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| This year's Miss Ka`u Coffee pageant is set for Saturday, April 25, one of many events that are part of the 10-day Ka`u Coffee Festival. Photo by Julia Neal |
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY HAS WELCOMED a new staff scientist, Ingrid Johanson, an expert in using GPS as well as satellite radar data (InSAR) to measure motion of the ground surface in response to geologic events such as earthquakes and magma movement.
Growing up in California’s central valley just east of San Francisco, Johanson was no stranger to earthquakes, but it was a summer internship in geophysics that inspired her to study them. At the time, she was a UCLA undergraduate pursuing a degree in physics. Through the internship, Johanson discovered geophysics could combine her love of math and physics with an appreciation for nature to help understand the processes that shape and move Earth. Geophysics also gives her the added bonus of working outdoors. |
Dr. Ingrid Johanson joins HVO as a geophysics expert
studying earthquakes and lava flow.
Photo from HVO
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As part of graduate research at the University of California at Berkeley, Johanson helped develop a technique using InSAR to map surface motion. Her work led to new insights into how stress accumulates along faults, including the San Andreas Fault, and how that relates to the potential for future damaging earthquakes.
After earning her Ph.D., Johanson completed a postdoctoral fellowship with the U.S. Geological Survey and worked at HVO, where she studied Kilauea Volcano for several months before accepting a position at UC Berkeley as a research scientist and manager of the Bay Area Regional Deformation network. BARD is an array of continuously operating GPS stations that monitor surface motion across the faults that make up the Pacific-North America plate boundary around the San Francisco Bay area.
Johanson was responsible for processing GPS data, including high-rate and real-time GPS. Her results are incorporated in California’s earthquake early warning system.
After earning her Ph.D., Johanson completed a postdoctoral fellowship with the U.S. Geological Survey and worked at HVO, where she studied Kilauea Volcano for several months before accepting a position at UC Berkeley as a research scientist and manager of the Bay Area Regional Deformation network. BARD is an array of continuously operating GPS stations that monitor surface motion across the faults that make up the Pacific-North America plate boundary around the San Francisco Bay area.
Johanson was responsible for processing GPS data, including high-rate and real-time GPS. Her results are incorporated in California’s earthquake early warning system.
Real-time deformation data are not only useful in earthquake early warning (the feasibility of which is currently being studied in Hawai`i), but also invaluable in assessing volcanic hazards, reports HVO in its Volcano Watch publication.
During quickly emerging events, such as intrusions of magma into rift zones or shallow levels beneath the summits of Kilauea and Mauna Loa, real-time tilt and GPS positioning allow tracking magma beneath the surface as it moves. “Johanson’s experience in this field will bring valuable improvements to our real-time GPS capabilities,” HVO reports.
“The combination of GPS and InSAR expertise Johanson brings to HVO has great potential to further our understanding of volcanic and earthquake processes on Hawaiian volcanoes. With the ongoing lava flow on Kilauea and the ever-present threat of renewed activity at Mauna Loa, Johanson’s expertise is needed now more than ever.”
During quickly emerging events, such as intrusions of magma into rift zones or shallow levels beneath the summits of Kilauea and Mauna Loa, real-time tilt and GPS positioning allow tracking magma beneath the surface as it moves. “Johanson’s experience in this field will bring valuable improvements to our real-time GPS capabilities,” HVO reports.
“The combination of GPS and InSAR expertise Johanson brings to HVO has great potential to further our understanding of volcanic and earthquake processes on Hawaiian volcanoes. With the ongoing lava flow on Kilauea and the ever-present threat of renewed activity at Mauna Loa, Johanson’s expertise is needed now more than ever.”
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| Exploring Ka`u's mountain water system is another highlight of the 10-day Ka`u Coffee Festival. Photo by Jesse Tunison |
THE KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL COMMITTEE has announced 10 days of education and celebration of the Ka`u Coffee industry, from Friday, April 24 through Sunday, May 3. The Ho`olaule`a with farm tours, music, coffee tasting, food and coffee sales takes place on Saturday, May 2 at Pahala Community Center, where a new Miss Ka`u Coffee will reign following the pageant on April 25. Buy Local, It Matters is also a feature of the festival, drawing people to local businesses ahead of the Ho`olaule`a, where prizes are given to those who support regional enterprise.
The ten days of events are sponsored by Hawai`i Tourism Authority, County of Hawai`i, Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative, Olson Trust, Ka`u Farm & Ranch, Pahala Plantation Cottages and many coffee farmers and businesses throughout the region. To volunteer, sponsor or donate, contact 2015 Festival Chair Chris Manfredi at 929-9550 or cmanfredi@kaufarmandranch.com. To donate to the Miss Ka`u Coffee scholarship fund, contact Scholarship Chair Julia Neal at 928-9811 or mahalo@aloha.net. To sign up for a booth to sell Ka`u Coffee, food, arts, crafts or for educational purposes, contact Brenda Moses at brenda@kaucoffeemill.com.
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| Triple C recipe contest invites participants to showcase Ka`u Coffee in original recipes. Photo by Julia Neal |
Here are the dates for Ka`u Coffee Festival 2015:
- Pa`ina Open House Kickoff Celebration – Friday, April 24, 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House, Co-sponsored by Ka`u Chamber of Commerce.
- Triple C Recipe Contest – Saturday, April 25, 2 p.m. at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Enjoy culinary treats using Ka`u Coffee as an ingredient. Free entry and tasting for the public. Live entertainment. See kaucoffeemill.com or call 928-0550.
- Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant – Sunday, April 26. Call Pageant Chair Gloria Camba at 928-8558.
- Ka`u Mountain Water System Hike – Wednesday, April 29, 9 a.m., starting at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Reservations required. See kaucoffemill.com or call 928-0550.
- Coffee & Cattle Day – Friday, May 1, 10 a.m. at `Aikane Plantation Coffee Farm. Call 808-927- 2252 for reservations.
- Ka`u Star Gazing at Makanau Mountain – Friday, May 1, 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. See kaucoffeemill.com or call 928-0550.
- Ka`u Coffee Festival Ho`olaule`a – Saturday, May 2, 9 a.m – 5 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Enjoy a free, full day of music, hula, Ka`u Coffee Tasting, educational displays and demonstrations, food, arts, crafts, vendors and a keiki corner. Enjoy live entertainment. For more information, call Chris Manfredi at 929-9550.
- Ka`u Coffee Experience – Saturday, May 2, 9:30 a.m. – noon, 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Sample Ka`u Coffees prepared using a wide variety of techniques, served by expert baristas.
- Farm & Mill Tours – Saturday, May 2, Various times, $20. See kaucoffeefest.com for more information.
- Ka`u Coffee College – Sunday May 3, 9 a.m. at Pahala Community Center. Educational series featuring researchers and industry professionals. Free for farmers. Call Chris Manfredi at 929-9550.
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| Videoconferencing of Hawai`i County Council meetings continues at Ocean View Community Center. Meetings are also live-streamed at hawaiicounty.gov. |
KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in this week’s Hawai`i County government meetings. Council committees meet tomorrow, and the full Council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m. All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo.
The meetings will be live-streamed online at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on the Council Meetings like at left. Videoconferencing is available at Ocean View Community Center, where residents can provide testimony during the meetings.
Governmental Relations & Economic Development Committee meets at 9 a.m., Public Works and Parks & Recreation at 10 a.m., Planning at 11 a.m., Finance at 1:30 p.m. and Environmental Management at 2:30 p.m.
The Planning Committee considers a bill that would amend Hawai`i County’s Zoning Code relating to zoning district regulations within industrial-commercial mixed county districts.
The Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions forwarded favorable recommendations to this amendment, which would allow double-family and multiple-family residential units within the districts.
