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A USGS gas geochemist and colleagues from the fissure 8 cone during Kīlauea Volcano's 2018 eruption. The collaboration between HVO and better characterization of the aerosols emitted during the eruption, which, in turn, has better informed the larger volcanology community about the chemistry of these kinds of plumes. See Volcano Watch below. USGS photo by P. Nadeau, August 2018 |
AMID THREATS TO SUE THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS, DHHL will seek a private law firm. In a press release on Friday, DHHL Chair William Aila, Jr. said the agency wants advice on settling promises of money and land owed to DHHL by the State of Hawaiʻi. In focus is the Maunakea Access Road, where ownership is disputed between the state and DHHL. The state claims ownership, with its Department of Transportation is managing the road, where Protectors of Maunakea have blocked it in protest of building the Thirty Meter Telescope since July 13. Protectors and some public officials, including state Sen. Kai Kahele, say DHHL owns Maunakea Access Road.
Four Protectors of Maunkea announced last week their intent to sue members of the Hawaiian Homes Commission and state Department of Transportation director Jade Butay, along with Attorney General Clare Conner, and the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory. The Protectors said in their statement that "the State of Hawai‘i pledged to enter into land exchanges to compensate the HHCA trust for 346 acres and that compensation has been held back from HHCA beneficiaries for 24 years."
The plaintiffs from the Protectors' group are expected to be Edward Halealoha Ayau, Pualani Kanakaʻole Kanahele, Keliʻi "Skippy" Ioane, and Samuel Kaleikoa Kaʻeo. The suit was announced at a press conference in the Maunakea Protectors encampment, set up in protest of the TMT project.
Four Protectors of Maunkea announced last week their intent to sue members of the Hawaiian Homes Commission and state Department of Transportation director Jade Butay, along with Attorney General Clare Conner, and the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory. The Protectors said in their statement that "the State of Hawai‘i pledged to enter into land exchanges to compensate the HHCA trust for 346 acres and that compensation has been held back from HHCA beneficiaries for 24 years."
The plaintiffs from the Protectors' group are expected to be Edward Halealoha Ayau, Pualani Kanakaʻole Kanahele, Keliʻi "Skippy" Ioane, and Samuel Kaleikoa Kaʻeo. The suit was announced at a press conference in the Maunakea Protectors encampment, set up in protest of the TMT project.
The Protectors' statement asserts that the state "caused and/or permitted" state law enforcement officers to arrest Hawaiian Homes kūpuna beneficiaries "with no rightful jurisdiction, control, or authority… while these beneficiaries engaged in peaceful assembly while observing under Kapu Aloha."
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Seated: Edward Halealoha Ayau, Pualani Kanakaʻole Kanahele, and Samuel Kaleikoa Kaʻeo. Photo from Puʻuhonua O Puʻuhuluhulu Facebook |
Ayau said they take this action, "not because we try to make trouble or because we have nothing better to do. We do it as a sense of responsibility, of kuleana of what Kūhiō intended for this program
to be. If you read the purpose of the Commission Act, all of the programs of the Department of Hawaiian Homes Lands is intended to perpetuate the values and practices of the Hawaiʻi people."
The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, which set aside 200,000 acres for native Hawaiians, passed the U.S. Congress in 1920, with lobbying by Hawaiʻi's territorial congressman, Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole.
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| Congressman Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaʻole |
The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, which set aside 200,000 acres for native Hawaiians, passed the U.S. Congress in 1920, with lobbying by Hawaiʻi's territorial congressman, Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole.
Protectors of Maunakea's statement says, "Are we not perpetuating our values and practices by standing up for the Mauna? There is no guilt in what we're doing here. There is no fear in what we are doing here."
Watch the press conference at Puʻuhonua o Puʻuhuluhulu Maunakea Facebook.
At the end of August, the state Attorney General, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and DOT issued a statement that declared Maunakea Access Road belongs to DOT. DOT Deputy Director Ed Sniffen said, "State DOT has controlled and maintained Mauna Kea Access Road since it became part of our highways system in 2018. Prior to that time, sections of the road situated on Hawaiian Home Lands were maintained by the County of Hawai County of Hawai
Aila said HHC was briefed by DHHL staff in January on the background of Act 14 and the "status of outstanding issues, which include the transfer of over 1,328 acres into DHHL's inventory. Resolving these issues is in the best interest of beneficiaries and the trust."
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A MEETING WILL BE HELD IN PĀHALA FOR AG PRODUCERS AFFECTED BY NATURAL DISASTERS in 2018 and 2019. They can apply for financial aid through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus. The federal Farm Service Agency will hold the outreach meeting on Sept. 30, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Kaʻū District Gym Multi-Purpose room. The Natural Resources Conservation Service will be on hand to discuss programs for producers and landowners.
Other outreach meetings on Hawaiʻi Island will take place at Sept. 27,4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Pāhoa Community Center 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. , CTAHR in Kealakekua.
USDA "stressed the importance of producers to attend the outreach meetings so they can learn first-hand the records requirements necessary to document their losses in order to apply for assistance."
Other outreach meetings on Hawaiʻi Island will take place at Sept. 27,
USDA "stressed the importance of producers to attend the outreach meetings so they can learn first-hand the records requirements necessary to document their losses in order to apply for assistance."
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Halemaʻumaʻu plume from Highway 11, May 15, 2018. Ashfall affected crops last year. Photo by firefighter Lizzy Stabo |
WHIP+ Eligibility is available for eligible producers who have suffered eligible losses of certain crops, trees, bushes, or vines in counties with a Presidential Emergency Disaster Declaration or a Secretarial Disaster Designation. Disaster losses must have been a result of hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, typhoons, volcanic activity, snowstorms, or wildfires that occurred in 2018 or 2019.
This includes Tropical Storms Gita, Maria, and Olivia; lava and VOG impacting Hawaiʻi County after the volcano eruption; Hurricane Lane; and Typhoons Mangkhut and Yutu.
Producers in Counties that did not receive a disaster declaration or designation may still apply for WHIP+ but must provide supporting documentation to establish that the crops were directly affected by a qualifying disaster loss.
Eligible crops include those for which federal crop insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program coverage is available, excluding crops intended for grazing. Grazing and livestock losses, other than milk losses, are covered by other disaster recovery programs offered through FSA, those losses are not eligible for WHIP+. A list of crops covered by crop insurance is available through USDA's Risk Management Agency Actuarial Information Browser.
A list of counties that received qualifying disaster declarations and designations, plus more details, is available at farmers.gov/recover/whip-plus.
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| Hoʻokena Beach Park, a popular beach for Kaʻū residents, will be closed on Friday. Photo by Bahia Delray |
The Department apologizes for any inconvenience this park closure may cause, and thanks the public for their patience and understanding during this temporary closure.
For more information, please call Parks and Recreation at (808) 961-8311.
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IN THE U.S., 87 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE NEED OR CHOOSE TO RELY ON CARS on a daily basis, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. WalletHub recently released a list of the best and worst cities for driving.
Honolulu did rank ninth best city in the U.S. for public transportation. It has the highest number of public transport vehicles per 100,000 people, and is 13th highest in safety.
Nationwide, drivers annually spend an average of more than 310 hours on the road – nearly 13 days, states WalletHub. "Add the costs of wasted time and fuel due to traffic congestion, and our collective tab comes to about $124 billion annually, or $1,700 per household."
According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, America 's highways and bridges are underfunded, with an $836 billion backlog of repairs needed. The World Economic forum ranks U.S. roads at 11th in quality out of 140 economically developed nations.
While Honolulu does not rank highest for gas prices – San Francisco took that honor, at an average $4.13 per gallon – Honolulu did rank highest in the nation for car repair costs.
View the full reports at wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-to-drive-in/13964 and wallethub.com/edu/cities-with-the-best-worst-public-transportation/65028/.
View the full reports at wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-to-drive-in/13964 and wallethub.com/edu/cities-with-the-best-worst-public-transportation/65028/.
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VOLCANIC GASSES AND THE SCIENTISTS THAT STUDY THEM are the subject of this week's Volcano Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:
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VOLCANIC GASSES AND THE SCIENTISTS THAT STUDY THEM are the subject of this week's Volcano Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:
This week, a group of volcanic gas scientists from across the United States , including staff from the USGS HVO, gather at the Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver , WA
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| USGS personnel wear masks to filter out gases while in the field. USGS Photo |
During Kīlauea Volcano's 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption and summit collapse, HVO worked around the clock to monitor, measure, and keep track of all aspects of the ever-changing volcanic activity. But HVO's staff, which numbered 25-30 at the time, couldn't do it alone, especially when it became clear that the eruption was not going to end after just a few days. Colleagues from other USGS volcano observatories, including those in Alaska , Washington , and California , cycled through the eruption response team, with some individuals assisting HVO staff for weeks at a time.
