Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 15, Number 5, 1 May 1998 — MAY NEWS BRIEFS [ARTICLE]

MAY NEWS BRIEFS

Scholarships Hawai'i's sheet metal industry union offers 12 scholarships annually for the Honolulu Community College sheet metal and plastic technology program. The scholarships toward an associate's degree in sheet metal and plastic technology include tuition, student fees and books. For more information eall 841-6106. Hawaiian stories "Stories ofLife in Old Hawai'i," by the late Caroline Curtis, is the most recent puhlieation from Kamehameha Schools Press. The author, a noted storyteller who died in 1979, wrote six other children's books on Hawaiian subjects, several in collaboration with the noted folklore authority Mary Kawena Pūku'i. Bom in Michigan and educated at Mt. Holyoke College, Curtis taught Hawaiian culture at Hanahau'oli School and later at Kamehameha Schools. According to the publisher, "Stories of Life in Old Hawai 'i," previously titled "Life in Old Hawai 'i," emphasizes family life : and traditional vocations in pre-

contact Hawai'i. Thebookis illustrated by Kamehameha Schools alumnus 01iver C. Kinney. It is available for $16.95 at bookstores throughout Hawai 'i . Maile shortage Because of droughts caused by : E1 Nino, Cook Islands maile will be in short supply for Lei Day, proms,weddings and graduations in May and June. So maile distributor Watanabe Floral, ine., advises alternate leis for these special occasions. "We ean make no guarantees about Cook Island maile," said Leland Watanabe, the company's cut flower manager. "Even if the weather changes, it will be impossible to meet the demand for leis in our wholesale house for quite some time. We are trying to bring in Kauai maile, but E1 Nino is affecting the whole Pacific." Shortages and increased labor costs mean maile will cost more. Watanabe's company has never seen a drought this severe. Because of a 90 percent decrease in rainfall since October. Cook Island work crews have been forced into less accessible areas where work is more difficult.

"They are harvesting 80 percent less than normal and costs are skyrocketing," explained Watanabe. "Even if it were to rain immediately and continuously for two weeks, our shortage wouldn't be alleviated until mueh later in the year." Waialua Courthouse After two years of planning and coordination, the Department of Land and Natural Resources officially leased the historic Waialua Courthouse in Hale'iwa to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs on April 9. The 35-year lease of the l-acre site rent-ffee represents OHA's first substantial property acquisition since Hawai'i Kai's Pahua Heiau was donated in fee simple eight years ago. OHA's plans for the building, whieh is on the state's historic register, will be developed so that the facility benefits both the surrounding area and the Hawaiian community. Built in thel920s, the courthouse has served as a post office and to house Department of Health staff . In the 1980s, it was emptied - just before the roof caved in. Renovation of the roof and first floor took six years.

Library fun Alu Like's Native Hawaiian Library Project invites all keiki in grades K - 6 to embark upon a fun and exciting reading adventure this summer through books. To enroll in the summer reading program, eall 535-6743. Business training Alu Like's entrepreneur train- ; ing is scheduled for May 2 - June 6 on Maui and for June 16 - July 30 in Honolulu. The basic course covers the spectrum of entrepreneurship. A "hands-on" class on writing a business plan will be held May 1 8-22 from from 6-9 p.m. There is a $99 fee for this class at the Alu Like Business Development Center. For further information, eall 5356776 on O'ahu: 242-9774 on Maui; 961-2625 on Hawai'i; 245-8545 on Kaua'i. Waiāhole supporters rally On Apiil 23, members of the Makawai Stream Restoration Allianee, the Hakipu'u 'Ohana

: and other s rallied at the State Capitol in opposition of HB 2990. The bill, introduced at the request of Governor Cayetano, seeks to authorize the issuance of more than $10 million in bonds for the state to buy the Waiāhole Ditch. Despite numerous and ongoing attempts to work within : the legislative process, certain : interests have stone-walled the opposition at every tum. Opposition is based on the fiseal irresponsibility of the bill; the fact that it circumvents the Water Commission's decision; that it jeopardized Maoli (native) eulture, and that it masks the true cost of Leeward agriculture. Dozens of concemed citizens marched from Waiāhole with 'auamo (carrying poles) suspending kalo to the State Capitol where hundreds more joined in the three-hour protest . The theme, "Aia i hea ka wai a Kāne?" (Where is the water that sustains life?) is from a traditional mele that was chanted periodically. ■ Compiled by Paula Durbin