Kaʻū News Briefs July 4, 2024

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach at high King Tide on Fourth of July, when the moon, Earth and sun are
all aligned, creating rise in waters around the world. Photo by Bob Martin 

The possibility of King Tide causing flooding prompted lifeguards
to put up warning signs on Thursday. Photo by Bob Martin

THE KING TIDE raised the water level at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach on Thursday, July 4 to above sea level. The King Tide drew a warning to beach goers. Lifeguards placed a Strong Current sign on the sand. However, no damage or harm to people came to pass.

    NOAA predicts a much higher - 75 percent likelihood of some flooding on July 21 and 85 percent on Aug. 18 during this summer's King Tides.

     King Tides are the highest tides of the year, happening when Earth, moon and sun are aligned and the moon comes the closest to Earth as it orbits around the planet. King Tides happen in summer and winter and can create inundation, waves washing higher onto shore and flooding. At Punalu'u on Saturday, the ocean water came above the usual shoreline to be closer to the palm trees, reaching the highest point around 3 p.m. 

    A NOAA statement says, "Above-normal tides can trigger high tide flooding, disrupting coastal communities. This flooding can occur on sunny days and in the absence of storms. More severe flooding may occur if high tides coincide with heavy rains, strong winds, or large waves. As sea levels continue to rise, our coastal communities will experience more frequent high tide flooding - about 45-85 days/year on average nationally by 2050. Predicting the likelihood of high tide flooding helps coastal communities plan for and mitigate impacts."

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CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE MADE THE INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADES in Volcano and Nāʻālehu, ranging from those vying for Mayor to County Council, state House of Representatives and Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees.

State House of Representative member Jeanne Kapela with baby walking Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade. Photo by Julia Neal

Chantel Makuaole-Perrin supporters in the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade in her run for state House of Representatives.
Photo by Julia Neal

Mayor Mitch Roth, who is vying for a second term, marched as Mayor of Hawai'i County at both the Volcano and
Nāʻālehu Independence Day parades. Photo by Sara Espaniola

Dr. Kimo Alameda, candidate for Mayor, marched in Volcano.
Photo by Sara Espaniola

GETTING OUT THE VOTE is one of the main efforts of candidates coming to Ka'u, marching in parades and hosting community gatherings. 

    Ka'u citizens will be voting for state Senator, state House of Representatives member, County Council member, County of Hawai'i Mayor, a U.S. Senator, U.S. House of Representative member, trustees for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and more.

    While voting isn't as much of a ritual as it was when going to the polls on a set day and standing behind small curtains to cast the ballot, it is easy if people remeber to register and vots through the mail or by traveling to the few living polling places around the island.

    The plan is for ballots to arrive in mailboxes in the days after July 23, to be returned and counted by Aug. 10. Those wishing to vote can still sig up for the Primary and the General Elections. See https://elections.hasaii.gov/rigister-to-vote.

Seaola Jr. Tupai, candidate for Hawai'i Mayor, walked in Nāʻālehu Independence Parade. Photo by Julia Neal

Yumi Kawano, candidate for Mayor, walked in the Volcano Independence Day Parade. Photo by Sara Espaniolo

County Council candidate Maria Burns carried a sign in the Nāʻālehu Parade saying "Inmates Lives Matter." Photo by Julia Neal

County Council candidate Ikaika Kailiawa-Smith rode in the Nāʻālehu Parade. Photo by Julia Neal

Incumbent County Council member Michelle Galimba rode in the Nāʻālehu parade and 
walked in the Volcano Independence Day Parade. Photo by Julia Neal

Independence Day in Volcano grew crowds along Old Volcano Highway and Wright Road. Photo by Sarah Espaniola

THE VOLCANO COMMUNITY PUT ON ITS PARADE AND FOURTH OF JULY FESTIVAL on Independence Day under clear skies, sponsored by Volcano Community Association and Cooper Center.

