Hawaii volcano activity seen in thermal image

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii – The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to monitor the activity at Kilauea’s Halema`uma`u vent, using a thermal camera perched on an overlook.

The HVO says the active lava pond, about 40 yards across, is situated deep within the vent cavity, at a depth of about 200 yards. The lava surface consists of slowly migrating crustal plates, with a spattering source on the east margin of the pond. The lava surface is slightly deeper than its usual level, owing to deflation during the current deflation-inflation (DI) cycle. … More

Human Services Committee bill seeks to stop DHS proposal

Honolulu, Hawaii - A controversial Department of Human Services proposal to consolidate public assistance services may meet a stumbling block in the form of Senate Bill 2650, a house draft to be discussed at the House Human Services Committee.

The amendment, which seeks to stop the DHS from closing all but two eligibility offices across Hawaii (one in Honolulu and one in Hilo), is being introduced by  Rep. John Mizuno (District 30 – Kalihi Valley, Kamehameha Heights, Fort Shafter), who is also the House Human Service Chair. It is being heard on Thursday, March 11 at 9:30 a.m. in Conference Room 329 of the Hawaii State Capitol. … More

VIDEO: Car drives off cliff, residents rescue driver

Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaii – Video by Daryl Lee

Residents enjoying an evening along the shores of Hawaiian Beaches in Puna jumped into action on Saturday, when a woman apparently drove her Chevy Blazer down Kahakai Boulevard and off  a cliff, where it fell 25 feet before landing on its roof.

In this video, filmed by Daryl Lee, Good Samaritans Chris Box and Chris Deyden, who came to the woman’s aid, describe the dangerous rescue effort, carried out as ocean waves smashed into the overturned vehicle. … More

Kona events honor Kamehameha III birthday

Keauhou Bay, the 1813 birthplace of King Kamehameha III, or Kauikeaouli, will be busy over the course of the next week, celebrating the legendary Hawaiian history figure.

A large concert celebration is scheduled for Saturday, and a free lecture on the historic king will be held the night before. All this preceeds a birthsite tribute a week later. … More

Hilo Medical Center releases tsunami prep timeline

The Hilo Medical Center has released a timeline of the hospital’s emergency preparation on February 27th, the day that Hawaii scrambled under the threat of a tsunami that ultimately spared the islands from damage.

“Hilo Medical Center has an effective process and plan for responding to emergency situations like the recent tsunami event,” said Howard N. Ainsley, East Hawaii Regional CEO of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation. “It was very evident that our staff dedicates countless hours of training to ready the hospital on a moment’s notice.”

According to the Hilo Medical Center, personnel began to mobilize the moment they received notice of the approaching tsunami, in the early morning hours on Saturday. … More