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Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs Aug. 27, 2024

Jacob Satterwhite in his home near Ha'ao Springs. Hurricane Hone'sintrusion brought mud and rocks into the house.
Photo by Mariah Satterwhite

THE HOBBIT HOUSE FAMILY is digging out from the flood that sent rocks and dirt through their home near Ha'ao Springs in Wai‘ōhinu on Sunday. Offers are coming in to help them.
    Jacob Satterwhite, who sells his Jacob's Ladder honey at the 'O Ka'ū Kākou Farmers Market on
Sharon Mastandrea and her son Jacob Satterwhite, whose
home near Ha'ao Springs was invaded by a wall of rocks
 and earth during Hurricane Hone. A GoFundMe is at
https://gofund.me/d8c82902 . Jacob is a beekeeper and honey
 merchant who will be at OKK  Market in Nāʻālehu
 Friday and Wednesday. Photo by Mariah Satterwhite

Wednesdays and Fridays, said he will be there this week and hopes folks can help by buying more of his honey, offerinfg a donation, or putting together a volunteer group to help them dig out.
    Satterwhite said he woke up to an explosive sound at about 3 a.m. Sunday. He saw water hitting the window of his bathroom and shooting through the sides of a door in his main room. He said he grabbed important papers and ran them upstairs, but when he returned, he had to break open a door with a crowbar to get in, the water and mud rising from two inches to three feet within minutes.
    Satterwhite said he rescued his bottled honey from the flood and fortunately, the water, rocks and dirt flowed around his beehives that remain intact.
    His mother Sharon Mastandrea, 78, lives there too. She has been in Ka'ū for almost a decade. Mastandrea is known for her roadside cleanups while exercising in the Green Sands community. Over time, she built a community around helping keep the roadsides clean. Her volunteer work extended to Green Sands park, which she helped bring back into play.
    "She is always there for the community, and always optimistic that something better is going to result during challenges," said her eldest son John Satterwhite, of Montana. He owns the adjacent property, where the river of mud cut through to his mother's land and home.
    The Mastandrea/Satterwhite family bought the Hobbit House from Bill Whalen who operated it as a bed and breakfast for many years, gaining a reputation for its unusual architecture and hospitality.
    A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family at https://gofund.me/d8c82902
To volunteer to clean up, call 406-560-0912 or 406-560-2358,
    A county crew was working on Ha'ao Springs Road on Monday and Tuesday to clear it from debris and to help other home and landowners as well. Mastandrea said a neighbor's home was isolated when the same gully that flooded her house cut across their land, blocking their access.

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POLICE CHARGED AN OCEAN VIEW MANY WITH ANIMAL CRUELTY after arresting him on Friday. Hawai'i Police Department's statement says, On Friday, Aug 23, at approximately 4:59 p.m., patrol officers in the Ka‘ū District responded to a report of an unknown disturbance in the area of King Kamehameha Boulevard and Aloha Boulevard in the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates Subdivision.
    Information reported to police dispatch was that a male party was in the area attempting to break up dogs that were fighting. However, another caller reported seeing a male party abusing his dogs. Upon arrival, officers discovered that a medium size black colored canine was deceased and laying in the middle of the roadway. The animal appeared to have several puncture wounds to the right side of its body. This same male party was observed by a witness to be kicking the dog minutes before the dog’s body was found.
Robert Harris charged with Animal Cruelty
in First Degree. Photo from HPD
    Officers quickly located and contacted the male party approximately one block from the scene. Upon contacting him, officers observed that his hands were covered in blood and that he had a knife on his person with blood on the blade. He also acknowledged that the deceased dog left on the roadway belonged to him.
    As a result of the investigation, the male party, identified as 64-year old Robert Harris of Ocean View, was arrested. He was also found to have a marijuana smoking pipe in his possession.
    Upon conferring with a Deputy Prosecutor, Harris was later charged with Animal Cruelty in the First Degree, Promotion of a Detrimental Drug in the Third Degree and Drug Paraphernalia. His bail was set at $5000.00
   He was scheduled to make his first court appearance at Kona District court on Monday.
   HPD is asking that anyone who has information regarding this incident to please call Officer Taylor Au at (808) 939-2520 or the police non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.

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Sensei Alan Moores, left. Photo from Dojo
. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.

