Kaʻū News Briefs Jan. 11, 2025

    

Ground tilt and eruptive episodes associated with Kīlauea summit eruption Dec. 23, 2024 until Jan. 10, 2025. Eruptive episodes

are highlighted in red. Fountain Episode 1 (E1) began at 2:20 a.m. HST on Dec. 23 and continued until 4 p.m. that day (14 hours duration).​ Fountain Episode 2 (E2) began at 8 a.m. HST on Dec. 24, 2024, and continued until 11 a.m. HST on Dec. 25 (15 hours duration). ​Fountain Episode 3 (E3) began at 8 a.m. HST on Dec. 26, 2024, and continued until 8:30 p.m. HST on Jan. 3, 2025 

(eight and a half days duration).​ Assuming the eruptive vent(s) remains open, indicated by continued glow and degassing, and inflation rate remains constant, a new episode could potentially begin sometime soon, when ground tilt at Uēkahuna is expected

to reach 12 microradians, about double prior post-fountain tilt increases.

USGS image and graph

AN ERUPTIVE STYLE WITH THREE EPISODES OF LAVA FOUNTAINING, SEPARATED BY PAUSE at Kīlauea within Halemaʻumaʻu is the focus of the latest Volcano Watch, the weekly article by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists are reviewing patterns of past eruptions and current monitoring data to forecast what could happen next at Kīlauea.
    Episodic eruptions have occurred before on Kīlauea at the start of the 1983 Puʻuʻōʻō and the 1969 Maunaulu eruptions (44 and 12 episodes each) on the middle East Rift Zone, and during the 1959 Kīlauea Iki summit eruption (17 episodes). While the recent Kīlauea summit eruption is currently paused, persistent night glow from the vent and continued strong degassing indicate molten magma is probably within 150–300 feet (50–100 meters) of the surface within the vent.
    Sufficient pressure could push magma up to the surface to start another eruptive episode. Fountaining is driven by rapid volume expansion of gas in fresh lava but is commonly preceded by periods of eruption of sluggish degassed flows. Dense degassed material is pushed out of the vent like a cork from a champagne bottle, allowing gas-rich magma to rise rapidly and fountain.
    Episodes are marked by the onset of lava fountains and rapid deflation of the source magma chamber. Pauses between fountain episodes are usually accompanied by reinflation of the summit. A new episode begins when the system builds up enough pressure to force magma to the surface again.
    The main feature of episodic eruptions is their repeatability, which allows patterns to be identified. Inflation following episodes 1 and 2 of the recent eruption at the summit of Kīlauea resulted in 6 microradians of ground tilt a tiltmeter north of the caldera, near Uēkahuna bluff, indicating the pressure increase required at that time for the eruption to resume.

On the morning of Jan. 10, 2025, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff conducted a monitoring overflight of Kīlauea summit. Lava was visible within both the North and South vents that were active during the recent Kīlauea summit eruption that began on December 23, 2024. Although the eruption has remained paused since the evening of January 3, 2025, glow has since persisted from these inactive vents on the southwest part of the caldera floor. USGS photo by L. DeSmither

    Following episode 3, Kīlauea has inflated and the 6 microradian level was reached about 4:30 p.m. HST Wednesday, January 8 afternoon (5 days after episode 3 paused on Friday, January 3 at 8:40 p.m. HST). That amount of inflation had been the minimum amount of pressure required previously for this eruption to restart. However, the large deflation that accompanied the prolonged fountaining of episode 3 suggests the system might need more inflation to reach the pressure necessary for eruptive activity to resume.
    The longer the vent sits without eruption, the more time magma within the vent has to cool and it could reach a point that the eruption can’t restart. Assuming the vent remains open, indicated by continued glow and degassing, and inflation rate remains constant, a new episode could potentially begin sometime between Jan. 8 and Jan. 13, when ground tilt at Uēkahuna is expected to reach 12 microradians, about double prior post-fountain tilt increases.
    HVO scientists have been developing tools estimate times of high probabilities of eruptions occurring on Kīlauea for the past several years. Complex models using GPS monitoring data have been created to track when the summit approached pressurization levels similar to previous eruptions.
    Models run in October of 2024 indicated that Kīlauea was likely to reach pressurization levels where an eruption could happen between mid-December 2024 and mid-January 2025. This model also relies on the eruption being preceded by increasing numbers of earthquakes in the region where the eruption is most probable.
    “Windows” of high probability for new eruptions or new fountaining episodes aren’t true forecasts. A forecast requires knowing what will happen, where it will happen, and most importantly, an accurate estimate of when it will happen. Forecasting when an eruption will happen is the most difficult part but is very important so communities have more time to prepare if needed.
    Whenever HVO raises alert levels to ORANGE/WATCH, we are issuing a more precise forecast for a pending eruption or intrusion within minutes to hours near the summit or hours to days further along Kīlauea’s rift zones.
    HVO scientists are constantly improving models of volcanic behavior—past, present and future—which allows us to forecast eruption time windows with greater accuracy and longer advance warning. This is an essential part of HVO’s mission to reduce the impacts of volcanic eruptions and communicate the results of our work to emergency managers and the public.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.

Volcano Activity Updates
Kīlauea is erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is ADVISORY.
Eruptive activity at vents in the southwest portion of Kīlauea caldera paused the evening of Jan. 3, 2025. Low inflationary tilt at the summit since then suggests that the eruption could resume in the coming days to weeks, and lava was observed within the inactive vents during a monitoring overflight the morning of January 10. Recent eruptive activity has been confined to Halemaʻumaʻu and the down-dropped block within the caldera. No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone. Sulfur dioxide emission rates are elevated in the summit region during eruptive activity. Earthquake rates in the Southwest Rift Zone and upper to middle East Rift Zone remained comparable to the previous week. Ground deformation rates outside of the summit region remained steady.
    Mauna Loa is not erupting. Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.

    Three earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M3.0 earthquake 10 km (6 mi) S of Waikoloa at 23 km (14 mi) depth on Jan. 7 at 9:44 a.m. HST, a M2.7 earthquake 11 km (6 mi) SSW of Leilani Estates at 6 km (4 mi) depth on Jan. 4 at 3:14 a.m. HST, and a M3.0 earthquake 39 km (24 mi) SE of Nāʻālehu at 30 km (19 mi) depth on Jan. 2 at 4:18 p.m. HST.
HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.
    Visit HVO’s website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake information, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov

    

 

Kaʻū News Briefs Jan. 10, 2025

Traditional Hawaiian Lua, fighting, will be explained on Friday, Jan. 31 at 
Nāʻālehu Community Center. Photo from kuialuaopuna.com.

LEARN ABOUT INDIGENOUS PRACTICES OF LUA - HAWAIIAN FIGHTING ARTS on Friday, Jan. 31 at Nāʻālehu Community Center. Pupu and refreshments will start at 6 p.m., followed by a free one-hour presentation, entitled Cultural Evolution of Lua beginning at 7 p.m.

    ʻŌlohe Lua, or Lua Master, Keani Kaleimamahu of Kuʻialuaopuna will give an overview and history of the practice of lua; explain the traditional profession of lua and its role in ancient Hawaiian society; and give insight into the role of lua in the modern world. He will also share the genealogy of ʻōlohe, or lua masters and teachers and show implements used in the practice

of lua. All ages are welcome.
Space is limited, so the workshop will be limited to the first 80 people who register. Secure your spot at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdZiK0_9gLxU22RLZx7PKw6x9QyAoXHD6SVMXa8TaoArCL1Jw/viewform or by scanning the QR code in the flyer. Be sure to complete a separate registration for each ʻohana member that will attend.
    The presentation is part of Kuʻialuaopunaʻs Huliau Huaka'i Series and Mamao Program, offering participants of all ages the opportunity to learn about the cultural practices and life of a Hawaiian Koa, or warrior.
    The Mamao Program is sponsored by Kamehameha Schools Kaiāulu, which supports lifelong learning for keiki, ʻōpio and ʻohana.
    View a brief video about the upcoming lua presentation at
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cfZzioLRoz6C9tZuY0sJ9bwnJXQPLJEr/view?usp=drivesdk
    For more information about Kuʻialuaopuna, visit https://www.kuialuaopuna.com/.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.

