Looking for something to do this month? Here are some activities  in  Kailua Kona Hawaii

You must RSVP to attend to
Kara Osada
Ph: 808-896-1889
Email: Kara@KonaCPR.com

The Coral Alliance Task Force!
CORAL is facilitating the creation of marine recreational voluntary guidelines from kayaking, surfing, whale watching to scubadiving, charter fishing and more!  We are still looking for members to join our task force!
For more information visit http://www.konavoluntarystandards.org

Monday July 7th

Starting at 10:00am
KonaCPR is holding a Child and Infant CPR and First Aid Class
Visit http://www.KonaCPR.com for more information

Starting at 5:00pm
KonaCPR is holding a class in Adult CPR and First Aid training
Visit http://www.KonaCPR.com for more information

Thursday July 10th

Starting at 4:00pm
KonaCPR is holding a class in Adult/Child and Infant CPR and First Aid training
Visit http://www.KonaCPR.com for more information

Friday July 11th

Starting at 4:00pm
Kona Reef Check is holding a training session for new volunteers who want to get involved in reef surveys
visit http://www.konareefcheck.org for more information

Saturday July 12th

Starting at 9:00am
Kona Reef Check will be doing a reef survey dive at Honaunau
visit http://www.konareefcheck.org for more information

Monday July 14th

Starting at 10:00am
KonaCPR is holding a class in Child and Infant or Adult CPR and First Aid training
Visit http://www.KonaCPR.com for more information

Friday July 18th

Starting at 1:00pm
KonaCPR is holding a class in Child and Infant CPR and First Aid training
Visit http://www.KonaCPR.com for more information

Monday July 21st

Starting at 6:00pm
Reef Talk "Why are crown of thorns good for our reefs?" Talk given by Kara Osada
visit http://www.konareefcheck.org for more information

Thursday July 24th

Starting at 5:00pm
KonaCPR is holding a class in Adult CPR and First Aid training
Visit http://www.KonaCPR.com for more information

Friday July 25th

Starting at 9:00am
Kona Reef Check will be doing a reef survey dive at Honokohau
visit http://www.konareefcheck.org for more information

Monday July 28th

Starting at 5:00pm
KonaCPR is holding a class in Adult CPR and First Aid training
Visit http://www.KonaCPR.com for more information

Thursday July 31st

Starting at 10:00am
KonaCPR is holding a class in First Aid training
Visit http://www.KonaCPR.com for more information

It has been said that cleanliness is next to godliness, however no one ever mentions how safe it is! Clean work environments are sometimes taken for granted until an accident happens - so do not forget to put away your tools and clean up debris.

Volcano Update for our Health

www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080427/NEWS01/804270379&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL


Kilauea's fumes over Hawaii a concern
Long-term effects on health, crops, business concern residents

By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Big Island Bureau
PAHALA, Hawai'i ­ Big Island residents take pride in their ability to tolerate and adapt to the elements. It isn't unusual in a single year for residents to put up with drought, long days of rain that can cause flooding, or threats from wildfires.Even so, the recent days of heavy volcanic emissions and light kona winds have been obnoxious and in some cases damaging, and have some residents worrying about the future.
The morning sun was a distant red spot in a sea of gray vog in Hilo late last week. Teachers at some Big Island schools advised students to take recess indoors, and some elderly pedestrians walked through downtown Hilo with a handkerchief clamped over nose and mouth.

State and county officials say there hasn't been an increase in emergency medical calls because of respiratory problems or unusual numbers of emergency room visits in Hilo or Kona, but small Ka'u Hospital in Pahala has seen an estimated 50 percent increase in emergency room and clinic visits from people complaining of respiratory problems, said hospital administrator Merilyn Harris.
Pahala and the rest of Ka'u have received the brunt of the increased emissions from Kilauea since the volcano burst open a new vent at Halema'uma'u on March 12, which vastly increased the gases released at the summit.

So far the trade winds have blown most of the fumes to the southwest, and federal ambient air quality standards for average 24-hour sulfur dioxide exposure were exceeded nine times in the past six weeks in Pahala, according to the state Department of Health.
Kona, the island's tourism hub, has suffered from thick vog or volcanic haze.
On April 15 and April 16, monitoring equipment at Konawaena High School detected particulate matter from the vog that exceeded National Ambient Air Quality Standards there for the first time since continuous monitoring began in March.

When the winds shift to blow from the southeast or southwest, conditions tend to improve in Kona and Ka'u, but quickly deteriorate in Volcano Village, Puna and Hilo.
Federal officials closed Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park twice this month because of concern that sulfur dioxide levels there were unsafe, evacuating about 2,000 people from research facilities, campgrounds and the Volcano House hotel along with popular tourist spots. The park reopened Friday.


Headache all around
All of this has played out in April, a month when Hawai'i usually enjoys trade winds that blow volcanic emissions away from the more populated areas of Puna and Hilo. But kona winds from the southwest are inevitable, and will be increasingly uncomfortable with Halema'uma'u adding sulfur dioxide to the emissions already being produced by Pu'u 'O'o.

"Because this is going to be a long-term thing, it seems like the public is adjusting, tolerating, making their own personal life changes to minimize the risk, whether it be either staying indoors or leaving the area," said Big Island Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira.

Ka'u real estate broker Patti Barry said her granddaughter has been living with her for four years, but Barry is considering sending the girl to Maui to spend her senior year with her mother because the 16-year-old has mild asthma. She is a swimmer and likes to walk two miles a day, but Barry has been keeping her indoors for the past couple of weeks.
The girl has suffered from headaches, and "it's starting to cause a problem," Barry said. "I don't know what the doctors are saying about it, but I don't think our kids can handle this for long periods of time. I don't know what we're going to do.
"If it comes to summer and things change, we've got a couple of months to make that decision. I'd like her to graduate out here at Ka'u."
The vog and volcanic fumes also have been a business issue, Barry said.
"I'm having a very hard time holding my deals together," Barry said. "I have to give a report almost every two days as to what's happening, because it's on CNN News and they're all picking it up through the news. It's whatever the news media puts out there is making our clients nervous."
Barry said she hopes the media will remind people that the trade winds blow frequently, directing the vog out to sea.


Calculating the risks
Lt. Col. Trey Johnson, commander of the 93rd Civil Support Team of the Hawai'i National Guard, has been studying the volcanic plumes from Halema'uma'u and Pu'u 'O'o since March, using a computer model to try to calculate where the different winds will blow sulfur dioxide.
The worst-case scenarios provided by that model involve sustained kona winds from the southwest at about 15 mph, which would likely focus a wedge-shaped band of vog and sulfur dioxide that would cause conditions classified as "purple" or "extreme" in a sizable portion of Upper Puna, and along the Lower Puna coast from the southern edge of Hawaiian Paradise Park to Kea'au, he said.
Purple conditions mean sulfur dioxide levels exceed 3 parts per million. Under those conditions, the state Department of Health recommends that all residents avoid outdoor activity, and leave the area if directed to do so by county Civil Defense.

The model also suggests that similar "purple" conditions would be created in a wider swath of Upper Puna and along the coast from Hilo to Kalapana by slower 5 mph winds from the southwest, Johnson said.
The computer model may somewhat overstate the risk at the moment because it assumes that Pu'u 'O'o is producing 2,500 metric tons of sulfur dioxide per day, and that Halema'uma'u is producing 1,200 tons.
In fact, Pu'u 'O'o has recently been producing about 1,700 tons, and Halema'uma'u about 1,000 tons, but those volumes vary from day to day.

Scientists say there is no way to judge how long the emissions may continue at the summit because there are still so many unknowns about Kilauea.
"At this point, because this is really a new type of event, we really don't know," said Don Thomas, director of the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo.


Might linger, might not
One possibility is that the sulfur dioxide at Halema'uma'u is being released by a stagnant pool of magma below the surface, and at some point the emissions will taper off.
Another possibility ­ perhaps the opposite extreme ­ is that Halema'uma'u has opened a pipeline to Pu'u 'O'o that allows some of the gases from the magma erupting at the pu'u to escape through a conduit that extends to the summit. That could mean that the summit emissions will continue indefinitely.
Mount Etna on the east coast of Sicily has produced substantial amounts of sulfur dioxide for a long time, and many South and Central American volcanoes go through extended episodes of very large gas releases.
"Yes, it does affect the downwind communities," Thomas said of those volcanoes. "Do they live with it? Yes. Do they live comfortably with it? Probably not.
"We haven't seen the full range of activity for Kilauea, and it may be uncomfortable, and it may be uncomfortable for quite a while."


Gritty agriculture
At Aikane Plantation Coffee Co. in Pahala, coffee farmer Phil Becker said a gray film of ash has been covering vehicles and water troughs used by the 60 head of cattle on the property, and sometimes coats the arms of farm workers with a gray film as they brush against the leaves picking coffee.
Becker has lived in Ka'u for more than 50 years and his wife has lived there for generations, and neither has ever seen this much vog or ash before.
 
"It comes and goes. This morning we could hardly see; it was like being in a cloud," he said. "In the morning we clean the house, and in the afternoon there's a gray film over everything.
"You can feel it, it's a gritty feeling."

The Beckers are hoping the fumes will help the coffee crop, which likes sulfur, but they are already seeing damage to the protea plants they grow and sell. Some plants have been turning brown and dying, while other produce deformed blossoms.
 
Farther to the southwest, in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, flower farmer Loren Heck saw extensive damage to his protea plants when sulfur dioxide levels in the area built up on April 16 to the point that Civil Defense advised residents in mauka areas of the subdivision to evacuate.
The evacuation advisory was quickly lifted when the air quality improved, but Heck could almost see the leaves of many of the protea turning brown.
"Within I would say three hours, you could see the plants were being affected by it," he said. "This has never happened before, nothing even comparable to this."
A neighbor lost a lettuce crop worth an estimated $10,000, but Heck could not estimate the value of his losses because he isn't sure how many of the protea plants will finally die.
"It will really cost me if it kills the plants, but I'm not sure it's going to do that," Heck said. "If it kills the plants, well, I won't be in the business."
Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com .

• • •

 
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Smoke and ash were pouring from Halema'uma'u on April 21. Two days later, the surrounding national park was evacuated because of high sulfur dioxide levels.

DAVID JORDAN | Associated Press



 

Phil Becker of Aikane Plantation Coffee Co. checks his coffee blossoms. It isn't clear yet what impact the volcano emissions will have on that crop, but the protea flowers he grows commercially are starting to die.

When does a marine animal need protection in West Hawaii waters?

The state Division of Aquatic Resources, West Hawaii Fisheries Council and residents are attempting to answer this question as they form a "species of special concern" list.

Over the years, some people have made assertions that certain animals deserve conservation actions because they are potentially at risk, limited in number, vulnerable to low-levels of unnatural mortality, are aumakua (Hawaiian ancestral spirits), contribute irreplaceable ecosystem services, are not traditionally eaten, reproduce slowly, are beneficial to an industry, use specialized habitat or have poor aquarium survivorship, said Bill Walsh, state aquatic biologist.

These issues prompted the West Hawaii Fisheries Council, which advises the state on fishery regulations for their region, to form the Species of Special Concern Subcommittee in 2006. This group is tasked with helping to determine what gets listed and receives protection. The Division of Aquatic Resources, on the other hand, has been working internally on a similar catalogue. Both lists will be merged together, narrowed down and discussed at the West Hawaii Fisheries Council's regular monthly meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 15 at the Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club at Honokohau Small Boat Harbor.

Among the creatures being considered are manta and eagle rays, sharks, dragon moray eels, barracuda, Bandit angelfish, Cowfish, Bluestripe butterfly and Hawaiian turkeyfish. According to Walsh, criteria for classifying species of special concern is still being developed and the list is incomplete, and can be changed. He also stressed that species traditionally consumed for food will not be considered or placed on the proposed list.

If the number of species deemed deserving protection becomes too great, Walsh said the West Hawaii Fisheries Council and Division of Aquatic Resources may consider having a whitelist, which would detail the accepted items for taking, rather than a blacklist.

