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| Learn about `ohi`a lehua tomorrow at Kahuku. See more below. Photo from NPS |
Subjects included medical terminology, emergency response, CPR, first aid and caregiving for the elderly. The students also studied HIPAA, the federal law that protects personal medical information and recognizes the rights to relevant medical information of family caregivers and others directly involved in providing or paying for care.
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| Ka‘ū’s County Council member Maile David celebrated with Jessie Marques, at right, and graduates, including Donna Kekoa. Photo by Ron Johnson |
Students took three courses in six-week sessions. Graduates were required to complete final exams with scores of 80 percent or higher.
Resa Salmo, a student from Volcano, said that community health workers provide “a little bit more trust” to residents who need medical attention but hesitate to seek it.
Ka`u High graduate Stacyn Lopez, activities director at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo, said the program was a great opportunity. Lopez said she has been working with Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, Inc. Executive Director Jesse Marques since she was eight years old.
Other graduates are Betty Jo Adams, Krystalyne Gascon, Sunshine Kahapea, Donna Kekoa, Daniel Mokiao, Nicole Moore and Mahealani Taganas.
Ka`u Hospital has agreed to participate in the internship program, along with Hui Malama Ola Na `Oiwi and Hilo Medical Center.
Funding for the program came from several sources, including the state Department of Health Family Health Services, a Hawai`i County grant-in-aid and Alu Like. Marques said a second program may be offerd based on success of internships and employment of graduates.
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Ka`u High graduate Stacyn Lopez, activities director at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo, said the program was a great opportunity. Lopez said she has been working with Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, Inc. Executive Director Jesse Marques since she was eight years old.
Other graduates are Betty Jo Adams, Krystalyne Gascon, Sunshine Kahapea, Donna Kekoa, Daniel Mokiao, Nicole Moore and Mahealani Taganas.
Ka`u Hospital has agreed to participate in the internship program, along with Hui Malama Ola Na `Oiwi and Hilo Medical Center.
Funding for the program came from several sources, including the state Department of Health Family Health Services, a Hawai`i County grant-in-aid and Alu Like. Marques said a second program may be offerd based on success of internships and employment of graduates.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
LAURENCE CAPELLAS’ PORTRAIT IS TO BE DISPLAYED Ka`u High School’s new gym, according to a group of Ka`u residents who lobbied to name the gym for the principal of long ago. Capellas led the effort to start football, build the pool and much more during his tenure from 1946 to 1959.
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| Noel Kawachi with a photo of Laurence Capellas. |
A letter written and signed by several Ka`u residents during their efforts stated that Capellas “was the type of person who could envision what could be possible and inspire others. … His leadership and influence went way beyond the walls of the school. The town we have today carries on the foundations inspired and established because of this man who worked tirelessly for others. Mr. Laurence Capellas recognized that confidence-building, decision-making, character-formation happened in and out of the classroom.”
The plan is to present a large, framed photo of Capellas with a plaque on opening day when the photo will be on a stand draped with a maile lei. After the opening, the county will place it on the wall.
Opening may be as early as October.
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The plan is to present a large, framed photo of Capellas with a plaque on opening day when the photo will be on a stand draped with a maile lei. After the opening, the county will place it on the wall.
Opening may be as early as October.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
WHAT’S HAPPENING AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Those are questions Hawaiian Volcano Observatory answers in the current issue of Volcano Watch regarding the rise and fall of Kilauea’s summit lava lake.
“In early September 2016, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring instruments on Kilauea began recording increased rates of inflation and slightly elevated shallow earthquake activity,” the article states. “These changes indicate a higher rate of magma accumulation within the volcano’s summit magma reservoir.
“This magma accumulation is also reflected – quite visibly for visitors at the Jaggar Museum Overlook in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park –by periodic, and sometimes rapid, rises of the lava lake within Halema`uma`u Crater. When the lake level is high, vigorous spattering on the lake surface creates a dazzling display, especially after dark, when the incandescent lava lights up the night sky.
“Longtime volcano watchers have likely noticed that Kilauea’s summit lava lake rises and falls in concert with summit inflation and deflation. During the last half of 2015, the lava lake level generally fluctuated between about 40 and 70 meters (131 – 230 feet) below the rim of the vent on Halema`uma`u Crater’s floor.
“Throughout 2016, the lava lake level has typically varied between 20 and 40 meters (66 –131 feet) below the vent rim. That is, until early September, when the increased rate of inflation resulted in higher lake levels.
“In early September 2016, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring instruments on Kilauea began recording increased rates of inflation and slightly elevated shallow earthquake activity,” the article states. “These changes indicate a higher rate of magma accumulation within the volcano’s summit magma reservoir.
“This magma accumulation is also reflected – quite visibly for visitors at the Jaggar Museum Overlook in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park –by periodic, and sometimes rapid, rises of the lava lake within Halema`uma`u Crater. When the lake level is high, vigorous spattering on the lake surface creates a dazzling display, especially after dark, when the incandescent lava lights up the night sky.
“Longtime volcano watchers have likely noticed that Kilauea’s summit lava lake rises and falls in concert with summit inflation and deflation. During the last half of 2015, the lava lake level generally fluctuated between about 40 and 70 meters (131 – 230 feet) below the rim of the vent on Halema`uma`u Crater’s floor.
“Throughout 2016, the lava lake level has typically varied between 20 and 40 meters (66 –131 feet) below the vent rim. That is, until early September, when the increased rate of inflation resulted in higher lake levels.
