The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park license plate can be purchased through the Department of Motor Vehicles and
raises money for the operations of the park.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK LICENSE PLATES are available from the Department of Motor Vehicles. They, along with Haleakala Plates, are the first specialty license plates in Hawaiʻi and feature colorful, iconic scenes from Haleakalā National Park and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
"We are proud to raise awareness of the first national parks in Hawaiʻi through release of these specialty license plates. We hope all residents will be inspired to find their volcano and support these treasured landscapes,” said Cindy Orlando, superintendent of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Superintendent Cindy Orlando sports the
new license plate that raises money for park programs.

The license plates were authorized by a 2015 state law to raise funds for resource protection and education projects at Haleakalā and Hawai‘i Volcanoes. The plates feature volcanic views and rare native species like the nēnē and the silversword. Sae Design, a Maui graphic design company, designed the plates as a donation to the National Park Service. The specialty license plate program will be administered by the DMV and revenues generated will be managed by Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association, a non-profit partner that supports six national park sites in Hawaiʻi and American Samoa.
The plates can be purchased with checks or cash only at $35.15 each with $18 going to the parks. The plates are prenumbered. They can be used on regular and electric vehicles but are without the EV designation that provides benefits.
"The specialty plates are a great way to show your state pride and support the protection of natural and cultural resources," said Natalie Gates, superintendent of Haleakalā National Park.
Other national parks that benefit from specialty license plate programs include Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Crater Lake National Park, and Yosemite National Park.

For more information on how to purchase a specialty plate, visit hawaiiparkplates.com.

Haleakala National Park plates are also available at Big Island
Department of Mtoto Vehicles offices.

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ROBERT K. MASUDA will become the First Deputy Director of the state Department of Land & Natural Resources, with state Senate confirmation. Gov. David Ige appointed him and he will start service on Friday as an acting deputy until confirmation by the Hawai`i Senate.

In his new role, Masuda will help manage, develop, oversee and implement initiatives, programs, and policies for DLNR’s eleven divisions, including DLNR’s implementation of the governor's Sustainable Hawaiʻi Initiative. Masuda previously served as DLNR First Deputy Director from May 2005-May 2007. He led DLNR’s efforts during two critical natural disasters and was the department’s representative for numerous interagency working groups. Masuda has more than 55 years of experience as an executive leader including top roles with the YMCA and the City and County of Honolulu.

Bob Masuda will lead the implementation of
the Sustainable Hawai1i Initiative.

“Bob is the right leader for the right time,” said Ige. “As second-in-command of DLNR, one of the key agencies developing sustainability and environmental leadership initiatives, I couldn’t be more pleased to have someone of Bob’s experience and dedication on board.”

DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said, “Bob is well known across the state as an inspirational leader with a passion for natural and cultural resource protection and education, and forestry and marine life sustainability. He knows DLNR well. We are fortunate and appreciative that Bob is willing to serve Hawaiʻi in this capacity.”

Since 2007 Masuda has served as Senior Advisory for Special Programs Development at the USDA’s U.S. Forest Service’ Institute for Pacific Islands Forestry. In this role he advised, consulted and assisted management and scientists with a variety of programs and projects related to inter-agency cooperation on multiple government levels.

“I’m honored to be returning to DLNR and happy to help continue its mission of protecting and perpetuating the natural and cultural resources of Hawai‘i,” said Masuda. “I believe my work on the local, national and international levels is very much in alignment with the governor’s and Chair Case’s vision for how we work through and improve upon the monumental tasks DLNR is responsible for. I’m excited to re-engage with many of my former DLNR colleagues and look forward to working with new co-workers who share my passion for protecting what makes Hawaiʻi such a special place.”

Masuda holds a B.S. in Applied Behavioral Science & Group Work Education from George Williams College, and an Executive M.B.A. from the University of Hawai‘i.

Pick up the August edition of The Ka`u Calendar delivered
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka`u, from Miloli`i
through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout
the district. See it online at www.kaucalendar.com

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Realms and Divisions of Kahuku, Sat, Aug 5, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This moderately difficult two-mile, guided hike on Kahuku Unit’s newest trail, Pu‘u Kahuku, explores the traditional Hawaiian classification system. Bring a snack for the talk story segment of this hike.

Ecstatic Dance, Sat, Aug 5, 2 – 4 p.m., Volcano Art Center. With Jo Caron. $20. 967-8222

Ham Radio Operators Potluck Picnic, Sun, Aug 6, Manukā Park. All American Radio Emergency Service members, anyone interested in learning how to operate a ham radio and families are invited to attend. Dennis Smith, 989-3028

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

A decade ago, this perched lava channel, which was as much as 150 feet (45 meters) above the ground, carried lava downslope from the Pu'u 'Ō'ō Fissure D vent during episode 58 of Kīlauea Volcano's ongoing East Rift Zone
eruption. The channel was the main path for lava between July and November 2007. Episode 58 continued until
early March 2011. Pu'u 'Ō'ō is visible at upper right. See story below. USGS photo by J. Kauahikaua, October 2007

EUCALYPTUS TREES ON 3,700 ACRES ABOVE PAHALA on Kamehameha Schools lands leased to an international timber company will likely be harvested, according to plans for the recently approved Hū Honua biomass energy plant at Pepe`ekeo. The Public Utilities Commission has approved the project to produce electricity and sell it to Hawai`i Electric Light Co.
A filing with the PUC says that "Hū Honua’s project involves agricultural activities that fall under the definition in HRS § 269-1, as it involves a commercial agricultural facility or pursuit conducted, in whole or in part, including plant production for nonfood uses, as well as the harvesting and processing of crops (e.g., eucalyptus). Specifically, it depends on the sustainable cultivation, harvesting, and processing of biomass feedstock, including eucalyptus trees in the Pahala and Pinnacle plantations."

Eucalyptus above Pahala is closer to being harvested with approval of the Hu Honua biofuel plant in Pepe`ekeo.
Photo by Julia Neal

Hū Honua's filings with the PUC that also point to Pahala state that "Independent consultant, Mason, Bruce & Girard, performed a due diligence review of the plantation forestry operations and reviewed several relevant resources and information, including the Road Easement documentation for the Pinnacle and Pahala properties, Hawai`i County Grading Permit and Grubbing permit terms and conditions, and Exemption from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the construction of two engineered stream crossings at the Pinnacle property," on the Hamakua Coast.
Another filing states that an "Ashford & Wriston law firm letter dated October 10, 2016, did not find any permitting requirements that would prohibit Hū Honua to continue forestry operations on the Pinnacle and Pahala properties."

The 2017 annual report Cambium Global Timberland, Ltd., released July 27, stated that the company, which is traded on the London Stock Exchange, plans to dispose of itS 3,700 acres of eucalyptus in Pahala and another 4,500 acres of eucalyptus at its Pinnacle plantation on the Hamakua Coast for more than $3 million.

The report sates that the "biomass energy company that is contracted to buy the plantations (Hū Honua) has settled its dispute with the electricity utility and has made a US $156,000 non-refundable payment of Cambium in return for which the purchase has until 31 July 2017 to close the transaction."

The report says that "Given the limited profitability of harvesting and exporting wood from Hawai`i, local buyers have been the only realistic option for liquidity."

The annual report also advises stockholders of problems with its Brazil forestry projects, including squatters camps that are to be evicted, economic and political turmoil and the costs of firefighting, insurance and security. Both the Hawai`i and Brazil plantations are classified as "discontinued operations."

Hū Honua, on its website, presents its "Guiding Principles, the driving factors that keep us focused on bringing our biomass power plant online:
"Ratepayers come first. Hū Honua is committed to producing electricity at a cost to HELCO that is less than fossil fuel sources so consumers can benefit.
"Jobs, jobs, jobs. Hū Honua will increase employment opportunities for the people of Hawaiʻi Island in construction, plant management and maintenance, and ancillary services such as forestry.
100% clean, renewable energy. Through a public-private partnership, Hū Honua will deliver clean renewable power to help Hawaiʻi meet its goal of 100% renewable electricity energy by 2045.
"Stimulate the forest industry. Hū Honua will maximize economic impact by revitalizing the forestry industry, including harvesting, hauling, processing, and replanting trees.

Architectural rendering of the Hu Honua Plant at Pepe`ekeo

Be a good neighbor. Hū Honua is making a long-term commitment to our neighbors by minimizing impacts related to operations and by repositioning an historic facility to serve the future."

See huhonua.com.

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The ongoing East Rift Zone eruption has seen a lot of
lava in the last decade. USGS Photo

WHAT WAS HAPPENING AT KILAUEA VOLCANO TEN YEARS AGO? That is the question being answered by scientists at the USGS Hawai`i Volcanoes Obeservatory in this week's Volcano Watch:
Kīlauea has now passed the one-year anniversary of the episode 61g lava flow reaching the Pacific Ocean. But what was this busy volcano up to a decade ago? Were things as dynamic then as they are now? Absolutely!
Slightly more than ten years ago—on July 21, 2007—episode 58 of the ongoing East Rift Zone eruption got underway with a dramatic collapse of the Pu'u 'Ō'ō crater floor. At the same time, new fissures opened high on the northeastern flank of Pu'u 'Ō'ō. These fissures unzipped the ground and erupted lava to the northeast as far as the 1986-1992 Kupaianaha lava shield, about 3 km (2 mi) downrift.
Activity soon became localized at the northeastern end of the new fissures. This vent, called Fissure D, produced a series of short-lived 'a'ā flows. By late August, the open lava channel feeding the 'a'ā flows began to overflow its banks. The overflows raised the enclosing levees to form a "perched" lava channel that eventually stood about 45 m (150 ft) above the pre-existing ground.

Pu'u 'Ō'ō in 2007. Photo from USGS

This feature was somewhat unusual in that it represented a cross between an elongate lava channel and a lava lake. Perched lava ponds or lakes are formed by a similar process, with periodic overflows raising the levees and elevating the pool of molten lava above its surroundings. This process has been observed only once with Kīlauea Volcano's current lava lake at Halemaʻumaʻu, but the phenomenon was common at summit lava lakes in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The episode 58 perched lava channel provided some interesting observations of "seeps," as they were called by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) geologists. The seeps, extrusions of sticky lava through the enclosing levees of the perched channel, produced short toothpaste-like flows adjacent to the channel.
Another early phase of episode 58 produced "rootless shields" south of Pu'u 'Ō'ō. These broad, gently sloped accumulations (shields) of lava are called "rootless" because they are not situated over primary eruptive vents. Some of the rootless shields collapsed over time, providing new insights into the formation and destruction of these structures. Similar structures and related lava flows have also been reported in Iceland and recognized in satellite images of Mars.
Lava from episode 58 eventually formed a stable tube system that extended to the southeast and reached the ocean on March 5, 2008. This ocean entry was called Waikupanaha, which was about 3.9 km (2.4 mi) east of today's Kamokuna ocean entry.
Episode 58 endured until March 5, 2011. It was significant in several ways, primarily for increasing our understanding of Kīlauea and its volcanic processes.
It was also the first East Rift Zone eruption episode to occur simultaneously with an eruption at the summit of Kīlauea—the Overlook vent and lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu, which opened in March 2008. Such synchronous eruptive vents separated by 20 km (12 mi) continue today. The two ongoing eruptions offer tremendous opportunities to study the hydraulics of the magma plumbing and transport system between the summit and east rift of Kīlauea.

Pu'u 'Ō'ō in 2007. Photo from USGS

Episode 58 ended when the shallow conduit carrying lava from the main reservoir beneath Pu'u 'Ō'ō to the Fissure D vent became plugged. This caused a back-up between Pu'u 'Ō'ō and the summit magma reservoir, providing another data point in how the two parts of Kīlauea Volcano's plumbing system influence each other.
Time-lapse images obtained by remote HVO cameras prior to and during episode 58 were compiled in a series of movies to illustrate Kīlauea in action. These short Quicktime files can be freely downloaded from the U.S. Geological Survey at https://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/621/ds621.pdf.
As the episode 61g lava flow enters its second year, HVO continues to track and study the dynamic processes of Kīlauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes. Only time will tell what the next decade will bring.

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GMO LABELING RULES are being finalized at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and fellow lawmakers have called on Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Purdue to ensure labeling standards are consumer-friendly, fair, and transparent.
A statement from Gabbard says that in July 2016 "Congress passed weak GMO labeling standards into law that create a confusing web of disclosure options, allowing companies to choose between on-package text, a USDA-regulated symbol, or an electronic or digital link (e.g., QR code)." While

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has long advocated in the U.S. House of
Representatives for labeling of GMO foods.

Gabbard has supported transparent right-to-know labeling requirements, "she strongly opposed the legislation signed into law because it undermines Hawai’i and other states’ ability to mandate GMO labeling, exempts many common foods from labeling requirements, and creates unnecessary extra steps for consumers to access basic ingredient information. The legislation also raised concerns by the FDA, as well as various environmental, food security, and consumer interest groups," the statement says.
Wrote Gabbard, “Nine out of ten Americans consistently report they want the right to know if their food is produced with genetic engineering, the same right held by consumers in 64 other countries. As the USDA works to establish a mandatory, national disclosure standard for GMO foods, we write to express our strong belief that USDA needs to meet consumer expectations, be consistent

with international standards and be inclusive of all Americans – including consumers without smartphones, rural residents and the elderly. We expect USDA’s mandatory GMO disclosure standard to apply to all GMO foods, including foods which contain ingredients like highly refined sugars and oils, as well as foods produced with new
genetic engineering techniques.”

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http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

A 2009 photo of an axis deer killed by a Big Island Invasive Sepcies Committee marksman.
Photo from BIISC

NO AXIS DEER IN KA`U is the declaration of Big Island Invasive Species Committee. A story by Tom Callis of the Hawai`i Tribune Herald this morning say BIISC "has declared victory in its effort to remove axis deer from Ka‘u, nearly eight years since they were introduced. Spokeswoman Franny Brewer said there have been no confirmed sightings of the deer since the last one was killed in 2012."

The story reports that it was the keen eyes of the public who reported seeing the axis deer, which can wreck havoc on farms and ranches and disturb native forests. Callis writes that "Game cameras were installed across 5,200 acres, capturing nearly 7,000 hours of footage, to ensure the deer no longer were present. Four were killed by hired hunters."

Introduction of the axis deer came with a helicopter pilot from Maui cooperating with hunters and ranchers who wanted more game on this island, where it is mainly wild boar, sheep, goats and turkeys.

Axis deer were lifted from Maui to Hawai`i Island for hunting.
The pilot, hunter and rancher were prosecuted and the elimination
of this invasive species began. Photo from mauiderhunting.com.

The axis deer are already established on Moloka`i, Lana`i and Maui where they run in herds and hunters go after them with bows and rifles. The Big Island would have offered a huge range of uninhabited land where the axis deer population could have exploded. Their ability to jump high would have diminished the work of conservation agencies that built multi-million dollar fences to protect areas of native species habitat from ungulates such as goats, sheep and pigs. Deer would have become another pest as they could have reproduced quickly. In 1868, introduction of a few deer onto Moloka`i led to the population growing to 7,000 within 30 years.

On April 29, 2011, an axis deer was caught on a game camera in Ka`u, after ranchers reported a deer sighting. Agencies joining together to eliminate them included BIISC, state Department of Land & Natural Resources, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, U.S.G.S., Three Mountain Alliance and The Nature Conservancy.

Anyone seeing an axis deer on Hawai`i Island is
asked to call 442-4036 or 933-3340.
Photo from redbubble.net

In early April of 2012, DLNR and BIISC announced the first Big Island killing of the invasive axis deer, without disclosing its location. Invasive Species Committee manager Jan Schipper, said, at that time, "We are not able to disclose the exact locations of deer we have sighted, or the animal that was shot, out of respect for cooperating landowners' privacy. We are mindful that trespassing and poaching are a major concern for some landowners." Schipper described a protocol to ensure removing the problem deer and examining the deer for disease.
A total of four were killed by the end of 2012, with none reported since that time.
After the illegal introduction of the axis deer to the Big Island, the state prosecuted and fined the hunter, rancher and helicopter pilot, under laws prohibiting the holding of game animals without permits.
Anyone seeing another axis deer on the island is encouraged to call 443-4036 or 933-3340.

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THE EUCALYPTUS FARMS ON THE HILLSIDE ABOVE PAHALA, and extending toward Na`alehu and Kapapala, would likely be harvested in blocks, not all at one time, according to forestry experts.
Harvesting "fields" separated from one another rather than clear cutting the eucalyptus all at one time would help control erosion and mitigate the impact on the view planes of the area. For the 3,700 acres of eucalyptus in Pahala, the harvesting could be spread over five years, creating a few jobs for Ka`u people.
The eucalyptus is on Kamehameha Schools land and is being sold to Hū Honua by an international timber company called Cambia Global Timberland, which has a land lease soon to expire.

Fires, drought and wind damaged the Pahala eucalypus farms that
may soon be harvested for the power plant, being built in
Pepe`ekeo. Photo by Julia Neal

If the sale finalizes and the timber goes to Hū Honua, the logs would be hauled from the Pahala area along Hwy 11 through Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and Hilo and up the Hilo coast toward Hamakua to Pepe`ekeo and the new power plant being built there. In addition to the 2,700 acres of eucalyptus in Pahala, the company would harvest eucalyptus grown on 4,500 acres at a plantation north of Hilo called Pinnacle, also owed by Cambia Global.
The lease on the eucalyptus farms near Pahala call for the cutting of the trees and the killing of their stumps before the end of the lease term. Whether Kamehameha Schools would open up the land for pasture, coffee farms, growing of koa - Kamehameha has a 55 acre koa farm adjacent to the eucalyptus, the replanting of eucalyptus or other uses is still to be determined.

The eucalyptus grown in Ka`u is considered far less valuable than the eucalyptus in Hamakua. A New Years 2016 storm knocked down between 50 percent and 60 percent of the trees here. The farms were also ravaged by drought, fires and other wind storms over the years. In addition, Pahala is far from any factory to use the wood and far from the Hilo port for export, making transportation expensive.
The quality of the wood and the expenses made it undesirable to sell to anyone but a local consumer which turned out to be a company wanting to burn it for electricity. Cambia said in its annual report, released July 27, that it was shutting down its Big Island operations.
According to the plan recently approved by the Public Utilities Commission, the Hū Honua plant could be completed in 2018, when the first eucalyptus harvest would be needed to make electricity for Hawai`i Electric Light Co.

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Ham Radio Operators Potluck Picnic, Sun, Aug 6, Manukā Park. All American Radio Emergency Service members, anyone interested in learning how to operate a ham radio and families are invited to attend. Dennis Smith, 989-3028.

Palm Trail, Sun, Aug 6, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop traverses scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer.

Painting with Peggy, Mon, Aug 7 & 21, 12 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. An ongoing series of acrylic workshops for all levels. $20. 967-8222

Volunteer Fire Department Meeting, Mon, Aug 7, 4 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033

Haku Hulu, Wed, Aug 9, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Local practitioner Pilialoha Johnson introduces the ancient Hawaiian skill of featherwork. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Backpack Name Tags, Wed, Aug 9, 3:30 – 5 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Grades K – 8 register Aug 1 – 8. 928-0312

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Internationally acclaimed musicians and singers come to Pahala to honor its diversity and historic
properties with a concert on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at Pahala Plantation House.

HAWAI`I INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL, the kernel of the idea beginning in 2009 with a concert for Ka`u Coffee farmers, students and villagers brought here by Amy Shoremount Obra of the Rusty's Ka`u Coffee family, has grown into a flurry of events this summer.
This year brings a rare concert to Pahala Plantation Mangers House on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. to help support efforts to honor the history of Pahala through preservation of its historic sites. The artists also perform in Hilo and Honolulu. The music ranges from opera to tango.

JP Jofre will play his tango compositions on the
bandoneon. He is one of the world's masters
of the Argentine instrument.

The Pahala concert will feature: Obra who is a New York Metropolitan Opera Soprano and daughter-inlaw of Lorie Obra of Rusty’s Hawaiian Coffee, Virtuoso Violinist Eric Siilberger, Esteemed Pianist Carlin Ma, Hawai`i Symphony Orchestra Cellist Sung Chan Chang, Mexican Tenor Manuel Castillo, Young Artist Mexican Mezzo-Soprano Sandra Aldaz Meraz, and World Renowned Argentinean Bandoneon Player JP Jofre.
The concert brings attention to the adjacent 60 acres at the old sugar mill site, which is now on the county Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission list for acquisition. It is the location of the sugar wall, an old store and the old bank which is now the Hawai`i Public Radio station building. In addition there is an effort to conserve one of the oldest houses in town, the Lupunui House. An ad hoc group of Pahala citizens advocating for protection of these historic sites is called the Pahala Historic Properties Alliance.

To help bring awareness to Pahala's history, Shoremount Obra and her musicians will offer an evening of diverse music, performing on Argentine bandoneon, piano, violin and cello, with tenor and soprano voices. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. See http://himfpahala.bpt.me

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REPORTED SIGHTINGS OF AXIS DEER have been shared on The Ka`u Calendar facebook page over the last 24 hours, following the announcement of elimination of the axis deer by the Big Island Invasive Species Committee. The organization urges anyone with any knowledge of seeing the invasive axis deer to call either 443-4036 or 933-3340.

Goats, sheep and sometime spotted horses in the distance are mistaken for axis deer. However, every sighting is valued by the BIISC team continuing to search for any axis deer that could remain, after years of making sure they are gone from the island.

Axis deer hunting is popular on Maui but bringing them to the Big
Island is illegal. Photo from mauideerhunting.com

On The Ka`u Calendar facebook, William Midgle reported seeing one a year ago in the Kahuku forest reserve. Candy Casper reported seeing one less than two years ago in Discovery Harbour.
The axis deer were introduced to the island by hunters, ranchers and a helicopter pilot illegally. Over the past six years, game cameras and human watchfulness have helped keep them out of the countryside. The deer are considered a danger to agriculture and nature as they compete with native wildlife and destroy farms and orchards.
The last confirmed sighting, according to BIISC, was in April of 2012 when the fourth deer was killed by a marksman, within a year after the first sighting on Hawai`i Island.

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TODAY MARKS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, "but defense of our democracy continues to be at risk of being, undermined," says a statement issued by U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, of Hawai`i.

The Voting Rights Act prohibits racial discrimination in voting, which is guaranteed by the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. It became law during the Civil Rights Movement, signed by Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson on Aug. 6, 1965.

Hanabusa said that earlier this summer she joined veterans of the Civil Rights Movement, voting rights advocates and leaders in the U.S. House to sponsor H.R. 12, the Voter Empowerment Act, "to protect voting rights and preserve our electoral system."

She said the bill will "modernize voting registration, prohibit deceptive practices and voter intimidation, and authorize assistance for states to protect the security of voter information and processes." She urges citizens to join the campaign: "Please stand with me as I call on my Republican colleagues to reject any effort to make it not just harder, but nearly impossible to vote. While many states are taking action to make voting even more difficult, I cannot, I will not, sit idly by while people are denied one of their most basic constitutional rights."

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Painting with Peggy, Mon, Aug 7 & 21, 12 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. An ongoing series of acrylic workshops for all levels. $20. 967-8222

Volunteer Fire Department Meeting, Mon, Aug 7, 4 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033

Haku Hulu, Wed, Aug 9, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Local practitioner Pilialoha Johnson introduces the ancient Hawaiian skill of featherwork. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Backpack Name Tags, Wed, Aug 9, 3:30 – 5 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Grades K – 8 register Aug 1 – 8. 928-0312

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Making fresh foods more available to residents through the SNAP program received $1 million
in funding, announced Sen. Mazie Hirono today. Photo from The Food Basket

FUNDING OF $1 MILLION TO BUY FRUITS AND VEGETABLES for Hawai`i Island consumers in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has been approved. Sen. Mazie Hirono made the announcement today about the SNAP funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Affordable, nutritious food is one of the basic building blocks for healthy families and strong communities," she said. “Today’s grant funding will help to expand access to more locally grown products for Hawaii` Island residents.”

As part of the grant funding, The Food Basket, Inc. will receive $500,000 to help increase the purchase of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables by SNAP recipients. In addition, Heritage Ranch, Inc. in Honaunau will receive $500,000 to improve access to healthy fresh local foods for low-income SNAP households, while increasing awareness and support for local growers and food retailers.This is a multi-year federal grant, not to exceed four years, with 2017 the initial funding award for both projects.
For more information about the SNAP program, click here.

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THE HEALTHY DIET TUTORIAL, written by Dr. Renee Joy Dufault, of Na`alehu, is online and will be the subject of classes in the Ka`u community. Healthy Diet Tutorial is intended to help improve birth outcomes for pregnant women and overall health of entire families.
Dufault said that the classes teach people "how food quality determines our health." She said that those who join will learn how to read food ingredients labels, survey current food supplies in their homes, and identify foods that they may want to stop eating. "They will learn how to choose the right foods for promoting good health," she said.
'What are the best sweeteners to use? What oils and fats would be relatively harmless rather than other?" are questions that will be answered, she said.

Dufault said that 16 parents involved with the Tutu & Me Traveling Preschool are already signed up between Pahala and Na`alehu and will be meeting weekly for a book discussion group. She said all community members are invited to join in.
One book discussion group, for which the book can be borrowed or purchased, begins on Aug 22 and each Tuesday through Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Parents Inc., in the Na`alehu Shopping Center next to the Will & Grace Store. The Pahala discussion group will be held on Wednesday mornings beginning Aug. 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Pahala Community Center. Meeting will continue through Oct. 25.

To sign up, contact Dufault at rdufault@foodingredient.info or attend the first meeting.

Dufault said that the content in the accompanying tutorial has been used successfully in three clinical trials to help college students and parents switch to a healthy diet while reducing weight, BMI, fasting glucose and/or blood inorganic mercury levels. An article has been posted in a medical journal. Another is in peer review, she said.

Her new book Unsafe at Any Meal has drawn positive reviews in Publisher's Weekly and other media. A book signing and presentation will be held at Na`alehu Library on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 4:30 p.m.

As reported in Publishers Weekly, Unsafe at Any Meal puts forth that "Each year, Americans consume hundreds of food products that contain truly dangerous compounds, including heavy metals, pesticides and other harmful additives ---with the blessing of the FDA. Why is this happening and why haven't you heard about it?"

Publishers Weekly states that DeFault, a former food investigator for the Food and Drug Administration, "provides the startling answers. While at the FDA, Dr. Dufault discovered that mercury - a highly toxic metal - was contaminating the plumbing systems of many food manufacturing pants. Upon further examination, she discovered that the same mercury was also evident in a number of processed foods commonly sold in supermarkets. When Dr. Default revealed these disturbing findings to her superiors, she was told to stop her investigation. Her continued efforts to raise the issue always met with a dead end, so she chose to take an early retirement from the FDA.

"Dr. Default then devoted her energy to making the public aware of the insidious dangers that contaminate our food. In 2010, she founded an organization of scientists to study the scope of this problem and has published numerous research articles on the topic with little fanfare. To expose what still seems to be a well-kept secret by the FDA, she has written Unsafe at Any Meal to provide consumers with the information they need to know," writes Publishers Weekly.

Dr. Renee Joy Default.
Photo from Food Integrity Campaign

Dufault became a medical laboratory specialist when she joined the U.S. Army. Following her four-year service, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning at University of California at Davis. She served the Navy for two years as an Industrial Hygiene Officer, before transferring to the Public Health Service where she served as an Environmental Health Officer. During 14 years at PHS, she worked at the National Institutes of Health, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Food and Drug Administration, in toxicology,

environmental health, and industrial hygiene.

After retirement, Dufault earned a doctorate in Health Education. In addition, she is the founding Executive Director of the Food Ingredient and Health Research Institute. She collaborates with scientists worldwide to conduct studies and publish papers focused on toxic substances in the food supply.

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THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU HAWAI`I CHAPTER, this morning, issued a list of five scams that target vacationers.
Group Photo: Group photo scams tend to be more common in touristy areas or near landmarks. Strangers will offer to take a photo of you and your group, but while you arrange yourself for the photo, the stranger will steal the camera. Travelers should make sure that they are approaching someone to take the photo, not the other way around.
Hotel Wakeup Call: Scam artists will call you in the middle of the night claiming to be the front desk and inform you there was a problem with your credit card. They will ask for a new card number or for you to give them the details again. Never give account information details away over the phone. If you receive this call, hang up and head down to the front desk in person.

