About The Kaʻū Calendar

Monday, May 15, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, May 15, 2023

Air tours over Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park are promoted in this photo from hawaiitours.com.

AIR TOUR MANAGEMENT PLANNING FOR HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK seeks public feedback. National Park Service and Federal Aviation Administration have published their Draft Air Tour Management Plan and environmental assessment. They encourage anyone with interest or concern about air tours over Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to review and comment through the project website and during a zoom public meeting on Wednesday, June 7 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Zoom Link will be https://faavideo.zoomgov.com/j/1615197156. Passcode: 246810. A Google Form for Questions is at https://forms.gle/NK67Ue1cGg25twoZ.
    The proposed plan would:  Authorize up to 1,565 air tours per year over Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on three defined routes; designate Wednesdays for quiet-technology flights only during the hours of 9
An air tour over Hawai'i Volcano National Park crater shown
 by www.lovebigisland.com
 a.m. to 5 p.m.;  designate no-fly days on Sundays and establish specified flight times of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for non-QT flights and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for QT flights.  
    Public feedback can be submitted through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website starting this Tuesday, May 16 through June 16 at 8 p.m.. NPS and FAA will consider comments to help inform the final ATMP for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. See
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?parkID=307&projectID=103522.
Ten operators reported an average of 11,376 flights per year at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park between 2017 and 2019. NPS and FAA are working towards completing the air tour management plan for Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park by Dec. 31. The schedule is part of a plan approved by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for the agencies to comply with the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000.     

    A statement from Hawai'i Volcanoes says, "An important part of the process is the inclusion of Native Hawaiian groups and individuals. The agencies are consulting with Native Hawaiian organizations and other groups that have lands adjacent to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and with Kūpuna (elders) and individuals who attach historic and cultural significance to resources within the park." 

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.

ANOTHER PEDESTRIAN WAS STRUCK BY A VEHICLE AT NIGHT ON HWY 11. This time it was fatal on Sunday night in Glenwood, following the hit and run in Captain Cook on Saturday.        According to Hawai'i Police Department, the second accident occurred Sunday around 9:45 p.m. fronting Glenwood Park. HPD reported that the driver of a 2003 Tacoma pickup who claimed he thought he hit a pig, kept going to a friend's house, returned to the scene, found the man, called 911 and gave CPR to the unresponsive victim. The 40-year old victim was later pronounced dead. The driver, 34-year old Patrick Murphy, of Mountain View, is being held by police at Hilo cellblock pending charges of first-degree negligent homicide, DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, and failure to give information or render aid. The victim is the ninth motor vehicle fatality of this year.
     Police ask for witnesses to come forward. Contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339 or Jerome.Duarte@HawaiiCounty.gov. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
    Regarding the hit and run in South Kona on Saturday night, Hawai‘i Island police arrested and charged the driver that left a 24-year-old male pedestrian critically injured. Alec Lyle Timpson, age 30, of Captain Cook, turned himself in to police Sunday, at 11:25 a.m., at Kealakehe Police Station after police issued a media release describing the vehicle involved in the collision. Police investigators also recovered a silver 2001 Ford F-150 pickup truck as evidence.
Alec Lyle Timpson
    The hit-and-run collision took place Saturday evening on Hwy 11, near the 110-mile marker in South Kona. Responding to an 8:46 p.m. call, police determined that an unknown vehicle was heading south on Highway 11 when it struck the male pedestrian, who was walking south across the highway in the southbound lane. The pedestrian was not in the marked crosswalk when he was struck. The driver of fled and failed to render aid to the pedestrian.
    The male pedestrian, who has not been positively identified, was transported to the Kona Community Hospital and transferred to Queens Medical Center on O'ahu for further treatment, where he is listed in critical condition.
    After conferring with County Prosecutors Office, police charged Timpson with: First-degree negligent injury and failure to give information or render aid for accidents involving death or serious bodily injury. His bail is set at $7,250. Timpson is held at the Kealakehe Police Station cellblock pending his initial court appearance.
    HPD sent out an announcement saying, "Police would like to thank the public for their assistance in this investigation." Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent injury investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Adam Roberg at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229 or email at adam.roberg@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
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.

Charlene Iboshi of aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai'i,
Mayor Mitch Roth, Police Chief Benjamin Moskawicz, 
Pastor Renee Godoy and County Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen
  with Police Week Proclamation. Photo from HPD
POLICE WEEK FESTIVITIES ARE LINED UP ACROSS THE ISLAND. Hawai‘i Island residents and visitors are invited to events including station tours, during the national event.
    Police Week nationally supports police work and recognizes officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed every May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as National Police Week. In Hawaiʻi County, Police Week activities take place through Friday, May 19.
   A formal Police Week ceremony was held  Monday with a new name unveiled on the Memorial Wall. HPD recently learned that Police Capt, T. Simeona was murdered in a shootout with a suspect in North Kohala on September 25, 1890. Police Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz said,“Back in 1890, the department as we know it today did not exist. Rather, officers were overseen by a sheriff,
Officer Manuel Cadinha who gave his
life in 1918 when he was hit on the 
head while serving a warrant. 
Photo from HPD
who was appointed by a police marshal on O'ahu, who in turn was appointed by the king. While not technically a member of the department, we consider Capt. Simeona a part of our law enforcement ‘ohana. We are pleased he is finally being recognized and honor
Officer William Oili, who gave his 
life attempting to rescue two men who were
drowning in 1936. Photo from HPD 

ed for the ultimate sacrifice he made protecting our island community.”  A second ceremony will be held Tuesday, May 16, at 10 a.m. at Kona police station. Both ceremonies were planned with pre-ceremony entertainment and a tribute to Hawaiʻi County officers who gave their lives in the line of duty.             
In addition to Simeona, they are:
• Officer Manuel Cadinha, who gave his life in 1918.

• Officer William “Red” Oili, who gave his life in 1936.
• Officer Ronald “Shige” Jitchaku, who gave his life in 1990.
• Officer Kenneth Keliipio, who gave his life in 1997.
• Park Ranger Steve Makuakane-Jarrell, who gave his life in 1999.
• Officer Bronson Kaimana Kaliloa, who was killed in the line of duty on July 18, 2018.
    During Police Week, members of the public are encouraged to attend tours at the Hilo and Kona Police stations on Friday, May 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call Sergeant Amy Omaya at (808) 961-2264 to schedule an appointment.

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.

2023 OUTSTANDING OLDER AMERICAN AWARD NOMINEES from Volcano to Ocean View were named recently, with winners honored last Friday. See story on island wide winner Fely Villegas, 76, of Pāhala, in last Sunday's Kaʻū News Briefs. Other Nominees from Volcano to Ocean View were:
    Mahealani Yong Snell, 69, of Volcano. She has been a Red Cross volunteer since 2011, handling casework assigned to her. She is President of Volcano Senior Club and a board member and secretary of Volcano Community Association. She has worked a  volunteer at Puna Covenant Church in women's ministry, service to the homeless and for an international justice mission.
    Bridget. Pittman, 67, of Nā'ālehu: She is a member of Nā'ālehu Methodist Church and volunteers for the Food Bank. She helps to pick up Senior Nutrition Program participants and lunch pick-ups from Nā'ālehu School Cafeteria. Pitman also volunteers as an Arts & Crafts designer. She is always learning new things and registered to join Hui Malama Ola Na Oiwi to further her educational skills and practices.
    Lucy Rogge, 84, of Ocean View: She moved to Ocean View with the love of her life over 13 years ago and helped to establish the first Pickle Ball Court at Kahuku County Park. On her hands and knees she painted the lines for the court and played pickle ball until 2018. There are about 20 regular players continuing to enjoy pickle ball at Kahuku as a result of Rogge's effort.
    Carl Ferrin, 70, Ocean View: He enjoys helping people, especially those in need, offering rides to anyone who needs one. He is known for his very good mood. He served in the Navy and volunteers at the Food Basket.


Posted by at

Sunday, May 14, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Sunday, May 14, 2023

Uhu are parrot fish slated for bag limits and size limits for commercial and home fishing. Public meetings will be announced
 for input on new rules proposed by the state Division of Aquatic Resources for taking these, other fish and Kona crab.
Photo from 2016 Environment Hawai'i story on likely overfishing of uhu. See https://www.environment-hawaii.org/?p=7868

BAG LIMITS ON UHU AND KALA, and minimum sizes for fish as small as manini will go to public meetings around the state. The state Department of Land & Natural Resources made the decision for more meetings after hearing pro and con testimony on Friday concerning approvals sought by its Division of Aquatic Resources for its proposed new Rules Regulating the Taking and Selling of Certain Marine Resources.
    Under the proposed regulations, non-commercial fishermen would be allowed to take a maximum of two uhu - parrot fish and two kala -bluespine unicorn fish per day. 
    Whether non-commercial or commercial, fishing for all uhu would be off limits when the fish spawn, February through May. Fishing for the more threatened uhu 'ele'ele (Terminal-phase Redlip Parrotfish) and uhu uliuli (Terminal-phase Spectacled Parrotfish) would be off limits to everyone all the time.
    Minimum size for uhu pālukaluka (Non-terminal-phase Redlip Parrotfish) and uhu ‘ahu‘ula (Non-terminal-phase Spectacled Parrotfish) would increase from 12 to 14 inches. A minimum size of 10 inches would be set for all other uhu.
    For uhu, commercial fishers would be limited to catching 30 per day, the legal size between 14 inches and 20 inches. Commercial fishers would pay $100 a year for a permit and show previous year catch and sales of at least 340 pounds of uhu. Annual catch limit would be 34,000 lbs. for the statewide uhu commercial fishery. 
Kala, the unicorn fish, is subject to proposed bag and size
 limitations for fishing and home use. Photo from NOAA
    For kala, non-commercial fishers would be limited to two per day.
     Minimum size would be 14 inches whether for home or commercial. Commercial fishers would be limited to 50 kala per day. The annual catch limit would be 10,000 lbs for the statewide kala commercial fishery. Each fisher would be required to pay $100 per annual permit and prove catch and sales of at least 100 lbs. in the previous year.
    Proposed amendments also include:
    Increasing the minimum size for manini (Convict Tang) from five inches to six inches;
    Establishing a minimum size of five inches for kole (Goldring Surgeonfish);
    Allowing the take of female pāpa‘i kualoa (Kona crab) without eggs;
    Extending the current closed season (May-August) for pāpa‘i kualoa (Kona crab) to May-September;
    Making other non-substantive housekeeping amendments for clarity and consistency with other chapters including adding new definitions, amending old definitions, and other stylistic and grammatical corrections throughout the chapter.    
    Hawai'i Tribune Herald reported on the BLNR meeting and described proposed rules as "a wide range of amendments to the state’s fishing rules that broadly reduce fishers’ ability to legally take certain threatened fish species, particularly the uhu and kala..." Reporter Michael Brestovansky wrote, "Dozens of fishermen and environmentalists on Friday spoke out against proposed new fishing regulations by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources."
    He wrote that the most pushback came from proposed rules concerning kole, the goldring surgeonfish.
For the Fishes advocates opposed exemption for licensed aquarium collectors
from minimum size restrictions imposed on the public in proposed rules.
Photo from For the Fishes
The proposal would set minimum catchable length at five inches. However, it would exempt aquarium fishers with valid state aquarium fishing permits from the minimum size rule. 
    Though new aquarium fishing permits have not been issued for years, the advocacy group For the Fishes presented testimony saying that if allowed to resume, aquarium fishers "would certainly continue their decades-long degradation of this critically important natural resource....." and "Telling food fishers that it is important to let kole reach maturity before taking them, but then letting the commercial aquarium pet trade take large numbers of juvenile kole … is nonsensical, poor management and counterproductive to DAR messaging that they believe in and support pono fishing practices and that herbivores need immediate protections.”
    Dozens of form letters were submitted "largely blaming the aquarium fishing industry for leaving the state’s reefs in their current state," reported Hawai'i Tribune Herald. After the testimony, BLNR proposed to omit the proposed exemption from size limits for the aquarium industry.
    Brestovansky also reported Division of Aquatics Resources chief Brian Neilson telling Board of Land & Natural Resources that the proposed rules "are critical to maintaining the state’s marine ecosystems and are under increasing pressure from overfishing and environmental degradation."

    The article also reported David Sakoda, DAR fisheries program manager, saying most fishers would remain unaffected by the proposed rules, contending that fewer than half of fishing trips exceed limits in the proposed rules.  See more at hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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.

Pāhala Senior Center Garden where Fely Villegas grows food with the help of students and other seniors. She is the 2023
Outstanding Older American Woman for Hawai'i County. 

