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| Vog Measurement and Prediction Project, out of University of Hawai`i, successfully predicts the path of vog. Photo by M. Poland from UH |
VOG MEASUREMENT AND PREDICTION PROJECT successfully predicts where vog is going, according to a report in the October Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.
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| UH-Manoa forecasts movement of vog. |
Forecasting the presence or absence of the vog plume over locations within the state is one of the primary goals of VMAP.
“Results produced by the VMAP project demonstrate for the first time that by using SO2 emissions observations for Kilauea volcano and wind-field output as input to a vog gas and particle dispersion model, it is possible to provide an operational forecast product that can help mitigate the effects of volcanic pollution for Hawai`i residents, statewide,” wrote University of Hawai`i professor and project manager Steven Businger. The public website that disseminates the VMAP vog forecast at weather.hawaii.edu has experienced growing and widespread use, and is currently accessed between 200 and 1,000 times daily, depending on vog exposure. Image comparisons show that the extent of the vog plume is qualitatively well forecast over Hawai`i Island and that even the areas of higher observed concentration are qualitatively well captured by the model. The timing of the plume passage over downwind islands under southeast flow conditions is also well captured by the vog model. By extension, when the vog model predicts that the plume position will be over a particular region, as highlighted by the model graphical output of the forecast vog concentration, a user can plan on the likelihood of elevated sulfate aerosols and/or SO2.
Using VMAP, National Weather Service forecasters are able to advise residents when vog will become present in the air and when the vog will likely retreat.
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MINA MORITA, FORMER CHAIR of Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission, uses the analogy of a tsunami to describe proceeding in the proposed Hawaiian Electric Co./NextEra Energy merger.
On her blog at minamoritaenergydynamics.com, Morita posted a photo of the April 1, 1946 tsunami with a man standing at the end of Pier 1 in Hilo Bay facing the wave. “He was on the pier to cut the mooring lines so that the captain could maneuver the SS Brigham Victory out of Hilo Bay as the tsunami approached because it had a cargo of over 50 tons of dynamite and volatile blasting caps,” Morita wrote. “After cutting the lines, he had no time to escape although the ship made it out of the harbor.
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| Mina Morita uses tsunami as an analogy for the proposed HECO/NextEra merger. Photo from Mina Morita |
“Sometimes I do feel like the man on the pier, facing a tsunami of negative and uninformed comments that overwhelms Hawai`i’s energy discussion with tangential debates, be it coop and munis, NextEra not a local company, no fossil fuels, rooftop solar cutting into HECO’s profits and, of course, Connie Lau’s compensation. Like the man on the pier, I hope I can prove to be helpful and useful to the very end by dispelling myths and to provide a counterbalance in a noisy debate.
“However, the tsunami analogy does provide two ways to look at our situation. Prior to the tsunami early warning system people had to notice local aberrations to give them enough time to seek higher ground. Then it was just a matter of coping in the aftermath of destruction. I don’t think we want to nor can we risk handling our clean energy transformation in that way – waiting to notice local aberrations then reacting to it.
“Today with good planning, detection, monitoring and an early warning system – and using data effectively we can minimize casualties and property loss and seek resiliency faster.
“Our clean energy future with the many technological advances to come and changing customer preferences is much like planning for a tsunami. Our challenge is how to manage future uncertainty by ensuring Hawaii electric system is flexible, adaptable and resilient because we don’t know if this wave of change is going to come as a manageable several inches or a gigantic upheaval in our task to balance supply and demand efficiently and cost-effectively while being mindful of advancing technology and anticipating customer preferences and behavior.
“As we delve deeper into Hawai`i’s energy transformation, every aspect of it will challenge our conventional wisdom. Even our long accepted strategies on how to cope with disruption will have to evolve.”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
“However, the tsunami analogy does provide two ways to look at our situation. Prior to the tsunami early warning system people had to notice local aberrations to give them enough time to seek higher ground. Then it was just a matter of coping in the aftermath of destruction. I don’t think we want to nor can we risk handling our clean energy transformation in that way – waiting to notice local aberrations then reacting to it.
“Today with good planning, detection, monitoring and an early warning system – and using data effectively we can minimize casualties and property loss and seek resiliency faster.
“Our clean energy future with the many technological advances to come and changing customer preferences is much like planning for a tsunami. Our challenge is how to manage future uncertainty by ensuring Hawaii electric system is flexible, adaptable and resilient because we don’t know if this wave of change is going to come as a manageable several inches or a gigantic upheaval in our task to balance supply and demand efficiently and cost-effectively while being mindful of advancing technology and anticipating customer preferences and behavior.
“As we delve deeper into Hawai`i’s energy transformation, every aspect of it will challenge our conventional wisdom. Even our long accepted strategies on how to cope with disruption will have to evolve.”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
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| Sen. Mazie Hirono supports the SAVE Benefits Act. Photo from Office of the Senator |
SEN. MAZIE HIRONO JOINED a coalition of 16 other U.S. senators to introduce the SAVE Benefits Act, legislation that would provide Social Security beneficiaries with a modest Cost of Living Adjustment starting in 2016. For only the third time in more than 40 years, seniors will not receive a COLA increase in 2016.
“In Hawai`i, one out of four seniors relies on Social Security as their only source of income,” Hirono said. “Many Hawai`i seniors have told me their costs for essential goods keep rising, and yet there will be no Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment come January. This is why I support Senator Warren’s SAVE Benefits Act – to provide our seniors with a modest Cost of Living increase next year. This bill is fully paid for by closing loopholes that currently give taxpayer benefits to millionaires and billionaires.”
Hirono also took to the Senate floor to highlight the need for the SAVE Benefits Act’s average $580 increase, especially as seniors face higher costs for medication and basic necessities.
The SAVE Benefits Act is supported by AFL-CIO, AFSCME, Alliance for Retired Americans, The ARC of the United States, B’nai B’rith International, Campaign for America’s Future, Center for Community Change, Center for Effective Government, CREDO, Daily Kos, Democracy for America, Economic Opportunity Institute, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Justice in Aging, MoveOn.org, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, National Council of La Raza, National Organization for Women, OWL-the Voice of Women 40+, Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action, Social Security Works, Strengthen Social Security Coalition, UltraViolet and VoteVets.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
Hirono also took to the Senate floor to highlight the need for the SAVE Benefits Act’s average $580 increase, especially as seniors face higher costs for medication and basic necessities.
The SAVE Benefits Act is supported by AFL-CIO, AFSCME, Alliance for Retired Americans, The ARC of the United States, B’nai B’rith International, Campaign for America’s Future, Center for Community Change, Center for Effective Government, CREDO, Daily Kos, Democracy for America, Economic Opportunity Institute, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Justice in Aging, MoveOn.org, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, National Council of La Raza, National Organization for Women, OWL-the Voice of Women 40+, Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action, Social Security Works, Strengthen Social Security Coalition, UltraViolet and VoteVets.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
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| Honolulu Brass Quintet is coming to Ka`u. Photo from Chamber Music Hawai`i |
THE HONOLULU BRASS QUINTET of Chamber Music Hawai`i will be coming to Na`alehu library on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 3 p.m. The performance will be held outside unless weather is inclement. Library manager Sara Kamibayashi encourages everyone to bring their own seating or a blanket and non-alcoholic beverages.
The quintet will perform a sampling of musical selections followed by a discussion about music and the various brass instruments that they play. The program will also include a question-and-answer session.
This one-hour program is suitable for all ages; a parent or adult caregiver must accompany young children.
A WALK INTO THE PAST takes place tomorrow and every other Tuesday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Ka`u resident Dick Hershberger brings Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar to life at Kilauea Visitor Center and Whitney Vault in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK recognizes Veterans Day by waiving entry fees on Wednesday.
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO JOIN Kilauea Military Camp in honoring those who served. Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday begins at 3 p.m. Keynote speaker is retired Col. Debra Lewis, and guest speaker is William Tehero. Call 967-8371 for more information.
VETERANS DAY BUFFET BEGINS at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café. Menu includes prime rib, baked ono and spinach and mushroom Alfredo. $26.95 adults; $13.50 children 6 – 11 years old. Call 967-8371 for more information.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
FOR AFFORDABLE COMPUTER HELP, call John Derry at 936-1872.
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for Retail Sales Associate: Full-Time, Competitive Wages, Medical & Dental Plans. Apply at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Call 928-0550 for an appointment.
This one-hour program is suitable for all ages; a parent or adult caregiver must accompany young children.
A WALK INTO THE PAST takes place tomorrow and every other Tuesday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Ka`u resident Dick Hershberger brings Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar to life at Kilauea Visitor Center and Whitney Vault in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK recognizes Veterans Day by waiving entry fees on Wednesday.
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO JOIN Kilauea Military Camp in honoring those who served. Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday begins at 3 p.m. Keynote speaker is retired Col. Debra Lewis, and guest speaker is William Tehero. Call 967-8371 for more information.
VETERANS DAY BUFFET BEGINS at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café. Menu includes prime rib, baked ono and spinach and mushroom Alfredo. $26.95 adults; $13.50 children 6 – 11 years old. Call 967-8371 for more information.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
FOR AFFORDABLE COMPUTER HELP, call John Derry at 936-1872.
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for Retail Sales Associate: Full-Time, Competitive Wages, Medical & Dental Plans. Apply at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Call 928-0550 for an appointment.
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| See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_November2015.pdf. |
