Pahala Dojo Sensei Alan Moores recently earned a Sandan 3rd degree back belt.
See story below. Photo from Pahala Dojo
THE STUDY OF RAT LUNG WORM DISEASE will happen on Hawai`i Island soon, if state Senate Bill 272, SE2 and HD1 pass the final round at the legislature. The bill provides funding for University of Hawai`i-Hilo for programs, studies and activities related to prevention and eradication of rat lungworm disease.
A House of Representatives and Senate conference will likely review the bill soon and will be led by Sen. Kai Kahele and Rep. Richard Creagan, a physician from Ka`u.
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| A slug can carry rat lung disease that enters the brain. Photo from Sen. Kai Kahele |
There were more than 70 cases of rat lung worm disease between 2001 and 2014, with many more in 2015. A Maui woman said she believed she recently contracted the disease on Hawai`i Island. The disease is caused by a parasitic worm lava infecting the brain of a human. Rats, snails and slugs are the carriers. It causes headaches, meningitis, tingling, fever, nausea and vomiting.
Said Kahele, "We know we have to appropriately fund these efforts to put an end to this menace," a disease garnering much publicity in the Hawai`i and national press.
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| Kula Kai recently welcomed Na`alehu students. |
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PAHALA DOJO HAS EARNED MEMBERSHIP IN THE UNITED STATES AIKIDO FEDERATION. Sensei Alan Moores, of Pahala, has earned the promotion to Sandan 3rd degree black belt. The promotion of Moores is recognized by both the Aikikai International and Hombu Dojo of Japan - the World Headquarters.
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Alan Moores, left, said Aikido is a
martial art that promotes peace.
Photo from Pahala Dojo
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Moores said these acknowledgements provide the Pahala Dojo with increased opportunity for growth and that he would like to thank the O Ka`u Kakou community organization and the people of Ka`u for their continued support.
He noted that Aikido is a martial art that promotes peace. "Many people ask, 'Why?' The best answer is found in a Japanese proverb, 'Better to be a warrior in a garden, then a gardener at war," quoted Moores.
The Sensei has practiced Aikido for over 38 years and has been an instructor for 19 years.
Anyone interest in joining Aikido can call Sensei Moores at 808-285-6463. Classes are held on Monday and Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Pahala. There are no monthly fees.
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GAS GEOCHEMISTRY and the man who studies it is the subject of Volcano Watch, written weekly by scientists at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. It focuses on the 38-year career of Jeff Sutton, a recently retired colleague of the scientists who excelled as a gas geochemist in the U.S. Geological Survey: Here is his colleagues' review:
"Throughout his career, Jeff strived to improve methods of sampling volcanic gasses and our understanding of what the gasses can tell us about eruptive processes. He also recognized that volcanic gas, especially chronic exposure from long-lived eruptions, such as Kilauea's ongoing East Rift Zone and summit eruptions, poses a health hazard to the population. His work in monitoring gas emissions and with health officials has been a huge contribution to the people of Hawaiʻi, and to the USGS Volcano Hazards Program.
"The roots of Jeff's illustrious career lie in Reston, Virginia, where he got his first USGS job. While he was still attending George Mason University to earn his degree in chemistry, he was hired as a Physical Science Aid to assist in a study of methane solubility. His work ethic, enthusiasm and creativity so impressed his supervisor and colleagues that they rehired him on a new project after the methane project ended.
"The new project was inspired by the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, when the hazardous potential of volcanoes was brought into the limelight.
"The focus of the project was to design, assemble and test sensors and instruments for continuous gas sampling. This became one of the cornerstones of Jeff's career.
"He is a pioneer in the field of continuous gas monitoring at volcanoes. While others climbed volcanoes to collect flasks full of gas that they brought to the laboratory for analysis, Jeff brought the laboratory to the volcano.
"This was not an easy task, because volcanic gases are extremely acidic. They wreak havoc with electronics and can corrode metal within hours. Despite the challenges, Jeff continued to develop instruments that could withstand such harsh environments.
"Jeff realized that field-based instrumentation has several advantages over intermittent measurements and laboratory analyses of volcanic gases. First, it alleviates the need for hazardous visits to a volcanic site for the purpose of gas measurements and sampling. Secondly, continuous measurements provide a more detailed view of how gas concentrations and compositions change with changing volcanic activity than occasional samples. Finally, by sending data to the observatory in real-time, we can get the earliest possible indication of any change in gas emissions that could signal a change in eruptive activity.
"The continuous sampling project led to Jeff's appointment to a position at the Cascades Volcano Observatory. In 1993, after another stint in Reston, he was assigned to a 2-3 year tour at HVO. Fortunately for his colleagues at HVO, that 'temporary' tour lasted 24 years!
"Our luck continues, as Jeff plans to continue working at HVO intermittently as a 'scientist emeritus'—meaning that he will volunteer his time to continue the work he loves and to finish important projects.
"Jeff is the perfect example of an observatory scientist: curious, creative, collaborative, interdisciplinary, applied, passionate about his work, and kind and caring towards his colleagues and the public that we serve.
"We also appreciate his quick wit and sense of humor, which brighten our workplace.
"For fans of our Volcano Watch series, Jeff authored more than three dozen articles during his time at HVO, with titles such as: 'Prodigious plumes present provocative puzzle.'"
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Senior IDs, Mon, April 10, 9 – 11 a.m., St. Jude’s Church in Ocean View. For residents 60 and older. 928-3100.
Hei Demonstration, Wed, April 12, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. No‘el Tagab-Cruz teaches rotocol and meaning behind traditional Hawaiian string figures that are used with oli (chants) to tell stories and connect with elements around us. Free; park entrance fees apply.
He noted that Aikido is a martial art that promotes peace. "Many people ask, 'Why?' The best answer is found in a Japanese proverb, 'Better to be a warrior in a garden, then a gardener at war," quoted Moores.
The Sensei has practiced Aikido for over 38 years and has been an instructor for 19 years.
Anyone interest in joining Aikido can call Sensei Moores at 808-285-6463. Classes are held on Monday and Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Pahala. There are no monthly fees.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter
GAS GEOCHEMISTRY and the man who studies it is the subject of Volcano Watch, written weekly by scientists at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. It focuses on the 38-year career of Jeff Sutton, a recently retired colleague of the scientists who excelled as a gas geochemist in the U.S. Geological Survey: Here is his colleagues' review:
"Throughout his career, Jeff strived to improve methods of sampling volcanic gasses and our understanding of what the gasses can tell us about eruptive processes. He also recognized that volcanic gas, especially chronic exposure from long-lived eruptions, such as Kilauea's ongoing East Rift Zone and summit eruptions, poses a health hazard to the population. His work in monitoring gas emissions and with health officials has been a huge contribution to the people of Hawaiʻi, and to the USGS Volcano Hazards Program.
 |
| Jeff Sutton recording and controlling emission instrumentation. USGS Photo |
"The new project was inspired by the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, when the hazardous potential of volcanoes was brought into the limelight.
"The focus of the project was to design, assemble and test sensors and instruments for continuous gas sampling. This became one of the cornerstones of Jeff's career.
"He is a pioneer in the field of continuous gas monitoring at volcanoes. While others climbed volcanoes to collect flasks full of gas that they brought to the laboratory for analysis, Jeff brought the laboratory to the volcano.
 |
| Jeff Sutton on the keyboard measuing gas emissions at Halema`uma`u Crater. USGS Photo |
"Jeff realized that field-based instrumentation has several advantages over intermittent measurements and laboratory analyses of volcanic gases. First, it alleviates the need for hazardous visits to a volcanic site for the purpose of gas measurements and sampling. Secondly, continuous measurements provide a more detailed view of how gas concentrations and compositions change with changing volcanic activity than occasional samples. Finally, by sending data to the observatory in real-time, we can get the earliest possible indication of any change in gas emissions that could signal a change in eruptive activity.
"The continuous sampling project led to Jeff's appointment to a position at the Cascades Volcano Observatory. In 1993, after another stint in Reston, he was assigned to a 2-3 year tour at HVO. Fortunately for his colleagues at HVO, that 'temporary' tour lasted 24 years!
 |
| A colleague of Jeff Sutton using an instrumet that detects gas compositions on the basis of absorbed infrared light. USGS photo |
"Our luck continues, as Jeff plans to continue working at HVO intermittently as a 'scientist emeritus'—meaning that he will volunteer his time to continue the work he loves and to finish important projects.
"Jeff is the perfect example of an observatory scientist: curious, creative, collaborative, interdisciplinary, applied, passionate about his work, and kind and caring towards his colleagues and the public that we serve.
"We also appreciate his quick wit and sense of humor, which brighten our workplace.
"For fans of our Volcano Watch series, Jeff authored more than three dozen articles during his time at HVO, with titles such as: 'Prodigious plumes present provocative puzzle.'"
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter
Hei Demonstration, Wed, April 12, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. No‘el Tagab-Cruz teaches rotocol and meaning behind traditional Hawaiian string figures that are used with oli (chants) to tell stories and connect with elements around us. Free; park entrance fees apply.
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