry. Individuals, businesses, and nonprofits are all eligible, and underserved producers are encouraged to apply. Those interested, visit: nature.org/ExpandingAgroforestry.
 

Farmers, ranchers, landowners and lessees can receive up to $6 million in Hawai'i to plant trees.
See nature.org/ExpandingAgroforestry

   Over the course of five years, $36 million will be paid out to producers in direct incentive payments to transform 30,000 acres spanning 30 states into agroforestry systems, thus building a foundation for expanding agroforestry practices nationally. 

       The Nature Conservancy is the project lead nationwide and is working locally to manage the project with Hawai‘i ‘Ulu Cooperative. TNC is working nationally with Propagate, Savanna Institute, Tuskegee University, University of Missouri–The Center for Agroforestry, and Virginia Tech University. TNC manages the project, including coordinating with national partners to expand financing and develop markets for agroforestry commodities.
    “Agroforestry is an underutilized tool in our collective efforts to support rural economies while mitigating climate change,” said Audrey Epp Schmidt, agroforestry program manager for The Nature

Conservancy’s North America Regenerative Agriculture program. “Putting more trees on agricultural lands creates more resilient agricultural systems, and expanding the production of commodities grown in agroforestry systems can help drive new market opportunities to build an increasingly climate-smart food system.”
    A statement from program managers says that Agroforestry is used by less than 2% of farm operations in the U.S., "yet it can sequester 2 to 4 tons of carbon per acre per year in plant biomass. Adding trees to agricultural landscapes can also increase carbon stored in soils and decrease the use of fertilizers, reducing associated greenhouse gas emissions and impacts on water quality. This project, which includes targeted efforts to increase accessibility and engagement with underserved producers, could eventually spur the adoption of agroforestry practices on tens of millions of acres of U.S. farmlands."

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Kaʻū High Future Farmers took first in Vegetable Judging and other competitions at the District Convention last Saturday. 

Photo from Kaʻū High FFA

KAʻŪ'S FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA DID WELL IN COMPETITION at the District Convention at Kealakehe High School last Saturday, Dec. 9. Trojans competed against Kohala, Keaau, Konawaena, Hilo, and Kealakehe High Schools. The winning categories for Ka'ū FFA and the member names are:

Ka'ū  Future Farmers at last weekend's Pāhala Town Lighted
Christmas Parade. Photo from FFA

    1st place Vegetable Judging ⁃ Sherwin Agpaoa and Dreana Vierra-Mukini;

    1st place Chapter Records ⁃ Alajshae Barrios, Ezekiel Kaawa-Kamimura, and Vladimir Fedoruk;3rd place Plant ID ⁃ Desmond Camba and Vladimir Fedoruk;
    1st place Creed Speaking ⁃ Sherwin Agpaoa;
    2nd place Creed Speaking ⁃ Londyn Dacalio;
    3rd placed Creed Speaking ⁃ Lily Dacalio;
    1st place Floriculture ⁃ Zia Wroblewski, Delisa Breithaupt, Laci Ah Yee, and Shaylie Martinez.
    Ka'ū FFA sent out a statement giving a big mahalo to: "Kupuna Ke, Aunty Sophia Hanoa, and Aunty Kehau Kalani for helping with the floriculture event and Aunty Shanna Alcoran for helping with the floriculture, creed, and vegetable judging events." FFA also thanked, "Aunty Dorothy Louis, Mrs. Mary Ibarra, and Aunty Valerie Pakele for donating materials for our floriculture event."
    Ka'ū FFA plans to raise money to travel to the Hawai'i State Convention on Kaua'i at the end of February.
    Ka'ū FFA participated in the Pāhala Town Lighted Christmas Parade on Saturday night.

---- Story by Ka'ū High student, Alajshae Barrios, the Ka'ū FFA reporter.

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Joanne Pocsidio is the soprano in A
 Carolers Quartet, performing Tuesday.

A CAROLERS QUARTET FREE HOLIDAY CONCERT will be held this Tuesday, Dec. 12 from 7 p.m.to 8 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. The concert features the vocal stylings of soprano Joanne Pocsidio, alto Teresa Mondoy, tenor Ian McMillan and bass Doug Albertson of Big Island Singers, as they present a selection of holiday favorites. 

    The concert is part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Program is co-sponsored by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Concert is free but park entrance fees apply.

     Note that the Ola Loa concert on same day is canceled.

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