Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Kaʻū News Briefs Wednesday, September 12, 2018

FORMER HURRICANE OLIVIA blew through and away from the islands as a Tropical Storm today, reports the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Olivia, once a Category 4, skirted passed the north end of Hawaiʻi Island and made a double landfall on Maui and on Lanaʻi. Olivia knocked out power for thousands of people, closed roads, toppled trees, and flooded streams, taking out at least one home and several cars, and forcing some people to evacuate. Olivia was the first tropical cyclone to make landfall on Maui and Lanaʻi in recorded history.
     As of 5 p.m, the storm was traveling at 20 mph toward the west southwest, with winds of 40 mph. Tropical Storm warnings were dropped for the entire state. Olivia is expected to change direction to the west northwest as she distances herself from the islands, dragging moisture through the islands behind her.
Olivia passed through the islands today after slowing down.
She flooded streams, and knocked out power.
Image from Central Pacific Hurricane Center
     Kaʻū escaped effects from the storm, other than some high surf, but other portions of Hawaiʻi Island, particularly north and eastern-facing shores, experienced higher surf, winds, and rain.
     Civil Defense reports that all Kaʻū public parks, beaches, and roads are open, and all school activities are operating as normal. Civil Defense also reminds the public that the Pāhoa Community Center shelter closes Monday, Sept. 17, and the Disaster Recovery Center closes Saturday, Sept. 29.

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Park staff survey a rockfall while inspecting 
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes for reopening. NPS photo
SAFETY IS KEY TO REOPENING PORTIONS OF HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK in ten days, says a statement issued this morning:
     "As we prepare to welcome the world back to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, we want to ensure that the public and our staff are as safe as possible. Many hazards exist in the park, as they always have, however some are more dangerous now than before the unprecedented seismic activity. Being prepared and informed before coming to the park will ensure that your visit is safe and enjoyable.
     "Help keep our National Park Service staff safe. When unauthorized persons enter closed areas, they are not only endangering themselves, but also the NPS rangers who may have to rescue them." Monetary fines for entering a closed area are steep and trespassers may also receive up to six months of jail time.
     Molten lava is no longer present or visible anywhere in the park. The recent eruption saw the disappearance of the lava lake inside Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit and lava flows from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō have ceased.
A park staff member documents a sinkhole on 
a walking path in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, in 
preparation for opening of limited areas 
of the park on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 10 a.m. 
NPS photo
     Inspections of park infrastructure continue. Twenty-nine miles of trail are evaluated. National Park Service assessment teams inspected 54 buildings and restored non-potable water to 12 buildings. At this time, there is no drinking water available in the park. Plan accordingly before arriving at Hawai‘i Volcanoes, as services may be extremely limited.
     For the safety of visitors, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes offers a list of things to do and not do when exploring the park's many features:
     Use only open trails and roads. Closed trails and roads are dangerous; do not enter. Pukas - holes or cracks in the ground - are prevalent throughout the park and often hidden under vegetation or ash. These unstable and dangerous features can collapse at any time and may have fragile edges or be undercut. If possible, hike and travel with at least one other person and let someone know the travel plan.
     Stay away from cliff edges and be aware of rockfalls that may occur as the land continues to settle after tens of thousands of recent earthquakes and caldera collapses.
     Volcanic ash is present in many areas, especially the Ka‘ū Desert, where whirlwinds of ash swirl across the landscape every day. Park staff recommends that visitors carry protective eyewear and an N-95 particulate mask for hiking the Footprints Trail into the Ka‘ū Desert. Conditions may suddenly become hazardous during high wind events and particulates in the air can cause eye and lung irritation. Pele's Hair - fine threads of volcanic glass - is present in many areas and can be extremely abrasive and harmful to respiratory systems and exposed skin.
A fallen sign, reminding visitors to stay on trails 
at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes. NPS photo
     Wear sturdy shoes and long pants. Falling on lava rock is like falling on broken glass. There is very little shade in lava fields around the park and temperatures may be much higher than surrounding areas. Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. The park's water remains unsafe to drink. All visitors should bring at least two quarts or more of drinking water per person.
     Do not hike after dark due to new hazards in the area. Even those who are familiar with the park should be cautious while hiking because of these hazards.
     Although sulfur dioxide is at the lowest recorded levels since 2007, air quality may change at any time. If the air irritates the lungs, smells bad, or with difficulty in breathing, leave the area immediately. The Kīlauea Visitor Center offers updates on air quality, as does the park air quality monitoring website: hawaiiso2network.com
     Hawaiʻi Volcanoes plans to reopen at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22. For more information, visit the park's website at nps.gov/havo.

