Kaʻū News Briefs Nov. 18, 2024

On national television, online and in print, Hawai'i Gov. Josh Green opposed the nomination of Robert Kennedy, Jr. for Secretary of Health & Human Services during interviews over the weekend.
Image from CNN interview

GOV. JOSH GREEN HAS TAKEN ON THE NOMINATION OF ROBERT KENNEDY, JR., selected to become Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. On national and in the Hawai'i press over the weekend, Green, a physician who practiced in Kaʻū, opposed the RFK choice by President-Elect Donald Trump.
      "RFK, Jr. is the worst possible nominee for HHS Secretary," said Green. He told the story of Samoa in 2019 where RFK "went and torpedoed confidence in the vaccination of that country." Green said thousands and thousands of measles cases were spreading in Samoa and its Prime Minister called on Hawai'i to lead a medical mission to give the vaccinations. As Lt. Governor, Green traveled to Samoa with over 70 health care workers and vaccinated some 36,997 in two days and "the measles stopped."

Gov. Josh Green says RFK, Jr. damaged  confidence
 in measles vaccinations in Samoa, leading to a deadly
 outbreak and Hawai'i health care providers coming
 to the rescue.

    Green said, "What he did by destroying confidence in that nation's health care system directly resulted in the deaths of up to 83 people," most of them under the age of five. 
    Green said he worries about RFK further spreading vaccination fear in the U.S., saying there are challenges to getting vaccination programs to many communities in this nation. "When he throws this program under the bus, or doesn't show commitment to it, or spreads false information or false claims about vaccinations and their safety, millions of people will stop getting vaccinated and then you'll get surges in measles, you'll get surges in polio, you'll get surges in meningitis, and it will either kill young individuals and our children or leave them with neurological damage. I'm a physician. I came to Hawai'i with the National Health Service Corps. I practiced fulltime all the way until I became governor."
    Green said, "This is a cruel joke that President Trump is playing on the American people. The Republican Senators have to reject this nomination. It would be ok, I suppose, for RFK to go and work in the environmental sector of the Trump Administration." RFK has led environmental causes and was associated with Save Our Seas in Hawai'i.
   Green said RFK has no experience as a nurse, as a doctor, as a social worker. "He's never had a degree in public health. He's simply a bombastic personality. And this time people are going to die if he is confirmed."
   Green also pointed to RFK's views on fluoridation of water, with Green saying that children's oral health is better with it. He also said he is concerned about RFK possibly lifting restrictions on sales of raw milk. Green offered to testify during any Senate confirmation regarding RFK.

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HAWAI'I COUNTY YOUTH COMMISSION SEEKS APPLICANTS. The County of Hawai'i is encouraging residents, ages 14 to 24, to apply to serve a two-year term on the Youth Commission. "This is a valuable chance for youth to get involved in local government and directly impact decisions that shape Hawai'i Island's future," says its statement.

     The Youth Commissioner for District 6, which includes parts of Puna, all of Kaʻū into Kona, is Marquis Fonoimoana who was chosen in 2023. County Council member Michelle Galimba described him: "A lifelong resident of Hawaiʻi and Senior at Konawaena High School, Marquis is prepared to take on the role of youth commissioner. He is committed to serving his community and peers and would like to work toward improving youth programs and access to education.
    "Marquis currently serves as the Student President and Board of Director of the Student Credit Union and is also an active member of the Konawaena Leo Club. Marquis has an extensive background in planning and coordinating community events and fundraisers like Relay for Life, Real Men Wear Pink and the Childrenʻs Miracle Network as well as participating in various food and clothing drives held throughout the year.

    "Marquis is also a member of the Konawaena Lacrosse Club and the Captain of the Konawaena Bowling Team. He also enjoys playing and creating music in his free time and can play the guitar, ukulele and the Tahitian banjo."
    While his term continues into 2025, interested Kaʻū young people who would like to serve on the Youth Commission can apply for one of the three appointments to be made by Mayor-elect Kimo Alameda.
    The Youth Commission's goals are to identify the aspirations, needs, and concerns of the county's youth. This includes examining and devising strategies that support or improve existing social, economic, educational, health, and recreational programs for youth, or develop new programs and submit recommendations to the Council or Mayor for consideration or action. The Commissioners are also responsible for advising the County Council and Mayor on the effects of legislative policies, needs, assessments, priorities, programs, and budgets concerning the county's youth.

Eric Pomaikai Gee is Chair of
Hawai'i County Youth Commission

    Council Member Jenn Kagiwada, ex-officio member of the Commission, says "serving as a Youth Commissioner is a great introductory experience into understanding how government works and a rewarding way to engage in service to our community. I am encouraging all youth who may be interested to find out more or apply today."

    As half of the Commissioners' terms are scheduled to end on Dec. 31, 2024, open positions will be available for District 1, District 3, District 5, District 7, District 9, as well as three Mayoral appointees.
    The public is always welcome to attend meetings of the Youth Commission. Chair of the Youth Commission, Eric Pōmaikaʻi Gee is encouraging all to attend the final meeting of the year to bid farewell to outgoing Commissioners. The meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, Nov. 27 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hawai'i Council Chambers at the West Hawai'i Civic Center.
    Chair Gee shared his thoughts, "It has been my pleasure and honor to serve as the inaugural Chairperson of the County of Hawaiʻi Youth Commission. Over the past year, I have seen our island's youth come together and advocate for positive change around Hawaiʻi. As the commission approaches a transitional time, I hope for the incoming cohort to have the same passion and flare that I have seen during my time as chairperson."
    For more information or to apply to become a Commissioner visit https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/youth-commission or contact Council Member Kagiwada's office at (808) 961-8272 with questions.

Hawai'i County Youth Commission is seeking new members. The District 6 commissioner who
represents Kaʻū and beyond is in back row, gray shirt. He is Marquis Fonoimoana. Photo from Youth Commission

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COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP ROLES for 2024-2026 have been accepted by Kaʻū's Council Member Michelle Galimba.  She will serve as Chair of Communications, Reports & Council Oversight Committee and Vice-Chair of Policy Committee on Planning & Land Use.

Kanikapila at VAC every Wednesday.

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KANIKAPILA JAM SESSIONS are every Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Volcano art Center's Niaulani campus. Bring instruments and enjoy garage-style jamming. Donations accepted, $5 recommended. The location is 19-4074 Old Volcano Road in Volcano Village. Call 808-967-8222.

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Kaʻū News Briefs Nov. 17, 2024

Kaʻū High students left for New York on Sunday to give presentation at the National Recycling Congress. 
Photo from Mālama ʻĀina Compostables

KAʻŪ HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HEADED TO COOPERSTOWN, NEW YORK on Sunday for the  National Recycling Congress Nov. 19-21. On the way, they will stop in New York City to visit Gantry Plaza State Park, take in views of the Manhattan skyline, and meet with youth from Louisiana impacted by the petrochemical industry in "Cancer Alley," said a statement from the student group. In Cooperstown they will also go to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
    At the National Recycling Congress, which is being held at the Otesaga Resort in Cooperstown, the students will give a presentation on the company they created at Kaʻū High. It is called Mālama ʻĀina Compostables and was formed with assistance from a local Environmental Protection Agency Recycling Education & Outreach grant program through Recycle Hawai'i. The students will also present on their Cafeteria Waste Diversion Program.
    The students will represent Kaʻū at the three-day event, managing a booth that showcases Hawaiian cultural and Zero Waste practices. They will also meet with Nena Shaw, Director of the EPA's Resource Conservation and Sustainability Division, and other leaders in the field.
    Since the launch of their cafeteria waste diversion program on Oct. 16, students have diverted over 2,217 lbs. of food waste from the only landfill operated by County of Hawai'i. It's off Hwy 11 north of Kona airport. "This marks a significant achievement in sustainability efforts," according to the statement.
    "The entire Recycle Hawai'i and KHPES team is proud of their tremendous progress over the past six months and looks forward to the invaluable experiences and insights this journey will bring this group of Zero Waste Advocates."
    Everyone who would like to follow their journey can check out the students' Zero Waste company on social media @malamaainakhspes.

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New Council Chair Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba

HAWAI'I COUNTY COUNCIL LEADERSHIP FOR THE 2024-2026 TERM has been announced. Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba, who represents North Kona District 8, will serve as Chair. He is in his third term as a Council Member. Vice Chair will be Dennis “Fresh” Onishi who represents parts of Hilo into Kea'au and Puna, District 3. He returns to the County Council after serving from 2008-2016.

Mayor-Elect Dr. Kimo Alameda said, “I am really excited about the prospect of working with the new council leadership. I think the newly appointed chair and vice chair will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. I look forward to a seamless partnership rooted in mutual respect, dedication, and a shared vision for our communities’ future.”

A statement from the County Council says, "Together, this team offers a Hawai‘i Island grown perspective rooted in deep ties to the community and a forward-looking vision for the island’s future."
Chair Inaba said, “I am confident that our Council will embrace a collaborative spirit and work hand-in-hand with the Alameda Administration to deliver results that matter. We are committed
to serving our communities with aloha and action.”
The Council s

New Council Vice Chair Fresh Onishi

tatement says, "Under Chair Inaba’s direction, the Council will prioritize a strong partnership with Mayor-elect Dr. Kimo Alameda and his administration, strengthening collaboration between the legislative and executive branches of County government. This partnership ensures coordinated efforts to address pressing issues, including housing, economic development, food security, environmental sustainability, and disaster preparedness."
    The public statement from the Council also says, "The Hawai‘i County Council is prepared to lead with unity, aloha, and a focus on actionable outcomes for all residents."

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Couches to car seats and mattresses lined this Ocean View road where volunteers cleaned on Sunday.
Photo from Department of Environmental Services

Hawai'i County Deputy Director of Environmental
 Services Brenda Iokepa Moses.

A CLEANUP AT OCEAN VIEW ON SUNDAY, with volunteers from Big Island Jeep Club, county Solid Waste workers, Deputy Director of Department of Environmental Management Brenda Iokepa Moses and County Council Member Michelle Galimba. The focus was on a road off Highway 11 near the county's OV Transfer Station.

     The road was littered with everything from old mattresses to furniture and car seats. The volunteers filled two large containers.
    Ocean View Transfer Station is located at 92-9017 Mamalahoa Hwy and is open for household rubbish Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. For scrap metal and appliances, as well as corrugated cardboard, brown paper bags and non-HI-5 glass containers, it is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For HI-5 container redemption, it is open 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Fridays.

Ka'u County Council member Michelle Galimba.
Photos from Department of Environmental Services

    Wai'ōhinu Recycling & Transfer Station at 95-6155 Kaulia Road and is open for household rubbish Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 6 a.m.. to 6 p.m. For scrap metal and appliances, as well as corrugated cardboard, brown paper bags and non-HI-5 glass containers, it is open Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For H-5 container redemption, it is o pen Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

     Pāhala Transfer station is located at 96-1250 Old Mamalahoa Hwy and is open for household rubbish Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. For scrap metal and appliance drop off as well as corrugated cardboard, brown paper bags and non-HI-5 glass containers, it is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

    Volcano Transfer Station is located at 93-3438 Old Volcano Hwy and is open for household rubbish 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. For scrap metal and appliances, as well as green waste, corrugated cardboard, brown paper bags and non-HI-5 glass containers, it is open on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Volunteers from Big Island Jeep Club and the County of Hawai'i clean up a road on Sunday
near Ocean View Transfer Station. Photo from Department of Environmental Services

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HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING IN VOLCANO WILL BE FRIDAY, NOV. 29, The Rotary Club of Volcano and the Volcano Art Center are teaming up to launch the annual Volcano tradition: Rotary President Michael Leidemann reports: "We're planning to turn on the lights on a 25-foot tree outside the entrance to the Art Center on 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29. The lights will stay on every night through the Christmas season.

    The tree lighting event is free and open to the public. "There will be a something for every family member. That includes Christmas caroling, ornament making, the Art Center's annual wreath exhibit, and an opportunity to shop after hours in the center's gallery. In addition, Rotary will sell $1 hot dogs and assorted Christmas cookies," said Leidemann.

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Kaʻū News Briefs Nov. 16, 2024

From keiki to kupuna, the crowd gathers to watch volleyball clubs with youth of all ages competing in the

Fall Miloli'i-Kaʻū Tournament. Photo by Julia Neal

MILOLI'I-KAʻŪ VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT PACKED THE HERKES KAʻŪ DISTRICT GYM on Saturday and promised to draw big crowds on Sunday. The two day event drew 28 teams from around the island. Sunday's competition is from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is free. Funds supporting the tournament are raised through food sales with $10 bowls. The menu for Sunday is Korean chicken, hamburger patty with gravy, chili dog, hot dogs, musubi, poke bowl, shave ice, cotton candy and baked goods.

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HAWAIIAN CHANTS SUGGEST A LAVA FLOW NAME CHANGE. That's the focus of this week's Volcano Watch, the weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates. This week's article ʻAilāʻau or Kualoloa? is by HVO volunteer and naturalist Bobby Camara, with Pualani Kanakaʻole Kanahele and Donald Swanson:
    Native Hawaiian oral traditions record a rich history of the changing volcanic landscape in Hawaiʻi. Interweaving cultural knowledge with scientific disciplines can provide a more complete understanding of past events, including the largest known lava flow eruption of Kīlauea.

Map illustrates Kualoloa lava flows originating near summit of Kīlauea, with pre- and post-Kualoloa lava flows shown for context. District boundaries and ahupuaʻa borders are also shown, along with place names mentioned in text. The broader northeastern trending part of the Kualoloa flow field contains a number of kīpuka, and a lava delta was built, creating ka lae Kaloli, the prominent point at the shore. Kaloli is the approximate terminus of a 40-mile-long system of lava tubes that enabled the far and wide distribution of pele during the prolonged eruption. The much smaller south branch of the Kualoloa flows that went towards ʻĀpua is now partially buried by the early 1970s Maunaulu flows. USGS Image

