Kaʻū News Briefs Dec. 10, 2024

Vibrant Hawai'i's administrative and Hub leaders from around the island are planning for 2025
with Hub registration by end of January. Photo from Vibrant Hawai'i

VIBRANT HAWAIʻI RESILIENCE HUB NETWORK is open up for registration for new and existing HUBs throughout Volcano, Kaʻū, Miloli'i and beyond. Its recent statement says that since 2020, Vibrant Hawaiʻi has been serving as a coordinator for Hawaiʻi Island Resilience Hubs. Hubs have served all of Kaʻū and 100,000 residents islandwide by providing such programs as Kaukau 4 Keiki, health resources, access to the internet, and opportunities for training and certification. "Hubs empower community members to implement place-based, culturally relevant strategies that enhance individual and collective resilience, both at the local level and across the island."

    Vibrant states that a Resilience Hub operates in three primary modes:"everyday" (normal operation), "disruption" (during a disaster event), and "recovery" (post-disaster); meaning they serve the community in regular times, provide support during emergencies, and assist with rebuilding efforts afterwards.
    Hubs must provide the following: A team of no less than 4 adults; minimum of three years of experience serving the community of operation; two references from that community; a physical address accessible to the community and able to store equipment.
    Vibrant asks that its Hubs commit to the following: One or more team members participate in monthly roundtables, first Wednesday of each month noon to 2 p.m.; minimum of three team members to participate in an annual Training Summit; and eam participation in an annual islandwide exercise

   To register as a Vibrant Hawai'i Hub go to  bit.ly/vh-hub-registration. Registration closes Jan. 31.
   Vibrant Hawaiʻi's statement says, it is "a community-driven organization dedicated to strengthening resilience across Hawaiʻi Island. Through partnerships, programs, and grassroots initiatives, Vibrant Hawaiʻi works to enhance preparedness and build more connected, resilient communities." See more at www.vibranthawaii.org.

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Summit of Maunaloa as seen from the

Northeast Rift Zone from Maunakea.

USGS Photo

A HIGH WIND WARNING and a fallen tree has led to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park closing Mauna Loa Road at Kīpukapuaulu. Most of the park is open, "but everyone should take extra caution of falling tree limbs. Gusts of 50 mph are expected," says the Park statement.

Hawai'i Police Department reported that wind overcame a large tree along Hwy 11 toward Kona. At 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, HPD advised motorists to avoid Hwy 11 in the South Kona area. A tree near the 101 mile marker fell onto the roadway, blocking both lanes of travel between Ho'okena Beach Road and Old Government, and required a detour of traffic for several hours. Additionally, as the tree fell it knocked down powerlines resulting in loss of electricity to residences in the immediate area.

    The National Weather Service warns that 20 to 30 mph winds with gusts up to 50 mph are expected into the interior of the island where there is a wind warning. “Winds this strong can tear off shingles, knock down tree branches, blow away tents and awnings and make it difficult to steer, especially for drivers of high profile vehicles,” the National Weather Service said. A wind advisory is in place for Kaʻū.

     

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TROJAN BOYS BASKETBALL TOOK ON ANOTHER BIG SCHOOL on Tuesday. The game against Hilo was at Herkes Kaʻū District Gym. Hilo took the win with 67 points to the Trojans 49.

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For Coloring Contest for keiki 4 to 7 years of age, see https://www.cuhawaii.com/_/kcms-doc/1582/89204/

Christmas-Coloring-Page-4-7.pdf. For 8 to 14, see

  https://www.cuhawaii.com/_/kcms-doc/1582/89205/Christmas-Coloring-Page-8-14.pdf

Kaʻū News Briefs Dec. 9, 2024

Seventy-four year old Wisdom and her mate take care of their egg at Kuaihelani, Midway Atoll.
Photo by Dan Rapp/Friends of Midway Atoll

ONE OF THE OLDEST MOMS STILL GIVING BIRTH IN THE WORLD IS NAMED WISDOM. She spends time in the northern Hawaiian Islands on Kuaihelani, Midway Atoll, where she recently laid her latest egg and takes care of it with her mate. Wisdom is a 74-years-old Mōlī, a Laysan albatross, and was seen at Kuaihelani within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

     Friends of Midway Atoll reports that "It was very apparent she had found a mate on the atoll and then laid her egg later that day. He is currently taking his first incubation shift while Wisdom is out at sea feeding and recuperating, as she very well deserves time off as one of the most remarkable grandest of great grandmas in the bird kingdom." She could be gone from her mate and egg for a couple of weeks.
    The report says, "Wisdom has once again mystified biologists. Being able to reproduce and develop an egg, much less survive at sea and rear at least 30 chicks during her 74+ years defies logic and is truly remarkable. She is more than a symbol of hope and resilience, she also helps scientists better understand how to fully support such long lived and majestic seabirds."

