Saturday, December 17, 2022

Kaʻū News Briefs, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022

Santa came to Discovery Harbour today, turning in his reindeer for a 4-wheeler. See the parade, below.
Photo by Cheryl Cuevas
REPRESENTATION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES is the subject of Congressman Kai Kahele's final episode of Conversations with Kai. Kahele sat down with indigenous Congresswomen Sharice Davids and Mary Peltola. Watch at https://youtu.be/zoUKHoy7ljA. Kahele leaves the position of representing Ka'ū and all of rural Hawai'i in the U.S. House of Representatives on Jan. 3, after serving in the 117th Congress and not seeking reelection.
Alaska Congresswoman Mary Peltola on the left with Kansas Congresswoman
 Sharice Davids during Congressman Kai Kahele's final episode of Conversations with
 Kai
, where they discuss indigenous people in Congress.
See 
https://youtu.be/zoUKHoy7ljA Photo from Kai Kahele
   During the interview, Kahele noted that the three are but a few of the indigenous people in Congress. Kahele's Hawaiian roots go to Miloli'i. Peltola, representing Alaska, is the first Alaskan native in Congress and the first Alaskan woman to serve in the House. She is a Yup'ik from Bethel, which has a native name that means "Place of Many Fish Catches."
   Davis is a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, from Wisconsin, but serves Congress from Kansas. Her heritage also includes Mohawk. She is co-chair of the House Native Caucus. She grew up with her mother who served in the military.
   Hawai'i and Alaska have a long standing relationship, said Kahele and Peltola, working across the aisle, sharing issues with telecom, transportation, and food, including "pilot bread." Peltola said both Hawai'i and Alaska are "in the corner of the map, not reflective at all of where we really are on the globe."

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A TEMPORARY SITE ON MAUNA KEA REPLACES AIR MEASUREMENT ON MAUNA LOA. NOAA scientists recently installed an intake tube less than an inch in diameter and 25 feet long on the University of Hawai'i's "88-inch observatory to sample the summit air, after data collection on Maunaloa was abruptly disabled when lava from the Maunaloa eruption cut off staff access and power lines to NOAA’s Mauna Loa Observatory," says a University of Hawai'i statement. Atmospheric measurements have been taken on Maunaloa since 1958, providing more than six decades of data to track global climate change through CO2 measurements.
The new air measurement site on Mauna Kea, temporarily replacing some of the
 instrumentation at the Mauna Loa Observatory. NOAA photo
   Under an emergency agreement, NOAA and UH established the temporary measurement site to ensure the continuity of CO2 data collection and other atmospheric measurements taken at Mauna Loa Observatory. Department of Land & Natural Resources Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands also provided expedited site plan approval for this important project.

   “The data gathered over many decades in Hawai‘i are essential to our understanding of climate change,” said Steve Thur, NOAA assistant administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. “We are always grateful for the strong partnership with the University of Hawai‘i, but especially now when we need a way to ensure continuity in the measurement of CO2. Being able to pull atmospheric samples from Maunakea while MLO is down ensures that any disruption to this important long-term research will be minimal.”

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THE FORECAST THROUGH MONDAY CALLS FOR STORMY WEATHER. National Weather Service issued a Flood Advisory at 5 p.m. on Saturday for Ka'ū, Puna and Hilo. A High Surf Advisory includes Ka'ū for north-facing shores. It runs from from Upolu Point in North Kohala to Cape Kumukahi in Puna, through Sunday. A cold front with strong southwest winds and thunderstorms late Sunday through Monday is expected. Associated with the cold front are a High Wind Warning and Winter Storm Watch for island summits, and High Wind Watch for all areas is issued for late Sunday through Monday.
    NOAA forecasts that "Showers and thunderstorms will increase in coverage tonight through Sunday as southwest winds strengthen. Strong and potentially damaging kona, or southwest, winds and strong thunderstorms will move through the area Sunday night through Monday evening. Breezy westerlies will then focus showers over leeward slopes through Tuesday. Drier conditions and lighter southwesterly winds are then expected Wednesday through late next week."

Night falls on the Discovery Harbour Christmas Parade on Saturday.
Photo by Jana Kaniho
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DISCOVERY HARBOUR HELD ITS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE on Saturday, with four wheel drive vehicles, golf carts, classic cars, and trucks. It wound through the streets of the community. Santa led the parade and stepped off his four-wheeler to mingle with the crowd and to hand out some gifts. Carols, cookies, and punch followed at the community center. The parade went into the night with lighted vehicles.
Decked-out golf carts, classic cars, and inflatables graced today's Discovery Harbour Christmas Parade.
Photos by Cheryl Cuevas

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REGISTER AS A CANDIDATE for Discovery Harbour’s Community Association Board by noon on Wednesday, Dec. 21at the Community Association office. Candidates may submit their biography and have their name appear on the 2023 DHCA ballot. Two of the seven Board seats are up for election. See discoveryharbour.net.

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THE MAGNITUDE 4.0 EARTHQUAKE IN THE CHANNEL BETWEEN MAUI AND HAWAI'I
ISLAND could spawn aftershocks in the next few weeks, according to USGS. The quake hit on Friday at 6:47 a.m. at a depth of 8 miles (13 km) below sea level, 27 miles from Hawai'i Island and 19 miles south southwest of Hana, within the ʻAlenuihāhā Channel.

    USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported no apparent impact on Mauna Loa and Kīlauea volcanoes, saying, “This earthquake is probably related to a crustal readjustment related to Haleakalā volcano and is not related to volcanic activity.” There was no tsunami and no damage to buildings or infrastructure.

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NO SIGHT OF THE MISSING LIFE FLIGHT CRAFT lost en route from Maui to Hawai'i Island with three crew members aboard. A Facebook post from Hawai'i Life Flight's parent company, Global Medical Response, says: "We want to provide an update on the search and rescue mission for our crew members in Hawai'i. The U.S. Coast Guard continues its search today. We are asking you to continue to pray for our team members and their families. We have partnered with multiple agencies and our sister companies AirMed International and REACH Air Medical Services to bring additional resources in support of emergency air operations. Hawai'i Life Flight and GMR extend our deepest gratitude to the U.S. Coast Guard, Governor Green, Hawai'i Emergency Air Lift and the community for their assistance and continued support during this difficult time."

See The Ka'ū Calendar in the mail and in stands from Volcano through Miloli'i. Also see stories daily on Facebook and at www.kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com.
UPCOMING EVENTS


Christmas Lights & Icons Show brightens up the corner of Lehua and Palm in Ranchos at Ocean View every evening. Santa will be there on Christmas Eve to give 300 gifts, with a drawing for bikes to be given on Christmas Day. See story at kaucalendar.com.

Holiday Lighting and Decor are dressing up the cottages at Kīlauea Military Camp for the public to see. See story at kaucalendar.com.

Christmas in the Country is ongoing until the New Year at Volcano Art Center Gallery and VAC's Ni’aulani Campus. See story at kaucalendar.com.

The Hiking Incentive Program at Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park wraps up at the end of year. For the Kūkini Challenge, hikers, and walkers can turn in miles, recording them at the Visitor Contact Station for a chance to win a silver water flask and accolades for the fourth quarter of 2022.

Walk into the Past with Thomas A Jaggar to 1939. Talk with the founder of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, at the edge of Kīlauea volcano on Friday, Dec. 23, at 10 a.m. and noon. Dressed in period costume, actor Dick Hershberger brings the renowned geologist to life. Space is limited; pick up free tickets at the Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai the day of the program. Supported by Kīlauea Drama Entertainment Network.

Volcano Thursday Market Christmas Fair will be Friday, Dec. 23 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with crafts, food, produce, live music, and entertainment for kids at Cooper Center in Volcano, Wright Road.

Pictures with Santa at Ocean View Community Center on Christmas Eve from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Showers, soup, haircuts, and decorating of St. Jude's Church in Ocean View on Christmas Eve from 9 a.m to 1 p.m., with carols at 3 p.m. and Christmas Eve Service at 4 p.m, followed by Aloha Hour.

FREE FOOD

St. Jude’s Hot Meals are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until food runs out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 96-8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View.
   Those in need can also take hot showers from 9 a.m. to noon and use the computer lab from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Masks and social distancing required.

Sacred Heart: Loaves and Fishes Food Distribution, Thursday, Dec. 22, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at 95-5558 Hwy 11 in Nāʻālehu. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket.

Ka’ū Food Pantry Distribution, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 9:30 a.m. until pau at St. Jude's Episcopal Church above Kahuku Park in Ocean View. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket.

ʻO Ka’ū Kākou Pantry Food Distribution, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 10 a.m. until pau at Kaʻū District Gym in Pāhala. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket.

Cooper Center Community Pantry Food Distribution, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 9:30 a.m - 11 a.m. at 19- 4030 Wright Road in Volcano. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket.

Free Meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are served from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji. Volunteers prepare the food provided by 'O Ka'ū Kākou with fresh produce from its gardens on the farm of Eva Liu, who supports the project. Other community members also make donations and approximately 150 meals are served each day, according to OKK President Wayne Kawachi.

OUTDOOR MARKETS

Volcano Evening Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See facebook.com.

Volcano Swap Meet, 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. Large variety of vendors with numerous products. Tools, clothes, books, toys, local made healing extract and creams, antiques, jewelry, gemstones, crystals, food, music, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also offered are cakes, coffee, and shave ice. Live music.

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Kaʻū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.

'O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nāʻālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Ocean View Community Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in the upper lot only. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.

Ocean View Swap Meet 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.

The Book Shack is open every Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Kauahaʻao Congregational Church grounds at 95-1642 Pinao St. in Waiʻōhinu.

See daily, weekly, and monthly events, and more, on page 8 and page 9 of the monthly print edition.