 Comet A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS as seen from Maunakea. See more below. Image from EarthSkyScience |
THIS MONTH: SKY GAZERS FROM KAʻŪ and the rest of citizens of planet Earth are treated to the arrival of a special celestial visitor, Comet A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, with photographers capturing the image from Kilauea Military Camp on Sunday evening.
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| Atlas Comet as seen Sunday evening from Kīlauea Military Camp. Photo by Thea Calumpit |
The comet was discovered in February 2023, by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) sky survey. ATLAS has telescopes in both Hawaii and South Africa, enabling it to cover both the northern and southern hemispheres.
Comet A3 is currently visible in northern latitudes during sunset onwards. Its position in the sky, relative to the setting Sun, makes it a little tricky to spot, as sky conditions near the western horizon need to be quite clear. Once the Sun has set however, it should be visible to the naked eye as the sky darkens. Through a pair of binoculars or a small telescope, it should present quite the sight. To find the comet, look to the west and to the setting stars of Orion, if you are familiar with the faint constellations in that region, you will find the comet in the small constellation of Corona Borealis (The Northern Crown). See the finder image in this post for a helping hand.
The comet itself is quite fascinating. It's large, with a nucleus that's around 2 miles wide, almost as large as the object that wiped out the Dinosaurs, 65 million years ago. During its closest approach to the Earth it is around 44 million miles away from us, so nothing to worry about in terms of it impacting the Earth.
This is the first time in 80,000 years that Comet A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS has been visible to the inhabitants of planet Earth, and once it leaves our skies it will won't be seen for another 80,000 years, so see it while you can! This type of comet is known as a 'long period' comet, because of its long orbital period around the Sun, in this case 80,000 years.
Comets such as A3, along with the many asteroids in our skies, are left over construction material from the formation of the Solar system.  |
| Image from The Sky Live https://theskylive.com |
However, there is one major difference between the two types of objects. Asteroids are mostly composed of rock and metals, comets on the other hand are dirty snowballs, mainly made of ice with some dirt thrown in for good measure. Comets in particular are thought to have been a major source of water in the early history of the Earth, bringing it to the surface during impacts.
Seeing these beautiful celestial visitors in our skies is a reminder of the profound beauty of the cosmos, and also that the Solar system is still under construction, it is by no means finished. It's an enormous construction site with Mother Nature as the site foreman, and she's got plenty more work to do.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.
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Fox suggested that other lands be considered for the sewer plant, now that the county has chosen what he called an industrial style package plant rather than a system with lagoons friendly to native plants and wildlife. He pointed to adjacent properties that he said are owned by Eva Liu, Christina Taylor and partners and Michelle Galimba.
Environmental Management Deputy Director Brenda Iokepa-Moses, who led the meeting, said that the 28 acres is a small portion of the 2,317 acres that has been preserved and that using that small portion to solve the sewer problem in Nā'ālehu would benefit the community. It is required by federal law that the old polluting gang cesspool system be abandoned. She stressed that time is of the essence, with the county on a deadline to get the old sugar camp houses off the gang cesspools.
She pointed out that $4 million towards buying the Waikapuna preserve came from the County of Hawai'i's Public Access, Open Space & Natural Resources Preservation Program. She stressed that the county has decided through soil sampling and other studies that the 28 acres is the best location. She said it has been considered as the site for the project for years and that no other properties are being considered for the initial sewer plant. She also said no private money is involved.
Fox also pointed to the use of tax money to purchase the 2,317 acres but stressed that it was specifically for conservation. The acquisition was to preserve the Waikapuna coast, the 2.3 miles of Ala Kahakai Trail along the coast, and adjacent lands. In addition to the county helping to purchase the preserve, the state Legacy Land Conservation Program contributed $2 million. He said that discussions of the 28 acres for the treatment plant during the time of purchase, were in the context of it being the lagoon system that would also serve wildlife.
Another speaker asked whether the proposed site would interfere with public access to Waikapuna. Iokepa-Moses said it wouldn't and that access was from a different location.
One speaker asked whether existing but unused underground piping among the houses could be used and whether it would be able to handle the new sewer system. Iokepa-Moses said the pipes will be inspected and if unusable would be capped and left in place with new sewer pipes installed beside them. She said that the county is fully responsible for the maintenance of the current and new system from the houses to the sewer plant.
Nā'ālehu Draft Environmental Information Document (Draft EID) is available at the Nā'ālehu Public Library, and also on the website for Department of Environmental Management projects: www.dem.hawaiicounty.gov/projects.
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THE LOCATION OF THE PLANNED NĀ’ĀLEHU SEWAGE PLANT DREW SOME QUESTIONING from Ala Kahakai's Waikapuna manager Keoni Fox during the county's public meeting last Thursday on the Draft Environmental Information Document. Public comments can be made by Oct. 21 by emailing publiccomment@wilsonokamoto.com.
Fox said that the county Department of Environmental Management has called for the condemnation of 28 acres of the Waikapuna land purchased for conservation with taxpayer money. The 28 acres, adjacent to the town of Nā'ālehu, is within the 2,317 acre Waikapuna preserve stewarded by the Ala Kahakai Trail Association.
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Environmental Management Deputy Director Brenda Iokepa-Moses, who led the meeting, said that the 28 acres is a small portion of the 2,317 acres that has been preserved and that using that small portion to solve the sewer problem in Nā'ālehu would benefit the community. It is required by federal law that the old polluting gang cesspool system be abandoned. She stressed that time is of the essence, with the county on a deadline to get the old sugar camp houses off the gang cesspools.
She pointed out that $4 million towards buying the Waikapuna preserve came from the County of Hawai'i's Public Access, Open Space & Natural Resources Preservation Program. She stressed that the county has decided through soil sampling and other studies that the 28 acres is the best location. She said it has been considered as the site for the project for years and that no other properties are being considered for the initial sewer plant. She also said no private money is involved.
Fox also pointed to the use of tax money to purchase the 2,317 acres but stressed that it was specifically for conservation. The acquisition was to preserve the Waikapuna coast, the 2.3 miles of Ala Kahakai Trail along the coast, and adjacent lands. In addition to the county helping to purchase the preserve, the state Legacy Land Conservation Program contributed $2 million. He said that discussions of the 28 acres for the treatment plant during the time of purchase, were in the context of it being the lagoon system that would also serve wildlife.
Another speaker asked whether the proposed site would interfere with public access to Waikapuna. Iokepa-Moses said it wouldn't and that access was from a different location.
One speaker asked whether existing but unused underground piping among the houses could be used and whether it would be able to handle the new sewer system. Iokepa-Moses said the pipes will be inspected and if unusable would be capped and left in place with new sewer pipes installed beside them. She said that the county is fully responsible for the maintenance of the current and new system from the houses to the sewer plant.
Nā'ālehu Draft Environmental Information Document (Draft EID) is available at the Nā'ālehu Public Library, and also on the website for Department of Environmental Management projects: www.dem.hawaiicounty.gov/projects.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.
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Zonta's Pay it Forward Committee Wilma Matsumura, Jessic Gauthier and Laurie Higashi with 2024 Pay it Forward microgrant recipients Dawn Patterson on screen, Rachel Erdman, Napua Arakaki-Heen, Megan Brady and Syd Wang. Photo from Zonta
TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS IN PAY IT FORWARD MICROGRANTS has been distributed for 2024 by The Zonta Club on Hawai'i Island. The award program supports women entrepreneurs who are starting a new business or working to expand an existing business.
"For the third year in a row, we saw a record number of applicants for the grant. It's inspiring to see so many women entrepreneurs in our community," said Zonta president Julie Tulang. She said Zonta "is proud to provide a financial boost to these five well-deserving women-owned businesses."
Pay It Forward microgrants are funded annually through the charitable Zonta Club of Hilo Foundation, donations to which are tax-deductible.
The 2024 microgrant recipients are Dawn Patterson of Dawn's Barber Shop, Rachel Edrman of LoveBug Farm LLC, Napua Arakaki-Heen of Nalani Farm Store, Megan Brady of Uproot Origin LLC, and Syd Wang of Wala'au Therapy LLC. Patterson has been a barber for 29 years and is sole proprietor of Dawn's Barber Shop in Hilo. She will use the grant to pay off her EIDL COVID loan and purchase tools for the shop.
Erdman's LoveBug Farm raises hydroponic lettuce, microgreens, and produce as well as provides dog daycare, boarding, and training services. She will use the money to build a sink and a cleaning and processing area for the produce grown on her farm.
Arakaki-Heen's Nalani Farm Store, located in downtown Hilo, is a boutique gift shop specializing in goods grown, made, and designed in Hawai'i. She estimates that around 70% of the products she stocks are produced by women-owned businesses. She will use the funds to purchase inventory for the store.
Brady created her signature Uproot Origin elixir from organic ginger, organic turmeric, and organic honey sourced from small farms on the Big Island. She plans to use the grant to hire administrative support to help her business grow.
Based in Hilo, Wang's Wala'au Therapy evaluates and treats speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing/feeding disorders. She plans to use the award to build an ADA-compliant entrance ramp at her practice.
For more on Zonta and to donate, visit zontahilo.org.
Erdman's LoveBug Farm raises hydroponic lettuce, microgreens, and produce as well as provides dog daycare, boarding, and training services. She will use the money to build a sink and a cleaning and processing area for the produce grown on her farm.
Arakaki-Heen's Nalani Farm Store, located in downtown Hilo, is a boutique gift shop specializing in goods grown, made, and designed in Hawai'i. She estimates that around 70% of the products she stocks are produced by women-owned businesses. She will use the funds to purchase inventory for the store.
Brady created her signature Uproot Origin elixir from organic ginger, organic turmeric, and organic honey sourced from small farms on the Big Island. She plans to use the grant to hire administrative support to help her business grow.
Based in Hilo, Wang's Wala'au Therapy evaluates and treats speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing/feeding disorders. She plans to use the award to build an ADA-compliant entrance ramp at her practice.
For more on Zonta and to donate, visit zontahilo.org.
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5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the street.    |
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