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Saturday, June 09, 2018

Kaʻū News Briefs Saturday, June 9, 2018

Longline fishing south of Hawaiʻi Island has resulted in injuries to whales which could lead to closure of
one of the longline tuna fishing areas, according to Environment Hawaiʻi.
  Read the entire story at Environment Hawaiʻi. Photo from Environment Hawaiʻi
RESTRICTIONS ON LONGLINE FISHING SOUTH OF HAWAIʻI ISLAND could go into effect soon, according to a notice this week from Teresa Dawson of Environment Hawaiʻi.
     The non-profit organization reports: "There's a good chance that the Hawaiʻi deep-set longline fishery for bigeye tuna will soon be restricted from a 112,575 square nautical mile area south of the main Hawaiian islands known as the southern exclusion zone (SEZ). Under National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) regulations, the SEZ becomes off-limits to the fishery if it kills or seriously injures two false killer (FKW) whales within federal waters around the state in a calendar year."
     Environment Hawaiʻi reports thats "NMFS determined earlier this year that a FKW interaction that occurred in federal waters on February 8 resulted in a mortality or serious injury.
Humpback entangled in fishing line. Photo from NOAA
     "The agency is now working to determine how badly three more false killer whales hooked by the fishery in late May and early June were hurt. And it looks bad. In all three cases, the whales were released with branch lines and wire leaders trailing from their mouths.
     "In the past, NMFS has considered FKWs released with gear trailing from their mouths to be seriously injured, and it only needs to make such a finding in one of these new cases to trigger the closure of the SEZ.
     "Once closed, NMFS will only reopen the SEZ if certain criteria are met.
     "In April, the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Team debated at length the conservation value of the SEZ. The team — which includes representatives from the longline industry, scientists, and conservationists — ultimately failed to reach an agreement on how to refine existing protection measures, which, by all accounts, don't appear to be working very well. For more on this, see the organizations' publication Environment Hawaiʻi with its cover story, False Killer Whale Team Fails to Reach Consensus on New Protection Measures.
     See more from Environment Hawaiʻi, the Hilo based research group and publisher at Environment Hawaiʻi.

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DIFFERENTIATING KĪLAUEA VOLCANO FROM GUATEMALA'S EXPLOSIVE PYROCLASTIC FUEGO VOLCANO is a New York Times story on Friday headlined

Why Guatemala's Volcano Has Been More Deadly Than Hawaii's. In Guatemala, Fuego volcano's June 3 eruption resulted in more than 100 deaths as rescuers continue to dig through the ash to find more. The ongoing eruption from Kīlauea has no reported fatalities to date, due to scientific warning systems, Civil Defense experience, and the relatively slow moving lava.

     In the story by Henry Fountain, Climate Reporter for The New York Times, with a short film by Neeti Upadhye, they educate the public about the difference between the two volcanoes:
Fuego, which blew its top last Sunday, June 3, is deadlier than Hawaiʻi's Kīlauea Volcano, explains a story and film by The New York Times.
Both photos above are of  Fuego. Images from 
The New York Times
     "The reason that Fuego is far more deadly than Kīlauea is that they are really two different kinds of volcanoes. The Hawaiian volcano is what's called a shield volcano where the lava sort of oozes out the ground, rather slowly and not particularly dangerously. By contrast, Fuego is a strata volcano with much thicker lava. Gasses build up inside the lava until the volcano erupts explosively. It can eject lava, and rocks and ash all over the place. And it creates what's called a pyroclastic flow."
     At Fuego, "It was a Big, very toxic, very dangerous cloud that's actually denser than air so that it can sort of flow down a mountainside very quickly, up to several hundred miles an hour and quickly envelope people who can't get out of the way. One of the problems is that a lot of people were living close to the volcano and were trapped when it erupted.
   "By contrast, in Hawaiʻi, the lava moves so slowly that people can get out of harm's way. So in Hawaiʻi, the damage is mainly to buildings and not people." Read the entire story and see The New York Times film.

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THE LANGUAGE OF DESCRIBING RECENTLY ROUTINE 'QUAKES' AT VOLCANO and ash explosions is changing. While media alerts this morning sent out such headlines as Earthquake Rocks the Big Island, when it was felt in a small portion of the island, the Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory reported it this way. "Small explosion (typical of past events) at Kīlauea's summit at 4:48 AM HST; PTWC reports M5.2; shaking equal to M4.3."
     Yesterday, HVO predicted the plume event: "Summit seismicity is elevated, with up to 35 located earthquakes per hour (several of which have been felt in the Volcano area). Based on previous patterns, a small explosion is expected from the summit within hours."
     Most of the earthquakes are felt near the Kīlauea summit and Volcano, but are not affecting the rest of the island. Most recent ash events, with warnings for Kaʻū, are sending a trace amount or no ash into inhabited areas of Kaʻū. See current EPA air quality reports.
   
