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| Haze in Ka`u from Halema`uma`u Crater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Photo by Julia Neal |
HAZE WILL BE THE SUBJECT of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency public hearings on the proposed Clean Air Act Regional Haze Federal Implementation Plan for Hawai`i. In Ka`u, haze comes mostly from the Ka`u desert wind, macadamia nut harvesting and volcanic fumes and particulates. The Hilo hearing will be this Friday, June 1, with an open house, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and a public hearing, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.,
in Waiakea High School Cafeteria
at 155 W. Kawili St.
A statement from the EPA says, “Regional haze is a visibility impairment caused by the cumulative air pollutant emissions from numerous sources over a wide geographic area. This haze obscures the views of scenery at a distance, reducing the beauty of national parks.
“The EPA plan is designed to achieve progress toward achieving visibility goals at the Haleakala National Park and the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park in the first planning period through 2018.”
The EPA takes aim at Hawai`i Electric Co., saying the proposed plan would impose a cap on pollution from oil-fired electric generating units on the Big Island. “It is likely that the Hawaii Electric Light Co. could meet this cap through improvements in energy conservation and increased reliance on renewable energy already planned as part of Hawai`i’s Clean Energy Initiative.” The EPA is not planning to impose any other additional pollution controls as part of this stage of the Regional Haze Program.
The Clean Air Act requires states, in coordination with EPA, the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and other interested parties, to develop and implement air quality protection plans to reduce the pollution that causes visibility impairment in 156 national parks and wilderness areas.
Agencies have been monitoring visibility in national parks and wilderness areas since 1988. In 1999, the EPA announced a major effort to improve air quality in national parks and wilderness areas through the Clean Air Act Regional Haze Rule.
To read the proposed plan for Hawai`i, visit: http://www.epa.gov/region9/air/actions/hawaii.html.
The Clean Air Act requires states, in coordination with EPA, the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and other interested parties, to develop and implement air quality protection plans to reduce the pollution that causes visibility impairment in 156 national parks and wilderness areas.
Agencies have been monitoring visibility in national parks and wilderness areas since 1988. In 1999, the EPA announced a major effort to improve air quality in national parks and wilderness areas through the Clean Air Act Regional Haze Rule.
To read the proposed plan for Hawai`i, visit: http://www.epa.gov/region9/air/actions/hawaii.html.
AIR UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE PEOPLE registered on vog monitors in Pahala from 1 a.m. until 8:15 a.m. today and moved into the Ocean View area at 8 a.m., where the vog scale remained orange for an hour. The S02 blew away as the winds started. Vog and high S02 are more likely during windless nights when fumes from Kilauea Volcano can cover the Ka`u Desert and blanket Pahala village, staying there until the winds come. Health officials recommend closing windows at night before going to sleep for protection from vog. Air cleaners and air conditioners can be used for warm nights and for clean-air sleeping, significantly reducing overall daily exposure to vog. Sulfur dioxide levels are available online at www.hiso2index.info.
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| Bon Dance at Na`alehu Hongwanji in 2009. |
BON DANCE SEASON BEGINS NEXT WEEK around the island, and some enthusiasts from Ka`u travel to the hongwajis to take part in the annual dance and celebration of ancestors and harvest. Here is the schedule islandwide throughout the summer:
This year’s programs and themes are:
For children, up to those entering grade 6 this fall. Dream Big READ! will encourage reveling in the wonders of night – dreams, lullabies, bedtime and campfire stories; ghosts, nocturnal animals, and star-gazing.
- Saturday, June 9, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Keauhou Shopping Center.
- Saturday, June 23, 7 p.m. Papaikou Hongwanji Mission, 964-1640 .
- Saturday, June 30, 7 p.m. Honomu Hongwanji Mission, 963-6032.
- Friday and Saturday, July 6 & 7, 7:30 p.m. Puna Hongwanji Mission, 966-9981
- Saturday, July 7, 7 p.m. Kohala Hongwanji Mission 775-7232 .
- Friday and Saturday, July 13 & 14, 7 p.m. Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, 961-6677 .
- Saturday, July 14, 7:30 p.m. Paauilo Hongwanji Mission, 776-1369 .
- Saturday, July 21, 7:30 p.m. Honoka`a Hongwanji Mission, 775-7232 .
- Saturday, July 28, 7 p.m. Papa`aloa Hongwanji Mission 962-6340 .
- Saturday, July 28, 7 p.m. Kona Hongwanji Mission, 323-2993.
- Saturday, Aug. 18, 7:30 p.m. Kamuela Hongwanji Mission 885-4481.
- Saturday, Aug. 25, 7 p.m. Honohina Hongwanji Mission 963-6032.
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| Pahala Library hosts a summer reading program from keiki to adults. Photo by Julia Neal |
THE HAWAI`I STATE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM hosts Summer Reading at Pahala and Na`alehu Libraries June 4 through July 7. Registration is ongoing and participants reading at least one book a week are eligible to receive a free reading incentive. Programs also feature storytelling and performances.
A special collaboration aims to increase summer reading program participation by students in kindergarten through second grade. “Multiple studies have proven beyond a doubt that children who continue reading during the summer perform better when they return to school in the fall, score higher on standardized tests, and are more active and engaged in the classroom,” said State Librarian Richard Burns. This year’s programs and themes are:
For teens, grade 7 through 2012 high school graduates, Own the Night will motivate enjoyment of the wonders of night through dreams, mysteries, suspense and campfire stories, nocturnal animals, jobs and careers involving night-shifts, astronomy and star-gazing. Teens may win an Apple iPod Shuffle and other prizes.
For adult patrons 18 and older, Between the Covers will inspire the joy of reading and celebrate wonders of night – dreams, mysteries, adventure, westerns, science fiction, romance, jobs and careers involving night-shifts, astronomy, and star-gazing. For more information, contact Na`alehu Public Library at 939-2442, or Pahala Public & School Library at 928-2015.
KEN CHARON teaches basic drawing techniques tomorrow from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Participants meet at Volcano Art Center Gallery before walking to a scenic location suitable for sketching. Sign up on a first-come, first-served basis and bring paper and pencil, or borrow supplies for a donation. The event is free, and park entrance fees apply. For more information, call Emily at 967-7565.
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| Megan Lamson of Hawai`i Wildlife Fund hosts several beach cleanups in Ka`u every year. Photo from Hawai`i Wildlife Fund |
HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND has its third annual beach cleanup at Manuka Natural Area Reserve on Saturday. Volunteers should be able hikers wearing sturdy shoes and bring bag lunches, water bottle, snacks and sun and wind protection. Sign up for the events with Megan Lamson at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or 769-7629.
KA`U FOREST RESERVE’S Draft Management Plan is the topic at a public meeting this Saturday, June 2 at Na`alehu Community Center.
The plan would be implemented over a 15-year time frame. To help preserve native species, it includes options for fencing portions of the 61,641 acre Ka`u Forest Reserve mostly in the upper elevations. The plan would provide trails for hunters and hikers.
Copies of the plan’s Draft EA can be read at Pahala and Na`alehu Public Libraries and online at http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Hawaii/2010s/2012-05-23-DEA-Kau-Forest-Reserve-Management-Plan.pdf.
Saturday’s meeting takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Food and childcare will be provided. For more information, contact Ron Terry at 969-7090 or rterry@hawaii.rr.com.
KA`U FOREST RESERVE’S Draft Management Plan is the topic at a public meeting this Saturday, June 2 at Na`alehu Community Center.
The plan would be implemented over a 15-year time frame. To help preserve native species, it includes options for fencing portions of the 61,641 acre Ka`u Forest Reserve mostly in the upper elevations. The plan would provide trails for hunters and hikers.
Copies of the plan’s Draft EA can be read at Pahala and Na`alehu Public Libraries and online at http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Hawaii/2010s/2012-05-23-DEA-Kau-Forest-Reserve-Management-Plan.pdf.
Saturday’s meeting takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Food and childcare will be provided. For more information, contact Ron Terry at 969-7090 or rterry@hawaii.rr.com.
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| A lunar eclipse makes the moon appear red. Photo from darkerview.com |
KILAKILA O KA`U celebrates the lunar eclipse and Venus transiting the sun this Saturday, Sunday and Monday, June 2 – 4, at Aikala Ranch on South Point Road. Activities include Hawaiian Language Scrabble Tournament, astrology, palmistry, tarot cards, psychics, psychic mediums, gems, stones, Reiki and massage. For vendor spaces, call 968-1781; for camping, call 557-7043.
FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK sponsor a sneak preview of Kahuku Unit’s Kona Trail on Sunday, June 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Park ranger John Stallman guides this four-mile roundtrip trek through highland pastures that offers participants excellent bird-watching opportunities along with information about the area’s natural and cultural heritage. $50 for Friends members; $70 for non-members. Students (K-12 and college with valid student ID) are half-price. Non-members are welcome to join the nonprofit Friends in order to get the member discount. Call 985-7373 or email institute@fhvnp.org.
FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK sponsor a sneak preview of Kahuku Unit’s Kona Trail on Sunday, June 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Park ranger John Stallman guides this four-mile roundtrip trek through highland pastures that offers participants excellent bird-watching opportunities along with information about the area’s natural and cultural heritage. $50 for Friends members; $70 for non-members. Students (K-12 and college with valid student ID) are half-price. Non-members are welcome to join the nonprofit Friends in order to get the member discount. Call 985-7373 or email institute@fhvnp.org.