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| Ka`u Coffee lands at Moa`ula and Pear Tree have a new owner. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie |
Cross also said RLH is a willing seller to parties interested in purchasing the land. Hawai`i Department of Ag Chair Scott Enright said he is looking into the state buying it for an ag park.
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APPROVAL OF EXPANDED MINING operations in Ocean View is getting closer, with a Windward Planning Commission panel recommending that two companies be allowed to expand, Nancy Cook Lauer reported in West Hawai`i Today.
Arrow of Oregon seeks to add eight acres to the five they already mine, and David and Laura Rodrigues filed for a special use permit for five acres. Both operations are in the area of Lurline Lane, Kailua Blvd and Liliana Lane, where Cook Lauer said mining began in the late 1950s.
The panel recommended that special use permits include requirements regarding setbacks, buffers, dust control and limited hours of operation to help satisfy neighbors’ concerns.
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CARVED BY SAND: GLASS BLOWN, Sculpted And Carved opens Saturday at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Daniel Moe’s work explores patterns, symbols and images highlighting environment, spirit and culture on Hawai`i Island. A reception takes place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Free; park entrance fees apply.
KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park offers free programs this weekend.
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APPROVAL OF EXPANDED MINING operations in Ocean View is getting closer, with a Windward Planning Commission panel recommending that two companies be allowed to expand, Nancy Cook Lauer reported in West Hawai`i Today.
Arrow of Oregon seeks to add eight acres to the five they already mine, and David and Laura Rodrigues filed for a special use permit for five acres. Both operations are in the area of Lurline Lane, Kailua Blvd and Liliana Lane, where Cook Lauer said mining began in the late 1950s.
The panel recommended that special use permits include requirements regarding setbacks, buffers, dust control and limited hours of operation to help satisfy neighbors’ concerns.
“The quarry operations proposed in both Arrow and the Rodrigueses’ applications are uses that meet the criteria for issuing a Special Permit,” the panel’s report stated.
The entire commission plans to visit the area on Jan. 15 to before making a decision. Its next meeting is on Feb. 4.
See westhawaiitoday.com.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL HONORED Ka`u residents at its first meeting of the New Year on Wednesday. Ka`u’s County Council member Maile David presented Certificates of Merit to Patty Fujimoto and Bobby and Phoebe Gomes. “What they do for the Ka`u community and this island has been in collaboration and partnership for the betterment of our whole community,” David said.
The entire commission plans to visit the area on Jan. 15 to before making a decision. Its next meeting is on Feb. 4.
See westhawaiitoday.com.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL HONORED Ka`u residents at its first meeting of the New Year on Wednesday. Ka`u’s County Council member Maile David presented Certificates of Merit to Patty Fujimoto and Bobby and Phoebe Gomes. “What they do for the Ka`u community and this island has been in collaboration and partnership for the betterment of our whole community,” David said.
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| Ka`u's Hawai`i County Council member Maile David honored Bobby and Phoebe Gomes, Patty Fujimoto and her late husband Drake. Photo from Office of Ms. David |
David honored Fujimoto and her late husband, Drake, for their dedication, aloha and compassion in sponsoring Hana Hou Restaurants annual Keiki Christmas Party for the past 12 years.
“Your desire to do more and to help those less fortunate, especially our children, is overwhelming and inspirational,” David said. “Your volunteerism, spirit of aloha and unity in helpint the families of Ka`u has mad a profound difference in the quality of life for the people of your community.
“Through your hard work, dedication and collaboration, you also provided the Ka`u Community with economic opportunities and career mentoring which are important components for building a health social and economic community. We honor you for the many years that you and Drake unconditional gave back to the community with compassion, generosity and working together with others in unity.”
David honored Gomes for his public service and community advocacy. Gomes launched his 53-year career with Hawai`i County Police Department in 1962. “You nurtured several generations of children in Ka`u through tough love and constant reminders about the importance of `ohana, of helping your community and of treating everyone with honesty and respect,” David said.
“As we all know, a man’s greatness is attributed to those closest to him. Your soul mate, guiding star, voice of reason for the past 59 years, is Aunty Phoebe. The kupuna dynamic duo that you are would help anyone in need without question or hesitation and always with aloha and compassion. You are an icon at parades and community events, an avid hula dancer and love playing the role of Santa because it brings joy to the faces of children who you love so dearly. …
“Leading by example, and always with humility and respect for others, you have shown us what it means to truly ‘live aloha.’”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
“Your desire to do more and to help those less fortunate, especially our children, is overwhelming and inspirational,” David said. “Your volunteerism, spirit of aloha and unity in helpint the families of Ka`u has mad a profound difference in the quality of life for the people of your community.
“Through your hard work, dedication and collaboration, you also provided the Ka`u Community with economic opportunities and career mentoring which are important components for building a health social and economic community. We honor you for the many years that you and Drake unconditional gave back to the community with compassion, generosity and working together with others in unity.”
David honored Gomes for his public service and community advocacy. Gomes launched his 53-year career with Hawai`i County Police Department in 1962. “You nurtured several generations of children in Ka`u through tough love and constant reminders about the importance of `ohana, of helping your community and of treating everyone with honesty and respect,” David said.
“As we all know, a man’s greatness is attributed to those closest to him. Your soul mate, guiding star, voice of reason for the past 59 years, is Aunty Phoebe. The kupuna dynamic duo that you are would help anyone in need without question or hesitation and always with aloha and compassion. You are an icon at parades and community events, an avid hula dancer and love playing the role of Santa because it brings joy to the faces of children who you love so dearly. …
“Leading by example, and always with humility and respect for others, you have shown us what it means to truly ‘live aloha.’”
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
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| Geology of Kaua`i and Ni`ihau is the topic of Volcano Watch. Map from USGS/HVO |
THE HAWAIIAN ISLAND CHAIN is the subject of Volcano Watch throughout January. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists offer a geologic tour of Kaua`i and Ni`ihau in this week’s article.
“But first, let's review the basic model for hotspot island formation – a model first proposed by Harold Stearns, a USGS geologist who mapped most of the Hawaiian Islands in the 1930s and 40s,” the issue states.
“Stearns recognized four stages to the growth of Hawaiian volcanoes: (1) preshield (or submarine), when a volcano first starts to slowly grow underwater; (2) shield, when eruptive activity is frequent and the volcano rapidly builds above sea level; (3) postshield, when volcanic activity starts to wane and erosion outpaces resurfacing by lava; and (4) rejuvenated, when infrequent, isolated and small eruptions might occur up to millions of years after the postshield stage ends. All Hawaiian volcanoes experience preshield and shield stages, but, for reasons that are still unclear, not all go through the postshield and rejuvenated stages.
“The stages of Hawaiian volcanism are defined by the vigor of eruptive activity, as well as the chemical composition of the erupted lava, which changes over time as the volcano is rafted away from the hotspot. New data and insights continually refine this model, but the overall tenets remain largely unchanged since first proposed by Stearns over 70 years ago.
“Unlike other Hawaiian islands, both Kaua`i and Ni`ihau are single volcanoes rather than amalgamations of overlapping volcanoes, and the two islands were never connected. Ni`ihau probably formed first, since it is farthest west in the chain and volcanoes to the east are younger, but data indicating the exact onset times of the two volcanoes do not exist. We only know that both volcanoes formed about six million years ago.
“Like all Hawaiian islands, both Ni`ihau and Kaua`i experienced periods of massive landslides throughout their histories, the evidence of which is preserved on the ocean floor as jumbles of rocky debris. Ni`ihau was once much larger, but the bulk of the island collapsed around five million years ago. The submarine collapse deposits were subsequently covered by lava during the growth of Kaua`i.
“Stearns recognized four stages to the growth of Hawaiian volcanoes: (1) preshield (or submarine), when a volcano first starts to slowly grow underwater; (2) shield, when eruptive activity is frequent and the volcano rapidly builds above sea level; (3) postshield, when volcanic activity starts to wane and erosion outpaces resurfacing by lava; and (4) rejuvenated, when infrequent, isolated and small eruptions might occur up to millions of years after the postshield stage ends. All Hawaiian volcanoes experience preshield and shield stages, but, for reasons that are still unclear, not all go through the postshield and rejuvenated stages.
“The stages of Hawaiian volcanism are defined by the vigor of eruptive activity, as well as the chemical composition of the erupted lava, which changes over time as the volcano is rafted away from the hotspot. New data and insights continually refine this model, but the overall tenets remain largely unchanged since first proposed by Stearns over 70 years ago.
“Unlike other Hawaiian islands, both Kaua`i and Ni`ihau are single volcanoes rather than amalgamations of overlapping volcanoes, and the two islands were never connected. Ni`ihau probably formed first, since it is farthest west in the chain and volcanoes to the east are younger, but data indicating the exact onset times of the two volcanoes do not exist. We only know that both volcanoes formed about six million years ago.
“Like all Hawaiian islands, both Ni`ihau and Kaua`i experienced periods of massive landslides throughout their histories, the evidence of which is preserved on the ocean floor as jumbles of rocky debris. Ni`ihau was once much larger, but the bulk of the island collapsed around five million years ago. The submarine collapse deposits were subsequently covered by lava during the growth of Kaua`i.
The geology of Kaua`i is complex. There is evidence for a huge caldera in the east-central part of the island, but it appears to be mostly a collapse feature that was then filled by lava. Geophysical data suggest that the main center of volcanism was more or less beneath the Lihu`e Basin, which subsided (by either collapse or faulting) between three and four million years ago. The basin was subsequently filled by marine sediment and lava as it alternately subsided below sea level and then grew above sea level with lava inundation.
“Vigorous shield-stage volcanism on Ni`ihau and Kaua`i ended by about four million years ago, after which the islands’ spectacular canyons and cliffs began to form. Interestingly, rejuvenated volcanism has been long-lived on both islands. Elsewhere along the island chain, rejuvenated volcanism is minor. The gap between shield and rejuvenated eruptions on Ni`ihau was about two million years, with the most recent eruption occurring about 350,000 years ago.
“On Kaua`i, rejuvenated volcanism has occurred more or less continuously for the last 3.5 million years. The most recent eruption was only 150,000 years ago in the south part of the island, where black rock around the blowhole near Po`ipu and cinder cones around Koloa look similar to young volcanic rocks on the Island of Hawai`i. In fact, these eruptions are young enough to suggest that rejuvenated volcanism on Kaua`i is not yet over, but the odds of future eruptions in our lifetimes are small.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
“On Kaua`i, rejuvenated volcanism has occurred more or less continuously for the last 3.5 million years. The most recent eruption was only 150,000 years ago in the south part of the island, where black rock around the blowhole near Po`ipu and cinder cones around Koloa look similar to young volcanic rocks on the Island of Hawai`i. In fact, these eruptions are young enough to suggest that rejuvenated volcanism on Kaua`i is not yet over, but the odds of future eruptions in our lifetimes are small.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
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| Vision checks, health insurance sign-ups and pancakes are available at Ocean View Community Center tomorrow. |
VISION VAN AND HEALTH INSURANCE sign-ups are available at Ocean View Community Center’s Pancake Breakfast tomorrow. The three-hour event begins at 8 a.m. Call 939-7033.
CARVED BY SAND: GLASS BLOWN, Sculpted And Carved opens Saturday at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Daniel Moe’s work explores patterns, symbols and images highlighting environment, spirit and culture on Hawai`i Island. A reception takes place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Free; park entrance fees apply.
KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park offers free programs this weekend.
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| Yellow `ohi`a is one variety at Kahuku. NPS Photo by Michael Szoenyi |
Participants learn about the vital role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, its many forms and flower on an easy, one-mile walk tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Palm Trail Hike on Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. is a moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop trail providing one of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. See nps.gov/havo.
Palm Trail Hike on Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. is a moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop trail providing one of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. See nps.gov/havo.
NA`ALEHU ASSEMBLY OF GOD presents the movie War Room: Prayer is a Powerful Weapon tomorrow at 6 p.m. Donations are $5 per adult, $3 ages three to 11 or two non-perishable food item per adult and one per child.
SUNDAY WALK IN THE PARK from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. features Cheryl Gansecki leading an easy and accessible roundtrip walk exploring Keanakako`i Crater. Free for Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park; non-members can join in order to attend. Registration required at admin@fhvnp.org or 985-7373.
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/KauCalendar_January2016.pdf. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf. |