Fake Take-Out: Although many hotels provide guests with on-site restaurant menus, be aware that scammers are known for sliding menus under doors or placing them within rooms by other means. These menus may be for fake restaurants or list fake contact details. When an order is placed, scammers will phish for credit card information. Avoid this scam by always verifying that a restaurant is legitimate. Check with the front desk or conduct a quick google search. Also, verify that a number is accurate before placing the call.
Disappearing Vacation Rentals: Scam artists may post fake vacation rentals and ask customers to wire a deposit or provide full payment. They will take the money and leave travelers with no place to stay. Avoid this scam by booking rentals through legitimate sources and never wire money. Be sure to always pay with a credit card.
Fake Booking Websites: In one version of this scam, scammers will create a website modeled after well-known services like Airbnb or Expedia, and trick users into booking a rental. A second form involves fake companies who will take your money upon “booking” but provide no accommodations in return. Travelers can avoid this scam by booking directly with a hotel. Make sure third-party booking services are trustworthy and verify the authenticity of their website.

Use a Rental Service: Rental services such as Airbnb, although not scam proof, have security measures in place to protect travelers. Travelers can read user reviews of properties and owners they may be interested in. By interacting with the owner through designated communication channels, travelers will have a verified record of interactions between parties. Most of these sites have satisfaction guarantees and/or processes in place to protect consumers.
Interact Face to Face: When arranging travel plans, face-to-face interaction may not be possible but video services like Skype provide a useful alternative. Travelers should ask owners to contact them via their video chat platform of choice to ask questions and to view the property live.
Google the Property: Get the address of a property and verify it existence through an online search. Make sure it is documented in photos and explore the surrounding area using Google Maps.

Check the Record: Verify the owner’s authentic ownership of the house or property. Scammers often list properties they don’t actually own. Check public property records (tax records) online to find out who owns a property.
Pay with Credit: Never pay in cash or wire money. Instead, book rentals using a credit card that will provide protections against scams. You will be able to dispute the charges should a scam arise.
Additional travel tips can be found on the Hawai‘i BBB website. Consumers who encounter any sort of scam are asked to report it using the BBB Scam Tracker to alert other unsuspecting victims of potential fraud.

Haku Hulu, Wed, Aug 9, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Local practitioner Pilialoha Johnson introduces the ancient Hawaiian skill of featherwork. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Backpack Name Tags, Wed, Aug 9, 3:30 – 5 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Grades K – 8 register Aug 1 – 8. 928-0312To read comments, add your own, and like this story, seeFacebook. Follow us on Instagram and T witte r.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Kamehame is one of the hawksbill turtle preserve owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, which owns and manages thousands of acres in Ka`u, including the Kamehame Hawksbill Turtle Preserve and Kaiholena, has named three new board members.

A hawikbill turtle with her nest at Kamehame.
Photo by Will Olsen/Hawksbill Recovery Project

Richard Zwern

Richard N. Zwern is worldwide director of WPP, one of the world’s largest communi-

cations and marketing services group. He served as chairman and chief

executive of Hill & Knowlton’s Hawaiʻi operation. Zwern sits on boards of Hawaiian Airlines, the Straub Foundation and the Hawaiian Humane Society, where he is a former chairman. He was recently named to the John A. Burns School of Medicine Dean’s Advisory Council.

Chris Kobayashi

Chris Kobayashi is a longtime coordinator of government and community relations for Alexander & Baldwin.

Dr. Alan Friedlander

Dr. Alan M. Friedlander is director of the Fisheries Ecology Research Lab at the University of Hawaiʻi. as well as chief scientist for National Geographic’s Pristine Sea’s Project, where he leads research efforts to help understand and conserve the last wild places in the ocean. Along with the Pristine Seas team, he was awarded the 2014 Environmental Hero Award by the Environmental Media Association and the 2016 Crystal Compass National Award from the Russian Geographical Society.

Ulalia Woodside, the Conservancy’s Hawai‘i executive director said, “We are honored to have the expertise and enthusiasm of three professionals with such a diverse range of experience,” said “All three value the environment and understand the contribution it makes to our economy and quality of life.”

Kaiholena preserve between Pahala and Na`alehu.
Photo by John Replogle

In addition to its work in Ka`u with the Kamehame Hawksbill Turtle Preserve and pristine native forests, The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than one million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide.

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KA`U PLANTATION DAYS offers a parade through Na`alehu on Highway 11 this Saturday, Aug. 12, followed by a gathering at Na`alehu Community Center.

Liz Kuluwaimaka and Darlyne Vierra, co-chairs of Ka`u
Plantation Days. Photo by Julia Neal

The parade begins at 9 a.m. from Na`alalehu School to Na`alehu Park. At the park will be food booths, arts and crafts, information boots, games, keiki photos by the police department. Special events include a Tug O War, Food Contest, lauhala weaving, arm wrestling, archery shoot, silent auction, horseshoes, Hawaiian games, lei making and Hawaiian medicine, says organizers Darlyne Vierra and Liz Kuluwaimaka.
Retired teachers who taught in Ka`u will be honored. The organization sponsoring the event is Ka`u Multicultural Society, with the slogan "Culture & Tradition Lives On."
Call 640-8740 or 339-0289.

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VOLCANO FESTIVAL CHORUS, a holiday staple for years, is practicing for another season.
Anyone who likes to sing and is interested in a holiday choir is invited to join. The first meeting is on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at Volcano School of Arts & Sciences, Keakealani (middle school) campus.
Rehearsals are on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Performances take place early in December. Volcano Festival Chorus is sponsored by Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network. For more information, call Suzi Bond at 982-7344 or Roch Jones at 985-7026.

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Haku Hulu, Wed, Aug 9, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Local practitioner Pilialoha Johnson introduces the ancient Hawaiian skill of featherwork. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Backpack Name Tags, Wed, Aug 9, 3:30 – 5 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Grades K – 8 register Aug 1 – 8. 928-0312.

Tango and classical music are among the offerings at the Hawai`i International Music Festival
concert at Pahala Plantation House on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Distance from North Korea to Guam, Alaska, Hawai`i and the mainland.

PRES. DONALD TRUMP CALLING OUT NORTH KOREA drew quick response from Hawai`i Sen. Brian Schatz on Tuesday and Wednesday. Responding to Trump's threat to meet North Korean threats with "fire and fury that the world has never seen," followed by North Korea's threat to fire missiles at Guam, Schatz pointed to the lack of positions filled in the U.S. State Department for diplomats and experts, particularly in Asia. One unfilled post is U.S. Ambassador to South Korea.

Sen. Brian Schatz calls for staffing the
state department as Trump threatens
North Korea.

Schatz tweeted, "This is a national emergency. And it's not just for Korea. We have this problem across the planet. No diplomats, no diplomacy." Another tweet from Schatz: "More than 80 jobs w/no nominee at State, out of 131. Arms control, public diplomacy, political-military affairs, diplomatic security, Asia."
Schatz posted one of the pages from an 11-page document listing positions filled and mostly unfilled at the State Department and tweeted, "receding from the world stage is not what America does. Those key positions are not just for a crisis but to protect our voice everywhere."
Another Schatz tweet: "This is either malpractice or malfeasance. We have dozens of key leadership positions in DOD and State across the globe with no nominee."

Schatz also looked to the 2018 election: "Let's win the 2018 election cycle and take our country back." And to 2020: "It would be excellent to have a President experienced in foreign policy and government leadership next time."

In the near term, he recommended that Congress should "quickly move" on Asia-related nominations for Department of State and Department of Defense; clarify Asian policy in the National Defense Authorization Act, which funds the Armed Services; fund diplomacy; and "fund Asia rebalance." He urged the administration to ask professionals with knowledge of Asia what they think. "This is too serious for cable partisan punditry from campaign flacks."

Schatz stated: "We are fortunate to have a United States Pacific Command "PACOM Commander and U.S. Forces Korea Commander with lots of wisdom and experience. We should listen to them."

Just after Trump yesterday warned North Korea to "best not make any more threats to the U.S. They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen," Schatz responded, "This is unwise. We need Ambassador to South Korea, Secretary for East Asia Affairs, and Secretary for Asian Pacific Security Affairs sent to Senate now," for confirmation.

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AUGUST IS NATIONAL WATER QUALITY MONTH, and "the people of Hawai'i understand the importance of clean and healthy water resources. Unfortunately, 52 percent of America's national parks have waterways considered impaired under the Clean Water Act, meaning they do not meet appropriate water quality standards," says U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa in a statement released today.
"Protecting our natural resources goes hand-in-hand with protecting our future. Healthy people, healthy parks and healthy communities depend on healthy clean water.
"As Ranking Member of the Federal Lands Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee, I am fully committed to protecting our nation's water quality and restoring water quality in our national parks.

"As residents of an island state, we all know the importance of protecting our state's water quality. I hope you will join me in recognizing National Water Quality Month and doing your part to keep Hawai`i's water clean."
The American Water Works Association, through its DrinkTap.org released the following reminder:
"We are very fortunate in the United States that most of us have easy access to safe tap water, and that’s because of the thousands of water systems working hard to make that happen. "Our tap water is safe because water utilities are required to meet the standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The SDWA not only protects our drinking water supply but also the sources of our drinking water supply.
"To keep our tap water safe, water utilities are required to monitor for almost 100 contaminants regularly. The SDWA requires EPA to identify contaminants that need to be regulated in drinking water and also to set limits for those contaminants.

"Because nearly all of our water utilities meet the regulatory standards set by EPA, we can feel secure knowing that our tap water is safe.
"The SDWA also requires water utilities to provide their customers with a Consumer Confidence Report, which is an annual report on local tap water quality. A CCR details what contaminants, if any, are detected and at what levels they are at locally. Customers must receive their CCR by July 1 each year. If you haven't received yours yet, contact your local water utility."
Go to www.drinktap.org to visit Local Water webpages and the What’s In My Water? section to learn more about water quality.

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RED CROSS VOLUNTEER MEETING, Thursday, Aug. 10, 7 p.m. at HOVE Road Maintenance Corp. office. Hannah Uribes 929-9953.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST, SATURDAY, AUG. 12, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Ocean View Community Center. 9389-7033.

KA`U PLANTATION DAYS, with the theme Culture and Tradition Lives on, starts with a parade from Na`alehu School to Na`alehu Park on Highway 11 this Saturday, Aug. 12 at 9 a.m, followed by a gathering at Na`alehu Community Center and park.

The day features food booths, arts and crafts, information booths, games, keiki photos by the police department, tug O war, food contest, lauhala weaving, arm wrestling, archery shoot, silent auction, horseshoes, Hawaiian games, lei making and Hawaiian medicine.

Free, call Ka`u Multicultural Society's Darlyne Vierra or Liz Kuluwaimaka at 640-8740 or 339-0289. Retired teachers who taught in Ka`u will be honored.

THE 2017 JAZZ IN THE FOREST SUMMER SERIES continues on Saturday, Aug. 12 with two performances, at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. The performance is called The Odyssey of Saxy Jazz!

The evening explores evolution of the American jazz saxophone from the beginning of the 1900’s in New Orleans, through the roaring Dixieland times of jazz, and up the Mississippi River to Chicago with exciting stops along the way, includingKansas City. The Odyssey of Saxy Jazz! highlights the historic diversions as America opened up on the East and West coasts with the creation of many styles and personalities.
Sax soloists such as Sidney Bechet, Frank Trumbauer, Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderley, Stan Getz, John Coltrane, and Ornette Coleman, and many others contributed to the path of jazz in big bands as well as small musical combos, as society changed and audiences kept on dancing to different beats.
Jazz in the Forest takes place at the Volcano Art Center campus on Old Volcano Highway. The Wine and Beer Room will be open for attendees to enjoy before and after the concert. An area is set aside for dancing. Tickets are $18 for VAC members, $20 non-members. For more information or to register call Volcano Art Center at 808-967-8222

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Tango and classical music are among the offerings at the Hawai`i International Music Festival concert at Pahala Plantation House on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Rodrigo Romo, PICES program manager ,will give a talk on using Hawaiian basalt as construction
materials simulant for use on the moon and Mars. Photo from PICES

HAWAIIAN BASALT VOLCANIC ROCK could be used for construction on the moon and Mars. To test them, Hawaiian basalt found on this island can be employed for experimentation, says
Rodrigo Romo, Program Manager at PICES - the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems. He will give a presentation on the subject at Imiloa in Hilo on Friday, August 18 at 7 p.m.
Romo explains that basalt is a volcanic rock formed from the rapid cooling of basaltic lava. Volcanoes in Hawai‘i primarily erupt basalt, and have a relatively high fluidity that favors the formation of lava flows. “We have conducted chemical analysis on the composition of Hawaiian basalt using samples collected at various locations on Hawai‘i Island,” says Romo. “We’ve found that some of these samples closely resemble lunar regolith (fine dust) in composition. This makes our local basalt an ideal lunar simulant, and we are using it to research how we can harness the basalt found on the Moon as a construction material.”

PICES Rover, developed to help with construction on a moon or
other planet. Photo from PICES

PISCES has been involved in researching various methods through which Hawaiian basalt can be utilized to produce quality construction materials. This work has been done in collaboration with NASA and Honeybee Robotics, and has led to various research proposals that are currently being evaluated. In his talk, Romo will present an update of the work being done in this field of study.
Romo originates from Guadalajara, Mexico where he obtained his degree in Chemical Engineering. He joined PISCES in 2014 as a Project Manager and has over 25 years of experience in Project Management. He has been interested in space exploration and the development of sustainable materials ever since his experience as a crewmember during Biosphere 2’s second manned mission in the Arizona desert in 1994.
Maunakea Skies presentations are held on the third Friday of each month. General admission tickets are $10, $8 for members (member level discounts apply). Pre-purchase tickets at ‘Imiloa’s front desk or by phone at 808-932-8901.

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Raise money for Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes
National Park by entering the "Zero-Mile Event"
at the Rain Forest Runs.

A ZERO MILE fundraising event across the Volcano Rainforest Runs Finish line on Sat. Aug. 18, will bring income to Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. It will also celebrate the organization's 20-year anniversary.
A statement from Friends invites people to "Walk, roll or crawl across the finish line and receive a beautiful medal celebrating Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park's 20 Year Anniversary. Every participant who can traverse the entire zero mile (about 15 feet) through the finish line to a cheering crowd, will receive a Friends' medal. Medals cannot be purchased, you must register and be present to receive."
The fundraiser takes place at Cooper Center in Volcano Village at the race place. Donations to enter are $20 for adults, $10 for those 14 and younger and free for children in strollers. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Friends will have a booth at the Rainforest Run/Zero Mile with new merchandise for sale. We now have keiki sizes, including babies, along with 10 color choices. The booth will be open from 8am - 3pm on August 19 - stop by and see us.

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THE FEDERAL CLIMATE CHANGE REPORT draft, released this week, should be taken seriously, says Sen. Brian Shatz. It's entitled the U.S. Global Change Research Program Climate Change Special Report.

Hawai`i is is one of the many places in the U.S. where the average annual temperature rose
between 1986 and 2016. Image from U.S. Global Change Research Program Climate Change Special Report.

Said Schatz, “This report confirms what we already know: climate change is real, it is caused by people, and we need to do something about it. The federal government should not suppress or deny these facts, nor should it try to silence government scientists. Instead, our leaders need to come together to raise the alarm and find a way forward. Congress should lead the way, and we can start by looking at carbon fee proposals as part of tax reform.”
The report states that "Since the Third U.S. National Climate Assessment was published in May 2014, stronger evidence has emerged for continuing, rapid, human-caused warming of the global atmosphere and ocean......The last few years have also seen record-breaking, climate-related weather extremes, the three warmest years on record for the globe and continued decline in arctic sea ice. These trends are expected to continue in the future over climate (multidecadal) timescales.....Since 1980, the cost of extreme events for the United States has exceeded $1.1 trillion, therefore better understanding of the frequency and severity of these events in the context of a changing climate is warranted."

This graphical representation shows how natural and human activity contributes to chemical composition changes

in the atmosphere leading to climate change.

Image from U.S. Global Change Research Program Climate Change Special Report.

The report also shows extreme concern for the arctic ice melting, rising see levels, and warming oceans raising air temperatures. It advises that "Choices made today will determine the magnitude of climate change risks beyond the next few decades."

Schatz points out that the draft of a federal climate report was authored by scientists in 13 federal agencies. "As expected, its conclusions are at odds with the Trump administration’s views. I am deeply concerned the Trump administration is going to try to sabotage this report to prevent the American people from learning the truth about climate change," says the Hawai`i U.S. Senator.

Schatz concludes that "With this report at the White House for review, now is the best time to make your voice heard. Add your name to tell the Trump administration not to shut down the federal government’s new climate change report. The American people deserve to hear the facts that the federal government has collected about climate change. We must resist any attempt to dismiss climate change, and we cannot allow the Trump administration to cover up ideas they disagree with by burying this report. I fundamentally believe climate change is one of the most important issues facing our immediate future and generations to come. I hope I can count on your energy and effort in this moment."

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PANCAKE BREAKFAST, SATURDAY, AUG. 12, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Ocean View Community Center. 9389-7033.

KA`U PLANTATION DAYS begins with a parade from Na`alehu School to Na`alehu Park on Highway 11 this Saturday, Aug. 12 at 9 a.m, followed by a gathering at Na`alehu Community Center and park.
There will be food booths, arts and crafts, information booths, games, keiki photos by the police department, tug o war, food contest, lauhala weaving, arm wrestling, archery shoot, silent auction, horseshoes, Hawaiian games, lei making and Hawaiian medicine.
Free, call Ka`u Multicultural Society's Darlyne Vierra or Liz Kuluwaimaka at 640-8740 or 339-0289. Retired teachers who taught in Ka`u will be honored.

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JAZZ IN THE FOREST SUMMER SERIES continues Saturday, Aug. 12 at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. The performance is called The Odyssey of Saxy Jazz!
The evening explores evolution of the American jazz saxophone and highlights the historic diversions as America opened up on the East and West coasts with the creation of many styles and personalities. Jazz in the Forest takes place at the Volcano Art Center campus on Old Volcano Highway. The Wine and Beer Room will be open for attendees to enjoy before and after the concert. An area is set aside for dancing. Tickets are $18 for VAC members, $20 non-members. For more information or to register call Volcano Art Center at 808-967-8222.

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Tango and classical music are among the offerings at the Hawai`i International Music Festival concert at Pahala Plantation House on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Sen. Mazie Hirono attended the graduation of the Naval Shipyard Apprentices on Friday and said she will
advocate for shipyard improvements across the country, including Pearl Harbor. US Navy Photo

HAWAI`I'S SHIPYARD WORKFORCE gained support from Sen. Mazie Hirono today. The Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, Hirono reaffirmed her commitment to supporting Hawai`i’s shipyard workforce at today’s Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Apprenticeship Program graduation ceremony. More than 80 Shipyard Apprentices graduated.

Hirono speaks to a 2017 Shipyard apprentice graduate Justiny M.C. Alimoot.

“Given what’s going on in the world today, the work you’ve been training to do is very important,” said Hirono. “We need workers like you to maintain, repair, and overhaul the ships and submarines in our fleet. I will continue to work together with our delegation to make sure that Pearl Harbor Shipyard remains a strong and vital part of our national security.”

Hirono said she continues to strongly advocate for federal funding to support the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and the modernization of shipyards across the nation.

Earlier this year, she worked with Hawai`i’s Congressional Delegation and others to exempt Navy shipyard civilian employees from the recent executive order that freezes federal hiring –preventing hiring delays that could threaten national security.

The Senator was joined at the Friday event by members of Hawai`i’s Congressional Delegation, Sen. Brian Schatz and Rep. Colleen Hanabusa.

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HAWAI`I'S ECONOMY CONTINUES TO GROW, but at a slower rate, according to a state Department of Business and Economic Development's Statistical and Economic Report for the third quarter. The report, based on U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data, said that following a 2 percent per year grows during 2015 and 2016, growth slowed to .9 percent for the first quarter of this year.

Luis Salveria, director of DBEDT said, “Hawai`i’s economic fundamentals are still positive, although growth has slowed down. We have the second lowest unemployment rate in the nation during the first half of 2017, and our visitor industry is performing well, with 4.6 million visitor arrivals during the first half of the year.” The unemployment rate during June was 2.7 percent, about .4 percent lower than last June. Employment and the number of people in the labor force reached an historic high during the first six months of 2017. Visitor arrivals are projected to increase by 3.2 percent this year.

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THERMAL CAMERAS KEEP A COOL EYE ON HOT LAVA, reports scientists with the USGS Hawai`i Volcano Obersvatory in this week's Volcano Watch:

Thermal cameras have been used by volcanologists around the world for many years to study volcanic processes and search for signs of impending eruptions.

On Kīlauea, data from thermal cameras are used to track the level and movements of the summit lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu. This helps us better understand lake behavior and the inner workings of the volcano. Insights gained from thermal images continue to teach us how molten lava erupts, degasses and, over geologic time, changes the landscape.

Thermal cameras work by measuring energy in the long-wave infrared part of the emitted light spectrum (8–14 micrometers). That energy is translated into a temperature value using principles of physics.

Side-by-side images from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s Thermal Web Camera (HTcam) located on the rim of Halemaʻumaʻu before (left) and after (right) lava veneer from the vent wall fell into the lake on July 28, 2017. The collapse scar is circled at right. You can follow the changing lava lake activity, as seen through the eyes of a thermal camera, on HVO’s website at https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/captures/kilauea/htcam.jpg. USGS images

Included with this article are two recent thermal images of Kīlauea Volcano’s summit lava lake. Colors correspond to surface temperatures: darker colors indicate cooler surfaces and lighter colors represent molten and recently solidified lava.

The scale at right does not reflect true temperatures due to a variety of factors, including the obscuring effects of volcanic fume. Actual lava temperatures for the hottest areas in these images would be about 1150 degrees Celsius (2100 degrees Fahrenheit). But, relative temperatures are still correct. Hot is hot!

The field of view in each frame is roughly 200 m (660 ft) across. In this view, the lake surface is about 125 m (410 ft) below the camera.

In these images, captured at 4:05 p.m. (left) and 4:42 p.m. (right) local time on July 28, 2017, you can see a dramatic difference in lava lake surface characteristics. The difference resulted from a sudden collapse of lava veneer, the rocky coating left on the vent wall by spattering and previous higher stands of the lake.

An HVO geologist performs a routine check of the thermal camera

and webcam at the summit. USGS photo.

The 4:05 p.m. image shows typical lake conditions, with spattering on the northeast lake margin. About a dozen different-sized plates of semi-solid crust on the lake surface slowly circulate. Jagged and straight cracks form as the plates pull apart, revealing molten lava beneath the crust. Bright areas, where the foundering of crustal plates churns up molten lava, are also visible.

At 4:28 p.m., a large patch of veneer – perhaps 50 m (165 ft) wide and 30 m (100 ft) high – cascaded into the lava lake, leaving behind a hot scar (circled in right image). The impact of this rocky debris falling into the lava lake caused agitation that persisted for tens of minutes. That disturbance broke the surface crust into dozens of microplates and possibly promoted new spattering along the lake margins.

HVO’s thermal camera at Halemaʻumaʻu has functioned well for over six years, sending data to us around the clock. The camera has a 53-degree-wide lens housed in a modified Pelican™ case for protection from weather, corrosive volcanic gas, and occasional bombardment by molten spatter. The box is mounted on a well-anchored, sturdy tripod. Images are transmitted by WiFi connection to HVO, where they are collected on computer servers for delivery to our public web site and to HVO staff for analysis.

Thermal camera shows active lava pond inside Pu`u O`o Crater
in 2010. USGS Photo

HVO also maintains thermal cameras that look into the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater on Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone and Moku‘āweoweo caldera atop Mauna Loa. These cameras capture an image every 2–3 minutes. At Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, if a hot spot fills more than five percent of the camera images, a computer program sends a text message with an embedded image to HVO staff. Our Mauna Loa camera is similarly alarmed. If high temperature is detected, a text message is automatically sent to HVO staff. Upon receiving a text, we check other monitoring data (including more recent webcam images) to see if lava has suddenly appeared or if there is other cause for concern.

In the coming year, Hawai`i Volcano Observatory scientists hope to upgrade the Halemaʻumaʻu thermal camera to a new model that will acquire higher resolution images. Better images will allow even more detailed analyses and enhance tracking of lava levels.

An online interview with HVO geologist Matt Patrick (https://www.livescience.com/25952-kilauea-live-images-interview.html) tells more about how scientists use thermal cameras to study Kīlauea Volcano’s summit lava lake. He has also written a paper on the use of thermal cameras at Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, which is available at https://appliedvolc.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/2191-5040-3-1.

Visit the HVO website (https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo) for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea daily eruption updates, Mauna Loa weekly updates, volcano photos, recent earthquakes info, and more. Call for summary updates at 808-967-8862 (Kīlauea) or 808-967-8866 (Mauna Loa). Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

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PANCAKE BREAKFAST, SATURDAY, AUG. 12, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Ocean View Community Center. 9389-7033.

KA`U PLANTATION DAYS parade begins at Na`alehu School and travels down Hwy 11 to Na`alehu beginning on Saturday, at 9 a.m, followed by the celebration at Na`alehu Community Center and park.
There will be food booths, arts and crafts, information booths, games, keiki photos by the police department, tug o war, food contest, lauhala weaving, arm wrestling, archery shoot, silent auction, horseshoes, Hawaiian games, lei making and Hawaiian medicine. The event is free and organized byt Ka`u Multicultural Society's Darlyne Vierra or Liz Kuluwaimaka, who can be reached at 640-8740 or 339-0289.

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Tango and classical music are among the offerings at the Hawai`i International Music Festival concert at Pahala Plantation House on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

After the violent white supremest rally and murder today on the mainland, Hawai`i U.S. Rep.
Tulsi Gabbard recommended watching a unifying Prince Ea video.

"TERRIFYINGLY TRUE," tweeted Sen. Brian Schatz this evening in response to a statement from Alec MacGillis on Pres. Donald Trump's handling of both a murder at a violent white supremacist, KKK and Nazi rally in Virginia on Saturday and words of war between North Korea and Trump. "All along the question with Trump was how he'd respond to a.) high-stakes crisis abroad, b) racial (racist) explosion at home. In one week, answered," concluded MacGillis, of the ProPublica news service.

Trump released a statement, after the violence at the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, VA. led to a murder. Trump said that he condemned the hatred "on many sides." Schatz responded. "A President's job is moral leadership. He has failed. There are NOT many sides to this."

The U.S. Department of Justice opened a civil rights case this evening, focusing on the murder of a 32 year old woman when she and other anti-protesters were mowed down by the car of a young man who drove to the Virginia event from Ohio, after telling his mother that he was going to an Alt Right rally. He slammed his car into the crowd, leaving one dead and others hospitalized, four in critical condition. He was arrested and charged with second degree murder.

Admiral John Richardson, Chief of U.S. Naval Operations, tweeted. "Events in Charlottesville unacceptable and musn't be tolerated @USNavy forever stands against intolerance and hatred."

Sen Mazie Hirono tweeted: "We must stand up to a culture where white supremacists feel empowered to march down streets w/ weapons & commit horrendous acts of violence." She also tweeted, "@realdonaldtrump should stop using divisive rhetoric & forcefully condemn white
supremacist groups that provoke & practice violence."

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard tweeted, "I call on all Americans to reject & denounce racist demonstrations in Charlottesville by KKK, Neo-Nazis, etc. We need aloha/love for all." She also tweeted, "hating others based on skin color is same as hating others because of color of their shirt." She suggested watching a unifying video from Prince Ea.
U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa tweeted that Trump's "inability to call out and condemn radical racism speaks more than his words."

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END BITTER PARTISANSHIP is the word from the Governor of Guam, Eddie Baza Calbo. He released a statement today saying, “My wish as the governor of a U.S. territory that is getting threatened is for our nation to end the bitter partisanship. Our nation is being threatened. It’s time to come together, stand behind our flag, our government and behind our president.”

Guam Governor Eddie Baza Calbo called for an end to "bitter
partisanshp" as the island territory is in the middle of a harsh
words between Pres. Donald Trump and North Korea, which
threatens a missile attack. Photo from Inquistr

He continued: “I just got off the phone with Chief of Staff General John Kelly and with the President of the United States of America. They called me from the White House this morning and both assured me that the people of Guam are safe. In the President’s words they are behind us “1000 percent.

"As the head of the Government of Guam, I appreciate their reassurances that my family, my friends, everyone on this island, are all safe. God Bless the people of Guam and God Bless the United States of America,” said the governor. His words of hope came after Guam residents awakened to their newspapers' headline saying "14 Minutes," referring to the time it could take for a North Korean missile to reach Guam, possibly with a nuclear warhead. Trump has been calling out North Korea which has threatened to send missiles into waters around Guam.

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A KEY FIGURE IN HAWAI`I'S LAWSUIT CHALLENGING PRES. DONALD TRUMP'S travel ban landed in Honolulu Saturday night. Wafa Yahi, the mother-in-law of Honolulu Imam, Dr. Ismail Elshikh, arrived from Lebanon after a 28 hour journey. Permission was received from the U.S. government and she was able to meet for the first time two of her five grandchildren who were born since her last Hawai`i visit 17 years ago.

The lawsuit filed by Hawai'i Attorney General Doug Chin said that the travel ban for people from six majority Muslim countries kept Elshikh's Syrian mother-in-law from a family visit.

Hawai`i Attorney General Doug Chin and Ismail Elshikh, whose
mother in law was allowed to land in Hawai`i tonight despite
the Trump travel ban.
Photo from Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund

The Seattle federal appeals court plans to hear arguments in late August on the Trump administration appeal of a judge’s ruling permitting grandmothers and other family members from the six Muslim majority countries to enter the country to visit their family members who are here.

Chin said in a statement, “The news that Dr. Elshikh’s family is being reunited is one bright moment today when love trumped hate. In America, no race should ever be excluded, no religion should ever be hated, and no family ever gets left behind.”

Chin said the lawsuit will continue. “So long as this discriminatory and illegal executive order is not struck down, the state of Hawai`i and its residents are harmed.” The visit allows the grandmother to meet two of her grandchildren who were born since her last Hawai`i visit 17 years ago.

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‘Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sun, Aug 13, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about the vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower on this free, easy, one-mile walk. nps.gov/havo

A hike and learning about the role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian
forests are on tap for Sundat at Kahuku. NPS photo

Senior ID, Mon, Aug 14, 9 – 11 a.m., St. Jude’s Church in Ocean View. For ages 60 and up. 928-3100

Statehood Flag Craft, Wed, Aug 16, 3:30 – 5 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Grades K – 8 register Aug 7 – 15. 928-0312

Hawai‘i International Music Festival, Wed, Aug 16, 7 p.m., Pāhala Plantation House. Metropolitan Opera Soprano Amy Shoremount Obra, daughter-in-law of Lorie Obra, of Rusty’s Hawaiian Coffee, raises awareness of efforts to restore buildings to host a living heritage and education center and to curate and honor the history of Pāhala. Also performing will be violinist

Kainani Kahaunaele Performs, Wed, Aug 16, 6:30 – 8 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Enjoy the mele of Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning Kainani Kahaunaele, who shares songs from her albums. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Tango and classical music are among the offerings at the Hawai`i International

Music Festival concert at Pahala Plantation House on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Kawika Akana Matsu, of Volcano, survived a great white shark attack and a Go Fund Me campaign
is helping him to recover. Photos from Kai Matsu.

GREAT WHITE SHARK VICTIM KAWIKA AKANA MATSU, of Volcano, is recovering and a Go Fund Me Campaign is running to help him with expenses. The 37 year old waterman was working on Ascension, one of the most remote places on the planet, an island a quarter of the size of Lana`i in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean between South America and Africa. He said he was attacked by one or two great white sharks in nearshore waters.
Ascension's waters are a bountiful feeding area for great whites, with an abundance of green sea turtles laying eggs in some 24,000 nests on its beaches each year. It has a reputation for some of the largest marlins anywhere. Great Britain will establish a 90,460 square mile marine preserve around Ascension and its sister islands this year. It also has a U.S. Air Force facility and climate research station, and a British Air Force facility.

A long way from home, Ascension Island is where Volcano native Kawika Akana Matsu
was attacked by great white sharks.

Matsu's account is that on July 24 he was hanging out with friends at a beach barbecue at English Bay on Ascension. He decided to cool off by taking his paddle board out to sea. About 100 feet offshore, a great white nosed his board throwing him into the air and grabbing his shoulder when he landed back in the water.

Matsu's brother, Kai Matsu tells more on the Go Fund Me page:

Kawika Akana Matsu left with a friend on Ascension Island.

"Before he could get back on his board, the shark had turned and bit into his right-side torso and shoulder. He was able to fight, and managed to get in a few hits to the shark’s nose, and it released him.
"He swam again for his board, and the shark came back again and tore into his leg and high thigh. Miraculously, he was able to break free once more, and managed to pull himself back onto to his stand-up paddle board.
"At this point he realized the severity of his situation. He was critically bitten, losing a lot of blood, drifting out to sea, and now being circled by several sharks. Even still, he had the presence of mind to remain calm, turn his board’s leash into a tourniquet, and wait for rescue. It took about a half an hour for someone to finally get to him, and by then, he had lost a lot of blood.

"Once back on land, the small local community of 800, people came together to help donate many pints of blood and treat his wounds. He spent the next three days waiting to be airlifted to a hospital in Florida that was equipped to deal with the severity of his condition.
"There, a specialized team of surgeons have been working to treat him, but he will be needing all the support he can get now. In these difficult times ahead, he will need the support of his friends, and the community as a whole.
"His recovery time will be both extensive and very expensive, but he wants to try to recover as quickly as possible, so he can return to being a waterman. He will never lose his passion for the ocean, and wants to heal and return to the life he loves.

After two weeks in ICU, Kawika Akana Matsu is out of ICU,
following an attack by one or more great white sharks.

"We are asking for your compassion and charity to help an amazing person overcome an overwhelming amount of medical bills, loss of his ability to work, and to help keep him comfortable during his arduous and long recovery ahead. Most of all we would like to thank all the people that helped to keep Kawika alive through there heroic actions, giving blood, and loving support."

After treatment at the Ascension Hospital, Kawika Matsu was air lifted to Brazil and then to Patrick Air Force Base in Florida, an 8,000 mile journey.

He has undergone five surgeries for skin and muscle grafts in a Ft. Lauderdale Hospital and hopes to return to Volcano soon, following a sixth surgery. After two weeks in ICU, he was moved yesterday to his own hospital room.

Kai Matsu said that Kawika spent the last year working on Ascension and was days away from returning to his friends and family when attacked by the great white shark. "As a native Hawaiian, his love and passion for the ocean is what drew him to the island in the first place." Major Daniel Schempp, commander of the U.S. Air Force unit on Ascension, where Matsu worked as an air conditioning engineer, told the British newspaper, The Telegraph that Matsu is "like a water god... he seems invincible in the sea."

The Telegraph reported that it was the second shark attack in three months on Ascension Island.

See the Kawika Recovery account on Go Fund Me.

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Senior ID, Mon, Aug 14, 9 – 11 a.m., St. Jude’s Church in Ocean View. For ages 60 and up. 928-3100

Statehood Flag Craft, Wed, Aug 16, 3:30 – 5 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Grades K – 8 register Aug 7 – 15. 928-0312

Hawai‘i International Music Festival, Wed, Aug 16, 7 p.m., Pāhala Plantation House. Metropolitan Opera Soprano Amy Shoremount Obra, daughter-in-law of Lorie Obra, of Rusty’s Hawaiian Coffee, raises awareness of efforts to restore buildings to host a living heritage and education center and to curate and honor the history of Pāhala. Also performing will be violinist

Kainani Kahaunaele Performs, Wed, Aug 16, 6:30 – 8 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Enjoy the mele of Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning Kainani Kahaunaele, who shares songs from her albums. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Tango and classical music are among the offerings at the Hawai`i International

Music Festival concert at Pahala Plantation House on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Hawai`i Solar Energy Association objects to proposed tariffs on Chinese imported solar panels,
saying that 1,200 jobs of those installing them in Hawai`i would be threatened.
Photo from Hawai`i Solar Energy Association.

HAWAI`I SOLAR ENERGY ASSOCIATION sent a letter to Congress recently saying new tariffs on Chinese solar panels, if approved, could drive up prices and threaten 1,200 jobs in Hawai`i. It would also halt growth of the American solar industry, "dead in its tracks," says the letter addressed to U.S. House of Representatives member Colleen Hanabusa. It contends that tariffs would threaten "thousands of American workers."

The tariffs are being considered on Tuesday by the U.S. International Trade Commission.

The letter, written by Hawai`i Solar Energy Asociation President Rick Reed, asks Hanabusa to object to a petition filed in May by a Chinese-owned U.S. solar cell manufacturer called Suniva, Inc., which filed for bankruptcy in April for its U.S. operations. To protect its U.S. operation, Suniva asks the U.S. government to levy tariffs on imported solar cells and to require minimum prices on imported solar panels. Another American based, foreign owned, bankrupt company also asked for the protection through tariffs. No U.S. owned solar manufacturer is asking for the tariffs, reports Reed.

The majority of the jobs in solar are in the installation, rather than manufacturing of solar panels - with China already producing 80 percent of panels used worldwide. Opponents of the tariffs claim that keeping out the less expensive panels will reduce the number of jobs across the U.S. by two thirds. At the same time Congress has
passed a law reducing tax benefits for installing solar.
Inside Climate News quotes Dan Reicher, executive director of Stanford University's Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance. "We could see a double

whammy of higher prices and declining subsidies, which could have a pretty serious effect on U.S. solar deployment."
A story by H.J. Mai in Pacific Business News on Monday stated that 69 members of the U.S. Congress sent letters to the International Trade Commission opposing the tariffs. It also reported: "Small-scale solar generation, which includes residential rooftop photovoltaic systems, almost doubled between 2014 and 2016, based on data from the Energy Information Administration. In Hawai`i, residential PV systems account for more than a third of renewable energy generation. A downturn, especially in the small-scale solar market, could therefore have a negative impact Hawai`i’s goal of achieving a
100 percent renewable portfolio standard by 2045."
The current number of people employed statewide in the solar industry is about 3,195, reports Pacific Business News. Also see Hawai`i Solar Energy Association.

TODAY, MONDAY, IS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT and one in six people in Hawai`i depend on Social Security, U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa reminded the public in a statement.

Hanabusa urges protection of the Social Security Act.
Image from Rep. Colleen Hanabusa

She said that Social Security has "become the very foundation for retirement and provides a crucial lifeline for many seniors and vulnerable Americans." However, "for many of the recipients, they end up needing additional assistance because their benefits do not allow for them to continue taking care of daily expenses and retire comfortably."
Hanabusa said she is concerned about a move to privatize Social Security, raise the retirement age and cut benefits earned through years of work. "The peole of Hawai1i have worked hard to pay into Social Security and they deserve to retire knowing the benefits they have earned will be there."

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Family Reading Night, Thu, Aug 17, 5 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033

Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thu, Aug 17, 5:30 p.m. 929-9731 or 936-7262

OVCA Board Meeting, Thu, Aug 17, 6 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033

Volcano Rain Forest Runs Packet Pick-up& Late Registration, Fri, Aug 18, 1 – 5 p.m., Cooper Center in Volcano.

Eighth Annual Volcano Rain Forest Runs, Sat, Aug 19, 7 a.m., Cooper Center in Volcano. Staggered starts for Half Marathon, 10K & 5K. Zero-mile event, keiki runs, entertainment, food & crafts follow. Register at volcanorainforestruns.com.

Tango and classical music are among the offerings at the Hawai`i International

Music Festival concert at Pahala Plantation House on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

The last haul sugar truck rolled along Hwy 11 in Na`alehu for Ka`u Plantation Days last
Saturday, organized by Ka`u Multicultural Society. See more photos below.

2015 Ka`u Queen Lori-Lee Lorenzo represented Maui.

KA`U FIFTH GRADE GIRLS are invited to start registering for GEMS, Girls Exploring Math and Science. The annual all day event has been set for the Crown Marriot King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel for Nov. 9. Registration deadline is Sept. 15.

Princess Addie represented Ni`ihau.
Photo provided by Lorilee Lorenzo

Registration forms have been sent to area schools. This event is sponsored by the American Association of University Women, Kona Branch, whose mission is to advance equity for women and girls though advocacy, education, and research.
Registration is on a first come, first served basis, and space is limited. Registration fee is $20 and scholarships are available. No girl will be turned away because of financial need.
This annual day of discovery features hand-on workshops and exhibits led by local women volunteers who work in math and science- oriented careers and who show the girls how they use math, science, and technology in their daily work. The program is designed to stimulate interest and bolster the confidence of girls in these fields, as well as provide positive female role models, and may also stimulate a girl’s interest in a new career goal. Last year over 300 girls from West Hawaii attended the program, and as many as 30 girls from Ka’u have attended in previous years.
The girls attending will receive a GEMS t-shirt, a healthy breakfast , view various hands-on exhibits prior to attending three different workshops, have lunch at the resort, and also participate in a lunchtime Zumba activity, which is always a big hit .

2016 Pa`u Queen Teani Souza represented
Hawai`i Island. Photo provided by Lorilee Lorenzo

Some of the workshops this year are: Underwater Adventure, Marine Science , Slime Time, Robotics, Anchialine Pools, Energy, Art and Science of Food, Animal Doctors, Dig into the Past, Hawaiian Monk Seals, Light and Reflection, Creative Computer Programming, How Rainbows Solve Mysteries , Art and Science of Dermatology, Discovering the Isle of Gems, Zumba Breaks the Mold and Body Shop.

Retired Ka`u school teachers were honored as
they rode in the parade.
Photo provided by Gloria Camba

Some impressions after the event from girls learned in prior years: “ We need to protect fish and animals and keep oceans clean”;” Stay fit and live longer”; “ People litter and trash is harming animals”; “Women can do stuff men can do”; ”Always follow your dream”; “We do physics everyday”; “Cooking uses math”; “Girls are awesome”; “Save money”; “How archeologists work.”
All fifth grade girls residing in the West Hawai`i School complex in public, private, or home schooled are welcome. Sponsorship of girls by individuals or businesses will be accepted. For more information about GEMS , to sponsor a girl, or to request a registration packet, contact Cindy Armer, GEMS chairperson at cbarmer@hotmail.com or 808-896-7180. Remember GEMS registration from must be postmarked by 9-15-17.

Princess Kailee represents O`ahu.
Photo provided by Lorilee Lorenzo

Hawai‘i International Music Festival, Wed, Aug 16, 7 p.m., Pāhala Plantation House. Metropolitan Opera Soprano Amy Shoremount Obra, daughter-in-law of Lorie Obra, of Rusty’s Hawaiian Coffee, raises awareness of efforts to restore buildings to host a living heritage and education center and to curate and honor the history of Pāhala. Also performing will be violinist Also performing will be Virtuoso Violinist Eric Silberger, Esteemed Pianist Carlin Ma, Hawai`i Symphony Orchestra Cellist Sun Chang Yang, Mexican Tenor Manuel Castillo, Young Artist Mexican Soprano Sandra Aldaz Meraz, and World Renowned Argentinean Bandoneon Player JP Jofre.

Tickets are available at the door or at www.HIMusicFestival.com.

Kainani Kahaunaele Performs, Wed, Aug 16, 6:30 – 8 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Enjoy the mele of Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning Kainani Kahaunaele, who shares songs from her albums. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Family Reading Night, Thu, Aug 17, 5 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033

Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thu, Aug 17, 5:30 p.m. 929-9731 or 936-7262

OVCA Board Meeting, Thu, Aug 17, 6 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033

Volcano Rain Forest Runs Packet Pick-up & Late Registration, Fri, Aug 18, 1 – 5 p.m., Cooper Center in Volcano.

Eighth Annual Volcano Rain Forest Runs, Sat, Aug 19, 7 a.m., Cooper Center in Volcano. Staggered starts for Half Marathon, 10K & 5K. Zero-mile event, keiki runs, entertainment, food & crafts follow. Register at volcanorainforestruns.com.

Tango and classical music are among the offerings at the Hawai`i International

Music Festival concert at Pahala Plantation House on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Extreme high tides like this one reaching high into the skeleton of the old Honu`apo Pier, are expected
to continue through the weekend and the National Weather Service has issued a warning.
Photo by Ron Johnson

NINE YEARS OF WORKING ON THE KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN has led to its presentation to the County Council Planning Committee for its review before going to the full council and Mayor Harry Kim for his signature.
County Planning Director Michael Yee told the Council Planning Committee in a presentation on Tuesday that Ka`u residents have shown a "lot of dedication, tenacity, resilience to push this forward and they had a very diverse group of folks working on this and I am very proud of the piece of work that they put forward to you."

The Ka`i Community Development Plan recommends a quarter mile
setback for development on the coast.

Yee told the County Council Planning Committee that he personally has a love for community engagement. Concerning the Ka`u Community Development Plan, he said, "There is a question over what's the intent and what's the implications and I understand that and we have to work in those parameters; but in the end this is the dreams and wishes of a group of folks that have really poured their heart and soul into this over many, many years. And it is our job to try to make it real for them. "Whether or not that takes a little more work, or not, I'm not sure, but I would hope that you would take into account that there has been a lot of work from a lot folks to get to this point to present it to you today," said the Planning Director who has been learning about Ka`u since he was appointed during the current term of Mayor Harry Kim.
Planner Ron Whitmore, who has worked on the project for nine years and is now working for the county Department of Research & Development, made the presentation. He said the Ka`u community was "incredibly involved" in the crafting of the plan.
He explained the evolution of County of Hawai`i community planning. He said there were general plans in the past but that the General Plan in 2005 called for "a meaningful public role in planning." He said the scope involves three pillars of sustainability, covering "Protecting Natural & Cultural Resources, Strengthening Infrastructure & Services, Building a Resilient Local Economy and Directing Land Use - zoning, growth, development and design.

Specific Regional Actions to implement goals of the General Plan are also included the the Ka`u Community Development Plan, said Whitmore.
During the nine year process, community Steering Committee members representing Ocean View were Patti Barry, Bob DaMate and Loren Heck; Ka`ma`oa to Waiohinu - Leina`ala Enos, Puna`lu`u - Ron Ebert, and Pahala - Simon Torres, Jr. and Marino Ramones. The non-voting member was John Cross.
Whitmore said the plan attempts to balance three critical perspectives: "Local knowledge, in all its diversity - keep it grounded. Local planner and developer knowledge- keep it practical; and best practices - use the planner's toolbox."
Whitmore said that to stay anchored in an open process, the approach was that "the community is more than meetings; to focus on objective analysis; and understand that there's an element of truth in every perspective, so everyone wears a learner's hat."
Recommendations in the CDP include a Ka`u Land Use Policy Map with Urban Growth Boundaries; a Shoreline Setback Policy and Scenic Impact Anaylsis and Mitigation."
Whitmore showed a photo of the shoreline looking toward Kamehame - the hawskbill turtle preserve, and said " if you haven't spent much time in Ka`u, it's hard to understand how important open space, natural resources, cultural resources, and in particular the shoreline is for the people of Ka`u, for the psyche of Ka`u, for the way of life.

"It was absolutely critical from the community's perspective that development be set back from the shoreline. For students of land use law, that's a difficult thing to do. We grappled with different ways to do it, tried not to supersede the authority of the director, the commission or the council, as the case may be, to establish those setbacks while at the same time being very clear about the need to keep structures away from the shoreline. There are very few structures on Ka`u's 80-mile shoreline that are anywhere near the shoreline. There's just a few exceptions and the community thinks it is very important for a number of cultural and natural resource management perspectives as well as just general way of life to keep it that way."
He noted that preserving the shoreline is very much an economic issue for the people of Ka`u. He said that Steering Committee member Michelle Galimba pointed out during deliberations that "while a house near the shoreline in Ka`u provides next to zero economic benefit to the community, the open shoreline provides tremendous economic benefit, in terms of the draw for tourism, the subsistence access for people to fishing, for gathering, to name just a few. They really see this not just as a preservation strategy but as an economic development strategy," said Whitmore.
The Ka`u Community Development Plan recommends a quarter mile (1,320 feet) development setback from the coast.
See the presentation at www.bigislandvideonews.com. Also see http://www.hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp to read the entire document and prepare comments for the County Council.

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KING TIDES ARE EXPECTED OVER THE WEEKEND, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a coastal flood warning. “The greatest potential for coastal flooding impacts will be during the peak daily high tide, which will occur during the mid- to late-afternoon hours the next several days.”

“Impacts may include flooding of beach areas that are normally dry, salt water inundation of typically vulnerable low-lying roads, docks, boat ramps and other coastal infrastructure. The potential for coastal flooding will diminish early next week as the peak daily tides diminish,” said the statement from NWS.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and T w itte r.

Volcano Rain Forest Runs Packet Pick-up & Late Registration, Fri, Aug 18, 1 – 5 p.m., Cooper Center in Volcano.

Eighth Annual Volcano Rain Forest Runs, Sat, Aug 19, 7 a.m., Cooper Center in Volcano. Staggered starts for Half Marathon, 10K & 5K. Zero-mile event, keiki runs, entertainment, food & crafts follow. Register at volcanorainforestruns.com.

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Recycling at Nā‘ālehu School, Sat, Aug 19, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Nā‘ālehu School Gym. Redeem your HI-5 sorted by type; receive 5 cents per container and additional 20 cents per pound on all aluminum. Atlas Recycling donates 20 cents per pound on all aluminum redeemed to the school. 939-2413, ext. 230

Pu‘u o Lokuana, Sat, Aug 19, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about formation and various uses of this grassy cinder cone and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka‘ū on this free, moderately difficult 0.4-mile hike to the top.

Kahuku ‘Ohana Day: Lei Making, Sat, Aug 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Cultural practitioner and teacher Aolani Ka‘ilihou teaches the traditional art of Hawaiian lei making. Ascend Pu‘u o Lokuana and learn about the history of the Ka‘ū lands seen from the top. Kids 17 and under and their families sign up by Fri, Aug 11 at 985-6019.

Hula Performance, Sat, Aug 19, 10:30 a.m., hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Nā Kumu hula Liana Aveiro & Keikilani Curnan with Hālau Waiau. Nā Mea Hula with Loke Kamanu & ‘ohana, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., gallery porch.

Ka‘ū High School Potluck Reunion, Sat, Aug 19, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Everyone is invited.

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Volcano Rain Forest Runners get ready with packet pick-up and late registration Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
at Cooper Center. The races take place on Saturday. See below. Photo from Sharon Faff

IN VIOLATION OF FIRST AMENDMENT privacy protections afforded under the Constitution is how Rep. Tulsi Gabbard characterized the Department of Justice's recent request for a search warrant for IP addresses and personal information stored on the server of a private company who helped organize protests during President Donald Trump’s inauguration. The search warrant, filed by the federal government in the D.C. Superior Court, is trying to force DreamHost to provide the DOJ with the user information for anyone who visited their site in an effort to identify anyone involved in Inauguration Day protests.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and the Fourth Amendment
Caucus. Photo from Tulsi Gabbard

Said Gabbard, in a statement released tonight, “The Justice Department’s politically motivated probe to collect personal information on its own citizens exercising their legal right to express dissenting political views is nothing short of a constitutional violation and is wholly un-American. It reeks of actions that Presidents Nixon and Johnson took against Americans protesting the war in Vietnam. Our country was founded on the rule of law which protects our right to free speech and prohibits the government from violating our personal privacy with baseless warrants. These fundamental rights and protections separate our democracy from dictators around the world who seek to silence and intimidate their political opponents to maintain power. The Justice Department’s witch hunt serves as a reminder that we must take a stand to defend our constitutional rights and ensure our government is not allowed to violate our constitutional rights and civil liberties."

Gabbard has advocated for reforms that address the government's responsibility to protect civil liberties. She is a founding member of the Fourth Amendment Caucus and has been a champion for strengthening privacy and civil liberties protections in the digital age. She has introduced legislation to strengthen the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board and cosponsored legislation like the Electronic Communications Privacy Amendments Act and Email Privacy Act to modernize electronic privacy laws.

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MUMPS INFECTIONS have been confirmed among students at Na`alehu School. According to a release from the state Department of Health, there is an increasing number of cases of mumps statewide. The disease has been confirmed in children and adults both vaccinated and unvaccinated. Approximately half the cases have been in adults aged 18 years and older. Since the beginning of the year, 257 cases have been confirmed in Hawai`i, with five on the Big Island, one on Maui, 22 on Kaua`i and 229 on O`ahu.
The Department of Health recommends the following to help prevent the spread of mumps in the community:
Ensure family members are fully vaccinated with the MMR vaccine. According to DOH, all children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine which protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. The first dose is given at age 12–15 months and the second dose routinely at four to six years of age. However, due to the continued circulation of mumps in Hawai`i, DOH recommends that children between one and four years of age should receive their second dose a minimum of four weeks after the first dose.

For adults, the health department recom-mends that all born in or after 1957, without evidence of immunity to mumps, who cannot verify previous MMR vac-cination, should receive one MMR dose. "Indi-viduals with only one documented MMR dose, are strongly encouraged to consider receiving a second MMR vaccine dose," says a DOH statement. "In general, although it is not ideal, receiving extra doses of vaccine poses no medical problem. Patients suspected or diagnosed with mumps should self-isolate and avoid going out and exposing others for nine days after onset of parotitis (swelling of the salivary glands).
"People who have been exposed to mumps and are not vaccinated should not attend school, work or travel from day 12 through day 25 after exposure." says the DOH statement.
Symptoms include: fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides.

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KUPU INTERNS WORKING WITH AMERICORPS gain a meaningful service opportunity and education that "benefits our `aina and Hawai`i's native plants and animals," said Sen. Mazie Hirono on Thursday when she met with KUPU interns and leaders. She encouraged them to "continue their good work, serving their communities through conservation."

KUPU, an AmeriCorps program, provides young people with service learning and educational opportunities through maintaining and preserving Hawai`i’s natural resources.

“I continue to advocate for AmeriCorps funding that supports programs like KUPU that help train Hawai`i’s workforce and provide career pathways for young conservationists,” Hirono said.

“For the past decade, KUPU has helped develop the next generation of Hawai'i's environmental leaders,” said John Leon, Chief Executive Officer of KUPU. “AmeriCorps funding ensures that Hawai'i's youth can pursue careers in conservation and sustainability, allowing them to play a vital role in protecting Hawai'i's fragile environment. I'm honored to join with Senator Hirono and the rest of the Hawai‘i congressional delegation to support programs that help Hawai‘i's youth discover their strengths and allows them to give back to a cause greater than themselves while pursuing career pathways to propel them forward in life.”

Suzanne Case, chair of the state Department of Land & Natural Resource, said that “Building a bridge for Hawai`i’s future conservation workforce, the KUPU internship program trains our youth to become environmental stewards and connects them to future job opportunities at DLNR and across the state.”

Logo and t-shirt art for Volcano Rain Forest Runs is
by local artist Dietrich Varez.

In June, Senator Hirono announced that Hawaii had received $4.2 million in AmeriCorps funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency for volunteering and service programs. Earlier this year, Senator Hirono cosponsored S.Res.86, a bipartisan resolution recognizing the contributions of AmeriCorps members and alumni and the significant impact their efforts have on our lands and natural resources The Senate passed this resolution on March 9, 2017, during national AmeriCorps Week.

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KA`U HIGH BEAT KEA`AU on Wednesday
night in girls volleyball at Ka`u District Gym, under Coach Josh Ortega. Ka`u JV's won with 26-24 and 25-20. Ka`u Trojans also took the varsity win with 26-24, 16-25, 25-19 and 25-20.

Volcano Rain Forest Runs Packet Pick-up & Late Registration, Fri, Aug 18, 1 – 5 p.m., Cooper Center in Volcano.

Eighth Annual Volcano Rain Forest Runs, Sat, Aug 19, 7 a.m., Cooper Center in Volcano. Staggered starts for Half Marathon, 10K & 5K. Zero-mile event, keiki runs, entertainment, food & crafts follow. Register at volcanorainforestruns.com.

Add caption

Ka‘ū High School Potluck Reunion, Sat, Aug 19, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Everyone is invited.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

The Hawaiian and U.S. flags fly together at most public places in Hawai`i as Statehood Day is a holiday
leading into a long weekend. Photo from Wikipedia

TODAY, FRIDAY, IS HAWAI`I STATEHOOD DAY, FORMERLY ADMISSION DAY. It is an annual holiday the third Friday of August, with public schools and state and county offices closed. Kamehameha Schools, the school for Native Hawaiians, remains open on Statehood Day.
With the hot topic of the legitimacy of the U.S. annexing Hawai`i as a territory in 1898 and Hawai`i becoming a state on Aug. 21, 1959, Statehood Day is relatively quite with few public celebrations and is considered the first day of a long weekend of rest and recreation.
Celebrating the multiethnic fiber of Ka`u, the weekend includes the Volcano Rain Forest Runs on Saturday morning, beginning and ending at Cooper Center in Volcano Village; a spiritual retreat with native Hawaiians and Native Americans, with a lu`au and cultural celebration at Pahala Community Center on Saturday; the Ka`u High and Pahala School reunion on Sunday at Pahala Community Center, with a potluck luncheon and entertainment open to everyone; and the traditional Bon Dance and celebration at Pahala Hongwanji, also open to everyone on Sunday evening.

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"AS A JEW, AS AN AMERICAN AND AS A HUMAN," said Hawai`i Sen. Brian Schatz, "words cannot express my disgust and disappointment at the President’s comments about Charlottesville."
Schatz was talking about Pres. Donald Trump's statements about violence and racial slurs during an Alt-Right gathering in Charlottesville, Virginia that led to the murder of a woman civil rights advocate last weekend.

Trump blamed the violence not only on white supremacists, including anti-Jewish marchers. He also blamed the civil rights advocates opposing the alt-right. His remarks drew strong criticism all week long from Republicans and Democrats and led to the resignation of business leaders, experts in arts and culture and others from Trump's presidential councils. It also led to the departure of Chief White House strategist Steve Bannon who left today to retake his post as head of the right-wing Breitbart News Network.

Today, Schatz was interviewed on CNN and said, "This is a President who has failed to do what we expect every President to do, which is to provide moral clarity and moral leadership. So in that moment, I was frankly mad and hurt as an American, as a person, as a person of the Jewish faith, that my president hadn't met even the most basic moral test. I'm not asking him to agree with me on all

Sam Clovis is Trump nominee for Chief Scientist of the USDA.
He is opposed by Hawai`i Sen. Brian Schatz.
Photo from Clovis YouTube Channel

the issues. I'm not asking him to be someone that I admire. I'm just asking that he understands the difference between right and wrong, the difference between Nazis and the people who protest against Nazis. So in that moment I said, what I think was on a lot of peoples' minds, which is, 'He's not acting like a President.'"
Schatz also called for more action in Congress. He said, "My colleagues have expressed 'concern' about the president’s words and actions before, but in this new era words are not enough. The true litmus test for courage is whether or not my Republican colleagues will repudiate white nationalism and supremacy on the Senate floor, not just on social media."

Schatz also said he opposes the appointment of Sam Clovis as USDA Chief Scientist. Clovis was co-chair of the Trump presidential campaign. Said Schatz, "The Senate has a real opportunity to stand up against hate, when the President did not, by rejecting an unapologetic birther, Sam Clovis, from becoming the next USDA Chief Scientist. But I cannot win this fight alone. Add your name next to mine and tell the Senate to reject Sam Clovis, a non-scientist and birther, for USDA Chief Scientist.

"Here’s the truth: Sam Clovis propagated the racist lie that President Obama was not born in Honolulu. He also called Attorney General Eric Holder a 'racist black,' Tom Perez a 'racist Latino,' and suggested Obama 'wants to enslave all who are not part of his regime.'

"And he fails to meet the most basic requirement for the job, which of course is to actually be a scientist. Every single senator should easily vote against a birther and non-scientist for the Chief Scientist of the USDA. But this nomination could easily slip under the radar, so it’s up to us to make sure every senator knows their constituents are watching."

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Map of lava flows erupted from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō since 1983. Gray color

shows area covered by lava flows erupted from many different vents

between 1983 and June 2014. Pink shows the area covered by the June

27th flow between June 2014 and June 2016. Red shows the area covered

by the 61g flow between May 2016 and August 9, 2017. The vents that

supplied lava to these flow fields are only 500 m (1/3 mile) apart.

THE LONGEST LIVED AND MOST VOLUMINOUS RIFT-ZONE ERUPTION of Kīlauea Volcano in more than 500 years—the ongoing Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō eruption—began in January 1983 and is fast approaching its 35th anniversary, This week's Volcano Watch from the USGS Hawi`i Volcano Observatory reminds the public:

So many lava flows, cones, deltas, and other features have formed from eruptions at different vents for varying periods of time that nearly every day is an anniversary for Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō.

Last month marked the first anniversary of the 61g lava flow's entry into the ocean at Kamokuna after traveling from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō nearly 11 km (6.8 mi) in two months.

Three years ago this week, the infamous June 27th lava flow was erupting from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō and spreading steadily eastward about 300 m (330 ft) per day. On August 18, 2014, lava spilled into the first of several deep ground cracks along the East Rift Zone.

This set in motion intense scrutiny of the flow's day-to-day advance by HVO scientists, and contingency planning by Hawa‘i County and state government, businesses, and residents.

The crack system is located about 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. At the time, it seemed possible, perhaps likely, that the June 27th lava would keep moving northeast toward several communities in the Puna District.

On August 20, HVO scientists discussed the progression of the flow and possible scenarios with the Hawai‘i County Mayor and Civil Defense Administrator, and their staffs and other interested parties should the same active vent at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō continue erupting lava for weeks to months, or longer.

Lava approaches homes and flows through gardens in 2014. HVO photo.

On August 24, the first of 28 public meetings in Pāhoa and nearby communities was organized by the Mayor's office to share information about the current eruption, status of the flow, possible scenarios based on HVO's projected lava-flow paths, and the ways in which the County, State, and others were planning to mitigate the continued advance of the flow.

On September 4, with lava advancing about 250 m/day (820 ft/day), HVO scientists estimated that the flow could reach Kaohe Homesteads subdivision within seven days—they raised the USGS Volcano Alert Level for Kīlauea Volcano from WATCH to WARNING.

These one- and three-year anniversaries of events during the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō eruption are but two that help the public appreciate two very different outcomes based on the interplay of several factors. These include location of the vent, robustness of lava-tube systems that develop in lava flows, slope of the ground, longevity of an erupting vent, and the variability in lava discharge from the vent day-to-day and week-to-week.

The June 27th and 61g vents are located only about 500 m (1/3 mile) from each other, but their associated lava flows spilled into different drainages that were constructed by earlier eruptions at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. This resulted in the June 27th flow spreading northeastward on the north side of the rift zone about 22 km (13.7 mi), and the 61g flow spreading south of the rift zone to the ocean in only 11 km (6.8 mi).

The 61g flow has erupted for 15 months thus far, with most of the lava flowing through the tube system and entering the ocean. The June 27th lava flow was active for 23 months, but the tube system was not able to supply most of the lava to the active flow fronts for the entire time. Why not?

The inconsistent lava discharge from the June 27th vent and the longer than 15 km (10 mi) tube system on gentle ground both combined to interrupt or reduce, and eventually cut off lava supply to the flow fronts, thereby limiting the ultimate length of the flow. After the first four months, the flow
fronts stalled at a distance of about 22 km (13.7 mi) from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, less than 1 km (0.6 mi) from Highway 130. After 9 months, in March 2015, the active parts of the flow retreated to less than 8 km (5 mi) from the vent, much to the relief of Puna residents.

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Eighth Annual Volcano Rain Forest Runs, Sat, Aug 19, 7 a.m., Cooper Center in Volcano. Staggered starts for Half Marathon, 10K & 5K. Zero-mile event, keiki runs, entertainment, food & crafts follow. Register at volcanorainforestruns.com.

A ZERO MILE fundraising event across the Volcano Rainforest Runs Finish line on Sat. Aug. 18, will bring income to Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. It will also celebrate the organization's 20-year anniversary. Participants can walk, roll or crawl across the finish line and receive a medal celebrating Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park's 20 Year Anniversary.
The fundraiser takes place at Cooper Center in Volcano Village at the race place. Donations to enter are $20 for adults, $10 for those 14 and younger and free for children in strollers. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Friends will have a booth at the Rainforest Run/Zero Mile with new merchandise for sale. We now have keiki sizes, including babies, along with 10 color choices. The booth will be open from 8 a.m - 3p.m.

Ka‘ū High School Potluck Reunion, Sunday, Aug. 20, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Everyone is invited. Music, dance, food for all graduates and their friends and families.

Bon Dance, Pahala Hongwanji, Sunday, Aug. 20, with service at 4 p.. and dancing and music at 5 p.m. Food and demonstrations.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

"PRESIDENT TRUMP CAN REARRANGE THE DECK CHAIRS ON THE TRUMP TITANIC all he wants but the problem is him and his inability to focus, his continuing attacks on everyone who disagrees with him, so I am not holding out much hope that he is suddenly going to change how he behaves." Sen. Mazie Hirono was talking on MSNBC last night about possible changes in the White House with the Departure of strategist Steve Bannon.
Hirono said that even the criticism of Trump by leading Republican Senators like Mitch McConnell, Jeff Flake, Lindsey Graham and John McCain "doesn't matter to him." Hirono said, "I am happy that there are some Republicans stepping up to criticize the President and basically his fitness and moral authority to be the President of the United States."
Hirono is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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Joy Reid interviews Hawai`i Sen. Brian Schatz, who says Jews in Trump cabinet should resign.

SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ ALSO WEIGHED IN. MSNBC's Joy Reid talked about Shatz's earlier criticism of Trump after the violence in Charlottesville, VA., and asked Schatz about Steve Bannon's departure from the White House. "Does that change your view?" Schatz replied, "No, it really doesn't. "
Schatz described Bannon as "obviously an outside character, a grandiose character and a dangerous person to have proximity to that much authority. But in the end, the failures of this presidency are the President's failures, and what happened in the wake of Charlottesville was a perfect example of that. What we saw was that by all accounts, the President had a script that he was supposed to read, where he met the basic moral test of being the leader of the free world, which is to say, that he knows the difference between Nazis and people who protest against Nazis. And he's the one that went off script. So as dangerous as Steve Bannon is and as thankful as many of us are that he's leaving the White House, I think the real problem is the President of the United States, and that's not going to change any time soon."

Schatz says Bannon's departure still leaves "the real problem," the President.

When Reid asked Schatz whether Jewish members of the Trump cabinet "should resign in protest, particularly, given that Breitbart (Bannon's news network) is signaling that they're coming for them," Schatz said, "Yes. I think they have to. I think people of conscience can't pretend that this President is something that they had hoped he would be. That they were hoping he would be competent, that he would be a dealmaker in the middle, that he would be a pragmatist. I remember reading an article online at the very beginning of the presidency that he was going to function as sort of an executive chairman and allow each one of his cabinet officials to run the government as they see fit. None of that happened. And his ability to make deals, his ability to be a pragmatist, his ability to be a competent leader for the United States, none of it came through."
Schatz said he has been heartened in the last few days by "Republicans who are patriots who are finally standing up and saying, enough is enough - Mitt Romney, both Presidents Bush, many of the leaders of the service branches of the Department of Defense," and some Republican Senators.

"I think this is the beginning of the end of Republicans being able to hide behind some imaginary Donald Trump that clearly doesn't exist anymore. This person is not capable morally, politically or in terms of his competency to lead the free world," said the Hawai`i Senator.
He said that in congress, "We have the beginning of the mouse that is the legislative branch beginning to roar."

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KA`U HIGH BEAT HAAS in girls volleyball at home on Friday night. The Trojans dominated Hawai`i Academy of Arts and Sciences with Jayvee winning 25-17 and 25-19. Varsity won with 25-10, 25-5, and 25-16.

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Free Guided 2.5 mile tour of the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National park from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Modeerately difficult hike.

Ka‘ū High School Potluck Reunion, Sunday, Aug. 20, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Everyone is invited. Music, dance, food for all graduates and their friends and families.

Bon Dance, Pahala Hongwanji, Sunday, Aug. 20, with service at 4 p.m. and dancing and music at 5 p.m. Food and demonstrations.

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Bon Dance at Pahala Hongwanji this evening, with the bell at the Buddhist church overlooking the venue.
Photo by Ron Johnson

THE BON DANCE SEASON around Hawai`i Island came to a close, with a service, celebration, taiko drum playing and the traditional Japanese Bon Dance at Pahala Hongwanji on Sunday.

Part time Pahala resident, in kimono, greets long time Na`alehu
residents Alice and Iwao Yonemitsu, as Japanese traditions
in Ka`u are shared. Photo by Ron Johnson\

The Bon Dance and service celebrates the end of the harvest season and brings the community together to remember ancestors. In Pahala, Sunday's was the second annual Bon Dance since the practice was stopped after 1999, just three years after the 1996 closing of Ka`u Sugar Co.
For generations, Japanese culture has been a key component of life in Pahala, with a Japanese school house, martial arts, flower arranging, sushi making, music, and the Hongwanji with its sanctuary and church services.
The Bon Dance in Pahala has always been a community effort with people of all faiths joining in.
The event includes dancing in the round and food and historic displays, as well as craft making.
The dancing circles a high wooden scaffold called a yagura. The yagura is usually also the bandstand for musicians and singers of Obon music, both live and recorded.

