Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, July 9, 2017

The 37th Annual Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Hawaiian Cultural Festival drew many to learn
cultural practices and enjoy hula and music. Photo by Cheryl Cuevas

THE 37TH ANNUAL HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK HAWAIIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL was entitled Hilina‘i Puna, Kālele iā Ka‘ū, which means Puna leans and reclines on Ka‘ū. On Saturday, the festival drew people of all ages to engage in authentic Hawaiian cultural practices and learn how native Hawaiians lived closely to the land as its stewards.

Mules and riders who patrol Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and help

to rescue injured and stranded hikers stood by at the cultural festival.

Photo by Gabriel Cuevas

Hawaiian herbal medicine and nutrition was
shared at the cultural festival at HVNP.
Photo by Cheryl Cuevas

     Attendees enjoyed hula, music and watching and learning art from skilled practitioners. Many residents and visitors tried their hand at Hawaiian crafts.
     This year’s festival again included the BioBlitz, when students and adults joined cultural practitioners and discovered the biodiversity that thrives in the park.
     The free event was held on grounds of Kilauea Military Camp with the Bioblitz reaching out into the parklands. The event was sponsored by Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association, the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.


AN OPEN HOUSE FOR THE 60 PLUS ACRES at the old Ka`u sugar mill site was held today for anyone interested in bidding on the property at the Hilo courthouse auction on July 28.  The land, which is in foreclosure, had been planned for a water bottling plant and shopping center.
     It includes the KAHU radio station building, which is used by Hawai`i Public Radio and for Civil Defense emergency messages to cover this side of the island. Civil Defense invested in the KAHU radio station to make sure Ka`u is covered during warnings and natural disasters.
      The land includes sugar plantation walls and other historic remnants that residents have sought to preserve. It also includes the remains of a residential mill camp near Pahala Hongwanji with the stone and concrete remains of stairways to what used to be small sugar homes. There is a mango orchard, an old warehouse and old store and restaurant building.
     Community ideas for use of the property, should it become county land, include a campground to take the pressure off of Punalu`u Beach park and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, particularly with sports events at the new county gym and ballfield in Pahala attracting people needing a place to stay.
    A larger venue for festivals and events, including the Ka`u Coffee Festival, which is outgrowing Pahala Community Center; a place for farm and business education as well as an industrial incubator business facility; reviving the radio station where high school kids and keiki play music and learn speaking, broadcasting and news reporting skills were all suggested. One resident from the sugar days recalled that the plantation used to allow skating on the concrete in the main warehouse building.
       Several people suggested that the county also help to identify and take care of any toxic waste left over by the sugar plantation to make those areas of the property safe for those who go there.

Lito Arkangel at the cultural festival on Saturday.
Photo by Gabriel Cuevas

      The land is between Hwy 11 and Maile Street with part of it extending close to Pahala Hongwanji and property where Ka`u Coffee is grown below the village.
      Another open house will be held on Monday from 10 a.m. to noon, with those interested meeting at the radio station building.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Hat making was popular at the festival.
Photo by Cheryl Cuevas

NEARSHORE AQUATIC LIFE IS THE FOCUS of a campaign by the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai`i'i, joined by scientists, non-governmental organizations, and numerous individuals who worked hard to make sure SB1240 passed both the state House of Representatives and Senate in 2017.  They want to stop Gov. David Ige from vetoing the meassure.

     The bill requires the state Department of Land & Natural Resources to submit proposed legislation by the 2019 regular session including a definition of "sustainable," a policy for sustainable collection practices of near shore aquatic life, a process for determining limits on collection practices of near shore aquatic life, and any additional resources required by the department. 

     It also prohibits issuance of new aquarium permits, transfer of current permits subject to certain provisions, and renewal of permits that have not been renewed for five or more years. 

The underwater world of the Northwestern Hawaiian
Islands came to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Photo by Cheryl Cuevas

www.kaucalendar.com

     "This issue is one of the priority issues chosen by our caucus and our party this legislative session to ensure that our reefs are healthy and vibrant for generations to come," says a statement from the Democratic Party, pointing to an article in in Civil Beat, which it refers to as giving a fair summary of the issue. 

