Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, July 8, 2014

The Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park hosts the 34th annual Cultural Festival this Saturday, when participants can learn Hawaiian crafts, including lei making. NPS Photo by Jay Robinson 

PAHALA COMMUNITY CENTER HOSTS A CANDIDATE FORUM tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Recycle Hawai`i, Sierra Club’s Moku Loa Group and a number of Hawaiian panelists are coming together to help voters answer the question: “Where does your candidate stand on the environment?”

      The forum will focus on sustainability and environmental justice issues by posing related questions to County Council candidates. “We are making the effort to ensure that voters know where the candidates stand on these issues before they go to the polls Aug. 9,” said Kristine Kubat, who promotes and stages zero waste events for Recycle Hawai`i and is organizing the forum.
      Resource management issues will be a hot topic at the forum, as will conservation and concerns related to overdevelopment, Kubat said.
       Nelson Ho, Chair of the Sierra Club, Moku Loa Group covering Hawai`i Island, asks the community to make an effort to attend. “Since Hawai`i County adopted a non-partisan election format, many of the council races would be decided in the Aug. 9 primary,” he said. “We want voters to make sure their vote counts, and we want them to be informed.”
       Laakea Caravalho and Kanani Frazier, of Knowledge in Motion, a nonprofit environmental education organization, are handling the guest list for Hawaiian panelists.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN REGISTER TO VOTE at Pahala Community Center tomorrow and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The deadline to register to vote in the Aug. 9 primary election is Thursday.
      Registration forms are also available at post offices in Ocean View, Na`alehu, Pahala and Volcano Village and at public libraries in Na`alehu and Pahala. Wikiwiki registration forms are also available online at hawaii.gov/elections.
      For more information, call Hawai`i County Office of Elections at 961-8277 or see the website above.

KAHUA OLOHU MAKAHIKI GROUNDS IN NA`ALEHU are on the agenda of the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Committee’s meeting scheduled for this coming Monday, July 14 at 10 a.m. at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona. The property is one of about a dozen being considered for preservation.
      The county considered using the state land and a smaller, adjacent, private property for the proposed Na`alehu sewage treatment plant until archaeological surveys revealed the existence of an ancient Hawaiian playing field.

The Open Space Commission is considering preservation
of land in Na`alehu, which includes state-owned land
here outlined in purple. Map from Pacific Legacy

      Most of the makahiki site is state land. The owners of the smaller 13-acre property, James and Elizabeth Weatherford, said they were considering farming and putting up a produce stand on their portion of the site until they learned of its historic significance. They said that they are hoping that it will be acquired by an agency or organization that will steward the property.
      The property is described in Native Planters of Old Hawai`i: “The famous bowling field named Kahua-olohu (maika [bowling] stones were called olohu in Ka`u) was just below the present town of Na`alehu. It is a large level area to seaward of the road which must have been cleared and graded. In old Hawaiian times this broad kahua or plaza was used not just for bowling, but for other sports such as boxing, javelin throwing, and hula dancing during the Makahiki festival.”

MAYOR BILLY KENOI JOINED HAWAI`I’S THREE other county mayors, Office of Hawaiian Affairs leadership and Gov. Neil Abercrombie in launching the Aloha+ Challenge: A Culture of Sustainability – He Nohona ‘Ae‘oia at a declaration signing held at Hawai`i State Capitol. The commitment sets clear targets for clean energy transformation, local food production, natural resource management, waste reduction, smart growth, climate resilience, green jobs and education by 2030:

• 70 percent clean energy – 40 percent from renewables and 30 percent from efficiency (reinforcing the Hawai`i Clean Energy Initiative); 
• At least double local food production – 20 to 30 percent of food consumed is grown locally; 
• Reverse the trend of natural resource loss mauka to makai by increasing freshwater security, watershed protection, community-based marine management, invasive species control and native species restoration; 
• Reduce the solid waste stream prior to disposal by 70 percent through source reduction, recycling, bioconversion and landfill diversion methods; 
• Increase livability and resilience in the built environment through planning and implementation at state and county levels; 
• Increase local green jobs and education to implement these targets.

      The state Legislature unanimously passed the Aloha+ Challenge through resolution this year. Hawai`i Green Growth, which brings together key leaders from federal, state, county, business and nonprofit organizations, hosted the declaration signing to show broad support.

Mayor Billy Kenoi, standing behind Gov. Neil Abercrombie, joined other
Hawai`i mayors and OHA leadership in launching the Aloha+ Challenge.
Photo from Office of the Governor

      Kenoi said, “The Aloha+ Challenge is about protecting our Hawai`i and maximizing our resources to improve the quality of life for our communities. It reinforces that our decision-making as a state must focus on sustaining our resources for generations to come, and must be rooted in aloha.”
      Abercrombie said, “The Aloha+ Challenge brings us all together across jurisdictions, agencies, sectors and communities to build a sustainable Hawai`i for current and future generations. The targets transcend political timelines with a longer-term vision that also calls upon us to take bold action now. As a microcosm of the world’s sustainability challenges, it is time for Hawai`i to become a global model of how to develop innovative and collaborative solutions.”
      Hawai`i’s commitment to the Aloha+ Challenge is already creating international attention. With the U.S. Department of State, Hawai`i has been invited to announce the challenge on the world stage at a high-level Global Island Partnership event in Samoa this September, during the United Nations’ International Conference on Small Island Developing States, which focuses on sustainable development.

HAWAI`I EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, formerly known as state Civil Defense, encourages members of the public to sign up for local emergency notifications provided by county civil defense and emergency management agencies. Instructions for Hawai`i Island’s system are available by emailing civildefense@hawaiicounty.gov and requesting enrollment to the emergency notification system. Include your mobile phone number.
       On June 30, Sprint Relay Hawai`i discontinued its emergency notification system that the company had been providing free of charge for six years. Relay Hawai`i was designed to provide Short Message Service/text messages on natural disasters and other emergencies to the deaf and hard of hearing community.
      “Sprint Relay Hawai`i has been a terrific partner in providing warning of approaching hazards and emergencies, and we are grateful for the services it provided,” said Doug Mayne, administrator for Emergency Management. “Individuals are urged to update notice subscriptions with alternatives. Having a reliable way to get information on local dangers is crucial to making sure an emergency doesn’t turn into a disaster.”
      Wireless Emergency Alerts are also available through the federal government for people with WEA-enabled phones. See ready.gov/alerts for more information.

PATCH offers training classes at Pahala Preschool for early educators.

PEOPLE ATTENTIVE TO CHILDREN, or PATCH, is currently holding training classes at Pahala Preschool. The Infant & Toddler Social Emotional Series is for early educators interested in their professional development and in continuous quality improvement. Classes are held Tuesdays and Fridays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. through Tuesday, Aug. 5. 

      For more information and to register, call 322-3500.

Participants learn lauhala weaving tomorrow.
NPS Photo by Jay Robinson

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK hosts the park’s 34th annual Cultural Festival this Saturday, July 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
      Ka`u Hiehie I Ka Makani, which means Ka`u Regal in the Gales, referring to the multi-directional winds that cool the land in Kahuku, is the theme of this year's festival.
      Participants enjoy hula kahiko and music, watch skilled practitioners demonstrate their art, try their hand at Hawaiian crafts and taste traditional Hawaiian foods. Performers this year include Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning singer and `ukulele artist Diana Aki, known as the Songbird of Miloli`i, Kumu Hula Mamo Brown and Halau Ulumamo o Hilo Paliku, falsetto singer Kai Ho`opi`i, kupuna hula by Haunani Medeiros and more.
      Call 985-6011 or email havo_interpretation@nps.gov for more information.
      The Kahuku unit is the southernmost section of the park and is located on the mauka side of Hwy 11 at mile marker 70.5.

ULANA LAUHALA IS THE TOPIC tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Participants learn to weave a decorative star from leaves of the pandanus tree. Free; park entrance fees apply.

HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED’S KA`U chapter holds its next meeting on Saturday, July 12 at Ka`u Coffeehouse & Guesthouse in Na`alehu at 5 p.m.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.
Click at bottom right to turn pages.

Ka`u News Briefs Monday, July 7, 2014

Bottoms up. This bull throw's his `okole in the air and the rider onto the ground at yesterday's Fourth of July Rodeo final in Na`alehu.
Photo by Julia Neal

A PLAN TO CREATE THE WORLD’S LARGEST MARINE SANCTUARY in the Central Pacific is getting criticism from fishing industry interests. President Barack Obama is proposing to expand the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, south and west of Hawai`i, from its current 86,888 square miles to 782,000 square miles.

      Gary Kubota, of Honolulu Star-Advertiser, reports that members of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council say expanding the sanctuary would not protect fish and could jeopardize U.S. fishing industries.

      According to Kubota, council members said the areas proposed for expansion are critical to U.S. fisheries, including waters surrounding Palmyra, where Hawai`i fishers catch 12 percent to 15 percent of their fish, including bigeye tuna.

      Kubota also reported that the catch brought in to American Samoa’s fish processing plants could be reduced, forcing U.S. fishing ships to pay foreign governments for fishing rights elsewhere.

      “Further closures make no sense,” said Ed Ebisui, the council’s vice chairman. “It does not serve our national interest."

      Council Chair Arnold Palacios, who also serves as natural resources secretary for the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, told Kubota the United States has failed to live up to promises of supporting enforcement of fishing laws enacted when President George W. Bush first established the monument. Palacios said his government already struggles to enforce protection of the current fishing areas.

Pres. Barack Obama proposes expansion of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. Map from NOAA

      Council member Ruth Matagi Tofiga, American Samoa marine resource director, said expansion of the no-fishing zone would place a burden on her government. “It’s disheartening,” she said. “Our ocean is our livelihood.”

      Pres. Bush originally established the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument in January 2009 under the authority of the Antiquities Act of 1906. On June 17 of this year, Pres. Obama used his executive powers to propose expanding the marine protected area.       The monument boundaries currently extend 50 nautical miles from the mean low water lines of Howland, Baker, and Jarvis Islands; Johnston, Wake, and Palmyra Atolls; and Kingman Reef. Under Obama’s plan, the boundaries would expand to the 200-nautical-mile extent of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. The monument is managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the United States Department of the Interior. The remote refuges are the most widespread collection of marine- and terrestrial-life protected areas on the planet under a single country’s jurisdiction. 

     They protect many endemic species including corals, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, seabirds, water birds, land birds, insects, and vegetation not found elsewhere. Hawai`i conservationists have welcomed Obama’s proposal, calling it a significant step toward protecting diverse habitats, stepping up sustainable fishing practices and preventing large-scale overfishing. The monument includes endemic trees, grasses and birds adapted to life at the Equator; the rare sea turtles and whales and Hawaiian monk seals that visit Johnston Atoll; and high-quality coral reefs. U.S. federal law prohibits resource destruction or extraction, waste dumping and commercial fishing in the monument areas. Research, free passage, and recreation are allowed. See staradvertiser.com.To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Out of the gate, the bull starts to buck as the black-vested paniolo holds on. Photo by Julia Neal 

RODEO IS A FAMILY DAY FOR MANY Hawaiians in Ka`u and those who come from beyond. With many sponsors of the prized belt buckles for winners of the annual Fourth of July event at Na`alehu Rodeo Grounds on Saturday and Sunday, the rodeo drew a big field of competitors and fans.

Rodeo Queen Caliya Silva Kamei
Photo by Julia Neal

     Caliya Silva Kamei was Rodeo Queen for the event. She is the daughter of Cavelle Silva and Clifford Kamei, Jr. who were married on Fourth of July. She is niece to Miss Ka`u Coffee Amery Silva.

     Taking the All-Around Champion title, with buckle sponsored by Hirayama Bros. Electric, Inc., was Keola Loando. Top Bull Rider, with buckle sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Medeiros, was Rey Javar. First in Open Dally Team Roping, with buckle sponsored by Edmund C. Olson Trust II, were Keoni Balucan and Mat Loando.

Family time for horses and paniolo enthusiasts to settle down
after the rodeo, including Ka`u's Christopher Llanes, at right.
  Photo by Julia Neal

     Winners of Kane/Wahine Dally Team Roping, with buckle sponsored by CU Hawai`i Federal Credit Union, were Keola Loando and Macey Loando. Winners of Team 90s Dally Team Roping, with buckle sponsored by Waimea Hill Country & Tack, were Les Andrade and Andrew Kauai. First in Junior Dally Team Roping, with buckle sponsored by Pacific Quest, were Evan Manoha and Westin Joseph.
     Top in Double Mugging, with buckle sponsored by Ka`u Andrade Contracting, were Leyi Rita and Wyatt Rita. First in Wahine Mugging with, buckle sponsored by Boonie Medeiros and Rey Javar, were Tati Loando and Shannon Carmichael. Tops in Po`o Wai U, with buckle sponsored by Mark Loando MKL Trucking, was Keola Loando. First in Tie Down Roping, with buckle sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Justin Amaral, was Herman Holland. First in Open Breakaway Roping, with buckle sponsored by Ka`u Girls Softball, was Kahiau Onaka. First in Youth Barrels, with buckle sponsored by Day-Lum Rentals, was Kale Onaka.

Young paniolo Austin Lorenzo rounds up a couple of keiki wahine after the rodeo.
Photo by Julia Neal

     Winner of Dummy Roping – four years old and under, with buckle sponsored by Hana Hou Restaurant, was Blayne DeMattos. First in Dummy Roping – five to eight years of age, with buckle sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou, was Ayden Benevides. Winner of Goat Undercorating – ages four and under, with buckle sponsored by Pahala Pops, was Blayne Demattos. Tops in Goat Undecorating – ages five to eight, with buckle sponsored by Punalu`u Bake Shop, was Kalia Medeiros. Tops in Mutton Busting, with buckle sponsored by Wiki Wiki 76, was Hainoa Kahele.
     The next rodeo is Aug. 23 at Na`alehu, a fundraiser for the Ka`u High School's new eight man football team, which also held a food
fundraiser at last weekend's rodeo.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

ROADWAY PAVEMENT RECONSTRUCTION continues on Hwy 11 in the vicinity of Kapapala Ranch to the Ka`u boundary of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Alternating single lane closures in both directions between mile markers 45.6 and 39.5 occur today through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

A WALK INTO THE PAST features Ka`u resident Dick Hershberger as Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar. The living history program takes place tomorrow and every other Tuesday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center and Whitney Vault in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

Ka`u resident Dick Hershberger, back center with top hat, is a member of the cast
of KDEN's Ruddigore, which opens Friday. Photo from KDEN 

RUDDIGORE, OR THE WITCH’S CURSE, Kilauea Drama and Entertainment Network’s summer production, also features Ka`u resident Dick Hershberger, as well as his wife, Arlene Araki. Hershberger portrays the 21st Baronet Roderic in the Gilbert & Sullivan operatta, and Araki is a member of the Chorus of Professional Bridesmaids.

      “As with all Gilbert and Sullivan, the plot revolves around duty and doing what is expected of you,” said director Suzi Bond. “This one has ancestors that come to life from paintings on the wall to torture the current Baronet of Ruddigore.”
      Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays from July 11 to 27 at Kilauea Military Camp Theater. Tickets are $15 general, $12 for students and seniors over 60 and $10 for children 12 and under and are available at Kilauea General Store in Volcano, The Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo and Kea`au Natural Foods. Reservations can be made by calling 982-7344.
      For more information call this number, email kden73@aol.com, or visit KDEN’s Facebook page.

PEGGY STANTON TEACHES ACRYLIC PAINTING to all levels tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Free for VAC members; $20 for nonmembers.
      For more information, email peggystanton007@yahoo.com.

Richard Perea will talk about his natural farming fig farm at this weekend's
Ka`u Farmers Union United meeting. Photo from Richard Perea

HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED’S KA`U chapter holds its next meeting on Saturday, July 12 at Ka`u Coffeehouse & Guesthouse in Na`alehu at 5 p.m.
      Richard Perea, of Ka`u Natural Farming, presents photos and talks about his fig farm in Ocean View and how he uses natural farming.
      For more information, email Malian Lahey at malian@kauspecialtycoffee.com.

ULANA LAUHALA IS THE TOPIC Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Participants learn to weave a decorative star from leaves of the pandanus tree. Free; park entrance fees apply.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.
Click at bottom right to turn pages.

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, July 6, 2014

Rodeo clown distracts as judges, announcer and fans look on at the Fourth of July weekend rodeo in Na`alehu, which continues today.
Photo by Julia Neal

INCUMBENT STATE REP. RICHARD H.K. ONISHI has provided information to the League of Women Voters regarding his campaign for reelection, with the primary to be held on Aug. 9.
      “To address issues and concerns and find solutions to better the communities and the lives of future generations in my district, I pledge to listen to you, stay in touch with you, work tirelessly for you and to work together with you,” Onishi said.
      “I believe I am best qualified to represent the people in my district. My experiences have provided me with a diverse perspective on how to address issues, problems and concerns of our communities. Some of those experiences gave me the opportunity to understand the role of the Legislature and be involved in its processes.”

Young paniolo learn to ride and fall in the mutton busting competition.
Photo by Julia Neal

      Onishi was born on the Big Island, attended public schools and graduated from University of Hawai`i at Hilo with a bachelor of arts degree. He has had variety of jobs in the private sector and government, including service jobs in the visitor industry and in the grocery business, supervisory positions in agriculture and computer technology, service in the Army, teaching computer classes at Hawai`i Community College and computer information system analyst for the county. He has held leadership positions in many organizations including PTAs, School/Community-Based Management Councils, coaching soccer and football, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Army Community Service, Hawai`i Island Adult Care, Hilo High School Foundation and Jaycees. He has lobbied the Legislature on behalf of PTA, Jaycees, ACS, HIAC and Hawai`i Government Employees Associaton.

Wahine double mugging sees the mounted rider roping and the partner on the ground tackling the calf. Photo by Julia Neal

      “My top two goals are to increase revenues and to assist our communities to become safer, healthier, economically viable and sustainable,” Onishi said. “To achieve these goals I will identify, develop and support programs that will increase revenue, and I will work with our communities to identify issues and problems dealing with the safety, health, economy and sustainability of their community and work with them to find solutions.” See lwv-hawaii.org.To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U ROPING & RIDING ASSOCIATION’S annual Fourth of July Rodeo continues today at Na`alehu Rodeo Grounds with Open Dally, Team 90s, Double Mugging, Ranch Mugging and Wahine Mugging.

Thy Word Ministries-Ka`u members walk and ride for the Lord every
Independence Day in Na`alehu. Photo by Julia Neal

RELIGIONS OF MANY FAITHS and denominations joined Fourth of July celebrations over the last week in parades in Volcano and Na`alehu. Lighthouse Baptist Church of Na`alehu, whose members handed out American flags at the Na`alehu event, won Most Patriotic. Ocean View Evangelical won most colorful. Religions represented ranged from Evangelical Protestant to Krsna.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES ARE NOW PERMITTED in agriculturally designated districts if located in a farm dwelling, following Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s signing of House Bill 2560 (Act 210.)
      “This legislation makes it easier for farm families to access child care,” Abercrombie said. “Keiki in rural areas can now have a child care setting that provides open space and opportunities to learn about caring for animals and living off the land.”
      Act 210 also changes the definition of family child care home to allow for care of one to six unrelated children.
      In a separate bill signing ceremony at Maui Brewing Co. at Maui Research & Technology Park in Kihei, the governor enacted Senate Bill 3042 (Act 211), which removes a 30,000-barrel-per-year manufacturing cap for malt beverages for class 14 brewpub licensees. Act 211 also increases the manufacturing limit for class 16 winery licensees to not more than 20,000 barrels of wine on the licensee’s premises during the license year.

Lighthouse Baptist Church walked with flags and handed out small flags,
winning Most Patriotic in Na`alehu. Photo by Julia Neal

      In addition, Act 211 establishes a new class 18 liquor license class for small craft producer pubs, prohibits brewpubs from selling intoxicating liquor from class 1 manufacturer licensees for consumption on the premises, and makes conforming amendments relating to liquor license classes and federal labeling and bottling requirements.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

PAHALA PUBLIC & SCHOOL LIBRARY will offer its patrons new public service hours beginning Monday, July 14: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, closed.
      For information about the library’s programs and services, please call 928-2015.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.  

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY REPORTS a new lava flow beginning as another ends in the current issue of Volcano Watch.
      “Elevated pressure within Pu`u O`o cone reached a breaking point on June 27 with magma intruding through the cone and erupting from fissures on the northeast flank of the cone. These new vents fed a vigorous, but still relatively short, channelized flow that had reached about 1.5 km northeast of Pu`u O`o by 11 a.m. This new activity was accompanied by minor sagging of the Pu`u O`o crater floor, due to withdrawal of magma within the cone.

Ocean View Evangelical Church took the prize in Na`alehu for Most
Colorful float. Photo by Julia Neal

      “For the past year, the Kahauale`a Two lava flow was erupting from a vent high on the northeast crater rim of Pu`u O`o, on Kilauea’s East Rift Zone, sending lava toward the northeast. Although this lava flow advanced very slowly, and erratically, it was uphill from residential areas and posed a potential future hazard. Several interruptions to the lava supply at the vent occurred over the past year but nothing quite large enough to terminate the flow. In the early morning hours of Friday, June 27, the terminal event finally arrived.
  “Prior to June 27, HVO had been tracking inflation at Pu`u O`o for several weeks. Several small lava flows erupted from spatter cones on the Pu`u O`o crater floor in the week before the event—another sign of pressurization and high lava levels. Slow deflation of the cone began around 5:30 a.m. on June 27, around the time that a handful of small earthquakes appeared. Both the deflation and the earthquakes may have represented magma starting, or trying, to intrude through the cone.   

Followers of Krishna joined Volcano's Fourth of July Parade. Photo by Julia Neal

      “The breaking point was finally reached just before 7 a.m. Our Webcams showed a portion of the northeast flank of Pu`u O`o pushed up slightly—perhaps several yards — as magma forced its way through the side of the cone.
      “Magma reached the surface moments later, tearing open new fissures on the northeast flank and sending out a gush of lava as the built-up pressure was released. Bursts of seismic tremor, sharp deflation and sagging of Pu`u O`o’s crater floor accompanied the opening of the new flank vents as magma stored beneath the cone drained out to feed the new flows.
      “The initial phases of this new activity were impressive. Four fissures opened, with the most vigorous being the lowest in elevation. This fissure sent out a beautiful channelized flow on the opening day, reaching about 0.9 miles in length, but the vigor of the eruption soon abated as the excess pressure in Pu`u O`o was relieved.
      “By the second day, activity had focused on the lowest fissure, and flows were extending only a short distance from this vent. These short flows have been stacking up on one another, building a broad lava shield on the flank of Pu`u O`o. This lava shield activity continues today. …

Na`alehu Assembly of God carried the cross in the Na`alehu Parade.
 Photo by Julia Neal

      “Compared to previous events, the June 27 breakout was relatively small, but it had an important effect on the East Rift Zone eruption. The lava level drop in Pu`u O`o resulted in the lava supply to the Kahauale`a Two flow being shut off. This killed the Kahauale`a Two flow but may have simply replaced it with a new long-term hazard concern. The lava from the June 27 breakout is, like the Kahauale`a Two flow, heading in a northeastern direction and could eventually pose a similar threat to downslope communities. The June 27 flows are, however, very slow-moving and pose no imminent threat. Continued mapping and monitoring of this new flow will help us determine what it could have in store for the future.”
      See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U RESIDENT DICK HERSHBERGER brings Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar to life Tuesday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. The living history program takes place every other Tuesday at Kilauea Visitor Center and Whitney Vault in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

The Village Church, Volcano Assembly of God on Wright Road flew
American flags in Volcano's parade. Photo by Julia Neal

PEGGY STANTON TEACHES ACRYLIC PAINTING to all levels Tuesday, July 8 and 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Free for VAC members; $20 for nonmembers.
      For more information, email peggystanton007@yahoo.com.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.
Click at bottom right to turn pages.