Kaʻū News Briefs, Friday, July 5, 2019

The crew of the USGS Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory walked the Volcano Parade yesterday. Read about the
scientists' views in Volcano Watch below and see more parade photos, below. Photo by Yvette Slack

NA ALA HELE TRAIL AND ACCESS SYSTEM, which maintains Kaʻū's Manukā Nature Trail and Kaheāwai Trail, will receive $530,000 from Hawai‘i Tourism. This is in addition to more than $540,000 HTA has provided for a wide range of Department of Land and Natural Resources initiatives and programs over the past year for a total of $1,071,390. HTA's goal, according to a DLNR release, is to inform and educate local residents and visitors on "how to properly approach the environment and to support efforts to restore certain natural and cultural resources around the state."
     Mike Millay, the Statewide Program Manager for Na Ala Hele under the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife, said, "Getting this level of funding from Hawai‘i Tourism was an unexpected surprise. This funding is earmarked for conducting a universal trail assessment of the state's 128 sanctioned trails which cover 825 miles of recreational trails. This will allow us to gather data on how many people are regularly using specific trails and to identify trail maintenance and improvement issues we need to address for the safety and enjoyment of our wonderful trail system."

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park rangers walk through Volcano Village, in their traditional ranger uniforms,
and now familiar endangered bat and butterfly costumes. Photo by Leilani Esperanza

     Over the past year, HTA has funded numerous projects associated with the battle against Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death, including aerial mapping of forests across the state and education, and information products and projects to help inform people about how not to spread this devastating fungal disease.

     Hawai‘i Tourism also paid for the final production costs of the Mālama Hawaiʻi public service announcement campaign. A series of seven 30-second PSAs are being shown on incoming flights to Hawai‘i on several air carriers and in more than 27,000 rooms around the state on closed-circuit TV systems.

     Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā, Hawai‘i Tourism's Director of Cultural Affairs, said, "HTA has a strong and lasting commitment toward helping protect and preserve the very natural and cultural resources that bring millions of visitors to our shores each year. In addition to the trail assessment we'll be working closely with the Na Ala Hele system on a sign initiative to best inform trail users, as well as to help conduct clearing operations to improve safety conditions."

Mamaki Butterfly costume from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
 Photo by Yvette Slack

     DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said, "The partnership we have with HTA is invaluable in providing additional resources to address some of the most pressing issues associated with people 'loving Hawai‘i to death.' We all understand the attraction people from across the globe have to this place we call home. With help from Hawai‘i Tourism and the many other partners DLNR regularly works with, our goal is to not only improve the quality of outdoor experiences for our visitors, but the quality of life for kama‘aina."

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"TURN LEFT TUESDAY" and visiting areas away from Kīlauea's summit is promoted by Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. A release today said major congestion and lack of parking due to increasing summer visitation – especially on Tuesdays, due to the Hilo docking of the Pride of America cruise ship – is causing "frustration and citations for illegal parking," according to a release from the Park.

Science Camps of America stays in Kaʻū in July and walks the parade each year. Photo by Yvette Slack

     Attractions like Wāhinekapu (Steaming Bluff), Steam Vents, Ha‘akulamanu (Sulphur Banks), Devastation Trail, Kīlauea Iki, Pu‘u Pua‘i, and Kīlauea Visitor Center are cited as being frequently overcrowded.

     Said Chief of Interpretation Ben Hayes, "Parking is a mess on Tuesdays, but it's a challenge any day during the busy summer months. On Tuesdays, expect to find zero parking at the summit destinations between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. It's not unusual for traffic to be backed out onto Highway 11 from the entrance station.

     "We want our visitors to leave with smiles, photos, and memories that will last a lifetime, not a parking ticket or a negative experience. All it takes is a little planning and flexibility."

     A new page on the Park's website shows the parking status at popular locations throughout the days, nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/parking.htm. Almost all of the sights along Chain of Craters Road usually have ample parking around the clock.  

Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks runs the bookstores at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes.
Photo by Leilani Esperanza

     Park rangers offer these tips so all visitors have a positive and memorable time in the park:

     "Turn Left Tuesday." Get into the left lane, and turn left at the entrance station to head down the 19-mile Chain of Craters Road towards the Park's dramatic lava-covered coast to avoid the crowds. Stop at the crater pullouts along the way, explore Mauna Ulu fissure eruption and Pu‘u Loa Petroglyphs, and enjoy scenic overlooks and the Hōlei Sea Arch.

     Hike Kīlauea Iki Trail. This four-mile trek is one of the most scenic and popular trails in the park. Plan to hit the trail by 7 a.m., and be out by 10 a.m. 

     Mauna Loa Road is well worth exploring during peak hours, especially in good weather. Kīpukapuaulu offers an easy, forested hike, and the views and birding are excellent along the way to the Mauna Loa Overlook at 6,662 feet. 

     Visit Kahuku. Kahuku is free, never crowded, and is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday. Located on the mauka (inland) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5 in Ka‘ū. 

     Timing is Everything. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is open 24 hours, 365 days a year (except for Kahuku). Explore the summit attractions well before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m.

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VOLCANO PARADE YESTERDAY brought Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association, the Miss Kaʻū Coffee court, Science Camps of America, Rotary Club of Volcano, Volcano School of Arts & Sciences, and many more to Old Volcano Highway for the annual event on Fourth of July. See more photos in yesterday's and tomorrow's Kaʻū News Briefs. 

Miss Kaʻū Coffee court. Left to right, Jr. Miss Kaʻū Coffee Cristina Kawewehi, Miss Kaʻū Coffee  Helena Nihipali Sesson,
Miss Kaʻū Coffee  Flower Kysha Manini Kaupu, Miss Peaberry Liliana Marques, first Peaberry Princess Kendall Haddock,
and second Miss Peaberry Princess Helen Miranda. Photo by Leilani Esperanza

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HIGH SURF ADVISORY, issued by the National Weather Service, for all east-facing Hawaiʻi Island shores due to the approach of Tropical Storm Barbara. She is forecast pass into the Central Pacific tomorrow morning. At the same time, she is expected to be downgraded again, to a Tropical Depression. As of 5 p.m., the former category 4 hurricane was about 1,250 miles east southeast of Kaʻū, moving northwest at 14 miles per hour with 50 mph winds.

     NWS states surf will be higher than normal, with strong breaking waves, dangerous shore break, and rip currents, making swimming difficult and dangerous. Beach-goers, swimmers, and surfers should heed all advice given by ocean safety officials and exercise caution. Know your limits; when in doubt, do not go out. Beaches may be closed without notice.
     Another Tropical Storm is forming in the same area as Barbara, with a 90 percent chance of developing into the season's third named storm.

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The 2019 Miss Kaʻū Coffee court, covering up with umbrellas and laughing in the drizzle
during the parade. Photo by Yvette Slack

SEVERAL LARGE FORESHOCKS AND A 7.1 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE in Central California have not caused a tsunami that would affect Hawaiʻi. Yesterday, a 6.4 M struck near Ridgecrest, CA. Today, the same area was the epicenter of ten aftershocks over 4.0 M, including the 7.1M quake at 5:19 p.m., which redefines the preceding quakes as foreshocks. This is the largest quake in Southern California about 20 years; the 7.1M Hector Mine quake happened in the Mojave Desert in 1999.

     U.S. Geological Survey predicted a ten percent chance of another 7.0M earthquake in the next week, with almost full certainty that 5.0 quakes would continue as aftershocks.

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KEEPING HAWAIʻI ISLAND RESIDENTS INFORMED is the focus of U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's Volcano Watch this week, written by HVO geologist Katie Mulliken:

     USGS Volcano Notification Service informs island residents about Hawaiian volcanoes.

Rotary Club of Volcano rolls through the parade and sponsors food after the event.
Photo by Leilani Esperanza

     Hawaiʻi residents are likely familiar with the Volcano Activity Updates that the HVO issues for Kīlauea and other active Hawaiian volcanoes. These updates, which provide situational awareness of volcanic activity and hazards, were formally established in 2006.

     In addition to Daily, Weekly, or Monthly Updates, other types of notifications provided through this service include Volcanic Activity Notices, Status Reports, Volcano Observatory Notices for Aviation, and Information Statements. 

     Before and during the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption and summit collapse events, HVO used these notification types to alert the public to changing activity at Kīlauea.

     Today, we will explain VANs and VONAs. This is timely because just this week, HVO issued a VAN and VONA to communicate a change in status for Mauna Loa Volcano.

    Like updates, VANs and VONAs include the name and location of the volcano and a description of the activity and associated hazards. Each notification lists the Volcano Alert Level, which informs people on the ground about the volcano's status, and the Aviation Color Code, which informs the aviation sector about airborne ash hazards.

     VANs are released when there is a significant change in volcanic activity. In the lead up to the 2018 LERZ eruption, HVO released four VANs. alerting people to changes at Kīlauea and the potential consequences of those changes. On April 17, 2018, a VAN conveyed that Puʻu ʻŌʻō was becoming increasingly pressurized, and hypothesized that a new eruption site might form on or near the Puʻu ʻŌʻō cone as a result. 

     A VAN was then issued on April 24 to let people know that Kīlauea's summit lava lake in Halemaʻumaʻu was high, and occasionally overflowing, increasing the risk for rockfalls and explosions. In it, HVO extrapolated that if a new vent occurred on or near Puʻu ʻŌʻō, the summit lava lake level would likely drop.

Hawaiʻi County Marching Band. Photo by Yvette Slack

     After Puʻu ʻŌʻō collapsed on April 30, 2018, due to the withdrawal of locally-stored magma, HVO released another VAN on May 1. This notice stated that the collapse, along with earthquakes and deformation propagating down Kīlauea's East Rift Zone, indicated that an outbreak of lava farther downrift was possible.

     When lava was observed erupting in the Leilani Estates subdivision on May 3, HVO issued a VAN heralding the start of the 2018 LERZ eruption. This VAN changed the Volcano Alert-Level for Kīlauea from WATCH (escalating unrest or eruption underway with limited hazards) to WARNING (hazardous eruption underway). 

     With the LERZ eruption fully underway, another VAN was issued on May 9, 2018, confirming HVO's April 24 forecast that the release of pressure at Puʻu ʻŌʻō would lead to a drop in Kīlauea's summit lava lake. This VAN emphasized that explosive hazards were possible, including ashfall downwind of the summit. 

     VONAs are issued when aviation hazards are associated with changes in volcanic activity. They inform pilots, air-traffic controllers, and meteorologists of ash emissions associated with explosive eruptions, including information on height and behavior of the volcanic ash cloud.

The cast and crew of KDEN's summer musical, Flower Drum Song.
Photo by Yvette Slack

     At Kīlauea's summit, low-level ash emissions were nearly continuous after the lava lake dropped out of view on May 10, 2018, but posed no hazard to aviation. However, on the morning of May 15, ash emissions increased noticeably. In response, HVO issued a VONA – the first ever for Kīlauea – notifying the aviation industry that a 3,000‒3,600-meter (10,000‒12,000-foot) plume was transporting ash and vog in a southwest direction.

     This VONA was accompanied by a VAN changing Kīlauea Volcano's Aviation Color Code from ORANGE, denoting an eruption with little to no ash emissions, to RED, signifying that an eruption was underway with significant volcanic ash emissions.

     HVO released several more VANs and VONAs in 2018 as dynamic activity continued at Kīlauea's summit and LERZ. On October 5, 2018, the Aviation Color Code returned to YELLOW and the
Volcano Alert-Level was downgraded to ADVISORY, both indicating that volcanic activity had decreased significantly.

  March 26, 2019, with the ongoing eruptive lull on Kīlauea, HVO lowered the Volcano Alert-Level to NORMAL and the Aviation Color Code to GREEN. However, HVO continues to closely monitor volcanic activity and releases Weekly Updates for Kīlauea – and now Mauna Loa – and Monthly Updates for the other active Hawaiian volcanoes.

  Volcano School marches through its home town.
Photo by Lelani Esperanza

     The free USGS Volcano Notification Service sends notification emails about volcanic activity at U.S. monitored volcanoes, including Hawaiian volcanoes. HVO encourages all Hawaiʻi residents to sign up to receive these automatic notices at volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2.

Volcano Activity Updates

     The USGS Volcano Alert level for Mauna Loa was changed on July 2, 2019, to ADVISORY. For definitions of USGS Volcano Alert Levels, see volcanoes
.usgs.gov/vhp/about_alerts.html. See Tuesday's Kaʻū News Briefs for the Mauna Loa advisory change, and reasons for the change.

     Kīlauea Volcano is not erupting and its USGS Volcano Alert level remains at NORMAL.
     There were two events with three or more felt reports in the Hawaiian islands during the past week: a magnitude-3.7 earthquake 14 km (9 mi) south of Volcano at 8 km (5 mi) depth occurred on July 1, 2019 at 09:37 p.m. HST; a magnitude-2.6 earthquake 14 km (9 mi) southeast of Volcano at 6 km (4 mi) depth occurred on June 30, 2019 at 02:43 p.m. HST.

     Visit volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Call 808-967-8862 for Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. 

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events. 

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

2019  High School Athletics Schedule through August
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates; Bowling TBA.

Football, Division II:
Mon., July 15, first day Conditioning, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Mon., July 22, first day Full Pads, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 24, 1 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kamehameha

Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
Mon., July 29, 3 to 5 p.m., first day practice
Tue., Aug. 20, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Hilo
Fri., Aug. 23, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts St. Joseph
Wed., Aug. 28, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kohala

Cross Country:

Mon., Aug. 5, 2:30 to 4 p.m., first day practice
Sat., Aug. 31, 10 a.m., @Christian Liberty

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UPCOMING

SATURDAY, JULY 6

Edible Landscaping for Backyards and Beyond with Zach Mermel of Ola Design Group, Saturday, July 6, 9a.m.-noon, Volcano Art Center. Learn how to transform lanai and lawn, field and fence into an abundant oasis of edible and multifunctional plants. $30/VAC member, $40/non-member, plus $15 materials fee. Class size limited; register early. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Alternative Handbuilding - East African Pottery with Erik Wold, Saturday, July 6 through August 31, 10a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center. No class August 24. $180/VAC member, $200/non-member, plus $15 materials fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Zentangle Inspired Labyrinth Cartouches with Lois and Earl Stokes, Saturday, July 6, 10a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center. All welcome, no experience necessary. Potluck - bring dish to share. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Keiki Science Class, Saturday, July 6 – 1st Saturday, monthly – 11a.m.-noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. acehardware.com

SUNDAY, JULY 7

Postcards from the Edge - Painting Workshop with Artist-in-Residence Alice Leese, Sunday, July 7, 10a.m.-noon, edge of Kīlauea, behind Volcano House. Meet and paint with Leese. Limited to 12 people. Attendees receive a postcard-sized blank canvas but must bring their own paints and a small travel easel. $75/person includes lunch at Volcano House. Register, fhvnp.org/events/postcards-from-the-edge-painting-workshop-with-artist-in-residence-alice-leese. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

Sunday Clay - High Fire! with Erik Wold, July 7 to Sept. 1, morning session 11:30a.m.-2:30p.m., or afternoon session 2:45-5:45p.m., Volcano Art Center. No class Aug. 25. Eight wheel-thrower and three hand builder slots per session. $180/VAC member, $200/non-member, plus $15 materials fee, per 8-week session. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sunday, July 7 – 1st Sunday, monthly – noon-2p.m., Manukā State Park. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. View sites.google.com/site/southpointarc or sites.google.com/viewith southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058

