HVO scientists inspect a seismic station on Mauna Loa to evaluate an equipment upgrade. See more on the use of GPS to measure the changing shapes of the volcanoes in Volcano Watch, below. USGS photo |
'Aʻaliʻi, Dodonea viscosa by Joan Yoshioka |
Description:'Aʻaliʻi is an indiginous shrub or a small tree that is native to Hawaiʻi, as well as other tropical and subtropical locations across the globe. It is a member of the Soapberry (Sapindaceae) family.
Jodie Rosam |
Habitat:'Aʻaliʻi grow in open sites mauka to makai. Much like ʻōhia, 'aʻaliʻi has an impressive distribution, including lava flows, dry forests, high elevation shrublands, and even mesic (moderately wet) to wet forests. Notice the gorgeous stands of 'aʻaliʻi along the highway from Volcano to Pāhala - pull over and appreciate its beautiful seed capsules in a range of mahogany red, reddish purple, brown, orange, and yellow, and its glossy, green, slender leaves. Seed capsules nearly year-round though they seem to flourish around the holiday season, and the color contrasts make it a favorite in holiday wreaths and decorations.
Growing and Purchasing:'Aʻaliʻi germinate readily from seed. Pre-soaked seeds will sprout in about one month. Alternatively, plants may be available for purchase at Aileen's Nursery, Big Island Plants, and Future Forests. 'aʻaliʻi make lovely color contrasting hedges, accent plants, and even potted plants on a lanai with adequate drainage. They are perfect for home gardens with limited water, full sun, and even areas receiving salt-spray.
Joan Yoshioka |
has the power to lead the world to a sustainable future and that she is committed to teaching her children and others from a "place-based" perspective.
About the Artist, Joan Yoshioka: A Volcano resident, Joan Yoshioka, is a conservationist at heart and has dedicated her life to preserving the native plants and animals of Hawai'i through her work with federal, state, and private organizations for more than 30 years. She said the key to the most fundamental and truest part of ourselves is found in nature and she constantly draws on it for inspiration.
CAMPAIGN SEASON IS HERE FOR GPS MEASUREMENTS OF CHANGES IN THE VOLCANOES. This week's Volcano Watch from USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory tells the story:
Geodetic surveys measure the change in shape of our volcanoes due to changes in magma supply and storage. The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has a long history of using many different types of
instruments and technologies over the decades to detect these changes.
Global Positioning Systems (GPS) receivers are currently the primary instrument of choice to measure changes in distance and elevation due to movement of magma in and out of the volcanoes. These have replaced more traditional surveying instruments that were used in the past. These measurements initially began as attempts to find the summit elevations and eventually led to the conclusion that Mauna Loa and Kīlauea changed due to the coming and going of magma. HVO now operates 67 GPS stations on the Island of Hawai'i that take elevation and position measurements constantly.
HVO also conducts campaign surveys to increase the coverage across Hawaiian volcanoes. Campaign GPS surveys are conducted periodically, where high precision instruments are deployed on the volcanoes and operate for days to weeks. These instruments are setup at long-term fixed sites, known as benchmarks, across both Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. The sites are visited yearly, and the difference in position between each yearly visit provides information on how the volcano has changed or behaved over that period of time. Many of these benchmarks have been occupied every year since 1996, providing one of the longest spanning GPS time-series—a sequence of data points that occur over a period of time—of any volcano in the world.
These yearly campaign surveys help supplement the continuously recording GPS receivers that blanket the Island of Hawai'i. Both the campaign and continuous GPS instruments can measure their positions to within a fraction of an inch, and can thereby detect extremely small movements on the earth's crust. However, these continuous stations have significant infrastructure requirements, for example, substantial
power consumption, radio telemetry needs, and site accessibility. Campaign GPS does not have the same requirements as continuous GPS. Although the instruments are only deployed for a short time, the data they collect helps scientist to refine current models of volcanic activity, like inflation at the summit of Mauna Loa.
Kinematic GPS (kGPS) is another technique used to complement HVO's continuous GPS network. The kGPS surveys take much less time to complete (a few minutes versus days). However, they rely on a static reference station to find a position and have significantly less precision (1–2 inches) than campaign GPS. HVO completes these surveys occasionally along Hilina Pali, Kānenuiohamo, and the summit of Kīlauea.
This past May, HVO completed the Mauna Loa GPS campaign survey, visiting 32 sites across the volcano. Along with Mauna Loa and Kīlauea, HVO also surveys Hualālai and Haleakalā every 3–5 years as part of our volcano monitoring program to keep a long-term record of the background deformation ("baseline") of these quiet but still active volcanoes. Baselines are extremely important for potentially
active volcanoes. The inactive periods of time help scientists create an accurate comparison point for when the volcano does become restless. To learn more about GPS read this Volcano Watch: https://www.usgs.gov/center-news/volcano-watch-important-point-measuring-volcanos-shape-high-precision-gnssThe use of continuous and campaign GPS instruments together helps HVO scientists gain a better understanding of what might be occurring below the surface of our volcanoes and the time scale these changes take place. These measurements can reveal underground magma movement within the volcano, and have proved to be an essential tool in monitoring the internal conditions of the magmatic storage
system.
Free showers and lunches are available for anyone at St. Judes on Saturdays. Photo from St. Jude's |
On Saturdays, free lunches (take out only) are available between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
St. Jude's is also working with Kaʻū High & Pahala Elementary for educational outreach and better internet for the entire Ocean View Community.
KAʻŪ ART GALLERY is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in Nāʻālehu. It features and sells works by local artists and offers other gift items. Kaʻū Art Gallery's website has 24/7 access online and is frequently updated to show current inventory items. "We are always looking to collaborate with local artists in our community," said assistant Alexandra Kaupu. Artists with an interest in being featured at Kaʻū Art Gallery and Gift Shop, contact gallery owner and director Corrine Kaupu at kauartgallery@hawaiiantel.bi
GOLF & MEMBERSHIPS for Discovery Harbour Golf Course and its Clubhouse: The Club offers Social Memberships, with future use of the clubhouse and current use of the pickleball courts as well as walking and running on specified areas of the golf course before 8 a.m. and after 3 p.m. to enjoy the panoramic ocean views. Golf memberships range from unlimited play for the avid golfer to casual play options. Membership is required to play and practice golf on the course. All golf memberships include Social Membership amenities. Membership fees are designed to help underwrite programs and improvements to the facilities.
See The Club at Discovery Harbour Facebook page.
KUAHIWI RANCH STORE, in person. Shop weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 11 am to 3 p.m. at 95-5520 Hwy 11. Locally processed grass-fed beef, live meat chickens, and feed for cattle, goats, sheep, chickens, horses, dogs, and pigs. Call 929-7333 of 938-1625, email kaohi@kuahiwiranch.com.
CHURCH SERVICES
Public Libraries are open for WiFi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu open Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pahala open Tuesday, noon to 7 p.m., Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., limited entry into library with Wiki Visits. Schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. WiFi available to anyone with a library card, from each library parking lot. See librarieshawaii.org.
Free Book Exchanges, at laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Open to all. Keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them. Selection of books replenished weekly at both sites.
Read Report on Public Input about Disaster Recovery from damage during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.
Food Assistance: Apply for The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences COVID-19 Family Relief Funds. Funded by Volcano Community Association, and members of the VSAS Friends and Governing Boards, who have donated, the fund supplies KTA or Dimple Cheek Gift Cards, or gift cards to other locally owned business, to VSAS families in need. Contact Kim Miller at 985-8537, kmiller@volcanoschool.net. Contributions to the fund can be sent in by check to: VSAS, PO Box 845, Volcano, HI 96785 – write Relief Fund in the memo. See volcanoschool.net.
Apply for Utility Assistance to pay for electricity, non-government water, or gas. Applicants must be a Hawaiʻi Island resident, at least 18 years old, lost income or work hours due to COVID-19, and not previously received assistance from other COVID-19 federal or state-funded programs. Funded by CARES Act and distributed by Hawaiʻi County Economic Opportunity Council, required documents for application are government-issued identification, income verification documents for all household members, utility statement with address of services, lease/rental agreement or mortgage document, and proof of hardship. Hardship may include, but not limited to, pay stubs documenting pre-COVID-19 income, unemployment approval letter, or layoff letter. Apply at HCEOC.net or call 808-961-2681.
Apply for Expanded Hawaiʻi County Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program. Contact RMAP partners: Hawaiian Community Assets/Hawaiʻi Community Lending, HawaiianCommunity.net, 808-934-0801; HOPE Services Hawaiʻi, hopeserviceshawaii.org/rmap, 808-935- 3050; Hawai‘i First Federal Credit Union, hawaiifirstfcu.com/pathways, 808-933- 6600; Neighborhood Place of Puna, neighborhoodplaceofpuna.org/coronavirus-rent-mortgage-relief, 808-965-5550; Hawai‘i Island Home for Recovery, hihrecovery.org/RMAP, 808-640-4443 or 808- 934-7852; Habitat for Humanity Hawai‘i Island, habitathawaiiisland.org/rmap.html, 808-450-2118.
Apply for Holomua Hawaiʻi Relief Grants for small businesses and nonprofits, up to $10,000, support core operations, safe on-going and reopening costs, personal protective equipment, and training and technical assistance. The business or nonprofit must employ 50 people or fewer. See rb.gy/v2x2vy.
For free Veterinary Care, Spay & Neuter, visit hihs.org, Services Tab, Spay and Neuter or Community Vet Care, or email petsupport@hihs.org. Call 808-217- 0154. All appointments must be scheduled in advance and are open to healthy dogs and cats. Two pets per family will be accommodated, each pet with own appointment. Unavailable to animals other than dogs and cats. Unavailable to strays and those with contagious illnesses.