Ka‘ū News Briefs, Sunday, December 15, 2019

Sonya and Judah Crane, of Waiʻōhinu, with Santa and the Missus, Lance and Pam Ako, after the Christmas Lighting Parade, Saturday in Nāʻālehu. See more photos below from the parade and from Holidays at Kahuku.
Photo by Julia Neal

WALLS OF PUʻU ʻŌʻŌ ARE COLLAPSING and are expected to take Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory equipment with them into the crater. Perched on the north rim, a communications hub and web cam "will very likely fall into the crater as the north rim continues to collapse," states the HVO website. HVO already implemented an alternate communication hub for geophysical data acquisition, "so there was no gap when the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō hub started tipping precariously." All the webcams at the crater's edge went offline on Monday, states HVO. A helicopter flight on Friday confirmed the hub has not fallen in yet, "which means either the antenna signal is blocked from the hub or that the solar panels are no longer able to recharge the batteries powering the antenna," states the site.

Webcams and transmission hub at the edge of Puʻu ʻŌʻō are expected to fall

 into the crater as the rim continues to collapse. USGS photo by C. Parcheta

     When a crack near an existing data-telemetry hub on Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō was observed to be growing over several weeks, HVO prepared a contingency hub that could be rapidly installed if/when necessary. On Nov. 15, after a portion of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater rim collapsed, further threatening the existing telemetry hub, HVO field engineers deployed the contingency hub nearby. Telemetry hubs transmit important data from monitoring instruments on the volcano to HVO scientists, providing them information they need to track changes on Kīlauea.
     A time-lapse camera was installed on the south rim of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō to document the continuing collapse of the north rim. On Friday the crater was too steamy to see the north rim, but the camera will capture the sequence of events when visibility is improved. This camera is not telemetered in real-time.

Justine Dennis spins yarn from locally grown Alpaca wool in front of the 

 Knitwits booth. Creations of the Ocean View womens' group sell to

 benefit Kaʻū Food Pantry. Photo by Annie Bosted

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MUSIC, CRAFTS, AND FOOD drew a large crowd of Kaʻū residents and tourists to the second annual Holdays at Kahuku in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on Saturday.

     Crowd-pleasing tunes were the constant entertainment at the community event. Classically-trained opera singer D'Andrea Pelletier, from Volcano, opened the show with her powerful and emotional rendition of popular classics. She was followed by two bands, Blue Tattoo and Shootz, in a musical
line-up that gave the event a festive boost.

Shootz entertains the crowds with  Rock & Roll and Motown. 

 Photo by Annie Bosted

     The popular event was sponsored by the non-profit Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Elizabeth Fein, President and CEO, told The Kaʻū Calendar that, while the event could have been a fund raiser, it was really a community event intended to bring people together for a day at Kahuku where they could enjoy not only the music, but also food and the benefits of buying directly from crafters in Kaʻū.

     Said Fein, "We want to remind the community that the park is here. We are the Park's official philanthropic partner." Friends sponsors the popular After Dark at the Park lecture series, the Youth Ranger program, and other projects. The organization kept the Park open during the 35-day government shut down a year ago.

     Volcano House sold plate lunches, the Hawaiian Civic Club of Kaʻū sold hot dogs, and the Friends of HVNP had drinks, chips, and shave ice for sale.

Thomas King demonstrates his workmanship of a box created from Koa 

wood to Karen and Jay Shannon of Ocean View. Photo by Annie Bosted

     Twenty-four vendors signed up for the event, offering crafts in mediums as diverse as feathers, glass, photography, paper, pottery, wood, wool, and preserved fruit.

     Justine Dennis, who brought her spinning wheel to the event and wove yarn from a bin of locally grown Alpaca wool, proved to be a popular draw. The Alpaca are raised within a few miles of the crafts fair, and are owned by an employee of the Park. The yarn produced by Dennis was a top-selling item at the Knitwits booth.

