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Friday, December 08, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs December 8, 2023

Teresa Fitzgerald teaches music to children, held a Christmas in Kaʻū Concert, and begins classes again on Jan. 18 in Ocean 
View. She offers scholarships. Photo from Kaʻū Keiki Singers
A CHRISTMAS IN KAʻŪ CONCERT BY KAʻŪ KEIKI SINGERS AND TERESA'S MUSIC STUDIO brought the holiday spirit to Ocean View Community Center last weekend. The additional gift is that Teresa Fitzgerald is continuing her choir and classes on Jan. 18, offering scholarships.
Kaʻū Keiki Singers perform a Christmas in Kaʻū Concert in Ocean View.
Photo from Kaʻū Keiki Singers
    Anyone age 4-18 can join. No experience is necessary. She said. "We start with the basics and work our way up. We learn rhythm, pitch matching, reading music, harmony, and proper singing techniques and have fun doing it. The choir meets every Thursday afternoon during the spring and fall and performs two Christmas and two spring concerts every year, one at OV Community Center and one at St Jude's Episcopal Church, "who kindly lets us rehearse at their church for free." Spring rehearsals begin Jan. 18. 
    The fee for the choir is $10 per class but she offers scholarships to anyone in need. She also teaches private piano and voice classes. Five of her piano students played solos during the concert.
    "I just want to bring as many Keiki together as possible in a positive environment while share my passion with them," said Fitzgerald. "I take suggestions from the kids on songs they would like to learn. I always incorporate at least one song to allow the kids the opportunity to sing a short solo. We are non-denominational and sing songs from a variety of traditions."
A young pianist who learns music in Ocean View from Teresa Fitzgerald.
Photo from Kaʻū Keiki Singers
     Fitzgerald is the Director and her husband Gannon Fitzgerald helps move equipment and runs sound at the performances. Teresa Fitzgerald said that most of her experience occurred in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she sang and was Assistant Director, semi-professionally.
     "I've worked with numerous famous directors and musicians John Williams, Garison Keeler, Kurt Bestor and more. I sang at numerous venues during the 2002 Winter Olympics including the opening ceremonies. And I've performed and prepped children's choirs to sing for people like the Dali Lama, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and countless dignitaries.
     However, 11 years ago her family moved to Ocean View to get away from the stress of the "real world." After battling stage four breast cancer for five years, she  said, "I decided I couldn't wait to follow my dreams any longer so I started the choir."
    Fitzgerald said, "Christmas in Kaʻū was a great concert performing for a full house with wonderful audience participation and support."
    People interested in signing up their Keiki for classes, the choir and receiving scholarships can contact Teresa Fitzgerald at kaukeikisingers@gmail.com.


A STUDENT K-12 SHOWCASE AT KAʻŪ HIGH & PĀHALA ELEMENTARY will be held for the first time, next Wednesday, Dec. 13. The statement from the school says, "This is an opportunity for our students to demonstrate what they have been learning, and provide our community partners an opportunity to connect with and encourage our students and teachers to continue to strive for excellence. The timing is
See https://www.ncacinc.com/
from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for grades 7 - 12 and 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. for grades K-6. Park. Check in is at District Gym Multipurpose Room.
    The school statement says, "We have been working very diligently on increasing student engagement through real-world, community-connected, and college/career opportunities, and also on our student academic growth, which has been steadily improving. Creating opportunities for our students to share their learning with their community is an important part of our school transformation to become the first National Career Academy Coalition certified K-12 College/Career Academy school in the nation." See https://www.ncacinc.com/."
      Community members and partners are invited to sign up to visit with students and teachers. The school statement says that many attending will "help make this a dynamic and positive event for our students and teachers." Representatives of area businesses and non profits, health care providers, government agencies and others who support better education in Kaʻū are invited. It says the students "have been working hard to prepare for their Showcase. If you are able to come and support, we would really appreciate your time and efforts. Additionally, please feel free to forward this request to other members of your organization, or other community members that may be interested in participating."
   The school statement says that the learning intentions for the Showcase are to:
    Provide students an opportunity to practice their presentation skills and demonstrate their learning.
    Create opportunities for students to share their class projects with other students, community partners, and family.
    Build pride in our students, school, and community by showcasing various student and school projects done in collaboration with the community such as project-based learning, technology integration, and other real-world projects.
    Practice and prepare for Capstone presentations in grades 6, 8, and 12 starting in Spring SY24-25.    
    To RSVP, see the Google Form. Those with questions, can contact Jennifer Makuakane at 808-313-4141 or jennifer.makuakane@k12.hi.us.


Teams remove fountain survey and control fountain grass, this week in the Great Crack area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
Photo from NPS

FLIGHT OPERATIONS BY HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK continue following missions on Dec. 5 and 7 in the morning for ʻuaʻu (Hawaiian petrel) monitoring on Mauna Loa between 4,000- 9,000-ft. elevation. On Dec.7 the Park made flights to survey and control invasive fountain grass in the new Great Crack parcel at 500-ft. elevation.
Next Monday Hawai'i Volcanoes will fly in a crew
 to set up a spike camp to control invasive faya trees
 along Pepeiao Trail at 2,100- ft. elevation.
Photo from DLNR
    On Monday, Dec. 11 and Thursday, Dec. 14 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. the Park plans to transport camp gear and supplies from the end of Hilina Pali Road to a spike camp along Pepeiao Trail to support survey and control of invasive faya tree at 2,100- ft. elevation.
    On Wednesday, Dec. 13 and Thursday, Dec. 14 between 6:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. flights are planned for ʻuaʻu (Hawaiian petrel) monitoring on Mauna Loa. between 4,000-9000 ft. elevation.
    USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory may conduct additional flight operations over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.
The Park statement says it "regrets any noise impact to residents and park visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.
"Management of the park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources, and to maintain backcountry facilities."


JANUARY WILL BE VOLCANO AWARENESS MONTH and this week's Volcano Watch reveals the schedule of "opportunities to learn about the volcanoes in your backyard." Volcano Watch is a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:
    Volcanoes are a part of life for Hawaii residents. We live on the flanks, feeling earthquakes beneath our feet, smelling vog, and experiencing the effects of eruptions. It's important to keep up awareness of the types of volcanic activity and associated hazards possible in Hawaii nei. During January 2024, join us at a Volcano Awareness Month program to learn something new about the volcanoes in our backyard! 
Color photograph of erupting lava
Vigorous fountaining within Kīlauea caldera was visible from near the Uēkahuna overlook in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park during the most recent Kīlauea summit eruption in September 2023. USGS image by M. Patrick

    Volcano Awareness Month on the Island of Hawai'i is spearheaded by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. We partner with Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, the University of Hawai'i at Hilo (UHH), the County of Hawai'i Civil Defense Agency, and other organizations to deliver a range of talks and guided walks for residents and visitors to learn more about the volcanoes in Hawaii. So far in 2023, there were three eruptions at the summit of Kīlauea. Since the beginning of Oct. 2023, an intrusion in the region southwest of Kīlauea's summit has been causing pulses of increased earthquakes and rates of ground deformation as magma moves below the surface. HVO is closely monitoring this region, watching for signs of potential eruptive activity. 
    If you'd like to learn more about Kīlauea activity, join us at After Dark in the Park Programs in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on Jan. 9, 16, and 23. Programs will summarize the recent crater-filling summit eruptions, past eruptions near the summit of Kīlauea, and past Southwest Rift Zone eruptions. Another After Dark in the Park program on Jan. 30 will summarize the Mauna Loa 2022 eruption and monitoring observations over the past year. Additional talks are being offered at other locations around the Island of Hawai'i in January as part of Volcano Awareness Month. Talks at UHH on Jan. 17 and 31 will describe collaborative work between HVO and UHH to analyze lava samples and HVO's work to monitor volcanoes in American Samoa. A talk at Pāhala Community Center on January 18 will summarize what we've learned about the ongoing earthquake swarm deep beneath that area, which has generated over 250 felt earthquakes since 2019!
Color image of a calendar of events
Island of Hawaiʻi Volcano Awareness Month programs scheduled throughout the month of January 2024. See https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/news/announcing-island-hawaii-volcano-awareness-month-programs-january-2024 for details on these talks, walks, and talk story events.
    On Jan. 19, come to the Pāhoa Lava Zone Museum to learn about the methods that HVO uses to map eruptions, or on Jan. 25, you can listen to a talk at the Kailua Public Library about how earthquakes are used to monitor volcanoes. Lastly, come sip on coffee at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on Jan. 27 while attending a presentation on the destructive sequence of events that occurred on Mauna Loa in 1868.
    If you prefer the outdoors, several guided walks are being offered throughout the month of January. Learn the history of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park's Kahuku Unit during a guided walk on January 7. In Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, trek the Kīlauea Iki and Maunaulu trails with guides on Jan. 13 and
Pu'u o Kulana view of Kaʻū from Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes
 National Park. A guided hike is Jan. 28. NPS Photo
20, respectively, to learn about those eruptions. Hike through Ha'akulamanu (Sulphur Banks Trail) on Jan, 27 to see volcanic degassing at Kīlauea and hear how HVO measures volcanic gas emissions, which can cause vog (volcanic air pollution) downwind. Head back to the Kahuku Unit on Jan. 28 to hike Pu'u o Lokuana and learn about the cinder cone as you admire the beautiful view of Kaʻū from the top (if the weather is clear!).
    We'll also be hosting tables for several hours at the Nāʻālehu Library on Jan. 10 and the Hawaii Keiki Museum on Jan. 15, where you can come a talk story with HVO staff. We can answer questions you might have about recent eruptions, how HVO monitors volcanoes, volcanic hazards that might impact you, and more. We'll also have resources for you to take home and browse there, if you prefer.
    Hawai'i's volcanoes are dynamic; with their constant change comes opportunities to learn and better prepare for events that might impact residents. We hope to see you at a Volcano Awareness Month program this January! A calendar with descriptions of all Volcano Awareness Month 2024 programs is provided on HVO's website (https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/news/announcing-island-hawaii-volcano-awareness-month-programs-january-2024). Questions about Hawaii's volcanoes or Volcano Awareness Month can be emailed to askHVO@usgs.gov.

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Volcano Activity Updates: Kīlauea is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is ADVISORY.
The unrest associated with the intrusion that began in early October southwest of Kīlauea's summit continues. Elevated earthquake activity has continued in the Southwest Rift Zone, summit, and upper East Rift Zone over the last week, with earthquakes swarms December 1, 2, and December 7. Unrest may
Kīlauea eruption stopped on Sept. 17 but may resume soon.
USGS photo
continue to wax and wane with changes to the input of magma into the area and eruptive activity could occur in the near future with little or no warning. The most recent sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rate for the summit—approximately 70 tonnes per day—was measured on December 5.
    Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.
Webcams show no signs of activity on Mauna Loa. Summit seismicity increased slightly at the beginning of November but returned to low levels in the weeks since then. Ground deformation indicates continuing slow inflation as magma replenishes the reservoir system following the 2022 eruption. SO2 emission rates are at background levels.
    Four earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the week ending Dec. 5.: a M4.4 earthquake 2 km (1 mi) ESE of Volcano at 23 km (14 mi) depth on Dec. 6 at 5:16 p.m. HST, a M3.1 earthquake 13 km (8 mi) SSE of Volcano at 1 km (1 mi) depth on Dec. 4 at 5:58 p.m. HST, a M5.1 earthquake 13 km (8 mi) SSE of Volcano at 2 km (1 mi) depth on Dec. 4 at 5:53 p.m. HST, and a M2.2 earthquake 10 km (6 mi) ESE of Waikoloa at 3 km (1 mi) depth on Dec. 4 at 4:35 p.m. HST.





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Thursday, December 07, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs December 7, 2023

Precious Monk Seal at Punalu'u
A roped off area on Punalu'u Black Sand Beach protects a monk seal who hauled onto the beach. The Hawaiian monk seal, seen here on Thursday, is considered one of the most endangered seals in the world. A seal, perhaps the same, was also seen at
 Punalu'u in November. Photo by by Karen Fukunaga 

COMMERCIAL PASSENGERS BOATS WILL COLLECT A STEWARDSHIP FEE. State Board of Land & Natural Resources plans to vote on a new chapter in Hawai'i Administrative Rules to enable the user fee, which has been mandated by the Hawai'i Legislature. The plan is for commercial operators to collect a $1 fee from each passenger or customer. The meeting will be over two days, starting Friday.
    The user fees will support Department of Land & Natural Resources' conservation, restoration, enhancement and management of Hawai‘i’s marine resources.
    DLNR reports that stakeholder and community testimony from multiple in-person and virtual informational briefings and public hearings showed support for the general concept of collecting fees from ocean users. Some commercial operators expressed concerns about the administrative and financial burdens placed on them. Since the fee is mandated by statute, it can’t be changed or waived by rulemaking. Given that, state Division of Aquatic Resources incorporated stakeholder input in designing a fee transfer system to minimize the burden on commercial operators.
    The ocean stewardship fee proposal also underwent a Ka Pa‘akai Analysis, which is triggered when agencies consider uses of public trust resources that may impact the exercise of Native Hawaiian
Board of Land & Natural Resources agenda at meetings beginning Friday include
new regulations on taking and selling of reef fish and Kona crab, and charging passengers on
commercial boats $1 each for DLNR stewardship money. Photos from DLNR
traditional and customary rights.
    DAR received three public testimonies from the analysis. Two indicated the fees would or should support community stewardship, perpetuation of cultural knowledge and practices, and reducing the negative impact of ocean tourism on cultural resources. One testimony stated the proposed rules would negatively impact a commercial operation that prides itself in sharing culture knowledge and values.


REGULATIONS ON THE TAKING AND SELLING OF MANINI, KOLI, KALA, UHU AND KONA CRAB are up for approval starting Friday, during two days of meetings of the state Board of Land & Natural Resources. All the fish are considered important herbivorous reef fish. State Division of Aquatic Resources says the regulations were crafter by science-based and stakeholder-informed regulations.
    "Manini, kole, kala, and uhu are important food fish targeted by fishers for recreational, subsistence,
cultural, and commercial purposes. These fish play an important role in Hawaii’s nearshore waters. Pāpa‘i kualoa (Kona crab) is targeted by some noncommercial fishers and a small-scale commercial fishery."
The proposed new rules are:
    Increase the minimum length for manini (Convict Tang) from five to six inches;
    Establish a new minimum length of five inches for kole (Goldring Surgeonfish);
   Establish a new noncommercial bag limit of four kala (Bluespine Unicornfish) per person per day;
    Establish new restrictions on the commercial harvest and sale of kala;
    Increase the minimum length for large-bodied uhu (Parrotfish) species from twelve to fourteen inches;
   Establish a minimum length of ten inches for all other uhu species;
   Establish a new noncommercial bag limit of two uhu per person per day; 
   Establish restrictions on the commercial harvest and sale of uhu;
   Extend the current closed season (May-August) for pāpa‘i kualoa (Kona Crab) to May-September;
    Allow the take of female pāpa‘i kualoa.

Uhu is one of five fish species up for regulations in taking and selling at Friday's
Board of Land & Natural Resources. Photo from Environment Hawai'i.


THE FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM WELCOMES NEWS APPLICANTS, reports the County's Office of Housing & Community Development. The agency has released the story of a family who has completed the progress of becoming less dependent on welfare assistance and rental subsidies to move up the economic ladder.
    Richard Spencer said, "Without this program, I doubt we could have reached this point." He and his wife, Akalina, along with their six children are the most recent graduates of the program. Their milestone achievement "follows five years of hard work and dedication," says the county statement. The graduation also came with the disbursal of the Spencer ʻohanaʻs escrow account that topped $27,700.
    The federal Department of Housing & Urban Development's Family Self-Sufficiency Program was created in 1990 to enable families to achieve financial independence and eventually move out of public housing or off Section 8 assistance.
Richard Spencer and wife Akalina completed the Family
Self-Sufficiency Program. Photo from County of Hawai'i

.   The voluntary program is open to Section 8 participants and has two main features: Case management/ coaching services and a financial incentive. The program typically lasts five years, though families may complete it earlier or request an extension of up to two years for good cause.
    Under the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, participating families work with a service coordinator to identify their financial and employment-related goals and to access a range of support services that help in achieving their goals.The financial incentive kicks in when a family sees an increase in its household income. Like all families in the Section 8 program, Family Self-Sufficiency Program participants pay rent based on a percentage of their household income. That means as a familyʻs income increases, rent payments follow suit.
    However, when families in the Family Self-Sufficiency Program see an increase in income, the portion of that extra income that would have otherwise gone to rent instead goes into an interest-bearing escrow account. Meanwhile, the Department of Housing and Urban Development continues to pay the full housing assistance payment.

    Upon successful completion of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, the family is free to use their saved funds for any purpose. Some common uses are to start a new business, repair credit, reduce debt, buy a home, or pay for education.

    The Spencers said their savings will be used first to pay down debt. After that, the family plans to move toward homeownership through Office of County Housing & Urban Developmentʻs Homeownership Option Program.
    While the Spencers admit the program was "tough" and they had some doubt early on if they would be able to succeed, they said they encourage anyone participating in the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program to apply for the Family Self-Sufficiency Program.
    "We tell all of our friends. We tell everybody," says Akalina. "This is definitely a program that I would recommend."
    Since late 2020, the Office of Housing and Community Development has helped 28 families successfully graduate from the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, each exiting with an average savings of $10,300.
    "Congratulations to the Spencer ʻohana, and all those in the community who have committed to this program that inspires and empowers individuals and families to make positive change in their lives," said Housing Administrator Susan Kunz. "The County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing & Community
Development is proud to administer this program that helps local families make progress toward economic independence and self-sufficiency."
    Any Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program participants who is interested in applying for the County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing & Community Development's Family Self-Sufficiency Program their caseworkers or email Jenny Suefuji at fsshopinfo@hawaiicounty.gov.

    Informational meetings are also held every second Wednesday of the month at the Office of Housing & Community Development's Hilo office at 1990 Kinoʻole Street. In Kona, informational meetings are held every other month at the Office of Housing and Community Developmentʻs office in the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, Building B.
    The County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing & Community Development is responsible for the planning, administration, and operation of all County of Hawai'i
housing programs. "Our Mission is to provide for the development of viable communities through decent housing, suitable living environments and expanded economic opportunities," says its statememt.
    More information on the Office of Housing & Community Development and its programs can be found online at www.housing.hawaiicounty.gov. To receive news alerts and OHCD's quarterly newsletter, click here. You can also connect with OHCD on Facebook and Instagram.





PĀHALA TOWN LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE on this coming Saturday has drawn at least 30 groups to participate, as well as County Council member Michelle Galimba, Mayor Mitch Roth and other dignitaries, according to Chair of the Committee Shai Lopez-Castaneda. He released a map of the parade which takes participants from the grounds of the Mac Nut office on Pikake Street up Pikake Street, right onto Kamani Street, down to Kaʻū Hospital and to Pāhala  Community Center. It ends with picture-taking with Santa and his Buddies, some arts and crafts and light refreshments until 8:30 p.m.

    The parade honors Eddie Andrade who has retired from hosting the renowned Pāhala Christmas Parade with his family for more than 40 years.
    Pāhala Town Lighted Christmas Parade is co-hosted by County Department of Parks & Recreation.




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Wednesday, December 06, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs December 6, 2023

Koa art by Joan Yoshioka

KOA, MEANING BRAVE, BOLD, FEARLESS, is Plant of the Month for the last Lāʻau Letters of 2023, written by Jody Rosam with illustration by Joan Yoshioka. Here is La'u Letters, Native Plants of Ka'u:
    I wanted to share a familiar friend, Koa (meaning brave, bold, fearless, courage, and warrior) to bring you strength in the upcoming year. E ola Koa!  Description:  Koa is another one of our endemic Fabulous Fabaceae, and is the second most common tree species in Hawaiʻi (second to ʻōhiʻa). In rich volcanic ash soils, koa can grow to impressive heights of 100 feet or more. In fact, a koa tree in Kapuʻa Ahupuaʻa was measured at 115 feet tall with a crown spread of 93 feet!
    Did you know that mature koa trees do not have true leaves? When they are young, koa produces compound leaves composed of many small leaflets, but as they mature, they form the flat sickle-shaped leaf-like structures we are all familiar with seeing. Those are actually phyllodes, which are a modified petiole (the stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the stem). This is a unique adaptation, because petioles are able to twist the leaves in order to face the sun. In the case of koa, the vertically-flattened arrangement of the phyllodes optimizes their exposure to sunlight (and photosynthesis) throughout the canopy.
    The bark of koa is typically light gray, and is sometimes covered on one side by a bright orange lichen. The white flowers form in small, round heads and give way to seed pods containing many dark brown hard seeds. If you look closely at seeds in a pod, you can even notice the piko where it is attached to the pod. Have you ever walked through a koa forest and smelled a garlicky smell? That is the smell of the busy rhizobia or soil bacteria that live in root nodules fixing nitrogen! These rhizobia have the power to convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2), which is difficult for plants to uptake, into a usable form of ammonia (NH3). Cool symbiotic relationship, right?
    Uses: Commercially, koa is one of the most valued (and most expensive) woods in the world, which is why a sustainable harvesting method is crucial to perpetuating koa’s survival. Historically, one of the most well-known uses for koa was in canoe making. However, the process of selecting and harvesting the koa 

Young koa trees. Photo from state Department of Land & Natural Resources

tree for this purpose was intricate and ceremonial (please read about it). I kū mau mau! In addition to canoes, the fine red wood was once used for hale (houses), hoe (paddles), papa heʻe nalu (surfboards), and ʻumeke lāʻau (calabashes) to name a few, and is now used in woodworking to make exquisite furniture and ʻukulele. The bark can be used to make a red dye for kapa and the leaves can be strung into lei.
    Koa’s medicinal uses are plenty, including reducing fever, pūhō (abscesses), ʻeha māui (bruises), and haki (bone breaks). Habitat: Generally speaking, koa can be found on all of the main Hawaiian Islands except Kahoʻolawe and Niʻihau. It is able to grow at elevations between 150 - 7,000 feet in dry and mesic environments, though the greatest concentrations of koa are between 3,000 - 6,000 feet. In Kaʻū, you can find koa growing in every ahupuaʻa mauka of about 1,000 feet elevation.
    Growing and Purchasing: Koa keiki are often available at local plant sales, however, it should be noted that koa does vary greatly from one location to another. For this reason, as well as when you purchase any native species, please try and be aware of the source of your plant and keep them planted on your property and do not plant purchased trees out into the wild, as the genetic variation of our wild plant populations is critical to their survival. Koa are happiest when planted in full sun, and once they are established, they can handle periods of drought and high winds. Plant them 30-40 feet apart to accommodate their future crown spans in an area with plenty of sunshine. Do your best to keep the base of the tree weed-free, as koa does not like being weed whipped or bumped with a mower, and keep pruning to a minimum. Consider companion planting with a friend like ʻaʻaliʻi, māmaki, or ʻiliahi. Kūlia! 

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Mauna Loa and Hilina Pali Roads are open. NPS photo
MAUNA LOA AND HILINA PALI ROADS HAVE REOPENED for vehicles, for access to their overlooks in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. "Currently, there is no imminent wildfire threat in the area," says the Park posting. "While we are happy that the road is again open, it is essential to remain informed. Dry conditions and invasive plant species have heightened the risk of wildfires in Hawai'i. Increased fire events and the presence of flammable grasses pose a real threat to the cherished ecosystems in Hawai'i. Let's all stay vigilant and #RecreateResponsibly to protect our natural treasures."  
    For more information visit the park website: https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/nature/drought-impact.htm.

A 4.4 M EARTHQUAKE HIT SUMMIT AREA OF KĪLAUEA VOLCANO at about 5:19 p.m. Wednesday. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center no tsunami threat.

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FLAGS WILL BE FLOWN HALF-STAFF ON THURSDAY to commemorate Dec. 7, which marks the attack on Pearl Harbor and World War II. At the direction of the President of the United States, Gov. Josh Green, M.D., ordered that the United States flag and the Hawaiʻi state flag be flown at half-staff at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol and upon all state offices and agencies, as well as the Hawaiʻi National Guard in the State of Hawaiʻi from sunrise until sunset. 
    Green said, "This is a day for all of the world, but especially Hawaiʻi, to solemnly honor the sacrifices of so many service members and civilians who lost their lives during the December 7, 1941 attack that changed the course of world history. We are grateful for the peace that has since reigned between the U.S. and Japan, and for the especially close ties forged between Japan and Hawaiʻi."

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GOV. JOSH GREEN LISTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON TUESDAY after serving a year in office. In addition to those accomplishments by Green and his administration, reported in Tuesday's Kaʻū News Briefs, he reported the following:
    Hawai'i Life Flight: The Dec. 15, 2022 fatal crash of a Hawai'i Life Flight air ambulance – the state's sole interisland medical transport company -- exposed the need to bolster the neighbor islands' medical
airlift capacity. Green issued an Emergency Proclamation allowing the state to supplement medical airlift capacity with aircraft and flight crews from other states and with commercial carriers serving rural communities. In May, OptimuM Air of Las Vegas began operations as the state's second air ambulance carrier.
    Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and
Hawai'i Visitors & Conventions Bureau drew involvement by Green to resolve the heated tourism contract disputes. He said he helped to bring a working peace between the two, "whose divisions over the previous year threatened Hawai'i's pressing need for a cohesive tourism marketing plan."
Fifty million dollars in state stalled grants-in aid. Green worked with the Attorney General's Office and the Department of Budget & Finance in March to release the
money that "supported nearly 180 nonprofit organizations navigating a new, somewhat challenging environment for non-profits following the COVID-19 pandemic."
    Correcting $1 billion overage in state budget. "New stark projections from the Council on Revenues between March and May 2023 showed declining revenue. Green's measured approach balanced fiscal 
accountability with Hawai'i's pressing needs," said a statement from his office. "Going forward, Governor Green will need to reevaluate Hawai'i's spending needs in light of the Maui Wildfire Disaster."
    Green led a Japan Diplomatic Mission in early November to engage with senior Japanese political leaders and tourism industry leaders to welcome Japanese visitors back to Maui—and other parts of Hawai'i. He expressed his intention to make travel easier through pre-custom checks.
    Appointing female judges is listed among Green's Accomplishments. The statement says, "Seeking to achieve gender equity among judges in the state Judiciary, Governor Green has appointed Lisa Ginoza to the State Supreme Court; Judge Kimberly Guidry to the Intermediate Court of Appeals and Judge Michelle Drewyer to the Second Circuit Court on Maui, creating a nearly even balance."
First female judge in Hawai'i, Emma Kaili Metcalf
 Beckley Nakuina, was appointed in 1892. Green 
created nearly a balance of men and women 
judges in his first year. Image from Wikipedia
    
     Protected Women'sReproductive Rights is another accomplishment listed. Among the bills Green first signed into law was SB1, which "expands access to reproductive health care services in numerous ways; clarifies that the state will not deny or interfere with a pregnant person's right to choose to terminate a pregnancy and protects Hawai'i health care providers from punitive legal action from within or outside of the state relating to the provision of legally provided reproductive health care services. Additional protections, prohibitions and requirements are included."
    The statement says that "In response to efforts by extreme judges on the continent to revoke the approval of mifepristone for use in abortion medication in early April 2023, Governor Green directed Comptroller Keith Regan and Tax Director Gary Suganuma to secure a year's supply of the drug.
    Green signed the Obrero reform bill, which "addressed a potentially troubling problem in the state's criminal justice system. The ruling could have forced prosecutors to recharge hundreds of violent offenders and set them free as a grand jury considers their cases." Bill 36, signed by Green in March, clarified that a person could be tried and sentenced for serious felonies either through the complaint and preliminary hearing process, indictment by grand jury, or by written information. The new law also barrs prosecutors from making multiple attempts to charge a person with the same felony by presenting the same evidence to a grand jury or judge, or both.


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