Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015

Visitors admire the newly restored Herb Kane mural, A Pantheon of Volcano Spirits, in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park's Jaggar Museum. See story below. NPS Photo by Stephen Geiger

REGENERATIVE AND DIVERSE AGRICULTURE in Hawai`i received the attention of all four U.S. legislators from Hawai`i when Hawai`i Farmers Union United recently went to Washington, D.C. The organization’s president Vince Mina reported that elected officials are excited about the “quality and quantity of nutrient rich food being available” for the Hawai`i community.

Vince Mina and his daughter Kahaulani
Photo by Julia Neal

      While in D.C., Mina chaired the National Regenerative Agriculture Local Food Committee meeting, hosting USDA and National Resources Conservation Services senior advisors to the director of agriculture. He also met with Elanor Starmer, USDA’s “Know Your Food, Know Your Farmer” initiative coordinator. Bianca Moebius Clune, of the newly formed Soil Health Division of NRCS, “gave inspired and enlightening reports on this growing trend in agriculture that has captured the imagination of millennials who are choosing agriculture as a career choice while also supporting us elder agriculturists with honing our skills in advocating for what will serve the best and highest interest of our farms and community,” Mina reported.

      Mina said, “Hawai`i is taking the lead in raising the awareness on a national level for future support of programs on a local level in alignment to our mission and goals.”
      HFUU presents its first annual Natural Farming Syposium Oct. 1 – 3 at UH-Manoa’s Komohana Research & Extension Center in Hilo.
      Email easthawaii@hfuuhi.org to register.
      For more on the local chapter of Hawai`i Farmers Union United, call Pres. Greg Smith, of Earth Matters Farm, at 939-7510. See the statewide website at http://hfuuhi.org.

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A COLORFUL WALL MURAL of Hawaiian deities painted by Herb Kawainui Kane has been restored at Jaggar Museum in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
      Thanks to an $8,000 grant by Tourism Cares, a $1,600 donation and 32 hours of service by the nonprofit Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, the artwork titled A Pantheon of Volcano Spirits is once again bright and colorful. The mural depicts volcano goddess Pelehonuamea, her brother and shark god Kamohoali`i, rival demigod Kamapua`a and other Hawaiian deities affiliated with volcanoes.
      The mural captivates millions of park visitors who visit Jaggar Museum.
      The mission of Tourism Cares is to preserve and enhance the travel experience for future generations. FHVNP’s mission is to support the park in the protection, preservation and interpretation of the natural and cultural resources for the enjoyment of current and future generations.

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A grant will provide solar power and a potable water system
for Native Hawaiian residents of Miloli`i.
Photo by Kaiali`i Kahele

NATIVE HAWAIIAN RESIDENTS of Miloli`i will soon have solar power for electricity, refrigeration and cooking and a solar distillation kit to procure safe drinking water. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last week awarded one of nine High Energy Cost grants to help reduce energy costs for residents in remote rural areas where the cost of producing electricity is extremely high. 

      The nonprofit Heritage Ranch, Inc. received $896,450 to provide equipment and technical assistance for a solar energy network that will serve 255 native Hawaiians in Miloli`i. The community has no utility-provided electricity and no potable water. Residents pay high rates to have fuel and water delivered.
      “The High Energy Cost Grant Program is one more approach USDA is taking to deliver cleaner, more cost-effective energy sources across the country,” Vilsack said. “Energy conservation programs like this help improve the environment by reducing carbon emissions and the use of fossil fuels. In addition, when businesses and families spend less on fuel and electricity, they have more money to invest in local businesses. The grants we are announcing today will help create jobs and benefit entire rural communities.”

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Ope`ape`a migrated from North America to Hawai`i.
Photo from Forest and Kim Starr

BATS MIGRATED TO HAWAI`I from North America at least twice in the last 10,000 years. While isolated in the archipelago, the flying mammal became the Hawaiian hoary bat, the ope`ape`a. These are among the findings that researchers Kristina Montoya-Aiona and Corinna Pinzari are presenting on the endangered species and newly anointed official land mammal for the state. 

      The presentation takes place at 7 p.m. at Lyman Museum in Hilo next Monday.
      According to the researchers, recent studies in bat genetics are opening the doors to better understand the Hawaiian bat.
      Montoya-Aiona will introduce the basics of bat biology, ecology and behavior across the islands. Pinzari will share the latest findings. Both work with the Hawai`i Cooperative Studies Unit/USGS Kilauea Field Station.
      Lyman Museum is at 276 Haili St. and open 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Saturday. For information, call 935-5021 or see www.lymanmuseum.org.

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THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS has awarded $2,118,174 in two grants under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program to help curb veterans’ homelessness in Hawai`i. 

      “Today, far too many veterans are living on the streets while struggling to find affordable housing,” Sen. Brian Schatz said. “Our commitment to those brave men and women in uniform does not end when they separate from the military. We have to continue to fight on their behalf so that when they come home, they come home to a roof over their heads. These funds will help those homeless veterans find a path toward stable housing.”
       Sen. Mazie Hirono said, “As we address the serious issue of homelessness, it is imperative that we keep our commitment to helping our service members and families in need. Partnerships between the federal government and nonprofit organizations, including the SSVF grant program, are critical to addressing the challenges that veterans and their families face in finding a stable home. SSVF is one of our greatest tools in the effort to end veteran homelessness.”
       The grants are awarded under the SSVF program, which supports outreach, case management and other flexible assistance to prevent Veteran homelessness or rapidly re-house Veterans who become homeless. The grants awarded to Hawai`i were a part of a $300 million renewal of crucial services throughout the country.

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TODAY IS NATIONAL VOTER Registration Day. Ka`u residents can register online at https://olvr.hawaii.gov, by mailing a completed Wikiwiki Voter Registration to the County Clerk’s office or in person at the County Clerk’s office. 

      “Voter participation in Hawai`i has been declining since 1959, and in the last few elections, our voter participation rates have been among the lowest in the country, with just half of registered voters actually turning out to vote,” U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said. “Our nation is founded on the principles of an active, engaged democracy, and we are at our best when the diverse voices of our nation are heard through our citizens exercising their right to vote.
      

“As President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, ‘Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves, and the only way they could do this is by not voting.’”
       For more information on registering and voting in Hawai`i, see www.hawaii.gov/elections or call the Voter Hotline at 1-800-442-VOTE (8683).

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WE THE POWERFUL WORKSHOPS are coming to Ka`u next month. On Oct. 23 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center and from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Pahala Community Center, Keanu Young, assistant coordinator of Hawai`i State Legislature’s Public Access Room, explains how to influence state laws. PAR is the Legislature’s non-partisan Legislative Reference Bureau. 

      Topics covered include tips and techniques on effective lobbying, testimony and communicating with legislators. Young explains the legislative process, deadlines and power dynamics. He also describes easy to use tools available on the Legislature’s website, capitol.hawaii.gov.
      For more information and to register (helpful but not required) call 974-4000, ext. 7-0478 or email par@capitol.hawaii.gov.

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`Ohe kapala demostrations take place tomorrow.
Photo from NPS

RANGERS SHARE THE TRADITIONAL ART of `ohe kapala, bamboo stamping, tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Kilauea Visitor Center’s lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply. 

      For more information, call 985-6011.

UHANE POHAKU NA MOKU O HAWAI`I will hold a community meeting on its vision for its work in Ka`u. The meeting is tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House.

      The Ka`u leaders of the nonprofit organization are Debbie and Kawehi Ryder, of Pahala. Among the organization’s activities in Ka`u are an annual cultural festival, Ho`okupu Hula No Ka`u, which attracts halau and Hawaiian musicians from around the state and Japan. This year it will be on Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3, with a Mark Yamanaka performance and fundraiser Thursday, Oct. 1 to start off the festival.

      Uhane also works with at-risk youth around the state, including growing and processing mamaki tea from Wood Valley.

      For more information, call 315-7032.

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee meeting will be held this Thursday, Sept. 24 at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Topics will be shoreline setback policy, the land use policy map and “easy fixes” to the Draft CDP. The meeting is open to the community, and public testimony is welcome.
      Background information prepared to inform and guide the meeting is available at http://www.hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp/steering-committee/steering-commitee-meetings/september-22-2015-steering-committee-meeting-1.
      A meeting originally scheduled for today at Na`alehu Community Center to make final recommendations for CDP revisions and adoption has been moved to Tuesday, Oct. 27.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_September2015.pdf

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Ka`u News Briefs Monday, Sept. 21, 2015

Ocean View woodworker Mats Fogelvik won Best of Show at Hawai`i's Woodshow with Roots of Inspiration. See story below.
Image from show catalog provided by Ann Bosted

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee meeting will be held this Thursday, Sept. 24 at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Topics will be shoreline setback policy, the land use policy map and “easy fixes” to the Draft CDP. The meeting is open to the community, and public testimony is welcome.

