The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Nāʻālehu's Independence Day Parade for this year is canceled. Sponsored by ʻO Kaʻū Kākou and the Discovery Harbour
family of Lee and Debra McIntosh, the program is paused during the COVID-19 pandemic.
See more below. Photo by Leilani Esperanza

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

A COVID-19 CONTACT TRACING PARTNERSHIP is bringing University of Hawaiʻi and the state Department of Health together. With funding of $2.5 million, they plan to train personnel and community health workers in contact tracing. Health experts say extensive contact tracing is a key component to prevent spread of the virus while relaxing stay-at-home-orders and restarting Hawaiʻi's economy.
At the peak of the first COVID-19 wave, DOH trained more than 100 contact tracers, including some 30 volunteers from UH and DOH with backgrounds in public health, epidemiology, medicine, and nursing. The new one-year program will leverage UH faculty expertise and existing courses across the ten-campus system to quickly develop content for the contact tracing training.
UH President David Lassner said, "This has been a brainchild of State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park and UH's own Dr. Aimee Grace, who leads our UHealthy Hawaiʻi Initiative at the UH System. We believe that these programs to expand the number of contract tracers and community health workers will really help protect all of Hawaiʻi's communities."
The plan is to train approximately 300 contact tracers. Some with appropriate backgrounds could be ready in two to three days. Others, needing more training, could be ready in two to three months, depending on their backgrounds and the university's capacity for the training. DOH would activate the trained contact tracers, as needed. Some could become emergency hires in the event of a surge in COVID-19 cases.

University of Hawaiʻi and state Department of Health will use $2.5 million in funding to train personnel and
community health workers in contact tracing to stem coronavirus. Photo from University of Hawaiʻi

At a May 13 news conference with Gov. David Ige, DOH Director Bruce Anderson said, "With 300 staff to extend the capacity for monitoring and investigation, we expect to build the capacity up to at least 1,000 cases a day. Hopefully, we will not be approaching anything close to that, but we are planning for the worst and building up our capacity, accordingly."
UH will offer two tracks for contact tracing training: a course for clinical professionals - approximately two to three days to complete for those with at least an undergraduate degree and a clinical health background; and an intensive contact tracing program - approximately two to three months for those with undergraduate degrees, health sciences preferred. All training content and materials will be approved by the DOH.
Support will be provided to trainees who complete the program and join the DOH's volunteer Medical Reserve Corps.
UH Community Colleges will add capacity in the community health worker programs and update curricula so that community health worker graduates will be prepared to support COVID-19 contact tracing as needed.

A statement from the Hawaiʻi COVID-19 Joint Information Center said, "Health workers are a critical component to contract tracing with their special community-based training and ties to work effectively with identified high-risk populations. Those populations include Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities, which are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, along with the unemployed and homeless."
The course for clinical professionals will be led by Kristine Qureshi, Associate Dean for Research and Global Health and emergency preparedness expert at the UH Mānoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene. The intensive contact tracing program will be led by Ricardo Custodio, Associate Professor of Health Science at UH West Oʻahu.
Anyone interested in the contact tracing or community health worker training can contact COVID19@HAWAII.EDU.

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REP. TULSI GABBARD AND LT. GOV. JOSH GREEN joined in a telephone town hall this week to update Hawaiʻi residents about the coronavirus crisis. Listen to the full tele-town hall.

Gabbard stressed that "Opening Hawaiʻi safely will require vigilant testing and contact tracing. As an island state, we are in a unique position to do this effectively. This should have been implemented in full force from the start of the outbreak, and we can't responsibly move forward without it."
Gabbard noted that she will be in Washington, D.C. on Friday to vote on a new emergency assistance bill, H.R.6800, the Heroes Act. It would provide financial resources to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments. Some $3.3 billion would go to Hawaiʻi, divided between the state, counties, and municipalities, over two years.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard during one of her telephone town halls. Photo from Tulsi Gabbard

The Heroes Act also includes $200 billion to provide hazard pay to essential workers, nationwide. It provides funding to help those hit hardest by the crisis. It includes an employee retention credit, additional funding to small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan programs, $175 billion in housing assistance, additional funding for nutrition programs that help families put food on the table, education, and an extension of the $600 weekly federal unemployment benefits payments until January 2021.
The legislation would also provide a second $1,200 direct payment to all individuals, including dependents, up to $6,000 per household. Rep. Gabbard was the first in Congress to call for a monthly direct payment to continue as long as the crisis continues, and she will continue to fight for a monthly emergency basic payment to provide certainty for Americans during this crisis, said Gabbard.
Gabbard expressed concern that the Heroes Act was crafted without Republican or White House negotiations. She predicted that Friday's vote will only be a starting point before a bipartisan consensus is achieved to pass a final bill, which would meet the critical needs of first responders, frontline workers, and families.
The Lieutenant Governor gave an update on Hawaiʻi's success in flattening the curve. He noted that while the risk has gone down, it is still important to maintain social distancing, mask-wearing, and personal hygiene.
Gabbard and Green answered questions on the call about the next steps, as Hawaiʻi begins to open back up. They emphasized the importance of testing and contact tracing as the keys to reopening.
Gabbard also answered questions related to the safety of elections, noting the funding and language in the Heroes Act to ensure every voter can access voting by mail for the November 2020 election.

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Thy Word Ministries and its patriotic float in the 2019 Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade. The 2020 event, sponsored
by OKK and the McIntosh family, is canceled due to the pandemic. Photo by Peter Anderson

NĀʻĀLEHU'S INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE is canceled for this year, according to Wayne Kawachi, President of ʻO Kaʻū Kākou, the major sponsoring organization. The annual event features floats, horses and riders, walking groups, and classic vehicles along the Hwy 11 route through Nāʻālehu. Most creative and most patriotic presentations are named.

To put on the event, OKK works with the McIntosh family of Discovery Harbour.

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BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, THE FOOD BASKET, AND ACTIVATE HAWAIʻI AID will receive money from Hawaiian Electric and Hawaiian Electric Industries Charitable Foundation. The nonprofit organizations feed people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic on this island, including residents of Kaʻū and Volcano. To each non-profit, the utility is donating $2,000 and the Foundation, $5,000.

A statement from the utility says the biggest concern and priority on Hawai‘i Islandis food security. The donations to The Boys & Girls Club of the BigIsland, The Food Basket, and Activate Hawai‘i Aid are intended to "support their ongoing efforts to provide fresh produce, shelf-stable food, and prepared meals to Hawai‘i Islandfamilies."

Sharon Suzuki, Hawaiian Electric's president of MauiCounty and Hawai‘i Island Utilities, said, "Communities count on us to provide reliable electric service to operate essential businesses and support new stay-at-home lifestyles. It's also important for us to do what we can to help those who are struggling with basic needs. I'm grateful these three organizations are working together to meet Hawai‘i Island's food security needs during this very tough time."

Through its daily Community Meal Support Initiative, the Boys & Girls Club of the BigIsland provides nutritional hot meals to the island's most vulnerable populations including keiki, kūpuna, homeless, and struggling families. Their efforts help fill shortfalls and resource gaps, especially in very rural communities that are unable to benefit from school-based cafeteria meals due to lack of transportation. Last month, it provided more than 18,000 meals and it now provides up to 800 meals daily. Through this donation, BGCBI can provide 1,272 meals for the community.

Chad Cabral, Chief Executive Officer of Boys & Girls Club Big Island, said "The continued support of Hawaiian Electric and the HEI Charitable Foundation has allowed the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island to be able to quickly respond to the needs of those on Hawai‘i Island who are struggling as a result of the pandemic. Thank you for a true partnership that helps to support and strengthen our Hawai‘i Island communities."

The Food Basket provides ʻOhana Drop boxes which include a multi-day supply of shelf-stable food and local fresh produce for individuals and families. It offers drive-thru food distribution at 16 sites around the island and home delivery for those with limited transportation or compromised health. Through this donation, The Food Basket is able to purchase 5,000 pounds of food for the community.

Kristin Frost Albrecht, executive director of The Food Basket, said "We are so extremely grateful to HEI and Hawaiian Electric for their long-time partnership and generous support to provide food assistance to the most vulnerable residents on Hawai‘i Island. Given the skyrocketing number of families and individuals in need in our hard-hit communities across the island, this donation will provide critical food support during this unprecedented and challenging time."

Activate Hawai‘i Aid is a collective of community and government, working together to activate an islandwide network of resilience. The $2,000 donation supported the Keiki Care Packs initiative by providing 2,712 packs to children in more than 30 Hawai‘i Island communities, including Miloliʻi, Nāʻālehu, and Volcano. Learn how to sign up to receive food, below. Each pack includes foodstuffs, curated activities, resources, and materials to help keiki and parents better understand and cope with the pandemic. The additional $5,000 will support the #FeedThePeopleHI - Puna project, a collaboration between Chef Hui and AHA to increase food security for Puna households. Beginning May 15, and every Friday for the next eight weeks, 500 meal kits with ingredients and recipe cards for one-to-two big batch meals will be distributed to communities in upper and lower Puna subdivisions.

Ashley Kierkiewicz, lead organizer for Activate Hawai‘i Aid, said, "Many hands and many huis have come together to do something special for our keiki and community. So much thought, aloha, and planning goes into each project, and because it is a massive, ongoing give, working with community leaders is key. We rely on generous donations such as those from Hawaiian Electric, so we can activate our volunteer network and amplify our give."

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SIGN UP FOR KEIKI CARE PACKS by Friday, May 15, for distribution the week of May 25, through Activate Hawai‘i Aid. Specific pick-up days, times, and locations are posted to the calendar at activatehawaiiaid.org/keiki-care-packs. Those who sign up are notified via email and/or text to confirm pick-up date and location, at least 48 hours in advance.

RSVP for keiki pack(s) by taking the Community Pulse Survey online or by calling the Food Access Hotline at 808-793-5703. For those who have already filled out the survey and just want to RSVP for the next distribution, the survey has been modified to ask only questions related to their RSVP.

Volunteers don masks and gloves to distribute Keiki Care Packs
in Miloliʻi. Photo from Activate Hawaiʻi Aid

Care packs are distributed by drive-thru. Recipients are asked to stay in their vehicles to maintain safe social distancing. Home deliveries are generally not available; however, a few case-by-case exceptions may be made, when resources permit.

The organization's website asks the public to "be understanding if we are unable to provide you the full number of Keiki Care Pack(s) for which you have RSVP'd. A limit per household may be implemented at the time of distribution if demand exceeds our supply. We are working diligently to make sure this does not occur, but please be patient with us if it does."

Each pack contains approximately $15 worth of items for kids and young teens, including non-perishable foodstuffs (e.g. canned meats, packaged goods, snacks, cookies, fruit cups, juice, etc.) and curated coloring sheets, activities, and resources "to help children better understand the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as materials to support parents to engage their keiki and cope with the stresses of living through this pandemic." Each round of care packs is different; contents will vary based on what is available from local distributors and community partners.

Activate Hawaiʻi Aid schedules islandwide distributions of Keiki Care Packs once per month. They started with 1,000 packs in 13 communities in March 2020; in April, it was 2,700 packs in two dozen communities. Packs are assembled in Hilo in an environment that mitigates COVID-19 exposure risk and trucked to distribution locations in every district on Hawaiʻi Island.

Keiki Care Packs, delivered to Volcano. Photo from Activate Hawaiʻi Aid

Activate Hawaiʻi Aid is partnered with Connect Point Church in Hilo to purchase products and stage distribution. All volunteers are screened and vetted before being confirmed to serve. All involved in packing must wear masks and gloves, and each packing shift is limited to no more than 10 people. Captains ensure that proper social distancing, hand washing, and disinfecting protocols are being adhered to in both packing and distribution. Packs are organized so that they will be touched as little as possible to avoid contamination or cross-contamination.

The Activate Hawaiʻi Aid website says, "We are constantly fundraising to support this program and would love for your kōkua. All coordination, packing, and distribution efforts are volunteered, which means all money donated to this program goes to care packs! You can either click here to donate via our fiscal partner or volunteer to help us with our hotline or packaging and distribution of packs by emailing us at aloha@activatehawaiiaid.org. Our goal is to provide a Keiki Care Pack to every child in need on Hawai‘i Island each month. We appreciate your help!"

Activate Hawaiʻi Aid started the Keiki Care Pack program during the pandemic: "Going to school means so much to our keiki. It's a place for socialization, structure, and extracurricular activities. For many, it's a source of support and a place where essential services, such as breakfast and lunch, can be accessed. Our schools provide a safety net, but COVID-19 has upended that. Due to extended school closures by the DOE, a hui of parents joined forces with Activate Hawai‘i Aid to figure out a way to support our keiki. We wanted to do something that served their physical and emotional well-being. Hence, the Keiki Care Packs program was born."

See activatehawaiiaid.org/keiki-care-packsfor more.

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No COVID-19 cases so far in the zip code areas of Volcano,

Pāhala, and Ocean View. White indicates zero cases, light

yellow indicates one to five cases. The 96772 area in

Kaʻū has one case recorded. Map from DOH

NO NEW CASES OF COVID-19 were reported in the entire state today. The state Department of Health reported that one case was removed, bringing down the total count during the pandemic to 637 in the Hawaiian Islands. No one died on this island and only one victim was hospitalized for one night. One victim was reported as being from the 96672 zip code. No other victims were confirmed in Kaʻū nor Volcano.

The daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says, "There are no identified positive Coronavirus cases on Hawaiʻi Island at this date. All that was tested positive has been cleared as recovered.
"To all the Health care organizations and supporting agencies, thank you for your good and hard work of developing and continuing a comprehensive testing network for the safety of Hawaiʻi's people.

Civil Defense Director

Talmadge Magno.
Photo from Big Island Video News

"Know that early testing means early detection and early care. By your participation, you are helping develop a comprehensive database of information for Health Care officials to keep on top of things so they can respond appropriately and timely.
"Please understand the good place that Hawaiʻi is in today just reflects the importance of following the policies of prevention. The virus is still out there and we need to get better to keep Hawaiʻi safe! Thank you for doing your part. Thank you for listening. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. his is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense."

In the United States, more than 1.45 million cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 86,541.
Worldwide, more than 4.44 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 302,376.

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar

directory f or farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is

free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout

Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at

kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your

business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

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Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of May.

MOST EVENTS ARE CANCELLED to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. The state is under a stay-at-home order, with l4 days of quarantine required for anyone coming into the state. Interisland travel is restricted. Those in Hawaiʻi should stay at home unless needing to obtain food or medical care.

ONGOING

Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.

A testing team from Aloha Critical Care in Kona will provide testing at St. Jude's every other Wednesday. The next date is May 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The next drive-thru screening at Nāʻālehu Community Center will be held Wednesday, May 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Screening will be carried out by Aliʻi Health, with support from County of Hawai‘i COVID-19 Task Force, Premier Medical Group and Pathways Telehealth.

Wearing masks is required for everyone.
To bypass the screening queue at community test sites, patients can call ahead to Pathways Telehealth, option 5 at 808-747-8321. The free clinic will also offer on-site screening to meet testing criteria. Physicians qualify those for testing, under the guidance of Center for Disease Control & Prevention and Hawaiʻi's COVID-19 Response Task Force.
Those visiting screening clinics will be asked to show photo ID, and any health insurance cards – though health insurance is not required to be tested. They are also asked to bring their own pen to fill in forms.
For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced. A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.

Free Breakfast and Lunch for Anyone Eighteen and Under is available at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary and at Nāʻālehu Elementary weekdays through May. Each youth must be present to receive a meal. Service is drive-up or walk-up, and social distancing rules (at least six feet away) are observed. Breakfast is served 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Food is being delivered to Ocean View.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church Soup Kitchen is open, with a modified menu and increased health & safety standards, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended. Services are posted online on Sundays at stjudeshawaii.org.

The Food Basket Food Pantries Distribution, where families can receive 14 days of food per family:

The Ocean View location for May was Kahuku Park on Monday, May 11, 10 a.m. to noon. Call The Food Basket, 933-6030, for the next date.
The Nāʻālehu location Sacred Heart Church at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy, under their Loaves and Fishes program, on Thursday, May 28 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Call 928-8208.

The Pāhala location is Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street, distributed by the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Pantry, on Tuesday, May 26, 10 a.m. to noon. Call The Food Basket, 933-6030.

The Volcano location is Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road Wednesday, May 27 from 10 a.m. to noon. Call Kehau at 443-4130.

On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 967-7800 to confirm.

Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium Closed for Renovation through June 30. The Park is closed until further notice due to COVID-19 spread mitigation. A popular seven-and-a-half minute 2018 eruption video will be shown on a television in the exhibits area, once the Park and center reopen, and is available online for free download.

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Jaggar Museum and the USGS headquarters in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in 2018 before earthquakes
severely damaged the buildings. Give public input into reconstruction of the facilities. See story below. NPS Photo

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS HAS JOINED THE BUY ONE, FEED ONE campaign to help fund the Food Bank, support restaurants, and to encourage people going for takeout to purchase a second meal for someone affected by the fallout of COVID-19. Through restaurants that sign up, Kamehameha Schools donates to the Food Bank, the dollar per dollar cost of the second meal.
A statement from KS says, "Mahalo to the many people and organizations who have collectively helped those in need during this crisis - a true testament to the aloha that we all share!
"The COVID-19 pandemic has created a challenging situation for many across the globe. As a whole, we must find opportunities to ensure the health and well-being of our communities, especially for those families and individuals who don’t have the adequate resources to get through these uncertain and stressful times.
"Kamehameha Schools is joining this kākou movement by supporting the Buy One, Feed One (#BOFOHawaii) campaign." The program runs through the month of May or "until the campaign threshold is met - further ensuring that no one will go hungry during this crisis." KS committed to donating up to $50,000.
Here's how to participate: Purchase two takeout meals at a participating restaurant. "Take a photo of yourself with the meals you bought." Share a short description of the recipient of the additional meal, such as a kūpuna, neighbor, friend, teacher, or keiki. Tag the post with #BOFOHawaii. Tag or share with a friend who is eating out. "Together, we will come out of this situation stronger and better. I mua!" says the KS statement.

See the full list of participating restaurants. Those signed up on Hawaiʻi Island are in Keauhou Shopping Center: Bianelliʻs Gourmet Pizza (808) 322-0377; Kenichi Bento Box (808) 339-7703; L&L Hawaiian BBQ (808) 322-9988; Los Habaneros (808) 324-6488; Peaberry and Galette (808) 322-6020; Royal Thai Café (808) 322-8424, and Subway (808) 322-1818. Kamehameha Schools encourages restaurants in Kaʻū and Volcano to join in.

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A WEBINAR ON THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING ON THE CLEAN WATER ACT will be held next Tuesday, May 19 at 6 p.m. Speakers will include Hannah Bernard, Executive Director of Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, known for its beach cleanups and other conservation projects in Kaʻū. Also on the webinar will be Earthjustice attorney David Henkin and former EPA Coral Reef Ecologist Wendy Wiltse, PhD. It is co-sponsored by the Surfrider Foundation.

The Supreme Court ruling in April broke with the view of the County of Maui and the Trump Administration and favored Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund. In a six to two ruling, the justices concluded that the Clean Water Act covers pollutants that reach the ocean indirectly, such as treated sewage injected into groundwater. If the effluent with pollutants reaches the ocean, the process violates the Clean Water Act, ruled the Supreme Court.

The case involved a wastewater treatment plant on Maui that pumps four million gallons of treated sewage into injection wells, daily. Over time, some of it is carried by groundwater into the ocean. The Trump administration's brief sided with the county and argued that the Clean Water Act does not apply to the treated sewage that moves through groundwater before reaching protected waters.

The Supreme Court sent the case back to the Ninth Circuit Court for application of new standards put forth in the ruling. See a New York Times story on the ruling for some of the questions posed by the justices.
The webinar will be live-streamed via Facebook Live at bit.ly/cwa-0519. Megan Lamson, of Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, encourages public participation, saying that the case will impact water pollution laws and standards around the state and beyond.

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Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt visited Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park last May to investigate the
damage from the earthquakes, and to help launch a plan to rebuild and repair the Park and USGS facilities.
See the concepts online at Disaster Recovery Project. Photo by Julia Neal

HISTORIC JAGGAR MUSEUM WOULD BE DEMOLISHED on the edge of Kīlauea caldera at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, due to damage sustained in the 2018 earthquakes and eruption. The Reginald T. Okamura building would be torn down and most of the existing footprint would be restored to natural conditions. Some remnant elements from the buildings may be salvaged and incorporated into a viewing shelter located on-site.

These are elements of concepts released this week by the National Park Service for public input into its Disaster Recovery Project.

The Geochemistry Annex building would be repaired for interim use by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory and National Park Service administration until the new USGS field station is completed, at which time the Annex may be demolished. The existing restrooms would be repaired for continued visitor use. The existing paved and walled overlook in front of the restrooms, Annex, and Jaggar Museum, would be repaired and improved. Improvements would include enlarging the overlook to incorporate some of the footprint of the Jaggar Museum and adding an open-air viewing shelter.

From HVNP Disaster Recovery – Concept Development (May 2020) Common to All | Uēkahuna Bluff.
See the larger concept drawings online at Disaster Recovery Project.

A second area, previously used by the public as an informal viewing area, would become a formalized overlook, with possible hard surface and perimeter walls, located along Crater Rim Trail south of the public parking area. The existing Crater Rim Trail would be maintained.
The existing radio tower and radio room would remain. The existing water tanks may be replaced or removed, depending on if the Annex remains long-term. In the future and if needed, visitor parking capacity would be added by constructing a new parking lot on the other side of Crater Rim Drive. This would alleviate severe congestion and resource damage that occurs during summit eruptions. The Jaggar Museum to Nāmakanipaio Trail connection would be re-routed if this parking is constructed.
Provide input to the National Park Service by choosing a concept and making comments.

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FOUR CONCEPTS ARE OPEN FOR PUBLIC REVIEW in the planning for the future of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park facilities. According to Concept One, National Park Service would construct a new Kīlauea Visitor Center on the south side of Crater Rim Drive, near the Park entrance, in a forested area. It would include covered lanai, outdoor exhibits, theater, visitor parking, bus parking, NPS administrative parking, pedestrian circulation, and a new wastewater system, and a separate restroom building, built by NPS.
"A new visitor center would be large enough to accommodate the visitor functions currently provided at Kīlauea Visitor Center and previously provided by Jaggar Museum," says the plan. "A new visitor center would allow a single, easy-to-find stop for the interpretation of the Park's defining features in a coordinated and consolidated manner. New covered picnic tables would be constructed in the existing picnic area, adjacent to the 1877 Volcano House."
Visitor use in the KVC building would be relocated to the new visitor center. The existing KVC building would be repurposed as an education center with existing NPS office and auditorium uses maintained. The existing education center in the NPS administrative area would be repurposed for NPS administrative use.

Concept One for improvements at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
See the larger concept drawings online at Disaster Recovery Project.

A new USGS HVO & PIERC-KFS Field Station, with parking and wastewater system, would be constructed to the east of the KVC building in a section of previously disturbed forest which is fragmented by utility corridors and an unpaved parking lot.
An administrative bypass lane, additional fee booth, and replacement staff parking would be added to the existing entrance station. Crater Rim Drive would be realigned and a roundabout would be constructed to improve traffic flow, safety, and wayfinding at the Crater Rim Drive intersection.
Existing water and communications lines would be utilized with minor relocation and connection spurs.
See Concept Two in Saturday's Kaʻū News Briefs. See all four concepts and provide input to the National Park Service by choosing a concept and making comments.
To be mailed design concepts, or to receive answers to questions, call (808) 460-6212, or email havo_planning@nps.gov. The comment period will end Monday, June 15. The National Park Service will use community feedback to determine which concept, or modified concept, will be the concept considered. NPS will evaluate the impacts of any proposed alternative.

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STACY HIGA FILED PAPERS TO RUN FOR MAYOR of Hawaiʻi County, this week. The Nā Leo TV CEO and former County Council member, Higa announced his candidacy on April 19. Former Hawaiʻi State Representative Cindy Evans and former Council Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi endorsed his campaign.

Said Onishi, "I know Stacy has the experience and leadership needed to guide Hawaiʻi County through these times. It will take a combination of government, business, and nonprofit experience to help lead our island to brighter days, and Stacy checks all of the boxes when comparing each Mayoral candidate."

Hawaiʻi County mayoral candidate Stacy Higa.

Evans said, "I believe there is no better person to address the issues we face than Stacy Higa. I trust his leadership, I trust his awareness, I trust his values, and I trust his commitment to the people of Hawaiʻi Island."

Higa expressed his appreciation: "We believe that the wave of endorsements over the past two weeks speaks to the fact that the people of Hawaiʻi Island are looking for someone with a proven track record of leadership. This has never been about me, but always about us. I look forward to the opportunity to put my skills, talents, and experience to work for the people of the County of Hawaiʻi. One island, one future isn't a dream, it's a promise!"

Others who have announced their candidacies include incumbent Harry Kim, County Prosecutor Mitch Roth, Public Works Highways Division Chief Neil Azevedo, former County Councilmember Kelly Greenwell, first-term County Council member Kanealiʻi Kleinfelder, former county Director of Parks & Recreation Bob Fitzgerald, Puna community organizer Ikaika Marzo, former community radio and television news producer Wendell Kaʻehuʻaeʻa, former Kona restaurateur Tante Urban, musician and entertainer Grayden Haʻi-Kelly, State Family Law attorney James "Jiro" Yuda, Highway Division Division Chief at county Department of Public Works Neil Azevedo, and medical cannabis advocate Mike Ruggles. Those who have expressed interest or pulled nomination papers but not yet filed include: Yumi Kawano, of Volcano, a forester-conservationist and former teacher; Wendell Kaehuaea, a Hilo security guard and consistent candidate for more than a decade; Abolghassem Abraham Sadegh, a former government official in Iran and frequent testifier at County Council meetings; Daniel Cunningham, former County Council District candidate; Harvey W. Eli, of Kona; Michael Glendon, an active protestor of the Thirty Meter Telescope; and Ted "Toku San" Shaneyfelt, a lecturer in computer science at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

The primary election, by mail, is Saturday, August 8. The deadline to file papers to run for Mayor is Tuesday, June 2. If one of the top two candidates receives more than 50 percent of the vote, the mayorship is decided. If not, the top two square off in the general election on Nov. 3.

No COVID-19 cases so far in the zip code areas of Volcano,

Pāhala, and Ocean View. White indicates zero cases, light

yellow indicates one to five cases. The 96772 area in

Kaʻū has one case recorded. Map from DOH

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

HAWAIʻI ISLAND SPORTS THE ONLY NEW CASE OF COVID-19 reported in the entire state today. The state Department of Health has not disclosed the victim's location, nor zip code. The total count during the pandemic is 638 for the state. The island's total count is 76, with 75 cleared as recovered by the Department of Health. No one died on this island and only one victim was hospitalized for one night. One victim was reported as being from the 96672 zip code, which includes Naʻalehu. No other victims were confirmed in Kaʻū nor Volcano.

The daily message from Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says, "To all the health care organizations and supporting agencies, thank you, for your good work of planning and developing an island wide system of testing for the safety of the Hawaiian Island Community. Testing will continue and is needed to help develop a comprehensive database for health officials to stay on top of things so they can respond timely and appropriately.

Civil Defense Director

Talmadge Magno.
Photo from Big Island Video News

Please, know how important it is to continue following the policies of prevention. The coronavirus is out there, and we need to work together to keep Hawaiʻi Safe. Thank you for doing your part. Thank you for listening and a huge acknowledgment to all the police officers on this National Law Enforcement Week and the deepest of gratitude and remembrance on this Peace Officer's Memorial Day. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense."

In the United States, more than 1.47 million cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 89,200.

Worldwide, more than 4.53 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 307,000.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

FREE BOOK EXCHANGE at the laundromat in Ocean View is provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. The other free book exchange is located at the laundromat in Nāʻālehu. Everyone is invited to take books they want to read. They may keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them to the Book Exchange to make them available to others in the community. The selection of books is replenished weekly at both sites.

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar

directory f or farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is

free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout

Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at

kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your

business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of May.

MOST EVENTS ARE CANCELLED to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. The state is under a stay-at-home order, with l4 days of quarantine required for anyone coming into the state. Interisland travel is restricted. Those in Hawaiʻi should stay at home unless needing to obtain food or medical care.

ONGOING

Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.

A testing team from Aloha Critical Care in Kona will provide testing at St. Jude's every other Wednesday. The next date is May 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The next drive-thru screening at Nāʻālehu Community Center will be held Wednesday, May 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Screening will be carried out by Aliʻi Health, with support from County of Hawai‘i COVID-19 Task Force, Premier Medical Group and Pathways Telehealth.
Wearing masks is required for everyone.
To bypass the screening queue at community test sites, patients can call ahead to Pathways Telehealth, option 5 at 808-747-8321. The free clinic will also offer on-site screening to meet testing criteria. Physicians qualify those for testing, under the guidance of Center for Disease Control & Prevention and Hawaiʻi's COVID-19 Response Task Force.
Those visiting screening clinics will be asked to show photo ID, and any health insurance cards – though health insurance is not required to be tested. They are also asked to bring their own pen to fill in forms.

For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced.
A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.

The Food Basket Food Pantries Distribution, where families can receive 14 days of food per family:

The Ocean View location for May was Kahuku Park on Monday, May 11, 10 a.m. to noon. Call The Food Basket, 933-6030, for the next date.

The Nāʻālehu location Sacred Heart Church at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy, under their Loaves and Fishes program, on Thursday, May 28 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Call 928-8208.

The Pāhala location is Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street, distributed by the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Pantry, on Tuesday, May 26, 10 a.m. to noon. Call The Food Basket, 933-6030.

The Volcano location is Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road Wednesday, May 27 from 10 a.m. to noon. Call Kehau at 443-4130.

On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 967-7800 to confirm.

Free Book Exchanges at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu are provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Everyone is invited to take books they want to read. They may keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them to the Book Exchange to make them available to others in the community. The selection of books is replenished weekly at both sites.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Pūhāhonu, the turtle rising for breath, is the tiny peak of the massive volcano. New research deems it the
largest shield volcano in the world, much larger than Mauna Loa, the former title holder. Pūhāhonu
was formerly called Gardner Pinnacles. Photo from Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP WILL REOPEN ON JUNE 1 for accommodations and plans to start serving meals at its Crater Rim Café. When its bowling alley, luʻau, and bar reopen depends on the schedule of reopening Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, the location of the KMC campus. It also depends on state and county health directives connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. The store and gas station remain open.
Crater Rim Café announced its Father's Day Dinner Special with prime rib for Sunday, June 21 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The restaurant will offer sit-down and Grab & Go dinners. For dine-in seating, reservations are required by calling 967-8356. See more below.

Kīlauea Military Camp plans to open its accommodations and restaurant
on June 1. Photo from militarycampgrounds.us

Volcano House is also taking reservations for check-in beginning June 1, pending reopening of access to its site within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Park.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

PŪHĀHONU, THE TURTLE RISING FOR BREATH, IS THE LARGEST MOUNTAIN IN HAWAIʻI, and the hottest and largest shield volcano on earth. Mauna Loa is no longer seen as the biggest mountain. University of Hawaiʻi School of Ocean & Earth Science & Technology recently published the study that measured Pūhāhonu, formerly called Gardner Pinnacles. It's a volcano located within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Only five acres at the surface, it rises above the ocean between French Frigate Shoals and Maro Reef.
An article this week in Phys Org says, "Geoscientists and the public have long thought Mauna Loa, a culturally-significant and active shield volcano on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, was the largest volcano in the world. However, after surveying the ocean floor along the mostly submarine Hawaiian leeward volcano chain, chemically analyzing rocks in the UH Mānoa rock collection, and modeling the results of these studies, the research team came to a new conclusion. Pūhāhonu, meaning 'turtle rising for breath' in Hawaiian, is nearly twice as big as Mauna Loa."
Michael Garcia, lead author of University of Hawaiʻi's SOEST study, said "It has been proposed that hotspots that produce volcano chains like Hawaiʻi undergo progressive cooling over 1-2 million years and then die. However, we have learned from this study that hotspots can undergo pulses of melt production. A small pulse created the Midway cluster of now extinct volcanoes and another, much bigger one created Pūhāhonu. This will rewrite the textbooks on how mantle plumes work.

"In 1974, Pūhāhonu (then called Gardner Pinnacles) was suspected as the largest Hawaiian volcano based on very limited survey data. Subsequent studies of the Hawaiian Islands concluded that Mauna Loa was the largest volcano but they included the base of the volcano that is below sea level that was not considered in the 1974 study. The new comprehensive surveying and modeling, using methods similar to those used for Mauna Loa show that Pūhāhonu is the largest.
"This study highlights Hawaiian volcanoes, not only now but for millions of years, have been erupting some of the hottest magma on Earth. This work also draws attention to an infrequently visited part of the state of Hawaiʻi that has ecological, historical, and cultural importance."
Garcia told Phys Org: "We are sharing with the science community and the public that we should be calling this volcano by the name the Hawaiians have given to it, rather than the western name for the two rocky small islands that are the only above sea level remnants of this once-majestic volcano."

Friends of Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge gives the history of westerners finding in 1820, when Captain Joseph Allen of the Nantucket whaler, Maro, reported seeing "a new island or rock not laid down on any of our charts... It has two detached humps... We call it Gardner's Island."

Pūhāhonu, Gardner Pinnacles, is known for its giant ʻopihi.
Photo from Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

According to Friends, Pūhāhonu is noted for giant ʻopihi, the endemic Hawaiian limpets, and 27 species of stony coral. Acropora table corals occupy the leeward side, while tube, stony, and soft corals live throughout the reef. Pūhāhonu is known for some of the most variety in fish species in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. It is home to seabirds, insects, and one plant, a succulent called sea purslane. Nineteen seabird species live there, a dozen of them nesting.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

A NEW VISITOR CENTER IS AN OPTION PRESENTED IN CONCEPT TWO, the second of four alternative plans for the future of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park facilities. The public is invited to comment and make suggestions for the future of the park through June 15. Concept Two, illustrated in the Park's Disaster Recovery Project documents, includes a new visitor center with interior restrooms, constructed east of Kīlauea Visitor Center. It includes a covered lanai, outdoor exhibits, theater, visitor parking, bus parking, and pedestrian circulation.
A new visitor center would be large enough to accommodate visitor functions, space currently provided by KVC and previously provided by Jaggar Museum. It would allow a single, easy-to-find stop for the interpretation of the Park's defining features in a coordinated and consolidated manner.
New covered picnic tables would be constructed in the existing picnic area adjacent to the 1877 Volcano House.
Visitor use in the Kīlauea Visitor Center building would be relocated to the new visitor center. The existing KVC building would be repurposed as an education center, with existing NPS office and auditorium uses being maintained. The existing education center in the NPS administrative area would be repurposed for NPS administrative use.

See the larger concept drawings online at Disaster Recovery Project.

A new USGS HVO & PIERC-KFS Field Station, parking, and wastewater system would be constructed near the Visitor Emergency Operations Center, in a currently forested area. An administrative bypass lane, additional fee booth, and replacement staff parking would be added to the entrance station.
Crater Rim Drive would be realigned, and a roundabout would be constructed to improve traffic flow, safety, and wayfinding at the Crater Rim Drive intersection. Existing water and communications lines would be utilized with minor relocation and connection spurs.
See Concept Three in Sunday's Kaʻū News Briefs and Concept Four in Monday's Kaʻū News Briefs. See all four concepts and provide input here. To be mailed the design concepts, or to receive answers to questions, call (808) 460-6212, or email havo_planning@nps.gov. The comment period will end Monday, June 15. The National Park Service will use community feedback to determine which concept, or modified concept, will be the proposed concept. NPS will evaluate the impacts of any proposed alternative.

State Sen. Kai Kahele included this photo, from a 2015 Kāneʻohe Bay Air
Show at the Marine Corps Base on Oʻahu, in his Armed Forces Day
message. Photo from Kahele

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

IT'S ARMED FORCES DAY and state Sen. Kai Kahele, himself a National Guard pilot, sent out this message:

"Pres. John F. Kennedy declared National Armed Forces Day an official holiday to honor all the brave men and women who serve our country. Today, we close out Armed Forces Week by celebrating every branch of our military.

"Hawaiʻi is one of few states in the country with one base from each branch of the military — with the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard all represented throughout our islands. With 11 military bases in Hawaiʻi, the military creates around 100,000 civilian jobs in our beautiful home state.

"It's wonderful that we have a week dedicated to our military every May, but we can't let our commitment to them end today. When we ask our service members to put their lives on the line for us and our families, we must always have their backs. This means providing proper mental and physical healthcare, good job opportunities, and housing options for veterans when they come home.

"There's a long way to go to make sure we're keeping our word to our veterans and their families. In Congress, Kai will honor the commitment of our service members, veterans, and their families.

"Mahalo to all the men and women who serve."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR FATHER'S DAY at Crater Rim Café in Kīlauea Military Camp for Sunday, June 21 from 5 p.m.to 8 p.m. Seating is limited due to social distancing. Grab & Go dinners will be available. The main course is Prime Rib and Vegetable Alfredo Pasta Bake, with salad, mashed potatoes, and steamed rice side dishes, and cheesecake dessert, for $27.95 per person. Call 967-8356 for dine-in reservations, Grab & Go orders, and current event information. KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

No COVID-19 cases so far in the zip code areas of Volcano,

Pāhala, and Ocean View. White indicates zero cases, light

yellow indicates one to five cases. The 96772 area in

Kaʻū has one case recorded. Map from DOH

A FALSE POSITIVE ON A COVID-19 TEST reported Friday on Hawaiʻi Island led to a retraction by the Department of Health. DOH reports on Saturday, one new case on Hawaiʻi Island, and one on Oʻahu.
Seventy six COVID-19 cases have been confirmed on Hawaiʻi Island since the pandemic began, with all but today's victim recovered.
DOH confirms 639 cases statewide since the pandemic began, with 415 on Oʻahu, 117 in Maui County, 21 in Kauaʻi County and 10 cases involving residents diagnosed outside the state.
The daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says, "Know that all policies of distancing, face coverings, cleanliness, and personal health remains in effect. Thank you for doing your part to keep Hawaiʻi safe. Thank you for listening and a humble and grateful recognition of all service personnel on this National Armed Forces Day. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense."

In the United States, more than 1.5 million cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 89,420.
Worldwide, more than 4.63 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 311,000.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

At last year's Kaʻū Coffee College, Brittany Horn instructs coffee farmers on using yeast during processing.
Photo by Lora Boronova

Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year

KAʻŪ COFFEE COLLEGE drew many coffee farmers, buyers, roasters, and enthusiasts to Pāhala Community Center last year in May to wrap up the eleventh annual Kaʻū Coffee Festival. The Coffee College and other Festival events are on pause this year during the pandemic.

Andrea Kawabata, of the University of Hawaiʻi Agricultural Extension Service, who is working through the pandemic online and on the ground, gave a presentation last year on increasing yields on farms. She laid out some basic rules: Seek science, keep records, spend wisely. Understand that time is money and be committed.

She advised that the simplest way to grow more coffee is to plant more coffee in areas where coffee trees are weak. Replace them where coffee trees have died or been taken out.

Andrea Kawabata from University of Hawaiʻi Extension Service

encourages coffee farmers to seek science, keep records,

and spend wisely. Photo by Lora Botonnova

She also emphasized proper use of pesticides, and provided examples of using poisons that can weaken the coffee plant and lead to mites and other infestations, that lead to a higher cost and losses in the long run. She said that keeping trees healthy is the best practice, along with careful pesticide management when needed.

Kawabata provides coffee berry borer integrated pest management recommendations to growers throughout the state, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, and in an emerging coffee growing business in California.
Dr. Adel Youkhana, of University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, advised farmers on making accurate predictions of their Kaʻū coffee crops. He is also an expert on productivity and carbon sequestration on the growing of coffee, particularly in shade-grown coffee.
Brittany Horn, founder and owner of Pacific Coffee Research, talked about the introduction of coffee yeast to the Kaʻū Coffee fermentation process. Ongoing trials with coffee cupping feedback help each farmer to determine the yeast protocol for coffee. Yeast helps to quicken the fermentation process, which is one of the key steps in processing coffee.
Cal Westergard, of the state Department of Agriculture, advised farmers on the safe use of pesticides on their Kaʻū Coffee farms.

Gloria Camba, left, and Bong Aquino, right, still smiling after a week of Kaʻū Coffee Festival events last year.

Photo by Lora Botonova

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar

directory f or farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is

free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout

Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at

kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your

business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of May.

MOST EVENTS ARE CANCELLED to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. The state is under a stay-at-home order, with l4 days of quarantine required for anyone coming into the state. Interisland travel is restricted. Those in Hawaiʻi should stay at home unless needing to obtain food or medical care.

ONGOING

Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.

The next drive-thru screening at Nāʻālehu Community Center will be held Wednesday, May 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Screening will be carried out by Aliʻi Health, with support from County of Hawai‘i COVID-19 Task Force, Premier Medical Group and Pathways Telehealth.
A testing team from Aloha Critical Care in Kona will provide testing at St. Jude's every other Wednesday. The next date is May 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wearing masks is required for everyone.

To bypass the screening queue at community test sites, patients can call ahead to Pathways Telehealth, option 5 at 808-747-8321. The free clinic will also offer on-site screening to meet testing criteria. Physicians qualify those for testing, under the guidance of Center for Disease Control & Prevention and Hawaiʻi's COVID-19 Response Task Force.
Those visiting screening clinics will be asked to show photo ID, and any health insurance cards – though health insurance is not required to be tested. They are also asked to bring their own pen to fill in forms.
For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced.
A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.

The Food Basket Food Pantries Distribution, where families can receive 14 days of food per family:
The Pāhala location is Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street, distributed by the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Pantry, on Tuesday, May 26, 10 a.m. to noon. Call The Food Basket, 933-6030.
The Volcano location is Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road Wednesday, May 27 from 10 a.m. to noon. Call Kehau at 443-4130.
The Nāʻālehu location Sacred Heart Church at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy, under their Loaves and Fishes program, on Thursday, May 28 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Call 928-8208.
The Ocean View location for May was Kahuku Park on Monday, May 11, 10 a.m. to noon. Call The Food Basket, 933-6030, for the next date.

On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 967-7800 to confirm.

Free Book Exchanges at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu are provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Everyone is invited to take books they want to read. They may keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them to the Book Exchange to make them available to others in the community. The selection of books is replenished weekly at both sites.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Mayoral candidate Mitch Roth came to Pāhala with food on Saturday. Helping with distribution of boxed food and plate lunches were members of the ILWU, a union that endorsed him. Roth is the elected county prosecutor.
See story below. Photo by Julia Neal

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

CHEF KEONE GRACE LAUNCHES A FOOD SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC on the grounds of Kaʻū Hospital on Monday. The chef, and Institutional Food Service Manager at Kaʻū Hospital, produced a menu with his crew, at a cost of $8 per meal. It's ready for takeout at 11 a.m. Mondays through Fridays.

A chef salad from the new weekdays lunch service for the public from
Chef Keoni Grace and his food service crew at Kaʻū Hospital.
See story below. Photo from Keone Grace

Chef salads and cold sandwiches are available each day, with a choice of turkey, ham, or pastrami. Sandwiches come with chips, small salad, and dessert.
Hot meals come with small salad and dessert, and a change of the entré each day. This Monday is roast pork; Tuesday, hamburger steak; Wednesday, baked chicken; Thursday, pork adobo; and Friday, fried fish.
To order, call Jennifer at 932-4372 between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. and pre-pay. Pick up is in the back of the hospital at the kitchen's rear entrance, after 11 a.m. Ring the bell for service, wear a mask, and observe social distancing with other persons picking up food.

Keone Grace interviewed for a cover story in Japan Airlines magazine.
Photo by Julia Neal

Grace and crew are known for good food for long term Kaʻū Hospital residents and staff. In addition, he caters for numerous events in Kaʻū and beyond.
His recipes using Kaʻū Coffee were featured last November in Skyward, the inflight magazine of Japan Airlines in a cover article entitled Kaʻū Coffee The Big Island.
More than 900,000 copies went to subscribers and the story was available on JAL's planes to more than 2.6 million passengers last November.
Pāhala Plantation House hosted the photographer, writer, and editor from JAL. In its dining room, Grace, Kaʻū Coffee farmers, and enthusiasts presented food using Kaʻū Coffee, such as brazed meats and skewered coffee-infused fruits, vegetables, and shrimp. Grace promoted cuisine employing produce from local farmers.

The kitchen staff at Kaʻū Hospital starts a luncheon takeout

service on Monday. Photo from Keone Grace

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

MAYORAL CANDIDATE MITCH ROTH arrived in Pāhala on Saturday with food to distribute to seniors and families in need. With face masks on and social distancing, he and campaign staff shared goodwill, boxed fresh fruit and vegetables, and plate lunches. They engaged in some informal discussions of local issues as people arrived to the Longakit driveway on Koali Street, a family home of Roth's campaign manager Pomai Bartolome. Her father, a well-known musician, Lloyd Longakit, played Hawaiian music.

Among Roth's supporters at the food giveaway were leaders and members of the ILWU, including Hawai`i Island Director, Elmer Gorspe. The ILWU endorses Roth for Mayor of Hawaiʻi County.
Roth serves as elected Prosecuting Attorney for County of Hawaiʻi, first elected in 2012. He oversees 124 employees, 34 of them prosecuting attorneys. He is known for his peacekeeping work in Ocean View, supporting neighborhood watch and other programs to reduce drug use and crime in the community. His staff has prosecuted cold cases, implemented a restorative justice project, created a sexual assault unit with attorneys experienced in such cases, and set up community outreach and training about sexual assault.
In support of victims, Roth employs counselors to offer victim services. Victims receiving counseling include those with personal assault and property theft cases. He also works on programs to prevent agricultural theft.
He helped launch the Veterals Treatment Court and Big Island Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center. His campaign website says the Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center has helped cut in half the juvenile crime in this county.

ILWU leader Elmer Gorospe gives a food box to a Pāhala family, in
support of the Mitch Roth for Mayor campaign. Photo by Julia Neal

Roth earned his undergraduate degree from University of Hawai‘i -Manoa, his Jurist Doctorate from Whittier Law School. Between undergraduate and law school, he lived in Japan and taught English. There, he met his wife-to-be, Noriko Yamada. Mitch and Noriko Yamada Roth are parents of three adult children, alumni of Waiakea High School in Hilo.
Mitch Roth won the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney's Award of Excellence. On this island, he oversaw the Asset Forfeiture Program and served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney.
His community service activities include helping to create Hawai‘i Island Visitor Aloha Society, the Community Coalition for Neighborhood Safety, and NexTech STEM, along with helping to establish training and organization of CERT - Citizens Emergency Response Teams - around the island.
Roth is a board member of Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island and Camp Agape Big Island - a four-day camp for children of incarcerated parents. He volunteers for Rotary Club of Hilo and Hilo Exchange Club and RYLA, the Rotary Youth Leadership. He served on the YMCA corporate
board, and as an officer of Turning Point for Families.
See more on the Mitch Roth campaign website.

Families drove to the Longakit house in Pāhala Saturday to pick up food from mayoral candidate Mitch Roth.
Photo by Julia Neal

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KATIE KAMELAMELA, DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR FOR DISTRICT THREE, is reaching out to the community to suggest names of volunteers to serve in posts for the Pāhala Precinct 7 Club. With the Precinct 7 Club's revival, ideas and concerns of local residents would flow through the Democratic Party's District Three Council and on to Hawaiʻi County Democrat's Council, State Central Committee, and Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi. There is one open seat for a woman and one open seat for a man for Precinct 7 with additional seats available to fill positions of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and District Council Representative. Members can become Hawaiʻi County Convention Delegates.

Katie Kamelamela, Democratic Chair for District Three,
is urging Precint 7 - Pāhala - to organize for representation
in the Democratic Party. Photo from UH

Kamelamela said that benefits of an active District 3 Precinct 7 Club would include "the ability to advocate for platforms that directly impact your Precinct," along with the ability to send a nomination to the Governor of Hawaiʻi to name new State Representatives; voting at District 3 Council meetings for President, Vice President and Council Representative; voting at Hawaiʻi County Conventions; participating in the Hawaiʻi County Democrat Council and voting at the State of Hawaiʻi Democratic Convention. The precinct representatives can also participate in the state Central Committee.
Precinct 7 members could also help to nominate, run, and vote for a District 3 National Delegate.

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CONSTRUCTING AN ADDITIONAL KĪLAUEA VISITOR CENTER BUILDING is in Concept 3 of the Disaster Recovery Project plan for the future of facilities of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. A visitor center addition would be constructed as a separate building on the west side of the KVC in an existing developed landscape. It would includes a covered lanai and outdoor exhibits along with visitor parking, bus parking, and pedestrian circulation. The lanai would connect to visitor parking and the KVC.

In Concept 3, Kīlauea Visitor Center would be renovated to include an additional building. Photo from NSP

Together, the existing KVC and smaller visitor center addition would accommodate visitor functions currently provided at KVC and previously provided by Jaggar Museum.
The existing KVC lobby would be used for an expanded bookstore and orientation information. Exhibits will be replaced in the new visitor center addition.
The visitor experience would be segmented into two separate buildings with enhanced wayfinding to guide visitors between areas/buildings.
A new USGS HVO & PIERC-KFS Field Station and parking would be constructed in the historic former ballfield area, adjacent to the Kīlauea Military Camp land assignment.

Concept 3 in the plans for renovating and rebuilding facilities at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. See the larger

design maps and give input at Disaster Recovery Project .

A new water line, water tank, and wastewater system, would be constructed adjacent to the new USGS HVO & PIERC-KFS Field Station.
A new two kiosk entrance station would be constructed to the west of the existing kiosks, which would be demolished. An administrative bypass lane would be added to reduce traffic congestion at the entrance.
Crater Rim Drive would be realigned to improve vehicular circulation in the KVC area.

NPS released A Concept 3 Statement: "Maximize reuse of existing visitor space by repurposing the existing visitor center and auditorium area and constructing an adjacent smaller new visitor center and expanded parking area. Leverage existing parking and utilities with expansion needed to accommodate replacement facilities and visitor use levels. USGS functions are separated from NPS functions and relocated to the former ball field area, west of the Kīlauea Military Camp land assignment."

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ENROLL IN KUA O KA LĀ'S HĪPUʻU VIRTUAL ACADEMY for school year 2020-2021, grades four through eight. Join a virtual tour of the award wining Hīpuʻu program on Wednesday, May 20 at 1 p.m. The HawaiianFocusedCharterSchoolteaches with an emphasis on Hawaiian language and culture. The blended curriculum is offered through online instruction and community-based projects, with opportunities for face-to-face gatherings (with precautions), in an "Education with Aloha" environment.

Kua O Ka Lā offers a specialized program which provides students with core curriculum, content area, and electives in-keeping with State of Hawaiʻirequirements. Combined with Native Hawaiian values, culture, and a place-based approach to education, from the early morning wehena – ceremonial school opening – Kua O Ka Lā students are encouraged to walk Ke Ala Pono – the right and balanced path.

See kuaokala.orgto apply and to learn more about the school. Call 808-981-5866 or 808-825-8811, or email info@kuaokala.org for more.

No COVID-19 cases so far in the zip code areas of Volcano,

Pāhala, and Ocean View. White indicates zero cases, light

yellow indicates one to five cases. The 96772 area in

Kaʻū has one case recorded. Map from DOH

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ONE NEW COVID-19 case was reported on Hawaiʻi Island Sunday, the second consecutive day of a new confirmation.
Seventy seven COVID-19 cases have been confirmed on Hawaiʻi Island since the pandemic began, with all but this weekend's two victim recovered.
DOH confirms 640 cases statewide since the pandemic began, with 415 on Oʻahu, 117 in Maui County, 21 in Kauaʻi County and 10 cases involving residents diagnosed outside the state.

In the United States, more than 1.52 million cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 89,932.

Worldwide, more than 4.71 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 315,000.

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USGS HVO WELCOMES NEW DEPUTY SCIENTIST-IN-CHARGE DAVID PHILLIPS in this week's Volcano Watch, a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates. Today's article is by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Tina Neal:

Coming home: HVO welcomes Deputy Scientist-in-Charge David Phillips

It takes a village to run a volcano observatory. The position of Deputy Scientist-in-Charge, once called Operations Manager but always known as the right hand to the Scientist-in-Charge, has long been key to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's success, especially as technology has advanced and staff size increased. Continuing in the tradition of skilled and dedicated leaders including Reggie Okamura, his brother Arnold Okamura, and recently retired Steve Brantley, HVO is proud to welcome David Phillips to the team.

New Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Deputy Scientist-in-Charge David Phillips and his wife Francine Coloma,

with Japan's iconic Mt. Fujiin the background. Photo courtesy of Yasushi Harada

This belated Volcano Watchshould have been written in January when David and his wife Francine Coloma, who is a scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, moved to Hilo. David and Fran come (back) to us from Boulder, Coloradowhere David was a program manager for UNAVCO, the Geodetic Facility for the US National Science Foundation and NASA. There, he oversaw multimillion-dollar facility operations to collect, process, and archive geodetic data, led community science activities around the globe, and coordinated earthquake response missions.

David has utilized high precision Global Positioning System and Light Detection and Ranging instruments to support state-of-the-art geophysical research projects in Hawai‘i, the mainland US, Japan, Italy, Croatia, Puerto Rico, and other locales. As examples, he conducted terrestrial lidar fieldwork in Japanfollowing the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, and coordinated airborne lidar and satellite radar imaging of the San Andreas fault, Yellowstone, and other important geologic features.

HVO technician inspects power/communication station at

Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō on April 16, 2020.USGS photo by F. Younger

In Hawai‘i, David had a leading role installing continuous GPS sites on Mauna Loa Volcano in 2005 as part of a collaborative project involving UNAVCO, USGS and the University of Hawai‘i. He has also installed continuous GPS sites on Kīlauea Volcano, at the Hiloairport, and on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i to support sea level and atmospheric studies in addition to volcano monitoring. Thus, he is no stranger to the challenges and wonders of working on Hawaiian volcanoes with local communities and with profound respect for Hawaiian culture.

David has a PhD in geophysics from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and a BS degree in geology from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. His dissertation focused on collecting and analyzing GPS data to study plate tectonics in the South Pacific, and also included work in South America and Antarctica.

While an undergraduate at UH-Hilo, he was a student assistant at the Center for Study of Active Volcanoes, where he worked directly with HVO staff on volcano monitoring and outreach. David continued to be involved with CSAV as an instructor while at UH-Mānoa and UNAVCO, always returning to teach. He is passionate about science education and the encouragement of local youth to enter science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers. He has taught youth programs at the Lyman Museum, led fieldtrips for Upward Bound, and helped Jim Kauahikaua of HVO and Jim Anderson of UHH teach a program for Nā Pua No‘eau. David is excited to contribute to HVO's outreach program going forward.

David brings professional ties to scientists and technical experts at major research institutions and other U.S. Government agencies such as NOAA and NASA who utilize technology and generate data very familiar to HVO. These ties will prove extremely useful to HVO as we enter the era of National Volcano Early Warning System expansion and integration of our efforts with the other USvolcano observatories.

A view from the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u shows a lower collapsed block which has remains of Crater Rim Driveand

the Halema‘uma‘u parking lot. The white feature in the lower right is a stop sign that was present at the eastern exit

of the parking lot. Near the top of the photo, a lower collapsed block is formed from the remains of the

pre-2018 Halema‘uma‘u crater floor. USGS photo taken May 6 by M. Patrick

As HVO DSIC, David will supervise the field engineering staff and monitoring network managers, essentially the critical infrastructure backbone of the HVO instrumentation that tracks activity at our volcanoes. He will also oversee work on HVO facilities, play a pivotal role in the planning our new buildings, and facilitate important interagency relationships with Hawai‘i VolcanoesNational Park and other cooperators in Hawai‘i.

In many ways, David and Fran are coming full circle. David's career in geophysics and volcano monitoring began when he was a geology major at UH-Hilo. Fran was born and raised in Hilo, was also a geology major at UH-Hilo, and previously worked at HVO. And, David and Fran first met while surveying in front of an active lava flow! Please join me in welcoming David and Fran back to Hawai‘i and to the HVO family.

Volcano Activity Updates

Kīlauea Volcano is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level remains at NORMAL(https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vhp/about_alerts.html). Kīlauea updates are issued monthly.

Kīlauea monitoring data for the past month show variable but typical rates of seismicity and ground deformation, low rates of sulfur dioxide emissions, and only minor geologic changes since the end of eruptive activity in September 2018. The water lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u continues to slowly expand and deepen. For the most current information on the lake, see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/summit_water_resources.html.

No major changes were observed this week at Kīlauea's summit. The water level within Halema‘uma‘u continues to

slowly rise, and the water surface has a sharp color boundary separating the east and west portions of the lake.

USGS photo by M. Patrick

This past week, about 92 small-magnitude earthquakes were recorded beneath the upper elevations of Mauna Loa; most of these occurred at shallow depths less than 8 kilometers (~5 miles). GPS measurements show slowly increasing summit inflation, consistent with magma supply to the volcano's shallow storage system. Gas concentrations at the Sulphur Cone monitoring site on the Southwest Rift Zone remain stable. Fumarole temperatures as measured at both Sulphur Cone and the summit have not changed significantly. For more information on current monitoring of Mauna Loa Volcano, see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/monitoring_summary.html

There were 2 events with 3 or more felt reports in the Hawaiian islands during the past week: a magnitude-3.2 earthquake 8 km (5 mi) NE of Pāhala at 32 km (20 mi) depth on May 10, 2020 at 12:20 p.m., and a magnitude-3.7 earthquake 25 km (16 mi) W of Kailua-Kona at 41 km (25 mi) depth on May 06, 2020 at 10:55 p.m.

HVO continues to closely monitor both Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

Visit HVO's website for past Volcano Watch articles, for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loaupdates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

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Metropolitan Opera Soprano Amy Shoremount-Obra and 2018 International Bach Competition Prize-Winning Pianist
Andrew Rosenblum performed works by Turina, Mahler, Fauré, Rachmaninoff, Duke, and more at Pāhala
Plantation House in May of 2019. Photo by Julia Neal

Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year

Last year, Pāhala Plantation House was filled with music. Inside, a concert to raise money for stewardship of the Kaʻū Coast filled attendees' ears. The recital was one in a series of annual performances of the Hawaiʻi International Music Festival. Last year was its third season in the islands. The fourth festival's performance in Kaʻū was held this year in the first week of March, just ahead of the Stay-At-Home measures for COVID-19 mitigation.

Metropolitan Opera Soprano Amy
Shoremount-Obra. HIMF photo

2018 International Bach Competition
Prize Winning Pianist Andrew Rosenblum.
HIMF photo

Last year's series, called Of Water, featured internationally acclaimed artists Metropolitan Opera Soprano Amy Shoremount-Obra and 2018 International Bach Competition Prize-Winning Pianist Andrew Rosenblum. They performed works by Turina, Mahler, Fauré, Rachmaninoff, Duke, and more.
Donations accepted at the 2019 concert went to Kaʻū Coast non-profit stewardship organizations Nā Mamo O Kāwā, nmok.org; Ka ʻOhana O Honuʻapo, honuapopark.org; Ala Kahakai Trail Association, alakahakaitrail.org; Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, wildhawaii.org; and Hoʻomalu Kaʻū, hoomalukau@gmail.com.
Attendees can support Hawaiʻi International Music Festival by reserving best seats at each concert. See the concert schedule for 2021 at himusicfestival.com. Overnight accommodations should be available at Pāhala Plantation Cottages, 928-9811.

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar

directory f or farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is

free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout

Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at

kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your

business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of May.

MOST EVENTS ARE CANCELLED to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. The state is under a stay-at-home order, with l4 days of quarantine required for anyone coming into the state. Interisland travel is restricted. Those in Hawaiʻi should stay at home unless needing to obtain food or medical care.

ONGOING

Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced.
A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.

On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 967-7800 to confirm.

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Punaluʻu Beach, with its black sand and lifeguard stand, reopens tomorrow, with social distancing rules
and directives for only small numbers of people to gather. Photo by Julia Neal

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

PUNALUʻU AND WHITTINGTON BEACH PARKS WILL REOPEN on Tuesday, May 19, along with most other beach parks on the island, pending approval of Gov. David Ige. Mayor Harry Kim made the announcement, saying that the number of active cases of COVID-19 remains low, thanks to the efforts of the entire community to stem the spread of the virus. Today, the Mayor asked the Governor for final approval of his Rule Number 5, which will officially reopen the County's beach parks. The rule also covers permitted activities.
Kim said, "These beach parks are being reopened for your enjoyment and your wellbeing. Please keep up the safe practices of social distancing that helped us get to where we are today." He said he is working with the Department of Parks and Recreation to determine the next phase of County facilities to reopen, such as tennis courts, pickleball courts, and more. A statement from the Mayor's staff said, "Although the County beach parks will reopen, the threat of COVID-19 is still present and we must do all we can to remain safe."
The Mayor said that all beachgoers must follow the safe practices stated in the CDC guidelines and Hawai‘i County Rules. "Know the importance of staying mentally, physically, and socially healthy with these rules," said the Mayor. "Please keep up your good work as we continue to reopen in a safe way." For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

Punaluʻu Beach Park is set to reopen tomorrow but with limitations on the number of people who can gather at
one place and social distancing rules in place. Photo by Julia Neal

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FROM SAFER AT HOME TO ACTING WITH CARE is the next transition for Hawaiʻi to continue to move away from the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown to the opening up of society and the economy, according to Gov. David Ige. During his news briefing Monday afternoon, the governor said that the new Acting with Care phase celebrates Hawaiʻi's Kamaʻaina economy. "In this phase we start to reconnect Hawaiʻi's local activities by gradually reopening medium-risk businesses and activities; followed by high-risk businesses and activities." The move from a stabilization phase that included Stay-at-Home and Safer at Home directives "was made possible by the flattening of the COVID-19 infection curve due to good social-distancing practices, and other measures taken by the community to help protect our most vulnerable populations from coronavirus," said the governor.

The World Health Organization providing guidance to Hawaiʻi in
its reopening during a waning number of COVID-19 cases.
See WHO guides for businesses, food establishments, and more.

He details the change from Safer at Home to Acting with Care in his 8th Supplementary Proclamation, which he signed today. It retains mandatory 14-day traveler quarantine order for domestic and interisland flights. He said, "Acting with Care means exactly that. With more and more businesses reopening throughout the state, it is up to all of us... to make sure we take care to keep each other safe. So when you go outside that includes physical distancing, good hygiene, and following all safe practices that are being put in place."
Ige said the next phase will be Long-Term Recovery, followed by Resilience. "Long-term Recovery," said the governor, "is where Hawaiʻi's economy is renewed and rebuilt through planning and policy discussions which will incorporate transitional workforce modernization opportunities, support economic diversification initiatives, target the development of emerging industries, and advance long-term resiliency." At the recovery impact level, the governor says the focus will be on reopening highest-risk businesses and activities, while remaining cautious and adjusting safe practices as needed. "We can expect this phase to take much longer, since this is when we will be reshaping Hawaiʻi's economy."

Gov. David said this guide from Johns Hopkins
helped him to plan the reopening of the
state as the COVID-19 numbers subside.
Read the Public Health Principles

The governor said that Resilience is Hawaiʻi's intended outcome. "Together, we will emerge stronger and more resilient as a result of learning from and overcoming this challenge." With Resilience, Counties can choose to relax stricter local orders at their own pace in coordination with the Governor's Office. A 14-day-long observation period, between decision points, will allow time to assess conditions before moving to the next impact level. If infections spike and threaten to overwhelm systems, the state has the ability to enforce capacity to effectively manage a surge in cases. As a safeguard, the governor explained, "We can consider the option of moving back."
Ige said that the reopening strategy is rooted in science, data, and best practices, predicated on expert input from prominent international and national health organizations. The governor said he is committed to making sound decisions with direction from the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Johns Hopkins University Public Health Principles.
His statement says that "All of the guidance suggests that Hawaiʻi continues to act with care by maintaining physical distancing and safe practices across all phases to protect the health and safety of people." He said health experts agree that one or more of these outcomes will occur "while we learn to live safely with COVID-19.

Advice from the CDC and others guide Hawaiʻi on
reopening with care. See CDC advice for states.

"One possibility is that treatments and containment methods increase survivability and decrease pressure on Hawaiʻi's hospitals and health care providers. The second possibility is that our population develops a natural immunity to COVID-19, referred to as herd immunity. And a third, longer-term possibility, is that a vaccine is developed, and at least 60 percent of our population is immunized. We can feel confident reopening knowing that Hawaiʻi's health care and public health systems are ready, and continue to increase testing, contact tracing, surveillance, and quarantine capacity. "

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LIBRARY BOOKS WILL BE QUARANTINED FOR FOUR DAYS upon their return. The Hawaiʻi State Public Library System announced reopening of book drops today, including those at Pāhala and Nāʻālehu libraries.
The Hawaiʻi State Public Library System issued an announcement, saying, "re-opening of the book drops represents the beginning of a phased-in approach to providing library services to support the health and safety of our communities. No book donations will be accepted at this time."
The statement noted that "all returned items will be placed into quarantine for a minimum of four days before checking those items in. Depending on the date of return, and the location's hours of operation, it may take a few days for your library account to reflect the return. No fines will be assessed during this period."

Public water fountain for keiki and adults is bagged and taped next to the
book drop, where the tape came off to receive returned books in Pāhala.
Photo by Julia Neal

Fines assessed from Feb. 26 through future reopening dates of libraries will be waived. For questions about library card accounts and more, library patrons, call 808-586-3500 or toll-free at 1-800-390-3611, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"Our buildings will continue to remain closed to the public as we continue to prepare our spaces to welcome communities back. We appreciate the public's patience as we navigate this difficult time until we can reopen. Until then, we welcome the community to join our virtual library!" says the library statement.
Many Hawaiʻi State Library resources are available online, free with a library card. See librarieshawaii.org for online resources 24/7. Online collections include OverDrive: ebooks; New York Times; Ancestry Library Edition: genealogy access through June 30, 2020; Kanopy: streaming movies; Bookflix: kids movies; and Virtual Programs presented by librarians of the Hawaiʻi State Libraries. Sign up for a library card online. Gain access to ebooks, digital newspapers and magazines, streaming movies and more.

A four-day quarantine will be placed on books
returned to the book drops at public libraries
around the state, like this one in Pāhala.
Photo by Julia Neal

"The Hawaiʻi State Public Library System appreciates how much the community wants to return to the library, and we are working to prepare services and spaces to welcome everyone back soon," states the announcement.

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A TELE-TOWN HALL MEETING this Wednesday at 4 p.m. will feature U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard with updates on the latest federal legislation. Joining her will be Shawna Lamothe from the IRS and Gayvial James from the IRS Local Taxpayer Advocate office, to provide an update on coronavirus relief efforts.
Also joining in will be Dr. Scott Miscovich, to answer questions about testing efforts across the state as Counties start to implement plans to reopen safely. Miscovich is leading COVID-19 testing efforts and working closely as a senior advisor to Lt. Gov. Josh Green.
This will be the tenth of a weekly coronavirus-related live telephone town hall series hosted by Gabbard. Anyone can participate. Sign up on Gabbard's website to receive a phone call to join the event, or listen online at gabbard.house.gov/live.

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ANOTHER THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR FOOD BANK expenditures in South Kona, Ocean View, throughout Kaʻū and Volcano, is up for approval by the County Council Wednesday. The housekeeping proposal transfers money for the grant from the Clerk Council Services Contingency Relief account, Council District 6, to the Department of Liquor Control, Public Programs account. Food distributed is for relief from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Food Bank, with help from local organizations like ʻO Kaʻū Kākou, regularly distributes 14 days of food per family.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Concept four in the plans for renovating and rebuilding facilities at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
See the larger design maps and give input at Disaster Recovery Project .

CONCEPT FOUR, IN THE PLANS FOR RENOVATIONS AND REBUILDING HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK FACILITIES, proposes combining Jaggar Museum and Kīlauea Visitor Center functions in a new Kīlauea Visitor Center. The National Park Service invites comments and ideas on all four concepts, which are available online.

In Concept 4, a new building would be constructed on the former ballfield area adjacent to the Kīlauea Military Camp land assignment. Visitor services currently provided at KVC and formerly provided at Jaggar Museum, made unusable by 2018 earthquakes, would come together at the new facility.

A new USGS field station, the old made unusable by the earthquakes, would be constructed adjacent and west of the new visitor center. New parking and utility infrastructure would support the new facilities. The existing Kīlauea Visitor Center would become an education center.
The new visitor center would include a separate restroom building. There would be a covered lanai, outdoor exhibits, visitor parking, bus parking, NPS administrative parking, and pedestrian circulation. The new USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory & PIERC-KFS Field Station and parking would be constructed adjacent to the new visitor center. A new shared water line, water tank, and wastewater systems would be constructed adjacent to the new visitor center and USGS HVO & PIERC-KFS Field Station.
The existing KVC would be repurposed as an education center with existing National Park Service office and auditorium uses being maintained.

HVO Chief Scientist Tina Neal and acting Superintendent of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National park Rhonda Loh

showed Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt the plaza overlooking Kīlauea Caldera in front of

Jaggar Museum and USGS headquarters for Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Both will be moved,

according to Concept 3 in new plans for the Park. Photo by DOI/Tami A. Heilemann

The existing education center in the NPS administrative area would be repurposed for NPS administrative use. New covered picnic tables would be constructed in the existing picnic area adjacent to the 1877 Volcano House.
An administrative bypass lane and additional fee booth would be added to the park entrance station. Crater Rim Drive would be realigned to improve vehicular circulation in the KVC area. See all four concepts and provide input through parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=307&projectID=92891&documentID=103878. To be mailed the design concepts, or to receive answers to questions, call (808) 460-6212, or email havo_planning@nps.gov. The comment period will end Monday, June 15. The National Park Service will use community feedback to determine which concept, or modified concept, will be the proposed concept. NPS will evaluate the impacts of any proposed alternative.

