Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 29, 2011

Students analyze the earth at a soil conservation contest yesterday on Olson Trust lands.  Photo by Julia Neal

ANALYZING THE QUALITY OF THE SOIL was a contest and a field trip to Ka`u for three groups of school students yesterday. Students from Kamehameha, Konawaena and Pahoa High Schools gathered at Olson Trust lands for the annual soil-judging contest, sponsored by soil conservation districts. The exercise is designed to teach students how soil features impact land use. Pits were dug in several locations. Students completed soil test sheets and drew conclusions about soil type and best and worst use of the land. 

The wekiu bug on Pu`u Haukea,
Mauna Kea. Photo by Kari Magnacca

THE WEKIU BUG, which lives at the highest elevations on Mauna Kea, needs no protection as an endangered or threatened species, the federal government has ruled. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, populations are stable, and the tiny wekiu are living on 16 pu`u - cinder cones - rather than just the six that were previously reported. 

     The name wekiu means the summit, and this bug lives at 11,500-feet elevation or higher. The wekiu survive extreme weather on a frozen earth, with blazing sun and snow, and sometimes hurricane force winds.
     Though the wekiu is a seed bug, there are few seeds at the Mauna Kea summit to drill and suck for sustenance. Instead, the wekiu uses its straw-like mouth to pierce insects blown and freeze-dried by cold winds up the slopes to where they live.
     The Mauna Loa bug, which is similar to the wekiu, is a completely different species. The only other animals living at the top of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are a few spiders and caterpillars.

The Digital Mountain Film Festival wraps up tonight
with public screenings at Kilauea Visitor Center.

IT’S MY TRAIL, THE DIGITAL MOUNTAIN FILM Festival, announces its winners tonight at a public celebration at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. A potluck dinner will be held at 5 p.m., followed with the big-screen premier of the student films and announcement of the winners. Prizes include MacBook Pro laptops and Olympus digital cameras. See the films at www.youtube.com/itsmytrail. Support comes from Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai`i Natural History Association, the National Park Foundation and many others. 

KA`U FLOWER GROWERS, COFFEE GROWERS and creators of cultural crafts and other products are invited to sign up to participate in the largest flower and product show in the country,  which will take place March 3 – 11 in Philadelphia. The theme of the show is Hawai`i – Islands of Aloha, and is expected to draw more than 400,000 people. The Hawa`i Tropical Flower Council, Hawai`i County Department of Research and Development, Hawai`i Tourism Authority and Hawai`i Visitors Bureau will help support ten booths featuring a Hawai`i Market Place. Products will be sold there. The hui or company must have a website with active shopping cart. To submit your product idea, contact Chelle Pahinui at 896-1911. 

Report red wooden blocks washing
ashore or floating in the ocean.

RED BLOCKS FLOATING in the ocean should be reported to University of Hawai`i researchers who are studying currents around the Big Island. They released wooden drifters at many locations last week and are hoping that sightings will be reported to 937-4289 or hilodrifter@gmail.com. 

HALLOWEEN WEEKEND has brought out the Hawai`i Police Department to set up DUI checkpoints around the island. The campaign is nationwide and called Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. According to HPD, 72 percent of traffic fatalities this year on the Big Island involve alcohol, drugs or both. The HPD has also issued tips for Trick-or-Treat walks around neighborhoods: Supervise children crossing streets; exit cars curbside instead of traffic side; drive slower than the speed limit during trick-or-treat time; watch more closely for children on streets and medians; and be extra careful at driveways and alleyways. 

CHICKEN SKIN GALORE is promised at Na`ohulelua Historical Garden’s second annual Spook Night on tomorrow from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The garden is on Kama`oa Road in Wai`ohinu, 1.7 miles from Hwy 11. Parents are invited to bring children. Participants are asked to bring pupus for six, sweaters and flashlights. Prizes for best story, best costume and for showing up alive! For more information, call 929-7236 and ask for Igor or Loke.

THE KA`U DIRECTORY DEADLINE for listings and ads for the 2012 edition is this Monday, Oct. 31. Published by the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce, The Directory provides information on businesses, community organizations, important phone numbers, an events calendar, maps of Ka`u, and many photographs as well as art from winners of the latest cover art contest.
     For an application, visit kauchamber.org or call Ron at 928-6471.

THE FALL FLING ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR is next Saturday – one week from today. Ka`u School of the Arts is calling for local artists to participate at Punalu`u Bake Shop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Booth fees are $25. Contact Robert Domingos at mingokau@gmail.com or Jym Duncan at 929-8694.