Ka`u News Briefs Monday, May 18, 2015

Walter Nishioka, founder of International Karate League, conducted classes at Pahala Dojo recently. Photo from Cliff Field

HAWAI`I STATE LEGISLATURE HAS APPROVED a bill that would broaden an individual’s significant privacy interest under the Uniform Information Practices Act to include records that if disclosed would create a substantial and demonstrable risk of physical harm to that individual.

      HB 287 is intended to protect judges who could be placed at risk after sentencing criminals. “I don't think it’s appropriate for people to know where judges live,” Judiciary Committee Chair Karl Rhoads told Kevin Dayton, of Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “I think there is a legitimate concern that they could be harmed if we’re not protective of their personal information.”

Karl Rhoads

      Susan Pang Gochros, chief staff attorney and head of the Judiciary's Department of International and Community Relations told Dayton that “judges have endured threats and security concerns that serve as constant reminders of our need to promote security and safety.”
      Gerald Kato, associate professor of journalism at University of Hawai`i School of Communications, said the law is not needed because personal information about public workers, including home addresses of judges, is already withheld from the public because it is private information under the public records law.
      Kato told Dayton he is concerned about the possibility of a “slippery slope” argument that would lead to restrictions by other branches of government on the release of other kinds of information that should be public.
      “We should be very careful about making these sort of changes in the freedom of information law," he said.
      The law already denies release of information relating to medical, psychiatric or psychological history, diagnosis, condition, treatment or evaluation, other than directory information while an individual is present at such facility; information identifiable as part of an investigation into a possible violation of criminal law, except to the extent that disclosure is necessary to prosecute the violation or to continue the investigation; information relating to eligibility for social services or welfare benefits or to the determination of benefit levels; information in an agency’s personnel file, or applications, nominations, recommendations or proposals for public employment or appointment to a governmental position; information relating to an individual’s nongovernmental employment history except as necessary to demonstrate compliance with requirements for a particular government position; information describing an individual’s finances, income, assets, liabilities, net worth, bank balances, financial history or activities or creditworthiness; information compiled as part of an inquiry into an individual’s fitness to be granted or to retain a license; Information comprising a personal recommendation or evaluation; and Social Security numbers.
      The bill is now being considered by Gov. David Ige.

      See star-advertiser.com.
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Richard Abbett

KA`U RESIDENTS GAVE IMPASSIONED testimony to Hawai`i County Council today regarding an entry in the county budget that provides for purchase of the herbicide glyphosate to spray along highways and at other locations. The council is holding a special meeting to consider the proposed budget. 

      Green Sands subdivision Olivia Ling said her first experience with Roundup was an asthma attack after following sprayers on the highway. When she saw county workers spraying along Ka`alu`alu Road as schoolchildren were walking, she gave a fact sheet to their supervisor about problems with glyphosate exposure, including reductions of spider populations and alterations in frogs. “We don’t need poisons; there are plenty alternatives,” Ling said.
      Samantha Shurline said, “Monsanto is evil all over the world.” She said she has seen bees lying on sidewalks after weeds were sprayed.
      “We have a paradise here that Monsanto is killing,” she said. “We need to take care of our `aina. There are alternatives that are not more expensive.”  

      Michael Shurline said, “It’s not just Roundup; its not just Monsanto; it’s all poisons.” He suggested using manual labor to control weeds where mowers cannot.

      Another resident from Green Sands said the people have spoken, “We are against this.”

      Richard Abbett said that at some point, “we will be required to stop spraying. We can either do it now or later.” He said that he has gone through similar situations when he was working with fishing and similar environmental issues in the Pacific Northwest.

      The meeting is streamed live at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings.
      Testimony can be provided via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center during the meeting.
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Ka`u High boys volleyball team went to states and placed fifth.
Photo by Taylor Sport Photography

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL BOYS VOLLEYBALL TEAM became statewide HHSSA Division II tournament consolation winners, finishing in fifth place at Neal Blaisdell Arena on O`ahu Saturday. They won the Battle of the Big Island consolation game against Hawai`i Preparatory Academy 25-22 and 25-19. HPA previously overpowered Ka`u to take Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division II champions. 

      At states, Ka`u went against Hana, ultimately losing after five sets. Scores were 25-15, 23-25, 25-20, 22-25 and 8-15. Cameron Enriques had 41 kills and 25 digs.
      Following their loss to Hana, Ka`u played a consolation game against Castle, winning both sets 25-17 and 25-10.
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WALTER NISHIOKA, FOUNDER of International Karate League, visited Pahala Dojo this week and conducted two nights of classes. While here, he presented Francisco Villa his Shodan (first degree) black belt certificate. Francisco successfully passed his exam in February after many years of hard work.

Francisco Villa receives a black belt certificate from IKL founder
Walter Nishioka. Photo from Cliff Field

       Nishioka is referred to as Shihan (Master) and continues to actively visit IKL dojos throughout Hawai`i and the mainland. Nishioka Shihan trained with many famous martial artists as a young man when he frequently visited Japan and was on active military duty with the Strategic Air Command during the Korean War. He was encouraged by these teachers to develop his own school, which eventually resulted in the International Karate League. IKL is registered in Japan and was one of the first karate schools in the United States. Many attribute Nishioka Shihan with being one of the first to introduce karate to the United States. The mainstay philosophy of IKL is to build character and good citizenship in its students and to operate as a not for profit organization.
       Pahala Dojo was started in 2009, and the Sensei is Cliff Field. The dojo is open to new students from age five through adult throughout the year. Classes are every Tuesday and Friday at 5:30 at Pahala Community Center.
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KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee seeks public feedback on the draft Ka`u CDP. Comments are due by June 1. The CDP Steering Committee will review all of the feedback and make final decisions about CDP revisions before recommending that the county adopt the CDP. A series of Steering Committee meetings is scheduled to start on June 9 at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. The meetings will be open to the community, with public testimony welcome.
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STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT continues Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Volunteers meet at Kilauea Visitor Center to help remove invasive Himalayan ginger from park trails. Free; park entrance fees apply.

KAI HO`OPI`I RETURNS TO SHARE music of his `ohana from Maui Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

Stained glass is the topic at an upcoming Volcano Art Center workshop.
Photo from VAC

VOLCANO ART CENTER PRESENTS A Stained Glass Workshop May 21, 23 and 24. Before spending a fortune on tools, participants can try making stained glass art in this workshop for beginners. All of the basic techniques will be covered, from glass cutting, foiling, soldering and completing with patina and polishing compound. 

      Glass artist Claudia McCall will share her expertise and knowledge, teaching students skills involved in working safely with stained glass and creating a beautiful, sturdy piece of art.
      Hours are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday evening and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 
Saturday and Sunday. 

Class fee is $150 or $135 for VAC members. 

Attendees are asked to wear long pants, covered shoes and safety glasses. Advance registration is required and limited to six adults.

      See volcanoartcenter.org for more information and to register.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Kau_Calendar_May2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf.

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, May 17, 2015

Poi pounding was popular with all ages at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park's Bioblitz and Biodiversity & Cultural Festival Friday and Saturday. Photo by Julia Neal

WHAT’S NEXT AT KILAUEA VOLCANO? Associated Press reports: “A series of earthquakes and shifting ground on the slopes of Kilauea has scientists wondering what will happen next at one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
      “A lake of lava near the summit of Kilauea on Hawai`i island had risen to a record-high level after a recent explosion. But in the past few days, the pool of molten rock began sinking, and the surface of the lava lake fell nearly 500 feet.
      “Meanwhile, a rash of earthquakes rattled the volcano with as many as 25 quakes per hour, and scientists’ tiltmeters detected that the ground was deforming.”
      Steven Brantley, deputy scientist in charge of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, told AP: “Clearly the lava, by dropping out of sight, it has to be going somewhere.”
      AP reports that Brantley said that an eruption could possibly break through the side of the mountain.

      This morning, HVO reported that seismic activity, while still elevated, has been decreasing.
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BioBlitz and festival participants learned about environmental needs of `i`iwi.
Photo by Julia Neal

AFTER TWO INTENSIVE DAYS OF EXPLORATION and documentation, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s BioBlitz held on May 15 and 16 captured a vivid snapshot of the park’s unique plant and animal biodiversity. The event , sponsored by the National Geographic Society, brought together more than 170 leading scientists and traditional Hawaiian cultural practitioners, more than 850 students and thousands from the general public. Together they conducted a comprehensive inventory of the plants, insects, mammals, birds and other species that inhabit the 333,086-acre island park. Under the theme of I ka nana no a `ike (By observing, one learns), alakai`i were integrated into the survey teams for a more holistic approach to the research and exploration endeavor. 

      More than 6,000 people participated in the BioBlitz and concurrent Biodiversity & Cultural Festival, which brought together modern scientific investigation and ancient cultural practices.
      With a scientist-to-student ratio of one to five, students were able to truly work side-by-side with top scientists.

