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July 29, 2010 – Puna, Hawaii

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Kalapana lava update

(video of house fire courtesy Bo Lozoff)

Little remains of a home in Kalapana, after the advancing lava from the volcanic east rift burned its way towards the sea.

After days of surface flow expansion that had the area of high alert, and drew large crowds to the public viewing area, resident Gary Sleik finally saw his post and pier home engulfed by molten rock and fire.

Another lobe of lava entered the ocean on Sunday afternnon.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says surface activity continues but may be slowing, especially now that an ocean entry appears to have reestablished.

The increased danger from the lava mixed with the chaos from throngs of curious tourists has left residents in Kalapana on edge.

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July 29, 2010 – North Kohala, Hawaii

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KOHALA MOUNTAIN BRUSH FIRE

(Video courtesy Tim O Bryan)

Fire crews were called to Kohala Mountain road to fight a fast moving brush fire just before noon on Thursday. The fire, which started near the scenic look out between the seven and eight mile markers, forced the closure of the road for several hours.

According to a fire department media release the blaze threatened four homes in the area, none of which was lost.

The fire department was helped by units from Pohakuloa Training Area, State Highway personnel and employees from Parker Ranch and local area ranches as well as others.

The two county helicopters also dropped water on the fire which was fueled by extremely dry conditions and gusting winds.

According to the fire department, the cause of the fire, which burned about 90 acres, was “undetermined.”

MAU PIAILUG

The late master navigator Mau Piailug was remembered by friends and family on the Big Island of Hawaii on Saturday afternoon.

Relatives of the legendary navigator joined residents of North Kohala and other Hawaiian wayfinders for a special remembrance of “Papa Mau” at the Päpa’i at Mahukona, in view of the Maka O Hule Navigational Heiau.

Renown navigator Milton “Shorty” Bertelmann welcomed those who travelled from afar to be present for the event.

Kahu Danny Akaka, Jr led the gathering in an opening pule

Piailug’s family shared stories of the Micronesian wayfinder who called Satawal his home.

Piailug is credited as the man who resurrected the previously lost Hawaiian navigational techniques, and applying them in the maiden voyage of the Hokule’a sailing vessel. The knowledge passed on through Mau also fueled the second Hawaiian cultural renaissance, for which the Big Island’s native peoples expressed eternal gratitude.

The Hokule’a sailing vessel will be making a journey around the state in memory of Papa Mau over the coming weeks.

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July 29, 2010 – Mauna Kea, Hawaii

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50 in 50 in 50

The summit of Mauna Kea served as the grand finale for a record setting expedition undertaken by a 12 year old.

Matt Moniz of Boulder, Colorado set out to conquer the highest point in every state in 50 days, as a part of an effort dubbed the “50 in 50 in 50″

On July 16th, Matt, along with his father Mike, Mike, made it to the top of the Big Island of Hawaii. In all, it took Matt just 43 days to reach his goal, setting a new record.

For Matt, the expedition was more than a tour of the country’s mountain tops.

The 13,796 foot Mauna Kea was far from the tallest mountain on the trip. Moniz also conquered the over 14,400 foot Mt. Whitney in California and Mt. Rainier in Washington, as well as the 20,320 foot Mt. McKinley in Alaska.

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July 29, 2010 – Kohala Coast, Hawaii

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Cream of the Crop

The public joined professional chefs in deciding the 2010 “Cream of the Crop” on Saturday July 24 at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.

A number of local farms and foodie’s brought their best to the prestigious coffee and desert tasteing.

This year’s big winner was Mr. Bean Kona Coffee, cultivated on the slopes of Hualalai. The estate grown coffee took first place in more than one voting category.

Coffee-related arts and Hawaiian music complimented the local-grown competition. The annual event is organized by the Kona Coffee Council.

July 29, 2010 – Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, Hawaii

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Marijuana arrests in H.O.V.E.

Four people were arrested Monday, July 12, for marijuana offenses at a Hawaiian Ocean View Estates home in Ka’u.

Officers from the Area II Vice Section served a search warrant at a Moana Drive address. Two men, 46-year-old Robin Bartz, and 60-year-old William Cool and two women, 46 year-old Pearl Muraki and 18 year-old Amber Bartz, were taken into custody without incident.

Police recovered 5.9 pounds of dried marijuana, 5.2 grams of hashish and 236 marijuana plants, which were being grown both indoors and outdoors.

Although Amber Bartz and Cool were released without charges, Robin Bartz and Muraki were each charged with two counts of commercial promotion of marijuana, one count of promoting a harmful drug, and one count of drug paraphernalia. Their bail was set at $22,000 each.

Police say the drugs have an estimated street value of $20,000.

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July 29, 2010 – Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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Greenwell arrest

One week removed from the traffic stop that resluted in the arrest of a Hawaii County Councilman, and the now complete story is beginning to taking shape.

Big Island Video News interviewed the both the North Kona Councilman Kelly Greenwell and the Hawaii County Police Deparmtent Assistant Chief Henry Tavares about the incident that made headlines across the entire state. Now, in their own words, an account of what happened on July 17th on Queen Kaahumanu Highway.

Greenwell’s court date is set for August 12th.

MUFI

Only a few days after he resigned his position as Mayor of Honolulu in order to officially file to run for Governor of Hawaii, Mufi Hannemann opened his Kona campaign headquarters.

A crowd of supporters gathered at the new Kopiko Street location, right next to The Club on Palani Road, to hear the local music of L.T. Smooth, as well as the candidate himself.

Hannemann stressed his ties to the Big Island.

Hannemann is facing off with former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie for the Democratic nomination for governor.

Lt. Governor Duke Aiona is running on the Republican ticket.

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July 29, 2010 – Hilo, Hawaii

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CANOE FINAL

VIDEO courtesy Hawaii247.com

The Aunty Maile Moku o Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association Championships were held at Hilo Bay this weekend, and once again Kai Opua ruled the water.

The Kona canoe club capped off a season of dominance with 11 golds, 10 silvers and 11 bronzes en route to the day’s best 245 points.

That surpassed the next Division A club – Keaukaha – by nearly 50 points.

Second pace Keaukaha scored 198 points and third place Puna totalled 192.

With 189 points, fourth place Keauhou did best in grabbing golds, with a total of 13.

Tui Tonga captured the B Division title with 67 points, edging out Honaunau’s Keoua by only two points, and third place Hui Waa O Waiakea, who scored 46.

WAILOA FLOOD CHANNEL WORK

The Department of Public Works will remove over 3,000 cubic yards of sediment from the Wailoa concrete flood control channel, the county announced this week.

The maintenace area is situated upstream of Kilauea Avenue and downstream of the Kino‘ole-Mohouli intersection.

Isemoto Contracting Company, Ltd., is scheduled to begin the project before the end of August at an estimated cost of $343,000. The project is expected to take three months to complete.

The county says the dredged material will be transported to the Hilo Landfill Quarry to be used by the Highway Maintenance Division for road work.

HILO HAWAIIAN SOLD

For the first time in 20 years, the Hilo-Hawaiian Hotel will be under local ownership.

The Banyan Drive landmark was sold for $17.3 million to a group of local investors led by Castle Resorts & Hotels, the current managers of the Hilo-Hawaiian.

The previous owners, CarVal Investors of Minnetonka, Minnesota – and Japan-based Capital Medica Company – had bought the Hilo Hawaiian in 2007 for an undisclosed price.

Carval had made over $1.2 million in upgrades to the 286-room hotel, which was built in 1975.

The new owners includes RAM Corp., and Honolulu attorney Rick Fried.

NURSES HONORED

An emotional reunion between three local nurses and the kupuna whose life they saved…

An appreciative crowd gathered at the Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center to honor Cathy Tabile, Sheila Padasdao and Anna Labasan, the three nurses who did CPR on Thelma Akeo, after she collapsed while dancing on stage at a baby luau at Sangha Hall.

Akeo ultimately survived from what was later learned to be a massive heart attack, and doctors credited the quick and decisive action by the nurses with improving her chances for survival.

The nurses were given a mayoral promclomation, and recieved the heartfelt thanks of Thelma’s family.

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July 29, 2010 – Hamakua, Hawaii

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Predators

Speaking of filming on the Big Island of Hawaii… in theaters now across the country is the movie “Predators”

Parts of the sci-fi re-boot of the Predator franchise were filmed along the Hamakua Coast.

The east Hawaii rainforest was the backdrop for the alien jungle that ensnared hunted Hollywood actors Adrian Brody and company.

The production even closed down Kolekole Beach Park for a day while filming took place.

“Predators” has earned over $46 million at the Box Office so far. Producer Robert Rodriguez is already talking about making a sequel to the movie.

Truck accident

Hawaii Belt Road in O’okala was closed for hours on Wednesday, after a fuel tanker truck flipped over while going around Kaawalii Gulch.

Officials responded to the accident at around 6:30 a.m.

The 8,000-gallon tanker truck from C and F Trucking company spilled naptha fuel all over the road, creating unsafe air quality conditions in the area.

Officials said emergency teams pulled the driver out of the truck’s cab, and took him to North Hilo Community Hospital in serious condition.

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July 28, 2010 – Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Video by David Corrigan

One week removed from the traffic stop that resulted in the arrest of a Hawaii County Councilman, and the now complete story is beginning to taking shape.

Big Island Video News interviewed the both the North Kona Councilman Kelly Greenwell and the Hawaii County Police Department Assistant Chief Henry Tavares about the incident that made headlines across the entire state. Now, in their own words, an account of what happened on July 17th on Queen Kaahumanu Highway.

Greenwell’s court date is set for August 12th.

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July 29, 2010 – Volcano, Hawaii

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VOG UPDATE

Scientists say reduced sulfur dioxide emissions from Kilauea’s east rift may mean less vog choking the west side of the Big Island.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says that a period of improved air quality in leeward Hawaii has persisted since late spring, as compared with that of the previous six months. This reprieve is coincident with a notable decrease in sulfur dioxide gas emissions measured from east rift eruptive vents.

The HVO says there have been no instances of the S.O.2. levels exceeding the federal health standard of PM2.5 since April 2010.

Scientists say a lull in the lava Ocean Entry in Kalapana may also be contributing to the recent air quality.

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July 29, 2010 – South Kona, Hawaii

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TENNIS

4th Annual Philippine American Friendship Doubles Tennis Tournament was held in Keauhou last weekend.

The Kona Visayan Club hosted the contest at the Holua Tennis Center at Mauna Loa Village.

The event categories of the tournament were recreational, men’s, women’s and mixed doubles.

KVC is a non-profit organization and proceeds from the tournament will support scholarship grants to high school graduates in Kona.

YOUTH SUMMER FILM BOOT CAMP

Short films produced by Hawaii Island youth were premiered at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu on Saturday.

For the second year, an intensive two-week Summer Film Boot Camp held in Kealakekua taught keiki the art of television production. The University of Hawaii Center at West Hawaii joined forces with Na Leo O Hawaii to provide the opportunity for the kids, grades six through nine.

The kids split up into teams and produced public service announcements for the grand finale. The youth are now certified producers for the public access television station.

According to the latest from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, lava is still flowing eastward in the direction of the Kalapana Gardens subdivsion.

In a 4:30 p.m. update, the HVO says the lava has advanced about 425 feet in the past 24 hours. “A nearly continuously active flow front is creeping into a remaining and topographically low kipuka at the western edge of the subdivision,” the update said, “causing small brush fires and methane explosions.”

Meanwhile, a new lava ocean entry is beginning to form a small delta. “It appears, however,” says the HVO, “that the amount of lava reaching the ocean is less than the amount feeding the eastward-advancing flows. A few small breakouts near the western end of Hakuma horst were making no headway toward the ocean.”

In earlier updates, HVO had written that a robust ocean entry would likely slow down the speed of the advancing lava flow. It appears, at least at this moment, that hasn’t happened.

HVO also reports minor scattered lava flows remain active about half a mile west and upslope of the Highway 137 flow.

As the lava spectacle draws thousands to the remote Puna location to witness the event, tensions are rising with land owners who continually find people on their property, hoping for a closer view. HVO reminds the public: “Kalapana Gardens is a private subdivision and access will only be granted to subdivision residents. Private property borders highway 130 through Kalapana and no one is allowed access off the highway easement. Hawaii County Police will be monitoring the area.”

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is now issuing updates twice daily, detailing the advance of the lava flow that threatens to burn down more residential homes if its current direction continues. Resident Gary Sleik lost his home – the westernmost of those in the area – to Pele’s fire early Sunday morning.