Kaʻū News Briefs, Wednesday, December 5, 2018

The eruption at Mauna Ulu Crater, along Chain of Craters Road, stopped for three months and resumed its 
activities, HVO warns, while announcing today as the "official" end to this years Fissure 8 eruption, 
which went quiet in early September.  Photo by Ed Shinoki/NPS

TODAY IS THE OFFICIAL END TO THIS YEAR'S KĪLAUEA ERUPTION. Dec. 5 marks three months without eruptive activity. Dec. 4 marked three months since the last lava came to the surface from Fissure Eight in lower Puna, where much of the damage was done. The eruption wiped out some 750 houses, beach parks, surf spots, a Charter School, farms, marine preserves, and native forest. It covered highways and roads and geothermal wells. It sent lava past Pohoʻiki harbor, cutting off its entrance and leaving a black sand beach and thermal ponds.
     Many people were left without homes. People with vacation rentals along the coast lost income. Many people lost employment and income at inns, vacation rentals, restaurants, and stores within and near Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park where facilities in the park surrounding its most popular destination, Kīlauea Crater, shut down for months.
     The flower and papaya industries were hit hard. Dayday Hopkins and her husband, Dr. Peter Hopkins, known to many for their work with Kaʻū Coffee farmers and overall economic development for the county, lost their commercial koi ponds, covered by lava.

Mauna Ulu fountained to heights of 1,770 feet. Toward the end
of its eruption, which lasted for years, Mauna Ulu went quiet for three
months, then resumed its activities. USGS photo

     While the eruption is officially over, the U.S.G.S. Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory staff noted in its Tuesday update that there is history of an eruption resuming after the appearance of ending. This occurred during the 1969-1974 eruption of Mauna Ulu, famous for its lava fountaining 1,770 feet high. Located along Chain of Craters Road, in the East Rift Zone, Mauna Ula stopped for three months, then resumed activity.
     HVO wrote a cautionary note about the apparent end to the recent eruption: "Although this phase of Kīlauea's activity has now reached this three-month threshold, it is important to note that it is still an active volcano that could erupt in the near future and associated hazards have not changed. Magma is being supplied to Kīlauea and geophysical datasets continue to show evidence for movement of material through the magma system, including the refilling of the ERZ."
 

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SUGGESTIONS FOR PRESERVATION OF PROPERTIES are being accepted by County of Hawai‘i Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission. PONC is seeking suggestions from the public regarding lands that should be preserved because of cultural or historic significance.
     Properties might qualify for preservation because they offer opportunities for education, public access to beaches or mountains, and outdoor recreation. Such nominations for preservation could be beaches, coastal areas, forests, places of natural beauty, or involve the protection of natural resources, like lands and watersheds for general benefits to the public. Suggestion forms are due by 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2019.

PONC is asking the public for suggestions of specials properties to preserve. In addition to thousands of acres of Kāwā and Kahuku coastal lands and Kahua Olohu in Nāʻālehu, PONC funding is going toward the purchase of 2,013 acres on
the Kaʻū Coast, including the ancient Hawaiian fishing village site of Waikapuna.
Photo by Andrew Hara from state Legacy Lands Conservation Program

     To obtain a form to suggest properties, click on PONC 2019 Suggestion Form-Fillable, or mail your request for a form at County Property Management Division, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1101, Hilo, HI 96720.
     Past open space purchases on Hawaiʻi Island total 4,450.8655 acres. Approved and nearing finalization of purchase in Kaʻū are 2,013 acres, comprised of the ahupuaʻa of Kahilipali Iki and Kahilipali Nui, including the historic fishing village of Waikapuna. It is owned by Kaʻū Mahi, LLC. Other Kaʻū properties already preserved through PONC are Kahua Olohu in Nā‘ālehu, and Kahuku Coastal and Kāwā oceanfront parcels.

     Properties acquired elsewhere on the island are: Waipi‘o Lookout in Hāmākua; Hale O Kaili, Hāwī Banyan Trees, Kaiholena, Pa‘o‘o properties in North Kohala; Kīpapa Park, ‘O‘oma, White Sands Mauka, in North Kona; Poho‘iki Bay in Puna.

     The PONC funds are derived from 2% of Hawai‘i County's annual real property tax revenues. 

Kaʻū's representative on the PONC commission
to preserve special lands, which is taking
suggestions through Feb. 28.

     Commissioners are selected for each County Council District to study and make recommendations for lands to be preserved. District 6, which covers South Kona from Captain Cook, all of Kaʻū, through Volcano into Puna, is represented by Fredrick 'Rick' Warshauer, who serves through the year 2021.

     Warshauer grew up on three islands, and has lived mostly on the Big Island. He obtained his Masters in Zoology from the University of Hawai‘i and presently is a retired field biologist specializing in native plants and vegetation. He said he loves the islands and has an intimate knowledge of the islands natural resources.

     Warshauer also worked for the county as a coastal zone planner for six years. According to the PONC website, it was "back when much of the zoning and land use changes were happening that redirected the island's future irrevocably. Witnessing the changes to the land and resources of his youth, it motivates him to spend time and effort where his skills and experiences can be applied to preserve the resources and sense of place that he treasures."

     The Commission meets every other month at the Hilo County Building or the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, and public testimony is welcome. For information on the property selection process, go to Process for Property Acquisition with Funds from the PONC Fund.
     For further information, contact Maxine Cutler, Property Management Division, at 961-8069 or County of Hawaiʻi, PONC Public Website.

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ISLANDWIDE AERIAL LINE INSPECTIONS by helicopter will be conducted by Hawai‘i Electric Light from Tuesday, Dec. 18, to Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Exact times and routes will depend on weather conditions. Inspections will be conducted in a Manuiwa Airways helicopter and require the aircraft to fly low and slow which may cause some noise disturbances.

     Hawai‘i Electric Light "apologizes for any disruption this may cause and sincerely thanks the community for their cooperation and understanding." If there are any questions or concerns, call 969-6666.

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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. 

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events. 

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High December Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:
Dec. 5, Wed., @Waiakea, 6pm
Dec. 15, Sat., JV host
     Laupāhoehoe, 2pm
Dec. 17, Mon., host HPA, 6pm
Dec. 19, Wed., host Kohala, 6pm
Dec. 22, Sat., host JV
     Christian Liberty, 2pm

Boys Basketball:
Dec. 15, Sat., host Pāhoa
Dec. 18, Tue., @Keaʻau
Dec. 22, Sat, host Parker
Dec. 27, Thu., @Kealakehe

Wrestling:
Dec. 8, Sat., @Waiakea
Dec. 15, Sat., @Oʻahu
Dec. 22, Sat., @Oʻahu

Soccer:
Dec. 5, Wed., host Pāhoa
Dec. 8, Sat., Boys host Kohala
Dec., 11, Tue., @Kamehameha
Dec., 13, Thu., Girls host Makualani
Dec. 19, Wed., host HPA

Dec. 22, Sat., host Waiakea
Dec. 29, Sat., @Konawaena

HOVE Road Maintenance Corp. hosts Annual Membership Meeting 
Dec. 8. Image from hoveroad.com

Swimming:
Dec. 8, Sat., @HPA, 10am
Dec. 29, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

HOVE ROAD MAINTENANCE CORPORATION'S ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING takes place Saturday, Dec. 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. For more, visit hoveroad.com, call 929-9910 or email gm@hoveroad.com.
     The organizations next Board of Directors meeting takes place at the HOVE Road Maintenance Corporation Office at 92-8979 Lehua Lane, Ocean View, on Sunday, Dec. 18, at 10 a.m.

DISCOVERY HARBOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT HOSTS THEIR ANNUAL DINNER on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Discovery Harbour Community Hall. For more, call 929-9576 or visit discoveryharbour.net.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6
Basic Stretch & Strengthening Exercise Class, Thu., Dec. 6 and 13, 9:30-10:30am, Pāhala Senior Center. Designed for all ages; geared toward those needing to maintain or increase mobility, and those wanting a gentle stretch. Call 969-9220 to sign-up. Free; donations accepted.

Women's Support Group, Thu., Dec. 6 and 20, 3-4:30pm, PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. 1st and 3rd Thu. of every month thereafter. Women welcome to drop in anytime. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Thu., Dec. 6, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Volcano School of Arts and Sciences Middle School Theater Night, Thu., Dec. 6, 6pm, Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 6th, 7th, and 8th grade each perform a one-act play: The Invisible Man by Tim Kelly, Last Stop Till Christmas by Pat Cook, and The Quest: A Fairy Take with Attitude by Eddie McPherson. Free; donations gratefully accepted. Park entrance fees apply.

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Meeting, Thu., Dec. 6, 6:30pm, Aspen Center. okaukakou.org

Hula Voices w/Kumu Hula Micah Kamohoali‘i, Thu., Dec. 6, 7-9pm, Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Desiree Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free. Final program for 2018. 967-7565

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7
PATCH Class #425, More Than Counting: Math in Preschool, Fri., Dec. 7, 8-11am, PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Teaching strategies that support the development of mathematical concepts in preschool-age children. Sponsored by Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. No childcare provided. 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

PATCH Class #309, Together in Care, Fri., Dec. 7, noon-3pm, PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Creating close caregiver/child relationships within a group. Sponsored by Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. No childcare provided. 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

Stewardship at the Summit, Fri., Dec. 7, Sat., Dec. 15 and 22. Meet Paul and Jane Field at 8:45am in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Volunteers help remove invasive, non-native plants species that prevent native plants from growing. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring hat, rain gear, day pack, snacks, and water. Gloves and tools provided. Parental/guardian accompaniment or written consent required. Free; however, park entrance fees apply. No advance registration required. nps.gov/havo

Youth Group, Fri., Dec. 7 & 21, 6:30-8:30pm, Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Lamb of God Baptist Church.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8
Nā Mamo o Kāwā ʻOhana Work Day, Sat., Dec. 8, meet 9:30am, Northern Gate, Kāwā.  RSVP with w/James Akau, jakau@nmok.org, 561-9111. Updates and notifications on upcoming ʻOhana Workdays, see nmok.org or facebook.com/namamoo.kawa.

Paths and Trails, Sat., Dec. 8, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderately-difficult, 2-mile, hike. Free. nps.gov/havo

Zentangle: Pen in Henna, Sat., Dec. 8, 10-1pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Art work guided by designs from Mehndi Henna style. Student kits provided. Open to all levels. Students invited to bring snacks to share. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $10 supply fee/person. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

HOVE Road Maintenance Annual Meeting, Sat., Dec. 8, 11:30-12:30pm, Ocean View Community Center. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com

Volunteer Fire Department Annual Dinner, Sat., Dec. 8, 3-8pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. discoveryharbour.net, 929-9576

Jazz in the Forest Christmas Special, Sat., Dec. 8, 5:30pm – doors open 5pm – Volcano Art Center Ni‘aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Jean Pierre Thoma & The Jazztones with Jeannine Guillory, featuring Christmas favorites and original compositions. $20/VAC member, $25/non-member. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

A Gift of Love, Volcano Festival Chorus Annual Christmas Concert, Sat., Dec. 8, 7:30pm, Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 25 member chorus under direction of Roch Jones, accompaniment by Laura Kahale, with Cheryl Shine on flute. Free; donations gratefully accepted. Park entrance fees apply.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9
Pāhala Christmas Parade, Sun., Dec. 9, 1pm, Pāhala Armory at Pakalana St. to Holy Rosary Church, Pikake St. Parade ends with food and entertainment. Parade participants line up at 11. Andrade, 928-0808

Pu‘u o Lokuana, Sun., Dec. 9, 9:30-11am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Short, moderately difficult, 0.4-mile hike. Free. nps.gov/havo

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10
Free STD Testing, Mon., Dec. 10, 9-noon, Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Hawai‘i Department of Health. 2nd Monday, monthly. Call for individual appointment for different day or time. Teenagers 14+ do not need parent consent. Always confidential. Free condoms and lube. 895-4927

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11
AdvoCATS, Tue., Dec. 11, 7-5pm, Ocean View Community Center. Free Cat Spay & Neuter Clinic. 895-9283. advocatshawaii.org

