Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, May 17, 2015

Poi pounding was popular with all ages at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park's Bioblitz and Biodiversity & Cultural Festival Friday and Saturday. Photo by Julia Neal

WHAT’S NEXT AT KILAUEA VOLCANO? Associated Press reports: “A series of earthquakes and shifting ground on the slopes of Kilauea has scientists wondering what will happen next at one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
      “A lake of lava near the summit of Kilauea on Hawai`i island had risen to a record-high level after a recent explosion. But in the past few days, the pool of molten rock began sinking, and the surface of the lava lake fell nearly 500 feet.
      “Meanwhile, a rash of earthquakes rattled the volcano with as many as 25 quakes per hour, and scientists’ tiltmeters detected that the ground was deforming.”
      Steven Brantley, deputy scientist in charge of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, told AP: “Clearly the lava, by dropping out of sight, it has to be going somewhere.”
      AP reports that Brantley said that an eruption could possibly break through the side of the mountain.

      This morning, HVO reported that seismic activity, while still elevated, has been decreasing.
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BioBlitz and festival participants learned about environmental needs of `i`iwi.
Photo by Julia Neal

AFTER TWO INTENSIVE DAYS OF EXPLORATION and documentation, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s BioBlitz held on May 15 and 16 captured a vivid snapshot of the park’s unique plant and animal biodiversity. The event , sponsored by the National Geographic Society, brought together more than 170 leading scientists and traditional Hawaiian cultural practitioners, more than 850 students and thousands from the general public. Together they conducted a comprehensive inventory of the plants, insects, mammals, birds and other species that inhabit the 333,086-acre island park. Under the theme of I ka nana no a `ike (By observing, one learns), alakai`i were integrated into the survey teams for a more holistic approach to the research and exploration endeavor. 

      More than 6,000 people participated in the BioBlitz and concurrent Biodiversity & Cultural Festival, which brought together modern scientific investigation and ancient cultural practices.
      With a scientist-to-student ratio of one to five, students were able to truly work side-by-side with top scientists.

A festival-goer learns what is necessary to prevent plants from becoming extinct.
Photo by Julia Neal

      Twenty-two new species were added to the park’s species list, and sightings of 73 threatened species, including nene and Kamehameha butterfly, were documented.
      The BioBlitz survey more than doubled the number of fungi species on the park’s list with 17 new fungi documented at the close of the event. Many more will be added in coming days and weeks.
      The initial scientific species count as of the afternoon BioBlitz closing ceremony on Saturday was 416, with 1,535 observations recorded over the course of the two-day event. Organizers expect this number to increase significantly over the next several months as cutting-edge testing of the collected samples continues.
      The 35th annual Cultural Festival was moved from July to this weekend and expanded to include biodiversity booths and activities. The festival showcased how Hawaiians are true ecological experts and I ka nana no a `ike principles continue today. The Biodiversity & Cultural Festival included hands-on science and cultural exhibits, food, art and top Hawaiian music and dance performances.

Keiki connect with the natural world and Hawaiian culture using bamboo
to stamp designs. Photo by Julia Neal

      The BioBlitz was part scientific endeavor, part outdoor classroom excursion and part celebration of biodiversity and culture. Participants combed the park, observing and recording as many plant and animal species as possible in 24 hours. Activities included catching insects, spotting birds, observing plants and fungi, and using technology to better understand the diverse ecosystems across the park.
      “The BioBlitz and Biodiversity & Cultural Festival presented an incredible opportunity to connect the community with leading scientists, international sister parks and cultural practitioners this weekend,” said park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. “This event embodies our National Park Service centennial mission to encourage everyone to Find Your Park – literally – by exploring and understanding our vital connection to our natural world.”
      “The BioBlitz was a wonderful combination of past, present and future,” said John Francis, National Geographic’s vice president for research, conservation and exploration. “It was so exciting to bring together western science and traditional Hawaiian culture and pair it with the great iNaturalist app, smartphones and pumped-up cell service courtesy of Verizon. I hope this holistic approach serves as a model for other BioBlitzes and scientific endeavors.”

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A bone fishhook from Wai`ahukini cultural site
in Ka`u. Photo from Bishop Museum

KA`U IS THE SOURCE of the world’s largest collection of Hawaiian fishhooks. Images and descriptions of the more than 4,000 fishhooks are now online, with funding from Hawai`i Council for the Humanities. The address is http://data.bishopmuseum.org/archaeology/index.php?b=i. 

