Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, June 8, 2017

A 5.3 earthquake shook Ka`u and Puna this morning and was widely felt across the island.
Image from USGS

A 5.3 EARTHQUAKE ROCKED Ka`u and Puna today and was experienced islandwide. The epicenter was inside Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The Park reported:
     "U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory recorded a magnitude-5.3 earthquake located beneath Kīlauea Volcano's south flank on Thursday, June 8, 2017, at 7:01 a.m. HST.

      "The earthquake, which was widely felt on the Island of Hawai‘i, was located about 18 km (11.2 mi) southeast of Volcano at a depth of 8 km (5 mi). A map showing the location of the earthquake is posted on HVO's website at https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/.

     "The USGS 'Did you feel it?' website (https://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/) received almost 800 felt reports within the first hour of the earthquake. The maximum intensity of shaking reported by Island of Hawai‘i residents was V on the Mercalli Intensity Scale, indicating moderate shaking."

      According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, there as  no tsunami threat from this

earthquake. Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense received no reports of damage.

      There were more than 15 aftershocks following this morning's magnitude-5.3 earthquake.

      Kīlauea's south flank has been the site of 29 earthquakes of magnitude-4.0 or greater during the past 25 years. Most are caused by abrupt motion of the volcano's south flank, which moves to the southeast over the oceanic crust as a result of magma being injected into the East Rift Zone and long term settling of the volcano. The location and depth for today's earthquake are

consistent with slip along or above this south flank fault. 

      According to HVO Scientist-in-Charge Christina Neal the earthquake had no apparent effect

on Kīlauea Volcano's ongoing eruptions. "HVO monitoring networks have not detected any significant changes in activity at the summit or along the rift zones of Kīlauea or at other Hawaiian volcanoes resulting from the earthquake.

      For more information on recent earthquakes in Hawai‘i and eruption updates, visit the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website at https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/.

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Andres Magana Ortiz has another month on this coffee farm with his family, after a stay today delaying
his deportation to Mexico. Photo by David Corrigan. See www.bigislandvideonew.com

DEPORTATION OF COFFEE FARMER Andres Magana Ortiz has been delayed at least 30 days, following a stay issued by the Department of Homeland Security today.
     Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who introduced a private bill in congress earlier this week to halt the deportation and make him eligible for legal, permanent residence in the United States, said,
    “This morning, Mr. Ortiz faced the possibility of immediate deportation, leaving his wife and three children behind. While today’s 30-day reprieve is a positive step, it does not resolve the underlying issues. I’ll continue to push legislative and other avenues to assist Mr. Ortiz and his family in their efforts to remain in the Kona community he has called home for nearly three decades.”
     Sen. Mazie Hirono tweeted, "Thirty-day stay is a positive step for Magana Ortiz `ohana. But our work will continue to keep Andres with his family https://sen.gov/4W5R .

Ortiz manages 15 coffee farms and owns his own.
Photo by David Corrigan/ Big Island Video News

     Hirono also gave an extensive talk about Oritz and his history on the U.S. Senate floor today. Said Hirono, “Today’s announcement is a positive step, but our work to keep Mr. Magana Ortiz with his family isn’t done yet." She asked Department of Homeland Security to "process the Magana Ortiz family’s application to bring Andres out of the shadows as quickly as possible to keep Andres together with his wife and kids. Andres’ ordeal speaks to the very real fear and anxiety spreading through immigrant communities across the country. We must pass comprehensive immigration reform that provides a pathway to citizenship, and which prioritizes family unity.”
      Hirono asked Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to "Let Andres stay in our country. Let his children have a father present and active in their lives. It's no too late to keep this family together."
      Hirono pointed to support from Suzanne Shriner, president of the Kona Coffee Farmers Association, and said, "Mr. Ortiz is a true example of an American Dream. Rising from a farm worker to farm owner, he has created a successful business through hard work. He has sent his children to college and he has given back to his community by working with other farms and farmers to control an invasive pest. His story is why we need to find a path to citizenship for these vital members of our farming community." See Hirono's speech at www.bigislandvideonews.co
     Ortiz came to the U.S. decades ago, smuggled in to join his mother when he was 15 years of age.

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Pancake Breakfast, Sat, June 10, 8 – 11 a.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033

Atlas Recycling at South Point U-Cart, Sat, June 10, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Lampworking, Sat/Sun, June 10/11, 1 – 3 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. An introductory, two-session class taught by Nash Adams-Pruitt is designed for students who have never touched a torch. 967-8222

Jazz in the Forest, Sat, June 10, 4:30 & 7:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Two performances feature Jean Pierre Thoma & The Jazztones.

Kanikapila, Sat, June 10 & 24, 6 – 9 p.m., Nā‘ālehu Methodist Church Hall. Acoustic instruments, drums, singers & dancers welcome. Desmond, 937-6305

Take a one-mile walk and learn about ‘ōhi‘a lehua.

NPS photo

‘Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sun, June 11, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about the vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower on this free, easy, one-mile walk.

Medicine for the Mind, Sun, June 11, 4 – 5:45 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Buddhist healing meditation for beginners through advanced. Free. Patty, 985-7470

Managing Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Tue, June 13, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Ecologist David Benitez shares lessons learned since ROD was first identified in 2014 and discusses management of ROD within and beyond park boundaries. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Andres Magana Ortiz could be deported as early as June 10. Photo by David Corrigan. See Big Island Video News

LEGISLATION TO HALT DEPORTATION OF A BIG ISLAND COFFEE FARMER was introduced into the U.S. Congress by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard this week. She spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives today on behalf of Andres Magana Ortiz.
     She pointed out that a similar "private bill" was introduced by U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka to assist Chef Chai Chaowasaree in 2001. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, this legislation would adjust Ortiz's legal status and make him eligible for legal, permanent residence in the United States where he lives in Kailua-Kona. Ortiz is under threat of deportation under a Final Order of Removal issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The introduction of this bill follows a letter sent this week by Hawai`i’s congressional delegation to DHS Secretary Kelly requesting that the Department reverse its decision to deport Mr. Ortiz.

Andres Magana Ortiz came to Hawai`i to pick coffee, married and
raised a family, built a house anda coffee farm.
Photo by David Corrigan. See Big Island Video News

     “The purpose of this bill is to help Mr. Ortiz with his extremely challenging situation, put him on a path to citizenship, and prevent his family from being torn apart. Without this legislation, Andres Ortiz faces deportation within days, after living in Hawai`i for 28 years and working hard as a small business owner," stated Gabbard. "His wife and children – U.S. citizens – have exhausted all of the options available to them before their father and husband is forced to leave the place he calls home in Hawai`i. We need a pathway to citizenship for immigrants to ensure people who deserve to be here, can find a way to be a part of our great country. We need immigration reform that keeps families together.”
     Immigration reform, said a statement from Gabbard's office, has been one of her top priorities throughout her time in Congress. She also co-sponsored two measures to protect families and children, including the DREAMer Information Protection Act (H.R. 532) which prohibits DHS’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program from being used for immigration enforcement proceedings and the BRIDGE Act (H.R.496) which codifies the DACA program.
    Ortiz was brought to the U.S. by smugglers when he was 15 to join his mother who found work in California. He told Big Island Video news that he could be deported as early as June 10.

Ortiz takes care of his own and 15 other coffee farms.
Photo by David Corrigan. See Big Island Video News

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THE SANDERS INSTITUTE HAS NAMED TULSI GABBARD as one of its Fellows. The think tank was launched today by Jane O`Meira Sanders, who campaigned with her husband Berrnie Sanders in last year's presidential election.
       The Congresswoman who represents Ka`u is described as "growing up in beautiful Hawai`i. As a teenager, she co-founded an environmental non-profit called Healthy Hawai`i Coalition, focused on educating children about protecting Hawai`i's environment. An advocate for environmental policy, Tulsi was elected to the Hawai`i State Legislature in 2002 when she was just 21 years old." Read more.

  
 Other Fellows are college professors, environmentalists, social justice advocates and economists, including Dr. Cornel West, Bill McKibben, Danny Glover, Ben Jealous, Dr. Stephanie Kelton, Jeffrey Sachs, Harry Belafonte, Robert Reich and Nina Turner.
      At www.sandersinstitute.com, the tag line for the organization is Revitalizing Democracy. "The Sanders Institute is dedicated to transforming our democracy through research, education, outreach and advancement of bold, progressive ideas and values," says the website, which has sections on Economy & Economic Justice, and Heathcare, promoting "Medicare for All."

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CHRISTOPHER WRAY IS PRES. DONALD TRUMP'S NOMINEE FOR FBI director. Sen. Mazie Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement today:

Christopher Wray

      “At a time when we have so many concerns about President Trump’s interference with the FBI’s investigation of his team’s ties with Russia, it is critical that our next FBI director remains fiercely independent of the White House. By his own admission, Donald Trump fired the former FBI Director, James Comey, with the hope it would bring the Russia investigation to an end. In doing so, the President forfeited any benefit of the doubt with this nomination.  I will be looking closely to see if Donald Trump’s nominee Chris Wray will approach the responsibilities of the job seriously and free of politics. His loyalty pledge must be to the Constitution and the country, not to Donald Trump.”

      Trump made the announcement to nominate Wray in a tweet, one day before fired FBI Directory James Comey goes before Congress to tell his story.

    The nominee served under Pres. George W. Bush as head of the Justice Department criminal investigation division. He leads the Special Matters and Government Investigations Practice Group of a D.C. law firm.

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INCREASING FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE IMPACT AID PROGRAM is the goal of Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Brian Schatz in a letter urging federal appropriators to increase federal funding for the Impact Aid Program in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 budget. Hawai`i receives about $40 to $50 million a year for this funding, used throughout the statewide school system.

The late Rep. Mark Takai receiving the big check for education from
the federal government in 2014.
Photo from Hawai`i Department of Education.

     “Impact Aid funds a range of programs, including efforts to retain highly qualified teachers, adequate technology, facilities renovation, and maintenance of transportation fleets. For many districts, this funding represents the very lifeblood that allows their school system to operate,” the Senators wrote in the letter. “The potential of long-term funding stagnation or program cuts is of serious concern given the changing needs of the program and the students these districts serve. Impact Aid is not only the Federal Government’s obligation, but also a tax relief program for local communities.”
     The Impact Aid program provides Hawai`i funding to help finance the education of military-connected children. The average cost to educate a student in Hawai`i is approximately $12,000 with the average reimbursement totaling only 15 percent of the total cost. A decrease in this support would have crippling effects on the programs, courses, and other resources that are offered throughout Hawai`i.
     Joining Hirono and Schatz were a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators. See the full text of the letter here.

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Nash Adams-Pruitt eaches lampworking this
Saturday and Sunday. Photo from Volcano Art Center

Red Cross Volunteer meeting, Thu, June 8, 7 p.m., HOVE Rad Maintenance Corp. office. For volunteers and those interested in becoming volunteers. Hannah Uribes, 929-9953

Pancake Breakfast, Sat, June 10, 8 – 11 a.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033

Atlas Recycling at South Point U-Cart, Sat, June 10, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Lampworking, Sat/Sun, June 10/11, 1 – 3 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. An introductory, two-session class taught by Nash Adams-Pruitt is designed for students who have never touched a torch. 967-8222

Jazz in the Forest, Sat, June 10, 4:30 & 7:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Two performances feature Jean Pierre Thoma & The Jazztones.


