Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Saturday, January 9, 2016

Fragments of molten lava litter the rim of Halema`uma`u Crater following an explosion Friday morning. The blue bucket collects lava fragments and debris ejected from Kilauea summit for Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists to quantify and analyze.
Photo from USGS/HVO

A ROCKFALL ON THE EAST RIM of the summit vent within Kilauea’s Halema`uma`u Crater triggered a small explosive event yesterday at 3:51 a.m. According to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, explosive events like this occur more frequently when the lava lake level is relatively high, as it has been this week at around 100 to 115 feet below the vent rim. “Rocks in the vent wall expand as they are heated by the high temperature of the lava lake and become unstable,” HVO scientists said. “Sections of these unstable rocks can then collapse into the lava lake.

HVO scientists found a one-of-a-kind, completely hollow Pele's tear
on the rim of Halema`uma`u Crater. Photo from USGS/HVO

“When large rockfalls impact the lava lake, they trigger explosive events that propel volcanic rock fragments (tephra) upward. This event was vigorous enough to hurl incandescent fragments onto the rim of Halema`uma`u Crater, about 360 feet above the lava lake surface.”
Scientists said the crater rim of was covered in a nearly continuous blanket of tephra following the rockfall and explosion.
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
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A SECOND WATER WELL for Ocean View is not planned in the near future, Bret Yager reported in West Hawai`i Today.
Plans presented in the past considered drilling a second well a few miles away from the current one, but Department of Water Supply said the aquifer cannot support more pumping. Pumping from the existing well is capped at 100 gallons per minute, and pumping additional water sharply increases the amount of chlorides, Kurt Inaba, DWS's engineering division chief, told Yager. “It wouldn’t be something where we would look at building a new well if we can’t increase capacity,” Inaba said.
Yager said DWS is consulting with the state Commission on Water Resource Management about the aquifer’s capacity and ramifications of a new well.
Without a second well, plans for schools and businesses, as well as resources to fight fires, are limited.
Hawai`i County Council member Maile David told Yager, “If the quality is not up to par, we are going to be spending a lot of money on something that’s not going to be beneficial.”
Yager also said $725,000 that Rep. Richard Creagan obtained in 2014 through the state Legislature for land purchase, design and engineering for a second well is in jeopardy.
See westhawaiitoday.com.
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A four-inch pocket knife provides scale for one
of the larger fragments ejected.
Photo from USGS/HVO

U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD co-sponsored legislation to extend eligibility for national service programs to citizens of the Freely Associated States who reside in the United States, include Ka`u’s Marshallese community. The legislation would amend Section Five of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to include citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands who reside in the U.S. on the list of eligible individuals. The current statute only allows U.S. citizens, nationals or lawful permanent residents to participate in these programs. Congressman Kilili Sablan, of the Northern Mariana Islands, is also an original co-sponsor.

“This legislation would help tens of thousands of COFA migrants living in the United States, including more than 12,000 in Hawai`i, gain valuable job training and skills, and give back to our community, by participating in programs that provide disaster relief services, educational opportunities, environmental restoration and health care assistance to communities across the country,” said Gabbard, who introduced legislation to reinstate Medicaid eligibility for COFA migrants last year.
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U.S. SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ told Susan Kang Sunderland, of MidWeek, what he considers to be the top issues of the New Year.
“Security. We’re adjusting to a new reality that terrorism is not isolated to a specific geographic location or tactic. We must determine a path to oversee a war of ideas that takes time, attention and financial resources.
“Tolerance. What’s going to drive presidential election dialogue is whether we are a tolerant society. We have defined American leadership over the past 10 years as firepower. The false choice presented to us is being responsible for every military conflict in every corner of the world. America’s leadership is a global catalyst, so we must act responsibly and respectfully.
“Homelessness. If we’re going to solve this problem, it’s probably a 10-year strategy because we are woefully short in the number of housing units. It will take public and private enterprise for a collective and sustained effort.
“Energy. One of the greatest challenges of this generation is no longer about the fervent pleas of environmentalists and conservationists. Government must lead in energy-efficiency standards and tax incentives for improvements. Hawaii has shown its leadership in clean energy and is a model for the nation.
“Economy. We must work to build an economy where everyone has a fair shot at making it, if they work hard and play by the rules. We must invest in the industries of the future and update workplace policies to account for the realities of the 21st century economy. Hardworking families shouldn’t be left behind by an outdated system.”
See midweek.com.
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T-shirt sales support 2016 Sanctuary Ocean Counts.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN JOIN Hawai`i Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary’s statewide meeting on Tuesday Jan. 26 online by logging on at https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/252722821. Use 877-939-9254 passcode 362828# for audio.

The sanctuary advisory council will discuss and receive updates on sanctuary activities, the management plan review process and the council charter.

The council is comprised of members representing the islands of Moloka`i, Lana`i, Kaua`i, Hawai`i, Maui and O`ahu in addition to local user groups, Native Hawaiian cultural advisors, fishing, business, conservation, science, education and community representatives. Federal and state agency representatives also hold seats on the council.
Members of the public are welcome to attend and present statements during the public comment period. To receive more information or to request a meeting agenda, contact Shannon Lyday at 808-725-5905 or shannon.lyday@noaa.gov.

Sanctuary Ocean Counts are scheduled on the last Saturday of each month through March. Sign up, and support the counts by buying T-shirts, at sanctuaryoceancount.org.
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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.

Hikers enjoy panoramic views on Palm Trail. Photo from NPS

PALM TRAIL HIKE tomorrow 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. Highlights include relics of the ranching era, sections of remnant native forest and volcanic features from the 1868 eruptive fissures.

Enter the Kahuku unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on the mauka side of Hwy 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area. Sturdy footwear, water, rain gear, sun protection and a snack are recommended.
See nps.gov/havo.

SENIOR IDS ARE AVAILABLE MONDAY from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Pahala Housing Center and from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. For ages 60 and over. 928-3100

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY scientist Asta Miklius discusses recent activity at Mauna Loa and its current status Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
When Mauna Loa erupts, voluminous, fast-moving lava flows can reach the ocean in only a few hours, severing roads and utilities and repaving the volcano's flanks along the way. Since 1843, Mauna Loa has erupted 33 times, most recently in 1984, when lava flows reached to within four miles of Hilo. In September 2015, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory raised the Volcano Alert Level of Mauna Loa from NORMAL to ADVISORY due to increased seismicity and deformation.
$2 donations support park programs; park entrance fees apply.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.