Rourk Reagan offers a taste of one of his locally sourced jams.
Photo by Annie Bosted

     Robyn Stratton, a founding member of Knitwits, told The Kaʻū Calendar that the informal group of women fabric artists in Ocean View has raised more than twice as much money from selling crafts this year, than they did in 2018.
     All the money from the sales goes directly to the Kaʻū Food Pantry. The Pantry is a non-profit organization that helps about 130 needy families in Ocean View. Knitwits meets each Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The size of the group can vary from two to 14 women. Members enjoy building warm friendships with other like-minded women, said Stratton, while creating saleable items, which, in turn, help the under-privileged. They welcome new members. 

     Rourk Reagan, owner of Pukana La Farms in Waiʻōhinu, produces jams and jellies from locally grown fruit. He told The Kaʻū Calendar that he uses surplus fresh fruit when it is in season. He creates a wide range of preserves, including persimmon from a tree in upper Hawaiian Ocean View Estates.

Lynn Clarke, of Ocean View, shows fused 
glass creations. Photo by Annie Bosted

     A long-time creator of fused glass art, Lynn Clarke, of Ocean View, combines pieces of glass and bakes them in her studio kiln until they fuse.

     Award-winning wood craftsman, Thomas King, established Woods of Hawaiʻi in 1990 in Kaʻū. He demonstrated his workmanship – all created from Koa  – with boxes, frames, jewelry, and more.

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PROTECTING PERSONAL INFORMATION ONLINE is the goal of legislation reintroduced by Sen. Brian Schatz and 15 other senators. The Data Care Act would require websites, apps, and other online providers to take responsible steps to safeguard personal information and stop the misuse of users' data.

     A statement from Schatz – the top Democrat on the Senate Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet Subcommittee – states that online companies hold personal and sensitive information about the people they serve, but are not required to protect consumers' data, as doctors, lawyers, and bankers must. "This leaves users in a vulnerable position: they are expected to understand the information they give to providers and how it is being used – an unreasonable expectation for even the most tech-savvy consumer. By establishing an explicit duty for online providers, Americans can trust that their online data is protected and used in a responsible way."

A logistics organizer of the Nāʻālehu Christmas Lighting
Parade on Saturday. Photo by Julia Neal

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JANUARY IS VOLCANO AWARENESS MONTH, announced U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates in this week's Volcano Watch:

     Neither Kīlauea nor Mauna Loa erupted in 2019, but this period of relative quiet must not lead to complacency about Hawaiʻi's two most active volcanoes. Both will eventually erupt again.

Santa hat singers of season joy. Photo by Julia Neal

     Given this fact, Hawaiʻi residents should stay informed and be prepared for the hazards posed by a restless or erupting volcano. As we all learned from Kīlauea's 2018 eruption, the possible impacts—lava flows, ground cracks, poor air quality, evacuations, road closures, and others—can be far-reaching and life-changing.

      Volcano Awareness Month, held every January since 2010, is one way that residents can learn more about the volcanoes that both inspire and concern us all. In January 2020, informative and engaging talks and hikes on Hawaiian volcanoes will be offered by USGS HVO in cooperation with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, and Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense. All are free and open to the public; Park entrance fees may apply.

     The complete schedule of Volcano Awareness Month programs, including dates, times, locations, and brief descriptions for the talks and hikes offered in January, is posted on HVO's website, volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/ under "HVO News" in the lower left corner of the homepage, at volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/file_mngr/file-236/2020%20VAM%20Schedule_Talks%20and%20Hikes.pdf, and in future Kaʻū News Briefs.

     For now, here's a brief overview of the January 2020 schedule:

Carols fill the air in Nāʻālehu. Photo by Julia Neal

     HVO scientists will present After Dark in the Park programs every Tuesday evening throughout the month in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Topics addressed in these talks include a recap of HVO's current situation since relocating to Hilo and what its future may hold, as well as updates on Kīlauea and Mauna Loa on Jan. 7; what's happening at Kīlauea Volcano's summit and the crater lake within Halema‘uma‘u on Jan. 14; insight from ongoing research and monitoring on Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone on Jan. 21; and the unprecedented level of seismicity that occurred in 2018 on Jan. 28. Each program starts at 7 p.m. in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium.
     UH-Hilo main campus in the University Classroom Building (UCB) Room 100 will host two talks. At 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9, is a repeat of the January 7 After Dark in the Park program on HVO's status and volcano updates. The second program on Thursday, Jan. 16 will describe how lava samples collected from erupting fissures in 2018 have revealed the complex story of magma that fed the eruption.

Sacred Heart Church of Nāʻālehu draws youth members to participate. Photo by Julia Neal

     On the Kona side of the island, a presentation about damaging earthquakes in Hawaiʻi, including the dramatic seismicity in 2018, and how to prepare for the next "big one" will be offered twice on Wednesday, Jan. 8. The talk will be first presented at the Kona Public Library at 3:30 p.m. and then repeated at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center at 6 p.m.

Kaʻū Auto Parts truck draped in lights. Photo by Julia Neal

     Programs about Mauna Loa, Earth's largest active volcano, will be offered in two locations. On Wednesday, Jan. 29, an HVO scientist will talk about the current status and eruptive history of the volcano at the Puʻuhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park amphitheater at 6 p.m. On Thursday, Jan. 30, an HVO will team with Civil Defense to provide information about Mauna Loa—its current status, potential hazards, how to prepare for the next eruption, and more—in the Ocean View Community Center at 6 p.m.

     The 2020 line-up also includes a number of hikes in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park guided by HVO scientists and Park rangers. These hikes include treks through Kīlauea Iki, walks through Kīlauea Volcano's summit history, a look at the 1868 Mauna Loa lava flow on a trail in the Park's Kahuku Unit, and a venture back to the 1969-74 Mauna Ulu eruption.

Christmas joy on wheels in Nāʻālehu. Photo by Julia Neal

     HVO spearheads Volcano Awareness Month each January because we realize the importance of understanding the spectacular volcanoes on which we live and of being prepared for the next eruption. We hope our 2020 programs will be just the start of your quest to learn more about our volcanic island home.
    If you're unable to attend the Volcano Awareness Month talks and hikes, you can learn and stay informed about Hawaiian volcanoes through HVO's website. There, you will find volcano updates, monitoring data, geologic histories for

     Volcano Activity Update

     Kīlauea Volcano is not erupting and its USGS Volcano Alert level remains at NORMAL. Monitoring data showed no significant changes in activity over the past month. Seismicity was relatively consistent with some episodic increased rates at the summit coincident with inflation. Sulfur dioxide emission rates are low at the summit and below detection limits at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō and the lower East Rift Zone. The water lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u continues to slowly expand and deepen.

First Peaberry Princess, Kendall Haddock. 
Photo by Julia Neal

     Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level remains at ADVISORY. This alert level does not mean that an eruption is imminent or that progression to an eruption is certain.

     This past week, about 90 small-magnitude earthquakes – all less than M2.0 – were detected beneath the upper elevations of Mauna Loa. Deformation measurements show continued summit inflation. Fumarole temperature and gas concentrations on the Southwest Rift Zone remain stable.

     One earthquake with three or more felt reports occurred on Hawaiʻi Island this past week: a magnitude-2.4 quake 27 km (17 mi) east of Hōnaunau-Nāpōʻopoʻo at -2 km (-1 mi) depth on Dec. 11 at 11:10 a.m.

     HVO continues to closely monitor both Kīlauea and Mauna Loa for any signs of increased activity. Visit volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

Hot truck wears Christmas stockings. Photo by Julia Neal

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PLANTING THE SEEDS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS is the theme of Sakada Day 2019, a celebration held Saturday, Dec. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Pāhoa Commuity Center. A group from the Kaʻū Filipino community is expected to attend. Sakada Day was held in Pāhala in 2017.

