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| County and volunteer fire departments fought a fire all day today that started last night in the South Point, Ka Lae area. This photo was taken from the Discovery Harbour home of photographer Peter Anderson. Photo by Peter Anderson |
Heavy equipment, along with county and volunteer firefighters, battled the blazes all day and were hoping to bring them under control, despite very windy conditions. A helicopter flew many water drops. Bulldozers made fire breaks. The location of the fires are above Kamilo surfing spot, east of South Point. They burned through brush on private ranches below Discovery Harbour.
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The county bulldozed a firebreak from to keep the rangefire from spreading. Photo by Richard Taylor |
A report from the county Fire Department, said there are two fires "in a very large nearly roadless area of mostly 10-to 15-feet high haole koa, Guinea grass, and Christmas berry trees. Strong ENE trade winds fanned the fire." Cause of both fires remains unknown.
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A helicopter picks up water to fight the fire between South Point and Photo by Peter Anderson |
"One D-9 dozer worked through the night and a second D8 joined at first light," says the report. They created a perimeter around the most southern fire and worked on encircling the north fires.
Helicopter water drops started this morning. By 7 p.m., the fires were "80 percent contained, but strong and gusty winds were hindering extinguishment and control," reported the fire department.
Crews planned to remain overnight to extinguish hot spots and any fire break jumps. Dozer ops also continue, with heli water drops resuming at first light on Sunday.
The report estimated 35 acres burned by the north fire and 110 acres burned by the south fire. See more in tomorrow's Ka`ū News Briefs.
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| Helicopter refueling. Photo by Richard Taylor |
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THE FIRST NEW ROUTE ALONG HWY 11 TO TAKE MOTORISTS AWAY FROM KĪLAUEA CALDERA has been selected, according to Mayor Harry Kim. During a Volcano community meeting Thursday, Kim and his team said the route will be two lanes paved along Old Volcano Links Road, parallel to Hwy 11. It will be used only when Hwy 11 is completely shut down and will be accessed from Ka`ū by turning left on Pi`imauna Dr. and immediately right onto Old Golf Links Road, to Old Volcano Road, where motorists will be reconnected to Hwy 11.
Kim said he would start the legal work yesterday, Friday, and would call the governor and county, state, federal, and private sector partners to make the road ready within a week.
He said the alternate route is necessary with the earthquakes rattling and damaging Hwy 11, which "is checked, is walked with every quake" to assess it for danger to motorists. The road is being repaired regularly, requiring reduction to one lane. In the future, damage may require closing both lanes.
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| Mayor Harry Kim talks about putting the alternate route to Hwy 11 through a quiet neighborhood. Photo from Nā Leo TV |
In the meantime, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is willing to provide access to some of its roads, which are also compromised -- but only for emergencies, Kim said. "It would be foolhardy" to regularly use Volcanoes National Park routes that are closer to the crater, said the mayor.
Regarding the alternate route going through the low density, quiet Golf Links neighborhood, the mayor said, "We realize this is an intrusion on your community, the privacy of yours... Most of you, like me, we choose to live here and one of the main reasons is the beauty of the quiet." He said he hears Volcano people "talk about admiration of beauty, of rain, the sun, the morning dew, the quiet, the trees..."
He said he understands how Volcano people feel because, "I live in a place where people bulldoze every `ōhia tree, and I'm so so weak, I have to tell my wife I have to get out of here; I'm going to start crying. I can tell that to you people because you understand that. That's why you're here."
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| Sen. Lorraine Inouye, County Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno, County Managing Director Will Okabe, and a sign language interpreter during the Volcano meeting on Thursday. Photo from Nā Leo TV |
The mayor said that while he knows the alternate route would intrude into privacy, options are "very limited."
State Sen. Lorraine Inouye, who said her family owns a home on Old Golf Links Road, said property owners pay for the maintenance of the road, which is legally owned by Kamehameha Schools. She said she hopes the county will talk more with the owners about the details, but she understands this is an emergency. County Managing Director Will Okabe said his staff has gone door to door along Old Golf Links Road and has also walked Hwy 11 where there are some 30 earthquakes a day, bringing the county to understand that the alternative route needs to be completed soon.
A woman who lives on Golf Links Road said her children play in the road. How will they stay safe? Magno said the same situation happened with the alternate route built along Beach Road in Puna. The county warned truckers that if they pose a danger to the community they will be kept out. There have been no problems said Magno.
The Principal of Volcano School of Arts & Sciences, Kalima McKinney, said a third of her students come from Ka`ū, and noted that Volcano School would have to send its buses along Old Golf Links Road if Hwy 11 were to be closed.
Steve Stephenson, who lives in Volcano and works at Ka`ū High & Pāhala Elementary School, said he is happy there is so much concern with making the alternate route.
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| A woman said she is concerned about safety of her children who are used to playing along quiet Old Golf Links Road. Photo from Nā Leo TV |
Jeffrey Judd, who said he has lived on Old Golf Links Road for 42 years, said the road is fracturing and that he is measuring and taking photographs of it. He said that he understands why the county needs the second option for the alternative route farther away from Hwy 11, as Old Golf Links Road could eventually be unusable. Judd said he has cracks on his property, concrete is broken, and his yard steams in the wintertime.
Rick Warshauer, of Volcano, also brought up the instability of the Golf Links Road area and concerns about large trucks being able to make the turn off Hwy 11 to the alternate route.
See the entire meeting at Nā Leo TV.
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MORE EMERGENCY STATE FUNDING FOR THE VOLCANO DISASTER became available Friday when Gov. David Ige signed a third supplementary proclamation relating to Kīlauea's continuing lava flows and seismic activity.
"This supplementary proclamation extends the authority to spend state funds as appropriated for quick and efficient action to protect the health, safety and welfare of our Hawai`i County residents. This also helps to provide quick relief of suffering, damage, and losses caused by the eruption," said the governor.
"The lava flows and volcanic activity continue to endanger communities in the Puna District, and are expected to continue causing additional losses, suffering, and the displacement of individuals and families," said a statement from his office.
Ige signed the initial emergency proclamation on May 3, the day the latest eruption began. The governor issued the first supplementary proclamation on May 9, and the second supplementary proclamation on June 5. The third supplementary proclamation issued today is effective until Oct. 2, 2018.
"This supplementary proclamation extends the authority to spend state funds as appropriated for quick and efficient action to protect the health, safety and welfare of our Hawai`i County residents. This also helps to provide quick relief of suffering, damage, and losses caused by the eruption," said the governor.
"The lava flows and volcanic activity continue to endanger communities in the Puna District, and are expected to continue causing additional losses, suffering, and the displacement of individuals and families," said a statement from his office.
Ige signed the initial emergency proclamation on May 3, the day the latest eruption began. The governor issued the first supplementary proclamation on May 9, and the second supplementary proclamation on June 5. The third supplementary proclamation issued today is effective until Oct. 2, 2018.
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| Overall preparedness with the Volcano Emergency Response team received encouragement from the county at Thursday's community meeting at Cooper Center.Photo from Nā Leo TV |
During a meeting in Volcano Village this week, County Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno brought up overall preparedness. He thanked the Volcano Emergency Response team which is making ready in case there is a larger seismic, explosive event, even though it is a small probability. Magno said that preparedness involves the resilient community in order for neighbors to help one another. "You know who your neighbors are; you communicate with them." He said there is also the vulnerable community whom the resilient community knows and can help during a disaster. "You need to know who's around your block."
See the entire meeting on Nā Leo television.
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| Map shows forecast of winds affecting Hawai`i, with Ka`ū having a 40 percent chance of receiving tropical-storm-force winds. Map from nhl.noaa.gov |
HURRICANE HECTOR EXPLODED into a Category 4 hurricane today, but new forecasts form the National Hurricane Center predict it will track south of Ka`ū. Hector has grown, with hurricane-force winds extending up to 30 miles, and tropical storm-force winds up to 105 miles, from the eye. Winds speeds are about 130 mph, with higher gusts.
At 5 p.m., Hector was 1,395 miles east-southeast of
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| Sen. Mazie Hirono Photo from @MazieHirono |
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Jill Otake was nominated to U.S. District Court Judge in March. |
Before becoming an Assistant United States Attorney, Otake spent six years as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in King County , Washington
Otake was born and raised in Hawai`i . She is a graduate of `Iolani School and served as a law clerk to Associate Justice Simeon R. Acoba, Jr. of the Supreme Court of Hawai`i. Otake earned her B.S., cum laude from Georgetown University and her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law.
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RICHARD ABBETT AND YUMI KAWANO ARE VYING FOR MAILE DAVID'S COUNTY COUNCIL SEAT. Three County Council candidates are signed up for the Primary Election on Saturday Aug. 11, desiring to represent the largest geographical area on the island - District 6. It includes Volcano through Ka`ū, and all three vow to care about environment and culture. The Non-Partisan race ends with the Primary, unless there is a run-off.
RICHARD ABBETT AND YUMI KAWANO ARE VYING FOR MAILE DAVID'S COUNTY COUNCIL SEAT. Three County Council candidates are signed up for the Primary Election on Saturday Aug. 11, desiring to represent the largest geographical area on the island - District 6. It includes Volcano through Ka`ū, and all three vow to care about environment and culture. The Non-Partisan race ends with the Primary, unless there is a run-off.
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| Maile David |
During her council tenure, she has traveled the district often, and advocated an “open door policy” between council members and their constituents. She said she is able to nurture relationships between communities, county, state, and federal government.
She has supported cultural exchange events, including a sister city relationship between Pahala and the place in the Philippines that sent many sugar workers to immigrate here years ago.
She lists as some of her nuts and bolts accomplishments the preservation of the Makahiki lands makai of Hwy 11 near Nā`ālehu, the new Nā`ālehu and Pāhala Playgrounds, coordination of the new Hawaiian Ocean View Estates Transfer Station, completion of Volcano transfer Station, and helping to ensure availability of water in Ocean View during well repairs.
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| Richard Abbett |
Among her successful Resolutions at the County Council is a proposed General Plan amendment to “Implement Ahupua`a Philosophy in Land Use Planning,” authorizing the Mayor to work with the state, with $725,000 toward a second well for Ocean View, and securing $750,000 for Kahuku Park improvements. She also supported the bill that requires a permit to consume alcohol at Kahuku Park
Richard Abbet, of Nā`ālehu, spoke at recent public meetings against the proposal to put the SpinLaunch space facility near Ocean View. “We need economic development. We are farmers. We could grow hemp, we already grow weed,” he said.
He pointed to the unique population of people who live here. “The Hawaiians that lived here have lived here forever; the rest of us came here for a reason, and it’s not to be like the rest of you. This is the last place in theUnited States that we have this freedom.”
He pointed to the unique population of people who live here. “The Hawaiians that lived here have lived here forever; the rest of us came here for a reason, and it’s not to be like the rest of you. This is the last place in the
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| Yumi Kawano |
Yumi Kawano, of Volcano, said she wants to be “a wise and strong voice for Puna on the Community Development Plan's Puna Action Committee.” When marching in the Nā`ālehu Independence Day Parade, she said that the Nā`ālehu Theatre should be renovated, an effort that many council members have made in the past without agreement from its owners.
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NEW and UPCOMING`IKE HANA NO`EAU, CULTURAL DEMONSTRATIONS AND ACTIVITIES, IN THE KAHUKU UNIT of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, supported by Hawai`i Pacific Parks Association, offers a range of opportunities this month. The free ranger-led programs are offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m., and are expected to last about an hour each. Supplies are provided.
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| Learn to make tī leaf lei by twirling on Saturday, August 4, at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Photo from National Park Service |
On Saturday, August 4, rangers invite park guests to make tī leaf lei by twisting (wili). The following day, Sunday, August 5, park guests learn to make mini kahili -- a feather standard. On Saturday, August 11, park guests are welcome to make hū -- a kukui nut spinning top. On Sunday, August 12, ulana niu, the art of weaving coconut fronds, is covered. On Saturday, August 18, rangers demonstrate how to make pū `ohe -- bamboo trumpets. Prior to August 19, those interested are asked to email wendy_scott-vance@nps.gov to reserve their supplies for a paper making activity using wauke, the plant used to make kapa cloth. This program is presented by local artist Susan O'Malley on Sunday, August 19. The following weekend, park guests are invited to make lauhala bracelets on Saturday, August 25. The program for Sunday, August 26 has yet to be announced.
Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park does not charge entrance fees. Find the entrance to the Kahuku Unit of the park located south of the 70.5 mile marker, mauka (mountain side) of Highway 11. For more about this and other Kahuku Unit programs, visit nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku-hikes.htm.
Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park does not charge entrance fees. Find the entrance to the Kahuku Unit of the park located south of the 70.5 mile marker, mauka (mountain side) of Highway 11. For more about this and other Kahuku Unit programs, visit nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku-hikes.htm.
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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 |
Pu`u o Lokuana, Sun, Aug 5, 9:30-11 a.m. , Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park
Sunday Clay - High Fire! with Erik Wold, 8-week session beginning Aug 5 (no class Aug 12), morning class 11:30-2:30pm , afternoon class 2:45-5:45pm , Volcano Art Center Volcano Village
Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun, Aug 5, noon-2pm, Manukā State Park
MONDAY, AUGUST 6Story Time with Lindsey Miller from PARENTS, Inc., Mon, Aug 6, 2:30-3:15pm, Nā`ālehu Public Library. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org
Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Meeting, Mon, Aug 6, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Hawai`i County Council Meetings, Tue/Wed, Aug 7 (Committees)/8 (Council), Hilo, Tue/Wed, Aug 21 (Committees)/22 (Council), Kona. Ka`ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā`ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.
Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, Aug 7, 4-6pm, Aug 21, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net
Ka`ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, Aug 7, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8AdvoCATS, Wed, Aug 8, 7am-5pm, Ocean View Community Center. Free Cat Spay & Neuter Clinic. 895-9283, advocatshawaii.org
Zentangle: Color Stories, Sat, Aug 11, 10-1pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Class is not about color theory, rather about "listening to the story that colors Whisper to you." $30/Volcano Art Center Member, $35/non-Member, plus $10 supply fee. Bring light refreshment to share.
Hi`iaka & Pele, Sat, Aug 11, 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
Kāwā Community Workday, Sat, Aug 11, meet at 9:30 am at Northern Gate, Kāwā. Sign up with James Akau, Nā Mamo o Kāwā, at namamookawa@gmail.com, jakau@nmok.org, or 561-9111. nmok.org
ONGOING
Walk-In Registration and Voting Continues at Pāhala Community Center from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on weekdays through Thursday, Aug. 9.
5th Annual Volcano Winery Harvest Festival tickets on sale for event on Sun, Sept 9. Benefit for Volcano School of Arts and Sciences. Music, food, wine, and raffle. $40/adult (21+). 967-7772, volcanowinery.com
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Volcano Forest Runs Registration Open, online at volcanorainforestruns.com. Fees: 5K - $35, 10K - $55, 1/2 Marathon - $95. Race Day Sat, Aug 18, Volcano Village. No race day registration for 1/2 Marathon. Race Director Sharron Faff, 967-8240.
5th Annual Volcano Winery Harvest Festival tickets on sale for event on Sun, Sept 9. Benefit for Volcano School of Arts and Sciences. Music, food, wine, and raffle. $40/adult (21+). 967-7772, volcanowinery.com
Volcano Forest Runs Registration Open, online at volcanorainforestruns.com. Fees: 5K - $35, 10K - $55, 1/2 Marathon - $95. Race Day Sat, Aug 18, Volcano Village. No race day registration for 1/2 Marathon. Race Director Sharron Faff, 967-8240.
Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool's New, Temporary, Nā`ālehu Site Location is Kauaha`ao Church in Wai`ōhinu. Meeting days and times remain the same: Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Pāhala site program meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., at Pāhala Community Center.
Tūtū and Me also offers home visits to those with keiki zero to five years old, to aid with parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Free. Visits last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, total of 12 visits. Snacks are provided.
Harmony Educational Services, Home Based Educational Programs - Open Enrollment through Oct 15; harmonyed.com/hawaii. Partnered with four local public charter schools, Harmony offers benefits of homeschooling with resources available to public schools. Interested families can also contact Rayna Williams at rwilliams@harmonyed.com or 430-9798.
Volunteers Needed by St. Jude's Episcopal Church for Sat community outreach, especially soup cooks and shower organizers. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's. Contact Dave Breskin, 319-8333.
Ocean View Vet Center Visits Suspended until further notice. Veterans, call 329-0574 for VA benefit information. ovcahi.org
Free of charge, with no entry fees, rangers offer new and familiar programs at Kahuku Unit, Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus, and Mokupāpapa Discovery Center and Prince Kūhio Plaza in Hilo.
Kahuku Unit
Kahuku events are posted to the park website, nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku-hikes.htm.
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Regularly scheduled Guided Hikes, monthly Coffee Talk, daily Ranger Talks, with cultural demonstrations and activities on weekends.
Regularly scheduled Guided Hikes, monthly Coffee Talk, daily Ranger Talks, with cultural demonstrations and activities on weekends. Guided Hikes on Saturdays and Sundays begin at 9:30 a.m. Meet the ranger at the welcome tent.
Coffee Talk, held the last Friday of the month, 9:30-11 a.m., at the Visitor Contact Station.
Ranger Talks on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m., at the Visitor Contact Station.
`Ike Hana No`eau: Experience the Skillful Work Cultural Demonstrations and Activities, Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., at the Visitor Contact Station.Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus
Find Park Rangers in Volcano Village daily, at the Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus at 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd. Rangers are there 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide talks and answer questions about the current eruption.
After Dark …near the park at the Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus. Each event will have a different subject matter.
Find Park Rangers in downtown Hilo, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rangers provide daily eruption updates. At 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., they give a talk about all five of Hawai`i Island's volcanoes, including Kīlauea. Get NPS Passport Books stamped. Located at 76 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo.
Prince Kūhio Plaza
Find Park Rangers alongside the park's non-profit partner, Hawai`i Pacific Parks Association, at their brand new mall store.
Grand Naniloa Hotel
Find Park Rangers stationed at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in downtown Hilo on Sundays and Mondays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Rangers provide eruption updates at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The park film that is normally available to visitors at Kīlauea Visitor Center at the Summit, Born of Fire, Born in the Sea, is shown every half-hour beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Park rangers also greet incoming arrivals at the Hilo International Airport, welcome cruise ship passengers as they disembark at the Port of Hilo, and inform visitors at `Imiloa Astronomy Center most Sundays.
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