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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists working on the far side of Halema`uma`u captured the initial moments of the plume rising after a rockfall from the crater wall impacted the lava lake, triggering an explosion of spatter and smaller particles. Photo from USGS/HVO
AN EXPLOSION AND OVERFLOWS OF LAVA onto the floor of Halema`uma`u crater are occurring at the summit of Kilauea volcano. The lava lake level has been at or near the rim of the Overlook crater over the past day, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported. At 9:40 p.m. last night, a very small, brief overflow occurred. A larger one occurred at 2 a.m. this morning, sending lava a short distance onto the floor of Halema`uma`u, and another overflow was occurring this morning.
Overlook vent's rim used to be visible in images from HVO's thermal webcam.
Lava continues to overflow the rim this morning. Photo from USGS/HVO 
      Yesterday at around 10:20 a.m., an explosion occurred when rock fell from the wall of Halema`uma`u. Spatter and small particles fell onto the Halema`uma`u visitor overlook, which has been closed to the public since the summit eruption began in 2008.
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THE DRONE FLIER arrested in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park was tased by a ranger who said he feared the man might run off a cliff and fall 500 feet into the volcanic crater, according to a report from the Associated Press.
      The man, Travis Ray Flanders, from Pahoa, was with his family and flying a three-inch-drone with a camera. According to AP, the ranger asked him to stop flying the drone three times and also asked for ID. The man took off, and the ranger said he feared the man would fall off the crater rim. According to park spokesperson Jessica Ferracane, the drone camera was given back to the man’s family after his arrest.
      Released from jail the next day, Flanders faces federal charges of interfering with agency functions and operating an aircraft on undesignated land.
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Skylark
EMCEES SKYLARK AND DEBBIE RYDER open Ka`u Coffee Festival Saturday at 9 a.m., with entertainment running through the day until 5 p.m. Halau Hula Kalehuaki`eki`eika`iu performs at 9:15 a.m. followed by Hands of Time at 10 a.m. and Hannah’s Makana `Ohana hula halau at 10:45 a.m. Miss Ka`u Coffee Maria Miranda and the Miss Ka`u Coffee Court will appear at 11:30 a.m. Saturday morning, also, with Miranda playing piano and her court sharing their talents.
      Afternoon performances begin with Keaiwa and Demetrius Oliveira at 12:15 p.m., followed by Halau Hula O Leionalani at 1 p.m.; Bolo, 1:45 p.m;  South Side Serenaders at 2:30 p.m., Keoki Kahumoku at 3 p.m.; Kulele  at 3:45 .p.m.. The Buy Local, It Matters drawing for a $1,000 check takes place at 4 p.m.  Moses, Makana & Bradley play at  4:15 p.m.and Kookoo Bird & Friends play at 4:45 p.m.
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KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL RECEIVED airtime on KITV and Hawai`i News Now this morning, with organizer Chris Manfredi promoting star gazing, the plantation water system hike, the ho`olaule`a and Ka`u Coffee College. On KITV, he said people plan their vacations around the Ka`u Coffee Festival. He also showed off three Ka`u Coffee brands, Will & Grace Tabios’ The Rising Sun, Rusty’s 100 Percent Hawaiian Ka`u Coffee from Lorie Obra and Manfredi’s own Ka`u Local Products brand.
      The interviewer called Ka`u - Hawai`i at its most pristine.
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FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES are having a fundraiser at the ho`olaule`a Saturday. They are accepting donations of baked goods and looking for volunteers to man the booth. Drop off baked items that morning from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Members close to Na`alehu Library can also drop off baked items there during working hours on Friday, and Sara will drop them off at Pahala.
      Volunteers are needed the day of the sale. Set-up begins at 8 a.m. Sales periods are 9 a.m. to 11, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., l p.m. to 3 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Includes packing unsold items.)
      Please package and label baked goods, indicating if nuts or fruits are included in the items for individuals who may have a food allergy.
      For additional information, call Ann Fontes at 987-7448.
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THE BUY LOCAL, IT MATTERS cross-promotion sponsored by Ka`u Coffee Festival and the state Department of Agriculture continues. A lucky winner receives a $1,000 check at the ho`olaule`a Saturday. 
      The campaign aims to encourage residents to support Hawai`i businesses. It particularly focuses on agriculture, encouraging conscious decisions to purchase locally grown farm products. The campaign was created by University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation and Hawai`i Department of Agriculture.
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HAWAI`I’S U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on his official visit to the United States during Japan’s Golden Week.
      To highlight the important alliance spanning seven decades between the United States and Japan, Sen. Mazie Hirono attended last night’s State Dinner for Abe at the White House hosted by President Obama and the First Lady. This morning, Hirono served on the escort committee for Abe’s address to a joint meeting of Congress. Escort Committee members have the privilege of leading the Prime Minister into the House chamber.
      “Japan is one of our closest allies, and at a time when we have so much instability elsewhere in the world, it is important to maintain stability in the Asia-Pacific,” Hirono said. “In our ongoing focus on the rebalance to the Asia-Pacific, we must continue to strengthen our relationship with Japan.
Japan-born Sen. Mazie Hirono with her mother. Photo from Sen. Hirono's office
       “I was born in Japan and lived there until I was nearly eight years old. It is an honor to attend the State Dinner and serve on the escort committee for Prime Minister Abe’s address. Our countries have much to offer one another, and we must focus on continuing our enduring relationship and strengthening that relationship to meet our shared challenges.”
      Hirono, the first Asian-American woman elected to the U.S. Senate, was born in Fukushima, Japan in 1947. She currently serves as co-chair of the Congressional Study Group on Japan.
      Rep. Tulsi Gabbard welcomed Abe in what was a historic event, the first time a Prime Minister of Japan has spoken before a joint special session of Congress. During his speech, Abe paid tribute to U.S. soldiers who lost their lives in World War II and described how moved he was during his visit to the World War II Memorial. He also took time to express how much Sen. Daniel K. Inouye “symbolized honor and achievements of Japanese-Americans.” 
      “Hawai`i has long enjoyed a special and unique relationship with Japan,” Gabbard said. “Our two nations have many areas of common concern, like fighting terrorism and defending human rights around the world. I look forward to continuing this productive dialogue and working together towards those common goals.”
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Participants interested in joining Na`alehu's Fourth of July parade can sign
up by Monday, June 1. Photo by William Neal
`O KA`U KAKOU IS CALLING all interested participants to sign up by Monday, June 1 to be in this year’s annual Fourth of July parade in Na`alehu. Contact Debra McIntosh at 929-9872 to register floats or parade walkers. 
      Last summer, 59 different groups and individuals marched into town in the parade, including clubs, civic groups, churches, pa`u riders, motorcycles, cars and the kiddie train.
      Following the parade, senior bingo will be held at the Na`alehu Community Center, and there will be a kids’ day in the park with inflatables and shave ice.
      “The event draws the whole community to celebrate our nation’s history,” said OKK secretary Nadine Ebert. “We expect the parade to be bigger and better this year.”
      This is the sixth year OKK has volunteered to organize the parade. OKK also held a senior bingo last month with 62 senior players. “A great time was had by all!” Ebert said.
      In January, OKK celebrated another successful Keiki Fishing Tournament with 292 registered fishermen and over 700 lunches served. “We thank everyone for their support,” said Ebert.
      OKK also takes care of the environment and additional community support with their continuous road and Punalu`u pond cleanups, numerous cemetery maintenance projects, help to Ka`u senior citizens, restoring Pahala Hongwanji and providing setup and breakdown help at the Ka`u Coffee Festival and security at the recent Miss Ka`u Coffee Scholarship Pageant.
      To become a member or support OKK’s community efforts, call Ebert at 938-5124, or email ebertn004@hawaii.rr.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Scenic Aikane Plantation hosts Coffee & Cattle Day Friday.
Photo by Tom McAlexander
KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL EVENTS continue through Sunday: 

KA`U MOUNTAIN WATER SYSTEM HIKE, tomorrow at 9 a.m., has three spaces left as of this morning. Participants explore flume systems of the sugarcane era and investigate development of hydroelectric power. kaucoffemill.com or 928-0550.

COFFEE & CATTLE DAY, Friday at 10 a.m. at Aikane Plantation. Participants find out how descendants of Ka`u’s first coffee farmer integrate coffee with other agriculture. $25 includes all-you-can-eat buffet. aikaneplantation.com or 808-927-2252.

KA`U STAR GAZING, Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., has three places left. Participants travel to the summit of Makanau to observe the heavens. $35 includes refreshments and shuttle transportation. kaucoffeemill.com or 928-0550.

KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL HO`OLAULE`A, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Festival-goers enjoy a free, full day of music, hula, Ka`u Coffee Experience, educational displays and demonstrations, farm tours, vendors and meet the farmers.

KA`U COFFEE COLLEGE, Sunday at 9 a.m. at Pahala Community Center. The educational series features coffee researchers and industry professionals. Free. Call Chris Manfredi at 929-9550.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.



See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_April2015.pdf.
See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf and
kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf.