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| According to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, 10 percent of the world's population lives in areas threatened by active volcanoes. Lava that recently crossed the emergency road built when lava threatened Puna has inflated, hiding the road from view. See more below. Photos from HVO |
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE has lifted the flash flood watch related to remnants of Tropical Storm Howard impacting Ka`u and the state.
Center Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu is issuing advisories on Tropical Depression Ivette, located 930 miles southeast of South Point at 11 a.m.
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Tropical Depression Ivette is expected to dissipate over the next two days. Map from NOAA |
The system is forecast to move over warm water during the next couple of days, but hostile vertical wind shear is expected to win the battle, with organized deep convection unlikely to redevelop. As a result, Ivette will likely become a remnant low later today, with dissipation expected within two days.
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IN A JOINT LETTER TO THE U.S. Department of Education, Gov. David Ige, Hawai`i Board of Education Chair Lance Mizumoto and Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi voiced concerns about draft regulations and implementation timeline for the Every Students Succeeds Act. According to Matayoshi, ESSA was initially returning more control to the states. Hawai`i is in the process of taking advantage of flexibility in the ESSA law by reviewing and updating its Strategic Plan so that the state’s plan guides federal planning efforts.
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| Kathryn Matayoshi |
“Together with the full support of the members of the state of Hawai`i Board of Education, we are concerned that the proposed regulations in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking appear restrictive and not in the spirit of the ESSA with regard to the flexibility afforded to states,” the letter says.
The officials state that “participants were inspired by being able to contribute to meaningful improvements to the state’s education system. However, aspects of the proposed regulations seem to revert back to the one-size-fits-all approach, which may limit the opportunities that have been purported to be available.”
See hawaiipublicschools.org.
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See hawaiipublicschools.org.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
HAWAI`I’S ROLL IN REDUCING volcano risk around the world is the topic of the current issue of Volcano Watch.
“In 1902, visionary geologist Thomas Jaggar – founder of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory – traveled to the Caribbean Island of Martinique, where he witnessed first-hand the aftermath of the deadly Mount Pelee eruption,” the article states. “More than 30,000 people had been killed by the eruption, and the devastation he observed contributed to Jaggar’s lifelong work to ‘protect life and property on the basis of sound scientific achievement.’
“Today, more than 800 million people – ten percent of the world’s population – live within 100 kilometers (62 miles) of active, potentially deadly volcanoes. In the last four centuries, nearly 280,000 people have been killed by volcanic activity, according to a recent book commissioned by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction for the 2015 Global Assessment Report.
“Despite this, many nations around the world lack resources to properly train and grow teams of experts in volcano monitoring, eruption response, and hazard assessment – key skills required to help societies prosper in volcanically active areas.
“In 1902, visionary geologist Thomas Jaggar – founder of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory – traveled to the Caribbean Island of Martinique, where he witnessed first-hand the aftermath of the deadly Mount Pelee eruption,” the article states. “More than 30,000 people had been killed by the eruption, and the devastation he observed contributed to Jaggar’s lifelong work to ‘protect life and property on the basis of sound scientific achievement.’
“Today, more than 800 million people – ten percent of the world’s population – live within 100 kilometers (62 miles) of active, potentially deadly volcanoes. In the last four centuries, nearly 280,000 people have been killed by volcanic activity, according to a recent book commissioned by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction for the 2015 Global Assessment Report.
“Despite this, many nations around the world lack resources to properly train and grow teams of experts in volcano monitoring, eruption response, and hazard assessment – key skills required to help societies prosper in volcanically active areas.
“Since 1990, the University of Hawai`i at Hilo’s Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes, the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, and the USGS/U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Volcano Disaster Assistance Program have sponsored an annual eight-week-long International Training Program in the United States to help address this global skill gap.
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| HVO scientists share techniques that can be used to track volcanoes around the world and help scientists better forecast hazardous volcanic activity. UHH Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes Photo from HVO |
“The Island of Hawai`i is a perfect location to host the class, as our volcanoes are accessible, active, and home to some of the world’s experts in volcano monitoring.
“The course brings together scientists and technicians from around the globe to learn about and practice volcano monitoring, eruption forecasting, hazard communication, and other critical topics shared by leading volcano science professionals. This year, a dozen scientists from China, South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Peru, and Chile participated in classes and fieldwork at Kilauea and elsewhere on the island.
“The training curriculum spans the gamut, from theory to practice, and includes spectroscopic methods of measuring volcanic gas, satellite remote sensing, how to install and maintain seismometers and solar panels, and more. Students and instructors spend time in the classroom, at computers, in labs, and in the field, including experience working on/around Kilauea Volcano’s active lava flow.
“After their time in Hawai`i, class participants move on to the Pacific Northwest, where they are hosted by the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory. Their focus of learning there turns to explosive stratovolcanoes, like Mount St. Helens and Mount Hood, which are similar to the volcanoes of most concern in their home countries.
“All told, after 26 years and more than 200 students completing the curricula, organizers, instructors, and participants agree that the training does contribute to lessening volcanic risk throughout the world. And, in addition to practical skills, course participants make lifelong friendships and develop professional relationships with kindred spirits. Such networking can pay great dividends when volcanoes become restless and help from afar might be needed.
“Although the training does leave time for learning about local foods, culture, and recreational opportunities (surfing is one of the popular after-class activities in Hawai`i), the course is serious business. In some of the participants’ home countries, many tens of thousands of people live in the shadows of dangerous and under-monitored volcanoes. Imagine the responsibility felt by these international students upon returning home with their new skills and knowledge.
“Volcanology is a fast-changing, international science with an increasing number of professionals dedicated to understanding how volcanoes work. HVO is pleased to be part of a valuable training program dedicated to saving lives. Hopefully, Thomas Jaggar would be proud.
“For more information on the course, see http://hilo.hawaii.edu/~csav/international/. For more information about the USGS/USAID Volcano Disaster Assistance Program, see http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vdap/.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
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“The training curriculum spans the gamut, from theory to practice, and includes spectroscopic methods of measuring volcanic gas, satellite remote sensing, how to install and maintain seismometers and solar panels, and more. Students and instructors spend time in the classroom, at computers, in labs, and in the field, including experience working on/around Kilauea Volcano’s active lava flow.
“After their time in Hawai`i, class participants move on to the Pacific Northwest, where they are hosted by the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory. Their focus of learning there turns to explosive stratovolcanoes, like Mount St. Helens and Mount Hood, which are similar to the volcanoes of most concern in their home countries.
“All told, after 26 years and more than 200 students completing the curricula, organizers, instructors, and participants agree that the training does contribute to lessening volcanic risk throughout the world. And, in addition to practical skills, course participants make lifelong friendships and develop professional relationships with kindred spirits. Such networking can pay great dividends when volcanoes become restless and help from afar might be needed.
“Although the training does leave time for learning about local foods, culture, and recreational opportunities (surfing is one of the popular after-class activities in Hawai`i), the course is serious business. In some of the participants’ home countries, many tens of thousands of people live in the shadows of dangerous and under-monitored volcanoes. Imagine the responsibility felt by these international students upon returning home with their new skills and knowledge.
“Volcanology is a fast-changing, international science with an increasing number of professionals dedicated to understanding how volcanoes work. HVO is pleased to be part of a valuable training program dedicated to saving lives. Hopefully, Thomas Jaggar would be proud.
“For more information on the course, see http://hilo.hawaii.edu/~csav/international/. For more information about the USGS/USAID Volcano Disaster Assistance Program, see http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vdap/.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
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| Dr. Claire Horwell |
LEARN VOG STUDY RESULTS tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. Pahala Public & School Library. Dr. Claire Horwell discusses her study to assess how Ka`u residents protect themselves from vog. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory provides information about Kilauea’s background and current status.
TOMORROW AT AFTER DARK in the Park, Rick Makanaaloha Kia`imeaokekanaka San Nicolas provides a public exhibit and lecture about his Hawaiian featherwork, his inspiration from the sacred volcanoes, native birds and the history and culture of Hawai`i.
The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support park programs; park entrance fees apply.
The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support park programs; park entrance fees apply.
DISCOVER THE HEALING PROPERTIES of Hawaiian plants as Momi Subiono introduces their traditional medicinal uses. Subiono creates natural herb products to help the Hawaiian community. Her goal is to create a renewed awareness, understanding and use of traditional Hawaiian plants for healing.
The program takes place Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Free; park entrance fees apply.
The program takes place Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Free; park entrance fees apply.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| Click on document to enlarge. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August_2016.pdf. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf. |
