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| Sensors on Mauna Loa have been tracking climate change since the 1950s, and scientists say that CO2 in the atmosphere will soom reach a record daily high. Photo from NOAA |
This will be the first time in human history that C02 levels have been so high, according to the scientists. The daily average level, recorded Monday by Scripps on Mauna Loa, was 399.5 ppm. The CO2 level changes during the day, and hourly levels in excess of 400 ppm were recorded. The level also goes up and down throughout the year, with May being the month when CO2 reaches its highest concentrations.
Ralph Keeling, a geologist with Scripps, told The Guardian, a British newspaper: “I wish it weren’t true, but it looks like the world is going to blow through the 400 ppm level without losing a beat. At this pace, we’ll hit 450 ppm within a few decades.” The higher the CO2, the more global warming, scientists predict.
ST. JUDE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH in Ocean View holds its second annual fundraising Cinco de Mayo Festival tomorrow. Doors open at 6 p.m., and dinner with live music is served at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 or two for $20. 939-7555
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER hosts a Spring Fair Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring local arts, crafts, baked and canned goods and a silent auction, with items donated from local businesses. The event benefits the community center’s Thanksgiving Dinner and Keiki Christmas Party.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.
Ralph Keeling, a geologist with Scripps, told The Guardian, a British newspaper: “I wish it weren’t true, but it looks like the world is going to blow through the 400 ppm level without losing a beat. At this pace, we’ll hit 450 ppm within a few decades.” The higher the CO2, the more global warming, scientists predict.
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| Monthly daily average of CO2 has been measured on Mauna Loa for more than 50 years and is expected to reach a level unexperienced since warmer days on the planet during pre-human times. Graph from NOAA |
Scripps released a statement last week saying: “Scientists estimate that the last time CO2 was as high as 400 ppm was probably the Pliocene epoch, between 3.2 million and 5 million years ago, when Earth’s climate was much warmer than today. CO2 was around 280 ppm before the Industrial Revolution, when humans first began releasing large amounts of CO2 to the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels. By the time [Charles] Keeling began measurements in 1958, CO2 had already risen from 280 to 316 ppm. The rate of rise of CO2 over the past century is unprecedented; there is no known period in geologic history when such high rates have been found. The continuous rise is a direct consequence of society’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels for energy.”
The result is global warming that could raise the water level in the oceans, covering islands and inundating coastal lands everywhere, these scientists predict.
The Scripps scientists are the leaders in climate change research that was founded by Charles Keeling.
The United Nation’s climate chief Christiana Figueres weighed in on the new measurements at a climate meeting on Monday with “a heightened sense of urgency.” Countries from around the world are meeting to negotiate a climate treaty by 2015 that would take effect by 2020.
Mauna Loa Observatory is a premier atmospheric research facility that has been continuously monitoring and collecting data related to atmospheric change since the 1950s. According to its website at www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/obop/mlo, “The undisturbed air, remote location, and minimal influences of vegetation and human activity at MLO are ideal for monitoring constituents in the atmosphere that can cause climate change. The observatory is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-Earth System Research Laboratory-Global Monitoring Division.”
According to the scientists, the measurements of CO2 on Mauna Loa are unaffected by current emissions from Kilauea Volcano.
The result is global warming that could raise the water level in the oceans, covering islands and inundating coastal lands everywhere, these scientists predict.
The Scripps scientists are the leaders in climate change research that was founded by Charles Keeling.
The United Nation’s climate chief Christiana Figueres weighed in on the new measurements at a climate meeting on Monday with “a heightened sense of urgency.” Countries from around the world are meeting to negotiate a climate treaty by 2015 that would take effect by 2020.
Mauna Loa Observatory is a premier atmospheric research facility that has been continuously monitoring and collecting data related to atmospheric change since the 1950s. According to its website at www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/obop/mlo, “The undisturbed air, remote location, and minimal influences of vegetation and human activity at MLO are ideal for monitoring constituents in the atmosphere that can cause climate change. The observatory is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-Earth System Research Laboratory-Global Monitoring Division.”
According to the scientists, the measurements of CO2 on Mauna Loa are unaffected by current emissions from Kilauea Volcano.
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| Olson Trust land manager John Cross discussed plans for a hydroelectric plant using water from plantation water sources during yesterday's Ka`u Moutain Water Systems Hike. Photos by Andrew Richard Hara |
FUNDING TO CONTINUE TO BATTLE the coffee berry borer has passed the state Legislature. HB353 appropriates $250,000 in matching funds for each of the next two fiscal years for the Department of Agriculture to research and develop methods for the prevention and treatment of coffee berry borer infestations. It also appropriates $300,000 in matching funds for the upcoming fiscal year for the Department of Agriculture to fund efforts to control and mitigate damage from coffee berry borer infestation. In order for the funds to be available, they must be matched dollar-for-dollar by private or other government sources.
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| The Nature Conservancy Hawai`i Island director Shalan Crysdale talked about rainforest preservation. |
THE KA`U MOUNTAIN WATER SYSTEMS HIKE yesterday led walkers from 25 to 75 years of age onto old plantation trails, into the rainforest above Wood Valley Road and to old tunnels and water systems once used to carry sugar cane to the Pahala sugar mill. The event, one of many during the ten days of the Ka`u Coffee Festival, sold out, and Ka`u Coffee Mill representatives said they plan to offer the hike on a regular basis.
During the trek, Olson Trust land manager John Cross explained plans to use the plantation water sources for a new hydroelectric plant that will run Ka`u Coffee Mill and other farm enterprises as well as provide irrigation water for crops like taro and watercress. Shalan Crysdale, Hawai`i Island director for The Nature Conservancy, talked about the rainforest and the preservation of the watershed and endangered species, as well as a partnership with landowner Edmund C. Olson Trust to rid the forest of invasive species such as kahili ginger.
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| Participants lined up to cross a gulch on their trek to the source of water from the Ka`u mountains. |
The next Ka`u Coffee Festival event is Coffee & Cattle Day tomorrow, Friday, May 3 at Aikane Plantation Farm with lunch and a tour of coffee, protea, cattle, horse and other farm enterprises on the cane haul road between Pahala and Na`alehu. The cost is $25. Call 808- 927-2252 for reservations.
Also on Friday is Stargazing at Makanau Mountain at 5:30 p.m., meeting at Ka`u Coffee Mill. The $35 event includes a talk from an `Imiloa astronomer, as well as Ka`u Coffee and snacks. Call 928-0550 for reservations.
Also on Friday is Stargazing at Makanau Mountain at 5:30 p.m., meeting at Ka`u Coffee Mill. The $35 event includes a talk from an `Imiloa astronomer, as well as Ka`u Coffee and snacks. Call 928-0550 for reservations.
THE LINEUP FOR FREE MUSIC & HULA at the Ka`u Coffee Festival Ho`olaule`a this Saturday at Pahala Community Center begins at 9 a.m. with Emcee Skylark offering an opening pule.
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| Cyril Pahinui |
Keoki Kahumoku & `Ukulele Kids follow at 9:20 p.m. At 10 a.m., Cyril Pahinui takes the stage, followed by Lori Lei Shirakawa’s Hula Halau at 10:45 a.m. At 11:45 a.m. Loeka and Pomai Longakit sing for the festival, followed by a 12:30 p.m. series of presentations, proclamations and announcements and the introduction of Miss Ka`u Coffee Tiare-Lee Shibuya and her court.
At 1 p.m., Halau Hula O Leionalani with Kumu Debbie Ryder performs with dancers from Pahala, Lana`i and Japan.
At 2 p.m., Demetrius Olivera performs with D, Gene and Curtis.
Bolo follows at 3 p.m, followed by Hands of Time at 4 p.m.
At 1 p.m., Halau Hula O Leionalani with Kumu Debbie Ryder performs with dancers from Pahala, Lana`i and Japan.
At 2 p.m., Demetrius Olivera performs with D, Gene and Curtis.
Bolo follows at 3 p.m, followed by Hands of Time at 4 p.m.
BUY LOCAL at sponsoring area businesses during Ka`u Coffee Festival season and earn chances to win $1,000. Visit any or all of the participating Buy Local sponsors from now until May 4 to enter the Buy Local, It Matters drawing. To enter, bring business cards, product labels or receipts from participating Buy Local sponsors to the Ka`u Coffee Festival Ho`olaule`a at Pahala Community Center by 3 p.m. on Saturday. The more Buy Local sponsors visited, the more chances to win. Winner must be present at the time of the drawing at 4 p.m.
See kaucoffeefest.com for details and a list of participating Buy Local sponsors.
See kaucoffeefest.com for details and a list of participating Buy Local sponsors.
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| Masako Sakata, shown here with Keoki Kahumoku, gives back her winnings in the Triple C Recipe Contest to create a scholarship for next year's Miss Ka`u Coffee winner in the education division. It will be in the name of Sakata and her cooking mentor, Alice Yonemitsu. Photo by Julia Neal |
DONATING HER PRIZES to the Miss Ka`u Coffee Scholarship Fund is Masako Sakata, who took first and second place in the Triple C Recipe Contests during the ongoing ten days of Ka`u Coffee Festival events. Sakata and her mentor Alice Yonemitsu will be named for a $250 scholarship for the Miss Ka`u Coffee Scholarship Pageant in 2014. Sakata, with the help of Yonemitsu, created Ka`u Coffee Cookie Delights to take first place in the Amateur Cookie category and win $150. She also took second place and $100 in the Amateur Cracker category with her Coffee Icing on Cracker. Sakata said she wants her donation to go toward the Education Scholarship for Miss Ka`u Coffee.
ST. JUDE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH in Ocean View holds its second annual fundraising Cinco de Mayo Festival tomorrow. Doors open at 6 p.m., and dinner with live music is served at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 or two for $20. 939-7555
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER hosts a Spring Fair Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring local arts, crafts, baked and canned goods and a silent auction, with items donated from local businesses. The event benefits the community center’s Thanksgiving Dinner and Keiki Christmas Party.
AN EXHIBIT ENTITLED The Garden Within opens Saturday at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Phan Barker exhibits abstract fiber sculptures and paintings made of silk, thread and wood capturing the beauty of the island while tending to the soul. Opening reception is Saturday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Barker leads an informative exhibit tour during the reception beginning at 5 p.m., offering insights into her technique, process and inspiration. The artist also shares insight behind the works every Tuesday throughout May from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.