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Monday, May 22, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, May 22, 2023

Small town, big venue at the Robert Herkes Kaʻū District Gym for high school graduation last Friday. Photo by Julia Neal

Principal Sharon Beck presents the diplomas. Photo by Julia Neal
'A'ALI'I KU MAKANI is the phrase that celebrates Kaʻū people standing in the strong winds and facing difficulties with strength of character. It is the message that opened the address of Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary Principal Sharon Beck to the Class of 2023 during graduation on Friday. She said 
Valedictorian Tayler Rasmussen's speech also captured this strength of Kaʻū people.
    Beck explained the meaning of the Hawaiian words. 'A'ali'i is a native plant and ku makani means strong wind. The words "historically allude to the tough, independent nature of the people of Kaʻū and the beautiful tough land,"
Family and friends portraits after
the graduation. Photo by Julia Neal
said Beck. She noted that they are also the inspiration for the 'A'ali'i Ku Makani sculpture in front of the main building on campus.
    "Graduates be proud of being from Kaʻū and be proud of the skills and resilience you have developed over the years. With the hard work of our teachers and staff, our students have had some amazing opportunities." Beck described the Career in Technical Education as a program that gives students’ real world 21st century skills in Arts and Communication, Business, Health Services, Industrial & Engineering Technology, Natural Resources and Public and Human Services. She noted that the state Department of Education "has a Goal for schools to have 68% of their graduation class to have completed a CTE program. Kaʻū High has surpassed that goal and has 77% of the class of 2023 completing a program."
    Beck also explained the HOSA Future Health Professionals program at the school. It is a nationwide, student-led organization supported by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Education Division of the Association for Career & Technical Education. "We have 16 seniors who are members with nine participating in the HOSA Competitions. Five made States and three not only qualified for States but qualified for the National Competition. HOSA students were able to complete the OSHA health certification, CPR
Families and friends joined the graduates outside of the
gym for the lei and balloons festivities. Photo by Julia Neal
HeartSaver and First Aid Certification and the HIPAA Certification through Hilo Medical Center. She named the HOSA standouts as Rutha Lamille, Taylor Rasmussen and Sean Ancheta.
    Beck recognized students who have excelled in the visual arts. Kaira Pensula won an Honorable Mention for the youth division in this year's Hawai'i Nei exhibition, in addition to a Silver Key award in this year's Scholastics Art & Writing Competition. Crystal Quigley won one Gold Key and 2 Silver Key awards in this year's Scholastic Art & Writing Competition, and was awarded a scholarship by the Windward Artists Guild for these artworks. "Both Kaira and Crystal were also honored by the House of Representatives for their awards and exhibition in the Scholastic Art & Writing Competition by State Rep.
Zane Rodriques and family after graduation.
  Photo by Julia Neal
Jeanne Kapela for House 

District 5."
    The Principal noted that "Athletics is an important way for students to learn teamwork, goal setting, and how to manage their time to ensure they are keeping their grades in good standing. Thirty-four of our graduates are athletes." Athletic Director Jaime Guerpo announced the following awards: Male Scholar Athlete - Patrick Riehle, Male Senior Award - Collin Hanshew and Female Senior Award - Hulali HU La Lee Baji. Beck said that KHPES esports club provides students a safe environment to compete against other high school teams at the state and national level in competitive video games, such as League of Legends, Overwatch, Valorant, Rocket League, and Super Smash Brothers. Senior members include:Patrick Riehle, Marcky Tamayo, Ivan Ramos, Rylan Perlata, and Chloe Gabini. Together, they came in second place in the Vanta Hawai'i State High School Valorant Championships, losing to Castle High after defeating Iolani and Keaau in the
playoffs.

    Future Farmers of America has been re- established at Kaʻū High this year, noted the Principal. "They were able to raise $5,000 in their fundraising to take students on three field trips and to the District and State Convention. Three seniors have completed a range of projects on our school farm. Kaʻū's chapter also secured a $500 scholarship for one of our seniors." She named standouts Collin Hanshew, ShaniaLee Silva, and Pomai.

Graduates Alexis and Gabriel Miranda with their grandpa,
 who came to the U.S. years ago from El Salvador to seek
 the American dream. The family has become successful
 in Kaʻū Coffee farming and retail. Photo by Anita Miranda

    Beck also noted an an agreement and partnership with Hawai'i Community College, Kaʻū High students are able to concurrently earn dual high school and college credits through the Dual Credit Program. Students enrolled in Spring 2023 courses were Caius Jenson, Crystal Quigley, ShalniaLee Silva, Kaira Pensula, Kawai Smith, Riley-Ann Brown, Hulali Baji, Catherine Quigley and Rutha Lamille.
    Another component of education at the school is The  Kaʻū Global Learning Lab Internship Program that      Beck described as "internships/work-based learning with an expert mentor in a field of the student's interest; students complete an authentic experience that benefits both the student and the mentor's worksite." She pointed to four Student Interns, two Student Ag Workers, and Five Afterschool Student Tutors. She named Riley-Ann Brown, Caius Jenson, Candace Keohuloa, ShanaiLee Silva, Janice Kajiwara-Ke, Sean Ancheta, Rutha lamille, Catherine Quigley and Crystal Quigley.
    Beck also announced two recipients of the new $800 Hawaii Civic Club of Kaʻū Memorial Scholarship in memory of Kupuna Jeanette Kaualani Akiu Howard. They are Candace Keoholua and Kawai Smith.
    The Principal pointed to more student accomplishments and proclaimed to the class of 73 graduates, "Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary may be small but we are mighty."


DUI ARRESTS NUMBERED 23 during the week of May 8 through May 14. Hawai‘i Island police made the arrests of motorists for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Five of the drivers were involved in a traffic collision. None of drivers were under the age of 21.
    So far this year, there have been 378 DUI arrests compared with 393 during the same period last year, a decrease of 3.8 percent. The numbers of arrests by district were:
    Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 327 major collisions so far this year compared with 297 during the same period last year, an increase of 10.1 percent.
    To date, there have been eight fatal crashes, resulting in 9 fatalities, (one of which had multiple deaths); compared with 13 fatal crashes, resulting in 15 fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths) for the same time last year. This represents a decrease of 38.5 percent for fatal crashes, and 40 percent for fatalities.
    DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide, promises HPD.

KAUAHA'AO CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH LINE DANCING RESUMES ON WEDNESDAY from 4 p.m. until 530 p.m. with beginner Level Dances with instruction by Delana Phillips. Suggested donation is $6 per class and $25 for six classes. No prior attendance or experience is required.
    On May 31 there will be a two- hour dance party from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Bring a dish to share. Bottled water, sodas and snacks will provided. Suggested donation of $10 per person for dancers, watchers, judges, photographers, eaters.
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Sunday, May 21, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Sunday, May 21, 2023

Collin Hanshew, who earned Magna Cum Laude and a Real Trojan Award for Electives, shown here after graduation, standing
with his mom Carma Hanshew, a staff member at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary. Photo by Julia Neal



MANY STUDENTS RECEIVED HONORS at the graduation ceremony for Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary's Class of 2023 on Friday evening at the Robert Herkes District Gym.
      The Real Trojan Awards went to Catherine Quigley for English Language Arts, Caius Jensen for
ShaniaLee Silva received a Salute the Graduates
Award for Sports and also served as Secretary
for the Class of 2023. Photo by Julia Neal

Mathematics, Riley-ann Brown for Science, Sephson Lakjohn for Social Studies, Jance Kajiwara -Ke for Career in Technical Education and Collin Hanshew for Electives.
       Salute the Graduates Awards went to Sean Arken Ancheta for Scholastics, Jance Kajiwara-Ke for Leadership, Crystal Quigley for Literacy & Artistic Performance, Tayler Rasmussen for Information Technology and ShaniaLee Silva for Athletics.
     Senior Class President was Sean Arken Ancheta, Vice President was Toby Kekoa-Burgois. Secretary was ShaniaLee Silva and Treasurer was Patrick Riehle.
     Ancheta, who is 2023 Summa Cum Laude along with Senior Class President thanked Wikipedia, Air Drop and Google for helping the students make it to graduation. He celebrated the cultural diversity of his classmates, from Hawaiian to Filipino, Marshallese to Portuguese. He praised the diversity of the student body from ethnicity and outlook to abilities in sports to esports. He praised the students' tenacity in making it through Covid, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, along with earthshaking world events.
         Ancheta urged students to "Be true to yourself.... Embrace your unique quality," and remember that "Relationships are the foundation for success."

Sean Arken Ancheta, Senior Class President
and Summa Cum Laude, won a Salute
the Graduates Award for Scholastics.
   See more on the graduation ceremonies in Monday's Kaʻū News Briefs.
INFLATION CONTINUES AT THE SUMMIT OF KILAUEA VOLCANO with a possible eruption in the near future. Active lava was last seen on March 7. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported on Sunday that summit seismicity remains elevated. Tiltmeters are showing gradual inflation. No significant changes have been observed along either of the volcano's rift zones over the past day.
    A Halemaʻumaʻu Lava Lake live-stream video of the crater is available at https://www.youtube.com/usgs/live.
    USGS reports that overall, inflation at the summit of Kīlauea is higher than conditions preceding the Jan. 5 summit eruption. On Saturday afternoon, Volcano experienced a flurry of earthquakes under the Namakani and summit regions. In addition, small flurries of earthquakes continue irregularly beneath Keanakākoʻi Crater, and the southern margin of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera). 
    Overall, rates of summit earthquakes remain elevated, and additional earthquake flurries are possible. The most recent sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rate of approximately 151 tonnes per day was measured on May 16, 2023.
    Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reminds the public that recent eruptions at the summit of Kīlauea volcano within the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park produced volcanic gas, which are the primary hazard of concern. The hazard can have far-reaching effects downwind. Large amounts of 
Pele's Hair, made of glass fragments created during volcanic eruptions, is one
of the potential eruption hazards with the summit of Kīlauea volcano
continuing to inflate. Photo from USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
volcanic gas—primarily water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2)—are continuously released during eruptions of Kīlauea. As SO2 is released from the summit, it reacts in the atmosphere to create the visible vog (volcanic smog) that has been observed downwind of the volcano across  Kaʻū. Vog creates the potential for airborne health hazards to residents and visitors, damages agricultural crops and other plants, and affects livestock. 
    For more information on gas hazards at the summit of Kīlauea, see https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/fs20173017. Vog information can be found at https://vog.ivhhn.org. 
    Additional hazards during a summit eruption may include Pele's Hair and other lightweight volcanic glass fragments from lava fountains that fall downwind and dust the ground within a few hundred meters (yards) of the erupting fissure vent(s). Strong winds may waft lighter particles to greater distances. Residents should minimize exposure to these volcanic particles, which can cause skin and eye irritation. 
    Other significant hazards that also remain around Kīlauea caldera include  Halemaʻumaʻu crater wall instability, ground cracking, and rockfalls that can be enhanced by earthquakes within the area closed to the public. This underscores the extremely hazardous nature of the rim surrounding Halemaʻumaʻu  crater, an area that has been closed to the public since early 2008. 
     For discussion of  Kīlauea hazards, see  https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/hazards.

BATTLE OF THE BITTER RAIN is the subject of After Dark in the Park this Tuesday, May 23 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
     Retired park ranger Jay Robinson transports the audience back into time when control of Hawai'i Island teetered on the brink at a place and time known as the Battle of the Bitter Rain. It was a time of feathered capes, shark-toothed clubs, and long spears, a time when warring chiefs battled for control of the islands. One such fierce battle occurred partially within, what is today, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. 
     The program co-sponsored by Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Free, but park entrance fees apply.

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Saturday, May 20, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Saturday, May 20, 2023

Dexsilyn Navarro, who teaches at  Kaʻū High & Pahala Elementary, with her classmate from years ago, Lois-Ann Yamanaka,
author and expert in pidgin dialect widely spoken in Hawai'i. They sit on the stairs of an old Pāhala school teacher cottage where Yamanaka's parents lived. Yamanaka was commencement speaker at Kaʻū High on Friday. Photo by Julia Neal

POET AND NOVELIST LOIS-ANN YAMANAKA shared with graduating seniors at Kaʻū High School her ideas of remaining idealistic, original, one-of-a kind and offbeat throughout her life. She was keynote speaker at graduating ceremonies in the Robert Herkes Kaʻū District Gym on Friday. She said that even though she was not a notable scholar or athlete, not a distinguished graduate, and even considered herself
"a donkey in a flock of sheep," at her own graduation she told herself,  "I will change the world." She said she fought against corruption and was a risk taker. She encouraged graduates to likewise forge their own paths of individuality and passion and to resisted being placed into a box.

    Yamanaka has long been acknowledged for bringing attention and respect to the pidgin spoken throughout Hawai'i, illuminating the texture and complexities of life among immigrant sugar plantation families.
    She grew up in Pāhala, where her dad was vice-principal at the school for many years. She was immersed in the pidgin way of talking. 
    She told the graduating students and their families and friends that she and her sisters know that Pāhala was the best place they ever lived. She told the graduating students about her memories of Kaʻū, of baby turtles, glass floaters, the old windmill at Kalae. She recalled going to Pāhala Theatre and using toilet paper to wipe off the seats covered with soot from the sugar mill.
    While here for the Friday commencement ceremonies, she was able to stay in one of the old teachers cottages where she said she was conceived.
    Yamanaka earned her high school degree in Hilo and bachelors and masters degrees at University of Hawai'i at Manoa and became a teacher and author. Her first book was Saturday Night At The Pahala Theatre.
    Her books delve into pidgin, revealing the "utter complexity, ferocious beauty and sometimes absurdity of our ethnic relationships here in the islands. The way we language about each other and with each other in 'talk story' communities resonates in me with every word I write," she said in a Wikipedia quote.
    Yamanaka has written five novels and one young adult novel. In addition to Saturday Night at the Pahala Theatre, her works include: Wild Meat and the Bully Burger, Blu's Hanging, Heads by Harry, Name Me Nobody, Behold the Many, and Snow Angel, Sand Angel. She has won numerous book awards and writing grants from foundations.
    See more on Kaʻū High's graduation in Monday's Kaʻū News Briefs.


