Saturday, July 06, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs July 6, 2024

Coffee grown in  Kaʻū will have to be at least 51 percent Kaʻū to use the name Kaʻū as the identifying wording on the label. Most Kaʻū coffee farmers sell 100 percent  Kaʻū. Photo from Kaʻū Coffee Festival

FOUR BILLS FOCUSED ON AGRICULTURE, including protecting the brands of the coffee and macadamia nut industry and measures to increase biosecurity, got the signatures of Gov. Josh Green this 
week. Numerous farmers from Kaʻū supported the measures.

Hawaiian Macadamia Co, lobbied with Hamakua and other local
growers, who sell 100 percent Hawaiian grown nuts, for transparency
 in labeling to prevent Hawai's ame from being used to sell foreign
 macnuts. The bill passed and the Governor signed it.
    HB 2298: PROTECTING HAWAIʻI-GROWN COFFEE: This legislation addresses deceptive labeling practices of Hawaiʻi-grown coffee. Effective July 1, 2027, the law prohibits the use of geographic origin names like “ Kaʻū” on coffee products unless they contain at least 51% coffee by weight from that origin. The bill mandates clear labeling requirements for coffee blends and strict enforcement to protect the integrity of Hawaiʻi-grown coffee brands.

    HB2278: ENHANCING MACADAMIA NUT LABELING TRANSPARENCY: This increases transparency in macadamia nut labeling by requiring products containing nuts grown outside Hawaiʻi to disclose this fact on the label. It prohibits misleading “with Hawaiʻi-Grown” claims unless all macadamia nuts are sourced from Hawaiʻi, with stringent enforcement measures and penalties for violations.

    SB2079: STRENGTHENING IMPORTATION CONDITIONS: This measure enhances regulations for the importation of nursery stock, plants, animals, and related products into Hawaiʻi. It mandates immediate notification upon arrival, detailed shipment information, and secure holding to prevent pest spread until inspection. The bill also strengthens labeling requirements and grants inspectors the authority to enforce quarantine and treatment protocols.

    SB3365: COMPREHENSIVE BIOSECURITY MEASURES; These require the mandatory distribution of state plant and animal declaration forms to passengers and crew arriving from outside Hawaiʻi. Visitors, returning residents, and crew will be allowed to submit their forms electronically while maintaining Hawaiʻi’s paper option.

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A MAGNITUDE 4.1 EARTHQUAKE RATTLED THE SOUTH FLANK of Kilauea volcano at 8.48 p.m. on Saturday, about 9 miles south of Fern Forest, followed by aftershocks.
    U.S. Geological Survey reported that the quake's depth was 4 miles (7 km) below sea level. It was followed by three aftershocks in the same area within 10 minutes. They recorded as a M2.0, M2.6 and one M3. Other aftershocks are possible. "The earthquake had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or
M4.1 south flank earthquake near Fern Forest on Saturday.
USGS map
Kīlauea volcanoes. Most earthquakes in this region are caused by abrupt motion of Kīlauea volcano’s south flank, which moves to the southeast over the oceanic crust. The location, depth, and waveforms recorded as part of today’s earthquake are consistent with slip along faults related to the south flank detachment fault," says the USGS report.
    Hawai'i County Civil Defense sent out a Local Earthquake Information Statement message. saying that the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported that the quake was not large enough to cause a tsunami for the Island of Hawaii. "As in all earthquakes, be aware of the possibility of after-shocks. If the earthquake was strongly felt in your area, please check for any damages, including but not limited to structural and gas, water, and electrical utilities."
    The daily update on Kilauea volcano from USGS on Saturday morning said, "Earthquake counts in the upper East Rift Zone remain above background levels following the seismic swarm that took place from June 27–July 1. Longer-term, gradual inflation of the summit and upper rift zones has persisted since the end of the June 3, 2024, eruption. Any substantial increases in seismicity and/or deformation could result in a new eruptive episode, but there are no signs of an imminent eruption at this time."

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CLUES TO THE OCEAN VIEW MURDER OF ADAM SANTOS ARE SOUGHT BY HAWAI' POLICE DEPARTMENT. His sister Mary Benevides told KITV News that Santos, 51, was a mechanic, who was loved by his family, and lived next door to where he was found. "Adam was like one of the funniest guys. He was so kind. You know he would help anyone. We just want some closure as to why one of us is no longer here anymore. Especially one of the ones that was just so kind, so humble, My brother was just a
The late Adam Santos photo provided to media by his family.
good guy."
    HPD reports the death as unattended and will review the classification to consider murder when autopsy is concluded. The HPD statement says: On Tuesday, July 2, at approximately 2 p.m., the Area II Criminal Investigation Section received information from an anonymous source that something was believed to dead and was partially buried on a vacant lot in Ocean View.
    The anonymous source referenced an earlier reported missing person from the area of Tiki Lane in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates as possibly being the victim and gave specific directions on how to get to the location.
    Kaʻū Patrol officers were informed of the information, responded and conducted checks at a vacant lot located on the 92-9200 block of Tiki Lane where they discovered the deceased body of a male lying face down and covered with dirt and rocks. Area II CIS detectives responded to the scene and upon uncovering the male, they observed severe injuries to his head. The identity of the deceased male matched the description of a male named Adam Santos who had been reported as missing on June 30.
    On July 3, upon further investigation, the deceased male was positively identified as the missing 51-year old Adam Santos. His next of kin has been notified.
    An autopsy was scheduled to determine the exact cause of death.
    Anyone with information relative to this investigation is encouraged to call the Hawai‘i Police Department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311. Also contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 960-3118; or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov.
    The late Adam Santos photo provided to media by his family.


THE 45TH ANNUAL KAʻŪ ROPING & RIDING 4TH OF JULY RODEO continues Sunday, July 7 at Nāʻālehu Rodeo Arena. Slack Roping starts at 8 a.m. and the show starts at noon and is expected to go until around 2:30 p.m. Admission tickets are $8. Food will be sold on the rodeo grounds. 

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Friday, July 05, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs July 5, 2024

Independence Day Weekend at the Park
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park invites the public to celebrate the country's rich history and natural beauty over the remainder of the Independence Day weekend at the Kahuku and Volcano units. Expect the park to be very busy especially at Kīlauea summit sites between peak hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The Park posted this photo at Kīlauea summit in celebration of Independence Day. NPS photo

A SMALL PUKA ON CRATER RIM DRIVE West in front of Kilauea Military Camp appeared Thursday with a larger void visible under the pavement. That section of road was closed and traffic diverted through KMC.
"We appreciate your patience while our team works on emergency repairs. Please heed all traffic control signs, go slow and watch out for workers. Mahalo! ," said the post from Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.Hawai'i 

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AN EPA RECYCLE, EDUCATION & OUTREACH SUMMER FELLOWSHIP presentation at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary on Friday is archived on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/live/aPi2rzMEkzk. The program featured ten students who showcased their continuing efforts to tackle food waste, the reduction of plastics, and encourage recycling in the community. They are all employed by Recycling Hawai'i and created their own company to take on challenges with Zero Waste and recycling.

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THE RUNAWAYS REPORTED JULY 4 were mainly dogs and cats that were searching for safety from noises and vibrant firework displays, lighting up the Kaʻū night skies.
    Several local Facebook groups play a crucial role in reuniting these animals with their families. Big Island Lost, Found & Stolen Pets specializes, with almost 11,000 members. It is seeing an influx of posts
Tobyk is one of the July 4 runaways. The Kolosov
family of Nāʻālehu searched. They are reunited. Photo by Matt Baker
as concerned pet owners and neighbors search for runaway pets during the extended celebration of Independence Day weekend.
    One of the Nāʻālehu runaways is Tobyk, a dog belonging to the Kolosov family. Tobyk departed July 4 and was was reunited with his family on Saturday morning. The Kolosov family issued a statement about their experience saying, "Starting from yesterday evening, as soon as we realized that Tobyk was missing, we walked the streets of Nāʻālehu with flashlights. Today we continued to make the rounds, looking into every house, looking through the bushes... crowded places, where there is the smell of food... in general, our efforts did not give a good result. We hope that Tobyk will end up in good hands, and people will see the tag on his neck, call and we will live with Tobyk again." On Saturday morning they reported he was home.
    As the holiday celebrations continue this weekend, fireworks may continue to scare pets. The Hawai'i Police Department, Hawai'i County Animal Control & Protection Agency, which maintains animal shelters; and Hawai'i Humane Society remind pet owners to take extra precautions to keep their pets safe. Ensuring they are indoors, or another secure environment, and providing comforting sounds can help reduce their anxiety.
    See Big Island Lost, Found & Stolen Pets at https://www.facebook.com/groups/32624781773963. Call Hawai'i County Animal Control and Protection Agency at 808-327-3558 or see https://www.hawaiipolice.com/services/animal-control-services to help locate a lost pet. Visit the website of the Hawai'i Island Humane Society at https://www.hihs.org.

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Independence Day Rodeo is this Saturday, July 6 starting with slack roping at 8 a.m. Photo by Julia Neal

THE 45TH ANNUAL KAʻŪ ROPING & RIDING 4TH OF JULY RODEO is Saturday, July 6 and 7 at Nāʻālehu Rodeo Arena. Slack Roping starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday and the show starts on Saturday and Sunday at noon.
      Among the events are: Open Dally, Kane/Wahine Dally, Century Team Roping, Double Mugging, Kane/Wahine Ribbon Mugging, Wahine Mugging, Team Sorting. Po'o Wai U, Wahine Breakaway, Keiki Barrels for 9 and Under, Dummy Roping for 4 and Under, Goat Undecorating for 4 and under and 5 to 8 years of age and Calf Riding for 6 to 10 years of age.
    Admission tickets are $8. Food will be sold on the rodeo grounds. A new rodeo queen will be named.

 Members of Kaʻū Multicultural Society, which archives photos and implements of ranching and paniolo, plantation and
other ethnic communities of Kaʻū, rode in the Nāʻālehu Independence Parade last weekend and helped with the horse riding
 units that represented each island. Photo by Julia Neal

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Thursday, July 04, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs July 4, 2024

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach at high King Tide on Fourth of July, when the moon, Earth and sun are
all aligned, creating rise in waters around the world. Photo by Bob Martin
 

The possibility of King Tide causing flooding prompted lifeguards
to put up warning signs on Thursday. Photo by Bob Martin
THE KING TIDE raised the water level at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach on Thursday, July 4 to above sea level. The King Tide drew a warning to beach goers. Lifeguards placed a Strong Current sign on the sand. However, no damage or harm to people came to pass.
    NOAA predicts a much higher - 75 percent likelihood of some flooding on July 21 and 85 percent on Aug. 18 during this summer's King Tides.
     King Tides are the highest tides of the year, happening when Earth, moon and sun are aligned and the moon comes the closest to Earth as it orbits around the planet. King Tides happen in summer and winter and can create inundation, waves washing higher onto shore and flooding. At Punalu'u on Saturday, the ocean water came above the usual shoreline to be closer to the palm trees, reaching the highest point around 3 p.m. 
    A NOAA statement says, "Above-normal tides can trigger high tide flooding, disrupting coastal communities. This flooding can occur on sunny days and in the absence of storms. More severe flooding may occur if high tides coincide with heavy rains, strong winds, or large waves. As sea levels continue to rise, our coastal communities will experience more frequent high tide flooding - about 45-85 days/year on average nationally by 2050. Predicting the likelihood of high tide flooding helps coastal communities plan for and mitigate impacts."

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CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE MADE THE INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADES in Volcano and Nāʻālehu, ranging from those vying for Mayor to County Council, state House of Representatives and Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees.

State House of Representative member Jeanne Kapela with baby walking Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade. Photo by Julia Neal
Chantel Makuaole-Perrin supporters in the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade in her run for state House of Representatives.
Photo by Julia Neal
Mayor Mitch Roth, who is vying for a second term, marched as Mayor of Hawai'i County at both the Volcano and
Nāʻālehu Independence Day parades. Photo by Sara Espaniola
Dr. Kimo Alameda, candidate for Mayor, marched in Volcano.
Photo by Sara Espaniola
GETTING OUT THE VOTE is one of the main efforts of candidates coming to Ka'u, marching in parades and hosting community gatherings. 
    Ka'u citizens will be voting for state Senator, state House of Representatives member, County Council member, County of Hawai'i Mayor, a U.S. Senator, U.S. House of Representative member, trustees for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and more.
    While voting isn't as much of a ritual as it was when going to the polls on a set day and standing behind small curtains to cast the ballot, it is easy if people remeber to register and vots through the mail or by traveling to the few living polling places around the island.
    The plan is for ballots to arrive in mailboxes in the days after July 23, to be returned and counted by Aug. 10. Those wishing to vote can still sig up for the Primary and the General Elections. See https://elections.hasaii.gov/rigister-to-vote.
Seaola Jr. Tupai, candidate for Hawai'i Mayor, walked in Nāʻālehu Independence Parade. Photo by Julia Neal
Yumi Kawano, candidate for Mayor, walked in the Volcano Independence Day Parade. Photo by Sara Espaniolo
County Council candidate Maria Burns carried a sign in the Nāʻālehu Parade saying "Inmates Lives Matter." Photo by Julia Neal
County Council candidate Ikaika Kailiawa-Smith rode in the Nāʻālehu Parade. Photo by Julia Neal

