Ka`u News Briefs Monday, May 8, 2017

Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant this Saturday, Ka`u Coffee Mill
Miss Ka`u Coffee pageant contenders visit Ka`u Coffee farms to support the agriculturalists who gave new
economic life to Ka`u after the sugar industry shut down, 21 years ago this past April. Plantation and mill
closed before most of these girls were born. The pageant is this Saturday at 6 p.m., at Ka`u Coffee Mill.Photo from Pageant Director Trini Marques

CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY BY 2050 is a bill in the U.S. Senate. Sen. Brian Schatz and Bernie Sanders signed on with many others. Schatz released a statement Monday, the day after former President Barack Obama was presented the Profile in Courage award at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston. Obama talked about Kennedy's attitude of never giving up on being optimistic, hopeful and courageous and pointed to "fighting the good fight" on such issues as  equal rights and climate change and "doing big things."

Sen. Brian Schatz quoted John Kennedy today, the day after JFK's Presidential
Library gave Barack Obama the Profile in Courage Award. See video of
the ceremony at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXEAZ5XcwxA

     In his own statement, Schatz quoted Kennedy who said, “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win...”

    Wrote Schatz, "In the face of all of his doubters, and in a space race he was losing to the Soviet Union, JFK pledged to do something we could only dream of at the time -- land a man on the moon.
We don’t do this anymore in America. We don’t go big, we don’t go bold. Even on issues that demand big and bold action. But I believe we should rekindle this fire in our spirit. And ensure that America leads on the biggest issue facing the planet -- climate change."
     Schatz called the new renewable energy bill "landmark legislation" and warned, "Big oil, gas, and every other dirty energy lobby will attack us. They will say, 'How can we do this? We don’t have the technology or the ability.' My response to them -- how can we not?

Sen. Brian Schatz

     "And while we may not pass this bill in the next year, this legislation, and what it represents, is incredibly important. This shifts the discussion in a big way to how we do this, not if we can. And it will drive technological advances that we can only dream of now.
     "We’ve seen this in my home state of Hawai`i. We’re an island state, highly dependent on oil. But that didn’t stop us from thinking big and passing the Hawai`i Clean Energy Initiative -- pledging to move to a 100% renewable energy portfolio by 2045.
     "Since the passage of this initiative, we’ve seen growth every single year in renewable energy and now are on track to hit this big goal. Would we have made such big advances without legislation? No way.
     "We can think big, drive innovation, and build a clean energy future to save our planet, but only if we all are ready to fight for it. The entire country went all-in on the space race, and I believe it will take that same type of energy now to fight climate change."  
     Schatz asks citizens, " Will you add your name next to mine as a co-sponsor?" See the Obama speech at Kennedy Library at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXEAZ5XcwxA,

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Lane Ueda will help families sign up fir LIHEAP this summer.
Photo by Julia Neal

LIHEAP, THE LOW INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, will come to Ka`u again in June. Through the Office of Economic Opportunity, each summer it is managed for Ka`u by Na`alehu School teacher Lane Ueda.
     LIHEAP provides assistance for households who are on the verge of utility termination or have been terminated with 60 days of the application. It also provides a non-crisis energy credit program to assist households with utility bill payments.
     Members of eligible households must be U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents.
     All adults must sign the application and provide a picture ID.

All household members over one year of age must provide a social security card.
     Qualified recipients must have a place or residence, be responsible for an electricity and/or gas bill. Income must be below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
     Federal Poverty Level incomes are up to the following: $20,505 for a household of one; $27,645 for a household of two; $34,785 for a household of three; $41,925 for a household of four; $49,065 for a household of five;  $56,205 for a household of six; $63.345 for a household of seven; and $70,515 for a household of eight.

Rapid Ohia Death killing a tree on Chain of
Craters Road. NPS photo

       Household members can apply in Na`alehu at the Hawaii`i County Economic Opportunity Council office, in back of the Senior Center on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Applications will be taken at Ocean View Community Center on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Pahala location is the Edmund C. Olson Trust Building, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m., except June 12 and 16.
      Applicants must bring in a current electric or gas bill; proof of residence; Social Security numbers; picture id's; proof of age and any disability; proof of income, and, when appropriate, proof of non-citizen status. See http://www.hceoc.net/programs/energy/

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Coffee With A Cop is 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wed., May 10 at the Ace Hardware parking lot in Na`alehu. Meet local police officers in a casual, no-agenda atmosphere and talk story as part of National Coffee With a Cop Day.

Lā‘au Lapa‘au. Wed., May 10 at 10 a.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Delve into the world of lā‘au lapa‘au, Hawaiian herbal medicine, with local practitioner  Momi Subiono. She uses herbs to help the Hawaiian community and aims to create awareness, understanding, and use of plants for traditional healing. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau Experience the Skillful Work workshops. Free.

Managing Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.  Fri., May 12 at 5:30 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano Village.‘Ōhi‘a, Metrosideros polymorpha, the keystone Hawaiian forest species, is under attack by Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death, or ROD. The park is working with partners, land managers, scientists, and outreach specialists throughout Hawai‘i to respond to this threat. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Ecologist David Benitez will share the lessons we have learned since ROD was first identified in 2014, and discuss managing ROD within and beyond park boundaries. Free.

Meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor

Center at 8:45 a.m. on May 12, 20 and 26 to help 

remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent 

native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes

 National Park.  NPS photo

Stewardship at the Summit. Volunteers are needed May 12, 20 and 26 to help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meet at Kilauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. 

     Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, raingear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools are provided. No advance registration is required, and there is no cost to participate, but park entrance fees apply.

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, May 7, 2017

Tiny Houses, 500 square feet or smaller, will be allowed on agriculturally zoned land for farmer housing
only, if Gov. David Ige signs the bill that passed the 2017 Hawai`i Legislature. Photo from One Island

THE TINY HOUSE INITIATIVE PASSED the 2017 session of the Hawai`i Legislature and awaits signature by Gov. David Ige. While the governor's chief of the state Department of Agriculture and the Hawai`i County Planning Director both gave testimony cautioning possible use of the tiny houses for tourists rather than farmers, the bill passed. It allows the County Council to enact local legislation to oversee the process to prevent misuse.
     Hawai`i County Council passed a resolution to endorse the bill and it won unanimous approval from the Senate, after passing through the House of Representatives, with full support from Ka`u Rep. Richard Creagan.
    The bill was opposed by Hawai`i Farm Bureau and its President Randy Cabral, a Ka`u rancher and former manager of macadamia operations. It was supported by Hawai`i Farmers Union United.

A sample of a tiny house that could be placed on a
farm for ag worker or farm owner.
Photo from One Island

     The legislation allows tiny on-farm housing, under 500 sq ft, on permanent foundations or wheels, on agricultural lots being farmed on the Island of Hawai`i. This island is considered a test case for the measure intended to provide affordable farmer and farm worker housing and allow farmers to live close to their crops to take care of them and prevent theft.
     Supporters of the Tiny House Initiative are asking citizens to provide comments to encourage the governor to sign the bill.
     One Island, the community organization leading the charge for Tiny Houses on ag land, stated that "Meetings with Mayor Harry Kim, the Housing and Community Development team, County administrators, and the Planning Department Director are building a network of people ready to collaborate on County implementation when the time comes to turn this great idea into a viable reality. We are planning an island wide Housing Summit for Fall of 2017."
     One Island sponsors Tiny House Community Conversation gatherings around the island, with more than 500 people attending to date. "These high-energy, standing-room-only meetings signal just how needed the Tiny House solution is, and show a diversity of needs and applications for smaller foot print housing options," states One Island on its website at www.oneisland.org.

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KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN public hearing is this Wednesday, May 10 at Na`alehu Community Center beginning at 5:30 p.m. Citizens can read the entire document at www.hawaiicountycdp.info. The hearing is before the Windward Planning Commission. When approved it will move to the County Council and then Mayor Harry Kim for his signature.
    After approvals, a committee to help implement the plan will be selected from the community.

The Ornellas family is getting keiki ready for the
Miss Ka`u Coffee pageant this Saturday
at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Evalynn Ornellas is vying
for Miss Ka`u Coffee Flower.

    The documents created to support the plan offer a detailed look at Ka`u, its history, geography, land use and possibilities for the future.

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MISS KA`U COFFEE CANDIDATES COMPETE THIS SATURDAY at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Showtime is 6 p.m. with beauty, smarts and talent on display.
     Pageant director is Trini Marques.
     Contending for Miss Ka`u Coffee are Jami Beck, Alysha Guystafson-Savella and Shaenese Tailon.
    Aiming for Junior Miss Ka`u Coffee are Cristina Kawewehi, Calaysa Koi and Jacie Umemoto.
     Competing for Miss Peaberry are Ava Estabilio-Lazar, Melo Keohuloa, Adriyana Lorenzo, Gwendolyn McEroy and Jazmynn Navarro.
     Vying for Miss Ka`u Coffee Flower are Lylamae Lazar, Lilianna Marques, and Evalynn Ornellas.
     Contenders have represented Ka`u Coffee in the Merrie Monarch Parade and visited Ka`u Coffee Mill and Ka`u Coffee farms to learn more about the industry that is sponsoring their pageant. The activities room at the new Ka`u District gym has provided the practice hall for the pageant.
     Winners will receive scholarship money for titles and their talents. See stories about the contenders in Ka`u News Briefs all this week.

