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| Keanakākoʻi viewing area pre-dawn on Friday, Jan. 17. Park visitors are silhouetted as they watch side-by-side volcanic cones eject fountains of hot orange lava and plumes of gas and water vapor. Photo by Janice Wei |
EPISODE FOUR OF THE CURRENT ERUPTION OF Kīlauea ended at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park described the displays as "awe-some with dual fountains feeding a large lava lake at the summit," and noted that "this activity could pause, end or decrease at any time." The eruption began on Dec. 23.
The glow remained at the crater Saturday evening but the fountaining was gone. USGS reported that pele's hair formed in earlier stages of Episode 4 may continue to be remobilized by winds within the park and in nearby communities over the next few days.
See and learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/eruption-viewing.htm
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.
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| DLNR First Deputy Ryan Kanaka‘ole, whose family roots are in Wai‘ōhinu, joined Gov. Josh Green to announce that 2025 is The Year of Our Community Forests. Photo from Gov. Green |
2025 IS THE YEAR OF OUR COMMUNITY FORESTS, according to a proclamation signed this month by Gov. Josh Green. The idea was developed by the state Department of Land & Natural Resources' Division of Forestry & Wildlife, and its Kaulunani Urban & Community Forest Program, along with a multitude of partners. The designation recognizes trees and forests in the wao kanaka: where humans live, learn, and play. The year-long campaign has the goals of increasing awareness of community forests and strengthening connections between people and these forests.
“Community forests are the trees in our neighborhoods, yards, parks, schools, and along our streets,” said Green. “These forests can include native species, but also non-invasive beneficial trees like ‘ulu, niu, mango, and others.
Also speaking at the proclamation signing was DLNR First Deputy Ryan Kanaka‘ole, who comes from Wai‘ōhinu in the District of Kaʻū with the state's largest native forests and historic villages with many mature trees. He said, “We all live in a community forest, they’re not just mauka, but all around us. Our trees are what makes Hawai‘i home. They’re not only ornamental landscaping, but also provide food, shade, oxygen, habitat, and many other benefits. Trees are also great for hanging ornaments and holiday lights.”
DOFAW has established a website where people can learn about all the benefits of community forests, about volunteer opportunities associated with the Year of Our Community Forests, and statistics and data on how forests help grow communities.
“We tend to view forests for the conservation values associated with them,” said DOFAW Administrator David Smith. “They also have great economic value, with urban forestry having a $64 billion footprint nationwide in 2017. The same report indicated urban forests support more than a half million jobs. Another study found employees are more productive and less stressed when trees are nearby and they also increase property values.”
Also speaking at the proclamation signing was DLNR First Deputy Ryan Kanaka‘ole, who comes from Wai‘ōhinu in the District of Kaʻū with the state's largest native forests and historic villages with many mature trees. He said, “We all live in a community forest, they’re not just mauka, but all around us. Our trees are what makes Hawai‘i home. They’re not only ornamental landscaping, but also provide food, shade, oxygen, habitat, and many other benefits. Trees are also great for hanging ornaments and holiday lights.”
DOFAW has established a website where people can learn about all the benefits of community forests, about volunteer opportunities associated with the Year of Our Community Forests, and statistics and data on how forests help grow communities.
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| Gov. Josh Green after signing the proclamation declaring 2025 The Year of Our Community Forests. Photo from Green |
“We tend to view forests for the conservation values associated with them,” said DOFAW Administrator David Smith. “They also have great economic value, with urban forestry having a $64 billion footprint nationwide in 2017. The same report indicated urban forests support more than a half million jobs. Another study found employees are more productive and less stressed when trees are nearby and they also increase property values.”
“Most importantly,” the Governor added, “is what trees provide for our environment. They make water cleaner by filtering pollutants and holding onto soil to reduce runoff into the ocean. Trees clean the air by filtering pollutants, and they capture carbon dioxide (CO2) which helps to mitigate climate change.”
Hawai‘i municipal trees store more than 25,000 tons of CO2, remove a net 3,340 tons of CO2 each year, and manage 35 million gallons of stormwater runoff each year.
Hawai‘i municipal trees store more than 25,000 tons of CO2, remove a net 3,340 tons of CO2 each year, and manage 35 million gallons of stormwater runoff each year.
Learn more and see community opportunities at www.dlnr.hawaii.gov/trees.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.
"We welcome submissions from Kamaʻaina, visitors, anyone with an interest in Hawai'i’s volcanoes," says the statement from the organizers at USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. See more information at https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/media/files/2025_VAM_art_poetry_contest_final.pdf
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| 5,000 delivered in the mail, 2,500 on the streets. |
