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| It will take some time for wildlife biologists to learn of the damage to monk seal populations and their habitat at yesterday ahead of Hurricane Walaka. Photo from NOAA |
SEVEN RESEARCHERS EVACUATED FRENCH FRIGATE SHOALS ahead of Hurricane Walaka plowing through Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
The scientists studying and monitoring Hawaiian monk seals and Hawaiian green sea turtles were scheduled to depart mid-October, and won't return until next year. Kate Toniolo, acting superintendent of Papahānaumokuākea, said that in coming months, a crew scheduled to collect marine debris will likely be able check for damage to the wildlife habitat, and the quarters where researchers live.
French Frigate Shoals is known for its heavy populations of monk seals, as the nesting site for 95 percent of endangered Hawaiian green sea turtles, and the home of numerous species of nesting seabirds, all vulnerable to the winds and the ocean washing over the atoll during a hurricane.
The scientists studying and monitoring Hawaiian monk seals and Hawaiian green sea turtles were scheduled to depart mid-October, and won't return until next year. Kate Toniolo, acting superintendent of Papahānaumokuākea, said that in coming months, a crew scheduled to collect marine debris will likely be able check for damage to the wildlife habitat, and the quarters where researchers live.
French Frigate Shoals is known for its heavy populations of monk seals, as the nesting site for 95 percent of endangered Hawaiian green sea turtles, and the home of numerous species of nesting seabirds, all vulnerable to the winds and the ocean washing over the atoll during a hurricane.
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| Large limpets studied by researchers on Gardner Pinnacle where Hurricane Walaka passed last night. Photo from NOAA |
Forecasters expect Walaka to travel northwest and weaken into a post-tropical low by Saturday. High surf from Walaka will continue at Papahānaumokuākea and the main Hawaiian Islands through tonight.
Papahānaumokuākea is 582,578 square miles, an area larger than all other U.S. national parks combined. It is one of the largest marine conservation areas in the world, and is the largest contiguous fully protected conservation area under the U.S. flag. It is home to a wide range of rare and endangered species on land and in the ocean. Learn more at papahanaumokuakea.gov.
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A LAWSUIT TO REDUCE NOISE FROM HELICOPTER TRAFFIC on Hawaiʻi Island will be heard by the District of Columbia U.S. Court of Appeals on Nov. 1. The lawsuit, filed by Hawaiʻi Island Coalition Malama Pono against the Federal Aviation Administration, asks for an Air Tour Management Plan to be implemented over Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The plaintiffs stated that a plan for
The suit points to legislation, enacted 18 years ago by Congress, that requires an air flight plan over U.S. National Parks.
A community meeting at Nani Mau in August revealed high emotion from residents, many of whom stated the noise is a health issue. Some spoke of thoughts of threatening actions towards the helicopters. This resulted in a response from the Hawaiʻi Helicopter Association, comprised of helicopter tour operators who said they were flying in the safest way possible and attempt to avoid flying over people's homes.
However, HICoP contended -via email - that "Hawaiʻi Helicopter Association, Blue Hawaiian, "HICoP is ready, willing, and able to meet with anyone at anytime to discuss meaningful actions that actually provide relief."
The requirement for an Air Tour Management Plan became law in 2000. The law states its purpose is to "mitigate or prevent the significant adverse impacts, if any, of commercial air tour operations upon the natural and cultural resources, visitor experiences, and tribal lands."
There is no Air Tour Management Plan, "despite widespread support among residents, the County Council, and many members of the state legislature," Ernst said.
In another email, Ernst said, "No elected office holder or bureaucrat has taken any action that resulted in any meaningful relief."
In another email, Ernst wrote, "Of the 21 elected office holders on Hawaiʻi Island, only four have decided not to represent their constituents, to write an advocacy letter to [the Congressional Delegation] for the offshore route, or provide any other meaning full solution to the copter noise debacle."
HICoP has urged the FAA to do for Hawaiʻi Island what the FAA did for Long Island , NY Long Island saw about a 300 percent decline in helicopter tours over populated areas after noise complaints.
Ernst stated that Hawaiʻi Volcanoes sees the most helicopter overflights out of all national parks in the country, with more than 16,000 reported in 2017. He said that with Volcanoes flights curbed, flights over residential areas will likely decrease dramatically.
The FAA stated there are Air Tour Management Plans in process all over the U.S. , with the most recent action being a Sept. 18 meeting of the National Parks Overflight Advisory Group. There are also two National Parks with drafts of commercial air tour voluntary agreements, which is an alternative to an Air Tour Management Plan.
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| Sen. Mazie Hirono |
The U.S. Senate is scheduled to hold a procedural vote at 10:30 a.m. EST tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 5, on whether to advance Kavanaugh's confirmation as Supreme Court Justice. The final vote is scheduled for Saturday by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Said Hirono, "It is simply impossible after seeing the results of the FBI's supplemental work – I hesitate to call it an investigation – that anybody could think it was in any way, shape or form, the 'comprehensive' work the President promised. This so-called investigation is a sham." Hirono stated the FBI "was only allowed to do the bare minimum."
Hirono pointed to leads of "dozens of people with relevant information, some of whom say they have corroborating evidence" of misconduct. She said she expected the FBI to investigate whether Kavanaugh "had a pattern of drinking that resulted in aggression and belligerence toward women."
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| Sen. Heidi Heitkamp |
Hirono said she had concluded "before these reports came forward, that he would not be fair and objective." She called his reaction to Blasey Ford's accusations "angry and combative." She also said she has "deep" concerns about his "expansive views on Executive power," and his stance on "reproductive rights, Native rights, and legal protections for workers, consumers, and the environment."
Senators spent hours today going over the FBI's additional investigative work of the last week. The investigation was launched after the Senate Judiciary Committee interviewed Kavanaugh and Ford regarding her allegations of his assault while they were in high school. Other women, including Deborah Ramirez, have come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct by Kavanaugh. Kavanaugh denies all accusations.
This evening, Republican senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Democratic senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), who are considered key to the Kavanaugh confirmation, were waiting to announce how they will vote. Hirono posted to her Twitter a letter from Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), the fifth undecided vote. Heitkamp stated that she will not confirm Kavanaugh as the newest Supreme Court judge due to his lack of impartiality and truthfulness, and his temperament.
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The Judge Brett Kavanaugh is the current nominee to replace him. Photo by Franz Jantzen, from the Collection of the Supreme Court of the |
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ROAD CLOSURES IN VOLCANO through Oct. 12 are planned along Hwy 11 by the state Department of Transportation. Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense announced that crews will begin repairs in multiple locations. "Please be patient and drive carefully when road crews are working."
From Oct. 8-12, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., road repairs will create alternating lane closures on Hwy 11 in both directions in the vicinity of mile marker 29, south of the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park entrance. During the same times there will alternating closures in both directions, in the vicinity of mile marker 32 near Namakani Paio Campground in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
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A FUNDRAISING BAZAAR AT KAUAHAʻAO Congregational Church in Waiʻōhinu will be held Saturday, Nov. 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. , on the church campus on the corner of Mamalahoa Hwy , Kamaoa Road , and Pinao Street – just above the Wong Yuen Store.
"Come spend the day with us and enjoy the entertainment provided by our talented community groups," says the announcement.
Individuals, schools, clubs, and sports/athletic groups are invited to be a vendor at the "flea market." Interested vendors must submit a Vendor Application by Friday, Nov. 2. The booth fee for a 10' X 10' space is a $10 suggested donation. Vendors can sell anything except hot food and plate lunch. The Church will be selling Kalua Pig plate lunch, container of Kalua Pig, and Smoked Meat bowls, as well as baked goods, produce, and crafts.
For an application or for more information, email the church at dwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com, or call Debbie Wong Yuen at 928-8039.
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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com |
KAʻŪ TROJANS FALL SPORTS SCHEDULE
Football:
Sat, Oct 6, 12pm , host Kohala
Sat, Oct 13, BIIF Semi-Finals at Kamehameha
Girls Volleyball:
Fri, Oct 5,6pm , host Keaʻau
Sat, Oct 6,2pm , @ Kealakehe
Sat, Oct 13, BIIF Semi-Finals at Kamehameha
Sat, Oct 20, BIIF Finals - Higher
Fri, Oct 5,
Wed, Oct 10, 6pm , @ Parker
Fri, Oct 12, 6pm , host St. Joseph
Mon, Oct 15, BIIF DII Qtr - Higher
Wed, Oct 17, BIIF DII Semi-Finals @ Kona
Thu, Oct 18, BIIF DII Finals @ Kona
Thu, Oct 18, BIIF DII Finals @ Kona
Sat, Oct 6,
Sat, Oct 13, BYE
8:30am , HHSAA
Sat, Oct 20, 9am , BIIF @ HPA
Sat, Oct 27, NEW and UPCOMING
PAPA ‘OLELO HAWAI‘I, BEGINNING HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES, CONTINUE at Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village on Thursday nights with new courses, Part IV and VII, beginning Oct. 11. Both courses are taught by Kaliko Trapp, focusing on expanding simple vocabulary, conversation, grammar, and sentence structure. Some Hawaiian language experience is preferred for either course (basic for Part IV).
PAPA ‘OLELO HAWAI‘I, BEGINNING HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES, CONTINUE at Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village on Thursday nights with new courses, Part IV and VII, beginning Oct. 11. Both courses are taught by Kaliko Trapp, focusing on expanding simple vocabulary, conversation, grammar, and sentence structure. Some Hawaiian language experience is preferred for either course (basic for Part IV).
The eight week courses continue through Dec. 13; no class held Oct. 18 and Nov. 22 for either course. Part IV runs from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with part Part VII following from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Fees for Part IV and Part VII are the same, $80 for Volcano Art Center members, or $90 for non-members, each. The required workbook for the class, Nā Kai ʻEwalu, is available at the University of Hawai‘i - Hilo bookstore. It is also recommended for students to have a Hawaiian language dictionary. Call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.
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Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus hosts beginning Hawaiian language courses. Photo from Volcano Art Center |
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Annual Oktoberfest Dinner, Fri., Oct. 5, 5pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church. Tickets: Singles $8, doubles $15, family $20. stjudeshawaii.org, 939-7000
‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Meeting, Fri., Oct. 5, 6:30pm, Aspen Center. okaukakou.org
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6
Hi‘iaka & Pele, Sat., Oct. 6, 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/hawaiivolcanoes
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The Art Express, Sat., Oct. 6, 10-3pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Classes held once monthly. Learn something new or work on a forgotten project. Instructions on oil, acrylic, watercolor, and other mediums. Class size limited to 25. Meliha Corcoran, 319-8989, himeliha@yahoo.com, discoveryharbour.net/art-express
Keiki Science Class, Sat., Oct. 6, 11-noon, Ace Hardware Stores Islandwide, including Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030, and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. First Sat every month. acehardware.com
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Kamilo Point Clean-Up with Hilo Bay Café, Sun., Oct. 7, contact in advance for meet up time at Wai‘ōhinu Park. BYO-4WD vehicle only. Free; donations appreciated. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, mattie.hwf@gmail.com, wildhawaii.org
Pu‘u o Lokuana, Sun., Oct. 7, 9:30-11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Short, moderately difficult, 0.4-mile hike to the top of the grassy cinder cone. Learn about the formation and various uses of this hill over time. Enjoy breathtaking view of lower Ka‘ū. Free. nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes
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Volcano Village Health and Safety Fair at the Cooper Center, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 7. Healthy food demonstrations and free food tastings, how to make a "go bucket," info on advance directives, free flu vaccinations (conditions apply), free testing for HepC and HIV, and more. Free event, open to the public. Sponsored by the Volcano Community Association.Contact Sher Glass at 967-8553, vcainfo@yahoo.com.
Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun., Oct. 7, 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
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 8
Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon., Oct. 8 and 22, 1pm, Ocean View Community Center. A parent led homeschool activity/social group building community in Ka‘ū. Call to confirm location in case of field trip. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9
C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue., Oct. 9, 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
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CANCELLED: After Dark in the Park, Ōpe‘ape‘a: The Hawaiian Bat, Tue., Oct. 9. 985-6011, nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes
VOTE: Voter Registration Deadline for 2018 General Election, Tue., Oct. 9. elections.hawaii.gov
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10
AdvoCATS, Wed., Oct. 10, 7am-5pm, Ocean View Community Center. Free Cat Spay & Neuter Clinic. 895-9283. advocatshawaii.org
Volcano Bay Clinic Mobile Health Unit Visits: Dental, Wed., Oct. 10, 8-5pm; Medical, Thu., Oct. 25, 1-5pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Must be Bay Clinic, Inc. patient. Call 333-3600 to schedule appointment. See Cooper Center August newsletter for details. thecoopercenter.org
Pāhala Sewage System - County Dept. of Environmental Management, Wed., Oct. 10, Open House: 5:30pm, Meeting: 6-7:30pm, Ka‘ū Gym Multi-Purpose Conference Room, Pāhala. Mary Fuji, 962-8038
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11
Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū & Me, Thu., Oct. 11, 10:30-noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571
Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thu., Oct. 11, 6:30pm, United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197
ONGOING
CU Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union's Nāʻālehu Branch is taking applications for a Member Service Representative.
The job description reads: Serve as a liaison between the member and the Credit Union. Provide a variety of financial services to members including savings, share drafts, and loan transactions, as well as sales of merchandise items: money orders, traveler's checks, postage stamps, etc., in accordance with Credit Union procedures and policies. CU Hawaiʻi offers medical, drug, dental, vision and retirement benefits.
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Mail, hand-deliver, or fax application to: CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union, Attn: Human Resources, 476 Hinano Street, Hilo, HI 96720, Fax (808) 935-7793. Applications can be downloaded online at cuhawaii.com/about-cu/career-opportunities.html
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6
Hi‘iaka & Pele, Sat., Oct. 6, 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/hawaiivolcanoes
Kāwā Community Workday, Sat., Oct. 6, Meet 9:30am, Northern Gate, Kāwā. Sign-up w/James Akau, Nā Mamo o Kāwā, namamookawa@gmail.com, jakau@nmok.org, 561-9111. nmok.org
Keiki Science Class, Sat., Oct. 6, 11-noon, Ace Hardware Stores Islandwide, including Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030, and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. First Sat every month. acehardware.com
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Kamilo Point Clean-Up with Hilo Bay Café, Sun., Oct. 7, contact in advance for meet up time at Wai‘ōhinu Park. BYO-4WD vehicle only. Free; donations appreciated. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, mattie.hwf@gmail.com, wildhawaii.org
Pu‘u o Lokuana, Sun., Oct. 7, 9:30-11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Short, moderately difficult, 0.4-mile hike to the top of the grassy cinder cone. Learn about the formation and various uses of this hill over time. Enjoy breathtaking view of lower Ka‘ū. Free. nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes
Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon., Oct. 8 and 22, 1pm, Ocean View Community Center. A parent led homeschool activity/social group building community in Ka‘ū. Call to confirm location in case of field trip. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9
C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue., Oct. 9, 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
VOTE: Voter Registration Deadline for 2018 General Election, Tue., Oct. 9. elections.hawaii.gov
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10
AdvoCATS, Wed., Oct. 10, 7am-5pm, Ocean View Community Center. Free Cat Spay & Neuter Clinic. 895-9283. advocatshawaii.org
Volcano Bay Clinic Mobile Health Unit Visits: Dental, Wed., Oct. 10, 8-5pm; Medical, Thu., Oct. 25, 1-5pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Must be Bay Clinic, Inc. patient. Call 333-3600 to schedule appointment. See Cooper Center August newsletter for details. thecoopercenter.org
Pāhala Sewage System - County Dept. of Environmental Management, Wed., Oct. 10, Open House: 5:30pm, Meeting: 6-7:30pm, Ka‘ū Gym Multi-Purpose Conference Room, Pāhala. Mary Fuji, 962-8038
Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū & Me, Thu., Oct. 11, 10:30-noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571
Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thu., Oct. 11, 6:30pm, United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197
ONGOING
CU Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union's Nāʻālehu Branch is taking applications for a Member Service Representative.
The job description reads: Serve as a liaison between the member and the Credit Union. Provide a variety of financial services to members including savings, share drafts, and loan transactions, as well as sales of merchandise items: money orders, traveler's checks, postage stamps, etc., in accordance with Credit Union procedures and policies. CU Hawaiʻi offers medical, drug, dental, vision and retirement benefits.
One Lucid Dream: A Retrospective of Art Works by Ken Charon. Exhibit open through Saturday, Oct. 6, 10-3pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Original paintings, drawings, and other objects. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Volunteers Needed by St. Jude's Episcopal Church for community outreach, especially soup cooks and shower organizers, towel laundry, alter guild, and for the computer lab. Volunteers do not have to be members of the church. "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.
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.
Open Enrollment for Harmony Educational Services through Oct. 15. Partnered with four local public charter schools, offers benefits of homeschooling with resources available to public schools. Interested families can contact Ranya Williams, rwilliams@harmonyed.com or 430-9798. harmonyed.com/hawaii
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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