Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016

The Aug. 6 rockfall that caused an explosion at Kilauea's summit, leaving a light-colored scar, was one of several
that have occurred since 2008. See more below. Photo from USGS/HVO

SEVERAL HEALTH RISK behaviors and health conditions in Hawai`i County were higher than those in the rest of the state in 2015, according to the State of Hawai`i Data Book published this week. An average of 20.1 percent of Hawai`i County residents smoked, compared to 12.4 to 14.3 percent in other counties. At 19.8 percent, Hawai`i County residents’ lack of physical activity was lower than only Honolulu County, at 20.3 percent. More than 38 percent of Hawai`i County residents were overweight. Other counties reported rates from 32.7 to 36.2 percent.

      Hawai`i County had a slightly higher rate of residents with diabetes, at 10 percent. Rates ranged from 8.7 in Maui County to 9.9 percent in Honolulu County. Kidney disease was also higher in Hawai`i County, where the rate of 4.8 percent compared to 3.2 percent in Maui County, 4.2 percent in Honolulu County and 4.7 percent in Kaua`i County.

      See more at dbedt.hawaii.gov.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

“WHAT IF HAWAI`I ELECTRIC Light Company on the Big Island was converted to the Hawai`i Island Electric Cooperative?” Life of the Land executive director Henry Curtis asks on his blog at www.ililani.media. “What if the Big Island began an aggressive campaign to grow and harvest vegetation for biofuel?”

      According to Curtis, “even if homegrown biofuel cost slightly more than petroleum or liquefied natural gas, each dollar would move between Hawai`i Island residents. Each dollar that is spent on island adds $2-3 of yearly economic activity, benefiting all residents.

      “The biofuel production would be by or similar to Pacific Biodiesel, a successful local company which relies on clean local production, rather than large-scale proposals such as by Hu Honua or `Aina Koa Pono.

      “Hawai`i Island also has more than half of the land-based recoverable wind resources that exist in the entire Hawai`i archipelago.

Henry Curtis

      “Hawai`i Island also has dozens of sites ripe for pumped storage hydro, with elevation changes of 6,000 feet or more between upper and lower reservoirs. Excessive nighttime wind can (be used to) pump water uphill. The water can provide short-term reliability for intermittent wind and solar resources, and can also provide added electric supply for evening demand.

      “Thus, the acquisition of HELCO by a cooperative might be a boom to local agriculture, to the biofuel industry, support economic growth and put an end to the fight over geothermal.
      “A win-win-win-win for residents on the Big Island.”
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

THE AUG. 6 EXPLOSIVE EVENT at Kilauea Volcano’s summit was just one among many, according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s current issue of Volcano Watch.

      “The explosive event at Halema`uma`u Crater’s lava lake on Aug. 6, 2016, was the latest in a series that began in 2008, the article states. “It is useful to view the event in the context of the entire series and to consider if another is likely.
      “The current summit eruption started explosively on March 19, 2008, when a rockfall temporarily impeded the release of volcanic gas from a new vent. Pressure built up, and an explosion ensued a few minutes later. The erupted material consists entirely of older rocks from past eruptions; the gas came from magma not yet in the vent.

      “Seven more explosive events took place between April 9 and Oct. 14, 2008. All involved both old rocks and new magma, which had risen into the new vent.

      “Since 2008, 19 explosive events deposited spatter on the rim of Halema`uma`u Crater. Many other smaller events weren’t large enough, or weren’t located close enough to the crater rim, to produce a recognizable deposit.

       “Every day, Pele’s hair, Pele’s tears, tiny hollow spherules and other bizarre shapes are formed by thousands of gas bubbles bursting in the lake. Such bursts are technically explosive, but they constitute only background activity. 

      “In this Volcano Watch, we consider only those explosive events that left a significant deposit on the rim of Halema`uma`u. How can we rank these events in terms of size?

      “Volcanologists use the Volcano Explosivity Index to classify explosive eruptions by the volume of erupted material. The VEI, as currently defined, ranges from 8 to minus 6 (-6). A VEI of 8 has a volume of 1 trillion cubic meters or more – a cube 10,000 meters (more than 6 miles) on a side! A VEI of -6 has a volume of 0.1 – 0.01 cubic meters (a few ice cubes). 

The Aug. 6 explosive event deposited molten lava and solid
rock fragments on the rim of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater.
Photo from USGS/HVO

      “Three of the 2008 explosive events rate as VEI -2 (100–1,000 cubic meters; a house and garage), four as VEI -3 (10–100 cubic meters; a moderate-size living room), and one as VEI -4 (1–10 cubic meters; much smaller than an average room). 

      “All explosive events since 2008 are either VEI -3 or VEI -4, mostly near the border between the two classes. None comes close to matching the three larger 2008 events. The Aug. 6 event rates a VEI of -3.
      “Another important factor is the depth below the crater rim at which the explosive event takes place. For a given size, more material will reach the rim of Halema`uma`u if the depth is shallower; the ejected material has less distance to travel.
      “We don’t know the depths of the explosive events in 2008 or the two in 2009, except that they were certainly more than 150 meters (492 feet). In contrast, all explosive events have been shallower than 150 m since 2011, when frequent measurements of the depth to the lava lake were started using a laser rangefinder. For example, the Aug. 6 event occurred at a depth of 125 m (410 ft).
      “Three explosive events in April-May 2015 took place when the lake level was unusually high, 85-90 m (279-295 ft) below the Halema`uma`u Crater rim. Two of those events were so small that spatter might not have reached the rim had the explosion been deeper.
      “All the explosive events were triggered by rockfalls from the walls of Overlook crater, which contains the lava lake. Those walls are becoming more stable with time, as overhangs are destroyed. Evidence of increasing stability is the low amount of solid rock material erupted daily from the crater, now averaging less than five percent of the total daily ejecta.
      “Nonetheless, unstable portions of the wall remain. One is under the old visitor overlook on the Halema`uma`u Crater rim. Even small explosive events caused by failure of this part of the wall can throw spatter onto the overlook area. That happened on Jan. 8 and Aug. 6 of this year. Had these events taken place farther away, as did most earlier ones, the amount of spatter that fell at the overlook would have been much less.
      “Eventually this part of the wall will stabilize, but it probably hasn’t yet. We will not be surprised if another shower of spatter lands in the overlook area in the next few months.”
      See hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

KA`U HIGH GIRLS volleyball players began their season this week. Waiakea overcame their host Trojans Tuesday with scores of 14-25, 8-25 10 to 25. On Thursday, Ka`u again played at home, losing to HPA 9-25, 7-25 and 24-25.

     The Trojans are at Ehunui in Kona today for competition that began at 10 a.m.

      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

JOIN KA`U HIGH ALUMNI & FRIENDS for their 15th annual potluck reunion tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All alumni and interested people are invited to attend and enjoy a day of fun, good food and live music.
      For more information, call Margaret Ann Cabudol at 928-8164 or James Yamaki at 969-6828.

PAHALA HONGWANJI’S FIRST BON DANCE of the 21st century takes place tomorrow. Service begins at 4 p.m., with dancing at 5 p.m.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August_2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Friday, Aug. 19, 2016

Pahala Hongwanji is preparing for Sunday's Bon Dance. The yagura, built by Eddie Andrade while working
for Ka`u Sugar, is assembled and awaiting decoration and dancers. Photo by William Neal

NEW INFORMATIONAL PRODUCTS about the health hazards of vog are available through a new interagency partnership. Claire Horwell, of Durham University in the United Kingdom, and Tamar Elias, of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, presented the products at Pahala Public & School Library on Tuesday, Aug. 9.
      The products include a booklet of frequently asked questions, a brochure and poster about protecting yourself during vog episodes and a web-based dashboard that provides comprehensive links to a wide range of vog resources, including vog forecasts and air-quality information.
      The products were co-developed by Elias and Jeff Sutton at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, John Peard and other officials at Hawai`i Department of Health, and Horwell, with participation by Hawai`i County Civil Defense and other agencies.
      “The diverse partnership has allowed us to develop new, consistent products that more fully address the needs of the community,” Peard said.

Dr. Clair Horwell, seated at left, and HVO scientist Tamar Elias, standing,
discussed new vog informational products at Pahala Public
& School Library. Photo by Ron Johnson

      The products offer advice on vog protection measures, such as staying indoors, limiting physical activity, and staying hydrated when vog levels are high. “Providing relevant, up-to-date information to a population living with decades of an ongoing volcanic eruption may help people to better cope with the frequent vog conditions,” Horwell said.

      The new, mobile-friendly vog dashboard is hosted by the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network, a clearinghouse for information on the health impacts of volcanic eruptions. All of the new Hawai`i vog products are available online and are accessible through the dashboard.
      Vog, the pollution formed from acidic gases and particles released by active volcanoes, is composed primarily of sulfur dioxide gas and its oxidation products, such as sulfate aerosol. Sulfur dioxide from Kilauea Volcano, now in its 34th year of nearly continuous eruption, leads to the vog that challenges communities, agriculture and infrastructure on Hawai`i Island and across the state. Scientists at HVO regularly monitor the quantity and composition of gases released from Kilauea. Among other things, HVO data are used as input for vog models that forecast the volcanic plume dispersion and vog locations.
      Horwell’s study in 2015 investigated how Hawaiian communities perceive vog, how they protect themselves and their preferences for receiving advice. Results from the study support the need for consistent online advice from all federal, state and local agencies, increased access to web- and non-web-based information on vog exposure and protection, and updated guidance on how to access resources about vog. HVO’s long involvement in vog studies, coupled with the community studies about perception and needs, led to the development of the new vog informational products.
      During her study, Horwell found that 70 percent of those surveyed use air purifiers, and that 75 percent of those consider them helpful in reducing vog in their homes. Along with going indoors, other methods people use include taking over-the-counter medications, drinking tea and water to stay hydrated, and doing yoga and other relaxation exercises. Some said they sit under a tree, which Horwell said could help because trees clean the air around them.
      Horwell also said many people do not take action regarding vog for several reasons. Many said vog doesn’t affect them. Others were unaware of actions they could take. Ka`u residents pointed to their older homes that cannot be sealed against vog. Horwell said that an air purifier could be helpful even in those homes.
      Horwell said her research will help people in other locations near degassing volcanoes, including the U.K., which can be affected by Icelandic volcanoes.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Scott Morishige

GOV. DAVID IGE YESTERDAY signed a sixth supplemental proclamation on homelessness that will remain in effect until Oct. 19. The supplemental proclamation provides 60 additional days in which to further expand the state’s collaborative efforts to house the most visible and chronic homeless individuals. In the past year, the proclamations have helped more than 4,800 people – representing 1,353 families – move out of homelessness or prevent it altogether.

      “The tide is turning,” said Scott Morishige, the governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness. “Collectively, our state is moving forward with a unified strategy that addresses three levers of change: affordable housing, health and human services, and public safety. All stakeholders are working together in unison across multiple sectors. This coordinated and persistent approach is moving people off the streets,” he said.
      A major priority for the Ige Administration is to increase affordable housing. The proclamations allowed for emergency housing of approximately 300 homeless individuals who were in jeopardy of being displaced after federal budget cuts to seven local organizations.
      Additionally, the proclamations reduced the development time of nine different joint projects with the counties by up to a year per project.
      The proclamations allowed faster distribution of financial resources for permanent housing and to prevent homelessness. Between August 2015 and July 2016, there was a 51 percent increase in the number of individuals and families moving into housing or preserving housing, as compared to the prior 12-month period. This includes a 47 percent increase on the neighbor islands. The State Homeless Emergency Grant provides one-time assistance for housing, food, medical and other types of expenses arising from emergency needs. Housing Placement Program provides first month’s rent or security deposit, as well as temporary case management, for homeless families with minor children. Coordinated Statewide Homeless Initiative provides homelessness prevention and Rapid Re-Housing statewide and increases coordination for the statewide telephone navigation service (2-1-1) for homeless individuals.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Flags are at half-staff in honor
of the late Rep. Mark Takai.

A MEMORIAL SERVICE for the late Rep. K. Mark Takai takes place today, with private interment scheduled for Monday.

      “Today, we say a painful goodbye to my friend, and son of Hawai`i, Mark Takai,” Sen. Brian Schatz said. “In life, Mark devoted himself to realizing his vision for a healthier, safer and better world and in death, will be remembered for having so much more to give. Whether it was in the Hawai`i Army National Guard, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature or in the U.S. Congress, Mark was a true champion for the people of Hawai`i. We will long remember Mark for his smile, his kindness, his optimism and the love he gave to his `ohana and all he served. Mark’s voice will forever resonate in the halls of Congress, and his memory will never fade from our hearts. Goodbye, my friend. May you rest in peace.”
      Flags are at half-staff through Monday.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Hapu`u ferns tower above Volcano Rain Forest Runners.
Photo from Sharron Faff

VOLCANO RAIN FOREST RUNS take place tomorrow in Volcano Village. The Half Marathon begins at 7 a.m.; 10K, 7:45 a.m.; 5K, 8 a.m.; and Keiki Runs, 10 a.m.

      A Zero-Mile Instant Gratification event benefiting Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park begins at 11 a.m.
      See volcanorainforestruns.com.

TAKE A WALK INTO THE PAST, Saturday Participants meet tomorrow at 10 a.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park for an easy walk with a ranger to Volcano House to learn about its role in shaping early park history.
      Free; park entrance fees apply.

Na Kumu Hula Keikilani Curnan and Liana Aveiro with Halau
Waiau perform tomorrow. Photo from VAC

NA KUMU HULA KEIKILANI CURNAN and Liana Aveiro with Halau Waiau perform hula kahiko tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. on the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

      Loke Kamanu and `ohana present Na Mea Hula at 11 a.m.

      Free; park entrance fees apply.
      For more information, call 967-8222.

KA`U HIGH ALUMNI & FRIENDS’ 15th annual potluck reunion takes place Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All alumni and interested people are invited to attend and enjoy a day of fun, good food and live music.
      For more information, call Margaret Ann Cabudol at 928-8164 or James Yamaki at 969-6828.

PAHALA HONGWANJI’S FIRST BON DANCE of the 21st century takes place Sunday. Service begins at 4 p.m., with dancing at 6 p.m. The event includes food and fellowship.

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

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August_2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016

It's time for Ka`u High Alumni & Friends to start preparing their potluck contributions to the group's
15th annual reunion and luncheon coming up on Sunday. See more below. Photo by Julia Neal

AT THE DIRECTION OF GOV. David Ige, the United States flag and the Hawai`i state flag are at half-staff at the State Capitol and at all state offices, agencies and the Hawai`i National Guard in the state of Hawai`i from today until sunset on Monday, Aug. 22 in honor of the late Hawai`i Congressman and former Hawai`i state Rep. K. Mark Takai.

Flags are at half-staff to honor the late
state and U.S. Rep. K. Mark Takai.

      Takai will lie in state in the Hawai`i State Capitol Rotunda today. A memorial service is scheduled for tomorrow, and a private interment is scheduled for Aug. 22.

      Takai dedicated his life to public service with 18 years in the Hawai`i National Guard and a 20-year tenure in the Hawai`i House of Representatives before serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.
      “Mark humbly and effectively served the people of Hawai`i, Gov. David Ige said. “In the often tumultuous world of politics, he was a shining example of what it means to be a public servant.”
      Takai died on July 20 after battling pancreatic cancer. He was 49 years old.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE WILL INCREASE enforcement of drunk driving as part of a national campaign called Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, which starts tomorrow and runs through the Labor Day (Sept. 5). During the campaign, police will conduct sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols islandwide using federal grant funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
      Impaired driving while intoxicated on alcohol, drugs or both continues to be a concern in Hawai`i County. So far this year, there have been 482 DUI arrests for alcohol impairment, 43 related to drugs and 13 related to a combination of both alcohol and drugs.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

KA`U’S U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD and Sen. Mazie Hirono joined a coalition of federal and state officials in recognizing the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Radiological Security with the first-ever Homeland Security Award. The ceremony recognized Maegan Barlow, the Director of the Office of Radiological Services at DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration, for OSR’s work to enhance the security of high-risk radioactive materials in Hawai`i over the past decade. Gabbard also presented a certificate recognizing Sen. Daniel K. Akaka for his leadership in highlighting the vulnerability of radiological materials in Hawai`i and across the United States.

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard joined Sen. Daniel Akaka
and others to recognize the first-ever Homeland Security Award.
Photo from Office of Rep. Gabbard

      At Akaka’s request, the U.S. Government Accountability Office published a report revealing the high vulnerability of radiological materials across the United States. As a result, Akaka worked with ORS to initiate a pilot counterterrorism exercise program in Hawai`i focused on giving federal, state and local officials and first responders critical, hands-on experience in prioritized alarm assessment and response, crisis management, threat assessment, emergency response, consequence management and post-contingency procedures to prepare them in the event of a terrorist incident involving radiological materials.

      “Sen. Akaka was instrumental in shedding light on the vulnerabilities of domestic radiological materials, and his work with NNSA and partners at every level of government to initiate the first counterterrorism exercise pilot program in Hawai`i has made our state a model for similar programs across the country,” Gabbard said. “The threat of radiological terrorism is a constantly evolving and ever-growing threat, and we must continue to build off the progress we’ve made over the past decade to keep our radiological materials secure. Mahalo nui loa to Sen. Akaka, to Director Barlow and the NNSA, and our federal, state and local partners who are continuously working to enhance the security of Hawai`i’s radiological materials, improve our ability to respond to radiological security threats, and strengthen the safety and security of the people of Hawai`i.”
      U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono said, “By enhancing the security of Hawai`i’s radiological materials, we not only keep our state safe, but also ensure these materials support the needs of our healthcare system and our agriculture industry. I was proud to present U.S. Department of Energy Office of Radiological Security Director Maegon Barlow with the Homeland Security Excellence Award with City & County of Honolulu Managing Director Roy Amemiya, and hope that the collaboration between the Office of Radiological Security and City and County of Honolulu will continue to serve as a successful example for other states and communities across the United States.”
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Kupuna Jeannette Howard at last year's
reunion. Photo by Julia Neal

IT’S TIME TO PREPARE YOUR POTLUCK dish for Ka`u High Alumni & Friends’ 15th annual community luncheon on Sunday at Pahala Community Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All alumni and interested people are invited to attend and enjoy a day of fun, good food and live music.

      The purpose of the reunion is to bring alumni and residents back to Ka`u to reconnect with their roots and meet classmates and other Ka`u alumni, neighbors and friends.
      The reunion is held annually on the Sunday of Statehood holiday weekend in August. The set day on Sunday allows individual classes to make plans for their own reunions to coincide with the all-alumni potluck. Class of 1966 alumni, who hosted the all-alumni reunion held in Las Vegas in June, celebrate their 50th reunion on Saturday evening at Kilauea Lodge. Class of 1973 is hosting a get-together for all classes graduating in the 1970s on Saturday at Pahala Community Center. Also on Saturday, Class of 1959 meets at Old Sasaki Store (Market House vacation rental).

      For more information on Sunday’s event, call Margaret Ann Cabudol at 928-8164 or James Yamaki at 969-6828.

      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

KILAUEA 1916: A CENTENNIAL Celebration of KMC & HVNP opens tomorrow. The show explores the unique partnership between Kilauea Military Camp and the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park that began in 1916.
      Performances take place at Kilauea Theater Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. over the next two weekends. Tickets are $10 and available at the door.
      For reservations or more information, call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com.

Keiki join in the action at Volcano Rain Forest Runs.
Photo from Sharron Faff

VOLCANO RAIN FOREST RUNS are Saturday in Volcano Village. The Half Marathon begins at 7 a.m.; 10K, 7:45 a.m.; 5K, 8 a.m.; and Keiki Runs, 10 a.m.

      A Zero-Mile Instant Gratification event benefiting Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park begins at 11 a.m. Every participant who steps, rolls or crawls across the finish line receives a commemorative medal.

      All events start and finish at Cooper Center on Wright Road. Food and entertainment follows.

      Late registration and packet pick-up is tomorrow from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village and race day from 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. at Cooper Center.
      For more information and to register, see volcanorainforestruns.com.

TAKE A WALK INTO THE PAST, Saturday at 10 a.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Participants on the easy walk with a ranger to Volcano House learn about its role in shaping early park history.
      Free; park entrance fees apply.

NA KUMU HULA KEIKILANI CURNAN and Liana Aveiro with Halau Waiau perform hula kahiko Saturday at 10:30 a.m. on the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
      Loke Kamanu and `ohana present Na Mea Hula at 11 a.m.
      Free; park entrance fees apply.

      For more information, call 967-8222.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS ATPAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM ANDKAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August_2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.