About The Kaʻū Calendar

Saturday, October 28, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023

Award winning Kaʻū Coffee Farms shared their brew and their knowledge at the Coffee Tea & Water Expo and
concert at Nāʻālehu Park last Saturday. Among them was Kaʻū Coffee Growers Cooperative President Gloria
 Camba, (l), joined by Taiko Drumming enthusiasts Kayo Munnerlyn and Lucy Makuakane.
Photos by Brenda Iokepa Moses
KAʻŪ COFFEE GROWERS CAME OUT TO SHOW THEIR BRANDS at the Coffee Tea & Water Essential Elements Expo last Saturday, Oct. 21 at Nāʻālehu Park. Ahead of the next Kaʻū Coffee Festival, set for June 2024 in Pāhala, the coffee displays were part of the event organized by Christine Kaehuaea and her enterprise, Stargazer Industries. In a wrapup statement she released this week Kaehuaea said, "Between the 16 coffee and tea farmers and other retailers, products were purchased, while some were connected to future sales avenues."
Navarro Coffee Farm with its Hawaiian Monarch brand of Kaʻū Coffee.
  The day of entertainment and booths brought into Kaʻū some highly sophisticated staging, sound system and tenting for attendees. Many goers said they appreciated the layout, the sound and the live music. Kaehuaea said many of the ten food vendors sold out.
    Kaehuaea, who emceed the show, said she was happy that she was able to host the event free to the public. In the press release, she said, "I feel that we could have had 10,000 more people to really bolster the entire community beyond the event itself. However, the smiles on people's faces; the dancing throughout the event by vendors and attendees; the surprise for many, even driving by seeing the Show System's 32-foot,
Will and Grace Tabios with Rising Sun Kaʻū Coffee.
fold-out semi-truck professional stage; the comments from the artists that felt the love of the crowds.... it was worth it to make this event a reality."
    She also gave a report on the fundraising for charitable causes carried in the event promotions and through her Kaʻū Wish List Fund, with its QR Code. She said, “We wanted this event overall to benefit people on multiple levels. We felt that we pretty much accomplished that goal, however, in the end, it was the fundraising side that didn’t have as much momentum as we had planned. We feel very blessed to have been able to raise $376.52 from two cash boxes at the event
Pohaku Kaʻū Estate family members and coffee.
thanks to attendees, with online donations drawing $125.00, however it does show us where to improve for the next one. Sponsors paid the for the entire event, while event and media coordinating, production and the task of emcee was on my plate. Again, it was worth it to see people enjoying themselves.”
    Kaehuaea said, "The current event funds raised will be provided to Stacy Bello, Superintendent East Hawai'i DOE at 75% and Christopher Chang, UniServ Director for the Lahaina office of the Hawai'i Teacher’s Association at 25%. It has been decided to keep the Kaʻū Wish List Fund operational until the end of 2023 to enable local schools around Hawai'i Island the ability to
purchase those items 'not in the budget' as needed
without red tape. Stargazer Industries will be working with the East and West DOE Superintendent to make 'wishes' by educators or 
Miles Mayne's Silver Cloud Farm Kaʻū Coffee crew.
schools a reality through this fund. 
    "Currently, post event, Stargazer Industries is seeking sponsors for a, 'Shared Mahalo' radio spots campaign to be airing on KWXX stations and KOA Country stations starting sometime next week. Expansion into additional media avenues to include shared digital and TV to highlight the businesses that choose to take part is under consideration."   
Ralph Gaston and Lori Obra with Rusty's Hawaiian Kaʻū Coffee.
    She thanked Waiakea Water for two pallets of water it donated; and delivery by James Hirayama, V.P and Lead Electrician of Hirayama Bros. Electric of Hilo. She noted that Event Medics Hawai'i was "on staff, alongside some of the Na’alehu Police Department’s finest special detail officers, Officer Akiu and Officer Takata."
    She said mahalo for sponsorships from KTA Superstores, Paradise Helicopters, Hawai'i MedSpa Kailua-Kona, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel’s WS Restaurant, Lion Energy, HPM Building Supply,
Ruanne Manuel, Jan Kaeza Penera and Nick
Bottomley with Kaʻū Coffee Mill.

Home Depot of Kona, and Kai Loki’s Restaurant & Bar of Oceanview. She also said mahalo to Brandon Nakano and his team of sound engineers, the group from Show Systems Stages, Sunset Tent Rentals of HPP, Big Island Portables of Honoka’a, SunBelt Kona, "with musical performers providing the icing on the cake: Maka Gallinger, Kala’e & Kalena Parish, Taulia Lave and the local Ka’u groups, Shootz and Keaiwa."
    Kaehuaea also said mahalo to "event troops on the ground, O’Ka’u Kakou, a local non-profit that kept the trash bins picked up and then was provided the ten trash cans, bags and some tarps along with a monetary donation. The 'day-of-event team' consisted of TJ James, Matt and Julie Ferguson, Gwen Lowe and Ron Chu working the event from 4:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. braving the eventual drizzle of rain. From Steve Pause, Director of Public Works, Maurice Messina, Director of Parks & Recreation, and Michael Une, Supervisor at the State Health Department Food & Sanitation Division, down the chain to County & State staff who were all extremely helpful in making sure this event took place successfully."
Coffee, Tea & Water Essential Elements Expo event producer Christine Keahuaea.
Photos by Brenda Iokepa Moses
   See more on Kaehuaea and the founding of  Stargazer Industries and its companies at   https://stargazerindustriesinc.com/about
 

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.

HO'OKUPU HULA NO KAʻŪ CULTURAL FESTIVAL IS NEXT SATURDAY. The annual event has transitioned from Pāhala to the Ke Ola Pu'uhonua cultural grounds in Nāʻālehu this

Hula dancers from Mexico will perform at next Saturday's Ho'okupu Hula
 No Kaʻū Cultural Fest and will also take their talents to Hilo and Auntie
 Sally's to entertain kupuna. Photo from Kumu Debbie Ryder
year. The outdoor venue, which has become a regular performance site for its sponsor Debbie Ryder and her Halau Hula O Leonalani, will welcome dancers and musicians from Japan, Mexico, Virginia, Maui, O'ahu and Hawai'i Island to perform free for the public on Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    The halau from Mexico will also perform with Halau Hula O Leonalani at Auntie Sally's Lu'au Hale in Hilo on Thursday, Nov. 2 in a special presentation, organized by the county's Elderly Division Kupuna Program.
    On Friday, the halau travel to Kīlauea Crater for a special protocol, chants and
Tahitian dancers from Mexico City will perform
at the cultural festival next Saturday. Photo by Julia Neal
Ho'okupu. On Saturday, the halau go to Punalu'u at dawn to greet the day and experience Hi'uwai, honoring Akua, 'Aumakua and Kupuna. Ho'okupu continues at Ke Ola Pu'unonua at 9 a.m. with the public with the kumu inviting any family or group to participate in the protocol.
    Emcee for the day will be Alaka'i Paleka and Kaʻū's own Makana. Hula, mele, chant with Hawaiian, Tahitian and Island Reggae music begin at 10 a.m. From Maui, The Homestead Band and Wailau Ryder and Marsjae Atisiloma Duo will perform.
    Hawaiian Practitioners will be on site with hands on demonstrations such as poi pounding, lauhala weaving, net making, traditional hale construction and more. There will be craft vendors, food booth, shave ice, Hawaiian food, prize drawings and more.


KAʻŪ LADY TROJANS FOUGHT TO THE END with close scores against Hawai'i Preparatory Academy in the Saturday BIIF island playoff for girls volleyball at Kamehameha School. Kaʻū won the second and third sets 25-18 and 25-21, but HPA came back to win the last two, 25-15 and 20-18, after winning the first with 25-12.
The 5-3 results send HPA to the state high school championships on O'ahu. The Trojans, however, still own their perfect season, winning all 12 matches in regular season play, under the first-year coaching of Kamalani Fujikawa and Marley Strand-Nicolaisen, both veterans of winning Trojans volleyball teams.










Posted by at

Friday, October 27, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs Friday, Oct. 27, 2023

Ramona Okumura's neice Erika and Ramona's brothers Miles Okumura, of Honoka'a, and Glenn Okumura, of Pāhala, march in
 the Honoka'a Peace Parade with a banner urging, "Bring Auntie Ramona Home." Photo from the Okumura family

TRAPPED IN GAZA, RAMONA OKUMURA, SISTER OF GLENN OKUMURA, OF PĀHALA, is receiving much support from the local community on this island and beyond. Glenn, family and friends marched in the Honoka'a Peace Parade last weekend with a banner urging "'Bring Auntie Ramona Home." Glenn, an active member of O Kaʻū Kakou and Pahala Hongwanji, joined his brother, Miles, who is chair of the Honoka'a Peace Parade, sponsored by Honoka'a Hongwanji.
   Glenn said his sister, 71, has spent much time in Kaʻū, their mother living her last days in Pāhala, and Glenn has owned a home here for almost 30 years. He said that Ramona has always come to get away and enjoy the quiet Kaʻū, friends and family.
    More recently, Ramona Okumura has also spent time each year in Gaza, where she is a volunteer, helping to make prosthetics, simply and affordably to replace the personal damage of accidents, and violence. Since 2017, Okumura has volunteered for the USA-based Palestine Children’s Relief Fund’s Gaza Amputee Project, following a 27-year career in prosthetics at University of Washington where she also served as a lecturer in prosthetics.
   Her brother Glenn said on Friday that she remains trapped in Gaza at a UN shelter near the Rafah border crossing to Egypt. Glenn and his son Michael Okumoto, text her from Hawai'i to keep her up to date on weather reports for Gaza to help her keep track of potential rainfall, since she and other evacuees are sleeping outside.

Ramona Okumura, sister of Glenn Okumura, of Pahala, helps make affordable
prosthetics for Palestinian young people who lost limbs to violence.
Photo from Palestinian Children's Relief Fund Gaza Amputee Project
    Ramona Okumura and colleague, Dr. Barbara Zind, became trapped in Gaza when the war broke out between Israel and Hamas.
    Okumura family members have flown to Washington D.C. and met with Hawai'i Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz. as well as Congresswoman Jill Tokuda. Fifty-six members of Congress signed a statement saying, "we urge those carrying out military operations to follow international humanitarian law and protect innocent civilian lives on both sides." Thirty-six U.S. Senators signed a statement calling for "the swift implementation of sustained access for humanitarian aid, including water and medical supplies, to save civilian lives in Gaza.”
    A statement from the Okumura family says that "American aid worker Ramona Okumura continues to be trapped in Gaza along with 45 other aid workers, an estimated 500-600 Americans, and countless civilians who have been unable to escape the violence and increased pressure at the Rafah border to Egypt."
    The Okumura family is not only pressing for their Auntie's release but also for relief to Gaza people. On Capitol Hill, Ramona Okumura's neice Leah Okumura and nephew Nicholas Pang joined founder of Palestinian Children's Relief Fund, Steve Sosebee. They presented a plea for a "ceasefire and humanitarian corridor for safe passage out of Gaza with military support if needed, and also to allow this border opening to deliver aid into Gaza to service civilians she has seen fleeing their homes that have been lost to bombings."
    The Okumura family statement says, "Evacuees like Ramona are increasingly in danger as fuel, food, and water supplies decline, and they report hearing rockets fire within five miles of their location. Aid groups have warned of a looming humanitarian catastrophe due to Israel’s invasion into Gaza." It says that her family has repeatedly been disappointed by failed attempts at opening the Rafah border to Egypt, with Hamas, Egyptian and Israeli authorities unable to come to terms.

