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| Keoki Kahumoku and crew wrap up the ninth annual workshop in Ka`u that offers scholarships for youth to be taught by masters of Hawaiian music. Photo by Julia Neal |
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| Lopaka, with his classic hula, dances with Erin Cole, of Ocean View. Photo by Julia Neal |
The Center for Hawaiian Music Studies, under Keoki Kahumoku, continues to mentor students of music in Ka`u throughout the year. To take classes or to donate, contact through Facebook or www.konaweb.com/Keoki.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
PUSHING LEGISLATION THAT HELPS HAWAI`I grow more of its own food and expands the market for value-added products will be the focus of Ka`u’s state Sen. Russell Ruderman in the upcoming legislative session. Ruderman was recently named chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture.
Ruderman told Nathan Eagle, of Civil Beat, that he hopes the GMO issue won’t interfere with work in other areas. According to Eagle, Ruderman said he has no plans to introduce bills relating to GMOs because they have no chance of being passed. He said he is open to hearing GMO bills introduced by others after reviewing them and seeing if there is support from other senators.
He said he believes he can get certain bills passed at the committee level but isn’t overly optimistic that the legislation will make it much further.
“I don’t think it will be politically possible to make great strides,” he said.
Ruderman said his position as chair will make him “harder to ignore.”
See civilbeat.com.
PUSHING LEGISLATION THAT HELPS HAWAI`I grow more of its own food and expands the market for value-added products will be the focus of Ka`u’s state Sen. Russell Ruderman in the upcoming legislative session. Ruderman was recently named chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture.
Ruderman told Nathan Eagle, of Civil Beat, that he hopes the GMO issue won’t interfere with work in other areas. According to Eagle, Ruderman said he has no plans to introduce bills relating to GMOs because they have no chance of being passed. He said he is open to hearing GMO bills introduced by others after reviewing them and seeing if there is support from other senators.
He said he believes he can get certain bills passed at the committee level but isn’t overly optimistic that the legislation will make it much further.
“I don’t think it will be politically possible to make great strides,” he said.
Ruderman said his position as chair will make him “harder to ignore.”
See civilbeat.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Peter DeAquino and Garrett Probst, Da `Ukulele Boyz |
HAWAI`I STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION has been selected by the U.S. Department of Education as one of 100 top school districts leading the way in digital learning to participate in the first-ever National Connected Superintendents Summit on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at the White House.
Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi is among local school chiefs who will be recognized for their leadership in helping transition their districts to digital learning. The conference will bring together officials from throughout America to share with one other and the U.S. DOE promising approaches to using technology in classes.
“School districts across the country are helping teachers harness the power of technology to create personal learning environments for all students,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “We want to make sure every child – whether he or she is in the inner city, in a rural community or on a Native American reservation – has access to knowledge and the chance to learn 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
“School districts across the country are helping teachers harness the power of technology to create personal learning environments for all students,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “We want to make sure every child – whether he or she is in the inner city, in a rural community or on a Native American reservation – has access to knowledge and the chance to learn 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
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| Legendary slack key player Moses Kahumoku, accompanied by Bob Knapp, of Discovery Harbour. Photo by Julia Neal |
In 2013-14, HIDOE launched the Access Learning pilot in eight schools with $8.2 million appropriated by the state Legislature. The program had a two-part rollout. First, professional development and devices went to teachers in the fall. Student device distribution and related learning followed in the spring.
The year-one evaluation of the project found that collaboration and communication in schools increased, school staff felt more efficient and effective, students found their work more engaging and more relevant, parents felt their schools were on par with private schools and technology helped teachers with instructional strategies for the Hawai`i Common Core.
The White House summit will be followed by a series of 12 to 15 regional summits that will focus on the digital progress at local school districts. The events will also include the unveiling of digital tools that facilitate incorporation of technology into short-term and long-range education planning.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Slack key master Sonny Lim, accompanied by Brad Bordessa on `uke. Photo by Julia Neal |
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY’S current issue of Volcano Watch discusses potential hazards posed by the advancing lava flow in Pahoa.
“The most obvious hazard is flowing lava,” the article states. “The loss of property and services, associated fires and threat to community safety by the flow are primary concerns for emergency managers. The lava advance rate has been variable, ranging from negligible to nearly a quarter mile in a day. Planning for evacuations, alternate roads, and continuity of utilities and services becomes more difficult with the inconsistent timing of the lava’s progress.
“Currently, the June 27th lava flow is encroaching on residential areas and burning forests, pastures, roads, and other man-made structures and debris. The dense plume, which is frequently visible, is a mixture of volcanic and non-volcanic gases and particles. Although a less overt hazard, poor air quality downwind of the active lava flow can present challenges for some individuals.
