Whats Happening on the Big Island
March 15th - April 15th

This is our eighth e-zine to date, and we are a little over a week late with this addition. I suffered a back injury about two weeks ago, and to sit in a chair for any length of time has been hard, so Leah put together most of this e-zine.

First up is our lead article about Mauna Kea, and the upcoming public meetings about the the proposal for UH to assume management of the Mountain.

Next up we have a article on our favorite annual event: The Kona Chocolate Festival.

Then there is a article that I wrote about the wonderful lady doctor that helped put me back together Dr Lisa at TLC Chiropractic.

We have a article on the 2009 Merrie Monarch Festival.

As Always we have our two upcoming concerts, and our two events that we recommend are the Merrie Monarch and the Chocolate Festival.

Enjoy

Important Meetings Coming Up on April 8th and 9th, to do With Mauna Kea

On April 8-9th: Two-day public hearing begins at 9:00 am at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel (71 Banyan Drive in Hilo) in the Moku Ola Ballroom.

The Summit, including the north slope, is sacred grounds and has many burials, a vast conservation area, and the Big Island's primary aquifer.

The Environmental Impact Statement submitted by NASA in 2003 stated that the cumulative impact of astronomy development over the last thirty years has resulted in substantial, significant, and adverse impact to the summit's natural and cultural resources.

The original lease for Mauna Kea, approved in 1968, allowed for one observatory to be built on the summit. In 1983 the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) submitted a plan that was approved that allowed for thirteen telescopes. Completely ignoring this, the IFA and UH had built 24 telescopes by 1999.

This led to the BLNR's plan that was submitted in 2000, asking for approval of forty structures on Mauna Kea. This plan was rejected by the 3rd Circuit Court.

More and more, the State and Federal governments recognize the significance of Mauna Kea. The entire summit is it's own conservation district, with the purpose of conservation and water shed protection. The current proposal to build the worlds biggest telescope is totally not in accordance with this.

Since there has been Hawaiians, Mauna Kea has been possibly the most sacred site to them. This is something that also should be considered, in any government action!

The courts are realizing more and more that, the State of Hawaii has no legal ownership over close to two million acres of ceded land that was taken from the Hawaiian Kingdom. The State of Hawaii and its citizens are, actually, only trustees.

Beyond that UH is a private entity, and there is no way that they are qualified to manage State lands. State lands should be managed by agencies of the government, therefore they will be accountable to the people.

It's Time for the Kona Chocolate Festival Again!

Sponsored in part by Dolphin Journeys and Na'alehu Theatre, this week-long, jam-packed festival is sure to delight all of the senses...Not to mention your sweet tooth!

The highlight that we always love to go to is the Saturday Evening Gala.

This year, It is being held by Sheraton @ Keauhou. This wonderful party will have a life-sized chocolate fountain, free samples of the different chocolates that are being presented for the tasting competition, (Yay!) tastings of wine & specialty beer, silent auction, and not to mention live entertainment from Grammy Award-winning Cyril Pahinui, and some more music from the Salsa Latinos.

Admission for the Gala Event is $40 in advance, $50 at the door, and for VIP Aloha circle $125.

For More information, check out their website, or call 808-987-3535 for tickets and information. Hope to see you there!

Dr Lisa and TLC Chiropractic

Go to the chiropractor.

I was in this situation in the first part of March. I was miserable, barely getting out of bed. Going to the bathroom was a challenge.

I went to TLC Chiropractic, because Leah had gone there when she was pregnant with our youngest son, and had given the treatment there rave reviews.

Hours after my first treatment, I was feeling a lot better.

Two days later, I had a smile on my face, when I went back to see her for a follow up visit.

Visit her website DrLisaTLC.com for more info.

There you will find testimonials from triatheltes, and locals alike.

She is located right in the same building as "The Club" in Kopiko Plaza.

She treats all ages and sizes, and I am give her my highest recomendation. A week and a half later, and I am back to work and feeling good.

Mahalo Dr Lisa

The Island Music Scene

Tribal Seeds on Thursday March 26th

Tribal Seeds is back on the Big Island for one night!

Tickets on sale now at Kona Bowl and A'ama Surf & Sport - $20 in advance!

Ai Pohaku will be opening the show, and they deliver a solid performance also, so this show should be all time!

The second concert is the Fearless Fess 2009 Saturday April 4th Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium. Hosted by Augie T this all star line up should be one of the best shows of the year.

Natural Vibrations

Mana`o Company

Sudden Rush

Mixjah

Ai Pohaku

Hi Town

and more

This is a all ages event, and doors open at 3:00 PM.

Tickets are Available Now!

The 2009 Merrie Monarch Hula Festival

The main attraction of the festival is of course the Hula Competition, which is like the world series of Hula.

The Competition takes place at the Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium in Hilo.

Hula Halaus from all over the world come to this event every year to compete for the honor of winning first place.

There are five competitions.

The solo Miss Aloha Hula Competition on Thursday the 16th is the first.

Then on the 17th and 18th, there is the Kane and Wahine divisons of the Kahiko(ancient) and Auana(modern) competitions.

Besides the competition and the Ho'olaulea, throughout the week there is also craft booths and workshops.

The first festival was in 1971 for those of us that don't want to do the math.

The festival is dedicated to the Merrie Monarch himself, King David Kalakua, King of the Hawaiian Kingdom from 1874 till 1891.

Historians credit him with the survival of Hula and a many of the traditional chants.

Hula was on its way out, till King Kalakaua revived the spirit, and supported Halaus(dance troops) across the Kingdom.

Since the Hawaiians had no written language, the chants and stories told by the dancers were the way Hawaiians kept track of history.

Without King Kalakaua, much of this history would have been lost.

It would make him proud to see the amount of interest taken in the festival today, and that the ancient practices and stories are very much intact.

Upcoming Events March 15th 2008 to April 15th 2009

Our two events are the Kona Chocolate Festival and the Merrie Monarch Festival, so check the above articles for all the details.

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