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Nāʻālehu Wastwater Treatment proposal presented to the community in April, next to Nāʻālehu School. The location drew opposition.
THE COUNTY COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A $41 BUDGET FOR THE NĀʻĀLEHU and PĀHALA WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS. It is part of the county's Capital Improvements Projects budget for the next fiscal year, which involves loans and grants through the state and federal government, and county money. The funding is scheduled to be used for several years until the projects are completed. The Pāhala plant is proposed for Kamehameha School lands on the Volcano side of the Norfolk pine tree lane coming into Pāhala from Hwy 11.
     The proposed location in Nāʻālehu is next to the Elementary School. The location drew several testifiers at the last council meeting on the subject, including Nāʻālehu Elementary School Principal Darlene Javar, who opposed the location. County Council member Maile David, who represents both Pāhala and Nāʻālehu, said today, Saturday, that she expects to meet soon with the director of the county Department of Environmental Management to discuss the Nāʻālehu location and various EPA deadlines concerning the project.
Pāhala Wastewater Treatment plant presented to the community in December.
     During this week's council meeting, two Nāʻālehu residents testified against the proposed plant cost and type of sewage treatment facility proposed for both communities. They testified remotely from the old courtroom in Nāʻālehu.
     Sandy Demoruelle, whose extended family owns the proposed Nāʻālehu site and opposes the location, called both Nāʻālehu and Pāhala projects “an extremely expensive undertaking.” She said, “Please, reconsider funding $41 million in loan money for two wastewater treatment plants.”
     Jerry Warren testified that the money for the Nāʻālehu treatment plant would be "squandered." He suggested, "They could use septic tanks to treat their wastewater in the old plantation neighborhood – that would be fine with the EPA," but the county Department of Environmental Management "still insists on going the more expensive route of location a site for a wastewater treatment plant, and building an elaborate system for a neighborhood with a declining population - that’s my neighborhood.”
     Warren said the septic system installed at a senior housing location in Pāhala was “quick and simple,” and brought the location within EPA regulation standards. “Septic tanks work,” he said, saying the EPA allows them, and that they are successful at Punaluʻu Bakery, and that even with the large amount of tourist traffic they receive, “there is no odor from the tanks.” Warren said, “The county is only responsible for the old plantation houses,” which are presently on an EPA-banned gang cesspool system.
     Consultants for the county, which recently presented the plans and held community meetings for input, described the treatment facilities as being being more ecologically sound than septic tanks and of the size that could be expanded to accommodate additional existing and future businesses and homes in the two communities. Read more on the proposed water treatment systems in past Kaʻū News Briefs.

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HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM VOLCANIC ASH produced by Halema‘uma‘u explosions is the subject of this week’s Volcano Watch https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/hvo_volcano_watch.html, a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:
Graphic showing where and how much ashfall is expected based on forecast winds and best 
estimate information about the size and duration of an explosion from Halema‘uma‘u on 
June 6. Forecast models for an explosion at any time can be found on the HVO website
at volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/ash_information.html.
     Small explosions that produce ashfall from Kīlauea Volcano's summit are not new. However, the mechanism, vigor, plume heights, and extent of ash fallout from the current explosive activity within Halema‘uma‘u are.
     Previous ash emissions from Kīlauea’s summit have been caused by rocks falling from the steep vent walls. These rockfalls triggered numerous small gas-driven explosions that blasted molten lava and pieces of older rock—with sizes ranging from volcanic ash up to large rocks—onto the rim of Halema‘uma‘u and the adjacent caldera floor.
     In early May 2018, in response to changes on Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone, the summit lava lake dropped hundreds of meters (yards) and the magma feeding the lava lake dropped below the water table, allowing groundwater to enter the system. This began a series of more vigorous steam-driven explosions that produced more significant ash clouds from the summit.
     As the magma reservoir lowers and drains out (erupts) at the lower East Rift Zone, the summit area is slowly subsiding and slumping inward, which is triggering additional gas-driven explosions. This has heralded a new type of eruption from Kīlauea's summit. Ash clouds have risen as high as 30,000 feet above sea level (asl), but have more commonly been 5,000 to 10,000 feet asl.
What is ash?
     Ash is tiny pieces of rock formed during explosions that are carried in an ash cloud downwind where they fall to the ground. The grains of ash are just like fine sand, but they can have an acidic outer layer from volcanic gases in the cloud. Rainfall can rinse this acid from the ash.
Webcam image from Halemaʻumaʻu showing plume. A recent image is available as a still
and live stream on YouTube. USGS photos and live stream
Where will ash clouds go, and how much ash will fall?
     Where ash goes is largely determined by wind direction. Most ash clouds at Kīlauea have reached less than 15,000 feet asl; therefore, they have been following trade wind patterns toward the southwest, mainly over the District of Ka’u and Highway 11, southwest of the community of Volcano.  
     Ash falling from the cloud and onto the ground results in hazy conditions and a dusting of ash on exposed surfaces. The amount of ash produced depends on the size and duration of the explosion. Based on Kīlauea’s explosions to date, only trace amounts of ash (less than 1/32nd of an inch) are expected at any one time. This can change if the eruptions increase in size or duration. Ash layers can accumulate over time, if they are not washed away by rain.
What are the hazards of ash clouds and ashfall?
     Ash clouds are hazardous to aircraft, which is why the NOAA National Weather Service is working closely with the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory to track ash clouds and issue warnings to aviation.  
     Ash in the quantities expected by scientists should mostly be a nuisance, but it can be harmful to humans, animals, and the environment. Health effects include irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. People with asthma or other breathing conditions are particularly susceptible to respiratory effects. Ash can impact drinking water quality and catchment systems by contaminating the water supply. Ash is abrasive and corrosive, and can be harmful to animals, and damaging to plants and crops.
Volcanic ash from an eruption at the summit of Kīlauea on May 17. Left: Low magnification photo shows ash particles ranging from a few microns
to a couple millimeters in diameter. Right: A high-powered scanning electron microscope reveals great detail on this basalt ash shard. 
Photos courtesy of Pavel Izbekov, UAF-GI AVO
How can I protect myself before, during, and after ashfall?
     Before: Become familiar with wind conditions that may bring ash to your area. Check out the USGS ashfall forecast model, showing where and how much ashfall is expected (https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/ash_information.html). Cover water tanks, close doors and windows. Bookmark key monitoring and information websites (https://vog.ivhhn.org/ and https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/).
     During: Disconnect gutters feeding into drinking water tanks (https://vog.ivhhn.org/catchment-systems). Shelter in place (stay indoors) and limit strenuous outdoor activities. Leave the area if necessary. Assume that respiratory symptoms could get worse and keep medications handy for asthmatics. Consider using an indoor air cleaner or air conditioner, and prevent tracking ash into the
house. Use an N95 mask to reduce exposure to ash if you need to be outside and especially during clean up.
     After: Drink plenty of liquids and treat congestion or irritation. Clean and reconnect gutters to tanks. Hose off ash from high-traffic areas (walkways, etc.). See a physician if symptoms don’t go away after exposure. If ash is re-suspended by human activities, such as cleaning or driving, wear a dust mask during those activities.
HVO installs additional GPS stations today. USGS photo
     U.S. Geological Survey scientists are monitoring Kīlauea Volcano’s summit activity around the clock and keeping Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense apprised of any changes. Residents are encouraged to heed all safety messages.

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LAVA AND VOLCANO UPDATES include a report on Kīlauea summit with an image from a morning overflight today, showing that cracking and slumping of the Halema‘uma‘u crater walls are clearly evident. Steam plumes have been rising from within the crater, as well as from cracks adjacent to the crater.
     USGS-HVO geophysicists installed additional continuous GPS stations around Halema‘uma‘u this morning. "These stations will allow scientists to better monitor and measure the ongoing subsidence of Halema‘uma‘u and the adjacent caldera floor," said the HVO report.
Steam rises from cracks adjacent to Halemaʻumaʻu and
from within the crater today. USGS photo
   Concerning lower Puna, a Civil Defense message at 3 p.m. warned people to stay away from Lava Tree State Park: "Perched flow creating near intersection of Hwy 132 and Poho‘iki." The warning also urged residents close to active flow to stay alert and be prepared to voluntarily evacuate with little notice. By 4:30 Civil Defense reported the lava outbreak was contained to the main channel - the river of lava that flows to Kapoho Bay.
     The afternoon Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory report said vigorous eruption of lava continues from the lower East Rift Zone fissure system in the area of Leilani Estates.
     Lava fountaining from Fissure 8 reached about 200 feet in height. Today's morning and noon overflights reported no significant changes in the fountain nor in the channels carrying lava to the ocean. Mid-morning, lava started to slowly spill over the channel levees in the vicinity of Poho‘iki Road but most of the lava did not extend far enough to reach ground not already covered by lava. By early afternoon, lava was again confined to the flow channel.

Today's UDHD lava flow map shows ocean entries at the now coverd Kapoho Bay and beyond. The 200 acre lava delta in the ocean delta has also covered reefs beyond Kapoho Bay. Six miles inland, fissure 8 keeps pumping. USGS Map
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TWENTY MICRO HOMES FOR LAVA REFUGEES WERE NEAR COMPLETION TODAY behind Sacred Heart Church in Pāhoa. Union carpenters, National Guard members, and many volunteers from businesses and the public, numbering about 200, joined in the final stretch of the mini-house raising to temporarily shelter evacuees from the lava flow in lower Puna.
Four of some 200 volunteers look at the 20 micro homes nearing 
completion today, to house families displaced by the 
eruption. Photo from Ikaika Marzo Facebook
     Gilbert Aguinaldo, owner of Big Island Electrical Services, envisioned the micro homes, after last month donating his land and working with Ikaika Marzo to set up the community run shelter, Puʻu Honua O Puna. Aguinaldo worked with retired Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira, who is safety manager for HPM, to coordinate with Hope Services, Sacred Heart Church, and volunteers.
     Aguinaldo proclaimed to Hawaiʻi News Now this afternoon that the micro-homes would be finished today. See the story at Hawaiʻi News Now.

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.
     
SUNDAY, JUNE 10
Stained Glass Basics II, Sun, Jun 10, 9-noon, Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus, Hale Hoʻomana at 19-4074 Old Volcano Road. Prerequisite: Stained Glass Basics I. $90/VAC Member, $100/non-Member, plus $30 supply fee. Register in advance. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222


‘Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sun, Jun 10 and 24, 9:30-11am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, and many forms of ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower on this free, easy, one-mile walk. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Meet Candidate Raina Whiting, candidate for state Rep., Dist. 3. Sun, June 10, 2-3:30pm, Punaluʻu Bake Shop, upper pavilion. Bring prepared, written questions for the candidate. Light refreshments provided. Questions? Ezmerelda5@gmail.com, mgw1955@gmail.com, voteRaina.com

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment. 
Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 
throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on 
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com 
and facebook.com/kaucalendar.
TUESDAY, JUNE 12
Special Event: Hawai‘i Opera Theatre, Tue, Jun 12, 3pm, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. HOT has been producing opera in Hawai’i for 33 years - Broadway and classical favorites. 939-2442

