Kaʻū News Briefs June 5, 2024

Matt Baker and Vance Bjorn, of Silicon Valley Coffee, hear the history of R&G Coffee and the evolution of Kaʻū Coffee after sugar plantation days, as they visit with Bong Aquino, who farms 27 acres, mostly by himself. Photo by Julia Neal

KA'U COFFEE FARMS OPENED UP TO VISITORS ON WEDNESDAY, with growers sharing their stories of creating their successful enterprises and coming from many different backgrounds. Bong Aquino came out of agriculture in Kaʻū and remembered the days of the sugar plantation shutting down. He and

The Kudos on the former Bull Kailiawa
farm in Cloud Rest. Photo by Julia Neal

Gloria Camba created R&G Farms and Aquino takes care of their 27 acres, mostly by himself, hiring help for picking and some pruning. He told visitors that he has a good life working on the quiet farm in Pear Tree, with the extraordinary mountain and ocean views, among rows of Norfolk pines, banana and palm trees. 
    He said he has rejected offers to sell his Ka'u Coffee

 to Kona and wants to protect the Kaʻū Coffee brand.
     Kaʻū Coffee grower Ray Kudo talked about growing up in Pahala and leaving for a long time to build a career as an executive with ABC stores. He and his wife Norma both worked there, with Ray running the stores in Kona and the Island of Kaua'i. After their retirement, they couldn't keep still and decided to shift to an entire new way of life. They bought the former farm of the late Kaʻū Coffee grower Bull Kailiawa and built a small house on the property. Their acreage at Cloud Rest sits under the mountain peak. They said they love the peace and quiet and enjoy the steady work maintaining their farm.
    They also own a condo on Ali'i Drive in Kona but say that 90 percent of their time is spent in the quiet countryside where they grow not only coffee but a good deal of fresh vegetables for themselves and their friends. Ray Kudo's daughter recently graduated from Harvard University.

 

Pops from A Farm along the old sugar cane road between Pahala and  Na'alehu visits other Kaʻū Coffee farms to celebrate 

their success during Kaʻū Coffee Festival Week. Photo by Julia Neal

THE SOUTHWEST RIFT ZONE ERUPTION REMAINED PAUSED ON WEDNESDAY. On Tuesday, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists visited the area to take measurements of the previous day's lava flows. They examined part of the lava flow from fissure 2. Note that none of the lava flow is as tall as the geologist; similar to the December 1974 eruption from the same area on Kīlauea, the eruption of June 3 produced extremely thin Pāhoehoe flows. This contrasts with other recent eruptions like that at Pu‘u‘ō‘ō on Kīlauea's East Rift Zone between 1983 and 2018, where Pāhoehoe flows sometimes inflated to tens of meters in thickness. M. Zoeller of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory took this photo.



KA'U DESERT REMAINS CLOSED TO VISITORS FOLLOWING THIS WEEK'S VOLCANIC ERUPTION. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park reported Wednesday that Kaʻaha has reopened and is accessible by Puna Coast Trail.
    Kaʻū Desert area remains temporarily closed due to volcanic gases from Kīlauea that are hazardous to everyone. Closures include Kaʻū Desert, Footprints, Hilina Pali Road, Kulanaokuaiki Campground, Pepeiao Cabin and Maunaiki Trail.
    Although the eruption that started Monday is over for now, the vent is still glowing and degassing. The eruption covered about 88 acres in this remote area, located 2.5 miles southwest of Kīlauea caldera. Steady plumes of gas were seen Wednesday morning, wafting upward and downwind of the fissures.
     According to USGS, unrest remains high. Tremor is still present, glow could still be seen from the fissures over Tuesday night, with active degassing of SO2 (sulfur dioxide) still occurring. Changes in the character and location of unrest can occur quickly, as can the potential for the eruption to restart at the same fissures or in a new area, reported Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

Plumes of volcanic gas are expelled from a vent and drift skyward and laterally along a ground fissure. Image taken

 from Uēkahuna overlook west. NPS Photo by S. Stucker

Kaʻū News Briefs June 4, 2024

Visit Ka'u Coffee farms on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., an event of Kaʻū Coffee Festival Week. See map and list of  farms
at www.kaucoffeefestival.com. Photo from Kaʻū Coffee Festival

SEVENTEEN KAʻŪ COFFEE FARMS will be open for visitors tomorrow, Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during Ka'ū Coffee Festival Week.

    Ka'ū Coffee Farms at Cloud Rest to be open are those belonging to the following growers: Kudo, Norberte, Artizabal, Marques, Koi, and Miranda.
    Ka'ū Coffee Farms at Pear Tree to be open are those belonging to the following growers: A Farm, Ramos, Lazaro, Val Ramos, Hernandez, Ancheta, Tabios, Gascon, Melchor, and R&G Farms.
    The Ka'ū Coffee Farm at Wood Valley to be open is Silver Cloud and Kaʻū Coffee Mill.
   Here is the link to the map showing the lists and locations of all the farms - https://www.kaucoffeefestival.com/.../7c518f...

Meet the farmers, explore the Kaʻū Coffee farms on Wednesday from 10 a.m.  to 5 p.m. at Moa'ula, Pear Tree and Wood Valley above Pahala. See the map for farm locations at www.kaucoffeefestival.com.
Photo from Kaʻū Coffee Festival

KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL RECIPE WINNERS ARE ANNOUNCED. The Recipe Contest at Ka'ū Coffee Mill on Saturday was the kickoff event of Kaʻū Coffee Festival Week.
    In the Pupu Category, Patty Fujimoto came in first with her Tita Taquitos with Aikane Coffee, Braised

Kaʻū Coffee Mill hosted Kaʻū Coffee Recipe Contest on 

Saturday, with entries in Pupu, Entree and Dessert.

Photo by Julia Neal

Kuahiwi Beef. Second was Kristen Davis with her Goat Cheese with Ka'ū Coffee Lehua Honey. Third was Zane Monteleone with his Burrata Salad with Ka'ū Coffee Balsamic Reduction.
    In the Entree Category first was Keone Grace with this Ka'ū Coffee Blackened Opakapaka. Second was Zane Monteleone with his Maui Nui Venison Pastrmi Dip with Ka'ū Coffee Au Jus. Third was Paul Eddy with his Roasted Ka'ū Coffee Chicken.
    In the Dessert Category, Patty Fujimoto won with her Ka'ū Coffee Layer Cake.
    Brittany Zagoria was second with her Ka'ū Coffee Sponge in a Chocolate Bowl. Third was Cosette Paseka with her Ka'ū Coffee Cupcakes with Ka'ū Coffee Cayenne Candied Bacon.
    The judges were Carl Okuyama of 'Ohana Foods, and Ruyanne Manuel and Tyler Hess of Kaʻū Coffee Mill.

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KAI KAHELE IS RUNNING FOR OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS TRUSTEESHIP. Kahele has roots in Miloli'i, his late father Gil Kahele also having served this area in public office. Kai Kahele represented Kaʻū and beyond as a state Senator and also as a Congressman.
    Kaialiʻi Kahele officially announced his candidacy for the OHA Trustee on Saturday in Hilo. He would become the OHA Trustee for this island, Moku ʻO Keawe.
    Kahele described his vision for a more equitable and just Hawaiʻi, reaffirming his commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian community. His candidacy comes with a formal endorsement from current Hawaiʻi Island OHA Trustee Mililani Trask.
    Kahele said, "It has been just over two years since I last stood before you here in Hilo, sharing a

heartfelt vision for a different Hawaiʻi, a Hawaiʻi that does not yet exist. A Hawaiʻi not owned and controlled by the few wealthy enough to afford it, but rather stewarded by the many who choose to mālama it."
    Kahele reflected on his journey over the past two years, which included service in the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard, his professional career as a pilot with Hawaiian Airlines, and his role as a faculty member at UH Hilo. Beyond his focus on personal and professional endeavors, Kahele said he retains a deep-seated desire to return to public service.
    "Recently, Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Mililani Trask informed me that she was not seeking reelection to OHA. After several conversations, Trustee Trask asked me to run for her seat, pledging her support for my candidacy," Kahele stated. "After much thought and discussion with my wife Maria, my ʻohana, and those closest to me, it became clear that when our kūpuna and community leaders ask us to serve, we don't hesitate – we just do it."
    Kahele said that Trask has served as an OHA Trustee with dedication and commitment. She formally endorsed Kahele, highlighting his qualifications and vision for the future of OHA.
    "I am proud to endorse Kai Kahele for the position of OHA Trustee representing Moku ʻO Keawe," said Trask. "Kai brings a wealth of experience, a deep understanding of our community's needs, and a proven

Social Justice advocate and attorney Mliliani Trask endorses Kai Kahele
for Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee. Photo from Kahele for Hawai'i

track record of advocating for Native Hawaiians. His leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to our people make him the ideal candidate to continue the important work of OHA. I have full confidence that Kai will serve our community with integrity, transparency, and a steadfast dedication to improving the lives of Native Hawaiians."
    Kahele emphasized his belief in OHA's potential to significantly improve the lives of Native Hawaiians. He acknowledged the organization's past challenges but expressed confidence in its future under strong leadership.
    "To me and many other Native Hawaiians, OHA has never fully realized its potential as a Hawaiian institution with the constitutional autonomy to truly serve our people," Kahele noted. "But despite its shortcomings, I truly believe OHA is the institution with the greatest potential to make a difference in the lives of Native Hawaiians."
    Kahele highlighted experience and relationships at both state and federal levels, saying they uniquely qualify him to serve as an OHA Trustee. He also contiued his commitment to not ask for campaign donations, instead urging supporters to donate to families affected by the Lahaina fires through ʻĀina Momona.
    "This campaign will not dial for dollars, flood your emails asking for money, fill your mailbox with flyers, solicit, or host a single fundraiser. Instead, if you feel compelled to give, rather than giving to this campaign, please consider donating to a family from Lahaina," said Kahele.
Kahele called for unity and collective action to build a better future for Hawaiʻi. "Together, we can build a Hawaiʻi where our people thrive - one that is more equitable and just, where our culture flourishes, where all Native Hawaiians can succeed, and where our future is secured for generations to come."
For more information on Kahele's candidacy and his vision for OHA, visit kaikahele.com.

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Vog rolled across Ka'u on Tuesday, with smoke still rising from cracks in the area of Monday's eruption. USGS image

A WEBCAM AT SOUTH POINT SHOWS VOG coming in from the southwest rift zone of Kīlauea volcano. While the eruption has paused, smoke continued to rise today from the cracks in the area of Monday's outpouring of lava, makai of Hwy 11 between Pāhala and Volcano. The air quality deteriorated from good to moderate for much of the island but recovered by evening. See the air quality map at https://air.doh.hawaii.gov/home/map

Kaʻū News Briefs June 3, 2024

Fire along the fissure during the eruption on Monday on the Southwest Rift Zone. USGS photo

VOG MAY COME ACROSS KAʻŪ DURING THIS TIME OF ELEVATED VOLCANIC EMISSIONS, cautions state Department of Health. During the eruption that began Monday after midnight on the Southwest Rift Zone, makai of Hwy 11 between Pāhala and Volcano, the volume of SO2 reached 15,000 tonnes but dropped to 10,000 by noon. A period of pause in the eruption began at about 12:30 p.m.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory took this photo this morning showing the milky way
 and the eruption that started after midnight in the Ka'u Desert between Pahala and
 Volcano. The glow of new eruption south of Kīlauea summit caldera and the Milky
Way were captured using a prolonged exposure time. USGS image by D.A. Phillips

    DOH notes that even with the pause, "activity in this region remains dynamic and could change quickly. While the lava flow has ceased, areas of elevated volcanic gas emissions continue. Currently, air quality safety levels are slightly elevated at the Pahala and Nāʻālehu air quality monitoring stations.
   "As gas emissions from Kīlauea on Hawai'i Island continues and southerly winds occasionally prevail, vog conditions (hazy air pollution caused by volcanic emissions) and the presence of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the air may increase and fluctuate. With continuing volcanic gas emissions, particulates in the air and levels of SO2 may increase and fluctuate in various localized areas on Hawai'i Island, causing poor air quality."
    DOH advises residents and visitors to access Hawaiʻi Ambient Air Quality Data on the Clean Air Branch website at https://health.hawaii.gov/cab/hawaii-ambient-air-quality-data/ and the Hawaiʻi Interagency Vog Information Dashboard at www.ivhhn.org/vog/ for the most comprehensive and up-to-date online information on vog and SO2 from volcanic activity in Hawaiʻi.
    DOH also advises Hawai'i residents and visitors to be mindful of the surrounding conditions, and how they may react to vog in the air. In the event of voggy conditions, take the following precautionary measures:

Eruption glow photo courtesy of Yvonne Baur/Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association, taken from Uēkahuna around 3 a.m. Monday.

