Kaʻū News Briefs Thursday, September 6, 2018

Humpback whales may be coming to Hawai‘i in smaller numbers, staying for shorter durations, and singing less in
the sanctuary. See more about declining humpback numbers in Hawai‘i, below.
Photo from Ed Lyman/NOAA, under NOAA permit #15240

THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION WILL SPEND $1 MILLION for an ad campaign supporting confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, according to a tweet this evening from Sen. Mazie Hirono. "They wouldn't spend this kind of money unless they thought Judge Kavanaugh was on their side. #StopKavanaugh," said the Hirono tweet. 

Sen. Mazie Hirono, asking Kavanaugh about his opinion
on Native Hawaiian's status in federally funded programs.
Photo from Hirono's Twitter

       Earlier today, Hirono released an email from Kavanaugh, saying it shows that his confirmation could put at risk federal funding for Native Hawaiian programs. The Kavanaugh quote is as follows: "Any program targeting Native Hawaiians as a group is subject to strict scrutiny and of questionable validity under the Constitution." He made the statement in an email in 2002 when he was working for Pres. George W. Bush. He was answering a question on whether Hawaiians should be treated like other Native American tribes.

      She also tweeted: "These are the docs that R(epublicans) don't want you to see—because they show that Judge Kavanaugh wrongly believes that Native Hawaiian programs are Constitutionally questionable. I defy anyone reading this to be able to conclude that it should be deemed confidential in any way, shape, or form."

Judge Brett Kavanaught, answering Hirono's queries.
Photo from Hirono's Twitter

     Sen. John Cornyn, a Republican, threatened to have Hirono removed from her seat. However, at least one other Democratic senator also released "classified documents" associated with the hearing and Democrats declared that the Republicans were unethical in keeping them from the public. The Republicans said the documents were not actually classified and Hirono said they were out to "cover their okoles."

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FOOD SHORTAGES FOR HUMPBACK WHALES in their summer feeding grounds in Alaska may reduce their populations there and in their wintering waters in Hawaiʻi. The number of humpbacks wintering in Hawaiʻi in 2006 was estimated to be about 10,000. Observers noticed a decline in arrivals to Hawaiʻi beginning in 2014 and the whale count continued to dwindle last winter. This summer, observers reported lower numbers of humpbacks in Alaska.

Around 80 percent of mother and calf pairs in Hawaiian sanctuary 

waters are accompanied by a single male whale, known 

as an escort. Photo from caringforcalves.org

     National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Elizabeth Weinberg, of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, reports in her story Humpback Whales: Navigating an Oceanof Change, that food for whales may be in smaller supply with warming of Alaska waters.

     See sanctuaries.noaa.gov/news
/sep18/humpback-whales-navigating-an-ocean-of-change.html and the Aug. 26 Kaʻū News Briefs.

     Weinberg writes that "Over the last several years, three oceanographic conditions have conspired to warm Alaskan waters, which has affected the availability of humpback whale food sources like krill." She pointed to three probable causes:

     El Niño: Every two to seven years, warm water in the western tropical Pacific Ocean shifts east, triggering warmer temperatures in the northeastern Pacific, including waters off Alaska.

     The Pacific Decadal Oscillation: Every 20 to 30 years, the Pacific Ocean shifts between a warm and cool phase, bringing higher-than-normal sea surface temperatures to the northeastern Pacific.

A mother humpback whale supports her calf in the warm waters of Hawaiian 

Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. 

Photo from J. Moore/NOAA, under NOAA permit #15240

     The Blob: An extreme marine heatwave. A giant blob of warm water showed up in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska in 2013, eventually expanding until it was more than 2,000 miles wide. While its cause is unclear, it may be connected to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, or may be linked to a persistent high pressure weather pattern over the northeastern Pacific Ocean. See Aug. 26 Kaʻū News Briefs for more.

     All three appear to have converged to warm Alaskan waters. The Blob formed in 2013, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation shifted to a warm phase in 2014, and the most recent El Niño cycle began in 2015. The warm water spells bad news for krill, the main food source for humpbacks. "Krill are especially sensitive to warm water. Krill eggs hatch at a narrow temperature range, and rely on strong upwellings to bring nutrients into the surface area of the ocean. Warmer waters reduce the strength of these coastal upwellings, impacting krill production. That leaves humpback whales without their primary food source," writes Weinberg.

The SPLASH survey conducted between 2004 and 2006 estimated that 

approx. 10,000 humpback whales visited Hawai‘i each year. 

Photo from J. Moore/NOAA, under MMHSRP permit #18786-02

     She notes that humpbacks winter in Hawaiʻi to calve and mate, the warm waters providing protection for their young that are born with little blubber, and from orca killer whales, which have a much lower population in Hawaiian waters than in Alaska.

     A survey called The Structure of Population, Level of Abundance, Status of Humpback Whales predicted in 2006 that the humpback population would grow by 5.5 to 6 percent per year. From 2006 to 2016, the recovery of the Hawaiʻi-Alaska humpback population was so great, they were taken off the endangered species list. However, humpback numbers in Hawaiʻi decreased by about half between 2014 and 2017, while accounting for random fluctuations, reports Weinberg. Mother-calf pairs were down an additional 35 percent.

     Ed Lyman, the large whale entanglement response coordinator for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, has heard of lower numbers of wintering humpbacks in Hawaiian waters since 2015, says the article. He said tour operators, fishermen, researchers, and other members of the on-water community reported numbers of adult humpbacks and calves declining sharply.

NOAA says: "It is now more important than ever to give whales plenty of
space in and outside of the sanctuary. Do not approach a humpback whale
within 100 yards. This photo depicts kayakers who are too close to a whale."
Photo from Ed Lyman/NOAA, under NOAA permit #20311

     Dr. Marc Lammers, research coordinator at Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, and former president of the Oceanwide Science Institute and an associate research professor at the University of Hawaiʻi, noticed a decline in whales through recordings of their songs. He documented a decline in decibels of whale songs in January 2016, which could mean fewer whales. He also reported that whale singing ended earlier each year, which could mean a shorter stay in Hawaiʻi.

     The Sanctuary Ocean Count – staffed by volunteers on Hawaiʻi, Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi for 20 years – has seen a decline in the number of humpback sightings since 2016. So has Hawaiʻi Marine Mammal Consortium. Between 2010 and 2015, the HMMC sighted 477 whales on average each year. But in 2016 and 2017, that average dropped to 261 whales, a decrease of 46 percent. The proportion of calves in the population also dropped dramatically, from 25 calves per season to just six. Because the researchers do a consistent number of surveys each year, says the article, the trends in the data accurately reflect change over time.

     In Alaskan waters, says Christine Gabriele of HMMC, lower numbers and thinner humpbacks have been seen for two summers: 2016 and 2017. However, the lower number of whales from summer 2018 look to be slightly less thin.

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Hurricane Norman, left, and Olivia, right. Image from prh.noaa.gov/cphc

CATEGORY TWO HURRICANE NORMAN, reports Central Pacific Hurricane Center, was 275 miles northeast of Hilo, with sustained winds of 100 mph, moving northwest at 9 mph, as of 5 p.m. It is not forecast to directly affect the Hawaiian Islands.

     The National Weather Service reports that a High Surf Warning has been issued for the north and east facing shores of Hawaiʻi Island, from South Point to Upolu Point. Winds may also increase in localized areas today.

     Due to the forecasted weather conditions, the following closures and recommendations are now in effect, per Civil Defense:

   - All County beach parks on the north and east side of the island, from South Point to Upolu Point, are closed today. All permits and reservations for these parks have been cancelled.

   - Boat owners should take measures to secure their vessels until the danger passes. (Hilo Area)

Oceanfront residents are urged to be on alert for high and dangerous surf conditions through Friday.

   - All schools and roads are open at this time. Closures will be updated in real time at hawaiicounty.gov/2018-hurricane-map.

Five-day forecast for Hurricane Olivia sees her heading directly for Hawaiʻi.
Image from ssd.noaa.gov

     More information on hurricane preparedness can be found at hawaiicounty.gov/emergency-preparedness.

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CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE OLIVIA IS INCREASING IN STRENGTH, with winds at 130 mph, reports the National Hurricane Center. Though about 1,700 miles east of South Point as of 5 p.m., Olivia is forecast to head directly for Hawaiʻi, traveling at 14 mph.

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Image from Kaʻū Trojans Twitter

KAʻŪ TROJANS GIRLS VOLLEYBALL first game of the season, delayed by Hurricane Lane, was held Wednesday, Aug. 29, at Hilo. Kaʻū gave it a good shot: JV with 8 in both games and Varsity scoring 7, 10, and 17. However, Hilo won every game.

     In the second game of the season, Wednesday, Sept. 5, Kaʻū hosted Pāhoa. JV fought hard, with 10 points for each game. Varisty won all three of their games, with the third game being a tie breaker, ending in 24 to 26.
     See the next games to be played for all Fall sports, below.

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.

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 TROJANS FALL SPORTS SCHEDULE

Football:

   Sat., Sept. 15, 1pm, @ Kohala
   Sat., Sept. 22, 3:30pm, host Lanai @ Keaʻau
   Sat., Sept. 29, 11am, host Pāhoa

   Sat, Oct 6, 12pm, host Kohala

   Sat, Oct 13, BIIF Semi-Finals at Kamehameha

Girls Volleyball:
   Wed., Sept. 12, 6pm, @ Christian Liberty
   Fri., Sept. 14, @ Kamehameha
   Mon., Sept. 17, 6pm, host Lapahoehoe
   Wed., Sept. 19, 6pm, host Kohala
   Thu., Sept. 20, 6pm, @ Honokaʻa
   Tue., Sept. 25, 6pm, @ HPA
   Fri., Sept. 28, 6pm, host Kona
   Mon., Oct. 1, 6pm, host HAAS

   Tues, Oct 2, 6pm, @ Kealakehe

   Fri, Oct 5, 6pm, host Keaʻau

   Wed, Oct 10, 6pm, @ Parker

   Fri, Oct 12, 6pm, host St. Joseph

Cross Country:
   Sat., Sept. 8, 10am, @ Kamehameha
   Sat., Sept. 15, 10am, Keaʻau
   Sat., Sept. 22, 9am, @ HPA
   Fri., Sept. 28, 6pm, host Kona
   Mon., Oct. 1, 6pm, host HAAS

   Sat, Oct 6, 2pm, @ Kealakehe

   Sat, Oct 13, BYE

NEW and UPCOMING

GIVE ALOHA, FOODLAND'S ANNUAL COMMUNITY MATCHING GIFTS PROGRAM - with several participating Hawai‘i non-profit organizations active in the Ka‘ū community - is underway, and will continue through Sunday, Sept. 30. Foodland Maika‘i members are encouraged to make donations - up to $249 per person, per organization - at a Foodland's checkout counter to one of the many non-profits participating.
     The program was created in 1999 in honor of Foodland's founder, Maurice J. "Sully" Sullivan.

     Participating Hawai‘i non-profit organizations active in the Ka‘ū Community are listed here, with their corresponding tracking codes: AdvoCATS, 77404; American Red Cross of Hawai‘i, 77010; Food Basket, Hawai‘i Islands Food Basket, 78348; Habitat for Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Island, 78553; Hawai‘i Island Humane Society, 77053; Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund, 78764; Ka ‘Ohana O Honu‘apo, 78760; Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i (Big Island), 78360; PARENTS, Inc., 7725; Partners in Development Foundation (Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool), 78385; Special Olympics Hawai‘i, 77129; Volcano Art Center, 77000; and more at foodland.com/files/uploads/Organizations%20List%202018_0.pdf.
     "Donations to each organization are tracked, and Foodland's matching gift is divided proportionately among all participating organizations based on customer donations to the organizations," says the program description on foodland.com. The site states, "Each year, Foodland contributes more than $250,000 to match customer donations for all organizations combined. Since the program began in 1999, a total of more than $29.1 million has been raised for Hawai‘i's charities." With the Western Union Foundation donating $50,000 to add to Foodland's donations this year, the total gift will be $300,000.
     Customer donations and Foodland's matching gift will be received by the organizations by Oct. 31. Donations made without a Maika’i card will not be matched. Those who wish to participate but do not have a Maika’i account may establish one with the cashier by using an unique 10-digit number, like a phone number.
     Any donation must be made payable to Foodland or Sack N Save. Donor names will not be released. All Hawai‘i 501 (c)(3) organizations are invited to participate each year. For more, see foodland.com/our-community/give-aloha, call Community Relations at 732-0791 or email givealoha@foodland.com.

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FRIDAY, SEPT. 7

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Meeting, Fri., Sept. 7, 6:30pm, Aspen Center. okaukakou.org

SATURDAY, SEPT. 8

Pancake Breakfast and Raffle, Sat., Sept. 8, 8-11am, Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Kāwā Community Workday, Sat., Sept. 8. Meet at 9:30am 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

Hiʻiaka and Pele, Sat., Sept. 8, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Discover Hawaiian goddesses and the natural phenomena they represent on this free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/HAVO

Zentangle: Fancy Fiddles w/Dina Wood Kageler, Sat., Sept. 8, 10-1pm, Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus, Volcano Village. Celebrates Volcano's Hāpuʻu tree ferns. Loaner supplies available. Zentangle Basics and watercolor experience helpful but not required. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. Bring light refreshment to share. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

SUNDAY, SEPT. 9

ʻŌhiʻa Lehua, Sun., Sept. 9, 9:30-11am, Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Learn about vital role of ʻōhiʻa lehua in native Hawaiian forests, and many forms of ʻōhiʻa tree and its flower, on this free, easy, one-mile walk. nps.gov/HAVO

5th Annual Volcano Winery Harvest Festival, Sun., Sept. 9, 4-7pm, Volcano Winery. Benefit for Volcano School of Arts and Sciences. Music, food, wine, and raffle. $40/adult (21+). Purchase tickets in advance. 967-7772, volcanowinery.com

MONDAY, SEPT. 10

Kaʻū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon., Sept. 10 and 24, 1pm, Ocean View Community Center. A parent-led homeschool activity/social group building community in Kaʻū. Contact prior to attending to confirm location in case of field trip. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351

TUESDAY, SEPT. 11

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nāʻālehu, Tue., Sept. 11, 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

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 12

Volcano Bay Clinic Mobile Health Unit Visits: Dental, Wed., Sept. 12, 8-5pm; Medical, Thu., Aug 27, 1-5pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Must be Bay Clinic, Inc. patient. Medical services offered last Thursday of every Month; Dental, second Wednesday. Call 333-3600 to schedule appointment. See Cooper Center June newsletter for details. thecoopercenter.org

Arts and Crafts Activity: Dove Foldable For Peace, Wed., Sept. 12, 3:30-5pm, Pāhala Community Center. For keiki in grades K-8. Register Sept. 4-11. Free. hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation, 928-3102

THURSDAY, SEPT. 13

Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū and Me, Thu., Sept. 13, 10:30-noon, Nāʻālehu Public Library. 929-8571

Hawaiian Civic Club of Kaʻū, Thu., Sept. 13, 6:30pm, United Methodist Church in Nāʻālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

ONGOING

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 Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run Registration Open, online at webscorer.com/register?raceid=128145. Fees through Sept. 10: 5K, $35/person; 10K, $45/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $55/person. Fees Sept. 11-20:  5K, $55/person; 10K, $65/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $75/person. On Race Day, $75 per person, any race. Race Day is Sat., Sept. 22, 7 a.m.; begins and ends at Kaʻū Coffee Mill, kaucoffeemill.com. Event organizers: ʻO Kaʻū Kākou, okaukakou.org.

Activities at Kahuku Park - within Hawaiian Ocean View Estates - over the next two months, include two physical activities, three arts and crafts activities, and a Park Beautification Day.
     For all ages:

     - Friendship Bracelets: Wed., Sept. 19, 3 to 4 p.m. Registration open Sept. 10 through 14.
     - Park Beautification Day: Fri., Sept. 28, 1:30 to 4 p.m. Registration open Sept. 19 through 26.

     Activities are free to attend. For more, call Teresa Anderson at 929-9113 or visit the park during business hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 12:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

Free Arts and Crafts Activities at Pāhala Comunity Center happen on Wednesdays in September, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., through the end of Sept., for keiki in Kindergarten through 8th grade.

     - Sept. 12: Dove Foldable For Peace. Register through Sept. 11.
     - Sept. 19: Handprint Tree Art. Register Sept. 13 through 18.
     - Sept. 26: Beaded Wind Chime. Register Sept. 19 through 25.
     For more, call 928-3102 or visit the community center during business hours: Monday-Thursday and Saturday, from noon to 8 p.m., or Friday, from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool’s Temporary Nāʻālehu Location is Kauahaʻao Church in Waiʻōhinu. Meeting days and times remain the same: Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8:45 to 10:45 a.m. Pāhala site program meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30 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, 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.

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.

Ocean View Vet Center Visits Suspended until further notice. Veterans, call 329-0574 for VA benefit information. ovcahi.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., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Pāhoa Neighborhood Center at 15-3022 Kauhale St. See information applicants need to bring, or register online, at fema.gov/disaster/4366. If you are a survivor who has left the area, call 800-621-3362. 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.

Find Your Park, invites Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, to kamaʻaina and tourist alike. Experience authentic Hawaiian cultural programs, guided hikes, After Dark events, and more from Kaʻū to Volcano to Hilo, while the partial closure of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park continues.

     Free of charge, with no entry fees, rangers offer new and familiar programs at Kahuku Unit, Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani 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.

     Guided Hikes on Saturdays and Sundays begin at 9:30 a.m. Meet the ranger at the welcome tent. Can't make a guided hike but want to get to know Kahuku better? The Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park will tailor a customized trek just for you. Contact Friends through their website. Proceeds support Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

     Coffee Talk, held the last Friday of the month, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Visitor Contact Station. Dr. Frank Bonaccorsoreveals "A Day in the Life of ʻŌpeʻapeʻa - the Hawaiian Hoary Bat," and shares a 24-hour cycle of the only land mammal native to Hawaiʻi on Fri., Aug. 31.

     Ranger Talks introduce the natural, cultural and historic attributes of Kahuku on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m., at the Visitor Contact Station.

     ʻIke Hana No ʻEau: Experience the Skillful Work Cultural Demonstrations and Activities, Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., at the Visitor Contact Station.

     Picnic in the Park: Join Kahuku for Hawaiian music and hula. Bring a picnic lunch or opt to buy lunch from food trucks on this family-friendly day. Supported by the Friends of Hawaiʻi VolcanoesNational Park. Sun., Sept. 16, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus

     Find Park Rangers in Volcano Village daily, at the Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani 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 Niʻaulani Campus. Each event will have a different subject matter.

Mokupāpapa Discovery Center

     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 Hawaiʻi 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, Hawaiʻi 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 ʻImiloa 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.