Kaʻū News Briefs Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023

Honey Girl dances hula at Veterans Day celebration at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji on Saturday, backed up by musician
Sonny Ramos, himself a Navy veteran who sang and played music. Photo by June Domondon

VETERANS DAY was celebrated Saturday at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji. Vietnam War veteran Wayne Kawachi President of ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou, hosted the event. Joining him were veterans, including musician Sonny Ramos, OKK members, hula dancer Honey Girl and the Pāhala Hongwanji Taiko Drummers. Lunch and snacks were served to all.

Pāhala Hongwanji Taiko traveled to Nāʻālehu for the Veterans Day celebration on Saturday.
Photo by June Domondon

THE FATAL DOG ATTACK IN OCEAN VIEW on Aug. 1 has led to a story in Hawai‘i Tribune Herald by John Burnett, who reports the case has gone to the Prosecuting Attorney for Hawai‘i County to consider charges against the owners of the dogs.
    Bob Northrop, 71, of Ocean View, died after being attacked by four large dogs when he was walking

Bob Northrop was killed by four dogs in Ocean
View on Aug. 1. The case involving the dog
owners is being considered by County Prosecutors.
Photo from facebook

along Outrigger Drive to a friend's house.
    Burnett wrote that Northrop's ex-wife is calling for prosecutors to speed up their investigation and make charges. While the dogs that killed Northrop were turned over to Animal Control for euthanasia with ten puppies, Stephanie Northrop said that she heard that the same dogs attacked another person, before killing Northrop. She said police were called and that no one was charged. 

    Hawai‘i Tribune Herald reported that "The police investigation into Bob Northrop’s death was classified as a negligent failure to control a dangerous dog case. A Thursday call by the Tribune-Herald to county Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen wasn’t returned in time for this story. The dogs’ owners, whose names haven’t been made public, haven’t been arrested or booked on suspicion of the charges — which could be as serious as a Class B felony with a potential 10-year prison term."
  Sharon Matson, daughter of Bob Northrop, earlier told The Ka‘ū Calendar that his death seemed unreal since he was such a dog lover. She adopted her dad's puppy after he died and said the young dog has adjusted to living at her home with farm animals. 

    Matson, who is active in public service, is an aide at the County Council and is working with council members to see if the laws regarding dangerous dogs can be strengthened. She said she is shocked her father's death represents the second time the new law has been used this year alone to prosecute and investigate deadly dog attacks.
    Council member Michelle Galimba, who represents Ocean View was quoted earlier by Big Island Now concerning Northrop's death. “If the dogs had been secured in a fenced area or kennels, this would have been preventable.”
    Northrop was a school bus driver at the time of his death and also a retired county inspector and a glazier and carpenter. A Life Celebration was held at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

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POLICE HAVE ISSUED A STATEMENT ABOUT THE EARLY MORNING WRECK that killed a Nāʻālehu woman on Sunday shutting down Highway 11, around 2 a.m., near the 83 Mile Marker, west of Ocean View.

Responding to a call at 2:06 a.m., police investigators determined that a silver 2011 Mazda CX-9 was traveling south on the highway when it ran off the right (makai) shoulder, went down a 20-foot embankment, rolled over, and caught on fire.
Responding Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel extinguished the blaze at which time a female body was located within the vehicle. The woman, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 8:32 a.m.
Police said they believe that speed and impairment are factors in the crash. The driver was not wearing her seatbelt. She has not been positively identified, pending the notification of next of kin.
Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Dayson Taniguchi at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or email at dayson.taniguchi@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

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Kaʻū News Briefs Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023

Gov. Josh Green will attend the opening event of the Aloha Market Pop Up Store at Haneda Airport
during his trip to Japan this coming week. Image from Hawai‘i Tourism Bureau Japan Branch

GOV. JOSH GREEN HEADS TO JAPAN with First Lady Jaime Kanani Green this Sunday, Nov. 12. With Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke also out of state, the Acting Governor will be Attorney General Anne Lopez, until the Lt. Gov. returns on Nov. 15, followed by the Governor's return.

    A statement from the Governor's office says that Green and the First Lady will "meet with Japanese government officials and key business stakeholders. Governor Green and First Lady return to Hawai‘i on Friday, November 17. Accompanying him on his diplomatic visit will be Scott Saiki, Speaker of the Hawai‘i House of Representatives.