SOTO NO MICHI AIKIDO SENSEI MOORES, 3rd Dan Black Belt, and founder of the Soto No Michi Aikido dojo, is returning as a full-time instructor starting in September at Pāhala Hongwanji schoolhouse.
    He has over 50 years martial arts experience in Aikido and Karate and has attended training with three of the direct students of Morihei Ueshiba ,founder of Aikido, including Yamada Sensei 8th Dan, Kanai Sensei 8th Dan and Akira Tohei Sensei 8th Dan.
    Moores said he is looking forward to teaching the current students and is accepting new student enrollment, ages 7 to adult. Classes will be 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. Sensei will also offer for the first time Class 65+,specifically designed for seniors on Fridays – 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
    All classes are provided free of charge. To register call:Sensei Moores @ 808-295-9677 0r by email: artbyalan2011@gmail.com

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WITH TRAFFIC FATALITIES NEARLY DOUBLE OVER THIS TIME LAST YEAR, Hawai’i Police Department is strongly urging residents and visitors to drive safely this Labor Day weekend with its annual public awareness campaign Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. As part of the campaign, patrol officers in Ka‘ū, the largest district on island, sign waved on Tuesday and will do it again Sunday, Sept. 1 to remind motorists to drive safely.
    “We want our community members to understand that it’s our first priority to keep people safe, so we’re asking everyone to plan ahead if they know they’ll be out drinking,” said Torey Keltner, Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services program manager.
    Expect increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints across Hawai‘i Island throughout the holiday weekend. “Our officers are committed to keeping our roads safe and will be actively monitoring for impaired drivers,” said Keltner.
    Nationwide, Labor Day weekend is particularly deadly, with 490 fatal traffic crashes during the three-day holiday in 2022, the latest data available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of those 490 traffic deaths, 39 percent involved a drunk driver. Locally, as of August 27, 2024, in Hawai’i County there have been 19 fatal crashes resulting in 21 fatalities with impairment by alcohol or drugs a factor in 63 percent of those deaths.
    Hawai‘i Police Department offers the following driving tips for a safe holiday weekend:
    Before heading out, decide on a safe ride home. Use public transportation, rideshare services, or call a friend if you’re impaired.
    If hosting an event, ensure your guests have access to safe transportation options.
    Be aware of the consequences: drunk driving offenders face fines, license suspensions, and possible imprisonment.
    “Our goal is to ensure that everyone can enjoy their Labor Day Weekend without the fear of impaired drivers on the road,” said Keltner. “We ask for everyone’s cooperation in making smart, responsible choices.”
    Those who see an impaired driver on the road, call 911.

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IN RESPONSE TO HURRICANE HONE, county Department of Environmental Management's Wai'ōhinu Transfer Station will be open this Wednesday, August 28, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for solid waste disposal caused by the hurricane.
    The county statement says, "This added day will accommodate the increased demand for waste disposal following the storm and ensure that residents have the ability to clear storm debris safely and efficiently. The Wai'ōhinu Station will maintain its regular Monday/Thursday/Saturday schedule. For more, see https://www.dem.hawaiicounty.gov/facilities."










Monday, August 26, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs Aug. 26, 2024

This house that gained fame years ago as the Hobbit House bed and breakfast was hit by a river of mud and rocks during
Hurricane Hone. Now a beekeeper's home, it is located on Ha'ao Springs Road in Wai‘ōhinu. Photo from Trip Advisor
A stream of dirt and rock came through the Hobbit House in Wai‘ōhinu on Sunday.
Photo by Bob Martin

More mud traveled through the home near Ha'ao Springs. Photo by Bob Martin
HURRICANE HONE'S FLOODWATERS LEFT A LOT OF MUD inside this house below Ha'ao Springs on Sunday. A rivulet of mud, rocks and water cut from Pu'ulena gulch through the property in Wai‘ōhinu Homesteads up Ha'ao Springs Road off Hwy 11 and flowed into the kitchen and back room.
    The dwelling earned the name the Hobbit House when it was built decades ago and became a popular Bed & Breakfast. It is currently the home of a mother and beekeeper son, who said he will be trying to recover his inventory of harvested honey through which he makes a living. The two said they will attempt to raise money to repair the home.
    A county crew was working on Ha'ao Springs Road on Monday to clear it from debris.

Rocks from the flood piled up against thte Hobbit House. Photo by Bob Martin





The floodway that cut through the bottom of the Hobbit House.  Photo by Bob Martin
A County crew works to clear debris from Ha'ao Springs Road in Wai‘ōhinu on Monday. Photo by Bob Martin




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FOLLOWING HURRICANE HONE, FARMERS AND RANCHERS are encouraged by University of Hawai'i's agriculture Cooperative Extension Service to report damages and review or consider obtaining crop insurance. A statement from the Ag Extension recommends that if there are home, farm, ranch, trees, crop and/or structures sustained damages from Hurricane Hone's winds and/or rain, contact home and crop insurance agents immediately.
    The Ag agents recommend documentation of all damages with (clear and focused) photos and/or video. Review inventory and take note of anything damaged or missing. Be sure to receive clearance from the insurance agent before doing any clean-up, repairs, or replacements related to an insurance claim.
    A USDA Farm Service Agency Bulletin has been issued, called Preparation for State of Hawai'i Farm Service Agency Producer. It says, "Tropical storm Hone is one of three storms in the Pacific Basin that may have some impact on your farm, ranch and your crop(s) or livestock. As current or future FSA program participants, we suggest you document and update your personal farm inventory/production records and take pictures before the impact of a disaster event. Should you sustain any type of damage, document, take pictures after the disaster event and contact County FSA Offices." See https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/Hawaii/service-centers/index?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery. Those without federal Risk Management Agency crop insurance may qualify for assistance from FSA. Inquire with the local FSA office.
     The ag agents said,  "Crop insurance is like life, medical, and car insurance. If you don't have a current policy when an emergency occurs, an insurance company will not help pay for your losses and recovery. Consider crop insurance policies before storms and hurricanes cause damage and be sure to sign up during their open enrollment period. Farm information and records will be required by the insurance agent."
    Agriculturalists who would like information about crop insurance, visit: http://bit.ly/2eVzuc5. Click on "List of Crops That Can Be Insured" on the left side of the page or scroll down to photos of fruit and nut trees and factsheets for Hawaii's insurable crops. They provide an idea of deadlines and other insurance information. Contact an agent for updated details and to answer any questions. The deadline to enroll or make changes to existing policies is Dec. 31st for banana tree, coffee fruit, coffee tree, macadamia nut, and papaya tree crop insurance.
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IF IMPACTED BY HONE, farmers and ranchers in County of Hawai'i can complete the COH Civil Defense Agency Public Damage Report
at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/13ffdc337b544dc0a8665fcdf9e67957. Information provided in this report will ensure that the County of Hawai'i can send a damage assessor to assess the damage caused by a natural or man-made disaster. The data collected will allow County officials to determine if this jurisdiction qualifies for any state or federal assistance, as well as to assist with hazard mitigation planning.

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NĀ’ĀLEHU ELEMENTARY AND KAʻŪ HIGH & PĀHALA ELEMENTARY will reopen on Tuesday. With Hwy 11 reopening one lane late Monday at Kawā flats, following closure due to flooding from Hurricane Hone, family, school and public transportation will be able to bring students and staff to and from the schools. 












Sunday, August 25, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs Aug. 25, 2024

Hurricane Hone waters pass by Wong Yuen Store in Wai‘ōhinu on Sunday morning. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

NO SCHOOL AT NĀ’ĀLEHU ELEMENTARY, KAʻŪ HIGH & PĀHALA ELEMENTARY on Monday, following the arrival of Hurricane Hone. Principal Sharon Beck in Pāhala and Vice Principal Ku'ulei Pablo in Nāʻālehu sent out the announcement Sunday evening as bands of rain continued across Kaʻū and a flood warning remained in place.
    The tropical storm warning was dropped and Hone went back to being a tropical storm as she pulled away from Hawai'i Island. Electrical outages were mostly been repaired, but rain was expected for several more days, following Hurricane Hone skirting South Point, 45 miles offshore, Sunday morning.
     The message from the schools says:

   "We hope this message finds. you and.your family safe and well after the impacts of Hurricane Hone over the weekend.
    "The storm brought heavy rain, flooding, downed trees and power outages, creating challenges throughout our community. At this time, because Highway 11 is closed due to hazardous conditions, our school will be closed tomorrow, Monday, Aug. 26 to ensure the safety of our students, staff and families. We will update you when new information becomes available."

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Flooding in Wai‘ōhinu on Sunday morning. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

Hurricane Hone flooded Wai‘ōhinu on Sunday morning. Photo by Bob Martin

Looking to ride some flood waters on Hwy 11 in Wai‘ōhinu on Sunday. Photo by Bob Martin

Huricane Hone's water comes into the graveyard at Wai‘ōhinu on Sunday morning.
Photo by Bob Martin
TROPICAL STORM HONE BECAME A HURRICANE OVERNIGHT. THE EYE PASSED SOUTH POINT, 45 MILES OFFSHORE ON SUNDAY MORNING. Hone dropped a lot of water on Kaʻū, which helps relieve drought. She also threw a lot of wind on the island overnight, bringing down branches and some trees, before heading off into the Pacific and returning to tropical storm status Sunday night.
    Hone flooded Hwy 11 at Kawā Flats and at Wai‘ōhinu. Hone left Ka'alaiki Road - the old sugar can haul road between Pāhala and Nāʻālehu - flooded and blocked at gulches.
     County and police department crews are manning the blocked roads.
     Wood Valley residents have been trapped above the flooded ford since 2 a.m. Sunday morning, with gulches flooding inside the farm community blocking smaller roads.
     County/ Red Cross shelters remained open at Kaʻū Herkes Gym annex in Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Community Center on Sunday.
    All Hele On Bus Routes were cancelled for this area. Punalu'u and Whittington Beach Parks were closed, with all camping permits cancelled. State Department of Land & Natural Resources closed 'Ainapo cabin, Keanakolu cabin and Waimanu campsites.
      Even with the rain, Department of Health maintains a no-burn during the drought directive through Aug. 27.
     For updates on shelters, road closures and adivisories, see the County of Hawai'i Hazard Impact Map at
https://www.arcgis.com/.../5865229bcba74020992b372ef18b6f17 . On the website, click on the red lines to read about road closures.
Pa'au'au Stream heads toward the ocean, the floodwaters passing under the bridge on Highway 11 at Pāhala on Sunday morning.
Photos by Julia Neal


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A section of Ka'alaiki Road between Pāhala and Nāʻālehu with pavement
 ripped away by floodwaters on Sunday. Photo by Kalei Castillo
KAʻŪ COFFEE FARMERS said they welcomed the rain from Hurricane Hone on Sunday morning. A drought has been affecting the crop, but hard rains and wind can break branches and make the cherries drop onto the ground.
    Phil Becker of Aikane Plantation coffee farm on Ka'alaiki Road said there was no wind damage and he is grateful for the precipitation - his rain gage spilled over.
    Others were waiting for sections of Ka'alaiki Road to reopen so they could inspect their farms.
    Kaʻū Coffee Growers Cooperative President Gloria Camba said at least two farmers at Pear Tree found several trees washed away from their farms and that she is collecting information to file on damages. The Kaʻū Coffee Growers Coop will have a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 5 p.m. at the Herkes Gym Annex room.

Rep. Jeanne Kapela at last week's Democratic National Convention
in Chicago. Photo from Kapela
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JEANNE KAPELA, KAʻŪ'S MEMBER OF THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, sent a message regarding Hurricane Hone:
   "Please be safe as the storm continues to pass. Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School and Nāʻālehu Elementary School will be closed to students and staff tomorrow, Monday, Aug. 26 due to hazardous road conditions.
    "Highway 11 has been shut down by emergency crews, making both campuses inaccessible to families and staff.
    "As emergency crews work to reopen the roads, please remain vigilant and stay indoors. The state will do all we can to support families as we recover from the damages."
    Kapela recently returned from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
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PUNALU'U CONDOMINIUMS REMAINED WITHOUT POWER SUNDAY NIGHT, while Punalu'u mauka homes power was restored at around 9 p.m. Both lost Hawaiian Electric service at 5:35 a.m. Sunday. The trouble with repair was apparently inability of electric crews to reach Punalu'u with Hwy 11 flooded on both sides of the mauka and makai entrances. Hawaiian Electric reached the area in early evening.
    Volcano power was also restored this evening, after being off since last night. Pāhala was off for several hours on Sunday. There were several outages in Nāʻālehu and Wai’ōhinu neighborhoods.