FELICIDAD VILLEGAS IS OUTSTANDING OLDER AMERICAN WOMAN for Hawai'i County for 2023. The 76-year old Pāhala resident, called Fely, was honored Friday at Waikoloa and will meet the mayor and County Council this week, before more receiving more recognition during a trip to Honolulu.
Fely Villegas, community volunteer and leader of Pāhala Senior
Garden, accepts the help of  Youth Challenge cadets and Kaʻū High
School's Entrepreneurship Program. Photo by Jennifer Makuakane
    The bio from nomination papers, submitted by Pāhala Nutrition  Program and Senior Club, notes that Villegas joined the organization back in 2009. "She continues to be an integral part of our program. In addition to her daily duties at the Nutrition Center, she continues to spend many hours at the Pāhala  Senior Garden, helping to grow fresh produce for our local senior citizens. She is a willing volunteer, no matter what the task, and brings a lot of enthusiasm to her work."
    For years, Villegas has helped to bring seniors to the Center in the morning and back home after lunch. She assists with lunch pick-up and also helps with transportation for medical, shopping and recreation.
    The bio says, "In addition, she often helps those who are in need by informally providing rides in her own personal vehicle. In a small rural area such as ours, this sort of informal transportation assistance can be key to maintaining the wellness of our community members.
         "Fely has served as our Nutrition Site President/Representative for over seven years now, taking on all of the responsibilities required by that role, particularly serving as back-up for the Hawai'i County 
Retired Volcano House baker Fely Villegas
assisted Kaʻū High student and grandson 
Kelson Gallano with cookies for Pāhala
Food Hub distribution of local made food
 during the pandemic.  Photo by Julia Neal
Nutrition Program site manager. She helps with the morning set-up and clean-up, and generally keeps things running smoothly on a daily basis. She is the kind of volunteer that makes life easier for everyone around her, noticing when something needs to be done and just doing it."
    Villegas is on the Board for Pāhala Senior Club, serving as Secretary from 2010 to 2019 and is now Treasurer. The bio describes her as "a very creative person" with special fondness for singing and playing 'ukulele, performing with Pāhala Senior Center music group. She also enjoys painting and sewing. 
    She volunteers at her Holy Rosary Church and with making New Years mochi for Pāhala Hongwanji. She can also be seen volunteering for the Entrepreneurship Program at Kaʻū High School. During Covid, she assisted with Pāhala Food Hub, making food items with the help of students to be included in the bags of food distributed throughout the community.
    The bio says, "Fely Villegas is high energy and always willing to share a laugh and a helping hand. Generous with her time and talents, her fun-loving, helpful nature makes her outstanding in the eyes of her friends and peers..."
    See more on other Older American nominees and winners in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs.


HAWAI'I POLICE DEPARTMENT is looking for a hit and run driver headed toward Kaʻū from South
Kona. According to HPD, "A 24-year-old Captain Cook man suffered critical injuries following a hit-and-run collision on Saturday evening, on Highway 11, near the 110-mile marker in the area of Arthur Greenwell Park.
    Responding to a 8:46 p.m. call, police determined that an unknown vehicle was heading south (Ka‘ū bound) on Highway 11 when it struck the 24-year-old man who was walking south across the highway in the southbound lane. The man was not in the marked crosswalk when he was struck.
    Driver of the vehicle fled the scene and failed to render aid to the pedestrian. The pedestrian was transported to Kona Community Hospital where he is listed in critical condition.
    Police at the scene determined that there was only one responsible vehicle in the collision. Police located debris from a 2002-2003 Ford F-150 pickup truck, possibly a Harley-Davidson edition. A witness at the scene described the Ford pickup truck as a light color, possibly silver, having a lift kit with oversized tires and a tool box in the bed. Also, there were reports that the collision might have been captured on video surveillance.
    Police ask the public to review home and business surveillance videos for any vehicle matching the description from 8:30 p.m. to 9  p.m. on Saturday. The vehicle would have sustained damage to the driver’s side front fender, headlight and bumper.
    Failure to render aid when a person is seriously injured or killed in a traffic collision is a Class “B” felony that may be punishable by up to ten years in prison and fines up to $25,000 under section 291C-14 of Hawai'i Revised Statutes.
    Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent injury investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Adam Roberg at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or email at adam.roberg@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

POLICE ARRESTED 18 FOR DUI  during the week of May 1 through May 7. Hawai`i Island police made the arrests for motorists driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Three drivers were involved in a traffic collision. One was under age of 21.
    So far this year, there have been 355 DUI arrests compared with 372 during the same period last year, a decrease of 4.6 percent.
    Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 311 major collisions so far this year compared with 272 during the same period last year, an increase of 14.3 percent.
    To date, there have been seven fatal crashes, resulting in eight fatalities, (one with multiple deaths); compared with 11 fatal crashes, resulting in 13 fatalities (one with multiple deaths) for the same time last year. This represents a decrease of 36.4 percent for fatal crashes, and 38.5 percent for fatalities.
    HPD promises that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.

