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| Miss Ka'u Coffee Amery Silva, surrounded by 2015 candidates Jennifer Tabios, Joyce Ibasan, Maria Miranda and Louise Vivien Santos, in today's Merrie Monarch parade in Hilo. Photo by Lori Obra |
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| Ka`u residents discuss a display with Ka`u CDP staffer. Photo by Ron Johnson |
“I do think it really is a great set of ideas generated from the community,” said Shalan Crysdale, “and specifically for our mauka forests.” He said the CDP contained excellent ideas about the need for increased access to forests for cultural and subsistence hunting purposes as well as for protection of watersheds.
Longtime resident and former sugar plantation supervisor Iwao Yonemitsu said his areas of interest are agriculture and mauka forests and that he enjoyed reviewing the displays on those topics.
Several Ka`u residents encouraged their friends and neighbors to attend upcoming speak-outs. Many said the information helped them understand the draft and inspired them to study it more.
Another speak-out is scheduled for today from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. On Sunday, April 19, two more take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Pahala Community Center and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Discovery Harbour Community Center.
Listeners and recorders are on hand to document comments. There is no formal testimony at the speak-outs, and keiki activities are available for parents to be able to view the displays and talk story.
Copies of the draft document are available at local libraries and community centers and at kaucdp.info.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
Longtime resident and former sugar plantation supervisor Iwao Yonemitsu said his areas of interest are agriculture and mauka forests and that he enjoyed reviewing the displays on those topics.
Several Ka`u residents encouraged their friends and neighbors to attend upcoming speak-outs. Many said the information helped them understand the draft and inspired them to study it more.
Another speak-out is scheduled for today from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. On Sunday, April 19, two more take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Pahala Community Center and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Discovery Harbour Community Center.
Listeners and recorders are on hand to document comments. There is no formal testimony at the speak-outs, and keiki activities are available for parents to be able to view the displays and talk story.
Copies of the draft document are available at local libraries and community centers and at kaucdp.info.
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| Dr. Virginia Pressler |
IN A UNANIMOUS DECISION, MEMBERS of the state Senate have confirmed Dr. Virginia Pressler as Director of the Department of Health.
“She’s a powerful advocate for those who need health care,” Ka`u’s said Sen. Josh Green, chair of the Senate Health committee. She’s been very close and embedded to the work we do here on coordinated care, always focusing on those who need it the most. She has extraordinary chops on taking care of women and women’s health issues. There was not a single person who came and testified before us who didn’t glow about Dr. Pressler, who is an extraordinary candidate.”
The confirmation marks the return to DOH for Pressler. From 1999-2002, she served as deputy director for Health Resources Administration. She was in banking before starting in cardiovascular research at Queen’s Medical Center.
Pressler was a private practice physician and associate professor of surgery before becoming vice president at Queen’s Health Systems. She also was president and CEO for HMSA’s Premier Plan, Queen’s Health.
Most recently, she served as the executive vice president and chief strategic officer at Hawai`i Pacific Health.
“I am honored and humbled to be able to serve the state once more,” said Pressler. “We have lots of exciting opportunities to improve the health of everyone in the state.”
The full Senate also confirmed Keith Yamamoto as Deputy Director of DOH. Yamamoto continues his service in the position he has held since 2011.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
MISS KA`U COFFEE CANDIDATES AND THE MISS PEABERRY COURT rode in the Merry Monarch Parade today in Hilo, while Halau Hula O Leonalani, of Pahala, danced at the civic auditorium. Ka`u Coffee Festival is ten days of events, beginning Friday, April 24, with programs at ranches, farms and homes and Ka`u Coffee Mill, with the Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant on Sunday, May 26. the Ho`olaule`a day of entertainment, food and coffee tasting on Saturday, May 2 and Ka`u Coffee College on Sunday, May 3, all three at Pahala Community Center. See www.kaucoffeefest.com and The Ka`u Calendar newspaper for a schedule.
The confirmation marks the return to DOH for Pressler. From 1999-2002, she served as deputy director for Health Resources Administration. She was in banking before starting in cardiovascular research at Queen’s Medical Center.
Pressler was a private practice physician and associate professor of surgery before becoming vice president at Queen’s Health Systems. She also was president and CEO for HMSA’s Premier Plan, Queen’s Health.
Most recently, she served as the executive vice president and chief strategic officer at Hawai`i Pacific Health.