     Background information prepared to inform and guide the meeting is available at http://www.hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp/steering-committee/steering-commitee-meetings/september-22-2015-steering-committee-meeting-1. 

Ka`u CDP Steering Committee will review land use maps on Thursday.
Map from meeting background information

      A meeting originally scheduled for tomorrow at Na`alehu Community Center to make final recommendations for CDP revisions and adoption has been moved to Tuesday, Oct. 27. 

      

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT for Ka`u and all of the Big Island until 6 p.m. today. National Weather Service reported that abundant moisture upstream of the island will support heavy rain. Periods of heavy rain and saturated soils from recent rainfall will increase the risk for flash flooding.

      A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. Residents should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should flash flood warnings be issued.

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A flash flood watch covers Ka`u and all of Hawai`i Island.
Map from NWS

KA`U COFFEE TRAIL RUN has released the final results for all competitors, with 38 runners in the half marathon, 37 in the 10K and 79 in the 5K. The race, sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou, was held Saturday at Ka`u Coffee Mill and drew people from around the island and across the ocean. The eldest finisher, who participated in the 5K 90-plus division, was Bill Spangrud, of Waimea, who is 91. 

      Here is a list of local participants, including their placements, age groups and times.

      Half-marathon: 11. Shawn Mishler 50-59 Volcano 2:28:26; 12. Alex Wood 50-59 Volcano 2:30:03; 18. Suz Field 50-59 Pahala 2:41:12 12:18; 33. Sharlee Cotter 50-59 HVNP 3:15:03; and 38. Eldridge Naboa 30-39 Na`alehu 4:32:43.

      10K: 7. Meggie Olson 20-29 Na`alehu 1:02:48; 9. Michael Mcgee 30-39 Na`alehu 1:04:30; 14. Jacob Gross 30-39 Volcano 1:08:19; 19. Cliff Field 50-59 Pahala 1:12:34; 20. Don Zimbeck 70-79 Ocean View 1:13:08; 24. Lindsey Paulekas 30-39 Na`alehu 1:14:35; 30. Anne Farahi 30-39 Volcano 1:29:21; and 35. Joanne Gallaher 50-59 Ocean View 1:36:12.
      5K: 4. Mark Wasser 30-39 Volcano 26:46; 5. Megan Denny 40-49 Pahala 27:32; 12. Justin Denny 19-under Pahala 32:20; 15. Amy Kuhar 20-29 Volcano 33:52; 24. Maiki Cofer 30-39 Ocean View 37:53; 26. Justin Denny 40-49 Pahala 38:26; 27. John Poetzel 40-49 Ocean View 38:35; 35. Tanya Henderson 30-39 Volcano 41:25; 37. Robin Stratton 60-69 Ocean View 41:37; 40. Corey Maesaka 40-49 Volcano 42:23; 44. Fred Strehler 50-59 Na`alehu 44:36; 49. Alida Gandy 60-69 HVNP 46:17; 50. Molly Denny 19-under Pahala 47:49; 57. Bryan Everett 30-39 Volcano 52:13; 58. Asia Addlesberger 30-39 Volcano 52:18; 59. Meghan Jerolaman 30-39 Volcano 52:19; 60. Kieran Maesaka 19-under Volcano 52:28; 61. Raymond Gandy 60-69 HVNP 53:38; 66. Kayo Munnerlyn 40-49 Pahala 1:02:33; 70. Lisa Archuletta 60-69 Ocean View 1:04:00; 71. Kuulei Kekuewa 30-39 Volcano 1:08:42; 73. Janet Schleifer 60-69 Na’alehu 1:09:10; 74. Karen Dusenbery 50-59 Na`alehu 1:09:11; 77. Irma Ockerman 60-69 Volcano 1:12:55; and 78. Joanna Florence 30-39 Hilo 1:19:54;
      For full results, see okaukakou.org/trail-run-family-day.

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Mats Fogelvik

PROFESSIONAL WOODWORKER MATS FOGELVIK, Ocean View, won Best of Show at Hawai`i’s Woodshow held at Honolulu Museum of Art’s School Gallery. The winning piece was a hall table titled Roots of Inspiration that Fogelvik created to resemble a bridge on Maui. He used wood from about seven species of trees, including koa. The piece retails at $10,900. 

