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Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021

Earthquake swarms below Kīlauea have led USGS to establish
a Watch status for the volcano. Another swarm is active at Pāhala. USGS map

THE VOLCANO ALERT IS ELEVATED TO WATCH for Kīlauea, given numerous quakes at the summit and a swarm between Pāhala and Volcano. The alert was elevated this morning. In addition, aviation code is raised from YELLOW to ORANGE, amid the ongoing swarm of earthquakes beneath the south part of the volcano caldera.
    The USGS Volcanic Activity Notice says: Kīlauea volcano is not erupting. A swarm of earthquakes beneath the south part of Kīlauea caldera, within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, began on the evening of Aug. 23, 2021. The swarm continues into the early morning hours of August 24 with a particularly strong sequence of earthquakes that occurred at about 1:30 a.m., HST. The onset of the earthquake swarm was coincident with a change in the style of ground deformation at tiltmeters in the Kīlauea summit region, potentially indicating the shallow movement of magma beneath the south part of Kīlauea caldera.
    "The US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is raising the volcano alert level/aviation color code for Kīlauea from Advisory/Yellow to Watch/Orange due to this activity.
 
  "HVO will continue to monitor this activity closely and adjust the alert level accordingly.
    "HVO is in constant communication with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park as this situation evolves. The activity is confined entirely within the park."
    HVO also issued the following statement:
    "The US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has detected an increase in earthquake activity beneath the south part of Kīlauea summit caldera, within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The activity began around 4:30 p.m., HST, on August 23 and continued through the night and into the early morning of August 24, 2021. The swarm was accompanied by an increase in the style of ground deformation recorded by the Sandhill tiltmeter, just to the west of the earthquake swarm location. The same tilt increase was also recorded by the tiltmeter near Uēkahuna Bluff and the site of the old HVO building.
    "At about 1:30 a.m. this morning, the swarm of earthquakes intensified in this region; this activity may indicate an intrusion of magma occurring 1–2 km (0.6–1.2 miles) beneath the south caldera.
    "Over 140 earthquakes have been recorded as of 4:30 a.m. on August 24; the largest recorded earthquake was magnitude 3.3 with the majority of earthquakes less than magnitude 1. Small earthquakes are continuing at a rate of at least 10 detected earthquakes per hour.
    "Currently, webcams and satellite imagery show no evidence of lava at the surface. HVO scientists will continue the monitor the situation and will issue additional messages and alert level changes as warranted by changing activity."

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ONE HUNDRED NEW CASES OF COVID-19 were reported on Hawai'i Island today, bringing the active case number to 1,671.  Statewide, 565 new cases were reported today, one new death.
     University of Hawai'i's Pandemic Applied Modeling Work Group called the situation a COVID hurricane, with no slowing of cases in coming weeks. The most are on O'ahu, followed by Hawai’i Island. Maui will soon catch up with a soaring caseload, predicted the epidemiologists. 
     The message from Hawai'i County Civil Defense says, "The State and Island of Hawai'i are experiencing wide-spread community-based transmission of the Coronavirus. We should do our best to slow the spread by limiting our activity in public to only essential needs. If you do go out, minimize your risk to potential exposure by wearing face coverings, maintaining physical distance of at least 6 feet from others, washing your hands with soap and water often, and reducing the size of or avoiding social gatherings. If you are sick, stay at home unless seeking healthcare."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR CLUES AND EVIDENCE regarding a stabbing in Ocean View last Friday. One 38-year old man was hospitalized in critical condition but has improved to stable after being stabbed in the upper chest. The 68-year old man, a neighbor who said he was responding to cries for help from the woman of the house, said the woman's partner slammed him on the head with a blunt object.
According to the Hawai'i Police Department, numerous calls came in, reporting the domestic disturbance at the house on Sea Breeze Parkway. At about 7:30 p.m., officers arrived to find the man with a stab wound. The neighbor who said he came to help the woman, refused medical assistance for the head trauma.
    The incident is under investigation. Anyone with information can call the police nonemergency number at 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

HAWAI'I POLICE DEPARTMENT'S 2021 COMMUNITY SURVEY HAS BEEN RELEASED. Chief Paul K. Ferreira said he wishes to thank the members of the public who participated in the Hawai‘i Police Department's 2021 Community Satisfaction Survey during the month of April. This year the department increased their outreach efforts to encourage more people to participate in the survey, with a record
number of 1,040 respondents completing the survey. This represents an 84.5 percent increase in responses than the previous survey in 2019, in which 564 people participated.
     As in previous surveys, Chief Ferreira says the survey is a tool to assist him in:Identifying problem areas the community is experiencing with the police department; determining if he can rectify those issues through specific training of police department personnel; making changes to policies and procedures if necessary; and clarifying misinformation about laws and/or police practices.
    “We definitely appreciated all the positive feedback that we received and the comments on the overall satisfaction with the department’s performance,” said the Police Chief.
    “However, as the saying goes, ‘We can’t fix it, if we don’t know it’s broken.’ The critical feedback provided during this survey is another tool for our department to recognize any shortcomings as viewed by members of the community. By knowing and
Hawai'i Police Chief Paul
Ferreira
understanding this, we’re able to make well informed decisions as it relates to any changes to departmental policies and procedures to better serve our island community.”
    The survey results can be viewed on the Police Department's website. The chief said he encourages the public to continue to provide feedback throughout the year by using the "Feedback" link on the Police Department's website.
    Ferreira was named Police Chief by Hawaiʻi County Police Commission on Dec. 8, 2016 and assumed the position on Dec. 30, 2016, stepping up from the Deputy Police Chief's job which he had held since December 2008.
    Ferreira joined Hawaiʻi Police Department in July 1982. During his career he worked as a patrol officer and a detective and held several positions in the Administrative Bureau, including Assistant Chief, overseeing Finance, Human Resources, Training, Safety, Workers Compensation, Research and Development, Word Processing, Records and Identification, Communications Dispatch, Communications Maintenance, Traffic Services, the Computer Center and the non-tactical activities of the Special Response Team.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

FIFTEEN MOTORISTS WERE ARRESTED FOR DUI during the week of Aug. 16 through Aug. 22. Hawai‘i Island police arrested 15 motorists for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Four of the drivers were involved in a traffic accident. One of the drivers was under the age of 21. So far this year, there have been 715 DUI arrests compared with 595 during the same period last year, an increase of 20.2 percent.There have been 512 major accidents so far this year compared with 495 during the same period last year, an increase of 3.4 percent. To date, there were 14 fatal crashes, resulting in 14 fatalities, compared with 12 fatal crashes, resulting in 12 fatalities for the same time last year. This represents an increase of 16.7 percent for fatal crashes, and 16.7 percent for fatalities. DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue islandwide.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

MORE THAN 30 TONS OF HAZARDOUS WASTE were disposed at Hilo Aug. 7 plus Kona Aug. 14, according to a statement today from County of Hawai‘i. Its Recycling Section held its first Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events in more than a year "and the public once again came out in droves to properly dispose of their used motor oil, oil-based paints, poisons, and batteries"  from as far away as Kaʻū.
It's a long drive from Ka`u, but County of Hawai'i officials said
they appreciate the community driving more than 30 tons of
Household Hazardous Waste to collection events in August.
Photo from county Recycling Section
    The two events are intended to complement year-round disposal options for many types of Household Hazardous Waste. Nearly a thousand customers were served and the more than 30 tons of HHW, included thousands of gallons of used motor oil, according to the county statement. 
    George Hayducsko, Recycling Coordinator for Hawai‘i County, said the return of semi-annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events “gives residents a regular opportunity to clean out their homes and garages of hazardous materials knowing that it is being disposed of safely and properly.
    "Household hazardous waste collection programs are extremely important in order to eliminate illegal dumping of toxic chemicals and to protect the ‘āina and our drinking water. The County would like to thank the residents of Hawai‘i Island, Waiākea High School, Kealakehe High School, our contractor EnviroServices & Training Center, and the County employees involved in this event for making this a safe and successful event. We appreciate the public’s patience and kōkua during these events. Please visit our www.hawaiizerowaste.org website for year-round opportunities to recycle HHW properly, announcements of upcoming HHW Collection Events, and to register for Solid Waste Notifications (via email or text)."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.




Read the entire Kaʻū Calendar and back issues at 
www.kaucalendar.com. Find it in the. mail from Volcano
through Nāʻālehu, Ocean View to Miloli'i.
Pick it up from newsstands.

















KAʻŪ COFFEE MILL & VISITOR CENTER. Buy online at kaucoffeemill.com and in person at 96-2694 Wood Valley Road, daily, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

PUNALUʻU BAKESHOP online at bakeshophawaii.com and in-person 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week in Nāʻālehu.

ALIʻI HAWAIʻI HULA HANDS COFFEE. Order by calling 928-0608 or emailing alihhhcoffee@yahoo.com.

AIKANE PLANTATION COFFEE COMPANY. Order online at aikaneplantation.com. Call 808-927-2252

MIRANDA'S FARMS KAʻŪ COFFEE. Order online at mirandafarms.com or, in person at 73-7136 Mamalahoa Hwy, Nāʻālehu.

KUAHIWI RANCH STORE, in person. Shop weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 11 am to 3 p.m. at 95-5520 Hwy 11. Locally processed grass-fed beef, live meat chickens, and feed for cattle, goats, sheep, chickens, horses, dogs, and pigs. Call 929-7333 of 938-1625, email kaohi@kuahiwiranch.com.




HOPE DIA-MEND MINISTRIES holds outdoor services Sundays at 9:45 a.m. at 92-898 Ginger Blossom Lane in Ocean View. Masks and distancing required. For help and/or to donate, call or text 808-937-6355, or call the Ministry at 808-920-8137. See Facebook and at hopedia-mendministries.com.

DEPRESSED, ANXIOUS, NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO? Call Department of Health's expanded Hawai‘i C.A.R.E.S. program at 1-800-753-6879 – the same number previously used by Crisis Line of Hawai‘i. Individuals in crisis can also text ALOHA to 741741, available 24/7.

LEARN SELF-CARE THROUGH Big Island Substance Abuse Council's Practice Self-Care Series. For additional series that feature refreshing wellness tips, follow the Behavioral Health & Homelessness Statewide Unified Response Group at facebook.com/bhhsurg

KAʻŪ WOMEN'S COLLECTIVE OFFERS HEALTH PROGRAMS. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.

YOGA WITH EMILY Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222.

CHOOSE ALOHA FOR HOME is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together using neuroscience and positive psychology. Program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics." Sign up at chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home.

EDUCATION

Resilience Hub at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji, Monday-Wednesday-Friday, 12:30 to 4 p.m. Drop-in wifi and laptop access. Free meals. Follows all county, state, and federal COVID-19 guidelines. Contact Michelle Galimba, 808-430-4927.

Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach and Tutoring Programs at rb.gy/o1o2hy. For keiki grades 1-6. Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org or info@bgcbi.org.

ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides for Chromebooks and iPads at rb.gy/8er9wm. ʻOhana Help Desk also available by phone, weekdays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Invite Park Rangers to Virtually Visit Classes, through connecting with teachers and home-schoolers with distance learning programs and virtual huakaʻi (field trips). Contact havo_education@nps.gov.

Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory High & Pāhala Elementary, Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES.org for Live WebEx link.

Public Libraries are open for WiFi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu open Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala open Tuesday, noon to 7 p.m., Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., limited entry into library with Wiki Visits. Schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. WiFi available to anyone with a library card, from each library parking lot. See librarieshawaii.org.

Free Book Exchanges, at laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Open to all. Keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them. Selection of books replenished weekly at both sites.

Read Report on Public Input about Disaster Recovery from damage during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.
View the Civic Engagement and Comment Analysis Report at rb.gy/awu65k.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through Papakilo Database, papakilodatabase.com.
Virtual Workshops on Hawaiʻi's Legislative Processes through Public Access Room. Sign up by contacting (808) 587-0478 or par@capitol.hawaii.gov. Ask questions and discuss all things legislative in a non-partisan environment. Attend Coffee Hour with PAR: Fridays at 3 p.m. on Zoom, meeting ID 990 4865 9652 or click zoom.us/j/99048659652. PAR staff will be available to answer questions and to discuss the legislative process. Anyone wanting to listen in without taking part in discussions is welcome. Learn more at lrb.hawaii.gov/public-access-room.ECONOMIC RELIEF

Online Directory at shopbigisland.com, co-sponsored by County of Hawai‘i, has a signup sheet for local businesses to fill in the blanks. The only requirement is a physical address on this island.

COMMUNITY
Food Assistance: Apply for The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences COVID-19 Family Relief Funds. Funded by Volcano Community Association, and members of the VSAS Friends and Governing Boards, who have donated, the fund supplies KTA or Dimple Cheek Gift Cards, or gift cards to other locally owned business, to VSAS families in need. Contact Kim Miller at 985-8537, kmiller@volcanoschool.net. Contributions to the fund can be sent in by check to: VSAS, PO Box 845, Volcano, HI 96785 – write Relief Fund in the memo. See volcanoschool.net

ENROLL CHILDREN, from first through eighth grade, in Kula ʻAmakihi, a program from Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences. It started Aug. 3. Call 808-985- 9800 or visit www.volcanoschool.net.




REGISTER FOR THE KA‘Ū COFFEE TRAIL RUN, which returns on Saturday, Sept. 18. See more on the OKK event at https://www.kaucoffeetrailruns.com/

WALK THROUGH A GUIDED NATURE TRAIL & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. www.volcanoartcenter.org. Call 967-8222.

KAʻŪ ART GALLERY is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in Nāʻālehu. It features and sells works by local artists and offers other gift items. Vendor applications are being accepted for its Holiday Arts & Crafts Sale on Saturday, Nov. 13. Kaʻū Art Gallery's website has 24/7 access online and is frequently updated to show current inventory items. "We are always looking to collaborate with local artists in our community," said assistant Alexandra Kaupu. Artists with an interest in being featured at Kaʻū Art Gallery and Gift Shop, contact gallery owner and director Corrine Kaupu at kauartgallery@hawaiiantel.biz.

GOLF & MEMBERSHIPS for Discovery Harbour Golf Course and its Clubhouse: The Club offers Social Memberships, with future use of the clubhouse and current use of the pickleball courts as well as walking and running on specified areas of the golf course before 8 a.m. and after 3 p.m. to enjoy the panoramiocean views. Golf memberships range from unlimited play for the avid golfer to casual play options. Membership is required to play and practice golf on the course. All golf memberships include Social Membership amenities. Membership fees are designed to help underwrite programs and improvements to the facilities.Call 808-731-5122 or stop by the Clubhouse during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at 94-1581 Kaulua Circle. Email clubatdiscoveryharbour@gmail.com. See The Club at Discovery Harbour Facebook page.

ALOHA FRIDAY MARKETPLACE, hosted by Kaʻū Main Street, is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., grounds of Kauahaʻao Congregational Church 95-1642 Pinao St. in Waiʻohinu, corner of Kamaoa and Hwy 11. Farmers Market, Arts & Crafts, Health Practitioners, Food, Music, Yoga, Keiki Fun & More. Inquiries: AlohaFridayMarket@gmail.com.

VOLCANO FARMERS MARKET, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays. 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Hawai‘i Coffee. Cooper Center's EBT Machine, used at the Farmer's Market, is out of service until further notice. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY MARKET, open Saturdays and Thursdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Council. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in upper lot only. Vendors must provide own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling encouraged.

O KAʻŪ KĀKOU MARKET, in Nāʻālehu, open Wednesday, and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon. Limit of 50 customers per hour, 20 vendor booths, with 20 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing required, social distancing enforced. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

OCEAN VIEW SWAP MEET is open at Ocean View makai shopping center, near Mālama Market. Hours for patrons are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Vendor set-up time is 5 a.m. Masks required.

BUY LOCAL GIFTS ONLINE, IN-PERSON
VOLCANO ART CENTER ONLINE, in person. Shop at Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Virtual Shopping Appointments offered via Skype or FaceTime. Book at volcanoartcenter.org/shop for $5. Shop online gallery 24/7. Orders shipped or free local pickup available. See the VAC Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. See volcanoartcenter.org/events, call 967-8222.