     Cornelia Anguay, one of the planners of the Sakada Day event, says, "As the few remaining Sakadas leave this Earth, we call on the next generation to recover and connect to the sakada history, as we create our path towards the future. We invite young people and descendants of the sakadas to come and connect to this heritage."
     Organizers ask anoyone who knows a sakada to call 808-987-8284.

Miss Peaberry, Lilianna Marques. 
Photo by Julia Neal

     The celebration, organized by the Sakada Committee, honors the first Filipino economic migrants who came to Hawaiʻi to work at the sugarcane plantations. The Sakadas were instrumental in establishing a vibrant Filipino community in Hawaiʻi and in fighting for workers rights, dignity, and unionized plantation labor.  During the event, sakadas will be honored and recognized with traditional songs, dances, food, certificates, and congratulatory messages.

     A total of 126,000 Filipino workers worked in Hawaiʻi’s sugarcane plantations. The first 15 Sakadas arrived in Hawaiʻi in 1906 and the last 6,000 workers arrived in 1946. From 1906 to 1946, the estimated number of Sakadas in Hawaiʻi was around 126,000.

     On the Sakada Day website, sakadahawaii.wordpress.com, Belinda A. Aquino, PhD Former Director, Center for Philippine Studies, states that "Filipinos have come here since 1906. During the plantation era and until now. They come in big numbers. To the point that the latest census will show you that the Filipinos are now the biggest Asian group in Hawaiʻi."

     Kaʻū boasts two living Sakadas: Leovegildo "Hildo" Mercado and Prudencio Tayamen. Both men, now in their 90s, came to Hawai‘i in 1946. They are among the many Filipino immigrants who helped build Hawaiʻi agriculture, from pineapple and sugar to Ka‘ū Coffee.

Second Peaberry Princess, Helen Miranda.
Photo by Julia Neal

     Mercado sailed from Salomague Port in Cabugao, Illocos Sur, Philippines, sister city to Hawaiʻi County. He worked with pineapple on Lana‘i before transferring to Ka‘ū, where he started in the fire room, then became a fuel driver, and later a cane drier. Retired, he "can be seen driving around Pāhala, frequenting cock fights, hunting, and growing vegetables, which he generously shares with his neighbors" notes the event program from last year's Pāhala Sakada Day.

     Tayamen came from Laoag, Illocos Norte, Philippines. He worked at Halakalu Plantation, north of Hilo, then moved to O‘ahu to become a stevedore. In Ka‘ū, he was a seedcutter at Hutchinson and Ka‘ū Sugar until he retired. He has four sons, four daughters, 24 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.
     Sakada Day 2019 Celebration paves a way in tracing the history of Filipinos in Hawaiʻi, acknowledging the hard work and sacrifices of the Sakadas, and educating the young Filipino generations in Hawaiʻi about their past. For more information about the event, contact Francis Dumanig at fdumanig@hawaii.edu and Jeanne Batallones at jbatallo@hawaii.edu.

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STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY to the U.S. Department of Agriculture AgDiscovery program. Youths in grades 9, 10 , and 11 are eligible. Hosted by USDA at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, AgDiscovery is a free, two-week summer program in which students learn about careers in agriculture, agribusiness, and animal and plant science. The deadline to apply is March 20, 2020. Refer to the program flyer for more information and visit www.aphis.usda.gov/agdiscovery to apply. Contact Erin Foley at erin.k.foley@usda.gov with questions.

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GINGER RIDGE FARMS IN MOUNTAIN VIEW, a certified organic diversified farm located in Mountain View, is seeking energetic and reliable part- and full-time workers to help with farm work, product manufacturing, and marketing at local farmers markets. Interested applicants should call Howard James at 808-968-7622 for more information.

