Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Saturday, March 19, 2016

U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD HAILED the Senate’s killing of a bill that would have overridden state laws that require labeling of genetically modified food products.

      “The Senate’s vote against the DARK Act this week is a victory for American consumers and a significant roadblock to big food corporations who are opposed to transparency for the American people,” Gabbard said. “But make no mistake – this fight is not yet over. Until labeling of our food is mandatory, as it is in 64 other countries around the world, these companies and special interest groups will continue to try and strip away years of progress in food labeling laws made by states across the country in order to keep the American people in the dark.

      “I call upon my colleagues to pass the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act, and its companion bill in the Senate (S.511), to give American consumers and families the right to make transparent, informed decisions about their health and safety.”

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THIS PAST TUESDAY, MARCH 15, Ka`u High School students from Chayanee Brooks’ environmental science and AVID class went to Keauhou Bird Conservation Center in Volcano to do service on planting trees in order to make habitats for birds.

      Students witnessed `apapane showcasing their songs and learned that everything in the ecosystem depends on each other. They planted a total of 200 plants consisting of mamane, koa and a`ali`i. 

      “They also learned to appreciate and contribute service to the land they live on,” Brooks said.

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TODAY IS THE EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY of Kilauea Volcano’s summit eruption. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists discuss it in a recent issue of Volcano Watch.
      “The ongoing eruption at Kilauea Volcano's summit began on March 19, 2008. Since that time, Island of Hawai`i residents have had to cope with the challenges of increased vog and its effects,” the article states.
      “On the other hand, the glowing lava lake within the summit vent provides a beautiful sight, drawing hundreds of visitors to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park nightly. When the lava lake briefly rose and spilled onto the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater in April and May 2015, it showed itself as a vivid reminder of Kilauea’s dynamic nature.
      “While noting its eighth anniversary this month, it’s also worth reflecting on what Kilauea’s summit eruption has taught us. One remarkable aspect of the eruption is the lava lake. There are only a few lava lakes on Earth, and the Halema`uma`u lava lake is the second largest – only slightly smaller than that in Nyiragongo Volcano in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
      “Kilauea’s lava lake is a rare opportunity to study the volcano’s dynamic magmatic system. So, what have we learned?

      “Lava lakes are often called ‘windows’ into a volcano’s deep magmatic system, because they literally are part of a direct pipeline from the deep magma chamber to the surface. What happens in the deep magmatic system – like changes in magma supply rate or internal pressure – should be reflected in the lava lake at the surface. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and their collaborators have closely studied Kilauea’s summit lava lake, and now have several years of detailed observations to test this idea.

      “Does the summit lava lake actually provide insights into the unseen magmatic system below? Research is still in progress, but results thus far indicate that the answer is ‘yes and no.’ 

      “If you follow HVO’s daily eruption updates or view Kilauea’s summit webcams, you can see that the summit lava lake level changes frequently. And if you follow closely, you probably have noticed that when summit tiltmeters show deflationary tilt, the lava lake drops, while inflationary tilt corresponds to a rising lava lake. Tiltmeters essentially measure pressure within the summit magma chamber, and so, inflationary tilt means higher pressure, and deflationary tilt indicates lower pressure.
      “The close relationship between the summit lava lake level and ground tilt is remarkable because it demonstrates that the lake behaves like a pressure gauge of the deeper magma chamber – akin to a giant liquid barometer. This is an important example of how the lava lake is, indeed, a window into the state of the deep magma chamber.
      “Now, let’s look at an example of when this ‘window’ idea appears to break down.
      “The lava lake surface constantly flows from one side of the lake, where magma rises from depth, to the opposite side of the lake, where it sinks. At first glance, this seems to directly show the process of magma circulating between the deep magma chamber and the lake surface, like an enormous lava lamp. While this may be true most of the time, observations show that the lava lake’s surface flow is often interrupted by spattering and rockfalls, which completely change the speed and direction of the lake surface circulation.
      “Data show that spattering and rockfalls do not seem to have a deep trigger. Instead, they reflect shallow processes near the lava lake’s surface. These sporadic changes in the lake’s circulation are examples of how the lava lake reflects near-surface processes and do not always indicate processes in the deep magma system.
      “Beyond these insights, a remaining question is how long the summit eruption will last. Unfortunately, there is no definitive data we can gather to answer this question.
      “The best we can do is look at Kilauea’s recent history. A lava lake was frequently present at Kilauea’s summit for over a hundred years – from the early 1800s into the early 1900s. This persistence suggests that Kilauea’s summit lava lakes have the potential to last for decades.
      “With the East Rift Zone’s Pu`u `O`o eruption reaching its 33rd anniversary in January 2016, Kilauea is remarkable among the world’s volcanoes for having two long-term, concurrent eruptions. While having such an active volcano in our backyard presents both benefits and challenges, Kilauea will likely remain one of Earth’s most outstanding teachers of volcano science for years to come.”
      See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
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HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA`U invites residents to enjoy the Prince Kuhio Day celebration in Na`alehu Park a week from today, on Saturday, March 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

      “We are very proud to sponsor the first Prince Kuhio celebration in Ka`u in over 40 years,” President Blossom DeSilva said. “This holiday is significant because Prince Kuhio founded the first Hawaiian Civic Club in 1918.”

      Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka`u was organized in 1969 and chartered by the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs in 1970. As a territorial delegate to the U. S. Congress, Kuhio was also instrumental in getting Congress to pass the 1920 Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.
      Opening pule is at 8:45 a.m., followed by announcements and greetings, arrival of the Royal Court and entertainment. There will be food, arts and crafts, exhibits, photos, cultural demonstrations, Hawaiian games and much more.
      For more information, contact Darlyne at 640-8407 or dvierra22@gmail.com or Liz at 339-0289 or konawaileo@yahoo.com.

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

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