Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Viewers watch lava from a safe distance at the end of Chain of Craters Road in Hawai`i Volcanoes
National Park. See more below. Photo by NPS Volunteer Eric Fandrick

CANDIDATES FOR COUNTY and states offices were out in force at Fourth of July parades in Na`alehu and Volcano during the holiday weekend, drumming up support in advance of the Aug. 13 primary election.

Pete Hoffmann

Paul Bryant

      Mayoral candidates walking the routes included Paul Bryant, of Papa`aloa; Pete Hoffmann, of Waikoloa; Harry Kim, of Hilo; Walter Lau, of Kailua-Kona; Helen Olena Luta, of Kealakekua, and Shannon McCandless, of Kamuela. The hopeful candidates want to take over for Mayor Billy Kenoi, who has reached his term limit.

      Hawai`i County Prosecutor Mitch Roth, of Hilo, and opponent Michael Kagami, of Kea`au, each had large contingents of supporters walking the routes.

      Ka`u's Hawai`i County Council District VI member Maile David, of Captain Cook, greeted constituents as she rode in the back of a truck. She and opponent Raina Whiting, of Ocean View, participated in both parades.

      See state office candidates in tomorrow's Ka`u Calendar News Briefs.

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Harry Kim

Walter Lau

FUNDING FOR A MINI-BUS for Hawai`i County Economic Opportunity Council programs in Ka`u received community support yesterday at a meeting in Na`alehu.

      The organization is a private nonprofit whose mission for several decades has been to prevent, alleviate and eliminate poverty on the island of Hawai`i. HCEOC is applying to the federal Department of Agriculture's Rural Development agency for the funding.

      The proposal says the bus will be used “to provide essential transportation services to the underserved residents of the Ka`u District in the County of Hawai`i. This mini-bus would have a capacity for 12 passengers plus two passengers in wheelchairs plus the driver, a total of 15 people. If possible, this mini-bus would be configured at the higher safety standard of a school bus.

Helen Luta

Shannon McCandless
supporter

     “HCEOC’s Transportation Services will provide door-to-door service within a flexible route and flexible schedule that strives to accommodate the needs of the low-income clients of the Ka`u District. Service will usually be offered Monday thru Friday, 5 a.m. to 6 pm; adjusted for passenger convenience and scheduling necessities. Instead of clients needing to go to a designated bus stop at certain times, clients can be picked up and returned at their residence at requested times; subject to road conditions and scheduling needs. The service would be free to the clients. Wheelchair-bound passengers would be accommodated. Door-to-door convenience would also be provided at the destinations, such as at doctor’s offices, hospitals, government offices, financial institutions, senior centers, shops, funerals, and other locations.”

      Those wanting to provide funding or letters of support for the mini-bus can contact Ken Okimoto, of HCEOC, at 961-2681 ext. 207.

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CONSERVATION COUNCIL OF HAWAI`I is urging concerned citizens to watch over the state Board of Land and Natural Resources’ revocable permit program in the wake of the passing of House Bill 2501, which allows Alexander & Baldwin to keep water permits, despite a court decision to return water formerly used for now-fallow sugar lands to the streams from which water was diverted.

      The bill involved Ka`u ranchers, since they are also on revocable state permits for water and feared that their permits could be revoked.

Michael Kagami's contingent in Na`alehu's Fourth of July parade.
Parade Photos by Ron Johnson

      An information briefing before the state Legislature is scheduled for Wednesday, July 13 at 10:30 a.m. at the state Capitol. Its purpose is to get an update on the Report and Recommendations of the Department of Land and Natural Resources Revocable Permits Task Force.

      “It’s important for legislators and the public to learn more about the changes being implemented to improve the DLNR's revocable permit program,” said Sen. Mike Gabbard, chair of the Water, Land, and Agriculture Committee. “The use of public land should be handled in a fair and transparent way.”

      In February, media outlets shined a light on the fact that the DLNR’s revocable permit program was fraught with inconsistencies and lacked clear, logical protocols and criteria.
      In response, DLNR convened a Task Force to improve its revocable permit. On May 27, the Task Force issued its report and recommendations, which were unanimously approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources on June 24. The Task Force report, their recommendations, and DLNR’s plans for implementation will be addressed at this briefing.

