Kaʻū News Briefs Thursday, July 26, 2018

Earthquakes shaking the ground at Kīlauea's summit Thursday, July 25, stirring up rock dust within Halema`uma`u 
and along the caldera walls. This view from the northeast caldera rim looks across at the Keanakāko`i 

and South Sulphur Banks areas. USGS photo

TODAY'S COLLAPSE EVENT, NUMER 58 AT HALEMA`UMA`U, shook Volcano Village at 12:09 p.m., 53 hours after the last one. In recent weeks, the timing has been about 30 to 40 hours between each event, that usually generates energy equivalent to a 5.1 to 5.4 magnitude earthquake. The events are created by the collapse of the crater and the draining of the lava lake, which are connected to the lava flow in lower Puna that continues to take out houses, farms, forests, reefs, and parks.
     The previous Halema`uma`u collapse event occurred Tuesday, July 24, at 6:41 a.m., measuring 4.5M. Today's measured at 5.3M. The collapsing of crater walls is revealing more of the South Sulphur Banks.

     The small tremors in between the collapse events in recent weeks were about 25 to 35 per hour, until the past two days when they were about 20 to 40 per hour.

Lava appeared stalled on Thursday morning near Pohoiki, the boat ramp, parking area remaining.
Photo by Bruce Omori of Extreme Exposure, Paradise Helicopters

     Scientists at USGS Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory said they are studying whether this indicates a change in pattern. However, they said the lower East Rift Zone surges in lava that often followed collapse events at Halema`uma`u did not happen on July 24, and that the river of lava flowing from Fissure 8, today appears lower and more sluggish.

     The flow threatening Pohoiki and Isaac Hale Park did not move much in the last day; the lava was still about 500 feet from the boat ramp, Thursday afternoon.

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Cracks in Highway 11 near Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Photo from BigIslandVideoNews.com

HIGHWAY 11 IS DOWN TO ONE LANE, between mile marker 28 and 32, near the entrance to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The highway is being shaken and damaged by earthquakes.
     Repair work is expected to continue through Friday early evening. Both lanes will be open during the weekend, then workers will be back to work on the road, taking the highway back down to one lane on Monday. Workers will be using ground-penetrating radar to assess the status of the road bed under the tarmac, according to Jessica Ferracane of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

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Elections Administrator Pat Nakamoto

Photo from hgea.com 

ELECTION DAY WORKERS, VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED IN NĀ`ĀLEHU and at other polling places in West Hawai`i, according to Elections Administrator Pat Nakamoto. A shortage of workers could result in a late night of vote tallying and statewide delays in announcing the winners in the Saturday, Aug. 11, primary. The county is still short 20 poll workers at West Hawai`i precincts.
     "These volunteers are an important part of the voting process," Nakamoto said, according to West Hawai`i Today. "Without these individuals stepping up to serve their communities on election day we could not open polling places. A shortage of workers will cause delays for voters and may contribute to voters not voting."
     Poll workers are needed for precincts 05/01 Nā`ālehu Elementary School, 05/04 Ho`okena Elementary School, 05/05 Saint Benedict Catholic Church, 05/06 Konawaena Elementary School, 05/07 Konawaena High School, and 06/05 Kona Palisades.
     Precinct officials are paid $85, for work from 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Volunteers must be: a registered voter, at least 16 years old, and able to read and write English. Volunteers may not a candidate, attempted candidate, or related to a candidate that can be voted for in the precinct in which they are working.

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WANTED: Brian Smith
5'7'' with blue eyes and grey hair
Anyone knowing his whereabouts, call 911
Photo from Hawai`i County Police

ANOTHER ALLEGED MURDERER IS ON THE LOOSE ON HAWAI`I ISLAND. Police are looking for Brian Smith, of Honaunau, who was mistakenly released from Hawai`i Community Correctional Center in Hilo two days ago and failed to show up at court today. He was being held in lieu of $1.2 million bail, charged with Murder One and Two, firearms violations, and carrying a firearm in commission of a separate felony. It remains unclear how he was able to leave jail.
     A bench warrant was issued this afternoon. The charges involve a murder on June 23 on Painted Church Road in South Kona. Thomas Balleteros, Jr. died of gunshot wounds.
     Police describe Smith as 5'7'' with blue eyes and grey hair, and urge anyone knowing his whereabouts to call 911.

     Gov. David Ige issued a statement this evening about the erroneous release of Smith: "I am upset and deeply concerned about the erroneous release of pre-trial detainee Brian Smith. Residents on Hawai`i Island have had to deal with the lava emergency and the recent murder of a police officer, and I know this news is another blow.

     "Our number one priority right now is your safety, and that means getting the suspect into custody. I assure you that law enforcement agencies are doing everything they can to locate him. I urge all Hawai`i residents to remain alert and call 911 if they see or hear something that could help.

     "As is standard operating procedure, the department is investigating to determine what led to this error. I have asked Public Safety Department Director Nolan Espinda to personally oversee this investigation and report back to me as information is gathered."

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Image from BigIslandVideoNews.com

FOUR SUSPECTS WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH OFFICER BRONSON KALILOA'S MURDER have met with police, says a release from Hawai`i County Police. The release says police are "continuing the investigation into individuals who may have provided assistance to Justin Waiki while on the run after he shot and killed Officer Bronson Kaliloa on July 17."

     Police say 31-year-old Joey Ikaka Camacho was arrested for outstanding warrants; 47-year-old Shaun Candaroma of Hilo contacted detectives; and 26-year-old Pomaikai Martin and 27-year-old Latoya Poepoe-Spalding were arrested for outstanding warrants this morning, July 25, "by patrol officers responding to a tip about their location within a vehicle at Bayfront."

     Police say the prosecution investigation "is in its early stages, and many more people need to be interviewed, some as witnesses and others as potential suspects."

     Police ask that anyone who had contact with Justin Waiki between the time of the shooting on Tuesday, July 17, at 9:47 p.m., and his apprehension on Friday, July 20, at 2:45 p.m, or knows someone who had contact with him, to contact Detective William Brown of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2384 or William.brown@hawaiicounty.gov.

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NEW and UPCOMING

Photo from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Facebook

MAKE LEI WITH RANGERS THIS WEEKEND at `Ike Hana No`eau: Experience the Skillful Work programs, held every Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. in Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The programs last an hour and are free to attend.
     On Saturday, July 28, park rangers and staff from Hawai`i Pacific Parks Association share their knowledge and passion for Lei Making in the tightly woven lei haku style. On Sunday, July 29, make Lei Haku - the traditional haku style of lei-making involves braiding materials into a base of leaves to create a full and beautiful adornment.
     Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park does not charge entrance fees. Find the entrance to the Kahuku Unit of the park located south of the 70.5 mile marker, mauka (mountain side) of Highway 11. For more about this and other Kahuku Unit programs, visit nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku-hikes.htm.

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.

FRIDAY, JULY 27

Coffee Talk, Fri, July 27, 9:30-11am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. NPS Law Enforcement Rangers talk story about Mitigating Disaster in National Parks. Ka`ū coffee, tea, and pastries available for purchase. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

SATURDAY, JULY 28

Second Annual Mālama Nā Keiki Festival, Sat, July 28, 9-1pm, Nā`ālehu Park. Free. Health screenings: hearing, vision, height and weight, BMI. Education and activities: Prenatal Panel, breastfeeding class w/lactation specialists, grow your own plant! Also, keiki activities, food, entertainment and prizes. Host: Hui Mālama Ola Nā `Oiwi. 969-9220, HMONO.org

Paths and Trails, Sat, July 28, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Moderately-difficult, 2-mile, hike with some of the most spectacular overlooks in Kahuku. Discover the ways people, animals, and plants got to Kahuku and the paths they followed. Free. nps.gov/HAVO

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Department Tribute for James Masters, Sat, July 28, 4-10pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

MONDAY, JULY 30

Register to Vote in the Primary Election at an Early Walk-In Voting site from Monday, July 30, to Thursday, August 9.

TUESDAY, JULY 31

Ka`ū Food Pantry, Tue, July 31, 11:30-1pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1

Family Yoga Class, Wed, Aug 1, 9-10am, PARENTS, Inc., Nā`ālehu. 3-12 years old and caregivers. All levels welcome. Wear comfortable clothes, bring a mat, if can, as supplies are limited. Free. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

THURSDAY, AUGUST 2

Hula Voices w/Kumu Manaiakalani Kalua, Thu, Aug 2, 5-6pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Talk story session moderated by Desiree Moana Cruz. Call to confirm. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Ka`ū and Kona House and Senate Candidate Agricultural Forum, Thu, Aug 2, 6-8pm, Konawaena High School Cafeteria, Kealakekua. Forum subject area is to help meet the needs of farmers; participants encouraged to bring questions. Co-sponsored by Kona Coffee Farmer Association, konacoffeefarmers.org, and Kona Farmers Union, hfuuhi.org.

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Thu, Aug 2, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

ONGOING

5th Annual Volcano Winery Harvest Festival, tickets on sale from Aug 1 for event on Sun, Sept 9. Benefit for Volcano School of Arts and Sciences. Music, food, wine and raffle. $40/adult (21+). 967-7772, volcanowinery.com

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

Temporary changes to Tūtū and Me traveling preschool's Nā`ālehu site location. The new location, until further notice, is Kauaha`ao Church in Wai`ōhinu. Meeting days and times remain the same: Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Currently on summer break, both Nā`ālehu and Pāhala site programs will resume August 7 and 8. Pāhala site program meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at Pāhala Community Center.

     Tūtū and Me also 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.

     Orientation takes place August 1 and 2. To enroll in either program, fill out enrollment forms found at pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me/enrollment_forms, or call Linda Bong at 464-9634. Questions: Clark at 929-8571 or eclark@pidfountation.org.

Harmony Educational Services, Home Based Educational Programs - Open Enrollment through Oct 15; harmonyed.com/hawaii. Partnered with four local public charter schools, Harmony offers benefits of homeschooling with resources available to public schools. Interested families can also contact Rayna Williams, rwilliams@harmonyed.com or 430-9798.

Volcano Forest Runs Registration Open, online at volcanorainforestruns.com. Fees, 5K - $35, 10K - $55, 1/2 Marathon - $95. Race Day Sat, Aug 18, Volcano Village. No race day registration for 1/2 Marathon. Race Director Sharron Faff, 967-8240.

5th Annual Ka`ū Coffee Trail Run Registration Open, online at webscorer.com/register?raceid=128145, Fees, before Aug 13: 5K, $30/person; 10K, $40/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $50/person. After Aug 13: 5K, $35/person; 10K, $45/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $55/person. Race Day Sat, Sept 22, 7 a.m.; begins and ends at Ka`ū Coffee Mill, kaucoffeemill.com. Event organizers: `O Ka`ū Kākou, okaukakou.org.

Disaster Recovery Center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Kea`au High School Gym. Buses run to and from Kea`au 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.

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.

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

Find Your Park, invites Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Kama`aina 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

     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 `Ike Hana No`eau: 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.

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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