Kaʻū News Briefs, Sunday, July 21, 2019

Kekuhe Kanahele at Puʻu Huluhulu where opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope gather. See
stories below. Photo by Kaweni Māsaniai-Ibarra

DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW IN THE HAWAIʻI COMMUNITY WILL NOT DETER BUILDING THE THIRTY METER TELESCOPE ON MAUNA KEA, according to TMT spokesperson Scott Ishikawa, who spoke with Hawaiʻi News Now on Sunday.

     Said Ishikawa, "Mauna Kea continues to be the preferred site for TMT. We have a lot of supporters in Hawaiʻi asking us not to leave, and at the same time, we know that's not going to sit well with some. There's been a lot of mixed emotions on this. I guess the main point is we're happy and relieved that everyone remains safe. That's always been our top priority."

Scott Ishikawa, spokesperson for TMT.
Image from Hawaiʻi News Now

     TMT Executive Director Ed Stone released a statement on Friday: "TMT has been very patient. We worked very long and very hard to comply with all laws and regulations. We've also worked long and hard with the community and to develop understanding and respect for the culture. We are and have been prepared to access the site, but our legal rights to access have been blocked. We don't have the power to clear the blockade. We need to depend on law enforcement to do that. It's a very difficult and urgent situation for us."

     HNN asked Ishikawa how long TMT is willing to wait. He told HNN, "This has been a really unprecedented situation, and I honestly don’t know at this point." The alternate location for the $1.4 billion telescope is the Canary Islands in Spain.

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NEW LAWSUITS OPPOSING THE THIRTY METER TELESCOPE focus on rights of kiaʻi, Protectors of Mauna Kea, and on the deployment of law enforcement from other counties to Mauna Kea Access Road. Big Island Video News reported that on Thursday, July 18, Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. filed suit on behalf of Paul Neves – a member of the Royal Order of Kamehameha, kumu hula, and a petitioner in the TMT contested case hearings – against Governor David Ige. The lawsuit seeks a "temporary suspension and stay of the enforcement, operation, and execution" of Ige's Emergency Proclamation, on the grounds that these measures are reserved for "exceptional situations involving imminent public danger and threat to Hawai‘i's population and its critical infrastructure."

     Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. issued a statement saying that the proclamation "made clear" that Ige's "intent was to enable construction of the TMT. The TMT Proclamation's dubious effect has been to prevent Kiaʻi from exercising constitutionally protected rights of free speech, free assembly, free association, and free exercise of religion on the mountain; block Kānaka (Native Hawaiians) from accessing the mountain for spiritual purposes; suspend laws enacted to maintain public lands; and criminalize legally protected traditional and customary practices."

     Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. promised to "vigorously protect Kumu Neves' constitutional rights. There is no emergency or imminent danger at Mauna Kea requiring suspension of state laws or violation of rights. The Kiaʻi at Mauna Kea are non-violent. Their occupation of the mountain, while demanding pono (righteous) stewardship of the ‘āina (land), does not pose a danger to public health or safety. Their traditional spiritual practices and exercise of constitutionally protected rights are not crimes. Their kuleana (responsibility) to honor, worship, and protect Mauna Kea is not criminal. By invoking emergency powers, Governor Ige abused the authority entrusted to him as our State's highest executive officer to violate the rights of Kānaka for the benefit of the TMT."

     The three-judge panel Circuit Court of the First Circuit in Honolulu will hear the case this Monday, July 22nd at 1 p.m.
     On Friday, E. Kalani Flores filed for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction "pertaining to the unauthorized use of police officers from the City & County of Honolulu and the County of Maui to facilitate the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea," reported Big Island Video News.

At least two suits ask that the governor's proclamation of emergency that could bring more law enforcement
to Mauna Kea by rescinded. Photo by Kaweni Māsaniai-Ibarra

     The suit contends that  county police officers are prohibited from "exercising police powers beyond their territorial jurisdiction unless such is related to an investigation which originated and commenced within their home county. The City & County of Honolulu Police and Maui County Police officers assisting the Hawaii County Police as described herein have no lawful authority as police officers on Hawaiʻi Island."

     Flores told Big Island Video News that deployment of those officers is "an unwarranted and unnecessary use of resources and personnel for a non-violent and peaceful gathering of people exercising their rights to free speech and assembly." He also said that the officer's families are under "significant burden," with the off-island deployments.

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TMT PROTESTS GREW OVER THE WEEKEND, with some 2,000 gathered at Mauna Kea Access Road. In Honolulu, a protest parade marched through Waikiki. Several marches took place on the mainland. On Monday, some tourist businesses, including several luʻau shows, plan to shut down for the day to show off Hawaiʻi without Hawaiians.

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KAʻŪ RESIDENT KAWENI MASĀNIAI-IBARRA, an anthropologist, observed and photographed the gathering place of Puʻu Huluhulu at Mauna Kea last week and sent back this report:

Kapu Aloha members are trained to keep the peace at Puʻu Huluhulu.
Photo by Kaweni Māsaniai-Ibarra

     Visitors from across the globe gathered at Maunakea this week. Supporters from neighboring islands and distant lands joined the Protectors at Maunakea access road and Puʻuhuluhulu in their movement to halt construction of the 18 story Thirty Meter Telescope. Flags from all over the world flew proudly in support on the mountain as thousands stood in solidarity with Kānaka Maoli interests.
     Cultural protocol and speeches were offered by practitioners and orators. Ceremonial welcomings proceeded for hoahānau (cousins) and hoapili (friends) of Sāmoa, Aotearoa, and Japan. Renowned hula practitioners such as Kekuhi Kanakaole and Taupouri Tangarō offered hula and oli with their hālau to welcome the visitors, and in return, songs and cultural performances were reciprocated by visiting groups. Kānaka Maoli diaspora populations also flew in from across the ocean to stand for Maunakea.

     In the midst of worldwide attention, support for the Protectors have been voiced by countless groups of people. In addition to physical presence, videos and pictures have been posted online by groups in places like the Marshall Islands, First Nation territories, and Germany. Local visitors such as Andria Tupola and members of the Hawaiʻi Fire Department also made an appearance in solidarity with the Protectors.

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KAʻŪ VOICES took to the street Thursday to demonstrate "against our Country's cruel and inhumane border detention policies and profiteering," according to member Anita Broennimann. Kaʻū Voices spent "a busy hour," with "countless shakas, smiles, and honks, a few grumpy faces, and one brave woman who stopped to ask us why we were there."

     Broennimann said a woman named Sterling gave the group a "constructive confrontation." She said Kaʻū Voices members "kept their cool and provided her with some alternative facts. In the end, I asked her to take our photo and she graciously obliged."

Border detention policies were the target of Kaʻū Voices.
Photo from Kaʻū Voices

     Broennimann also thanked Susan, the creative artist of Free the Children cage.

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COMMENTS ABOUT THE HŪ HONUA ENERGY PLANT'S REQUEST TO DRILL DEEPER injection wells are requested through Aug. 15. The state Department of Health is taking comments on whether it should grant a modification of the original approval, issued in 2018. Should DOH grant the modified approval, operation of the wells would be authorized only when DOH also issues a permit to operate.

     Over the last year, farmed eucalyptus trees near Pāhala have been harvested, in anticipation of the Hū Honua plant opening north of Hilo and burning electricity to sell to Hawaiʻi Electric Light Co.
     The comment deadline was extended from July 21 after Hū Honua provided clarification of the proposed refined groundwater model and the monitoring plan to address comments received during the first three weeks of the comment period. This revision replaces the May 16, 2019, version on pages 30-35 of the application and may be found at 19-088.r7-WYamamoto-Request-to-Deepen-Hu-Honua-Bioenergy-19-29.pdf. DOH will also consider whether to hold an additional public meeting.

     Direct any questions or comments to sdwb@doh.hawaii.gov or Ms. Joanna L. Seto, P.E., Safe Drinking Water Branch UIC Program, Uluakupu Bldg. 4, 2385 Waimano Home Road, Suite 110, Pearl City, Hawai‘i 96782-1400.

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Sen. Brian Schatz chairs the Committee on Climate
Crisis and reports cities around the country
taking significant action.

THE FIRST U.S. SENATE  HEARING OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS, chaired by Sen. Brian Schatz, happened last Wednesday. In an email to supporters, he said, "Mayors from cities who are taking significant action to combat the impacts of climate change testified about their efforts and how the federal government can better support them. These local communities are implementing innovative solutions that also strengthen the economy and create jobs. These are the kinds of productive conversations we should be having on climate change in the U.S. Senate, and I look forward to continuing the Committee's work. As always, please contact my office in D.C. or Hawai‘i if there is anything we can do. We are here to help."

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HEAT AND GAS LINGERING AT KĪLAUEA'S LOWER EAST RIFT ZONE is discussed in this week's Volcano Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:

     One year ago, activity on Kīlauea Volcano was remarkably different than it is today. Lava was flowing toward the sea, robust ocean entry plumes were fumigating coastal areas, and island air quality was impacted by huge amounts of volcanic gases and particles. Homes and farms were lost, along with agricultural land and beloved landmarks. Animal rescue efforts were ongoing, with pets and livestock evacuated by land and air. At Kīlauea's summit, daily explosions and collapse events rocked nearby residents, and a large portion of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park was closed to the public.

     Now, for the first time in over three decades, Kīlauea is not erupting. At the summit of the volcano, earthquake activity is low, and most of the National Park is open for business. No lava is flowing anywhere on Kīlauea, and volcanic air pollution on the island is the lowest it's been since the early 1980s. 

     However, there are lingering issues in some areas near the 2018 eruptive fissures. Although lava is no longer erupting, residual heat and small amounts of gas continue to escape from ground cracks and vents as subsurface molten rock, perhaps only several hundred feet underground, continues to cool.

Although Kīlauea Volcano's 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption is over, residual heat, steam, and small amounts of 
other gases continue to escape from ground cracks and vents in the lower Puna area near Highway 130 as 
molten rock underground cools. USGS photo by C. Parcheta

     As small new cracks open in response to magma cooling, groundwater infiltrates areas of remaining heat, releasing steam, water vapor, and small amounts of other gases. Currently, areas adjacent to and uprift, west, of Highway 130 are particularly impacted by this residual heat and steam. These areas of elevated temperature may migrate, as cooling and groundwater movement continue.

     In steaming areas near and uprift of the now inactive fissures, slightly elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide gases have been detected. While these gases may be released from cooling magma, they are also generated by decaying organic matter, or, in the case of CO2, from burning or smoldering vegetation.

     Thus, some portion of the H2S and CO2 is likely generated from the increased temperatures affecting plants in the area. Vegetation heated in the absence of oxygen, a process known as pyrolysis, can form organic compounds, which may be responsible for the 'chemical' odor frequently detected in these steamy areas.    

     Importantly, current H2S concentrations are very low – at or below the minimum detection level of volcanic gas monitoring instruments, which is 0.5 parts per million. People can usually smell the rotten egg odor of H2S at much lower concentrations—ranging from 0.0005 to 0.3 ppm. Hydrogen sulfide is present in the LERZ in tiny amounts, but that little bit can be quite noticeable.
    Based on the odor threshold, the state of Hawaiʻi has set a "nuisance level" for H2S at 0.025 ppm. However, negative symptoms of H2S exposure do not occur until concentrations are well above this level.

     According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), prolonged exposure to 2‒5 ppm H2S may cause headaches, eye irritation, nausea or breathing problems in some asthmatics. This is many times the concentrations currently measured near the LERZ thermal features.

     Carbon dioxide concentrations in some LERZ steaming areas are elevated above the background atmospheric concentration of 412 ppm, 2018 global average. While the air in a crowded meeting room can frequently exceed 1,000 ppm CO2, maximum concentrations measured in the LERZ are well below this level. OSHA has established an exposure limit for CO2 of 5,000 ppm averaged over an 8-hour work day.

     Based on the history of previous eruptions, elevated temperatures and steam are likely to persist in the area for many years. The 1955 LERZ eruption produced thermal features that have been active for over 60 years, some of which are used as natural saunas. Even in the early 1990s, a temperature of 51 degrees Celsius, 131 degrees Fahrenheit, was measured in a 1955 vent, but no volcanic sulfur gases, such as H2S, were detected. See pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/ofr94569.

     The 1955 and 2018 LERZ eruptions share some similarities, but exactly where and how long heating and steaming will continue for any area is impossible to determine. Eventually, however, lingering surface activity related to the 2018 intrusion will begin its long, slow decline.

    See more info on volcanic gases at VOG Dashboard, vog.ivhhn.org. See more on specific health questions at Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office of the Hawai‘i Department of Health, eha-web.doh.hawaii.gov/eha-cma/Org/HEER.

     Visit volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

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.

2019 Kaʻū High School Athletics Schedule through August
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates; Bowling TBA.

Football, Division II:
Mon., July 22, first day Full Pads, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 24, 1 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kamehameha

Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
Mon., July 29, 3 to 5 p.m., first day practice
Tue., Aug. 20, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Hilo
Fri., Aug. 23, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts St. Joseph
Wed., Aug. 28, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kohala

Cross Country:

Mon., Aug. 5, 2:30 to 4 p.m., first day practice
Sat., Aug. 31, 10 a.m., @Christian Liberty

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.

UPCOMING

TUESDAY, JULY 23

Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, July 23 (Committees), Wednesday, July 24, (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

HOVE Road Maintenance Board Mtg., Tuesday, July 23, 10a.m., HOVE Road Maintenance office. 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com, hoveroad.com

After Dark in the Park - A Rock in the Park: Tale of the Wanderer, Tuesday, July 23, 7p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Join historian Hugh Montgomery and actor Dick Hershberger in a two-man play that brings the epic tale of a rediscovered rock within the Park and the voyages of Benjamin Boyd to life. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24

Kāhili Demonstration, Wednesday, July 24, 10a.m.-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Create a small kāhili pa‘a lima, a handheld feather standard. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo

THURSDAY, JULY 25

Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, July 25, 3-4p.m., Classroom 35, Building F, Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. Provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, July 25, 4-6p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Additional packaged goods to take home for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

FRIDAY, JULY 26

Coffee Talk at Kahuku, Friday, July 26, 9:30-11a.m., Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station. Free. nps.gov/havo

SATURDAY, JULY 27

Volcano's ‘Ōhi‘a Lehua Half Marathon, 7 a.m., 5K, 7:15 a.m., and Keiki Dash, 10 a.m.. Races begin and end at Volcano School of Arts & Sciences Campus on Haunani Road. Half Marathon, along road - $75/person until July 25; $85 July 26-27. 5K, along road - $40/person until July 25; $45/person July 26-27. Keiki Dash, grassy field, $10/child - ages 6 and under run 300 meters; ages 7-10 years old run 600 meters. No T-shirts given for Keiki Dash. Register at webscorer.com/register?raceid=175619. ohialehuahalf.com

Experience Volcano Festival, Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28, multiple locations in Volcano. Features art, food, music, and performances. More details at experiencevolcano.com

Bingo, Saturday, July 27, 9-11a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Prize donations needed. stjudeshawaii.org

Arts & Tea Culture Workshop Series #3, Saturday, July 27, 1-4p.m., Volcano Art Center. Requires minimum of 6 participants to be held. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Grand Slam performance, Saturday, July 27, 7-10p.m., Kīlauea Military Theater. Cover charge taken at door. Open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

SUNDAY, JULY 28
A Meeting to Establish Child Care for Kaʻū Coffee Farm Workers happens Sunday, July 28 at 3 p.m. at the Kaʻū District Gym Activity Room. Farmers and other supporters of the effort met July 13.

     With the increasing employment of members of Kaʻū's Marshallese community to pick Kaʻū Coffee, organizers in the coffee producing community, led by Laura Diaz, have established a nonprofit organization called Keiki OʻPalehua ʻOhana Program. The group has completed renovations of a room in the Pāhala Hongwanji Schoolhouse, with educational supplies for up to 15 keiki.
     Diaz said the program is looking for an electrician to hang two ceiling fans at the childcare center, for some kind of food service for the keiki, and other donations. A grand opening is planned for Aug. 10.
     Call Diaz at 928-8188 or 408-306-5596.

ONGOING

ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 5K, and Keiki Dash happens Saturday, July 27 in Volcano Village, It replaces the Volcano Rain Forest Runs. Register before Thursday, July 25 for lower entry fees. See ohialehuahalf.com.

Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network's Summer Musical: Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., through July 28 at Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater. Tickets are available at Kīlauea General Store, Kea‘au Natural Foods, Basically Books, The Most Irresistible Shop, and at door. $20/general admission, $15/student or over 60, $12/age 12 and under. Park entrance fees may apply. 982-7344, kden73@aol.com, kden.org

Enroll at Volcano School of Arts and Sciences for the 2019-2020 school year, which starts Aug. 5; orientation for new students is Aug. 2. Spaces are available in 1st through 8th grades of the expanding Kula ‘Amakihi Community-Based Education (CBE) Program; the school may also have space or short wait lists for certain grades in the regular on-campus programs. Contact 808-985-9800 or email enrollment@volcanoschool.net to enroll.

Exhibit -The Joy of the Brush: Paintings by Linda J. Varez, daily through Sunday, Aug. 4, 9a.m.-5p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees may apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

Enroll in Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Orientation for enrolled families begins Aug. 5 & 6, with programs continuing following week in Nā‘ālehu on Monday & Wednesday, 8:45-10:45am, and Pāhala, Tuesday & Thursday, 8:30-10:30am. Space is limited. pidfoundation.org

6th Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run Registration, webscorer.com/register?raceid=166020. 5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon races through mac nut and coffee fields along slopes of Ka‘ū starting at 7a.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Sponsored by Ka‘ū Coffee Mill and ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou. Prices increase after July 9. okaukakou.org, kaucoffeemill.com

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