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Glow from a Mauna Loa lava flow lit up the night sky above Hilo on April 4, 1984. In this photo, captured from near
the Hilo airport, the flow front appears closer to the city than it actually was. Should a similar eruption occur in the future, the U.S. Geological Survey’s lava flow inundation maps could help alleviate concern for residents outside the identified inundation zone for a given flow. See Volcano Watch below. Photo by David Little |
RICHARD ABBETT WILL RUN FOR COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 6. The fisheries, natural resources, environment and green jobs advocate, who lives in Green Sands, ran against current council member Maile David in 2014. He said on Friday that he is ready to run again. "I want to see progress on many fronts."
"For too long the needs of our district have gone unaddressed. While tourism is at a record high on the island, our rural areas are still beset with crime, unemployment and infrastructure needs, such as a second well in Ocean View," said Abbett.
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| Richard Abbett says he will run for County Council. Photo by Julia Neal |
Abbett said that new products and services could be created through upcycling construction components. A green industries park could offer union and non-union jobs with training and apprenticeships. "Wealth from waste," is an opportunity, he said.
Concerning development, Abbett advocates "Keeping Ka‘ū wild." He said, "We need to know how ecosystems work and that balance creates a diversity of species." He said that any development proposals for Ka‘ū should be addressed with a site visit by the County Planning Director before any consideration.
Abbett also spoke for GMO labeling and against expansion of the military at Pohakuloa Training Area.
During his previous campaign, Abbett opposed candidates taking money and services from any lobbying group, from corporations to unions. He said, "I am taken aback that people took their money" and services. He promised that he would not accept airline tickets, hotel rooms, dining and training, by a super PAC or anyone else, even if campaign advisors urged him to "take the money" or consulting services. "I don't have to ask someone else about my integrity. I don't need another person to determine my integrity. I would not take money for that reason. I do not take lip for that reason," he said.
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HABITAT RURAL HOUSING REPAIR LOANS ARE AVAILABLE IN KA‘Ū. Low income families whose homes have such challenges as a leaky roof, dripping pipes, termites and wood rot are eligible. Also eligible for funding are ramps for disabled homeowners in need of them.
Habitat for Humanity Hawai‘i Island has the funds to to repair dilapidated low-income rural homes. Applicants must own and occupy the home, have income and assets not exceeding USDA Very Low Income guidelines for Hawai‘i County, have owned and occupied the home for at least a year before applying, have equity sufficient to cover the cost of repairs and be able to repay the no-interest loan over 20 years.
The dwelling must be a legal structure located in a rural area (anywhere on island except Hilo) and have defects that pose a health or safety hazard to occupants or be in need of improvements to improve accessibility for a handicapped household member.
Assistance is in the form of a no-interest loan repaid over 20 years.
Repairs are performed by licensed general contractors hired by the homeowners.
Loans are secured by mortgages and promissory notes.
The program is funded by federal USDA Rural Development and Habitat for Humanity Hawai‘i Island and is being carried out as part Habitat's mission to provide safe, accessible affordable housing in Hawai‘i county.
The Rural Housing Preservation Grant program is an equal opportunity program guided by regulations of USDA Rural Development and Habitat for Humanity International. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry/national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, marital status, age or HIV infection is prohibited by federal law and Habitat policy.
For further information or to apply, call Mary Finley at 967-7230. She said that funding is limited and there is a time limit to complete repairs.
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NEWLY PUBLISHED USGS INUNDATION MAPS FOR MAUNA LOA are online, reports this weeks Volcano Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists:
The primary goal of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is to provide scientific information to reduce risks due to volcanic and seismic activity. To this end, HVO scientists assess volcano hazards and inform the public and civic officials using media outlets, community forums, and other outreach activities.
Assistance is in the form of a no-interest loan repaid over 20 years.
Repairs are performed by licensed general contractors hired by the homeowners.
Loans are secured by mortgages and promissory notes.
The program is funded by federal USDA Rural Development and Habitat for Humanity Hawai‘i Island and is being carried out as part Habitat's mission to provide safe, accessible affordable housing in Hawai‘i county.
The Rural Housing Preservation Grant program is an equal opportunity program guided by regulations of USDA Rural Development and Habitat for Humanity International. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry/national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, marital status, age or HIV infection is prohibited by federal law and Habitat policy.
For further information or to apply, call Mary Finley at 967-7230. She said that funding is limited and there is a time limit to complete repairs.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
NEWLY PUBLISHED USGS INUNDATION MAPS FOR MAUNA LOA are online, reports this weeks Volcano Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists:
The primary goal of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is to provide scientific information to reduce risks due to volcanic and seismic activity. To this end, HVO scientists assess volcano hazards and inform the public and civic officials using media outlets, community forums, and other outreach activities.
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Map shows the three communities on the west flank of Mauna Loa’s Southwest Rift Zone,
Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, Kula Kai, and Hawaiian Ranchos subdivisions.
Topographic contours modified from U.S. Geological Survey 10-meter digital
elevation model. Contour interval, 1,000 feet. Detailed maps of inundation zones
are online at https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/sim3387. Map from HVO
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An eruption on Mauna Loa is not imminent, but it will erupt again someday. When it does, many people, including emergency responders, will need to know which areas are threatened with lava inundation. Researchers at HVO have produced maps that will help Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense and other emergency managers identify people, property, and facilities at risk during future eruptions.
Most of Mauna Loa’s eruptive fissures and vents are located at the summit of the volcano and along two rift zones that extend northeast and southwest from Moku‘āweoweo, the volcano’s summit caldera. A few vents, however, occur along radial fissures that extend primarily north and west from the summit.
The bounding walls of Moku‘āweoweo create topographic barriers that should protect areas southeast and west of the caldera from lava flows erupted from within the caldera. But the barrier on the west side is rendered ineffective by the radial vents on the flanks of the volcano. For example, in 1859, an eruption from radial vents on the northwest flank of Mauna Loa produced lava flows that advanced to the ocean in eight days.
Using detailed geologic mapping and modeling of how a fluid (in this case, lava) responds to surface topography, USGS-HVO constructed nine maps depicting 18 inundation zones on Mauna Loa. Each zone identifies a segment of the volcano that could erupt lava and send flows downslope.
Colored regions on these maps show areas on the volcano’s flank that could potentially be covered by flows from future Mauna Loa eruptions. These eruptions could originate from the volcano’s summit, rift zones, or radial vents. It’s likely, however, that only part of a zone would be covered in a single eruption.
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| Revised Mauna Loa lava inundation zones, updated this year. Shaded relief is from U.S. Geological Survey 10-meter digital elevation model. More detailed maps of inundation zones are available online at https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/sim3387 Map from HVO |
When a Mauna Loa eruption starts, the maps can help decision makers quickly identify communities, infrastructure, and roads between possible vent locations and the coast, facilitating more efficient and effective allocation of response resources. The public can also use the maps to consider where lava flows might go once an eruption starts.
“Lava inundation zone maps for Mauna Loa, Island of Hawaiʻi,” published by the U.S. Geological Survey as Scientific Investigations Map 3387, comprises 10 sheets (maps) and an explanatory pamphlet. Sheet 1 is a map of the entire Island of Hawaiʻi with outlines showing the areas encompassed by the nine other maps. These nine sheets depict the 18 inundation zones for Mauna Loa. Guidelines on how to interpret the maps are provided in the accompanying pamphlet.
The inundation zones identified on the maps are: Kaumana, Waiākea, and Volcano-Mountain View (Sheet 2); Kapāpala (Sheet 3); Pāhala, Punalu‘u, and Wood Valley (Sheet 4); Nā‘ālehu (Sheet 5); Kalae (Sheet 6); Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, Kapu‘a, and Miloli‘i (Sheet 7); Ho‘okena, Ka‘ohe, and Ka‘apuna (Sheet 8); Hōnaunau and Kealakekua (Sheet 9); and Puako (Sheet 10).
The boundaries between inundation zones are approximate. The names given for each sheet are descriptive, and are meant to represent the larger geographic areas of potential lava inundation. Map scales vary from 1:45,000 to 1:85,000.
See a booklet on the inundation zones at https://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3387/sim3387_pamphlet.pdf.
See the detailed Mauna Loa Inundation Maps at https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/sim3387.
See a booklet on the inundation zones at https://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3387/sim3387_pamphlet.pdf.
See the detailed Mauna Loa Inundation Maps at https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/sim3387.
Visit the HVO website (https://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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| 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 |
JOIN RANGERS FOR A GUIDED HIKE, REALMS AND DIVISIONS OF KAHUKU, on Sunday, Oct. 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Experience the sense of place that evolves at the intersection of nature and culture on this moderately difficult two-mile, two-hour guided hike on the Kahuku Unit’s newest trail, Pu‘u Kahuku. Explore the realms and divisions of the traditional Hawaiian classification system at Kahuku. Bring a snack for the “talk story” segment of this hike. The event will also be offered Nov. 11 and Dec. 16.
NĀ‘ĀLEHU PUBLIC LIBRARY HOSTS A FALL COSTUME PIZZA PARTY on Halloween Day, Tuesday, Oct. 31, starting at 3 p.m.
A Hawai‘i State Public Library System issued flyer states, "join us for fun, food and prizes at our annual Fall Costume Party - and this year it's a pizza party! Come in costume for an extra chance to win a prize!" The prize drawing will take place at 4 p.m.
The event is free and open to all, though young children should be accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver.
For more details, call 939-2442.
KA‘Ū FOOD PANTRY gives food to those in need on Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View.
OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KĪLAUEA MILITARY'S CAMP'S LAVA LOUNGE in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is Wednesday, Nov. 1, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up. The event is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.
NATURE WORKS EVERYWHERE GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE is Friday, Nov. 3. Applications are open for public/charter schools to build or maintain a Nature Works Everywhere school garden, greenspace or green infrastructure project. For more, visit NatureWorksEverywhere.org/#grants.
See Ka‘ū News Briefs from Thursday, Sept. 14.
A THREE-DAY WORKSHOP, MANDALA MOSAIC, teaches basic glass cutting techniques as well as specialized pattern-cutting skills with Volcano Art Center guest artist Mark Brody. The program takes place Friday, Nov. 3, through Sunday, Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village.
Class limited to 10 people, 15 years +. $225/$200 VAC members, plus $25 material fee. All students receive free $25 valued substrate at workshops end. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP REMOVE INVASIVES that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This Stewardship at the Summit event is Friday, Nov. 3, at 8:45 a.m.
To join the effort, meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Volunteers should 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 for additional planning details: nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm. More events are planned for Nov. 11 (fee-free day), 18 and 25.
A FUNDRAISER FOR KĪLAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK, which is in production for A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol is held at Amalfatano's Italian Restaurant in Waiakea Villas on Friday, Nov. 3, starting at 6 p.m. The featured menu includes a pasta dish, eggplant parmesan, lasagna, pizza, and an Italian salad. Ice tea is included in the meal. The cost is $20. Diners are welcome to bring a bottle of wine or other beverages to consume.
CU HAWAI‘I FEDERAL CREDIT UNION IS OFFERING EMPLOYMENT as a Member Service Representative in Nā‘ālehu. CU Hawai‘i seeks energetic individuals for full time positions who enjoy working with people and can provide professional, courteous and efficient service to valued members.A Hawai‘i State Public Library System issued flyer states, "join us for fun, food and prizes at our annual Fall Costume Party - and this year it's a pizza party! Come in costume for an extra chance to win a prize!" The prize drawing will take place at 4 p.m.
The event is free and open to all, though young children should be accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver.
For more details, call 939-2442.
KA‘Ū FOOD PANTRY gives food to those in need on Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View.
OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KĪLAUEA MILITARY'S CAMP'S LAVA LOUNGE in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is Wednesday, Nov. 1, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up. The event is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.
See kilaueamilitarycamp.com for more.
HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS WEDNESDAY, NOV. 1, and Thursday, Nov. 2. Participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.
HULA VOICES, moderated by Desiree Moana Cruz, Kumu hula Iwalani Kalmia of Hula Hālau O Kou Lima Nani E presents her hula experiences. The event takes place on Thursday, Nov. 2, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org.
THE NEXT OCEAN VIEW BLOCK WATCH MEETING will be held Thursday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. All are invited and the organization will entertain nominations and elect officers. For more, call 939-7033.
HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS WEDNESDAY, NOV. 1, and Thursday, Nov. 2. Participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.
HULA VOICES, moderated by Desiree Moana Cruz, Kumu hula Iwalani Kalmia of Hula Hālau O Kou Lima Nani E presents her hula experiences. The event takes place on Thursday, Nov. 2, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org.
THE NEXT OCEAN VIEW BLOCK WATCH MEETING will be held Thursday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. All are invited and the organization will entertain nominations and elect officers. For more, call 939-7033.
See Ka‘ū News Briefs from Thursday, Sept. 14.
A THREE-DAY WORKSHOP, MANDALA MOSAIC, teaches basic glass cutting techniques as well as specialized pattern-cutting skills with Volcano Art Center guest artist Mark Brody. The program takes place Friday, Nov. 3, through Sunday, Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village.
Class limited to 10 people, 15 years +. $225/$200 VAC members, plus $25 material fee. All students receive free $25 valued substrate at workshops end. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP REMOVE INVASIVES that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This Stewardship at the Summit event is Friday, Nov. 3, at 8:45 a.m.
To join the effort, meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Volunteers should 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 for additional planning details: nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm. More events are planned for Nov. 11 (fee-free day), 18 and 25.
A FUNDRAISER FOR KĪLAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK, which is in production for A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol is held at Amalfatano's Italian Restaurant in Waiakea Villas on Friday, Nov. 3, starting at 6 p.m. The featured menu includes a pasta dish, eggplant parmesan, lasagna, pizza, and an Italian salad. Ice tea is included in the meal. The cost is $20. Diners are welcome to bring a bottle of wine or other beverages to consume.
Reservations for the fundraiser are not necessary, but suggested. Call KDEN at 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com to make a reservation or for more information on A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol.
See Ka‘ū News Briefs from Thursday, Oct. 26.
See Ka‘ū News Briefs from Thursday, Oct. 26.
The ideal candidate must be service oriented and possess good communication and computer skills. Cash handling and customer service experience is preferred. Must be able to work Saturdays. CU Hawai‘i offers medical, drug, dental, vision and retirement benefits.
Email, mail or fax application to: Attn: Human Resources, 476 Hinano Street Hilo, HI 96720, Fax: (808) 935-7793. Applications can be found online at cuhawaii.com/careers.html.
