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| Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park sang and toasted the park's 100th birthday as a Volcano string quartet played Happy Birthday to You at Volcano House. Photos by Ron Johnson |
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| Superintendent Cindy Orlando, at left introduced Alana McKinney, one of FHVNP's original founders. At right is executive director Elizabeth Fien. |
Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando introduced Alana McKinney, one of the original founders of FHVNP, previously Friends of Ainahou. She and her husband Doc also started the Volcano Winery.
“The park was established through the efforts of incredible citizens like the Friends, and that support continues today,” Orlando said. “I can think of no better group to enter the next hundred years of protection and preservation with than the Friends.”Friends executive director Elizabeth Fien talked about all the types of things they do for the park. She also introduced board members President Holly Ka`akimaka, vice president Paul Field, Secretary Pohai Montague-Mullins, treasurer Scott Brand, Cheryl Gansecki and Linda Schubert. She thanked all the Friends who helped make the event a success.
Ka`akimaka spoke of how important the work they do is for the park. The organization hosts monthly forest restoration projects, brings members together walks in the park on second Sundays, leads wild cave explorations and offers field seminars and tours through its Hawai`i Volcanoes Institute. It also operates the Youth Ranger Internship Program, allowing students from Ka`u and Puna to gain experience working at the park. The program began in 2010 with Ka`u High. Training started after visiting professor Joan Rubin and The Ka`u Calendar publisher Julia Neal worked on a grant with Ka`u High School principal Sharon Beck and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park staff.
Will Okabe, Gov. David Ige’s East Hawai`i liaison, spoke about the park’s contributions to county and state economies. Orlando noted that the park’s visitation rate is higher than those at Pearl Harbor on O`ahu and Haleakala National Park on Maui.
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| Radar this morning showed precipitation off the Ka`u Coast that could potentially cause flash flooding. Map from NWS |
KA`U AND THE ENTIRE STATE is under a flash flood watch through tomorrow afternoon. Over Hawai`i Island, the primary threat for flooding will occur today during the afternoon and evening hours.
Abundant moisture associated with former tropical cyclone Howard will spread westward across the island chain today, then remain over the state tonight before gradually exiting to the west tomorrow, the National Weather Service reported. An upper level trough to the north will provide moderate instability aloft. Saturated grounds from recent rain events will increase the threat of flash flooding from any heavy downpours that occur. While flooding will be possible anywhere across the state during this time, the greatest chances will occur over the northern end of the state.
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TODAY MARKS THE LAST DAY of the #22PushUps for #22Kill Challenge to raise awareness for veteran suicide prevention though education and empowerment. Sen. Josh Green and friends participated in the challenge for a total of #66PushUps for #22Kill.
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| Sen. Josh Green and friends dropped and did 22 pushups each for the #22Kill Challenge to raise awareness for veteran suicide prevention. Photo from Sen. Green |
In 2012, the Veterans Administration released a Suicide Data Report that an average of 22 veterans are killed by suicide every day. The name 22KILL is meant to grab people’s attention and raising awareness of the issue.
"Suicide prevention is a very difficult task to undertake, especially when the general public is unaware of the issue in the first place," according to Honor Courage Commitment, Inc. "In order to prevent or 'fix' a problem, one must first learn and understand the problem itself and its causes. By educating ourselves, we’ll be able to identify the triggers that can lead someone to thoughts of suicide and confront those issues as they come, rather than letting them accumulate into something much worse."
"Suicide prevention is a very difficult task to undertake, especially when the general public is unaware of the issue in the first place," according to Honor Courage Commitment, Inc. "In order to prevent or 'fix' a problem, one must first learn and understand the problem itself and its causes. By educating ourselves, we’ll be able to identify the triggers that can lead someone to thoughts of suicide and confront those issues as they come, rather than letting them accumulate into something much worse."
HCC started the #22KILL movement in 2013 after learning the staggering suicide statistic. The organization committed to researching and understanding the genesis of this epidemic, and educating the general public on the issue. #22KILL was a platform to raise awareness not just toward veteran suicide but also to mental health issues that can lead to suicide. These issues stem primarily from conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury, and struggles of transitioning out of the military.
In July 2015, 22KILL officially became its own nonprofit organization. Although legally separated from HCC, both organizations continue to work closely together to continue the mission of awareness and empowerment.
To learn more on this issue, see www.22kill.com.
“Let’s continue to make the mental health and well-being of our servicemen and women a top priority and continue to march diligently downward from 22 to zero,” Green said.
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In July 2015, 22KILL officially became its own nonprofit organization. Although legally separated from HCC, both organizations continue to work closely together to continue the mission of awareness and empowerment.
To learn more on this issue, see www.22kill.com.
“Let’s continue to make the mental health and well-being of our servicemen and women a top priority and continue to march diligently downward from 22 to zero,” Green said.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
VOLCANO ART CENTER WILL SOON display illustrations of Big Island wildlife artist John D. Dawson in an exhibit titled National Parks Illustrations 1978 through 2016. This exhibition features illustrations and natural history studies designed for the National Parks Service over a 20 period. The exhibition helps celebrate the 100th anniversary for Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and the National Park Service.
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| A display of works by John Dawson opens Thursday. Photo from VAC |
Over the past three decades, Dawson has completed major assignments and appeared in national publications for National Geographic Society, National Wildlife Federation, Audubon Society, United Nations and the `Imiloa Astronomy Center, among many others, including private commissions.
Along with a collection of art on display inside Kilauea Visitor Center at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, one of Dawson’s proudest accomplishments is the Nature in America stamp series created for the United States Postal Service. The final installment of this series issued on Sept. 1, 2010 – a lively depiction of the Hawaiian rainforest – is a special reflection of the island beauty Dawson and his wife Kathleen have enjoyed as residents of Hilo for the past 20 years.
National Parks Illustrations 1978 through 2016 will be on display Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at VAC in Volcano Village from Thursday, Aug. 11 through Sept. 2. The exhibition is free to the public. An opening reception followed by an artist’s presentation will be held on Thursday, Aug. 11 in the Great Room of VAC’s Administrative offices. The reception begins at 6 p.m., with the presentation beginning at 7 p.m.
For more information, see volcanoartcenter.org, or contact gallery manager Emily C. Weiss at 967-8222 or gallery@volcanoartcenter.org.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
Along with a collection of art on display inside Kilauea Visitor Center at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, one of Dawson’s proudest accomplishments is the Nature in America stamp series created for the United States Postal Service. The final installment of this series issued on Sept. 1, 2010 – a lively depiction of the Hawaiian rainforest – is a special reflection of the island beauty Dawson and his wife Kathleen have enjoyed as residents of Hilo for the past 20 years.
National Parks Illustrations 1978 through 2016 will be on display Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at VAC in Volcano Village from Thursday, Aug. 11 through Sept. 2. The exhibition is free to the public. An opening reception followed by an artist’s presentation will be held on Thursday, Aug. 11 in the Great Room of VAC’s Administrative offices. The reception begins at 6 p.m., with the presentation beginning at 7 p.m.
For more information, see volcanoartcenter.org, or contact gallery manager Emily C. Weiss at 967-8222 or gallery@volcanoartcenter.org.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
BON DANCE PRACTICE BEGINS at 12 p.m. today at Pahala Community Center. Participants prepare for Pahala Hongwanji’s first Bon Dance of the 21st century, set for Sunday, Aug. 21.
A BEGINNING HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE class today begins at 1 p.m. at Ka`u Youth Center near Na`alehu Community Center. Students are invited to bring instruments and participate in an informal kanikapila stressing songs of Ka`u after class.
Free; open to all. Call Beverly Byouk at 936-7262.
Free; open to all. Call Beverly Byouk at 936-7262.
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| Violinist Eric Silberger presents a free concert tomorrow. Photo from Hawai`i International Music Festival |
HAWAI`I INTERNATIONAL MUSIC Festival kicks off tomorrow at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, where Eric Silberger, who recently made international press for playing inside Iceland’s Volcano Thrihnukagigur, plays violin at various locations around the park in celebration of the park’s and National Park Service’s 100th anniversary. At 7 p.m., he presents a free concert at Volcano House, with Kilauea Caldera and Halema`uma`u Crater as his backdrop. The concert will include the world premiere of a composition dedicated to the park’s centennial.
The event is a prelude to the festival’s engagement at Pahala Plantation Cottages this Saturday, Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. Honoring the 20th anniversary of Ka‘ū Coffee, the concert will help raise awareness for donations for Hawai`i Public Radio’s efforts to bring a stronger and more reliable signal to this community and the entire state.
The concert also features Amy Shoremount-Obra (soprano and daughter-in-law of Lorie
Obra, of Rusty’s 100% Hawaiian Coffee), Daniel Lelchuk (cello) and Mikayla Sager (soprano). Special guests include internationally acclaimed pianist Ian Parker, who has appeared as soloist
with Hawai`i Symphony Orchestra.
Tickets for $25 may be purchased at himusicfestival.bpt.me. To make a larger donation to HPR, contact 928-9811 or mahalo@aloha.net.
LEARN VOG STUDY RESULTS Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. Pahala Public & School Library. Dr. Claire Horwell discusses her study to assess how Ka`u residents protect themselves from vog. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory provides information about Kilauea’s background and current status.
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/KauCalendar_August_2016.pdf. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf. |
