A new Waikīkī Beach improvement project to help beach erosion is kicking off next week.  The project includes construction of a 95-foot-long sandbag groin and the transfer of 700 cubic yards of beach sand from the Diamond Head swim basin of Kuhio Beach. The groin and beach sand will serve to stabilize the Diamond Head (South east) end of Kuhio Beach park fronting the Duke Kahanamoku statue. The purpose of the project is to fix an erosion hot spot in the far eastern corner of Royal Hawaiian Beach until such time a larger master planning effort for Waikīkī Beach can be completed. The planned groin project consists of the placement of a 95-foot-long by 18-foot-wide by 4.3-foot-high sandbag groin extending seaward perpendicular to the beach at location 140 feet west of the Kuhio Ewa swim basin groin.  Approximately 60% of groin will be buried within the beach face and extend into the ocean approximately 30-40 feet. The project includes the retrieval and transfer of 700 cubic yards of sand from the east (Diamond Head) swim basin area to nourish the eroded beach after construction of the groin is complete. A partial beach closure at Kuhio Beach for the construction staging area is required, but community access to and along the shoreline will be maintained always. The groin will be constructed of 68 geotextile ElcoRockÒ sand bags, weighing about 10,000 pounds each when full of sand.  The sandbags require 225 cubic yards of sand and the sandbags will be filled on the beach.  These bags will be stacked to form a stable structure with sloping crest elevation sufficient to prevent sand transport past the structure and stabilize the sand fill between the Kuhio crib wall and the groin.  With a crest elevation of +3.5 ft above mean sea level, and a toe elevation of -2.8 ft msl, the groin has been designed to the minimum size allowable that will still be an effective erosion control measure. “This project is a much-needed erosion control measure with immediate impact to mitigate chronic beach erosion in Waikīkī. It is also an important first step towards more proactive and comprehensive beach management and maintenance in Waikīkī.” said Suzanne Case, DLNR Chair. “The Waikīkī Beach Special Improvement District is excited to see this project get underway just in time for the Winter break, we are proud to be a partner in this important effort but also pleased to see the onset of a new era of proactive beach management plans and improvement projects get underway in Waikiki.” said Rick Egged, President of the Waikīkī Beach Special Improvement District Association (WBSIDA). The $568,000 State project is supported through a public-private partnership with the Waikīkī Beach Special Improvement District, which is paying for 50% of the project through a special tax assessment from Waikīkī commercial properties. The City and County of Honolulu is also a project partner since the project falls within the Kuhio Beach Park boundaries and is providing access and staff support. The project start date is Monday, November 4th, 2019 with a construction timeline estimated of 2-3 weeks for completion. The project consultant and engineering designer is Sea Engineering Inc and the contractor for construction is JS International, Inc. #KuhioBeach #Erosion #WaikikiBeachImprovement #DiamondHead #RickEgged

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), the state's tourism agency, announced today it has published the 2018 Annual Visitor Research report. It provides the final statistics on Hawaii’s visitor industry in 2018 and a comprehensive comparison with 2017 visitor data. Included in this report are characteristics and expenditures data from visitors who came to Hawaii by air or by cruise ships. Visitor statistics are categorized by Hawaii’s Major Market Areas (MMA), by select countries, purpose of trip, accommodation type, first-time or repeat visitor status and by island. Statistics about visitor room inventory, hotel occupancy, room rates and air seat capacity are also included. In addition, the 2017 visitor data was revised with updated immigration statistics and updated airfare statistics. The report is available on HTA’s website: https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/media/3738/2018-annual-report-final.pdf About the Hawaii Tourism Authority The Hawaii Tourism Authority is the State of Hawaii agency responsible for strategically managing its support of the tourism industry. Established in 1998 to support Hawaii’s leading industry and largest employer, HTA continually strives to help ensure tourism’s sustainability and the benefits it brings to residents and communities statewide. For more information about HTA, please visit www.hawaiitourismauthority.org. Follow updates about HTA on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (@HawaiiHTA) and its YouTube Channel. #HawaiiTourism #AnnualVisitorResearchReport #HawaiiMajorMarketArea #Tourism #HTA #Hawaii #HawaiiState

