Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Tuesday, Aug 2, 2016

Visitors observe the Kamokuna ocean entry on the eve of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park's 100th anniversary.
Rangers have placed rope barricades to keep people away from the unstable, steep cliff edges,
flying volcanic debris and fumes, and bench collapse. NPS Photo by Sami Steinkamp

KILAUEA IS PUTTING ON QUITE a show for park visitors eager to see a volcanic eruption – just like it was 100 years ago today when Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park was established on Aug. 1, 1916.

Yesterday, as the park enters its next century, park visitors were treated to free entry, a native plant giveaway, Hawaiian music by Ken Makuakane, lei making and konane (Hawaiian checkers), plus presentations about park efforts to save endangered nene (Hawaiian goose) and honu`ea (Hawaiian hawksbill turtle). Lava cookies and centennial stickers were shared with the first 100 visitors who arrived for the festivities.

A lava lake within Halema`uma`u Crater at the volcano’s 4,000-foot summit continues to rise and spatter, deflate and degas. At night, the lake casts a magnificent glow; by day, a plume of steam, particles and gas billows upward. Visitors can easily and safely observe this eruptive activity from an accessible overlook at Jaggar Museum.

The employees, partners and volunteers of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on the morning
of the park's 100th anniversary. NPS Photo

“It is amazing that in 1916, the year the park was established, we had two eruptions. Mauna Loa erupted during May and sent lava toward Kahuku, and Halema`uma`u fountained and spattered,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. “Fast forward 100 years, and Kilauea erupts from two locations. What an auspicious way to commemorate our centennial anniversary,” she said.

A week ago, out in the volcano’s remote east rift zone, lava from the Pu`u `O`o vent streamed down forested cliffs and crossed an emergency access route. Early the next morning, streams of rough `a`a and smooth, viscous pahoehoe lava plunged down jagged coastal cliffs into the ocean. This cascade of molten lava, at the Kamokuna ocean entry, has enlarged to almost 800 feet across and is being fed by the active flow field on the coastal plain.

Halema‘uma‘u, the summit crater of Kīlauea volcano,

glows under moonlight. NPS Photo by Eric Fandrick

Park visitors are urged to stay away from the steep, unstable sea cliffs, and rangers have placed rope barriers along the ocean entry to keep people safe.

Hikers can access the active flow field from the end of Chain of Craters Road in the park, along the gravel emergency route (Chain of Craters-Kalapana Road) and are rewarded with beautiful sights of molten, flowing lava. It’s a long and hot hike, nearly five miles one-way.
Preparation is key. Bring at least three to four quarts of water per person. Wear sturdy closed-toe hiking shoes or boots, gloves to protect the hands, and long pants to protect against lava rock abrasions. Wear sunblock, sunglasses and a hat. Visitors who plan to stay after dark need a flashlight and/or headlamp with extra batteries.
“There’s no way to tell what Kilauea will do next, and it’s likely that someone will be saying the same thing 100 years from now,” Orlando said.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

THE HAWAI`I STATE SPORTING CLAYS Championship, presented by Mike Munnerlyn, of Pahala, and his M&M Compact Sporting Clays, drew 25 shooters from as far away as Alaska and California last weekend.
The shooting event took place July 30 and 31 at Hilo Trap & Skeet Range. Awards were given in many classes: Double A, A, B, C, D and E, as well as a Hunters Class and Ladies Class. The high overall winner was Sonny Batoon, of Lana`i. Second was Roy Enimoto, of O`ahu. Third was Munnerlyn. Munnerlyn also took first in C Class and first in the Veterans Class hitting 47 out of 50 targets in a single round to win the High Gun award. Munnerlyn took third in a national competition in San Antonio in 2013.
Munnerlyn has been clay target shooting for a half dozen years and regularly practices at the Hilo range. He is a Level One Coach. Anyone wanting to learn or become involved can call him at 928-3015. Munnerlyn is a general contractor based in Ka`u.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

WHAT DO YOU SEE as the most pressing issue facing your district? What will you do about it? Civil Beat asked Ka`u’s U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and her primary election challenger Shay Chan Hodges those and other questions.

“Putting aside the fact that Hawai`i’s people could be obliterated by nuclear attacks coming from North Korea, China or Russia, the most important issue facing our state is the cost of living,” Gabbard answered. “Families who’ve lived here for generations are leaving Hawa`ii because they can’t afford housing and food.
“The people of Hawai`i need more truly affordable housing. I’ve long advocated building up — rather than out — on O`ahu to make the most of our limited space, preserving as much open space and agricultural land as possible.

“The people of Hawai`i are being priced out of the housing market. We’ve become a playground for the wealthy — condos/homes sell for millions yet sit empty 90 percent of the time, and other homes are used as vacation rentals, increasing the price for all of Hawai`i’s housing.

“I’ll continue to advocate for more affordable housing units through public and private projects, discouraging housing and land speculation, ensuring ‘affordable’ housing units are actually affordable, and stay that way – not flipped and sold for profit (like the scandal in Kaka`ako).
“We must streamline regulations that contribute to the affordable housing shortage and involve every level of government and the private sector in solving Hawai`i’s housing crisis.”

Shay Chan Hodges

“Economic instability is the most pressing issue facing our state,” Hodges replied. “Besides the obvious challenges to the individual, financial security (or lack thereof) is inextricably linked to stimulating innovation and building our state’s intellectual infrastructure, addressing social challenges, protecting the environment and leaving a legacy to our children.

“In spite of the evidence, most politicians ignore the most basic tenets of a thriving economy. When Forbes ranked the Best Countries for Business in 2015, the U.S. continued its six-year descent from 18th to 22nd place. Meanwhile, Scandinavian market economies — which have some of the strongest unions and best family-friendly policies in the world — continued with top rankings when evaluated for property rights, innovation, taxes, technology, corruption, freedom, red tape, investor protection and stock market performance.
“For over 20 years, I’ve lived the day-to-day issues and practical realities that Hawai`i’s working families face with regard to education, health care, housing, substance abuse, keeping our families safe and of course, the economy. I understand first-hand that lack of access to opportunities and threat of displacement are significant challenges in our state.
“To address these challenges, politicians must recognize that a thriving economy is one that works for working families.”
See civilbeat.com for more questions and answers.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Rick San Nicolas with his feathered cape

and cloak. NPS Photo by Christa Sadler

EARLY WALK-IN VOTING for the Aug. 13 primary election continues weekdays through Thursday, Aug. 11. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. For election information, call 961-8277.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARKS’ artist-in-residence open studio returns tomorrow. Master of Hawaiian featherwork Rick Makanaaloha Kia`imeaokekanaka San Nicolas invites visitors to join him in his studio all month long. His featherwork replicates the work of ancient Hawaiian masters whose finely crafted regalia were worn by Hawaiian royalty and warriors.
The studio is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the 1932 Administration Building, also called the `Ohi`a Wing, located between Kilauea Visitor Center and Volcano House.

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL meets tomorrow at 9 a.m. at Council Chambers in Hilo. Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Na`alehu State Office Building.
Agendas and live streaming of meetings are available at hawaiicounty.gov.

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