Ka`ū News Briefs Monday, August 6, 2018

Impassable road damage on Crater Rim Drive, past Keanakakoi. Even if earthquakes and lava flows stop,
it would take time to repair and reopen closed areas at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. HVNP photo

THE FATE OF THURSTON LAVA TUBE and other features of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park remain "unknown because it's too risky to send anyone inside to take a look," park officials said in a statement today. Part of the park has been closed for more than 12 weeks. The three-month mark of closure for all Kīlauea summit and nearby areas passes on Saturday.
     Though the earthquakes and lava flows slowed in recent days, Jessica Ferracane, Public Affairs Specialist for the park, says "it is really too early to tell what Kīlauea is going to do next." She told press today not to expect an immediate reopening should scientists report the hazards from seismic activity have passed, as there is major damage to park infrastructure. She said assessments and repairs will be needed -- possibly in stages. She said she is "cautiously optimistic" that some closed areas of the park could reopen soon.

A large boulder, out of place due to seismic activity, 

at Byron Ledge near Kīlauea Iki. USGS photo

      Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando says, "It's impossible to say when the park can reopen, what it's going to look like, and what the visitor experience will be. We are cautiously optimistic that seismicity decreased over the weekend. Everyone's safety is our top priority and we are still in an unpredictable and hazardous phase of this eruption cycle. Right now, the only certainty is uncertainty.

     "We miss being in the park, we miss sharing Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park with visitors from around the world and across the street. We realize the extended closure is very hard on our community and disappointing to travelers. It's hard on all of us, and we appreciate everyone's continued understanding and support," Orlando said.

     The release from HVNP says more than 18,000 temblors in the last 30 days have "wreaked havoc throughout the park." Magnitude 5.0 and higher seismic events have riddled Highway 11, other park roads, overlooks, and trails with sink holes and cracks. 

     Jaggar Museum and the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory buildings are damaged and stand empty. The summit crater, Halema`uma`u, has more than quadrupled in size as magma drains out to the lower East Rift Zone eruption outside the park. "The new dimensions are staggering to those familiar with Halema`uma`u." says the release. Once 280 feet deep, it is now more than 1,500 feet deep in places. Its volume has increased to 800,000,000 cubic meters, according to USGS, an amount equivalent to about 300,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Large sink hole at Kīlauea Overlook and Crater Rim Drive. 

HVNP photo

     More than 60 large collapse/explosion events have occurred since the park closed on May 11. The earthquakes also increase the risk of fire: broken waterlines have left most of the park without running water for fire suppression. "Fixing them makes little sense as long as the earthquakes continue," says the release.

     While scientists cannot predict exactly when the eruptive and seismic activity will end, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park invites everyone to explore how a volcanic landscape snaps back to life. In the park's Kahuku Unit, says the release, "gorgeous `ōhi`a trees spring forth from Mauna Loa Volcano's 1868 flows. Native birds, including crimson `apapane, forage among the blooms. `Io, the Hawaiian hawk, and the short-eared owl, pu`eo, are sometimes seen soaring above. Ranger-guided hikes at Kahuku reveal the link between volcanoes and all life in Hawai`i. On the two-mile Nature & Culture hike, visitors are inspired how hulihia (catastrophic change) and kulia (restoration) are correlated."

     See more on what Kahuku and other locations with park involvement offer, in the events section below.

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Kīlauea summit fault line map. The small grey dot in the caldera
 is the former size of Halema`uma`u's lava lake. HVNP map

FOUR DAYS PASSED WITHOUT COLLAPSE EVENTS at Kīlauea summit, without magnitude 5.1 or higher seismic events shaking Volcano Village and infrastructure. Fissure 8 in the lower East Rift Zone in Puna has gone mostly quiet, its spatter cone hosting "a weak to moderately active bubbling lava lake," a weak gas plume with lowered SO2 levels, and a completely crusted lava channel, according to a USGS release around 1 p.m. today, Monday.
     Tina Neal, USGS Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory Scientist in Charge, told press today, "The system appears to have almost shut down completely over the course of a couple days." Neal said the "dramatic shift" from the pattern of events was preceded by "some hints that this might be coming." The pattern held for weeks: frequent, almost regular collapse events, accompanied by usually 5.1M or higher seismic events, with a sudden drop in seismicity afterward gradually increasing until the next event, and occasional surges in the already rigorous flow in the lower East Rift Zones hours after the events.

HVO Scientist in Charge Tina Neal

     Neal said that, in retrospect, in early to mid-July, early signs were being recorded that gave indication this new phase of the eruption was on its way. Neal said the duration of the "repose intervals" between collapse events was a major indicator: the time between each event was getting longer and longer. That seems to have corresponded with the collapse process itself, she said. She said geologists who spent daylight hours at the summit noted rockfalls on the western part of the caldera were different, "as if potentially the magnitude of seismic shaking of that side of the caldera was diminishing or at least changing."

     Neal said another set of indicators came from the lower East Rift Zone, where Fissure 8's spatter cone fountain and subsequent lava channel would wax and wane.

     Pu`u `Ō`ō started showing signs of renewed activity a couple of weeks ago, which was a third area of possible indication of this shift in the eruption approaching, said Neal. She recalled Pu`u `Ō`ō going "really quiet" after the collapse of April 30. The shift from about 150 to over 1,000 tons a day of SO2 recorded on Friday, Aug. 3, is an increase to more than the vent has given off in ten years, Neal said. She said that means "there is magma at a fairly shallow level, below Pu`u `Ō`ō, that's degassing. Whether that means that system is moving toward lava reemerging from within Pu`u `Ō`ō, we really can't say. That will be a surprise to us if that happens." She said that during a flyover this morning, no lava was seen, there were no excessive temperatures, but there was "a continuing plume of gas and water vapor."

Fissure 8's lava "river" from Aug. 4, showing very high banks compared 
to previous days. The channel is now crusted over. USGS photo

     This lull does not mean there will be no more activity from this eruption, said Neal. She cited the 1955 eruption, which lasted 88 days total, and had two shut-down events: one of five days, one of 16 days. She said the decrease in activity could be due to a lack of magma -- or a blockage -- but the cause is not clear. "If activity changes permanently in this direction, we have to then think of what other hazards might be out there," referring to the dramatic changes at the summit; see more details, above.

     Neal said, though scientists are not expecting it, magma could, as it has historically, refill the summit at some point.

     Should lava resume at Fissure 8 "with vigor," said Neal, it will likely reoccupy the channel, but could also spill over. She said the splatter cone at the fissure could start to fall apart a bit, which could give new eruptive material new pathways. She also said that lava could break out from new areas, such as one of the other fissures that were active earlier in the eruption. If the eruption renews, but with less vigorous lava, a "dribble," she said a new vent structure -- more shield-like -- could form, that could send lava in different directions.

A deep crack in Jaggar Museum's Overlook platform. 

NPS photo

     Neal added that, though there's no indication at this time, there is still the "unlikely possibility" of a larger eruptive event at the summit.

     The release from USGS says ground crews today found the upper channel of the formerly vigorously flowing lava "river" largely devoid of lava. The channel is empty to at least the vicinity of Kapoho Crater, says the release, where a short section of "spiny active lava in a channel" was present. Small active ooze outs continue near the coast on the Kapoho Bay and Ahalanui lobes, but the laze plume is greatly diminished. Active lava is "still close to the Poho`iki boat ramp but has not advanced significantly toward it," says the release.

     Neal said Hurricane Hector, which could affect Hawai`i Island Wednesday and Thursday, is unlikely to affect field equipment, as it is constructed to withstand harsh conditions -- "We try to harden it for all conditions, including tropical storms." She said field crews will be out of the lower East Rift Zone on Wednesday, when the full brunt of the storm is expected to affect the area, due to a Civil Defense order. Whiteout conditions could be caused by heavy rainfall, she said.

Mauna Loa brushfire, burning native plants. NPS photo

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THE MAUNA LOA BRUSHFIRE, STILL UNCONTAINED, raged across Mauna Loa Road and into Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park today, moving west, says a release from HVNP. National Park Service firefighters and the County of Hawai`i are working to control the blaze, which started Sunday morning on Keauhou Ranch. The fire is estimated to be around 700 acres.

     County of Hawai`i fire personnel are also working to suppress the fire outside the park, which was reportedly sparked during repairs to a bulldozer, says the release. Firefighters from the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and volunteer firefighters from Volcano, have also responded.

     Strong winds and dry conditions at the fire's 4,800-foot elevation "are making it a challenge to control," says the release. No homes or structures are currently at risk, but the fire has scorched native koa forest, which provides important habitat to endangered and endemic species like the Hawaiian hawk, `Io, and Hawaiian bat, `Ōpe`ape`a.

     The next significant rainfall is not expected until Wednesday, when Hurricane Hector is expected to impact the Hawaiian Islands.

The Mauna Loa brushfire, seen from a distance, as it 

tears across over 700 acres of land. NPS photo

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PUNALU`U, MILOLI`I, AND WHITTINGTON BEACH PARKS WILL BE CLOSED TOMORROW in preparation for Hector's arrival, and all pavilion and camping permits for these three parks have been cancelled from Tuesday-Friday, says Hawai`i County Civil Defense. The hurricane is expected to start affecting Hawai`i County within the next 48 hours, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. County of Hawai`i is under a tropical storm watch, which means damaging winds, damaging surf, and flooding rains are possible.

     Hector is expected to pass south of the Hawaiian Islands, with the closest land being Ka`ū, which is likely to receive strong winds, high surf and rain, or hurricane conditions if the path changes and Hector comes here.

     As of 8 p.m. Monday, Aug 6, Hector was 680 miles east-southeast of Hilo, moving west-northwest at about 16 mph. Winds are at 155 mph with higher gusts, making Hector a dangerous Category 4 hurricane.

     Hawai`i County Civil Defense issued an advisory: "Be aware that hurricanes are erratic and can change speed, direction, and intensity quickly. Secure large objects in your yard and prepare your house for strong winds, and secure all boats and aircraft. There are no evacuations at this time. All roads are currently open."
     Jessica Ferracane of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park announced to press today that there is a possibility that Kahuku Unit may be shut down for safety on Thursday due to weather.

NEW and UPCOMING

SUZANNE BRADY OFFERS A CHILDREN’S BALLET CLASS to keiki ages 4 to 8, on Thursday afternoons, starting August 16, at Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Students are offered an introduction to basic ballet, tumbling and dance, with beginners welcome from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., and advanced students from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The class is donation based and space is limited. Call Brady at 930-4678 to confirm before attending.

See public Ka`ū events, meetings, entertainment. 

See Ka`ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events. 

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.

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.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 7

Hawai`i County Council Meetings, Tue/Wed, Aug 7 (Committees)/8 (Council), Hilo, Tue/Wed, Aug 21 (Committees)/22 (Council), Kona. Ka`ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā`ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, Aug 7, 4-6pm, Aug 21, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

Ka`ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, Aug 7, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8

AdvoCATS, Wed, Aug 8, 7am-5pm, Ocean View Community Center. Free Cat Spay & Neuter Clinic. 895-9283, advocatshawaii.org

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11

Zentangle: Color Stories, Sat, Aug 11, 10-1pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Class is not about color theory, rather about "listening to the story that colors Whisper to you." $30/Volcano Art Center Member, $35/non-Member, plus $10 supply fee. Bring light refreshment to share.

VOTE: 2018 Primary Election Day Polling Places in Ka`ū, Sat, Aug 11, 7-6pm. Senate District 2: Cooper Center on Wright Rd in Volcano Village, Ka`ū High/Pāhala Elementary School Cafeteria. Senate District 3: Nā`ālehu Elementary School Cafeteria, Ocean View Community Center, Miloli`i Halau Pavilion. elections.hawaii.gov/voters/polling-places

Hi`iaka & Pele, Sat, Aug 11, 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 Community Workday, Sat, Aug 11, meet at 9:30 am at Northern Gate, Kāwā. Sign up with James Akau, Nā Mamo o Kāwā, at namamookawa@gmail.com, jakau@nmok.org, or 561-9111. nmok.org

SUNDAY, AUGUST 12

`Ōhi`a Lehua, Sun, Aug 12, and Sat, Aug 25, 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. nps.gov/HAVO

MONDAY, AUGUST 13

Ka`ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon, Aug 13 and 27, 1pm, Ocean View Community Center. A parent-led homeschool activity/social group building community in Ka`ū. Contact prior to attending to confirm location in case of field trip. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā`ālehu, Tue, Aug 14, 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

ONGOING

Walk-In Registration and Voting Continues at Pāhala Community Center from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on weekdays through Thursday, Aug. 9.

5th Annual Volcano Winery Harvest Festival tickets on sale for event on Sun, Sept 9. Benefit for Volcano School of Arts and Sciences. Music, food, wine, and raffle. $40/adult (21+). 967-7772, volcanowinery.com

Volcano Forest Runs Registration Open, online at volcanorainforestruns.com. Fees: 5K - $35, 10K - $55, 1/2 Marathon - $95. Race Day Sat, Aug 18, Volcano Village. No race day registration for 1/2 Marathon. Race Director Sharron Faff, 967-8240.

5th Annual Ka`ū Coffee Trail Run Registration Open, online at webscorer.com/register?raceid=128145, Fees, before Aug 13: 5K, $30/person; 10K, $40/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $50/person. After Aug 13: 5K, $35/person; 10K, $45/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $55/person. Race Day Sat, Sept 22, 7 a.m.; begins and ends at Ka`ū Coffee Mill, kaucoffeemill.com. Event organizers: `O Ka`ū Kākou, okaukakou.org.

Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool's New, Temporary, Nā`ālehu Site Location is Kauaha`ao Church in Wai`ōhinu. Meeting days and times remain the same: Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Pāhala site program meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Both Nā`ālehu and Pāhala site programs resume August 7 and 8.

     Tūtū and Me also offers home visits to those with keiki zero to five years old, to aid with parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Free. Visits last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, total of 12 visits. Snacks are provided.

     To enroll in either program, fill out enrollment forms found at pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me/enrollment_forms, or call Linda Bong at 464-9634. Questions: Clark at 929-8571 or eclark@pidfountation.org.

Harmony Educational Services, Home Based Educational Programs - Open Enrollment through Oct 15; harmonyed.com/hawaii. Partnered with four local public charter schools, Harmony offers benefits of homeschooling with resources available to public schools. Interested families can also contact Rayna Williams at rwilliams@harmonyed.com or 430-9798.

