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| Downed grass marks the high level of a gulch along Wood Valley Road that filled with runoff from heavy rains brought to Ka`u by Tropical Storm Darby. Photo by Julia Neal |
WATERFALLS APPEARED. Streams and gulches continued to gather runoff this morning following a night of heavy rain. The center of Tropical Storm Darby made landfall in Ka`u at 2 p.m. yesterday, pushing rain-laden clouds into Ka`u mountains, where they dropped their payloads yesterday afternoon and evening and early morning hours today.
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| Water flows in a gulch along Wood Valley Road following heavy rain overnight. Photo by Julia Neal |
Alice Yonemitsu, of Na`alehu, reported that her rain gauge recorded four inches. From South Point ranch lands, Teri Martindale reported 2.7 inches of rain overnight.
According to Hawai`i County Civil Defense, the tropical storm warning for Hawai`i County was cancelled as of 5 a.m. as Darby continued to move away from the Big Island. The high surf has also been cancelled. A flash flood watch remains in effect as rain bands around Darby could continue to bring showers and thunderstorms through this afternoon.
A brown water advisory has also been issued for Hawai`i County due to heavy rains. The public is advised to stay out of floodwaters and storm water runoff due to possible contamination. If the water is brown, stay out.
At 5 a.m. Civil Defense reported that Hwy 11 at Kawa had reopened after being closed due to flooding.
Hele-On Bus has resumed its regularly scheduled service. Solid waste transfer stations and landfills are open as normally scheduled.
County parks and recreational facilities reopen today. County lava viewing will resume tomorrow.
Emergency shelters closed at 8 a.m. this morning.
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UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI`I Board of Regents last week approved a tuition increase for the ten-campus system over a three-year period that starts with a zero percent increase in the first year. The tuition increase is for the 2017–18 through the 2019–20 academic years and ranges from one to two percent in years two and three.
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| UH students get a reprieve from tuition hikes until 2018-19. Photo from University of Hawai`i |
“I reviewed all the testimony this week and the testimony from this morning, and I am struck by the request that we dig more deeply from within,” said President David Lassner, when he proposed the change. The regents accepted the proposal and asked for the administration to report back within a year.
UH leadership stressed that money raised through the increase will only be used for projects that modernize student spaces, classrooms and laboratories.
“The priority is to follow the UH strategic directions to build a 21st century university that provides the absolute best and most modern environment for our students – an environment designed for interdisciplinary collaboration that supports modern teaching, learning, innovation and scholarship,” said Risa Dickson, UH Vice President for Academic Planning and Policy.
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“The priority is to follow the UH strategic directions to build a 21st century university that provides the absolute best and most modern environment for our students – an environment designed for interdisciplinary collaboration that supports modern teaching, learning, innovation and scholarship,” said Risa Dickson, UH Vice President for Academic Planning and Policy.
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“WHAT AN EXCITING TIME for Kilauea volcano-watchers!” Hawaiian Volcano Observatory exclaims in the current issue of Volcano Watch.
“Simultaneous eruptions at the summit and along the East Rift Zone of Kilauea might be old news, but a change in late May has created some excitement: a new vent opened on the eastern flank of Pu`u `O`o and is now sending lava down the south flank of Kilauea and across the coastal plain for the first time since 2013.
“Simultaneous eruptions at the summit and along the East Rift Zone of Kilauea might be old news, but a change in late May has created some excitement: a new vent opened on the eastern flank of Pu`u `O`o and is now sending lava down the south flank of Kilauea and across the coastal plain for the first time since 2013.
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| Coastal lava viewing under a clear night sky. Photo by NPS Volunteer Eric Fandrick |
“At Kilauea’s summit, the sloshing, splashing lava lake within the Halema`uma`u Crater vent has been high enough at times that spatter (bits of molten lava) is occasionally visible from the Jaggar Museum overlook in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. At night, spectacular views of reddish glow against the dark sky and Milky Way have enthralled visitors.
“The new Pu`u `O`o lava flow has been informally named ‘61g,’ as it is the seventh flow (g) in the 61st episode of the ongoing Kilauea East Rift Zone eruption, which began in 1983. The flow now extends roughly 10 kilometers (six miles) from the vent and is advancing to the southeast along the eastern border of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
“Closer to the vent at Pu`u `O`o, molten lava moves downslope beneath a newly solidified lava surface through a system of lava tubes. It then streams over Pulama pali, a lava-mantled fault scarp, where, at times, the lava produces impressive `a`a channels on the steep slopes. On the more gentle gradients of the coastal plain, the flow advances as slower-moving pahoehoe lava lobes and sheets.
“The lava flow front remains active but has made little forward progress toward the ocean in the past two weeks. As of July 20, the flow front remained about 720 meters (0.4 mi) from the emergency road and 850 m (0.5 mi) from the ocean. A few hundred meters (yards) upslope of the flow front, breakouts of pahoehoe lava continue to widen the flow margins.
“Visitors hoping to view the flow should consult access and critical safety information before attempting the long hike. Lava-viewing information is available from both the National Park (http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lava2.htm) and Hawai`i County (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/lava-viewing/).
“At this point, we cannot say with certainty if or when lava might reach the ocean. If it does, a different set of hazards – from steam explosions to collapsing lava deltas – will impact lava-viewing opportunities. Staying informed will help you stay safe.
“To keep up with recent Kilauea activity, you can sign up for daily updates via email and text message through the free USGS Volcano Notification Service (http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns/). You can also visit the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website (hvo.wr.usgs.gov) for daily updates, recent photos, maps, and other resources.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
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“Closer to the vent at Pu`u `O`o, molten lava moves downslope beneath a newly solidified lava surface through a system of lava tubes. It then streams over Pulama pali, a lava-mantled fault scarp, where, at times, the lava produces impressive `a`a channels on the steep slopes. On the more gentle gradients of the coastal plain, the flow advances as slower-moving pahoehoe lava lobes and sheets.
“The lava flow front remains active but has made little forward progress toward the ocean in the past two weeks. As of July 20, the flow front remained about 720 meters (0.4 mi) from the emergency road and 850 m (0.5 mi) from the ocean. A few hundred meters (yards) upslope of the flow front, breakouts of pahoehoe lava continue to widen the flow margins.
“Visitors hoping to view the flow should consult access and critical safety information before attempting the long hike. Lava-viewing information is available from both the National Park (http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lava2.htm) and Hawai`i County (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/lava-viewing/).
“At this point, we cannot say with certainty if or when lava might reach the ocean. If it does, a different set of hazards – from steam explosions to collapsing lava deltas – will impact lava-viewing opportunities. Staying informed will help you stay safe.
“To keep up with recent Kilauea activity, you can sign up for daily updates via email and text message through the free USGS Volcano Notification Service (http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns/). You can also visit the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website (hvo.wr.usgs.gov) for daily updates, recent photos, maps, and other resources.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
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| Quilting is the topic of a film screening tomorrow. Photo by Jesse Tunison from VAC |
VOLCANO ART CENTER SHOWS the award-winning PBS documentary, The Art of Quilting, at Hale Ho`omana in Volcano Village tomorrow at 7 p.m. The program celebrates contemporary quilt artists as they transcend classic quilts by taking the finest traditions of the past to create new traditions for this American art form.
The showing is in connection with VAC’s first annual quilt show now open through Aug. 6, except Sundays and Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Over 20 quilters display 40 of their finest work, some for the first time in public. A number of designs are on display, inspired by dramatic scenery in the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Over 20 quilters display 40 of their finest work, some for the first time in public. A number of designs are on display, inspired by dramatic scenery in the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
The presentation and exhbit are free; donations are gladly accepted.
KA`U FOOD PANTRY, INC.’S next distribution is Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., or earlier if food runs out, at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church on Paradise Circle-Mauka in Ocean View. The organizations asks recipients to arrive at least one hour before doors open and to respect church grounds. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed, beginning at 9 a.m. on distribution days.
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| Ka`u Food Pantry distributes food on the last Tuesday of each month. |
To apply for the program, bring a photo ID. New recipients can register and receive food that same day. Proxies are also available for people unable to pick up food themselves.
The Pantry tries to hold a fundraising event every month at Ocean View Swap Meet near Malama Market, selling home-baked goods.
Ka`u Food Pantry is staffed entirely by volunteers and is a nonprofit agency whose mission is to feed the hungry of Ocean View. It is currently feeding up to 120 families. The program is designed to provide one to three days worth of nutritious food to help people who run short of money, benefits and/or food by month’s end. As a nonprofit, the Pantry is able to purchase food from Hawai`i Food Basket at 18 cents per pound. One dollar buys half a case of food.
Donations of non-perishable food items and funding are welcomed. Donate funds via St. Jude’s by writing a check with Food Pantry in the memo area. Checks may be written directly to the Food Pantry as well. Make payable to the Ka`u Food Pantry, Inc., PO Box 6184, Ocean View, HI 96737. There are also donation change cans at businesses in Ocean View. Monetary and food donations may be deductible.
“Mahalo nui loa for all your support,” President Karan Pucci said.
For further information, contact Pucci at 510-778-5500 or kaufoodpantryhi@gmail.com.
Ka`u Food Pantry is staffed entirely by volunteers and is a nonprofit agency whose mission is to feed the hungry of Ocean View. It is currently feeding up to 120 families. The program is designed to provide one to three days worth of nutritious food to help people who run short of money, benefits and/or food by month’s end. As a nonprofit, the Pantry is able to purchase food from Hawai`i Food Basket at 18 cents per pound. One dollar buys half a case of food.
Donations of non-perishable food items and funding are welcomed. Donate funds via St. Jude’s by writing a check with Food Pantry in the memo area. Checks may be written directly to the Food Pantry as well. Make payable to the Ka`u Food Pantry, Inc., PO Box 6184, Ocean View, HI 96737. There are also donation change cans at businesses in Ocean View. Monetary and food donations may be deductible.
“Mahalo nui loa for all your support,” President Karan Pucci said.
For further information, contact Pucci at 510-778-5500 or kaufoodpantryhi@gmail.com.
SALT PRODUCTION SITES are discussed during After Dark in the Park Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Archaeologist Summer Roper reveals the importance and history of pa`akai along the park’s rugged coastline. Free; park entrance fees apply.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.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/news/news.html. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf. |
