Kaʻū News Briefs Sept. 30, 2024

Caren Loebel-Fried is known for her images and stories that inspire young people and adults to learn about

nature, science and conservation. The Volcano resident launches a new book on petrels on Thursday at VAC.

Petrel image and slide by Caren Lobel-Frie

FINDING HOME, A HAWAIIAN PETREL'S JOURNEY is a new book by Volcano resident and artist Caren Loebel-Fried. to be launched Oct. 3 at Thursday Night at the Center on the Niaulani Campus of Volcano art Center from 6 p .m. to 7:30 p.m.
    Loebel-Fried will share the behind-the-scenes of this book published by University of Hawai‘i Press. It describes her adventures researching the endangered ‘Ua‘u, Hawaiian Petrel, in their colonies throughout the Hawaiian Islands and within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. She will explain her creation of the art for this book. Guest speakers will present their work with these cryptic Native seabirds.
    ‘Ua‘u, Hawaiian Petrels, are endemic Hawaiian seabirds that soar huge distances day and night, by wind.Petrels are guided by smell and an inner magnetic map, and only touch land once a year when they meet their life mate at their burrow and together raise one chick. For 60 million years, ‘Ua‘u have made a living off the ocean, nesting in Hawai‘i far from predators. Hawaiian legends tell of seabirds darkening the sky as they returned from the sea. And their guano washed down from the mountaintops, nourishing the land and offshore coral reefs. But since the arrival of humans, ‘Ua‘u numbers have plummeted to near extinction. Finding Home, a Hawaiian Petrel’s Journey is based on the true story of these seabirds and the people working to save them.
    The author’s other award-winning illustrated books include Manu, the Boy Who Loved Birds, A Perfect Day for an Albatross, and Hawaiian Legends of the Guardian Spirits. Original art for Finding Home was acquired by the Hawai‘i State Foundation for Culture and the Arts for their Art in Public Places program.
    Other speakers at this special event include: Charlotte Forbes Perry, retired biologist PCSU/ Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park high up Mauna Loa, will share information about the Natural History and management of the ‘Ua‘u on Hawai‘i island.
    Dr. Michelle Reynolds, wildlife ecologist and certified conservation detection dog trainer and handler, will share about teaching dogs to sniff ‘Ua‘u burrows and ‘akē‘akē, Band-rumped Storm-petrels, and the cryptic seabirds she’s been trying to find since 1992.

Caren Loebel-Fried

     Hawaiʻi Wildlife Center’s Linda Elliott, Founder, Center Director and President, of the first and only wildlife rehabilitation, emergency response and conservation facilities for all native birds and bats statewide. Rae Okawa, Development Director of HWC, in charge of all areas of fund development, PR, and outreach, and lead organizer of the annual Hawaiʻi Island Festival of Birds. Linda and Rae will share about working with injured ‘Ua‘u and restoring them to their lives in the wild.
    After the presentation, the author will sign copies of Finding Home, A Hawaiian Petrel’s Journey. Art prints and notecards from the book art will also be available for purchase.

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VOLCANO'S SUSAN MCGOVERN, MANAGER OF A MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WALK on Saturday, Oct. 12, said, "We recognize the significant impact that current events place on our mental wellness. Our family, friends and neighbors can afford nothing less than mental health for all." 

   McGovern said NAMIWalks will take place at Wailoa Park in Hilo with people gathering at 8:30 a.m. and events until noon. It is sponsored by National Alliance on Mental Illness. She said it  is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. 

   McGovern said, "NAMIWalks is a force because we have to be."

The NAMIWalks event is this Saturday at Wailoa Park.
Photo from NAMIWalks

McGovern said folks unable to join the walk can "Do your favorite activity wherever you are to celebrate Mental Health for All."
    Register and donate online at https://www.namiwalks.org/bigisland or at NAMIWalks Day on Oct. 12 at 8:30 a.m. at Wailoa State Park on Piilani Street, Pavilion #3, next to the large pavilion. "Celebrate the day walking with others to show your support and raise awareness about the importance of mental health in our community. Create a team to walk together with family, friends, co-workers or clubs. After the walk, plan a fun day to picnic in the park."
    Donations of any amount accepted until Dec. 31 at namiwalks.org/bigisland. Support a team or individual with a donation. Funds raised support free top-rated NAMI classes, support groups and services plus Hawai'i community outreach and partnership initiatives. 

    Raise $100 or more to receive an event T-shirt. All funds raised stay local, supporting NAMI Big Island's free mental health programs, resources and services. For information visit namihawaii.org, email susan_mcgovern@hotmail.com,or phone 808-640-5686.

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PARK RANGERS REOPENED PART OF KĪLAUEA VOLCANO'S EAST RIFT ZONE over the

M. Gallegos of park staff carries a closure sign on Na'pau Trail
on Sunday. NPS Photo

weekend, but areas east of Makaopuhi crater remain closed due to volcanic and wildfire-related hazards.
    Maunaulu parking lot, Puʻuhuluhulu, and Maunaulu have reopened. Nāpau Trail is open to the junction with Nāulu Trail, which also reopened. However, Nāpau Trail past Makaopuhi crater, Nāpau campground and Nāpau crater all remain closed due to hazards that include scalding steam vents, new ground fractures, burning vegetation and fire-weakened trees, fresh pāhoehoe lava crust that can cause serious cuts, and rough, uneven terrain that can cause falls.
    Nāpau crater and most of the campground were inundated by lava during four eruptive episodes between September 15 and 20. A wildfire ignited by the eruption burned about 90 acres of forest and continues to smolder in the remote area. Only one campsite remains at Nāpau.
    Kīlauea is not currently erupting. According to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, lava flows from the September eruption covered two-thirds of Nāpau crater floor, and about 630,000 square meters (156 acres) in the crater and areas just west of Nāpau.
    Visitors should always plan ahead and check the park website: www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes.

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NOAA is offering scholarships for those who
wand an advance degree related to the ocean.
Photo from NOAA

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MARINE EDUCATION, MARINE STEWARDSHIP, CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY are among those offered for advanced degrees by NOAA. Its Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is seeking applications for the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program from individuals, particularly women and members of minority groups, who due to financial constraints, may not otherwise be able to pursue an advanced degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in oceanography, marine biology, maritime archaeology—these may include, but are not limited to ocean and/or coastal: engineering, social science, marine education, marine stewardship, cultural anthropology, and resource management disciplines.
    Scholarship provides tuition support and a stipend. It provides travel funds to support a program collaboration at a national marine sanctuary field office or another NOAA office. Training includes science communication, stewardship, and how to become a National Marine Sanctuary Ambassador.
    To apply, each applicant must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or a citizen of a U.S. territory; pursue, or intend to pursue, graduate-level studies at a U.S. accredited institution; have and maintain a minimum cumulative and term grade point average of 3.30 or higher; and maintain full-time student status for the duration of the scholarship award. See all the details at https://nmsfosterscholars.blob.core.windows.net/fosterscholars-prod/media/docs/2025-notice-of-funding-opportunity-dr-nancy-foster-scholarship-program.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=GovDeliver

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September 2024, 5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the streets.

Kaʻū News Briefs Sept. 29, 2024

Volcano Art Center celebrates 50 years, with this historic gallery and nearby educational campus. Photo from VAC

 VOLCANO ART CENTER WILL CELEBRATE 50 YEARS SINCE ITS FOUNDING, on Oct. 21, 1974. To celebrate, it will bring back its Tiny Treasures Invitational Exhibition to its gallery in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park from Oct.19 through Nov. 17. This small works, group exhibition will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with an opening reception on Saturday, Oct.19 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. While the exhibit is free, park entrance fees do apply.

