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Monday, February 11, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, February 11, 2019

White-trailed tropicbirds lived at Halemaʻumaʻu throughout last summer's eruption, with deep meaning for
Park Ranger Dean Gallagher who witnessed the quakes and the falling walls of the volcano.
See more below. Image by Dietrich Varez, Volcano Art Center
AN AVIATION NOISE STUDY AIMED AT HELICOPTERS AND PLANES flying over neighborhoods is the goal of Senate Bill 436, which goes to a public hearing this Wednesday, Feb. 13. Introduced by Sen. Russell Ruderman, who represents parts of Puna and Kaʻū, and cosponsored by west Kaʻū Sen. Dru Kanuha and Hilo Sen. Kai Kahele, the bill goes before the senate committee on Agriculture and Environment at 1:25 p.m. at the state Capitol. Public testimony online is welcomed.
     SB436 would require the Department of Health, in collaboration with Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Transportation, "to conduct a study on the impacts of aviation noise on residents of the State." It also would provide funds to DOH to conduct the study.
     In Hawaiʻi County, complaints have come from citizens in Hilo, Puna, and Kaʻū. Hawaiʻi Island Coalition Malama Pono has organized numerous meetings and campaigns to limit flightseeing to routes that stay away from houses.
     Testimony can be submitted at capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=436&year=2019. Testimony received within 24 hours of the hearing will be marked as "late" but may still be reviewed.

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A HIGH SURF WARNING remains in effect for east facing shores, with a High Surf Advisory for west facing shores, reports the National Weather Service. The county Department of Parks and Recreation will keep all county beach parks and camping grounds closed as long as the surf remains a threat, reports Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense.
     Winds are trending down as an area of low pressure lifts northeastward and away from the state over the next couple of days. Hawaiʻi Island is under a Wind Advisory, with High Wind Warning for Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea summits, where hurricane force winds continue. Wind speed reached 191 miles per hour on Mauna Kea on Sunday, with snowfall on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, and Haleakala on Maui. Some road closures and power outages were reported on Hawaiʻi Island.
     Civil Defense says, "Be alert for poor driving conditions during your morning commute. Residents and beach-goers are advised to stay alert for dangerous ocean and wind conditions."
     Call Civil Defense at 935-0031 to make a report of property damage from the wind storm.
The massive storm that brought snow to Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, as well as Haleakala on Maui, with
191 mph winds at Mauna Kea Summit. Image from NASA

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REPORT FARM PROPERTY DAMAGE from this weekend's storm to the USDA Farm Service Agency, advises Andrea Kawabata of University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. If home, farm, ranch, trees, crop and/or structures sustained damages from high winds and/or rain, contact home and crop insurance agents immediately. Before cleaning up, document all damages with clear, focused photos and/or video. Review inventory and take note of anything damaged or missing.
     Said Kawabata, "The USDA Farm Service Agency may ask for an assessment of damages and losses from growers and ranchers, and may be able to provide support to those affected. When an announcement is made by FSA, please contact them so they can learn of the full impact of the storm and how to best assist."
     Questions? Contact Kawabata at 322-4892 or andreak@hawaii.edu.

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Tina Neal offers her personal experience of the volcano undermining the foundation of her USGS research station at
 Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. See her presentation at Volcano Art Center
Photo from Big Island Video News
DRAMATIC STORIES FROM THE 2018 KĪLAUEA ERUPTION are available on Big Island Video News, which documented their presentation at Volcano Art Center in January. Big Island Video News is releasing the stories one at a time, with two of them, each about six minutes long, available now.
Tina Neal. Photo from Big Island Video News
     In Time to GoTina Neal, U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge, shares her experience and her emotions as she and her crew withstood volcanic violence, eventually evacuating HVO headquarters on the rim of Kīlauea Caldera in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. "Another earthquake rumbles beneath me," she begins her story, describing the "billowing, dark ash clouds," blowing away from HVO toward Pāhala.
     Neal shares thoughts and actions during earthquakes, ash rising some 15,000 feet high, and collapsing of volcanic walls, undermining the foundation of HVO and Jaggar Museum, destroying the stability of the scientists' station. The USGS does not expect to be able to go back to the iconic building.
     "Deep down to me, this unfolding event is really no surprise. That it is happening now, on my watch, is truly unexpected," said Neal. See and hear Neal as she tells her story.
Dean Gallagher. Photo from Big Island Video News
     Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Ranger Dean Gallagher describes his moment with koaʻe kea, a white-tailed tropicbird, which nests in Halemaʻumaʻu Crater.
     He lists off some major events of the eruption: "May 2nd, Halemaʻumaʻu is draining down the mountain. May 3rd, fissure one opens up in Leilani Estates, followed by 23 more fissures. Over 80,000 recorded earthquakes, including the 6.9."
     Gallagher shares a personal story, which, he says, "resulted in me crying." He speaks of going to the very edge of the newly deepened Halemaʻumaʻu, with its 1,600-foot drop in front of him. "And then, she showed up" - the koaʻe kea. Gallager says he thought of all that humans have done to the koaʻe kea - killing the birds for their feathers to sell. He describes the look the tropicbird gave him as she flew past, the call of koaʻe kea echoing off the caldera walls, and asks the bird, "Will some part of you please remember me? We weren't all bad." See and hear Gallagher as he tells his story.

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Michelle Lazaro. Photo from
Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance
 
HAWAIʻI CONSERVATION CONFERENCE PROPOSALS for symposia, forums, workshops, trainings, and individual oral or poster presentations will be accepted by Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance through Feb. 28. This year's theme is He ʻaʻaliʻi kū makani au: Resilience in the Face of Change. The Conference will be held on Oʻahu at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, July 9 through 11, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. See hawaiiconservation.org/conference/2019-call-for-proposals/.

ʻŌHIʻA SEED CONSERVATION WORKSHOP happens in Hilo on Friday, Feb. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon, and Kona, Saturday, Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. This workshop, organized by Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance, is part of a free series in the Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Seed Banking Initiative, which aims to expand capacity for collection and banking of ‘ōhi‘a seeds across all islands in response to the ROD crisis. It is free and open to anyone who wants to learn how to properly collect, handle, and process ‘ōhi‘a seeds, without doing harm to trees or forests, using methods that protect seed viability and ensure conservation value for future restoration. Learn more about ROD at RapidOhiaDeath.orgRSVP required.

HAWAIʻI CONSERVATION ALLIANCE WELCOMES MICHELLE LAZARO as the new Program Manager. Before coming to the Alliance, she worked as a Natural Resources Specialist for the USDA Forest Service at the Pacific Northwest Research Station, summarizing and communicating results of forest inventories conducted in Hawaiʻi, U.S. affiliated islands in the Pacific, and urban cities. She earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in Natural Resources and Environmental Management, and a Project Management certificate from Portland State University. She grew up in Mililani and says she is "very excited to be back home and contributing to the Alliance's work in this new role."
     See conservation news, internships, jobs, and more at ConservationConnections.org

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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
Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule
Boys Basketball:
Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA
Wrestling:
Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA

NEW and UPCOMING
POWERMAN HAWAIʻI happens March 23 and 24 at Kealakehe High School. The event is a World Championship qualifier, for the race in Zofingen, Switzerland in September. Powerman races are Sprint: 2.5k run, 17k bike, 2.5k run; Short: 5k run, 28k bike, 5k run; and World Championship qualifier, Classic: 10k run, 56k bike, 10k run. Relay teams can compete in all categories. The top 3 athletes overall and in each age group will qualify for the World Championships.
     Saturday morning, March 23, keiki 10 and under are invited to run 800 meters on the track, followed by a multi-loop bike path on the campus, ending with a 400m run on the track.  
     High School athletes are invited to compete in the Sprint event – 2.5k run, 17k bike, 2.5k run. They will be scored cross country style with 4 categories: Boys, Girls, Co-Ed, and Relay, each team consisting of three athletes. A traveling trophy will be awarded for the high school to display, to be returned each year and be defended for, in addition to individual awards for each athlete. Each school registered by March 2 will receive custom race shirts in their school colors. All high schools are invited, as are individual students.
     Kenny Krell, National Events Director, said, "We want to build something for many years to come, so giving back is the foundation of this event for us. It all stays on the Big Island. We have created this unique event not only to bring World Class racing in a low impact, spectator friendly format to Kona, but to build something the entire island can be proud of. In order to do that, it must start with the keiki, the kids.
     "Our vision was to have high schools as the foundation and build from there. For this event, Kealakehe high school is the venue. We will involve every possible club, class, and group at the high school to benefit directly from this event, from photography to concessions to the art department and so on. Your entry is going to directly impact programs, students, clubs, and teams within the school. Our goal is to expand this to other schools creating an ʻOhana of races not only for veterans, elites, locals of all ages and sizes, but kids from all over.
     "Athletes will be coming from all over the World as well as the mainland. Seven countries and eight states are represented as of today, with two athletes currently ranked in the top ten in the world and the potential of several others committing.
     "We understand with last years cancellation/postponement really had a negative impact on the marketing for this year's event world wide, so building this now for the future is where we stand… Please help us spread the word out there with 6 weeks to go. Any and all forms via social media, word of mouth, etc."
     Contact Krell for more info at kenny@3disciplines.com or 810.394.1538.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Arts & Crafts Activity: Valentine's Day Card, Tue., Feb. 12, 2:45-3:30pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12 Feb. 4-8. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue., Feb. 12, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Community Emergency Response Team info and training scenarios. Public welcome. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Volcano Bay Clinic Mobile Health Unit Visit: Dental, Wed., Feb. 13, 8-5pm. Medical, Thu., Feb. 28, 1-5pm. Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Must be Bay Clinic, Inc. patient. 333-3600 for appt. thecoopercenter.org

Compassionate Communication Group, Wed., Feb. 13 and 27, 2-3:30pm, 2nd and last Wednesday, monthly, PARENTS Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Free. Registration required. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460

Arts & Crafts Activity: Valentine's Day Love Bugs, Wed., Feb. 13, 3:30-5pm, multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages 5-12 Feb. 4-12. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū & Me, Thu., Feb. 14, 10:30-noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571

Valentine's Day Buffet, Thu., Feb. 14, 5-8pm, Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp. Main entrees: Prime Rib au Jus, Lemon Butter Ono w/Tropical Salsa, and Vegetable Stir Fry w/Tofu. $29.95/adult, $14.95/child, ages 6-11. No reservations required. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply. 967-8356

Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thu., Feb. 14, 6:30pm, United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15
PATCH Class #428, Building Emotional Literacy, Fri., Feb. 15, 8-11am, PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Sponsored by Tūtū and Me. No childcare provided. Register at 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

PATCH Class #619, Relationships w/Families in your Family-Centered Care, Fri., Feb. 15, noon-3pm, PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Sponsored by Tūtū and Me. No childcare provided. Register at 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16
11th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament, Sat., Feb. 16, 9-2pm, Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilions. For keiki 1-14 years. Free. Event day registration open 8-10am. Pre-registration packets available at Nā‘ālehu Ace Hardware, Mizuno Supertte, Pāhala Gas Station, Nā‘ālehu Wiki Wiki Mart, Kahuku Country Market, and Ocean View Auto Parts. Free lunch and prizes. Guy Enriques, 217-2253, Wayne Kawachi, 937-4773. okaukakou.org

Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Sat., Feb. 16, 10-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Hula Kahiko - Kumu Hula Keala Ching w/Nā Wai Iwi Ola, Sat., Feb. 16, 10:30-11:30am, performance at hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mea Hula w/Wes Awana, Sat., Feb. 16, 11-1pm, Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Panaʻewa Stampede takes place this year just outside of Hilo, the weekend of Feb. 16-18, with rodeo competitors from Kaʻū and around the island joined by rodeo clowns and other entertainers. HawaiiRodeoStampede.com

Ham Radio Mtg., Sat., Feb. 16, 2-3pm, Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Community Cleanup, Sun., Feb. 17, contact in advance for meet up details. Space may be available; BYO-4WD welcome. Free; donations appreciated. RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or 769-7629.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18
Discovery Harbour Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Mon., Jan. 18, 5-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

ONGOING
Trojans Boys Volleyball is Raising Money with an invitational tournament on Friday, Feb. 15. The funding will help the team fly to Maui for a preseason tournament, beginning Friday, Feb. 22.
     The Feb. 15 tournament at Kaʻū District Gym will see the Trojans hosting Kamehameha teams from Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island as well as teams from Kealakeke and Pāhoa High Schools.
     Donations can be sent to Kaʻū High School, c/o Athletic Director Kalei Namohala 96-3150 Pikake StPāhalaHI96777, with the notation "Boys Volleyball Tournament on Maui."

Harry McKee Foundation Scholarships for Kaʻū Students are open through Feb. 15. College bound high school seniors and current college students encouraged to apply for a $1,000 scholarship. Students must be residents of Kaʻū District and plan to attend any accredited college, university, technical institute, or vocational school, anywhere in the U.S. Students must enroll full time in the fall of 2019.
     The application and more information are at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com. Applications must be mailed to the foundation office in Ocean View by February 15.

Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi classes offered in Ka‘ū include: Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP) on Wednesdays through Feb. 19. See more at hmono.org; Diabetes Management Classes on Mondays in February. Sign up by calling 969-9220 or online at hmono.org/classes.

Miss Kaʻū Coffee Pageant will accept applicants through Feb. 28. The pageant will be held again at the Ka‘ū District Gym on Saturday, April 27, 6 p.m. Miss Kaʻū Coffee and her court will represent the Kaʻū Coffee industry throughout the year at events in the community and beyond, her appearances sponsored by the Edmund C. Olson Trust, II. Pageant Director is Trinidad Marques. Scholarship Committee Directors are Julia Neal and Gloria Camba.
     The community can support the pageant through purchasing tickets, volunteering, and providing scholarships.
     Girls three to 24 years of age are encouraged to enter the pageant. Talents often include hula and singing. Competitive categories include Talent, Gown, Photogenic, Career-Interview, Characters Outfit, and Swimsuit for Miss Kaʻū Coffee. Pageant hopefuls contend for titles of Miss Ka‘ū Coffee, Jr. Miss Kaʻū Coffee, Miss Kaʻū Peaberry, and Miss Kaʻū Coffee Flower.
      Email tmarques@yahoo.com.

Volunteer on Midway Atoll for Six Months. The volunteer will serve as a communication assistant out on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, on or about March 12 through August. Applications are due by Feb. 28. Potential to be extended to a full year. Get more info and instructions on how to apply.

Applications for a Job to Help Kids with Healthy Eating and Living in Kaʻū are open through March 15. The position, through FoodCorps, is a full-time 11.5-month commitment from August 1, 2019 through July 15, 2020, at Pāhala Elementary School.
     In exchange for service, members receive: $22,000 living stipend paid bi-weekly over the 11.5-month term; $6,095 AmeriCorps Segal education award upon successful completion of service; Student loan deferral or forbearance, if eligible; partial childcare reimbursement, if eligible; Health insurance; Ongoing training, mentorship, and professional development.
     Apply at foodcorps.org/apply. See the service member position description for more details. Visit foodcorps.orgFacebook page, or contact seri.niimi-burch@foodcorps.org for more information.

Preschool Opens Doors Applications are open for the 2019-2020 school year. The Department of Human Services encourages families to apply before March 29. This program is for families seeking aid in paying for preschool. Applications, available at patchhawaii.org, received during this period will be considered for preschool participation during July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. For more information, visit bit.ly/2TolEOm or call 800-746-5620.

Kaʻū Coffee Fest invites non-profits, clubs, cooperatives, and businesses to sign up for booths to serve the public at the 11th annual Kaʻū Coffee Fest Hoʻolauleʻa on Saturday, May 4 at Pāhala Community Center. The all-day event comes with music, hula, coffee tasting, and meeting the famous Kaʻū Coffee farmers. See KauCoffeeFestival.com.
     Booth fees are $100 for food vendors; $60 for non-food items and crafts, including coffee and coffee samples; and $35 for pre-approved information displays. Campaign and other political displays are not invited. Fifty percent discounts are provided to bona fide non-profit organizations and cooperatives selling food, crafts, and coffee. Each vendor is responsible for a Department of Health permit, if serving food. Call Gail Nagata 933-0918. Vendors must also obtain county vendor permits costing $30 each, to be displayed at each booth.
     Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Email to biokepamoses@gmail.com; mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses, P.O. Box 208PāhalaHI 96777; or call 808-731-5409.

Applications for a Paid Internship in Kaʻū for Kupu Hawai‘i and The Nature Conservancy are being accepted. The year-long, full-time position is in TNC's Hawai‘i Island Terrestrial Program, which stewards native forest preserves in Ka‘ū and South Kona. Benefits offered include: a $1,600 monthly living allowance, before taxes; a $5,920 education award towards higher education; health care and childcare benefit, if eligible; and receiving an entry-level conservation career experience.
     Application at kupuhawaii.org/conservation. For more, call The Nature Conservancy at 443-5401 or call Kupu Hawai‘i at 808-735-1221.

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