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Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023

Coffee Leaf Rust, a threat to all Kaʻū Coffee farmers is subject of three upcoming webinars,
one of them on Thursday, sponsored by Hawai'i Coffee Association. Photo from HCA
HAWAI'I COFFEE ASSOCIATION IS URGING KAʻŪ COFFE GROWERS to attend three webinars beginning on Thursday at 10 a.m.. The concern is Coffee Leaf Rust, a deadly invasive that can severely reduce production and kill off a coffee farm. HCA also urges farm staff, including seasonal pickers who may work on multiple farms, to embrace the new sanitation protocol to mitigate the spread of this fungus. 
    "We also encourage you to share this webinar information with your farm staff," says the notice from HCA. The webinar series is provided as a free resource for association members and the broader community. It is designed to provide important updates on the Coffee Leaf Rust disease in Hawai'i. 
    Each of the three webinar sessions will have Q&A at the end
    The first webinar is CLR on Hawaii Island: Biology, Cultural and Chemical Control Options
with Melissa Johnson. It is tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 26, at 10am. Join Here at  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86011241179#success.
     The second webinar is Controlling CLR: From the Lab to the Field with Lisa Keith. It is Thursday, Nov. 9 at 10 a.m. Join Here at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86511170149?pwd=rk9CTHlUGhNCeGkWgR80TH7a4z9EQS.1#success.
    The third webinar is CLR Resistant Varietals with Tracie Matsumoto. Date and time will be announced.
    The new sanitation protocol, which is adopted from the sanitation protocol for fighting Rapid Ohia Death is available with this PDF at https://www.hawaiicoffeeed.com/uploads/2/6/7/7/26772370/clr_sanitation_protocol. It recommends the following when surveying or gathering samples of leaves possibly infected with CLR:
See a presentation on Coffee Varieties for Hawai'i at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk0eGT7OPsU
  As a precaution, please adopt the following decontamination protocols regardless of where you are surveying/gathering materials:
    Decontaminate before and after you survey/collect samples.
    Never go from a suspected affected site to another site without cleaning your shoes, tools, and vehicle (when possible).
    Tools and shoes should be cleaned with 70% rubbing alcohol solution after removal of any surface debris. Correctly label a spray bottle with a Sharpie pen as “70% isopropyl alcohol - Flammable”. Fill the spray bottle with isopropyl alcohol. Always take this bottle with you in any field vehicle for use after all field activities. Store in vehicle in such a manner that it does not spill.
    A freshly prepared 10% solution of chlorine bleach and water can be used as long as tools are oiled
afterwards, as chlorine bleach will corrode metal tools.
    Clothing should be machine washed with detergent in hot water.
Vehicles used in infected areas should be thoroughly cleaned; power washing is recommended.
    Please be careful of the alcohol and bleach, and follow all label precautions to prevent damage to your eyes, skin, respiratory system, clothing, and equipment.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.
Image by Jennifer Makuakane
KAʻŪ'S UNDEFEATED LADY TROJANS VOLLEYBALL TEAM takes on Kohala in a semi-finals playoff game at 6 p.m. at the Herkes Kaʻū District Gym in Pāhala on Thursday. 
    The Trojans won all 12 of the regular season games, giving them a perfect season. The winner of Thursday's semi finals goes to the finals on Saturday for Big Island Interscholastic Federation Championship and competes for the state title on O'ahu, Nov. 8-11.


Trojan Cross Country team of students from Kaʻū High and Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences wraps up its season
this weekend at islandwide championships at Hawai'i Preparatory Academy. Photo by Coach David Wells
Khlo'e Keohuloa with a cool head after
the race. Photo by Coach David Wells

THE TROJAN CROSS COUNTRY RUNNNG TEAM finishes up the season at the Big Island XC Championships this Saturday, Oct. 28th at Hawai'i Preparatory Academy in Waimea.
    Runners will compete against hundreds of other runners to earn a spot in the state championship's XC meet to be held in O'ahu, Nov. 4. Trojan Cross Country has competed all over the island, running in hot humid weather in Hilo, at over 5,000 feet altitude in Waiki'i and in the cooler climates of Waimea.
    "It's been an uphill climb all season that has paid dividends with runners having personal best times in the season's final race at Kea'au High School this past weekend," said Coach David Wells. "Cross country is a difficult sport that takes a lot of discipline to see results. I'm proud of the consistency and dedication this team has put in this season and it has shown in their times," said Wells.
    The XC team members are from Kaʻū High and Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences.
    The boys are: Alden Wells, Makana Toriano, Robin Jaworkshi-Olson, Cody Rasmussen and T'rael Pesnell.
    The girls are: Mardani Sugai, Cheska Aurelio and Khlo'e Keohuloa.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

META, OWNER OF FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM,  HAS BEEN SUED BY THE HAWAI'I ATTORNEY GENERAL for
allegedly designing and deploying harmful features on social media platforms "that purposefully addict children and teens." Hawai'i Attorney General Annie Lopez was joined by  41 other attorneys general throughout the country as they sued Meta in federal and state courts. 
    The suit claims that  Meta falsely assured the public that these features are safe and suitable for young users. 
Cheska Aurelio of Trojan Cross Country
Photo by Coach David Wells
    The attorneys general assert that Meta’s business practices violate state consumer protection laws and the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act . A statement from the Hawai'i Attorney General says, "These practices have harmed and continue to harm the physical and mental health of children and teens and have fueled what the U.S. Surgeon General has deemed
a 'youth mental health crisis,' which has ended lives, devastated families, and damaged the potential of a generation of young people."
     The federal complaint, joined by 33 states, including Hawaiʻi, and filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges that Meta knew of the harmful impact of its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, on young people. 
    "Instead of taking steps to mitigate these harms, it misled the public about the harms associated with use of its platforms, concealing the extent of the psychological and health harms suffered by young users addicted to use of its platforms," says the Hawai'i AG statement. 
    The complaint further alleges that Meta knew that young users, including those under 13, were active on the platforms, and "knowingly collected data from these users without parental consent. It targeted these young users" The statement noted a 2021 Wall Street Journal article, that Meta saw such a user base as “valuable, but untapped.” 
    Hawai'i Attorney General claims that "publicly available sources including those previously released by former Meta employees detail that Meta profited by purposely making its platforms addictive to children and teens. Its platform algorithms push users into descending 'rabbit holes' in an effort to maximize engagement. Features like infinite scroll and near-constant alerts were created with the express goal of hooking young users. These manipulative tactics continually lure children and teens back onto the platforms."
   The statement points to Aza Raskin, original developer of the infinite scroll concept, who told BBC about the feature’s addictive qualities: “If you don't give your brain time to catch up with your impulses . . . you just keep scrolling.” 
    The lawsuit claims that Meta knew these addictive features harmed young people’s physical and mental health, including undermining their ability to get adequate sleep, but did not disclose the harm nor did they make meaningful changes to minimize the harm. "Instead, they claimed their platforms were safe for young users." These choices, the complaint alleges, violate state consumer protection laws and COPPA. The federal complaint seeks injunctive and monetary relief to rectify the harms caused by these platforms. 
    Hawaiʻi Deputy Attorney General Christopher Han, who leads that state's litigation efforts against Meta, said, “This lawsuit sends a message to social media platforms that Hawaiʻi does not tolerate disingenuous and predatory practices against children. The Department of the Attorney General is proud to be a part of this nationwide effort, and we look forward to making our case against Meta in court.” 
    States joining Hawaiʻi in the federal lawsuit are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Florida is filing its own federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. 
     In parallel complaints filed in state courts today, eight states have made similar allegations: the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, and Vermont. These lawsuits are the result of a bipartisan, nationwide investigation. Nearly all the attorneys general in the country have worked together since 2021 to investigate Meta for providing and promoting its social media platforms to children and young adults while use is associated with physical and mental health harms. "While some states have pursued litigation in state court and others in collective federal action, the attorneys general will continue to work together as the litigation continues. 
State sues Meta for damage to kids," says the statement from the Hawai'i AG.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

ORGANIZATIONS CONCERNED ABOUT CONSEQUENCES OF FAST TRACK HOUSING DEVELOPMENT issued a statement on Tuesday, applauding Gov. Josh Green's new proclamation, restoring transparency and environmental oversight to his emergency Build Beyond Barriers effort, which is aimed at putting up housing quickly. A group of plaintiffs earlier filed a lawsuit against Green and the state, but withdrew it after Green agreed to retract suspension of environmental reviews and transparency laws. Green said he wants to build housing quickly to help solve the housing shortage.
    Roslyn Manaikawakea, president of E Ola Kākou Hawai‘i, said “Our kūpuna taught us ‘i ka nānā no a ‘ike,’ which means ‘by observing, one learns.’ As the governor, Josh Green needs to observe what is happening, and learn. Learn to see through the eyes of the people.” She said the organization is committed to making sure no no new housing project, "undermines the public’s interests in protecting our ancestors, our natural resources, and our full involvement in the decisions that affect the quality of our lives.”
    Kekai Keahi, of Na ‘Ohana o Lele Housing Committee, said, “We are keeping a watchful eye to see what the Green Administration does with this new proclamation. It is good that they recognized their mistake and removed the worst of the suspensions included in the original emergency proclamation on
Kekai Keahi of Na 'Ohana o Lele Housing
Committee. Photo by Susan Hallas
housing. We are committed to standing watch over every action the administration takes under this new proclamation to ensure the community’s voice is not ignored.”
    Earthjustice also withdrew from its lawsuit that challenged the governor's creation of Build Beyond Barriers, and his waiving it from the state’s Sunshine Law, environmental reviews, Land Use Commission. Earth Justice said it "fears that it would provide a windfall for private developers to build market-rate homes."
      David Henkin, senior attorney for Earthjustice, which represents the parties in the law suit said, “We appreciate that the Governor heard many of our core concerns and appears to have tried to address them in the revised proclamations. It remains deeply troubling, however, that the Governor continues to claim the authority to suspend laws whenever he feels like it to address longstanding public policy issues, however important. We are taking a ‘wait-and-see’ approach. If the governor tries to advance housing projects that are not in the public interest, we will be back in court.”
    The suit was withdrawn without prejudice, giving the plaintiffs the option to challenge future changes in future emergency proclamations on housing.

KAʻŪ RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO BECOME MORE INVOLVED IN UPDATING THE HAWAI'I COUNTY GENERAL PLAN. County Councilmember Michelle Galimba will lead the discussion this Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Nāʻālehu Community Center, following a presentation by the Hawai'i County Planning Department. The event is titled a Presentation & Workshop, along with Talk Story with Councilmember Michelle Galimba. See the draft at coplanning.konveio.com/. Light food and refreshments will be provided at the Talk Story.







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Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023

Slater, a conservation detection dog, surveys for ʻakeʻake burrows at Pōhakuloa Training Area. Dr. Michelle Reynolds recently received a Zonta microgrant to help expand her Hawaiian Detection Dogs enterprise in Volcano. Photo by Michelle Reynolds

HAWAIIAN DETECTION DOGS IN VOLCANO has received a Pay It Forward Zonta microgrant to further develop its mission to train and deploy sniffer dogs. The dogs detect invasive species in order to mitigate their impacts to ecosystems, and to conduct research and conservation. Hawaiian Detection Dogs founder, Dr. Michelle Reynolds, works with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, U.S. Army Garrison Pohakuloa Training Area, and State of Hawai‘i. She and detector dogs have helped with the preservation of endangered forest birds and seabirds that nest on land.
    The Zonta grant for women entrepreneurs will help Reynolds to develop her website and to purchase a new kennel and training aids for nosework classes and train her own detection dogs.
    The Zonta Club of Hilo presented $6,000 in microgrants for its 2023 Pay It Forward program. The
Pay It Forward Chair Laurie Higashi gave out microgrants to female
entrepreneurs  Michelle Reynolds, Adrean Floro, and Jamie Robertson.
Photo from Zonta
awards program supports women entrepreneurs on Hawai‘i Island who are starting a new business or working to expand an existing business. The 2023 microgrant recipients were Reynolds of Hawai‘i Detection Dogs LLC, Adrean Floro of Ho‘onani Harvests LLC, and Jamie Robertson of Hana Lima Cleaning Services LLC.
    Floro's Ho‘onani Harvests LLC is a family farming business in Hilo that focuses on agroforestry, mamaki and honey production, and beekeeping education. The grant will go towards renting machinery to expand the agroforestry part of the farm, purchasing more mamaki starter plants, and developing a website. She also plans to 'pay it forward' by providing a beekeeping mentoring scholarship to a financially disadvantaged woman who has the drive and passion to learn about beekeeping.
     Robertson, based in Kailua-Kona, established Hana Lima Cleaning Services LLC in July of 2023. Hana Lima offers office cleaning as well as specialty cleaning services such as deep cleaning, move-in/move-outs, and post-construction cleaning. The grant money will go towards new equipment that will make her operations more efficient, cleaning supplies, and training.
    "We received a record number of applications this year from all around the island. It's inspiring to see so many female entrepreneurs doing innovative and important work in the community," said Laurie Higashi, chair of Pay It Forward. "The Zonta Club of Hilo is proud to provide a financial boost to these three well-deserving women-owned businesses."
    Pay It Forward microgrants are funded annually through the charitable Zonta Club of Hilo Foundation. Donations are tax-deductible. Zonta services the entire Hawai‘i Island. For more information, visit zontahilo.org.

Kaʻū High and Kamehameha Schools students and mentors at the annual Conservation Awareness Contest for evaluating
places for agriculture and house sites: Whitney Raffipiy, Luke Knell, Amy Gushiken, Ka‘ehukai Keli‘ikuli, Circe Domingo,
Merle Becker, Sherwin Agpaoa, Kaweni Ibarra and Vladimir Fedoruk. Photo from HACD
Kaʻū High students Vladimir Fedoruk and Sherwin
Agpaoa receive an award for evaluating ag and house
 sites from HACD President Brenda Iokepa Moses.
The certificate is held by Kaʻū High ag teacher Kaweni
 Ibarra. Photo from HACD
LOCAL STUDENTS EVALUATED LAND FOR FARMING AND HOME SITES last Friday at Merle and Phil Becker's Aikane Plantation, where the couple grows Kaʻū  Coffee, cattle, horses and more, between Nā‘ālehu and Pāhala. 
    The Hawai‘i Association of Conservation Districts and the Natural Resources Conservation Service's annual Hawai‘i County Conservation Awareness Contest is held for high school students. 
    Amy Koch, Assistant Director for Soil Science at NRCS Pacific Islands Area, explained that the students judge land sites, for soil properties, slope, and environmental conditions. Students evaluate each of the three sites for their suitability for agriculture or a homesite.
    Hawai‘i County winners will travel to the state finals in Kona. State winners can compete in the national land judging contest in Oklahoma. For Hawai‘i County, Kamehameha School took first 
Merle Becker, of Aikane Plantation,
receives a gift basket for hosting the
Conservation Awareness Contest.
Photo from HACD
 overall, with the mentorship of Science EA Whitney Raffipiy. Kaʻū High took second with the mentorship of ag teacher Kaweni Ibarra and Future Farmers of America. The overall individual winner was Amy Gushiken, of Kamehameha.
     Hawai‘i Association of Conservation Districts President Brenda Iokepa Moses said, "A big mahalo for the Beckers allowing us to use their ranch to host the competition. So proud of our Kaʻū participants led by Kaweni and the Kamehameha students who traveled out in numbers to represent their school. Looking forward to a larger group next year."
      Hawai‘i Association of Conservation Districts 
is comprised of 16 Soil & Water Conservation Districts 
throughout the State of Hawai‘i. HACD and the SWCDs work together in a variety of ways to help protect and sustain Hawai‘i’s natural environment.
    One Conservation Specialist for each county is hired by HACD  in order to assist the districts with conservation planning and further promote local agriculture and watershed stewardship throughout the community. The state Department of Land & Natural Resources provides funding and support.


HAWAIIAN ISLANDS HUMPBACK WHALE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY ADVISORY COUNCIL holds d a virtual meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. with public comment at noon. Register for the Virtual Google Meet via the link https://forms.gle/oBYuUjew4tfN7a8bA .
    The sanctuary is administered by a partnership of NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the State of Hawai‘i through the Division of Aquatic Resources. The sanctuary works to protect humpback whales through research, education, conservation and stewardship. See the Sanctuary's Facebook. Contact: Sara Wood, sara.wood@noaa.gov
    On the Web: Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary: http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov and State of Hawai‘i Division of Aquatic Resources: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/

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Monday, October 23, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs Monday, Oct. 23, 2023

Illegal aerial luminaries - sky lanterns - landed on a roof, a utility line, and in a yard in Pāhala. Officer Pernell Hanoa urges citizens to understand the fire danger. Photo from Hawai‘i Police Department

PERNELL HANOA, POLICE PATROL ACTING CAPTAIN FOR KAʻŪ, IS ALERTING folks about the danger of launching illegal aerial luminaries after three sky lanterns—small hot air balloons made of paper with an open flame at the base—were discovered in Pāhala on Monday.
    In a statement from Hawai‘i Police Department on Monday, Hanoa said, “Given Ka‘ū’s history of wildfires and the current drought conditions currently affecting Ka‘ū, and other parts of Hawai‘i island, the use of aerial luminaries poses a significant fire risk to communities. It’s frustrating that with so many of our friends and family on Maui still recovering from devastating wildfires, that people would set off
Remains of illegal sky lanterns found in Pāhala.
Photo from Hawai'i Police Department
these incendiary devices, and allow them to become airborne. These balls of fire have to land somewhere and we are fortunate that no fires were reported as a result of this incident.”
    At 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Ka‘ū patrol officers responded to the 96-1000 block of Iliau Street in Pāhala after a resident reported finding three burned-out sky lanterns near his property. One lantern reportedly landed on the roof of a nearby house, another landed on a utility line, and a third landed in the yard of a neighboring property. Officers recovered two of the three lanterns but were unable to access the lantern on the roof of a nearby residence.
    It appears that the lanterns were ignited and set afloat sometime over the weekend, reported the HPD statement, which also said, "The Hawai‘i Police Department would like to remind everyone that possessing and igniting aerial luminaries in the state of Hawai‘i is prohibited by law, HRS [§132-19], and those found guilty of violating this law shall be imprisoned for not more than one year or fined not more than $1,000, or both, for each violation."
    So far in 2023, Ka‘ū patrol officers have responded to more than 10 incidents in which houses, other property, and agricultural land have been impacted by wildfires. The HPD statement said, "Hawai‘i Island police are reminding the public that aerial luminaries are incredibly dangerous, as well as illegal."
    HPD is asking that anyone who witnesses any type of aerial luminary being used to call the police non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.

 To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

PRAISE FOR KAʻŪ TROJANS FOR THEIR HONOKA‘A GAME ON FRIDAY came from former County Council member Domic Yagong, the announcer for the football game at Honoka‘a. Yagong praised the Trojan quarterback Adahdiyah Ellis-Reyes and compared him to the legendary Kaʻū quarterback Catalino "Dong" Alcordo from many years ago.
    Yagong has been calling Honoka‘a home games for more than two decades. Last Friday, the Trojans almost beat Honoka‘a who won 32-30. Honoka‘a Dragons are the number one team in the division.
Former County Council member Dominic Yagong, the
long-time sports announcer for Honoka‘a High,  praised
Kaʻū Trojans for their extraordinary efforts against the 
Dragons on Friday. Photo from Yagong
   Yagong wrote: "Let me share my view of the game from the Honoka'a sidelines as the Voice of the Honoka‘a Dragons. I’ve announced Sports at Honoka‘a School for 25 years…and this was one of the most exciting games I have ever announced. 
    "Kaʻū Came to Play! The Coaches' Game plan was Awesome and the Trojan team executed the plan flawlessly!! Trojans didn’t come to give Honoka‘a a good game. They came to win!
    "Offensively, Kaʻū line totally controlled the line of scrimmage. The blocking was superb at the point of attack…and that Bradda #49 ran the ball like a man with zero fear. He was a beast. I couldn’t pronounce your QB first name, but Ellis-Reyes was incredible all night. His running for first downs was unreal, and his passing was straight up legit - one of the best performances I’ve seen at the QB position in a long time. I felt like I was witnessing the reincarnation of the great Kaʻū QB Catalino “Dong” Alcordo. Ellis-Reyes…that is the highest complement I can ever give - you play with heart, soul, passion and talent like Dong. 
Quarterback Adahdiyah Ellis-Reyes carries the ball in an earlier
 game against Kamehameha School. After last Friday's game
 against Honoka'a Dragons, Ellis-Reyes was compared to
Trojans legend Catalino "Dong" Alcordo. Photo by Mark Peters
    "TJ #21 is one of those athletes that come once every 20 years. Football, Basketball, and Volleyball…enjoy this special athlete…I think he is all world in High School Sports!! I was always looking on the field for Karasuda #2…as a Dragon fan I was scared every time he was on the field…he is a playmaker! I don’t have my team roster, so I don’t have his name…but #74 on defense was a monster….that Bradda can hit.
"All in all, Kaʻū played like us small school plantation roots school always plays….with guts, courage, passion and love for our School, Community, and 'Ohana. Honoka'a and Kaʻū, fierce competitors on the field….but when the game pau….we rural school are brothers. Keep up the great work…future is bright for these young men. Aloha - Dom."
      As a County Council member, Yagong often collaborated with Kaʻū's Council members as both the Honoka‘a area and Kaʻū are small multiethnic rural communities, steeped in the history of former sugar plantations, ranching and farming.


Kaimi Kaupiko with his Kalanihale offerings at the recent Ka‘ū Hospital & Rural Clinic Health Fair. He invites
the public to Kalanihale's Lā ‘Ohana event on Saturday, Nov. 4 in Miloli‘i, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Photo by Julia Neal

MILOLI‘I'S NINTH ANNUAL LĀ 'OHANA EVENT will be on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kaimi Kaupiko and his Kalanihale organization invites the public to the free gathering for ‘ohana and community members of South Kona and Kaʻū to join them at Miloli‘i Park. There will be:
    - Dental Exams with Aloha Medical Mission and Hawai‘i Institute of Public Health Oral Health Coalition and John A. Burns School of Medicine's community-based research care Ola Hawai‘i.
    - Health Screenings, Vaccinations, and other Health Information from UH Hilo School of Pharmacy, KTA and Hawai‘i Island Community Health Center.
    - Open Enrollment for Health Insurance with Kokua Services Partnerships.
    - Marine Conservation work with Kalanihale Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area Monitoring Team, Makai Watch with state Department of Aquatic Resources and Hawai‘i Marine Education Research Center.
    - Education and Youth Support with Kua O Ka Lā Public Charter School, Hipu‘u Native Hawaiian Educational Clearinghouse, Kona Literacy and Arizona State University Local.
    - Also on hand will be arts and crafts from local vendors from the community, baked goods, drinks, shaved ice, ono grinds, and more.
    Live entertainment will be provided by the local Artisans.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

WAXING AND WANING OF UNREST are the words used by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory statement Monday on another increase in earthquakes between Volcano and Pāhala. HVO'S Summit Observations statement says:
     Unrest to the south and southwest of the summit area of Kīlauea remained elevated over the past day. Waxing and waning of unrest may continue.

    Renewed seismicity beneath the south end of Kīlauea caldera extending to the southwest along the trend of December 1974 vents began a week ago on October 16. The renewed activity initially peaked on October 17, but following a decline of several days, the seismic unrest over the past three days has again been at levels similar to or somewhat higher than on the 17th. Over the past 24 hours, approximately 174 earthquakes were recorded in Kīlauea’s summit region, an increase from 109 during the previous day. Most of the earthquakes related to this unrest are at depths of around 1–3 km (0.6–2 mi) below the surface.
 

This 2.9 magnitude earthquake today between Volcano and Pāhala is one of the many in recent months, indicating
a possible eruption from Kīlauea. USGS image

  The Uēkahuna summit tiltmeter located north of the caldera was generally flat over the past day. The Sand Hill tiltmeter, located just southwest of the caldera, showed ongoing inflation over the past 24 hours. Overall, inflation at the summit of Kīlauea remains high and has surpassed the level seen just before the most recent eruption on September 10th. However, the current rate of inflation in the region has diminished significantly since October 4-6.
    Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates remain low and were measured at a rate of about 100 tonnes per day on October 19.
    It is unclear if unrest in Kīlauea summit region will continue and it is not possible to say with certainty if activity will lead to an eruption; activity may remain below the ground surface. However, an eruption remains possible, most likely in Kīlauea’s summit region inside of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and away from infrastructure. Similar patterns of earthquake activity and ground deformation occurred to the south of the caldera prior to the September and June 2023 eruptions in Kīlauea summit caldera (in Halemaʻumaʻu crater and on the downdropped block). Volcanic gas emissions pose the greatest hazard to areas downwind of Kīlauea’s summit.
    There is currently no sign of an imminent eruption and increasing inflation and earthquake activity (heightened unrest) are expected to precede an eruption. During periods of heightened unrest prior to recent eruptions at Kīlauea summit, signs of imminent eruption did not appear until 1-2 hours before lava reached the surface. The summit of Kīlauea remains at a high level of inflation and eruptive activity is possible in the coming weeks or months. HVO scientists will continue monitoring Kīlauea volcano closely and issue additional messages as warranted by changing activity.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.











 
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