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| Pride of America returns to Hilo and Kona ports beginning next week, after staying away from the volcanic air and the closure of most of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Photo by Peter Hamling/Ship Parade |
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| Scientists remain unsure if lava flowing in Puna, like this fountain from Fissure 8 at 3 a.m. today, is coming from the lava that has drained from Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea's summit. USGS photo |
The few gas measurements scientists have been able to make indicate magmatic gas is more plentiful than steam from groundwater right now. It is groundwater mixing with lava that is known to lead to the large explosions of ash and rock out of the vent.
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Outgassing from Halema‘uma‘u produced twin pillars that rose in the
still morning air and merged into a towering cap above the summit of
Kīlauea just after sunrise, today, June 8. USGS Photo
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Neal also said that the magma that has drained from the summit has not been “unambiguously identified” as the lava exiting through fissures in the lower East Rift Zone and doing all the damage in Puna.
Kyle Anderson, of HVO, said USGS scientists are seeing magma continuing to evacuate to the lower East Rift Zone. Subsidence continues in Halemaʻumaʻu with additional collapse of its walls and its floor. The crater enlarges. There are moderate earthquakes, weak to moderate ash plumes, ashfall, and vog. He said there is no definitive line to determine “when this will all be over,” though earthquakes should be felt less, as an indication.
During the meeting, community members asked if pyroclastic - stronger explosive - events could happen at the summit. Neal responded they could not be taken off the table, but “we see no evidence that we’re moving in that direction.”
One attendee asked for a more regular report of the subsidence at the summit. Anderson responded that one of the GPS instruments fell into the crater during these events, and others have varying placement - further away from the vent or right by the edge - so “it’s challenging to say how much the caldera has subsided.” He said the broader caldera has subsided quite a bit less than areas where faults have appeared.
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Dramatic changes at Halema‘uma‘u could be seen through gases rising from
the crater during HVO's overflight of the summit this morning at 10 a.m.
The view here looks to the southwest, with the former overlook
parking lot barely visible to the left of the gas plume. USGS photo
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A community member asked that without knowing for sure if the magma from the summit is erupting in the lower East Rift Zone, does that mean the activity will go on for quite some time?
Anderson responded, “That magmatic plumbing system is complicated right now. In the old days, magma would rise up below the summit, go down to Puʻu ʻŌʻō, and it would erupt. Since that time, Puʻu ʻŌʻō has collapsed, we’ve drained a lot of material from the middle East Rift, and we have the lower East Rift eruption.”
Anderson said the 6.9-magnitude earthquake, on May 4, may also have opened up space for magma storage. He said the questions are: How much magma can be stored now, before going down to the lower East Rift Zone? And when will the lower East Rift eruption stop?
Anderson said the 6.9-magnitude earthquake, on May 4, may also have opened up space for magma storage. He said the questions are: How much magma can be stored now, before going down to the lower East Rift Zone? And when will the lower East Rift eruption stop?
In the 1955 and 1960 eruptions, said Anderson , the eruptions lasted from weeks to months. He said, “Just because the summit magma has not necessarily reached the lower East Rift, does not mean this is going to go on for years – but we don’t know how much storage there might be for summit magma. So, it’s very hard to say how long deflation might continue.”
See the whole June 7 meeting here: naleo.tv/vod/
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AIR IN PĀHALA REMAINED GOOD THROUGHOUT THE DAY. In Nā’ālehu, Ocean View, and Volcano, it was moderate and good, from sunrise into evening. See the new EPA air quality report online, with an additional monitoring site at Nā’ālehu Fire Station.
See the whole June 7 meeting here: naleo.tv/vod/
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| The new EPA air quality site adds Nāʻālehu with monitoring at Nāʻālehu fire station. Blue is for good air, including S02 and particulates. See the map and more online. |
AIR IN PĀHALA REMAINED GOOD THROUGHOUT THE DAY. In Nā’ālehu, Ocean View, and Volcano, it was moderate and good, from sunrise into evening. See the new EPA air quality report online, with an additional monitoring site at Nā’ālehu Fire Station.
In other reports, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported Pele's hair and other lightweight volcanic glass from high fountaining of Fissure 8 were falling downwind of the fissure and accumulating on the ground within Leilani Estates in lower Puna.
The National Weather Service reported high levels of vog and sulfur dioxide from the fissure system in lower Puna moving north, and settling in the Saddle area between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. Civil Defense warned that vog would limit visibility to a quarter mile on some roads and urged motorists to drive cautiously.
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Clear conditions at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō on Thursday provided good views into the crater. A little
more than a month ago, the crater floor collapsed, and the lava lake drained. The crater showed a funnel-shape geometry with a deeper cylindrical shaft. Rubble filled the base of the shaft. On Friday, June 8, 12 rockfalls were recorded, with a red dust plume coming out of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. See the USGS video. See today's Civil Defense Video of lava flows in lower Puna today and USGS evening update at Big Island Video News. |
See video of the coast at the ocean entry of the lava in Kapoho today with much laze on Ikaika Marzo's facebook.
See Civil Defense Video and update for evening of June 8 from USGS on Big Island Video News.
AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING MEASURE was launched today, with the bill's signing by Gov. David Ige. The bill, passed by the 2018 Hawaiʻi Legislature, aims to increase production of affordable rental units across the state.
HB2748 appropriates $200 million to the Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corp.’s Rental Housing Revolving Fund, and $10 million to the HHFDC’s Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund. The bill also extends the general excise tax exemption for certain affordable rental housing projects from June 30, 2022, to June 30, 2026, and increases the cap on GET exemptions to $30 million per year until 2030.
During the signing ceremony, where Ige was joined by housing advocates, builders, and lawmakers, he said, “Housing has been a top priority for my administration from day one. We have been advocating for increased investment in the Rental Housing Revolving Fund for nearly 4 years now. I’m so glad that the Legislature is funding these very important programs that we have been advocating for.”
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Image symbolizing the building of new homes, from Hawaiʻi Housing Finance & Development
Corp. Photo from Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism |
The $200 million provided by the bill will enable the HHFDC to generate an additional 1,600 affordable units.
“The collaborative efforts of the community – from developers to builders, housing advocates and our legislators – is enabling the state to help our families realize their dream of having their own home. A stable home is the foundation for a stable and successful life. Our goal is within reach. Let’s continue to work together to build upon this momentum,” Ige said.
Read HB2748, which became Act 39 with the governor’s signature.
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TWENTY MICRO-HOMES FOR FAMILIES DISPLACED BY THE LAVA DISASTER are going up behind Sacred Hearts Church in Pāhoa. Hope Services Hawaiʻi which helps low income families with housing, will lease the land. Former Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense chief Darryl Oliveira is helping to organize the effort.A volunteer community build day will be this Saturday, June 9, with more than 100 people signed up. In addition to the twenty 10 foot by 12 foot structures, they are constructing restrooms and a common area for meeting and dining.
Big Island
Video News interviewed Oliveira – who in 2014 led Hawaiʻi
County Civil Defense as Pāhoa faced a threatening lava flow, and is now the
safety manager at HPM Building Supply. Oliveira said building the micro homes “actually started with some
local contractors coming in to discuss with our team the possibility of
acquiring these micro structures, that were normally built for storage or
utility purposes, and repurposing them for living quarters.”
Working with
County planning and building department officials, and with the help of local
contractors, it has become “a real community effort to try to get something in
place,” Oliveira said. “Throughout the last three weeks or so
we’ve been working the processes, which is with the county’s revised or amended
mayor’s Proclamation, reviewing the plans and a plot layout for this site." He said the idea is that HOPE Services will place the people there, and coordinate and connect services to help the displaced
residents transition into something more permanent, Oliveira told Big Island Video News.
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THE 2018 ULUA CHALLENGE IS ON THIS WEEKEND, with the cliffs of Ka Lae being one of the favorite fishing spots. Contestants started camping at Ka Lae earlier this week to save the best places from which fish for Ulua.
Categories are Ulua with a 40 lb. minimum, and Omilu with a 10 lb. minimum. The entry fee is $60 per person, and the number of rods and reels per participant is limited to three.
The annual tournament is sponsored by S. Tokunaga Store in Hilo. The Weigh-Ins will be at 11 a.m. this Sunday at the Aufuk-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo, and carried live on the Tokunaga Store Facebook page.
Tournament sponsors announced that in addition to the Ulua and Omilo divisions of the tournament, they have launched Opala division "to preserve our natural resources and ʻāina."
They encourage fishermen registered for the contest to "pick up trash and clean their campsite and surrounding areas." LV Waste and Daiwa Corp. offer incentives. For every garbage bag of trash brought in, participants will receive a raffle ticket redeemable during the awards ceremonies."
Categories are Ulua with a 40 lb. minimum, and Omilu with a 10 lb. minimum. The entry fee is $60 per person, and the number of rods and reels per participant is limited to three.
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| A recent big ulua catch, by Jared Yogi. The fish weighed 87.8 lbs. Photo from Tokunaga Store |
Tournament sponsors announced that in addition to the Ulua and Omilo divisions of the tournament, they have launched Opala division "to preserve our natural resources and ʻāina."
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| See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.
Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes
throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on
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SATURDAY, JUNE 9
Pancake Breakfast and Raffle, Sat, Jun 9, 8-11am, Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Stained Glass Basics II, Sat-Sun, Jun 9-10, 9-noon, Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus, Hale Hoʻomana at 19-4074 Old Volcano Road. Prerequisite: Stained Glass Basics I. $90/VAC Member, $100/non-Member, plus $30 supply fee. Register in advance. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Hi‘iaka and Pele, Sat, Jun 9, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Discover Hawaiian goddesses and the natural phenomena they represent on this free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/HAVO
Hi‘iaka and Pele, Sat, Jun 9, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Discover Hawaiian goddesses and the natural phenomena they represent on this free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/HAVO
Kāwā Volunteer Day, Sat, Jun 9, 9:30am, Kāwā. Sign up with James Akau, Nā Mamo o Kāwā, at namamookawa@gmail.com, jakau@nmok.org, or 561-9111. nmok.org
CANCELLED: Jazz in the Forest Concert, Sat, Jun 9. The July concert is also cancelled. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
SUNDAY, JUNE 10
‘Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sun, Jun 10 and 24, 9:30-11am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, and many forms of ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower on this free, easy, one-mile walk. Free. nps.gov/HAVO
Meet Candidate Raina Whiting, candidate for state Rep., Dist. 3. Sun, June 10, 2-3:30pm, Punaluʻu Bake Shop, upper pavilion. Bring prepared, written questions for the candidate. Light refreshments provided. Questions? Ezmerelda5@gmail.com, mgw1955@gmail.com, voteRaina.com
Special Event: Hawai‘i Opera Theatre, Tue, Jun 12, 3pm, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. HOT has been producing opera in Hawai’i for 33 years - Broadway and classical favorites. 939-2442
C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue, Jun 12, 4-6pm , Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Public invited to see what Community Emergency Response Team is about, and participate in training scenarios. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087
THURSDAY, JUNE 14
Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū and Me, Thu, Jun 14, 10:30 -noon , Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571
Meeting on Ash and SO2 will be held at Ocean View Community Center, 92-8924 Leilani Circle, Ocean View, on Thursday, June 14, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will bring together health, science, and Civil Defense officials to meet with the public.
Meeting on Ash and SO2 will be held at Ocean View Community Center, 92-8924 Leilani Circle, Ocean View, on Thursday, June 14, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will bring together health, science, and Civil Defense officials to meet with the public.
FRIDAY, JUNE 15
‘Ike Hana No‘eau, Experience the Skillful Work, Fri, Jun 15, 10-noon, Kahuku Unit. Hawaiian cultural demonstrations. Free. nps.gov/HAVO
Father’s Day Card, Fri, Jun 15, 2-3pm , Kahuku Park
Saturday’s large animal activities kick off with an 8 a.m. welcome, followed by 4-H participants showing lambs, hogs, steers, and heifers. Competition continues for top showmanship honors in the Round Robin Showmanship Class. Buyer’s registration and lunch is at 12:30 p.m., with the sale of 4-H animals at 2 p.m., including beef steer and heifer, hog, lamb, goat, and possibly poultry and rabbits.
For more information, contact Galimba at mgalimba@kuahiwiranch.com or 808-430-4927.
4-H Livestock Show & Sale is Friday, June 15, and Saturday, June 16, at Anderson Arena, also known as Rocking Chair Ranch, at 47-5124 Hawaiʻi Belt Road in Waimea. Open to the public, the annual event supports young farmers and ranchers. This year marks a century of 4-H in Hawai‘i; the state’s first 4-H livestock club opened in 1918.
Friday’s events begin at 3:30 p.m. and include shows for rabbits, poultry, and goats.Saturday’s large animal activities kick off with an 8 a.m. welcome, followed by 4-H participants showing lambs, hogs, steers, and heifers. Competition continues for top showmanship honors in the Round Robin Showmanship Class. Buyer’s registration and lunch is at 12:30 p.m., with the sale of 4-H animals at 2 p.m., including beef steer and heifer, hog, lamb, goat, and possibly poultry and rabbits.
For more information, contact Galimba at mgalimba@kuahiwiranch.com or 808-430-4927.
TROPIC CARE RETURNS TO HAWAIʻI
Kalei Namohala, Athletic Director for Kaʻū High
School, which housed and fed Tropic Care health providers in the past,
recommends that Kaʻū families make the drive this year to
Keaʻau. Less than an hour from Pāhala, and half hour from Volcano, Tropic
Care will offer free health care to anyone, with or without insurance.
Army
During Tropic Care, health experts see members of the public on a first come-first served basis. They ask that people bring with them any current prescriptions or eye glasses, and a list of any current medications being taken.
Long waits are expected; it’s recommended to bring water and snacks. Free breakfast and lunch provided to age 3 to 18. Food carts may be on site for purchases throughout the event.
Adria Medeiros, Vice Principal of Kea‘au High School, asks for community members to spread the word, and offers to schedule blocks of time for larger groups coming in from communities outside Kea‘au. "For example, if your school were to arrange a bus to bring in a large group, I would assist by setting aside blocks of time for services with the medical professionals to ensure they could be seen," she stated. "It really is a great opportunity to receive free services, and I'd like to make it even more successful this year than it has been in the past."
Long waits are expected; it’s recommended to bring water and snacks. Free breakfast and lunch provided to age 3 to 18. Food carts may be on site for purchases throughout the event.
Adria Medeiros, Vice Principal of Kea‘au High School, asks for community members to spread the word, and offers to schedule blocks of time for larger groups coming in from communities outside Kea‘au. "For example, if your school were to arrange a bus to bring in a large group, I would assist by setting aside blocks of time for services with the medical professionals to ensure they could be seen," she stated. "It really is a great opportunity to receive free services, and I'd like to make it even more successful this year than it has been in the past."
Questions can be directed to Medeiros at
313-3333, or to the public health nurse at 974-6035.
ONGOING
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program will take sign-ups in Kaʻū, through June 29 (closed June 11).
In Nā’ālehu, it will take place at the Hawai‘i County Economic Opportunity Council office, back of Senior Center, Wed-Fri, 8-1pm, 929-9263.
In Ocean View, it will take place at Ocean View Community Center, Mon and Tue (except Mon, June 11), 8-4:30pm.
In Pāhala, it will take place at the Edmund Olson Trust Office, Tue and Wed, 8:30-12:30pm. See more for eligibility requirements and application.
Libraries Rock Summer Reading Program: Hawai‘i State Public Library System, through July 14, statewide and online. Register and log reading at librarieshawaii.beanstack.org or at a local library. Free. Reading rewards, activities, and programs for children, teens, and adults. 2018 participants have a chance to win a Roundtrip for four to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies.
Park Rangers invite the public to downtown Hilo to learn about the volcanic activity, to get their NPS Passport Book stamped, and to experience the Hawaiian cultural connection to volcanoes. Rangers are providing programs at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center at 76 Kamehameha Avenue, Tuesday through Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Sign Up for the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, to be held June 30. If interested, call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.
Tūtū and Me Offers Home Visits to those with keiki zero to five years old: home visits to aid with helpful parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Home visits are free, last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, for a total of 12 visits, and snacks are provided. For info and to register, call Linda Bong 464-9634.
St. Jude's Episcopal Church Calls For More Volunteers for the Saturday community outreach. Especially needed are cooks for the soup served to those in need, and organizers for the hot showers. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's April newsletter. Volunteer by contacting Dave Breskin at 319-8333.Volcano Forest Runs Registration Open through Friday, August 17, at 6 p.m. Half marathon $85, 10K $45, 5K $30. Registration increases August 1: half marathon to $95, 10K to $55, and 5K to $35. Race is run from Cooper Center on Wright Road in Volcano Village on Saturday, August 18.
5th annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run registration open. Race day Sat, Sept 22,
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