     The party urges those supporting the bill to email the Governor's Office at Brandon.T.Asuka@hawaii.gov and "let Governor Ige know that you support SB1240. You can also call his office and voice your support: (808) 586-0034." 

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

What We Can Do Now to Data Recorded Way Back When, Tue, July 11, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geophysicist Paul Okubo describes a current look into seismograms from HVO’s first 100 years. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Lei Making Demo, Wed, July 12, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Local cultural practitioner Pua O’Mahoney teaches how to make traditional Hawaiian lei with natural materials that include leaves, flowers and more. Free; park entrance fees apply.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, July 8, 2017

Na`alehu Independence Day Parade, sponsored by O Ka`u Kakou. See more photos in upcoming Ka`u News Briefs.
Photo by Ron Johnson

O KA`U KAKOU'S PARADE TO CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY showed off Ka`u's equestrians, community groups, churches, the county band, police and fire squads and Ka`u businesses on Saturday under the monkeypod trees along Hwy 11.
       The parade was followed by the Fourth of July Rodeo at Na`alehu Rodeo Grounds. The rodeo continues all day Sunday. See more photos of the parade and its winners in upcoming Ka`u News Briefs.

Hawaiian Islands were represented with special colors and flowers.
Photo by Ron Johnson

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

THE COAST GUARD suspended its search on Friday for an Ocean View resident, Shane Romena, 48, who was fishing with his grandson when he fell into the ocean on Monday.
     A statement from the Coast Guard said, "Our sincerest condolences go out to Romena's family and friends during this difficult time. Suspending a case is never an easy thing to do and it's something that is handled with the utmost care and consideration. We want to thank our partners at the Hawai`i Fire Department for all their assistance during this search," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Brian Wear.

Paniolo of every age rode in the Na`alehu parade.
Photo by Ron Johnson

        Hawai`i Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Hayashida said its search was extended for a full day Friday at the request of the Romena family.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL IN KA`U will be able to provide free breakfasts and lunches to all students this Fall, under the federal meals program that could be in danger of being cut in the future under the next federal budget.
     For now, the service will also be expanded north to Ho`okena Elementary and Honaunau elementary, as well as several other Big Island schools.
       Na`alehu and Pahala schools meet the federal threshold of 40 percent of students living in families with incomes of $51,708 or less. Once the threshold is met, all students, no matter their family income, can dine for free on the two meals per school day.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Merle Becker and family in the annual Independence Day Parade in Na`alehu.
Photo by Ron Johnson

THE HAWAI`I DEMOCRATIC PARTY brought together many community alliances from around the island on Fourth of July at its annual rally in Kona. Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, which cleans up the Ka`u Coast, was represented as well as the Kohala Center, which helps Ka`u Coffee farmers. Also on hand was  NOAA and many other advocacy groups for the ocean and social justice.
      Rally for Common Ground cofounder Maya Parish said that Fourth of July is "a reminder of occupation and degradation" of the earth and society. She said those who are forlorn about the current political situation can "Put your shadow, put your regrets in front of you because when they are in front of you, you can see them and then you won't stumble back into those same regrets. When we put our shadow and our regrets behind us, then we are not allowed to assimilate them and then that shadow festers and then we get what we're up with on the national level in our country, politically."        

Maya Parish, cofounder of Rally for Common Ground.
Photo by David Corrigan of Big Island Video News

      Parish recommended, "Allow ourselves to heal to speak about it and to assimilate that so we can move forward in an inclusive and a united society that the world is asking us for now.
     'As many people have said, these environmental issues are not partisan, they are for everyone. We all breathe this air. We all drink this water. We all eat this food that grows out of our ground and if we don't do a better job at taking care of it, it will not be here for our future."
      Rally for Common Ground cofounder Tonya Colture and Parish helped produce the Women's March in Kona, the Climate March, and the Defend the Sacred event.

www.kaucalendar.com

      They said they want to amplify the voice the  reach of groups and individuals and to build coalitions  to increase each other's power." Parish told Democrats, "The reason that we are both inspired to do that work is to bring this progressive agenda forward, to really be the change, make this back into the party of the people so we can be proud to call ourselves Democrats and we can work together for the sustainability, and for the stewardship and for justice on this island, in this state, in this country and in this world."
     See more on speeches at the annual July 4 Democratic Rally at www.bigislandvideonews.com

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

What We Can Do Now to Data Recorded Way Back When, Tue, July 11, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geophysicist Paul Okubo describes a current look into seismograms from HVO’s first 100 years. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Lei Making Demo, Wed, July 12, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Local cultural practitioner Pua O’Mahoney teaches how to make traditional Hawaiian lei with natural materials that include leaves, flowers and more. Free; park entrance fees apply.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, July 7, 2017

During the March 2011 Kamoamoa fissure eruption on Kīlauea Volcano’s East Rift Zone, spatter from this line of lava fountains just west of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō reached heights of 40 m (130 ft). Events of the short-lived, but spectacular, fissure eruption are summarized in the March 7, 2013, Volcano Watch article, which is available in the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s Volcano Watch archive (https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/hvo_volcano_watch.html).
See story below. USGS photo by Tim Orr

THE SEA GRANT PROGRAM IN HAWAI`I will receive over $1 million in federal funding to support ongoing coastal and marine research, extension, and outreach projects in Hawai`i, Sen. Mazie Hirono announced on Friday.

       Earlier this year, in response to the Trump Administration’s effort to eliminate the Sea Grant program, Hirono led the effort to issue a bipartisan letter pushing back and explaining how deep cuts to NOAA would disproportionately hurt Hawai`i and other coastal states. Hirono advocated to Senate colleagues the benefits of Sea Grant not only for University of Hawai`i but for 32 other coastal universities.. Her advocacy helped to ensure the Trump cuts were rejected and that funding for Sea Grant was included in the recently enacted federal budget law that provides funding through Sept. 30, 2017.
     “As an island state, Hawai`i’s livelihood is reliant on the health and resilience of our coastal and marine ecosystems,” said Hirono. “Research and conservation efforts conducted by Hawai`i Sea Grant play a critical role in addressing ongoing and future coastal and marine resource issues facing our state. I remain committed to protecting core research and extension programs, like Sea Grant, from the harmful budget cuts proposed by the Trump Administration.”
     In 2015, Hawai`i Sea Grant activities resulted in the restoration of 426 acres of coastal habitat, the use of ecosystem-based approaches by 130 resources managers, 37 communities implementing sustainable development practices and policies, and 70 trainings to improve coastal community resilience. Hawai`i Sea Grant created or sustained 46 jobs, leveraged $4 million, educated over 140,000 K-12 students, and supported over 70 undergraduate and graduate students combined.
     “Federal funding is critical to Sea Grant's federal-state partnership in connecting the university enterprise to community needs,” said Dr. Darren Lerner, Director of the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program. “Without the historic and continuing support of Senator Hirono and the Hawai`i delegation, our ability to magnify our federal funding 2-4 times its original value, to provide research, education and outreach in service to the people of Hawaii and the Pacific, would be lost.”
     Part of a continuing grant funding award, the program received an additional $1 million in January. To learn more about the program, click here.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

THE VOLCANO WATCH ARCHIVE is a treasure trove of volcano information, say the scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Replica of a 19th century soda bottle that was sealed with a blue marble 

(visible in lower crimp of the bottle). Bottles like this played a part in 

creating the bottled soda analogy of how and why volcanoes erupt. 

The Halema‘uma‘u Overlook gas plume is visible in the 

background. Photo from Volcano Watch

     Since 1991, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists have written the weekly Volcano Watch column. While the theme of these articles is generally volcano-related, individual topics range widely. They include updates on current volcanic activity, historic accounts of past eruptions, explanations of monitoring techniques and technology, the comings and goings of HVO staff, and more.

  Volcano Watch archive is a treasure trove of information on Hawaiian volcanoes. The recent redesign of HVO’s website (itself the subject of Volcano Watch on May 18, 2017) provides an opportunity to highlight this archive, which is online and freely available to all. 

    With over 1,000 articles on almost every volcano topic imaginable, the

     Readers may find past Volcano Watch articles useful for researching a report or school project, while others simply enjoy perusing the collection. Longtime Hawai`i residents may appreciate a walk down memory lane, and newcomers might welcome a crash course in the history of volcanic activity in Hawai`i.  

      Since its inception, Volcano Watch has addressed ongoing events at Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. An example is the March 20, 2008, article, Something Had to Change After 25 Years, which provides an account of the events leading up to the opening of Kīlauea Volcano’s current summit vent and the return of a lava lake to Halemaʻumaʻu.   

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists monitoring Volcano's East 

Rift Zone eruptions in 2011. Photo from Volcano Watch

      As illustrated by this example, new data and techniques sometimes cause scientists to change their hypotheses for how or why volcanoes behave in a certain way. Volcano Watch articles communicate these changes, providing updated interpretations as they arise. 

      For instance, the two-part article, Revolution in thinking about Kīlauea explosions comes to HVO (January 19 and 26, 2006), describes the years-long process by which HVO scientists changed their thinking about explosive eruptions at Kīlauea. 

     Careful mapping of tephra deposits around Kīlauea Volcano’s summit showed that some were the result of ash and other volcanic fragments being thrown up to 5 km (16,000 ft) into the air—high enough to be caught in the jet stream. This suggested that Kīlauea is capable of much more powerful explosions than previously thought, which contributed to it being ranked in a 2005 U.S. Geological Survey report as the highest threat volcano in the United States (https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1164/).

     New monitoring instruments and techniques are often the focus of Volcano Watch.  Examples: Rainbows on the Ground (November 19, 2015), which tells how satellite data is used to measure a volcano’s changing shape, and Farewell to legacy seismic systems—welcome to ARRA upgrades in Kīlauea Caldera (July 21, 2011). These articles track the evolution of technology employed by HVO and provide a sense of the myriad methods that scientists use to gain knowledge about volcanoes.

Ocean entry of lava. Photo from Volcano Watch

     Some of the most timeless Volcano Watch articles detail the history of eruptions in Hawai`i. A look back at Mauna Loa (December 1, 2011), which recaps observations of the volcano’s 1933 eruption. Another article, High Chief Keli`ikuku’s Pride Devastated by Unusually Long Kīlauea Eruption (June 7, 2007), recounts the story of a large Kīlauea lava flow that devastated most of Puna north of Pāhoa before ending around 1470 CE. 

History buffs might enjoy

     For more recent volcanic activity, check out Looking Back at the Kamoamoa Fissure Eruption (March 7, 2013), a four-day event in 2011. If you’ve wondered about the lava flows along Chain of Craters Road in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, read The Mauna Ulu Eruption: 1969-1974 (May 27, 1994) to learn their origin.

      There’s even an article about Volcano Watch: The story behind the ‘Volcano Watch’ Columns (September 30, 2010) is in the archive.

      To reach it, go to “Quick Links” in the top right corner of HVO’s homepage (https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/). Click on Volcano Watch to open the current article, and then use “Search” to find archived articles by title or date.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Pancake Breakfast, Sat, July 8, 8 – 11 a.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033

37th Annual Hawaiian Cultural Festival & BioBlitz,Sat, July 8, Kīlauea Military Camp in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Engage in Hawaiian cultural practices and learn how Hawaiians live closely to the land as its stewards. Enjoy hula and music, watch skilled practitioners demonstrate their art, and try your hand at Hawaiian crafts. BioBlitz is a chance to join scientists and cultural practitioners and discover the biodiversity that thrives in the park. Cultural Festival, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; BioBlitz, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Atlas Recycling at South Point U-Cart, Sat, July 8, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Connecting Cords: Hawai‘i Nei Invitational Exhibition, daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., July 8 – Aug 19, Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The multi-media exhibit showcases works by eight artists focusing on fiber, form and function of Hawai‘i’s cordage plants. Opening day reception, 5 p.m.

Nā‘ālehu Fourth of July Festivities, Sat, July 8. Parade begins at 11 a.m.; Fun Day in the Park, & Senior Bingo & Luncheon at Community Center begin at 12 p.m. 929-9872

Jazz in the Forest, Sat, July 8, 4:30 & 7 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Hal Glatzer with Jean Pierre Thoma & The Jazztones. $20/$18 VAC members. 967-8222

Kanikapila, Sat, July 8 & 22, 6 – 9 p.m., Nā‘ālehu Methodist Church Hall. Acoustic instruments, drums, singers & dancers welcome. Desmond, 937-6305

www.kaucalendar.com

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017