Saturday, October 07, 2017

Ka‘ū News Briefs Saturday, October 7, 2017

Fencing off mouflon sheep and other ungulates, from habitation areas of silverswords and other endangered species, 
involves air lifts to high elevations in the Kahuku section of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park this month. 
Photo from USGS
HELICOPTER FLIGHTS TO REMOTE KAHUKU IN HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK were announced Friday by the National Park Service. The flights will lift crews, equipment and materials to conduct archeological and wildlife surveys, invasive species control, as well as recovery efforts for the endangered Ka‘ū silversword.
Ka‘ū sliversword recovery efforts will be
carried out at the 7,000 foot level in the
Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National
Park. Photo by Karl Magnacca
     The Public Notice states that on Thursday, Oct. 12, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., HVNP will shuttle fencing and equipment from ‘Ōla‘a Tract to Wright Road in Volcano. On Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 14 and 15, between 9 a.m. and noon, HVNP will transport a crew from Kīlauea helipad to Kahuku Unit at the 8,000 ft. elevation for archeological surveys. On Wednesday, Oct. 18, between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., HVNP will shuttle a crew for ungulate surveys and control work in Kahuku between 5,000 ft. and 7,000 ft. elevation.
    On Wednesday, Oct. 18, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., HVNP will shuttle fencing material and equipment to Kahuku at about 7,000 ft. elevation for silversword recovery efforts. On Thursday, Oct. 19, between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., HVNP will shuttle a crew for ungulate surveys and control work in Kahuku between 3,000 ft. and 5,000 ft. elevation. On Tuesday, Oct. 24, between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., HVNP will shuttle fencing material and equipment to Kahuku between 2,000 ft. and 3,000 ft. elevation.
     In addition, the notice states that “USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory may conduct flight operations over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.
     "The park regrets any noise impact to residents and park visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.
     "Management of the park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources, and to maintain backcountry facilities.”

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The 1917 Curtis relief model of Kīlauea Volcano's summit shows many well-known geologic features, including
the summit caldera (large depression), Halemaʻumaʻu (crater within the caldera), Kīlauea Iki (crater at far right),
 and elaborate drainage patterns (foreground). Photo by Burr A. Church


MODELING KILAUEA VOLCANO A CENTURY AGO is the subject of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists' Volcano Watch this week:
     In today's age of aerial photography, satellites, and drones, bird's-eye views of geologic features are taken for granted. A century ago, such depictions posed enormous challenges.
     At first glance, the images shown here appear to be aerial photographs of Kīlauea Volcano's summit caldera, but these photos were taken six years before the first airplane overflight. The images actually show a model of the volcano displayed at a Harvard University museum for many decades.
     So, how was the model constructed? And who made it?
     The story began in March 1913, when George Carroll Curtis, an artist, geologist, geographer, and expert in the production of relief models, traveled to the Island of Hawai‘i to make a careful survey of the caldera at the summit of Kīlauea. He established a network of survey flags and took photographs at each using a revolving panoramic camera that provided a complete view the caldera. But progress constructing the model was slow, because Curtis lacked a high altitude perspective of Kīlauea's summit.
J.F. Haworth, II, at left, holding onto the rope of a
hot air balloon, took early aerial photos of Kilauea Volcano
 using kites and cameras of his own invention. He gave his
 patents to the U.S. government for war time photography.
Photo from Family of J.F. Haworth
     To solve this problem, Curtis encouraged J.F. Haworth, a wealthy businessman from Pittsburg, to go to Kīlauea and pursue his hobby of flying kites. But these were no ordinary kites. Each box kite was over 11 feet (3.4 m) long and 9 feet (2.7 m) wide. Instead of string, Haworth used a motorized reel of piano wire to launch and tether the kites, which were capable of lifting a payload of about 100 lbs (45 kg). For the Kīlauea study, the payload was a camera positioned on a wire line several hundred feet (about 60 m) below the kite. A small device was sent up the piano wire to trip the camera shutter for each photograph.
  When Haworth arrived at Kīlauea in 1915, he found that kite photography was no picnic on a volcano. High winds at the summit repeatedly dragged the photographer over sharp lava, leaving him bruised and battered. But he finally succeeded in taking a series of photos of Kīlauea Volcano's summit from various altitudes. These aerial photographs enormously sped up the work of Curtis on his model.
     In 1917, the relief map was finally installed in the Geological Section of the Harvard University Museum and opened for public viewing. The circular model was 14 feet (4.3 m) in diameter, and it was built with a scale of 125 feet to an inch (38 m to 25mm), so there was no vertical exaggeration.
     At this scale, Curtis was able to depict minute details of the summit. The model shed light on many geologic features that had not been observed before, such as the elaborate drainage system on the south side of the caldera. Photographs of the model are useful even today to locate historic sites, including roads and other structures that are long gone.
This view of Halema'uma'u, as it appeared in the 1917 relief model
by George Carroll Curtis, shows fine details around the crater, 
including the first road for automobiles, which ended near
 the crater rim. The light-colored circular feature around 
Halemaʻumaʻu is a nearly continuous escarpment
 along which subsidence occurred. Photo by Burr A. Church
    This huge model remained at the Mineralogical and Geological Museum at Harvard University until the mid-1970s, when building renovations required that the exhibit be moved. Unfortunately, the size of the model made relocation impractical, so it was dismantled.
    Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has searched, without success, for the original summit photographs taken by Curtis and Haworth. The hope is that they still exist somewhere, preserved in an archive or personal collection of photos. Images by these intrepid photographers from a century ago could shed new light on features that are the subject of current volcano research.
      HVO would like to hear from anyone who knows of these images, or has other historical photographs of Hawaiian volcanoes. Email askHVO@usgs.gov.
     Visit the HVO website, volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo, for past Volcano Watch articles, volcano updates and photos, recent earthquake info, and more. Call for summary updates at 808-967-8862 (Kīlauea) or 808-967-8866 (Mauna Loa). Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

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Matson will help with the Ocean View Deep Clean
on Saturday, Oct. 21, OV Community Center.
Photo from Matson
THE OCEAN VIEW DEEP CLEAN project is gearing up for Saturday, Oct. 21. Supported through a grant from Matson Navigation, it will provide containers for large items being disposed of, including broken appliances and furniture. The event begins at 8 a.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Those who would like to volunteer can call 939-7033, Mondays through Fridays from 8 am. to noon and
217-7982 in afternoons and evenings, said Ocean View Community Association President Ron Gall.
     Volunteers need to wear sturdy shoes and gloves, sunscreen, long pants/jeans and hat. OVVC will provide bottled water and lunch for volunteers. "The Community Association is seeking a tire recycler to haul off the many tires dumped in the community," Gall said.
In addition to Matson, the Hawai‘i County Solid Waste Division is providing some assistance.

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KA‘Ū FELL TO KEALAKEHE on Friday in Girls Trojan Volleyball. During the contest at home, JV scores were 20-25, 25-19 and 13-15. Varsity scores were 22-25, 15-25, 25-23 and 13, 25. The next game is Wednesday at Kohala.

Pick up the October edition of The Ka'ū Calendar delivered
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka'ū, from Miloli'i 
through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout
the district. See it online now at kaucalendar.com 
   UPCOMING FALL TROJAN SPORTS:

Girls Volleyball 
Wednesday, Oct. 11, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, away.
Friday, Oct. 13, Ka'ū vs. Honoka'a, home.

Eight-Man Football
Saturday, Oct. 21, Ka'ū vs. Pāhoa, home.

Cross Country
Saturday, Oct. 13, Ka'ū vs. BIIF, away.

Cheerleading
Wednesday, Oct. 18, at Kamehameha.

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LEARN ABOUT THE VITAL ROLE OF ‘ŌHI‘A LEHUA in native Hawaiian forests, on a guided hike in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow, Sunday, Oct. 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. 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. The ‘Ōhi‘a Lehua program is also offered Nov. 12 and Dec. 10. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

COMMUNITY CUP FUNDRAISER takes place tomorrow, Sunday, Oct. 8, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Volcano Art Center. The event features hand-thrown teacups and bowls by local Big Island potters, as well as samples of fine Hawaiʻi-grown teas, demonstrations, exhibits and more. Entrance fee is $25 in advance or $30 at the door and includes a choice of one tea bowl, plus tea samples. Call 967-8222 for more.

A COMMUNITY KA‘Ū COAST CLEANUP will be held tomorrow, Sunday, Oct. 8 as part of Get the Drift and Bag It! and the International Coastal Cleanup.
     Volunteers with four-wheel drive vehicles meet at 8:45 a.m. at Wai‘ōhinu Park, at Mile Marker 65 on Hwy. 11. Bring lunch and snacks, re-fillable water bottle, sturdy footware, no slippers, sun/wind protection, including sunglasses, a hat, longsleeve shirt, suncreen, work gloves, and swimsuit. The destination, Kamilo, is remote. The cleanup is sponsored by Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund, under the direction of marine biologist Megan Lamson-Leatherman.
     An Artists Hui Cleanup will be held at Kamilo on Monday, Oct. 30, for artists only. Reserving a space is required. R.S.V.P. to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com. Call or text 808-217-5777. Social posts: @wildhawaii #teamupcleanup #keephawaiiwild.
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The county is looking for input for its transportation
system. Attend a meeting or email suggestions.
Photo from University of Hawai‘i-Hilo
INPUT FOR THE FUTURE OF HAWAI‘I COUNTY TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, including the Hele On Bus that takes many Ka‘ū residents to work, school and shopping, is invited at five meetings outside of Ka‘ū. Those unable to attend may contact Ka‘ū's County Council member Maile David at maile.david@hawaiicounty.gov or email the consultants directly at heleonsuggestions@ssfm.com.
     Meetings are from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on: Monday, Oct. 9, at West Hawai‘i Civic Center in Kona; Wednesday, Oct. 11, at Kea‘au Community Center (16-186 Pili Mua St.); Thursday, Oct. 12, at Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility (15-2910 Kauhale St.); Thursday, Oct. 19, at Waimea Elementary School; and Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Lu‘au Hale in Hilo.
     To request special assistance or an auxiliary aid to attend the event, contact Jo-Anna Herkes, SSFM International at 808-356-1260 at least 5 days prior to the event.  

SENIOR ID'S FOR AGES 60 AND UP WILL BE ISSUED MONDAY, Oct. 9, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Jude’s Church in Ocean View. For more, call 928-3100.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CAN ENROLL in The Kohala Center’s High School Sustainable Agriculture Program. Next session is at Kohala Center's Demonstration Farm in Honoka’a, Oct. 9 to 13, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Kohala Center's Rural and Cooperative Business Development Services says that the weeklong program features hands-on training in sustainable agriculture practices and visits to "important traditional Hawaiian agricultural sites and farms." Students also learn about opportunities in farming and supporting Hawai'i's food security. Contact Dave Sansone at 808-887-6411 or dsansone@kohalacenter.org for more information.”

LOMI, the traditional massage practice of Hawaiian people, will be demonstrated by practitioner Annie Erbe in a free workshop on the lānai of Kīlauea Visitor Center at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Most of the many styles of lomi are a way to heal body and mind. The workshop is part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” and will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

History of the Kahua Hula, the platform near Volcano Art Center, will
be presented by Boone Morrison this Thursday.
Photo from Volcano Art Center
RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS and those interested in becoming volunteers are invited to meet Thursday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m., in the HOVE Road Maintenance Corp. office. For more, call Hannah Uribes at 929-9953.

A HISTORY OF THE KAHUA HULA, will be given at the Volcano Art Center on Thursday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. Photographer and VAC founder Boone Morrison discusses the construction, history, and dedication of the hula platform near VAC Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Attendance is free, though $5 donations are appreciated. For more, call 967-8222.

ADULTS ARE INVITED TO REGISTER UNTIL FRIDAY, OCT. 13, for a Mold Ceramics class that takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays, Oct. 16 through Dec. 4. at Pāhala Community Center. For more, call 928-3102.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP REMOVE INVASIVE PLANTS that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This Stewardship at the Summit will be on Fridays, Oct. 13 and 27, and Saturday, Oct. 21, at 9 a.m.
     Meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. Volunteers wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants and bring a hat, rain-gear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools will be provided. No advance registration is required, and there is no cost to participate, but park entrance fees apply. Visit the park website nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm.