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Friday, November 10, 2017

Ka‘ū News Briefs Friday, November 10, 2017

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist collects a sample of pāhoehoe lava on 
Kīlauea Volcano's East Rift Zone. Steam rising from the flow resulted from heavy rain falling on 
the hot lava. Analyses of this and other samples provide information on the changing temperatures 
of Kīlauea lavas, which, in turn, reveal information about the volcano's internal plumbing and 
magma transport processes. See story below. USGS photo by J. Babb 
FREE SHINGLES VACCINES are a goal of Sen. Mazie Hirono who co-introduced a bill into the U.S. Senate this week to end Medicare Part D beneficiaries' out of pocket cost and to raise awareness about the vaccination. One of three Americans will develop shingles in their lifetime, she noted. "Financial barriers shouldn't keep our kūpuna from accessing the shingles vaccine. It's critical that seniors in Hawai‘i and across the country can protect themselves against the shingles virus regardless of their ability to afford a vaccine."
     The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that seniors over 60 receive the shingles vaccine. However, because of high out of pocket costs and other barriers to access, only about a quarter of seniors are vaccinated for the virus. The Protecting Seniors through Immunization Act provides the shingles vaccine free of charge for Medicare Part D beneficiaries, and improves outreach to these seniors on the importance of getting vaccinated while directing the Department of Health and Human Services to study the effectiveness of vaccines in the United States.
     More than 50 organizations and companies support the legislation, including the Alliance for Aging Research, American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, American College of Preventive Medicine, American Pharmacists Association, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Dynavax, Every Child By Two, GSK, Hep B United, Hepatitis B Foundation, Immunization Action Coalition, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Merck, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, National Association of County and City Health Officials, National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable, Pfizer, Sanofi, Scientific Technologies Corporation, Takeda Vaccines, Inc., and The Gerontological Society of America.

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HAWAI‘I WILDLIFE FUND IS STORING 1,500 LBS OF FISHING NET AT WAI‘ŌHINU, after many people worked to remove it from Hilo breakwall. Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund founder Bill Gilmartin, of Volcano, and organizer of Ka‘ū Coast cleanups Megan Lamson helped organize removal of the massive derelict bundle of fishing net after it was recovered.
A snarl of netting hauled onto the shore, after it broke away from
the breakwall. Photo from Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund
    The Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund team worked with local biologists at Hawai‘i Department of Land & Natural resources Division of Aquatic Resources, and University of Hawai‘i Hilo to upcycle the net as it was recovered in stages. The first small piece was removed from Hilo breakwall in March. In mid October, waves tore the majority of the net from the Hilo breakwall, as discovered by University of Hawai‘i's Marine Option Program's Sea Surveying, Training and Response Squad dive team.
     The team notified Marine Options, which sent a boat to tow the net from the end of the breakwall toward Bayfront. From 100 yards offshore UHH students Julia Steward, Rosie Lee and Keelee Martin swam the net to the beach using lines tied to the net to ensure swimmer safety. Several canoe club members, including Troy Parker-Bailey, and Marine Options Co-coordinator Jen Sims, were able to haul the net from the shore to parking lot using two large 4WD vehicles.
     Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund staff and volunteers attempted to haul away the monster net on Oct. 21, but the winch broke when the bundle, heavier than 1,500 lbs., was halfway in the pickup. The HWF team loaded about 200 lbs. by hand and returned the following weekend with a replacement winch to load two-thirds of the net. The final one third was removed last Saturday, Nov. 4, with help from two
This and more netting weighing more than 1,500 pounds was hauled
 by Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund to Wai‘ōhinu to be stored until it is sent to
Honolulu with other nets pulled from the Ka‘ū Coast to
burn as energy. Photo from Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund co-founders, Bill Gilmartin and Hannah Bernard.
      The net was hauled to the County of Hawai‘i's Wai‘ōhinu Transfer Station where it will be stored until January 2018 when HWF arranges another 40-foot container shipment full of nets to O‘ahu for the NOAA Nets-to-Energy Partnership with support from Matson Navigation and Schnitzer Steel.
     Stacey Breining, HWF Education Coordinator, reflects, "Getting this net out took time and patience. It was a true community effort. We rely on the relationships we create with our communities to make our coastal ecosystems less dangerous for native wildlife. We are happy this net is out of the ocean, out of our landfill and awaiting transport to H-Power so it can be combusted in the Nets-to-Energy Partnership and bring electric power to O‘ahu."
     For more information on this effort or how to get involved with HWF, email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, call the marine debris hotline for Hawai‘i Island at 808-769-7629 or visit wildhawaii.org.

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COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM VOLUNTEERS IN DISCOVERY HARBOUR are enlisting the expertise of the Ka Lae Quilters to sew together fabric bags for children to have on hand in case of emergencies. The bags are designed for children's safety and security, to carry personal items needed in case of a natural disaster. Each bag will have each child's name, address and names of parents and guardians. Inside will be a few medical items like bandaids. Each will carry a blanket, pair of pajamas, stuffed toys, and photos of parents, friends and pets.
Ka Lae Quilters Hetty Rush and Amy Krommes make emergency
backpacks for children as part of their volunteer work for the
Community Emergency Response Team. Photo by Dina Shisler
     Along with the Quilters, the C.E.R.T. members have enlisted the Ka‘ū Police Department, the Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept., Discount Fabric Warehouse owner Bill Miller, and The Ka‘ū Calendar newspaper. 
     C.E.R.T. volunteers are also seeking others who would like to volunteer more fabric for the bags, cording for the drawstrings, and volunteer to sew. Any monetary donations would be used to purchase the needed items, said organizer Dina Shisler. The bags will be distributed starting at the Nā‘ālehu Elementary School when they are completed. The target time is Spring of 2018. "We need assistance to meet that date," said Shisler. Contact her at 808-238-0799.
      C.E.R.T members are trained to be the initial responders in the event of natural disasters such as earthquakes, fires, and volcanic eruptions. Ka‘ū C.E.R.T members from Discovery Harbour, Mark Twain, Green Sands and Pāhala recently trained and graduated in Kea‘au. Call Shisler to sign-up for C.E.R.T training.

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Sampling lava. Photo by Jack Dykinga/U.H. Hilo
MAGMA: WHAT'S HOT AND WHAT'S NOT? is the subject of Volcano Watch this week, written by the scientists of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory:
     Scientists at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory routinely collect lava samples from Kīlauea and use the chemistry of these samples to infer the temperature of magma (molten rock below Earth's surface).       
     Over time, measurements have shown that magma temperatures rise and fall during an eruption, perhaps as the supply of magma to the volcano changes, or when the plumbing system is disrupted. Consequently, magma temperatures estimated from lava samples provide a fundamental means for tracking changing magma conditions and pathways within the volcano.
     What's the real scoop on magma temperatures? What temperature is deemed "hot"—and what's not?   
Scientist uses a heat shield to take temperature of lava. USGS photo
     Magma rises from the mantle, a region deep within the Earth, into the "roots" of Kīlauea at temperatures of around 1500 degrees Celsius (2700 degrees Fahrenheit). From there, the magma eventually makes its way to a primary storage chamber that's about 3.5 km (2 mi) beneath the summit of Kīlauea—a trip that takes about 8 years, according to a recently published study on the volcano's magma chemistry.
     By the time magma reaches Kīlauea's summit storage chamber, it has cooled considerably. Samples collected from the lava lake within Halema'uma'u, which is a window into the summit storage chamber, indicate that temperatures within the chamber are around 1200 degrees Celsius (2200 degrees Fahrenheit).
     If lava erupted at Kīlauea is 1200 degrees Celsius (2200 degrees Fahrenheit) or hotter, it is truly "hot." This means the eruption likely tapped directly into Kīlauea's summit magma storage chamber or regions even deeper within the volcano.
     Lower eruption temperatures can result from magma stalling, cooling, and mixing as it moves out of the summit storage chamber and through the volcano's shallow plumbing system.
Univeristy of Hawai‘i Hilo student measures lava temperature
with a radiometer. Photo from U.H. Hilo
    For example, at the Pu'u 'Ō'ō eruption site, magma has been transported underground from Kīlauea's summit and through the East Rift Zone, a distance of about 19 km (12 mi). During this trip, it mixes with cooler magma stored in pockets along the rift.
     The result is that lava samples collected at the Pu'u 'Ō'ō vent now indicate magma temperature of about 1150 degrees Celsius (2100 degrees Fahrenheit), roughly 50 degrees Celsius (about 100 degrees Fahrenheit) cooler than magma in the volcano's summit storage chamber.
     A drop from 1200 to 1150 degrees Celsius (about 2200 to 2100 degrees Fahrenheit) may seem small. However, a significant amount of change to the magma occurs during that minor decrease in temperature. At 1200 degrees Celsius (2200 degrees Fahrenheit), magma in the summit storage chamber has already cooled enough to crystallize a bit.
     At that point, it's mixture of liquid magma and minor amounts of olivine and spinel, high-temperature mineral crystals. But, by the time the magma reaches Pu'u 'Ō'ō, it has cooled and crystalized even further, adding pyroxene and plagioclase, slightly lower temperature mineral crystals, to the mix.
     But how cool can Kīlauea magma get? As it turns out, it can't cool too much before it solidifies, which occurs at a temperature of around 1000 degrees Celsius (about 1830 degrees Fahrenheit). Of course, at this temperature the magma would still be glowing hot. But since it's no longer a liquid, it can't flow as one.
     Within Kīlauea, magma can have temperatures from around 1200 degrees Celsius (2200 degrees Fahrenheit) down to about 1000 degrees Celsius (about 1830 degrees Fahrenheit). The former temperature is indicative of molten rock within the summit storage chamber, and the latter temperature suggests solidified, but still very hot rock.
     On Kīlauea Volcano's East Rift Zone, where magma is being steadily transported underground from the summit to Pu'u 'Ō'ō, temperatures hover around 1150 degrees Celsius (2100 degrees Fahrenheit).
     How magma temperatures are inferred from the chemistry of lava samples collected at Kīlauea will be the topic of another Volcano Watch. The HVO scientists use experimentally-calibrated equations that model chemistry changes during cooling and crystallization. These are called geothermometers.
    Whether magma is hot, or not so hot, measuring its temperature through lava samples provides a window into the inner workings of a volcano.
     Visit HVO website (volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo) for 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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PANCAKE BREAKFAST at the Ocean View Community Center is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 11, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more details, call 939-7033.

A JUMBLE & PLANT SALE is offered at St. Jude's Episcopal Church on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. All you can eat pancakes will be available for $3 per person. For more details, call 939-7000 or email StJudeHawaii@bak.rr.com.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP REMOVE INVASIVE, NON-NATIVE PLANTS that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This Stewardship at the Summit event is Saturday, Nov. 11, 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, park entrance fees waived in observance of Veteran's Day. Visit the park website for additional planning details: nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/
summit_stewardship.htm. More events are planned for Nov. 18 and 25.

HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK ENTRANCE FEES ARE WAIVED on Saturday, nov. 11, and Sunday, Nov. 12, in acknowledgement of Veterans Day.

ANNUAL VETERANS DAY CEREMONY on the front lawn of Kīlauea Military Camp in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11. Honoring All Who Served is the theme. The public is invited to hear keynote speaker Lt. Col. Christopher Marquez, commanding officer of U.S. Army Garrison-Pohakuloa Training Area. Pastor Marsha Keiger gives the invocation and benediction. Kali Delgado sings the national anthem. Ray Gandy plays taps on the bugle. Hilo High School Viking Band plays and Hilo High's JROTC presents the colors. Karen Blue is emcee.
      KMC offers veterans a free prime rib dinner buffet from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at KMC's Crater Rim Café. For all others, the buffet cost is $27.95 for adults and $14.50 for children ages 6 to 11.
     The buffet offers Prime Rib, Baked Ono and Spinach & Mushroom Alfredo. The event is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park fees will be waived. For more details, call 967-8356 or visit kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

A PAINT YOUR OWN SILK SCARF Class will be hosted Saturday, Nov. 11,  from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Volcano Art Center. Big Island artist Patti Pease Johnson teaches color theory and silk scarf painting techniques using three colors of each artists choosing. Beginners and intermediate artists welcome. Fees are $50 per non-member and $45 per Volcano Art Center member, plus $10 supply fee per person. For more, call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

REALMS AND DIVISIONS OF KAHUKU, a moderately difficult two-mile, guided hike at Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, takes place Saturday, Nov. 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Hike Kahuku Unit’s newest trail, Pu‘u Kahuku, and explore the traditional Hawaiian classification system. Bring a snack for the talk story segment of this hike.

JAZZ IN THE FOREST, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., is Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Volcano Art Center. A special evening of “Tin Pan Alley” featuring Leslie Harlib Hal Glatzer, Jp Thoma and the Jazztones. Tickets are $20 per non-member and $18 per Volcano Art Center member (available online until Nov 10). Wine, beer, soft drinks and pupu will be available for purchase. For more call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

RIDE SO THEY CAN WALK, THE ROTARY CLUB POLIO PLUS FUNDRAISER, begins Saturday, Nov. 11, and continues through Nov. 18. Participants ride bikes on their own schedule, desired distance and place to raise funds to help end Polio worldwide.
     To sign up for Ride So They Can Walk, make the $20 registration check to Charlene Meyers, with Polio Plus Chair on the notation line. Make out contribution checks of $100 or more to Rotary D5000 - Polio Ride. Send both to: Charlene Meyers, Polio Plus Chair, P.O. Box 59, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, HI 96718.
     For more information or to sign-up contact Rotary Club Polio Plus Chair and Volcano resident, Charlene Meyers, by emailing  charlene.rotary@gmail.com or calling 985-8800.

‘ŌHI‘A LEHUA, an easy, guided, one-mile walk is from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12, at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about the vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower. For more, visit nps.gov/havo.

A SEX TRAFFICKING SEMINAR will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to Monday, Nov. 13, at Ocean View Community Center. For more details, call 939-7033.

LET'S GIVE THANKS CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT takes place at Ni‘aulani, Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12. Volcano Chambers Players, a string quartet, will play a classical chamber music concert to kick off the holiday season and celebrate Veterans Day and Thanksgiving. Tickets are $25 per non-member and $20 Volcano Art Center members. For more, call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

REGISTER BY MONDAY, NOV. 13, FOR THE INAUGURAL PIG HUNTING TOURNAMENT presented by the Ka‘ū Multicultural Society on Saturday, Nov. 18, with scales at Waiʻōhinu Park open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for weigh-in. Hunting is islandwide.
     Three-person teams are invited to enter for a registration fee of $55 per team. Registration forms must be postmarked by Monday, Nov. 13, or hand delivered to Kalani Vierra in Pāhala no later than Friday, Nov. 17, at 8 p.m. Categories include heaviest boar (lahoʻole), biggest tusk, heaviest sow, heaviest overall. Hunting will only be allowed with dogs and no guns and at least one teammate must have a hunting license.
     Team registration forms are available in Kaʻū at ACE Hardware, Wikiwiki Mart, Ka‘ū Gas, R&G Mini Mart, Kaʻū Business Services LLP, Kahuku Gifts and Garden Shop; in Hilo at Delʻs Feed Store, Miranda's and Hilo Surplus Store; in Mountain View at Aloha Gas; in Kurtistown at J. Hara's Store Inc.; and in Kona at Pearl's, Oshima's, Mauka Napa, Lako St. Chevron, Fujihara's Store and Paul's Place.
See public Ka‘ū events for November including monthly meetings at 
kaucalendar.com/octnovdec/novemberevents.html
See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily and weekly community events at 
kaucalendar.com/octnovdec/novembercommunity.html.
Pick up the November print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar, 
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.
    For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740; Kalani Vierra at 938-2005; or Liz K. at 339-0289. 

REGISTER KEIKI, AGES 6 TO 12, FOR MUSIC EXPLORATION at Kahuku Park on Friday, Nov. 17, from 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Register Monday, Nov. 13, through Friday, Nov. 17. For more, call 929-9113 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

JOURNEY FROM HAWAI‘I TO MARS and learn how an "out-of-this-world" lava landscape helps scientists understand how to conduct research on Mars in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's After Dark in the Park program on Tuesday, Nov. 14, in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium at 7 p.m.  The event is free, but park entrance fees apply. for more information, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

HEALTH INSURANCE SIGN-UPS are offered at Ocean View Community Center on Tuesday, Nov. 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  For more, call 939-7033.

REGISTER KEIKI, GRADES K-8, NOW FOR A PAPER CUP TURKEY CRAFT class taking place Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center. Register until Nov. 14. For more, call 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation to see the full program of events.

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS TUESDAY, NOV. 14, and Wednesday, Nov. 15. Participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

A HĀLAU O AKAUNU PERFORMANCE takes place Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The event is free, but park entrance fees apply. For more details, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETS Wednesday, Nov. 15, at noon in the Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033.

HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA‘Ū MEET Thursday, Nov. 16, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Nā‘ālehu United Methodist Church. For more, call Pres. Berkley Yoshida at 747-0197.

STORY TIME WITH AUNTIE LINDA FROM TŪTŪ & ME is set for Thursday, Nov. 16, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Nā‘ālehu Public Library. For more, call 929-8571.

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.
     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.