Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, November 14, 2019

Just steps from the Volcano Golf Course's charred clubhouse, fairways and greens remain with endangered nēnē 
geese and large ʻōhiʻa trees in bloom. This morning, a fire ravaged the clubhouse. Photo by Julia Neal

A FIRE BURNED VOLCANO GOLF COURSE's retail and administration area in the country club building. Hawaiʻi Fire Department Company 19 in Volcano received one 911 call around 4:50 a.m. from a neighbor, who reported hearing crackling. The east side of the 6,787 square foot building was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. The fire burned part way into the restaurant, which remains largely intact, with its fireplace. Changing rooms, golf carts, and a large retail storage area were saved. There were no injuries.

This morning, a fire ravaged the Volcano Golf Course clubhouse. Retail 

and offices areas are ruined, leaving much of the storage and 

some of the restaurant areas alone. Photo by Julia Neal

     HFD reports that, due to the early call to 911, the Volcano Fire Department, with four personnel, was able to knock down the substantial fire and keep it under control until firefighters from Pāhala – 21 miles away, and Keaʻau – 23 miles away – could arrive. Water tankers from Pāhala and Pāhoa supplied water. The closest hydrant is in Mountain View.

     HFD reports the losses at $315,000, with $872,725 saved.

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PUNA GEOTHERMAL VENTURE plans to reconnect to the the Hawaiʻi Electric Light Co. grid by next June and is suing its insurance companies for loss of business.
     Big Island Video News reported today that Puna Geothermal's parent company Ormat has received $21.2 million from insurers but is seeking another $56.7 million for losses as of Sept. 20 of this year. The geothermal plant, which supplied 31 percent of the island's renewable energy needs, went offline in 2018, when lava flowed through its facility in Puna, covering up two geothermal wells. One well is ready for use, the other has been uncovered. In preparation for reopening, PGV built Pioneer Road over hardened lava to its plant. The road opened in April, and is accessible for PGV contractors and employees, and to about 250 landowners whose lots were cut off by the lava flow.
     One delay could be renegotiation of the agreement between PGV and HELCO, and a request before the state Public Utilities Commission for construction of overhead transmission lines to connect the geothermal energy with the utility. According to PGV, the geothermal facility will be rebuilt with or without the insurance money.

Volcano Golf Course clubhouse, after this morning's fire. Photo by Julia Neal

     See the coverage at bigisland
videonews.com/2019/11/12/ormat-gives-puna-geothermal-update-in-latest-earnings-call/.

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TWO SPEAR FISHERMEN IN DISTRESS WERE RESCUED Wednesday afternoon by Hawaiʻi Police and Fire Departments. The 15 and 17 year old male youths were spotted about 400 yards offshore at Whittington Beach Park. HPD relocated to Honuʻapo Point, to be closer to the fishermen, where HPD personnel were able to make contact with the divers, who were only 100 yards from the point, and assist them to swim to shore. Once on land, both parties were assessed by emergency medical services; no injuries or need for EMS. The rescue involved ten personnel, including a helicopter.

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FIRE HYDRANT FLOW WILL BE TESTED by Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply in Wai‘ōhinu on Wednesday, Nov. 20 between 3 a.m. and 3 p.m. Areas affected will be Discovery Harbour customers along Kamā‘oa Road from Lewalani Street to Holokai Street; Hekau Street from Komo Hale Place to Kia Lua Street; and Kaulua Circle from Kilo Makani Place to Kai Ki Street, and any side roads and lanes.

     Affected customers may experience slightly discolored or turbid water for several hours after the test is completed. Customers are asked to avoid washing clothes and to store a container of water for their drinking needs until service returns to normal. DWS apologizes for the temporary inconvenience and thanks customers and the general public for their patience and understanding. Unusual problems during or after the testing? Call Darren Okimoto, District Supervisor.

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Just a pivot from the volcano Golf Clubhouse Fire are red ʻōhiʻa blossoms. 

