Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015

Hurricane season continues to be busy across the Pacific Ocean, with another tropical storm heading, Ignacio, heading toward Hawai`i. Map from Weather Underground

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE’S Flash Flood Watch for Hawai`i Island remains in effect. Due to unstable weather conditions and very moist air, the flash flood watch will continues until 6 p.m. tonight.

      Currently heavy rains and occasional thunder and lighting can be expected across all areas of the island.

Another tropical storm could impact Hawai`i next week. Map from NOAA

      All major highways and roadways are open at this time, however motorists are advised to drive carefully and be prepared for hazardous conditions to include ponding and runoff and to anticipate traffic delays.

      As other weather systems develop and approach the state, the Civil Defense Agency will provide information updates on those possible threats.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

TROPICAL STORM IGNACIO has formed in the Eastern Pacific and is expected to become a hurricane on its way to the Central Pacific. At 11 a.m., National Hurricane Center forecasters said a southern track over warm water could cause the storm to intensify and become a hurricane tomorrow night. Although it is heading toward Hawai`i, it is still too far away to know if the state will be in its path next week.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

AIKANE PLANTATION COFFEE CO. recently added Aikane Plantation Tea Co. to its line of offerings, introducing a Ka`u-grown Hawaiian mamaki tea developed by Lynn Hamilton, of Pahala, and the late Roy Helbush, of Ninole-Wailau Homestead between Pahala and Na`alehu.

The late Roy Helbush's family helped Merle Becker, of Aikane
Plantation Coffee Co., at Made in Hawai`i. Stephanie, Roy's
daughter-in-law, and granddaughters Alyson and Katie
 helped introduce a mamaki tea line co-founded by Roy
and Lynn Hamilton. Missing from photo are Roy's son
Tyler Helbush and Phil Becker, who also promoted
Ka`u products. Photo from Merle Becker

      Aikane’s mamaki line was featured at the Made in Hawai`i show in Honolulu during Admission Day weekend where a record crowd of 45,000 filled Blaisdell Auditorium. Merle Becker, of Aikane, said that Roy Helbush’s son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren helped her and Phil Becker work the show and that Aikane coffees and mamaki tea sold out. She said Aikane handed out almost 6,000 samples of Ka`u coffee to those interested in Hawai`i products. 

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

USING LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS to create electricity would delay the state’s move toward renewable energy, Gov. David Ige said yesterday. Kathryn Mykleseth, of Honolulu Star-Advertiser, reported Ige saying, “Any time and money spent on LNG is time and money not spent on renewable energy.” Ige signed a bill in June requiring the state to use 100 percent renewable energy for electricity by 2045.
      Ige’s comments follow announcements by Hawaiian Electric Co. and Hawai`i Gas that they plan to import LNG from the mainland instead of importing oil from foreign countries.
      LNG will no longer save us money,” Ige said. “The capital plans of those wishing to import LNG are anything but small. LNG is a fossil fuel. LNG is imported.”
      HECO spokesman Darren Pai told Mykleseth, “We agree with Gov. Ige that any use of LNG should not result in development of major costly infrastructure that will impede our renewable energy progress. We are evaluating delivering LNG in (special shipping) containers to our generating stations on a transitional basis, an approach that requires minimal island infrastructure.”
      Mina Morita, former chairperson of Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission, said LNG 
“has a really important role as a transition fuel to get to 100 percent (renewable). I am very concerned with this kind of announcement because we do want to get to our goal, but now it is a whole lot harder and, I believe, much more expensive (without LNG).” 

      Two of Hawai`i’s environmental advocacy groups, Sierra Club and Earthjustice, commended Ige’s comments.
 
“Gov. Ige is right: using fossil fuels for electricity in Hawai`i does not make good economic sense, say nothing for the huge cost it levies on our natural environment and public health,” Sierra Club of Hawai`i Director Marti Townsend said.

      Sierra Club, represented by Earthjustice, opposed HECO’s fracked gas proposal when it was first proposed in 2013. 
 
After the PUC rejected HECO’s 2013 proposed plan, HECO filed another plan in August 2014 again dependent on LNG as a bridge to more renewable energy.
 

      “Fracked gas is a bridge to nothing but more debt, pollution and heartache,” Townsend said.

      In its bid to take over HECO, NextEra supported HECO’s fossil gas plan and has committed to help make it happen, according to Earthjustice.
 
“HECO and NextEra want to make a quick buck off of huge LNG investments and get us hooked on another imported fossil fuel,” Earthjustice attorney Isaac Moriwake said. “That’s exactly the kind of short-sighted, profit-driven thinking that gave us the highest electric rates in the nation. We support Gov. Ige’s ‘sanity check,’ which puts the public interest before private profits and keeps Hawai`i on the right track to a 100 percent clean energy future.”

U.S. Rep. Gabbard praised Hawai`i Island's renewable-energy innovations.
Photo from Office of Rep. Gabbard

      See staradvertiser.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

ON HAWAI`I ISLAND THIS WEEK, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard delivered remarks in support of clean energy technology at the dedication ceremony for the Makai Ocean Engineering Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Plant, then toured the Kona facility with its engineers and operators.

 

      “Hawai`i’s abundant and diverse natural energy sources make our state an ideal location for innovation and growth in the renewable energy sector,” Gabbard said. “Kona hosts the world’s largest operational ocean thermal energy conversion plant, which represents the potential that exists for a secure and energy-independent future for Hawai`i. This project displays what can happen when you have a successful public-private partnership that will serve as a model for clean energy technology worldwide.”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I’S U.S. SENATORS REACTED to Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush’s use of a derogatory term describing children who are born in the United States to undocumented parents and his recent clarification of his use of the term, saying he was referring to Asian immigrants instead of Latinos. 

      Sen. Brian Schatz said, “Jeb Bush’s comments regarding the children of Asian immigrants are derogatory and offensive. He should immediately retract his statements and apologize to the Asian community for his insensitive behavior.”
      Sen. Mazie Hirono, an Asian American, said, “Really, Jeb? This is still remarkably offensive and out of touch, regardless of which group you’re referring to. Let’s refocus our immigration debate on what really matters: comprehensive immigration reform.”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

ENTRY FEES ARE WAIVED TODAY at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park to celebrate Founders Day.

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee meets today from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Discovery Harbour Community Hall to discuss development in that area. The committee reviews community feedback and makes preliminary decisions about revisions to the draft CDP.
      Background information that has been prepared to inform and guide tomorrow’s meeting is available at http://www.hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp/steering-committee/steering-commitee-meetings/august-25-2015-steering-committee-meeting/DHinfopacket.pdf/view.
      The committee also meets Saturday, Aug. 29 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to discuss economic development in Ka`u.
      The public is invited and welcome to provide testimony during the meetings.
      See kaucdp.info for information and how to contact committee members.

Learn how to play and history of the `ukulele tomorrow. Photo from NPS

PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY of `ukulele tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Rangers teach how to play a simple tune on the `ukulele. 

      Free; park entrance fees apply. Call 985-6011 for more information.

WEDNESDAY IS GAME NIGHT at Discovery Harbour Community Hall from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Bring a snack to share, and enjoy playing games and great conversation. For more information, call Sheri (last name not provided) at 929-9258.

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

BUSINESS SPACE IS AVAILABLE for rent at the open location where Kama`aina Kuts and Styles by Elise are located in Na`alehu. Call Corrine at 937-1840 for more information.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Monday, Aug. 24, 2015

Ka`u High and Pahala alumni invited the entire community to dine during their 14th annual potluck yesterday. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U HIGH AND PAHALA ALUMNI REUNITED during the Admissions Day long weekend. They held class parties at restaurants and homes with the grand finale venue at Pahala Community Center on Sunday themed Back to the Future.

Clement Hirae flew in from Boston and visited his alumni
friend Cullen Buyuan. Photo by Julia Neal

Jeanette Howard, at 92, was likely the eldest
alumna on hand. Photo by Julia Neal

      Alumni fed the community and presented music from Just in Case, Uncle Ernie and Makanao. The Pahala kupuna hula group shared dance.
      Alumni came from afar. Clement Hirae flew in from Boston, and Brenda Akamu flew in from Missouri. The eldest of the alumni on hand was likely Jeanette Howard, 92, of Punalu`u.
      Alumni planned for their next gathering at California Hotel & Casino on June 24, 2016. The Class of 1959, with committee members Chair Noel Kawachi, Priscilla Obado, Elaine and James Murakami, Donald Iida, Carol Andrade and Vince Damazo, have been organizing the Vegas trip for 17 years, with all Ka`u alumni invited. They are turning over this logistics role – “We spoiled the people,” said Obado – to the class of 1966. Those interested in the next Vegas reunion can contact new Chair Gary Ota at 808-622-0100 or gso1040@aol.com.
      Chair of the annual Pahala Admissions Weekend reunion is James Yamaki, an avid collector of Ka`u High and Pahala School stories and memorabilia, who can be reached at 969-6828.

Heavy rain continues to come ashore around Hawai`i Island.
Map from NWS

      Finance Chair for the reunion is Richard Fujioka. Fujioka took time out during the reunion festivities to visit for the first time since 1958 his family’s former place of business, Ka`u Meat Market in Pahala, now called Ka`u Market House, to see the original store counter and other memorabilia.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

AS OF 11:30 A.M., Hawai`i County Civil Defense reported that Hwy 11 near the Whitington Beach Park is closed to all traffic due to heavy runoff and flooding. The road closure extends from Punalu`u to Na`alehu. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and to use alternate routes if possible. The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning effective through 2 p.m. this afternoon.

      A Flash Flood Watch continues until 6 p.m. today because an unstable and very moist air mass remains across the island. This tropical moisture interacting with island terrain could produce localized, intense and slow-moving heavy rains that may lead to flash flooding.

       To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

OF THE MORE THAN 600 PARTICIPANTS at Saturday’s Volcano Rain Forest Runs Half Marathon, 10K and 5K, 120 were from out of state and 100 from other Hawaiian Islands. Keiki also had their own special 100- and 200-yard dashes sponsored by Kilauea Lodge.

The next generation of Volcano Rain Forest Runners prepares for yesterday's
100- and 200-yard dashes. Photo from Sharron Faff

      Shona McCulloch, of Nepean, CA won the 10K with a time of 35:38. Kailua’s Eri MacDonald won the men’s division at 35:42. Other 10K finishers from the local area and their times are Ella Johnson, Volcano 49:21; Meggie Olson, Na`alehu 51:51; Maxwell Mitchell, Volcano 51:57; Amy Kuhar, Volcano 58:30; Anne Farahi, Volcano 1:12:45; Casey Baker-Fien, Volcano 1:12:53; Maiki Cofer, Ocean View 1:14:56; and Marilyn Brown, Volcano 1:23:27.
      Winners of the 5K were Coday Ranfranz, of Kailua-Kona at 18:43 and Phoebe Wyatt, of Hilo at 23:08. Other 5K finishers from the local area were Haven Fisher, Volcano 21:54 (1st in age category); Toby Johnson, Volcano 25:03; Megan Denny, Pahala 25:31 (1st in age category); Robert Peck, Volcano 26:24; John Broward, Hawai`i National Park 28:05; Justin Denny, III, Pahala 29:24; Paul Udac, Na`alehu 30:47; Frank Bonaccorso, Volcano 31:43; John Poetzel, Ocean View 32:50; Jane Patton, Volcano 33:35; Angela Green, Ocean View 35:09; Justin Denny, Pahala 36:44; Molly Denny, Pahala 37:53; Marta Lepes, Volcano 38:20; Bryan Everett, Volcano 39:25; Robin Stratton, Ocean View 39:38; Jade Thomas, Volcano 40:25; Macy Orr, Hawai`i National Park 41:48; Liam Fien, Volcano 41:49; Paula Tailon, Na`alehu 43:08; Maesaka Kieran, Volcano 43:23; Nancy Chaney, Volcano 49:26; Jeanette Goss, Hawai`i National Park 49:55; Bill Hamilton, Hawai`i National Park 49:57; Kanani Rivera, Volcano 51:25; Liam Orr, Hawai`i National Park, 54:47; Travis Wood, Volcano, 54:59; Tim Orr, Hawai`i National Park 55:22; P. Montague-Mullins, Volcano 56:11; Ku`ulei Kekuewa, Volcano 57:35; Elizabeth Fien, Volcano 58:06; Lisa Canale, Volcano 58:27; Irma Ockerman, Volcano 58:39; Christine Woods, Ocean View 1:01:40; Philip Gordon, Hawai`i National Park 1:11:24; and Nadia Vogel, Hawai`i National Park 1:11:39.

Hawai`i Youth Challenge Academy students, here with Miss Ka`u Coffee Maria
Miranda, volunteered and participated in the 5K. Photo from Maria Miranda

      “A big mahalo goes out to all of the wonderful volunteers who helped in making this event be such a successful community day,” said race Director Sharron Faff. “A very special mahalo goes to Hawai`i Youth Challenge Academy for bringing 71 youth to be both volunteers and Color Guard presenting flags for the opening ceremonies and to have 23 run in formation while doing cadence in the 5K. A very special sight to see. Special thanks also goes to Miss Ka`u Coffee, Maria Miranda, for starting the races and putting the medals on the 69 Half Marathon Triple Crown participants – runners who completed the Hilo, Kona and Volcano Half Marathons in 2015.”
      Sponsors of the annual event include Volcano Art Center, Cooper Center, County of Hawai`i, Nutrex/BioAstin, Volcano Rotary Club and local businesses.
      Next year’s event will be on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, celebrating the National Park Service Centennial. Keep up to date with all the news about the 2016 event on Facebook/volcanorainforestruns.com and at www.volcanorainforestruns.com.

       To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

NA`ALEHU RANCH LANDS purchaser Louis Leong and one of his investment groups is expected to open a 17-story Kalakaua Gardens senior living community across from Hawa`i Convention Center on O`ahu in March.

Ka`u Royal Hawaiian Coffee & Tea Co. owners, who recently bought 1,600 acres
extending from Na`alehu toward Wai`ohinu mauka of Hwy 11, expect to open
a 17-story senior living community on O`ahu in March.

      Leong and his Ka`u Royal Hawaiian Coffee & Tea, LLC is also working on long-range plans for the 1,600 acres it recently purchased in Na`alehu. The land has mauka frontage along Hwy 11 toward Wai`ohinu and extends up the hillsides. The hui is planning for coffee, tea and other crops as well as a coffee mill and visitor center along the highway. The local contact is Tyler Johansen, of Elite Agri Services.
      On O`ahu, Pacific Business News reporter Loren Eleni Gill wrote this morning that the $75-million Honolulu project “will offer 164 independent and assisted living suites, 49 skilled nursing facility beds and 23 beds in memory care.”
      She quoted Steve Nawahine, manager for Kalakaua Gardens, saying that 150 to 200 employees will be hired, “with 20 management-level positions, 80 in-care and support staff jobs and 60 positions in dining, housekeeping and support staff.”
      Leong’s San Francisco, California-based Island Paradise Investments is the developer for the Kalakaua Gardens project designed by Architects Hawai`i Ltd, San Francisco-based Swinerton Builders as general contractor. Interior design is overseen by Philpotts Interiors.

       See bizjournals.com/pacific.
       To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U PLANTATION DAYS begins organizing today. Interested parties are invited to the first meeting for the October 17 event tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center.

ENTRY FEES ARE WAIVED TOMORROW at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park to celebrate Founders Day.

Ka`u CDP Steering Committee discusses Discovery Harbour tomorrow.
Map from draft Ka`u CDP

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee’s topic-related meetings continue this week. The committee reviews community feedback and makes preliminary decisions about revisions to the draft CDP. 

      Meetings are tomorrow, Aug. 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Discovery Harbour Community Hall to discuss development in that area and Saturday, Aug. 29 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. when the topic is Economic Development.
      Background information that has been prepared to inform and guide tomorrow’s meeting is available at http://www.hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp/steering-committee/steering-commitee-meetings/august-25-2015-steering-committee-meeting/DHinfopacket.pdf/view.
      Based on community input and related analysis, the Steering Committee will consider CDP revisions that preserve the residential area in Discovery Harbour; allow small, neighborhood-scale commercial uses on the gateway parcels (Kahiki and Wakea); and if Subdivision Covenants are amended to allow it, allow for small-scale resort development on the gateway parcels.

      The public is welcome to provide testimony during the meeting.
      See kaucdp.info for information and how to contact committee members.

PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY of `ukulele, the world-famous instrument that plays a significant role in contemporary Hawaiian music, Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Rangers share their knowledge and love of the Hawaiian culture and teach how to play a simple tune on the `ukulele. Participants leave with a new skill and treasured `ike (wisdom) to share with their hoa (friends) and `ohana (family).
      Free; park entrance fees apply. Call 985-6011 for more information.

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

BUSINESS SPACE IS AVAILABLE for rent at the open location where Kama`aina Kuts and Styles by Elise are located in Na`alehu. Call Corrine at 937-1840 for more information.

See kaucalendar.com/kaucalendar_August2015.pdf.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015

Volcano Rain Forest Runners race toward the camera. Photo by Jesse Tunison

Miss Ka`u Coffee Maria Miranda greets a runner.
Photo from Maria Miranda

VOLCANO RAIN FOREST RUNS Half Marathon results are in. Billy Barnett, of Volcano, once again won the men’s division. His time was 1:18:49. Kathleen O'Neil, of Honolulu, took first in the women’s division with a time of 1:23:28. Other finishers from Volcano were Noe McMahon, 1:37:36; Marta Kaproni, 1:38:01; Mia Van Kralingen, 1:43:50; Bruce Simmerman, 1:45:47; Shawn Mishler, 1:50:43; Alex Wood, 1:50:44; and Bill Greineisen, 2:59:02. Eldridge Naboa, of Volcano, finished with a time of 3:20:58. 

      See future Ka`u News Briefs for more race results.

ONE OF KA`U’S STATE SEN. JOSH GREEN’S priorities during the next legislative session will be a new Hawai`i State Hospital. “Everything emanates from a new facility,” Green told Nathan Eagle, of Civil Beat. “If we do this, we’ll be able to treat people in a very professional, dignified way. If we don’t, we’re going to be back with the violence.” 

      The current facility on O`ahu, which houses patients with mental illness, has been plagued with violence for decades. New designs would provide clear lines of sight and create a safer and more secure environment.
      Funding of $165 million for design and construction would come from general obligation bonds.
       “It’s long overdue,” Green said. “It’s a big ask, but it’s for all the districts in the state and all the families in the state. There’s no shortcut to health care.”
      See civilbeat.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

A NEW WAY TO DOCUMENT CORAL HEALTH could help scientists understand why there is increased coral bleaching and reef death in Hawai`i. An Associated Press story in this morning’s Honolulu Star-Advertiser describes high-definition, 360-degree panoramic photos to monitor coral over time. Manuel Gonzalez-Rivero, research fellow at University of Queensland who works on the survey crew, said technology like Facebook’s facial recognition is also employed to identify and study coral.

Along with increased tropical storms, El Nino is contributing to coral bleaching
in Hawaiian waters. Photo from XL Catlain Seaview Survey

      Images from Hawai`i, the Great Barrier Reef, Maldives and other locations are uploaded to Google Street View. It is part of the XL Catlain Seaview Survey. See http://catlinseaviewsurvey.com where scientists proclaim, “Our oceans are changing. Coral reefs are a clear visual indicator of this change – we’ve seen a 40 percent loss of corals around the globe in the last 30 years alone.” 

      AP reports that “scientists working with the team say they are concerned about how much coral off the coast of Hawai`i already is beginning to bleach, especially because it’s the second such event in two years.” The article explains, “Coral bleaching occurs when ocean water temperatures rise and cause the coral to lose key nutrients, turning the normally colorful organism white. If bleaching recurs or is severe, experts say the coral will die. Reefs off the coasts of the Hawaiian Islands suffered a rare bleaching event in 2014, and experts say when corals don’t have time to recover from one bleaching they are less likely to survive subsequent events.”
      Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, chief scientist for the project and director of Global Change Institute at University of Queensland, told AP, “Unfortunately, from now on the extra heat is going to be quite damaging, and this is where the mortality of the corals goes up.”
      The AP story says that “extensive coral bleaching is expected again this year in Hawai`i because of record hot weather in the region, a strong El Nino weather pattern and what scientists call ‘the blob,’ a large area of hot water not directly linked to El Nino that is moving westward from the mainland.”
      Malia Chow, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s superintendent of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, told AP, “What sort of surprised me is how many corals have already started to bleach.”
      See staradvertiser.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Rain from Kilo, heavy at times, is reaching Ka`u.
Map from NWS

KA`U IS FEELING THE EFFECTS of Tropical Depression Kilo, now 680 miles south-southwest of South Point. A flash flood watch continues until 6 p.m. tomorrow because an unstable and very moist air mass remains across the island. This tropical moisture interacting with island terrain will produce localized, intense and slow-moving heavy rains that may lead to flash flooding. 

      Flash flooding is very dangerous. Campers and hikers should consider rescheduling their outing to a time when weather is expected to be more favorable. It does not have to be raining locally for flash flooding to occur. Never drive into areas where water covers the road.
      Kilo is expected to strengthen to hurricane status as it move north on a forecast path that currently takes it west of Kaua`i.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE OVERFLOWS OF HALEMA`UMA`U CRATER are discussed in Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s current issue of Volcano Watch. 

      “In early 1918, visitors swarmed to Kilauea Volcano to see a splendid show,” scientists write. “The molten lake in Halema`uma`u had been rising, and the pit was almost full. Soon lava spilled over the crater rim onto the floor of Kilauea’s summit caldera, destroying part of an automobile road, as well as the visitor viewing area near the rim.

      “In this week’s featured photograph, Isabel Jaggar, wife of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Director Thomas A. Jaggar, Jr., stands near the edge of Halema`uma`u on the morning of the first overflow. To her left is a wooden A-frame constructed in 1911 to suspend a cable across the crater for taking lava samples and temperature measurements. The next day this old landmark was surrounded by lava and burned. To the right of Mrs. Jaggar, portions of the congealed lava crust have been thrust high above the caldera floor.

     “With the hot lava so accessible, hundreds of volcano watchers flocked to the area to take photos and meet Pele up close. In the weeks that followed, the overflow destroyed many sites on the caldera floor that tourists had frequented in the past. Volcanic features with fanciful names such as The Devil’s Picture Frame were covered by lava, and this was just the beginning.

The overflow of Halema`uma`u Crater on Feb 23, 1918. Photo from HVO
by Thomas Jagger from HVO Record Book courtesy of Bishop Museum

      “Over the next three years, as the magma column at Kilauea rose and fell, the lava lake in Halema`uma`u repeatedly overflowed and flooded the caldera floor.
      “For decades, tourists had singed post cards at hot cracks known as the Postal Rift. In April, 1919, lava poured out of the Postal Rift, and by November, this flow had reached the bluff below the Volcano House, burying the trail that led from the hotel to Halema`uma`u Crater. By the end of 1919, most of the old volcano landmarks in the summit caldera were gone.
      “Such overflows of Halema`uma`u were common in the past. Since 1868, large infusions of magma had filled the pit and had flooded the caldera floor many times. On each occasion, the lava lake later receded as magma drained away, reopening the home of Pele, only to have the pit gradually refill as the cycle started over.
      “Sporadic overflows continued until March of 1921, when lava from Halema`uma`u and an adjacent cone flowed through a gap in the south caldera and into the Ka`u Desert. Since then, Halema`uma`u Crater has never overflowed again. While many eruptions have occurred in Kilauea Caldera since the 1920s, almost a century has passed and Halema`uma`u remains only partially refilled.
      “What caused this change in the behavior of Kilauea? One answer is that Halema`uma`u doubled in diameter during the explosive eruption in 1924, so it takes more lava to fill the crater. But, that’s not the most important part of the story.
      “Changes in the rate of magma supply to the volcano and in the geometry of the plumbing system that carries magma from the summit into the rift zones have kept the floor of Halema`uma`u far below the rim. For the crater to fill to overflowing, the magma supply would have to increase and remain high, or conduits to Pu`u `O`o and other areas on the rift zones of Kilauea would have to constrict.
      “In other words, an overflow of Halema`uma`u Crater will require a substantial increase in magmatic pressure at the summit of Kilauea. We see no signs that Pele has such a house cleaning planned any time soon, but if and when she does, it will be a spectacular display.”
      See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI AND FRIENDS’ invite everyone to bring a favorite dish to their 14th annual Community Potluck today at Pahala Community until 5 p.m.

Development at Discovery Harbour is the topic at Ka`u CDP Steering
Committee's meeting Tuesday. Map from South Point Investment Group.

ENTRY FEES ARE WAIVED TUESDAY at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park to celebrate Founder’s Day.

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee’s topic-related meetings continue this week. The committee reviews community feedback and makes preliminary decisions about revisions to the draft CDP. 

      Meetings are Tuesday, Aug. 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Discovery Harbour Community Center to discuss development in that area and Saturday, Aug. 29 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. when the topic is Economic Development. See kaucdp.info for information and how to contact committee members.

 

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

BUSINESS SPACE IS AVAILABLE for rent at the open location where Kama`aina Kuts and Styles by Elise are located in Na`alehu. Call Corrine at 937-1840 for more information.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf.