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NOAA GOES-15 satellite image shows NOAA image |
The heightened activity is expected with warmer Pacific Ocean waters that could fire up cyclones during this El Nino year. A prediction of lighter wind sheer means tropical cyclones, including hurricanes, could have an easier path toward the islands.
Last week, AccuWeather predicted much the same for the Pacific: 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.
Gerry Bell, Ph.D., NOAA's lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at the Climate Prediction Center U.S. mainland and Central America more likely to travel across the Pacific.
NOAA's Central Pacific
Hurricane Center
continuously monitors weather conditions, employing a network of satellites, land- and ocean-based sensors, and aircraft reconnaissance missions operated by NOAA and its partners. This array of data supplies the information for complex computer modeling and human expertise, which are the basis for the center’s storm track and intensity forecasts that extend out five days.
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| Last year's Hurricane Olivia. NOAA image |
continuously monitors weather conditions, employing a network of satellites, land- and ocean-based sensors, and aircraft reconnaissance missions operated by NOAA and its partners. This array of data supplies the information for complex computer modeling and human expertise, which are the basis for the center’s storm track and intensity forecasts that extend out five days.
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HELCo reports that four of the new wooden poles – all on PGV's property – "need to be immediately replaced with steel poles, due to residual underground heat causing the wood poles to smolder." Residual heat can be "fully mitigated with the use of steel poles. The Company considers this to be an emergency safety concern that must be and is being addressed in advance of filing its forthcoming application for Commission approval," reports HELCo.![]()
Once the four steel replacement poles are installed, reports HELCo, the conductors will be transferred over, and the four wooden poles will be removed. PGV will pay for the entire cost of the existing line and replacement poles. Distribution line work is continuing to tie in service to the PGV facility, also at PGV's expense, reports the utility.
Before hooking up the power for PGA, the Public Utilities Commission will require "an overhead line proceeding" and public hearing.
WOODEN POWER POLES RECENTLY INSTALLED TO REOPEN PUNA GEOTHERMAL BEGAN TO SMOLDER and Hawai‘i Electric Light will replace them with steel. The 13 wooden polls and 12 kilovolt lines were put up for distribution service to PGV.
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| Power poles, like these, are put in place to reconnect PGV and HELCo. Four on PGV's land are being replaced with steel poles, as the wooden ones are smoldering. Photo from HELCo |
The poles, which are sized to also carry transmission lines above the distribution lines, vary in height from approximately 60 to 65 feet above the ground. Both transmission line and distribution line conductors were installed on the poles. HELCo tied the new transmission lines to its 6500 line on May 8. None of the new transmission lines were energized.
When the smoldering was discovered, HELCo reports work on the transmission lines was "immediately stopped," the newly installed wires were disconnected from the 6500 line, and the transmission conductors removed from the poles that are outside PGV's property.
Before hooking up the power for PGA, the Public Utilities Commission will require "an overhead line proceeding" and public hearing.
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THE ADOPTEE CITIZENSHIP ACT of 2019 was introduced Tuesday by Sen. Mazie Hirono and bipartisan members of the U.S. Senate. This legislation would close a loop
Adoptees who were age 18 or over in February 2001 fell in this loophole and were denied citizenship, despite being legally adopted as children by U.S. citizens and raised in the United States . The Adoptee Citizenship Act would fixes this problem by making citizenship automatic for international adoptees who were legally adopted by U.S. citizens as children, regardless of how old they were when the Child Citizenship Act took effect.
While the CCA guarantees citizenship to most international adoptees, the law applies to adoptees who were under the age of 18 when the law took effect on
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THE ADOPTEE CITIZENSHIP ACT of 2019 was introduced Tuesday by Sen. Mazie Hirono and bipartisan members of the U.S. Senate. This legislation would close a loop
Said Hirono, "Thousands of internationally-adopted children, who were raised by American parents, have been denied the same rights of citizenship as biological children. These adoptees were raised as Americans in American families and would have received the stability and security that the Child Citizenship Act provided if they had been under the age of 18 when that law went into effect. The Adoptee Citizenship Act would fix this loophole and right this wrong."
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| Image from Facebook |
While the CCA guarantees citizenship to most international adoptees, the law applies to adoptees who were under the age of 18 when the law took effect on
International adoptees who lack citizenship face many barriers, such as difficulty applying for a passport, license, or student financial aid. In some cases, outdated immigration laws have resulted in adoptees facing deportation to the country in which they were born, where they may have no known family.
Hirono previously cosponsored the Adoptee Citizenship Act in the 114th and 115th Congresses.
The bill is also supported by the Adoptee Rights Campaign, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, the National Council For Adoption, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, Adoptees For Justice, Policy and External Affairs at Holt International, the Center for Adoption Policy, and the Family Coalition for Adoptee Citizenship.
The bill is also supported by the Adoptee Rights Campaign, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, the National Council For Adoption, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, Adoptees For Justice, Policy and External Affairs at Holt International, the Center for Adoption Policy, and the Family Coalition for Adoptee Citizenship.
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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| More than 260,000 Filipino soldiers fought in World War II. Photo from American Immigration Council |
Said Case, "In 2016, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services created the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program, a temporary administrative fix that allows these veterans to request parole for their children or siblings. Under this policy, they can live in the U.S.
Said Hirono, "During World War II, Filipino soldiers stepped up and answered the call to service, fighting and sacrificing alongside American service members. However, because these family members have been stuck in a decades-long visa backlog, they have not been able to reunite with their relatives in the United States . The Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act would fulfill our nation's promise to honor Filipino World War II veterans' service to our country and reunite these families."
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| Filipino veterans, near the end of their lives, still wish their families to join them in the United States. Photo from George Bush White House Archives |
In 2016, after years of advocacy by Hirono, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services began implementation of the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole program to reunite veterans and their surviving spouses with adult children and certain other relatives. However, the program is limited and provides no guarantee that these veterans will reunite with their loved ones. In 2017, Hirono urged the Trump Administration to continue the FWVP program. The Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act provides a permanent solution, amending the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt from global limits the sons and daughters of Filipino World War II veterans who were naturalized under the 1990 law or other specified laws.
The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice support the bill.
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 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 |
WORK EXCHANGE PROGRAM APPLICATIONS are open for individuals interested in committing eight service hours or more in exchange for attending the 26th annual Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference, including a t-shirt and one day's worth of beverage and lunch coupons. Assignments in the Work Exchange Program include assistance with registration and check-in, welcoming conference attendees, session supervision, information technology, and logistics such as t-shirt sales, set up, and break down. WEP attendees have a mandatory orientation on Monday, July 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. , the day before the conference. Limited spots available. For more information, contact hccwep@gmail.com or see hawaiiconservation.org/conference/2019-wep.
UPCOMING
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
FRIDAY, MAY 24
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Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association's 21st annual Rural Health Conference and General Membership Meeting happens Friday, May 24, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. , at Pāhala Community Center ![]()
Special guests are Dr. Neal Palafox, MD, MPH Professor; University of Hawaiʻi
SATURDAY, MAY 25
15th Annual Celebration of Life Lantern Floating, Saturday, May 25, 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Reed's Bay, Hilo, same day Pre-Event, 1:15 p.m. – 2 p.m., Ka‘ū Hospital, Pāhala. Pre-event features motorcycle and classic car community riding in procession to the hospital to meet and greet patients, staff and Ka‘ū Community before riding to main event. Celebration of life bracelet available online, $10 donation, limited supply. Public welcome to both events. Benefits Hawai‘i Care Choices. 969-1733, hawaiicarechoices.org
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Support Ka‘ū Coast Stewardship by attending the Of Water classical piano and opera concert at Pāhala Plantation House on Saturday, May 25, at 6 p.m. Reserved seating tickets are $25, donations for stewardship are welcome. See more, below.
SUNDAY, MAY 26
MONDAY, MAY 27
Memorial Day Ceremony, Monday, May 27, 3 p.m., Front Lawn, Kīlauea Military Camp. Keynote speaker: Lt. Col. Loreto Borce, Jr., Commander of Pohakuloa Training Area. Open to public. In case of rain ceremony will be moved indoors. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8371, kilaueamilitarycamp.com
Memorial Day Buffet, Monday, May 27, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp. BBQ Pork Ribs, Local Styles Fried Chicken, Smoked Vegetable Kabobs, salads and more. $20.95/Adults, $11.95/Child (ages 6-11). No reservations required. Open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com
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TUESDAY, MAY 28
HOVE Road Maintenance Board Mtg., Tuesday, May 28, 10 a.m., HOVE Road Maintenance office. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, May 28, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Volunteers welcome. Dave Breskin, 319-8333
After Dark in the Park – Hawai‘i's Landfill Crisis: From Hopeless to Hopeful, Tuesday, May 28, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Special guest speakers Lori Kahikina, P.E. Director, Department of Environmental Services and Jim Howe, Emergency Services Director present sobering look at Hawaiʻi’s future and a call to action that provides hope while separating myth from reality. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 29
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wednesday, May 29 – last Wednesday, monthly – 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors 60 years and older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i – referral required, 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org
FRIDAY, MAY 24
Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association's 21st annual Rural Health Conference and General Membership Meeting happens Friday, May 24, 
Special guests are Dr. Neal Palafox, MD, MPH Professor; SATURDAY, MAY 25
15th Annual Celebration of Life Lantern Floating, Saturday, May 25, 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Reed's Bay, Hilo, same day Pre-Event, 1:15 p.m. – 2 p.m., Ka‘ū Hospital, Pāhala. Pre-event features motorcycle and classic car community riding in procession to the hospital to meet and greet patients, staff and Ka‘ū Community before riding to main event. Celebration of life bracelet available online, $10 donation, limited supply. Public welcome to both events. Benefits Hawai‘i Care Choices. 969-1733, hawaiicarechoices.org
SUNDAY, MAY 26
ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Public Update on Senior Housing happens Sunday, May 26, 4 p.m. okaukakou.org
MONDAY, MAY 27
Memorial Day Ceremony, Monday, May 27, 3 p.m., Front Lawn, Kīlauea Military Camp. Keynote speaker: Lt. Col. Loreto Borce, Jr., Commander of Pohakuloa Training Area. Open to public. In case of rain ceremony will be moved indoors. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8371, kilaueamilitarycamp.com
Memorial Day Buffet, Monday, May 27, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp. BBQ Pork Ribs, Local Styles Fried Chicken, Smoked Vegetable Kabobs, salads and more. $20.95/Adults, $11.95/Child (ages 6-11). No reservations required. Open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com
HOVE Road Maintenance Board Mtg., Tuesday, May 28, 10 a.m., HOVE Road Maintenance office. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, May 28, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Volunteers welcome. Dave Breskin, 319-8333
After Dark in the Park – Hawai‘i's Landfill Crisis: From Hopeless to Hopeful, Tuesday, May 28, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Special guest speakers Lori Kahikina, P.E. Director, Department of Environmental Services and Jim Howe, Emergency Services Director present sobering look at Hawaiʻi’s future and a call to action that provides hope while separating myth from reality. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wednesday, May 29 – last Wednesday, monthly – 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors 60 years and older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i – referral required, 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org
ONGOING
Summer Programs for Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary registrations are open. Uplink All-Stars on Friday, June 7 through Friday, June 28 for students in grades 6, 7, and 8. Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 21, Algebra camp is also open to students in grades 6, 7, and 8.
All three programs require registration by calling 313-4100.
Open to all people under age 18, no registration required, the Seamless Summer Program offers free breakfast from 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
Hi-Employment Seeks Student Employees to work in a macadamia nut orchard on weekends and holidays. Duties include hand-harvesting macadamia nuts, filling and transporting nut bag and buckets, loading 25-plus pound bags into truck beds, and possible clearing of brush and branches. Applicants must be at least 15 years old, have a work permit, two forms of ID, and transportation to "Panaʻewa Stretch." Call for more details, 238-3741, hi-employment.com.
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 Rosenblum. 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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