Hawai`i County Prosecutor Mitch Roth's contingent in Volcano
included a flag-carrying puppy.

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HAWAI`I NATIONAL PARK RANGERS urge park visitors to view latest flows from safe distances.
      The newest lava from Kilauea volcano is drawing visitors to the park, as flows from Pu`u `O`o vent in the remote east rift zone stream down Pulama Pali, spread onto the coastal lava plain and slowly advance towards the Pacific Ocean.
      Although portions of the flows are within the park, the closest viewing is from the Hawai`i County’s Kalapana Lava Viewing Area off Hwy 130, near the eastern border of Hawai`i Volcanoes. The viewing area is open daily from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Hot lava spreads out on the coastal plain after
falling down the steep pali in background.
Image from USGS/HVO

      From the park side, the easiest vantage point to view the flows, dubbed “61G” by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, is at the end of Chain of Craters Road, past Holei Sea Arch, where pavement ends and the gravel emergency access road begins. The park is open 24 hours a day.

      Park rangers do not encourage visitors to hike out to the lava flows from either side, but to instead view them from a safe distance. From the park side, hikers can expect a grueling 10-mile roundtrip hike over very uneven and sharp lava rock terrain riddled with earth cracks. There is no trail, and it’s easy to get lost after dark.
      “There’s definitely been an increase in injuries since the 61G lava activity amplified,” said Chief Ranger John Broward. “We responded to calls about turned ankles, lacerations, dehydration and disoriented visitors in the coastal lava plains all weekend. It’s exceedingly important to plan ahead, have proper footwear and bring plenty of water, or better yet, enjoy the show from the end of the road on either side.”

Hawai`i County Council District VI member Maile David
greets parade-goers in Na`alehu.

      Volcanic gas is another hazard, particularly to people with heart or respiratory problems, and infants, young children and pregnant women. If air irritates, smells bad or makes breathing difficult, Broward said visitors should leave the area.

      Although hikers are walking along the gravel road constructed as an emergency access route to access the flows, park management does not encourage its use.

      This morning, HVO reported that lava was just over one mile from reaching the ocean.
      For hiking tips, see https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/upload/Hiking-Tips.pdf. For the latest eruption updates, see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php. Monitor air quality at
http://www.hawaiiso2network.com/.
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Hawai`i County Council District VI candidate Raina Whiting
waives to the crowd in Volcano.

KA`U’S U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD is calling for Bangladesh to do more to protect its religious minorities, following terrorist attacks there.

      “On Friday, more than 20 people were held hostage and brutally murdered in Dhaka,” Gabbard said. “On that same day, a Hindu priest was hacked to death at his temple in Jhenaidah, a district in the southwest of Bangladesh. ISIS has taken responsibility for both attacks.

      “Such horrific violence in Bangladesh is unfortunately not isolated. Since 2013, more than 40 atheist writers, publishers, members of religious minorities, social activists and foreign aid workers in Bangladesh have been murdered. It’s absolutely essential that we defeat these terrorists. We also must stand up and fight for the right of others to freely express their views.

      “I’ve introduced House Resolution 396 calling on the Government of Bangladesh to protect the rights of all of its religious minorities, including Christians, Hindus, atheists and others. They have a responsibility to uphold the principles of its secular constitution – including freedom of religion and freedom of expression – and take action to defeat these terrorists.”
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USA BOYS VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS completed in Dallas today. Southside team, made up of Ka`u and other Hawai`i Island members, made it to the quarter-finals, where they lost to Maryland’s MEVBC team in two close sets, 25-23 and 25-19. 

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THE MUSIC MAN OPENS FRIDAY. Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network presents Meredith Willson’s musical to celebrate its 14th birthday.               Performances take place at Kilauea Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on Friday and Saturday, July 8/9, 15/16 and 22/23 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sun, July 10, 17 and 24 at 2:30 p.m.
      Tickets are $15, $12 for seniors, $10 for children 10 and under.

      Park entrance fees may apply.
      Call 982-7344, or email kden73@aol.com.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND HOLDS a Ka`u Coast Cleanup this Saturday, July 9. Staff and volunteers meet at 7:45 a.m. at Wai`ohinu Park to carpool to Kamilo. Register at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_July_2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.