Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, November 28, 2019

     Said Gabbard, "Our troops put their lives on the line to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, and ensure the safety and security of the American people. President Trump's deployment of US troops to secure Syrian oil fields that do not belong to us, with talks of welcoming in private oil corporations to take the oil, is unconstitutional and a violation of International Law. Syria's natural resources belong to the Syrian people. Congress must fulfill its Constitutional mandate and vote for this resolution to bring our troops home from Syria."

     The resolution is supported by Demand Progress and non-profit organization Just Foreign Policy.

     Said Erik Sperling, Executive Director of Just Foreign Policy, "Congress has not authorized troops to 'secure oil' in Syriaor to participate in hostilities against the governments of Russia, Iran, or Syria. Under Article I of the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution of 1973, the President cannot deploy troops into hostilities without prior Congressional authorization. I commend Rep. Gabbard for introducing this resolution which will compel all members of the House to vote yes or no on endless war in front of their constituents."

     According to a statement from Gabbard, "Earlier this month, Trump announced the removal of U.S.troops from northern Syria, transferring them to other locations within Syriaor Iraq. The move provided the opening for Turkeyto invade Syriaand commence ethnic cleansing of the Syrian Kurds who have been trusted partners in the battle to defeat ISIS."

     Gabbard's statement says she opposes "unauthorized Presidential wars", that she called on the Trump administration to "end its armed support of the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen's Civil War," that she has highlighted the catastrophic impact it has had on Yemen's civilian population, and that she led bipartisan efforts to oppose U.S. involvement in the conflict.

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NĀʻĀLEHU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S FRIENDRAISER last weekend hosted about 250-300 people, despite the high winds. Held on the school grounds, the annual event raises funds for the Nāʻālehu School Council, but the main intent is creating a space to "raise friends." Attendees enjoyed carnival-style games, food and fun, as well as a rummage sale tent where nothing was priced over 50 cents.

     Former school staff also reunited during the Friendraiser, with current teacher Janice Ogi giving a guided tour of the campus. "Everyone was happy to see each other after so much time," shared former teacher Masako Sakata.

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FLIGHT PLANS from Hawai‘i VolcanoesNational Park for December are as follows:

     Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Tuesday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to shuttle crew and equipment from Chain of Craters Road at 2,000-ft. elevation to ‘Āpua, Keauhou, and Halapē beaches, and extract hawksbill turtle monitoring equipment.

     Sunday, Dec. 3 and Tuesday, Dec. 5, from 7 a.m.to noon, for petrel monitoring from the summit of Kīlauea to Mauna Loabetween 8,000- and 9,000-ft. elevation. 

     Sunday, Dec. 3 and Monday, Dec. 4, from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., for crew and equipment transport to the Kahuku-Kapāpala boundary between 5,000- and 9,000-ft. elevation.

     Sunday, Dec. 10, 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., for ungulate surveys near the Ka‘ū desert boundary between sea level and 1,500-ft. elevation. 

     Sunday, Dec. 10, 7 a.m. to noon, for petrel monitoring from the summit of Kīlaueaon Mauna Loa between 8,000- and 9,000-ft. elevation.

     Sunday, Dec. 10 and Wednesday, Dec. 13, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., for transport of field equipment from the end of Hilina Pali Road to Pepeiao Cabin for vegetation monitoring.

     Sunday, Dec. 17, 9 a.m. to noon, for transport of fence material and field equipment from the ‘Ōla‘a Tract.

     Monday, Dec. 18, 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for ungulate surveys near Mauna Loa Road from 4,000- to 9,000-ft. elevation. 

     Tuesday, Dec. 19, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., for transport of fence material and field equipment from the Kīpuka Kī and Keauhou-Ka‘ū boundary to 4,000-ft. elevation.

     In addition, the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory may conduct flight operations over Kīlauea and Mauna Loato assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.

     The park regrets any noise impact to residents and park visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather. Management of the park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources, and to maintain backcountry facilities.

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     New this year, there will be art making demonstrations at each studio/gallery location on Sunday, Dec. 1. "Make and take" earrings with Zeke Israel, watch Ira Ono create a clay mask at 11 a.m., and see demonstrations of various other clay techniques by Erik Wold, Emily Herb, and Charlotte Forbes Perry, all at their respective studio locations. Lisa Louise Adams and Joan Yoshioka will be showing their painting skills, Liz Miller will share her metal tooling techniques, and Joe Laceby will be doing hot metal forging demos at the Volcano Art Center location throughout the day on Sunday, just to name a few of the offerings. Also showing their work this year will be Pam Barton, Mag Barnaby, Misato and Michael Mortara, Ricia Shema, Cynee Gillette-Wenner, Randy Sutton, and Scott Pincus.

     A special drawing for artwork contributed by each of the artists will be held at the end of the sale. Sale hours are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.For more information, call (808) 987-3472.  Maps to the artists' studios will be available at local businesses and galleries in the Volcano, and at VolcanoVillageArtistsHui.com.

     Christmas in the Country, the VolcanoArtCenter holiday exhibit, will also expand to the Niʻaulani Campus in VolcanoVillageon Friday and Saturday. The Hale Hoʻomana building will feature a preview of the exhibit and program offerings for the upcoming year and host members of the Volcano Hui, displaying handmade art and gifts as part of the annual Volcano Hui Tour. Live poinsettia will be on display and available for purchase as a fundraiser for VolcanoSchool of Arts & Sciences.

KAMAHALO CRAFT FAIR will be held Friday, Nov. 29, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 12th annual event offers a selection of more than 30 vendors of local crafters with quality homemade and homegrown products. Cooper Center Council volunteers will make hearty soups and food for hungry shoppers.

     The Kamahalo Craft Fair is a project of the Cooper Center Council. Proceeds are used to fund community activities and projects such as the Friends Feeding Friends hot meal program.

HVO SCIENTISTS MENTORED STEM STUDENTS at this year's national conference to promote diversity in Honolulu. Volcano Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geophysicist Jefferson Chang covers what happened at the conference:

     About a month ago, I attended the 2019 National Diversity in STEM Conference, an annual meeting organized by the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) and held in Honoluluthis year.

     SACNAS STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) conferences are unique in that they focus on fostering diversity and inclusion. They are attended primarily by students and professionals. As a student, it is an invaluable experience to see examples of and interact with successful professionals that look like you. As a professional, it is an opportunity to mentor future scientists.

     The conference got me thinking about where I came from, and how I ended up as a geophysicist at USGS HVO. I did not have a mentor or example to guide me.

     I grew up on the windward side of O‘ahu, in a modest family that barely made ends meet. I rode my bike or walked to Waimānalo Intermediate, and later caught TheBus to Kailua High School. I was an average kid.

     Sometimes, I made good grades; other times, I made poor decisions. My teachers often sent home progress reports that said or hinted at something to the effect of "has potential" or "needs to apply himself." Come to think of it, I probably made more poor decisions than good grades.

     I finished high school, ranking somewhere in the middle of my class. I had no plans—and no clue.

     Through a bizarre turn of events, I enrolled at LeewardCommunity College on the other side of the island from where I lived. There, I took an introductory geology class, which, unbeknownst to me at the time, was the first in a series of fortunate events.

     While taking 18-21 credits per semester at LCC, I worked full-time to pay for housing. I also had a second full-time job to pay for food and expenses. This was the normal hustle for my peers and me. I was just an average adult on Oʻahu.

     After a few years of working toward a two-year degree, I decided that it was not sustainable. I left Hawaii to find a college on the mainland. I now had a plan—but still no clue.

     While enrolling in NorthernArizonaUniversity, I was caught off-guard when the admissions official asked me to declare a major. As I strained to remember the classes I took in high school and LCC, the word "geology" came out of my mouth. I said it on a whim. It was a topic that I had only known for one fleeting semester.

     Geology—the study of the earth. That one word impetuously muttered so many years ago set the course for the rest of my life.

     During my undergraduate, master's, and doctoral studies, I received grants and awards. I conducted and presented my research around the world. I advised policy-makers on state-wide legislations. I also drifted a long way from the little town of Waimānalo.

     Living in Hawaiʻi and being a scientist had never connected in my head. I had no role model, so the two seemed disconnected. That changed when I met a stranger at the airport after attending an American Geophysical Union conference.

     "You’re from Honolulu, right?" he asked, which seemed oddly specific. Maybe he noticed my Locals® slippers.

     He was an HVO research geophysicist and reminded me that the Island of Hawai‘i has active volcanoes, which generate substantial seismicity. More importantly, he made me realize that there was indeed a place for local scientists in Hawaiʻi.

     About a year after that chance meeting, I started my career as a USGS HVO geophysicist, monitoring Hawaiian volcanoes and earthquakes.

     There is a disturbing lack of diversity in science, so representation matters. SACNAS works to ensure that underrepresented students in STEM get the support they need to succeed.

     Not all scientists look like Einstein or wear lab coats. Some of us lucky ones get to wear "slippahs."

     Because of my past experiences, I engage with students whenever possible, which is why I attended the SACNAS STEM conference. My hope is that students never have to choose between pursuing their dream careers and staying close to their roots.

     Volcano Activity Updates

     Kῑlauea Volcano is not erupting and its USGS Volcano Alert level remains at NORMAL. Kīlauea monitoring data showed no notable changes over the past week. 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 lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u continues to slowly expand and deepen.

     Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level remains at ADVISORY. This alert level does not mean that an eruption is imminent or that progression to an eruption is certain. This past week, about 36 small-magnitude earthquakes (all less than M2.0) were detected beneath the upper elevations of Mauna Loa. Deformation measurements show continued summit inflation. Fumarole temperature and gas concentrations on the Southwest Rift Zone remain stable.

     Updates for Kīlauea, volcanoes.usgs.gov/vhp/about_alerts.html, are issued monthly; Mauna Loa, volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/status.html, updates are issued weekly.
     One earthquake with three or more felt reports occurred in Hawaiʻi this past week: a magnitude-2.7 quake 25 km (16 mi) west of Pepeʻekeo at 30 km (19 mi) depth on Nov. 23 at 9:41 a.m.