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| On Sept. 10, Kilauea's summit lava lake rose to within 16 feet of the vent rim. Photo from USGS/HVO |
“On Sept. 10, the summit lava lake rose to within five meters (16 feet) of the vent rim but dropped the next day with the onset of summit deflation. Since then (as of Sept. 22), the lava lake level has fluctuated between 10 and 28 meters (33 – 92 feet) below the rim, rising and falling with periods of inflation and deflation – and thrilling park visitors who happen to see the lake during one of its high stands.
“Like those visitors, HVO staff enjoy the beauty of Kilauea’s lava lake activity. But, as scientists, we also ponder what it means.
“It’s impossible to know the exact outcome(s) of a pressurized magma reservoir. We have, however, identified possible scenarios based on recent observations and past similar events.
“For example, given long-term trends and current conditions at Kilauea, we expect summit inflation and elevated earthquake activity to continue. With inflation, we also anticipate periodic high lava lake levels – possibly with lava overflowing the vent rim and spreading across the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater, as happened in April-May 2015.
“Intermittent rockfalls in the summit vent are also expected. Rocks falling from the vent walls and into the lava lake can initiate explosions that send spatter (clots of molten lava), solid rock fragments and bits of volcanic glass (ash, Pele’s hair, Pele’s tears) flying into the air. During past explosions, spatter and solid rocks up to a meter (yard) or more in size have been thrown onto the rim of Halema`uma`u Crater. These hazardous explosions occur suddenly and without warning – as recently as Sept. 19 – one reason why Halema`uma`u has been closed to the public since Feb. 2008.
“If a lava lake explosion occurs under southerly wind conditions, tiny particles of volcanic glass and pulverized rock could be blown toward Jaggar Museum and other viewing areas. This could result in a ‘dusting’ of Pele’s hair and gritty ash at park overlooks.
“The summit vent continues to emit sulfur dioxide and other volcanic gases that produce poor air quality downwind from the lava lake. But closer to the vent, along the Halema`uma`u Crater rim, gas concentrations are potentially life-threatening – the main reason why this area remains closed to the public.
“Inflation of Kilauea’s summit reservoir increases the chance of magma intruding into the volcano’s south caldera or upper rift zones. Such an intrusion would likely result in a rapid drop in the summit lava lake and could cause new breakouts of lava, like the 2011 Kamoamoa fissure eruption. If the magma supplied to Pu`u `O`o increases, changes in the 61g lava flow and Kamokuna ocean entry could occur.
“It’s impossible to know the exact outcome(s) of a pressurized magma reservoir. We have, however, identified possible scenarios based on recent observations and past similar events.
“For example, given long-term trends and current conditions at Kilauea, we expect summit inflation and elevated earthquake activity to continue. With inflation, we also anticipate periodic high lava lake levels – possibly with lava overflowing the vent rim and spreading across the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater, as happened in April-May 2015.
“Intermittent rockfalls in the summit vent are also expected. Rocks falling from the vent walls and into the lava lake can initiate explosions that send spatter (clots of molten lava), solid rock fragments and bits of volcanic glass (ash, Pele’s hair, Pele’s tears) flying into the air. During past explosions, spatter and solid rocks up to a meter (yard) or more in size have been thrown onto the rim of Halema`uma`u Crater. These hazardous explosions occur suddenly and without warning – as recently as Sept. 19 – one reason why Halema`uma`u has been closed to the public since Feb. 2008.
“If a lava lake explosion occurs under southerly wind conditions, tiny particles of volcanic glass and pulverized rock could be blown toward Jaggar Museum and other viewing areas. This could result in a ‘dusting’ of Pele’s hair and gritty ash at park overlooks.
“The summit vent continues to emit sulfur dioxide and other volcanic gases that produce poor air quality downwind from the lava lake. But closer to the vent, along the Halema`uma`u Crater rim, gas concentrations are potentially life-threatening – the main reason why this area remains closed to the public.
“Inflation of Kilauea’s summit reservoir increases the chance of magma intruding into the volcano’s south caldera or upper rift zones. Such an intrusion would likely result in a rapid drop in the summit lava lake and could cause new breakouts of lava, like the 2011 Kamoamoa fissure eruption. If the magma supplied to Pu`u `O`o increases, changes in the 61g lava flow and Kamokuna ocean entry could occur.
“HVO scientists closely watch Kilauea for any signs of an intrusion – changes in deformation and seismicity – that might precede a new breakout of lava. HVO’s monitoring instruments are programmed to rapidly alert us –day and night – to sudden changes on the volcano.
“It’s an exciting and interesting time on Kilauea – for both the public and the scientists who study the volcano. If you’re unable to visit in person, you can still follow the lava lake’s rise and fall through HVO’s daily updates and recent photos posted at hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
“It’s an exciting and interesting time on Kilauea – for both the public and the scientists who study the volcano. If you’re unable to visit in person, you can still follow the lava lake’s rise and fall through HVO’s daily updates and recent photos posted at hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
PARTICIPANTS 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 tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Visitors will be able to identify the many differences of the most prominent native tree in Kahuku on this program, which is an easy, one-mile (or less) walk.
Visitors will be able to identify the many differences of the most prominent native tree in Kahuku on this program, which is an easy, one-mile (or less) walk.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS ATPAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM ANDKAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| Click on document to enlarge. |
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| See kaucalendar.com. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf. |
