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Thursday, May 16, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs May 16, 2024

Hawai'i Rise Foundation team offers scholarships for high school seniors on this island.

MORE THAN $25K IN SCHOLARSHIPS IS OFFERED THROUGH HAWAI'I RISE FOUNDATION to Big Island students. This week, Hawaiʻi Rise Foundation. a group of young entrepreneurs and community leaders, along with their community partners, announced the opening for their 2024 Scholarship application program with a deadline set for June 15. 
Breanni Kobayashi, Executive Director
of Hawai'i Rise Foundation
     Executive Director Breeani Kobayashi, who is also a candidate for Hawai'i Mayor, explained the founding of Hawa'i Rise: "My mom and I opened the Keaukaha General Store in Hilo, Hawai'i, in 2013. One day, I caught a young boy stealing in the store. Rather than calling the police, I asked him why he was stealing, why he didn’t get a job, or find volunteer opportunities. His response was simple–he didn’t know-how.
    "He had no idea how to get a job, how to write a resume, or where to go for opportunities. At that moment, I felt it was essential to help our youth develop their potential. I started the Hawai'i Rise Foundation and began a free community education series for teens in January 2016. Our first-class was on resume building.” The organization also established the scholarship program, the first scholarship coming from the Keaukaha Store.
     Since then, scholarships have grown. Sponsors have inspired others to create scholarships of their own. This year varying scholarship amounts will be distributed to graduating high school seniors.
    Applicants answer essay questions. Some questions encourage a look into their past to share their growth through adversity. Others prompt a look at issues in their communities and ideas for giving back to improve the place. Some scholarships target specific majors like Nursing, Political Science and Hawaiian Studies. Each scholarship is uniquely created by the scholarship sponsor. 
     Following the June 15 deadline, awardees will be notified in July. A formal scholarship ceremony will be held at Hilo Yacht Club for scholarship winners. Scholarships and their sponsors are:
    Rachel’s Gift, sponsored by the 'ohana of Rachel Leilani Gangwes;
    Aloha Will Save The World Scholarship, sponsored by Bronson Kobayashi and Alaina Villatora;                Charles & Dorothy DeSilva Scholarship, sponsored by Lisa Robbins;
    Danny K. Paleka Memorial Political Science Scholarship, sponsored by Susan Paleka;
    Hawai’i Development Group Scholarship, sponsored by Lailan Bento;
    He Manu I Ka Lewa Lani Scholarship, sponsored by Manuheali’i;
    Hill-Estabilio Scholarship, sponsored by Rinna and Mikey Hill;
    Hilo Yacht Club Scholarship, sponsored by the Hilo Yacht Club;
    Ho’opuakea Scholarship, sponsored by Napua and Kealani Canda;
    Holomua Scholarship, sponsored by Keaukaha General Store;
    Kim and Kids Scholarship, sponsored by Breeani, Bronson and Brock Kobayashi;
    Na'au Ho’omaika’i Scholarship, sponsored by Ka'iulani Hedlund;
    Pumehana Scholarship, sponsored by Brock and Shoshanna Kobayashi;  
    Kiana Vallente, Community & Events Coordinator with Hawai'i Rise Foundation, said, "We are a small nonprofit organization. Our mission is to create opportunities for vulnerable, or moderate and low-income families, children, and elderly by providing educational services, programs, and support."
    See more on Hawai'i Rise Foundation at https://hawaiirisefoundation.com/. To apply for a scholarship, see: https://linktr.ee/hawaiirisefoundation. See Kobayashi's website for her mayoral candidacy at https://www.breeformayor.com/.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

