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| Del Bothof, above, and Maria Bothof are keeping their Volcano Winery open during the volcanic activities at nearby Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, and invite the public to sign up for their annual Harvest Festival Fundraiser forThe Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences. Photo by Julia Neal |
The limited-issue 200 tickets go on sale August 1 at volcanowinery.com or 967-7772. Marie Bothof, who owns the winery with her husband Del Bothof, said, “Can’t have more people here than that or it wouldn’t be fun for anybody! This year’s goal is $10K to pay for a white passenger van for the kids at The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences, to travel in for field adventures.”
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| Volcano Winery grows grapes and also tea. The tea leafs require some extra washing with the recent ashfall from volcanic explosions at Kīlauea Crater, but are fine, according to winery owners. Image from Volcano Winery |
Marie Bothof told The Kaʻū Calendar today that the eruption has had an impact on their business – but not as bad as it could be. “We haven’t shut down a day yet.” She said the weekend of May 12 and 13 saw a drop down to 25 percent of their usual number of visitors. The next weekend, that number had risen a bit. The last weekend of May rose to almost 60 percent of the regular number. She said cruise ship passengers are calling to make sure that driving from Kona – since the ships won’t port in Hilo – is feasible. Bothof said she – and other business owners in Volcano – would like to let people know: “Yes, Volcano Village
Local business owners will met Tuesday, May 29, to “try to put something together” to let people know the Village of Volcano
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| Harvested grapes in large buckets await crushing for wine made in Volcano Village. Photo from Volcano Winery |
Concerning Volcano Winery orchards, ashfall, which has potential to damage plants, has not affected the winery too badly so far. “The most effect was on the tea harvest; we had to wash all the leaves before any fermentation – but it came off really good.” She said the grapes were “already past the flower stage,” so the ashfall hasn’t harmed them at all. “As the fruit grows, the ash will shed. We’ve lost about 15 percent” of the crop, Bothof said. She said there has been no vine death or leaf effects: “We’ve been very fortunate with the winds,” said Bothof, with only one day where she saw ash on cars. She said their catchment tanks have not yet been affected.
Bothof said her main concern are the earthquakes: “The wine really sloshes in the vats.” She said the 6.9 magnitude quake only caused the loss of two wine glasses. The quake happened during a tasting, she said, and it “really shook over here. It was very exciting for the tasting group that experienced it – didn’t bother them a bit. They thought it was ‘part of the show’.”
Volcano Winery is located 35 Piʻimauna Drive, the same road that goes to Volcano Golf Course.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.
PUNA GEOTHERMAL VENTURE, WHICH PROVIDED 20 PERCENT OF THE ISLAND'S ELECTRICITY, COULD BE CLOSED PERMANENTLY or for a number of years. Lava flowed over several geothermal wells this week and was headed for more of them today. Lava also covered the main entry road to the facility in lower Puna, leaving only a back entrance for staff to return.
Puna Geothermal Venture officials said that in addition to quenching the geothermal wells and
attempting to plug them, PGV's crew placed materials over them so that lava could possibly roll over the site without penetrating the equipment and wells. However, it is uncertain whether lava penetrated the workings of the wells that were covered in lava. Post lava flow excavating would determine whether the wells could be used again, PGV officials said during press conferences this week.
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| Volcanic glass particles fell on roads in Puna today. Image from Big Island Video News |
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LAVA DESTROYED 20 HOMES IN 24 HOURS in lower Puna in the past day, county Civil Defense reported. With fast moving pahoehoe from a lava pond that breached, the toll during May rose to 112 buildings and 71 homes.
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| Pele's Hair, the volcanic glass that fell in lower Puna today, should be avoided, as it can irritate and become embedded in skin, said HVO scientists. Photo from USGS |
In addition, area residents witnessed and received warnings about Pele's Hair falling in lower Puna. Pele's Hair is made of glass particles from the volcano, are sharp and an irritant to skin, and can become embedded.
This evening, Civil Defense ordered people along Noni Farms Road and Hale Kamahina Road to "evacuate immediately" as more fast moving lava approached their homes.
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"The floor of Kīlauea Caldera continues to subside as pressure in the magma reservoir decreases in response to withdrawal of magma towards the East Rift Zone. This is the same process that caused the summit lava lake to drop out of sight within the Overlook Vent inside Halemaʻumaʻu Crater.
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| Interferogram from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-1 satellite showing ground motion between May 11 and May 17, 2018. During the same time period, a GPS station on the caldera floor measured 65 cm (about 2 feet) of subsidence. Each colored “fringe” represents 2.7 cm (just over 1 inch) of motion between the ground and the satellite and are added up to determine the total displacement. Image from USGS |
"Occasional larger ash explosions from Halemaʻumaʻu have resulted in abrupt increases in reservoir pressure (which appear as "inflationary steps" in ground tilt data); these inflations negate the effects of ongoing deflation for a period of hours to days. After each explosion, the faults within and around the caldera are less stressed and, therefore, produce fewer earthquakes. As time goes on, deflation again stresses the faults and the number of detected (and felt) earthquakes increases."
HVO reviews the history of the similar event in 1924, when high rates of earthquake activity were observed during the summit
eruption. Volcano resident Margaret Finch wrote to her father on May 15, 1924, “... and the earthquakes were awful. Some were a slow swaying motion, while others gave you a nasty vicious shake. I hate them all. I want to run whenever I feel one. There must be at least a hundred quakes a day…and probably a great many more than that.”
According to HVO, "It appears that a process similar to now was at work back then. We expect earthquake production to continue as long as the summit continues to deflate, but the rate and magnitude of earthquakes will vary in response to explosions. In 1924, based on known historical records, no earthquakes related to summit subsidence caused significant damage.
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See the animation showing a sequence of radar amplitude images acquired by the Italian Space Agency's Cosmo-SkyMed Kīlauea Volcano that occurred over May 5 at 6:12 a.m. HST, May 17 at 6:12 a.m. HST, May 21 at 6:12 a.m. HST, and May 29 at 6:12 a.m. HST. Animation from USGS |
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AIR QUALITY INDEX REPORTING IS UNAVAILABLE late today. However, the colors of the map indicate the air in Pāhala is good, but Ocean View and Kona are in the red - a measurement that indicates the overall air quality is unhealthy for all groups.
SO2 levels in Pāhala were unhealthy for sensitive groups for almost half the time of recorded reporting since midnight; the levels are good as of 9 p.m. Ocean View was similar, with more spikes, but is reported as being unhealthy for sensitive groups as of 9 p.m. Both Volcano reporting sites showed a couple spikes since midnight; levels are good as of 9 p.m. Kona showed as good all day.
See AirNow. See Hawaiʻi Short Term SO2 Advisory. Also see the
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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. |
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
Meeting on Ash and S02, Wed, May 30 at Kaʻū District Gym Multipurpose Room,
U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will explain the ongoing eruptions of ash and S02 from Halemaʻuma`u, as well as laze from lava ocean entries and other risks.
Also on hand will be a lung specialist, representatives Emergency Medical Services, Kaʻū Hospital, and the state Department of Health - Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office, and Clean Air Branch.
County Council member Maile David said she hopes to attend. Also attending will be representatives of the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency.
CANCELLED DUE TO PARK CLOSURE: Ku‘i Kalo Demonstration, Wed, May 30, 10-noon,
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
VA Medical Services, Thursdays, May 31, 8:30-noon, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Summer Learn-To-Swim Registration, Thu, May 31, 1-4pm, Pāhala Swimming Pool (Ka‘ū High School Campus). hawaiicounty.gov/pr-aquatics/, 928-8177
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Stained Glass Basics II, Sat & Sun, Jun 2, 3, 9 & 10, 9-noon, Volcano Art Center. Prerequisite: Stained Glass Basics I. $90/VAC Member, $100/non-Member, plus $30 supply fee. Register in advance. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Realms and Divisions of Kahuku, Sat, Jun 2, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i VolcanoesNational Park. Moderately difficult, two-mile, guided hike on Kahuku Unit's newest trail, Pu‘u Kahuku, explores the traditional Hawaiian classification system. Bring snack.
SUNDAY, JUNE 3
Palm Trail, Sun, Jun 3, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderately difficult, 2.6-mile loop traverses scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. nps.gov/HAVO![]()
Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun, Jun 3, noon-2pm, Manukā State Park. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. Sponsored by South Point Amateur Radio Club and Amateur Radio Emergency Service. View sites.google.com/site/southpointarc or sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058
MONDAY, JUNE 4
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Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Mon/Tue/Wed, Jun 4 & 5 (Committees)/6 (Council), Hilo. Mon/Tue, Jun 18 (Committees)/19 (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov
Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon, Jun 4 & 18, 1pm, Ocean View Community Center. A parent led homeschool activity/social group building community in Ka‘ū. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351
Ocean View Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Mon, Jun 4, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
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TUESDAY, JUNE 5
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Volunteer Clean-Up w/Hawai‘i Outdoor Institute, Tue, Jun 5, contact in advance for meet up time at Wai‘ōhinu Park. Space limited. Free; donations appreciated. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, wildhawaii.org
Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, Jun 5, 4-6pm, Jun 19, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net
Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, Jun 5, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.
Summer Learn-To-Swim Registration, Thu, May 31, 1-4pm, Pāhala Swimming Pool (Ka‘ū High School Campus). hawaiicounty.gov/pr-aquatics/, 928-8177
FRIDAY, JUNE 1
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Jun 1-29 (closed Jun 11), Ka’ū. Nā’ālehu: Hawai‘i County Economic Opportunity Council office, back of Senior Center, Wed-Fri, 8-1pm, 929-9263. Ocean View: Ocean View Community Center, Mon & Tue, 8-1pm. Pāhala: Edmund Olson Trust Office, Tue & Wed, 8:30-12:30pm. See hceoc.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018-LIHEAP-APPLICATION.pdf for eligibility requirements and application.
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23rd Annual Kona Classic Jackpot - Classic Fishing Tournament Series, Fri-Sun, Jun 1-3, Honokōhau Club House. All profits go towards marine conservation and youth educational programs in and around Miloli‘i. $300 entry fee, 4 per boat, $25 additional. Cash prizes $100-$3,000. Qualifying weights: Marlin, 100lbs; Ahi, 50lbs; Mahi, 15lbs; Ono, 15lbs. Grand Prize qualifies for Las Vegas Trip. Contact Wilfred Kaupiko, 896-6272, kalanihale@gmail.com. Sponsored by Kalanihale, kalanihale.org
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SATURDAY, JUNE 2
Libraries Rock Summer Reading Program: Hawai‘i State Public Library System, Jun 2 - Jul 14, statewide & online. Register (starting Jun 2) and log reading at librarieshawaii.beanstack.org or at a local library. Free. Reading rewards, activities, and programs for children, teens, & adults. 2018 participants have a chance to win a Roundtrip for four to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies.
yART Sale! Gigantic Rummage Sale, Sat, Jun 2, 8:30-2pm, Volcano Art Center’s Hale Ho‘omana. Benefits VAC programs and workshops. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
MAY BE CANCELLED DUE TO PARK CLOSURE: May Stewardship at the Summit, Jun 2, 8, 16, 23, & 29, 8:45am, meet Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Volunteers help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Jun 1-29 (closed Jun 11), Ka’ū. Nā’ālehu: Hawai‘i County Economic Opportunity Council office, back of Senior Center, Wed-Fri, 8-1pm, 929-9263. Ocean View: Ocean View Community Center, Mon & Tue, 8-1pm. Pāhala: Edmund Olson Trust Office, Tue & Wed, 8:30-12:30pm. See hceoc.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018-LIHEAP-APPLICATION.pdf for eligibility requirements and application.
Libraries Rock Summer Reading Program: Hawai‘i State Public Library System, Jun 2 - Jul 14, statewide & online. Register (starting Jun 2) and log reading at librarieshawaii.beanstack.org or at a local library. Free. Reading rewards, activities, and programs for children, teens, & adults. 2018 participants have a chance to win a Roundtrip for four to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies.
yART Sale! Gigantic Rummage Sale, Sat, Jun 2, 8:30-2pm, Volcano Art Center’s Hale Ho‘omana. Benefits VAC programs and workshops. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
MAY BE CANCELLED DUE TO PARK CLOSURE: May Stewardship at the Summit, Jun 2, 8, 16, 23, & 29, 8:45am, meet Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Volunteers help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO
Realms and Divisions of Kahuku, Sat, Jun 2, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i VolcanoesNational Park. Moderately difficult, two-mile, guided hike on Kahuku Unit's newest trail, Pu‘u Kahuku, explores the traditional Hawaiian classification system. Bring snack.
SUNDAY, JUNE 3
Palm Trail, Sun, Jun 3, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderately difficult, 2.6-mile loop traverses scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. nps.gov/HAVO
Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun, Jun 3, noon-2pm, Manukā State Park. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. Sponsored by South Point Amateur Radio Club and Amateur Radio Emergency Service. View sites.google.com/site/southpointarc or sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058
MONDAY, JUNE 4
Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon, Jun 4 & 18, 1pm, Ocean View Community Center. A parent led homeschool activity/social group building community in Ka‘ū. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351
Ocean View Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Mon, Jun 4, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
TUESDAY, JUNE 5
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Volunteer Clean-Up w/Hawai‘i Outdoor Institute, Tue, Jun 5, contact in advance for meet up time at Wai‘ōhinu Park. Space limited. Free; donations appreciated. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, wildhawaii.org
Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, Jun 5, 4-6pm, Jun 19, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net
Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, Jun 5, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.
NEW AND UPCOMING
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ONGOING
23rd Annual Kona Classic Jackpot - Classic Fishing Tournament Series is Friday through Sunday, June 1 through 3, at Honokōhau Club House in Kona. All profits go towards marine conservation and youth educational programs in and around Miloli‘i. $300 entry fee, 4 people per boat - $25 per additional person. Modified Jungle rules.
Cash prizes range from $100 to $3,000. Qualifying weights: Marlin, 100lbs; Ahi, 50lbs; Mahi, 15lbs; Ono, 15lbs. Grand Prize qualifies winner for Las Vegas Trip.
Upcoming tournaments are 1st Annual Hawaiian Wicked Tuna Jackpot Series, July 20-22, and Miloli‘i Classic, Aug 31-Sept 2.
Contact Wilfred Kaupiko, 896-6272, kalanihale@gmail.com. Sponsored by Kalanihale, a non-profit comprised of ten-pus generation descendants. The goals of the organization are to increase community participation in cultural activities, increase fish stocks, and promote community cohesion, “made achievable by hula protocol as a vessel to view… the world from a local perspective inundated with cultural pieces that transmits to all other Hawaiian practices,” states the release. See more at kalanihale.org
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.
Sign Up for the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, to be held June 30. If interested, call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.
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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.
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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.
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Sign Up for the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, to be held June 30. If interested, call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.
5th Annual Harvest Festival Fundraiser for The Volcano School
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.
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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