Ka'u News Briefs Dec. 10, 2011

Peter Anderson's lunar eclipse above the clear skies of Ka`u before dawn today.

SUGGESTIONS FOR THE DESIGN of REGIONAL DISASTER SHELTER and gym for the Ka`u High School campus are being sorted out by the consultant, Mitsunaga & Associates engineering and architectural firm, of O`ahu, according to county Department of Public Works director Warren Lee. Lee said yesterday that, while Dec. 6 was the deadline for public comments, “the charrette on Dec. 19 and 20 will focus on the configuration of the functional areas for the program suggestions.” The charrette, a public meeting, provides community members with an opportunity to talk to the planners, ask questions and give further input. It will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. both days, Dec. 19 and 20. The facility will be operated by the county and will serve both the school and the broader community and will be a FEMA certified disaster shelter.
     Suggestions have included the architecture fitting in with the community, as many sports courts as possible, along with a fitness center, a stage for community events, and having the equipment on hand to clean the air for the gym during bad vog days and for disaster use. A community kitchen has also been suggested.

Father Damien statue at the
State Capitol.

ART IN PUBLIC PLACES is another aspect of the planning for the gym and disaster shelter. The Hawai`i State Foundation for Culture and the Arts oversees the spending of a percentage of the budget for public buildings such as the gym to commission a major work of art. 

     According to the Foundation’s website, an Art Advisory Committee “is to make recommendations to the HSFCA regarding the development and design of a given art project, including location, medium, distinguishing features of the artwork, and selection of the artist. The HSFCA appoints members of the Art Advisory Committee from users of the facility and representatives from the community in which the facility is located.
     “The committee chairperson is a representative of the state department, division or agency to which that state building or space is assigned. Others from the committee who serve as a resource or advisory member may include some or all of the following: the project architect, representatives of the state comptroller, representatives of state departments that are responsible for the construction or renovation, representatives of the Art in Public Places Program, and as appropriate, HSFCA-appointed artists or technical experts. The HSFCA determines the method in which the art project should be commissioned.” 

A sculpture in the old plantation town of Koloa honors
the multi-ethnic diversity of Kaua`i.

     Artists wanting to apply for the commission will be able to use a new system CaFÉ, an online application system for Calls for Entry. “This user-friendly site was developed specifically for artists by the Western States Arts Federation,” the State Foundation for Culture and the Arts website states.
     “The HSFCA will post a call for artists in the State of Hawai`i for commissioned works of art in public buildings. Artists will submit their application online through the CaFÉ website, www.callforentry.org. Applications will not be accepted in any other manner,” the website states.

The partially eclipsed moon above
Ka`u. Photo by Peter Anderson

THE NEXT LUNAR ECLIPSE IN HAWAI`I will be in 2014. Last night’s full eclipse which began after 2 a.m. and ended around dawn was easily seen in Ka`u’s clear skies along with many shooting stars. Ka`u is one of the least light-polluted places on the planet, making star, planet and moon gazing exceptional. 

MORE MONEY FOR COMMUNITY HOUSING has been received by Hawai`i County than expected, according to a Stephens Media story by Nancy Cook Lauer. Government agencies and nonprofits have until Jan. 5 to turn in applications to provide housing assistance to low-income families. Funds can go to home ownership, tenant-based rent assistance and rental housing. The reason for a $3 million windfall is that the state decided to give the federal money this year only to the Big Island and rotate it from island to island each year, the story says. For more, see hawaiicounty.gov/office-of-housing, or call 961-8379.

A PIANO CONCERT with 16-year-old Ben Houghton takes place tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Cookies and coffee will be served. 

ALSO AT OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER, on Monday at 6:30 p.m., County Council member Brittany Smart will answer questions and give updates to topics including the Ka`u Community Development Plan, the Ocean View transfer station, the Kahuku Village development and biofuel production.

Santa returns to Pahala tomorrow to join the parade.

SANTA VISITS PAHALA tomorrow during the annual parade beginning at 1 p.m. Floats, trucks, cars and more Christmas characters join the parade that winds through town, with a visit to Ka`u Hospital before ending with refreshments at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. The parade, which is more than 40 years old, is sponsored by Eddie Andrade and friends. 

THE KEIKI CHRISTMAS PARTY at Hana Hou Restaurant in Na`alehu is coming up on Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Santa will be there for photos with the keiki. Free goodie bags and keiki IDs will be offered, along with a free buffet-style dinner. Lucky numbers will be drawn for 30 bicycles, games, books, toys and more.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER’S Keiki Christmas Party begins at 11 a.m. next Saturday, Dec. 17. Everyone is invited to this free event, which includes food, music, gifts for every child under 12 and a visit from Santa.
     OVCA asks for donations of new, unwrapped gifts for all ages up to 12. Gift trees are set up at merchants around Ocean View, where residents can take ornaments off the tree and buy gifts for children of the age groups noted.
     For all donations of time, money and gifts, call 939-7033.

BRITTNI PAIVA, who teaches at music workshops in Pahala, has released her first DVD called Living `Ukulele. Paiva, 21, grew up learning from Keoki Kahumoku. She studied at the Berkeley School of Music and now represents the Big Island Visitor Bureau. She won `Ukulele Album of the Year at the Hawaiian Music Awards and frequently performs throughout Hawai`i and on the West Coast. 

     The DVD has won awards at various film festivals. It features Kahumoku and Daniel Ho and shows her in Australia attempting to break the world record with the most people at the same time playing the same song on `ukulele.
     See brittnipaiva.com. 

DONATIONS ARE BEING TAKEN for the Christmas in Pahala celebration on Sunday, Dec. 18, around a lighted Christmas tree on Kamani Street. Donations are for needy families who might otherwise not be able to afford a happy Christmas. Canned foods, turkeys, toys, gift certificates and beverages can be donated. Coordinate your donation by calling Keala Kailiawa at 928-0500 or Pahala Plantation Cottages at 928-9811, or drop donations by KAHU community radio station on Maile Street.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK and Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center are calling kids of all ages to join park rangers at the Kahuku Unit for a day of fun and discovery next Saturday, Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants will experience the medicinal values of Hawaiian plants as Ka`ohu Monfort shares her knowledge about la`au lapa`au. Other activities will include making feather kahili and playing makahiki games like `ulu maika, konane and moa pahe`e. Bring water, sunscreen and a ball cap. The entire `ohana is welcome. For more information, call 985-6011.