Kaʻū News Briefs Thursday, August 2, 2018

Image from NOAA

HURRICANE HECTOR IS EXPECTED TO TURN TO THE NORTHWEST on Sunday as a Major Hurricane and head toward Hawai`i, according to the National Hurricane Center.
     Hector's winds were 15 miles wide and 110 mph with higher gusts, as of 5 p.m., making it a tight and powerful hurricane. It is traveling west at 13 miles an hour, about 1,974 miles from Hilo and 1,265 miles from the southern edge of Mexico's Baja California. Hector quickly strengthened, its winds increasing 60 mph in the last 30 hours. Hector is now traveling west and is expected to cross into the Central Pacific Region late Sunday. A large deep-layer trough is expected to develop, causing a weakness in the subtropical ridge to the north, allowing Hector to turn to the west northwest and toward the Hawaiian Islands.

Lava viewing challenges include laze. The steam that is generated when
lava hits ocean water makes both hydrochloric acid and small particles 
of glass go into the air, neither of which are healthy to come in 
contact with. USGS photo

     See Hector forecasts and discussions at nhc.noaa.gov until it reaches the Central Pacific. See the Central Pacific Hurricane center at prh.noaa.gov.

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MAYOR HARRY KIM WANTS SAFE LAVA VIEWING PLACES, he told Here & Now's radio interviewer Jeremy Hobson on National Public Radio. Kim likened the seemingly unending lava flow in lower Puna to leaving the faucet on.

     Kim said his major concern is keeping viewers safe from such dangers as: SO2, hydrochloric acid plus small glass fragments in laze, and explosions caused by lava mixing with water.

     Several sites considered for viewing have been taken by lava or became engulfed in constant bad air.
     Kim said that any safe viewing area would have to accommodate thousands of people. "You can always find a place that can accommodate ten, 15, 20, 50, 100 people."

Mayor Harry Kim

     In the past, when Pu`u `Ō`ō was erupting, its flows into the ocean were a popular attraction by air, land, and sea. The lava lake at Kīlauea summit's Halema`uma`u Crater was a huge draw for cultural practitioners and visitors for about a decade.
     The mayor said that lava viewing became a big part of the economy of Hawai`i Island.

     Kim referred to the closure of Jack's Tours as an example of how the eruption has disrupted the local economy. After more than 50 years of operation, Jack's Tours closed its doors on July 31, due to loss of business. Kim said, "If you are a small type of business -- restaurant, retail, anything -- you've lost 60, 70, 80 percent of your business or more."

     Listen to the whole interview.

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dar.com.

Unwanted vehicle disposal will be paid for by the county
between Aug 1 and Oct 31. Owners are responsible for
transport to recyclers. Photo from hawaiizerowaste.org

A FREE VEHICLE DISPOSAL ASSISTANCE program is offered by County of Hawai`i Department of Environmental Management Derelict and Abandoned Vehicle Section. Through October 31, one vehicle per registered owner may be disposed of at no charge.

     The aim of the program is to help registered vehicle owners dispose of vehicles legally and properly, in an effort to reduce the number of derelict and abandoned vehicles on public roadways, says a statement from the County. Each owner is responsible for towing and removal costs from the vehicle's location to the designated scrap metal recycler. The County will pay only the disposal costs, directly to the County's existing scrap metal contractors.

     This program may be extended if allocated funds are available. Registered vehicle owners are encouraged to submit applications early, due to a limited number of disposal appointments.

     Visit hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/automotive for the application, guidelines, and instructions. Questions? Contact the Derelict and Abandoned Vehicle Program at (808) 961-8552 or DEMAV@hawaiicounty.gov.

Service member's remains were returned home from Korea after more than
60 years. Photo from Gabbard's office 

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NORTH KOREA RETURNED THE REMAINS OF DOZENS OF SERVICE MEMBERS killed in the Korean War to U.S. soil today. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, 7,697 personnel are still unaccounted for from the Korean conflict. 5,300 are believed to be north of the demilitarized zone that separates North and South Korea.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard at the ceremony honoring the
return of Korean War service member remains.
Photo from Gabbard's office

     Rep. Tulsi Gabbard released a statement after attending the repatriation ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam: "Thousands of families across the United States have waited more than six decades to be reunited with their loved ones who were lost in the Korean War. The cost of war is personal and lives on for each of these families of POW/MIA service members. This is a historic day for our country and for our families who have suffered loss as we remember those who sacrificed all. We can best honor them by strengthening our resolve and commitment to peace, denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and finally bringing an end to the Korean War."

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Image from oldbluewater.com

VIETNAM VETERANS EXPOSED TO AGENT ORANGE have a Hawai`i advocate in the U.S. Senate. Sen. Mazie Hirono, during a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing this week, called for the passage of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act. This legislation ensures that thousands of Navy veterans -- known as "Blue Water" veterans -- "are able to receive the disability compensation and health care they need after exposure to Agent Orange while serving on ships off the Vietnamese coast during the Vietnam War." Under current law, veterans who served in Vietnam on land or in its "Brown Water" inland waterways are presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange and receive assistance.

Sen. Mazie Hirono's efforts have helped give Vietnam 
Veterans suffering from Agent Orange new hope.
Photo from Hirono's Facebook

     From a release from Hirono's office: "During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military sprayed approximately 20 million gallons of Agent Orange in Vietnam to remove jungle foliage. This toxic chemical had devastating health effects on many veterans who served in Vietnam. In 1991, Congress passed a law requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide presumptive coverage to Vietnam veterans with illnesses that the Institute of Medicine has directly linked to Agent Orange exposure. However, in 2002, the VA decided that it would only cover Veterans who could prove that they had orders for 'boots on the ground' during the Vietnam War. This exclusion prevents thousands of sailors from receiving benefits even though they had significant Agent Orange exposure from drinking and bathing in contaminated water just offshore."

Veterans and supporters gather at the U.S. Capitol.
Photo from military.com

     Hirono co-sponsored the bill, and shared stories of Hawai`i veterans exposed to Agent Orange and unable to access care for health conditions they say were caused by the exposure.
     "Richard served on the USS Hancock in the Gulf of Tonkin from 1972 to 1975. Richard was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and is now on kidney dialysis from his exposure to Agent Orange while serving on his ship off the coast of Vietnam. Gordon served on the fleet oiler USS Chipola from 1967 to 1969 and was diagnosed with soft tissue carcinoma also due to Agent Orange exposure while serving off the coast of Vietnam.

     "These are just some of the thousands of Vietnam Veterans who have applied for VA health benefits but were denied because they happened to serve our country at sea rather than on land. This wrong must be corrected."

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NEW and UPCOMING

Fallen Officer Bronson Kaliloa
Photo from HDP

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR FALLEN OFFICER BRONSON KAIMANA KALILOA, killed in the line of duty on July 17, will be held Saturday, August 4, at 10:00 a.m., at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo.

     Nā Leo TV will broadcast the entire service, live, at Spectrum Channel 54, online at naleo.tv/channel-54/, and streaming via the mobile app.
     "From our entire `ohana here at Nā Leo TV, we would like to express our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Officer Bronson Kaliloa. Mahalo for your service to our island community, your heroism will never be forgotten."

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 3

Talk Story about Agriculture in Ka`ū at Pāhala Plantation House on Fri, Aug 3, at 6pm. All farmers and community members interested are invited. Bring a dish, pupu, or dessert to share if can. Contact HFUU Ka`ū Chapter president Raina Whiting at 808-464-0799 or rainawhiting@gmail.com.

See public Ka`ū events, meetings, entertainment. 

See Ka`ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events. 

Print edition of The Ka`ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 

throughout Ka`ū, from Miloli`i through Volcano, and free on 

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

`O Ka`ū Kākou Meeting, Fri, Aug 3, 6:30pm, Aspen Center. okaukakou.org

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4

Nature & Culture: An Unseverable Relationship, Sat, Aug 4, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Moderate guided hike along the Palm Trail, approx. 2 miles. Learn about native plants that play a vital role in Hawaiian culture, and observe the catastrophic change and restoration of the land as it transitions from the 1868 lava flow to deeper soils with more diversity and older flora. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Chili Cook Off w/Benefit Concert for Puna and Ka`ū Food Bank, Sat, Aug 4, 4-8pm, The Terraces, 1885 Princess Kaiulani Blvd, Ocean View. Raffle, non-alcoholic mixers and more, with music provided by Soul Town. $10 for advance tickets, $15 at the door, plus a can of food. Contact gcmorales2020@yahoo.com or kathiegriffeth@gmail.com.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 5

Pu`u o Lokuana, Sun, Aug 5, 9:30-11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Short, moderately difficult, 0.4-mile hike to the top of the grassy cinder cone, Pu‘u o Lokuana. Learn about the formation and various uses of this hill over time and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka`ū. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Sunday Clay - High Fire! with Erik Wold, 8-week session beginning Aug 5 (no class Aug 12), morning class 11:30-2:30pm, afternoon class 2:45-5:45pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus, Volcano Village. $180/Volcano Art Center Member, $200/non-Member, plus $15 materials fee - 6 lbs clay and glazes. Register online, volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222.

Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun, Aug 5, noon-2pm, Manukā State Park. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. Sponsored by South Point Amateur Radio Club and Amateur Radio Emergency Service. View sites.google.com/site/southpointarc or sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058

MONDAY, AUGUST 6

Story Time with Lindsey Miller from PARENTS, Inc., Mon, Aug 6, 2:30-3:15pm, Nā`ālehu Public Library. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Meeting, Mon, Aug 6, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

TUESDAY, AUGUST 7

Hawai`i County Council Meetings, Tue/Wed, Aug 7 (Committees)/8 (Council), Hilo, Tue/Wed, Aug 21 (Committees)/22 (Council), Kona. Ka`ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā`ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, Aug 7, 4-6pm, Aug 21, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

Ka`ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, Aug 7, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8

AdvoCATS, Wed, Aug 8, 7am-5pm, Ocean View Community Center. Free Cat Spay & Neuter Clinic. 895-9283, advocatshawaii.org

ONGOING

Walk-In Registration and Voting Continues at Pāhala Community Center from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on weekdays through Thursday, Aug. 9.

5th Annual Volcano Winery Harvest Festival tickets on sale from Wed, Aug 1, for event on Sun, Sept 9. Benefit for Volcano School of Arts and Sciences. Music, food, wine, and raffle. $40/adult (21+). 967-7772, volcanowinery.com

2nd Annual Bi-Annual Quilt Show, Quilts In The Forest - Where the Path May Lead, through Friday, Aug 3, 10-4pm, Volcano Art Center, Volcano Village. Free. Fia Mattice, 967-8222, quiltshow2018@volcanoartcenter.org. volcanoartcenter.org

Exhibit, Birds of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park: The Hawai`i Nei Invitational -- daily through Aug 4, 9-5pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Free. Artists: John Dawson, Reyn Ojiri, Sarah Koh, Wendy Barske, Maria Macias, Cody Yamaguchi, Ann Guth, and John Mydoock. Art represents endemic bird species. volcanoartcenter.org

Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool's New, Temporary, Nā`ālehu Site Location is Kauaha`ao Church in Wai`ōhinu. Meeting days and times remain the same: Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Pāhala site program meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Both Nā`ālehu and Pāhala site programs resume August 7 and 8.

     Tūtū and Me also offers home visits to those with keiki zero to five years old, to aid with parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Free. Visits last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, total of 12 visits. Snacks are provided.

     To enroll in either program, fill out enrollment forms found at pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me/enrollment_forms, or call Linda Bong at 464-9634. Questions: Clark at 929-8571 or eclark@pidfountation.org.