“I am honored and humbled to be able to serve the state once more,” said Pressler. “We have lots of exciting opportunities to improve the health of everyone in the state.”
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Ka`u Coffee farmers Leonard Castaneda, Trinidad Marques, Lorie Obra, Gloria
Camba and Bong Aquino with Miss Ka`u Peaberry Madison Okimoto
and Princess Calaysa Koi in the Merrie Monarch Parade in Hilo.
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To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
MISS KA`U COFFEE CANDIDATES AND THE MISS PEABERRY COURT rode in the Merry Monarch Parade today in Hilo, while Halau Hula O Leonalani, of Pahala, danced at the civic auditorium. Ka`u Coffee Festival is ten days of events, beginning Friday, April 24, with programs at ranches, farms and homes and Ka`u Coffee Mill, with the Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant on Sunday, May 26. the Ho`olaule`a day of entertainment, food and coffee tasting on Saturday, May 2 and Ka`u Coffee College on Sunday, May 3, all three at Pahala Community Center. See www.kaucoffeefest.com and The Ka`u Calendar newspaper for a schedule.
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| Aftermath of the tsunami in Hilo, where the tsunami caused 61 deaths. Photos from USGS |
APRIL IS TSUNAMI AWARENESS MONTH, and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory remembers past tsunamis to hit Hawai`i Island in the current issue of Volcano Watch.
“April 1 marked the 69th anniversary of the 1946 tsunami that devastated the Island of Hawai`i, causing widespread damage and taking 159 lives,” the article states. “To honor the people lost in the 1946 and subsequent tsunamis, the state of Hawai`i proclaimed April to be Tsunami Awareness Month – a time to focus attention on preparing for and taking action to mitigate the impacts of future destructive tsunamis.
“The 1946 tsunami was generated from a large earthquake in the Aleutian Islands, thousands of miles north of Hawai`i. The Aleutian Islands are located along the northern extent of the Ring of Fire, a tectonically and volcanically active region that circles the Pacific Ocean. Because Hawai`i is located in the middle of the Pacific, we are uniquely exposed to tsunamis originating from large earthquakes anywhere around this Ring of Fire.
“y within the area where the earthquake slip occurred.
“In Hawai`i, we consider an event like the April 1, 1946 Aleutian earthquake a tele seism (distant earthquake). Likewise, we can refer to the accompanying tsunami as a tele-tsunami (one that originates from a source usually more than 1,000 km, or 600 mi, away). “In addition to concerns about tele-tsunamis, Hawai`i also faces the threat of local tsunamis generated by earthquakes that occur on or near the island. In 1868 and 1975, Hawai`i experienced deadly tsunamis associated with large local earthquakes centered on the island’s southeastern coastline. In both cases, the fatalities occurred close to where the tsunamis originated—essentially within the area where the earthquake slip occurred.“The 1946 tsunami was generated from a large earthquake in the Aleutian Islands, thousands of miles north of Hawai`i. The Aleutian Islands are located along the northern extent of the Ring of Fire, a tectonically and volcanically active region that circles the Pacific Ocean. Because Hawai`i is located in the middle of the Pacific, we are uniquely exposed to tsunamis originating from large earthquakes anywhere around this Ring of Fire.
“y within the area where the earthquake slip occurred.
“Seismic waves travel through Earth faster than water waves cross the ocean. Using this knowledge, Thomas A. Jaggar, Jr., founder of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, pioneered forecasting tsunamis in Hawai`i in 1922. Results of his predictions in 1923 and 1927 were mixed, but in 1933, after identifying a tele seism from Japan, Jaggar and his colleagues agreed that a tsunami was possible and issued warnings to Hilo and Kona. People heeded these warnings and moved out of harm’s way prior to the arrival of the tsunami, so no lives were lost.
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| The town clock of Wai`akea stopped at 1:04 a.m. when the biggest wave of the 1960 Chilean tsunami struck Hawai`i. The clock, still showing that time, now stands as a monument to the tsunami. |
“In May 1960, a tsunami produced by the largest earthquake ever recorded – a magnitude 9.5 quake that ruptured a 1,000-kilometer- (600-mile-) long section of Chile’s coast – devastated Hilo and took thousands of lives throughout the Pacific region. This disaster prompted the global community to establish the International Tsunami Warning System in 1965.
“Today, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center on O`ahu provides warnings for Pacific basin tele-tsunamis to coastal populations throughout the Pacific. When a large, tsunami-producing earthquake occurs, PTWC’s principal goal is to locate the earthquake and forecast the tsunami behavior with adequate time to issue warnings to potentially affected areas. The farther a tsunami has to travel, the more time there is between the warning and arrival of the tsunami.
“In 1946, the tsunami generated by the Aleutian earthquake – some 3,700 km (2,300 mi) from Hawai`i – took slightly less than five hours to cross the ocean and reach Hawaiian coastlines. In 1960, the devastating tsunami from the Chilean earthquake – roughly 10,900 km (6,800 mi) from Hawai`i – took about 15 hours to strike Hilo. While the Aleutian earthquake and tsunami provided less warning time, those hours of advance notice can be critical and do afford people an opportunity to evacuate.
“Tsunamis produced by local earthquakes are quite different because their travel distances are much shorter. Rather than taking hours to cross the ocean, locally-generated tsunamis can strike Hawaiian shorelines within minutes. In these cases, survival depends on being aware and taking quick action. For instance, if you feel a strong earthquake while at the beach, you should immediately move to higher ground—a tsunami wave can come ashore before warning sirens can alert you to the potential danger.
“You can learn more about tsunami awareness and preparedness in “Surviving a Tsunami—Lessons from Chile, Hawaii, and Japan” and “Hawaii Tsunami Preparedness and Safety Information”. For additional information about Tsunami Awareness Month and tsunami safety, visit these websites: Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, National Weather Service “TsunamiReady,” and the International Tsunami Information Center.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
“Today, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center on O`ahu provides warnings for Pacific basin tele-tsunamis to coastal populations throughout the Pacific. When a large, tsunami-producing earthquake occurs, PTWC’s principal goal is to locate the earthquake and forecast the tsunami behavior with adequate time to issue warnings to potentially affected areas. The farther a tsunami has to travel, the more time there is between the warning and arrival of the tsunami.
“In 1946, the tsunami generated by the Aleutian earthquake – some 3,700 km (2,300 mi) from Hawai`i – took slightly less than five hours to cross the ocean and reach Hawaiian coastlines. In 1960, the devastating tsunami from the Chilean earthquake – roughly 10,900 km (6,800 mi) from Hawai`i – took about 15 hours to strike Hilo. While the Aleutian earthquake and tsunami provided less warning time, those hours of advance notice can be critical and do afford people an opportunity to evacuate.
“Tsunamis produced by local earthquakes are quite different because their travel distances are much shorter. Rather than taking hours to cross the ocean, locally-generated tsunamis can strike Hawaiian shorelines within minutes. In these cases, survival depends on being aware and taking quick action. For instance, if you feel a strong earthquake while at the beach, you should immediately move to higher ground—a tsunami wave can come ashore before warning sirens can alert you to the potential danger.
“You can learn more about tsunami awareness and preparedness in “Surviving a Tsunami—Lessons from Chile, Hawaii, and Japan” and “Hawaii Tsunami Preparedness and Safety Information”. For additional information about Tsunami Awareness Month and tsunami safety, visit these websites: Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, National Weather Service “TsunamiReady,” and the International Tsunami Information Center.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
VOLCANO ART CENTER GALLERY in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park celebrates Merrie Monarch tomorrow, when Dietrich Varez signs his prints.
Call 967-8222 for more information.
TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR Spice up Your Spring, Ho`omalu Ka`u’s dinner dance raising funds to build a Ka`u Heritage Center. Tickets for tomorrow's event from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. are $20.
For more information and to purchase tickets, call 929-8526.
FREE CAR SEAT INSPECTIONS will be performed at Na`alehu Community Center Monday morning in front of Na`alehu Community Center beginning around 9:30 am.
Everyone with young children is welcome.
Anyone with keiki birth to five years of age is invited to visit Tutu and Me’s program at the community center from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 am.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
Call 967-8222 for more information.
TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR Spice up Your Spring, Ho`omalu Ka`u’s dinner dance raising funds to build a Ka`u Heritage Center. Tickets for tomorrow's event from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. are $20.
For more information and to purchase tickets, call 929-8526.
FREE CAR SEAT INSPECTIONS will be performed at Na`alehu Community Center Monday morning in front of Na`alehu Community Center beginning around 9:30 am.
Everyone with young children is welcome.
Anyone with keiki birth to five years of age is invited to visit Tutu and Me’s program at the community center from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 am.
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/KauCalendar_April2015.pdf. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf. |
