Kaʻū News Briefs June 2, 2024

During Kaʻū Coffee Festival Week, the state Department of Agriculture and Kaʻū Coffee Fest Committee encourage everyone, all year long, to "Buy Local. It Matters." A Buy Local contest for attendees will net a thousand dollar award at Saturday''s all day Kaʻū Coffee Fest Ho'olaulea this Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center. See this week's Coffee Fest Activity schedule at www.kaucoffeefestival.com Image from HDOA

New eruption plume from a fissure makai of Hwy 11 between Pāhala and

Volcano can be seen at dawn this morning from Honu'apo.

The plume on left for photo rises from the land and drifts mauka. 

Photo by Bob Martin

UPDATE MONDAY, JUNE 3: The Volcano is erupting on the Southwest Rift Zone between Pāhala and Volcano, in between Footprints Trail and Hwy 11. The eruption is between Maunuiki and Halema'uma'u.
    The eruption began at about 12:30 a.m. A statement from Park says, it began " in a closed area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. The new eruption is in a very remote area of the park several miles southwest of the summit caldera, not accessible by car or by trail. Maunaiki Trail is closed. Park rangers and USGS scientists are assessing eruption conditions. No safe lava-viewing locations have been established at this time. Lava glow was visible before dawn from Uēkahuna overlooks at the summit. Stay up to date on the latest park conditions: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/conditions.htm."

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VOLCANIC UNREST HAS LED TO CLOSURE OF Devastation Parking lot and Keanakākoʻi area at

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
    U.S. Geological Survey reports that earthquake activity and ground deformation at Kīlauea’s summit began at approximately noon on Sunday,  June 2, 2024, indicating the likely movement of magma in the subsurface. Rates of seismicity and deformation increased further after 5 p.m. "It is not possible to say with certainty if this activity will lead to an eruption – the activity may remain below ground. However, an eruption in Kīlauea’s summit region within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is one potential outcome.
Accordingly, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) is raising the Volcano Alert Level for ground-based hazards from ADVISORY to WATCH and the Aviation Color Code from YELLOW to ORANGE."
   USGS Hawai'i Volcano Observatory reports that it continues to closely monitor Kīlauea for signs of increasing activity. "Should volcanic activity change significantly, a new Volcanic Activity Notice will be issued."
    Stay up to date on the latest park closures and conditions:  https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.

A KAʻŪ COFFEE GROWERS, LOCAL AGRICULTURAL WORKSHOP is announced by US. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service for Friday, June 21 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center. A Spanish language interpreter will be present to assist those farmers who may need further explanation in their native language.
    John Cross, Chair of Kaʻū Soil & Water Conservation District urges farmers and other interexted Ka'u citizes to attend. He noted in a message to farmers that representatives from the USDA, NRCS Conservation Service, and Farm Service Agency will be in Pahala to share their services and programs that can assist farms and ranches install good soil and water conservation measures. Many of these programs have financial cost sharing support for the farm owner or tenant.
    "I encourage farmers to attend and learn how to become a Cooperator with the Kaʻū Soil and Water Conservation District. Becoming a cooperator and having a farm plan developed by the NRCS can assist you with many land clearing and management actions. An approved soil and water conservation plan, among many other benefits, exempts you from needing a Grading or Grubbing Permit from the County Department of Public Works," said Cross.
    Cross and colleagues ask that participants RSVP by June 7 to have an idea of how many people will be attending. RSVP with Cross at cross.johnc@gmail.com or laila.jayyusi@USDA.gov.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.