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| Kaunāmano in Kaʻū is one of three parcels at the top of the preservation list for the Legacy Land Conservation Commission. Photo from PONC |
The commission also recommended preservation of Mapulehu on Molokaʻi and Maka‘alae Lands on Maui. Legacy Lands is expected to spend some $6.4 million toward purchase of the properties, which is often in concert with funding from other government agencies and non-profits.
The recommendations must be approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Governor. In total, 13 properties were recommended for funding, but the existing budget would only fund the top five, according to Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Kaunāmano, conservation easement held by County of Hawai‘i, under Ala Kahakai Trail Association, covers five undeveloped parcels of 1,363 acres between Nāʻālehu and Honu‘apo, fronting four miles of Ka‘ū coastline and reaching up to the 600-foot elevation, stated DLNR. Licensed for cattle grazing, "this frequently brings people in to help protect sensitive resources and would provide a revenue stream to support future management actions." Kaunāmano is recommended for full funding in 2020.
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| Kiolaka‘a. Photo from Big Island Video News |
The Land Conservation Fund, established the State Legislature in 2005, provides continuous funding for land conservation by dedicating proceeds from the state's real estate conveyance tax to the Fund. The grant application and approval process includes consultation with three State agencies: DLNR, Department of Agriculture, and the Agribusiness Development Corp. The process also requires field visits and public meetings with the Legacy Land Conservation Commission; consultation with the President of the State Senate and the Speaker of the State House of Representatives; environmental review; before final approval by the BLNR, the Department of Budget and Finance and the Governor.
The application process for grants for Fiscal Year 2022 funds is scheduled to begin in January 2020.
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THE GREEN HOT POND IN KĪLAUEA CALDERA COULD EMIT EXPLOSIONS
ON THE FLOOR OF HALEMA‘UMA‘U CRATER, according to U.S. Geological Survey. A new video, produced by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, explains the pond's rise and discusses the summit's stability.
In 2018, the largest
lower East Rift Zone eruption and summit collapses in 200 years resulted in
drastic changes on Kīlauea Volcano. At the summit, more than 60 collapse events
caused the floor of Halema‘uma‘u crater, within the caldera, to drop more than
500 meters (1,600 feet). In July, water appeared at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u.
USGS HVO scientists have been tracking the water level rise on a near-daily basis. The pond has been present for 11 weeks and the water level continues to slowly rise. The pond is more than 100 m (300 ft) long in the east-west dimension and more than 50 m (150 ft) in the north-south dimension, or larger than a football field. The rise rate is relatively steady, about 6 inches per day.
The pond was first observed on July 25, and at that time it was difficult to see. The aerial survey that was going on had very high-resolution images that were used to confirm that the small puddle – about 10 m (33 ft) wide and very shallow – was actually there.
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| As the pond grew, reference points were used to show how the water was expanding. USGS photos |
The pond is greenish-yellow in color and is not uniform over the surface. There are segments of the pond that are bluer, or more clear, and others
that are more yellow or green and opaque. The greenish-yellow color is
assumed to be caused by sulfur. High-resolution
videos show the circulation and mixing, and steam rising from the pond's surface.
Scientists have a webcam set up
at the summit on the west caldera rim and make near-daily direct observations
on foot. Scientists take measurements of the water level with a laser range finder
as they are about 2,000 ft above the pond.
The temperature of the water tells "that the water is heated by
the magmatic system from depth," said HVO geologist Matt Patrick. "One thing that we've
we noticed through tracking is that the water temperature has been very stable.
We also rely on visual observations, taking high-resolution photographs. We're
also monitoring on regular overflights, and that gives us a view of portions of
the pond that we can't necessarily see from the ground."
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| Color variations and agitation show new water influx, and the steam indicates the temperature of the water. USGS photos |
In addition to
visual monitoring, field measurements, and thermal monitoring, HVO scientists
have an extensive network of geophysical and geodetic and geochemistry monitoring
tools situated at the summit. "Kīlauea is one of
the best monitored volcanoes on Earth and the summit network is particularly dense,"
said Patrick.
He said the next step in monitoring the pond
and its potential hazards is to take a direct sample of the water to look at
the chemistry. Said Patrick, "Being able to put a constraint on how much sulfur
the pond is actually absorbing would be very useful for monitoring. At other
volcanic lakes, changes in lake chemistry can sometimes be a precursor to changes
on the volcano and changes deeper in the magmatic system. So being able to take
direct measurements and track the chemistry of the pond is really a fundamental
part of monitoring it."
Scientists are working with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to figure out how to collect that sample. "Whenever you have magma interacting with water, there's the potential for explosive activity. AtKīlauea summit, most likely those explosions would be relatively small, affecting just the immediate caldera floor," said Patrick
Scientists are working with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to figure out how to collect that sample. "Whenever you have magma interacting with water, there's the potential for explosive activity. At
He said the pond
is very new, with nothing like it in the last 200 years, and that scientists
are looking for any signs that might be potential precursors for larger scale activity
in the future, such as inflation that would indicate magma rising or seismic
activity that would indicate unrest in the deeper magmatic system.
"The
takeaway right now is that there's no immediate signs of imminent increased
hazard at the summit," said Patrick. "Sulfur dioxide emission rates
are low and seismicity is elevated relative to the levels before the 2018
eruption, but it's stable. Looking at all the indicators, it paints a relatively
stable picture of the summit."
Over the last two centuries, in the history of the observation of Kīlauea crater and Halema‘uma‘u, there had not been any recorded water. Rainfall will pond on the crater floor in small patches, especially in winter, but the ponds very small and usually evaporate during the following day without continuous to rainfall. Rainfall retention is a little bit higher outside the crater because of all the ash deposits, making it more difficult for rain to percolate down into the rock.
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| 2,000 feet below the caldera rim, the pond in Halemaʻumaʻu is a scalding 160 degrees Fahrenheit. USGS photo |
Questioning Hawaiian kūpuna about whether there are mentions of water lakes in the summit have not turned up anything, nor have searches in mele, songs, or other recordings.
See more on the study of the pond in future Kaʻū News Briefs.
SUPPORT FOR THE UNDERFUNDED LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND is urged by Alex Taurel, Conservation Program Director of the League of Conservation Voters. The newly introduced Land and Water Conservation Fund Permanent Funding Act, H.R.3195, would grant full funding, $900 million, for the program every single year. A petition to tell Congress to pass this bill is at p2a.co/vV1mLwD?p2asource=C4EMDMLWCF01.
Created by Congress in 1964, the Land and Water Conservation Fund was a bipartisan commitment to safeguard natural areas, water resources, cultural heritage, and to provide recreation opportunities to all Americans. National parks like Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, as well as national wildlife refuges, national forests, rivers and lakes, community parks, trails, and ball fields in all 50 states were set aside for Americans to enjoy from the LWCF.
LWCF is funded by using revenues from the depletion of one natural resource – offshore oil and gas – to support the conservation of another precious resource – land and water. Every year, $900 million in royalties paid by energy companies drilling for oil and gas on the Outer Continental Shelf are put into this fund. The money is intended to protect national parks, areas around rivers and lakes, national forests, and national wildlife refuges from development, and to provide matching grants for state and local parks and recreation projects. Over the years, LWCF has also grown and evolved to include grants to protect working forests, wildlife habitat, critical drinking water supplies, and disappearing battlefields, as well as increased use of easements.
Nearly every year, states lwcfcoalition.com, "Congress breaks its own promise to the American people and diverts much of this funding to uses other than conserving our most important lands and waters. As a result, there is a substantial backlog of federal conservation needs estimated at more than $30 billion – including places vulnerable to development such as the Florida Everglades, Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, Civil War battlefields in Virginia, our shrinking Northern forests, and other precious places around the country. State governments also report needing $27 billion in LWCF funds for eligible local parks and recreation projects."
Said Taurel, "Without adequate support, protected places will be vulnerable to the impacts of development and communities will lack access to green spaces. With full funding, LWCF would be able to expand its legacy of having supported over 41,000 state and local park projects throughout the U.S. LWCF has given children safe spaces to play, families open areas to relax, and communities outdoor spaces to thrive. These green spaces are worth fighting for."To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
KAʻŪ SKATE CLUB FUNDRAISER YARD SALE FOR KAHUKU ROLLER RINK
will be held Saturday, Oct. 12, To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and
Twitter.
See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
NĀʻĀLEHU HONGWANJI RUMMAGE SALE is set for tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 12.
Proceeds will go to maintain the Hongwanji. The sale, 8 a.m. to noon at
95-5695 Mamalahoa Highway ,
will offer baked goods, clothing, crafts, books, household item, kitchen items,
and garden tools.
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KAʻŪ TROJANS GIRLS VOLLEYBALL team traveled to Kealakekua yesterday to play the last season game against the Konawaena Wildcats, who won the game. They went into the game with seven wins and five losses, ranking third overall in the league. Hawaiʻi Preparatory had eight wins and five losses, and Konawaena had seven wins and three losses.
The Trojans faced
the Wildcats, Konawaena taking all three sets, 25
to 12 , 25 to 6, and 25 to 22. Kaʻū remains in third place in the
league.
