Kaʻū News Briefs Oct. 12, 2024

Kapāpala Ranch lands are being transferred from state Department of Land & Natural Resources to state Department of Agriculture to ensure long-term productive use of appropriate state lands for agriculture. Photo from Kapāpala Ranch

MORE THAN 7,000 ACRES OF STATE LAND was approved for transfer by the state Department of Land & Natural Resources to the state Department of Agriculture on Friday during the Board of Land & Natural Resources meeting.

   The nine leases and 25 revocable permits represent a continuation of the transfers under Act 90. Passed by the legislature in 2003, the act is to “ensure the long-term productive use of public lands available to be leased by the DLNR for agricultural purposes by allowing those lands to be transferred to and managed by DOA," says a statement from DLNR. "This process under Act 90, ensures that both BLNR and Board of Agriculture agree on which parcels of land are appropriate to be transferred from DLNR to DOA."
    BLNR Chair Dawn Chang said, “We have appreciated the collaborative process of Act 90 to ensure that there is a balanced approach between supporting sustainable ag and protection and preservation of important public lands for forestry management, watershed protection, recreational trail access, and hunting.” 

A new round of transfer of lands from DLNR to Department of Ag was
 approved on Friday. Photo from DLNR

    A statement from DLNR says it "previously processed executive orders setting aside approximately 24,528 acres to Department of Agriculture. Last year, the BLNR and the state Board of Agriculture approved an additional 24,767 acres in Kaʻū under lease and revocable permit to Kapāpala Ranch for transfer to DOA, but surveys and subdivision are needed before an executive order can be completed for the transfer. In addition, late last year, the Board of Agriculture approved acceptance of 21,672 acres. Under the terms of Act 90, more than 70,000 acres of ag land has been transferred, or approved for transfer, so far."
    In the latest transfer, most of the land is in pasture, with two parcels described as being utilized for “intensive agriculture.” Five acres will be under a revocable permit to Volcano Island Honey Co. in Kamuela for an apiary. The largest transfer, this time around, is to Parker Ranch, with approximately 4,529 acres of pastureland.
    The DLNR Division of Forestry & Wildlife (DOFAW) indicates it needs to establish public or management access over nine additional leases and permits before those lands are transferred to DOA. Those leases and permits will require further coordination with DOFAW on the location of access points before staff can make a recommendation to the BLNR.
    Comments on the land transfers were solicited from state, county, and federal agencies and no objections or responses were received. In the event the lands are no longer needed for agricultural purposes, the set-asides will be cancelled or amended as appropriate, and those lands will be returned to the DLNR inventory.

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Two National. Park Service firefighters and helicopters assigned to the Makaopuhi Fire, which continues to smolder. It was
 started by a lava flow within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Area trails were closed but reopened on Friday. NPS photo

The Makaopuhi Fire continues to threaten Hawaiian

 ecosystems and rare plants in the area. NPS photo

MAUNAULU AREA TRAILS REOPENED, along with its parking lot on Friday. Firefighters, aided by two helicopters, continue suppression efforts on the Makaopuhi Fire, a 78-acre wildfire smoldering in the remote East Rift Zone of Kīlauea volcano, south of Nāpau Crater. The fire is located in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and is 70% contained. It poses no threats to homes or structures.
     Park staff will be stationed at the Maunaulu parking lot to provide fire information and keep visitors clear of helicopter operations.
    A statement from the Park says, "The fire was ignited by the Sept. 15 eruption of Kīlauea volcano. Fire activity recently increased due to lack of recent rainfall, low humidity and wind. Firefighters are challenged by difficult terrain, dense vegetation, multiple burning snags, and reburn potential. The Makaopuhi Fire continues to threaten Hawaiian ecosystems and rare plants in the area."

National Park Service firefighters in hardhats and yellow and green Nomex walk across fresh hardened lava in Nāpau Crater within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Area trails reopened Friday. Firefighters came from as far away as American Samoa. NPS photo

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KAʻŪ KEIKI ARE INVITED TO BOO AT THE ZOO in Pana'ewa. County Department of Parks & Recreation and Friends of the Panaʻewa Zoo  will present the second annual Boo at the Zoo event on Saturday, Oct. 26 and Sunday, Oct. 27, from 3-6 p.m.