Hawai`i County Council on Wednesday considers a Resolution that would amend Rules of Procedure and Organization of the
Council. The resolution proposes the following rule changes: 1) Council members would not be excused from meeting attendance except “due to illness, emergency matter or court directive;” 2) Deletes the requirement that the Council Chair approve waivers of items to the Council agenda that have been approved in writing by the Committee Chairperson 3) Deletes the option of presenting public testimony in the form of prerecorded video testimony; 4) Mandates that before any Council Member can cut off debate by calling for the question, each Council Member has had the opportunity to speak at least once; 5) Provides that expenses of NACo steering committee members be drawn from the general account and expenses for attendance at Council meetings by Council members and the reasonable expense for attendance of district staff approved by the Council Clerk not also require approval of the Council Chairperson; and 6) Clarifies that the mayor’s approval is not required to transfer contingency funds to County agencies.
Governmental Relations & Economic Development Committee meets at 9 a.m., Public Works and Parks & Recreation at 10 a.m., Planning at 11 a.m., Finance at 1:30 p.m. and Environmental Management at 2:30 p.m.
The Planning Committee considers a bill that would amend Hawai`i County’s Zoning Code relating to zoning district regulations within industrial-commercial mixed county districts.
The Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions forwarded favorable recommendations to this amendment, which would allow double-family and multiple-family residential units within the districts.
Hawai`i County Council on Wednesday considers a Resolution that would amend Rules of Procedure and Organization of the
Council. The resolution proposes the following rule changes: 1) Council members would not be excused from meeting attendance except “due to illness, emergency matter or court directive;” 2) Deletes the requirement that the Council Chair approve waivers of items to the Council agenda that have been approved in writing by the Committee Chairperson 3) Deletes the option of presenting public testimony in the form of prerecorded video testimony; 4) Mandates that before any Council Member can cut off debate by calling for the question, each Council Member has had the opportunity to speak at least once; 5) Provides that expenses of NACo steering committee members be drawn from the general account and expenses for attendance at Council meetings by Council members and the reasonable expense for attendance of district staff approved by the Council Clerk not also require approval of the Council Chairperson; and 6) Clarifies that the mayor’s approval is not required to transfer contingency funds to County agencies.
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| Ka`u resident Dick Hershberger takes participants on A Walk into the Past tomorrow and every other Tuesday. Photo by Ron Johnson |
KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK is the site of Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s next Forest Restoration Project on Friday, Feb. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants will be planting native seedling trees in a fenced enclosure where plants will be protected from grazing animals.
To sign up, contact Patty Kupchak at forest@fhvnp.org or 352-1402. Include first and last name, email address and a phone number.
KA`U RESIDENTS CAN TAKE A WALK INTO THE PAST tomorrow at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., when Ka`u resident Dick Hershberger brings Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar to life. Participants meet at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and walk to the Whitney Vault near Volcano House, where Jaggar housed equipment to research the volcano.
LOVE THE ARTS: ABRACADABRA: THE MAGIC OF ART is coming up Saturday, Feb. 7 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. VAC’s annual fundraiser features silent and live auctions, entertainment, gourmet food, handmade confections, fine wine and champagne. Proceeds help develop future community art education and enrichment programs. $55 members; $65 nonmembers. Tickets are available at Niaulani Campus, VAC Gallery, Banyan Gallery and The Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo. 967-8222 or volcanoartcenter.org.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
LOVE THE ARTS: ABRACADABRA: THE MAGIC OF ART is coming up Saturday, Feb. 7 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. VAC’s annual fundraiser features silent and live auctions, entertainment, gourmet food, handmade confections, fine wine and champagne. Proceeds help develop future community art education and enrichment programs. $55 members; $65 nonmembers. Tickets are available at Niaulani Campus, VAC Gallery, Banyan Gallery and The Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo. 967-8222 or volcanoartcenter.org.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
