Kaʻū News Briefs Dec. 23, 2024

    

Monday's crowd at the crater took in the view of towering lava fountains, some 300 ft. tall. NPS photo by Janice Wei

MADAME PELE'S LAUNCH OF A SUMMIT ERUPTION on Monday morning at Kīlauea volcano was viewable from almost all open areas around the caldera until she paused Monday in the late afternoon. Before midnight, the lava broke out in Nāpau Crater, east of Kīlauea.

Lava broke out in Nāpau Crater before midnight Sunday.
Image from USGS HVO webcam

    During the eruption, volcanic gases spewed, causing health advisories. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park reported the eruption drawing thousands of visitors eager to see new erupting lava by day and the lava glow after dark.   

    The park notified the public, "Keep in mind you are observing a sacred event. The summit of Kīlauea volcano is a wahi kapu (sacred landscape) surrounded with storied places and a delicate ecosystem."

   With the eruption pausing but possibly starting back up anytime, the park reminded the public that while the park remains open 24 hours a day, some areas may close to protect breeding and nesting nēnē.
    The park issued the following reminders, encouraging all locals and visitors who go there to stay safe and help protect park resources by being aware of the following:
    Volcanic eruptions can be hazardous and change at any time. Stay on marked trails and overlooks and avoid earth cracks and cliff edges.
    Do not enter closed areas.  

    Hazardous volcanic gases can billowing out the crater and present a danger to everyone, especially people with heart or respiratory problems, infants, young children and pregnant women. 

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory photo Monday morning as a new eruption began, pausing in the evening. USGS photo

    Check the park air alert web page before and during your visit. Slow down and drive safely. Expect long waits for parking spaces at popular vantage points like Uēkahuna (formerly the Jaggar Museum) and Devastation Trail parking area.

    Do your part to help protect nēnē by keeping your distance, at least four car lengths away, and never feed nēnē or wildlife. Handouts make nēnē seek out people and cars, putting them in great danger.
    At 4,000 feet, the summit of Kīlauea can be chilly at any time. Bring a rain jacket, wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Bring a flashlight if visiting at night.
    So what can park goers expect to see? It depends on when they arrive, and the weather. In the Dark. On Monday early morning, the park reported that "a magnificent reddish orange glow fills the dark sky. Lava flows have covered much of Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor."

Kīlauea caldera on the floor of Halema'uma'u crater with lava fountains Monday before dawn. NPS photo by Janice Wei

    The best eruption viewpoints day or night are along Crater Rim Trail, and include Uēkahuna, Kīlauea Overlook, Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff), Kūpinaʻi Pali (Waldron Ledge), behind Volcano House, Keanakākoʻi and other overlooks. See
https://www.nps.gov/.../plan.../eruption-viewing-caldera.htm

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DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS IS NOTIFYING THE PUBLIC THAT LOCKED GATES ON ITS LAND are its call, a requirement that it imposes on the ranchers using DHHL pastures in the South Point, Kalae area. Bryan E. Jeremiah, District Supervisor of the East Hawai'i District Office of Hawaiian Home Lands, wrote on Monday, "It is important to remember that we as people have the kuleana to preserve and protect our limited resources for the generations that follow."

Hawaiian ranchers Dean and Tissy Kaniho are required by DHHL to keep 
locked gates but they are being vandalized, threats made.
Photo by Julia Neal

    He reported, however, that locks are cut and government signs removed in Ka Lae where native Hawaiians raise cattle and emergency vehicles use the gated access for emergencies, including fighting wildfires. Preventing the vandalism and protecting the cattle and the emergency access is the focus of his letter to longtime Hawaiian Home Lands ranchers Dean and Jeanette Tissy Kaniho: "It has recently come to the attention of the Dept. that security of DHHL lands and access used for the purpose of emergency and authorized access only have been damaged, locks cut, government signs removed. It has been further reported that you have had to replace and repair at your cost...
    "In recent days, the Dept has received a few calls regarding what is assumed to be public access through Native Hawaiian Lands. Further we understand there have been threats by the community to "Burn you down" assuming that the closure was initiated by your team."

