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Saturday, September 27, 2014

Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014

With the game tied and one minute remaining, Ka`u High Trojan eight-man football team member Cy Tamura ran 35 yards for a touchdown and victory over Kamehamaha-Hawai`i Junior Varsity. Photo by Nalani Parlin
Bob Herkes
AS A MARK OF RESPECT FOR THE LATE FORMER state legislator Robert “Bob” Herkes, Gov. Neil Abercrombie has ordered that flags of the United States and state of Hawai`i shall be flown at half-staff at all state offices and agencies, as well as the Hawai`i National Guard, from sunrise to sunset today, the day of his memorial service. He died Aug. 21 at the age of 83.
      Herkes served on the Hawai`i County Council from 1984 to 1987, when he was appointed by Gov. John Waihe`e to fill a Hawai`i Island state Senate seat vacated by Richard Henderson. He then went on to serve in the state House from 1992 to 2000 and 2002 to 2012.
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A NEW BATTERY TO STORE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY could change the dynamics of the quest for more renewable energy, and Hawai`i, with solar and wind, “is an attractive market,” according to a science report from BBC News.
      Jonathan Webb reported that U.S. engineers have invented a new liquid battery that uses lead instead of more expensive metals for its negative electrode.
A new battery to store intermittent energy like that create by South Point windmills
could change the dynamics of the quest for more renewable energy.
Photo by Peter Anderson
      Along with a layer of lead, the battery contains layers of salt and lithium. Movement between the top land and bottom layers of materials causes generation and consumption of electricity, senior researcher Prof Donald Sadoway, of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, told the BBC.
      The battery also doesn’t require as much heat to operate. Earlier designs had to be kept at 700 degrees Celcius, while this one operates at 450C.
      According to Webb, Sadoway’s company Ambri plans to have demonstration units running in Hawai`i and Massachusetts within a year. “They’ve got sun, they’ve got wind, but both of those are intermittent,” Sadoway said. “We’d like to get some field data from a place like that.”
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Trojans cheer after a touchdown at Trojans' senior night football game yesterday.
Photo by Nalani Parlin
KA`U HAD AN EPIC WIN AGAINST Kamehameha junior varsity in the season’s final home game last night. As pioneers of the eight-man football league on the Big Island, Ka`u High’s Trojans shined brightly last night against Kamehameha’s JV team.
      Despite an impressive standoff by Ka`u’s defensive line, Kamehameha made the first touchdown of the game but did not succeed in their first effort at a two-point conversion.
      Ka`u’s offense struck back with a touchdown by Kupono Palikiko Leffew and a successful two-point conversion by Anthony Emmsley Ah Yee, leaving the score after the first quarter at Ka`u 8, Kamehameha 6.
      The second quarter found Kamehameha’s offense bringing in another touchdown, two-point conversion and a safety to leave the game at halftime at Ka`u 8, Kamehameha 16.
      The second half of the game revealed a refreshed and determined Trojan team. Quarterback Jordan DeRamos threw a perfect pass to Anthony Emmsley Ah Yee for a touchdown, and Cy Tamura brought in the two-point conversion to tie the score. Tamura and Emmsley Ah Yee then switched up for Tamura to bring in the third touchdown for the Trojans, and Emmsley Ah Yee brought in the two-point conversion to leave the third quarter score at 24-16.
Kamehameha-Hawai`i Warriors Junior Varsity put up a good fight but ultimately fell
to Ka`u Trojans. Photo by Nalani Parlin
      The intensity of the game continued in the fourth quarter as the Warriors brought in another touchdown and two-point conversion for a score of 24-24 with one minute left in the game. Ka`u had possession of the ball, and Cy Tamura ran 35 yards for a touchdown and a two-point conversion to seal the win for Ka`u at 32-24.
      The win for Ka`u was a sweet final home game for the seniors, who were honored last night. Seniors honored were Anthony Emmsley Ah Yee, Makana Gravela, Carlos Uribe-Bounes, Cy Tamura, Kainalu Ke, Kaimanu Medeiros-Dancel, Chisum Silva, Kupono Palakiko-Leffew, Rigan Kaapana, Randall Kahele, Jr., Lanni Ah Yee and Kaweni Ibarra.
      This story was written with reports from Ka`u High School journalism intern Kaweni Ibarra.
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THE TOP THREE MALE AND FEMALE participants in Ka`u Coffee Trail Run 10K and 5K events have been announced.
      John Oubra won the 10K with a time of 22 minutes and 2.38 seconds. Heather Lopez was the first woman to finish at 29 minutes and 39.3 seconds.
      Second place in the men’s division went to Ferdinand Babas, of Hilo, with a time of 31 minutes and 28.75 seconds. Meggie Olson, also of Hilo, took second in the women’s division, posting a time of 33 minutes and 33.29 seconds.
      In men’s division third place was Alex Wood, finishing at 34 minutes and six seconds. Rebecca Cole took third in the women’s division at 33 minutes and 58.87 seconds.
      Derek McIntyre crossed the 5K finish line first, posting a time of 11 minutes and 5.83 seconds. Cloe Gan was the first woman to finish, at 14 minutes and 31.47 seconds.
      Two Pahala residents took second and third places in the men’s division – Kameron Moses had a time of 12 minutes and 35.22 seconds, and Patrick Pasion, 12 minutes and 46.56 seconds.
      Kashe Dykema, of Hilo, was third in the women’s 5K at 15 minutes and 40.6 seconds, while Veronica Deguzman, of California, came in at 16 minutes and 6.44. seconds.
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Breakouts are sluggish near the front of the lava flow in Puna and more vigorous
halfway upslope toward Pu`u O`o vent, which is feeding the flow.
Photo from USGS/HVO 
“WHY DID THE JUNE 27TH LAVA FLOW slow as it approached Pahoa?” is a question posed in the current issue of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s Volcano Watch. HVO scientists noted that the lava flow began to slow considerably as the summit of Kilauea began to deflate on Thursday, Sept. 18. “Such deflations have caused decreases in eruptive output at Pu`u `O`o in the past, and that could be the case with the current flow as well,” the issue states.
      “Another possibility for the stalled flow front is that the tube system feeding the June 27th lava flow could be approaching its limits in terms of efficiently insulating the lava moving through it. Based on HVO observations during our Sept. 24 overflight, the lava tube system seems fairly robust from the vent at Pu`u `O`o to just before the point where lava first flowed into a crack. The exact condition of the lava tube within the crack is unknown because we can't see into it, but it seems to also be robust.
      “However, the nature of the tube system from the point at which the lava flow exits the ground crack system near Ka`ohe Homesteads and heads northeast toward Pahoa is not yet clear.
      “Although lava has traveled beneath this section of the flow to the flow front since early September, a lava tube system is not yet evident.
      “The June 27th lava flow is now longer than any other flow formed during the ongoing eruption of Pu`u `O`o. While the evidence favors a decrease in eruptive output as the cause of the current slow-down, careful study is still needed. If and how a lava tube develops within the distal portion of the June 27th lava flow is important to understanding just how far it, and other pahoehoe flows like it, is capable of advancing.”
      Although the flow front has slowed, the June 27th lava flow remains active. This morning, Hawai`i County Civil Defense reported “some increase in activity along the edges” of the flow front, although it has not advanced. A small breakout upslope had advanced 75 yards since yesterday. HVO reported that more vigorous surface breakouts were documented about halfway between the flow front and Pu`u `O`o.
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THE PACIFIC CRAFTS & CERAMIC SALE and yART Sale continues today until 5 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.

KA`U CHAPTER OF HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED meets today at Na`alehu Community Center at 5 p.m.
      For more information, email Malian Lahey at malian@kauspecialtycoffee.com.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR VOLCANO ART CENTER’S Forest Work Day from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow at the Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.
Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus is seeking volunteers for tomorrow's
Forest Work Day. Photo from VAC
      The event is an opportunity for families, organizations, groups and individuals to connect with nature and each other while helping to perpetuate a rare natural, historical, cultural and inspirational resource. Efforts will focus on the removal of invasive iris, ivy and ginger species that threaten to encroach on the 7.4-acre former Forest Reserve. Niaulani Rain Forest is a rare, old-growth `ohi`a and koa tree forest with a successful restoration story. However, because weeds grow faster than native plants, this near pristine state requires continual upkeep.
      Forest Work Days are scheduled the final Sunday of every month at Niaulani. No reservations, experience, or tools are required. Volunteers should bring gloves and rain gear in case of wet weather.
      VAC’s Niaulani Campus is located at 19-4074 Old Volcano Road. For further information, contact call 967-8222 or email programs@volcanoartcenter.org.

VOTING FOR ART TO GRACE THE COVER of The Directory 2015 begins Monday at CU Hawai`i Credit Union in Na`alehu. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Along with People's Choice, first, second and third place winners will be awarded in categories of Graphic, Wood, Craft, Sculpture and Quilting. Keiki categories for grades one through six are Graphic and Photo.

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