Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014

Satellite image at 2:49 a.m. Friday shows arrival of Iselle onto the Ka`u Coast. Image from Weather Underground

FOLLOWING ISELLE IS POWERFUL HURRICANE JULIO, packing winds of 100 miles per hour. Julio was 400 miles east-northeast of Hilo at 2 p.m. and continuing to move toward the west-northwest. It is projected to pass to the north of the state. There are currently no weather watches or warnings in effect related to Julio.

Whitney Coffman said that about 200 of his coffee trees and 100 macadamia trees
went down, along with this two-story drying shed. Photo by Julia Neal

WOOD VALLEY ROADS and stream crossings were being quickly repaired yesterday and today by county road crews with large machines and tools for cutting and moving aside fallen trees and other debris. Wood Valley residents who were cleaning up farms and homesites today praised the county and said they hope that restoration of electrical power will also come quickly. A major deterrent is a snarl of fallen eucalyptus and utility poles and wires at the junction of Wood Valley and Kapapala Ranch road. Government road crews must wait for Hawai`i Electric Light Co. to make a plan and work on extracting the electric lines from the mess. The company says it is bringing in workers from off-island to help with restoring numerous power outages in Iselle's hardest hit areas. 

      All power was restored last night in Pahala and by this morning in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and in Volcano Village. Power was out in the Discovery Harbour area just for several hours during the storm.
      There was no disruption in county water delivery in Ka`u. However, Wood Valley remained without water today. The community takes care of its own water system, and volunteers were working on broken lines and retrieving parts to restore the system.

      In agriculture, coffee farmers and macadamia growers lost some trees. Whitney Coffman, of Wood Valley, said about 200 coffee trees and 100 macadamia trees went down on his farms. Other coffee and mac nut trees could be seen on their sides driving up Wood Valley Road.

A video from Troy Gacayan's Facebook page shows rushing water
filling the flood control channel that passes Na`alehu Park. 

PASTOR TROY GACAYAN POSTED SEVERAL VIDEOS on Facebook of effects of Iselle. In one he said, “I was in my backyard checking up on the weather, and I heard like a freight train and explosions like the literal hurricane was coming, then I realized it was the ocean. I lived here in Na`alehu 10 years and never heard the slamming of waves that loud before. When I went to Puhina Pali I was blown away. Huge swells rolling in. Can’t really tell on the video but old timers there at the cliff said they never seen waves that huge at Puhina before.”

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KA`U HIGH SCHOOL REPORTS LOW VOTER TURNOUT so far this primary election day. Polls are open until 6 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano, Ka`u High School cafeteria, Na`alehu School cafeteria, Ocean View Community Center and Miloli`i Halau.

Will District Six voters decide who their next County Council member will be today? Candidates, from left, are Richard Abbett, Maile Medeiros David and Jim Wilson. Polls are open until 6 p.m.

KA`U MAY HAVE A NEW COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER when results of today's primary are tallied. Richard Abbett, of Ocean View, Maile Medeiros David, of Captain Cook, and Jim Wilson, of Volcano, are looking to replace outgoing member Brenda Ford, who has reached her term limit. To win outright, one candidate must receive 50 percent plus one vote. If no one wins, the two highest vote-getters face off in the general election.

Low voter turnout was experienced by poll workers in Pahala early this morning,
following Hurricane Iselle making landfall nearby on Friday morning as
a tropical storm. Photo by Julia Neal

      West Ka`u residents in state Senate District Three can vote for incumbent Sen. Josh Green on the Democratic ticket or Michael Last on the Libertarian ballot.
      Democratic incumbent state Rep. Richard Onishi has no challengers in the primary for District Three. He goes up against Republican Bill Dickson and Libertarian Fred Fogel in the general election.
      Democratic options in West Ka`u’s state House of Representatives District Five are incumbent Rep. Richard Creagan and Gene “Bucky” Leslie. The winner will face Republican Dave Bateman, Libertarian Jon LaLanne and nonpartisan Randy Ruis in the general election.
      Other hotly contested races include the Democratic nomination for governor between Gov. Neil Abercrombie and state Sen. David Ige. Van Tanabe is a third Democratic option on the ballot.
      For the Republican nomination, voters choose among Duke Aiona, Charles “Trump” Collins and Stuart Todd Gregory.
      Mufi Hannemann is running as the only Independent candidate, and Jeff Davis, the only Libertarian.

Lee Jenison at Wood Valley Ranch shows a new gouge in the bank of the stream
just beside the main house. Photo by Julia Neal

      Nonpartisan choices are Misty Davis, Khis Dejean Caldwell, Richard Morse and Joseph Spatola.
      The Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor will be either state Sen. Clayton Hee, Sam Puletasi, Miles Shiratori, incumbent Shan Tsutsui or Mary Zanakis.
      On the Republican ballot for Lieutenant Governor are Elwin Ahu and Warner Kimo Sutton.
      Les Chang is the only Independent candidate for Lieutenant Governor, and Cynthia Marlin the sole Libertarian.
      In the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, incumbent Sen. Brian Schatz faces challenges from Brian Evans and U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa.
      The Republican primary for U.S. Senate has four candidates to choose from: Cam Cavasso, Harry Friel, Jr., Eddie Pirkowski and John Roco. The nonpartisan choice is between Joy Allison and Arturo Pacheco Reyes.
      Michael Kokoski is the only Libertarian candidate.
      Republicans choose between Marissa Capelouto and Kawika Crowley to face Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Libertarian Joe Kent for U.S. Representative District Two in the general election.

Iselle toppled a large koa tree across from Kilauea Visitor
Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Photo from Cindy Orlando

      Sixteen candidates are vying for three at-large seats at Office of Hawaiian Affairs: Lei Ahu Isa, Rowena Akana, Keli`i Akina, Lahilahi Desoto-McCollough, Jeremy Kama Hopkins, Leona Mapuana Kalima, T. Keikialoha Kekipi, Keali`i Makekau, Harvey McInerny, Landen Paikai, Alona Quartero, Lorraine Shin-Penn, Mililani Trask, John Waihe`e, Hina Wong-Kalu and Wes Kaiwi Nui Yoon.

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HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK IS OPEN TODAY, with some closures in effect as park officials assess damage and remove fallen trees and other debris from roadways and trails following Tropical Storm Iselle.


      The following closures are in effect:

• The Kahuku Unit will remain closed through the weekend, and today’s Palm Trail hike is canceled.

 
• Chain of Craters Road from Devastation Trail parking lot to the coast; 
• All backcountry areas, including Mauna Loa and cabins

; 
• Mauna Loa Road (known locally as Mauna Loa Strip Road); 
• 

All coastal areas and trails, including, `Apua Point, Keauhou, Halape and Ka`aha; 
• Kulanaokuaiki campsite; 
• Napau campsite; 
• Namakanipaio campgrounds and its A-frame cabins. 

Government road crews earned praise from Wood Valley residents today for their
hard work removing trees blocking access to homes and farms. Photo by Julia Neal

      

Power has been restored, and phones are working. Kilauea Visitor Center and the Jaggar Museum will open and be staffed from until 5 p.m. today. 

“Visitors should prepare for limited services and some front-country trail closures as we mobilize back into operation and continue to assess damage,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando.


      Volcano House and Kilauea Military Camp are open.

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HAWAI`I ELECTRIC LIGHT CO. IS ADVISING CUSTOMERS who are currently out of power to prepare for extended outages, which could last through the weekend and in some cases much longer. For those who remain without power for an extended time, food safety may become a concern.

      Discard any perishable food that has been above 41 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours. Use a food thermometer to check the temperature of perishable foods such as meat, poultry, fish and leftovers before cooking or eating it.
      Always discard any items in the refrigerator that have come into contact with raw meat juices.
      Foods can stay frozen in the freezer for one to three days: one day for a half-full freezer, three days for a fully stocked freezer.
Food that has been thawed completely and has not been held at or below 41 degrees should be cooked and eaten immediately. If food still has ice crystals, it’s safe to refreeze.

Water in this Wood Valley gulch was much higher when Iselle passed through Ka`u,
as evidenced by flattened areas upstream. Photo by Royden Okinishi

      As a general rule, “when it doubt, throw it out.”

      If power is out for an extended period of time, consider using dry ice if available. Remember to use gloves or tongs when handling dry ice. Dry ice can be placed directly on top of your foods, since dry ice cools things under it.
      These tips have been adapted from Hawai`i Department of Health’s Food Safety – During and After a Power Outage brochure and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Foodsafety.gov website. For specifics on when to save or throw out certain types of food, see HELCO’s Handbook for Emergency Preparedness at hawaiielectriclight.com under the Safety and Emergency tab.
      Customers who wish to submit damage claims can access a claim form on our website www.hawaiielectriclight.com under the Residential Services section.

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KA`U PLANTATION DAYS ORGANIZERS hold a meeting Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center to begin planning for the Oct. 11 event.
      For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Aug. 8, 2014

Satellite image of tropical storm Iselle moving west of the Big Island after making landfall on the shore near Pahala.
Image from NOAA

HURRICANE ISELLE MADE LANDFALL as a tropical storm at 2:30 a.m. this morning near Kamehame, the Hawksbill turtle preserve, on the shore near Pahala. As the Weather Channel and other international media outlets reported the event, they described the area as a sparsely populated region with a village of 1,300 people. 
     Th leading edge of Iselle arrived to Pahala with a dry wind, colorful clouds at sunset and the appearance of Ka`u being spared, while nearby Volcano and Puna took the pounding with early electrical outages, blocked roads, downed trees and damaged homes. With electricity going out in Pahala late last night and communications lost, most residents didn’t realize they were experiencing the eye of the storm at 2:30 a.m., when circular bands of clouds traveled across the night sky. The eye was followed by lightning and thunder and the beginning of heavy rain that flooded Hwy 11 at Kawa and Wood Valley Road making them  impassable this morning. A bridge above Ka`u Coffee Mill on the way to Wood Valley was blocked due to buckled pavement. Further inland, numerous trees fell on power lines, making travel to Wood Valley nearly impossible by vehicle.

Buckled pavement on a Wood Valley Road  bridge, undercut
by the flooding. Photo by Rob Blosser

     Several visitors took shelter at the Ka`u High School band room after the SeaMountain at Punalu`u staff told guests they would be evacuated. However, guests were able to return this morning to the condominiums as they did not lose power. David and Lannie Colombo managed the Red Cross shelter in Pahala. They housed 50 people overnight, including 30 from the local Micronesian community, a family of four from Canada, a couple on their honeymoon and another on their 25th anniversary. Pahala Plantation Cottages guests were offered rooms in the Pahala Plantation manager’s house which was boarded up before the storm. 
     Schools, medical clinics, community centers, banks, credit unions and beach parks remain closed today as county and state road crew clean up all the remnants of trees and debris and as Hawaiian Electric Light Co. attempts to restore electricity. Some, if not all Wood Valley residents, cut off from Pahala, reported deafening thunder and lightning. The Wood Valley community is without running water, and at least one tree fell on a resident’s car.

Families shelter at Ka`u High. Photo by Ron Johnson

     Many eucalyptus trees fell around Wood Valley Temple, providing new views toward Kapapala Ranch.Where Wood Valley Road turns left toward the temple, the crossing remained blocked this afternoon by a tangle of utility lines, poles and fallen trees, a daunting mess to clear and perhaps evidence of  a long wait for electricity to be restored in Wood Valley. However, county road crews helped improve the unpaved section of  Center Road so residents could reach homes with 4WD vehicles.

Wood Valley Road blocked by trees. Photo by Royden Okinishi

Upstream, the apparent torrent of water dropped by Iselle cut new paths through the land. 
     On some farms, young coffee trees were uprooted. Guinea grass in pastures was flattened by high winds that also sheared off tops of windbreaks like Norfolk pines. Around the damage - photogenic rushing streams and waterfalls tumbling from the steep walls of Wood Valkey. 
     Hawai`i County Civil Defense reported that HELCO crews are working as fast as they can to restore power to Ka`u and other areas of Hawai`i Island. Crews flew in from Honolulu to help.
     Hwy 11 reopened Friday evening after flood waters receded at low-lying Kawa between Punalu`u and Honu`apo. The detour used for most of the day was the old sugar cane haul road between Na`alehu and Pahala along the mountainside. One Pahala resident, Bobby Tucker, who was returning home, described it as somewhat daunting with gorges, waterfalls and new waterways cut by Iselle, but also incredibly beautiful.
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Julio's predicted path. Photo by weather.com

HURRICANE JULIO is predicted to track north of the Hawaiian Islands. Roughly 900 miles behind Iselle, Julio has been downgraded from a Category Three on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale to a Category Two as it enters cooler waters. Although it may benefit from the moisture left behind Iselle, Julio is expected to weaken in terms of wind speed as it continues its journey north of the islands. Despite the predicted path of Julio completely missing the Big Island, some Ka`u residents insist on keeping their houses boarded up, just in case.
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PRIMARY ELECTION DAY IS SATURDAY, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Local polling places are Cooper Center in Volcano, Ka`u High School cafeteria, Na`alehu School Cafeteria, Ocean View Community Center and Miloli`i Hale.

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

 

Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014

Genevieve, at left, Iselle and Julio are moving from east to west across the central Pacific and impact Hawai`i's weather. Image from NOAA

ISELLE WAS 230 MILES EAST OF SOUTH POINT at 11 a.m. and is on track to hit Hilo this afternoon. With the storm maintaining maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour, the National Weather Service hurricane warning for the Hawai`i Island remains in effect. The onset of hazardous hurricane conditions can be expected to affect the east or windward portions of Hawai`i Island beginning early this afternoon and continue across the island to the west. The hurricane conditions will include high surf and surge along all coastal areas, heavy rains and possible thundershowers that may present with flood conditions and sustained storm-force winds and higher gusts.
      Hawai`i County reported Punalu`u as one area of concern for initial high surf impact. Residents in all coastal areas and areas prone to surf and surge impact are advised to take precautions. All residents are encouraged to remain off the roadways and to anticipate possible power outages and interruptions in telephone and other communication systems. Everyone is advised to complete all necessary preparations by noon today.

Hurricane Iselle's arrival on Hawai`i Island is imminent.

      All Hawai`i Island public schools are closed today and tomorrow. University of Hawai`i and Hawai`i Community College facilities are also closed.
      In addition, all beach parks, including Punalu`u and Whittington, are closed and will remain closed until conditions improve and it is safe to reopen.
      All county and state government offices are closed for general business operations effective noon today and remain closed through tomorrow. Emergency operations will be maintained, and all non-essential employees will be instructed to remain home.
      Originally scheduled to be available later in the afternoon today, absentee walk-in voting at Pahala Community Center ends at 1 p.m.
      Boys & Girls Clubs in Pahala and Na`alehu are closed today and tomorrow.
      All county solid waste transfer stations, including Wai`ohinu, closed at noon.
      All Hele-On buses are scheduled to operate as normal today and tomorrow. However, due to heavy rains and potential road closures, bus routes may be canceled with little or no notice. The county suggests that residents prepare for alternative transportation during this hurricane event. Delays are expected.
      Senior Nutrition Programs and Elderly Recreation Program activities are canceled today and tomorrow. Van service provided by Coordinated Services for the Elderly has been suspended for Thursday and Friday.
      Residents are strongly encouraged to stay off roadways and travel as little as possible to avoid wind and flooding hazards.

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Ka`u High's band room is now open as an evacuation center.
Photo by Julia Neal

THE BAND ROOM at Ka`u High opened as a Civil Defense shelter this morning for the approaching Hurricane Iselle. According to Phina Wroblewski, head custodian of Ka`u High, who was preparing the room this morning, the physical education building (not the old or new gym) and the science building, both made of concrete, will also be opened if needed. Visitors at SeaMountain at Punalu`u said they were notified that they would be evacuated. Some of them were also helping to set up the shelter.

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TO KEEP VISITORS AND EMPLOYEES SAFE as Hurricane Iselle approaches, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park officials have closed all backcountry areas and certain roads. Kilauea Visitor Center and Jaggar Museum close at 1 p.m. today.
      Closures remain in effect until Hurricane Iselle has passed and conditions are safe. Additional closures may be warranted as the storm gets closer and any damage is assessed. Volcano House and Kīlauea Military Camp will remain open for registered guests.
      “Although we aren’t closing Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park in its entirety, we strongly encourage visitors to consider changing their plans if they were planning to visit Thursday or Friday,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando.
      Visitors can check the park website, nps.gov/havo, for the latest information on openings or call 985-6000.

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Residents in Ka`u reported feeling this morning's 4.5 magnitude earthquake in the
northern part of the Big Island. 

HURRICANES AREN’T THE ONLY NATURAL DISASTERS currently hitting Hawai`i Island. A 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck the northwest section this morning and was felt in Ka`u. The quake was the state’s strongest since a magnitude 4.9 tremor struck the southeastern part of the island on Aug. 11, 2013.

GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE HAS SIGNED an emergency proclamation in anticipation of the arrival of two tropical cyclones in Hawai`i.
      The proclamation, which includes the entire state, activates the Major Disaster Fund set aside by the Legislature for disaster relief. It also allows easier access to emergency resources at the state and federal levels, along with the suspension of certain laws as needed for emergency purposes.
      “We want to make sure we are doing everything possible to protect the public,” Abercrombie said. “This proclamation improves the state’s ability to respond quickly to any potential impacts from both storms.”
      The disaster emergency relief period for the proclamation begins today and continues through Aug. 15.
      Recommended preparedness actions can be found on the Hawai`i Emergency Management Agency website at scd.hawaii.gov.
      Mayor Billy Kenoi has also declared a state of emergency in Hawai`i County.

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Leroy Cain engages keiki at his Bee Happy Farm.
Photo from Denise Garcia

THIS SUMMER, PRESCHOOL-AGE AND KIDS getting ready to enter kindergarten were introduced to the concept of going to school by attending a Play & Learn program funded by the Department of Education, KKP-P3 Project. Children ages three to five and their families gathered in Na`alehu and Ocean View for the one-week program last month. The program included hands-on fine motor activities such as counting, colors, patterns and shapes as well as a unit study on bugs with program facilitators.
      The children of Na`alehu Play & Learn journeyed to Leroy Cain’s Bee Happy bee farm in Green Sands, where they saw bees in full action working in their hives. “Everyone even tasted honey right out of the honeycomb, with excitement on their little faces as they were holding bees,” Garcia said. “Thank you to the parents for making this program a success! It’s important for parents to be involved; it shows through their children,” she added. Chopot advised families to “read every day to your child; have conversations with them, and really listen.”

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“WHAT CAN YOU DO IN A TIME OF CYNICISM to make the political system work in an intelligent way?” asked an Ocean View resident during Monday’s County Council District Six candidate forum. Maile David answered, “I can only speak from my record, serving the people. The people you elect are the means of changing that.” Jim Wilson said, “We need more common sense. We also need to get more people to run for office who run for the right reason.” Richard Abbett said campaign financing needs reformed. “Money corrupts our system,” he said. “Our experience should be enough without having to sell our souls.”

      Other residents also brought of issues important in Ocean View.
      Don Nitsche pointed out that while “Ocean View is a do-it-yourself town, it’s about time we get more help from the county.”
      Patti Barry brought up the possibility of paving Road to the Sea to improve beach access.

Rep. Richard Creagan at County Council
District Six forum. Photo by Ron Johnson

      Another resident suggested the value of the county building a facility where residents could sell arts, crafts and other items. She said the area where the Ocean View swap meet is held lacks highway frontage and proper restrooms. “We need something concrete,” she said, adding that such a development would be a viable economic engine for the community. All three candidates agreed that such a project would be worthwhile.
      Bill Stockton, one of the owners of the proposed Lehua Court development, said, “We may be able to provide restrooms sooner than the county can. We plan to build things for the community.” He also said he expects the development to include a bank, pharmacy and urgent care facility.
      Richard Creagan, a candidate for state House in Ocean View’s District Five, told the audience that Ka`u Learning Academy’s goal, while initially opening the charter school in Discovery Harbour, is to locate in Ocean View. He also said that Gov. Neil Abercrombie promised Ocean View a second well and a school, and if he and the governor are reelected, he would hold the governor to his promise.
      When Creagan asked if the candidates would support making Pohue Bay a county park, they all said they would.

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PRIMARY ELECTION DAY IS SATURDAY, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Local polling places are Cooper Center in Volcano, Ka`u High School cafeteria, Na`alehu School Cafeteria, Ocean View Community Center and Miloli`i Hale.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.