Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Oct. 2, 2015

HAWAI`I COUNTY PLANNING DIRECTOR recommended approval of two cinder mining companies’ requests to operate in Ocean View despite concerns expressed by HOVE Road Maintenance Corp., Nancy Cook Lauer reported in West Hawai`i Today.

HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES encourages families to apply for its Preschool Open Doors program throughout this month. This program, which is currently serving more than 1,000 children statewide, provides subsidies to eligible low- and moderate-income families to pay preschool tuition. POD aims to provide children whose families might otherwise not be able to afford preschool the opportunity to gain essential skills to be successful in school and in life.
      To qualify for the program, children must be eligible to enter kindergarten in the 2016-2017 school year. Underserved or at-risk children receive priority consideration for the POD program.
      Interested families may request an application from the Department’s POD contractor, PATCH, by visiting patchhawaii.org or calling 1-800-746-5620. PATCH can also help families locate a preschool convenient for them.
      Applications must be received by Oct. 31 to be considered for the Jan. 1 - June 30, 2016 program period. Send applications to
PATCH-POD, 
560 N. Nimitz Hwy, Suite 218 
Honolulu, HI 96817
.
      Eligibility and priorities are available at humanservices.hawaii.gov/admin-rules-2/admin-rules-for-programs.
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HAWAI`I’S LONG HISTORY OF DESTRUCTIVE earthquakes and what to when one strikes are topics of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s current issue of Volcano Watch. 

      “More than 30 magnitude-6.0 or greater earthquakes have impacted the islands since 1868 (or about once every five years),” the article states, “and the chance of a damaging earthquake striking Hawai`i in the next 10 years is 50 percent.
      “So, it’s a matter of when — not if — another destructive earthquake happens in Hawai`i. And, unlike tropical storms and hurricanes, which arrive with lots of advance notice, a large earthquake could strike at any time with no warning.
      “Given these facts, it’s essential that you prepare now for Hawai`i’s next big earthquake. Helpful guidance on preparing your home and workplace is available online through agencies like FEMA (http://www.fema.gov/earthquake-safety-home).
      “Personal safety is another issue. Knowing how to protect yourself and your family during an earthquake can prevent or minimize injuries (or worse).
      “First, what you should not do when the ground shakes: run outside or stand in a doorway. Although commonly believed to be appropriate responses, extensive research shows that they are not the recommended actions to take.
      “Trying to run outside during an earthquake is more dangerous than staying inside a building because, with the ground moving up-and-down or sideways, you could easily lose your balance and fall, risking serious injury. Also, exterior building walls and facades often collapse, so you’d be running toward danger rather than from it.
      “Doorways in modern buildings are no stronger than other parts of the structure, so they are not necessarily the safest places to be. They also provide little, if any, protection from flying debris or falling objects, the cause of most earthquake injuries.
      “So, what should you do to protect yourself during an earthquake?

HVO monitors earthquake activity for Hawai`i Island. Map from USGS/HVO

      “According to earthquake safety experts, rescue teams and researchers, the best actions you can take to reduce risk of injury or death during an earthquake is 'Drop! Cover! Hold on!'

      “To keep from falling or being knocked down by the shaking, drop to the ground on your hands and knees. This position will still allow you to move if necessary.
      “To protect as much of your body as possible, especially your head and neck, take cover under a sturdy table or desk. If safe cover is not nearby, drop down next to an interior wall, and cover your head and neck with your arms.
      “Then, hold onto your cover (table or desk) — or onto your head and neck if not under cover — until the shaking stops. This allows you to move with your cover if it shifts during the shaking.
      “If you’re at the beach, drop to your hands and knees and cover your head (if objects are falling) until the strong shaking stops. Then quickly walk to higher ground until you’re at least 30 meters (100 feet) above sea level or beyond the marked tsunami hazard zone. Avoid steep cliffs, and watch for falling rocks as you move inland.
      “What if you’re driving, asleep in bed, in a wheelchair, or in a store when an earthquake hits? These scenarios are covered in Recommended Earthquake Safety Actions in Hawai`i (http://www.shakeout.org/hawaii/downloads/ShakeOut_Hawaii_Recommended_Earthquake_Safety_Actions.pdf), which describes how to protect yourself during an earthquake wherever you are.
      “The key to personal safety is to practice now so that you will know exactly what to do — and can react quickly — when the next strong earthquake strikes Hawai`i.
      “The perfect time to practice Drop! Cover! Hold on! is during the Great Hawai`i ShakeOut, an earthquake awareness and preparedness event that takes place at 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15. Details are posted on the ShakeOut website (http://shakeout.org/hawaii/), along with helpful resources on what you can, and should, do before, during, and after an earthquake.”

Evan Mahona scores Ka`u's first touchdown, making the score 6-14 during the first quarter in Pahoa. Photo by Taylor Sports Photography

      See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch. 

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KA`U HIGH’S EIGHT-MAN football team again overcame Pahoa last night. After being tied at halftime and again in the third quarter, Ka`u was able to break away and keep the lead later in the third quarter and throughout the fourth. Ka`u kept Pahoa’s score at 22 while the Trojans continued to rack up points. With great blocking and ball running, Evan Manoha ran 50 yards for a touchdown to bring Ka`u’s score to 28. 

      In the fourth quarter, Janslae Badua ran an interception 49 yards for another touchdown. Later, Kalamakoa Waiwaiole went two yards into the end zone, and the two-point conversion was good.
      Final score: Ka`u 42, Pahoa 22.
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TONIGHT AND TOMORROW’S UHANE POHAKU Na Moku O Hawai`i free, public events at Pahala Plantation House follow yesterday’s evening with Mark Yamanaka to raise funds for the new Pahala girls’ safe house and other Ka`u projects. Hula dancers from Ka`u, O`ahu and Japan spontaneously broke into dance as Mark Yamanaka performed his famous songs.

      Ho`okupu Hula No Ka`u Cultural Festival takes place today and tomorrow from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. The festival includes music, hula, crafts, food and cultural workshops. It is open to the public with no fees both nights.
     Among the performers backing up the talent are Wailau Ryder and Demetrius Oliviera, as well as Skylark.
      Here is the schedule for both days. Each day begins with an opening pule at 4 p.m.
      Today: Ka`imia Na`auao Kahiko/Ka`u School of Arts and Kumu Hula Marsha Bolosan, 5:45 p.m.; Kukui Ceremony (Honoring our Ancestors), 6:30 p.m.; Kamehameha School with Kumu Hula Kimo Kekua, 7 p.m.; Makanau, 8 p.m.; Halau Hula O Leionalani with Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder, 8:45 p.m.; and Keaiwa, 9:30 p.m.
      Tomorrow: Inoue `Ohana Band from Japan, 4:30 p.m.; Kahoku Kauahiahionalani with Kumu Hula Sammy Fo, 5:30 p.m.; Kukui Ceremony (Remembering our Ancestors), 6:15 p.m.; Ho`omaika`i Hula Halau with Kumu Hula Shona LamHo, 6:30 p.m.; Times 5, 7:30 p.m.; Halau Hula O Ke Anuenue with Kumu Hula Glen Vasconcellas, 8:30 p.m.; and Los Borinquen’os, 9:30 p.m.
      See www.hookupukau.com.

ST. JUDE’S CHURCH in Ocean View presents Oktoberfest this evening at with 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Call 939-7000.

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I Volcanoes National Park offers free programs this weekend. A one-hour guided climb to the summit of Pu`u o Lokuana takes place tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. Participants learn about formation and various uses of this grassy cinder cone and enjoy a panoramic view of lower Ka`u on this moderately difficult, 0.4-mile hike.      Participants discover the Hawaiian goddesses Hi`iaka & Pele and the natural phenomena they represent on a moderate one-mile walk Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
      For more information, call 985-6011.