Ka`u News Briefs, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017

A NEW LAVA VIEWING AREA AT KAMOKUNA was established by park rangers on Tuesday, following the large lava delta collapse on New Year’s Eve. The new lookout is approximately 900 feet east of a cascade of lava pouring into the ocean, and about 60 feet inland of the coastal cliffs. Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park rangers, in conjunction with USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists, thoroughly assessed the area, and established the new viewing site with white rope lines and numerous signs that clearly mark hazardous closed areas.
    Visitors are strongly urged to stay out of closed areas and heed all posted warning signs and park rangers.

New lava cascade at Kamokuna in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Monday, Jan. 2. NPS Photo/J.Ferracane

    “Visitors who do not heed warnings not only endanger themselves but the lives of others, including our park rangers, who work tirelessly to ensure a safe visitor experience,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando.
    After the delta collapse on New Year’s Eve, a group of five visitors ignored rangers and warning signs and slipped beneath the white rope lines into a closed area at the coast. Two park rangers had to chase after them, and made them turn around – 15 minutes before the area they were standing on collapsed into the ocean.
    In addition to the threat of another land collapse, the toxic plume of volcanic particles and acidic gas generated by lava mixed with ocean water is very dangerous, and irritates the lungs, skin and eyes. Land collapses, which trigger tsunami-like waves, and the toxic gas plume, are also a serious threat to aircraft and boats. There is currently a 1,000-foot above-ground-level temporary flight restriction at Kamokuna.
    HVO scientists estimate that nearly all of the 26-acre lava delta is now gone, along with more than four acres of older coastal cliff area, which included the former lava viewing site. The collapse on New Year’s Eve started in the afternoon and lasted several hours, creating blasts of volcanic rock and a series of damaging waves, in addition to a thick, dark plume of debris and gas.

Visitors begin the five-mile hike to Kamokuna shortly after the  park opened the lava viewing area on Tuesday, January 3, the 34th anniversary of the eruption of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent on Kīlauea, the source of the lava flows going into the ocean today.   NPS Photo/Janice Wei

    It is closer from the east entrance to reach the new lava viewing area within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. From the east, or Kalapana/County of Hawai‘i side, visitors must hike about 4.2 miles one way along the gravel emergency access road. This entrance is open daily from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. From the park, or west side, visitors can hike out from the Coastal Ranger Station at the end of Chain of Craters Road, about five miles one-way. About one mile of the hike goes inland of the gas plume over hardened, uneven lava flows. The park entrance is open 24 hours a day.
    Hikers need to be prepared for a long trek. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes or boots, gloves to protect the hands, and long pants to protect against lava rock abrasions. Carry plenty of water (three to four quart/liters per person). Wear sunblock, sunglasses and a hat. Visitors who plan to stay after dark need a flashlight and/or headlight with extra batteries.
    For hiking tips, visit the park website https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/upload/Hiking-Tips.pdf. For County of Hawai‘i Lava Viewing information, call (808) 430-1966. For the latest eruption updates, visit the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website: http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php. Monitor air quality at http://www.hawaiiso2network.com/.

A FLOAT NAMED SPIRIT OF HAWAI`I took top prize in the 2017 Tournament of Roses Parade on Monday. The annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA. was attended by about 700,000 people and viewed on television by about 70 million. It was held on Jan. 2, since the traditional New Year's Day parade date fell on a Sunday.
     The float featured a 10-foot tall sculpture of King Kamehameha, an erupting Hawai`i Island volcano, four waterfalls utilizing 2,000 gallons of recycled water, and floral sculpted animals including parrots, sea turtles and geckos decorated in tropical flowers. Fruits featured on the float were provided by Dole Packaged Foods, including bananas, pineapples, and mangoes. The float was 55 feet long, 18 feet wide and over 28 feet tall.

Visiting the drying floor of Ka`u Coffee Mill would be an example of acceptable agricultural tourism, according to the newly proposed regulations.   Photo from Ka`u Coffee Mill

    The proposed measure says that, "Agricultural t tourism means visiting an agribusiness, horticultural, aquacultural or agricultural operation that is managed by the owner or by an operator resident at the subject property for the purpose of recreation, education, or active involvement in the operation, other than as a contractor or employee of the operation, and includes the sale of agricultural products and agriculturally-related products. The term agricultural tourism does not include educational tours sponsors and conducted by public or private schools located within the County."

     The proposed legislation also says, "Agricultural products means the commodities resulting from income producing activities or uses such as the cultivation of crops, including but not limited to flowers, vegetables, foliage, fruits, forage, and timber; apriary activities, including but not limited to royal  jellly, bee pollen, and beeswax; farming or ranching activities or uses related to animal husbandry, aquaculture, or game and fish propagation; and production of compost or mulch.

     The bill describes two types of operators:

     Agricultural tourism major "means an agricultural tourism operation that qualifies to host between five thousand and thirty thousand visitors annually."

A visit to Earth Matters farm to see organic agriculture in on South Point Road  would be another example of agrotourism. Photo from Earth Matters

     Agricultural tourism minor "means an agricultural tourism operation that qualifies to host less than five thousand visitors annually."

     Agricultural tourism major requires plan approval prior to operation. Both major and minor operations require approval prior to construction or installation of any new structure and for any addition to that exceeds ten percent of the existing structure.

        Plan approval applications require such information as whether there will be visits by buses and the carrying capacity of the busses, proof of adequate on street or off street parking, loading, unlaoding and turn around space, adequate legal acces to a public highway, and a plan for vehicular and pedistrian access ways. 

     Ag tourism revenue cannot exceed the revenue that comes from the agricultural enterprise, the legislation states. If the farm or ranch shuts down, so does the related ag tourism, the bill states.