DIGGING DEEPER, EXAMINING ASH is the subject of this week's Volcano Watch  written by USGS Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory geologist Kendra J. Lynn and University of Hawai'i student Reed Mershon. Last week’s Volcano Watch summarized Kīlauea’s explosive eruptions of 1924 and their impacts on communities. This week the focus is on new discoveries made by examining ash deposited during these events. Read last week's "Volcano Watch" article—The blast of the century at Kīlauea.  Here is this week's
story:
    A few years ago, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) geologists began studying the 1924 explosive deposits by conducting detailed field and laboratory studies. Around Halema‘uma‘u, we sampled and described these ash layers which had lain largely undisturbed over the past 100 years.
   During the 1924 eruption, ash fell as far away as Pāhala; today, it is only preserved within about 2 miles (3 km) of Halema‘uma‘u. It is thickest in the downwind direction (to the southwest), ranging from about 3 feet (1 m) to several inches (a few centimeters) thick. Blocks were also ejected during the eruption and weigh up to 8 tons (8,000 kg).
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist examines layers 
                of ash deposited during Kīlauea’s 1924 explosions south of 
the summit caldera. USGS Photo by J. Chang
.
    In the lab, we studied the samples of ash. We examined 200 grains ranging 0.2–0.4 inches (0.5–1.0 mm) in size; each grain was classified according to its rock or mineral type. Typical components include older, “recycled” lavas (called lithic material) and fresh magma (called juvenile material).
    Most of the 1924 ash layers we’ve studied have 95% or more lithic (recycled) material. This finding supports the classic interpretation that the 1924 eruptions were driven by water-rock interactions (called phreatic explosions). A surprising recent discovery was that many of the youngest layers in the 1924 deposits (from the later explosions) have up to 30% juvenile material, or fresh magma! This finding is not consistent with the classic interpretation of steam driven explosions.
    To learn more about the magma involved in the 1924 explosions, HVO scientists have been collaborating with colleagues at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. We have used a range of analytical techniques to study the compositions and textures of the 1924 juvenile material.
    There are a few separate ash groups, distinct both in their chemistry and their textures. To distinguish the different ash groups based on chemistry, geochemists use the magnesium oxide (MgO) content: the amount of MgO decreases as the magma cools, so we can use it as an analogue for temperature. Almost like a chemical fingerprint of the history of the magma!
    Most of the 1924 grains we looked at have MgO contents within the normal range we expect for lava erupted from Halema‘uma‘u. However, we’ve also observed two rarer groups of 1924 grains with higher amounts of MgO, likely from a hotter source material. This suggests that fresh batches of magma could have entered the magmatic system of Kīlauea during the 1924 explosions.
    The different chemical groups of 1924 grains also have distinct textures, which we can see using a scanning electron microscope. The lower-MgO group have lots of tiny crystals and very few vesicles (gas bubbles) in them. The middle-MgO group has few crystals and many vesicles that are ovals or other shapes indicating that the once round bubbles were squished. The high-MgO group has no small crystals and have circular vesicles.
    These chemical and textural differences in the 1924 deposits show that three magma types can be distinguished in the 1924 explosions. From this, we can infer that at least three different magmas were interacting underneath Halema‘uma‘u prior to and/or during the 1924 explosive eruptions, and perhaps the mixing of these magmas could help explain why the eruptions were so explosive.
 
Olivine crystals help tell the story of eruptions. USGS photo
 We also found olivine crystals, the very common green mineral you find in Hawaiian rocks, in the juvenile component of the 1924 eruptions. The olivine chemistry and textures vary widely, indicating multiple groups of minerals with different histories prior to eruption. Many of the olivine crystals are zoned, with different chemistry in their centers compared to their rims, indicating that magmas were mixing just prior to eruption. There is much more to be learned by studying the olivine crystals, and HVO scientists are hard at work probing their secrets.
   One hundred years have passed since the 1924 explosive eruptions at Kīlauea. However, we have only begun to scratch the surface on what we can learn from the deposits of these explosions. How did the magmas interact with each other? How long did they sit waiting in magma reservoirs, and what happened to cause the explosions? We hope to answer these questions with our continued research.
    On Monday, May 20 at 7 p.m., and Tuesday, May 21 at 3 p.m., join Don Swanson, HVO geologist emeritus, and Ben Gaddis, HVO volunteer, as they describe the 1924 explosive eruption of Kīlauea in presentations at the Lyman Museum in Hilo. Admission to Lyman Museum programs is free to Museum members, and $3.00 for nonmembers. See here for more information: https://lymanmuseum.org/events/.
   A newly available video provides audio of Thomas Jaggar describing the 1924 explosive eruption of Kīlauea, with historical photos: 100 years ago at Kīlauea: The 1924 explosive eruption described by Thomas Jaggar.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

VOLCANO ACTIVITY UPDATES: 
    Kīlauea is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is ADVISORY. Unrest that began on April 27 continues beneath the upper East Rift Zone and the summit caldera south of Halemaʻumaʻu. Over the past week, activity decreased slightly compared to the previous week. Less than 200 events were detected per day, most magnitude-2 and smaller; depths remain concentrated between 2-4 km (1.2-3.1 miles) beneath the surface. Tiltmeters near Sand Hill and Uēkahuna bluff continued to record inflationary trends. Kīlauea's summit region is pressurized, and changes could occur quickly moving forward. See the Information Statement published on May 2 for background information: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hans-public/notice/DOI-USGS-HVO-2024-05-03T07:42:02+00:00.
    Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL. Webcams show no signs of activity on Mauna Loa. Summit seismicity has remained at low levels over the past month. Ground deformation indicates continuing slow inflation as magma replenishes the reservoir system following the 2022 eruption. SO2 emission rates are at background levels.
    Four earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M3.8 earthquake 5 km (3 mi) SSW of Pāhala at 33 km (20 mi) depth on May 16 at 3:25 a.m. HST, a M3.4 earthquake 14 km (8 mi) E of Pāhala at 27 km (17 mi) depth on May 14 at 6:39 p.m. HST, a M1.8 earthquake 1 km (0 mi) N of Pāhala at 29 km (18 mi) depth on May 11 at 8:11 p.m. HST, and a M3.5 earthquake 22 km (13 mi) S of Wai‘ōhinu at 7 km (4 mi) depth on May 11 at 7:59 p.m. HST.
    Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

ALOHA FRIDAYS AT VAC GALLERY: 'UKULELE WITH WES AWANA on Friday May 17 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. on porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Wes Awana offers family-friendly lessons on the iconic and inviting 'ukulele. Free cultural events are part of VAC's Cultural Connections Initiative supported by in part by Hawai'i State GIA Wai Wai Programs. Park fees apply.

MĀLAMA NĀ KEIKI FESTIVAL is Saturday May 18 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center, 96 Kamani Street, Pāhala. Event includes keiki activities, prizes and food. Keiki (0-13 years old) must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required, call (808) 769-3792. First come, first serve. Hosted by Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi.

NANI O KAHUKU: A LIVING HISTORY PLAY is Saturday May 18 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The entrance is located just south of the 70.5 mile marker on the ma uka (mountain side) of Highway 11. Nani O Kahuku is a one-woman living history play adapted by Jackie Pualani Johnson from the diary of Hannah Piʻilani Jones (Nani). Nani (portrayed by Alya-Joy Kanehailua) was the eleventh and youngest child of Kahuku Ranch owner from 1871-1887, George W.C. Jones. Free.

EMPTINESS AND FORM: AN INVITATIONAL EXHIBITION OF VISUAL ART is open from May 18 – June 7th on Wednesdays – Sundays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Volcano Arts Center Niaulani Campus in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. The exhibit accompanies the 17th annual meeting of the Comparative and Continental Philosophy Circle (CCPC), a conference hosted by the Humanities Division at the University of Hawai'i–Hilo. The exhibition features invited artists from both the US mainland and Hawaiʻi Island sharing artistic explorations of the theme Emptiness and Form. Artists' reception on Saturday, May 18th, from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Closing reception with both artists and philosophers present will occur on Friday, June 7th from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
















Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs May 15, 2024

Hikers along eroded dirt road to Green Sands Beach that is deepened by ATV and four-wheel
drive travel, much of it involving commercial operations. Photo from Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

THE STORY ABOUT TRINITY ADVENTURES' promotion of ATV tours to Green Sands Beach and other travels through Kaʻū drew a large number of Kaʻū Calendar facebook posts on Tuesday night and Wednesday. Most of the comments stated surprise and many expressed anger. Some of those who commented suggested that The Kaʻū Calendar should have refrained from running the story and the accompanying illustrations (not paid ads) that were posted to show how the place is being promoted.              Some comments suggested "Kill the Messenger," as if the community not knowing about the tours would have been acceptable. Some expressed that The Kaʻū Calendar is "a sell out," and asked whether the story is "a paid advertisement."  
    More than 300 comments came in for the story, showing strong community interest.
    Most commenters said they oppose commercial tours to Green Sands and South Point area and some asked if they are legal. Some examples of comments are: "I can't believe this is real, just heartbreaking;" "I just don't get why people can't just leave Kaʻū alone, what's left of real Hawai'i;" and "Hiking that trail is much more enjoyable." Another commenter pointed to some local residents "when they go down there with their ATVs and dirt bikes and 4X4s" and do damage. 
    Another said, "As locals who’ve a family blood history to the Hawaiian Home lands - creating a way to help people get out and back with an organized track that keeps to one way in and one way out - thus allowing the other tracks to heal over and even get rehabbed - That could be sustainable. However a random outfit letting people bomb all over the place on ATVs is total destruction for profit."
     Some commenters asked about the company name, Trinity Adventuress. In addition to the name being used for the Kaʻū tours, Trinity Adventures is an apparently unrelated San Francisco based group that offers wilderness tours for high school students and adults. Its website says, "Our mission is to help people of all ages disconnect and experience an immersion in nature through backpacking. We run trips for teens and adults through wilderness areas of California and the West Coast and teach the skills necessary for successful expeditions. We provide training in outdoor living skills, leadership, risk management, and how to confront challenges head-on." It apparently  has no programs in Hawai'i. See https://www.trinityadventureprogram.com/about.
     See facebook.com/kaucalendar for all the comments on the story.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

THE LATE SEN. GIL KAHELE, WITH FAMILY ROOTS IN MILOLI'I, an advocate for land preservation, for Kaʻū Coffee and a public servant as Kaʻū's state Senator, was honored with ceremony on Wednesday for installation of signage that illustrates his life. 
    Hawaiʻi County Department of Parks & Recreation, under direction of Mayor Mitch Roth, joined the Kahele ʻOhana in on Wednesday, which would have been Kahele's 82nd birthday. Ceremonies were held at the Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area. The recreation area is located on the slopes of Mauna Kea along the Daniel K. Inouye Highway and was transferred to the County from the State of Hawaiʻi in 2014 through efforts spearheaded by then-Senator Kahele and others.
    The late Senator's brother, Leighton Kahele, purchased the new signage before his passing. County workers, in a show of support, assisted the Kahele ʻOhana in selecting an appropriate location and
Sen. Gil Kahele was a strong supporter
of Kaʻū Coffee, a coffee bag on his 
office wall and coffee for his guests.
Photo by Julia Neal
installing the sign"This sign is a testament to Gilbert Kahele's life and contributions to the Hawaiʻi Island community," says a statement from Hawai'i County.
    "We are privileged to share a glimpse of Gil's story with our community and honor the Kahele family by installing this sign at a park that Senator Kahele played a pivotal role in establishing years ago," said Mayor Mitch Roth. "Our parks bear the names of individuals who have left indelible marks on our community, and Senator Kahele's legacy is one of profound influence and unwavering commitment to the people of Hawaiʻi Island."
    "On behalf of our Kahele ʻohana, we would like to mahalo the County of Hawaiʻi, Mayor Roth, and the team at the Department of Parks and Recreation for the installation of this park signage to honor our Dad and Hawaiʻi Islands former State Senator," said Kai Kahele. "Our Dad loved this place and would be humbled and honored by this recognition. He always believed in preserving and protecting special places throughout Hawaiʻi for future generations, and this park embodies his vision and dedication to the 'āina and people of Hawaiʻi Island."
    "The new signage is a lasting tribute to Senator Kahele's enduring legacy and his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of residents and visitors alike," says the county statement. "The Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area, a living testament to his vision and efforts, remains a place where the community can congregate, bask in the natural beauty of Hawaiʻi Island, and find solace during their journeys between destinations."

 

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO FILL SEATS ON COUNTY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS are announced. "These civic bodies play a crucial role in shaping the future of Hawaiʻi Island." Mayor Mitch Roth "invites individuals with the necessary skills, expertise, and commitment to public service to apply," says the county statement. The following Boards and Commissions are seeking dedicated members:
                                                    Cultural Resources Commission
    Fire Board of Appeals
    Transportation Commission
    Public Access, Open Space, & Natural Resources Preservation              
    Kailua Village Design Commission
    Community Development Plan Action Committees
    The county statement says, "These bodies play a vital role in ensuring our communities' responsible and sustainable development, protecting cultural resources, and upholding the highest standards in planning and appeals processes."
    "Our Boards and Commissions are the backbone of effective governance, and we seek individuals with a passion for public service and a commitment to the betterment of our County," said Mayor Mitch Roth. "Your input and expertise will help contribute to the growth and prosperity of our communities for generations to come."
    Qualified individuals interested in serving on these Boards and Commissions are invited to apply. Applicants should possess a solid commitment to the community, relevant expertise, and a willingness to dedicate their time to public service.
    For further information or inquiries, contact Pomai Bartolome at pomaikai.bartolome@hawaiicounty.gov.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
 


5,500 sent through the mail, 1,500 on the streets.
See www.kaunews.com for more.











Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs May 14, 2024

Forecast for Rain Continues 
National Weather Service issued a flood advisory again for Hawai'i Island, as farmers inspected
 their crops during a mostly sunny Monday. Photo by Joseph Ashley

WHILE EXPECTATION OF FINDING LEAD IN WATER PIPES IS LOW, says a statement from county Department of Water Supply, the agency will begin inspecting selected Ka‘ū customers’ water service laterals starting Monday, May 20. The DWS announcement says inspections will begin in Wai‘ōhinu, followed by Nā‘ālehu, Discovery Harbor, Souh Point, and Pāhala, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays, excluding holidays. Customers are notified by mail when a water service lateral inspection is scheduled for their properties.  The announcement explains that inspections are required to comply with the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. Service laterals will be inspected for the type of material they are made of, and that information will be inventoried by DWS. "Although DWS believes the potential to find lead or lead-containing service laterals is very low, should any be found, the Department will inform customers about next steps."
    Water service laterals are typically located underground and connect watermains to the water meters and then to the customer’s plumbing. The water meter box is often located along the roadway or in the sidewalk at the property boundary. During inspections, DWS staff and contractors will open water meter boxes to visually determine the lateral material and will conduct a visual inspection of the above ground service lateral that enters the building.  DWS stated, "We respectfully ask for your assistance in keeping the area near your water meter box clear of parked vehicles and items to allow personnel to complete inspections efficiently.
    "DWS staff and contractors can be identified by ID badges and marked vehicles and will have appropriate safety equipment. They will not ask for personal information or solicit money. Entrance into buildings will not be needed. Please note that while your participation is completely optional, it is greatly encouraged and appreciated as part of this work to protect community health and safety." For more information on the upcoming water service lateral inspections, please contact DWS at lcrr@hawaiidws.org or (808) 961-8070 Ext. 3.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies the mail and on stands. 


TRINITY ADVENTURES PROMOTES the South Point area and farms and backroads up mauka. The tour company is promoted by Golden Tree Media, LLC, of  Nāʻālehu, which is listed as a "Locally-owned Business, Native Hawaiian." Its president is Kristine Kaehuaea. 
A Trinity Adventures Down South Package, See
https://goldentreemedia.com/down-south-hawaii
    The website advises visitors: "Don't follow the cattle line.... Let Trinity Adventures guide you into those pockets around Hawai'i island to reinvent your destination getaway, introduce you to the local residents while you inadvertently bolster the small businesses and communities around the island."
    Its three-day Down South Tour asks visitors to "Discover the Green Desert Region." It lists one of the sites as Kalalea Heiau in Kama'oa.  Others include mamaki tea and coffee farms, Buddhist Temple, and Black Sand Beach. Accommodations show a house with an ocean view. Meals included.
    Another three-day Trinity Adventures package is called 4th Gear Exhilaration and features a sunrise ATV ride down to Green Sands Beach, "plus everywhere in between." It says, "Drive a Path to see Surfing Honu (sea turtles)." It also offers e-bike/cycling along an old sugar plantation road or at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
The three-day 4th Gear Exhilaration package features a sunrise ride to Green Sands Beach.
Image from https://goldentreemedia.com/down-south-hawaii
    The website also promotes "Stay-Cations | South region, Hawaii Island," saying, "Do you find yourself staring at the walls? Is the stress of your day overwhelming you? It's a sign you need to recharge your soul. Let Trinity Adventures set you free!" See https://goldentreemedia.com/down-south-hawaii.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies the mail and on stands. 

A RUSTY BLACK POWDER PISTOL WAS APPARENTLY ENGAGED TO SHOOT AN OCEAN VIEW MAN. IT LED TO AN ARREST on Monday. Hawai'i Police Department reports:
     On Monday, May 13, just after 5 p.m., 48-year old Daniel Moriarty, of Ocean View, was arrested for Assault in the second degree, relating to a May 10 incident just before 3 p.m. A 49-year old male victim, also of Ocean View, reported being shot by Moriarty with a rusty black powder revolver style pistol.
    On May 10, just prior to 3 p.m., Kaʻū patrol officers responded to the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision to a report of an unknown type disturbance described as three males yelling in the area of Coral Parkway between King Kamehameha Boulevard and Tiki Lane. Officers arrived and observed a verbal disagreement. One unidentified male appeared to be bleeding, possibly from his right hand, with blood running down his right pants leg. Officers attempted to identify the male party and were given the name “Johnny Depp.” When asked if he needed help, he informed officers multiple times that he did not need police or medical attention and was uncooperative.    On May 10, just prior to 4 p.m., Kaʻū patrol officers received a transfer call from the Hawai‘i Fire Department relating that a male party was in the roadway claiming that he was just shot. Upon arrival, officers observed the same uncooperative male party from the previous call now with blood observed on his hands, face, and legs. He was again asked if he
needed police or medical assistance and said something to the effect of “No”, he was fine and was heading home. Officers then followed the male party to his residence located at the 92-8300 block of Bamboo Lane where they spoke to the unidentified male’s sister. She related that the 49-year old male was her brother and that he is mentally ill. Officers informed the man’s sister of the events previously occurring with her bother and reiterated to her that his injuries seemed serious and that they wanted to speak to him in hopes of determining how he received his injuries.        
    The injured male then informed officers that he cut his finger on a glass wine bottle, and made no mention of being shot in the leg. He again declined medical attention.
    On May 10, just prior to 5 p.m., the injured male’s sister called police dispatch requesting that police and medical return as her brother had now informed her that he had been shot in the leg. Upon arrival, officers were informed that the injured victim was shot in the leg by a male identified as Daniel Moriarty. Officers re-interviewed the victim who informed them that he had initially been assaulted by a male party near where officers had first contacted him and related that he did not need police help at the time because he felt he could handle the situation himself.
    The victim related that he went to Moriarty’s home for help because he was being assaulted by several males, unknown how many. The victim then related that he knocked on Moriarty’s door and asked him for help, to which Moriarty related to him something along the lines of “Get out of here, before I shoot you.” The victim related that he was about to leave when Moriarty pulled out a black hand gun described as having a 7 to 8-inch barrel and shot him. The victim believed the gun was a black powder gun because there was a delay from when the trigger was pulled and it had smoke come out of the barrel. The victim was transported by ambulance to Kona Community Hospital where it was determined that a bullet was lodged in the victim’s right thigh. There was no damage to any bones or arteries and the injury was described as a “gunshot wound to the right lateral thigh with muscle damage.”
    The Area II Criminal Investigative Section (CIS) was notified and continued the investigation and search warrants were prepared for Moriarty’s residence for his arrest. Both warrants were executed on May 13,  just after 5 p.m. and Moriarty was apprehended without incident.
    Upon a search being conducted of Moriarty’s residence, a rusty black powder revolver style pistol was recovered. On Tuesday, May 14, after police conferred with county prosecutors, Moriarty was released pending further investigation.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies the mail and on stands. 

5,500 sent through the mail, 1,500 on the streets.
See www.kaunews.com for more.


To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies the mail and on stands. 














Monday, May 13, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs May 13, 2024

From the bridge at Hwy 11 and Kamani Street in Pāhala on Monday, the sight of soil and floodwaters
flowing down from Wood Valley. Photo by Julia Neal
Headed toward the ocean, makai of Pāhala village.
Photo by Julia Neal
PĀHALA RECEIVED THE MOST RAIN ON THIS ISLAND during 24 hours ending at 8 p.m. on Monday. The rain gage in Pāhala recorded 5.47 inches. One gage at nearby Kapāpala ranch measured 3.43 inches and the other 2.69 inches.
    Floodwaters raged down streams in Wood Valley and into Pāhala and through Pā'au'au Gulch that borders the Hilo side of the town. The waters continued through macadamia orchards and onto open muddy flats above the ocean.
   Farmers of macadamia, coffee, tea and other food crops planned to check for damages on Tuesday morning. County, state and federal agencies urged reporting.
   The heavy rain over the weekend on the rest of the island tapered off on Monday with heavy rains remaining in some parts of O'ahu and Mt. Wai'ale'ale on Kaua'i.

Wood Valley streams and their tiny waterfalls on Monday. Photo by Julia Neal


To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies the mail and on stands. 

A SLOWER PACE OF GROWTH FOR HAWAI'I is the prediction in the latest forecast by University of Hawai'i Economic Research Organization and its Executive Director Carl Bonham. However, Hawai'i Island will see the strongest population and labor growth, says the UHERO report released last week. Here is the Executive Summary:
    Hawai'i’s economy will continue to grow, but at a slower pace than in past years. Maui rebuilding and the incremental return of international travelers will support tourism, helping to offset a moderate pullback in the US mainland market. Construction will continue to be a source of strength, even as overall job and income growth decelerate. 
    Reducing inflation in the Islands will take a bit longer than expected. Growth prospects for Hawai'i’s counties differ. Maui is set for an extended recovery period this decade, while population slowing will reduce future growth to varying degrees across the counties. 
    • The US has continued to outperform its peers, supported by immigration and strong consumer spending. Some moderation of US growth will occur as the labor force softens and high short-term financing costs weigh on households. But considering the economy’s impressive resilience, the extent of slowing will be less than previously anticipated. 
    • Other major visitor markets have struggled. The preponderance of floating rate mortgages means interest rate hikes hit Canada harder than the US, leading to negligible consumption growth. Weak export markets and especially unfamiliar inflation have hammered Japan. Consumer spending has been soft in Australia, where there is also drag from a weak China, struggling with a housing debt overhang and deflationary pressure. Weak currencies—which could fall further—will weigh on visitor growth from international markets, even as the global economy turns the corner this year. 
    • The four counties have experienced somewhat differing visitor industry performance. All were affected by a first-half 2023 tapering of US arrivals, which may have reflected waning postpandemic rebound travel. Maui has had a somewhat stronger than expected initial industry rebound, but faces a long road ahead. Other counties benefited from visitors substituting alternative Hawai'i destinations. O'ahu and Hawai'i Counties will gain the most from the ongoing recovery of international markets. 
    • Despite challenges, inflation-adjusted statewide visitor spending rose last year, propelled by the strongest daily per person visitor spending in more than three decades. Room rates held steady after a period of substantial gains, while there was substitution away from the luxury hotel segment. Inflation-adjusted visitor spending will decline a bit this year, before stabilizing in 2025. 
    • The State Government budget is taking a smaller hit from Maui wildfire cost than expected, but
pending hazard pay for employees who worked during COVID-19 will be an added state and county outlay. Already, recent years’ population decline has reduced revenue. The State Legislature has passed the most ambitious tax cut and reform package in many years. 
    • Inflation has picked up in the Islands, and it now exceeds the national average. This is primarily because of a delayed pass-through of higher rents. Inflation will resume its downward path over the next two years. 
    • Job growth continues at a modest pace in all counties other than Maui. Filled jobs in Maui County remain nearly 5,000 fewer than before the wildfires. Maui sectors heavily reliant on tourism will take the longest to recover. Over the long term, much slower population growth in the Islands will constrain growth. O'ahu will see the slowest population and labor force growth and Hawai'i County the strongest. 
    • Progress housing residents displaced by the Maui wildfires has been slow. Hastening the pace of moving residents from hotels and vacation rentals to longer-term housing will be important for reducing family hardship and freeing up rooms needed for a full visitor industry recovery. A new law grants Maui and the other counties more authority to regulate or eliminate shortterm rentals. 
    • Across all counties, soaring mortgage rates caused a dramatic drop in existing home sales, but overall construction activity remains buoyant. Maui rebuilding and ongoing private and government projects, especially on O'ahu, will push construction employment to record highs. A significant new concern is the unfolding insurance crisis. The cost of condo insurance has soared nationwide because of more frequent catastrophic events. Most lenders will not issue new mortgages on under-insured properties. The State Legislature has considered a public insurance pool to address these concerns, but this was not adopted during the recent term. 
    • Wage increases and declining inflation have raised real personal income, but it will slow below 1% this year. Real gross domestic product, our broadest measure of economic activity, will slow sharply from 3.6% growth in 2023 to 1.5% this year, but it will pick up in 2025 as Maui construction kicks into higher gear and external economies improve. As labor force and employment growth slow, both income and GDP will trend lower than in the past.

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HPD warned people at the top of Reef Parkway and Ala'oli Drive to stay away as they dealt with a standoff and arrested
Kamren Adams for terroristic threatening, burglary and possession of firearm. 
Photo by Hal McDougal

AFTER A LENGTHLY STANDOFF WITH POLICE, KAMREN ADAMS, OF OCEAN VIEW. WAS ARRESTED for terroristic threatening, burglary and possession of prohibited firearm. The 32-year-old was taken into police custody on Sunday afternoon. Hawai'i Police Department reports:
   At approximately 8:20 a.m., a 37-year-old female, also from Ocean View, called police for assistance in regards to a male who broke into a residence she was caretaking; located at the 92-2800 block of Alaoli Drive. She reported that she was in a bedroom on the fourth floor of the residence when she heard a loud bang that she thought was a gunshot. Upon looking outside, she said, she observed that a male party was banging on the front door and demanding entry into the residence. She reported that she had never seen the male before and that he did not have permission to be on the property or to enter the residence. She said she told him to "go away!" and called for police.
Special Response Team came to Ocean View on Sunday.
File Photo by Sherrie Bracken, HPR
    She said she heard glass shattering, went downstairs to see what happened and saw that the male had entered the residence. She said she confronted him, told him to leave and that she had called the police.
    She reported that the man brandished what appeared to be a black semi-automatic pistol and stated something to the effect of, "where's my wife and kid!? I'm gonna kill them." The woman said she ran toward another room in the residence and observed a circular hole that appeared to be a bullet hole in one of the third-floor windows, the glass completely shattered. She said she locked the door and hid until police arrived. The woman reported that she heard the male say something to the effect of "I'm gonna kill anyone in here!" and that the male was stomping around the residence shouting obscenities.
    The female reported that she was able to escape the residence by sneaking out of a fourth-floor balcony. As she was exiting the residence, she said, she observed that the male with what appeared to be a black iAR-15 style rifle with a scope. She came into contact with Kaʻū patrol officers as they pulled up to the driveway.
   The officers related that they observed a shirtless male at the top of the driveway with what appeared to be a black semi-automatic pistol in his hand. The male ran back into the residence once he observed the police.
    Hawai‘i Police Department’s Special Response Team and Crisis Negotiators were called to the scene when the male had barricaded himself in the residence and refused to come out. After several hours, the male voluntarily came out of the residence and was taken into custody without further incident.
    Detectives with the Area 2 Criminal Investigation section are continuing the investigation.
    Anyone with information relative to this investigation is encouraged to call the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311. Also contact Detective Len Hamakado at (808) 326-4646, ext. 224; or Len.hamakado@hawaiicounty.gov.

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The 1924 eruption at Halema'uma'u. Photo by Tai Sing Loo
AFTER DARK IN THE PARK: Sixteen Explosive Days at Kīlauea in May 1924. The presentation is this Tuesday, May 14 from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 
    In May 1924, more than 50 explosions from Halemaʻumaʻu produced volcanic ash that fell from South Hilo to South Kona. Thousands of rocks weighing as much as 12 tons crashed to the ground in Kīlauea caldera. Electrical storms and torrential rain accompanied several of the explosions, earthquakes repeatedly shook the summit, and Halemaʻumaʻu doubled in width. 
    Don Swanson, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist emeritus, and Ben Gaddis, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory volunteer, will describe the preamble to that eventful May. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's ongoing After Dark in the Park series of programs. Program co-sponsored by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Free. Park fees apply.

STACEY JARNESKI OF JARNESKI RENTALS has announced a Kaʻū Family Fun Day at
Na'alehu Park on Sunday, June 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m with water slides, bounce houses, cornhole tourney, live music and food vendors. Jarneski said there are no vendor fees. "I would like to help the people of Ka'u to promote their business and make some money." Call 808-090-7769.