In addition to USGS colleagues who assisted with the Kīlauea eruption response, university scientists were also integral to the effort in many ways. The University of Hawaiʻi Hilo opened its doors to the entire eruption response team when HVO and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park were evacuated. Furthermore, UHH scientists played a crucial role in monitoring the eruption, particularly in terms of situational awareness through UAS (unmanned aircraft systems, or drones) and rapid measurements of changing lava chemistry.
Still, USGS and UHH expertise is not limitless. In some cases, we needed to reach beyond our USGS and local university colleagues to other academic institutions for specialized expertise with certain instrumentation and measurement techniques.
For example, HVO measures gas emission rates and the chemistry of volcanic volatiles, but there are also many tiny liquid and solid particles (aerosols) emitted in volcanic plumes. During the 2018 eruption response, HVO did not have the equipment or staff to adequately measure both gases and particles, so colleagues from universities in the United Kingdom were invited to Kīlauea to study the aerosol content of the eruptive plumes.
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| Sulfur gases are one type of gas studied by USGS scientists. USGS photo |
Unfortunately, such collaborations are not always as easy or timely as they could be. The volcanology community within the United States and around the world is fragmented between various government agencies, including the USGS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and others, as well as many other academic institutions, such as museums, universities, and colleges.
This is where workshops like the one this week come in, with the goal of streamlining collaborations between these varied groups. CONVERSE, a research coordination network funded by the National Science Foundation, brings together volcanologists from many different institutions to enhance the ability of the volcanology community to work together on scientific efforts. The network will focus first on U.S. researchers, and eventually on international collaborations.
Goals of CONVERSE include improved coordination during eruption response efforts so that critical data gaps – like aerosol particle measurements – are addressed. By facilitating smoother collaborations and, therefore, improved datasets, the volcanology community can more effectively advance understanding of magmatic and volcanic processes.
CONVERSE is not focused specifically on volcanic volatiles, but is an interdisciplinary collaboration, with scientists specializing in other research areas, including seismology, deformation, modeling, petrology, and public communications. Each of the CONVERSE subgroups will have its own focused workshops, and will later come together to create a broad, interdisciplinary plan for studying future eruptions in the United States . In some of those groups, Kīlauea 's 2018 eruption response will be a topic of much discussion: what went right during the eruption response, and where might we have been able to do better?
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| USGS scientist and drone operator. USGS photo |
By asking such questions and bringing volcanologists from around the country together to answer them, CONVERSE aims to better monitor restless volcanoes. With more collaborative monitoring, we can collect more and higher quality data, and ultimately better understand how volcanoes work, including ours here in Hawaiʻi.
Volcano Activity Updates
Neither Kīlauea nor Mauna Loa volcanoes are erupting.
Deformation monitoring showed no notable changes in Kīlauea over the past week. Rates of seismicity across the volcano remained largely steady. Sulfur dioxide emission rates are low at the summit and below detection limits at Puʻu ʻŌʻō and the Lower East Rift Zone (LERZ). The water pond at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u continues to slowly expand and deepen.
At or near the 2018 LERZ eruptive fissures, elevated ground temperatures and minor releases of gas – steam, tiny amounts of hydrogen sulfide, and carbon dioxide – persist. These are typical post-eruption conditions and are expected to be long-term.
This past week, 49 small-magnitude earthquakes (less than M2.5) were detected beneath the upper elevations of Mauna Loa . Deformation measurements show continued summit inflation. No significant changes in volcanic gas release were measured, and fumarole temperatures remain unchanged.
Five earthquakes with three or more felt reports occurred in Hawaiʻi this past week: a magnitude-2.4 quake, 9 km (6 mi) south of Leilani Estates at 7 km (4 mi) depth on Sept. 11 at 4:47 p.m.; M3.5 quake, 7 km (4 mi) northeast of Pāhala at 32 km (20 mi) depth on Sept. 9 at 10:24 p.m.; M1.7 quake, 5 km (3 mi) southwest of Volcano at -0 km (-0 mi) depth on Sept. 6 at 8:06 p.m.; M3.2 quake, 6 km (4 mi) southwest of Volcano at -0 km (-0 mi) depth on Sept. 6 at 7:58 p.m.; and M2.7 quake, 2 km (1 mi) south of Volcano at 2 km (1 mi) depth on Sept. 5 at 9:40 a.m.
Visit volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.
Visit volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. 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 |
2019 Kaʻū High School Athletics Schedule through September
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates
Football, Division II:
Thu., Sept. 19, 7 p.m. , Pāhoa hosts Kaʻū
Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
Tue., Sept. 17, 6 p.m. , Waiakea hosts Kaʻū
Thu., Sept. 19, 6 p.m. , Keaʻau hosts Kaʻū
Tue., Sept. 24, 6 p.m. , Makualani hosts Kaʻū
Fri., Sept. 27, 6 p.m. , Kaʻū hosts HPA
Cross Country:
Sat., Sept. 21, 10 a.m. , @Kealakehe
Sat., Sept. 28, 10 a.m. , @Keaʻau
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UPCOMING
SUNDAY, SEPT. 15
People and Land of Kahuku 9:30-11:30a.m. , Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate, 2.5 mile hike over rugged terrain. nps.gov/havo
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, Sept. 17 (Committees), Wednesday, Sept. 18, (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 18
Ocean View Community Association Board of Directors Mtg., Wednesday, Sept. 18, 12:30-1:30p.m. , Ocean View Community Center
Kanaka Tree in Concert, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 7p.m. , Kīlauea Visitor Center
THURSDAY, SEPT. 19
Registration Open: Colorful Craft, Thursday, Sept. 19-24, Ka‘ū District Gym multipurpose room. Program for grades K-8, takes place Wednesday, Sept. 25, 3:30-5p.m. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
6th Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run Race Day, Saturday, Sept. 21, 7.a.m, Ka‘ū coffee Mill. 5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon races through macnut and coffee fields along slopes of Ka‘ū. Sponsored by Ka‘ū Coffee Mill and ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou. Online registration open through midnight , Sept. 19: webscorer.com/register?raceid=166020. Race day (not online) registration closes at 6:30a.m. okaukakou.org, kaucoffeemill.com
Exhibit - 45th Tiny Treasures Invitational, Saturday, Sept. 21, daily, 9a.m.-5p.m. ,Volcano Arts Center Gallery. Features small works created at the Volcano Collaboration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org
Hi‘iaka & Pele, Saturday, Sept. 21, 9:30-11:30a.m. , Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/havo
Zen Pen - Writing as Spiritual Practice with Tom Peek, Saturday, Sept. 21, 9:30a.m.-4p.m. , Volcano Art Center
1st Annual Church 10a.m.-2p.m. , Pāhala Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Auction, thrift shop, baked goods, craft goods, plants, and more. $10/steak plate; priority to pre-sale ticket holders. See church member or call Parish Office at 928-8208 for tickets.
Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Saturday, Sept. 21, 10a.m.-1p.m. , Ocean View Community Center
Hula Kahiko - Kumu Hula Paul Neves with Hālau Ha‘a Kea o Kinohi, Saturday, Sept. 21, 10:30-11:30a.m. , hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery. Hula performance. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org
Nā Mea Hula with Kumu Kaho‘okele Crabbe with Hālauolaokalani, Saturday, Sept. 21, 11a.m.-1p.m. , Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org
Ham Radio Mtg., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2-3p.m. , Ocean View Community Center
Dances of Universal Peace, Saturday, Sept. 21, 6-7:30p.m., Methodist Hall, across from Nā‘ālehu Post Office. 939-9461, hualaniom2@yahoo.com
Dances of Universal Peace, Saturday, Sept. 21, 6-7:30p.m., Methodist Hall, across from Nā‘ālehu Post Office. 939-9461, hualaniom2@yahoo.com
ONGOING
Exhibit - Nani Ka ‘Ikena by Volcano local photographer Jesse Tunison, daily through Sunday, Sept. 15, 9a.m.-5p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Nani Ka ʻIkena, that which is seen is beautiful, features vibrant colors and crisp, wide vistas which highlight the character and drama of Hawaiʻi Island’s landscape. The collection of ten photographs were captured over the past decade by Tunison and also document the dynamic changes which have occurred in such a short period of time. "While the landscape has changed the beauty has endured." Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org
Tutoring for Kaʻū Hugh & Pāhala Elementary is Available to All Students of the school, from Nationwide 2019 Congressional App Challenge submissions from middle and high schoolers are open through Nov. 1. Submit to Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, CongressionalAppChallenge.us, apps "designed to promote innovation and engagement in computer science." All skill levels, all devices and platforms, and all programming languages, accepted.
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