Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, June 8, 2017

      "The earthquake, which was widely felt on the Island of Hawai‘i, was located about 18 km (11.2 mi) southeast of Volcano at a depth of 8 km (5 mi). A map showing the location of the earthquake is posted on HVO's website at https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/.

     "The USGS 'Did you feel it?' website (https://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/) received almost 800 felt reports within the first hour of the earthquake. The maximum intensity of shaking reported by Island of Hawai‘i residents was V on the Mercalli Intensity Scale, indicating moderate shaking."

      According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, there as  no tsunami threat from this

earthquake. Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense received no reports of damage.

      There were more than 15 aftershocks following this morning's magnitude-5.3 earthquake.

      Kīlauea's south flank has been the site of 29 earthquakes of magnitude-4.0 or greater during the past 25 years. Most are caused by abrupt motion of the volcano's south flank, which moves to the southeast over the oceanic crust as a result of magma being injected into the East Rift Zone and long term settling of the volcano. The location and depth for today's earthquake are

consistent with slip along or above this south flank fault. 

      According to HVO Scientist-in-Charge Christina Neal the earthquake had no apparent effect

on Kīlauea Volcano's ongoing eruptions. "HVO monitoring networks have not detected any significant changes in activity at the summit or along the rift zones of Kīlauea or at other Hawaiian volcanoes resulting from the earthquake.

      For more information on recent earthquakes in Hawai‘i and eruption updates, visit the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website at https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/.

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Andres Magana Ortiz has another month on this coffee farm with his family, after a stay today delaying his deportation to Mexico. Photo by David Corrigan. See www.bigislandvideonew.com

DEPORTATION OF COFFEE FARMER Andres Magana Ortiz has been delayed at least 30 days, following a stay issued by the Department of Homeland Security today.
     Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who introduced a private bill in congress earlier this week to halt the deportation and make him eligible for legal, permanent residence in the United States, said,
    “This morning, Mr. Ortiz faced the possibility of immediate deportation, leaving his wife and three children behind. While today’s 30-day reprieve is a positive step, it does not resolve the underlying issues. I’ll continue to push legislative and other avenues to assist Mr. Ortiz and his family in their efforts to remain in the Kona community he has called home for nearly three decades.”
     Sen. Mazie Hirono tweeted, "Thirty-day stay is a positive step for Magana Ortiz `ohana. But our work will continue to keep Andres with his family https://sen.gov/4W5R .

Ortiz manages 15 coffee farms and owns his own. Photo by David Corrigan/ Big Island Video News

     Hirono also gave an extensive talk about Oritz and his history on the U.S. Senate floor today. Said Hirono, “Today’s announcement is a positive step, but our work to keep Mr. Magana Ortiz with his family isn’t done yet." She asked Department of Homeland Security to "process the Magana Ortiz family’s application to bring Andres out of the shadows as quickly as possible to keep Andres together with his wife and kids. Andres’ ordeal speaks to the very real fear and anxiety spreading through immigrant communities across the country. We must pass comprehensive immigration reform that provides a pathway to citizenship, and which prioritizes family unity.”
      Hirono asked Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to "Let Andres stay in our country. Let his children have a father present and active in their lives. It's no too late to keep this family together."
      Hirono pointed to support from Suzanne Shriner, president of the Kona Coffee Farmers Association, and said, "Mr. Ortiz is a true example of an American Dream. Rising from a farm worker to farm owner, he has created a successful business through hard work. He has sent his children to college and he has given back to his community by working with other farms and farmers to control an invasive pest. His story is why we need to find a path to citizenship for these vital members of our farming community." See Hirono's speech at www.bigislandvideonews.co
     Ortiz came to the U.S. decades ago, smuggled in to join his mother when he was 15 years of age.