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Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, April 18, 2023

HawaiianVolcanoes Observatory scientist checks on the location for a node to be installed at Pauahi Crater in Hawai'i
Volcanoes National Park. About 1,800 nodes will be installed over the next two months. Photo by M. Patrick/USGS


Installing a node, the scientist prepares to collect data
to detect small earthquakes and map the lava chambers
and their connections. Photo by M. Patrick/USGS
AS SEISMIC SWARMS BENEATH THE SUMMIT of Kīlauea increase during the last week, USGS scientists are installing seismic nodes, as part of the Kīlauea Seismic Imaging Project. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory studies a permanent monitoring network of several seismometers at the summit of Kīlauea that detect natural earthquakes, but determined that more seismometers are needed to collect data at a higher resolution for this project. An additional 1,800 small earthquake-detecting devices, called seismic nodes, will be temporarily placed on the surface of Kīlauea’s summit region in the next two months.
    USGS reports that both recent swarms included approximately 30 microearthquakes (smaller than M2.0) detected over 12 hours at a depth of 0.5 mi (1 km) and were centered under Halemaʻumaʻu crater. The first swarm occurred on Thursday, April 13th, and the second swarm occurred on Sunday, April 16th. Sunday’s swarm progressed into slightly increased seismicity in the south caldera on Monday morning. Each swarm was associated with 2-3 microradians (urad) of inflation recorded on the Uēkahuna summit tiltmeter. All other summit monitoring data streams over the past week remain normal. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from the summit remain low; the most recent SO2 emission rate of approximately 110 tonnes per day (t/d) was measured on April 14. 
      Despite the swarms, Kīlauea volcano is not erupting. The summit eruption of Kīlauea volcano, within
Halemaʻumaʻu crater, ended on March 7, 2023. Lava is no longer flowing on the crater floor. No significant changes have been observed at the summit or in either rift zone over the past week.

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MUSIC AND HULA FROM KOMAKAKINO will be featured at the free Hawaiian music concert this Wednesday, April 19 at Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. 
    Komakakino, based in Keaukaha, is known for uplifting Hawaiian falsetto vocalizations.
    E Nipo Mai, the band’s debut album, is critically acclaimed and was nominated for the 2017 Nā Hōkū Hanohano single of the year.
    The event is one of Nā Leo Manu Heavenly Voices of Hawaiian concerts and presentations at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association and Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free, but park entrance fees apply.


PUBLIC COMMENTS ON WAIKAPUNA Draft Management Plan are due Saturday, April 22.  Waikapuna, with 2,317 acres and miles of oceanfront, is one of the large parcels of land preserved on the Kaʻū Coast. It was slated for subdivision and sales on the open market, but with help from Trust for Public Land, public and private funds purchased it and transferred title to Ala Kahakai Trail Association
Comments are due Saturday for the management plan for
2,317 acres with miles of coast at Waikapuna.
Image from Legacy Land Commission
with a conservation easement owned by County of Hawai'i which is obligated to oversee its stewardship.      Part of the process is developing a Waikapuna Management Plan and the public comments help with adjustment of the plan for finalization. See the draft: https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/weblink/1/edoc/121424/Waikapuna%20Resources%20Management%20Plan_Public%20Review%20Draft_February%202023.pdf
     See the slideshow that was presented at last month's meeting at: https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/weblink/1/edoc/122216/Waikapuna_Community%20Mtg_March%2022,%202023%20on%20the%20Draft%20Plan.pdf.
    See the video recording of the public meeting at https://www.youtube.com/watch?
    Comments can be sent to Gabrielle@townscapeinc.com or through https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcQOPqii210k30nY_I3OqCB8pMj63b7VTx9VgnV1mAOC_9qg/viewform.
  A hard copy of the draft plan is also available at the Nāʻālehu Public Library and Pahala Public Library.
NOAA infrared image of storm coming through
the state. 

A FLOOD ADVISORY IS ISSUED FOR KAʻŪ AND PUNA DISTRICTS through Tuesday night. Hawai'i County Civil Defense reports that the National Weather Service has issued the Flood Advisory, which means that conditions are favorable for flash flooding through this evening and can be Life Threatening. A Flood Watch is in effect through Wednesday evening.
    Civil Defense advises the public to take precautions given that:
    Minor flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas can be expected. Ponding on roadways will make driving hazardous.
    Civil Defense sent out the following: "Do not cross fast flowing water in your vehicle or on foot. Remember, turnaround don't drown.You will be informed of any conditions that may affect your safety."
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Trojans track is competitive in islandwide meets.
Photo from Coach Tolu Rasmussen
KAʻŪ TROJAN TRACK TEAM REPORTS ACCOMPLISHMENTS from last Saturday's islandwide meet at Konawaena. Coach Tolu Rasmussen reports that Kalia Grace ran ninth overall in the 200 meters with a personal record of 28.94 seconds. She took sixth overall in the 400m, with a personal record of 1 minute, and 6:09 seconds.
     Cheska Aurelia was ninth overall in the 800 meter with a personal record of 2:53:98.
     Stephen Adler achieved personal records in the 100m and 200m and Isaiah Manila Louis took ninth overall in the 300m hurdles with a personal record of 49:20. 
    The team heads to Kea'au High School for the Freshman and Sophomore Invitational this Saturday. The BIIF finals are the following Friday at Kea'au.




 


OUTDOOR MARKETS

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

Volcano Swap Meet, fourth Saturday 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 Ka'ū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.

O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nā'ālehu, 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 Kona Dr. Drive and Hwy 11, near Thai Grindz. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no rez needed. Parking in the upper lot. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.