No COVID-19 cases so far in the zip code areas of Volcano,

Pāhala, and Ocean View. White indicates zero cases, light

yellow indicates one to five cases. The 96772 area in

Kaʻū has one case recorded. Map from DOH

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NO NEW COVID-19 CASES in the state, reports the Department of Health. On Hawaiʻi Island, two people are self-isolating and monitored by DOH. The case count confirmed on Hawaiʻi Island since the pandemic began is 77.

DOH confirms 640 cases statewide since the pandemic began, with 415 on Oʻahu, 117 in Maui County, 21 in Kauaʻi County, and 10 cases involving residents diagnosed outside the state.

In the United States, more than 1.54 million cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 90,694.

Worldwide, more than 4.81 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 319,000.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar

directory f or farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is

free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout

Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at

kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your

business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of May.

MOST EVENTS ARE CANCELLED to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. The state is under a stay-at-home order, with l4 days of quarantine required for anyone coming into the state. Interisland travel is restricted. Those in Hawaiʻi should stay at home unless needing to obtain food or medical care.

ONGOING

Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced.
A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.

The Pāhala location is Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street, distributed by the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Pantry, on Tuesday, May 26, 10 a.m. to noon. Call The Food Basket, 933-6030.
The Volcano location is Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road Wednesday, May 27 from 10 a.m. to noon. Call Kehau at 443-4130.
The Nāʻālehu location Sacred Heart Church at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy, under their Loaves and Fishes program, on Thursday, May 28 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Call 928-8208.
The Ocean View location for May was Kahuku Park on Monday, May 11, 10 a.m. to noon. Call The Food Basket, 933-6030, for the next date.

On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 967-7800 to confirm.

Enroll in Kua O Ka Lā's Hīpuʻu Virtual Academy for school year 2020-2021, grades four through eight. Join a virtual tour of the award-wining Hīpuʻu program on Wednesday, May 20 at 1 p.m. The Hawaiian Focused Charter School teaches with an emphasis on Hawaiian language and culture. The blended curriculum is offered through online instruction and community-based projects, with opportunities for face-to-face gatherings (with precautions), in an "Education with Aloha" environment.

Kua O Ka Lā offers a specialized program which provides students with core curriculum, content area, and electives in-keeping with State of Hawaiʻi requirements. Combined with Native Hawaiian values, culture, and a place-based approach to education, from the early morning wehena – ceremonial school opening – Kua O Ka Lā students are encouraged to walk Ke Ala Pono – the right and balanced path.

The school's website says Kua O Ka Lā has adopted Ke Ala Pono "to describe our goal of nurturing and developing our youth. We believe that every individual has a unique potential and that it is our responsibility to help our students learn to work together within the local community to create a future that is pono – right." The school aims to provide students with "the knowledge and skills, through Hawaiian values and place-based educational opportunities, that prepare receptive, responsive, and self-sustaining individuals that live 'ke ala pono.'"
See kuaokala.org to apply and to learn more about the school. Call 808-981-5866 or 808-825-8811, or email info@kuaokala.org for more.

Free Book Exchanges at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu are provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Everyone is invited to take books they want to read. They may keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them to the Book Exchange to make them available to others in the community. The selection of books is replenished weekly at both sites.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Kaʻū High Class of 2020 before the pandemic shut down the school campus. A virtual graduation will
be available for the public to view online, this Friday, May 22 at 6 p.m

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

A VIRTUAL CEREMONY CELEBRATING KAʻŪ HIGH SCHOOL 2020 GRADUATES will take place this Friday, May 22 at 6 p.m. on Nā Leo TV, on Spectrum Channel 53/54, and online at naleo.tv/channel53, and streaming via Nā Leo TV mobile App. With strict guidelines required by the state Department of Education, the graduation event is not open to the public.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

WEDNESDAY IS THE OPENING DAY FOR PUNALUʻU, WHITTINGTON, and most other county beach parks around the island, with pavilions remaining closed. Gov. David Ige today approved yesterday's request from Mayor Harry Kim for the reopening. Other county parks in Kaʻū, such as Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Community Centers, Waiʻōhinu Park, and Kahuku county park in Ocean View will remain closed.
The Mayor's amendment to COVID-19 Emergency Rule No. 4 lays down the safety restrictions through June 30: No group shall exceed ten persons. All persons using opened beach and shoreline parks who are not members of the same household or living unit shall comply with State and County social distancing requirements (six feet apart), provided that a caregiver may accompany a dependent.

Whittington and Punaluʻu Beach Parks open Wednesday, but
pavilions remain closed. Photo from American Travel Journal

All permits and reservations for use associated with county beach parks are canceled until further notice. All pavilions, playgrounds, sport courts and fields, indoor facilities, and similar areas where gatherings may occur in these parks shall remain closed until further notice.
Commercial activities are not allowed and all other State or County restrictions related to COVID-19 must be followed, including but not limited to, applicable quarantine restrictions.
A statement from the Mayor today said that he is working with the Department of Parks & Recreation to determine the next phase of County facilities to reopen, such as tennis court, pickleball courts, and more.
"Although the County beach parks will reopen, the threat of COVID-19 is still present and we must do all we can to remain safe." The Mayor said that all beachgoers must follow the safe practices stated in the CDC guidelines and Hawai‘i County Rules.
"Know the importance of staying mentally, physically, and socially healthy with these rules," said Kim. "Please keep up your good work as we continue to reopen in a safe way."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

HAWAI‘I COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE AGENCY invites residents and other stakeholders to review and comment on the recently completed draft update to the Hawai‘i County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. The 14-day public review period of the Draft Plan began May 18 and ends June 2 at 5 p.m.
In October 2019, the Civil Defense Agency embarked on a planning process to prepare for and lessen the impacts of specified natural hazards by updating the Hawai‘i County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Responding to federal mandates in the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-390), Hawai‘i County Civil Defense began to pool resources to create a uniform hazard mitigation strategy that can be consistently applied to the defined planning area and used to ensure eligibility for specified grant funding success.
Access a copy of the draft Muti-Hazard Mitigation Plan and narrated Power Point presentation.
The 610-page plan, prepared by Tetra Tech, of Honolulu, with community and agency input, presents a wealth of geographical, population, and historical information about Ka‘ū and other Districts around the island as background for making the hazard plan. The Hawai‘i County Profile includes overviews of Geography, History, Major Hazard Events, Geology and Topography, Climate, Natural and Cultural Resources, Land Use and Development, Critical Facilities, Demographics, and the Economy.
A brief live virtual presentation regarding the Draft Plan and opportunities for public comment will be provided on Wednesday, May 27 at 5 p.m. on the Virtual Meeting Platform, WebEx.
Register at https://arcg.is/1Pb9mb to receive an invitation to the hosted meeting.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Willie K passed away at age 59, leaving a rich legacy
of musical recordings and live-performance memories.

WILLE K LOVED TO PLAY AT THE OLD SOUTH POINT BAR & RESTAURANT. He described it as a wild west place, deep in the heart of Ocean View. It was sometimes called the Knife & Gun Club - Willie K arrived and turned that energy positive.
With a reputation as the Hawaiian Jimi Hendrix, an amazing Hawaiian falsetto, and renditions of O Holy Night and the National Anthem, Willie K was famous for an extraordinary range of voice. He was also known for many instrumental talents, interests, and moods. He was often described as someone who could have soared to international superstardom, but chose emersion into his Hawaiian homeland. Superstars became his friends and he performed with Willie Nelson, Prince, Santana, and many more. He entertained Pres. Barack Obama.
Willie K played for everyone, from bikers at the old Sugar Bar in Waiʻalua on Oʻahu to polite company at the historic Hawaiʻi Theatre, and large crowds at Aloha Stadium. He most often settled into small venues on his home island of Maui.
During his 59 years, Willie K won Grammy nominations and 19 Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards. Some of his most familiar songs are Kachikachi Music Makawao, You Kuʻipo, and Waterfall. He is also known for his many collaborations with Amy Hālaialiʻi Gilliom.
More recently, he became involved with the Grand Naniloa Hotel in Hilo, co-owned by Kaʻū Coffee Mill founder Ed Olson. They named its music venue Willie K's Crown Room and he flew over from Maui to play there.
Willie K continued to perform in Hawaiʻi and beyond for most of his two years of treatment for lung cancer. The music committee for the Kaʻū Coffee Festival hoped Willie K might be able to come here this year. Though he always talked about feeling better and getting ready for more live performances, his illness prevented travel, and COVID-19 canceled the event.
Willie K - William Awihilima Kahaialiʻi - passed away Monday evening, May 18, at home with his family on Maui. He is survived by his wife, Debbi Kahaialiʻi, and their four children, Karshaun, Max, Lycettiana, and Antoinette. See Willie K's Facebook for more.

Add caption

Public officials released numerous messages about the life of Willie K today. Sen. Mazie Hirono wrote: "Willie K was not just a unique artist with diverse range – I also considered him a friend. Whenever we met, he would sing my favorite aria – Nessun Dorma– which is not a song found on the setlist of many artists. It's not the only aria he performed, as people will also remember his renditions of Ave Maria. Willie's talent allowed him to expand beyond Hawaiʻi into national and international venues, but I think it's safe to say he was most comfortable performing home in Hawaiʻi.
"Two of his most memorable performances, to me, were a sunset performance he held at a private residence on Maui, and his amazing show in Washington, D.C. with Amy Hanaialiʻi at Hawaiʻi on the Hill in 2015. At both, his connection to the crowd was evident, and that connection made for great performances. I will miss Willie, his exuberance, and his talent. I join all of Hawaiʻi in extending my deepest condolences to Willie's family. Aloha, my friend."
Gov. David Ige wrote, "Willie K was a unique talent whose huge voice effortlessly ranged from Hawaiian music and the blues to opera – all in one performance. Recognized locally and nationally, his songs touched our hearts."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

VEHICLE REGISTRATION & LICENSING will start up again on Monday, June 1. The County of Hawai‘i Department of Finance announced its first phase of reopening today for its Division of Vehicle Registration & Licensing offices for limited in-person services. While all Vehicle Registration & Licensing offices will remain closed to the public until June 1, citizens may renew

vehicle registrations and driver's licenses (issued after May 1, 2014) by using the following alternatives:
Vehicle Registration Renewals: Mail-in renewals can be sent to County of Hawai‘i, Motor Vehicle Registration, 101 Pauahi St., #5, Hilo, HI 96720. Online applications can be found at: https://mvr.ehawaii.gov/renewals/lookup.html?county=hawaii. They can also be taken to kiosks at Safeway stores in Hilo and Kona as well as the Foodland store in Waimea. An in-wall drop-off slot is located at the Hilo MVR office. DMV urges everyone to refrain from sending cash to pay for renewals.
Driver's License and State ID renewals (issued after May 1, 2014): Mail in renewal applications to 349 Kapi‘olani St., Hilo, HI 96720. Duplicate license requests for lost licenses will also be accepted by mail. See www.hawaiicounty.gov/departments/finance/vehicle-registration-licensing for application details and forms.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

FREE COVID-19 TESTING will be provided at St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. by a team from Aloha Critical Care in Kona.

To bypass the screening queue, patients can call ahead to Pathways Telehealth, option 5 at 808-747-8321. The free clinic will also offer on-site screening to meet testing criteria. Physicians qualify those for testing, under the guidance of Center for Disease Control & Prevention and Hawaiʻi's COVID-19 Response Task Force.

Testing for antibodies may be available at this testing site. The cost, $43, is usually not covered under insurance, and is given under discretion of a physician.

Those visiting screening clinics will be asked to show photo ID, and any health insurance cards – though health insurance is not required to be tested. They are also asked to bring their own pen to fill in forms. Wearing masks is required for everyone.

No COVID-19 cases so far in the zip code areas of Volcano,

Pāhala, and Ocean View. White indicates zero cases, light

yellow indicates one to five cases. The 96772 area in

Kaʻū has one case recorded. Map from DOH

For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031. See other opportunities for testing in Kaʻū in the Ongoing section, below.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

ONE NEW CASE OF COVID-19 ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND is reported today, the only new case reported in the state. Seventy-eight cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed on Hawaiʻi Island since the pandemic began, with 76 recovered. The remaining two are quarantined and monitored by the Department of Health. Statewide, 641 people have been confirmed positive for the virus since the pandemic began.

The daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says, "The Island and State of Hawaiʻi are moving forward in removing some of the restrictions established to address the coronavirus. The State of Hawaiʻihas done well in minimizing the spread and impact of COVID-19 but we must be well aware that the virus is out there.

Civil Defense Director

Talmadge Magno.
Photo from Big Island Video News

"In moving forward, we need to continue to get better in following the preventive policies of distancing, face coverings, cleanliness, gatherings, and personal health to keep Hawaiʻi Safe. Thank you for doing your part. Thank you for listening. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense."

In the United States, more than 1.56 million cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 92,258.

Worldwide, more than 4.89 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 323,000.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar

directory f or farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is

free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout

Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at

kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your

business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of May.

MOST EVENTS ARE CANCELLED to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. The state is under a stay-at-home order, with l4 days of quarantine required for anyone coming into the state. Interisland travel is restricted. Those in Hawaiʻi should stay at home unless needing to obtain food or medical care.

ONGOING

Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced.
A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.

See kuaokala.org to apply and to learn more about the school. Call 808-981-5866 or 808-825-8811, or email info@kuaokala.org for more.

Free Book Exchanges at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu are provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Everyone is invited to take books they want to read. They may keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them to the Book Exchange to make them available to others in the community. The selection of books is replenished weekly at both sites.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Lava trees, native plants and animals, and rainbows are some sights people can see when traveling through
newly reopened portions of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. See details below. NPS photo

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

RUSSELL RUDERMAN WILL NOT RUN FOR REELECTION. The sate Senator, who represents District 2, Punaluʻu and Pāhala through Volcano, into Puna, made the announcement on his Friends of Russell Ruderman Facebook page today. He stated, "After eight years as your state senator, I have

Sen. Russel Ruderman at a Democratic rally at old Hilo Bandstand.
Photo by Julia Neal

chosen not to run for a third term this year. I want to thank each of you for your support over these last eight years. Serving Puna and Kaʻū in the state legislature has been one of the great honors of my life. The reasons include personal, health, and political."
Ruderman summed up his two four-year terms, which end this year, without his running for reelection: "I'm proud of what we have accomplished together. We represented our community with an honest, independent voice working towards responsiveness and integrity in our government. Our community deserves this and strongly supported me in this commitment. While some projects remain unfinished, I will remain involved and hope to see them through. I will also be involved in other efforts, some to be announced soon, and I hope to make much more of a contribution to our community in these other ways."

Kaʻū High students met with Ruderman, asking for
more Advanced Placement classes, a carpentry program,
and land security for coffee farmers. Photo by Julia Neal

He thanked "everyone who ever helped my campaigns, or supported my efforts in office. Few thought I could win, or get reelected, or be effective. With your help we did all of that. Every time one of you said 'Mahalo!' or 'Hang in there' here in our community is forever appreciated, and that's what kept me going.
"I also thank my longtime staff, Maigee Chang and Michael Greenough, who have been the foundation of my senate office for all these eight long years! I believe we are the only office that had this stability or talent. This has allowed us to be much more effective for our community, which my staff has grown to love as much as I do. I could never thank them enough and I could not have been more fortunate to have them. I also thank my hardworking campaign team, Chair Brent Norris and Treasurer Gretchen Klungness! We never lost an election!"

Sen. Russell Ruderman congratulated sixth, seventh, and eighth
grade girls for completing an aviation class on U.S.S. Missouri.
Photo by Eileen O'Hara

Ruderman became involved with may issues in Kaʻū, including improving education, land security for farmers and publicly funded projects. He met with Kaʻū students over the years to encourage them to become involved in the democratic process.
His Puerto Rican Band, El Leo, played at the Kaʻū Coffee Festival and Plantation Days Celebrations.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

MOBILE LEARNING LABS WILL ROLL INTO KAʻŪ, as part of a state Department of Education effort to reach students living in remote places without good Wi-Fi reception. The learning labs arrive in June as a pilot project destined for four locations: Kaʻū, and remote neighborhoods on Molokaʻi, Maui, and Kauaʻi. Superintendent of Schools Christina Kishimoto said the mobile labs could become permanent hubs for teaching to students living remotely in the Fall.

The mobile teaching hubs help to address the COVID-19 situation, with summer school mostly online. On Tuesday, DOE announced distance learning summer school, with in-person teaching for those with online learning issues. Students without internet connections and other serious challenges can sign up to come to campus and for the distance learning labs close to their homes. Classes will be no larger than six to eight persons, with some of them smaller and sometimes one-on-one.
Summer programs aim to help students in grades six through 12 to recover credits. For all grades, they aim to accelerate receiving credits. Online school will be for grades nine through 12. In-person teaching will be for all grades for students needing remediation, intervention, and enrichment. See bit.ly/HISummerLearning.
Kishimoto said that DOE is coordinating with nonprofit organizations and that school administrators hope to be ready for the fall to provide "that kind of reach, especially as we know our school year is not going to be normalized."
She said that plans for Fall are not yet fixed, though an opening date of Aug. 4 is expected, with 180 days of instruction.
The BOE takes up a resolution this Thursday to design summer school "in a way that supports students disproportionately impacted by school closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic."
Department of Education is asking middle and high school students, grades six to 12, to take a distance learning survey to help better understand experiences and needs to plan for the next school year on and off campus. Access the survey.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Hurricane Lane passed south of Hawaiʻi Island in 2018. NOAA image

HURRICANE SEASON WILL CREATE TWO TO SIX TROPICAL CYCLONES to pass through the Central Pacific Basin from June 1 through Nov. 30, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. The first named storm will be called Hone.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration agency released its annual forecast today. The average number of storms is about five, with zero in 1979 and 16 in 2015. Central Pacific Hurricane Center Director Chris Brenchley said the prediction for 2020 is based on neutral warm-water El Nino conditions early in the season transitioning to cooler La Nina conditions later in the Fall. Putting the forecast in numbers, he calculated a 75 percent chance of a near-or-below normal season or normal season, with a 25 percent chance of an above-normal season. Last year, only one storm passing through the Central Pacific reached Hurricane strength.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Photo of an apapane alighting on an ʻōhiʻa lehua, taken from Kīpukapuaulu Trail during a Friends of Hawaiʻi
Volcanoes National Park bird watching trip. FHVNP photo

COMMUNITY ACCESS TO HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK increased this morning with the re-opening of the following places:

Mauna Loa Road to Kīpukapuaulu for vehicles, bicyclists, and hikers, including Tree Molds is open. The picnic area remains closed. The Park website describes it as an easy 1.2 mile (1.9 km) loop trail that "reveals a story of struggle and survival for some of Hawai‘i's rarest plants and animals." The trail travels through a kīpuka, an area of older vegetation surrounded by a more recent lava flow from Mauna Loa. A unique biological diversity of rare plants, birds, insects, and very old-growth forest of koa and ʻōhi‘a trees can be found along the path.

Kaʻū Desert Trail offers a vista overlooking land and sea. NPS photo

Mauna Loa Road past Kīpukapuaulu is open for hikers and bicyclists to Mauna Loa Overlook at 6,662 feet, but closed to vehicles. Mauna Loa Lookout provides panoramic views of Kīlauea volcano, old lava flows, and the ocean on clear days. The subalpine woodland includes koa, māmane, and ‘ōhi‘a trees, and endemic bird species, including ‘i‘iwi.

Footprints Trail from Highway 11 to the Ka‘ū Desert Trail and Mauna Iki Trail junction, including the Footprints shelter, is open. The Park website says a 1790 explosion at the summit of Kīlauea sent a torrent of hot gas, ash, and sand raining down on the Kaʻū Desert. "Caught in the middle of this deadly, suffocating storm were groups of Native Hawaiians, traveling through the region on long-used trails. In the newly fallen layer of ash, these groups left behind footprints that we can still see today – a reminder that Hawaiians have born witness to the geological drama of this island for centuries." Kaʻū Desert "is a harsh landscape where volcanic eruptions and ashfall from events in Halemaʻumau crater have created a desolate, moon-like environment," says the site. A shelter with an exhibit about the footprints is accessible via an easy walk about half a mile (.8 km) from the Kaʻū Desert Trailhead. Mark Twain called the desert "The Kingdom of Desolation." Mauna Iki Trail travels through sand and ash as it passes Puʻu Koaʻe and the Twin Pit Craters, where Koaʻeʻkea, white-tailed tropicbirds, nest in the walls.

Mauna Ulu, along the Escape Road. NPS photo

Escape Road, for bicycling, horseback riding, and hiking to the Mauna Ulu junction, was originally built in the 1800's to transport tourists and provisions to the crater from boats on the coast. It now serves as an alternate way out of the Kīlauea Crater area in case the Chain of Craters Road gets blocked by new lava flows.
A statement from the Park says that the openings within the park follow "guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local public health authorities." The National Park Service is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Acting Superintendent Rhonda Loh, said, "We have completed thorough risk assessments for the continued safety of our staff and the public, and while we are excited to increase access in areas of the park that allow for social distancing in an outdoor, open-air environment, we are urging each person to be safe to keep us all safe. If people cannot adhere to the latest health guidelines for their protection and ours, the park may have to close these areas again."

Lava tree molds can be seen along the Kīpukapuaulu and Mauna Ulu Trails.
Photo from hikespeak.com

The statement stresses: "The health and safety of park users, our employees, volunteers, and partners continue to be paramount. At Hawai‘i VolcanoesNational Park, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance, and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for all.

"While these areas are accessible for the public to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. Park users should follow local area health orders from the Governor of Hawai‘i, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.

The Park points to CDC guidance "to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19, and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health."

Footprints in Kau Desert. Photo from
Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted at nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on nps.gov/coronavirus.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

THIS IS ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH. Today, Sen. Mazie Hirono led 22 Senate colleagues to introduce a resolution noting the significant contributions by generations of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. The resolution recognizes noteworthy milestones in 2020: 35th anniversary of the mission aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery of Ellison Shoji Onizuka, the first Asian American in space, a man from Hawaiʻi Island; 45th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and the beginning of the Southeast Asian diaspora to communities across the United States; 45th anniversary of the completion of the double-hulled voyaging canoe, Hōkūleʻa, marking the first traditional Polynesian voyaging canoe built in Hawaiʻi in more than 600 years; 55th anniversary of the enactment of landmark legislation that reversed restrictive immigration policies against immigrants from Asia; and the 110th anniversary of the establishment of Angel Island Immigration Station in San Francisco Bay, California, which served as a major port of entry for immigrants coming to the United States from Asia and the Pacific.

Hirono wrote, "This year, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month falls during a pandemic that is testing the very fabric of our nation. Anti-Asian racism and attacks are on the rise, stoked by those in the highest levels of government. As we pay tribute to the achievements of generations of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, the recent surge in discrimination and hate crimes against the AAPI community demonstrates how much work must still be done to achieve full equality. I join my colleagues in celebrating the contributions of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, and advocating for the civil rights and equal treatment of all Americans.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren joined Hirono and said, "This month, we honor and celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, leaders, and history, and the significant contributions they have made to our country. It is also a time we must recommit to fighting alongside AAPI communities to end the discrimination they continue to face."
Hirono has advocated for action to address anti-Asian racism, asking federal agencies to proactively address coronavirus-related anti-Asian discrimination and hate crimes, introduced legislation to support immigrant families while providing critical services during the pandemic, and urged Congressional leadership to build inclusive coronavirus relief packages.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

CURBSIDE PICKUP AT KAʻŪ COFFEE MILL begins Tuesday, June 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The public can call or order online to pick up award-winning Kaʻū Coffee, coffee treats, macadamia nuts, accessories, skincare, apparel, and more. Pick up location is 96-2694 Wood Valley Road, Pāhala. Call 928-0550 or go to kaucoffeemill.com to order.
Also available are smoothies, blended coffee drinks, hot coffee, iced coffee, and cold brew. Customers can also order any products available on kaucoffeemill.com.
Curbside Pickup customers must order and pay online or by phone. First Responders including police officers, firefighters, and Kaʻū Hospital staff will receive a free cup of coffee daily. They can call to order and again upon arrival, with order number, for coffee delivery to their vehicles.
All customers will park in the Kaʻū Coffee Mill parking lot and remain in vehicles for Kaʻū Coffee Mill team member to bring out the orders. Social distancing is required.
The Kaʻū Coffee Mill Visitor Center remains closed to the public and no public restrooms are available. More info is available on the Kaʻū Coffee Mill Curbside Pickup FAQ page at kaucoffeemill.com.

No COVID-19 cases so far in the zip code areas of Volcano,

Pāhala, and Ocean View. White indicates zero cases, light

yellow indicates one to five cases. The 96772 area in

Kaʻū has one case recorded. Map from DOH

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

TWO NEW CASES OF COVID-19, one on Hawaiʻi Island, one on Oʻahu, are reported today by the Department of Health. Seventy-nine cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed on Hawaiʻi Island since the pandemic began, with 76 recovered. The remaining three are quarantined and monitored by DOH. Statewide, 643 people have been confirmed positive for the virus since the pandemic began.

The daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says, "The Island and State of Hawaii are moving forward in removing some of the restrictions established to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. In moving forward, know that the virus threat is still out there, and we need to continue following the preventive policies of distancing, face coverings, cleanliness, gatherings, and personal health to keep Hawaiʻi Safe. Thank you for doing your part. Thank you for listening. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense."

In the United States, more than 1.58 million cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 93,806.

Worldwide, more than 4.97 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 327,000.

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar

directory f or farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is

free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout

Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at

kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your

business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of May.

MOST EVENTS ARE CANCELLED to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. The state is under a stay-at-home order, with l4 days of quarantine required for anyone coming into the state. Interisland travel is restricted. Those in Hawaiʻi should stay at home unless needing to obtain food or medical care.

ONGOING

Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.
The next drive-thru screening at Nāʻālehu Community Center will be held Wednesday, May 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Screening will be carried out by Aliʻi Health, with support from County of Hawai‘i COVID-19 Task Force, Premier Medical Group and Pathways Telehealth.

A testing team from Aloha Critical Care in Kona will provide testing at St. Jude's every other Wednesday. The next date is June 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wearing masks is required for everyone.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced.
A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.

Volcano Farmers Market at Cooper Center on Wright Road, off of Old Volcano Highway, is open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Free Breakfast and Lunch for Anyone Eighteen and Under is available at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary and at Nāʻālehu Elementary weekdays through May. Each youth must be present to receive a meal. Service is drive-up or walk-up, and social distancing rules (at least six feet away) are observed. Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Food is being delivered to Ocean View.

The Food Basket's ʻOhana Food Drop is available once a month at four Kaʻū and Volcano locations. People can receive a multi-day supply of shelf-stable and fresh food, depending on supply. Call The Food Basket at 933-6030 for Pāhala and Volcano or at 322-1418 for Nāʻālehu or Ocean View. Food can be picked up from 10 a.m. until pau – supplies run out – at:

Pāhala's Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street on Tuesday, May 26 and Tuesday, June 30.

Volcano's CooperCenter at 19-4030 Wright Road on Wednesday, May 27 and Wednesday, June 24.

Nāʻālehu's Sacred HeartChurch at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy on Monday, June 1.

Ocean View's KahukuPark on Tuesday, June 8.

On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 967-7800 to confirm.

Enroll in Kua O Ka Lā's Hīpuʻu Virtual Academy for school year 2020-2021, grades four through eight. The Hawaiian Focused Charter School teaches with an emphasis on Hawaiian language and culture. The blended curriculum is offered through online instruction and community-based projects, with opportunities for face-to-face gatherings (with precautions), in an "Education with Aloha" environment.

Kua O Ka Lā offers a specialized program which provides students with core curriculum, content area, and electives in-keeping with State of Hawaiʻi requirements. Combined with Native Hawaiian values, culture, and a place-based approach to education, from the early morning wehena – ceremonial school opening – Kua O Ka Lā students are encouraged to walk Ke Ala Pono – the right and balanced path.

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Queen Liliuokalani Children's Center & KS Send Aid

Kaʻū volunteers Terry-Lee Shibuya and Liz Stabo recently met Queen Liliʻuokalani Children's Center rep, Jaysha

Alonzo-Estrada, to receive a van load of goods to be distributed to families in need. Alonzo-Estrada helped to

deliver the food donated by QLCC and Kamehameha Schools East Hawaiʻi Region, while Shibuya and Stabo

distributed packages throughout Pāhala. Photo from Terry-Lee Shibuya

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

CARDIAC AND CANCER TREATMENT AT HILO MEDICAL CENTER, where many Kaʻū residents seek treatment, is receiving millions of dollars, according to state Sen. Kai Kahele. He announced today that $3.5 million will go to construction and equipment for a second catheterization laboratory for the medical center's cardiac unit, and $6.5 million will fund plans, design, equipment, and construction to expand and improve the oncology center.
The statement from Kahele says, "With the initial legislative funding in 2018 and permanent cardiologists now on staff at Hilo Medical Center, funding for a second catheterization lab will allow HMC to meet the demand for these services and ensure availability of critical lifesaving equipment. Expansion of the oncology center will improve the clinic treating cancers and as well as blood cancers and disorders. HMC's interventional cardiac program began service on Jan. 1, 2019, with initial funding from the Hawaiʻi legislature in 2018. Since July 1, 2019, interventional cardiac catheterization for the treatment of heart attacks has been made available 24.7 for residents of East Hawaiʻi. Kahele pointed out that, in the last year, more than 40 heart attacks have been treated in the catheterization lab with an additional 181 patients electively treated with stents for heart blockages, preventing future heart attacks.

State Sen. Kai Kahele led the Ways & Means Committee on a tour of Hilo Medical Center in his quest
for more funding for cardiac and cancer care. Photo from Kahele

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THREE NEW CASES OF COVID-19 ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND were announced today, with one more on Maui. State Director of Health, Dr. Bruce Anderson said two of the cases on this island were among family members of a COVID-19 victim. "Not unexpected," he said. He wouldn't reveal the location of the new cases on the island but said the two victims are "people who have been living with a confirmed case."
The other cases reported toady are under investigation. Anderson said, "We've seen over the last couple of weeks that we've been able to keep the case numbers very, very low. The lowest in the country. And I am very pleased with that. But we are going to see new cases."
He said there is "still a limited community spread and we are going to see clusters from time to time. But our real strength is being able to identify the cases quickly, and the contacts, and of course, be able to isolate and quarantine those as we go."

No COVID-19 cases so far in the zip code areas of Volcano,

Pāhala, and Ocean View. White indicates zero cases, light

yellow indicates one to five cases. The 96772 area in

Kaʻū has one case recorded. Map from DOH

He did note that recent Hawaiʻi Island cases have been among residents of Hilo and South Kona. "I think the important thing to remember is that we are seeing sporadic cases in the state, which are probably associated with some community spread and unfortunately most of those are associated with known clusters... we can identify pretty much where who-infected-who in these situations. But everything is limited here, and – we believe – very much under control. We haven't seen any situations develop like they have on the mainland, where you have hundreds of cases springing up in a community and they simply are overwhelmed with the number of cases."

Eighty-two cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed on Hawaiʻi Island since the pandemic began, with 76 recovered. The remaining six are quarantined and monitored by DOH. Statewide, 647 people have been confirmed positive for the virus since the pandemic began.

The daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says, "This increase over the past few days are directly related to family connections. The lesson to learn here is how easily this virus can spread. This shows how critically important it is that we continue to practice preventive measures to help stop the spread of this virus. Your help is needed. Thank you for listening and have a good day. Thank you for listening. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense."

In the United States, more than 1.61 million cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 95,087.

Worldwide, more than 5.08 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 332,000.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

LIFTING THE 14-DAY QUARANTINE FOR TRAVEL BETWEEN THE ISLANDS may come soon, according to Gov. David Ige. During his afternoon press conference, he said he is working closely with counties to open businesses and activities, and lift the interisland quarantine. "Health measures are pointing in the right direction to make this move... with infection levels appearing to be under control across the state." He explained this is important to avoid a high level of cases in one county from impacting another county as people begin to travel. Key issues under discussion with the counties and airlines include, screening, testing, contact tracing, and physical distancing. The governor concluded, "We are also going through the process of identifying other potential issues and welcome any thoughts or suggestions."
Ige predicted that with interisland travel quarantine lifted there will likely be additional COVID-19 cases, "and we have the capacity to handle it. If a new surge occurs, some restrictions might need to be reinstated." He encouraged everyone to continue engaging in best practices of social distancing, washing hands, wearing masks, avoiding large gatherings, and staying home when sick.

A Don Allison romantic map of interisland travel on Aloha Airlines some 60 years ago. The current two-week
quarantine for those traveling interisland during the waning COVID-19 pandemic may be lifted soon.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green, a physician who formerly practiced in Kaʻū, said that healthcare capacity is in good shape for resumption of interisland travel. Green reported Hawaiʻi recorded 68 new coronavirus cases since April 21, with 21 cases in the past two weeks. He said the state's hospital system is in great shape, with 39 percent of intensive care unit beds occupied, 51 percent of total hospital beds in use, and only 9 percent of the available ventilators in use. He also indicated that the supply of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers is adequate, with a team under his direction monitoring and ordering additional PPE as needed. He said the team is building up inventory in the event of a worst-case scenario - a major outbreak in the state.

Green emphasized relying on public health officials to provide guidance for the timing to lift quarantines.

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A TWENTY-FOUR PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT RATE PLUS LOSS OF INCOME BY INDEPENDENT WORKERS AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED, is the report from state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. The agency made its announcement today showing 24 percent unemployment on Hawaiʻi Island and 22.3 percent statewide in April. The steep rise from March's 2.6 percent on this island and 2.4 percent statewide, came with the COVID-19 pandemic killing tourism and other businesses. Hawaiʻi County, however, suffered less than Maui, with 35 percent unemployment and 34.4 percent on Kauaʻi. Both are more dependent on tourism than Hawaiʻi Island. The national unemployment rate was 14.7 percent in April, up from 4.4 percent in March.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

STATE GOVERNMENT ACTIONS DURING THE PANDEMIC ARE WELL INTENTIONED BUT SOME THREATEN CIVIL LIBERTIES, according to a Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi opinion piece recently published in the Hawaiʻi Filipino Chronicle.

The editorial, by Grass Root Institute of Hawaiʻi's Executive Vice President Joe Kent, names the following as threats to liberties: business closures, curfews, checkpoints, and drones, "all restricting our privacy and freedom of movement. The police have issued t housands of warnings, hundreds of citations, and even arrested a number of people, in an attempt to control Hawaiʻi's increasingly restless population."
The editorial continues: Meanwhile, tourism has tanked, thousands of businesses have been sidelined or destroyed, almost 250,000 formerly productive workers have filed for unemployment, and tax revenues have dried up, leaving our state and counties looking at either massive deficits, big cuts in spending -- or both.
"Unfortunately, Hawaiʻi policymakers in recent years have spent much of the state's budgetary surplus on nonemergency items, and now it's a struggle for them to deal with the current health and economic emergencies. Obviously, our lawmakers should be cautious about spending money they don't have, especially since it's not clear where that money will come from.