Photo by Julia Neal

EXPANDING TELEHEALTH CARE is the goal of U.S. Sen Brian Schatz with his Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies for Health Act of 2019. The bipartisan legislation would expand telehealth services through Medicare, improve health outcomes, make it easier for patients to connect with their doctors, and help cut costs for patients and providers, according to Schatz:

     According to studies, telehealth has been shown to improve care and patient satisfaction while reducing hospitalizations. The CONNECT for Health Act of 2019 builds on the progress made in recent years to increase the use of telehealth through Medicare. Specifically, the legislation would provide the Secretary of Health and Human Services with the authority to waive telehealth restrictions when necessary; remove geographic and originating site restrictions for services like mental health and emergency medical care; allow rural health clinics and other community-based health care centers to provide telehealth services; and require a study to explore more ways to expand telehealth services so that more people can access health care services in their own homes.

     Schatz and the Senate telehealth working group first introduced the CONNECT for Health Act in 2016. Since then, a number of provisions have been signed into law or adopted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The updated version includes new key measures health care experts, providers, and patient advocates agree will help improve access to care and drive down costs, states the release.

     Read the bill here. A summary of the bill is available here.

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MAUNA LOA VOLCANO is not erupting. The mauna has an Alert Level of ADVISORY, Aviation Color Code of YELLOW. Rates of deformation and seismicity have not changed significantly over the past week and remain above long-term background levels.
     During the past week, approximately 180 small-magnitude earthquakes (nearly all smaller than M2.0) were detected beneath the upper elevations of Mauna Loa. Most of the earthquakes occurred at shallow depths of less than 5 km (~3 miles) below sea level.
     Global Positioning System (GPS) and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) measurements show continued summit inflation, consistent with magma supply to the volcano's shallow storage system.
     Readings of fumarole temperature and gas concentrations at the Sulphur Cone monitoring site on the Southwest Rift Zone remain stable.
     For more information on current monitoring of Mauna Loa Volcano, see volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/monitoring_summary.html.

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Pāhala Dojo, from left: Jake Villa, Eva Reddy, Colby Peralta, Jyzeiah Garcia, Jaylise Casuga, Reyna Reddy, Cheska
Aurelio, Josiah Reddy, Nikaela Aurelio, Sensei Francisco Villa. Photo from Sensei Villa

PĀHALA KARATE DOJO BROUGHT HOME MANY AWARDS from the 15th Annual International Karate League Karate Tournament Championship on Nov. 2. Held at Kekuaokalani Gymnasium in Kona, most students in Pāhala Dojo attended the tournament, and either participated or helped with judging. The Pāhala Dojo is one of 30 dojos in the IKL, a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization founded by Walter Nishioka.

     Results for the Pāhala Dojo are:

     Francisco Villa (Black Belt) placed second in Kobudo (Weapons) Masters Black Belt Division.

     Cheska Aurelio (Blue Belt) placed first in Kata Blue Belt Division.

     Josiah Reddy (Green Belt) placed third in Kata Junior Green Belt Division and placed second in Kobudo (weapons) in Junior (Novice) Division.

     Reyna Reddy (Purple Belt) placed third in Kata Junior Purple Belt Division. 

     Nikaela Aurelio (Purple Belt) placed second in Kata Junior Purple Belt Division.

     Pāhala Dojo trains every Tuesday and Friday at Pāhala Community Center. Class runs from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with advanced students from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The class is open year round to new students. Call Sensei Villa for more information at 808-345-3036.

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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.

See monthly and weekly Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, and Meditation at kaucalendar.com.

UPCOMING

FRIDAY, NOV. 15

Health Insurance Sign-Up, Friday, Nov. 15, 10a.m.-3p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

SATURDAY, NOV. 16

Small Group Kama‘oa Cleanup, Saturday, Nov. 16. Limited space available. Contact to be added to waitlist. 769-7629, mattieHWF@gmail.com, or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com. wildhawaii.org

Mobile Spay & Neuter Waggin', Saturday, Nov. 16, 7:30a.m.-4p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Low income pet parents and those with limited transportation qualify for mobile spay/neuter service. Free. Surgery by phone appointment only. Hawai‘i Island Humane Society, 796-0107, hihs.org

Art Fair, Saturday, Nov. 16, 8a.m.-3p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Hand-crafted and locally produced items on display and for sale by Ka‘ū artists and craftspeople. DeeDee, 785-1158

Fundraising Bazaar, Saturday, Nov. 16, 9a.m.-2p.m., Kauaha‘ao Congregational Church, Wai‘ōhinu. Free entry. Hot lunches and baked goods for sale. Vendor booths. Debbie Wong Yuen, 928-8039