A festival-goer learns what is necessary to prevent plants from becoming extinct.
Photo by Julia Neal

      Twenty-two new species were added to the park’s species list, and sightings of 73 threatened species, including nene and Kamehameha butterfly, were documented.
      The BioBlitz survey more than doubled the number of fungi species on the park’s list with 17 new fungi documented at the close of the event. Many more will be added in coming days and weeks.
      The initial scientific species count as of the afternoon BioBlitz closing ceremony on Saturday was 416, with 1,535 observations recorded over the course of the two-day event. Organizers expect this number to increase significantly over the next several months as cutting-edge testing of the collected samples continues.
      The 35th annual Cultural Festival was moved from July to this weekend and expanded to include biodiversity booths and activities. The festival showcased how Hawaiians are true ecological experts and I ka nana no a `ike principles continue today. The Biodiversity & Cultural Festival included hands-on science and cultural exhibits, food, art and top Hawaiian music and dance performances.

Keiki connect with the natural world and Hawaiian culture using bamboo
to stamp designs. Photo by Julia Neal

      The BioBlitz was part scientific endeavor, part outdoor classroom excursion and part celebration of biodiversity and culture. Participants combed the park, observing and recording as many plant and animal species as possible in 24 hours. Activities included catching insects, spotting birds, observing plants and fungi, and using technology to better understand the diverse ecosystems across the park.
      “The BioBlitz and Biodiversity & Cultural Festival presented an incredible opportunity to connect the community with leading scientists, international sister parks and cultural practitioners this weekend,” said park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. “This event embodies our National Park Service centennial mission to encourage everyone to Find Your Park – literally – by exploring and understanding our vital connection to our natural world.”
      “The BioBlitz was a wonderful combination of past, present and future,” said John Francis, National Geographic’s vice president for research, conservation and exploration. “It was so exciting to bring together western science and traditional Hawaiian culture and pair it with the great iNaturalist app, smartphones and pumped-up cell service courtesy of Verizon. I hope this holistic approach serves as a model for other BioBlitzes and scientific endeavors.”

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A bone fishhook from Wai`ahukini cultural site
in Ka`u. Photo from Bishop Museum

KA`U IS THE SOURCE of the world’s largest collection of Hawaiian fishhooks. Images and descriptions of the more than 4,000 fishhooks are now online, with funding from Hawai`i Council for the Humanities. The address is http://data.bishopmuseum.org/archaeology/index.php?b=i. 

      The artifacts, including fishhook making tools, were excavated in 1953 and 1959, kept at Bishop Museum and photographed, with their images recently uploaded to the Bishop Museum online data base for study and public view.
      Archaeologists William Bonk, Kenneth P. Emory and Yoshiko Sinoto collected the fishhooks in Ka`u at Maka­lei Rockshelter, Pu`u Ali`i and Wai`ahukini Rockshelter. According to Bishop Museum, they date from A.D. 1300 to the 1800s.
      Fishhook-making styles have linked early Polynesians landing in Ka`u to islands in the Marquesas. Fish bones, also found in the archaeological sites in Ka`u, show what residents were eating and how their diets varied over time.
      A message on the Bishop Museum website cautions: “Please remember that these and other cultural sites are wahi pana, or culturally significant places. If you visit these places, please show respect for them. Do not touch or remove anything that belongs near or around these areas.”
      The website includes an interactive game called the Ho`omaka Hou Research Initiative Fishhook Memory Game. There is a link to a database for each of the three cultural sites Ka`u from which fishhooks were excavated. There are links to archaeological and history reports on places in Ka`u.
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MAY IS ASIAN-PACIFIC AMERICAN Heritage Month. recognizing the history, contributions and achievements of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities.
      “During the month of May, we celebrate Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, recognizing the lasting contributions to our nation made by the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities,” Sen. Brian Schatz said. “We also commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States more than 170 years ago. The Asian-Pacific American influence is a part of our daily lives in Hawai`i where its traditions and customs are woven into our culture, cuisine and commerce. The Hawai`i that we proudly call our home today owes a great legacy to the Ancient Hawaiians who established a vibrant and self-sustaining society in one of the most isolated places in the world. The strong values and numerous accomplishments of Asian-Pacific Americans highlight strength in diversity and inspire community-building throughout our nation.”

Natural Area Reserves System promoted awareness of the environment
at the Biodiversity & Cultural Festival. Photo by Julia Neal

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CQ-ROLL CALL’S NEW BOOK, Powerful Women: The 25 Most Influential Women in Congress, listed Hawai`i Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard in the ranks of the most accomplished and influential female leaders in Congress.
       The book discusses that despite just two years in Congress, Gabbard has been able to work with Democrats and Republicans and become a leading voice on military and foreign affairs on both the House Armed Services and House Foreign Affairs Committees. Additionally, the book discusses her status as a young veteran in Congress with her co-founding of the Post 9/11 Veterans Caucus.
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HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL holds meetings this week. Tomorrow, the council considers county operating and capital improvement budgets.
      Council holds its regular meeting Tuesday. Both meetings begin at 9 a.m. at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona.
      Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center. Agendas are available, and the meetings are also streamed live, at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_May2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf and
kaualendar.com/Directory2015.swf.

Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, May 16, 2015

The Southwest Rift Zone erupted on Sept. 24, 1971 for the first time in more than a half century. Spectators hiked into the Ka`u Desert and were kept back from spattering lava by rangers on horseback. A possibility, according to a report from scientists yesterday is that eruptions could be seen again in the Southwest Rift Zone. Photo from NPS

POSSIBLE SOUTHWEST RIFT ZONE eruption in Ka`u is one of three scenarios offered yesterday by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists. These follow an abrupt lowering of the lava lake level in Halema`uma`u and increased activity in the southern Kilauea summit caldera and upper Southwest Rift Zone. The Southwest Rift Zone last erupted in 1971. The eruption before that was in 1919-1920 when Mauna Iki erupted on the Southwest Rift Zone.

      Hawaiian Volcano Observatory released a statement yesterday that “the overall evolution of unrest in Kilauea’s summit area and upper rift zones in the coming weeks to months is uncertain. The magma storage system within Kilauea is highly pressurized at this time, and future changes in the location of unrest – and the potential for eruption – could unfold quickly (in days to hours).”

The National Park of Reunion Island is taking part in Hawai`i Volcanoes National
Park's Biodiversity & Cultural Festival today. Photos by Ron Johnson

      Scientists reported that “these recent changes at the summit of Kilauea suggest that magma has moved into a shallow area beneath the southern part of the caldera and upper Southwest Rift Zone. It is not possible to predict the exact outcome of this activity, but we identify three possible scenarios that could play out in the coming days to weeks:

1. Magma continues to accumulate in the southern part of Kilauea’s summit caldera and upper SWRZ at shallow depths, but then stops with no eruption; 
2. Magma continues to accumulate in the southern part of the caldera at shallow depths and leads to a rapid intrusion into the Southwest Rift Zone. Such an intrusion could remain within the rift zone or erupt along the rift zone. A rift zone intrusion would be indicated by a swarm of shallow earthquakes, seismic tremor, and large, rapid changes in the deformation of the ground surface; 
3. Magma continues to accumulate in the southern part of the caldera, rises toward the surface and erupts in the upper SWRZ and/or in the caldera. With this scenario, we would expect to see even stronger earthquake activity and/or seismic tremor in the southern part of the caldera, as well as ground cracks.

A group of BioBlizters prepares to inventory plant species along a trail
in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

      Reviewing recent history, HVO reports: “The lava lake in the Overlook crater (summit vent) overflowed its rim beginning April 28, sending many short flows across the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater. By May 8, these overflows and spatter from the rising lava lake had built a ridge (or levee) of solidified lava around the vent rim to a height of about eight meters (26 feet) above the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater, creating a ‘perched lava lake.’ On May 9, the lava lake level began to drop, and, as of Friday, May 15, the lake surface was about 50 m (165 ft) lower than the newly created vent rim. 

      “The abrupt lowering of the lava lake level was accompanied by changes in summit deformation and seismicity. As the lava lake dropped, the inflationary trend previously observed in the summit area changed to a deflationary trend centered near Halema`uma`u Crater. On May 13, the focus of deformation changed to the southern part of Kilauea’s summit caldera and upper Southwest Rift Zone, where rapid and localized inflationary tilt was recorded.
      “This change in deformation was accompanied by a shift in the focus of earthquake activity from Kilauea’s summit, upper East Rift Zone (ERZ), and upper Southwest Rift Zone (SWRZ) to the southern part of Kilauea’s caldera and Upper SWRZ. Of the many hundreds of earthquakes that have occurred in the SWRZ over the past two days, most have been small (less than magnitude-two) and shallow (less than four km [2.5 mi] deep). As of noon on May 15, earthquakes over the past 12 hours were occurring every couple of minutes, the highest rate recorded thus far, including this morning’s magnitude-3.2 quake at 8:37 a.m., HST, and magnitude-3.0 quake at 10:52 a.m., HST.
      “During this period of elevated summit activity, there has been no obvious change in the eruption rate of lava from the Pu`u `O`o vent on Kilauea’s East Rift Zone. Few earthquakes have occurred in the upper ERZ over the past few days.”
      HVO scientists report that they continue to closely monitor Kilauea Volcano, watching for any signs of unrest that may precede a new outbreak of lava or changes in activity at Pu`u `O`o or the summit. HVO is in frequent communication with Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and Hawai`i County Civil Defense to keep them apprised of the activity.
      HVO posts daily eruption updates its website, along with photos, videos and maps as they are available at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php.
      Interested persons can receive daily Kilauea eruption updates via email by subscribing to the Volcano Notification System at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns/.
      HVO contact information: askHVO@usgs.gov.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Many species in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park are counted today as
National Geographic Bioblitz 2015 concludes. Painting by
John Dawson for the National Geographic Society

HOW MANY SPECIES CAN BE COUNTED inside Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is the question of the day as BioBlitz 2015 continues. Schoolchildren, scientists and other citizen volunteers are making the count over a 24-hour period ending today. This is the ninth annual BioBlitz, each in different parks, sponsored by the National Geographic Society and the National Park Service, leading up to one hundredth anniversary of the National Park Service next year. 

      A post on National Geographic’s BioBlitz blog says that Bioblitz in Hawai`i “celebrates biodiversity and Polynesian culture, a spiritual and scientific look at nature” and calls it a “teaching moment for all that there is time to repair and appreciate our bonds with the Earth.”
      BioBlitz is being held simultaneously with the 35th Annual Cultural Festival in the park, with hula, cultural demonstrations and more until 4 p.m. today. Admission is free.
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Featherwork is one of many Hawaiian cultural activities available today
at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

THROWING FISH SCRAPS OVERBOARD is illegal, the state is reminding boaters. 

      Such activity can lead to Hawaiian monk seals hanging out around fishing boats, ramps and harbors where they can be struck by boat propellers. A year old monk seal was found dead on Anini Beach on Kaua`i this week and may have been hit by a boat. The fine is $1,000 and 30 days in jail plus possible civil penalties for just throwing fish scraps overboard.
      Department of Land and Natural Resources Chair Suzanne Case issued a statement saying: “Seals that are fed, even unintentionally by discarded fish scraps, can quickly become ‘problem seals’ that associate people with food and seek out human interactions that are dangerous for seals and people. They are wild creatures, and we want to keep them wild.”
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KA`U’S STATE SENATOR RUSSELL RUDERMAN earlier this week returned from Washington, D.C. where he was honored by the U.S. Small Business Association as Business Person of the Year by the Hawai`i Region of the Small Business Association.

Sen. Russell Ruderman receives Business Person of the Year
award from SBA Adminstrator Maria Contreras-Sweet.
Photo from Sen. Ruderman

      “I’m truly humbled by this honor,” Ruderman said. “I feel lucky to be able to combine my passion to support local people and local products with my love for business and entrepreneurship.”
      The award was given to Ruderman as President and Founder of Island Naturals, a group of natural and organic food stores on Hawai`i Island. Established in 1997, Island Naturals now employs 150 people at three locations in Kona, Hilo and Pahoa. Those who nominated Ruderman for the Business Person of the Year award described him as someone “willing to listen to people with different worldviews,” and “very humble and unassuming.”

      The SBA awards recognize the special impact made by outstanding entrepreneurs and small business owners. Criteria for the Business Person of the Year award includes number of years in business, growth in number of employees and increase in sales and/or unit volume, innovativeness of product or service offered and contributions to community-oriented projects.
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JUNE 1 IS THE DEADLINE FOR FEEDBACK on the draft Ka`u Community Development Plan.

      When adopted and implemented, the CDP will become a county policy document, guide federal and state agencies and guide community-based action to direct conservation and settlement patterns; protect and enhance natural and cultural resources; strengthen infrastructure, facilities and services; and build a resilient, sustainable local economy.

Hawai`i Island students take the Biodiversity Challenge at Hawai`i Volcanoes
National Park.

      Ka`u residents can review the document at local libraries and community centers, at Planning offices in Hilo and Kona and online at kaucdp.info.
      Comments may be made online or sent to Hawai`i County Planning Department, Attn: Ka`u CDP, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3, Hilo HI 96720.
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HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL CONSIDERS county operating and capital improvement budgets Monday at 9 a.m. at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona. Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center. The meeting is also streamed live at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar.com_May2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf and
kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf.