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| Halau participating in Merrie Monarch have been visiting Halema`uma`u in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, where Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists report the lava lake is circulating and stable. Photo from HVO |
The pump is inoperable until repairs can be completed, according to Kanani Aton, of Department of Water Supply. The pump and motor need to be pulled from the well for repairs. Emergency procedures are now activated to expedite procurement of a contractor as soon as possible, Aton said. Once selected, the contractor will mobilize to the site, pull the pump from the well, assess the needed repairs and prepare a timeline for repairs.
Users are asked to limit their consumption to potable needs only.
Alternate spigot sites are available in Wai`ohinu and Ho`okena.
For further information, call Daryl Ikeda at 961-8790.
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| Miss Aloha Hula 2013 Manalani Mili Hokoana English Image from hawaiinewsnow.com |
MANALANI MILI HOKOANA ENGLISH and other members of Halau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka visited Kilauea Caldera in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park the day after English became Miss Aloha Hula at the 50th Merrie Monarch Festival with a total of 1,057 points. She told Ninu Wu, of Honolulu Star-Advertiser, that she had to ground herself to prepare for the group competition. The group danced on the rim before returning to Hilo for yesterday’s hula kahiko competition. Hula `auana competition takes place this evening, with the awards ceremony following.
Other dancers who placed in the Miss Aloha Hula competition are Sloane Makana West, of Halau Kekuaokala`au`ala`iliahi, with 1,042 points; Jasmine Kaleihiwa Dunlap, of Hula Halau `O Kamuela, with 1,041 points; Chalei Malianapuaonahala Pu`ulei McKee, of Ka La `Onohi Mai O Ha`eha`e, with 1,039 points; and Whitney Pi`ilani Baldwin Schneider-Furuya, of Halau I Ka Wekiu, with 1033 points.
Other dancers who placed in the Miss Aloha Hula competition are Sloane Makana West, of Halau Kekuaokala`au`ala`iliahi, with 1,042 points; Jasmine Kaleihiwa Dunlap, of Hula Halau `O Kamuela, with 1,041 points; Chalei Malianapuaonahala Pu`ulei McKee, of Ka La `Onohi Mai O Ha`eha`e, with 1,039 points; and Whitney Pi`ilani Baldwin Schneider-Furuya, of Halau I Ka Wekiu, with 1033 points.
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| Nona Wilson, of Ka`u Hospital; Ka`u Hospital Charitable Foundation treasurer Naomi Yoshida and president Bradley Westervelt; Ron Young, of Ka`u Golf Group; and Barbara Beatty, of Ka`u Red Hat Ladies, gathered for presentation of checks from fundraising events for the hospital's ER. |
VOLUNTEERS THIS YEAR RAISED $16,500 for Ka`u Hospital’s emergency room. On April 2, representatives from Ka`u Red Hat Ladies, Ka Lae Quilters and Ka`u Golf Group presented checks to Ka`u Hospital Charitable Foundation at a thank you ceremony. Every year, the groups combine efforts to raise money through bake, craft and quilt sales, a community spaghetti dinner and a golf tournament. Nona Wilson, assistant administration and director of Nursing, thanked the volunteers for their dedication. “It has been because of their efforts that our emergency department is so well equipped,” she said.
The funds will be used to purchase another cardiac monitor for the ER, equipping all four of the ER beds with this important tool for caring for critically ill patients.
RESEARCH ON NEONICOTINOID-BASED pesticides and their contribution to declining populations of bees continues. Researchers caution that neonicotinoid-based pesticides cause bee colonies to collapse. When bees feed on the plants and ingest the pesticide, they become disoriented and cannot find their way back to the hives.
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| Bees ingest pesticides when feeding on plants, according to researchers. Image from wired.com |
After suspending use of nicotine-based pesticides four years ago, Italy saw a restoration of bee populations, with no cases of widespread bee mortality in hives around the untreated crops, reported Roberta Cruger, of treehugger.com.
Mace Vaughan, pollinator program director at the Xerces society, an invertebrate conservation group, said neonicotinoids are also commonly used in nurseries. “People may purchase plants with the intent of providing habitat for bees, but end up poisoning them,” he said.
However, Vaughan does not support a ban on neonicotinoids because they’re far less toxic to people than earlier pesticides. He says they may be appropriate to use in certain situations, such as in-home termite control.
Mace Vaughan, pollinator program director at the Xerces society, an invertebrate conservation group, said neonicotinoids are also commonly used in nurseries. “People may purchase plants with the intent of providing habitat for bees, but end up poisoning them,” he said.
However, Vaughan does not support a ban on neonicotinoids because they’re far less toxic to people than earlier pesticides. He says they may be appropriate to use in certain situations, such as in-home termite control.
The Southern Reporter yesterday said that findings from a British study conclude that there is no consistent relationship between the pesticide and harm to bumble bees.
Neonicotinoids are used in commercial agriculture to coat plant seeds, and they become permanent insecticides in the plants as they grow.
The pesticides are also common in products used in backyards and gardens. A story by Brandon Keim in Wired magazine said these products may expose bees to far higher doses than those found on farms. “For homeowner use products, for backyard plants, the amount of neonicotinoids used is like 40 times greater than anything allowable in agricultural systems,” said entomologist James Frazier, of Pennsylvania State University.
The pesticides are also common in products used in backyards and gardens. A story by Brandon Keim in Wired magazine said these products may expose bees to far higher doses than those found on farms. “For homeowner use products, for backyard plants, the amount of neonicotinoids used is like 40 times greater than anything allowable in agricultural systems,” said entomologist James Frazier, of Pennsylvania State University.
DRAFT MATERIALS FOR KA`U Community Development Plan, which were released this week, discuss Ka`u’s natural and cultural resources and their challenges. It describes kahakai, or coastal, resources as having “unparalleled natural scenic beauty, including rocky shoreline, picturesque pali, and black and green sand beaches, most of which is undeveloped.”
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| Maps included in draft Ka`u CDP materials show Ka`u's kahakai, or coastal, resources and decribe their challenges. |
The draft CDP lists unique kahakai natural resources including springs, anchialine ponds, wetlands, turtle nesting sites, and pristine coastal and near shore ecosystems featuring endangered and threatened species.
Ka`u’s kahakai region, the draft CDP states, has rich cultural and archaeological resources from an extensive historical pattern of coastal village settlements (many of the resources have yet to be inventoried), Lateral and mauka-makai trail corridors, including large portions of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail corridor, valuable recreational and subsistence resources, including beach parks, boat ramps and renowned fishing grounds.
Challenges for the kahakai region, according to the draft CDP, are limited management of natural, scenic, cultural, subsistence, trail, and recreational resources along the coastline, a long history of coastal hazards, including flood zones, devastating storm surge and both local and distant tsunamis.
Another challenge is the forecast of climate change impacts, including one-meter sea level rise this century and higher winds and storm surge levels due to climate change.
The draft CDP says the County General Plan “is clear about the need to protect Ka`u’s Kahakai resources.” The County General Plan encourages the establishment of the Punalu`u-Ninole Springs region as a recreation area, encourages the state Department of Hawaiian Homes Lands to develop the South Point area for recreational opportunities, recommends the development of Ka`alu`alu Bay as a remote camping-beach park, encourages restoration of Ninole Pond as a recreation area and encourages land acquisition surrounding Whittington Beach Park to allow for its expansion and construction of a parking area.
Ka`u’s kahakai region, the draft CDP states, has rich cultural and archaeological resources from an extensive historical pattern of coastal village settlements (many of the resources have yet to be inventoried), Lateral and mauka-makai trail corridors, including large portions of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail corridor, valuable recreational and subsistence resources, including beach parks, boat ramps and renowned fishing grounds.
Challenges for the kahakai region, according to the draft CDP, are limited management of natural, scenic, cultural, subsistence, trail, and recreational resources along the coastline, a long history of coastal hazards, including flood zones, devastating storm surge and both local and distant tsunamis.
Another challenge is the forecast of climate change impacts, including one-meter sea level rise this century and higher winds and storm surge levels due to climate change.
The draft CDP says the County General Plan “is clear about the need to protect Ka`u’s Kahakai resources.” The County General Plan encourages the establishment of the Punalu`u-Ninole Springs region as a recreation area, encourages the state Department of Hawaiian Homes Lands to develop the South Point area for recreational opportunities, recommends the development of Ka`alu`alu Bay as a remote camping-beach park, encourages restoration of Ninole Pond as a recreation area and encourages land acquisition surrounding Whittington Beach Park to allow for its expansion and construction of a parking area.
Ka`u CDP draft materials will be discussed at the Steering Committee meeting Tuesday at Pahala Community Center beginning at 8:30 p.m.
Draft Ka`u CDP documents are available at hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp.
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| Dietrich Varez Photo from dvarez.com |
VOLCANO ART CENTER GALLERY in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park continues its celebration of the 50th annual Merrie Monarch Festival tomorrow when Dietrich Varez signs 250 Hawaiiana prints and books he has written or illustrated from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, see volcanoartcenter.org.
IN SPORTS, KA`U HIGH athletes are on the road today. The judo team is participating in the Kamehameha Dual Tournament. The tennis team is also at Kamehameha, and track and field athletes are at Konawaena. A softball game begins at 1 p.m. in Honoka`a.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
IN SPORTS, KA`U HIGH athletes are on the road today. The judo team is participating in the Kamehameha Dual Tournament. The tennis team is also at Kamehameha, and track and field athletes are at Konawaena. A softball game begins at 1 p.m. in Honoka`a.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
