Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016

Unstable atmosphere puts Ka`u in a flash flood watch through tomorrow afternoon.
Map from NOAA

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT in Ka`u through tomorrow afternoon. Abundant tropical moisture and an upper level trough will continue the threat of heavy rainfall and flooding, according to the National Weather Service.

A very moist and unstable air mass interacting with an upper level trough will result in unsettled weather with the potential for flash flooding.
A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to dangerous flash flooding. Residents should monitor forecasts and be prepared to take action should flash flood warnings be issued.
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MAYOR-ELECT HARRY KIM HAS NAMED several members to his Cabinet in advance of taking office in December, Nancy Cook Lauer reported in West Hawai`i Today. Joe Kamelamela will be corporation counsel, the legal advisor and legal representative of all county agencies, council, and all officers and employees in matters related to their official powers and duties.

Mayor-elect Harry Kim is busy selected people to fill
posts in his Cabinet. Photo by Ron Johnson

Collins Tomei, manager of Territorial Savings Bank’s Hilo branch, will head Kim’s Department of Finance. The department’s significant functions are financial planning and administration, and its primary responsibilities are in the eight areas of control - Accounts, Budget, Property Management, Purchasing, Real Property Tax, Risk Management, Treasury, and Vehicle Registration and Licensing.

Roy Takemoto returns as Kim’s executive assistant. Takemoto also previously served as the county’s deputy planning director. Kim’s former deputy managing director Barbara Kossow also returns. Irma Sumera, who currently serves on the Pension Board, will serve as Kim’s private secretary.
“I’m trying to fill the Cabinet with people the community will feel are really qualified and trusted to do the job,” Kim told Cook Lauer.
See westhawaiitoday.com.
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HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK rangers share tips for an optimal lava viewing experience. Visitors and local residents gather nightly at the Jaggar Museum observation deck to watch the lava lake spatter and glow within the summit crater of Kilauea volcano, vying for the best parking spot and vantage point.

The lava within Halema`uma`u Crater recently became visible for the first time since May 2015, and rangers have been busy directing vehicles at Jaggar Museum from 5 p.m. until well after dark, often sending people to park at Kilauea Overlook, about one third of a mile away.

At 9:55 a.m., Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that the lake surface was about 69 feet below the floor of Halema`uma`u.

The lava lake at Kilauea's summit continues at high levels.
Photo from USGS/HVO

Rangers suggest avoiding busy times and visiting the lava lake during the day or after 9 p.m. The park is open 24 hours a day.

Be mindful of air quality. Hazardous volcanic gas and particulates can drift over the summit area in light or southerly winds. These gases are a danger to all, especially people with heart or respiratory problems, young children and pregnant women. Kilauea Visitor Center offers updates on air quality 24 hours a day, and visitors can monitor the Hawai`i SO2 network website.
Be prepared to hike a third of a mile each way between Kilauea Overlook and Jaggar Museum on Crater Rim Trail. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, and bring rain gear, water, binoculars, a flashlight and extra batteries.
Carpool if possible to reduce the number of vehicles in the parking areas.
Monitor USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory webcams. The KI camera provides a panoramic view of Halema`uma`u Crater from HVO, near Jaggar Museum.

At Kamokuna, air quality is poor at the coast, where another eruption from Kilauea enters the ocean. Park rangers have roped off sections downwind of the ocean entry and have placed signs warning about toxic fume clouds that contain sulfur dioxide, volcanic particulates and hydrochloric acid near the coast.
To stay upwind of the fumes, it is currently best to hike in from Hawai`i County’s lava viewing area on the Kalapana side to access the ocean entry in the park. The Kalapana access is open daily from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. It’s about a 4.2-mile hike from the Kalapana boundary to the ocean entry viewing point, one way, along the gravel emergency access road.
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Friends of the Ka`u Libraries held its annual meeting yesterday. Photo by Julia Neal

FRIENDS OF KA`U LIBRARIES LAST NIGHT FUNDED another year of oral history filming for its Ka`u History Collection. The annual meeting at Pahala Plantation House featured a display on the project with filmmaker Joe Demoruelle. Those interviewed include long-time Ka`u residents Robert Barba, Ernest Breithaupt, Homer Hashimoto, Jeanette Howard, Dorothy Kalua, Yvonne Ke, Emily Keohuloa and Manuel Marques. Demoruelle volunteers his time, and FKL purchases supplies for the project, which is on display at Pahala Public & School Library.

FKL helps produce the Ka`u History Collection. Photo by Julia Neal

New officers for 2017 are President Sandra Demoruelle, Vice President Debbie Wong Yuen, who takes the position with her retirement as library manager Oct. 1, Secretary Linda Morgan and Treasurer Ann Fontes.

Directors are Doris “Didi” Davis, Deborah Lynn Dickerson and Kirsi Klein.
The Friends sells books, T-shirts and tote bags at many Ka`u functions throughout the year.
Pahala Library is searching for a replacement for Wong Yuen, with an employee from O`ahu filling in.
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IT’S TIME AGAIN FOR KA`U FIFTH-GRADE GIRLS to register for GEMS, Girls Exploring Math and Science, an annual day of discovery that features hands-on workshops and exhibits led by community women volunteers who show girls how they use math, science and technology in their careers.

Ka`u fifth-grade girls, like these in 2010, can sign up
to explore math and science. Photo from GEMS

This always popular event will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at the Courtyard King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel and is attended by over 300 West Hawai`i fifth-graders in public, private or home schools. It is sponsored by the American Association of University Women, Kona Branch, whose mission is to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research. Registration forms have been sent to all West Hawai`i schools, and registration must be postmarked by Oct. 7. Registration is on a first come, first served basis, and space is limited, so it is important to register early to get a spot and choice of workshops. Registration fee is $20, and scholarships are available. No girl will be turned away because of financial need.

The girls attending will get a GEMS T-shirt, learn about nutrition at breakfast, view various exhibits, attend three workshops and have lunch at the resort. A special lunchtime Zumba activity gets the girls moving and is always a big hit.
Workshop topics this year include marine science, veterinary medicine, astronomy, chemistry, robotics, engineering, archaeology, culinary , financial planning, computer programming, surveying and more. Workshops are designed to stimulate interest and bolster confidence of girls in traditionally male-dominated fields and also introduce girls to positive female role models who can make a big difference to a young girl and may stimulate interest in a new career goal.

Call Cindy Armer at 808-896-7180, or email cbarmer@hotmail.com, with questions or to sponsor a girl.

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Runners again hit the trails at Ka`u Coffee Mill Saturday.
Image from video by Vernon Harvey

`O KA`U KAKOU'S THE THIRD ANNUAL Ka`u Coffee Trail Run begins at 7 a.m. Saturday. The event includes a 5K, a 10K and Half Marathon.

All proceeds of the southernmost trail run in the USA, remain in Ka`u to benefit Ka`u’s kupuna and keiki, as well as local schools and community groups.
Register at race360.org/21357.

For more information about the race, course maps or volunteering opportunities, email candy.casper@gmail.com, or see okaukakou.org.

Halau E Hulali Mai I Ka La performs
Saturday. Photo from VAC

VOLCANO ART CENTER’S Hula Kahiko series continues Saturday at 10:30 a.m. with a performance by Na Kumu hula Chrissy Kama Henriques and Leilani Taka-Keana`aina, with Halau E Hulali Mai I Ka La.

This young halau from Honaunau recently placed third in the E Malama Mau I Ka Hula Festival, and their soloist, Tacie Kuikahi, won the coveted Miss Keiki Hula title. This will be their second time performing on the kahua hula near VAC Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

The public is invited to join Native Hawaiian cultural specialist Loke Kamanu and her `ohana as they set up shop on the gallery lanai. Presenting a display of “Na Mea Hula” (all things hula), Loke shares a variety of instruments, implements and lei styles that play an integral role in the life of the hula practitioner. The demonstration is hands-on and family friendly.
Free; park entrance fees apply.

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