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| Iwao Yonemitsu, a retired sugar agronomist and John Cross, of Olson Land Trust, shared photos, maps and drawings during Ka`u Plantation Days. Photo by Julia Neal |
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| Yesterday's 4.0-magnitude earthquake was between Na`alehu and Pahala. Map from USGS/HVO |
The earthquake was felt on the south part of the island. The USGS “Did you feel it?” website at earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/dyfi received around 20 felt reports, mostly from the Na`alehu area, within an hour of the earthquake. Only weak shaking (Intensity III) has been reported around the epicenter. At these shaking intensities, damage to buildings or structures is not expected.
No aftershocks had been recorded as of 9:30 p.m. last night.
Over the past 50 years, the area north of Na`alehu has experienced eight earthquakes, including yesterday’s event, with magnitudes greater than 4.0 and at depths of zero to 6.2 miles.
The earthquake caused no detectable changes in Kilauea Volcano’s ongoing eruption or on Mauna Loa and other active volcanoes on the island.
This event is a reminder for Hawai`i residents to be prepared for earthquakes. The second annual Great Hawai`i Shakeout, scheduled for 10:16 a.m. on Thursday, is an opportunity for people throughout the state to practice “Drop! Cover! Hold On!” — actions that are proven to reduce injury in an earthquake. For details, see shakeout.org/hawaii.
For information on recent earthquakes in Hawai`i and eruption updates, see hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
CANDIDATES FOR STATE HOUSE DISTRICT THREE gave their views on labeling of genetically engineered food and pesticide regulation when they answered questions posed by Civil Beat. Are these public safety issues, or are the dangers exaggerated?
No aftershocks had been recorded as of 9:30 p.m. last night.
Over the past 50 years, the area north of Na`alehu has experienced eight earthquakes, including yesterday’s event, with magnitudes greater than 4.0 and at depths of zero to 6.2 miles.
The earthquake caused no detectable changes in Kilauea Volcano’s ongoing eruption or on Mauna Loa and other active volcanoes on the island.
This event is a reminder for Hawai`i residents to be prepared for earthquakes. The second annual Great Hawai`i Shakeout, scheduled for 10:16 a.m. on Thursday, is an opportunity for people throughout the state to practice “Drop! Cover! Hold On!” — actions that are proven to reduce injury in an earthquake. For details, see shakeout.org/hawaii.
For information on recent earthquakes in Hawai`i and eruption updates, see hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| The Puna lava flow is now almost one-half mile from Pahoa's transfer station. Photo from USGS/HVO |
LAVA IS JUST OVER ONE-HALF MILE from the Pahoa transfer station as of this morning. Hawai`i County Civil Defense reports that the flow front continues to be active and has advanced approximately 75 yards since yesterday, moving northeast.
All burning activity is limited to vegetation that is in direct contact with the flow, and there is no brush fire threat at this time. Smoke conditions were moderate to heavy this morning in the Ka`ohe Homesteads area due to a light northeast wind.
The public is reminded that the flow is not visible and cannot be accessed from any public areas. Access to Ka`ohe Homesteads subdivision remains restricted to area residents only.
The public is reminded that the flow is not visible and cannot be accessed from any public areas. Access to Ka`ohe Homesteads subdivision remains restricted to area residents only.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
CANDIDATES FOR STATE HOUSE DISTRICT THREE gave their views on labeling of genetically engineered food and pesticide regulation when they answered questions posed by Civil Beat. Are these public safety issues, or are the dangers exaggerated?
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| Walter Wong Yuen, Jr. shares history, culture and traditions of Chinese in Ka`u. Photo by Julia Neal |
“I believe that these issues are for the federal government to decide upon based on reliably verified scientific research on the affects on human health and the environment,” said incumbent Democratic Rep. Richard Onishi. “The federal government has the systems and resources in place to evaluate the volumes of information, require the cooperation and participation of the private and public sectors and to mandate regulations and rules that apply to all government agencies and states. Neither the state nor the counties have these systems in place or the resources necessary to fully evaluate the scientific research in this area to make the determination on these issues. The state of Hawai`i is one of the smaller state economies in relation to the consumption of food and the use of pesticides, and it would be difficult to mandate the private sector to comply with regulations and rules that would only apply in Hawai`i. Stricter regulations may cause these private companies to decide to just not do business in Hawai`i instead of having to meet more rigorous and potentially more costly regulations which would be specifically mandated only in Hawai`i. Also, these decisions need to be evaluated on what the effects would be on our farmers, on our ability to produce food in Hawai`i, on the cost of food and on our ability to become more food sustainable.”
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| Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka`u had Hawaiian games and crafts. Photo by Julia Neal |
Libertarian candidate Fred Fogel said, “An easy and effective start would be labeling all produce to give people an informed choice at the point of purchase. Growers know if their produce is GMO. However, requiring the manufacturers of processed foods to label GMO foods should happen at the federal level. (Unfortunately, given today’s political climate and the relatively long time it took years ago to standardize the present food info labels, I don’t see that happening anytime soon.) If the state requires such labeling, we might find ourselves with a reduced selection of processed foods. Of course ‘every cloud has a silver lining,’ and the unavailability of processed foods might steer people toward more ‘real food,’ in turn supporting local agriculture. Eventually, all food products should be labeled for GMO, thereby giving the consumer a complete choice at the point of purchase.
“As far as the ‘public safety issue,’ present laws regarding GMO and the use of pesticides are adequate. However, I believe the counties should have more say than the state or the federal government on all issues, not just pesticides and GMO. The present philosophy of federal law ‘trumping’ state law and state law trumping county law is exactly opposite of what our founding fathers envisioned. If the people (and associated government) in a specific county want to regulate, ban or legalize something, they should be able to trump higher-level governments. Of course this philosophy would apply to everything and include things like education, health care, transportation, alternative energy, gambling, prostitution and cannabis. If people have ‘home rules’ in the areas of pesticides and GMO, they should have home rule for everything.”
See civilbeat.com.
“As far as the ‘public safety issue,’ present laws regarding GMO and the use of pesticides are adequate. However, I believe the counties should have more say than the state or the federal government on all issues, not just pesticides and GMO. The present philosophy of federal law ‘trumping’ state law and state law trumping county law is exactly opposite of what our founding fathers envisioned. If the people (and associated government) in a specific county want to regulate, ban or legalize something, they should be able to trump higher-level governments. Of course this philosophy would apply to everything and include things like education, health care, transportation, alternative energy, gambling, prostitution and cannabis. If people have ‘home rules’ in the areas of pesticides and GMO, they should have home rule for everything.”
See civilbeat.com.
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| Ka`u High School sold T-shirts to raise funds. Photo by Julia Neal |
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
CENTRAL PACIFIC HURRICANE CENTER is monitoring tropical storm Ana east-southeast of South Point. The system is expected to become a hurricane and could reach the Big Island this weekend.
Information is available at prh.noaa.gov/cphc.
CENTRAL PACIFIC HURRICANE CENTER is monitoring tropical storm Ana east-southeast of South Point. The system is expected to become a hurricane and could reach the Big Island this weekend.
Information is available at prh.noaa.gov/cphc.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
THE ARC OF KONA HAS JOBS AVAILABLE to support individuals with disabilities and is hiring in Ocean View, Na`alehu, and Pahala. Contact Yvonne at 323-2626.
BOOTHS AT KA`U PLANTATION DAYS celebration on Saturday at Pahala Plantation House offered everything from history to health, from food and drinks to fun and games and from crafts to fundraisers. Many community organizations raised money for their causes and their programs, from Ka`u High to Friends of Ka`u Libraries.
THE ARC OF KONA HAS JOBS AVAILABLE to support individuals with disabilities and is hiring in Ocean View, Na`alehu, and Pahala. Contact Yvonne at 323-2626.
BOOTHS AT KA`U PLANTATION DAYS celebration on Saturday at Pahala Plantation House offered everything from history to health, from food and drinks to fun and games and from crafts to fundraisers. Many community organizations raised money for their causes and their programs, from Ka`u High to Friends of Ka`u Libraries.
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| Ka`u CDP Steering Committee meets tomorrow to discuss the document's first comprehensive draft. |
THE FIRST COMPREHENSIVE DRAFT of the Ka`u Community Development Plan will be presented to the CDP Steering Committee tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. The public is invited to the meeting, which will include presentations, questions from members and short activities to assess committee members’ understanding of the draft.
Working draft CDP materials will be available at the conclusion of the meeting. They will also be available at kaucdp.info, community centers and libraries by Wednesday.
For more information, contact Whitmore at 961-8137 or rwhitmore@co.hawaii.hi.us.
AT TOMORROW’S AFTER DARK IN THE PARK program, Dr. Patrick V. Kirch, Chancellor’s Professor Emeritus at University of California, Berkeley, reviews the history and presents current evidence for the history of human settlement throughout the Pacific.
The free program takes place from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Park entrance fees apply.
For more information, contact Whitmore at 961-8137 or rwhitmore@co.hawaii.hi.us.
AT TOMORROW’S AFTER DARK IN THE PARK program, Dr. Patrick V. Kirch, Chancellor’s Professor Emeritus at University of California, Berkeley, reviews the history and presents current evidence for the history of human settlement throughout the Pacific.
The free program takes place from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Park entrance fees apply.
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| Francine Weller displays her crochet work. Photo by Julia Neal |
AUDITIONS FOR GIAN CARLO MENOTTI’S classic tale Amahl and the Night Visitors take place next week on Monday, Oct. 20 and Wednesday, Oct. 22. The auditions will be held at Kilauea Militiary Camp’s Kilauea Theater at 6:30 p.m. Performances are scheduled for Dec. 26, 27 and 28 and Jan. 2, 3 and 4. The show is directed by Suzi Bond, with Christopher Tomich as musical director and Pam James as choreographer. Armando Mendoza will conduct the orchestra. The show was the debut production of Hallmark Hall of Fame in Dec. 1951.
Parts available for the show are Amahl, a crippled boy of about 12, his mother, the Three Kings Kaspar, Melchior and Balthazar, a page and a chorus of shepherds and dancers.
Amahl, a shepherd, tries to tell his mother about an enormous star with a long tail. His mother grows angrier when Amahl tells her that a knock at the door is three kings come to visit them. The kings enter and tell them that they have come to find a king. Amahl’s mother tries to steal some of the kings’ gold to use to help her child. She is caught, and when the kings offer to let her keep the gold, explaining that the king they seek will need nothing but love to rule his kingdom, she returns it. Amahl offers his staff as an additional gift, and suddenly finds that he can walk. He leaves with the kings to pay homage to the child who has healed him.
For more information about the auditions, call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
Parts available for the show are Amahl, a crippled boy of about 12, his mother, the Three Kings Kaspar, Melchior and Balthazar, a page and a chorus of shepherds and dancers.
Amahl, a shepherd, tries to tell his mother about an enormous star with a long tail. His mother grows angrier when Amahl tells her that a knock at the door is three kings come to visit them. The kings enter and tell them that they have come to find a king. Amahl’s mother tries to steal some of the kings’ gold to use to help her child. She is caught, and when the kings offer to let her keep the gold, explaining that the king they seek will need nothing but love to rule his kingdom, she returns it. Amahl offers his staff as an additional gift, and suddenly finds that he can walk. He leaves with the kings to pay homage to the child who has healed him.
For more information about the auditions, call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com.
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. |