Disaster Recovery Center open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Kea`au High School Gym. See information applicants need to bring, or register online, at DisasterAssistance.gov. Salvation Army distribution center at Pāhoa Community Center on Tue, Thu, and Sat, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. To donate, contact 756-0306.

Volunteers Needed by St. Jude's Episcopal Church for Sat community outreach, especially soup cooks and shower organizers. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's. Contact Dave Breskin, 319-8333.

Ocean View Vet Center Visits Suspended until further notice. Veterans, call 329-0574 for VA benefit information. ovcahi.org

Find Your Park, invites Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, to kama`aina and tourist alike. Experience authentic Hawaiian cultural programs, guided hikes, After Dark events, and more from Ka`ū to Volcano to Hilo, while the partial closure of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park continues.

     Free of charge, with no entry fees, rangers offer new and familiar programs at Kahuku Unit, Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus, and Mokupāpapa Discovery Center and Prince Kūhio Plaza in Hilo.

Kahuku Unit

     Kahuku events are posted to the park website, nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku-hikes.htm.
     Regularly scheduled Guided Hikes, monthly Coffee Talk, daily Ranger Talks, with cultural demonstrations and activities on weekends.

     Guided Hikes on Saturdays and Sundays begin at 9:30 a.m. Meet the ranger at the welcome tent.

     Coffee Talk, held the last Friday of the month, 9:30-11 a.m., at the Visitor Contact Station.

     Ranger Talks on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m., at the Visitor Contact Station.

     `Ike Hana No`eau: Experience the Skillful Work Cultural Demonstrations and Activities, Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., at the Visitor Contact Station.
Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus

     Find Park Rangers in Volcano Village daily, at the Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus at 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd. Rangers are there 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide talks and answer questions about the current eruption.

     After Dark …near the park at the Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus. Each event will have a different subject matter.

Mokupāpapa Discovery Center

     Find Park Rangers in downtown Hilo, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rangers provide daily eruption updates. At 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., they give a talk about all five of Hawai`i Island's volcanoes, including Kīlauea. Get NPS Passport Books stamped. Located at 76 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo.

Prince Kūhio Plaza

     Find Park Rangers alongside the park's non-profit partner, Hawai`i Pacific Parks Association, at their brand new mall store.

Grand Naniloa Hotel

     Find Park Rangers stationed at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in downtown Hilo on Sundays and Mondays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Rangers provide eruption updates at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The park film that is normally available to visitors at Kīlauea Visitor Center at the Summit, Born of Fire, Born in the Sea, is shown every half-hour beginning at 9:30 a.m.

     Park rangers also greet incoming arrivals at the Hilo International Airport, welcome cruise ship passengers as they disembark at the Port of Hilo, and inform visitors at `Imiloa Astronomy Center most Sundays.

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Kaʻū News Briefs Sunday, August 5, 2018

Fissure 8 is at a low flow today, after more than 72 hours without a summit collapse event, showing
almost no incandescence. USGS photo

NO KĪLAUEA COLLAPSE EVENT ROCKED VOLCANO IN MORE THAN THREE DAYS, as of 6 p.m. Sunday. The latest was Aug. 2 at 11:55 a.m., generating a magnitude-5.4 earthquake, followed by an increase in tremors -- the pattern for several weeks. However on Saturday, Aug. 4, the rate of earthquakes decreased to a low level without a collapse event. Low rates of seismicity continued today. Deformation at the summit remained much reduced.

Halema`ma`u is still showing seismic activity,
but at a greatly reduced level. USGS photo

Poho`iki boat ramp is still hanging on. USGS photo

     Fissure 8 in the lower East Rift Zone showed reduced output since overflows recorded late on Friday, Aug. 3.
      At 4:30 p.m. today, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported no movement in the channel that was a raging river of lava only days ago.
     An HVO and Unmanned Aircraft Survey crew stayed in lower Puna yesterday and overnight, to monitor and track changes. USGS reports an overflight this morning "confirmed a significant reduction in lava output" from Fissure 8. HVO field geologists observed low levels of fountaining at the Fissure 8 spatter cone, and largely crusted lava in the spillway and channel system downstream.
     HVO reported a few sluggish seeps and ooze-outs near Halekamahina and Kapoho Crater. Lava continued to ooze into the ocean along a broad flow front and laterally toward Poho`iki, but is still about 230 feet southeast of the boat ramp.

     USGS reported: "It is common for eruptions to wax and wane or pause completely. A return to high levels of lava discharge or new outbreaks in the area of active fissures are possible at any time. Despite the apparent slow-down at fissure 8, lava remains active in the main channel, minor overflows are reported, and the ocean entry is active at this time. Residents should remain informed and heed Hawai`i County Civil Defense messages and warnings."
     USGS also reported that the Middle East Rift Zone is seeing more activity: "On Friday, gas measurements of the Pu`u `Ō`ō plume indicated an emission rate of over 1,000 tons/day of SO2, the highest rate from this vent in several years. Readers may recall that a white plume has been observed issuing from Pu`u `Ō`ō over the past several weeks. HVO will attempt to overfly Pu`u `Ō`ō as soon as possible to evaluate any other significant changes within and around the vent.

Fissure 8's spatter cone has a much lowered rate of
activity today. USGS photo

     "Summit and LERZ changes considered together imply that the rate of magma leaving the summit to feed the Lower East Rift Zone eruption has decreased. How long this condition will persist is unknown. It is possible that outflow will pick up again, resulting in renewed summit area deflation leading to another collapse event and renewed eruption vigor on the LERZ."

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.

A BILL TO STRENGTHEN ECONOMIC TIES BETWEEN U.S. AND NEW ZEALAND, introduced by Sentors Mazie Hirono and Mike Lee (R-UT), was signed Wednesday by Pres. Trump. Bill S. 2245, known as the KIWI Act, extends temporary trade (E-1) and investor (E-2) visas to New Zealand citizens.

     Hirono says, "New Zealand visitors supported over 2,000 Hawai`i jobs last year alone and continue to build on our strong cultural and economic ties to the Indo-Pacific region. This newly signed law will help spur further job creation in Hawai`i and across the United States, and reaffirm the importance of our close and longstanding relations with New Zealand."

Image from nzaa.org.nz

     The United States and New Zealand marked a milestone 75 years of diplomatic relations last year. A release from Hirono says New Zealand is one of the U.S.'s important strategic and economic partners. New Zealand is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence sharing alliance -- together with the U.S., United Kingdom, Canada and Australia -- but is the only member of the alliance whose citizens were not eligible to apply for E-1 and E-2 visas. Total foreign direct investment from New Zealand to the United States is valued at over half a billion dollars. The release says New Zealand businesses have found that the lack of access to E-1 and E-2 visas "hampered their ability to increase trade and investment in the United States. By allowing New Zealanders to apply for these visas, the KIWI Act aims to expand business and investment opportunities between the two nations."

     The KIWI Act is supported by the Chamber of Commerce Hawai`i, United States | New Zealand Council, and the American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand. The bipartisan legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), John McCain (R-AZ), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Cory Gardner (R-CO), and Patty Murray (D-WA). Representatives Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Rick Larsen (D-WA) sponsored the House companion legislation, H.R. 3324.

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. 

A BRUSH FIRE BURNED NEAR KEAUHOU RANCH IN VOLCANO today. At 1:45 p.m., Hawai`i Fire Department reported the fire on the slopes of Mauna Loa, above Volcano, one quarter mile from Powerline Road, moving south towards Kapapala Ranch. The Keauhou area is the location for the `Alalā -- endangered Hawaiian crow -- sanctuary.

     Hawai`i County Civil Defense reported that updates will be released "should conditions change that affect your safety."

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. 

WALK-IN REGISTERING AND VOTING CONTINUES Monday through Thursday, Aug. 9. Registered voters can cast their ballots by mail. Locations to register island-wide are:

-        Pāhala Community Center, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.), at 96-1149 Kamani St.;

-        Pāhoa Community Center, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 15-3022 Kauhale St.;

-        West Hawai`i Civic Center community Room, Bldg G, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy;

-        County of Hawai`i Aupuni Center Conference Room, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 101 Pauahi St., Suite 1;

-        Waimea Community Center, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 65-1260 Kawaihae Rd.

     See elections.hawaii.gov/voters/early-voting.

     Election Day is Saturday, Aug. 11, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with local polls open at:

-        Cooper Center, 19430 Wright Road in Volcano

-        Ka`ū High & Pāhala Elementary, 96-3150 Pikake Street

-        Nā`ālehu Elementary School, 95-5545 Mamalahoa Hwy

-        Ocean View Community Center, 15-3022 Kauhale Street

   -        Miloli`i Halau Pavillion, off Hwy 11 in the Village of Miloli`i

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.

JEANNÉ KAPELA AND GENE BUCKY LESLIE ARE CHALLENGING REP. RICHARD CREAGAN for the District 5 state representative seat. Creagan, the physician and farmer who has held the state office representing west Ka`ū into Kona since 2014, faces Leslie and Kapela in the Democratic Primary on Saturday, Aug. 11.

Rep. Richard Creagan

     Creagan lives on a farm in Ka`ū. He served in the Peace Corps on Moloka`i and in the Marshall Islands. He has worked as an emergency doctor at Kona Community Clinic Hospital where he served as vice chief of staff. He worked as a Hawai`i Department of Health bioterrorism epidemiologic investigator and helped found Hualalai Urgent Care.

     He has worked at the legislature on funding for Rat Lungworm Disease research and successfully banning pesticides with neurotoxins. Creagan advocates for a new teaching hospital for Kona connected to University of Hawai`i John A. Burns School of Medicine. He graduated from YaleUniversity and University of Connecticut Medical School.

