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| The eruption between Sept. 15 and 20 produced some night skies with red glows on on the horizon reflecting off of clouds, as seen from Chain of Craters Road. USGS photo by K. Mulliken |
The middle East Rift Zone eruption near Nāpau Crater lived through four eruptive phases between Sept.
15 and Sept. 20. Lava flows from this eruption covered about 2/3 (500,000 square meters or 125 acres) of the floor of Nāpau Crater. Approximate effusion rates of roughly 5-15 cubic meters per second (6-16 cubic yards) were estimated during the most active part of the fissure eruption on Sept. 19. A webpage with eruption-related resources is available at: Eruption on Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)
USGS cautions that near the recent middle East Rift Zone eruption site, minor to severe ground fractures and subsidence features may continue to widen and offset, may have unstable overhanging edges, and should be avoided. Hazards associated with the recent lava flows include glassy (sharp) surfaces that can cause serious abrasions, and lacerations upon contact with unprotected or exposed skin; uneven and rough terrain that can lead to falls and other injuries; or, locally elevated levels of volcanic gases that can lead to breathing difficulty.
Hazards remain around Kīlauea caldera from Halemaʻumaʻu crater wall instability, ground cracking, and rockfalls that can be enhanced by earthquakes within the area closed to the public. This underscores the extremely hazardous nature of the rim surrounding Halemaʻumaʻu crater, an area that has been closed to the public since early 2008.
For discussion of Kīlauea hazards, see: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/hazards.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.
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The project will relocate the sub-transmission electric utility poles and power lines and improve reliability and resilience in the area between Piʻi Mauna Drive and the Hilo-side park boundary near Old Volcano Road, say the announcement from the partners. The project is Phase 3 of HECO's efforts to upgrade its transmission line that spans from Puna to just outside the park's Kaʻū boundary.
Comments received during public scoping for Phase 3 were considered for the environmental assessment. Phase 1 and 2, completed in 2020, included the area between the Kīlauea Switching Station outside the Kaʻū-side boundary to Piʻi Mauna Drive within the park.
Existing poles and lines are located along a corridor within hazardous terrain, including earth cracks and lava tubes. Maintenance and repairs are currently difficult and unsafe. Relocating the line along the highway will also help reduce potential impacts to forested areas in the park.
HVNP worked with HECO and Tetra Tech, Inc. to develop and analyze alternatives, develop mitigation measures, and conduct consultations. Two main actions are proposed:![]()
1. Relocate the existing power line by installing new poles and transmission and distribution lines along 2.6 miles of Highway 11; and
2. Remove and/or decommission approximately 2.6 miles of existing poles and transmission and distribution lines within the current power line alignment in HVNP.
The park encourages the community to provide input during the 30-day comment period which started Sept. 23, 2024. There are three ways to provide input:
Online: Visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/Phase3 for project information to submit comments online.
Email: Send comments to havo_planning@nps.gov. Hard copy: Mail written comments to:
Attention: 3400 Phase 3 Power Line Relocation
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
P.O. Box 52
Hawai'i National Park, HI 96718-0052
Comments must be submitted online, via email, or postmarked by Oct. 23, 2024 to be considered.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.
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Kaʻū Trojan Football Highlight
In these Mark Peters photos, Kaʻū Trojans are on the road last Friday in Honoka'a where they left 64 points and brought home 32.
Trojans travel to Pahoa this Thursday, Sept. 26. Kohala comes to Kaʻū on Saturday, Oct. 5.
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| Some electric lines will be replaced, their locations changed, according to a plan by Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and Hawaiian Electric. The public is welcome to comment on the EA. HVNP photo |
MAKING THE ELECTRICAL LINE SYSTEM MORE RESILIENT TO EXTREME WEATHER within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is a plan that welcomes public input. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, in coordination with Hawaiian Electric, seeks the public input on their environmental assessment of the proposed electrical line relocation project.
Comments received during public scoping for Phase 3 were considered for the environmental assessment. Phase 1 and 2, completed in 2020, included the area between the Kīlauea Switching Station outside the Kaʻū-side boundary to Piʻi Mauna Drive within the park.
Existing poles and lines are located along a corridor within hazardous terrain, including earth cracks and lava tubes. Maintenance and repairs are currently difficult and unsafe. Relocating the line along the highway will also help reduce potential impacts to forested areas in the park.
HVNP worked with HECO and Tetra Tech, Inc. to develop and analyze alternatives, develop mitigation measures, and conduct consultations. Two main actions are proposed:
2. Remove and/or decommission approximately 2.6 miles of existing poles and transmission and distribution lines within the current power line alignment in HVNP.
The park encourages the community to provide input during the 30-day comment period which started Sept. 23, 2024. There are three ways to provide input:
Online: Visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/Phase3 for project information to submit comments online.
Email: Send comments to havo_planning@nps.gov. Hard copy: Mail written comments to:
Attention: 3400 Phase 3 Power Line Relocation
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
P.O. Box 52
Hawai'i National Park, HI 96718-0052
Comments must be submitted online, via email, or postmarked by Oct. 23, 2024 to be considered.
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| Senior Vladimir Fedoruk takes on a Honoka'a blocker during Friday night's game. Photo by Mark Peters |
In these Mark Peters photos, Kaʻū Trojans are on the road last Friday in Honoka'a where they left 64 points and brought home 32.
Trojans travel to Pahoa this Thursday, Sept. 26. Kohala comes to Kaʻū on Saturday, Oct. 5.
Kaʻū goes to Hawai'i Preparatory Academy on Saturday, Oct. 12.
Kamehameha comes to Kaʻū on Saturday, Oct. 19. Honoka'a travels to Kaʻū on Saturday, Oct. 26, followed by BIIF Division Championships.
Athletic Director is Jaime Guerpo.
Athletic Director is Jaime Guerpo.
Head coach is Connor Norton. Assistant Coachis Mark Peters.
Coaching staff includes Greg Rush, Ray Mayzack, Duane Pua, Time Drafaul, Ted Blanco and Walter Parada. Athletic Trainer is Moses Whitcomb.
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| Freshman Haku Hashimoto lines up for a snap against the Honoka'a defense. Photo by Mark Peters |
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| Quarterback Adahdiyah Ellis-Reyes takes a snap. Photo by Mark Peters |
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.
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| September 2024, 5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the streets. |