Kaʻū News Briefs, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023

Star above with lava in the Kīlauea caldera. Photo by Lina Kolosova

KILAUEA ERUPTION IS DRAWING MUCH ATTENTION with this report from USGS on Friday:
    The summit eruption of Kīlauea Volcano, within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, continued over the past 24 hours. All recent eruptive activity has been confined to the crater. No significant changes have been observed at the summit or in either rift zone.
    Halemaʻumaʻu Lava Lake Observations: Eruption of lava from vents on the central eastern portion of Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor continued over the past 24 hours. Activity is concentrated in the eastern half of the crater and within the basin in the western half of the crater that was the focus of activity in 2021-2022.
    Summit Observations: Summit tiltmeters have recorded deflation over the past 24 hours. Volcanic tremor remains above background levels. A sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rate of approximately 12,500 tonnes per day (t/d) was measured on Jan. 6. 

     U.S. Geological Survey on Friday lowered the Kīlauea alert level from WARNING to WATCH, and the aviation color code from RED to ORANGE, noting that the eruption was confined to the summit caldera, with no predictions of it migrating elsewhere.

    See an overflight video on Friday morning from USGS at https://www.usgs.gov/media/videos/early-morning-overflight-video-january-6-2023.

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Jill Tokuda on ice in Washington, D.C. before being sworn in
during the wee hours of Friday, after the protracted process of
selecting a Speaker of the House. Tokuda serves Kaʻū and all of
 rural Hawai'i inthe Second District of U.S. House of
Representatives. Photo from Tokuda

JILL TOKUDA WAS ON ICE FOR DAYS, WAITING TO BE SWORN IN TO THE U.S. CONGRESS. It happened after midnight this morning following the protracted selection process for Speaker of the House. Tokuda said, at 2:30 a.m., "We have already hit the ground running, working hard because it's so important that our families, our communities, our workers have not only a voice but someone who's going to really bring about change and action for all of the people of Hawai'i..... We have a lot of work We'll be in touch. We'll keep you updated and I cannot wait to see you very soon in your community."
   Tokuda represents Kaʻū and all of rural Hawai'i, the seat previously held by Kai Kahele, Tulsi Gabbard and Ed Case, who now represents urban Hawai'i but works with the rural representative on issues regarding land preservation, health care, education and more.
    Before being sworn in, Tokuda wrote that "Two years ago, on Jan. 6, the very core of our democracy was attacked. Lives were lost, and many people were severely injured while trying to protect our United States Capitol, uphold our constitution and save our democracy. These brave women and men are the tru heroes of January 6th and they deserve our eternal thanks and support.

    "I remember watching in horror and sadness what was happening that day. Having gone to college in

Sunday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. Pahala Plantation House
See www.himusicfestival.com

Washington, D.C., this was once home. And that's what it felt like watching the chaos and destruction. I felt like someone was invading and destroying my home.
    'Right now, we are amidst a different kind of chaos, but one that no less threatens our democracy. As I enter the House Chambers, the very one threatened two years ago today, my thanks and aloha will go out to every woman and man who sacrifices to protect this place. In their honor, I will continue to fight to strengthen our democracy."

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                                                                          FOURTEEN MOTORISTS WERE ARRESTED FOR DUI during the week of Dec. 26 through Dec. 31. Hawai’i Island police arrested 14 motorists for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Two of the drivers were involved in a traffic accident. Two of the drivers were under the age of 21.

    During 2022, there were 979 DUI arrests compared with 1,081 during the same period last year, a decrease of 9.4 percent.
    There have been 846 major accidents so far this year compared with 820 during the same period last year, an increase of 3.2 percent.
    To date, there were 32 fatal crashes (one fatal crash reclassified on 05/30/22 due to a medical condition) resulting in 34 fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths, and one reclassified due to a medical condition), compared with 26 fatal crashes, resulting in 26 fatalities for the same time last year. This represents an increase of 23.1 percent for fatal crashes, and 30.8 percent for fatalities.     Hawai'i police promise that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.

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FREE FOOD

St. Jude's Hot Meals are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until food runs out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 96-8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View.  Those in need can also take hot showers from 9 a.m. to noon and use the computer lab from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Masks and social distancing required.

Free Meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are served from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Nā'ālehu Hongwanji. Volunteers prepare the food provided by 'O Ka'ū Kākou with fresh produce from its gardens on the farm of Eva Liu, who supports the project. Other community members also make donations and approximately 150 meals are served each day, according to OKK President Wayne Kawachi.

OUTDOOR MARKETS

Volcano Evening Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See facebook.com.

Volcano Swap Meet, fourth Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. Large variety of vendors with numerous products. Tools, clothes, books, toys, local made healing extract and creams, antiques, jewelry, gemstones, crystals, food, music, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also offered are cakes, coffee, and shave ice. Live music.

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Ka'ū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.

'O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nā'ālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Ocean View Community Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in the upper lot only. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.

Ocean View Swap Meet at Ocean View makai shopping center, near Mālama Market. Hours for patrons are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Vendor set-up time is 5 a.m. Masks required.

The Book Shack is open every Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Kauaha'ao Congregational Church grounds at 95-1642 Pinao St. in Wai'ōhinu.