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| Guided hikes, beautiful vistas, Coffee Talk, and more are now available five days a week at Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. See story and events, below. NPS/Janice Wei photo |
Brantley showed a cutaway diagram of the East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano. The illustration shows the plumbing of the volcano, with an orange pipe - a conduit from Kīlauea summit directly to lower Puna that is sending down the lava.
Before the recent changes at Kīlauea, Puʻu ʻŌʻō Crater served to temper the activity at the summit, letting out steam and letting out lava. On about May 1, Brantley explained, the summit of the volcano began subsiding, as a reflection of magma now moving out of the summit reservoir, into the rift zone, and further down into the lower East Rift Down. "So, in a sense there is an open conduit from the summit to the lower east rift zone," he said.
For the 35 years or so that Puʻu ʻŌʻō was active, there was a kind of balance between the summit reservoir and the location or elevation where Puʻu ʻŌʻō erupted. There was sort of a symbiotic relationship with the summit and Puʻu ʻŌʻō. Now, that new vent system is located almost at sea level, said Brantley. "So the whole system has to adjust to some sort of new balance. And until that balance is reached or something else changes, we expect magma to continue moving from the summit reservoir into the rift zone and further down into the lower east rift zone.
"That suggests that we are in it for the long haul. We don't know how long this eruptions is going to last. But for now it looks like it's just going to continue and we take it day by day."
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THE FISSURE FROM KĪLAUEA VOLCANO, which is sending S02 into Kaʻū, became more active this week. USGS scientist Steve Brantley told a community meeting in Pāhoa yesterday: "That's pretty obvious to everybody here because of the additional lava that's on the surface... with that much more lava on the surface, it's able to pour across the ground and it had reached the ocean. And depending on which vent is active and producing most of the flow, the lava flows will create a new path, they've spread apart, they've merged and then they've spread apart again.
On Monday, there were two ocean entries. Later in the day there was only one. All day Tuesday, there was only one." Per the USGS website, today at noon there was still only one ocean entry.
Brantley said it is hard and confusing to track all the vents, since there are so many. The most productive vent is number 22, generating most of the lava and created the lava flow that winds down to the ocean.
Tuesday, Fissures 6 and 15, which are close together, started to head toward the south.
Fissure 17 is the most downrift part of the intrusion of magma just below ground. He said that the area is stable and that there is no evidence that the magma has moved further downrift and forced the rift apart. ther fissures became active again this week in the middle of Leilani Estates.
Brantley talked about the changing chemistry of the lava that's erupting from the East Rift Zone.
"One thing that's clear is that more magma's coming to the surface now than earlier in the eruption sequence." He pointed to a map with all of the fissures represented by dots (see map, above).
The green dots represent the type of lava that was probably stored in the rift zone for decades before it came out and erupted at the surface. "That lava presumably was forced up to the surface as magma moved down the East Rift Zone, pushed its way into the Lower East Rift Zone, and forced that magma to the surface."
Brantley pointed to fissure 16, and said that the fissures, indicated by red dots in the above map, started to show lava with a difference: a mixture of the old magma and the newer lava that originated higher in the rift zone, from Puʻu ʻŌʻō and perhaps the summit at Halemaʻumaʻu. "Now we are seeing the fresh stuff coming up to the surface." The new lava is hotter, less viscous, more fluid and voluminous. Where the lava flows depends on the locations of the fissures.
So far, most of the lava has flowed away from Puna Geothermal plant, away from Highway 132 to the south, and into the ocean, he said.
See the video here: http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2018/05/23/video-scientist-gives-puna-eruption-presentation/
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On Saturday, an ash explosion reached 10,000 feet. Last night a little after 10 p.m. , another explosive eruption sent ash 8,000 to 9,000 feet up. There have been multiple ash eruptions every day since the 15th, and the ash drifts with the wind. Currently, most ashfall from these events is reaching Pāhala and places further southwest of the summit.
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| The orange pipe illustrates the direct conduit from Kilauea Volcano to lower Puna fissures, with Pu`u O`o no longer a vent that helped to keep the summit more stable. USGS illustration |
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| Video of helicopter overflight over lower East Rift Zone ocean entry and fissure complex today, May 23, around 8 a.m. |
"That suggests that we are in it for the long haul. We don't know how long this eruptions is going to last. But for now it looks like it's just going to continue and we take it day by day."
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| Fissure 6 has built up a berm across Pohoiki Road. USGS photo |
On Monday, there were two ocean entries. Later in the day there was only one. All day Tuesday, there was only one." Per the USGS website, today at noon there was still only one ocean entry.
Brantley said it is hard and confusing to track all the vents, since there are so many. The most productive vent is number 22, generating most of the lava and created the lava flow that winds down to the ocean.
Tuesday, Fissures 6 and 15, which are close together, started to head toward the south.
Fissure 17 is the most downrift part of the intrusion of magma just below ground. He said that the area is stable and that there is no evidence that the magma has moved further downrift and forced the rift apart. ther fissures became active again this week in the middle of Leilani Estates.
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| Map of current flows and fissures. See explanation, below. USGS map |
"One thing that's clear is that more magma's coming to the surface now than earlier in the eruption sequence." He pointed to a map with all of the fissures represented by dots (see map, above).
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Lava channel emerging from Fissure 22 - not visible, but far right of center. The lava is flowing downhill, from right to left, in the photo. USGS Photo |
Brantley pointed to fissure 16, and said that the fissures, indicated by red dots in the above map, started to show lava with a difference: a mixture of the old magma and the newer lava that originated higher in the rift zone, from Puʻu ʻŌʻō and perhaps the summit at Halemaʻumaʻu. "Now we are seeing the fresh stuff coming up to the surface." The new lava is hotter, less viscous, more fluid and voluminous. Where the lava flows depends on the locations of the fissures.
So far, most of the lava has flowed away from Puna Geothermal plant, away from Highway 132 to the south, and into the ocean, he said.
See the video here: http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2018/05/23/video-scientist-gives-puna-eruption-presentation/
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KAʻŪ RESIDENTS WITNESSING ASHFALL ARE URGED TO REPORT IT. USGS scientists want to know when ashfall arrives, and if predicted ashfall does not arrive. USGS also asks for residents to collect ash to send to USGS for study. Get the details at http://hawaiiash.science/ashreport.php
The explosive eruptions sending the ash Kaʻū's way have also widened Halemaʻumaʻu crater. According to USGS reports, the first ash plume rose from the crater May 9 from possible rockfall. Last Thursday, an eruption threw ash some 30,000 feet above sea level, apparently enlarging Halemaʻumaʻu crater from 12 to 34 acres. See an illustration here: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/maps_uploads/image-438.gif.
The explosive eruptions sending the ash Kaʻū's way have also widened Halemaʻumaʻu crater. According to USGS reports, the first ash plume rose from the crater May 9 from possible rockfall. Last Thursday, an eruption threw ash some 30,000 feet above sea level, apparently enlarging Halemaʻumaʻu crater from 12 to 34 acres. See an illustration here: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/maps_uploads/image-438.gif.
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| Another ash explosion from Halemaʻumaʻu today at 3:20 p.m. USGS photo |
Scientists predict that the eruptions could last for weeks, or longer, before Kīlauea Volcano possibly settles down. Risks are breathing the ash and, near the caldera, rocks that fly out of the crater. Boulders as large as small cars could be thrown a half mile from the crater vent, scientists reason. In 1924, violent explosions lasted two weeks.
SO2 REACHED A READING OF UNHEALTHY for sensitive groups in Pāhala from 12:15 a.m. through 6:15 a.m. , and again from 7:30 a.m. through 8:45 a.m. Ocean View experienced short spikes of unhealthy for sensitive groups at 2:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Both monitoring locations showed mostly good levels otherwise. Kona has shown good since midnight .
Air Quality Index last reported levels at 1 p.m. Pāhala was good at 34. Both Ocean View – at 87 – and Kona – at 97 – were shown as moderate.
See AirNow. See Hawaiʻi Short Term SO2 Advisory. Also see the University of Hawaiʻi
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ASH MASKS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER, Nāʻālehu Community Center, Pāhala Community Center, Cooper Center, and Shipman Gym in Keaʻau. Distribution will be "while supplies last" today, Thursday, and Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, May 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each person may receive up to three masks.
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Ron Gall, President of Ocean View Community Association, and Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense remind residents that ash masks do not provide protection from S02 and other gasses. The masks do protect against ash and other particulates, which are moving through Kaʻū from Kīlauea Volcano as winds blow this way.
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A PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN OF COFFEE WORKERS, Keiki O Palehua ʻOhana, organized by the Kaʻū Coffee industry and broader community, will hold a board meeting at the Multipurpose Room of Kaʻū District Gym this Saturday, May 26, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The group will discuss setting up a program for the children of farm workers. The organization attempts to address such issues as child care when coffee workers are on the job, according to spokesperson Laura Diaz. She can be contacted at laura@ldomarket.com.
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A PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN OF COFFEE WORKERS, Keiki O Palehua ʻOhana, organized by the Kaʻū Coffee industry and broader community, will hold a board meeting at the Multipurpose Room of Kaʻū District Gym this Saturday, May 26, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The group will discuss setting up a program for the children of farm workers. The organization attempts to address such issues as child care when coffee workers are on the job, according to spokesperson Laura Diaz. She can be contacted at laura@ldomarket.com.
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CRUISE SHIPS WILL SOON RETURN TO HAWAI`I ISLAND, stated Ross Birch of Hawaiʻi Island Visitor Bureau today. Birch said cruise ships will return to Kona on May 30, and Hilo on June 6. The cancellation of cruise ships since the beginning of ashfall from Kīlauea has cost the island economy more than one million dollars, according to the bureau.
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| Yellow ʻōhiʻa lehua in Kahuku. NPS/DavidBoyle photo |
“Park rangers and volunteers from the Kīlauea section will join Kahuku rangers in welcoming visitors to the southernmost section of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Mauna Loa , visitors can explore the wide expanse of the volcano’s 1868 lava flow, beautiful native forest and historic pasturelands on foot.
“Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association, the park’s non-profit partner, offers fun, educational merchandise and other items that support the park and foster lifelong connections. Visitors can pick up hiking medallions, geology books and guides, park logo pins, vintage-style Hawai‘i Volcanoes hoodies and much more.”
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| Staff Aloha and Rochel with merchandise in Kahuku. NPS photo |
Two guided hikes are offered this weekend - see below for more details.
Keep up with Kahuku events and visit the calendar on the park website, https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku-hikes.htm.
Enter the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
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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. |
THURSDAY, MAY 24
VA Medical Services, Thursdays, May 24 & 31, 8:30-noon, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thu, May 24, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Punalu‘u Bake Shop. Monthly meeting provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thu, May 24, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Punalu‘u Bake Shop. Monthly meeting provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us
FRIDAY, MAY 25
Coffee Talk, Fri, May 25, 9:30-11am , Kahuku Park Volcanoes National Park
SATURDAY, MAY 26
HIDEM's Hawai‘i State Convention, Sat & Sun, May 26 & 27, Hilton Waikoloa. hawaiidemocrats.org
Nature & Culture: An Unseverable Relationship, Sat, May 26, 9:30-11:30am , Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
SUNDAY, MAY 27
‘Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sun, 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
MAY BE CANCELLED DUE TO PARK CLOSURE: Memorial Day Ceremony, Mon, May 28, 3pm , Kīlauea Military Camp front lawn, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
MAY BE CANCELLED DUE TO PARK CLOSURE: Memorial Day Buffet, Mon, May 28, 4-7pm, Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Campy, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Menu includes BBQ Kalua Pork, Local Styles Fried Chicken with Gravy, Salads and more. $19/Adult, $10/Child (6-11 yrs). Open to authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue, May 29, 11:30-1pm , St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.