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REP. TULSI GABBARD IS INVITING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS and adults to vote for the People's Choice Award from 13 finalists in her Fifth Annual Kaha Kiʻi Second Congressional District Art Competition. Voting is through the Gabbard Facebook Page where the public can select favorites. A gallery of the finalists’ artwork is now on display in the halls of the Hawaiʻi State Capitol.      Each spring, the congresswoman sponsors the event to recognize and encourage creativity across Hawai‘i as part of a nationwide high school art competition with other Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. 
     Ka`u High School students can start creating works of art now and this summer for next year's competition but familiarize themselves by participating in this year's judging.

      “I encourage everyone in the community to check out the art being showcased by these gifted students from across the state of Hawaiʻi. You will be impressed and inspired by their talent and 
creativity,” said the Congresswoman.
     “Our annual Kaha Kiʻi Congressional Art Competition is a great opportunity to recognize the creative abilities of Hawai`i’s young adults and encourages them to further pursue their artistic talents. The overall winner of the district-wide competition will be announced on May 13th in a ceremony at the Hawai‘i State Capitol. The first-place piece will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol alongside winners from all other congressional districts. The second-place and third-place pieces will be hung in Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s Washington, D.C. and Hawaiʻi offices (respectively) for one year. All winners will be awarded with a cash prize.

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Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, May 6, 2017

Big Island Democrats held their annual convention on Saturday and talked about climate change,
the needs for the elderly, homelessness and other topics. Photo from Big Island Video News

NEW LEADERSHIP FOR THE HAWAI`I ISLAND DEMOCRATIC PARTY was named on Saturday at the annual convention, this year held in Kea`au. The new Chair is former County Council member Margaret Wille.
      Gov. David Ige gave a talk. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard skyped in. Topics at the convention, attended by Ka`u Sen. Russell Ruderman and Rep. Richard Creagan, included Climate Change, Homelessness and Elderly Needs, and the basics of How to Run for Office.

Margaret Wille to chair Democratic Party.
Photo from Big Island Video News

     Ka`u's Raina Whiting, a Na`alehu school teacher, was named Secretary. Vice Chair is Tonya Coulter. East Hawai Vice Chair is Shannon Matson. Treasurer is Valerie Barnes. Assistant Secretary is Maya Parish and Assistant Treasurer is Richard Harris.
      In a Big Island Video News interview, the new chair for the Big Island said that members of the leadership in the Democratic Party should "really earn their (letter) 'D'. Should every candidate be allowed to put a 'D' by their name, regardless of how they vote, or whether they block hearings on matters that are party priorities? I think there needs to be more accountability," said Wille. She was referring to only two of the Democratic Party's legislative priorities making it through House and Senate to conference committee discussions in the 2017 Hawai`i Legislature. Some of the other Democratic Party priority bills were blocked, she said, by Democrats themselves.
     "We need everyone to mobilize," said Wille. She said that Saturday may have been the Democratic Party day but it is also "the first day of work." She called the convention "inspired" and said that all candidates who ran for office within the Democratic Party will be invited to serve with their skills and knowledge whether or not they won a title in the party organization.

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MAYOR HARRY KIM'S REVISED $491.2 MILLION COUNTY BUDGET is a 6.1 percent hike over last year's budget. It goes before the County Council on May 17. He released it on Friday.
     The extra money, in the mayor's plan, is expected to come from an increase in property tax revenues by hiking rates for all properties with the exception of affordable rentals. The mayor also proposes more property tax savings for the elderly.

 Mayor Kim expects higher property taxes and gas taxes to help
pay for the rising county budget. Image from Big Island Video News

     A rise in the gas tax, planned for next year, would take it from 8.8 cents per gallon to 19 cents. An additional 2 percent increase each year would be levied until 23 cents per gallon becomes the new gas tax. Infrastructure would be the targeted use of gas tax income. Other priorities are upgrading police cars and the Hele-On Bus vehicles. Some costs that are rising are uncontrolled by the Mayor and County Council. They include statewide hikes in union-negotiated pay for government workers.
     Cut short in the mayor's budget are the contingency funds for County Council members, that go to subsidizing non-profit organization's activities, such as Summer Fun in Ka`u this year. The mayor's islandwide budget for such spending has been slashed from $810,000 to $675,000 to be split up among the nine County Council members.

