Friday, February 08, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Friday, February 8, 2019

Strong language for a strong storm headed into Hawaiʻi, as pictured above from satellite imagery. See story below.
Image from NOAA
"DON'T BE AFRAID. BE OPTIMISTIC," is Sen. Brian Schatz's message for Hawaiʻi and the United States on moving to 100 percent clean energy. Schatz wrote a multiple tweet thread on the subject, yesterday:
Sen. Brian Schatz
     "When Hawaiʻi started its clean energy program in 1998 we had a weak but aspirational law to try to double clean energy. It was attacked by the utility and the biz community as too much too soon, and by green groups as too little. But, it was a start.
     "Something pretty incredible happened. We hit our targets. We exceeded our targets. The price of electricity went down, not up. We brought in investors, & small businesses thrived. The building trades liked it. A lot. So, we got more ambitious, a plan with teeth, and bigger goal.
     "Then, the same thing kept happening. Every time we raised the number, we kept exceeding the number! And prices went down, not up. So, now we've got our local biz leaders loving it, selling it, and everyone's bought in.
     "A couple of years ago the legislature made a law for 100 percent clean energy generation. Even the utility company likes it, because they are transforming. What I am saying is this can be done, and it must be done. Don't be afraid. Be optimistic. America can figure this out."

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.

Rep. Richard Onishi
A BILL ON DISTRIBUTION OF TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAXES unanimously passed the state House Committee on Tourism & International Affairs on Tuesday, Feb. 5. Rep. Richard Creagan, who represents west Kaʻū, and Rep. Richard Onishi, who represents east Kaʻū, co-sponsored the bill.
Rep. Richard Creagan
     House Bill 419 states a county is eligible for funds from the state to enforce laws relating to transient accommodations and short-term vacation rentals. However, "no funds shall be released to a county until it has satisfactorily complied with specified conditions," which include counties able to submit reports about transient accommodations to the state. The bill would allow "an allocation" from TAT revenues. The bill next goes to the House
Sen. Russell Ruderman
committee on Finance.
     Senate Bill 480, submitted by Sen. Russell Ruderman, along with companion bill HB642, would allow "agricultural tourism activities including short-term vacation rentals in counties with a population between 150,000 and 500,000," which would cover Hawaiʻi county. SB460, cosponsored by Ruderman, "Requires the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority to develop a list of unit addresses, including housing units and rental units marketed to the visitor industry for occupancy, and to post the list on its website."

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.

"HAMMAJANG," a Hawaiian Pidgin adjective meaning "in a disorderly or shambolic state," is one of more than 600 new regional words and phrases added to the Oxford English Dictionary. The Dictionary is asking the public to help it mine the regional differences of English around the world to expand its record of the language.
     Last year, a collaboration between OED, the BBC, and Forward Arts Foundation to find and define local English words resulted in the expansion. OED is widening its search to English speakers around the world, with associate editor Eleanor Maier calling the early response "phenomenal."
     "Regional words indicate that their users come from a particular place and often contribute to one's sense of identity," said Maier in an interview with The Guardian. "The OED aims to cover all types of English, including standard English, scientific and technical vocabulary, literary words, slang, and regionalisms. So it's important to include these words to enable us to present a picture of the English language in all its forms."
     Maier wrote online that the word's origin was unknown, but it could be related to the Hawaiian word for inept, "hemahema," and possibly combined with Pidgin "junk," meaning "bad." She says the earliest example of "hammajang" was in a short story published in 1988.

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.

STUDYING GEOLOGY to determine the probable length of volcanic eruptions is where this week's Volcano Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates, is focused:
     Geology of the past, how long will the eruption last?
     The 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea brought an end to the 35+ year eruption at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. With the draining of the summit and the collapse of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, Puna residents were concerned that the eruption in the LERZ could be long-lived.
     Fissure 8 reactivates in late May and becomes the dominant vent in the LERZ eruption.
Fissure 8 reactivates in late May and becomes the dominant vent in the LERZ eruption. USGS photo
     How could we evaluate, at that time, how long the eruption would last? Geologic investigations work under the premise that the key to the future is found in the past. By investigating past eruptions, we learn the way a volcano is likely to behave in the future.
     We looked at the geology of Kīlauea to see what we could learn about past eruptive behavior. Along the east rift zone are features, such as lava shields, that are indicative of long-lived eruptions. These include Maunaulu, Kānenuiohamo, Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, Kupaianaha, and Heiheiahulu (above the Black Sands subdivision). These all occur in the upper and middle parts of the East Rift Zone. Where are the lava shields in the LERZ? There are none.
     Large cones reveal past eruptions along the LERZ, but most of the eruptive vents are small and are hidden by the lush vegetation. All the cones and fissure vents erupted flows of only limited extent and are small when compared to the flow fields created by the shields.
     The limited extent of the flows infers that the eruptions lasted for a relatively short period of time – but how short? Adopting a broad perspective, we analyzed how past eruptions could guide us to estimate how long the 2018 eruption could last.
     Using historical information from LERZ eruptions in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 1961, we were able to calculate the average eruption rate (or flux) from the volume and duration. The flux values for 1840, 1955, 1960, and 1961, respectively, are 91, 12, 36, and 8 cubic meters per second. How does this information help us assess prehistoric eruption characteristics?
Puʻu ʻŌʻō from the north rim today, at about noon. USGS HVO scientists report clouds seen rising from the crater 
are probably rockfall plumes. USGS photo from webcam
     For prehistoric eruptions where we lacked information on eruption rate and duration, we compiled lava flow areas. To estimate the volume of erupted material, we compiled the mappable area, estimated how much more area may have been covered by later flows, and finally multiplied the "corrected" area by an average thickness of 7 m (23 ft), based on drill hole data.
     For flow area correction, we assumed that flows 200-400 years old had 25% of the original flow buried by younger flows and that flows 400-750 years old had half – 50% – of their original surface covered.
     Why do we need the corrected volume of the prehistoric flows? We can use the volume of the prehistoric flows to provide constraints on eruption duration. To do this, we divided the correct prehistoric flow volume by a range of historic fluxes to arrive at the duration – the number of days – the prehistoric eruptions could have lasted.
     In our analyses, we threw out the high and low flux values and used the intermediate values to calculate the eruption duration. Why discard the highest and lowest effusion rates? By the time we conducted this assessment, the 2018 eruption had already been going on for almost one month and the shortest eruption (1961) lasted only one day and the highest rate resulted in duration of about 20 days. Using the flux information from the 1955 and 1960 eruptions, we calculated an eruption duration range of 51 to 155 days. The 2018 eruption lasted 124 days.
Mauna Loa's Mokuʻāweoweo Caldera, from the south rim 
today, remains quiet. USGS photo from webcam
     Although we could not discount that the eruption may last for years, this geologic look at prior LERZ eruptions – along with the absence of shields, the modest flow fields, and the smaller eruptive volumes of prior events – all point to activity of limited duration. By using prehistoric geologic information garnered from geologic mapping, the key to the future was to look at the past; our analysis provided a valuable guide on how long the 2018 eruption would last.
Volcano Activity Update
     Kīlauea is not erupting. Rates of seismicity, deformation, and gas release have not changed significantly over the past week.
     There were 2 events with 3 or more felt reports in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week. On Feb. 4 at 7:40 p.m., a magnitude-2.6 earthquake occurred 11 km (7 mi) northwest of Volcano Village at a depth of 9 km (5.8 mi) below sea level. On Feb. 7, at 9:06 a.m., a magnitude-4.6 earthquake occurred offshore 85 km (53 mi) southwest of Hawaiian Ocean View at a depth of 27 km (16.7 mi) below sea level.
     Deformation signals are consistent with refilling of the middle ERZ. Sulfur dioxide emission rates have been below detection limits in the lower ERZ since early September, though minor amounts of volcanic gas are still present.
      Hazardous conditions still exist at both the lower ERZ and summit. Residents in the lower Puna District and Kīlauea summit areas on the Island of Hawai‘i should stay informed and heed Hawai‘i County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages, hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts.
     USGS Volcano Alert level for Mauna Loa remains at NORMAL.

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.

VERY STRONG WINDS, AND POSSIBLE COASTAL FLOODING THIS WEEKEND, predicts the National Weather Service, which issued another statement today for the entire Kaʻū region, from the coast to the summits of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea volcanoes. The alert is for much of the state:
     "An unusually strong storm system will move toward the islands from the north over the weekend, bringing with it multiple weather hazards. The storm will send a powerful swell toward the islands that will impact exposed north and west facing shores with very high surf.
     "Additionally, the combination of strong onshore winds and high surf will increase the potential for significant coastal flooding that could lead to property damage, road closures, and beach erosion.
     "The storm system will also bring strong and potentially damaging north to northwest winds to the island chain, particularly Saturday night through Sunday evening. While these winds are expected to be strongest over ridges and mountaintops, they will also accelerate downslope, impacting heavily populated areas. In addition, intense, fast moving rain showers or squalls may bring very strong and damaging winds as the storm makes its closest approach.
     "If you have outdoor plans for the weekend, be prepared for very windy conditions. If your plans include marine activities, you may want to consider postponing them."

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.

Trojans Girls Basketball team today at the McKinley High School's 
Stan Sheriff Center on Oʻahu. Photo from Kaʻū Athletics
KAʻŪ TROJANS GIRLS BASKETBALL finished at the HHSAA Division II tournament today. The Trojans ladies went up against the Waipahu Mauraders in a "consolation" game, where they played hard for their 38 points. Waipahu won at 52.
     Trojans Boys Basketball travel for their HHSAA Division II tournament on Maui Feb. 21 through 23. They are fundraising with an invitation tournament Friday, Feb. 15. See below for more details.

MILOLIʻI-KAʻŪ JRS. VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT, to benefit Miloliʻi-Kaʻū teams, happens at Kaʻū District Gym tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 9 and Sunday, Feb. 10. The public is invited to show support and enjoy the play in this third annual tournament.
     Teams playing are Miloliʻi-Kaʻū, Cuzins I, Cuzins II, Cuzins Girls, Cuzins Co-Ed, Mau Loa, Cuzins 14 Boys, and Cuzins 16. The tournament levels run from 10s through 16s.
     Contact Kaʻimi at 937-1310, Landa at 443-7133, or Tene at 333-7232.

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.

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 High Winter Sports Schedule
Girls Basketball:
Feb. 6-9, Wed.-Sat., HHSAA
Boys Basketball:
Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA
Wrestling:
Feb. 9, Sat., @BIIF @Keaʻau
Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA
Soccer:
Feb. 7-9, Thu.-Sat., Boys HHSAA
Swimming:
Feb. 8-9, Fri.-Sat., HHSAA
Feb. 9, Sat., Oʻahu

NEW and UPCOMING
NĀʻĀLEHU CELEBRATES CRAFT MONTH with open crafting for all ages, while supplies last. Crafting starts off at 3 p.m. each Thursday in February. Free. Contact Sara Kamibayashi at (808) 939-2442 for more.

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.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9
Pancake Breakfast and Raffle, Sat., Feb. 9, 8-11am, Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Nā Mamo O Kāwā ʻOhana Work Day, Sat., Feb. 9, meet 9:30am, Northern Gate, Kāwā. RSVP to James Akau, jakau@nmok.org, 561-9111. nmok.org, facebook.com/namamo.
kawa

1st Acton Children's Business Fair, Sat., Feb. 9, 10-1pm, River of Life Assembly of God, 96-2345 Paauau St., Pāhala. Support young on-island entrepreneurs in this one day marketplace for keiki ages 7 to 18 and their personal businesses selling their own brands, products, or services. childrensbusinessfair.org

15th Annual Love the Arts Fundraiser, 50th Anniversary of Woodstock, Sat., Feb. 9, 5-9pm, Volcano Art Center. Funds raised support classes, exhibits, workshops, and programs at Volcano Art Center. Music, gourmet buffet, and fine wines and brews. Live and silent auctions. $55/VAC member, $65/non-member. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Women's Wave meets the 2nd Sunday of the month, 2 p.m., at Punaluʻu bakery. Feb. 10 topic is expected to be comparing Women's Walk stories.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Free STD Testing, Mon., Feb. 11, 9-noon, 2nd Monday, monthly, Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Hawai‘i Department of Health. Call for appt. on different day or time. Teenagers 14+ do not need parent/guardian consent. Always confidential. Free condoms and lube. 895-4927

