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| Nāhuku Lava Tube is closed after detection of movement of an overhanging rock slab. Photo by Janice Wei |
NĀHUKU LAVA TUBE, formerly known as Thurston, is closed until further notice. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park reported on Monday that "data from a crackmeter revealed that a fracture near a large overhanging rock slab at the apex of the lava tube has narrowed since Saturday.
"The narrowing movement could indicate the crack is adjusting in response to other fractures widening in the lava tube, making the large overhead chunk of rock unstable and potentially dangerous. The slab measures about 2.16 x 3.23 meters (7.1 x 10.5 feet) and 20.3 cm (8 inches) thick. Further monitoring is required to determine if the lava tube can safely reopen.
"These movements of a large rock slab are unusual in the monitoring record. A return of movement similar to the previous record would need to occur before the lava tube would be considered safe to reopen. It is not clear how long that will take."
Park staff reported that prior to the fractural changes over the weekend, data from the monitors revealed little change to the cave’s structural integrity.
Large rocks in Nāhuku were dislodged during the 2018 eruption and summit collapse of Kīlauea volcano. Two crackmeters were installed in the lava tube’s ceiling to monitor their movement.
The restrooms near Nāhuku and the parking area remain open.
POLICE ARE SEEKING INFORMATION ON A HUMAN BODY FOUND BETWEEN PĀHALA AND VOLCANO. According to the report from Hawaiʻi Police Department, the unidentified body was partially buried in the Ka‘ū Desert just off Highway 11, outside of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. It was discovered last Wednesday evening. On Thursday morning the body was transported to 
Hilo Medical Center for official pronouncement of death, followed by the autopsy on Friday, the final results pending.
"These movements of a large rock slab are unusual in the monitoring record. A return of movement similar to the previous record would need to occur before the lava tube would be considered safe to reopen. It is not clear how long that will take."
Park staff reported that prior to the fractural changes over the weekend, data from the monitors revealed little change to the cave’s structural integrity.
Large rocks in Nāhuku were dislodged during the 2018 eruption and summit collapse of Kīlauea volcano. Two crackmeters were installed in the lava tube’s ceiling to monitor their movement.
The restrooms near Nāhuku and the parking area remain open.
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Police detectives with Area I Criminal Investigation Section await autopsy and DNA reports and are attempting to identify the person whose body was badly decomposed. Anyone with clues for this case can call Detective Jeremy Kubojiri of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 808-961-2378 or email Jeremy.Kubojiri@hawaiicounty.gov. Also call 808-935-3311, the non-emergency HPD number. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at wwwkaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.htm
AS ELECTION DAY DRAWS NEAR, and accusations of corruption and nest feathering by public officials are plentiful, Hawaiʻi Democratic Party has released a statement from its Chair, Dennis Jung. “Hawai‘i Democrats must say no to the promotion of personal and/or private interests by all persons in positions of public trust. This prohibition against the promotion of personal and/or private interests must extend to our elected officials. There is no place in Hawai‘i for special interest politics. There is
one and only one legitimate public interest, and that is the interest of the people of Hawai‘i.”
KA'Ū AND VOLCANO VOTERS are casting ballots that will lead to change. New
will be the Governor and Lt. Governor,
of Hawai‘i, as Gov. David Ige and Lt. Gov. Josh
Green finish the maximum of eight years
and Green runs for Governor. New will be
Ka‘ū’s and all of rural Hawai‘i’s member
of Congress, as Rep. Kai Kahele declined
to run for another two-year term and is
running for Hawai‘i Governor.
New will be the County Council person representing
this district, as Maile David finishes the
maximum of four two-year terms.
Running to be reelected is U. S. Senator Brian Schatz. Running for reelection is
Dru Kanuha, whose state Senate district
has expanded to include west and east Ka‘ū
and Volcano. Also running to be reelected
is Jeannè Kapela whose state House of
Representatives district has expanded to
include west and east Ka‘ū and Volcano.
Not up for reelection until 2024, should
they choose to run again, are Mayor Mitch
Roth and U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono who are
both serving four year terms and County
Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen.
County of Hawai‘i Elections Division
reported at the end of July that 112,318
ballots were issued and 9,126 were received. Results will be announced Aug.
13. To register, read about the candidates
and more, see the county’s election website at https://www.elections.hawaiicounty.gov/. Also see candidate coverage in 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. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.htm
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