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THREE GAMES REMAIN in the football season, before the Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division II championships. Kaʻū hosts HPA on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. and hosts Pāhoa on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. The final season game for the Trojans will be held at Kohala. Before these last three games, the Trojans rank third of five in the league, with two wins and three losses. Their points for-points against is 100-153. PF and PA are used as tiebreakers in case two teams vying for a playoff spot have the same record.
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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.
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
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2019 Kaʻū High School Fall Athletics Schedule
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates
Football, Division II:
Sat., Oct. 12, 1 p.m. , Kaʻū hosts HPA
Sat., Oct. 19, 11 a.m. , Kaʻū hosts Pāhoa
Sat., Oct. 26, 1 p.m. , Kohala hosts Kaʻū
Fri. and Sat., Nov. 1 and 2, Div II BIIF Championship
Fri. and Sat., Nov. 15 and 16, HHSAA Div II Semifinals
Fri., Nov. 29, HHSAA Div II Championship
Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
Mon., Oct. 14, 6 p.m. , BIIF Div II First Round at
Tue., Oct. 15, 2:30 p.m. , BIIF Div II Semifinals at
Wed., Oct. 16, 4 p.m. , BIIF Div II Finals at
Wed.-Sat., Oct. 23-26, HHSAA DII Tournament, Oʻahu
Wed.-Sat., Oct. 23-26, HHSAA DII Tournament, Oʻahu
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
See monthly and weekly Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, and Meditation at kaucalendar.com.
UPCOMING
SATURDAY, OCT. 12
Every Kid Outdoors Day, Saturday, Oct. 12, all National Parks. Kid-friendly activities offered throughout the park. New Junior Ranger program at Kahuku unit. 4th grade students earn a free entrance pass to all national parks - everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm, print voucher and present, completed, at main entrance station. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo/
Nāʻālahu Hongwanji Rummage Sale, Saturday, Oct. 12, 8a.m.-noon. Baked goods, clothing, crafts, books, household item, kitchen items, and garden tools. 95-5695 Mamalahoa Hwy.Pancake Breakfast and Raffle, Saturday, Oct. 12, 8-11a.m., Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Ka‘ū Skate Club Fundraiser for Kahuku Roller Rink in Ocean View: Yard Sale, Saturday, Oct. 12, 9a.m.-3p.m., 92-8907 Paradise Parkway, Ocean View. Donations welcome. Ka‘ū Skate Club President Lzena Barrett, 747-1147
Pastel On-Site Landscape Painting Workshop with Patti Pease Johnson, Saturday, Oct. 12, 9a.m.-12:30p.m., outside (weather permitting) at Volcano Art Center. Students complete one 9"x12" project. $45/VAC member, $50/non-member, plus $10 supply fee per person. All materials supplied. Beginner and intermediate artists welcome. Register - 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Nā Mamo o Kāwā ʻOhana Work Day, Saturday, Oct. 12, meet 9:30a.m., Northern Gate, Kāwā. RSVP to James Akau, jakau@nmok.org, 561-9111. Bring a water bottle, lunch, closed toed shoes, long sleeved t-shirt, and pants. Tools, gloves, water, and light refreshments provided. nmok.org, facebook.com/NMOK.Hawaii
Zentangle Inspired Art: Milagros with Lydia Meneses, Saturday, Oct. 12, 10a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center. Art supplies provided (students encouraged to bring favorite art supplies). Open to all levels. No experience required. Potluck, bring snack to share. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $15 supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Jazz in the Forest with Jean Pierre Thoma, Autumn Leaves & Jeannine Guillory-Kane, Saturday, Oct. 12, 5:30-7:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. Doors open 5p.m. $20/VAC member, $25/non-member. Purchase tickets online, VAC Admin Office or VAC Gallery. Wine, beer, soft drinks, and snacks available for purchase. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Soul Town Band performance, Saturday, Oct. 12, 7-10p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge, in HVNP. $5 cover charge. Open to eligible patrons; certain Terms of Service. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com
SUNDAY, OCT. 13
‘Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sunday, Oct. 13, 9:30-11a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, easy one-mile walk. nps.gov/havo/
MONDAY, OCT. 14
Monday Movie Night: Moananuiakea, Monday, Oct. 14, 6-7:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. $5 donation suggested. Popcorn and snacks available for purchase. Bring a cushion. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
TUESDAY, OCT. 15
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, Oct. 15 (Committees), Wednesday, Oct. 17, (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov. These meetings affect the temporary location of the Nā‘ālehu Public Library
Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment: Ti Leaf Lei Making with Jelena Clay, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 11a.m.-1p.m. , Volcano Art Center
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 16
Ocean View Community Association Board of Directors Mtg., Wednesday, Oct. 16, 12:30-1:30p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
FRIDAY, OCT. 18
Forest Restoration Project, Friday, Oct. 18, 8:30a.m.-3p.m., HVNP. 12+; under 18 require adult co-signature. Pre-registration required - include first and last names, email address, and phone number of each participant. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Patty Kupchak, 352-1402, forest@fhvnp.org, fhvnp.org
Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment: Guided Cultural Tour of the Ni‘aulani Forest, Friday, Oct. 18, 9:30-11a.m., Volcano Art Center. Kumu Hula Ryan McCormack leads. Tour focuses on Hawaiian protocol, traditional chants, history, and lifeways, as they relate to the native forest ecosystem. Free; open to public. Spaced is limited, reservations suggested. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Dances of Universal Peace, Friday, Oct. 18, 6-7:30p.m., Methodist Church hall, across from Nā‘ālehu Post Office. Fun, easy to learn dances from many traditions evoking peace. Donations welcome. No registration necessary. 939-9461, hualaniom2@yahoo.com
Help Shape Hawaiʻi Island at upcoming SpeakOuts and workshops on the General Plan. The community is encouraged to "come share your manaʻo," opinion.
