Thursday, February 05, 2015

Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015

A new book summarizes USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's century of researching Hawaiian volcanoes. Image of 1894 painting by D. Howard Hitchcock from National Park Service
A NEW BOOK SUMMARIZING 100 YEARS of observing Hawaiian volcanoes is now available online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1801/, with printed copies to follow soon. The U.S. Geological Survey monograph describes the current scientific understanding of Hawaiian volcanoes – built on the work done since USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory was established in 1912 – and highlights research and monitoring still conducted today.
      With an eye to the past, Characteristics of Hawaiian Volcanoes highlights the scientific state of knowledge of the mechanisms, processes and hazards of Hawaiian volcanoes. “The seminal work and current scientific awareness summarized in the book ultimately contribute to safer and more resilient communities near active volcanoes, whether on Hawai`i or an ocean away,” said Janet Babb, of HVO. 
      The work described in the book builds upon the pioneering work of HVO founder, Thomas A. Jaggar, Jr., and the many scientists who followed in his footsteps. Ten chapters synthesize the lessons learned about specific aspects of volcanism in Hawai`i, based largely on continuous observation of eruptive activity like that occurring now at Kilauea Volcano and on systematic research into volcanic and earthquake processes during HVO’s more than 100 years of investigation.
      “Researchers and students interested in basaltic volcanism should find the volume to be a valuable starting point for future investigations of Hawaiian volcanoes and an important reference for decades to come, as well as an informative and entertaining read,” said USGS Director Suzette Kimball in the volume’s forward.
      In 2012, HVO celebrated the centennial of its founding. In the more than 100 years since Jaggar began making systematic observations of Hawaiian volcanism, HVO has been responsible for numerous innovations and scientific insights into natural hazards and Earth processes. For example, the development of modern seismic networks was started, in large part, by work of the observatory, and HVO scientists made the first forecasts of tsunami arrival times from distant earthquakes. HVO has also served as a training ground for volcanologists from the United States and around the world.
      “These contributions update the foundation of understanding for Hawaiian volcanism and serve as a springboard for researchers by providing ideas and stimuli for new avenues of scientific investigation,” said USGS HVO geologist and lead editor Michael Poland.
      The Hawaiian Islands have long been recognized as an exceptional natural laboratory for volcanology. The chapters that make up this volume treat in detail various aspects of Hawaiian volcanism, from the evolution of volcanoes that make up the island chain to dynamics of effusive and explosive eruptions.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Paul Achitoff
EARTHJUSTICE ATTORNEY PAUL ACHITOFF and others from Center for Food Safety will help Hawai`i County defend its law limiting genetically modified crops, reported Nancy Cook Lauer in West Hawai`i Today. Hawai`i County Council voted 6-3 to accept the attorney’s offer to represent the county for free in its appeal of a decision by U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Kurren that invalidated the measure. 
      Attorney Margery Bronster, representing Hawai`i Floriculture and Nursery Association and other agriculture and biotechnology groups, testified before the Council that Achitoff has a conflict of interest because groups opposing GMOs have a different agenda from the county.
      “I would submit to you that the law does not allow it,” Bronster said.
      One testifier responded, “If the other side says, ‘don’t hire that attorney,’ I’m going to be the first to hire them.”
      See westhawaiitoday.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I STATE LEGISLATURE INTRODUCED 2,894 bills during its current session. The Senate introduced 1,379 bills on this first year of the 28th Legislative biennium. The House introduced 1,515 bills.
       Thursday, Jan. 29 was the deadline for bill introductions. The measures were sent to their respective committees for consideration. The measures that are passed out of the committee(s) are sent to the Senate Floor to be voted on by the entire Senate body.
       First Crossover deadline is on Thursday, March 12. This is the last day for a final vote on a bill to occur in its originating chamber before it is passed on to the other chamber for further consideration. During First Crossover, all Senate bills that pass Third Reading must go to the House, and all House bills that pass Third Reading must go to the Senate.
U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard
      Lists of current legislation are available by going to the Legislature’s website, capitol.hawaii.gov, clicking on the “Reports and Lists” button on the home page and selecting one of the many lists and reports available. The reports are easily downloadable. On these reports, specific bills can be accessed by entering (Ctrl-F) and typing in keywords to search through the titles, descriptions and report titles in the list.
     To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar

AT THE NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HOUSING COUNCIL CONFERENCE, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard spoke to attendees from Hawai`i and across the country about reauthorizing the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996. Gabbard urged interested parties to testify in support of reauthorization.
      “I want to highlight how strong and powerful your voices are in this, Gabbard said. “Your phone calls, your emails, your meetings, your voice on social media bring such a strong and beautiful face to this piece of legislation and the kind of historic impact that it has made and that it will continue to make. As with so many other issues that we deal with, the more grassroots support there is from broad cross-sections of our community across the country, the greater chance of support that it gets from Members who may not be as directly connected to these communities as some who you’re hearing ffrom today.”
      In the 18 years since its enactment, NAHASDA has strengthened indigenous self-determination by empowering low-income families and households by assisting with their housing needs. This legislation has been twice reauthorized, both times with broad congressional support.

 Over 1,400 low-income families in Hawai`i have benefited from NAHASDA. Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is the sole recipient of the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant as provided for by the law. DHHL administers 203,000 acres of trust land; 99 percent of those lands are located in Hawai`i’s Second Congressional District, from Ka Lae to Kaua`i and Ni`ihau. It includes every Hawaiian Island, but excludes urban Honolulu.
A tour and talk Saturday explores John Dawson's
exhibit at Volcano Art Center Gallery.
Image from VAC
      Last year, Gabbard co-sponsored H.R. 4329, the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2014. That legislation passed unanimously out of the House of Representatives but did pass the Senate.

 Congressman Mark Takai has joined Gabbard this year in co-sponsoring H.R. 360, the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2015.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

A KA`U COAST CLEANUP TAKES PLACE Saturday. Volunteers gather at Wai`ohinu Park at 7:45 to carpool/caravan to the site. Sign up at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or 769-7629.

VOLUNTEERS MEET AT KILAUEA VISITOR CENTER in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Saturday at 9 a.m. to help remove invasive Himalayan ginger from park trails. Free; park entrance fees apply.

DURING AN EXHIBITION TOUR & TALK on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, John Dawson and Ranger Jay Robinson discuss the artist’s current exhibit of paintings featuring his observations of the park. Over & Under: More of His Nature continues through Sunday, Feb. 15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free; park entrance fees apply.

VOLCANO ART CENTER’S ANNUAL FUNDRAISER Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at its Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village 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.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf or
kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf.