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A front-end loader drops a bucket-load of rock into a crusher that will reduce the size of the rocks to be used as a base
for the new temporary transfer station in Ocean View. Photo by Annie Bosted
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A plethora of spray-painted dotted lines, solid lines, and notes by surveyors
indicates how Highway 19 will be widened and new lanes added to
facilitate traffic turning onto the site of the new temporary transfer
station in Ocean View. Photo by Annie Bosted
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SEN. MAZIE HIRONO RESPONDED TO THE RELEASE OF THE MUELLER REPORT, an investigation into Russian involvement in the last presidential election, which was submitted to the Attorney General by Special Counsel Robert Mueller today.
Hirono said Mueller "has concluded his investigation" and that it "has already revealed many details about an extensive Russian campaign to elect Donald Trump and resulted in indictments of high ranking Trump campaign officials.
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| Sen. Mazie Hirono. Photo from Hirono's Twitter |
"We don't yet know what the Special Counsel has concluded about Donald Trump and his campaign's coordination with Russian interference in the 2016 election. But we do know that the Mueller investigation has resulted in 37 indictments and seven guilty pleas from close associates of Donald Trump. And we know that other investigations – local, state, and federal – continue into Donald Trump's campaign, inaugural committee, businesses, and foundation. There is a lot left to learn.
"My thanks go to Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his team of public servants, whose integrity and professionalism during this process stood in stark contrast to Donald Trump's contempt for those values. Donald Trump has brought an unprecedented level of corruption and self-dealing to the White House. He cares about only two things: self-preservation and money. Nothing in the Mueller Report can change those facts."
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MORE BILLS MADE WAY AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE THIS WEEK, SOME STOPPED AND OTHERS GAINING GROUND:
TO PREVENT YOUTH SUICIDE, SB 383 SD2 HD1, introduced by west Kaʻū Sen. Dru Kahuna and Hilo Sen. Kai Kahele, is referred to the House Committee on Finance. The bill would require the Department of Education to "establish a mandatory youth suicide awareness and prevention training program and model risk referral protocol, based on existing materials created by Department of Health, for all public schools, including charter schools. Requires charter schools to provide the training program and risk referral protocol to all school personnel who work directly with students in department schools and charter schools."
TO ENCOURAGE SUSTAINABLE GAME AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT, HB 1325 HD2 SD1, introduced by west Kaʻū Rep. Richard Creagan and east Kaʻū Rep. Richare Onishi, is referred to the Senate Committees on Judiciary and Ways & Means. The bill would require the Department of Land and Natural Resources "to work collaboratively with the Game Management Advisory Commission to develop and implement sustainable game management practices in areas of watershed protection. Requires Bureau of Land and Natural Resources to give prior notice to the Game Management Advisory Commission prior to issuing or renewing a water rights lease."
TO PREVENT YOUTH SUICIDE, SB 383 SD2 HD1, introduced by west Kaʻū Sen. Dru Kahuna and Hilo Sen. Kai Kahele, is referred to the House Committee on Finance. The bill would require the Department of Education to "establish a mandatory youth suicide awareness and prevention training program and model risk referral protocol, based on existing materials created by Department of Health, for all public schools, including charter schools. Requires charter schools to provide the training program and risk referral protocol to all school personnel who work directly with students in department schools and charter schools."
TO ENCOURAGE SUSTAINABLE GAME AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT, HB 1325 HD2 SD1, introduced by west Kaʻū Rep. Richard Creagan and east Kaʻū Rep. Richare Onishi, is referred to the Senate Committees on Judiciary and Ways & Means. The bill would require the Department of Land and Natural Resources "to work collaboratively with the Game Management Advisory Commission to develop and implement sustainable game management practices in areas of watershed protection. Requires Bureau of Land and Natural Resources to give prior notice to the Game Management Advisory Commission prior to issuing or renewing a water rights lease."
TO RESTORE DENTAL BENEFITS TO ADULTS ON MEDICAID, SB 467 SD1, introduced by east Kaʻū Sen. Russell Ruderman, passed the House Committees on Human Services & Homelessness and Health on March 20. The bill would make "an appropriation to the Department of Human Services to restore adult dental benefits to Medicaid enrollees. Requires federal matching funds."
TO BETTER MONITOR WATER QUALITY ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND, HB 425 HD1 SD1, introduced by west Kaʻū Rep. Richard Creagan, is set for review by the Senate Ways & Means Committee. The bill would appropriate funds for "an additional full-time Environmental Health Specialist IV position within the Department of Health to monitor water quality on the island of Hawaiʻi
TO CERTIFY FOOD SAFETY ON SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZE FARMS, HB 463 HD1 SD1, introduced by east Kaʻū Rep. Richard Onishi, the bill is referred to the Senate Ways & Means Committee. It would require and appropriate funds to the Department of Agriculture "to partner with the Hawaii agricultural community to establish a food safety certification training program to assist small to medium sized farms to comply with the United States Department of Agriculture Good Agricultural Practices Certification Program."
TO USE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAXES STATEWIDE TO REPAIR THE CONVENTION CENTER IN HONOLULU, HB 911 HD2, introduced by east Kaʻū Rep. Richard Onishi, passed the Senate Committee on Energy, Economic Development, & Tourism. The bill would establish the Convention Center Repair and Maintenance Special Fund and the Convention Center Emergency Special Fund. It would allocate "a portion of the transient accommodations tax to those funds. Removes repair and maintenance as permissible uses of the Convention Center Enterprise Special Fund. Requires annual reports to the Legislature."
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DID GROUNDWATER TRIGGER EXPLOSIVE ERUPTIONS AT KĪLAUEA LAST YEAR? The question is tackled by this weeks' Volcano Watch, the weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:
In February 1924, the surface of the lava lake at Halemaʻumaʻu dropped rapidly and disappeared from view. Throughout March and April, the crater floor subsided as magma moved out of the summit reservoir into the East Rift Zone. By May 6, 1924, the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu had dropped more than 180 m (about 600 ft) below the crater rim.
A series of explosions began during the night of May 10-11, 1924. The violent explosions tossed large chunks of rock onto the caldera floor and sent ash plumes more than 2 km (1 mi) high. The trigger for the explosions was inferred to be heated groundwater.
The thinking at the time was that after the magma drained away, liquid water (groundwater) flowed into the conduit and was rapidly heated to steam. Rock falls sporadically choked the emptied conduit, trapping steam until sufficient pressure built up to blast out the rocky debris.
Fast-forward to May 2018 (94 years later) when the scene was frighteningly similar. Magma drained from Kīlauea's shallow summit reservoir and moved into the East Rift Zone. The summit lava lake was no longer visible on May 10, and likely dropped below the water table on May 11-12, 2018. Explosive activity was considered a strong possibility given what happened in 1924.
But, while moderate explosions and associated ash plumes did occur in 2018, major explosions like those of 1924 did not. Why not? Was groundwater to blame, or was it something else?
There is much more to the story.
Within a year after the 1924 eruption, researchers developed a conceptual model for what was happening beneath the surface to produce the explosions. The 1925 model relied on several key factors about the depth of the water table and how quickly groundwater could flow into the area. These factors have since been updated and reanalyzed.
A deep (1261 m, or 4140 ft) research well drilled about 800 m (0.5 mi) south of Halemaʻumaʻu in 1973 found that the water table was 506 m (1660 ft) below the surface, not at sea level, as was thought in 1925. At that depth, rock permeability (a measure of how easy it is for groundwater to flow through rock) is not "extremely permeable" as the 1925 model suggested.
DID GROUNDWATER TRIGGER EXPLOSIVE ERUPTIONS AT KĪLAUEA LAST YEAR? The question is tackled by this weeks' Volcano Watch, the weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:
In February 1924, the surface of the lava lake at Halemaʻumaʻu dropped rapidly and disappeared from view. Throughout March and April, the crater floor subsided as magma moved out of the summit reservoir into the East Rift Zone. By May 6, 1924, the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu had dropped more than 180 m (about 600 ft) below the crater rim.
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| Explosive eruption columns of ash rising from Halemaʻumaʻu at 11:15 a.m. on May 18, 1924 (top) and at 11:05 a.m. on May 15, 2018 (below) look similar. Researchers are re-evaluating early assumptions about the role groundwater played in triggering these explosive eruptions at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano and are now looking at the build-up of gases from retreating magma as a likely trigger. USGS photos |
Fast-forward to May 2018 (94 years later) when the scene was frighteningly similar. Magma drained from Kīlauea's shallow summit reservoir and moved into the East Rift Zone. The summit lava lake was no longer visible on May 10, and likely dropped below the water table on May 11-12, 2018. Explosive activity was considered a strong possibility given what happened in 1924.
But, while moderate explosions and associated ash plumes did occur in 2018, major explosions like those of 1924 did not. Why not? Was groundwater to blame, or was it something else?
There is much more to the story.
Within a year after the 1924 eruption, researchers developed a conceptual model for what was happening beneath the surface to produce the explosions. The 1925 model relied on several key factors about the depth of the water table and how quickly groundwater could flow into the area. These factors have since been updated and reanalyzed.
A deep (1261 m, or 4140 ft) research well drilled about 800 m (0.5 mi) south of Halemaʻumaʻu in 1973 found that the water table was 506 m (1660 ft) below the surface, not at sea level, as was thought in 1925. At that depth, rock permeability (a measure of how easy it is for groundwater to flow through rock) is not "extremely permeable" as the 1925 model suggested.
Samples from the 1973 drillhole showed that vesicles, or small holes in the rock, have been partially filled by minerals. So, at a depth of around 506 m (1660 ft) - the depth of groundwater - many of the small, narrow pathways that would allow groundwater to move freely are plugged.
The power of modern computing also helps to develop a greater understanding of what is possible. Researchers recently used a computer model called HYDROTHERM, which can accept different inputs to assess how groundwater would likely move in unique environments. The results show that it would take more time than anticipated in 1925 for groundwater to flow into the conduit after the lava lake has drained.
In fact, it may take a lot more time. Modern modeling techniques, along with data unavailable in 1925, yields a view that liquid-water inflow into the conduit can be delayed by months to years.
The evolving thinking is that when a lava lake drains below the water table, the rocks around the conduit remain very hot. Any liquid water creeping into the zone of hot rock is converted to steam before it reaches the conduit. In essence, the hot rock zone maintains a heat barrier that blocks groundwater from moving toward the conduit.
In 2018, scientists issued hazard notifications about the potential for explosive eruptions at Kīlauea's summit based, in part, on the 1925 conceptual model. Scientists are now reevaluating assumptions about the cause of explosive activity under conditions of a draining summit lava lake.
New data and techniques are being used to understand more about the 2018 explosions. A currently favored idea is that gas from the retreating magma, rather than groundwater steam, powered the explosions. This idea is being used to reconsider what we understand about the eruptions (and hazards) of Kīlauea Volcano's past, present, and future.
For more information about this research, the Journal of Geophysical Research article can be accessed at doi.org/10.1029/2018JB017133.
Visit volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Call 808-967-8862 for weekly Kīlauea updates. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
The power of modern computing also helps to develop a greater understanding of what is possible. Researchers recently used a computer model called HYDROTHERM, which can accept different inputs to assess how groundwater would likely move in unique environments. The results show that it would take more time than anticipated in 1925 for groundwater to flow into the conduit after the lava lake has drained.
In fact, it may take a lot more time. Modern modeling techniques, along with data unavailable in 1925, yields a view that liquid-water inflow into the conduit can be delayed by months to years.
The evolving thinking is that when a lava lake drains below the water table, the rocks around the conduit remain very hot. Any liquid water creeping into the zone of hot rock is converted to steam before it reaches the conduit. In essence, the hot rock zone maintains a heat barrier that blocks groundwater from moving toward the conduit.
In 2018, scientists issued hazard notifications about the potential for explosive eruptions at Kīlauea's summit based, in part, on the 1925 conceptual model. Scientists are now reevaluating assumptions about the cause of explosive activity under conditions of a draining summit lava lake.
New data and techniques are being used to understand more about the 2018 explosions. A currently favored idea is that gas from the retreating magma, rather than groundwater steam, powered the explosions. This idea is being used to reconsider what we understand about the eruptions (and hazards) of Kīlauea Volcano's past, present, and future.
For more information about this research, the Journal of Geophysical Research article can be accessed at doi.org/10.1029/2018JB017133.
Visit volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Call 808-967-8862 for weekly Kīlauea updates. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
ʻO KAʻŪ KĀKOU IS ASKING FOR VOLUNTEERS to help pick up
remnants from the demolition of buildings on the old fruit stand property
tomorrow, Saturday, March 23rd at 8:30 a.m. along Hwy 11
in Nā‘ālehu. The buildings were torn down to make way for a senior
housing project championed by OKK. Remaining on the land are bits and chunks of
pipes, cables, glass, and other things that can damage a mower. "It's two
acres and the cleanup will go much, much faster with more volunteers,"
says a statement from OKK. Volunteers are urged to bring gloves, heavy duty
garbage bags smart footwear, water, sunscreen, possibly a rake. Shovels,
cutting and other tools will be provided.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.
Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
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Kaʻū Trojans Spring Sports Schedule
Baseball:
Sat., March 23, 1 p.m. , host Honokaʻa
Thu., March 28, 3 p.m. , @Kohala
Sat., March 30, 1 p.m. , @Konawaena
Tue., April 2, 3 p.m. , @HPA
Thu., April 4, 3 p.m. , host Waiakea
Sat., April 6, 11 a.m. , @Kealakehe
Softball:
Sat., March 23, 11 a.m. , host Honokaʻa
Wed., March 27, @Kohala
Sat., March 30, 11 a.m. , @Konawaena
Wed., April 3, host Waiakea
Fri., April 5, 3 p.m. , @Kealakehe
Fri., April 12, BIIF Semi-Finals
Boys Volleyball:
Wed., March 27, 6 p.m. , host Kohala, Varsity
Fri., March 29, 6 p.m. , @HPA
Wed., April 3, 6 p.m. , host Ehunui
Fri., April 5, 6 p.m. , @Christian Liberty , Varsity
Tue., April 9, 6 p.m. , host Waiakea
Fri., April 12, 6 p.m. , @Keaʻau
Track:
Sat., March 23, 9 a.m. , @Waiakea
Sat., March 30, 3 p.m. , @Keaʻau
Sat., April 6, 9 a.m. , @Waiakea
Sat., April 13, 9 a.m. , @HPA
Items accepted through Saturday, March 30, must be clean and in working order. Wanted items include: garden and yard equipment; kitchen items; art; prints; collectables; tools; appliances; furniture; and "those odd Christmas gifts." Contact VAC at 967-8222 for more.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.UPCOMING
SATURDAY, MARCH 23
Pastel On-Site Landscape Painting w/Patti Pease Johnson, Saturday, March 23, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center. $45/VAC member, $50/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. Beginner and intermediate artists welcome. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Writing for Inner Exploration and Life Reflection with Tom Peek, Saturday, March 23, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Volcano Art Center. $65/VAC member, $75/non-member. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Second Chance Prom, Saturday, March 23, 6 p.m. to 10p.m., Ka‘ū District Gym. Open to adults. Register March 1-20. $25/person. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
HOVE Road Maintenance Board Mtg., Tuesday, March 26, 10 a.m., HOVE Road Maintenance office. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, March 26, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.
After Dark in the Park: Exploring the Unknown Depths, Tuesday, March 26, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Justin Umholtz, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation education associate for Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, shares his experiences aboard the Exploration Vessel Nautilus, mapping and diving unexplored seamounts via a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV). Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Wednesday, March 27 (Committees), Thursday, March 28, (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.
‘Ohe Kāpala Workshop, Wednesday, March 27, 10 a.m. to noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Learn to create beautiful designs from traditional patterns using ‘ohe kāpala, bamboo stamps. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo
Arts and Crafts Activity: Group Art Project, Wednesday, March 27, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages 5-12 March 11-25. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
THURSDAY, MARCH 28
Hawai‘i County Council Mtg., Thursday, March 28, Council, Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.
Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, March 28, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Additional packaged goods to take home for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org
Hawaiian Language Classes with Kaliko Trapp, starting Thursday, March 28, Level 1: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Level 2: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Level 3: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Volcano Art Center. 8-week sessions. Level 1 - focus on simple vocabulary, conversation, grammar, and sentence structure. Level 2 - expand these. Level 3 - Some Hawaiian language experience preferred. $80/VAC member, $90/non-member. Workbook required. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Final Day to Apply for Preschool Opens Doors, Friday, March 29. For families seeking aid paying for preschool, for preschool participation July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2020. patchhawaii.org, 800-746-5620
Coffee Talk at Kahuku, Friday, March 29, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station. Talk story with rangers and park visitors about a range of topics. Free. nps.gov/havo
PONC Fund Public Mtg., Friday, March 29, 6 p.m., Nā‘ālehu Community Center. Email Charter Commission your thoughts: charter.commission@hawaiicounty.gov. More about 2% fund at debbiehecht.com/2019/01/15/2-land-fund-program-at-the-charter-commission-as-of-january-142019/ or email Debbie Hecht, hecht.deb@gmail.com
ONGOING
Preschool Opens Doors Applications are open for the 2019-2020 school year. The Department of Human Services encourages families to apply before Friday, March 29. This program is for families seeking aid in paying for preschool. Applications, available at patchhawaii.org, received during this period will be considered for preschool participation during July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. For more information, visit bit.ly/2TolEOm or call 800-746-5620.
Beginning Farmer Institute Cohort Applications open through Monday, April 15. Free training program which "prepares new producers of any age or operation type for a successful future in agriculture." Applications at nfu.org/education/beginning-farmer-institute.
Niuhi-Shark Fine Art Exhibit is open daily through Sunday, March 24 at Volcano Art Center Gallery. The public is invited to hear different perspectives on the life of Kamehameha the Great and experience a visual experience of important events in Kamehameha's life from the perspective of two styles of art. The exhibit and supporting events promise paint, prose, protocol, and conversations providing cultural, historical, and educational experiences, with original paintings by Carl F. K. Pao, paired with selections from the book Kamehameha–The Rise of a King by David Kāwika Eyre, with illustrations by Brook Parker. Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more information.
Five Scholarships are available from American Association of University Women-Kona: Three $2000 scholarships will go to female college-bound Kaʻū High School and West Hawaiʻi high school students. Applications must be postmarked by Monday, April 1. Two $1,000 scholarships will go to any female high school graduate or older women attending a two-year vocational program leading to a marketable skill at Palamanui Campus . Applications must be postmarked by Wednesday, April 10. Application packets available at kona-hi.aauw.net. Contact sharonnind@aol.com.
Kaʻū Coffee Fest invites non-profits, clubs, cooperatives, and businesses to sign up for booths at the 11th annual Kaʻū Coffee Fest Hoʻolauleʻa on Saturday, May 4 at Pāhala Community Center. The all-day event comes with music, hula, coffee tasting, and meeting the famous Kaʻū Coffee farmers. See
Booth fees are $100 for food vendors; $60 for non-food items and crafts, including coffee and coffee samples; and $35 for pre-approved information displays. No campaign and other political displays. Fifty percent discounts for non-profit organizations and cooperatives selling food, crafts, and coffee. Vendors must also obtain county vendor permits costing $30 each and a Department of Health permit, if serving food. Call Gail Nagata 933-0918. Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Email to biokepamoses@gmail.com; mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses, P.O. Box 208 , Pāhala , HI 96777
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
