Ka`u News Briefs Nov. 14, 2010

Darci Baker, of Kamehameha Schools, taught choir at the Kahumoku Workshop
that culminated with live performances yesterday.

John and Hope Keawe

SLACK KEY GUITAR master John Keawe premiered a new song called Ilima, and his wife Hope created a hula for the composition performed at the Kahumoku `Ohana concert yesterday. Ilima is Hope Keawe’s middle name, and John Keawe wrote the song for her. The concert wrapped up a week of Hawaiian music workshops at Pahala Plantation House. The workshop hosted many young people on free scholarships, studying with such teachers as James Hill, George Kahumoku, Jr., Dennis and David Kamakahi and Ledward Kaapana. See a video of James Hill on YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1jGz2UkmI0.

GOVERNOR ELECT Neil Abercrombie is asking for applicants to fill state jobs. Jobs are in many fields, from Department of Agriculture, to Department of Transportation, Hawaiian Homes Lands, and Department of Health. Anyone interested can go online to http://newdayhawaii.org/apply and find an application. 

THE PRESERVATION OF EIGHT THOUSAND acres in Ka`u for agriculture and nature will be the subject of a public meeting sponsored by the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. John Henshaw, of The Nature Conservancy, and representatives of the Hawai`i Land Trust will be speaking. Establishing easements on such lands has made it possible for ranchers, farmers and other landowners to prevent subdivision of their properties for generations to come.

THE SCENIC BYWAYS Initiative, sponsored by state and federal programs, is being planned for Ka`u, and a theme is being considered - The Southernmost Scenic Byway in the U.S. More about the program will be explained tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House as part of the public Ka`u Chamber of Commerce meeting. The program is supported by state Senator Russell Kokubun, and the community is required to put together a scenic byways committee to work on the theme and educational signage.

THE DIRECTORY, the annual publication of The Ka`u Chamber of Commerce, is coming up on a deadline to submit all information on your community group and your businesses. The cover of The Directory for 2011 is the award-winning photograph of the state bird, the Nene, by Peter Anderson. Anyone wanting to be included in The Directory can call 928-6471.

CONTESTANTS FOR MISS KA`U COFFEE can request an application for the February 20 event by calling Pahala Plantation Cottages at 928-6471. Miss Ka`u Coffee Ulu Makuakane recently represented Ka`u Coffee at the Kona Coffee Festival.

THE RIVER OF LIFE Assembly of God in Pahala hosted a free and early Thanksgiving Dinner yesterday at the church, with many volunteers helping to provide the food.