Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists measure the flow rate of lava in the tube that is transporting lava
to the flow front near Pahoa. Photo from USGS/HVO
HAWAI`I WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION will hold community input meetings to update four Hawai`i County Community Wildfire Protection Plans. One-hour meetings will be held at Cooper Center in Volcano on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 2 p.m.; Na`alehu School, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 6 p.m.; and Ocean View Community Center, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 6 p.m.
      Community input is critical to the CWPP process in determining priority wildfire concerns, needs and action steps to better prepare and protect fire-prone areas from wildfires, according to Elizabeth Pickett, HWMO Director. The CWPP update meetings will identify and prioritize projects to reduce the threat of wildfire in these communities. All full-time and part-time residents in these areas are encouraged to attend.
HWMO will have an information booth at `Ohana Day & Ka`u Coffee Trail Run
at Ka`u Coffee Mill this Saturday.
      CWPPs have become a prerequisite in order to receive federal funding for wildfire protection projects. The CWPP updates help communities identify and prioritize areas for hazardous fuels reduction treatments, and support communities to take action. The plan assesses values at risk such as safety, natural resource protection, recreation, scenic values and economic issues. CWPPs are collaborative efforts with input from community members, firefighting agencies and any other organizations that are interested in taking part. These plans are becoming increasingly important in Hawai`i. They bring wildfire hazard information and planning/action opportunities to all who are affected, making it possible to address wildfire more effectively. As drought episodes increase and land uses continue to change, working at all levels to mitigate wildfire has become essential.
Ka`u Coffee farmers know the dangers of wildfires after experiencing them
is 2012. Photo by William Neal
      Hawai`i County Fire Chief Darren Rosario said, “The number one defense against the effects of a wildfire to your community is prevention. The Hawai`i Fire Department stands ready to respond to the needs of our community. This includes responding through prevention and collaborative efforts to reduce the threat of wildfires to your community. We are a proud team member with HWMO, and your community, in providing you with information and assistance in the sustainability of your community through fire prevention efforts.”
      “CWPPs are meant to tie into existing or planned projects,” said Pickett. “Many communities are developing disaster plans or long-range community plans, and the CWPP is meant to complement those plans. It will be a useful tool for community members to help make their communities and natural areas fire-safe. Wildfires tie into many natural resource, municipal, and community issues, so this is an important opportunity for communities to learn, have their voices heard and get involved.”
      HWMO will also have an information booth at Saturday’s `Ohana Day and Ka`u Coffee Trail Run at Ka`u Coffee Mill.
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USGS HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY GEOLOGISTS are tracking the rate of lava flowing through the lava tube on the June 27th lava flow in Puna by conducting very low frequency surveys.
      According to HVO, the measurement consists of two steps. First, a transect of VLF measurements across the roof of the tube is used to measure the cross-sectional area of lava flowing through the tube. Second, a radar gun is used to measure the speed that lava is flowing at that location. An open skylight that provides a view of flowing lava inside the tube is required for this speed measurement.
Lava continues to crawl toward Pahoa. Map from USGS/HVO
      By multiplying the cross-sectional area with the velocity, the volume rate of lava flowing through the tube can be estimated. Yesterday’s measurement showed a flow rate of 5.8 cubic meters, or roughly 1,500 gallons, per second. Tracking the lava supply rate like this can be helpful for anticipating fluctuations in activity at the flow front, scientists said.
      According to HVO, the flow narrowness and rapid development of a robust tube system within subsurface cracks make the current lava flow unique among the hundreds of flows that Puʻu `O`o has erupted. “Our best estimates suggest that the tube is transporting about 300,000 – 400,000 cubic meters per day (55,000 – 73,000 gallons per minute) of lava to the flow. This is approximately the long-term average eruption rate for Pu`u `O`o over its 31-plus year eruptive history,” according to the current issue of HVO’s Volcano Watch.
      As of this morning, the flow crossed into an uninhabited portion of Ka`ohe Homesteads Subdivision, is continuing northeast and is 2.1 miles from Apa`a Road, which connects with Pahoa Village Road northwest of the center of town.
      See hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
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HAWAI`I WILL RECEIVE MORE THAN $1 MILLION in federal funding for programs aimed to incentivize and further generate economic growth, innovation, and entrepreneurship, announced U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard.
DBEDT's Georja Skinner
      The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism will receive a $400,000 investment to support a technical assistance program for entrepreneurs in Hawai`i. The program focuses on launching new businesses and products for export in the film, creative media, new media, music and fashion design industries.


      University of Hawai`i will receive $510,000 to help renovate the Shidler School of Business. The facility will serve as an accelerator to commercialize and license research ideas at the main campus at Manoa.


      The state Office of Planning will receive $180,000 to fund a major revision and update of the Hawai`i Statewide Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The CEDS process is designed to bring together public and private sectors in the creation of an economic development roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy.
      “Investing in programs that spur innovation and boost startup businesses is one of the best ways to create jobs,” Schatz said. “These investments will give UH and state agencies the resources to develop business and research programs that will create jobs and grow our local economy.”
      “These grants will help provide Hawai`i entrepreneurs with assistance that allows them to take their ideas and turn them into new businesses,” said Hirono. “Innovation is a key ingredient for a thriving economy. While Hawai`i businesses face unique challenges, they also face unique opportunities, and this support from the U.S. Economic Development Administration will help our businesses grow, create jobs, and increase production of local consumer goods.”
      “These federal economic development grants will provide more than $1 million to local programs supporting our most innovative entrepreneurs,” said Gabbard. “We have so much homegrown talent right here in Hawai`i; we need to make sure we are
Kai Ho`opi`i Photo from NPS
empowering people who will strengthen our local economy and create jobs through innovation. In my conversations with local start-up leaders, I have been so impressed by their drive to make Hawai`i a ‘Start-Up Paradise.’ Their work, combined with support like this, creates great opportunity for Hawai`i’s bright economic future.”
      “These funds will help expand the global reach and export of Hawai`i's creative entrepreneurs in the broadband, film, television, new media, music and design clusters,” said Georja Skinner, Administrator of DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division.


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KAI HO`OPI`I SHARES MUSIC OF HIS `OHANA tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK asks families to sign up by this Friday for its free Ka`u `Ohana Day on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Keiki of all ages are invited to join park rangers and take a closer look at the Kahuku Unit during a day of activities. Connect with the culture, people and `aina (land) through mo`olelo (stories), GPS and compass. Free lunch is provided. 
      Call 985-6019.

THURSDAY IS THE U.S. AIR FORCE’S 67TH BIRTHDAY. Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park celebrates with casual dinner available to airmen and guests. Open to authorize patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8371 for more information.

KA`U COFFEE TRAIL RUN & `OHANA DAY is this Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event features a 5K walk/run, 10K and Half Marathon, along with entertainment, games, legal assistance, silent auction and more.
      See okaukakou.org for updates and course photos.
      To sign up for food, arts & crafts, retail and information booths, contact Gay Polido at 808-638-1831 or gay.polido@yahoo.com.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.



See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.