    "While in Japan, Governor Green will thank Japan’s government for its generous $2 million contribution to Hawai‘i in the aftermath of the Maui wildfire disaster of August 2023, promote made-in-Hawai‘i products, and invite the return of Japanese visitors to Hawai‘i’s shores. Governor Green will promote Hawai‘i businesses at the opening event for the Aloha Market, a new store at Haneda International Airport dedicated to selling made-in-Hawai‘i products internationally."

    Aloha Market by Mana Up is a pop-up store at Haneda Airport, which will be opened for a limited time. "It is a place where Hawaiian Products are gathered," writes Hawai‘i Tourism Bureau Japan Branch.

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NUMBER OF EARTHQUAKES DECREASED AT KĪLAUEA on Friday into Saturday, following the USGS report of an increase on Thursday into Friday morning. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory released its Summit Observation report Saturday morning, saying:

    "Unrest around the summit area of Kīlauea has decreased over the past 24 hours. In the previous 24 hour reporting period, an earthquake swarm occurred at Kīlauea’s summit (20 earthquakes between 5 and 7am HST yesterday). Yesterday’s earthquakes were primarily located immediately south of Halemaʻumaʻu mostly within Kīlauea’s caldera. HVO continues to monitor the reduced seismic activity.
    "The Uēkahuna summit tiltmeter, located northwest of the caldera, continues to show slight deflation over the last 24 hours. However, the Sand Hill tiltmeter, located southwest of the caldera, continues to show an increase in uplift rates over the last 24 hours suggesting inflation of a source south of Halemaʻumaʻu. Overall, the summit of Kīlauea remains at a high level of inflation, above the level reached prior to the most recent eruption in September 2023.
    "Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates remain low and were measured at a rate of about 100 tonnes per day on October 19, 2023.
    "There is currently no sign of an imminent eruption, but eruptive activity is possible in the coming weeks or months. Increased inflation and earthquake activity (heightened unrest) are expected to precede an eruption. The onsets of previous summit eruptions have been marked by strong swarms of earthquakes caused by the emplacement of a dike 1-2 hours before eruptions."

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Dina Kageler will lead the Sounds of
Music Forest Tour. Photo from VAC

THE SOUNDS OF MUSICAL FOREST TOUR is open free to the public this Sunday, Nov. 12. Led by musician and composer Dina Kageler, the 45 minute playful and educational walk for all ages will feature songs and stories, beginning at 10 a.m. at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus at 19-4974 Old Volcano Road. The event is sponsored by the Atherton Foundation.

BIRTH OF KAHUKU on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 9:30 a.m.. Explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku. Traverse the vast 1868 lava flow, see different volcanic formations, including the Southwest Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. Learn about the Kānāwai o Pele, the natural laws of land building that govern Peleʻs realm. A moderate 1.5 mile, 1.5 hour hike. Meet at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Kahuku Visitor Contact Station

NANI O KAHUKU: A ONE-WOMAN LIVING HISTORY PLAY on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium. Relive a day on historic Kahuku Ranch through this performance adapted by Jackie Pualani-Johnson directly from the diary of Hannah (Nani) Piʻilani Jones. Nani, portrayed by actress Alya-Joy Kanehailua, was the eleventh and second-to-youngest child of George W.C. Jones, who owned Kahuku Ranch from 1871 to 1887. 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.

Kahuku is the venue for a hike on Sunday at Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. It is the subject of a one-woman living history play on Tuesday at After Dark in the Park at Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium. Photo from NPS

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Kaʻū News Briefs Friday, Nov. 10, 2023

USGS Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory tiltmeters are keeping track of recent unrest, including

20 earthquakes in a 24 hour period on the south side of Kīlauea. USGS photo

UNREST JUST SOUTH OF HALEMA‘UMA‘U around the summit area of Kīlauea Volcano has increased over the past 24 hours, according to USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. In the previous 24-hour reporting period, no earthquakes were located at Kīlauea’s summit. However, at 12 a.m. Friday morning, seismicity resumed, and beginning at 5 a.m., a small swarm of earthquake activity occurred at Kīlauea’s summit with 20 earthquakes between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. These earthquakes were primarily located immediately south of Halemaʻumaʻu mostly within Kīlauea’s caldera. HVO continues to monitor this seismic activity. 

    The Uēkahuna summit tiltmeter, located northwest of the caldera, shows slight deflation over the last 24 hours. However, the Sand Hill tiltmeter, located southwest of the caldera, shows an increase in uplift rates over the last 24 hours suggesting inflation of a source south of Halemaʻumaʻu. Overall, the summit of Kīlauea remains at a high level of inflation, above the level reached prior to the most recent eruption in September 2023.
    Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates remain low and were measured at a rate of about 100 tonnes per day on Oct. 19.
    There is currently no sign of an imminent eruption, but eruptive activity is possible in the coming weeks or months. Increased inflation and earthquake activity (heightened unrest) are expected to precede an eruption. The onsets of previous summit eruptions have been marked by strong swarms of earthquakes caused by the emplacement of a dike 1-2 hours before eruptions.

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EVERYTHING CHANGES AND THAT'S OK is the title – and the reassuring message – of a prize-winning children's book written by Ocean View resident Carol Dodd.    

    Aimed at the three-to-seven-year-old age group and written in cleverly rhyming verse, the book gently

explains impermanence to children in a relatable way, by drawing on changes that most keiki see in their daily lives.
    A former bookstore and library staffer, Dodd told The Kaʻū Calendar that she always wanted to write a children's book but felt daunted by the task of either finding a publisher or self-publishing. Those obstacles fell away when she won a competition run by the Khyentse Foundation, as the prize included the publication of her winning book.

Ocean View author Carol Dodd with her book Everything Changes and That's OK.
   Photo by Annie Bosted

    "I was so surprised to win," Dodd explained. "I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the email. It was like a dream coming true. The publisher, Bala Kids division of Shambhala Publications, found an excellent illustrator, Erin Huybrechts, who did a delightful job. Her drawings make the book so charming and so inclusive of children from different nations with different activities".
    Asked why she chose impermanence as the central theme of Everything Changes and That's Ok, Dodd explained that impermanence is one of the key concepts of Buddhism, a philosophy to which she has been attracted for decades. She wanted to encourage children to not fear change, but to embrace it by understanding that it is okay.
    The book has been well received in West Hawai'i. Dodd was surprised when a librarian at the Kailua Kona library recognized her name on the book and then stopped her to say how much she enjoyed the story and that she thought it was a great book for keiki.
    Dodd also felt flattered when a close associate of the Dali Llama and a leading authority on Buddhism, Robert Thurman, called her book "lovely." She felt encouraged when the Wood Valley Temple carried Everything Changes and That's Ok in its gift shop.
    An online review of Dodd's book reads: "From an apple seed growing into a brilliant tree to a child watching a family member grow old, this book offers a thoughtful look at why change doesn't always have to be negative and can instead be observed with appreciation. It poetically presents a story that prompts kids to recognize and adapt to the change they see in their daily lives.
    "This beautiful exploration of impermanence is accompanied by vibrant illustrations that explore every corner of the world, from rolling fields in Tibet to the cozy, fireplace-lit living room of a family member's home. The illustrations remind children that everything changes no matter where you are, no matter who you are, and that's all right."
    When not writing, Dodd is an avid reader of all genres, and enjoys snorkeling. Her poetry and photos can be accessed through her Instagram account, @caroldodd108.

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South Hawai‘i Symphony at the time of its debut concert in August. From the left are Charlie O'Kelly, Ola Sangels, Farley Sangels, Brenda Trowbridge, Arlene Araki, Noa Caiserman, Steve Smith, Julia Parke, Lee McIntosh, Nicole Fournier, Nina Floyd and Laurie Boyle. Photo by Annie Bosted

SOUTH HAWAI‘I SYMPHONY will play its second concert titled Classical Mini Masterpieces on Saturday, Nov. 11, starting at 2 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.
    The newly formed orchestra played its debut concert in August to a large and appreciative audience, receiving a standing ovation. Since then a few more musicians have been recruited by the symphony's conductor and musical director, maestro Farley Sangels, who formerly played with the Hong Kong Philharmonic. At last count, the orchestra was 16 members strong.
    Saturday's program will include compositions by Mozart, Beethoven, Grieg, Joplin, Mussorgsky, Byrd, Granados, Pleyel, Sibelius and Bartok. A Veterans Day salute will be included. With his usual wit, Charles O'Kelly will introduce the pieces. There is no charge for admission, but voluntary donations are always welcome.
    South Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra is a group of local volunteer musicians with the goal of making classical music accessible to the community. The orchestra welcomes musicians as new members.

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    A VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION WILL BE HELD on Saturday, Nov. 11 at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. sponsored by ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou. OKK President and veteran Wayne Kawachi said there will be music with Sonny Ramos, a free lunch and drinks as well as door prizes.

VETERANS DAY IS A FREE DAY AT HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK on Saturday, Nov. 11, with no admission fees for the public to honor all veterans.