About The Kaʻū Calendar

Saturday, December 03, 2022

Kaʻū News Briefs, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022

The June crash of a Paradise Helicopter Bell 407 near South Point has led to an urgent advisory
from the National Transportation Safety Board for more frequent inspections. See more below. Photo from NTSB

Maile David
Photo by Julia Neal
KA'Ū'S COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER MAILE DAVID issued a "Fond Farewell" statement on Friday to the South Kona, Kaʻū and Volcano Village communities of Council District 6. "It has been my privilege and honor to serve District 6 during my eight year term on the Hawai‘i County Council. I also want to let you know that if you need to reach me after December 5th, please feel free to email me at my personal email: mdavidcouncil@gmail.com. I will be officially retired, however, community advocacy will still be a part of my life. My heartfelt aloha and best wishes to all of you for a blessed Christmas and New Year."
    The swearing in of new County Council member Michelle Galimba takes place on Monday, Dec. 5.

 To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at wwwkaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.

Fissure 3 erupting high on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa on Saturday. Volcanic gas plume lofts high and vertically into the atmosphere before blowing to the west at high altitude, generating vog in areas downwind. Vog information can be found at https://vog.ivhhn.org/. USGS photo by F. Trusdell

USGS ESTABLISHED A NEW MAUNA LOA LIVESTREAM on Saturday. The link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnjGqn1K9ZQ. USGS reported that the lava flow has reduced to a crawl across the flatlands in the Saddle, delaying the likelihood of lava crossing Saddle Road.
 USGS gas specialist mans a FTIR spectrometer on Northeast
Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. The plume being generated by the
ongoing eruption is sulfur-dioxide (SO2) rich, but also 
contains water vapor, carbon dioxide, and halogen gases
 such as HCl and HF. USGS image by M. Patrick
    In the meantime County of Hawai'i Civil Defense reported heavy traffic Saturday night on Saddle Road by people attempting to get the view in person. Civil Defense released a message saying, "The Hawai'i Police Department reports heavy, slow moving, traffic along Saddle Road between the Mauna Kea Access Road and the Pohakuloa Training Area. We recommend that you reconsider your plans if you intend on viewing the lava flow this evening. If you do decide to visit the lava viewing area or are traveling across the island via Saddle Road, expect delays around the lava flow viewing area."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at wwwkaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.

THE HELICOPTER CRASH NEAR SOUTH POINT IN JUNE has drawn an advisory from the National Transportation Safety Board for owners of Bell 407's to immediately inspect tail booms and their structural hardware and fittings. The statement issued Friday is headlined, "​​Safety agency cites risk of catastrophic in-flight failure." 
A photo of failed parts leading to a crash of a Bell 407
 helicopter in June, released by NTSB with an urgent 
advisory for more more frequent inspections.
The crash was near South Point on lava.
    The pilot and two passengers were injured seriously when the Paradise Helicopter with six on board slammed into a lava field at about 5:30 p.m. on June 8. The NTSB statement noted that the "Bell 407 helicopter is a popular model among tour operators, police departments, air ambulance providers, and many others, which is why our finding is so urgent. We’re calling on regulators to act immediately ― before there’s another accident.”
    The standard was for inspection every 300 flight hours. The Paradise Helicopter had been inspected 114 flight hours before the crash, contributing the NTSB's urgent message to all Bell 407 owners.
    The issue is the finding that the Paradise Helicopter tail boom separated from the fuselage during the air tour and the culprit is likely hardware and fittings that hold the airship together, according to NTSB findings. Paradise Helicopter representatives said they have already adopted the more frequent inspection protocol.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at wwwkaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.

Governor Elect Josh Green announces cabinet members, many new, some continuing in Hawai'i government administration.
 Photo from Green

Jade Butay
Nadine Ando
STATE DEPARTMENT HEADS were named this week by Governor-Elect, Dr. Josh Green. Many are new; some are continuing. Here are six more, following seven reported in the Friday Ka'u News Briefs:
    Nadine Ando, Director of Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs,  has over 40 years of commercial litigation experience including complex work on regulatory and professional licensing. "Her proven background with insurance investigations, financial institutions, and consumer protection will help lead the department," said Green. Catherine Awakuni Colón will hold over through mid December.
    Jade Butay, Director of the Department of Labor & Industrial Relations, "has tremendous executive experience working as a deputy and director for State departments, including workforce development, unemployment, occupational safety and health. He exemplifies the core tenets of trusted, caring, leadership and will help the department execute important workforce development and community services, such as the student helper program and grants-in-aid," said Green.
Cathy Betts

  Cathy Betts, Director of the Department of Human Services, will continue in her role."Under her leadership the department worked to meet the dramatic increase in demand for social services, head-on, during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Green. He said she shares his vision "to help people first and to lead with empathy."

Jordan Lowe
   Jordan Lowe, Director of the Department of Law Enforcement, will continue in his role. He has over 41 years of experience in Law Enforcement, "which will help the newly created department form, develop its investigation program, and centralize its enforcement functions," said Green.

    Tommy Johnson, Director of Department of Public Safety, recently served as Deputy Director." His experience at the Hawai‘i Paroling Authority is critical as he leads the effort to transition the department to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in 2024," said Green.
Gary Suganama
Tommy Johnson
    Gary Suganuma, Director of Department of Taxation, recently served as the Supervising Deputy Attorney General for the Tax & Charities Division at the Department of the Attorney General where he supervised and coordinated on legal matters related to the Department of Taxation.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at wwwkaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html. 

RESILIENCE AT WORK: SELF-CARE and Burnout Prevention is Ku'ikahi Mediation Center's free talk
Ann Kimura
on Thursday, Dec. 15 as part of Finding Solutions, Growing Peace Brown Bag Lunch Series. Talks are Third Thursdays from 12 noon to 1 pm via Zoom. Speaker is Ami Kunimura. "Burnout has become a global issue, and the care you give to yourself matters just as much as the care you give to others," says Kunimura. "It's not always easy these days to maintain self-care, and my goal is to help folks recover from and prevent occupational burnout."
    To get the Zoom link, register online at https://freebrownbagtalk.eventbrite.com.

    For more information, contact Ku'ikahi Mediation Center at (808) 935-7844 or info@hawaiimediation.org. Or visit www.hawaiimediation.org.

See The Ka'u Calendar in the mail and in stands from Volcano
through Miloli'i. Also see stories daily on facebook and at
www.kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com

 


 





Friday, December 02, 2022

Kaʻū News Briefs, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022

Hālau Ulumamo o Palikū will grace Holidays in Kahuku, the 25th Anniversary of Friends of Hawai'i
Volcanoes National Park at the Park's Kahuku Unit at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Photo from Friends of HVNP

Etched slate tiles from the historic Kawaiha'o Church in
Honolulu will be available from Sticks and Stones
 artist Scott Manley. Photo by Genevive Fyvie

HOLIDAYS IN KAHUKU IS A PLACE TO FIND CHRISTMAS GIFTS on Saturday during the 25th anniversary celebration of Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. The free event takes place Dec. 3 at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to hula and a lineup of music, many creators of holiday gifts will be on hand. They include:
     Corrine Kaupu with resin work, soap, perfume and spray as well as Christmas stockings; Teresa Davis with Ohia Creations; Shary Crocker with Tropical Trappings; Robin Straton with Ocean View Knit Wits; Lynne R. Clark with Makana Glass & Things; Karen Mulder with her Karen Mulder Art; Brenda Savage with shell crafts; Michele McMahon with Michele Designs; CA Taz Buan-Sugai with pyrograph-freehand; Bob Kasprus with Surpsak; Richard Probst with Ho'omana Oils; Olivia Ling with pottery, masks and bowls; Tom Lsuder with koa and mango small woodcrafts; Marsha Croft with Island Swank; Christopher
Ocean View Knit Wits creations will be available at Holidays
in Kahuku on Saturday. Photo by Genevive Fyvie
Sullivan with painted spirit rocks; Judy Hudson with Aloha Art; Keven and Cristen Cunningham with their art; Luti Castro with Luti Fine Arts; Geneveve Crysdayle with handmade jewelry; Jacquiline Montoya with jewelry, wooden envelopes and zipper pulls; Thalia Naidu with original photo prints and collages; and Scott Manley who uses the former slate roof tiles from historic Kawaiha'o Church in Honolulu to etch art and frame it in wood.  
     Miranda Farms will present its award winning coffee. Alison Yanha will sell organic honey and beeswax candles. O Kaʻū  Kakou will sell hotdogs 
The Kipapa Sisters are in the musical lineup for 
Holidays at Kahuku on Saturday. Photo by Genevive Fyvie


and chili; Pacific Parks will sell bottled water. More food will come from Aloha Grill with its hamburgers and fries. 
    Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park will sell sodas and chips and provide free shave ice. Green Goat Farm will sell mamaki tea and its freeze dried foods. There will also be Greek Food from KG Grindz. There will be free water stations.
    The entertainment lineup begins with Hālau Ulumamo o Palikū at 10:30 a.m., and music by The Kipapa Sisters at 11 a.m. Shootz goes on at noon, The Jazz Gardeners at 1 p.m. and 19 Degrees North at 2 p.m. There will be free face painting for keiki.
    Location of the event is Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Highway 11 at mile marker 70.5, between South Point Road and Ocean View.

See The Ka'u Calendar in the mail and in stands from Volcano
through Miloli'i. Also see stories daily on facebook and at
www.kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at wwwkaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.

GOVERNOR-ELECT JOSH GREEN HAS NAMED MANY OF
HIS CABINET MEMBERS. 
     Green said, “I am assembling a cabinet that will move the State of Hawai‘i forward and commit to a strong sense of service to the people of Hawai‘i. This is a group of high caliber individuals with strengths in their respective fields. They join together as leaders of Hawai‘i with an urgency to make change and face our challenges head on.” Seven of those named are:
Anne Lopez
    Anne Lopez – Attorney General, for Department of the Attorney General,  joins with extensive legal experience across multiple state departments. "Most recently as Vice President and General Counsel for the Hawai'i Health Systems Corp., she brings executive managerial experience to the department and crucial understanding of government affairs. She is prepared to take on the legal challenges facing the state and provide effective leadership to the Department of the Attorney General," said Green.
 Dr. Josh Green, Governor-Elect, with his pick for running the
 state Department of Health, during an interview on ThinkTech in 
2014 when Green was a state Senator. See https://thinktechhawaii.
com/hawaiis-true-healthcare-safety-net-with-dr-kenny-fink/
Dr. 
Image from Think Tech Hawai'i
     Dr. Kenneth Fink, Director of Department of Health "is an experienced physician executive with a proven background working on health policy at the state and federal levels," said Green. He is currently Hawai‘i Medical Service Association's Vice President of Medicaid and Medicare programs and will join the Green Administration in January 2023 replacing Dr. Libby Char who will continue until then.
 
Chris Sadayasu
    Chris Sadayasu, Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism
has over 17 years of experience in economic development in the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, and in the department’s agencies including HTA, HCDA, and HHFDC. He most recently served as the Charities Program Administrator with the Department of the Attorney General.

Maj. Gen. Kenneth Hara
    Major General Kenneth Hara, Adjutant General for the Department of Defense, will continue to serve. "His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and experience with disaster management are important sources of continuity for the Green Administration and the state, especially with the volcanic eruption at Mauna Loa," said Green.
Louis Salavaria
    Luis Salaveria, Director of the Department of Budget & Finance, has over 20 years of experience in the public and private sector working on budget and policy issues. He most recently worked with SanHi government solutions and previously served in the Ige Administration as the Director of Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, and in the Abercrombie Administration as Deputy Director of Budget and Finance under Kalbert Young.
Brenna Hashimoto

  Brenna Hashimoto, Director of the Department of Human Resources Development, previously served as a Human Resources Officer in the Department of Human Services where she oversaw the human resources program for over 2,300+ positions and served as member of the negotiating teams for bargaining units 9 and 10. "She brings important state institutional knowledge to her new role leading the Department of Human Resources Development," said Green.  

Keith Regan
Keith Regan, Comptroller for the Department of Accounting & General Services, 
recently served as a Business Management Officer with the Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs. He previously worked as the Chief AdministrativeOfficer for the Hawai'i Tourism Authority and was Managing Director for the County of Maui.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at wwwkaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.

MAUNA LOA'S LAVA FLOW IS SLOW ON THE GROUND, with little effect on Kaʻū's air quality so far. County of Hawai'i Civil Defense eruption update for Friday evening said, "Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports one active lava flow on the northeast rift of Mauna Loa. The leading edge of the flow closest to Daniel K. Inouye Highway continues to have minimal movement and remains near the 7,000 foot elevation and 2.7 miles from the highway. For a map of the Mauna Loa lava flow, please refer to the Civil Defense Hazard Impact Map at https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/hazard-impact-map.
Daniel K. Inouye Highway is open in both directions and No communities are threatened. For your safety, the speed limit has been reduced to 35 miles per hour in the vicinity of Mauna Kea Access Road. A Lava Parking area has been opened across the Kahele Recreation Area. Please pay attention to the road and be considerate of others on the roadway. You will be updated of any changes that affect your safety."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at wwwkaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.

AN INDOOR YARD SALE will be held on Saturday at Ocean View Community Center, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with household items, fruits, vegetables and plants, as well as local crafts.

 




 





Thursday, December 01, 2022

Kaʻū News Briefs, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, through the help of Trust for Public Land, now protects 16,451 acres at the
Kahuku-Pōhue parcel. A public planning meeting will be Saturday, Dec. 10.  NPS Photo
A PUBLIC MEETING ON THE FUTURE OF KAHUKU-PŌHUE has been set for Saturday, Dec. 10 from 1 p.m to 3 p.m. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park invites the community to participate in a public meeting regarding protection and potential future use of the remote 16,451-acre Kahuku-Pōhue parcel the park acquired earlier this year. The in-person meeting will be held at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji, at 95-5695 Mamalahoa Hwy. 
    Park managers are seeking feedback
Pōhue holds a network of culturally and historically
 significant trails. NPS photo/J. Ferracane
from the community about natural and cultural resources of the area, and said they wish to explore suggestions for public use that are compatible with resource protection.
    Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Trust for Public Land and Hawaiʻi Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development will participate in the meeting. Information stations will be set up at the meeting where local community members and stakeholders can talk story with park staff, TPL and HACBED.
    The Park statement says, "Before the land transfer, the park met with community members in partnership with TPL and HACBED to better understand the land's cultural, historical and ecological significance. Community engagement will continue over the next few months. Until Pōhue interim operating procedures can be worked out, and safe access protective of cultural and natural resources can be ensured, public access to the Kahuku-Pōhue parcel is temporarily restricted. There are no restroom facilities or capacity for trash removal, and emergency response is very limited. Portions of the current jeep trail and pedestrian routes to the coastline pass through private lands not managed by the park."

    The Park is calling the new section the Kahuku-Pōhue parcel in reference to the Hawaiian place name, Kahuku. Kahuku is the mauka-to-makai (inland to ocean) ahupuaʻa (historic land division), in which Pōhue is located. In addition, many Kaʻū locals refer to the bay as Pōhue Bay and its adjacent beach as Kahuku Beach. The park welcomes additional information about other ʻinoa ʻāina (Native Hawaiian or indigenous) place names for Kahuku-Pōhue.
    See the Park website at https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/historyculture/kahuku-pohue.htm.

The name Kahuku-Pōhue describes the mountain to the sea conserved lands.
NPS photo/ J. Ferracane

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at wwwkaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.

Jumping for joy with Holidays at Kahuku coming
up this Saturday. Photo from Friends of HVNP
HOLIDAYS IN KAHUKU will be a free event to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park this Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
    It features hula by Hālau Ulumamo o Palikū at 10:30 a.m., and music by The Kipapa Sisters at 11 a.m., Shootz at noon, The Jazz Gardeners at 1 p.m. and Dem Guys at 2 p.m. 
    There will be local crafts, food vendors, free shave ice, face painting for keiki. Located between South Point Road and Ocean View.

JAZZ IN THE FOREST SATURDAY, DEC. 3 at 5:30 p.m. will be at Volcano Art Center Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. The evening features Jean Pierre Thoma and the Jazztones in Holiday Spirits, What A wonderful World. The band is Thoma on woodwinds, Alex Czerny on keyboards, Brian McCree on bass, Russell Lundgren rhythms and Leelu Mitchell vocals. Tickets are $25 for VAC members ($30 non-members) at the door, if not sold out.

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP invites the public for Christmas Cottage Lighting, Concert & Dinner
Kilauea Military Camp continues its holidays lighting and decorating tradition for its historic rows of stone and wooden cottages. The public is invited to stroll past them day or night until the New Year.
Employees of KMC vie for best cottage decorations each year. The cottages are located behind the KMC parade grounds within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Note that park admission fees may apply.
Cottage decorating has begun at KMC, along
with planning for Christmas Dinner.
Photo from KMC
    
    In addition, KMC will be the host for this year's Holiday Concert put on by Volcano Festival Chorus and Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network. It's the return of the annual A Gift for Our Community Holiday Concert. The musical performance is on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. Due to ongoing remodeling of Kīlauea Theater, the concert will be located in the Lehua Room of the Kīlauea Military Camp. For additional information, contact KDEN at 808-982-7344.
   In addition, KMC is offering a special Christmas dinner with reservations required. See more in upcoming www.kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com

COOPER CENTER CHRISTMAS EVENTS on Wright Road in Volcano include a Toy Drive through Dec. 18, collecting unwrapped gifts. Toys can be dropped off Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monetary donations are also accepted during same hours. Those who want to order toys online can have them sent to Cooper Center Community Pantry, P.O. Box 1000. Volcano, HI 96785
   A Jingle Bell Swap Meet will be held Saturday, Dec. 10 from 8 a.m to noon at Cooper Center, with new and classic items, furniture, handmade arts, crafts, jewelry, antiques, wreaths clothing, foods, plants and much more. There will be music and prizes, says organizer Auntie Francis Roberts Bennett.
    Volcano Thursday Market Christmas Fair will be Thursday, Dec. 23 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m with crafts, food, produce, live music and entertainment for kids.
    Cooper Center is located at 19-430 Wright Rd. in Volcano Village.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at wwwkaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.