PBS Hawaii Star-Studded Cast to Broadcast NEW HOME Campaign Live on Sunday

A star-studded cast of Hawaii residents will appear on PBS Hawaii Sunday, November 18 at 6:30 pm HST to help the statewide public television station engage public support for its campaign to build a new home. The 90-minute live broadcast of the NEW HOME Campaign is available online via livestreaming on PBSHawaii.org.

Click for more information

The program will be rebroadcast and also available online on Thursday, November 22 at 8:00 pm HST.

Broadway performer Loretta Ables Sayre will host the program, featuring slack key guitar master Keola Beamer; singer Marlene Sai; YouTube sensation Ryan Higa; singer/composer Paula Fuga; jazz singer and PBS Hawaii Board member Jimmy Borges; singer/musician and PBS Hawaii Board member Kawika Kahiapo; entertainer Danny Kaleikini; slam poet Kealoha; voice coach Neva Rego; ukulele impresario Roy Sakuma; storyteller and Enterprise Honolulu President and CEO Pono Shim; Searider Productions educator Candy Suiso; Hawaii and San Francisco public broadcasting executive Mary Bitterman; and iconic artist Pegge Hopper. Singers will be accompanied by Dan Del Negro on the piano and John Kolivas on bass.

The program is intended to raise public awareness and financial support for a $30 million capital campaign to develop a site that the station purchased at 315 Sand Island Access Road at Nimitz Highway. PBS Hawaii must vacate the University of Hawaii Manoa building it has occupied for 40 years because the university needs the space for expansion.

To date, the public television station has raised more than half of its goal.

“We belong to the community. We want all of our citizens to know that Hawaii’s sole member of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) needs a new home, a place to grow into a greater vision,” said PBS Hawaii President and CEO Leslie Wilcox.

PBS Hawaii is the island home of the nationally recognized statewide student news network HIKI NŌ, as well as Sesame Street, Antiques Roadshow, NOVA, PBS NewsHour, Frontline, Great Performances and Masterpiece.

The private nonprofit organization teams media and education, and is supported primarily by individuals, businesses and grants. Federal funding accounts for one-seventh of the station’s budget.

For more information, please visit PBSHawaii.org/newhome

Related articles

• Big Bird Gets Around (leslienotes.typepad.com)

Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center says ‘Mahalo’

Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center’s Seventh Annual Recognition Dinner and Auction was a “rousing success,” according to Executive Director Julie Mitchell.  The November 11 benefit raised much-needed funds for the non-profit human services agency.

Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center’s mission is to provide a safe environment, an impartial process, and skilled, trained personnel for the delivery of affordable dispute prevention and resolution services to the East Hawai‘i community.

“On behalf of our community mediation center, I want to give a big ‘Mahalo’ to everyone who made this fundraiser possible, from our auction donors to the various folks who donated their time and money to contribute to its success,” said Mitchell.  “Thanks are also in order to the Hawai’i County Bar Association and the approximately 150 ticket buyers and attendees.  What a great crowd!”

Andrew P. Wilson, Esq. (left), Prosecuting Attorney Charlene Y. Iboshi (center), and Judge Greg K. Nakamura (left) were honored Nov. 11 at Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center’s Seventh Annual Recognition Dinner and Auction. Mr. Wilson was recognized by the Hawai‘i County Bar Association for 40 years of service. Judge Nakamura and Prosecutor Iboshi received ‘Peacemaker Awards’ from Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center for their support of alternate dispute resolution. The benefit raised over $14,000 for the non-profit human services agency.

At the event, Judge Greg K. Nakamura and Prosecuting Attorney Charlene Y. Iboshi were honored with ‘Peacemaker Awards’ for their support of alternate dispute resolution.  Andrew P. Wilson, Esq. was recognized by the Hawai‘i County Bar Association for 40 years of service.

Newton Chu, Esq. did a bang-up job of emceeing the event and conducting the live auction.  Floral Resources, Geraldine Hasegawa, and Sandra Song provided beautiful flowers that decorated the tables and were used as door prizes.  Unzan T.H. Pfennig donated his solo guitar music; Hawai’i Printing Corporation donated ticket printing; and Cunningham Gallery donated artwork clean-up for the auction.

