Ka`u News Briefs March 6, 2011

 New fissures between Halema`uma`u and Pu`u `O`o.         Photos courtesy of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
                

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY has issued a warning alert level and an aviation code red due to spectacular activity at Halema`uma`u, Pu`u `O`o Crater and an eruption near Napau Crater. 

Pu`u `O`o Crater collapsing yesterday.

Before dawn yesterday the Pu`u `O`o floor collapsed and lava flowed from the west side of the crater, cascading down the center. The floor dropped throughout the day. An eruption has also started between Pu`u `O`o and Halema`uma`u near Napau Crater with several fissures with lava flows, spatterings and gas emissions. 

The new outbreak is between
Napau Crater and Pu`u `O`o.

At Halema`uma`u, deflation continued with rocks falling off the vent wall. Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park closed Chain of Craters Road and all east rift zone and coastal trails and the Kulanaokuaiki campground. Check images and videos at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/images.html.

GO! MOKULELE is operating with its parent company, Mesa Air, emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The airline has a code-share agreement with U.S. Airways. The go! Mokulele schedule offers up to 110 daily flights serving Hilo, Kona, Honolulu, Kahului, Lihu`e, Moloka`i and Lana`i.

FOUR MORE NOMINATIONS have been confirmed for Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s cabinet:

William Aila, Jr.

William Aila, Jr. is the director of the Department of Land & Natural Resources. He has a degree in tropical agriculture from University of Hawai`i and was the longtime harbormaster for Waianae on O`ahu, having worked for the DLNR for more than two decades. He also served on state, regional and national committees and commissions, many of them related to land and marine use and the stakeholders involved in their futures. 

Darryll Wong

Major General Darryll Wong is the adjutant general, after having served as the Chief of Staff of the Hawai`i Air National Guard. A pilot and flight instructor, he has held many management positions at Hickam Air Force Base and with the Air Guard. He completed the program for National and International Security Management at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard and has an MBA from U.H. as well as a Certificate in International Management from the U.H. Pacific Asian Management Institute.

Jodie Maesaka-Hirata

Jodie Maesaka-Hirata is director of the Department of Public Safety after working as the warden of Waiawa Correctional Facility and launching an offender re-entry program that provided offenders job experience while still incarcerated. She started off as a social worker serving the prison system at Halawa Correctional Facility in 1989. She earned a degree in social work from U.H. and a Master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Chaminade University. 

Bruce Coppa

Bruce Coppa is comptroller for Department of Accounting and General Services. He operated Coppa Consulting, Inc. that specialized in business development, strategy and general management. He was Chief Operating Officer of Communications Pacific, and executive director of Pacific Resource Partnership. He received an MBA from University of Phoenix. 

RAINY DAY AND HURRICANE RELIEF FUNDS may be used to help balance the state budget this year, just like last year when state legislators passed bills authorizing $91 million to be taken from those emergency funds. Similar bills had passed between the two legislative chambers by last Friday.

TODAY IS THE BIG FUNDRAISING day to help raise money to send Ka`u High’s band called One Journey to Brown Bags to Stardom competition. The fundraiser is being held at KAHU Radio in Pahala on Maile Street all day with a CD release party for One Journey and entertainment by Demetrius and Keaiwa, Chris and Gene Akamu, Kawekiu, Mokuleo and Hi-Town.

Miss Ka`u Coffee candidate Brandy Nicole Eder

MISS KA`U COFFEE CANDIDATES have been learning about the growing of Ka`u coffee in the coffee fields above Pahala. The pageant is Saturday, April 23 at Ka`u High School Gym. Tickets are $12 and include a four-color program. The Ka`u Coffee Festival is May 14 and 15 at Pahala Community Center.