Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, December 26, 2019

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park hosts the 11th annual Volcano Awareness Month in January, with events in and around
the Park, and all over the island. See the Park events that will happen next month, below. NPS photos 

 ACCESS ROAD TO MAUNAKEA'S SUMMIT WILL REOPEN TO THE PUBLIC this Saturday, Dec. 28, as will Hale Pohaku Visitor Center. According to a statement from the mayor's office, the clearing of the access road will "involve the collaborative efforts of State and County agencies working together with the protectors." Access to the summit for "telescope personnel, ranchers, conservation workers, hunters and cultural practitioners," started today.

Vehicles headed up to Maunakea's summit. Photo from Big Island Video News

     Mayor Harry Kim announced a two-month long agreement, beginning today, with kiaʻi, protectors of Maunakea, who blocked access to Maunakea for 167 days to prevent construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope.
     During the stand down of "at least two months,” the protesters  will not have to leave the mauna, but will allow access to the road up to the summit.
     Dr. Noe Noe Wong-Wilson, one of the kūpuna arrested for blocking the access road on July 17, said, "I declare this a victory on our part. A victory because this is an opportunity for us in this Lono season… to do what our ancestors did. This is the time for negotiation, for diplomacy, for reassessment, to live in our environment the way that our environment is telling us to live."
     The kiaʻi has encamped at the access road to the summit since July 15. They were given a warning to vacate by today, or face arrest. The announcement came last week when Gov. David Ige said the Thirty Meter Telescope, would not be built on Maunkea "at this time."
     Kim communicated with the protectors via a letter, sent to kūpuna:
     "The TMT Project has informed State officials and Mayor Kim that there will be no attempt to deliver construction equipment to the Maunakea site anytime soon. I, Mayor Kim, give you my personal assurances that no attempt will be made to move TMT construction equipment up the mountain for a minimum of two months. During this time, at least until the end of February 2020, the protectors are requested to move the Kūpuna tent which is currently on the roadway to the side of the road. This will provide open access to the general public to drive up the road to the Maunakea Visitor Center or to the summit region. This clearance of the roadway will help ensure the safety of visitors and protectors.

Dr. Noe Noe Wong-Wilson.
Photo from Big Island Video News

     "During this time, State and County agencies and law enforcement will agree to stand down. There will be no attempt by State of Hawaiʻi law enforcement agencies or Hawaiʻi County Police Department to remove the protectors' encampment from the sides of Maunakea Access Road or from Puʻuhonua o Puʻuhuluhulu.
     "It is hoped that during this peaceful time, communication between government officials, the astronomy community, community leaders, and protectors will continue. I, Mayor Kim will continue to work with TMT to extend the two-month stand-down period if necessary."

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POSSIBLE COASTAL FLOODING CONTINUES for the next few days, states a Special Weather Statement from the National Weather Service. Flooding will most likely occur during high tide, "late at night. Impacts of the higher than normal water levels may include flooding of beaches that normally remain dry, salt water inundation of typically vulnerable low-lying roads, docks, boat ramps, and other coastal infrastructure."

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Aunty Edna Baldado discusses eating and living healthier 

with traditional Hawaiian foods. NPS photo

JANUARY IS VOLCANO AWARENESS MONTH and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will host After Dark in the Park talks and guided hikes with U.S. Geologic Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists all month. In addition, the Park continues its tradition of sharing Hawaiian culture, stewardship programs and opportunities to explore the Kahuku Unit throughout January 2020. Events are free, but entrance fees may apply. Some programs are co-sponsored by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association:

     Guided hikes of Kīlauea Iki Crater, Mondays, Jan. 6, 13, 20, and 27 at 10 a.m. Meet Park Ranger Michael Newman at the Kīlauea Iki Overlook parking lot. The four-mile (6.4 km) Kīlauea Iki Trail is one of the Park's iconic hiking trails, a popular destination for hikers who cross a steaming crater floor through the intersection of eruption and native rainforest. Most leave without knowing how the crater was formed, or how three eruptions since 1823 have filled it with more than 400 feet (120 m) of lava. Delve into the secrets of Kīlauea. Discover how fountains of lava from the giant brick-red cone, Pu‘u Pua‘i, jetted up 1,900 feet (579 m) in 1959 and left behind a 50-foot (15 m) bathtub ring of lava residue on the crater walls. Moderately difficult with an elevation gain of 400 feet (120 m).

     Transitions: What's next for HVO and the volcanoes it monitors?, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. This presentation will be repeated at UH-Hilo on Jan. 9. Both 2018 and 2019 were years of profound change at Kīlauea Volcano and the USGS HVO. Devastation caused by the largest lower East Rift Zone eruption and summit collapse in at least 200 years resulted in many transitions for island residents, including HVO. Tina Neal, Scientist-in-Charge of the HVO, describes the current status of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa and what might be coming next. She also recaps HVO's situation since having to vacate its building at Kīlauea's summit in 2018, and shares info on the exciting next steps for the volcano observatory in 2020 and beyond. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ongoing After Dark in the Park series.

     ‘Ai Pono – Healthy Hawaiian foods, Wednesday, Jan. 8 from 10 a.m. to noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. ‘Anakē (Aunty) Edna Baldado discusses eating and living healthier with native Hawaiian foods like kalo (the staple food of Hawaiians), ‘uala (sweet potato) and ‘ulu (breadfruit). Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau, Experience the Skillful Work, workshops.

Ranger Keoni Kaholo‘a‘ā shares his knowledge of 

how to pound kalo and make poi. NPS photo

     A walk through Kīlauea Volcano's summit history, Thursday, Jan. 9; Friday, Jan. 17; Wednesday, Jan. 22; and Saturday, Jan. 25. Meet at Devastation Trail parking lot on Crater Rim Drive; arrive early, as the guided walk to Keanakākoʻi Crater begins promptly at 8 a.m. Join USGS HVO scientist emeritus Don Swanson on a two-hour walk, learning about the past 500 years of Kīlauea Volcano's history as revealed by rocks, craters, and cracks. Along the walk, Swanson points out and explains some of the features that formed during the 2018 summit collapse events, as well as the best publicly accessible display of explosive deposits erupted from Kīlauea around 230-370 years ago, one of which probably relates to an important oral tradition. Swanson also shows two contrasting vents for the July 1974 eruption, highlights the thick deposit of pumice and scoria erupted in 1959, and ponders the origin of Keanakāko‘i Crater. A ranger will be available to answer questions about the Park.

     Hike the path of Mauna Loa's 1868 lava flow, Saturday, Jan. 11, 10 a.m., Kahuku Unit. RCUH-HVO geologists Katie Mulliken and Lil DeSmither lead this guided hike along the Pu‘u o Lokuana trail in the Kahuku Unit of the Park. During the hike, learn about the eruptive history, structure, and current status of Mauna Loa, Earth's largest active volcano, as you traverse lava flows from its 1868 eruption. Katie and Lil explain the volcanic features along the trail and tell the story of the destructive eruption and associated earthquakes in 1868. They also share information on how HVO monitors Mauna Loa, which has erupted 33 times since 1843, most recently in 1984. A park ranger will assist with the hike to answer questions about Kahuku.

     What's happening at Kīlauea Volcano's summit?, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 7 p.m., at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Kīlauea Volcano's summit has been in an eruptive pause since the 2018 events ended over a year ago. Nevertheless, it remains a dynamic place. Ongoing inflation and seismicity indicate that the summit magma chamber is gradually recharging. A water lake, unprecedented in the written historical record, appeared at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u in late July 2019 and has steadily risen. What are the potential hazards at Kīlauea's summit? Could explosive activity return? What is known about the water lake? How is it monitored? Join USGS HVO geologists Matt Patrick and Tricia Nadeau as they answer these questions and more. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ongoing After Dark in the Park series.

Explore Kahuku Unit during Volcano Awareness Month. NPS photo

     Hike back in time to the 1969-74 Mauna Ulu eruption, Saturday, Jan. 18. Meet at Mauna Ulu parking lot before the 10 a.m. start time. USGS VO geologist Dr. Carolyn Parcheta leads this two-hour guided walk along the fissure that started the Mauna Ulu eruption on May 24, 1969. Lava continued to erupt over the next five years, making it the longest observed effusive rift eruption at the time. The eruption ultimately built a lava shield, Mauna Ulu, growing mountain, a prominent landmark on Kīlauea's East Rift Zone. It also sent lava flows to the coast and allowed for detailed observations of eruption processes. During the walk, Parcheta describes how fissures form, how lava fountains erupt, how these eruptions create the environment you see, and why some lava drained back into the ground. She also discusses her research that revealed just how deep the fissure extends into the ground. A park ranger assists to answer questions about the Park.

