Monday, May 21, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Monday, May 21, 2018

Explosive eruptions continue at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano today. This image was taken yesterday by Andrew Richard Hara
on a flight with Paradise Helicopters. See the story below. See Andrew Richard Hara's website, Facebook, and Instagram.
LAVA IS ON THE PROPERTY OF THE PUNA GEOTHERMAL VENTURE PLANT,  Pacific Business News reported this afternoon. A flow from fissure 22 moved toward the well pad and apparently stalled about 100 meters from the grounds.
     In the meantime PGV, county, state, and federal partners are attempting to reduce the risk of explosions, should lava penetrate the geothermal wells. They have poured cold water into the geothermal wells and are close to completing their attempt to kill the last well and cap it.
Lava approaching Puna Geothermal Ventures. Image from
Tropical Visions Video and Paradise Heliocopters
     Hawaiʻi News Now reported at 6 p.m. that PGV representatives said that one well, hotter than usual, apparently under pressure from the approaching lava, is proving troublesome in the attempt to kill it. An alternative approach using mud instead of water to cool and kill it is being attempted, the news report stated.
     Tom Travis, chief of state Emergency Management, said that he "should know soon if efforts are successful to neutralize KS 134, the last 'active' well." Said Travis, "We have quenched 10 of 11 wells and we are pumping fluid to plug the last well as we speak.
     “Should have an idea whether or not that’s successful tonight. Once that step is taken, we will be in a much more solid state for having lava overflow the site. This is important, because I think, as all of you know, lava is starting to intrude on the southern edge of Puna Geothermal Venture site. It’s not easy to predict where it’s going to go or when it’s going to get there."
     See the press conference on Puna Geothermal covered by Big Island Video News.
   
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LAVA BOAT TOURS ARE STARTING UP along the lower Puna coast as lava pours into the ocean. Kalapanalavaboat.com is advertising trips on its U.S. Coast Guard certified 49-foot catamaran called Hotspot, saying it sold out today's tours. The website says: "Lava flows have reached the ocean and our lava boat tours are now scheduled twice daily, both at 4 a.m. and 4 p.m. respectively." The trips embark to the left of the Suisan Fish Market hoist in Hilo.
Kalapana Lava Boat photo from days when the flow was
farther from people's houses. Photo from kalapanalavaboat.com
     The Coast Guard will allow already permitted boats to sail offshore of the lava going into the ocean near MacKinzie State Park where two lava lobes are flowing into the Pacific.
     The website says, "With all the devastation, heartbreak and loss the current lava flow is causing here on the Big Island...the powerful earth's core still is the most amazing thing you could ever witness in person. We see it everywhere on video and the media every day over and again, but it will never compare to putting your digital device down and witnessing the amazing path of Tutu Pele in person.
     "Although we have opened up our booking schedule, we ask that you please continue to respect incident personnel working hard and the residents who have been displaced and have lost their livelihood due to the Kīlauea Volcanoes destructive path."
     The website says passengers must be in good health with no recent injuries, no back injuries, and not currently pregnant. See www.kalapanalavaboat.com.

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County Managing Director Will Okabe was being interviewed Sunday as reporters 
and military rushed toward him from spattering lava. Photo from Big Island Video News
REPORTERS AND SOLDIERS SCURRIED AWAY from a lava spattering explosion on Sunday, as County Managing Director Will Okabe gave an interview to news cameraman Daryl Lee. The interview was held in front of one of the two massive lava flows,  200 yards wide and 20 feet tall, that crossed Highway 137 in lower Puna. 
     As Okabe went on camera to warn to the public to stay away from the area, an explosion sounded and military and press ran toward him. "It's exploding right now. It is definitely a hazard," said Okobe.
     Okabe told Lee and Big Island Video News that Kalapana people still have access to evacuate on Highway 130. “But they need to really pay attention to what’s happening because anything can happen. Madame Pele can come out at any time,” Okabe said, “but we don’t want to cause panic. We want them to just be well informed, that’s it.”
     See the interview on bigislandvideonews.com.

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May 21 update of flows from fissures in Lower Puna. See below for current, as of 8 a.m. today, fissure activity. USGS map
LAVA CONTINUES TO FLOW INTO THE OCEAN at two outfalls in lower Puna. Air pollution from mixing of lava and ocean water, inland lava fountains, and gas emitted from fissures is increasing the health threat to residents of the area.
     Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense warned today that "residents and visitors in lower Puna, south of the Lower East Rift Zone, should be prepared to leave the area with little to no notice due to gas or lava inundation. Take action necessary to prepare ahead of time. Gas levels remain high. Take actions to limit further exposure."
     One of the institutions in the path of the lava is Kua O Ka Lā New Century Public Charter School, which began moving all of its equipment from its campus today, with help from the county and with Civil Defense predicting that lava flow could reach it within a few days.
     Civil Defense also stated, "Due to unsafe conditions on roadways, the following policies are in effect: Kalapana and Kapoho Roads are open to residents only. Identification is required. Highway 137 is closed to all traffic between Kamaili Road and Pohoiki Road. Kamaili Road is closed to all thru traffic. No stopping, this is a high sulfur dioxide area. Everyone is asked to stay out of the area."
Fountaining from fissure 22 yesterday. For scale, under the tall tree on the left stand two people - one in orange, one in blue. USGS photo
      "Due to the lava entry at the ocean, the following policies are in effect: Access to the area is prohibited due to the laze hazard. Stay away from any ocean plume since it can change direction without warning. The U.S. Coast Guard is actively monitoring the ocean entry area and enforcing a 300 meter standoff zone. Only permitted tour boats are allowed in the area."

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One of the first reports of an explosion at Kīlauea Crater can be seen on Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's Eletronic Tilt graph, showing today's at around 1800 hours and others over the last two weeks. HVO graph
EXPLOSIVE ERUPTIONS OF ASH CONTINUE at Kīlauea summit, with an explosion at 5:55 p.m. and ash expected to head toward Kaʻū. Yesterday there were two, including one in the photo at the top of these Kaʻū News Briefs.
     At 12:55 a.m., this morning, an ash plume reached 7,000 feet above sea level. Between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., more ash was generated, and one plume reached 10,000 feet. Winds are carrying most of the ash to the southwest.

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"It is easy to see the activity on Hawaii’s #Kilauea Volcano from @Space_Station.
We hope those in the vicinity of the eruption can stay out of harm’s way," Tweeted
astronaut A. J. (Drew) Feustel @Astro-Feustal from the 

International Space Station on Sunday, May 13.
“DO NOT BE NEAR” LAZE is the best way to avoid health impact from the particles and gasses generated from lava flowing into the ocean, stated Dr. Alvin Bronstein, of the state Department of Health, during a press conference today. Bronstein stated the danger is influenced primarily by the amount and makeup of lava going into the ocean, and the direction of wind. Laze is a health risk in air for particles and sulfuric acid, he said; once particles are on the ground, exposure risk is minimal.
     Janet Babb of USGS warned today of a new danger: methane explosions from lava or fire reaching pockets of decayed vegetation, which can happen further away from lava flow than expected.
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TWELVE DAYS OF HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK CLOSURE - plus earlier, shorter closures this year - have cost the island millions of dollars in lost revenues, according to figures presented by HVNP spokesperson Jessica Ferracane.
This morning's overflight of Kīlauea Volcano’s Lower East Rift Zone
shows lava flowing around a kipuka (an "island" of land surrounded
by younger lava flows) before entering the ocean. The ocean
entry is producing a laze plume. 

Photo from USGS/Carolyn Parcheta
     The economic impact on the local community is “quite significant,” said Ferracane, noting that HVNP is the number one attraction in the state, drawing more than two million visitors a year, spending $166 million in 2017. The cumulative benefit to the local economy was estimated at $222 million in 2017, the park reported.
     Two thirds of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes closed on the evening of May 10 due to risk from volcanic activity and it is unknown when it will be safe enough to reopen. It was also closed May 4 through 6 during Kīlauea eruptions. From Jan 20-22, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes and other national parks were closed until Congress funded the federal government.
     Ferracane stated the last long closure of the park was in October of 2015 during a federal government shutdown, which lasted 16 days. 

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HAWAI‘I ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY HAS ANNOUNCED CONTINGENCY PLANS to restore electricity to communities in lower Puna that may be cut off by lava flows. Options include diesel and solar battery generators.With lava moving more quickly over the past few days, Hawaiian Electric Light engineers are identifying suitable locations.
Burning power lines in Lower Puna.
Photo from hawaiielectric.com
     In particular, engineers are planning to "help power critical infrastructure, such as cell phone towers,” said spokesperson Rhea Lee-Moku. “We’ve developed several plans that can be implemented to provide short-term solutions. Work on long-term solutions will continue and will be dependent on the impact of the lava and other seismic activity in this area, as well as guidance from Civil Defense authorities.”
     In addition to possibly employing large capacity diesel generators and portable solar-battery-generator units, the utility is considering the use of steel poles strong enough to support wires able to span lava flows and temporarily connect to undamaged distribution lines.
     Hawai‘i Electric Light has created a page on its website “for the latest information for customers affected by the eruption and for those who may have questions about billing and service during the emergency” at https://www.hawaiielectriclight.com/lava. Updates also are available on the company’s Twitter - @HIElectricLight - and Facebook - HawaiianElectric - accounts.

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AIR QUALITY INDEX AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF FREQUENT ASH PLUMES from Halemaʻumaʻu as of 4 p.m. today in Pāhala is good at 21, Ocean View is moderate at 74, and Kona is moderate, nearing unhealthy for sensitive groups, at 90. AQI measures particulate matter, as well as gasses.
     SO2 measurements were good for most of today, with Ocean View measuring at 0.03 and Pāhala at 0.01 at 4:30 p.m. Pāhala had a spike of moderate levels around 8 a.m., up to 0.19, back down to good range by 930 a.m.
     See AirNow. See Hawaiʻi Short Term SO2 Advisory. Also see the University of Hawaiʻi air quality prediction website at http://weather.hawaii.edu/vmap/hysplit/

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment
Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 
throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on 
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.
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AUDITIONS FOR KĪLAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK’S SUMMER MUSICAL OLIVER will be held at the Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village due to the National Park closure. Auditions for all ages and abilities will be on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 22 and 23, at 6:30 p.m. Be prepared to sing, do cold reads, and move. The show will run July 13 -29, 2018. For more information call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com.

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TUESDAY, MAY 22
Hawai‘i County Special Council Meeting, First Reading of Operating & CIP Budgets, Tue, May 22, 9-4:30pmHilo Council Chambers. Ka‘ū residents can participate via video conferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

HOVE Road Maintenance Monthly Meeting, Tue, May 22, 3 p.m., RMC Office in Ocean View. hoveroad.com, 929-9910

MOVED DUE TO PARK CLOSURE: Auditions for Kīlauea Drama & Entertainments Musical "Oliver," Tue & Wed, May 22 & 23, 6:30pm, Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Parts for all ages and ability. 982-7344, kden73@aol.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 23
Craft Night at Mokupāpapa Discovery Center, Wed., May 23, 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sessions every half hour until 6 p.m. at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center. This month will be glazing a custom clay ornament of a tiger shark. Sharks worldwide are threatened, and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument provides one of the last sanctuaries for these majestic animals. Coral reefs depend upon a healthy shark population. Sign up early due to a limited supply of ornaments. Cost is $12 per ornament. Pre-register and prepay at Kīlauea Pottery, phone 731-6614 or visit them at 46 Waianuenue Ave. Contact Clayton.Watkins@noaa.gov or call (808) 933-8184.

MOVED DUE TO PARK CLOSURE: Auditions for Kīlauea Drama & Entertainments Musical "Oliver," Tue & Wed, May 22 & 23, 6:30pm, Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Parts for all ages and ability. 982-7344, kden73@aol.com

THURSDAY, MAY 24
VA Medical Services, Thursdays, May 24 & 31, 8:30-noon, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thu, May 24, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Punalu‘u Bake Shop. Monthly meeting provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

FRIDAY, MAY 25
Coffee Talk, Fri, May 25, 9:30-11amKahuku Park, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Join park rangers in informal conversation on a variety of topics. Ka‘ū coffee, tea, and pastries available for purchase. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Memorial Day Lei - Arts & Crafts, Fri, May 25, 2-3pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. For all ages. Register May 21-25. Free. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

SATURDAY, MAY 26
HIDEM's Hawai‘i State Convention, Sat & Sun, May 26 & 27, Hilton Waikoloa. hawaiidemocrats.org

Nature & Culture: An Unseverable Relationship, Sat, May 26, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderate guided hike along the Palm Trail, approx. 2 miles. Learn about native plants that play a vital role in Hawaiian culture, and observe the catastrophic change and restoration of the land as it transitions from the 1868 lava flow to deeper soils with more diversity and older flora. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Flameworking - An Introductory Class, Sat & Sun, May 26 & 27, 2-5pm, Volcano Art Center. Glasswork using torch or lamp to melt glass. $155/VAC Member, $160/non-Member, plus $40 supply fee/person. Advanced registration required; limited to 4 adults. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

SUNDAY, MAY 27
‘Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sun, 27, 9:30-11am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, and many forms of ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower on this free, easy, one-mile walk. nps.gov/HAVO

MONDAY, MAY 28
MAY BE CANCELLED DUE TO PARK CLOSURE: Memorial Day Ceremony, Mon, May 28, 3pm, Kīlauea Military Camp front lawn, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Gathering to remember and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Keynote Speaker: Major Kawika Hosea, Executive Officer of 1-299 Cavalry Regiment, Keaukaha Military Reservation. In case of rain, ceremony will move indoors. Open to authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8371, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

MAY BE CANCELLED DUE TO PARK CLOSURE: Memorial Day Buffet, Mon, May 28, 4-7pm, Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Campy, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Menu includes BBQ Kalua Pork, Local Styles Fried Chicken with Gravy, Salads and more. $19/Adult, $10/Child (6-11 yrs). Open to authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

NEW & UPCOMING
HAWAI’I WILDLIFE FUND HOSTS TWO UPCOMING KA‘Ū VOLUNTEER DAYS, with the first beach clean-up opportunity taking place on Tuesday, June 5, with Hawai’i Outdoor Institute. The second beach clean-up opportunity takes place on Saturday, July 7, at Leipana/Pā‘ula, which is located below Nā‘ālehu.
     Space is limited, email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com for time to meet up at Wai‘ōhinu Park. Free; however, donations are appreciated. Visit wildhawaii.org for more about Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund.

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ONGOING
Park Rangers invite the public to downtown Hilo to learn about the volcanic activity, to get their NPS Passport Book stamped, and to experience the Hawaiian cultural connection to volcanoes. Rangers are providing programs at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center at 76 Kamehameha Avenue, Tuesday through Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

Hawai‘i Island Quilting Artists are called to register by Saturday, May 26, for Volcano Art Center's 2nd Bi-Annual Quilt Show: Quilts in the Forest - Where the Path May Lead. Entry forms available online at volcanoartcenter.org/gallery/call-to-artists. Exhibition open Friday, July 13, to Friday, August 3, at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani campus, 19-4074 Old Volcano Road, Volcano Village. Contact Fia Mattice at 967-8222 or quiltshow2018@volcanoartcenter.org.

Sign Up for the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, to be held June 30. If interested, call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.

Tūtū and Me Offers Home Visits to those with keiki zero to five years old: home visits to aid with helpful parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Home visits are free, last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, for a total of 12 visits, and snacks are provided. For info and to register, call Linda Bong 464-9634.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church Calls For More Volunteers for the Saturday community outreach. Especially needed are cooks for the soup served to those in need, and organizers for the hot showers. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's April newsletter. Volunteer by contacting Dave Breskin at 319-8333.

Volcano Forest Runs Registration Open through Friday, August 17, at 6 p.m. Half marathon $85, 10K $45, 5K $30. Registration increases August 1: half marathon to $95, 10K to $55, and 5K to $35. Race is run from Cooper Center on Wright Road in Volcano Village on Saturday, August 18.

5th annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run registration open. Race day Sat, Sept 22, 7 a.m.; begins and ends at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Register online before Mon, July 9: 5K, $25/person; 10K, $35/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $45/person. From July 9 to Aug 11: $30/person, $40/person, and $45/person, respectively. From Aug 13 to Sept 20: $35/person, $45/person, and $55/person. Race day registration ends Sat, Sept 22, at 6:30 a.m. Event organizers, ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou; start location, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill.

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