Free Haircut Day, Saturday, Nov. 16, 9a.m.-1p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church. Kady and Drew Foster. 12 slots available. Also, Free Shower Day and The Big Island Giving Tree will hand out clothes and items like razors and toothbrushes. 939-7000, stjudeshawaii.org

Nature & Culture, Saturday, Nov. 16, 9:30-11:30a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate hike, approx. 2 miles. nps.gov/havo

Guided Hike On A 60 Year Old Lava Lake, Saturday, Nov. 16, 10a.m.-2p.m., Kīlauea Iki Overlook, HVNP. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderate to challenging 2.4 mile (one way) hike. $80/person. Register online. Park entrance fees may apply. 985-7373, admin@fhvnp.org, fhvnp.org

Mixed Media Encaustic with Mary Milelzcik, Saturday, Nov. 16, 10a.m.-3p.m., Volcano Art Center. $55/VAC member, $60/non-member, plus $30 supply fee. Supplies provided. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Saturday, Nov. 16, 10a.m.-1p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Hula Kahiko - Kumu Ha‘amauliola Aiona with haumana (students) of Ke Kula ‘O Nāwahīokalani‘ōpu‘u Public Charter School, Saturday, Nov. 16, 10:30-11:30a.m., hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery. Hula performance. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mea Hula with Wes Awana, Saturday, Nov. 16, 11a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

SUNDAY, NOV. 17

Hi‘iaka & Pele, Sunday, Nov. 17, 9:30-11:30a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/havo

MONDAY, NOV. 18

P&R T-Ball League Registration, Nov. 18 - Jan. 6, Kahuku Park. Ages 5-6. Athletic shoes required. Program takes place Jan. 13 - Apr. 16, day and time TBA. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation

Nature Wreath Registration, Nov. 18-25, program takes place Tuesday, Nov. 26, 3-4p.m. Ages 6-14. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation

TUESDAY, NOV. 19

Scholastic Book Fair, Tuesday, Nov. 19, Open to public: 7:30-8a.m. and 2:07-3:30p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2:07-7p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 21, 7:30a.m.-3:30-p.m.; and Friday, Nov. 22, 7:30a.m.-2p.m., Nā‘ālehu Elementary School Library.

Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, Nov. 19 (Committees), Wednesday, Nov. 18, (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov. 

Cultural Understanding through Art and the Environment: Ti Leaf Lei Making with Jelena Clay, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 11a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center. Pre-registration required; class size limited. $10 per person supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20

Ocean View Community Association Board of Directors Mtg., Wednesday, Nov. 20, 12:30-1:30p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Nāʻālehu School Family Reading Night, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 6-7p.m., Nāʻālehu School Cafeteria. Family reading, make & take activities, and snacks provided. Free.

THURSDAY, NOV. 21

Ka‘ū Food Basket, Thursday, Nov. 21, 11a.m.-noon, Pāhala Community Center. 928-3102

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, Nov. 21, 4-6p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Additional packaged goods to take home for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

Nāʻālehu School Family Reading Night, Thursday, Nov. 21, 6-7p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Family reading, make & take activities, and snacks provided. Free. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

ONGOING

West Hawai‘i Master Gardeners Program Accepting Applications through tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 15, cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/whmgprogram/HOME/West-Hawaii. Classes take place Jan. 14 - April 17, 2020, every Tuesday, 9a.m.-noon. $200/person.

Vote for Izaiah "Bobby" Pilanca-Emmsley of rthe Wedemeyer Award - Two-Way Player of the Year, at khon2.com/uncategorized/vote-2019-cover2-hawaii-high-school-football-awards/. Voting remains open through Monday, Nov. 25. The winners will be announced on Thanksgiving by the L.A. Rams. Pilanca-Emmsley is the only candidate from Kaʻū. Fans can vote for six of the seven awards presented.

P&R Track & Field Practice Registration, through Wednesday, Nov. 20, Kahuku Park. Ages 6-14. Athletic shoes required. Program takes place Dec. 2 - Feb. 8, day and time TBA. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation

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.

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.

King Cab 2016 Nissan Frontier for Sale by Holy Rosary Church of Pāhala and the Sacred Heart Church of Nāʻālehu. The parishes are selling the truck to raise funds to benefit both churches. The truck is a great 6 cylinder, 2WD automobile. The churches are asking for $21K or best offer. Only cash or cashier's check will be accepted. Anyone interested should contact the parish secretary Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at 928-8208.

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