The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island: 10/01/2022

Sunday, October 30, 2022

Kaʻū News Briefs, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022

Mom helps keiki with pumpkin painting at Pāhala Center's Aun Tee's to get ready for Halloween.

See Hawai'i County Police Department tips for Halloween festivities below. Monday's Halloween Bash is at

Kaʻū District Gym with Trunk or Treat and more from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Photo by Julia Neal

AN EDIBLE CROPS EXTENSION SERVICE AGENT IS NEEDED FOR or West and South Hawai'i, according to a petition drive shared by University of Hawai'i Extension Agent Andrea Kawabata. The petition was created by Ken Love, President of Hawai'i Tropical Fruit Growers Association. Kawabata said Sunday that 187 have already signed and provided testimony. She explained that the new petition is securing signatures toward the hiring of an Extension Agent working with commercial edible crops producers in West and South Hawai'i Island.
The petition narrative states that "For Hawai'i to improve its position with food security and resilience, we must increase local food production and exports. However, to do this, our farmers need more support. Cooperative extension agents play an extremely critical role in conducting and extending research-based information and technologies to our farming communities and promoting good agricultural practices that directly impact and benefit producers."

A petition is a float to encourage the creation of a position at University of Hawai'i Extension
Service for an Edible Crops Agent to work with commercial farmers. Photos from U.H.

The County of Hawai'i and University of Hawai'i's College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources are creating two extension agent positions within Hawai'i County for livestock and indigenous crops. "While support for native Hawai'i crops is important, we feel this position should also encompass and support other producers in need of extension assistance," says the petition.
It points out that the Big Island boasts the greatest number of farms and largest land mass in the state. "As such, current extension agents are stretched thin and cannot provide the much needed support that commercial farms require for success and sustainability. As such, our recommendation for the COH and UH-CTAHR is to broaden the position to include non-formal outreach (workshops, webinars, field days, presentations, farm visits, etc.) and education to tropical fruit, nut, vegetables, and herb producers in addition to indigenous crops in West and South Hawai'i, where there is a major gap in services. This commercial edible crops extension agent position would then support a greater diversity of farmers and be more efficient and effective use of county, university, federal and state monies."
The narrative urges the Ka'u agricultural community to strongly advocate for the position by signing

and sharing this petition and urging the COH and UH-CTAHR to highly consider this commercial edible crops position that is of critical need.
In addition to signing the petition, supporters can directly contact the Director of county Research & Development, Douglass Shipman Adams, and UH-CTAHR's Assoc. Dean and Director of Extension, Dr. Jeffrey Goodwin, "to further explain why this position is of great importance to you, other farmers, and our community," says the narrative for the petition. The contact information is:
Douglass Shipman Adams, County of Hawaii's Director of Research and Development, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 130, Hilo, HI 96720; (808) 961-8366, chresdev@hawaiicounty.gov.
Dr. Jeffrey Goodwin, Interim Associate Dean and Director for Cooperative Extension, 3050 Maile Way, Honolulu, HI 96822; (808) 956-8397; extad@hawaii.edu.

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HONOKA'A WON THE BIG ISLAND DIVISION 2 CHAMPIONSHIP IN FOOTBALL. Honoka'a took down Kamehameha Schools Hawai'i on Saturday, Oct. 29 in a 19-9 win for the Dragons. Honoka'a finished the BIIF season 10-1, with two wins against Kaʻū Trojans. The Dragons head to O'ahu for the state championship.

According to BIIF statistics, the leader for the season in Kaʻū football Passing was Ocean Nihipali-Sesson. In Rushing it was Nihipali-Sesson, Vladimir Fedoruk and Chaz Kajiwara. The Receiving leaders were Toby Burgos, Tyson Kuaula-Faafia and Colin Henshaw.