    Seabird biologist and photographer Dan Rapp is documenting the life of Wisdom and the other birds on Kuaihelani. See more at https://friendsofmidway.org/

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Frank Lorenzo, Sr. and Ikaika Grace cut and
 set up the Norfolk Pine for the Pāhala Town
 Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday and the
Christmas Parade on Saturday evening, 
Photo by Julia Neal

KAʻŪ FARMS MANAGEMENT, led by Frank Lorenzo, Sr., cut and and placed a Norfolk Pine for Pāhala Town Tree Lighting and Lighted Christmas Parade, with the help of Ikaika Grace. The Tree Lighting is this Friday evening.

    Parade Committee President Shai Lopez-Castaneda reminds the community that this Friday Dec, 13 the tree lighting starts at 6 p.m. at the lawn of Pāhala Plantation Cottages above the gas station. He recommends bringing chairs and mats to watch the event and to check in at the information booth.

     There will be hula performances, food trucks and vendors on site during the tree lighting. On Saturday, Dec. 14 the Pāhala Town Lighted Christmas Parade starts at 6 p.m. Food trucks and vendors will be on site.

    Public parking for both days will be at the Pāhala Community Center. Friday night, a portion of Kamani street will be closed from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. and on Saturday night Pikake and Kamani Streets will be closed 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
    At Pāhala Community Center after the parade on Saturday, the parade committee will serve free chili bowls, hotdogs and refreshments to the community. Children are invited to visit Santa and take photos. 

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THE NEW GIRLS TROJANS SOCCER TEAM IS GETTING ITS FOOTING by playing big high schools. On Monday, Waiākea visited and took home the win 9-0. On Saturday, Trojans traveled to Konawaena and lost 19-0 to the Wildcats.

    The next home soccer game is this Saturday, Dec. 14 against Hawai'i Preparatory Academy. Hilo visits on Jan. 4. Honoka'a comes to Kaʻū on Jan. 6. Kaʻū travels to Kamehameha Jan. 7. Kaʻū travels to Honoka'a on Jan. 11. The soccer season continues into February. 

    Head Coach is Jason Masters and Assistant Coach is Jamie Kaluau.

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Kaʻū News Briefs Dec. 8, 2024

View from the music and food venue of the Makahiki last weekend at Punalu'u. Photo by Ulisses Feres

THE TRADITIONAL MAKAHIKI TIME OF THE HARVEST, a thanksgiving and coming together with food, ceremony and music, came to Punalu'u over the weekend, with double-hull canoe in the bay and feasting and music at the park pavilion.

Keiki learn to sail in a double hull canoe at Punalu'u during Makahiki over the weekend. Photo by Ulisses Feres

The musical group Huliau at the Makahiki at Punalu'u over the weekend. Photo by Ulisses Feres

Guy Sesson and friends with music for the Makahiki on Saturday and Sunday. Photo by Ulisses Feres

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The Thrift Store to support Ke Kula Nā ʻAʻaliʻi Kū Makani o Kaʻū opened on Saturday. Photo by Miki Moses

A STORE TO SUPPORT THE FIRST HAWAIIAN IMMERSION SCHOOL IN KAʻŪ opened on

Ti Chun and Pōkiʻi Seto shared their
music at the immersion school event.
Photo by Miki Moses

 Saturday with music, food and ceremony. Located on the grounds of the old Shirakawa Hotel in Wai'ohinu, the store is next to the planned school on the campus.
    Organizers of the school Ke Kula Nā ʻAʻaliʻi Kū Makani o Kaʻū also took enrollment for the Kū hāweo program where families come together to teach children as the school progresses toward certification.
    Donations of furnishings, arts, household goods and other items are welcomed. The opening follows a successful auction of items and a monetary donation from a family supporting the school. Winners of auction items came by to pick them up. 
    One of the school's founders, Raylene Auli'i Fujikawa Moses, said, "Mahalo nui to all the winners of our online auction who came yesterday to pick up their winnings and to everyone who supported the opening of our thrift store! We were blessed to have and enjoy the musical talents of Pōkiʻi Seto, Ti Chun, Kaukaohu Wahilani and Nakana Evans! Your generosity and kōkua play a vital role in uplifting the first Hawaiian Immersion kula here in Kaʻū. Together, we are nurturing the future of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and perpetuating our culture. Aloha nui loa!"

Kakaohu Wahilani played guitar and sang for the auction celebration and store opening. Photo by Miki Moses

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SOUTHERN-MOST ALASKA PICNIC: This is an annual event and organizers said they want to get the word out early. It is sponsored by folks who go back and forth between Alaska and Hawai'i Island to live, usually wintering here and spending summer in Alaska. This island is popular with Alaskans because of the similarity of places, with big mountains and vast open landscapes, small towns and a largely wilderness coast.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. TROJAN BOYS BASKETBALL was highly competitive in play against big schools in the Kealakehe High School Boys Basketball Tournament over the weekend. Kaʻū beat Waiakea 63-62 on Thursday. Trojans came up short with Kealakehe winning 63-62 on Friday. Kaʻū was competitive against Hilo High Saturday evening for the first three quarters. Trojans lost 65-40 to Hilo.     Trojan Boys Basketball team plays Hilo again on Tuesday at Herkes Kaʻū District Gym, with 5:30 p.m. start for JV, Varsity to follow.