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Public Input due on March 11 Input on the proposed Disaster Recovery Project plans at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, including new locations for visitor and research entities, parking and roadways is due March 11. Comment by clicking on Open at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectId=92891. See the Story Map for visual interpretation of the project elements. NPS photo from November 2018 shows extensive damage to the closed southwest portion of Crater Rim Drive. |
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| On Feb. 11, Congressman Kahele, with Rep, Ed Case to his left, introduced Red Hill Watershed and Aquifer Initiative Act to require U.S. Navy to defuel Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility by end of 2022 and permanently close the facility. |
Kahele wrote: "Earlier this morning, I received the call I had been hoping to receive: Admiral Aquilino, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command informed me that the Secretary of Defense had approved the permanent shut down of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.
"I would like to mahalo to my colleagues in the Hawaiʻi Congressional Delegation and former colleagues in the Hawaiʻi State Legislature. I also want to thank Ernie Lau and the Board of Water Supply for their courage and leadership. I would also like to send a huge mahalo to the community members and the families who stood on the front line of this issue. Your work and dedication was an inspiration, not only to Hawaiʻi, but across the United States, and it is because of you that we are here today.
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| Congressman Kahele (Right) briefs fellow Members of House Armed Services Committee on the unfolding crisis at Red Hill, including Seapower and Projection Subcommittee Chair Joe Courtney (D-CT) (Top Left) and Readiness Subcommittee Chair John Garamendi (D-CA) (Middle). |
"I fully support the Department of Defense in its decision to permanently defuel and permanently close the World War II-era fuel storage tanks at Red Hill. This is a much-needed and overdue step, but it is in no way an end to the Department's obligations to the people of Hawaiʻi on this issue.
"It is imperative that the Department of Defense guarantee funding for full remediation of Oʻahu's aquifer. The community has been loud and clear: ola i ka wai. Water is life."
Kahele also said the federal government must be responsible for cleanup: "At this point, the extent of contamination and environmental damage is not yet known. We know fuel continues to drip, as we speak, from the rock formations into our fresh water aquifer right now. Our federal government must commit to seeing the full remediation of this precious resource through - and restore the fresh, pure drinking water for the people of Hawaiʻi.
"I encourage the Department of Defense to work quickly - and with the utmost care - to relocate the millions of gallons of fuel and shut down these tanks. We will fully expect the continued partnership from
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| Admiral Aquilino called Kai Kahele this morning to say Red Hill will be shut down for fuel storage. |
"While today is truly a day to celebrate, we must do so with cautious optimism. For while today may signal the end of the Red Hill as a fuel storage facility, it is only the beginning of the hard work ahead.
"We must hold the Navy accountable. We must make sure that the impacted resources are fully remediated, and we must make sure that the families that have suffered health impacts receive the care and support they need in the months and years ahead.
"Our work is not yet done. But we have seen how this extraordinary community, working with dedicated federal and state leaders, can truly help to create a better Hawaiʻi."
"There is a lot of work to do, including defueling the tanks safely and the long term cleanup efforts that will be required to close down the facility. I will continue to work very closely with the DoD, the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Hawai'i to make sure this happens.
"Additionally, as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I will work closely with DoD to ensure the Department has the resources to develop and implement a long-term plan to ensure we are able to meet the strategic fuel reserve needs of the Indo-Pacific Region and protect national security as the nation shifts to a more distributed force posture in the Pacific."
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| Noah Gomes shares the history of hunting native birds of Kahuku, during Coffee Talk at Kahuku, Saturday from 9:30 a.m. 11 a.m. |
HISTORICAL HUNTING OF NATIVE BIRDS OF KAHUKU is the topic at Coffee Talk with Noah Gomes, this Saturday, March 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. the Kahuku Unit Visitor Center of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
A statement on the event quotes Mary Kawena Pukui and the 'Olelo No'eau: Ka Wela O Ka Ua. It describes the chiefs in their feather capes and helmets as rainbows.
Gomes will help answer these questions in his presentation about this historic practice. He completed his Masterʻs research on the Traditional Hawaiian Bird Hunters in 2015 at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. He has a B.A. in Hawaiian Studies and an M.A. in Hawaiian Language and Literature. He is from Wahiawā, Oʻahu and participates in the conservation of native Hawaiian birds.
Attendance is limited to 25 and reservations are required by calling 808-464-3550 to leave a message and receive a return call. Coffee will be available during the event for purchase by credit card only.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/03/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.
In this talk, explore how high Emotional Intelligence (EQ) can lead to outstanding workplace performance, based on our potential for learning self-awareness, motivation, self-regulation, and adeptness in relationships.
Petropulos is a certified online dispute resolution mediator, and a member of a federal mediator panel resolving Equal Employment Opportunity claims and other workplace disputes. She is a former lecturer at the master's level in the Human Resource Management Program at UH-Manoa. Since 2001, Petropulos
Ku'ikahi's Brown Bag Lunch Series is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to enjoy an informal and educational talk-story session and connect with others interested in Finding Solutions, Growing Peace.
To get the Zoom link, register online at https://freebrownbagtalk.eventbrite.com.
For more information, contact Ku'ikahi Mediation Center at (808) 935-7844 or info@hawaiimediation.org. Or visit www.hawaiimediation.org.
This lunch-and-learn series is made possible, in part, with funding from County of Hawai'i and Hawai'i Island United Way.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/03/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.
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| Scholarships for Ka'u students, grade 8-12, are available for Science Camps of America, to be held in Pahala this summer. Photo from Science Camps of America |
Land & Sea Camp offers hands-on experience with geology, forestry, marine biology, environmental engineering, and ecosystems. Air & Space Camp invites students to investigate the atmosphere, climate, astronomy, planetary science, aerospace engineering, and space exploration. "Either way, teens will make lifelong connections with campers from around the globe as science becomes an adventure," said Richards.
The Stice ʻOhana joins the Edmund C. Olson Trust as sponsors of scholarships for Kaʻū students to attend Science Camp. To apply, visit https://scicamp.org/scholarship.
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| Ian Tibbets is missing. |
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| See March edition of The Kaʻū Calendar newspaper at www.kaucalendar.com |