The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Keiki hike Kilauea Iki this summer. Camp Google's Nature Week experience connects and encourages children across the country to get outside, explore the great outdoors and keep asking questions. Photo from NPS

THE NEW ONLINE CAMP GOOGLE brings Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park to kids across the country. Many who live thousands of miles from Hawai`i will have the opportunity to explore the park via the online experience.

The free, one-hour camp debuted today during Google’s Nature Week at 9 a.m. HST. Camp Google is full of fun science activities and adventures and is geared towards keiki ages 7-10, but, with proper supervision, is open to all ages. Kids don’t have to register or have a Google account to participate.

Superintendent Cindy Orlando interacts with keiki.
Photo from Pacific Island Parks

“As the National Park Service and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park step into our next 100 years of caring for America’s special places, the number one goal for our 2016 Centennial is to connect with and create the next generation of park visitors, supporters and advocates,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando.
The timing for Camp Google is ideal, Orlando said, because the new Every Kid in a Park initiative, which invites all American fourth-graders and their families to visit national parks and public lands for free during the 2015-2016 school year, will soon launch. Camp Google will share Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park with families and kids across the country, potentially inspiring them to visit Hawai`i.
Google launched its first camp adventure with National Geographic explorers Sylvia Earle and Erika Bergman in mid-July. Kids plunged the Atlantic Ocean via a remotely operated vehicle and watched as filefish, lionfish, corals and other marine life came into view. Last week, kids found out what astronauts eat and helped create new space food with NASA astronaut Don Pettit.
The Nature Week segment, filmed entirely on location in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, is co-hosted by Park Ranger Rebecca Carvalho, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist Don Swanson and Derek Muller, the creative director of Veritasium, a popular online science video channel. Keiki will learn how Hawaiian volcanoes, culture and biology are woven together by visiting Kilauea Overlook, Thurston Lava Tube and Steam Vents and observing Kilauea volcano’s summit eruption at Halema`uma`u Crater.
Like Ocean Week and Space Week, the Nature Week segment will be available on the Camp Google website, so kids who weren’t able to join in today can participate at another time and earn their Camp Google badge.
While the camp is free to everyone, some activities require common household items, usually under $5.
See https://camp.withgoogle.com/.

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KA`U LEARNING ACADEMY IS THE FIRST Ka`u public school to begin classes this year. Executive Director Kathryn Tydacka said that 50 to 60 students reported for the charter school’s inaugural day of instruction.

KLA is an attempt to try something new when it comes to educating kids, Tom Hutton, executive director of the State Public Charter School Commission, told Colin M. Stewart, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald.

Hutton said the school’s plan is to provide more individualized attention for students, allowing students who excel to move ahead and providing more help for those falling behind.

“Where this concept has really taken root in public education in America has been in special education, where every special ed student has an individualized education program that’s very well thought out and designed,” Hutton told Stewart. “They (KLA) are sort of taking that concept and applying it generally to their whole student population.”

Ka`u Learning Academy students began classes today
at Discovery Harbour Clubhouse. Photo from KLA

The size of the school, which presently serves third- through sixth-graders, allows its administrators to be more flexible and provide that kind of individualized attention, he said.
KLA Managing Director Joe Iacuzzo told Stewart that teacher-to-student ratios are manageable.
“We are holding these children to a high standard that we know they can achieve,” Iacuzzo said. “We’re instituting a new methodology that we’ve called contextual foundation learning, and every child has an individual learning plan or education plan.
“What we do is we have pull-out classes, where those students who master the standards are then allowed to go into the computer lab with one of our teachers and work at their level. That’s the unique nature of what we do.”
Hutton told Stewart that community support was significant in the commission’s decision to grant the school a charter.
“The commission has very significantly raised the bar for approval of a charter school application,” Hutton said. “That’s a national trend. There’s sort of a feeling that authorizers in the past were a little too loose on the front end. That didn’t serve children very well. So, we’re much more careful about the application process from the front end.
“Theirs (KLA) was a very comprehensively thought out plan. … You have to have a solid plan in all three areas — academia, financial and organization. … You have to have that element of, is this the right team together with the right skill sets … and looking at KLA, that really impressed the evaluation team.”
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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ALL KA`U PUBLIC SCHOOLS OPEN this week. At Na`alehu Elementary, pre-k through sixth grade starts tomorrow. In Pahala, school begins for students in preschool, kindergarten, seventh and ninth grades on Friday. Grade eight and all other classes in Pahala start school on Monday, Aug. 3.
Pahala and Na`alehu classes start at 8 a.m.
Call Pahala public school campus at 928-2088 and Na`alehu at 939-2413.

Ocean View resident Jonithen Jackson stars
in The Land of Eb, debuting tomorrow.

THE LAND OF EB AIRS ON PBS tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. Jonithen Jackson, of Ocean View, stars in a fictional account about the Marshallese situation.

The film follows Jacob, an immigrant father and grandfather, as he struggles to provide for his large family. Jacob keeps news of a cancer diagnosis to himself, foregoing treatment in favor of working to pay off his property, which he plans to pass down once he’s gone. Sensing his own end, Jacob turns a small video camera on himself and begins to record his story and that of his community.
See thelandofeb.com and pbshawaii.org for more information.
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OCEAN VIEW RANCHOS SOLAR SUBSTATION, planned by Hawai`i Electric Light Co., is the subject of a steering committee meeting tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. The substation is designed to support solar farms on more than 20 lots in the community.

AUTHOR AND MARINE BIOLOGIST Susan Scott discusses her adventures sailing on her 37-foot sailing vessel to Palmyra and her work there tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.
Call 967-8222 for more information.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN HELP OUT Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and the `aina by cutting invasive Himalayan ginger on park trails Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Loppers and gloves are provided. Participants are encouraged to wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and close-toed shoes. Work is often in the shade of the forest with sounds of native honey creepers like `apapane, `amakihi and `oma`o above to serenade volunteers. Water, snacks, rain gear and sun protection are recommended. This project is open to the public, and no reservations are required. Interested people can stop by Kilauea Visitor Center to get directions and more information. The hike is around a one-mile, moderate round-trip into Kilauea caldera down Halem`auma`u Trail, leaving from Kilauea Visitor Center. The hike involves walking over rough, uneven terrain on a dirt and rock path, with up to a 400-foot elevation change.
Park entrance fees apply. For more information, call 985-6013.

Partipants learn about People and Land of Kahuku Saturday.
NPS Photo by Julia Espaniola

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK’S Kahuku Unit presents People and Lands of Kahuku Saturday at 9:30 a.m. The moderate two-mile, three-hour guided hike loops through varied landscapes to explore the human history of Kahuku. Emerging native forest, pastures, lava fields and other sites hold clues about ways people have lived and worked on the vast Kahuku lands – from the earliest Hawaiians, through generations of ranching families, to the current staff and volunteers of the park. Participants learn about the powerful natural forces at work here and how people have adapted to, shaped and restored this land. Sturdy footwear, water, rain gear, sun protection, and a snack are recommended.

Call 985-6011 for more information.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_July2015.pdf.

People and Land of Kahuku is the topic of a guided hike Saturday. NPS Photo by Julia Espinosa

HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE URGE MOTORISTS to drive with caution as school resumes. Motorists should expect an increase in traffic, especially in school zones, during morning and afternoon hours.

Sergeant Robert Pauole, of the Traffic Services Section, suggests adjusting daily schedules and starting earlier to avoid the temptation to rush while commuting to work. Also, while driving within school zones, use caution and be attentive to children walking to school and crossing in marked crosswalks.

B'lane Daly teaches her students math at Ka`u Learning Academy.
Photo from KLA

Ka`u Learning Academy held its first day of classes with great success, Managing Director Joe Iacuzzo said. Many parents were present the first day to see their children start the new school year. Iacuzzo said the new teachers were thrilled to meet their students.

At Na`alehu Elementary, pre-k through sixth grade starts today. In Pahala, school begins for students in preschool, kindergarten, seventh and ninth grades tomorrow. Grade eight and all other classes in Pahala start school on Monday.
Pahala and Na`alehu classes start at 8 a.m.
Call Pahala public school campus at 928-2088 and Na`alehu at 939-2413.
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HAWAI`I COUNTY WATER BOARD unanimously confirmed Kawika Uyehara as deputy of the Department of Water Supply at their monthly meeting yesterday.
Newly selected Manager-Chief Engineer Keith Okamoto detailed the many reasons for his selection of Uyehara. Okamoto wrote about the attributes he felt were critical in a deputy and how Uyehara fulfilled each with his experience, education, leadership skills and community connection.
A graduate of Waiakea High School, Uyehara went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from University of Washington. Upon completion of his degree, Uyehara worked several years with private firms in Seattle, Honolulu and Hilo. Uyehara joined the Department in 2007 as a licensed civil engineer in the Water Quality Assurance and Control Branch of the Engineering Division. Uyehara was promoted to branch supervisor in 2012.
Okamoto cited examples of volunteer community service during Hurricane Iselle, National Drinking Water Week and coordinating general public education about the importance of source water protection for drinking water.
Uyehara has a good understanding and knowledge of the potable drinking water industry, applicable federal and state laws, county codes and ordinances, departmental rules and regulations, as well as the ability to relate to customer and community needs, Okamoto said.

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M. Kahealani Nae`ole Wong
Photo from KSH

M. KAHEALANI NAE`OLE‐WONG has been appointed as po`o kula (head of school) for Kamehameha Schools Hawai`i. Kamehameha School serves Ka`u students with daily bus service to the 300-acre Kea`au campus, which opened in August of 2001. The student population is more than 1,100 in grades K-12. Over the last two years, Nae`ole‐Wong has served as the campus’ assistant head of school and has been serving as the interim head of school over the past two months. She takes over from Dr. Holoua Stender, who was promoted to helm a new executive vice president of education post with Kamehameha Schools.

“I’ve seen firsthand, Kahealani’s steadfast dedication to the faculty, staff, students and the surrounding community,” said Dr. Rod Chamberlain, Kamehameha Schools’ vice president of campus education. “She is an accomplished professional with a track record of improving educational and operational performance through vision, leadership and team building. She has a proven ability to affect change and drive continuous improvement.
“The results of these efforts are a wonderful reflection of her genuine commitment to fulfill the mission and vision of our founder.”
In her role as hope po‘o kumu (assistant head of school), Nae`ole‐Wong has led K‐12 campus curricular efforts associated with the Working Exit Outcomes framework, Standards-Based Kula Hawai`i and the Danielson Framework. She has worked with KSH and tri‐campus administrators and kumu to create a curriculum development infrastructure which results in the integration of Kula Hawai`i (Hawaiian School) and 21st century skills.
“I am humbled by the opportunity to serve as the po`o kula for KS Hawai`i and look forward to fostering a thriving culture of growth and learning for all who call KS Hawai`i home,” Nae`ole‐ Wong said. “It has been a privilege to work alongside a dedicated and talented team of students, families, faculty, staff and leaders who exemplify Ke Ali`i Pauahi’s vision of academic, social, spiritual and cultural excellence.”
Nae`ole‐Wong has served the KS Hawai`i `ohana since 2003, first as a high school career academy coordinator and serving for eight years as po`o kumu o ke kula ha`aha`a (elementary school principal) before stepping into the assistant head of school role in 2013. Prior to joining KSH, she served as the vice principal for Waiakea Elementary, Mountain View Elementary and Waiakea High School and in various capacities with Ke Kula Kaiapuni Hawai`i.
A graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapalama, Nae`ole‐Wong went on to receive her B.A. in Hawaiian studies from the University of Hawai`i at Hilo and two master’s degrees in curriculum and instruction and education administration (K‐12) from the University of Hawai`i at Manoa.
Nae`ole‐Wong said, “I hope to build on a strong foundation and collaboratively lead our school to continue to grow as a Kula Hawai`i ‐ where all leaders, faculty, staff and students are committed to teaching and learning that supports the renewed vibrancy of Hawai`i’s indigenous people, and our life‐long success in the 21st century. It aligns with my core belief that applying our tradition of ancestral excellence and innovation in globally connected, Hawaiian culture‐based environments is a critical means to attain cultural vibrancy and ultimately achieve the mission of Kamehameha Schools.”
Nae`ole‐Wong’s appointment is effective immediately. An interim assistant head of school will be appointed shortly, and recruitment for this position will begin in early spring for the 2016‐2017 school year.

Sensei Cliff Field congratulates Jake Villa.

JAKE VILLA HAS RECEIVED HIS International Karate League Junior black belt from Pahala Dojo Sensei Cliff Field. Field started the dojo in 2009, and it is open to new students from age five through adult throughout the year. Classes are every Tuesday and Friday at 5:30 at Pahala Community Center.

KA`U RESIDENTS ARE INVITED to a fundraiser for Sen. Russell Ruderman tomorrow. Gary Hooser will discuss Taking Back Our Government - the Why, the How and the Hope. Hooser serves on the Kaua`i County Council, served in the Hawai`i state Senate from 2002 to 2010 and currently is President of Hawai`i Alliance for Progessive Action.
Special musical guests are the Kalapana Awa Band. Price for the talk, band and dinner is $50. Without dinner, the fee is $25. Dinner is served by Luquins Restaurant, and a bar will also be provided by Luquins.
Advance reservations are recommended as seating is limited. See https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sen-russell-rudermans-speaker-dinner-series-tickets-17573116665.
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THE LAND OF EB DEBUTS ON PBS today at 7:30 p.m. Jonithen Jackson, of Ocean View, stars in the fictional account about the Marshallese situation.
See thelandofeb.com and pbshawaii.org for more information.

OCEAN VIEW RANCHOS SOLAR SUBSTATION, planned by Hawai`i Electric Light Co., is the subject of a steering committee meeting today at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.

Susan Scott

AUTHOR AND MARINE BIOLOGIST Susan Scott discusses her adventures sailing on her 37-foot sailing vessel to Palmyra and her work there today at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.

Call 967-8222 for more information.

DURING STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., volunteers cut invasive Himalayan ginger on trails in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The hike is around a one-mile, moderate round-trip down Halem`auma`u Trail into Kilauea caldera, leaving from Kilauea Visitor Center. Free; park entrance fees apply.

For more information, call 985-6013.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK’S Kahuku Unit presents People and Lands of Kahuku Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Participants learn about the powerful natural forces at work there and how people have adapted to, shaped and restored this land.
Call 985-6011 for more information.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_July2015.pdf.

National Park Service lead Na`alehu's Fourth of July Parade Saturday. Photo by Peter Anderson

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS came to Ka`u last weekend for the Fourth of July Parade sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou. The National Park Service, which has a large presence in Ka`u with its 117,000-acre Kahuku section rising from Ocean View above Na`alehu and Pahala to join the Volcano section, carried the flags to lead the march down Hwy 11 in Na`alehu. County Council member Maile David, East Ka`u Rep. Richard Onishi East Ka`u Sen. Russell Ruderman and West Ka`u Rep. Richard Creagan participated, along with many community groups, churches and businesses.

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Joe Demourelle and Walter Wong Yuen display artifacts at Pahala Public
& School Library. Photo from Joe Demourelle

“LET’S START WITH YOUR NAME, age and how long you’ve been in Ka`u.” That’s how the interview begins for the Ka`u History Collection oral video project. The project is assisted by the video apprentice program of the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies. Kyle Pitcher and Eugene Watson are apprenticing under Joe Demoruelle, a volunteer of Friend’s of the Ka`u Libraries.

Historical news articles and photographs will also be saved in a digital format and available for viewing and copying. The collection, available to the public, is housed at Pahala Public and School Library.
“By sharing their Ka`u lifestyle and history, kupuna in our community will leave a legacy for our communities that will carry on for generations and will be cherished by their loved ones,” Demoruelle said. A digital CD of donated photos from a person or group will be made and given to the donor at no charge.
Walter Wong Yuen, the History Collection director, has set up displays in the library featuring donated objects from Ka`u. These include bottles, Pahala sugar mill articles, lava tools, etc. Memorabilia can be donated or given on loan.
For more information, contact Walter Wong Yuen at Pahala Library.
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Forecasts show a tropical depression tracking
to the north of Hawai`i.

CENTRAL PACIFIC HURRICANE CENTER has revised its forecast regarding a tropical depression that it expected to become a cyclone. “The depression has failed to organize over the past several hours, most likely due to persistent southwesterly shear,” the most recent report states. “While the forecast continues to indicate some intensification in the short term, confidence in this solution is waning due to the cyclone’s inability to consolidate overnight.”

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ORGANIZERS OF TMT PROTESTS consider rules proposed by state agencies to be directed toward their, what they consider to be protective, actions on Mauna Kea. The rules call for prohibiting “obvious camping paraphernalia” and limiting hours available to the public within one mile of the Mauna Kea Access Road.
“They’re fishing for something to do, some way to get us off (the mountain) and allow TMT up,” Lanakila Mangauil, one of the organizers, told Chris D’Angelo, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald. “It’s so obvious that the state is catering to a private project.”

Mangauil also said he finds it ironic that the state is focusing on “alleged impacts of a small group of protesters when TMT is planning to construct a $1.4 billion 18-story telescope on the mountain’s summit.”

Kaho`okahi Kanuha, another organizer, said, “It surely seems like something that is a direct response to what we . . . have been doing on the mountain for the past 104 days,” “They are trying to make the protection efforts . . . more difficult.”
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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Ka`u's state Sen. Russell Ruderman and Rep. Richard Creagan, carrying flag,
marched in Na`alehu's Fourth of July parade. Photo by Peter Anderson

ALLIANCE FOR SOLAR CHOICE has launched a statewide radio and TV campaign focused on raising awareness of the significant tax impacts of Hawaiian Electric Company's solar proposal. “HECO’s proposal, if adopted by the Public Utilities Commission, would cripple the growth of solar and put a costly tax burden on customers,” said Robert Harris, TASC spokesperson.

HECO recently proposed changes for new solar customers and issued press statements that TASC found misleading. Three separate tax opinions from local and national law firms establish that HECO’s proposal would expose customers to additional federal and state income taxes, potentially subject customers to the Hawai`i general excise tax and prevent customers from obtaining the 30 percent federal residential tax credit for new solar systems.
“HECO is suggesting taxes that no other state has imposed,” Harris said. “If Hawai`i is serious about achieving 100 percent renewable energy, we can’t start by punishing people with high taxes simply because they’re doing the right thing for Hawai`i’s environment and economy. The cumulative impact of these proposals would take thousands of dollars out of solar customer’s pockets annually.
“Moreover, Hawai`i customers shouldn’t be denied access to a generous federal tax credit. That’s leaving federal money for our clean energy future on the table.”
The ads can be found at the HecoSunTax.com.
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Ka`u's County Council member Maile David celebrated in red, white and blue.
Photo by Peter Anderson

STRENGTHENING THE GOOD SAMARITAN LAW and establishing Farm to School programs are subjects of bills Gov. David Ige has signed into law.

SB 982 (Act 217) allows limited immunity for individuals who call 911 to prevent an alcohol or drug overdose from becoming fatal. It allows individuals to come to the assistance of another without fear that calling 911 would result in their subsequent arrest.
“This will law will encourage bystanders who may otherwise hesitate to act. Overdose deaths are preventable, and this law will save lives,” Ige said.
SB 376 (Act 218) establishes the Hawai`i farm to school program and funds a farm to school coordinator position. Farm to school programs introduce students to healthier eating habits and help them become familiar with new vegetables and fruits that they and their families will then be more willing to incorporate into their own diets. The farm to school coordinator will negotiate the complicated process of procuring local agricultural for schools.
Ige said he has asked Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui to spearhead this initiative.
“For a number of years, we’ve talked about the importance of Farm to School programs, and this bill signing takes the process a giant step forward,” Tsutsui said. “This program will ensure that our kids have nutritious meals as they learn about locally grown produce and cattle. This is a tremendous opportunity, and I look forward to working with the program coordinator, various state departments and agencies and the community to make sure we continue to move forward.”
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Ka`u's state Rep. Richard Onishi waves to supporters along Hwy 11.
Photo by Peter Anderson

SEN. MAZIE K. HIRONO WELCOMED Obama Cabinet members to Hawai`i on Monday. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald and Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez met with her at a Disabled Veterans Employment Roundtable at to discuss issues key to Hawai`i veterans. The two Obama administration cabinet members are visiting Hawai`i as part of their respective nationwide listening tours.

“VA Secretary McDonald and Labor Secretary Perez are sending a strong message throughout their visit in Hawai`i that the concerns and priorities of island veterans are important. Hawai`i’s veterans face unique challenges in accessing VA health care and other services on each island, and particularly in our rural areas,” Hirono said. “I appreciate Secretary McDonald and Secretary Perez taking the time to reach out and discuss pressing issues with veterans including homelessness, the transition to civilian life and creating a continuity of care for our veterans.
“One in ten Hawai`i residents has served our country in the Armed Forces, and we owe it to them to provide the best resources possible when they complete their service."
McDonald also met with Hirono, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Sen. Brian Schatz to discuss improving access to VA health care benefits and putting an end to veteran homelessness.
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Services for Nelson Doi are Sunday.

SERVICES FOR NELSON DOI, a pioneer among Japanese Americans serving in government, are set for Sunday at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel’s Oceanside Lu`au Grounds at 4 p.m., with visitation at 3 p.m. He passes away May 6 at home in Kamuela at age 93.

A Big Island native, Doi was one of the authors of the State of Hawai`i Constitution. He served as lieutenant governor, a territorial and state senator and judge, a deputy county attorney for the County of Hawai`i and magistrate of the High Court of Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Doi grew up in a family that founded T.W. Doi Store in Kawaihae. Doi advocated for statehood, education and prison reform. He retired to Kamuela and helped establish North Hawai`i Community Hospital.
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THE PUBLIC IS INVITED to Ka`u Scenic Byway Committee’s meeting tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church.
For more information, email richmorrow@alohabroadband.net.

KDEN PRESENTS THE KING AND I beginning Friday. Performances of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. through July 26. Tickets are $14 general admission, $12 for seniors and students and $10 for children 12 and under. Available at Kilauea General Store, Kea`au Natural Foods, The Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo and at the door.
Call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_July2015.pdf.

Hurricane Guillermo, currently between latitudes 130 and 135, is forecast to strengthen and then weaken before reaching the vicinity of Hawai`i. Map from NOAA

GUILLERMO IS ON HIS WAY TOWARD HAWAI`I. This year’s seventh named Pacific tropical storm that developed in the Eastern Pacific became a hurricane this morning.

The current environment of low shear and a warm ocean is favorable for Guillermo to intensify further in the short term, and the National Hurricane Center forecast shows winds increasing.
Beyond two days, the hurricane will begin to move into a less favorable shear environment as it approaches prevailing upper-level westerlies. By the end of the forecast period, when Guillermo is expected to be nearing the Hawai`i, most guidance, including NHC’s forecast, indicates that it should have weakened to a tropical storm.
The storm continues to move west-northwestward. Guillermo will likely continue at this fast pace for another 24 to 36 hours while embedded within a layer of deep easterlies to the south of the subtropical ridge. After that time, the hurricane is expected to slow down as it approaches the southwestern edge of the subtropical ridge and encounters weaker steering currents.
The track of the storm is still in question, with forecasters saying it could eventually head north of the islands.
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Officers arrested seven more people on the summit of Mauna Kea
this morning. Photo from DLNR

OFFICERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT of Land & Natural Resources’ Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement arrested seven men on Mauna Kea early this morning. Pueo McGuire Turcotte, of Na`alehu, was one of them. Most bails were either $250 or $400. McGuire Turcotte’s bail was set at $2,850 for additional charges and outstanding warrants, according to DLNR.

Under the emergency rule approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources and signed by Gov. David Ige, it is illegal to be in the restricted area along Mauna Kea Observatory Access Road from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. The state put the rule into place after Thirty Meter Telescope opponents blocked passage of construction vehicles.
Hawai`i County Police Department provided transportation support, and rangers from the Office of Mauna Kea Management provided logistical support. An additional six men were issued citations and voluntarily left the mountain. The arrests and citations follow more than a week of awareness efforts by the state to ensure people knew the particulars of the rule. Efforts included placing signage around the Mauna Kea Visitors Center and handing out educational flyers which detail the rule’s specific provisions. Additional law enforcement efforts can continue at anytime while the rule is in effect.
“The emergency rules were enacted to ensure public safety and access after the road was blocked by boulders,” Ige said. The state has made sure people are aware of and understand the emergency rules before taking the next step. While we had hoped arrests would not have to be made in the process of citing violators last night, we were prepared to take action, and we did so.”
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The entrance to Thurston Lava Tube will also be the exit during the two-week
closure of the usual exit route. NPS Photo by Michael Szoenyi

THE EXIT ROUTE TRAIL LEADING out of Thurston Lava Tube in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park will close starting Monday, while workers replace an electrical line. The lava tube will remain open, and the trail that leads into it will be used as both exit and entry.

The closed area extends from the far end of the lava tube toward the restrooms. The restrooms will remain open. Escape Road, from Hwy 11 to Thurston Lava Tube, will also be closed during the project.
Thurston Lava Tube, or Nahuku, is one of the most popular features in the park. Visitation is heaviest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. To reduce congestion in the parking lot and lava tube, visitors are encouraged to enjoy it in the early morning or late afternoon.
In a statement, park officials said they regret any impact to visitors and residents. Dates and times are subject to change, and the public will be notified if changes are necessary.
The route is scheduled to re-open Aug. 14.
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George D. Szigeti

VISITOR SPENDING ON PACE for a fourth consecutive record-breaking year, according to Hawai`i Tourism Authority. The first half of 2015 started off strong with year-to-date expenditures reaching a record $7.6 billion (plus 3.5 percent) and contributing $806.92 million in state tax revenue. While visitor spending is slightly behind target, arrivals are pacing ahead, and HTA anticipates finishing the year ahead of 2014’s record-breaking numbers.

With more than 1,053 flights per week to the Hawaiian Islands, providing both visitors and residents with the ability to travel to and from the state, airlift remains the key to tourism’s success. “We continue to work with our partners to grow and maintain airlift, and through our collaborative efforts, project reaching a record 11.9 million total air seats to Hawai`i by the end of the year,” said HTA President and CEO George D. Szigeti.
To strengthen ties with the airlines and continue to highlight the unique attributes of the islands, HTA will also be hosting its first-ever Airline Summit, during which HTA leaders will meet with 15 to 20 airline network planners from across the U.S. and Asia-Pacific regions. The summit will be held in conjunction with the 2015 Hawai`i Tourism Conference, the state’s premier tourism event, which includes informative sessions and workshops that provide insight, updates, trends and forecasts for the state’s lead economic driver.

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Sen. Mazie Hirono

U.S. SEN. MAZIE HIRONO VOTED TO PASS the highway bill, which, if enacted, will increase highway and bus funding for Hawai`i. The six-year bill will give transportation agencies more certainty to plan for the long-term building and repair of our roads, bridges, public transit systems and other infrastructure needs. The bill also reauthorizes the Export-Import Bank, which supports jobs and small businesses in Hawai`i.

“This highway bill that passed the Senate today is imperfect,” Hirono said. There are many provisions that concern me, perhaps the most important being adequate funding. Republicans were unwilling to have a real discussion about how to pay for this bill. Particularly unacceptable was their initial idea to pay for the bill by cutting Social Security, among other programs.
“The bill also raised safety concerns that I hope will be addressed in conference. I introduced an amendment to strike a provision that may jeopardize the safety of port workers and supported amendments to require manufacturers to more quickly report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the need for a vehicle recall or face imprisonment, require manufacturers to secure their vehicles from malicious hackers, ensure a broader federal complete street policy and other priorities.”
Highway funding is set to expire today. Earlier this week, the House recessed, which prevents a six-year highway bill from reaching the President’s desk before expiration. As a result, Hirono also reluctantly supported a three-month extension of current funding, which prevents reckless shutdowns of critical ongoing projects.
Under the transportation bill that passed the Senate, Hawai`i’s highway funding increases from a current level of $163 million to $171 million in the first year of the bill, a nearly five-percent increase, and up to $197 million in fiscal year 2021, a 20-percent increase from current funding levels. However, currently, the bill does not provide funding for the full six years.
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Ka`u residents are invited to hike Kahuku's Palm Trail Sunday.
Photo from NPS

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK’S Kahuku Unit presents free programs this weekend.

During People and Lands of Kahuku tomorrow at 9:30 a.m, participants learn about the powerful natural forces at work there and how people have adapted to, shaped and restored this land.
A guided hike of Palm Trail takes place Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The hike is a moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop traversing scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. Highlights include relics of the ranching era, sections of remnant native forest and volcanic features from the 1868 eruptive fissures.
Enter on the mauka side of Hwy 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area. Sturdy footwear, water, rain gear, sun protection, and a snack are recommended.
Call 985-6011 for more information.

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A guided hike of Kahuku's Palm Trail tomorrow offers expansive vistas. NPS Photo by Mark Wasser

HURRICANE GUILLEMO IS EXPECTED to weaken to a tropical storm as it travels toward Hawai`i, according to the National Hurricane Center. Although models show it tracking north of the islands, Hawai`i Island is still in the storm’s cone of uncertainty. NHC explains that, due to uncertainties in longer-range track predictions, it is important for users not to focus on the exact track forecasts. Given the large spread of the models beyond 72 hours in this case, the forecast uncertainty is particularly high at those time periods.

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WITH THE APPROACH OF HURRICANE GUILLERMO, Hawai`i Electric Light Company reminds customers that electricity can be dangerous and electrical safety should never be taken for granted, especially during an emergency situation.

HELCO urges customers to consider the following safety measures before, during and after a disaster or power outage:

Before a storm hits or if there is a power outage, unplug all unnecessary electric equipment and appliances until the storm has passed or until power is restored.
Stay away from downed power lines. Assume they are energized and dangerous. If you see someone injured after touching a downed power line, call 9-1-1 for help.
Should you need to evacuate, take emergency supplies and remember to shut off electricity at the main breaker or switch.
Make plans in advance to go to a safe location where electricity will be available if someone in your home depends on an electrically powered life support system and you don’t have a backup generator. Some shelters are designed for people with health needs – just remember to take your own medical equipment and medications.
When using a portable generator, carefully read and follow instructions in the manufacturer's manual. Do not plug the generator into your household electrical outlets.
If you have a rooftop photovoltaic system, consult with your licensed solar contractor regarding normal and emergency operation procedures for your solar system. As a safety precaution, most photovoltaic systems are designed to safely shut down during outages. PV systems typically have monitoring systems that allow owners to check on the status of their system.
If you become trapped in an elevator during a power outage, relax and stay calm until help arrives. Use elevator emergency communication systems to report where you are and who is with you. Do not try to force open elevator doors. Never try to exit a stalled elevator car. Always wait for trained and qualified emergency personnel.

Hawaiian Electric Companies’ free Information Handbook for Emergency Preparedness includes these tips and more. It can be downloaded at http://hawaiianelectric.com/prepare. The handbook includes key numbers to have on hand, checklists for emergency supplies (such as a home survival kit and first aid kit), electrical safety information, power outage preparedness and recovery information, and household and food safety tips. It also provides references and links to related resources, such as the American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency and civil defense agencies.
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Robert Lindsey

ROBERT LINDSEY, CHAIR OF THE OFFICE of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees, issued a statement about actions against Thirty Meter Telescope opponents early Friday morning. Officials made seven arrests and issued citations to six others who were in violation of an emergency rule limiting access to the summit of Mauna Kea.

“The Office of Hawaiian Affairs urges the state to cease further enforcement action and arrests until legal questions relating to the Mauna Kea emergency rules are properly resolved,” Lindsey said. “Native Hawaiians have constitutionally protected rights to reasonably engage in traditional and customary practices, and regulations cannot eliminate the exercise of these rights. We hope for a resolution that ensures our beneficiaries’ rights are protected instead of violated.”
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HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY scientists describe their research of historic photos in the current issue of Volcano Watch. They compare archival material with current observations to gain a better understanding of past events and future possibilities for Hawaiian volcanoes.

In the beginning, outdoor photography was difficult and demanding, the article states. Essential equipment included a large camera, tripod and heavy boxes of glass plates. To create a negative, volatile chemicals were applied to the glass plate when the photo was taken. Eruption photographs were particularly challenging because volcanic fumes could spoil the chemical process that produced the negative.
Who were these intrepid pioneer photographers? A few scientists began taking photographs in the 19th century, but most early images of Hawaiian volcanoes were captured by professional photographers for commercial purposes. Photographers, such as Henry L. Chase, Menzies Dickson and James J. Williams, captured views of volcanic activity and sold their prints from photographic parlors.

Unfortunately, early photographers often failed to label or date their work. As a result, photo collections in Hawai`i museums are filled with old prints that provide a picture but nothing more. Without key information, such as image date and location, such prints are of little scientific value. However, with some detective work, a photo can be transformed from a meaningless image to a valuable window into the past.

We begin sleuthing important information from old photos by carefully recording any and all writing on the front or back of the print. These words and numbers often provide important clues to its source. For instance, words such as “Volcano, Hawai`i” convey little information, but the label’s appearance and its penmanship can help identify the photographer.

Even when labels are missing from old prints, we can often identify the photographers, because most had their own photographic style. Also, many early photographers took photos in Hawai`i for only a few years. So, knowledge of photographers’ careers and camera work can provide a range of dates for unlabeled photos.

Raymond and Whitcomb party "making lava speciments" at Kilauea in 1893.
Photograph by J.J. Williams from HVO Photo Archives

Once we determine the photographer and time frame for a photo, we can often find more information about it from old newspapers, magazines, or other sources, such as the Volcano House guest register.
Now, let’s go detecting! The photo of people on the edge of a Kilauea summit lava lake (included with this article) is from HVO’s archives. Combing through other Hawai`i archives, we discovered another copy of this print labeled, Raymond and Whitcomb Party, 1893. Using that clue, Martha Hoverson, a volunteer at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, discovered a letter to the Hawaiian Gazette written by Henry C. Lyon, who described the Raymond and Whitcomb excursion in great detail.
The group, which included photographer J.J. Williams, who probably took the photo, visited Halema`uma`u on April 1, 1893. Mr. Lyons noted that the crater had filled at the rate of 10 feet a month, or over 125 feet during the past year, and that the molten lake covered nearly 15 acres.
Riding horseback from Volcano House, the party reached Halema`uma`u, where a viewing shelter provided a dry place to view the eruption. Mr. Lyons wrote, “A telephone is the latest addition to this house, and you can now talk to your friends in any part of Hawai`i and report every new ‛flop’ which Madame Pele gives to the seething caldron just below you.” Confirming the letter’s accuracy, the Volcano House guest register includes entries on April 1, 1893, by Mr. Lyons and Mr. Williams.
Through detective work, we established the photo’s date, where it was taken and the photographer’s identity, as well as an interesting description of a lava lake that existed over a century ago. These details breathe new life into the image.
Hopefully, some of our tips might help you identify old prints in your family collection. If you have photos of Hawaiian volcanoes from 1950 or earlier, please drop us a note at askHVO@usgs.gov. The photo in your attic could provide helpful insights into Hawai`i’s volcanic past.

See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
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A GUIDED HIKE OF PALM TRAIL takes place at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., offering some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer.
Call 985-6011 for more information.

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When it arrives in Hawai`i, Guillermo will still be a tropical storm, packing high winds and heavy rains. Map from Weather Underground

ROUNDUP AND OTHER HERBICIDES come before Hawai`i County Council once again. The Environmental Management Committee considers Kohala Council member Margaret Wille’s Bill 71 Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at Council Chambers in Hilo. The bill would limit spraying at county parks and along county-maintained and county-owned roads, bikeways, sidewalks, trails and waterways to herbicides labeled “caution.” All herbicides labeled “dangerous,” “warning,” “toxic to fish” or “toxic to fish and wildlife” or that indicate a risk of groundwater contamination would be prohibited. Products listed to be banned include glyphosate, atrazine, dioxin, picloram, bipyridinium, diphenyl ether and tyrosine.

Warren Lee

“You’ve got kids and animals playing in it and not being aware that it’s been sprayed,” Wille told Nancy Cook Lauer, of West Hawai`i Today. “There is great concern about the cumulative impact of toxins on our kids and what we can do to decrease that and take some responsibility.”
According to Cook Lauer, Wille said she’s sponsoring the bill on behalf of “the birds and the bees that can’t come testify.”
Public Works Director Warren Lee told Cook Lauer his budget doesn’t have enough money for staff to clear weeds by hand on 1,000 miles of roadway. Currently, the county uses herbicides to control weeks on 25 to 30 percent of roadsides. Mowers maintain about 60 to 65 percent of roads, and another 10 percent is done manually.
Ka`u residents can participate in the committee meeting via videoconferencing at Na`alehu State Office Building. The meeting is streamed live at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings.
See westhawaiitoday.com.

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THE CENTRAL PACIFIC HURRICANE CENTER in Honolulu is issuing advisories on Hurricane Guillermo following the storm leaving the East Pacific at 140 degrees latitude on its track toward Hawai`i. Guillermo is about 845 miles east-southeast of Hilo and moving west-northwest near 14 miles an hour.
Guillermo is expected to continue to move toward the northwest, placing it near the Hawaiian Islands by Wednesday as a tropical storm with high winds and heavy rain.
According to CPHC, it is important for those in the main Hawaiian Islands not to focus too closely on the exact forecast track of Guillermo. With an average 72-hour forecast track error of about 150 statute miles, it is still too soon to determine with certainty which islands are most likely to experience the greatest impacts from Guillermo. It is also important to note that significant impacts from tropical cyclones can extend well away from the center.
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OHA Trustee Peter Apo

OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS Trustee Peter Apo explores the possibility of a Thirty Meter Telescope Temple on his website at peterapo.com. TMT is facing opposition to its construction at the summit of Mauna Kea by people who consider the mountain sacred and their supporters. State officials imposed emergency rules limiting access to the summit and have made arrests and issued citations to those who broke the rules.
“Given the debate over the TMT, it is ironic that the telescope may end up being the most culturally sensitive one of them all,” Apo says. “The people behind it persevered through a seven-year planning and permitting process and met all the requirements of federal and state law. They continue their outreach to embrace legitimate cultural issues, but not a request to leave the mountain.
“Much knowledge of the stars came from centuries of sitting on mountaintops observing and memorizing star paths. For Polynesians, the centuries spent studying the stars and building sky maps that provided the navigational knowledge to explore and discover many specks of land over one-third of the earth’s surface is a singular distinguishing characteristic that may be unmatched by any other society on earth. All of this was accomplished long before Magellan ventured into the Pacific.
“This is all part of why there is little reason to think our ancestors would have brushed aside the TMT. Their quest for knowledge about the stars was too important to them. The truth is that no one knows for sure what they would or wouldn’t feel about the TMT if they were here now. For all we know, they might have been in favor of building a temple — as they often did for important purposes — so they could place the TMT on it.”
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Hard copies of this star map and instructions are in the August issue
of The Ka`u Calendar. Map from Jerry Hudson and Lew Cook

THE AUGUST ISSUE OF STARS OVER KA`U by astronomer Lew Cook includes information about Venus, Pluto and several nebulae.

“Venus is still bright this month, all the while growing larger,” Cook wrote. “By the end of the month, it has become larger but has slimmed down into a thinner crescent than last month. It sets before the time the chart is drawn for, but as soon as it is getting dark, it stands out brilliantly in the west.
“Pluto made a spectacular splash in the news last month. The New Horizons spacecraft passed Pluto after traveling for ten years to get there. The results were magnificent! Pluto is in Sagittarius, and its position is marked on the chart with its symbol, a run together “PL,” but again, please, don’t waste your time looking for it because it is so very faint (14th magnitude) and in an area packed with stars. Without a large telescope and good star charts there is no way to distinguish it from the background stars. The symbol and the name, Pluto, honor Percival Lowell, who founded the observatory at Flagstaff, AZ. Lowell began and funded the search for Pluto. Clyde Tombaugh actually discovered the planet on photographic plates in 1930.

“Those of you who have telescopes or large binoculars can enjoy several nebulae in Sagittarius. Remember also, the center of the Milky Way (our home galaxy) is in Sagittarius. There, the massive black hole dominates its neighbors. The black hole’s effects on its neighboring stars can’t be seen in optical views, but due to its effects on the nearby stars, it’s location can be determined quite closely. It is near the spout of the teapot.

“To the north of the teapot there are several beautiful nebulae. We discussed the Lagoon nebula last month. This month we’ll mention several more. About a degree north of the Lagoon Nebula, those of you with telescopes can look for and enjoy the Trifid Nebula. Then, continue further northwest, about eight degrees. There you will find (after concentrating on the task at hand and not letting yourself get distracted by the beauty of the night sky) the Omega nebula and two degrees to the north to the Eagle nebula. The Eagle contains what NASA termed “The Pillars of Creation” in what may be the Hubble Space Telescope’s most beautiful photo. All these nebulae are marked on the chart.”

See your copy of The Ka`u Calendar or kaucalendar.com.
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TUTU AND ME TRAVELING PRESCHOOL is currently enrolling students for the 2015-16 school year. The no-cost mobile preschool nurtures the bond between tutu, caregivers and their keiki. The program is open to children ages birth to five and their caregivers.

Sessions are from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Na`alehu Community Center on Monday and Wednesday and Pahala Community Center on Tuesday and Thursday.
Call 929-8571 for more information and to register.

THREE WEEKS FROM TODAY is Ka`u High School Alumni and Friends’ 14th annual Community Potluck. Everyone is invited to bring a favorite dish to Pahala Community Center on Sunday, Aug. 23 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a day of fun, good food and live music.
The theme is Back to the Future. All attendees will be going back in time to their high school days to celebrate their sixteenth birthday. The Class of 1958, celebrating their 75th birthday, is donating a cake with 16 candles.
Chase Cabudol’s group will start the entertainment, blending old melodies and more recent ones. Makanau, led by Barbara Baruz and her daughters Sophia and Denise, will follow and take the crowd back to the good old days and stir up memories. Ernest Kalani will join in and add to the nostalgia. Pahala Kupuna Halau will be performing a few hula numbers. Others are welcome to join in and share their talents.
For more information, call Margaret Ann Cabudol at 928-8164 or James Yamaki at 969-6828.

KA`U RESIDENT DICK HERSHBERGER brings Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar to life Tuesday during A Walk into the Past. Programs begin at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Participants then take a short walk to the Whitney Vault, where Jaggar conducted seismic and other research.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

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Boylan Slat raised millions to help clean up the ocean, and his mission is leading some 30 boats and crews to document plastic garbage between Hawai`i and California over the next three weeks. Photos from theoceancleanup.com

THE GREAT PACIFIC GARBAGE PATCH, first discovered by Capt. Charles Moore, who presented his message and Plastic Ocean book in Ka`u, is the target of more exploration and description. Thirty boats set sail from Hawai`i yesterday, headed to California with the aim of identifying, sizing and counting plastics in the ocean, circulated by the North Pacific Gyre, a current that keeps plastics dumped in the ocean swirling around in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch until they sink to the bottom, further threatening marine life that ingests them.

Transpac racers are studying the Great Pacific Garbage Patch on their way
back to the West Coast.

Most of the boats involved in the research are returning to the West Coast after competing in the Transpacific sailing race from California to Hawai`i, the event that led to Capt. Moore discovering the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in 1997 as he was sailing home from Transpac.
The current effort aims to document the plastics and raise money to build equipment to clean plastics from the ocean. Called The Mega Expedition, it is sponsored by The Ocean Cleanup, founded several years ago by then 18-year-old Dutch citizen Boylan Slat, who crowdfunded $2.2 million online through social media, coming up with the idea as a high school science project. Slat traveled to Hawai`i for the Mega Expedition send-off.
The organization’s website says that “the Mega Expedition will collect more plastic measurements in three weeks than have been collected in the past 40 years combined.” See theoceancleanup.com. For more on Capt. Moore and his Plastic Ocean book, see algalita.org. For ocean cleanup activities in Ka`u, see wildhawaii.org or contact Megan Lamson at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or 769-7629.
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Current models show Guillermo skirting by Ka`u. Map from NOAA

KA`U IS OUTSIDE OF TROPICAL STORM Guillermo’s current possible paths, according to latest data from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Models show the storm heading north of the islands on its track northwest As Guillermo moves closer to Hawai`i, watches may be issued later today or tonight for portions of the state. However, CPHC reported that it is still too soon to determine with certainty which islands are most likely to experience the greatest impacts from Guillermo. It is also important to note that significant impacts can extend well away from the storm’s center.

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KATHRYN MATAYOSHI, SUPERINTENDENT of Hawai`i Public Schools, sent a letter to parent and guardians upon the opening of the 2015-16 school year.
“Our state and school-level staff has been working hard this summer to ready school campuses and advance our knowledge and skills to best serve your children and prepare them for college, career and community,” Matayoshi wrote. “Our focus this year is ‘Proud to Serve Keiki.’ We’ve spent the last five years reforming the public school system to raise the quality of educational opportunity for your child — new standards, new assessments, new organizational structures to improve collaboration and use of data. These initiatives are starting to pay off — more students are graduating, more students are taking advanced coursework, more students are going to college and are prepared for college-level classes, more students are attending school, and more ninth-graders are transitioning successfully into high school.

Kathryn Matayoshi

“While there is still work to do, progress is being made. Our military, business and nonprofit partners have taken note of it and are more involved. Reforms are taking root, and we have a solid foundation.
“This fall, families of children who took the Smarter Balanced Assessment last spring — currently fourth- through ninth-graders and high school seniors — will receive a Family Report of their scores. We’ve been saying it for a while now, and it bears repeating — the SBA scores will set a new baseline and cannot be compared with our old assessment. SBA is more rigorous and aligned with Hawai`i Common Core Standards that provide better insight on students’ educational track and preparation for life after high school. You can learn more at your next parent-teacher conference, or at Parent Night at your school. …
“We are proud to serve Hawai`i’s children, and we hope you’re proud of your public schools. Lots of our keiki feel the same way.”

See hawaiipublicschools.org to watch I Am a Hawai`i Public School Student and for more information.

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THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING and Urban Development has awarded $14,252,365 to Hawai`i in various grants to support development of affordable workforce housing for low and moderate-income persons, address homelessness and provide housing assistance and supportive services for low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families.

The HUD funding, awarded under a formula, includes grants from the Community Development Block Grant Program, the Emergency Solutions Grant Program, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS awards. The state of Hawai`i will receive $7,286,071 through the CDBG program, which provides annual grants to states and local units of government to develop viable urban communities and housing principally for low- and moderate-income persons; $1,119,808 from the ESG program, which specifically targets homeless individuals and families to address homelessness; $5,205,409 from the HOME program, which helps to provide affordable housing to low- and very low-income families; and; and $641,077 through the HOPWA program, which provides housing assistance and services to low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families.

“Homelessness is one of the most serious and urgent challenges we face in our state, and we need to act now to address it,” said U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. “With the governor’s new working group of state, county and federal leaders, we’re beginning to see a real and collective seriousness of purpose in solving homelessness from all levels of government. While resolving this crisis won’t come immediately or cheaply, this renewed focus puts us in a good position to work on real, long-term solutions. As part of this new task force and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’m going to be working closely with HUD and do my part to make sure federal funds, including grants like these, continue to give the state … the critical resources to finally address the housing shortage in Hawai`i and put people back in homes.”  
Sen. Mazie Hirono said, “Too many individuals and families in Hawai`i struggle to obtain a safe and stable home. The issues of affordable housing and homelessness are complex, but we need to continue to work toward solutions. The governor’s Leadership Team on Homelessness is an example of both the leadership and coordination that needs to take place at the federal, state and county levels of government to grapple with these issues statewide. Government by itself cannot solve these issues. It will take a collaboration between the public and private sectors, which is occurring. I will continue work with all stakeholders to secure necessary funding such as these grants, which allows Hawai`i to assist and address the needs of our most vulnerable individuals and families.”  
U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said, “Hawai`i’s homelessness rate is already among the highest in the country. The extreme shortage of truly accessible and affordable housing on every island makes it increasingly difficult for families and individuals with limited resources to find a safe, stable place to live. While they don't solve the problem, these grants will help support local programs that serve those most in need.”
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Dick Hershberger presents A Walk into the Past tomorrow and every other Tuesday.
Photo by Ron Johnson

A WALK INTO THE PAST features Ka`u resident Dick Hershberger as Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar tomorrow and every other Tuesday. Programs begin at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Participants then take a short walk to the Whitney Vault, where Jaggar conducted seismic and other research.

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL HOLDS MEETINGS this week. Committee meetings tomorrow include Governmental Relations & Economic Development at 9 a.m., Planning at 9:30 a.m., Finance at 1 p.m. and Environmental Management at 2:30 p.m.
The full Council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m.
All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo. They are streamed live at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings. Agendas are also available on the website.
Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Na`alehu State Office Building.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

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and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf.

Researchers return to Mars on Mauna Loa on Aug. 28 to spend a full year simulating long-term space exploration. Photos from HI-SEAS

THE PLANET MARS SIMULATION SITE ON MAUNA VOLCANO IN KA`U will receive six scientists who will live there for a year beginning Aug. 28. This Hawai`i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation project will be the longest experiment to date for the program where a team lives in isolation in a dome at an elevation of 8,000 feet. Ka`u residents can follow the program on the website hi-seas.org and on Facebook.

Kim Binsted at HI-SEAS habitat
on Mauna Loa.

This will be the fourth HI-SEAS mission in the University of Hawai`i at Manoa research project that simulates long-duration space exploration.
As with the previous HI-SEAS missions in the NASA-funded study, this mission will focus on crewmember cohesion and performance. HI-SEAS researchers are working to develop effective team composition and support strategies to allow crews to successfully travel to Mars and back, an estimated three-year journey.
The crew will be monitored using cameras, body movement trackers, electronic surveys and other methods. UH-Manoa researchers and their collaborators will be studying the group’s cohesion over time, gathering data on a wide range of cognitive, social and emotional factors that may impact team performance.
“The longer each mission becomes, the better we can understand the risks of space travel,” said Kim Binsted, HI-SEAS principal investigator and UH-Manoa professor from the Department of Information and Computer Sciences. “We hope that this upcoming mission will build on our current understanding of the social and psychological factors involved in long-duration space exploration and give NASA solid data on how best to select and support a flight crew that will work cohesively as a team while in space.”

Team members have a wide range of experience and educational backgrounds.
Sheyna Gifford has worked on research projects in astrophysics, neuroscience and psychology and is a contributor to NASA educational websites, a medical writer and an advocate of STEM education. Her previous experience includes working on the HESSI satellite at Space Science Laboratories. She holds a bachelor of science in neuroscience and English, a master of clinical laboratory science and biotechnology, a master of science in journalism, a doctor of medicine and is currently earning a master of business administration.
Tristan Bassingthwaighte is currently a doctor of architecture candidate at UH-Manoa. He is in the final stage of completing his master’s degree in architecture from Tongji University in Shanghai, where he studied abroad for a year looking at human habitation in extreme environments. His doctoral work will involve designing a next generation conceptual Mars habitat.

Andrzej Stewart

Carmel Johnston is a soil scientist from Whitefish, Montana. Her previous research focused on effects of permafrost thaw on trace gas emissions in peat lands. Her interest in global food production and sustainability lead her to HI-SEAS to research food production in Mars simulation. She has a bachelor of science in soil and water science and a master in science in land resources and environmental sciences from Montana State University.

Andrzej Stewart is an ardent light aircraft pilot and previously worked at Lockheed Martin as an interplanetary flight controller. He worked on console for the Spitzer Space Telescope, Mars Odyssey, MRO, MAVEN, Juno and GRAIL. Recently, he served as the flight engineer for the sixth mission of NASA’s Human Exploration Research Analog, simulating a two-week journey to asteroid 1620 Geographos. He earned a bachelor of science in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 2005 and an SM in aeronautics and astronautics from MIT in 2007.
Cyprien Verseux is a doctorate student at the University of Rome. He is an astrobiologist working on the search for life beyond Earth and is also an expert in biological life support systems for Mars exploration. Part of his research aims at making human outposts on Mars as independent as possible of Earth by using living organisms to process Mars’ resources into products needed for human consumption.
Christiane Heinicke is a German physicist and engineer. Most recently she has worked on sea ice and has also gained experience working with polar lights, metal melts and simulations of the Earth’s mantle. She received her bachelor of science in applied physics from the Ilmenau University of Technology in Germany and her master of science in geophysics from Uppsala University in Sweden.
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Radar shows bands of rain off the Ka`u Coast produced
by Tropical Storm Guillermo. Map from NWS

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT for Ka`u and all of Hawai`i Island. Tropical storm Guillermo is expected to continue moving toward the northwest today with a shift toward the west-northwest expected tonight through Thursday morning. The latest Central Pacific Hurricane Center forecast estimates the center of Guillermo will pass approximately 215 miles northeast of Hilo tomorrow afternoon. Little change in strength is expected today, with slow and steady weakening anticipated thereafter.

CPHC warns that while this forecast track keeps the worst weather away from the islands, any deviation to the left of the expected track could bring tropical storm conditions to portions of the Big Island.
Rainfall amounts of one to three inches will be possible in some areas, with isolated maximum amounts to seven inches possible mainly in higher terrain. Rainfall amounts will be lower if Guillermo tracks farther away from the islands than currently forecast.
It is vital to not focus on the exact forecast track, according to CPHC. Forecast movement, direction and speed are only estimates. Even small errors in the forecast track can mean major differences in where the worst conditions will occur, and damaging effects can extend far from the center.
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Jessica Ferracane

IN ANTICIPATION OF HEAVY RAIN and wind forecast with the arrival of Tropical Storm Guillermo, all backcountry areas in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park will be closed as of 5 p.m. today until it is safe to reopen them, reported park Public Affairs Specialist Jessica Ferracane. No backcountry permits will be issued until park staff reassess the storm’s impact.

In addition, Mauna Loa Road from Kipukapuaulu to the Mauna Loa Lookout and Namakanipaio Campgrounds and A-frame cabins will close as of 5 p.m. today. Visitor centers, restrooms, lava tube, front-country trails, steam vents and other popular features will remain open.
Park staff will continue to monitor the storm and assess conditions in the park. The public will be kept informed via news releases, social media and the park website, nps.gov/havo.
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NOAA SHIP OKEANOS EXPLORER is exploring the largely unknown deep-sea ecosystems in the Hawaiian Archipelago and offshore Johnston Atoll as part of the Hohonu Moana: Exploring the Deep Waters off Hawai`i expedition. During four separate cruise legs, NOAA and partners investigate deep waters in and around Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Johnston Atoll in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, the Geologists Seamounts group and the Main Hawaiian Islands.

Okeanos Explorer research tools include a remotely operated vehicle, or ROV,
to explore the deep ocean. Photo from NOAA

Themes and objectives for the 2015 Expedition include:

Acquire data to support priority marine national monument and national marine sanctuary science and management needs;
Identification and characterization of vulnerable marine habitats - particularly high-density deep-sea coral and sponge communities;
Characterization of seamounts within the Prime Crust Zone, an area of the Pacific with the highest expected concentration of deep-sea minerals, including rare metals and rare-earth elements;
Collect information on the complex geologic history of Central Pacific Seamounts, particularly those that are or may be relevant to our understanding of plate tectonics; and
Provide a foundation of publicly accessible data and information products to spur further exploration, research and management activities.

Operations use the ship’s deep-water mapping systems, NOAA’s two-body 6,000-meter remotely operated vehicle system, CTD rosett and a high-bandwidth satellite connection for real-time ship to shore communications.
ROV dives include high-resolution visual surveys and limited sampling – including the first-ever look at deep seafloor habitats offshore of Johnston Atoll below 400 meters and habitats deeper than 2,000 meters in PMNM.
This expedition provides extensive opportunities for the public to connect to the mission. Web pages for this expedition include background content, mission logs, daily updates, videos and images near real-time ship tracking features and a live video feed.
See oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.
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HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL meets tomorrow at 9 a.m. at Council Chambers in Hilo. The meeting is streamed live at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings. Agenda is also available on the website.
Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Na`alehu State Office Building.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Cooler water and westerly winds are helping to weaken Tropical Storm Guillermo on its path north of Hawai`i.
Map from Weather Underground

KA`U AND VOLCANO CONSERVATIONISTS are at University of Hawai`i-Hilo this week for Hanohano Hawai`i Kua`uli, the 23rd Hawai`i Conservation Conference, through Friday. The Hawaiian title of the conferences means Celebrating Collaboration and Wisdom Across Hawai`i’s Ecosystems. The conference logo was designed by Sig Zane.

The event is sponsored by the Hawai`i Conservation Alliance of organizations, ranging from Office of Hawaiian Affairs to The Nature Conservancy, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, The Kohala Center and Hawai`i Wildlife Fund. This morning’s keynote speaker was Dr. Kamanamaikalani Beamer, the new president and chief executive officer of The Kohala Center, who recently hosted a session in Pahala for doctoral candidates and post-doctoral scholars working on Hawai`i projects. He has long been a researcher on governance, land tenure and Hawaiian resource management and directed the `Aina-Based Education at Kamehameha Schools and Stanford University’s First Nations Futures Institute.

Kamanamaikalani Beamer

Tomorrow’s keynote speakers will be U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and state Department of Land & Natural Resources chair Suzanne Case. Workshops during the week include such topics as Building Partnerships to Support Science and Management of West Hawai`i’s Marine Ecosystem, Climate Change and Dominant Vegetation, Malama `Aina, Recapturing Kuleana and Enhancing Public Involvement in Management of Threats to Coral Reef Ecosystems.
See a complete schedule, program and summaries at www.hawaiiconservation.org.

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OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION volunteers, including its president Sandy Alexander, Richard Abbett and Karen and Ron Gall, submitted testimony to Hawai`i County Council’s Environmental Management Committee yesterday in support of a bill that would limit the county’s use of herbicides.
According to Abbett, the Ocean View group testified that “the problem associated with over-application, airborne drip, inadequate warnings and postings and drying times, have proven to be nearly impossible to address. Residents refuse to accept any longer excuses of an inadequate budget to not implement pest management practices.
“Short-term fiscal costs are less important than addressing the long-term cumulative effects, which are hidden costs, such as pervasive tumors and infections in sea turtles. It has also been tied to the loss of productivity, nearshore reefs and marine habitat.
“Also, we are concerned with the continued use of herbicides by road maintenance entities in developments such as Hawaiian Ocean View Estates and Hawaiian Ocean View Ranchos. It should be disallowed, as runoff on right-of-ways flows onto private property and county-maintained roads downhill.”
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Tropical Storm Guillermo continues to lose strength on its path
north of the state. Map from NOAA

THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH for Ka`u and Hawai`i Island is over. At 11 a.m., Tropical storm Guillermo was 245 miles from Hilo and continuing to move west-northwest with further weakening anticipated. The center of Guillermo is expected to pass about 160 miles north-northeast of the Big Island late tonight. Although the latest forecast is for sustained winds to remain below tropical storm force of 39 miles per hour, only a small change in the track could result in higher winds.

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HAWAI`I’S FIRST-EVER Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area could be a model for Ka`u to follow. The result of years of discussions and collaboration between the Haena, Kaua`i community and various stakeholders, this historic rules package gives the Haena hui an opportunity to protect its ocean resources based on traditional fisheries management practices.

Gov. David Ige said, “The Haena CBSFA is an outstanding example of self-determination and governance for a local community, which wants to not only preserve but enhance its local fishery for sustainability. I personally want to thank everyone involved for their patience and kokua in bringing this long process to a great conclusion.”

CBSFA coordinator Erin Zanre
Photo from DLNR

The rules for the Haena CBSFA were approved by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources in October 2014. DLNR will hold a public hearing on the CBSFA Management Plan at a later date.
DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said, “Community-based management of this nature isn’t only the past, but is now the future. This CBSFA reflects the hard work and commitment of the greater Haena community and provides a great example of how other communities and the state can collaborate to manage precious natural resources.”
The Haena CBSFA is the result of more than a decade of work, overwhelming support from the local community and strong recognition that government cannot do it alone and community-based management and buy-in is critical to sustaining natural resources now and for future generations.
The state requires interested communities to propose this type of designation, including management plans, to DLNR for consideration, said coordinator Erin Zanre. Areas must be proposed by community groups or organizations that have a charter and a membership. This requirement is meant to make the designation more inclusive of the entire community, according to Zanre.
See dlnr.hawaii.gov.
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Sen. Brian Schatz

U.S. SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ SUPPORTS Pres. Barack Obama’s recently announced, ambitious plan to reduce carbon emissions by 32 percent by 2030.

“Regulating carbon pollution under the Clean Air Act is morally and legally the right thing to do. Climate change impacts the health and welfare of all Americans. Severe weather events like droughts and wildfires have increased significantly, and coastal states including Hawai`i face direct threats from the impact of rising sea levels. The Clean Power Plan takes direct action to reverse climate change by regulating and reducing harmful carbon pollution from power plants. The plan establishes ambitious goals but gives states and regions flexibility on how to meet them.
“By 2030, the plan will result in reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 32 percent from 2005 levels, which will improve the health of American citizens, create thousands of jobs, encourage the development of clean energy and reduce the cost of energy bills. Earlier this year, more than half the Senate acknowledged, ‘Climate change is real, and human activity significantly contributes to climate change.’ President Obama’s Clean Power Plan is a milestone in the fight against climate change, and I pledge my full support in his effort to implement it.”

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THE VOLCANO FESTIVAL CHORUS, sponsored by the Kilauea Drama and Entertainment Network, is gathering for another season. Anyone who likes to sing and is interested in joining a holiday choir is invited to join in. The chorus gathers for its first meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at Volcano School of Arts & Sciences’ Keakealani campus at 7 p.m. Rehearsals on Tuesdays usually last for a couple hours. Performances will take place early in December.
For more information, call Suzi Bond at 982-7344 or Roch Jones at 985-7026.

Wes Awana and `ukulele students. Photo from VAC

ALOHA FRIDAY at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park features `ukulele lessons with Wes Awana from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Call 967-8222 for more information.

VOLCANO ART CENTER’S Niaulani Campus offers yoga classes on today and tomorrow.
Kripalu Yoga with Jo Caron at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday is suited for beginners as well as long-time practitioners. Caron is a certified Kripalu Yoga teacher from Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Massachusetts, where she lived as a full-time resident for several years and taught yoga classes, meditation and self-development workshops. Cost is $5 per class. For more information, call 443-6993.
Emily Catey Weiss helps students relax their bodies and rejuvenate their souls tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. The focus is on stretching and releasing both physical and mental tension. Open to both beginning and intermediate students, classes meet in the Great Room unless otherwise noted. Weiss also teaches on Mondays at 7:30 a.m. For more information, email emilycatey@hotmail.com.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf.

Kahuku Unit has many free programs on weekends this month, including The Birth of Kahuku this Saturday.
NPS Photo by Michael Szoenyi

FORMER HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK SUPERINTENDENT Bryan Harry told Hawaiian Conservation Alliance conferees yesterday that a university partnership with the national parks called the Pacific Cooperative Studies Group has contributed significantly to the understanding and protection of native and natural systems.

Bryan Harry Photo from HCA

Harry is one of the founding members of Hawaiian Conservation Alliance, which has put on the conference wrapping up tomorrow in Hilo, for 23 years. He said that the Pacific Cooperative Studies Group, founded 40 years ago, has enabled the university to have top professors involved in management of the resources in the park and in documentation and studies that also help with management.
A story by Ivy Ashe in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune-Herald explained that “today, there are nearly 350 staff members in the PCSU. Forty-eight percent are present or former University of Hawai`i students, and 21 percent are Native Hawaiians. Its long-term projects cover everything from studying the hoary bat population to the Maui parrotbill’s habitat. ...
“As the years went by, the PCSU began to work on community outreach, something that was not funded nor considered a priority in the organization’s early days. And when outreach did become a focal point, volunteers and staffers found it difficult to convey their messages to private landowners. The technical reports weren’t something an average person would pick up and spend an afternoon reading, and the issues the PCSU was trying to broach weren’t without controversy.”
Ashe said, “The public’s mindset toward conservation began to change in part because of grassroots efforts at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. For instance, several Youth Conservation Corps groups helping build ungulate fencing involved local kids.”
Christy Martin, a 16-year PCSU veteran, told Ashe, “That really starts the ball moving. They started to see the native plants and become concerned for them.”
Martin told Ashe that outreach is about “putting a human face to conservation” and making what seems abstract a personal matter. She gave the spread of invasive miconia in the 1980s as an example where the issue comes literally into people’s backyards.
“All of a sudden, you had (the plants) on private lands. It really changes what needs to happen,” Martin said.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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Greggor Ilagan

PUNA’S TWO-TERM COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER Greggor Ilagan is running for state Senate, the seat currently held by Sen. Russell Ruderman.

“A great future is dependent on footprints of great leaders,” Ilagan said. “It was true then in my past when I was in the military, and more so now while I am serving in the County Council.
“The future of politics as I’ve always seen it is about the people. I want to continue making a difference on the issues affecting our families, friends and neighbors. This has compelled me to run for state Senate.
“I will continue being the person who listens to people’s concerns and solve problems important to them. I need your support, and can’t wait to see what we will accomplish together for a better tomorrow.”
Ruderman’s four-year term in the Senate expires next year, and he has not decided whether or not to run again. According to Nancy Cook Lauer, of West Hawai`i Today, he is considering running for mayor of Hawai`i County or County Council. Mayor Billy Kenoi has reached his term limit.
See westhawaiitoday.com.
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Tropical Storm Hilda is following Guillermo toward Hawai`i. Map from NOAA

GUILLERMO IS PASSING to the north of Hawai`i Island and is now on a westward path that could impact O`ahu and Kaua`i before leaving the state.

Tropical Storm Hilda is following Guillermo’s path in the East Pacific, reported the Central Pacific Hurricane Center and National Hurricane Center in Miami. Guillermo is now below tropical storm intensity as it tracks north of the state. Hilda’s cloud pattern has significantly increased in organization since late yesterday. It is forecast to become a hurricane by Sunday but, like Guillermo, lose strength before reaching the vicinity of Hawai`i next week.

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BEES AND PESTICIDES: Comments are being collected on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Proposal to Mitigate Exposure to Bees from Acutely Toxic Pesticide Products. Comments can be sent to Cathy Tarutani, of University of Hawai`i Plant & Environmental Protection Services, for her comment and submission by Friday, Aug. 14 or directly to the EPA no later than Friday, Aug. 28.
“This issue may be very important to stakeholders concerned with crops that require insect pollination,” Tarutani wrote. She urged farmers to study proposed pesticide label changes.
A PDF of slides and a recording of webinar on the subject can be accessed by clicking on links at http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/cb/csb_page/updates/2015/bees-webinar.html. The docket for this issue can be found at Regulations.gov: http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0818.
A summary of EPAs proposed action is available at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0818-0003.
The full proposal is available at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0818-0002. A fact sheet about the proposal is available at http://www2.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/proposal-protect-bees-acutely-toxic-pesticides.
Contact Tarutani at 808-956-2004 or cathy@hpirs.stjohn.hawaii.edu.
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Hawai`i Ag Extension Service offers advice for coffee berry borer management.

A WARNING TO EXERCISE coffee berry borer control as harvest season approaches has been issued by the University of Hawai`i Ag Extension Service. Agent Adrea Kawabata wrote to farmers yesterday: “CBB populations will explode if you stop spraying during the harvest season. Continue to sample, monitor and spray for CBB throughout the harvest season and especially after picking, as CBB tends to be actively moving around the coffee trees and farm because of the shaking of trees and removal of cherry. Completely enclose picking bags, and line them on the inside with a plastic trash bag, if possible, to reduce CBB escapes.”

Coffee berry borers first damaged orchards in Kona and spread to Ka`u. For assistance, Kawabata can be reached at 322-4892 or andreak@hawaii.edu.
For more education on coffee, see http://hawaiicoffee.weebly.com/educational-events-and-announcements.html. Online are: Proceedings of the 2015 CBB Summit; a new CBB publication; an article about Pseudomonas fulva, a bacteria in Coffee Berry Borer gut; 2015 Hawai`i Coffee Association Conference Highlights; Coffee in Brazil: Important Impacts and Lessons Learned; and Hawai`i Coffee Association’s 2015 State-wide Cupping Competition.

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HAWAI`I’S PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION will hosts public listening sessions next month for residents to comment on the proposed $4.3 billion sale of Hawaiian Electric Industries to NextEra Energy, Inc.
Hawai`i Island sessions are scheduled at 6 p.m. at Hilo High School cafeteria on Tuesday, Sept. 29 and Kealakehe High School cafeteria in Kona on Wednesday, Sept. 30.
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Ocean View Community Center is raising funds for a new roof.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER holds a yard sale Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. to raise funds to replace the roof. Call 939-7033 for more information.

OCEAN VIEW EVANGELICAL CHURCH at 92-8977 Leilani Circle holds its third annual Ho`olaule`a & Lu`au on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Follow signs. Registration begins at 9 a.m.

DURING STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, volunteers help remove invasive Himalayan ginger from park trails. Meet at Kilauea Visitor Center. Free; park entrance fees apply.

THE BIRTH OF KAHUKU on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park explores Kahuku’s rich geologic history and traverses the vast 1868 lava flow. Participants see different volcanic features and formations and identify many parts of the Southwest Rift Zone of Mauna Loa on a guided, easy-to-moderate hike. Call 985-6011 for more information.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

BUSINESS SPACE IS AVAILABLE for rent at the open location where Kama`aina Kuts and Styles by Elise are located in Na`alehu. Call Corrine at 937-1840 for more information.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf.

Construction to minimize flooding at Kawa Flats can now begin, following release of funds by Gov. David Ige.

TWO KA`U CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS are included in funding of more than $40 million released by Gov. David Ige yesterday. Construction of drainage box culverts and raising the roadway in the vicinity of Kawa to minimize flooding received $680,000. Repairing a termite-damaged gym floor and showers and replacing lockers at Ka`u High School received $550,000.

“Building a Hawai`i we are proud to call home requires us to maintain and improve state facilities,” Ige said. “These priority projects are investments that will boost our economy and better serve Hawai`i’s people.
“Funds spent now to repair and maintain the state’s housing facilities and schools will reduce project backlogs and prevent the maintenance requirements from becoming more significant in the coming years. More importantly, they will support families and children allowing them to thrive.”
As one of its several airport projects, the state allocated $2.7 million to Kona International Airport for design of terminal modifications to improve capacity, efficiency and security.
“The airport projects will enhance the operation and safety of the major gateways to our islands, and the highway improvements are necessary for the safety of all who travel on our roadways,” Ige said. “Airports and highways must be maintained not only for our residents, but also for our visitors, as they are the welcoming face to our island state and help support Hawai`i’s economic vitality.”
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Jim Brady

VOLCANO AND OTHER BIG ISLAND citizens are forming a Hawai`i Chapter of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. The Brady Campaign was formed when a mentally troubled young man with easy access to a firearm permanently disabled Jim Brady, the Press Secretary to President Ronald Reagan, in a shooting attempt on the life of the President.

Member Ross Rammelmeyer said that after the Newtown gun slaughter of a classroom of students, their teachers and the school principal, the Volcano group vowed to act. Rammelmeyer said the chapter will focus on the current epidemic of gun violence, the threat posed by the flood of guns and the violence they create as a public health hazard. According to Rammelmeyer, gun violence is the second largest cause of death and injury to Americans between the ages of 14 and 55.

“As with many of us, I’m no newcomer to the tide of gun violence in the United States,” Rammelmeyer said. “Twenty years ago, the Kmart big box retail store in Bridgehampton, New York, opened a ‘sporting goods’ department, featuring assault weapons, semi-automatic pistols, large capacity ammunition magazines and Saturday Night Special pistols next to the store’s toy department. I had two young grandsons in school near the store. One other person and I conducted a darned cold and snowy two-week protest vigil near the store’s entrance. The ‘sporting goods’ department was removed.
“Fast-forward two decades and about 340 million guns flooding America later. Today in America a man, woman or child is shot dead about every 15 minutes. Streets in several American cities are more deadly than the streets of Kabul or Baghdad. With mass shootings becoming so banal that they are not even considered worthy of news attention, I decided ‘Enough is enough!’
“In Hawai`i, gun violence resistance may begin with just 'a few, we happy few.' But that’s how most things start. Anyone who thinks we can remove 340 million guns from America is just plain nuts. But we may be able to convince most of us in Hawai`i to cope with and combat the enormous threat to our lives and safety that they represent.”

For more information about the national organization, see bradycampaign.org.

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Current forecast calls for Hilda to head northwest before
reaching Hawai`i. Map from NOAA

HILDA IS NOW A HURRICANE on its way toward the Central Pacific. According to the National Hurricane Center, Hilda should be steered westward to west-northwestward by a deep-layer subtropical ridge to its north for the next 48 hours or so. After that time, a mid- to upper-level low is expected to develop north of the Hawaiian Islands, which should cause the storm to turn generally northwestward before reaching Hawai`i.

The forecast calls for Hilda’s continued strengthening at a slower rate through 36 hours. After 48 to 72 hours, the cyclone is expected to encounter strong southwesterly vertical shear and decreasing sea surface temperatures, and this combination should cause significant weakening.
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SEN. MAZIE HIRONO CALLED FOR RESTORATION of landmark legislation signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson that prohibits discrimination in voting.
“Fifty years ago, the Voting Rights Act gave millions of Americans a voice in our democracy,” Hirono said. “For the first time, federal protections guarded minority voters against unfair and inhumane literacy tests and discrimination. While our nation has come a long way in fighting disenfranchisement, we still have a long way to go in ensuring every American has the right to cast a vote.

Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson

“The landmark VRA came just months after civil rights activists endured injury and indignity during the Bloody Sunday march for voting rights from Selma, Alabama to the state capital of Montgomery. In March, I joined civil rights leaders in Selma in commemorating the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday where I was reminded of the perilous history of this fight.

“Today, though it has been grievously weakened by the Supreme Court, the VRA continues to protect the right to vote in the United States. Thanks to VRA provisions, Hawai`i voters who speak English as a second language have access to Japanese, Ilocano and Mandarin Chinese ballots.
“However, there is much work to be done to live up to the promise that those on the Edmund Pettus Bridge fought for fifty years ago. The Supreme Court’s Shelby County v. Holder decision gutted key provisions of the VRA. Today, I stand with President Obama, Attorney General Loretta Lynch and my friend Congressman John Lewis in calling for the full restoration of the Voting Rights Act.

Face painting and furry friends are part
of ho`olaule`a fun tomorrow.

“One of the founding principles of our nation is that all are created equal. But our fight to ensure all are protected is not done. Every election, voters report bias at the polling place. We must continue fighting to uphold and strengthen the VRA, and other pieces of critical civil rights legislation, to ensure that everyone is protected and no one is discriminated against, no matter who they are, who they love, where they live, or what they look like.”

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OCEAN VIEW EVANGELICAL CHURCH holds its annual Ho`olaule`a & Lu`au tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Follow signs. Registration begins at 9 a.m.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER holds a yard tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. to raise funds to replace the roof. Call 939-7033 for more information.

KAHUKU UNIT of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers free programs this weekend. Tomorrow at 9:30 a.m., participants see different volcanic features and formations and identify many parts of Mauna Loa’s Southwest Rift Zone on a guided, easy-to-moderate hike.

Learn about the vital role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a lehua tree and the lehua flower Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Visitors will be able to identify the many differences of the most prominent native tree in Kahuku on this program, which is an easy, one-mile or less walk.
Call 985-6011 for more information.

Volcano Rain Forest Runs are two weeks from tomorrow.
Photo from Race Director Sharron Faff

VOLUNTEERS HELP REMOVE INVASIVE Himalayan ginger from park trails tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

VOLCANO RAIN FOREST RUNS are two weeks from tomorrow. Registration continues for the sixth annual event taking place in Volcano Village on Saturday, Aug. 22.
The Half Marathon begins at 7 a.m. followed by the 10K at 7:45 a.m. with the 5K at 8 a.m. All runs start and finish at Cooper Center on Wright Road.
Keiki can register for free 100- or 200-yard dashes on race morning until 9:30 a.m. The Keiki runs sponsored by Kilauea Lodge begin at 10 a.m.
The Half Marathon is also the final event for the Big Island Half Marathon Triple Crown Series. All participants will have completed the Hilo, Kona and Volcano Half Marathons.
For more information, maps, FAQ’s and registration information, see volcanorainforestruns.com or call 967-8240.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf.

Before becoming chief of Hawai`i Department of Land & Natural Resources, Suzanne Case headed The Nature Conservancy, which preserved Kamehame hawksbill nesting site. Photo by David Rayner

SUZANNE CASE, CHAIR of Hawai`i’s Department of Land & Natural Resources, was a keynote speaker at the 23rd annual Hawaiian Conservation Conference held in Hilo this week. Case, who spent early childhood years on the Big Island, talked about The Nature Conservancy’s success in preserving Kamehame, the hawksbill turtle nesting site on the coast makai of Pahala. She also mentioned preservation of some of the most pristine native forests in the state along waterways and in the mountains and valleys between Wood Valley and Na`alehu. Case helmed TNC prior to her nomination by Gov. David Ige to head DLNR and her confirmation by the state Senate in April.

Suzanne Case Image from BIVN

Case talked about her new responsibility at DLNR and the importance of bringing people with different points of view together to solve problems. On Mauna Kea, she noted that the state plans to transfer 10,000 acres on the mountain from University of Hawai`i to the direct stewardship of DLNR and promised to involve numerous stakeholders.

Case also said she wants to improve DLNR’s relationship with hunters. “We need to focus on ways to enhance hunting that don’t need to conflict with forest conservation,” Case said. She wants to provide more hunter access to game management areas, create adaptive game management plans and “have real dialogue with hunters and support things that they want. If we work together on a wide variety of things, we can move forward in a truly non-confrontational approach and try to find solutions for everyone.”
See bigislandvideonews.com for footage of her talk.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF LAND and Natural Resources is seeking public input on its updated Hawai`i State Wildlife Action Plan, which lays out strategy and plans of DLNR and its partners to address conservation needs of Hawai`i’s native wildlife over the next 10 years.

The Action Plan reviews the status of the state’s native terrestrial and aquatic species, over 10,000 of which are found nowhere else on earth, and presents strategies for long-term conservation of these species and their habitats.
The plan is being updated to continue coordinated and comprehensive planning and implementation of conservation strategies and actions to manage and restore native wildlife.
Completion of the plan will also enable DLNR’s ongoing participation in the national State Wildlife Grant Program, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which provides over $450,000 per year for projects to conserve native wildlife. This plan identifies projects, strategies and priorities for Department funding under this grant program.

The state seeks input on its Wildlife Action Plan.
Image from DLNR

A copy of the 2015 draft plan is now available for review on DLNR's website, and a copy can be downloaded at http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wild-life/files/2015/07/SWAP-2015-Pub-draft.pdf.
The 2015 plan contains a comprehensive description of the wildlife resources of the state and an explanation of the major threats and challenges facing native wildlife. It identifies species of greatest conservation need and their habitats and includes the strategies for addressing the conservation needs of those species and their habitats.
The 2015 SWAP builds on conservation successes since 2005 and calls for expanding and strengthening partnerships that have been developed to implement the plan. The 2015 plan is a progression of the 2005 first edition of this plan, then called the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy and continues collaborative efforts among resource managers, biologists and concerned individuals statewide that began with the 2005 plan.
The deadline for completing and submitting the plan to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is Oct. 1.
DLNR has scheduled statewide meetings to provide information about the plan and gather input from interested parties. On Hawai`i Island, meetings are 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19 at DLNR Division of Forestry in Hilo and on Thursday, Aug. 20 at Waimea Community Center.
Deadline for public comments to be submitted is Aug. 31. Written comments may be submitted to  Division of Forestry and Wildlife,  1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325,  Honolulu, HI 96813. Email comments may be submitted to John.P.Vetter@hawaii.gov.
See http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wildlife/hswap/ to find out how to get involved in the process and sign up to receive updates and announcements about how to participate in updating the plan and how to get involved in implementing the 2015 plan.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Hurricane Hilda is now in the Central Pacific.
Map from NOAA

HURRICANE HILDA CONTINUED to strengthen as the Category Four storm entered the Central Pacific. At 11 a.m. this morning, Hilda was 865 miles east-southeast of Hilo and is expected to weaken to a tropical depression, due to cooler ocean temperatures and wind shear, before reaching the vicinity of Hawai`i next week.

To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

AS HAWAI`I FACES ANOTHER POTENTIAL tropical cyclone, Gov. David Ige, Karen Armes, Acting Regional Administrator for FEMA Region IX, and Major General Arthur J. Logan, Director of Emergency Management, signed the 2015 Hawai`i Catastrophic Hurricane Plan yesterday.
“The Catastrophic Hurricane Plan provides strategies for joint state and federal actions before, during and after a catastrophic event,” explained Doug Mayne, Administrator of Emergency Management. “The two-year planning process we underwent places us in a great position to collaborate with our federal partners, state and county agencies, nonprofits, the private sector and local communities to ensure we minimize suffering from the impact of a catastrophic hurricane.”
Hawai`i Emergency Management Agency initiated coordination efforts with the National Weather Service and emergency management partners for Hurricane Hilda, which is currently moving toward Hawai`i.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Hilo hosts the statewide Orchid Show today and tomorrow.
Photo by Cindy Orlando

THE STATEWIDE ANNUAL ORCHID SHOW, where Ka`u growers and enthusiasts are often participants, continues today and tomorrow at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sponsored by the Hilo Orchid Society, the show stages the largest and most comprehensive orchid show and sale in the state of Hawai`i. The Big Island is often called The Orchid Island and is the capital of orchid growing in the U.S. Ka`u is famous for its orchids at Hawaiian Flowers on South Point Road.
For more on the show and the organization, see hiloorchidsociety.org.

LEGAL HAWAIIAN GOVERNMENT HOLDS Kanaka National Elections next month. Elections take place Sept. 12 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at OCEAN VIEW Swap Meet and Old Pahala Clubhouse.
For more information, email meridianwoman@yahoo.com.

PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT THE VITAL role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a lehua tree and the lehua flower tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. Visitors will be able to identify the many differences of the most prominent native tree in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on this easy, one-mile or less walk.
Call 985-6011 for more information.

HAWAI`I ISLAND ARTIST and interpretive guide Kent Olsen presents Kilauea’s Night Skies: An Artist's Perspective at After Dark in the Park on Tuesday. Drawing on insights and perspectives developed through years of work in the medical imaging design field, as an interpretive guide at Mauna Kea Observatories and as a certified commercial guide at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Olson will present the night skies over Kilauea Volcano in a way that is sure to provide a new perspective and may just change the way attendees see everything.
Utilizing the current lava lake within Halema`uma`u Crater as a point of reference, participants journey from the depths of the quantum realm to the edge of the cosmos.
“Kent boldly attempts to describe the natural world in a way that makes the scale of the seemingly infinite something you just might be able to wrap your head around,” Park Public Affairs specialist Jessica Ferracane said.
The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

BUSINESS SPACE IS AVAILABLE for rent at the open location where Kama`aina Kuts and Styles by Elise are located in Na`alehu. Call Corrine at 937-1840 for more information.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf.

Kilauea's Night Skies: An Artist's Perspective is the topic of Tuesday's After Dark in the Park program. NPS Photo by Janice Wei

KA`U SCENIC BYWAY SIGNS are starting to go up along Hwy 11. Among those placed by the state Department of Transportation are signs mauka of Punalu`u, at Wai`ohinu Transfer Station and by mile marker 73 near Kahuku Ranch. The signs’ design was chosen by the Ka`u Byway committee and other Byway committees from around the state voting on a few options sent from DOT. It shows a tropical bird on a coastal background. The local designation of the “Ka`u Scenic Byway - the Slopes of Mauna Loa” is on a smaller brown sign below.

Ka`u Scenic Byway is the route a traveler would normally follow toward Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park from Kona. The western slopes from Manuka State Park to the entrance to the Kahuku section of the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park feature a forest reserve and broad vistas with sweeping views of the ocean and mountain. This section includes landscape passing over relatively new lava so the traveler can experience transitions from substantially untouched to well vegetated volcanic terrain and rain forest. The southern slopes from Kahuku to the county park at Honu`apo Bay include the green segment that winds into Wai`ohinu Valley then down toward the ocean, with a panorama that may extend to a distant view of Kilauea. The eastern slopes cover the area from Honu`apo to the main entrance to Hawai`i Volcanoes National park and offer long, sweeping green views toward Mauna Loa’s summit as well as the Ninole Hills. The road rises from sea level to over 4,000 feet and is partly within the boundary of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Ka`u Scenic Byway offers the longest stretches of unspoiled natural scenery to be found anywhere in the inhabited Hawaiian Islands.
See hawaiiscenicbyways.org/index.php/byway/kau-scenic-byway-the-slopes-of-mauna-loa.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE CONE OF UNCERTAINTY surrounding Hurricane Hilda’s forecast path includes all of Hawai`i Island. The storm continues to decrease in intensity on its path northwest and is expected to be a tropical depression by the time it reaches the state late this week.

According to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, as the storm gains latitude, it will encounter increasing westerly shear associated with the subtropical jet stream, which is forecast to be enhanced as a closed low aloft takes shape north of the state. This increase in vertical shear will place Hilda in an environment which is conducive for weakening.
At 11 a.m., Hilda was 600 miles east-southeast of Hilo, moving west-northwest at 10 mph with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE PAST IS THE KEY to Kilauea’s future, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist say in the current issue of Volcano Watch. They review what has been learned on a 15-year journey and how new findings are shaping thoughts about the future at Kilauea.
“Geologists from the Smithsonian, the University of Hawai`i and HVO began their journey in the late 20th century, when it was thought that Kilauea was almost always effusive (erupting lava flows) and that the opposite kind of eruption, violently explosive, was anomalous and rare,” the article states. “Now, 15 years into the 21st century, we know that explosive eruptions are far more common than previously thought and that the kind of eruptive activity, whether explosive or effusive, alternates over periods of centuries. How did this startling change in thinking take place, and why is it important?
“Boots on the ground was the method, coupled with the ability to measure the age (to the nearest few decades) of tiny bits of charcoal found in volcanic deposits. Thousands of field observations of explosive deposits discovered more than 100 sites with charcoal resulting from fires started by eruption. Field work pieced together the sequence in which deposits were laid down — younger deposits overlie older deposits, like papers on your cluttered desk — and determined how far they were dispersed away from the summit of Kilauea. More sophisticated analysis indicates that some volcanic ash reached upward well into the jet stream, a hazard to air travel were it to happen again.

A researcher studies an ash deposit buried by lava in 1919 below Jaggar Museum.
Photo by Thomas Jaggar from HVO Record Book Courtesy of Bishop Museum

“As our journey progressed, we dated charcoal in the deposits using advanced carbon-14 techniques. The ages confirmed field interpretations that the explosive deposits spanned a considerable time and were not products of rare, solitary eruptions. The most recent explosive period lasted from about 1500 to 1800 CE, and an earlier period from about 200 BCE to 1000 CE. Still older explosive deposits await more study.
“We then assembled all previously determined carbon-14 ages for Kilauea lava flows on the volcano and found something remarkable. Most lava flows were erupted between explosive periods, not during them.
“Wow! Suddenly it dawned on us that Kilauea erupts in cycles. Periods dominated by explosive eruptions alternate with periods dominated by effusive eruptions. Kilauea has mostly erupted lava flows for the past 200 years, and we had been misled into thinking that the volcano was always like that. Now we know better!
“We then calculated that the volumes of lava flows surpass the volumes of explosive deposits by nearly 100 times. This was another wow! Apparently, the rate at which magma is supplied to the volcano from deep within the earth is almost 100 times faster during effusive periods than during explosive periods. Why this happens is not yet obvious, but it does.
“The physical characteristics of the explosive deposits indicate that most eruptions were powered by steam from heated groundwater. This happens when the summit caldera is deep and intersects the water table, which today is about 615 meters (2,000 feet) below the rim of the caldera.
“Putting all this together, we get a picture of explosive eruptions during periods of low magma supply and a deep caldera, and of effusive eruptions during periods of high magma supply and a shallow or filled caldera, such as today.
“The future will probably resemble the past. Eventually the magma supply rate will drop drastically from its currently high level. The caldera will collapse because there is insufficient magma to fill the reservoirs supporting the summit, and explosive eruptions will resume. That would create a hazardous situation at the summit that could last for centuries, until the magma supply rate picks up and effusive eruptions again take command.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

“What an exhilarating journey of discovery...and it continues.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD EXPRESSED her concern about the Voting Rights Act of 1965 last week on the 50th anniversary of Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson signing the act.
“Fifty years ago, our country passed this monumental legislation to ensure the basic principle of our democracy —the right to vote — for all American adults, regardless of race, religion, gender or ethnicity,” Gabbard said. “We continue to see efforts on both the state and national level to erode the ‪‎VRA‬ and suppress the voices of millions of Americans.
“These efforts remind us that the right to vote has not come easily, and therefore it must never be taken for granted. That’s why I am a co-sponsor of the Voter Empowerment Act of 2015, which would make the voter registration process easier and make voting more accessible. We need legislation that will move democracy forward, not rewind the progress made over the past 50 years.”
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Ka`u CDP Steering Committee discusses town infill and ag subdivision Tuesday.
Image from Draft Ka`u CDP

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED to Ka`u Community Development Plan Steering Committee’s meeting Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. The committee discusses town infill and agricultural subdivision and makes preliminary decisions about revisions to the draft plan following review of community feedback. Summaries of feedback received during the March-June public review period are available at kaucdp.info.
Steering Committee members’ contact information is also available on the website.

KILAUEA’S NIGHT SKIES: An Artist’s Perspective is the topic at After Dark in the Park on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Kent Olson presents the night skies over Kilauea Volcano in a new perspective.

Utilizing the current lava lake within Halema`uma`u Crater as a point of reference, participants journey from the depths of the quantum realm to the edge of the cosmos.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf.

Hurricane Hilda is expected to reach Ka`u as a tropical storm late Thursday, but rain and winds could begin earlier.
Map from Weather Underground

KA`U’S STATE SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN joined Ka`u residents in support of a bill that would limit county use of herbicides. Ruderman and Ka`u residents testified at last Tuesday’s Hawai`i County Council Environmental Management Committee meeting.

“There’s never been studies proving the long-term safety of these chemicals,” Ruderman said. “Glyphosate in particular has been famous for decades as being safe and having no effect in humans based mostly on a marketing campaign. But it has huge effects on our gut flora, and as some of you may know, our gut flora are essential to our protein synthesis and our overall health. I’m pro-science; I’m a biologist by training.

State Sen. Russell Ruderman spoke in support
of limiting county use of herbicides.
Image from Hawai`i County

“I’ve been very influenced by the work of senior MIT researcher Dr. Stephanie Seneff. If any of you are really interested in the science of chemicals, her work is online, and she has identified the correlation between the exponential rise in the use of glyphosate in particular over the last 15 years in our county, with the exponential rise in autism, food intolerance, liver and kidney disease, birth defects and cancer.
“Since there’s no long-term studies, the fact is, we are the experiment. Let’s take a look at how the experiment’s going. We can compare the experiment in the United States to what’s happened in the European Union, where there’s been no such exponential rise in the use of glyphosate, and there has been no exponential rise in autism and these other diseases. That’s the control group. We’re the experimental group; they’re the control group. The effects are very clear.
“If you guys haven’t been aware of the exponential rise in these diseases, it’s right there for you to see. The correlation is greater than 99 percent, meaning the scientific chance of this being a coincidence is much less than one percent. That’s called proof. That is science. It’s inconvenient sometimes. The World Health Organization agrees, by the way.

“I don’t oppose any chemical use whatsoever. I think that the targeted, cautious use when there is great benefit is appropriate, but that’s very different from the indiscriminate, widespread, ongoing use of chemicals as if they were safe.

“The alternatives are not more expensive. Ground covers, for example, would end up having less ongoing cost. …
“There’s a worldwide trend to protect people in reduced exposure of chemicals, particularly glyphosate. Please show leadership and courage, and make the simple choice to side with protecting people instead of protecting chemical companies.”
Ka`u residents who spoke in support Kohala Council member Margaret Wille’s Bill 71 included Olivia Ling, Paul Komara, Steven Chun, Samantha Shurline and James Long. Ling said, “It’s your job to stop poisoning Hawai`i” and asked, “Is it appropriate to use taxpayers’ money to buy poison?” Shurline said that the bill, which would be effective in July 2016, “needs to start now, not a year from now.” Long-time gardener James Long said he has never used any glyphosate-based products and that he has shown neighbors how to grow plants without them.
An archived video of the meeting is available at hawaiicounty.gov.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Hilda's winds will be at tropical storm speed upon arrival in Ka`u.
Graph from NOAA

HURRICANE HILDA IS CARVING A PATH that brings it to South Point late Thursday, according to Central Pacific Hurricane Center’s most recent projections. Earlier today, its track showed landfall at Pahala, but CHPC move the forecast path further south. Also, it was earlier expected to be a tropical depression at landfall but has now been upgraded to have tropical storm-force winds.

Hawai`i Emergency Management Agency, local emergency management and civil defense agencies and federal and state partners continue coordination efforts with the National Weather Service for Hurricane Hilda, which is currently 395 miles southeast of Hilo.
Expected impacts associated with Hilda include potentially heavy rains closer to the center of the system, thunderstorms and gusty winds. Hawai`i residents and visitors are asked to continue to follow local reports for the latest information on Hilda and be aware of flood safety recommendations. Tips can be found at floodsmart.gov.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

TODAY, U.S. SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ announced his support of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action that regulates Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Congress is currently considering the plan announced recently by Pres. Barack Obama.
“After multiple readings, numerous briefings with officials, discussions with experts outside of government, consultations with my constituents and my colleagues, I am satisfied that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is the best approach to deny Iran a nuclear weapon and place its nuclear program under strict international supervision …,” Schatz said.

Sen. Brian Schatz

“Before Iran receives any sanctions relief, we will have extended its breakout time — the time required to produce one bomb’s worth of fissile material — from about two or three months today, to more than a year. Iran will reduce its stockpile of fissile material by 98 percent and its operating centrifuges by two-thirds. That means they will go from having enough nuclear material for several bombs to not even having enough to make one. The core of the Arak Heavy Water reactor will be dismantled and the reactor redesigned so that Iran will not have a plutonium pathway to the bomb.

“While there are legitimate concerns about the agreement, we must remember this plain fact: there is no other alternative that achieves these results. We do not have the luxury of being able to pick this deal apart. The United States negotiated this deal with the other major world powers; and if we walk away now, the multilateral sanctions that the United States helped put in place to bring Iran to the negotiating table will certainly crumble. Our negotiating partners will see us as the intransigent one, lift their sanctions, and Iran will get economic relief without any restrictions on its nuclear program.
  “At some point, the United States would be forced to seriously consider military action to halt Iran’s nuclear weapons aspirations, having foreclosed diplomacy. But even though all options always remain on the table, there is no military approach today that achieves what this agreement does: shrinking Iran’s stockpile of fissile material and operating centrifuges to a level that will deny Iran a nuclear bomb for at least 15 years, with strict supervision to let us know if they are developing a bomb after that time. …
“In general, if we believe that Iran is in significant non-compliance with the agreement at any time, we can unilaterally request that UN sanctions be re-imposed, and neither Russia, China nor Iran can veto that request. If Iran cheats, we will know and have the ability to respond.
“This agreement should not be overstated in terms of its impact on U.S. priorities in the region. It is not as though we will abruptly find common cause with Iran. Iran is still the world’s leading state sponsor of terror, and nothing in this agreement will deter us from working to contain Iran’s regional aspirations, including its support of groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. But our efforts can now occur with a nuclear-armed Iran off the table.  
“Iran must never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon, and that is why I support this agreement. This is the best possible way to deny Iran from acquiring the bomb. It is what is best for the United States, Israel and peace in the region.

Caldera and Stars by Peter Anderson

  “This agreement should not be compared to an imaginary deal where Iran rolled over and eliminated all its centrifuges and all peaceful nuclear energy generation. That was never seriously on the table. It should be compared to its real world alternative — an unraveling of the international sanctions, Iran moving ever faster toward the bomb and our country left with few choices other than another war in the Middle East.”
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KENT OLSON PRESENTS THE NIGHT SKIES over Kilauea Volcano in a new perspective at After Dark in the Park tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Olson uses the current lava lake within Halema`uma`u Crater as a point of reference and takes participants on a journey from the depths of the quantum realm to the edge of the cosmos.

Call 985-6911 for more information.

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee meets tomorrow from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center to make preliminary decisions about revisions to the draft plan following review of community feedback about town infill and agricultural subdivision.
The public is invited to testify on agenda items at the meeting.

HOMELESSNESS IN HAWAI`I is the topic of a live-streamed session this afternoon at 3 p.m. Gov. David Ige and his Leadership Team on Homelessness discuss their progress following their weekly meeting. See gov.hawaii.gov.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

BUSINESS SPACE IS AVAILABLE for rent at the open location where Kama`aina Kuts and Styles by Elise are located in Na`alehu. Call Corrine at 937-1840 for more information.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf.

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH is in effect as Hurricane Hilda crawls toward Ka`u and Hawai`i Island. The 11 a.m. Central Pacific Hurricane Center forecast estimates the center of Hilda will pass south of Ka`u on Thursday. Steady weakening is expected through Thursday morning, and this morning Hilda diminished to 75 miles and hour, barely hurricane strength, with expectations of soon becoming a tropical storm. However, heavy rains and flooding remain a threat as the wet side of the storm is expected to hit Ka`u.

Though uncertainty remains for the storm’s track and intensity, maintaining vigilance and monitoring latest forecasts is prudent through the next several days.
The latest forecast is for tropical storm-force winds of 40 miles per hour or higher for portions of the area from Thursday morning to early Thursday afternoon. Depending on Hilda’s exact track, there is the possibility of minor wind damage.

The map issued early this morning projected Hilda passing over
Ka`u. By 11 a.m. the prediction changed to Hilda traveling south of
the Big Island, but sending in rain, possibly floods. Map from NOAA

Hilda is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of six to 12 inches over the Big Island with isolated maximum amounts of 18 inches possible. Very heavy rain is expected to arrive with Hilda on Thursday and continue through Friday. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
CPHC says now is the time to prepare. Secure or bring indoors any loose outdoor objects like lawn furniture, children’s toys, hanging plants, barbecue grills or any item that could become destructive projectiles in strong winds. Do not wait until it is too late.
Stay calm and keep informed. Closely monitor NOAA weather radio or other local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for warnings or changes to the forecast.
Be ready to evacuate if necessary. Heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders that are issued. Persons living near the shore should be prepared to evacuate quickly should building surf threaten.
Have supplies on hand and be ready for power outages.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

ALL BACKCOUNTRY AREAS in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will be closed as of 5 p.m. today until it is safe to reopen them. In anticipation of the heavy rain and wind forecast with the arrival of Hurricane Hilda, no backcountry permits will be issued until park staff reassess the storm’s impact.
In addition, Mauna Loa Road from Kipukapuaulu to the Mauna Loa Lookout, Namakanipaio Campgrounds and A-frame cabins will close as of 5 p.m. today. Visitor centers, restrooms, lava tube, front-country trails, steam vents and other popular features will remain open.

Dean Nishina

HAWAI`I’S CONSUMER ADVOCATE has joined other state agencies in rejecting the proposed $4.3 million merger of Hawaiian Electric Co. and NextEra Energy. “Applicants have not clearly demonstrated that the proposed transaction is in the public interest,” Office of the Consumer Affairs Public Utilities and Transportation Officer Dean Nishina stated in documents filed with the state Public Utilities Commission yesterday. “The applicants have provided insufficient detail and support for their claims that the proposed transaction will result in more affordable rates.”

Concerns expressed in the document include service quality, reliability and use of renewables. “My concern is that the applicants’ reliability commitment is unknown at this time and is contingent upon the commission’s approval of the merger,” said CA consultant Maximilian Chang. “Furthermore, the applicants do not intend to seek approval from the commission in establishing their reliability commitment. In effect, the applicants are asking the commission to trust their judgment. The applicants have not provided the commission sufficient information regarding their post-merger reliability goals or the associated costs of achieving these goals. Thus, it is unclear whether the applicants are truly fit, willing and able to improve the reliability performance of the Hawaiian Electric Companies.”
Regarding renewables, Chang said, “I am concerned that while NextEra does have a large renewable energy portfolio, almost all of the portfolio is associated with NextEra’s unregulated business and almost none of the renewable energy assets are located in Florida Power & Light, with the exception of 35 megawatts of utility-scale solar. Since it appears that FPL has limited experience with renewable energy resources and it is not known how the Hawaiian Electric Companies will interact with the unregulated NextEra Energy affiliates with renewable expertise, I am not sure how the merger will benefit the Hawaiian Electric Companies’ ability to meet the state’s aggressive clean energy goals.”
Other concerns expressed in the document include protections for low-income customers, charitable contributions commitments and NextEra’s two-year commitment to retain current employees.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Scott Morishige

SCOTT MORISHIGE WILL JOIN Gov. David Ige’s administration on Aug. 24 as the Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness. Morishige will serve as the state’s point person for homelessness, which includes leading the Hawai`i Interagency Council on Homelessness, staffing the Governor’s Leadership Team on Homelessness and working closely with Director of Human Services and the rest of Ige’s cabinet on its coordinated statewide plan.

Composed of state department directors, federal agency representatives and community leaders, HICH is tasked with providing solutions to end homelessness and strengthen the continuity of efforts to end homelessness across future state of Hawai`i administrations.
Morishige will be leaving his position as executive director of PHOCUSED, a nonprofit and advocacy organization for health and human services, where he is responsible for operations of the organization. He has managed multi-million dollar programs for the Hawai`i Community Foundation and Helping Hands Hawai`i.
Morishige holds a master’s degree in social work, child and family practice, from University of Hawai`i at Manoa. He earned a B.A. in political science from Oregon State University.
“Scott is an experienced nonprofit leader with a deep commitment to strengthening human services in Hawai`i” Ige said. “He understands how to develop and sustain programs, as well as the value of building and maintaining relationships to get things done. Perhaps most importantly, Scott has the knowledge and networks to step right into this vital leadership role.”
Morishige said, “I am excited to join the governor and his leadership team to address homelessness, which is one of the most complex issues facing our state. This is an opportunity to build upon the great work of service providers and collaboratively work together with them and other stakeholders to identify and implement effective solutions.”
A link to briefing on this week’s meeting of the Governor’s Leadership Team on Homelessness is at https://youtu.be/95XhKrYWdrQ.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Informational meetings about proposed rule changes regarding cesspools
take place this week. Diagram from DOH

HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH is holding two informational meetings this week on proposed changes to rules regarding waste disposal. Branch Chief Sina Pruder will explain proposed changes including amendments needed to implement Act 120, which involves providing a temporary income tax credit for the cost of upgrade or converting a qualified cesspool to a septic tank system or an aerobic treatment unit system or connecting to a sewer system. A taxpayer could apply for a tax credit of up to $10,000 for each qualified cesspool.

DOH is proposing amendments that would prohibit construction of new cesspools in order to protect public health and preserve natural resources. DOH is not proposing to require upgrades of existing cesspools in these rules.
Meetings at 5 p.m. are today in Kona Council Chambers at West Hawai`i Civic Center and Thursday in Hawai`i District Health Office Conference Room, 1582 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo.
DOH will not be taking testimony on the proposed changes at this time. Public hearings will be held at a later date.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee meets today from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center.
The public is invited to testify on agenda items at the meeting.
See kaucdp.info for more information and how to contact Steering Committee members.

KENT OLSON PRESENTS THE NIGHT SKIES over Kilauea Volcano in a new perspective at After Dark in the Park this evening at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

Call 985-6011 for more information.

Traditional uses of native plants are discussed tomorrow.
Photos from NPS

NA LA`AU IS THE TOPIC tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Ranger Julia Espaniola shares her knowledge and love for some of the island’s native plants and their traditional uses.

Call 985-6011 for more information.

KA`U SCENIC BYWAY COMMITTEE meets Thursday at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church. The public is invited.
Email richmorrow@alohabroadband.net for more information.

VOLCANO ART CENTER’S Niaulani Campus features British artist Banksy’s film Exit Through the Gift Shop with host Elizabeth Miller Thursday at 7 p.m.

In her film, Banksy, an ironic social critic and famously anonymous British street icon, introduces viewers to the underground world of street art and to some of the young people whose talent and methods have been noteworthy enough to earn the admiration of their peers and to catch the attention of the art world.
The film was a 2010 Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary Feature. A discussion follows, plus a look at some examples of Banksy’s art.
Call 967-8222 for more information.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

BUSINESS SPACE IS AVAILABLE for rent at the open location where Kama`aina Kuts and Styles by Elise are located in Na`alehu. Call Corrine at 937-1840 for more information.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf.

Central Pacific Hurricane Center advises Ka`u residents to be vigilant as Tropical Storm Hilda weakens on its path south of Hawai`i Island. Map from NOAA

HOW TO KEEP FARM LAND AFFORDABLE for agriculture was one of the main discussions at the Ka`u Community Development Plan Steering Committee meeting last night in Pahala. County planner Ron Whitmore noted that farmland around the island has been subdivided and that its market value is based on houses allowed. As more houses are allowed on farmland, the land becomes more costly to purchase. He said there are many examples of houses on agricultural land around the island with little farming going on.

The example of Moa`ula coffee lands where much of the famous Ka`u Coffee is grown by farmers who created a new economy after the sugar company shut down in 1996 was given as a place where subdivision is planned. The land has a Project Unit Development Plan approval from the county. It allows subdivision of the land in small coffee plantation-size units and also the construction of houses on the lots. The idea, according to Chris Manfredi who worked on the Project Unit Development approvals and spoke at the meeting last night, was to allow houses on each farm but keep the land in coffee around the houses. He suggested that CC&R’s – Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions attached to the deeds – could keep the land in farming.

Whether Ka`u Coffee farmers could afford to buy the farms became the question. Steering Committee member and state Board of Agriculture Board member Michelle Galimba said that she thought coffee farmers are at the stage in the development of their coffee businesses where they want to buy their farms.

How to keep farm land affordable was a topic at a Ka`u CDP meeting yesterday.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

John Cross, of Olson Trust, also a Steering Committee member, said that coffee farmers who in the last few years started growing on Olson Trust land at the edge of Wood Valley may also want to buy their farms in five to seven years, which could be done with a Project Unit Development plan. He asked that the Ka`u Community Development Plan have minimal restrictions on allowing houses in such a development. One control that could keep more land in farming rather than housing is a restriction on how many houses would be allowed based on water availability. The Steering Committee agreed to work on the issue, including that the water restriction be changed to allow for more houses.
Ron Ebert, a volunteer fire captain and steering committee member, said he was concerned about subdivision of land that would waive good roads and other amenities and stated safety as a concern.
Patti Barry, a realtor and member of the steering committee, said she supports the idea of CC&Rs being used to keep land in farming and also suggested that there may be a way to sell the land to farmers already on the coffee lands. She gave an example, however, of CC&Rs at Ocean View that require each landowner to keep 4,000 gallons of water on each property for drinking water and firefighting, a measure that is not enforced.
Planner Whitmore illustrated that CC&Rs can be changed over time by owners of the subdivided farm and house lots.
Regarding keeping the price of ag land down, Whitmore said that when waivers are made to allow substandard roads and avoid cost of basic infrastructure, and the land use becomes residential, residents commonly ask government for the improvements, and costs can wind up being covered by the taxpayers.
Whitmore said that various tools for making ag land accessible for farming have their advantages and disadvantages. Concerning Project Unit Developments, according to the Planning Department handout circulated last night, Potential Advantages include opportunity to own smaller lots for high-value crops and farm dwellings and more affordable lots due to lack of infrastructure. Potential disadvantages include speculative residential sprawl away from town infrastructure and services, loss of agricultural land to “gentlemen estates,” higher property values, higher taxes and future public costs in excess of tax revenue.
See more on the Ka`u Community Development Plan at kaucdp.info.
Another meeting will be held Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center when the Steering Committee will discuss special permits and development there.

TROPICAL STORM HILDA’S FORECAST PATH has moved south of South Point. The storm is losing strength quickly and will become a tropical depression before passing near the Big Island. Although Hilda will not hit the island directly, a tropical storm watch remains in effect, and a flash flood watch goes into effect at 6 p.m. Heavy rain is still considered to be likely the biggest impact from Hilda. With the center of the storm south of the island, the wettest and strongest northwest part of the storm has the potential to dump between six and 12 inches of rain, and 18 inches in localized areas, with winds up to 38 miles per hour.

To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

NEXTERA ENERGY INC. CLAIMS that its merger with Hawaiian Electric Co. will result in $1 billion in customer savings and economic benefits in the first five years, according to a story by Duane Shimogawa in Pacific Business News.

“As we are in the beginning stages of the PUC review process, we are confident we will find more common ground as we further demonstrate the strong public interest benefits of this merger,” NextEra spokesman Rob Gould told PBN. “To that end, our filed merger plan anticipates almost $1 billion in customer savings and economic benefits for Hawai`i in the first five years after closing, and we have already made commitments to customer cost savings, employees and community causes that compare favorably to other utility mergers. But what this story is really about is Hawai`i’s future — a more affordable, 100 percent renewable energy future — and we firmly believe that this merger represents the best way to get there.”
Gould’s statement follows Hawai`i Consumer Advocate’s rejection of the proposed deal Monday, saying the Florida-based company failed to prove that the sale would result in significant benefits to consumers.
In its acquisition application submitted to the Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission in January, NextEra said the merger would save customers about $60 million and that there will be no request for an increase in general base rates for at least four years following the closure of the deal.
See bizjournals.com/pacific.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Ka`u farmers can learn about cacao at an upcoming conference.

BIG ISLAND CACAO CONFERENCE, sponsored by Hawai`i County’s Department of Research and Development in cooperation with the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, is coming up Friday, Aug. 28. This all-day event is intended to bring together industry members, those interested in joining the industry and those who provide support services in order to build relationships and a comprehensive list of resources.

The conference begins with registration at 8 a.m. and includes a working lunch. There is no fee to attend this conference, but registration is required, and attendance is limited to 100. Register at http://bicacaoconferenceregistration.weebly.com
The agenda can also be found at the weebly site.
Email kiersten@hawaii.edu for more information.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U SCENIC BYWAY COMMITTEE meets tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church. The public is invited. Email richmorrow@alohabroadband.net for more information.

Volcano Art Center features British artist Banksy's film tomorrow.
Photo from VAC

VOLCANO ART CENTER’S Niaulani Campus features British artist Banksy’s film Exit Through the Gift Shop with host Elizabeth Miller tomorrow at 7 p.m.

In her film, Banksy, an ironic social critic and famously anonymous British street icon, introduces viewers to the underground world of street art and to some of the young people whose talent and methods have been noteworthy enough to earn the admiration of their peers and to catch the attention of the art world.
The film was a 2010 Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary Feature. A discussion follows, plus a look at some examples of Banksy’s art.
Call 967-8222 for more information.

ALOHA FRIDAY CULTURAL DEMONSTRATIONS are held each week from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Volcano Art Center Gallery’s front porch. This week’s offerings include lei making with Randy Lee. Free; park entrance fees apply.
Call 967-8222 for more information.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

BUSINESS SPACE IS AVAILABLE for rent at the open location where Kama`aina Kuts and Styles by Elise are located in Na`alehu. Call Corrine at 937-1840 for more information.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

More than doubling the number of monk seals on the main Hawaiian Islands is the goal of a newly released draft management plan. This pup was born in Ka`u in 2013. Photo by Justin Viezbicke

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN’S Steering Committee discussed alternatives for increasing access to small agricultural lots during its meeting Tuesday at Pahala Community Center. The committee will consider alternatives for the CDP’s final draft.

One alternative is changing State Land Use District designations from Agricultural to Rural. This would allow 1/2-acre lots, which are typically too small for viable ag lots. The draft Ka`u CDP Land Use Policy Map designates agricultural lands in Ka`u as areas to be preserved for agriculture and open space. According to Policy 39, development and construction in “Important Agricultural Land” and “Extensive Agriculture” areas shall be limited to agriculture, related economic infrastructure and cottage industries, renewable energy, open area recreational uses, and community facilities unless otherwise permitted by law.”

Map from draft Ka`u CDP identifies extensive and important ag lands in Ka`u.

Another alternative is a change of zone and standard subdivision. A potential advantage is that farmers could own smaller lots for high-value crops and farm dwellings. Such actions could result in sprawl away from town infrastructure and services and decreased affordability due to expense of infrastructure and services, according to planning documents. This option opens up the possibility of losing ag land to “gentlemen estates,” increasing property values and taxes. The draft CDP calls for no rezone that increases allowable residential density, improvement of “farm dwelling” enforcement and updating tax incentives for ag land.
Under farm subdivision, farm land is preserved and sprawl prevented, but farmers are not allowed to live on the property. Policy 44 of the draft CDP encourages farm subdivision.
Creating agricultural parks is another option. Potential advantages are that farm land is preserved and sprawl is prevented, smaller lots could be leased for high-value crops, lots would be more affordable due to lack of infrastructure and property values and taxes would remain unchanged. However, farmers would not be able to live on the property. The draft CDP supports ag park development.
Agricultural land trusts also preserve farm land and prevent sprawl while potentially creating land and dwelling equity in smaller lots and limiting impact on property values and taxes. A potential disadvantage listed in planning documents is the potential for village development away from town infrastructure and services. Policy 128 of the draft CDP states, “In those cases where agricultural land is of high value for particular markets in which Ka`u has a unique niche (e.g., coffee, macadamia nuts, grass-fed beef), the County should endeavor to protect that land for agricultural use and secure long-term tenure on that land for local farmers.”
Ka`u News Briefs yesterday reported on a sixth alternative, subdivision or Planned Unit Development with water and/or road variances, using Moa`ula as an example.
The Steering Committee holds another meeting Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center to discuss special permits and development there.
See kaucdp.info for more information.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

MAIN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS’ MONK SEAL population would more than double from the current 200 to 500 under a draft National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service draft management plan released this week. The plan calls for sufficient shoreline and marine habitat in the main Hawaiian Islands to support resting, pupping, molting, foraging and other natural behaviors of at least 500 monk seals.

The goal of at least 500 seals in the main Hawaiian Islands is one of the conditions in the Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Plan (National Marine Fisheries Service 2007) to consider down-listing the monk seal species from endangered to threatened status under the Endangered Species Act.
The Recovery Plan for the Hawaiian Monk Seal (NMFS 2007) identifies and lists the overall threats to the species. However, to develop a comprehensive plan for management of seals in the main Hawaiian Islands, the new plan separately identified and analyzed the primary management and recovery challenges for this portion of the population. Through discussions with NOAA Fisheries biologists, agency partners, workshop and focus group participants, community organizations, nonprofit groups, educators, Native Hawaiian focus group participants and the Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Team authors identified the following priority management and recovery challenges: infectious disease, fisheries interactions and entanglement, human-seal interactions, habitat threats and human dimensions, which the plan defines as management capacity, communication and community engagement, and public knowledge and attitudes that influence every aspect of monk seal recovery.
The plan lays out management strategies for each challenge. They include identifying sick or injured seals and reducing risk of disease, education and outreach programs, improved communication with fishermen, more effective community management and volunteer participation.
The intended time frame for implementing the Main Hawaiian Islands Monk Seal Management Plan is five years. Many of the activities in the plan are large-scale, so while some level of implementation may be possible under current circumstances, full implementation will likely require additional resources and partnerships.
Approximately 1,100 Hawaiian monk seals exist, with most of them living in the uninhabited Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The species was listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 1976.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Hilda is now a tropical depression, continuing to weaken as the storm
passes south of Hawai`i Island. Map from NOAA

HILDA HAS BEEN DOWNGRADED to a tropical depression and will pass far enough to the south of Hawai`i to avoid any wind impacts. However, the associated moisture plume north of the system may trigger heavy rainfall over portions of the state, especially over the Big Island.

A flash flood watch is in effect for Ka`u through 6 a.m. Saturday. Storm total rainfall amounts of four to eight inches with local amounts up to 12 inches are possible. Highest amounts are expected to occur along east and southeast facing slopes.
At 11 a.m., the storm was almost directly south of the eastern edge of Hawai`i Island.

To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

CHANGES IN NEW DIGITAL FLOOD Insurance Rate Maps for Ka`u and Hawai`i County are on the agendas of public information meetings next week. Doors are open from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., with presentations from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17 at Aupuni Center in Hilo and Tuesday, Aug. 18 at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s FEMA is nearing the end of a multi-year effort to update and modernize the Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Hawai`i County. The updated maps will help community officials and local residents better identify known flood risks, and when finalized, will be used for flood insurance, land use and development decisions.

Flooding is one of the major natural disasters in the United States. These maps can help residents make informed decisions about flood insurance options and flood protection measures.

Ka`u and South Kona residents can learn about new flood insurances maps
next week. Photo by Kaiali`i Kahele

The preliminary FIRM maps serve to revise and update information on existence and severity of flood hazards in Hawai`i County. The revised maps reflect the combined efforts of FEMA and Hawai`i County.
The maps will be available for viewing beginning tomorrow at Hawai`i County Department of Public Works Engineering offices at either 101 Pauahi St., Suite 7 in Hilo, 961-8327; or 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Building D, 1st floor of West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona, 323-4850. They will also be available for online viewing on the State of Hawai`i’s Flood Hazard Assessment Tool at http://gis.hawaiinfip.org/fhat. To learn how to view the preliminary maps using FHAT, click on the tutorial link provided on the Hawai`i NFIP website www.hawaiinfip.org.
Personnel from FEMA, DLNR and Hawai‘i County will be available to answer questions, concerns and provide information on the mapping timeline and appeals process.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U SCENIC BYWAY COMMITTEE meets today at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church. The public is invited. Email richmorrow@alohabroadband.net for more information.

VOLCANO ART CENTER’S Niaulani Campus features British artist Banksy’s film Exit Through the Gift Shop with host Elizabeth Miller this evening at 7 p.m. Participants can join a discussion and view some examples of Banksy’s art after the film.
Call 967-8222 for more information.

Randy Lee teaches lei making tomorrow.
Photo from VAC

RANDY LEE TEACHES LEI MAKING tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Volcano Art Center Gallery’s front porch in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Call 967-8222 for more information.

PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT PU`U O LOKUANA and enjoy an expansive view of lower Ka`u on a moderately difficult 0.4-mile hike Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Kahuku unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Call 985-6011 for more information.

KUMU AB VALENCIA and Halau Hula Kalehuaki`eki`eika`iu present Na Mea Hula (All Things Hula) on Volcano Art Center Gallery’s front porch in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and perform on the hula platform near the gallery from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Free; park entrance fees apply
For more information, call 967-8222.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

BUSINESS SPACE IS AVAILABLE for rent at the open location where Kama`aina Kuts and Styles by Elise are located in Na`alehu. Call Corrine at 937-1840 for more information.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf.

A member of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park's trail crew repaves Thurston Lava Tube's exit trail. NPS Photo by Tom Foster

HAWAII PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION has the authority to penalize utilities if they don’t comply with the state law mandating 100 percent renewable energy by 2045. Hawai`i is the first state to declare the 100 percent goal. According to Duane Shimogawa, of Pacific Business News, Mark Glick, administrator for the state Energy Office, said, “The one thing that sets the [Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative] apart from almost every program in the world, here in Hawai`i, all the key players and stakeholders, support the clean energy agenda. The most important thing for us is believing that it can be done economically.
"We’re going to demonstrate through our modeling and planning that we hope to work collaboratively with the utilities, and if that’s the case, it has every bit of weight as the current system.”

House Bill 623 sets goals of 30 percent renewable by the end of 2020, 70 percent by the end of 2040 and 100 percent by the end of 2045. Gov. David Ige signed it in May. While the bill lacks specific penalties for noncompliance, the PUC has the authority to hand them down, Glick told PBN. Glick said, however, he expects utilities to comply.

See bizjournals.com/pacific.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Lingering rain from Hilda could bring flash floods to Ka`u.
Map from NWS

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS in effect for Ka`u and Hawai`i County until 6 a.m. tomorrow as a tropical storm south of the Big Island moves west. Abundant moisture from remnants of Hilda will linger over the Big Island today and tonight. An additional two to four inches of rain may fall in some areas. Limited clearing this morning is expected to yield to locally heavy showers and thunderstorms by this afternoon, especially over interior slopes. This additional heavy rain today and tonight could produce excessive runoff, rock and mudslides in steep terrain and overflowing streams.

A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. The National Weather Service reminds everyone that flash flooding is very dangerous. Never enter areas where water covers the road; the road may not be intact and you could be swept away. Remember that it does not have to be raining heavily where you are for flash flooding to occur. Do not camp or hike in low areas or near streams when there is a threat of flash flooding. Monitor the latest forecasts, and be prepared to take immediate action if a flash flood warning is issued.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Thurston Lava Tube remains open during repaving of its exit trail.
Photo by Michael Szoenyi

IMPROVEMENTS CONTINUE at Thurston Lava Tube in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Originally scheduled to reopen today following replacement of an old electrical line, the exit trail leading out of Thurston Lava Tube will remain closed for another week while workers repave it.

The lava tube remains open, and the trail that leads into it is being used for both exit and entry. The paving project will repair the entire exit trail (about 700 feet).
The closed area extends from the far end of the lava tube toward the restrooms, which remain open. Escape Road, from Hwy 11 to Thurston Lava Tube, continues to be closed during the project.
Thurston Lava Tube, or Nahuku, is one of the most popular features in the park. Visitation is consistently heaviest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. To reduce congestion in the parking lot and lava tube, visitors are encouraged to enjoy it in the early morning or late afternoon.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act 80 years ago today.
Photo from wikipedia

ON THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY of Social Security, Sen. Brian Schatz introduced legislation to expand the program. The Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security Act would increase benefits for families in Hawai`i and across the country. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act on Aug. 14, 1935.  

“In Hawai`i, more than 250,000 people depend on Social Security, the most successful safety net program in American history,” Schatz said. “With the number of retirees growing, we need to do everything we can to strengthen it. Our legislation would expand Social Security and put more money in the hands of seniors who rely on it, strengthen the program for the next generation of retirees and make sure everyone pays into the system equally. After a lifetime of hard work, seniors deserve to retire with the dignity and benefits they have earned.”

The Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security Act would strengthen benefits by reforming the Social Security benefit formula. The legislation changes the method used to calculates Social Security benefits. This change will boost benefits for all Social Security beneficiaries by about $65 a month but is targeted to help those in the low and middle of the income distribution, for whom Social Security has become an ever greater share of their retirement income.
The legislation would insure that cost of living adjustments adequately reflect the living expenses of retirees by changing the way Social Security Administration calculates the Cost of Living Adjustments. To ensure that benefits better reflect cost increases facing seniors, future COLAs will be based on the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly. Making this change is expected to result in higher COLAs, ensuring that seniors are able to better keep up with the rising costs of essential items like health care.
The legislation would also extend the life of the trust fund by phasing out the current taxable cap of $118,500 so that payroll taxes apply fairly to every dollar of wages earned.
The legislation’s supporters include Social Security Works, the Strengthen Social Security Coalition, the Alliance for Retired Americans, AFL-CIO and the Kokua Council.
“We applaud Sen. Brian Schatz for introducing the Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security Act, which increases Social Security's modest benefits, including those of seniors, people with disabilities, children who are orphaned and others,” said Nancy Altman, President of Social Security Works. “In addition, by proposing a much more accurate cost of living adjustment, the legislation ensures that Social Security’s modest benefits will not erode over time.”  
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Na`alehu Spur Road customers will be without water Monday
morning and afternoon. Map from Google

WATER WILL BE TEMPORARILY turned off along Na`alehu Spur Road on Monday, Aug. 24 between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. for a service change-out. Upon resumption of service, water lines will be flushed and cleaned. Customers may notice turbid or discolored water and air trapped in plumbing.

Department of Water Supply asks customers to take any and all precautions to protect property and facilities, including disabling electrical power to pumps and other devices whose normal operation may be dependent on water pressure or supply and which might be harmed if automatically energized during the water shutoff.
For more information, call Cyrus Sumida at 929-9111.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U CDP STEERING COMMITTEE meets tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Ocean Community Center. The meeting will focus on community feedback and potential CDP revisions related to development in Ocean View and Special Permits on agricultural lands.
The meeting is designed to quickly bring the committee and others present up to speed and focused on the key issues and decisions. Members of the public in attendance will be able to participate in a review of the trade-offs associated with alternative CDP strategies and revisions. Public comment on agenda items is welcome.
Background information prepared to inform and guide the meeting is available at http://www.hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp/steering-committee/steering-commitee-meetings/august-15-2015-steering-committee-meeting/OVandSPinfopacket.pdf/view.

Kumu Ab Valencia

KUMU AB VALENCIA and Halau Hula Kalehuaki`eki`eika`iu present Na Mea Hula (All Things Hula) on Volcano Art Center Gallery’s front porch in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and perform on the hula platform near the gallery from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Free; park entrance fees apply

For more information, call 967-8222.

KAHUKU UNIT of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers free programs this weekend.
Participants learn about Pu`u o Lokuana and enjoy an expansive view of lower Ka`u on a moderately difficult 0.4-mile hike tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
On Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., a guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain focuses on the area’s human history.
Call 985-6011 for more information.

KA`U SUMMER BASKETBALL League championships are free to the public at Ka`u High School Gym on Thursday, Aug. 20. The women’s game begins at 6 p.m., and the men’s at 7 p.m. The Summer League started in July with six men’s teams and four women’s teams. Playoffs leading up to the championship game wind up Monday, Aug. 17 at Ka`u High Gym. Admission is free.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

BUSINESS SPACE IS AVAILABLE for rent at the open location where Kama`aina Kuts and Styles by Elise are located in Na`alehu. Call Corrine at 937-1840 for more information.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf.

Following Tropical Depression Hilda's drenching rains at Namakanipaio, the popular campground has reopened. Photo from NPS

PARK RANGERS HAVE RE-OPENED all previous storm-related closures within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park due to deterioration of Tropical Depression Hilda and a decrease in forecast wind speeds.

The backcountry areas and summit of Mauna Loa, the remote coastal sites from `Apua Point to Ka`aha, Hilina Pali Road and Kulanaokuaiki Campground, Mauna Loa Road and Namakanipaio Campground and A-frame cabins are now open.
Heavy rain is still expected through today, and park visitors are reminded to drive with caution.
Hilda, south of the state, has been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Ka`u residents can provide information for a cultural impact assessment
regarding Ninole and Hilea Bridges. Photo by Julia Neal

CULTURAL SURVEYS HAWAI`I INC. seeks information from Ka`u residents for its cultural impact assessment regarding the Ninole Stream Bridge and Hilea Stream Bridge replacement project. The purpose of the CIA is to gather information about the project area and its surroundings through research and interviews with individuals who are knowledgeable about this area. The research and interviews help when assessing potential impacts to the cultural resources, cultural practices and beliefs identified as a result of the planned project. Aspects on which information is requested include general history and present and past land use of the project area, knowledge of cultural sites, knowledge of past and ongoing traditional gathering practices in the project area, cultural associations of the project area, referrals of kupuna or elders and kama`aina who might be willing to share their cultural knowledge of the project area and the surrounding ahupua`a lands, and any other cultural concerns the community might have related to Hawaiian cultural practices within or in the vicinity of the project area.

Call 808-262-9972 or e-mail mliborio@culturalsurveys.com or amitchell@culturalsurveys.com.
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HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE URGE RESIDENTS to disregard stories posted on social media sites, such as Facebook, touting a 112 number as a means to contact police for information or help.
That number, 112, is the number dialed in European countries for emergency services and may or may not reach your local Police/Fire/Medical services on the island in time of need.
The only number that should be dialed for emergency assistance is 911. Any other non-emergency police assistance should be directed to the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Anyone with questions about this may call Acting Lieutenant Travis Ing in the Police Department’s Dispatch Center at 961-8808.
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USGS HVO geophysicist Ingrid Johanson measures gravity on the slope
of Mauna Loa. Photo from USGS

MAUNA LOA IS GAINING WEIGHT, according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists who explain how they know and what the implications are in the current issue of Volcano Watch.

“As part of our monitoring of subsurface activity at Mauna Loa, we recently conducted a series of measurements of the force of gravity at various locations near the summit caldera and rift zones of the volcano,” the article states. “Did that sentence surprise you? Most of us don’t think much about gravity, but when we do (as in, perhaps, cursing it when our cell phone drops to the ground), we don’t usually think of it as being different from place to place or from time to time.
“Actually, the force of gravity varies along the surface of the Earth due to many factors, all stemming from the fact that the force is stronger with greater mass, and smaller with greater distance from the bulk of the mass. These changes are generally quite small. For example, you will weigh less at the top of Mauna Loa than you do at sea level in Hilo, because Mauna Loa’s summit is 4,170 meters (13,680 feet) farther from the center of the Earth. But the difference — less than half a pound — is probably not worth the trip as a weight loss measure.
“How we use gravity to monitor volcanoes takes advantage of the knowledge that the pull of gravity is stronger when there is more mass beneath the spot where it’s measured. So when magma rises to shallower levels and accumulates in a magma reservoir (increasing mass), gravity increases at the nearby surface.
“If there is a large enough volume of magma and/or the depth to the reservoir is shallow enough, we can measure that slight change in gravity with a specialized instrument called a gravimeter. We use these measurements to help constrain the amount of magma and possibly the depth at which it is being accumulated.
“Usually, when magma rises beneath a volcano, the ground surface also swells (rises) in response to the increased pressure from below. Thus, when we measure changes in gravity with time, we must also measure the change in elevation to correct for its effect on gravity. Nowadays, the easiest way to do that is to measure gravity at stations in the continuously recording Global Positioning System network on Mauna Loa. Data from these stations are processed at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory to track positions for each site with an accuracy of a few centimeters (about an inch).
“The position differences over time recorded by the GPS network do more than just provide elevation changes for correcting gravity measurements. The patterns of surface motion are another window to the activity beneath.
“For a little more than a year, GPS stations on Mauna Loa have been recording a pattern of motion that indicates influx into magma storage reservoirs beneath the volcano’s summit area. The rate of the increase has not been steady, but rather seems to be happening in pulses, with lulls of up to more than a month interspersed with periods of faster inflation.
“Micro-seismicity beneath the summit area started picking up even before this most recent episode of inflation became apparent. As we’ve reported in recent Volcano Watch articles, the number of small earthquakes beneath the summit area has increased since at least late 2013.
“The deformation of the surface and the increased seismicity strongly suggest that Mauna Loa is indeed gaining weight, or in other words, that magma is accumulating at fairly shallow levels. The recent gravity survey is not easily comparable to measurements made around the time of the most recent eruption in 1984, but it forms an excellent baseline for future assessments.
“Gravity measurements complement the numerous other methods we use to track the movement of magma beneath the surface of Hawaiian volcanoes, including monitoring deformation with GPS instruments and tiltmeters, earthquakes with seismometers, volcanic gas fluxes with gas sensors, and temperature anomalies with infrared webcams and thermal sensors in fumaroles. Gravity measurements are unique in that they offer the only method of directly monitoring increases or decreases in subsurface mass.
“Our goal is to integrate all these data for a better understanding of the processes happening below the surface that lead to eruptions, with the hope that this will ultimately lead to better forecasts of the time, place and magnitude of eruptions.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.

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A guided hike tomorrow focuses on the People & Lands of Kahuku.
NPS Photo by Julia Espaniola

PEOPLE & LANDS OF KAHUKU, a guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., focuses on the area’s human history. This is one of several programs offered at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit this month.

Call 985-6011 for more information.

VOLCANO RAIN FOREST RUNS are a week from today. Registration continues for the sixth annual event.
The Half Marathon begins at 7 a.m. next Saturday, followed by the 10K at 7:45 a.m. with the 5K at 8 a.m. All runs start and finish at Cooper Center on Wright Road.

Volcano Rain Forest Runs are a week from today. Photo from Sharron Faff

Keiki can register for free 100- or 200-yard dashes on race morning until 9:30 a.m. The Keiki runs sponsored by Kilauea Lodge begin at 10 a.m.
Volcano Rotary Club will be serving a BBQ Grill Lunch from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. for $9.
There will be entertainment for everyone with juggling, face painting and balloon animals, plus other craft booths, food booths, music and much more.
For more information, maps, FAQ’s and registration information, see volcanorainforestruns.com or call 967-8240.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

BUSINESS SPACE IS AVAILABLE for rent at the open location where Kama`aina Kuts and Styles by Elise are located in Na`alehu. Call Corrine at 937-1840 for more information.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf.

Volcano Art Center offers guided walks through Niaulani Rain Forest each Monday. Photo from VAC

A PATCHWORK SOLAR ENERGY project proposed at Hawaiian Ocean View Ranchos was the subject of much public testimony and discussion during Ka`u Community Development Plan Steering Committee’s meeting yesterday. Except for one person who said the project would provide jobs, all who testified at Ocean View Community Center opposed the project that would install arrays of solar panels on 26 mostly three-acre parcels in the ag-zoned residential subdivision. The company plans to sell electricity created by the solar arrays to Hawaiian Electric Light Co. State law permits such use on ag land as part of the state’s push for more renewable energy sources.

Residents expressed many concerns, including public safety issues. One resident said solar panels are fire hazards that contain lead, cadmium and chromium. Marta Randall said loose debris that could gather around the arrays could add to the fire hazard. She also questioned whether there would be a reliable means of shutting off power at the arrays in case of emergency. She said the project has the “potential of adding to large-scale fires” in the fire-prone area. Another resident suggested that the county put the project on hold and take mitigating steps regarding safety.

Ka`u CDP Steering Committee members discuss proposed options
with residents. Photo by Ron Johnson

Phil Sharkey asked the committee to warn the state about unintended consequence created by the law. He said the law allows energy projects without oversight and that hazards to endangered species are not being addressed.
Residents expect property values to lower if the project goes through. Linda Requinio said she “will have to endure an eyesore from her retirement home.” She asked, “Who will buy it?”
Craig Bishop said, “I’m sure an industrial use of such a magnitude was never envisioned.”
Another resident pointed out the lack of community input on the project. The plan “was formulated without community consent,” she said. “This committee has the power to add another layer” of oversight, she said, urging the Steering Committee to “be good stewards and do what’s right for the community.”
One resident questioned whether the project would be successful. “The energy may not be needed,” she said. “HELCO can only use what is needed. Because it is not needed, it would not be used.” She said HELCO often turns away power produced by windmills at South Point. She also questioned what would happen if the arrays are not needed. “Will the company remove the panels?” she asked and compared the situation where unused windmills remained at South Point.

Increased ground, air and light pollution were more concerns brought up.
Many residents expressed gratitude for a newly created policy in the CDP that addresses such unintended consequences. Policy 135 calls for use permits for renewable energy and other potential incompatible uses on ag land. Ka`u CDP Project Manager Ron Whitmore suggested changing zoning as an option. Changing from Ag to Rural at state and county levels would prohibit incompatible uses and eliminate danger of further subdivision of lots, Whitmore said. He also suggested adding other potentially incompatible uses to Policy 135, such as mills and major processing facilities.
However, Whitmore said it is too late for Policy 135 to effect the Ranchos solar project because of the time required to make changes such as zoning. If adopted, the policy would put more oversight mechanisms in place for future proposed projects. He said residents could pursue a range of other options outside of county jurisdiction regarding the solar project.

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HAWAI`I BOARD OF EDUCATION has launched a new initiative to allow the public to listen to live audio broadcasts of its committee and full board meetings.

There are three options for listening:

Call in using a land line or cell phone;
Join the WebEx meeting on a computer (speakers required); or
Listen using the WebEx app on cell phones.

BOE said listeners have experienced the best audio quality by calling in using a land line or listening over a computer that is connected to the Internet via a hard-wire (not wifi).
Generally, there are two to three meetings throughout the day. There is only one WebEx meeting set up, so listeners should be able to use the call and log in information to access any meeting while meetings are in session. Agendas and meeting material can be accessed on the board’s website.
A meeting-specific number and access code will be generated for each meeting. This information will be posted on the board’s website when meeting agendas are posted six days before the meeting date.
This program is only for listening to the meeting; it is not being used to accept testimony.
The next meeting is this Tuesday at 9:15 a.m.
For more information, see http://www.hawaiiboe.net/Pages/ListenLivetoBoardMeetings.aspx, or email boe_hawaii@notes.k12.hi.us.
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Online voter registration is now available. Image from Hawai`i Office of Elections

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN NOW REGISTER to vote online. The system also allows registered voters to confirm and update their records and to request to vote by mail. Users need a current Hawai`i driver’s license or state ID and Social Security number.

The 2012 state Legislature passed a law requiring the online system to be in place by 2016.
See elections.hawaii.gov.
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GUIDED NATURE WALKS through the rain forest at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village are offered on Mondays at 9:30 a.m. The one-hour, free guided walks introduce individuals, families and groups to the most diverse, intact and accessible old-growth koa and `ohi`a rain forest remaining in the state.

No reservations are required for groups of five or less. Donations are greatly appreciated. For further information, email: programs@volcanoartcenter.org

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in Hawai`i County Council meetings held at Council Chambers in Hilo this week. Committees meet Tuesday. Governmental Relations & Economic Development Committee meets at 9 a.m.; Environmental Management, 9:30 a.m.; Public Works & Parks and Recreation, 11 a.m.; and Finance, 1 p.m. Environmental Management Committee continues its discussion of a bill that would limit county use of herbicides.
The full council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m.
Meetings are streamed live at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings. Agendas are available on website.
Na`alehu State Office Building offers videoconferencing as a means to testify without traveling to Hilo.

Ka`u High Alumni & Friends return for their 14th annual Community Potluck
Reunion next Sunday. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI AND FRIENDS’ 14th annual Community Potluck is a week from today. Everyone is invited to bring a favorite dish to Pahala Community Center on Sunday, Aug. 23 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a day of fun, good food and live music.

The theme is Back to the Future. All attendees will be going back in time to their high school days to celebrate their sixteenth birthday. The Class of 1958, celebrating their 75th birthday, is donating a cake with 16 candles.
Chase Cabudol’s group will start the entertainment, blending old melodies and more recent ones. Makanau, led by Barbara Baruz and her daughters Sophia and Denise, will follow and take the crowd back to the good old days and stir up memories. Ernest Kalani will join in and add to the nostalgia. Pahala Kupuna Halau will be performing a few hula numbers. Others are welcome to join in and share their talents.
For more information, call Margaret Ann Cabudol at 928-8164 or James Yamaki at 969-6828.