     He has served in the state House since 2014. He chairs the House Agriculture Committee and serves on the committees for Education, Higher Education, Ocean, Marine Resources & Hawaiian Affairs, and Public Safety.

     Creagan is endorsed by the United Public Workers, Hawai`i Government Employees Association, Hawai`i Island Progressives, Pono Hawai`i Intitiative, Sierra Club, Hawai`i Firefighters Association Local 1463, General Contractors Association of Hawai`i, Americans for Democratic Action, and United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America - Hawai`i.

Jeanné Kapela

     Kapela, who grew up in Kona, says she is founder and Executive Director of UNITE Hawai`i, on Kapiolani Blvd. in Honolulu. She describes the organization as a victim service provider for survivors of sexual exploitation. The UNITE website says the organization plans to open Palaikiko, "Hawai`i's first drop-in center for women and children in the midst or at risk of being trafficked" for sexual slavery. The website says that Palaikiko is scheduled to open in 2018 to serve at least 500 youth in its first year of operation. She was also Miss Hawai`i 2015.

    Kapela also says she serves on the board of Young Progressives Demanding Action and was co-director for the FAME Performing Arts Program from 2016-2017. She says she is earning a certificate in Social Justice from the online Harvard University extension program.

    She advocates for a $21 an hour minimum wage, diminishing the role of money in politics, increasing public funding for candidates, free access to public records, protecting pensions and medical benefits for state workers, taxing investment properties to help fund schools, and restricting vacation rentals to "tourist zones." She opposes holding a state Constitutional Convention in the near future. She supports a carbon tax on fossil fuel, according to questions answered by a Civil Beat survey of candidates.

     She has the following endorsements: Hawai`i State Teachers Association, ILWU, Hawai`i State AFL-CIO, and International Union of Operating Engineers.

Gene Bucky Leslie

     Leslie, of Capt. Cook, is the retired owner of Flowers for Mama, which designed arrangements for many of the resorts on the Kona and Kohala Coast. Also an entertainer and model, he worked for Coppertone suntan lotion for years, and was co-owner of entertainment and clothing sales establishments, having resided in New York, Los Angeles, and Honolulu before returning to Kona. 

     An advocate for the LGBTQ community, he and his late partner were one of the first same sex couples to marry in Hawai`i. He has run for the state House of Representatives several times. He has served in such leadership positions as President of the Association of Hawaiian Canoe Clubs for this island

     Leslie told Keola Magazine, "I think the number one thing is to know yourself and love yourself, then you can share it with others. That is the greatest gift I can share with everybody. There are people in life who are not accepting of others and that's their problem. Life is too good to allow yourself to be shut down by other people. It's how you feel about yourself that is important."

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Image from nhc.noaa.gov

CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE HECTOR is still on track to pass south of Ka`ū, reports the National Hurricane Center. Hector's wind speeds remain at about 130 mph, and winds up to tropical storm-force level have a 40 percent chance of hitting Ka`ū late Tuesday.

     As of 5 p.m., Hector was 1,330 miles east-southeast of Hilo, a gain of 65 miles in the last 24 hours. The hurricane's forward speed has increased from 12 mph to 14 mph, and the hurricane is moving west-northwest. Hector's speed is expected to pick up more over the coming days, says NHC, through Monday evening. After that, both speed and intensity are expected to gradually weaken, and with a direction shift to a more westward motion starting on Tuesday.

     The hurricane will pass into Central Pacific Hurricane Center's domain this evening.

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KA`Ū TROJANS FALL SPORTS begin August 14, with Girls Volleyball hosting the first game for Waiakea, with Coach Joshua Ortega. Football Coach Duwayne Ke will guide the Trojans in scrimmages against Kea`au on Aug 17 and Waiakea on Aug 25 before the regular season begins. Boys & Girls Cross Country, with Coach Erin Cole, starts running Aug 25.
     The Trojans Pep Squad, coached by Carma Hanshew, will cheer on the athletes.
     Ka`ū will hold off on having a bowling team until further notice, due to Kīlauea Military Camp's bowling lanes being inaccessible because of the partial Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park closure and ongoing volcanic activities.

     See the full fall sports schedule, below.

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.

NEW and UPCOMING

ZENTANGLE: BASICS AND BEYOND WITH LYDIA MENESES takes place on Saturday, August 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village.

Lydia Meneses leads a Zentangle: Basics and 
Beyond class in Volcano Village this month.
Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

     This class introduces participants to the Zentangle Art Method, the five elements -- dot, straight line, S shape, C shape, and orb -- as well as Zentangle basic vocabulary and the benefits of meditation through a mindful drawing practice. Those with prior Zentangle experience are welcome to join and get guidance in taking their Zentangle practice a step further.
     The event description on volcanoartcenter.org states, "Zentangle is an easy-to-learn, relaxing and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. There are no mistakes in Zentangle. As you first glance at a Zentangle art piece it appears intricate and complicated. But, when you are guided through the process, you realize how simple it is – and how fun and engrossing it becomes."
     A Zentangle Basics kit -- containing a Sakura 01 pen, mini pencil, tortillion, and three tiles -- is provided to all registered participants. Additional Zentangle information is included.
     Participants are asked to pay $30 per Volcano Art Center Member, or $35 per non-Member, plus a $10 supply fee, and to bring a light refreshment to share with the class. Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more and to register, or call 967-8222.

