Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016

ROCKS FROM THE EAST RIM of Kilauea Volcano’s summit vent fell into the lava lake at 10:02 p.m. on Saturday, triggering an explosive event that hurled fragments of molten and solid rock onto the rim of Halema`uma`u Crater. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that rocks in the vent wall can become unstable when the lake’s level drops, as has been happening for the last several days.

      The explosive event blanketed the rim of Halema`uma`u Crater with a layer of volcanic rock fragments up to about eight inches thick. The tephra deposit was thickest to the east of the former visitor overlook on the crater rim where it formed a continuous layer. Bombs were thrown up to 295 feet beyond the crater rim at the overlook and were deposited over an area 720 feet wide along the rim. The event is a reminder of why the area remains closed. According to HVO, had anyone been standing in this area when it occurred, they would have been severely burned or killed by the falling debris. 

      Tephra blasted from the vent included solid rock fragments from the vent wall as well as spatter ejected from the lava lake.
      Volcano monitoring equipment installed on the rim of Halema`uma`u Crater was a casualty of the event. Charred wires and metal components, surrounded by melted plastic, is all that remains of the power supply for one of HVO’s gravity instruments located about 80 feet from the crater rim.
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SIREN TESTING WILL OCCUR in Pahala tomorrow. Hawai`i Emergency Management Agency, together with the Hawai`i County Civil Defense Agency, will conduct tests between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

      The new sirens are part of the statewide Siren Modernization Project. Residents nearby may hear the siren sound six to eight times for 30-second to one-minute intervals during the timeframe. Testing will include short blasts known as burps. During these tests, emergency management officials and technicians will check that siren installations were properly completed. 

      Residents can direct questions about the siren testing to Civil Defense at 935-0031.
      Hawai`i EMA encourages the public to make use of other supplemental warning methods, including Hawai`i County’s mass text notification system, Blackboard Connect and NOAA Weather Radio. 

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HAWAI`I COUNTY REPORTED difficulties with its Internet connection this morning. Early walk-in voting, real property tax payments and building permits services are still available but may experience longer than usual wait times.
      Services unavailable until connectivity is restored include new and renewal vehicle registration and driver licensing. The offices remain open to answer any questions.
      Crews are working to restore connectivity as soon as possible, and an update will be issued once systems are up.
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HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE WARN residents about a telephone tax scam. A West Hawai`i resident received a call from someone claiming to be a tax office employee providing the recipient with a new tax identification number. The caller also requested personal information. The recipient did not provide any and hung up the phone.

      A police check with the state Department of Taxation confirmed that a May 5 press release stated that new tax identification numbers will be sent out by mail only beginning Aug. 20. 

      For more information, see tax.hawaii.gov.
      Police remind the public to be diligent in protecting personal information and to protect themselves from identity theft by releasing personal information only to trusted sources. When in doubt, check out the source first. Identity theft can lead to years of problems in clearing the victim’s name from obligations incurred from a thief’s use of the victim’s personal information.
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IN HONOR OF KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s centennial, Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network presents a look back at the people who were a part of the beginnings of both entities. Kilauea 1916: A Centennial Celebration of KMC & HVNP explores the unique partnership between KMC and the HVNP that began in 1916.

      A group of Hilo businessmen raised the necessary funds to build and operate a permanent camp in 1916 on land owned by Bishop Estate. The camp was to serve as a rest and relaxation facility for military troops as well a training ground for local National Guard members. Later that same year marked the establishment of the park in August 1916.
      “Since Kilauea Theater is our home, we were honored when KMC asked us to put together a show to commemorate their centennial, said KDEN’s Suzi Bond. “We were happy to oblige. There is so much history in the area, we are taking a look at some of the people who were there when it all began; businessmen, politicians, Buffalo soldiers and the local Japanese immigrants.”
      Dick Hershberger, who portrays Dr. Thomas Jaggar in KDEN’s Living History program, A Walk Into the Past, wrote the entertaining look at some of the characters who were a part of the Volcano community as the camp and park became a reality. The show is a series of vignettes where the characters tell their story, narrated by a reporter having a conversation with Mrs. Isabel Jaggar as she is preparing to board a ship in Honolulu to take her back to Hilo and her Volcano home. On the dock are musicians playing music of the era. Other characters in the show include Dr. Jaggar, Lorrin Thurston, Gov. Walter Frear, Cpl Ovid Smith, George Lycurgus, Mitsue Tanaka, Shizuka Yasunaka and Hidechi Yasunaka. Members of the cast include Arlene Araki, Stephen Bond, Bill Chikasuye, Dick Hershberger, Joel Kelley, Theresa Miller, Steve Peyton, Ray Ryan and Samantha Saiki. Karl Halemano is coordinating the music.
      Performances take place at Kilauea Theater Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. between Aug. 19 and Aug. 28. Tickets are $10 and available at the door.
      For reservations or more information, call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com.

 

Vote early through Thursday at Pahala Community Center. Photo by Julia Neal

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EARLY WALK-IN VOTING for this Saturday’s primary election continues through Thursday. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Waipuni Center in Hilo, West Hawai`i Civic Center Bldg. G in Kona and Waimea Community Center.

      For more election information, call 961-8277.

MOMI SUBIONO INTRODUCES traditional medicinal uses of Hawaiian plants tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. 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.
      Free; park entrance fees apply.

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