 |
| Wood Valley horses graze peacefully among coffee trees as residents continue to recover from last weekend's storm. Some homes remain without phones and electricity, though all power lines have been restored to their properties. Photo by Julia Neal |
HAWAI`I COUNTY WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION has approved funding for a baseline and prospective psycho-social impact assessment to identify adverse impacts on Native Hawaiians associated with the development of geothermal energy generation facilities.
 |
| Palikapu Dedman Image from Big Island Video News |
Puna Pono Alliance, Pele Defense Fund, Sierra Club-Moku Ola Group, `Ohana Ho`opakele and Malu `Aina filed the claim for the study.
The claim also includes a request that the commission establish a Native Hawaiian Health Study Review Board to provide advice regarding conduct of the study and keep the commission informed about its progress.
Pele Defense Fund President Palikapu Dedman testified about geothermal impacting Native Hawaiian culture and religion. “You know what this is? Cultural racism,” he told the commission. “You impose yours on mine. Respect the host people.”
Along with the nearly $300,00 approved yesterday, the planning commission last year approved $750,000 for a three-year geothermal health study, but, according to Tom Callis, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, it did not include Native Hawaiian issues.
Callis reported Commissioner Charles Heaukulani saying, “There’s no question that kanaka maoli are adversely impacted. I support this without reservation.”
The claim also includes a request that the commission establish a Native Hawaiian Health Study Review Board to provide advice regarding conduct of the study and keep the commission informed about its progress.
Pele Defense Fund President Palikapu Dedman testified about geothermal impacting Native Hawaiian culture and religion. “You know what this is? Cultural racism,” he told the commission. “You impose yours on mine. Respect the host people.”
Along with the nearly $300,00 approved yesterday, the planning commission last year approved $750,000 for a three-year geothermal health study, but, according to Tom Callis, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, it did not include Native Hawaiian issues.
Callis reported Commissioner Charles Heaukulani saying, “There’s no question that kanaka maoli are adversely impacted. I support this without reservation.”
See hawaiitribune-herald.com and bigislandvideonews.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
PAHOA CONTINUES TO ADJUST to threats of lava changing the way of life there.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and county Civil Defense report that lava remains stalled about a half mile from the intersection of Pahoa Village Road and Hwy 130, but breakouts continue upslope. One, about two miles above the highway, is moving northeast and could possibly cross Hwy 130 near Maku`u Farmers Market.
According to HVO geologist Mike Poland, the past few months are a lesson on how pahoehoe lava flows work. They surge forward, broaden, inflate and send out new arms.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
PAHOA CONTINUES TO ADJUST to threats of lava changing the way of life there.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and county Civil Defense report that lava remains stalled about a half mile from the intersection of Pahoa Village Road and Hwy 130, but breakouts continue upslope. One, about two miles above the highway, is moving northeast and could possibly cross Hwy 130 near Maku`u Farmers Market.
According to HVO geologist Mike Poland, the past few months are a lesson on how pahoehoe lava flows work. They surge forward, broaden, inflate and send out new arms.
 |
| County Civil Defense map shows past and present lava activity mauka of Pahoa. |
Now that the lava flow heading toward Pahoa Marketplace has slowed down considerably, CU Hawai`i’s Pahoa branch will reopen with limited services on Monday. In preparation for the possible arrival of lava, the branch closed on Dec. 18 and moved employees and equipment out of harm’s way.
Until an evacuation notice from Civil Defense, members who use the Pahoa branch may obtain cash from the ATM and conduct other transaction services through the remote teller station units. Members will be able to purchase negotiable instruments, such as cashier checks, money orders, and temporary checks. Members will also be able open new accounts and apply for loans.
Services such as notary, signature guarantees, account reconciliation, wire transfers and plastic card re-pinning will not be available. Other branches across Hawai`i Island, including Na`alehu, can assist members with these services.
For more information, see www.cuhawaii.com or call a CU Hawai`i member service representative at 933-6700.
The Railroad Avenue alternate access road that was opened in advance of lava possibly covering Hwy 130 has been closed to all traffic. According to Civil Defense, this closure is necessary for road maintenance and to preserve the road until such time that it is needed, and alternate access roads will be opened well in advance of any threat or impact of the lava flow.
Hours of operation at the Pahoa Transfer Station public lava viewing area have been adjusted effective today. New hours of 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily are based on peak hours of visitation.
DURING THEIR SUNDAY WALK IN THE PARK from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park meet at Kilauea Visitor Center to explore Sulfur Banks and `Ilahi Trails. Non-members may join the group in order to attend. Call 985-7373 to sign up.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
Until an evacuation notice from Civil Defense, members who use the Pahoa branch may obtain cash from the ATM and conduct other transaction services through the remote teller station units. Members will be able to purchase negotiable instruments, such as cashier checks, money orders, and temporary checks. Members will also be able open new accounts and apply for loans.
Services such as notary, signature guarantees, account reconciliation, wire transfers and plastic card re-pinning will not be available. Other branches across Hawai`i Island, including Na`alehu, can assist members with these services.
For more information, see www.cuhawaii.com or call a CU Hawai`i member service representative at 933-6700.
The Railroad Avenue alternate access road that was opened in advance of lava possibly covering Hwy 130 has been closed to all traffic. According to Civil Defense, this closure is necessary for road maintenance and to preserve the road until such time that it is needed, and alternate access roads will be opened well in advance of any threat or impact of the lava flow.
Hours of operation at the Pahoa Transfer Station public lava viewing area have been adjusted effective today. New hours of 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily are based on peak hours of visitation.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
 |
| Sen. Mazie Hirono |
SEN. MAZIE HIRONO HAS BEEN NAMED the ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Seapower. The assignment places Hirono in position to oversee matters directly relating to the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.
“I am proud to serve as the ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on Seapower,” Hirono said. “There exists a strong relationship between Hawai`i and the Navy and Marine Corps. Hawai`i’s role is further enhanced as we continue our nation’s rebalance to the Asia-Pacific. Headquartered in Hawai`i, the U.S. Pacific Fleet and U.S. Marine Forces Pacific’s area of responsibility covers more than half of the earth’s surface. I look forward to working with Sen. Roger Wicker, the subcommittee’s new Chairman, to ensure that the Navy and Marine Corps are capable of keeping America and its interests secure.”
The Subcommittee on Seapower is responsible for overseeing the vast majority of Navy and Marine Corps programs, Marine Corps ground forces, Navy and Marine Corps helicopters, Navy and Marine Corps research and development and strategic sealift and airlift research and development programs. The U.S. Pacific Fleet consists of approximately 200 ships, 600 aircraft, five aircraft carrier strike groups and 140,000 sailors and civilians. U.S. Marine Forces Pacific includes two Marine Expeditionary Forces, 86,000 personnel and 640 aircraft. Hawai`i is home to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Pacific Missile Range Facility and Marine Corps Base Hawai`i. Land & Sea Science Camp will be held June 29 to July 8, and Air & Space Science Camp from July 9 to 18.
The Subcommittee on Seapower is responsible for overseeing the vast majority of Navy and Marine Corps programs, Marine Corps ground forces, Navy and Marine Corps helicopters, Navy and Marine Corps research and development and strategic sealift and airlift research and development programs. The U.S. Pacific Fleet consists of approximately 200 ships, 600 aircraft, five aircraft carrier strike groups and 140,000 sailors and civilians. U.S. Marine Forces Pacific includes two Marine Expeditionary Forces, 86,000 personnel and 640 aircraft. Hawai`i is home to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Pacific Missile Range Facility and Marine Corps Base Hawai`i. Land & Sea Science Camp will be held June 29 to July 8, and Air & Space Science Camp from July 9 to 18.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
 |
| Science Campers participated in a Ka`u beach cleanup last year. Registration for this year's camp is now open. Photo from Science Camps of America |
DATES ARE SET FOR SUMMER 2015 Science Camp for Teens Hawai`i. Headquartered in Pahala, campers explore “Nature’s Perfect Laboratory” – the Big Island of Hawai`i.
Science Camp is an opportunity for teens to get out into the field to learn science, do science, meet scientists, make new friends and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each day of camp, participants head out across the island to learn about volcanoes, the ocean, plants, animals, stars and more.
A limited number of positions for counselors-in-training are available for teens ages 17 through19. Counselors-in-Training should be able to attend both sessions of Science Camp and are required to arrive one day before the start of camp.
One of the field trips during Science Camp in 2014 was to South Point, where campers learned about ocean currents, plastic debris in the ocean and on beaches and then conducted a beach cleanup.
Campers in the first session used the debris to make trash art which was then displayed at Science Camp’s booth at Volcano Village’ Fourth of July Festival. Science campers and staff were also in the Fourth of July parade that day, helped run the Keiki Games and offered science demonstrations for everyone to enjoy.
“The beach cleanups and Fourth of July activities were great opportunities for Science Campers to participate in and give something back to the Hawai`i Island community which offers such a wonderful home for Science Camp,” said founder Michael Richards.
Registration is now open. Scholarships and financial aid are available.
A limited number of positions for counselors-in-training are available for teens ages 17 through19. Counselors-in-Training should be able to attend both sessions of Science Camp and are required to arrive one day before the start of camp.
One of the field trips during Science Camp in 2014 was to South Point, where campers learned about ocean currents, plastic debris in the ocean and on beaches and then conducted a beach cleanup.
Campers in the first session used the debris to make trash art which was then displayed at Science Camp’s booth at Volcano Village’ Fourth of July Festival. Science campers and staff were also in the Fourth of July parade that day, helped run the Keiki Games and offered science demonstrations for everyone to enjoy.
“The beach cleanups and Fourth of July activities were great opportunities for Science Campers to participate in and give something back to the Hawai`i Island community which offers such a wonderful home for Science Camp,” said founder Michael Richards.
Registration is now open. Scholarships and financial aid are available.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
 |
| An exhibit of John D. Dawson's paintings opens tomorrow. Photo from Volcano Art Center |
OVER & UNDER: MORE OF HIS NATURE opens Saturday at Volcano art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The exhibit features original paintings by wildlife artist John D. Dawson, whose artwork and illustrations accompany park maps and interpretive signs, along with a collection of art on display in the renovated Kilauea Visitor Center.
Regarding the exhibit, which follows one in 2013, Dawson said, “I love being in the field, so we kept going out and taking in whatever was interesting and inspiring. From all that effort the new show developed and opened up on its own. As an artist, it is always exciting to still be discovering and learning. That curiosity seemed to propel this new art. I’m happy that this new work is helping to expand my vision and to look further under the sea and into the clouds and beyond.”
The gallery is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Opening reception begins at 5 p.m. Free; park entrance fees apply.
The gallery is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Opening reception begins at 5 p.m. Free; park entrance fees apply.
 |
| Palm Trail at Kahuku is the site of a guided hike Sunday. Photo from NPS |
KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK offers free programs this weekend.
Tomorrow at 10:30 a.m., participants can bring lunch and learn about the vital role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a lehua tree and its flower.
Palm Trail Hike on Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. is a moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop trail that provides one of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer.
Palm Trail Hike on Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. is a moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop trail that provides one of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer.
DURING THEIR SUNDAY WALK IN THE PARK from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park meet at Kilauea Visitor Center to explore Sulfur Banks and `Ilahi Trails. Non-members may join the group in order to attend. Call 985-7373 to sign up.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