     Fee-Free Day in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Monday, Jan. 20. All fee-charging national parks – including Hawai‘i Volcanoes, Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park and Haleakalā National Park – will have free  entry that day. For a complete list of fee-free dates in 2020, go to nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm. 

     Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone 2019: quiet but insightful, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 7 p.m., at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. In the year since Kīlauea Volcano's notable 2018 eruption ended, the lower East Rift Zone has been relatively quiet. But USGS HVO scientists continue to gain insight into the eruption through ongoing research and monitoring. For answers to some of the many questions asked by island residents – Why did the fissures erupt along a linear pattern? How long will it take for the lava to solidify? Why is vegetation still dying in the area? – join USGS HVO geologist Carolyn Parcheta as she explores these and other queries and shares recent observations and findings by HVO scientists. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ongoing After Dark in the Park series.

Kaʻū Actor Dick Hershberger as Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar. 

NPS photo/Janice Wei

     Ku‘i kalo – Pound poi, Wednesday, Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. to noon, at Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Make poi, the staple food of the Hawaiian diet. The root of the kalo plant is cooked and ku‘i (pounded) to create this classic Hawaiian dish. Join Ranger Keoni Kaholo‘a‘ā as he shares his knowledge of kalo. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau, Experience the Skillful Work, workshops.

     Seismicity of the 2018 Kīlauea Volcano eruption, Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m., at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. The 2018 Kīlauea eruption produced unprecedented levels of seismicity in the volcano's instrumented history. USGS HVO documented about 80,000 earthquakes during the three-month eruption, starting with the dramatic collapse of the Puʻu ʻŌʻō cone on April 30 and ending with the final Kīlauea summit caldera collapse event on Aug. 5. The sequence included a magnitude-6.9 south flank earthquake, the largest for Hawai‘i in 45 years. HVO seismologist Brian Shiro recounts the 2018 earthquake story, including how HVO adapted its techniques to monitor the events, and describes current levels of seismicity and HVO's ongoing efforts to improve seismic monitoring. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ongoing After Dark in the Park series.

    Stewardship of Kīpukapuaulu, every Thursday at 9:30 a.m., Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30. Meet at the Kīpukapuaulu parking lot, Mauna Loa Road, off Highway 11 in the Park. Help remove troublesome plants at Kīpukapuaulu, home to diverse native forest and understory plants. Bring clippers or pruners, sturdy gloves, a hat, and water. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothing that you don’t mind getting permanently stained from morning glory sap. Be prepared for cool and wet or hot and sunny weather. New volunteer? Contact Marilyn Nicholson for more info: nickem@hawaii.rr.com. 

     Stewardship at the Summit, Jan. 3, 11, 17, and 25. Meet at 8:45 a.m. Meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Volunteer to help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, a World Heritage Site. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, rain gear, day pack, snacks, and water. Gloves and tools are provided. Under 18? Parental or guardian accompaniment or written consent is required. Visit the park website for additional planning details: nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm

Monday, Jan. 20 is the fee-free Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday. 

Park visitors can explore the park and its unique resources – like 

the Pu‘u Loa Petroglyphs – for free. NPS photo/Janice Wei

     A Walk into the Past with Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, Tuesdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21, and 28 at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. Each performance is about an hour. Meet at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Walk back to 1912, and meet the founder of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, at the edge of Kīlauea Volcano. Dressed in period costume, Ka‘ū actor-director Dick Hershberger brings the renowned geologist to life. Dr. Jaggar will lead a tour of his tiny lab located below the Volcano House to see original seismograph equipment and other early instruments. Learn what motivated Dr. Jaggar to dedicate his life to the study of Hawaiian volcanoes, and how his work helps save lives today. Space is limited; pick up free tickets at the Kīlauea Visitor Center's front desk the day of the program. Program includes climbing stairs and entering a confined space. Supported by the Kīlauea Drama Entertainment.

     Explore Kahuku. The Kahuku Unit is free, and is open Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Take a self-guided hike, or join rangers on weekends for a two-hour guided trek at 9:30 a.m. Enter the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on the mauka (inland) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5. Kahuku is located in Ka‘ū, and is about a 50-minute drive south of the Park's main entrance. Sturdy footwear, water, rain gear, sun protection, and a snack are recommended for all hikes.