The Fascination Method w/Anthony Chrisco, Tue., Dec. 11, 2-4pm, Volcano Art Center. Brief instruction of the method and tool Chrisco developed to bring more healthy awareness to bodies. See full list of ailments The Fascination Method can help alleviate at volcanoartcenter.org. $25/person. thefascianator.com. 967-8222

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue., Dec. 11, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Community Emergency Response Team info and training scenarios/ Public welcome. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

After Dark in the Park, He Inoa No Hi‘iakaikapoliopele, Tue., Dec. 11, 7pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Free; Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12

Volcano Bay Clinic Mobile Health Unit Visits: Dental, Wed., Dec. 12, 8-5pm; Medical, Thu., Dec. 27, 1-5pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Must be Bay Clinic, Inc. patient. 333-3600 for appointment. thecoopercenter.org

Huewai Demonstration - ‘Ike Hana No‘eau (Experience the Skillful Work), Wed., Dec. 12, 10-2pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply. Co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

Compassionate Communication Group, Wed., Dec. 12 and 26, 2-3:30pm, PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. 2nd and last Wed. of every month thereafter. Free; registration required. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460

Santa's Workshop, Wed., Dec. 12, 5:30-7:30pm, Ka‘ū District Gym multi-purpose room. Register keiki of all ages Dec. 3-12. 928-3102

ONGOING

Christmas in the Country and 19th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibition are open at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 
     Christmas in the Country runs through Wednesday, Dec. 26. Enjoy an abundance of art and aloha as VAC creates a merry scene of an old-fashioned Christmas inside its 1877 historic building. In addition to artwork, find unique holiday offerings of island-inspired gifts, ornaments, and decorations made by Hawai‘i Island artists, including VAC exclusives.
     The Wreath Exhibition is available through Tuesday, Jan. 1. The exhibition presents one-of-a-kind wreaths in a variety of imaginative media, techniques, and styles, from the whimsical to the traditional, with this year's theme of Home for the Holidays - inspired by the four month closure of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
     Admission is free; Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-8222, or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

Kīlauea Military Camp's Holiday Challenge is open for viewing through Monday, Dec. 31. The event features a row of cottages along the front of the camp decorated in with various characters and Christmas decor - with Kīlauea Military Camp employees responsible and competing for a popularity vote. The public is invited to admire the decorations and vote for their favorite decorated cottage. Kīlauea Military Camp is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8371 for additional information. See kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

Registration for P&R Boys & Girls, T-Ball/Coach Pitch Baseball League open through Jan. 16, Kahuku Park, H.OV.E. For ages 5-8. Programs run Jan. 22-Apr. 18, game and practice times tba. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Basic Stretch and Strengthening Exercise Class, sponsored by Hui Mālama Ola Nū ʻŌiwi, happens Wednesdays at Nāʻālehu Community Center and Thursdays at Pāhala Senior Center; no classes between Dec. 14 and Jan. 8. The free classes – donations accepted – run from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The class offers "basic stretches and muscular endurance exercises that will help improve your flexibility and strength. Designed for all ages; geared toward those needing to maintain or increase mobility, and those wanting a gentle stretch." Learn more at hmono.org, facebook.com/HMONO.org/, @hui_malama_ on Instagram, or call 808-969-9220.

Substitute School Health Assistant Positions are available. Qualifications: CPR and First Aid certifications, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Training begins in 2019. Contact Kristy Loo for more at look@hkkk.k12.hi.us.

Volunteers Needed by St. Jude's Episcopal Church for community outreach, especially soup cooks and shower organizers, towel laundry, alter guild, and for the computer lab. Volunteers do not have to be members of the church. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's. Contact Dave Breskin, 319-8333.

Tūtū and Me tuition-free traveling preschool, for keiki birth to five years old and their caregivers, has twice a week meeting in Pāhala, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., at Pāhala Community Center. In Nāʻālehu, meetings are at Kauahaʻao Church in Waiʻōhinu, Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8:45 to 10:45 a.m.

     Tūtū and Me also offers home visits to aid caregivers with parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate, listening ear. Visits last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, total of 12 visits. Snacks are provided.
     To enroll in either free program, fill out enrollment forms found at pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me/enrollment_forms, or call Linda Bong at 929-8571, or Betty Clark at 464-9634 or eclark@pidfountation.org.