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| Full moon over the crater, with a Disaster Recovery Project determined for facilities around it, within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, some of them destroyed in the 2018 eruption. Photo from NPS |
An HVNP statement says, "The park will carry forward most of the elements of the proposed action that went out for public review during the environmental assessment for the project. However, the park is revisiting the location of the replacement visitor center as a future planning and compliance effort based on public and consulting party feedback received during the EA review period.
"We mahalo everyone who shared their feedback on the Disaster Recovery Project," said Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Rhonda Loh. "We reviewed all the comments closely, and it is heartening to see how much passion the community has for their park and the cherished natural and cultural landscapes it protects."
The focus of the 2018 Disaster Recovery Project is to repair, replace, relocate or remove critical park infrastructure and U.S. Geological Survey-operated facilities and equipment damaged during the most destructive eruptive events in Hawai'i in the last two centuries.
Beginning as early as March 2023, the National Park Service and USGS will:
Deconstruct the Geochemistry Annex, Jaggar Museum, and Okamura building in the Uēkahuna bluff area.
Repair the existing comfort station in the Uēkahuna bluff area.
Repair and improve the overlook in the Uēkahuna bluff area.
Construct a natural surface trail and associated post-and-cable barrier to connect the overlook to Crater Rim Trail in the Uēkahuna bluff area.
Remove and replace the existing water tanks in the Uēkahuna bluff area.
Deconstruct temporary National Park Service office space in the park research area and relocate National Park Service offices to the former USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center buildings.
Improve the safety of the existing park entrance and realign Crater Rim Drive, including the addition of a roundabout.
Construct a new USGS field station by the historic ball field near Kilauea Military Camp.
Starting in May 2018, Kīlauea summit and the park underwent major changes as magma drained from the chamber beneath Halema'uma'u crater, and the caldera began to collapse, triggering thousands of felt earthquakes and clouds of rock and ash that continued until early August. The seismic activity was primarily centered near the crater, and significantly impacted buildings in the immediate vicinity on Uēkahuna bluff, including Jaggar Museum and the USGS-operated Okamura facility and equipment, resulting in the closure of the area. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park closed to the public for 134 days.
The results of post-disaster assessments found that significant investment would be necessary to make Jaggar Museum and the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory-operated Okamura building and Geochemistry Annex safe to occupy and operational. The buildings are surrounded by fault lines and the area continues to subside on the crater side, undermining slope stability at the existing terraces and building foundations.
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| Buildings on Uekahuna Bluff before the 2018 eruption. They will be deconstructed to remove their damaged remains. NPS Photo |
Beginning as early as March 2023, the National Park Service and USGS will:
Deconstruct the Geochemistry Annex, Jaggar Museum, and Okamura building in the Uēkahuna bluff area.
Repair the existing comfort station in the Uēkahuna bluff area.
Repair and improve the overlook in the Uēkahuna bluff area.
Construct a natural surface trail and associated post-and-cable barrier to connect the overlook to Crater Rim Trail in the Uēkahuna bluff area.
Remove and replace the existing water tanks in the Uēkahuna bluff area.
Deconstruct temporary National Park Service office space in the park research area and relocate National Park Service offices to the former USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center buildings.
Improve the safety of the existing park entrance and realign Crater Rim Drive, including the addition of a roundabout.
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| Plans for the bluff looking out over Kilauea Crater, with removal of Jaggar Museum and other facilities. Plan from NPS |
Construct a new USGS field station by the historic ball field near Kilauea Military Camp.
Starting in May 2018, Kīlauea summit and the park underwent major changes as magma drained from the chamber beneath Halema'uma'u crater, and the caldera began to collapse, triggering thousands of felt earthquakes and clouds of rock and ash that continued until early August. The seismic activity was primarily centered near the crater, and significantly impacted buildings in the immediate vicinity on Uēkahuna bluff, including Jaggar Museum and the USGS-operated Okamura facility and equipment, resulting in the closure of the area. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park closed to the public for 134 days.
The results of post-disaster assessments found that significant investment would be necessary to make Jaggar Museum and the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory-operated Okamura building and Geochemistry Annex safe to occupy and operational. The buildings are surrounded by fault lines and the area continues to subside on the crater side, undermining slope stability at the existing terraces and building foundations.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at wwwkaucalendar.com.
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| Kapāpala Forest Reserve, Āinapo Trail, road and cabin have reopened after being closed during the latest Mauna Loa eruption. Also open is Kapāpala Unit J for bird hunting. Photo by Paul Peh |
KĀPAPALA FOREST RESERVE, ĀINAPŌ TRAIL, ROAD AND CABIN and Kīpuka ʻĀinahou Nēnē Sanctuary have all reopened after having been shut down to the public during the Mauna Loa lava Flow. State Department of Land & Natural Resources made the announcement on Monday.
Kapāpala Unit J, re-opened for game bird hunting last Saturday. Mauna Loa Forest Reserve and the Mauna Loa Observatory Road remain closed at this time due to continued volcanic hazards. A gate is being constructed at the Mauna Loa Forest Reserve boundary on the access road and will be locked until further notice. The portion of Unit A South of Daniel K. Inouye Highway within the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve and Game Management Area will remain closed for hunting until further notice.
People are reminded that it is illegal to cross into any closed area and violators can be cited or arrested. A reminder to everyone that the summit and all National Park Service areas on Mauna Loa remain closed.
People are reminded that it is illegal to cross into any closed area and violators can be cited or arrested. A reminder to everyone that the summit and all National Park Service areas on Mauna Loa remain closed.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at wwwkaucalendar.com.
DIRECTORS OF HAWAI'I DEPARTMENTS IN GOV. JOSH GREEN'S NEW CABINET are nominated, with final names for Department of Land & Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands announced on Monday. Five Deputy Directors are still to be named.
Green pointed out that, with state Senate confirmation, two Native Hawaiian women will lead the Department of Land & Natural Resources.
For Department of Land & Natural Resources, Green appointed Dawn Chang. She brings over 30 years of experience working on land rights and Native Hawaiian issues with experience as a Deputy
Attorney General and as a Commissioner on the State Land Use Commission. She currently serves as the principal of Ku'iwalu, a Hawaiian woman-owned consulting firm.
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| Dawn Chang is Gov. Josh Green's pick to lead DLNR. Photo from Ku'iwalu |
Green named Laura Ka'akua to become First Deputy for DLNR. Ka'akua currently serves as the President and CEO of Hawaiʻi Land Trust where she oversees projects on protection of coastlines, farms, ranches, Hawaiian cultural landscapes, and historic sites. "She brings immense cross-sector collaboration experience and duty for public lands stewardship," said the statement from Green's office.
Green said, "Today's nominees and appointments join a group of high caliber individuals with strengths in their respective fields. Together, the cabinet will work to make housing more affordable, bring down the cost of living, and work every day to make government more efficient through strong communication and collaboration."
For Department of Agriculture, Green named Sharon Hurd to become Chair. She has over 14 years of experience with DOA, most recently as Business Development Program Manager, "and has strong knowledge of state and federal agriculture policy administration. She proudly worked on the Buy Local, It
Matters call to action campaign to encourage residents to purchase locally produced goods," said Green's statement.
Chad Buck, Owner/CEO, Hawai'i Foodservice Alliance, said, "Hurd's collaborative and inclusive style of leadership prepares her for the necessary and vital work of engaging directly with our agricultural stakeholders to collectively move our state toward a more sustainable and food secure future, while protecting Hawai'i's fragile eco-systems at every level."
University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Ethnic Studies professor, Davianna Pōmaikaʻi McGregor, who is also a leader of the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana, said that with the nomination of Dawn Chang and Laura Ka'akua, Green has made history with the appointment of "two Kānaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian) women, each of whom have demonstrated an aloha ʻāina approach – loving, caring, and advocating for Hawaiian lands, in partnership with our communities. Their appointment gives our Kānaka ʻŌiwi community great hope that Governor Green's administration will carry out an enlightened and caring approach to co-managing our Hawaiian lands with our Hawaiian communities."
For Hawaiian Homes Commission, Green named Ikaika Anderson. As Honolulu City Council Chair,
Anderson partnered with then-Lt. Governor Green to bring Hui Mahi'ai 'Āina (a kauhale-style tiny-home village) to Waimānalo in 2019. Anderson "has valuable leadership experience and coalition building skills to execute the $600M in appropriations for housing made by the Legislature last session," says Green's statement.
"Governor Green's appointment of Ikaika Anderson to lead DHHL is boldly stating that he actively seeks to engage Kānaka on issues of land and housing," said Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, kumu, cultural practitioner, and community leader. "Ikaika is well exercised in both the public and private sectors and has clearly articulated his desire to serve our community. I am confident that his experience has prepared him with the necessary lessons to uplift and empower my Hawaiian people."
Green said, "Today's nominees and appointments join a group of high caliber individuals with strengths in their respective fields. Together, the cabinet will work to make housing more affordable, bring down the cost of living, and work every day to make government more efficient through strong communication and collaboration."
For Department of Agriculture, Green named Sharon Hurd to become Chair. She has over 14 years of experience with DOA, most recently as Business Development Program Manager, "and has strong knowledge of state and federal agriculture policy administration. She proudly worked on the Buy Local, It
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| Sharon Hurd is Gov. Josh Green's nominee to lead the state Department of Agriculture. Photo from Hawai'i Farm Bureau |
Matters call to action campaign to encourage residents to purchase locally produced goods," said Green's statement.
Chad Buck, Owner/CEO, Hawai'i Foodservice Alliance, said, "Hurd's collaborative and inclusive style of leadership prepares her for the necessary and vital work of engaging directly with our agricultural stakeholders to collectively move our state toward a more sustainable and food secure future, while protecting Hawai'i's fragile eco-systems at every level."
University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Ethnic Studies professor, Davianna Pōmaikaʻi McGregor, who is also a leader of the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana, said that with the nomination of Dawn Chang and Laura Ka'akua, Green has made history with the appointment of "two Kānaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian) women, each of whom have demonstrated an aloha ʻāina approach – loving, caring, and advocating for Hawaiian lands, in partnership with our communities. Their appointment gives our Kānaka ʻŌiwi community great hope that Governor Green's administration will carry out an enlightened and caring approach to co-managing our Hawaiian lands with our Hawaiian communities."
For Hawaiian Homes Commission, Green named Ikaika Anderson. As Honolulu City Council Chair,
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| Ikaika Anderson is nominated by Gov. Josh Green to lead Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Photo from Ikaika Anderson |
"Governor Green's appointment of Ikaika Anderson to lead DHHL is boldly stating that he actively seeks to engage Kānaka on issues of land and housing," said Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, kumu, cultural practitioner, and community leader. "Ikaika is well exercised in both the public and private sectors and has clearly articulated his desire to serve our community. I am confident that his experience has prepared him with the necessary lessons to uplift and empower my Hawaiian people."
Green named Katie Lambert Ducatt for Deputy Chair of HHC. Lambert Ducatt joins the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands having worked as a Deputy Attorney General assigned to the department. "She has a deep understanding of the department and will work to support critical execution demands," said Green.
The statement from Green says he is developing advisory councils for his housing strategies and plans, as well as a special team that will advise and work on implementing the spending plan for the $600 million appropriation to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. This team will be comprised of banking, financing, development, homestead, cultural, and stakeholder experts, most of whom will volunteer their expertise and time.
"Governor Green has assembled a leadership team that embraces the values of huliau, new beginnings, and has the skill and courage to address the housing challenges of Native Hawaiian beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. We have leaders in place who will partner with us and the community
to prioritize housing for local people while protecting and promoting natural resources, our local economy, and kānaka," commented Chief Housing Officer Nani Medeiros.
"Governor Green has assembled a leadership team that embraces the values of huliau, new beginnings, and has the skill and courage to address the housing challenges of Native Hawaiian beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. We have leaders in place who will partner with us and the community
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| Gov. Josh Green gives administrative leave Dec. 23 and 30, "in appreciation for state workers." Photo from Green |
Read about Deputy Directors named by Green on Monday by reading Tuesday's Ka'u News Briefs.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at wwwkaucalendar.com.
TWO DAYS OF LEAVE JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS EVE, have been issued by Gov. Josh Green for state workers. A statement from the governor's office said the holidays express Green's "appreciation for state workers by authorizing two full days of administrative leave on Friday, Dec. 23 and Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. Executive Memorandum 22-04 was issued to departments detailing the policy. Green also "encouraged the support of our local businesses this holiday season," said the statement.
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| See The Ka'u Calendar in the mail and in stands from Volcano through Miloli'i. Also see stories daily on facebook and at www.kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com .heic) |
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| PICTURES WITH SANTA AT OV COMMUNITY CENTER CHRISTMAS EVE, 1 P.M. TO 3 P.M. |
