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| Satellite image at 2:49 a.m. Friday shows arrival of Iselle onto the Ka`u Coast. Image from Weather Underground |
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| Whitney Coffman said that about 200 of his coffee trees and 100 macadamia trees went down, along with this two-story drying shed. Photo by Julia Neal |
WOOD VALLEY ROADS and stream crossings were being quickly repaired yesterday and today by county road crews with large machines and tools for cutting and moving aside fallen trees and other debris. Wood Valley residents who were cleaning up farms and homesites today praised the county and said they hope that restoration of electrical power will also come quickly. A major deterrent is a snarl of fallen eucalyptus and utility poles and wires at the junction of Wood Valley and Kapapala Ranch road. Government road crews must wait for Hawai`i Electric Light Co. to make a plan and work on extracting the electric lines from the mess. The company says it is bringing in workers from off-island to help with restoring numerous power outages in Iselle's hardest hit areas.
All power was restored last night in Pahala and by this morning in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and in Volcano Village. Power was out in the Discovery Harbour area just for several hours during the storm.
There was no disruption in county water delivery in Ka`u. However, Wood Valley remained without water today. The community takes care of its own water system, and volunteers were working on broken lines and retrieving parts to restore the system.
There was no disruption in county water delivery in Ka`u. However, Wood Valley remained without water today. The community takes care of its own water system, and volunteers were working on broken lines and retrieving parts to restore the system.
In agriculture, coffee farmers and macadamia growers lost some trees. Whitney Coffman, of Wood Valley, said about 200 coffee trees and 100 macadamia trees went down on his farms. Other coffee and mac nut trees could be seen on their sides driving up Wood Valley Road.
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| A video from Troy Gacayan's Facebook page shows rushing water filling the flood control channel that passes Na`alehu Park. |
PASTOR TROY GACAYAN POSTED SEVERAL VIDEOS on Facebook of effects of Iselle. In one he said, “I was in my backyard checking up on the weather, and I heard like a freight train and explosions like the literal hurricane was coming, then I realized it was the ocean. I lived here in Na`alehu 10 years and never heard the slamming of waves that loud before. When I went to Puhina Pali I was blown away. Huge swells rolling in. Can’t really tell on the video but old timers there at the cliff said they never seen waves that huge at Puhina before.”
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KA`U HIGH SCHOOL REPORTS LOW VOTER TURNOUT so far this primary election day. Polls are open until 6 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano, Ka`u High School cafeteria, Na`alehu School cafeteria, Ocean View Community Center and Miloli`i Halau.
KA`U HIGH SCHOOL REPORTS LOW VOTER TURNOUT so far this primary election day. Polls are open until 6 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano, Ka`u High School cafeteria, Na`alehu School cafeteria, Ocean View Community Center and Miloli`i Halau.
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| Will District Six voters decide who their next County Council member will be today? Candidates, from left, are Richard Abbett, Maile Medeiros David and Jim Wilson. Polls are open until 6 p.m. |
KA`U MAY HAVE A NEW COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER when results of today's primary are tallied. Richard Abbett, of Ocean View, Maile Medeiros David, of Captain Cook, and Jim Wilson, of Volcano, are looking to replace outgoing member Brenda Ford, who has reached her term limit. To win outright, one candidate must receive 50 percent plus one vote. If no one wins, the two highest vote-getters face off in the general election.
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| Low voter turnout was experienced by poll workers in Pahala early this morning, following Hurricane Iselle making landfall nearby on Friday morning as a tropical storm. Photo by Julia Neal |
West Ka`u residents in state Senate District Three can vote for incumbent Sen. Josh Green on the Democratic ticket or Michael Last on the Libertarian ballot.
Democratic incumbent state Rep. Richard Onishi has no challengers in the primary for District Three. He goes up against Republican Bill Dickson and Libertarian Fred Fogel in the general election.
Democratic options in West Ka`u’s state House of Representatives District Five are incumbent Rep. Richard Creagan and Gene “Bucky” Leslie. The winner will face Republican Dave Bateman, Libertarian Jon LaLanne and nonpartisan Randy Ruis in the general election.
Other hotly contested races include the Democratic nomination for governor between Gov. Neil Abercrombie and state Sen. David Ige. Van Tanabe is a third Democratic option on the ballot.
For the Republican nomination, voters choose among Duke Aiona, Charles “Trump” Collins and Stuart Todd Gregory.
Mufi Hannemann is running as the only Independent candidate, and Jeff Davis, the only Libertarian.
Democratic incumbent state Rep. Richard Onishi has no challengers in the primary for District Three. He goes up against Republican Bill Dickson and Libertarian Fred Fogel in the general election.
Democratic options in West Ka`u’s state House of Representatives District Five are incumbent Rep. Richard Creagan and Gene “Bucky” Leslie. The winner will face Republican Dave Bateman, Libertarian Jon LaLanne and nonpartisan Randy Ruis in the general election.
Other hotly contested races include the Democratic nomination for governor between Gov. Neil Abercrombie and state Sen. David Ige. Van Tanabe is a third Democratic option on the ballot.
For the Republican nomination, voters choose among Duke Aiona, Charles “Trump” Collins and Stuart Todd Gregory.
Mufi Hannemann is running as the only Independent candidate, and Jeff Davis, the only Libertarian.
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| Lee Jenison at Wood Valley Ranch shows a new gouge in the bank of the stream just beside the main house. Photo by Julia Neal |
Nonpartisan choices are Misty Davis, Khis Dejean Caldwell, Richard Morse and Joseph Spatola.
The Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor will be either state Sen. Clayton Hee, Sam Puletasi, Miles Shiratori, incumbent Shan Tsutsui or Mary Zanakis.
On the Republican ballot for Lieutenant Governor are Elwin Ahu and Warner Kimo Sutton.
Les Chang is the only Independent candidate for Lieutenant Governor, and Cynthia Marlin the sole Libertarian.
In the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, incumbent Sen. Brian Schatz faces challenges from Brian Evans and U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa.
The Republican primary for U.S. Senate has four candidates to choose from: Cam Cavasso, Harry Friel, Jr., Eddie Pirkowski and John Roco. The nonpartisan choice is between Joy Allison and Arturo Pacheco Reyes.
Michael Kokoski is the only Libertarian candidate.
Republicans choose between Marissa Capelouto and Kawika Crowley to face Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Libertarian Joe Kent for U.S. Representative District Two in the general election.
The Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor will be either state Sen. Clayton Hee, Sam Puletasi, Miles Shiratori, incumbent Shan Tsutsui or Mary Zanakis.
On the Republican ballot for Lieutenant Governor are Elwin Ahu and Warner Kimo Sutton.
Les Chang is the only Independent candidate for Lieutenant Governor, and Cynthia Marlin the sole Libertarian.
In the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, incumbent Sen. Brian Schatz faces challenges from Brian Evans and U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa.
The Republican primary for U.S. Senate has four candidates to choose from: Cam Cavasso, Harry Friel, Jr., Eddie Pirkowski and John Roco. The nonpartisan choice is between Joy Allison and Arturo Pacheco Reyes.
Michael Kokoski is the only Libertarian candidate.
Republicans choose between Marissa Capelouto and Kawika Crowley to face Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Libertarian Joe Kent for U.S. Representative District Two in the general election.
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| Iselle toppled a large koa tree across from Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Photo from Cindy Orlando |
Sixteen candidates are vying for three at-large seats at Office of Hawaiian Affairs: Lei Ahu Isa, Rowena Akana, Keli`i Akina, Lahilahi Desoto-McCollough, Jeremy Kama Hopkins, Leona Mapuana Kalima, T. Keikialoha Kekipi, Keali`i Makekau, Harvey McInerny, Landen Paikai, Alona Quartero, Lorraine Shin-Penn, Mililani Trask, John Waihe`e, Hina Wong-Kalu and Wes Kaiwi Nui Yoon.
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HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK IS OPEN TODAY, with some closures in effect as park officials assess damage and remove fallen trees and other debris from roadways and trails following Tropical Storm Iselle.
The following closures are in effect:
Power has been restored, and phones are working. Kilauea Visitor Center and the Jaggar Museum will open and be staffed from until 5 p.m. today.
“Visitors should prepare for limited services and some front-country trail closures as we mobilize back into operation and continue to assess damage,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando.
Volcano House and Kilauea Military Camp are open.
KA`U PLANTATION DAYS ORGANIZERS hold a meeting Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center to begin planning for the Oct. 11 event.
For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
The following closures are in effect:
- The Kahuku Unit will remain closed through the weekend, and today’s Palm Trail hike is canceled.
- Chain of Craters Road from Devastation Trail parking lot to the coast;
- All backcountry areas, including Mauna Loa and cabins ;
- Mauna Loa Road (known locally as Mauna Loa Strip Road);
- All coastal areas and trails, including, `Apua Point, Keauhou, Halape and Ka`aha;
- Kulanaokuaiki campsite;
- Napau campsite;
- Namakanipaio campgrounds and its A-frame cabins.
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| Government road crews earned praise from Wood Valley residents today for their hard work removing trees blocking access to homes and farms. Photo by Julia Neal |
Volcano House and Kilauea Military Camp are open.
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HAWAI`I ELECTRIC LIGHT CO. IS ADVISING CUSTOMERS who are currently out of power to prepare for extended outages, which could last through the weekend and in some cases much longer. For those who remain without power for an extended time, food safety may become a concern.
Discard any perishable food that has been above 41 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours. Use a food thermometer to check the temperature of perishable foods such as meat, poultry, fish and leftovers before cooking or eating it.
Always discard any items in the refrigerator that have come into contact with raw meat juices.
Foods can stay frozen in the freezer for one to three days: one day for a half-full freezer, three days for a fully stocked freezer.
Food that has been thawed completely and has not been held at or below 41 degrees should be cooked and eaten immediately. If food still has ice crystals, it’s safe to refreeze.
Always discard any items in the refrigerator that have come into contact with raw meat juices.
Foods can stay frozen in the freezer for one to three days: one day for a half-full freezer, three days for a fully stocked freezer.
Food that has been thawed completely and has not been held at or below 41 degrees should be cooked and eaten immediately. If food still has ice crystals, it’s safe to refreeze.
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| Water in this Wood Valley gulch was much higher when Iselle passed through Ka`u, as evidenced by flattened areas upstream. Photo by Royden Okinishi |
As a general rule, “when it doubt, throw it out.”
If power is out for an extended period of time, consider using dry ice if available. Remember to use gloves or tongs when handling dry ice. Dry ice can be placed directly on top of your foods, since dry ice cools things under it.
These tips have been adapted from Hawai`i Department of Health’s Food Safety – During and After a Power Outage brochure and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Foodsafety.gov website. For specifics on when to save or throw out certain types of food, see HELCO’s Handbook for Emergency Preparedness at hawaiielectriclight.com under the Safety and Emergency tab.
Customers who wish to submit damage claims can access a claim form on our website www.hawaiielectriclight.com under the Residential Services section.
These tips have been adapted from Hawai`i Department of Health’s Food Safety – During and After a Power Outage brochure and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Foodsafety.gov website. For specifics on when to save or throw out certain types of food, see HELCO’s Handbook for Emergency Preparedness at hawaiielectriclight.com under the Safety and Emergency tab.
Customers who wish to submit damage claims can access a claim form on our website www.hawaiielectriclight.com under the Residential Services section.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
KA`U PLANTATION DAYS ORGANIZERS hold a meeting Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center to begin planning for the Oct. 11 event.
For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf. |