Kanikapila, Sat, June 10 & 24, 6 – 9 p.m., Nā‘ālehu Methodist Church Hall. Acoustic instruments, drums, singers & dancers welcome. Desmond, 937-6305

A FREE WORKSHOP ON VEGETABLE SEED STARTING will be held Sunday, June 11 at KaLae Coffee & Hawaiian Flowers on South Point road from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. A Hawai`i Farmers Union talk-story and potluck will be held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The program is part of the new Ka`u Farm School. The speaker is Sue Barnett of Ka`u Community Garden. See www.kaufarmer.blogspot.com.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Josh Stanbro, who heads the new Office of Climate Change, Resiliency and Sustainability, joined Gov. David Ige and Mayor Kirk Caldwell in Honolulu to sign commitment in support of the Paris Accord. HAWAI`I BECAME THE FIRST STATE TO SIGN LEGISLATION TO COMMIT TO THE PARIS ACCORD. Gov. David Ige and representatives of the counties and Hawai`i Legislature gathered at the Capitol rotunda in Honolulu to sign the measures on Tuesday.      Will Okabe, representing the Big Island as county Managing Director, said that there is no question "as far as trying to go green needs to be clean." He said the Big Island is trying to establish biofuel and looking at hydrogen and different ways to "be green on the Big Island." He said the mayor sends a clear message to the world and the rest of the nation. "In order for Hawai'i to be an active participant in going green and looking at alternative energy, we want to be the first, and we want to be the trendsetter for the rest of the world." County Managing Director Will Okabe committed to the Big Island "going green."     Josh Stanbro, known for his land conservation work in Ka`u, is the new Chief Resiliency Officer of Honolulu and heads the new Office of Climate Change, Resiliency and Sustainability. He was introduced by Mayor Kirk Cladwell as representing Honolulu as one of the new 100 Resilient Cities, a hui established by the Rockefeller Foundation.           Honolulu was chosen to join the group of 100 from the 1,100 cities in the world applied. Caldwell said that Stanbro learned that, "We need to survive, adapt and grown the face of change and uncertainty."             The governor signed SB 559 (Act 032) which expands strategies and mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions statewide in alignment with the principles and goals adopted in the Paris agreement. He also signed HB 1578 (Act 033) which establishes the Carbon Farming Task Force within the Office of Planning to identify agricultural and aquacultural practices to improve soil health and promote carbon sequestration – the capture and long-term storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change.      Said Ige, “Hawai‘i is committed to environmental stewardship, and we look forward to working with other states to fight global climate change. Together, we can directly contribute to the global agenda of achieving a more resilient and sustainable island Earth. The Hawai‘i State Legislature understands the importance of taking action, and I applaud its work this session to ensure that we continue to deliver the island Earth that we want to leave to our children.” Gov. David Ige signed measures to further commit Hawai`i to Paris Accord initiatives.      Sen. J. Kalani English, senate majority leader who introduced SB 559 on greenhouse gasses, said, “The measure adopted relevant sections of the Paris agreement as state law, which gives us legal basis to continue adaptation and mitigation strategies for Hawai‘i, despite the Federal government’s withdrawal from the treaty.”  To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter  MODERNIZING THE MARINE CORPS' ground tactical and combat vehicles is one of Sen. Mazie Hirono's efforts in the U.S. Senate.      Hirono, the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, calls for continued innovation and testing of technology to support Marines in Hawai`i and around the world. She is speaking at hearings as the Armed Services Committee considers the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, which sets Department of Defense funding levels. Sen. Mazie Hirono testifies in hearings supporting innnovation for the Marine Corps.      “In the years to come, these Marines will continue to be an integral part of supporting our strategic interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region,. Given the evolving nature of the threats we face, it is also crucial that our Marines remain ready and capable to address contingencies at a moment’s notice. We owe it to these men and women to ensure that the resources are available for training and readiness activities and to ensure they have the best, most advanced, and fully functional equipment to get the job done,” said Hirono.      Witnesses from the Marine Corps answered questions on the development and testing of amphibious and ground vehicles that will replace vehicle models that have been used for up to 40 years. The Third Marine Regiment at Marine Corps Base Hawai`i is scheduled to receive approximately 300 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV) in 2020. The JLTV is being developed to replace the Humvee. To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter GRAFTING OF FRUIT TREES will be the workshop Saturday, June 17. Ocean View Community Association encourages gardeners and farmers to A jack fruit tree photographed by Ken Love who will teach a fruit tree grafting session on June 17. head north for the grafting class presented by Ken Love of Hawai`i Tropical Fruit Growers. The session takes place at Ma`ona Community Garden in Honaunau, above the Rodeo Grounds Arena.      The workshop is sponsored by The Kohala Center—Beginning Farmer-Rancher Development Program funded by the USDA and in collaboration with the Hawai`i Tropical Fruit Growers, University of Hawai`i Sea Grant College Program and Na Maka O Papahanaumokuakea.      Ma`ona Community Garden is located at 84-5097 Keala O Keawe Road in Honaunau, just above the Rodeo Grounds Arena. See map below. For more information about The Kohala Center visit: http://kohalacenter.org/farmertraining. For more information about University of Hawai`i Sea Grant College Program visit: http://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/ For more information about the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers visit: http://www.hawaiitropicalfruitgrowers.org/ To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter COFFEE BERRY BORER ALERTS are the latest innovation to help farmers monitor and prevent infestation by the pest. This month, University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources announced that Luis Aristiabal, Junior Extension Agent, will start issuing the alerts to coffee producers "These alerts will contain information related to current on-farm CBB activity as well as general recommendations for its management on the Big Island. In the future, these alerts may be extended to other islands should resources be provided towards an expanded monitoring program," said a message from his colleague Andrea Kawabata.      Farms in Ka'u are monitored for CBB activity for each farm's particular practices as well as individual micro-climate. During the last two weeks of May 2017, evaluations of CBB infestation levels and CBB positioning on berries were conducted. "Field monitoring, using the 30 Trees Sampling Method, showed high levels of green berries with holes caused by CBB. Additionally, many CBB were found in the A/B alive position,"      In Kona and Ka`u, CBB infestation levels (% of green berries with holes) ranged from 1% to 26% with an average of ~10%. CBB in the A/B alive position, a position vulnerable to spraying, ranged from 16% to 67% with an average of ~43% .      The sampling "indicates that CBB are actively pursuing and boring into new berries on farms monitored," the University reported. To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter     SUPPORT FOR KUPUNA AND CAREGIVERS islandwide is the goal of two mediation centers combining their efforts and reaching into Ka`u.  The program is entitled Communication & Conflict rResolution for Kupuna & Caregivers, sponsored by Ku`ikahi Mediation Center and West Hawai`i Mediation Center, in partnership with Hwai`i County Office of Aging. The workshops aim to help those taking care of parents and grandparents. Contact one of the mediation centers if caring for an adults 60 or older, or an individual with Alzheimer;s or a related disorder, age 60 or older. Caregivers can be spouses, adult children, siblings, relatives, friends, neighbors or other unpaid helpers. Workshops are entitled Communicating Needs to Family Members and Service Providers. The other is Communicating More Effectively in Challenging Situations.      In East Ka`u, contact Kuʻikahi Mediation Center at 935-7844 or info@hawaiimediation.org. In West Ka`u, contact West Hawaiʻi Mediation Center at 885-5525 or info@whmediation.org To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017 Open Mic Night, Wed, June 7, 6 – 10 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up and for more details. Park entrance fees apply.     ADOPT A BLOCK IS A NEW INITIATIVE for Fridays  in Ocean View. "Help keep Ocean View clean," urges the OV Community Association.  Sign up at the Ocean View Community Center and pick up street-side trash on Fridays. Free colorful trash bags will be available at the Community Center.  Those needing someone to take bags to transfer station, call 238-6025. To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter