 |
| This Catholic church built by the Sacred Hearth fathers, which included Saint Damien, was destroyed by the 1868 earthquake in Ka‘ū. The ruins remain on Kama‘oa Road. See story below. Photo from Images of America, Ka‘ū District by Dennis and Marge Elwell |
DECERTIFYING THE NUCLEAR AGREEMENT WITH IRAN and U.S. allies is a "dangerous, political decision," said Sen. Mazie Hirono, after Pres. Donald Trump made the threat. He directed Congress today to come up with a plan to force Iran to go beyond the agreement that delays its nuclear weapon development. Hirono said, "Our European Allies, the United Nations, and the President's own civilian and military national security team all agree that Iran is not in material breach of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action." The Plan of Action is an agreement between Iran, U.S. and other nations. It promise to delay nuclear development is judged through inspections, which Trump cabinet members have determined that Iran has passed.
Said Hirono, "In making the dangerous, political decision to decertify Iran's compliance with the agreement, Donald Trump is jeopardizing our national security by undermining the harsh restrictions on Iran's nuclear program established by JCPOA. At a time when the President's irresponsible actions and rhetoric have already exacerbated the crisis in North Korea, we don't need a second nuclear crisis in the Middle East."
Said Hirono, "In making the dangerous, political decision to decertify Iran's compliance with the agreement, Donald Trump is jeopardizing our national security by undermining the harsh restrictions on Iran's nuclear program established by JCPOA. At a time when the President's irresponsible actions and rhetoric have already exacerbated the crisis in North Korea, we don't need a second nuclear crisis in the Middle East."
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
WITHDRAWING MEMBERSHIP FROM UNESCO, which lists Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park as a World Heritage Site, is one of the latest of President Donald Trump's pullbacks from cooperation with other nations. According to a statement from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. will remain a UNESCO non-member observer and signatory to the stand-alone treaty establishing the World Heritage Convention. There are 195 members of UNESCO, with 193 signging onto the Heritage Treaty.
 |
| UNESCO, headquartered in Paris, and listing Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park as a Wold Heritage Site, promotes understanding of diverse cultures. Photo from UNESCO |
Today, UNESCO nominated the former cultural minister for France as its new chief. According to Reuters, Aidreu Azoulay told reporters, "In this time of crisis we need more than ever to support, strengthen and reform UNESCO and not leave it. If I'm confirmed... the first thing I will do is to restore its credibility, restore the faith of its members and its efficiency so it can act." French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted, "Congratulations. France will continue to fight for science, education and culture in the world." UNESCO is headquartered in Paris.
The United States withdrew funding from UNESCO in 2011 when it accepted Palestine as a member. The Trump administration said that withdrawal from membership is due, in part, to an anti-Israel bias.
According to the National Park Service, the decision will not threaten Hawai‘i Volcanoes or any other U.S. place from being listed as a World Heritage Site.
See more at en.unesco.org. and whc.unesco.org/en/list/.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
Alan Moores represented the Ka‘ū contingent. Among Bahá‘í attending were a Native American, Marshallese, Iranian and Chinese, ranging from age five to 96. Many have lived internationally from Papua New Guinea to Korea, Colombia and Belize and make Hawai‘i Island their home.
The Bahá‘í's of Ka‘ū host a celebration on Saturday, Oct. 21, at Pāhala Community Center, with a film about their history and community work. The event is from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
BE PREPARED FOR NATURE'S FURY is the message in this week's Volcano Watch, written by USGS scientists at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, in advance of Thursday, Oct. 19. That is the date of the statewide earthquake drill which occurs at 10 a.m. It's called the Great Hawai‘i ShakeOut and teaches everyone to "Drop! Cover! and Hold On!"
As the summer months began to wind down this year, Nature's fury began to wind up and grab much of the news cycle. On Sept, 8, as Irma, the second of four hurricanes to sweep across the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions thus far in 2017, was approaching Cuba, a magnitude-8.1 (M8.1) earthquake struck the western coast of Mexico. This was the largest earthquake to strike Mexico in 100 years. It caused widespread damage, injured hundreds, and took dozens of lives.
 |
| Damage to an unreinforced rock wall at Kalāhikiola Church in Kapa‘au, North Kohala, following the magnitude-6.6 Kīholo and magnitude-6.0 Māhukona earthquakes in October 2006. USGS photo by J. Takahashi |
Coincidentally, this M7.1 earthquake struck 32 years to the day since a M8.0 earthquake struck along Mexico's western coast in 1985. Though centered hundreds of miles from Mexico City, the 1985 earthquake is often referred to as the "Mexico City earthquake" because of its devastating effects on that city.
Thousands perished in the 1985 Mexico City earthquake. Seismic waves were amplified by the lake bed and river sediments beneath the city. Strong ground shaking caused many buildings to collapse, trapping their occupants beneath and within. These same effects came into play during the Sept. 19, 2017, earthquake, as well.
An important consequence of the 1985 Mexico City earthquake was the development and implementation of upgraded building codes in Mexico. These upgraded codes made it less likely that newly constructed buildings would collapse during an earthquake, and they possibly prevented even greater destruction and casualties resulting from last month's earthquake.
Unlike hurricanes, which can be observed and tracked as they develop over days, earthquakes occur relatively instantaneously. Yet, if we know that an earthquake has occurred, and it is possibly large enough, we can estimate how soon damaging seismic waves will begin to shake different areas based on how far they are from the earthquake's epicenter.
![]()
After the 1985 earthquake, Mexico was one of the first countries to use this principle to provide early warning of imminent strong earthquake shaking. Some reports have credited Mexico's system with helping to reduce casualties associated with the September 2017 earthquakes. The United States Geological Survey is coordinating a U.S. West coast earthquake early warning effort with university and other partners in California, Oregon, and Washington State.
While being warned that a damaging earthquake has struck can help minimize losses, it is critically important to be prepared and know what to do to reduce damage and injury when earthquakes, like the 2006 Kīholo and Māhukona events, occur in Hawai‘i. Across the U.S., annual Great ShakeOut earthquake awareness drills (shakeout.org/Hawaii) emphasize "Drop! Cover! and Hold On!" until strong shaking stops to avoid being struck by falling objects, and before evacuating a damaged structure.
Practicing what to do during a large earthquake will help people take appropriate actions when the next one actually strikes. Because Sept. 19 marks the anniversary of the 1985 earthquake, Mexico City had conducted an earthquake drill earlier that day, just a matter of hours before the M7.1 earthquake struck. Along with preparation and planning, the importance of developing, implementing and enforcing appropriate building codes cannot be overstated.
As Hawai‘i residents Drop! Cover! and Hold On! during this year's Great Hawaiʻi ShakeOut at 10:19 a.m. HST on Thursday, October 19, urge USGS scientists, "Let's also dedicate a quiet moment to those adversely impacted by recent earthquakes. And, let's think about ways we can improve our personal and community preparedness and resiliency to extreme natural events."
See HVO website at volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo for past Volcano Watch articles, volcano updates and photos, recent earthquake info, and more. Call for summary updates at 808-967-8862 (Kīlauea) or 808-967-8866 (Mauna Loa). Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
An important consequence of the 1985 Mexico City earthquake was the development and implementation of upgraded building codes in Mexico. These upgraded codes made it less likely that newly constructed buildings would collapse during an earthquake, and they possibly prevented even greater destruction and casualties resulting from last month's earthquake.
Unlike hurricanes, which can be observed and tracked as they develop over days, earthquakes occur relatively instantaneously. Yet, if we know that an earthquake has occurred, and it is possibly large enough, we can estimate how soon damaging seismic waves will begin to shake different areas based on how far they are from the earthquake's epicenter.
While being warned that a damaging earthquake has struck can help minimize losses, it is critically important to be prepared and know what to do to reduce damage and injury when earthquakes, like the 2006 Kīholo and Māhukona events, occur in Hawai‘i. Across the U.S., annual Great ShakeOut earthquake awareness drills (shakeout.org/Hawaii) emphasize "Drop! Cover! and Hold On!" until strong shaking stops to avoid being struck by falling objects, and before evacuating a damaged structure.
Practicing what to do during a large earthquake will help people take appropriate actions when the next one actually strikes. Because Sept. 19 marks the anniversary of the 1985 earthquake, Mexico City had conducted an earthquake drill earlier that day, just a matter of hours before the M7.1 earthquake struck. Along with preparation and planning, the importance of developing, implementing and enforcing appropriate building codes cannot be overstated.
 |
| shakeout.org.hawaii |
See HVO website at volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo for past Volcano Watch articles, volcano updates and photos, recent earthquake info, and more. Call for summary updates at 808-967-8862 (Kīlauea) or 808-967-8866 (Mauna Loa). Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
 |
| Pick up the October edition of The Ka'ū Calendar delivered free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka'ū, from Miloli'i through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout the district. See it online now at kaucalendar.com |
UPCOMING FALL TROJAN SPORTS:
Cheerleading
Wednesday, Oct. 18, at Kamehameha.
Eight-Man Football
Saturday, Oct. 21, Ka'ū vs. Pāhoa, home.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
THE HISTORY OF DISCOVERY HARBOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT will be presented at a dinner tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 14, at Discovery Harbour Community Center at 5 p.m. Veteran and current volunteer firefighters will be honored.
A wall of photos, with two original helmets used in 1988, and an album with facts and photos from past to present will be unveiled. For more information call Dina Shisler at 410-935-8087 or email dinashisler24@yahoo.com. Read the Ka‘ū News Briefs from Tuesday, Oct. 10, for more details.
FAR FROM THE TREE, wood and acrylic art show for Linda Peterson and Gregg Smith, opens Saturday, Oct. 14, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 12, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the Volcano Art Center Gallery. A reception with both artists will be tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 14, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The mixed media exhibition showcases Peterson’s detailed acrylic paintings and Smith’s segmented, wood turned vessels made mostly of Hawaiian hardwoods. The exhibit also features hand painted wooden bowls that combine both artists’ talents.
For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org or contact VAC Gallery Manager Emily C. Weiss by calling (808) 967-8222 or emailing gallery@volcanoartcenter.org.
ATLAS RECYCLING ACCEPTS RECYCLABLES AT SOUTH POINT U-CART again on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
MONGOLIAN BARBECUE AND COMEDY NIGHT are o tap at Kīlauea Military Camp, tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 14. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m, Camp's Crater Rim Café offers Mongolian BBQ. Call 967-8356 for more details. At 8 p.m., Lava Lounge offers Comedy Night with Tom Clark. Call 967-8371 for more. Both events are open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.
PLAY MUSIC, DANCE AND SING AT KANIKAPILA. Acoustic instrumentalists, drummers, singers and dancers invited on Saturdays, Oct. 14 and 28, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. to Nā‘ālehu Methodist Church Hall. For more, call Desmond at 937-6305.
EXPLORE HUMAN HISTORY on a three-hour guided moderate two-mile hike called People and Land of Kahuku. It loops through varied landscapes in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Sunday, Oct. 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Emerging native forests, pastures, lava fields, and other sites hold clues about ways people have lived and worked on the vast Kahuku lands– from the earliest Hawaiians, through generations of ranching families, to the current staff and volunteers of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The hike is also offered on Nov. 19 and Dec. 17.
LEARN ABOUT KA‘Ū DESERT’S FOOTPRINTS IN THE ASH with Park Ranger Jay Robinson during Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s After Dark in the Park on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium.
Hawaiians traversed Kīlauea on foot between Puna and Ka‘ū. During the 18th century, explosions from the volcano rained volcanic ash down on the people, preserving their footprints in the sands of “Keonehelelei.” Robinson will discuss new interpretive displays in the Ka‘ū Desert and explain what is known today about the impact of these explosive eruptions on native society. The event is free, park entrance fees apply.
 |
| Jon Dawson illustrated the history of the Ka‘ū Footprints Trail, the subject of After Dark in the Park on Tuesday. |
REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8 FOR PAPER PLATE SILHOUETTE CRAFT, until Tuesday, Oct. 17, for the class that takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 18, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Pāhala Community Center. For more, call 928-3102.
A FREE CONCERT FEATURING NA HOKU HANOHANO WINNER MARK YAMANAKA will be at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on Wednesday, Oct. 18, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Yamanaka has been awarded multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards since his first album, Lei Puakenikeni. His Lei Maile also received critical acclaim. This event is part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing Nā Leo Manu “Heavenly Voices” presentations. Park entrance fees may apply.
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD meets Wednesday, Oct. 18, starting at noon, in the Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033.
INPUT FOR THE FUTURE OF HAWAI‘I COUNTY TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, including the Hele On Bus that takes many Ka‘ū residents to work, school and shopping, is invited at meetings outside Ka‘ū. Those unable to attend may contact Ka‘ū's County Council member Maile David at
maile.david@hawaiicounty.gov or email the consultants at heleonsuggestions@ssfm.com.
Meetings are 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 19, at Waimea Elementary School and Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Lu‘au Hale in Hilo.
Call 808-356-1260.
HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA‘Ū MEETS THURSDAY, Oct. 19, at 5:30 p.m. For more, call 929-9731 or 936-7262.
AUDITIONS FOR A GILBERT & SULLIVAN CHRISTMAS CAROL, the December play by Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network, are Thursday, Oct. 19, at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 21, at 10 a.m. at KMC's Kīlauea Theater. Auditioners prepare a song that best features vocal ability. There are parts for all ages, from Scrooge to Tiny Tim.
HAWAI‘I TROPICAL FRUIT GROWERS hosts a meeting with Hawai‘i Farmers Union United to discuss tropical fruit yields on Thursday, Oct. 19, at 81-6393 Mamalahoa Hwy in Captain Cook. Guest speaker Peter Salleras, of Queensland, Australia, will discuss Tatura trellis in Hawai‘i and Bush Tucker native fruits of Australia. Hawai‘i Farmers United state President Vince Mina reports on the recent state convention and legislative outlook. The potluck dinner meeting starts at 5 p.m. For more, contact Brian Lievens, President West Hawai‘i Chapter, 808-895-8753, greenwizard@hawaii.rr.com; or Ken Love, Executive Director, 808-323-2417, kenlove@hawaiiantel.net. Learn more about Hawai‘i Tropical Fruit Growers at: facebook.com/group.php?gid=127197321932&ref=mf,
hawaiitropicalfruitgrowers.org and hawaiifruit.net.
The ideal candidate must be service oriented and possess good communication and computer skills. Cash handling and customer service experience is preferred. Must be able to work Saturdays. CU Hawai‘i offers medical, drug, dental, vision and retirement benefits.
Email, mail or fax application to: Attn: Human Resources, 476 Hinano Street Hilo, HI 96720, Fax: (808) 935-7793. Applications can be found online at cuhawaii.com/careers.html.
Email, mail or fax application to: Attn: Human Resources, 476 Hinano Street Hilo, HI 96720, Fax: (808) 935-7793. Applications can be found online at cuhawaii.com/careers.html.