Posted by at

Saturday, May 13, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Saturday, May 13, 2023

Photographs of the 1924 explosive eruptions from Halemaʻumaʻu. The photograph on the left is from the Uēkahuna bluff on
May 18, 1924, by Kenichi Maehara. The photograph on the right is from near the present-day site of Volcano House
 on May 22, 1924, by Tai Sing Loo. Photos from USGS

EXPLOSIVE ERUPTIONS OF 1924 IS THE VOLCANO WATCH topic this week; the column written by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:
    For nearly two decades prior to the explosive eruptions in 1924, Halemaʻumaʻu hosted a large lava lake. In February 1924, this lava lake drained over the course of 2 days, leaving behind an incandescent crater that was around 380 ft deep by 1,700 ft wide (115 m deep by 520 m wide). Halemaʻumaʻu remained an empty crater for the next 2 months.
    April 1924 saw the summit of Kīlauea hit with an earthquake swarm that migrated down the East Rift Zone. Residents of Kapoho in the lower East Rift Zone felt more than 200 earthquakes on April 22–23, which resulted in an approximately 4-mile-long by 1-mile-wide (6.5 by 1.6 km) tract of land cracking and subsiding. This included the area near the eastern point of the Island of Hawaiʻi dropping by about 14 ft (4m) and the ocean covering nearly a half mile (1 km) of previously dry land. Despite the shaking and subsidence in the lower East Rift Zone, associated with lava draining from the summit lava lake, no eruption occurred from the rift zone.

Dust cloud caused by the collapse of the Halemaumau crater
floor at Kīlauea Volcano, May 9, 1924. Photo from USGS
    On April 29, 1924, the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu started to subside and eventually reached around 600 ft (180 m) below the crater rim by the time the first explosions occurred from Halemaʻumaʻu during the nighttime hours of May 10–11. Hot rocks from this explosion were noticed near the rim of Halemaʻumaʻu on the morning of May 11 by a National Park Ranger. This prompted road closures within Hawai'i National Park (as it was named then), as well as a close call when the park superintendent and two observers were pelted by ash during another explosion that sent ash up to 3,000 ft (nearly 1 km) high. In fact, a 100 lbs. (45 kg) boulder had been thrown over the group’s vehicle nearby, prompting the roadblock to be pushed back even farther.
    Explosions of ash, lapilli, and blocks continued to be ejected from the crater. The largest of these explosions occurred on May 18 with lightning-charged ash going up higher than 4 miles (6.5 km), as well as spreading across the crater floor. Several people were near the crater rim when this explosion occurred. Unfortunately, a resident of Pāhala was hit by a block and died that night at the hospital in Hilo. This was the only fatality during these explosive eruptions.

  Explosions continued, although smaller than the one on May 18, and by May 27, when the explosions ended, Halemaʻumaʻu was about twice as wide and eight times as deep than prior to the sequence of explosions. Blocks weighing as much as 8 tons (8,000 kg, equivalent to 10 cows) had been hurled as much as 1,600 ft (500 m) from the crater.
    Scientists originally proposed that the lava lake draining exposed cracks in the crater floor that allowed groundwater to enter the system. This groundwater may have flashed to steam and resulted in the many explosions over the 16 days in May 1924. However, new research being undertaken by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory could reveal other explanations for these explosive events. This research will help us to better understand these explosive bursts that occurred nearly a century ago and compare them with the more recent explosions from the summit of Kīlauea in 2018.
Thomas Jaggar standing amid ash and blocks of the May 1924 eruption, looking east-northeast toward Kīlauea Iki. Note the
fresh cracks that opened as Halema‘uma‘u was widening during its collapse. Photo from USGS by Loo, Tai Sing
Volcano Activity Updates
    Kīlauea is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is ADVISORY. Webcams show no signs of active
 lava in Halemaʻumaʻu crater, at the summit of Kīlauea in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Over the past week, summit tiltmeters showed inflation and seismicity has been variable. The summit sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rate was most recently measured on May 3, when it totaled 135 tonnes per day.
    Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.
Webcams show no signs of activity on Mauna Loa. Seismicity remains low. Summit ground deformation rates show inflation above background levels, but this is not uncommon following eruptions. SO2 emission rates are at background levels.
    There were five earthquakes above magnitude 3 and with 3 or more felt reports in the Hawaiian Islands during the the week ending May 10: a M3.5 earthquake 9 km (6 mi) ESE of Pāhala at 32 km (19 mi) depth on May 10 at 4:56 a.m. HST, a M3.8 earthquake 11 km (6 mi) ENE of Pāhala at 32 km (19 mi) depth on May 7 at 11:58 p.m. HST, a M3.3 earthquake 0 km (0 mi) NE of Pāhala at 39 km (24 mi) depth on May 7 at 7:35 a.m. HST, a M3.0 earthquake 35 km (21 mi) ENE of Waimānalo Beach at 8 km (5 mi) depth on May 5 at 4:26 p.m. HST, and a M3.7 earthquake 12 km (7 mi) SSE of Fern Forest at 5 km (3 mi) depth on May 4 at 1:05 p.m. HST.
    Visit HVO’s website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake information, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

THE RESIDENT OF PĀHALA WHO DIED IN THE 1924 VOLCANIC ERUPTION of Kīlauea was Truman T. Taylor, bookkeeper for Pāhala Sugar Plantation, according to the Hawaiian language newspaper of the time Ka Nupepa Kuokoa. Two soldiers also died in the blast and were never found, according to a translation of the the May 22, 1924 front page story in Kuokoa:
    Amongst the visitors on this past Sunday was one who met with tragedy, after breaking both his legs and being burned by the hot ash from the lava, that being Truman T. Taylor, the bookkeeper of Pahala Sugar Plantation.
    Two soldiers disappeared on that same day after the lava exploded violently, and their whereabouts are not known; a great number of soldiers were sent under the leadership of Captain Charles H. Perkins to search of them.
   It is said that Truman A. Taylor was around 1,800 feet from the crater, and even at that distance, large rocks were thrown into the sky from the crater and they fell on this side and that side of the pit.
    Someone heard a voice calling saw Mr. Taylor, and when they went to save him, it was seen that he broke both legs, and his body was scorched by the hot ash of the lava that was thrown up above.
    The victim was given medical treatment at the soldier camp at Kilauea and from there was quickly transported to the hospital in Hilo; there he died.

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.

Wayne Kawachi and Lucy Makuakane were honored Friday
  as  Outstanding Older Americans for Hawai'i County
 for 2021 and 2022. Photo by Myra Sumida

LUCY MAKUAKANE, OUTSTANDING OLDER AMERICAN WOMAN for Hawai'i County for 2022, was honored at a luncheon in Waikoloa on Friday, along with 2023 Outstanding Older American Woman Felicidad Villegas and 2021 Outstanding Older American Man for Hawai'i County Wayne Kawachi. The ceremonies for 2021 and 2022 were postponed until this week, after the end of the pandemic. The two women from Pāhala, and Kawachi from Punalu'u, traveled up the coast for the ceremonies at Hilton Waikoloa Village.
    Makuakane is 73 years young and was nominated by Hawai’i County Nutrition program for the Hawai’i County Office of Aging 2022 Outstanding Older American Award. The awards bio describes her as a Kaʻū girl who grew up in Nā'ālehu. "Lucy is helpful, kind, talented, and is a great example of someone living their senior years to the fullest. Her support of both the Nā'ālehu and Pāhala Senior programs makes her outstanding in the eyes of her friends in both communities. She currently serves on the executive boards of both the Nā'ālehu Senior Club (President) and the Pāhala Senior Club (Advisor). She is a willing
Fely Villegas, 2023 Outstanding Older American for Hawai'i
County, with Mayor Mitch Roth at the Friday ceremony. See 
her bio in upcoming news brief. Photo by Myra Sumida
volunteer as part of the Hawai'i County Nutrition Program (HCNP) van transportation team and helps to run the Nutrition site when the Site manager is away."    
    Being a matriarch to a large family, as a mother of eight, grandma of 20 and great grandma of two, may have given her "super organization skills and can-do attitude. She is the kind of worker that makes life easier for everyone around her, noticing when something needs to be done and 'just doing it!'"
    She said, “I’m not much of a talker; I’m more of a doer!” She is an accomplished tennis athlete playing in the Nationals seven times and placing twice since joining the USTA Senior Tennis League. 
    The bio says, "Lucy is a creative individual who has taken on playing 'ukulele, dancing Hula, Japanese Bon Dance and Line Dancing in her senior years. Lucy is an active volunteer in her church, where she assists with the church’s project of providing meals to mothers and families after they bring a new baby home. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to her as the Hawai'i County’s Office of Aging Outstanding Older American."
    See bios of Outstanding Older Americans, Villegas and Kawachi, and local nominees for the titles in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs.


