Ka‘ū News Briefs Monday, January 22, 2018

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's main entrance and facilities will reopen at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, following Congress 
and the President approving a federal resolution to fund the government through Feb. 8. Photo by Janice Wei/NPS

HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK reopens its main gate and all of its facilities at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23. The reopening follows the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passing legislation Monday, Jan. 22, with President Donald Trump's signature, to fund the federal government through Feb. 8. Most of the park has been shut down since Saturday morning, after funding lapsed Friday at midnight with the shutdown of the federal government.

HAWAI‘I'S U.S. SENATORS AND HOUSE MEMBERS SPLIT ON VOTING TO FUND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. On Monday, Jan. 22, the bill passed Congress and Pres. Donald Trump signed it, meaning that most federal workers will be back on the job on Tuesday, Jan. 23.
      Sen. Mazie Hirono and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who represents Ka‘ū, voted no on funding government through Feb. 8. Sen. Brian Schatz and Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who represents urban O‘ahu and is running for Governor, voted yes. Here are their explanations:

Hirono with DREAMers and Sen. Dick Durbin on Saturday in D.C.

     Hirono released this statement:
     "There are battles worth fighting. Protecting DREAMers, reauthorizing the Children's Health Insurance Program, funding Community Health Centers, and providing parity between funding for defense and domestic priorities – without pitting one against the other – were battles worth fighting.
     "I'm confident that we can reach bipartisan agreement on these issues and it was completely unnecessary for the President and Congressional Republicans to force a shutdown on them. My consistent position has been to oppose any continuing resolution that did not include these priorities. I voted against this continuing resolution for this reason.
     "At the same time, Mitch McConnell promised on the Senate floor today that he would hold an open debate on DACA and immigration if no compromise is reached by the time this continuing resolution ends on February 8. We should all expect the Majority Leader to honor this promise.
     "There is no question that an open debate on immigration will be a knock-down, drag-out fight.

Rep. Gabbard said passing temporary funding "lays path to another shutdown,
puts politics over people."

There is an urgent need to protect DREAMers, and we can't lose sight of this in the upcoming debate."

     Gabbard, after voting no, stated that passing temporary funding "lays path to another shutdown, puts politics over people." She tweeted: "They've failed to pass needed relief funds to TX, CA, FL, PR, USVI & others who still struggle. By failing to pass a year-long budget, they've hurt military readiness, troops & their families, & the people in our communities. That's why I voted no on the CR.
     "This is no way to govern. People are suffering as a result. It's long overdue time for Congress to put people before politics, stop the games and posturing, and pass a year-long budget, funding for our community health centers, and a permanent fix for DREAMers. Just get it done."
     Gabbard also tweeted, "Congress failed to pass a year-long funding bill, failed to fund community health centers, & failed to help DREAMers. This is not a political issue. It's a moral issue. It's about right & wrong. We need real solutions, not the broken status quo. That’s why I voted no on the CR."

On the Senate floor over the weekend, Schatz said that the country should be embarrassed over 
the handling of government funding. 

      Schatz, before voting yes to fund government, said over the weekend that the public should be embarrassed of the way Congress is handling the budget.

     On Monday, he tweeted, "I'm fighting to make sure we continue to pay our military service members during this shutdown. These brave men and women don't stop protecting our country just because the government shuts down. Those who serve our country deserve the pay they have earned, and I'm going to keep working as long as possible to make sure they get it."

     Hanabusa, after voting yes to fund the federal government through Feb. 8, issued a statement saying, "This shutdown was an unnecessary reminder that our inability to work in a bipartisan fashion has real consequences for our constituents. Given the shutdown, my top priority is ensuring that the 33,264 federal employees who live and work in Hawaiʻi, and the 40,034 members of the military serving here on active duty, are on the job and paid for their hard work and sacrifices. The nation's business must continue and today I voted in support of our federal workers and their families.

Hanabusa voted to fund government and pointed to the large number of federal and 
military employees in Hawaiʻi.

     "I maintain that a 17-day stop gap measure is no way to pay for the operations of the federal government. We need to pursue a comprehensive funding plan through the regular order, but shutting down the government is unacceptable, and unheard of in American history when one party controls the House, Senate and the White House. I urge my colleagues in Congress to approve a budget that meets our responsibilities to all our constituents. I am extremely disappointed that the CR through February 8th does not fully resolve the immigration status of our Dreamers, but I will not abandon the cause as l continue to fight for a bill on the floor of the House that provides permanent protections for our Dreamers," stated Hanabusa.

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HAWAIʻI IS THE FIFTH AMONG THE STATES AND WASHINGTON, D.C. AFFECTED MOST IN THE SHUTDOWN of the federal government. According to a WalletHub analysis, Hawaiʻi ranks: first in Share of Federal Jobs, out side of D.C.; first in Real Estate as a Percentage of GSP; ninth in Access to National Parks; and 18th in Federal Contract Dollars Per Capita.
     Reports WalletHub: "As the clock struck midnight on the 45th president's first year in office, the United States government shut down for the 19th time in history. And right on cue, both sides of the political aisle began attempting to assign blame and assume the moral high ground, with the aid of hashtags and tales of children at risk. But this isn't just another soap opera from the swamp, for the swamp. History and hard data tell us the gears of government grinding to a halt will have nationwide consequences, hurting red states and blue states alike."

WalletHub ranked states and Washington, D.C., on the effects of shutting down the federal government.

     To determine whose homes a government shutdown strikes closest to, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across six key metrics. They range from each state's share of federal jobs and contracts, to the percentage of kids covered by the Children's Health Insurance Program.

     Most affected is District of Columbia, followed by adjacent Maryland and Virginia. Fourth is Alaska, followed by Hawaiʻi and New Mexico, Montana and Oklahoma.

     The analysis compared such rankings as highest share of federal jobs, where D.C. is first and Hawaiʻi second. Hawaiʻi ranks first in a category called Highest Real Estate as Percentage of Gross State Product. WalletHub explains that Gross State Product is like GDP at the state level. It noted that mortgage processing is affected by staffing shortages in the IRS, FHA, and VA.

     See WalletHub findings and methodology used at wallethub.com/edu/government-shutdown-report/1111/.

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A 30 percent tariff was slapped on imported solar panels today by the federal government. 
Photo from HELCO

A THIRTY PERCENT TARIFF was slapped on foreign-made solar panels on Monday by the Trump administration, which said it wants to encourage manufacturing in the U.S. Solar companies said, however, it will reduce the number of jobs for installing solar by the thousands. Pacific Business News carried a headline saying, "Trump's 30% tariff on solar panel imports could hurt Hawaiʻi's recovering solar sector." See PBN.

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CITIZENS UNITED V. FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION was decided in the Supreme Court eight years ago, allowing corporations to be treated as people with the First Amendment right to free speech. The decision is now exercised in unlimited campaign spending, said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. She released a statement Monday saying, "That decision opened the floodgates of dark money, Super PACs, and corporate spending in our elections. That's why, instead of passing a year-long funding bill to keep the government open, Congress passed a tax bill which lobbyists helped write, giving billions of dollars in tax breaks to corporations.
     "It's why some members of Congress think they don't have to negotiate on behalf of the people, and it's one of the reasons why I refuse to accept any PAC money," wrote the Congresswoman.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard issued a petition on Monday, calling for the overturn of Citizens United.

     Said Gabbard, "Each new election breaks the record of dollars raised and spent by Super PACs in the election that preceded it. Advertisements spread ugly, misleading attacks on the integrity and motivations of people who wish to serve in public office, and the scramble for money leaves people of modest means excluded from the process."
     Gabbard contends that "With dark money pouring in thanks to Citizens United, Congress doesn't feel accountable to their constituents anymore. It's up to us to fight back and make sure our voices are heard." She asks that Hawaiʻi citizens sign her petition to overturn Citizens United "and get our government to put people before profits."

     "Our democracy should not allow corporations to tilt our elections to protect their bottom lines. Our founders left the aristocratic English society to form a better government of, by, and for the people. But today it is dominated by an oligarchy of corporate interests. We need a renewed effort to make our government accountable to the people it was created to serve.

     "Each new generation of Americans has struggled to win the right to vote - from the 15th Amendment to the Women's Suffrage Movement, to the Civil Rights Movement, to campaigns today to restore the Voting Rights Act, enact Automatic Voter Registration, and pass the Weekend Voting Act. Citizens United waters down the principle of one person, one vote that these campaigns uphold. It must be overturned," said Gabbard.

     Gabbard urges people "to mark the anniversary of Citizens United, amidst a government shutdown caused by partisan politics," by signing the petition to break through the noise of dark money and Super PAC spending. "The American people want a level playing field in our economy, in our elections, and in our treatment under the law. We can do this together."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at 

 kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/januaryevents.html. 

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, weekly events at 
kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/januarycommunity.html.
January print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i 
through Volcano. Also available free on stands throughout
the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE

Boys Basketball: Tuesday, Jan. 23, @ Wai‘ākea.
     Saturday, Jan. 27, HPA @ Ka‘ū.
     Monday, Jan. 29, @ Parker.
     Wednesday, Jan. 31, Kealakehe @ Ka‘ū.
     Saturday, Feb. 3, @ Kamehameha.

Boys Soccer: Thursday, Jan. 25, @ Pāhoa.

Swimming: Friday, Jan. 26, @ Kamehameha (BIIF Championships, prelims).
     Saturday, Jan. 27, @ Kamehameha (BIIF Championships, finals).

Wrestling: Saturday, Jan. 27 @ HPA.
     Saturday, Feb. 3 @ Kealakehe.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

H.O.V.E. ROAD MAINTENANCE CORP. meets Tuesday, Jan. 23, at 10 a.m., in their office in Ocean View. For more, visit hoveroad.com, or call 929-9910.

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL committees meet Tuesday, Jan. 23, with a full council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 24. Both meeting days take place in Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS IS COMING TO KA‘Ū on Tuesday, Jan. 23, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. The public is invited to learn about Kamehameha School's Strategic Plan 2015-2020, and representatives will be on hand to take community input for changes and future planning. See ksbe.edu for more information.

VOLCANO ASH FROM KĪLAUEA VOLCANO'S SUMMIT LAVA LAKE: from the mundane to the unexpected, an After Dark in the Park presentation, takes place Tuesday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m., in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. An illustrated lecture in which USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Don Swanson demonstrates how systematic, long-term collections of ash erupted from the lava lake at Kīlauea's summit can lead to surprising but fundamental discoveries. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

AUDITIONS ARE TUESDAY, JAN. 23 AND WEDNESDAY, JAN. 24 for Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network's performance of How the Other Half Loves by Alan Ayckbourn. There are parts for three women and three men. Auditions begin at 6:30 p.m. at Volcano School of Arts & Sciences Middle School Campus at Keakealani on Haunani Road in Volcano. The audition site was changed due to uncertainty surrounding availability of Kīlauea Theatre within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, which has been closed due to the federal government shutdown. The show will play Mar. 9 - 25 at Kīlauea Theatre. For more information, call 982-7344.

REGISTER KEIKI BY THURSDAY, JAN. 24, FOR ‘O KA‘Ū KAKOU'S 10TH ANNUAL Keiki Fishing Tournament, held on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilions. The event is open to keiki from one to 14 years old, with pick-up & drop-off locations for registration forms at: Nā‘ālehu Elementary School, Nā‘ālehu Ace Hardware, Pāhala Elementary School, Mizuno Superette in Pāhala, Pāhala Gas Station, Wiki Wiki Mart in Nā‘ālehu, Ka‘ū Learning Academy, Kahuku Country Market in Ocean View, and Ocean View Auto Parts. Pre-registration ends 5 p.m., Jan. 24. Register at event from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Fishing until noon, then lunch and prizes. Every participant gets a prize. Grand and mini-grand prize drawing - including personal tablets. For more, call Guy Enriques at 217-2253 or Wayne Kawachi at 937-4773 or visit okaukakou.org.

STEWARDSHIP OF KĪPUKAPUAULU takes place at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, with volunteers meeting in the Kīpukapuaulu parking lot on Mauna Loa Road off Hwy 11 in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Volunteers will help remove invasive plants, like morning glory, from an area said to be home to an "astonishing diversity of native forest and understory plants." Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, contact Marilyn Nicholson at nickem@hawaii.rr.com or visit nps.gov/HAVO.

Native ‘ōhelo berry plant freed from a thicket of invasive ginger.

Photo from J. Ferracane, National Park Service

U.H. COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESOURCES Kona Cooperative Extension Service has put out a save the date announcement for two Coffee Berry Borer 101 Workshops for New and Beginning Coffee Farmers.
     The free two-hour class teaches the basics of coffee berry borer identification, biology, and management. It is planned for Thursday, Jan. 25, and Saturday, Jan. 27, and will take place in the Kona Cooperative Extension Service office at 79-7381 Mamalahoa Highway in Kealakekua.
     Representatives of the Extension Service office ask everyone to, "Please let new coffee farmers know about this upcoming workshop. A flyer will be distributed and available soon."

     For more details, visit hawaiicoffeeed.com.

MUSICIAN AND TEXTILE ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE GIVE A DUAL PERFORMANCE in Friday, Jan. 26, starting at 6 p.m., in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Will Oldham (performs as Bonnie "Prince" Billy) will sing and play music, and his wife, fiber/textile artist Elsa Hansen Oldham, stitches on stage as her handiwork is projected on a movie screen. Oldham is an acclaimed singer/songwriter whose music has been described as an alternative blend of country-folk and punk; Hansen-Oldham's quilting and cross-stitch work puts a folksy pop-art spin on history and modern culture. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, see nps.gov/HAVO.

KA‘Ū RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION offers a free informational and educational presentation, Crystal Meth Addiction in Communities, as part of their Call to Action Prevention Campaign. Certified Prevention Specialist Gary Shimabukuro will give the presentation on Friday, Jan. 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Ka‘ū Gym & Disaster Shelter's multi-purpose room. Pre-registration is required. For more information, call Ka‘ū Resource & Distance Learning Center at 928-0101.

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT takes place Friday, Jan. 26, with volunteers removing invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Interested volunteers should meet Paul and Jane Filed at Kīlauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, see nps.gov/HAVO.

MAKE LEI WITH KAIPO AHCHONG AT VOLCANO ART CENTER'S ALOHA FRIDAY event on January 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the VAC Gallery porch.
     Tropical Agriculture farmer AhChong shares his expert lei-making skills. As a member of Halau Na Kamalei, his unique experience marries the science of agriculture with Hawaiian lei and hula traditions.
     Aloha Friday cultural demonstrations are held each week. These free cultural events are supported in part by a grant from the County of Hawai‘i Dept. of Research and Development, and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. National Park entrance fees apply. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org.

U.H. Assistant Professor Noa Kekuewa Lincoln will attend Friday's Coffee
Talk at Kahuku, to discuss the pre-contact agricultural system used at Kahuku.
Photo from www2.hawaii.edu

LEARN MORE ABOUT AND DISCUSS THE AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM USED IN PRE-CONTACT HAWAI‘I during Coffee Talk on Friday, Jan. 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Kahuku Unit Visitor Center of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (entrance located south of the 70.5 mile marker on the mauka side of Hwy 11).
     During the January event, Farming the Rock in Ka‘ū: The Agriculture Field System of Kahuku, University of Hawai‘i Professors Seth Quintus and Noa Kekuewa Lincoln discuss their work uncovering the Ka‘ū field system at Kahuku, as well as how this knowledge might serve Hawai‘i in the future. Ka‘ū coffee, tea, and pastries will be available for purchase. For more, see nps.gov/HAVO.

A BUILD YOUR OWN MINI ORCHID DISPLAY workshop is offered by Volcano Art Center on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village.

     Hilo Orchid Society's Shelby Smith and Donna Barr will be on hand to answer questions and show tips, tricks, and their orchid "know-how." Different categories of mini orchid displays will be covered, including Garden, Flower Arrangement/Cut Flowers/Ikebana, and Keiki.
     Pre-registration is required. Volcano Art Center members pay $20 and non-members pay $25.
     The event description on volcanoartcenter.org says, "Not only will you learn a thing or two, but also, thanks to the Hilo Orchid Society, you'll be able to take home an orchid."

Volunteer to help count humpback whales off the coast near Ka‘ū.
See event details at right. Photo from NOAA

COUNT HUMPBACK WHALES FOR THE SANCTUARY OCEAN COUNT on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., at one of four locations along the coast in/near Ka‘ū District: Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at Ka‘ena Point - end of Chain of Craters Road; Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park; Ka Lae Park at the end of South Point Road; and Miloli‘i Lookout - from Hwy 11, continue makai towards Miloliʻi Beach Park, 1.9 miles down, turn left on Awapuhi and continue to dead end.
     Participants tally humpback whale sightings and document the animals' surface behavior during the survey, which provides valuable data to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Bring sun protection, water, snacks, and a cushion to sit on. Arrive 30 minutes prior to start time for orientation. Register at sanctuaryoceancount.org. Free; park entrance fees apply. Count will be held again on Feb. 24 and Mar. 31. Read more about locations at hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov.

U.H.-CTAHR EXTENSION AGENT ANDREA KAWABATA offers a Coffee Berry Borer Identification and Management Presentation at the Hamakua Harvest Farmers' Market on Sunday, Jan. 28, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Learn about identifying CBB and how to manage this coffee pest. "This class will be fairly basic, but see me after the presentation if you have specific questions," says Kawabata. The market is located at the intersection of Mamane Street and Hwy 19. For more details, visit hawaiicoffeeed.com.

HEATHER METTLER'S GLASSWORK - handblown, chiseled, and etched - is showcased in a new Volcano Art Center Gallery Exhibit: Passage and Place. The display will continue to be shown until Sunday, Feb. 11, during normal gallery hours - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Mettler's unique collection of glass explores the themes of migration, navigation, and immigration - how plants, animals, and people find their way to Hawai‘i. Free; park entrance fees apply.

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Ka‘ū News Briefs Sunday, January 21, 2018

Legumes - consisting of beans, peas, lentils, and others - are a key component to short-term and long-term health,
according to Blue Zones Project. "A diet free of legumes may have adverse effects on health." See story below.
Photo from bluezones.com

WITH PUBLIC VIEWING OF THE CRATER UNAVAILABLE WITH THE SHUTDOWN OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT and closure of most of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Kīlauea volcano continues to erupt at its summit and from the Puʻu ʻŌʻō vent on its East Rift Zone, according the U.S.G.S. Hawaiian Observatory, which is on the job monitoring.
     "The episode 61g lava flow is producing scattered surface flow activity and lava is not entering the ocean. Lava flows pose no threat to nearby communities at this time." According to HVO, "Summit tiltmeters continue to record deflationary tilt. Early Friday morning, a rockfall from the wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater plunged into the lava lake, producing a short-lived explosion of spatter and wallrock that blanketed an area around the former visitor

overlook. Debris fell as far as the Halemaʻumaʻu parking lot. Before the rockfall, the lava lake was 39 m (128 ft) below the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater and the level dropped overnight. Sulfur dioxide emission rates remain high. Seismicity is at normal levels, with tremor fluctuations related to the vigor of lava lake spattering."

     Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park stated on Saturday that closures of the main gate, concessions, and most features of the park involves a reduction in staff during the government shutdown. The staff is needed to help keep visitors safe.

     Webcam views of the lava lake can be found at: volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia
_webcams.html. A short video of Friday's event can be found at:

volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/multimedia_uploads/multimediaFile-1846.mp4.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park boardwalks stand empty, with no income
from visitors who pay entrance fees and frequent local businesses.
NPS Photo

IN DEFENSE OF NATIONAL PARKS, Sen. Mazie Hirono - the Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources National Parks Subcommittee - and other Senate Democrats slammed Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke regarding continued attacks on National Park Service employees. In a letter to Zinke, released on Friday, Hirono and colleagues outlined detrimental actions the Department of Interior has taken, such as cutting the NPS budget by 13 percent; increasing fees at 17 of the most popular national parks; and welcoming the resignation of nine of 12 members of the National Park System Advisory Board.
     "We are alarmed by recent reports regarding activities that are clearly undermining the mission of the National Park Service and the morale of Department of the Interior's workforce which has declined since you took office," the Senators wrote. "Since the start of this administration, staff within the National Park Service have been silenced and ignored. Many of these dedicated public servants have devoted their careers to protecting our nation's greatest treasures for the enjoyment of all Americans."

     The 2017 report on financial contribution to the community surrounding Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park stated that in 2016, the number of visitors to the park reach 1,887,580. Visitors to the park spent $159,195,500 in communities near the park. "That spending supported 1,917 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $199,923,400," the National Park Service reported. The visitor spending was for lodging (31.2 percent), followed by food and beverages (27.2 percent), gas and oil (11.7 percent), admissions and fees (10.2 percent), souvenirs and other expenses (9.7 percent), local transportation (7.4 percent), and camping fees (2.5%).

     Every day that the park is closed results in reduced income for these sectors of the local economy, lack of income for National Park staff, and the consequential reduction in their local spending in their communities.

Viewing Halema‘uma‘u at night to see the fire
and the stars is a popular activity of visitors to
Volcano and Ka‘ū. Photo by Peter Anderson

     Most of the park, including the main entrance where entrance fees are taken, has been closed since Saturday morning. Visit www.nps.gov and select Find a Park for additional information about access to other parks and sites in Hawai‘i. However, with the federal government shutdown, NPS social media and websites are not being monitored or updated and may not reflect current conditions.

     For updates on the shutdown, visit www.doi.gov/shutdown.

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REACTING TO THE CONTINUING FEDERAL SHUTDOWN, Sen. Mazie Hirono took to the U.S. Senate floor on Sunday to call out Pres. Donald Trump. She said, "When Donald Trump was a private citizen during the last government shutdown he said, 'Problems start from the top, and they have to get solved from the top, and the President's the leader, and he's got to get everybody in a room, and he's got to lead.'  Donald Trump said this when President Obama was President. But now that Donald Trump is the President and has those shoes to wear, he refuses to step into them and step up."

     Said Hirono, "The only person who actually said maybe we need a good shutdown is President Trump. Recently, Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney also said it was 'cool' to shut down the government. No, not cool," said Hirono. "This may explain why the President keeps shooting down bipartisan efforts to prevent a shutdown." See Hirono's remarks.

Sen. Mazie Hirono noted that Trump's Budget Director said it was "cool"
 to shut down government. See Hirono's remarks on the Senate floor Sunday.

     Hirono also announced that she will donate pay she receives during the government shutdown to Hawai‘i's 14 Federally Qualified Community Health Centers. "Community Health Centers serve hundreds of thousands of Hawai‘i residents, including keiki who rely on the Children's Health Insurance Program. Despite broad bipartisan support for both of these programs, the President and Congressional Republicans allowed them to lapse last September. I know we can negotiate a bipartisan compromise to end the shutdown that restores resources for these critical services, protects DREAMers, and includes parity between defense and non-defense spending."

     Hirono said her salary will be divided equally between Bay Clinic, West Hawai‘i Community Health Center, Hamakua Health Center, Community Clinic of Maui, Hana Community Health Center, Ho‘ola Lahui Hawai‘i, Kalihi-Palama Health Center, Ko‘olauloa Community Health and Wellness Center, Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services, Lana‘i Community Health Center, Moloka‘i ‘Ohana Health Care, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Waikiki Health, and Waimanalo Health Center.

     During the 2013 government shutdown, Hirono donated her salary to Lanakila Pacific, the Hawai‘i County Economic Opportunity Council, Kaua‘i Economic Opportunity, and Hale Mahaolu.

     In Washington, D.C., both Senators and Representatives worked through the weekend, and said they hoped to reach agreements to vote on bills Monday to reopen government.

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CRYSTAL METH ADDICTION IN COMMUNITIES  is the free presentation for the public this Friday at Ka‘ū District Gym's Multipurpose Room from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
     The session, sponsored by Ka‘ū Rural Health Community Association, is part of the organization's Call to Action Prevention Campaign. Certified Prevention Specialist Gary Shimabukuro will lead the educational and informational event. Pre-registration is required. For more information, call Ka‘ū Resource & Distance Learning Center at 928-0101.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram
and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

THE BLUE ZONES PROJECT, which hosts healthy eating events in Ka‘ū, is promoting a food that seems to help people live longer. "Beans, peas and lentils, all members of the legume family, are loaded with fiber and protein and may even add years to your life. One seven-year study found that for every additional 1/3 cup of beans seniors ate each day, their risk of dying fell seven to eight percent. According to Blue Zones’ Power 9 principles, a typical centenarian - a person who lives to be at least 100 years old - living in a Blue Zone, eats meat, typically pork, only five times each month. The cornerstone of these people's diet? You guessed it - legumes," says a statement from Blue Zones released this week.

Blue Zones says eating legumes, like roasted chickpeas,
daily, could increase longevity. Photo from bluezones.com

     "A diet free of legumes may have adverse effects on health. A bean-free diet may increase risk of metabolic syndrome, a collection of risk factors, like high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Additionally, one study suggests women who don’t consume beans have a higher mortality rate than those who do. Eating legumes is beneficial in the short-term, too. Consuming beans and other legumes each day lowers your risk of certain conditions, halts the development of some disease and promotes overall health."
     Blue Zones reports four reasons to load up on legumes:
     Reduce cholesterol levels: Beans are loaded with fiber - about 60 percent of the daily recommended value in one cup of black beans. Black beans also contain soluble fiber, which reduces your body's absorption of cholesterol and can decrease high cholesterol levels, a risk factor for heart disease. Consuming between five and 10 grams of soluble fiber per day can lower cholesterol - a cup of black bean contains more than seven grams. Opt for dried beans or rinse canned beans to remove excess salt. Too much sodium in your diet can increase blood pressure, another heart disease risk factor.
     Lower diabetes risk: Legumes have a low glycemic load, which is beneficial for many reasons, including regulating blood sugar levels. A glycemic load determines how much a food will affect blood sugar levels. Aim to consume a total daily glycemic load of less than 100; a half a cup of kidney beans has a load of six. Legumes also prevent blood sugar spikes, so they provide your body with steady energy.
     Fight diseases like cancer: Legumes are loaded with fiber, which may prevent some digestive cancers. Beans, especially black beans, contain nutrients, like antioxidants and flavonoids, that help fight disease.
     Help control weight: Legumes are low in calories. When consumed in excess, any food can contribute a few extra inches to your waistline. A half-cup of garbanzo beans contains only 135 calories and no saturated fat, plus fiber and protein, which keep you fuller for longer. Fiber also promotes regularity.
     Sneak legumes into every meal: The weekly recommended intake of beans for adult men and women is between two and three cups, but Americans seldom reach these goals. Incorporating legumes into your diet can be simple and tasty, too. Some suggestions: Hide black beans in brownies by swapping flour for pureed black beans; blend garbanzo beans, also called chickpeas, into a hummus spread and add to a sandwich or use as a dip for veggies; swap half a cup of cooked lentils for your typical protein in a lunchtime salad. Half a cup contains only 115 calories, but has 9 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber. Cook up some soup for a hearty meal or puree a cup of peas in the next bowl of pesto. Start the morning with a boost of energy and a punch of fiber, protein, and iron by folding plump kidney beans into an omelet, instead of bacon or ham.

Learn to grow edible and
 medicinal mushrooms with
Instructor Zach Mermel.
Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

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GROWING EDIBLE & MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS is the subject of a workshop Saturday, Feb. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village.
     Instructor Zach Mermel teaches the basics of mushroom cultivation in the Food From Wood: Growing Edible & Medicinal Mushrooms on Logs, Stumps, and Wood Chips workshop. The event description states, "If you're an eager epicurean, avid horticulturalist or just interested in mushrooms, Zach encourages you along with farmers, gardeners, and homeowners seeking to incorporate the growing of gourmet and medicinal mushrooms into their lives and livelihoods to attend."

Learn basic Fungal Biology and discover the health benefits of 
different edible mushrooms in Hawai‘i at a workshop in Volcano. 
See story below. Photo from Volcano Art Center

     The course demonstrates how undesirable exotic trees located throughout Hawaiʻi can be used toward the purpose of growing mushrooms. "By teaming with certain fungi, you can turn that pesky plant problem into an edible solution. A wonder drug or just darn tasty, the humble mushroom belongs to a kingdom seldom explored. Mushrooms are an excellent source of vegetarian protein and nutrition with the added bonus of 'easy to grow.' Their health benefits are well known and their ecological advantages are just now being fully realized… You'll also discover the health benefits of different edible and medicinal fungi in Hawai‘i," says the event description. Learn basic Fungal Biology and how fungal mycelium colonizes different materials - particularly wooden logs, stumps, and wood chips.
     Pre-registration is required. Course fees are $50 for Volcano Art Center members and $55 for non-members. Each participant will depart with a shiitake mushroom log kit and a King Stropharia mushroom kit. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org.

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KAʻŪ TROJANS WON in varsity boys basketball on Saturday in Kohala. In JV, Trojans scored 29, with top scorers Kyson Toriano bringing in 13 and Kaikea Kaupu Manini scoring 10. Kohala won with 33 points. In Varsity, Kaʻū beat Kohala 45 to 30, with Trojans leading scorers Nanioa Ke making 16 points and Andre Carvalho coming up with 14.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at 

 kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/januaryevents.html. 

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, weekly events at 
kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/januarycommunity.html.
January print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i 
through Volcano. Also available free on stands throughout
the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE

Boys Basketball: Tuesday, Jan. 23, @ Wai‘ākea.
     Saturday, Jan. 27, HPA @ Ka‘ū.
     Monday, Jan. 29, @ Parker.
     Wednesday, Jan. 31, Kealakehe @ Ka‘ū.
     Saturday, Feb. 3, @ Kamehameha.

Boys Soccer: Thursday, Jan. 25, @ Pāhoa.

Swimming: Friday, Jan. 26, @ Kamehameha (BIIF Championships, prelims).
     Saturday, Jan. 27, @ Kamehameha (BIIF Championships, finals).

Wrestling: Saturday, Jan. 27 @ HPA.
     Saturday, Feb. 3 @ Kealakehe.

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H.O.V.E. ROAD MAINTENANCE CORP. meets Tuesday, Jan. 23, at 10 a.m., in their office in Ocean View. For more, visit hoveroad.com, or call 929-9910.

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL committees meet Tuesday, Jan. 23, with a full council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 24. Both meeting days take place in Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

VOLCANO ASH FROM KĪLAUEA VOLCANO'S SUMMIT LAVA LAKE: from the mundane to the unexpected, an After Dark in the Park presentation, takes place Tuesday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m., in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. An illustrated lecture in which U.S.G.S. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Don Swanson demonstrates how systematic, long-term collections of ash erupted from the lava lake at Kīlauea's summit can lead to surprising but fundamental discoveries. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

REGISTER KEIKI BY THURSDAY, JAN. 24, FOR ‘O KA‘Ū KAKOU'S 10TH ANNUAL Keiki Fishing Tournament held on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilions. The event is open to keiki from one to 14 years old, with pick-up & drop-off locations for registration forms at: Nā‘ālehu Elementary School, Nā‘ālehu Ace Hardware, Pāhala Elementary School, Mizuno Superette in Pāhala, Pāhala Gas Station, Wiki Wiki Mart in Nā‘ālehu, Ka‘ū Learning Academy, Kahuku Country Market in Ocean View, and Ocean View Auto Parts. Pre-registration ends 5 p.m., Jan. 24. Register at event from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Fishing until noon, then lunch and prizes. Every participant gets a prize. Grand and mini-grand prize drawing - including personal tablets. For more, call Guy Enriques at 217-2253 or Wayne Kawachi at 937-4773 or visit okaukakou.org.

STEWARDSHIP OF KĪPUKAPUAULU takes place at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, with volunteers meeting in the Kīpukapuaulu parking lot on Mauna Loa Road off Hwy 11 in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Volunteers will help remove invasive plants, like morning glory, from an area said to be home to an "astonishing diversity of native forest and understory plants." Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, contact Marilyn Nicholson at nickem@hawaii.rr.com or visit nps.gov/HAVO.

Learn about Coffee Berry Borer at a workshop
in Kealakekua Thursday/Saturday.
Photo from CTAHR

U.H. COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESOURCES Kona Cooperative Extension Service has put out a save the date announcement for two Coffee Berry Borer 101 Workshops for New and Beginning Coffee Farmers.
     The free two-hour class teaches the basics of coffee berry borer identification, biology, and management. It is planned for Thursday, Jan. 25, and Saturday, Jan. 27, and will take place in the Kona Cooperative Extension Service office at 79-7381 Mamalahoa Highway in Kealakekua.
     Representatives of the Extension Service office ask everyone to "Please let new coffee farmers know about this upcoming workshop. A flyer will be distributed and available soon."

     For more details, visit hawaiicoffeeed.com.

MUSICIAN AND TEXTILE ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE GIVE A DUAL PERFORMANCE on Friday, Jan. 26, starting at 6 p.m., in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Will Oldham (performs as Bonnie "Prince" Billy) will sing and play music, and his wife, fiber/textile artist Elsa Hansen Oldham, stitches on stage as her handiwork is projected on a movie screen. Oldham is an acclaimed singer/songwriter whose music has been described as an alternative blend of country-folk and punk; Hansen-Oldham's quilting and cross-stitch work puts a folksy pop-art spin on history and modern culture. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, see nps.gov/HAVO.

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT takes place Friday, Jan. 26, with volunteers removing invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Interested volunteers should meet Paul and Jane Filed at Kīlauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, see nps.gov/HAVO.

See glasswork by Heather Mettler at Volcano Art
Center Gallery's current Exhibit. See event
details below. Photo from Volcano Art Center

LEARN MORE ABOUT AND DISCUSS THE AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM USED IN PRE-CONTACT HAWAI‘I during Coffee Talk on Friday, Jan. 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Kahuku Unit Visitor Center of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (entrance located south of the 70.5 mile marker on the mauka side of Hwy 11).
     During the January event, Farming the Rock in Ka‘ū: The Agriculture Field System of Kahuku, University of Hawai‘i Professors Seth Quintus and Noa Kekuewa Lincoln discuss their work uncovering the Ka‘ū field system at Kahuku, as well as how this knowledge might serve Hawai‘i in the future. Ka‘ū coffee, tea, and pastries will be available for purchase. For more, see nps.gov/HAVO.

MAKE LEI WITH KAIPO AHCHONG AT VOLCANO ART CENTER'S ALOHA FRIDAY event on January 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the VAC Gallery porch.
     Tropical Agriculture farmer AhChong shares his expert lei-making skills. As a member of Halau Na Kamalei, his unique experience marries the science of agriculture with Hawaiian lei and hula traditions.
     Aloha Friday cultural demonstrations are held each week. These free cultural events are supported in part by a grant from the County of Hawai‘i Dept. of Research and Development, and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. National Park entrance fees apply. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org.

A BUILD YOUR OWN MINI ORCHID DISPLAY workshop is offered by Volcano Art Center on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village.

     Hilo Orchid Society's Shelby Smith and Donna Barr will be on hand to answer questions and show tips, tricks, and their orchid "know-how." Different categories of mini orchid displays will be covered, including Garden, Flower Arrangement/Cut Flowers/Ikebana, and Keiki.
     Pre-registration is required. Volcano Art Center members pay $20 and non-members pay $25.
     The event description on volcanoartcenter.org says, "Not only will you learn a thing or two, but also, thanks to the Hilo Orchid Society, you'll be able to take home an orchid."

COUNT HUMPBACK WHALES FOR THE SANCTUARY OCEAN COUNT on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., at one of four locations along the coast in/near Ka‘ū District: Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at Ka‘ena Point - end of Chain of Craters Road; Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park; Ka Lae Park at the end of South Point Road; and Miloli‘i Lookout - from Hwy 11, continue makai towards Miloliʻi Beach Park, 1.9 miles down, turn left on Awapuhi and continue to dead end.
     Participants tally humpback whale sightings and document the animals' surface behavior during the survey, which provides valuable data to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Bring sun protection, water, snacks, and a cushion to sit on. Arrive 30 minutes prior to start time for orientation. Register at sanctuaryoceancount.org. Free; park entrance fees apply. Count will be held again on Feb. 24 and Mar. 31. Read more about locations at hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov.

HEATHER METTLER'S GLASSWORK - handblown, chiseled, and etched - is showcased in a new Volcano Art Center Gallery Exhibit: Passage and Place. The display will continue to be shown until Sunday, Feb. 11, during normal gallery hours - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Mettler's unique collection of glass explores the themes of migration, navigation, and immigration - how plants, animals, and people find their way to Hawai‘i. Free; park entrance fees apply.

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Ka‘ū News Briefs Saturday, January 20, 2018

A Small, Olive Green, Stone Wheel-Cut Vase with Sand Blasted ‘Alalā and Tapa Band by Heather Mettler was 
auctioned at Volcano Art Center's 13th Annual Love of the Arts fundraiser gala. The 14th Annual event will 
take place Feb. 24. See more artwork by Mettler at the Volcano Art Center Gallery's ongoing exhibit: 
Passage and Place. See event details below. Photo from Volcano Art Center 

HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK is closing. Visitors are being turned away at the entry gate at Hwy 11 and Crater Rim Drive. Kīlauea Military Camp and Volcano House hotel guests have been given until Monday morning to leave the area. Campgrounds in the park are being closed. Crater Rim Drive, Chain of Craters Road, and the overlook at Jagaar Museum into Kīlauea Caldera are closed. Kilauea Visitor Center and Theater, and Volcano Art Center Gallery are closed.
     Volcano House Restaurant, KMC's Crater Rim restaurant and Lava Lounge, KMC's bowling alley and other concessions, are all shutting down. Back-county permits and overnight camping permits will not be allowed.
     The closure is due to "the lapse in federal appropriations," says a message from park staff, following the Friday failure by Congress to fund the federal government.

With Congress' failure to fund the federal government by Friday at
midnight, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is turning away visitors
at its main entry. Kilauea Overlook, most trails, and other features
are off limits, due to lack of staffing. NPS photo

     "Hazards associated with the active volcano pose a significant risk to the safety of visitors in the absence of National Park Service staff," says the message. The ongoing eruption of Kīlauea Volcano, both at the summit and from the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent, contribute to hazards that require close monitoring and management of visitor areas by park staff.
     Hwy 11, which passes through the park, remains open. Also open is Mauna Loa Road to Kīpukapuaulu and its trail, with the day-use area and tree molds open. Ka‘ū Desert Trail is open to the Footprints exhibit shelter. However, no NPS services are being provided and access could be closed at any time.
     "The hazardous geologic processes and the immediate threats to visitor health and safety necessitate the restriction of access to areas that are volcanically active. These closed areas include the entire summit area of Kīlauea, Crater Rim Drive, Chain of Craters Road, and the active lava flow within the park boundary," says the message.

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DURING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, no pay will be kept by Hawai'i Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, the two announced on Saturday. Gabbard, who represents Ka‘ū and rural Hawai'i, said, “Congress’ job is to serve the people, and it has failed. Partisan posturing and grandstanding has taken precedence over human lives. Enough is enough. The failure to pass a year-long budget, and allowing the government to shut down, while playing political football with issues of humanity is inexcusable. I will not accept any pay during this shutdown, and stand with our troops. law enforcement, first responders, and federal employees in Hawai'i and nationwide who continue to serve and report for duty with no pay during this shutdown. Congress needs to put people before politics and reopen the government.”

     Hanabusa, who represents urban O'ahu, and is running for governor, said, “If we cannot work together through the regular order to keep the government funded and functioning then we should put our salaries to good use supporting causes that help people and nurture the communities who need it most. I intend to donate the salary I earn during the period that the government is shut down to charity.” Both Members also did not take pay during the 2013 government shutdown. In 2013, Gabbard returned her salary to the U.S. Treasury and Hanabusa donated her salary to Meals on Wheels and the Moili'ili Community Center.

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KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS IS COMING TO KA‘Ū on Tuesday, Jan. 23, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. The public is invited to learn about the schools, founded in 1887 by Ke Aliʻi Bernice Pauahi Pākī Bishop to benefit Native Hawaiian children. Kamehameha provides outreach programs in public schools here and also accommodates students from Ka‘ū at its Keaʻau campus. Presented will be Kamehameha School's Viston & Strategic Plan.
     Representatives will explain Kamehameha Schools Strategic Plan 2015-2020 and take community input for changes and future planning.
     A Kamehameha Schools statement on the current plan says, "Despite the progress of previous decades, academic achievement is a persistent concern for many Native Hawaiians. For example, 14 percent of Native Hawaiians who graduate from high school go on to complete a postsecondary degree. This has serious implications for economic self-sufficiency, given that 65 percent of jobs will require some kind of postsecondary degree."
     The population of Native Hawaiians, ages 0-24, was estimated by Kamehameha Schools to have been approximately 152,000 in 2015. Of those old enough for school, about 7,000 were in Kamehameha Schools, 7,000 in private schools, 4,000 in Hawaiian-focused charter schools, and the remainder assigned to public schools.
     By 2040, the number of Native Hawaiian young learners will increase to about 247,000, predicts Kamehameha Schools. "Even with a strong endowment and a strong tradition of educational programming, Kamehameha Schools may not be able to keep up with this population growth. New approaches will be essential to produce the transformation change we envision for all Native Hawaiian learners," says the statement.
     The strategic plan includes delivering a "world-class, culture-based education through a network of Native Hawaiian schools, inclusive of our KS schools and Native Hawaiian charter and immersion schools." The plan calls for programs that enable keiki to be ready for kindergarten; read at grade level or higher in third grade; be academically prepared in eighth grade; graduate from high school on time, prepared for the next step; complete postsecondary education and training; and to be engaged in local and global servant leadership, culturally committed.

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KEEPING INFORMED ABOUT HAWAIIAN VOLCANOES is the first step to preparedness. That is the headline for this week's Volcano Watch column by U.S.G.S. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists:
     With recent attention focused on the need to be prepared for all hazards, this week's Volcano Watch offers ways to stay informed about Hawaiian volcanoes and earthquakes.

Spectacular aerial view of Kīlauea Volcano's East Rift Zone lava flows advancing over Pūlama pali in mid-December 2017. As surface lava flows moved through the center kipuka (forested area) on the pali, smoke 

rose from the burning vegetation. Gases emitted from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, the source of the 61g lava flow, can be 

seen in the distance above the smoke from the burning kipuka. Mauna Loa (left) and Mauna Kea (right) are

 visible in the far distance. Looking carefully in front of Mauna Loa, the gas plume rising

 above Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea can be seen. Capturing both the summit and East Rift

Zone eruptions in one photo is a rare sight. U.S.G.S. photo by C. Parcheta

     Today's smartphones and 24/7 news coverage provide an ever-increasing number of ways to follow what's happening in the world of natural hazards, including volcanoes and earthquakes. For some, this barrage of information is challenging. But others might argue that offering hazards information in a variety of ways reaches a broader audience more quickly and efficiently.
     Whatever the preference, there are several ways that Hawaiʻi residents, visitors, and public safety officials, as well as volcano fans around the globe, can follow what's happening at Hawaiian volcanoes.
     First and foremost, the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website (volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo) is available 24/7 for people with access to the Internet. On this website,

When Mauna Loa's Southwest rift zone erupts, where will the lava flow?

These Lava Inundation maps are based on drainage routes and show the

alternatives, depending on exactly where the lava erupts.The were presented

by U.S.G.S. to Ocean View residents on Wednesday. Photo by Ann Bosted

 find daily eruption updates for Kīlauea and weekly updates for Mauna Loa. There are also links to photographs, videos, maps, webcams, monitoring data, Volcano Watch articles, news releases, frequently asked questions, and much more.
     Updates on Hawaiian volcanoes, HVO's weekly Volcano Watch articles, and other volcano postings can also be followed via social media, including Facebook at facebook.com/USGSVolcanoes/ and Twitter at twitter.com/USGSVolcanoes.
     If HVO's website and Internet searches do not yield information sought, email askHVO@usgs.gov to inquire about Hawaiian volcanoes and earthquakes. HVO strives to answer all askHVO email inquiries.
     For people who want information sent to them directly and automatically, day or night, the U.S. Geological Survey offers two notification services: one for volcanoes and one for earthquakes. Hawaiʻi residents interested in rapid notifications about volcanic and seismic activity are encouraged to sign up for both (more than 11,000 subscribers currently receive HVO notices). Here's how:
     The U.S.G.S. Volcano Notification Service (VNS) is a free, customizable email-subscription service that delivers notifications of significant volcanic activity directly to an inbox or cell phone. Sign up for this service at volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/.
     With the VNS, choose from various types of notifications: Updates (daily, weekly, or monthly), Status Reports, Volcano Activity Notices, and/or Information Statements. Select to receive notices only from HVO about specific Hawaiian volcanoes, and/or notices about other U.S. volcanoes in the Cascades, Alaska, California, and at Yellowstone.
     The U.S.G.S. Earthquake Notification Service (ENS) is a similar subscription service for information about earthquakes that occur in Hawaiʻi and elsewhere in the world. The ENS can be customized to deliver messages about earthquakes of particular magnitudes, at specified times, and via preferred method (email or text). Sign up for this free service at earthquake.usgs.gov/ens/.
     HVO also maintains short, recorded telephone messages about Kīlauea's recent eruption activity and Mauna Loa's current status. Call 808-967-8862 (for daily Kīlauea updates) or 808-967-8866 (for weekly Mauna Loa updates) at any time to hear these messages.

   Mauna Loa eruptions produce lava at a much higher rate than those

 of any other Hawaiian volcano, even the highly active Kīlauea Volcano.

This results in fast moving, long lava flows, as shown in this map which

 compares the recent flow which threatened Pāhoa and lasted 126 days (top), 

with four Mauna Loa flows which lasted 3 days, under 18 hours, seven days,

and three days respectively. All the flows are drawn to the same scale. This

poster points out that the fast-flowing lava from Mauna Loa requires fast

 responses in order to protect lives and property. This illustration was shown

 Wednesday to Ocean View residents at a Talk Story at Ocean View 

Community Center. Photo by Ann Bosted

     Not everyone is connected to the Internet. For those folks, tuning into local radio stations and watching a favorite Hawaiʻi television news source are good ways to keep informed about important changes at Hawaiian volcanoes. This is especially true during volcanic and earthquake emergencies, when Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense proactively issues messages via public media about any situation that could impact public safety.

     Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park also provides online information through its What's going on with the volcano? webpage (nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit), which includes links to HVO updates, as well as National Park Service and U.S.G.S. photos and videos. This webpage also provides visitor information on viewing lava safely.

     Volcano Awareness Month - held each January, during which HVO scientists offer programs about Hawaiian volcanoes - is a great way to stay informed. Details about upcoming events are posted on HVO's website (volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/), or email askHVO@usgs.gov or call 808-967-8844 for more info.
     Recently, Kīlauea Volcano's two ongoing eruptions have been relatively steady, but long-time volcano watchers know this could change at any time. An eruption of Mauna Loa is not imminent, but it is an active volcano that will erupt again.
     We hope this review of how to find information about Hawaiian volcanoes will help everyone be ready when changes occur.

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Louise Keali‘iloma King Lanzilotti

LOUISE KEALI‘ILOMA KING LANZILOTTI can be heard in Ka‘ū on Hawai‘i Public Radio - 2, 91.3 FM, on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. She is the new host for the Classical Pacific music program. Lanzilotti, a Hawaiʻi native with extensive experience as conductor, educator, and arts administrator, has been serving as interim host for the program since mid-December.
     Gene Schiller, HPR's music director, welcomes her with these words, "Louise has just what we're looking for in a music host: knowledge, enthusiasm, and that indefinable something called 'personality.' With her deep roots in the islands, she embodies the Classical Pacific perspective."
     The show's repertoire includes the work of individual artists, great orchestras, and opera companies from throughout Asia, Polynesia, and the Americas. Interviews with visiting artists are a regular feature. The show was launched at the time of the station's program realignment in February 2017.
     Lanzilotti comes from a multi-ethnic background that has informed many of her beliefs. Her experience covers artistic, educational, and administrative areas of the arts. As a conductor, she has been the musical director for many musicals in the past 30 years. In 2010, she founded Kalikolehua - El Sistema Hawai‘i, a free orchestra program for children from underserved neighborhoods, focused on transforming lives through music. She was the Managing Director of Honolulu Theatre for Youth from 2001 to 2011, guiding it to greater stability through creative solutions and extensive partnerships. She served as Curator of Education at the former Contemporary Museum from 1988 to 2001. Lanzilotti taught for more than 20 years in public, private, and alternative K-12 schools, developing a method of writing music and plays with students, "which solidified her understanding of the importance of arts engagement for all," says a statement from HPR.

     HPR-2 in Ka‘ū is at 91.3 FM. HPR-1 is at 89.1 FM. For programming see Hawai‘i Public Radio.

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VOLCANO ART CENTER ANNOUNCES ITS 14TH ANNUAL LOVE THE ARTS fundraiser gala at the Ni‘aulani Campus on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. This year's theme, Save the Arts, will incorporate a nautical approach.
     Tickets for the gala are available online at volcanoartcenter.org, or in person at Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village, Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and Basically Books in Hilo - $55 per VAC member and $65 for non-members.
     "Guests will be treated to an evening of fine wine, brews, a luxurious gourmet buffet and spirited Hawaiian music. The live and silent auctions are not to be missed, with unique offerings including original artwork, hotel stays, tours, and jewelry," says the event description.
     Local artists are asked to contribute artwork to be auctioned at the fundraiser - with proceeds used to sustain VAC programs and classes. "These artists and businesses who give to the event do so with a knowledge that their donation will have a direct impact on the survival of the Art Center. The Volcano Art Center is an integral part of this unique community offering a sense of belonging to those who live and work around it,"  says the VAC statement. See volcanoartcenter.org. Find Sponsorship and Artist Donation forms online.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at 

 kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/januaryevents.html. 

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, weekly events at 
kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/januarycommunity.html.
January print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i 
through Volcano. Also available free on stands throughout
the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE

Boys Basketball: Tuesday, Jan. 23, @ Wai‘ākea.
     Saturday, Jan. 27, HPA @ Ka‘ū.
     Monday, Jan. 29, @ Parker.
     Wednesday, Jan. 31, Kealakehe @ Ka‘ū.
     Saturday, Feb. 3, @ Kamehameha.

Boys Soccer: Thursday, Jan. 25, @ Pāhoa.

Swimming: Friday, Jan. 26, @ Kamehameha (BIIF Championships, prelims).
     Saturday, Jan. 27, @ Kamehameha (BIIF Championships, finals).

Wrestling: Saturday, Jan. 27 @ HPA.
     Saturday, Feb. 3 @ Kealakehe.

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PEOPLE & LAND OF KAHUKU, a free, guided hike, takes place on Sunday, Jan. 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., within Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike takes participants over rugged terrain and focuses on the area's human history. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

H.O.V.E. ROAD MAINTENANCE CORP. meets Tuesday, Jan. 23, at 10 a.m., in their office in Ocean View. For more, visit hoveroad.com, or call 929-9910.

U.S.G.S. HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY GEOLOGIST DON SWANSON gives an illustrated lecture demonstrating how systematic, long-term collections of ash erupted from the lava lake at Kīlauea's summit can lead to surprising but fundamental discoveries. The After Dark in the Park presentation, Volcanic Ash from Kīlauea Volcano's Summit lava Lake: from the mundane to the unexpected, takes place Tuesday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m., in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL committees meet Tuesday, Jan. 23, with a full council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 24. Both meeting days take place in Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

REGISTER KEIKI BY THURSDAY, JAN. 24, FOR ‘O KA‘Ū KAKOU'S 10TH ANNUAL Keiki Fishing Tournament held on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilions. The event is open to keiki from one to 14 years old, with pick-up & drop-off locations for registration forms at: Nā‘ālehu Elementary School, Nā‘ālehu Ace Hardware, Pāhala Elementary School, Mizuno Superette in Pāhala, Pāhala Gas Station, Wiki Wiki Mart in Nā‘ālehu, Ka‘ū Learning Academy, Kahuku Country Market in Ocean View and Ocean View Auto Parts. Pre-registration ends 5 p.m., Jan. 24. Register at event from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Fishing until noon, then lunch and prizes. Every participant gets a prize. Grand and mini-grand prize drawing - including personal tablets. For more, call Guy Enriques at 217-2253 or Wayne Kawachi at 937-4773 or visit okaukakou.org.


STEWARDSHIP OF KĪPUKAPUAULU takes place at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, with volunteers meeting in the Kīpukapuaulu parking lot on Mauna Loa Road off Hwy 11 in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Volunteers will help remove invasive plants, like morning glory, from an area said to be home to an "astonishing diversity of native forest and understory plants." Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, contact Marilyn Nicholson at nickem@hawaii.rr.com or visit nps.gov/HAVO.

A SAVE THE DATE FOR TWO COFFEE BOERER 101 WORKSHOPS for New and Beginning Coffee Farmers has been issued by U.H. CTHAR Kona Cooperative Extension Service.
     The free two hour class teaches the basics of coffee berry borer identification, biology and management. It is planned for Thursday, Jan. 25, and Saturday, Jan. 27, and will take place in the Kona Cooperative Extension Service office at 79-7381 Mamalahoa Highway in Kealakekua.
     Representatives of the Extension Service office ask everyone to, "Please let new coffee farmers know about this upcoming workshop. A flyer will be distributed and available soon."
     For more details, visit hawaiicoffeeed.com.

CRYSTAL METH ADDICTION IN COMMUNITIES, a free information and education presentation, is offered on Friday, Jan. 26, by Ka‘ū Rural Health Community Association as part of their Call to Action Prevention Campaign. Certified Prevention Specialist Gary Shimabukuro will give the presentation from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Ka‘ū Gym & Disaster Shelter's multi-purpose room. Pre-registration is required. For more information, call Ka‘ū Resource & Distance Learning Center at 928-0101.

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT takes place Friday, Jan. 26, with volunteers removing invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Interested volunteers should meet Paul and Jane Filed at Kīlauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, see nps.gov/HAVO.

Will Oldham. Photo from wikipedia.com

EXPERIENCE A DUAL MUSICIAN/TEXTILE PERFORMANCE IN VOLCANO on Friday, Jan. 26, starting at 6 p.m., in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Will Oldham (performs as Bonnie "Prince" Billy) will sing and play music, and his wife, fiber/textile artist Elsa Hansen Oldham, stitches on stage as her handiwork is projected on a movie screen. Oldham is an acclaimed singer/songwriter whose music has been described as an alternative blend of country-folk and punk; Hansen-Oldham's quilting and cross-stitch work puts a folksy pop-art spin on history and modern culture. Oldham and Hansen-Oldham are Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Parks Artists-In-Residence. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, see nps.gov/HAVO.

Make lei at Volcano Art Center Gallery.
See event details below.
Photo from Volcano Art Center

FARMING THE ROCK IN KA‘Ū: The Agriculture Field System of Kahuku is the Coffee Talk topic discussed on Friday, Jan. 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Kahuku Unit Visitor Center of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (entrance located south of the 70.5 mile marker on the mauka side of Hwy 11).
     University of Hawai‘i Professors Seth Quintus and Noa Kekuewa Lincoln discuss their work uncovering the Ka‘ū field system at Kahuku, as well as how this knowledge might serve Hawai‘i in the future. Ka‘ū coffee, tea, and pastries will be available for purchase. For more, see nps.gov/HAVO.

MAKE LEI WITH KAIPO AHCHONG AT VOLCANO ART CENTER'S ALOHA FRIDAY event on January 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the VAC Gallery porch.
     Tropical Agriculture farmer AhChong shares his expert lei-making skills. As a member of Halau Na Kamalei, his unique experience marries the science of agriculture with Hawaiian lei and hula traditions.
     National Park entrance fees apply. For more visit volcanoartcenter.org.

VIEW A UNIQUE COLLECTION OF HANDBLOWN, CHISELED, AND ETCHED GLASSWORK by local artist Heather Mettler at a new Volcano Art Center Gallery Exhibit: Passage and Place. The display will continue to be displayed until Sunday, Feb. 11, during normal gallery hours - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. The work showcased explores the themes of migration, navigation, and immigration - how plants, animals, and people find their way to Hawai‘i. Free; park entrance fees apply.

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