Kaʻū News Briefs Monday, July 16, 2018

A lava explosion sent a lava bomb onto a tour boat this morning, injuring people, at the ocean entry near Pohoiki. Ikaika Marzo posted this video by Ikaika Kalama of another explosion that followed. “This is the explosion from our boat this morning. Lightning also was captured in the plume. Unbelievable footage from our crew,” Marzo reported. Video from Kalapana Cultural Tours and Big Island Video News

A LAVA BOMB HIT A TOUR BOAT RUN BY LAVA OCEAN TOURS this morning in lower Puna. A basketball-sized glob of burning lava fell through the metal roof of the 40-foot, 49-passenger catamaran named Hot Spot, splattering onto passengers. Witnesses saw two red lava, littoral explosions rising from underwater. The first sent lava, rocks, and steam into the tour boat. The boat returned to its base at Wailoa Small Boat Harbor in Hilo, where it was met by ambulances.
     At least 23 people suffered injuries, says Department of Land & Natural Resource’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement. The incident took place around 6 a.m., near Ahalanui, where the lava enters the ocean from the perched lava river flow from Fissure 8, more than 9 miles inland.

Matthias Kusch, Hawaiʻi County Fire Department
Battalion Chief, at Wailoa Small Boat Harbor.
Photo from Big Island Video News

     Four of the injured were taken to Hilo Medical Center via ambulance, according to DLNR. “A 20 year old woman has major leg trauma. The other passengers suffered burns and scrapes,” said a DLNR release earlier today.
     DLNR spokesperson Jason Redulla, Deputy Enforcement Chief of Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, said at a press conference this afternoon, “There is a multi-agency investigation occurring,” including DLNR, Hawaiʻi County Police Department, and U.S. Coast Guard. He said during the investigation, the agencies will have “no comment” regarding the investigation’s progress.

     Suzanne Case, Chair of Board of Land & Natural Resources, issued a statement saying, “Clearly everyone is interested to learn what happened this morning. In the meantime, all of those injured today are very much in our thoughts for speedy and full recoveries.”

Hot Spot, its metal roof dented and covered in lava debris.
Photo from Big Island Video News

     Interviewed by Big Island Video News at the Wailoa dock, Matthias Kusch, Hawaiʻi County Fire Department Battalion Chief, said the vessel called in about incoming injuries from steam burns and falling lava debris. “We had nine patients overall; three were transported by medic units, and one went to the hospital via personal vehicle.” He said most were soft tissue and minor burn injuries, with one “obvious femur fracture.”

     Hawaiʻi County Fire Department reported this morning that the tour boat Captain told investigators Hot Spot traveled as close as 183 meters (600 ft.) offshore, which is outside the off-limits zone restricted by the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard issued a statement, saying, “The safety zone currently stands at 300 meters (984 ft.) with no exclusions; no pre-approved tour boat operators are allowed to get any closer, as of today.” USCG recently reduced the restrictions to allow certain state-permitted commercial and research vessels, which carry safety equipment, to travel as close as 50 meters to the coast, down from 100 meters, as of July 12. Redulla said four vendors are currently licensed to operate “lava boat tours,” and that Lava Ocean Tours is one of those vendors. This evening the Coast Guard announced it would push the tour boat limit out to 300 meters from the shoreline in the lava area.

The hole in the roof of the tour boat after the explosion. Posted to Ikaika Marzo’s Facebook wall by Kirk Olsen

     Ikaika Marzo, a boat captain and reporter who works for Kalapana Cultural Tours, posted video by Ikaika Kalama of the second littoral explosion as seen from their boat this morning. “Lightning also was captured in the plume,” reports Marzo. “Unbelievable footage from our crew.” The footage records a rumble through the noise of the wind and a tall, dark, fiery explosion at the main ocean entry. Lighting flashes in the ashy plume. See Ikaika Marzo Facebook.

     Interviewed by Big Island Video News, tourists on the other boat described the Hot Spot vessel as “fully engulfed in the steam” from the explosion, and said they could “hear the rocks hit the boat and the people yelling.”

Lava debris on a bench of the Hot Spot.
Photo from Big Island Video News

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THE VOLUME OF FLOW AND TOPOGRAPHY may be main influences in shoreline explosions, as lava meets ocean along the Puna coast. Janet Babb, of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, said during a press conferenced today that Fissure 8 continues to feed the main channel, which goes west from Kapoho Crater, carrying lava to the ocean in a perched channel extending over 8.7 miles.

     Babb said the volume of the flow is estimated at between 50 to 100 cubic meters per second, compared to the 61g flow from Puʻu ʻOʻo in 2016-2017, of between 3 and 4 cubic meters per second. Various points of the 6km (3.7 mi.) wide flow front continue to ooze lava supplied by Fissure 8, said Babb, with the main entry at Ahalanui. The southern part of that flow front is 1km (.6 mi.) from Isaac Hale Park and Pohoiki as of the overflight today, July 16.

Laze plumes at lava ocean entries near Ahalanui. The flow
edge is still about half a mile from Isaac Hale Park,
and Pohoiki Boat Ramp and Surf Spot. USGS photo

     Babb said littoral explosions, “explosive interactions between the hot, molten lava and the cooler sea water,” do occur at the ocean entry. Such explosions can generate particles as small as sand to “larger than a bread box,” which can be hurled “as far 300 meters – that’s not saying they can’t be hurled father than that.” She said scientists have seen phases, over 35 years of observations in Hawaiʻi, of larger, or little, littoral explosions at ocean entries, which “probably has to do with the offshore topography.” The ocean at the location of today’s explosion, see story above, happened where the ocean is “probably not all that deep,” and there “likely was a submarine flow,” that flashed water into steam, which flung “fragments of molten lava, as well as solidified or semi-solidified lava fragments” into the air.

     Babb said it is possible the littoral explosion today was influenced by the volume of lava: “There is much higher volume of lava reaching this ocean entry than was reaching the ocean at Kalapana ocean entry, with the 61g” flow. She said the Kamapuna ocean entry, a 61g flow, had an offshore topography that was “very steep,” which caused the lava to be carried “very quickly” down to deeper parts of the ocean. Babb said, “A less-steep offshore topography and a higher volume of lava entering the ocean may play a role in littoral explosions that are happening along the coast, now.”

High volume of lava output from Fissure 8, going into the ocean in places
where there's a more gentle incline, might account for larger
littoral explosions as molten rock meets water. USGS photo

     Littoral explosions can happen at the ocean entry on the shore, or under water – even far from shore, said Babb, as the flow travels further out from land, underwater. She added that a lava tube causing the explosion event today was unlikely. Babb said the hazards from these littoral explosions can “extend hundreds of meters both inland and seaward.” Boundaries issued by the Coast Guard are 300 meters, seaward. Babb said she is not aware of any previous ocean-directed littoral explosions that have hit a boat, before the event today.

     Babb said she personally did not observe the lightning seen in the plume during today’s littoral explosion, but that the cause would likely be static electricity within the steam explosion.
     John Jelsema, of the National Weather Service, said some wet weather may be on the way, for the middle of this week, and end of the weekend into next week. When asked if wetter weather heightens the danger of gasses, as rainwater hits molten rock, Babb replied the laze generation along the coast is from lava and seawater mixing, since it is the salt that generates hydrochloric acid. Another concern is the whiteout conditions that can be produced when rain hits hot lava, said Babb, but that concern is lessened, as the area on land is closed off to the public.

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HUI MĀLAMA OLA NĀ ʻŌIWI HOSTS ITS SECOND ANNUAL MĀLAMA NĀ KEIKI FESTIVAL Saturday, July 28, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Nāʻālehu Park. Event activities are free and open to the public: a day of health education, community resources, and interactive keiki activities. Activities are generally geared towards expecting mothers, women considering pregnancy, young families, and supporting ʻohana.

     Local health agencies in attendance will share about health services available to families, with some highlights being early Head Start enrollment assistance with Family Support Hawaiʻi, dental health education with Bay Clinic, keiki car seat facts with Hawaiʻi Child Passenger Safety Program, and electrical safety with Hawaiʻi Electric Light. Free health screenings for participants include vision exams with Project Vision Hawaiʻi, hearing screenings, and immunization information.

     Healthy Hāpai program facilitator Leila Ryusaki will lead a breastfeeding mini-class, and host a prenatal panel with specialists in lactation and breastfeeding, birthing strategies, and women's health.

     The event also offers locally-sourced healthy food, music, keiki performances, zumba, and more.

     Office of Hawaiian Affairs ʻAhahui Grants program awarded $6,500 to Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi in support of the event and its objectives to increase prenatal care, improve birth outcomes, and enrich positive parenting skills of Hawaiʻi Island ʻohana. Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi’s announcement says the “grant money will further help the community to develop a strong network of prenatal and postnatal support, and learn best practices to prevent potential health problems, raise healthy happy children, strengthen family, and fulfill the OHA and Hui Mālama shared goal of a strong and healthy Hawaiian nation.”

     Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi Executive Director Louis Hao stated, “Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi is thankful to OHA for their generosity, attention to the needs of our people, and efforts for the community. With their support, we are able to bring more health education and resources to Hawaiʻi Island. Mahalo nui loa.”

     For more information about the event and Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi, visit hmono.org. For more information about Office of Hawaiian Affairs, visit oha.org.

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NEW and UPCOMING

A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE JAMES MASTERS, who passed away earlier this year, is offered by Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday, July 28, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., at Discovery Harbour Community Harbour. Masters, the former proprietor of Ka‘ū Auto Shop in Nā‘ālehu, which is currently run by his son, John Masters, was also a Fire Chief for Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Department. For more details, call 929-9576 or visit discoveryharbour.net.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment. 

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events. 

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

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

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.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 18

Ocean View Community Association Board Meeting, Wed, July 18, 12:30pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

THURSDAY, JULY 19

Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Thu, July 19, 9-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org, 939-7033, ovcahawaii@gmail.com

Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thu, July 19, 6:30pm, United Methodist Church in Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

Thursday Night at the Center: The Joy and Challenges of Native Bird Photography in Hawai’i w/Jack Jeffrey, Thu, July 19, 7-8pm, Volcano Art Center’s Ni‘aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Photography and biologist Jeffrey shares his experiences and photos. Free; $5 donation suggested. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

FRIDAY, JULY 20

1st Annual Hawaiian Wicked Tuna Jackpot - Classic Fishing Tournament Series, Fri-Sun, July 20-22, Honokahau Club House. All profits go towards marine conservation and youth educational programs in and around Miloli‘i. $300 entry fee, 4 per boat, $25 additional. Cash prizes $100-4,000. Qualifying weight of 50lbs. Grand Prize qualifies for Las Vegas Trip. Contact Wilfred Kaupiko, 896-6272, kalanihale@gmail.com. Sponsored by Kalanihale, kalanihale.org

SATURDAY, JULY 21

Birth of Kahuku, Sat, July 21, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Explore rich geologic history of Kahuku on this easy-to-moderate hike that traverses the vast 1868 lava flow, with different volcano features and formations. Learn about the Hawaiian hotspot and the creation of Kahuku. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Writing From the Heart w/Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, Sat, July 21, 9:30-4pm, Volcano Art Center’s Ni‘aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Bring notebook, pen and lunch. $65/VAC Member, $75/Non-Member. Register online, volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222. franceskaihawwang.com

Second Annual Pig Hunt, hosted by Kaʻū Multicultural Society, happens Saturday, July 21, at the parking lot adjacent to 96-3258 Maile Street, near the old Radio Station Building. Location provided by Olson Trust.
     The scale for the weigh-ins for the wild pigs will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be food booths and a variety of contests. Contact Kalani Vierra at 938-2005, Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740, or Liz Kuluwaimaka at 339-0289. Categories include: Over-All Pua‘a prize for heaviest pig; Heaviest Boar/Laho‘ole; Heaviest Sow; Biggest Tusk; The Packing Contest, in which the hunter runs while carrying the pig; and the Smoke Meat Contest.

Ocean View C.E.R.T. Meeting, Sat, July 21, 10-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting/training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Hula Kahiko - Kumu Kaho’okele Crabbe w/Halauokalani, Sat, July 21, 10:30-11:30am, Volcano Art Center’s Ni‘aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Hula performance. Free. Desiree, 987-7288, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mea Hula - Loke Kamanu and ‘Ohana, Sat, July 21, 11-1pm, Volcano Art Center’s Ni‘aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Hands on cultural demonstration. Free. Desiree, 987-7288, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

A Group of Ranchos Property Owners are meeting Saturday July 21, 4 p.m., at 92-8305 Mamalahoa Highway, last building on the Easement Road that has the Thai restaurant on it.

Bunco and Potluck, Sat, July 21, 6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Popular game played with nine dice. Bring dish to share. Margie Hack, 541-954-8297

SUNDAY, JULY 22

People and Land of Kahuku, Sun, July 22, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain focuses on the area's human history. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

ONGOING

25th Annual Hawai’i Conservation Conference, Ulu Ka Lāiā I Ke Kumu: From a Strong Foundation Grows an Abundant Future, Tue-Thu, July 24-26, Hawai’i Convention Center, Honolulu. Registration ongoing, $80+. hawaiiconservation.org

Oliver!, a KDEN Production, through July 29; Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30pm, Sundays 2:30pm. Shows at UH-Hilo Performing Arts Center. Tickets: $20 general, $15 seniors 60+ and students, $12 keiki 12 and under. Tickets available at Kīlauea General Store, Kea‘au Natural Foods, Basically Books, and The Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo. Info and reservations: 982-7344, kden73@aol.com

Exhibit, Birds of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park: The Hawai‘i Nei Invitational Daily, through Aug 4, 9-5pm, Volcano Art Center’s Ni‘aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Free. Artists: John Dawson, Reyn Ojiri, Sarah Koh, Wendy Barske, Maria Macias, Cody Yamaguchi, Ann Guth, and John Mydoock. Art represents endemic bird species. volcanoartcenter.org

Volcano Rain 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 Sun, Aug 11: 5K, $30/person; 10K, $40/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $45/person. From Aug 13: $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.

Disaster Recovery Center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Keaʻau High School Gym. Buses run to and from Keaʻau Armory every 20 minutes and Pāhoa Community Center Shelter every hour; see full bus schedule on the Civil Defense Website at HawaiiCounty.gov/Active-Alerts. For a list of the information applicants need to bring to the DRC, or to register online, go to DisasterAssistance.gov. The Salvation Army continues to operate a distribution center at the Pāhoa Community Center on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. To donate, please coordinate with the Salvation Army at (808) 756-0306.

Kona Vet Center visits to Ocean View Community Center are Suspended until further notice. Veterans may call 329-0574 for VA benefit information. ovcahi.org

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.

Find Your Park, invites Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Kamaʻaina and tourist alike are encouraged to experience authentic Hawaiian cultural programs, guided hikes, After Dark events, and more from Ka‘ū to Volcano to Hilo. “While Kīlauea continues to shake the ground and blast ash from its ever-changing summit crater – causing the partial closure of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on May 11 – park rangers continue to enlighten and engage visitors from other locations,” says a release from HVNP staff.
     Rangers offer new and familiar programs – free of charge, with no entry fees – for visitors at the park’s Kahuku Unit, Volcano Art Center’s Ni‘aulani Campus, and Mokupāpapa Discovery Center and Prince Kūhio Plaza in Hilo.
Kahuku Unit

     Sneak Peek into next week: July’s Artist in Residence John Ferdico will showcase his multicolored model aircraft and discuss how they are made at the Kahuku Visitor Contact Station, Friday, July 20, at 10 a.m. Supported by the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and the National Parks Arts Foundation.
     In addition to regularly scheduled Guided Hikes and the monthly Coffee Talk, Kahuku Unit has added daily Ranger Talks, and cultural demonstrations and activities on weekends.

     Visitor Contact Station hosts ʻIke Hana Noʻeau: Experience the Skillful Work Cultural Demonstrations and Activities, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.
     Visitor Contact Station hosts Ranger Talks on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
     Guided Hikes begin at 9:30 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday in June and July. Meet the ranger at the welcome tent.
     Coffee Talk, in the Visitor Contact Station is held the last Friday of the month, 9:30-11 a.m.
     Kahuku events are posted to the park website, nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku-hikes.htm.
Volcano Art Center’s Ni‘aulani Campus

     Find Park Rangers in Volcano at the Volcano Art Center’s Ni‘aulani Campus at 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd., in Volcano Village. Rangers are there most days from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide talks and answer questions about the current eruption.
     The return of After Dark …near the park at the Volcano Art Center’s Ni‘aulani Campus. Each event will have a different subject matter, TBA.
Mokupāpapa Discovery Center

     Find Park Rangers in downtown Hilo, Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rangers provide daily eruption updates, and at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., give a talk about all five of Hawai‘i Island’s volcanoes – including Kīlauea. Get NPS Passport Books stamped. Located at 76 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo.
Prince Kūhio Plaza

     Find Park Rangers alongside the park’s non-profit partners, Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association, at their brand new mall store.
Grand Naniloa Hotel

     Find Park Rangers stationed at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in downtown Hilo, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., every Sunday and Monday, in the Willie K Crown Room - as long as nothing else is scheduled in the space. The rangers will be doing daily talks at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. about the eruption. They will show the park film that is normally available to visitors to see at the Kilauea Visitor’s Center at the Summit, Born of Fire, Born in the Sea, every half-hour beginning at 9:30 a.m.
     Park rangers also greet incoming arrivals at the Hilo International Airport, welcome cruise ship passengers as they disembark at the Port of Hilo, and inform visitors at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center most Sundays.

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