MAY BE CANCELLED DUE TO PARK CLOSURE: Saving Rare Plants from the Brink of Extinction in HVNP, Tue, May 29, 7pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Park Botanist Sierra McDaniel discusses rare plant management in the park. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wed, May 30, 9-11am, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors 60 years & older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i - referral required from Hawai‘i County Office of Aging at 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org
MAY BE CANCELLED DUE TO PARK CLOSURE: Ku‘i Kalo Demonstration, Wed, May 30, 10-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center Volcanoes National Park
Summer Learn-To-Swim Registration, Wed & Thu, May 30 & 31, 1-4pm, Pāhala Swimming Pool (Ka‘ū High School Campus). hawaiicounty.gov/pr-aquatics/, 928-8177
Summer Learn-To-Swim Registration, Wed & Thu, May 30 & 31, 1-4pm, Pāhala Swimming Pool (Ka‘ū High School Campus). hawaiicounty.gov/pr-aquatics/, 928-8177
NEW & UPCOMINGWAIKAPUNA: A WAHI PANA (TREASURED PLACE) OF KAʻŪ Coffee Talk at Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Friday, May 25, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The release from the park says: Wahi pana? Waikapuna is certainly that. It was an ancient fishing village and an important historic and cultural resource of Kaʻū. Located makai of Nāʻālehu, it has one of the largest native coastal dune systems, a large sandy bay, tidepools, onshore and below sea level springs, and sea caves which are homes to colonies of nesting seabirds. It houses significant sections of the original Ala Kahakai and numerous archeological sites.
Presenter Keoni Keanu Fox, a lineal descendant of Waikapuna and a representative of the Ala Kahakai Trail Association, will talk about the cultural, historical and environmental treasures of this special place.
Coffee Talk at Kahuku “is an opportunity to get to know your Park and your neighbors,” and join in an informal conversation on a wide variety of topics. It is presented on the last Friday of the month at 9:30 AM . Kaʻū coffee, tea and pastries will be available for purchase. Kahuku Unit is located south of the 70.5 mile marker on the mauka side of Hwy. 11, and is remaining open with extended days during the partial park closure: Wed through Sun, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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ONGOING
Park Rangers invite the public to downtown Hilo to learn about the volcanic activity, to get their NPS Passport Book stamped, and to experience the Hawaiian cultural connection to volcanoes. Rangers are providing programs at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center at 76 Kamehameha Avenue, Tuesday through Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Hawai‘i Island Quilting Artists are called to register by Saturday, May 26, for Volcano Art Center's 2nd Bi-Annual Quilt Show: Quilts in the Forest - Where the Path May Lead. Entry forms available online at volcanoartcenter.org/gallery/call-to-artists. Exhibition open Friday, July 13, to Friday, August 3, at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani campus, 19-4074 Old Volcano Road, Volcano Village. Contact Fia Mattice at 967-8222 or quiltshow2018@volcanoartcenter.org.
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. Half marathon $85, 10K $45, 5K $30. Registration increases August 1: half marathon to $95, 10K to $55, and 5K to $35. Race is run from Cooper Center on Wright Road in Volcano Village on Saturday, August 18.
5th annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run registration open. Race day Sat, Sept 22, 7 a.m. ; begins and ends at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Register online before Mon, July 9: 5K, $25/person; 10K, $35/person; and 1/2 Marathon , $45/person. From July 9 to Aug 11: $30/person, $40/person, and $45/person, respectively. From Aug 13 to Sept 20: $35/person, $45/person, and $55/person. Race day registration ends Sat, Sept 22, at 6:30 a.m. Event organizers, ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou; start location, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill.
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