 |
| Waters surrounding Hawai`i are heating up and fueling tropical storms that are churning north and south of the state. Map from Weather Underground |
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
A SEARCH FOR A MISSING DIVER led to the discovery of his body yesterday at Punalu`u.
At 8:15 a.m. Thursday, police responded to a report of a missing diver in waters off Punalu`u Boat Ramp. Fire Department personnel searched by land, air and water. At 5:22 p.m., 60-year-old Robert Furtado’s body was found floating about 300 yards offshore from Ninole Bay and Punalu`u Pavilions.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
 |
| Shoreline setback policy is a topic of the Ka`u Community Development Plan. |
YESTERDAY’S KA`U NEWS BRIEF about the owner of property at Pohue Bay planning to build a house there generated many comments on Facebook. Here are several.
Saydi Llanes: “Sick I tell you, just sick.”
Gennifer Medeiros Shibuya: “Ugh. This just makes me sick. Their sick! No build!”
Lora Olson: “What about beach access?”
Lisa Edwards: “Bad move. Very bad bad bad decision.”
Larry Cush: “The owner should work with the state and/or national parks or a land trust to save this unique and irreplaceable property. The petroglyph site, aqualin ponds and undeveloped site make this area a gem worthy of National Monument status. The owner is in a position to do the right thing for Hawai`i.”
Kapono Lena Hayden: “No build!”
Cherub Akin: “I hope they will share their road with beach goers. It sure would be nice to have a white sand beach in Ka`u.”
Kallie Barnes: “The very rare and endangered Hawksbill Turtle nests here! Undoubtedly the lights from a structure would interfere with this! It would be very sad to see this area developed; it’s an absolute gem.”
Rena Higgins: “What about the turtles? Will this affect them?”
Shoreline setback policy is a topic being given more attention by Ka`u Community Development Plan’s Steering Committee. In its draft form, the CDP says, “Site-specific shoreline setbacks shall be established at the earliest stages of the land use planning and development process either 1) at 1,320 feet (1/4-mile) or 2) as far as practicable from the shoreline using a science-based assessment and in consideration of the physical limitations of the property.” Options being considered are to eliminate this policy entirely; remove the ¼-mile setback requirement; remove “1,320 feet (1/4-mile)” and replace with “a distance to be determined with community input;” or reconsider comprehensively all sections pertaining to coastal development to determine how best to achieve the related community objectives.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
Gennifer Medeiros Shibuya: “Ugh. This just makes me sick. Their sick! No build!”
Lora Olson: “What about beach access?”
Lisa Edwards: “Bad move. Very bad bad bad decision.”
Larry Cush: “The owner should work with the state and/or national parks or a land trust to save this unique and irreplaceable property. The petroglyph site, aqualin ponds and undeveloped site make this area a gem worthy of National Monument status. The owner is in a position to do the right thing for Hawai`i.”
Kapono Lena Hayden: “No build!”
Cherub Akin: “I hope they will share their road with beach goers. It sure would be nice to have a white sand beach in Ka`u.”
Kallie Barnes: “The very rare and endangered Hawksbill Turtle nests here! Undoubtedly the lights from a structure would interfere with this! It would be very sad to see this area developed; it’s an absolute gem.”
Rena Higgins: “What about the turtles? Will this affect them?”
Shoreline setback policy is a topic being given more attention by Ka`u Community Development Plan’s Steering Committee. In its draft form, the CDP says, “Site-specific shoreline setbacks shall be established at the earliest stages of the land use planning and development process either 1) at 1,320 feet (1/4-mile) or 2) as far as practicable from the shoreline using a science-based assessment and in consideration of the physical limitations of the property.” Options being considered are to eliminate this policy entirely; remove the ¼-mile setback requirement; remove “1,320 feet (1/4-mile)” and replace with “a distance to be determined with community input;” or reconsider comprehensively all sections pertaining to coastal development to determine how best to achieve the related community objectives.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
 |
| `Opihi are much more abundant on uninhabited Hawaiian islands. NPS Photo by Larry Basch |
RESEARCHERS ABOARD THE POLYNESIAN double-hulled sailing canoe Hikianalia and modern research vessel Searcher have returned from Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, where they conducted `opihi monitoring, and offered mele (chants) and ho`okupu (gifts) to honor the islands.
“It was amazing to have such a dedicated group of people willing to participate in all aspects of this expedition,” said Hoku Johnson, NOAA expedition coordinator. “This was the first time researchers specifically collaborated on projects that have cultural, scientific and management benefit for Papahanaumokuakea and beyond.”
Chris Bird and Patricia Crockett, researchers with Texas A&M University, continued their years of research on `opihi, making some interesting findings.
“It appears that Nihoa is the ‘Fort Knox’ of `opihi in terms of genetic diversity,” Bird said. “This is significant because `opihi populations in the Monument could be more resilient to human-derived effects like ocean acidification and disease outbreaks than populations in the Main Hawaiian Islands.”
This ongoing research continues to provide managers with insights into how to make better-informed management decisions concerning `opihi harvesting in the Main Hawaiian Islands.
“After six years of conducting research on `opihi in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, it is apparent that there are 99.9 percent more `opihi on the shorelines of the Monument than those of Oʻahu,” Bird said. “On O`ahu there is an average of one `opihi per square meter, versus an average of 100-200 `opihi per square meter in the Monument. Working in Papahanaumokuakea continues to provide insight into what a healthy shoreline should look like.”
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
Chris Bird and Patricia Crockett, researchers with Texas A&M University, continued their years of research on `opihi, making some interesting findings.
“It appears that Nihoa is the ‘Fort Knox’ of `opihi in terms of genetic diversity,” Bird said. “This is significant because `opihi populations in the Monument could be more resilient to human-derived effects like ocean acidification and disease outbreaks than populations in the Main Hawaiian Islands.”
This ongoing research continues to provide managers with insights into how to make better-informed management decisions concerning `opihi harvesting in the Main Hawaiian Islands.
“After six years of conducting research on `opihi in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, it is apparent that there are 99.9 percent more `opihi on the shorelines of the Monument than those of Oʻahu,” Bird said. “On O`ahu there is an average of one `opihi per square meter, versus an average of 100-200 `opihi per square meter in the Monument. Working in Papahanaumokuakea continues to provide insight into what a healthy shoreline should look like.”
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
 |
| Dr. Jim Kauahikaua, accompanied by his wive Jeri Gertz received his award in Washington, DC. Photo from USGS |
DR. JIM KAUAHIKAUA RECENTLY RECEIVED a Citation for Meritorious Service, the second highest U.S. Department of the Interior honor award that can be granted to a career employee. The award is in recognition of his outstanding scientific contributions in the field of volcano hazards for the USGS and his leadership of U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Known to many on the Island of Hawai`i as Dr. Jim, Kauahikaua was, for many residents, the patient, calm, and steady face of HVO during last fall’s threatening lava flow in lower Puna, HVO personnel wrote in the current issue of Volcano Watch. This was acknowledged in the citation, which states that “his expertise is potentially lifesaving for residents on Hawai`i Island” and that his leadership has proven invaluable during responses to natural hazards.
The citation further commends Kauahikaua for his work strengthening relations between HVO and other Federal, State, and County agencies, which has improved interagency coordination during periods of elevated volcano and earthquake activity… .
When lava flows inundated the Kalapana community in 1990, he became interested in lava flow dynamics and mitigating volcanic hazards in Hawai`i. He has since developed tools for lava flow hazards assessment and methods for quantifying lava flow emplacement that have been utilized during Kilauea Volcano's ongoing East Rift Zone eruption, including the recent advance of lava toward Pahoa.
In October 2004, Kauahikaua was named HVO’s 19th Scientist-in-Charge – the first of Hawaiian ancestry. The Meritorious Service Award citation notes that, as Scientist-in-Charge, Kauahikaua “guided HVO through significant changes in monitoring and communication technologies, volcanic and earthquake activity, staff reorganization and makeup, and scientific and public outreach activities, leaving HVO well-prepared to tackle 21st Century challenges.”
After serving as HVO’s Scientist-in-Charge for more than 10 years – one of the longest terms in the observatory's history – Kauahikaua rotated back to his former position as an HVO research geophysicist in March 2015. He is now happily focused on scientific investigations that had to be put on hold during the past decade, when his time and attention were effectively consumed by administrative and managerial responsibilities.
Tina Neal, who succeeds Kauahikaua as Scientist-in-Charge, notes the extremely high regard that HVO holds in the global science community, both in terms of scientific accomplishment and public service. “It is an honor to inherit leadership of such a beloved and talented organization within the Hawai`i Island community, and I give Jim much credit for that,” she said.
In response to the award bestowed upon him, Kauahikaua said, “HVO couldn’t have accomplished so much these past 10 years without the support of the entire HVO staff, a team of highly dedicated individuals. Together, we have accomplished some amazing things, and now, with Tina’s leadership, we will do even more.”
Congratulations, Dr. Jim! The DOI Meritorious Service Award is well-deserved recognition for your years of service to the USGS and HVO.
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
The citation further commends Kauahikaua for his work strengthening relations between HVO and other Federal, State, and County agencies, which has improved interagency coordination during periods of elevated volcano and earthquake activity… .
When lava flows inundated the Kalapana community in 1990, he became interested in lava flow dynamics and mitigating volcanic hazards in Hawai`i. He has since developed tools for lava flow hazards assessment and methods for quantifying lava flow emplacement that have been utilized during Kilauea Volcano's ongoing East Rift Zone eruption, including the recent advance of lava toward Pahoa.
In October 2004, Kauahikaua was named HVO’s 19th Scientist-in-Charge – the first of Hawaiian ancestry. The Meritorious Service Award citation notes that, as Scientist-in-Charge, Kauahikaua “guided HVO through significant changes in monitoring and communication technologies, volcanic and earthquake activity, staff reorganization and makeup, and scientific and public outreach activities, leaving HVO well-prepared to tackle 21st Century challenges.”
After serving as HVO’s Scientist-in-Charge for more than 10 years – one of the longest terms in the observatory's history – Kauahikaua rotated back to his former position as an HVO research geophysicist in March 2015. He is now happily focused on scientific investigations that had to be put on hold during the past decade, when his time and attention were effectively consumed by administrative and managerial responsibilities.
Tina Neal, who succeeds Kauahikaua as Scientist-in-Charge, notes the extremely high regard that HVO holds in the global science community, both in terms of scientific accomplishment and public service. “It is an honor to inherit leadership of such a beloved and talented organization within the Hawai`i Island community, and I give Jim much credit for that,” she said.
In response to the award bestowed upon him, Kauahikaua said, “HVO couldn’t have accomplished so much these past 10 years without the support of the entire HVO staff, a team of highly dedicated individuals. Together, we have accomplished some amazing things, and now, with Tina’s leadership, we will do even more.”
Congratulations, Dr. Jim! The DOI Meritorious Service Award is well-deserved recognition for your years of service to the USGS and HVO.
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
 |
| One of Kahuku's free programs this weekend is a guided hike to Pu`u O Lokuana. NPS Photo by Jessica Ferracane |
KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park offers free programs this weekend.
Pu`u o Lokuana is a short, moderately difficult 0.4-mile hike to the top of the grassy cinder cone. Participants learn about the formation and various uses of this hill over time and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka`u. Tomorrow, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
A guided hike of Palm Trail is a moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop traversing scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. Highlights include relics of the ranching era, sections of remnant native forest and volcanic features from the 1868 eruptive fissures. Sunday, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Call 985-6011 for more information.
THIS SUNDAY’S WALK IN THE PARK is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guided by botanist Tim Tunison, this four-mile round-trip hike explores Mauna Loa Trail. Free for Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park; others may become members in order to attend. Email admin@fhvnp.org or call 985-7373 for more information.
A guided hike of Palm Trail is a moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop traversing scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. Highlights include relics of the ranching era, sections of remnant native forest and volcanic features from the 1868 eruptive fissures. Sunday, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Call 985-6011 for more information.
THIS SUNDAY’S WALK IN THE PARK is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guided by botanist Tim Tunison, this four-mile round-trip hike explores Mauna Loa Trail. Free for Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park; others may become members in order to attend. Email admin@fhvnp.org or call 985-7373 for more information.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
 |
| See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf. |
 |
| See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_July2015.pdf. |
