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| Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park hosts its monthly Sunday Walk in the Park a week from today. The four-mile round-trip hike explores Kilauea Iki Crater. Non-members can join the nonprofit organization in order to attend. Photo by Elizabeth Fien |
A MAGNITUDE-4.5 EARTHQUAKE STRUCK near Kailua-Kona this morning at 3:23 a.m. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center determined that no damaging tsunami was generated. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that the earthquake caused no detectable changes on the active volcanoes on Hawai`i Island.
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| This morning's 4.5-magnitude earthquake near Kailua-Kona was the strongest one in the region since November 1969. Map from USGS/HVO |
According to Wes Thelen, HVO’s Seismic Network Manager, the earthquake was centered about 10 miles northwest of Kailua-Kona at a depth of six miles. A map showing its location is posted on the HVO website at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/seismic/volcweb/earthquakes/.
The USGS “Did you feel it? website (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/dyfi/) received more than 150 felt reports within two hours of the earthquake. Most of these reports were from the west side of Hawaiʻi Island, which is consistent with the depth of the earthquake. Only light shaking (Intensity IV) has been reported. At these shaking intensities, damage to buildings or structures is not expected.
As of 7 a.m., no aftershocks of the earthquake had been recorded. A magnitude-3.3 earthquake, which occurred near Hawi approximately three hours before the magnitude-4.5 earthquake, was unrelated.
HVO reported that, during the past 30 years, there have been 23 earthquakes in this same area offshore of Keahole Point with magnitudes greater than 3.0 and depths of three to nine miles. Today’s event is the largest earthquake recorded in the area since a magnitude-4.6 earthquake in November 1969.
Earthquakes at this depth off the west coast of Hawai`i Island are typically caused by abrupt motion on the boundary between the old ocean floor and the volcanic material of the island and are not directly tied to volcanic activity.
For information on recent earthquakes in Hawaii and eruption updates, see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
The USGS “Did you feel it? website (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/dyfi/) received more than 150 felt reports within two hours of the earthquake. Most of these reports were from the west side of Hawaiʻi Island, which is consistent with the depth of the earthquake. Only light shaking (Intensity IV) has been reported. At these shaking intensities, damage to buildings or structures is not expected.
As of 7 a.m., no aftershocks of the earthquake had been recorded. A magnitude-3.3 earthquake, which occurred near Hawi approximately three hours before the magnitude-4.5 earthquake, was unrelated.
HVO reported that, during the past 30 years, there have been 23 earthquakes in this same area offshore of Keahole Point with magnitudes greater than 3.0 and depths of three to nine miles. Today’s event is the largest earthquake recorded in the area since a magnitude-4.6 earthquake in November 1969.
Earthquakes at this depth off the west coast of Hawai`i Island are typically caused by abrupt motion on the boundary between the old ocean floor and the volcanic material of the island and are not directly tied to volcanic activity.
For information on recent earthquakes in Hawaii and eruption updates, see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
PROTECTING AGRICULTURAL LANDS and open space is the topic of a section of the draft Ka`u Community Development Plan, now available for public review.
This section calls for protecting agricultural land and open space from non-agricultural development with the CDP Land Use Policy Map, a prohibition on increased residential density and limits on Special Permits, lots sizes and variances. It also prioritizes stronger farm dwelling regulations and tax incentive programs, use of transfer of development rights and land bank programs, State Important Agricultural Land designations and expedited lot consolidation in existing rural subdivisions.
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| Lands surrounding Wai`ohinu are proposed as Extensive Agriculture and Important Ag Lands. Map from Ka`u CDP |
Intents of the policy are to conserve and protect agricultural lands; preserve the agricultural character of Ka`u, including open space preserved by agricultural land; make vacant lands in urban areas available for residential uses before additional agricultural lands are converted into residential uses; limit development of agricultural land to agricultural uses, discouraging speculative residential development and urban encroachment; prevent rezoning of agricultural lands to parcels too small to support economically viable farming units; maintain open space and rural character of the Ocean View, Mark Twain and Green Sands areas, including continued inclusion in the State Land Use Agricultural district (not Rural), except in the areas in Land Use Policy Map urban categories; and discourage intensive development in areas of high volcanic hazard.
Two weeks from today, on Sunday, April 19, residents can attend speak-outs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Pahala Community Center and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Discovery Harbour Community Center. Two more take place this Saturday, April 11 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. The informal drop-in listening sessions are organized as open houses where residents can find visual displays about parts of the CDP they are interested in, discuss CDP strategies with people familiar with the plan and provide feedback.
Residents can also submit feedback online or in writing by email, fax, or mail.
For more information, and to read the full draft document, see kaucdp.info. Copies are also available at local libraries and community center.