“Sulfur dioxide gas, the main contributor to Hawai`i’s volcanic air pollution, or vog, is primarily released from actively degassing vents at Kilauea Volcano’s summit (Halema`uma`u) and East Rift Zone (Pu`u `O`o). However, a small amount of this pungent gas is also released from flowing lava. Individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma, could be impacted by the low levels of sulfur dioxide if they are immediately adjacent to an active lava flow.
“Sulfur dioxide gas, the main contributor to Hawai`i’s volcanic air pollution, or vog, is primarily released from actively degassing vents at Kilauea Volcano’s summit (Halema`uma`u) and East Rift Zone (Pu`u `O`o). However, a small amount of this pungent gas is also released from flowing lava. Individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma, could be impacted by the low levels of sulfur dioxide if they are immediately adjacent to an active lava flow.
“When lava comes into contact with vegetation, burning plant material produces a complex mixture that includes carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide gas, as well as various particulates. Vegetation can decompose in the hot environment beneath the surface of the lava, generating gases that can ignite and explode when confined in underground pockets. These explosions occur frequently around the June 27th lava flow.
“The burning of manmade features, such as paved roads, creates toxic fumes. In the short term, molten asphalt fumes can cause eye and respiratory tract irritation. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration notes that workers exposed to asphalt fumes are at risk of developing headaches, rashes, cough and possibly cancer.
“If the June 27th flow continues its forward progress, lava could eventually reach the Pacific Ocean. If this happens, molten lava will react vigorously with the cold seawater, creating a large steam plume laden with hydrochloric acid. A 1990 study by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health showed that near-shore hydrochloric acid concentration decreased tenfold over a distance of less than half a mile, so areas immediately downwind of an ocean entry would likely be most impacted.
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| Miss Ka`u Coffee Amery Silva dances for the pau hana concert. Photo by Julia Neal |
“If the June 27th flow continues its forward progress, lava could eventually reach the Pacific Ocean. If this happens, molten lava will react vigorously with the cold seawater, creating a large steam plume laden with hydrochloric acid. A 1990 study by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health showed that near-shore hydrochloric acid concentration decreased tenfold over a distance of less than half a mile, so areas immediately downwind of an ocean entry would likely be most impacted.
“The hazards associated with gases and particles generated by flowing lava depend on the flow’s proximity, the items burned and how the wind directs and disperses the resulting pollutants. Individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions are the most impacted by air quality hazards, and are advised to limit their exposures and monitor their responses closely.”
Emergency proclamations by Hawai`i County’s mayor and state governor paved the way for a Federal disaster declaration by President Obama that allows local government and qualified nonprofit organizations to access federal funds to help address emergency protective measures and hazard mitigation.
Information on air quality impacts and health recommendations are available through the County of Hawai`i at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/lava-related, the state Department of Health at health.hawaii.gov and the American Lung Association’s free helpline at 1-800-LungUSA. A wildfire smoke guide is available at www.arb.ca.gov. Information on local wind conditions is posted at weather.hawaii.edu and under “local graphics” at www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/pages.
Emergency proclamations by Hawai`i County’s mayor and state governor paved the way for a Federal disaster declaration by President Obama that allows local government and qualified nonprofit organizations to access federal funds to help address emergency protective measures and hazard mitigation.
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| Toxic fumes are a hazard when lava burns asphalt. Photo from USGS/HVO |
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| Lois and Earl Stokes Photo from VAC |
LOIS AND EARL STOKES OFFER TANGLED LEAVES, a Zentangle workshop, at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. They will share their technique for tangling on green autograph tree leaves with bamboo knitting needles. Patterns are scratched on the leaves of an autograph tree (Clusia Rosea) that grows near the ocean. When inscribing these leaves with a bamboo stick, a golden liquid and fragrance emanates from them.
“In a week the leaf turns brown, and beauty appears once again in the transformation. The process of watching a green leaf turn brown is a meditation in itself (which is so very Zentangle), said Lois Stokes.
Participants will also create Zentangle-inspired art and cards using autograph, eucalyptus and koa leaves in their dried state and adding color with black ink and markers.
The fee is $30 for VAC members and $35 for nonmembers. There is also a $10 supply fee. Light refreshments are provided. There are no prerequisites for this class.
Participants will also create Zentangle-inspired art and cards using autograph, eucalyptus and koa leaves in their dried state and adding color with black ink and markers.
The fee is $30 for VAC members and $35 for nonmembers. There is also a $10 supply fee. Light refreshments are provided. There are no prerequisites for this class.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