See public Ka`ū events, meetings, entertainment. 

See Ka`ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events. 

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.

KA`Ū TROJANS FALL SPORTS SCHEDULE

Football:

   Fri, Aug 17, 10am, Scrimmage @ Kea`au

   Sat, Aug 25, 10am, Scrimmage @ Waiakea

   Thu, Sept 6, 6pm, @ Pāhoa

   Sat, Sept 15, 1pm, @ Kohala

   Sat, Sept 22, 3:30pm, host Lanai @ Kea`au

   Sat, Sept 29, 11am, Pāhoa

   Sat, Oct 6, 12pm, Kohala

   Sat, Oct 13, BIIF Semi-Finals at Kamehameha

   Sat, Oct 20, BIIF Finals - Higher

Girls Volleyball:

   Tue, Aug 14, 6pm, host Waiakea

   Fri, Aug 24, 6pm, @ Mauna Lani

   Wed, Aug 29, 6pm, @ Hilo

   Fri, Aug 31, Kamehameha Tourney

   Sat, Sept 1, Kamehameha Tourney

   Wed, Sept 5, 6pm, host Pāhoa

   Wed, Sept 12, 6pm, @ Christian Liberty

   Fri, Sept 14, @ Kamehameha

   Mon, Sept 17, 6pm, host Lapahoehoe

   Wed, Sept 19, 6pm, host Kohala

   Thu, Sept 20, 6pm, @ Honoka`a

   Tue, Sept 25, 6pm, @ HPA

   Fri, Sept 28, 6pm, host Kona

   Mon, Oct 1, 6pm, host HAAS

   Tues, Oct 2, 6pm, @ Kealakehe

   Fri, Oct 5, 6pm, host Kea`au

   Wed, Oct 10, 6pm, @ Parker

   Fri, Oct 12, 6pm, host St. Joseph

   Mon, Oct 15, BIIF DII Qtr - Higher

   Wed, Oct 17, BIIF DII Semi-Finals @ Kona

   Thu, Oct 18, BIIF DII Finals @ Kona

Cross Country:

   Sat, Aug 25, @ CLA (preseason)

   Sat, Sept 1, 10am, @ HPA

   Sat, Sept 8, 10am, @ Kamehameha

   Sat, Sept 15, 10am, Kea`au

   Sat, Sept 22, 9am, @ HPA

   Sat, Sept 29, 10am, @ Waiakea

   Sat, Oct 6, 2pm, @ Kealakehe

   Sat, Oct 13, BYE

   Sat, Oct 20, 9am, BIIF @HPA

   Sat, Oct 27, 8:30am, HHSAA

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.

MONDAY, AUGUST 6

Story Time with Lindsey Miller from PARENTS, Inc., Mon, Aug 6, 2:30-3:15pm, Nā`ālehu Public Library. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Meeting, Mon, Aug 6, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

TUESDAY, AUGUST 7

Hawai`i County Council Meetings, Tue/Wed, Aug 7 (Committees)/8 (Council), Hilo, Tue/Wed, Aug 21 (Committees)/22 (Council), Kona. Ka`ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā`ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, Aug 7, 4-6pm, Aug 21, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

Ka`ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, Aug 7, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8

AdvoCATS, Wed, Aug 8, 7am-5pm, Ocean View Community Center. Free Cat Spay & Neuter Clinic. 895-9283, advocatshawaii.org

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11

Zentangle: Color Stories, Sat, Aug 11, 10-1pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Class is not about color theory, rather about "listening to the story that colors Whisper to you." $30/Volcano Art Center Member, $35/non-Member, plus $10 supply fee. Bring light refreshment to share.

VOTE: 2018 Primary Election Day Polling Places in Ka`ū, Sat, Aug 11, 7-6pm. Senate District 2: Cooper Center on Wright Rd in Volcano Village, Ka`ū High/Pāhala Elementary School Cafeteria. Senate District 3: Nā`ālehu Elementary School Cafeteria, Ocean View Community Center, Miloli`i Halau Pavilion. elections.hawaii.gov/voters/polling-places

Hi`iaka & Pele, Sat, Aug 11, 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 Community Workday, Sat, Aug 11, meet at 9:30 am at Northern Gate, Kāwā. Sign up with James Akau, Nā Mamo o Kāwā, at namamookawa@gmail.com, jakau@nmok.org, or 561-9111. nmok.org

SUNDAY, AUGUST 12

`Ōhi`a Lehua, Sun, Aug 12, and Sat, Aug 25, 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. nps.gov/HAVO

ONGOING

Walk-In Registration and Voting Continues at Pāhala Community Center from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on weekdays through Thursday, Aug. 9.

5th Annual Volcano Winery Harvest Festival tickets on sale for event on Sun, Sept 9. Benefit for Volcano School of Arts and Sciences. Music, food, wine, and raffle. $40/adult (21+). 967-7772, volcanowinery.com

Volcano Forest Runs Registration Open, online at volcanorainforestruns.com. Fees: 5K - $35, 10K - $55, 1/2 Marathon - $95. Race Day Sat, Aug 18, Volcano Village. No race day registration for 1/2 Marathon. Race Director Sharron Faff, 967-8240.

5th Annual Ka`ū Coffee Trail Run Registration Open, online at webscorer.com/register?raceid=128145, Fees, before Aug 13: 5K, $30/person; 10K, $40/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $50/person. After Aug 13: 5K, $35/person; 10K, $45/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $55/person. Race Day Sat, Sept 22, 7 a.m.; begins and ends at Ka`ū Coffee Mill, kaucoffeemill.com. Event organizers: `O Ka`ū Kākou, okaukakou.org.

Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool's New, Temporary, Nā`ālehu Site Location is Kauaha`ao Church in Wai`ōhinu. Meeting days and times remain the same: Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Pāhala site program meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Both Nā`ālehu and Pāhala site programs resume August 7 and 8.

     Tūtū and Me also offers home visits to those with keiki zero to five years old, to aid with parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Free. Visits last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, total of 12 visits. Snacks are provided.

     To enroll in either program, fill out enrollment forms found at pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me/enrollment_forms, or call Linda Bong at 464-9634. Questions: Clark at 929-8571 or eclark@pidfountation.org.

Harmony Educational Services, Home Based Educational Programs - Open Enrollment through Oct 15; harmonyed.com/hawaii. Partnered with four local public charter schools, Harmony offers benefits of homeschooling with resources available to public schools. Interested families can also contact Rayna Williams at rwilliams@harmonyed.com or 430-9798.

Disaster Recovery Center open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Kea`au High School Gym. See information applicants need to bring, or register online, at DisasterAssistance.gov. Salvation Army distribution center at Pāhoa Community Center on Tue, Thu, and Sat, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. To donate, contact 756-0306.

Volunteers Needed by St. Jude's Episcopal Church for Sat community outreach, especially soup cooks and shower organizers. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's. Contact Dave Breskin, 319-8333.

Ocean View Vet Center Visits Suspended until further notice. Veterans, call 329-0574 for VA benefit information. ovcahi.org

Find Your Park, invites Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, to kama`aina and tourist alike. Experience authentic Hawaiian cultural programs, guided hikes, After Dark events, and more from Ka`ū to Volcano to Hilo, while the partial closure of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park continues.

     Free of charge, with no entry fees, rangers offer new and familiar programs at Kahuku Unit, Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus, and Mokupāpapa Discovery Center and Prince Kūhio Plaza in Hilo.

Kahuku Unit

     Kahuku events are posted to the park website, nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku-hikes.htm.
     Regularly scheduled Guided Hikes, monthly Coffee Talk, daily Ranger Talks, with cultural demonstrations and activities on weekends.

     Guided Hikes on Saturdays and Sundays begin at 9:30 a.m. Meet the ranger at the welcome tent.

     Coffee Talk, held the last Friday of the month, 9:30-11 a.m., at the Visitor Contact Station.

     Ranger Talks on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m., at the Visitor Contact Station.

     `Ike Hana No`eau: Experience the Skillful Work Cultural Demonstrations and Activities, Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., at the Visitor Contact Station.
Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus

     Find Park Rangers in Volcano Village daily, at the Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus at 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd. Rangers are there 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide talks and answer questions about the current eruption.

     After Dark …near the park at the Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus. Each event will have a different subject matter.

Mokupāpapa Discovery Center

     Find Park Rangers in downtown Hilo, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rangers provide daily eruption updates. At 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., they give a talk about all five of Hawai`i Island's volcanoes, including Kīlauea. Get NPS Passport Books stamped. Located at 76 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo.

Prince Kūhio Plaza

     Find Park Rangers alongside the park's non-profit partner, Hawai`i Pacific Parks Association, at their brand new mall store.

Grand Naniloa Hotel

     Find Park Rangers stationed at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in downtown Hilo on Sundays and Mondays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Rangers provide eruption updates at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The park film that is normally available to visitors at Kīlauea Visitor Center at the Summit, Born of Fire, Born in the Sea, is shown every half-hour beginning at 9:30 a.m.

     Park rangers also greet incoming arrivals at the Hilo International Airport, welcome cruise ship passengers as they disembark at the Port of Hilo, and inform visitors at `Imiloa Astronomy Center most Sundays.

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.