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| A guided hike of Kahuku's Palm Trail tomorrow offers expansive vistas. NPS Photo by Mark Wasser |
HURRICANE GUILLEMO IS EXPECTED to weaken to a tropical storm as it travels toward Hawai`i, according to the National Hurricane Center. Although models show it tracking north of the islands, Hawai`i Island is still in the storm’s cone of uncertainty. NHC explains that, due to uncertainties in longer-range track predictions, it is important for users not to focus on the exact track forecasts. Given the large spread of the models beyond 72 hours in this case, the forecast uncertainty is particularly high at those time periods.
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WITH THE APPROACH OF HURRICANE GUILLERMO, Hawai`i Electric Light Company reminds customers that electricity can be dangerous and electrical safety should never be taken for granted, especially during an emergency situation.
HELCO urges customers to consider the following safety measures before, during and after a disaster or power outage:
- Before a storm hits or if there is a power outage, unplug all unnecessary electric equipment and appliances until the storm has passed or until power is restored.
- Stay away from downed power lines. Assume they are energized and dangerous. If you see someone injured after touching a downed power line, call 9-1-1 for help.
- Should you need to evacuate, take emergency supplies and remember to shut off electricity at the main breaker or switch.
- Make plans in advance to go to a safe location where electricity will be available if someone in your home depends on an electrically powered life support system and you don’t have a backup generator. Some shelters are designed for people with health needs – just remember to take your own medical equipment and medications.
- When using a portable generator, carefully read and follow instructions in the manufacturer's manual. Do not plug the generator into your household electrical outlets.
- If you have a rooftop photovoltaic system, consult with your licensed solar contractor regarding normal and emergency operation procedures for your solar system. As a safety precaution, most photovoltaic systems are designed to safely shut down during outages. PV systems typically have monitoring systems that allow owners to check on the status of their system.
- If you become trapped in an elevator during a power outage, relax and stay calm until help arrives. Use elevator emergency communication systems to report where you are and who is with you. Do not try to force open elevator doors. Never try to exit a stalled elevator car. Always wait for trained and qualified emergency personnel.
Hawaiian Electric Companies’ free Information Handbook for Emergency Preparedness includes these tips and more. It can be downloaded at http://hawaiianelectric.com/prepare. The handbook includes key numbers to have on hand, checklists for emergency supplies (such as a home survival kit and first aid kit), electrical safety information, power outage preparedness and recovery information, and household and food safety tips. It also provides references and links to related resources, such as the American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency and civil defense agencies.
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| Robert Lindsey |
ROBERT LINDSEY, CHAIR OF THE OFFICE of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees, issued a statement about actions against Thirty Meter Telescope opponents early Friday morning. Officials made seven arrests and issued citations to six others who were in violation of an emergency rule limiting access to the summit of Mauna Kea.
“The Office of Hawaiian Affairs urges the state to cease further enforcement action and arrests until legal questions relating to the Mauna Kea emergency rules are properly resolved,” Lindsey said. “Native Hawaiians have constitutionally protected rights to reasonably engage in traditional and customary practices, and regulations cannot eliminate the exercise of these rights. We hope for a resolution that ensures our beneficiaries’ rights are protected instead of violated.”
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HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY scientists describe their research of historic photos in the current issue of Volcano Watch. They compare archival material with current observations to gain a better understanding of past events and future possibilities for Hawaiian volcanoes.
In the beginning, outdoor photography was difficult and demanding, the article states. Essential equipment included a large camera, tripod and heavy boxes of glass plates. To create a negative, volatile chemicals were applied to the glass plate when the photo was taken. Eruption photographs were particularly challenging because volcanic fumes could spoil the chemical process that produced the negative.
Who were these intrepid pioneer photographers? A few scientists began taking photographs in the 19th century, but most early images of Hawaiian volcanoes were captured by professional photographers for commercial purposes. Photographers, such as Henry L. Chase, Menzies Dickson and James J. Williams, captured views of volcanic activity and sold their prints from photographic parlors.
Who were these intrepid pioneer photographers? A few scientists began taking photographs in the 19th century, but most early images of Hawaiian volcanoes were captured by professional photographers for commercial purposes. Photographers, such as Henry L. Chase, Menzies Dickson and James J. Williams, captured views of volcanic activity and sold their prints from photographic parlors.
Unfortunately, early photographers often failed to label or date their work. As a result, photo collections in Hawai`i museums are filled with old prints that provide a picture but nothing more. Without key information, such as image date and location, such prints are of little scientific value. However, with some detective work, a photo can be transformed from a meaningless image to a valuable window into the past.
We begin sleuthing important information from old photos by carefully recording any and all writing on the front or back of the print. These words and numbers often provide important clues to its source. For instance, words such as “Volcano, Hawai`i” convey little information, but the label’s appearance and its penmanship can help identify the photographer.
Even when labels are missing from old prints, we can often identify the photographers, because most had their own photographic style. Also, many early photographers took photos in Hawai`i for only a few years. So, knowledge of photographers’ careers and camera work can provide a range of dates for unlabeled photos.
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| Raymond and Whitcomb party "making lava speciments" at Kilauea in 1893. Photograph by J.J. Williams from HVO Photo Archives |
Once we determine the photographer and time frame for a photo, we can often find more information about it from old newspapers, magazines, or other sources, such as the Volcano House guest register.
Now, let’s go detecting! The photo of people on the edge of a Kilauea summit lava lake (included with this article) is from HVO’s archives. Combing through other Hawai`i archives, we discovered another copy of this print labeled, Raymond and Whitcomb Party, 1893. Using that clue, Martha Hoverson, a volunteer at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, discovered a letter to the Hawaiian Gazette written by Henry C. Lyon, who described the Raymond and Whitcomb excursion in great detail.
The group, which included photographer J.J. Williams, who probably took the photo, visited Halema`uma`u on April 1, 1893. Mr. Lyons noted that the crater had filled at the rate of 10 feet a month, or over 125 feet during the past year, and that the molten lake covered nearly 15 acres.
Riding horseback from Volcano House, the party reached Halema`uma`u, where a viewing shelter provided a dry place to view the eruption. Mr. Lyons wrote, “A telephone is the latest addition to this house, and you can now talk to your friends in any part of Hawai`i and report every new ‛flop’ which Madame Pele gives to the seething caldron just below you.” Confirming the letter’s accuracy, the Volcano House guest register includes entries on April 1, 1893, by Mr. Lyons and Mr. Williams.
Through detective work, we established the photo’s date, where it was taken and the photographer’s identity, as well as an interesting description of a lava lake that existed over a century ago. These details breathe new life into the image.
Hopefully, some of our tips might help you identify old prints in your family collection. If you have photos of Hawaiian volcanoes from 1950 or earlier, please drop us a note at askHVO@usgs.gov. The photo in your attic could provide helpful insights into Hawai`i’s volcanic past.
Now, let’s go detecting! The photo of people on the edge of a Kilauea summit lava lake (included with this article) is from HVO’s archives. Combing through other Hawai`i archives, we discovered another copy of this print labeled, Raymond and Whitcomb Party, 1893. Using that clue, Martha Hoverson, a volunteer at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, discovered a letter to the Hawaiian Gazette written by Henry C. Lyon, who described the Raymond and Whitcomb excursion in great detail.
The group, which included photographer J.J. Williams, who probably took the photo, visited Halema`uma`u on April 1, 1893. Mr. Lyons noted that the crater had filled at the rate of 10 feet a month, or over 125 feet during the past year, and that the molten lake covered nearly 15 acres.
Riding horseback from Volcano House, the party reached Halema`uma`u, where a viewing shelter provided a dry place to view the eruption. Mr. Lyons wrote, “A telephone is the latest addition to this house, and you can now talk to your friends in any part of Hawai`i and report every new ‛flop’ which Madame Pele gives to the seething caldron just below you.” Confirming the letter’s accuracy, the Volcano House guest register includes entries on April 1, 1893, by Mr. Lyons and Mr. Williams.
Through detective work, we established the photo’s date, where it was taken and the photographer’s identity, as well as an interesting description of a lava lake that existed over a century ago. These details breathe new life into the image.
Hopefully, some of our tips might help you identify old prints in your family collection. If you have photos of Hawaiian volcanoes from 1950 or earlier, please drop us a note at askHVO@usgs.gov. The photo in your attic could provide helpful insights into Hawai`i’s volcanic past.
A GUIDED HIKE OF PALM TRAIL takes place at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., offering some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer.
Call 985-6011 for more information.
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.swf and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf. |
