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Monday, January 01, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs December 31, 2023

Three nēnē appeared to own the road in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park as the  Endangered Species Act
 became 50 years old at the end of 2023. The Park urges motorists to look out for these geese.
NPS Photo by Janice Wei

Hau kuahiwi was extinct in the wild as of 1930 but
was reintroduced and lives in Hawai'i Volcanoes
National Park. NPS PHoto y E. Ribeiro
THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT IS 50 YEARS OLD WITH THE SUNSET OF YEAR 2023. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park reminds everyone of its importance in preserving wildlife. By protecting endangered species, the Act conserves wildlife, like native Hawaiian trees that contribute to creation of drinking water and other resources important to human life. The Park posted that "In 1973, the Act made it illegal to kill, collect or harm certain species and authorized the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service to develop a list of endangered plant and animal species.
    The Park gives the example of the endangered hau kuahiwi, Hibiscadelphus gifffardianus, which went extinct in the wild. However, devoted conservationists collected its seeds before the last plant died in 1930. That last wild tree was in the Kīpukapuaulu forest, where a new generation of hau kuahiwi is protected by Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park today.
    Another species recovered from near extinction is the Hawaiian nēnē, a goose named to be Hawai'i's state bird. The Park urges motorists to "Please slow down and watch for nēnē, any number of them, while you drive through their home in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park," even though they appear to "own the road."




KAʻŪ HIGH TOOK ON HILO ON THE ROAD SATURDAY NIGHT. Kaʻū's Tyson Kuahia Faafia in photo below battled for an open shot, facing off against Hilo's Jason Biruetta in the Trojan's game against the Vikings.
     Despite many outstanding Kaʻū efforts, Vikings beat the Trojans 58-25 at Hilo High Gym. 
     In these photos, Kaʻū High alumni community member Tim Wright also captured Kaʻū's Joe Buyuan at right, going up for a basket against Hilo's J Peyton Pana Biruetta.
     In the photo above, Wright captures Hilo's Kamani Cazimero-Galderia who looks for an open shot while guarded by Trojan's Braysen Andrade (41).

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VOLCANO SCHOOL'S KULA `AMAKIHI DIORAMAS ARE ON DISPLAY AT KAHUKU Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences Kula 'Amakihi students created dioramas of the ahupua'a system as part of their studies of Hawai'i Island Sustainability and Traditional Survival Skills.
    Students and families in this community-based education program for students grade three through eight participated in a hike and workshop at the Kahuku Unit where Ranger Wendy Scott-Vance introduced everyone to the ahupua'a system. Under the guidance of their learning coaches and teachers, students built dioramas for presentation and display inside the Visitor's Center at Kahuku. The ahupua'a exhibit can be seen through the end of January, according to Barbara Sarbin, Kula 'Amakihi Coordinator.
Kula 'Amakihi student Ellarue Newman presents her ahupua'a
 diorama at Kahuku. Photo by Barbara Sarbin


A TSUNAMI ALERT WAS ISSUED FOR JAPAN AND PARTS OF THE KOREAS AND RUSSIA on New Years Eve Hawai'i time but no tsunami alert was issued for the Hawaiian Islands. 
    The earthquakes struck around 9 p.m. Hawai'i time. The series of earthquakes off the western coast Japan did not pose a tsunami threat to Hawai'i, unlike the major quake in 2011, which led to tsunami destruction on this island and a nuclear plant meltdown in Japan.
    Taking place around 4 p.m., Dec. 1 Japan time, the series of earthquakes, including one of Magnitude 7.5, cracked pavement and damaged buildings and hurt people, with a 4 foot tsunami rolling into Wajima, some 190 miles from Tokyo. Residents were urged to move from the coast to higher ground.
    Ishikawa prefecture was threatened by a tsunami of 16.5  feet and coastal residents were urged to flee. Nigata was expected to experience a tsunami height of ten feet. 
    Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority reported that it was examining Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s Kashiwazaki Kariwa nuclear power plant. It was also reported that some bullet trains were halted, as a precaution.
    North Korea, South Korea and Russia's Asian coastal areas were also under warning for a three-foot tsunami.

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Saturday, December 30, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs December 30, 2023

Mayoral candidate Kimo Alameda sign waving Saturday morning ahead of his 'Ohana Fun Day in Nāʻālehu.
Photo from Friends of Kimo Alameda

DR. KIMO ALAMEDA BROUGHT HIS CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR TO KAʻŪ on Saturday, with sign waving followed by an 'Ohana Fun Day at Nāʻālehu Park. 
     He said, "The event was incredibly successful with the help of campaign manager Raylene Moses and her team. Nearly 400 attendees came to hear a message of hope and inspiration."
     Alameda said he made made note of concerns about Pāhala’s broken lights and scoreboard at its ball field to Nāʻālehu’s "condemned lights and unfinished tennis court. 
    "I also spoke to residents from Wai‘ōhinu requesting a simple fix of a long overdue, broken bathroom. Oceanview residents expressed concerns of wild dogs and drug houses."
Tent of kupuna set to meet with mayoral candidate.
Photo from Friends of Kimo Alameda
      He said, "I was happy to see that connections in Kaʻū are still strong with everybody being related or somehow connected through their church, work, or a friend of a friend. I look forward to connecting with the Kaʻū  team to do this again sometime in July."
    Alameda is the former executive director of the Bay Clinic, which is now Hawai'i Community Health Center in Nāʻālehu, after a merger he helped to orchestrate. He is also known for his time with the County Office of Aging, where he ran services for seniors. 
    Alameda has led anti-fentanyl campaigns, including distributing the antidote Narcan. He said these the anti-addiction campaign around the island solidified his aim to run for mayor on the Democratic ticket. 
    Alameda also served as late Mayor Billy Kenoi's Campaign Manager but said he didn't think he would ever run till he "saw the need."
Halau Hula O Leionalani performs at 'Ohana Fun Day,
a production of mayoral candidate Kimo Alameda.
Photo from Friends of Kimo Alameda
    Alameda said he has heard much from communities around the island about a crisis-level need for affordable housing. He said he sees a workforce crisis and geographic inequality, described by Alameda as  people in rural areas receiving less service from the county than in Hilo and Kona. 
    He said he left employment with Hawai'i Community Health Center to campaign full-time. Alameda noted that he has been working for community service organizations for over 30 years.
   Alameda said he wants to use his business acumen to operate the county in a way that the public can see results from every tax, state, county, federal and donation dollar.

Mayoral hopeful Kimo Alameda talking with Kaʻū folks on
 Saturday in Nāʻālehu. Photo from Friends of Kimo Alameda
.   To tackle affordable housing, he said one approach is to empower local people to build houses they can afford on land they already have, and with infrastructure that can be improved by the county, state and federal government. "Build better, smarter and in locations that make sense."
    He said he also wants to protect the Kaʻū way of life, the fishing, hunting, farming and ranching. "These are activities that are important to people."
     He said he wants to push for more transparency and public access to county government.
Alameda graduated from St. Joseph High School and earned his doctorate in psychological, educational, and cultural studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is a licensed psychologist.
     Born in Hilo, he grew up in the hills of Wai'ākea Uka, working with his siblings to make ends meet with his parent's plumbing business and the family ranch. "This work ethic translated easily to other areas as Dr. Kimo gained many athletic and academic accolades and quickly became a state and county government leader," says the campaign website.
    He lives in Hilo with his wife of 29 years, Star Alameda. They are both 54 years of age. They have seven children, the eldest is 26, and the youngest is a freshman at Hilo High School. He said he and his family have always been involved in sports. Alameda hosts a show on Nā Leo TV titled Health is Everywhere.


Pāhala Hongwanji (above) and Nāʻālehu Hongwanji were drop-off and pick up places for Kaukau 4 Keiki in Kaʻū. Vibrant Hawai'i plans to work with these food hubs in Kaʻū again in 2024, including volunteer Glenn Okumura, who guides a delivery truck into place to drop off food. Photo by Julia Neal
