The frisbee like disc from last year's Big Island Open Disc Golf Tournament. It's on again this

Saturday and Sunday. Photo by Julia Neal

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.

THE 26TH BIG ISLAND OPEN DISC GOLF TOURNAMENT COMES BACK TO PUNALU'U for two days at SeaMountain Golf Course this Saturday, Jan. 10 and Sunday, Jan. 11. Registration for the 36 holes each day is closed but the event is open for public view. There are Mixed and Women's Pro and Amateur and age group divisions in the competition. 

    Disc golf is played with frisbee like discs with nets serving as holes instead of the holes on the greens. There are pars for the hole, just like in golf.

    Tournament Director Robert Naysworthy describes the Punalu'u venue as "two unique courses with some long holes, and lots of challenges set up on Sea Mountain Golf Course which has been closed for years. We will have the place to ourselves the entire weekend. We will have two courses set up this year with 18 holes each so two rounds each day on each course. We will have room for even more people than last year. 2 courses double the fun!"

    The event is a Professional Disc Golf Association-sanctioned singles tournament with about 140 players registered.

A specialized Disc Golf cart at Punalu'u with frisbee like discs which are thrown into large baskets on poles which serve as the holes on the golf course for scoring. Photo by Nico Reese

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.

TWO CLASSICAL AND BROADWAY PUBLIC MUSIC CONCERTS, with voice, piano, trumpet and violin, this Saturday, Jan. 11, will present unique programs at their Ocean View and Pāhala venues.   

     The 7 p.m. evening concert at Pāhala Plantation House will include a performance of No Mercy at All from Doctor Zhivago, sung by Carlton Moe, who played on Broadway in Phantom of the Opera.

     It will include pianist Maika'i Nash, with Nocturne by Grieg, Amy Shoremount Obra singing La mi sola, Laureola, accompanied by pianist Monica Chung. Also featured will be internationally acclaimed violinist Eric Silberger with Farley Sangles on trumpet and Chung on piano with the Ewazen Trio. 

     Students of the Garcia School who work and live in far off places from China to London, New York and San Francisco will also perform.

    The concert at Ocean View Community Center at 12:30 p.m. will include classical and Broadway songs and instrumental compositions.

 

Kaʻū News Briefs Jan. 9, 2025

University of Hawai'i nursing school helps with youth vaccinations, which are required for attending school starting in seventh grade. DOH reports vaccination rates have fallen. Photo from U.H.

    

STUDENT VACCINATIONS ARE FALLING and it's "a concerning development," says a statement released Thursday by the state Department of Health. Hawaii State Law requires students to meet immunization requirements before attending school. Exemptions from the immunization requirements may be allowed for medical or religious reasons, if the appropriate documentation is presented to the school. No other exemptions are allowed by the State.

    Ka'u High & Pahala Elementary were reported as having 46.09 percent, one of the highest numbers of students in the state not completing immunizations. The report for Na'alehu Elementary shows 25 percent. Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences did not report. Kanu O Ka'aina Public Charter School reported 4.5 percent of students not up to date with immunizations.

    Statewide, 39,583 or 21% of students from public, charter and private schools were not up to date on their school-required immunizations for the 2023-24 school year. That is a 25% increase from the 2022-23 school year. This number includes those claiming exemptions, those without immunization records, or students missing individually required vaccines.
    Department of Health reports that majority of this increase in missing school-required immunizations is from 7th grade school requirements that were implemented in 2020 during COVID. For the 2023-2024 school year, 16% of kindergarteners were not up to date with school-required vaccinations compared to 55% of seventh graders.
Of the 382 schools reporting for the 2023-24 year, 282 schools (74%) reported more than 5% of their student populations were not up to date with Hawaiʻi's school immunization requirements. "Unfortunately, 36 schools (almost 10%) reported having more than 50% of their student body not up to date," said the Department of Health statement.
    For Hawaiʻi public schools, the Hawaiʻi Department of Education reported that 36,026 students were missing one or more required immunizations for the 2023-24 school year.

Preliminary data for the 2024-25 school year shows 28,300 students missing one or more vaccinations, the DOE said. Schools have until Jan. 10, 2025, to report to DOH on the number of students not up-to-date on immunizations.

