Kaʻū News Briefs Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023

Gov. Josh Green will attend the opening event of the Aloha Market Pop Up Store at Haneda Airport during his trip to Japan this coming week. Image from Hawai'i Tourism Bureau Japan Branch

GOV. JOSH GREEN HEADS TO JAPAN with First Lady Jaime Kanani Green this Sunday, Nov. 12. With Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke also out of state, the Acting Governor will be Attorney General Anne Lopez, until the Lt. Gov. returns on Nov. 15, followed by the Governor's return.    "Unrest around the summit area of Kīlauea has decreased over the past 24 hours. In the previous 24 hour reporting period, an earthquake swarm occurred at Kīlauea’s summit (20 earthquakes between 5 and 7am HST yesterday). Yesterdays earthquakes were primarily located immediately south of Halemaʻumaʻu mostly within Kīlauea’s caldera. HVO continues to monitor the reduced seismic activity.
    "The Uēkahuna summit tiltmeter, located northwest of the caldera, continues to show slight deflation over the last 24 hours. However, the Sand Hill tiltmeter, located southwest of the caldera, continues to show an increase in uplift rates over the last 24 hours suggesting inflation of a source south of Halemaʻumaʻu. Overall, the summit of Kīlauea remains at a high level of inflation, above the level reached prior to the most recent eruption in September 2023.
    "Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates remain low and were measured at a rate of about 100 tonnes per day on October 19, 2023.
    "There is currently no sign of an imminent eruption, but eruptive activity is possible in the coming weeks or months. Increased inflation and earthquake activity (heightened unrest) are expected to precede an eruption. The onsets of previous summit eruptions have been marked by strong swarms of earthquakes caused by the emplacement of a dike 1-2 hours before eruptions."
BIRTH OF KAHUKU on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 9:30 a.m.. Explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku. Traverse the vast 1868 lava flow, see different volcanic formations, including the Southwest Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. Learn about the Kānāwai o Pele, the natural laws of land building that govern Peleʻs realm. A moderate 1.5 mile, 1.5 hour hike. Meet at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Kahuku Visitor Contact Station

NANI O KAHUKU: A ONE-WOMAN LIVING HISTORY PLAY on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium. Relive a day on historic Kahuku Ranch through this performance adapted by Jackie Pualani-Johnson directly from the diary of Hannah (Nani) Piʻilani Jones. Nani, portrayed by actress Alya-Joy Kanehailua, was the eleventh and second-to-youngest child of George W.C. Jones, who owned Kahuku Ranch from 1871 to 1887. Part of Hawai'i Volcanoes' ongoing After Dark in the Park programs and co-sponsored by the Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Free, but park entrance fees apply.