 |
| Volcano Rain Forest Runners race toward the camera. Photo by Jesse Tunison |
 |
| Miss Ka`u Coffee Maria Miranda greets a runner. Photo from Maria Miranda |
See future Ka`u News Briefs for more race results.
ONE OF KA`U’S STATE SEN. JOSH GREEN’S priorities during the next legislative session will be a new Hawai`i State Hospital. “Everything emanates from a new facility,” Green told Nathan Eagle, of Civil Beat. “If we do this, we’ll be able to treat people in a very professional, dignified way. If we don’t, we’re going to be back with the violence.”
The current facility on O`ahu, which houses patients with mental illness, has been plagued with violence for decades. New designs would provide clear lines of sight and create a safer and more secure environment.
Funding of $165 million for design and construction would come from general obligation bonds.
“It’s long overdue,” Green said. “It’s a big ask, but it’s for all the districts in the state and all the families in the state. There’s no shortcut to health care.”
See civilbeat.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
Funding of $165 million for design and construction would come from general obligation bonds.
“It’s long overdue,” Green said. “It’s a big ask, but it’s for all the districts in the state and all the families in the state. There’s no shortcut to health care.”
See civilbeat.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
A NEW WAY TO DOCUMENT CORAL HEALTH could help scientists understand why there is increased coral bleaching and reef death in Hawai`i. An Associated Press story in this morning’s Honolulu Star-Advertiser describes high-definition, 360-degree panoramic photos to monitor coral over time. Manuel Gonzalez-Rivero, research fellow at University of Queensland who works on the survey crew, said technology like Facebook’s facial recognition is also employed to identify and study coral.
 |
| Along with increased tropical storms, El Nino is contributing to coral bleaching in Hawaiian waters. Photo from XL Catlain Seaview Survey |
Images from Hawai`i, the Great Barrier Reef, Maldives and other locations are uploaded to Google Street View. It is part of the XL Catlain Seaview Survey. See http://catlinseaviewsurvey.com where scientists proclaim, “Our oceans are changing. Coral reefs are a clear visual indicator of this change – we’ve seen a 40 percent loss of corals around the globe in the last 30 years alone.”
AP reports that “scientists working with the team say they are concerned about how much coral off the coast of Hawai`i already is beginning to bleach, especially because it’s the second such event in two years.” The article explains, “Coral bleaching occurs when ocean water temperatures rise and cause the coral to lose key nutrients, turning the normally colorful organism white. If bleaching recurs or is severe, experts say the coral will die. Reefs off the coasts of the Hawaiian Islands suffered a rare bleaching event in 2014, and experts say when corals don’t have time to recover from one bleaching they are less likely to survive subsequent events.”
Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, chief scientist for the project and director of Global Change Institute at University of Queensland, told AP, “Unfortunately, from now on the extra heat is going to be quite damaging, and this is where the mortality of the corals goes up.”
The AP story says that “extensive coral bleaching is expected again this year in Hawai`i because of record hot weather in the region, a strong El Nino weather pattern and what scientists call ‘the blob,’ a large area of hot water not directly linked to El Nino that is moving westward from the mainland.”
Malia Chow, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s superintendent of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, told AP, “What sort of surprised me is how many corals have already started to bleach.”
See staradvertiser.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, chief scientist for the project and director of Global Change Institute at University of Queensland, told AP, “Unfortunately, from now on the extra heat is going to be quite damaging, and this is where the mortality of the corals goes up.”
The AP story says that “extensive coral bleaching is expected again this year in Hawai`i because of record hot weather in the region, a strong El Nino weather pattern and what scientists call ‘the blob,’ a large area of hot water not directly linked to El Nino that is moving westward from the mainland.”
Malia Chow, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s superintendent of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, told AP, “What sort of surprised me is how many corals have already started to bleach.”
See staradvertiser.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
 |
| Rain from Kilo, heavy at times, is reaching Ka`u. Map from NWS |
KA`U IS FEELING THE EFFECTS of Tropical Depression Kilo, now 680 miles south-southwest of South Point. A flash flood watch continues until 6 p.m. tomorrow because an unstable and very moist air mass remains across the island. This tropical moisture interacting with island terrain will produce localized, intense and slow-moving heavy rains that may lead to flash flooding.
Flash flooding is very dangerous. Campers and hikers should consider rescheduling their outing to a time when weather is expected to be more favorable. It does not have to be raining locally for flash flooding to occur. Never drive into areas where water covers the road.
Kilo is expected to strengthen to hurricane status as it move north on a forecast path that currently takes it west of Kaua`i.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
BUSINESS SPACE IS AVAILABLE for rent at the open location where Kama`aina Kuts and Styles by Elise are located in Na`alehu. Call Corrine at 937-1840 for more information.
Kilo is expected to strengthen to hurricane status as it move north on a forecast path that currently takes it west of Kaua`i.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
THE OVERFLOWS OF HALEMA`UMA`U CRATER are discussed in Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s current issue of Volcano Watch.
“In early 1918, visitors swarmed to Kilauea Volcano to see a splendid show,” scientists write. “The molten lake in Halema`uma`u had been rising, and the pit was almost full. Soon lava spilled over the crater rim onto the floor of Kilauea’s summit caldera, destroying part of an automobile road, as well as the visitor viewing area near the rim.
“In this week’s featured photograph, Isabel Jaggar, wife of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Director Thomas A. Jaggar, Jr., stands near the edge of Halema`uma`u on the morning of the first overflow. To her left is a wooden A-frame constructed in 1911 to suspend a cable across the crater for taking lava samples and temperature measurements. The next day this old landmark was surrounded by lava and burned. To the right of Mrs. Jaggar, portions of the congealed lava crust have been thrust high above the caldera floor.
“With the hot lava so accessible, hundreds of volcano watchers flocked to the area to take photos and meet Pele up close. In the weeks that followed, the overflow destroyed many sites on the caldera floor that tourists had frequented in the past. Volcanic features with fanciful names such as The Devil’s Picture Frame were covered by lava, and this was just the beginning.
 |
| The overflow of Halema`uma`u Crater on Feb 23, 1918. Photo from HVO by Thomas Jagger from HVO Record Book courtesy of Bishop Museum |
“Over the next three years, as the magma column at Kilauea rose and fell, the lava lake in Halema`uma`u repeatedly overflowed and flooded the caldera floor.
“For decades, tourists had singed post cards at hot cracks known as the Postal Rift. In April, 1919, lava poured out of the Postal Rift, and by November, this flow had reached the bluff below the Volcano House, burying the trail that led from the hotel to Halema`uma`u Crater. By the end of 1919, most of the old volcano landmarks in the summit caldera were gone.
“Such overflows of Halema`uma`u were common in the past. Since 1868, large infusions of magma had filled the pit and had flooded the caldera floor many times. On each occasion, the lava lake later receded as magma drained away, reopening the home of Pele, only to have the pit gradually refill as the cycle started over.
“Sporadic overflows continued until March of 1921, when lava from Halema`uma`u and an adjacent cone flowed through a gap in the south caldera and into the Ka`u Desert. Since then, Halema`uma`u Crater has never overflowed again. While many eruptions have occurred in Kilauea Caldera since the 1920s, almost a century has passed and Halema`uma`u remains only partially refilled.
“What caused this change in the behavior of Kilauea? One answer is that Halema`uma`u doubled in diameter during the explosive eruption in 1924, so it takes more lava to fill the crater. But, that’s not the most important part of the story.
“Changes in the rate of magma supply to the volcano and in the geometry of the plumbing system that carries magma from the summit into the rift zones have kept the floor of Halema`uma`u far below the rim. For the crater to fill to overflowing, the magma supply would have to increase and remain high, or conduits to Pu`u `O`o and other areas on the rift zones of Kilauea would have to constrict.
“In other words, an overflow of Halema`uma`u Crater will require a substantial increase in magmatic pressure at the summit of Kilauea. We see no signs that Pele has such a house cleaning planned any time soon, but if and when she does, it will be a spectacular display.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
KA`U HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI AND FRIENDS’ invite everyone to bring a favorite dish to their 14th annual Community Potluck today at Pahala Community until 5 p.m.
“For decades, tourists had singed post cards at hot cracks known as the Postal Rift. In April, 1919, lava poured out of the Postal Rift, and by November, this flow had reached the bluff below the Volcano House, burying the trail that led from the hotel to Halema`uma`u Crater. By the end of 1919, most of the old volcano landmarks in the summit caldera were gone.
“Such overflows of Halema`uma`u were common in the past. Since 1868, large infusions of magma had filled the pit and had flooded the caldera floor many times. On each occasion, the lava lake later receded as magma drained away, reopening the home of Pele, only to have the pit gradually refill as the cycle started over.
“Sporadic overflows continued until March of 1921, when lava from Halema`uma`u and an adjacent cone flowed through a gap in the south caldera and into the Ka`u Desert. Since then, Halema`uma`u Crater has never overflowed again. While many eruptions have occurred in Kilauea Caldera since the 1920s, almost a century has passed and Halema`uma`u remains only partially refilled.
“What caused this change in the behavior of Kilauea? One answer is that Halema`uma`u doubled in diameter during the explosive eruption in 1924, so it takes more lava to fill the crater. But, that’s not the most important part of the story.
“Changes in the rate of magma supply to the volcano and in the geometry of the plumbing system that carries magma from the summit into the rift zones have kept the floor of Halema`uma`u far below the rim. For the crater to fill to overflowing, the magma supply would have to increase and remain high, or conduits to Pu`u `O`o and other areas on the rift zones of Kilauea would have to constrict.
“In other words, an overflow of Halema`uma`u Crater will require a substantial increase in magmatic pressure at the summit of Kilauea. We see no signs that Pele has such a house cleaning planned any time soon, but if and when she does, it will be a spectacular display.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
KA`U HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI AND FRIENDS’ invite everyone to bring a favorite dish to their 14th annual Community Potluck today at Pahala Community until 5 p.m.
 |
| Development at Discovery Harbour is the topic at Ka`u CDP Steering Committee's meeting Tuesday. Map from South Point Investment Group. |
ENTRY FEES ARE WAIVED TUESDAY at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park to celebrate Founder’s Day.
KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee’s topic-related meetings continue this week. The committee reviews community feedback and makes preliminary decisions about revisions to the draft CDP.
Meetings are Tuesday, Aug. 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Discovery Harbour Community Center to discuss development in that area and Saturday, Aug. 29 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. when the topic is Economic Development. See kaucdp.info for information and how to contact committee members.
BUSINESS SPACE IS AVAILABLE for rent at the open location where Kama`aina Kuts and Styles by Elise are located in Na`alehu. Call Corrine at 937-1840 for more information.
 |
| See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf. |
 |
| See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August2015.pdf. |