     The letter states that "Effective Immediately, access through Native Hawaiian Lands (DHHL) currently under contract with Dean Kaniho are prohibited. Signs have been posted, and gates secured in an effort to repair and restore gorunds damaged by years of abuse. DHHL is a State agency and as such will prosecute to the furthest extent possible those who would ignore posted signs, locked gates and notifications by management.

      Anyone with questions can contact East Hawai;'i District Office for DHHL at 808-974-4250.

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THE MIGHTY TROJAN WRESTLING TEAM is the name that Coach Ray Mazyzk is giving the students who competed in their first varsity tournament at Rumble on the Rocks on Dec. 21st. It was hosted by Kealakehe and its Coach Ivan Louis, son of local Pāhala resident and former Kaʻū High State Wrestling Champion Andy Louis, and his family. Coach Mazyck said they "put on a wonderful tournament for the athletes, we are grateful for everything they do within the league.”

Zeke Kaawa-Kamimura lifting his opponent off the ground
 in a takedown attempt. Photo from Trojan Wrestling

    Out of the roster of 20 Trojan wrestlers comprised of 14 males and six females, six males and one female were able to compete. The athletes representing Kaʻū over the weekend were: Kona Smith (Jr), Ezekiel “Zeke” Kaawa-Kamimura (Sr), Eli Crook (Soph), Camdon Higbee (Soph), Devin Alpin (Jr), Elliott Grimm (Fr) and Brayshell Hoohuli-Pogtis (Fr). 

    Each wrestler received three matches in the tournament, which for most of the Trojans was their first wrestling matches ever. "Despite that fact, the young wrestlers stoically stepped up to the challenge and wrestled their hearts out, gaining much needed experience to further their budding wrestling careers," said the Coach, noting that “Wrestling is a tough sport that is constantly evolving, wins do not come easy and losses are guaranteed. Numerous live matches are vitally important to an athlete's growth, this tournament provided exactly that. Every wrestler learned from their experience and continued to evolve, getting progressively better each match." 

Trojan Wrestling team before participating in Pāhala Town Lighted Christmas Parade: Robin Javorski-Olson, Russell Santiago-Sanchez, Kamaehu Guerpo-Craft, Kelen Carriaga-Pascual, Desmond Camba, Camdon Higbee, Coach Ray Mazyck, Dreana Vierra-Mukini, Haukea Koprivnikar, Rain Nihipali-Sesson, Elliott Grimm, Waileia Kainoa, Kona Smith, Brayshell Hoohuli-Pogtis. Not pictured: Zion Pascubilo, Dayton Keohuloa, Alazae Forcum, Eli Crook, Devin Alpin, Zeke Kaawa-Kamimura.
Photo from Trojan Wrestling

    Smith, Hoohuli-Pogtis, Alpin, and Grimm were all unable to secure wins, while Crook and Higbee went 1-2 on the day. "Both Eli and Camdon were able to end the day on a high note winning their last matches of the tournament. Senior Zeke Kaawa-Kamimura made his wrestling debut in triumphant fashion going
3-0 and taking first place in the 126lb weight class. Zeke came out and wrestled like a grizzly bear really putting his strength and determination on display. There are very few wrestlers that come out a month and a half deep into the sport and perform like that, let alone win a tournament. Overall I’m extremely proud of each of them and truly blessed to be part of a team with these fantastic young men and women. I am excited to watch them continue to grow on and off the mat,” said the Trojan wrestling coach.

    The "Mighty Trojan Wrestling Team" departs for O’ahu Dec. 26th for two separate tournaments. Trojan boys will be participating in the Moanalua Dual tournament Dec. 27-28th. 

     Coach said, "The format of this particular tournament allows for the unique opportunity to wrestle 3x as many matches as a normal format."

     He also reported that "Trojan Girls have been invited to an incredible event, the 13th annual Pa’ani Challenge!" It is the largest women’s wrestling event in the nation. Check out paanichallenge.com for more detailed information. "

    The event includes guest speakers; a wrestling clinic put on by Clarrisa Chun, head women’s wrestling coach at University of Iowa; and a college career fair, followed by an all women’s wrestling tournament.

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OKK's Market in Nāʻālehu will be Monday next week
due to the holidays.