Tamami Munnerlyn stamps a headband to wear at the bon dance.
Photo by Ron Johnson

New Japanese residents, like part-time Pahala dweller Minako Yamazaki, joined in this year's celebration with one of her family kimonos brought from Tokyo. Her grandson Takami Munnerlyn, who was born here and has just started his first day of school, joined in the activities including putting stamps on a hachi maki - the head band.
Pahala residents helped participants make the hachi maki, the headbands worn to celebrate Obon. Lynn Hamilton, Dorothy Kalua and friends provided long strips of cloth for people to stamp with favorite symbols before tying them on their heads. The Taiko Drumming heard on Sunday is leading to the offering of drum classes and people of all faiths are invited to learn, said the organizers.
Pahala Hongwanji, O Ka`u Kakou, led by Wayne Kawachi, and many other volunteers helped to put on the event.

Taiko Drumming classes will soon be offered at Pahala Hongwanji. Photo by Ron Johnson

A PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE WILL BE SEEN MONDAY AT DAWN in Hawai`i. The Ka`u Calendar astronomy columnist Lew Cook writes that "Not much of the sun will be eaten by the dragon, which was the foretelling of disasters of old." He warns that even though only a tiny bit if the sun will be darkened by the moon, "never, ever, ever look directly at the sun without special eclipse glasses." The partial eclipse will occur in Hawaiian skies as the sun rises in the east between about 6:20 a.m. and 7:25 p.m. The more dramatic view will be available from televised accounts on the mainland as it makes a 70 mile wide path of darkness from Oregon, across the U.S. to the eastern seaboard. The next total eclipse in Hawai`i will be in the next century - 2106.

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People of all ages enjoyed Volcano Rain Forest Runs

on Saturday. Photo form Hauolikeola Pakele

VOLCANO RAIN FOREST RUNS results are posted showing the first place finisher in the Half-Maratho was Patrick Stover, of Kailua-Kona, with a time of 1:18:50, followed by a regular winner Billy Barnett, of Volcano in 1:18:58 and Alec Richardson, of Hilo in 1:22:56.
Bree Wee, of Kailua-Kona, was the first woman across the line in 1:29:05, followed by Marta Caproni, of Volcano in 1:36:06 and Amy Young, of Kea`au in 1:39:02.
Runners, with a total of 253 finishing, came from as far away as Italy, Great Britain, Florida, New Jersey, Ohio, California, Alaska, Australia and Japan. Ka`u competitors included Al Galiza of Pahala, Edridge Naboa, of Na`alehu and Yuko, White, John Poetzel, Andrew White and Kathy Baxter. , of Ocean View. Volcano resident competitors included Shawn Mishler, Christina Montoya-Aiona, Marvin Manuel and Leigh-Anne Manuel. Lauren Kurpita and Susanne Lyle represented Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Four women over 60 completed the Half-Marathon. Fourteen men between 60 and 69 and five men over 70 completed the Half Marathon.

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Volcano 911: Protecting and Serving Visitors, Tue, Aug 22, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Chief Ranger John Broward reveals what it takes to become an National Park Service law enforcement ranger, and how the park’s Protection staff works to keep visitors safe on the world’s most active volcanoes. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Make the Hawaiian Game, Pala‘ie, Wed, Aug 23, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ National Park. Create your own traditional Hawaiian game with natural materials. Pala‘ie, sometimes played by keiki while chanting ancient songs, is a ball-and-loop game rarely encountered in modern Hawai‘i. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Dream Catcher, Wed, Aug 23, 3:30 – 5 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Grades K – 8 register Aug 14 – 22. 928-0312

Fee-Free Day, Fri, Aug 25, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Celebrate National Park Service’s 101^stAnniversary.

Coffee Talk, Fri, Aug 25, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. An informal conversation on a wide variety of topics. Ka‘ū coffee, tea and pastries available for purchase. Free.

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Ka`u Calendar Astronomy editor Lew Cook sent these eclipse shots from the mainland today. Only a tiny
fraction of solar eclipse was visible in Hawai`i. Photo by Reed Yurman

HAWAI`I IS IN THE TOP DOZEN of community college systems according to WalletHub, which today released a report on 2017's Best Community College Systems. "With back-to-school season upon us and several states, such as New York and Rhode Island, offering free community-college education starting this month, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report. To determine where students can receive the best education at the cheapest rates, WalletHub’s analysts compared more than 700 community colleges across 14 key indicators of cost and quality. The data set ranges from the cost of in-state tuition and fees to student-faculty ratio to graduation rate."

Hawai`i ranked eleventh in the country with the top ten state community college systems ranking in the following order: South Dakota, Alaska, Washington, Florida, Wisconsin, Mississippi, North Dakota, Minnesota, New York and Montana.
A number of top individual community colleges, reports WalletHub, are in tribal lands. They include Leech Lake Tribal College in Minesotta, Cochise County Community College in Arizona, Blackfeet Community College in Montana, Aaniih Nakoda College in Montana, Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in New Mexico and Chief Dull Knife College in Montana.

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Ala Kahakai Trail in Ka`u. Photo by Barbara A. Schaefer

ALA KAHAKAI TRAIL SUPERINTENDENT ARIC ARAKAKI will be the speaker at Coffee Talk at the Visitor Contact Station of the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on Friday, Aug. 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
“He ala hele, he ala muku no Kane laua Kanaloa,” announces the poster for the event. It means
Pele will follow the short trail toward Kane and Kanaloa.
Arakaki will answer the question, "What is the Ala Kahakai?"
Polynesians traveled on water trails to the Hawaiian Islands and then built trails on the land. Used and maintained for an estimated 1,000 years, these trails are still used today by the descendants of the original builders. Designated as a National Historic Trail in the year 2000, the Ala Kahakai protects and assures that access and cultural practices will continue into the future. Learn about the Trail and how NPS is working with descendants and communities to manage one of the oldest trails in the National Trails System.

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Coffee berry blotch is on the increase, according to
University of Hawai`i.

COFFEE BERRY BLOTCH and Cercospora Leaf Spot are two problems that University of Hawai`i is identifying in the coffee industry. Andrea Kawabata, Associate Extension Agent for Coffee and Orchard Crops reports taht she recently noticed an increase in this problem, caused by fungal pathogens. She said to look for a small, brown blemish or sunburn mark on the berry that becomes larger, sunken and may have a reddish-purple halo. It can cause the berry skin to stick to the parchment, making pulping, fermentation and drying difficult and uneven. Young berries may ripen prematurely or become raisins and mature berries may become raisins and fall of the branch before the next harvest. Kawabata recommends visiting http://hawaiicoffee.weebly.com/cercospora-leaf-spot-and-berry-blotch.html and read the publication produced on Cercospora. "Always keep coffee trees healthy. Prune and desucker your coffee trees to imporve airflow through the tree and orchard," she reommends. Contact her at andreak@hawaii.edu.

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Volcano 911: Protecting and Serving Visitors, Tue, Aug 22, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Chief Ranger John Broward reveals what it takes to become an National Park Service law enforcement ranger, and how the park’s Protection staff works to keep visitors safe on the world’s most active volcanoes. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Make the Hawaiian Game, Pala‘ie, Wed, Aug 23, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ National Park. Create your own traditional Hawaiian game with natural materials. Pala‘ie, sometimes played by keiki while chanting ancient songs, is a ball-and-loop game rarely encountered in modern Hawai‘i. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Dream Catcher, Wed, Aug 23, 3:30 – 5 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Grades K – 8 register Aug 14 – 22. 928-0312

Fee-Free Day, Fri, Aug 25, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Celebrate National Park Service’s 101stAnniversary.

Coffee Talk, Fri, Aug 25, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. An informal conversation on a wide variety of topics. Ka‘ū coffee, tea and pastries available for purchase. Free.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

HELCo has spent more than $14 million to remove and trim trees to prevent them from falling,
as they did on Wood Valley Road in 2014 during Iselle. Photo by Royden Okinishi

HAWAI`I ELECTRIC LIGHT CO., today, announced a rate increase, following the Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission issuing an interim decision approving HELCO's first base-rate increase in more than six years.

According to HELCO, the approved interim rate will increase the typical Hawai‘i Island monthly residential bill for 500 kilowatt hours by $4.98. Over the last 12 months, the average monthly residential bill has been $162.58. The 3.4 percent increase – $9.9 million in annual revenue – will help pay for capital improvements including grid upgrades and extensive vegetation management work that is credited with reducing outages and their duration during storms, says HELCO in a statement to the public. "Since 2014, Hawai‘i Electric Light has spent more than $14 million on tree trimming and removal, concentrating on areas where non-native albizia trees threaten utility equipment and highways."

A rate increase says HELCO will help the
company to manage vegetation and make
other upgrades to avoid power outages, like
this one during Iselle in 2014 in Wood
Valley. Photo by Julia Neal

HELCO reports that "Today’s interim decision is consistent with a settlement reached last month between Hawaiʻi Electric Light and the Hawai‘i Division of Consumer Advocacy. The settlement reduced by nearly half the original request for a 6.5 percent increase in revenue."

The effective date of the new rate will be determined by the PUC.

An interim decision is one step in the ratemaking process. The PUC will continue to review the request and will later issue a final decision. If a lower final amount is approved, the difference will be refunded to customers with interest. If a higher amount is approved, the increase will only be applied going forward from the time it is approved, not retroactively.

"Hawai‘i Electric Light leads the state in the use of renewable resources to generate electricity, relying on a diverse portfolio of wind, solar, geothermal and hydropower," states the utility company. "Since 2010, the company has increased the use of renewables from 35 percent to 57 percent as of June 2017."

HELCO notes several programs available that provide financial assistance for those who are in need, including the Hawai‘i Low Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP), Ohana Energy Gift Program, and the Special Medical Needs Program. The Time-of-Use program, which offers lower rates during the daytime hours, can help save money for those who are flexible on when they use energy. See www.hawaiielectriclight.com for more information.

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TEN KEN WICKS KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SCHOLARSHIP recipients have been named for 2017. Tiani Castaneda-Naboa wrote the winning essay, answering the question, How Will Your Education Benefit the District of Ka`u?

Ka`u Chamber Logo by Tanya Ibarra

The scholars with their majors, Ka`u home towns, and campuses are: Lexis L. Andrade, a Wai`ohinu resident and architecture student at Walla Walla College in Washington, who transferred to California Polytechnic University-San Luis Obispo; Tiani L. Castaneda-Naboa, of Na`alehu, a UH Hilo marine biology major; Ty Alfred De Sa, of Pahala, a Hawai`i Community College nursing student; Sheilla Mae Felipe, of Na'alehu, a UH Hilo nursing student; Leaokalani Hashimoto, of Wai`ohinu, a UH Hilo education major; Kaweni Christopher Ibarra, of Pahala, a Santa Clara University electronic engineering major; Kamrie Koi, of Pahala, a UH Hilo political science and administration of justice and pre-law major; Rochelle Koi, of Na`alehu, a UH Hilo English and history major; Tiare-Lee Shibuya, of Na`alehu, an HCC and UH Hilo student in nursing and nursing administration; and Jennifer Flores Tabios, of Na`alehu, a St. Johns University New York City major in biology.
All of this year’s recipients are continuing college and are previous recipients of the annual Ken Wicks Ka`u Chamber of Commerce Scholarship, named after the late Ken Wicks, a longtime educator, who served as President of the Chamber.

The 2018 scholarship deadline is June 1, 2018. The Chamber encourages Ka`u youth and adult students to apply. Preference is to those who intend to remain in or return to Ka`u after completing higher education. Scholarship money can be used for all college and vocational training and ranges from $250 to $1,000 per year. Students who remain in school, in good standing, are eligible to receive the scholarship annually. For an application, see www.kauchamber.org. Call Lee McIntosh at 929-9872 with questions.

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MUMPS AT NA`ALEHU SCHOOL was reported by West Hawai`i Today on Tuesday. The Nancy Cook Lauer Story said that "A letter went out Aug. 15 notifying parents and staff to take extra precautions following the confirmation that an individual at Na`alehu Elementary School had mumps."
The story reported that "Staff and teachers were told not to come in if they had been within three feet of the unnamed student. The student wasn't named in the letter because of Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act requirements," wrote Cook Lauer, after receiving the information from Principal Darlene Javar. The story referred to Department of Education officials saying that only one new case is known on the island. See tips on preventing the spread of mumps in the Ka`u News Briefs, Thursday, Aug. 17.

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Photo from nps.gov/havo

MAKE THE HAWAIIAN GAME, PALA‘IE, Wednesday, August 23, from 10 am to noon on the Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Create your own traditional Hawaiian game using natural materials. Pala’ie, a ball-and-loop game rarely encountered in modern Hawai’i, is sometimes played by keiki while chanting ancient songs. The event is free, though park entrance fees apply.

REGISTER KEIKI, grades K-8, until August 29, to make a beaded key chain on Wednesday, August 30, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Call 928-3102 for more.

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park posted this image to Facebook on Monday
with the caption "Teri Turner Votaw writes, 'My 17 year old son, Jared Votaw,
took this great photo of the crater and Milky Way when we were visiting last
month.' Thanks :)"

CELEBRATE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE’S 101ST ANNIVERSARY on Friday, August 25, and enter Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park fee-free.

TALK STORY AT THE KAHUKU UNIT of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on Friday, August 25, for Coffee Talk from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and join the informational conversation on a wide variety of topics. Ka’u coffee, tea and pastries will be available for purchase. Free entry.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP. meets Friday, August 25, at 5 p.m. at the Hawaiian Ranchos office.

START VIEWING LIVE LONG AND PROSPER MIGHTY ‘OHI’A, daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, August 26, through October 8, at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park with paintings and illustrations by John D. Dawson. The artworks focus on the highly variable display of ‘ohi’a lehua trees found within the park. Gallery viewings are free, though park entrance fees apply.

DISCOVER HAWAIIAN GODDESSES HI’IAKA & PELE and the natural phenomenon they represent on a guided, moderate, one-mile hike through the Kahuku Unit of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Saturday, August 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Free. Visit ups.gov/havo for more.

FEARLESS ABSTRACT PAINTING, a class in which Samantha DeSilva will share her unique method of painting, takes place Saturday, August 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Volcano Art Center. $90 plus $15 supply fee per person. Call 967-8222 for more.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Aug. 4, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday Aug. 6, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Monday, Aug. 7, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, July 10, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Aug. 11, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Monday, Aug. 14, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, Aug 16, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Aug. 18, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Monday, Aug. 21, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017