A native Hawaiian cultural organization of men at Volcano Independence Day Parade. Photo by Sara Espaniola

Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences walk for their school. Photo by Sara Espaniola

Ka'u paniolo head through the rainforest of Volcano for Independence Day. Photo by Sara Espaniola

Civil Air Patrol at Lyman Field in Hilo helps train young pilots. Photo by Sara Espaniola

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory in Volcano Independence Day Parade. Photo by Sara Espaniola

Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and Hawai'i Pacific Parks in Volcano Parade. Photo by Sara Espaniola

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park crew dresses like endangered species in Volcano Parade. Photo by Sara Espaniola

Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network performed songs from their upcoming play. 
Photo by Sara Espaniola

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Kaʻū News Briefs July 3, 2024

When USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory HVO geologists recently moved temporary webcams, they revisited the site of the June 3 eruption. This photo looks downrift, with the June 3 pad of lava in the upper right. Extensive cracking uprift of the fissure had weak residual outgassing and vibrant sulfur deposits. USGS Photo by M. Patrick

OPPORTUNITIES IN DIVERSIFYING THE ECONOMY is the subject of a new University of Hawai'i Economic Research Organization study. It points to water transportation, aquaculture, fishing and other water related enterprise as having large potential while being "underperforming" in Hawai'i. It notes that the study "reflects in part what is already known to Kanaka Maoli, given Hawaiʻi’s history of Polynesian ocean-faring and fishponds."

    Suggestions include boat building, finfish farming and hatcheries, seafood preparation and packaging,

Boatbuilding is a suggestion in the new study on diversifying
 the economy from U.H. Economic Research Organization.
This wa'a kalua, double hulled canoe was crafted by Kaʻū 
boatbuilder Kiko Johnston-Kitazawa.

finfish fishing and shellfish fishing. "These all seem logical diversification options given Hawaiʻi’s location in the Pacific Ocean providing the necessary natural resource. Industries are also more likely to remain in the long term if they rely on local resources."
    The report written by Steve Bond-Smith and Sumit Ilamkar, of UHERO, says, "The economy of Hawaiʻi is extraordinarily concentrated in the tourism industry. As a result of tourism’s dominance, Hawaiʻi’s economy faces short-term risks from shocks that impact visitor numbers and long-term stagnation from flat and volatile tourism spending over the last three decades. In response to these issues—which became especially salient during the COVID-19 pandemic—policymakers in Hawaiʻi increasingly emphasize the need to diversify. Still, it is not clear which industries Hawaiʻi could diversify into.

    The study posed three questions and provides the following analyses:
    What is the case for diversifying the Hawaiʻi economy? Specializing is natural for a small open economy. Small and isolated economies are less able to access the productivity benefits of external increasing returns to scale. External increasing returns describe how the productivity of firms can increase with the size of something external to the firm such as a market, city, or industry. Small, open, and isolated places tend to become more specialized because it creates a local external scale—the scale of their industry specialization—that offers similar productivity advantages. Specialization initially generates growth due to external scale economies. But if various developmental barriers have prevented some industries from emerging, then Hawai‘i could be over-specialized. Specialization generates both short and long-term risks due to greater exposure to a single industry.
    With this theoretical basis, we show how Hawaiʻi initially benefited from specializing in the tourism industry and how this specialization now exposes Hawaiʻi to short and long-term risks. These risks are especially apparent when we examine how total visitor spending has been relatively flat for decades, punctured by periodic crises. In this way, diversification is not an end in itself but aims to build a more resilient economy that is less exposed to the short- and long-term risks that to some extent can be expected in a small and open economy like Hawai‘i.

    What are the opportunities for diversifying Hawai’i’s economy? To find diversification opportunities we apply the Principle of Relatedness (Hidalgo et. al., 2018), which predicts regional diversification patterns and informs prioritization of economic development initiatives. We studied the industrial composition of all counties in the US to measure relatedness between industries. Two industries are described as related because they probably require similar conditions if they appear together frequently. With this understanding of the relationships between industries in US counties, we examine the industrial composition of Hawaiʻi’s counties to identify underperforming industries with a higher probability of being stronger because they are related to existing strengths.

     See a summary and the complete report at https://uhero.hawaii.edu/potential-opportunities-to-diversify-the-economy-of-hawai%ca%bbi/

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WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS FROM HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK are on the mainland assisting with structure protection efforts during the #PioneerFire. The Park notes that careers in the

National Park Service wildland fire "can take you to national parks across the country! From battlefields in the Northeast, the prairies of the Midwest, the forests of the Rocky Mountains, and to the wilderness of Alaska, we're recruiting future leaders that will shape wildland fire management, face the threats of climate change, refine policy, and maintain a safe and healthy environment for our workforce."

    Learn more about wildland fire careers in the National Park Service at: https://go.nps.gov/wfcareers.
Looking for a career in wildland fire? Apply today https://wlf-nps.usajobs.gov/
#NWFFD

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CRUISING CHAIN OF CRATERS ROAD: RECENT EARTHQUAKES AND PAST VOLCANISM IS THE subject of this week's Volcano Watch from USGS Hawai'i Vocanoes Observatory scientists and affilates:
    The upper East Rift Zone of Kīlauea was a shaky place this past weekend. This region extends southeast from Kaluapele (Kīlauea's summit caldera) to Maunaulu, and earthquakes here can reflect pressurization of Kīlauea's summit magma storage system.
Between June 27 and July 1, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) detected nearly 1,500 earthquakes beneath the UERZ. Activity peaked during the late evening of Saturday, June 29, when more than 30 earthquakes happened per hour. Activity slowly decreased on Sunday and returned to pre-swarm levels on Monday, July 1.

This reference map depicts the features on Kīlauea's upper East Rift Zone. Chain of Craters Road in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park follows the path of the upper East Rift Zone. Pit craters, thermal areas, and lava flows are evidence of a long history of magma moving along this rift zone pathway. Upper East Rift Zone eruptions have typically occurred near the southeast margin of Kaluapele, or where the upper East Rift Zone meets the middle East Rift Zone near Pauahi Crater. USGS map

    Most earthquakes in this swarm were smaller than magnitude-2, but there were several large enough to be felt by neighboring communities, including five earthquakes magnitude-3 or higher. The earthquakes stayed at depths of 1–4 km (0.6–2.5 mi) below the ground surface and were not accompanied by any significant changes in ground deformation.
    Although the earthquakes were located beneath the UERZ, there were no indications that magma was moving toward the surface to possibly erupt in this area. This swarm was likely related to the buildup of pressure beneath Kīlauea's summit, as magma accumulates in underground storage system. Similar seismic swarms beneath the UERZ were observed earlier this year, in April and May, when magma was accumulating and pressurizing the summit before the last eruption on June 3. In those cases, seismic unrest moved away from the UERZ and became focused at other locations south of Kaluapele and toward the Southwest Rift Zone prior to that eruption.
    However, eruptions have occurred along the UERZ in the past. There have been approximately 50 intrusions and 5 eruptions in the UERZ over the past 60 years; the most recent eruption was 45 years ago.

    Luamanu Crater is first, and here you are still technically in Kīlauea caldera, marked by outer faults that parallel the modern topographic extent of Kaluapele. At this location, you also drive past lava flows that erupted over three days in July of 1974. This eruption began in Keanakākoʻi Crater, and vents extended northwest into the modern caldera and southeast to Luamanu Crater; lava flows covered the eastern part of the modern caldera floor and traveled to the southeast, covering part of Chain of Craters Road. As you continue driving, you pass Puhimau, Koʻokoʻolau, Devil's Throat, Hiʻiaka, and Pauahi craters. 

Location where the May 1973 lava flows on Kīlauea's upper East Rift Zone cross Chain of Craters Road in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. USGS image by K. Mulliken.

    Based on the age of the surrounding lava flows, we know that these craters formed within the past 750 years. In each case, void space beneath the ground surface resulted in a crater forming by collapse. Between Puhimau and Koʻokoʻolau craters, you'll drive through a large area where rising steam and broomsedge grass contrasts with the surrounding ʻŌhiʻa forest. This is the Puhimau thermal area. In the 1930s, earthquake swarms occurred, the ground cracked, and vegetation began to die. Since then, the soil has remained hot and the area has grown to about 50 acres (0.2 sq km). Geophysical studies show that magma is present just a few hundred meters (around 1,000 ft) beneath the ground surface. Near Hiʻiaka crater, you'll drive through lava flows from a 7-hour eruption in May 1973. Shortly after, you'll drive through the youngest UERZ lava flows that erupted over a day in November 1979 in and near Pauahi Crater. Other eruptions in this area were in November 1973 (29 days long) and August 1968 (5 days long).
From there, the rift zone turns east toward the cape of Kumukahi (the Island of Hawaiʻi's easternmost point). Now, the prominent Maunaulu lava shield will be visible as Chain of Craters Road passes through Maunaulu lava flows. Maunaulu was active from 1969–1971 and, after a three and a half month pause, from 1972–1974.
    The recent UERZ earthquake swarm was likely related to increasing pressurization of the magmatic system underlying Kīlauea summit, but we know based on our drive down Chain of Craters Road that magma does sometimes erupt in this area. Kīlauea's summit continues to inflate following the brief June 3 eruption and HVO will continue to closely monitor for signs of change.

Volcano Activity Updates
    Kīlauea is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is ADVISORY.
    Over the past week, more than 1,600 events occurred beneath Kīlauea's summit region and extending southeast into the upper East Rift Zone. Most events were smaller than M2 and occurred during the June 27-July 1 swarm beneath the upper East Rift Zone. Inflationary ground deformation has continued in the

summit region following the June 3 eruption, indicating that magma is repressurizing the storage system. Unrest may continue to wax and wane with changes to the input of magma.

    Currently, there are no signs of an imminent eruption, but changes can occur quickly, as can the potential for eruption. The most recent summit sulfur dioxide emission rate measured was approximately 75 tonnes per day on June 28, 2024. Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.

    Six earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M2.9 earthquake 6 km (3.7 mi) SSE of Volcano at 1.5 km (1 mi) depth on July 1 at 5:39 a.m. HST, a M3.2 earthquake 6 km (3 mi) S of Volcano at 0 km (0 mi) depth on June 30 at 3:31 p.m. HST, a M3.0 earthquake 7 km (4 mi) S of Volcano at 1 km (0.5 mi) depth on June 29 at 11:27 p.m. HST, a M2.7 earthquake 7 km (7 mi) S of Volcano at 2 km (1 mi) depth on June 29 at 8:55 p.m. HST, a M3.4 earthquake 6 km (4 mi) S of Volcano at 2 km (1 mi) depth on June 27 at 3:35 p.m. HST, and a M2.9 earthquake 6 km (4 mi) SSW of Volcano at 2 km (1 mi) depth on June 27 at 3:32 p.m. HST.

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POLICE ARRESTED 17 FOR DUI ON HAWAI'I ISLAND duuring the week of June 24 through June 30, 2024. Hawai‘i Island police arrested them for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Five of the

drivers were involved in a traffic accident.
    So far this year, there have been 484 DUI arrests compared with 493 during the same period last year, a decrease of 1.83 percent.
    Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 498 major crashes so far this year, compared with 429 during the same time last year, an increase of 16.08 percent.
    To date, there have been 18 fatal crashes, resulting in 20 fatalities (two of which had multiple deaths and one crash was reclassified as a suicide), compared with nine fatal crashes, resulting in 10 fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths, and one died at a later date) for the same time last year. This represents an increase of 100 percent for fatal crashes and 100 percent for fatalities.
    In 2024, the non-traffic fatality count (not on a public roadway) is zero compared to zero non-traffic fatalities for the same time last year.
   HPD promises that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.

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Kaʻū News Briefs July 2, 2024

Hawai'i County Band marched and played in the OKK Indpendence Day Parade last Saturday 
and returns to the Volcano Parade at 8:30 a.m. this Thursday, July 4. Photo by Julia Neal

COUNTY COUNCIL CANDIDATE IKAIKA KAILIAWA-SMITH has issued a statement regarding his campaign for the election that is coming up this month, with voting in the non-partisan race mostly from ballots that come in the mai from late July into early August. He writes that his platform aligns with concerns about sustainable agriculture and food production.

County Council Candidate Ikaika-Kailiawa Smith

    Kailiawa-Smith said he is dedicated to addressing food security issues and lowering costs for residents by promoting local egg production and dairy farming. He said he aims to support the construction of slaughter facilities for livestock and poultry, "which could help lower food costs and promote local farming."
    Kailiawa-Smith also said he recognizes the financial struggles faced by retired individuals and is committed to removing property taxes for retirees on a fixed income. "This initiative aims to provide financial relief to those who have contributed to society for many years.
    Regarding public safety, Kailiawa-Smith said he plans to address the issue of violent criminals and mentally unstable individuals on the streets by implementing measures to remove them from communities.     

    He also said he supports the construction of sub stations for police and fire departments to improve response times and overall safety for residents.
    Kailiawa-Smith said he is dedicated to "making positive changes in Hawai'i by addressing important issues like food security, taxes, public safety, and government accountability, and that his commitment to these causes makes him a strong candidate for office.

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FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS COME TO A COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR & BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT on Saturday, July 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center, 92-8924 Leilani Circle.
    The state Department of Health Public Health Educator Paul Strauss, who works with the Hawai'i

District Health Office in Kealakekua, is helping to organize and spread the word for the event. He said that Project Vision, KTA Pharmacy, as well as other community partners will provide the free health screenings and information for the public.

    Screenings include: Vaccinations, physicals, hearing checks, eye exams and eye glasses, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, checks, and more.
    For keiki there will be: school physicals, vision screenings and glasses, hearing tests, and keiki vaccinations, back packs and school supplies giveaway
    Keiki IDs will be provided by the Hawai'i County Police Department
    For more, contact Strauss at paul.strauss@doh.hawaii.gov. Phone 808-322-1513.

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THE COUNTY REMINDS THE PUBLIC ABOUT ITS KAʻŪ MEETING ON HOUSING, which is set for next Tuesday, July 9 at 1:30 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center, 96-1149 Kamani St.
    The County of Hawai'i Office of Housing & Community Development is hosting public meetings around the island to gather community input for the development of its 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan.

  "Your voice matters in shaping the future of our community. Join us in these public meetings to ensure that every perspective is heard, and every need is addressed,” said Housing Administrator Susan Kunz.     “Together, we can build a brighter, more inclusive future for all residents of Hawaiʻi Island.
   A statement from the county says the "Consolidated Plan serves as a vital blueprint, ensuring that communities receiving federal U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development assistance effectively address the housing and related needs of low- and moderate-income families. It aims to enhance the availability and affordability of decent, safe, and sanitary housing within suitable living environments."

    The County of Hawaiʻi’s CP will outline the needs, priorities, funding plans, and program certification requirements over the five-year period between 2025 and 2029. Submission of the CP to HUD is required for the County of Hawaiʻi to receive its annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) allocations. Similarly, the State relies on the CP to obtain its annual HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Housing for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), and National Housing Trust Fund (HTF) allocations.
    To meet federal requirements and the County of Hawaiʻi's Citizen Participation Plan, a series of public meetings are being conducted at locations and times on Hawaiʻi Island. "These meetings offer an opportunity for engagement with diverse communities to solicit views and comments on goals and priorities related to housing, community development, and homelessness for the upcoming five years."

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POLICE URGE SAFE DRIVING THIS JULY FOURTH HOLIDAY WEEKEND. As the holiday approaches, Hawai‘i Police Department and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, remind Hawai‘i Island residents to drive sober as part of the nationa Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving awareness campaign. Even a small amount of alcohol can impair the ability to drive safely. For instance, a blood alcohol concentration as low as .02 can affect multitasking abilities, significantly impacting driving skills.    

    Historically, the Fourth of July sees an increase in impaired driving crashes, putting lives at risk. During the month of July between 2018 and 2023, 11 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes on Big island

roads.
    Alcohol impairment was involved in 39 percent of all Hawai‘i Island fatal traffic crashes from 2018 through 2023. That percentage climbs to nearly 69 percent when drug impairment is included. In the first half of 2024, there have been 20 traffic fatalities across Hawai‘i Island, compared to 10 this time last year. There have also been 498 major traffic crashes to date in 2024, a 16 percent increase over the 429 traffic crashes that occurred by this time last year.
    Torey Keltner, Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Program Manager, said, “Hawai‘i Police Department will be out in force this Fourth of July to ensure our roads stay safe. Please do your part and drive safely so everyone makes it home alive,” He also offered the following
    Tips for Celebrating Safely and Getting Home Without Driving:Plan ahead: If you're planning to drink, arrange for a sober ride home before the festivities begin.
    Designate a sober driver: Even if you've had just one drink, ensure your driver has consumed no alcohol whatsoever.
    Offer non-alcoholic options: If you're hosting a gathering, provide plenty of non-alcoholic beverages to support designated drivers.
    Intervene responsibly: If a friend intends to drive impaired, take their keys and arrange a safe way for them to get home.
    Report impaired driving: If you witness an impaired driver on the road, pull over safely and call 911.
Buckle up: Always wear your seat belt, it’s your best defense against crashes.Remember, impaired driving isn’t limited to alcohol; drug-impaired driving poses a similar danger. Whether legal or illegal, driving under the influence of drugs is dangerous and illegal. “If You Feel Different, You Drive Different.”

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