Incumbent County Council member Michelle Galimba rode in the Nāʻālehu parade and 
walked in the Volcano Independence Day Parade. Photo by Julia Neal
Independence Day in Volcano grew crowds along Old Volcano Highway and Wright Road. Photo by Sarah Espaniola

THE VOLCANO COMMUNITY PUT ON ITS PARADE AND FOURTH OF JULY FESTIVAL on Independence Day under clear skies, sponsored by Volcano Community Association and Cooper Center.
A native Hawaiian cultural organization of men at Volcano Independence Day Parade. Photo by Sara Espaniola

Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences walk for their school. Photo by Sara Espaniola
Ka'u paniolo head through the rainforest of Volcano for Independence Day. Photo by Sara Espaniola
Civil Air Patrol at Lyman Field in Hilo helps train young pilots. Photo by Sara Espaniola
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory in Volcano Independence Day Parade. Photo by Sara Espaniola
Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and Hawai'i Pacific Parks in Volcano Parade. Photo by Sara Espaniola
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park crew dresses like endangered species in Volcano Parade. Photo by Sara Espaniola
Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network performed songs from their upcoming play. 
Photo by Sara Espaniola
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Wednesday, July 03, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs July 3, 2024

When USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory HVO geologists recently moved temporary webcams, they revisited the site of the June 3 eruption. This photo looks downrift, with the June 3 pad of lava in the upper right. Extensive cracking uprift of the fissure had weak residual outgassing and vibrant sulfur deposits. USGS Photo by M. Patrick
OPPORTUNITIES IN DIVERSIFYING THE ECONOMY is the subject of a new University of Hawai'i Economic Research Organization study. It points to water transportation, aquaculture, fishing and other water related enterprise as having large potential while being "underperforming" in Hawai'i. It notes that the study "reflects in part what is already known to Kanaka Maoli, given Hawaiʻi’s history of Polynesian ocean-faring and fishponds."
    Suggestions include boat building, finfish farming and hatcheries, seafood preparation and packaging,
Boatbuilding is a suggestion in the new study on diversifying
 the economy from U.H. Economic Research Organization.
This wa'a kalua, double hulled canoe was crafted by Kaʻū 
boatbuilder Kiko Johnston-Kitazawa.
finfish fishing and shellfish fishing. "These all seem logical diversification options given Hawaiʻi’s location in the Pacific Ocean providing the necessary natural resource. Industries are also more likely to remain in the long term if they rely on local resources."
    The report written by Steve Bond-Smith and Sumit Ilamkar, of UHERO, says, "The economy of Hawaiʻi is extraordinarily concentrated in the tourism industry. As a result of tourism’s dominance, Hawaiʻi’s economy faces short-term risks from shocks that impact visitor numbers and long-term stagnation from flat and volatile tourism spending over the last three decades. In response to these issues—which became especially salient during the COVID-19 pandemic—policymakers in Hawaiʻi increasingly emphasize the need to diversify. Still, it is not clear which industries Hawaiʻi could diversify into.
    The study posed three questions and provides the following analyses:
    What is the case for diversifying the Hawaiʻi economy? Specializing is natural for a small open economy. Small and isolated economies are less able to access the productivity benefits of external increasing returns to scale. External increasing returns describe how the productivity of firms can increase with the size of something external to the firm such as a market, city, or industry. Small, open, and isolated places tend to become more specialized because it creates a local external scale—the scale of their industry specialization—that offers similar productivity advantages. Specialization initially generates growth due to external scale economies. But if various developmental barriers have prevented some industries from emerging, then Hawai‘i could be over-specialized. Specialization generates both short and long-term risks due to greater exposure to a single industry.
    With this theoretical basis, we show how Hawaiʻi initially benefited from specializing in the tourism industry and how this specialization now exposes Hawaiʻi to short and long-term risks. These risks are especially apparent when we examine how total visitor spending has been relatively flat for decades, punctured by periodic crises. In this way, diversification is not an end in itself but aims to build a more resilient economy that is less exposed to the short- and long-term risks that to some extent can be expected in a small and open economy like Hawai‘i.
    What are the opportunities for diversifying Hawai’i’s economy? To find diversification opportunities we apply the Principle of Relatedness (Hidalgo et. al., 2018), which predicts regional diversification patterns and informs prioritization of economic development initiatives. We studied the industrial composition of all counties in the US to measure relatedness between industries. Two industries are described as related because they probably require similar conditions if they appear together frequently. With this understanding of the relationships between industries in US counties, we examine the industrial composition of Hawaiʻi’s counties to identify underperforming industries with a higher probability of being stronger because they are related to existing strengths.
     See a summary and the complete report at https://uhero.hawaii.edu/potential-opportunities-to-diversify-the-economy-of-hawai%ca%bbi/

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WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS FROM HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK are on the mainland assisting with structure protection efforts during the #PioneerFire. The Park notes that careers in the
National Park Service wildland fire "can take you to national parks across the country! From battlefields in the Northeast, the prairies of the Midwest, the forests of the Rocky Mountains, and to the wilderness of Alaska, we're recruiting future leaders that will shape wildland fire management, face the threats of climate change, refine policy, and maintain a safe and healthy environment for our workforce."
    Learn more about wildland fire careers in the National Park Service at: https://go.nps.gov/wfcareers.
Looking for a career in wildland fire? Apply today https://wlf-nps.usajobs.gov/
#NWFFD

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CRUISING CHAIN OF CRATERS ROAD: RECENT EARTHQUAKES AND PAST VOLCANISM IS THE subject of this week's Volcano Watch from USGS Hawai'i Vocanoes Observatory scientists and affilates:
    The upper East Rift Zone of Kīlauea was a shaky place this past weekend. This region extends southeast from Kaluapele (Kīlauea's summit caldera) to Maunaulu, and earthquakes here can reflect pressurization of Kīlauea's summit magma storage system.
Between June 27 and July 1, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) detected nearly 1,500 earthquakes beneath the UERZ. Activity peaked during the late evening of Saturday, June 29, when more than 30 earthquakes happened per hour. Activity slowly decreased on Sunday and returned to pre-swarm levels on Monday, July 1.
Color map showing distribution of volcanic features

    Most earthquakes in this swarm were smaller than magnitude-2, but there were several large enough to be felt by neighboring communities, including five earthquakes magnitude-3 or higher. The earthquakes stayed at depths of 1–4 km (0.6–2.5 mi) below the ground surface and were not accompanied by any significant changes in ground deformation.
    Although the earthquakes were located beneath the UERZ, there were no indications that magma was moving toward the surface to possibly erupt in this area. This swarm was likely related to the buildup of pressure beneath Kīlauea's summit, as magma accumulates in underground storage system. Similar seismic swarms beneath the UERZ were observed earlier this year, in April and May, when magma was accumulating and pressurizing the summit before the last eruption on June 3. In those cases, seismic unrest moved away from the UERZ and became focused at other locations south of Kaluapele and toward the Southwest Rift Zone prior to that eruption.
    However, eruptions have occurred along the UERZ in the past. There have been approximately 50 intrusions and 5 eruptions in the UERZ over the past 60 years; the most recent eruption was 45 years ago.
    Luamanu Crater is first, and here you are still technically in Kīlauea caldera, marked by outer faults that parallel the modern topographic extent of Kaluapele. At this location, you also drive past lava flows that erupted over three days in July of 1974. This eruption began in Keanakākoʻi Crater, and vents extended northwest into the modern caldera and southeast to Luamanu Crater; lava flows covered the eastern part of the modern caldera floor and traveled to the southeast, covering part of Chain of Craters Road. As you continue driving, you pass Puhimau, Koʻokoʻolau, Devil's Throat, Hiʻiaka, and Pauahi craters. 
Color photograph of a sign marking where lava flows crossed a road
Location where the May 1973 lava flows on Kīlauea's upper East Rift Zone cross Chain of Craters Road in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. USGS image by K. Mulliken.
    Based on the age of the surrounding lava flows, we know that these craters formed within the past 750 years. In each case, void space beneath the ground surface resulted in a crater forming by collapse. Between Puhimau and Koʻokoʻolau craters, you'll drive through a large area where rising steam and broomsedge grass contrasts with the surrounding ʻŌhiʻa forest. This is the Puhimau thermal area. In the 1930s, earthquake swarms occurred, the ground cracked, and vegetation began to die. Since then, the soil has remained hot and the area has grown to about 50 acres (0.2 sq km). Geophysical studies show that magma is present just a few hundred meters (around 1,000 ft) beneath the ground surface. Near Hiʻiaka crater, you'll drive through lava flows from a 7-hour eruption in May 1973. Shortly after, you'll drive through the youngest UERZ lava flows that erupted over a day in November 1979 in and near Pauahi Crater. Other eruptions in this area were in November 1973 (29 days long) and August 1968 (5 days long).
From there, the rift zone turns east toward the cape of Kumukahi (the Island of Hawaiʻi's easternmost point). Now, the prominent Maunaulu lava shield will be visible as Chain of Craters Road passes through Maunaulu lava flows. Maunaulu was active from 1969–1971 and, after a three and a half month pause, from 1972–1974.
    The recent UERZ earthquake swarm was likely related to increasing pressurization of the magmatic system underlying Kīlauea summit, but we know based on our drive down Chain of Craters Road that magma does sometimes erupt in this area. Kīlauea's summit continues to inflate following the brief June 3 eruption and HVO will continue to closely monitor for signs of change.
Volcano Activity Updates
    Kīlauea is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is ADVISORY.
    Over the past week, more than 1,600 events occurred beneath Kīlauea's summit region and extending southeast into the upper East Rift Zone. Most events were smaller than M2 and occurred during the June 27-July 1 swarm beneath the upper East Rift Zone. Inflationary ground deformation has continued in the
summit region following the June 3 eruption, indicating that magma is repressurizing the storage system. Unrest may continue to wax and wane with changes to the input of magma.
    Currently, there are no signs of an imminent eruption, but changes can occur quickly, as can the potential for eruption. The most recent summit sulfur dioxide emission rate measured was approximately 75 tonnes per day on June 28, 2024. Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.
    Six earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M2.9 earthquake 6 km (3.7 mi) SSE of Volcano at 1.5 km (1 mi) depth on July 1 at 5:39 a.m. HST, a M3.2 earthquake 6 km (3 mi) S of Volcano at 0 km (0 mi) depth on June 30 at 3:31 p.m. HST, a M3.0 earthquake 7 km (4 mi) S of Volcano at 1 km (0.5 mi) depth on June 29 at 11:27 p.m. HST, a M2.7 earthquake 7 km (7 mi) S of Volcano at 2 km (1 mi) depth on June 29 at 8:55 p.m. HST, a M3.4 earthquake 6 km (4 mi) S of Volcano at 2 km (1 mi) depth on June 27 at 3:35 p.m. HST, and a M2.9 earthquake 6 km (4 mi) SSW of Volcano at 2 km (1 mi) depth on June 27 at 3:32 p.m. HST.

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POLICE ARRESTED 17 FOR DUI ON HAWAI'I ISLAND duuring the week of June 24 through June 30, 2024. Hawai‘i Island police arrested them for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Five of the
drivers were involved in a traffic accident.
    So far this year, there have been 484 DUI arrests compared with 493 during the same period last year, a decrease of 1.83 percent.
    Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 498 major crashes so far this year, compared with 429 during the same time last year, an increase of 16.08 percent.
    To date, there have been 18 fatal crashes, resulting in 20 fatalities (two of which had multiple deaths and one crash was reclassified as a suicide), compared with nine fatal crashes, resulting in 10 fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths, and one died at a later date) for the same time last year. This represents an increase of 100 percent for fatal crashes and 100 percent for fatalities.
    In 2024, the non-traffic fatality count (not on a public roadway) is zero compared to zero non-traffic fatalities for the same time last year.
   HPD promises that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.

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