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue, Jun 12, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Public invited to see what Community Emergency Response Team is about, and participate in training scenarios. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

THURSDAY, JUNE 14
Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū and Me, Thu, Jun 14, 10:30-noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571

Meeting on Ash and SO2 will be held at Ocean View Community Center, 92-8924 Leilani Circle, Ocean View, on Thursday, June 14, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will bring together health, science, and Civil Defense officials to meet with the public.
FRIDAY, JUNE 15
‘Ike Hana No‘eau, Experience the Skillful Work, Fri, Jun 15, 10-noon, Kahuku Unit. Hawaiian cultural demonstrations. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Father’s Day Card, Fri, Jun 15, 2-3pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. For ages 6-12 years. Register Jun 12-15. Free. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

4-H Livestock Show & Sale is Friday, June 15, and Saturday, June 16, at Anderson Arena, also known as Rocking Chair Ranch, at 47-5124 Hawaiʻi Belt Road in Waimea. Open to the public, the annual event supports young farmers and ranchers. This year marks a century of 4-H in Hawai‘i; the state’s first 4-H livestock club opened in 1918.
     Friday’s events begin at 3:30 p.m. and include shows for rabbits, poultry, and goats.
Saturday’s large animal activities kick off with an 8 a.m. welcome, followed by 4-H participants showing lambs, hogs, steers, and heifers. Competition continues for top showmanship honors in the Round Robin Showmanship Class. Buyer’s registration and lunch is at 12:30 p.m., with the sale of 4-H animals at 2 p.m., including beef steer and heifer, hog, lamb, goat, and possibly poultry and rabbits.
     For more information, contact Galimba at mgalimba@kuahiwiranch.com or 808-430-4927.

SATURDAY, JUNE 16
Nature and Culture: An Unseverable Relationship, Sat, Jun 16, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderate guided hike along the Palm Trail, approx. 2 miles. Learn about native plants that play a vital role in Hawaiian culture, observe catastrophic change and restoration of the land as it transitions from the 1868 lava flow to deeper soils with more diversity and older flora. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Nature and Culture: An Unseverable Relationship, Sat, Jun 16, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderate guided hike along the Palm Trail, approx. 2 miles. Learn about native plants that play a vital role in Hawaiian culture, observe catastrophic change and restoration of the land as it transitions from the 1868 lava flow to deeper soils with more diversity and older flora. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Hands-On Fermented Foods Workshop: Sauerkraut and Kombucha w/ Jasmine Silverstein, HeartBeet Foods, Sat, Jun 16, 10-1pm, Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus, Hale Hoʻomana at 19-4074 Old Volcano Road. $50/VAC Members, $55/non-Member. Pre-registration required. Supplies and organic ingredients provided. No cooking skills necessary. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Inspired Figure Drawing Workshop, Sat, Jun 16, 10-3pm, Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus, Hale Hoʻomana at 19-4074 Old Volcano Road. $60/VAC Member, $65/non-Member, plus $10 model fee. Students asked to bring materials, see volcanoartcenter.org. 967-8222

Ocean View C.E.R.T. Meeting, Sat, Jun 16, 10-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting/training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

The Art Express, Sat, Jun 16, 10-3pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Classes held once monthly. Learn something new or work on a forgotten project. Instructions on oil, acrylic, watercolor, and other mediums. Class size limited to 25. Meliha Corcoran 319-8989, himeliha@yahoo.com, discoveryharbour.net/art-express

Hula Kahiko - Hope Keawe w/Hula Hālau Mana‘olana Sat, Jun 16, 10:30-11:30am, Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus, Hale Hoʻomana at 19-4074 Old Volcano Road. Hula performance. Free. volcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mea Hula - Kumu Kaho‘okele Crabbe w/Halauokalani, Sat, Jun 16, 11-1pm, Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus, Hale Hoʻomana at 19-4074 Old Volcano Road. Cultural demonstration. Free. volcanoartcenter.org

Bunco and Potluck, Sat, Jun 16, 6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Popular game played with nine dice, also known as Bonko or Bunko. Bring dish to share. Margie Hack, 541-954-8297

NEW and UPCOMING
HAWAI‘I OPERA THEATRE GIVES A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE at Nā‘ālehu Public Library on Tuesday, June 12, from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., in celebration of the ongoing 2018 Summer Reading Program. Singers from Hawai‘i Opera Theatre will present a variety of Broadway and classical favorites. The group has been producing professional opera in Hawai‘i for over thirty years. This free 45-minute program is suitable for ages 8 and older, and is subject to change, states the program description on librarieshawaii.org.
     The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i and the 2018 Summer Reading Sponsors. It is a production of the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa Outreach College’s Statewide Cultural Extension Program with additional funding and support provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and the University of Hawai‘i.
     For more, call 939-2442.

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ONGOING
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program will take sign-ups in Kaʻū, through June 29 (closed June 11).
     In Nā’ālehu, it will take place at the Hawai‘i County Economic Opportunity Council office, back of Senior Center, Wed-Fri, 8-1pm, 929-9263.
     In Ocean View, it will take place at Ocean View Community Center, Mon and Tue (except Mon, June 11), 8-4:30pm.
     In Pāhala, it will take place at the Edmund Olson Trust Office, Tue and Wed, 8:30-12:30pm. See more for eligibility requirements and application.

Libraries Rock Summer Reading Program: Hawai‘i State Public Library System, through July 14, statewide and online. Register and log reading at librarieshawaii.beanstack.org or at a local library. Free. Reading rewards, activities, and programs for children, teens, and adults. 2018 participants have a chance to win a Roundtrip for four to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies.

Park Rangers invite the public to downtown Hilo to learn about the volcanic activity, to get their NPS Passport Book stamped, and to experience the Hawaiian cultural connection to volcanoes. Rangers are providing programs at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center at 76 Kamehameha Avenue, Tuesday through Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
     Two Park Rangers are stationed at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in downtown Hilo, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., every Sunday and Monday, in the Willie K Crown Room - as long as nothing else is scheduled in the space. The rangers will be doing daily talks at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. about the eruption. They will show the park film that is normally available to visitors to see at the Kilauea Visitor’s Center at the Summit, Born of Fire, Born in the Sea, every half-hour beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Sign Up for the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, to be held June 30. If interested, call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.

Tūtū and Me Offers Home Visits to those with keiki zero to five years old: home visits to aid with helpful parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Home visits are free, last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, for a total of 12 visits, and snacks are provided. For info and to register, call Linda Bong 464-9634.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church Calls For More Volunteers for the Saturday community outreach. Especially needed are cooks for the soup served to 
those in need, and organizers for the hot showers. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's April newsletter. Volunteer by contacting Dave Breskin at 319-8333.

Volcano Forest Runs Registration Open through Friday, August 17, at 6 p.m. Half marathon $85, 10K $45, 5K $30. Registration increases August 1: half marathon to $95, 10K to $55, and 5K to $35. Race is run from Cooper Center on Wright Road in Volcano Village on Saturday, August 18.


5th annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run registration open. Race day Sat, Sept 22, 7 a.m.; begins and ends at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Register online before Mon, July 9: 5K, $25/person; 10K, $35/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $45/person. From July 9 to Aug 11: $30/person, $40/person, and $45/person, respectively. From Aug 13 to Sept 20: $35/person, $45/person, and $55/person. Race day registration ends Sat, Sept 22, at 6:30 a.m. Event organizers, ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou; start location, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill.

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Friday, June 08, 2018

Kaʻū News Briefs Friday, June 8, 2018

Pride of America returns to Hilo and Kona ports beginning next week, after staying away from the volcanic
air and the closure of most of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Photo by Peter Hamling/Ship Parade
THE CRUISE SHIP PRIDE OF AMERICA RETURNS TO HILO next week, after avoiding Hilo and then Kona during the ongoing volcanic eruption. Calling on the ports of Hilo and Kona begins June 12. The May into June loss of the ship bringing visitors weekly to Hawaiʻi Island meant millions of dollars in losses to Hilo, Volcano, and Kona, as well as more rural destinations where tour companies drive people to scenic sites, such as Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach and Punaluʻu Bake Shop. Another favorite stop was Volcano Winery, Volcano village restaurants, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, where two-thirds of the park remains closed during current volcano activity.

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Scientists remain unsure if lava flowing in Puna, like this fountain from Fissure 8
at 3 a.m. today, is coming from the lava that has drained from Halemaʻumaʻu at
Kīlauea's summit. USGS photo
MORE GROUND SHAKING, LESS ASH AND GASSES are recent changes at Halemaʻumaʻu, described by Tina Neal, Scientist in Charge at USGS Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory. She addressed community members at Cooper Center in Volcano Village last night, June 7, among a group of experts addressing the future of Kīlauea Volcano and its Halemaʻumaʻu vent. The vent is sending up ash and rock explosions, accompanied by frequent earthquakes. The ash sometimes lands on Volcano Village. The earthquakes, broadcast widely on television, radio, and social media, are scaring people away from visiting Volcano.
     Neal said that with the walls of the Halemaʻumaʻu vent caving in and filling it with rubble, as magma moves farther down inside the volcano, it's the rubble that may be responsible for some of the change in the summit eruptions. She said that rubble blockage of the vent on May 29 may have led to the slowing down of subsidence - the vent floor lowering and falling in. She said pressure may be counteracting the effects of magma withdrawal.
     The few gas measurements scientists have been able to make indicate magmatic gas is more plentiful than steam from groundwater right now. It is groundwater mixing with lava that is known to lead to the large explosions of ash and rock out of the vent.
Outgassing from Halema‘uma‘u produced twin pillars that rose in the
 still morning air and merged into a towering cap above the summit of
 Kīlauea just after sunrise, today, June 8. USGS Photo
     Neal pointed out that SO2 measurements at the summit are now similar to the days before the recent volcano activity.
     Neal also said that the magma that has drained from the summit has not been “unambiguously identified” as the lava exiting through fissures in the lower East Rift Zone and doing all the damage in Puna.
     Kyle Anderson, of HVO, said USGS scientists are seeing magma continuing to evacuate to the lower East Rift Zone. Subsidence continues in Halemaʻumaʻu with additional collapse of its walls and its floor. The crater enlarges. There are moderate earthquakes, weak to moderate ash plumes, ashfall, and vog. He said there is no definitive line to determine “when this will all be over,” though earthquakes should be felt less, as an indication.
     During the meeting, community members asked if pyroclastic - stronger explosive - events could happen at the summit. Neal responded they could not be taken off the table, but “we see no evidence that we’re moving in that direction.”
     One attendee asked for a more regular report of the subsidence at the summit. Anderson responded that one of the GPS instruments fell into the crater during these events, and others have varying placement - further away from the vent or right by the edge - so “it’s challenging to say how much the caldera has subsided.” He said the broader caldera has subsided quite a bit less than areas where faults have appeared.
Dramatic changes at Halema‘uma‘u could be seen through gases rising from
 the crater during HVO's overflight of the summit this morning at 10 a.m. 
The view here looks to the southwest, with the former overlook
 parking lot barely visible to the left of the gas plume. USGS photo
     A community member asked that without knowing for sure if the magma from the summit is erupting in the lower East Rift Zone, does that mean the activity will go on for quite some time?
     Anderson responded, “That magmatic plumbing system is complicated right now. In the old days, magma would rise up below the summit, go down to Puʻu ʻŌʻō, and it would erupt. Since that time, Puʻu ʻŌʻō has collapsed, we’ve drained a lot of material from the middle East Rift, and we have the lower East Rift eruption.”
     Anderson said the 6.9-magnitude earthquake, on May 4, may also have opened up space for magma storage. He said the questions are: How much magma can be stored now, before going down to the lower East Rift Zone? And when will the lower East Rift eruption stop?
     In the 1955 and 1960 eruptions, said Anderson, the eruptions lasted from weeks to months. He said, “Just because the summit magma has not necessarily reached the lower East Rift, does not mean this is going to go on for years – but we don’t know how much storage there might be for summit magma. So, it’s very hard to say how long deflation might continue.”
     See the whole June 7 meeting here: naleo.tv/vod/