    During the event, the Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens will become a place where trick-or-treaters can safely enjoy their favorite Halloween traditions, surrounded by the enchanting atmosphere of the rainforest. Attendees can look forward to treats, animal tours, story time, food vendors, face painting, and a keiki costume contest.
    "Last year was our first-ever Boo at the Zoo event, and it was so well-received that we decided to add a second day to this year's event," said Maurice Messina, Director of Parks & Recreation. "Our maintenance team, zookeepers, and FOZ have been working hard to ensure the zoo is ready to receive our guests, and we look forward to another fun event."
     Know Before You Go: FOZ will sell trick-or-treat bags for $1, which will be required to receive treats. Proceeds will enhance the zoo and exhibits. Boo at the Zoo is a cash-only event. The zoo will close its gates to regular visitors at 2 p.m. on the event days. Petting Zoo hours will be 1-2 p.m. on Oct. 26.
Event parking will be at the zoo parking lot and the Pana'ewa Equestrian Center parking lot.
    "We're thrilled to once again offer a safe, family-friendly Halloween experience for our keiki at Pana'ewa Zoo," said Mayor Mitch Roth. "By extending the event to two days, we hope to welcome even more families, giving everyone the chance to enjoy the fun and excitement of 'Boo in the Zoo.'"
"We are so excited to be bringing this event to our community!" said Mindy Runnells, Zoo Administrator. "It's more than just a trick-or-treat evening; it's an opportunity for families to come together safely, experience the zoo in a unique light, and create a new fall tradition."
For table rentals, further information, contact Mindy Runnells at 808-959-7224.

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5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the street.

Kaʻū News Briefs Oct. 11, 2024

Osmose and Hawaiian Electric have teamed up to use drones to inspect electrical equipment
on this island. Photo from Hawaiian Electric

DRONES FOR WILDFIRE SAFTEY ON HAWAI'I ISLAND ARE BEING LAUNCHED BY HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC through a company named Osmose. A statement from the utility says the unmanned aircrafts are employed for aerial inspections of its electrical infrastructure in identified wildfire risk areas on Hawai‘i Island, Maui County and O‘ahu. "The drones play a critical role in the inspection process and the technology enables Hawaiian Electric to more quickly identify issues to prevent or lessen the risk of wildfires."
    Osmose conducts drone inspections, alongside the Hawaiian Electrics own staff. Inspections are mostly conducted Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If necessary, inspections occasionally may be conducted on Sunday. Personnel will drive Hawaiian Electric or Osmose marked company vehicles. If on foot, the drone operator will wear a Hawaiian Electric or Osmose company-branded hard hat and vest. All personnel carry a Hawaiian Electric contractor or employee identification badge.
    The inspections are performed at the poles and power lines, and no one will request to enter a home or business. There may be instances where the operator must enter private property, like a yard, to access a utility pole. In these instances, the operator will make their presence known before accessing equipment located on private property. Electric service will not be impacted.
    For questions about this work, contact Hawaiian Electric at 808-969-6999 or its contractor Osmose at 559-515-3840 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hawai‘i standard time.
    A statement from the utility says, "The Hawaiian Electric Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program is in full compliance and protection of all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and has developed safety, training, operating, and privacy procedures to make sure the unmanned aircraft are flown with the highest regard for the safety of the public and crews. Drones performing scheduled flights in support of utility and infrastructure projects are regulated by the FAA. Tampering with or damaging drone equipment or interfering with drone operations could be subject to federal enforcement or citing."

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THE 2024 GREAT HAWAIIAN SHAKEOUT is next week Thursday, Oct. 17 beginning at 10:17 a.m. and registration has begun online. Register at ShakeOut.org/Hawaii beforehand to receive updates and resources on what to do before and after an earthquake. The Great Hawaiian Shakeout is also is the this 
week's Volcano Watch written by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist Jefferson Chang:
    In Hawai'i, earthquakes are a common occurrence, and we should always practice earthquake preparedness. Millions of people around the world practice "DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON" annually on the third Thursday of October. That includes us in Hawai'i!
    Back in my hanabata (younger) days, we would sometimes hear these melodic chimes slowly moving through the neighborhood. You couldn't see where it was at first, but you knew what it was immediately.     That sweet sound signaled that the manapua truck was coming by. As kids, we would hear that sound and run outside to look for the truck and wait in anticipation—all the while yelling to our neighbors that "the manapua man is coming!" in case they didn't already know.
    As an adult, I basically do the same thing nowadays at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO). Only the manapua trucks are volcanic eruptions (or intrusions if they fail to break the Earth's surface), the sweet melodic chimes are earthquakes that get louder and more frequent as the magma gets closer to the surface.
     Not all earthquakes in Hawai'i are caused by magma movement, though; some of the most damaging earthquakes are caused by structural adjustments from the weight of our islands pushing down on the Pacific Plate.
    A lot has changed since manapua trucks roamed through neighborhoods—particularly with how communication happens.
    Back then, we had one phone number for the entire house. That number rang one phone (maybe two if you were lucky) that was either in the kitchen or hallway, plugged into the wall. For decades, this seemed to be the case.
    Then, technological advancements unleashed a barrage of new possibilities. Computers became common fixture at schools and households and with them came the internet. Phones detached from walls, then shrank in size, then shrank some more, then they shrank some more! Actually, every bit of technology shrank—computers, the internet, phones—they all fit in one pocket now!
    With all the advances in technology, including Machine Learning at its current state, we have yet to be able to predict earthquakes successfully. There is no notification that anyone can send out before a large earthquake occurs. All we can do is prepare for the shaking when—not if—a big one hits.
    Although earthquakes cannot be predicted before they happen, technology is inching us closer to that fantasy by detecting, measuring, and locating intense ground shaking as quickly as it is happening.
    The United States has two earthquake early warning (EEW) systems: ShakeAlert—a USGS-led collaboration between federal and state agencies, university researchers, and industry partners—sends notifications to folks in California (since 2019), Oregon, and Washington (since 2021); Google, an industry partner in the ShakeAlert EEW consortium, announced in September 2024 that they plan to roll out the Android Earthquake Alerts System (EAS) for the rest of the country—the 47 States and five U.S. Territories. It is important to note that Google's EAS is (1) solely for Android devices and (2) proprietary, and (3) not tied to any government agency.

    Regardless of which EEW you may encounter, they are most beneficial for people away from the epicenter, or where the earthquake originated. If ground shaking is expected to be intense, the notification will say, "DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON", because the most likely causes of earthquake injuries are: (1) you fall down, and/or (2) things fall down on you.

    Drop to the ground on your hands and knees as soon as you realize than an earthquake is happening.
    Cover you head and neck with your arm if possible, or crawl under a sturdy table or next to a bed to shelter yourself from falling objects.
   Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops, as strong earthquakes may shift the cover away.
   Because "lucky we live Hawaiʻi," you might be near the ocean or near sea level when a strong earthquake occurs. In this case, head to higher ground after the intense shaking and look for notifications from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC).
  
Volcano Activity Updates from USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
    Kīlauea is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is ADVISORY. While the September 15–20 East Rift Zone eruption has ended, unrest continues at a low level in this region of Kīlauea. Over the past week, about 40 earthquakes were located in Kīlauea summit region, and about 100 were located in the upper-to-middle East Rift Zone. Ground deformation rates have greatly decreased since the eruption, but data show that magma is continuing to move at a low rate from the summit to the middle East Rift Zone. Future intrusive episodes and eruptions could occur with continued magma supply. The most recent measurement of sulfur dioxide (SO2)  emission rate at the summit was 60 tonnes per day on September 17, 2024, and SO2 emissions were not detected at downwind of the eruption site on Monday, September 23.
    Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.
    No earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week.
    HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

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5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the street.