Ka`u News Briefs Monday, April 14, 2014

TSUNAMI AWARENESS MONTH CONTINUES, with Hawaiian Volcano Observatory discussing in its latest issue of Volcano Watch events of this past April 1 when an earthquake in Chile caused a tsunami advisory in Hawai`i. 

      “In Hawai`i, we need to be concerned about potential tsunamigenic earthquakes occurring anywhere in the Pacific basin,” HVO says. “However, because of past tragic experiences in Hawai`i, large earthquakes along the Aleutian Islands to the north (where the earthquake occurred and produced the 1946 tsunami) or in Chile (where a magnitude-9.6 earthquake caused the 1960 tsunami) might create a little more anxiety here.” The 1960 tsunami that devastated the Shinmachi community of Hilo resulted from an earthquake in Chile that released more than 30 times the energy released by this year’s April 1 earthquake. 

      Historical experience offers important clues to go along with modern observations and data, HVO explains. An earthquake struck Iquique, Chile in 1877 and sent a tsunami that destroyed dozens of homes in Hilo and killed five people. On the other side of the Pacific Ocean, hundreds of people were killed in Japan by this tsunami.
      “It is difficult to compare the two Iquique earthquakes in detail,” according to HVO. “This year’s earthquake occurred in essentially the same source region as the 1877 earthquake, but the 1877 earthquake was somewhat stronger. The fact that the source region of the 2014 earthquake had previously produced a devastating tsunami was also of concern to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center with regard to their advisories and warnings. 

      “Armed with data from deep-ocean water gauges and their model calculations, PTWC became confident that the likelihood of a devastating tsunami hitting Hawai`i on April 1 was low and decided to hold back orders to evacuate. At the same time, because they were still tracking the waves, they stood by their advisory for people to keep out of the ocean for hours after the first tsunami wave arrivals. 

      “We commit our efforts to a better understanding of geologic hazards and to the memory of all who have suffered from natural disasters,” the article concludes.

      See more at hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.

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KA`U’S U.S. REP. Tulsi Gabbard has voted in favor of a proposed Democratic Alternative Budget developed in response to the Fiscal Year 2015 budget proposed by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan.
      “Budgets in Congress demonstrate our top priorities for the country and should be responsive to our tough economic realities,” Gabbard said. “We can only achieve our goals of a stronger nation by executing a balanced, responsible budget that grows our economy, maintains a strong national defense and creates opportunity for our next generation to succeed. Though I support elements of the Ryan budget that seek to eliminate waste, reduce the deficit and provide increased funding for national security, the draconian cuts to key programs like Medicare, Social Security and nutrition assistance found in the Ryan budget, along with a likely increase in taxes for hard-working middle-class Americans in order to lower taxes for the ultra-wealthy, are not acceptable and result in hurting our kupuna and families. We need to pass a budget that makes responsible cuts, eliminates waste and is focused on growing our economy, getting people back to work in good-paying jobs, ensuring a strong national defense and making sure those who are in most need are getting a hand up.”

      The Democratic Alternative Budget preserves the Medicare guarantee, maintains Medicaid services for low-income Americans and creates revenue by closing tax loopholes for oil companies and other special interests, according to Gabbard. 

      The alternative budget would also reduce the deficit to 2.3 percent of GDP by 2024.

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