KAʻŪ'S REPRESENTATIVE IN U.S. CONGRESS, Jill Tokuda, is advocating for a binding code of ethics for the U.S. Supreme Court and is calling for Speaker of the House to expel Rep. George Santos. On
Kaʻū's Congresswoman Jill Tokuda
Friday, she wrote:
    "The recent indictment of Rep. George Santos and the ethics abuses surrounding Clarence Thomas are exactly why trust in public officials remains at an all time low. Corruption in government is not new, but that doesn't mean we have to turn a blind eye either. It's a betrayal of public trust.
    "I stand with the growing number of Democrats and Republicans calling on The Speaker to expel George Santos. And I support the efforts in Congress to create a binding code of ethics for The Supreme Court.
   "Since being elected I've demanded reforms from the bottom to the top, from rules regulating our elections, to increased transparency in government, and, once elected, holding those in power accountable for their actions. No one is above the law and there shouldn't be double standards!
    "It won't happen overnight, but there are bold steps we can take as elected officials to start to root out corruption."


KA'ALU'ALU ROAD SHOULDERS WILL BE GRADED AND PREPPED for paving from Monday, May 15 through Friday, May 19 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. County Department of Public Works notes that there will be potential for lane closure, flaggers directing traffic; large trucks and personnel on the roadway.

KAMA'OA ROAD TREES AND GRASS WILL BE TRIMMED AND MULCHED from Monday, May 15 through Friday May 19 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. County Department of Public Works notes that there will be potential for lane closure, flaggers directing traffic; large trucks and personnel on the roadway.


WAI'OHINU RECYCLING & TRANSFER STATION WILL TEMPORARILY CLOSE from Thursday, May 18, and is expected to reopen on Monday, May 29 (Memorial Day). Work to complete construction
of the upper portion of the facility requires the closure of the entire transfer station.
    During the closure, County of Hawai'i encourages residents to use the nearest available recycling and transfer stations at Ocean View (92-9017 Māmalahoa Highway) and Pāhala (96-1250 Old Māmalahoa Highway). Both transfer stations are open Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    For more information, please contact the Solid Waste Administration office at 808-961-8270 or swd@hawaiicounty.gov. Visit www.hawaiizerowaste.org website and register for Solid Waste Notifications (via email or text)

William Jenks will play a handmade
guitar built by Woodley White in a
concert in Nā'ālehu on June 25.
Photo from U.S. Classic Guitar
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.

INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED CLASSICAL GUITARIST William Jenks will perform at Nā'ālehu United Methodist Church on Sunday, June 25 at 4 p.m. The venue is located at 95-5664 HWY 11. 
    The concert features music of Luis Milan, Johann Sebastian Bach, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Francisco Tarrega, and more. Suggested donation is $25 but all are welcome. 
     Jenks will play a concert guitar built by luthier Woodley White, who also is the pastor of Nā'ālehu United Methodist Church. 
    Jenks has performed solo concerts and duets throughout the United States, Europe, and Latin America. He is President of U.S. Classic Guitar.
     U.S. Classic Guitar's website describes the handmade guitars by Woodley White:
       "Pu'uwai is the Hawaiian word for heart and heart is what it is all about. Not only does the rhythm of the guitar and the 'ukulele replicate the heartbeat but when pursued with passion music can find its way into the soul. Handmade instruments have that extra depth of character and quality of sound that can touch the deepest place in our being."









 





Posted by at
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)