VIBRANT HAWAI'I released a year of end report and its leader Janice Ikeda says the non-profit is looking forward to continuing work in Kaʻū. Vibrant helps Kaʻū Food Hubs that serve Ocean View, Kaʻū and Nāʻālehu and surrounding areas and communities in between. In  2023 they partnered for the Kaukau 4 Keiki program. Co-captains Marlene Freitas and Julia Neal led the effort for Pāhala and Captain Marcia Masters led the effort for Nāʻālehu. 
Pāhala Co-captain Marlene Freitas and volunteers help distribute
fresh produce during Kaukau for Keiki. Photo by Julia Neal
     For Kaukau 4 Keiki during the summer school break, the Vibrant Hawai'i report notes that Hawai'i Alliance, LLC, Hilo Products, Inc. Hawai' Institute of Pacific Agriculture and Ho'ola Farms rough pallets of canned goods, milk and boxes of locally grown produce every week to Pāhala Hongwanji, Nāʻālehu Hongwanji and 12 other drop-sites across the island. 
     The report says, "These deliveries were an incredible orchestration of logistics that sourced pantry items and produce for 56,00 meals a week. During the regular academic year, thousands of students receive free or reduced-priced meals, but during hte summer, many schools are unable to continue their meal program due to staffing and logistical challenges. For students living in rural areas, transportation challenges or conflicting family work schedules make picking up Department of Education Gran and Go meals difficult.
    "In an economy that already imports 90 percent of its food, the Kaukau 4 Keiki project provided keiki and teens access to healthy meals, especially low-income rural areas."
Kaʻū Food Hubs participated in distribution of food that reached 4,000 keiki weekly, islandwide during Kaukau 4 Keiki.
Photo by Julia Neal
      Meal kits were provided to the families of 4,000 keiki weekly. They were designed to USDA food guidelines and included over five pounds of locally sourced fruits and vegetables, bread, shelf-stable milk, and protein. "There was a purposeful emphasis on incorporating local produce as part of the Summer Food Series Program: a federally-funded, state-administered program that reimbursed Vibrant Hawai'i for the meal kits."
     See this and other Vibrant Hawai'i programs at www.vibranthawaii.org.


HABITAT FOR HUMANITY MAY BE OUT IN KAʻŪ to help people become homeowners in 2024. The organization helps to construct homes with sweat equity of the owners-to-be and volunteers, also offering assistance with financing. New programs could begin in Kaʻū as early as summer, said Margaret Tanaka, the non-profit's community outreach director. 
    Habitat released an end of year statement about its housing ministry on Hawai'i Island, reporting 
Congresswoman Jill Tokuda assisted with building
a home for Habitat for Humanity.
that ten Habitat affordable homes on this island are in various construction phases. In 2023, Habitat completed three critical home repair projects, and two more critical home repair projects are in progress with at least four more projects expected to start in 2024. 
      Over 20 families applied for Habitat's  November offering for new builds. "A lot of work to be done, but it will mean that many more families will have a place to call their own," said the Habitat report.
     Kaʻū's Congresswoman Jill Tokuda and staff volunteered to help build a home earlier this year. They worked alongside Habitat volunteers, the homeowners, and Habitat staff and board members putting up a house wrap and windows.
    Any company, non-profit or other group wanting to volunteer with their team, can contact info@habitathawaiiisland.org.
​    Habitat for Humanity Hawai'i Island's Board of Directors are: Richard Tardiff - President; Gail Noeau - Vice President; Dr. Ann Marie Muramoto - Secretary; Hobbs Lowson - Treasurer; Leiola Augustine;
April Bates; Alexander Keeley; Bo Kahui; Edwina Fujimoto and Napua Kekauoha-Chartrand.
Advisory members are Steve Machesky and Julie Ziemelis. Executive Director is Chris Marlett Patulski.
    Learn more at habitathawaiiisland.org.


PROTECT SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF FOUR-LEGGED FAMILY MEMBERS the New Year approaches, said a statement from Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth, along with the Animal Control and Protection Agency.
    New Year's celebrations "are a time of joy and festivity, but they can also be stressful for pets, particularly dogs. The Animal Control and Protection Agency has observed a surge in calls for lost dogs
during this period, many of which can be prevented with a few simple measures," says the statement.
    "Fireworks, a hallmark of New Year's celebrations, can be frightening for dogs, leading them to escape from yards and properties in search of safety. To mitigate this risk, Mayor Roth encourages pet owners to secure their dogs indoors or in a properly fenced outdoor area during the holiday season.
    "Pets are family for many residents, and our goal this holiday season is to ensure their safety," said the Mayor. "With a rise in lost dog reports during New Year celebrations, we're asking our pet owners to help minimize their stress and worry during the festivities by taking a couple of simple steps that can ensure the safety of themselves and their four-legged friends."
    In addition to securing pets, the Mayor recommends having dogs microchipped as a reliable and permanent form of identification. Collars can break or be removed, but a microchip ensures that vital information is always accessible, significantly increasing the chances of a lost pet being reunited with its owner.
    "After getting your pet microchipped, take the extra step to register their information with one of the many online registration organizations. This proactive measure will expedite the process of reuniting you with your furry friend if they are found," said Matt Runnells, Animal Control and Protection Agency Administrator.
    For more information or assistance, contact the Animal Control and Protection Agency at 808-327-3558.