      The show is sponsored by Hawai`i Forest Industry Association to celebrate the art of woodworking and the positive role of forests in our culture, economy and ecology. About 48 artists entered more than 100 pieces.
      Fogelvik has an outstanding reputation among discerning decorators for his furniture. When not creating wood masterpieces, he volunteers as President of Ranchos Road Maintenance Corporation.
      Born in Sweden, Fogelvik said he grew up in an Arts & crafts family. “We still have a living tradition of woodworking in Sweden,” he said, “and I was surrounded by old and new furniture in my youth. I have a rich inspirational source to draw from in the Scandinavian heritage and traditions. I am attracted to simplicity, beauty and function in a form. 

      “I believe a lot of furniture nowadays is ‘over designed.’ There is a fine balance between beauty, function and sculptural value in a piece, and I am not afraid of using old, well-proven designs in my work to achieve that. It doesn’t take much of a change, or detailing, to add the ‘personal touch’ to a piece. Too much, and the balance is thrown off.”
      Hawai`i’s Woodshow continues through Friday, Oct. 11.

      See more of Fogelvik’s work at fogelvik.com and facebook.com/fogelvik.  

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Thirty Meter Telescope opponents' hale remains standing after DLNR removed
a tent erected next to it. Image from DLNR video

OFFICIALS CONFISCATED A TENT
 last night that Thirty Meter Telescope opponents had erected across from Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station. It was the third law enforcement operation by Department of Land & Natural Resources’ Division of Conservation and Resources under a 120-day emergency rule passed in June by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. 

      Nineteen officers from DOCARE, with support from four Hawai`i Police Department officers and a ranger with the Office of Mauna Kea Management, conducted the operation.
      DOCARE officers disassembed, loaded and took as evidence the large tent. In an understanding reached last week, protesters agreed to vacate the tent. A written warning notice was posted to it last Wednesday. Officers confiscated it after its rightful owner failed to claim it and take it down. A hale adjacent to the tent was not removed.
      Unlike two previous law enforcement operations, no one was arrested during this third sweep. Officers did not spot anyone camping in the restricted area.
      According to DLNR, law enforcement operations on Mauna Kea can happen at any time. The emergency rule prohibits camping in the restricted area between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.

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HO`OMALU KA`U, THE LOCAL NONPROFIT whose major goal is to build Ka`u Heritage Center, holds its first free Native Dryland Plants Workshop on Sunday, Oct. 25 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Kahuku Park pavilion in Ocean View. The workshop is designed to educate local residents, especially lot owners throughout Ka`u, about the environmental and cultural values and uses of native Hawaiian dryland plants, many of which have grown here for thousands of years. 

      Ho`omalu’s Secretary/Treasurer Wendy Vance said, “For too many new owners of raw land, the first thing that is suggested to them is that they bulldoze their properties in preparation for building. The question then becomes, 'What should we plant?' We’re advising that many of the plants now growing there are extremely well-suited to Ka`u’s climate and environment and can be used to great effect as landscape features. 

      “Bulldozing is, of course, an effective way to clear land, but selective bulldozing is the key. We would very much like to encourage identifying and inventorying what's growing on your lot before clearing, and then planting native plants.”
      Participants receive Ho`omalu’s recently published booklet, Native Plants of the Ka`u Dryland Forest, a catalog of 15 native species found on the 15 acres in Manuka that were donated to Ho`omalu in 2011 for the purpose of building a Ka`u Heritage Center.
      Workshop presenters showcase several dryland species in their plant forms as well as in artifacts and discuss their cultural values and historical uses. There will also be a session about la`au lapa`au, medicinal uses of selected dryland species, and another session on propagation techniques that participants can use to grow plants on their land. Potted native plants will be available for purchase. 

      For more information about the booklet, the workshops and Ho`omalu Ka`u, call 929-8526, email hoomalukau@gmail.com, or contact them at PO Box 384, Na`alehu HI 96772.

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RANGERS SHARE THE TRADITIONAL ART of `ohe kapala, bamboo stamping, Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Kilauea Visitor Center’s lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.
      For more information, call 985-6011.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_September2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015

Removal of invasive ginger opens up space for native plants such as `ohelo. Participants can help during Stewardship at the Summit
 on National Public Lands Day this Saturday. See story below. Photo from NPS

KA`U RESIDENTS COMPETING IN THE KA`U COFFEE TRAIL RUN finished in high places on Saturday. Susan Field, of Punalu`u, the nurse practitioner at Ka`u Hospital and karate teacher, took first in the Half Marathon among women in age group 50-59. Cliff Field, the Ka`u Hospital physician and karate sensei, who lives at Punalu`u, took first in the half marathon for men 50 - 59. Randy Kai took first in the 5K for men 70 - 79. Maggie Olson was the overall women’s winner in the women’s 10K. Don Zimbeck took 1st in the 10K men’s 70-79 division. Robin Stratton took first in the women’s 5K for ages 50-59.

And they're off! Runners start their treks through coffee fields and forests
at yesterday's Ka`u Coffee Trail Run at Ka`u Coffee Mill.Image from video
 by Vernon Harvey at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXqHWIHqwFM.

      Here are other Ka`u winners.
      In the Women’s 10K: ages 30-39 Lindsey Paulekas 3rd place; 50-59 Joanne Gallaher 3rd place.
      In Men’s 10K, ages 30-39 Michael McGee 2nd place.
      In the Women’s 5K: Megan Denny 2nd place overall and Maiki Cofer 3rd place. For ages 30-39, Karen Dusenbery 3rd place.
      In the Men’s 5K ages 19 and under Justin Denny III 2nd place; ages 40-49 Justin Denny 2nd place, John Poetzel 3rd place; and ages 50-59 Fred Strehler 3rd place.
      The second annual Ka`u Coffee Trail Run was held at Ka`u Coffee Mill on Wood Valley Road yesterday and raises money for the community group `O Ka`u Kakou.
     See a Phantom Drone Helicopter video of the race by Vernon Harvey, of Ocean View, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXqHWIHqwFM.     Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

HAWAI`I COUNTY WINDWARD Planning Commission will consider two Ka`u contested case proceedings concurrently during its meeting Wednesday. One case filed by Arrow of Oregon/Hawai`i, LLC involves an application for an amendment to a Special Permit that was approved to allow a cinder and rock quarry operation on 5.003 acres of land situated within the State Land Use Agricultural District. The amendment would add 8.009 acres for a total of 13.012 acres of land. The properties are located northwest of Mahimahi Drive between Lurline Lane and Liliana Lane Ocean View.
      According to the meeting agenda, David and Laura Rodrigues filed a contested case regarding the application for a Special Permit to allow a cinder and rock quarry operation on the 5.003 acres of land located on the northeast and southeast corners of Kailua Boulevard and Lurline Lane.

Support Ka`u libraries by purchasing tote bags.

      The meeting takes place at Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo at 9:30 a.m. Statements from the public are accepted.

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RAISE MONEY for Ka`u Libraries by purchasing a tote bag at Pahala or Na`alehu Library. Come to Ka`u Plantation Days on Saturday, Oct. 17 and fill up the bag for free with books. Price is $7 per bag.

      Hours at Pahala Public & School Libarary are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and Friday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
      Hours at Na`alehu Library are Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Friday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
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USGS HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY scientists explain how they determine alert levels in the current issue of Volcano Watch. HVO changed the Volcano Alert Level and Aviation Color Code for Mauna Loa Volcano from NORMAL/GREEN to ADVISORY/YELLOW on Thursday. The change reflects HVO’s determination that the volcano is showing persistent signs of low-level unrest. It does not mean, however, that an eruption is imminent or certain. 

      “This decision followed many months of a higher than normal rate of earthquakes and ground deformation as magma accumulated in shallow storage reservoirs, pressurizing and stressing its summit and upper rift zones,” the article states.
      “What do these Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes mean, and how does HVO decide to change them?
      “The USGS Aviation Color Code system has roots in Alaska. During the 1989-90 eruption of Redoubt Volcano near Anchorage, the Alaska Volcano Observatory determined that airlines needed a shorthand way of understanding threats posed by a restless or erupting volcano. So, USGS developed a simple, four-color scheme similar to a traffic light to convey the message.
      “In this way, pilots, dispatchers and air traffic controllers would not need to sift through long text descriptions to evaluate their risk of flying near or downwind of a volcano: GREEN meant all clear; YELLOW meant the volcano is restless, be aware; ORANGE meant pay very close attention, the situation may be escalating or there may be volcanic ash up to about 25,000 feet above sea level; and RED meant danger, you may need to reroute or cancel the flight!

      “For a number of years, this color code system was only used in Alaska where each year one or two eruptions send potentially dangerous ash into trans-Pacific jet flight routes.

HVO raised Mauna Loa's alert level last week. Graph from USGS HVO

      “Then, in 2006, the U.S. Geological Survey’s five volcano observatories adopted a single system of communicating volcanic threats across the nation. As part of this unified approach, USGS added the terms NORMAL, ADVISORY, WATCH and WARNING to reflect the danger primarily to people and infrastructure on the ground. These Volcano Alert Level terms were chosen in part to mirror those used by NOAA’s National Weather Service for severe storms and flood.
      “Most often, the Volcano Alert Level and Aviation Color Codes terms move together. Thus, the two-word USGS Volcanic Activity Alert Notification System — for example, ADVISORY/YELLOW — came to be.
      “Assigning alert levels and color codes requires that we can measure the activity level of a volcano — from quiet to full-bore eruption. This, in turn, requires that the volcano be monitored around the clock with seismometers, cameras, satellites and other instruments that can detect signs of magma moving underground or lava and ash actively erupting. With such infrastructure in place, we can, over time, define a background state of typical activity (NORMAL/GREEN) so that sustained departures from background are caught in the act (YELLOW/ADVISORY).
      “Alert level changes are announced in a USGS Volcanic Activity Notice which explains the reasoning and what to expect next with as much precision as possible. As has been the case for Kilauea, sometimes the alert level designation stays the same for many years. For other volcanoes with different styles of eruption, changes may occur quite often.
      “While the decisions to change Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes may seem a bit mysterious, any ambiguity or inconsistency reflects the fact that we still have much to learn about how volcanoes work. Not every eruption, even at our well-studied Hawaiian volcanoes, follows exactly the same pattern. Each episode of unrest and eruption —or unrest without eruption — adds to a growing body of knowledge that helps scientists to issue more accurate warnings.
      “In summary, the USGS Volcanic Activity Alert-Notification System communicates the degree and, in some cases, the time frame of a particular volcanic threat. With this information, public safety and emergency managers, individuals and families and businesses can take appropriate and timely steps to keep our communities safe.”

      See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
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KA`U HIGH SENIOR EVAN MANOHA scored one for the team in the fourth quarter of Senior Night’s losing battle hosting Kohala. He also added two points on the conversion, making the final score 8-30. Other seniors honored yesterday were Kamaehu DeRamos, John Kaawa-Kaluau, Isaac Kailiawa, Evan Manoha, Trieson Pascubilio, Duane Santiago, Kalamakoa Waiwaiole and Gregory Ysawa. 

      Teammates wore yellow ribbons in memory of senior Kobie Biving. The Trojans also signed a Number 21 jersey – his Pop Warner number – for his parents.

      The Trojans host Pahoa Thursday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m.
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HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK invites everyone to volunteer and help protect the native Hawaiian rainforest on National Public Lands Day this Saturday, Sept. 26. Everyone gets in for free, and volunteers will receive a free pass to use on another day of their choosing.

      In honor of National Public Lands Day, the largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands in the United States, the park is offering the Stewardship at the Summit program from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participants meet volunteers Paul and Jane Field at Kilauea Visitor Center, then head into the forest to remove Himalayan ginger from the summit of Kilauea.

Invasive ginger crowds out native plants in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Photo from NPS

      While pretty and fragrant, Himalayan (also called kahili) ginger is one of the most invasive plants in the park and on earth. It is listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as one of the 100 World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species. The park strives to protect the rainforest habitat of native birds and plants, but Himalayan ginger takes over the native rainforest understory, making it impossible for the next generation of forest to grow, and it crowds out many native plants, including pa`iniu (a Hawaiian lily), `ama`u fern and others. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, sunscreen, raingear, snacks, and water. Loppers/gloves are provided. No advance registration required. 

      For more information, see nps.gov/havo or call 985-6011.

JAZZ IN THE FOREST: Evening of the Jazz Divas offers two shows today at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. If not sold out, tickets will be available at the door. Tickets for the 4:30 p.m. matinee are $15 for VAC members ($20 non-members) and for the 7:30 p.m. evening show are $20 for VAC members ($25 non-members).
      For more information, see volcanoartcenter.org.

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 22 to make final recommendations for CDP revisions and adoption has been moved to Tuesday, Oct. 27 due to addition of another meeting on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. The focus then will be on the shoreline setback policy, the land use policy map and “easy fixes” to the Draft CDP. The meeting is open to the community, and public testimony is welcome.

      See kaucdp.info for more.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_September2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.