    During the 1970s, Robin Holcomb conducted his doctoral field work and research on Kīlauea while working at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. His work included mapping a series of lava flows (now called a flow field) that began erupting in the early-1400s from a vent near the eastern end of what is now Kīlauea Iki crater, in the summit region of Kīlauea volcano. Now, we know that the flow field was active for about 60 years and traveled in a northeast direction (as well as a small south branch), covering most of the Puna District north of the East Rift Zone of Kīlauea. Holcomb referred to this flow field as "ʻAilāʻau" after a reference he found in William D. Westerveltʻs Hawaiian Legends of Volcanoes, published in 1916.
    In ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (the Native Hawaiian language), ʻAilāʻau is to "consume trees." Trees can be consumed by rot, or can topple during windstorms, lightning strikes, floods, and lava flows. ʻAilāʻau is also thought, by some, to have been an elemental force associated with volcanic activity prior to the arrival of Pelehonuamea (Pele of the reddish earth) in the Hawaiian Islands.
    Holcomb noted that his choice of 'Ailā'au as a name was provisional given that he only found it in one reference, and he was under a publication deadline. Hawaiian language sources during the last 40 years have rapidly become more available. Recently, researchers have been reminded of "Kualoloa," a chant that accurately describes the emplacement of the flow field that Holcomb named 'Ailā'au.

The chant Kua loloa, published in 1915, 
 describes the eruption called 'Ailā'au.

    The chant Kua loloa, published in 1915 by Nathaniel Emerson in Pele and Hiiaka, A Myth From Hawai'i, describes an eruption that began in the upland (ma uka) portions of the ahupuaʻa (Native Hawaiian land division) of Keaʻau. The chant describes a broad geographic area affected by the eruption. The forests of Panaʻewa and ʻŌlaʻa were destroyed, with "a blanket of smoke" covering Puna all the way to ʻĀpua. Much of the District was devastated, according to the chant, which documents Pele destroying forests belonging to her sister, Hiʻiaka, as a result of a serious misunderstanding between them. Examining familiar place names in the chant, compared to the geographic extent of the flow field mapped by Holcomb, suggests that the chant chronicles the lava flows that he had named 'Ailā'au. However, there is no mention of 'Ailā'au in the Kualoloa chant. The upland border of Keaʻau ahupuaʻa, where the Kualoloa chant notes the eruption began, is near the eastern end of Kīlauea Iki, where the mapped vent of the lava flows is located. The chant describes Pele moving northeast into Puna, through ʻŌlaʻa and Panaʻewa, following the mapped lava flow paths. A relatively small flow moved southward from the vent to ʻĀpua, just as the chant implies.

     A modern understanding of the timing of this eruption and its geographic extent, as well as more detailed knowledge of Native Hawaiian traditional place names, allows us to correlate the 15th-century eruption to the Kualoloa chant. This is an example illustrating the complex relationship between Native Hawaiian oral traditions and specific volcanic events and lava flows as documented in the geologic record.
    Native Hawaiian oral traditions and scientific papers have different intended audiences and use their own vocabularies. Events described in chants are not "time-stamped," but careful study of them, together with knowledge of place names, and clues from scientific evidence of natural phenomena, sometimes allow us to construct correlations between seemingly disparate sources of knowledge. What Holcomb had provisionally referred to as the ʻAilāʻau flow field, we now know should be labeled in future publications the Kualoloa flow field.

VOLCANO ACTIVITY UPDATES: 
    Kīlauea is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is ADVISORY.
    Over the past week, earthquake rates beneath Kīlauea summit and upper-to-middle East Rift Zone were half that of the previous week. About 15 earthquakes were located beneath the summit, and about 30 were located in the upper-to-middle East Rift Zone. Ground deformation rates continue to show slow inflation at the summit and near the September 15-20 middle East Rift Zone eruption site. Future intrusive episodes and eruptions could occur with continued magma supply.
    Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.
    One earthquake was reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M3.1 earthquake 14 km (8 mi) S of Fern Forest at 6 km (4 mi) depth on Nov. 13 at 2:22 a.m. HST.
    HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.
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.

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HPD ARRESTED 18 FOR DUI during the week of Nov. 4 through Nov. 10. Hawai‘i Island police made

the arrests for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Eight of the drivers were involved in a traffic accident. One of the drivers was under the age of 21.
    So far this year, there have been 832 DUI arrests compared with 821 during the same period last year, an increase of 1.34 percent.
    Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 855 major crashes so far this year, compared with 724 during the same time last year, an increase of 18.1 percent.
    To date, there were 25 fatal crashes, resulting in 27 fatalities compared with 13 fatal crashes, resulting in 14 fatalities the same time last year. This represents an increase of 100 percent for fatal crashes and 100 percent for fatalities.
     In 2024, the non-traffic fatality count (not on a public roadway) is zero compared to zero non-traffic fatalities for the same time last year.
    Police promise that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.

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