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| Makai of Ka`alaiki Road, rain from Hurricane Ana created spectacular sites as streams fell over cliffs between Pahala and Na`alehu. John Cross, of Olson Trust, said the left fall is from an unnamed stream or drainage, while the one on the right is Hilea. Photo by Julia Neal |
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| Water in Ninole River cascaded below Aikane Plantation. Photo by Julia Neal |
Wood Valley residents were cut off when water covered the road at the Kapapala Ranch intersection. A tree branch on Center Road fell across electric lines, taking out power to some homes in the valley.
Aikane Plantation Coffee Farm on Ka`alaiki Road reported 5.5 inches of rain. “Thank God for no wind,” said owner Merle Becker. “Trees are heavy with cherries and a little bent over from all the rain, but we got through it.”
On Friday night a rain gauge at Kapapala Ranch showed rain falling at two to three inches per hour as bands or precipitation from the storm reached the slopes of Mauna Loa, with heaviest amounts from Volcano to Pahala and Wood Valley. National Weather Service reported that Kapapala recorded 7.5 inches in a 24-hour period.
Ka`u News Briefs will be posting photos of the waterfalls and asking residents if they know the traditional Hawaiian names of them.
Aikane Plantation Coffee Farm on Ka`alaiki Road reported 5.5 inches of rain. “Thank God for no wind,” said owner Merle Becker. “Trees are heavy with cherries and a little bent over from all the rain, but we got through it.”
On Friday night a rain gauge at Kapapala Ranch showed rain falling at two to three inches per hour as bands or precipitation from the storm reached the slopes of Mauna Loa, with heaviest amounts from Volcano to Pahala and Wood Valley. National Weather Service reported that Kapapala recorded 7.5 inches in a 24-hour period.
Ka`u News Briefs will be posting photos of the waterfalls and asking residents if they know the traditional Hawaiian names of them.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
MOST OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK opened today following Hurricane Ana, except for Mauna Loa Road, which remains closed due to downed trees.
Popular park features like Thurston Lava Tube, Kilauea Iki Overlook and the 19-mile stretch of Chain of Craters Road are now open, including both visitor centers and Kipukapuaulu (Bird Park). Namakanipaio Campground is also open.
Volcano Art Center, Volcano House, Kilauea Military Camp, and the post office are open.
Park rangers observed no significant damage from Hurricane Ana, but heavy rainfall, thunder and lightning impacted the park and Hawai‘i Island Friday and Saturday, causing hazardous conditions. More rain is forecast for East Hawai`i through Sunday, and a flash flood advisory is in effect as of Sunday morning. Motorists are urged to drive with caution.
The Kahuku Unit remains closed this weekend and will be assessed on Monday.
MOST OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK opened today following Hurricane Ana, except for Mauna Loa Road, which remains closed due to downed trees.
Popular park features like Thurston Lava Tube, Kilauea Iki Overlook and the 19-mile stretch of Chain of Craters Road are now open, including both visitor centers and Kipukapuaulu (Bird Park). Namakanipaio Campground is also open.
Volcano Art Center, Volcano House, Kilauea Military Camp, and the post office are open.
Park rangers observed no significant damage from Hurricane Ana, but heavy rainfall, thunder and lightning impacted the park and Hawai‘i Island Friday and Saturday, causing hazardous conditions. More rain is forecast for East Hawai`i through Sunday, and a flash flood advisory is in effect as of Sunday morning. Motorists are urged to drive with caution.
The Kahuku Unit remains closed this weekend and will be assessed on Monday.
KA`U’S U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD is calling for the immediate suspension of visas for citizens of Ebola-stricken West African nations as well as flights from those countries into the US.
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| A tree limb fell on power lines in Wood Valley, cutting off power to several homes. Photo by Julia Neal |
“Recent mistakes have revealed that the U.S. public health system is clearly not fully prepared to combat Ebola and prevent its spread in the United States,” Gabbard said. “We cannot stand idly by while this heart-breaking epidemic rages in West Africa, already claiming thousands of lives. There are immediate steps we must take to ensure the safety of the American people and ensure we can maintain our support for West African nations that are overwhelmed by this crisis. First, we need to immediately suspend commercial flights from the West African nations into the United States, as well as suspend visas for their passport holders, until we can ensure that our health facilities are adequately prepared. This temporary suspension will give our healthcare leaders the time and space to adequately prepare our health system to handle Ebola cases and help us to stay focused on the prevention efforts in West Africa.”
Gabbard also voiced concerns about the Centers for Disease Control’s handling of the few cases that have already struck in the U.S., saying, “The CDC and some healthcare providers have already mishandled several Ebola cases. We cannot afford more mistakes. We should be taking every precaution to protect our people, beginning with our healthcare workers.
“Just look at the domino effect that just one sick person from West Africa has had. We’re still scrambling to deal with that episode. Just imagine the chaos that will occur if even more such sick individuals enter the country.
“Ultimately, we need to be able to focus on our efforts to contain the spread of Ebola in West Africa. I strongly support the steps we’ve already taken to provide assistance overseas, but if we are increasingly distracted by Ebola cases in the U.S., we cannot fully focus on the heart of where this epidemic has struck. The impact and spread of Ebola thus far is absolutely devastating; we need to take every proactive measure we have available to stop this virus in its tracks.
“Claims that we need to keep commercial flights open for healthcare workers and supplies to be ferried into these countries are absurd. During this period, essential personnel and equipment can be transported in and out of these countries via charter flights,” Gabbard added.
Gabbard also voiced concerns about the Centers for Disease Control’s handling of the few cases that have already struck in the U.S., saying, “The CDC and some healthcare providers have already mishandled several Ebola cases. We cannot afford more mistakes. We should be taking every precaution to protect our people, beginning with our healthcare workers.
“Just look at the domino effect that just one sick person from West Africa has had. We’re still scrambling to deal with that episode. Just imagine the chaos that will occur if even more such sick individuals enter the country.
“Ultimately, we need to be able to focus on our efforts to contain the spread of Ebola in West Africa. I strongly support the steps we’ve already taken to provide assistance overseas, but if we are increasingly distracted by Ebola cases in the U.S., we cannot fully focus on the heart of where this epidemic has struck. The impact and spread of Ebola thus far is absolutely devastating; we need to take every proactive measure we have available to stop this virus in its tracks.
“Claims that we need to keep commercial flights open for healthcare workers and supplies to be ferried into these countries are absurd. During this period, essential personnel and equipment can be transported in and out of these countries via charter flights,” Gabbard added.
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| While the lava flow front in Puna, shown within yellow lines at left, is not advancing toward Pahoa, a thermal image at right shows it is still active. Images from HVO |
SCIENTISTS AT HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY report that glow from the June 27th lava flow in Puna was visible overnight via webcam, indicating that the flow remains active near its front and mid-way along its length, although it has not adanced.
A Civil Defense overflight yesterday morning found no significant flow advancement, and the distal tip of the flow was still about 0.8 miles from Apa`a Street and Cemetery Road near Pahoa, as measured along the steepest-descent line that the flow has been following.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Anna Peach presents programs on sustainable farming in Ka`u this week. Photo from Anna Peach |
KAMUELA FARMER ANNA PEACH of Squash and Awe farm presents talks about her sustainable farming methods at Ka`u public libraries this week. A seventh-generation farmer, Peach shares information about no-till farming, interplanting with native plants, seed saving and making natural fertilizers from restaurant scrap.
See her farm at squashandawe.com.
Programs are at Na`alehu Public Library Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. and Pahala Public & School Library Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.
Programs are at Na`alehu Public Library Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. and Pahala Public & School Library Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.
KA`U LEARNING ACADEMY CO-FOUNDER Joe Iacuzzo, the official Hawai`i representative for the National Park Service’s National Fossil Day, presents a talk titled Thomas Jefferson to Johnson Space Center: America’s Fossil History at After Dark in the Park Tuesday.
The free program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Park entrance fees apply. $2 donations support park programs.
The free program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Park entrance fees apply. $2 donations support park programs.
KA`U CHAPTER OF HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED meets at Na`alehu Community Center Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
Guest speaker at the meeting is Tane Datta, of Adaptations, Inc., who will discuss how to bring produce to market. Datta runs a farm in South Kona that distributes produce through a Community Supported Agriculture model. The 8.5-acre farm features an acre in coffee, three acres in intensive production and the rest in orchards. The farm is certified organic and is featured on the University of Hawai`i’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources website.
The public is invited to all Ka`u Farmers Union United meetings. Farmers and backyard growers are invited to bring food to share.
To join the Farmers Union, call 503-575-9098.
Guest speaker at the meeting is Tane Datta, of Adaptations, Inc., who will discuss how to bring produce to market. Datta runs a farm in South Kona that distributes produce through a Community Supported Agriculture model. The 8.5-acre farm features an acre in coffee, three acres in intensive production and the rest in orchards. The farm is certified organic and is featured on the University of Hawai`i’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources website.
The public is invited to all Ka`u Farmers Union United meetings. Farmers and backyard growers are invited to bring food to share.
To join the Farmers Union, call 503-575-9098.
HO`OKUPU HULA NO KA`U CULTURAL FESTIVAL takes place in Pahala on the grounds of the Old Plantation Manager’s House this Friday and Saturday. All entertainment is open to the public with no fees. Friday and Saturday night will feature emcee Skylark and chanter Na`auao Vivas.
The festival begins on Friday with `Ohana Night and an Opening Pule at 4 p.m., followed by Ho`okupu by Kumu Hula Haumana and others wishing to participate. At 4:30 p.m., Ernest Kalani takes the stage, followed by Keoki Kahumoku at 5 p.m. A Kukui Ceremony honoring ancestors will be held at 5:45 p.m., followed by music from the South Side Serenaders at 6 p.m. Music by Makanau begins at 7 p.m., followed by Steven Sioloa, Wailau Ryder and Ricky Masaoka at 8:15 p.m.
See more on the festival in more of this week’s Ka`u News Briefs.
KAUAHA`AO CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IS PLANNING its annual fundraising bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Members invite individuals and groups to be vendors. The flea market is open to any club, school, athletic organizations or individuals who would like to raise money for the upcoming holidays.
The charge for a 10-foot x10-foot booth space is $10. Vendors are asked to bring their own tent, table, chairs and, if they need power, their own generator.
For more information and to reserve a booth, call Walter Wong Yuen in the evenings at 928-8039.
At the bazaar there will be live entertainment throughout the day. The Church will be selling laulau, kulolo, baked goods, laulau plate lunches, hotdogs and more.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
The festival begins on Friday with `Ohana Night and an Opening Pule at 4 p.m., followed by Ho`okupu by Kumu Hula Haumana and others wishing to participate. At 4:30 p.m., Ernest Kalani takes the stage, followed by Keoki Kahumoku at 5 p.m. A Kukui Ceremony honoring ancestors will be held at 5:45 p.m., followed by music from the South Side Serenaders at 6 p.m. Music by Makanau begins at 7 p.m., followed by Steven Sioloa, Wailau Ryder and Ricky Masaoka at 8:15 p.m.
See more on the festival in more of this week’s Ka`u News Briefs.
KAUAHA`AO CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IS PLANNING its annual fundraising bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Members invite individuals and groups to be vendors. The flea market is open to any club, school, athletic organizations or individuals who would like to raise money for the upcoming holidays.
The charge for a 10-foot x10-foot booth space is $10. Vendors are asked to bring their own tent, table, chairs and, if they need power, their own generator.
For more information and to reserve a booth, call Walter Wong Yuen in the evenings at 928-8039.
At the bazaar there will be live entertainment throughout the day. The Church will be selling laulau, kulolo, baked goods, laulau plate lunches, hotdogs and more.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf. |
