Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022

Before the 2018 eruption that filled the bay with lava, Pohoiki was a gathering place for fishing, swimming, surfing
 and boating. It could be dredged and returned to its former use. See more below. Photo by Julia Neal

HAWAI'I'S DECLINE IN POPULATION is the subject of a recent editorial from Grassroot Institute of 
Hawai'i:
    Hawai'i's population declined by 0.7% between July 2020 and July 2021, the third greatest per capita population decline in the country, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Hawai'i trailed only New York, at -1.6%, and Illinois, at -0.9%. Hawai'i's net loss of 10,358 residents in fiscal 2021

marked the fifth year in a row that the state has shown a population decline, according to the Census Bureau's population estimates program. In December 2020, census data showed Hawai'i's population declining by 8,609 in fiscal 2020 and 7,487 in fiscal
2019.
    "Hawai'i is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, yet residents continue to leave in search of better opportunities elsewhere," said Keliʻi Akina, president and CEO of the Grassroot Institute of Hawai'i. "If there are any state or county politicians who are not yet aware of this fact, let us hope that this latest information drives the point home."
    According to the census data, Hawai'i had 1,441,553 residents as of July 2021, compared to 1,451,911 the previous year. This included 15,904 births and 14,648 deaths, for a "natural increase" of 1,256. The Bureau also estimated a net inflow of 1,077 people — including both immigrants and United States citizens returning from abroad — moving to Hawaii from international locations.

    All of the decline, then, came from continuing out-migration to the mainland, with the difference between people moving to and from the mainland equaling negative 12,603.
    Early last year, 2020 census returns showed the state's population increasing from 2010 to 2020 by 7%. The timing and composition of this increase remain poorly understood, pending ongoing Census Bureau evaluation of the 2020 census and review of its population estimates for the previous decade, results of which are expected later this year.
    In any case, the underlying reasons for Hawai'i's population loss persist. All data point to a steady out-migration of Hawai'i residents to the mainland throughout the past decade, increasing since 2016, and continuing this past year.For the most part, the reasons come down to Hawai'i's high cost of living, lack of housing and lack of job and business opportunities.
    According to a 2019 survey by Pacific Resource Partnership, the main reasons people cited for leaving Hawai'i were its high cost of living, 86%, and the high cost of housing, 83%.
In 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis provided data showing Hawai'i's cost of living as the highest in the nation, 12% greater than the national average.

    In 2021, the BEA found that Honolulu was one of the most expensive metropolitan areas in the country, with a cost of living 13% higher than the average metropolitan area.
    The Grassroot Institute of Hawai'i's Why we left Hawai'i series documents the stories of dozens of people who felt compelled to say "Aloha" to Hawai'i. Here is what some former Hawai'i residents had to say:
    "Most of my family is still in Hawai'i. A few are in different states. They moved for schools, low costs of living and higher pay," said Pearl Hori, now a resident of Lacey, Washington.
    "I don't believe we could ever afford to live there again," said Kirk French, now a resident of Rural Hall, North Carolina. "We miss Hawai'i though."
    "My family] moved to where housing and land is affordable. There are lots of job opportunities and better pay," said Eric Lee, now a resident of Apple Valley, Minnesota.
    Said Akina: "With thousands of people leaving Hawai'i each year, it is well past time that the Legislature focus on policies that will lower the cost of living and expand opportunities. Lowering taxes, reducing barriers to new housing and pushing for Jones Act reform would be good places to start. We simply must create a better environment for our family, friends and neighbors, who right now seem to be seeing a better future for themselves just about anywhere but Hawai'i." 

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PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE ISLAND, INCLUDING KAʻŪ , ARE INVITED TO WEIGH IN ON THE FUTURE OF POHOIKI, ISAAC KEPO'OKALANI HALE BEACH PARK, the bay, surf spot, wharf and gathering place, partially covered by lava in the 2018 eruption. The boat ramp and gathering spot were popular with Kaʻū residents. 
    County Council member Asley Kierkiewicz, who represents the district that includes Pohoiki, said she wants to "thank the Pohoiki ‘ohana that have helped the County identify important elements and values to guide investments at Isaac Kepo‘okalani Hale Beach Park.” In total, $3 million in Federal and State
recovery funds are identified for Isaac Kepo‘okalani Hale Beach Park. By visiting https://revitalizepohoiki.consider.it, members of the public can give feedback by Jan. 31 on their vision for the park, partially inundated by lava during the 2018
eruption.

Pohiki was a popular launch spot for fishing.
Photo by Julia Neal

  State Department of Land & Natural Resources is working on efforts to restore the Pohoiki Boat Ramp, blocked by a new sand beach formed by the eruption. DLNR representatives noted that dredging of the beach to restore access could start in about two years, with construction completion estimated to occur in November 2024. The project is currently in the permitting and design phase, with an environmental assessment being the next step. Creation of a safe swim area at Pohoiki will be considered as part of that review. Visit https://recovery.hawaiicounty.gov/infrastructure/ocean-access for more information.
    On Tuesday, the County of Hawai‘i updated the community on Kīlauea eruption recovery efforts and unveiled an online engagement tool to help guide the future of Isaac Kepo‘okalani Hale Beach Park in Pohoiki. About 100 people participatedvia Zoom. Revitalize Puna is a collaboration between the County’s Disaster Recovery Division and Council District 4.
    In-person Isaac Kepo‘okalani Hale Beach Park engagements will be at the following: Pāhoa Skate Park – Jan. 23, 7 a.m.-1 p.m.; Isaac K. Hale Beach Park – Jan. 27, 9 a.m.-noon; Hilo Coffee Mill – Feb. 5, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Maku‘u Farmers Market – Feb. 13, 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
A virtual planning session will be held via Zoom from 3-5 p.m. Feb. 10. Members of the public can find more information on these in-person engagements and the virtual planning session at https://recovery.hawaiicounty.gov.

Pohoiki was a favorite surf spot before lava filled the bay.
Photo by Julia Neal

    Plans will be submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for funding assistance by May. Heart and Soul Statements about the area can be submitted online via https://padlet.com/aloha7/punaheartandsoul by Jan. 31.The County’s Department of Public Works is considering three options for construction of the lower Pohoiki Road alternate route to increase safety. None of these options would affect the protected exceptional mango trees located in the existing County right-of-way. However, some trees currently on private property and not considered exceptional trees per the County Code may need to be removed. The next step is to work with FEMA to initiate an environmental assessment for a combined road and waterline projects along Pohoiki Road and Highway 137. The County is considering repurposing the existing alignment to accommodate biking and walking. Visit https://recovery.hawaiicounty.gov/infrastructure/roads for more information.
County Parks & Recreation is receiving $4.9 million in Federal and State recovery assistance due to damage from the 2018 eruption. Funding is proposed for Isaac Kepo‘okalani Hale Beach Park ($3 million), equipment to ensure parks are safe and maintained ($1.76 million)Visit https://recovery.hawaiicounty.gov/infrastructure/parks for more.

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Volcano through Ocean View.

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022

Lava in the Lake Continues to Move

Despite several brief pauses over the past month, lava lake activity continues in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit

of Kīlauea. Lava is erupting from the west vent, which has built a steep spatter cone. The active lake is perched

slightly above the surrounding solidified lava. Jan. 10 USGS photo by M. Patrick

100 FREE COVID TEST KITS WILL BE GIVEN OUT IN PAHALA on Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to noon, sponsored by Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association. The free tests are for those who register to receive the vaccines at Ka'u Hospital & Rural Health Clinic, Bay Clinic, CVS Longs Pāhala or West Hawai'i Community Health Center.
    Registration will be available at the event at the Robert Herkes Gymnasium next to the Pāhala school campus. The community outreach is also sponsored by Kaʻū Hospital & Rural Health Clinic, Community First Kuleana Health, Papa Ola Lokahi: Ke Ko'oKo'o Project, Hui Malama Ola Na Oiwi, Hawai'i state Department of Health and Queen's Ulu Network.

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THREE HUNDRED AND NINETEEN NEW COVID CASES A DAY is the average over the last two weeks for this island, according to the state Department of Health. The active cases over the last 14 days in Na'alehu number 28, Pahala 20, Volcano 18 and Ocean View ten or under.

    Statewide, 3,857 new cases were reported on just Monday and 2,929 on Tuesday.  According to physician and Lt. Gov. Josh Green, statewide there are 325 hospitalized, with 133 of them vaccinated. Thirty-three are in the ICU.

    The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that "Scientists are seeing signals that COVID-19′s alarming omicron wave may have peaked in Britain and is about to do the same in the U.S., at which point cases may start dropping off dramatically. The reason: The variant has proved so wildly contagious that it may already be running out of people to infect, just a month and a half after it was first detected in South Africa."

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A COVID UPDATE ON KAʻŪ HOSPITAL'S SISTER FACILITY came Tuesday from Hilo Medical Center spokesperson Elena Cabatu. She said Hilo Medical Center is caring for 20 COVID patients, one in ICU who is unvaccinated. No patients are on ventilators. Eleven are unvaccinated and nine are vaccinated. "The hospital is currently very full with COVID and non-COVID patients. Long term care facilities are experiencing their own exposures and positives and thus are unable to accept hospital patients ready for discharge."

    Hilo Medical Center is preparing to increase its hospital and long term care bed capacity, said Cabatu.
Like many sectors in the community and in healthcare, staffing across facilities and clinics "are being affected by COVID positives and exposures, but we are managing and have protocols in place. We are operating under the contingency guidelines within the CDC’s guidance for healthcare workers: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/hcp/WorkRestrictionsHCP.jpg. Fortunately, we are anticipating the arrival of FEMA-funded personnel next week."
     Hilo Medical Center visiting hours have been changed, due to the recent surge, increasing hospitalizations and increasing Emergency Department visits. One vaccinated visitor per day per patient is welcome from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. In the Emergency Department, no visitors are allowed with an exception for patients 17 years of age and under and end-of-life cases. For a short stay in the hospital, one vaccinated visitor may accompany a patient to short stay to help with check-in only and must leave after.
     View the full guidelines at: https://www.hilomedicalcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Updated-Visitation-Policy-Jan-2022.pdf

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A COVID BOOSTER SHOT MAY SOON BE REQUIRED TO ENTER HAWAI'I, with the indication coming from Gov. David Ige, who spoke Tuesday on the Honolulu Star Advertiser Spotlight program.
   The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recently recommended that anyone 12 and older receive the booster to be considered fully vaccinated. The governor said his staff is considering adding the requirement to Hawai'i's Safe Travels Program and would give at least two weeks notice. Those without the booster or without a negative test would have to submit to home or hotel quarantine.
    The governor said he would leave it to the mayors in Hawai'i to decide whether boosters should be required for some businesses and activities. 

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HAWAI'I ISLAND POLICE ARRESTED 15 MOTORISTS, during the week of Jan. 3 through Jan. 9, for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Three drivers were involved in a traffic accident. None  were

under the age of 21.
    So far this year, there have been 24 DUI arrests compared with 43 during the same period last year, a decrease of 44.2 percent.
   There have been 18 major accidents so far this year compared with 16 during the same period last year, an increase of 12.5 percent. There were two fatal crashes, resulting in two fatalities, compared with pne fatal crash, resulting in one atality for the same time last year. This represents an increase of 100 percent for fatal crashes, and 100 percent for fatalities. The HPD statement promised that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue islandwide.

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Kīlauea Visitor Center will be closed Jan. 19 and 20 for treatment to protect it from termite damage. NPS Photo

TERMITE TREATMENT WILL SHUT DOWN all of Kīlauea Visitor Center, including the restrooms, lānai, administrative space and the Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association store,  on Wednesday, Jan. 19 and Thursday, Jan. 20. A statement from Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park says, "During an inspection, the

A ranger gives assistance at Kilauea
Visitor Center. NPS Photo by Janice Wei

park’s facilities management crew noted significant termite damage and estimated that 25 percent of the attic framing in KVC had active termite nests. If not treated, the infestation will cause structural damage to the historic building and the park’s cultural resource collections."

    During the treatment, portable restrooms will be available for visitors in the Kīlauea Visitor Center parking lot. All other restroom facilities will remain open, including Uēkahuna, Kīlauea Iki, Devastation Trail, Nāhuku and more. Park rangers will be available to assist visitors near the hula platform not far from the Volcano Art Center Gallery. Visitors are reminded to keep everyone safe by maintaining social distance and to wear a mask.
    The Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association will set up a temporary retail area beneath a tent near park rangers, and its online store will continue to be available.

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See archives of The Ka`u Calendar at
www.kaucalendar.com and find the
monthly print copy in mailboxes from 
Volcano through Ocean View.