Joe Kent

"We also need to worry about our unfunded public liabilities, which will only get worse if this
recession persists. Our best hope to get our lives, businesses, and communities back on track is greater economic freedom. In more mainstream quarters, the preference for bigger government has dominated the discussion, but isle policymakers should examine how shrinking government could make a difference. Roll back some of the regulations and taxes that have made it so hard to operate in Hawaiʻi all along. They were a problem before; they are even more of a barrier now.
"Ironically, some of the emergency measures proclaimed by Gov. David Ige are actually worth keeping, even after the coronavirus emergency has passed. A perfect example was allowing out-of-state medical professionals to practice here. It was one of the most positive actions taken so far to help Hawaiʻi residents through the crisis, and it involved removing government barriers, not enacting them. Other emergency measures we hope will remain permanent include loosening restrictions on telehealth, allowing prescriptions from out-of-state doctors and nurses, and waiving licensing requirements for childcare. Such measures would be beneficial to the state — and the state's public health — long after the coronavirus danger has receded.

"In terms of accountable government, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi recently joined other watchdog organizations, such as Common Cause Hawaiʻi and the ACLU, to challenge the governor's suspension of the state's open-meetings and open-records laws. Government transparency is critical to a healthy democracy -- all the more so during a crisis when public trust is paramount.
"For Hawaiʻi to get back on its feet again, isle residents need flexibility and incentives to pursue prosperity for themselves, their families, and their communities. Open, accountable government also is critical, if we are truly to be in charge of those policymakers who presume to act on our behalf.
"Yes, we have been struggling in this time of adversity, but no matter what the challenges, greater economic freedom and limited, accountable government — adopted as quickly as possible — are what Hawaiʻi needs."

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A FREE SUMMER CLASS FOR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS is offered by the Hawaiʻi Community Colleges. The free classes aim to provide an opportunity to explore career pathways. The summer classes are online and free for eligible students, who will earn college credits upon completion. Students may reserve their spot by signing up at uhcc.hawaii.edu/nextstep.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

THE ʻULU-THEMED ART CONTEST DEADLINE IS EXTENDED to June 30. Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Cooperative invites all students residing in Hawaiʻi (grades Pre-K through 12) to create and submit original artwork focusing on breadfruit. The art will be featured in an upcoming revʻULUtion traveling art exhibit. Refer to the flyer or visit eatbreadfruit.com/pages/artcontest for more information and to submit an entry.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

ʻO KAʻŪ KĀKOU will give away food at the Ocean View Park and Ride area off Highway 11 this Saturday at 11 a.m. Those in need of food will receive chicken, rice, onions, and meat.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

COVID-19 HAS REVEALED THE EXTENT OF THE HOUSING CRISIS, according to Habitat for Humanity, Hawaiʻi Island. A statement released today says that "Hawaiʻi Island communities have been hit hard by the economic shocks of COVID-19. The world was already experiencing a housing crisis, but now COVID-19 has revealed the extent of that crisis and added to its urgency." Habitat announced a Homes, Communities, Hope + You campaign as "a unique opportunity for Habitat organizations all around the world to unite as a global network to galvanize communities and emerge from this crisis stronger together. Here on Hawaiʻi Island the needs of families have never been more pronounced. Habitat Hawaiʻi Island needs community support to help ensure that they are able to not just continue but accelerate work to ensure that everyone has a decent place to call home."

To donate, go to Habitat Hawaiʻi Island's website at habitathawaiiisland.org/donate.

Keone Grace

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

SUCCESSFUL GRAB & GO LUNCHES FOR THE PUBLIC AT KAʻŪ HOSPITAL will expand to include pizza on Fridays, according to chef and Institutional Food Service Manager Keone Grace. He said the pizzas will be available beginning Friday, May 29 for a medium two-topping pizza either take and bake or precooked for $10. Any additional toppings will be $1 each. Topping choices are: Cheese, Pepperoni, Ground Beef, Ground Pork, Bacon, Canadian Bacon, Chicken, Mushrooms, and Red and Green Bell Pepper. Weekday lunches include chef salads, sandwiches, and hot meals.

Call in and pay for $8 lunch orders on weekdays and pizza orders on Fridays between 8 a.m and 10 a.m. for pickup after 11 a.m. See the complete menu and contact information at Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar.

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar

directory f or farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is

free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout

Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at

kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your

business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of May.

MOST EVENTS ARE CANCELLED to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. The state is under a stay-at-home order, with l4 days of quarantine required for anyone coming into the state. Interisland travel is restricted. Those in Hawaiʻi should stay at home unless needing to obtain food or medical care.

ONGOING

Café Ono on Old Volcano Highway is offering a special takeout menu for Memorial Day Weekend, this Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.The regular menu is also available. Call ahead to order, 985-8979. See cafeono.net for menu.

Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.

The next drive-thru screening at Nāʻālehu Community Center will be held Wednesday, May 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Screening will be carried out by Aliʻi Health, with support from County of Hawai‘i COVID-19 Task Force, Premier Medical Group and Pathways Telehealth.
A testing team from Aloha Critical Care in Kona will provide testing at St. Jude's every other Wednesday. The next date is June 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wearing masks is required for everyone.
To bypass the screening queue at community test sites, patients can call ahead to Pathways Telehealth, option 5 at 808-747-8321. The free clinic will also offer on-site screening to meet testing criteria. Physicians qualify those for testing, under the guidance of Center for Disease Control & Prevention and Hawaiʻi's COVID-19 Response Task Force.
Those visiting screening clinics will be asked to show photo ID, and any health insurance cards – though health insurance is not required to be tested. They are also asked to bring their own pen to fill in forms.
For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou will give away food at the Ocean View Park and Ride area off Highway 11 this Saturday, May 23 at 11 a.m. Those in need of food will receive chicken, rice, onions, and meat.

Volcano Farmers Market at Cooper Center on Wright Road, off of Old Volcano Highway, is open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Free Breakfast and Lunch for Anyone Eighteen and Under is available at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary and at Nāʻālehu Elementary weekdays through May. Each youth must be present to receive a meal. Service is drive-up or walk-up, and social distancing rules (at least six feet away) are observed. Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Food is being delivered to Ocean View.

Pāhala's Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street on Tuesday, May 26 and Tuesday, June 30.

Volcano's CooperCenter at 19-4030 Wright Road on Wednesday, May 27 and Wednesday, June 24.

Nāʻālehu's Sacred HeartChurch at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy on Monday, June 1.

Ocean View's KahukuPark on Tuesday, June 8.

Kua O Ka Lā offers a specialized program which provides students with core curriculum, content area, and electives in-keeping with State of Hawaiʻi requirements. Combined with Native Hawaiian values, culture, and a place-based approach to education, from the early morning wehena – ceremonial school opening – Kua O Ka Lā students are encouraged to walk Ke Ala Pono – the right and balanced path.

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Melinda and Scott Eder ride together as brother and sister to their drive-through graduation at Kaʻū High
School today. See more below. Photo by Julia Neal

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

GRADUATION FOR 43 MEMBERS OF KAʻŪ HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020 went live today as they paraded toward campus and rolled up to pick up diplomas. A photo op greeted them with in-person congratulations from Mayor Harry Kim, Principal Sharon Beck and staff, and a gift basket from community groups Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawaiʻi and ʻO Kaʻū Kākou.

Keynote speaker Duane Kurisu

This evening, traditional elements beamed into the graduates' homes, courtesy of Nā Leo Community Television. Keynote address came from Duane Kurisu, who grew up in a Hawaiʻi Island sugar plantation town much like Pāhala, to become one of the most successful entrepreneurs and community-minded individuals in the Hawaiian Islands. He said as a child he thought he was poor, living on a sugar plantation, but later came to know that it gave him an advantage. He talked about character building in rural Hawaiʻi: "If you catch three fish, you give two away and keep one. If you grow two green onions, you share one of them." If a storekeeper gives too much change, take it back. His childhood community was "never about 'I', it was all about 'we,'" said Kurisu.
He encouraged students to focus on the "we," particularly in this time of the COVID-19 crisis. The new normal can't be about fear and restriction; it's about kindness, trust, strengthening character and collaboration, said Kurisu.
Kurisu told the graduates that one advantage over his generation is instant access to information. "Whatever you want to know is in the palm of your hand."

Mayor Harry Kim waived and congratulated each Kaʻū high graduate today. Photo by Julia Neal

He encouraged graduates "to go all in, to build strengths and face your fears... to hold ourselves to our own high standard, share ourselves with our families and communities... The world needs you now more than ever in modern history."
Kurisu urged Kaʻū High School Class of 2020 members to "Be your own heroes." He asked them to say, "I am who I am, my own hero, and I am committed to go all-in with life and measure myself through my contributions to others." He said with this commitment, "You will never be lost."
Kurisu and partners own Punaluʻu Bake Shop and recently purchased the Nāʻālehu shopping center across the corner. He said he hopes the historic Nāʻālehu Theatre can be restored, perhaps repurposed. Among his accomplishments are numerous real estate endeavors statewide, and founding a company that owns such magazines as Hawaiʻi Business, Honolulu Magazine, and numerous book titles. Recent non-profit work includes creating housing for the homeless and encouraging entrepreneurship. He is also part-owner of the San Francisco Giants.

Athletic Director Kalei Namohala and Principal Sharon Beck, with a photo frame around a senior as
he is photographed during the drive through graduation. Photo by Julia Neal

In Principal Sharon Beck's address to the students, she acknowledged their losses at the end of the year, when everyone was forced off campus due to the dangers of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Senior Prom, May Day, the end of the athletic season, and a trip to Japan for the culinary students were among them. She said the tragedy brought out the strength, resilience, growth, and love in this Class of 2020. She compared the students to the sculpture on the school grounds by Randall Shiroma. It's called ʻAʻaliʻi Ku Makani, and describes the native ʻaʻaliʻi plant, standing strong in the fierce Kaʻū wind.
Senior Class Advisor Matt Roddy described the Class of 2020 as exceptional and said the majority of graduates are headed to college or the military. He noted that their class song is Live by The Green. Class colors are black and gold. The class motto is "Miles may separate us, but memories will always bind us."
See more on the students and their graduation in Saturday's Kaʻū News Briefs.

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FUNDRAISING FOR A PUBLIC OCEAN VIEW SKATE PARK is underway. Organizer Travis Aucoin told The Kaʻū Calendar that the fiscal sponsor is Kalanihale, "a nonprofit that supports the cultural, physical, and emotional well being of our community. We know that during this uncertain time we don't know the future, but we are working hard to make sure we have a better place, a place that we all can be proud of and be safe for our families' health."

Ocean View Skate Park concept design.

Kaʻimi Kaupiko, of Miloliʻi, is organizing the fundraiser on behalf of Kalanihale. Donations are tax deductible. See https://tinyurl.com/yc3jav9c.

Aucoin said the group raised $465, and is "just getting started" with its outreach. He said the proposed site for the skatepark is at Paradise Circle. "We have been partnering with other organizations like Home School Network, Miller Surf, and the Tony Hawk Foundation to this park come to life. We are currently working with the County of Hawaiʻiand local representation in the process of seeing our vision come to life. We are in need of your help as we fundraise to get our designs done by a professional design business. Our goal is to fundraise $5,000. Every dollar helps.

"We are waiting for government to open back up and for the Environmental Assessment process to happen. Right now, the advocacy group is raising money for the skatepark design cost. This is a great start towards a free-to-use public skatepark for the community. We would like more people to join us make this a successful skatepark project, and a great achievement for this community."

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No COVID-19 cases so far in the zip code areas of Volcano,

Pāhala, and Ocean View. White indicates zero cases, light

yellow indicates one to five cases. The 96772 area in

Kaʻū has one case recorded. Map from DOH

NO NEW CASES OF COVID-19 STATEWIDE WERE REPORTED TODAY. The state Department of Health announced a reassessment of the case count, starting with the beginning of the pandemic. The DOH update shows 81 confirmed cases on Hawaiʻi Island, with 77 victims recovered. The remaining four are quarantined and monitored by DOH.
Statewide, the update shows 642 victims of COVID-19 confirmed, with 414 in HonoluluCounty, 20 in Kauaʻi County, and 117 in MauiCounty.

The daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says, "On this three-day weekend with opening of parks and beaches, know the importance of following the policies of distancing, gatherings, face coverings, cleanliness, and personal health. Please do your part. Thank you for listening. Please be safe on this very special weekend of remembrance in honor of the men and women who died serving our great nation. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense."

In the United States, more than 1.63 million cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 96,329.
Worldwide, more than 5.21 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 338,000.

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar

directory f or farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is

free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout

Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at

kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your

business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

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Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of May.

ONGOING

Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.

The next drive-thru screening at Nāʻālehu Community Center will be held Wednesday, May 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Screening will be carried out by Aliʻi Health, with support from County of Hawai‘i COVID-19 Task Force, Premier Medical Group and Pathways Telehealth.
A testing team from Aloha Critical Care in Kona will provide testing at St. Jude's every other Wednesday. The next date is June 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wearing masks is required for everyone.
To bypass the screening queue at community test sites, patients can call ahead to Pathways Telehealth, option 5 at 808-747-8321. The free clinic will also offer on-site screening to meet testing criteria. Physicians qualify those for testing, under the guidance of Center for Disease Control & Prevention and Hawaiʻi's COVID-19 Response Task Force.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced.
A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.

Free Breakfast and Lunch for Anyone Eighteen and Under is available at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary and at Nāʻālehu Elementary weekdays through May. Each youth must be present to receive a meal. Service is drive-up or walk-up, and social distancing rules (at least six feet away) are observed. Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Food is being delivered to Ocean View.

Pāhala's Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street on Tuesday, May 26 and Tuesday, June 30.

Volcano's CooperCenter at 19-4030 Wright Road on Wednesday, May 27 and Wednesday, June 24.

Nāʻālehu's Sacred HeartChurch at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy on Monday, June 1.

Ocean View's KahukuPark on Tuesday, June 8.

On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 967-7800 to confirm.

Enroll in Kua O Ka Lā's Hīpuʻu Virtual Academy for school year 2020-2021, grades four through eight. The Hawaiian Focused Charter School teaches with an emphasis on Hawaiian language and culture. The blended curriculum is offered through online instruction and community-based projects, with opportunities for face-to-face gatherings (with precautions), in an "Education with Aloha" environment.

Kua O Ka Lā offers a specialized program which provides students with core curriculum, content area, and electives in-keeping with State of Hawaiʻi requirements. Combined with Native Hawaiian values, culture, and a place-based approach to education, from the early morning wehena – ceremonial school opening – Kua O Ka Lā students are encouraged to walk Ke Ala Pono – the right and balanced path.

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

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On the fence between high school and adult life, Kaʻū 2020 graduates are lined up, unmasked, in Congrats Grad photos
at Pāhala Community Center on Friday, graduation day See their speeches below. Photo by Julia Neal

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

RESTAURANTS, CHURCHES, HAIR SALONS, and other personal services will be able to reopen on June 1. Mayor Harry Kim made the announcement today after Gov. David Ige gave the approvals.

Approved restaurants will include food courts, but not dedicated bars and nightclubs. Social distancing will be required, reducing the number of dining tables to expand the spaces between them. In-dining service must be in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Interim Guidance for Restaurants and Bars, National Restaurant Association Guidelines, and any updated CDC guidance. The layout and design of restaurants must be compliant before reopening, said the Mayor.

Faith-Based Worship is another category to reopen. The Mayor said that people must gather in accordance with the CDC Interim Guidance for Administrators and Leaders of Community and Faith Based Organizations to Plan, Prepare, and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 or any updated CDC guidance.

Salons and barbershops must follow Rules Relating to Safety Guidelines for Barbers and Beauty Operators.
Also allowed will be one-on-one services including, but not limited to, tutoring, music lessons, massage, yoga, Pilates, and personal training. They can reopen with distancing and other health measures.

Anyone reopening can request no-cost assistance to provide a safe and healthy business for employees and customers, by contacting the county's COVID Task Force on Education and Prevention at 935-0031.

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The stewards of Kaʻū High School groomed the grounds on Friday ahead of the graduation drive-through ceremony.
The sign for Class of 2020 is made with white, translucent cups, pushed into the spaces of the chain-link fence.
Photo by Julia Neal

STUDENT SPEAKERS at Friday's Kaʻū High School graduation focused far beyond the challenges of the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic that cut their on-campus time short at the end of the year. Some talked about another major life event. Most of the 42 seniors were born in the year of 9/11 only to graduate in the year of COVID-19. They rolled to the venue to receive their diplomas, a photo shoot, mahalos from the school staff and Mayor Harry Kim, and a gift basket from community groups Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawaiʻi and ʻO Kaʻū Kākou.

MALIAH ABABA, CO-VALEDICTORIAN FOR KAʻŪ HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020 gave the following remarks: "First off, I would like to thank my parents, family, and friends for always pushing me to the best of my ability and for supporting me in everything I do. I wouldn't be the person I am today if it wasn't for you. I'd also like to thank all my teachers and mentors for helping me grow, not only as a better scholar, but as a better person.

Maliah Ababa is Co-Valedictorian of the Kaʻū High School Class of 2020. She rolls to Kaʻū District Gym to
receive her diploma. Her speech was televised through a virtual half-hour graduation presentation on Nā Leo TV.
Photo by Julia Neal

"And, to my Class of 2020, although we didn't get to finish the year together, I'm so thankful to have you all as my classmates. You are some of the most unique, hilarious, and amazing people I've ever met. We made so many unforgettable memories, from winning Homecoming Week to running around the halls playing Senior Tag. Even though our year was cut short, it was great because of you all.

"This year was a struggle for the Class of 2020. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, our year was cut short unexpectedly. For most of us, it hasn't even dawned that we just graduated high school and are now adults.
"It was heartbreaking to find out that we wouldn't be able to go to our last prom together or even enjoy our last memories walking down the halls one last time. We lost so many significant memories that can never be replaced. Many of us weren't able to finish off our sports seasons or even experience going to prom, but most of all, we all lost the opportunity to proudly walk across the stage and accept our high school diploma in front of our families and friends.
"Throughout the hardship of this year, our community, family, and friends continued to support us through this tough time. They continuously show us how proud they are of how far we've all come and how much more we can achieve. The community continues to make a big effort to celebrate all of our accomplishments, despite the obstacles we're facing.
"Life put us through so many obstacles; from pushing through the 9/11 after-effects when we were born to graduating during a worldwide pandemic. From the start, we were given challenges but we faced it and will only become stronger. These obstacles we face prepare us for the future and it makes us stronger for what's to come. This is the first obstacle we're facing as adults, and if we can get through this, then we can get through much more throughout life. A lot was taken away from us this year, but we also are learning an important lesson that through tough times, positive and better things are to come.

Teachers and staff on the left waived to the graduates, with diplomas, photos, and gifts on the right.
Photo by Julia Neal

"Despite all the challenges we faced and continue to face, we can conquer anything we put our minds to. We fought through all the obstacles that were thrown at us and we still continue to make the best of every situation we're given.
"I want you all to remember: Take pride in how far you have come and have faith in how far you can go."

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KRYSTAL JANE VELASCO, CO-VALEDICTORIAN FOR KAʻŪ HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020, gave the following remarks on a graduation television show Friday: "First of all, I would like to thank God for wisdom and guidance. On behalf of the class 2020, I would like to thank the families of our class for bringing us into this world, raising us, supporting us, and helping us achieve this significant milestone in our lives.

Krystal Jane Velasco, Co-Valedictorian for Kaʻū High School, her
photo displayed on a fence line as graduations was a virtual,
televised presentation paired with a drive-through for
diplomas, photo, and a lauhala community gift basket.
Photo by Julia Neal

"I would also like to thank the faculty and staff of Kaʻū High School for the education, influence, and guidance they have provided along the way. You all have helped and shaped us into who we are today.
"To the class of 2020, congratulations! Finally, our momentous time of the year has arrived! We did it! My fellow graduates, I may not have known you for a long time but you all showed me such warmth and love. I am glad that I am part of this amazing class. You are all creative and smart in many different ways, so I want you to trust in and never doubt yourselves. I am counting on seeing you conquer life in your unique way.
"The reality is now in front of us. As we move forward in our lives and wherever the wind takes us, always remember to do so with an open mind and a full heart. The most wonderful lesson I learned throughout high school is that I am the captain of my ship. I am the decision-maker of which way I should go.

Students presented their signs for access to the graduation venue.
Photo by Julia Neal

"Planning what to do after high school has been one of the hardest tasks for me, and maybe to all of my fellow classmates? Should I go to college, military, or should I just go straight and find a job? I asked myself this question, 'What do I want to do in the future, what do I want for myself?' I asked for advice from my parents, my brother, cousins, and my friends. They all told me the same thing, and that is to follow my dreams and what my heart tells me to do. I decided I want to study nursing in college. Today, I am now ready, more confident, and motivated to conquer the next chapter of my life because I am going to pursue the career that I love.
"So, I wanted to say to you all that, in life, we need to be conscious and responsible for our actions. Learn to trust yourself and your decisions. Follow your heart because only you can choose which way to go. I know that each of us will go beyond the stars in whatever we do. Become the person you have always wanted to become, and work for what you really want."

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Marilou Mae Manantan, President for Kaʻū High Class of 2020,

mentioned that most of her classmates were born in the year

of 9/11 only to push through the COVD-19 pandemic during

their high school grad year. Photo by Julia Neal

MARILOU MAE MANANTAN, CLASS PRESIDENT FOR KAʻŪ HIGH CLASS OF 2020, gave the following remarks: "It is my pleasure to welcome friends, family, and faculty to our virtual graduation ceremony. First off, I'd like to thank my friends and family for supporting me and sculpting me into the amazing woman that I am today. I would also like to give a special shoutout to my best friend, coaches, and my SP Boys for creating one of the most memorable chapters in my life.
"We made it! Although COVID-19 impacted us in a way we never imagined, we made it. Some people may say that we were built for this because of how we were born in the same year as 9/11. Other people may say 'no cap & no gown' but here I stand before you in my cap and gown! This may have been a tough year but it's also a memorable one, one that's unforgettable. Our school year got cut short but don't let it put a pause on your greatness.
"I will always miss high school. I will always miss the morning rides to school with my best friend. I will always miss watching and competing in lunchtime activities to see who's class is the best. I will always miss hanging out with my friends in Ms. Myashiro's class, I will always miss the feeling of competing in sports. I will always miss our game of senior tag that we never got to finish due to COVID. I will always miss the feeling of being a senior at Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary School.

Unmasked faces along the way to graduation at Robert N. Herkes Gymnasium & Shelter, also known as Kaʻū
District Gym, where diplomas and community gift baskets were presented to the Class of 2020. Photo by Julia Neal

"From all our firsts, here's to our last. Our last first day of school, our last game, our last assembly, our last dance, our last ride, our last time being a student. Today is when our journey begins. Today is our last day being all together; after this, we're going to part ways and take our journeys on different roads. We may not be graduating in a way that we wanted to and that's okay, it's not needed to validate our high school accomplishments. Here's to the class of 2020: miles may separate us but memories will always bind us. Mahalo."

Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawaiʻi's Debbie Ryder and

Desmond Dacalio distributed lauhala gift baskets with food

to graduates on Friday. Photo by Julia Neal

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HOʻOKUPU IN LAUHALA BASKETS came from community groups Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawaiʻi and ʻO Kaʻū Kākou at Friday's graduation from Kaʻū High School. Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder, who works on cultural programs and presentations at the school, was joined by Kawehi Ryder to gather and prepare the food, including luʻau pork and fresh cabbage, plus steaks from Wayne Kawachi and ʻO Kaʻū Kākou.
Desmond Dacalio assisted with handing out the gift baskets to
graduates as they paraded by, after

receiving diplomas and a wave from Mayor Harry Kim.
The tag on the lauhala gift basket says, "A Hoʻokupu for You!"

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PUNALUʻU BAKE SHOP REOPENED its retail and food services to the public, this week. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
daily.
Food is available to order by phone all day, to include malasadas, Portuguese and other sweetbreads, cookies, soups, plate lunches, and hot and cold sandwiches, as well as beverages.
Retail items include Kaʻū Coffees and many local packaged foods, keepsakes, and other collectible and gift items.
Call ahead to 929-7343, or walk up and order. The store is limited to six persons at a time, wearing masks. Dining on site is off-limits until further notice.

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The view from Pu‘u Kahuku. NPS photo, Sami Steinkamp

THE KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK increased community access starting today by opening trails on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Access will expand in phases.

Popular Trails include:

Pu‘u o Lokuana Cinder Cone is a short but strenuous climb. The hike is a .4 mile (.35 km) loop with a 130-foot (40 m) elevation change. The trail along historic ranch roads leads to a hidden pasture, lava tree molds, and lava flows from 1868.

Kamakapa‘a Trail is an easy .5 mile (0.8 km) loop through grassy meadows to the top of a small cinder cone with a 40-foot (12 m) elevation change. Sweeping views from the top take in the full breadth of lower Ka‘ū.

A large lava tree mold on the 1868 lava flow. NPS photo, Sami Steinkamp

Palm Trail Hikeis a 2.6-mile (4.2 km) loop, where people can walk or bike through scenic pastures for "one of best panoramic views" in Kahuku, with a 310-foot (95 m) elevation change. Volcanic features include the 1868 fissure and the trail crosses the main lava channel.

Pali o Ka‘eo Trail runs 2.1 miles (3.4 km), with a 410-foot (125 m) elevation change, through woodland meadows along the top of a steep grassy slope. Vistas along the way take in the coast of Ka‘ū from Ka Lae (South Point) to Na Pu‘u o Pele.

Pit Crater Trail is a strenuous 4.1-mile (6.7 km) with a 1,165-foot (335 m) elevation gain. The trail leads steeply up old pasture roads to the edge of a huge pit crater. Hikers must decontaminate at the ROD Quarantine Gate.

During Phase 1 of the opening, vehicles must remain below Upper Palm Trail. Park rangers will be on patrol.

Services are limited and some places, such as the Visitor Contact Station and Book Store are closed to the public.

The Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is opening in
phases with hiking beginning today. NPS Photo by Janice Wei

The National Park Service urges visitors to follow CDC and local guidance; park only in designated areas; pack out everything brought in; maintain 6 ft (2 m) social distance from others; stay on marked trails; be prepared for limited, or no access, to restrooms and other facilities.

Wendy Scott-Vance, of Kahuku Unit, said, "To all of you who have made hiking and exercise at Kahuku a regular part of your lives, we are looking forward to seeing you soon!"

The entrance to Kahuku Unit is in Kaʻū, between South Point Road and Ocean View's town center, about an hour's drive south of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Park's main entrance, on Hwy 11.

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Jake Branch

ANOTHER CALL FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE in the search for Jake Branch is requested by Hawaiʻi county police. Branch, a 36-year-old male who frequents Kaʻū, Kohala, and Kona Districts. He is wanted on multiple outstanding Criminal Contempt Bench Warrants, BOLO's for Resist Order to Stop, Reckless Driving, and Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Damage to a Vehicle.
Branch was most recently contacted by police on April 11, while operating a stolen white Toyota Tacoma Pickup in North Kohala. The vehicle was reported stolen from the Puna District on April 1. The vehicle evaded officers but was later located in the South Kohala District, where officers once again attempted to contact Branch. The vehicle again fled and was located a short time later, abandoned in South Kohala. Branch is also wanted for questioning related to a Burglary reported in North Kohala on April 11.
Branch is described as being 6-feet 3-inches, approximately 285 pounds, with long brown hair. Branch is known to operate a black Yamaha FJ 1300cc motorcycle with unknown plates.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is encouraged to contact the police non-emergency number, (808) 935-3311 or Detective Kayla Makino-Kahuli of the Area II Criminal Investigations Section at (808) 326-4646 ext. 277.

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No COVID-19 cases so far in the zip code areas of Volcano,

Pāhala, and Ocean View. White indicates zero cases, light

yellow indicates one to five cases. The 96772 area in

Kaʻū has one case recorded. Map from DOH

NO NEW COVID-19 CASES ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND and only one new in the state, reports the Department of Health. The new case is in MauiCounty. Eighty-one cases of COVID-19 are reported on Hawaiʻi Island since the pandemic began, with 77 recovered. The remaining four are quarantined and monitored by DOH. Statewide, 643 people – 414 in HonoluluCounty, 21 in Kauaʻi County, and 118 in MauiCounty– have been confirmed positive for the virus since the pandemic began.

The daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says, "The Island and State of Hawaiʻi are doing well in minimizing the spread and impact of this virus. During this holiday weekend when we gather and enjoy the lifestyle of Hawaiʻi please continue practicing the policies of distancing, gatherings, cleanliness, face coverings, staying at home if you are sick, and keeping yourself physically and emotionally healthy. Please be safe on this very special weekend of remembrance in honor of the men and women who died serving our great nation. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense."

In the United States, more than 1.66 million cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 97,414.

Worldwide, more than 5.29 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 341,000.

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ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE FOR TRINITY SUNDAY are held by St. Jude's Episcopal Church at stjudeshawaii.org/worship tomorrow, Sunday, May 24th. Cindy Cutts says, "Special thanks to Rev. Constance, Dan and Steve."

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Dr. Neal Palafox explains the irony of Micronesians' fame as an ocean-going people, who wind up in

poverty and poor health in Hawaiʻi. He spoke at the annual Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association

meeting in Pāhala last year. Photo by Julia Neal

Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year

Last May, the health and economic wellbeing of Micronesians and other South Pacific islanders who have moved to Hawaiʻi were the focus of the 21st annual Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association meeting at Pāhala Community Center.

Keynote speaker was Neal Palafox, MD, MPH, a professor at University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine's Department of Family Medicine & Community Health. He's spent decades studying and working with Pacific Islanders to improve their health and economic situation.
U.S. military after World War II, when more than a decade of nuclear bomb testing was conducted in the islands. After the nuclear testing stopped, the U.S. government promised to help with economic development, health, and education for the islanders.

The U.S. maintains large military bases in Micronesia and views them as important to the future, especially with Chinese government and companies making inroads into the Pacific. In exchange for keeping the bases, and for mitigation for the nuclear testing that made some islands uninhabitable, the U.S. allows residents of many of the islands to come to this country without a passport or visa, to live, work, and gain an education here. At first, the federal government paid for their health care, then the states chipped in as the federal government withdrew some of its support.

Physician Richard Creagan talks about experience working
with Marshallese in the Peace Corps. Photo by Julia Neal

Palafox talked about the strategic importance of numerous South Pacific islands to the

Some of the islanders went to places like Arkansas, where they were hired by large companies like Tyson's Foods and became factory workers. In Arkansas, Marshallese in particular have done well in terms of being lifted out of poverty, though far away from their island culture of subsistence farming and fishing.

On Hawaiʻi Island, many of the families live remotely. Ocean View is one place where Micronesians found affordable land to create housing for extended families. Some of the parents and grandparents work picking Kaʻū Coffee. The children go to school.

One problem brought up in the meeting was assimilation of the children into the American education system. With poor English skills upon arrival, they need more support through speakers of their own dialects, several attendees stated. Sometimes they are bullied and feel discrimination from other students and even teachers, Palafox said. He said that, throughout Hawaiʻi, there are many Micronesian jokes, online insults such as "Micronesian Cockroaches Go Home." People ask "How do we get them to go elsewhere?" and say, "Send these people a message," and "Stop them from coming." These islanders are often blamed for being the biggest cause of homelessness in Hawaiʻi, Palafox said.

He noted that one difference between Micronesians here and other immigrants is that most other immigrants have to apply for a visa and are sponsored by families already here. They often arrive with a job waiting for them. With the Pacific Islanders who have free entry to the U.S., "we are getting the entire demographic," the middle class and the poor, the skilled and unskilled, said Palafox, "with their need for more education, employment training, health care, and assistance with assimilation."

Dr. Neal Palafox and Marshallese leader from Ocean View,

Johnathan Jackson. Photo by Julia Neal

Palafox introduced the idea of Cultural Safety with mediating variables to help the islanders. Among them are self-determination, social and restorative justice, equity, negotiated partnership, transparency, reciprocity, accountability, and resilience.

Johnathan Jackson, one of the leaders of the Marshallese in Ocean View, talked about the attempt to maintain some of the traditional culture while living here. The Micronesians, for example, are well regarded as master navigators in the South Pacific. It is ironic that they would have a hard time being accepted here, said Jackson.

Palafax said that health statistics are bleak among the islanders before and after they come here. He said they are affected by the worst of both worlds: cholera, dengue fever, and tuberculosis in their less-developed tropical home islands, and the poor diet of modern society with more diabetes, stroke, and cancer.

Jesse Marques, founder of Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association, and physician Richard Creagan, who represents East Ka`u into Kona in the state House of Representatives and worked in the Peace Corps in the Marshall Islands, vowed to engage more with the Marshallese and other islanders who have moved here.

See more on Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association at krhcai.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

NOTABLE KĪLAUEA VOLCANO ANNIVERSARIES are the focus of this week's Volcano Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates. Several occur at the end of May:

The past two years of Volcano Watch articles from late May focused on commemorating the 49th and 50th anniversaries of the Mauna Ulu eruption. However, the end of May has several other notable Kīlaueaeruption beginnings, changes, and endings. Here, we reflect on some selected anniversaries spanning 1823–2018.

The first eruption of Kīlauea documented by western missionaries was described in William Ellis's account of the 1823 eruption. A 6-mile-long fissure called "the Great Crack" produced the Keaīwa Flow on the lower Southwest Rift Zone sometime in early summer (month unknown). A now seldom-visited part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaiians described to Ellis that "Pele had issued from a subterranean cavern and overflowed the lowland… the inundation was sudden and violent, burnt one canoe, and carried four more into the sea. At Mahuku [Bay], the deep torrent of lava bore into the sea..." This description emphasized the importance of eyewitness accounts of volcanic activity.

HVO scientist measures the episode 12 lava

fountain height at Mauna Ulu from Puʻu Huluhulu

on Dec. 30, 1969. The Mauna Ulu eruption marks

its 51st anniversary on May 24, 1969.

Photo by Hans-Ulrich Schmincke

The 1840 eruption in lower Puna began on May 30 and lasted for 26 days. Nānāwale Estates is built on the lava flow from this eruption. Few eyewitness accounts exist of this eruption, which emphasized the importance of geological fieldwork to reconstruct the chronology of events that occurred. Geologic mapping indicated 1840 may have been similar to the 2018 eruption.

In 1922, ten years after the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory was founded, a fissure eruption began around 9 p.m. on May 28 in Makaopuhi and Nāpau craters on Kīlauea's East Rift Zone. The distinctive red glow of an eruption was observed from Uēkahuna Bluff an hour after a strong "swaying" earthquake. HVO scientists drove for 30 minutes and then hiked 3 hours (from 10 p.m.to 1 a.m.) to reach Makaopuhi. The next day, another field party approached from the east and saw weak spattering in Nāpau Crater before reaching Makaopuhi Crater. Both teams endured hours of jungle bushwhacking to reach the eruption sites.

The explosive 1924 eruption of Halemaʻumaʻu lasted 17 days and ended activity on May 28. In an interesting coincidence, Halemaʻumaʻu unleashed a large ash cloud that resulted in a single fatality on May 18, 1924– a day later associated with the famous Mount St. Helens eruption.

A 1954 anniversary occurs on May 31 for a 3.5-day-long fissure eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater. This eruption was one of the first at Kīlauea to be "anticipated" through geophysical monitoring. HVO scientists had noted signs of increasing pressurization at the summit and stated that "under such conditions, an eruption might come with very little forewarning." They were right. The first earthquake woke residents at 3:42 a.m., seismic tremor started at 4:09 a.m., and at 4:10, there was red glow in the sky.

The 1955 lower Puna eruption ended on May 26 after 88 days of activity in the same area as the recent 2018 eruption. This eruption devastated farmland and isolated KapohoVillage.

Mauna Ulu began erupting on Kīlauea's upper East Rift Zone on May 24, 1969. It followed a decade of short-lived fissure eruptions and HVO staff suspected it would be another week-to-month-long event. However, activity focused at a single vent between the now buried ‘Alae and ʻĀloʻi craters and continued there almost continuously for 4.5 years. This sustained activity allowed HVO staff to document, study, and understand volcanic processes in great detail. Specifically, the eruption advanced understanding of how lava flows advance and inflate, the effect of lava velocity and slope on flow textures, gas-pistoning behavior, and the formation of pillow basalts when lava flows into the ocean.

Colored postcard depicting early 20th century eruption at Kīlauea. Postcard courtesy of Hawai‘i VolcanoesNational Park

During the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption, fissure 8 reactivated for a final time on May 24 and was joined briefly on May 27 by the final fissure (#24) opening. In the evening of May 27, the main fissure 8 lava flow began its advance towards the ocean. This eruption was arguably the best-documented eruption at Kīlauea yet, with the existing geophysical network, new instruments rapidly deployed, 24/7 field presence for 6 months, use of new tools like Unoccupied Aerial Systems, and an outpouring of citizen science.

Kīlaueahas had a long and active history, and each eruption provides us new insights into volcanic processes and hazards. HVO will continue to make observation-based discoveries to improve delivery of warnings and hazard assessments.

Volcano Activity Updates

Kīlauea Volcano is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level remains at NORMAL(https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vhp/about_alerts.html). Kīlauea updates are issued monthly.

Colored postcard depicting 1921 Halemaumau eruption.

Postcard courtesy of Hawai‘i VolcanoesNational Park

Mauna Loa is not erupting and remains at Volcano Alert Level ADVISORY. This alert level does not mean that an eruption is imminent or that progression to eruption from current level of unrest is certain. Mauna Loa updates are issued weekly.
This past week, about 63 small-magnitude earthquakes were recorded beneath the upper elevations of Mauna Loa; most of these occurred at shallow depths less than 8 kilometers (~5 miles). Global Positioning System measurements show song-term slowly increasing summit inflation, consistent with magma supply to the volcano's shallow storage system. Gas concentrations at the Sulphur Cone monitoring site on the Southwest Rift Zone remain stable. Fumarole temperatures as measured at both Sulphur Cone and the summit have not changed significantly. For more information on current monitoring of Mauna Loa Volcano, see volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/monitoring_summary.html.

There were 3 events with 3 or more felt reports in the Hawaiian islands during the past week: a magnitude-3.8 earthquake 7 km (4 mi) NE of Pāhala at 31 km (19 mi) depth on May 21 at 12:42 a.m., a magnitude-3.0 earthquake 9 km (6 mi) NE of Pāhala at 32 km (20 mi) depth on May 18 at 1:49 p.m., and a magnitude-2.9 earthquake 12 km (7 mi) S of Volcano at 29 km (18 mi) depth on May 16 at 09:07 a.m.

HVO continues to closely monitor both Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

Visit HVO's website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlaueaand Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar

directory f or farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is

free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout

Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at

kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your

business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

ONGOING

A testing team from Aloha Critical Care in Kona will provide testing at St. Jude's every other Wednesday. The next date is June 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wearing masks is required for everyone.
To bypass the screening queue at community test sites, patients can call ahead to Pathways Telehealth, option 5 at 808-747-8321. The free clinic will also offer on-site screening to meet testing criteria. Physicians qualify those for testing, under the guidance of Center for Disease Control & Prevention and Hawaiʻi's COVID-19 Response Task Force.
Those visiting screening clinics will be asked to show photo ID, and any health insurance cards – though health insurance is not required to be tested. They are also asked to bring their own pen to fill in forms.
For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced.
A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.

Pāhala's Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street on Tuesday, May 26 and Tuesday, June 30.

Volcano's CooperCenter at 19-4030 Wright Road on Wednesday, May 27 and Wednesday, June 24.

Nāʻālehu's Sacred HeartChurch at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy on Monday, June 1.

Ocean View's KahukuPark on Tuesday, June 8.

On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 967-7800 to confirm.

Kua O Ka Lā offers a specialized program which provides students with core curriculum, content area, and electives in-keeping with State of Hawaiʻi requirements. Combined with Native Hawaiian values, culture, and a place-based approach to education, from the early morning wehena – ceremonial school opening – Kua O Ka Lā students are encouraged to walk Ke Ala Pono – the right and balanced path.

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

Virtual Graduation for Sixth Grade at Nāʻālehu Elementary School last Friday. Screenshot from Olivia-ann Thomas

THE FIRST VIRTUAL GRADUATION FOR NĀʻĀLEHU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL sixth graders involved 100 students, staff, and well-wishers on Friday, May 22. Students virtually shared stories about the time they spent learning at Nāʻālehu Elementary, on campus before the pandemic, and recently online and with distance learning materials. They presented ideas about what they want to be when they grow up. They also talked about their favorite memory from school and about those they want to thank. The graduation ended with a hat toss and "Cheeeehuuu!" Hoʻomaikaʻi iā ʻoukou!

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi Island Class of 2020 includes two Kaʻū graduates, Dane Masazo Shibuya, Jr and
Jeysiah Demitri Camba-Penera. Photo from Kamehameha Schools

TWO KAʻŪ STUDENTS GRADUATED FROM KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOL in Keaʻau on Saturday. Ohuʻohu Keaʻau i ka liko Lehua, Keaʻau is adorned with beauty of our children, states the school motto.

Dane Masazo Shibuya, Jr

Dane Masazo Shibuya, Jr said he plans to attend a four-year program at Univertisy of Hawaiʻi, with a focus on administration of justice. He said his favorite moments from high school were playing Varsity football and lifting weights. His most influential adult throughout his K-12 journey is Manly Kanoa. He is most looking forward to becoming a police officer, in order to impact lives. His father is Dane Shibuya, Sr.; mother Terry-Lee Shibuya; sister Kassie Shibuya; grandmother Jade Andrade; sister Tiare-Lee Shibuya; niece Keulu.

Jeysiah Demitri Camba-Penera, Cum Laude, plans to attend UH-Hilo, with a focus on digital art, 2D animation, and/or traditional art. His favorite moment from high school was "finding a group of people that I really vibe with, and also maybe the Keʻei trip (that was really fun)." He said the most influential adult throughout his K-12 journey is Mr. Pao: "He taught me a lot about art and helped me improve drastically in just the 2-3 years he was here." He said he is most looking forward to "escaping quarantine and being able to experience all that college life has to offer."

Jeysiah Demitri Camba-Penera

The Class of 2020 wrote a song, Hīhīmanu a Kāne. Composer Kyra Michiko Poʻipe Gomes said, "Each verse of this mele honors the different people in our lives who have helped us reach this point: our family, our teachers, and each other. Before writing this, I asked my fellow graduates to describe one another and utilized their responses to create the bridge of this mele. We have accomplished so much as a class and this song is no exception." Lyrics by Nāmelemanukukalaao Kapono and Gomes, with input from the Class of 2020:

Ke kaʻao o Hāloa, Pili ke aloha ʻoiaʻiʻo, Haʻahaʻa, ʻAlakaʻi ʻana i ke ala kūpono

Hui: Mau ka hoʻoilina a mākou, Me ka piha o ka na'au no ia papa nei

Bridge: He ikaika ma loko o ka likeʻole, Hoʻohui me he ʻohana lā, E mau ka holomua a puka mai ke ao.

Wrapped in your light, You have shielded us from the fears of the night, Ever kind, You treated us as one you call your own

Chorus: Take these thoughtful years and carry on, Though we may be far away

Bridge: Strength shown through our differences, Connected as a family, Let us continue to lead our lāhui towards the rising horizon of a new day.

Father Dane Shibuya, Sr.; mother Terry-Lee Shibuya; sister Kassie

Shibuya; grandmother Jade Andrade; sister Tiare-Lee Shibuya; niece
Keulu; graduate Dane Shibuya, Jr. Photo from the Shibuya family

The Valedictory Address was given by Travis Kanoa Chai Andrade; Poʻo Kula (Head of School) Address and Presentation of the Class of 2020 was given by Mrs. M. Kāhealani Naeʻole-Wong. Reading of Graduates and Diplomas, and Acknowledgement of Honors and Endorsements, was by Dr. Lehua Veincent and Angela Pōmaikaʻi Baptista. The Benediction was given by Naomi Kaleonahenaheonālani Schubert, Keiki Kahu. The Invocation was given by Kamakana Rodrigues, Keiki Kahu. The Welcome was given by Salesi Malu Haunga, Senior Class President. The Salutatory Address was given by Kayla Leigh Kealani Enanoria. The Guest Speaker was Angela Pōmaikaʻi Baptista.
The graduation aired on Nā Leo TV, Channel 53, at 4 p.m. Saturday, and is available On Demand at naleo.tv/channel-53/.

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KAʻŪ HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SHARON BECK GAVE THESE REMARKS TO THE CLASS of 2020 on Friday: "I want to start by acknowledging the loss our graduates have suffered during this time. They lost their senior prom, May Day, athletics, trip to Japan, and finishing the year hugging their classmates goodbye. Our graduates have demonstrated strength and resilience during this time.

"Graduation is a special occasion: the culmination of years of hard work and investment in our futures. I would like to recognize the support and commitment from those who have made graduation possible... our parents and families, our teachers and school staff, and our community. You have provided strength, grounding, and love that contributed to our students' success.

Principal Sharon Beck during on-campus activities before the pandemic. Photo by Julia Neal

"That same strength and love was the inspiration for the ʻAʻaliʻi Ku Makani sculpture you see on campus. ʻAʻaliʻi Ku Makani refers to the lowland plant that thrives in the strong winds. Local artist, Randy Shiroma, created the sculpture to represent the strength of the people of Kaʻū. The ʻaʻaliʻi plant has many different uses and represents the different individual skills and talents necessary to become who you are. Standing strong and tall, the sculpture alludes to the tough independent nature of Kaʻū and the beautiful tough land of where we live. The two parts of the sculpture together represent nurturing or love and relationships. The sculpture takes the form of a mother and child alluding to the grounding and nurturing that are different facets of strength.
"The sculpture reminds us of our strength, of the relationships that are our foundation, and our connection to place, this place, Kaʻū.
"Parents, families, faculty, and staff you have much to be proud of. Graduates, you, too, should be proud of your accomplishments and remember while this may be the end of one long journey in your life, it is also the beginning of another. You now stand at a crossroads in your life where you will need to make wise decisions and commitments. Be proud, stand tall, and stay strong. With love, I wish you all the best! "

The graduates are:

Maliah Ababa, Summa Cum Laude and Career Technical Education Completer

Destenie Alani Horan, Magna Cum Laude

Ashli-Nikol Alley, Career Technical Education Completer

Mhay Rose Baradi, Magna Cum Laude and Career Technical Education Completer

Daysen Burns, Magna Cum Laude

Sidrelle Candaroma, Cum Laude and Career Technical Education Completer

Janelle Zharyne Cardenas, Cum Laude and Career Technical Education Completer

Weston Davis, Career Technical Education Completer

Melinda Eder, Magna Cum Laude and Career Technical Education Completer

Seth Eder, Cum Laude and Career Technical Education Completer

Elijah James Evangelista, Career Technical Education Completer

Angelica Felipe, Magna Cum Laude

Valany Gonsalves, Career Technical Education Completer

Kaʻohinani Grace, Cum Laude and Career Technical Education Completer

Isaia Hashimoto-Kainoa

Ashantee Holeso

Sierra Kaawa, Career Technical Education Completer

Sarah Kailiawa-Escobar, Career Technical Education Completer

Janne Labin, Career Technical Education Completer

Marilou Mae Manantan, Cum Laude

Fancis Ivan Mararac, Career Technical Education Completer

Stacy Mattos-Kaluau

Stephanie Mauricio, Career Technical Education Completer

Kahiau Medeiros, Career Technical Education Completer

Jeremiah Nurial-Dacalio, Career Technical Education Completer

Kyle Pensula, Cum Laude and Career Technical Education Completer

Raymond Polid-Kalili, Cum Laude

Winston Pumarus

Lilliana Rabang, Career Technical Education Completer

Alethea Joy Ramones, Summa Cum Laude and Career Technical Education Completer

Michael Rodarte

Ziggy Rodrigues, Career Technical Education Completer

Gabrielle Anne Santos, Cum Laude and Career Technical Education Completer

Emalia Tiner, Magna Cum Laude and Career Technical Education Completer

Kyson Toriano, Career Technical Education Completer

Ruth Vega, Career Technical Education Completer

Krystal Jane Velasco, Summa Cum Laude and Career Technical Education Completer

Shailani Vierra, Career Technical Education Completer

Kellsie Wakimoto, Cum Laude and Career Technical Education Completer

Luke Watson

Jyron Young, Career Technical Education Completer

Anthony Ysawa, Career Technical Education Completer

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

No COVID-19 cases so far in the zip code areas of Volcano,

Pāhala, and Ocean View. White indicates zero cases, light

yellow indicates one to five cases. The 96772 area in

Kaʻū has one case recorded. Map from DOH

NO NEW COVID-19 CASES IN HAWAIʻI, reports the Department of Health. Eighty-one cases of COVID-19 have been reported on Hawaiʻi Island since the pandemic began, with 78 recovered. The remaining three victims are quarantined and monitored by DOH. Statewide, 643 people – 414 in HonoluluCounty, 20 in Kauaʻi County, and 118 in MauiCounty– have been confirmed positive for the virus since the pandemic began.

The daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says, "It has been announced that medium risk places such as hair salons, restaurants, and places of worship may reopen beginning June 1st. Know that all restrictions and social distancing requirements will continue to be enforced to ensure the Public's safety. If you need assistance in providing a safe and healthy place in your reopening for employees and customers, please call the County's COIVD Task Force at 935-0031. This service will be provided at no cost. Please be safe on this very special weekend of remembrance in honor of the men and women who died serving our great Nation. Thank you for listening. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense."

In the United States, more than 1.68 million cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 98,035.

Worldwide, more than 5.4 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 345,000.

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar

directory f or farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is

free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout

Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at

kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your

business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

ONGOING

Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced.
A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.

Pāhala's Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street on Tuesday, May 26 and Tuesday, June 30.

Volcano's CooperCenter at 19-4030 Wright Road on Wednesday, May 27 and Wednesday, June 24.

Nāʻālehu's Sacred HeartChurch at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy on Monday, June 1.

Ocean View's KahukuPark on Tuesday, June 8.

On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 967-7800 to confirm.

Kua O Ka Lā offers a specialized program which provides students with core curriculum, content area, and electives in-keeping with State of Hawaiʻi requirements. Combined with Native Hawaiian values, culture, and a place-based approach to education, from the early morning wehena – ceremonial school opening – Kua O Ka Lā students are encouraged to walk Ke Ala Pono – the right and balanced path.

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

BLNR rejected an EIS, funded by aquarium fishers and National Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, who propose
that ten permits be issued from Ka Lae up the Kona Coast. BLNR noted that Pākuʻikuʻi, Achilles tang populations
are already depleted. Photo from Waikiki Aquarium

AN EIS FOR AQUARIUM FISH COLLECTING IN WEST KAʻŪ and up the Kona Coast was rejected Friday in a 7-0 decision. The state Board of Land & Natural Resources sent back a more-than 2,000-page Environmental Impact Statement, produced by a group of ten West Hawaiʻi aquarium fishers and the National Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council. They propose that Department of Land & Natural Resources issue permits to the ten aquarium fishers. The proposed permits remain before the BLNR for a later decision, pending an acceptable EIS.

DLNR noted in its statement that in Umberger et. al vs. the Department of Land & Natural Resources, the state Supreme Court required for the first time under Chapter 343, an environmental review before issuing permits for fine-mesh-net aquarium fishing. No permits were issued after the 2017 decision, though aquarium fishing using other gear, less optimal for aquarium fishing but unregulated under Hawaiʻi law, continues. The EIS was funded and carried out by the aquarium fishers seeking permit.

After reviewing the EIS and testimony, and deliberating for over four hours, BLNR ruled the EIS inadequate in disclosing potential environmental impacts of ten aquarium fishing permits for West Hawaiʻi.
Board Chair Suzanne Case stated, "This was a tough process and decision. But the unanimous vote clearly reflects the Board's view that the aquarium fishers' proposal, without meaningful limits on future catch, without enough attention to our highly depleted stocks like pākuʻikuʻi (Achilles tang) and other low-number species, and without adequate analysis of the near-future effects of climate change, ocean warming and coral bleaching on our reefs, did not adequately disclose the potential environmental impacts of the proposed ten permits."
Hundreds of written testimonies were submitted to BLNR, which is meeting online in response to COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. In a significant first for this state agency, the Land Board took oral testimony during the online meeting from over a dozen members of the community who signed up to testify live before the board on the matter.
See more on the EIS in the April 26 edition of the Kaʻū News Briefs. Read the entire EIS here.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

THIS IS MEMORIAL DAY with statements issued by public officials. Sen. Mazie Hirono wrote:

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard tweeted this Memorial Day photo.

"On Memorial Day, our nation comes together to honor the lives and sacrifices of the service members who have fallen in service to their country. As a state with strong ties to the military, we recognize that just as we commemorate those we've lost, we must continuously reaffirm our commitment to supporting the families and loved ones they've left behind. While the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of our traditional remembrance ceremonies, we can still join with one another to pay homage to those we've lost and reflect on their enduring legacy. During this pandemic, we can demonstrate that by doing our part to keep our communities safe."

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard sent out this message referring to the young child visiting the graves of soldiers: "In another life, you two would be holding hands and he'd be learning about this place and who these heroes are from you. You'd say their names, he'd repeat them. But not in this life. In this life you are a hero too. So we will always speak your name."
Gov. David Ige directed the United States and Hawai‘i state flags to be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol and upon all state offices and agencies as well as the Hawai‘i National Guard in the State of Hawai‘i, on Memorial Day, until noon. He noted that the President "proclaims Memorial Day a day of prayer for permanent peace... and asks that Americans observe the National Moment of Remembrance."

State Sen. Kail Kahele wrote: "On Dec. 7, 1941, the United States was attacked at the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaiʻi. We lost over 2,400 American lives that day. Memorial Day is an extremely significant holiday to us here at home in Hawaiʻi as we reflect on all those we have lost in battle. Today we say thank you to all the brave men and women who have sacrificed to serve our country, and we honor the memory of all the servicemen and women who are no longer with us. It is thanks to their sacrifices that we are all here today."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MEMBER RICHARD CREAGAN announced he will file his papers this week to run again to represent West Kaʻū into Kona. Here is his announcement:
" I pulled papers to file for re-election a couple of months ago but have not had the time or opportunity to file. I am hereby announcing that I am filing to re-run this coming week. I also want to announce a profound change in how I will run for office and how my office will support my district.
"We have entered a new era: the era of COVID-19. That disease is an existential threat to our state but also in my view an opportunity. We are the only state that can potentially defeat and eradicate COVID-19.
"I am currently the Chair of the Agriculture Committee and it is likely that I could remain as that Chair if reelected. However, a lot of my attention and energy is devoted to the 'Stamp it Out, and Keep it Out' effort to rid our state of this virus while opening up and empowering our economy.

Marilyn and Richard Creagan at their farm in Kaʻū.

"I have had a career as an emergency physician. That specialty is on the front line of the fight against COVID-19. I have also been involved in academic research at Yale University and the University of Connecticut Medical School, studying the genetics of human diseases and of immune responses to diseases - and some of that research is of import to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I worked for our Hawaiʻi State Department of Health as an epidemiological investigator in 2002-2003 during the SARS outbreak, and have insight into the strengths and limitations of our state Department of Health.

"With colleagues from Yale and their colleagues from UC Berkeley, I helped found and run a biotech vaccine company called Agrion, and was Planning Director and Medical Director of that company. I hold patents in vaccine design and production, and viral inactivation. I understand that we may not be able to design and produce an effective vaccine; after 40 years, we still do not have an HIV/AIDS vaccine. Attempts to make vaccine against past coronavirus outbreaks (SARS and MERS) were unsuccessful.

"That background is very important for my understanding of this COVID pandemic, and how I can help my fellow legislators and our state deal with this health and economic crisis.

"Unfortunately, one of the most problematic aspects of this pandemic is that kūpuna over 65 are at high risk and those over 80 are perhaps 100 times more likely to die than someone in their teens or twenties.

Colehour and Melanie Bondera will assist Creagan
with agricultural issues.

"I am over 70 years of age and am at significantly higher risk of dying or becoming disabled if I am infected with COVID-19 than my younger colleagues. While I had decided to run one more time before the COVID pandemic hit, after it hit our country and our state, I had to debate with myself and my wife whether I should run again in this new COVID era. Being a neighbor island representative means flying weekly to the Capitol during our legislative session, leaving the relatively safe Big Island to go to Oʻahu. Apart from the danger to my own health or even my life, I would not want my district to be inadequately represented if I became ill.
"I decided to run because I strongly believe that we can defeat this disease in Hawaiʻi (some of my ideas are outlined in an article published in Civil Beat and Kaʻū News Briefs, entitled How to Make Hawaiʻi a COVID-Free State. I want to fight this force that threatens to devastate our nation and our state.
"But I also know that our agricultural sector also needs to be even more strongly supported to provide the food that our communities need. I have therefore selected Colehour Bondera as my office manager. You will see his qualifications elsewhere, but he and his spouse are a power couple in the agricultural sector. He will focus on agriculture while I will focus on COVID-19. They are also in a lower risk age group for COVID, so could soldier on if I became ill. We are therefore running as a team. I think that either Colehour or Melanie would be fantastic candidates to replace me and I hereby pledge to not run in 2022, and to support either of them if they decide to run. In the meantime, your interests will be doubly represented in the State."
Read more on the Bonderas in an upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

No COVID-19 cases so far in the zip code areas of Volcano,

Pāhala, and Ocean View. White indicates zero cases, light

yellow indicates one to five cases. The 96772 area in

Kaʻū has one case recorded. Map from DOH

NO NEW COVID-19 CASES IN HAWAIʻI, reports the Department of Health. Eighty-one cases of COVID-19 have been reported on Hawaiʻi Island since the pandemic began, with 79 recovered. The remaining two victims are quarantined and monitored by DOH. Statewide, 643 people – 414 in HonoluluCounty, 20 in Kauaʻi County, and 118 in MauiCounty– have been confirmed positive for the virus since the pandemic began.

The daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says, "It was announced by Hawaiʻi County that medium risk businesses such as salons, restaurants, barber shops, and places of worship may begin reopening June 1st. The individual opening dates will be dependent on their readiness to meet the requirements of safety. If assistance is needed in meeting the requirements please call the Hawaiʻi County's Task Force at 935-0031.

"During this holiday weekend, when we gather and enjoy the lifestyle of Hawaiʻi, please continue practicing the policies of distancing, gatherings, cleanliness, face coverings, staying at home if you are sick, and keeping yourself physically and emotionally healthy. Please be safe on this very special weekend of remembrance in honor of the men and women who died serving our great nation. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense."

In the United States, more than 1.7 million cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 99,459.

Worldwide, more than 5.47 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 345,000.

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar

directory f or farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is

free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout

Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at

kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your

business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of May.

ONGOING

Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.

The next drive-thru screening at Nāʻālehu Community Center will be held Wednesday, May 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Screening will be carried out by Aliʻi Health, with support from County of Hawai‘i COVID-19 Task Force, Premier Medical Group and Pathways Telehealth.
A testing team from Aloha Critical Care in Kona will provide testing at St. Jude's every other Wednesday. The next date is June 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wearing masks is required for everyone.
To bypass the screening queue at community test sites, patients can call ahead to Pathways Telehealth, option 5 at 808-747-8321. The free clinic will also offer on-site screening to meet testing criteria. Physicians qualify those for testing, under the guidance of Center for Disease Control & Prevention and Hawaiʻi's COVID-19 Response Task Force.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced.
A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.

Volcano Farmers Market at Cooper Center on Wright Road, off of Old Volcano Highway, is open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Free Breakfast and Lunch for Anyone Eighteen and Under is available at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary and at Nāʻālehu Elementary on weekdays (no holidays). Each youth must be present to receive a meal. Service is drive-up or walk-up, and social distancing rules (at least six feet away) are observed. Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Food is being delivered to Ocean View.

Pāhala's Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street on Tuesday, May 26 and Tuesday, June 30.

Volcano's CooperCenter at 19-4030 Wright Road on Wednesday, May 27 and Wednesday, June 24.

Nāʻālehu's Sacred HeartChurch at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy on Monday, June 1.

Ocean View's KahukuPark on Tuesday, June 8.

On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 967-7800 to confirm.

Enroll in Kua O Ka Lā's Hīpuʻu Virtual Academy for school year 2020-2021, grades four through eight. The Hawaiian Focused Charter School teaches with an emphasis on Hawaiian language and culture. The blended curriculum is offered through online instruction and community-based projects, with opportunities for face-to-face gatherings (with precautions), in an "Education with Aloha" environment.

Kua O Ka Lā offers a specialized program that provides students with core curriculum, content area, and electives in-keeping with State of Hawaiʻi requirements. Combined with Native Hawaiian values, culture, and a place-based approach to education, from the early morning wehena – ceremonial school opening – Kua O Ka Lā students are encouraged to walk Ke Ala Pono – the right and balanced path.

Make Reservations for Father's Day at Crater Rim Café in Kīlauea Military Camp for Sunday, June 21 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Seating limited due to social distancing. Dinner also available to go. The main course is Prime Rib and Vegetable Alfredo Pasta Bake, with side dishes and dessert, for $27.95 per person. Call 967-8356 for dine-in reservations, to-go orders, and current event information. KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.

Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium Closed for Renovation through June 30. The Park is closed until further notice due to COVID-19 spread mitigation. A popular seven-and-a-half minute 2018 eruption video will be shown on a television in the exhibits area, once the Park and center reopen, and is available online for free download.

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

The Food Basket, with the helping hands of National Guard members and Sheriffs, distributed fresh and shelf-stable
food to people in Pāhala today. Photo from Volcano Friends Feeding Friends

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

A MAJOR FOOD DROP INTO PĀHALA TODAY sent a long line of cars all the way to the top of the town to Pakalana Street - almost as long as the annual Pāhala Christmas Parade. National Guard and Sheriffs helped with checking in the people given a multi-day supply of shelf-stable and fresh food. They also helped with the traffic. Other volunteers included Food Basket and O Ka`u Kakou volunteers. The Food Basket van was accompanied by a huge semi-trailer truck that brought much of the load.

Another ʻOhana Food Drop will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, May 27, at Volcano's Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road, from 10 a.m. until supplies run out. See below for June dates. A group of Friends Feeding Friends members from the Volcano area attending the Pahala event today to take in the logistics of the food delivery to those in need.

People waited in their cars in a long line to receive
food from The Food Basket today.
Photo from Volcano Friends Feeding Friends

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

ONLY ONE PERSON REMAINS QUARANTINED FOR COVID-19 on Hawaiʻi Island, with no new case this morning. The number of confirmed cases on this island since the pandemic began is 81, with no deaths, and one overnight hospitalization.
Civil Defense chief Talmadge Magno said this morning that 7,100 people have been tested on Hawaiʻi Island. "Thank you for your participation and know how important it is to continue testing. Early testing means early detection and early care that helps stop the spreading of this virus.
He noted that a food drop was held today at Kaʻū District Gym from 10 a.m.: "Thank you Hawaiʻi Food Basket and all the contributors for making this possible, and the Hawaiʻi National Guard, County Police, and the Sheriff's Department for helping.
"It was announced that medium risk businesses, such as salons, restaurants, barbershops, and places of worship may begin reopening June 1st. Individual opening dates will be dependent on their readiness to meet the requirements of safety. If assistance is needed, please call Hawaiʻi County Task Force at 935-0031. Thank you for helping to keep our community safe. Thank you for listening. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense."
There are no new cases on any other island today, for at least the third day in a row. The state has a case count of 643: 414 in HonoluluCounty, 20 in Kauaʻi County, and 118 in MauiCounty have been confirmed positive for the virus since the pandemic began. Seventeen is the number of deaths in all of the Hawaiian Islands.

In the United States, more than 1.72 million cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 100,000.

Worldwide, more than 5.58 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 350,000.

A monster hauling truck owned by Hilo Products, Inc. brought food for a long line of people in Pāhala today.
Hilo Products' motto is Supporting Big Island Farmers Since 1938. Photo from Volcano Friends Feeding Friends

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

IT COULD TAKE AS MANY AS SIX YEARS FOR TOURISM TO RECOVER IN HAWAIʻI, after the pandemic, says a report from the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism. DBEDT based its study on recovery time after the Great Recession in 2008 and 2009, some $2.6 billion in Payroll Protection Loans issued in Hawaiʻi during the pandemic, and the loss of 121,000 jobs outside of agriculture. It also made the assumption that tourism would reopen in September. DEBED projects a 67.5 percent decrease in visitor arrivals for this entire year, topping out a 3.4 million. Next year's visitor county could reach 6.2 million, followed by 8.3 million in 2022 and 9.4 million in 2023. The 2019 levels would not return until 2025. Non-tourism business could recover in about two years, according to DBEDT. See the report with much more detail.

Take Out at the libraries is food for the mind. Librarian Sara Kamibayashi serviced Pāhala today. Photo by Julia Neal

TAKE OUT STARTS AT KAʻŪ'S PUBLIC LIBRARIES with food for the mind - books, periodicals, audio, and films. Sara Kamibayashi, Branch Manager for Nāʻālehu Public Library oversaw Pahala today. She said that Nāʻālehu will be open for pick up services Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala will be open Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. "Those hours will definitely apply this week, and we should know more about how long we will keep this schedule soon," said Kamibayashi.
Library patrons schedule Library Take Out appointment times to pick up their hold item(s) at their favorite libraries. Here's how it works: Patrons go to HSPLS Library Catalog and place a hold on any item(s) they want to borrow, or they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. For patrons who placed holds during the closure, their item(s) are ready for pickup after the patron schedules a Library Take Out appointment. A statement from the Office of the State Librarian says, "Although our buildings remain closed to the public for now, we are excited to offer Library Take Out as a convenient and safe way to access library books and materials. We appreciate the public's patience as we continue to phase in our library services for the community."
For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

A KEIKI GIVEAWAY BY ʻO KAʻŪ KĀKOU at OKK's Nāʻālehu Market location this Saturday, May 30, will feature Shave Ice and Goodie Bags. In the Goodie Bags, families of keiki up to age 12 will have an opportunity to randomly discover inside the special bags, gift certificates from local merchants: Punaluʻu Bake Shop, Wikiwiki 76, Shaka's, and Hana Hou. Each business is giving two gift certificates.

Masks are required to attend, for all ages. There will be no vendors at this event.

OKK President Wayne Kawachi said the Goodie Bags will be available from 1 p.m.until OKK runs out. He said parents should check the bags for the gift certificates before giving them to keiki. He also promised similar giveaways at a later date in Ocean View and Pāhala.

The OKK market is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

OCEAN VIEW SWAP MEET STARTS BACK UP this weekend at Ocean View makai shopping center, near Mālama Market. Hours for patrons are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Vendor set-up time is 5 a.m. Masks are required for all vendors and patrons.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

HILO SHARED RIDE TAXI COUPON EXPIRATION DATES are extended to June 30 for those expiring April 30 and May 31. A statement from County of Hawaiʻi says, "Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our Shared Ride users are unable to use their Shared Ride Taxi Coupons within the timeframe allowed. For the convenience of our users, the Hawai‘i County Mass Transit Agency is extending the expiration date. Please do not alter the expiration dates on the coupons as they will not be accepted. Taxi coupons can be used after taking the bus or otherwise traveling to Hilo. The Mass Transit Agency has notified the participating taxi companies of this extension. For further information, call Mass Transit at 961-8744.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Grey skies but no rainbows are hovering over Young Brothers today, as they announced they need financial help
to keep interisland shipping services afloat. Photo from Young Brothers

IMPENDING CASH CRISIS DUE TO THIRTY PERCENT DROP IN CARGO leads Young Brothers, LLC to seek assistance from Hawai‘i legislature and Public Utilities Commission, says the interisland shipping company in a press release today. Young Brothers reports losing nearly $8 million through April and projects mounting losses totaling approximately $25 million by the end of the year. The company seeks $25 million in CARES Act funding to sustain operations through December 2020.

The company terms the situation "an impending cash crisis… due to the COVID-19 pandemic." Young Brothers described its financial situation to PUC as "extremely dire" and indicated the company will no longer receive cash infusions from its parent company, Saltchuk Resources of Seattle, Washington, as of June 1. Jay Ana, president of Young Brothers, explained Saltchuk is "not in a position to continue covering the staggering COVID losses and has told us that we must now find other solutions. We know they have deep aloha for Young Brothers – and for Hawai‘i – and we are grateful to them for carrying us through the challenging times. But we must now find a cooperative solution with the state that allows YB to continue to operate."

Ana said Young Brothers will not make further adjustments to the sailing schedule at this time, that neighbor island communities that rely on Young Brothers "can rest assured that we are not closing on June 1. We will serve our customers as long as possible while we pursue every avenue of assistance." The company is establishing special procedures to continue transporting livestock between the islands after June 8.

Aloha Served Daily is under threat due to major losses
for interisland shipping company Young Brothers.
Photo from Young Brothers

Last month, Young Brothers announced measures to streamline operations and reduce operating costs, including reduced sailing schedules for Hawai‘i Island and Maui County, reduced gate hours for non-barge days, a hiring freeze and salary cuts for senior leadership, and deferring non-essential maintenance and related activities.
Young Brothers filed a request with PUC last year to increase rates to offset rising operating costs and pre-COVID estimated losses of approximately $13 million. The decision is pending.

If unable to secure relief, says the press release, the company will be "required to prioritize revenue-generating lines of service to sustain operations." A phased approach to service modifications, subject to PUC approval, would begin on June 8 "to reduce costs and provide continuity of service for as many customers for as long as possible."

Phase 1 would eliminate dry and refrigerated Less than Container Load or mixed cargo to and from Hilo, Kawaihae, Nāwiliwili, and Kahului.

Phase 2 – with no "effective" date announced – would eliminate Less than Container Load shipments of livestock, modify tug and barge availability, and further reduce sailing frequency to all islands.

Ana said, "We hope to avoid any disruption in service. Support from the state legislature would put the company on solid ground while we seek solutions from the Public Utilities Commission to achieve a more sustainable future for the company. Our goal is to ensure Young Brothers is here to serve all of Hawai‘i beyond 2020 and into the future."

Gov. David Ige responded to the announcement: "Every business in Hawai‘i has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including Young Brothers. The company is part of the state's critical infrastructure that keeps goods moving to and between the islands. We will be considering the request as part of the recovery and resiliency efforts underway."
Read the letter to PUC at drive.google.com/file/d/1THIppEzue8oCYucD08OSPrbW9LND2rhx/view.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Artist's impression of the "ring of fire" galaxy. Image by James Josephides, Swineburne Astronomy Productions

ASTRONOMERS SEE "COSMIC RING OF FIRE," FROM 11 BILLION YEARS AGO. A study that uses data from W. M. Keck Observatory on Maunakea was published in the journal Nature Astronomy this week. Lead researcher Tiantian Yuan, from Australia's ARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3 Dimensions, said, "It is a very curious object that we've never seen before. It looks strange and familiar at the same time."
Astronomers captured an image of the "super rare" galaxy type, which has roughly the mass of the Milky Way, showing a circular galaxy with a hole in the middle, "like a titanic doughnut; its discovery is set to shake up theories about the earliest formation of galactic structures and how they evolve," says the report.
To identify the unusual structure, Yuan worked with colleagues from around the U.S., Australia, Canada, Belgium, and Denmark, using Keck Observatory's adaptive optics combined with its OH-Suppressing Infrared Imaging Spectrograph, as well as the Observatory's Multi-Object Spectrograph for Infrared Exploration to gather spectroscopic data of the ring galaxy. The team also used images recorded by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.
The galaxy, named R5519, is 11 billion light-years from the Solar System. The hole at its center is "truly massive, with a diameter two billion times longer than the distance between the Earth and the Sun. To put it another way, it is three million times bigger than the diameter of Pōwehi, the supermassive black hole in the galaxy Messier 87, which in 2019 became the first ever to be directly imaged," says the report.
Yuan said, "It is making stars at a rate 50 times greater than the Milky Way. Most of that activity is taking place on its ring – so it truly is a ring of fire."

A panoramic shot of the Milky Way galaxy, from Maunakea. Photo from apod.nasa.gov

The study says evidence suggests R5519 is a "collisional ring galaxy," making it the first one ever located in the early universe. The other, more common type of ring galaxy forms because of internal processes. This type forms "from immense and violent collisions with other galaxies." In the nearby, "local," universe, collisional ring galaxies are 1,000 times rarer than the internally created type, says the report. Images of R5519 stem "from about 10.8 billion years ago, just three billion years after the Big Bang. They indicate that collisional ring galaxies have always been extremely uncommon."
ASTRO 3D co-author Ahmed Elagali, who is based at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research in Western Australia, said studying R5519 would help determine when spiral galaxies began to develop.
Another co-author, Kenneth Freeman, Duffield Professor of Astronomy at the Australian National University, said the discovery might help explain how long it took spiral galaxies - like the Milky Way - to assemble. He said that ring galaxies formed by collision "require a thin disk to be present in the 'victim' galaxy before the collision occurs." He said, in the case of this ring galaxy, "we are looking back into the early universe by 11 billion years, into a time when thin disks were only just assembling." Freeman said the Milky Way's thin disk began to come together about nine billion years ago, and that may indicate that spiral galaxies took longer to come together than previously thought.

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar

directory f or farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is

free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout

Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at

kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your

business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of May.

ONGOING

Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.

The next drive-thru screening at Nāʻālehu Community Center will be held Wednesday, May 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Screening will be carried out by Aliʻi Health, with support from County of Hawai‘i COVID-19 Task Force, Premier Medical Group and Pathways Telehealth.
A testing team from Aloha Critical Care in Kona will provide testing at St. Jude's every other Wednesday. The next date is June 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wearing masks is required for everyone.
To bypass the screening queue at community test sites, patients can call ahead to Pathways Telehealth, option 5 at 808-747-8321. The free clinic will also offer on-site screening to meet testing criteria. Physicians qualify those for testing, under the guidance of Center for Disease Control & Prevention and Hawaiʻi's COVID-19 Response Task Force.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced.
A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.

Volcano Farmers Market at Cooper Center on Wright Road, off of Old Volcano Highway, is open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Pāhala's Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street on Tuesday, June 30.

Volcano's Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road on Wednesday, May 27 and Wednesday, June 24.

Nāʻālehu's Sacred Heart Church at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy on Monday, June 1.

Ocean View's Kahuku Park on Tuesday, June 8.

On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 967-7800 to confirm.

Enroll in Kua O Ka Lā's Hīpuʻu Virtual Academy for school year 2020-2021, grades four through eight. The Hawaiian Focused Charter School teaches with an emphasis on Hawaiian language and culture. The blended curriculum is offered through online instruction and community-based projects, with opportunities for face-to-face gatherings (with precautions), in an "Education with Aloha" environment.

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

One hundred years of song will be celebrated online this year for the Kamehameha Schools Class of 2020.
See more below. Photo from historichawaii.org

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

THE NUMBER OF U.S. DEATHS FROM COVID-19 SURGED PAST 100,000 today. The nation leads the world in fatalities from the virus, with nearly three times as many deaths than the next closest country, the United Kingdom, with about 37,500 deaths. The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in the U.S.less than four months ago. More than 1.73 million cases have been confirmed in the U.S., more than four times as many cases than any other country.

The color for Kohala changed today with one more case
of COVID-19. White is no cases. Yellow is one to five cases.
Light orange is six to ten cases. Dark orange (not pictured)
is 11 to 20 cases. Red is 21 to 50 cases.
Hawaiʻi Department of Health map

Hawaiʻi and Montanahave the third-lowest death rate in the 50 U.S.states and D.C., at 17. The last death in Hawaiʻi from the virus was reported May 3. Only Wyoming, with 14, and Alaska, with ten, have fewer. New York leads the nation in deaths, with 29,484.

The one new case statewide is on Hawaiʻi Island, in Kohala. It is the only active case on the island. The color change on the COVID-19 map shows Kohala with more cases, closer to the range of Hilo. Hawaiʻi Island has had 82 confirmed cases since the pandemic began The state has 644 confirmed cases: 414 in Honolulu County, 20 in Kauaʻi County, and 118 in Maui County.

The daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says, "For your information, a total of 7,200 people have been tested on Hawaiʻi Island. This testing will continue island wide and your participation is needed and is key to help in preventing the spread of the Coronavirus. Remember, early testing means early detection and early care that helps stop the spreading of this virus.

"It is announced that medium risk businesses, such as salons, restaurants, barbershops, and places of worship may begin reopening June 1st. Individual opening dates will be dependent on their readiness to meet the requirements of safety. If assistance is needed, please call Hawaiʻi County Task Force at 935-0031."

Pop-up tents help shelter food distributors in Volcano.
Photo from Friends Feeding Friends

Talmadge thanked "Hawaiʻi Food Basket and all the contributors for doing this much-needed service and the Hawaiʻi National Guard, County Police, and the Sheriff’s Department for helping" distribute food to those in need at Cooper Center in Volcano today. "Thank you for listening. Thank you for helping to keep our community safe. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense."

Worldwide, more than 5.69 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 356,000.

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AN EMERGENCY RESILIENCE LOAN PROGRAM for residents economically impacted by COVID-19 pandemic is available from the County of Hawaiʻi. The County made the announcement today that financial counseling and loans to ALICE (asset limited, income constrained, employed) is available to residents who reside on Hawai’i Island and have lost income due to COVID-19. Maximum loan amounts will be $2,500 for individual workers and $5,000 for self-employed persons.

Cooper Center was the venue for the food drop today.
Photo from Friends Feeding Friends

Apply online for a loan at hawaiiancommunity.net. Those with no or limited access to internet or a computer may call 808-934-0801 for a paper application or to complete an application over the phone. Funds will go to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.

The county says, "The program targets individuals considered ALICEbefore COVID-19 and combats the use of high-interest, predatory financial products like payday loans which charge up to 460 percent APR. According to the ALICE: A Study of Financial Hardship in Hawaiʻi report, 45 percent of households on Hawaiʻi Island are considered ALICE– living one paycheck away from financial hardship."

Applicants to the program who have household incomes below ALICEwill be referred to social service agencies for emergency grants. Applicants who have household incomes above ALICEwill be referred to their local credit unions and banks for personal loans.

Local community development nonprofits Hawaiian Community Assets and Hawaiian Community Lending will administer the program on behalf of the County. HCL will provide the loans, while HCA will deliver financial counseling to every borrower.

Mayor Kim said, "During this most difficult time for our working families and self-employed, the County is pleased to be able to partner with Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, Hawaiian Community Assets, and Hawaiʻi Community Lending to provide financial support and counseling. By working together as a community, we will get through this and thrive again."

The Food Basket and Friends Feeding Friends prepare for many people to
pick up food tody in Volcano. Photo from Friends Feeding Friends

Hawaiʻi County Council Member for Puna, Ashley Kierkiewicz, called for establishment of the program after learning of the successful Kauaʻi County Emergency Loan Program that recently got $275,000 to 72 workers and entrepreneurs impacted by COVID-19. Kierkiewicz brought county and community stakeholders together to design the product suite for Hawaiʻi Island and secured $250,000 in county funds to kick-start the program. Hawaiʻi Community Foundation committed $69,000 for program operations and to buy down the interest rate of every program loan so borrowers will pay zero percent in interest.

She said, "Hawaiʻi's economy has been obliterated, and our residents and entrepreneurs are feeling an economic pain that is made even more stark with the slow and uneven disbursement of federal and state relief benefits. The Emergency Resilience Loan Program will help provide immediate relief while many wait for government benefits to come through. It also lays a critical foundation for how we as a County can leverage public-private partnerships and distribute incoming CARES Act money to support community revitalization and recovery."

Friends Feeding Friends ready to provide food at
Cooper Center. Photo from Friends Feeding Friends

HCA and HCL implemented the Kauaʻi County Emergency Loan Program in April, processing 284 applications and approving all 72 borrowers in just 10 days, serving 184 Garden Isle children and adults. The county says the "innovative loan program has helped support multi-sector partnerships between government, philanthropy, health, and nonprofit community development organizations to bring affordable loans to individuals who are unable to qualify at credit unions or banks."

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KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS WILL TELEVISE ITS 100TH ANNUAL SONG CONTEST on Friday, May 29. The centennial celebration would have been held in March. A statement from the school says that, "utilizing innovation and ingenuity, seniors from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama ensure a time-honored tradition lives on with a reimagined format honoring the event's original theme of I Mau Ke Aloha ʻĀina– 'So that Aloha ʻĀina Perseveres.'"

On Friday, senior haumāna, students, will showcase three special virtual choir performances featuring their original, never-before-heard mele, songs, "adding to the rich history that is the Kamehameha Schools Song Contest." To access this unprecedented occasion and learn more about each mele, visit the Song Contest web page.

Adorned in their class color, ‘ōmaʻomaʻo (green), KS Kapālama seniors virtually perform their co-ed mele,

"Ola nā ‘Ōiwi Aloha ‘Āina," under the direction of Josias Pilināmakaika‘oia‘i‘o Ka‘upu Fronda,

son of KS Senior Land Asset Manager Kalani Fronda. Photo from Kamehameha Schools

KS Kapālama's 436 Class of 2020 seniors individually recorded themselves singing their designated parts, "transforming the centennial celebration to meet the unique conditions of this unprecedented time. Dedicated teams of staff, alumni, and friends then assembled the many bass, baritone, tenor, alto, and soprano voices into three a cappella choral arrangements, made possible by leveraging advanced musical technology."

KS says the "highly sought-after" Song Contest awards will not be presented, "the opportunity for haumāna to follow in the footsteps of their kūpuna, while creating mele that perpetuate language, wahi pana (storied places), and traditional practices, far surpass any accolade."

An article from Hawaiʻi News Now quotes KS Kapālama Poʻokula Dr. Taran Chun: "As such, we do not have a 'Plan B' for the 100th Song Contest. Instead, we have a new 'Plan A.' Promoting aloha ʻāina in our KS ʻohana has become a global necessity, and our new journey takes our promise of a world-class education to a new level. Armed with new lessons of aloha ʻāina, the 100th Song Contest celebration will take place over the months ahead, culminating with the much-anticipated 100th Song Contest in March 2021, where next year's student body will sing their mele aloha ʻāina, perform in Hoʻike, and deliver memorable speeches, as intended."

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar

directory f or farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is

free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout

Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at

kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your

business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of May.

ONGOING

A Keiki Giveaway by ʻO Kaʻū Kākou at OKK's Nāʻālehu Market location this Saturday, May 30, will feature Shave Ice and Goodie Bags. In the Goodie Bags, the keikis' families will have an opportunity to randomly receive the special bags with gift certificates from local merchants: Punaluʻu Bake Shop, Wikiwiki 76, Shaka's, and Hana Hou. Each business is giving two gift certificates.

OKK President Wayne Kawachi said the Goodie Bags will be available from 1 p.m. until OKK runs out. He said parents should check the bags for the gift certificates before giving them to keiki. He also promised similar giveaways at a later date in Ocean View and Pāhala.

The market is open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. There will not be vendors during this event.

Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.

A testing team from Aloha Critical Care in Kona will provide testing at St. Jude's every other Wednesday. The next date is June 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The next drive-thru screening at Nāʻālehu Community Center will be held Wednesday, June 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Screening will be carried out by Aliʻi Health, with support from County of Hawai‘i COVID-19 Task Force, Premier Medical Group and Pathways Telehealth.
Wearing masks is required for everyone. Those visiting screening clinics will be asked to show photo ID, and any health insurance cards – though health insurance is not required to be tested. They are also asked to bring their own pen to fill in forms.

For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

Ocean View Swap Meet is open at Ocean View makai shopping center, near Mālama Market. Hours for patrons are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Vendor set-up time is 5 a.m. Masks are required for all vendors and patrons.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced.
A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.

Volcano Farmers Market at Cooper Center on Wright Road, off of Old Volcano Highway, is open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Free Breakfast and Lunch for Anyone Eighteen and Under is available at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary and at Nāʻālehu Elementary on weekdays (no holidays) through Friday, July 17. Each youth must be present to receive a meal. Service is drive-up or walk-up, and social distancing rules (at least six feet away) are observed. Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Food is being delivered on Wednesdays to students in Green Sands, Discovery Harbour, and Ocean View.

Nāʻālehu's Sacred Heart Church at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy on Monday, June 1.

Ocean View's Kahuku Park on Tuesday, June 8.

Volcano's Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road on Wednesday, June 24.

Pāhala's Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street on Tuesday, June 30.

On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 967-7800 to confirm.

Enroll in Kua O Ka Lā's Hīpuʻu Virtual Academy for school year 2020-2021, grades four through eight. The Hawaiian Focused Charter School teaches with an emphasis on Hawaiian language and culture. The blended curriculum is offered through online instruction and community-based projects, with opportunities for face-to-face gatherings (with precautions), in an "Education with Aloha" environment.

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

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A bee alights on a coffee flower. Hawaiʻi Coffee Association urges anyone involved in the coffee industry - from growing
to selling - to take a survey that will help the organization advocate for relief from effects from the pandemic on coffee.
Photo from Hawaiʻi Coffee Association

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

ADVOCATING FOR RELIEF FROM COVID-19 IMPACTS TO HAWAIʻI'S COFFEE INDUSTRY is the goal of a survey from Hawaiʻi Coffee Association. The organization asks farmers, wholesalers, retailers, processors, roasters, and others involved in the industry to take a survey, surveymonkey.com/r/638VWS6, as soon as possible.

Hawaiʻi Coffee Association President Chris Manfedi says, "We need to understand the scope of the impacts so that we can best access and advocate for relief…We know the impacts are significant. Coffee is not currently eligible for assistance as a specialty crop under U.S. Department of Agriculture's Corona Food Assistance Program program… We need your response now."

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MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FROM HAWAIʻI AND THE U.S. ISLAND TERRITORIES sent a letter to leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives this week, urging them to support local crop diversity and food security in upcoming emergency legislation responding to the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis. It outlines the challenge U.S. islands face with food security, and proposes to improve COVID-19 relief programs to better address food issues and farmer needs.

Mushrooms are popular at the OKK Market in Nāʻālehu, as one of the many locally grown foods for sale.
Photo by Julia Neal

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard signed onto the letter and release a statement: "The coronavirus pandemic has brought to the forefront unique food security challenges that must be confronted by Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Territories, many of which are unlike those faced by the 48 contiguous states. Only Alaska has a similar disparity between where their food is produced and eventually consumed. However, food production is not possible in most areas of that state, while the opposite is true in Hawaiʻi and other U.S. Islands.
"Arable land is readily available in most locations, water plentiful, and soil fertility and drainage highly conducive to a wide variety of crop production systems. Difficulties, however, exist, as the majority of U.S. Island agriculture operations are small, family-run farms, typically isolated from viewed here, and in two parts in today's and tomorrow's Kaʻū News Briefs.
other farms and supporting research organizations. Thus, landowners and other farm operators often lack the economy of scale afforded to medium and large-scale farm operations in the Mainland U.S." The full text of the letter can be

The letter says, "As the House develops strategies to address the economic impacts of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we respectfully request strong investments in food production industries for Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Territories of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (U.S. Islands). These locations differ from most of the United States in that they are very remote and thus highly isolated from much of our nation's food production and processing hubs. A larger degree of self-dependence in the short and long term is necessary, and thus, special consideration is warranted at this critical time.

Much teaching and resourcing is available in agriculture through the university and
also through Master Gardeners who share their skills, seeds, and young plants.
Photo by Julia Neal

"As with other localities, the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the economies of the U.S. Islands. To date, about 37 percent of Hawaiʻi's workforce has applied for unemployment insurance benefits, and it will be a long time before the State's travel-based economy will recover. Guam estimates that 58 percent of its workforce, of which 30 percent are employed in the visitor industry, will be applying for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program assistance. In Puerto Rico, with tourism representing 6 percent of its total GDP, about 219,000 unemployment claims were made between March 14 and April 25. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, COVID-19 "poses a significant risk to the U.S. Virgin Islands economy," and "is particularly impacted due to its reliance on cruise ship and airline traffic to support its tourism-based economy" according to their Public Finance Authority. April data shows that unemployment claims increased by more than 172 percent over the 2019Q4. In the Northern Mariana Islands, more than 700 public school teachers have been furloughed without pay, resulting in more than 10,000 students being unable to attend classes due to COVID-19 related revenue shortfalls caused by the collapse of their visitor industry.
"The COVID-19 pandemic clearly necessitates that Hawaiʻi and U.S. Island Territories implement new food production and security strategies to create stable diversified food production systems and new trade opportunities to diversify their economies. With Congressional assistance, U.S. Islanders will be able to attract investment capital through dynamic agriculture projects that can catalyze both upstream and downstream business and employment opportunities. As Congress works to help all states restart their economies, now is the time to aid Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Islands in retooling their agriculture and food security systems. This would allow shuttered businesses and displaced workers to focus on reviving this important economic sector, help increase self-dependence and food security, and get people back to work quickly.
"Historically, agriculture has offered low-barrier opportunities for people to engage in commerce, find work, and purchase fresh foods. The COVID-19 pandemic has quickly disrupted that system, and we now have the opportunity to rebuild it in a sustainable, resilient way. The current lull in economic activity and the probable longer-term decline in island tourism will be an ongoing challenge. Nevertheless, U.S. Islanders have always shown a resiliency to bounce back in the face of adversity, whether caused by hurricane, tsunami, lava flows, earthquakes, or pandemics. With adequate investment, our people will meet the challenge."

The Challenge and Need

"Island geography, both within and between islands, restricts business in a variety of ways related to the economics of operations. Fixed costs as a percentage of revenue are higher for transportation, labor, energy, land, inputs, and other operating expenses. Tropical and subtropical agriculture year-round growing seasons are challenged to control insects, weeds, funguses, and plant diseases. While many farmers have embraced integrated pest management techniques, some of them have also been forced to purchase expensive synthetic controls to limit crop losses from noxious species. Separation from Land Grant Universities and Federal Research and Development Laboratories further inhibits acquiring new and innovative technologies in a timely manner. Further, Federal food farm and food programs have been invaluable, but funding has been insufficient to address the needs of rural consumers. Complex regulations and paperwork are also barriers for local farmers to access federal assistance necessary to increase food security and speed the delivery of fresh, healthy food to the people of our islands.

Farmers and the sellers of produce face higher costs in Hawaiʻi but interest in locally grown food is growing,
as seen at the OKK Nāʻālelhu Market, open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Photo by Julia Neal

"Thus, the need is great to carefully focus stimulus resources in ways that specifically support U.S. Island farm production systems and the network of operations that foster economic growth and sustainability within our unique locales and social structures. To assist Congressional leaders and Appropriators in focusing the wide range of sources of aid, we have formulated the following guidelines for your use in identifying and prioritizing needs for the Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Territories."
Summaries for two wide areas of consideration - COVID-19 Emergency Funding for Agriculture and Nutrition, and Additional Measures to Support Farmers - follow in tomorrow's Kaʻū News Briefs. "Within each of these areas, a number of sub-initiatives have been identified as areas felt to be of the highest importance. If further information is required on any specific suggestion or on the overall packaging of such funding, we will be readily available to provide more information."
Contact Dave Chun (Gabbard) at Dave.Chun@mail.house.gov, Mitchell Heidenreich (Case) at Mitch.Heidenreich@mail.house.gov, or Jeffrey Nowill (Plaskett) at Jeffrey.Nowill@mail.house.gov.

See more in Friday's Kaʻū News Briefs.

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THE STAY AT HOME ORDER IS STILL IN PLACE AND ARRESTS and citations are taking place, with one citation in Kaʻū last week. From May 20 through May 26, Hawaiʻi Police Department reports arresting one person in Puna and one in Kona. In addition to the one Kaʻū citation, there was one citation in Puna and one in Kohala. Stay at Home is in effect through May 31. It means not going out except for food and other essential shopping, medical care, taking care of family members, and exercising, unless one is working in an essential capacity, such as health care or food. See more on upcoming reopening, below. None of those cited last week were visitors.

HPD's nine-week combined total enforcement stands at 100 arrests, 240 citations, and 12 additional cases.

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CHURCHES AND MOST OTHER VENUES are allowed to open in Hawaiʻi County. Places of worship can resume in-person services Saturday, May 30 and most businesses may reopen Monday, June 1, according to Hawai‘i County Mayor Harry Kim's 6th Emergency Rule. This is an expansion of Gov. Ige's 8th Supplementary Proclamation. Rule 6 rule is in place through Tuesday, June 30 or until extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended by a subsequent order or by law.

Places of worship, like St. Jude's, took to the internet to shares services and worship. They will now be
allowed to have in-person services starting this weekend Photo from St. Jude's

Kim also requests Ige approve reopening of certain county park sites and recreational facilities on June 1, with some exceptions: swimming pools, gymnasiums, and community centers would remain closed.

All businesses may open with the following exceptions: transient accommodations (bed and breakfast, short-term rentals, and time-shares) may not open except where workers of essential businesses or operations are renting or staying. Current occupants who have pre-booked at transient accommodations may stay until the end of the pre-booked period. These restrictions are in place until the travel quarantine restrictions are lifted; bars, nightclubs, arcades, and other public gathering venues where social distancing measures are difficult to implement; contact sports; events and other gatherings greater than 10 persons until allowed by Governor's Proclamation.

Already allowed to be open are nonfood agriculture, including landscape, floral, and ornament; astronomical observatories and support facilities; car washes; pet grooming services; health care and social assistance, including elective surgery and non-emergency services; nonprofit organizations previously considered non-essential; retail business and services, including apparel and electronics; shopping malls; wholesale and warehousing operations; florists; certain real estate services; car dealerships; automated and mobile service providers; services provided on a one-on-one basis; and golf courses.

When reopening, businesses must follow safe practices set forth in Proclamation 8, including: use of face masks, hand hygiene, surface cleaning, physical distancing, protection of high-risk populations, stay home if sick directives, signage informing customers and employees of the safe practices requirements, and higher levels of safety precautions specified by Governor's proclamations, State rules, County proclamations or rules, CDC, OSHA, NIOSH, and/or industry-specific guidance.
To request no-cost assistance in providing a safe and healthy business for employees and customers, contact the COVID Task Force on Education and Prevention at 935-0031.

Individuals at higher risk should continue to minimize time and contacts outside the household.
Businesses and gathering places that may reopen include, but are not limited to, billiards halls and bowling alleys, but not arcades or gaming places; exercise facilities, such as gyms, fitness centers, indoor pools, and facilities that offer classes or group exercises such as yoga, aerobics, Zumba, dance, Pilates, weight lifting, athletics clubs, and martial arts clubs, but there shall be no physical contact; museums and theaters; outdoor spaces, including ocean tours, outside pools, and summer camps; other personal services, including tattoo operators and acupuncturists; other real estate services, including open houses for general public viewing, real estate agent caravans, broker open houses, property viewing, inspections, surveys, and appraisals; and other retail and repair, including the rental of recreational and sports equipment.

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QUARANTINE FOR INTERISLAND TRAVEL MAY BE LIFTED SOON but the 14-day quarantine will likely be extended for domestic and international travelers past June 30. During a Facebook Live Community Connection with Gov. David Ige, Mayor Harry Kim, and Maui, Kauaʻi, and Oʻahu's mayors, Ige said an official announcement about the extension will be made at a later date. Ige said he and all four mayors have been working for the last three weeks to coordinate reopening interisland travel and said they would make a decision on that within the next few days. Maui Mayor Mike Victorino said they're still working out details and that there needs to be a "strong-checked" system whenever travelers leave their destination.

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Donna Kekoa's ʻohana sent mahalo meals to the staff of Bay Clinic, Kaʻū Family Health Center.
Photo from the Kekoa ʻohana

MORE HONORING OF SERVICE WORKERS from Donna Kekoa's family was reported this week. The ʻohana surprised more than Kaʻū Hospital and Rural Health Clinic staff with full course meals and thank you cards for their service to the community recently. Kekoa told The Kaʻū Calendar that her daughters – Shellen Hashimoto of Nāʻālehu, Tiffany Rosenthal of Maui, and Camilyn Javar of Lacey, WA – also gifted cards and food to the staff at Kaʻū Family Health Center (Bay Clinic), Pāhala Fire Station, and Kaʻū Police Station.

Pāhala Fire Station received
free meals from the Kekoas.
Photo from the Kekoa ʻohana

Kekoa's children and grandchildren live in Kaʻū and further away, but wanted to honor the community where they grew up, said Kekoa.

Kaʻū Police Station enjoyed meals
from the Kekoas.
Photo from the Kekoa ʻohana

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KAʻŪ HOSPITAL HAS RENEWED COMMITMENT TO FEEDING THE PUBLIC through its food services. In June, the new take-out food service in Pāhala out of Kaʻū Hospital, under the direction of Keone Grace, expands its meal offerings by providing a daily menu.
The chef, and Institutional Food Service Manager at Kaʻū Hospital, produced the menu with his crew, at a cost of $8 per meal. It is ready for takeout at 11 a.m. weekdays, with pizzas for $10 on Fridays. Chef salads and cold sandwiches are available each day, with a choice of turkey, ham, or pastrami. Sandwiches come with chips, small salad, and dessert. Hot meals come with small salad, dessert, and a change of the entrée each day. See the menu, below.

Meals are ready for takeout at 11 a.m. Mondays - Fridays. Orders must be placed between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Pre-pay over the phone with credit or debit card, drive-thru pick-up only. Call Jennifer at 932-4372, Shawnette at 932-4373, Lois at 932-4374, Melani at 932-4375, or Danarie at 932-4376. Pick up is in the back of the hospital at the kitchen's rear entrance. Ring the bell for service, wear a mask, and observe social distancing with other persons picking up food.

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PICK UP A FREE HOT MEAIL tomorrow, Friday, May 29 from 5 p.m. until food runs out, at Nāʻālehu Shopping Center. Prepared by L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, the distribution is sponsored by West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center and Kaʻū Community & Friends. One plate per person, each person must be present.

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LOCAL MUSIC TALENT WILL BE SHOWCASED in a new radio series, Blue Note: Virtually Live. Available on HPR-1, 88.7 KHPH for West Kaʻū, and 89.1 KANO for East Kaʻū and Volcano. Hawaiʻi Public Radio and Blue Note Hawaiʻi features performances recorded live on the Blue Note Hawaiʻi stage, along with backstage interviews with the artists. The show is hosted by Marco Olivari, General Manager at Blue Note Hawaiʻi. The ten-week series, airing Saturdays at 6 p.m. beginning May 30, will also stream on Blue Note Hawaiʻi's Instagram and Facebook pages.

Blue Note: Virtually Live kicks off with Henry Kapono & his band, with special guests Johnny Valentine and Alx Kawakami. The show celebrates the timeless classics of the legendary duo Cecilio & Kapono, and includes beloved songs from Henry's career, such as Friends, Good Times Together, Highway in the Sun, and Home, which have become anthems for the people of Hawaiʻi, says HPR.

Subsequent artists will be announced at a later date. Updates will be posted on the series web page.

Henry Kapono

An announcement from HPR says, "The collaboration between HPR and Blue Note is one that has been in discussion for some time; the unique circumstances of the day have created the perfect opportunity to realize the vision. In a time when it's not possible to attend a live concert, Blue Note: Virtually Live offers the experience of an intimate concert wherever the listener may be.
June 6th's show will feature Tavana, a one-man-band who uses his feet to lay down a variety of grooves to accompany his soulful, island-inspired rock and blues. His Blue Note performance will be in tribute to Willie K, who passed away this month.
Hawaiʻi Public Radio is a private, nonprofit organization which broadcasts classical, jazz, and international music; and in-depth news and informational programming from National Public Radio, American Public Media, Public Radio International, and other local, national, and international program sources, as well as programs produced by Hawaiʻi Public Radio. Charity Navigator, the premier charity evaluator, has awarded HPR eight consecutive four-star ratings for exceptional fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. The station won two National Edward R. Murrow Awards for its news coverage of the 2014 Pāhoa lava flow, and a third National Murrow Award for its series on the Thirty Meter Telescope.

Tavana will join the Blue Note HPR collaboration. Photo from HPR

Located in the former Society of Seven showroom inside Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, Blue Note Hawaiʻi features a year-round lineup of musical entertainment – from local talent to international sensations – for limited engagements. Blue Note Entertainment Group, founded in 1981 by Danny Bensusan, is a multi-faceted entertainment company that owns and operates New York's Blue Note Jazz Club and Sony Hall; The Howard Theatre (Washington D.C.); and Blue Note Jazz Clubs Worldwide in Honolulu, Milan, Beijing, Tokyo, Nagoya, Napa, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo. Subsidiaries of Blue Note Entertainment Group include the GRAMMY®-nominated record label Half Note Records, whose catalog includes over 50 titles recorded live at New York's Blue Note Jazz Club, as well as Blue Note Travel, Management Group, and Media Group.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

NO IN-PERSON PAYMENTS OF CUSTOMER SERVICE INQUIRIES until at least June 30 at Department of Water Supply, as a pandemic safety precaution. DWS continues to accept only telephone, online, auto-payment, mail, or non-cash payments left in a secured DWS payment drop box. Pay a water bill online at hawaiidws.org. Pay by telephone toll-free at 844-216-1994 any time. There are no fees for these services. For more information about no-charge payment options, call 961-8060 (Hilo) or 322-0600 (Kona), or email dws@hawaiidws.org.

Service disconnections and late payment fees are already suspended through June 30.

DWS "thanks customers for their patience and understanding while urging everyone to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please stay healthy and do your part to help prevent the spread of the virus!"

There is one reported case of COVID-19 in Kaʻū. White is no cases.
Yellow is one to five cases. Light orange is six to ten cases.
Dark orange (not pictured) is 11 to 20 cases. Red is 21 to 50 cases.
Hawaiʻi Department of Health map

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

THREE NEW COVID-19 CASES IN HAWAIʻI, reports the Department of Health, all on Oʻahu. All are Hawaiʻi residents and all were diagnosed in Honolulu. Two of the cases are from community spread, and the risk factor for the third person is unknown at this time.
Eighty-two cases of COVID-19 have been reported on Hawaiʻi Island since the pandemic began, with 81 recovered. The remaining victim is quarantined and monitored by DOH. Statewide, 647 people – 417 in Honolulu County, 20 in Kauaʻi County, and 118 in Maui County – have been confirmed positive for the virus since the pandemic began.

The daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says, "Know that all the policies of distancing, gatherings, face coverings, cleanliness, and personnel health remain in effect. Hawaiʻi Island and the State of Hawaiʻiare doing well in minimizing the spread and impact of the Coronavirus. We need to continue to do our part to get better as we move forward to keep Hawaiʻi safe. Thank you for listening. Thank you for your help. Please stay safe. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense."

In the United States, more than 1.75 million cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 103,000.

Worldwide, more than 5.76 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 358,000.

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar

directory f or farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is

free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout

Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at

kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your

business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of May.

ONGOING

OKK President Wayne Kawachi said the Goodie Bags will be available from 1 p.m. until OKK runs out. He said parents should check the bags for the gift certificates before giving them to keiki. He also promised similar giveaways at a later date in Ocean View and Pāhala.

The market is open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. There will not be vendors during this event.

Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.

Wearing masks is required for everyone. Those visiting screening clinics will be asked to show photo ID, and any health insurance cards – though health insurance is not required to be tested. They are also asked to bring their own pen to fill in forms.
To bypass the screening queue at community test sites, patients can call ahead to Pathways Telehealth, option 5 at 808-747-8321. The free clinic will also offer on-site screening to meet testing criteria. Physicians qualify those for testing, under the guidance of Center for Disease Control & Prevention and Hawaiʻi's COVID-19 Response Task Force.

For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced.
A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.

Volcano Farmers Market at Cooper Center on Wright Road, off of Old Volcano Highway, is open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Nāʻālehu's Sacred Heart Church at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy on Monday, June 1.

Ocean View's Kahuku Park on Tuesday, June 8.

Volcano's Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road on Wednesday, June 24.

Pāhala's Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street on Tuesday, June 30.

On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 967-7800 to confirm.

Enroll in Kua O Ka Lā's Hīpuʻu Virtual Academy for school year 2020-2021, grades four through eight. The Hawaiian Focused Charter School teaches with an emphasis on Hawaiian language and culture. The blended curriculum is offered through online instruction and community-based projects, with opportunities for face-to-face gatherings (with precautions), in an "Education with Aloha" environment.

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island, with support, will continue its food service to remote parts of Kaʻū and
other locations on the island through June and July. Donate here.

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB WILL CONTINUE ITS HOT MEALS PROGRAM through June and July, as funding allows preparation and delivery to remote club members in Kaʻū. Also serviced are others in the most vulnerable and impacted populations with needed nutritional supplementation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The effort focuses on Hawaiʻi Island children, kūpuna, homeless populations, and family households experiencing job loss as a result of the pandemic and related economic crisis.
Chad Cabral, CEO of Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island, said, "All meals continue to be comfort food-local dish items and provided free of charge. We do anticipate the continuation of our Community Meal Support initiative into the month of June and throughout July, to support affected families and individuals during the upcoming summer months. Let's continue to mālama each other and heal our Hawaiʻi Island communities together."
Donate to the Boys & Girls Club for this program here. Read more about Boys & Girls Club of The Big Island here.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Safety first! Masks and gloves are tools distributors use to deliver
plate lunch to those in need in Kaʻū. Photo from BGCBI

HAWAIʻI MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM OTHER U.S. ISLAND TERRITORIES are asking congress for help in food sustainability.
Here is Part II of the letter. See Part I in Thursday's Kaʻū News Briefs and Part III in Saturday's Kaʻū News Briefs. Both Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Rep. Ed Case signed on:

Administration of COVID-19 Emergency Funding for Agriculture and Nutrition

On April 17, 2020, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the creation of a $19 billion Coronavirus Food Assistance Program to "provide critical support to our farmers and ranchers, maintain the integrity of our food supply chain, and ensure every American continues to receive and have access to the food they need." According to Secretary Perdue, the CFAP funding sources are the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and other USDA existing authorities. We note that just $2.1 billion is reserved for specialty crop producers despite the CARES Act appropriating $9.5 billion for specialty crop producers and local food systems impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Greater targeted assistance is required to help small farmers. Therefore, we are requesting the following in the next round of COVID-19 stimulus measures:

Small Producer Grants

Local food production chains are stressed, business expenses are mounting, product demand is collapsing, food contracts are being canceled, and less perishable items are aging perilously in storage. There is grave fear that farmers who are already operating with slim margins will file for bankruptcy. We request robust funding for programs that benefit small agricultural producers in Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Territories, and loan forgiveness for food and floriculture producing companies.

A shaka for a plate lunch. Photo from BGCBI

Grants to Organizations Facilitating Direct Farm to Consumer Delivery

Organizations have been formed to facilitate the delivery of locally grown produce to consumers. The rising demand has also illuminated the need for infrastructure such as warehouse space, cold storage, transportation, utilities, and other operational needs. As such, we request robust funding for grant programs to organizations working to provide direct-to-consumer fresh farm produce.

Flexibility in Implementation

Unique factors associated with a year-round growing season means that policy assumptions centered on large-scale, monocrop agriculture with a winter season may inadvertently exclude tropical and subtropical producers. As such, we request that House leadership and appropriators direct the Secretary of Agriculture to create flexibility for unique agricultural producers of Hawaiʻi and U.S. Territories to use appropriated funds.

Technical Assistance

U.S. Island farmers are experts at agricultural production, but many need help with the paperwork necessary to access government programs. The current circumstances amplify this need because of new and unfamiliar programs established by the CARES Act and future stimulus packages. As such, we request robust technical assistance funding for the Farm Service Agency, Rural Development, Food and Nutrition Service and other USDA agencies to help farmers, and to fund competitive grants for local service organizations and Land Grant extension agents to support the outreach.

Adaptation Micro-Grants

Small-scale agricultural producers are often in good positions to reconfigure operations for different crops. The coronavirus pandemic however has brought new barriers. Small agriculture producers that once grew crops targeted for high-end markets, such as microgreens for hotel chefs, now need to shift their production to produce for individual consumers. Loan forbearance, deferral, or cancellation will help, but micro-grants would provide farmers and ranchers the resources to accommodate current and future demands. We request robust funding for micro-grant programs and suggest micro-grants for amounts from $15,000-$30,000, depending on need and scale of applicant's operation.

Boys & Girls Club Big Island delivers all over Kaʻū to keiki,
kūpuna, and other vulnerable populations.
Photo from BGCBI

Diversified Tropical and Subtropical Agricultural Systems (ARS, NIFA)

Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Territories have unique challenges in establishing sustainable food production systems due to geographic location; limited arable land; cost of energy, labor, and inputs; and available local, regional and international markets. Basic and applied research is key to increasing production, efficiency, and profitability of diversified agricultural industries for food and non-food crops. We request funding for tropical and subtropical research including breeding and crop improvement; identification and evaluation of new specialty crops; nutrient and water management; protected agriculture; and aquaponics and hydroponics through the Agriculture Research Service operations and Land Grant Universities located in Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Territories.

Integrated Pest Management and Biological Control (ARS, NIFA, APHIS)

Reduction in the application of synthetic pesticides to control noxious species in Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Territories is critical to prevent chemical contamination of the environment and seepage into sensitive water tables. IPM and biological control techniques reduce chemical applications on farmlands and increase crop quality and value. We request robust funding for IPM projects through the Agriculture Research Service operations and Land Grant Universities located in Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Territories.

Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program

The geographic location of Hawaiʻi and other U.S. Island Territories create a structural challenge unique to our producers. That is why Congress established the RTCP program. Island producers will need support to innovate and develop new markets to recover from the COVID pandemic. We request funding of $10 million for the RTCP.

Ono grindz served up by Boys & Girls Club Big Island.
Photo from BGCBI

Micro-grants for Food Security Program
(2018 Farm Bill)

This program was designed to help increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food in Hawaiʻi, Alaska, the U.S. territories, and the Compact of Free Association states, through small-scale gardening, herding, and livestock operations in food insecure communities (7 U.S. Code § 7518). The Agricultural Marketing Service is required to follow 2 CFR 200 compliance and risk management procedures. However, doing so eliminates the very people the program is intended to help. We, therefore, request a rule change to allow local departments of agriculture to develop governing actions best suited for each locale for purposes of streamlining implementation of the program, and a one-time funding of $10 million for the Micro-grant for Food Security Program for Hawaiʻ and other U.S. Islands.

Food Hubs

Food hubs are key to helping small-scale farms diversify their markets and grow their businesses.
The aggregation, distribution, and marketing services these hubs provide makes it possible for farmers to gain entry into larger-volume markets. We request robust funding to strengthen existing and establish new food hubs.

Agriculture Technology

Demand for farm technology, from drones to accounting software, is increasing among farmers and ranchers. According to USDA NASS Hawaiʻi data, there is a demand for an additional 3383 video surveillance, 2778 GPS/RFID, and 1208 smartphone apps for farmers and ranchers. We request robust funding for Hawaiʻi and U.S. Island farmers and ranchers to expand and/or incorporate agriculture technology on their farms.

Green Houses and High Tunnels

Greenhouses and high tunnels are valuable technologies that help offset climate change stresses and prevent insect, wind, and moisture damages. However due to cost, they have yet to be widely deployed on Island farms despite their obvious benefits. We request a one-time emergency funding with an 80/20 cost-share to help farmers cover the cost of greenhouses and high tunnels for food producers in Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Territories.

Plate lunch is provided to those in need by Boys & Girls Club Big Island.
Photo from BGCBI

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

A TRAVEL BUBBLE WITH JAPAN AND POSSIBLY AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND was discussed by public officials on Thursday.
In Thursday's Facebook Live streamed discussion between Gov. David Ige, Mayor Harry Kim, and the mayors of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Maui counties, they confirmed that the 14-day quarantine for out-of-state visitors will be extended through June. However, the quarantine may be lifted for interisland travel soon.
During a presentation to the state Senate's Special Committee on COVID-19, senators gave some support for a proposal from the Hawaiʻi Executive Collaborative, including CEO and Chair of Central Pacific Financial Corp., Pauol Yonamine. He said a planning group hopes to meet starting early next week in hopes of welcoming visitors from Japan at the beginning of July. "Japan could serve as an effective start and pilot in the gradual reopening of tourism," Yonamine said. Visitors from Japan would adhere to a contract with testing to ensure they are COVID-free. They would be exempt from the 14-day quarantine. Japan was about 15 percent of visitors before the pandemic.
Lt. Gov. Josh Green has also encouraged travel bubbles with New Zealand and Australia with their success toward eliminating COVID-19 and their 30 million residents, a potentially big market for Hawaiʻi.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

SUBMIT PROPOSALS FOR INNOVATION and/or COVID-19 Economic Recovery grants through County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development, for fiscal year 2020-2021. Proposals must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 22.
The intent of the program is to support research, programs, and projects that advance innovation or support economic recovery from the COVID-19 emergency in R&D's program areas: economic development, tourism, agriculture, creative economy, energy, and sustainable development.

Grant awards range from $5,000 to $25,000. The matching funds requirement is waived due to the COVID-19 economic crisis.

Eligible applicants include educational institutions, state or county agencies, Hawaiʻi not-for-profit organizations, or non-profit agencies exempt from federal income tax. In the case of a non-profit organization, members of its governing board shall have served without compensation and have no material conflict of interest.

Award determination is expected to be announced August 1. Go to R&D's Innovation Grant Web page to for full details and to download the Request for Proposals and Application Package.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

A WEBINAR ON COFFEE RESEARCH UPDATES and Coffee Berry Borer management will be held Thursday, June 4 at 4 p.m. The webniar will be led by Andrea Kawabata, of University of Hawaiʻi, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. Register in advance for this meeting on Zoom:
hawaii.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Itc-yrpj8peeD95U14Df2QfX4bVZxPFQ, password: 7P3BF3.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

NO NEW COVID-19 CASES ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND, and all 82 cases on-island since the pandemic began are recovered. Three new cases were reported on Oʻahu today, with one case having been removed due to updated testing info. Statewide, 649 people have been confirmed positive for the virus since the pandemic began.

The daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says there are "no active cases for Hawaiʻi Island. Thank you for your help.

"As of this date, a total of 7,417 people have been tested on Hawaiʻi Island. Testing will continue islandwide and is key in preventing the spread of Coronavirus. Remember early testing means early detection and early care and helps stop the spread of this virus.

"As announced, due to the communities' good work, opening of medium risk businesses such as salons, restaurants, barbershops, and fitness gyms may begin June 1st. Places of worship may reopen on Saturday, May 30th. Individual opening dates will be dependent on their readiness to meet the requirements of safety. If assistance is needed, please call Hawaiʻi County Task Force at 935-0031.

"Ongoing forward, please continue following the policies of prevention and keeping yourself physically and emotionally healthy. Thank you for listening. Thank you for helping keep our community safe as we go forward. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency."

In the United States, more than 1.78 million cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 104,000.

Worldwide, more than 5.92 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 364,000.

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar

directory f or farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is

free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout

Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at

kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your

business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of May.

ONGOING

OKK President Wayne Kawachi said the Goodie Bags will be available from 1 p.m. until OKK runs out. He said parents should check the bags for the gift certificates before giving them to keiki. He also promised similar giveaways at a later date in Ocean View and Pāhala.

For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced.
A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.

Volcano Farmers Market at Cooper Center on Wright Road, off of Old Volcano Highway, is open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Nāʻālehu's Sacred Heart Church at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy on Monday, June 1.

Ocean View's Kahuku Park on Tuesday, June 8.

Volcano's Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road on Wednesday, June 24.

Pāhala's Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street on Tuesday, June 30.

On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 967-7800 to confirm.

Enroll in Kua O Ka Lā's Hīpuʻu Virtual Academy for school year 2020-2021, grades four through eight. The Hawaiian Focused Charter School teaches with an emphasis on Hawaiian language and culture. The blended curriculum is offered through online instruction and community-based projects, with opportunities for face-to-face gatherings (with precautions), in an "Education with Aloha" environment.

Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries are Open for Pick-Up Services Only. Nāʻālehu is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons schedule Library Take Out appointment times to pick up their hold item(s) at their favorite libraries by going to HSPLS Library Catalog and placing a hold on any item(s) they want to borrow, or they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. For patrons who placed holds during the closure, their item(s) are ready for pickup after the patron schedules a Library Take Out appointment. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.

Free Book Exchanges at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu are provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Everyone is invited to take books they want to read. They may keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them to the Book Exchange to make them available to others in the community. The selection of books is replenished weekly at both sites.

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Summer Fun will open enrollment for two days only, this Wednesday and Thursday. While
there will be no Independence Day Parade this year with Summer Fun keiki, there will be
Summer Fun at Nāʻālehu Community Center and Kaʻū District Gym. Photo by Julia Neal

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

SUMMER FUN WILL GO FORWARD AT NĀʻĀLHEU AND PĀHALA. The county made the announcement yesterday, naming the sites at Nāʻālaehu Community Center in Nāʻālehu Park and Rep. Robert N. Herkes Gymnasium & Shelter - the Kaʻū District Gym. Summer Fun will run from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday, and include a snack and take home-lunch. Enrollment is open to children who have completed 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th grade this past school year. The program will be hosted at 13 park facilities around the Island. There is no charge.

Enrollment will begin this Wednesday, June 3 at 7:45 a.m. and close on Thursday, June 4 at 4:30 p.m. Enrollment will be accepted from parents/guardians via electronic submission at hawaiicounty.gov/summer-fun or by calling the Recreation Division at 961-8740, during business hours only: 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. No information left on voicemail will be accepted.

Summer Fun will be held at Kaʻū District Gym and Nāʻālehu
Community Center. Photo by Julia Neal

Online enrollment is strongly encouraged, as staff availability to take phone calls and process enrollments is limited. No walk-in enrollment applications will be accepted. Participants are limited to enrolling at one site. Each enrollment application allows for up to four children from the same household.
Participants at each site will be chosen via a random selection method, as space is limited. Selected participants will be contacted by Recreation staff by Wednesday, June 10, at which time an appointment for submitting completed registration forms will be arranged. All other enrollees will be placed on a waitlist should a program site determine it is able to expand or if prior selected participants exit the program.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's Summer Fun program will be significantly modified to address the health and safety of program participants and staff. The program will adhere to all federal, state, and county-level rules and standards for safe operation, as appropriate, along with various applicable industries and organizations.
This includes screening each morning prior to entry, a mandatory face mask/cover policy, physical distancing during program activities, and enhanced sanitization procedures. The State of Hawai‘i Department of Health's Guidelines for Child Care Facilities to Reopen or Continue Care will be incorporated.
The Summer Fun program may be extended up to an additional two weeks, through July 31, at some or all the sites, should resources become available. Participants will be notified when a determination is made for their specific program site.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Shannon Matson is running for Richard Onishi's position as state House Representative, to represent East Kaʻū.
Photo from Shannon Matson

SHANNONMATSONFILED TO REPRESENT EAST KAʻŪ IN THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. She filed her papers on May 26. The 33-year-old Progressive Democrat, entered the District 3 State House of Representatives race against four-term incumbent, Richard Onishi. Matson, born in Honokaʻa, current resident of Hawaiian Acres, will face Onishi in the August 8 primary.

Matson's platform aligns with Progressive Democrats who are challenging incumbent, establishment Democrats nationwide, with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez the most notable and successful example. Matson's positions on issues like living wage, Medicare-for-All, and Green New Deal, which can be found at electshannonmatson.com, are nearly identical to the positions that catapulted AOC to fame. Matson said she was prepared to adopt the standard Progressive ground game that promotes door-to-door canvassing as a sure way to gain votes, but the pandemic put a serious damper on that strategy.

"Of course I'm disappointed that I haven't been out there meeting voters face-to-face at their doors," said Matson. "Reaching out to people and connecting with them is the essence of a grassroots campaign, and it's especially important when people feel they've been neglected, but we are using social media to get the word out about my platform, and I am keeping up with my community volunteer work to help link people to food and resources and show how committed I am to serving my community."

Shannon Matson plans to travel to Kaʻū soon, to
campaign as much in-person as possible, by distributing signs.
Photo from Shannon Matson

Matson serves on the board of Recycle Hawaiʻi and is active in the local Democratic Party as the former Vice-Chair for the Hawaiʻi County Democrats.

Matson said her decision to run for office "is based on her strong desire to represent her community over those of corporate interests." She promised to take no corporate donations, and agreed to campaign expenditure limits, as well as seeking partial public funding through meeting the requirements of taking $100 or less donations from Hawaiʻiresidents.

As a graduate of the Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action's first KuleanaAcademyin 2016, Matson received leadership training for mounting a successful political campaign. KuleanaAcademyis supported by foundations seeking to move environmental and social justice advocates from the frontlines of these issues into the halls of power. Matson said she was unsure if she would make her contribution to the Progressive movement as a candidate herself, until she took a hard look at the conditions in her district and "the continuous failure of state government to improve the standard of living for the thousands of people who live off power and on water catchment there." She said that one of her priorities as an elected official will be to jumpstart the process of providing potable water to everyone in District 3 by securing funding for a water development plan that will assess the various options available to the area's residents.

"I was recently volunteering at a food distribution event held at Mountain ViewParkwhere families were also coming to fill their water from the county spigots. The entire time we were there, people were lining up to fill their jugs. I never felt this issue so deeply before. I'm running to make a difference. One of the biggest ways I believe I can help District 3 families is getting a full assessment of the water access options available to them and implementing the best options district-wide. This will help create jobs and, most importantly, make sure all families have reliable and easy access to clean water."

For more information about Shannon Matson and statements on her positions, see electshannonmatson.com. Call (808) 937-3037 or visit her website.

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GAINING FOOD SUSTAINABILITY FOR HAWAIʻI and other U.S. Island Territories is the goal of a letter Hawaiʻi members of the House of Representatives, and representatives from other island territories. Here is Part III of the letter. See Part I in Thursday's Kaʻū News Briefs and Part II in Friday's Kaʻū News Briefs. Both Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Rep. Ed Case signed on:

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (NIFA)

The SCBGP has been essential in helping diversify Island food crops. Limited funding however has resulted in excellent projects being turned down and falling to the wayside. We request a minimum baseline allocation of $500,000 per State and Territory.

Germplasm

Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Territories are increasingly at risk of losing gene traits for indigenous plants, foods, and flowers that have evolved over time to adapt to their environments due to natural disasters, invasive species, and climate change. Germplasm collections are key to the preservation of native plants, foods, and flower crops. As such, we request funding to expand tropical and subtropical germplasm collections.

OKK Market in Nāʻālehu features ready-to-eat food as well as fresh produce

and meats. Photo by Lora Botanova

Plant Protection and Quarantine Program (APHIS)

Invasive species are wreaking havoc on Hawaiʻi and U.S. Territory food production industries. Stopping invasive species at ports of entry is critical if the Islands are to build greater food sustainability. We request additional funding for the APHIS PPQ program.

Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSA)

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted a weak link in the supply chain between food producers and consumers. Storage facilities are key to building sustainable food systems in the Islands. We request robust funding for the FSFL program and a one-time modification for the FSFL program to waive the down payment requirement for Hawaiʻi and U.S. Territory food producers.

Floriculture and Horticulture

Floriculture and horticulture businesses have been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. New flower and plant breeds are key to this industry's future. As such, we request robust funding for tropical and subtropical flower and plant research and breeding programs to increase tolerance from insect pests, diseases, and other climate change impacts; testing of new organic and non-organic pesticides; and implementing areawide integrated pest management and biological control programs.

Commodity Purchases

The COVID-19 pandemic has undermined the market for agricultural producers across the nation. In order to help all food producers rebuild, we request that you make additional resources available for the following USDA commodity purchase programs: Commodity Supplemental Food Program; School and Child Nutrition Food Programs; and Food Purchase Programs.

Local produce is an important food source in Kaʻū.
Photo by Lora Botanova

Personal Protection Equipment for the Food Production Industry

The agricultural industry is considered essential, yet workers throughout the food supply chain lack PPE to limit their exposure to COVID-19. We request funding to supply PPE to the agricultural industry workforce, and that such funding be directed to Cooperative Extensions which have extensive producer networks and can deliver PPE with guidance on how to use and maintain the PPE.

Loan Forbearance and Deferral

Debt servicing is a fixed cost that is common to almost all agricultural producers, but under the present circumstances loan payments decrease liquidity that farmers and ranchers need to develop new markets and reconfigure their businesses. We request language to establish a program of loan forbearance and deferral so farmers and ranchers may adjust their operations. We suggest an initial period of nine months, with the option to renew for an additional nine months.

Expansion of Weather Disaster Programs

While the USDA may be reluctant to activate its disaster loan, crop insurance, and noninsured crop assistance programs at this time, these well-established programs are familiar to farmers, USDA employees, and Farm Credit System lenders and will therefore be easier to implement compared to new programs. While we understand concerns about weather disaster in the coming months, the extraordinary scope of the COVID-19 crisis requires an urgent response. We therefore request that the House leadership and appropriators direct the Secretary of the USDA to use his authority to activate existing USDA response programs to cover COVID-19 and other emergency issues.

Masks are required at OKK Market. Photo by Bryanna Ehls

Flexible Payment System

Even before the current crisis, SNAP and non-SNAP nutrition assistance beneficiaries faced challenges accessing farmers markets and 0other farmer-direct products, now only exacerbated with COVID-19 related restrictions. Some of the challenges are: (1) limited internet access, (2) social distancing guidelines and stay-at-home orders, (3) limited or no public transportation, and (4) cyber security needs for financial transactions and personal identifying information. These issues are especially important within our diverse Island Communities. We therefore request that House leadership and appropriators direct the Secretary of Agriculture to develop regulatory flexibility to ensure SNAP and non-SNAP federal nutrition assistance beneficiaries have access to farmer-direct products.

Organic Certification

USDA supports producers' transition to organic production through its National Organic Certification Cost Share Program. While not every producer will choose this option, some may transition as they look to rebuild their business. We request one-time funding of $1 million for the Agricultural Marketing Service to provide technical assistance for Hawaiʻi and U.S. Territory food producers for organic certification and accreditation, and a one-time modification to the Farm Service Agency cost share from 75 percent to 90 percent to be certified an organic farm operation.

In conclusion, we ask for your full consideration of these proposals to help Hawai'iand U.S. Territory farmers and ranchers weather the COVID-19 pandemic economic impacts and modernize their food production systems. We thank you for your leadership during this time of crisis.

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ST. JUDE'S will celebrate Pentecost Sunday, May 31 online. Click here for the Worship page.

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Drew Foster, at work on
13-yr-old Rayco Nielsen, in January.
Photo from Foster Hair Design

NEW PRECAUTIONS AT FOSTER HAIR DESIGN in Nāʻālehu will accompany their reopening on Monday, June 1. To book an appointment, call 895-2151 or go to fosterhair.com.

New safety guidelines for the Fosters include: following the state's Safety Guidelines for Barber and Beauty Shops; instituting social distancing in the salon -- 6-foot distances between stations, no waiting chairs, only customers receiving services inside the shop; clients and employees must wear face masks; customers with appointments will wait outside the building until one of the Fosters – Kady or Drew – comes outside and says they are ready to serve them; hand sanitizer will be required and available; hand-washing areas will be available; towels, equipment, and other items will be stored in closed containers; no hugs or handshakes, "Which will be very difficult," said the Fosters.

Shears, clipper blades, and other items will be disinfected between customers, as always. Each customer will wear a fresh cape and the chairs will be wiped between clients. Surfaces will be wiped as well.

Anyone who is feeling ill or who has recently been ill is asked to cancel their appointment and reschedule.

Kady Foster, in January. Photo from Foster Hair Design

Kady Foster told The Kaʻū Calendar, "We're gearing up and getting excited for the June 1 opening! Drew passed his barber exam in March and is now a full-fledged, licensed barber. That's exciting! We truly want to thank the community, our clients, and our friends for their support during the past couple months. Our family feels incredibly fortunate to call Kaʻū home.

"We're really looking forward to getting back into the shop and reconnecting with everyone. We're refining our service menu, as well, and we're doing a little re-design of the shop. Slots are filling up fast… Drew is still offering monthly barber specials for men and boys. This is definitely an adjustment for us, so we appreciate everyone's patience."

See January 25 Kaʻū News Briefs for more on the Fosters.

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WATCH WILLIE K HANA HOU tomorrow, Sunday, May 31. The show to remember the entertainer on KGMB (CBS) airs from noon to 3 p.m.and on KHNL (NBC) from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

KGMB and KHNL are partnering with Emme Tomimbang, Hawaiʻi News Now Entertainment Reporter Billy V, Cha Thompson, and others from the entertainment industry to remember and salute the late Willie K with a special, day-long broadcast of memorable moments from the life of the vocalist, composer, instrumentalist, actor, and philosopher.

Willie K at the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, where he accepted a Lifetime
Achievement Award. Photo from Willie K

Willie K died May 18, at the age of 60, from cancer.

The schedule is: noon to 3 p.m., You May Not Kiss the Bride, a 2011 romantic comedy starring Katherine McPhee, Dave Annable, Mena Suvari, and Kathy Bates, with Willie K in a featured role, and filmed in Hawaiʻi; 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Memorable Moments of the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, a compilation of clips from the Hawaiian music industry's premier ceremony, recognizing outstanding accomplishments in music and video, and focusing on performances and wins of Willie K; 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Hot Hawaiian Nights featuring Willie K, an episode taped in July 2005, where Willie K took to the stage at Hapa's in Maui, played the hits, and brought down the house; 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Emme's Island Moments: Life on Stage Four, a re-broadcast from Fall of 2019 recounting

Willie K's career, the discovery of his cancer, and his journey through treatment. Willie K

"shares the fear, shock, acceptance, courage, and love of life he found through the process exclusively with longtime friend and confidant Emme Tomimbang."

Interspersed between programs will be special comments from pillars of the entertainment industry in Hawaiʻi, who had the privilege of knowing and working with Willie K, such as Cha Thompson, Josh Tatofi, Kalani Peʻa, and Mick Fleetwood.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

NO NEW COVID-19 CASES ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND, and all 82 cases on-island since the pandemic began are recovered. Statewide, three new cases - two on Oʻahu and one in Maui county - are reported today, with a total of 651 people having been confirmed positive for the virus since the pandemic began.

The daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says there are "no active cases for Hawaiʻi Island. Thank you for doing your part.

"These numbers reinforce the importance of following the policies of distancing, gatherings, cleanliness, face coverings, and keeping yourself physically and emotionally healthy. The virus threat remains and we need to continue to get better in following the preventive policies of not spreading the coronavirus.

"Hawaiʻi has been identified by JohnsHopkinsUniversity data as tied with Montanafor the lowest per capita infection rate in the Nation. Thank you for doing your part. Thank you for listening. Have a beautiful weekend and be safe. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency."

In the United States, more than 1.81 million cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 105,000.

Worldwide, more than 6.05 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 369,000.

This time last year, U.S. Geological Survey wrote about their "new eyes in the sky for monitoring Hawaiian volcanoes," Unmanned Aircraft Systems, aka drones. The weekly Volcano Watch is written by USGS HVO scientists and affiliates:

A USGS pilot and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory gas geochemist prepare to conduct a test flight of an unmanned

aerial system on Kīlauea Volcano in November, 2018. The UAS was outfitted with a prototype miniaturized

multi-gas sensor for the detection of volcanic gases emitted by Kīlauea, including sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide.

USGS photo by Patricia Nadeau

"HVO is no rookie when it comes to using flight to assist with monitoring Hawaiian volcanoes. Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft have transported HVO volcanologists for decades, giving them access for visual and thermal observations, equipment maintenance, and other geophysical and geochemical measurements. But the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea Volcano presented an opportunity for HVO to adopt a new airborne technology – Unmanned Aircraft Systems; UAS or 'drones'– to better monitor the eruption than with manned flight alone.

Previously, the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo used UAS to map the 2014 Pāhoa lava flow. Other external collaborators have also previously flown short campaigns at Kīlauea's summit and at Puʻu ʻŌʻō with permission of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. But before the 2018 eruption, the USGS itself had not employed UAS to monitor an eruption in Hawaiʻi.

Images like this one of HVO and Jaggar museum,

taken after the 2018 eruption, are made

possible by UASs. HVO photo

In 2018, however, UAS teams from across the USGS, as well as other agencies within the U.S. Department of the Interior, were mobilized for the Kīlauea eruption response. Through most of the activity, UAS crews worked 24/7, sometimes splitting into multiple teams so that measurements could be made at both the summit and lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea simultaneously.

The most basic capability of the UAS during the 2018 eruption was simple video imaging and streaming. This allowed for documentation of eruptive features that would not otherwise have been accessible for study due to hazardous conditions.

In a more practical sense, UAS imaging also offered enhanced situational awareness for the eruption response. UAS images helped identify where new lava breakouts were happening or were likely to occur. In one instance, a USGS UAS helped with the evacuation of a Puna resident as a lava flow quickly approached.

Some of the UAS were outfitted with thermal cameras, which provided images that were used to create detailed maps of the lava flows. Thermal imagery was also used to identify the hottest, most active portions of the flow field, which was particularly useful when visible images were not able to differentiate between slightly older and slightly newer flows.

More technical applications of UAS-based imaging included the creation of digital elevation models and measurements of lava flow speeds within channels. By using imagery to determine the height of newly emplaced lava, the new DEMs could be compared to pre-eruption DEMs to calculate the volume of lava erupted.

At Kīlauea's summit, DEMs helped HVO assess the new landscape of the collapsing caldera and determine just how much collapse was occurring. Along the rift zone, videos taken above fast-flowing lava channels helped with calculations of how much and how quickly lava was erupting from the fissures.

Beyond the UAS imaging opportunities, the 2018 eruption was the first time that the USGS mounted gas sensors on UAS in Hawaiʻi. The fissures were too dangerous to approach on foot to measure the gas chemistry, but a multi-gas sensor mounted on a UAS helped determine the chemistry of the eruptive plumes.

Two USGS UAS pilots perform a routine inspection of a UAS system prior to a flight at the summit of Kīlauea in

June 2018. The UAS for this particular flight was outfitted with a multi-gas sensor to identify any new degassing

sources within the collapsing summit caldera. All UAS flights inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park were

conducted with explicit permission of the National Park Service. USGS photo by P. Nadeau

Likewise, at the summit, with collapse events and potential explosion hazards, ground-based gas measurements within Kīlauea caldera were not possible. UAS-based measurements were the only safe method for measuring the location, chemistry, and amount of volcanic gas released at the summit.

Having UAS capabilities for the 2018 eruption enabled HVO to obtain crucial data that would otherwise have been difficult or impossible to obtain. However, you may have noticed that while this article refers to UAS teams from across the USGS traveling to Hawaiʻi for the eruption response, it makes no mention of in-house HVO pilots. That's because, in 2018, HVO didn't have any certified UAS pilots with the skills required for flying in hazardous areas.

That changed in the months following the eruption: Several HVO staff members became licensed UAS operators, allowing HVO to add UAS capabilities to the monitoring repertoire.

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar

directory f or farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is

free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout

Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at

kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your

business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of May.

ONGOING

Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced.
A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.

Volcano Farmers Market at Cooper Center on Wright Road, off of Old Volcano Highway, is open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Nāʻālehu's Sacred Heart Church at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy on Monday, June 1.

Ocean View's Kahuku Park on Tuesday, June 8.

Volcano's Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road on Wednesday, June 24.

Pāhala's Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street on Tuesday, June 30.

On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 967-7800 to confirm.

pono – right." The school aims to provide students with "the knowledge and skills, through Hawaiian values and place-based educational opportunities, that prepare receptive, responsive, and self-sustaining individuals that live 'ke ala pono.'"
See kuaokala.org to apply and to learn more about the school. Call 808-981-5866 or 808-825-8811, or email info@kuaokala.org for more.

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

The hot pond at the bottom of the collapsed Kīlauea Caldera approaches its first anniversary. See below, in
The Way We Were Last Year, for a look back at how the pond began. USGS photo

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

SIGNING A PETITION TO SAVE THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE is the call from state Sen. Kai Kahele. In a message today, he said, "Our letter carriers need our help! Postal workers are our family, friends, and neighbors. They are a critical fabric of our communities, particularly our rural communities throughout Hawaiʻi Congressional District 2. Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, they never stopped delivering essential products to households across the United States and Hawaiʻi.
"USPS is in imminent danger of running out of funding in the next several weeks and needs your help now. Click here to visit the Heroes Delivering website and sign their petition now.

"The protection of the Postal Service is not about politics, it's about ensuring that families and households across the country who rely upon delivering service should not face more hardship during this crisis. This is a moment for all of us to join forces to ensure that we all continue to move through the impacts of COVID-19 together," said Kahele.

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A MESSAGE FROM WEST KAʻŪ'S STATE REP. DRU KANUHA takes a look at how the pandemic affected the Class of 2020 graduation celebrations and looks forward to the reopening of most businesses on Monday:

Virtual graduations, like this one for Nāʻālehu Elementary 6th graders,
are praised by Sen. Dru Kanuha. Screenshot from Olivia-Ann Thomas

     "Throughout the month of May, there were many celebrations for the graduating class of 2020. While practicing the State's social distancing mandates, we saw virtual graduation ceremonies, caravans of proud family members parading the streets, commemorative banners hanging on fences, and other heartfelt, creative gestures of aloha to honor our graduates. This just goes to show that aloha has no bounds as we connect remotely and share in this special moment with the graduating Class of 2020.
     "As we continue to successfully flatten the curve of COVID-19, in conjunction with the Counties, the State of Hawaiʻi will move forward to complete Phase 1 to reopen our economy on Monday, June 1. For the County of Hawaiʻi, places of worship, salons, barbershops, and restaurants have received the green light to reopen under the guidelines that will ensure the safety of employees and customers.
     "With the excitement surrounding the reopening of certain businesses, please be mindful of one another's health and safety. Therefore, please continue to wear a face mask when in public, wash your hands and sanitize high-touch surfaces regularly, and practice social distancing.
     "Stay safe and informed."

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See HFUU meeting with a presentation by Zach Bush, MD on Planetary Stress.

PLANETARY DOME UNDER STRESS IS A HAWAIʻI FARMERS UNION UNITED presentation online. Physician Zach Bush presents his observations of symptoms affecting all life on Earth.

A statement from HFUU says, "As a regeneratively-minded community of farmers, ranchers, fishers, and foodies, committed to the health of the ʻāina (that which feeds us) and our bodies, we are so honored to have Dr. Bush's manaʻo and its impact on the global narrative around viruses, global toxicity, and carbon sequestration." See youtube.com/watch?v=G8W7twV8O54&feature=youtu.be.

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AN EXTENSION FOR ALL DRIVER'S LICENSES, STATE IDs, AND INSTRUCTION PERMITS through the end of September is being hashed out between the Department of Transportation and the governor's office. The goal is to reduce the need for people to gather at licensing centers. The extension would be added to a future supplementary proclamation. Gov. Ige said, "Thanks to the actions of the majority of our residents, Hawaiʻi is one of the best-performing states in the country in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. We remain grateful and cautious as we move towards recovery. Providing an additional extension of credentials will allow our county DMVs to address the backlog that developed over this emergency period, while keeping our public servants and community members safe."

Driver's licenses or State IDs that expired on or after March 1, 2020, can be used at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints for up to one year after the card's expiration. See hidot.hawaii.gov/blog/2020/05/28/act-with-care-update-on-drivers-license-state-id/.

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Beach parks like Punaluʻu will retire their closed signs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting tomorrow. Photo by Julia Neal

WHILE OUTDOOR COMMUNITY PARKS ARE OPEN – like Punaluʻu, Whittington, Waiʻōhinu, and KahukuParkin Ocean View – Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Community Centers, the Pāhala Pool, and Nāʻālehu and Pāhala gymnasiums remain closed, according to Mayor Harry Kim's latest declaration. These rules are effective beginning tomorrow, June 1, and run through June 30:

Parks will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pavilions, shade structures, grills, and canopies larger than 10' x 10', are not allowed to be used. Social distancing must be observed. Gatherings must be less than ten people, and involve no organized or contact sports. No camping is allowed. All permits and reservations are canceled through June 30. However, commercial activities may resume.
Other parks and recreational facilities to remain closed are: all community centers and senior centers; all gymnasiums and covered play court facilities; Waiākea Recreation Center; all swimming pools; Hakalau Beach Park; Hoʻolulu Complex, excluding the outdoor tennis courts; Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Park; Laurence J. Capellas Ballfield; Waiākea Waena Park; and Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens.