    "An increase in the number of students without up-to-date immunizations is a cause for concern," said Dr. Kenneth Fink, DOH director. "High vaccination rates help protect those who are unable to receive certain vaccines due to medical reasons and those with a non-medical exemption through what's called herd immunity. Low vaccination rates mean unvaccinated keiki are at increased risk of infection, especially at schools with a high rate of the student population not being up to date. We are already seeing increased cases of pertussis and are at risk for a measles outbreak. Immunizations are necessary to protect infants, children and adults from potentially serious and contagious diseases."
    Hawaiʻi has two forms of vaccination exemptions for schools, medical and religious. DOH data indicates a religious exemption rate of 4.1% for the 2023-24 school year when averaged across the entire state. This is an upward trend compared to prior years starting in 2019-20 at 2.1%. Medical exemptions have increased from 0.07% in 2019-20 to 0.16% in 2023-24 but continue to remain low overall.

    The federal Center for Disease Control confirmed a similar upward trend in Hawaiʻi's religious exemption rate over the last few years through a separate analysis. (Vaccination Coverage and Exemptions among Kindergartners | SchoolVaxView | CDC).

    Nationwide, including Hawaiʻi, there has been an increase in vaccine hesitancy since the COVID-19 pandemic. "The volume of misinformation about vaccines continues to grow and has contributed to this trend. Also, a continuing challenge with missing vaccinations is difficulty in accessing healthcare, particularly in rural areas," according to the Department of Health statement.
    The agency announced that it is "working closely with educational partners and healthcare providers to address ongoing challenges that may be contributing to this trend. This work includes educating families that vaccination is the best defense against certain life-threatening diseases; working with pharmacies and physician practices to increase access; and making it easier to collect, analyze and report accurate data on student immunizations by modernizing the Hawaiʻi Immunization Registry."
    To view the immunization data by school, click here.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.

GOV. JOSH GREEN IS ON A CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT VACCINATIONS and headed to Washington D.C. this week to lobby against Robert Kennedy, Jr. becoming U.S. Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services. RFK Jr. was appointed by President-elect Donald Trump for the position but requires the U.S. Senate to confirm him.

     Green was interviewed for CNN and other media. He said, "If Mr. Kennedy is confirmed as secretary of Health and Human Services, there is a real danger that he will continue to spread misinformation about vaccines, potentially causing vaccination rates to fall and leading to preventable deaths. We can't allow that to happen."
    On Tuesday, the Hawai'i Governor published a guest essay in the New York Times detailing his firsthand experience during the 2019 measles outbreak in Samoa, where he witnessed the deadly consequences of vaccine misinformation and blamed it on RFK Jr. and others.
    Green spoke with the Washington Post about his concerns over Kennedy's nomination. The Governor also said, "Mr. Kennedy's claim that, 'There's no vaccine that is safe and effective' is not only false, but reckless, irresponsible, and dangerous. "This kind of misinformation undermines public confidence in vaccines, and puts lives at risk."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.

TWO CLASSICAL AND BROADWAY PUBLIC MUSIC CONCERTS, with voice, piano and violin, this Saturday, Jan. 11, will offer unique programs at their Ocean View and Pāhala venues.

     The concert at Ocean View Community Center at 12:30 p.m. will feature Stars of Broadway, Opera and Ballet - including Carlton Moe from Broadway's Phantom of the Opera, Metropolitan Opera Soprano Amy Shoremount-Obra, Virtuoso Violinist Eric Silberger together with renowned Hawai'i-based pianists Maika'i Nash and Monica Chung and Ocean View's very own Farley Sangles on trumpet. 

     The 7 p.m. evening concert at Pāhala Plantation House will include the musical stars above and also serve as the grand conclusion of  this week's García school series - a workshop created for singers to hone their craft- presenting singers from all over the world such as New York, China, and London in addition to several local musicians. 

    These artists will perform a wide range of repertoire, celebrating the depth and breadth of vocal performance. "Both concerts promise unique experiences, so don't miss the chance to enjoy them!" said Shoremount Obra co-founder of the music school held annually in Pāhala. Some of music to be featured are Mozart, Saint-Saëns, Schubert, and favorites from Broadway.