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| This lava viewing area is closed after a large section of the 26-acre delta fell into the ocean. It was created by a lava flow, then hardened, then undercut by ocean waves and crashed into the water yesterday at Kamokuna. This image was taken on Dec. 25. NPS Photo/Janice Wei |
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A large plume of rock debris and gas emanates from the Kamokuna lava ocean entry within
Hawai`i Volcanoes NationalPark, yesterday, just moments after the lava delta began
to collapse. NPS Photo/Travis Delimont
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NEW LAND FORMED BY KILAUEA VOLCANO crashed into the ocean at Kamokuna on New Years Eve. A large section of the 26-acre lava delta formed by the 61g lava flow collapsed into the water around 2:45 p.m., launching showers of volcanic rock into the air, and creating a flurry of large waves that eroded away a portion of the older sea cliff and viewing area.
As a result, the Kamokuna ocean entry within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park remained closed today as park rangers and USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists surveyed the area. Rangers on duty New Year’s Day reported that the former viewing area is gone, and that loud cracks continue to be heard throughout the unstable area.
Although park rangers temporarily closed the Kamokuna lava viewing area last night, five visitors ducked beneath the white rope closure line and made a beeline for the coastal cliffs around 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Eruption Crew Ranger Travis Delimont and a co-worker had to chase after them before they turned around. Within 15 minutes, the section of cliff where the visitors were standing crashed into the ocean.
“It was a really close brush with death for them,” Ranger Delimont said. “Luckily, they finally listened to us and turned around in time,” he said.
The lava viewing area will remain closed until it is determined safe to reopen. The County of Hawai‘i also closed the Kalapana access to the park.
“Fortunately, there were no aircraft or boats reported in the area at the time of the collapse, nor were any visitors on the delta itself, which is closed for public safety,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. “Had anyone been close by on land, water or air, lives would have surely been lost,” she said.
There is a temporary flight restriction of 1,000 feet above ground level at the Kamokuna ocean entry.
Lava deltas are extremely hazardous volcanic features and are formed when lava enters the ocean and builds new land on loose and unstable substrate. In addition to the threat of collapse, lava entering the ocean produces a highly a corrosive plume of hydrochloric acid and volcanic particles that irritate the lungs, skin and eyes. Visitors are strongly urged to stay out of closed areas and heed all posted warning signs. See additional images and video from the park's official Flickr site.
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KA`U COFFEE FARMERS celebrated New Year's Eve last night at homes throughout the district, which huge fireworks displays, celebrating a massive crop and good sales this season. Leo Norberte, who farms 30 acres in Moa`ula and Wood Valley, said pickers harvested 7,000 pounds on his busiest one day. His harvest is more than half done for the year and very
successful, he said.
Norberte's coffee is sold under his own brand name, and to Starbucks and other buyers. He provides housing for pickers and his extended family does much of the processing. His wife Hermie, a retired Ka`u High School teacher does much of the bookkeeping and helps with the lab and packaging. Their JN brand is one of the most prosperous in Ka`u. Leo and Herme circle the island two to three times a week, delivering their coffee in person to stores from Waikoloa to Kona, Waimea and Hilo.
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As a result, the Kamokuna ocean entry within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park remained closed today as park rangers and USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists surveyed the area. Rangers on duty New Year’s Day reported that the former viewing area is gone, and that loud cracks continue to be heard throughout the unstable area.
Although park rangers temporarily closed the Kamokuna lava viewing area last night, five visitors ducked beneath the white rope closure line and made a beeline for the coastal cliffs around 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Eruption Crew Ranger Travis Delimont and a co-worker had to chase after them before they turned around. Within 15 minutes, the section of cliff where the visitors were standing crashed into the ocean.
“It was a really close brush with death for them,” Ranger Delimont said. “Luckily, they finally listened to us and turned around in time,” he said.
The lava viewing area will remain closed until it is determined safe to reopen. The County of Hawai‘i also closed the Kalapana access to the park.
“Fortunately, there were no aircraft or boats reported in the area at the time of the collapse, nor were any visitors on the delta itself, which is closed for public safety,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. “Had anyone been close by on land, water or air, lives would have surely been lost,” she said.
There is a temporary flight restriction of 1,000 feet above ground level at the Kamokuna ocean entry.
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| Leo Norberte celebrates a banner harvest of Ka`u Coffee on New Year's Eve. Photo by Julia Neal |
KA`U COFFEE FARMERS celebrated New Year's Eve last night at homes throughout the district, which huge fireworks displays, celebrating a massive crop and good sales this season. Leo Norberte, who farms 30 acres in Moa`ula and Wood Valley, said pickers harvested 7,000 pounds on his busiest one day. His harvest is more than half done for the year and very
successful, he said.
Norberte's coffee is sold under his own brand name, and to Starbucks and other buyers. He provides housing for pickers and his extended family does much of the processing. His wife Hermie, a retired Ka`u High School teacher does much of the bookkeeping and helps with the lab and packaging. Their JN brand is one of the most prosperous in Ka`u. Leo and Herme circle the island two to three times a week, delivering their coffee in person to stores from Waikoloa to Kona, Waimea and Hilo.
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GUN CONTROL ADVOCATE ROSS RAMMELMEYER, of Volcano, who sends out daily email on news of gun control and gun violence. is urging residents to start the New Year by supporting various gun safety organizations like the Americans for Responsible Solutions, led by Gabby Giffords and her husband, astronaut and retired Navy Captain Mark Kelly. Giffords, a congresswoman from Arizona, was shot is the head and severely injured at a public function. She and her Kelly became leaders in gun control campaigns. "When gun violence prevention was on the ballot, we won," said Giffords and Kelly in a New Year's message to Rammelmeyer.
Giffords is also the namesake of a new 421-long trimaran ship called the USS Gabrielle Giffords, which was delivered to the U.S. Navy on Dec. 23. "Courage comes in many, many forms - physical, mental, spiritual and political. Gabby has truly modeled courage and resilience," said Vice Admiral Phillip Cullom during the christening ceremony.
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| Mark Kelly and Gabby Gifford's work on gun safety, supported by Ross Rammelmeyer, of Volcano. Photo from Americans for Responsible Solutions. |
Another organization supported by Rammelmeyer is Everytown for Gun Safety. Its News Year's message says, "We'll never stop fighting when our children's futures are at stake. (President-elect Donald's) Trump's election presents and unprecedented threat to that future---which is why we need to be ready on Day One of his presidency to fight back.
"Gun extremists are afraid of losing their guns. We're afraid of losing our kids. You tell me who's going to win. This movement is not stranger to setbacks --and this past election is no different. Every time we've gotten knocked down, we've dusted ourselves off and picked each other up. Right now, we're (sometimes literally) pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps."
Contract Rammelmeyer at rossrammelmeyer@hawaiiantel.net.
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VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETING is tomorrow, Monday, Jan. 2 at Ocean View community Center at 4 p.m. 939-7033.
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VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETING is tomorrow, Monday, Jan. 2 at Ocean View community Center at 4 p.m. 939-7033.
KA`U COFFEE GROWERS MEETING is Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 6 p.m., Pahala Community Center.
34 YEARS AND COUNTING is the talk by Tina Neal, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientist in Charge on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium at 7 p.m. She will discuss the ongoing eruption and etail the past year's activity at Kilauea Volcano. Free; park entrance fees apply.
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| www.kaucalendar.com |