    Reduce outdoor activities that cause heavy breathing. Avoiding outdoor activity and exercise during vog conditions can reduce exposure and minimize health risks. This is especially important for sensitive groups, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions including asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic lung and heart disease.
    People with asthma or a chronic respiratory disease should always have medications available. Daily prescribed medications should be taken on schedule.
    People experiencing health effects should contact their medical provider as soon as possible if they develop symptoms, as respiratory conditions might worsen rapidly in heavy SO2 or vog conditions.
    Stay indoors and close windows and doors. When using an air conditioner, set it to recirculate. If you are in a car, set the air conditioner to recirculate.
    Face masks (surgical, cloth, KF94, KN95, N95) do not provide protection from SO2 or vog. However, they can be effective in outdoor environments in reducing inhaled hazardous particulates associated with falling ash and Pele's hair.
    Do not smoke and avoid second-hand smoke.
    Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
    Have family emergency plans prepared and ready.

 Heed warnings by county and state emergency management officials.
    Vog and air quality updates are available through the: Hawaiʻi Interagency Vog Information Dashboard
DOH Clean Air Branch and U.S. Geological Survey Kilauea Volcano Updates

    New eruption plume from a fissure makai of Hwy 11 between Pāhala and Volcano was captured at dawn Monday morning

 from Honu'apo. The plume at left, rising from land and drifting left, contained the most S02 at the beginning of the eruption.

Photo by Bob Martin

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AFTER THE ERUPTION BEGAN IN A REMOTE AREA OF HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, THE PARK ISSUED THE FOLLOWING:
    Due to the remote and unpredictable nature of the fissure eruption, the following temporary closures are in place for everyone's safety:

    Hilina Pali Road from Chain of Craters Road intersection
    Kulanaokuaiki Campground
    Pepeiao Cabin
    Kaʻaha Trail and campground
    Kaʻū Desert Trail and pullout on Highway 11
    Maunaiki Trail
    The fissure eruption site in a remote area about 2.5 miles (4 km) southwest of Kīlauea caldera and is not

USGS map showing location of Monday's eruption near Maunaiki,
the first eruption in that area since 1974 when it lasted six hours.

accessible. Park rangers and scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continue to assess eruption conditions. No safe lava-viewing locations were established
    However, a beautiful red-orange lava glow was visible in the sky before dawn from overlooks along Crater Rim Trail including Uēkahuna and Volcano House. Early risers witnessed the glowing evidence of Pele, the elemental force of Hawaiian volcanoes, return for the first time since September 2023. After daybreak, a wispy distant gas plume became visible from Uēkahuna and other summit overlooks.
    The park expects an influx of visitors hoping to see the latest volcanic activity, which can change at anytime. Everyone is urged to stay safe and be respectful of the sacredness of Kīlauea by doing the following:
    Volcanic eruptions are hazardous. Stay on marked trails and overlooks, and do not enter closed areas.          Avoid cliff edges and earth cracks which are unstable.
    Respect Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners who honor the sacred legacy of this land and give them space to practice their customs.
    Slow down and drive safely. Expect long waits for parking spaces at popular vantage points.
    Most popular areas in the park remain open, including Kīlauea Visitor Center, overlooks along Crater Rim Trail, Volcano House, Nāhuku lava tube, and Chain of Craters Road, but no lava is visible to the public. Coastal backcountry sites from Halapē to the east remain open.
    Park visitors are urged to plan ahead and check the park website for 

closure and hazard alerts at www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes. Live webcam images, Kīlauea updates and more are available on the USGS HVO website.
    According to the Park statement, "The eruption is entirely within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and poses no threat to the community at this time."

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NPS Photo of a heavily vegetated area in the Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

DIGGING INTO THE PAST: THE HAWAIIAN FIELD SYSTEMS OF KAʻŪ is the presentation for After Dark in the Park on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium.
      The agricultural systems of the Hawaiian archipelago were some of the most intensive in the Pacific, especially the large agricultural landscapes in Kaʻū. Seth Quintus, Ph.D., of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa anthropology department, takes attemdees through the Kahuku agricultural field systems established before Western contact. 

    The presentation is part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park programs and co-sponsored by the Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Free, but park entrance fees apply.

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