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Friday, October 08, 2021

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, Oct. 8, 2021

Going to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park at night is providing great views of Halema'uma'u  crater for locals
and visitors. This photo was taken yesterday evening.  See more in Volcano Watch below NPS photo by Janice Wei
THE 31ST HAWAI'I INTERNATIONAL TROPICAL FRUIT CONFERENCE announced today that the presentations and proceedings are free at htfg.org. Originally scheduled in person this week, the conference pivoted to all virtual presentations due to the recent surge of COVID-19. 
    “All the conference downloads are available and we invite members and the public to watch them and then participate in our lively Q&A 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 19,” says Ken Love, executive director of the statewide Hawai'i Tropical Fruit Growers, the non-profit that annually facilitates the conference. This is the second year the conference was presented in a virtual format.
    The title of the 2021 conference is Mango Makers and Food Preservers. Videos and PowerPoints by researchers and agro experts are geared to farmers, educators, orchard managers and proponents of sustainable agriculture. Florida mango expert and keynote Stephen Brady offers a detailed three-part presentation on mango culture and viewers can download a handy mango rating form. Also HTFG President Mark Suiso of Oʻahu’s Makaha Mangoes offers his fruit growing tips.
    Find a presentation by Jane Tai on Demonstrating Value-Added Specialty Crops with Dehydration, as well as an Agriculture Legislative Recap by state Sen. Mike Gabbard. Other reports include an Update on Distribution of BBTV-Resistant bananas, the latest information on the Avocado Lace Bug and a wide variety of videos from the Hawai'i Ulu Cooperative in Kona.
    The conference is made possible with the support of the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture, County of Kaua'i and HTFG members from across the state, including founder Ken Love who lives on Hawai'i Island. Questions? Contact Love at kenlove@hawaiiantel.net or Mark Suiso at mark.suiso@gmail.com.
    Marking its 32nd year, HTFG was incorporated in 1989 to promote tropical fruit grown in Hawai'i. It is a statewide association of tropical fruit growers, packers, distributors and hobbyists dedicated to tropical fruit research, education, marketing and promotion; www.HTFG.org.

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Sen. Mike Gabbard gives a wrap of successful legislation
through his Committee on Ag & Environment.

STATE SEN. MIKE GABBARD GIVES A WRAP UP on the 2021 state legislature regarding agriculture and environment at the annual Hawai'i International Tropical Fruit Conference this week, with proceedings available online. Gabbard chairs the state Senate's Committee on Agriculture & Environment.
    He notes that Hawai'i became the first state in the country to declare a climate emergency, while about 2000 jurisdictions in 34 countries had already done so. Gabbard says the state Senate's resolution says "There is a climate emergency threatening humanity and the natural world and commits the state to statewide action that is rooted in equity, self-determination, culture, tradition and the belief that people around the world have the right to clean, healthy and adequate air, water, land, food, education shelter." The resolution requests "statewide collaboration to pursue climate mitigation and adaptation efforts," says Gabbard.
    He reviews successful legislation that makes ag loans easier to receive. Another lets farmers have larger parcels of land under shade cloth for their crops. Another provides subsidies to fight coffee leaf rust and coffee berry borer as well funding to rid Hawai'i of spittlebugs that ruin pastures. One bill requires state departments that buy food, like the public schools, to purchase an increasing percentage of locally grown foods over the next 30 years. See his review of all bills that went through his Agriculture & Environment Committee that passed and bills Gabbard hopes to pass in the 2022 legislature, including preventing "Fake Farms," at https://www.htfg.org/2021conference.

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Wendy M. DeWeese is appointed by the
 Governor to serve as judge for Third
Circuit Court on this island. 
FIVE NEW CIRCUIT JUDGES RECEIVED APPOINTMENTS BY THE GOVERNOR today, four of them women, including Wendy M. DeWeese. She is appointed to the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit on this island. The seat was held by Circuit Judge Melvin H. Fujino, who retired in 2020. DeWeese is a judge
with the District Family Court of the Third Circuit. She received a BA from Pomona College in California and her Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law. DeWeese was born in the U.S., grew up in Europe and lived and worked in California before moving to Hawaiʻi.
    "In 2005, the Big Island welcomed me with open arms and has given me so much since then. I am just so very grateful, honored and humbled to have the opportunity to give back to the community that has been so kind, generous and inspiring to me," DeWeese said.
    Appointees who will serve on O'ahu are Clariss Y. Malinao, Kevin T. Morikone, and Shanlyn A.S. Park. On Maui, the appointee is Kirstin M. Hamman.   
    Gov. David Ige made his choices from five lists of nominees submitted by the state Judicial Selection Committee on Sept. 13. 

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A HIGH SURF ADVISORY FOR ALL EAST FACING SHORES was issued Friday afternoon for Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon. County Civil Defense released the statement that included an advisory for winds up to 30 mph and gusts over 45 mph.
    A High Surf Advisory means surf will be higher than normal, shore break, and dangerous currents could
cause injury or death. Civil Defense cautioned:
• Expect strong breaking waves, shore break, and rip currents making swimming difficult and dangerous.
• Beach-goers, swimmers, and surfers should heed all advice given by ocean safety officials and exercise caution.
This classic photo by Peter Anderson shows the blowhole at South Point
combined with high surf. Photo by Peter Anderson 
• Beaches may be closed without notice.
     The National Weather Service Wind Advisory remains in effect through Saturday evening for the leeward side of Hawai'i Island from Kohala down the Hamakua Coast through Hilo, Puna and Ka`u District. 
    Due to the Wind Advisory, Civil Defense recommends:
• Secure outdoor items.
• Be aware of downed trees.
• Know that road closures may occur without notice.
• Stay clear of downed utility poles and lines and report any downed utility poles or lines to authorities.
• Motorist, especially those in high profile vehicles, drive with caution.
    Civil Defensed recommends staying tuned to radio for updates and changes in conditions.

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WHAT'S THAT RISING FROM THE LAVA LAKE? is the question in this week's Volcano Watch, written by scientists. and affiliates of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory:
    The past year has seen fluctuating lava lakes, ephemeral lava fountains, craggy spires, and drifting "islands" reminiscent of pre-1924 Halemaʻumaʻu activity at the summit of Kīlauea. The recent activity has USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) scientists reflecting on prior observations and how they compare to recent activity.
View looking down at the September-October 2021 lava lake eruption of Halemaʻumaʻu from the F1 thermal camera located on the western rim of the crater at Kīlauea’s summit. Molten material appears as warmer colors of yellow, orange, and pink, whereas cooler material is represented by dark blue and purple colors. The left-hand image is from Sept. 29 at 5:32 p.m. and shows that the lava lake has essentially repaved the floor of the crater with the exception of the central raft and part of the old west vent system. The right-hand image is from Oct. 4 at 7:50 p.m with noticeably darker blue/purple rafts present throughout the eastern part of the lava lake and with both the central raft and old western vent system having more exposed area. USGS images 

    The last eruption of Halemaʻumaʻu began Dec. 20, 2020, and created a lava lake at the base of the crater with striking topographic relief across its surface. Part of this relief formed the first night of the eruption. A broad, high, light brown to tan feature—made up of less-dense material—appeared to be floating in the lava lake. Over the next week, it migrated around the lake based on flow directions from vents active at the time, eventually halting in the center of the lake.
    HVO geologists found this feature to be reminiscent of the "floating islands" described by Kīlauea summit observers a century ago and earlier. As the eruption waned in intensity, more of these features formed in a variety of sizes and heights; all eventually became stationary. Contemporary geologists suggest that raft may be a better term to describe these features, which we continue to learn about with the new eruption at Kīlauea's summit. 
    The current Halemaʻumaʻu eruption started at 3:21 p.m. HST on Sept. 29, as lava fountains erupted from a north-south-trending crack in the crust of the December 2020-May 2021 lava lake surface. A thermal camera monitoring Halemaʻumaʻu documented the eruption start, showing a new lava lake rising rapidly and covering many of the island features formed during the previous eruption.
Color photograph of lava lake and rainbow
Though not every ānuenue (rainbow) has an actively erupting volcanic fissure at its end, this one did for a brief moment during HVO scientists' helicopter overflight of the Kīlauea summit on the morning of Oct. 8. Misty rains were clearing at the time, forming the rainbow and allowing the scientists a mostly clear view of the western fissure feeding lava into Halema‘uma‘u.
USGS image
 
      
     By the time geologists arrived for visual observations about an hour after this new eruption began, only the largest island, a small island to the northeast, and part of the high-standing west vent system from the December 2020 eruption remained above the surface of the new rising lava lake. Several hours later, the northeast island was submerged by lava and the highest point of the large central island was only 10 meters (33 ft) above the surface of the new lava lake.
    It seemed apparent that the newly forming lava lake was going to continue rising and eventually cover all remnant topography of the earlier eruption. However, as the eruption progressed, the height of the large island above the lava lake surface started to increase. Islands that geologists saw being submerged in new lava soon also started to reappear.
    The smaller island in the northeast part of the lava lake—that was submerged at around 5:20 p.m. HST—reappeared a little over an hour later. Over the next few days, more islands within the eastern and northern part of the lava lake would re-emerge above the lava lake surface. The largest island now has a high point that is 20 meters (66 ft) above the active surface of the lava lake.
On the morning of October 8, 2021, HVO scientists completed a routine helicopter overflight of the ongoing eruption within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea. This overview photo of the lava lake was captured from the northeast, with theerupting western fissure in the right of the frame, and a number of islands from the December 2020–May 2021 lava lake visible in the center. USGS image

    It's unclear why these islands—or rafts—that were only a few days ago submerged by the lava lake have reappeared. The recently cooled and solidified crust of lava erupted during the December 2020–May 2021 eruption seems to be buoyant in a way that is allowing for it to gradually float up within the new molten lava erupted in the past week.
    It seems unlikely that these are individual pieces of crust detaching from the old, solidified lava lake floor and rising up. If that were the case, at least some of the smaller island would then migrate around the lava lake as lava flows moving outward from the active vents push them around. All of the islands appear to be stationary except for floating vertically upward so it's likely that all or large chunks of the older lava lake floor are moving upward together.
    Similar lava lake behavior was observed by Thomas A. Jaggar, founder of HVO, about a century ago. However, Halemaʻumaʻu crater was much smaller then, about a one-fifth or twenty percent of its size today. Detailed documentation of activity at Kīlauea over the past century allows for these observations, made decades apart, to be compared. As lava lakes rise and fall, so, too, do islands or rafts!

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THE BEST WURST BARBECUE COOKOUT AND FUNDRAISER for Volcano Art Center is tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It takes place in the parking lot at Volcano Art Center, Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Plates will include a sampling of Bratwurst or Kielbasa sausage on a bed of sauerkraut with a side of German potato salad, pickle and a beverage for $15.Social distancing, mandatory mask wearing and other CDC guidelines will be practiced.

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Read the entire Kaʻū Calendar and back issues at 
www.kaucalendar.com. Find it in the mail from Volcano
through PāhalaNāʻālehu, 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 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 at kaucalendar.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.

Pāhala 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.