Business Owners or Managers, make your voices heard! The State of Hawaii, Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism is partnering with the Federal Reserve to conduct a Small Business Credit Survey for both start-up and existing businesses, and we’d like you to participate. This short survey will take approximately 10 minutes and will ask about business conditions, financing needs, and credit experiences. Summary results will be shared with you, and all responses are confidential. The survey highlights the experiences of small businesses and provides critical information that service providers, policymakers, and lenders use to improve programs for small business owners. Please click the link below to complete the survey. http://frb.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6eU4rTBoP0L3MPz?orgid=HawaiiDeptofBiz&parentid=&reserve_bank=SF The survey closes December 20, 2019. Questions? Please contact  SFFedSmallBusiness@sf.frb.org. Thank you for participating! #FederalReserveBank #SmallBusiness #DBEDT #10Minutes #FederalSmallBusiness #SmallBusinessCreditSurvey #HawaiiState #EconomicDevelopment source: https://invest.hawaii.gov/2019-small-business-credit-survey-from-federal-reserve-bank/

HONOLULU — Hawaii was one of four states selected by the National Governors Association to participate in a state-focused technical assistance project to enhance their experiences in the GridEx V energy security exercise. GridEx is a remote, biennial exercise conducted by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) to simulate a cyber and physical attack on the electric grid across North America. Participants include members of the electric sector, other critical infrastructure operators, law enforcement, and state, local and federal officials from across the country. The GridEx V exercise will take place Nov. 13-14, 2019. “We appreciate the National Governors Association’s inclusion of Hawaii in this important exercise at a time when increasing attention is being focused on grid security,” said Hawaii Chief Energy Officer Scott Glenn. “We look forward to sharing Hawaii’s unique experience with its isolated electric grids and learning about the best practices being employed by other states as they deal with grid security issues.” The Hawaii State Energy Office and the State of Hawaii Department of Defense Office of Homeland Security jointly submitted Hawaii’s application to participate in the exercise. “The NGA workshop and technical assistance is a great opportunity to advance our critical energy infrastructure planning and resiliency activities, and specifically our strategic communications strategy,” said Delores Cook, administrator for the Hawaii Office of Homeland Security. “This exercise will give us a chance to strengthen crisis communications relationships and identify and discuss interdependencies between the energy sector and other lifeline critical infrastructure sectors relevant to response and recovery from a prolonged power outage with physical and cyber elements,” said Mark Want, HSEO energy analyst. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, NGA teams will work with the four states to prepare for, participate in, and share lessons and best practices from the exercise via phone consultations, an in-person workshop and action planning. Other states participating besides Hawaii are Colorado, Idaho and Maryland. During the exercise, participants will remotely respond to simulated cyber and physical events to determine how their organizations, including governors and states, might respond in a real-world event. Governors play critical roles during widespread electric grid outages and NGA’s project will help participating states improve their ability to respond and recover from these incidents, enhance emergency communications, build relationships with electricity and other critical infrastructure operators, and identify infrastructure resilience needs. After the exercise, the four selected states will contribute to an after-action report to identify state-focused challenges and lessons learned. The state teams also will participate in a two-day, post exercise workshop with experts, in which they will explore these results and lessons further and develop action plans to improve energy security in their states. ### ABOUT HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE The Hawaii State Energy Office (HSEO) is an attached agency of the state’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. With the state’s goal to reach 100 percent renewable energy generation by 2045, HSEO is committed to developing and deploying high impact solutions that will maximize Hawaii’s renewable energy resources and improve efficiency and transportation standards. Through effective policies and innovative programs, HSEO has positioned Hawaii as a leader in clean energy innovation, which will generate quality jobs, attract investment opportunities and accelerate economic growth. ABOUT THE NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION Founded in 1908, the National Governors Association (NGA) is the nonpartisan organization of the nation’s 55 governors. Through NGA, governors share best practices, address issues of national and state interest and share innovative solutions that improve state government and support the principles of federalism. #Energy #NationalGovernorsAssociation #GridEX #NERC #HawaiiStateEnergyOffice #NGA #Cybersecurity #EmergencySecurity #EmergencyResponse #MarkWant source: http://dbedt.hawaii.gov/blog/19-35/

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa offered a Land Acknowledgement, a formal statement paying tribute to the original inhabitants of the land, during the opening session of the 2019 National Diversity in STEM Conference by the Society for Advancement of Chicano/Hispanics & Native Americans (SACNAS). UH is the presenting sponsor of the three-day conference held at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center. UH Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno delivered the Land Acknowledgement as part of his opening remarks stating, “…it is with profound reflection that I offer up this Land Acknowledgement, acknowledging Hawaiʻi as an indigenous space whose original people are today identified as Native Hawaiians. The ʻāina on which we gather is located in the ahupuaʻa of Waikīkī, in the moku of Kona, on the mokupuni of Oʻahu, in the paeʻāina of Hawaiʻi. I recognize that her majesty Queen Liliʻuokalani yielded the Hawaiian Kingdom and these territories under duress and protest to the United States to avoid the bloodshed of her people. I further recognize that generations of indigenous Hawaiians and their knowledge systems shaped Hawaiʻi in a sustainable way that allows me to enjoy her gifts today. For this I am truly grateful.” Bruno also spoke about how this is a moment of change in Hawaiʻi’s history and of the universityʻs struggle with its support of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea and its commitment to becoming a Native Hawaiian place of learning and a model indigenous-serving institution. Provost Bruno’s full message Aloha kākou, Wow, as I look out and around this room, I am inspired, humbled, and full of hope for the future. And I am honored to welcome you, on behalf of the University of Hawaiʻi, to the 2019 National Diversity in STEM Conference! On behalf of the University of Hawaiʻi, it is with profound reflection that I offer up this Land Acknowledgement, acknowledging Hawaiʻi as an indigenous space whose original people are today identified as Native Hawaiians. The ʻāina on which we gather is located in the ahupuaʻa of Waikīkī, in the moku of Kona, on the mokupuni of Oʻahu, in the paeʻāina of Hawaiʻi. I recognize that her majesty Queen Liliʻuokalani yielded the Hawaiian Kingdom and these territories under duress and protest to the United States to avoid the bloodshed of her people. I further recognize that generations of Indigenous Hawaiians and their knowledge systems shaped Hawaiʻi in a sustainable way that allows me to enjoy her gifts today. For this I am truly grateful. Located in the most diverse community and environment in the world, the University of Hawaiʻi is one of the world’s leading research universities AND the most community-serving institution I have ever known. This duality of scholarly excellence and community service is in fact what drew me to the university and what keeps all of us going every day. The 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi System is one of the most ethnically diverse institutions in the nation; a land, sea, space, and sun-grant university that includes the only freestanding school of indigenous knowledge at a major research university (UH Mānoa), and the only college dedicated to an indigenous language at a public comprehensive university (UH Hilo). By way of introduction, I am a first generation student and the son of immigrant parents who sacrificed everything so that my siblings and I could follow our dreams. My journey from the islands of New York to the islands of Hawaiʻi was made seamless by the aloha shared with me by the faculty, staff and students of this great university. I am humbled every day by the profound and lasting impact of the efforts of our faculty, students and staff here in Hawaiʻi and well beyond. Our world-class research portfolio and our commitment to excellence in teaching defines and guides our kuleana—our responsibilities and privileges—to Hawaiʻi, the Pacific, and the world. It is important to consider the context in which we come together this morning. This context is embodied in the Hawaiian phrase HE HULIAU: A time of change; a turning point. We are all witnessing huliau. Climate change requires that we re-examine the ways in which we care for our lands, and in which we conduct our research and educate our students. We see rapid technological change all around us, as well as geopolitical shifts, rising income inequality, disparities in health care and education, and demands for social justice across our communities and institutions. Here at home, our struggle over the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea challenges us to reflect on the mission of the University. We are internationally recognized