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| Puʻu o Lokuana, on one of the family-friendly trails within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Kahuku Unit, that is still open during its normal hours, Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join in activities such as an ‘ōhi‘a lehua hike on Sunday, details below. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie |
THE PONO HAWAIʻI INITIATIVE has endorsed three candidates running for office in state races in Kaʻū.
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| Raina Whiting is one of three Kaʻū candidates endorsed today by Pono Hawaiʻi Initiative. |
Also endorsed is state Rep. Richard Creagan, the incumbent and physician who serves House District 5, which runs from Honuʻapo through Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Discovery Harbour, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Ka Lae, South Point Road, and Ocean View and Miloliʻi into Kona. Creagan and his wife, a obstetrical nurse, live on their farm near South Point Road. See more on Creagan.
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| Richard Creagan was endorsed today by Pono Hawaiʻi Initiative. |
A statement from the organization, says that "Pono Hawaiʻi Initiative was conceived and created in response to the urgent need to address the accelerating deterioration of societal, economic, and environmental conditions in Hawaiʻi. We are undeniably at a pivotal point where action to slow and reverse these conditions is a moral obligation. Our government institutions and business community are moving at a glacial pace to address the critical issues affecting Hawaiʻi. Or, they are moving us in the wrong direction.
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| Pono Hawaiʻi Initiative endorsed candidate Brenda Ford today. |
"Driven by that strong sense of urgency and a keen awareness of pervasive injustice, new leaders willing to challenge the status quo are emerging. Pono Hawaiʻi Initiative eagerly joins that growing chorus of individuals and organizations doing important work to reverse the alarming trends we are seeing in the world today."
Pono Hawaiʻi Initiative board members familiar to Kaʻū, include Nelson Ho, of Volcano, and Gary Hooser, who ran for state office here. See more at www.ponohawaiiinitiative.org.
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| Helicopters could air lift evacuees from lava zone. Photo from Keaukaha Military Reservation |
Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald reporter John Burnett writes that Hawaiʻi Army National Guard Lt. Col. Shawn Tsuha said commanders at Pohakuloa have made the offer to help should the state ask for U.S. Department of Defense support. If a volcanic emergency "were to overwhelm or require more resources than we could provide, that’s when a joint task force is set up, and a dual-status commander would command both National Guard and active-duty forces,” Tsuha told Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald.
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| Federal and state military reserve units and active duty military are available to help with evacuations. Photo from Keaukaha Military Reservation |
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HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK CLOSED until further notice due to ongoing seismic activity and the anticipated explosive steam event and possibility of rock and ash fall at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. Only the Kahuku Unit will be open during its normal hours, Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. , a one-hour drive south of the main park entrance. The park will reopen when it is safe to do so.
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| NPS Photo of park entrance station with closure signs and NPS Law Enforcement |
ation for safety reasons.
This evening, a 17th fissure opened up in lower Puna, following the 16th fissure, which opened earlier today, just east of the Puna Geothermal Plant. Lava spattered from both fissures.
At 7 p.m., Civil Defense continued to warn that "Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory has cautioned about the possibility of an explosive eruption at Halema'uma'u Crater due to the ongoing withdrawal of lava from Kilauea summit lake. This could generate dangerous debris very near the crater and ashfalls up to tens of miles downwind."
AIR QUALITY IN PĀHALA TODAY was "good," reported at 1.9 parts per million in particulates, as of 1 p.m., with Ocean View at "moderate" at 3.
SO2 levels at 2 p.m. were good for both Pāhala and Ocean View, with levels at or under 0.03 ppm. Ocean View kept under 0.17 ppm for the last 24 hours, but Pāhala soared into "unhealthy for sensitive groups" early today, getting as high as 0.41 ppm at 6:45 a.m.
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IT'S AN EXTRAORDINARY TIME ON KĪLAUEA VOLCANO, proclaims this week's Volcano Watch written by scientists an affiliates at U.S.G.S Hawaiian Volcano Observatory:
Last week’s Volcano Watch focused on the East Rift Zone eruption, which continues to impact the lower Puna District on the Island of Hawaiʻi. Changes in the eruption are occurring daily, if not hourly, so by the time you read this article, the situation will likely have changed. Nevertheless, here’s the status of the eruption as of Friday, May 11 (when this was written):
Fifteen (now 16) fissures have erupted in the Leilani Estates area thus far. These outbreaks have typically been short-lived, lasting minutes to hours, with pauses between the fissures ranging from minutes to days. The fissure eruptions have covered about 117 acres with lava and emitted high levels of sulfur dioxide (https://vog.ivhhn.org/leilani-eruption). Earthquake activity, ground deformation measured by GPS, and the opening of new ground cracks east and west of Leilani Estates suggest that this eruption is not over and that additional fissures are likely to open.
The breaking news of this past week, however, was about Kīlauea Volcano’s summit eruption.
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On the morning of May 9, a large rockfall in Overlook Crater within Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea triggered a gas-driven explosion that sent an ash plume several thousand feet skyward. Phreatic (steam-driven) explosions can create larger ash plumes; the 1924 explosions sent ash plumes up to 20,000 feet high. USGS photo |
On May 2, two days after the significant collapse in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō on Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone, the lava lake in Overlook Crater within Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea began to drop. The steady lowering of the lava lake over the next week increased the potential for phreatic (steam) explosions at Halemaʻumaʻu, which has resulted in the closure of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and concern among nearby residents.
Explosive events have happened at the summit lava lake since the vent first opened in 2008. But those events have been gas-driven explosions caused by rocks falling from the crater walls. Rocks hitting the lake surface cause the release of gases dissolved in the lava, which explosively propels gas and ash upward, forming a dusty ash plume that rises above the lava lake.
Since 2008, more than 60 gas-driven explosions have thrown tephra (general term for airborne volcanic rock fragments) and spatter (fragments of molten lava) onto the Halemaʻumaʻu crater rim. Fine ash particles have also been blown a few miles by wind, creating minor annoyances in downwind areas.
But, phreatic, or steam-driven, explosions are much larger in scale and impacts. These explosions can occur when the lava column within a vent drops below the water table, allowing an influx of groundwater into the still-hot conduit. The mix of hot rock and water results in the formation of steam. If the conduit remains open, the steam can passively rise to the surface, forming an impressive, but relatively benign, steam plume.
However, rocks falling from the conduit wall can form a plug that effectively chokes the conduit. When this happens, steam below the plug can no longer passively escape, so pressure builds until an explosion blasts through the conduit.
During a phreatic explosion, large ballistics—boulders weighing up to several tons—can be blasted out in all directions, falling to the ground within about 1 km (0.6 mi) of the conduit. Smaller rocks—marble to pea-sized—can be thrown 5-6 kilometers (up to 4 miles) from Halemaʻumaʻu, but where they land is largely influenced by wind direction.
Phreatic explosions can produce towering plumes of gritty to fine ash that can be blown farther downwind, possibly tens of kilometers (20 or more miles). The fallout of ash will not be life-threatening, but it will be a nuisance for downwind communities. The thickness of ash deposits at a given location can range from a fine dusting to fractions of an inch, but the total thickness can add up with multiple explosions.
It’s important to note that it’s not 100 percent certain that a phreatic explosion will occur at the summit of Kīlauea. But, based on the disappearance of the summit lava lake (it has now drained completely from view) and geophysical models, there’s a possibility that phreatic explosions could happen in the coming days or weeks. We must also note that these explosions can occur with no—or very little—warning.
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| To help us understand what could happen at Kīlauea Volcano’s summit, we look to past similar events, but this does not mean that future events will be exactly the same. This map shows the distribution of ballistics and tephra from the 1924 phreatic (steam-driven) explosions. Ballistics (blocks of rock) greater than 10 inches in size, with some weighing up to several tons, landed in the shaded pink area. Marble- to pea-sized rocks (about 0.2–10 inches in size) landed in the yellow shaded area. The surrounding light-colored area was subjected to gritty to fine ashfall, with fallout locations influenced by wind directionat the time of the explosions. The 1924 phreatic explosions are described at: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/geo_hist_1924_halemaumau.html. USGS map |
Residents living near or downwind of Kīlauea’s summit area should learn about ashfall hazards, stay informed of the volcano’s status, heed all closures, and review family and business emergency plans. For more information about Kīlauea summit ash hazards, please visit https://vog.ivhhn.org/summit-ash-hazards.
On May 9, U.S. Geological Survey scientists presented information about the possible phreatic explosions at Kīlauea’s summit. A video of this presentation is posted at http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2018/05/09/video-scientists-explain-summit-explosion-concerns-to-volcano-community/.
Visit HVO’s website (https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo) for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea daily eruption updates, Mauna Loa weekly updates, volcano photos, maps, 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.
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| See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment. Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com. |
SUNDAY, MAY 13
TUESDAY, MAY 15
The Wonderful World of Wine & Watercolor, Tue, May 15, 4-7pm, Volcano Art Center. Artist Nancy DeLucrezia shows how to transfer a photo onto watercolor paper and introduces basic painting techniques. Enjoy sampling of several wines. $30/VAC Member, $35/non-Member, plus $17 supply fee/person.
Discovery Harbour 4:30-6:30pm , Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net![]()
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Fishponds Of Hawai‘i: Free Lecture and Slideshow by Carol Araki Wyban, Thu, May 17, 7-8pm, Volcano Art Center. Artist presenting exhibited at Volcano Art Center Gallery, May 12-June 24. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Work on the Mauna Loa strip, clearing invasive weeds around native seedlings planted in the past, allowing the park to control blackberry and other weeds without hurting the seedlings. Registration required. To volunteer, contact Patty Kupchak at forest@fhvnp.org or (808) 352-1402 by Monday evening May 14, 2018 . Include your first & last name(s), email address(s), and a phone number in case of cancellation.
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Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Volunteer Estuary Restoration Workay, Fri, May 18,9-3pm ; contact in advance for meeting location. Short hike to site. Free; donations appreciated. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, wildhawaii.org
SATURDAY, MAY 19
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Hi‘iaka & Pele, Sat, May 19, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Discover Hawaiian goddesses and the natural phenomena they represent on this free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/HAVO
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Nā Mea Hula w/ Loke Kamanu and ‘ohana, Sat, May 19, 11-1pm , Volcano Art Center Gallery lānai, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
NEW & UPCOMING‘Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sun, May 13 & 27, 9:30-11am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, and many forms of ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower on this free, easy, one-mile walk. nps.gov/HAVO
CANCELLED DUE TO PARK CLOSURE: Mother's Day Buffet, Sun, May 13, 5-8pm, Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Main entrees include Prime Rib, Lemon Butter Fish with Tropical Salsa and Vegetable Stir Fry with Tofu. $29/Adult, $14.50/Child (6-11 yrs). Open to authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Reservations required. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com
TUESDAY, MAY 15
Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Mtg., Tue, May 15, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net
The Wonderful World of Wine & Watercolor, Tue, May 15, 4-7pm, Volcano Art Center. Artist Nancy DeLucrezia shows how to transfer a photo onto watercolor paper and introduces basic painting techniques. Enjoy sampling of several wines. $30/VAC Member, $35/non-Member, plus $17 supply fee/person.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 16
Lei Hulu Demonstration, Wed,
Ocean View Community Association Board Meeting, Wed, May 16, noon-1pm, Ocean View Community Center
THURSDAY, MAY 17
THURSDAY, MAY 17
Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Thu, May 17, 9-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org, 939-7033, ovcahawaii@gmail.com
Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū & Me, Thu, May 17, 10:30 -noon , Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571
Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thu, May 17, 6:30pm , United Methodist Church
FRIDAY, MAY 18
Forest Restoration with Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Friday, May 18, 
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Volunteer Estuary Restoration Workay, Fri, May 18,
Ho‘okani Pila (Play Music) Workshop, Fri, May 18, 10-noon, Kahuku Unit, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
SATURDAY, MAY 19
Stained Glass Basics I w/Lois Pollock, Sat & Sun, May 19, 20, 26 & 27, 9-noon, Volcano Art Center. $90/VAC Member, $100/non-Member, plus $15 supply fee/person. Advance registration required; class size limited. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Ocean View C.E.R.T. Meeting, Sat, May 19, 10-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Monthly meeting/training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
The Art Express, Sat, May 19, 10-3pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Classes held once monthly. Learn something new or work on a forgotten project. Instructions on oil, acrylic, watercolor, and other mediums. Class size limited to 25. Meliha Corcoran 319-8989, himeliha@yahoo.com, discoveryharbour.net/art-express
Hula Kahiko w/Wahineaukai Mercado w/Ke Ana La‘ahana Public Charter School 10:30-11:30am , kahua hula (hula platform) at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
Mongolian BBQ, Sat, May 19, 5-8pm Kīlauea Military Camp's Crater Rim Café, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. $0.85/ounce - choice of 13 veggies, 4 meats, sauces, chow mein, and beverage. Park entrance fees apply. Open to authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com
Bunco & Potluck, Sat, May 19, 6pm , Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Popular game played with nine dice, also known as Bonko or Bunko. Bring dish to share. Margie Hack, 541-954-8297
A MEMORIAL DAY LEI ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY, will take place Friday, May 25, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., at Kahuku Park in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, announces Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation. The free activity is for all ages. Register Monday, May 21, through Friday, May 25. For more, contact Recreation Technician Teresa Anderson at 929-9113. Visit hawaiicounty.gov/recreation/ for more programs and office hours.
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ONGOING
Sign Up for the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, to be held June 30. If interested, call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.
Tūtū and Me Offers Home Visits to those with keiki zero to five years old: home visits to aid with helpful parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Home visits are free, last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, for a total of 12 visits, and snacks are provided. For info and to register, call Linda Bong 464-9634.
St. Jude's Episcopal Church Calls For More Volunteers for the Saturday community outreach. Especially needed are cooks for the soup served to those in need, and organizers for the hot showers. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's April newsletter. Volunteer by contacting Dave Breskin at 319-8333.Volcano Forest Runs Registration Open through Friday, August 17, at 6 p.m. Early registration ends May 14; price increase for half marathon from $80 to $85, 10K from $40 to $45, 5K stays at $30. Registration increases again August 1: half marathon to $95, 10K $55, and 5K to $35. Race is run from Cooper Center on Wright Road in Volcano Village on Saturday, August 18.
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