Interior of Volcano Art Center Gallery, venue for the Tiny Treasures
Invitational, which opens on Oct. 19. Photo from VAC

    This year’s exhibition features invited jewelry artists including Daniel Rokovitz, Stone O’Daughery, Pat Pearlman, and Bill Dement will present unique, hand crafted designs, some embellished with sapphires to help celebrate this milestone. Their works will be highlighted against wood designs of Karen and Mark Stebbins of Big Island Engraving.
    Also on display will be small works from the annual Volcano Art Collaboration which took place in June at VAC’s Niaulani Campus. That event was attended by nine participating artists including Rose Adare, Nash Adams-Pruitt, Lisa Louise Adams, Ed Clapp, Amy Flanders, Bill Hamilton, Liz Miller, Joe Laceby and Erik Wold. In the spirit of the collaborations event, the artists created multiple unique mixed media pieces incorporating wood, glass, metals and ceramics.
   A statement from VAC says, "Please visit this unique collection of small works of art and help VAC celebrate its many years of providing art and culture to our community." The exhibit will also be available for viewing on VAC’s website volcanoartcenter.org upon opening. For more information contact Emily C. Weiss at (808) 967-7565 or email sales@volcanoartcenter.org.

Andrea Kawabata. Photo from UH

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KAʻŪ COFFEE GROWERS COOPERATIVE meets at 5 p.m. on Tuesday at the Herkes Kaʻū District Gym Multipurpose Room. 

    On the agenda is the election of officers.

    Also on the agenda is a presentation and update by University of Hawai'i College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources' Andrea Kawabata. She will talk about the latest on Coffee Leaf Rust management. Kawabata will also ask farmers to fill out a survey that could help bring financial support in the battle against Coffee Leaf Rust and Coffee Berry Borer.

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September 2024, 5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the streets.

 

Kaʻū News Briefs Sept. 28, 2024

Trojans Coach Joshua Ortega and team. Photo by Kamamalu Kauwe

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL STATS ARE IN FOR THIS WEEK'S TROJAN GAMES. On Sept. 24 when Kaʻū beat Kea'au, 25-22, 25-22 and 25-22, seven lady volleyball players made kills and aces for the win.
    Leahi Kaupu came up with 15 kills and 1 ace. Jezerie Rose Nurial-Dacalio slammed 9 kills and 4 blocks. Zia Rae Wroblewski nailed 7 kills and 1 ace. McKenzie Decoito pounded 4 kills. CaLiyah Silva-Kamei achieved 3 aces. Aubrey Delos Santos-Graig accomplished 2 kills and Jazmyn Navarro got 3 aces.
    On Sept. 26 when Kaʻū bested Christian Liberty with 25-8, 25-3, and 25-15, seven lady volleyball players made kills and aces for the win. Leahi Kaupu nailed 8 kills and 5 aces. Zia Rae Wroblewski came up with 8 kills, 2 aces and 2 blocks. Jezerie Rose Nurial-Dacalio had 6 kills and 2 blocks. Jazmyn Navarro achieved 2 kills and 5 aces. CayLiyah Silva Kamae accomplished 4 aces. McKenzie Decoito made 2 kills and 1 ace. Aubrey Delos Santos-Graig slammed 2 kills.
    Upcoming games are on Monday, Sept. 30 when Kaʻū hits the road to play Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter School at 5 p.m. On Monday, Oct. 7, Ka 'Umeke comes to Kaʻū with start time of 10 a.m.

NEXT SATURDAY, OCT. 5 IS THE HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME, with Kohala coming to Kaʻū with a 1 p.m. start time.

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Moses Kaho'okele Crabbe and his halau will  perform at Ho'okuupu Hula No Kaʻū Cultural Festival on Saturday, Nov.2.

HO'OKUPU HULA NO KAʻŪ CULTURAL FESTIVAL is set for Saturday, Nov. 2. Planned for Ke Ola Pu'uhonua next to Punalu'u Bake Shop in Nāʻālehu, the free Ho'okupu Hula No Kaʻū Cultural Festival is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Organized by Debbie and Kawehi Ryder, it will feature emcee Kurt Dela Cruz, an opening pule by Demetrius Oliveira and a ceremonial Ho'okupu at the Kuahu for participating halau, haumana and the public.

    Ku'uipo Kumakahi & Friends will perform at 10 a.m. Naoho Kanahele Kanakaole is on at 11 a.m. Halau Na Pua O Uluhaimalama with Kumu Hula Emery Aceret will perform at 1 p.m. Halau Hula O Leionalani will dance at 2 p.m. and Moses Kaho'okele Crabbe and Halauokalani will perform at 3 p.m, followed by additional entertainment.

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Ku'uipo Kumukahi will share her music at the Kanani A'o Kaʻū Health Fair on Sunday, Nov. 3.

KANANI A'O KAʻŪ HEALTH FAIR IS PLANNED FOR NĀ’ĀLEHU. It is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ke Ola Pu'uhonua next to Punalu'u Bake Shop. The day will include entertainment by Ku'uipo Kumukahi & Friends, and Halau Hula O Leionalani with Debby Ruder, Keiki & Opi'o.
    An opening pule will come from Jennine Helemoa. Guest speakers Malia Loqulao Sommers and Alexia Summers will talk about Kupuna health and benefits from medicare and insurance. They will discuss maintaining hormonal balance through life's stages and through diabetes, weight gain, heart disease and other health issues.
    Presenters will include Hui Mālama Ola Nā 'Ōiwi, Kaʻū Women's Health Collective for Home Birth, Lomilomi with Jaime Marie, Lāʻau lapaʻau with Kawehi Ryder, Awa Trade Association with Todd Reily, Genealogy with Madeline Babs Brooks and Women's Recovery through AA and NA with Annie Ridgely.

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September 2024, 5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the streets.

 

Kaʻū News Briefs Sept. 27, 2024

The SS Doric, which brought the first Sakada - Filipino immigrants to Hawai'i in 1906.

Domingo Los Banos served in WW II
and became Hawai'i's first Filipino
American School Principal in 1954.
Photo from Fil Am Courier

OCTOBER WILL BE FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH. Kaʻū's Congresswoman Jill Tokuda joined Rep. Ed Case, U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono and colleagues in co-leading a bipartisan, bicameral measure in both Houses of Congress to celebrates the long and distinguished history of Filipino Americans in the United States. In Kaʻū they are leaders in the Kaʻū Coffee industry and work in macadamia, public health, education, the military and many other endeavors.
    A statement from Hawai'i's Congressional Delegation says that FilAms now number over 4,000,000 in the U.S. The resolution says Filipino American History Month provides "a testament to the advancement of Filipino Americans; a time to reflect on and remember the many notable contributions that Filipino Americans have made to the United States; and a time to renew efforts toward the research and examination of history and culture so as to provide an opportunity for all people of the United States to learn more about Filipino Americans and to appreciate the historic contributions of Filipino Americans to the United States."

     The resolution urges the people of the United States to observe Filipino American History Month with appropriate programs and activities.
    Rep. Ed Case noted "the great contributions of Filipino Americans to our country, in government and law, music and entertainment, sports, business and countless other ventures.”
    Sen. Mazie Hirono commented, “From the first Filipino contract laborers who arrived in Hawai‘i seeking a better life, to the Filipino American leaders in business, health care, and our Armed Forces, this community has contributed to our country’s diversity and helped to shape our identity as a nation.”
    Rep. Jill Tokuda said, “Since arriving in Hawaiʻi in the late 1800s to work on sugarcane and pineapple plantations, Filipinos played an important role in the history, culture, and fabric of Hawaiʻi. They have made, and continue to make, significant contributions to my home state and the country and that’s why I’m proud to cosponsor this measure, celebrating the historical achievements and milestones that make up Filipino American History Month.”

The Philippines flag flies at many public buildings during
Filipino History Month, this October.

    

    Case continued: “Since their early beginnings, our Filipino American community has grown to some 4.4 million citizens and is the third largest Asian American and Pacific Islander group in the United States. Their mark lies in all parts of our society, with a bright future of further contributions to come.
    “In introducing our resolution, we also recognize the increasingly strong and critical ties between our country and the Republic of the Philippines. We also again honor the over 250,000 Filipinos who answered the call to protect and defend America and the Philippines in the Pacific theater, and who were awarded the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal by Act of Congress and bestowed by President Obama in 2016.”

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KAʻŪ HIGH TROJAN GIRLS VOLLEYBALL BEAT CHRISTIAN LIBERTY ACADEMY in Kea'au on Thursday. The scores were 25-8, 25-3 and 25-15. 

    Kaʻū travels to LCPCS/SIS on Monday, Sept. 30. Ka 'Umeke comes to Kaʻū on Saturday, Oct. 5. Kaʻū travels to Hilo on Saturday, Oct. 12 and again to Pāhoa on Monday, Oct. 13. Kamehameha comes to Kaʻū on Wednesday, Oct. 16, followed by Big Island Interscholastic Federation playoffs.

   Coach is Josh Ortega, Assistant Coach and JV Coach is Sarah Ortega, Trainer is Moses Whitcomb and Athletic Director is Jaime Guerpo.
    The varsity team is comprised of Mckenzie Decoito, Leahi Kaupu, Jezerie Rose Nurial-Dacalio, Kiara Ortega-Oliveira, Jazmyn Navarro, Aubrey Delos Santos-Graig, Alajshae Barrios, CaLiya Silva-Kamei and Zia Rae Wroblewski.
    The JV team is comprised of Deijah Cabanilla-Nogales, Lily Dacalio, Christy Girl Grohs, Megan Pierpont, Kalesha Hashimoto, Alazae Forcum, Wailea Kainoa Haili-Barawis and Dhaylee Cabreros.

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KAʻŪ HIGH TROJANS succumbed to Pāhoa in football on Thursday. Score was Pāhoa 28, Kaʻū 16.

September 2024, 5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the streets.

 

Kaʻū News Briefs Sept. 26, 2024

 Kaʻū High's 2,500 sq. ft. media/makerspace where the Esports Club launched a winning season this week against teams
from throughout Hawai'i, Alaska and the West Coast. Photo from Kaʻū High Esports Club

KAʻŪ HIGH ESPORTS CLUB LAUNCHED INTO FALL SEASON COMPETITION and won.    

    This week, in the Super Smash Brothers competition against 41 Hawai'i high schools, Kaʻū beat Assets High School on O'ahu, 3-2. The Kaʻū team consists of Gavin Anger, Stephen Throne, Fred Kauwe, Anaza Nielson and Elizabeth Greedy. Super Smash Brothers consists of teams of three players in a best of five matches, where each match is a best of three sets between individual. players from each team.

    In Overwatch 2 competition against 95 high schools in Hawai'i, Alaska and the West Coast, Kaʻū beat Lancaster High School of California, 3-1. The Kaʻū team consists of Krystal Eder, Stephen Throne, Jasmin Sanchez, Fred Kauwe, Chairmane Kaye Rosaria and Josph Mykhaylchenko. Overwatch 2 consists of teams of five players in a best of five games consisting of Control, Hybrid, Flashpoint, Push and Escort game modes. 

     Fall season runs from Sept. 25 to Nov. 13. Teams who make the playoffs potentially continue playing up until Winter Break. Spring season begins in February. 

 Kaʻū High School's Esport Club team members, under the guidance of Andrew Honma
 who runs the student technology and design lab. Photo from Kaʻū High Esports Club

    The Esports Club is entering its seventh year under advisor Andrew Honma, the school's tech coordinator who also runs the student technology and design lab, a 2,500 square-foot media/makerspace.

    Esports Club President is Chairmane Kaye Rosario, who earned the position by beating out all others who wanted the presidency in an Overwatch 2 Deathmatch.

    In addition to participating in competitive matches agains other high schools, Esport Club welcomes members who simply want a safe, nourishing space to play video games together. 

     The Club also engages in Karaoke and members said they will be the first in line if high schools in Hawai'i would start a competition. 

     College planning is also a strong theme of the Esports Club. Seven of nine students who took advantage of University of Hawai'i- Hilo's recent, on-the-spot admissions are Esports Club members. They signed up for college one week after a trip touring the UH Hilo campus with sit-downs with professors from a variety of departments.

     The Hawai'i Super Smash Brothers Ultimate League results can be tracked at https://app.playvs.com/explore/leagues/hawaii-hhsaa-smash-ultimate/standings.

   

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HAWAI'I SUPREME COURT UNANIMOUSLY RULED AGAINST ALLOWING FARM DWELLINGS FOR VACATION RENTALS. The decision came down on Tuesday and received praise from Hawai'i's Attorney General Anne Lopez, former General Doug Chin and Gov. Josh Green. In addition to ruling on use of farm dwellings, the Supreme Court backed the principle of supporting decisions of government agencies that have expertise, experience and local knowledge.
    The Governor said, “Using agricultural lands for genuine agricultural purposes and ensuring that housing is allocated for our residents are two of the most crucial issues facing our state today.”
    The AG said, “I commend that Hawaiʻi Supreme Court for making the right decision for the people of Hawaiʻi. Today’s decision makes clear that deference to administrative agencies is a principle with continued vitality in Hawaiʻi. This decision reaffirms the importance of agency expertise under Hawaiʻi law.”

Doug Chin successfully argued
the case to keep vacation rentals
off of agricultural land.

    

   Former AG Chin, who served as Special Deputy Attorney to argue the case before the state Supreme Court,  said, “This was a win for preserving agricultural lands in Hawaiʻi. Short-term vacation rentals are transient accommodations effectively for vacation or tourist use and do not belong in the agricultural district. That was the Land Use Commission’s finding when a dozen Hawaiʻi island landowners applied to rent out their farm dwellings as short-term vacation rentals.The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court unanimously upheld the LUC’s thoughtful and well-reasoned decision.”
    The case is Rosehill v. State of Hawaiʻi, Land Use Commission. The Rosehill plaintiffs are a collection of owners of high end vacation rentals on Hawai'i Island agricultural properties whose permits were denied.

    In addition to the Supreme Court Judges' ruling that farm dwellings in the agricultural district cannot be used as short-term vacation rentals under Hawaiʻi law, the justices further held that courts must generally defer to agencies when interpreting ambiguous laws. They also disagreed with a 2024 U.S. Supreme Court case that overruled the 40-year-old case of Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., which also involved the expertise of agencies.
    A statement from the AG says, "The County of Hawaiʻi has an ordinance that generally prohibits short-term vacation rentals in the agricultural district. In 2020, both the County of Hawaiʻi and certain owners of land in the agricultural district of the County of Hawaiʻi petitioned the state Land Use Commission (LUC)

for declaratory orders regarding the legality of this prohibition under state law.
    "The LUC held that a short-term vacation rental is not a permitted use of a farm dwelling in the agricultural district. On appeal, the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court agreed with the LUC, holding that a farm dwelling may not be used as short-term vacation rentals because 'short-term vacation rentals undermine' agricultural purposes. In making this decision, the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court expressly deferred to the LUC’s interpretation of ambiguous Hawaiʻi law, stating: “In Hawaiʻi, we defer to those agencies with the naʻauao (knowledge/wisdom) on particular subject matters to get complex issues right.”
    In making this decision, the court also expressly disagreed with the reasoning of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2024 decision of Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, Department of the Attorney General which overruled longstanding principles of federal judicial deference to agency interpretation of statutes.

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UNDERSTANDING MAGMA STORAGE AND MIGRATION IN KĪLAUEA'S ACTIVE EAST RIFT ZONE is the title of this week's Volcano Watch, written by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geophysicist Ninfa Bennington and EHT Zürich colleagues Federica Lanza and Alicia Rohnacher.
    As signals created by earthquakes move through the ground, they are influenced by the structure of the volcano, including the presence of magma and/or fault zones. These structures can cause the seismic waves to travel faster or slower inside the Earth and are recorded on seismometers. Seismologists can take advantage of these changes, to create images of where magma is located and to track its path underground.
    The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) has about 80 permanent seismometers on the Island of Hawaiʻi. Using only data from these permanent seismometers provides a fuzzy picture of underlying magma storage structures. However, if the number of seismometers at the surface is increased, more of the seismic waves traveling through regions of magma storage will be recorded yielding a crisper picture of the subsurface.

Map shows temporary seismic nodes across Kīlauea ERZ (red triangles). Earthquakes located in the ERZ between July 1, 2024, and September 22, 2024, are shown as black dots. Kaluapele (Kīlauea's summit caldera) is outlined in magenta. Blue line drawn between two nodes indicates the area where the velocity changes in were calculated. Shaded grey area approximates the ERZ of Kīlauea.

    In late June 2024, seismologists from ETH Zürich and HVO deployed 115 seismic nodes (tiny, portably seismometers) across Kīlauea's ERZ, fortuitously before significant unrest began in the ERZ. Data recorded on these nodes will be used to image the location and volume of magma within the ERZ at a level of detail not previously possible, and the resulting model will help us to better understand the volcanic hazards in this region. These densely spaced seismic instruments will continue to record seismic signals through October 2024. Given the timeline of their occupation, they recorded earthquakes associated with intrusions of magma into the ERZ in July and August, as well as the September 15–20 eruption in the middle ERZ. In fact, four of the nodes had to be rescued from the field to prevent them from being impacted by the recent eruption.
While the dense seismic array continues to record data, scientists have collected a subset of data from these instruments including late June through late August 2024. ETH and HVO seismologists are working together to analyze these newly collected data. Specifically, they are using an analysis tool called ambient noise interferometry—which takes advantage of continuous seismic signals created through the interaction between ocean swells and the ocean crust—to identify what was happening below the surface leading to the September eruption.

Changes in seismic velocity and earthquake rates at Kīlauea from July to mid-August 2024. Changes in seismic velocity with time are shown in the top panel. The bottom panel shows earthquake rates with time for the same period. The dashed magenta line indicates the opening of cracks and fractures as the magmatic intrusion began in the ERZ.
The continued decrease in seismic velocity seen to the right of the magenta line reflects continued intrusion of magma into the region.

    Magma moving through a volcano opens and closes fracture systems causing changes in the speed that ocean noise signals travel through the ground. Scientists can monitor these ocean noise signals for signs that magma is accumulating beneath the surface.
    Ocean noise traveling through the ground below the upper ERZ of Kīlauea volcano between early July and late August 2024 showed changes as magma began to enter this area. The most dramatic change we observe is a rapid velocity decrease that begins on July 21, indicating the opening of cracks and fractures due to magmatic intrusions in this region. At the same time, swarms of earthquakes were occurring due to stresses created from intrusion of magma into the subsurface.
    This example shows how ambient noise interferometry, along with other volcano monitoring datasets, can be used to understand the changes occurring beneath the surface of a volcano. While this example focuses on changes in velocity at a single pair of nodes, future analysis will be carried out for the entire 115 instrument array, which spans Kīlauea's ERZ. This complete analysis will contribute to our understanding of where magma migrated across the ERZ in the time leading to the September 2024 eruption.

Volcano Activity Updates
    Kīlauea is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is ADVISORY.
The middle East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea that began September 15 around Nāpau Crater, within

    Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, ended on September 20. In total, more than 156 acres were covered with new rock that erupted from a fissure system more than 1 mile long. Since the eruption ended, rates of ground deformation and earthquakes in the summit and East Rift Zone eruption area have decreased with about 40 earthquakes located in Kīlauea summit region and 50 in the upper-to-middle East Rift Zone. Middle East Rift Zone sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates have decreased since the eruption ended, with no SO2 detected from the eruption site on Monday, September 23. The most recent measurement of SO2 emission rate at the summit was 60 tonnes per day on September 17, 2024
    Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.
    Three earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M3.2 earthquake 31 km (19 mi) SSW of Pa'auilo at 17 km (11 mi) depth on September 25 at 1:01 p.m. HST, a M4.0 earthquake 4 km (2 mi) S of Pāhala at 32 km (20 mi) depth on September 22 at 6:21 a.m. HST, and a M3.1 earthquake 24 km (14 mi) S of Volcano at 32 km (19 mi) depth on September 19 at 9:31 p.m. HST.
    HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

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September 2024, 5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the streets.