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| Hukilau Hula throwing nets to the sea, at May Day celebration for students of all ages in Pāhala. See more photos and story below. Photo by Julia Neal |
A BUSY HURRICANE SEASON IS PREDICTED for the Central Pacific, including Hawaiʻi Island, according to reports today from AccuWeather and other experts. Hurricane season officially begins June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. Last year was the fourth-busiest hurricane season for the Eastern and Central Pacific on record, tied with 1982, with 23 named hurricanes.
For 2019, AccuWeather predicts six to eight named storms, four to six hurricanes, three to five major hurricanes and one to two direct impacts on land in the Central Pacific.
Dan Kottlowski, of AccuWeather, said that "the onset of an El Niño typically increases the total number of storms and hurricanes in the basin." This increase in tropical cyclone activity will increase the chances of a Hawai`i impact. He said "The most worrisome track for an impact on Hawaiʻi is from the south." AccuWeather reminds Hawaiʻi residents that "Only four hurricanes have taken this track into Hawaiʻi and brought significant impacts since 1950, but Hurricane Lane did so just last year. The combination of a more active season and warmer-than normal ocean water south of Hawaiʻi could set the state for a tropical system to approach from the south this season. The most likely time of the year for an impact on Hawaiʻi will be from July into early October."
For 2019, AccuWeather predicts six to eight named storms, four to six hurricanes, three to five major hurricanes and one to two direct impacts on land in the Central Pacific.
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| Paʻaʻau Gluch, from the bridge at Hwy 11, on Aug. 24 during Hurricane Lane. Photo by Julia Neal |
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| Hurricane Lane in August of 2018 caused wind and flood damage. Image from AccuWeather |
Hawaiʻi Island was threatened by six hurricanes in 2018 – the average is four or five. In August, Hurricane Lane hung off South Point for several days, then passed south, causing damage all over the state.
Hurricane Olivia made landfall onMaui and Lanaʻi. Hurricane Walaka largely washed away East Island in French Frigate Shoals, north of the main Hawaiian Islands, destroying a major birthing place for endangered Hawaiian monk seals, green sea turtles, and endangered and threatened seabirds. Other storms not powerful enough to be called hurricanes also caused flooding and wind damage.
The National Hurricane Center ,
Hurricane Olivia made landfall on
The National Hurricane
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| William Aila, Jr. Photo from the governor's office |
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Said Ige, "William is a proven leader and steward of Hawai‘i's natural resources. I am confident that he will continue to lead the department as it works to create vibrant homestead communities for native Hawaiians."
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WILLIAM AILA, JR. is appointed by Gov. David Ige as chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission and director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, effective Friday, May 17.
Aila was confirmed as deputy to the commission chair in April. He has been serving as acting chairman since the departure of Jobie Masagatani on May 2. He served as deputy to the chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission from 2014 to 2018. Previously, he headed the Department of Land and Natural Resources and was harbor agent for the Wai‘anae Boat Harbor on O ahu, under the
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| Department of Hawaiian Home Lands property in Kaʻū. Map from DHHL |
Aila said, "I thank Gov. Ige for this opportunity to continue to serve the Hawaiian community, and I look forward to working closely with homestead leaders to advance the vision of Prince Kuhio."
Prince Johnah Kuhio Kalaniana‘ole successfully campaigned for the passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act by the U.S. Congress in 1921, when he served as a Delegate from the Territory of Hawai‘i. The act set aside 200,000 acres as a permanent homeland for native Hawaiians. About 11,300 of those acres are located in Ka‘ū, including lands at South Point, above Punalu‘u, and near Wai‘ōhinu.
Prince Johnah Kuhio Kalaniana‘ole successfully campaigned for the passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act by the U.S. Congress in 1921, when he served as a Delegate from the Territory of Hawai‘i. The act set aside 200,000 acres as a permanent homeland for native Hawaiians. About 11,300 of those acres are located in Ka‘ū, including lands at South Point, above Punalu‘u, and near Wai‘ōhinu.
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A MAY DAY PROGRAM ENTERTAINED FAMILIES AND THE PUBLIC at Kaʻū District Gym today, with presentation of the May Day Court and attendants, comprised of Kaʻū High School students, and hula and song from Pāhala Elementary School. The program was directed by Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder with assistance from local musicians Makana Kamahele, Ty Chun, and Terry Lewis. May Day has been a tradition for many generations of students attending school on the Pāhala
campus.
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PĀHALA'S LONGS DRUGS ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL DELIVER PRESCRIPTIONS toOcean View Community Center 8 a.m. and noon . When patients receive alerts that their prescriptions are ready, they may call Longs at 928-6252 to request delivery to OVCC. No controlled substances, such as opiates, are included in this program. If payment is required, patients must have a payment card on file at Longs in Pāhala. Kaʻū Wellness patients' prescriptions will be delivered to 92-8691 Lotus Blossom Lane in Ocean View for pick up. Questions? Call Longs at 928-6252 and ask for Leisha.
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A LACK OF A REPLACEMENT FOR STYROFOAM FOOD CONTAINERS, TO BE BANNED FROM FOOD VENDING STARTING JULY 1, was the subject of two public hearings this week.
On December 1, 2018 , Hawaiʻi County discontinued recycling plastic "clamshell" food containers, a major replacement of polystyrene for businesses that offer items such as plate lunch.
According to a report by Nancy Cook Lauer in West Hawaiʻi Today, Hawaiʻi County Council Chairman Aaron Chung is working on a new bill, because "Everyone was led to believe it was a polystyrene ban." Lauer reports Chung said the original bill, which he opposed, is now "a ban on plastics. A lot of people who weren't affected are now affected."
A public hearing Tuesday about rules implementing the current law, reports Lauer, quickly turned into questions about what might change. A second public hearing happened at2 p.m. Wednesday at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center.
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campus.
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| May Day Court welcoming the Queen and King at Kaʻū District Gym today where preschool to high school celebrated with hula and music. Photo by Julia Neal |
PĀHALA'S LONGS DRUGS ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL DELIVER PRESCRIPTIONS to
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| Pāhala kumu Debbie Ryder taught hula and joined with local musicians Makana Kamahele, Ty Chun, and Terry Lewis to present the May Day program to the public. Photo by Julia Neal |
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A LACK OF A REPLACEMENT FOR STYROFOAM FOOD CONTAINERS, TO BE BANNED FROM FOOD VENDING STARTING JULY 1, was the subject of two public hearings this week.
In 2017, Bill 13 passed the County Council, banning use of polystyrene – Styrofoam – containers from restaurants, food vendors, and on county property. This includes banning the public from using them at county-supervised pavilions, parks, cabins, and other facilities. The polystyrene ban doesn't affect packaging for raw meat or eggs, coolers or ice chests intended for reuse, or containers from out of state. The law requires the use of recyclables or compostables in place of polystyrene.
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| A sitting hula as the May Day court watches over the elementary students. Photo by Julia Neal |
According to a report by Nancy Cook Lauer in West Hawaiʻi Today, Hawaiʻi County Council Chairman Aaron Chung is working on a new bill, because "Everyone was led to believe it was a polystyrene ban." Lauer reports Chung said the original bill, which he opposed, is now "a ban on plastics. A lot of people who weren't affected are now affected."
A public hearing Tuesday about rules implementing the current law, reports Lauer, quickly turned into questions about what might change. A second public hearing happened at
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| Hula is taught in all of the preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school grades in Pāhala. Photo by Julia Neal |
STUDENTS USE SCIENCE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THEIR COMMUNITIES notes this week's Volcano Watch written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geophysicist Jefferson Chang:
During the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea Volcano, when fissures erupted and lava flowed in the lower East Rift Zone, many Puna residents were displaced from their homes. We, as a community, watched from the sidelines as the eruption went on, helpless in averting the course of nature.
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| Keiki from Pāhala Elementary School sing for the public at the annual May Day celebration today. Photo by Julia Neal |
In the middle of this, only a few weeks after joining the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff, I met a group of enthusiastic high school students from Kea‘au, Hilo, Honoka‘a, Konawaena, and Kealakehe. They were enrolled in an Upward Bound summer program at the University of Hawai Hilo , led by instructor Adam Low. The program, Teaching Through Technology (T3), was aimed at teaching students Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, and discovering how STEM can help address societal and environmental concerns.
During the program, the students became familiar with simple sensors and an inexpensive credit-card sized computer called a Raspberry Pi raspberrypi.org. One of their early projects involved attaching a camera to the Raspberry Pi and creating a "photo booth" at an incoming freshmen orientation event. The students coded their own software so that when a photo was taken, the computer would send the image to the subject's email address.
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| Preschool students perform a sitting Baby Doll Hula. Photo by Julia Neal |
As lava erupted from fissures in Leilani Estates on Kīlauea 's LERZ, so did noxious gases. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is an extremely irritating gas that is released from shallow or erupting lava. This gas reacts in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid droplets, which can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.
The Hawai‘i State Department of Health, as well as other agencies, monitor SO2 gas and particulate matter emitted from Kīlauea. These data are provided in near-real time to the public via the HDOH website air.doh.hawaii.gov/home/map.
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T3 students install an air-quality monitoring station outside the Dragon's |
With funding in hand, the students built and deployed six air-quality monitoring stations using a PLANTOWER PMS5003 sensor for particulates and a SPEC GDS-SO2 968-038 sensor for ambient temperature, humidity, and SO2 concentration. They installed the stations in communal hubs, such as the Dragon's Eye Learning Center Volcano School Volcano Village Pāhoa Community Center
Another station was co-located with a HDOH air-quality station at Rainbow Falls Hilo for ground-truthing. They programmed a screen display to show the level of ambient temperature, humidity, particulates, and SO2 at each site, and created a website that showed real-time readings from their monitoring stations at t3alliance.org/vog.
At Kīlauea Volcano's summit, episodic collapses within the caldera were producing unprecedented levels of seismic activity. So, the students also installed a Raspberry Shake, which is a small seismic sensor connected to a Raspberry Pi, at the Volcano School of Arts & Sciences, to monitor the hundreds of earthquakes happening daily. Data from the Raspberry Shake were streamed and publicly shared with a global community of citizen seismologists via raspberryshake.net/stationview/#?net=AM&sta=RDCB.
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T3 Alliance students install a large display showing measurements from their air-quality monitoring station outside the Kīlauea Volcano's 2018 eruption. Photo from Adam Low, T3 |
Volcano Activity Updates
Kῑlauea and Mauna Loa Volcanoes are not erupting and both USGS Volcano Alert levels remain at NORMAL .
Since early March, tiltmeters at Kīlauea's summit have recorded modest inflationary tilt. During the same time period, a GPS station within the 2018 collapse area has recorded approximately 5 cm (3 in) of uplift. On Kīlauea 's East Rift Zone, GPS stations and tiltmeters continue to show motions consistent with refilling of the deep magmatic reservoir in the broad region between Puʻu ʻŌʻō and Highway 130. This trend has been observed since the end of the 2018 eruption.
Sulfur dioxide emission rates on Kīlauea ’s ERZ and summit remain low. Gas measurements have not indicated significant shallowing of large volumes of magma, but HVO continues to closely monitor gas emissions at both the summit and ERZ of Kīlauea for any changes.
One earthquake with three or more felt reports occurred in Hawaiʻi this past week: a magnitude-2.7 quake 4 km (2 mi) southwest of Volcano Village 6:51 p.m.
Visit volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvofor past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Call 808-967-8862 for weekly Kīlauea updates. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.
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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 |
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UPCOMING
SATURDAY, MAY 18
Stained Glass Basics I, Saturday and Sunday, May 18, 25, and June 1 and 2, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center. $90/VAC member, $100/non-member, plus $15 supply fee. Advanced registration required. Limited to 6 adults. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Hula Kahiko – Kumu Hula Wahineaukai Mercado with haumana (students) of Ke Ana La‘ahana Public Charter School, Saturday, May 18, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery. Hula performance. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org
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Nā Mea Hula w/Wes Awana, Saturday, May 18, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org
Arts & Tea Culture Workshop Series #1, Saturday, May 18, noon – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Hand-build porcelain ceramic tea bowls with Volcano artist and tea farmer Chiu Leong. Includes history of tea bowl culture and brief overview of local tea farming by Eva Lee. Focused cupping, tasting and education on Hawaii grown white teas. Pre-event for A Taste of Tea Pottery Fundraiser on August 25. Workshops designed to be attended as a series; #2 set for May 18, #3 set for July 27. No experience necessary. $60/VAC member, $75/non-member for series. Individual workshop, $25 each. Registration limited. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Ham Radio Mtg., Saturday, May 18, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org
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SUNDAY, MAY 19
Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Hula Kahiko – Kumu Hula Wahineaukai Mercado with haumana (students) of Ke Ana La‘ahana Public Charter School, Saturday, May 18, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery. Hula performance. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org
Arts & Tea Culture Workshop Series #1, Saturday, May 18, noon – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Hand-build porcelain ceramic tea bowls with Volcano artist and tea farmer Chiu Leong. Includes history of tea bowl culture and brief overview of local tea farming by Eva Lee. Focused cupping, tasting and education on Hawaii grown white teas. Pre-event for A Taste of Tea Pottery Fundraiser on August 25. Workshops designed to be attended as a series; #2 set for May 18, #3 set for July 27. No experience necessary. $60/VAC member, $75/non-member for series. Individual workshop, $25 each. Registration limited. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Ham Radio Mtg., Saturday, May 18, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org
Ka‘ū Little League Benefit Concert, Sunday, May 19, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m., The Terraces, 92-1885 Princess Ka‘iulani Blvd., Ocean View. Lopaka Rootz and D-Tech Solutions, live. Tickets, $10 in advance, $15 at the door, plus can of food at entry. Sponsored by Criminal Justice Solutions and Kahuku Park Block Watch. Gabe Morales, gcmorales2020@gmail.com, Kathi Griffeth, kathiegriffeth@gmail.com
MONDAY, MAY 20
MONDAY, MAY 20
Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Monday, May 20 (Committees), Tuesday, May 21, (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.
Summer Musical Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song Auditions, Monday, May 20, and Tuesday, May 21, Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater. Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network. Parts for all ages and ability. Cold readings. Dress comfortably to move on stage, be prepared to sign a song that best shows vocal range. Show to run July 12-28. Park entrance fees may apply. 982-7344, kden73@aol.com
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TUESDAY, MAY 21
Summer Musical Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song Auditions, Monday, May 20, and Tuesday, May 21, Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater. Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network. Parts for all ages and ability. Cold readings. Dress comfortably to move on stage, be prepared to sign a song that best shows vocal range. Show to run July 12-28. Park entrance fees may apply. 982-7344, kden73@aol.com
Arts and Crafts Activity: Memorial Day Lei, Tuesday, May 21, 2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12, May 13-17. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22
Story Time with Auntie Linda of Tūtū & Me, Wednesday, May 22, 10:30 a.m. – noon, Pāhala Public and School Library. Free; includes craft activity. 929-8571
Arts and Crafts Activity: Memorial Day Star Hanging, Wednesday, May 22, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym, Pāhala. Register keiki grades K-6, May 16-21. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
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THURSDAY, MAY 23
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, May 23, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., Classroom 35, Building F, Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. Provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22
Story Time with Auntie Linda of Tūtū & Me, Wednesday, May 22, 10:30 a.m. – noon, Pāhala Public and School Library. Free; includes craft activity. 929-8571
Arts and Crafts Activity: Memorial Day Star Hanging, Wednesday, May 22, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym, Pāhala. Register keiki grades K-6, May 16-21. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
THURSDAY, MAY 23Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, May 23, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., Classroom 35, Building F, Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. Provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us
ONGOING
Full-Time Teaching Assistant Sought by Tūtū & Me to implement curriculum for caregivers and keiki in Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool in Kaʻū. Competitive salary and benefits package, including medical, dental, drug, and vision; flexible spending plan; 403b retirement plan; vacation, sick days, and 14 paid days off; and more.
Exhibit – Hulihia, A Complete Change: The Hawai‘i Nei Invitational Exhibition, runs through June 16, daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery. Multi-media exhibition of seven artists. Free; National Park entrance fees may apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org
Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade happens Saturday, June 29 at 11 a.m. The parade route begins at the Nāʻālehu Elementary School and ends at the Nāʻālehu Hongwanji Mission. To participate, call Debra McIntosh, 929-9872.
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A CONCERT TO RAISE MONEY FOR STEWARDSHIP OF THE KAʻŪ COAST will be held on Saturday, May 25, 6 p.m. at Pāhala Plantation House on the corner of Maile and Pikake Streets. The concert is one in a series of performances during the Hawaiʻi International Music Festival, in its third season in the islands. The series is called Of Water.
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| Metropolitan Opera Soprano Amy Shoremount-Obra. HIMF photo |
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| 2018 International Bach Competition Prize Winning Pianist Andrew Rosenbaum. HIMF photo |
Donations accepted at the event go to Kaʻū Coast non-profit stewardship organizations, including Nā Mamo O Kāwā, nmok.org; Ka ʻOhana O Honuʻapo, honuapopark.org; Ala Kahakai Trail Association, alakahakaitrail.org; Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, wildhawaii.org; and Hoʻomalu Kaʻū, hoomalukau@gmail.com.
In addition to the opportunity to donate to coastal stewardships, an opportunity to support Hawaiʻi International Music Festival is available by reserving best seats for $25 each. They are available at recitalpahala.bpt.me and at the door – cash or check only. See the concert schedule for other islands at himusicfestival.com. For overnight accommodations, contact Pāhala Plantation Cottages at 928-9811.
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