Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016

Tuesday's After Dark in the Park program focuses on Kahuku's natural resources. See more below.
Photo by Michael Szoenyi

THE GOOD LIFE ALLIANCE, a capacity-building organization based in Chicago, IL, earlier this month sparked passion in Ka`u youth leaders and helped develop programs serving community needs. The organization’s mission is to create and sustain change at a community level that will have national impact by unifying, equipping and building capacity in local leaders to solve long-standing social issues.
“The time is ripe for youth in Ka`u to experience their beauty and brilliance with innovative opportunities,” Ka`u organizer Sandy Tran said.

Leina`ala Enos with Ka`u youth leaders.
Photo from Elijah Navarro

David Rojas, Director of Business Development for The Good Life Alliance, facilitated two days of training focused on personal empowerment, interpersonal connections and development of creative programming. Rojas also co-lead soccer sessions for Ka`u High School’s team and helped five youth leaders acquire the U.S. Soccer National “F” License Coaching Certificate. On Friday, Feb. 12, Chloe Gan (16), David Pillete (18), Kaiminani Rapoza (17), Rayncin Salmo-Grace (18) and Augustina Sanchez (16) received certificates. They are creating a fun, activity-centered and age-appropriate environment for five- through eight-year-old players and have access to the U.S. Soccer Digital Coaching Center, a state-of-the-art online educational platform that includes U.S. Soccer Curriculum and hundreds of professional training sessions.

“I am excited for kids to learn new things,” Gan said. “Our soccer programs can help younger kids become better at the sport. We can change how our current soccer program is at the school and change the reputation of this community.”
Youth leaders Chaunalisa Velez (14) and Mark Galacio (15) also participated in the training. They developed programs that focused on the arts and environment. Galacio created a dance program, and Velez contributed ideas for creation of a community garden.
“In our community, a lot of kids are not involved in good things, and I want to make a space where kids can enjoy themselves and not have to roam the streets,” Velez said.
Rojas also built an alliance with local members to support the programs. Elijah Navarro and Winona Makuakane, of Hawai`i County Parks and Recreation, and Dolly Kailiawa, of Pahala Boys and Girls Club, have created spaces for leaders to run their programs, and Navarro is finding resources to better support development of the youth.
Donations from `O Ka`u Kakou and Leina`ala Enos, of Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center and Trust Fund, made training possible. Some partners are working to bring The Good Life Alliance back to Ka`u to provide professional development for youth workers, educators and more young people in the community and other districts of Hawai`i Island.
“Youth are the solution to many issues this community faces,” Tran said. “With the right supports in place, a spark of passion and a platform to use their voice, many Ka`u youth can illuminate and revolutionize the community and world. They truly deserve to be living ‘the good life.’”
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A TASK FORCE OF EIGHT will review Hawai`i Department of Land & Natural Resource’s revocable permit process, permit status and recommend changes to ensure the process serves the public trust and provides transparency, inclusiveness and consistency.

DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said the panel “will focus on the reasons for revocable permits versus leases or other dispositions, on opportunities for competition, the duration of revocable permit terms, pricing (including establishment of value and any reasons for discounted value) and a review of all current long-term revocable permits.”
The task force is expected to identify best practices and articulate principles to be applied. It will also update the Board of Land and Natural Resources on its review process and submittal forms and propose specific revocable permits for reconsideration by the BLNR as appropriate. The panel may also recommend implementation of administrative rules that govern issuance of revocable permits. The committee is expected to report its findings and recommendations to the chairs of Hawai`i Senate Water, Land and Agriculture Committee and House Water and Land Committee by the end of April. New practices for revocable permits are expected to be in place by June 30.
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AN EARTHQUAKE EARLIER this month highlighted one of Hawai`i’s most hazardous faults. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists discuss it in the current issue of Volcano Watch.
“On Friday, Feb. 12, at 9:23 a.m., a magnitude-4.1 earthquake occurred beneath Kilauea Volcano’s south flank,” the article states. “But this is probably not news to many Volcano Watch readers. Shaking from the earthquake was felt throughout the Island of Hawai`i, with reports to the USGS ‘Did you feel it?’ website at http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/dyfi from as far away as Captain Cook and Holualoa on the west side of the island.
“Felt earthquakes are not unusual. Kilauea’s south flank is one of the most seismically active areas in the United States, and Hawai`i Island residents are accustomed to feeling the occasional shake. However, Friday’s earthquake occurred on a fault that has also produced large and damaging events in past years, so it serves as a reminder that we should be prepared for stronger shaking in the future.

Hilina Pali is visible evidence of the steep Hilina Fault System.
An underground fault that has no visible surface expression
has produced several large earthquakes in the past
200 years. HVO Photo from Ingrid Johanson

“The faults responsible for the majority of Kilauea south flank earthquakes are members of the Hilina Fault System. This system includes steep faults that form the cliffs lining Hawai`i’s southeast coast, of which the Hilina and Holei Pali are spectacular examples. Underneath these faults is another, and more uncommon, type of fault called a décollement. Analysis of Friday’s earthquake by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory seismologists indicates that it likely occurred on this unique structure.

“Décollement, or detachment fault, refers to a nearly flat-lying fault that is often completely buried underground. At Kilauea, a décollement exists at the interface between the original seafloor and the overlying volcano. Sliding along this fault is driven partly by magma intruding into Kilauea’s East Rift Zone, which puts pressure on the south flank of the volcano and pushes it seaward. Fault slip is also driven by gravity. Repeated eruptions over-steepen the slopes of Kilauea, contributing to their instability and encouraging them to slide away from the island.

“Data from HVO’s continuous GPS monitoring network shows that most of the time Kilauea south flank motion occurs at a steady rate of six centimeters (2.5 inches) per year. This indicates stable sliding on the fault, referred to as creep, which accommodates motion without the shaking that accompanies earthquakes. In this way, creep is a ‘safe’ form of fault motion.

“However, Kilauea’s south flank décollement doesn’t only creep. It can also suddenly lurch forward in a matter of seconds, producing felt earthquakes.

“While the steep faults responsible for Hilina, Holei and other pali produce the majority of earthquakes on Kilauea’s south flank, the décollement is responsible for the strongest quakes.

Feb. 12's 4.1-magnitude earthquake reminded Ka`u
residents to prepare for Hawai`i's next large
seismic event. Map from USGS/HVO

“In 1989, slip on the décollement produced a magnitude-6.1 earthquake, which injured five people, destroyed five houses and was felt throughout the Island of Hawai`i. The strongest shaking was centered in the island’s lower Puna District, an area that has since seen rapid population growth.

“The 1975 magnitude-7.7 Kalapana earthquake was even more destructive. At the time, there were few structures near the epicenter, but severe shaking occurred throughout the Puna District and in Hilo, which experienced heavy damage, including bending of walls at Hilo Hospital. The earthquake also caused the coastline to suddenly drop by up to 3.5 meters (11 feet), generating a tsunami that resulted in the two fatalities associated with this event.
“We live on an earthquake-prone island, and each small event (for example, Friday’s M-4.1 earthquake) is like a ping on our cell phones, reminding us: ‘you’ve got earthquakes!’ We should take these reminders as opportunities to get ourselves, our families and our homes prepared for Hawai`i’s next large event.
“Before an earthquake, be sure that objects and furniture that could present falling hazards are well-secured to a shelf or wall. During an earthquake, drop, cover and hold on until the shaking stops. Afterward, check for injuries, be careful of broken glass and debris, and carefully inspect your surroundings for hazardous conditions, including fires and damaged structures.
“For more information on earthquake awareness and preparedness, see these websites: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/preparedness.php) and Great Hawai`i ShakeOut (http://shakeout.org/hawaii/).”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
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TUESDAY’S AFTER DARK IN THE PARK program focuses on the natural resources of Kahuku. Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park botanist Sierra McDaniel and wildlife biologist Jon Faford discuss the natural treasures of the Kahuku Unit and the challenges of conserving native species that cling to life here.
The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. $2 donations support park programs; park entrance fees apply.

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