Ka`u News Briefs June 14, 2011

Learn about Tracking Nene by Satellite tonight at After Dark in the Park.  Photo by Julia Neal

WITNESSES OR ANYONE with information pertaining to an accident between Pahala and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning is asked to contact the Park at 985-6001. The single-vehicle accident in which the driver lost control and the vehicle veered off the highway into lava within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park claimed the life of 20-year-old Bryson Areola from Kea`au. His companion, 19-year-old Julien Quiocho, from Hilo, was flown to Queen’s Medical Center on O`ahu in critical condition with head and spinal injuries. 

     National Park Service rangers said that speed and alcohol may have contributed to the accident, and an investigation is underway. The accident happened around the 35-mile marker. Chief Ranger Talmadge Magno said he would like to thank Hawai`i County Fire and Police personnel for their assistance in the medical treatment of the victims and investigation of the accident.

KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE will hold its next meeting this Thursday at 5 p.m. at the Na`ohulelua historic garden on Kama`oa Road. The Chamber will be accepting applications from potential board members, especially from people who own or operate businesses in Ka`u.

Plant and Seed Exchange at
Na`ohulelua Garden.

SCENIC HIGHWAYS HAWAI`I recently presented the Na`ohulelua historic garden with the Betty Crocker Landscape Award, the first time the Big Island has been honored in this contest. The garden will host a workshop on container plants and herbs in the garden on Sunday, July 17 at 1:30 p.m. The garden will be open from noon to 3 p.m. It will also include a plant and seed exchange as well as tours of the garden, which can be reached by turning makai from Hwy 11 onto Kama`oa Road and traveling 1.6 miles. It is on the right side of the road and also is home to the ruins of the 1864 Sacred Hearts church. 929-7236. 

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION has approved the nomination of the Ka`u Scenic Byway program, which could lead to designation as a Hawai`i Scenic Byway. The byway would be along Hwy 11 with side trips identified by signage, possible turnouts, restrooms and educational signage.

SUMI-E CLASSES, which teach Japanese brush painting and calligraphy, will continue at Na`alehu Hongwanji on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The class was being taught by the Rev. Earl Ikeda, whose service to the hongwanji community in Ka`u was celebrated yesterday along with an Obon service in Na`alehu.
     David Fujimoto is the new Buddhist minister who will be moving to the Big Island to guide the Kea`au, Pahala and Na`alehu Hongwanjis.

NENE IN THE SPACE AGE is the topic at After Dark in the Park tonight at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Wildlife biologist Steven Hess discusses the use of satellite telemetry to track the state bird across Hawai`i Island.

Kenneth Makuakane performs tomorrow at
Kilauea Visitor Center.

ALSO AT KILAUEA VISITOR CENTER, twelve-time Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning singer, songwriter and producer Kenneth Makuakane shares songs from his latest albums tomorrow from 10 a.m. to noon on the lanai and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the auditorium. 

THE MISS KA`U COFFEE PAGEANT airs on Na Leo O Hawai`i Community Television this month on channel 54. It will air tomorrow at 6 p.m.; Friday, June 17 at 2 p.m.; Sunday, June 19 at 9:30 a.m. and Wednesday, June 22 at 6 p.m.