      The artifacts, including fishhook making tools, were excavated in 1953 and 1959, kept at Bishop Museum and photographed, with their images recently uploaded to the Bishop Museum online data base for study and public view.
      Archaeologists William Bonk, Kenneth P. Emory and Yoshiko Sinoto collected the fishhooks in Ka`u at Maka­lei Rockshelter, Pu`u Ali`i and Wai`ahukini Rockshelter. According to Bishop Museum, they date from A.D. 1300 to the 1800s.
      Fishhook-making styles have linked early Polynesians landing in Ka`u to islands in the Marquesas. Fish bones, also found in the archaeological sites in Ka`u, show what residents were eating and how their diets varied over time.
      A message on the Bishop Museum website cautions: “Please remember that these and other cultural sites are wahi pana, or culturally significant places. If you visit these places, please show respect for them. Do not touch or remove anything that belongs near or around these areas.”
      The website includes an interactive game called the Ho`omaka Hou Research Initiative Fishhook Memory Game. There is a link to a database for each of the three cultural sites Ka`u from which fishhooks were excavated. There are links to archaeological and history reports on places in Ka`u.
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MAY IS ASIAN-PACIFIC AMERICAN Heritage Month. recognizing the history, contributions and achievements of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities.
      “During the month of May, we celebrate Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, recognizing the lasting contributions to our nation made by the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities,” Sen. Brian Schatz said. “We also commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States more than 170 years ago. The Asian-Pacific American influence is a part of our daily lives in Hawai`i where its traditions and customs are woven into our culture, cuisine and commerce. The Hawai`i that we proudly call our home today owes a great legacy to the Ancient Hawaiians who established a vibrant and self-sustaining society in one of the most isolated places in the world. The strong values and numerous accomplishments of Asian-Pacific Americans highlight strength in diversity and inspire community-building throughout our nation.”

Natural Area Reserves System promoted awareness of the environment
at the Biodiversity & Cultural Festival. Photo by Julia Neal

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CQ-ROLL CALL’S NEW BOOK, Powerful Women: The 25 Most Influential Women in Congress, listed Hawai`i Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard in the ranks of the most accomplished and influential female leaders in Congress.
       The book discusses that despite just two years in Congress, Gabbard has been able to work with Democrats and Republicans and become a leading voice on military and foreign affairs on both the House Armed Services and House Foreign Affairs Committees. Additionally, the book discusses her status as a young veteran in Congress with her co-founding of the Post 9/11 Veterans Caucus.
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HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL holds meetings this week. Tomorrow, the council considers county operating and capital improvement budgets.
      Council holds its regular meeting Tuesday. Both meetings begin at 9 a.m. at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona.
      Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center. Agendas are available, and the meetings are also streamed live, at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

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Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, May 16, 2015

The Southwest Rift Zone erupted on Sept. 24, 1971 for the first time in more than a half century. Spectators hiked into the Ka`u Desert and were kept back from spattering lava by rangers on horseback. A possibility, according to a report from scientists yesterday is that eruptions could be seen again in the Southwest Rift Zone. Photo from NPS

POSSIBLE SOUTHWEST RIFT ZONE eruption in Ka`u is one of three scenarios offered yesterday by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists. These follow an abrupt lowering of the lava lake level in Halema`uma`u and increased activity in the southern Kilauea summit caldera and upper Southwest Rift Zone. The Southwest Rift Zone last erupted in 1971. The eruption before that was in 1919-1920 when Mauna Iki erupted on the Southwest Rift Zone.

      Hawaiian Volcano Observatory released a statement yesterday that “the overall evolution of unrest in Kilauea’s summit area and upper rift zones in the coming weeks to months is uncertain. The magma storage system within Kilauea is highly pressurized at this time, and future changes in the location of unrest – and the potential for eruption – could unfold quickly (in days to hours).”

The National Park of Reunion Island is taking part in Hawai`i Volcanoes National
Park's Biodiversity & Cultural Festival today. Photos by Ron Johnson

      Scientists reported that “these recent changes at the summit of Kilauea suggest that magma has moved into a shallow area beneath the southern part of the caldera and upper Southwest Rift Zone. It is not possible to predict the exact outcome of this activity, but we identify three possible scenarios that could play out in the coming days to weeks:

1. Magma continues to accumulate in the southern part of Kilauea’s summit caldera and upper SWRZ at shallow depths, but then stops with no eruption; 
2. Magma continues to accumulate in the southern part of the caldera at shallow depths and leads to a rapid intrusion into the Southwest Rift Zone. Such an intrusion could remain within the rift zone or erupt along the rift zone. A rift zone intrusion would be indicated by a swarm of shallow earthquakes, seismic tremor, and large, rapid changes in the deformation of the ground surface; 
3. Magma continues to accumulate in the southern part of the caldera, rises toward the surface and erupts in the upper SWRZ and/or in the caldera. With this scenario, we would expect to see even stronger earthquake activity and/or seismic tremor in the southern part of the caldera, as well as ground cracks.

A group of BioBlizters prepares to inventory plant species along a trail
in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

      Reviewing recent history, HVO reports: “The lava lake in the Overlook crater (summit vent) overflowed its rim beginning April 28, sending many short flows across the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater. By May 8, these overflows and spatter from the rising lava lake had built a ridge (or levee) of solidified lava around the vent rim to a height of about eight meters (26 feet) above the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater, creating a ‘perched lava lake.’ On May 9, the lava lake level began to drop, and, as of Friday, May 15, the lake surface was about 50 m (165 ft) lower than the newly created vent rim. 

      “The abrupt lowering of the lava lake level was accompanied by changes in summit deformation and seismicity. As the lava lake dropped, the inflationary trend previously observed in the summit area changed to a deflationary trend centered near Halema`uma`u Crater. On May 13, the focus of deformation changed to the southern part of Kilauea’s summit caldera and upper Southwest Rift Zone, where rapid and localized inflationary tilt was recorded.
      “This change in deformation was accompanied by a shift in the focus of earthquake activity from Kilauea’s summit, upper East Rift Zone (ERZ), and upper Southwest Rift Zone (SWRZ) to the southern part of Kilauea’s caldera and Upper SWRZ. Of the many hundreds of earthquakes that have occurred in the SWRZ over the past two days, most have been small (less than magnitude-two) and shallow (less than four km [2.5 mi] deep). As of noon on May 15, earthquakes over the past 12 hours were occurring every couple of minutes, the highest rate recorded thus far, including this morning’s magnitude-3.2 quake at 8:37 a.m., HST, and magnitude-3.0 quake at 10:52 a.m., HST.
      “During this period of elevated summit activity, there has been no obvious change in the eruption rate of lava from the Pu`u `O`o vent on Kilauea’s East Rift Zone. Few earthquakes have occurred in the upper ERZ over the past few days.”
      HVO scientists report that they continue to closely monitor Kilauea Volcano, watching for any signs of unrest that may precede a new outbreak of lava or changes in activity at Pu`u `O`o or the summit. HVO is in frequent communication with Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and Hawai`i County Civil Defense to keep them apprised of the activity.
      HVO posts daily eruption updates its website, along with photos, videos and maps as they are available at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php.
      Interested persons can receive daily Kilauea eruption updates via email by subscribing to the Volcano Notification System at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns/.
      HVO contact information: askHVO@usgs.gov.
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Many species in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park are counted today as
National Geographic Bioblitz 2015 concludes. Painting by
John Dawson for the National Geographic Society

HOW MANY SPECIES CAN BE COUNTED inside Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is the question of the day as BioBlitz 2015 continues. Schoolchildren, scientists and other citizen volunteers are making the count over a 24-hour period ending today. This is the ninth annual BioBlitz, each in different parks, sponsored by the National Geographic Society and the National Park Service, leading up to one hundredth anniversary of the National Park Service next year. 

      A post on National Geographic’s BioBlitz blog says that Bioblitz in Hawai`i “celebrates biodiversity and Polynesian culture, a spiritual and scientific look at nature” and calls it a “teaching moment for all that there is time to repair and appreciate our bonds with the Earth.”
      BioBlitz is being held simultaneously with the 35th Annual Cultural Festival in the park, with hula, cultural demonstrations and more until 4 p.m. today. Admission is free.
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Featherwork is one of many Hawaiian cultural activities available today
at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

THROWING FISH SCRAPS OVERBOARD is illegal, the state is reminding boaters. 

