Monday, November 04, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs Nov. 4, 2024

Mauna Loa is closed on weekdays for survey, drilling and soil sampling. NPS photo

MAUNA LOA ROAD AT KIPUKAPUAULU GATE IN HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK CLOSED FOR SIX WEEKS on weekdays, beginning Monday for survey, drilling and soil sampling work. Mauna Loa Road from Highway 11 to Kīpukapuaulu, Kīpukapuaulu Trail and the day-use area will remain open. The closure will start at the gate past Kīpukapuaulu from 8:30 a.m to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday due to a large trailer-mounted drill rig and heavy machinery that will dominate the narrow road.
    The road will reopen on weekends and holidays to all users, including Nov. 11 for Veterans Day and Nov. 27 through Thanksgiving weekend, until work resumes the following Monday.
Mauna Loa Trail to Puʻuʻulaʻula and Red Hill Cabin will remain open, but access to and from the trailhead during work days will only be permitted before 8:30 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
    Mauna Loa Road (not to be confused with Mauna Loa Observatory Road off Daniel K. Inouye Highway) was first built as a truck trail by local members of the Civilian Conservation Corps. It has degraded due to tree root intrusion, seismicity and age.
    This initial survey, drilling and sampling work will determine the subgrade material and inform the design process for a major rehabilitation of Mauna Loa Road to Mauna Loa Lookout, where the bumpy and uneven road ends around 6,700 feet. The rehab project is anticipated to start in late 2025.
    The temporary closure of Mauna Loa Road is expected to last through mid-December. Visit the park website for additional temporary construction-related closures.

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KAʻŪ MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY WILL CELEBRATE VETERANS DAY, next Monday, Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a display of Kaʻū veterans photos and other memorabilia at Nāʻālehu Park next to the World War II Veterans Memorial.

OKK WILL CELEBRATE VETERANS DAY NEXT MONDAY, NOV. 11  from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free lunch for veterans and their families, with music by Keoki Soriano. Venue is the 'O Ka'ū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu.

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HERE ARE THE FLIGHT OPERATIONS FOR NOVEMBER for Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park:
    Nov. 12 and 15 between 9 a.m. and noon for transport of crew and equipment for fence replacement on Mauna Loa between 4,000- and 6,500-ft. elevation.
    Nov. 20 and 22 between 6:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. for Hawaiian petrel monitoring on Mauna Loa between 4,000- and 9,000-ft. elevation.
    USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory may conduct additional flight operations over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.
    The park regrets any noise impact to residents and park visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.
    Management of the park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources, and to maintain backcountry facilities. 

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HEAVY RAIN BUT LITTLE WIND POUNDED KAʻŪ MONDAY NIGHT with a National Weather Service Flash Flood Warning extended until almost 11 p.m. to cover the entire island. Highway 11 became impassible at points between Punalu'u and Honu'apo with the mountain alternate route also flooded at gulches and dangerous to use. Ahead of Hwy 11 closing between the 57 mile marker and 62 mile marker, schools closed early to get students home on the buses. 
      Herkes Kaʻū District Gym opened as a shelter as did Nāʻālehu Community Center and Kea'au Armory.
      Kaʻū Coffee farmers visiting their orchards said they observed some soil runoff and gullies in their farms. 

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