Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Monday, Feb. 29, 2016

CHIEF HARRY KUBOJIRI ENCOURAGES the Ka`u residents to participate in an anonymous Community Satisfaction Survey for the Hawai`i Police Department during the month of March.

      Kubojiri said previous Community Satisfaction Surveys have helped him identify actions the Police Department could take to increase community satisfaction. “This survey is one of the tools we use to improve our crucial partnership with the community by incorporating community feedback into our daily operations,” Kubojiri said. “By comparing the results of this year’s survey with the results of past surveys, we can gauge where we have improved and where we need further improvement.”
      In addition to multiple-choice questions, the survey allows participants to make individual comments. “I read every comment,” Kubojiri said. “The more specific the feedback is, the better this department can respond to the needs of our community.”
      The online survey will be open from 9 a.m. tomorrow until 4 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at www.hawaiipolice.com. It takes about five minutes to complete and is limited to one survey per computer. The respondent’s IP address will not be stored in the survey results.
      Responses will be collected and compiled by an outside source. After the survey period, results will be posted on the department’s website.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KILAUEA SUMMIT’S LAVA LAKE was intermittently in view from the Jaggar Museum overlook this morning after rising during the past several days, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported. Inflationary tilt continued for most of yesterday until about 3:30 a.m., when it transitioned to deflationary. The lake’s height was approximately 75 feet below the rim of the Overlook crater at 9 a.m. Glow was recorded by a webcam on HVO’s roof. Rates of seismicity continue at normal levels, with periods of increased tremor associated with spattering within the Overlook vent.

      According to HVO, scattered surface flows remain active on the June 27th flow field, all within about four miles of Pu`u `O`o, and do not currently threaten any nearby communities.
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HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK continues its centennial celebration in March, sharing Hawaiian culture and After Dark in the Park programs with the public.

     The Civilian Conservation Corps was a successful federal job program initiated by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression. From 1933 to 1942, the young men of the CCC built much of the early infrastructure seen today in national parks across the country. In Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, the local CCC built historic structures like Kilauea Visitor Center and the Mauna Loa shelter and constructed fences, trails and much of the striking rockwork along the iconic Crater Rim Drive, and much more. Today, the legacy of the CCC lives on for present and future generations to appreciate and enjoy. Archaeologist Summer Roper and Supervisory Park Ranger Andrea Kaawaloa-Okita reveal key accomplishments of the CCC and share what life was like during this era of hope at After Dark in the Park tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

      National Parks Traveling Quilt Exhibit will be on display in Volcano House’s Great Room, just off the lobby, Friday, March 4 through Sunday, March 27. Visitors are invited to view the quilts at any time during those dates. Inspired by the centennial of the National Park Service, Nebraska artists selected 13 national parks, including Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, which also turns 100 this year, as inspiration for a traveling collection of quilts. The quilts were created by Fiber Works, a group of textile artists from the Lincoln-Omaha area. Dorothy Heidemann-Nelson, a retired chemist, created the quilt that represents Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, incorporating traditional Hawaiian kapa (bark cloth) created by Hawai`i Island kapa maker Joni Mae Makuakane-Jarrell, who also serves as the park’s Chief of Interpretation. The kapa on the left side of the quilt represents the volcanic birth of the island chain and culture of the islands, and the right side represents new life. The park will receive the quilt as a gift after the traveling exhibit ends in December.

      On Wedneday, March 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Kilauea Visitor Center’s lanai, park rangers demonstrate how to make a useful ahu la`i (ti leaf cape). Ahu la`i were fashioned by attaching individual stems of ti leaf to a net mesh. They were worn over shoulders to protect wearers from driving winds and rain. The demonstration is part of Hawai`i Volcanoes’ ongoing ‘Ike Hana No‘eau: Experience the Skillful Work workshops.

      Kai Ho`opi`i presents an evening of Hawaiian music, sharing the music of his `ohana from Kahakuloa, Maui. Ho`opi`i is a winner of the Aloha Festivals Hawaiian falsetto singing contest. The concert on Wednesday, March 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium is part of Hawai`i Volcanoes’ ongoing Na Leo Manu: Heavenly Voices presentations.
      At Find Your Park on the Big Screen events, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will show sister park movies to raise awareness of other national parks in Hawai`i and the Pacific Islands. The first movie will be The Soul of Kalaupapa: Voices of Exile, a 52-minute film by Fred E. Woods about what life was like for the patients and residents of Kalaupapa, removed from their families because of the fear and stigma of leprosy (Hansen’s disease). Today, Kalaupapa National Historical Park on Moloka`i shares the history and culture of the people and places of Kalaupapa’s past. The showing is Friday, March 18 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.
      Wildlife Biologist Kathleen Misajon will highlight two critically endangered bird species, the iconic nene (Hawaiian goose) and the mysterious `ua`u (Hawaiian petrel) at After Dark in the Park on Tuesday, March 22 at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Learn about the park’s current and future monitoring programs and how these species are faring in the park and throughout Hawai`i.
      Participants try their skill at fun Hawaiian games that have been played by generations of families when park rangers and staff from Hawai`i Pacific Parks Association demonstrate various games. The `Ike Hana No`eau: Experience the Skillful Work event takes place Wednesday, March 23 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the lanai at Kilauea Visitor Center.
      Participants join park staff to malama (care for) a section of Devastation Trail that provides important nene habitat on Saturday, March 26, at 9 a.m. Crews remove knotweed and other invasive plants that threaten nene habitat. Sturdy footwear, water, light rain gear, sun protection and snacks are recommended. Meet at Devastation Trail Parking lot.

      All programs are free; park entrance fees apply. Programs are co-sponsored by the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

      To find out what’s happening throughout 2016, see nps.gov/havo. To find centennial events at other national parks, see FindYourPark.com.

      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN returns to Ka`u tomorrow. He holds a talk story session at 6 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House to discuss the current legislative session and meet with Ka`u constituents.

      The state Legislature is currently on a mandatory five-day recess and reconvenes on Thursday, March 3.

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