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| Geologist examines spatter and ash deposits within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park along Kīlauea's southwest rift zone. New understanding of the age of the ash deposits, based on years of careful research, has prompted revision of ages of these surface lava flows. See story below. USGS photograph by Tim Orr, Nov. 6, 2015 |
Regarding the Children's Health Insurance Program, Hirono said that 6,000 children in Hawai‘i depend on CHIP for care they receive for complex medical conditions. Some 30,000 children in Hawai‘i are at risk of losing health care access through CHIP. Hawai‘i's federal funding for CHIP will run out as early as February, she said. The state would have to help out, putting funding for other critical programs at risk, said Hirono.
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| Bay Clinic's Ka‘ū Family Health Center, which opened in 2013, is at risk without federal Community Health Center funding. Photo by Joe Febo |
Hirono also called for parity in funding between defense and non-defense spending in the federal budget. She said the current plan is for a $54 billion increase in defense spending and $34 billion increase in all non-defense spending. Hirono said that as a member of the Armed Services Committee, she understands the need for more resources for defense, but "not at the expense of funding critical domestic programs." She said that the military also sees the need to fund the domestic programs.
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| Sen. Mazie Hirono listed the Dream Act, funding Childrens Health Insurance and Community Health Centers like the Bay Clinic as year end goals. Image from Sen. Mazie Hirono |
"Every day that we don't pass the Dream Act, 122 Dreamers ....are losing their DACA status (exposing them to deportation). These are extraordinary young people with aspirations most of us take for granted. They just want to live, work, study and give back to the only country they know as home. We need to keep the promises that our government made to them by passing the DREAM Act by the end of this year."
View the presentation by Hirono and other members of Congress on year end legislation.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
PROGRESS IN UNDERSTANDING VOLCANOES CAN BE SLOW BUT ADDS UP, say U.S.G.S. scientists writing this week's Volcano Watch at Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory:
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| Thomas and Isabel Jaggar. Thomas Jaggar once thought Kīlauea was an older Volcano than Mauna Loa. |
It's good to stand back, take a deep breath, and examine what has been learned during decades of study of Hawaiian volcanoes. From such perspective, astounding progress has been made, and those who work at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory have been privileged to be part of the story.
Unlike sausage making, the scientific learning process is open to observation, warts and all. Blunders, some rather embarrassing, will be caught, even if made by luminaries. For example, Thomas Jaggar, founder of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, once thought that Kīlauea was older than Mauna Loa, a conclusion quite opposite to what is known today.
Generally, though, it is not blunders but small errors that are corrected. Even more often, new data or changes in interpretation drive the process forward. Progress is incremental, sometimes two steps forward and one step back or, momentarily, even the reverse. Grand breakthroughs are unusual, plate tectonics being an example. With that said, what is the big-picture knowledge of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa acquired in the past few decades?
Hawaiian volcanoes seem to remain active for several hundred thousand, perhaps a million, years. Mauna Loa is well into its life span and will, eventually, be replaced by Lōʻihi, now a large and growing seamount south of the island. Kīlauea probably has more years ahead of it than behind, starting perhaps 300,000 years ago.
The two volcanoes formed along different curving but parallel lines, the Loa and Kea trends, that erupt chemically different magma. This was recognized in the 19th century as a geometric pattern but was not identified chemically until the last half of the 20th century.
Generally, though, it is not blunders but small errors that are corrected. Even more often, new data or changes in interpretation drive the process forward. Progress is incremental, sometimes two steps forward and one step back or, momentarily, even the reverse. Grand breakthroughs are unusual, plate tectonics being an example. With that said, what is the big-picture knowledge of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa acquired in the past few decades?
Hawaiian volcanoes seem to remain active for several hundred thousand, perhaps a million, years. Mauna Loa is well into its life span and will, eventually, be replaced by Lōʻihi, now a large and growing seamount south of the island. Kīlauea probably has more years ahead of it than behind, starting perhaps 300,000 years ago.
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| Lōʻihi, the underwater volcano off the Ka‘ū Coast, is expected to eventually replace Mauna Loa. It sits some 3,000 meters above the ocean floor. Image from Hawai‘i Center for Volcanology |
Giant submarine landslides, first recognized in the early 1960s, have peeled away from the west side of Mauna Loa, most recently about 105,000 years ago. No such giant slides are known at Kīlauea. The south or southeast flanks of both volcanoes are continuously moving southeastward a few centimeters a year owing to volcano spreading. Gravity is the principal cause, aided by intrusion of magma into rift zones.
The summit of each volcano sits atop a poorly understood pathway that transports magma upward from a melting site 100 km (62 miles) deep in the Earth's mantle. A shallow reservoir system 2-5 km (1-3 miles) deep caps this pathway, and magma moves from there upward to the surface or into the rift zones that sprout laterally from the reservoir.
Most eruptions produce lava flows, a fact long known, but each volcano has violent explosive eruptions triggered by pent-up magmatic gas or steam from heated groundwater. Explosive eruptions are not unusual over a time horizon of centuries and need consideration in long-term planning.
These findings, far from exhaustive, are awfully impressive. All were acquired since the late 1950s and took major effort to amass the necessary evidence.
Most eruptions produce lava flows, a fact long known, but each volcano has violent explosive eruptions triggered by pent-up magmatic gas or steam from heated groundwater. Explosive eruptions are not unusual over a time horizon of centuries and need consideration in long-term planning.
These findings, far from exhaustive, are awfully impressive. All were acquired since the late 1950s and took major effort to amass the necessary evidence.
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| Predicting the next Mauna Loa flow, like this one from 1984, as well as the next landslide and explosion from Mauna Loa is an ongoing effort of scientists at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. |
They result from research. Whether at a university or a volcano observatory, research is needed to better understand volcanism. The science can't stand pat, arrogantly assuming that it already knows enough to suit society's needs. To improve, we must always learn more.
Here are some important questions about Mauna Loa and Kīlauea that we can't yet answer.
What are the details of melting in the mantle, and why does the supply rate of magma from the mantle to the shallow plumbing system change over time?
What will cause the next giant landslide from Mauna Loa and, perhaps, the first from Kīlauea?
Can we develop a way to determine how long an eruption, once underway, will last?
Can the next explosive eruption be predicted? How large will it be?
A new concept for Kīlauea is that periods dominated by explosive activity last centuries and alternate with periods of similar length dominated by lava flows. If so, when will the next explosive period start at Kīlauea? What clues might foretell it? When will it end?
Such questions drive research—with progress inevitable, if at times frustratingly slow.
Here are some important questions about Mauna Loa and Kīlauea that we can't yet answer.
What are the details of melting in the mantle, and why does the supply rate of magma from the mantle to the shallow plumbing system change over time?
What will cause the next giant landslide from Mauna Loa and, perhaps, the first from Kīlauea?
Can we develop a way to determine how long an eruption, once underway, will last?
Can the next explosive eruption be predicted? How large will it be?
A new concept for Kīlauea is that periods dominated by explosive activity last centuries and alternate with periods of similar length dominated by lava flows. If so, when will the next explosive period start at Kīlauea? What clues might foretell it? When will it end?
Such questions drive research—with progress inevitable, if at times frustratingly slow.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
VOLCANO ACTIVITY UPDATES: This past week, Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake level generally rose in concert with summit inflation, ranging from about 50 to 30 m (98–162 ft) below the vent rim. On the East Rift Zone, the 61g lava flow remained active downslope of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, with scattered breakouts on the pali and coastal plain. The ocean entry remained inactive. The 61g flows do not pose an immediate threat to nearby communities, according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Mauna Loa is not erupting. Small-magnitude earthquakes continue to occur beneath the summit caldera and upper Southwest Rift Zone at depths less than 5 km (3 mi). A few deeper earthquakes were scattered beneath the volcano's southeast and west flanks at depths of 5–13 km (3–8 mi). GPS and InSAR measurements continue to show slow deformation related to inflation of a magma reservoir beneath the summit and upper Southwest Rift Zone. Overall, rates of seismicity and deformation have decreased. No significant changes in volcanic gas emissions were measured.
There were three events with three or more felt reports in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week. On Dec. 13 at 7:09 a.m. HST, a magnitude-2.8 earthquake occurred 3 km (2 mi) NW of Honaunau-Napo‘opo‘o at 13 km (8 mi) depth. On Dec. 11 at 6:39 a.m. HST, a magnitude-2.7 earthquake occurred 9 km (6 mi) SSE of Volcano at 8 km (5 mi) depth. On Dec. 10 at 02:13 p.m. HST, a magnitude-2.5 earthquake occurred 3 km (2 mi) ESE of Leilani Estates at 2 km (1 mi) depth.
Visit the HVO website (hvo.wr.usgs.gov) for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea daily eruption updates and other volcano status reports, current volcano photos, recent earthquakes, and more; call (808) 967-8862 for a Kīlauea summary update; email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
A CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER will be held on Friday, Dec. 22. Sponsored by Lamb of God Baptist Church, it begins at 7 p.m. The event is free to all and highlights include refreshments and gifts for children in attendance.
JOIN RANGERS ON A FREE MODERATELY DIFFICULT GUIDED HIKE, entitled People & Land of Kahuku, on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The 2.5 mile hike takes visitors over rugged terrain and focuses on the human history of Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
A FILIPINO FASHION SHOW AND FILIPINO ENTERTAINMENT FROM AROUND THE ISLAND is on the agenda for Sakada Day on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center. The Sakadas are the workers who came to Hawai‘i from the Philippines between 1906 and 1946, recruited by the Hawai‘i Sugar Planters Association.
Sakada Day celebrates the Sakada legacy in the agricultural development of Ka‘ū and honors the Sakada's work, economic and cultural contributions to society in Hawai‘i. The event, including a Filipino lunch, is free and offers Filipino dance and music, displays of Filipino artifacts, tools, housewares, apparel and items from plantation days. A Filipino fashion show is also on the agenda, along with Filipino entertainment from around the island.
Formal recognition will be given to Sakadas and their families from Nā‘ālehu and Pāhala at Sakada Day.
REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8, FOR A MINI GINGERBREAD HOUSE craft class that has been announced for Wednesday, Dec. 20, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Register until Tuesday, Dec. 19. For more, call Nona Makuakāne or Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.
RESIDENTS OF KA‘Ū WILL PERFORM IN THE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA OF KONA's Holiday Favorites on Tuesday, Dec. 19, starting at 7 p.m. at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa.
The orchestra, under the direction of Bernaldo Evangalista, will present Christmas at the Movies, Sleigh Ride, Carol of the Bells, Santa at the Symphony, Festive Sounds of Hanukah, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and many more. Ursula Vietze is the orchestras concert master. Among those performing are Susan McGovern from Volcano on viola and Ocean View residents Arlene Arai on trumpet, Steve Moon on trumpet, Michael Cripps on cello and Peter Bosted on oboe.
Tickets are $10/$20. Free entry is given to those under 18 years old. Purchase tickets at the door starting at 6 p.m. or visit chamberorchestraofkona.com/concerts.html.
Beer, wine and champagne are served before the concert and during the break. Validated parking on the Sheraton's grounds.
HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS Wednesday, Dec. 20. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. See agendas and more at hawaiicounty.gov.
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETS Wednesday, Dec. 20, from noon to 1 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033.
15 TIME NĀ HOKU HANOHANO LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD and six time Big Island Music award-winner musical artist Ken Makuakāne performs Wednesday, Dec. 20, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Makuakāne has won 15 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award, and six Big Island Music Awards. Free, park entrance fees apply.
HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA‘Ū meets Thursday, Dec. 21, at 6:30 p.m. at United Methodist Church in Nā‘ālehu. For more, call Pres. Berkley Yoshida at 747-0197.
LEI MAKING WITH KAIPO AHCHONG is featured at Aloha Friday, Dec. 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center. Make lei with tropical ag farmer AhChong, whose experience marries the science of agriculture with Hawaiian lei and hula traditions. For more visit volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-7565.
CU HAWAI‘I FEDERAL CREDIT UNION OFFERS 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.
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| Lava flows remain active on the East Rift Zone this week. USGS Photo |
There were three events with three or more felt reports in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week. On Dec. 13 at 7:09 a.m. HST, a magnitude-2.8 earthquake occurred 3 km (2 mi) NW of Honaunau-Napo‘opo‘o at 13 km (8 mi) depth. On Dec. 11 at 6:39 a.m. HST, a magnitude-2.7 earthquake occurred 9 km (6 mi) SSE of Volcano at 8 km (5 mi) depth. On Dec. 10 at 02:13 p.m. HST, a magnitude-2.5 earthquake occurred 3 km (2 mi) ESE of Leilani Estates at 2 km (1 mi) depth.
Visit the HVO website (hvo.wr.usgs.gov) for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea daily eruption updates and other volcano status reports, current volcano photos, recent earthquakes, and more; call (808) 967-8862 for a Kīlauea summary update; email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
A CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER will be held on Friday, Dec. 22. Sponsored by Lamb of God Baptist Church, it begins at 7 p.m. The event is free to all and highlights include refreshments and gifts for children in attendance.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
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| See public Ka‘ū events, meetings entertainment at kaucalendar.com/octnovdec/decemberevents.html. See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, weekly events at kaucalendar.com/octnovdec/decembercommunity.html. December print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano. Also available free on stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com. |
KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE
Girls Basketball: Monday, Dec. 18, Hilo @ Ka‘ū.
Wednesday, Dec. 20, Waiakea @ Ka‘ū.
Boys Soccer: Wednesday, Dec. 20, Honoka‘a.
Boys Basketball: Tuesday, Dec. 19, Hilo @ Ka‘ū.
Swimming: Saturday, Dec. 23, @ Hilo.
Wednesday, Dec. 20, Waiakea @ Ka‘ū.
Boys Soccer: Wednesday, Dec. 20, Honoka‘a.
Boys Basketball: Tuesday, Dec. 19, Hilo @ Ka‘ū.
Swimming: Saturday, Dec. 23, @ Hilo.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
THE FINAL PERFORMANCE OF A GILBERT & SULLIVAN CHRISTMAS CAROL takes place Sunday, Dec. 17, at 2:30 p.m. at Kīlauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Tickets are $20 general admission, $15 per senior/student, and $12 per child. For more information call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com. Park entrance fees apply.
JOIN RANGERS ON A FREE MODERATELY DIFFICULT GUIDED HIKE, entitled People & Land of Kahuku, on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The 2.5 mile hike takes visitors over rugged terrain and focuses on the human history of Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
Sakada Day celebrates the Sakada legacy in the agricultural development of Ka‘ū and honors the Sakada's work, economic and cultural contributions to society in Hawai‘i. The event, including a Filipino lunch, is free and offers Filipino dance and music, displays of Filipino artifacts, tools, housewares, apparel and items from plantation days. A Filipino fashion show is also on the agenda, along with Filipino entertainment from around the island.
Formal recognition will be given to Sakadas and their families from Nā‘ālehu and Pāhala at Sakada Day.
REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8, FOR A MINI GINGERBREAD HOUSE craft class that has been announced for Wednesday, Dec. 20, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Register until Tuesday, Dec. 19. For more, call Nona Makuakāne or Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.
RESIDENTS OF KA‘Ū WILL PERFORM IN THE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA OF KONA's Holiday Favorites on Tuesday, Dec. 19, starting at 7 p.m. at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa.The orchestra, under the direction of Bernaldo Evangalista, will present Christmas at the Movies, Sleigh Ride, Carol of the Bells, Santa at the Symphony, Festive Sounds of Hanukah, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and many more. Ursula Vietze is the orchestras concert master. Among those performing are Susan McGovern from Volcano on viola and Ocean View residents Arlene Arai on trumpet, Steve Moon on trumpet, Michael Cripps on cello and Peter Bosted on oboe.
Tickets are $10/$20. Free entry is given to those under 18 years old. Purchase tickets at the door starting at 6 p.m. or visit chamberorchestraofkona.com/concerts.html.
Beer, wine and champagne are served before the concert and during the break. Validated parking on the Sheraton's grounds.
HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS Wednesday, Dec. 20. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. See agendas and more at hawaiicounty.gov.
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETS Wednesday, Dec. 20, from noon to 1 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033.
15 TIME NĀ HOKU HANOHANO LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD and six time Big Island Music award-winner musical artist Ken Makuakāne performs Wednesday, Dec. 20, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Makuakāne has won 15 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award, and six Big Island Music Awards. Free, park entrance fees apply.HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA‘Ū meets Thursday, Dec. 21, at 6:30 p.m. at United Methodist Church in Nā‘ālehu. For more, call Pres. Berkley Yoshida at 747-0197.
LEI MAKING WITH KAIPO AHCHONG is featured at Aloha Friday, Dec. 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center. Make lei with tropical ag farmer AhChong, whose experience marries the science of agriculture with Hawaiian lei and hula traditions. For more visit volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-7565.
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.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
