Wednesday, Feb. 26, 1969 | Volume II, Issue VIII
ON THE COVER
“Volcano Weather Returns To Kona … Pele Again”
No byline
Volcano weather returned to Kona this week, shrouding the coastline in a fine yellow haze, and turning sunsets into silk screens of eerie scarlets and smoke-tarnished golds.
The colorful Kona skies are the result of new volcanic activity at the Chain of Craters area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
New lava flows, as of early this week, had blanketed some 3 miles of the Chain of Craters Road and has extended more than 150 yards below the roadway. The center of activity was Alae Crater, where at least 10 fountains of lava were reported shooting up to 100 feet in the air. The bubbling extends to Napau Crater.
Chain of Craters Road is closed to sightseers due to the unpredictable nature of the eruption after a park ranger found himself cut off from escape as two lava flows smothered the roadway on either side of his vehicle. The ranger was lifted to safety by a Coast Guard helicopter and was unharmed after the 5.5-hour ordeal.
The latest surge of activity, that commenced Feb. 22, follows four months of silence at the volcano.
“Church Members Stage Condominium ‘Pray-In’”
No byline
Members of the United Church of Christ and other sympathizers staged a “pray-in” protest demonstration at the site of the proposed Dolphin condominium Saturday night, following the showing of “An Island Boy” at Mokuaikaua Church. The controversial building is located next to the historic church.
“Kona Schools Eye Quarters”
No byline
The four-quarter system will go into effect for four Kona schools starting in September, according to Toshio Sato, state Department of Education consultant.
Sato told members of the Hawaii School Advisory Council last week that Konawaena High, Intermediate and Elementary schools and Holualoa Elementary School would participate in the four-quarter system.
The four-quarter system would permit students to attend classes during any three quarters of the year or they could attend school all year.
When the system goes into effect, it will create positions for 14 more teachers. But there’s difficulty in finding teachers and housing in the Kona area.
DOE facilities specialist Herbert Watanabe said it was possible for the state to build more teachers’ cottages if state land was available near the school, but no state lands are available. Some of the four bedroom teachers’ cottages could be turned into two, two-bedroom units, and the Napoopoo School building could be turned into apartments.
OTHER NOTABLE HEADLINES
“Islander Inn Construction Begins”
No byline
Construction is underway for Inter-Island Resorts’ Big Island Islander Inn, located mauka of the Waiaka Wing of the Kona Inn adjacent to the Kealaokamalamala Church on Alii Drive.
The Islander Inn will be moderately priced and will provide additional outer island hotel space for the growing number of budget-minded travelers. It will be comprised of seven, three-story buildings with a total of 128 rooms. There will be a fresh water pool in the garden area. Many of the rooms will be connecting and all will have private lanais and wall-to-wall carpeting.
The proposed opening date is set for Christmas 1969.
Weekly deals:
At KK Super Mart in Honokaa: Fresh, frozen shrimp, eight ounces for $0.89 and one pound of Darigold butter for $0.85.
At Kamigaki Store: Spam, 12-ounce can for $0.49; Kona Laid Eggs, one dozen medium for $0.68; and Diamond shoyu, one gallon for $1.89.
At Sure Save Super Markets: Miko hot dog sale, two for $0.15; whole fryer chicken, $0.38 per pound; mahimahi fillet, $0.77 per pound; and Ocean Garden 36-40 count shrimp, five pound box for $6.55.
Featured films:
At Aloha Theatre: “In The Heart Of The Night” starring Rod Steiger and Sidney Poitier; “In Enemy Country” featuring Tony Franciosa and Anjanette Comer; and “Hellfighters” with John Wayne and Katherine Ross.
At Kona Theatre: Walt Disney’s “Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs;” Nana Ozaki in “Meet Me At The Snack Bar;” and Toshiro Mifune and Yujiro Ishihara in “Tunnel To The Sun.” For adults only, “Odd Taste.”