Harmony Educational Services, Home Based Educational Programs - Open Enrollment through Oct 15; harmonyed.com/hawaii. Partnered with four local public charter schools, Harmony offers benefits of homeschooling with resources available to public schools. Interested families can also contact Rayna Williams at rwilliams@harmonyed.com or 430-9798.

Volcano Forest Runs Registration Open, online at volcanorainforestruns.com. Fees: 5K - $35, 10K - $55, 1/2 Marathon - $95. Race Day Sat, Aug 18, Volcano Village. No race day registration for 1/2 Marathon. Race Director Sharron Faff, 967-8240.

5th Annual Ka`ū Coffee Trail Run Registration Open, online at webscorer.com/register?raceid=128145, Fees, before Aug 13: 5K, $30/person; 10K, $40/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $50/person. After Aug 13: 5K, $35/person; 10K, $45/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $55/person. Race Day Sat, Sept 22, 7 a.m.; begins and ends at Ka`ū Coffee Mill, kaucoffeemill.com. Event organizers: `O Ka`ū Kākou, okaukakou.org.

Disaster Recovery Center open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Kea`au High School Gym. See information applicants need to bring, or register online, at DisasterAssistance.gov. Salvation Army distribution center at Pāhoa Community Center on Tue, Thu, and Sat, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. To donate, contact 756-0306.

Volunteers Needed by St. Jude's Episcopal Church for Sat community outreach, especially soup cooks and shower organizers. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's. Contact Dave Breskin, 319-8333.

Ocean View Vet Center Visits Suspended until further notice. Veterans, call 329-0574 for VA benefit information. ovcahi.org

Find Your Park, invites Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, to kama`aina and tourist alike. Experience authentic Hawaiian cultural programs, guided hikes, After Dark events, and more from Ka`ū to Volcano to Hilo, while the partial closure of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park continues.

     Free of charge, with no entry fees, rangers offer new and familiar programs at Kahuku Unit, Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus, and Mokupāpapa Discovery Center and Prince Kūhio Plaza in Hilo.

Kahuku Unit

     Kahuku events are posted to the park website, nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku-hikes.htm.
     Regularly scheduled Guided Hikes, monthly Coffee Talk, daily Ranger Talks, with cultural demonstrations and activities on weekends.

     Guided Hikes on Saturdays and Sundays begin at 9:30 a.m. Meet the ranger at the welcome tent.

     Coffee Talk, held the last Friday of the month, 9:30-11 a.m., at the Visitor Contact Station.

     Ranger Talks on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m., at the Visitor Contact Station.

     `Ike Hana No`eau: Experience the Skillful Work Cultural Demonstrations and Activities, Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., at the Visitor Contact Station.
Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus

     Find Park Rangers in Volcano Village daily, at the Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus at 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd. Rangers are there 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide talks and answer questions about the current eruption.

     After Dark …near the park at the Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus. Each event will have a different subject matter.

Mokupāpapa Discovery Center

     Find Park Rangers in downtown Hilo, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rangers provide daily eruption updates. At 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., they give a talk about all five of Hawai`i Island's volcanoes, including Kīlauea. Get NPS Passport Books stamped. Located at 76 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo.

Prince Kūhio Plaza

     Find Park Rangers alongside the park's non-profit partner, Hawai`i Pacific Parks Association, at their brand new mall store.

Grand Naniloa Hotel

     Find Park Rangers stationed at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in downtown Hilo on Sundays and Mondays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Rangers provide eruption updates at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The park film that is normally available to visitors at Kīlauea Visitor Center at the Summit, Born of Fire, Born in the Sea, is shown every half-hour beginning at 9:30 a.m.

     Park rangers also greet incoming arrivals at the Hilo International Airport, welcome cruise ship passengers as they disembark at the Port of Hilo, and inform visitors at `Imiloa Astronomy Center most Sundays.

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