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Wednesday, September 06, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023

Ho‘okena tragedy struck Tuesday when a fisherman tried to disentangle his line from rocks but was
 was bashed by waves and carried out to sea and died. See more below. Photo by Bonnie Beaver

HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE FOR LAVA ZONES 1 AND 2 is the subject of a County Council resolution passed on Wednesday. The resolution asks the state to explore ways to help insure residents in such high-risk places as Ho‘okena, the west side of South Point Road, Ocean View and Puna in light of the last company insuring them pulling out of the market.
Lava Zone 1, in red, goes into Kaʻū through Ocean View and makai of
Hwy 11 from Volcano to the ocean below Pāhala. USGS map
    Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Co. notified its clients in late July that it would not renew policies as of Sept. 1. See the story on the front page of the August edition of The Kaʻū Calendar newspaper and in the July 30 Kaʻū News Briefs at:  http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2023_07_30_archive.html. It includes details on neighborhoods where insurance has been lost.
     The County Council resolution asks the Hawai‘i Legislature and Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs, Insurance Division to help out and for stakeholders to join in to devise strategies to restore insurance.
      It also calls on the Hawai‘i Property Insurance Association to consider adapting aspects of the National Flood Insurance Program into its structure to include "risk-based pricing and community rating systems to ensure property owners are protected and lender's investments are secured." Hawai‘i Property Insurance Association is a quasi-public group of insurance agencies.

    
COVID DEATHS IN HAWAI‘I TOPPED 2,000, according to a state Department of Health report released on Tuesday. The deaths from the beginning of the pandemic include victims of all ages but most were 60 and older. However, seven children died, including a male under 18, who passed away at a hospital on O‘ahu last week.
    A recent spike in COVID that topped 170 cases a day was in decline to 129 a day statewide this past week. Health officials nationwide have stated that COVID may be underreported since some people are testing and treating at home, without reporting to physicians or health departments.

    Omicron subvariants detected recently in Hawai‘i include various XBBs with about 22 percent XBB.2.3 and 22 percent XBB.1.16, plus members of the EG.5.1 family. Variant BA.2.86, also called Pirola, is yet to be confirmed by genome sequencing in Hawai‘i, according to Department of Health's variant report this Tuesday.
    New COVID-19 vaccines covering new omicron variants may be available within about two weeks, mid-to-late September.
    See Department of Health charts on COVID in Hawai‘i County and throughout the state in its latest Variant Report at:
https://health.hawaii.gov/coronavirusdisease2019/files/2023/09/variant_report_20230905.pdf


THE ONLY LANDFILL ON THE ISLAND COULD BE CLOSED TO SOME RECYCLABLES
if a bill being crafted by the county Environmental Management Commission is eventually approved. The aim is to extend the lifespan of the landfill, which the county projects at another 20 to 25 years. The landfill is located near Waikoloa Village. The other landfill in Hilo is already full and shut down in 2020.
    One idea is to prohibit dumping of HI-FI plastic bottles in general refuse bins around the island since there is an existing stream to recycle them. Other recyclables would be prohibited as the county finds a market or another place for them. 
    The proposed legislation could first prohibit big users, like hospitals, hotels, condo communities, schools, community
https://www.hawaiizerowaste.org/zero-waste/
centers, parks, and coffee and macadamia processors from dumping certain recyclables into the various trash receiving bins around the island. It would also mean that the county provides more recycling opportunities, possibly to include picking up recyclables directly from the larger establishments.
   One of the biggest challenges is dealing with plastics, cardboard and paper, as there are few markets internationally to take them off this island.
   Recycle Hawai‘i representatives said that the emphasis should be put on consumers to use fewer plastics to reduce waste going into landfills. The non-profit's goal and slogan is Zero Waste. See https://www.hawaiizerowaste.org/zero-waste/

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

DEATH OF A FISHERMAN AT HO‘OKENA BEACH PARK has been reported by Hawai‘i Island police. The report says it took place on Tuesday and the victim is 53-year-old John Losalio, of Kona, who was reported as a missing fisherman. The Losalio family is also from Kaʻū.
    On Tuesday at 2:44 p.m., police officers responded to the report and learned that Losalio was shoreline fishing when his fishing line was caught up in the rocks and he jumped into the water to untangle it. Waves slammed him against rocks and Losalio disappeared as he was pulled out to sea. 
     Personnel from the Hawai‘i Fire Department were able to locate Losalio, who appeared lifeless. He was taken to the Kona Community Hospital and pronounced dead at 4:25 p.m.
     Police have initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. 
    Police ask anyone who may have witnessed this incident to contact Officer Margot Babauta of Kona Patrol at (808) 326-4646, ext. 253, or e-mail Margot.Babauta@hawaiicounty.gov.


KDEN is over 20 years old and invites singers
to join the practicer for its Festival Chorus.
Photo from KDEN
VOLCANO FESTIVAL CHORUS IS BACK. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at New Hope Christian Fellowship Church at 11-3019A Volcano Rd. near Akatsuka Orchid Gardens on Hwy 11 in Volcano. The next performance will be Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m., in the Lehua Room at Kīlauea Military Camp.

KDEN performs Radio Plays
on Oct. 6 and 7.
   The Chorus is under the direction of Roch Jones with Melanie Oldfather accompanying. Along with classic favorites, the chorus will be learning some new material for its holiday performance. Those who enjoy singing and would like to join a fun group are invited to join in the rehearsals. Founder Suzi Bond said, "We are a group of people that like to sing, and if we sound good, it is just a bonus."
With questions, contact Bond at 808-982-7344 or Jones at 808-985-7026. Volcano Festival Chorus is sponsored by Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network, also known as KDEN.


KĪLAUEA DRAMA AND ENTERTAINMENT will present an evening of Radio Plays in October. The theme of this round of plays is weddings. The cast will perform Tear, Kiss, Cake by local playwright Dick Hershberger and an adapted script from the old Thin Man radio show called The Goofy Groom. The actors are playing actors in the 40's in a radio show, with scripts in hand live sound effects
   The performances will be on Oct. 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lehua Room at Kīlauea Military Camp. Tickets are $15 and will be available at the door Cash or check only. Reservations can be made or more information acquired by calling KDEN 808 982-7344 or email kdenhawaii73@gmail.com.



5000 in the mail, 2,500 on the streets.
www.kaucalendar.com













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Tuesday, September 05, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023

Funding for weed removal to help preserve the endangered Laysan Albatross population is sought by Friends of Midway Atoll.
Photo from U.S. Fish & Wildlife

Wisdom’s grand chick DJ33 was discovered in 2023 by crew in search
 of Verbesina. Friends of Midway Atoll Photo by Jon Brack
FRIENDS OF MIDWAY ATOLL SEEKS FUNDS FOR WEED REMOVAL TO HELP ENDANGERED LAYSAN ALBATROSS NEST THERE. Friends of Midway reports that searching for tiny sprouts of Verbesina under thick pockets of native naupaka is not an easy task. 
    According to Supervisory Wildlife Biologist Jon Plissner, trying to eradicate the last one percent of Verbesina at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge is considered the hardest physical job on Midway. 
    The refuge is located about 1,500 miles northwest of Kaʻū and numerous Kaʻū and Volcano residents have volunteered there.
    In 2011, Verbesina covered 70 percent of the atoll’s islands. Today there is only one percent remaining. However, this one percent is perhaps the hardest to eliminate because it hides deep in the thick of the native naupaka stands where growth conditions can be optimal for even the most dormant Verbesina seeds.
    On Sand Island, adult flowering plants are still visible requiring expedient efforts to clip seed heads and then treat the area around the plant. To find seed banks, dropped seeds and even mature plants, a work crew must either pull Naupaka from its roots during the end of summer when most ground-nesting seabirds are not present or literally hack their way through naupaka, creating tunnels to be able to sight the tiniest of sprouts. Once a seed bank has been located, the crew then treats the area with an herbicide mix that includes the pre-
Albatross take advantage of cleared pathways through
naupaka to find the shortest route to the sea.
 Friends of Midway Atoll Photo by Rachel Santulli
emergent Aminopyralid. The cocktail is intentionally colored blue, so it becomes a visible indicator of areas that have already been treated.
    The Midway crew reports that "Ironically, the newly created naupaka tunnels become critical pathways to the sea for albatross, and it was a Verbesina crew that found Wisdom’s chick nesting near naupaka this past nesting season!" Wisdom is known as the oldest banded wild bird in the world, her nesting at Midway recorded since she was first banded in 1956.
    Friends of Midway Atoll is asking for help to continue crewmember Rachel Santulli's position through November 2023. A statement from the organization says: "With the support of our members and donors, FOMA is well positioned to match an anonymous donor’s generous gift to ensure that the work of Midway’s program to completely eradicate this noxious weed continues towards its historic goal." See fundraiser on Facebook
at https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofMidwayNWR/.
    Another problem on Midway is the abundance of plastics that float in from the ocean. Up to 40 percent of the Laysan Albatross chicks die each year when their stomachs become full as they ingest indigestible plastics.




Colleen Lasham
Tara Lasham
TWO WOMEN LAST SEEN IN OCEAN VIEW ARE SOUGHT BY HAWAI'I POLICE DEPARTMENT. Hawai‘i Island police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating 67-year-old Colleen Lasham, and her daughter, 39-year-old Tara Lasham, both of Kailua-Kona, who are wanted for questioning relative to a custodial interference investigation.
    According to police, the two women may be in the company of Tara’s six-year-old daughter, Soenne Grimes. Tara is wanted on an arrest warrant and for questioning in the same custodial interference investigation. Since last October, police have issued several requests to the public to be on the lookout for Tara and her daughter.
    Colleen Lasham is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, 120 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Colleen may be operating a 2022 Black BMW bearing Hawaii plate ZKM389 or a 2018 Orange Toyota Tacoma bearing Hawaii plate ZFX062. Colleen is known to frequent north and south Kona, Ka‘ū, and Hilo. Tara Lasham is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, 130 pounds, with blue 
Soenne Grimes
eyes and blonde hair. She is known to frequent both the north and south Kona areas. Soenne Grimes is described as 3 feet 5 inches tall, 35 pounds, with blue eyes and blonde hair.
    All three were last seen on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in Ocean View. 
    Police ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of either Colleen or Tasha Lasham to call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or contact Officer Jeremiah Hull by phone at (808) 326-4646, ext. 302. or by email at Jeremiah.Hull@hawaiicounty.gov.
    Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
















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Monday, September 04, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023

Uēkahuna provides the most spectacular views of the summit of Kīlauea. NPS Photo/J.Robinson



AFTER DARK IN THE PARK ON TUESDAY FEATURES THE HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY ON UĒKAHUNA: A LEGACY OF SCIENCE. The talk begins Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium. 
    The invitation to the public event says, "Perched high on the rim of Uēkahuna since the late 1940s, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has been the hub of research and monitoring of Hawaiian volcanoes. The Reginald T. Okamura Building, constructed in 1985 and the heart of the observatory, was damaged beyond repair during the earthquakes of 2018. Join Don Swanson, who has a 55-year association with the observatory, as he takes us through the science conducted at this remarkable facility and the legacy being carried into the future."
    This Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ongoing After Dark in the Park is sponsored by the Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Free, but park entrance fees apply.


THE DEATH OF AN OCEAN VIEW MAN BY FOUR DOGS MAULING HIM in the 92-2000 block of Outrigger Drive on Aug. 1 has sparked calls for charging the dog owners under a new law that could be strengthened. The law that passed in 2022 followed the death of an 85-year-old woman in Puna. It makes bodily injury or death caused by an unprovoked dog attack a Class B felony. Consequences include up to a $25,000 fine, up to ten years in prison, and court-ordered restitution. It allows for the humane destruction of the guilty dogs.
    The owners of the dogs that killed the Ocean View man are under investigation under the law. A headline in Sunday's Hawaiian Tribune-Herald newspaper, said, "Still no arrests or charges in Ocean View dog attack." It is more than a month since 71-year-old Bob Northrop was killed by the dogs.
Bob Northrop was killed by dogs in Ocean View.
A Celebration of Life will be held this Saturday,
Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. at St. Jude's in Ocean View.
   Tribune-Herald writer John Burnett reports on his conversation with Capt. Akira Edmoundson of Hawai‘i Police Department's West Hawai‘i Criminal Investigation Division. Edmoundson said that when the investigation is completed, it will be sent to the county prosecutors to determine whether the dog owners will be charged. The dogs, a Staffordshire bull terrier and three of pit bull mix, have been seized and euthanized, along with ten of their puppies.
       Burnett also reports on another case. Owners of three dogs that went to the neighbor's yard in May and attacked a 32-year-old woman and her mother in Ainaloa are charged under the law. They pleaded not guilty and a hearing is set for Sept. 29. In that case, the younger victim suffered two broken arms, lacerations and puncture wounds. The older woman's injuries were not as severe.
    According to Shannon Matson, daughter of the Ocean View victim, Northrop was walking to a friend's house from his home when the dogs attacked and killed him. Matson told The Ka‘ū Calendar that his death still seemed unreal to her since he was such a dog lover. She also said she went to her father's house and has removed and adopted Northrop's own puppy who is living with her now. 
    Matson, who is active in public service, is an aide at the County Council and is working with council members to see if the new law can be strengthened. She said she is shocked her father's death represents the second time the new law has been used this year alone to prosecute and investigate deadly dog attacks.
    Council member Michelle Galimba, who represents Ocean View was quoted earlier by Big Island Now concerning Northrop's death. “If the dogs had been secured in a fenced area or kennels, this would have been preventable.”
    Northrop was a school bus driver at the time of his death and also a retired county inspector and a glazier and carpenter. A Life Celebration will be held this Saturday, Sept. 9, at 2 p.m. at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View.
  

NEUROPLASTICITY & RESILIENCE: HOW TO BE RESPONSIVE RATHER THAN REACTIVE. That's the talk for Third Thursday this month, announced by non-profit Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center, which hosts the free session on Sept. 21 as part of its Finding Solutions, Growing Peace Brown Bag Lunch Series. Talks are from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
Indy Rishi Singh
   This month's speaker is Indy Rishi Singh who invites attendees to learn tools to tap into the brain's capacity to grow and evolve in response to life experiences. He asks, "Do you want to have happier and healthier relationships; a more resilient immune system and better digestion; and a deep appreciation for playfulness, curiosity, and courage—as well as learn how to breathe well, be a better listener, and better support yourself and others?" 
   Singh is a well-being engineer. He leads corporate wellness workshops and retreats with Fortune 500 companies; provides burnout and resilience retreats and workshops for healthcare workers, law enforcement, and activist organizations; presents mindfulness workshops with students in schools and universities; and is an active volunteer locally and globally. Singh is part of the non-profit Cultivating Self, a community of empowered healers.
    Ku‘ikahi's Brown Bag Lunch Series is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to enjoy an informal and educational talk-story session and connect with others interested in "Finding Solutions, Growing Peace."
    To get the Zoom link, register online at https://freebrownbagtalk.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center at (808) 935-7844 or info@hawaiimediation.org. Or visit www.hawaiimediation.org.
    This lunch-and-learn series is made possible thanks in part to funding from the County of Hawai‘i and Hawai‘i Island United Way.

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