The new EPA air quality site adds Nāʻālehu with monitoring
at Nāʻālehu fire station. Blue is for good air, including
S02 and particulates. See the map and more online.
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AIR IN PĀHALA REMAINED GOOD THROUGHOUT THE DAY. In Nā’ālehu, Ocean View, and Volcano, it was moderate and good, from sunrise into evening. See the new EPA air quality report online, with an additional monitoring site at Nā’ālehu Fire Station.
     In other reports, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported Pele's hair and other lightweight volcanic glass from high fountaining of Fissure 8 were falling downwind of the fissure and accumulating on the ground within Leilani Estates in lower Puna.
     The National Weather Service reported high levels of vog and sulfur dioxide from the fissure system in lower Puna moving north, and settling in the Saddle area between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. Civil Defense warned that vog would limit visibility to a quarter mile on some roads and urged motorists to drive cautiously.
Clear conditions at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō on Thursday provided good views into the crater. A little 
more than a month ago, the crater floor collapsed, and the lava lake drained. The crater
 showed a funnel-shape geometry with a deeper cylindrical shaft. Rubble filled the
base of the shaft. On Friday, June 8, 12 rockfalls were recorded, with a red dust
 plume coming out of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. See the USGS video.
See today's Civil Defense Video of lava flows in lower Puna today
and USGS evening update at Big Island Video News.

     HVO reported that, following a magnitude-3.2 earthquake at the summit, 12 rockfalls were recorded in Puʻu ʻŌʻō between 10:31 and 10:56 a.m., with a prominent, but brief, red dust plume ejected into the air around 10:50 a.m. See the most recent map of lava flows.
     See video of the coast at the ocean entry of the lava in Kapoho today with much laze on Ikaika Marzo's facebook.
    See Civil Defense Video and update for evening of June 8 from USGS on Big Island Video News.

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AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING MEASURE was launched today, with the bill's signing by Gov. David Ige. The bill, passed by the 2018 Hawaiʻi Legislature, aims to increase production of affordable rental units across the state.
     HB2748 appropriates $200 million to the Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corp.’s Rental Housing Revolving Fund, and $10 million to the HHFDC’s Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund. The bill also extends the general excise tax exemption for certain affordable rental housing projects from June 30, 2022, to June 30, 2026, and increases the cap on GET exemptions to $30 million per year until 2030.
     During the signing ceremony, where Ige was joined by housing advocates, builders, and lawmakers, he said,  “Housing has been a top priority for my administration from day one. We have been advocating for increased investment in the Rental Housing Revolving Fund for nearly 4 years now. I’m so glad that the Legislature is funding these very important programs that we have been advocating for.”
Image symbolizing the building of new homes, from Hawaiʻi Housing Finance & Development 
Corp. Photo from Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism
     A statement from his office said that since 2014, when Ige took office, the state has completed 5,300 new homes statewide, including 2,000 affordable homes. There are an additional 1,400 units under construction, and another 4,000 units in the planning phase.
     The $200 million provided by the bill will enable the HHFDC to generate an additional 1,600 affordable units.
     “The collaborative efforts of the community – from developers to builders, housing advocates and our legislators – is enabling the state to help our families realize their dream of having their own home. A stable home is the foundation for a stable and successful life. Our goal is within reach. Let’s continue to work together to build upon this momentum,” Ige said.
       Read HB2748, which became Act 39 with the governor’s signature.

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TWENTY MICRO-HOMES FOR FAMILIES DISPLACED BY THE LAVA DISASTER are going up behind Sacred Hearts Church in Pāhoa. Hope Services Hawaiʻi which helps low income families with housing, will lease the land. Former Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense chief Darryl Oliveira is helping to organize the effort.
     A volunteer community build day will be this Saturday, June 9, with more than 100 people signed up. In addition to the twenty 10 foot by 12 foot structures, they are constructing restrooms and a common area for meeting and dining.
     Big Island Video News interviewed Oliveira – who in 2014 led Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense as Pāhoa faced a threatening lava flow, and is now the safety manager at HPM Building Supply. Oliveira said building the micro homes “actually started with some local contractors coming in to discuss with our team the possibility of acquiring these micro structures, that were normally built for storage or utility purposes, and repurposing them for living quarters.”
     Working with County planning and building department officials, and with the help of local contractors, it has become “a real community effort to try to get something in place,” Oliveira said. “Throughout the last three weeks or so we’ve been working the processes, which is with the county’s revised or amended mayor’s Proclamation, reviewing the plans and a plot layout for this site." He said the idea is that HOPE Services will place the people there, and coordinate and connect services to help the displaced residents transition into something more permanent, Oliveira told Big Island Video News.

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THE 2018 ULUA CHALLENGE IS ON THIS WEEKEND, with the cliffs of Ka Lae being one of the favorite fishing spots. Contestants started camping at Ka Lae earlier this week to save the best places from which fish for Ulua.
     Categories are Ulua with a 40 lb. minimum, and Omilu with a 10 lb. minimum. The entry fee is $60 per person, and the number of rods and reels per participant is limited to three.
A recent big ulua catch, by Jared Yogi. The fish
weighed 87.8 lbs. Photo from Tokunaga Store
     The annual tournament is sponsored by S. Tokunaga Store in Hilo. The Weigh-Ins will be at 11 a.m. this Sunday at the Aufuk-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo, and carried live on the Tokunaga Store Facebook page.
     Tournament sponsors announced that in addition to the Ulua and Omilo divisions of the tournament, they have launched Opala division "to preserve our natural resources and ʻāina."
They encourage fishermen registered for the contest to "pick up trash and clean their campsite and surrounding areas." LV Waste and Daiwa Corp. offer incentives. For every garbage bag of trash brought in, participants will receive a raffle ticket redeemable during the awards ceremonies."

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment. 
Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 
throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on 
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com 
and facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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SATURDAY, JUNE 9
Pancake Breakfast and Raffle, Sat, Jun 9, 8-11am, Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Stained Glass Basics II, Sat-Sun, Jun 9-10, 9-noon, Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus, Hale Hoʻomana at 19-4074 Old Volcano Road. Prerequisite: Stained Glass Basics I. $90/VAC Member, $100/non-Member, plus $30 supply fee. Register in advance. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Hi‘iaka and Pele, Sat, Jun 9, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Discover Hawaiian goddesses and the natural phenomena they represent on this free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/HAVO

Kāwā Volunteer Day, Sat, Jun 9, 9:30am, Kāwā. Sign up with James Akau, Nā Mamo o Kāwā, at namamookawa@gmail.com, jakau@nmok.org, or 561-9111. nmok.org

Zentangle: Stacks and Dangle Designs for a Dr. Seuss-Inspired Whimsical Garden, Sat, Jun 9, 10-1pm, $30/VAC Member, $35/non-Member, $10 supply fee. Basic knowledge of Zentangle recommended by not required. Register at volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222.

CANCELLED: Jazz in the Forest Concert, Sat, Jun 9. The July concert is also cancelled. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

SUNDAY, JUNE 10
Stained Glass Basics II, Sun, Jun 10, 9-noon, Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus, Hale Hoʻomana at 19-4074 Old Volcano Road. Prerequisite: Stained Glass Basics I. $90/VAC Member, $100/non-Member, plus $30 supply fee. Register in advance. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

‘Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sun, Jun 10 and 24, 9:30-11am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, and many forms of ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower on this free, easy, one-mile walk. Free. nps.gov/HAVO


Meet Candidate Raina Whiting, candidate for state Rep., Dist. 3. Sun, June 10, 2-3:30pm, Punaluʻu Bake Shop, upper pavilion. Bring prepared, written questions for the candidate. Light refreshments provided. Questions? Ezmerelda5@gmail.com, mgw1955@gmail.com, voteRaina.com
TUESDAY, JUNE 12
Special Event: Hawai‘i Opera Theatre, Tue, Jun 12, 3pm, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. HOT has been producing opera in Hawai’i for 33 years - Broadway and classical favorites. 939-2442

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue, Jun 12, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Public invited to see what Community Emergency Response Team is about, and participate in training scenarios. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

THURSDAY, JUNE 14
Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū and Me, Thu, Jun 14, 10:30-noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571

Meeting on Ash and SO2 will be held at Ocean View Community Center, 92-8924 Leilani Circle, Ocean View, on Thursday, June 14, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will bring together health, science, and Civil Defense officials to meet with the public.