    The family statement shares Ramona's messages by text when she has service. "Ramona herself has spoken movingly of how local drivers have risked their lives to shuttle them between compounds, while rockets are fired around them, without any cover." Ramona said, “Despite everything, the locals risk their lives to meet our needs at every step of the way.”
    She has also reported that she and her colleagues are currently safe at a U.N. shelter. Many, including Ramona, sleep outside in cars, or on the pavement outside, and many evacuees have pulled debris such as pallets and metal poles to create temporary camp structures. The family statement says, "Despite being in imminent danger, Ramona remains stalwart in her mission to help the citizens of Gaza and Okumura’s family is holding out hope that she will be able to escape, despite no concrete updates about the border situation changing."
    The family continues to amplify Ramona's message: "Contact and encourage the authorities to negotiate a ceasefire and safe passage to 'Bring Auntie Ramona Home,' and stop the blockade and siege of Gaza where one million children live."
    Ramona's story has been featured in The New York Times, News Nation, network television news, as well as Hawai'i and Seattle media.

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.

Fall Rodeo: Kaʻū Roping & Riding offers events for all ages, from keiki to wahine, kane and kupuna. Photo by Julia Neal

WINNERS OF KAʻŪ ROPING & RIDING FALL RODEO have been announced by organizer Tammy Kaapana. The one day event was held last Saturday, Oct. 21 at Nāʻālehu Rodeo Grounds, with three events going on in the center of the village - the rodeo, the Coffee Tea & Water Expo and concert,  and hula and music at Keola Pu'uhonua grounds across the street adjacent to Punalu'u Bake Shop.
    Here are the winning names for the rodeo events released by Kaʻū Roping & Riding:
Dummy Roping 4 & Under - Elle-Mae Jose;  Dummy Roping 5-8 years of age - Whip Stevens; Goat
Undecorating 4 & under- Elle-Mae Jose;  
The one day rodeo was a rapid fire of contestants and steers coming
out of the gates.  Photo by Julia Neal
Goat Undercoating 5-8 years of age-Dusty Gorloff; and Calf Riding - Katum Malicki.
    Youth Barrels winner is Chesni Aku.
    Po'owai'u winner is Westin Joseph.
    Kane Wahine Breakaway winners are Paisley Menino and Gregg Menino.
    Double Mugging winners are Boots Kaapana and Mauka Balucan.
    Kane Wahine Ribbon Mugging winners are Paisley Menino Zayvin Menino.
    Wahine Mugging winners are Kiya Hernandez and Lorilee Lorenzo.
    Open Dally Team Roping winners are Danny Joseph and Gilbert Smith.
    Kane Wahine Dally Roping winners are Kevin Hill and Addie Flores.
    Century Team Roping winners are Gilbert Smith and Allen Gomes.
    To donate to Kaʻū Roping & Riding, contact Kaapana at 808-854-7917.
Calf riding wrapped up the one day Fall Rodeo last Saturday just before sunset. Photo by Julia Neal

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.

AS LADY TROJANS VOLLEYBALL TEAM GETS READY FOR THE BIG ISLAND'S HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH on Saturday, to be played against Hawai'i Preparatory Academy at Kamehameha School, 5 p.m., the coaches have released a statement.
    "Trojan strong comes back stronger than ever. It was in 2012 that the Trojans brought home their 1st BIIF Championship," said current Head Coach Kamalani Fujikawa and Assistant Coach Marley Strand Nicolaisen, who were on that winning team. "As alumni players of 2012 and now first year coaches, we are energized as a team to bring that BIIF title back to Kaʻū. These young student athletes come prepared and diligently attend practice. On the court, these Trojans bring their positive attitude, encouragement toward one another, and competitive physical agility."
Head Coach Kamalani Fujikawa (center) plans to bring back the island 
championship to Kaʻū with the final match on Saturday against
 Hawai'i Preparatory Academy. Photo by Julia Neal
    