Two weeks from today, on Sunday, April 19, residents can attend speak-outs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Pahala Community Center and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Discovery Harbour Community Center. Two more take place this Saturday, April 11 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. The informal drop-in listening sessions are organized as open houses where residents can find visual displays about parts of the CDP they are interested in, discuss CDP strategies with people familiar with the plan and provide feedback.
Residents can also submit feedback online or in writing by email, fax, or mail.
For more information, and to read the full draft document, see kaucdp.info. Copies are also available at local libraries and community center.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE ARE WARNING SHOPPERS not to leave handbags unattended in shopping carts. Since February, police have received several reports of elderly female shoppers who had purses removed from shopping carts at various stores in Hilo while the shoppers’ backs were turned momentarily. The thefts are being actively investigated.
Lieutenant Gregory Esteban from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section said it only takes seconds for someone to snatch a bag out of a cart while the shopper is turned away to select an item from a shelf.
“We are advising women to keep their handbags on their person while out in public to avoid being a target of theft,” Esteban said. “Often, the theft of a handbag can lead to additional crimes, such as unauthorized use of a credit card and identity theft.”
Police encourage anyone who is the victim of a purse snatching to report it immediately by calling the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Brian Gascon helped the Trojans slay the Dragons Friday. Photo by Taylor Sport Photography |
KA`U HIGH BOYS VOLLEYBALL TEAMS made Friday’s journey to Honoka`a worthwhile, winning their matches against the Dragons. Varsity won in three straight sets, 25-14, 25-20 and 25-21. JV also won in two sets, 25-13 and 25-15.
“Both teams did an awesome job,” said booster Pam Taylor.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
RANGERS SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE and love of the traditional art of musical bamboo nose flutes Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.
KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S CRATER RIM CAFÉ in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park presents its monthly Mongolian BBQ Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Choose from an array of veggies and proteins for chefs to wok up. $.85 per ounce. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356
USGS HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY geologist Matt Patrick presents an update on Kilauea’s summit eruption, including an overview of volcanic processes occurring within the vent, Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply. $2 donations support future After Dark in the Park programs.
RANGERS SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE and love of the traditional art of musical bamboo nose flutes Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.
KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S CRATER RIM CAFÉ in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park presents its monthly Mongolian BBQ Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Choose from an array of veggies and proteins for chefs to wok up. $.85 per ounce. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356
USGS HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY geologist Matt Patrick presents an update on Kilauea’s summit eruption, including an overview of volcanic processes occurring within the vent, Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply. $2 donations support future After Dark in the Park programs.
HO`OMALU KA`U HOLDS A DINNER DANCE, Spice Up Your Spring, a week from today on Sunday, April 12 at Discovery Harbour Community Center from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The organization is raising funds to build a Ka`u Heritage Center on property in Manuka.
Menu items include Asian, Mexican and American foods. Full Tilt provides dance music. Lucky numbers are drawn for door prizes. Tickets are $20 each. Buy tickets by calling 929-8526, or see Lehua Lopez at Na`alehu Farmers Market on Wednesday.
FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK presents its next Sunday Walk in the Park a week from today on April 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Led by volcanologist Cheryl Gansecki, this month’s four-mile hike explores Kilauea Iki Crater. Participants should bring a bag lunch for a rest stop along the walk.
Kilauea Iki Trail begins on the crater’s forested rim. The trail descends 400 feet through the rain forest, with native birds flitting through the canopy, onto the crater floor. Hikers cross the still-steaming crater, past the gaping throat of the vent that built Pu`u Pua`i cinder cone, and ascend the far rim. Of interest on the hike are forest plants, birds, insects, the 1959 lava lake, steam vents and cinder and spatter cones.
The hike is free for Friends members, and non-members are welcome to join the nonprofit organization in order to attend. Annual memberships, $30 for individuals and $45 for families, come with a variety of benefits.
To register, contact call 985-7373 or email admin@fhvnp.org. For more information, see www.fhvnp.org. Park entrance fees apply.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK presents its next Sunday Walk in the Park a week from today on April 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Led by volcanologist Cheryl Gansecki, this month’s four-mile hike explores Kilauea Iki Crater. Participants should bring a bag lunch for a rest stop along the walk.
Kilauea Iki Trail begins on the crater’s forested rim. The trail descends 400 feet through the rain forest, with native birds flitting through the canopy, onto the crater floor. Hikers cross the still-steaming crater, past the gaping throat of the vent that built Pu`u Pua`i cinder cone, and ascend the far rim. Of interest on the hike are forest plants, birds, insects, the 1959 lava lake, steam vents and cinder and spatter cones.
The hike is free for Friends members, and non-members are welcome to join the nonprofit organization in order to attend. Annual memberships, $30 for individuals and $45 for families, come with a variety of benefits.
To register, contact call 985-7373 or email admin@fhvnp.org. For more information, see www.fhvnp.org. Park entrance fees apply.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_April2015.pdf. |
