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Monday, June 24, 2013

Ka`u News Briefs June 24, 2013

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has published its latest Geologic Map of the Island of Hawai`i, with surface lava flows
color-coded to reflect age. Map from USGS/HVO
AS PART OF NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK, the National Retail Federation named Sen. Brian Schatz one of its “Heroes of Main Street” for his commitment to supporting local retail. This year, in particular, the NRF recognized members of Congress who are seeking to level the playing field between brick and mortar and online retailers.
National Retail Federation has named "Heroes of Main
Street," including Sen. Brian Schatz. Photo from NRF
      “Retail is critical to Hawai`i’s economy, and we’ve got to do everything we can to help local businesses thrive,” Schatz said. “When retail stores in our neighborhoods are doing well, communities and families in Hawai`i prosper. That is why I will do everything I can to encourage business owners to set up shop in our communities, creating jobs and contributing to Hawai`i’s status as the ultimate tourist destination.”
      NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay said, “Today we salute a dedicated group of public servants and advocates for their outstanding support of the retail industry. These ‘heroes’ have all demonstrated a unique understanding and commitment to policies that will ensure a growing and thriving Main Street. NRF is pleased to acknowledge these specific members of Congress for their unmatched leadership on the Marketplace Fairness Act.”
      The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association. Retailers operate more than 3.6 million U.S. establishments that support one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans.

SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ HAS SENT A LETTER to Transportation Security Administration administrator John Pistole requesting that TSA expand the PreCheck program to include interisland flights in the state of Hawai`i.
      PreCheck enables low-risk passengers to move more quickly through checkpoint screening while allowing TSA to focus on passengers considered higher risk. Passengers participating in PreCheck lanes are not required to remove shoes and outerwear or laptops from bags. Expanding the PreCheck program would expedite security screening for Hawai`i’s residents, workers, and tourists traveling to and from the neighbor islands, promoting the state’s tourism industry and strengthening its local economy. Right now, TSA’s PreCheck program is only available at Honolulu Airport and 39 other major cities across the country.
      “Hawai`i has a unique need as an island state for efficient interisland travel, and flights are often necessary for residents to visit family, the doctor, and business associates,” Schatz said. “Between 16,000 and 18,000 passengers travel daily between the four major islands, closely linking air transportation to Hawai`i’s business development and the visitor industry. The easier we make it for people to fly, the more we will open the door to opportunities for economic growth.”
      “Our unique island setting requires many blue collar workers to regularly fly to their jobs on neighbor islands,” said Reggie Castanares, business manager for UA Local 675, Plumbers and Fitters of Hawai`i. “Establishing the PreCheck protocol for neighbor island travel would greatly enhance the daily work experience for the plumbers and fitters of UA Local 675 who begin their work day at an airport.”
      Mark Dunkerley, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines, said, “Pre-check lanes for interisland travel would greatly improve the ability of our kama`aina customers to move more quickly and efficiently between different cities in our state. It’s a very important issue for our guests, and we appreciate Sen. Schatz’s support for more pre-check lanes at all of the airports in Hawai`i.”

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY has published its most current Geologic Map of the Island of Hawai`i. Visualizing the dynamic three-dimensional geologic history of the island on a two-dimensional sheet of paper is one of the fundamental responsibilities of HVO, and improving the geologic map of Hawai`i Island is an ongoing goal of the observatory. To date, 90 percent of Mauna’s 2,035-square-mile surface, covered by more than 500 individual flows, has been mapped. The ages for 35 percent of the mapped flows, the oldest of which is over 36,700 years old, have been constrained using radiocarbon dating. 
      Geologic maps depict the earth’s surface in terms of rock age, lithology (composition and texture) and structures (volcanic vents, fissures, faults, and cracks). HVO scientists use the maps to understand the events that have shaped the island and improve their ability to forecast hazards, such as lava flows, explosive eruptions and tsunami that will impact Hawai`i in the future.
      Nationally, geologic maps are the most requested scientific product produced by state and federal geological surveys. They help people understand the geologic history of an area, manage natural resources, assess hazards and provide information for informed land-use planning and decisions.
      Geologic Map of the Island of Hawai`i is available online at pubs.usgs.gov/ds/2005/144, the USGS Publications Warehouse pubs.er.usgs.gov and at island bookstores, including those in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

THE CONFIRMATION HEARING to determine whether Lehman Brothers becomes the owner of some 5,800 Ka`u acres and sells off sections of the land or keeps it, or whether another party buys the properties, which are bundled as one sale for oceanfront, pasture and coffee parcels, takes place this Thursday at First Circuit Court Building in Honolulu on the fourth floor. Presiding judge is Bert Ayabe. Additional bids will be allowed for the property in foreclosure on land where famous Ka`u coffee grows under the care of more than 30 farmers. It also includes pasture lands mauka of Hwy 11, above Honu`apo, and lands along the Ka`u Coast, including Waikapuna.
     At the auction on May 21, Lehman Brothers bid higher than the only other bidder, Edmund C. Olson, who bid $12 million.

KA`U YOUTH ARE INVITED TO SIGN UP for Volcano Art Center’s Likolehua Summer Art Camp – The Motion of the Ocean. The two-week camp is held Monday through Friday during the weeks of July 8 and 15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at VAC’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. 
      Kelli Bolger and Meredith Wheelock focus on the science and discovery of water through visual, cultural and performing arts. Camp is appropriate for ages 6 to 12. Fees are $355 or $320 VAC members.
      Financial aid is available, and applications are due this Friday, June 28.
      This program is supported in part by Hawai`i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts through appropriations from the state Legislature or grants from National Endowment for the Arts.
      For more information, call 967-8222.

PROGRAMS AT HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK tomorrow feature Ka`u residents.
      A Walk into the Past features Dick Hershberger portraying Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar. Programs begin at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center and Whitney Vault. The program is held every other Tuesday.
       At After Dark in the Park, Megan Lamson, marine biologist and coordinator of coastal cleanup projects sponsored by Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, discusses natural and cultural resources of Ka`u's Wai`ohinu Coast. Topics include plants, pools, petroglyphs and opportunities for volunteer participation. The program begins at 7 p.m. in Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.
      Both programs are free, and park entrance fees apply.

Jurassic Park comes to Pahala next Monday and Na`alehu July 10.
Photo from Joe Iacuzzo
JURASSIC PARK COMES TO KA`U NEXT MONTH when Joe Iacuzzo presents programs about the dinosaur mummy at Ka`u libraries. The dinosaur mummy is a fossil with intact body and preserved skin. 
      Iacuzzo visits Pahala Public & School Library on Monday, July 1 and Na`alehu Public Library on Wednesday, July 10. Secrets of the Dinosaur Mummy screens at noon. In the documentary film co-produced by Iacuzzo, scientists Dr. Bob Bakker, Dave Trexler and Art Andersen uncover secrets of the most complete dinosaur fossil ever discovered. The team travels from Montana to NASA, while the story journeys to the earliest days of dinosaur hunting and 75 million years into the past with computer-generated dinosaurs.
      After the film, Iacuzzo discusses his latest book, The Last Day of the Dinosaur Mummy, at 1 p.m.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.