Kaʻū News Briefs Sept. 20, 2024

Kīlauea Eruption Spatters, Sputters & Stops

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews reported small fountains and lava flows erupting from one of the western fissures just before 9 a.m. on Friday. By 10 a.m., that activity had ceased and the middle East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea had paused. USGS photos by M. Patrick.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews reported small fountains and lava flows erupting from one of the western fissures just before 9 a.m. on Friday. By 10 a.m., that activity had ceased and the middle East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea had paused. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

ONE NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING BILL WOULD CREATE SPRAWL in Hawai'i County and unintentionally fail to solve the affordable housing problem, according to Jason Masters, an urban planner who grew up in Kaʻū and lives here. He sent a letter, representing only himself, to Mayor Mitch Roth, who could veto Bill 123, following its recent passage by the County Council. Masters also presented his concerns to the Kaʻū Community Development Plan Action Committee at this week's meeting. Masters is Chair of the Action Committee and asked members to weigh in on the matter 
    While he said he does "admire the intention and direction taken by the County Council to address the  complex problems of affordable and available housing on our Hawai’i Island," he wrote that Bill 123 would "actually result in just the opposite of what it hopes to accomplish." He referred to the possibility of investors coming into communities and buying up land with the higher housing density approval, to construct multiple expensive, large houses instead of helping to solve the local housing shor

Jason Masters, Chair of Kaʻū Community Development Plan Action Committee.

  He said some of the many unknown adverse effects of this bill include problems with traffic and circulation. He contended it could triple the potential population "without accounting for general infrastructure, on and off-site parking, sewage which is a significant issue in Kaʻū of which we are awaiting resolution, water supply, energy" and more.
    He called for the bill to be held back in order for Action Committees around the island to study it and make recommendations. He also noted that the county's General Plan is under revision and questioned why Bill 123 is a separate item that was rushed through the County Council. He said Bill 123 was "poorly advertised when it probably has much more drastic, immediate impacts" than the General Plan update.
    Masters said that in his 15 years as a City Planner in California before he moved back home to Kaʻū, he wrote many laws regarding accessory dwelling units, which were never for more than one additional unit 

on one property for a habitable use, and never for anything close to over 1,000 sq. ft.; could never exceed the existing dwelling size; and never used for less than long term rental.
    He asked why Bill 123 was "so urgently rushed through. I believe in finding solutions to affordable housing islandwide. But I believe that they have to be varied and targeted solutions as appropriate. I work at the schools in Kaʻū. I want somewhere for these kids and, heck, for their parents right now to be able to live affordably." He said that "given the opportunity, the District of Kaʻū’s Community Development Plan Action Committee would certainly discuss and provide testimony on this item." Masters urged to "Please delay action on this item until such time is given to allow the County’s Action Committees to act on this matter as I believe is consistent with County Law."
    The result of Bill 123, predicted Masters, "will be to forever price out future generations of existing residents and lock them into being forever-renters." He noted that currently Kaʻū District has among the highest homeownership rates in the state even with lowest income levels in the state. "With this Bill, outside investors will come in and buy up cheap lots, and develop them for multifamily housing rentals which will drive up land values, pricing out local families forever." He said that the result of Bill 123 "is to literally encourage urban sprawl just like Los Angeles. Please reconsider the far reaching implications of Bill 123."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.

Andrew Amon

POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR ANDREW AMON, a 28-year-old Kaʻū man who is wanted on an outstanding bench warrant, and for questioning in connection with other criminal investigations.
    Amon is described as being 5-foot-five inches tall, 130 pounds with brown eyes and black hair and is known to frequent the area of Hawaiian Ocean View Estates.
Anyone with information on Amon’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact Officer Jenna Kosinski-Santos at (808) 939-2520 or via email at Jenna.Kosinski-Santos@hawaiicounty.gov. They may also contact the Hawaii Police Department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.                                                                                                                                          THE TENTH ANNUAL KAʻŪ COFFEE TRAIL RUN is Saturday starting and finishing at Kaʻū Coffee Mill on Wood Valley Road above Pāhala. Events are a 5K, 10K, half marathon and 50K. Competitors will run through coffee and macadamia orchards and up into the rainforest above Wood Valley Road. The 50K starts at 6 a.m., followed by the half marathon at 7 a.m., 10 K at 7:15 a.m. and 5K at 7:30 a.m. Proceeds support the community group ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. Registration is  closed but the public is invited to see the start and finish and to enjoy food and refreshments as well as visit Kaʻū Coffee Mill.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.    

September 2024, 5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the streets.

Kaʻū News Briefs Sept. 19, 2024

 Kaʻū Trojan Girls fought hard with three close sets, succumbing to Hilo in five. Photo by Julia Neal

KAʻŪ BATTLED HILO HIGH IN GIRLS VOLLEYBALL THURSDAY, the Trojans finally succumbing to the Vikings at the end of five sets. JV Trojans also took the loss. In varsity play:

Heads up, Kaʻū with Hilo in town Thursday.
Photo by Julia Neal

    First Set: Hilo 25, Kaʻū 17.

    Second Set: Hilo 26, Kaʻū 24.

    Third Set: Kaʻū 25-Hilo 20.

    Fourth Set: Kaʻū 25, Hilo 23.

    Fifth Set: Hilo 15, Kaʻū 3.

    Trojan Leahi Kaupu nailed 8 Kills, 3 Aces. McKenzie Decoito accomplished 7 Kills, 3 Aces. Zia Rae Wroblewski totaled 6 Kills, 1 Ace, 1 Block. Jezerie Rose Nurial-Dacalio smahed 6 Kills, 1 Block.

Jazmyn Navarro achieved 3 Kills, 1 Ace. Kiara Ortega-Oliveira brought 2 Aces. Alajshae Barrios scored with 2 Aces.

    Kea'au comes to Kaʻū on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Kaʻū travels to Christian Liberty on Saturday, Sept. 28 and again to LCPCS/SIS on Monday, Sept. 30. Ka 'Umeke comes to Kaʻū on Saturday, Oct. 5. Kaʻū travels to Hilo on Saturday, Oct. 12 and again to Pahoa on Monday, Oct. 13. Kamehameha comes to Kaʻū on Wednesday, Oct. 16, followed by Big Island Interscholastic Federation playoffs.

    Coach is Josh Ortega, Assistant Coach and JV Coach is Sarah Ortega, Trainer is Moses Whitcomb and Athletic Director is Jaime Guerpo.

     The varsity team is comprised of Mckenzie Decoito, Leahi Kaupu, Jezerie Rose Nurial-Dacalio, Kiara Ortrega-Oliveira, Jazmyn Navarro, Aubrey Delos Santos-Graig, Alajshae Barrios, CaLiya Silva-Kamei and Zia Rae Wroblewski.
    The JV team is comprised of Deijah Cabanilla-Nogales, Lily Dacalio, Christy Girl Grohs, Megan Pierpont, Kalesha Hashimoto, Alazae Forcum, Wailea Kainoa Haili-Barawis and Dhaylee Cabreros.

Kea'au comes to Kaʻū on Tuesday, Sept. 24, following Thursday's home match against Hilo.
Photo by Julia Neal

A GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH IS SOUGHT FOR KAʻŪ HIGH for the 2024-2025 season. Candidates must have some Basketball Experience and the drive to work with young student athletes. If interested or need more information, contact Athletic Director Jaime Guerpo at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School, 96-3150 Pikake St. in Pāhala. Call the office at 808-313-4161 or Guerpo's cell at 808-289-3472.

A FREE EDUCATION IN CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION AND USING AN AUTOMATIC  EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR will be given, with hands-only techniques, on Friday, Sept. 27 at 

Nāʻālehu Hongwanji. Class size limited to 10. Trainer for this CPR/AED education is Jessica Moe. For more information or to sign up contact Marcia Masters at 808-936-5639 or marciamasters58@gmail.com, or stop by the Thrift Store at Hongwanji Monday, Wednesday, or Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The 150-m-long (nearly 500 feet) fissure erupting west of Nāpau Crater within Hawaʻi Volcanoes National Park began erupting yesterday, Sept. 18, around 3:15 p.m. It's part of an eruptive sequence that began in this area the night of Sept. 15, 2024. Overnight, this fissure fed a lava flow that cascaded into the crater via a channel more than 50 meters (about 164 feet) wide.
USGS photo by M. Zoeller

THE NEW KĪLAUEA ERUPTION is the subject of this week's Volcano Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:    

    A new Kīlauea eruption began in a remote area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on Sunday, Sept.15. This is the first eruption on Kīlauea's middle East Rift Zone (MERZ) since 2018 and it poses no immediate threat to life or infrastructure. The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) is closely monitoring this eruption.

    HVO has been in close contact with Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and the Hawai'i County Civil Defense Agency throughout this eruption, which has featured a series of small fissure phases that have each lasted from hours to days. Each phase has increased in volume with the most recent being the largest to date. In total, the fissure system has stretched over 1.8 km (1.1 miles), and lava has covered more than 777,000 square meters (192 acres).
    The first phase of the eruption began between 9 and 10 p.m. HST on Sunday evening. Infrasound sensors in HVO's monitoring network recorded strong signals indicative of gas or steam venting. At the same time, HVO's seismometers recorded weak but sustained low frequency tremor. Although an eruption could not be confirmed visually Sunday night by webcams or satellite thermal data due to heavy rainfall, the geophysical data indicated that an eruption could be taking place. That night, some residents in nearby communities also reported strong sulfur or burning smells.

On Friday, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists conducted a reconnaissance overflight of the eruption near Nāpau Crater on the middle East Rift Zone of Kīlauea. They observed a 150-m-long (nearly 500 feet) fissure west of the crater erupting lava in a curtain of lava 10-20 meters (33-66 feet) high. USGS photo by M. Zoeller

    The next morning, Monday, Sept. 16, HVO scientists on a helicopter overflight confirmed that a small eruption had occurred on Kīlauea's MERZ between Makaopuhi Crater and Nāpau Crater. This first fissure eruption was small and covered less than 4 acres. Lava was no longer flowing on the surface as of Monday, but magma was still moving underground as detected by seismometers, tiltmeters and GPS.
    Phase two of the eruption began Monday evening around 6 p.m. HST. The onset of this eruptive activity was detected in NOAA GOES satellite thermal imagery and HVO webcam imagery. Interestingly, no changes were detected in other monitoring datasets. Fissures from this phase of the eruption produced lava fountains and flows that gradually decreased through the night. But activity would soon resume.
    The third eruptive phase then began between 4 and 5 a.m. HST on Tuesday, Sept.17. This onset was detected using a combination of infrasound signals, GOES satellite thermal anomaly, and webcam imagery. After sunrise, HVO scientists on a helicopter overflight observed several lava fountains approximately 10 meters (yards) high that were generating lava flows on the floor of Nāpau Crater. This eruptive phase was more vigorous and longer lived and continued and gradually decreasing levels through Wednesday afternoon.

A helicopter overflight on Sept. 19 allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected at the middle East Rift Zone eruption site on Kīlauea. The eruptive activity continues with a fissure vent active west of Nāpau Crater generating lava flows northeast into the crater. The scale of the thermal map ranges from blue to red, with blue colors indicative of cooler temperatures and red colors indicative of warmer temperatures. USGS image

    A fourth eruptive phase began around 3 p.m. HST on Wednesday, Sept.18, as new fissures opened west of Nāpau Crater. A monitoring camera deployed by HVO field crews with permission from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park recorded "lava falls" cascading down the northwest walls of Nāpau Crater. Vigorous activity continued into Wednesday evening and lava continues to cascade into Nāpau Crater as of Thursday morning, Sept. 19.
    The eruption continues as this article is published. HVO webcam views are available from our website including a new live view of Nāpau Crater. How long will the eruption last? Examining history, numerous MERZ eruptions took place during the 1960s–1970s, most of which lasted less than one day to about two weeks. An eruption near Nāpau Crater in 1997 lasted two days. The nearby 2011 Kamoamoa eruption lasted five days. Of course, there have also been much longer-lived MERZ eruptions as well. Maunaulu lasted five years and Puʻuʻōʻō lasted 35 years. Time will tell!
    Looking at the bigger picture, this eruption signals a significant and fascinating change in activity at Kīlauea. One year ago this week, a Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu was just ending. That eruption, which lasted from Sept. 10-16, 2023, was the fifth in a series of eruptions within Halemaʻumaʻu since Dec. 2020. On June 3, 2024, the first Kīlauea eruption outside the summit caldera since 2018 occurred several miles southwest of Halemaʻumaʻu. And now, after a series of seismic swarms and magmatic intrusions beneath the upper East Rift Zone over the past few months, we are witnessing the first MERZ eruption since 2018. It seems that a new era of Kīlauea eruptions has begun.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists conducted a reconnaissance overflight of the eruption near Nāpau Crater on the middle East Rift Zone of Kīlauea. They observed lava cascading over the rim of the crater from a channel more than 50 meters (about 164 feet) wide. Lava is contained within Nāpau Crater and now covers about two thirds of the crater floor. USGS photo by M. Zoeller

 USGS Volcano Activity Updates
    Kīlauea is erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is WATCH.
    On Saturday, Sept.14, magma intruded into the middle East Rift Zone region of Kīlauea. A brief eruption occurred the night of Sept. 15, just west of Nāpau Crater within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National

Park. The eruption resumed late in the day on Sept. 16, and continued through the night, decreasing in vigor until about 4 a.m. HST, Sept. 17, when new vents opened to the east in Nāpau Crater. At 3:15 p.m. HST on Sept. 17, the Nāpau Crater vents likely ceased, with eruptive activity shifting west of the crater and generating lava flows over the northwest wall and into Nāpau Crater. Multi-day fissure eruptions in this area are not unusual and current eruptive activity appears to be linked to supply of magma from the summit. The most recent sulfur dioxide emission rate for the eruption was 10,000 tonnes per day, measured on Sept. 18.
    Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.
    Two earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M3.1 earthquake 23 km (14 mi) W of Volcano at 8 km (5 mi) depth on Sept. 15 at 1:15 p.m. HST and a M4.3 earthquake 6 km (3 mi) SSW of Volcano at 0 km (0 mi) depth on Sept. 14 at 4:25 p.m. HST.
    HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.

September 2024, 5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the streets.

Kaʻū News Briefs Sept. 18, 2024

All from Kaʻū, Arabella Ortega, Khloe Moses, Nohea Ka'awa, Kumu Debbie Ryder, Leiahi'ena Ka'awa and Kahea Wong Yuen at the Native Hawaiian Convention for the Council of Native Hawaiian Advancement. It is taking place at Hilton Waikoloa Village where the four young ladies and their Kumu performed and participated in sessions. Photo Lauren Wong Yuen 

CULTURAL PRACTITIONERS AND DANCERS are among those from Kaʻū at the Native Hawaiian Convention, sponsored by the the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement this week at Hilton Waikoloa Village.

     Kumu Debbie Ryder, of Hālau Hula O Leionalani, said the Kaʻū contingent is representing this district "very proudly." The contingent includes four representing the halau - Arabella Ortega, Khloe Moses, Leiahi'ena Ka'awa and Kahea Wong Yuen. 

Chloe Moses, Arabella Ortega and Kahea Wong Yuen with Kumu
 Hinaleimoana Kalu-Wong, a cultural advisor to Council for Native
Hawaiian Advancement. During the Native Hawaiian Convention in
Waikoloa, Kalu-Wong referred to her family roots in Kaʻū.
Photo by Lauren Wong Yuen

      Ryder said she invited Kumu Nohea Ka'awa to also join the halau to chant and sound with the ipu. Ryder said she personally did not grow up here and turned to Ka'awa, a native of Kaʻū to help to represent the district.

    Joining the halau to kokua are halau family members Lauren Wong Yuen, Kamalani Wong Yuen, Tyra Wong Yuen, Laurie Ortega and Jack Moses. 

    The Kaʻū contingent also met with Kumu Heinaleimoana Kalu-Wong, cultural advisor to the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.

    The three-day event wrapping up Wednesday features discussions and workshops on cultural perpetuation, lei, hula, land use, housing, fashion, tourism, education, and self-determination. 

    Leiahi'ena Ka'awa said she was enthusiastic about such sessions as Mo'olelo, with participants engaging to dissect and define a chant called Kaukahali'a, led by Luka Mossman and Kuha'o Zane.

    Sessions were wide ranging and included a breakout entitled Carrying Culture: Microsnesia, "to help participants understand and support people from the region of Micronesia, focusing on an overview of the region and culturally sustaining practices based on understanding key Micronesian cultural norms and delivering professional practices in ways that support those norms while promoting success."

    Another is called Uihā! The Cultural Impact of Paniolo. Another is Hula: Hālau vs Show. Another is The Future of Our Lands, described as,"He aliʻi ka ʻāina; he kauwā ke kāne. The land is chief; a person is its servant. Our kūpuna remind us that caring for the land is our kuleana, ensuring its resources sustain us. With growing threats to both land and people, what does effective aloha ʻāina look like in today’s world?"

    See the entire schedule and links to events, some of them recorded at https://www.hawaiiancouncil.org/2024convention/.                                                                        See https://www.facebook.com/hawaiiancouncil and https://www.instagram.com/hawaiiancouncil/

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.

Steam and volcanic gas continue to be emitted from the first fissures that erupted the night of Sept. 15 on the middle East Rift 

Zone of Kīlauea, west of Nāpau Crater. This photo, taken during the Wednesday morning monitoring overflight, looks southeast. The vog makes its way off the Kaʻū Coast to Kona. USGS photo by H. Winslow

ERUPTION HAZARDS EASED AND CHAIN OF CRATERS ROAD REOPENED ON WEDNESDAY. However, the eruption at Nāpau Crater continues and serious hazards still exist. All visitors to Chain of
Craters Road are urged to stay safe and be respectful of the hazards by noting the following:

Although most of the lava flow field within Nāpau Crater
 was inactive Wednesday morning, lava was actively oozing
 out of a marginal area. USGS photo by H. Winslow

Volcanic eruptions can be hazardous and change at any time. Stay on marked trails and overlooks. Do not enter closed areas. Avoid cliff edges and earth cracks, they are unstable.
    Hazardous volcanic gases present a danger to everyone, especially people with heart or respiratory problems, infants, young children and pregnant women. Use the park air monitoring website as you visit the park.
    Slow down and drive safely. Observe posted speed limits, drive slow over earthquake cracks and bumps and be on the lookout for wildlife such as nēnē, the world's rarest goose.
    The eruption near Nāpau Crater Kīlauea volcano's middle East Rift Zone began this past Sunday, Sept. 15 in a remote wilderness area. This area remains closed, no eruption viewing is possible. Lava glow was not visible from Chain of Craters Road overnight. Visitors should always check the park website for updates, closures, and alerts that could impact their visit.
Hilina Pali Road and Kulanaokuaiki Campground are now open to traffic. With the exception of Nāpau, backcountry sites have reopened as well.
    Maunaulu Trail and parking area, Nāpau Trail and Nāulu Trail remain closed to all use due to continued eruption hazards including gas emissions and for potential wildland fire. Escape road is open from Highway 11 to the Mauna Ulu Parking lot access road closure.

During a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight the morning of Sept. 18, geologists observed only very weak activity at Kīlauea's middle East Rift Zone eruption site in Nāpau Crater. One vent was active with weak low fountaining in a tiny lava pond and much of the flow field was no longer active, though there was a residual ooze out on a margin of the flow field. A new small pad of lava had formed at west end of the fissure system since the overflight yesterday morning, but it was inactive by the overflight this morning. USGS photo by M. Patrick

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.

ACTION COMMITTEE FOR KAʻŪ COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN meets Thursday, Sept. 19 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Herkes Kaʻū District Gym Multi-Purpose Room.

CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW SEWER COLLECTION SYSTEM FOR PĀHALA IS MOVING FORWARD. Brenda Iokepa-Moses, Deputy Director of County of Hawai'i Department of Environmental Management, sent out an announcement on Wednesday saying the collection system "will connect or make your parcel accessible to a package wastewater treatment plant. DEM is requesting permission for a Right-of-Entry onto your property, for the purpose of planning, design, and constructing the sewer system improvements, closing out the existing large capacity cesspool (LCC), and restoration of impacted site features. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025 and the County has entered into an administrative order on consent (AOC) to complete these works and close out the LCC in 2027.
    "The County has successfully secured a $12 million federal grant and additional funding for this project that will provide wastewater treatment that is protective of surface water and underground sources of drinking water for 174 properties in Pāhala. The ability to access your property is necessary for the County to remain in compliance with the AOC."
    With questions, contact Mark Grant – Wastewater Division Project Coordinator and (TA) Deputy Chief at (808) 961-8589 or via email at MarkJ.Grant@hawaiicounty.gov.
    Visit www.dem.hawaiicounty.gov/projects for more information and status updates.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.

September 2024, 5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the streets.