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| The Ka`u District Gym & Shelter under construction will be hardened to withstand a category three hurricane, which has winds between 111 and 130 miles per hour. |
HURRICANE SEASON IN THE CENTRAL PACIFIC BASIN will be below normal this year, announced National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center. The outlook calls for a 70 percent chance of a below-normal season, a 25 percent chance of a near-normal season, and a five percent chance of an above-normal season.
Forecasters expect one to three tropical cyclones to affect the central Pacific this season. An average season has four to five tropical cyclones, which include tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes.
The outlook for a below-normal season is based on the continuation of neutral El Nino-Southern Oscillation conditions. The Central Pacific Basin also remains on the low activity side of a multi-decadal cycle. Historical records show that this combination of conditions tends to produce a less active hurricane season for the central Pacific, according to NOAA.
The outlook for a below-normal season is based on the continuation of neutral El Nino-Southern Oscillation conditions. The Central Pacific Basin also remains on the low activity side of a multi-decadal cycle. Historical records show that this combination of conditions tends to produce a less active hurricane season for the central Pacific, according to NOAA.
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| Two hurricanes passed south of Ka`u last July. |
This outlook is a general guide to the overall seasonal hurricane activity in the central Pacific and does not predict whether, where, when, or how many of these systems will affect Hawai`i.
NOAA urges Hawai`i residents to be fully prepared before the hurricane season, which begins June 1 and runs until Nov. 30.
“I encourage the public to become weather-ready by signing up for weather alerts, developing a family emergency plan and building an emergency kit before hurricane season begins,” said Ray Tanabe, director of NOAA’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center. “Just because the season is predicted to be ‘below normal’ does not mean that a single storm cannot have significant impacts.”
The 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 that serves as the basis for the hurricane center’s track and intensity forecasts that extend out five days.
The seasonal hurricane outlook is produced in collaboration with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center – a division of the National Weather Service. NOAA’s National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. NOAA’s National Weather Service operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy. Working with partners, NOAA’s National Weather Service is building a Weather-Ready Nation to support community resilience in the face of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather.
NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine resources.
Find out more at weather.gov.
NOAA urges Hawai`i residents to be fully prepared before the hurricane season, which begins June 1 and runs until Nov. 30.
“I encourage the public to become weather-ready by signing up for weather alerts, developing a family emergency plan and building an emergency kit before hurricane season begins,” said Ray Tanabe, director of NOAA’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center. “Just because the season is predicted to be ‘below normal’ does not mean that a single storm cannot have significant impacts.”
The 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 that serves as the basis for the hurricane center’s track and intensity forecasts that extend out five days.
The seasonal hurricane outlook is produced in collaboration with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center – a division of the National Weather Service. NOAA’s National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. NOAA’s National Weather Service operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy. Working with partners, NOAA’s National Weather Service is building a Weather-Ready Nation to support community resilience in the face of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather.
NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine resources.
Find out more at weather.gov.
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| No tsunami threat has been produced by an earthquake south of Fiji. |
A 7.4 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE SOUTH OF THE FIJI ISLANDS this morning produced no tsunami threat to Hawai`i, reported Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
U.S. Geological Survey explains earthquake magnitudes and their relationships to tsunami:
Earthquakes of magnitudes below 6.5 are very unlikely to trigger a tsunami.
Magnitudes between 6.5 and 7.5 do not usually produce destructive tsunamis. However, small sea level changes may be observed in the vicinity of the epicenter. Tsunamis capable of producing damage or casualties are rare in this magnitude range but have occurred due to secondary effects such as landslides or submarine slumps.
Magnitudes between 7.6 and 7.8 may produce destructive tsunamis especially near the epicenter; at greater distances, small sea level changes may be observed. Tsunamis capable of producing damage at great distances are rare in the magnitude range.
For magnitude 7.9 and greater , destructive local tsunamis are possible near the epicenter, and significant sea level changes and damage may occur in a broader region.
With a magnitude 9.0 earthquake, the probability of an aftershock with a magnitude exceeding 7.5 is not negligible. To date, the largest aftershock recorded has been magnitude 7.1 that did not produce a damaging tsunami.
Earthquakes of magnitudes below 6.5 are very unlikely to trigger a tsunami.
Magnitudes between 6.5 and 7.5 do not usually produce destructive tsunamis. However, small sea level changes may be observed in the vicinity of the epicenter. Tsunamis capable of producing damage or casualties are rare in this magnitude range but have occurred due to secondary effects such as landslides or submarine slumps.
Magnitudes between 7.6 and 7.8 may produce destructive tsunamis especially near the epicenter; at greater distances, small sea level changes may be observed. Tsunamis capable of producing damage at great distances are rare in the magnitude range.
For magnitude 7.9 and greater , destructive local tsunamis are possible near the epicenter, and significant sea level changes and damage may occur in a broader region.
With a magnitude 9.0 earthquake, the probability of an aftershock with a magnitude exceeding 7.5 is not negligible. To date, the largest aftershock recorded has been magnitude 7.1 that did not produce a damaging tsunami.
See more at earthquake.usgs.gov.
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| Hawai`i Department of Agriculture has issued a quarantine order relating to Bovine Trichomoniasis. Photo from HDOA |
THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE’S Animal Industry Division has issued a quarantine order that requires testing of all beef and dairy bulls for Bovine Trichomoniasis prior to entry into the state and before movement between herds within the state.
Bovine Trichomoniasis is a serious contagious reproductive disease of cattle that can cause significant production losses and economic harm to affected herds. It is a disease of cattle only that is spread during breeding and does not affect humans or the safety of beef.
The quarantine order requires that all herd owners in Hawai`i have their bulls tested with a negative result for Trichomoniasis prior to being sold, acquired or moved. The order also requires that bulls 12 months of age or older enter Hawai`i with a negative test result for Trichomoniasis that was conducted within 30 days of arrival in Hawai`i. In addition, bulls for entry shall not have contact with female cattle after testing and prior to arrival in Hawai`i.
Trichomoniasis was detected in bulls in Ka`u in 2011, triggering area testing of exposed herds, slaughter surveillance testing and testing by private veterinarians in 2011 and 2012.
Ten infected herds have been detected – nine on Hawai`i Island (Ka`u, North Hilo and Kohala districts) and one on O`ahu (Makakilo). All of the infected herds have association or had contact with the Ka`u or Kohala infected herds.
The quarantine order requires that all herd owners in Hawai`i have their bulls tested with a negative result for Trichomoniasis prior to being sold, acquired or moved. The order also requires that bulls 12 months of age or older enter Hawai`i with a negative test result for Trichomoniasis that was conducted within 30 days of arrival in Hawai`i. In addition, bulls for entry shall not have contact with female cattle after testing and prior to arrival in Hawai`i.
Trichomoniasis was detected in bulls in Ka`u in 2011, triggering area testing of exposed herds, slaughter surveillance testing and testing by private veterinarians in 2011 and 2012.
Ten infected herds have been detected – nine on Hawai`i Island (Ka`u, North Hilo and Kohala districts) and one on O`ahu (Makakilo). All of the infected herds have association or had contact with the Ka`u or Kohala infected herds.
Infected herds were issued individual quarantine orders by the state veterinarian, and herd clean-up plans were instituted. There has been no spread from infected herds since the individual quarantine orders were placed. One herd has been released from quarantine and remains negative for the disease. Four herds achieved one negative test round on all bulls, have been retested and are being evaluated for quarantine release. The four remaining herds continue to test positive and are continuing testing programs, with removal of positive bulls along with other control measures aimed at eliminating infection.
According to the Department of Agriculture, its and cattle producers’ experiences with the protracted nature of this disease and the cost to clean up infections in herds warrants this statewide effort by all cattle owners to prevent Trichomoniasis from spreading.
Trichomoniasis is found in many areas of the United States and is an economically important venereal disease of cattle because it can reduce a calf production due to a large number of cows that can abort or reabsorb their pregnancy when they get infected.
Thirty to 70 percent of cows or heifers bred to infected bulls can lose their pregnancy several months after conception.
It has not been determined how the disease got to Hawai`i; however, the disease is found in many states on the mainland where Hawai`i cattle producers purchase cattle.
To read the full quarantine order, see http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/QO-132-2013.0521-BOVINE-TRICHOMONIASIS.pdf.
According to the Department of Agriculture, its and cattle producers’ experiences with the protracted nature of this disease and the cost to clean up infections in herds warrants this statewide effort by all cattle owners to prevent Trichomoniasis from spreading.
Trichomoniasis is found in many areas of the United States and is an economically important venereal disease of cattle because it can reduce a calf production due to a large number of cows that can abort or reabsorb their pregnancy when they get infected.
Thirty to 70 percent of cows or heifers bred to infected bulls can lose their pregnancy several months after conception.
It has not been determined how the disease got to Hawai`i; however, the disease is found in many states on the mainland where Hawai`i cattle producers purchase cattle.
To read the full quarantine order, see http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/QO-132-2013.0521-BOVINE-TRICHOMONIASIS.pdf.
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| Bobby Gomes, seen here at Ka`u District Shelter & Gym groundbreaking, was keynote speaker at Ka`u High School graduation. Photo by Julia Neal |
POLICE COMMISSIONER BOBBY GOMES was keynote speaker at Ka`u High School’s graduation ceremonies last Friday. Gomes told members of the Class of 2013 to appreciate `ohana. “Be proud of your name and your parents,” he said. Gomes emphasized love of the country and apologized for turning it over to the next generation “in such a bad shape.” Gomes also advised the graduating class to get involved in politics and to run for office and find jobs they enjoy so that they “can love what you do.” He thanked teachers for their hard work and dedication. He said he could tell that the graduates were very close to one another. As Principal Sharon Beck gave out diplomas, “she was given hugs to show that `ohana love – the closeness,” Gomes said.
HALAU KAHULA O NAWAHINE NOHO PU`UKAPU, under the direction of kumu hula Ana Nawahine Kahoopii, perform Sunset Hula tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. This is the first of four sunset performances to be held once each month through August, with dates and times chosen specifically for their closeness to the full moon cycle and actual times of sunset.
For more information, call 967-8222 or email julie@volcanoartcenter.org.
PALM TRAIL HIKE TAKES PLACE SUNDAY from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This relatively easy, guided, 2.6-mile loop crosses scenic pasture along an ancient cinder cone with some of the best panoramic views the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park has to offer. Call 985-6011 for more information.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.