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| Interpretive signage for the famed Kaʻū Footprints Trail shows the area well traveled in the 1700's by Hawaiian families trading and visiting. While walking through Kaʻū, wet ash rained down and their footprints became frozen in time. Painting by John Dawson |
Mayor Harry Kim said he had an answer. He said he personally pressed Hawaiian Volcano Observatory chief scientist Tina Neal for some kind of percentage, so the county could make a plan. Kim reported an estimate of one percent. He explained that even though the percentage is small, he felt the need to call the meeting with residents, Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense, and the scientists, to explain the most likely and least likely volcano scenarios in the near future.
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Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno said the county is installing a siren to warn area residents, should there be signs of such a pyroclastic surge on its way. He said the siren would be heard for about 1.5 miles and that those living and working farther away could sign up for the blackboard alert system to receive messages by cell phone and internet. He repeated that the chances are small for a catastrophic event in the near future but, emphasized that it is his job to prepare for the worst case scenario.
Magno said that residents should plan for every eventuality, decide where they would go for refuge, understand their finances and prepare to bring important documents, should they have to leave.
One resident asked what people living in the area should be aware of as indicators of the possible arrival of a volcanic surge. More and stronger earthquakes than the many recently shaking the area, and other changes in the volcano that are being monitored by the scientists, such as magma and water mixing to send off explosive eruptions, were some of the answers given.
Some residents asked which way they should drive if they have to escape. Answers included that there are more services for people in Hilo than Kaʻū, and that decisions could depend on the direction the surge and the wind. It was noted that the caldera walls are lower on the Kaʻū side than the Hilo side, so the surge could move farther in the Kaʻū direction.
Talking about escape routes led to a question about Piʻimauna Road, which connects Hwy 11 to Volcano Golf course and housing area, Volcano Winery, and the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center.
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A footprint made in wet volcanic ash in 1790, likely by a male adult. It is one of 1,773 separate footprints belonging to at least 400 individuals that have been documented by NPS archeologists, led by Dr. Jadlyn Moniz-Nakamura. Photo by Ann Bosted |
Since Thursday, the sinkhole has been covered with steel plates and the highway is now back to two lanes. See below for more.
Whether history is an indicator of what will happen next at Kīlauea is unclear, the scientists said. Collapse events in the floor of Kīlauea Caldera and Halemaʻumaʻu witnessed recently also happened in the 1500s and 1600s, until 1790s, when the volcano emitted a pyroclastic surge and huge ash fall. The famous Footprints Trail in the Kaʻū Desert is evidence of the 1790s explosive eruptions. Those were much larger volcanic events than have happened since May, when Kīlaeua Crater began to change. See the March 1, 2017, Kaʻū News Briefs.
During Thursday's meeting, the HVO chief scientist said, "What we’re witnessing now is partial collapse of the summit in a step-wise process due to magma withdrawal into the East Rift Zone, feeding the eruption – and it is uncertain how long this will continue. It is uncertain how large this collapse will be. And it is uncertain how violent activity could become, associated with this collapse.
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Major cracks (yellow lines) within the caldera of Kīlauea. Red-shaded area east of Halemaʻumaʻu are moving down within a scarp-bounded zone. Dark pink/gray area shows the region of most significant subsidence. USGS image |
Neal said scientists feel “the most likely course” for the next two months at the summit is for continuing moderate-sized earthquakes – “that you’re all very familiar with, that can be damaging” – continuing subsidence, and small or no ash production. She said the duration of this activity is “related to the duration of the lower East Rift Zone eruption, but there is some uncertainty in that as well.”
Very hazardous explosions, “considered unlikely in the near-term,” related to the ongoing subsidence in the caldera, may not be preceded by a lot of warning, said Neal, but if activity accelerates, they remain possible.
If subsidence continues, it is possible the summit conditions will evolve to become more hazardous, said Neal. A “very unlikely outcome,” she said, “is that large-scale explosive activity,” associated with large-scale caldera collapse, could occur. The activity, said Neal, “should be preceded by signals that we will recognize with our monitoring equipment.” The signals would include low-level explosive activity beginning, and increased, more severe, and constant earthquakes. However, the timeframes of the warning signs are “uncertain,” and could be short, she said.
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| State Department of Transportation workers fill the sinkhole in Hwy 11 with rocks near Volcano. Photo from HDOT Facebook |
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THE SINK HOLE IS FILLED NEAR VOLCANO AND ALL LANES ARE NOW OPEN ON HIGHWAY 11, says Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation’s Facebook. A “deep,” five-foot diameter sinkhole was reported to have opened up mid-week near mile marker 30. One lane of the highway was closed. Workers dug around the opening, making the hole 15’ X 20’ according to DOT, and filled the hole with rocks, dirt, and concrete. The site is now covered with steel plates, with asphalt around the edges, to let the concrete cure over the weekend, says DOT. DOT urges motorists to drive with caution over the plates.
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| DOT finalizes temporary coverage of the sinkhole that opened in Hwy 11 near mile marker 30. Steel plates will cover the concrete to cure over the weekend. Photo from HDOT Facebook |
HAWAIʻI COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE IS THE BEST IN THE NATION, said Mayor Harry Kim during the Volcano Village community meeting on Thursday. He praised the way Hawaiʻi Island people have worked together in this eruption situation. He said how important it was that Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory has, from the beginning, briefed not only officials but the public on what was going on, and what could potentially happen, during this eruption. He said that open communication enabled all to work “as a team,” responding to situations “whether as preparation or actual response.” Kim said the community in Volcano “should feel very free to ask any questions in regards to what we do that affects you, and if you have any kinds of suggestions that makes it better, please, speak up.”
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AN EXTENSION FOR THE PROPOSED PĀHALA WASTE
WATER TREATMENT SITE has been given toCounty of Hawaiʻi Maile Street and will undergo Environmental Assessments and/or Environmental Impact Statements before the county acquires any land for the project.
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KAʻŪ HIGH SCHOOL IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for Varsity Baseball Head Coach, Pep Squad Head, Coach, Girls Soccer Head Coach, and Boys/Girls Judo Coach for the 2018-19 school year. Anyone interested can pick up an application form at the school's main office. Deadline is July 14.
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| The houses in the area in green stripes would be served by the new sewage treatment plant in the are with trees along Maile Street. Map from County of Hawaiʻi. |
WATER TREATMENT SITE has been given to
The county is required to build a new treatment system to replace old gang cesspools in Pāhala, which are illegal. The county took over the cesspools for old sugar plantation housing after the sugar mill shut down in Pahala. The county would face fines if it doesn't shut down the cesspools.
Unlike the proposed locations for the Nāʻālehu plant, there would be little change in routing of the present drainage system in order to place the plant at the proposed location, and the closure of the old LCC would remove effluent from near the school.
In a letter to the EPA,county Environmental June 20, 2020 . He stated all other deadlines could be met, including closure dates for the current Large Capacity Cesspools, if granted the extension.
In a letter to the EPA,
KAʻŪ HIGH SCHOOL IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for Varsity Baseball Head Coach, Pep Squad Head, Coach, Girls Soccer Head Coach, and Boys/Girls Judo Coach for the 2018-19 school year. Anyone interested can pick up an application form at the school's main office. Deadline is July 14.
NEW and UPCOMING
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| Image from volcanoartcenter.org |
ZENTANGLE: INK-BLOWN ‘ŌHI‘A WITH DINA WOOD KAGELER, celebrating Volcano’s premier rainforest tree, Ke Kumu ‘Ōhi’a, takes place on Saturday, July 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Volcano Art Center’s Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village.
The class uses “inspiration from Volcano’s own rainforests… to create twig-like strings with the ink-blown method, then tangle leaves and blossoms using watercolors and pens,” says the event description on volcanoartcenter.org. Loaner pens, pencils and watercolors will be available; however, returning tanglers are encouraged to bring their favorite Zentangle supplies.
No artistic experience is needed. Zentangle Basics and watercolor experience are “helpful but not required,” says the description. The cost of the class is $30 for Volcano Art Center Members or $35 for non-Members, plus a $10 supply fee. Participants are asked to bring a light refreshment to share. Visit volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222.
The class uses “inspiration from Volcano’s own rainforests… to create twig-like strings with the ink-blown method, then tangle leaves and blossoms using watercolors and pens,” says the event description on volcanoartcenter.org. Loaner pens, pencils and watercolors will be available; however, returning tanglers are encouraged to bring their favorite Zentangle supplies.
No artistic experience is needed. Zentangle Basics and watercolor experience are “helpful but not required,” says the description. The cost of the class is $30 for Volcano Art Center Members or $35 for non-Members, plus a $10 supply fee. Participants are asked to bring a light refreshment to share. Visit volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222.
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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 |
SUNDAY, JULY 8
‘Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sun, July 8, 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
MONDAY, JULY 9
Richard Creagan Talk Story, Mon, July 9, 6-9pm, Ocean View Community Center. Current State Representative for District 5 and candidate. He is a Ka‘ū resident, farmer, and a physician. 939-7033
TUESDAY, JULY 10
Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Tue/Wed, July 10(Committees)/11 (Council), Hilo , Tue/Wed, July 24 (Committees)/25 (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building
C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue, July 10, 4-6pm , Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Public invited to see what Community Emergency Response Team is about, and participate in training scenarios. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087
The Wonderful World of Wine and Watercolor, Tue, July 10, THURSDAY, JULY 12
Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū and Me, Thu, July 12, 10:30 -noon , Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571
Thursday Night at the Center - Witnesses in Words: The Literature of Kīlauea, Thu, July 12, 7-8pm , Volcano Art Center Volcano Village Kīlauea and their perspectives: William Ellis, Titus Coan, Mark Twain and Isabella Bird. Free; $5 donation suggested. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
FRIDAY, JULY 13
Exhibit, Birds of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park 9-5pm , Volcano Art Center Volcano Village
2nd Annual Bi-Annual Quilt Show, Quilts In The Forest - Where the Path May Lead, Opening reception: Fri, July 13, 5-7pm. Then daily, Tue-Sat, 10-4pm , through Aug 3, Volcano Art Center Volcano Village
Pancake Breakfast and Raffle, Sat, July 14, 8-11am , Ocean View Community Center
Kāwā Volunteer Day, Sat, July 14, 9:30am , Kāwā. Sign up with James Akau, Nā Mamo o Kāwā, at namamookawa@gmail.com, jakau@nmok.org, or 561-9111. nmok.org
Realms and Divisions of Kahuku, Sat, July 14, 9:30-11:30am , Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
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ONGOING
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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Libraries Rock Summer Reading Program: Hawai‘i State Public Library System, through Saturday, July 14, statewide and online. Register and log reading at librarieshawaii.beanstack.org or at a local library. Free. Reading rewards, activities, and programs for children, teens, and adults. 2018 participants have a chance to win a Roundtrip for four to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies.
Paid Intern sought by The Nature Conservancy, to work from October 2018 through August 2019 with their Hawai‘i Island Terrestrial Program, which has native forest preserves located in Ka‘ū and South Kona.
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The internship is offered through Kupu Hawai‘i. Those interested are asked to fill out an online application at kupuhawaii.org under Conservation Leaders Program as soon as possible, as spaces are limited; http://www.kupuhawaii.org/conservation/. For more, call The Nature Conservancy at 443-5401 or call Kupu Hawai‘i at 808-735-1221.
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Find Your Park, invites Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Kamaʻaina and tourist alike are encouraged to experience authentic Hawaiian cultural programs, guided hikes, After Dark events, and more from Ka‘ū to Volcano to Hilo. “While Kīlauea continues to shake the ground and blast ash from its ever-changing summit crater – causing the partial closure of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park ![]()
Rangers offer new and familiar programs – free of charge, with no entry fees – for visitors at the park’s Kahuku Unit, Volcano Art Center’s Ni‘aulani Campus, the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center in Hilo, and at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in downtown Hilo.![]()
Guided Hikes begin at 9:30 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday in June and July. Meet the ranger at the welcome tent. Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sunday, July 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Mokupāpapa Discovery Center
Libraries Rock Summer Reading Program: Hawai‘i State Public Library System, through Saturday, July 14, statewide and online. Register and log reading at librarieshawaii.beanstack.org or at a local library. Free. Reading rewards, activities, and programs for children, teens, and adults. 2018 participants have a chance to win a Roundtrip for four to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies.
Paid Intern sought by The Nature Conservancy, to work from October 2018 through August 2019 with their Hawai‘i Island Terrestrial Program, which has native forest preserves located in Ka‘ū and South Kona.
Benefits offered include: a $1,600 monthly living allowance (before taxes); a $5,920 education award towards higher education; health care and childcare benefits (if eligible); and receive an entry-level conservation career experience.
Applicants must be at least 17 years old by the program start date, October 2018, and possess or be working towards a high school diploma or equivalent. Applications must also have their own housing and transportation, a drivers license, and be able to pass a criminal history check.
Disaster Recovery Center, jointly operated by Hawaiʻi County, the State of Hawaiʻi , and FEMA, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Keaʻau High School Gym. Buses run from 7:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. to and from Keaʻau Armory every 20 minutes and Pāhoa Community Center Shelter every hour. See the full bus schedule on the Civil Defense Website at HawaiiCounty.gov/Active-Alerts. For a list of the information applicants need to bring to the DRC, or to register online, go to DisasterAssistance.gov.
Rangers offer new and familiar programs – free of charge, with no entry fees – for visitors at the park’s Kahuku Unit, Volcano Art Center’s Ni‘aulani Campus, the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center in Hilo, and at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in downtown Hilo.Kahuku Unit
In addition to regularly scheduled Guided Hikes and the monthly Coffee Talk, Kahuku Unit has added daily Ranger Talks, and cultural demonstrations and activities on weekends.
Visitor Contact Station hosts Ike Hana Noe ʻAu, Cultural Demonstrations and Activities, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, made possible by Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association. Sun, July 8: ‘Ohe Kāpala. Make your mark, and learn to create bamboo stamps with traditional and modern Hawaiian designs.
Visitor Contact Station hosts Ranger Talks on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. ; Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Coffee Talk, in the Visitor Contact Station is held the last Friday of the month, 9:30-11 a.m.
Kahuku events are posted to the park website, nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku-hikes.htm.
Volcano Art Center
You can also find your park rangers in Volcano at the Volcano Art Center 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd. , in Volcano Village 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide talks and answer questions about the current eruption.
The return of After Dark …near the park at the Volcano Art Center
Find you park rangers at Mokupāpapa Discovery Center in downtown Hilo, Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rangers provide daily eruption updates, and at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., give a talk about all five of Hawai‘i Island’s volcanoes – including Kīlauea. Get your NPS Passport Book stamped. Located at 76 Kamehameha Ave. , Hilo Mokupāpapa Discovery Center
Grand Naniloa Hotel
Two Park Rangers are stationed at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in downtown Hilo , from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. , every Sunday and Monday, in the Willie K Crown Room - as long as nothing else is scheduled in the space. The rangers will be doing daily talks at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. about the eruption. They will show the park film that is normally available to visitors to see at the Kilauea Visitor’s Center at the Summit , Born of Fire, Born in the Sea, every half-hour beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Kona Vet Center visits to Ocean View Community Center are Suspended until further notice. Veterans may call 329-0574 for VA benefit information. ovcahi.org
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.
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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