Pacific Hurricanes
Pacific hurricanes are one type of tropical cyclone, along with tropical depressions, tropical storms, and typhoons. Tropical cyclones are areas of warm air and low pressure which rotate in a counterclockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere. Hurricanes and typhoons are tropical cyclones in which the wind velocity exceeds 74 mph, and are accompanied by heavy rain, and storm surges.
Hurricanes that approach and occasionally pass over Hawaii are usually generated to the west of the lower Baja peninsula of Mexico. Some, like the huge Hawaii Hurricane, Iniki, begin their lives off the coast of Africa and manage to cross Central America, regaining strength in the Pacific Ocean. They all move in a westward direction, but can make many turns along the way. Iniki is a polynesian word meaning – a sharp and piercing wind. Central North Pacific hurricane names are chosen in order from one list to the next list. Here are the current names:
List 1
Akoni, Ema, Hone, Iona, Keli, Lala, Moke, Nolo, Olana, Pena, Ulana, Wale
List 2
Aka, Ekeka, Hene, Iolana, Keoni, Lino, Mele, Nona, Oliwa, Pama, Upana, Wene
List 3
Alika, Ele, Huko, Iopa, Kika, Lana, Maka, Neki, Omeka, Pewa, Unala, Wali
List 4
Ana, Ela, Halola, Iune, Kilo, Loke, Malia, Niala, Oho, Pali, Ulika, Walaka
Hurricane Scale
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale divides hurricanes into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds. In order to be classified as a hurricane, a tropical cyclone must have maximum sustained winds of at least 74 mph. The highest classification in the scale, Category 5, is reserved for storms with winds exceeding 155 mph. The scale was developed by civil engineer Herbert Saffir and meteorologist Bob Simpson, who at the time was director of the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
Category 1
Sustained winds of 74-95 mph, surge 4-5 ft
Category 2
Sustained winds of 96-110 mph, surge 6-8 ft
Category 3
Sustained winds of 111-130 mph, surge 9-12 ft
Category 4
Sustained winds of 131-155 mph, surge 13-18 ft
Category 5
Sustained winds greater than 155 mph, surge 18 ft+
Storm surge is a phenomenon where a dome of water forms at levels higher than the surrounding ocean, caused by the extremely low pressure and strong winds around the eye of a hurricane. Large swells, high surf, and wind-driven waves ride atop this dome causing extensive damage to the shoreline environment. Exacerbated by the power of breaking waves, storm surge is the most deadly of a hurricane’s associated hazards, and has the potential to destroy everything in its path. The stronger the storm and the shallower the offshore waters, the higher the storm surge, and the greater threat to life and property. A powerful hurricane is usually described in terms of its wind speeds, but coastal flooding causes many more deaths than high wind.
Ka Palapala Po‘okela 2010 Honorable Mention
With a total of 110 nominations for the 2010 Ka Palapala Po‘okela book awards, there were plenty of excellent candidates. (So many books… so little time.) Here are the Honorable Mentions for the Ka Palapala Po‘okela Awards:
Children’s Hawaiian Culture
O Kaina Ke Kumu Koa / Kaina the Koa Tree
Written by Kulamanu Kawai‘ae‘a, Emilia Ka‘awa, Kawehi Keolanui, and Malia Kruger
Illustrated by Eve Furchgott
Children’s Illustrative or Photographic Books
Too Many Mangos
Written by Tammy Paikai
Illustrated by Don Robinson
Children’s Literature
Too Many Mangos
Written by Tammy Paikai
Illustrated by Don Robinson
Hawaiian Culture
Hookupu: An Offering of Literature by Native Hawaiian Women
Edited by Miyoko Sugano and Jackie Pualani Johnson
Literature
Hookupu: An Offering of Literature by Native Hawaiian Women
Edited by Miyoko Sugano and Jackie Pualani Johnson
Illustrative or Photographic Books
Pacific Images: Views from Captain Cook’s Third Voyage
By Eleanor C. Nordyke, in collaboration with James A. Mattison, Jr., M.D.
Natural Science
Plants of the Canoe People: An Ethnobotanical Voyage Through Polynesia
By W. Arthur Whistler
Text or Reference Books
Ethnobotany of Pohnpei: Plants, People, and Island Culture
Edited by Michael J. Balick
Cookbooks
What Hawaii Likes to Eat: Hana Hou
By Muriel Miura with Gay Wong
Special-Interest Books
Daniel’s Ocean Views: Inspirations of a Young Hiker
By Joyce Cassen, Norman, and Sara Levey
Nonfiction Books
Talking Hawai’i's Story: Oral Histories of an Island People
Edited by Michi Kodama-Nishimoto, Warren S. Nishimoto, and Cynthia A. Oshiro
Design
Tiffany DeEtte Shafto for
Contemporary Hawaii Woodworkers
By Tiffany DeEtte Shafto and Lynda McDaniel
Aloha from Beyond Hawai‘i
Ben Norris: American Modernist, 1910-2006 : An Autobiography
By Ben Norris, edited by Margaret Norris Castrey
Ka Palapala Pookela 2010 Winners
The Ka Palapala Po‘okela book awards are presented annually by the Hawai‘i Book Publishers Association (HBPA) to recognize the finest books published during the previous year and to honor the individuals who created them. There were a total of 110 nominations from 73 separate book projects entered in thirteen categories. Here are the Ka Palapala Po‘okela Award Winners:
Children’s Hawaiian Culture
No Ka Wai O Ka Puna Hou/ The Water of Ka Puna Hou
Written by Kawehi Avelino
Illustrated by Eve Furchgott
Children’s Illustrative or Photographic Books
When the Cassowary Pooped: A Tale of New Guinea
Written by Tamara Montgomery and Jodi Parry Belknap
Illustrated by Joseph D. Dodd
Children’s Literature
Pulelehua and Mamaki
Written by Janice Crowl
Illustrated by Harinani Orme
Hawaiian Culture
Wayfinding through the Storm: Speaking Truth to Power at Kamehameha Schools
By Gavan Daws and Nā Leo o Kamehameha
Literature
Bone Hook
By Ian MacMillan
Illustrative or Photographic Books
Big Island Journey: An Illustrated Narrative of the Island of Hawai‘i
By Sophia Schweitzer and Bennett Hymer
Natural Science
Amy Greenwell Garden Ethnobotanical Guide to Native Hawaiian Plants: And Polynesian-introduced Plants
By Noa Kekuewa Lincoln, et al
Text or Reference Books
Amy Greenwell Garden Ethnobotanical Guide to Native Hawaiian Plants: And Polynesian-introduced Plants
By Noa Kekuewa Lincoln, et al
Cookbooks
Kau Kau: Cuisine & Culture in the Hawaiian Islands
By Arnold Hiura
Special-Interest Books
Crochet Lei Making in Hawaii 3
By Judy Dela Cruz
Nonfiction Books
Ben: A Memoir, from Street Kid to Governor
By Benjamin J. Cayetano
Design
Barbara Pope, Barbara Pope Book Design for
Kailua: In the Wisps of the Malanai Breeze
Aloha from Beyond Hawai‘i
The Last Aloha
By Gaellen Quinn
Readers’ Choice Award
Under Maui Skies and Other Stories
by Wayne Moniz
Kauai Polynesian Festival 2010 Schedule
Thursday, May 27
Starts at 5:00 pm at Grand Hyatt Kauai.
Grand Polynesian Luau Celebration and fashion show. The evening will offer a lavish dinner buffet, a Polynesian fashion show, and an array of exciting Polynesian Entertainment. How to find Grand Hyatt Kauai
Friday, May 28
11:30 am – 10 pm at Vidinha Stadium.
Guests and participants can partake in island-style food and shop through the Polynesian arts & crafts display and demonstration tent. Celebrate a Polynesian Experience with a hands-on cultural crafts & dance activity. Learn weaving techniques using the fronds of the coconut and hala tree, learn to husk a coconut, fire making and spear throwing, finally let the pros teach you how to dance the hula, make a ti-leaf lei and tie a pareau (sarong), Polynesian style. The festival will feature island halau hula who will share their talents in a selection of Traditional and Modern Polynesian dance presentations. Entertainment on center stage will begin with Oahu’s own FAB4 sharing energetic and heartwarming memorable tunes. Friends from New Zealand will chant and hula. The competition will begin in the Maori action and Poi Ball dances of Aoteara New Zealand followed by Na Kupuna Hula Auwana Group Competition and Keiki/Opio/Na Wahine Solo & Group Hula Kahiko Competition in several age groups.
Saturday, May 29
11:30 am – 10:30 pm at Vidinha Stadium.
Guest and participants can partake in island-style food and shop through the Polynesian arts & crafts display and demonstration tent. Dance workshops, with Maori action dances, poi ball, Samoan Fire Knife and Hawaiian Hula workshop. Celebrate a Polynesian Experience with a hands-on cultural crafts & dance activity. Learn weaving techniques using the fronds of the coconut and hala tree, learn to husk a coconut, fire making and spear throwing, finally let the pros teach you how to dance the hula, make a ti-leaf lei and tie a pareau (sarong), Polynesian style. The festival will feature island halau hula who will share their talents in a selection of Traditional and Modern Polynesian dance presentations. Entertainment on center stage will begin with Oahu’s own FAB4 sharing energetic and heartwarming memorable tunes. A Tahitian Protocol Ceremony followed by dance competition in the Tahitian group Otea, Aparima & Ahupurotu categories. Samoa offers their Protocol Ceremony and the evening will culminate with the exhilarating Fire Knife dance competition in several age groups.
Sunday, May 30
11:30 am – 6:00 pm at Vidinha Stadium.
Guest and participants can partake in island-style food and shop through the Polynesian arts & crafts display and demonstration tent. Tahitian dance and drumming workshops. Hawaiian Contemporary group “the FAB4″ will be the Hawaiian entertainment on center stage. Competition will be with Tahitian Ori/solo division in several age groups with Couples division and Drumming competition to follow. A Tahitian Tamure and Awards Ceremony culminate the weekend festivities.
How to find Vidinha Stadium
Pacific Hurricane Preparedness
The Pacific Hurricane season runs June through November, with an average hurricane season producing four to five tropical cyclones (which includes tropical depressions, tropical storms, or hurricanes). Since 1959, we have seen 63 hurricanes, 49 tropical storms, and 58 tropical depressions. But this season’s projections from the NOAA Central Pacific Hurricane Center call for a 70 percent chance of a below-normal season.
This year’s lower-than-normal forecast is based on expectations that fewer hurricanes will move into the central Pacific from the eastern Pacific, and cooler waters will form in the equatorial Pacific from La Niña conditions. While the number of expected tropical cyclones is relatively low, it is still our responsibility to be prepared for a severe hit. Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 24-30 this year, and you are urged not to become complacent and to use this time to get ready.
Develop a family plan
- Ask about community evacuation plans.
- Talk to your family about hurricanes and what needs to be done.
- Plan a place to meet your family in case you are separated from one another.
- Consider the needs of relatives and neighbors with special needs.
- Make arrangements for pets.
Create a disaster supply kit
- Prepare to survive on your own for at least three days.
- Gather several days supply of water and food for each family member.
- Check prescription medicines – obtain at least 10 days to 2 weeks supply.
- Keep a small cooler with frozen gel packs handy for packing refrigerated items.
- Stock up on extra batteries for radios, flashlights, and lanterns.
- Stock up on canned provisions.
- Check and replenish first-aid supplies.
- Have on hand an extra supply of cash.
Secure your home
- Make plans to protect your property and make your home more secure.
- Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection, or board up windows with plywood.
- Store and secure outdoor lawn furniture and other loose, lightweight objects.
- Consider flood and hurricane insurance.
- Make a record of your personal property.
Prepare to evacuate
- Fuel your car, review evacuation routes.
- Listen for local radio or television weather forecasts and understand these terms:
- Hurricane Watch – A hurricane is possible within 36 hours.
- Hurricane Warning – A hurricane is expected within 24 hours.