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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.

See monthly and weekly Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, and Meditation at kaucalendar.com.

2019-2020 Kaʻū Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball

Tue., Jan. 7 @Kohala

Fri., Jan. 10 host Honokaʻa

Boys Basketball

Sat., Dec. 28 host Kohala

Fri., Jan. 3 host HPA

Sat., Jan. 4 host Pāhoa

Thu., Jan. 9 @Waiakea

Sat., Jan. 11, @Konawaena

Wrestling

Sat., Jan. 4 @Waiakea

Sat., Jan. 11 @Kealakehe

Soccer

Sat., Jan. 4 Girls host Honokaʻa, 3pm

Mon., Jan. 6 @HPA

Wed., Jan. 8 host Kealakehe, 2pm

Sat., Jan. 11 @Honokaʻa

Swimming

Sat., Jan. 4 @Kamehameha

Sat., Jan. 11 @Kona Community Aquatic Center

UPCOMING

FRIDAY, DEC. 27

Kahuku Coffee Talk: Artist in the Park, Friday, Dec. 27, 9:30-11a.m., Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station. Free. nps.gov/havo

Monthly Mele & Hula ‘Auana Performances, Friday, Dec. 27, 4-5:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. Weather permitting performance held outdoors. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Amahl & Night Visitors Show, Friday, Dec. 27-Jan. 3, 5-8p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Theater, in HVNP. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 982-7344, kden73@aol.com

SATURDAY, DEC. 28

Birth of Kahuku, Saturday, Dec. 28, 9:30-11:30a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, easy-to-moderate hike. nps.gov/havo

Ocean View Skatepark Design Workshop, Saturday, Dec. 28, 3-5 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Help create a design plan and drawings of skatepark features to present to County Council. Organized by Kalanihale 501- 3c NPO. Public welcome. Kaimi Kaupiko, 808-937-1310

SUNDAY, DEC. 29

Final Gymkhana Event of 2019, Sunday, Dec. 29, 9a.m., Nā‘ālehu Rodeo Arena. Sign-in and check-in 8:30a.m. Hosted by Ka‘ū Roping & Riding Association.

People and Land, Sunday, Dec. 29, 9:30-12:30p.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate, 2.5 mile hike over rugged terrain. nps.gov/havo

TUESDAY, DEC. 31

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday – last Tuesday, monthly – Dec. 31, 11:30a.m.-1p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Volunteers welcome. Dave Breskin, 319-8333

KMC New Year's Eve Party, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 5-8p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge, in HVNP. Blue Tattoo and midnight toast. $10 cover charge for non-KMC guests. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

THURSDAY, JAN. 2

Women's Expression Group, Thursday, Jan. 2 – 1st Thursday monthly – 3-4:30p.m., PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. Women welcome to drop in. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Thursday, Jan. 2, 6-7p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Mtg., Thursday, Jan. 2, 6:30-8:30p.m., Aspen Center. okaukakou.org

ONGOING

Christmas in the Country featuring 20th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibit, daily, through Dec. 31, Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

Vote for the Best Cottage Decorations at Kīlauea Military Camp through Tuesday, Jan. 1. The public is invited to stroll along the sidewalks around the KMC Cottages where the staff has entered a contest for best Christmas decorations. The outdoor displays are best seen at night. KMC is located within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

     The KMC New Year's Eve Party on Tuesday, Dec. 31 from 8 p.m. at the Lava Lounge will have live music from Blue Tattoo. The $10 cover charge includes a champagne toast at midnight. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.

     Call 967-8356 or see kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

T-Ball and Coach Pitch Baseball League: Ocean View Team - Mondays and Wednesdays, Kahuku Park. Nā‘ālehu Team - Tuesdays and Thursdays,

Nā‘ālehu Park. Pāhala Team (seeking coaches) - attend Nā‘ālehu practice. T-Ball, 3:30-4:30pm, ages 5-6. Coach Pitch, 4:30-6p.m., ages 7-8. Programs take place through April 16. Wear cleats or tennis shoes, bring a glove if possible. Extras gloves available for use. All skills and genders welcome. $35 per teammate. See Ka‘ū Youth Baseball on Facebook. Josh or Elizabeth Crook, 345-0511

Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call 808-938-1088.

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