A Hawaiian monk seal is resting in a large derelict fishing net at Southeast Island, Manawai (Pearl and Hermes.) Read more below with Hawai'i Wildlife Fund's comments on the NOAA voyage to pick up trash in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. This seal was lucky to escape entanglement, but not all seals are. Photo by Richard Chen/NOAA Fisheries
CAPTIVATING IMAGES AND VIDEO OF THE NEW LAVA LAKE eruption in Kīlauea volcano are going viral, but they often do not represent what can be safely seen within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. So what can locals and visitors see at the park? It depends on when they arrive, and the weather.
Aerial photo taken during a morning overflight on Friday, Oct. 1, and looking
at the west end of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of
Kīlauea. The west vent that is feeding this part of the lava lake is visible; the
base of this vent was well above the lava lake when it opened on the afternoon
of Sept. 29. Since then, the lava lake has risen to the base of this vent.
USGS photo by D. Downs
A narrative from Park spokesperson Jessica Ferracan on Friday evening says, "In the dark, a magnificent reddish orange glow fills the sky above a massive 127-acre (52 hectare) lava lake, reflecting into the gas plume wafting out of the volcano, and onto any clouds above the summit crater, Halemaʻumaʻu. Jagged crater walls are illuminated, showing the scars from the 2018 summit collapse. "In daylight, volcanic gas and steam billow out of Halemaʻumaʻu, and the entire summit caldera, Kaluapele, is fully visible. Koaʻe kea, white-tailed tropicbirds, are often observed flying above the crater." The Park statement says that the best eruption viewpoints day or night are along Crater Rim Trail, and include Uēkahuna, Kīlauea Overlook, Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff), Kupinaʻi Pali (Waldron Ledge), Keanakākoʻi and other overlooks. Glimpses of lava from the rising lava lake were spotted periodically from Keanakākoʻi and Uēkahuna Thursady night and Friday. The Park reports limited parking at Devastation Trail parking lot, used to access Keanakākoʻi and recommends checking the weather. Rain and clouds are not uncommon at Kīlauea, and conditions can change quickly. The 4,000-ft. (1,210-m) summit can also be chilly. The Park urges "Safety First." Volcanic eruptions can be hazardous and can change at any time. Stay on marked trails and overlooks, and avoid earth cracks and cliff edges. Do not enter closed areas. Maintain social distance of six feet and wear a mask to reduce the spread of COVID. Stay home if feeling sick.
A new brochure with maps and much info has arrived for distribution at Hawai'i Volcanoes. Photo by Jessica Ferracane
The Park also encourages everyone to "Be Respectful. Park landscapes are sacred places for many people. Please be respectful and allow them to practice their traditions privately." The current eruption is just one feature of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, a revered landscape and a World Heritage Site that spans 335,259 acres from sea level to the summit of Mauna Loa volcano. For more information about the park and the new eruption, visit https://go.nps.gov/new-eruption. www.nps.gov.
The new Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park brochure is available at the visitor center and it's updated following the latest eruption and re-opening of Uēkahuna.
EMPLOYERS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PAY FOR COVID TESTS for unvaccinated employees. Gov. David Ige clarified the issue Friday when he released the latest state Emergency Proclamation Related to the State's COVID-19 DELTA Response. He also kept in place the Safe Travels program and statewide mask mandates. The governor noted that there are also no changes to the EP provision which allows for the extension of expirations for driver's licenses and instructional permits that expired during the emergency period. This proclamation also restores civil service recruitment requirements which were previously suspended in alignment with federal law. The suspension served to ensure that the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations needs for adequate personnel resources to respond to the unemployment crisis caused by COVID-19. The latest Emergency Proclamation also allows state Boards and Commissions to continue meeting virtually, using interactive conference technology, reflecting the intent of the Legislature in Act 220 which passed in 2021. This EP adds that Board and Commissions will provide testifiers the same option to testify audio visually. The governor noted that restrictions for people gathering are implemented by individual counties. To review the Emergency Proclamation Related to the state's COVID-19 Delta Response, click here.
NOAA Coxswain William Reich and divers Rebecca Weible and Alika Garcia survey and find a large derelict fishing net at Kamokukamohoaliʻi (Maro Reef). Photo from NOAA Fisheries/James Morioka
REMOVING MARINE DEBRIS FROM THE REMOTE NORTHERN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS was achieved in September. Scientists and divers from NOAA’s Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center and local nonprofit Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project (PMDP) completed a 30-day mission.
The team removed marine debris from the shallow reefs and shorelines of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. These remote islands and atolls are centered among Pacific currents that carry lost and abandoned fishing nets and gear from all over the Pacific Ocean. The debris entangles wildlife and damages corals. "Even during this mission, the team disentangled a five-year-old female Hawaiian monk seal from derelict fishing rope," says a report from NOAA.
The highlight of the mission was the successful disentanglement of a five-year-old adult female Hawaiian monk seal, identified as “VH26.” She gave birth to a pup earlier in the summer. The entangled seal was first spotted just days prior to the marine debris team’s arrival on Sept. 6.
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VH26, a 5-year-old female Hawaiian monk seal, was entangled in derelict fishing rope at Hōlanikū (Kure Atoll).
Photo from NOAA Fisheries
“Each female, especially within an endangered mammal species like the Hawaiian monk seal, is so critical to protect because of their ability to rear offspring,” states James Morioka, the project lead from the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center. “Saving an adult female seal can effectively save a whole new generation of monk seals.”
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Trained staff among the marine debris team safely approach Hawaiian monk seal VH26 to remove derelict fishing
rope from around her midsection. Photo from NOAA Fisheries
“We just happened to be in the right place at the right time, and we are happy that we were able to lend our support to the successful disentanglement,” Morioka added. “Our work to remove marine debris from the environment is with the hope that entanglements like these are few and far between.”
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VH26, a 5-year-old female Hawaiian monk seal, swims freely after the marine debris team disentangled her from derelict fishing rope at Hōlanikū (Kure Atoll). Photo from NOAA Fisheries
The project staff collected data for the following missions: Assessing abundance and distribution of marine debris across Papahānaumokuākea; evaluating rates of marine debris accumulation; measuring habitat damage and the negative impacts of marine debris on coral reefs; gauging recovery of coral reefs after marine debris removal; and increasing public awareness of marine debris issues through communication and outreach.
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Ariel Halperin conducts Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry surveys of a reef to study what type of successional change occurs over time after net removal at Manawai (Pearl and Hermes Atoll). Photo from NOAA Fisheries/Richard Chen
The team of 16 divers expected to remove more than 110,000 lbs. of derelict fishing nets, plastics, and other marine debris. Over 18 days, they collected more—nearly 124,000 lbs. of debris—from these islands, atolls, and reefs of the monument:
Kamokuokamohoaliʻi (Maro Reef)—nearly 43,000 lbs; Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll)—approximately 24,500 lbs.; Manawai (Pearl and Hermes Atoll)—23,650 lbs.; Hōlanikū (Kure Atoll)—nearly 16,000 lbs.; Kapou (Lisianski Island)—nearly 11,500 lbs.; Kamole (Laysan Island)—more than 5,000 lbs. The teams found more derelict fishing nets in Papahānaumokuākea than any other type of marine debris by weight. This year, they collected 118,400 lbs., including 295 large nets, from the reefs and shorelines of these remote islands. On Kamokuokamohoaliʻi, they found by far the greatest amount of nets across the islands—42,960 lbs.—including 195 large nets. The Kamokuokamohoaliʻi living reef system is particularly vulnerable to nets, which smother and block shallow corals from the sunlight they need to survive, reported the NOAA team.
NOAA Coxswain Ariel Halperin and Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project’s Kevin O’Brien crane a large load of
derelict fishing nets removed from Kamokuokamohoaliʻi (Maro Reef). Photo from NOAA Fisheries/James Morioka
Kuaihelani, on the other hand, is composed of land and reef. Its shoreline collected approximately two times the weight in nets than its reef: more than 16,000 lbs. The team found and removed 35 large nets from its reef. On the island of Kapou, the crew also collected more than 11,000 lbs. of derelict net since the last removal mission.
NOAA Coxswains James Morioka, Rebecca Weible, and Andrew Gray pose with their boats
full of derelict fishing nets removed from Kapou (Lisianski Island).
Photo from NOAA Fisheries/James Morioka
The report noted that shorelines of Papahānaumokuākea collect a variety of plastics and other marine debris. The report from the 2018 mission classified the majority of this debris as plastic fragments, buoys and floats, bottles and bottle caps, and oyster aquaculture spacers. The debris can be anything from shoes to cigarette lighters.
The marine debris team surveys plastics and other debris along the shoreline of Kamole (Laysan Island).
Photo from NOAA Fisheries/Richard Chen
This year, the marine debris team removed nearly 5,300 pounds of plastics and other debris. They found the greatest amount—3,670 pounds—on Manawai. Hōlanikū was also substantially inundated, with 1,270 pounds of plastics and other debris.
James Morioka carefully removes a derelict fishing net from the reef at Hōlanikū (Kure Atoll).
Photo from NOAA Fisheries/Ariel Halperin
“Nearly 124,000 pounds of marine debris is now off of the reefs and shorelines, and out of harm’s way, but that’s just a drop in the bucket,” Morioka states. “Until major changes occur globally, there’s going to continue to be a need for marine debris removal operations in Papahānaumokuākea for the wildlife and habitat.” In the coming months, the marine debris team plans on ramping up outreach and education efforts locally to inspire others within the community to create positive change. The Marine Debris Program is a long-time supporter of the efforts to remove marine debris in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Marine Debris Program Director, Nancy Wallace said, “Minimizing the impacts of marine debris to this significant natural and cultural landscape is extremely important, and we are proud of the progress the marine debris removal teams made during this mission.”
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The team takes a well-earned rest after removing close to 124,000 pounds of marine debris. Photo from NOAA
MEGAN LAMSON LEATHERMAN, OF HAWAI'I WILDLIFE FUND, which cleans up Kaʻū. beaches, commented on the recent NOAA voyage to clean up plastics and nets in the northern Hawaiian Islands: "As these photos and story highlight, marine debris continues to be an entanglement hazard for native marine wildlife, like Hawaiian monk seals and coral reefs, and local boaters alike.
Megan Lamson Leatherman and crew cleaning up the Ka`u Coast. Photo by Harold Leatherman
"Since 2003, Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund and community volunteers have removed over 308 tons of marine debris from our Hawaiʻi Island shorelines (that's an average of 17 tons or 34,222 lbs annually), 95% of which was from Kaʻū. "Our partners with NOAA Marine Debris Program and fellow NGOs like the Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project are taking the lead with marine debris recovery efforts in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, much like our co-founders did in the 1990s.
"We are excited by the news of this successful mission by PMDP and encourage Kaʻū residents to join us for an upcoming BYO-4wd or hiking cleanup event, check out our website to learn more at www.wildhawaii.org/calendar or call our MD hotline for Hawaiʻi Island at 808-769-7629 to report large net bundles or accumulation areas. Please report any marine animal emergencies to 888-256-9840 and mahalo for your support in protecting native wildlife and wild places in Kaʻū (and Hawaiʻi nei)."
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 x.
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. See latest print edition atkaucalendar.com..
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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 The Old Shirakawa Estate in Waiʻohinu. It features: Made in Hawai'i Products, Organic Produce, Creative Crafts, ARt, Flower and Plants, Food, Ka`u Coffee, Gluen Free Low Carb Goodies, Wellness Services and Products, Clothing, Hand Crafted Treats, Music and more. Vendor and customer 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.
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.