UPS AND DOWNS AT KILAUEA SUMMIT: QUIESCENCE, ERUPTIONS AND CONSTANT CHANGE is the headline for this week's Volcano Watch, written by USGS scientists and affiliates:
     May 3rd, 2023, marked the fifth anniversary of the start of Kīlauea’s historic 2018 eruption that resulted in extensive lava flows from the East Rift Zone and major collapses of the summit caldera floor. Since that 2018 activity, Kīlauea has experienced nearly constant change with distinct episodes of calm, unrest, eruptions, and everything in between.
    When we think about volcanoes, we often first think of eruptions and lava. However, there is more to volcanoes than alluring molten rock appearing at Earth’s surface. Even when a volcano isn’t actively erupting lava, it is often still changing shape and deforming. These movements cause the Earth’s surface to change, which scientists call “ground” or “surface deformation.”
Kīlauea summit tiltmeter data (top) and summit GPS daily vertical position data (bottom) shown for the time period
Jan. 1, 2020, to May 15, 2023. Summit intrusion and eruption onsets are marked with thin vertical lines and labels.
Increased positions and positive slopes in these plots are interpreted as inflation at Kīlauea’s summit. USGS plots.

    Measuring surface deformation is one of the main ways that scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) monitor activity at Hawaiian volcanoes. If the ground surface surrounding a volcano is moving upwards (towards the sky), the volcano is inflating and expanding. If the surface is moving downwards (towards the center of the Earth), it is interpreted that the volcano is deflating.
    Surface deformation on the Island of Hawaiʻi is measured primarily with three techniques: tiltmeters, GPS (Global Positioning System), and satellite InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar). These measurements give scientists clues about how ground motion is related to magma movement below the surface of a volcano and what could potentially come next. Rapid changes in the rate of deformation often precede or accompany new eruptive activity.
    At Kīlauea volcano, we are used to constant deformation and change. Following the large lower East Rift Zone eruption from May–August 2018, Kīlauea began a period of calm during which HVO’s deformation instruments measured almost no significant surface movements. Then in March 2019, tiltmeters and GPS instruments started to measure uplift once again, indicating inflation of the summit.
    That inflation continued relatively steadily until December 2, 2020, when there was an abrupt and rapid increase in uplift rates (approximately 15 centimeters or 6 inches of uplift over a couple of days), which were interpreted to be the result of a magma intrusion into the shallow reservoir of magma beneath Halemaʻumaʻu crater.
     On the night of December 20, 2020, Halemaʻumaʻu started erupting lava again and the water lake in the crater boiled away. The onset of this eruption was immediately followed by over 20 centimeters or 8 inches of downward motion at the summit within a day or two of lava appearing at the surface.
HVO scientists conducted a routine Kīlauea summit monitoring overflight during
the morning of May 3, 2023. During the overflight, the helicopter flies around
Halema‘uma‘u several times, and scientists take both regular pictures and infrared
images that tell us about the temperatures on the crater floor. These images are used
to create maps of the crater. USGS image by K. Mulliken
    Only a few weeks after lava returned to Halemaʻumaʻu, Kīlauea began to inflate again, and the ongoing uplift at the summit continued. Though the December 2020 eruption eventually ended in May 2021, the summit maintained steady inflation from Jan. 2020 until Sept. 29, 2021, which marked the onset of the next eruption at Halemaʻumaʻu. As with the December 2020 eruption, significant deflation also followed the start of the September 2021 eruption.
After this initial, drastic deflation at the end of September 2021, the summit of Kīlauea remained steady and didn’t significantly deform—despite an ongoing eruption—until early summer of 2022, when it started to steadily inflate once again. The Sept. 29, 2021, eruption eventually ended on Dec. 9, 2022, even as inflation continued. This inflation ultimately led to the Jan. 5, 2023, eruption, which later ended around March 7, 2023.
     The past five years have been dynamic at Kīlauea’s summit, with inflation, intrusions, eruptions, and deflation. Currently, overall rates of surface deformation show moderate inflation at Kīlauea’s summit and there is no active eruption. Though Kīlauea is quiet on the surface, it can be easy to forget that Kīlauea is still deforming—which means magma is coming into the system—and that activity can change very quickly. Rest assured that a team of scientists at HVO are constantly monitoring all our Hawaiian volcanoes, looking for real-time changes in deformation—or any other signal—that may suggest an impending eruption.
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