The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Thursday, August 29, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs Aug. 28, 2024

Thermal Hotspot area near Puhimau Crater on Chain of Craters Road, which has reopened after period of seismicity. NPS Photo by Janice Wei

CHAIN OF CRATERS ROAD and other previously closed roads are now open as unrest and seismicity have diminished in Kīlauea volcano's upper East Rift Zone (ERZ) and near its summit. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park made the announcement Wednesday.
Areas accessed by Chain of Craters Road, Hilina Pali Road, and Kulanaokuaiki Campground are now open to vehicle traffic. Backcountry sites have reopened as well.
Since late July, an increase in earthquakes and seismic activity along the upper ERZ of Kīlauea resulted in many large cracks and ground faults on Chain of Craters Road and Maunaulu parking lot. Chain of Craters Road closed to vehicle traffic on August 21 after some cracks suddenly grew in size and depth after new earthquakes. Park staff monitored the road over the last week and determined the cracks were not increasing in size and travel at low speeds would not deteriorate the road further.
While the unrest has diminished, Kīlauea is one of the most active volcanoes on earth and conditions can change at any time. Visitors to Chain of Craters Road should drive with extra caution, obey the speed limit, and slow down for any and all cracks, humps, and wildlife.
The Park recommends that visitors always check the park website for updates, closures, and alerts that could impact their visit.

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HAWAIIAN IMMERSION SCHOOL , Ke Kula Nā ʻAʻaliʻi Kū Makani o Kaʻū, is planned and the community is invited to a public meeting on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at The Shirakawa Hotel in Wai'ohinu, located at 95-6039 Mamalahoa Hwy. The leaders for the school are these Alaka'i: Raylene Auli'i Fujikawa Moses, Berkely Yoshida and Nohea Ka'awa. Advisors are Kehau Mauga and Louisa Lee. Parent Advocates are Wai'ala Ahn, Cadence Feeley and Miki Moses.
The organizers describe it as "Ka'u's first ever Hawaiian Immersion School" and invite the public to "See our kula location and kukakuka with makua and keiki." They have chosen a Hawaiian proverb for their mission. It's No. 1226 in the book by Mary Kawena Pukui titled Ōlelo Noʻeau – Hawaiian Proverbs and Poetical Sayings. It says, "I lele no ka lupe i ke pola." Translated into to English, it says, "It is the tail that makes the kite fly."

The umbrella non-profit organization helping the project to get started is ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. OKK describes the immersion school on its webiste at https://www.okaukakou.org/about-2.

The OKK website gives context to the location:

"Ke Kula Nā ʻAʻaliʻi Kū Makani o Kaʻū (NAKM) is a place based aloha ʻāina educational experience grounded in Hawaiian language, culture, values and foundation that honor our past while nurturing community contributors and stewards of the future.

"Ke Kula Nā ʻAʻaliʻi Kū Makani o Kaʻū, is located in the ʻili of Kaʻū the largest and southern most district of Hawai’i, in the ahupuaʻa of Waiʻōhinu. Kaʻū is steeped in a rich history and legacy, as it is where the first Polynesian voyagers arrived in the Hawaiian archipelago; a wahi pana of Native Hawaiian Aliʻi, and home of the largest nature preserve with the most intact expanse of native forest in the state, and undeveloped coastline."

"The mission of Ke Kula Nā ʻAʻaliʻi Kū Makani o Kaʻū is to provide our keiki of Kaʻū with opportunities to achieve academic success and personal growth through a Hawaiian immersion education experience. Through keikiʻs daily exposure at NAKM they will develop an “aloha” for their community, their 'aina' and grow into contributing citizens within their communities having a desire to perpetuate the knowledge, exposure and experience they receive at NAKM."
The OKK website lists the goals of the immersion school project:
"To create a place that supports Hawaiian language and cultural education through a Hawaiian immersion program; To raise community awareness of the Hawaiian language immersion programs by providing classes which will assist children and adults with ways to incorporate Hawaiian language into their homes and daily lives; To financially assist the Nā Aʻaliʻi Kū Makani with operational expenses not provided through other sources; To provide opportunities for professional enrichment and development for Nā Aʻaliʻi Kū Makani (NAKM) staff; To provide tuition scholarships to NAKM families."
The OKK website states the mission of the immersion school:

Raylene Auli'i Fujikawa Moses

Ke Kula Nā ʻAʻaliʻi Kū Makani o Kaʻū is an inclusive center of knowledge, beginning with a preschool, where students learn ʻŌlelo Hawai’i and expand by grade level in increments each year. Where ancient practices meet modern technology and integrate computer science as a tool that will connect kanaka maoli globally and preserve our traditions and cultural practices well through the 21st century and beyond.
The OKK website gives the biographies of the immersion school leaders.

Raylene Auli'i Fujikawa Moses: "Graduate of Nāʻālehu School, Kaʻū High School, Hawaiʻi Community College, and the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, Raylene has been on a mission to improve the quality of life for our community through business, education, health care, and affordable housing.In her various roles within the community, she has worked in providing opportunities for employment, in teaching social emotional learning to youth who struggle with traditional classroom settings, in striving diligently with O Kaʻū Kakou to secure an affordable senior housing site for the elderly, our kupuna, and in obtaining Keiki Scholarships for our children, lifesaving equipment for our local hospital, as well as transportation for residents who lack the necessary means.

"Currently, Raylene is collaborating with several organizations in creating and establishing a Hawaiian Immersion school in Kaʻū where our keiki and kupuna are able to thrive in place-based education."

Berkeley Yoshida

Berkeley Yoshida: "Born and raised in , Berkeley Yoshida traces his family lineage to Hilea Iki and Kehena, Puna. After graduating from Ka'ū High School, he attended Brigham Young University – Hawai'i and is a graduate of the Executive Leadership program from Graduate Schools based in Washington D.C. Berkeley currently works for the Department of the Interior-National Park Service with 34 years of service. He also serves as the Pelekikena (President) for the Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka'ū. Currently residing in Pāhala with his wife, Leanette, in his spare time, Berkeley helps on the family farm and spends time with mo’opuna."

Nohea Ka'awa: "Nohea is a lineal descendant of Ka'ū, where she was born and lives with her Husband and two Keiki. As a life-long cultural practitioner and Kumu Hula under the traditions of Unukupukupu and Hālau o Kekuhi, she is an advocate for respectful resource management. Having followed an educational background in Hawaiian Studies and Social Science at the University of Hawaiʻi in Hilo, Nohea is employed with

Nohea Ka'awa

the Ka'ū branch of The Nature Conservancy as the Hawai'i Island Forest Program Coordinator, works part-time with Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund and is the President of Ka ‘Ohana o Honu’apo and the founder of ‘Iewe Hānau o ka ‘Āina. Nohea appreciates the opportunity to host interpretive hikes as she loves to share mo’olelo wahi pana (stories of her home) but most importantly, she takes pride in being able to connectand assist others in sharing the practice of Aloha ʻĀina (love of the land)."

BUY ONE-TON CHIPS AND SUPPORT THE WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S in Hilo this Saturday. All branches of CU Hawai'i Federal Credit Union, including Nāʻālehu and Pāhala are selling 15oz Maebo one-ton chips for $10 each. Proceeds go towards the Alzheimer's Association. See info on Alzheimer's Walk at https://act.alz.org/site/TR;jsessionid=00000000.app20058a?fr_id=17557&pg=entry&NONCE_TOKEN=493C6BCF48B1325729479A53846A23E4

Pāhala Hongwanji Pres. Wayne Kawachi
and designer Kiko Ando dressed up for a
previous Bon Dance. Photo by Julia Neal

NA'ALEHU PUTS THE EXCLAMATION POINT on the end of Bon Dance Season, with the last dance of the year on this island, and its first Bon Dance since the COVID pandemic began. Following some 30 events at Buddhist temples and other venues around the island this summer, this Obon Ceremony & Dance will be sponsored by Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Hongwanjis.
It will be held at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji on Saturday, Sept. 14 with an Obon ceremony in the sanctuary at 4 p.m. Pāhala Hongwanji Taiko performs at 5:30. p.m. along with Paul Sakamot's Puna Taiko. Bon Dance
begins at 6 p.m. More taiko will will fill the 8 p.m intermission. Bon Dancing resumes, until 10 p.m. p.m.
Bon dance is a traditional dance in the round, with participants circling a tower where music is played, and the emcee calls the dances. There will be food and bon dance scarves and other items to purchase.
Obon season celebrates the end of the harvest and honors ancestors with the presentation of fresh vegetables, fruits and other foods on the temple altar. The tradition is mostly lost in Japan but remains alive in the Hawaiian Islands, brought here generations ago by immigrants working in the sugar plantations. Some people from Japan come to Kaʻū to see the bon dance each year, and also to enjoy traditional Japanese foods, Hawaiian style.
Pāhala Hongwaji President Wayne Kawachi said that everyone with or without traditional kimono, Happi Coats and other Japanese clothing is invited to circle the tower and to learn the dances, accompanied by singing, flutes, drums and other music. Bon dancers who go from Buddhist temple to temple around the island all summer will come to Nāʻālehu for the occasion.

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs Aug. 27, 2024

Jacob Satterwhite in his home near Ha'ao Springs. Hurricane Hone'sintrusion brought mud and rocks into the house.
Photo by Mariah Satterwhite

THE HOBBIT HOUSE FAMILY is digging out from the flood that sent rocks and dirt through their home near Ha'ao Springs in Wai‘ōhinu on Sunday. Offers are coming in to help them.

Jacob Satterwhite, who sells his Jacob's Ladder honey at the 'O Ka'ū Kākou Farmers Market on

Sharon Mastandrea and her son Jacob Satterwhite, whose
home near Ha'ao Springs was invaded by a wall of rocks
and earth during Hurricane Hone. A GoFundMe is at
https://gofund.me/d8c82902 . Jacob is a beekeeper and honey
merchant who will be at OKK Market in Nāʻālehu
Friday and Wednesday. Photo by Mariah Satterwhite

Wednesdays and Fridays, said he will be there this week and hopes folks can help by buying more of his honey, offerinfg a donation, or putting together a volunteer group to help them dig out.

Satterwhite said he woke up to an explosive sound at about 3 a.m. Sunday. He saw water hitting the window of his bathroom and shooting through the sides of a door in his main room. He said he grabbed important papers and ran them upstairs, but when he returned, he had to break open a door with a crowbar to get in, the water and mud rising from two inches to three feet within minutes.
Satterwhite said he rescued his bottled honey from the flood and fortunately, the water, rocks and dirt flowed around his beehives that remain intact.
His mother Sharon Mastandrea, 78, lives there too. She has been in Ka'ū for almost a decade. Mastandrea is known for her roadside cleanups while exercising in the Green Sands community. Over time, she built a community around helping keep the roadsides clean. Her volunteer work extended to Green Sands park, which she helped bring back into play.
"She is always there for the community, and always optimistic that something better is going to result during challenges," said her eldest son John Satterwhite, of Montana. He owns the adjacent property, where the river of mud cut through to his mother's land and home.

The Mastandrea/Satterwhite family bought the Hobbit House from Bill Whalen who operated it as a bed and breakfast for many years, gaining a reputation for its unusual architecture and hospitality.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family at https://gofund.me/d8c82902
To volunteer to clean up, call 406-560-0912 or 406-560-2358,

A county crew was working on Ha'ao Springs Road on Monday and Tuesday to clear it from debris and to help other home and landowners as well. Mastandrea said a neighbor's home was isolated when the same gully that flooded her house cut across their land, blocking their access.

POLICE CHARGED AN OCEAN VIEW MANY WITH ANIMAL CRUELTY after arresting him on Friday. Hawai'i Police Department's statement says, On Friday, Aug 23, at approximately 4:59 p.m., patrol officers in the Ka‘ū District responded to a report of an unknown disturbance in the area of King Kamehameha Boulevard and Aloha Boulevard in the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates Subdivision.
Information reported to police dispatch was that a male party was in the area attempting to break up dogs that were fighting. However, another caller reported seeing a male party abusing his dogs. Upon arrival, officers discovered that a medium size black colored canine was deceased and laying in the middle of the roadway. The animal appeared to have several puncture wounds to the right side of its body. This same male party was observed by a witness to be kicking the dog minutes before the dog’s body was found.

Robert Harris charged with Animal Cruelty
in First Degree. Photo from HPD

Officers quickly located and contacted the male party approximately one block from the scene. Upon contacting him, officers observed that his hands were covered in blood and that he had a knife on his person with blood on the blade. He also acknowledged that the deceased dog left on the roadway belonged to him.
As a result of the investigation, the male party, identified as 64-year old Robert Harris of Ocean View, was arrested. He was also found to have a marijuana smoking pipe in his possession.
Upon conferring with a Deputy Prosecutor, Harris was later charged with Animal Cruelty in the First Degree, Promotion of a Detrimental Drug in the Third Degree and Drug Paraphernalia. His bail was set at $5000.00
He was scheduled to make his first court appearance at Kona District court on Monday.
HPD is asking that anyone who has information regarding this incident to please call Officer Taylor Au at (808) 939-2520 or the police non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.

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Sensei Alan Moores, left. Photo from Dojo

. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.co m. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.

SOTO NO MICHI AIKIDO SENSEI MOORES, 3rd Dan Black Belt, and founder of the Soto No Michi Aikido dojo, is returning as a full-time instructor starting in September at Pāhala Hongwanji schoolhouse.
He has over 50 years martial arts experience in Aikido and Karate and has attended training with three of the direct students of Morihei Ueshiba ,founder of Aikido, including Yamada Sensei 8th Dan, Kanai Sensei 8th Dan and Akira Tohei Sensei 8th Dan.
Moores said he is looking forward to teaching the current students and is accepting new student enrollment, ages 7 to adult. Classes will be 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. Sensei will also offer for the first time Class 65+,specifically designed for seniors on Fridays – 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
All classes are provided free of charge. To register call:Sensei Moores @ 808-295-9677 0r by email: artbyalan2011@gmail.com

WITH TRAFFIC FATALITIES NEARLY DOUBLE OVER THIS TIME LAST YEAR, Hawai’i Police Department is strongly urging residents and visitors to drive safely this Labor Day weekend with its annual public awareness campaign Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. As part of the campaign, patrol officers in Ka‘ū, the largest district on island, sign waved on Tuesday and will do it again Sunday, Sept. 1 to remind motorists to drive safely.
“We want our community members to understand that it’s our first priority to keep people safe, so we’re asking everyone to plan ahead if they know they’ll be out drinking,” said Torey Keltner, Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services program manager.
Expect increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints across Hawai‘i Island throughout the holiday weekend. “Our officers are committed to keeping our roads safe and will be actively monitoring for impaired drivers,” said Keltner.

Nationwide, Labor Day weekend is particularly deadly, with 490 fatal traffic crashes during the three-day holiday in 2022, the latest data available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of those 490 traffic deaths, 39 percent involved a drunk driver. Locally, as of August 27, 2024, in Hawai’i County there have been 19 fatal crashes resulting in 21 fatalities with impairment by alcohol or drugs a factor in 63 percent of those deaths.
Hawai‘i Police Department offers the following driving tips for a safe holiday weekend:

Before heading out, decide on a safe ride home. Use public transportation, rideshare services, or call a friend if you’re impaired.
If hosting an event, ensure your guests have access to safe transportation options.
Be aware of the consequences: drunk driving offenders face fines, license suspensions, and possible imprisonment.

“Our goal is to ensure that everyone can enjoy their Labor Day Weekend without the fear of impaired drivers on the road,” said Keltner. “We ask for everyone’s cooperation in making smart, responsible choices.”
Those who see an impaired driver on the road, call 911.

IN RESPONSE TO HURRICANE HONE, county Department of Environmental Management's Wai'ōhinu Transfer Station will be open this Wednesday, August 28, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for solid waste disposal caused by the hurricane.
The county statement says, "This added day will accommodate the increased demand for waste disposal following the storm and ensure that residents have the ability to clear storm debris safely and efficiently. The Wai'ōhinu Station will maintain its regular Monday/Thursday/Saturday schedule. For more, see https://www.dem.hawaiicounty.gov/facilities."

Monday, August 26, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs Aug. 26, 2024

This house that gained fame years ago as the Hobbit House bed and breakfast was hit by a river of mud and rocks during
Hurricane Hone. Now a beekeeper's home, it is located on Ha'ao Springs Road in Wai‘ōhinu. Photo from Trip Advisor

A stream of dirt and rock came through the Hobbit House in Wai‘ōhinu on Sunday.
Photo by Bob Martin

More mud traveled through the home near Ha'ao Springs. Photo by Bob Martin

HURRICANE HONE'S FLOODWATERS LEFT A LOT OF MUD inside this house below Ha'ao Springs on Sunday. A rivulet of mud, rocks and water cut from Pu'ulena gulch through the property in Wai‘ōhinu Homesteads up Ha'ao Springs Road off Hwy 11 and flowed into the kitchen and back room.
The dwelling earned the name the Hobbit House when it was built decades ago and became a popular Bed & Breakfast. It is currently the home of a mother and beekeeper son, who said he will be trying to recover his inventory of harvested honey through which he makes a living. The two said they will attempt to raise money to repair the home.
A county crew was working on Ha'ao Springs Road on Monday to clear it from debris.

Rocks from the flood piled up against thte Hobbit House. Photo by Bob Martin

The floodway that cut through the bottom of the Hobbit House. Photo by Bob Martin

A County crew works to clear debris from Ha'ao Springs Road in Wai‘ōhinu on Monday. Photo by Bob Martin

FOLLOWING HURRICANE HONE, FARMERS AND RANCHERS are encouraged by University of Hawai'i's agriculture Cooperative Extension Service to report damages and review or consider obtaining crop insurance. A statement from the Ag Extension recommends that if there are home, farm, ranch, trees, crop and/or structures sustained damages from Hurricane Hone's winds and/or rain, contact home and crop insurance agents immediately.
The Ag agents recommend documentation of all damages with (clear and focused) photos and/or video. Review inventory and take note of anything damaged or missing. Be sure to receive clearance from the insurance agent before doing any clean-up, repairs, or replacements related to an insurance claim.
A USDA Farm Service Agency Bulletin has been issued, called Preparation for State of Hawai'i Farm Service Agency Producer. It says, "Tropical storm Hone is one of three storms in the Pacific Basin that may have some impact on your farm, ranch and your crop(s) or livestock. As current or future FSA program participants, we suggest you document and update your personal farm inventory/production records and take pictures before the impact of a disaster event. Should you sustain any type of damage, document, take pictures after the disaster event and contact County FSA Offices." See https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/Hawaii/service-centers/index?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery. Those without federal Risk Management Agency crop insurance may qualify for assistance from FSA. Inquire with the local FSA office.

The ag agents said, "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."

Agriculturalists 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 to photos of fruit and nut trees and factsheets for Hawaii's insurable crops. They provide an idea of deadlines and other insurance information. Contact an agent for updated details and to answer any questions. The deadline to enroll or make changes to existing policies is Dec. 31st for banana tree, coffee fruit, coffee tree, macadamia nut, and papaya tree crop insurance.

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IF IMPACTED BY HONE, farmers and ranchers in County of Hawai'i can complete the COH Civil Defense Agency Public Damage Report
at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/13ffdc337b544dc0a8665fcdf9e67957. Information provided in this report will ensure that the County of Hawai'i can send a damage assessor to assess the damage caused by a natural or man-made disaster. The data collected will allow County officials to determine if this jurisdiction qualifies for any state or federal assistance, as well as to assist with hazard mitigation planning.

NĀ’ĀLEHU ELEMENTARY AND KAʻŪ HIGH & PĀHALA ELEMENTARY will reopen on Tuesday. With Hwy 11 reopening one lane late Monday at Kawā flats, following closure due to flooding from Hurricane Hone, family, school and public transportation will be able to bring students and staff to and from the schools.