SpeakOut meetings will be held in Kona, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., West Hawaiʻi Civic Center Liquor Commission Boardroom; Capt. Cook, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Pukaʻana United Church of Christ; and Waikaloa, Thursday, Oct. 24, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. , Waikoloa Elementary & Middle School.
Topic Workshops will be held in Hilo at County of Hawaiʻi Office of Aging on Saturday, Oct. 12 on Land Use from 9 a.m. tonoon and Economic Development from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m; Kona at West Hawaiʻi Civic Center Council Chambers on Saturday, Oct. 19 on Infrastructure from 9 a.m. to noon and Natural Resources from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m ; and Hilo at County of Hawaiʻi Office of Aging on Saturday, Oct. 26, on Infrastructure from 9 a.m. to noon and Natural Resources from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Submit feedback online by Thursday, Oct. 31. See more Info on the Draft General Plan at hiplanningdept.com/general-plan/.Topic Workshops will be held in Hilo at County of Hawaiʻi Office of Aging on Saturday, Oct. 12 on Land Use from 9 a.m. to
Trunk or Treat at Kaʻū District Gym will be held Thursday, Oct. 31,
For those interested in participating in Trunk or Treat, distributing goodies, prizes will be awarded for the best decorated car: Most Beautiful, Most Original, Spookiest, and a special awards for teachers or staff who decorate; decoration not required. Contact Nona at 928-3102 or Angie Miyashiro at 313-4100.
Nationwide 2019 Congressional App Challenge submissions from middle and high schoolers are open through Friday, Nov. 1. Submit to Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, CongressionalAppChallenge.us, apps "designed to promote innovation and engagement in computer science." All skill levels, all devices and platforms, and all programming languages, accepted.
Hoʻokupu Hula No Kaʻū Cultural Festival Booths can be reserved. The free event on Saturday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center, will feature cultural practitioners and demonstrators; workshops; crafts; food; music and entertainment from artists such as Bali Hai from Mexico, Vero Cruz Folklore Dancers, taiko drummers, UH-Hilo Filipino/Samoan dancers; and hula from Mexico, Japan, Virginia, ʻOahu, and Hawaiʻi Island. Interested vendors can apply for food, craft, or information booths. Email leionalani47@hotmail.com or call 808-649-9334. See hookupukau.com.
Artists include Daniel Rokovitz, Stone O'Daugherty, Kristin Mitsu Shiga, Pat Pearlman, and Amy Flanders, Karen and Mark Stebbins. Also on display, small works from the annual Volcano Art Collaboration from June, featuring Rose Adare, Nash Adams-Pruitt, Lisa Louise Adams, Ed Clapp, Amy Flanders, Bill Hamilton, Liz Miller, Joe Laceby, and Erik Wold. volcanoartcenter.org
Vendor Booth Space is Available for the Kamahalo Craft Fair. The 12th annual event will be held Thanksgiving weekend, Friday, Nov. 29, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. , and Saturday, Nov. 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cooper Center. Booths are open for crafters with quality homemade and homegrown products. Food vendors must prepare all food items in a certified kitchen and must have a Department of Health permit displayed prominently at their booth. Application online at thecoopercenter.org. Direct questions to 936-9705 or kilaueatutu@gmail.com.
King Cab 2016 Nissan Frontier for Sale Holy Rosary Church Heart Church 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at 928-8208.
Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call Tata Compehos and Melody Espejo at 808-938-1088.
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