Life history and population ecology studies do not exist for some proposed species. Still Walsh said this should not deter the use of common sense, proper underwater etiquette, precautionary principles, guidance and action. Nor should meaningless slaughter or the deterioration of a healthy ecosystem be allowed. He added enforcement measures can always be undone or changed, but some damage, such as overharvesting and killing, is irreversible.

Species of concern lists are not new. Agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service have such registers.

While international, federal and state rules exist, Walsh said they tend to afford protection to plants and animals that are generally agreed to be at a high risk of extinction. Such regulations can also be limited in their jurisdiction, conflicting and incomplete. For instance, it is legal to kill sharks. However, finning -- the practice of cutting off the fins and throwing the remainder of the shark overboard -- is prohibited in federal and state waters, including the Pacific Ocean.

The proposed species of special concern presently have no legal protection in West Hawaii waters. The West Hawaii Fisheries Council and Division of Aquatic Resources are seeking management recommendations for these creatures. Suggestions already gathered include prohibiting harvesting, capturing, killing, fishing, possessing or intentional harming.

A formalized species of special concern list for West Hawaii waters will eventually be recommended to the state, which would decide whether it would become an administrative rule.

Comments on list contents are invited. Suggestions can be sent to West Hawaii Fisheries Council, P.O. Box 489, Kailua-Kona, HI 96745. Input may also be e-mailed to the Division of Aquatic Resources at darkona@hawaiiantel.net.

KonaCPR has a lot happening this week with several classes to choose from!

Monday April 21st starting at 9:30am in Capt Cook
Adult/Child/Infant CPR, First Aid and AED training

Wednesday April 23rd starting at 5:00pm in Kailua Kona near Costco
Class in Adult CPR, First Aid and AED with upgrade to Adult/Child/Infant

Saturday April 26th starting at 10:00am in Kailua Kona at Seaview circle
Class in Adult/Child/Infant CPR and First Aid with AED training
(you can also do just adult or just child/infant)

Microwaves and Plastics

Plastics are everywhere anymore, but in reality they are not so good for us or the environment.

Note to self:

• Don't freeze plastic water bottles with water - this can cause dioxin carcinogesn that cause cancer to leak into your water

• You should not microwave your food in plastic containers or with plastic warp if they have fat (which is just about anything) use glass, or at least paper (without plastic in it) as this can also cause dioxin to seep into your food.

High Winds!

Although the high winds are a welcomed relief from some of the vog, they can also be a hazard.

To keep us all safe, remember:

• Make Sure all personal items on your property are secured down
• Give high profile cars extra room
• If you own a high profile car drive with extra car
• Be on the look out for items that are loose on road ways, around your home and work - if found secure them

When was the last time you checked your windshield whipper fluid level?

Having low windshield whipper fluid level can actually be very dangerous, not in itself, but in times of need when a large truck splashes mud all over your windows and you need that fluid to remove it swiftly to see the road.

Note to self:

Walk out to your car, open your hood and check the fluid level.  While your at it, check your radiator fluids, oil and transmission as well!

When was the last time you checked your spare tire on your car?

Note to self:

Check your spare tire today.  Check the following:

1.) Is it the right pressure?

2.) Is the tread cracked anywhere?

3.) Are all the bolts present?

4.) Can you quickly remove the tire? - no bolts are sheared

5.) Do you know where your jack is?

6.) Does your jack have all the pieces?

When was the last time you checked your dive gear?

Note to self:

Today go through your dive gear. 

• Is your whistle still attached?
  
• Do you have a whistle?
  
• Do you have medical shears or a knife? 
  
• Safety sausage? 
  
• Is there any bolts missing from the BC? 
  
• Does the inflater hose have anywhere it is starting to come apart? 
  
• When was the last time you had your regulator serviced?
• Are your fin straps starting to crack?
  
• Mask strap still OK?
• Is your save a dive kit up to date?
• First Aid kit ready with everything? - make sure nothing is expired!
  

Keep yourself safe and others by making sure your gear is properly maintained.  Further get yourself and your dive buddies all trained in CPR and Oxygen administration today!  

Contact  KonaCPR  we have classes  you can join this week!