      Such activity can lead to Hawaiian monk seals hanging out around fishing boats, ramps and harbors where they can be struck by boat propellers. A year old monk seal was found dead on Anini Beach on Kaua`i this week and may have been hit by a boat. The fine is $1,000 and 30 days in jail plus possible civil penalties for just throwing fish scraps overboard.
      Department of Land and Natural Resources Chair Suzanne Case issued a statement saying: “Seals that are fed, even unintentionally by discarded fish scraps, can quickly become ‘problem seals’ that associate people with food and seek out human interactions that are dangerous for seals and people. They are wild creatures, and we want to keep them wild.”
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KA`U’S STATE SENATOR RUSSELL RUDERMAN earlier this week returned from Washington, D.C. where he was honored by the U.S. Small Business Association as Business Person of the Year by the Hawai`i Region of the Small Business Association.

Sen. Russell Ruderman receives Business Person of the Year
award from SBA Adminstrator Maria Contreras-Sweet.
Photo from Sen. Ruderman

      “I’m truly humbled by this honor,” Ruderman said. “I feel lucky to be able to combine my passion to support local people and local products with my love for business and entrepreneurship.”
      The award was given to Ruderman as President and Founder of Island Naturals, a group of natural and organic food stores on Hawai`i Island. Established in 1997, Island Naturals now employs 150 people at three locations in Kona, Hilo and Pahoa. Those who nominated Ruderman for the Business Person of the Year award described him as someone “willing to listen to people with different worldviews,” and “very humble and unassuming.”

      The SBA awards recognize the special impact made by outstanding entrepreneurs and small business owners. Criteria for the Business Person of the Year award includes number of years in business, growth in number of employees and increase in sales and/or unit volume, innovativeness of product or service offered and contributions to community-oriented projects.
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JUNE 1 IS THE DEADLINE FOR FEEDBACK on the draft Ka`u Community Development Plan.

      When adopted and implemented, the CDP will become a county policy document, guide federal and state agencies and guide community-based action to direct conservation and settlement patterns; protect and enhance natural and cultural resources; strengthen infrastructure, facilities and services; and build a resilient, sustainable local economy.

Hawai`i Island students take the Biodiversity Challenge at Hawai`i Volcanoes
National Park.

      Ka`u residents can review the document at local libraries and community centers, at Planning offices in Hilo and Kona and online at kaucdp.info.
      Comments may be made online or sent to Hawai`i County Planning Department, Attn: Ka`u CDP, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3, Hilo HI 96720.
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HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL CONSIDERS county operating and capital improvement budgets Monday at 9 a.m. at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona. Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center. The meeting is also streamed live at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar.com_May2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf and
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Ka`u News Briefs Friday, May 15, 2015

G. Brad Lewis, whose fine art photographs  of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park are shown daily at Volcano Art Center, will offer
his own show in June. This image is called Lava River.  Photo by G. Brad Lewis

BIOBLITZ AND BIODIVERSITY & CULTURAL FESTIVAL are in full swing as Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park welcomes hundreds of scientists, citizen scientists, Hawaiian cultural practitioners, 850 Hawai`i school students and the public. The Friday and Saturday events are sponsored in part by National Geographic, which  is covering BioBlitz in detail on its blog BioBlitz 2015: Where Hawaiian Culture Meets Science.

Amy and her hula sisters made their garments to 

celebrate biodiversity at BioBlitz today. 

Photo by Jessica Ferracane

     ‘Olapa (dancers) of Hālau Hula Ulumamo o Hilo Palikū opened BioBlitz this morning. To celebrate biodiversity, the hula sisters made their hula skirts, or pā‘ū, from native wauke (paper mulberry) tree bark, which they pounded into kapa cloth, and dyed a brilliant orange-red using introduced achiote seeds – giving the pā‘ū the same color as the glowing lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u – the home of Pelehonuamea. It took one year to make these pā‘ū. The skirt is adorned with native tī leaf, and the ‘ohe kapala (bamboo stamp) design depicts lightning (the roundish shape) and Pele’s movement (the flowing line).

     Last night, park superintendent Cindy Orlando addressed a welcome dinner for scientists and BioBlitz leaders saying: “I mahalo all that you do to protect our parks and protected areas around the globe and all that you do to connect with and create the next generation of park stewards.” In addition to students, citizen scientists and scientists, representatives from South Korea, China and the island of Reunion, a department of France in the Indian Ocean are participating in BioBlitz. All have sister park relationships with Volcano.

Keki pound poi at the Cultural Festival today and
tomorrow at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park
Photo by Jessica Ferracane

      National Geographic blog editor David Maxwell Braun reported on an address given last night by Michael Stebbins, assistant director for biotechnology in the science division of the White House Office of Science Policy. Stebbins "told the dinner audience that the Obama Administration was committed to exploring the expansion of citizen science to better understand how the federal government could involve non-trained people in doing science." Braun quoted Stebbins saying, “One of the first examples that came up when we started to look at how the U.S. federal government is engaging in citizen science was the BioBlitz. One of the things that would be an extraordinary step forward would be to really expand the BioBlitz to a lot of other areas.…we are searching for ideas for how to expand citizen science and really engage folks.”

     Braun also reported on comments from Elaine Leslie, chief of biological resources for the National Park Service. Leslie told the group, "Your efforts this weekend will aid the parks in planning, preserving and conserving natural resources connected to our cultural resources.”

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Superintendent
Cindy Orlando opens BioBlitz last night..
Photo by David Maxwell Braun
National Geographic

    The National Geographic blog carried comments from John Francis, National Geographic’s vice president of Research, Conservation and Exploration: “BioBlitz has to do with connecting scientists to people, people to the parks, and most importantly, connecting everyone to nature." The blog talks about his reference to Polynesian stewardship.  "Francis said the islands had a community deeply wedded to the land, to the Earth, to nature. 'There was song and dance, and a celebration every day of our connection to this delicate fabric of nature around the planet. In the process of coming closer to this BioBlitz at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park we realized that there is a model here that the world has to see, and that is about people every day doing this celebration, doing this dance. I came to thinking about this Polynesian way, not 'Blitzing' but 'being' -  an interesting concept we need to take and spread about the planet.”
     A core program for BioBlitz is the activity of volunteers counting as many species as possible in a 24 hour period within the 333,086 acres that make up Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. New registrations are welcome to sign up at
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/explorers/projects/bioblitz/volcanoes-hawaii-2015/.
Entrance fees are waived during the BioBlitz and Cultural Festival, today and tomorrow.

    The 35th Annual Cultural Festival at the park today and tomorrow, was moved from its traditional date in July to become a part of the BioBlitz celebration.

TILTMETERS AT KILAUEA’S SUMMIT continue to record tilt in a different direction than is usually associated with summit inflation and deflation, and seismicity rates in the southern part of the summit area remain elevated, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists reported this morning. The new tilt direction and elevated seismicity are suggestive of magma accumulation in an area just south of the summit caldera. The summit lava lake level continues to lower and is currently at 100-115 feet below the original crater floor. With a high rate of seismic activity south of Kilauea caldera, backcountry trails in the area are closed at night.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD TODAY included a bipartisan amendment into the National Defense Authorization Act of 2016 to reverse a decision by the Pentagon that broke the promise of accessible and affordable health care benefits to many veterans. The amendment provides military retirees living outside of 100 miles from a military treatment facility the option to re-enroll in TRICARE Prime after they had lost access due to a 2013 policy change by Department of Defense.
      “All our veterans, no matter where they live, deserve to receive the benefits they have earned,” said Gabbard. “I appreciate working with Congressman John Kline in passing this amendment to the Defense bill, which will finally restore access to affordable healthcare for all military retirees who lost eligibility for TRICARE Prime through no fault of their own. The Department of Defense’s 2013 policy change that limited the TRICARE Prime service areas had a disproportionate negative impact on our neighbor island residents, who already face unique challenges to accessing healthcare because of our island state. This amendment will allow them an opportunity to reenroll and receive their benefits.”
       The amendment passed unanimously by a voice vote and is included in the House version of NDAA.
       Across the country, more than 170,000 veterans who live outside 100 miles of a military treatment facility lost access to TRICARE Prime at the end of 2013 due to a DOD policy change. This policy impacted over 1,000 people in Hawai`i and left many retirees struggling to cover the increased costs due to their fixed incomes. The amendment would provide a one-time election for all affected retirees to have access to TRICARE Prime.

High school students can sign up for a summer intern program
in agriculture. Photo from Kohala Center

      The Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act serves as the budgetary blueprint for the Pentagon and is being considered by the U.S. House of Representatives this week.

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SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, in which the `aina is the classroom, still has spaces available this summer for high school students. The program is open to any Hawai`i Island high school students or recent graduates who’d like to spend a couple of weeks learning how to grow their own food, taking field trips to local farms and ranches, experiencing traditional Hawaiian land management systems and getting paid for it.
      Over the course of our two-week program, interns will: Visit and work on local, sustainable, and organic farms; harvest and make their own `ono grinds; take home plants to start their own gardens; tour an ahupua`a from mauka to makai; take field trips to wahi pana (sacred places) like Waipi`o Valley; explore careers in sustainable agriculture; meet students from other schools; and earn a $250 stipend for successfully completing the program.
      Interns can choose from two sessions: June 8-19 and July 13-24. Internships run weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with each day starting and ending at the Demonstration Farm in Honoka`a. Deadlines to apply are today for June session and June 15 for July session.
      The Sustainable Agriculture Internship Program is co-sponsored by The Kohala Center and Kamehameha Schools’ `Aina Ulu Program. For more information, se koha.la/farminterns or contact Derrick Kiyabu at 808-220-2312 or dkiyabu@kohalacenter.org.

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BIG ISLAND MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS is seeking Ka`u recruits. Natural disasters, disease pandemics, large-scale accidents, bioterrorism events or a major public health emergency may overwhelm local hospitals and healthcare professionals. Government agencies that would lead a disaster response and recovery may ask citizens to help with relief efforts.
      The mission of MRC is to establish a local team of medical and non-medical volunteers who can contribute their skills and expertise in these circumstances. Many MRC members are working or retired healthcare professionals. However, a medical background is not necessary to join. The organization is looking for individuals who want to serve their community in emerging disasters, public health emergencies and preparedness activities.
      Volunteers are asked to attend periodic meetings, participate in disaster preparedness exercises and assist with non-emergency community health activities. MRC volunteers will have access to a wide range of valuable disaster related trainings for free.
       There are two upcoming orientation meetings for existing and prospective volunteers: Hilo MRC 101, 
May 30, 
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and Kona MRC 101, 
June 6, 
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

      RSVP to Jason Dela Cruz, MRC coordinator, at 808-974-6010 or via email atjason.delacruz@doh.hawaii.gov for more details.
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As Above So Below is the title of this G.  Brad Lewis
photo in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

VOLCANO ART CENTER GALLERY will be displaying the fine art photographs of G. Brad Lewis in the Quest For Liquid Light: Going with the flow in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. This exhibition showcases the ongoing explorations of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park by Hawai`i’s leading volcano and nature photographer.
       G. Brad Lewis is internationally recognized and his photographs have appeared on the covers of a number of magazines, including Life, Natural History, Photographer's Forum, and Geo, and within the pages of Time, Outside, Fortune, Newsweek, Stern, National Geographic, and many other publications. Additionally, Lewis’ photographs have received numerous awards and been widely exhibited. Interviews and features with Lewis have been broadcast on NBC’s Today Show, CBS Evening News and Disney and Discovery Channels. Print interviews and photo essays of his work have been featured in many magazines, including Photo District News, DigitalFoto, Studio Photography & Design and Outdoor Photographer. His photographs are found in numerous private, corporate, and public collections around the world, as well as in fine galleries and through major stock agencies.
       Lewis has been capturing the eruption of Kilauea since it began in 1983. The goal of his photography is to “connect the viewer to a deep understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Nowhere else is creation happening so dramatically.” Inspired by beauty and variety, Lewis is based out of Hawai`i, Utah and Alaska, traveling several months each year to pursue his art.
       A reprint of Lewis’ Volcano - Creation in Motion is due out in early July. The book, which already offered a sublime glimpse into the heart of creation, includes a new format, cover and updated images of Halema`uma`u and recent flows near Pahoa. A book-signing event will be scheduled as the publication becomes available. See volcanoartcenter.org for information.
      The Quest For Liquid Light: Going with the flow in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park will be on display June 6 through July 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at VAC Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The exhibition is free to the public though park entrance fees apply. A gallery reception will be held on Saturday, June 6 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
      For more information, see www.volcanoartcenter.org or contact VAC Gallery Manager Emily C. Weiss at 808-967-7565 or gallery@volcanoartcenter.org.

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SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_May2105.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf and
kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf.