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Sunday, January 21, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs Jan. 21, 2024


USGS aerial photo of a large earth crack in the barren volcanic landscape of Kīlauea volcano's Southwest Rift Zone. After Dark
 in the Park will feature the Great Crack and the history of lava flows and other volcanic activity in Kaʻū on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium.
 
THE GREAT CRACK IS FRONT AND CENTER AT AFTER DARK IN THE PARK ON TUESDAY. Time and venue are 7 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium.
Kīlauea volcano’s Southwest Rift Zone has shown increased earthquake activity during the fall of 2023. What is known about this region and eruptions that have occurred there over the past 200 years or more? William Ellis, an English missionary, provided the first written documentation of this area, including the Great Crack and the 1823 Keaīwa eruption. Older eruptions, such as those from the Kamakaiʻa Hills around 1815 have evolved chemistries not typical of Kīlauea. Other Southwest Rift Zone eruptions occurred in 1868, 1919-20 (Maunaiki), September 1971, and December 1974.
The Great Crack was purchased by the National Park Service in 2018.
Increased earthquake activity in the area will be explained at Tuesday's
 After Dark in the Park. 7p.m. NPS photo
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Drew Downs will discusses these topics and more. This After Dark in the Park program supports USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s Volcano Awareness Month. Free, but park entrance fees apply.


A MOTORCYCLIST IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER OVERTAKING VEHICLES IN A NO-PASSING ZONE ON HWY 11 IN OCEAN VIEW on Saturday night. As a vehicle was turning off the highway into Ocean View the motorcycle slammed into it sending the motorcyclist 250 feet through the air and onto the ground where he received serious head injuries. He was not wearing a helmet. Both the motorcyclist and driver of the vehicle that was hit are subject of police investigation. The driver of the a white 2006 Nissan Murano SUV, left the scene, abandoning the Ocean View man with life-threatening injures.
    Hawai'i Police Department reported responding to a call at 10:16 p.m. at the intersection of Māmalahoa Highway and Aloha Boulevard. "Police determined that a blue 2003 Harley-Davidson Road King driven by a 59-year-old man, was heading south and overtaking several vehicles in a no-passing zone. As the motorcycle was passing the fourth vehicle, a 2006 Nissan SUV, the SUV made a left turn onto Aloha Boulevard resulting in the motorcycle striking the rear of the vehicle. The rider was immediately ejected more than 250 feet from the motorcycle. The SUV fled the scene into the upper portion of the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision."    "The impact of the collision caused the motorcyclist to sustain severe head and internal injuries. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.
    "The motorcyclist was transported to the Kona Community Hospital for immediate medical attention and subsequently transferred to the Queens Medical Center on Oahu for further treatment. He is currently listed in critical condition.
    "Based on evidence located at the scene, the vehicle struck by the motorcyclist is identified as a white 2006 Nissan Murano SUV bearing license plate PBG-767."
    HPD noted that failure to render aid when a person is injured or killed in a traffic collision is a Class B felony that may be punishable by up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $25,000. Failure to render aid is covered under section 291C-14 of the Hawai'i Revised Statutes.
    "Charges against the motorcyclist may be pending based upon further investigation. Police believe speed may have played a role in this collision," said the HPD report.
    The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a traffic crash investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact Officer Ansel Robinson at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or email at ansel.robinson@hawaiicounty.gov.
    Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.



The three seniors, Alexus Bivings, Tyra Wong Yuen and Lilyana Haina share a moment before the Seniors Day game.
Photo by Mark Peters

LADY TROJANS BASKETBALL CELEBRATED SENIOR DAY ON SATURDAY and played a nail biter against Hilo Vikings. Tyra Wong Yuen, Alexus Bivings, and recently coronated Homecoming queen Lilyana Haina were front and center for this game.
Tyra Wong Yuen brings the ball up the court with Alexus Bivings
 running the floor with her. Photo by Mark Peters
    With gymnasium decorated with photos and posters of each of them, the three were named co-captions for the game and all were members of the starting five for their final home game. Following the final game of the day, a ceremony to recognize all men’s and women’s basketball seniors was held.
    In her final home game, Tyra Wong Yuen led the way for the Lady Trojans in a 38-36 heartbreaking loss to the D1 Hilo Vikings. She led the scoring with 17 points, and was supported by freshman Caliyah Silva-Kamei’s 15 points and sophomore Shaylie Martinez adding 4 points.
    Coach Mark Peters stated, “I was so proud of our girls Saturday. They played their hearts out on and almost pulled off the comeback. Tyra had another great game. During the 3rd quarter the defense tightened on Tyra and we needed another scorer. Caliyah really stepped up with 11 of her 15 points in the second half. She hit 3 of her 4 3-point shots in second half. We had great play on defense from Shaylie, Alexus, Lily, and Angelica. Lacy gave us very strong minutes of the bench as well. This was an impressive team effort.”
    The Lady Trojans team will wrap up the season on Thursday night at 6 p.m. in Honoka'a.


Shaylie Martinez lines up for the opening tip with Lilyana Haina ready to recover the ball. Photo by Mark Peters
ALEXUS BIVINGS, TYRA WONG YUEN AND LILYANA HIANA played their final home game of their Lady Trojan Basketball careers. After the games, the girls were celebrated with recognition from the school leadership, coaches, family, and friends. Coach Mark Peters added, “It has been such a pleasure to work with these three. They all three have a bright future with their amazing traits. Alexus is so driven to succeed. She always gives maximum effort on that court. She sometimes is one of the smallest players size-wise, but never with effort and heart.
    "Tyra has just been a rock for this team. We ask her to do so much on the court and she always does so without any complaints. She is a very skilled player, but an ever better leader and teammate. She was given the title as team captain for a reason, and lived up to every bit of that title.
    "Lily is a special young lady who worked so hard and improved at basketball this year. During breaks in practice while others got water or sat around, Lily was out on the court shooting and working on her skills. By mid-season, she became a starter for many games and played some exceptional defense. She is that player that would help pick up her teammates when they were down or were having a tough practice. 
    "I can’t say enough good things about these three young ladies and the character. I look forward to supporting the great things they will accomplish in life.” The 2023-24 Lady Trojan Basketball team will play its final game of the season at Honoka'a on Thursday night.

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Saturday, January 20, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs Jan. 20, 2024

Summer Fun is a longtime program in Kaʻū and these keiki are growing up, some of them
eligible for employment this year with  Summer Fun. Photo by Julia Neal

JOBS ARE AVAILABLE TO WORK AT SUMMER FUN this year in Kaʻū. Hawai'i County Department of Parks & Recreation is seeking applicants for temporary summer jobs working with keiki during the 2024 Summer Fun Program.
    The Summer Fun Program is a day camp offered at recreation sites island wide that provides healthy, safe and fun activities for keiki for several weeks during summer break.
    To be considered for employment, applicants must possess a current First Aid certification, submit a completed Summer Fun application, and be available to work June 5 through July 19, 2024. The Summer Fun program begins June 12, following a mandatory four-day training period for all temporary employees.
    Summer Fun job applications are available online at https://www.parks.hawaiicounty.gov/facilities-parks/recreation, the Recreation Division Office at 799 Pi'ilani Street in Hilo, and various Hawai'i County gymnasiums located around the island.
    Completed applications must be filed with the Recreation Division or postmarked by Wednesday, February 28.
   For more information about the Department of Parks and Recreation's 2024 Summer Fun Program job opportunities, please contact the Recreation Division at 808-961-8740.

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AN INTERNATIONAL LEADER IN ZERO WASTE MANAGEMENT will give a presentation at the Hawai'i
Richard Anthony gives a talk this Wednesday on Achieving
 Zero Waste in Hawai'i County. 
County Environmental Management Commission this Wednesday. The public can attend in person or by zoom at https://www.zoomgov.com/j/16031058165. The subject of the talk is Achieving Zero Waste in Hawai'i County.
    The speaker is Richard V. Anthony, vice president of Zero Waste USA and president of Zero Waste International Alliance. He began his career in Public Administration in 1971 as a manager of the California State University Long Beach Recycling Center. He is an internationally recognized and published expert in the area of Resource Management using the Zero Waste Systems approach. Anthony is a founder and member of the Board of Directors of the California Resource Recovery Association, the Grassroots Recycling Network, the Zero Waste International Alliance, the USA National Recycling Coalition.
    The Environmental Management commissioner for Kaʻū is Lee McIntosh.

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A COMPOST REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM, sponsored by state Department of Agriculture, is open for applications. The DOA's Plant Industry Division is accepting applications for the Compost
Reimbursement Program to reimburse agricultural producers for the cost of purchasing compost, including transportation costs. Under the program, compost must be purchased from a certified processor, retailer, or wholesaler licensed to do business in Hawaiʻi. Qualified agricultural operations include: commercial agriculture, aquacultural facilities, livestock, poultry, apiary, and landscaping activities. The deadline to submit invoices is May 1. Visit https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/pi/main/compost-reimbursement2024/ for more information.


A CIVIL DEFENSE HIGH SURF WARNING IS IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY. National Weather Service issued the High Surf Warning for all west facing shores of Hawai'i Island, from South Point

through Kona to Upolu Point in North Kohala.
    Surf was forecast to build starting late this afternoon and rise to 12 to 15 feet Saturday night.
    Civil Defense warns, "Surf this high can cause coastal flooding, damage shoreline property, and cause injury and death. Expect strong breaking waves, shore break, and rip currents making swimming difficult and dangerous. Beach-goers, swimmers, and surfers, exercise caution and heed all advice given by ocean safety officials; and when in doubt, don't go out."
    Due to expected wide-spread High Surf Warning conditions for the west coast of Hawaii Island, the following notices and beach park closures are in effect:
    Camping at Kohanaiki Beach Park in Kona is canceled from sunset today through Sunday. Kahalu`u Beach Park in Kona and the Wharf at Mahukona in Kohala will be closed this evening through Sunday.
    Civil Defense notes that other west coast beach parks may be closed on Sunday as conditions change.

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HPD ARRESTED 17 FOR DUI Jan. 8-14. Hawai'i Police Department made the arrests for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Five of the drivers were involved in a traffic accident. One of the drivers was under the age of 21.
    So far this year, there have been 35 DUI arrests compared with 45 during the same period last year, a decrease of 22.2 percent.
   Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 33 major crashes so far this year, compared with 41 during the same time last year, a decrease 19.5 percent.
   To date, there have been three fatal crashes, resulting in three fatalities, compared with two fatal crashes, resulting in two fatalities for the same time last year. This represents an increase of 50 percent for fatal crashes and 50 percent for fatalities.
   To date, the non-traffic fatality count (not on a public roadway) is zero compared to zero non-traffic fatalities for the same time last year.
   Police promise that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.

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Friday, January 19, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs Jan. 19, 2024

Coffee Leaf Rust, one of the most dangerous threats to Kaʻū Coffee farming, is subject of three webinars from Hawai'i Coffee Association. Two are online and one is coming up on Feb. 1. See more below. Photo above shows Coffee Leaf Rust.
Photo from Hawai'i Coffee Association.

"HOMELESS SWEEPS ARE A POOR SOLUTION," according to a statement issued on Friday by Candidate for Mayor, Dr. Kimo Alameda. He said he provides the following opinion in response to homeless sweeps by County of Hawai'i:
    "I believe homeless sweeps are a poor solution to a long-standing problem. Today's relocation of
individuals in downtown Hilo was misguided in several ways." He said that nonprofit agencies like Going Home Hawai'i, HOPE Services, and Neighborhood Place of Puna, who deliver the majority of homeless services in the county and have received substantial funding from the County, "appear in disagreement with the county and it would be better for the county to have a unified inclusive approach."
    Alameda said, "These service providers work with our houseless 'ohana every day and are the experts, so elected officials should look to them for guidance." He said that other community organizations, such
Dr. Kimo Alameda, candidate for mayor.
as Hilo's Downtown Improvement Association "should be consulted because in the past, the county's relocation efforts have pushed people who need assistance to the front of the stores, which hinders positive business traffic flow. Third, there will be a point-in-time count next week, which is a federally mandated census of people experiencing homelessness across our island. It is so important that we get an accurate count because that data is used to apply for resources from the federal government to address homelessness. Conducting a sweep right before makes it difficult to get an accurate count, which could reduce the amount of funding our island receives."
    Alameda pointed to a Kona sweep a year ago when ACLU Legal Director Wookie Kim sent a letter to Mayor Mitch Roth, Parks and Recreation Director Maurice Messina, Police Chief Ben Moszkowicz, and Corporation Counsel Elizabeth Strance stating in part that "when houseless people in the County have no safe place to go without being subjected to the County's laws that punish sheltering in public spaces," it "violates the mandates of the U.S. and Hawai'i constitutions." Alameda said, "The letter continued to demand the county stop the homeless sweeps, yet the county continues to force the visibly homeless individuals to neighboring communities."
    He said, "We understand that there are individuals out in our community that are experiencing homelessness and we will work on a multipronged approach to address their needs. Some individuals will not want to be 'housed' but have other areas they feel safe relocating. Some have greater needs such as medication, mental health, and addiction. The county has to work on these options in collaboration with those experiencing homelessness, service providers, and law enforcement."
    Alameda promised that "If elected, we would work closely with the community, nonprofits, and churches to expand programs that work and eliminate practices that break trust between our houseless 'ohana and service providers. Many of our houseless individuals have simply been priced out of housing in Hawai'i, and I would work to expand programs like HOPE services Sacred Heart Affordable Housing Program, which provides permanent affordable housing and alternative structures for kupuna."
    The candidate pointed to Twinkle Borge from the Pu'uhonua O Wai'anae group on O'ahu, as "another example we can emulate. She is the leader, mentor, and sergeant-in-arms in the village. We can replicate that model if the county can work better with the community, law
Homeless sweep in Hilo on Friday. 
Photo by former state Sen. Laura Acasio

enforcement, churches, and non-profits. Most importantly, I would listen to the people who have experienced homelessness, housing insecurity, and those who are living it right now. They are the experts in their own lives. They have lived through these unnecessary "sweeps," know how far it can set a person back from getting off the streets, and they know we can make a better way. Together, we can Save Hawai'i And Keep Aloha."

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HAWAI'I COFFEE ASSOCIATION IS PROVIDING THREE WEBINARS tackling the serious Coffee Leaf Rust Disease that threatens the Kaʻū Coffee Industry. The free resource is for association members and the broader community to provide updates and methods of fighting the disease in Hawai'i. Two of the webinars can be watched. 
    The first is titled CLR on Hawai'i Island; Biology, Cultural and Chemical Control Options with Dr. Meliss Johnson. It can be wached at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_1akqaer_0.
     The second webinar is titled Controlling CLR: From the Lab to the Field with Dr. Lisa Keith. It can be watched at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky-65tykzcU.
     The third webinar will be on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. Join at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82319058605?pwd=7Gq82IdVzHyIdAnH8ykoIdMorJmbLn.1#success


UPGRADES BELOW THE SURFACE is the title of this week's Volcano Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates. This edition is by Research Corporation of the University of Hawai'i technician Miki Warren:
    Technicians at USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory are constantly engineering, building, deploying, maintaining, troubleshooting, or upgrading equipment and instruments that we use to monitor Hawaii's active volcanoes. This week's Volcano Watch article focuses on the installation process of newly upgraded seismometers that are used to detect and locate earthquakes.
    After the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption and summit collapse of Kīlauea, Congress allocated funding to HVO via the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (H.R. 2157). Part of the funding was used to restore monitoring stations damaged or lost during the 2018 Kīlauea events. Part of the funding was also used improve or update other existing volcano monitoring sites around the Island of Hawaiʻi.
USGS field engineering technician Seth Swaney works on
installing the borehole and upgrading seismic station AHUD,
 located south of Kaluapele and the summit of Kīlauea.
 USGS photo by M. Warren.

Many of the sites that were restored, or improved and upgraded, are seismic stations. While some of the seismic stations were disrupted during 2018, others were in need of improvement in data quality or transmission reliability. These factors are important for being able to accurately locate earthquakes and determine their magnitude, which in turn helps us to understand volcanic processes and associated hazards.
    To help improve data quality, shallow boreholes are being drilled that will house new instruments and allow them to be thermally insulated. These new seismometers have both broadband and strong motion capabilities, and the seismic data quality is proving to be excellent.
    The new boreholes, which are about 7 in (17 cm) in diameter and 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep also have a smaller footprint than older seismic site designs. Each drilled borehole takes about a week to complete before installing the new seismometer. The work is always done with permission from the landowners or land managing agency.
    To effectively drill the borehole, the drilling frame is bolted to the ground surface and continually leveled at four points. A small amount of water is pumped through the drill bit to provide both cooling and lubrication of the bit during the drilling process. The drill is powered by a 5000-watt generator and operated by a USGS technician.
    The drill bit may go through layers of both pāhoehoe and ʻaʻā, so it is a very slow and careful process. Once the full depth is achieved, the hole is lined with silica sand that will help to stabilize and thermally insulate the new instrument that is placed at the base of the hole.
    The instrument is then completely covered with the silica sand and topped with a surface borehole cover. A conduit containing the instrument cables runs along the surface for about 15 feet (4.5 meters) to an electronics box and solar setup that will power the station. Data is then transmitted via radio to one of
https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo

the hub stations and from there to the observatory, where it can be analyzed by a seismologist.
    Once the drilling is complete and the new instrument is installed, it will run concurrently with the existing seismometer (if it is still operational) for a minimum of six months to verify the data. Eventually, the existing seismometer is removed.
    With over 200 active seismic, geodetic, geochemical, and geologic instrumental sites on the Island of Hawaiʻi alone, there's rarely any down time for HVO field engineering technicians. Their work maintaining, upgrading, and installing new stations located in remote areas allows us to monitor Hawaii's active volcanoes.
    Volcano Activity Updates: Kīlauea is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is ADVISORY.
Earthquake activity in Kīlauea summit region remained low over the past week, while summit tilt shows continuing inflation. Unrest over the past several months has fluctuated and eruptive activity could occur in the near future with little or no warning. The most recent sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rate for the summit—approximately 80 tonnes per day—was measured on December 28. No unusual activity has been noted along the rift zones.
    Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.
    Webcams show no signs of activity on Mauna Loa. Summit seismicity has remained at low levels over the past month. Ground deformation indicates continuing slow inflation as magma replenishes the reservoir system following the 2022 eruption. SO2 emission rates are at background levels.
    One earthquake was reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M3.0 earthquake 4 km (2 mi) SW of Pāhala at 31 km (19 mi) depth on Jan. 15 at 10:39 p.m. HST.

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A FULL AFTERNOON AND EVENING OF BASKETBALL COMPETITION will be held at Herkes Kaʻū District Gym on Saturday, beginning with the Senior Lady Trojans basketball game against Hilo High at 2 p.m., celebrating the accomplishments of senior players Lily Haina, Tyra Wong Yuen and Alexus Bivings.
    Trojan boys junior varsity basketball and boys varsity against Kealakehe High School follow the girls competition.

The Senior Game for Trojan Ladies Basketball beings at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Herkes Kaʻū District Gym




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