Ka`u News Briefs May 22, 2011

A monk seal sunning at Honu`apo.  Photo by Julia Neal

MORE MONK SEALS could be seen in Ka`u if a federal program to relocate pups to the main Hawaiian islands is approved to help save them from extinction. Only one in five monk seals are making it to adulthood in the northern, uninhabited Hawaiian atolls, and scientists believe it may be from competition for food from sharks. Such places as the Ka`u Coast do not have such high concentrations of sharks and may be a better nursery for the seal pups. Wildlife scientists say that there were 15,000 monk seals in Hawai`i in the past and that the population is crashing, with only about 1,500 remaining, according to a story by the Associated Press. Monk seals have hauled out in recent years near South Point and at Honu`apo and its estuary. 

Old Bay Clinic building to be preserved.

A CHALLENGE TO RAISE $15,000 to support the construction of the new Bay Clinic just off Hwy 11 in Na`alehu has been issued by an anonymous donor. The donations are due by June 11, the day of the Ka`u Family Fun Fest, which is also raising money for the project. The donor will match every dollar given for improvements of the Bay Clinic up to the $15,000. Bay Clinic is raising more than $3 million to build the new facility and restore the old plantation home that now serves as its Ka`u home.

Half-marathon will go along the old sugar cane haul road.

     In addition to the fundraising challenge, the Ka`u Family Fun Fest, based at Na`alehu Park, will include a half marathon on the old plantation road above Na`alehu, headed toward Pahala. It will put on a fishing tournament, archery, basketball, Jan Ken Po, Portuguese horseshoe tournaments and a hunter’s obstacle course. Mayor Billy Kenoi will conduct an auction. The event is sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou. Anyone wanting to donate money to the Bay Clinic restoration and new building fund can drop off checks at the Pahala, Na`alehu or Ocean View offices of the Ka`u Federal Credit Union, with the checks made payable to `O Ka`u Kakou. Please note that the funds are for Bay Clinic. Donations can also be made through an online form at okaukakou.com. 

CROWN CASTLE, which owns communications towers in Ka`u, has given permission for KAHU Radio to place a transmitter on one of its towers above Na`alehu on the mauka road to Pahala, according to Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a, of KAHU Radio. The tower would help boost the signal to reach South Point and Ocean View and even toward Mountain View to complete the radio station’s coverage of the district. 

Del Mar's winning Ka`u Coffee BBQ
Chicken Summer Roll Wrap.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

Deanna Del Mar with her
father. Photo by Julia Neal

DEANNA DEL MAR, of Wai`ohinu, won three Professional Division awards at the Ka`u Coffee Festival Recipe Contest last weekend. She took first in the Pupu category for her Ka`u Coffee BBQ Chicken Summer Roll Wrap with a Coffee BBQ Sauce; first in the Dessert II category (Candies, Drinks and other Desserts) for her Ka`u Cherry Spiced Coffee; and second in the Entrée category for her Ka`u Coffee Braised Kahuku Beef Tenderloin. Del Mar also won in 2009. Del Mar said she expected to win something but was shocked to win two firsts and a second. She works as a professional chef at Okolemaluna Tiki Lounge in Kailua-Kona and said she grew up around cooking and learned most of her skills from her father, a retired professional chef who specialized in ice carving and garnishing. Anyone interested in asking Del Mar for advice on cooking or about her recipes can call 929-7293. 

KUMU MAILE YAMANAKA shares the Arts and Traditions of Hula at Kilauea on Tuesday at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. One-hour long sessions include Hula at 10:30 a.m., Lei Making at noon and `Ukulele and Hawaiian Music at 1:30 p.m.

Danny Akaka, Jr. plays for the life of
Buddy Fo.  Photos by Julia Neal

Bruddah Walter said
he grew up wanting
to be like Buddy Fo.

MUSICIANS FROM NEAR AND FAR celebrated the 60-year career of Buddy Fo yesterday at Ocean View Community Center. Veteran Hawaiian singer Bruddah Walter, famous for selling more 45-rpm Hawaiian records than any other musician, said he wanted to be just like Buddy Fo and his band, the Invitations, when he was growing up. Danny Akaka, Jr. said he always appreciated how Buddy Fo took Hawaiian music on the road and helped make it more famous. Bolo, Tony Salvage, Moon Brown, Chris Yeaton and many others performed. 

Sammi Fo (center) will continue to
teach hula in Ocean View.

     At the end, Sammi Fo offered a feisty dance to celebrate the partying spirit of Buddy Fo. 

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP hosts Sacrifice for Freedom’s Sake in a special Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the KMC front lawn. Lt. Col. Rolland Niles, Commander of Pohakuloa Training Area, will deliver the keynote address. Representative Clift Tsuji, of House District 3, will be a guest speaker. Other participants include Pastor Bob Bruzelius, Erin Gallagher, Josh Timmons, Brianne Schlegelmilch, and the Waiakea High School Naval Junior ROTC. A buffet following the ceremony features pot roast, mahi mahi, clam chowder and salads in the Crater Rim Café from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The buffet is $13.75 for adults and $7.75 for children 6 – 11 years old.