for our research strengths, including astronomy. At the same time, we have publicly committed to becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning and a model indigenous-serving institution. How do we, then, reconcile the building of the telescope? As I consider this question, I cannot help but recognize the opportunity for our students to develop research and critical thinking skills, and to engage with our learning objectives of sustainability and civic engagement. It is my strong belief that by introducing our students to different knowledge systems, including those that can appear at times to be in conflict, we will build ethical leaders with the confidence and creativity to thrive even in times of change and disruption. I look forward to spending the next few days with you, and I wish you well as we come together to listen and learn from each other, and chart a course to do great things. Together. Mahalo! Michael Bruno UH Mānoa Provost #UHManoa #UniversityOfHawaii #NativeHawaiians #LandAcknowledgement #MichaelBruno #ThirtyMeterTelescope #QueenLiliuokalani #HawaiianKingdom source: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2019/10/31/uh-manoa-land-acknowledgment-to-native-hawaiians/

The proposed draft of the administrative rules for University of Hawaiʻi-managed lands on Maunakea is now available for public review along with related supporting materials. These materials include the Board Action Memo, a draft of the rules, and a matrix summarizing the changes made to the draft after the last two rounds of public hearings. In addition, the materials include an annotated version of the proposed rules that shows where they match with the existing Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Forest Reserve and Natural Area Reserves rules, which apply to adjacent lands managed by DLNR on the summit of Maunakea. Board of Regents Meeting Materials (PDF) Rules: page 627 Matrix: page 1,641 Comparison: page 1,647 The UH Board of Regents will consider the draft rules for adoption on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at its regular meeting scheduled for 9:30 am, at UH Hilo’s Performing Arts Center. At that meeting, the regents will also consider a proposed resolution regarding the stewardship of Maunakea that lists 12 action items for UH leadership and a timeframe for completion. Testimony on the agenda items may be submitted by email at bor.testimony@hawaii.edu and/or orally in person at the meeting. After reviewing and hearing the testimony at the November 6 meeting, the regents could adopt the latest draft, request a third round of formal public hearings on new draft rules that are substantially different from the current draft, or defer decision-making. If adopted by the regents, the rules will advance through the remainder of the administrative rules process to Gov. David Ige for final approval. The purpose of the proposed administrative rules The purpose of the proposed rules, under section 20-26-1, is to “provide for the proper use, management, and protection of cultural, natural, and scientific resources of the UH management areas; to promote public safety and welfare by regulating public and commercial activity within the UH management areas; to ensure safe and appropriate access to the UH management areas for the public; and to foster co-management with the department of land and natural resources in UH management areas.” The first round of four public hearings on the initial draft of the administrative rules was held in September 2018 on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, and Oʻahu. A revised draft was prepared based on the comments and concerns received during those public hearings. The revised draft was then shared with stakeholder groups and the public during a three-month, informal outreach process that began in January 2019. A second round of four public hearings was held in June 2019 on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, and Oʻahu. In addition to comments and suggestions received from outreach and consultation, the latest draft will include revisions based on 738 written submissions collected, and 225 oral testifiers recorded, during the two rounds of formal public hearings in 2018 and 2019. Proposed resolution on Maunakea stewardship The proposed resolution regarding the stewardship of Maunakea was drafted by the BOR Maunakea Governance Permitted Interaction Group, which was formed in August 2019 and is intended to be dissolved following submission of its report and a proposed resolution to the BOR for its consideration. The group, consisting of six regents, proposed the resolution after engaging with university administration, government officials and outside advisors and looked into issues related to the university’s stewardship and governance activities on Maunakea. At the Nov. 6 meeting, the regents may adopt or amend the Maunakea stewardship resolution, or defer a decision. Related Posts: UH board reschedules action on Maunakea… Board of Regents to consider proposed Maunakea… Regents to hold meeting on August 30 on Maunakea rules Source: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2019/10/31/regents-consider-proposed-maunakea-rules-stewardship-resolution/ #Maunakea #UniversityOfHawaii #DLNR #ForestReserve #NaturalAreaReserve #BoardOfRegents #AdministrativeRules #MaunakeaStewardship

KAHULUI – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Airports Division welcomes WestJet’s 787 Dreamliner to Maui, which began service between Calgary and Kahului Airport (OGG) today, marking the first regularly scheduled Dreamliner service from Canada to Kahului. "We are thrilled to share the spirit of aloha with our neighbors to the North,” said Director Jade Butay, Hawaii Department of Transportation. “The addition of seats from Canada is anticipated to generate a tremendous economic benefit for the state. According to data from the Hawaii Department of Business and Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) and the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), each visitor from Canada spends an average of $167 a day in Hawaii and year to date through the first three quarters of 2019 generated $783.9 million into the economy.” WestJet plans to operate up to 48 weekly flights to four Hawaii cities. During peak seasons, it will operate 20 weekly flights between Kahului, Calgary and Vancouver and up to 28 weekly flights between Honolulu, Lihue, Kona and Vancouver. For additional flight details and information about the Dreamliner please visit the WestJet website by clicking here. The Kahului Airport is the second largest facility in the Hawaii airports system. It welcomed more than 7.3 million total passengers in 2018. In total more than 37.5 million passengers flew in and out of Hawaii’s 15 airports last year, representing a 5.2% increase from the previous year. #WestJetDreamliner #Maui #HDOT #WestJet #Transportation #Airports #JadeButay

On November 2nd, thousands of trees will be given away on Hawaii’s 51st annual Arbor Day. The Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program will be supporting a total of five Arbor Day giveaway events. Kaulunani is part of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) and focuses on improving the health and viability of trees statewide. We urgently need more trees in our communities. Hawaiʻi has been supporting tree giveaways for decades, but the need has drastically increased in recent years. Honolulu alone lost over 76,600 trees in just four years but has 7,924 acres that could be used for trees-and that is just in our communities and urban areas. Trees may be among our most accessible and affordable defense against climate change. “If we act now, [we] could cut carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by up to 25%, to levels last seen almost a century ago,” claims Professor Tom Crowther, the senior author of a 2019 study published in Science magazine, which discusses global tree restoration potential. Planting trees was declared “the most effective climate change solution to date” in this same study. “Although Arbor Day in Hawaiʻi will always be fun, this is no longer just a fun giveaway. We urgently need these trees to be adopted and planted to help us in the future. The powerful thing about our Arbor Day initiative is that community members are the ones that hold the power and standing on the front lines of climate change can be as easy as planting one free tree,” said Shannon Noelle Rivera, urban forestry consultant with Smart Trees Pacific. The 2019 Arbor Day Oʻahu giveaways are presented in partnership by DOFAW’s Kaulunani Urban & Community Forestry Program, the USDA Forest Service, the City & County of Honolulu and Smart Trees Pacific.  Additional support is provided by Waimea Valley, Aloha Arborist Association, Women’s Community Correctional Center, Oʻahu Urban Garden Ohana, University of Hawaiʻi Master Gardener Program, Hawaiʻi Gas, and Alexander and Baldwin. Tree giveaways on Kauaʻi and Maui are managed by local partners and are also supported by the DOFAW Kaulunani Urban & Community Forestry Program. To view video please click on photo or view at this link: https://vimeo.com/297862533 Arbor Day Plant Sales Friday, November 1, 2019, 8:00 a.m. – 1/2:00 p.m. Kauaʻi: Lihue – DOFAW Baseyard and Nursery, (4398-D Pua Loke St.) until 2 p.m. Hawaiʻi Island: Hilo – DOFAW Baseyard (19 E. Kawili Street) until 1 p.m. Kamuela – DOFAW Tree Nursery (66-1220 Lalamilo Farm Road #A) until 1 p.m. Source: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2019/10/25/nr19-179/ Arbor Day Hawaiʻi Tree Giveaways Saturday, November 2nd, 2019 | starting at 9:00 a.m. Oʻahu: Honolulu – Foster Botanical Garden (180 N. Vineyard Blvd.) Pearl City – Urban Garden Center (955 Kamehameha Hwy.) Central Oʻahu – Wahiawā Botanical Garden (1396 California Ave.) North Shore – Waimea Valley Botanical Garden (59-864 Kamehameha Hwy.) Windward – Kailua United Methodist Church (1110 Kailua Road) Maui: Kahului – Maui Nui Botanical Gardens (150 Kanaloa Ave.) Kauaʻi: Lihue – Kukui Grove Center (3-2600 Kaumualii Highway #1400, Parking lot behind Walmart) For more information on the event nearest you, including what trees species will be given away and other ways to get involved: https://arbordayhawaii.org/ #ArborDay #Hawaii #TreeGiveaways #kaulunaniUrbanCommunityForestryProgram #DOFAW #DLNR #USDA #HawaiiState Source: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2019/10/25/nr19-179/

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUNDS RELEASED FOR AIRFIELD LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS AT ELLISON ONIZUKA KONA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HONOLULU - Senator Lorraine R. Inouye is pleased to announce that Governor David Ige has released $4,000,000 to finance the upgrading of the existing runway and taxiway lighting systems from incandescent to light-emitting diode (LED) at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, Hawai'i. “I want to thank Governor Ige for making these funds available,” Senator Inouye said. “LED lighting lasts an estimated 25 times longer than their incandescent counterparts. With a decrease in bulb changes, maintenance crews can focus on preventative maintenance and other projects.” In a letter announcing the release of the funds, the Governor also expressed his gratitude. “Mahalo for your work on behalf of the residents of your district to secure these funds. Projects such as these are critical components of the public infrastructure and contribute to building a better home for our kupuna, keiki, and all the residents of Hawai‘i.” #EllisonOnizukaAirport #KeaholdAirport #CapitalImprovements #LorraineInouye #DavidIge #HawaiiSenate

The Wahiawā Freshwater State Recreation Area has been a fixture in the community for years featuring Lake Wilson as one of its prime features. This Saturday, the DLNR Division of State Parks is sponsoring a community event in partnership with the Wahiawā Community Based Development Organization (Wahiawā CBDO) entitled “A Day at Lake Wilson”. This event will highlight recent State Park improvements and showcase the recreational opportunities and unique aspects offered in Wahiawā.  “A Day at Lake Wilson” will be held on November 2nd at 380 Walker Avenue in Wahiawā from 8:00am to 3:00pm. The Wahiawā Public Fishing Area (Lake Wilson), is one of the few areas that provides a multitude of outdoor activities ranging from freshwater sportfishing to hiking and picnic opportunities. DLNR educational booths from several divisions as well as vendors who will be selling their specialty goods and food at the park. To help better facilitate this event the boat ramp will be closed to anglers that day For more information: https://lakewilsonday.com/ Source: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2019/10/29/nr19-181/ #LakeWilson #LakeWilsonDay #Wahiawa #WahiawaFreshwaterPark #DLNR #HawaiiState #DonovanDelaCruz

Senator Russell E. Ruderman  wrote a letter to Governor David Ige regarding the concerns of his district on the reopening of the Puna Geothermal Venture with little consideration to the post lava flow conditions of the area, and surrounding neighborhoods and farms. A copy of this letter was sent to DLNR, OEQC, DOH, DOD, CD, USGS and HVO and is seen below. ----- Aloha Governor Ige, Following the 2018 eruption, there now exists in Puna an unprecedented situation involving the reopening of PGV’s geothermal plant. Since the entire situation has changed due to the 2018 lava flow, new analyses are required to evaluate the oversight needed. The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) have not shown an interest in freshly reviewing the changed situation. While I understand the hesitance to address something so large and difficult to compartmentalize, I represent constituents who ask me every day about these concerns. I would like to respond with something substantive to address their questions. At present, their impression is that there has been inadequate attention paid by your administration’s departments to the changed situation as PGV prepares to come back online.  Unfortunately, I am finding it difficult to alleviate their concerns or offer to them any explanation as to what they perceive is a lack of transparency in the permitting process. The extreme changes do not fit into any established category, yet there is a clear need for a review of oversight and safety monitoring. I am therefore asking these questions of several agencies. The normal silo-based style of government oversight does not address this situation, so I am asking the entirety of related agencies to review the situation. In some cases, I will address a question to a particular agency, but I ask all relevant agencies to become aware of the situation and respond. DLNR / Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC): • Normally a new EIS is triggered by a company’s new actions. In this case, the natural world around the plant has changed. There is no clear answer to who should be triggering the new EIS. Perhaps there is someone who sees the whole picture here, who can understand the need for a new, or at least updated, EIS based on the changes. Isn’t a Supplemental EIS in order at the least, before putting the community at risk? • The underground geological situation is drastically changed. Did DLNR consider the changes due to lava in awarding new drilling permits? In what way did DLNR consider the new conditions? DLNR, DOD: • The roads in the area were severely damaged, and many roads remain closed. This changes the evacuation situation. Was this considered in awarding new permits? If so, in what way was this taken into consideration? DLNR, DOD, Civil Defense (CD): • Have all emergency and normal water supply sources been restored? • Has testing been done to ensure that water discharge and injection before eruption remains a safe option after the eruption, considering possibly changed underground hydrographic structure? Has testing been done to confirm the assumption? • Changes underground to the geothermal reservoir are evident (exact extent of downhole damage to KS-14 and 16 from the magma intrusion at depth is unknown). What needs to be done to reestablish a baseline and institute any needed new safety precautions? DLNR, DOD: • During the eruption, lava covered three well heads (KS-5, 6 and 11). Have metallurgic and physical damages to the well head been documented and repaired? Is testing required? DOH, DOD: • Virtually all the trees, shrubbery and forests that were in the area are now gone.  This results in noise and toxic fumes traveling much farther than before the eruption. Was this taken into consideration in awarding new Air Quality permits? In the noise monitoring? In what way was this considered? • Terrain, communications, transportation, ecology, and demographics have changed at the plant and the area surrounding the plant. Emergency procedure and hazard planning assumptions need to be updated as a consequence of changed demographics and changed road and emergency service availability. • Does the changed situation require a review and update to plant procedures? Emergency planning, reporting, monitoring? County CD, DOD: • Have County and PGV emergency procedures been updated to account for changed demographics, changed road network, and changed topography? Have those changed procedures been approved by State and Local authorities? Is there an emergency response plan? DOH, OEQC: • Has the DOH air sampling plan been updated to reflect changed topography? Have nuisance noise procedures been updated to reflect changed topography? Has noise testing been conducted or is it planned? United States Geological Survey (USGS), Hawaii Volcano Observatory (HVO), DOD, DLNR: • As major changes have been made, does PGV need to do a risk assessment update to the US EPA? • Have the quantities and locations of fluid re-injection over the last 30 years at PGV regarding its effects on the underground rock structure been analyzed? In what way was this analyzed? Was recent science regarding fluid re-injection's effects on nearby earthquakes and ground faults taken into account? What was the result of the analysis? Mahalo for your attention to this matter.  I look forward to the responses from the relevant departments and agencies under your administration. #PunaGeothermalVenture #Puna #KilaueaVolcano #KilaueaEruption #DLNR #OEQC #HawaiiSenate #RussellRuderman #HawaiiIsland

The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) will hold a public meeting to receive public comments on proposed changes to the existing state regulations for underground storage tank (UST) systems (Hawai‘i Administrative Rules, chapter 11-280.1). The meeting will be held at the DOH State Laboratory auditorium at 2725 Waimano Home Road in Pearl City on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, at 9 a.m. All interested parties may present relevant information and their opinion at the meeting. DOH will consider all comments before finalizing changes to the regulations. The proposed amendments are designed to increase protection for Hawaii’s environment and public health by requiring all field-constructed USTs and USTs that are part of airport hydrant fuel distribution systems to have secondary containment by July 15, 2045. The proposed changes also provide more clarity and consistency to ensure compliance by owners and operators of USTs. The proposed amendments and an explanation for each proposed change may be reviewed online at https://health.hawaii.gov/shwb/ust-har or at 2827 Waimano Home Road #100 in Pearl City, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.to 4 p.m. (except state holidays). To request an auxiliary aid or service (e.g. ASL interpreter or large print) for the public meeting, call 808-586-4226 (voice/TDD) or email thu.perry@doh.hawaii.gov by Nov. 20. Anyone unable to attend the public meeting may send written testimony by Dec. 16, 2019 to Attn: UST Rules, 2827 Waimano Home Road #100, Pearl City, HI 96782 or DOHustprogram@HawaiiOIMT.onmicrosoft.com. PDF: DOH to hold Dec. 2 public meeting to receive comments on proposed rule changes for underground storage tanks #DepartmentofHealth #DOH #UndergroundStorageTanks #RedHill #DOH #UST #HawaiiState