Kaʻū News Briefs, Thursday, July 13, 2023

Hurricane Calvin, with its wind predicted to come in from Mexico to Kaʻū as a tropical storm next week,
bringing heavy rain. Image from NOAA

 HURRICANE CALVIN MAY BRING HEAVY RAINFALL TO KAʻŪ next Tuesday or Wednesday, reaching Hawai'i Island as a tropical storm and churning up the eastside of the island. The National Hurricane Center reported at 5 p.m. on Thursday: "Hurricane Calvin has been quickly improving in organization today. Infrared satellite imagery shows a small ragged eye that is surrounded by deep convection with cloud-top temperatures down to -80 degrees C. Subjective and objective satellite intensity estimates have increased as well. SAB and TAFB estimates wereT5.0/90 kt and T4.5/77 kt and University of Wisconsin-CIMSS AiDT is up to 82 kt.

   

    "Based on a blend of these estimates, the initial intensity is set to 85 kt for this advisory. Atmospheric and oceanic conditions continue to be conducive for additional strengthening, and model guidance suggests these conditions will persist for the next day or so. Based on Calvin's recent intensification, the forecast peak has been shifted up to 95 kt at 12-24 h, which is at the upper-end of the model guidance. The cyclone should then begin to move over cooler sea surface temperatures, and the deep-layer vertical wind shear is expected to gradually increase which should induce a weakening trend.     

    "The official forecast shows Calvin weakening beyond 24 h and, aside from a higher peak intensity, is very similar to the previous advisory. Calvin is moving westward at about 13 kt. The strong mid-level ridge centered over the southwestern United States is expected to steer the storm westward to west-northwestward through the forecast period. Model guidance remains generally well-clustered and the official track forecast is nudged slightly north of the previous advisory and lies a little south of the model consensus aids."

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RAINFALL WAS ABOVE NORMAL FOR KAʻŪ COFFEE FARMERS AND RANCHERS in recent months, the higher than average precipitation also reaching north to Kona Coffee farms. The extra rain has benefited both the coffee and cattle industry. In June, the gauge at Kapāpala Ranch between Pāhala and Volcano, measured 4.07 inches, more than 2.5 times normal rainfall. Pāhala registered 2.64 inches, 28% above average June rainfall. Kahuku Ranch, between Ocean View and South Point Road, registered 4.19 inches, almost twice its normal June rainfall.

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KAʻŪ'S CONGRESSWOMAN JILL TOKUDA is asking the citizenry to take her survey to help her stay in touch with community preferences. She wrote: "As we continue to see the far-right attempting to further restrict reproductive care for women and an ultra-conservative Supreme Court that continues to roll back years of progress, we hope that instead of feeling defeated, you will continue to stand with us and fight back!
    "Your input is invaluable to us, so we want to know: What issues matter most to you right now?
    "Your voice will shape our actions as we strive to create a better future for our keiki.
    "Please take our Quarterly Priorities Survey and tell us what issues are top of mind for you and your family. Knowing the issues you care about really does help to shape priorities."

    Take survey at 

https://secure.ngpvan.com/JfclxfdiME-dJuUOQFfqNA2?emci=16ee20b3-b821-ee11-a9bb-00224832eb73&emdi=c16270fb-c121-ee11-a9bb-00224832eb73&ceid=13058587.

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KAʻŪ FARMERS WILL BE HEADED TO SOUTH KONA NEXT THURSDAY for the Hawai'i Farmers Union Hawai'i Island meeting on July 20 from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. It will be held in Captain Cook at Ma'ona Community Garden, 84-5097 Keala O Keawe Rd.
An HFUU statement notes that the HFU State President Kaipo Kekona will be on hand, along with a visiting delegation from the National Farmers Union led by President Rob Larew. "The NFU delegation is visiting Hawaiʻi to learn more about our chapters, the unique issues that face farmers in Hawaiʻi, and to get to know our members. This will be their last stop on their journey across the islands following their visits to Oʻahu and Maui."
Register at: https://hfuuhawaiimeeting0720.eventbrite.com

Five thousand in the mail, 2,500 on the street.
See the July edition of The Kaʻū Calendar Newspaper
www.kaucalendar.com