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HAWAIʻI IS THE HAPPIEST STATE IN THE NATION, and happiness doesn't come from money, determined a WalletHub report this week. Happiness "comes from a combination of internal and external factors," and can be influenced "somewhat by approaching situations positively or choosing to spend time with people we love, doing activities we enjoy."
     On money not making people happy, the report says happiness only increases with wealth up to an annual income of $75,000. One thing that can have a big influence on how people feel about life, says the report, is where people choose to live.
     WalletHub drew upon the "findings of 'happiness' research" to see what influences overall well-being and satisfaction with life most. Other studies have found that good economic, emotional, physical, and social health are all key to a well-balanced and fulfilled life.
     For this study, Wallethub examined the 50 states across 31 key metrics, ranging from depression rate to sports participation rate to income growth. Hawaiʻi ranked highest in overall satisfaction with life, or happiness. Utah ranked second, with MinnesotaNorth Dakota, and California ranking through fifth. The least happy state was West Virginia, at about half the happiness rate of Hawaiʻi.
     Hawaiʻi had the third lowest incidence of adult depression, the fifth lowest rate of separation and divorce, and the tenth lowest suicide rate. Hawaiʻi ranked eighth in safety. The islands had the 13th greatest income growth, 19th lowest long-term unemployment rate, and the 30th lowest number of work hours.
     However,  Hawaiʻi ranked 50th of all the United States in getting "adequate" sleep.
     See the full report at wallethub.com/edu/happiest-states/6959.

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UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI WON A GRANT OF MORE THAN $4.1 MILLION from the National Science Foundation to "promote diversity and improve engagement" in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields. Sen. Mazie Hirono reported that UH will receive $3,824,364 through the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation Program and $299,208 through the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education program.
     Hirono said, "As the need for STEM workers continue to grow, we must ensure that students in Hawaiʻi have every opportunity to pursue college degrees in these fields. This funding will support University of Hawai`i efforts to encourage Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students to pursue STEM careers and monitor participation by traditionally underrepresented groups in UH’s STEM pipeline."
     Hirono has continued to advocate for federal programs that promote a strong STEM workforce by broadening participation for women, minorities, and other traditionally underrepresented groups, says a release from her office. Earlier this year, the Senator led a letter with four of her colleagues calling on the foundation to maintain funding for its programs that broaden participation for women and minorities, including the LSAMP and IUSE programs.
     In 2016, the Senator convened a Senate Small Business Committee and Entrepreneurship field hearing at Maui High School to hear from national experts, including NSF, and local stakeholders regarding the importance of promoting more women and minorities in the STEM workforce. In 2017, Hirono reintroduced her legislative plan to increase opportunities for women and minorities in STEM, which included two bills that would improve diversity and competitiveness in the STEM workforce by making sure women and minority students have opportunities to succeed.

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PROGRAMS HELPING TO END VETERAN HOMELESSNESS are set to expire starting Sept. 30. Senators Mazie Hirono and John Boozman (R-AR), members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, have introduced legislation to renew seven of those programs for the next fiscal year through 2020, says a release from Hirono's office.
     The bill, known as the Keeping Our Commitment to Ending Veteran Homelessness Act of 2018, would renew seven U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Labor programs that provide outreach and services to homeless veterans and their families, says the release.
     Hirono said, "Organizations in Hawaiʻi and nationwide are working hard every day to help ensure our country's veterans have access to necessary resources and a permanent, stable roof over their heads. We cannot allow funding for these critical programs to lapse and I thank Senator Boozman for his strong support in this fight to keep our commitments to our veterans and their families."
     Boozman said, "We must support our nation's veterans by providing them with the tools and resources they need to end the cycle of homelessness. We've seen the success of these programs in Arkansas and all across the country to help our veterans rebuild their lives. Continuing to fund these services must be a priority."
     U.S.VETS' Chief Operating Officer Darryl Vincent said, "U.S.VETS is the nation's largest homeless veteran service provider that commits itself to reintegrating homeless and at-risk veterans and their families in to the community. It is our mission at U.S.VETS to work for the day that no veteran who has given their life to protect our freedoms suffer the indignity of homelessness. Programs that provide support for our veterans have played, and continue to play, a vital role in helping us fulfill our commitment to serving those who served by bringing us closer to the goal of ending veteran homelessness."
     For Fiscal Year 2018, these programs served approximately 725 veterans and their families across Hawaiʻi. The expiring provisions impact these following seven programs that provide outreach and services to homeless veterans and their families:

Volunteers serve food to homeless veterans and
their families. Photo from army.mil
   - Healthcare for Homeless Veterans: Conducts outreach to homeless veterans, provides care and treatment for medical, psychiatric, and substance use disorders, and refers veterans for supportive services.

   - Grants and Per Diem (GPD) Homeless Veterans with Special Needs: Allows VA to award grants to community-based agencies to create transitional housing programs and offer per diem payments. GPD Special Needs funding assists with operating costs of services for special need groups such as women, chronically mental ill, and those with minor dependents.

   - Supportive Services for Veteran Families: Funds grants for supportive services to assist very low-income veterans and their families who are either residing in permanent housing or transitioning from homelessness.

   - Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program: Provides services to veterans including outreach, assistance in interview preparation, job search, job training, and follow-up assistance after placement.
Active military try to give aid to homeless former military.
Photo from dod.defense.gov
   - Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans with Children Reintegration Program: Provides job training, counseling, placement services (including job readiness, literacy and skills training) and child care services to expedite the reintegration of homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children into the labor force.
   - Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program: Provides job referral and counseling services, housing, health care, and other benefits to assist veterans who are leaving prison.
   - Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans: Provides advice to the VA secretary on benefits and services the VA gives to homeless veterans.

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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
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:
   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. 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
Photo by Jesse Tunison provided by volcanoartcenter.org
LITERATURE OF KĪLAUEA: CONTEMPORARY VOICES IS FEATURED SEPT. 20, at Volcano Art Center's Thursday Night at the Center, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event presents an evening of poets, novelists, bloggers, biographers, and journal writers reading their own and others' work about Kīlauea. "Come hear the varied and powerful voices of this wide-ranging community of island writers, many our neighbors, each recognized for a unique voice and view of this living volcano," states the event description on volcanoartcenter.org.
     The event takes place at Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village and is free to attend; however, a donation of $5 to support Volcano Art Center is suggested.
     Volcano Art Center offers a Thursday Night at the Center event once a month, focusing on art, Hawaiian culture and the local environment. The series is intended to inspire and enhance appreciation of art and life experience, while fostering community connections.
     For more, call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

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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

FRIDAY, SEPT. 14
Free Community Dance, Fri., Sept. 14, 7-10pmCooper CenterVolcano Village. Minors allowed with supervision only. Alcohol-free event. Variety of music. Coffee, tea, water, and snack provided. Free admission; donations appreciated. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

SATURDAY, SEPT. 15
Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund "Get the Drift and Bag It" International Coastal Cleanup, Sat., Sept. 15, contact in advance for meet up time at Waiʻōhinu Park. 4WD needed, some space available but limited. RSVP. Free; donations appreciated. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, wildhawaii.org

Palm Trail, Sat., Sept. 15, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Moderately difficult, 2.6-mile loop traverses scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. nps.gov/HAVO

John D. Dawson Studio Sale, Sat.-Sun., Sept. 15-16, 10-3pmVolcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus, Volcano Village. Sale includes original acrylic and watercolor paintings, rough sketches, and pen and ink drawings from decades of work as a well-known professional illustrator. Special preview to VAC members Fri., Sept. 14, 4-6pm. Contact Emily C. Weiss, 967-8222, or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

Ocean View C.E.R.T. Meeting, Sat., Sept. 15, 10-1pmOcean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team Monthly meeting/training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Hula Kahiko - Paul Neves w/ Hula Hālau Kou Lima Nani E, Sat., Sept. 15, 10:30-11:30am, hula platform near Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus, Volcano Village. Hula performance. Free. Desiree, 987-7288, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mea Hula w/ Loke Kamanu and ʻOhana, Sat., Sept. 15, 11-1pm, Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus, Volcano Village. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free. Desiree, 987-7288, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Potluck and Dance, Sat., Sept. 15, 5:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Live music by Shootz Band. BYOBeverage. $5/ticket. Register at office by Sept. 12. Discovery Harbour Community Association, 929-9576

Bunco and Potluck, Sat., Sept. 15, 6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Popular game played with nine dice, also known as Bonko or Bunko. Bring dish to share. Margie Hack, 541-954-8297

SUNDAY, SEPT. 16
Kaʻū ʻOhana Day: Picnic In The Park, Sun., Sept. 16, 12-3pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park; entrance near 70.5 mile marker on Hwy 11). Family-friendly event. Shave ice, food vendors, children's activities, hula, and music. nps.gov/HAVO

MONDAY, SEPT. 17
Discovery Harbour Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Mon., Sept. 17, 5-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

TUESDAY, SEPT. 18
Hawaiʻi County Council Meetings, Tue./Wed., Sept. 18 (Committees)/19 (Council), Kona. Kaʻū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nāʻālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

Wonderful World of Wine and Watercolor, Tue., Sept. 18, 4-7pmVolcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus, Volcano Village. Artist Nancy DeLucrezia shows how to transfer a photo onto watercolor paper and introduces basic techniques in watercolor painting. Sampling of several wines from wine store "Grapes" in Hilo. $30/VAC member, $35/non-members, plus $17 supply fee. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 19
Ocean View Community Association Board Meeting, Wed., Sept. 19, 12:30pmOcean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Arts and Crafts Activity: Friendship Bracelets, Wed., Sept. 19, 3-4pm, Kahuku Park, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. For all ages. Register Sept. 10-14. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Arts and Crafts Activity: Handprint Tree Art, Wed., Sept. 19, 3:30-5pm, Pāhala Community Center. For keiki in grades K-8. Register Sept. 13-18. Free. hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation, 928-3102

ONGOING
Disaster Recovery Center Closes Sept. 29; Deadline to Apply for Aid is Today, Sept. 12. 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.

5th Annual Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run Registration Open, online at webscorer.com/register?raceid=128145. Fees through Sept. 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 through Sept. 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. 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.

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.

Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschools 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.

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.

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