FRIDAY, JUNE 15
‘Ike Hana No‘eau, Experience the Skillful Work, Fri, Jun 15, 10-noon, Kahuku Unit. Hawaiian cultural demonstrations. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Father’s Day Card, Fri, Jun 15, 2-3pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. For ages 6-12 years. Register Jun 12-15. Free. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

4-H Livestock Show & Sale is Friday, June 15, and Saturday, June 16, at Anderson Arena, also known as Rocking Chair Ranch, at 47-5124 Hawaiʻi Belt Road in Waimea. Open to the public, the annual event supports young farmers and ranchers. This year marks a century of 4-H in Hawai‘i; the state’s first 4-H livestock club opened in 1918.
     Friday’s events begin at 3:30 p.m. and include shows for rabbits, poultry, and goats.
Saturday’s large animal activities kick off with an 8 a.m. welcome, followed by 4-H participants showing lambs, hogs, steers, and heifers. Competition continues for top showmanship honors in the Round Robin Showmanship Class. Buyer’s registration and lunch is at 12:30 p.m., with the sale of 4-H animals at 2 p.m., including beef steer and heifer, hog, lamb, goat, and possibly poultry and rabbits.
     For more information, contact Galimba at mgalimba@kuahiwiranch.com or 808-430-4927.

NEW and UPCOMING
TROPIC CARE RETURNS TO HAWAIʻI ISLAND Friday, June 18. Tropic Care 2018 is an 11-day event providing medical, dental, and eye care for any community member, free of charge. Held in 2013 and 2016 in Pāhala and Ocean View, this year's event lasts Mondays through Fridays, June 18 to 28, at Kea‘au High School.
     Kalei Namohala, Athletic Director for Kaʻū High School, which housed and fed Tropic Care health providers in the past, recommends that Kaʻū families make the drive this year to Keaʻau. Less than an hour from Pāhala, and half hour from Volcano, Tropic Care will offer free health care to anyone, with or without insurance.
     Army Reserve Innovative Readiness Training, in cooperation with Hawaiʻi state Dept. of Health and County of Hawai‘i, organizes Tropic Care to provide medical services to underserved communities. Health care providers - optometrists, dentists, hearing specialists, family physicians, and more - from military reserve units around the country travel to Hawaiʻi to practice field medicine with the local Army Reserve. They set up camp and hone their skills for working in remote places - not only during wartime, but also in natural disasters.
     During Tropic Care, health experts see members of the public on a first come-first served basis. They ask that people bring with them any current prescriptions or eye glasses, and a list of any current medications being taken.
     Long waits are expected; it’s recommended to bring water and snacks. Free breakfast and lunch provided to age 3 to 18. Food carts may be on site for purchases throughout the event.
     Adria Medeiros, Vice Principal of Kea‘au High School, asks for community members to spread the word, and offers to schedule blocks of time for larger groups coming in from communities outside Kea‘au. "For example, if your school were to arrange a bus to bring in a large group, I would assist by setting aside blocks of time for services with the medical professionals to ensure they could be seen," she stated. "It really is a great opportunity to receive free services, and I'd like to make it even more successful this year than it has been in the past."
     Questions can be directed to Medeiros at 313-3333, or to the public health nurse at 974-6035.

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ONGOING
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program will take sign-ups in Kaʻū, through June 29 (closed June 11).
     In Nā’ālehu, it will take place at the Hawai‘i County Economic Opportunity Council office, back of Senior Center, Wed-Fri, 8-1pm, 929-9263.
     In Ocean View, it will take place at Ocean View Community Center, Mon and Tue (except Mon, June 11), 8-4:30pm.
     In Pāhala, it will take place at the Edmund Olson Trust Office, Tue and Wed, 8:30-12:30pm. See more for eligibility requirements and application.

Libraries Rock Summer Reading Program: Hawai‘i State Public Library System, through July 14, statewide and online. Register and log reading at librarieshawaii.beanstack.org or at a local library. Free. Reading rewards, activities, and programs for children, teens, and adults. 2018 participants have a chance to win a Roundtrip for four to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies.

Park Rangers invite the public to downtown Hilo to learn about the volcanic activity, to get their NPS Passport Book stamped, and to experience the Hawaiian cultural connection to volcanoes. Rangers are providing programs at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center at 76 Kamehameha Avenue, Tuesday through Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
     Two Park Rangers are stationed at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in downtown Hilo, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., every Sunday and Monday, in the Willie K Crown Room - as long as nothing else is scheduled in the space. The rangers will be doing daily talks at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. about the eruption. They will show the park film that is normally available to visitors to see at the Kilauea Visitor’s Center at the Summit, Born of Fire, Born in the Sea, every half-hour beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Sign Up for the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, to be held June 30. If interested, call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.

Tūtū and Me Offers Home Visits to those with keiki zero to five years old: home visits to aid with helpful parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Home visits are free, last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, for a total of 12 visits, and snacks are provided. For info and to register, call Linda Bong 464-9634.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church Calls For More Volunteers for the Saturday community outreach. Especially needed are cooks for the soup served to those in need, and organizers for the hot showers. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's April newsletter. Volunteer by contacting Dave Breskin at 319-8333.

Volcano Forest Runs Registration Open through Friday, August 17, at 6 p.m. Half marathon $85, 10K $45, 5K $30. Registration increases August 1: half marathon to $95, 10K to $55, and 5K to $35. Race is run from Cooper Center on Wright Road in Volcano Village on Saturday, August 18.

5th annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run registration open. Race day Sat, Sept 22, 7 a.m.; begins and ends at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Register online before Mon, July 9: 5K, $25/person; 10K, $35/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $45/person. From July 9 to Aug 11: $30/person, $40/person, and $45/person, respectively. From Aug 13 to Sept 20: $35/person, $45/person, and $55/person. Race day registration ends Sat, Sept 22, at 6:30 a.m. Event organizers, ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou; start location, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill.

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