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| A new H.V.O. webcam provides improved views of Mauna Loa's summit caldera, Moku‘āweoweo, from the northwest rim. See the time-lapse sequence showing a full day on Sunday, Dec. 3, starting and ending at midnight. The full moon and sensitive low-light ability of the camera allow good views throughout the nighttime hours. Morning reveals a fresh blanket of snow, which melts throughout the day. Images by this webcam (MLcam) are posted on H.V.O.'s website at: volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/webcam.html?webcam=MLcam. |
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY kicked off Volcano Awareness Month this past week, with the Wolf Moon illuminating Kīlauea Caldera from above and the Halemaʻumaʻu lava lake glowing below. At Mauna Loa, a new webcam improves the view for scientists and for the public online.
This week's Volcano Watch reports that the U.S.G.S. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff looks forward to another year of "investigating the island’s magnificent, active volcanoes. Not surprisingly, 2018 will see additions and improvements to our monitoring and research toolkit."
Here is the first Volcano Watch for 2018:
Right off the bat, in early January, H.V.O. will work with colleagues from the University of Cambridge to use a portable radar system to study the Halemaʻumaʻu lava lake. Under a research permit from the National Park Service, the system will be installed on the rim of Halemaʻumaʻu and trained on the surface of the lava lake.
Radar has been used at the Erebus lava lake in Antarctica, but this will be the first time radar is used to measure the Halemaʻumaʻu lava lake. The objective is to provide a fine-scale movie of lake motion to help better understand processes such as lake circulation, degassing, and crustal formation and destruction.
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| First high-definition thermal image of the Halemaʻumaʻu lava lake in the New Year, taken shortly after midnight on January 1, 2018. This camera was deployed to track the dynamic surface activity of the lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea. The high-resolution image allows H.V.O. scientists to better discern fine-scale features of the circulating, spattering, and ever-changing lake surface, revealing insights into processes that drive lava lake motion. The temperature scale at right is in degrees Celsius, but the highest temperatures of exposed lava (above 1100 C) are not discernible at this setting to preserve detail in the cooler crust and walls. Images from this camera on the H.V.O. website at volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/webcam.html?webcam=JTcam. |
Speaking of thermal pictures, H.V.O. has recently deployed a new, high-definition thermal camera on the rim of Halemaʻumaʻu to augment H.V.O.'s long record of infrared imagery of the lava lake. The new camera provides images at much higher resolution than the older model, which, coincidentally, just gave up the ghost after eight years of steady service in the corrosive gas plume.
The new high-definition camera provides unprecedented clarity in seeing small features on the surface of the lava lake in the thermal infrared: striations emanating from spreading centers, variable temperatures across the crustal plates, and even wrinkles and small bubbles on the surface of the crust. See images from this camera on the H.V.O. website at volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/webcam.html?webcam=JTcam.
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| A U.S.G.S. geologist in 2017 checking on equipment ahead of installing the new camera at the summit of Mauna Loa. USGS photo |
Also on the gas front, H.V.O. is working to upgrade the sulphur dioxide (SO2) spectrometer array that monitors emissions from the Halemaʻumaʻu lava lake. A goal in 2018 is to share more of these SO2 data with the public on the H.V.O. website. Stay tuned.
These are but a few of the activities ahead for H.V.O. staff and collaborating scientists in 2018.
As always, H.V.O. will continue to publish daily and weekly updates of activity at Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, respectively, and populate the website with public domain images and movies of volcanic activity and H.V.O.’s fieldwork.
All through Volcano Awareness Month in January, there will be numerous opportunities to meet H.V.O. scientists and learn more about Hawaiian volcanoes.
Events include a talk about Kīlauea Volcano’s ongoing East Rift Zone eruption in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on Jan. 9; a presentation about Kīlauea’s 1955 lower Puna eruption at Lyman Museum on Jan. 8 and 9; a “talk story” event focused on Mauna Loa at U.H.-Hilo on Jan. 13 and a Volcano Awareness Presentation at Ocean View Community Center on Jan. 17. Details about these talks and others throughout January are posted on HVO’s website (volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/). Email mail askHVO@usgs.gov or call 808-967-8844 for more information.
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| Vocalist Binti Bailey will perform at two Jazz in the Forest concerts set for Saturday, Jan. 13. Photo from Volcano Art Center |
Almost Like Being in Love is the theme of the evening. Vocalist Binti Bailey, and her guitarist/synthesizer partner Larry Seyer will join Jean Pierre Thoma and the Jazztones for a collection of love songs from the world over.
Jean Pierre Thoma is a world traveled professional musician on flute, saxophone, clarinet and piano, with experience throughout America, France, Japan, India, and Israel. He holds two masters degrees in music, and has been a public and private school teacher as well as member of numerous jazz and classical ensembles, such as the Maui and Marin Symphonies. His professional resume includes: leader of The Jazztones; Raga Jazz (with Sarangi, synth guitar and bass); member of Royal Kona Harp Ensemble (three harps with two flutes and winds); Volcano Trio (two flutes and piano); performer at Holy Cross Church choir and as instrumentalist; and pianist at restaurants, and charity performances at Hospice and Life Care Centers. Now a music teacher at The Pacific Academy of Music, and the Kukuau Studio, he lives in Hilo.
Jean Pierre Thoma is a world traveled professional musician on flute, saxophone, clarinet and piano, with experience throughout America, France, Japan, India, and Israel. He holds two masters degrees in music, and has been a public and private school teacher as well as member of numerous jazz and classical ensembles, such as the Maui and Marin Symphonies. His professional resume includes: leader of The Jazztones; Raga Jazz (with Sarangi, synth guitar and bass); member of Royal Kona Harp Ensemble (three harps with two flutes and winds); Volcano Trio (two flutes and piano); performer at Holy Cross Church choir and as instrumentalist; and pianist at restaurants, and charity performances at Hospice and Life Care Centers. Now a music teacher at The Pacific Academy of Music, and the Kukuau Studio, he lives in Hilo.
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| Jean Pierre Thoma |
Tickets are $18 for Volcano Art Center members and $20 for non-members. Purchase tickets online at volcanoartcenter.org, at V.A.C.’s Administration Office in Volcano Village and VAC Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The last day to purchase tickets online is Friday, January 12. After which, tickets will be sold at V.A.C. Gallery and at the door if available. Tickets will be held at Will Call on the day of the show or can picked up any day before the show at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more, call 967-8222.
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A FEE-FREE DAY IS OFFERED AT HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK has been announced in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - no entrance fees will be collected at any fee-charging National Park on Monday, Jan. 15. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
The event flyer states that coffee root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne konaensis, feed on and reproduces in coffee roots. They can disrupt plant growth, cause tree decline, and may reduce coffee yields by 20 percent or greater.Participants will learn about nematode biology, the effects of nematodes on coffee, as well as the costs and benefits of grafted trees. Growers will take a tour of the nematode research plot, learn about the current project, and participate in a nematode sampling demonstration.
Attendees will also take home a nematode sampling instruction kit and a $5-off single submission voucher for nematode analysis on their farm (one per farm).
Event speakers include: Dr. Roxana Myers of USDA, Dr. Alyssa Cho, Dr. Stuart T. Nakamoto, Andrea Kawabata and Jen Burt of C.T.A.H.R.
Registration is required. Each class is limited to 30 participants. R.S.V.P. online or by contacting Gina at 808-322‐4892 by Jan. 8. For more details, such as an event agenda or suggested attire, visit hawaiicoffeeed.com/nematode-field-day.html.
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See public Ka‘ū events, meetings entertainment at See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, weekly events at kaucalendar.com/octnovdec/decembercommunity.html. December print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano. Also available free on stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com. |
Boys Basketball: Monday, Jan. 8, @ Honoka‘a.
Wednesday, Jan. 10, @ St. Joseph.
Monday, Jan. 15, Pāhoa @ Ka‘ū.
Wednesday, Jan. 17, @ Kohala.
Saturday, Jan. 20, Kohala @ Ka‘ū.
Boys Soccer: Tuesday, Jan. 9, Pāhoa @ Ka‘ū.
Saturday, Jan. 20, @ Honoka‘a.
Girls Basketball: Wednesday, Jan. 10, Honoka‘a @ Ka‘ū.
Friday, Jan. 12, @ Laupahoehoe.
Monday, Jan. 15, @ HPA.
Friday, Jan. 19, @ Kealakehe.
Swimming: Saturday, Jan. 13, @ HPA.
Saturday, Jan. 20, @ HPA.
Wrestling: Saturday, Jan. 13, @ Konawaena.
Saturday, Jan. 20, @ Hilo.
Wednesday, Jan. 10, @ St. Joseph.
Monday, Jan. 15, Pāhoa @ Ka‘ū.
Wednesday, Jan. 17, @ Kohala.
Saturday, Jan. 20, Kohala @ Ka‘ū.
Boys Soccer: Tuesday, Jan. 9, Pāhoa @ Ka‘ū.
Saturday, Jan. 20, @ Honoka‘a.
Girls Basketball: Wednesday, Jan. 10, Honoka‘a @ Ka‘ū.
Friday, Jan. 12, @ Laupahoehoe.
Monday, Jan. 15, @ HPA.
Friday, Jan. 19, @ Kealakehe.
Swimming: Saturday, Jan. 13, @ HPA.
Saturday, Jan. 20, @ HPA.
Wrestling: Saturday, Jan. 13, @ Konawaena.
Saturday, Jan. 20, @ Hilo.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
AN ACRYLIC PAINTING CLASS, entitled Painting with Peggy, takes place on Monday, Jan. 8, from noon to 3 p.m., at Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village. It is part of an ongoing series of workshops headed by Margaret "Peggy" Stanton for artists of all levels. The class is $15 for VAC members and $20 for non-members per session. Painting with Peggy will take place again on Jan. 15. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org.
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED PARTICIPATE IN TRAINING SCENARIOS and come and see what Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu Community Emergency Response Team is about at their meeting Tuesday, Jan. 9, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Discovery Harbour Community Hall. For more, contact Dina Shisler at dinashisler24@yahoo.com or 410-935-8087.
GET AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT LAVA FLOW ACTIVITY DURING THE PAST YEAR as Carolyn Parcheta, U.S.G.S. Hawai‘i Volcano Observatory geologist, gives a presentation and briefly describes the early history of the East Rift Zone eruption at an After Dark in the Park talk on Tuesday, Jan. 9. The event, entitled Volcano's East Rift Zone: 35 Years and Still Erupting, starts at 7 p.m. in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. It is free to attend; however, park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
LEARN TO CREATE DESIGNS USING BAMBOO STAMPS (‘OHE KĀPALA) in a demonstration that takes place Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 10 a.m. to noon, on the Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. ‘Ohe kāpala were originally used to decorate clothing with deep symbolic meaning - it is now used to tell stories on a variety of modern materials. The event is free to attend; however, park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
A FREE PRENATAL EDUCATION PROGRAM class could come to Ka‘ū. Hui Mālama Ola Nā ‘Ōiwi hosts Healthy Hāpai classes in Hilo and Puna, with a new class set for Waimea on Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31, and Feb. 14, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Hui Mālama released a statement saying it would "like to reach the Ka‘ū community and bring a class to the area if there are interested women." Kona classes are yet to be announced.
The free five session program is facilitated by Leila Ryusaki, who started her career in healthcare 20 years ago. She says, “Pregnancy is not only about the birth of the baby. It’s also about the birth of the parents. We’re here to help with that transition.”
The Healthy Hāpai program is designed for mothers in their first and second trimesters, and open to mothers in their third trimester as well. Both first-time and experienced mothers are encouraged to join and meet other pregnant moms. Participants are welcome to bring a partner, friend, or family member to class.
To sign up or learn more, expectant mothers can call Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi at (808) 969-9220. For more information, visit hmono.org.
STEWARDSHIP OF KĪPUKAPUAULU takes place at 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, with volunteers meeting in the Kīpukapuaulu parking lot on Mauna Loa Road off Hwy. 11 in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Volunteers will help remove invasive plants like morning glory from an area said to be home to an "astonishing diversity of native forest and understory plants." The event will take place again on Jan. 18 and 25. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, contact Marilyn Nicholson at nickem@hawaii.rr.com or visit nps.gov/HAVO.
BEGINNING HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES - two 8-week courses - start Thursday, Jan. 11, at Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Both courses focus on simple vocabulary, conversation, grammar, and sentence structure. No experience necessary. Part One is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays and requires no prior experience in Hawaiian Language. Part Four follows from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays - some experience with Hawaiian Language is preferred. The course fee for either class is $80 for Volcano Art Center members and $90 for non-members. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org.
A PANCAKE BREAKFAST will be held on Saturday, Jan. 13, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.
BIRTH OF KAHUKU, a free, easy-to-moderate, guided hike traverses the vast 1868 lava flow, with different volcano features and formations on Saturday, Jan. 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku and learn about the Hawaiian hotspot and the creation of Kahuku. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
HEATHER METTLER'S GLASSWORK - handblown, chiseled and etched - is showcased in a new Volcano Art Center Gallery Exhibit: Passage and Place. The display will be open to the public from Saturday, Jan. 13, to Sunday, Feb. 11, during normal gallery hours - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Mettler's unique collection of glass explores the themes of migration, navigation and immigration - how plants, animals and people find their way to Hawai‘i. Free, park entrance fees apply.
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A SILK PAINTING WITH WAX RESIST WORKSHOP is led by Patti Pease Johnson on Saturday, Jan. 13, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. The class combines batik methods with the art of Serti silk painting to create a representational piece of art, i.e. wall hanging. The workshop fee is $45 per Volcano Art Center member and $50 per non-member, plus a $10 supply fee per person. Beginner and intermediate artists are welcome. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org.
A ZENTANGLE CLASS FEATURING THE ZENDALA - TWIRLING LEAVES takes place Saturday, Jan. 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. The class blends inspiration from nature with traditional Zentangle patterns and is suitable for beginning or returning tanglers. The class fee is $30 for Volcano Art Center members and $35 for non-members, plus a $10 supply fee. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org.
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| U.S.G.S. Hawai‘i Volcano Observatory geologist Carolyn Parcheta. Photo from jpl.nasa.gov |
GET AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT LAVA FLOW ACTIVITY DURING THE PAST YEAR as Carolyn Parcheta, U.S.G.S. Hawai‘i Volcano Observatory geologist, gives a presentation and briefly describes the early history of the East Rift Zone eruption at an After Dark in the Park talk on Tuesday, Jan. 9. The event, entitled Volcano's East Rift Zone: 35 Years and Still Erupting, starts at 7 p.m. in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. It is free to attend; however, park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
LEARN TO CREATE DESIGNS USING BAMBOO STAMPS (‘OHE KĀPALA) in a demonstration that takes place Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 10 a.m. to noon, on the Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. ‘Ohe kāpala were originally used to decorate clothing with deep symbolic meaning - it is now used to tell stories on a variety of modern materials. The event is free to attend; however, park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
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| An ‘ohe kāpala demonstration, bamboo stamping, is offered Wednesday in Volcano. See event details above. Photo from nps.gov/HAVO |
Hui Mālama released a statement saying it would "like to reach the Ka‘ū community and bring a class to the area if there are interested women." Kona classes are yet to be announced.
The free five session program is facilitated by Leila Ryusaki, who started her career in healthcare 20 years ago. She says, “Pregnancy is not only about the birth of the baby. It’s also about the birth of the parents. We’re here to help with that transition.”
The Healthy Hāpai program is designed for mothers in their first and second trimesters, and open to mothers in their third trimester as well. Both first-time and experienced mothers are encouraged to join and meet other pregnant moms. Participants are welcome to bring a partner, friend, or family member to class.
To sign up or learn more, expectant mothers can call Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi at (808) 969-9220. For more information, visit hmono.org.
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Volunteer to remove invasive plants along the Kīpukapuaulu Trail in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Photo from hikingproject.com |
BEGINNING HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES - two 8-week courses - start Thursday, Jan. 11, at Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Both courses focus on simple vocabulary, conversation, grammar, and sentence structure. No experience necessary. Part One is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays and requires no prior experience in Hawaiian Language. Part Four follows from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays - some experience with Hawaiian Language is preferred. The course fee for either class is $80 for Volcano Art Center members and $90 for non-members. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org.
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| A pancake breakfast is hosted at Ocean View Community Center Saturday. |
HEATHER METTLER'S GLASSWORK - handblown, chiseled and etched - is showcased in a new Volcano Art Center Gallery Exhibit: Passage and Place. The display will be open to the public from Saturday, Jan. 13, to Sunday, Feb. 11, during normal gallery hours - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Mettler's unique collection of glass explores the themes of migration, navigation and immigration - how plants, animals and people find their way to Hawai‘i. Free, park entrance fees apply.
STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT takes place Saturday, Jan. 13, with volunteers removing invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Interested volunteers should meet Paul and Jane Filed at Kīlauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. The event will take place again on Jan. 19 and 26. Free, park entrance fees apply. For more see nps.gov/HAVO.
A FREE PUBLIC HEALTH SHOWER WITH HOT WATER, soap, shampoo and clean towels is offered at St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View every Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., along with a free hot meal.
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