Businesses that contributed auction items include AcupunctureWorks, Alawaena Orchids, Aloha Crater Lodge & Lava Tube, Big Island Candies, Body Glove Cruises, Boy & Debra’s Place, Café 100, Captain Zodiac Raft Adventures, Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Cynthia Rubinstein Real Estate, Inc., Discount Fabric Warehouse, Dolphin Quest Hawai‘i, Fair Wind Cruises, Frances H. I‘i Brown Golf Courses, Hana Hou Restaurant, Hawaii National Bank, Hilo Coffee Mill, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Hualalai Resort, Huggo’s, ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, Island Naturals, Jack’s Diving Locker, Kailua Bay Charter Co., Kenneth Paul Hair Design, Kilauea Kreations & Volcano’s Lava Rock Café, Kilauea Lodge & Restaurant, Kona Brewing Co., KTA Super Stores, Kui & I Florist, & Lava Lava Beach Club, Local Hawai‘i Real Estate, Lyman Museum, Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation, Ocean Sports, Pacific Tsunami Museum, Papa‘a Palaoa Bakery, Sig Zane Designs, Teshima Restaurant, 2400 Fahrenheit, Volcano Rainforest Retreat, and Yoga Centered.

In addition to mediation services, Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center also facilitates meetings for boards, associations, and other types of groups, plus offers trainings, workshops, and educational programs.  Their office is located in The Hilo Lagoon Centre at 101 Aupuni Street, Suite PH 1014 B-2.  For more information, call 935-7844 or visit www.hawaiimediation.org.

California Woman Drowns Off South Kohala Coast of the Big Island

A California woman apparently drowned Thursday (November 15) in waters along the South Kohala coast.

Eileen Melville

The woman has been identified as 70-year-old Eileen Melville of Midvalley, California.

South Kohala patrol officers responded to Beach 69 in Puako after receiving a 12:08 p.m. call reporting an unresponsive snorkeler.

Responding officers learned that bystanders had pulled the woman from the water and attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation until Fire Department personnel arrived. She was taken to North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 1:17 p.m.

Police have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Dolphin Quest at Hilton Waikoloa Village Announces Dolphin Baby Naming Contest!

Dolphin Quest is inviting dolphin friends and fans to help us name our three newest baby dolphins, born at Dolphin Quest Hawaii, located at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on Hawaii’s Big Island. Moms Keo, Kona and Pele and their calves are all healthy and doing fine.

My son swimming with one of the dolphins at Dolphin Quest Hawaii

Dolphin baby name suggestions can be submitted in person at Dolphin Quest Hawaii or online. The latest updates and photos of the moms and calves can be found on the Dolphin Quest Facebook page.

For more information click here: Help Us Name the Three New Baby Dolphins

And once again… here is the incredible footage of one of the dolphins being born recently:

Related articles

• Video – Dolphin Born Yesterday at Dolphin Quest Hawaii Hilton Waikoloa Village (damontucker.com)

Poi Pounder Baseball Classic Champions Announced

Fun, sun and exciting competition highlighted this year’s Poi Pounder Baseball Classic held during the Veterans Day holiday weekend in Hilo.

The four-day tournament attracted 24 teams of children ages 9 to 14 years old. After 51 games played under modified Pony League rules, one Kona and two Hilo-based teams emerged as champions of their respective age-group division.

Those division champions and runners-up are:

Mustang Division: (9- and 10-year-olds)

1st Place       Lil Soljahs (Kona)

Ikaika Apilado, Drew Basque, Kainoa Doctor, Noah Furchner, Shaylann Grace, Taven Hiraishi, James Kapela, Keyshawn Lorenzo, Nanea Kalua’u, Kainoa Jones, Bronson Rivera
Head Coach: Jerry Hiraishi, Asst Coaches: Kallen Hiraishi, Billy Jones

2nd Place      Andrews Braves (Hilo)

Row 1 (L-R): Teagan Tamiya, Mason Hirata, Seth Zane, Carson Kawaguchi, Dylan Honda, Isaac Inouye Row 2 (L-R): Kayla Kodani, Kobe Kagimoto, Kalai Rosario, Kedren Kinzie, Elijah Igawa
Row 3 (L-R): Asst Coach Gregg Hirata, Asst. Coach Jay Igawa, Asst Coach Scott Inouye, Asst Coach Blake Sanehira, Head Coach Chris Honda, Asst Coach Lenny Paik

Bronco Division: (11- and 12-year-olds)

1st Place       Andrews Braves (Hilo)

Row 1 (L-R): Micah Bello, Logan Respicio, Bryce Furuli, Casey Yamauchi, Maui Ahuna, Bula Ahuna, Dustin Asuncion Row 2 (L-R): Jacob Igawa, Jamie Ebersole, Stone Miyao, Eric Rivera, Rekky Prudencio Row 3 (L-R): Asst Coach Mason Bello, Asst Coach Bully Ahuna, Head Coach Lenn Miyao

2nd Place      Kona Crush (Kona)

Row 1 (L-R): Brennen Kaawa, Kelii Pelekane, Mikayla Kekoa, Keola, Pelekane, Andrew Udac, Kaimi Hook, Dakota Kala Row 2 (L-R): Tevin Canda, A.J. Alani, Kaehu Kuahuia, Kolu Alani, Preston Morales Row 3 (L-R): Coaches Gerald Pelekane, Ronald Kuahuia, Kimo Alani, Nic Kaawa, Nate Kekoa

Pony Division: (13- and 14-year-olds)

1st Place       RBI-Red (Hilo)

Row 1 (L-R): Jaysten Prudencio, Trayden Tamiya, Keian Kanetani, Joey Ongais-Louie, Jaron Kawaguchi, Jamieson Hirayama Row 2 (L-R): Asst. Coach Kerry Kanetani, Tyler Kitaoka, Makana Aiona, Kobie Kinzie, Kua Manuia, Caleb Freitas-Fields, Kelii Montibon, Royce Nuniez, Head Coach James Hirayama, Asst. Coach Dalen Asuncion. Missing: Austin DaMate-Aina

2nd Place     Big Island Baseball Orioles (Hilo)

Row 1 (L-R); Cullen Cariaga, Nathan Minami, Aidan Ah Hee, Jonah Hurney Row 2 (L-R): Head Coach Clayton Ah Hee, Justyce Ishii, Dawson Abiley, Bryce Yamashita, Pat Abiley
Row 3 (L-R): Taylor Mondina, Nick Antony, Makoa Andres, Jonathan Carboneau

Tournament organizers wish to thank and congratulate all the players, coaches and parents who helped to make the event a huge success. Questions, concerns, or suggestions may be emailed to: poipounderclassic@gmail.com.

Trippy Thursday – Bird vs. Lizard

So this is what birds in Hawaii snack on at times?

This video was uploaded today by YouTube user Solomine:

Solomine states – “This video was taken in Maui, Hawaii. These birds would stalk lizards hiding in bushes, and swallow them whole.”

Cross Lava Flows and Watch for Whales – “Sunday Walk in the Park”

Join the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (FHVNP) for a “Sunday Walk in the Park” on December 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  This monthly program on second Sundays is aimed at bringing together the members of FHVNP to share in the park’s beautiful trails.

Led by Nick Shema, this month’s 6-mile round-trip walk will explore the Puna Coast Trail.

Puna Coast, Photo: FHVNP

Starting at the Pu‘u Loa Petroglyph Trail parking area, we will follow the Puna Coast Trail for approximately 3 miles (toward ‘Apua Point).  We’ll cross the 1971 and 1972 lava flows and have lunch overlooking the ocean while watching for whales.  Then we’ll return via the same trail.

This moderately strenuous 6-mile round-trip hike will traverse hardened pahoehoe lava along a windswept, sun-soaked landscape.  Hikers should be in good condition, able to do without shade all day in a remote, rugged area.

Participants provide their own transportation to the Pu‘u Loa Petroglyph Trail parking area in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.  From Highway 11, between mile markers 28 and 29, turn into Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (entrance fees apply).  Turn immediately left at Crater Rim Drive and then left at Chain of Craters Road.  When you are almost to the coast, look for the parking area for the Pu‘u Loa Petroglyph Trail.  Approximate travel from Hilo is 1.5 hours and from Kailua-Kona is 3.5 hours.  To view maps, visit http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/maps.htm

FHVNP’s “Sunday Walk in the Park” is free for Friends members, and non-members are welcome to join the non-profit organization in order to attend.  Annual memberships are $30 for individuals and $45 for families, and come with a variety of benefits.

To register, call Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes Park at 985-7373 or visit www.fhvnp.org

 

Trade Black Friday Frenzy for ‘Small Business Saturday’

After the peaceful togetherness of a Thanksgiving Day feast, committed shoppers strategize their attack on “Black Friday,” the traditional launch of seasonal shopping frenzy for big box retailers.  Mama’s House Thrift Shop & 12 Step Bookstore happily joins a new wave of more sustainable shopping consciousness with the ultimate sale on “Small Business Saturday,” November 24, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Mama’s House.

“Why fight the crowds and stress yourself out on Black Friday—when it’s more fun to support local businesses instead?” said Beth Mehau, Executive Director of The Pantry, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit serving community, supporting recovery, of which Mama’s House is a component.

“We’re inviting everyone to bring a friend and find blow-out bargains on Small Business Saturday at Mama’s House,” said Mehau.  We’ll have the coffeepot going all day; there will be a Holiday Boutique tent sale out front; and almost everything in the store is a dollar or less. Please, help us keep these great, usable items out of the landfill and save yourself some money too.  Plus, the money you spend is going right back into the community to support our programs.”

Mama’s House is located adjacent to NAPA Auto in Waimea.  The Small Business Saturday Sale happens 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with most items priced at $1 or less (not applicable to furniture, consignment or retail items and art).  Books, clothing, shoes, purses and more are only $10 a bag-full.  Plus there’s a Holiday Boutique tent sale out front.  Shop Local  and help support Mama’s good works for youth and adults in our community.

Local businesses are urged to join the movement and participate in Small Business Saturday sales and specials of their own.  For more information, contact: Beth Mehau at 887-2289, or visit Mama’s House Hawaii on Facebook.

Related articles

• Best Small Business Saturday Shopping in Puget Sound (seattle.cbslocal.com)
• Shouldice: After Black Friday, try Small Business Saturday (vtdigger.org)
• Celebrate Small Business Saturday at the City Center (timesunion.com)
• Retail employees fight “Black Friday creep” (cnn.com)

Volcano Art Center Welcomes Anela Strings for Holiday Harp Concert

Never known for shying away from the unconventional, Volcano Art Center welcomes the unique sounds of Anela Strings for an extraordinary holiday concert on Saturday, December 1, 2012.

Expect the unexpected with this profound alchemy of vibration that has been said to lift, inspire, and most of all, remind us of the shining light of our true natures.

This holiday performance features the multi-talented harpist duo Kristin Aria Shaw and Irminsul creating a harmonious marriage of the harp’s ancient and stirring sound with heart thumping percussion and expansive electronic vistas. Their unique musical approach creates a tether from the here and now to the Everywhere.

Recently reviewed by Marya Mann in the November/December edition of Ke Ola Magazine, “Anela music is… all-encompassing as it is to reconnect with the field of human and planetary ecology, it’s more significantly a view of ourselves as whole, a Holy thing, and you don’t even have to believe it. Just listen to the music.”

“Anela Strings, Music of a Higher Place” will be held Saturday, December 1 starting at 7:00pm at VAC’s Niaulani Campus located at 19-4074 Old Volcano Road in Volcano Village. Doors open at 6:30pm. Cost is $16 or $14 for VAC members.

Tickets may be purchased in person or over the phone at (808) 967-8222. For more information, visit www.volcanoartcenter.org or www.anelamusic.com.

Volcano Art Center (VAC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1974 to develop, promote and perpetuate the artistic, cultural and environmental heritage of Hawaii’s people through the arts and education.

Paradise Roller Girls Triple Header Coming Up

The upcoming Nov. 24 Paradise Roller Girls home teams triple header at the Afook Chinook Civic Auditorium in Hilo is more than just a mêlée of derby madness. There is order. And strategy, technique, talent, and a lot of hard work that takes place before the frenzied bouts can begin.

But don’t miss out, because this upcoming event will be the last chance fans have to see some hard hitting, fast-paced skating action before the 2012 PRG derby season ends. It will also be an opportunity to see the skills of PRG’s most recent draft picks, as well as the commitment and talent of some of the league’s more experienced players.

“This is the beginning of a new day in Hilo,” Mauna Kea Killahz ‘Big Daddy’s Addiction’ said on Thursday. “The themed bouts were more for showcase. This is focused on athleticism. This is a door for derby getting taken as a serious sport.”

The Volcano Vixens perform an advanced pack drill during a practice session at Malama Park.

The Volcano Vixens face off with the Mauna Kea Killahz in the first bout of the triple header at 6:45 p.m. The next bout will be between one of those two teams and the Hilo Bay Bruisers before the next teams take the rink during the final face off of the night.

The Hilo Bay Bruisers test the skills of one of their new recruits.

The Bruisers, who were seen as the underdog by their own ‘Smash Yo Face Stace’, picked up three new draft picks during the league’s most recent recruiting camp. According to the Bruiser’s ‘Ann Illusion’, those new players could add just enough punch to help raise their standing from underdog to top dog.

“One of our new recruits may possibly be the fastest girl in the league,” ‘Ann Illusion’ said. “Over time our players will perfect their skills to the point where we will be raising the bar for the rest of the league.”

Volcano Vixen’s ‘Von Slappenbitch’ had a different perspective on where the league’s talent rests though. “Ha! We are some of the hardest working girls in the league,” she said.

The Mauna Kea Killahz execute their set plays in preparation for the upcoming derby triple header.

But the Vixens might need more than just hard work to win this triple header. ‘Big Daddy’s Addiction’ explained the Killahz plan to win not just through hard work, but also through “team work” and “staying together” as a pack. It’s not clear as to what tricks the Killahz have up their sleeve, but ‘Big Daddy’s Addiction’ wasn’t shy about the fact “coach Bash has been working on some plays,” and that the Killahz are ready to use them.

According to ‘Big Daddy’s Addiction’, what sets the Killahz apart from the rest of the teams is their accommodation for players with families. “We are really family based,” she said. “We arrange the practices around our families. Our team is really accommodating.”

But for some, derby is family, and accommodation extends beyond the personal lives of players. “Derby is a new family of women who help each other,” ‘Von Slappenbitch’ explained. “It builds camaraderie through community service, and then you can knock them down also.”

Those who want to watch PRG’s three teams build camaraderie by knocking each other down can purchase tickets to the event for $8 in advance at CD Wizard, the Hilo Town Tavern, Jungle Love Pahoa, Jeff Hunt Surfboards in Pahoa, through your nearest derby girl, or via the web at www.paradiserollergirls.com.

Tickets are $10 at the door and kids 5 and under are free. Come early and watch the Junior Derby girls spark the night off with a pre-event bout at 5:15 p.m.

Fans not only help to support PRG’s mission of promoting a healthy, athletic lifestyle in their community, but they will also help to raise money for the creation of Hilo’s very own skate park, as a portion of ticket sales from the triple header will be donated to the Hilo SkatePlaza Coalition.

Related articles

• Ghouls Just Want to Have Fun (damontucker.com)
• Paradise Roller Girls Annual Jell-O Wrestling Tournament (damontucker.com)

19th Annual Charity Trees at the Mauna Lani

The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows invites local organizations and charities to participate in the 19th annual Charity Trees at Mauna Lani this holiday season. This special event helps to raise awareness and much-needed funds for local non-profit organizations.

Each decorated tree will be displayed in Mauna Lani Bay ’s hotel lobby through the holiday season. Community members, resort guests, employees and friends and family are invited to view the entries and vote for their favorite tree ($1 donation per vote).

The Charity Trees will be on display from December 3rd and winners will be announced December 19, 2012. Mauna Lani Bay will be awarding cash prizes to the organizations whose trees receive the highest number of votes: $2,000 (1st place), $1,000 (2nd place) and $500 (3rd place).  Donations will be split among all participating organizations (excluding 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners).  All for-profit organizations must designate a charity to receive their donation.

Charity Trees at Mauna Lani Bay entry forms will be accepted through November 26: For entry forms, participation details or more information, visit www.maunalani.com or call Ranie Fukumoto at (808) 881-7002 or email: rfukumoto@maunalani.com