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Arts & Crafts Activity: Valentine's Day Card, Tue., Feb. 12, 2:45-3:30pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12 Feb. 4-8. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue., Feb. 12, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Community Emergency Response Team info and training scenarios. Public welcome. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Volcano Bay Clinic Mobile Health Unit Visit: Dental, Wed., Feb. 13, 8-5pm. Medical, Thu., Feb. 28, 1-5pm. Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Must be Bay Clinic, Inc. patient. 333-3600 for appt. thecoopercenter.org

Compassionate Communication Group, Wed., Feb. 13 and 27, 2-3:30pm, 2nd and last Wednesday, monthly, PARENTS Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Free. Registration required. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460

Arts & Crafts Activity: Valentine's Day Love Bugs, Wed., Feb. 13, 3:30-5pm, multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages 5-12 Feb. 4-12. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū & Me, Thu., Feb. 14, 10:30-noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571

Valentine's Day Buffet, Thu., Feb. 14, 5-8pm, Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp. Main entrees: Prime Rib au Jus, Lemon Butter Ono w/Tropical Salsa, and Vegetable Stir Fry w/Tofu. $29.95/adult, $14.95/child, ages 6-11. No reservations required. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply. 967-8356

Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thu., Feb. 14, 6:30pm, United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15
PATCH Class #428, Building Emotional Literacy, Fri., Feb. 15, 8-11am, PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Sponsored by Tūtū and Me. No childcare provided. Register at 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

PATCH Class #619, Relationships w/Families in your Family-Centered Care, Fri., Feb. 15, noon-3pm, PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Sponsored by Tūtū and Me. No childcare provided. Register at 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

ONGOING
Miloliʻi-Kaʻū Jrs. Volleyball Tournament, to benefit Miloliʻi-Kaʻū teams, happens at Kaʻū District Gym this weekend, Feb. 9 and 10. The public is invited to show support and enjoy the play in this third annual tournament.
     Teams playing are Miloliʻi-Kaʻū, Cuzins I, Cuzins II, Cuzins Girls, Cuzins Co-Ed, Mau Loa, Cuzins 14 Boys, and Cuzins 16. The tournament levels run from 10s through 16s. Contact Kaʻimi at 937-1310, Landa at 443-7133, or Tene at 333-7232.

Trojans Boys Volleyball is Raising Money with an invitational tournament on Friday, Feb. 15. The funding will help the team fly to Maui for a preseason tournament, beginning Friday, Feb. 22.
     The Feb. 15 tournament at Kaʻū District Gym will see the Trojans hosting Kamehameha teams from Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island as well as teams from Kealakeke and Pāhoa High Schools.
     Donations can be sent to Kaʻū High School, c/o Athletic Director Kalei Namohala 96-3150 Pikake St, Pāhala, HI, 96777, with the notation "Boys Volleyball Tournament on Maui."

Harry McKee Foundation Scholarships for Kaʻū Students are open through Feb. 15. College bound high school seniors and current college students encouraged to apply for a $1,000 scholarship. Students must be residents of Kaʻū District and plan to attend any accredited college, university, technical institute, or vocational school, anywhere in the U.S. Students must enroll full time in the fall of 2019.
     The application and more information are at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com. Applications must be mailed to the foundation office in Ocean View by February 15.

11th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament happens Saturday, Feb. 16, at Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilions. Organized by ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou, the event doubles as a canned food drive.
     Applications are available at the event, and before the event at Nā‘ālehu Elementary School, Nā‘ālehu Ace Hardware, Pāhala Elementary School, Mizuno Superette in Pāhala, Pāhala Gas Station, Wiki Wiki Mart in Nā‘ālehu, Ka‘ū Learning Academy, Kahuku Country Market in Ocean View, or Ocean View Auto Parts.
     Registration at the event is open from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Welcome, rules, and distribution of poles and bait from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Keiki, aged one to 14 years old, can fish from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A free lunch for all is available at noon, then awards and prizes are distributed at 1 p.m. Every participant gets a prize. For more information, call Guy Enriques, 217-2253, or Wayne Kawachi, 937-4773. See okaukakou.org.

Panaʻewa Stampede takes place this year just outside of Hilo, the weekend of Feb. 16-18, Saturday through Monday, with rodeo competitors from Kaʻū and around the island joined by rodeo clowns and other entertainers. See HawaiiRodeoStampede.com.

Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi classes offered in Ka‘ū include: Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP) on Wednesdays through Feb. 19. See more at hmono.org; Diabetes Management Classes on Mondays in February. Sign up by calling 969-9220 or online at hmono.org/classes.

Miss Kaʻū Coffee Pageant will accept applicants through Feb. 28. The pageant will be held again at the Ka‘ū District Gym on Saturday, April 27, 6 p.m. Miss Kaʻū Coffee and her court will represent the Kaʻū Coffee industry throughout the year at events in the community and beyond, her appearances sponsored by the Edmund C. Olson Trust, II. Pageant Director is Trinidad Marques. Scholarship Committee Directors are Julia Neal and Gloria Camba.
     The community can support the pageant through purchasing tickets, volunteering, and providing scholarships.
     Girls three to 24 years of age are encouraged to enter the pageant. Talents often include hula and singing. Competitive categories include Talent, Gown, Photogenic, Career-Interview, Characters Outfit, and Swimsuit for Miss Kaʻū Coffee. Pageant hopefuls contend for titles of Miss Ka‘ū Coffee, Jr. Miss Kaʻū Coffee, Miss Kaʻū Peaberry, and Miss Kaʻū Coffee Flower.
      Email trinimarques@yahoo.com.

Volunteer on Midway Atoll for Six Months. The volunteer will serve as a communication assistant out on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, on or about March 12 through August. Applications are due by Feb. 28. Potential to be extended to a full year. Get more info and instructions on how to apply.

Applications for a Job to Help Kids with Healthy Eating and Living in Kaʻū are open through March 15. The position, through FoodCorps, is a full-time 11.5-month commitment from August 1, 2019 through July 15, 2020, at Pāhala Elementary School.
     In exchange for service, members receive: $22,000 living stipend paid bi-weekly over the 11.5-month term; $6,095 AmeriCorps Segal education award upon successful completion of service; Student loan deferral or forbearance, if eligible; partial childcare reimbursement, if eligible; Health insurance; Ongoing training, mentorship, and professional development.
     Apply at foodcorps.org/apply. See the service member position description for more details. Visit foodcorps.orgFacebook page, or contact seri.niimi-burch@foodcorps.org for more information.

Preschool Opens Doors Applications are open for the 2019-2020 school year. The Department of Human Services encourages families to apply before March 29. This program is for families seeking aid in paying for preschool. Applications, available at patchhawaii.org, received during this period will be considered for preschool participation during July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. For more information, visit bit.ly/2TolEOm or call 800-746-5620.

Kaʻū Coffee Fest invites non-profits, clubs, cooperatives, and businesses to sign up for booths to serve the public at the 11th annual Kaʻū Coffee Fest Hoʻolauleʻa on Saturday, May 4 at Pāhala Community Center. The all-day event comes with music, hula, coffee tasting, and meeting the famous Kaʻū Coffee farmers. See KauCoffeeFestival.com.
     Booth fees are $100 for food vendors; $60 for non-food items and crafts, including coffee and coffee samples; and $35 for pre-approved information displays. Campaign and other political displays are not invited. Fifty percent discounts are provided to bona fide non-profit organizations and cooperatives selling food, crafts, and coffee. Each vendor is responsible for a Department of Health permit, if serving food. Call Gail Nagata 933-0918. Vendors must also obtain county vendor permits costing $30 each, to be displayed at each booth.
     Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Email to biokepamoses@gmail.com; mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses, P.O. Box 208PāhalaHI 96777; or call 808-731-5409.

Applications for a Paid Internship in Kaʻū for Kupu Hawai‘i and The Nature Conservancy are being accepted. The year-long, full-time position is in TNC's Hawai‘i Island Terrestrial Program, which stewards native forest preserves in Ka‘ū and South Kona. Benefits offered include: a $1,600 monthly living allowance, before taxes; a $5,920 education award towards higher education; health care and childcare benefit, if eligible; and receiving an entry-level conservation career experience.
     Application at kupuhawaii.org/conservation. For more, call The Nature Conservancy at 443-5401 or call Kupu Hawai‘i at 808-735-1221.

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.