MONDAY, JULY 8

Head Coaches Wanted for Ka‘ū High School, 2019-2020: Coed Judo, Coed Swimming, and Boys Basketball. Applications due Monday, July 8 - pick up at school office weekdays, 8a.m.-4p.m. Must pass criminal background check. Athletic Director Kalei Namohala, 313-4161

Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Monday, July 8, 1p.m., contact for location. Parent-led homeschool activity and social group, building community in Ka‘ū. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351

Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Monday, July 8 (Committees), Tuesday, July 9 (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

Couples Dinner, Monday-Friday, July 8-12, 4:30-6p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Followed by Couples Engagement, 6-8p.m. Hosted by Ocean View Baptist Church. Open to the public.

TUESDAY, JULY 9

Flameworking - An Introductory Class with Nash Adams-Pruitt, Tuesday, July 9, 5-8p.m., Volcano Art Center. $75/VAC member, $80/non-member, plus $40 supply fee. Class size limited. Register early. Advanced registration required. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

After Dark in the Park - New Insights from Kīlauea Volcano's 2018 Lower East Rift Zone Eruption, Tuesday, July 9, 7p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. USGS HVO geologist Matt Patrick describes expected and unexpected aspects of the eruption and how the activity might be used to improve his and other scientists' ability to forecast future hazards on Kīlauea. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, JULY  10

Kui Kalo Demonstration, Wednesday, July 10, 10a.m.-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Ranger Keoni Kaholo‘a‘ā shares knowledge of kalo and making poi. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo

THURSDAY, JULY 11

Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thursday, July 11, 6:30p.m., United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

Laysan Albatross (Mōlī) and Other Native Seabirds: Their Significance in Hawaiian Culture, Thursday, July 11, 6:30-8p.m., Volcano Art Center. Short documentary showing, book signing, and presentation by Kumu Sabra Kauka and Hob Osterlund, award-winning writer, photographer, and conservationist. Free; $5 donation to VAC suggested. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

FRIDAY, JULY 12

Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Friday, July 12, 9a.m.-noon, Ocean View Community Center. Free disability legal services provided by Hawai‘i Legal Aid. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Community Dance, Friday, July 12, 7-10p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Minors allowed with supervision only. Alcohol-free event. Variety of music. Snacks provided; additional pūpū welcome. Free. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

ONGOING

Seamless Summer Program, open to all people under age 18, no registration required, offers free breakfast at Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School cafeterias. Meals are available weekdays through Friday, July 12. Kaʻū High serves breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Call (808) 939-2413 for Nāʻālehu Elementary mealtimes.

Head Coaches for Coed Judo, Coed Swimming, and Boys Basketball are wanted by Kaʻū High School for the 2019-2020 school year. Applications, due Monday, July 8, can be picked up at the school office weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Coaches hired by Hawaiʻi Department of Education are required to pass a criminal background check. Contact Kaʻū High Athletic Director Kalei Namohala 313-4161 with questions.

Experience Volcano Festival is still looking for vendors. Booths for the event are $25 per day for Saturday, July 27, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, July 28, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is coordinated with the new ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 5K, and Keiki Dash on the 27th. Apply at experiencevolcano.com/vendor-application.
     Experience Volcano is a group of businesses and residents helping to rebuild the economy of Volcano, following last year's volcanic disaster that shut down Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and drastically reduced the visitor county which is now recovering.

ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 5K, and Keiki Dash happens Saturday, July 27 in Volcano Village, It replaces the Volcano Rain Forest Runs. Register at ohialehuahalf.com.

Exhibit -The Joy of the Brush: Paintings by Linda J. Varez, daily through Sunday, Aug. 4, 9a.m.-5p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees may apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

6th Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run Registration, webscorer.com/register?raceid=166020. 5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon races through mac nut and coffee fields along slopes of Ka‘ū starting at 7a.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Sponsored by Ka‘ū Coffee Mill and ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou. Prices increase after July 9. okaukakou.org, kaucoffeemill.com

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