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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.

2019-2020 Kaʻū Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball

Mon., Dec. 16 host Pāhoa JV/Christian Liberty

Tue., Jan. 7 @Kohala

Boys Basketball

Wed., Dec. 18 host Keaʻau

Sat., Dec. 21 @St. Joseph

Sat., Dec. 28 host Kohala

Fri., Jan. 3 host HPA

Sat., Jan. 4 host Pāhoa

Wrestling

Sat., Jan. 4 @Waiakea

Soccer

Mon., Dec. 16 Girls host HPA, 3pm

Wed., Dec. 18, @Keaʻau

Sat., Dec. 21 Boys host Christian Liberty, 3pm

Mon., Dec. 23 Boys host Kohala, 3pm

Sat., Jan. 4 Girls host Honokaʻa, 3pm

Mon., Jan. 6 @HPA

Swimming

Sat., Jan. 4 @Kamehameha

UPCOMING

TUESDAY, DEC. 17

Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, Dec. 17 (Committees), Wednesday, Dec. 18, (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment: Ti Leaf Lei Making with Jelena Clay, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 11a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center. Pre-registration required; class size limited. $10 per person supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

After Dark in the Park: Holiday Concert, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 7-8p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Acclaimed Hawai‘i musician and recording artist Randy Lorenzo and upcoming vocalist Jennie Kaneshiro. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18

Ocean View Community Association Board of Directors Mtg., Wednesday, Dec. 18, 12:30-1:30p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Family Reading Night, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 6-7p.m.,Nā‘ālehu Elementary School Cafeteria. Family reading time plus make and take activities; snacks provided.

THURSDAY, DEC. 19

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, Dec. 19, 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, Dec. 19, 6-7p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Family reading, make & take activities, and snacks provided. Free. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

FRIDAY, DEC. 20

Dances of Universal Peace, Friday, Dec. 20, 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

SATURDAY, DEC. 21

Free Haircut Day, Saturday, Dec. 21, 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 hand out clothes and items like razors and toothbrushes. 939-7000, stjudeshawaii.org

Nature & Culture, Saturday, Dec. 21, 9:30-11:30a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate hike, approx. 2 miles. nps.gov/havo

Zentangle - Inspired Art Pop-Up Exhibit & Reception, Saturday, Dec. 21, 10a.m., Volcano Art Center. Meet the artists and discover art created using the Zentangle method. Bring friends, art, and a light pupu to share. Make and take home a Zentangle Inspired ornament. Door prizes. No registration required. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

SUNDAY, DEC. 22

Ka‘ū Community Cleanup, Sunday, Dec. 22. Space available. BYO-4WD also welcome. R.S.V.P. in advance to 769-7629, mattieHWF@gmail.com, or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com. wildhawaii.org

Palm Trail, Sunday, Dec. 22, 9:30-12:30p.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderately difficult hike - 2.6 mile loop. nps.gov/havo

ONGOING

Holiday Ornament Registration, through Dec. 16, Kahuku Park. Program takes place Wednesday, Dec. 18, 3-4p.m. Ages 6-14. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation

Christmas in the Country featuring 20th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibit, daily, through Dec. 31, Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

T-Ball and Coach Pitch Baseball League: Ocean View Team - Mondays and Wednesdays, Kahuku Park. Nā‘ālehu Team - Tuesdays and Thursdays, Nā‘ālehu Park. Pāhala Team (seeking coaches) - attend Nā‘ālehu practice. T-Ball, 3:30-4:30pm, ages 5-6. Coach Pitch, 4:30-6p.m., ages 7-8. Programs take place through April 16. Wear cleats or tennis shoes, bring a glove if possible. Extras gloves available for use. All skills and genders welcome. $35 per teammate. See Ka‘ū Youth Baseball on Facebook. Josh or Elizabeth Crook, 345-0511

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 808-938-1088.

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