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Lava entering the ocean on July 12, captured from a scientific research vessel deploying submarine seismometers. See Volcano Watch, below. Photo by Jackie Caplan-Auerbach, |
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| Helicopter flight noise will be reviewed by a new committee. Photo from Big Island Video News |
Ka`ū and Puna residents have long complained about helicopter noise. In Ka`ū, complaints concern flights over Green Sands Beach; Discovery Harbour, Wai`ōhinu, and Green Sands neighborhoods; and reported landings at Pohue Bay. Helicopter companies advertise flights over remote places, especially ones made of green sand.
Community member quotes at the meeting include "Make the changes now -- yesterday" and "Have the flights start at a reasonable hour; 6 o'clock in the morning is not reasonable for most people." Several residents said the daily noise makes people feel extreme stress and a lack of privacy. They talked about the effects on people's peace of mind, on their animals, on wildlife, and their ability to conduct phone calls, and more. Expressions of anger filled the room.
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Sen. Russel Ruderman Photo from Big Island Video News |
Warshauer suggested rescinding helicopter company permissions, then reissuing them to the same companies, "with restrictions to fly offshore and to avoid residential areas. Do it now!"
Big Island Video News interviewed Bob Ernst of Hawai`i Island Coalition Malama Pono -- an organization fighting the noise-pollution in East Hawai`i -- who brought a map of Long Island to show how helicopter flights are diverted by the FAA. He said part of the FAA regulations for tour helicopters in Hawai`i "is that they fly with aloha," which he says means the noise footprint remains outside residential areas. Several testifiers said they want a seat on the committee for Hawai`i Island Coalition Malama Pono.
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Bob Ernst of Hawai`i Island Coalition Malama Pono shares a map of flights diverted over water to stop flights from going over Photo from Big Island Video News |
"We never set out to intentionally bother anybody," said Dorn. He said the flight paths changed due to where the lava was erupting; that there are more overflights of the land areas, but not a greater number of flights.
Dorn mentioned his helicopter company's efforts to rescue animals stranded by lava flows. He also talked about recovering family heirlooms. He said these efforts would have been impossible without the income of scenic helicopter tours to pay for them.
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Rick Warshauer Photo from Big Island Video News |
"We know we make noise," Dorn said. "We need to figure out how we can mitigate some of that noise to get along with everybody." He said Hawai`i Helicopter Association's website, hawaiihelicopterassociation.org, accepts incident reporting in order to help air tour companies make adjustments to their routes. A testifier pointed out only one incident can be reported at a time, and that she counted four helicopters a minute between 7 and 8:30 a.m. one day, with "a sum of 30 to 60 per day."
A testifier suggested the new committee on helicopter noise include six at-large community representatives, to balance out the six from official groups.
"Noise pollution can kill you," stated one testifier, saying the FAA needs to do its "medical homework."
Several testifiers, some saying they are normally peaceful people, admitted they were so distressed at times, they thought of shooting at the helicopters. One woman spoke of a neighbor who did so, several years ago. A Vietnam veteran of Puna spoke of his military training in destroying helicopters coming to mind, saying "Don't aggravate the crazy people. You stop it, now."
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Mayor Kim spoke at the community meeting about how legislators and agencies had failed the public in the past on aircraft noise issues. Photo from Big Island Video News |
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Calvin Dorn, owner and pilot of Photo from Big Island Video News |
Submit incident reports at hawaiihelicopterassociation.org, or contact the FAA with noise concerns at 9-awa-noiseombudsman@faa.gov, (202) 267-3521, or Federal Aviation Administration, Aviation Noise Ombudsman, AEE-2, 800 Independence Ave. S.W., Washington, DC 20591.
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.
HURRICANE LANE IS RAMPING UP wind speeds, with an increase of 40 mph to 110 mph in less than 24 hours. Lane is traveling west at 16 mph, and is about 1,525 miles from South Point at 11 a.m. Lane is expected to shift directions from west to west-northwest and back multiple times over the next few days.
Lane is not forecast to make landfall in Hawai`i at this time, but to pass to the south. However, tropical storm-force winds are expected to start affecting south Hawai`i Island early Tuesday, at a 10 to 20 percent probability.
Lane is expected to become a major hurricane later tonight, forecast to strengthen to a Category 4 by  |
| Image from nhc.noaa.gov |
HOW SUBMARINE PORTIONS OF KĪLAUEA ARE IMPACTED by recent eruptive events is this week's Volcano Watch subject. This week's article is by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory affiliates Jackie Caplan-Auerbach, of
The visible part of Kīlauea -- from the summit to the lower East Rift Zone -- makes up only a small portion of the total volcano. Much of Kīlauea lies beneath the sea, including the Puna ridge to the east, and the south flank extending offshore beyond the southern coastline.
As the volcano grows, this underwater region of the south flank creeps slowly to the south, moving in fits and starts with earthquakes that last seconds -- such as the May 4, 2018 , magnitude-6.9 event -- and in slow slip events, which last for days or weeks. Many questions have been raised about the stability of the south flank, since other portions of Hawai`i Island 's coasts show evidence of past landslides.
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University students assist with deployment of ocean-bottom seismometers off the south coast of a 223-foot research vessel operated by the 10. Photo by Jackie Caplan-Auerbach, |
To better understand what's going on within Kīlauea 's south flank and help determine how it has been affected by the eruption, a group of scientists from Western Washington University Rice University University of Rhode Island Kīlauea south flank in July.
The instruments were deployed from the Ka`imikai-o-Kanaloa, a 223-foot research vessel operated by the University of Hawai`i
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The Fissure 8 lava channel remains inactive and continues to cool. The channel levee (far left) now stands about 8 m (26 ft) above the surface of formerly active lava (right). Although lava is not erupting from Fissure 8, the flow field includes large areas of still-hot, rugged, and unstable lava surfaces. USGS photo |
These data should allow the scientific team to determine more precisely where the offshore earthquakes occurred and on what fault(s) the M6.9 earthquake took place. Recordings of the ocean entry activity may help us learn more about why some lava-water interactions are explosive, while others are relatively calm. In general, we hope that by collecting data offshore we will be able to better understand parts of Kīlauea that cannot be easily observed.
The OBSs record data internally, so we won't know what they have recorded until they are recovered in September. A group of scientists on a related research cruise have volunteered their time to collect our instruments and download the data for us. At that point, the data will be made available to any scientists interested in studying them, notably the seismologists at HVO.
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quiet, with no collapse events since August 2. HVO continues to record detailed visual observations and monitor seismic, deformation, and gas data for any indications of possible renewed activity. USGS photo |
Volcano Activity Updates
Activity on Kīlauea 's LERZ and at the summit of the volcano remained greatly diminished this past week. LERZ activity was limited to a small crusted-over pond of lava deep within the Fissure 8 cone and a few scattered streams of lava entering the ocean. Summit earthquakes remained at low levels. The last summit collapse event occurred on August 2, and no significant subsidence has been observed since August 4. However, hazardous conditions remain in both areas. Residents in the lower Puna and Kīlauea summit areas on the Island of Hawai`i
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Lava continues to ooze into the ocean at scattered entries, mainly near Ahalanui (shown here), but also at Kapoho. USGS photo |
Visit HVO's website https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvofor 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.
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.
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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 |
Football:
Sat, Aug 25, 10am, Scrimmage @ Waiakea
Thu, Sept 6, 6pm, @ Pāhoa
Sat, Sept 15, 1pm, @ Kohala
Sat, Sept 22, 3:30pm, host Lanai @ Kea`au
Sat, Sept 29, 11am, host Pāhoa
Girls Volleyball:
Fri, Aug 24, 6pm, @ Mauna Lani
Wed, Aug 29, 6pm, @ Hilo
Fri, Aug 31, Kamehameha Tourney
Sat, Sept 1, Kamehameha Tourney
Wed, Sept 5, 6pm, host Pāhoa
Wed, Sept 12, 6pm, @ Christian Liberty
Fri, Sept 14, @ Kamehameha
Mon, Sept 17, 6pm, host Lapahoehoe
Wed, Sept 19, 6pm, host Kohala
Thu, Sept 20, 6pm, @ Honoka`a
Tue, Sept 25, 6pm, @ HPA
Fri, Sept 28, 6pm, host Kona
Cross Country:
Sat, Aug 25, @ CLA (preseason)
Sat, Sept 1, 10am, @ HPA
Sat, Sept 8, 10am, @ Kamehameha
Sat, Sept 15, 10am, Kea`au
Sat, Sept 22, 9am, @ HPA
Sat, Sept 29, 10am, @ Waiakea
NEW and UPCOMING
Thu, Sept 6, 6pm, @ Pāhoa
Sat, Sept 15, 1pm, @ Kohala
Sat, Sept 22, 3:30pm, host Lanai @ Kea`au
Sat, Sept 29, 11am, host Pāhoa
Girls Volleyball:
Fri, Aug 24, 6pm, @ Mauna Lani
Wed, Aug 29, 6pm, @ Hilo
Fri, Aug 31, Kamehameha Tourney
Sat, Sept 1, Kamehameha Tourney
Wed, Sept 5, 6pm, host Pāhoa
Wed, Sept 12, 6pm, @ Christian Liberty
Fri, Sept 14, @ Kamehameha
Mon, Sept 17, 6pm, host Lapahoehoe
Wed, Sept 19, 6pm, host Kohala
Thu, Sept 20, 6pm, @ Honoka`a
Tue, Sept 25, 6pm, @ HPA
Fri, Sept 28, 6pm, host Kona
Cross Country:
Sat, Aug 25, @ CLA (preseason)
Sat, Sept 1, 10am, @ HPA
Sat, Sept 8, 10am, @ Kamehameha
Sat, Sept 15, 10am, Kea`au
Sat, Sept 22, 9am, @ HPA
Sat, Sept 29, 10am, @ Waiakea
NEW and UPCOMING
KA`Ū FINE ARTISTS AND PAPER MAKER SUSAN O'MALLEY "transforms vegetation into fine art" says Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Ranger and Kahuku Program Coordinator Wendy Scott-Vance. O’Malley, a veteran papermaker and respected artist with a growing international reputation, has "produced paper forms that are at once natural and abstract, wild and wildly imaginative," as stated in Alan McNarie's article in Hana Hou magazine (April/May 2015).
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| Join park rangers and local artist Susan O'Malley and learn to make paper from wauke - the Hawaiian plant used to make kapa, Hawaiian bark cloth. Photo from oneisland.org |
"We are extraordinarily excited to have her here at Kahuku," says Scott-Vance.
O'Malley offers instruction on paper-making from wauke - the Hawaiian plant used to make kapa, Hawaiian bark cloth - on Sunday, August 19, starting at 12:30 p.m.
Those interested in participating in the workshop are asked to email wendy_scott-vance@nps.gov as soon as possible to reserve materials. Entrance to the Kahuku Unit and the class are free; suggested donation of $5. Paper-making materials will be provided.
The Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is located on the mauka (inland) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5, in Ka`ū, about a 50-minute drive south of the park's main entrance. Sturdy footwear, water, rain-gear, sun protection and a snack are recommended for all hikes. Entrance and all programs are free. Kahuku is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. See nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku-hikes.htm.
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.
O'Malley offers instruction on paper-making from wauke - the Hawaiian plant used to make kapa, Hawaiian bark cloth - on Sunday, August 19, starting at 12:30 p.m.
Those interested in participating in the workshop are asked to email wendy_scott-vance@nps.gov as soon as possible to reserve materials. Entrance to the Kahuku Unit and the class are free; suggested donation of $5. Paper-making materials will be provided.
The Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is located on the mauka (inland) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5, in Ka`ū, about a 50-minute drive south of the park's main entrance. Sturdy footwear, water, rain-gear, sun protection and a snack are recommended for all hikes. Entrance and all programs are free. Kahuku is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. See nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku-hikes.htm.
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.
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| Volcano Rain Forest Runs entrants from 2017. See map, above. See registration, right. Photo from VRFR |
Volcano Forest Runs Race Day, Sat, Aug 18; 7 am - 1/2 Marathon, 7:45 am - 5k, 8 am - 10k, 10 am - Keiki Runs. Volcano Village, start and finish at Cooper Center on Wright Road. See pre-registration fees online. No race day registration for 1/2 Marathon. Race Director Sharron Faff, 967-8240. volcanorainforestruns.com
Pancake Breakfast & Raffle, Sat, Aug 18, 8-11am, Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org.
Paths and Trails, Sat, Aug 18, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Moderately-difficult, 2-mile hike with some of the most spectacular overlooks in Kahuku. Discover the ways people, animals, and plants got to Kahuku and the paths they followed. Free. nps.gov/HAVO
Hands-On Fermented Foods Workshop: Pickled Veggies & Yogurt with Jasmine Silverstein, HeartBeet Foods, Sat, Aug 18, 10-1pm, Volcano Art Center. $50/VAC Members, $55/non-Member. Pre-registration required. Supplies and organic ingredients provided. No cooking skills necessary. heartbeetfoods.com. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Ocean View C.E.R.T. Meeting, Sat, Aug 18, 10-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting/training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Hula Kahiko - Kumu Hula Iwalani Kalima with Hālau Kou Lima Nani E, Sat, Aug 18, 10:30-11:30am, hula platform near Volcano Art Center Ni‘aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Hula performance. Free. Desiree, 987-7288, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org
Bunco & Potluck, Sat, Aug 18, 6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Popular game played with nine dice. Bring dish to share. Margie Hack, 541-954-8297
People & Land of Kahuku, Sun, Aug 19, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain focuses on the area’s human history. Free. nps.gov/HAVO
Discovery Harbour Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Mon, Aug 20, 5-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net
After Dark Near The Park: Saving Rare Plants from the Brink of Extinction in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Tue, Aug 21, 7-8pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Botanist Sierra McDaniel discusses rare plant management at the park. Free; $2 donation suggested. volcanoartcenter.org. Event co-sponsored by Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, 985-6011.
Free Community Dance, Fri, Aug 24, 7-10pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Minors allowed with supervision only. Alcohol free event. Variety of music. Coffee, tea, water, and snacks provided. Free admission; donations appreciated. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org
ONGOING
Free Arts and Crafts Activities at Pāhala Comunity Center happen on Wednesdays (excluding Aug 29), from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., through the end of Sept, for keiki in Kindergarten through 8th grade.
- Aug 22: Silhoutte Art. Register Aug 16 through 21.
- Sept 5: In observance of Grandparents Day, Craft Stick Puzzle Hanging. Register Aug 30 through Sept 4.
- Sept 12: Dove Foldable For Peace. Register Sept 4 through 11.
- Sept 19: Handprint Tree Art. Register Sept 13 through 18.
- Sept 26: Beaded Wind Chime. Register Sept 19 through 25.
- Aug 22: Silhoutte Art. Register Aug 16 through 21.
- Sept 5: In observance of Grandparents Day, Craft Stick Puzzle Hanging. Register Aug 30 through Sept 4.
- Sept 12: Dove Foldable For Peace. Register Sept 4 through 11.
- Sept 19: Handprint Tree Art. Register Sept 13 through 18.
- Sept 26: Beaded Wind Chime. Register Sept 19 through 25.
For more, call 928-3102 or visit the community center during business hours: Mon-Thu an d Sat, from noon to 8 p.m., or Fri, from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation/.
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Activities at Kahuku Park -- within Hawaiian Ocean View Estates -- over the next two months, include two physical activities, three arts and crafts activities, and a Park Beautification Day.
For ages 6 to 12: - Kickball: Tuesdays and Fridays 2 to 3 p.m., August 21 through September 21. Registration open through August 20.- Paper Lanterns: Wednesday, August 22, 3 to 4 p.m. Registration open through August 20.
- Jump Rope Challenge: Monday, August 27, 3 to 4 p.m. Registration open August 20 through 25.
- Sand Art: Wednesday, September 5, 3 to 4 p.m. Registration open August 27 through 31.
For all ages: - Friendship Bracelets: Wednesday, September 19, 3 to 4 p.m. Registration open September 10 through 14.
- Park Beautification Day: Friday, September 28, 1:30 to 4 p.m. Registration open September 19 through 26.
All activities are free to attend. For more, call Teresa Anderson at 929-9113 or visit the park during business hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 12:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation/.
Cross County Assistant Coach Needed for Ka`ū Trojans, says Coach Erin Cole. The Boys & Girls team starts running Aug 25. Contact Cole for more, or if interested in applying, at erinlcole@hotmail.com.
5th Annual Volcano Winery Harvest Festival tickets on sale for event on Sun, Sept 9, and selling fast! Benefit for Volcano School of Arts and Sciences. Music, food, wine, and raffle. $40/adult (21+), $20 under 21. 967-7772, volcanowinery.com
Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool's 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 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.
To enroll in either program, fill out enrollment forms found at pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me/enrollment_forms, or call Linda Bong at 464-9634. Questions: Clark at 929-8571 or eclark@pidfountation.org.
Disaster Recovery Center open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Pāhoa Neighborhood Center at 15-3022 Kauhale St. See information applicants need to bring, or register online, at fema.gov/disaster/4366. If you are a survivor who has left the area, call 800-621-3362. Salvation Army distribution center at Pāhoa Community Center on Tue, Thu, and Sat, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. To donate, contact 756-0306.
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
Find Your Park, invites Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, to kama`aina and tourist alike. Experience authentic Hawaiian cultural programs, guided hikes, After Dark events, and more from Ka`ū to Volcano to Hilo, while the partial closure of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park continues.
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.
Regularly scheduled Guided Hikes, monthly Coffee Talk, daily Ranger Talks, with cultural demonstrations and activities on weekends.
Coffee Talk, held the last Friday of the month, 9:30-11 a.m. , at the Visitor Contact Station. Dr. Frank Bonaccorsoreveals "A Day in the Life of `Ōpe`ape`a – the Hawaiian Hoary Bat," and shares a 24-hour cycle of the only land mammal native to Hawai`i on Fri., Aug. 31.
Ranger Talks introduce the natural, cultural and historic attributes of Kahuku 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. Pū`ohe Workshop: Learn to make a bamboo trumpet, Sat, Aug 18, 12:30 p.m. Hawaiian Paper: Make your own paper from the wauke plant, Sun, Aug 19, 12:30 p.m. Wauke supplies are limited, please RSVP to wendy_scott-vance@nps.gov.
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.
Mokupāpapa Discovery Center
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.
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.