    Head Coach Fujikawa said, "My learning curve as head coach came with a swift reality that success could only be achieved as a team. It was our responsibility as coaching staff to foster positive sportsmanship, acknowledge the value of discipline, provide opportunities to develop and strengthen skills, and goal setting. We continue to strive to maintain our focus and determination to bring that BIIF title back home to Kaʻū. Our opponent, HPA, is a great team and it will be a game no one would want to miss."           Regarding the win against Kohala on Thursday in the playoffs, Fujikawa said, "Whew! Kohala came out swinging. They always have great defense too! It was a reminder that we cannot deviate from our goal. Remain focused and determined to bring home that title. Our girls worked hard this entire season and we've got to stay alert and ready."
    Fujikawa explained why she wanted to become a coach. "A proud alumni of Kaʻū and Trojan Athlete of the Year in 2014, a true Trojan at heart, my goal has always been to serve within my community. I've
Kaʻū slams Kohala in playoff match Thursday.
Photo by Brenda Iokepa Moses

asked myself more often than I'd like to admit, 'What can I offer?'
    "As I strive to remain true to my goal, I enrolled in a State Approved Teacher Program to be able to teach the youth of Kaʻū. Similarly, like students, I engaged myself in extracurricular activities with these student athletes here at Kaʻū. 
    I am blessed to take on the role of Head Coach. Fortunately, as the blessings continue to flow, Trojan Alumni Marley Nicolaisen, who was Trojan Athlete of the Year 2013, and Sandy Fujikawa Carvalho, who was Trojan Athlete of the Year 1987, and my Aunty and Uncle, David Carvalho, who was MIL Player of the Year 1986, showed up with their Trojan Pride of commitment to the school and community to assist our girls on this awesome journey."
    The Head Coach praised the fans. "Shout out to our Kaʻū strong community, the sea of maroon in the stands that supports us in every way, especially at all of our games at home or away with their shouts of cheer, praise, and encouragement. Mahalo kakou."

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.

BALANCING RECREATION AND CONSERVATION AT PŌHUE BAY, along the coast near Ocean View, is the story from Donovan Kastle, a nearby resident and journalism student at Kaʻū High. Here is his story:
    "Critically endangered animals rely on Pōhue Bay’s rich resources. Hawksbill turtles, the rarest sea turtle in the Pacific Ocean, honu (green sea turtles), and endangered monk seals" are found "along the sandy shoreline," states Trust for Public Land, which helped with the July, 2022 National Park Service acquisition of the 16,451 acres around Pōhue Bay.
    At Pōhue Bay, long before it became part of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park - back in 2005, the Turtle Project counted 2,450 honu'ea hatchlings making it to the ocean. In 2006, 12 mama turtles were documented laying eggs. With 36 nests, about 4,300 baby hawksbills hatched. Pōhue Bay remains one of the most productive beaches on the island when it comes to honu`ea.
    While planning for the management of the newly preserved lands, the National Park Service has temporarily suspended public access to Pōhue as it considers its protection, balanced with recreational use.
Baby honu'ea, the hawksbill, rarest sea turtle in the Pacific,
are highly productive at Pōhue Bay where honu'ea nest.
Photo from Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
    Local residents state that they want to return to Pōhue Bay as soon as possible to fish, swim and go to the beach with their families. They ask whether, somehow, Volcanoes National Park could restore public access to Pōhue Bay soon while also maintaining the turtle nesting grounds and making sure people who visit the beach respect the land and don't disturb the wildlife.
    If Volcanoes National Park were to restore public access to vehicles, there would have to be quite a bit of work put into the area surrounding the bay. Without a paved, maintained road, only four wheel drive vehicles and hikers would be able to get to the bay. Any road construction could disturb the wildlife and sites with cultural significance to the people of Hawai'i. These could include burials and the petroglyphs that are located in the Pōhue area. In the past, these types of sites have been destroyed by road construction and development in other places.
   At Pōhue, building roads and other infrastructure such as parking lots and restrooms could be very costly. The upside is that it could create a number of jobs that are close by to residents and that local residents would have easy access to Pōhue's white sand beach. The question is how to balance recreation and conservation as the National Park moves further into Kaʻū.
    Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park reports that that "hawksbill turtles nest only on the beaches of the main Hawaiian Islands, primarily along the southern coast of Hawai’i Island. Without human help, the honu‘ea will likely disappear forever this century. But there is hope. Since 1989, the Hawai'i Island Hawksbill Turtle Recovery Project has been tirelessly working to help honu‘ea recover. More than 500 volunteers have located and protected 700 nests and helped 80,000 hatchlings reach the sea. Your help is crucial to these turtles’ survival." See https://www.fhvnp.org/product/turtle-donation/#:~:text=Since%201989%2C%20the%20Hawai'i,crucial%20to%20these%20turtles'%20survival.

Posted by at

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023

Great blocking by the Trojans helped lead to their victory over Kohala on Thursday. Photo by Brenda Iokepa Moses

KAʻŪ TROJANS LADIES VOLLEYBALL WON ITS PLAYOFF GAME AT the Herkes Kaʻū District
Kaʻū moves onto finals on Saturday for the island
championship. Photo by Julia Neal

Gym on Thursday, taking down Kohala in four sets, 26-24, 25-17, 24-26 and 25-11. Precious Mareko-Ke was one of the top players with 24 kills and eight blocks. The Trojans head next to Kamehameha School for the final playoff game this Saturday, Oct. 28. If they win, they take the island championship and go to states on O'ahu, Nov. 8-11.

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.

A SEASON WRAPUP STATEMENT FROM KAʻŪ  TROJAN FOOTBALL STAFF was issued on Thursday, following the last game of the season last week at Honoka'a. The team finished with a 3-7 record for the season, and was top performer this year among the smaller schools that formerly played 8-man football.
    "While there were missed opportunities, the team played very inspired football during the second half of the season. The back to back victories at home over Kohala and Pahoa provided the loyal Trojan fans with some good football memories," says the football staff.
Trojan Volleyball Ladies walk the line to mahalo Kohala
players after the match. Photo by Julia Neal
    There were many school records set this year for 11-man football. For team records, this year’s team scored 222 points to break the previous record from 1965 of 201 points scored. This year’s team set the school record for offensive yards gained in a game with 596 yards at the Honoka'a Dragons game on Oct. 20. This broke the previous record set by this year’s team who gained 539 yards against the Pahoa Dragons on Sept. 30. This year’s team also broke the single game scoring record by scoring 60 points vs. Kohala on on Sept. 23. This broke the previous record of 58 set by the 2021 team. This year’s team narrowly missed the record for yards gained in a season by compiling 3,184 yards for second all-time status. The 2022 team recorded 3,210 yards gained.
    For individual records set, Trojans were led by Adahdiyah Ellis-Reys who broke the single game passing record with 301 yards passed against Honoka'a on Oct. 20. "Diyah finished the season with an amazing 2123 yards of total offense 1356 yards passing, 757 yards rushing, and 10 yards receiving. This may be a new record, but is unconfirmed at this time," according to the football staff.
    Ocean Nihipali-Sesson ran the ball 156 times for 881 yards and 13 TDs. He also hauled in 18 passes for 262 yards and 2 TDs. He set new individual records for yards rushing, TDs rushing, and total TDs for a season. "Including his 2pt conversions, Ocean broke the individual school record for scoring with 102
points, becoming the first Kaʻū player to break 100 points scored. TJ Kuahuia-Faafia caught 38 passes (new record) for 715 yards (new record) and 9 TDs (new record). The 38 passes caught broke former Trojan, Mike Alcoran's record from 2010," reports the football staff.

Kaʻū Trojans football team, comprised of Kaʻū High and Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences
students broke many of the school records for the team and individuals. Photo by Mark Peters







           Other statistics for this year’s team include La'a Kajiwara-Ke leading the team in tackles with 56 tackles. Ellis-Reyes and Keaka McDonnell both had 3 interceptions. Stephen Adler added a 70 yard interception returned for a TD at home against the Kohala Cowboys, "which was one of the season’s highlights. This year’s Trojan offense featured a balance between a tough controlled ground game, with the ability to strike it big at any time. This year’s offense had 14 plays of 40+ yards," says the football staff, wrapping up with, "Congratulations to this year’s team on your accomplishments. Mahalo to our Trojan Seniors – Jaestin Karasuda, Keaka McDonnell, Kainalu Wanzer, Stephen Adler, TJ Kuahuia-Faafia, La’a Kajiwara-Ke, Joe Buyuan, Ocean Nihipali-Sesson, Dakota Seaver, and Dominic Nurial-Dacalio."
    This year’s team finished with Ted Blanco as the Head Coach who was assisted by Garrett Greedy, Mark Peters, Greg Rush, Walter Parada, Chris Loy, and Kevin Brown. Athletic Director for Kau is Jaime Guerpo. The team’s Athletic Trainer is Moses Whitcomb. "The football staff would like to thank our community for supporting this year’s team. Your support at home and away was felt by the team at every game."

EVERY KID OUTDOORS HALLOWEEN CELEBRATIONS will be this Saturday at Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park's  Kīlauea Visitor Center and Kahuku Visitor Contact Station from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with fun filled family-friendly events.    
NPS Photo of three park staff dressed as a wizard, a bat and
 a scary Star Wars character who is Luke's daddy.
    At Kīlauea, decorate a park-themed mask then explore the trails and look for clues to earn charms for the mask. At Kahuku, come for the third annual Halloween Bingo Scavenger Hunt. Return to the visitor centers for a treat bag provided by the Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association.
    Costumes are encouraged.  Families with fourth graders receive a free park entrance. Complete the online activity on www.everykidoutdoors.gov and print the paper voucher to bring to the park in exchange for a fourth-grade pass.

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.


UNREST CONTINUES AT KĪLAUEA SUMMIT is the subject of this week's Volcano Watch written by
U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:
    The most recent eruption at Kīlauea's summit began on Sunday, Sept. 10. Following weeks of heightened unrest, fissures opened on the Halema'uma'u crater floor and to the east on the "down dropped block," a remnant of the older caldera floor that collapsed in 2018.
    The eruption was short lived, ending just a week later, on September 16. Lava stopped flowing. Gas emissions diminished. Seismicity and ground deformation returned to "background" levels. Things got quiet. But not for long.
    A new series of earthquake swarms began suddenly at Kīlauea's summit on Oct. 4. Activity escalated quickly and more than 250 earthquakes were recorded in the south caldera region on Oct. 5. Seismicity at this scale has been observed prior to recent Kīlauea summit eruptions, but as we know, a new eruption did not begin in early October.
      Instead, intermittent seismic swarms have continued, varying from less than 20 events per day to more than 150 events on October 22. Most earthquakes have been smaller than magnitude-2 and have occurred at depths of around 1–3 km (0.6–2 mi) below the surface. Seismic signals indicating magma movement—such as low-frequency tremor—have also been observed, most recently on October 23.
    Ground deformation rates increased in early October as well. The Sand Hill tiltmeter, located southwest of the caldera, has recorded approximately 120 microradians of change over the past three weeks. GPS and satellite radar data confirm that over 10 cm (4 in) of uplift has occurred in the south caldera region since late September. Northeast of the caldera, the Uēkahuna tiltmeter has recorded approximately 20 microradians of change over the past three weeks.    

This map shows recent unrest at Kīlauea summit. Yellow circles denote earthquake locations from October 4–24, 2023, as recorded by HVO seismometers. Nearly 2,000 earthquakes were detected during this time period. Colored fringes denote areas of ground deformation from September 24–October 10 as measured by satellite radar. Approximately 10 cm (4 inches) of uplift was detected during this time period. Each color cycle represents 1.5 cm (0.6 in) of ground motion toward the satellite, indicating uplift associated with a magmatic intrusion. Map from USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
 Deformation has also been intermittent, with days-long periods of increased rates alternating with similar-duration periods of little or no displacement. Increased numbers of earthquakes have generally coincided with increased rates of ground motion at Sand Hill, as seen on October 4–6, 16–18, and 21–23.
    These observations indicate that magma is accumulating in the geologically complex south caldera region. Examining history, this is not surprising.
    Numerous intrusions have been recorded here in the past, most recently in 2021 and 2015. In August 2021, an intrusion here occurred over about a week and was followed by an eruption within Halema'uma'u about a month later (September 29, 2021). In May 2015, an intrusion here lasted less than a week and occurred during ongoing eruptions within Halema'uma'u and at Pu'u'ō'ō.
    Intrusions also occurred here in the 1960s, 1970s, early 1980s, and in 2006. But only one, in December 1974, led to an eruption. It migrated southward from the caldera and then reached the surface, erupting as a series of short fissure segments with a total length of 5 km (3 mi), as it turned southwest. Of note is the fact that, before the 1974 eruption, earthquakes had migrated farther southwest than HVO has observed during recent unrest.
    Although it is not possible to forecast an exact outcome from current unrest, here are three possible scenarios that could play out in the coming days to weeks.
    Magma could continue to accumulate but eventually stop, with no eruption.
    Or, magma could continue to accumulate, followed by a summit eruption inside the caldera—similar to recent eruptions at Halema'uma'u. If this happens, we expect to see accelerating deformation and seismicity beneath the caldera 1–2 hours before an eruption.
    Or, magma could continue to accumulate, with an eventual summit eruption outside the caldera, to the south or southwest. If this happens, we expect to see earthquakes migrating southward as they did in December 1974, followed by accelerating deformation and seismicity 1–2 hours before an eruption.  
    The timeframe for any scenario is uncertain. With permission from Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, HVO has installed two new webcams to better monitor the south caldera region ([MITDcam] - Kīlauea's upper Southwest Rift Zone, looking north and [S2cam] - Kīlauea's upper Southwest Rift Zone, looking southwest). Considering potential volcanic hazards, the National Park has closed trails near areas of unrest.
    Unrest continues at Kīlauea summit. HVO is watching closely. Time will tell what happens next!

Volcano Activity Updates: Kīlauea is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is ADVISORY.
    The area just south of Kīlauea's summit continues to show signs of episodic unrest. Overall, inflation at the summit of Kīlauea remains high and has surpassed the level seen just before the most recent eruption on September 10th. Seismicity in the region south of Kīlauea caldera summit continues, though at decreased rates from the peak in activity on October 6. The most recent sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rate, of approximately 100 tonnes per day, was measured on October 19.
    Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.
    Webcams show no signs of activity on Mauna Loa. Seismicity remains low. Summit ground deformation rates indicate slow inflation as magma replenishes the reservoir system following the recent eruption. SO2 emission rates are at background levels.
    Two earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M29 earthquake 1 km (1 mi) WSW of Pāhala at 32 km (20 mi) depth on Oct. 23 at 7:37 p.m. HST and a M3.5 earthquake 11 km (6 mi) NE of Pāhala at 31 km (19 mi) depth on Oct. 19 at 5:09 p.m. HST.
HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

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.

HPD ARRESTED 15 FOR DUI the week of Oct.16, through Oct. 22. Hawai‘i Island police arrested 15 motorists for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Three of the drivers were involved in a traffic collision. One of the drivers was under the age of 21.
   So far this year, there have been 786 DUI arrests compared with 799 during the same period last year, a decrease of 1.6 percent.
   Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 677 major collisions so far this year compared with 666 during the same period last year, an increase of 1.7 percent.
   To date, there have been 14 fatal crashes, resulting in 15 fatalities, (one with multiple deaths); compared with 28 fatal crashes, resulting in 30 fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths, and one was reclassified to a medical condition) for the same time last year. This represents a decrease of 50 percent for fatal crashes, and 50 percent for fatalities.
    To date, the non-traffic fatality count (not on a public roadway) so far this year is one compared to zero non-traffic fatalities for the same time last year.
   HPD promises that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.
Posted by at
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)