LOHI GOODWIN, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE TO REPRESENT KA'Ū into Kona in the state House of Representatives, released the following statement on Sunday: "I am a conservative who was born and raised in Hawai'i. I am a father, a USAF veteran, a husband, a homeschooler, and a Kanaka. I am running

Lohi Goodwin, of Ocean View, the
House candidate and his family.
Photo from Goodwin campaign

because I see a dark day coming, in which our government does not respect and honor the people (us) but wishes to dictate every facet of our lives. From taking our hard earned money from our wallets in the name of the environment, to physically assaulting our children in school with forced experimental drugs, to sexually grooming our keiki kane and kaikamahine with perverse identity lessons, to removing the rights of parents to parent their children according to the beliefs of the 'ohana. I believe these will destroy the Ohana, turn the keiki against the makua, and wreak havoc on our community.
"We see the very same people who have killed businesses, put us out of work, set our kids back in school, and forced experimental drugs (dangerous vaccines) into 'our ohana asking to be given another opportunity to drive us deeper into misery and uncertainty.
"Do we still remember what normal is? Do our kids? I am running to restore normal, when government did the will of the voters, The People, who pay them. I am still salty about not being able to attend graduation, my kids not able to attend prom, no funerals, etc… These were unnecessary, they knew it, I knew it, yet they are still trying to play the same sick game with the lives of us and our keiki. ‘Nuff Already, vote freedom on November 8th, let’s return to normal. Vote Lohi Goodwin State Representative District 5."

JEANNE KAPELA, DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE TO REPRESENT KA'Ū into Kona in the state House of Representatives, released the following statement on Sunday: "In recent years, housing prices have skyrocketed. In some places the average cost of a single-family home has surpassed a million dollars, leaving working families unable to afford a residence in the islands.
"I'm working to fix that. We need to redefine what 'affordable housing' means in state law. Instead of giving tax breaks to developers, we should build housing for those earning no more than 60 percent of area median income and institute a vacant homes tax to target property speculation by nonresident investors.

Jeanne Kapela says there should be a tax on vacant houses
to help owners participate in solving the housing shortage.
Photo from Kapela campaign

"Additionally, I support creating a social housing model for our islands that views homes as a human right, not a market commodity. I also support strengthening protections for renters by passing a retaliatory eviction ban that prevents predatory landlords from taking advantage of their tenants.
"Finally, we need to empower nonprofit developers to create affordable housing, since they are not driven by shareholder profits. And we should implement rent control programs that limit rent increases to prices that workers can actually afford to pay without being cost burdened.
She asked voters to "Help me establish affordable housing for all who call Hawai'i home.... Our islands belong to working families, not luxury property investors. It's time for us to reclaim our housing policy for the benefit of we, the people."

SEE STATEMENT FROM MICHAEL LAST, LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE FOR KA'Ū into Kona's state House of Representatives seat at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022_10_16_archive.html

All dressed up for Halloween at Aun Tee's at Pāhala Center.
Photo by Julia Neal

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS ARE OFFERED BY HAWAI'I POLICE DEPARTMENT. "Being safe is no trick; using a few common-sense tips can help make Halloween enjoyable for everyone. The Hawaiʻi Police Department asks people to follow a few suggestions, especially on Halloween.
For tick-or-treaters: One of the most important safety tips for Halloween trick-or-treating is having adult supervision of children at all times, especially when there is vehicle traffic. Not having an adult looking out or monitoring your children may also be a violation of the law.
Another safety tip for Halloween is making sure that children's costumes are safe. Costumes should fit right to prevent tripping and heat exhaustion, should allow for clear and unobstructed vision, and be highly visible.
Parents, along with children, should have flashlights readily available to illuminate walking surfaces at night, as well as to provide a warning to motorist of your location from a greater distance. Having glow type sticks attached to your child’s costume is another way to increase their visibility at night.
Parents and trick-or-treaters should stick to trick-or-treating in neighborhoods that they are familiar with and stay away from homes with poor lighting to prevent falls and injury. Unfamiliar homes can also be dangerous as there might be dogs on the property which may bite unsuspecting children. Once trick-or-treating is done, parents should examine the candy which their child has received to make sure it was not tampered with and is safe to eat. Parents should also stress to their kids to not eat any candy that has not been checked by them while they are trick-or-treating.
For drivers traveling on Hawai‘i Island roads: For those whodrink alcohol or consume an intoxicating substance, don’t drive. Have a sober driver or call for a ride.

Keiki first responders with their
Ka'u pumpkins painted in Pāhala.
Photo by Julia Neal

Avoid using handheld electronic devices. Using an electronic device while operating a vehicle is a crime and very unsafe.
When seeing a drunk driver or impaired pedestrian on the road, contact Police Dispatch at (808) 935-3311. It’s best to provide a license plate description of the vehicle and direction of travel on the road.
Be on alert for all road users, including pedestrians, at night. Children may come from between vehicles or other unsafe locations.
Slow down in areas where pedestrians are likely to be or where sight distances are limited. Keep your windshield clean.
For pedestrians walking on this island's streets: Walk on a sidewalk if one is available. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic, as far to the side as safely possible so you can move quickly out of the road if you feel threatened by traffic. Drivers do not expect to see pedestrians in the roadway or to come out from between parked cars or behind shrubbery. Expect that drivers will not see you and wait for them to pass.
Follow the rules of the road at driveways and intersections. Cross with a traffic signal if there is one, and even when having the right of way, make sure traffic has stopped or passed before stepping into the street. This will be easier to do if electronic devices do not distract from picking up visual and auditory information about traffic.
Before the Halloween festivities begin, plan a way to get home safely at the end of the night. Alcohol affects judgment, balance, and reaction time. Create a “buddy system” to get each other home safely. Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving.

LAVA JUNKIE IS THE NAME OF THE COSTUME SUGGESTED BY HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK. The Park posted that all that's needed are:
Flashlights. Be savvy and use a red light filter on your headlamp. It helps protect native animals and fellow trick-or-treaters by not disorienting them with bright white light.
Closed-toe shoes and long pants. Whether it’s top-of-the-line hiking boots or well-worn sneakers, wear closed-toe shoes to protect you on rocky, uneven terrain.
Light jacket. Weather conditions change often and quickly at Kīlauea volcano. Be prepared for rain, wind, and low 50 °F night temperatures.
Plan B: If your preferred viewing area is packed to the gills, try another location or come back later. Your park is open 24 hours a day.
For information on eruption viewing, visit https://go.nps.gov/new-eruption.

In the mail, on stands and at www.kaucalendar.com

Saturday, October 29, 2022

Kaʻū News Briefs, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022

Painting Up the Pumpkins

Pumpkins, donated by O Kaʻū Kakou, from its garden at Eva Liu's farm, were a big hit at Aun Tee's at Pāhala Center on Saturday where keiki enjoyed a Halloween Party. More Halloween parties are set for Punalu'u Beach on Sunday and Kaʻū District Gym on Monday. See more below. Photo by Julia Neal

ATTENTION FIFTH GRADE GIRLS: GEMS IS BACK. The popular Girls Exploring Math & Science program for fifth grade girls from Kaʻū and West Hawai'i will return after two years. It is sponsored by American Association of University Women.

The GEMS program will be smaller this year than those in the past and will be held outdoors on Dec. 8. from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kahalu'u Manawai site on Ali'i Drive south of Kahalu'u Beach Park in Kona.The program consists of workshops and exhibits led by female adults in the

Ka'u Fifth Grade Girls have been attending Girls Exploring
Math & Science for many years, like these young
women in 2010. Photo from GEMS

math and science fields and high school girls who are involved with math and science. The event is designed to expose girls to careers in these fields.
Some of this year's workshops are: Underwater Adventures, Marine Science & Problem Solving, Whale Sharks, Creative Computer Programming, Art & Science of Food, Body Shop, Structures & How They are Made Strong, How Rainbows Solve Mysteries, The Science of Robotics, and more.
Applications for the program were delivered to the schools on Oct 27. Each girl will complete a registration form and select six workshops and be able to attend three workshops during the day and many exhibits. Each girl attending will receive breakfast, lunch, and a GEMS sling bag. The registration fee is $20 and scholarships are available.

Registration is first come, first served. Fifth grade girls are urged to fill out the application ASAP, have parent/guardian sign and mail as quickly as possible. Applications that are the first from each school gain priority and all must be postmarked by Nov. 9.
Those with questions, email Cindy Armer at: billandcindyarmer@gmail.com or call: 808-896-7180

A SMALL HOUSE WENT UP IN FLAMES IN OCEAN VIEW on Saturday. Hawai'i Fire Department arrived to find the two-story, single-family home fully engulfed. The house was post and pier, all wood,

approximately 20 by 30 feet in size. The location is 92-8691 Pineapple Parkway. Firefighters received the alarm at 4:36 p.m. and put out the fire by 6:17 p.m. They estimated the value of the unpermitted structure without utilities at $115,000. No one was found at the site.

AFTERSHOCKS ARE THE SUBJECTS OF VOLCANO WATCH, this week by Andrew Michael, a research geophysicist with USGS Earthquake Science Center. The column from USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory was written in light of the magnitude 5 earthquake in Pāhala with at lease six aftershocks greater than magnitude 3 so far. Michael writes:

Andrew Michael, USGS research geophysicist
with USGS Earthquake Science Center.
Photo from USGS

After damaging earthquakes, response and recovery takes place under the threat of aftershocks. USGS aftershock forecasts can help you understand what may happen, promoting public safety and an understanding that experiencing aftershocks is normal.
Much about earthquakes is unpredictable but we do know that earthquakes are followed by additional earthquakes, called aftershocks. For instance, in the 10 days after the magnitude 5 earthquake near Pāhala on Oct. 14, there have been six magnitude aftershocks magnitude 3 and greater, and over 100 magnitude 2 and greater aftershocks within 6.2 miles (10 km). While most aftershocks are smaller than the mainshock, they can still be damaging or deadly and feeling many smaller earthquakes can cause emotional distress. But 5 percent of earthquakes are followed by a larger earthquake, in which case the earlier earthquakes are referred to as foreshocks and the new largest one becomes the mainshock.
To help people deal with aftershocks, the USGS issues aftershock forecasts for the next day, week, month, and year that provide:
1. the expected number of aftershocks that may be felt (magnitude 3 and 4 or greater)
2. the probability of aftershocks large enough to potentially do damage (magnitude 5 and greater), and
3. the probability of future moderate (magnitude 6) to large (magnitude 7) earthquakes.

USGS reminds folks to Drop, Cover and Hold On during large quakes. USGS image

These forecasts are automatically issued after most magnitude 5 and larger earthquakes in the United States and its territories. The first forecast is issued 20 minutes after the mainshock and they are updated 74 more times during the first year. Forecasts are updated regularly because the rate of aftershocks changes with time, generally decreasing, although sometimes temporarily increasing after a larger aftershock. Therefore, the forecasts are updated to keep current with the changing aftershock rate. The updates also incorporate information about the behavior of each aftershock sequence.
In addition to providing basic information about an earthquake and its aftershocks, the USGS reminds everyone to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” during an earthquake. And remember, if you feel a strong earthquake while at the beach or in a low-lying area, you should immediately move to higher ground—a tsunami wave can come ashore before warning sirens can alert you to the potential danger.

USGS Earthquake Seminars are each Wednesday at 7:30 a.m.
Hawai'i time, with archives at
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/contactus/menlo/seminars/archives/2022

The forecasts can be found on the web by finding the “event page” for the mainshock. For instance, the event page for the Oct. 14 event near Pāhala is at (here) and the aftershock forecast can be found by clicking the “card” labeled “Aftershock Forecast.” The event page also provides estimates of the shaking and damage due to the earthquake, other technical information, and you can contribute your experience during the event. Recent mainshocks will be found in the list of significant earthquakes on the homepage, older ones can be found in the significant earthquakes archives, and all events can be found by using the search tool.
The aftershock forecasts combine three well-studied statistical properties of aftershock sequences: larger mainshocks produce more aftershocks, smaller aftershocks are more common than larger ones, and the rate of aftershocks declines about in proportion to the time that has passed since the mainshock. The initial forecasts use parameters for that region or similar geologic regions around the world. For instance, in Hawai'i the initial forecasts use observations from similar oceanic volcanoes around the world. Those parameters are then updated as we observe the specific behavior of each aftershock sequence.
You may have also noticed that the word most (it was in bold italics!) in the description of when we automatically issue aftershock forecasts. The exception to the rule is earthquakes in Hawai'i because volcanic earthquake sequences driven by changes in magma movement or eruptions are far more complicated than can be described by the three simple aftershock properties described above.

This USGS plot shows the magnitude and time of earthquakes in the October 2022 Pāhala sequence. The magnitude 5.0 mainshock is shown in blue and the aftershocks with 6.2 miles (10 km) of that event are shown in yellow to red with the color based on their time of occurrence. USGS Image

After magnitude 5 or greater earthquakes in Hawai'i, the USGS aftershock forecasting team manually triggers the forecasts if the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists conclude that the sequence is likely to be a simple aftershock sequence. For the Oct. 14 earthquake, that process meant that the first forecast wasn’t issued until three hours after the magnitude 5 earthquake occurred. But that delay gave us confidence in the forecasts and, so far, they have been accurate.
To learn more about the USGS aftershock forecasts, visit earthquake.usgs.gov.

In the mail, on stands and at www.kaucalendar.com

Friday, October 28, 2022

Kaʻū News Briefs, Friday, Oct. 28, 2022

Kaʻū Trojans came out onto their home field to play Pahoa last Saturday, leading with flags. Photo by Mark Peters

Under Coach Guy Enriques, of Punalu'u, Kamehameha School took first in
Division I Girls Volleyball for Hawai'i Island and played this week for the
state championship on O'ahu, coming in second behind Iolani. Photo from BIIF

KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOL GIRLS VOLLEYBALL, under Coach Guy Enriques, of Punalu'u, won the Division I island wide championship and came in second in the state championship match played Friday night against Iolani on O'ahu. It was the first time the Kamehameha Girls Volleyball from this island played in the state finals match.

Kamehameha also also took the Big Island Interscholastic Federation championship in bowling and in Boys Air Riflery.

Kani Lee Konman, with Trojan post-game
recognition last Saturday during Senior Night.
Photo by Mark Peters

THE PĀHALA FOOTBALL FIELD IS DARK THIS WEEKEND with the Kaʻū Trojans wrapping up their season last Saturday in a hard-fought loss to Pahoa. It was Senior Night and team member Kani Lee Konman received recognition. The Trojans came onto the field for the game with Hawaiian flags. Konman received many lei and gifts for the recognition.

Kaʻū Trojans scored far more points this season than last and won a game against Kohala 30-20. It is one of the smallest schools in the state that fields a football team and brings large local crowds to the campus for home events. The Trojans draw from students at Kaʻū High and Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences.

This year's roster consisted of: Adahdiyah Ellis Reyes, Jaestin Karasuda, Keaka McDonnell, Loea Kaupu, Gabriel Sesson Paaluhi-Young, Lois Emmanuele Badua, Jance Kajiwara-Ke, Josiah Manila-Louis, Eddie Wirtz, Roger Miguel, Jr., Kainalu Jr. Wanzer, Stephen Adler, Hezekiah Keohuloa-Aldaya, Toby Kekoa Burgos, Desmond Camba, Zayden Gallano, Vladimir V Fedoruk, Collin Hanshew, Chaz KajiwaraKe, Dylan Davis, Kaimana Kaupu-Manini, Joe Buyuan, Tyson Junior Kuahuia-Faafia, Ocean Nihipali-Sesson, Rylan Peralta, Ed Zackary Badua, Dakota Seaver, Kani Lee Konman, Raedyn Louis, CyZeiah SilvaKamei, Triton Blanco, Jovan Javar, Dominic Nurial-Dacalio, Blake Self-Ah Yee, Kamaehu Guerpo-Craft, Hunter Pascubillo, Isaiah Manila-Louis, and Treyton Calantoc.

Head Coach was Greg Rush. Assistant Coaches were Garrett Greedy, Ted Blanco and Mark Peters. Athletic Trainer is Moses Whitcomb. Athletic Director is Tim Gould.

Kaʻū Trojans wrap up Fall Sports with two Cross Country team members off to Kaua'i this weekend for the statewide championships. Trojan Girls Volleyball ended strong, taking third in its division.

The Trojans also fielded teams and individuals in Air Riflery, Bowling and Cheerleading.

BIIF Winter Sports are coming up with Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball and Wrestling for the Trojans. Swimming and Diving, as well as Canoe Paddling will be left to other schools. The swimming pool at Pāhala is closed and will likely be closed until the 2023-2024 school year to repair, redesign and rebuild it.

THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION REPRESENTING KAʻŪ CELEBRATED OCTOBER AS FILIPINO HERITAGE MONTH. Hawai'i's First and Second Congressional Districts have more Filipinos than any other congressional districts in the country. Both Rep. Kai Kahele, whose wife was born in the Philippines, and Rep. Ed Case, who submitted a resolution honoring Filipinos in Congress on Friday, pointed out the Fil-Am community in Hawai’i is more than 370,000 strong. Case said, “In total, fully a quarter of all Hawai’i residents are Filipino Americans, by far the largest percentage of any state or territory.”

Across the country, Filipino Americans number about 4.4 million, the third largest Asian American and Pacific Islander group in the U.S.

The SS Doric, which brought the first Sakada - Filipino
immigrants to Hawai'i in 1906.

Case wrote: "Many of the early Filipino immigrants were young men who came to the United States seeking a better life. Most found work in Hawai‘i, California, Washington and Alaska. This first generation of Filipino immigrants are commonly referred to as the Manong generation (Ilocano for first-born male). They worked mostly physically demanding jobs in tough conditions for very little pay. Over the years, they fought against discrimination, found a way forward and made a better future for themselves and their future generations. They became respected members of communities throughout our nation."

Case pointed to the arrival of the first Filipino immigrants in Hawai'i who came on the SS Doric in 1906 with 15 Sakada contract workers to for sugar plantations, "marking the first sustained immigration into our country and the humble beginnings of Fil-Ams in Hawai‘i. These first immigrants, those that followed and the subsequent generations eventually became trailblazers in politics and government, the military, business and entrepreneurship, journalism, popular culture, music and the arts and more."

Domingo Los Banos served in WW II
and became Hawai'i's first Filipino
American School Principal in 1954.
Photo from Fil Am Courier

Case named some of them:

Domingo Los Banos was Hawai'i's first Filipino American school principal and a loyal veteran of the 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment that fought in the Philippines during World War II.

Carolina Dizon Wong broke a glass ceiling when she obtained an M.D. degree and became the first Filipino American to start a medical practice in Hawai‘i in 1952.

Peter Aduja became the first Fil-Am elected to public office in the United States when he was elected to the Hawai‘i Territorial House of Representatives in 1954.

Ines Cayaban was the first Filipino American graduate of the School of Public Health, Nursing and Social Work at the University of Hawai‘i. She received the prestigious Jefferson Award in 1986 for her service.

In 1994, Ben Cayetano was elected the Governor of Hawai‘i, becoming the first Filipino American governor of a state in the U.S.

In 2019, Roy Macaraeg became the first Fil-Am to become a general officer in the history of Hawai'i's citizen soldier ranks.

HAWAI'I EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY is speaking to the public about the increased seismicity at Mauna Loa Volcano. On Thursday, it released its first statement saying, "Mauna Loa’s continuing seismic activity is causing concern for some residents on Hawai‘i island...Both the Hawai'i County Civil Defense Agency and the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency have increased monitoring of the volcano. The United States Geologic Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has been issuing daily reports on Mauna Loa’s activity since September but has indicated its scientists have seen no indications of an immediate threat.

Ken Hon, Chief Scientist at HVO, said, “Mauna Loa continues to be in a state of heightened unrest,” while noting, “the current increase in activity does not suggest that a progression to an eruption is certain.”
Hawai'i County Civil Defense Agency has been posting daily snapshots via social media of Mauna Loa’s activity, based on data from HVO, including the current alert level, status, and a recap of activity over the previous 24 hours.
Civil Defense Agency Administrator Talmadge Magno said, “Under current conditions an eruption from Mauna Loa is not imminent. We’re reminding people to take this opportunity to register for county emergency alert messages and prepare or review their plans to be ready for any disaster.”
Emergency Management’s website includes links to sign up for emergency alerts in any Hawai‘i county. See https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/get-ready/
Magno and Hon met with residents last Saturday at Ocean View Community Center to discuss the latest readings and preparedness measures. They noted that because Mauna Loa covers 51 percent of the island’s area, it’s hard to predict which areas might be affected if an eruption occurs. If lava were to break out of the summit area, Magno said, the County would provide specific information about any necessary safety or evacuation measures, including details about routes and shelters. See story at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022_10_23_archive.html.

Another informational session with the local officials was held Thursday at Robert Herkes Gymnasium in Pāhala. See story at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/10/kau-news-briefs-thursday-oct-27-2022.html.

“Hawai'i Emergency Management Agency continues to support our partners on Hawai‘i island with outreach and planning assistance as Mauna Loa’s activity evolves,” said agency Administrator Luke Meyers. “We encourage residents who are concerned about the seismic activity beneath the mountain to explore the ways they can improve their preparedness, including updating their emergency plans, reviewing their evacuation routes near where they live, work, and play, and checking the batteries in their emergency supplies.”

Pahala Shopping Center

In the mail, on stands and at www.kaucalendar.com

Thursday, October 27, 2022

Kaʻū News Briefs, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022

Kaʻū's Disaster Shelter at the Robert H. Herkes gym served as a venue Thursday to update the community on seismic and likely lava flow activity. Photo by Julia Neal

HUNDREDS SWARMED AROUND VOLCANO AND EARTHQUAKE EXPERTS Thursday evening at Robert H. Herkes District Gym in Pāhala to learn about predictions, forecasts and safety in the face of the quakes in and around Pāhala and the looming Mauna Loa summit above with its own seismic activity and possible lava flow.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientist in Charge Ken Hon explained that there is difference between the deeper swarms that have been going on for years in and around Pāhala and the recent Magnitude 5.0 and 4.6 quakes. The recent strong ones are shallower and could be from pressures of lava at Kilauea and the swelling of Mauna Loa.

First responders and Civil Defense officials attended the
volcano update meeting. Photo by Julia Neal

Residents asked if Civil Defense has an evacuation plan in case lava starts coming down the slopes of Mauna Loa. Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno said, "What you see is what you get." He said Civil Defense hopes that there will be enough lead time for people to evacuate. He and Hon noted that the actual lava inundation zones are usually small. Though Mauna Loa makes up more than 51 percent of the island, the lava tends to come from the top in fairly narrow streams and people can drive away or even walk away if traffic is blocked.

What if two flows were to run over Hwy 11and trap people in between them? Hon said that would be extremely unlikely.

One resident asked about lava finding its way into lava tubes. Would that transport it faster? Hon said that lava tubes tend to cool and make lava flow less quickly. It's not like the lava jumps into a tube, like a subway, and makes its way quickly to pop up in another place, Hon said.

They also talked about the difference between likely lava flows headed to Ocean View and headed to Pāhala. Ocean View could have lava flowing down a path through it within hours. It could take days and weeks to reach Pāhala.

Someone asked whether the swarm of quakes under Pāhala could create a crater like in Kilauea. Another asked whether Pāhala area could separate and become a new island through volcanic activity. Both ideas received responses calling them very unlikely.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's Scientist in
Charge Ken Hon. Photo by Julia Neal

A member of the public asked whether strong earthquakes here could liquify land and make mudflows. While that happened in the 8 Magnitude quake in 1868 on the steep slope in Wood Valley, wiping out the village and creating an area called "the slide," the kind of soil and rocks here make liquification unlikely in the areas that don't have steep slopes. A coffee farmer asked if growers working on slopes could experience a slide. The experts said to look out during a big quake.

Should houses on posts be retrofitted? Hon said the old plantation houses with posts that float on concrete peers or stones should be attached to their foundations and also recommended concrete corner walls or metal strapping. He suggested seeing an architect.

Janice Ikeda, Executive Director of Vibrant Hawai'i, which helped support Kaʻū communities with food bought from local farmers during the pandemic, suggested residents support their neighborhood Hubs for increased disaster preparedness. She said Vibrant Hawai'i works closely with the Hubs and Civil Defense.

See more on preparedness in the story on the Ocean View presentation by Civil Defense and the USGS at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022_10_23_archive.html

HAWAI'I'S GRADE IN DIGITAL COMPETENCY climbed from a B to an A- in the national ratings provided by Center for Digital Government's 2022 Digital States Survey. An "A" grade reflects a state government that has demonstrated "very strong innovation, high performing solutions, and...excellent practices in all aspects of their operations, governance, and

administration," according to the Center for Digital Government. Hawaiʻi's A- grade this year is up from a B in 2020, and this is the first year Hawaiʻi has ranked among the top performing states.
"We have made tremendous progress modernizing State IT systems, including our tax and payroll systems," said Gov. David Ige. "I'd like to thank our employees for their commitment and dedication to making our State more efficient and effective in order to better serve our citizens."
The survey is available here.
In addition, the Center for Digital Government presented the State of Hawaiʻi Office of Enterprise Technology Services with the Future Ready Award for outstanding work on developing the Safe Travels Digital Platform. The Future Ready Awards are presented to jurisdictions that are laying the foundation for the disruptive and converging forces that are shaping an uncertain future -- through technology or process changes; innovation; engagement with partners; and by harnessing emerging technologies to solve problems.
"I am proud of the Enterprise Technology Services team and what they accomplished with the Safe Travels system," said Doug Murdock, chief information officer. "The team developed and

implemented the Safe Travels system in a very short timeframe. It allowed the State to reopen our travel industry during the pandemic while safeguarding our citizens. More than 12 million arrivals were recorded in the digital platform, and more than 270-thousand people took advantage of the digital SMART Health Card program."
Hawaiʻi was also one of six states named finalists for the Government Experience Award. The overall Government Experience Award recognizes states who have redesigned websites with enhanced languages and accessibility features, developed apps to streamline the flow of funds to those with the greatest need, and used mobile apps, social media, e-newsletters and digital service analytics to improve constituent experience and customer service delivery.
The Center for Digital Government, a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government, conducts the Digital States Survey biennially to evaluate the information technology practices of all 50 states. The Center evaluates use of technology to support their state priorities and policies, to improve

operations or services, to achieve hard- and soft-dollar savings/benefits, to deliver innovative and citizen-centric services, and to assess the effective collaboration and progress since the last survey. States receiving high grades demonstrate strong results across all the criteria. Hawaii is among 18 states that received an A grade.
The Office of Enterprise Services provides governance for executive branch IT projects and seeks to identify, prioritize, and advance innovative initiatives with the greatest potential to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and improve transparency and accountability in state government. The office also supports the management and operation of all state agencies by providing effective, efficient, coordinated and cost-beneficial computer and telecommunication services.

Hezykiah Fernanez from the Kaʻū Livestock 4-H Club won grand champion in the last
islandwide competition for her market steer. It was her first year in 4-H. Photo from Kaʻū 4-H

KA'U LIFESTOCK 4H-CLUB is up and running with programs for Cloverbuds, ages five to eight, and junior and senior 4-H members, ages nine to 18. There are monthly meetings and club leaders are Raisha Karratti at 808-318-9112 and Nikki Fernandez at 808-938-0287.

The 4H members from Kaʻū have long participated in annual livestock shows, bringing home awards and experiencing the life of raising livestock and selling them off at auction.

Kaʻū rancher Al Galimba is one of the long-time financial supporter of 4-H his family long offering guidance for young ranchers.

Clover Buds are ages 5 - 8 and members of the newly relaunched Kaʻū 4-H. Photo from Ka'u 4-H

Pahala Shopping Center

In the mail, on stands and at www.kaucalendar.com