Ka`u News Briefs June 8, 2011

The new edition of Eruptions of Hawaiian Volcanoes: Past, Present and Future focuses on eruptions
of Kilauea and Mauna Loa.

KA`U COFFEE CONTINUES to do well at the Grounds for Health Auction being held to fund health services for medically underserved coffee origins around the world. Donated Ka`u coffee, which can be bought through the auction, are grown by Bull and Jamie Kailiawa, whose coffee was bringing in the third highest bids internationally this morning; the Obra family’s Rusty’s Hawaiian; Willie and Grace Tabios’ Rising Sun; Leo Javar’s family JN Coffee Farms; Paradise Farms; Maile and Efren Abellera’s Kehau Coffee Farm; Fernandez Coffee Farm; Dacalio’s Pumehana Coffee; Gloria Camba and Bong Aquino’s R&G Farms; Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative; and Manuel Marques’ Ka`u Forest Coffee. 

     Anyone can bid on these coffees for this good cause. Go to GroundsForHealth.org and click on the auction site. The auction ends this afternoon at 4 p.m., Hawaiian time.

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY is celebrating its one-hundredth birthday, which comes up in January, with the updated publication of Eruptions of Hawaiian Volcanoes: Past, Present and Future, by Robert Tilling, Christina Heliker and Donald Swanson. It is available as a free pdf online at pubs.usgs.gov/gip/117. It is also available for sale for $5 at the observatory. 

     The earlier edition, published in 1987, is popular with Hawai`i residents, teachers, and students, as well as thousands of visitors to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The new edition focuses on eruptions of Kilauea and Mauna Loa, two of the world’s most active volcanoes. It highlights activity of Kilauea’s east rift zone eruption, which began in January 1983 and shows no signs of stopping.
     The new edition describes Kilauea’s summit activity within Halemaumau Crater, which started in mid-March 2008 and continues. It explains how HVO and other scientists monitor volcanic activity, using space-age techniques.

Sanjeev Bhagowalia

SANJEEV “SONNY” BHAGOWALIA is the new state Chief Information Officer who was appointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie yesterday to transform the state’s information technology system. Abercrombie also signed into law House Bill 1060, which appropriates funding for the CIO and the recently created Office of Information Management and Technology. “Outdated and ineffective technology is perhaps the largest impediment to making our government work,” said the governor. “Sonny brings a background in technology and management coupled with more than 25 years of experience in senior government and private sector positions. I’m confident he will lead us into a new era of efficiency and service-oriented government.” 

     Bhagowalia said he looks “forward to collaborating with the many people who are already working hard to improve public services and create a more efficient government.” He currently serves as the Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies, U.S. General Services Administration in Washington, D.C.

COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER Brittany Smart met with seniors yesterday at Pahala Senior Center. A major issue brought up was the need for better access to dialysis. Getting dialysis can take six hours three days a week, and getting transportation to coincide with appointments in Hilo or Kona is a challenge, said Julie Pasquale, who is with the center’s nutrition program.
     Other concerns brought up by the seniors were the need for more public restrooms, more streetlights near the senior center, and working tsunami sirens.
     Smart also said that the county is still waiting for Gov. Abercrombie to release $18 million budgeted to build a gym and shelter at Ka`u High School.

Ray Brown, Jr.'s latest album features
an all-star lineup of duets.

RAY BROWN, JR. BEGINS Volcano Art Center’s Summer Jazz season this Friday at 7:30 p.m. at VAC’s Niaulani campus in Volcano Village. Brown is the son of Ella Fitzgerald and jazz bass player Ray Brown. His vocals range from jazz and pop to rock ‘n’ roll and rhythm and blues. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door. Call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org to purchase tickets. 

TWO DISTRICT 6 MATTERS MEETINGS take place in Ka`u this week. Today at 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center, Laura Dierenfield, executive director of People’s Advocacy for Trails Hawai`i, discusses pedestrian and bicyclist issues. 

     At Na`alehu Community Center tomorrow at 7 p.m., Council member Brittany Smart discusses her proposed resolution to delay Council action on any rezoning or general plan amendments in Ka`u until a Community Development Plan is completed and in place or December 31, 2012, whichever comes first. For more information, call 961-8536.

KA`U STUDENTS ARE INVITED to apply to attend Kona Community Hospital’s fifth annual MASH Camp which takes place July 18 and 19. During the camp, students learn directly from the hospital staff while exploring 10 different health care careers. The free program includes lunch, snacks, a set of scrubs and a certificate of completion.
     The camp is open to students in grades eight, nine and ten. Applicants must write essays giving reasons why they want to attend the camp and what they want to do as a career. Applications are due this Monday. For more information, call 322-6960 or email ebryant@hhsc.org.

THERE ARE ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT to register for events at the Ka`u Family Fun Fest this Saturday. `O Ka`u Kakou is sponsoring this fundraiser for Bay Clinic’s building fund, and all donations up to $15,000 are being matched by an anonymous donor. A half marathon, 10K and 5K races begin at 7 a.m. at Na`alehu Park. Other events beginning at 9 a.m. at the park are a hunters’ obstacle course and tournaments in archery, Jan Ken Po, Portuguese horseshoes and basketball. Registration and fee schedules for the races and tournaments are available online at race360.com/15811. 

     Throughout the day at the park there will be information and food booths; a live auction; a jumping castle; bungee jumping; rock wall climbing and a dunking booth. Entertainers include the Hawai‘i County Band, Keoki Kahumoku, Dennis and David Kamakahi, the Lava Boys and One Journey. For more information, call 265-8251 or email kaufamilyfunfest@gmail.com.