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| A total lunar eclipse is visible in Ka`u tonight. This composite by Akira, Fujii, Sky & Telescope shows full moon before, during and after an eclipse. |
KA`U SCENIC BYWAY COMMITTEE’S Corridor Management Plan is on the agenda of Thursday’s state Scenic Byways Advisory Committee meeting. The CMP is available at hawaiiscenicbyways.org. Ka`u’s Chair Rich Morrow said that a preliminary note indicated there should not be too much to change in the plan.
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| Ka`u Scenic Byway sign informs travelers on Hwy 11 about features in the Ocean View area. |
He also said scenic byway markers that would be placed along the highway are being made.
The committee is also considering locations for the first three-sided informational kiosk and replacing long-gone signs that identified dates of several lava flows on the highway. According to Morrow, USGS has offered to help with the geologic data and thinks the idea is “great.”
Morrow also suggested having links on the website to articles about Ka`u, such as recent ones in Sunset and National Geographic magazines.
The public is invited to Ka`u Scenic Byway Committee meetings, with the next one scheduled for Monday, May 12 at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
KA`U’S U.S. REP. Tulsi Gabbard has voted in favor of a proposed Democratic Alternative Budget developed in response to the Fiscal Year 2015 budget proposed by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan.
“Budgets in Congress demonstrate our top priorities for the country and should be responsive to our tough economic realities,” Gabbard said. “We can only achieve our goals of a stronger nation by executing a balanced, responsible budget that grows our economy, maintains a strong national defense and creates opportunity for our next generation to succeed. Though I support elements of the Ryan budget that seek to eliminate waste, reduce the deficit and provide increased funding for national security, the draconian cuts to key programs like Medicare, Social Security and nutrition assistance found in the Ryan budget, along with a likely increase in taxes for hard-working middle-class Americans in order to lower taxes for the ultra-wealthy, are not acceptable and result in hurting our kupuna and families. We need to pass a budget that makes responsible cuts, eliminates waste and is focused on growing our economy, getting people back to work in good-paying jobs, ensuring a strong national defense and making sure those who are in most need are getting a hand up.”
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| Chilean earthquakes can create tsunamis that reach Hawai`i |
TSUNAMI AWARENESS MONTH CONTINUES, with Hawaiian Volcano Observatory discussing in its latest issue of Volcano Watch events of this past April 1 when an earthquake in Chile caused a tsunami advisory in Hawai`i.
“In Hawai`i, we need to be concerned about potential tsunamigenic earthquakes occurring anywhere in the Pacific basin,” HVO says. “However, because of past tragic experiences in Hawai`i, large earthquakes along the Aleutian Islands to the north (where the earthquake occurred and produced the 1946 tsunami) or in Chile (where a magnitude-9.6 earthquake caused the 1960 tsunami) might create a little more anxiety here.” The 1960 tsunami that devastated the Shinmachi community of Hilo resulted from an earthquake in Chile that released more than 30 times the energy released by this year’s April 1 earthquake.
Historical experience offers important clues to go along with modern observations and data, HVO explains. An earthquake struck Iquique, Chile in 1877 and sent a tsunami that destroyed dozens of homes in Hilo and killed five people. On the other side of the Pacific Ocean, hundreds of people were killed in Japan by this tsunami.
“It is difficult to compare the two Iquique earthquakes in detail,” according to HVO. “This year’s earthquake occurred in essentially the same source region as the 1877 earthquake, but the 1877 earthquake was somewhat stronger. The fact that the source region of the 2014 earthquake had previously produced a devastating tsunami was also of concern to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center with regard to their advisories and warnings.
“It is difficult to compare the two Iquique earthquakes in detail,” according to HVO. “This year’s earthquake occurred in essentially the same source region as the 1877 earthquake, but the 1877 earthquake was somewhat stronger. The fact that the source region of the 2014 earthquake had previously produced a devastating tsunami was also of concern to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center with regard to their advisories and warnings.
“Armed with data from deep-ocean water gauges and their model calculations, PTWC became confident that the likelihood of a devastating tsunami hitting Hawai`i on April 1 was low and decided to hold back orders to evacuate. At the same time, because they were still tracking the waves, they stood by their advisory for people to keep out of the ocean for hours after the first tsunami wave arrivals.
“We commit our efforts to a better understanding of geologic hazards and to the memory of all who have suffered from natural disasters,” the article concludes.
See more at hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
KA`U’S U.S. REP. Tulsi Gabbard has voted in favor of a proposed Democratic Alternative Budget developed in response to the Fiscal Year 2015 budget proposed by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan.
“Budgets in Congress demonstrate our top priorities for the country and should be responsive to our tough economic realities,” Gabbard said. “We can only achieve our goals of a stronger nation by executing a balanced, responsible budget that grows our economy, maintains a strong national defense and creates opportunity for our next generation to succeed. Though I support elements of the Ryan budget that seek to eliminate waste, reduce the deficit and provide increased funding for national security, the draconian cuts to key programs like Medicare, Social Security and nutrition assistance found in the Ryan budget, along with a likely increase in taxes for hard-working middle-class Americans in order to lower taxes for the ultra-wealthy, are not acceptable and result in hurting our kupuna and families. We need to pass a budget that makes responsible cuts, eliminates waste and is focused on growing our economy, getting people back to work in good-paying jobs, ensuring a strong national defense and making sure those who are in most need are getting a hand up.”
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| Rep. Richard Onishi |
The Democratic Alternative Budget preserves the Medicare guarantee, maintains Medicaid services for low-income Americans and creates revenue by closing tax loopholes for oil companies and other special interests, according to Gabbard.
The alternative budget would also reduce the deficit to 2.3 percent of GDP by 2024.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
WHILE THE STATE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES are holding conferences to come to agreement on proposed bills this week, many bills did not make it to this stage.
Ka`u’s state Rep. Richard Onishi co-introduced HB2008, which would have funded the Future Farmers of America.
SB 2347 would have prohibited the sale or transport of plants that are diseased or infested with an invasive species. The bill did not make it past the House Energy & Environmental Protection Committee.
HB 2577 would have banned smoking in and around public housing projects and low-income housing projects. It would have allowed a landord to terminate a lease after three violations.
SB 3071 sought to give taxpayers refunds when the state had excess revenues.
HB 2323 would have raised fines on contractors that didn’t pay the prevailing wage from $1,000 to $10,000 per project and from $100 to $1,000 per day.
The status of these and other bills can be tracked at capitol.hawaii.gov.
SB 2347 would have prohibited the sale or transport of plants that are diseased or infested with an invasive species. The bill did not make it past the House Energy & Environmental Protection Committee.
HB 2577 would have banned smoking in and around public housing projects and low-income housing projects. It would have allowed a landord to terminate a lease after three violations.
SB 3071 sought to give taxpayers refunds when the state had excess revenues.
HB 2323 would have raised fines on contractors that didn’t pay the prevailing wage from $1,000 to $10,000 per project and from $100 to $1,000 per day.
The status of these and other bills can be tracked at capitol.hawaii.gov.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES SPONSOR a book sale at Pahala Public & School Library tommorow from noon to 7 p.m. (closed 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.) and Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m - 1 p.m.). Donations of books, CD/DVDs and magazines can be dropped off at Na`alehu or Pahala libraries during working hours.
To help or for more information, call 987-7448.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
THE FOLLOWING KA`U HIGH SCHOOL students in grades 10 – 12 have earned a place on the third-quarter honor roll:
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| Students on the third-quarter honor roll at the Ka`u campus have been announced. Photo from KHPES |
Grade 12:
3.80 - 4.50: Toni Beck, Chazlyn Fuerte-Castaneda, Kamrie Koi, Marileah Lalin, William Mitchell III, Cassidy Neece, Siena Okimoto, Romina Ellaine Sembran, Deven Smithmeyer, Jennifer Tabios, Shaenese Tailon
3.50 - 3.79: Kamalani Fujikawa, Kyra Malepe, Franklin Orcino, Lehre Vidal, Randall Watson
3.0 - 3.49: Alexis Alejo, Jernest Breithaupt-Louis, Micah Echalas, Andrew Garcia, Jena Haalilio, Denisha Navarro, William Tailon Kaluna
Grade 11:
3.80 - 4.00: Anjanette Jara, Jeazelle Sebastian, Kristin Subica
3.50 - 3.79: Tia Rose Goldsmith, Lanni Ah Yee, Jessica Baruelo, Bon Jhudiel Echalas, Rayncin Salmo-Grace, Carlos Uribe-Buonos
3.0 - 3.49: Kerrilyn Domondon, Brian Gascon, Aysha Kaupu, Kehaulani Ke, Rodalynn Kuahiwinui, Makela Moses, Davis Phillips, David Pillette, Whitney Spencer-Johansen, Mike Tamayo
Grade 10
3.80 - 4.00: Khairalyn Denny, Deisha Gascon
3.50 - 3.79: Jay-R Abalos, Tiani Castaneda-Naboa, Charlotte Esquida, Rowland Aldwin Flores, Evan Manoha, Shawn Mooney
3.0 - 3.49: Jami Beck, Gissele Corpuz, Joy Escobar, Sheilla Mae Felipe, Marciana Henry, Keana Kuluwaimaka, Maricar Jane Manantan, Gloria Ornelas, Janet Parlin.
More honor roll recipients from other grades will be announced in future Ka`u News Briefs.
3.80 - 4.50: Toni Beck, Chazlyn Fuerte-Castaneda, Kamrie Koi, Marileah Lalin, William Mitchell III, Cassidy Neece, Siena Okimoto, Romina Ellaine Sembran, Deven Smithmeyer, Jennifer Tabios, Shaenese Tailon
3.50 - 3.79: Kamalani Fujikawa, Kyra Malepe, Franklin Orcino, Lehre Vidal, Randall Watson
3.0 - 3.49: Alexis Alejo, Jernest Breithaupt-Louis, Micah Echalas, Andrew Garcia, Jena Haalilio, Denisha Navarro, William Tailon Kaluna
Grade 11:
3.80 - 4.00: Anjanette Jara, Jeazelle Sebastian, Kristin Subica
3.50 - 3.79: Tia Rose Goldsmith, Lanni Ah Yee, Jessica Baruelo, Bon Jhudiel Echalas, Rayncin Salmo-Grace, Carlos Uribe-Buonos
3.0 - 3.49: Kerrilyn Domondon, Brian Gascon, Aysha Kaupu, Kehaulani Ke, Rodalynn Kuahiwinui, Makela Moses, Davis Phillips, David Pillette, Whitney Spencer-Johansen, Mike Tamayo
Grade 10
3.80 - 4.00: Khairalyn Denny, Deisha Gascon
3.50 - 3.79: Jay-R Abalos, Tiani Castaneda-Naboa, Charlotte Esquida, Rowland Aldwin Flores, Evan Manoha, Shawn Mooney
3.0 - 3.49: Jami Beck, Gissele Corpuz, Joy Escobar, Sheilla Mae Felipe, Marciana Henry, Keana Kuluwaimaka, Maricar Jane Manantan, Gloria Ornelas, Janet Parlin.
More honor roll recipients from other grades will be announced in future Ka`u News Briefs.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
KA`U RESIDENTS CAN EXPERIENCE A FULL LUNAR ECLIPSE tonight. Astronomer Lew Cook said the earth’s shadow takes a noticeable bite from the moon at 8 p.m., growing darker until it becomes total from 9:06 p.m. to 10:24 p.m., when a thin crescent shows until there is just a dusky moon at 11:30 p.m. The moon brightens until 12:10 a.m., when it is at its brightest.
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| Friends of Ka`u Libraries' book sale begins tomorrow at Pahala Library. |
WANT TO LEARN JAPANESE? Classes take place every Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Na`alehu Hongwanji. Sign up with Maiki at 989-4259 or hawaiiislandlife@gmail.com.
FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES SPONSOR a book sale at Pahala Public & School Library tommorow from noon to 7 p.m. (closed 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.) and Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m - 1 p.m.). Donations of books, CD/DVDs and magazines can be dropped off at Na`alehu or Pahala libraries during working hours.
To help or for more information, call 987-7448.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| See kaualendar.com/Directory2014.swf. |