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Firefighters at a flare-up of the
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The fire is moving west towards Kapāpala Ranch, at the 4,500- to 4,800-foot elevation. No homes or structures are currently threatened, according to a statement from the National Park Service.
The Keauhou Ranch Fire is mostly within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, and had consumed 1,250 acres of native forest on both sides of Mauna Loa Road by Tuesday morning. This morning, the blaze was less than a half-mile from the Kīpuka Ki Special Ecological Area -- home to threatened and endangered native plant, animal and bird species -- but was not threatening the Volcano community.
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Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park has
plume rising into the sky once again.
Today, it's due to a raging wildfire, moving toward the Kīpuka Ki
Special
Ecological Area. NPS photo
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"Our priority now is the safety of our firefighters and the public," said NPS Fire Management Officer Matt Desimone. "The severity of the fuel conditions, the fire behavior, and extremely limited personnel and resources make this a complex fire situation. We will continue to focus on collaborating with other government and private agencies," he said. "Kīpuka Kī is our priority resource risk."
Due to high winds and very dry conditions on Mauna Loa, National Park Service, state, and county firefighters have had limited success suppressing the blaze with a direct attack of spraying water and making fire breaks. Today, fire crews took an indirect approach, using natural lava barriers as a fire break. Three fire engines, two helicopters for aerial water drops, and a bulldozer are assigned to the incident.
Mauna Loa Road -- along with most of the national park -- has been closed to the public since May 11 due to hazardous seismic activity. Rain is anticipated tonight, when moisture from Hurricane Hector is expected to impact Hawai`i Island. Civil Defense recommends motorists on Hwy 11 beware of possible smoke from the fire.
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THE KA`ALU`ALU FIRE IS 100 PERCENT CONTAINED. Firefighters and helicopter crews have been dousing hotspots over the last two days. The fire started along Ka`alua`alu Road, between Kamilo and Discovery Harbour, in difficult terrain last weekend.
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| Satellite image from today, from Central Pacific Hurricane Center |
Hawai`i County Civil Defense urges residents to: Complete preparations before nightfall; secure loose objects in yards and prepare houses for strong winds; secure boats until danger passes; be prepared as conditions can change rapidly. Whittington, Punalu`u, and Miloli`i Beach Parks are closed. All pavilion and camping permits for these three parks have been cancelled through Friday.
The Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park will be closed Wednesday in anticipation of Hurricane Hector. Park staff are preparing for the storm by stowing any loose items like garbage cans and sheets of plywood, and securing doors, windows, and screens. Emergency workers on Tuesday also prepared chainsaws and other tools to respond to any damage caused by the storm, like fallen trees blocking roadways.
The Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park will be closed Wednesday in anticipation of Hurricane Hector. Park staff are preparing for the storm by stowing any loose items like garbage cans and sheets of plywood, and securing doors, windows, and screens. Emergency workers on Tuesday also prepared chainsaws and other tools to respond to any damage caused by the storm, like fallen trees blocking roadways.
Most of the national park has been closed to the public since May 11 due to hazardous volcanic and seismic activity. The closure at Kahuku could continue Thursday should conditions worsen. Check the park website at nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes for updates.
At 5 p.m., Hector was about 370 miles east-southeast of South Point, with winds sustained at 130 mph, moving west 280 degrees at 16 mph.
At 5 p.m., Hector was about 370 miles east-southeast of South Point, with winds sustained at 130 mph, moving west 280 degrees at 16 mph.
For Civil Defense updates for the County of Hawai`i, go to hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts.
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KĪLAUEA VOLCANO REMAINED QUIETER AGAIN TODAY, without a major seismic event and without much lava flowing from the lower East Rift Zone, as the lava river continues to crust over. Poho`iki still stands, though lava continues to inch toward the boat ramp and flow into the ocean at many places along the shore, according to Ikaika Marzo's facebook. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's message today:
"Activity and lava output from fissure 8 remains low. The morning overflight crew observed a small active lava lake within the fissure 8 cone, a weak gas plume, and a drained upper lava channel. The surface of the lava lake was about 5-10 m below the spillway entrance. There were a diminishing number of small active ooze outs near the coast on the Kapoho Bay and Ahalanui lobes and the laze plume was greatly diminished. Active lava remains close to the Poho`iki boat ramp but has not advanced significantly toward it.
"The significance of this change is not yet clear and hazardous conditions remain in the area. HVO field crews and the Unmanned Aircraft System team will monitor activity throughout the day and overnight. It is common for eruptions to wax and wane or pause completely. A return to high levels of lava discharge or new outbreaks in the area of active fissures could occur at any time. Residents should remain informed and heed Hawai`i County Civil Defense messages and warnings."
Concerning Pu`u `Ō`ō, HVO reports that gas measurements of the Pu`u `Ō`ō plume taken on Monday and Tuesday morning indicated a reduced SO2 emission rate, lower than the measurement last Friday and similar to what has been observed over the past three months. No active lava was observed in the crater on an overflight on August 6th.
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EARLY VOTING AND WALK-IN REGISTRATION CONTINUE THROUGH THURSDAY, AUG. 9. Registered voters can cast their ballots by mail. Locations to register and vote island-wide are:
-Pāhala Community
Center 9
a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed noonto 1 p.m. ), at 96-1149
Kamani St .;
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| Image from prh.noaa.gov |
KĪLAUEA VOLCANO REMAINED QUIETER AGAIN TODAY, without a major seismic event and without much lava flowing from the lower East Rift Zone, as the lava river continues to crust over. Poho`iki still stands, though lava continues to inch toward the boat ramp and flow into the ocean at many places along the shore, according to Ikaika Marzo's facebook. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's message today:
"Activity and lava output from fissure 8 remains low. The morning overflight crew observed a small active lava lake within the fissure 8 cone, a weak gas plume, and a drained upper lava channel. The surface of the lava lake was about 5-10 m below the spillway entrance. There were a diminishing number of small active ooze outs near the coast on the Kapoho Bay and Ahalanui lobes and the laze plume was greatly diminished. Active lava remains close to the Poho`iki boat ramp but has not advanced significantly toward it.
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Concerning Pu`u `Ō`ō, HVO reports that gas measurements of the Pu`u `Ō`ō plume taken on Monday and Tuesday morning indicated a reduced SO2 emission rate, lower than the measurement last Friday and similar to what has been observed over the past three months. No active lava was observed in the crater on an overflight on August 6th.
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.
EARLY VOTING AND WALK-IN REGISTRATION CONTINUE THROUGH THURSDAY, AUG. 9. Registered voters can cast their ballots by mail. Locations to register and vote island-wide are:
-
- Pāhoa Community
Center 8
a.m. to 4 p.m. ,
at 15-3022 Kauhale St .;
- West Hawai`i
Civic Center community Room, Bldg G, from 8
a.m. to 4 p.m. ,
at 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy ;
-
- Waimea Community
Center 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m. , at 65-1260 Kawaihae Rd.
Election Day is Saturday, Aug. 11,
from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. , with local polls open at:
- Cooper Center 19430
Wright Road in Volcano
- Ka`ū High
& Pāhala Elementary, 96-3150 Pikake Street
- Nā`ālehu
Elementary School, 95-5545 Mamalahoa Hwy
- Ocean View Community
Center 15-3022
Kauhale Street
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 two Democrats are running to serve from South Hilo through Volcano, Pāhala, and Punalu`u to Honu`apo.
Both say they are committed to agriculture. Onishi served as Deputy Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and was named Hawai`i Farm Bureau Legislator of the Year. Whiting is the President of the Ka`ū chapter of Hawai`i Farmers Union United and lives on an operating vegetable farm just above Pāhala.
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| Raina Whiting |
Whiting is a kindergarten teacher at Nā`ālehu Elementary School. She is endorsed by Hawai`i Teachers for Change, Volcano Community Action Network, Sierra Club, Pono Hawai`i Initiative, Hawai`i Island Progressives, Living Wage Hawai`i, Women for Justice, Conscious Coffee House, Our Revolution Hawai`i, Puna Neighborhood Watch, ADA , and Healthcare for All Hawai`i.
Her campaign Facebook page states that "She is a member of your community," and lists her goals as ethical and honest government, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, local and organic food production, zero waste and recycling, social support for keiki and kupuna, educational opportunities for all, respecting Hawaiian values, affordable housing, and sustainable community development.
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| Richard Onishi |
Onishi, who has held his seat since January of 2013, said he runs on his record, serving ten distinctly different communities from South Hilo to Punalu`u. "I believe that there isn't a single big problem facing all of these communities, but that each community has different problems that for them are the biggest. My job is to identify the issues and problems, and help find solutions."
He recently joined a Pāhala community meeting on volcano threats, and talked about his support for improved air quality in Ka`ū Hospital, and Ka`ū High and Elementary School.
He said he supports "legislation to increase research and development of alternative energy programs, the research and development of sustainable agriculture, the development of small and entrepreneurial businesses, and programs for affordable housing development and ownership."
See friendsforrichardonishi.com.
See friendsforrichardonishi.com.
NEW and UPCOMING
THE GREAT AMERICAN READ, a Public Broadcasting Service program, hosted by Meredith Vieira, is having a nationwide vote to determine the most loved book in the U.S. The public is welcome to select their favorite book from a selection determined by PBS to be "America's 100 most-loved books." The list contains books written in a range of genres: Mystery/Horror, Romance, Classic, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Adventure, Coming of Age, Young Adult, Contemporary, and Literary. Within the list are publications written over a century ago -- such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain -- as well as those published within the last decade, such as books from the Twilight Series.A print version of the 100 book list can be found at local libraries, such as the Nā`ālehu Public Library or Pāhala Public and School Library, and online at pbs.org/the-great-american-read/books/#/. To cast a vote: online at pbs.org/the-great-american-read/vote/, vote by posting an original post to Facebook using the official hashtag for the book, or text with a cellphone to 97979 using a unique keyword hashtag for the book. The official hashtags for each book can be found at pbs.org/the-great-american-read/about/voting-methods/. Starting September 11, call a toll-free phone number to vote using a unique phone number for each book, found at pbs.org/the-great-american-read/about/voting-methods/. Voting continues through October 18 at 9 p.m. HST. Vote for up to one new book each day until the deadline.
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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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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8
AdvoCATS, Wed, Aug 8, 7am-5pm, Ocean View Community Center. Free Cat Spay & Neuter Clinic. 895-9283, advocatshawaii.org
Zentangle: Color Stories, Sat, Aug 11, 10-1pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Class is not about color theory, rather about "listening to the story that colors Whisper to you." $30/Volcano Art Center Member, $35/non-Member, plus $10 supply fee. Bring light refreshment to share.
VOTE: 2018 Primary Election Day Polling Places in Ka`ū, Sat, Aug 11, 7-6pm. Senate District 2: Cooper Center on Wright Rd in Volcano Village, Ka`ū High/Pāhala Elementary School Cafeteria. Senate District 3: Nā`ālehu Elementary School Cafeteria, Ocean View Community Center, Miloli`i Halau Pavilion.
elections.hawaii.gov/voters/polling-places
elections.hawaii.gov/voters/polling-places
Kāwā Community Workday, Sat, Aug 11, meet at 9:30 am at Northern Gate, Kāwā. Sign up with James Akau, Nā Mamo o Kāwā, at namamookawa@gmail.com, jakau@nmok.org, or 561-9111. nmok.org
`Ōhi`a Lehua, Sun, Aug 12, and Sat, Aug 25, 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
Ka`ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon, Aug 13 and 27, 1pm, Ocean View Community Center. A parent-led homeschool activity/social group building community in Ka`ū. Contact prior to attending to confirm location in case of field trip. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351
C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā`ālehu, Tue, Aug 14, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Public invited to see what Community Emergency Response Team is about, and participate in training scenarios. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087
Walk-In Registration and Voting Continues at Pāhala Community Center from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on weekdays through Thursday, Aug. 9.
5th Annual Volcano Winery Harvest Festival tickets on sale 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
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 Volcano Winery Harvest Festival tickets on sale 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
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.
Tūtū and Me also offers home visits to those with keiki zero to five years old, to aid with parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Free. Visits last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, total of 12 visits. Snacks are provided.
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 at rwilliams@harmonyed.com or 430-9798.
Disaster Recovery Center 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. See information applicants need to bring, or register online, at DisasterAssistance.gov. Salvation Army distribution center at Pāhoa Community Center on Tue, Thu, and Sat, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. To donate, contact 756-0306.
Volunteers Needed by St. Jude's Episcopal Church for Sat community outreach, especially soup cooks and shower organizers. "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.
Ocean View Vet Center Visits Suspended until further notice. Veterans, call 329-0574 for VA benefit information. ovcahi.org
Find Your Park, invites Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, to kama`aina and tourist alike. Experience authentic Hawaiian cultural programs, guided hikes, After Dark events, and more from Ka`ū to Volcano to Hilo, while the partial closure of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park continues.
Free of charge, with no entry fees, rangers offer new and familiar programs at Kahuku Unit, Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus, and Mokupāpapa Discovery Center and Prince Kūhio Plaza in Hilo.
Kahuku Unit
Kahuku events are posted to the park website, nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku-hikes.htm.
Regularly scheduled Guided Hikes, monthly Coffee Talk, daily Ranger Talks, with cultural demonstrations and activities on weekends.
Regularly scheduled Guided Hikes, monthly Coffee Talk, daily Ranger Talks, with cultural demonstrations and activities on weekends.
Guided Hikes on Saturdays and Sundays begin at 9:30 a.m. Meet the ranger at the welcome tent.
Coffee Talk, held the last Friday of the month, 9:30-11 a.m., at the Visitor Contact Station.
Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus
Find Park Rangers in Volcano Village daily, at the Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus at 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd. Rangers are there 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide talks and answer questions about the current eruption.
After Dark …near the park at the Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus. Each event will have a different subject matter.
Find Park Rangers in downtown Hilo, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rangers provide daily eruption updates. At 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., they 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 partner, 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 on Sundays and Mondays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Rangers provide eruption updates at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The park film that is normally available to visitors at Kīlauea Visitor Center at the Summit, Born of Fire, Born in the Sea, is shown 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.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.