About The Kaʻū Calendar

Thursday, May 02, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs May 2, 2024

This map depicts recent unrest at Kīlauea volcano. Yellow circles mark the locations of approximately 1,600 earthquakes that have occurred between April 27 and May 2, 2024, as the upper East Rift Zone reacts to pressurization of magma chambers beneath the summit region of Kīlauea. Most earthquakes have been smaller than magnitude-2, with locations clustering in an area known as the upper East Rift Zone or East Rift connector. The upper East Rift Zone area saw several eruptions in the 1960s and 1970s, which are labelled and shown in purple. Most recently, in November 1979, a brief one-day eruption occurred in and near Pauahi crater. In July of 1974, a three-day-long eruption began in Keanakāko'i Crater, with east-west oriented fissures subsequently opening within Kaluapele and southeast towards Luamanu Crater. A month-long eruption in November 1973 extended from Pauahi Crater east towards Pu'uhuluhulu. And, a day-long eruption in May 1973 extended from about a half a mile (1 km) west of Hi'iaka to Pauahi Crater.

TWO MAIN MAGMA STORAGE REGIONS ARE INFLATING beneath Halemaʻumaʻu and South Caldera, suggesting possible eruptions to come, according to Volcano Watch, the weekly column by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists:   
Volcano Village celebrates Cinco De Mayor on Friday.
    This past week, earthquakes and inflation near Kīlauea's summit prompted temporary closures within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. What is happening beneath the surface at Kīlauea and what does it mean for potential future eruptive activity?
    Earthquake activity in the upper East Rift Zone, directly southeast of Kaluapele (Kīlauea's summit caldera), increased around midnight of April 27. Since then, over 1,600 events have been recorded, most extending from Keanakākoʻi crater southeast towards Pauahi Crater. Most earthquakes have been smaller than magnitude 2 and taking place at depths of 1.2–1.8 miles (2–3 km) beneath the ground surface.
    Patterns of ground motion are consistent with inflation of the two main magma storage regions beneath Kīlauea—Halemaʻumaʻu and South Caldera. These magma bodies, which are long-term features of Kīlauea's summit plumbing system, began to re-inflate in tandem about a month after the short-lived September 2023 eruption. They then fed the intrusion into the Southwest Rift Zone in late January–early February 2024. Thousands of earthquakes accompanied that intrusion as magma moved underground to the southwest, where ground deformation was significant enough to cause ground cracks to appear on the surface along the Maunaiki Trail in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
An East Rift Zone eruption in the early 1970s at Maunaula.
USGS photo
    Since the Southwest Rift Zone intrusion earlier this year, instruments have once again been showing signs of Kīlauea's shallow magma plumbing system refilling. The Sand Hill tiltmeter, which is sensitive to the deeper South Caldera magma reservoir of Kīlauea, has shown steady inflationary tilt since early February. Data indicate that the South Caldera reservoir has regained the volume of magma that it lost during the recent intrusion, such that pressurization levels are now similar to pre-intrusion levels. The Uēkahuna tiltmeter (UWE) is more sensitive to the Halemaʻumaʻu reservoir, which has been the source for recent summit eruptions. UWE has shown slower inflation than SDH over the past few months, which implies that the South Caldera reservoir continues to be the main focus of magmatic recharge.
    During the long-lived Puʻuʻōʻō eruption, earthquake activity in the upper East Rift Zone of Kīlauea sometimes occurred along with increased rates of tilt at Kīlauea summit; this indicated that the summit magma reservoirs were becoming increasingly pressurized. When the 2008–2018 summit lava lake was active in Halemaʻumaʻu, this increased pressurization was visible as a rise in the level of the lava lake, with its level acting like a barometer of the underlying Halemaʻumaʻu magma chamber.
    The current increases in the number of earthquakes (particularly in the upper East Rift Zone) and rates of ground inflation are showing us that Kīlauea's magma storage system is becoming primed for its next event. One potential outcome could be another significant intrusion—when magma moves into a new area within the volcano but fails to erupt on the surface—such as what occurred along the Southwest Rift Zone during late January/early February of this year. Another potential outcome could be another eruption, either inside or outside the caldera.
USGS image showing magma chamber and lava 
pathways in Southwest and East Rift Zones.
    The eruptions within Kaluapele over the past several years have been preceded by about an hour of rapidly occurring earthquakes and greatly increased rates of ground deformation in the summit region as magma makes its way to the surface. An eruption outside of the caldera, along one of the rift zones, would likewise be preceded by rapidly occurring earthquakes, along with greatly increased rates of ground deformation in the region of magma movement outside the summit region. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff are closely monitoring and do not currently see signs of such magma movement in the dense network of monitoring instruments on Kīlauea; currently activity is confined to the upper East Rift Zone and summit only.
    Though Kaluapele has been home to the last few years of eruptions, pit craters and lava flows in the upper East Rift Zone are evidence of a long history of magma moving along this rift zone pathway. Most recently, in November 1979, a brief one-day eruption occurred in and near Pauahi Crater; it was preceded by two months of 200–800 earthquakes occurring daily, along with inflation at the summit region.
    Currently, there are no signs that an eruption is imminent; however, Kīlauea monitoring data indicate that magma is once again accumulating and pressurizing in the long-lived magma bodies beneath Kīlauea's summit. How that pressure is released remains to be seen—HVO is closely monitoring multiple datasets for clues.

Volcano Activity Updates

    Kīlauea is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is ADVISORY.
    Rates of seismic activity significantly increased beneath the summit and upper East Rift Zone starting on April 27. Nearly 300 events, most magnitude-2 and smaller, have been detected per day between the southeast side of Kīlauea caldera beneath Keanakākoʻi crater and the intersection with Hilina Pali Road; depths remain concentrated between 1.2–1.9 miles (2–3 km) 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. HVO has deployed a temporary webcam to Maunaulu to monitor the upper East Rift Zone: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/kocam-live-image-upper-east-
USGS tiltmeter on Kilauea Volcano. USGS. photo

rift-zone-maunaulu
. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has closed several areas as a precaution: https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/news/20240429-earthquake-closures.htm.
    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.
   Six earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M2.6 earthquake 5 km (3 mi) S of Volcano at 1 km (0 mi) depth on April 30 at 9:55 p.m. HST, a M2.6 earthquake 22 km (13 mi) S of Wai'ōhinu at 2 km (1 mi) depth on April 30 at 4:39 p.m. HST, a M3.0 earthquake 4 km (2 mi) S of Pāhala at 31 km (19 mi) depth on April 30 at 3:50 p.m. HST, a M1.4 earthquake 6 km (3 mi) S of Volcano at 1 km (1 mi) depth on April 29 at 8:32 a.m. HST, a M3.3 earthquake 6 km (3 mi) S of Volcano at 1 km (0 mi) depth on April 28 at 11:14 p.m. HST, and a M2.0 earthquake 13 km (8 mi) SSW of Leilani Estates at 5 km (3 mi) depth on April 27 at 1:35 a.m. HST.

 facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

THIRTY -SIX YOUTH VOLLEYBALL TEAMS COME TO MILOLI'I-KAʻŪ SPRING
TOURNAMENT this Saturday and Sunday at Herkes Kaʻū District Gym next to Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.
Sponsored by Miloli'i-Kaʻū Volleyball Club and Kaimi Kaupiko, the action of youth teams from keiki to high school is on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Free to the public.
The food concession and donations support Miloli'i-Kaʻū Volleyball Club traveling to the O'ahu Aloha Summer Classics.
On the menu are: Laulau bowl, chili bowl, shoyu chicken, smoke meat bowl, Dorito salad, Pāhala pops, musubi and drinks.
 facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY KELDEN WALTJEN OBJECTED TO THE RELEASE on Thursday of 50 year-old Ian Winther of Ocean View, who was arrested and charged in relation to a domestic incident on April 29 in Ocean View Estates. 
Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen
    Winther made his initial appearance in Kona District Court on Thursday morning. Over prosecutors’ objection, the Kona District Court judge released Winther on supervised release. Winther was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on May 30. As the Complaint alleges, Winther is charged with Kidnapping (intentionally or knowingly restrained another person with intent to inflict bodily injury upon and/or subject another person to a sexual offense), Felony Abuse of a Family or Household Member (causing bodily injury by impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood by applying pressure on the throat or the neck with any part of the body or a ligature and/or blocking the nose and mouth), Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree, and Assault in the Third Degree. 
    Waltjen noted that kidnapping is a class A felony offense which carries a penalty of a 20-year prison term. Felony Abuse and Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree are both class C felony offenses which carry a maximum penalty of a five-year prison term. The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case was initiated by Ka‘u Patrol. The felony investigation was led by Detective Donovan Kohara, Area II Criminal Investigation Section, and assisted by Detective Scott Dewey. 
    The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kate Perazich. "The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment," says the statement from Waltjen. "Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300. #hawaiiprosecutors #hawaiipolicedepartment."

 facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.





Kaʻū News Briefs May 1, 2024

Headed for states are Trojans Boys Volleyball Head Coach Josh Ortega, senior Chaz La'a Kajiwara-Ke, freshman Emil Soriano, sophomore Cy Zeiah Silva-Kamei, junior Vladimir Fedoruk, senior Tyson Junior Kuahuia-Faafia, junior Kayson Pagan, junior Adahdiyah Ellis-Reyes, sophomore Karsen Polido-Tuaifaiva, junior Triton Blanco, sophomore Desmond Camba, sophomore Zayden Gallano and Assistant Coach Sarah Ortega. 
Photo from Trojans Volleyball

KAʻŪ TROJANS WILL HEAD TO BOYS VOLLEYBALL STATE FINALS on O'ahu after ending this island's season with nine wins and three losses Wednesday at Konawaena. Trojans performed better Wednesday than during their earlier effort against Konawaena, which wrapped up Big Island Interscholastic Federation play with a perfect season. The Wildcats bested the Trojans on Wednesday, 25-17, 25-19, 25-20. The scores on March 13 in the Wildcats-Trojans matchup were 25-17, 25-14, 25-10.

 facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

FRIENDS OF PUNALU'U have issued a presentation called Keep Kaʻū Kaʻū, Mālama Punalu'u, ahead of their sign waving events on Saturday, May 4, and the Windward Planning Commission public hearing this coming Monday, May 6 at 9 a.m. at the County Council Chambers in Hilo. The hearing concerns whether the Windward Planning Commission would issue a Special Management Area permit to allow Black Sand Beach, LLC's plan for development and renovation to go forward.

 facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.


BLACK SAND BEACH, LLC has issued two presentations, one called Bringing Opportunities and the other called Doing What's Pono, ahead of the Windward Planning Commission public hearing this coming Monday, May 6 at 9 a.m. at the County Council Chambers in Hilo. The hearing concerns whether the Windward Planning Commission would issue a Special Management Area permit to allow Black Sand Beach's plan for development and renovation to go forward.

 facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.



HAWAI'I ISLAND POLICE IDENTIFIED HUMAN REMAINS discovered April 23, on a property in Hawai’i Ocean View Estates, as 39-year-old Anthony Theodore Wagoner whose last known address was in Duluth, Minnesota.
    On Monday morning, April 29, an autopsy was performed and the forensic pathologist ruled that Wagoner’s death was caused by a single gunshot wound.The case has been reclassified as a murder investigation.
    Police ask for anyone who may have heard any gunshots in the area of Lotus Blossom Lane and Princess Kaiulani Blvd. during the first week of April or who may have information regarding this investigation to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 960-3118; or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov.
    Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

 facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

OCEAN VIEW RESIDENT BENJAMIN WINTHER WAS CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING, ABUSE AND TERRORISTIC THREATENING on Wednesday. The arrest of the 50-year old Winthers on Tuesday and charges on Wednesday followed a violent incident. According to Hawai'i Island police, it occurred at a residence on King Kalakaua Lane in the Hawaii Ocean View Estates Subdivision on Monday.
HPD reported that on April 29 at approximately 4:35 p.m., Kau Patrol officers responded to the area of King Kalakaua Lane for a report of a female who had been assaulted by an acquaintance. Upon their arrival it was determined that the victim, a 27-year old Ocean View woman, had been bound with duct
Benjamin Winther is charged. Photo from HPD

tape and physically assaulted by Winther at a residence on King Kalakaua Lane where she and Winther were staying.
    The victim reported that after being bound with duct tape, Winther allowed her to free herself from the tape but continued to physically assault her and threatened to conduct lewd sexual acts on her. She reported that Winther used rope to tie the victim to a chair threatened her while physically assaulting her.
    Winther left the residence leaving the victim tied to the chair. The victim was able to free herself and leave the residence to summon help at a neighboring residence. The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries and sought medical treatment on her own.
    On Tuesday, at 6:28 a.m., officers, at the scene waiting for Detectives to obtain a search warrant, observed Winther walking towards them. Police took him into custody while Detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section and the Juvenile Aid Section continued the investigation.
    On Wednesday, a search warrant was executed upon the residence, resulting in the recovery of items believed to be used in the incident.
    On Wednesday at 3 p.m., after conferring with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, police charge Winther with one count each of kidnapping, abuse of a family/household member, assault in the third degree, and terroristic threatening in the first degree. His bail was set at $143,000
Winther is being held at the Kealakehe Police Station pending his initial court appearance in Kona District court on Thursday, May 2.
    Those with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 960-3118; or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov. They may also contact the Hawai‘i Police Department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.
    Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

 facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.