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Tuesday, August 06, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Taking astronomy to the public, the Keck Observatory staff will explore Hawaiian language and culture as enriching
astronomy at a talk story in Kamuela. Image from W.M. Keck Observatory
ASTRONOMY EDUCATION FOR THE PUBLIC is the goal of W.M. Keck Observatory staff, who will present an astronomy talk at Kahilu Theatre in Kamuela on Thursday, Aug. 15. A statement from the Keck invites everyone to the free event. "Join us to talk story about the groundbreaking results from the Event Horizon Telescope and the pioneering role Maunakea Observatories played in this nearly-impossible experiment," says a statement from the Keck.
     "We will also explore the way in which Hawaiian language and culture are enriching astronomy with a bridge to a new, yet old, understanding of the cosmos."
     The moderator will be Sherry Bracken of Island Conversations on KWXX and B97/B93l. Panelists include Georffrey Bower form the Event Horizon Telescope Group; Jessica Dempsey from East Asian Observatory; Larry Kimura from the College of Hawaiian Language at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, and Doug Simons from Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope. Doors open at 6 p.m.

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THOSE OPPOSING the planned Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea spent their 23rd day blocking Maunakea Access Road and staying at an encampment off Saddle Road - Daniel K. Inouye Highway. They announced a worldwide day of support for Saturday, Aug. 10, when people from ocean based communities are invited to share photos of their gatherings in opposition to TMK on Maunakea.
     On the Puʻuhonua O Puʻuhuluhulu Facebook page, which has posts from the encampment, the importance of protecting the mauna's environment is a main focus. On lists for supplies needed by the Kiaʻi, Protectors of Maunakea, "absolutely no styrofoam" is requested. They also shared an infographic, detailing how to protect the area from invasive species, like weed seeds, Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death funguses, coqui frogs, little fire ants, and slugs (which can carry rat lungworm disease).

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AT KĪLAUEA CALDERA, GREEN PONDS DEEP IN HALEMAʻUMAʻU CRATER ARE THERMAL. Some 2,000 feet below the rim of the crater with temperatures of about 158 degrees Fahrenheit, the ponds are expanding and merging. Their levels are slowly rising, reports U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory scientists at volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html.
     After photographing the ponds Sunday and today, scientists reported that the two smaller ponds merged, and are nearly connected to the 50-ft. wide main pond. 
     First noticed by a helicopter pilot on July 25, the green, likely acidic ponds are the first to be recorded in Halemaʻumaʻu by volcano scientists. Laser rangefinder measurements suggest that the water has risen about three feet in the last two days. Thermal images indicate the water surface is hot - about 158 degrees F. Range finder measurements indicate the water is about 623 m (~ 2,044 ft) below the tripod set up on the crater rim for observations.
Three thermal green ponds in Halemaʻumaʻu are deeper, larger, and merging. Photos by M. Patrick/USGS
     The below images compare a normal photograph  with a thermal image. The white lines in the normal photo outline the area shown in the thermal image. Several hot fumaroles - the openings where hot sulphur gases escape - are present on the slopes within Halema‘uma‘u, with the hottest about 200 degrees Celsius (392 degrees F).
     While researching the ponds, HVO scientists heard and saw multiple rockfalls from the crater rim, a reminder of the ongoing hazards in this area and the reason Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park keeps it closed off to the public.
     The scientists also noted a koa‘e kea (white-tailed tropicbird) gliding above the ponded water at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u. The tropicbirds were present at Halemaʻumaʻu throughout the collapse of Kīlauea Crater last year.
     Learn more at volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html.
The steep angle down which ground-based monitoring is taken, left. Right, thermal imaging shows how much hotter 
the fumaroles are than the ponds' surfaces. Photos by M. Patrick/USGS
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BRING THE U.S. SENATE BACK TO SESSION TO VOTE ON GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION, urges Sen. Mazie Hirono. In a statement today she said, "Donald Trump says hate has no place in our country, even as he refuses to take responsibility for his racist rhetoric. Mitch McConnell is offering 'thoughts and prayers' to the victims of gun violence in El Paso and Dayton while refusing to take meaningful action to address this epidemic. I'm sick and tired of it -- and so are the American people. We need to make our voices heard and demand action now, which is why I'm launching an urgent petition aimed at calling McConnell and Senate Republicans to finally do something. See the petition urging the Senate to vote on the gun violence prevention bill the House already passed.

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HAWAIʻI ISLAND HOME PRICES JUMPED BY 18 PERCENT for a single family home in July, over the same month last year. The hike was higher for condos at 34 percent, according to a report from Hawaiʻi Island Realtors. The median price in July for the 217 Hawaiʻi Island homes that sold was $379,00; for the 47 condos that sold, it was $292,000, a jump of 11.23 percent over July of last year.

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Kealiʻi Lopez
KEALIʻI LOPEZ WILL LEAVE THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY of Hawaiʻi this Friday to become statewide Executive Director of the American Association of Retired persons. She said, "This position with AARP, a historically non-partisan organization, requires that I tender my resignation."
     Lopez reviewed her time as Party Chair: "It has been my great privilege to work with Democrats who are passionate and fearless advocates of the most pressing social and economic issues of our time. Democrats who dedicate their time and resources to assure that all residents of this great state are afforded the ability to thrive here at home.
     "It has been an honor to stand shoulder to shoulder with all of you as we worked to elect Democrats, fight to raise the minimum wage, and move closer to equality for all."
     Democrats can call in or log on to the special meeting this Saturday, Aug. 8 to elect an interim chair of the Democratic Party, beginning at 10 a.m. Call 712-451-0200, Meeting ID is 93839# or log on to join.freeconferencecall.com/dph2018. The Id is dph2018.

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A NATIONWIDE TEST OF THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (EAS) happens tomorrow, Aug. 7, at 8:20 a.m. FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will assess the national message system, evaluate the readiness of the national alerting capability in the absence of internet connectivity, and determine whether improvements are needed.
     This is the fifth EAS nationwide test. Previous EAS national tests were conducted in November 2011, September 2016 and 2017, and October 2018, in collaboration with the FCC, radio and televisions stations, and emergency management officials.
     The test, which starts at the same moments all over the U.S., will begin with broadcast of the national test message from radio stations, called Primary Entry Point or PEP stations, that participate with FEMA in the National Public Warning System. Other radio and television broadcast and cable stations in each state that monitor PEP stations will receive and broadcast the test message, so that, within minutes, the test message should be presented by all radio and television, cable, wireline service providers, and direct broadcast satellite service providers nationwide.
     The EAS is a national public warning system that provides the President with the communications capability to address the nation during a national emergency. The test is scheduled to last approximately one minute. The audio test message will be similar to regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar: "THIS IS A TEST of the National Emergency Alert System." This system was developed by broadcast and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with FEMA, the FCC, and local authorities to inform the public in the event of an emergency. During an actual emergency an official message would follow the tone heard at the start of this message.
     The text displayed at the top or center of television screens will read: "A Primary Entry Point system has issued a National Periodic Test for all of the United States beginning at 8:20 AM and ending at 8:50 AM. Significant coordination has been conducted with EAS participants and emergency managers in preparation for this test. The test is intended to ensure public safety officials have the methods and systems that will deliver urgent alerts and warnings to the public in times of an emergency or disaster. In the event of a national emergency, a national warning message would be issued at the direction of the President or his/her designee and activated by FEMA."

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

Football, Division II:
Sat., Aug. 24, 1 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kamehameha

Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
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:
Sat., Aug. 31, 10 a.m., @Christian Liberty

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.

UPCOMING
TUESDAY, AUG. 6
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, Aug. 6 (Committees), Wednesday, Aug. 7 (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

AdvoCATS, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 7a.m.-4:30p.m.Ocean View Community Center. Free spay/neuter for cats. 895-9283, advocatshawaii.org

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Mtg., Tuesday, Aug. 6, 6-8p.m.Pāhala Community Center.

Paniolo: Hawaiian Cowboys, After Dark in the Park, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 7p.m.Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Dr. Billy Bergin, local author and expert on Hawaiian ranching and all things paniolo, presents. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 7
Registration Open: Instructional Volleyball (8+, 10+, 12+, 14+), Aug. 7-15, Ka‘ū District Gym. Program takes place Tuesdays and Thursdays, Aug. 20-Oct. 17, 6-7:30p.m. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Hula Voices with Kumu Hula Kimo Awai, Wednesday, Aug. 7 – 1st Wednesday, monthly – 5:30-7p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā‘ālehu Elementary School Kindergarten Registration, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 9a.m.-5p.m, Ocean View Community Centerovcahi.org

THURSDAY, AUG. 8
Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thursday, Aug. 8, 6:30p.m.United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

Peter Lee & the Road Ahead, Thursday, Aug. 8, 7-8:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. Martha Hoverson discusses the role that Peter Lee, an immigrant from Norway, played in the early development of tourism in Hawai‘i. Free; $5 donation to VAC suggested. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Registration Open: Watercolor Art, Thursday, Aug. 8-14, Ka‘ū District Gym multipurpose room. Program for grades K-8 takes place Wednesday, Aug. 14, 3:30-5p.m. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

FRIDAY, AUG. 9
Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Friday, Aug. 9, 9a.m.-noonOcean View Community Center. Free disability legal services provided by Hawai‘i Legal Aid. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Private Excursion: Trail Less Traveled, Friday, Aug. 9, 10a.m.-noon, Devastation Trail Parking Lot, HVNP. Moderate 2 mile hike. $40/person. Park entrance fees may apply. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 985-7373, fhvnp.org

Community Dance, Friday, Aug. 9, 7-10p.m.Cooper CenterVolcano Village. Minors allowed with supervision only. Alcohol-free event. Variety of music. Snacks provided; additional pūpū welcome. Free. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

SATURDAY, AUG. 10
Pancake Breakfast and Raffle, Saturday, Aug. 10, 8-11a.m.Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Exhibit - Nani Ka ‘Ikena by Photographer Jesse Tunison, Aug. 10-Sept. 15, daily 9a.m.-5p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Opening reception Saturday, Aug. 10, 5-7p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

Ti Leaf Lei Making Workshop with Jelena Clay, Saturday, Aug. 10, 9a.m.-12:30p.m.Volcano Art Center. Learn how to make basic ti rope, twist a ti leaf rose, and add ti leaf inserts. Class fee is $10/VAC member, $15/non-member. Bring 15-20 ti leaves - or $5 supply fee. Pre-registration required. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mamo o Kāwā ʻOhana Work Day, Saturday, Aug. 10, 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.orgfacebook.com/NMOK.Hawaii

Hi‘iaka & Pele, Sat., Aug. 10, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/havo

Zentangle Inspired Labyrinth Shrines with Lois and Earl Stokes, Saturday, Aug. 10, 10a.m.-1p.m.Volcano Art Center. All art supplies provided; returning tanglers encouraged to bring favorite supplies. No experience necessary. Potluck. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Jazz in the Forest: A Samba Trip to Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 10, 5:30-7:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. Jean Pierre and the Jazztones with Sarah Bethany. Tickets, $20/VAC member, $25/non-member, available for purchase online. Beer, wine, and pūpū available for purchase at event. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Soul Town band performance, Saturday, Aug. 10, 7-10p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp Lava Lounge. $5 cover charge. Open to all patrons, and has certain Terms of Service. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

SUNDAY, AUG. 11
People and Land of Kahuku, Sun., Aug. 11, 9:30-11:30a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate, 2.5 mile hike over rugged terrain. nps.gov/havo

Medicine for the Mind: Teachings in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition, Sunday, Aug. 11 – 2nd Sunday, monthly – 3-5p.m.Volcano Art Center. Free; calabash donations welcome. Dress warmly. Patty Johnson, 345-1527

MONDAY, AUG. 12
Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Monday, Aug. 12 and Aug. 26, 1p.m., contact for location. Parent-led homeschool activity and social group, building community in Ka‘ū. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351

TUESDAY, AUG. 13
Virtual Advisory Council Mtg. for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Tuesday, August 13, 9a.m.-1p.m. Open to the public. Updates on education and outreach, resource protection, science, and Navy research. Public comment begins at 12:20 p.m. Join audio conference line at 1-866-813-9056, passcode: 1392550#. Visual presentation via Blue Jeans: https://bluejeans.com/986204292, meeting ID: 986 204 292. More info or mtg. agenda, contact Cindy Among-Serrao, 808-725-5923 or Cindy.Among-Serrao@noaa.govhawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov,
facebook.com/hawaiihumpbackwhalesanctuaries.noaa.
govdlnr.hawaii.gov

Registration Open: Butterfly Magnets Craft, Tuesday, Aug. 13-19, Kahuku ParkHawaiian Ocean View Estates. Program for ages 6-12 takes place on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 12:45-3:30p.m. Free. 939-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

ONGOING
Volcano Winery's Annual Fundraising Harvest Festival Tickets are on sale at volcanowinery.com or (808) 967-7772. Proceeds benefit Volcano School of Arts & Sciences; last year's event sold out. This sixth festive evening of live music, food, wines and craft beers under the stars happens Sunday, Sept. 84-7p.m. The $50 per person tickets include live music entertainment by Young Brothers; delicious food and drink from local restaurants; award-winning wines and teas from the Volcano Winery; tours of the vineyards and a huge raffle.


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.orgkaucoffeemill.com

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