Panaʻewa Stadium, where events like the Stampede and gymkhana are
held, featuring Kaʻū paniolo and paniloa, are open for horse boarders and
those who store feed and supplies, only. Photo by Katie Graham

Remaining closed to the general public on weekdays, for the safe operation of approved childcare programs, are Greenwell Park & Sgt. Rodney J. T. Yano Memorial Hall, Waiākea Uka Park & Stanley Costales Waiākea Uka Gym, and Waimea Community Center.
Open for specific, limited term uses approved by the Director of Parks & Recreation are all rodeo arenas, Hilo Drag Strip, and Hilo Skeet Range.
All County cemeteries, including veterans' cemeteries administered by the County, remain open for visitation during their standard hours of operation.
Panaʻewa Equestrian Center remains open only for those persons with valid horse stall rental agreements that are actively boarding a horse or storing authorized equipment and/or supplies at the facility.
Hilo Municipal Golf Course remains open with modified rules for play in effect. The golf pro shop concession and restaurant concession may resume modified operations and hours subject to approval of the Director of Parks and Recreation.

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IN-PERSON SERVICES ARE SUSPENDED at all Department of Environmental Management administration offices through Tuesday, June 30. This includes the Department's administration, Solid Waste Division administration, the Abandoned/Derelict Vehicles Section (

345 Kekūanāoʻa Street, Suite 41, Hilo

), and the Wastewater Division administration and Engineering Section (

108 Railroad Avenue, Hilo

). This does not affect the transfer stations, West Hawaiʻi Sanitary Landfill (aka Puʻuanahulu), Hilo Sort Station, and wastewater treatment plants, which remain in operation as usual.

Transfer stations remain open, while administration offices are no-contact, only. Photo by Julia Neal

Payments for Solid Waste and Wastewater services are accepted by phone, mail, or drop box locations. Notary service and engineering services will be by appointment only. All other customer service inquiries will be handled by phone or email. Mail payments to

345 Kekūanāoʻa Street, Suite 41, Hilo

, Hawaiʻi 96720 (attention: Solid Waste Division or Wastewater Division). Drop Boxes (for checks only) are available at the Department of Water Supply, 345 Kekūanāoʻa Street (in the front circular driveway), or on the exterior wall of the Motor Vehicle Registration Office at the Aupuni Center, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 5, Hilo (by the U.S. Postal Service blue mailbox).

For payments by phone, for questions, or to schedule an appointment, call:

Administration: 961-8083; Solid Waste Customer Service: 961-8339; Wastewater Customer Service: 961-8338, or Wastewater Engineering: 8615.

A message from the Department says, "These social distancing measures are intended to help protect customers, our employees, and our Islandcommunity from COVID-19 infection. Please notify our office if you scheduled an appointment but are feeling ill, and we will gladly reschedule it. The public's understanding is very much appreciated during this challenging time."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

ʻOHANA FOOD DROP from The Food Basket is available at Nāʻālehu's Sacred Heart Church at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy on Monday, June 1. Food can be picked up from 10 a.m. until supplies run out. People can receive a multi-day supply of shelf-stable and fresh food, depending on supply. Call The Food Basket at 322-1418 to confirm.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

There is one reported case of COVID-19 in Kaʻū. White is zero
cases. Yellow is one to five cases. Light orange is six to ten cases.
Dark orange (not pictured) is 11 to 20 cases. Red is 21 to 50 cases.
Hawaiʻi Department of Health map

NO NEW COVID-19 CASES ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND, and all 81 cases on-island since the pandemic began are recovered. The count was reduced by one due to a false positive test in Kohala.

One new case was reported today in the state. It was in Maui County, which has reported 120 cases since the pandemic began. Oʻhua has reported 421, and Kauaʻi 20.Statewide, 652 people have been confirmed positive for the virus since the pandemic began. Seventeen people have died - none on this island, where there was only one overnight hospitalization.

The daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says, "The Island and State have responded well in efforts to minimize the spread of the Coronavirus. This has allowed Hawaiʻi to go forward. As announced, due to the communities good work, openings of businesses, parks, beaches, and activities are occurring. Individual opening dates will be dependent on readiness to meet the requirements of safety. If assistance is needed, please call the Hawaiʻi County Task Force at 935-0031.

"Ongoing forward, know that the virus threat remains and we need to continue to follow the preventive policies to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. A huge and grateful thank you to the community of Hawaiʻi for doing your part to keep Hawaiʻi safe. Thank you for listening. Have a beautiful Sunday. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency."

In the United States, more than 1.82 million cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 106,000. Worldwide, more than 6.11 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 370,000.

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SULFUR DIOXIDE LEVELS DURING THE 2018 KĪLAUEA ERUPTION are the focus of this week's Volcano Watch, a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:

New assessment of Kīlauea's extreme SO2 emission rates in 2018.

If you were around the Island of Hawai‘i - or even other Hawaiian Islands, or Guam! - between May and August of 2018, you likely know that Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption released a lot of sulfur dioxide. But how much is a lot?

Early in the eruption, HVO reported SO2 emission rates of 15,000 tons per day of SO2. As this was already three times the 5,000 t/d average of the past few years, it seemed very high.

A thick, dense plume of SO2 and other volcanic gases billows from the lava fountains at fissure 8 on June 19, 2018.

SO2 emission rates during the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea were so high that they required a new data analysis technique.

USGS photo by P. Nadeau

Yet even then, we realized that there was so much SO2 that traditional measurement methods could not adequately quantify the emissions. To measure SO2 emission rates, volcanologists use a device called a spectrometer. The instrument is mounted to a vehicle or aircraft, which passes under the SO2 plume and measures absorption of sunlight by SO2 overhead. The more SO2, the less ultraviolet light that reaches the spectrometer. In 2018, there was so much SO2 that the spectrometer could barely detect any UV light at all, which made it difficult to determine the exact amount of gas overhead.

Think of it this way: a thin fabric curtain over your window blocks some sunlight. Add a second layer of fabric, and more light is blocked. Add a third and fourth layer, and it gets darker still. Maybe by seven or eight layers of curtains, no sunlight comes through anymore. At that point, if you added ten more curtains, or a hundred more curtains, it wouldn't matter – after seven or eight, all the light is already blocked.

That's the situation we encountered in 2018. We knew that more than 15,000 t/d of SO2 were being emitted, but it was hard to say just how much more.

Luckily, the spectrometer measures UV light over a range of wavelengths. Normally, with low SO2 emissions, we examine wavelengths where SO2 absorption is significant, which allows us to detect even very small amounts of gas. But 2018 was different – essentially no light was reaching the instrument. We then examined a part of the UV spectrum where SO2 absorption is 500 times weaker, so some UV light would still be detectable. Kind of like switching to clear plastic shower curtains to block light at your window. Twenty fabric curtains would block all the light, but twenty clear plastic curtains will still let in light.

The new results were startling! After re-processing all measurements in the new wavelength range, the data revealed that for much of June and early July of 2018, fissures in the LERZ emitted nearly 200,000 t/d of SO2.

These are the highest SO2 emission rates measured at Kīlauea using the UV spectrometer technique, which began in the late 1970s. Early Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō high lava fountains, and perhaps Mauna Loa's 1984 eruption, may have had similar emission rates, but those measurements likely suffered from the same underestimation as our initial 2018 analyses. Unfortunately, because of older spectrometer technology, data from the 1980s cannot be reprocessed in the same way as 2018 data.

We now estimate that the 2018 eruption emitted over 10 megatonnes, or millions of tones, of SO2 between May and early August. In those three months alone, Kīlauea emitted five times the SO2 it emitted in all of 2017. Few recent eruptions on Earth have released that much SO2, and when they do, they are generally large explosive eruptions at stratovolcanoes.

Most similar to Kīlauea's eruption was the 2014 Holuhraun fissure eruption in Iceland, which also emitted about 10 Mt of SO2, though in six months rather than just three. For comparison, the largest volcanic eruption of the past century, Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991, only released about twice the SO2 mass of Kīlauea's 2018 eruption, albeit explosively on a single day.

SO2 issues from plumes due to lava entering the ocean. USGS photo

Since the extremely high emissions in 2018 ended, Kīlauea has been releasing far less SO2. By late 2018, SO2 emissions were about 30 t/d at the summit and Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, and near-zero in the LERZ. By early 2019, Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō had dropped to near-zero levels as well. And though some additional SO2 is dissolving into the new lake in Halema‘uma‘u Crater, current emission rates are the lowest we have seen at Kīlauea in over 30 years of measurements.

Volcano Activity Updates

Kīlauea Volcano is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level remains at NORMAL (volcanoes.usgs.gov/vhp/about_alerts.html). Kīlauea updates are issued monthly.

Kīlauea monitoring data for the past month show variable but typical rates of seismicity and ground deformation, low rates of sulfur dioxide emissions, and only minor geologic changes since the end of eruptive activity in September 2018. The water lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u continues to slowly expand and deepen. For the most current information on the lake, see volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/summit_water_resources.html

LERZ fissures expel SO2 along with other gases and lava. USGS photo

This past week, about 120 small-magnitude earthquakes were recorded beneath the upper-elevations of Mauna Loa; most of these occurred at shallow depths of less than 8 kilometers (~5 miles). Global Positioning System measurements show long-term slowly increasing summit inflation, consistent with magma supply to the volcano's shallow storage system. Gas concentrations at the Sulphur Cone monitoring site on the Southwest Rift Zone remain stable. Fumarole temperatures as measured at both Sulphur Cone and the summit have not changed significantly. For more information on current monitoring of Mauna Loa Volcano, see volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/monitoring_summary.html.
There were four events with three or more felt reports in the Hawaiian islands during the past week: a magnitude-3.7 earthquake 8 km (5 mi) ENE of Pāhala at 31 km (19 mi) depth on May 27 at 2:32 a.m., a magnitude-3.3 earthquake 10 km (6 mi) WNW of Volcano at 6 km (4 mi) depth on May 26 at 5:55 a.m., a magnitude-3.0 earthquake 7 km (4 mi) ENE of Pāhala at 32 km (20 mi) depth on May 25 at 7:16 a.m., and a magnitude-3.8 earthquake 7 km (4 mi) NE of Pāhala at 31 km (19 mi) depth on May 21 at 12:42 a.m.
HVO continues to closely monitor both Kīlauea and Mauna Loa for any signs of increased activity.
Visit HVO's website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

A black streak down the side of Kīlauea Caldera was observed just a few weeks before the hot pond in the caldera
was discovered. USGS photo

Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year

Last year, in early June, the appearance of a "black streak" on the wall of Kīlauea Caldera sparked a response from U.S. Geological Survey, after the National Park Service posted to Facebook, "Something new has appeared on the southwest side of Kīlauea caldera resembling a large crack. What is going on?"

Comparison shots of the pond from July 25 and Aug. 1, 2019.
USGS photos

Comparison shots of the pond from Aug. 7 and Aug. 23, 2019.
USGS photos

USGS Research Geologist Don Swanson replied, "What I have dubbed a 'black streak' on the caldera wall is flowing water. The water comes from a shallow perched aquifer impounded by dikes in the southwest rift zone. Water flows southward along and in the sand flat below Crater Rim Drive but is stopped by the dikes, which form a dam. For one of several reasons – increasing water pressure, failure of wet sand, small rock fall – water breaks out of the aquifer and pours into the caldera. This phenomenon was first noted on July 4, 2018, and has been observed repeatedly since then. There are at least two different sites for such water flow, both just north of the southwest rift zone. The flowing water has eroded ravines or gullies that resemble cracks. Water flow generally lasts several hours and then stops as water in the aquifer is depleted. But, days to weeks later, water reappears."

In later July 2019, a pond began to form in the middle of the lowest part of the collapsed caldera. It began slowly but grew steadily. The water has shifted from a bright green to a rusty orange. It is now over 100 feet deep, and has an area larger than one and a half football fields.

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar

directory f or farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is

free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout

Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at

kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your

business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of May.

ONGOING

Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced.
A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.

Volcano Farmers Market at Cooper Center on Wright Road, off of Old Volcano Highway, is open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Nāʻālehu's Sacred Heart Church at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy on Monday, June 1.

Ocean View's Kahuku Park on Tuesday, June 8.

Volcano's Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road on Wednesday, June 24.

Pāhala's Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street on Tuesday, June 30.

On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 967-7800 to confirm.

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Rain from Hurricane Lane drenched Kaʻū in 2018. Read the 2020 forecast for Hurricane Season, which began today, below.
Photo by Julia Neal

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

THE 14-DAY INTERISLAND QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS WILL BE LIFTED ON TUESDAY, JUNE 16. Gov. David Ige made the announcement this afternoon. He said lifting the quarantine will help island families to reunite, while keeping in place the 14-day quarantine for out-of-state arrivals.

The quarantine for out-of-state arrivals remains in place until June 30, possibly beyond. Ige said he is hoping to set a target date next week for reopening for out-of-state traveling. With only a dozen new cases during the last week, the governor said, "Clearly, we have the lowest case count in the country."

Vacation Rentals and Time Share accommodation operators said they have no indication of a date when they would be able to accommodate on-island and interisland travelers who want to come from one part of Hawaiʻi Island or from another island to visit their families.

State Department of Transportation will require thermal screening at the airport for everyone traveling interisland. Travelers must also fill out a new form that will ask for health-related information to assist the state in tracking and responding to new COVID-19 cases. Interisland travelers may be prohibited from boarding a flight if they have an elevated temperature, above 100.4 degrees; if they refuse to complete the mandatory form; or if they are on the 14-day quarantine list, prohibiting them from flying.

Gov. David Ige, at podium, surrounded by empty Hawaiian Air counters, Lt. Gov. Josh Green (center), and others,
during his press conference today, announcing partial reopening - with precautions - on interisland travel.
Photo from the governor's office

Ige said, "I want to ensure the public that the health and safety of our residents are still our primary concerns. We would not have taken this step if key indicators were not achieved." He said Hawaiʻi has "ample healthcare capacity to handle any new outbreak or surge, and our testing and contact tracing capacity continue to increase."

The governor's office said the number of new COVID-19 cases "is expected to rise once travel is re-opened." DOH has "begun the process" of training 500 new contact tracers, "exceeding the recommended standards set by the Centers for Disease Control recommendations, and is exploring other screening and testing procedures," says a statement from Ige's office.

Ige said, "This is an important step for everyone living in Hawaiʻi. It will help reunite families and friends who have been separated due to COVID-19. And it's an important step for the reopening of our kamaʻaina economy."

The governor said the next step is "restoring out-of-state travel to the islands in a safe manner" but that "we must ensure that we do not experience a surge in cases that overwhelms our healthcare capacity. While we are working quickly to re-open travel, this must be a careful and thoughtful process. We have seen the new outbreaks in other communities that have re-opened too quickly. And many of our largest visitor markets, such as California, still have large numbers of cases that are a cause for concern."

Watch Ige's news conference here.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Legislators want "clear, comprehensive" safeguards for air travelers,
put in place by the federal government. Photo from Hawaiian Air

PROTECTING AIR TRAVELERS AND RESIDENTS OF HAWAII and other destinations is the goal of Sen. Mazie Hirono and colleagues. They wrote a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Senators asked for "clear and comprehensive national standards to protect air travelers from coronavirus from the time they enter an airport to start their air travel to their last step at their destination airport,"

Airports, businesses, and aviation stakeholders "have developed and implemented a patchwork and inconsistent system of polices to address the coronavirus, which were informed by voluntary guidance issued by the Administration. Without a strong coordinated system in place, restoration of air travel will be beset by COVID-19 flare-ups possibly leading to the resumption of stay-at-home orders and quarantines," state the legislators.

Hirono wrote, "The State of Hawaiʻi is strongly impacted by air travel, as are other non-contiguous areas in the United States. In order to begin safe and incremental air travel during this pandemic, appropriate procedures that protect the health and welfare of workers and the traveling public must be put in place at all airports nationwide. Establishing clear standards is necessary to restore public confidence in resuming air travel in a safe manner. I ask that your agencies work together to develop and implement cohesive federal standards and requirements on air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic." Read the letter here.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

HURRICANE SEASON BEGAN TODAY and is forecast to create two to six tropical cyclones that will pass through the CentralPacificBasin from June 1 through Nov. 30, according to the CentralPacificHurricaneCenter. The first named storm will be called Hone. The hurricane season runs through November 30.

The annual forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration agency says, "There is a 75 percent chance of near- or below-normal tropical cyclone activity during the Central Pacific hurricane season this year."

2018's hurricane season brought torrential rains and flooding to Kaʻū.
The 2020 season is expected to have fewer threatening storms.
Photo by Julia Neal

The average number of storms is about five, with zero in 1979 and 16 in 2015. CentralPacificHurricaneCenter Director Chris Brenchley said the prediction for 2020 is based on neutral warm-water El Niño conditions early in the season transitioning to cooler La Niña conditions in the Fall. Putting the forecast in numbers, he calculated "a 75 percent chance of a near-or-below normal season or normal season, with a 25 percent chance of an above-normal season. Last year, only one storm passing through the Central Pacific reached Hurricane strength.

"Regardless of the number of tropical cyclones predicted, this outlook serves as a reminder to everyone in the State of Hawaiʻito prepare now. Learn about hurricane hazards and where to find our forecasts, then make a plan so that you and your family stay healthy and safe,”

For the season as a whole, 2 to 6 tropical cyclones are predicted for the Central Pacific hurricane region. This number includes tropical depressions, named storms and hurricanes. A near-normal season has 4 or 5 tropical cyclones.

Gerry Bell, Ph.D., NOAA's lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at the Climate Prediction Center, said, "This year we will likely see less activity in the Central Pacific region compared to more active seasons. Less activity is predicted since ocean temperatures are likely to be near-average in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean where hurricanes form, and because El Niño is not present to increase the activity."

This outlook is a general guide to the overall seasonal tropical cyclone activity in the Central Pacific Basin, and does not predict whether, or how many, of these systems will affect Hawaiʻi.

The CentralPacificHurricaneCenter continuously monitors weather conditions, employing a network of satellites, land- and ocean-based sensors, and aircraft reconnaissance missions operated by NOAA and its partners. This array of data supplies the information for complex computer modeling and human expertise, which are the basis for the center's storm track and intensity forecasts. These forecasts are made available to the public and media, and help provide critical decision support services to emergency managers at the federal, state, and county levels.

New this year, NOAA's Aviation Weather Center is expanding its Graphical Forecasts for Aviation Tool in late June over Hawaiʻi and portions of the Pacific Ocean. This tool will provide pilots with observations and forecasts of weather phenomena, which are critical for aviation safety.

Check the Central Pacific Hurricane Center's website throughout the season to stay on top of any watches and warnings, and visit FEMA's Ready.gov for additional hurricane preparedness tips.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

NO NEW COVID-19 CASES ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND, and all 81 cases on-island since the pandemic began are recovered.

No new cases were reported today in the state. Since the pandemic began, Oʻhua has reported 421, Kauaʻi 20, and MauiCounty 120. Statewide, 652 people have been confirmed positive for the virus since the pandemic began. Seventeen people have died - none on this island, where there was only one overnight hospitalization.

The daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says, "On today's report of COVID-19, the number of active cases for Hawaiʻi Island is zero. An active case is defined as an individual who has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and is being monitored by the Department of Health. This format, reporting only active cases status, will now be used in the daily update."

An ʻOhana Food Service was held in Kaʻū at the Nāʻālehu Shopping Center today Talmadge thanks "Hawaiʻi Food Basket and their partners for making this possible and the Hawaiʻi Police, Hawaiʻi National Guard, and State Sheriffs for helping."

Magno also says, "The Island and State of Hawaiʻiare to be commended in their work to minimize the spread of the Coronavirus. Ongoing forward, know that the virus threat remains and the community needs to continue following the preventive policies to stop the spread of the virus. A huge and grateful thank you to the community of Hawaiʻi for doing your part to keep our home safe. Thank you for listening and please stay safe. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency."

In the United States, more than 1.85 million cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 107,000. Worldwide, more than 6.27 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 376,000.

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar

directory f or farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is

free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout

Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at

kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your

business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of May.

ONGOING

Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced.
A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.

Volcano Farmers Market at Cooper Center on Wright Road, off of Old Volcano Highway, is open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Nāʻālehu's Sacred Heart Church at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy was June 1; the July date will be announced later.

Ocean View's Kahuku Park on Tuesday, June 8.

Volcano's Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road on Wednesday, June 24.

Pāhala's Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street on Tuesday, June 30.

On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 967-7800 to confirm.

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

An artist rendering of a Young Brothers tug boat to pull barges with essential goods between the Hawaiian Islands.
Testimony is sought on a plan to provide funding for Young Brothers to continue operating. Photo from Young Bros

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

THE PUBLIC CAN HELP SAVE YOUNG BROTHERS BY SENDING TESTIMONY TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION, say supporters of the interisland shipping company. The PUC must approve any funding from the federal and state government, which may provide up to $25 million in CARES ACT funding to the shipping company to prevent its drastic reduction in services and possible closure. The infusion of cash is aimed at keeping Young Bros. operating at least through December. Comments can be emailed to puc@hawaii.gov, referencing the May 26, 2020 Young Brothers and or Consumer Advocate letters, which asked the PUC to approve the aid. Read the letters from Young Brothers and the Consumer Advocate, a statement to the public from Young Bros, and testimony, here.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit Young Bros. hard, with fewer goods shipped between islands. It announced a loss of nearly $8 million through April and projected losses totaling approximately $25 million by the end of the year.

The pandemic also led to restrictions on agricultural goods. Kaʻū Coffee farmers can no longer send coffee in Young Bros, mixed shipping containers shared with other customers. Coffee headed to buyers in Honolulu must be on its own pallet, wrapped to keep it from rain, sun, and wind on the deck of the barge, exposing it to temperature variables that can damage the coffee. This means that some farmers are holding back coffee or shipping by air, a much more expensive venture. Shipping of cattle and horses have also been restricted but Young Bros announced it is "establishing special procedures to continue transporting livestock between the islands after June 8, 2020."

In addition, Young Bros. reduced its schedule to Hilo and Kahului to one day a week in order to save $6 million.

When questioned by West Hawaiʻi Today in his Monday news conference, Gov. David Ige said he is "working with all of the mayors. We all understand the importance of Young Bros. in connecting our islands and being able to efficiently distribute goods all across the state. So, I'm working with the mayors and the state administration in Department of Commerce & Consumer Affair, Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, and other appropriate agencies, to work with Young Brothers and identify what their situation is, and look for various pots of federal money and assistance that we can provide, and state resources if necessary. All of the mayors and all of the elected officials understand that Young Brothers is critical infrastructure that is needed in our community and we are all committed to ensuring that they continue to provide service in a way that allows our communities to function moving forward."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Kaʻū Voices protest the death of George Floyd, peacefully holding signs at the intersection of Highway 11
and South Point Road on Sunday. Photo from Kaʻū Voices

KAʻŪ VOICES PROTESTED THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD and Kaʻū legislators and a civiil rights defender spoke out. On Sunday, Kaʻū Voices stood along Kaʻū roads with signs saying, I Can't Breathe; No One is Above the Law, even the Men in Blue; and Silence is Compliance, Speak Up for Justice.

The 46-year-old black man died on May 25 while handcuffed, lying on the street, when a police officer pressed his knee into Floyd's neck while fellow officers stood by, and bystanders and Floyd begged for his life. Floyd's death sparked protests in front of American embassies around the world and citizen marches in cities across the U.S., to oppose racism and police brutality. Accompanying the protests are opportunists following the peace marches to destroy property and loot businesses, according to police chiefs and mayors. Most officials have established curfews for their cities, to separate the protests from the violent destruction that tends to be at night.

Artists' images of George Lloyd with the words I Can't Breath are painted on walls around the world,
including this one in Berlin, Germany.

The Minneapolis police department fired the police officer, Derek Chauvin. He is booked on murder and manslaughter charges. The other officers who stood by as Floyd died, are fired and are expected to be charged.
In a tweet, Gov. David Ige posted, "We join in mourning the tragic death of #GeorgeFloydand send our aloha to his family and friends. We understand the sadness,
disappointment, anger, and fear that so many across our nation live with daily. And we stand with those peacefully protesting long-standing injustices. Diversity is highly valued in #Hawaii, and we believe our residents can show the world how we live together respectfully." Mayor Harry Kim, and the other three mayors in the state, added their names to the statement.

Sen. Brian Schatz said, "I don't know what 'knelt on' even means but the word is murdered."

Sen. Mazie Hirono said, "Racism is never far beneath the surface in our country. The brutal murder of George Floyd forces all of us to confront the devaluation and dehumanization of black lives. We must stand together in solidarity for justice. #BlackLivesMatter"

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said, "Watching George Floyd's death was sickening and heartbreaking. There is no excuse. These officers must be more than just fired - George and his family deserve justice. This is not just an isolated incident. We as a nation must take action to bring systemic change. #GeorgeFloyd

Kaʻū Voices bring visibility in person, along the road, for the
death of George Floyd. Photo from Kaʻū Voices

Sen. Kai Kahele said, "Americais in a profound national crisis. The murder, in broad daylight, of #GeorgeFloydby a racist police officer is another repulsive and pathetic example of the racial injustices and institutionalized racism that has existed in this country since our founding. Ignoring these deep issues for far too long has brought our country to the brink of social catastrophe and we are now forced to address it. Rioting and violence provide absolutely no solutions to these acute problems and will only embolden the strengthening of the law enforcement establishment and create an aggressive and hostile police environment. Nonviolent resistance has always been the most effective alternative to physical violence. These riots must end. The hatred and bitterness in this country must end. But at the same time, Americamust change. #BlackLivesMatter"
Michael Neal, who worked as an intern on Kaʻū Calendar projects in high school and is now an attorney in many civil rights cases on the mainland, wrote:
“In these recorded and indisputable acts of police brutality, we are seeing what the Black community and advocates in the criminal justice system have seen for a very, very long time but were sneered at by judges and prosecutors alike and never believed by society at large. In one of my first trials, a client swore the police planted drugs in her car. Nobody believed her. Another client was raped by a jail guard, and no one believed him (and in fact the judge threw him in jail for ‘lying.’) And a young black man had a gun pointed at him on a minor violation of probation, and the judge shrugged and threw him in jail.
"Those who wield the power to deprive life and liberty, and society at large, must finally take criminal justice seriously and demand an equal, humane, just system. No more alligator tears, empty promises, and feigned outrage from the same perpetrators of injustice. Change now.”

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

KAI KAHELE'S BID FOR U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES is endorsed by Sen. Mazie Hirono. She said, "I look forward to working with him in Congress on education, health care, and other critical issues, as we face unprecedented challenges and look for ways to move our nation and our state forward."

The campaign for Kahele, who seeks to represent Kaʻū and all of rural Hawaiʻi, shared the endorsement on social media: "We are honored to have her support and endorsement of Kai, along with endorsements from Hawai‘i U.S. Senator Brian Schatz and U.S. Congressman Ed Case. #StrongerTogether #KaheleforCongress"

Kahele is also endorsed by three former Hawaiʻi governors – John Waiheʻe, Ben Cayetano, and Neil Abercrombie – and dozens of other public figures and organizations.

See kaikahele.com.

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HALTING CUTS TO THE SNAP PROGRAM is the goal of Hawaiʻi Attorney General Clare Connors. She joined a coalition on Monday that sent a letter to Congress, urging the body to block the Trump administration's attempts to cut "vital food assistance for millions of Americans."

The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, previously known as "food stamps," is "our country's most important anti-hunger program and a critical part of federal and state efforts to help lift people out of poverty," said a statement from Connors. The program provides people with limited incomes the opportunity to buy nutritious food that they otherwise could not afford. In March alone, said Conners, 40 percent of American households with incomes below $40,000 lost jobs, and from March 15 to May 15 of this year, 40.8 million Americans filed for unemployment.

The coalition argues that, "especially during this unprecedented time of economic turmoil due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Congress should work to protect and expand our nation's largest anti-hunger program." The changes to SNAP would cut food assistance by making it harder to qualify for SNAP food assistance benefits, reducing State flexibility to continue benefits beyond the three-month limit, and reducing benefit amounts for certain households.

Connors said, "We should be collectively working towards making sure everyone has access to nutritious food. It is imperative, even more so during a pandemic, that we oppose rules cutting food-assistance to millions of Americans."

A copy of the letter is available at ag.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/HEROES-Act-Letter-SNAP-Rules.pdf.

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KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP reopened its snack bar on Monday for people working and living within the Park and KMC campus. A soft reopening of KMC, when Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park gate reopens to the public, is expected on June 16, to include Crater Rim Café, Lava Lounge, 10-Pin Grill, Java Café, accommodations, and other KMC amenities. The reopening date is unsure, however, and depends on HVNP's main gate reopening; that date has yet to be announced.

Crater Rim Café will offer a special menu for dine-in and take-out meals for Father Day, Sunday, June 21. Reservations to dine in must be made in advance. Call 967-8356.

Kīlauea Military Camp General Store is open for those working and living on the campus. A broader opening
of accommodations, restaurants, and other KMC amenities may happen by May 16. KMC photo

KMC General Store is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The two gasoline pumps are open for use 24 hours a day, with debit or credit card. The store offers household items, curios, souvenirs, food, drinks, toiletries, firewood, and more. The Post Office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Its lobby is open 24 hours a day. Collections times are Monday-Friday at 1 p.m., and Saturday at 8:45 a.m. Neither the store nor post office shut down during the pandemic.

This evening, Volcano House was taking reservations for Monday, June 8 and beyond. The reservationist said she was unsure of when the restaurant, bar, and stores will reopen. It is also unclear as to when the campsites managed by Volcano House may reopen.

Kīlaueasummit areas and more remain closed at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes. The first part of its phased reopening allows visitors, free of charge, to explore Mauna Loa Road to Kīpukapuaulu by vehicle, bicycle, and by hiking, including Tree Molds and Kīpukapuaulu Trail – picnic area will remain closed; Mauna Loa Road past Kīpukapuaulu by hiking and bicycle to Mauna Loa Overlook at 6,662 feet, but closed to vehicles; Footprints Trail from Highway 11 to the Ka‘ū Desert Trail and Maunaiki Trail junction, including the Footprints shelter (1.9 miles one way); and Escape Road, for bicycles, horseback riding, and hiking to the Mauna Ulu junction. Kahuku Unit is open on Saturday and Sundays only, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with no vehicle access past Upper Palm Trail.

Stay updated at nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/conditions.htmand on future Kaʻū News Briefs.

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A TELE-TOWN HALL ON ECONOMIC RELIEF AND MENTAL HEALTH AND RESOURCES will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3. Sponsored by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, it will feature Darin Leong, an unemployment attorney who has worked with Hawaiʻi community leaders to raise awareness about relief programs available to employers and employees, as well as Sondra Leiggi-Brandon, APRN, and Anthony P. Guerrero, M.D., from The Queen's MedicalCenter.

Leiggi-Brandon is director of systems behavioral health programming for psychiatric/mental health nursing at Queen's. Guerrero is a psychiatrist at Queen's as well as Professor and Chair of Psychiatry and Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Hawaiʻi's John A. Burns School of Medicine.

They will discuss federal relief efforts to help Hawaiʻi as well as the mental health stress faced by many during this public health crisis and what resources are available to help those in need.

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Telehealth in action helps vulnerable populations receive healthcare.
Photo from Big Island Video News

TELEHEALTH MEANS MORE HEALTHCARE for vulnerable populations in Hawaiʻi, according to speakers during Monday's state COVID-19 Joint Information meeting. Department of Health reported accelerating adoption of telehealth, especially in Hawaiʻi's community health centers – federally qualified health centers – which service "the state's most vulnerable populations."

Patients who receive care at these centers pay for their care on a sliding scale discount, depending upon their household incomes. With a combined total of $670,000 from the Hawaiʻi State Legislature and federal telehealth grant awards, DOH, in collaboration with the University of Hawaiʻi Area Health Education Center and Pacific Basin Telehealth Resource Center, provided the "necessary policy guidance and technical support" for community health centers to take advantage of new federal telehealth reimbursement policies. This includes weekly webinars on the basics of telehealth for providers.

Laura Arcibal, the DOH telehealth and health care access coordinator, said, "It has been an intensely busy time and it has been amazing to see our community partners and healthcare providers come together at such a critical time to help Hawaiʻi's families access healthcare services from home."

Primary care, behavioral health, and COVID-19 screening are services patients can access via telehealth at hawaiicovid19.com/telehealth.

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HIGH SURF ADVISORY is in effect for all Kaʻū shores through tomorrow. The National Weather Service expects surf to rise overnight and peak from 8 to 12 feet. The public is warned of strong breaking waves, shore break, and dangerous currents, which could cause injury or death. Beach-goers, swimmers, and surfers are advised to heed all advice given by ocean safety officials and exercise caution. Boaters and shoreline residents are warned to secure property before impact from the waves.

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FREE COVID-19 TESTING will be provided by a testing team from Aloha Critical Care in Kona tomorrow, Wednesday, June 3, at St. Jude's, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wearing masks is required for everyone. Those visiting screening clinics will be asked to show photo ID, and any health insurance cards – though health insurance is not required to be tested. They are also asked to bring their own pen to fill in forms.
To bypass the screening queue, patients can call ahead to Pathways Telehealth, option 5 at 808-747-8321. The free clinic will also offer on-site screening to meet testing criteria. Physicians qualify those for testing, under the guidance of Center for Disease Control & Prevention and Hawaiʻi's COVID-19 Response Task Force.
For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

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NO NEW COVID-19 CASES ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND. One new case was reported on Oʻahu. All 81 cases on-island since the pandemic began are recovered.

Since the pandemic began, Oʻhua has reported 422, Kauaʻi 20, and Maui County 120 cases. Statewide, 653 people have been confirmed positive for the virus since the pandemic began. Seventeen people have died – none on this island, where there was only one overnight hospitalization.

The daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says, "An active case is defined as an individual who has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and is being monitored by the Department of Health. This format, reporting only active cases status, will be used in the daily update.

"The Islandand State have done very well in minimizing the spread of Coronavirus. This has allowed Hawaiʻi to go forward and has been identified by the JohnsHopkinsUniversityas tied with Montana for the lowest per capita infection rate in the Nation. Ongoing forward, know that the virus threat remains and we need to continue to follow the prevention policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. A grateful thank you to the community of Hawaiʻi for doing your part to keep Hawaiʻi safe and together. Thank you for listening. Have a safe day in beautiful Hawaiʻi. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency."

In the United States, more than 1.87 million cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 108,000. Worldwide, more than 6.19 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 376,000.

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directory f or farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is

free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout

Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at

kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your

business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

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Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of May.

ONGOING

Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced.
A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.

Volcano Farmers Market at Cooper Center on Wright Road, off of Old Volcano Highway, is open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Nāʻālehu's Sacred Heart Church at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy was June 1; the July date will be announced later.

Ocean View's Kahuku Park on Tuesday, June 8.

Volcano's Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road on Wednesday, June 24.

Pāhala's Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street on Tuesday, June 30.

On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 967-7800 to confirm.

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

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