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| Highway 11 was blocked multiple times, trees toppling during and after the windstorm Friday night and Saturday. Photo by Charles Tobias |
Powerful warm winds with little rain pushed through Ka`u in starts and fits, cleaning dead wood from trees weakened by a long drought then thrashed by two hurricane-tropical storms this past summer. Some seemingly healthy trunks simply toppled over from their weakened root systems.
Charles Tobias, of Ocean View, reports that he helped remove trees from Highway 11 between his home and Na`alehu and witnessed fallen trees on Ocean View community roads. Coffee farmer Trini Marques reports growers clearing huge trees along the cane haul road between Pahala and Na`alehu where eucalyptus fell from Kamehameha School lands. Albesia crashed onto the unpaved road leading to Moa`ula orchards during one of the heaviest harvests in Ka`u Coffee history. This morning, Cloud Rest farms remained baracaded by fallen trees, keeping pickers away from the heaviest harvest in Ka`u Coffee history for a second day.
Coffee pickers staying in Wood Valley were also blocked from going to work yesterday on Olson Trust lands until trees could be cleared from Wood Valley roads.
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| Branches across a lane in Ocean View. Photo by Charles Tobias |
Andrea Kawabata, of the University of Hawai`i Agriculural Extension Service, urged farmers to document farm and structural damage and contact insurance providers. “Before you begin cleaning up, document all damages with (clear and focused) photos. Review your inventory and take note of anything damaged or missing. It's better to have more than not enough information and documentation when dealing with insurance claims,” Kawabata advised. She circulated a photo of an uprooted macadamia tree at a U.H. research station.
Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative President Gloria Camba reported this morning that after albesias fell across the road to Cloud Rest coffee farms, growers started cutting with their own chain saws. She said that coffee grower Francis Marques helped push the trees with tractor and bucket, trying to reach his bulldozer trapped on his farm. Bozo Lorenzo, Bong Aquino and Jimbo Dacalio helped out.
Pear Tree farmers also started cleaning up. Jeffrey Gascon, Melchor Fernandez, Milton Dacalio with Marshallese coffee pickers cut their way into Pear Tree. Higashi Camp Road going to Pear Tree remained blocked this morning. At Pear Tree, Norfolk Pine windbreaks snapped around several farms, including those operated by Camba, Aquino and Wally Young.
Last night some trees kept falling around Ka`u even with the wind dying down. Hwy 11 was blocked again, and reopened about 2 a.m.
During the storm, wind speeds topped 140 miles an hour on the highest island summits, a 75-foot long sailboat washed up near Four Seasons Resort in Kona with first mate still missing, and electricity outages led to water conservation measures in Waimea until power can be restored there.
Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative President Gloria Camba reported this morning that after albesias fell across the road to Cloud Rest coffee farms, growers started cutting with their own chain saws. She said that coffee grower Francis Marques helped push the trees with tractor and bucket, trying to reach his bulldozer trapped on his farm. Bozo Lorenzo, Bong Aquino and Jimbo Dacalio helped out.
Pear Tree farmers also started cleaning up. Jeffrey Gascon, Melchor Fernandez, Milton Dacalio with Marshallese coffee pickers cut their way into Pear Tree. Higashi Camp Road going to Pear Tree remained blocked this morning. At Pear Tree, Norfolk Pine windbreaks snapped around several farms, including those operated by Camba, Aquino and Wally Young.
Last night some trees kept falling around Ka`u even with the wind dying down. Hwy 11 was blocked again, and reopened about 2 a.m.
During the storm, wind speeds topped 140 miles an hour on the highest island summits, a 75-foot long sailboat washed up near Four Seasons Resort in Kona with first mate still missing, and electricity outages led to water conservation measures in Waimea until power can be restored there.
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| Document farm damages with focused photos, advises UH Agricultual Extension Service. Photo from Andrea Kawabata |
Hawai`i Electric Light Co. issued a statement last night, noting damage around the island with trees severing lines and power poles. About 5,000 customers in Kamuela, Hamakua and Ka`u remained without power. Yesterday crews concentrated on stabilizing the cross-island transmission system, the backbone of the electric grid. Today crews will concentrate on neighborhoods.
“The company urges the community to be safe and treat downed power lines as energized and dangerous. Do not handle or move any fallen or damaged utility equipment. If someone injured by a downed power line, do not approach them. Call 911 for assistance,” HELCO advises.
“The company urges the community to be safe and treat downed power lines as energized and dangerous. Do not handle or move any fallen or damaged utility equipment. If someone injured by a downed power line, do not approach them. Call 911 for assistance,” HELCO advises.
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KA`U HIGH TROJANS POUNDED KEALAKEHE last night at home in girls basketball, the varsity team basketing 55 points. Denisha Navarro scored 22 and Kerrilynn Domondon 123. Kealakehe scored 28 points. Leading scorers for Kealakehe were Ivans Galvez with 15 and Ailyn Miranda with 12. The Trojan JV team lost to Kealakehe, 7 to 36. Top Trojan JV player was Tristan David. For Kealakehe, Sira-Claire Hauanio led the team with 14 points.
KA`U HIGH TROJANS POUNDED KEALAKEHE last night at home in girls basketball, the varsity team basketing 55 points. Denisha Navarro scored 22 and Kerrilynn Domondon 123. Kealakehe scored 28 points. Leading scorers for Kealakehe were Ivans Galvez with 15 and Ailyn Miranda with 12. The Trojan JV team lost to Kealakehe, 7 to 36. Top Trojan JV player was Tristan David. For Kealakehe, Sira-Claire Hauanio led the team with 14 points.
HAM RADIO OPERATORS HOST A POTLUCK PICNIC today at Manukā Park just west of Ocean View. All American Radio Emergency Service members and those seeking to operate a Ham radio and families are invited. Ham radio operators coordinate with the county civil defense and medical providers for disaster preparedness. For more information, call Dennis Smith, 989-3028.
AMAHL & THE NIGHT VISITORS closes today with a 2:30 p.m. final performance at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. For tickets, call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com.
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| Updates on Kilauea eruptions will be given Tuesday at After Dark in the Park, as a flow slowly moves toward Pahaoa. Photo from HAVO |
VOLCANO ART CENTER'S EXHIBIT for Christmas in the Country ends today, with wreaths and other art for sale. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park entrance fees apply.
WALK INTO THE PAST this Tuesday, Jan. 6 and again on Jan. 20 at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., beginning at Kīlauea Visitor Center and entering the Whitney Vault in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Ka‘ū resident Dick Hershberger brings Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar to life every other Tuesday.
AFTER DARK IN THE PARK offers Updates on Kilauea’s Two Eruptions, at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Matt Patrick talks about Halema‘uma‘u lava lake and presents a brief overview on the first 30 years of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō’s eruption and the lava flow that has advanced toward Pāhoa over the past six months. Free; park entrance fees apply.
TROJAN BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYERS travel to Kealakehe with coach Daryl Shibuya for a 6 p.m. game this Tuesday.
KA`U SCENIC BYWAY COMMITTEE meets Thursday, Jan. 8 at 5 p.m., Nā‘ālehu Methodist Church. Public invited. Contact richmorrow@alohabroadband.net
WALK INTO THE PAST this Tuesday, Jan. 6 and again on Jan. 20 at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., beginning at Kīlauea Visitor Center and entering the Whitney Vault in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Ka‘ū resident Dick Hershberger brings Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar to life every other Tuesday.
AFTER DARK IN THE PARK offers Updates on Kilauea’s Two Eruptions, at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Matt Patrick talks about Halema‘uma‘u lava lake and presents a brief overview on the first 30 years of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō’s eruption and the lava flow that has advanced toward Pāhoa over the past six months. Free; park entrance fees apply.
TROJAN BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYERS travel to Kealakehe with coach Daryl Shibuya for a 6 p.m. game this Tuesday.
KA`U SCENIC BYWAY COMMITTEE meets Thursday, Jan. 8 at 5 p.m., Nā‘ālehu Methodist Church. Public invited. Contact richmorrow@alohabroadband.net
A RED CROSS VOLUNTEER MEETING will be held Thursday, Jan 8 at 7 p.m., in the HOVE Road Maintenance Corp. office. The gathering is for volunteers and those interested in becoming volunteers. Call Hannah Uribes, 929-9953.
JOHN DAWSON'S Over & Under will be unveiled on Saturday, Jan. 10 at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The tag line for the show is More of His Nature - Fresh observations of the park through Dawson paintings. Show closes Feb. 15.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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JOHN DAWSON'S Over & Under will be unveiled on Saturday, Jan. 10 at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The tag line for the show is More of His Nature - Fresh observations of the park through Dawson paintings. Show closes Feb. 15.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