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HARVARD UNIVERSITY IS PROVIDING HAWAI`I VOLCANO OBSERVATORY the latest program to archive important earthquake data, reports USGS scientists in this week's Volcano Watch:

     Seismology is often thought of as “earthquake science” because earthquakes—while not the only cause—are the most prolific producers of seisms, or earth shaking. The largest earthquakes ever recorded release many thousands of times more energy than the largest man-made explosions.

Thomas Jaggar working on his seismograph in 1913 at Volcano.
Photo from USGS

      Continuous and systematic study of volcanic and related earthquake activity began at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory  in 1912, when Professor Thomas Jaggar put his first seismographs into operation in HVO’s Whitney Laboratory. He purchased and installed these instruments to record the shaking produced by Hawai‘i’s active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes.

      Through the early 1900s, led by Jaggar and other geological pioneers, seismic monitoring gradually spread around the world into areas known for earthquake and volcanic activity. During roughly this same time, mathematicians were developing the theoretical underpinnings of seismic wave generation and propagation.

      At HVO, the seismic waves were initially recorded by a stylus that etched its squiggly trace into a layer of kerosene soot that coated glossy paper wrapped around the seismograph’s slowly rotating drum. Through the next 100 years, the recording media changed from smoked or soot-coated papers to photographic, then heat-sensitive papers, and finally to pen-and-ink before paper recording was discontinued in 2013.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory volunteer Marcy Frenz feeds seismogram

 from the May 1982 Kīlauea south caldera earthquake flurry into a 
large-format document scanner. Preserving stacks of paper earthquake
records as digital image files is an ongoing project at HVO. 
USGS photo by S. Tsang

     By then, HVO had moved to its fourth-generation of computer-based data acquisition, recording, and processing systems. In addition to automatically detecting and locating earthquakes, seismograms in digital format make it possible to more rigorously apply seismological theory toward a deeper understanding of seismic processes associated with active volcanoes.

      With computer-based recording, adding stations or instruments is achieved with RAM, disk space, and clock-cycles. With paper recording, an additional instrument required an additional seismograph that produced another paper record per day. In the late 1960s, just as the U.S. Geological Survey began processing earthquake data in California on mainframe computers at Stanford University, the number of seismic paper records produced at HVO reached a peak of 30 per day. From 1912 to 2013, HVO collected nearly half-a-million paper seismograms.

     HVO is by no means alone with its stacks upon stacks of paper seismograms. This is a common problem among seismic network operations, and the older the seismic network, the more records there are.

      Creative storage solutions are sometimes exercised. The University of California’s Berkeley Seismological Laboratory stored seismograms from their 100-year-old collection in the Campanile clock and bell tower at the center of the university’s Berkeley campus.

      The seismological community has long been striving to preserve historical seismograms for future researchers. Early efforts produced copies of seismograms on microfilm. Now, large-format digital scanners enable more groups to work through their stacks of paper seismograms and preserve them as digital image files.

      With funding from USGS data rescue initiatives, HVO scanned seismograms from a number of significant earthquakes and seismic sequences. Since last summer, volunteer Marcy Frenz has enthusiastically and diligently assumed scanning duties at HVO, working through the 1974–1984 interval spanning Mauna Loa Volcano’s two most recent eruptions.

      Motivated by the opportunity to renovate and upgrade their seismographic station, seismologists at Harvard University recovered and scanned records collected from 1933 to 1953. They also wrote a computer program that digitizes or extracts digital seismic traces from the squiggles captured by the scanner.

      Harvard colleagues have generously shared their program with HVO. As HVO builds up its collection of scanned and digitized historical seismograms, the scientists say they  look forward to exploring data recovered from these seismograms with analytical tools used on current and recent data that track changes in seismic wave properties within the volcanoes.

   



Visit the HVO website (http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov) for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea daily eruption updates, Mauna Loa weekly updates, volcano photos, recent earthquakes info, and more; call for summary updates at 808-967-8862 (Kīlauea) or 808-967-8866 (Mauna Loa); email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

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Ham Radio Operators Potluck Picnic, Sun, May 7, 

Manukā Park. All American Radio Emergency Service members, anyone interested in learning how to operate a ham radio and families are invited to attend. Dennis Smith, 989-3028 

Hi‘iaka & Pele, Sun, May 7, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Discover the Hawaiian goddesses and the natural phenomena they represent on this free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps. gov/havo