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Friday, December 29, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs December 29, 2023

Photograph of the Dec. 31, 1974 eruption from the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea. This early morning shot shows the lava fountains feeding the eruption and throwing lava bombs to 115–130 feet (35–40 meters) high. This eruption was very brief, lasting from 2:56 a.m. to around 8:50 a.m.
USGS photo by Robin Holcomb

NEW YEAR'S EVE 1974 IS THE DATE OF THE MOST RECENT ERUPTION BETWEEN  PĀHALA AND VOLCANO in the Southwest Rift Zone of Kilauea volcano. This week's Volcano Watch, written by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Drew Downs, explains, in the context of recent seismic activity in the area: 
     Kīlauea is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, with a majority of its eruptions occurring at its summit or one of its two rift zones, the East Rift Zone and Southwest Rift Zone. The Southwest Rift Zone hasn't erupted since New Year's Eve 1974; almost exactly 49 years ago.
    Recent activity at Kīlauea has been concentrated at the summit (2008–2018 and 2020–2023 eruptions), middle East Rift Zone at Puʻuʻōʻō (1983–2018), and the lower East Rift Zone eruption (2018). These eruptions have all demonstrated Kīlauea's awe-inspiring behavior, with sometimes tragic impacts.
    Now is an apt time to revisit the 1974 Southwest Rift Zone eruption in the wake of the recent elevated
The Southwest Rift Zone paralells Hwy 11 from Kilauea caldera
to the ocean near Punalu'u. Image from Smithsonian Institute

seismicity in similar areas. Elevated earthquake activity, sometimes over a hundred earthquakes a day, has been occurring since early October in the south caldera and Southwest Rift Zone regions of Kīlauea.
    Kīlauea erupted three times in 1974; twice at the summit—in July and September—and once from the Southwest Rift Zone in December. Immediately following the September 1974 summit eruption, the summit region of Kīlauea started undergoing very high rates of inflation (approximately 30 microradians of ground tilt from September to December).
    Seismicity increased in the summit and upper East Rift Zone regions for the month leading up to the December eruption. By the evening of December 30, the summit and upper Southwest Rift Zone were experiencing earthquakes at a rate of 2–4 per minute. Just after midnight, at 12:10 a.m. HST on December 31, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) seismic alarm sounded, tiltmeters recorded sharp deflation, and increased tremor indicated that magma was on the move out of the summit region.
    HVO staff did not have long to wait, with the first lava fountains observed on New Year's Eve at 2:56 a.m. HST in the Kaʻū Desert region of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. These lava fountains reached average heights of 115–130 feet (35–40 meters), but on rare occasions threw lava bombs up to 330 feet (100 meters) high. Over ten fissures eventually opened during the first hour of the eruption, to the east-northeast and west-southwest, forming a near-continuous fountain of lava that stretched over 2.5 miles (4.2 kilometers) long.
USGS map showing numerous earthquakes on the Southwest 
Rift Zone for nine days in October of this year. 
    Lava fountain heights started to rapidly decline throughout the morning and the eruption was over by 8:50 a.m. HST. Despite the short duration of this eruption—only about six hours—lava managed to flow approximately 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) from source fountains, emplacing an uncommonly thin (typically less than 1 meter or 3 feet thick) lava flow across a large area of the upper Southwest Rift Zone.
    HVO continues to monitor the ongoing unrest in the summit and Southwest Rift Zone regions of Kīlauea, with increased rates of earthquakes and ground deformation indicating that magma is moving in this area. Learn about this activity in Kīlauea updates that posted daily at https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/volcano-updates.
    Whether this increase in activity over the past several months is a prelude to a new eruption in the Southwest Rift Zone in the near future, or if another summit eruption will occur is not possible to forecast currently. However, the Southwest Rift Zone remains an active part of Kīlauea that will experience lava flows in the future.

Volcano Activity Updates: Kīlauea is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is ADVISORY.
The unrest associated with the intrusion that began in early October southwest of Kīlauea's summit continues. Earthquake activity in Kīlauea's summit region over the past week remained relatively low. The Uēkahuna tiltmeter—located northwest of the caldera—showed several microradians of net tilt over the past week, as did the Sand Hill tiltmeter—located southwest of the caldera. Unrest may continue to wax and wane with changes to the input of magma into the area and eruptive activity could occur in the near future with little or no warning. The most recent sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rate for the summit—approximately 70 tonnes per day—was measured on December 5.
    Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.
    Webcams show no signs of activity on Mauna Loa. Summit seismicity has remained at low levels over the past month. Ground deformation indicates continuing slow inflation as magma replenishes the reservoir system following the 2022 eruption. SO2 emission rates are at background levels.
    Three earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the week ending Wednesay: a M3.4 earthquake 14 km (8 mi) SW of Volcano at 27 km (16 mi) depth on Dec. 23 at 4:42 HST p.m., a M4.0 earthquake 13 km (8 mi) SW of Volcano at 27 km (17 mi) depth on Dec. 23 at 4:27 p.m. HST, a M2.9 earthquake 15 km (9 mi) S of Volcano at 1 km (0 mi) depth on Dec. 23 at 12:51 p.m. HST.
    HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.


Dr. Kimo Alameda is in Kaʻū
on Saturday to meet the people
during his 'Ohana Fun Day.
MAYORAL CANDIDATE DR. KIMO ALAMEDA said he will focus on getting to know more Kaʻū residents and discussing their issues this Saturday, Dec. 30 Kaʻū 'Ohana Fun Day event at Na'alehu Park & Community Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. He invites the public to join him at  9 a.m. for sign waving in Na'alehu before his event. All sign-wavers will receive a free double shaka t-shirt and be entered into a drawing to win prizes.
    Emcee will be Kurt Dela Cruse. Debbie Ryder's Halau Hula O Leionalani will perform as will Demetrius Oliveira & Friends. There will be water slides, basketball and pickleball games, face painting and Kupuna Bingo.
     The event is designed for family fun and Alameda said that the waterslide will be the biggest and the best that island has to offer. He said, "The Kupuna Bingo will be exciting, and Debbie Ryder's Halau will be performing some new and exciting numbers."
     Throughout the day, Alameda said, he will make his rounds listening to individuals and families, "hearing their concerns and possible solutions for a better South Hawai'i."
    See more on Alameda's run for Mayor of Hawai'i County at www.kimoformayor.com.


Police Activities League hosts a
Young Boxers Spring Showdown.
YOUTH BOXERS FROM KAʻŪ ARE INVITED TO JOIN other young boxers from around the island and beyond for the Hawai'i Island Police Activities League (HI-PAL) Youth Boxing Spring Showdown on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Old Kona Airport Main Event Pavilion.
    Twenty bouts are planned for boys and girls age 8-17, with pre-matching done on a first come, first serve basis prior to event.
    Weigh-ins will be in the morning, time to be determined, with boxing matches beginning at 5:00 p.m. HI-PAL is teaming up with the Ikaikamauloa Youth Foundation (Kona Gold Boxing Club) for this exciting 
keiki event. 
Advance registration with the following groups is required to participate:
    Register with USA Boxing. Go to https://www.usaboxing.org/membership/registration to register your child with USA Boxing.
     Register with the Ikaikamauloa Youth Foundation. Click on the link below, email 
konagoldboxingclub@gmail.com, or call (808) 854-4469. Ikaikamauloa Youth Foundation registration form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdwzsYHCllytwFak4OkWoHaSobtEwGjt4nmrbzkGHGr303DvA/viewform
    Fill out a HI-PAL permission/release form with Kona Community Policing Section. Contact Officer Leonard Warren of Kona Community Policing via email: leonard.warren@hawaiicounty.gov for the HI-PAL permission/release forms and/or for more information.
    For any additional questions, contact Kona Community Policing Officer Leonard Warren at (808) 326-4646, ext. 259.

Devan Delaney
DEVAN DELANEY OF OCEAN VIEW IS MISSING. Hawai‘i Island police are asking for the public’s assistanceIn locating THE 27-year-old , who was Last known to be in the area of the Kahuku Country Market in Ocean View on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 2 p.m., wearing blue jeans and a red/green colored shirt.
     Delaney is described as Caucasian with a slim build, 4 feet 11 inches tall, 90 po
unds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. She has an octopus tattoo on her right arm and a tattoo of a rose on her right thigh.
    Police are asking anyone with information on her whereabouts to call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311


Tara Lasham
LOCATING TARA LASHAM, last seen in Ocean View, is an aim of Hawai‘i Island police who are renewing their request for the public’s assistance with locating the 39-year-old. She is wanted on an outstanding warrant and for questioning relative to a custodial interference investigation. Lasham may be in the company of her six-year-old daughter Solenne Grimes.
    The mother and daughter were last seen a year and a half ago, on Wednesday July 27, 2022, in Ocean View.
Tara is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, 130 pounds, with blue eyes and blonde hair. She is known to frequent both north and south Kona areas. Solenne Grimes is described as 3 feet 5 inches tall, 35 pounds, with blue eyes and blonde hair.
    Police ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of Tara Lasham or Solenne Grimes to call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or contact Detective John Kari by phone at (808) 326-4646, ext. 265, or by email at John.Kari@hawaiicounty.gov.
Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.



 



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