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Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, September 11, 2020

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The Luminarium with a light for Hawaiʻi residents, Outdoor Circle arborist Christine Snyder and antiques dealer
Georgina Corrigan, who both died on 9/11 when Flight 93 was hijacked and went down in Pennsylvania.
The Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial holds an event each year to honor all those who perished.
Photo from Flight 93 National Memorial 
NINE PEOPLE WITH HAWAIʻI TIES WERE 9/11 VICTIMS and they drew memories and respect today, Patriot Day. They are: Michael Collins, 38, married to a Leilehua High School graduate Lisa Collins. He loved mountain biking on Hawaiʻi's back roads. Patricia Colodner, 39, was born in the Islands and graduated from Our Redeemer Lutheran High School and Fordham University. She worked at Marsh & McLennan at World Trade Center and left two keiki behind.
     Georgina Corrigan, 56, was an antiques dealer in Hawaiʻi, onboard hijacked Flight 93 when it crashed in a Pennsylvania field, as she was returning home from an antiques show in Massachusetts.
     Maile Hale, 26, was valedictorian at Kaiser High, earned a degree in chemistry from Wesleyan University, and became COO of Boston Investor Services. She was attending a seminar at World Trade Center. Heather Malia Ho, 32, was a Punahou graduate and a pastry Chef at Windows of the World at the top of the World Trade Canter. She planned to open her own pastry shop.
     David Laychak, 40, was married to Hawaiʻi Baptist Academy graduate and teacher Laurie Laychak. He was at the Pentagon when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into it. Richard Lee, 34, was a Punahou graduate and went to Yale. He worked for Cantor Fitzgerald in 1 World Trade. Christine Snyder, 32, was an Outdoor Circle arborist in Honolulu, on her way home when hijacked Flight 93 came down in a field in Pennsylvania. See more at https://www.flight93friends.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.

STATE SEN. DRU KANUHA, who represents West Kaʻū through Kona, released a statement today on remembering the events of 9/11: "Today, on September 11, let us take a moment to pause, reflect, and remember the individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice – a devotion to community service – to help others in need. In our darkest hour, our country came together proving that we can be a greatest force for good when we act in service, kindness, and have compassion for others. My continued thoughts and prayers for the families and friends who lost a loved one on 9/11.
     "As you prepare for the weekend and week ahead, reflect and consider how you can contribute to your community as September 11th was not only a day of remembrance, but a day of service, too.
     "Finally, as we continue to flatten the curve of COVID-19, please continue to do your part – stay home when you feel sick, wear a facial covering when in public, sanitize hands regularly and practice social distancing. "


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.

HELP HAS ARRIVED to contain the spread of COVID-19 at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo. On Sunday, Sen. Brian Schatz wrote a request for assistance from the VA, asking for the immediate "expertise" of "the largest integrated healthcare system in the country" in assuring the facility "is following infection control best practices that will help arrest this outbreak." Schatz called the outbreak a public health emergency.

The state's only Veterans Home will receive help from Veteran's Affairs
in controlling the COVID-19 outbreak. 
     The Veterans Home reported its first positive case Aug. 22, which sparked a round of testing that day and Aug. 23 of all staff and the 88 residents. The first round of testing revealed seven positive cases. The first COVID death happened on Aug. 29. There are now ten deaths, reports the Veterans Home, all veterans with serious underlying health conditions, some of whom were on palliative/end of life care.
     As of Sept. 11, 66 residents and 27 staff had tested positive, with 17 residents and five staff recovered. Four residents are hospitalized at Hilo Medical Center,
     Schatz said, "This medical team will be a big help in containing the outbreak happening on the BigIsland. My staff and I will continue working with the VA, and state and local officials, to make sure we are utilizing all the federal help that's available."
     The VA team will recommend interventions, processes, and procedures to address the outbreak, and will conduct an assessment of infection control issues. The team is made up of an infectious disease physician, a facilities engineer who understands environmental airflow and AC systems, an infectious disease nurse specialist with expertise in running COVID-19 units, a safety officer, an industrial hygienist, and a nurse manager.


     See more on COVID-19 statistics, 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.

Earlier this month, ʻO Kaʻū Kākou donated snacks and
drinks to staff at Yukio Okustu State Veterans Home.
Twenty-seven staff and 66 residents have tested
positive for COVID-19. OKK photo
THE TEN DEATHS AT YUKIO OKUTSU STATE VETERANS HOME sparked a response from Rep. Tulsi Gabbard yesterday:

     "Our nation's heroes and their families made profound sacrifices for the country we love, and it is our honor to care for them in their time of need. Losing ten of my fellow veterans at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home to COVID-19 leaves a profound hole in our hearts. 

      "It is unconscionable that these veterans who selflessly sacrificed so much now find themselves struggling to survive under the threat of this virus -- yet another consequence of the lack of testing and contact tracing should have been in place months ago, that continues to plague our state.
     "We are in close contact with those responsible for managing the facility to help provide support to contain this outbreak and prevent more undue suffering and loss of life. Not only is urgent action needed to protect our veterans, urgent action is needed to protect every person in our state."

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 tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 12 from to  at the Civic Auditorium in Hilo. No insurance necessary. This offers a chance for those who were unable to get tested in Miloliʻi today, as the event was postponed. See future Kaʻū News Briefs for more testing events.


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.

MORE THAN $10 MILLION in Community Development Block Grants will be issued to Hawaiʻi, Sen. Mazie Hirono announced today. The funds will provide critical assistance for the community as it continues to combat the coronavirus pandemic, helping prevent, prepare for, and respond to the pandemic in vulnerable populations across Hawaiʻi. The funds are the third round of CDBG funding from the federal CARES Act.

Mobile learning help from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island is funded
in part by CARES Act distributions. BGCBI photo
     Hawaiʻi County will receive $1,077,958, KauaiCountywill receive $677,028, MauiCountywill receive $1,874,312, and the City and County of Honolulu will receive $6,445,350.

     Hirono said, "As the coronavirus pandemic continues to dramatically impact day-to-day life in Hawaiʻi, these funds will help address essential needs across our state. The flexibility of CDBG-CV funds allow each county to maximize their efforts to support communities who have been hit hard by the pandemic, including Pacific Islanders and other communities of color. It will take collective action to address the economic consequences of the pandemic, and I remain focused on getting federal assistance to those who need it most."
     In May more than $5 million of CDBG funding supported a variety of projects including mobile youth outreach services at the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island, emergency food distribution equipment at The Food Basket, laundry and utility improvements at Na Kahua Hale O Ulu Wini, Project Vision Hawaiʻi's mobile health and hygiene services, Malama Pono Health Services' rent, mortgage and utilities assistance, rental assistance from Maui Economic Opportunity and Family Life Center, and homeless prevention, mobile testing, and eviction prevention efforts on Oʻahu.


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 ARE RACING FOR WEST KAʻŪ'S STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEAT. Contenders are Democrat Jeanné Kapela, Libertarian Michael Last, and Citlalli Johanna Decker of the Aloha ʻĀina Party. The winner, taking over the seat Rep. Richard Creagan now holds, will serve District 5 from Honuʻapo, though Nāʻālehu, Ocean View, and Miloliʻi, into Kona. People can register to vote in the General Election by Monday, Oct. 5 online, https://olvr.hawaii.gov/, or if postmarked by that date via mail. As during the Primary, all ballots will be mailed, but voters can still vote in-person at locations in Kona and Hilo, and may register the same day, starting Oct. 20. Ballots should start to arrive around Oct. 16. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Citlalli Johanna Decker, Michael Last, and Jeanné Kapela are in a three-way race for the District 5 Senate seat.
     As of Aug. 8, Kapela received $39,610 in monetary and non-monetary campaign contributions. Of that, about 9.6 percent, $3,835, were donations of $100 or less. She began her campaign with a balance of $3,535.34. She received $12,325 in "other" funds, including her own money.

     As of Aug. 8, neither Last nor Decker had submitted campaign finance records.
     Kapela is endorsed by ILWU Local 142, Hawaiʻi AFL-CIO, Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association, HGEA Local 152, Patsy Mink PAC, Planned Parenthood, Pono Hawaiʻi Initiative, 350 Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Teamsters and Allied Workers, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Our Revolution Hawaiʻi, and Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network.


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HAWAIʻI TROPICAL FRUIT GROWERS 30TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE is called Keeping It Local - Virtually. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/HTFG2020. Presenters include Gabe Schater-Smith, Dr. Noa Lincoln, Dr. Nat Blatter, Dr. Robert Paull, with Ken Love and many others.
     Watch the presentations and bring questions to the follow-up Q&A session with presenters on Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to noon via Google Meet. The access link will be posted at https://tinyurl.com/HTFG2020. It is open to all.
     For More Information, contact Ken Love, Executive Director, Hawaiʻi Tropical Fruit Growers
at Ken@mycoffee.net and 808-969-7026.

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ʻUlu - breadfruit - is a focus for potential Hawaiʻi-made flour.
TAKE A SURVEY ABOUT ʻULU FLOUR for home and commercial use. Hawaiʻi Farmers Union Foundation, Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Cooperative, and Voyaging Foods have partnered on an initiative to promote replacing up to 30 percent of flour used in Hawaiʻi with that made from local starches by 2030.
     The survey is intended to gather preliminary data on consumer interest, experience, and knowledge regarding utilization of ʻulu (breadfruit) flour, specifically. HFFU says, "As an indigenous tree crop, ʻulu offers unparalleled potential to mitigate climate change, increase food security, and perpetuate Native Hawaiian cultural traditions. We are now in the early planning stages of scaling ʻulu flour production and are looking for partners to join the movement, help test products, and assist with both product and market development."
     Participants are asked to share their email to be kept informed of project updates and product availability for sampling and purchase, anticipated this Fall. Inquiries for broader collaboration. Are also welcome. See https://forms.gle/FdH4buxpmguZyoas7.


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DONATIONS TO HAWAIIAN ISLANDS HUMPBACK WHALE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY FOUNDATION can be made during September at any Foodland or Sack N Save checkout. With each donation, Foodland and the Western Union Foundation will make a donation to the Sanctuary Foundation. The code is 7896.
     How to donate: Shop at Foodland or Sack N Save. Show a Maikaʻi card to the cashier at checkout. Tell the cashier the Marine Sanctuary code and the amount of donation (up to $249). Review receipt to confirm the following appears: Person's organization, donor's name and amount, along with Maikaʻi number. Donations can also be made when placing an online grocery order for curbside pickup or delivery at https://shop.foodland.com/.
     Foodland operates a Sac N Save in Kona and one in Hilo, along with a Sac N Save Gas & Go. Foodlands are located in Keaʻau, Waimea, and at the Mauna Lani on the Kohala Coast.

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.

TWENTY-FIVE INMATES WHO PARTICIPATED IN TUESDAY'S RIOT at Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center are transferred to Halawa Correctional Facility on Oʻahu. Hawaiʻi Department of Public Safety said 26 men were identified as part of the riot "through on-duty staff observations and preliminary investigative questioning." All but one of the inmates identified were transported on two charter flights, without incident.


     In a media release, Maria Cook, Deputy Director for Administration, said, "This large transport could not have been coordinated and executed this fast and efficiently without the collaboration of many departments and agencies. We want to thank our Mainland Branch and Oʻahu Community Correctional Center staff who secured the air transports, the Halawa staff, our Hilo and Oʻahu Sheriffs, and the Hawaiʻi Police Department for assisting us in all the details of this action."
     On clean-up of the facility, Public Safety said, "The water, broken furniture and other debris have all been cleaned up. The broken windows, security screens, and bathroom fixtures will have to be replaced. The cost to fix the damage and replace furniture is pending the ongoing assessment."
     Hawaiʻi County Police are conducting a criminal investigation regarding the riot, which included a barricade and fire. It was set off by a shakedown of contraband amongst inmates.
An area inside Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center after the riot on Tuesday. Twenty-six men participated in
erecting a barricade and setting fires. Public Safety photo

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A DEPUTY SHERIFF ASSIGNED TO LT. GOV. JOSH GREEN'S staff at the capitol tested positive for COVID-19. In today's announcement, Green said he tested negative before going to his weekend emergency room job at the small hospital in North Kohala and has been tested again. The Lt. Gov. and his 14 staff members at the capitol, including administrative and executive teams and security detail, are in quarantine and being tested.
     Green said, "We are following proper protocols to ensure the health and safety of our team members first and foremost. Our thoughts are with our team member who tested positive for COVID-19." He wished his security staff member "a speedy recovery."

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 REPORTS 167 NEW CASES TODAY, two fewer than yesterday. Since the pandemic began, there have been 10,459 cases. Department of Health reports 3,334 people have been released from isolation. There are 7,029 active cases. Hawaiʻi Island reports 21 new cases, MauiCounty four, and Oʻahu 142.

     The state's official death toll is 96, with a total of ten deaths on-island. All are residents of Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. "Prayers and condolences from the Island's People go out to the families," says Civil Defense. See more on the Veterans Home, above.

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray

areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases.

Yellow is one to 20 cases. Pale orange is 21 to 50 cases. Medium

orange is 51 to 100 cases. Dark orange is 101 to 240 cases. Bright

red (not pictured) is 241 to 450 cases. Dark red (not pictured)

is 451 to 630 cases. Department of Health map

     Hawaiʻi Island's case count total is 562 since the pandemic began. Seventeen island residents are hospitalized, five in ICU.
     In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; 96737 with Ocean View; 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, DiscoveryHarbour, and South Point; 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, WoodValley; and 96785 with VolcanoVillage. Zip code 96718 is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date. Other areas shaded gray on the map, below, have no or very little population and no cases.

     Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 9,446 cases, Maui County 367, and Kauaʻi 58. Twenty-six victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 622 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.
     All beach and shoreline parks are closed through Sept. 19. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited.

     Hawaiʻi Island Police will continue their enforcement of the preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, Police Officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help."

     Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island"reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Islandas the virus remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe. Thank you for listening and please take a moment to remember those we lost nineteen years ago today in New York City. Take care of each other." See hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense.

     See the Hawai‘i County COVID-19 webpage at

https://coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.
     COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 6,435,528 – about 23 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 192,792 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 28.29 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 911,940.


directory for 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.

EVENTS
ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Food Giveaway in Ocean View, Saturday, Sept. 12 at  Pick-up will be at the Park and Ride parking lot. Pick-up will be at the back store. Ingredients for a hamburger steak dinner for four will consist of 2 lbs. of ground beef, gravy mix (just add 1 cup of water), onion, and rice to be distributed.

Introduction to Papermaking Workshop with Mary Milelzcik on Saturday, Sept. 12, from  to  This papermaking workshop, using a household blender, will introduce papermaking using recycled papers with various additives, including cotton linters, and local plant materials. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Exhibition Hawaiʻi Nei Invitational: Nā ʻAumākua, runs through Saturday, Sept. 12. Also available to view online, view the exhibition in person the Gallery in the Park during normal gallery hours, , Wednesday through Sunday. Free. The exhibition is a group exhibition will present works focusing on the theme of Nā ʻAumākua, family gods. VAC will not hold an opening reception on August 8th. 

volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Apply for Internships with Sen. Brian Schatz's office. Internships for undergrad, graduate, and law students are offered in the Honolulu and Washington D.C. offices. Applications are considered on a rolling basis year-round. Non-office internships are open for high school students to advocate in their communities. Applications due Sunday, Sept. 13. See schatz.senate.gov/services.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Virtual Advisory Council Meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 15 Presentations will include acoustic research, a proposal for voluntary speed regulations for ocean-going vessels in the sanctuary. Register in advance here.


ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Food Giveaway in Nāʻālehu, Friday, Sept. 18 at  Pick-up will be at the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market location. Ingredients for a hamburger steak dinner for four will consist of 2 lbs. of ground beef, gravy mix (just add 1 cup of water), onion, and rice to be distributed.

Catalyst Abstract Watercolor Workshop with Patti Pease Johnson on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222


Dine In or Order To Go Oktoberfest Meals from Crater Rim Café in Kīlauea Military Camp on Saturday, Sept. 19 from  to 8 p.m. Menu offers Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Bockwurst, German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut, Tossed Salad, and German Chocolate Cake. $14.95 per person. Call 967-8356 to book a reservation for dine-in or place a grab-and-go order. Face coverings and 6 feet social distancing are required in common areas. KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply.

Submit Comments and Questions about Hawaiian Electric's Keāhole Battery Storage Project through Saturday, Sept. 26. The utility submitted an application to the Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 28 for a first-of-its-kind on-island, 12-megawatt, 12-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System to help stabilize the power grid for the whole island, reducing the likelihood of customer outages. Virtual public meetings on both projects were held earlier this year and video replays of the discussions, along with the PUC applications and project details, can be found at www.hawaiianelectric.com/selfbuildprojects. Comments and questions can be submitted to keaholebess@hawaiianelectric.com and will be included in the application to PUC.

Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, .AI, .EPS or PNG with a quality of at least 1500px x 1500px and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.

COVID-19 Information for Farm Workers Poster. English: https://bit.ly/2F3gJ3u;
English/Spanish: https://bit.ly/2Z0cihc; English/Marshallese: https://bit.ly/2QLbybk
ONGOING

Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at  Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, and questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.

Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, , at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.

Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, will be available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island soon. Subjects are Homework Help, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.


Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.

     In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from  to  Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.

     In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from  to  Support is provided by Carla Lind.

     In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.

     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.

     All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.


Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts at https://member.everbridge.net/index/482552460607505#/signup. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.

Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at , with Worship Service starting at  The only time a face covering is needed is when the usher comes to the vehicle to pass out the worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at  and Praise Jam, which runs from  to  Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, us02web.zoom.us/j/6843449828?pwd=YW94djVvU0szOGNKaFZ1V0pUL1owUT09, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

One-Time Emergency Food for people is available through Big Island Giving Tree. Emergency food for pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

The Food Basket, last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Emergency Boxes Available at CooperCenter Tuesday through Saturday Call ahead, 967-7800.

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, , closed Saturday and Sunday. The Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open Wednesday through Sunday, , closed Monday and Tuesday. Virtual Shopping Appointments are offered at Volcano Art Center locations. Via Skype or FaceTime, a VAC associate helps customers browse the selection of artwork up close, and gives personalized tips and recommendations to help customers "find that perfect piece of locally made artwork, wherever you are in the world!" Book appointment online for $5 and VAC staff will help schedule a date and time at volcanoartcenter.org/shop. Shop the online gallery 24/7. Orders are shipped as regularly scheduled. Free local pickup is available.VAC now offers a Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. 

volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Ocean View Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 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.

Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays (starting next Wednesday, Aug. 12), , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. New market location for vendors of the recently closed Ocean View Swap Meet. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks are mandatory. Limit of people is 100. Social distancing is required. Gate will be unlocked for vendors at  Vendors can show up without a reservation for now, with $15 dollars. Parking is in the upper lot; parking on the side of the road is prohibited. All vendors must provide their own sanitizer. All food vendors must have the permits required for the items that you are selling. Vendors and attendees are encouraged to carpool.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,  to . 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. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together at chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home, using neuroscience and positive psychology, children and parents alike can learn to better understand themselves and each other. The program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics," to teach families "how to manage their emotions, communicate in healthier ways, and create a nurturing environment focused on the things that matter most." Sign up at https://chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home/.


ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides for Chromebooks and iPads given out to distance learning students enrolled in Kaʻū public schools. The website is open to the public here. ʻOhana Help Desk is also available to students and parents by phone, Mondays through Fridays, , and on Sundays from  to  It is closed on Saturdays and state holidays.


Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab operates weekdays from  to  at St. Jude's lower parking lot. It is open to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.


Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries are open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons may 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, they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff, or they may go in-person to request items, without placing a hold. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Both locations are also open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi is available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot by using their library card and PIN. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.


Free Book Exchanges, at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, 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.

Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13, at  Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.


Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues, through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Access these remote services by completing the webform at hawaiifirstfcu.com/community-resource-center or by calling 808-933-6600 to sign up. The Financial Navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across the County can also refer clients directly to a Financial Navigator. For more information, contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub. Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources. Developed by the Sexual and Gender Minority Workgroup in partnership with the DOH Harm Reduction Services Branch. Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov/harmreduction/sexual-gender-minority/sexual-and-gender-minorities-sgm-in-hawaii/.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Kahalo Center says database consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. U.S. Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs is developing a list of Native Hawaiian farmers willing to sell direct to consumers through the On-Farm Market Directory. On-farm markets are managed by a single farm operator that sells products on their farm, or on a property next to their farm. Some on-farm markets may also deliver or ship their goods directly to consumers. Visit the program website for more information and to register: ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/onfarm.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Owners can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. They offer help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature to help find information that applies to the searcher.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. See https://kohalacenter.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=54bdd67c601f0c0d3ea430053&id=9e1691c22d&e=0e3fe20c1f.

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Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, September 12, 2020

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Nā‘ālehu Hongwanji held its first Bon Dance in many years, last year, with moving around the yagura, drumming, 
chanting, and a lantern parade. See more, below, in The Way We WerePhoto by Julia Neal
REPLACE THE MANAGEMENT AT HILO VETERAN'S HOME, said Mayor Harry Kim at an unusual press conference on a Saturday. He spoke to the public following ten deaths from COVID-19 among residents, with news this morning about the infection of 66 residents and 27 employees at the state's Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home. The mayor said he wants the public to help him press the state to immediately change the administration of the Veterans Home to stop the further spread of COVID and to prevent more deaths.
     The mayor expressed deep sorrow for the veterans who died, residents and staff with the virus, and for their families. He said he has been asking for a prolonged period of more than two weeks for help to stop the spread and is disappointed with the time it is taking to make changes. As the number of cases and fatalities grew, Kim said, "We screamed out that this is non-acceptable. How can this be? It progressively goes on and on?"
Mayor Harry Kim today, calling for replacement of the
administration at Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home.
See the press conference at Hawaiʻi News Now.
     Finally, this past Wednesday, they came, said the mayor. The State and Veterans Administration representatives flew in, carried out a review, and left to make a report with their recommendations. They came back Friday for another review and provided a report. According to the mayor, when he asked, "Where do we go from here?" the VA reps said they would go back home, make a report and send it back, with
recommendations for changes and come back in a few days.
     Kim called it "totally non-acceptable." The mayor said he told them, "If you were under my command, you wouldn't even go home. We would do whatever we can from here on in, which is already way too late."
     Kim said he is calling for immediate suspension of the present administration of the Veterans Home until a review is completed and in the meantime "to replace all administration to correct all the wrongs."
     He said the "sadness for the families and veterans that are there, that can not ever, ever be corrected." He said that the only thing that can be done now is to seek "no further harm."
     Kim, himself a veteran, was one of the
community leaders who worked many years ago for the state's only veteran's home to be located in Hilo. He recalled the late Sen. Dan Inouye submitting the appropriation to the U.S. Congress specifically for Hilo. In seeking support for the matching money from the Hawaiʻi legislature, Kim fought off Oʻahu legislators who wanted the home on their island. He was joined by veterans in Hilo who rallied, believing that Hilo would embrace the home, welcoming veterans, and make them feel very appreciated, said the mayor.
     Hilo won the venue, the government built the facility, and the state turned it over to a private company to manage it - a choice not supported by the mayor, who said he preferred the state hospital system to run it.
     "I asked for trust and the trust was broken," said Kim. At the end of his talk, he said, "We made a promise and we did not keep it."
     See the entire press conference on Hawaiʻi News Now.

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MAYOR HARRY KIM SAID THAT LT. GOV. JOSH GREEN CONTRACTING COVID, "shows how the virus has no prejudices. The virus doesn't care if you are the Lieutenant Governor." During a press conference today, Kim pointed out that Green is a physician and most likely took more precautions than most people. He wished the Green family well.
Lt. Gov. Josh Green announces he has COVID last evening and works
today from the isolation room in his family home in Honolulu. 
Photo from Green's Facebook
     Green reported Friday evening that he tested positive for COVID-19. According to a Facebook post from his office, "Dr. Green reports that he feels fine an

d plans to update friends and family as he goes through what thousands of Hawaiʻi citizens are experiencing." Green was on staff in the Kohala Hospital emergency department on September 5, 6, and 7. He tested negative before he arrived.
     Kohala is a sister hospital to Kaʻū, one of the Rural facilities under Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corp., which also operates Hilo, Kona, and Honokaʻa hospitals. Kohala Hospital Administrator Gino Amar said employees and patients who were in contact with Green are being tested and the hospital is being deep cleaned. Green and his staff did not go into the long term care hospital last weekend. See more details in Friday's Kaʻū News Briefs.

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HAWAIʻI PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT DROPPED STATEWIDE during the beginning of this pandemic-burdened school year. The state Department of Education released the enrollment count on Friday, showing 2.6 percent fewer students than last year, statewide. The figures include public schools where 174,707 students are enrolled and charter schools where 12,213 students are enrolled. Fewer students reflect fewer people living in Hawaiʻi and some families choosing homeschooling because of the pandemic and other reasons.
     While Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary are considered locally as some of the smallest schools in the state, the latest count of students shows that the state's smallest is Niʻihau High & Elementary with 15, Maunaloa Elementary with 40, Hawaiʻi School for the Deaf and Blind with 58, Kilohana Elementary with 67, and Linapune Elementary and Waiahole Elementary, each with 89.
     Volcano is also not the smallest charter school in the state. They are Kanaka with 22, Ke Ana Laʻahana with 46, Ke Kula O Niʻihau Kekaha with 55, Hakipuʻu Learning Center with 56 and, Halau Ku Mana with 113.
     Volcano School, Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, and Nāʻālehu Elementary are located in the Kaʻū-Keaʻau Complex of nine schools, where 5,501 students are enrolled in public schools and Charter Schools.

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THE 2030 PROMISE PLAN FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN HAWAIʻI is online. According to the state Department of Education, it will "guide Hawai‘i's public school system from 2020 to 2030. We have identified five student promises to realize in every school by 2030, focusing on creative ideas and solutions toward a thriving, sustainable state grounded in the values of HĀ." The word HĀ is Hawaiian for breath, but means much more in the language. Themes of the 2030 Promise Plan include the place, Hawaiʻi:
The staff at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary sport their masks in style through #OurKuleana.
     Hawaiʻi is a theme: "Students will be educated within a public school system that is grounded in , powers a multilingual society, and honors Hawai‘i's local and global contribution." It mentions markers: "Nā Hopena A‘o; languages; culture; context; place-based; safety and total well-being." See more on .
 Equity is a theme: "Students will be immersed in excellent learning environments that are thoughtfully designed around a community's power to contribute to a thriving, sustainable Hawai‘i. Markers are: Core values; curriculum; infrastructure; magnets; college and career; partners.
     School Design is a theme:"Students will be immersed in excellent learning environments that are thoughtfully designed around a community's power to contribute to a thriving, sustainable Hawai‘i." Markers are: Core values; curriculum; infrastructure; magnets; college and career; partners.
     Learn more, with a video Introduction on School Design.
It's cool to wear masks to protect teachers, students, and staff at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary through #OurKuleana
     Empowerment is a theme: "Students will develop their authentic voice as contributors to equity, excellence and innovation, by providing input on what they learn, how they learn, and where they learn." Markers are: Engagement; civic and policy voice; educational leadership; discovery; choice.
     Innovation is a theme: "Students will engage in rigorous, technology-rich, problem-solving learning that enables them to solve authentic community challenges and develop pathways to goals." Markers are: Applied learning; design thinking; project-based learning; creativity.

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NOT WORKING ARE MORE THAN 20 PERCENT OF PEOPLE IN HAWAIʻI WITH UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, as of the week ending Aug. 22. On Thursday, the  U.S. Department of Labor announced the statistic 20.3 percent for Hawaiʻi's insured unemployment rate. Hawaiʻi is followed by 16.7 percent for Puerto Rico, 16 percent for Nevada, 14.9 percent for New York, 14.8 percent for California, 14.7 percent for Connecticut, 13.2 percent for Louisiana, 12.6 percent for Virgin Islands, 12.2 percent for Georgia, and 11.5 percent for District of Columbia.
     The insured unemployment rate counts those who file unemployment claims who are covered by unemployment insurance. The other recently reported statistic, this one from the state, is the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, which was 13.1 percent for July, a slight decrease from June.
     The state Department of Labor & Industrial Relations reported on Thursday that since the COVID pandemic began, it has paid $3.08 billion in unemployment benefits going back to March 1, with 274,233 of the 282,897 claims paid.

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THE LOST WAGES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM becomes easier to navigate. The state Department of Labor announced the launch of a self-certification modification to the unemployment insurance portal, Saturday, Sept. 12.
     Acting Director Anne Eustaquio said, "This will allow claimants to enroll in the Lost Wages Assistance program by certifying that their unemployment was due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. We are deploying this feature as part of our efforts to provide additional relief to claimants as soon as possible. We're diligently building a new program within the unemployment computer system to implement and pay LWA benefits."
     The Department of Labor statement said it will start processing payments in October and the payments will be staggered for each week of eligibility. Payments will be retroactive for all weeks of eligibility. With the assistance of the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Labor received approval to pay five weeks of benefits from FEMA. The program will pay $300 a week to all eligible claimants that receive at least $100 per week in unemployment insurance benefits. Those with a weekly benefit amount less than $100 in benefits are not eligible. Payments will be retroactive for August. Learn how to enroll in the Lost Wages Assistance Program.

House of Representatives District 3
candidate Richard Onishi
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RICHARD ONISHI AND SUSAN HUGHES are the candidates in the finals for the state House of Representatives District 3 seat, which represents East Kaʻū – Punaluʻu, Pāhala, Wood Valley – and Volcano, into Hilo.
     The General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3 will be preceded by ballots arriving around Oct. 16, in Hawaiʻi's first all-mail-in General Election. People can register to vote by Monday, Oct. 5 online, https://olvr.hawaii.gov/, or if postmarked by that date via mail. Voters can still vote in-person and may register the same day at voting locations in Kona and Hilo from Tuesday, Oct. 20 through Nov. 2, excluding Sundays, from  to , and on election day from  to 

     As of Aug. 8, Onishi, Democrat, received $27,000 in monetary and non-monetary campaign contributions. Of that, about 7.2 percent, $1,950, were donations of $100 or less. He began his campaign with a balance of $10,045.93.

     As of Aug. 8, Hughes, Republican, received $20 monetary and non-monetary campaign contributions. She also has a campaign loan of $1,600. She began his campaign with a zero balance.

House of Representatives District 3 
candidate Susan Hughes
     According to his campaign website, Onishi is endorsed by Hawaiʻi Island Contractor's Association, Hawaiʻi Farmers and Ranchers United, University of Hawaiʻi Professional Assembly, Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association, Hawaiʻi State American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations, State of Hawaiʻi Organization of Police Officers, Hawaiʻi Carpenters and Joiners Union 745, Laborers Union International of North America Local 368, Hawaiʻi Building and Construction Trades Council, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 1186, Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association, Hawaiʻi Fire Fighters Association, Plumbers and Fitters Local 675
Hawaiʻi Association of Realtors, General Contractors Association of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Planned Parenthood Action Network, and Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaiʻi.

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STUDENT ATHLETES OF KAʻŪ HIGH interested in participating in athletics during the 2020-2021 school year are encouraged to call Athletic Director Kalei Namohala at 313-4161 to sign up for the Student Athlete Google Classroom.


    
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Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary staff, distributing supplies
and computers at St. Jude's in Ocean View.
Photo from Kaʻū Athletics
ST. JUDE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN OCEAN VIEW is cooperating with public schools, recently becoming a venue for teachers and staff to hand out supplies and computers to students for distant learning.

     Kaʻū MobileLearning Hub is held in St. Jude's lower parking lot on weekdays from to Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez. All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.

     St. Jude's hosts The Food Basket on the last Tuesday of the month. On Sept. 29 the event will provide food to those in need. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

     St. Jude's Episcopal church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at on Sundays, us02web.zoom.us/j/6843449828?pwd=YW94djVvU0szOGNKaFZ1V0pUL1owUT09, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha.
     Due to the pandemic, weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

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OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER hosts free wifi access for students on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Coordinated by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. Limited to five students at a time. No restrooms are available.

     Due to the pandemic, the free Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island after-school program at the Center is temporarily suspended, as is VA Telehealth, pancake breakfasts, and other community activities.

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Missing teen Destiny

Espinueva-Moreno

MISSING TEEN DESTINY ESPINUEVA-MORENO is the subject of a police statement looking for help to find her. The 17-year old was last seen in Hilo. Hawaiʻi Police Department describes her as 5-foot-5, 115 pounds, with a thin build, black hair, and brown eyes. She was last seen Aug. 17 at about wearing gray pants and a black jacket. Information on her whereabouts can be shared anonymously by calling the police non-emergency number at 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.


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HAWAIʻI REPORTS 131 NEW COVID-19 CASES TODAY. Since the pandemic began, there have been 10,588 cases. Department of Health reports 3,418 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are more than 7,050 active cases in isolation. Hawaiʻi Island reports ten new cases, MauiCountysix, and Oʻahu 115.
     The state's official death toll since the pandemic began is 97, with one on Oʻahu reported today. Ten died on this island, all residents of Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo.

     Eighteen Hawaiʻi Island residents are hospitalized, six in ICU, all at HiloMedicalCenter, says a statement from the hospital.
     A patient who was COVID tested upon admission at Hilo Medical Center was determined negative but developed a fever and cough, and tested positive 11 days later. Testing shows the roommate of the patient and 20 of 21 exposed staff as negative so far. Hospital visitation "has been paused in an abundance of caution with the exception of one visitor for OB, pediatrics, and end-of-life patients," says the statement.

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray

areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases.

Yellow is one to 20 cases. Pale orange is 21 to 40 cases. Medium

orange is 41 to 90 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 91 to 150 

cases. Bright red is 151 to 240 cases. Dark red (not pictured)

is 241 to 600 cases. Department of Health map

     Hawaiʻi Island's case total is 572 since the pandemic began. In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; 96737 with Ocean View; 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, DiscoveryHarbour, and South Point; 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, WoodValley; and 96785 with VolcanoVillage. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date. Other areas shaded gray have no or very little population and no cases.

     Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 9,559 cases, Hawaiʻi Island 572, Maui County 373, and Kauaʻi 58. Twenty-six victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 635 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.

     All beach and shoreline parks on Hawaiʻi Island are closed through Sept. 19. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited.

     Hawaiʻi Island Police will continue their enforcement of the preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, Police Officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help."

     Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island"reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Islandas the virus remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe." See hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense.

     See the Hawai‘i County COVID-19 webpage at

https://coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.
     COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 6,476,460 – about 23 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 193,518 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 28.58 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 917,221.


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LEARN MORE ABOUT KĪLAUEA'S POST-COLLAPSE SURFACE LANDSCAPE in this week's Volcano Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:

     On the surface of Kīlauea's new landscape, a story is told.

     Kīlauea's 2018 summit collapse dramatically transformed the geometry and appearance of Halema‘uma‘u crater and Kīlauea caldera. Last week's Volcano Watch article described how the 2018 events impacted the magma plumbing system beneath the surface of Kīlauea's summit. This week, we'll explore how the 2018 events impacted the geologic deposits on the surface.

A comparison of aerial imagery and geologic deposits before and after Kīlauea's 2018 summit collapse. Large 
cracks are visible in lava flow deposits on Kīlauea caldera floor above the areas that down-dropped during 
the summit collapse-events of 2018. USGS maps

     Kīlauea's summit is no stranger to change. Several summit drainages or collapses in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries are documented in early western accounts. Reverend William Ellis, author of the first written description of Kīlauea, observed of the summit in 1823, "…that the crater had been recently filled with liquid lava…and had, by some subterranean canal, emptied itself into the sea, or inundated the low land on the shore."

     Ellis' description hypothesizes that Kīlauea's summit had been erupting before a flank eruption drained the summit. Indeed, an eruption of Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone in 1823 may have contributed to the summit collapse that Ellis described, much like Kīlauea's summit collapse in 2018 was accompanied by the lower East Rift Zone eruption.

     Kīlauea's summit was partially drained, sometimes leading to enlargement of Halema‘uma‘u or collapse of portions of the caldera floor, in 1823, 1832, 1840, 1868, 1886, 1891, 1894, 1916, 1919, 1922, 1924, and 2018. It's unclear why Kīlaueasummit collapses were less frequent in the past century, but perhaps prolonged flank eruptions on Kīlauea's middle East Rift Zone (Mauna Ulu 1969–1974 and Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō 1983–2018) played a part.

     Some Kīlaueasummit drainages or collapses were accompanied by lower-elevation flank eruptions; others, by likely "failed" eruptions, wherein magma intruded into the flank of the volcano but wasn't erupted onto the surface.

Inside Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō in 2003. USGS photo
     In the past, Halema‘uma‘u crater was described as being transformed into a pit of "tumbled masses of rock blocks" after a drainage or collapse of Kīlaueasummit. This description is certainly applicable to the current appearance of Halema‘uma‘u, with its steep crater walls and rubble base.

     Nineteenth-century descriptions of Kīlauea summit after a collapse sometimes describe a "black ledge"– evidence of summit lava-lake activity – bordering collapsed areas. Though there was a summit lava lake before the 2018 collapse, it left no such "black ledge;" those deposits are now part of the rubble at the base of Halema‘uma‘u. The 2018 collapse almost completely erased the geologic evidence of Kīlauea's 2008–2018 summit lava lake! How did the 2018 summit collapse impact other geologic deposits within Kīlauea caldera?

     A comparison of pre- and post-2018 geologic maps shows that before 2018, the floor of Halema‘uma‘u crater consisted of lava flows erupted in 1974 and 1982 and overflows from the 2008–2018 summit lava lake. All of these deposits are now part of the rubble at the base of the current (post-2018) Halema‘uma‘u. Now, another type of lake (water) occupies the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u, although not in the same location as the 2008–2018 lava lake.

     The 2018 Kīlaueasummit collapse also impacted a broader area of Kīlaueacaldera. Before 2018, Kīlauea caldera floor was a mosaic of different-aged lava flow – nineteenth century flows that inundated much of the caldera floor mostly overlain by more recent flows from summit eruptions in 1918–1919, 1919, 1921, 1954, 1971, 1974, 1975, and 1982.

     During the many earthquakes that accompanied the collapse events of 2018, these deposits on the floor of Kīlauea caldera were jostled, cracked, and shifted. Portions of them were lowered over one hundred meters (yards) and likely shifted laterally several tens of meters (yards).

Halema‘uma‘u shows the lava lakes as well as the different layers of
lava from many eruptions and overflows of the lake. USGS photo
     Fragments of these older lava flow deposits remain intact on the "down-dropped blocks" that formed within Kīlauea caldera during 2018. Lava flows from 1919 and 1974 are on the surface of the smaller down-dropped blocks, and numerous lava flows erupted over the past 150 years remain on the largest of the down-dropped blocks.

     More detailed future geologic mapping will reveal how much these deposits were impacted by Kīlauea's 2018 collapse. A previous Volcano Watch article describes the new outcrops exposed in the fault scarps formed during 2018 and their importance to better understanding Kīlauea's eruptive history.

     Changes to Kīlauea's summit as a result of the 2018 collapse are profound, but not permanent. As the record over the past two centuries demonstrates, Kīlauea's summit will erupt and collapse again (and again), repeatedly transforming the summit geometry and appearance in the process.

     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.

     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.

Kīlauea in 2018, 2019, and 2020. NASA photos
     This past week, about 70 small-magnitude earthquakes were recorded beneath the upper-elevations of Mauna Loa; most of these occurred at shallow depths of less than 8 kilometers (about 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 and fumarole temperatures as measured at both Sulphur Cone and the summit remain stable. Webcams show no changes to the landscape. For more information on current monitoring of Mauna Loa Volcano, see: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/monitoring_summary.html.

     There were 5 events with 3 or more felt reports in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M2.9 earthquake 14 km (8 mi) N of Kukuihaele at 23 km (14 mi) depth on Sept. 9 at 5:47 p.m., a M3.0 earthquake 8 km (4 mi) E of Pāhala at 32 km (20 mi) depth on Sept. 9 at 12:18 a.m., a M3.4 earthquake 1 km (0 mi) SE of Pāhala at 31 km (19 mi) depth on Sept. 6 at 2:19 a.m., a M2.6 earthquake 15 km (9 mi) N of Pāhala at 9 km (6 mi) depth on Sept. 5 at 5:04 p.m., and a M3.7 earthquake 2 km (1 mi) N of Hāliʻimaile at 31 km (19 mi) depth on Sept. 4 at 9:43 p.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, 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.

A lantern lit by the Rev. Satoshi Tomioa in remembrance of loved ones who've passed on. Photo by Julia Neal

Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year
This time last year, the first Bon Dance in many years graced Nā‘ālehu Hongwaji with a celebration of movement around the yagura tower, singing, chanting, and drumming. People flocked to Nā‘ālehu from around the island, some who traditionally travel from Buddhist temple to temple all the summer Bon Dance season to celebrate the harvest by remembering ancestors. All such events are canceled this year due to the pandemic.
Keiki from all faiths enjoyed stamping headscarves at last year's Bon Dance
at Nā‘ālehu Hongwanji. Photo by Julia Neal

     The Buddhist priest for Puna, Pāhala, and Nā‘ālehu Hongwanji, Satoshi Tomioa, led a service and a lantern parade. Foods placed on the altar symbolized nourishment for those who passed on, whose presence is recognized as helping this generation. Sushi and other food for the celebrants warmed up a rainy evening with the lights sparkling under gentle showers.
     The Reverend followed up the Nā‘ālehu Bon Dance with a special service today at Puna Hongwanji, where he delivered the message Peace Begins with Me? It is available on Facebook.
     Bon Dance season runs through July and August, Peace Day Weekend on Sept. 21. Peace Day was first declared in Hawai‘i on April 18, 2007, making Hawai‘i the first state in the U.S.to recognize Peace Day. See more.


directory for 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.

EVENTS
Apply for Internships with Sen. Brian Schatz's office. Internships for undergrad, graduate, and law students are offered in the Honolulu and 
Washington D.C. offices. Applications are considered on a rolling basis year-round. Non-office internships are open for high school students to advocate in their communities. Applications due Sunday, Sept. 13. See 
schatz.senate.gov/services.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Virtual Advisory Council Meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 15 Presentations will include acoustic research, a proposal for voluntary speed regulations for ocean-going vessels in the sanctuary. Register in advance here.


ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Food Giveaway in Nāʻālehu, Friday, Sept. 18 at  Pick-up will be at the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market location. Ingredients for a hamburger steak dinner for four will consist of 2 lbs. of ground beef, gravy mix (just add 1 cup of water), onion, and rice to be distributed.

Catalyst Abstract Watercolor Workshop with Patti Pease Johnson on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Dine In or Order To Go Oktoberfest Meals from Crater Rim Café in Kīlauea Military Camp on Saturday, Sept. 19 from  to 8 p.m. Menu offers Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Bockwurst, German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut, Tossed Salad, and German Chocolate Cake. $14.95 per person. Call 967-8356 to book a reservation for dine-in or place a grab-and-go order. Face coverings and 6 feet social distancing are required in common areas. KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply.

Submit Comments and Questions about Hawaiian Electric's Keāhole Battery Storage Projectthrough Saturday, Sept. 26. The utility submitted an application to the Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 28 for a first-of-its-kind on-island, 12-megawatt, 12-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System to help stabilize the power grid for the whole island, reducing the likelihood of customer outages. Virtual public meetings on both projects were held earlier this year and video replays of the discussions, along with the PUC applications and project details, can be found at www.hawaiianelectric.com/selfbuildprojects. Comments and questions can be submitted to keaholebess@hawaiianelectric.com and will be included in the application to PUC.


Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, .AI, .EPS or PNG with a quality of at least 1500px x 1500px and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.

COVID-19 Information for Farm Workers Poster. English: https://bit.ly/2F3gJ3u;
English/Spanish: https://bit.ly/2Z0cihc; English/Marshallese: https://bit.ly/2QLbybk
ONGOING

Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at  Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, and questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.

Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, , at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.

Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, will be available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island soon. Subjects are Homework Help, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.


Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.

     In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from  to  Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.

     In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from  to  Support is provided by Carla Lind.

     In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.

     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.

     All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.


Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts at https://member.everbridge.net/index/482552460607505#/signup. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.

Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at , with Worship Service starting at  The only time a face covering is needed is when the usher comes to the vehicle to pass out the worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at  and Praise Jam, which runs from  to  Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, us02web.zoom.us/j/6843449828?pwd=YW94djVvU0szOGNKaFZ1V0pUL1owUT09, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

One-Time Emergency Food for people is available through Big Island Giving Tree. Emergency food for pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

The Food Basket, last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Emergency Boxes Available at CooperCenter Tuesday through Saturday Call ahead, 967-7800.

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, , closed Saturday and Sunday. The Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open Wednesday through Sunday, , closed Monday and Tuesday. Virtual Shopping Appointments are offered at Volcano Art Center locations. Via Skype or FaceTime, a VAC associate helps customers browse the selection of artwork up close, and gives personalized tips and recommendations to help customers "find that perfect piece of locally made artwork, wherever you are in the world!" Book appointment online for $5 and VAC staff will help schedule a date and time at volcanoartcenter.org/shop. Shop the online gallery 24/7. Orders are shipped as regularly scheduled. Free local pickup is available.VAC now offers a Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. 

volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Ocean View Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 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.

Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays (starting next Wednesday, Aug. 12), , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks are mandatory. Limit of people is 100. Social distancing is required. Gate will be unlocked for vendors at  Vendors can show up without a reservation for now, with $15 dollars. Parking is in the upper lot; parking on the side of the road is prohibited. All vendors must provide their own sanitizer. All food vendors must have the permits required for the items that you are selling. Vendors and attendees are encouraged to carpool.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,  to . 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. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together at chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home, using neuroscience and positive psychology, children and parents alike can learn to better understand themselves and each other. The program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics," to teach families "how to manage their emotions, communicate in healthier ways, and create a nurturing environment focused on the things that matter most." Sign up at https://chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home/.


ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides for Chromebooks and iPads given out to distance learning students enrolled in Kaʻū public schools. The website is open to the public here. ʻOhana Help Desk is also available to students and parents by phone, Mondays through Fridays, , and on Sundays from  to  It is closed on Saturdays and state holidays.


Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab operates weekdays from  to  at St. Jude's lower parking lot. It is open to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.


Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries are open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons may 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, they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff, or they may go in-person to request items, without placing a hold. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Both locations are also open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi is available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot by using their library card and PIN. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.


Free Book Exchanges, at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, 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.

Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13, at  Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.


Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues, through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Access these remote services by completing the webform at hawaiifirstfcu.com/community-resource-center or by calling 808-933-6600 to sign up. The Financial Navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across the County can also refer clients directly to a Financial Navigator. For more information, contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub. Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources. Developed by the Sexual and Gender Minority Workgroup in partnership with the DOH Harm Reduction Services Branch. Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov/harmreduction/sexual-gender-minority/sexual-and-gender-minorities-sgm-in-hawaii/.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Kahalo Center says database consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. U.S. Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs is developing a list of Native Hawaiian farmers willing to sell direct to consumers through the On-Farm Market Directory. On-farm markets are managed by a single farm operator that sells products on their farm, or on a property next to their farm. Some on-farm markets may also deliver or ship their goods directly to consumers. Visit the program website for more information and to register: ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/onfarm.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Owners can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. They offer help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature to help find information that applies to the searcher.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. See https://kohalacenter.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=54bdd67c601f0c0d3ea430053&id=9e1691c22d&e=0e3fe20c1f.

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.







Ka‘ū News Briefs, Sunday, September 13, 2020

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A mature ʻAlalā in the wild. Read below, in The Way We Were, about last year's efforts to reintroduce the endangered, 
endemic crow to the wild. Photo from San Diego Zoo Global
BELOW NORMAL RAINFALL SHOULD CONTINUE DURING EARLY FALL, according to the National Weather Service. It released its Drought Statement last week with the headline Drought Worsens Across the Main Hawaiian Islands. The summary shows probabilities favoring below normal rainfall during the early fall of 2020. Rainfall should continue to favor the east-facing windward slopes, with leeward areas becoming drier. The outlook projects a transition to above-normal rainfall in late 2020. Probabilities continue to favor above-normal temperatures across the state through the rest of 2020 and into early 2021 due to the forecast of above-average sea surface temperatures around the Hawaiian Islands.

     The drought is forecast to worsen until the end of the year, "barring any tropical cyclone near passes or direct hits."

U.S. Drought Monitor map released on Friday shows Moderate
Drought from Volcano up the east side of the island, and
Abnormally Dry Conditions along the east side of the
Kaʻū Coast and mauka of Pāhala.
     August rainfall is usually 3.45 inches and dropped to .54 inches this year in Pāhala. This affects coffee farming and ranching, and other crops. Dry pastures are reported to the National Weather Service on the lower slopes of Kaʻū, from Pāhala to South Point and Volcano.
     When it gets dry, the ranchers start moving animals to the slaughterhouse. If they can't process them, cattle become increasingly skinny with less meat as pastures dry up.
     Fewer tropical storms in August are partly responsible for the drought, says NWS. Half the state is experiencing drought conditions, with extreme drought in Western Molokaʻi and part of southwest Maui, with moderate drought affecting cattle ranches in central Maui.


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.


Ronelle Kahanuolaikealomahina
Valera became Miss Collegiate
America 2020 in Little Rock.
A 2017 KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOL GRAD IS MISS COLLEGIATE AMERICA 2020. Ronelle Kahanuolaikealomahina Valera won the national title in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday night after winning Miss Collegiate Hawaiʻi and competing against candidates from every state and Guam. See the video of her receiving the crown here.
Masked beauty queen Ronelle Valera.
     Valera. 21, graduated from Kamehameha in Keaʻau in 2017, where she played on the Varsity Softball team. She is a student at Warner Pacific University in Portland, OR where she majors in social work.
     Valera has worked in San Francisco with the homeless through Project Open Hand and in Costa Rica on a mission. In July, as Miss Collegiate Hawaiʻi, she created and donated busy boards to residents of the Yukio Okutsa Veterans Home in Hilo. She also launched a campaign against bullying.
     Winners were judged on Interview (40 percent), Evening Gown (40 percent), and Fashion Runway (20 percent). Valera won a new JL Jeep Wrangler Sport and $100,000 in scholarships, trips, wardrobe, travel, service, and additional prizes.
Ronelle Kahanuolaikealomahina Valera (left) donates busy boards to residents of the Yukio Yotsuka Veteran's Home as
Miss Collegiate Hawaiʻi in July. She won the national title Miss Collegiate America on Saturday.
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.

"I GUESS I HAD TO GET COVID TO MAKE MY POINT," Lt. Gov. Josh Green said in an interview with Good Morning Hawaiʻi yesterday. He told KITV-4's Annalisa Burgos the news didn't come as a complete surprise to him and his wife. "Jamie and I always expected that I would test positive for COVID eventually. This was my fifth, maybe sixth test. And I've been getting tested because I wanted to make sure at intervals that I didn't expose anyone. Because a lot of times, this is one of the things we always are preaching, which is you could be an asymptomatic carrier," said Green.

     Green said his security team member felt sick on Tuesday, after driving him from the airport to Kohala and back for his three-day shift at the hospital over Labor Day Weekend. "We were in a car together essentially for an hour driving up the coast and an hour driving back and we were wearing masks -- except we take sips from our coffee and being in a car together, I guess, was enough for that to be the likely way that I caught it."
Lt. Gov. Josh Green, in isolation for COVID-19, during an
interview with KITV-4.
     He said the staff member's wife went to the hospital around Sept. 1 for upper respiratory problems, but her doctor did not have her tested for COVID-19. "If we had known sooner, then he would have taken the weekend off and I likely wouldn't have contracted COVID. She should have gotten tested. There's no question. She got put on some antibiotics, which won't treat a virus, but look, I've been there myself. I've made a judgment call and have to stand by it. I will say that I am very, very permissive about ordering tests and I always have been from the beginning."

     He said a doctor's decision to refrain from ordering a COVID test underscores how fast the virus can spread in a matter of days. Green has potentially exposed his wife and two children, 14 staff members, five Honolulu radio station employees, and staff and patients at Kohala Hospital ER.
     "If you get that test at the right time, you might stop the need for 20 other tests and three other, five other cases, right? So everyone, I hope they'll listen. When they see me promoting 500 contact tracers and 10,000 tests, it's for a reason, for a short time, so that this doesn't happen. And so that we can open the economy and open schools."

     He said Gov. David Ige was likely not exposed by him. "I'm almost certain he couldn't be because we do all of our meetings through zoom or Microsoft teams or whatever. So, for the purposes of continuity of government, we've intentionally not been together in meetings. I know a lot of people think must be the Gov. is pissed at Green again, but it's really... you want both individuals to be healthy just in case, right?"

     Green said he remains positive, is only lightly symptomatic, and that his family is expected to get their tests back today. Hawaiʻi News Now reports the Department of Public Safety says a second deputy sheriff of Green's security detail has tested positive, that one team member is negative, and the rest are still awaiting their results.
      Green also said that the reopening of the state on Oct. 1 for tourism and returning residents with negative COVID tests should move forward. Watch the interview on Good Morning Hawaiʻi here.


OHA Hawaiʻi Island candidate Keola Lindsey
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.

KEOLA LINDSEY AND LANAKILA MANGAUIL ARE VYING FOR THE HAWAIʻI ISLAND OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS SEAT in the General Election.               People can register to vote in the General Election by Monday, Oct. 5 online, https://olvr.hawaii.gov/, or by mail, if postmarked by Oct. 5. As during the Primary, all ballots will be mailed, but voters can still vote in-person at locations in Kona and Hilo, and may register the same day, starting Oct. 20. Ballots should start to arrive around Oct. 16. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

     As of Aug. 8, Lindsey received $3,714.14 in monetary and non-monetary campaign contributions. Of that, about 66 percent, $2,450, were donations of $100 or less. He began his campaign with a zero balance. He received $12,325 in "other" funds, including his own money.
OHA Hawaiʻi Island candidate Lanakila Mangauil
     As of Aug. 8, Mangauil received $13,425.70 in monetary and non-monetary campaign contributions. Of that, about 29 percent, $3,892.70, were donations of $100 or less. He began his campaign with a zero balance. He received $25 in "other" funds, including his own money, and a loan of $600.70.


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JUDGE KAREN TOOKO NAKASONE is the nominee for the Intermediate Court of Appeals.
Judge Karen Tooku Nakasone
Gov. David Ige made the appointment, which requires state Senate approval. Nakasone has served on the First Circuit Court since 2011.
     Previously, she was a deputy public defender with the Office of the Public Defender, and a law clerk with the Intermediate Court of Appeals for the Honorable Simeon R. Acoba, Jr. Nakasone attended the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the University of Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan, and Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania where she earned a B.A. in Political Science. Nakasone earned her J.D. from Boston University School of Law in 1995.
     "I am deeply honored and grateful for this nomination by Governor Ige. I look forward to meeting with the Senate for the confirmation process. It would be a privilege to continue serving the people of Hawaiʻi if confirmed as an ICA judge," said Nakasone.

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It's cool to wear masks to protect teachers, students, and staff at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary through #OurKuleana.

A DISTRIBUTION OF SUPPLIES, PROGRAMS, AND COMPUTERS FOR KAʻŪ HIGH & PĀHALA ELEMENTARY STUDENTS will be held this week.
     For Elementary students, drive-thru pick up will be Thursday, Sept. 17 from  to  at the upper Elementary roundabout, or at the school gym from  to  Parents are encouraged to pick up Grab-and-Go meals before supplies.
     For Middle and High School students, distribution is based on the students' physical address and last name.
     Nāʻālehu residents pick up at the Clubhouse Parking Lot Tuesday, Sept. 15.  is for last names beginning with A or B;  C-J;  K-N; and  O-Z.

     Ocean View residents pick up at St. Jude's Church Wednesday, Sept. 16.  is for last names beginning with A-D;  E-K;  L-O; and  P-Z.

     Pāhala residents pick up at the school gym Thursday, Sept. 17.  or 

     Those unable to attend their scheduled pick up times can pick up during the Elementary times on Sept. 17.
     All Centers for Disease Control & Prevention guidelines must be followed and masks must be worn at all times. See photos of KHPES teachers following mask rules above and below.
     Questions? Call 313-4100 or go to khpes.org.

The staff at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary sport their masks in style through #OurKuleana.

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THE FIRST HAWAIʻI ISLAND COVID-19 FATALITY NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE VETERANS HOME is reported today. The state's official death toll since the pandemic began is 97, with one on Hawaiʻi Island and one on Oʻahu reported today. Twelve others have died on Hawaiʻi island, two reported by the Veterans Home today, all residents of Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo.
     Since the pandemic began, there have been 10,700 cases, 114 new today. Department of Health reports 3,565 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are more than 7,000 active cases in isolation. Hawaiʻi Island reports 15 new cases, Maui County two, and Oʻahu 95.
     Eighteen Hawaiʻi Islandresidents are hospitalized, six in ICU. Visitation at HiloMedicalCenterhas been paused, with the exception of one visitor for OB, pediatrics, and end-of-life patients.

    In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; 96737 with Ocean View; 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, Wood Valley; and 96785 with Volcano Village. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date. Other areas shaded gray have no or very little population and no cases.

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray

areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases.

Yellow is one to 20 cases. Pale orange is 21 to 60 cases. Medium

orange is 61 to 100 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 101 to 160 

cases. Bright red is 161 to 240 cases. Dark red (not pictured)

is 241 to 590 cases. Department of Health map

     Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 9,654 cases, Hawaiʻi Island 587, Maui County 375, and Kauaʻi 58. Twenty-six victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 636 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.

     All beach and shoreline parks on Hawaiʻi Island are closed through Sept. 19. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited.

     Hawaiʻi Island Police will continue their enforcement of the preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, Police Officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help."

     Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island "reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Island as the virus remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe." See hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense.

     See the Hawai‘i County COVID-19 webpage at

https://coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.
     COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 6,513,489 – about 23 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 194,018 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 28.85 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 921,619.


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ʻAlalā in the enclosure can get to know ʻAlalā that have already been released, before being released themselves. 
Photo from San Diego Zoo Global
Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year
This time last year, the ʻAlalā Project released a third cohort of the endangered Hawaiian crows into the wild. The birds are released into Puʻu Makaʻala Natural Area Reserve. Milestones for the project include the formation of breeding pairs and construction of the first wild nests in almost 20 years. The group recently hosted a webinar. Watch it here.
     The ʻAlalā Project field team processed some "difficult challenges" during their reintroduction efforts last year. Mele, a male from the 2017 cohort, was found dead, with wounds suggesting he was depredated by an ʻIo. Another 2017 cohort male, Kalokomaikaʻi, had received care at the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center after having some minor injuries in the wild. A 2017 cohort female, ʻAwa, was not located after her transmitter stopped emitting a signal.
ʻAlalā pairing up in the wild. Photo from San Diego Zoo Global

     In a Facebook post, the group said: "The potential for loss in reintroductions is a reality, and the reasons for loss are often part of the ecosystem as well. We appreciate all of the support that our followers have shown throughout the reintroduction efforts. We are all working together to strengthen the community and provide ʻAlalā with the resources they need to thrive again in their forest homes... It is important to learn as much information from these situations for use in guiding ongoing and future release efforts to make them more successful. The road to species recovery is challenging and it can take many years for the species to establish."
     The ʻAlalā Project site states that the crows "are considered a keystone species." This is a species on which other species in an ecosystem depend on for things such as food, shelter, or help spreading their seeds. "If these types of species are removed, the ecosystem would change drastically. Another important keystone species in Hawaiʻi is ʻōhiʻa lehua, Metrosideros polymorpha. ʻŌhiʻa is often considered one of the most important native Hawaiian trees. These trees can be found from sea level up to 9,000 feet in elevation and are often one of the first plants to grow on fresh lava substrate. ʻŌhiʻa forests make up part of the natural habitat for the ʻAlalā. They help to provide shelter from predators as well as a food source for the birds."
     See more at facebook.com/alalaproject.

Life stages of ʻAlalā. Photo from San Diego Zoo Global


directory for 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.

EVENTS
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Virtual Advisory Council Meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 15 Presentations will include acoustic research, a proposal for voluntary speed regulations for ocean-going vessels in the sanctuary. Register in advance here.


ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Food Giveaway in Nāʻālehu, Friday, Sept. 18 at  Pick-up will be at the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market location. Ingredients for a hamburger steak dinner for four will consist of 2 lbs. of ground beef, gravy mix (just add 1 cup of water), onion, and rice to be distributed.

Catalyst Abstract Watercolor Workshop with Patti Pease Johnson on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Dine In or Order To Go Oktoberfest Meals from Crater Rim Café in Kīlauea Military Camp on Saturday, Sept. 19 from  to 8 p.m. Menu offers Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Bockwurst, German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut, Tossed Salad, and German Chocolate Cake. $14.95 per person. Call 967-8356 to book a reservation for dine-in or place a grab-and-go order. Face coverings and 6 feet social distancing are required in common areas. KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply.


Submit Comments and Questions about Hawaiian Electric's Keāhole Battery Storage Project through Saturday, Sept. 26. The utility submitted an application to the Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 28 for a first-of-its-kind on-island, 12-megawatt, 12-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System to help stabilize the power grid for the whole island, reducing the likelihood of customer outages. Virtual public meetings on both projects were held earlier this year and video replays of the discussions, along with the PUC applications and project details, can be found at www.hawaiianelectric.com/selfbuildprojects. Comments and questions can be submitted to keaholebess@hawaiianelectric.com and will be included in the application to PUC.


Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, .AI, .EPS or PNG with a quality of at least 1500px x 1500px and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.

COVID-19 Information for Farm Workers Poster. English: https://bit.ly/2F3gJ3u;
English/Spanish: https://bit.ly/2Z0cihc; English/Marshallese: https://bit.ly/2QLbybk
ONGOING

Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at  Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, and questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.

Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, , at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.

Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, will be available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island soon. Subjects are Homework Help, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.


Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.

     In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from  to  Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.

     In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from  to  Support is provided by Carla Lind.

     In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.

     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.

     All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.


Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts at https://member.everbridge.net/index/482552460607505#/signup. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.

Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at , with Worship Service starting at  The only time a face covering is needed is when the usher comes to the vehicle to pass out the worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at  and Praise Jam, which runs from  to  Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, us02web.zoom.us/j/6843449828?pwd=YW94djVvU0szOGNKaFZ1V0pUL1owUT09, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

One-Time Emergency Food for people is available through Big Island Giving Tree. Emergency food for pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

Food Basket Distribution last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. Another distribution will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Volcano Village's Cooper Center, from  until pau. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center Tuesday through Saturday  Call ahead, 967-7800.

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, , closed Saturday and Sunday. The Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open Wednesday through Sunday, , closed Monday and Tuesday. Virtual Shopping Appointments are offered at Volcano Art Center locations. Via Skype or FaceTime, a VAC associate helps customers browse the selection of artwork up close, and gives personalized tips and recommendations to help customers "find that perfect piece of locally made artwork, wherever you are in the world!" Book appointment online for $5 and VAC staff will help schedule a date and time at volcanoartcenter.org/shop. Shop the online gallery 24/7. Orders are shipped as regularly scheduled. Free local pickup is available.VAC now offers a Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. 

volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Ocean View Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 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.

Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays (starting next Wednesday, Aug. 12), , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks are mandatory. Limit of people is 100. Social distancing is required. Gate will be unlocked for vendors at  Vendors can show up without a reservation for now, with $15 dollars. Parking is in the upper lot; parking on the side of the road is prohibited. All vendors must provide their own sanitizer. All food vendors must have the permits required for the items that you are selling. Vendors and attendees are encouraged to carpool.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,  to . 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. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together at chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home, using neuroscience and positive psychology, children and parents alike can learn to better understand themselves and each other. The program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics," to teach families "how to manage their emotions, communicate in healthier ways, and create a nurturing environment focused on the things that matter most." Sign up at https://chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home/.


ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides for Chromebooks and iPads given out to distance learning students enrolled in Kaʻū public schools. The website is open to the public here. ʻOhana Help Desk is also available to students and parents by phone, Mondays through Fridays, , and on Sundays from  to  It is closed on Saturdays and state holidays.


Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab operates weekdays from  to  at St. Jude's lower parking lot. It is open to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.


Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries are open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons may 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, they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff, or they may go in-person to request items, without placing a hold. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Both locations are also open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi is available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot by using their library card and PIN. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.


Free Book Exchanges, at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, 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.

Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13, at  Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.


Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues, through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Access these remote services by completing the webform at hawaiifirstfcu.com/community-resource-center or by calling 808-933-6600 to sign up. The Financial Navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across the County can also refer clients directly to a Financial Navigator. For more information, contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub. Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources. Developed by the Sexual and Gender Minority Workgroup in partnership with the DOH Harm Reduction Services Branch. Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov/harmreduction/sexual-gender-minority/sexual-and-gender-minorities-sgm-in-hawaii/.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Kahalo Center says database consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. U.S. Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs is developing a list of Native Hawaiian farmers willing to sell direct to consumers through the On-Farm Market Directory. On-farm markets are managed by a single farm operator that sells products on their farm, or on a property next to their farm. Some on-farm markets may also deliver or ship their goods directly to consumers. Visit the program website for more information and to register: ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/onfarm.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Owners can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. They offer help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature to help find information that applies to the searcher.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. See https://kohalacenter.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=54bdd67c601f0c0d3ea430053&id=9e1691c22d&e=0e3fe20c1f.

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.






Ka‘ū News Briefs, Monday, September 14, 2020

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Waikapuna is one of the Kaʻū Coastal properties supported by the 2% Land Fund, which is the subject of two Hawaiʻi County Charter Amendments in the General Election. See more below. Hawaiʻi County photo
ENTERING HAWAIʻI WITHOUT QUARANTINE WILL LIKELY be delayed past Oct. 1, said Gov. David Ige today. The program to allow entry with proof of a negative COVID test was proposed for June 1, planned for Aug. 1, delayed for Sept. 1, and again to Oct. 1, as the number of COVID cases soared in Hawaiʻi and availability of timely testing became a challenge. The governor said there will be a better assessment of when to launch the plan within a few days.
     In recent days, however, Lt. Gov. Josh Green, MD, has proclaimed tests acceptable and the program safe enough to proceed. Even with his recent positive test for the virus, he said he hoped for the Oct. 1 opening of for tourism and the economy. The Hawaiʻi Island economy is also hampered by a two-week quarantine for anyone coming here from another Hawaiian island. It was reinstated Aug. 11. See the governor discussing the situation in a Star-Advertiser interview this morning.

Kāwā, in Kaʻū, is one of the spaces preserved for all to enjoy by the
2% Land Fund.
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TWO CHARTER AMENDMENTS SUPPORTING ACQUISITION AND STEWARDSHIP OF PUBLIC LANDS through the 2% Fund will be on the General Election ballots that arrive in the mail beginning Wednesday, Oct. 16.
     Most of the more than 7,700 acres preserved on Hawaiʻi Island with 2% Land Funds are in Kaʻū. They are Kāwā, Waikapuna, and Kahuku Coastal, along with the Makahiki Grounds at Kahu Olohu. They were purchased and are maintained, in part, through two percent of property taxes, collected each year in Hawaiʻi County.
     The Charter Amendments are proposed by Save Our Lands Citizens' Committee whose volunteers helped establish Hawaiʻi County's Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources 2% Land Fund. Save Our Lands successfully spearheaded the drive for signatures that put the Charter Amendments on the ballot.
     Save Our Lands released a statement saying one of the Charter Amendments would allow the 2% Land Fund to pay for a county staff person. A person working full time on 2% lands would serve the goals: "More properties purchased; more matching funds obtained; and more Maintenance Funds granted to the non-profits to care for lands purchased with 2%t funds."
The largest areas of land preserved by the 2% Land Fund are in Kaʻū.
Hawaiʻi County map
     The other Charter Amendment would allow nonprofits caring for 2% Land Fund acquisitions to receive stewardship grants to make improvements like paths, trails, and small structures for education or storage, and build, rent, or lease restrooms. It would allow non-profits to pay workers, including those who are board members. It would move administration of the Maintenance Fund from the Department of Parks & Recreation to the Department of Finance.  It would aim to streamline, and further define and expedite, the Stewardship Grant process, allowing more oversight by citizens.

     Lands across the island in recent years have been acquired with over $27.4 million from the 2% Land Fund, $8.8 million in grants and matching funds, and $2 million from private funds. Income from two percent of property taxes in Hawaiʻi County amounts to approximately $5 million a year.

     Debbie Hecht, Campaign Manager for the Save our Lands Citizens' Committee since 2006, says, "So far the 2% Land Fund has saved more than 7,700 acres of open space and parklands that will be enjoyed by citizens of the BigIsland forever!" She urges supporters to sign up for the email list by emailing her at hecht.deb@gmail.com. See more at debbiehecht.com.

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Scientists found phosphine gas in Venus' atmosphere, which may indicate life on the planet. 
PLANET-C Project Team/JAXA photo

A HAWAIʻI TELESCOPE HAS FOUND HINTS OF LIFE IN THE SKIES OF PLANET VENUS. Discovery of the rare gaseous compound, phosphine, in the clouds of Venus is described in a paper published in the journal Nature Astronomy. An international team of scientists used the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope on Maunakea to look for extraterrestrial "aerial" life, according to the paper. On Earth, phosphine, a gas of hydrogen and phosphorus, is produced naturally only by microbes that exist in oxygen-free environments.
     The James Clerk Maxwell Telescope is the largest single-dish astronomical telescope in the world designed specifically to operate in the submillimeter wavelength region of the electromagnetic spectrum. It was one of the observatories used to image a black hole last year.
     After finding phosphine on Venus from Hawaiʻi Island in 2017, scientists confirmed the data using the 45 telescopes of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array in Chile, in 2019. Both facilities saw faint absorption at the right wavelength to be phosphine gas, with molecules backlit by warmer clouds below.

     Jessica Dempsey, JCMT's deputy director, said, "These results are incredible. They have implications in the search for life outside our solar system."

     Speculation that high clouds on Venus might harbor microbes has been entertained by astronomers since at least 1967, when Carl Sagan and Harold Morowitz wrote in the journal Nature. When Cardiff University's Jane Greaves asked Dempsey for telescope time to search for phosphine, Dempsey said, "It was so crazy that you could only do what they wanted to do at two or three telescopes on the entire planet, and the others said no."
     However, Greaves had worked at JCMT in the 90s, so the telescope was pointed at Venus for five days in 2017. She found phosphine in Venus' midlatitude layer of clouds, about 31 to 37 miles above the planet's surface.

     The instrument used on Maunakea was recently replaced by Namakanui, a newer, more powerful device. Named by associate professor of Hawaiian language and Hawaiian studies at Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, Larry Kimura, it has taken additional measurements of Venus.

     Dempsey suggested the close proximity of Venus may allow a probe to be sent to collect samples, and that the trip could take only three to four months. One author of the paper is former UH-Hilo astronomy student E'Lisa Lee.
     Read more on the discovery at Honolulu Star-AdvertiserNational Geographic, and Nature Astronomy.

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THE FILIPINO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS OFFERING THE KINABUKASAN SERIES Financial Literacy Program. The next one is online this Wednesday, Sept. entitled Import 101 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Kinabukasan is a Tagalog word that means tomorrow and looking to the future. the program intends to empower individuals and small business owners to make informed choices and actions. "The good is to improve the financial well-being for their families, businesses, and communities."
     Import 101 is for anyone interested in importing goods to Hawaiʻi and will help with start-up requirements, and dealing with customs, brokers, and best practices. Facilitators will be Jeoffrey Cudiamat and Cindy Matsuki, and presenters Gary Hamakawa, founder of GHG Global LLC; Matt Leaverton, Customs Broker; and Melody Calisay, owner of East West Marketing. See more at www.filipinochamber.org.

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AN ECONOMIC PULSE INDEX has been launched by University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization to monitor Hawaiʻi's economy during the pandemic of COVID-19.
     The UHERO Pulse Index uses 18 metrics such as the number of passengers coming into the state by air, the percentage of businesses open compared to January, before the pandemic began, and the number of residents receiving unemployment insurance benefits.

UHERO reports on many metrics to help good decision-making during the pandemic. See the UHERO
Economic Pulse index 
here.
     Through its index, UHERO concluded that Hawaiʻi's economy started to recover following the start of the pandemic in March, the recovery statistics reflecting employment through the Paycheck Protection Program. With its expiration and more COVID in Hawaiʻi, the economy contracted.
     A statement from HERO says the index frequently updates with broad sourcing of indicators to give an idea of the impact and course of the economy through the pandemic in order to help with policy and business decisions.

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HAWAIʻI RANKS LOW IN VACCINATIONS. ITS RANKING IS 43RD in the nation, according to a WalletHub story released today. The state where the most people receive vaccinations is Massachusetts, followed by Vermont, New Hampshire, North Dakota, and Rhode Island. The states with fewer people than Hawaiʻi getting vaccinations are South Carolina, Alaska, Nevada, Wyoming, Texas, New Jersey, and Georgia, and the state with the fewest residents getting vaccinations - Mississippi.
     Hawaiʻi ranks 50th in Lowest Share of Children Under Six Years Old Participating in an Immunization Information System, 39th for Children & Teenagers Immunization, 33rd in Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rate, and 43rd in Immunization Uptake Disparities & Influencing Factors.
     WalletHub released the study, noting that one in three Americans say they wouldn't get vaccinated even though multiple companies are racing to develop effective COVID-19 vaccines. It advocates for taking vaccinations, saying, "Vaccinations are some of the most valuable contributions to modern medicine. They have drastically reduced the prevalence of certain diseases, including polio, tetanus, measles, and chickenpox. One disease, smallpox, has even been eradicated completely, with no natural cases since 1977. Now, as the COVID-19 pandemic ravages the U.S., the race to develop a vaccine quickly – but with a high efficacy – is well underway. It's likely that we could have a COVID-19 vaccine available to the public by next year.
     "Unfortunately, even if we develop an effective vaccine to combat the pandemic, it will have a reduced impact if people don't choose to get it. According to Gallup, 35 percent of Americans would not get a COVID-19 vaccine, even if it were free."
      See the methodology at https://wallethub.com/edu/states-that-vaccinate-the-most/66237/.


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FREE DRIVE-THRU COVID-19 TESTING will be held in Keaʻau tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 16-725 Keaʻau Pāhoa Road. Conducted by Premier Medical Group, no insurance is necessary but attendees are asked to bring insurance cards of they have. Questions? Call 808-213-6444.

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TWO DOZEN VETERANS ADMINISTRATION experts in disease are expected to arrive this week to help stop the spread of COVID-19 at Yokio Okatsu Veterans Home in Hilo. Mayor Harry Kim called for a change in the administration of the Veterans Home, which is a state facility managed by Avalon. Avalon's facilities have witnessed the 13 deaths at the Hilo Veterans home and eight at its two facilities on Oʻahu.

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"YOU DON'T WANT TO GET IT," says an anonymous woman in an article by West Hawaiʻi Today'sNancy Cook Lauer. She interviewed one man and one woman, both unrelated residents of Hawaiʻi Island, who recently came out of isolation for COVID-19.

     In the article, Cook Lauer records their responses. Both said contact tracing for isolating residents who test positive in Hawaiʻi isn't thorough. They both had advice for public and government agencies, and both said that free testing is a step in the right direction, reported Cook Lauer.
     The man said a self-administered rapid-response test, with a half-hour turnaround time, he told Cook Lauer, even if the test isn't as accurate, would be better than the four to five days it took his wife to get her test results. "The whole thing definitely needs some refining. People could be administering their own test and get ahead of the curve. I think basically people want to do the right thing."

     The woman said, "Government needs to start communicating about resources – here's a mental health hot-line, here's some breathing exercises, here's how you get groceries. What they're doing, they're promoting fear."

     Of her illness, the woman said, "I kept waiting for the worst day, and then it doesn't happen. For the most part, it wasn't terrible. But recovery is much longer than you think."

Mayor Harry Kim set up a new Hawaiʻi Island
Central Command Post for COVID at Aunty Sally's
     Both said isolation and quarantine periods are difficult on families, as "members of their households who tested negative couldn't end their own quarantine period until 14 days after the last positive member of the household had completed their 10-day quarantine," reported Cook Lauer. That left the woman's husband out of work for more than a month, she said.
     Cook Lauer also reported that both residents were concerned about the stigma of COVID, and that their co-workers were, too. "It's cooties times a thousand," the man told Cook Lauer, describing how friends and acquaintances reacted to him once he came out of quarantine.
     Mayor Harry Kim told Cook Lauer the new Hawaiʻi Island Central Command Post is meant to help coordinate county, state, federal, and private sectors entities coordinate COVID-19 spread mitigation efforts. Located at Aunty Sally Kaleohano's Luau Hale in Hilo, it houses staff working on contact tracing and monitoring of incoming passengers; designing education; and coordinating enforcement, quarantine and isolation facilities, hospitalizations, and care facilities. Kim said some 15 new contact tracers, to keep tabs on the increases expected should tourism reopen Oct. 1, began setting up in the Center last week. Read the story here.


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Office of Hawaiian Affairs At-Large 
candidate Keliʻi Akina

INCUMBENT KELIʻI AKINA AND KEONI SOUZA ARE RUNNING FOR THE OPEN AT-LARGE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS. People can register to vote in the General Election by Monday, Oct. 5 online, https://olvr.hawaii.gov/, or if postmarked by that date via mail. As during the Primary, all ballots will be mailed, but voters can still vote in-person at locations in Kona and Hilo, and may register the same day, starting Oct. 20. Ballots should start to arrive around Oct. 16. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

     As of Aug. 8, Akina received $120,193 in monetary and non-monetary campaign contributions. Of that, about 12 percent, $14,687, were donations of $100 or less. He began his campaign with a balance of $3,994.73. He received $6,050 in contributions from family; $1,182.55 in "other" funds, including his own money; and $3,789.35 in loans.

     As of Aug. 8, Souza received $33,274 in monetary and non-monetary campaign contributions. Of that, about 4 percent, $1,374, were donations of $100 or less. He began his campaign with a zero balance. He received $500 in funds from family.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs At-Large 
candidate Keoni Souza

     Akina is endorsed by Retired State Senator and former Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Malama Solomon. Akina is endorsed by Paul Mossman, who ran unsuccessfully against Akina in the 2016 primary, said “Under Dr. Akina’s stewardship we can expect OHA resources to be put to use promoting the best cultural and economic benefit for those of native Hawaiian ancestry, which in turn, will help promote the general peace and prosperity of all citizens of our State." He is also endorsed by Kealiʻi Makekau a well-known Hawaiian activist who also ran against Akina in the 2016 OHA Primary Election. "Akina has been able to listen to the requests and will of the Hawaiian people. I believe Keliʻi Akina is the best qualified of the two candidates. With a strong presence like Akina, the existing weaknesses we currently find with the OHA Board of Trustees will cease to exist."
     Souza is endorsed by American Federation of Labor & Congress of Industrial Organization, Hawaiʻi Teamsters and Allied Workers, and International Longshore and Warehouse Union.


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THE SIX-MONTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PANDEMIC on Sunday coincided with the highest one-day COVID-19 case count worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.

     Hawaiʻi's statewide death toll is holding steady from yesterday's official count of 99, according to Department of Health, the first day in three weeks without a new death reported.

     Since the pandemic began, there have been 10,779 COVID cases in the state, 80 new today. Department of Health reports 3,693 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are more than 6,980 active cases in isolation. Hawaiʻi Island reports seven new cases, Maui County three, and Oʻahu 70.

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray

areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases.

Yellow is one to 20 cases. Pale orange is 21 to 60 cases. Medium

orange is 61 to 90 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 91 to 180 

cases. Bright red is 181 to 320 cases. Dark red (not pictured)

is 321 to 580 cases. Department of Health map

     Visitation at HiloMedicalCenterhas been paused, with the exception of one visitor for OB, pediatrics, and end-of-life patients.

    In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; 96737 with Ocean View; 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, Wood Valley; and 96785 with Volcano Village. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date. Other areas shaded gray have no or very little population and no cases.

     Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 9,723 cases, Hawaiʻi Island 594, Maui County 378, and Kauaʻi 58. Twenty-six victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 638 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.

     All beach and shoreline parks on Hawaiʻi Island are closed through Sept. 19. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited.

     Hawaiʻi Island Police will continue their enforcement of the preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, Police Officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help."

     Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island "reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Island as the virus remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe." See hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense.

     See the Hawai‘i County COVID-19 webpage at

https://coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.
     COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 6,550,629 – about 23 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 194,411 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 29.14 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 925,947.


directory for 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.

EVENTS
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Virtual Advisory Council Meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 15 Presentations will include acoustic research, a proposal for voluntary speed regulations for ocean-going vessels in the sanctuary. Register in advance here.


ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Food Giveaway in Nāʻālehu, Friday, Sept. 18 at  Pick-up will be at the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market location. Ingredients for a hamburger steak dinner for four will consist of 2 lbs. of ground beef, gravy mix (just add 1 cup of water), onion, and rice to be distributed.

Catalyst Abstract Watercolor Workshop with Patti Pease Johnson on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Dine In or Order To Go Oktoberfest Meals from Crater Rim Café in Kīlauea Military Camp on Saturday, Sept. 19 from  to 8 p.m. Menu offers Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Bockwurst, German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut, Tossed Salad, and German Chocolate Cake. $14.95 per person. Call 967-8356 to book a reservation for dine-in or place a grab-and-go order. Face coverings and 6 feet social distancing are required in common areas. KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply.


Submit Comments and Questions about Hawaiian Electric's Keāhole Battery Storage Project through Saturday, Sept. 26. The utility submitted an application to the Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 28 for a first-of-its-kind on-island, 12-megawatt, 12-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System to help stabilize the power grid for the whole island, reducing the likelihood of customer outages. Virtual public meetings on both projects were held earlier this year and video replays of the discussions, along with the PUC applications and project details, can be found at www.hawaiianelectric.com/selfbuildprojects. Comments and questions can be submitted to keaholebess@hawaiianelectric.com and will be included in the application to PUC.


Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, .AI, .EPS or PNG with a quality of at least 1500px x 1500px and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.

COVID-19 Information for Farm Workers Poster. English: https://bit.ly/2F3gJ3u;
English/Spanish: https://bit.ly/2Z0cihc; English/Marshallese: https://bit.ly/2QLbybk
ONGOING

Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at  Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, and questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.

Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, , at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.

Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, will be available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island soon. Subjects are Homework Help, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.


Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.

     In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from  to  Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.

     In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from  to  Support is provided by Carla Lind.

     In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.

     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.

     All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.


Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts at https://member.everbridge.net/index/482552460607505#/signup. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.

Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at , with Worship Service starting at  The only time a face covering is needed is when the usher comes to the vehicle to pass out the worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at  and Praise Jam, which runs from  to  Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, us02web.zoom.us/j/6843449828?pwd=YW94djVvU0szOGNKaFZ1V0pUL1owUT09, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

One-Time Emergency Food for people is available through Big Island Giving Tree. Emergency food for pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

Food Basket Distribution last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. Another distribution will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Volcano Village's Cooper Center, from  until pau. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center Tuesday through Saturday  Call ahead, 967-7800.

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, , closed Saturday and Sunday. The Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open Wednesday through Sunday, , closed Monday and Tuesday. Virtual Shopping Appointments are offered at Volcano Art Center locations. Via Skype or FaceTime, a VAC associate helps customers browse the selection of artwork up close, and gives personalized tips and recommendations to help customers "find that perfect piece of locally made artwork, wherever you are in the world!" Book appointment online for $5 and VAC staff will help schedule a date and time at volcanoartcenter.org/shop. Shop the online gallery 24/7. Orders are shipped as regularly scheduled. Free local pickup is available.VAC now offers a Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. 

volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Ocean View Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 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.

Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays (starting next Wednesday, Aug. 12), , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks are mandatory. Limit of people is 100. Social distancing is required. Gate will be unlocked for vendors at  Vendors can show up without a reservation for now, with $15 dollars. Parking is in the upper lot; parking on the side of the road is prohibited. All vendors must provide their own sanitizer. All food vendors must have the permits required for the items that you are selling. Vendors and attendees are encouraged to carpool.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,  to . 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. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together at chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home, using neuroscience and positive psychology, children and parents alike can learn to better understand themselves and each other. The program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics," to teach families "how to manage their emotions, communicate in healthier ways, and create a nurturing environment focused on the things that matter most." Sign up at https://chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home/.


ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides for Chromebooks and iPads given out to distance learning students enrolled in Kaʻū public schools. The website is open to the public here. ʻOhana Help Desk is also available to students and parents by phone, Mondays through Fridays, , and on Sundays from  to  It is closed on Saturdays and state holidays.


Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab operates weekdays from  to  at St. Jude's lower parking lot. It is open to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.


Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries are open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons may 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, they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff, or they may go in-person to request items, without placing a hold. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Both locations are also open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi is available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot by using their library card and PIN. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.


Free Book Exchanges, at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, 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.

Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13, at  Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.


Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues, through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Access these remote services by completing the webform at hawaiifirstfcu.com/community-resource-center or by calling 808-933-6600 to sign up. The Financial Navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across the County can also refer clients directly to a Financial Navigator. For more information, contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub. Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources. Developed by the Sexual and Gender Minority Workgroup in partnership with the DOH Harm Reduction Services Branch. Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov/harmreduction/sexual-gender-minority/sexual-and-gender-minorities-sgm-in-hawaii/.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Kahalo Center says database consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. U.S. Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs is developing a list of Native Hawaiian farmers willing to sell direct to consumers through the On-Farm Market Directory. On-farm markets are managed by a single farm operator that sells products on their farm, or on a property next to their farm. Some on-farm markets may also deliver or ship their goods directly to consumers. Visit the program website for more information and to register: ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/onfarm.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Owners can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. They offer help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature to help find information that applies to the searcher.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. See https://kohalacenter.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=54bdd67c601f0c0d3ea430053&id=9e1691c22d&e=0e3fe20c1f.

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Ka‘ū News Briefs, Tuesday, September 15, 2020

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Socially distant, Guardians of the Trails will work through November to maintain trails

in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park through Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, thanks to a grant

from National Park Foundation and Nature Valley. See more, below. FHVNP photo
ON NĀ LEO TV, MAYOR HARRY KIM SHARED DEEP FEELINGS ABOUT THE MANY COVID-19 DEATHS AT THE VETERANS HOME in Hilo. Interviewed on Stacy Higa's Aupuni Connections show on Monday, Kim said he feels "very, very bad."
     The mayor explained the history of the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home as he and fellow veterans fought to put the state's only Veterans Home in Hilo, where veterans' loved ones would be "be glad to send them because we would treat them like family."
     Concerning the COVID outbreak and deaths at the Veterans Home over the last month, Kim said, "To say that disappointment is felt is not even remotely close to what you want to say." He said the 12th death on Sunday sparked him to say, "God forgive me for not doing the right thing." He said he felt he let the veterans down and should have asked for VA help earlier.
     Kim told Higa that visits to the Veterans Home by the state Department of Health and VA last week generated too many reports and not enough action. He called for a complete removal of administration of the Veterans Home until after the investigation and report is complete.
Mayor Harry Kim, left, and Stacy Higa, on Aupuni Connections
yesterday. Watch the Nā Leo TV video.
     Kim told Higa that Thursday and Friday, a larger VA team will fly in from the mainland to "address the situation." He said the VA may transfer Veterans Home residents who are COVID-negative to a different location.
     Higa asked Kim, "What do you think we can do to help keep our people and community safe?"
     Kim praised Hawaiʻi Island residents for restraint during the Labor Day holiday, particularly in taking precautions and respecting beach closures. He mentioned #OurKuleana, the social media campaign to normalize mask-wearing - a campaign popularized by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.
     He said increased testing on Hawaiʻi Island is helping efforts against COVID, and "we're going to continue this until we don't need to." Kim encouraged the public to remember "how easy this can spread;" people should get tested to locate infections. Higa and Kim both noted that tests can be taken at no cost and that testing results are confidential. Kim said he thinks about 40,000 of about 200,000 people on Hawaiʻi Island have been tested.

     As of today, 14 veterans have died in the Veterans Home. Since the outbreak began in late August, 68 residents and 30 staff tested positive for COVID-19. Of those residents, 34 are being cared for at the facility in a dedicated COVID unit, four are being cared for at the hospital, and 16 residents and five employees have recovered.

     Watch the whole interview here, or on channel 54 today at , tomorrow at , Sept. 17 at , Sept. 18 at , or Sept. 19 at



HAWAIʻI HAS THE MOST RESTRICTIONS IN THE COUNTRY TO FIGHT COVID-19, according to a WalletHub analysis released today. To identify which states have fewest and most coronavirus restrictions, WalletHub compared 50 states and District of Columbia across 17 metrics. The data set ranges from whether the state has any penalties for non-compliance with COVID-19 legislation to whether the state has required face masks in public and health checks at restaurants.
     Hawaiʻi ranks 51st for the fewest restrictions among states and Washington, D.C. Hawaiʻi preciously ranked 37th and moved to the most restricted place due in part to limitations of large gatherings to 10 or fewer, regional closures as schools reopen, and new service limits for reopening restaurants and bars, along with the interisland quarantine. Since May 5, Hawaiʻi has ranked within the top five most restrictive states, with the exception of ranking 37th and 38th from July 21 to Aug. 11. See the full report here.

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Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park CEO Elizabeth Fien and Park rangers transport Guardians of the Trails 
in spacious vans, one person to a bench, to keep socially distant. FHVNP photo
A $150,000 GRANT TO FRIENDS OF HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK was given by National Park Foundation and food company NatureValley. The Service Corp grant supports FHVNP's inaugural Guardians of the Trails Youth Program. FHVNP launched the Program with a commitment to "restore and maintain 150 miles of front country and backcountry trails in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. We knew the importance of creating 21st Century stewards, so we launched the youth program in 2020," says the announcement.

     With this funding, FHVNP hired six youth ages 17-25 to work with the Park's Natural Resource Management Division. The youth started work on June 29 and will work through November. They are well on their way to clearing invasive plant species from over five miles of Park trails.

     "These paid internships could not have come at a better time. With COVID-19, employment for youth is almost non-existent. For most of the youth, this is their first paid job. All have indicated they are saving for college, helping their families with groceries and other living expenses," says the FHVNP announcement.
     FHVNP's CEO Elizabeth Fien said, "It gives me great pleasure to see a successful program during these difficult times. I am constantly amazed to see these youth mature and take pride in their work. We are grateful to the National Park Foundation and Nature Valley for their generous support."
Masked and socially distant but working together, Guardians of the Trails travel to remote places to maintain trails 
in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park through Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. FHVNP photo
     Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Acting Superintendent Rhonda Loh said, "The Guardians of the Trails Program fosters a new generation of stewards to care for our park. Parks are places of inspiration, and it's really heartwarming to see how this program can make a positive difference in the lives of young people."
     FHVNP follows all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Hawaiʻi state and county guidance. The youth work outdoors, staying 15 feet apart, wear masks when required, and when transported to various sites, sit one youth to a row in the vehicles.
     Donations for the Guardians of the Trails Youth Program can be made at fhvnp.org.


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HELP REMOVE FOUNTAIN GRASS along roadsides in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates from to on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 16 and 17. Participants must register beforehand by calling David Benitez at 808-345-4274 or emailing david_benitez@nps.gov. Meet at at OceanViewCommunity Center. Participants are encouraged to bring lunch, water, hat, and sunscreen.
     Participants must follow all local preventive policies of face coverings, distancing, and gathering size. Participants may not participate if they are ill or suspect exposure to COVID-19, will not share vehicles among groups, and must bring their own supplies for hand washing or sanitation.

     Volunteers are invited to work with the Ocean View Community Association and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park staff to remove the invasive fountain grass, which is a fire safety measure. During the day, volunteers will learn about the increased fire potential caused by fountain grass, and safe methods to remove it.
Register to help remove invasive fountain grass in HOVE tomorrow and Thursday. NPS photo
     Fountain grass, Cenchrus setaceus, is a highly flammable perennial bunchgrass native to Northern Africa. The grass was first brought to Hawaiʻi in the early 1900s, when it was used extensively for landscaping. The grass escaped cultivation and today invasive populations are spreading on the BigIsland, in North Kona, and South Kohala. In these areas, fountain grass can dominate the natural landscape and displace native plants, many of which are threatened with extinction.

     Fountain grass accumulates large volumes of dead biomass and burns rapidly with high intensity. Fountain grass further intensifies fire potential because it is one of the few invasive species that can colonize young lava flows. As a result, wildfires spread unchecked into surrounding forests, pastures, and subdivisions. In August 2005, fountain grass was responsible for the spread of a 25,000-acre wildfire that forced the evacuation of Waikoloa. Fountain grass is targeted in costly control programs on the BigIslandand campaigns to remove incipient populations are underway on Mauiand Oʻahu. The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture has declared fountain grass a noxious weed in the State.
     The best way to control fountain grass is to manually uproot small populations. Seed heads are collected in bags and destroyed to prevent the spread of individuals into new areas. Fountain grass is invading subdivisions in Kaʻū. Small fountain grass populations are found throughout Ocean View, and on adjacent lava flows. If populations are left unchecked, the grass will continue to spread and result in increased fuel loads and fire hazards in subdivisions. Fortunately, in most areas populations are still small, and control efforts to remove or contain the spread of the infestations are still feasible.
     Call David Benitez for assistance removing larger fountain grass populations or plants from residential lots in HOVE, at 808-985-6085.


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GE TAX REVENUES DOVE BY 25 PERCENT IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS. General Excise Taxes help fund state and county government, and the school system, since there is no separate tax for school districts around the state like in other states, which have individual districts with local taxation for them.

      The Council on Revenues met last week, and reported to Gov. David Ige that Fiscal Year 2021 is expected to have an 11 percent revenue loss. The forecast reflects the depressed economic activity resulting from the COVID-19 global pandemic. This is improved from previous estimates, which forecast a 12 percent loss. This is due to $308 million in income tax being shuffled from FY 2020 to FY 2021, because the tax deadline was moved from April to July this year.

     The council forecast an 8.5 percent growth for FY 2022, 6 percent growth for FY 2023, 4 percent growth for FY 2024, and 3 percent growth for FY 2025, 2026, and 2027.
     General Excise Taxes are forecast to decrease from developing affordable rental housing at $23 million for FY 2019,2020,2021, and 2022, and $30 million in FY 2023,, 2024, and 2025. GET is expected to gain from those doing business in the state who have $100,000 or more in gross income, or two hundred or more separate transactions, from the sale of tangible personal property delivered in the State, services used or consumed in the State, or intangible property used in the State, at a rate of $6.8 million in FY 2019, $7.6 million in FY 2020, $7.9 million in FY 2021, $8.1 million in FY 2022, $8.3 million in FY 2023, $8.6 million in FY 2024, and $8.9 million in FY 2025.

     Transient accommodations taxes on resort fees, which began July 1 last year, are expected to bring in a total of $77.2 million through 2026, with $9.1 million expected in FY 2020. TAT on transient accommodations brokers, travel agencies, and tour packages are expected to increase the General Fund at $14.7 million in FY 2019, $36.6 million in FY 2020, $38.0 million in FY 2021, $39.3 million in FY 2022, $40.6 million in FY 2023, $42 million in FY 2024, and $45.6 million in FY 2025. The reduction of TAT to the Convention Center Special Fund and Tourism Special Fund is estimated to cause revenue gain to the General Fund at $13 million per year from FY 2019 to FY 2025.
State Capitol building on Oʻahu.
     In the report, the Council expressed concerns about the prolonged closure of the Hawaiʻi tourism economy and the effects of shutdowns of non-essential businesses due to COVID infection spikes, and the expiration of the federal fiscal stimulus. "There are a number of unknowns that may significantly affect Hawaiʻi's economic activity and State tax collections, like the trajectory of the virus, the availability of a vaccine effective treatment, rapid low-cost testing, the State and Federal government's response to the epidemic, reopening the tourism economy and its timing, and the duration of government shut down measures," wrote the Council.
     Council members also wrote that they have concerns that, once the 14-day quarantine is lifted, tourists may not want to fly to Hawaiʻi for a vacation, weddings, or for business travel, and the tourism experience will likely not be the same due to permanent closures of tourist activities, restaurants, and shopping. "Given the prominent role of tourism in Hawaiʻi's economy, extended delays in the return of visitors will have major impacts on the economy and tax collections." The Council wrote that the state government's role in facilitating visitor arrivals in a safe and orderly manner "is vital for the return of economic growth."
     Read the whole report here.

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SCHOOL ENROLLMENT INCREASED IN THE KAʻŪ-KEAʻAU-PĀHOA COMPLEX AREA, while schools in the other two areas on the island dropped, according to reports at hawaiipublicschools.org. The complexes count students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade, but do not count Charter school enrollment – schools run by independent boards but still funded by taxpayer money – like Volcano School of Arts & Sciences. VSAS has an enrollment of 260 students for the 2020-2021 school year, compared to 223 for the 2019-2020 school year, an increase of 37 students. VolcanoSchooladded 9th and 10th-grade classes this year.

     The Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa complex has an enrollment of 5,501 students for the 2020-2021 school year, compared to 5,457 for the 2019-2020 school year, an increase of 44 students. Nāʻāhala Elementary has an enrollment of 386 students for the 2020-2021 school year, compared to 379 for the 2019-2020 school year, an increase of seven students. Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary has an enrollment of 536 students for the 2020-2021 school year, compared to 500 for the 2019-2020 school year, an increase of 36 students.

     The Honokaʻa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena complex has an enrollment of 9,914 students for the 2020-2021 school year, compared to 10,061 for the 2019-2020 school year, a decrease of 147 students.

     The Hilo-Waiakea complex has an enrollment of 7,749 students for the 2020-2021 school year, compared to 7,893 for the 2019-2020 school year, a decrease of 144 students.
     Statewide, including Charter schools, Hawaiʻi has an enrollment of 174,704 students for the 2020-2021 school year, compared to 179,331 for the 2019-2020 school year, a decrease of 4,627 students.

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VIBRANT HAWAIʻI ZOOMS IN ON COMMUNITY RESILIENCE HUBS this Thursday, Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., with the public invited to join in online. "A resilience hub is a trusted, community-driven and operated space
that supports community pre- and post-disaster. Resilience hubs build healthy, equitably economies by generating and investing a range of capital. Vibrant Hawaiʻi is activating a network of resilience hubs to be both transactional and transformative," says the message from Vibrant Hawaiʻi.
     Sign up here. See more on Vibrant Hawaiʻi and its programs at www.vibranthawaii.org.

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LEARN ABOUT PUBLIC SPEAKING VIRTUALLY in Public Speaking In Our New Virtual Reality workshop on Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The fee is $10. Register here. Facilitated by West Hawai‘i Small Business Development Center, the announcement says, "Over the past months, business owners, and professionals have been unexpectedly thrust into a crash course in our new 'virtual reality.' Being engaging, clear, and authentic in your public speaking and messaging is more important than ever, but also more challenging. In this workshop, participants will learn tips, strategies, and tools for public speaking remotely, so they can do so with confidence and clarity needed to make a lasting impact, and inspire potential clients to take action. Our instructor, Laura Reid, is an award-winning public speaker and a real treat to listen to and learn from."

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SIX-WAY RACE FOR HAWAIʻI'S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE is on for the General Election. Candidates seeking to represent Kaʻū, Volcano, and all of rural Hawaiʻi are Democrat Kaialiʻi Kahele, presently Hilo's state senator; Republican Joseph Akana, Aloha ʻĀina Party member Jonathan Hoʻomanawanui, Libertarian Michelle Rose Tippens, American Shopping Party member John Giuffre, and Nonpartisan Ron Burrus. The winner will replace Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who is not running for re-election.

     People can register to vote by Monday, Oct. 5 online, https://olvr.hawaii.gov/, or if postmarked by that date via mail. As during the Primary, all ballots will be mailed, but voters can still vote in-person and may register the same day. Ballots should start to arrive around Oct. 16. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Six candidates vying for the U.S. House of Representatives seat for District 2. Photo from pbshawaii.org
     As of July 19, Kahele received $912,033.64 in monetary and non-monetary campaign contributions. Of that, about 1.4 percent, $12,816.53, were contributions of $100 or less.

     As of July 19, Akana received $21,857.74 in monetary and non-monetary campaign contributions. None were contributions of $100 or less.

     As of June 30, Hoʻomanawanui's campaign received $860 in monetary and non-monetary campaign contributions from Hoʻomanawanui.

     Tippens, Giuffre, and Burrus have not filed financial statements yet, but the filing deadline hasn't passed yet.

     Kahele is endorsed by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono; Rep. Ed Case; former governors John Waiheʻe, Ben Cayetano, and Neil Abercrombie; Hawai‘i State Sen. Pres. Ronald Kouchi; Former Lt. Gov. and former state Senate President Shan Tsutsui; Hawaiʻi Sen. Dru Kanuha; Rep. Joy San Buenaventura; Hawai‘i County Councilmember Sue Lee Loy; and many more. See the full list at https://www.kaikahele.com/endorsements/public-endorsements/. He is also endorsed by Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders Rising & Empowering, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Demand Universal Healthcare, Human Rights Campaign PCA, VoteVets.org, Progressive Caucus, Daily Kos, Serve America, New Politics, LCV Action Fund, People for the American Way, Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Brady PAC, Friends of Intelligent Democracy, Emgage PAC, and Congressional Black Caucus.
     The other candidates' websites and campaign information do not show endorsements.

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ONE NEW DEATH AT YUKIO OKUTSU STATE VETERANS HOME, and another at Hilo Medical Center not related to the Veterans Home, are reported today, bringing the Veterans Home death count to 14. Hawaiʻi's statewide death toll is 100, with one new death on Oʻahu recorded. The state count does not include all the deaths at the Veterans Home or Hilo Medical Center.

     Since the pandemic began, there have been 10,844 COVID cases in the state, 66 new today. Department of Health reports 3,885 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are more than 6,850 active cases in isolation. Hawaiʻi Island reports six new cases, Oʻahu 70, and one resident was diagnosed while out-of-state. There are 21 people hospitalized with the virus.

    In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; 96737 with Ocean View; 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; and 96785 with Volcano Village. 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, and Wood Valley, has not had any cases in the last 28 days. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date. Other areas shaded gray have no or very little population and no cases.
Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray

areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases.

Yellow is one to 20 cases. Pale orange is 21 to 50 cases. Medium

orange is 51 to 90 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 91 to 170 

cases. Bright red is 171 to 310 cases. Dark red (not pictured)

is 311 to 530 cases. Department of Health map

     Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 9,782 cases, Hawaiʻi Island 599, Maui County 378, and Kauaʻi 58. Twenty-seven victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 654 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.

     Lt. Gov. Josh Green and two deputy sheriffs remain the only three positive COVID-19 cases in the Lieutenant Governor's Office. All eleven other employees have tested negative. Green's wife and two children tested negative. Everyone will remain in quarantine until cleared by DOH investigators.
     Visitation at HiloMedicalCenterhas been paused, with the exception of one visitor for OB, pediatrics, and end-of-life patients.

     All beach and shoreline parks on Hawaiʻi Island are closed through Sept. 19. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited.

     Hawaiʻi Island Police will continue their enforcement of the preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, Police Officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help."

     Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island "reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Island as the virus remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe." See hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense.

     See the Hawai‘i County COVID-19 webpage at

https://coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.
     COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 6,603,921 – about 23 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 195,735 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 29.46 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 933,228.


directory for 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.

EVENTS
ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Food Giveaway in Nāʻālehu, Friday, Sept. 18 at  Pick-up will be at the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market location. Ingredients for a hamburger steak dinner for four will consist of 2 lbs. of ground beef, gravy mix (just add 1 cup of water), onion, and rice to be distributed.

Catalyst Abstract Watercolor Workshop with Patti Pease Johnson on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Dine In or Order To Go Oktoberfest Meals from Crater Rim Café in Kīlauea Military Camp on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Menu offers Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Bockwurst, German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut, Tossed Salad, and German Chocolate Cake. $14.95 per person. Call 967-8356 to book a reservation for dine-in or place a grab-and-go order. Face coverings and six feet social distancing are required in common areas. KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply.


Submit Comments and Questions about Hawaiian Electric's Keāhole Battery Storage Project through Saturday, Sept. 26. The utility submitted an application to the Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 28 for a first-of-its-kind on-island, 12-megawatt, 12-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System to help stabilize the power grid for the whole island, reducing the likelihood of customer outages. Virtual public meetings on both projects were held earlier this year and video replays of the discussions, along with the PUC applications and project details, can be found at www.hawaiianelectric.com/selfbuildprojects. Comments and questions can be submitted to keaholebess@hawaiianelectric.com and will be included in the application to PUC.


Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, AI, EPS or PNG with a quality of at least 1500 pixels by 1500 pixels and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.

COVID-19 Information for Farm Workers Poster. English: https://bit.ly/2F3gJ3u;
English/Spanish: https://bit.ly/2Z0cihc; English/Marshallese: https://bit.ly/2QLbybk
ONGOING

Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at  Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, and questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.

Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.

Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, will be available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island soon. Subjects are Homework Help, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.


Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.

     In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from  to  Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.

     In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from  to  Support is provided by Carla Lind.

     In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.

     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.

     All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.


Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts at https://member.everbridge.net/index/
482552460607505#/signup. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.

Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at , with Worship Service starting at  The only time a face covering is needed is when the usher comes to the vehicle to pass out the worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at  and Praise Jam, which runs from  to  Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, us02web.zoom.us/j/6843449828?pwd=YW94djVvU0szOGNKaFZ1
V0pUL1owUT09, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

One-Time Emergency Food for people is available through Big Island Giving Tree. Emergency food for pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

Food Basket Distribution last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. Another distribution will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Volcano Village's Cooper Center, from  until pau. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center Tuesday through Saturday  Call ahead, 967-7800.

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, , closed Saturday and Sunday. The Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open Wednesday through Sunday, , closed Monday and Tuesday. Virtual Shopping Appointments are offered at Volcano Art Center locations. Via Skype or FaceTime, a VAC associate helps customers browse the selection of artwork up close, and gives personalized tips and recommendations to help customers "find that perfect piece of locally made artwork, wherever you are in the world!" Book appointment online for $5 and VAC staff will help schedule a date and time at volcanoartcenter.org/shop. Shop the online gallery 24/7. Orders are shipped as regularly scheduled. Free local pickup is available.VAC now offers a Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. 

volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Ocean View Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 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.

Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays (starting next Wednesday, Aug. 12), , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks are mandatory. Limit of people is 100. Social distancing is required. Gate will be unlocked for vendors at  Vendors can show up without a reservation for now, with $15 dollars. Parking is in the upper lot; parking on the side of the road is prohibited. All vendors must provide their own sanitizer. All food vendors must have the permits required for the items that you are selling. Vendors and attendees are encouraged to carpool.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,  to . 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. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together at chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home, using neuroscience and positive psychology, children and parents alike can learn to better understand themselves and each other. The program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics," to teach families "how to manage their emotions, communicate in healthier ways, and create a nurturing environment focused on the things that matter most." Sign up at https://chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home/.


ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides for Chromebooks and iPads given out to distance learning students enrolled in Kaʻū public schools. The website is open to the public here. ʻOhana Help Desk is also available to students and parents by phone, Mondays through Fridays, , and on Sundays from  to  It is closed on Saturdays and state holidays.


Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab operates weekdays from  to  at St. Jude's lower parking lot. It is open to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.


Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries are open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons may 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, they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff, or they may go in-person to request items, without placing a hold. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Both locations are also open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi is available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot by using their library card and PIN. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.


Free Book Exchanges, at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, 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.

Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13, at  Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.


Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues, through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Access these remote services by completing the webform at hawaiifirstfcu.com/community-resource-center or by calling 808-933-6600 to sign up. The Financial Navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across the County can also refer clients directly to a Financial Navigator. For more information, contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub. Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources. Developed by the Sexual and Gender Minority Workgroup in partnership with the DOH Harm Reduction Services Branch. Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov/harmreduction/sexual-gender-minority/sexual-and-gender-minorities-sgm-in-hawaii/.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Kahalo Center says the database consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. U.S. Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs is developing a list of Native Hawaiian farmers willing to sell direct to consumers through the On-Farm Market Directory. On-farm markets are managed by a single farm operator that sells products on their farm, or on a property next to their farm. Some on-farm markets may also deliver or ship their goods directly to consumers. Visit the program website for more information and to register: ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/onfarm.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Owners can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. They offer help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature to help find information that applies to the searcher.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. See https://kohalacenter.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=54bdd67c601f0c0d3ea430053&id=9e1691c22d&e=0e3fe20c1f.

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.







Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, September 16, 2020

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Explosive lava eruption in Leilani Estates during the 2018 Kīlaueaeruption. See below for
 distribution of recovery grants for lower Puna. Photo by Andrew Richard Hara
KAʻŪ RESIDENTS IN YUKIO OKUTSU STATE VETERANS HOME HAVE SURVIVED THE COVID OUTBREAK. Avalon Healthcare, which manages the Veterans Home, told The Kaʻū Calendar today that all five tested positive for COVID-19 and none have passed away.
     A new death announced today brings the toll to 15 at the home. Avalon Healthcare reports 68 residents tested positive since the outbreak began. Fifteen died. Five are cared for in Hilo Medical Center; 29 are cared for in the Veterans Home, and 19 who recovered remain residents.

     Twenty-one have not tested positive and seven of them moved out.
     Thirty staff tested positive, with five recovered.
     Avalon also said the air conditioning in the Veterans Home was inspected by Veterans Affairs and “not specifically identified as a reason for the spread," and that filters – in good condition – were replaced last week.

     The VA is sending a team of 20 doctors, nurses, and specialized cleaners to the islands on Thursday and Saturday. Avalon is also sending an additional 12 staff members to the Veterans Home – five CNAs, five RNs, and two nurse managers; most arrive Thursday.
     The statement from Avalon says, after the first VA visit, the staff at the Veterans Home "began immediately to operationalize and implement the VA recommendations. Several of them were already in place and several others are hospital level and above, but the team is working diligently on the implementation and welcomes the support and collaboration of the VA team."


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.

TRAVELERS WILL BE ALLOWED TO COME INTO HAWAIʻI without 14 days of quarantine beginning Oct. 15, provided they submit an approved negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival. Anyone without the negative test, will be required to quarantine, including those Hawaiʻi
residents returning to the islands.
Lt. Gov. Josh Green, MD, quarantined for COVID, working from home. 
The governor named him today to lead the pre-travel testing to Hawaiʻi 
and the vaccine program. See Green's Facebook live.
     Gov. David Ige announced that Lt. Gov. Josh Green, MD will spearhead the pre-travel testing program, which includes adding partners to administer the tests and sourcing new testing options and is also responsible for planning the state's COVID-19 vaccination strategy.
     Components include that all travelers either pre-test or go into 14-day quarantine upon arrival to the state. All travelers are required to have temperature checked and complete a health and travel questionnaire. As an alternative to quarantine, each traveler must produce evidence of a negative COVID-19 test no earlier than 72-hours prior to flight arrival in Hawaiʻi. FDA-approved NAAT tests, processed by a CLIA-certified laboratory are the only types of coronavirus tests currently approved. Green said that approved trusted testing partners will include CVS, Kaiser, and Walgreens.     During a news briefing this afternoon, Gov. David Ige said pre-testing is a key measure for revitalizing Hawaiʻi's visitor-centric economy, while providing protection for the spread of COVID-19. He also announced that interisland quarantine for anyone arriving on any island other than Oʻahu continues through Oct. 15 unless terminated or extended by a separate emergency proclamation.
     See the FAQs on pretesting for Hawai`i travel

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.

New state Director of Health Dr. Libby Char
A NEW STATE LEADERSHIP TEAM OVERSEES RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC. Gov. David Ige today announced that Maj. Gen. Ken Hara, Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency Director, remains incident commander, spearheading collaboration between federal, state and county resources to address the pandemic response. Dr. Libby Char, the new Director of the Department of Health
manages public health programs and collaboration between state, county, and private healthcare partners. Lt. Gov. Josh Green, MD, oversses pre-travel stesting and the vaccination strategy. The governor said, "This new leadership team gives us a stronger operational structure, stronger leadership, and clears the way for stronger partnerships between the public and private sectors."
     Dr. Virginia Pressler, former director of DOH, is the new volunteer leader of Laulima Alliance, a cross functional team of public and private sector resources. The aim is to ensure that all have a voice in policy making and implementation of programs responding to the pandemic. Ige said, "Together with the progress we've made, and continue to make, in the fight against COVID-19, this new leadership team gives us confidence that the time is right to launch our pre-travel COVID-19 testing program, which is an important step toward reviving our economy while continuing to protect public health."

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 COVID TESTING TOMORROW, THURSDAY, Sept. 17 at Ocean View Community Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free, drive-thru event requires everyone to wear masks and bring insurance cards, if have.


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 gave out food in Ocean View last Friday. Among those who volunteered is 97-year-old Hawaiian
speaker and resident of Punaluʻu, Jeanette Howard (far right). The others pictured (left to right): Amy Krommes,
Laurie Boyle, OKK President Wayne Kawachi, Lizzy Cwynar. OKK's ambassador, Hunnay DeMello, and
her mother, Monica Akamu, also helped. Photo by Nadine Ebert
ʻO KAʻŪ KĀKOU WILL DISTRIBUTE FOOD on Friday at Its Nāʻālehu Market Grounds at  In a drive-through event, OKK will offer beef donated from MJ Ranch, TC Ranch, and more, similar to the last distribution
     On Saturday, OKK will go to Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home In Hilo.. OKK President Wayne Kawachi said today that the organization raised a few thousand dollars to help the staff members.


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 KĪLAUEA RECOVERY GRANTS PROGRAM HAS ANNOUNCED RECIPIENTS. The funding overseen by Hawaiʻi County's Kīlaueadisaster recovery team provides $3.7 million to assist with recovery in lower Puna. Eighteen grants to community nonprofit organizations support restoration and repairs of private roads; assist inundated or damaged farms with recovering; build affordable homes for displaced residents; support natural and cultural resou rces preservation; assist a public charter school destroyed by the eruption; and other initiatives.

     Puna Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz said, "The Kīlauea Recovery Grant Program was developed with community empowerment in mind. From projects that help people get back to homes and farms, to expanding successful programs or spurring innovative solutions, this important tool advances community-driven initiatives that support Puna's ongoing recovery and revitalization."
Kua O Ka Lā Public Charter School, hours before lava covered it during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption. $500,000
 in recovery grants are earmarked for the school, to bring their leased school location up to code. 

       The County Council authorized the Kīlauea Recovery Grant Program to allow recovery funding to be provided to private organizations through 501(c)3 nonprofits. Grants larger than $25,000 will be submitted to the County Council for approval via resolution.

     On Tuesday, the County issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a separate grantmaking and capacity-building initiative known as the Community-Based Disaster Management Grant Program. The RFP addresses design, management, and implementation of the program to continue providing grants to support community recovery from the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.

     Douglas Le, the County's recovery officer, said, "The Community-Based Disaster Management Grant Program was developed to implement the concept of Puna Strong by providing capacity building and grant resources to residents and help support community initiatives. We look forward to partnering with the community on these grant programs and implementing other recovery strategies to increase resilience."

     Kīlauea Recovery Grant Program awards were selected for the following organizations: Big Island Resource Conservation and Development Council – $500,000 to support infrastructure development for displaced orchid growers; Habitat for Humanity – $500,000 to build five affordable homes for families who lost their homes during the eruption; Hoʻoulu-Lahui – $500,000 to assist Kua O Ka Lā Public Charter School with bringing its leased property into code compliance and Mālama O Puna – $375,000 for road repairs in Leilani Estates.

PāhoaLavaMuseum will receive $22,000 to restore road access to Kapoho Crater. USGS photo

     Also funded are: Food Security Hawaiʻi – $350,000 to assist farm damaged by the eruption; Fellowship for Perpetual Growth – $280,000 to assist farming cooperative damaged by the eruption; GrassrootsChurch– $275,000 to support job creation, sustainable agriculture and community engagement for the Kuleana Project in Pāhoa. Hawaiʻi Rise Foundation – $250,000 for Kapoho Vacationland project planning and Pāhoa Lava Museum – $175,124 to restore road access to 16 properties isolated by lava in Mālama Homesteads.

     More funding goes to O Makuʻu Ke Kahua Community Center – $154,000 to assist Hawaiian families move from subsistence to commercial farming, strengthen farmer's markets, and address safety and security issues; Ono Seeds – $120,000 to assist a farm damaged by the eruption; Kapono Red Road – $104,500 to support historical preservation, stewardship, and land conservation; Self Discovery through Art – $40,750 to support a recovery, resilience, re-creation facilitator training program and Yeshua Outreach Center – $25,000 to build capacity as a viable Red Cross shelter.
     Additional funding goes to Pāhoa Lava Museum – $23,584 to open Puamana Road; Pāhoa Lava Museum – $22,000 to restore road access to Kapoho Crater; Polestar Gardens – $7,500 to restore greenhouse, water, and irrigation systems for a farm; and Church of the Holy Apostles – $5,000 for repairs of water lines damaged by earthquakes.

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.

Anne E. Perreira-Eustaquio
A NEW DIRECTOR AND NEW DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS start their positions today. Gov. David Ige appointed Anne E. Perreira-Eustaquio as DLIR director and JoAnn A. Vidinhar as DLIR's deputy director. Perreira-Eustaquio has been serving as DLIR's acting director since last month. Vidinhar has served as administrator for DLIR's Disability Compensation Division since 2015.

     Both appointments are subject to Senate confirmation. 

     Previously, Perreira-Eustaquio was the department's deputy director and has spent her career in various capacities in DLIR's unemployment division, most notably as administrator of the unemployment insurance program. She was born and raised in Hilo. A graduate of Waiākea High School, she attended Chaminade University of Honolulu where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and a Master of Business Administration.

      Perreira-Eustaquio said, "I am extremely honored to continue to serve in this capacity in Gov. Ige's Administration. There are many challenges that the department is facing, and I will continue to work diligently to find solutions to care for our community in this time of need and uncertainty."

JoAnn A. Vidinhar
     Vidinhar previously worked at the Department of Community Development for the City of Bremertonin Washington state, where she was an assistant director and city building official, as well as a development manager and planner. Prior to her work with the City of Bremerton, Vidinhar was employed with KitsapCounty's Department of Community Development where she served as a senior planner, and building and planning supervisor.
     Vidinhar said, "It is an honor and a privilege to be considered for this position. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve under Gov. Ige and his administration. As a public servant for over 25 years, I pledge to continue to address the needs of Hawaiʻi's workforce and their families as Deputy Director for the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations."


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.

SIGN UP TO GIVE BLOOD during the first blood drive since March on Hawaiʻi Island, through Blood Bank of Hawai‘i, Sept. 22-24. Donations of whole blood and plasma from healthy, recovered donors, can be made at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Hilo Stake Cultural Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 22; Wednesday, Sept. 23, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Thursday, Sept. 24, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Plans for a Kona drive are underway, with dates yet to be confirmed.

     A special call to action for donors with type O blood has been added because Hawai‘i experiences a chronically low supply of this blood type. To stabilize the local supply, Blood Bank of Hawai‘i is rallying O-negative and O-positive donors. While all blood is needed, O-negative blood is the highest in demand because it's accepted by everyone, and O-positive blood can be used by anyone with a positive blood type – which is about 80 percent of local residents. For more information, download the O-Type People Unite tool kit here.

     In time for increased Neighbor Island registrations, Blood Bank of Hawai‘i launched a new, updated website this week. The new bbh.org "provides a more engaging digital experience for donors and supporters with many new features," says the announcement. Online redesign now allows donors to find and register for a drive on the home page; shares donor and employee stories; and includes a searchable list of the state's top donors.

     Donors interested in giving blood on Hawai‘i Island or O‘ahu may register at bbh.org or call 808-848-4770. In September, donors will receive a coupon for a free taco, courtesy of Taco Bell.

     Mayor Harry Kim said, "We are grateful for the good work that the Blood Bank of Hawai‘i does, and we're glad that in this time of the pandemic, that they are stepping up to provide their vital service to our community," said Mayor Harry Kim.

      Todd Lewis, Blood Bank of Hawai‘i chief operations officer, said, "We are exceedingly grateful to Mayor Kim for giving us permission to host our Hawai‘i Island drives this fall. Our staff is excited to return, and will do everything possible to make saving lives a safe and enjoyable experience."
     At all locations, additional COVID-19 protocols and procedures recommended by the FDA and CDC will be followed. As a reminder, an appointment is required, as walk-ins can no longer be accommodated. Individuals with questions about operations during the COVID-19 pandemic may visit bbh.org/COVID-19 or connect via social media, @BloodBankHawaii.


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.

NOMINATE BUSINESSES THAT PROVIDE EXCELLENT COVID-19 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS for a Gold Star. County of Hawaiʻi awards businesses with the Gold Star when they've passed all necessary safety requirements by the State of Hawaiʻi and implemented additional requirements by the county, Department of Health, and Hawaiʻi Fire Department. These requirements allow businesses to reopen to the public and provide the safest possible conditions during this phase of the pandemic.
     Submit nominations to County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development at rd.hawaiicounty.gov/economic-development/covid-19-business-resources-and-information/gold-star-businesses. Find help for small businesses at www.hawaiicounty.gov/covidbusinesshelp.


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THREE NEW DEATHS on Oʻahu are reported today, bringing the state count to 103. Hilo's Yukio Okustu State Veterans Home reported a 15th death of a resident vet today. The state count does not include 13 deaths reported by the Veterans Home.

     Since the pandemic began, there have been 10,946 COVID cases in the state, 102 new today. Department of Health reports 4,105 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are more than 6,720 active cases in isolation. Hawaiʻi Island reports four new cases, Oʻahu 97, and one resident was diagnosed while out-of-state. There are 18 people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus.

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray

areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases.

Yellow is one to 20 cases. Pale orange is 21 to 50 cases. Medium

orange is 51 to 90 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 91 to 150 

cases. Bright red is 151 to 230 cases. Dark red (not pictured)

is 231 to 500 cases. Department of Health map

     In the last 28 days, active cases have 

been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; 96737 with Ocean View; 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; and 96785 with Volcano Village. 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, and Wood Valley, has not had any cases in the last 28 days. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date. Other areas shaded gray have no or very little population and no cases.
     Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 9,879 cases, Hawaiʻi Island 603, Maui County 378, and Kauaʻi 58. Twenty-eight victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 667 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.

     Visitation at Hilo Medical Center has been paused, with the exception of one visitor for OB, pediatrics, and end-of-life patients.

     All beach and shoreline parks on Hawaiʻi Island are closed through Sept. 19. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited.

     Hawaiʻi Island Police will continue their enforcement of the preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, Police Officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help."

     Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island "reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Island as the virus remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe." See hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense.

     See the Hawai‘i County COVID-19 webpage at

https://coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.


     COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 6,625,560 – about 23 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 196,650 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 29.68 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 937,543.


directory for 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.

EVENTS
ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Food Giveaway in Nāʻālehu, Friday, Sept. 18 at  Pick-up will be at the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market location. Ingredients for a hamburger steak dinner for four will consist of 2 lbs. of ground beef, gravy mix (just add 1 cup of water), onion, and rice to be distributed.

Catalyst Abstract Watercolor Workshop with Patti Pease Johnson on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Dine In or Order To Go Oktoberfest Meals from Crater Rim Café in Kīlauea Military Camp on Saturday, Sept. 19 from  to 8 p.m. Menu offers Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Bockwurst, German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut, Tossed Salad, and German Chocolate Cake. $14.95 per person. Call 967-8356 to book a reservation for dine-in or place a grab-and-go order. Face coverings and six feet social distancing are required in common areas. KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply.

Donate Blood through Blood Bank of Hawai‘i at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Hilo Stake Cultural Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, Sept. 23, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Thursday, Sept. 24, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Special call to action for donors with type O blood. For more information, download the O-Type People Unite tool kit here. Register at bbh.org or call 808-848-4770. In September, donors will receive a coupon for a free taco, courtesy of Taco Bell. Appointment and mask required. See bbh.org/COVID-19 or @BloodBankHawaii.


Submit Comments and Questions about Hawaiian Electric's Keāhole Battery Storage Project through Saturday, Sept. 26. The utility submitted an application to the Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 28 for a first-of-its-kind on-island, 12-megawatt, 12-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System to help stabilize the power grid for the whole island, reducing the likelihood of customer outages. Virtual public meetings on both projects were held earlier this year and video replays of the discussions, along with the PUC applications and project details, can be found at www.hawaiianelectric.com/selfbuildprojects. Comments and questions can be submitted to keaholebess@hawaiianelectric.com and will be included in the application to PUC.


Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, AI, EPS or PNG with a quality of at least 1500 pixels by 1500 pixels and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.

COVID-19 Information for Farm Workers Poster. English: https://bit.ly/2F3gJ3u;
English/Spanish: https://bit.ly/2Z0cihc; English/Marshallese: https://bit.ly/2QLbybk
ONGOING

Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at  Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, and questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.

Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.

Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, will be available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island soon. Subjects are Homework Help, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.


Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.

     In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from  to  Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.

     In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from  to  Support is provided by Carla Lind.

     In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.

     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.

     All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.


Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts at https://member.everbridge.net/index/
482552460607505#/signup. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.

Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at , with Worship Service starting at  The only time a face covering is needed is when the usher comes to the vehicle to pass out the worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at  and Praise Jam, which runs from  to  Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, us02web.zoom.us/j/6843449828?pwd=YW94djVvU0szOGNKaFZ1V0pUL1owUT09, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

One-Time Emergency Food for people is available through Big Island Giving Tree. Emergency food for pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

Food Basket Distribution last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. Another distribution will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Volcano Village's Cooper Center, from  until pau. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center Tuesday through Saturday  Call ahead, 967-7800.

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, , closed Saturday and Sunday. The Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open Wednesday through Sunday, , closed Monday and Tuesday. Virtual Shopping Appointments are offered at Volcano Art Center locations. Via Skype or FaceTime, a VAC associate helps customers browse the selection of artwork up close, and gives personalized tips and recommendations to help customers "find that perfect piece of locally made artwork, wherever you are in the world!" Book appointment online for $5 and VAC staff will help schedule a date and time at volcanoartcenter.org/shop. Shop the online gallery 24/7. Orders are shipped as regularly scheduled. Free local pickup is available.VAC now offers a Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. 

volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Ocean View Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 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.

Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays (starting next Wednesday, Aug. 12), , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks are mandatory. Limit of people is 100. Social distancing is required. Gate will be unlocked for vendors at  Vendors can show up without a reservation for now, with $15 dollars. Parking is in the upper lot; parking on the side of the road is prohibited. All vendors must provide their own sanitizer. All food vendors must have the permits required for the items that you are selling. Vendors and attendees are encouraged to carpool.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,  to . 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. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together at chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home, using neuroscience and positive psychology, children and parents alike can learn to better understand themselves and each other. The program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics," to teach families "how to manage their emotions, communicate in healthier ways, and create a nurturing environment focused on the things that matter most." Sign up at https://chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home/.


ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides for Chromebooks and iPads given out to distance learning students enrolled in Kaʻū public schools. The website is open to the public here. ʻOhana Help Desk is also available to students and parents by phone, Mondays through Fridays, , and on Sundays from  to  It is closed on Saturdays and state holidays.


Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab operates weekdays from  to  at St. Jude's lower parking lot. It is open to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.


Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries are open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons may 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, they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff, or they may go in-person to request items, without placing a hold. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Both locations are also open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi is available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot by using their library card and PIN. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.


Free Book Exchanges, at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, 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.

Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13, at  Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.


Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues, through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Access these remote services by completing the webform at hawaiifirstfcu.com/community-resource-center or by calling 808-933-6600 to sign up. The Financial Navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across the County can also refer clients directly to a Financial Navigator. For more information, contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub. Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources. Developed by the Sexual and Gender Minority Workgroup in partnership with the DOH Harm Reduction Services Branch. Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov/harmreduction/sexual-gender-minority/sexual-and-gender-minorities-sgm-in-hawaii/.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Kahalo Center says the database consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. U.S. Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs is developing a list of Native Hawaiian farmers willing to sell direct to consumers through the On-Farm Market Directory. On-farm markets are managed by a single farm operator that sells products on their farm, or on a property next to their farm. Some on-farm markets may also deliver or ship their goods directly to consumers. Visit the program website for more information and to register: ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/onfarm.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Owners can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. They offer help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature to help find information that applies to the searcher.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. See https://kohalacenter.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=54bdd67c601f0c0d3ea430053&id=9e1691c22d&e=0e3fe20c1f.

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.







Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, September 17, 2020

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Raymond Fujikawa (center), 86, from Kaʻū, shows his support to the veterans at Hilo's Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home
 today, Sept. 17, the day he suffered an injury in 1951, during the Korean War. His ʻohana held signs outside the Hilo
home that has an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak that has claimed 17 lives. Left to right: Dave Carvalho, Raymond 
Fujikawa, Raenette Fujikawa-Marino, and Brittny Marino. See COVID story below. Photo from Tim Wright

BALLOTS FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION will be mailed to voters beginning on Oct. 7. County Clerk John Henricks made the announcement today with an official notice. Voters should receive their ballots within two to three days of the mailing date. Any registered voter who does not receive a ballot within five days of the mailing date should contact the Elections Division at 961-8277. Voters can mail the ballots in the envelope included or drop them off at Nāʻālehu Police Station from Oct. 14 through Nov. 3, General Election Day, at 7 p.m. The police station is located at 95-5355 Mamalahoa Hwy. For more information, call Elections Division at 961-8277.

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 SCHOOLS WILL REMAIN DISTANCE LEARNING MOSTLY until the first quarter is pau. The second quarter, beginning mid-October, will allow blended learning, with possible on-campus time, depending on COVID rates on each island, and metrics used by the school complex area and the determination of school principals. State School Superintendent Christina Kishimoto made the announcement today, noting that guidance and metrics have been issued by the state Department of Health. DOH plans to put its guidance for schools online.
     The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association announced that it would fight the guidelines for on-campus learning and called it "dangerous," saying the teacher union was not consulted. See hsta.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.

HŪ HONUA FILED FOR RELIEF FROM THE STATE SUPREME COURT on Wednesday, in hopes of a ruling to allow opening its $474 million electrical plant that would burn eucalyptus grown around Pāhala and beyond. The company asks the Supreme Court to set aside the Public Utilities Commission decision that prevents the biofuel plant from operating at its shorefront site on the Hāmākua Coast at Pepeʻekeo.
     At issue is whether the biofuel plant would reduce or contribute to greenhouse gases. The petition asks the PUC for an evidentiary hearing on the expected greenhouse gas emissions. Consideration of greenhouse gases was mandated in a 2019 Supreme Court decision, which said the PUC failed to consider the state goal of reducing greenhouse gases when allowing the agreement between the electric company and Hū Honua.
      Former Hawaiian Electric Light Co. CEO Warren Lee, who subsequently served as head of the county Department of Public Works, is President of Honua Ola Bioenergy, the parent company of Hū Honua. He issued a statement on Wednesday focusing on employment "...the fate of our employees and their families are at stake, and more than 200 jobs overall with be lost if nothing is done." He said the project has been treated unfairly.
     Instead, the PUC set aside its own permission for Hū Honua to sell electricity to Hawaiian Electric, saying that the cost would be higher than other alternative energies. It ruled that Hū Honua could resubmit its request to sell to the utility and become part of competitive bidding to provide electricity to Hawaiian Electric. Hū Honua recently appealed and the PUC reaffirmed its denial of the permit.
     Life of the Land, which presented its case to the PUC and Supreme Court, issued a statement saying, its team is "disappointed that Hū Honua continues to push their tree-burning, high-priced boondoggle on Hawaiʻi Island ratepayers. The climate crisis requires that we save and plant trees, not harvest them. Hū Honua alleges they are shovel ready. But their initial injection wells failed and the new injection wells have not been approved by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health."

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.

GOV. DAVID IGE VETOED THE FOLLOWING BILLS THAT PASSED THE 2020 HAWAIʻI LEGISLATURE, according to his statement yesterday: A bill to require state facilities to implement energy auditing and efficiency; a bill to pay for school lunches and learning devices; a Code of Ethics bill for government officials working outside their government obligations; allowing state Department of Land & Natural Resources to give leases for homeless people to live on state land during emergencies; and a bill to expand work release programs for female inmates.
     See the rationale for the vetoes in the Sept. 1 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.

ʻO KAʻŪ KĀKOU WILL DISTRIBUTE FOOD tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 18 at its Nāʻālehu Market Grounds at 10 a.m. In a drive-through event, OKK will offer beef donated from MJ Ranch, TC Ranch, and more. Ingredients for a hamburger steak dinner for four will consist of 2 lbs. of ground beef, gravy mix (just add 1 cup of water), onion, and rice to be distributed.

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.

VOLCANO ART CENTER IS TRIPADVISOR'S TRAVELER'S CHOICE 2020 AWARD winner. Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is in the top 10 percent of attractions worldwide, according to Tripadvisor. Each year, Tripadvisor combs through reviews, ratings, and "saves" from travelers everywhere, and uses that info to select the award winners.

     VAC program manager Alyssa Johnasen says, "Volcano Art Center is grateful to our wonderful visitors, both near and far, for their continued support. While we know it's a bit difficult for out-of-state and international visitors to visit us in person at this time, we invite everyone to shop our gallery online in the meantime."

     Volcano Art Center Gallery represents over 150 Hawaiʻi artists, and features both traditional and contemporary work that is inspired by Hawaiʻi's unique environment and rich cultural heritage. The historic building which houses the gallery is a welcoming backdrop for the finely-crafted furniture of native woods, hand-blown glass from Hawaiʻi's top glass artists, jewelry featuring precious and semiprecious stones and metals, and an outstanding collection of two and three dimensional works in paint, photography, clay, fiber, and mixed media. To shop the Volcano Art Center Gallery online, visit volcanoartcenter.org/shop.

     Volcano Art Center Gallery is located in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, open Thursday through Sunday,  Niʻaulani Campus is located at 19-4074 Old Volcano Road in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday,  VAC is a non-profit educational organization created in 1974 to promote, develop, and perpetuate the artistic and cultural heritage of Hawai‘i's people and environment through activities in the visual, literary, and performing arts.
Inside Volcano Art Center Gallery, Tripadvisor's Traveler's Choice 2020 Award winner. VAC photo
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GET A FLU SHOT BY THE END OF OCTOBER is the message from Hawai‘i State Department of Health. In a statement this week, DOH said taking steps to prevent influenza "is more important than ever" during the pandemic. "Influenza (flu) is a serious contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death."
     Immunization Branch Chief Ron Balajadia said, "Flu vaccines will not prevent COVID-19, but they will reduce the burden of flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths on the health care system. Getting your flu shot also helps to conserve scarce medical resources for the care of people with COVID-19."


     The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly flu vaccine for all individuals who are over six months of age. Vaccination of high-risk persons – including young children, pregnant women, persons 65 years of age and older, and people with certain chronic health conditions – is particularly important to decrease risk of severe flu illness.
Longs Drugs in Pāhala offers flu shots.
Photo by Julia Neal
     Flu vaccinations work to protect personal health, the health of family members, and the community. Getting vaccinated provides protection to those who may be at high risk of severe illness, including those who may be too young to be vaccinated and those with medical conditions who cannot be immunized.

     From Oct. 1, 2019, to April 4, 2020, there were between 410,000 and 740,000 flu hospitalizations and between 24,000 and 62,000 flu deaths in the U.S. Symptoms of flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea; similar to symptoms seen with COVID-19.

     In addition to getting vaccinated, DOH encourages the public to continue frequent handwashing or use of an alcohol-based (62 percent minimum) hand sanitizer, physical distancing, covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, and staying home from work, school, and social gatherings when sick.

     Balajadia said, "We can prevent both influenza and COVID-19 together by continuing to follow safe practices to prevent the spread of germs. Remember to also avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, and to frequently clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and objects like doorknobs, light switches, and cell phones."
     For those who think they have the flu, contact a healthcare provider right away. Treatment with prescription antiviral drugs work best when begun within 48 hours of getting sick, however they can still be beneficial if given later during illness.  

     For more information about the flu, visit https://health.hawaii.gov/docd/flu/.

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 view of the new Ocean View Community Market on a lofty site at the corner of Kona and Highway 11. The spacious 
site allows for easy social distancing while shopping. Photo by Annie Bosted

OCEAN VIEW SWAP MEET AND OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY MARKET give OV residents and neighboring communities two open-air places at which to shop on Saturday mornings.

     The Community Market is the brainchild of two long-established vendors in Ocean View: David Joslin, of Thai Grinz food truck, and Mark Cocucci, who brings an eclectic offering of goods to market. When it looked as though the Swap Meet was pau, they secured a site on the corner of Kona and Highway 11 and invited other vendors to set up shop. Many of the regular Swap Meet vendors joined them.  

     However, on Sept. 4, the Swap Meet was again in business at its former location on Prince Kuhio, this time with a new perimeter fence on the two sides that face streets. Announcing this move, Joslin told The Kaʻū Calendar "The community market is staying open and the Ocean View swap meet is reopening. Now vendors and customers alike will have a choice and there should be no overcrowding."

     When a Kaʻū Calendar photographer visited both markets on Saturday, both had space to spare for more booths, which facilitated safe social distancing.
     The Community Market, which is open from  to , was supported by about a dozen vendors. The Community Market is convenient to the many residents who visit the county transfer station during its weekly opening, in order to dump their garbage.
     The Swap Meet is convenient to residents shopping at nearby brick-and-mortar shops. On Saturday, the Swap Meet was supported by over 20 vendors. It is usually open from about  to .
This panoramic view of the Ocean View Swap Meet at Prince Kuhio shows booths sparsely spaced, allowing shoppers 
to keep safe distances from vendors and other shoppers. Photo by Annie Bosted
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PETFIX SPAY AND NEUTER CLINIC FOR DOGS will be held Friday, Sept. 25 in Ocean View. For information and to register, call 808-990-3548 or email petfixbigisland@gmail.com.


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PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY activities on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Marked by free entrance to the Park, visitors are urged to celebrate National Public Lands Day by doing something good for the ‘āina (land).
Watch Moses Espaniola of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park give examples
of taking care of the ʻāina on National Public Lands Day.
     Most years, the Park organizes a Stewardship at the Summit event on National Public Lands Day, attracting volunteers from all over the island of Hawai‘i who come and help remove invasive plants from the native rainforest. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year the park is encouraging people to do something good for the land on their own to honor the Day, while maintaining social distancing.

    Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park community volunteer ambassador, Moses Espaniola, says, "When it comes to mālama ‘āina, taking care of the land, it's everyone's kuleana, everyone's responsibility. It's also everyone's kuleana to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, so we came up with three ways you can help the land stay healthy, and help each other stay healthy."
     A new Park video, created by Espaniola, offers three activities to connect with nature while protecting it:
     Remove an invasive plant from your property, and replace it with a native plant.
     Pick up ‘opala (rubbish) from a beach, park, or other public land.

     Write a haiku about your favorite public land.
Planting a native plant in place of an invasive one is one way to celebrate National Public Lands
Day on Saturday, Sept. 26. NPS photo
     No matter what activity is chosen, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park encourages people to post a photo or video of themselves engaged in the activity to their personal social media account, and tag @hawaiivolcanoesnps between Sept. 26 and 30. Haiku writers are encouraged to read their haiku on video. The Park will share the most inspiring posts to its Facebook and Instagram accounts. For more information on National Public Lands Day, visit the National Environmental Education Foundation website, https://www.neefusa.org/npld.

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.

Dave Carvalho, ʻohana to Raymond Fujikawa, of Kaʻū, 
shows his support for veterans at Yukio Okutsu State 
Veterans Home. Photo from Tim Wright
MORE THAN 30 MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19. The worldwide death toll is more than 937,543. In the U.S., over 6.67 million people have tested positive, with 197,590 people dead from COVID. Hawaiʻi Island records 18 of those deaths, 17 from Yukio Okustu State Veterans Home in Hilo, with a new death of a resident vet today. The state count, which does not include deaths reported by the Veterans Home, is 107, four new on Oʻahu today.

     Since the pandemic began, there have been 11,105 COVID cases in the state, 160 new today. Department of Health reports 4,248 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are more than 6,730 active cases in isolation. Hawaiʻi Island reports 20 new cases, Oʻahu 140. There are 22 people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus.

     Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 10,015 cases, Hawaiʻi Island 623, Maui County 378, and Kauaʻi 58. Twenty-eight victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 685 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.
     In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; 96737 with Ocean View; 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, and Wood Valley; and 96785 with Volcano Village. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date. Other areas shaded gray have no or very little population and no cases.

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray

areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases.

Yellow is one to 20 cases. Pale orange is 21 to 50 cases. Medium

orange is 51 to 90 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 91 to 160 

cases. Bright red is 161 to 340 cases. Dark red (not pictured)

is 341 to 470 cases. Department of Health map

     Visitation at Hilo Medical Center has been paused, with the exception of one visitor for OB, pediatrics, and end-of-life patients.

     All beach and shoreline parks on Hawaiʻi Island are closed through Sept. 30. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited.

     Hawaiʻi Island Police will continue their enforcement of the preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, Police Officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help."

     Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island "reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Island as the virus remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe." See hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense.
     See the Hawai‘i County COVID-19 webpage at coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.


directory for 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.

EVENTS
ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Food Giveaway in Nāʻālehu, Friday, Sept. 18 at  Pick-up will be at the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market location. Ingredients for a hamburger steak dinner for four will consist of 2 lbs. of ground beef, gravy mix (just add 1 cup of water), onion, and rice to be distributed.

Catalyst Abstract Watercolor Workshop with Patti Pease Johnson on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Dine In or Order To Go Oktoberfest Meals from Crater Rim Café in Kīlauea Military Camp on Saturday, Sept. 19 from  to 8 p.m. Menu offers Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Bockwurst, German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut, Tossed Salad, and German Chocolate Cake. $14.95 per person. Call 967-8356 to book a reservation for dine-in or place a grab-and-go order. Face coverings and six feet social distancing are required in common areas. KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply.

PETFIX Spay and Neuter Clinic for Dogs will be held Friday, Sept. 25 in Ocean View. For information and to register, call 808-990-3548 or email petfixbigisland@gmail.com.


National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 26 is celebrated at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with free entrance to the Park. The public is urged to celebrate by doing something good for the ‘āina (land), such as: Remove an invasive plant from your property, and replace it with a native plant; Pick up ‘opala (rubbish) from a beach, park or other public land; Write a haiku about your favorite public land. Watch a new Park video. The Park encourages people to post a photo or video of themselves engaged in the activity to their personal social media account, and tag @hawaiivolcanoesnps between Sept. 26 and 30. Haiku writers are encouraged to read their haiku on video. The Park will share the most inspiring posts to its Facebook and Instagram accounts.



Submit Comments and Questions about Hawaiian Electric's Keāhole Battery Storage Project through Saturday, Sept. 26. The utility submitted an application to the Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 28 for a first-of-its-kind on-island, 12-megawatt, 12-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System to help stabilize the power grid for the whole island, reducing the likelihood of customer outages. Virtual public meetings on both projects were held earlier this year and video replays of the discussions, along with the PUC applications and project details, can be found at www.hawaiianelectric.com/selfbuildprojects. Comments and questions can be submitted to keaholebess@hawaiianelectric.com and will be included in the application to PUC.


Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, AI, EPS or PNG with a quality of at least 1500 pixels by 1500 pixels and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.

COVID-19 Information for Farm Workers Poster. English: https://bit.ly/2F3gJ3u;
English/Spanish: https://bit.ly/2Z0cihc; English/Marshallese: https://bit.ly/2QLbybk
ONGOING

Nominate Businesses that Provide Excellent COVID-19 Safety Precautions for a Gold Star. Submit nominations to County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development at rd.hawaiicounty.gov/economic-development/covid-19-business-resources-and-information/gold-star-businesses. Find help for small businesses at www.hawaiicounty.gov/covidbusinesshelp.

Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at  Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, and questions and feedback, and more.Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.

Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.

Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, will be available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island soon. Subjects are Homework Help, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.


Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.

     In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from  to  Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.

     In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from  to  Support is provided by Carla Lind.

     In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.

     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.

     All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.


Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts at https://member.everbridge.net/index/482552460607505#/signup. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.

Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at , with Worship Service starting at  The only time a face covering is needed is when the usher comes to the vehicle to pass out the worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at  and Praise Jam, which runs from  to  Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, us02web.zoom.us/j/6843449828?pwd=YW94djVvU0szOGNKaFZ1V0pUL1owUT09, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

One-Time Emergency Food for people is available through Big Island Giving Tree. Emergency food for pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

Food Basket Distribution last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. Another distribution will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Volcano Village's Cooper Center, from  until pau. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center Tuesday through Saturday  Call ahead, 967-7800.

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, , closed Saturday and Sunday. The Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open Wednesday through Sunday, , closed Monday and Tuesday. Virtual Shopping Appointments are offered at Volcano Art Center locations. Via Skype or FaceTime, a VAC associate helps customers browse the selection of artwork up close, and gives personalized tips and recommendations to help customers "find that perfect piece of locally made artwork, wherever you are in the world!" Book appointment online for $5 and VAC staff will help schedule a date and time at volcanoartcenter.org/shop. Shop the online gallery 24/7. Orders are shipped as regularly scheduled. Free local pickup is available.VAC now offers a Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. 

volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Ocean View Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 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.

Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays (starting next Wednesday, Aug. 12), , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks are mandatory. Limit of people is 100. Social distancing is required. Gate will be unlocked for vendors at  Vendors can show up without a reservation for now, with $15 dollars. Parking is in the upper lot; parking on the side of the road is prohibited. All vendors must provide their own sanitizer. All food vendors must have the permits required for the items that you are selling. Vendors and attendees are encouraged to carpool.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,  to . 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. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together at chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home, using neuroscience and positive psychology, children and parents alike can learn to better understand themselves and each other. The program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics," to teach families "howto manage their emotions, communicate in healthier ways, and create a nurturing environment focused on the things that matter most." Sign up at https://chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home/.


ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides for Chromebooks and iPads given out to distance learning students enrolled in Kaʻū public schools. The website is open to the public here. ʻOhana Help Desk is also available to students and parents by phone, Mondays through Fridays, , and on Sundays from  to  It is closed on Saturdays and state holidays.


Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab operates weekdays from  to  at St. Jude's lower parking lot. It is open to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.

Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries are open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons may 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 onany item(s) they want to borrow, they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff, or they may go in-person to request items, without placing a hold. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Both locations are also open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi is available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot by using their library card and PIN. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.


Free Book Exchanges, at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, 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.

Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13, at  Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.


Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues, through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Access these remote services by completing the webform at hawaiifirstfcu.com/community-resource-center or by calling 808-933-6600 to sign up. The Financial Navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across the County can also refer clients directly to a Financial Navigator. For more information, contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub. Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources. Developed by the Sexual and Gender Minority Workgroup in partnership with the DOH Harm Reduction Services Branch. Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov/harmreduction/sexual-gender-minority/sexual-and-gender-minorities-sgm-in-hawaii/.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Kahalo Center says the database consists of "collections of datapertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. U.S. Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs is developing a list of Native Hawaiian farmers willing to sell direct to consumers through the On-Farm Market Directory. On-farm markets are managed by a single farm operator that sells products on their farm, or on a property next to their farm. Some on-farm markets may also deliver or ship their goods directly to consumers. Visit the program website for more information and to register: ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/onfarm.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Owners can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. They offer help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature to help find information that applies to the searcher.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. See https://kohalacenter.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=54bdd67c601f0c0d3ea430053&id=9e1691c22d&e=0e3fe20c1f.

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Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, September 18, 2020

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Ken Wright, a Kaʻū High graduate in 1982, found Kaʻū during a business trip to Tennessee. He stopped at a Starbucks, 
to discover its Hawaiʻi Kaʻū, Starbucks Reserve,  See story on the Specialty Coffee Association's 
next convention below. Photo from Tim Wright
THE DEATH TODAY OF SUPREME COURT JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG, at the age of 87, brought Sen. Mazie Hirono to say, "We are in deep shock and sorrow. She meant so much to millions of people."
     Ginsburg also means a lot to University of Hawaiʻi's William S. Richardson School of Law, where she served as a Jurist-in-Residence in 2017. During her stay in Hawaiʻi, the Justice not only interacted with law students, she met with high school classes. In gratitude, the LawSchool planted an ʻōhiʻa lehua tree in Ginsburg's name on its campus and gave her a Hawaiian lace jabot. The judicial collar, which she wore over her robes, was made by Associate Dean Ronette M. Kawakami, with 49 pink kahelelani Niʻihau shells. Ginsburg spoke about the judicial lei collar from Hawaiʻi in RBG, the documentary film about her life. 
     As a mark of respect for RBG, Gov. David Ige ordered that the flags of the United States and State of Hawaiʻi shall be flown at half-staff at all state offices and agencies, as well as the Hawaiʻi National Guard, immediately, until the date of Ginsburg's interment.
     "Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a giant in advocating for justice and equity. Justice Ginsburg visited Hawaiʻi several times, and it was clear that her values were closely aligned with those of our community. Dawn and I celebrate her work and life and mourn her loss," said the governor.

The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as a Jurist in Residence 
at Hawaiʻi's WilliamS.RichardsonLawSchool in 2017. 
Photo from U.H.LawSchool

     Concerning Ginsburg's death leaving the vacancy on the Supreme Court, Hirono said she promises to do everything she can, as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, to prevent Ginsburg's replacement before the next President is sworn in. Hirono pointed out that before Ginsburg died, she issued a note through her granddaughter saying, "My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new President is installed."

     With RBG gone, said Hirono, individual rights, union rights, and workers rights are all in peril. Hirono noted that Pres. Donald Trump is busy making lifetime appointments of "right-wing" federal judges around the country. Hirono said the appointments are taking up much time of the Senate where she serves on its Judiciary Committee. Hirono said the Senate should instead be working on legislation on COVID-19 relief. Instead, "all we have been doing is filling every single Judicial vacancy." A successful appointment of a Justice by Trump would lead to a Supreme Court likely to be against abortion and leaning towards narrowing civil rights, Hirono indicated.

     Hirono noted that in February 2016, the year of the last Presidential election, Senate Republicans blocked Pres. Barack Obama's nomination to fill a Supreme Court seat, saying the next President should make the nomination. President Donald Trump did so after swearing in. Today, with the new vacancy, there is another call to wait again for the elected President to make the nomination. Among those senators is Republican Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Murkowski, a Republican, said it would be a "double standard" to put in a new Supreme Court Justice right away.

     Presidential nominee Joe Biden said today, "Voters should pick the President, the President should pick the Justice, for the Senate to consider." Sen. Mitch McConnel, Republican leader of the Senate, said that Trump's nominee will get a vote on the floor of the Senate.
Judicial collar made with Niʻiahu shells for Justice Ruth Bader
 Ginsburg by University of Hawaiʻi Law School Associate
 Dean Ronette M. Kawakami.  Photo from U.H.LawSchool 

     Hirono noted that there are only 46 days before the election. She predicted that if Trump appoints another Supreme Court Justice, "there will be a lot more calls for Supreme Court reform." She said Ginsburg told her she was very concerned about the future of the Supreme Court and that it needs more "united decisions."

     Hirono tweeted today: "Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a giant. There are literally not enough words to describe the transformational impact she had on the lives of millions of Americans as an advocate and a jurist.

     "I have a very simple message for Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell tonight. The best and only way to honor the life's work of Justice Ginsburg, a giant of a jurist, is to honor her fervent final wish that she not be replaced until a new president is installed."
     Sen. Brian Schatz tweeted the quote McConnell gave more than four years ago: "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president. — Mitch McConnell, March 2016."


Rep. Tulsi Gabbard helped pass a
House resolution against anti-Asian
bigotry this week.
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.

INCREASED BIGOTRY TOWARDS ASIANS is the subject of a resolution that passed Congress on Thursday. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said H.Res.908 is bipartisan and draws attention to increased anti-Asian bigotry, observed during the coronavirus crisis. It calls on the federal government to work with state and local law enforcement to confront and prosecute hate crimes related to the pandemic. She cosponsored the resolution earlier this year to draw attention to at-risk communities as Congress began its work to address the broader fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
     "Unfortunately, too many Asians across the country have become the targets of bigotry, slurs, and even physical attacks due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Especially during this time of crisis, now is the time for our community to come together and care for one another, not tear itself apart," said Gabbard.

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.

ANYONE FEELING DEPRESSED OR ANXIOUS, or who needs someone to talk to, can call Department of Health's expanded Hawai‘i C.A.R.E.S. program at 1-800-753-6879 – the same number previously used by Crisis Line of Hawai‘i. Individuals in crisis can also text ALOHA to 741741, available 24/7.


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 CHILI AND RICE BOWL DINNERS will be distributed by mayoral candidate Mitch Roth and his team tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 19 from  to  at The Club at Discovery Harbour in Nāʻālehu, https://goo.gl/maps/ej1U5zc5s8ztHwQh7. An announcement from Roth's Facebook says, "During these uncertain times, Mitch Roth and his team are committed to giving back to our Hawaiʻi Island community."
     The chili will be prepared and packaged offsite and provided during a drive-thru at The Club in Discovery Harbour's parking lot. Roth will hand chili bowls through the windows of vehicles passing through. While the Group endorses no candidate, a Facebook post on its page says, "If you've never met Mitch, this is a great opportunity to meet face to face (mask to mask) with him."

     See more and RSVP or comment on Facebook. 

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.

SPECIALTY COFFEE ASSOCIATION'S annual Expo, regularly attended by Kaʻū Coffee farmers, has been postponed until September 2021. CEO Yannis Apostolopoulos made the announcement, explaining it was already canceled for 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Next year's Expo was originally set for April 2021 in New Orleans and is rescheduled for Sept. 30 through Oct. 3, 2021, in New Orleans.

      SCAA has provided an international stage for Kaʻū Coffee's growth in reputation. 
      Apostolopoulos said, "We're sure this will be disappointing to many, however the [board of directors'] consensus was that a postponement to the fall would be a safer, more prudent option, and allow our community and participating businesses more time to recover from the pandemic."
The SCAA has taken many Kaʻū Coffees to international competition, with local farmers, Willie and Grace

Tabios displaying their awards at the annual Kaʻū Coffee Festival in Pāhala. Photo by Julia Neal

     The Specialty Coffee Expo, which attracts more than 14,000 attendees and more than 500 exhibitors, will include a Launch Party on Sept. 30 followed by the exhibition, educational programs, and competitions Oct. 1-3.
     Registered exhibitors and attendees will receive information via email about the date change. If an email does not arrive, attendees are encouraged to contact Brittney Kushi at BrittneyK@sca.coffee. Exhibitors should send an email to exhibit@sca.coffee.

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.


KEIKI HEROES CAMPAIGN is launched. The Hawaiʻi STEM Community Care program encourages habits recommended by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and state Department of Health to stay safe and healthy.
     The campaign employs Hawaiʻi Island cousins Kai and Hoku, and animal friends Laulima the Gecko and Ola the Bird, to encourage each child to be a Keiki Hero. They share "easy tips to help stay safe and strong" and "help you keep you and those around you safe from the Coronavirus." They recommend:
     Wear a Mask. "Kumu Ola said that a mask stops germs from going to others. It will keep me safe from germs, too. Ola taught me how to use my mask. She said the mask has to cover my nose and mouth. It is good to wear a mask when not at home. I wear my mask when I meet Hoku. I keep my mask clean – I ask my dad to wash my mask when he does the laundry."
     Wash Your Hands. "Kumu Ola taught us that germs can stick to our hands when we touch things. Washing with soap and water washes off the germs. We wash our hands many times each day. We wash after coming home from school or before we eat. We should wash our hands for 20 seconds to make sure they are clean."
     Respect the Bubble. "Kumu Ola taught us that germs can spread through the air and touch. Someone who is sick can spread germs when they sneeze, cough, and even breathe. Once germs stick to us, we can pass them along to others. Ola said that we cannot get germs if we stay six feet away from people. That is how long a surfboard is. She also said that we should stay away from large groups of people."
     Shaka to Say "Hi."
     Read Kai and Hoku's story at keikiheroes.org. The site includes printable coloring sheets and printable reminder flyers.
     Here is the story: Kai and Hoku are cousins who live on the Big Island. Their moms are sisters. They've spent their entire lives playing together, going to the beach together, and are best friends. Even when they're in separate classes at school, they always talk at lunch and recess. Sometimes, they trade lunches when Hoku's mom packs her famous musubi. No one makes musubi like Kai's Auntie! Whenever Kai or Hoku has a problem, the other one is there to help.
     At the end of the last school year, things changed. Kai and Hoku were supposed to go to visit their other cousin over Spring Break, but their moms canceled the trip. All of a sudden, they weren't allowed to hang out on the weekends. Then school was canceled! At first, they were super excited – no school – this must be what their cousin on the mainland meant when she talked about snow days. But then they had to start taking classes on the computer. It was really hard for them both. And they noticed that their families were really worried and started talking about "Coronavirus,""COVID," and "COVID-19." What was this new "Coronavirus" and why did it mean Kai and Hoku couldn't do all the things they loved, like visiting each other, seeing Tūtū, and going to school and seeing their friends?

     One day, Hoku's mom gave her a mask to wear for when they went to the store. Once Hoku put the mask on, she was no longer just a little girl, but a Keiki Hero. The mask gave her the power to protect herself, her family, and her friends from Coronavirus.

     When Hoku got home, she came across a bird that began speaking to her. The bird was Ola. She was a wise bird, a kumu, who started to share secrets of how to be a Keiki Hero with Hoku.

     Hoku was so excited about her new powers and her new friend Ola. She just had to share these new powers with Kai, so she asked her mom to help her find a mask for Kai. They dropped the mask off at Kai's home and once Kai put on his mask, he also became a Keiki Hero!
     Together Kai and Hoku were now Keiki Heroes. Their mission: help keiki protect themselves, their ʻohana, and all their friends and teachers.

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.

GET COUNTED IN THE 2020 CENSUS urges Rep. Ed Case. In an email yesterday, Case requests Hawaiʻi residents'"urgent assistance in helping our Hawai‘i reach a 100 percent count on the 2020 Census by the September 30th deadline… Every Census is a crucial undertaking with wide-ranging impacts on fair and equal political representation and federal funding that last for a decade, but this COVID-19 crisis has only made the 2020 Census even more critical.

     "Because Census data is used to allocate over $1.5 trillion in federal funding each year, the recovery and long-term health of Hawaiʻi's communities depend in large part on a fair and accurate count in this year's Census. Already, COVID-19 relief and recovery assistance approved by Congress through the CARES Act has been allocated according to 2010 Census data. Data from the 2020 Census will drive federal dollars for over 300 federal programs as well as assistance for COVID-19 and other emergencies for the next decade."

     Case said that as of Monday, Sept. 14, Hawai‘i ranks third in the nation at 98.4 percent in terms of total count, though the statewide self-response rate remains low at 62.3 percent.
     Case said, "The remaining uncounted households include some of our most vulnerable and hard-to-count populations. We need everyone to be fully counted to ensure a fair and accurate enumeration for our Hawai‘i. I am asking for your special help in making one last great push ahead of the September 30th deadline to your families, friends, and communities on behalf of the 2020 Census. Please urge all you know to respond if they have not already done so and to spread the word among their families, friends, and communities too. There are multiple ways to respond to the 2020 Census, but by far the easiest way is through the online form at https://my2020census.gov. For other ways to respond to the Census, such as by phone or mail, please visit https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond.html.

Rep. Ed Case encourages all residents
to fill out the 2020 Census.
     "For those who are visited personally by a Census taker, please urge them to treat these local community members conducting an essential constitutional responsibility with aloha and answer their quick questions."

     He said that it is important to note, with so many Hawaiʻi residents having English as a second language, that the 2020 Census is the first to feature "significantly expanded" language access, providing language guides in 59 non-English languages. See https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/2020-census/planning-management/language-resources.html.
     "Thank you for your consideration and for all that you can do to help all of us with the 2020 Census. Together, we are setting the best possible foundation for Hawaiʻi's future," said Case.


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VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND LICENSING WILL BE AVAILABLE SATURDAYS IN KAʻŪ Sept.19 and 26 for expirations in September. Hours will be 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at 95-5355 Mamalahoa Hwy in Nāʻālehu. By appointment only at https://vehicleregistrationlicensing.as.me/driverlicense, no walk-ins.
     Face coverings must be worn, and customers must adhere to the recommended six-foot social distancing at all times. Only those customers receiving services will be allowed inside the lobby, but minors or those needing additional assistance may have one additional person accompany them, if needed.
     Those who have traveled off-island within the past 14 days, have a fever exceeding 100.3 F, are feeling sick, or have taken a COVID-19 test without receiving the results, should not visit offices for services or schedule an in-person appointment.

     Questions? Call 939-2517.

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 TWO OF THE 20 DEATHS FROM COVID-19 ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND ARE UNRELATED TO THE HILO VETERANS HOME. Today, one new death was reported at Yukio Okustu State Veterans Home and one at HiloMedicalCenter. The official state death toll is 120, with one new death on Oʻahu today. Six deaths of the 18 at the Veterans Home have not yet been added to the state total, while cause of death is being confirmed.

     Since the pandemic began, there have been 11,217 COVID cases in the state, 114 new today. Department of Health reports 4,394 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are about 6,700 active cases in isolation. Hawaiʻi Island reports nine new cases, Oʻahu 106. There are 16 people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus.

     Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 10,119 cases, Hawaiʻi Island 632, Maui County 381, and Kauaʻi 57. Twenty-eight victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 700 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.
Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray

areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases.

Yellow is one to 10 cases. Pale orange is 11 to 30 cases. Medium

orange is 31 to 70 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 71 to 130 

cases. Bright red is 131 to 220 cases. Dark red (not pictured)

is 221 to 450 cases. Department of Health map

     In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; 96737 with Ocean View; 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, and Wood Valley; and 96785 with Volcano Village. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date. Other areas shaded gray have no or very little population and no cases.

     Visitation at Hilo Medical Center has been paused, with the exception of one visitor for OB, pediatrics, and end-of-life patients.

     All beach and shoreline parks on Hawaiʻi Island are closed through Sept. 30. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited.

     Hawaiʻi Island Police will continue enforcement of preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, Police Officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help."

     Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island "reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Island as the virus remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe." See hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense.

     See the Hawai‘i County COVID-19 webpage at coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.
     COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 6,723,305 – about 22 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 198,509 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 30.39 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 950,434.


directory for 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.

EVENTS
Catalyst Abstract Watercolor Workshop with Patti Pease Johnson on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222.

Dine In or Order To Go Oktoberfest Meals from Crater Rim Café in Kīlauea Military Camp on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Menu offers Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Bockwurst, German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut, Tossed Salad, and German Chocolate Cake. $14.95 per person. Call 967-8356 to book a reservation for dine-in or place a grab-and-go order. Face coverings and six feet social distancing are required in common areas. KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply.

PETFIX Spay and Neuter Clinic for Dogs will be held Friday, Sept. 25 in Ocean View. For information and to register, call 808-990-3548 or email petfixbigisland@gmail.com.


National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 26 is celebrated at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with free entrance to the Park. The public is urged to celebrate by doing something good for the ‘āina (land), such as: Remove an invasive plant from your property, and replace it with a native plant; Pick up ‘opala (rubbish) from a beach, park or other public land; Write a haiku about your favorite public land. Watch a new Park video. The Park encourages people to post a photo or video of themselves engaged in the activity to their personal social media account, and tag @hawaiivolcanoesnps between Sept. 26 and 30. Haiku writers are encouraged to read their haiku on video. The Park will share the most inspiring posts to its Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Submit Comments and Questions about Hawaiian Electric's Keāhole Battery Storage Project through Saturday, Sept. 26. The utility submitted an application to the Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 28 for a first-of-its-kind on-island, 12-megawatt, 12-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System to help stabilize the power grid for the whole island, reducing the likelihood of customer outages. Virtual public meetings on both projects were held earlier this year and video replays of the discussions, along with the PUC applications and project details, can be found at www.hawaiianelectric.com/selfbuildprojects. Comments and questions can be submitted to keaholebess@hawaiianelectric.com and will be included in the application to PUC.


Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, AI, EPS or PNG with a quality of at least 1500 pixels by 1500 pixels and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.


The State of Hawai'irequires a Letter of Exemption for Farm Workers. Requests should be submitted to covidexemption@hawaii.gov 5 days prior to arrival. For a sample request letter visit: https://www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov

ONGOING

Nominate Businesses that Provide Excellent COVID-19 Safety Precautions for a Gold Star. Submit nominations to County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development at rd.hawaiicounty.gov/economic-development/covid-19-business-resources-and-information/gold-star-businesses. Find help for small businesses at www.hawaiicounty.gov/covidbusinesshelp.

Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at  Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, and questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.

Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.

Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, will be available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island soon. Subjects are Homework Help, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.


Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.

     In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from  to  Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.

     In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from  to  Support is provided by Carla Lind.

     In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.

     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.

     All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.


Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts at https://member.everbridge.net/index/482552460607505#/signup. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.

Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at , with Worship Service starting at  The only time a face covering is needed is when the usher comes to the vehicle to pass out the worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at  and Praise Jam, which runs from  to  Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, us02web.zoom.us/j/6843449828?pwd=YW94djVvU0szOGNKaFZ1V0pUL1owUT09, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

One-Time Emergency Food for people is available through Big Island Giving Tree. Emergency food for pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

Food Basket Distribution last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. Another distribution will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Volcano Village's Cooper Center, from  until pau. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center Tuesday through Saturday  Call ahead, 967-7800.

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, , closed Saturday and Sunday. The Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open Wednesday through Sunday, , closed Monday and Tuesday. Virtual Shopping Appointments are offered at Volcano Art Center locations. Via Skype or FaceTime, a VAC associate helps customers browse the selection of artwork up close, and gives personalized tips and recommendations to help customers "find that perfect piece of locally made artwork, wherever you are in the world!" Book appointment online for $5 and VAC staff will help schedule a date and time at volcanoartcenter.org/shop. Shop the online gallery 24/7. Orders are shipped as regularly scheduled. Free local pickup is available.VAC now offers a Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. 

volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Ocean View Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 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.

Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays (starting next Wednesday, Aug. 12), , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks are mandatory. Limit of people is 100. Social distancing is required. Gate will be unlocked for vendors at  Vendors can show up without a reservation for now, with $15 dollars. Parking is in the upper lot; parking on the side of the road is prohibited. All vendors must provide their own sanitizer. All food vendors must have the permits required for the items that you are selling. Vendors and attendees are encouraged to carpool.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,  to . 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. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together at chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home, using neuroscience and positive psychology, children and parents alike can learn to better understand themselves and each other. The program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics," to teach families "how to manage their emotions, communicate in healthier ways, and create a nurturing environment focused on the things that matter most." Sign up at https://chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home/.


ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides for Chromebooks and iPads given out to distance learning students enrolled in Kaʻū public schools. The website is open to the public here. ʻOhana Help Desk is also available to students and parents by phone, Mondays through Fridays, , and on Sundays from  to  It is closed on Saturdays and state holidays.


Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab operates weekdays from  to  at St. Jude's lower parking lot. It is open to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.


Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries are open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons may 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, they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff, or they may go in-person to request items, without placing a hold. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Both locations are also open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi is available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot by using their library card and PIN. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.


Free Book Exchanges, at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, 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.

Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13, at  Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.


Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues, through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Access these remote services by completing the webform at hawaiifirstfcu.com/community-resource-center or by calling 808-933-6600 to sign up. The Financial Navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across the County can also refer clients directly to a Financial Navigator. For more information, contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub. Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources. Developed by the Sexual and Gender Minority Workgroup in partnership with the DOH Harm Reduction Services Branch. Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov/harmreduction/sexual-gender-minority/sexual-and-gender-minorities-sgm-in-hawaii/.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Kahalo Center says the database consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. U.S. Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs is developing a list of Native Hawaiian farmers willing to sell direct to consumers through the On-Farm Market Directory. On-farm markets are managed by a single farm operator that sells products on their farm, or on a property next to their farm. Some on-farm markets may also deliver or ship their goods directly to consumers. Visit the program website for more information and to register: ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/onfarm.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Owners can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. They offer help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature to help find information that applies to the searcher.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. See https://kohalacenter.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=54bdd67c601f0c0d3ea430053&id=9e1691c22d&e=0e3fe20c1f.

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Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, September 19, 2020

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     2019 Youth Rangers celebrated a decade of the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park program in
partnership with Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and more sponsors.
Below, see The Way We Were Last YearHVNP photo
TRAVEL QUARANTINE EXEMPTIONS APPARENTLY WILL STILL BE ALLOWED for essential workers, exempting them from COVID tests before arriving to Hawaiʻi beginning Oct. 15. The Hawaiʻi COVID Joint Information Task task Force released a statement saying, "In an effort to make the quarantine exemption process easier and more efficient, the State Office of Enterprise Technology Services developed a new web-based form." It went live today.
     "Previously those seeking exemptions, such as critical medical or infrastructure workers, had to communicate with, and provide information to, the State via emails. The new online form and submission system will mean more efficient interactions with exemption seekers, better data gathering, and access for decision-makers.
     "Currently, exempt travelers will still have to provide an e-mail approval documenting exempt status at State airports. Work is already underway to synchronize the exemption digital platform with Hawaiʻi's SafeTravels platform for a more integrated and seamless experience. This applies to trans-Pacific travel and not interisland, as each county has its own exemption rules and process.
     "As a reminder, people who receive approval for the modified quarantine exemption are still required to self-quarantine when they are not performing their approved essential functions. This means they may only break self-quarantine to perform their critical infrastructure duties and not for grocery shopping, outdoor exercise, or anything else outside their self-quarantine location. Beginning Saturday, exemption seekers can fill out their requests online as well as review a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) at travelexemption.hawaii.gov."
     The streamlined exemptions do not mention requirements to take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival here and stay quarantined if test is positive or until negative test results arrive. Learn more here.

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A CLUSTER OF COVID-19 CASES AT HILO TARGET is the subject of a story in this morning's Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald. Michael Brestovansky writes that "Earlier this week, Target issued a statement that multiple employees tested positive but did not specify how many or when they tested positive."
      An anonymous person claiming to be a Target employee gave the Tribune-Herald a letter saying "infected employees last worked between Sept. 3 and Sept. 9." Brestovansky writes that, "when the employee asked whether they had been in contact with an infected employee, Target management assured them they had not, but gave no further information, according to the letter.
     "Nor did the store close to sanitize, the employee wrote. Instead, the employee claimed, one employee is tasked with repeatedly sanitizing frequently touched areas in the store, which the letter writer thought to be woefully inadequate."
     When asked for more details, Hawaiʻi Civil Defense administrator Talmadge Magno told the writer that "Target is not the only business in the county with employees to test positive. That's why we're doing this widespread testing. We find the people who test positive and we look to see who they've been in contact with and who they've been in contact with to keep it from spreading."
     Magno also said the county "has worked with major outlet stores to educate them about acceptable sanitation practices and social distancing policies for employees and customers," but that Civil Defense "does not know how many COVID-19 cases are tied to Target or when the infections occurred," writes Brestovansky. Read the article here.

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Keola Donaghy, creator of the Hawaiian keyboard
extension for Chrome OS.
A FREE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE KEYBOARD EXTENSION is available for Chromebooks users. The new tool, designed by Keola Donaghy, Assistant Professor of Hawaiian Studies, Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikolani, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, will allow Hawaiʻi students to easily type ʻokina and kahakō. Mac and PC users already have access to such extensions, but the distribution of so many Chromebooks to students for distance learning during the pandemic makes the new extension of benefit to instructors, students, and users of Hawaiian language.

     According to an article at hawaiitech.com, Donaghy said, "Given the rapid growth of Chrome OS devices at all levels of education in recent months, this kind of functionality has been desperately needed. I'm hopeful we can convince Google to include this keyboard with all Chrome OS systems as Apple and Microsoft do, so that users won't have to do this manual installation."
     The Hawaiian Keyboard for Chrome operating system is available in Google's Chrome Store. Find instructions at Donaghy's website.


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EXTENDING THE 2020 CENSUS DEADLINE is the goal of legislation introduced by Sen. Brian Schatz, and Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, Republicans from Alaska. The deadline for the 2020 Census was shortened to Sept. 30 by the Trump administration. The initial deadline was Oct. 31. A similar bill is in the works in the House of Representatives.
     Schatz said, "It's not enough to just be officially for the census. Donald Trump is trying to interfere with the constitutional process here. And without Republicans making serious noise — not just signing a letter, not just even co-sponsoring legislation, but intervening with the White House — we very much run the risk of the period of time during which the census is conducted being cut short."
     If the bill is successful, the U.S. Census Bureau will have more time to tally the country's population and review results, which are used to determine distribution of federal funding and political representation for the next decade. A National Public Radio article says career officials at the Census Bureau have warned that they need more time to "avoid risking serious errors in the count that cannot be fixed under a curtailed timeline."
     Pres. Donald Trump said publicly in April he supported a four-month extension of the Census, which would have moved the deadline to the end of February. In July, he moved the deadline to Sept. 30.
     A lawsuit filed by a coalition led by the National Urban League sues to extend the count back to Oct. 31. California U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh ruled the winding down of the 2020 Census must remain on hold nationwide through Sept. 24 at the latest. Koh placed the Trump administration under a temporary restraining order and directed the bureau to pause wrap-up plans. The order was set to expire Thursday but the hearing "was canceled after Justice Department attorneys missed a deadline for producing a complete record of internal Commerce Department documents for the lawsuit," reported NPR. "The attorneys also told Koh the administration would likely not be able to finish filing other required documents this week."
     Koh said the defendants' failure to comply with the court's Order is "unacceptable," and ordered the administration to file documents by Friday, Sept. 18, for a Tuesday, Sept. 22 hearing. Koh said, "I understand the urgency of the ruling and the gravity of the situation here," and she will do her "utmost to get a ruling out as soon as possible."
     NPR reports a similar federal lawsuit based in Maryland "is gaining steam," with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and Asian Americans Advancing Justice preparing for a hearing on Monday.
     Complete the census at my2020census.gov. For other ways to respond to the Census, such as by phone or mail, see 2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond.html.

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ARTISTS AND VENDORS can sign up now for the Annual Christmas Art & Craft Fair at OceanViewCommunity Center, which will be held on Nov. 7. The event, held outside from to , will help raise funds for the Center, as well as benefit local artists and crafters. Booths are $8 for a 10' x 10' space, tents not provided. Face masks required. Free admission for attendees. Contact organizer Helen McCullough at 808-209-9204 or hmccullough.1@gmail.com.


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FOUR MORE DEATHS FROM COVID-19 AT THE HILO VETERANS HOME are reported today. Yukio Okustu State Veterans Home has lost 22 veterans. In addition to Veterans Home deaths, there was another death at Hilo Medical Center, bringing the death toll to 24 on Hawaiʻi Island. The official state death toll is 120.

     Since the pandemic began, there have been 11,326 COVID cases in the state, 110 new today. Department of Health reports 4,622 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are about 6,600 active cases in isolation. Hawaiʻi Island reports seven new cases, MauiCounty three, and Oʻahu 99. There are 16 people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus.

     Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 10,218 cases, Hawaiʻi Island 639, Maui County 384, and Kauaʻi 57. Twenty-eight victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 726 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray

areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases.

Yellow is one to 20 cases. Pale orange is 21 to 50 cases. Medium

orange is 51 to 90 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 91 to 150 

cases. Bright red is 151 to 320 cases. Dark red (not pictured)

is 321 to 410 cases. Department of Health map

     In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; 96737 with Ocean View; 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, and Wood Valley; and 96785 with Volcano Village. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date. Other areas shaded gray have no or very little population and no cases.

     Visitation at Hilo Medical Center has been paused, with the exception of one visitor for OB, pediatrics, and end-of-life patients.

     All beach and shoreline parks on Hawaiʻi Island are closed through Sept. 30. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited.

     Hawaiʻi Island Police will continue their enforcement of the preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, Police Officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help."

     Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island "reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Island as the virus 

remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe." See hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense.
     See the Hawai‘i County COVID-19 webpage at coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.
     COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 6,764,369 – about 22 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 199,258 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 30.66 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 954,905.


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NEW CAMERAS AND NEW VIEWS are in store for U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Learn about the upgrades in this week's Volcano Watch, a weekly article and activity update written by USGS HVO scientists and affiliates:

Map of the USGS HVO's current camera network coverage. Lava-flow hazard zone one is outlined in yellow.
Color-shaded areas are visible to at least one camera in the current network. We would like to expand the
network so that it covers the grey-shaded areas in zone one as well. If your property has a good view of
unshaded areas in zone one, and you are willing to host a camera, please email HVO at askhvo@usgs.gov.
     HVO camera network reconfiguration and upgrades coming soon!

     Over the past two decades, the USGS HVO has set up a camera network system to monitor visual changes at Kīlauea and Mauna Loavolcanoes. This network was designed for the volcanic activity of the time and captured the two long-lived eruptions of Kīlauea at the summit and East Rift Zone up close. While this camera network design was ideal for the previous eruption locations on Kīlauea's rift zone and summit, future eruptions could occur elsewhere. We have therefore begun to reconfigure HVO's camera network to cover a wider area and to fill in "blind spots."

     The current camera network consists of about 30 cameras, including seven on Mauna Loa, 21 clustered around Kīlauea summit and Puʻu ʻŌʻō on the middle East Rift Zone, and two along Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone.    

     On Kīlauea, the new camera network will widen the monitoring coverage to cover visual gaps between Kīlauea summit and Mauna Ulu, between Puʻu ʻŌʻō and the lower East Rift Zone, and Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone.  

     Additionally, more cameras are being planned to watch over the lower elevations of Mauna Loa's lower Southwest Rift Zone near the subdivision of Ocean View Estates, and all elevations of Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone. While two web cameras watch over the southern part of Moku‘āweoweo, we will try to improve their transmission to provide images in near real-time, like the rest of the network. Finally, we are planning new cameras to watch over the northern part of Moku‘āweoweo and the radial vents.  

View of Alaʻili from ʻĪʻīlewa Crater on Kīlauea's Lower East Rift Zone. 
USGS webcam image
     The HVO camera network 2.0 is intended to permanently monitor all areas designated as lava-flow hazard zone one, where vents are most likely to open in any eruption, not just the next one. The total camera count will remain around 30 cameras for the permanent network.

     In addition to this first "tier" of permanent cameras, HVO will also leverage two collections of temporary-deployment cameras for a three-tiered camera network approach. While the permanent network is meant to provide the broadest coverage, it may not always provide the close-up details that are of most interest and value to scientists, emergency response agencies, and the public.  

     The second tier will be "campaign cameras." These will be semi-portable webcams for installation in remote locations. They will record and document localized hazard evolution and volcanic processes. They will remain deployed for one to five years as conditions warrant. An existing camera called R3 at Puʻu ʻŌʻō is an example of a campaign camera.

     The third tier will be the "eruption cameras." They are intended for short-term use (the duration of an eruption) as emergency-response cameras for hazard monitoring as well as detailed scientific studies. Their benefit is that they are easily deployed almost anywhere, but their drawbacks include short lifetime operations, frequent maintenance and – as we learned in 2018 – these cameras are more susceptible to theft. The time-lapse cameras that documented ocean entries from Puʻu ʻŌʻō and the cellular game cameras deployed during 2018 are examples of this "eruption response" type of camera.

Thermal image of the hot water lake in Halemaʻumaʻu. 
USGS webcam image
     The outpouring of citizen science during the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea was incredible. Because of that experience, when new geophysical and camera stations were installed rapidly with landowner permission, we would like to try something new with the camera network. If you have a good view of one of the camera network "blind spots" and are willing to host an HVO web camera on your property, please email HVO at askhvo@usgs.gov.

     The cameras are self-contained with their own power and communications. The maximum footprint is 4 ft by 4 ft (slightly larger than 1 m by 1 m) but some systems can be much smaller. We cannot install a camera on every property, but we are interested to meet residents or other landowners who are willing to work with HVO to help grow our monitoring camera network to its full potential.  

     Near real-time images from current monitoring cameras are available on the HVO website, which will also host future monitoring camera images.

     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, nearly 45 meters (about 147 feet) deep, 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.

Depth of the summit hot water lake in Halemaʻumaʻu over the last year. USGS image
     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 67 small-magnitude earthquakes were recorded beneath the upper-elevations of Mauna Loa; most of these occurred at shallow depths of less than 8 kilometers (about 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 and fumarole temperatures as measured at both Sulphur Cone and the summit remain stable. Webcams show no changes to the landscape. For more information on current monitoring of Mauna Loa Volcano, see: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/monitoring_summary.html.

     There was one event with three or more felt reports in the Hawaiian Islandsduring the past week: a M2.1 earthquake 2 km (1 mi) WNW of Honoka‘a at -2 km (-1 mi) depth on Sept. 16 at
     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, 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.

The 2013 Youth Rangers. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park photo
Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year
The 2018 Youth Rangers. NSP photo
     This time last year, Hawai‘i 
Volcanoes National Park Youth Ranger program celebrated its tenth year. The program started at Kaʻū High School, and expanded over the last decade to train 435 students from ten island high schools in conservation and environmental education disciplines.
      The Youth Ranger Program has required support of partner groups, especially Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association, the National Park Foundation, and the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation.
     Many past participants enjoy careers with the National Park Service and in the field of conservation. See the Sept. 15 Kaʻū News Briefs for this year's class, and see how they are handling stewardship during the pandemic.

The inaugural Youth Rangers, with supporters, in front of

Pāhala Plantation House in 2010. HVNP photo


     Structured as a unique work-learn-earn internship program, youth rangers are selected following training and development at the participating schools, during the spring semester. In the summer, these students start entry-level jobs in the Park, where they work and learn along side dedicated Park professionals in a wide variety of career fields.
     Youth rangers work to clear invasive species from thousands of acres within the park, serve tens of thousands of visitors in Park visitor centers, repair popular trails, restore historic buildings, help with scientific studies, and assist with the curation of artifacts.

The 2011 Youth Rangers. HVNP photo

     Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Youth and Volunteer Program Coordinator Kūpono McDaniel said, "These youth create a bridge between the park, our local communities, and the next generation of park stewards. The students learn valuable career skills and gain a better understanding and appreciation for national parks and their place in the surrounding community.
     "The students learn that they can have a powerful influence on the future of our planet while creating positive outcomes in their own lives and careers."
     The capstone of the program each year is a year-end celebration of the youth participants and their mentors, where the students are acknowledged for all of the important work that has been accomplished over the summer season.
     Learn more at nps.gov/havo/getinvolved/volunteer.htm. See more classes at flickr.com/photos/144356245@N06/sets/72157710716758273.
The 2014 Youth Rangers. NSP photo

directory for 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.

EVENTS
PETFIX Spay and Neuter Clinic for Dogs will be held Friday, Sept. 25 in Ocean View. For information and to register, call 808-990-3548 or email petfixbigisland@gmail.com.


National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 26 is celebrated at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with free entrance to the Park. The public is urged to celebrate by doing something good for the ‘āina (land), such as: Remove an invasive plant from your property, and replace it with a native plant; Pick up ‘opala (rubbish) from a beach, park or other public land; Write a haiku about your favorite public land. Watch a new Park video. The Park encourages people to post a photo or video of themselves engaged in the activity to their personal social media account, and tag @hawaiivolcanoesnps between Sept. 26 and 30. Haiku writers are encouraged to read their haiku on video. The Park will share the most inspiring posts to its Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Submit Comments and Questions about Hawaiian Electric's Keāhole Battery Storage Project through Saturday, Sept. 26. The utility submitted an application to the Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 28 for a first-of-its-kind on-island, 12-megawatt, 12-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System to help stabilize the power grid for the whole island, reducing the likelihood of customer outages. Virtual public meetings on both projects were held earlier this year and video replays of the discussions, along with the PUC applications and project details, can be found at www.hawaiianelectric.com/selfbuildprojects. Comments and questions can be submitted to keaholebess@hawaiianelectric.com and will be included in the application to PUC.


Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, AI, EPS or PNG with a quality of at least 1500 pixels by 1500 pixels and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.

The State of Hawai'i requires a Letter of Exemption for Farm Workers. Requests should be submitted to covidexemption@hawaii.gov 5 days prior to arrival. For a sample request letter visit: https://www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov

ONGOING

Nominate Businesses that Provide Excellent COVID-19 Safety Precautions for a Gold Star. Submit nominations to County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development at rd.hawaiicounty.gov/economic-development/covid-19-business-resources-and-information/gold-star-businesses. Find help for small businesses at www.hawaiicounty.gov/covidbusinesshelp.

Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at  Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, and questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.

Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.

Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, will be available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island soon. Subjects are Homework Help, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.


Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.

     In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from  to  Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.

     In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from  to  Support is provided by Carla Lind.

     In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.

     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.

     All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.


Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts at https://member.everbridge.net/index/482552460607505#/signup. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.

Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at , with Worship Service starting at  The only time a face covering is needed is when the usher comes to the vehicle to pass out the worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at  and Praise Jam, which runs from  to  Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, us02web.zoom.us/j/6843449828?pwd=YW94djVvU0szOGNKaFZ1V0pUL1owUT09, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

One-Time Emergency Food for people is available through Big Island Giving Tree. Emergency food for pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

Food Basket Distribution last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. Another distribution will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Volcano Village's Cooper Center, from  until pau. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Call ahead, 967-7800.

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, , closed Saturday and Sunday. The Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open Wednesday through Sunday, , closed Monday and Tuesday. Virtual Shopping Appointments are offered at Volcano Art Center locations. Via Skype or FaceTime, a VAC associate helps customers browse the selection of artwork up close, and gives personalized tips and recommendations to help customers "find that perfect piece of locally made artwork, wherever you are in the world!" Book appointment online for $5 and VAC staff will help schedule a date and time at volcanoartcenter.org/shop. Shop the online gallery 24/7. Orders are shipped as regularly scheduled. Free local pickup is available.VAC now offers a Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. 

volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Ocean View Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 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.

Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays (starting next Wednesday, Aug. 12), , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks are mandatory. Limit of people is 100. Social distancing is required. Gate will be unlocked for vendors at  Vendors can show up without a reservation for now, with $15 dollars. Parking is in the upper lot; parking on the side of the road is prohibited. All vendors must provide their own sanitizer. All food vendors must have the permits required for the items that you are selling. Vendors and attendees are encouraged to carpool.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,  to . 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. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together at chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home, using neuroscience and positive psychology, children and parents alike can learn to better understand themselves and each other. The program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics," to teach families "how to manage their emotions, communicate in healthier ways, and create a nurturing environment focused on the things that matter most." Sign up at https://chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home/.


ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides for Chromebooks and iPads given out to distance learning students enrolled in Kaʻū public schools. The website is open to the public here. ʻOhana Help Desk is also available to students and parents by phone, Mondays through Fridays, , and on Sundays from  to  It is closed on Saturdays and state holidays.


Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab operates weekdays from  to  at St. Jude's lower parking lot. It is open to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.


Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries are open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons may 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, they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff, or they may go in-person to request items, without placing a hold. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Both locations are also open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi is available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot by using their library card and PIN. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.


Free Book Exchanges, at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, 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.

Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13, at  Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.


Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues, through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Access these remote services by completing the webform at hawaiifirstfcu.com/community-resource-center or by calling 808-933-6600 to sign up. The Financial Navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across the County can also refer clients directly to a Financial Navigator. For more information, contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub. Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources. Developed by the Sexual and Gender Minority Workgroup in partnership with the DOH Harm Reduction Services Branch. Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov/harmreduction/sexual-gender-minority/sexual-and-gender-minorities-sgm-in-hawaii/.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Kahalo Center says the database consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. U.S. Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs is developing a list of Native Hawaiian farmers willing to sell direct to consumers through the On-Farm Market Directory. On-farm markets are managed by a single farm operator that sells products on their farm, or on a property next to their farm. Some on-farm markets may also deliver or ship their goods directly to consumers. Visit the program website for more information and to register: ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/onfarm.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Owners can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. They offer help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature to help find information that applies to the searcher.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. See https://kohalacenter.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=54bdd67c601f0c0d3ea430053&id=9e1691c22d&e=0e3fe20c1f.

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.







Ka‘ū News Briefs, Sunday, September 20, 2020

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A range fire near Kaʻalualu and Kalae shut down South Point Road, threatening livestock, structures,
grazing lands, and burning more than 3,500 acres. Photo by Amy James
A LARGE RANGE FIRE broke out Saturday after sunset, makai of the road to Kaʻalualu, and burned through the night to Kalae – South Point. County firefighters from Ocean View, Nāʻālehu, Pāhala, and a crew from Keaʻau with a brush truck responded. Also joining the fight were volunteers from 11-Delta in Pāhala, 11 Alpha in Nāʻālehu, 11 Charlie in Discovery Harbour, and 20 Alpha in Ocean View. Before midnight Friday, Wally Andrade's bulldozer was clearing the way, and working on a firebreak and more direct route to the runaway fire. No injuries were reported. Paddocks of paint horses and cattle were saved.
Ikaika Marzo and friends stomped out small fires.
See Marzo's Facebook.
    Mayoral candidate Ikaika Marzo who has cattle in the area, reported live from the scene, along with his crew, stomping out outbreaks with their feet. Marzo and his personal team rode quads to the fire and gave a report much like the ones he provided in 2018 during the Kīlauea volcanic eruption. On his Facebook live, he said he heard the fire was started by campers at Kaʻalualu. He said "Right now is not the time to be camping in Kaʻū. This is it." He showed the mauka edge of the fire and some aerials of the shoreline fire. See Marzo's Facebook. Whether someone threw a cigarette out the window on the way there, a campfire escaped, or another cause fueled the blaze, awaits investigation. Marzo reported the fire near lower South Point Road, moving north and west with heavy winds.
    South Point ranchers moved out cattle and horses in front of the fire and mourned the loss of grasslands to feed their animals. Some 3,500 acres burned, which is precious at Kalae, where dry conditions produce little feed for livestock.
Fire from afar. Photo by Bob Martin
    
Additional bulldozers arrived this morning with two helicopters that scooped up water from the ocean, ranch resources, and fire department tankers. Winds came up again today but the fire moved away from homes and Kaʻalualu, through the grassy area toward South Point. Fire crews are expected to work on finishing off their firefight on Monday morning.
    Big Island Farm Sanctuary on South Point Road, which takes in farm animals, received the help of some 30 volunteers to evacuate the place as the fire approached but spared it. Around 9 p.m. Saturday, Big Island Farm Sanctuary posted a call on Facebook for help from people "anywhere near the South Point area and have room for pigs or small animals in your car." Kristie Bento posted that she was there until 1 a.m. "They had a few trucks and cars and a school bus full of goats. The fire was close but seemed to be going away and more toward the ocean." The Sanctuary posted an update in the early morning hours, saying they had enough help, and that the wind was "working in our favor. Mahalo to all who have reached out and are here." Founded by Paula Buck in 2018, Big Island Farm Sanctuary provides a "safe, loving, forever home" for animals who have been orphaned, abandoned, injured, abused, or exploited. "Once here, our residents are given all the love and care they need to become healthy, happy ambassadors, where they can show people how truly amazing and sentient they are." See bigislandfarmsanctuary.com.
Mayoral candidate Ikaika Marzo covered
the fire on Facebook Live.
    
The Facebook group Kiʻekiʻe Kaʻū posted on Sunday: "Fire mixed with our Kaʻū makani can be unforgiving, be safe kākou! Akua forbid, a life is taken or serious damage done cause of the lack of proper prevention. Irresponsible humans. On the other hand, the roads are closed and the coastline can rest but at what sacrifice!? Such a double edge sword #kapukau."
    Hokunani Faisao posted: "This is what the Kaʻū community was warning about!! We are at red alert in that area. People need to help take care the ʻāina. This is not a place to throw your cigarette butts out. And this is absolutely not the place to set fires for camping."
    Nalani Nahinu posted "Hope these people get caught and do Restoration services! Stay safe y'all. We praying and hope y'all get 'em under control, with Love and aloha."
    Kaʻū Hawaiian Home Lands Association has called for the county, state, and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to control groups of campers traveling to Kaʻū while beach and shoreline parks are closed for camping and gatherings during the pandemic. Campfires are suspect in recent fires in the area.

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.

ATTEND A WRITE YOUR OWN WILL WEBNIAR tomorrow, Monday, Sept. 21 at 12:30 p.m. The workshop will teach the basic elements of a will; how to write a will; what "capacity" means and how it pertains to dementia; why it's critical to get all of someone's wishes in place during the early stages of dementia; how to honor and support a loved one with dementia, even if they haven't expressed their wishes; and more.
A lava-like glow from a range fire moving into Kalae from Kaʻalualu Road. Photo by Richard Taylor
    
Sponsored by Life & Death Wellness Center, the webinar is led by attorney-at-law E.F. Cash-Dudley, who lives in Waimea and works as an attorney on Hawaiʻi Island. "Eddy" had a long career as a family law attorney in California, providing well over 8,000 Advance Health Care Directives for her clients. Seeing the need for low-cost estate planning documents on Hawaiʻi Island, Cash-Dudley started preparing wills and Advanced Health Care Directives for seniors. In addition, she has had a very limited family law practice, primarily in the South Kohala District Court in Waimea.
    The other speaker for the webinar is Cole Smith, Corporate Director of Dementia Care Services at Brightview Senior Living. Smith has been a long-time advocate and educator for those living with dementia and their caregivers. He has a masters degree in Gerontology from the University of Southern California, in addition to being a trained respiratory therapist and end-of-life doula.
    Life & Death Wellness Center, a 501c3 nonprofit, is an empowerment center and community resource for "education, support, and awareness for living well, no matter what stage of life you find yourself or a loved one. We all have the power within ourselves to live well, despite death or disease," says the website.
    Register at charlottecharfen.com/will-webinar.

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.

Mauka side of fire moving east and north.
Photo from Ikaika Marzo
THE FIGHT AT HILO VETERANS HOME TO STOP COVID-19 DEATHS, REACHING 24 TODAY, marshals a beefed-up staff and the latest practices to halt the spread. This is the word from the Veterans Administration, which last week committed a Tiger Team of 20 health professionals to join those working inside the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. It is also the word from Avalon Health Care, the company that manages the state-owned facility. Avalon also sent additional staff and says that updating evolving recommended safety practices to battle COVID is moving quickly.
    Lt. Gov. Josh Green, MD, said he read a preliminary report on the outbreak at the Veterans Home and expressed that heartbreak there is "monumental. This is what, sadly, we've seen all across the country. When institutions of any kind have outbreaks, they spread rapidly through an institution, because of close proximity of people. We saw that in our prison and, of course, we saw it over at the veterans nursing home. It's also happened in every other state.
    "The challenge, of course, is that we see fatalities at a high rate because – and this is from the report – the age of the individuals in question that got sick, some of whom died. They're very old. Almost all of them had very severe, underlying conditions. And that is not to make excuses, in any way, whatsoever. But it is the reason that it happens."
    Green said he believes many elderly veterans were set up with living wills, requiring no intervention with ventilators, breathing tubes, or other life support systems – for all diseases, including pneumonia, heart attack, and COVID. "So that's why you do see a very high mortality rate amongst kūpuna."
Fire burning this morning near South Point.
Photo from Ikaika Marzo
    In reports going back and forth between the VA and Avalon, Avalon said its staff began preparations for the risk of COVID with "the identification of a global pandemic." Avalon pointed to its pandemic committee, COVID-19 education, Infection Control practices, transmission-based precautions, screening and monitoring, periodic drills for setting up its COVID unit, as well as ongoing monitoring of infection control practices. According to Avalon, facility-wide testing was conducted in June, with all negative results and weekly testing of high-risk dialysis patients. Avalon reported that in August, the first asymptomatic staff person who tested positive was revealed by prevalence/random testing. "All of this testing was above any testing requirements of state or federal agencies in place at the time." 
    The VA noted that the Veterans Home prepared with touchless door entries to several areas within the facility; entry points with extensive active screening, and screeners using Personal Protective Equipment issuing clean masks to anyone entering the facilities; requiring hand washing at sinks at both entrances; and proper handling and sanitizing of face shields used at the care home. The VA also stated that an earlier implementation of practices to prevent COVID could have helped, as "these are things that should have been in place from the pandemic onset and a major contributing factor towards the rapid spread." The report also said that three weeks after the first case at the Veterans Home, there was still a need to understand "segregation and workflow."
    The VA report recommends more hand sanitizer dispensers; removing hard-to-clean cloth chairs in common areas; covering high-touch items with laminating paper that can be changed; providing a laundry to alleviate employees from wearing and taking their work clothes – their scrubs – home to clean them; adding more effective air filters to the HVAC system; adding ultraviolet sanitation boxes for handheld items; documenting the performance of each sanitation; and hiring more housekeeping staff, relieving clinic staff from cleaning. The report recommends that staff members take breaks outdoors to decrease exposure and that gatherings do not occur in breakrooms. The VA recommends assigning housekeeping and maintenance staff to only COVID on COVID-free areas during their shifts, to avoid cross-contamination.
A smoky Kalae. Photo by Bob Martin
    Among the VA's many other recommendations is finding an alternative to nebulizing treatments. Another aspect of the VA assessment points to "some residents wandering throughout unit/floor into other hallways" and not consistently wearing masks. Alavon responded, saying: "Staff have consistently tried to re-direct wandering residents and have been providing diversional activities. Several residents have PTSD and behavioral diagnoses, which make it very difficult to re-direct, and these residents are not always compliant with re-direction and mask use. Staff continues to work with residents on these issues. This is a big challenge, especially after 6+ months of residents being asked to stay in their rooms."
    Allison Griffiths, spokesperson for Avalon Health Care, wrote that many VA recommendations are new, "above and beyond" Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and state COVID-19 rules and guidance. She said they "are not common practice in long term care facilities, even during a COVID-19 outbreak. Likewise, some of the recommendations are hospital level (and above) interventions that a very, very small number of nursing homes nationwide would have implemented – or had the capability to implement."
    She said the Veterans Home was operating with more than 60 percent of the recommendations in place when the assessment was made. "The VA team was in the Facility for four hours and did not review the Facility's Pandemic Plan or training records. Thus, while the VA may not have seen evidence of certain of their noted observations, many of them had already been operationalized."
    The Tiger Team from the VA includes supervisors in housekeeping and logistics and additional food service and nursing staff, who are expected to assist for up to six weeks. They began to arrive on Thursday. VA recommends a new assessment of the facility after a week. The team that conducted the inspection included a Nurse Executive Team Leader, a Chief of Safety and Security Services, an Infectious Disease Specialist, and a Chief of Facilities Management Engineering Service.
    In addition to Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home, which is the only veterans care home in Hawaiʻi, Avalon Health Care manages Avalon Care Center Honolulu and Hale Nani Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, both civilian facilities on Oʻahu.
contamination; and many more.
The 3,500-acre fire ran through grass, spared homes. Photo by Richard Taylor

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HAWAIʻI ISLAND HAS RECORDED 26 DEATHS FROM COVID-19. Of those deaths, 24 were of veterans at Yukio Okustu State Veterans Home in Hilo, two new today. At least one resident who died was from Kaʻū. The official state death toll for all of the islands is 120, and does not include all of the deaths at the Veterans Home.
    Since the pandemic began, there have been 11,403 COVID cases in the state, 77 new today. Department of Health reports 4,759 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are about 6,500 active cases in isolation. Hawaiʻi Island reports five new cases, Maui County one, and Oʻahu 71. There are 16 people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus.
    Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 10,289 cases, Hawaiʻi Island 644, Maui County 385, and Kauaʻi 57. Twenty-eight victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 730 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray

areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases.

Yellow is one to 20 cases. Pale orange is 21 to 40 cases. Medium

orange is 41 to 60 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 61 to 150 

cases. Bright red is 151 to 310 cases. Dark red (not pictured)

is 311 to 400 cases. Department of Health map

    In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; 96737 with Ocean View; 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, and Wood Valley; and 96785 with Volcano Village. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date. Other areas shaded gray have no or very little population and no cases.
    Visitation at Hilo Medical Center has been paused, with the exception of one visitor for OB, pediatrics, and end-of-life patients. The hospital's long-term care ward is closed to new patients for now.
    All beach and shoreline parks on Hawaiʻi Island are closed through Sept. 30. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited.
    Hawaiʻi Island police continue enforcement of preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, police officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help." Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island "reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Island as the virus remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe." See hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense.
    See the Hawai'i County COVID-19 webpage at coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.
    COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 6,794,499 – about 22 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 199,481 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 30.88 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 958,493.

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This time last year, THE Golden Rule sailed Alenuihaha Channel between Hawaiʻi Island and Maui on its  Veterans 
for Peace Mission, crewed by Pāhala resident James Akau, Along with  Helen Jaccard, Aaron Black, 
Joe Scarola, Keith Oney, and Alex Franceschini.Photo from Veterans for Peace Golden Rule Project
Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year
This time last year, a Marshallese contingent welcomed The Golden Rule, a sailboat on a peace and nuclear-free educational mission from Hilo to Maui's Maʻalea Harbor. Onboard was crew member James Akau, of Pāhala, who is currently in the Marshall Islands, delivering goods to remote atolls as the engineer on the 145-foot sailing ship Kwai. This year, the new The Golden Rule crew, with Captain Kiko Johnston-Kitazawa, of Honuʻapo, also hopes to sail next year to the Marshall Islands and onto Japan, once restrictions from the pandemic are ended.
    Last year, more than 20 Marshallese welcomed The Golden Rule crew on Maui with a traditional "jinlap" greeting, which includes singing and giving lei. Golden Rule Project manager Helen Jaccard described the gifts as "beautiful seashell lei." The Marshallese honored The Golden Rule for its peace mission in the 1950s to stop nuclear testing, including blowing up Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, and its continued peace voyages throughout Hawaiʻi and beyond.
The Golden Rule was originally captained by a retired 
Navy commander who sailed for peace, opposing 
nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands.
Photo from Veterans for Peace Golden Rule Project

    Last year, The Golden Rule's plans to travel to the Marshall Islands were canceled due to a measles outbreak. Plans to travel to Guam, Okinawa, Korea, and arrive in Japan on the 75th anniversary of the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima were postponed due to the pandemic.
    The Golden Rule Project is sponsored by Veterans for Peace. Regarding the voyage to the Marshall Islands, the organization stated that U.S. nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands from 1946 to 1958 "blew up several islands and atolls, and radiated many Marshallese, who are still suffering from the effects of the nuclear explosions. The combined explosive power of all the bombs dropped on the Marshall Islands during that 12-year period equals 1.6 Hiroshima-size explosions per day." See washingtonpost.com/sf/national/2015/11/27/a-ground-zero-forgotten/?utm_term=.e03eb948600.
    The 30th Hawaiʻi state legislature issued a certificate of welcome to The Golden Rule, wishing the crew a "successful journey" of two-and-a-half years sailing the Pacific "to support the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, raise awareness about environmental and human costs of military and nuclear activities, and support efforts to stop the possibility of nuclear war." The trip is expected to resume no sooner than January 2021.
    The crew on the leg of the voyage from Hilo to Maui was comprised of Akau, Keith Oney, Joe Scarola, Alex Fanceschini, and Arron Blackman, along with Jaccard.
    To donate, and more, contact Jaccard at 206-992-6364 or vfpgoldenruleproject@gmail.com. Visit vfpgoldenrule.org. Also contact Ann Wright, Veterans for Peace-Hawaiʻi, 808-741-1141, annw1946@gmail.com.
    See the documentary online, Making Waves: The Rebirth of the Golden Rule at vimeo.com/250517563. Read more in the Sept. 11, 2019, Kaʻū News Briefs.

From 1946 to 1958, the U.S. conducted nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands. The Golden Rule sailboat, sponsored 
by Veterans for Peace, intendeds to share concerns about this country and the threat of conventional and nuclear war. 
Swathmore Peace Collection photo
directory for 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.

EVENTS
PETFIX Spay and Neuter Clinic for Dogs will be held Friday, Sept. 25 in Ocean View. For information and to register, call 808-990-3548 or email petfixbigisland@gmail.com.

Vehicle and License Registration in Kaʻū Saturday, Sept. 26 for expirations in September, from to at 95-5355 Mamalahoa Hwy in Nāʻālehu. By appointment only at https://vehicleregistrationlicensing.as.me/driverlicense, no walk-ins. Face coverings must be worn, and customers must adhere to the recommended six-foot social distancing at all times. Only those customers receiving services will be allowed inside the lobby, but minors or those needing additional assistance may have one additional person accompany them, if needed. Questions? Call 939-2517.


National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 26 is celebrated at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with free entrance to the Park. The public is urged to celebrate by doing something good for the ‘āina (land), such as: Remove an invasive plant from your property, and replace it with a native plant; Pick up ‘opala (rubbish) from a beach, park or other public land; Write a haiku about your favorite public land. Watch a new Park video. The Park encourages people to post a photo or video of themselves engaged in the activity to their personal social media account, and tag @hawaiivolcanoesnps between Sept. 26 and 30. Haiku writers are encouraged to read their haiku on video. The Park will share the most inspiring posts to its Facebook and Instagram accounts.



Submit Comments and Questions about Hawaiian Electric's Keāhole Battery Storage Project through Saturday, Sept. 26. The utility submitted an application to the Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 28 for a first-of-its-kind on-island, 12-megawatt, 12-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System to help stabilize the power grid for the whole island, reducing the likelihood of customer outages. Virtual public meetings on both projects were held earlier this year and video replays of the discussions, along with the PUC applications and project details, can be found at www.hawaiianelectric.com/selfbuildprojects. Comments and questions can be submitted to keaholebess@hawaiianelectric.com and will be included in the application to PUC.


Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, AI, EPS or PNG with a quality of at least 1500 pixels by 1500 pixels and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.

The State of Hawai'i requires a Letter of Exemption for Farm Workers. Requests should be submitted to covidexemption@hawaii.gov 5 days prior to arrival. For a sample request letter visit: https://www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov

ONGOING

Artists and Vendors, sign up for the Annual Art & Craft Fair at OceanViewCommunity Center on Nov. 7. The event, held outside from to , will help raise funds for the Center, as well as benefit local artist and crafters. Booths are $8 for a 10' x 10' space, tents not provided. Face masks required. Free admission for attendees. Contact organizer Helen McCullough at 808-209-9204 or hmccullough.1@gmail.com.

Anyone Feeling Depressed or Anxious, or who needs someone to talk to, can call Department of Health's expanded Hawai‘i C.A.R.E.S. program at 1-800-753-6879 – the same number previously used by Crisis Line of Hawai‘i. Individuals in crisis can also text ALOHA to 741741, available 24/7.

Nominate Businesses that Provide Excellent COVID-19 Safety Precautions for a Gold Star. Submit nominations to County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development at rd.hawaiicounty.gov/economic-development/covid-19-business-resources-and-information/gold-star-businesses. Find help for small businesses at www.hawaiicounty.gov/covidbusinesshelp.

Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at  Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, and questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.

Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.

Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, will be available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island soon. Subjects are Homework Help, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.


Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.

     In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from  to  Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.

     In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from  to  Support is provided by Carla Lind.

     In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.

     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.

     All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.


Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts at https://member.everbridge.net/index/482552460607505#/signup. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.

Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at , with Worship Service starting at  The only time a face covering is needed is when the usher comes to the vehicle to pass out the worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at  and Praise Jam, which runs from  to  Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, us02web.zoom.us/j/6843449828?pwd=YW94djVvU0szOGNKaFZ1V0pUL1owUT09, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

One-Time Emergency Food for people is available through Big Island Giving Tree. Emergency food for pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

Food Basket Distribution last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. Another distribution will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Volcano Village's Cooper Center, from  until pau. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center Tuesday through Saturday  Call ahead, 967-7800.

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, , closed Saturday and Sunday. The Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open Wednesday through Sunday, , closed Monday and Tuesday. Virtual Shopping Appointments are offered at Volcano Art Center locations. Via Skype or FaceTime, a VAC associate helps customers browse the selection of artwork up close, and gives personalized tips and recommendations to help customers "find that perfect piece of locally made artwork, wherever you are in the world!" Book appointment online for $5 and VAC staff will help schedule a date and time at volcanoartcenter.org/shop. Shop the online gallery 24/7. Orders are shipped as regularly scheduled. Free local pickup is available.VAC now offers a Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. 

volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Ocean View Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 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.

Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays (starting next Wednesday, Aug. 12), , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks are mandatory. Limit of people is 100. Social distancing is required. Gate will be unlocked for vendors at  Vendors can show up without a reservation for now, with $15 dollars. Parking is in the upper lot; parking on the side of the road is prohibited. All vendors must provide their own sanitizer. All food vendors must have the permits required for the items that you are selling. Vendors and attendees are encouraged to carpool.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,  to . 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. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together at chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home, using neuroscience and positive psychology, children and parents alike can learn to better understand themselves and each other. The program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics," to teach families "how to manage their emotions, communicate in healthier ways, and create a nurturing environment focused on the things that matter most." Sign up at https://chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home/.


ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides for Chromebooks and iPads given out to distance learning students enrolled in Kaʻū public schools. The website is open to the public here. ʻOhana Help Desk is also available to students and parents by phone, Mondays through Fridays, , and on Sundays from  to  It is closed on Saturdays and state holidays.


Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab operates weekdays from  to  at St. Jude's lower parking lot. It is open to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.


Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries are open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons may 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, they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff, or they may go in-person to request items, without placing a hold. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Both locations are also open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi is available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot by using their library card and PIN. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.


Free Book Exchanges, at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, 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.

Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13, at  Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.


Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues, through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Access these remote services by completing the webform at hawaiifirstfcu.com/community-resource-center or by calling 808-933-6600 to sign up. The Financial Navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across the County can also refer clients directly to a Financial Navigator. For more information, contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub. Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources. Developed by the Sexual and Gender Minority Workgroup in partnership with the DOH Harm Reduction Services Branch. Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov/harmreduction/sexual-gender-minority/sexual-and-gender-minorities-sgm-in-hawaii/.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Kahalo Center says the database consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. U.S. Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs is developing a list of Native Hawaiian farmers willing to sell direct to consumers through the On-Farm Market Directory. On-farm markets are managed by a single farm operator that sells products on their farm, or on a property next to their farm. Some on-farm markets may also deliver or ship their goods directly to consumers. Visit the program website for more information and to register: ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/onfarm.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Owners can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. They offer help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature to help find information that applies to the searcher.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. See https://kohalacenter.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=54bdd67c601f0c0d3ea430053&id=9e1691c22d&e=0e3fe20c1f.

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.







Ka‘ū News Briefs, Monday, September 21, 2020

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Horses set free to escape the range fire at Kaʻaluʻalu are in the foreground. See an update, below. Photo from HFD

MAYOR HARRY KIM ASKED GOV. DAVID IGE TO REPLACE THE MANAGING COMPANY OF THE HILO VETERANS HOME where 24 residents have died since August. Seventy residents and 32 employees have tested positive for COVID-19. Kim wrote to the governor and shared the letter with Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald. Today, the newspaper quoted the mayor, who wrote, "Because of Avalon's failures, Avalon must be immediately removed from further administration of the veterans home."
    The mayor wrote that the Veterans Affairs Tiger Team (see Sunday's Kaʻū News Briefs) now in Hilo is capable of manning the veterans home "until other arrangements are made." Avalon spokesperson Allison Griffith told the Tribune-Herald that the company's regional vice president for Hawaiʻi operations has been heading up the administration of the Veterans Home for the last week, and a regional nurse consultant has administering clinical control of the facility.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou President Wayne Kawachi delivered treats to staff at Hilo's 
Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home today. On his left is Stacyn Lopez Sakuma, 
who grew up in Pāhala and works at the Veterans Home. Photo from OKK
    U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard weighed in today: "With twenty-four deaths and 70 positive infections of our veterans, the VA's report makes it clear that the facility's management failed to take action to prevent this massive outbreak at a home entrusted with the responsibility of caring for our veterans. The culture of complacency that allowed this incredible loss of life and suffering must end. Those responsible for this must be held accountable. I will continue to support all efforts to conduct oversight and follow-through to ensure immediate action is taken to keep our veterans and their caregivers safe. Sadly, for many of the residents and their families, it's too late."
    She noted that the Veterans Home opened in 2008. Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home in Hilo is the only dedicated veterans care home in Hawaiʻi. The facility is named for the late Technical Sergeant Yukio Okutsu, who was awarded the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor for his bravery and service in the Army's legendary 442nd Regimental Combat Team, during World War II.
    Since August, the home has been battling a growing COVID-19 cluster. A majority of residents at the 95-bed facility have tested positive, as have a mounting number of staff members. The 24th resident of the home died on Sept. 20.

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 DRIVE-THRU COVID-19 TESTING will be held Thursday, Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kahuku Park in Ocean View. Other free testing is Wednesday, Sept. 23 and Friday, Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Civic Auditorium in Hilo – enter from Kuawa Street entrance; and Wednesday, Sept. 23 and Friday, Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center.
    No insurance is necessary to be tested, but bring insurance card if have. No co-pay for the individuals being tested. Be sure to wear a face covering at all times and observe social distancing. For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

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SUBMIT TESTIMONY ON HELICOPTER AND SMALL AIRCRAFT NOISE POLLUTION and safety issues, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, tomorrow, Sept. 22 and Thursday, Sept. 24, urges Rep. Ed Case. Hawaiʻi Air Noise and Safety Task Force will host two Virtual Public Meetings on Oʻahu, but welcome public comments from around the Islands. 
Helicopters over Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, the 2018
eruption areas, and other areas of Hawaiʻi Island are
reported by residents as a nuisance or worse. Give input
on noise and safety of aircraft tomorrow and Thursday.
    
"It is critical that you attend these meetings and voice your concerns directly and personally, if you can, because otherwise the tour helicopter/small aircraft industry will likely downplay our concerns and nothing will change when operations restart. The Hawaiʻi Air Noise and Safety Task Force was established this January with the stated goal of addressing safety, noise, and other issues related to helicopter and fixed-wing aerial tours. Although it correctly includes government members, its membership is primarily the tour helicopter/small aircraft operators. I would sincerely like to believe that the Task Force takes our concerns very seriously and is truly committed to change, but given my experience to date with the industry, I am very skeptical. However, any opportunity to participate in a public discussion should be welcomed, including this one, which is the first time recently the industry has agreed to do so."
    Attend the virtual forum on Sept. 22 at zoom.us/j/93380587856, passcode: 418100. Attend the virtual forum on Sept. 24 at zoom.us/j/93829641492, passcode: 077533.
    Public input to the Task Force may be submitted in writing at any time before the meetings and through Dec. 1 at hanstf.org/index.php/public-meetings/. Case says, "Whether or not you can testify personally, please submit your comments through the same link. They need not be lengthy as what is more important is that members of our community register our concerns."
     On a related but separate note, the Federal Aviation Administration recently updated its website to include a portal for submitting noise complaints at noise.faa.gov and faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/arc/western_pacific/noise_complai nt/.

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Kammie Tavares studies disappearing beaches and the relationship to walls along the shoreline.
Photo from University of Hawaiʻi
FORTY PERCENT OF BEACHES IN THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS could be gone by 2050, says a study, according to Kammie Tavares, of the University of Hawaiʻi School of Ocean & Earth Sciences. The new study by Tavares and her co-researchers looks at rising sea levels and seawalls as two of the causes. Seawalls contribute to hardening of beaches in the attempt to conserve them. The effort only exacerbates the elimination of beaches, particularly with the rise in sea level of up to ten inches in the upcoming 30 years, says the study.
    Tavares, a graduate student at SOEST's Department of Earth Sciences, said, "By assessing computer models of the beach migration caused by 9.8 inches (0.25 meters) of sea-level rise, an amount with a high probability of occurring before mid-century, we found that emergency permit applications for shoreline hardening to protect beachfront property will substantially increase. 
    "Beaches are critical ecosystems to native plants and animals, offer protection from storms, are an essential cultural setting, and attract tourists, who are important for Hawaiʻi's current economy. This research shows that conversations on the future of our beaches and how we will care for them must happen now rather than later, if we are to protect our sandy beaches," said Tavares. 
There are few walls along the Kaʻū Coast, this one originally for a boat landing and now for Punaluʻu Boat Ramp. 
Photo by Julia Neal
    Those who own beachfront properties should transition out of the area to allow natural migration that occurs with beaches over time, the study recommends. 
    There are numerous seawalls along Aliʻi Drive in Kona and in Hilo, but almost none along the 80-mile shoreline of Kaʻū. They include the small walls at the boat ramp at Punaluʻu, some historic landing remains at Honuʻapo and along the Kaʻū Coast, and a small amount of construction at the Kalae boat ramp. See the full story at hawaii.edu/news/2020/09/21/oahu-beaches-lost-mid-century.

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Range fire originating near Kaʻaluʻalu Bay in Kaʻū. Fire quickly 
spread by strong east northeast winds. Photo from HFD

THE KAʻALUʻALU RANGE FIRE was at least 90 percent contained by this morning. Hawaiʻi County Fire Department units from all over Kaʻū worked with volunteers and civilians to stop the spread, which burned at least 3,500 acres. One state and two private bulldozers were used to cut fire lines around the fire.
    During the day, Hoʻolapa – famous wind at Kamāʻoa near Kalae – had grown to 25 miles per hour. Hot spots throughout the burn area were all that remained by Sunday evening, and night watch units remained on scene with a state highways dozer "to continue to mop up and widen fire breaks for tomorrows continued fire fighting," says the report from HFD.
    The burn area was mostly pastureland, with scattered low mesic forest.
    So far, 39 personnel, three bulldozers, two fire engines, two tankers, a medic unit, two helicopters, and twelve other units, plus four patrol cars for the road closure and scene control, have been involved in the effort to control and put out the fire. South Point Road is open again. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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HAWAIʻI BEACH SAFETY WEEK runs from Sept. 20 through 26. Focussing on drowning prevention efforts, Hawaiʻi Department of Health says, "This week is dedicated to Hawai‘i Drowning and Aquatic Injury Prevention Advisory Committee member and long-time water safety advocate Ray Sanborn, who passed away unexpectedly last week. Sanborn was a founding member of the advisory committee and enthusiastic contributor to drowning prevention efforts for decades. Sanborn was president and CEO of Kama‘aina Kids."
    DOH has a new campaign this year, Ocean Safety Amidst a Pandemic: Keeping your ʻOhana Safe.
    With the pandemic, lockdowns, travel restrictions, closures of beaches, and a lack of tourists, there are fewer visitor deaths from drowning. However, says DOH, "all counties have seen an increase in residents going fishing, and participating in other shoreline and beach activities."

The only lifeguard stand in Kaʻū is at Punaluʻu. Photo by Julia Neal

    
DOH says Hawai‘i Island "has historically had the highest proportion of resident drownings. Ocean safety and rescue services were involved in assisting several residents who were fishing or diving and went missing during various incidents in the early part of the year."
    Assistant Fire Chief Darwin Okinaka encourages divers and ‘opihi pickers to use a tight buddy system and asks adults to keep a close eye on children, especially around coastal areas. He says, "Shoreline activities, such as fishing and picking ‘opihi, account for more than one-third of fatal ocean drownings among Big Island residents. We stress the importance of being aware of the current ocean conditions and don't take chances if they're unfavorable."
    Since April, eight of nine fatal ocean drownings in Hawai‘i were residents, reports DOH, compared to four of the 14 fatal drownings from January through March. Five of the 12 fatal incidents between January and July 2020 were related to freediving.
    DOH says fatal drownings in Hawaiʻi are projected to be about 50 percent lower than the annual average of 82 over the last five years.

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MEET MAYORAL CANDIDATE MITCH ROTH at a Talk Story event on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Discovery Harbour Golf Course clubhouse at the corner of Kahiki Street and Kaulua Circle. Groups will be limited to no more than eight at a time in one-hour increments scheduled by appointment only, between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. To schedule a group, contact Doug Phillips at 808-339-2927 or officerdug@gmail.com.

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HAWAIʻI RANKS 48TH IN TEACHER SALARIES, according to a WalletHub analysis released today. The ranking is adjusted for the cost of living. The states with the highest pay for teachers are Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Massachusetts. The lowest teacher salaries, adjusted for cost of living, are Maine, Florida, Arizona, and Hawaiʻi. Rankings for overall best states for teachers put Hawaiʻi at 42nd. The best overall states are Washington, Utah, New Jersey, and Delaware.
    The study states that "Teaching can be a profoundly rewarding career, considering the critical role educators play in shaping young minds. But many teachers find themselves overworked and underpaid. Education jobs are among the lowest-paying occupations requiring a bachelor's degree, and teacher salaries consistently fail to keep up with inflation. Meanwhile, the Every Student Succeeds Act demands growth in student performance. And this year, the COVID-19 pandemic has made teachers' jobs even harder than usual. Earlier in 2020, teachers across the U.S. had to make an abrupt switch to online learning, and many may have to continue teaching through the internet this Fall. 
WalletHub reports Hawaiʻi has the 48th lowest teacher salaries, adjusted for cost of living. WalletHub image
    "Teachers in districts that do hold in-person learning will still have to do things far differently than normal, implementing social distancing procedures in the classroom. Some teachers may even need to do a combination of online and in-person teaching. In some states, teachers are more fairly paid and better protected against the current pandemic than in others. Those states are less likely to face a revolving door of teacher turnover." 
    See the full study here.

Watch the We Are Oceania video.
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A MICRONESIAN-LANGUAGE HELPLINE to answer questions about COVID-19 and more is offered by We Are Oceania. A collaborative project aimed at centralizing the support system for all Micronesian communities, families, and individuals in Hawai‘i, its helpline can answer questions about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, quarantine, health insurance, housing, unemployment, and other related questions, for those Micronesians who do not speak English. COVID-19 questions can be asked , daily. For questions other questions about health insurance, housing, or unemployment, the helpline is available weekdays,  WAO helpline: (808) 913-1364. See facebook.com/WeAreOceania/videos/334743961227978.

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THE LOWEST ONE-DAY NEW COVID-19 CASE COUNT since Aug. 2 is reported today for Hawaiʻi. Of the 56 new cases, Hawaiʻi Island reports seven new cases, Oʻahu 49.
    Since the pandemic began, there have been 11,459 COVID cases in the state. Department of Health reports 4,888 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are about 6,450 active cases in isolation. There are 18 people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus. Hawaiʻi Island reports 26 deaths, 24 from Yukio Okustu State Veterans Home.
    Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 10,338 cases, Hawaiʻi Island 651, Maui County 385, and Kauaʻi 57. Twenty-eight victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 735 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.
    In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; 96737 with Ocean View; 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, and Wood Valley; and 96785 with Volcano Village. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date. Other areas shaded gray have no or very little population and no cases.

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray

areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases.

Yellow is one to 20 cases. Pale orange is 21 to 40 cases. Medium

orange is 41 to 90 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 91 to 140 

cases. Bright red is 141 to 270 cases. Dark red (not pictured)

is 271 to 380 cases. Department of Health map


    
Visitation at Hilo Medical Center has been paused, with the exception of one visitor for OB, pediatrics, and end-of-life patients. The hospital's long-term care ward is closed to new patients for now.
    All beach and shoreline parks on Hawaiʻi Island are closed through Sept. 30. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited.
    Hawaiʻi Island police continue enforcement of preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, police officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help." 
    Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island "reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Island as the virus remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe." See hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense.
    See the Hawaiʻi County COVID-19 webpage at coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.
    COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 6,832,970 – about 22 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 199,816 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 31.18 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 962,343.

directory for 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.

EVENTS
PETFIX Spay and Neuter Clinic for Dogs will be held Friday, Sept. 25 in Ocean View. For information and to register, call 808-990-3548 or email petfixbigisland@gmail.com.

Vehicle and License Registration in Kaʻū Saturday, Sept. 26 for expirations in September, from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at 95-5355 Mamalahoa Hwy in Nāʻālehu. By appointment only. Register here. No walk-ins. Face coverings must be worn, and customers must adhere to the recommended six-foot social distancing at all times. Only those customers receiving services will be allowed inside the lobby, but minors or those needing additional assistance may have one additional person accompany them, if needed. Questions? Call 939-2517.


National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 26 is celebrated at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with free entrance to the Park. The public is urged to celebrate by doing something good for the ‘āina (land), such as: Remove an invasive plant from your property, and replace it with a native plant; Pick up ‘opala (rubbish) from a beach, park or other public land; Write a haiku about your favorite public land. Watch a new Park video. The Park encourages people to post a photo or video of themselves engaged in the activity to their personal social media account, and tag @hawaiivolcanoesnps between Sept. 26 and 30. Haiku writers are encouraged to read their haiku on video. The Park will share the most inspiring posts to its Facebook and Instagram accounts.


Submit Comments and Questions about Hawaiian Electric's Keāhole Battery Storage Project through Saturday, Sept. 26. The utility submitted an application to the Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 28 for a first-of-its-kind on-island, 12-megawatt, 12-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System to help stabilize the power grid for the whole island, reducing the likelihood of customer outages. Virtual public meetings on both projects were held earlier this year and video replays of the discussions, along with the PUC applications and project details, can be found here. Comments and questions can be submitted to keaholebess@hawaiianelectric.com and will be included in the application to PUC.


Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, AI, EPS or PNG with a quality of at least 1500 pixels by 1500 pixels and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.

The State of Hawai'i requires a Letter of Exemption for Farm Workers. Requests should be submitted to 
covidexemption@hawaii.gov 5 days prior to arrival. For a sample request letter visit: https://www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov

ONGOING

Nominate Businesses that Provide Excellent COVID-19 Safety Precautions for a Gold Star. Submit nominations to County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development here. Find help for small businesses here.

Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at  Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, and questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.

Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.

Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, will be available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island soon. Subjects are Homework Help, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.


Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.

     In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from  to  Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.

     In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from  to  Support is provided by Carla Lind.

     In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.

     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.

     All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.


Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts here. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.

Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at , with Worship Service starting at  The only time a face covering is needed is when the usher comes to the vehicle to pass out the worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at  and Praise Jam, which runs from  to  Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, here, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

One-Time Emergency Food for people is available through Big Island Giving Tree. Emergency food for pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

Food Basket Distribution last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. Another distribution will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Volcano Village's Cooper Center, from  until pau. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center Tuesday through Saturday  Call ahead, 967-7800.

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, , closed Saturday and Sunday. The Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open Wednesday through Sunday, , closed Monday and Tuesday. Virtual Shopping Appointments are offered at Volcano Art Center locations. Via Skype or FaceTime, a VAC associate helps customers browse the selection of artwork up close, and gives personalized tips and recommendations to help customers "find that perfect piece of locally made artwork, wherever you are in the world!" Book appointment online for $5 and VAC staff will help schedule a date and time at volcanoartcenter.org/shop. Shop the online gallery 24/7. Orders are shipped as regularly scheduled. Free local pickup is available.VAC now offers a Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. 

volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Ocean View Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 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.

Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays (starting next Wednesday, Aug. 12), , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks are mandatory. Limit of people is 100. Social distancing is required. Gate will be unlocked for vendors at  Vendors can show up without a reservation for now, with $15 dollars. Parking is in the upper lot; parking on the side of the road is prohibited. All vendors must provide their own sanitizer. All food vendors must have the permits required for the items that you are selling. Vendors and attendees are encouraged to carpool.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,  to . 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. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together here, using neuroscience and positive psychology, children and parents alike can learn to better understand themselves and each other. The program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics," to teach families "how to manage their emotions, communicate in healthier ways, and create a nurturing environment focused on the things that matter most." Sign up here.


ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides for Chromebooks and iPads given out to distance learning students enrolled in Kaʻū public schools. The website is open to the public here. ʻOhana Help Desk is also available to students and parents by phone, Mondays through Fridays, , and on Sundays from  to  It is closed on Saturdays and state holidays.


Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab operates weekdays from  to  at St. Jude's lower parking lot. It is open to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.


Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries are open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons may 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, they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff, or they may go in-person to request items, without placing a hold. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Both locations are also open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi is available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot by using their library card and PIN. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.


Free Book Exchanges, at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, 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.

Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13, at  Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.


Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues, through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Access these remote services by completing the webform here or by calling 808-933-6600 to sign up. The Financial Navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across the County can also refer clients directly to a Financial Navigator. For more information, contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub. Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources. Developed by the Sexual and Gender Minority Workgroup in partnership with the DOH Harm Reduction Services Branch. Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Kahalo Center says the database consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. U.S. Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs is developing a list of Native Hawaiian farmers willing to sell direct to consumers through the On-Farm Market Directory. On-farm markets are managed by a single farm operator that sells products on their farm, or on a property next to their farm. Some on-farm markets may also deliver or ship their goods directly to consumers. Visit the program website for more information and to register.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Owners can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. They offer help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature to help find information that applies to the searcher.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.

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Ka‘ū News Briefs, Tuesday, September 22, 2020

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Hilo's Yukio Okustu State Veterans Home is under close scrutiny after 27 resident deaths from COVID-19. 
See story below. Photo from Big Island Video News
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF STATE WORKERS COULD BE FURLOUGHED with unpaid days off work over the next four years. The days off would cost the employees a ten percent pay cut, according to Hawaiʻi News Now, which reported the story this morning. The story states Gov. David Ige has been meeting with union leaders in anticipation of starting the unpaid leave program Dec. 1. Also saving money would be deep cuts in state programs and with contractors who do business with the state. Frugal spending is not enough to balance the budget after devastating tax losses to the state, as the economy of Hawaiʻi contracted during the ongoing pandemic, reports Hawaiʻi News Now.

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U.S. DEATH TOLL FROM COVID-19 REACHES 200,000 today, as one more veteran dies at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo, bringing its total to 25 and accounting for all but two of the 27 fatalities on Hawaiʻi Island since the pandemic began. Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense sent a message about the veterans who died from COVID. "Our sincere gratitude for their service to the country, and prayers and condolences to their families." The Veterans Home reports 70 residents tested positive for COVID, with 23 recovered, five hospitalized, and 17 receiving treatment in an isolated area of the facility. Thirty-four staff members tested positive; 25 recovered. 
Dr. K. Albert Yazawa
    A second report on the cluster at the Veterans Home was released this week, this one by the state Hawaiʻi COVID-19 Joint Information Center. Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency's Dr. K. Albert Yazawa conducted the assessment at the request of Hawai‘i Health Systems Corp, which operates the hospital at Hilo Medical Center, adjacent to the Veterans Home.
    The Veterans Home is managed by Avalon Health Group under contract to the State of Hawai‘i. Between Aug. 25, when the first case was reported, and today, 27 veteran residents died. See more on the situation in previous Kaʻū News Briefs: Aug. 25, Aug. 31, Sept. 3, Sept. 5, Sept. 7, Sept. 9Sept. 11Sept. 13Sept. 14Sept. 15Sept. 16Sept. 20, and Sept. 21.
    Yazawa wrote that sources of COVID infection in the facility included "staff who appear to be connected to known community outbreaks," unknown asymptomatic but infectious staff, and resident exposure at a dialysis center where there was an outbreak of COVID. He said staff complacency, including "break room use and loose mask usage by some staff" played a part in spread, as did lack of onsite testing and staff contact tracing. 
    He suggested "a very low threshold for testing based on a growing list of subtle symptoms to include behavioral changes, non-respiratory symptoms like Gl issues, etc." could have led to discovering infections sooner. He said separating residents with different COVID status and assigning staff to work only one area, sooner, would have slowed the spread.
    "Wandering dementia patients is a complex issue in the nursing home and is difficult to deal with within current nursing home regulations, which discourages physical or chemical restraints of any kind, unlike in acute care facilities," said Yazawa. He suggested "physical barriers, like dementia stop signs" or using plastic curtains to keep those patients in a limited area.
Hilo's Yukio Okustu State Veterans Home. 
Photo from Big Island Video News
    He said the culture at the Veterans Home "remained entrenched in pre-COVID norms of respecting individual resident rights over the health of the general population." He called this a major error. 
    As for staff positivity rates, Yazawa said it is "unlikely that this can be attributed to community-acquired COVID" as Hilo's rates are "far below five percent." He attributed the high staff COVID rates to "less than optimal day-to-day personal prevention practices" and "lack of good systemic practices." 
    He recommends follow-up visits to assure compliance with suggested recommendations by Veterans Affairs.
    A third report is being prepared by state Department of Health's Office of Health Care Assurance. A preview of the report says: "Staff were in-serviced on facility policies and procedures, but it appears there was no follow-up to ensure appropriate behaviors or enforcement."
    Allison Griffiths, spokesperson for Avalon, told The Kaʻū Calendar that a response to the HI-EMA report is forthcoming. A response to the state Department of Health report will come after Avalon receives and reviews it.   
A masked Sen. Brian Schatz in D.C. He said he and his 
staff will closely monitor the situation at 
Hilo's Veterans Home. Photo from Schatz

    She pointed to the recent COVID-19 infection control survey conducted by the Department of Health's Office of Health Care Assurance on June 23. She said OHCA reported that "the facility was in full compliance with infection control guidelines. In fact, the surveyor complimented the facility for its diligence. While standards are updated over time as we learn more about this historic threat, this shows that our healthcare heroes are doing everything they can to keep our residents safe," said Griffiths.
    On Sunday, Sen. Brian Schatz said the VA's report "makes clear that Avalon did not take the steps necessary to protect its residents and staff. We have known all along that nursing homes and their residents were particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, so it is infuriating to see that basic infection control practices were not in place months after the pandemic began. Avalon must take immediate action to address the recommendations of this report to ensure the safety of the veterans and staff at the State Veterans Home. My staff and I will continue to closely monitor this outbreak and help provide any additional federal resources that are available."
     See more on the daily COVID count, along with rules and regulations, below.

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Join Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for a
Virtual Townhall tomorrow.

A VIRTUAL TOWNHALL ON COVID, HILO VETERANS HOME DEATHS, and future pandemic assistance from Congress will be held by Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 3 p.m. In a statement today from her office in Washington, D.C., Gabbard said she will discuss expected improvements in Hawai‘i's COVID-19 testing and tracing operations, and the outbreak at Hilo's Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home that has claimed the lives of 25 veterans. She will also talk about the latest news from Congress on emergency assistance and this week's vote to avoid a government shutdown at the end of the month.

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COVID-19 TALK STORY ON NĀ LEO TV will launch on Nā Leo. The series with County of Hawaiʻi begins this Thursday, Sept. 24 at 10 a.m. The 60-minute live premiere will come from the county's COVID-19 Operations Center at Aunty Sally's Luau Hale in Hilo.
    
A Nā Leo statement about the series says it is "aimed toward helping deliver accurate and current information to our island residents regarding the most pressing challenge of our modern lives, the COVID-19 pandemic."
    Nā Leo President and CEO, Stacy Higa, said, "We look forward to providing our community with a program that will have current and important information about our island's COVID-19 recovery. County, State, local non-profits, and community organizations will help provide us with the important content to share with our island residents."
    He said the series will broadcast Thursdays, locally on Spectrum Channel 53, online at naleo.tv/channel-53/, and streaming via the Nā Leo free mobile app available in all major marketplaces. It will be available on-demand at naleo.tv/covid19.

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TODAY IS NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY, the fourth Tuesday of September. Residents are urged to register online, https://olvr.hawaii.gov/, or by U.S. Mail. Print a registration form. Forms must be postmarked no later than Monday, Oct. 5.
    Ballots for Hawai‘i County will be mailed Oct. 7 and should start to arrive within a couple days. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. As during the Primary, all ballots will be mailed.
    Mailed ballots must be sent by Oct. 27. Voters can deposit ballots in mailboxes, at post offices, and at dropbox locations around the island; in Nāʻālehu Police Station at 95-5355 Mamalahoa Hwy starting Oct. 14 through Nov. 2, daily, open 24 hours, and on election day through 7 p.m.
    Voters can still vote in-person and may register the same day. Locations are in Hilo at 101 Pauahi Street, #1, and Kona, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy. See tips on helping others to register to vote at nationalvoterregistrationday.org. Find more information at elections.hawaii.gov. Check voter registration status here.

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TODAY IS FIRST DAY OF FALL for the mainland. Hawaiʻi has two seasons, summer – kau – from May to October, and winter – hoʻoilo. This time of year is usually the peak of hurricane season, which has been quiet so far with Douglas, and some unnamed tropical storms and depressions, passing by with no damage. By contrast, the Atlantic has had so many named storms this season, they've gone to Greek for new names. 
    National Weather Service reports Tropical Storm Lowell with winds 50 mph is brewing east of Hawaiʻi and is expected to strengthen and weaken as it moves in this direction. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 1.

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.

FARMERS AND RANCHERS CAN ATTEND A PRODUCER WEBINAR on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 9 a.m. to discuss U.S. Department of Agriculture's additional $14 billion dollars for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. Learn about expanded eligibility for certain commodities, new payment categories – including a sales-based approach to specialty crops and other specific commodities – and how to apply. Register for the webinar here.
    Coffee farmers are newly included – learn more, below. Signup will run through Dec. 11 for this next round of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments. See a complete list of eligible commodities, payment rates, and calculations at farmers.gov/cfap

Chris Manfredi, President of Hawaiʻi Coffee Association
encourages coffee farmers to apply for aid
.
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HAWAIʻI COFFEE ASSOCIATION ENCOURAGES FARMERS TO APPLY TO THE CORONAVIRUS FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. Coffee producers impacted by fallout from COVID-19 statewide are newly eligible to apply for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments through Dec. 11.
    "We are thrilled the USDA has added coffee to the list of eligible specialty crops for this round of CFAP funding," said Chris Manfredi, president of the statewide Hawaiʻi Coffee Association. In a statement released Monday, Manfredi credited the many HCA members who testified on the importance of securing eligibility and others who "went to bat" for Hawaiʻi's coffee industry.
    
Supporters included Hawaiʻi's congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. "who never took their eye off the ball. Their communication and resolve have been outstanding," said Manfredi. "On behalf of the Hawaiʻi Coffee Association, I also want to thank USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and his staff, President Trump, and our local Farm Service Agency, Hawaiʻi and American Farm Bureaus, and HDOA for their support of Hawaiʻi's coffee industry. I urge all those who have been impacted, and are now eligible, to apply for CFAP and CARES ACT funding."
    Coffee industry members can check the HCA website for funding updates and resources related to COVID-19 at hawaiicoffeeassoc.org
    The Hawaiʻi Coffee Association's mission is to represent all sectors of the Hawaiʻi coffee industry, including growers, millers, wholesalers, roasters, and retailers. The HCA's primary objective is to increase awareness and consumption of Hawaiian coffees. A major component of HCA's work is the continuing education of members and consumers. Learn more about the HCA through hawaiicoffeeassoc.org.

Grassroot Institute President Keliʻi Akina
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REFORM THE STATE LAND USE COMMISSION TO ENCOURAGE MORE HOUSING is the recommendation of a new brief from Hawaiʻi Grassroot Institute. A statement from Grassroot says the report "makes it clear that the land-use agency makes it more time-consuming and costly to create new housing in Hawaiʻi, thanks to its quasi-judicial structure and many mandates that often are duplicative of county functions."
    Keliʻi Akina, president of Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi, said the COVID-19 crisis "is all the more reason to take bold action now to rejuvenate Hawaiʻi's housing industry. It would put homebuilders back to work and provide more homes at more affordable prices for Hawaiʻi's struggling residents. When our lawmakers reconvene in 2021, they should work to make it as easy as reasonably possible to create new housing in the islands. Reforming the state Land Use Commission would be an excellent way to start."  The Grassroot Institute's policy brief, written by research associate Jackson Makaniko Grubbe, suggests three reform options:
    Rein in LUC's authority over specific types of proposed urban uses and detailed reviews of development design and associated impacts."It is the state Land Use Commission, after all, not the state Zoning Commission."
    Grubbe points out that the agency was established in 1961 to address problems related to urban development spreading throughout agricultural lands. Since then, it has been responsible for reviewing petitions for district boundary amendments, which are requests to change a parcel's land designation. "But these days, the LUC also considers issues generally considered to be within the purview of the counties, such as infrastructure, public facilities, economic feasibility, and environmental concerns."
    Allow counties to handle all DBAs for urban and agricultural lands. The LUC could be retained for reviewing DBAs of conservation lands and for considering statewide environmental issues that the counties might not be equipped to handle, such as potable water availability, natural resource protection, and "important agricultural land" designation.
Jackson Makaniko Grubbe suggests
reforms to ease housing worries.
Photo from Grassroot

    Raise acreage cutoff for LUC review of District Boundary Amendment requests. Currently, the threshold is 15 acres. One proposal in the 2020 legislative session suggested 25 acres. "And increasing the amount would not be unprecedented." The LUC website notes: "In an effort to streamline the decision-making process, the law was amended in 1985 to allow applicants for land-use changes of 15 acres or less to apply directly to the counties."
    The institute's policy brief concludes: "Restructuring the approval process for district boundary amendments would help the Land Use Commission focus on statewide land-use issues, in accordance with its stated purpose. It would also help housing developers move more quickly through the approval process. An acreage increase would have a similar result on a smaller scale."
    Akina said, "More housing is critical if we hope to keep our family members, friends, and neighbors from leaving Hawaiʻi in search of greener pastures. Reforming the LUC is an obvious choice for how to make more housing happen."

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KAʻŪ DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES OFFICE WILL BE OPEN THIS SATURDAY, Sept. 26, by appointment, to process expired Hawaiʻi Driver's License and driver's licenses expiring in September. Hours will be from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. The location is in the police station building on the makai, Pāhala, side of Nāʻālehu along Highway 11. Appointments may be made here. With any questions, call 854-7214. 
    Face coverings must be worn and customers must adhere to the recommended a six-foot social distancing at all times. Only those customers receiving services will be allowed, but minors or those needing additional assistance may have one additional person accompany them, if needed. 
    Those who have traveled off-island within the past 14 days, have a fever exceeding 100.3 F, receiving the results, please do not attempt to visit Department of Motor Vehicle offices for services or to schedule an appointment in-person.

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THE STATE REPORTS 65 NEW CODI-19 CASES TODAY. Hawaiʻi Island reports eight new cases, Oʻahu 55. Since the pandemic began, there have been 11,522 COVID cases in the state. Department of Health reports 4,992 of those infected have completed isolation. There are about 6,400 active cases in isolation. There are 19 people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus. 

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray

areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases.

Yellow is one to 30 cases. Pale orange is 31 to 60 cases. Medium

orange is 61 to 90 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 91 to 140 

cases. Bright red is 141 to 250 cases. Dark red (not pictured)

is 251 to 370 cases. Department of Health map

    Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 10,393 cases, Hawaiʻi Island 659, Maui County 385, and Kauaʻi 57. Twenty-eight victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 749 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began. 
     Hilo's Veterans Home - see story, above - reports 25 total deaths, one new today. Hilo Medical Center reports two deaths, for a Hawaiʻi Island total of 27. The state's official death toll is 120, and Department of Health states about 20 deaths are being verified before being counted.
    In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; 96737 with Ocean View; 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, and Wood Valley; and 96785 with Volcano Village. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date. Other areas shaded gray have no or very little population and no cases. 
    Visitation at Hilo Medical Center has been paused, with the exception of one visitor for OB, pediatrics, and end-of-life patients. The hospital's long-term care ward is closed to new patients for now. 
    All beach and shoreline parks on Hawaiʻi Island are closed through Sept. 30. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited. 
    Hawaiʻi Island police continue enforcement of preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, police officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help." 
    Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island "reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Island as the virus remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe."
    See the Hawaiʻi County COVID-19 webpage at coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311. 
    COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 6,889,086 – about 22 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 200,558 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 31.43 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 967,197.

directory for 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.

EVENTS
Free Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing will be held Thursday, Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kahuku Park in Ocean View. Other free testing is Wednesday, Sept. 23, and Friday, Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Civic Auditorium in Hilo – enter from Kuawa Street entrance; and Wednesday, Sept. 23 and Friday, Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center. No insurance is necessary to be tested, but bring insurance card if have. No co-pay for the individuals being tested. Be sure to wear a face-covering at all times and observe social distancing. For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

Submit Testimony on Helicopter and Small Craft Noice Pollution and Safety on Thursday, Sept. 24, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Hawaiʻi Air Noise and Safety Task Force will host the Virtual Public Meeting. Rep. Ed Case urges Hawaiʻi Island residents to also voice their concerns regardless. Attend the virtual forum here, passcode: 077533. Public input to the Task Force may be submitted in writing at any time before the meetings and through Dec. 1 here. Federal Aviation Administration updated its website to include a portal for submitting noise complaints at noise.faa.gov.

Producers Webinar for Farmers and Ranchers on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 9 a.m. will discuss expanded eligibility for certain commodities – coffee is now included – new payment categories – including a sales-based approach to specialty crops and other specific commodities – and information on how to apply. Register here.
    
U.S. Department of Agriculture announced up to an additional $14 billion dollars for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. Signup will run through Dec. 11 for this next round of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments.
    See a complete list of eligible commodities, payment rates, and calculations at farmers.gov/cfap.

PETFIX Spay and Neuter Clinic for Dogs will be held Friday, Sept. 25 in Ocean View. For information and to register, call 808-990-3548 or email petfixbigisland@gmail.com.

Vehicle and License Registration in Kaʻū Saturday, Sept. 26 for expirations in September, from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at 95-5355 Mamalahoa Hwy in Nāʻālehu. By appointment only. Register here. No walk-ins. Face coverings must be worn, and customers must adhere to the recommended six-foot social distancing at all times. Only those customers receiving services will be allowed inside the lobby, but minors or those needing additional assistance may have one additional person accompany them, if needed. Questions? Call 939-2517.

Meet Mayoral Candidate Mitch Roth at a Talk Story even on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Discovery Harbour Golf Course clubhouse at the corner of Kahiki Street and Kaulua Circle. Groups will be limited to no more than eight at a time in one-hour increments scheduled by appointment only, between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. To schedule a group, contact Doug Phillips at 808-339-2927 or officerdug@gmail.com.


National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 26 is celebrated at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with free entrance to the Park. The public is urged to celebrate by doing something good for the ‘āina (land), such as: Remove an invasive plant from your property, and replace it with a native plant; Pick up ‘opala (rubbish) from a beach, park or other public land; Write a haiku about your favorite public land. Watch a new Park video. The Park encourages people to post a photo or video of themselves engaged in the activity to their personal social media account, and tag @hawaiivolcanoesnps between Sept. 26 and 30. Haiku writers are encouraged to read their haiku on video. The Park will share the most inspiring posts to its Facebook and Instagram accounts.


Submit Comments and Questions about Hawaiian Electric's Keāhole Battery Storage Project through Saturday, Sept. 26. The utility submitted an application to the Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 28 for a first-of-its-kind on-island, 12-megawatt, 12-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System to help stabilize the power grid for the whole island, reducing the likelihood of customer outages. Virtual public meetings on both projects were held earlier this year and video replays of the discussions, along with the PUC applications and project details, can be found here. Comments and questions can be submitted to keaholebess@hawaiianelectric.com and will be included in the application to PUC.


Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, AI, EPS or PNG with a quality of at least 1500 pixels by 1500 pixels and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.

Artists and Vendors, sign up for the Annual Art & Craft Fair at Ocean View Community Center on Nov. 7. The event, held outside from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., will help raise funds for the Center, as well as benefit local artist and crafters. Booths are $8 for a 10' x 10' space, tents not provided. Face masks required. Free admission for attendees. Contact organizer Helen McCullough at 808-209-9204 or hmccullough.1@gmail.com.

The State of Hawai'i requires a Letter of Exemption for Farm Workers. Requests should be submitted to 
covidexemption@hawaii.gov 5 days prior to arrival. For a sample request letter visit: https://www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov

ONGOING
Micronesian-Language COVID-19 Helpline is offered by We Are Oceania. Receive answers to questions about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, quarantine, health insurance, housing, unemployment, and other related questions, for those Micronesians who do not speak English. COVID-19 questions can be asked 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily. For questions other questions about health insurance, housing, or unemployment, the helpline is available weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. WAO helpline: (808) 913-1364. Watch the video here.

Anyone Feeling Depressed or Anxious, or who needs someone to talk to, can call Department of Health's expanded Hawai‘i C.A.R.E.S. program at 1-800-753-6879 – the same number previously used by Crisis Line of Hawai‘i. Individuals in crisis can also text ALOHA to 741741, available 24/7.

Nominate Businesses that Provide Excellent COVID-19 Safety Precautions for a Gold Star. Submit nominations to County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development here. Find help for small businesses here.

Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, and questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.

Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.


Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, will be available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island soon. Subjects are Homework Help, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.

Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.

     In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from  to  Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.

     In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from  to  Support is provided by Carla Lind.

     In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.

     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.

     All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.


Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts here. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.

Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at , with Worship Service starting at  The only time a face covering is needed is when the usher comes to the vehicle to pass out the worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at  and Praise Jam, which runs from  to  Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, here, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

One-Time Emergency Food for people is available through Big Island Giving Tree. Emergency food for pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

Food Basket Distribution last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. Another distribution will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Volcano Village's Cooper Center, from 10 a.m. until pau. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Call ahead, 967-7800.

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, , closed Saturday and Sunday. The Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open Wednesday through Sunday, , closed Monday and Tuesday. Virtual Shopping Appointments are offered at Volcano Art Center locations. Via Skype or FaceTime, a VAC associate helps customers browse the selection of artwork up close, and gives personalized tips and recommendations to help customers "find that perfect piece of locally made artwork, wherever you are in the world!" Book appointment online for $5 and VAC staff will help schedule a date and time at volcanoartcenter.org/shop. Shop the online gallery 24/7. Orders are shipped as regularly scheduled. Free local pickup is available.VAC now offers a Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. 

volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Ocean View Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 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.

Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays (starting next Wednesday, Aug. 12), , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks are mandatory. Limit of people is 100. Social distancing is required. Gate will be unlocked for vendors at  Vendors can show up without a reservation for now, with $15 dollars. Parking is in the upper lot; parking on the side of the road is prohibited. All vendors must provide their own sanitizer. All food vendors must have the permits required for the items that you are selling. Vendors and attendees are encouraged to carpool.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,  to . 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. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together here, using neuroscience and positive psychology, children and parents alike can learn to better understand themselves and each other. The program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics," to teach families "how to manage their emotions, communicate in healthier ways, and create a nurturing environment focused on the things that matter most." Sign up here.

ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides fo

r Chromebooks and iPads given out to distance learning students enrolled in Kaʻū public schools. The website is open to the public here. ʻOhana Help Desk is also available to students and parents by phone, Mondays through Fridays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. It is closed on Saturdays and state holidays.

Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab operates weekdays from  to  at St. Jude's lower parking lot. It is o

pen to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.

Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries are open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons may 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, they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff, or they may go in-person to request items, without placing a hold. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Both locations are also open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi is available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot by using their library card and PIN. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.


Free Book Exchanges, at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, 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.

Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13, at  Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.


Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issuesthrough Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Access these remote services by completing the webform here or by calling 808-933-6600 to sign up. The Financial Navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across the County can also refer clients directly to a Financial Navigator. For more information, contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub. Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources. Developed by the Sexual and Gender Minority Workgroup in partnership with the DOH Harm Reduction Services Branch. Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Kahalo Center says the database consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. U.S. Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs is developing a list of Native Hawaiian farmers willing to sell direct to consumers through the On-Farm Market Directory. On-farm markets are managed by a single farm operator that sells products on their farm, or on a property next to their farm. Some on-farm markets may also deliver or ship their goods directly to consumers. Visit the program website for more information and to register.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Owners can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. They offer help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature to help find information that applies to the searcher.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.


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Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, September 23, 2020

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Hawaiian Petrel, ʻUaʻu, nest on Mauna Loa. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park will monitor them Saturday, Sept. 29.
See details, below.
 Photo from Kauaʻi Endangered Seabird Recovery Project

CONTROLLING THE PRICE OF ELECTRICITY was a major topic during the state Public Utilities Commission's three-day hearing that wrapped up today. It addressed the future of providing electricity under regulations to control price, pollution, sustainability, and other concerns. Those participating in the hearing included County of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiian Electric, Life of the Land, Ulupono Initiative, Blue Planet - the state's Consumer Advocate - Hawaiʻi PV Coalition, Hawaiʻi Solar Energy Association, and Distributed Energy Resources Council of Hawaiʻi. The proceedings are available by the day on the PUC YouTube Channel.
    County of Hawaiʻi supported a Consumer Dividend Proposal and a Customer-Centric PRB process, focusing on energy burdens of low and moderate-income communities. Andy McCoy, who represented the county, advocated for more consideration of lower-income people who bear the highest energy burden. He said high energy bills force many low-income people to juggle whether they pay for energy, rent, medical services, food, and internet - basic necessities. This can lead to growing debt through payday loans, he said. He compared the situation to that of the higher-income people, who can pay as little as three percent of their income for energy.
Andy McCoy said high energy bills force
many low-income people to juggle
whether they pay for other basic necessities.
    McCoy explained a Customer-Centric Process that would help to insulate ratepayers and consumers from economic harm from Hawaiʻi's energy system. It would look for ways for consumers to control their costs better in the future. It would entail meaningfully, "verifiable day-one savings for all customers," under the PUC's future regulatory framework.
    The county's presentation noted that Hawaiʻi has some of the highest electric bills in the country and the rate of increase in the last decade has been faster than on the mainland, despite Hawaiʻi households using substantially less residential electricity than on the mainland. There has never been a year in the last decade when Hawaiʻi residential bills weren't among the top five in the country, said McCoy.
    Henry Curtis, of Life of the Land, praised the PUC for becoming one of the more transparent state agencies, with outreach to the public, particularly with proceedings on YouTube.
    According to Life of the Land - which advocates for affordable, non-polluting energy - Hawaiʻi is poised on "the leading edge of a global cyclone ripping apart the old world energy order and replacing it with a continually changing new normal based on low-cost solar, wind, and storage, during a pandemic, and a climate change nightmare. The PUC stands in the middle of the storm, needing to prod the utility to move in a pono direction while self-restructuring how the Commission regulates the utility, mindful of the need for stakeholder engagement, transparency, and cross-silo thinking."
Henry Curtis, Life of the Land, praised the
PUC for becoming one of the more
transparent state agencies
    When the PUC began this regulatory proceeding in April 2018, the Commission stated, "An old regulatory paradigm built to ensure safe and reliable electricity at reasonable prices from capital-intensive electricity monopolies is now adjusting to a new era of disruptive technological advances that change the way utilities make money and what value customers expect from their own electricity company."
    Under consideration is Performance-Based Regulation or Performance-Based Ratemaking. The PUC stated: "By providing rewards for specific outcomes and objectives, PBR framework should provide utility with the opportunity to earn fair compensation, based on business model that is well-aligned with the public interest."
    Four parties filed extensive PBR frameworks: HECO Companies (HECO and subsidiaries MECO and HELCO), Consumer Advocate, Ulupono Initiative, and Blue Planet.
    Life of the Land writes, "Incentivizing the utility to meet societal goals is complex. What goals should be incentivized? Low rates? Efficient utility operations? Simple and quick interconnection of rooftop solar? Sharing risks and rewards? Increasing renewable energy penetration? Promoting electrification of transportation? Resilience? Equity?
    "The utility needs incentives (carrots/sticks) but excessive incentives may allow the utility unreasonably high rates of return at ratepayer expense, while excessive penalties may bankrupt the utility and harm all ratepayers." The formula must be flexible enough to handle unexpected events like hurricanes and pandemics while being tight enough that the utility achieves state goals while earning a reasonable rate of return," states Life of the Land.
    The PUC is led by Chair James P. Griffin, Commissioners Jennifer M. Potter, and Leodoloff "Leo" R. Asuncion, Jr., Chief Counsel Caroline Ishida, and Chief of Policy and Research David C. Parsons.
    The PUC opens about 400 regulatory proceedings each year dealing with electric and gas utilities, ground and interisland transportation, water and wastewater utilities, and telecommunication companies. Pointing to the importance of coming up with Performance-Based Regulation, it dedicated about 30 percent of its biannual budget to this one critical proceeding.
    To prepare for it, the PUC hired Rocky Mountain Institute to conduct workshops, involving more high-level financial executives and regulatory attorneys from the HECO Companies than any other previous PUC proceeding. Former Public Utilities Commissioners from California, Colorado, and Arizona consulted with the various parties. The parties met regularly to discuss alternatives and to hash out differences.
    The videoconference was recorded and is available as the official record of the hearing. Parties will file post-hearing briefs. A final Commission decision is expected by the end of the year. See the PUC YouTube Channel.
 
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THE COVID-19 STATEWIDE EMERGENCY IS EXTENDED through Oct. 31. Gov. David Ige issued the order today. The emergency proclamation leaves in place the 14-day mandatory quarantine requirement for out-of-state travelers. However, beginning Oct. 15, a pre-travel testing option will allow travelers an alternative to the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
    The inter-island quarantine for travelers arriving to Hawai‘i Island, as well as the counties of Kaua‘i, Maui, and Kalawao (Kalaupapa), remains in place. However, the proclamation empowers the counties to adopt a negative test exception process for travelers subject to the inter-island travel quarantine.
    Said Ige, "Our response to COVID-19 has always been driven by the need to protect the safety of our residents and community. The pre-travel testing program allows us to do this while welcoming more people to our state. The increased economic activity will help strengthen our communities." 
    Travelers who, upon entry into the state, provide written confirmation from a state-approved COVID-19 testing facility of a negative test result from a test administered to the traveler within 72 hours from the final leg of departure, will be exempt from the mandatory quarantine.
    A "state-approved COVID-19 test" means a test to determine the presence of active COVID-19 infection that has been approved by the state Department of Health. Currently approved is processing by laboratories licensed or certified by Clinical Laboratories Improvement Amendments. It uses specimens for nucleic acid amplification testing approved or authorized by the United States Food and Drug Administration, pursuant to an Emergency Use Authorization or other authorization for COVID-19 testing. Places that may offer the test are CVS, Walgreens, and Kaise, though some testers said they will not test anyone under 12 years of age.
    The governor's proclamation also mandates that all persons must wear masks in compliance with the county orders, rules, and directives approved by the governor. It extends the prohibition on evictions for non-payment of rent until Oct. 31. It extends the expiration dates of expired/expiring state IDs and driver's licenses until Oct. 31.

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Gail Kalani and Anne Fontes help promote Kaʻū Coffee at Kaʻū Coffee Festival in 2017, participating in a 
coffee picking competition. Photo from Big Island Video News
WHERE ARE THE KAʻŪ COFFEE MARKETS TO HELP OFFSET tourism buying? Kaʻū Coffee farmers can review these national coffee statistics to scan for new buyers who buy online and buy for their stores, restaurants, and other food outlets on the mainland.
    A new WalletHub report gives its view on coffee's importance: "Coffee first became popular in the U.S. after the Boston Tea Party, when the switch was seen as 'patriotic,'according to PBS. And since Starbucks debuted in 1971, the drink is now accessible almost anywhere you go.
    "What gave way to java culture? Science, for one, has convinced us that caffeine possesses multiple health benefits besides mental stimulation. At the right dosages, caffeine may contribute to longevity. Perhaps just as important, though, is coffee's social purpose. Today, coffee stations are a staple of the workplace, and tens of thousands of shops serve as meeting places for friends, dates, and coworkers – though in 2020, many have had to provide take-out service only due to the COVID-19 pandemic." 
    Statistics gathered by Wallethub show that 62 percent of Americans drink coffee daily. The top cities for coffee lovers are Seattle, San Francisco, Portland (OR), Miami, Tampa, Pittsburg, and Honolulu. They are followed by Denver, Oakland, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Orlando, Washington, D.C, Boston, Long Beach, LA, Irvine, New Orleans, Austin, and Jersey City. The most expensive coffee market is Honolulu where the average price for a pack of coffee is $8.10. The lowest are Miami and Hialeah, with an average pack at $3.44. 
One hundred cities are ranked by how much each household spends on coffee. WalletHub image
    Orlando has the most coffee shops and Portland has the most coffee and tea manufacturers. Freemont has the highest average annual spending on coffee per household, Detroit the lowest. Gilbert, Arizona, has the highest share of households with single-cup brewing coffee makers, Newark the lowest.
    The study shows Honolulu has the second most coffee shops, coffee houses, and cafés per capita, and the fourth most affordable-rated 4.5 Stars per capita.
    The study also refers to the Specialty Coffee Association of America, which values the U.S. Coffee industry at $48 millon. "Not only does that indicate how much Americans are willing to spend on the beverage, but it also signals business potential to aspiring entrepreneurs," says the study. See many metrics at 2020's Best Coffee Cities in America.


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UNDERSTANDING OF BLACK HOLE PŌWEHI has made significant progress with recent advances through Maunakea-based telescopes, says an announcement today from the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Dr. Harriet Parsons, Head of Operations at East Asian Observatory at University Park in Hilo, sent the announcement.
Another first for the telescopes on Maunakea comes after a decade of collaboration with other facilities across the
globe, studying the movements of black hole Pōwehi. In Hawaiian the name, says Larry Kimura, means
embellished dark source of unending creation. Photo from Event Horizon Telescope
    Pōwehi is a black hole photographed in 2019 and studied through the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope on Maunakea. Renowned Hawaiian language and cultural practitioner Dr. Larry Kimura assisted with the Hawaiian naming of the M87 supermassive black hole at the centre of the galaxy. Pōwehi, meaning embellished dark source of unending creation, is a name sourced from the Kumulipo, the primordial chant describing the creation of the Hawaiian universe. Pō, profound dark source of unending creation, is a concept emphasized and repeated in the Kumulipo, while wehi, or wehiwehi, honored with embellishments, is one of many descriptions of pō in the chant. Kimura is an associate professor at University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Ka Haka ‘Ula o Ke‘elikolani College of Hawaiian Language.     The news on Pōwehi is that new analyses of data taken between 2009-2013 - some of them not published before by James Clerk Maxwell Telescope and Submillimeter Array for the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration - have revealed the how the black hole is moving over decadal timescales. The analysis reveals the persistence of the crescent-like shadow feature, but also variation of its orientation – the crescent-like shadow appears to be wobbling. The research is published today in The Astrophysical Journal, the new result is possible due to scientific advances made by the Maunakea-based telescopes and EHT's groundbreaking black hole photo in 2019.

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HOW TO START A PARENT POD is the subject of a Vibrant Hawaiʻi webinar scheduled for next Monday, Sept. 28. Sign up here. A message from Vibrant Hawaiʻi says, "Kōkua aku, kōkua mai, pēlā ihola ka nohona ʻohana. Give help, receive help, that is the way of family. Since the onset of COVID-19, Pandemic Pods, Learning Pods, and Parent Pods have been popping up all over. Pods are built from relationships you have with folks in your neighborhood, fellowship, school, or workplace. In partnership with Community First, Vibrant Hawaiʻi Parents have developed a simple guide to help working parents develop their very own Parent Pod."
    The one hour webinar teaches parents: How to create a Parent Pod; Pod Pitfalls and Communication Crises to Avoid; COVID-19 Health and Safety Pod Guidelines; and "Answers to your questions, so you can get started with confidence and peace of mind!"

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THE U.S. ARMY PROPOSES TO KEEP ITS STATE LEASE FOR THE 23,000-ACRE PŌHAKULOA TRAINING AREA Along Saddle Road. The public can weigh in by providIng written comments during the scoping phase for its Environmental Impact Statement through Oct. 14. See details on acquiring background summiting comments below. Comments should focus on what should be addressed in the drafting of the EIS. Pōhakuloa Training Area is used for war games with military from the U.S. and other countries. 
Photo by LCPL Simon Martin, USMC
     As the proposed retention of the lease involves state-owned land, the EIS will be in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, guided by Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Parts 1500–1508, and Title 32 C.F.R. Part 651, and the Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes Chapter 343 and Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules Chapter 11-200.1, collectively referred to as the Hawaiʻi Environmental Policy Act. As a joint NEPA-HEPA document, the public scoping processes will run concurrently and will jointly meet NEPA and HEPA requirements.
    Download and read the subject EIS Preparation Notice. Written comments may be uploaded via the Army's Public Comment Form webpage. Comments may also be submitted via
usarmy.hawaii.nepa@mail.mil or mailed: ATLR PTA EIS Comments; P.O. Box 3444; Honolulu, HI 96801-3444.

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APPLY NOW FOR UTILITY BILL ASSISTANCE from government and nonprofit sources, urges Hawaiian Electric. The utility reminds residents that millions of dollars in federal CARES Act funding are available only until the end of the year. Customers can also take advantage of Hawaiian Electric's special payment arrangement plans to help keep past due balances manageable. Go to hawaiianelectric.com/paymentarrangement to learn more about the interest-free plan options for residential and business customers.
    Deadlines for some assistance programs are fast-approaching, says Hawaiian Electric, while others are nearing their funding limits. Eligibility requirements vary. Go to hawaiianelectric.com/COVID19 for a listing of programs. Among them: Hawaiʻi County COVID-19 Utility Bill Support provides up to $500 utility (gas, electric, or non-government water) bill assistance per month for eligible households. Administered by the Hawaiʻi County Economic Opportunity Council, funded by $1.5 million in CARES Act distribution. Additional CARES funding is available for households in need of utility payment help that meet the 60 percent state median gross annual income limit (individual, $30,767, and for a family of four, $59,167). Applicants who meet income requirements may be eligible for up to $1,000 in LIHEAP COVID-19 Disaster Energy Crisis Intervention Assistance.
     Shelee Kimura, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president of customer service, said "It's critical for customers to apply for assistance if the COVID-19 pandemic has caused financial strain for their household or business. The time to act is now. It helps everyone in Hawaiʻi when these federal funds are injected into our local economy. We're also offering special payment arrangement plans to help ease the burden for customers – but we need to hear from you in order for us to help."

     Hawaiian Electric service disconnections for nonpayment have been suspended through Dec. 31, 2020. Public Utilities Commission said, "Customers should continue paying their bills to the extent possible during this time, noting that customers will still ultimately be responsible for paying Utility service billings accrued during this suspension."
     Go to www.hawaiianelectric.com/paymentoptions for available payment methods. For assistance managing energy costs, Hawaiʻi Energy is a trusted resource for tips and rebates to help offset the costs of energy-saving equipment and services. Visit 

Hawaiian Petrel nest on Mauna Loa. Photo from
Kauaʻi Endangered Seabird Recovery Project
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.

PETREL MONITORING ON MAUNA LOA BY HELICOPTER by Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park will be held over Kīlauea at 8,000-foot to 9,000-foot elevation on Tuesday, Sept. 29, between  and . The Hawaiian petrel, ʻuaʻu, Pterodroma sandwichensis, is a federally endangered native seabird. The majority of known nests on Hawaiʻi Island are within the Park, on the lower alpine and subalpine slopes of Mauna Loa.

     Also on Tuesday, Sept. 29, between  and , flights will be made between 3,000- and 4,000-ft. elevation for maintenance on Nāpau trail.
     In addition, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory may conduct flight operations over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation. The Park regrets any noise impact to residents and Park visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.
     Management of the Park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources, and to maintain backcountry facilities.

Maintenance of Nāpau trail will be conducted the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 29. BigIslandHikes.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.

A NEW DEATH FROM COVID-19 at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home brings Hawaiʻi Island's total to 28, with 26 veterans from the Veterans Home. Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense says "Our sincere gratitude for their service to the country and prayers and condolences to their families." The Veterans Home reports 70 residents have tested positive for COVID, with 25 recovered, three hospitalized, and 16 receiving treatment in an isolated area of the facility. Thirty-four staff have tested positive, with 27 recovered.
    The state reports 168 new cases today. Hawaiʻi Island reports 13 new cases, Maui County one, and Oʻahu 154.
    Since the pandemic began, there have been 11,689 COVID cases in the state. Department of Health reports 5,125 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are about 6,440 active cases in isolation. There are 16 people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus.

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray

areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases.

Yellow is one to 30 cases. Pale orange is 31 to 60 cases. Medium

orange is 61 to 90 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 91 to 130 

cases. Bright red is 131 to 240 cases. Dark red (not pictured)

is 241 to 370 cases. Department of Health map
    
Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 10,546 cases, Hawaiʻi Island 672, Maui County 386, and Kauaʻi 57. Twenty-eight victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 763 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.
    In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; 96737 with Ocean View; 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, and Wood Valley; and 96785 with Volcano Village. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date. Other areas shaded gray have no or very little population and no cases.
    Visitation at Hilo Medical Center has been paused, with the exception of one visitor for OB, pediatrics, and end-of-life patients. The hospital's long-term care ward is closed to new patients for now.
    All beach and shoreline parks on Hawaiʻi Island are closed through Sept. 30. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited.
    Hawaiʻi Island police continue enforcement of preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, police officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help."
    Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island "reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Island as the virus remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe."
    See the Hawaiʻi County COVID-19 webpage at coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.
    COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 6,940,721 – about 22 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 201,882 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 31.76 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 973,956.

directory for 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.

EVENTS
COVID-19 Talk Story on Nā Leo TV will launch Thursday, Sept. 24 at 10 a.m. on Nā Leo channel 53. The series' 60-minute live premiere will come from the county's COVID-19 Operations Center at Aunty Sally's Luau Hale in Hilo. Nā Leo says the series with County of Hawaiʻi is "aimed toward helping deliver accurate and current information to our island residents regarding the most pressing challenge of our modern lives, the COVID-19 pandemic." The series will also broadcast online at naleo.tv/channel-53/, via the Nā Leo free mobile app available in all major marketplaces, and will be available it on-demand at naleo.tv/covid19.

Free Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing will be held Thursday, Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kahuku Park in Ocean View. Other free testing is Wednesday, Sept. 23, and Friday, Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Civic Auditorium in Hilo – enter from Kuawa Street entrance; and Wednesday, Sept. 23 and Friday, Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center. No insurance is necessary to be tested, but bring insurance card if have. No co-pay for the individuals being tested. Be sure to wear a face-covering at all times and observe social distancing. For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

Submit Testimony on Helicopter and Small Craft Noice Pollution and Safety on Thursday, Sept. 24, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Hawaiʻi Air Noise and Safety Task Force will host the Virtual Public Meeting. Rep. Ed Case urges Hawaiʻi Island residents to also voice their concerns regardless. Attend the virtual forum here, passcode: 077533. Public input to the Task Force may be submitted in writing at any time before the meetings and through Dec. 1 here. Federal Aviation Administration updated its website to include a portal for submitting noise complaints at noise.faa.gov.

Producers Webinar for Farmers and Ranchers on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 9 a.m. will discuss expanded eligibility for certain commodities – coffee is now included – new payment categories – including a sales-based approach to specialty crops and other specific commodities – and information on how to apply. Register here.
    
U.S. Department of Agriculture announced up to an additional $14 billion dollars for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. Signup will run through Dec. 11 for this next round of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments. 
    See a complete list of eligible commodities, payment rates, and calculations at farmers.gov/cfap.

PETFIX Spay and Neuter Clinic for Dogs will be held Friday, Sept. 25 in Ocean View. For information and to register, call 808-990-3548 or email petfixbigisland@gmail.com.

Vehicle and License Registration in Kaʻū Saturday, Sept. 26 for expirations in September, from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at the police station building on the makai, Pāhala, side of Nāʻālehu along Highway 11, 95-5355 Mamalahoa Hwy in Nāʻālehu. By appointment only. Register here. No walk-ins. Face coverings must be worn, and customers must adhere to the recommended six-foot social distancing at all times. Only those customers receiving services will be allowed inside the lobby, but minors or those needing additional assistance may have one additional person accompany them, if needed. Questions? Call 939-2517.

Meet Mayoral Candidate Mitch Roth at a Talk Story even on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Discovery Harbour Golf Course clubhouse at the corner of Kahiki Street and Kaulua Circle. Groups will be limited to no more than eight at a time in one-hour increments scheduled by appointment only, between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. To schedule a group, contact Doug Phillips at 808-339-2927 or officerdug@gmail.com.

National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 26 is celebrated at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with free entrance to the Park. The public is urged to celebrate by doing something good for the ‘āina (land), such as: Remove an invasive plant from your property, and replace it with a native plant; Pick up ‘opala (rubbish) from a beach, park or other public land; Write a haiku about your favorite public land. Watch a new Park video. The Park encourages people to post a photo or video of themselves engaged in the activity to their personal social media account, and tag @hawaiivolcanoesnps between Sept. 26 and 30. Haiku writers are encouraged to read their haiku on video. The Park will share the most inspiring posts to its Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Submit Comments and Questions about Hawaiian Electric's Keāhole Battery Storage Project through Saturday, Sept. 26. The utility submitted an application to the Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 28 for a first-of-its-kind on-island, 12-megawatt, 12-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System to help stabilize the power grid for the whole island, reducing the likelihood of customer outages. Virtual public meetings on both projects were held earlier this year and video replays of the discussions, along with the PUC applications and project details, can be found here. Comments and questions can be submitted to keaholebess@hawaiianelectric.com and will be included in the application to PUC.


Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, AI, EPS or PNG with a quality of at least 1500 pixels by 1500 pixels and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.

Register to Vote online, olvr.hawaii.gov, or by U.S. Mail. Print a registration form. Forms must be postmarked no later than Monday, Oct. 5. As during the Primary, all ballots will be mailed, but voters can still vote in-person and may register the same day. Locations are in Hilo at 101 Pauahi Street, #1, and Kona, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy. Ballots should start to arrive around Oct. 16. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. See tips on helping others to register to vote at nationalvoterregistrationday.org. Find more information at elections.hawaii.gov. Check voter registration status here.

Artists and Vendors, sign up for the Annual Art & Craft Fair at Ocean View Community Center on Nov. 7. The event, held outside from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., will help raise funds for the Center, as well as benefit local artist and crafters. Booths are $8 for a 10' x 10' space, tents not provided. Face masks required. Free admission for attendees. Contact organizer Helen McCullough at 808-209-9204 or hmccullough.1@gmail.com.

The State of Hawai'i requires a Letter of Exemption for Farm Workers. Requests should be submitted to 
covidexemption@hawaii.gov 5 days prior to arrival. For a sample request letter visit: https://www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov

ONGOING
Micronesian-Language COVID-19 Helpline is offered by We Are Oceania. Receive answers to questions about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, quarantine, health insurance, housing, unemployment, and other related questions, for those Micronesians who do not speak English. COVID-19 questions can be asked 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily. For questions other questions about health insurance, housing, or unemployment, the helpline is available weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. WAO helpline: (808) 913-1364. Watch the video here.

Anyone Feeling Depressed or Anxious, or who needs someone to talk to, can call Department of Health's expanded Hawai‘i C.A.R.E.S. program at 1-800-753-6879 – the same number previously used by Crisis Line of Hawai‘i. Individuals in crisis can also text ALOHA to 741741, available 24/7.

Nominate Businesses that Provide Excellent COVID-19 Safety Precautions for a Gold Star. Submit nominations to County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development here. Find help for small businesses here.

Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, and questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.

Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.


Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, will be available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island soon. Subjects are Homework Help, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.

Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.

     In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from  to  Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.

     In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from  to  Support is provided by Carla Lind.

     In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.

     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.

     All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.


Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts here. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.

Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at , with Worship Service starting at  The only time a face covering is needed is when the usher comes to the vehicle to pass out the worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at  and Praise Jam, which runs from  to  Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, here, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

One-Time Emergency Food for people is available through Big Island Giving Tree. Emergency food for pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

Food Basket Distribution last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. Another distribution will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Volcano Village's Cooper Center, from 10 a.m. until pau. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Call ahead, 967-7800.

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, , closed Saturday and Sunday. The Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open Wednesday through Sunday, , closed Monday and Tuesday. Virtual Shopping Appointments are offered at Volcano Art Center locations. Via Skype or FaceTime, a VAC associate helps customers browse the selection of artwork up close, and gives personalized tips and recommendations to help customers "find that perfect piece of locally made artwork, wherever you are in the world!" Book appointment online for $5 and VAC staff will help schedule a date and time at volcanoartcenter.org/shop. Shop the online gallery 24/7. Orders are shipped as regularly scheduled. Free local pickup is available.VAC now offers a Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. 

volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Ocean View Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 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.

Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays (starting next Wednesday, Aug. 12), , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks are mandatory. Limit of people is 100. Social distancing is required. Gate will be unlocked for vendors at  Vendors can show up without a reservation for now, with $15 dollars. Parking is in the upper lot; parking on the side of the road is prohibited. All vendors must provide their own sanitizer. All food vendors must have the permits required for the items that you are selling. Vendors and attendees are encouraged to carpool.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,  to . 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. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together here, using neuroscience and positive psychology, children and parents alike can learn to better understand themselves and each other. The program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics," to teach families "how to manage their emotions, communicate in healthier ways, and create a nurturing environment focused on the things that matter most." Sign up here.

ʻOhana Help Desk
 offers online How-To Guides fo

r Chromebooks and iPads given out to distance learning students enrolled in Kaʻū public schools. The website is open to the public here. ʻOhana Help Desk is also available to students and parents by phone, Mondays through Fridays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. It is closed on Saturdays and state holidays.

Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab operates weekdays from  to  at St. Jude's lower parking lot. It is o

pen to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.

Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries are open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons may 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, they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff, or they may go in-person to request items, without placing a hold. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Both locations are also open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi is available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot by using their library card and PIN. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.

Free Book Exchanges, at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, 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.

Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13, at  Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.


Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issuesthrough Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Access these remote services by completing the webform here or by calling 808-933-6600 to sign up. The Financial Navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across the County can also refer clients directly to a Financial Navigator. For more information, contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub. Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources. Developed by the Sexual and Gender Minority Workgroup in partnership with the DOH Harm Reduction Services Branch. Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Kahalo Center says the database consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Coffee Farmers and Producers of Other Agricultural Products are encouraged to apply to the Coronovirus Food Assistance Program through Dec. 11. CFAP-2 funds are pledged to agricultural industry members who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of the pandemic. Coffee industry members can check the HCA website for funding updates and resources related to COVID-19 at hawaiicoffeeassoc.org. See a complete list of eligible commodities, payment rates, and calculations, at farmers.gov/cfap.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. U.S. Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs is developing a list of Native Hawaiian farmers willing to sell direct to consumers through the On-Farm Market Directory. On-farm markets are managed by a single farm operator that sells products on their farm, or on a property next to their farm. Some on-farm markets may also deliver or ship their goods directly to consumers. Visit the program website for more information and to register.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Owners can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. They offer help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature to help find information that applies to the searcher.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.


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.






Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, September 24, 2020

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Invasive pampa grass has been eradicated from Hawaiʻi Island. Learn more, below. 
Big Island Invasive Species Committee photo
UNPLUGGING THE INTERNET KILL SWITCH is a goal of Hawaiʻi Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie. On Wednesday, they introduced H.R.8336, the Unplug the Internet Kill Switch Prevention Act "to prevent the President from using emergency powers to cut off America's access to the internet and undermine Americans' Constitutional protections," says a statement from the two members of Congress. The bipartisan, bicameral bill was also introduced in the Senate by Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Ron Wyden of Oregon , and Gary Peters of Michigan.
    "The oath that I took as a Soldier and as a Member of Congress was to support and defend our Constitution. The freedoms enshrined in our Constitution cannot be taken for granted. Our legislation would fix a WWII-era law that gives the president nearly unchallenged authority to restrict access to the internet, conduct email surveillance, control computer systems and cell phones. No President should have the power to ignore our freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and violate our civil liberties and privacy by declaring a national emergency," said Gabbard.
    The Kentucky Congressman said, "When governments around the world turn off internet access, they do significant harm to their national economies and their citizen's civil rights.This bipartisan bill will ensure that no future American president can unilaterally trip an 'internet kill switch.' Americans do not have to accept the premise that one person can deprive them of their 1st Amendment rights by flipping a switch," said Massie.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and colleagues in Congress submitted legislation to prevent the 
President from having the power to kill the internet. Image from Andelino's Web Blog
    "If you give government an inch, it takes ten miles, and this has been vividly illustrated by the surveillance state's overreaches in a time of seemingly endless war. No president from either party should have the sole power to shut down or take control of the internet or any other of our communication channels during an emergency, and I urge Congress to follow our lead and unite to pass this bipartisan legislation," said Rand Paul.
    The Oregon Senator weighed in. "The internet is far too essential to nearly every part of our democratic system – everything from work, to school and free speech – for any president to have unilateral power to turn it off. It's more important than ever to protect our core liberties against overreach by the executive branch, so I'm glad to be working with Senators Paul and Peters to make sure the internet is protected against political interference," said Wyden.
    The Michigan Senator said, "Whether it is learning how to protect yourself against the current pandemic, staying in touch with loved ones, or accessing medical and financial information – the internet is a critical source of information for Michiganders and all Americans. This bipartisan legislation will help update our laws and ensure that no President has the power to unilaterally limit access to internet service for political reasons, without preventing the government from effectively responding to actual emergencies or attacks," said Peters.
    Gabbard gave an historic perspective. "In a World War II-era amendment to Section 706 of the Communications Act of 1934, Congress gave the Executive sweeping authority to put under direct government control or even shut down 'any facility or station for wire communication' should a president '[deem] it necessary in the interest of the national security and defense' following a proclamation 'that there exists a state or threat of war involving the United States.'" She said that cause for alarm over such power has only increased across the decades with the technological revolution, which has included email, text messages, and the Internet, as well as the expansion of television, radio, and telephone networks. The Unplug the Internet Kill Switch Act would amend Section 706 to strip out this "Internet Kill Switch" and help shut the door to broader government surveillance or outright control of our communications channels and some of Americans' most sensitive information. The legislation would also reassert a stronger balance of power during a national emergency between the Executive Branch and the people's representatives in Congress.
    Gabbard has received an A+ legislative scorecard rating from the Restore the Fourth and Fight for the Future.

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Planned configuration of the new Puna Geothermal Venture plant. The old one was partially buried in lava by the eruption 
of 2018. The new one is expected to go on line in stages within the next few weeks. Image courtesy Hawaiian Electric.
PUNA GEOTHERMAL PLANS TO REOPEN SOON AND EXPAND TO PROVIDE A THIRD OF ELECTRICITY used by Hawaiian Electric on this island. 
    Pele Defense Fund, Mālama Puna and others, including mayoral candidate Ikaika Marzo, said a new environmental review would have been appropriate since the land at the geothermal site changed when lava covered part of it in May, 2018, shutting it down. According to a John Burnett story in Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald this morning, "The Department of Health determined the state's only geothermal power plant isn't required to undergo additional environmental review in its ongoing permit renewal process. The so-called noncovered source permit requires renewal every five years."
    Burnett quoted a Sept. 4 letter from recently retired state Department of Health director Bruce Anderson. Addressed to Puna Geothermal and opponents, it says "The DOH has taken a hard look at all the environmental factors raised in… demands for (environmental review), and it has concluded independently that a new or supplemental environmental review is not required to be conducted by the DOH for renewal…"
    Burnett also reported that, in September of last year, state Department of Land & Natural Resources turned down Pele Defense Fund's request for a new environmental review.
    According to the story, Puna Geothermal will begin selling power to Hawaiian Electric by the end of September or early October, providing about three megawatts, and expanding to 29 megawatts by the end of the year, and eventually to 38 megawatts. Additional megawatts are under consideration before the Public Utilities Commission. See more at Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald.

Missing 10-year-old Chennah K. Caitano. Photo from HPD

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INFORMATION ABOUT A MISSING TEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL is sought by Hawai’i Island police. Chennah K. Caitano was last seen in the 100 block area of Ululani Street in Hilo on Sept. 18 at approximately 4:35 p.m. She is described as 4-feet-6-inches, 80 pounds, with long, brown, frizzy hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing navy blue leggings, a gray T-shirt with a koala on the front and pink sandals.
    HPD says, due to her age, Caitano is considered endangered. Anyone with information about her whereabouts, call non-emergency at (808) 935-3311 or contact Detective Gavin Kagimoto of the Area I Juvenile Aid Section at (808) 961-2276 or via email at gavin.kagimoto@hawaiicounty.gov.

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Removal of pampas grass on Hawaiʻi Island. 
Big Island Invasive Species Committee photo
ERADICTION OF INVASIVE PAMPAS GRASS from Hawaiʻi Island is a success, according to Big Island Invasive Species Committee. In a statement, BIISC explained the two species, Cortaderia jubata and Cortaderia selloana, are both on the state's Noxious Weeds list. When BIISC crews removed the last known plant in 2019, says the statement, they replanted the area with native mamaki.
    Pampas grass was extensively spread and planted across the Pacific in the 1800s, growing to become a huge problem in places from California to New Zealand. It is now widespread on Maui, and because it is adapted to fire, poses a significant threat in Hawaiʻi as a fuel for wildfires. When the Hawaiʻi Island eradication effort began in 2007, the plant was mapped in over two dozen locations. Removal of the plants by BIISC crews took time, as permission from property owners was required for most of the sites.
    Locating and contacting property owners can pose a significant challenge for control efforts, says BIISC, but overall most homeowners were cooperative and eager to support the removal of an invasive plant from their property. Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture assisted with securing access for removal where permission was difficult to obtain.
Hawaiʻi Island is free of invasive pampas grass. 
Big Island Invasive Species Committee photo
    
BIISC Field operations supervisor, Joel Brunger, said seeds have the potential to spread up to 20 miles, and that surveying was very time-consuming. Though most adult plants were removed early in the process, "After the adult plants are removed, we have to return and conduct sweeps regularly for new sprouting keiki for as long as the seeds are viable. For pampas grass, that's six years."
    Pampas grass is still sold for landscaping and horticulture all over the world, despite its sharp-edged leaves.
    BIISC developed Plant Pono, a nursery endorsement and education effort aimed at stopping the sale of invasive plants in Hawaiʻi. BIISC says there have been no sales of pampas grass in Hawaiʻi for the last several years, though seeds purchased online continue to be a risk for introductions of invasive plants.
Invasive pampas grass can take six years to eradicate in just one area. 
Big Island Invasive Species Committee photo 
    
Franny Brewer, communications director for BIISC, says, "People often look at widespread invasive plants like albizia or clidemia and say, why didn't anyone do something about it before it became this bad? That's what we're trying to do. Identify what has come in that is potentially the next serious problem, and remove it before it has decades to spread." She explains that once a harmful species reaches a certain point, complete eradication becomes so expensive – in the tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars – that removal of the species is no longer feasible.
    Currently, BIISC is targeting a number of other plants for eradication, including Mollucca raspberry, a thorny, sprawling brush species; and a holly tree that can establish in native forest areas. As with pampas grass, public reports are a critical tool in efforts to eradicate invasive plants. To learn how to identify and report target species, visit www.biisc.org.

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Keiki can attend Hālau Lamakū Fall Enrichment program.
‘Imiloa Astronomy Center photo
SIGN UP FOR THE ON-CAMPUS HĀLAU LAMAKŪ FALL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM for keiki at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. Scholarships are available and it is scheduled for seven weeks, Oct. 19 through Dec. 4, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., except for Election Day, Nov. 3; Veterans Day, Nov. 11; and Thanksgiving, Nov. 26 and 27.
    The program announcement says: "The Hālau Lamakū experience is designed to provide social and academic interactions in a learning environment that is engaging and fully compliant with COVID-19 safety protocols.
    "‘Imiloa's Hālau Lamakū place- and culture-based enrichment program honors the Lama, a native dry forest tree that grows in Hawai‘i and nowhere else in the world. Lama signifies "light" or "enlightenment," evoking learning, knowledge, and understanding. Program participants will go on a learning journey to discover Hawai‘i and strengthen their connection to our island home. These young explorers will experience fun, engaging, and educational activities, crafts, games, outdoor exploration, and observations grounded in Hawaiian culture, science, math, and art. Explorations from deep ocean to deep space and everything in between - all from ‘Imiloa's facilities and outdoor gardens.
Hālau Lamakū Fall Enrichment program gives keiki a
wide variety of stimuli.‘Imiloa Astronomy Center photo
    
"According to Jon Suzuki, whose son is enrolled in Session 1, 'this program provides a venue where my son is supervised all day. He has been able to complete his school's online lessons in addition to learning the fascinating and important things about Hawaiian culture, language, and natural history and science."
    Enrollment limited to seven pods for students in Kindergarten through fifth grade. Each pod will have one instructor, one assistant, and up to eight participants, who will remain together for all seven weeks. Each participant's required synchronous and asynchronous school distance learning needs will be addressed. Students will bring their own lunch, two snacks, and two bottled water each day.
    Cost per member child is $695; registration starts Friday, Sept. 25 at 8 a.m. Non-member cost per child is $995; registration starts Friday, Oct. 2 at 8 a.m. Enrollment is first-come, first-served. Scholarship applications are open; proof of financial need required.
    See https://imiloahawaii.org/halau-lamaku to register, apply for a scholarship, become a member, and find out more.

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Hālau Lamakū Fall Enrichment program gives keiki
time outside.‘Imiloa Astronomy Center photo
IN-PERSON SERVICES WILL BE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY at the County's Department of Water Supply until at least Monday, Nov. 2 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Customers and the public may schedule appointments to start new water service, obtain help with an existing water account, or receive other in-person assistance. In-person payment collections and unscheduled in-person services remain suspended through August. Customers wanting to pay their water bill are asked to do so remotely using the no-fee payment options, while walk-in visitors lacking an appointment will be asked to schedule one for assistance.
    To make an appointment, call Customer Service: Hilo, (808) 961-8060 or Kona, (808) 322-0600. Call Engineering Division at (808) 961-8070.
    Anyone feeling ill or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms on the day of their appointment will be asked to reschedule in the interest of public safety. To maintain social distancing, visitors should limit their companions to essential attendees only.
    The Water Department continues to accept only telephone, online, auto-payment, mail, or non-cash payments left in a secured DWS payment dropbox. To pay a water bill online, visit hawaiidws.org. Pay by phone at 844-216-1994 any time. For more information about no-charge payment options, call Customer Service or email dws@hawaiidws.org.

Hālau Lamakū Fall Enrichment program follows
COVID-19 safety guidelines. 
‘Imiloa Astronomy Center photo
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FIGHITNG HUMAN TRAFFICKING is the goal of Department of Transportation's Blue Lightning Initiative program. Personnel within the aviation industry will be trained on how to combat human trafficking and spot warning signs. DOT is doing this in partnership with the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security and the U.S. Dept. of Transportation.
    Gov. David Ige said, "The State of Hawai‘i and the HDOT Airports Division fully support the anti-human trafficking goals of the BLI. This agreement affirms and recognizes our goal to completely eradicate all forms of human trafficking. We will do everything in our power to work with the federal government in ending these heinous crimes."
    DOT Director Jade Butay said, "The practice of human trafficking is a scourge to humanity, and it must end. HDOT is anxious to empower our employees and partners within the aviation industry with the knowledge to recognize and report suspected instances of human trafficking."
    DOT Deputy Director Lynn Araki-Regan said, "With high unemployment and changing conditions around the world impacted by COVID-19, people may find themselves forced or inadvertently lured to the false promises of traffickers. Our message is that human trafficking will not be tolerated. We cannot allow our transportation system to be an enabler in such atrocious acts." To report child trafficking, call the State of Hawai‘i Department of Human Services Child Trafficking, Child Welfare Services, Hotline at 1-888-398-1188. In the event of an immediate emergency, call 911. See more here

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NINETY NEW COVID-19 CASES are reported today. Hawaiʻi Island reports five, Maui County two, Oʻahu 81, and two were residents diagnosed while out-of-state.
    Twenty-eight deaths are reported on Hawaiʻi Island, 26 of residents at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home.
    Since the pandemic began, there have been 11,779 COVID cases in the state. Department of Health reports 5,265 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are about 6,390 active cases in isolation. There are 17 people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus.

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray

areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases.

Yellow is one to 20 cases. Pale orange is 21 to 50 cases. Medium

orange is 51 to 80 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 81 to 130 

cases. Bright red is 131 to 240 cases. Dark red (not pictured)

is 241 to 350 cases. Department of Health map

    
Two new deaths on Oʻahu today brings the state's official death toll to 124, and Department of Health states about 20 deaths are being verified before being counted.
    Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 10,627 cases, Hawaiʻi Island 677, Maui County 388, and Kauaʻi 57. Thirty victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 779 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.
    In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; 96737 with Ocean View; 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, and Wood Valley; and 96785 with Volcano Village. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date. Other areas shaded gray have no or very little population and no cases.
    Visitation at Hilo Medical Center has been paused, with the exception of one visitor for OB, pediatrics, and end-of-life patients. The hospital's long-term care ward is closed to new patients for now.
    All beach and shoreline parks on Hawaiʻi Island are closed through Sept. 30. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited.
    Hawaiʻi Island police continue enforcement of preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, police officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help."
    Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island "reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Island as the virus remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe."
    See the Hawaiʻi County COVID-19 webpage at coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.
    COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 6,976,215 – about 22 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 202,762 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 32.13 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 981,754.

directory for 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.

EVENTS
PETFIX Spay and Neuter Clinic for Dogs will be held Friday, Sept. 25 in Ocean View. For information and to register, call 808-990-3548 or email petfixbigisland@gmail.com.

Vehicle and License Registration in Kaʻū Saturday, Sept. 26 for expirations in September, from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at the police station building on the makai, Pāhala, side of Nāʻālehu along Highway 11, 95-5355 Mamalahoa Hwy in Nāʻālehu. By appointment only. Register here. No walk-ins. Face coverings must be worn, and customers must adhere to the recommended six-foot social distancing at all times. Only those customers receiving services will be allowed inside the lobby, but minors or those needing additional assistance may have one additional person accompany them, if needed. Questions? Call 939-2517.

Meet Mayoral Candidate Mitch Roth at a Talk Story event on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Discovery Harbour Golf Course clubhouse at the corner of Kahiki Street and Kaulua Circle. Groups will be limited to no more than eight at a time in one-hour increments scheduled by appointment only, between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. To schedule a group, contact Doug Phillips at 808-339-2927 or officerdug@gmail.com.

National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 26 is celebrated at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with free entrance to the Park. The public is urged to celebrate by doing something good for the ‘āina (land), such as: Remove an invasive plant from your property, and replace it with a native plant; Pick up ‘opala (rubbish) from a beach, park or other public land; Write a haiku about your favorite public land. Watch a new Park video. The Park encourages people to post a photo or video of themselves engaged in the activity to their personal social media account, and tag @hawaiivolcanoesnps between Sept. 26 and 30. Haiku writers are encouraged to read their haiku on video. The Park will share the most inspiring posts to its Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Submit Comments and Questions about Hawaiian Electric's Keāhole Battery Storage Project through Saturday, Sept. 26. The utility submitted an application to the Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 28 for a first-of-its-kind on-island, 12-megawatt, 12-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System to help stabilize the power grid for the whole island, reducing the likelihood of customer outages. Virtual public meetings on both projects were held earlier this year and video replays of the discussions, along with the PUC applications and project details, can be found here. Comments and questions can be submitted to keaholebess@hawaiianelectric.com and will be included in the application to PUC.

Attend How to Start a Parent Pod webinar Monday, Sept. 28. In partnership with Community First, Vibrant Hawaiʻi Parents' one hour webinar teaches parents: How to create a Parent Pod; Pod Pitfalls and Communication Crises to Avoid; COVID-19 Health and Safety Pod Guidelines; and "Answers to your questions, so you can get started with confidence and peace of mind!" Register here.


Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, AI, EPS or PNG with a quality of at least 1500 pixels by 1500 pixels and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.

Register to Vote online, olvr.hawaii.gov, or by U.S. Mail. Print a registration form. Forms must be postmarked no later than Monday, Oct. 5. As during the Primary, all ballots will be mailed, but voters can still vote in-person and may register the same day. Locations are in Hilo at 101 Pauahi Street, #1, and Kona, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy. Ballots should start to arrive around Oct. 16. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. See tips on helping others to register to vote at nationalvoterregistrationday.org. Find more information at elections.hawaii.gov. Check voter registration status here.

Artists and Vendors, sign up for the Annual Art & Craft Fair at Ocean View Community Center on Nov. 7. The event, held outside from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., will help raise funds for the Center, as well as benefit local artist and crafters. Booths are $8 for a 10' x 10' space, tents not provided. Face masks required. Free admission for attendees. Contact organizer Helen McCullough at 808-209-9204 or hmccullough.1@gmail.com.

The State of Hawai'i requires a Letter of Exemption for Farm Workers. Requests should be submitted to 
covidexemption@hawaii.gov 5 days prior to arrival. For a sample request letter visit: https://www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov

ONGOING
Micronesian-Language COVID-19 Helpline is offered by We Are Oceania. Receive answers to questions about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, quarantine, health insurance, housing, unemployment, and other related questions, for those Micronesians who do not speak English. COVID-19 questions can be asked 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily. For questions other questions about health insurance, housing, or unemployment, the helpline is available weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. WAO helpline: (808) 913-1364. Watch the video here.

Anyone Feeling Depressed or Anxious, or who needs someone to talk to, can call Department of Health's expanded Hawai‘i C.A.R.E.S. program at 1-800-753-6879 – the same number previously used by Crisis Line of Hawai‘i. Individuals in crisis can also text ALOHA to 741741, available 24/7.

Nominate Businesses that Provide Excellent COVID-19 Safety Precautions for a Gold Star. Submit nominations to County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development here. Find help for small businesses here.

Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, and questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.

Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.


Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, will be available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island soon. Subjects are Homework Help, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.

Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.

     In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from  to  Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.

     In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from  to  Support is provided by Carla Lind.

     In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.

     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.

     All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.


Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts here. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.

Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at , with Worship Service starting at  The only time a face covering is needed is when the usher comes to the vehicle to pass out the worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at  and Praise Jam, which runs from  to  Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, here, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

One-Time Emergency Food for people is available through Big Island Giving Tree. Emergency food for pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

Food Basket Distribution last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. Another distribution will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Volcano Village's Cooper Center, from 10 a.m. until pau. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Call ahead, 967-7800.

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, , closed Saturday and Sunday. The Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open Wednesday through Sunday, , closed Monday and Tuesday. Virtual Shopping Appointments are offered at Volcano Art Center locations. Via Skype or FaceTime, a VAC associate helps customers browse the selection of artwork up close, and gives personalized tips and recommendations to help customers "find that perfect piece of locally made artwork, wherever you are in the world!" Book appointment online for $5 and VAC staff will help schedule a date and time at volcanoartcenter.org/shop. Shop the online gallery 24/7. Orders are shipped as regularly scheduled. Free local pickup is available.VAC now offers a Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. 

volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Ocean View Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 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.

Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays (starting next Wednesday, Aug. 12), , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks are mandatory. Limit of people is 100. Social distancing is required. Gate will be unlocked for vendors at  Vendors can show up without a reservation for now, with $15 dollars. Parking is in the upper lot; parking on the side of the road is prohibited. All vendors must provide their own sanitizer. All food vendors must have the permits required for the items that you are selling. Vendors and attendees are encouraged to carpool.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,  to . 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. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together here, using neuroscience and positive psychology, children and parents alike can learn to better understand themselves and each other. The program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics," to teach families "how to manage their emotions, communicate in healthier ways, and create a nurturing environment focused on the things that matter most." Sign up here.

ʻOhana Help Desk
 offers online How-To Guides fo

r Chromebooks and iPads given out to distance learning students enrolled in Kaʻū public schools. The website is open to the public here. ʻOhana Help Desk is also available to students and parents by phone, Mondays through Fridays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. It is closed on Saturdays and state holidays.

Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab operates weekdays from  to  at St. Jude's lower parking lot. It is o

pen to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.

Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries are open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons may 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, they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff, or they may go in-person to request items, without placing a hold. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Both locations are also open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi is available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot by using their library card and PIN. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.

Free Book Exchanges, at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, 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.

Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13, at  Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.


Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issuesthrough Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Access these remote services by completing the webform here or by calling 808-933-6600 to sign up. The Financial Navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across the County can also refer clients directly to a Financial Navigator. For more information, contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub. Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources. Developed by the Sexual and Gender Minority Workgroup in partnership with the DOH Harm Reduction Services Branch. Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Kahalo Center says the database consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Coffee Farmers and Producers of Other Agricultural Products are encouraged to apply to the Coronovirus Food Assistance Program through Dec. 11. CFAP-2 funds are pledged to agricultural industry members who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of the pandemic. Coffee industry members can check the HCA website for funding updates and resources related to COVID-19 at hawaiicoffeeassoc.org. See a complete list of eligible commodities, payment rates, and calculations, at farmers.gov/cfap.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. U.S. Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs is developing a list of Native Hawaiian farmers willing to sell direct to consumers through the On-Farm Market Directory. On-farm markets are managed by a single farm operator that sells products on their farm, or on a property next to their farm. Some on-farm markets may also deliver or ship their goods directly to consumers. Visit the program website for more information and to register.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Owners can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. They offer help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature to help find information that applies to the searcher.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.


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Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, September 25, 2020

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Beaches will reopen Oct.1, if the community can get its ducks in a row to manage COVID-19. At Punaluʻu 
Black Sand Beach, three ducks watched a woman read, before the pandemic rules were established,
banning sitting and gathering on the beaches and in parks. Photo by Tim Wright
AVALON HEALTH CARE WILL NO LONGER RUN HILO VETERANS HOME. Management at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home will transfer to East Hawaiʻi Region of Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corp., which oversees Hilo Medical Center, Kaʻū Hospital and its clinic in Pāhala, as well as Hale Hoʻola Hāmākua in Honokaʻa. 
    The Veterans Home has been managed by Avalon since the facility was built. However, during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, 26 residents died, with 71 residents and 35 staff testing positive. Seventeen residents with COVID are being cared for at the Veterans Home and three are hospitalized at Hilo Medical Center. Assessments by three agencies place responsibility of the spread on a lack of pandemic-appropriate protections in place at the facility.
Yukio Okustu State Veterans Home will transition to new management
under East Hawaiʻi Region of Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corp.
    Mayor Harry
Kim requested removal of Avalon from management of the Veterans Home after the first report revealed a litany of issues with the facility. See Sept. 22 Kaʻū News Briefs.
    A statement from East Hawaiʻi Region of Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corp. says its governing board and leadership reached an agreement with Avalon Healthcare to transition the operations and management. 
    Avalon contracted with the state to manage Hawaiʻi's only nursing home facility for veterans in 2007. "Despite many years of successful operations, the recent, unfortunate outbreak of COVID-19 in the facility has caused a reassessment by the East Hawaiʻi Regional Board responsible for the management contract," says the statement.
    Dan Brinkman, CEO of the East Hawaiʻi Region of HHSC, said, "We are humbled and privileged to be entrusted with caring for our veterans. Over the next several months, we will be collaborating with the Avalon team to safely and effectively complete the transition."
    
Allison Griffiths, a spokesperson for Avalon Health Care Group, said, "Avalon deeply appreciates the service that our nation's veterans have provided to our country. Throughout the pandemic, Avalon has diligently sought to implement the guidelines of the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health, the CDC, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Avalon has been and continues to be deeply committed to the welfare of all of our residents and will work with HHSC to transition the facility to its leadership."
    East Hawaiʻi Region of Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corp. provides inpatient and outpatient care. The three hospitals include 290 beds and over 1,300 employees. The medical staff is comprised of 250 physicians, physician assistants, and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, representing 33 specialties. The region's East Hawaiʻi Health is a network of clinics offering primary and specialty care.
    
Hilo Medical Center functions as a Level III Trauma Center, which includes the second busiest emergency room in the state, providing 24-hour care and serving more than 50,000 patients annually. Hale Hoʻola Hāmākua and Kaʻū Hospital are designated as Critical Access Hospitals.
    The East Hawaiʻi Region of HHSC is part of the Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corp., a public entity established in 1996 by the State of Hawaiʻi "to fulfill the promise to provide quality, hometown healthcare." For more information, go to hilomedicalcenter.org, halehoolahamakua.org, or kauhospital.org.

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Brenda Iokepa-Moses, USDA Rural 
Development Director for Hawaiʻi and
the Pacific. Photo by David Rush/USDA
OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND FOR KAʻŪ AND VOLCANO RESIDENTS THROUGH USDA'S RURAL DEVELOPMENT. Brenda Iokepa-Moses, USDA Rural Development Director for Hawaiʻi & the Pacific, said there is focus on rural communities across the country that are in need of financial support and economic development. She encouraged residents to look into disaster declaration funding and ongoing programs. Grants and very low-interest loans can help not only farmers but local business owners and community groups. Funding for community facilities can also be allotted through Rural Development, said Iokepa-Moses. 
    She said that one particular Community Facilities program from Rural Development focuses on Hawaiʻi County through an authorization of $150 million for projects in counties designated as Presidentially Declared Disaster Areas in 2018 and 2019. While 2018-2019 was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, funding is still available in areas affected by storms and the 2018 volcanic eruption. 
    For Hawaiʻi and American Samoa, combined, $782,371 remains in disaster grant funds. For the Western Pacific – Guam, CNMI, Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands – an aggregate of $2,821,212 remains in disaster grant funds. Applicants must be located in an eligible county and do not have to have been impacted by the disaster or use the funds to make repairs caused by the disaster. 
Alton Kimura of Rural 
Development in Hilo.
Photo by David Rush/USDA
    Community Facilities grants normally range between $30,000 to $50,000. Rural Development will consider higher amounts with justification for disaster grants. Read more here. Read eligibility requirements
    Rural Development's Alton Kimura, who is based in Hilo, urges local farmers, business owners, and non-profit group leaders to call him to attempt to find a fit for projects in their communities. "The key is to talk to RD. Don't be shy," he said. Kimura, Community Programs Director for Hawaiʻi, Western Pacific & American Samoa, can be reached at (808) 933-8308 and alton.kimura@usda.gov.
     See additional USDA Rural Development funding programs in future Kaʻū News Briefs.

A water tank is a recent Hawai`i Island project involving Rural Development. 
Photo by David Rush/USDA
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MISSING TEN-YEAR-OLD CHENNAH K. CAITANO was located in good health on Thursday at 7:59 p.m. in the Fern Forest, Puna, after having been missing for almost a week. Hawaiʻi Police Department reports she had last been seen about 4:35 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18.

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HELPING VETERANS REPLACE HOMES LOST TO NATURAL DISASTERS is the goal of Sen. Mazie Hirono's Veteran Home Loan Disaster Recovery Act. A member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, she is pushing for passage of the Veteran Benefits Enhancement and Expansion Act, which includes her measure. The bill was approved by the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Wednesday. Hirono's provision would allow veterans replacing homes, lost to natural disasters, through the Department of Veterans Affairs Home Loan Guaranty Program, to access a lower fee rate – as if they were a first-time participant in the program. 
Changing how Veterans Affairs processes claims for homes lost in natural
disasters is the goal of legislation Sen. Mazie Hirono backs.
USGS photo of the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.
    
The announcement from Hirono's office says Veteran Home Loan Disaster Recovery Act responds to concerns from Tam Hunt, a Hawaiʻi Island Army veteran, "who faced unexpected costs financing a replacement for the home he lost in the 2018 Kīlauea Volcano eruption." The eruption destroyed as many as 700 homes, including at least one home purchased using the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program. 
    Said Hirono, "After the Kīlauea eruption, hundreds of families on Hawaiʻi Island worked to rebuild their homes and lives. But a constituent of mine – veteran Tam Hunt – was surprised to find out that he would have to pay higher fees to replace his home. The Senate should swiftly consider and approve this legislation so that no veteran has to pay a higher rate for a new house because their home was destroyed by a natural disaster." 
    Hunt said he was "shocked to find out that buying a replacement home entailed a much higher VA loan fee because my new purchase was considered a second home purchase rather than a first home. The amount went up from about $7,500 for the first home VA loan fee to over $11,000. This new legislation will fix this unfair issue and will allow veterans who lose homes due to disasters to buy a replacement home without an increased loan fee. This is a great step forward for helping veterans in a time of increasing disasters and economic difficulties. Thanks are due to Senator Hirono and other sponsors for making this change happen!" 
    In 2019, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, there were over 100 Presidentially-declared disasters across almost every U.S. state and territory.
    The VA Home Loan Guaranty Program was established through the Servicemen's Readjustment Act in 1944 and has since been used by generations of our nation's veterans to purchase homes. Borrowers are required to pay an up-front "funding fee," which functions similarly to closing costs. The amount of this fee is determined by a number of factors, including whether this is their first time participating in the program. For those who have used this program more than once, the fee is higher, regardless of the circumstances that led to them needing to purchase a home through the program, like a home being destroyed by a natural disaster.
    Congressman Joe Cunningham of South Carolina introduced a similar bill to the House of Representatives.

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HAWAIʻI IS THE HAPPIEST STATE IN THE U.S. according to a recent WalletHub study. The 50 states are assessed on 32 metrics, from depression rate and positive COVID-19 testing rate to income growth and the unemployment rate. Hawaiʻi is followed by Utah, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Maryland. The five least happy states are West Virginia, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Kentucky.
    Per capita, Hawaiʻi has the second-lowest rate of depressed adults and the tenth lowest suicide rate. Hawaiʻi has the fourth-lowest divorce rate, fifth highest income growth, and ranks 13th in safety. The islands have the 19th lowest long-term unemployment rate, and workers in Hawaiʻi have the 27th-lowest number of work hours.
    However, the Aloha State's residents get the least sleep of all Americans.
    WalletHub says, "Happiness comes from a combination of internal and external factors. We can influence it somewhat by approaching situations positively or choosing to spend time with people we love, doing activities we enjoy. Some years, it's harder to be happy than others, though. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted life as we know it, causing sickness, limiting social interactions, and leading to widespread job losses. During these trials, which have had a strong negative impact on Americans'mental health, WalletHub searched for the states where people can stay positive despite the circumstances.
    
"In this study, WalletHub drew upon the findings of 'happiness' research to determine which environmental factors are linked to a person's overall well-being and satisfaction with life. Previous studies have found that good economic, emotional, physical, and social health are all key to a well-balanced and fulfilled life."
    Read the full report here.

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ALLOCATE CARES ACT FEDERAL FUNDS, urges Sen. Mazie Hirono. She wrote to Gov. David Ige earlier this week, asking for him to detail the expected use of $321 million that Hawaiʻi received from the federal government. She said the funding "has not yet [been] allocated to any purpose," and may have to be returned to the U.S. Treasury.
    
In her letter, the Senator noted that the state has spent roughly $23 million of the $863 million Hawaiʻi received in the CARES Act's Coronavirus Relief Fund, and that Hawaiʻi residents should have "clear and frequently updated information" about how the state is spending coronavirus relief funds. She also called on the state to release details about the spending of federal dollars at least weekly, instead of the monthly reports the state has been issuing.
    Hirono said, "I remain concerned that Hawaiʻi will not spend these federal resources before the end of the year, and that a lack of clear information provided by the state on how funds are being used is creating frustration and confusion among Hawaiʻi's residents.
    "Trust and confidence in public institutions are imperative to help us get through this pandemic and a lack of transparency and clear communication only creates distrust and erodes confidence."
    Read the letter here.

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ATTEND A PRODUCE SAFETY ALLIANCE WEBINAR Oct. 5 through 7, Monday through Wednesday, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Hosted by University of Hawaiʻi Cooperative Extension and Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture. Training is open to commercial fruit and vegetable farmers subject to the Food Safety Modernization Act's Produce Safety Rule.
Ag producers encouraged to attend a food safety course.
    
Trainers will spend about seven hours of instruction time covering Introduction to Produce Safety; Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training; Soil Amendments; Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use; Agricultural Water; Postharvest Handling and Sanitation; and How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan.
    This training satisfies the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement for covered farms that "at least one supervisor or responsible party" completes "food safety training… recognized as adequate" by the Food and Drug Administration.
    Attendees must have stable internet connections, video capability, and participate in all three meetings in order to be eligible to receive their certificate of completion.
    Register no later than Monday, Sept. 28.
    Seats are very limited. Those who are unable to attend this training can email kylielw@hawaii.edu to be added to the waiting list.

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ATTEND A CHILD AND YOUTH VIRTUAL SUMMIT TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE HAWAIʻI LEGISLATURE. It will be held Thursday and Friday, Oct. 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a watch party on Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. It is designed for youth, ages 24 and younger. Register here.
    Hawaiʻi Children and Youth Summit is an annual event that brings together youth from across the islands to discuss key issues that they believe the Hawaiʻi State Legislature needs to address to make Hawaiʻi a better place to live and work. Priorities that come out of the Summit inspire legislators to create bills and resolutions in the following year.         
    Ideas from past Summits include expanding after school programs, lowering the age of consent for Mental Health Services, and planting over one million trees.

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COVID-19 CASES IN THE U.S. SURPASSED SEVEN MILLION today. The case count in the U.S. is more than 7,020,967 – about 22 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 203,481 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 32.39 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 985,302.
    Hawaiʻi reports 112 new cases today. Hawaiʻi Island reports 14, Kauaʻi one, and Oʻahu 98.
    Twenty-eight deaths are reported on Hawaiʻi Island, 26 residents at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home.
    Since the pandemic began, there have been 11,891 COVID cases in the state. Department of Health reports 5,397 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are about 6,360 active cases in isolation. There are 17 people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus.

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray

areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases.

Yellow is one to 20 cases. Pale orange is 21 to 50 cases. Medium

orange is 51 to 90 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 91 to 130 

cases. Bright red is 131 to 230 cases. Dark red (not pictured)

is 231 to 340 cases. Department of Health map

    
Three new deaths are reported today, which brings the state's official death toll to 127. Department of Health states about 20 deaths are being verified before being counted.
    Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 10,724 cases, Hawaiʻi Island 691, Maui County 388, and Kauaʻi 58. Thirty victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 779 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.
    In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; 96737 with Ocean View; 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, and Wood Valley; and 96785 with Volcano Village. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date. Other areas shaded gray have no or very little population and no cases.
    Visitation at Hilo Medical Center has been paused, with the exception of one visitor for OB, pediatrics, and end-of-life patients. The hospital's long-term care ward is closed to new patients for now.
    All beach and shoreline parks on Hawaiʻi Island are closed through Sept. 30. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited.
    Hawaiʻi Island police continue enforcement of preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, police officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help."
    Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island "reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Island as the virus remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe."
    See the Hawaiʻi County COVID-19 webpage at coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.

directory for 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.

EVENTS
Vehicle and License Registration in Kaʻū Saturday, Sept. 26 for expirations in September, from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at the police station building on the makai, Pāhala, side of Nāʻālehu along Highway 11, 95-5355 Mamalahoa Hwy in Nāʻālehu. By appointment only. Register here. No walk-ins. Face coverings must be worn, and customers must adhere to the recommended six-foot social distancing at all times. Only those customers receiving services will be allowed inside the lobby, but minors or those needing additional assistance may have one additional person accompany them, if needed. Questions? Call 939-2517.

Meet Mayoral Candidate Mitch Roth at a Talk Story event on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Discovery Harbour Golf Course clubhouse at the corner of Kahiki Street and Kaulua Circle. Groups will be limited to no more than eight at a time in one-hour increments scheduled by appointment only, between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. To schedule a group, contact Doug Phillips at 808-339-2927 or officerdug@gmail.com.

National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 26 is celebrated at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with free entrance to the Park. The public is urged to celebrate by doing something good for the ‘āina (land), such as: Remove an invasive plant from your property, and replace it with a native plant; Pick up ‘opala (rubbish) from a beach, park or other public land; Write a haiku about your favorite public land. Watch a new Park video. The Park encourages people to post a photo or video of themselves engaged in the activity to their personal social media account, and tag @hawaiivolcanoesnps between Sept. 26 and 30. Haiku writers are encouraged to read their haiku on video. The Park will share the most inspiring posts to its Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Submit Comments and Questions about Hawaiian Electric's Keāhole Battery Storage Project through Saturday, Sept. 26. The utility submitted an application to the Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 28 for a first-of-its-kind on-island, 12-megawatt, 12-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System to help stabilize the power grid for the whole island, reducing the likelihood of customer outages. Virtual public meetings on both projects were held earlier this year and video replays of the discussions, along with the PUC applications and project details, can be found here. Comments and questions can be submitted to keaholebess@hawaiianelectric.com and will be included in the application to PUC.

Attend How to Start a Parent Pod webinar Monday, Sept. 28. In partnership with Community First, Vibrant Hawaiʻi Parents' one hour webinar teaches parents: How to create a Parent Pod; Pod Pitfalls and Communication Crises to Avoid; COVID-19 Health and Safety Pod Guidelines; and "Answers to your questions, so you can get started with confidence and peace of mind!" Register here.


Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, AI, EPS or PNG with a quality of at least 1500 pixels by 1500 pixels and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.

Register to Vote online, olvr.hawaii.gov, or by U.S. Mail. Print a registration form. Forms must be postmarked no later than Monday, Oct. 5. As during the Primary, all ballots will be mailed, but voters can still vote in-person and may register the same day. Locations are in Hilo at 101 Pauahi Street, #1, and Kona, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy. Ballots should start to arrive around Oct. 16. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. See tips on helping others to register to vote at nationalvoterregistrationday.org. Find more information at elections.hawaii.gov. Check voter registration status here.

Artists and Vendors, sign up for the Annual Art & Craft Fair at Ocean View Community Center on Nov. 7. The event, held outside from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., will help raise funds for the Center, as well as benefit local artist and crafters. Booths are $8 for a 10' x 10' space, tents not provided. Face masks required. Free admission for attendees. Contact organizer Helen McCullough at 808-209-9204 or hmccullough.1@gmail.com.

The State of Hawai'i requires a Letter of Exemption for Farm Workers. Requests should be submitted to 
covidexemption@hawaii.gov 5 days prior to arrival. For a sample request letter visit: https://www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov

ONGOING
Micronesian-Language COVID-19 Helpline is offered by We Are Oceania. Receive answers to questions about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, quarantine, health insurance, housing, unemployment, and other related questions, for those Micronesians who do not speak English. COVID-19 questions can be asked 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily. For questions other questions about health insurance, housing, or unemployment, the helpline is available weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. WAO helpline: (808) 913-1364. Watch the video here.

Anyone Feeling Depressed or Anxious, or who needs someone to talk to, can call Department of Health's expanded Hawai‘i C.A.R.E.S. program at 1-800-753-6879 – the same number previously used by Crisis Line of Hawai‘i. Individuals in crisis can also text ALOHA to 741741, available 24/7.

Sign Up for ‘Imiloa's Hālau Lamakū Place- and Culture-based Fall Enrichment Program at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. Held for seven weeks, Oct. 19 through Dec.4, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., except for Election Day, Nov. 3; Veterans Day (Nov. 11; and Thanksgiving, Nov. 26 and 27. 
    The program offers "fun, engaging and educational activities, crafts, games, outdoor exploration, and observations grounded in Hawaiian culture, science, math, and art. Explorations from deep ocean to deep space, and everything in between – all from ‘Imiloa's facilities and outdoor gardens. 
    Enrollment limited to seven pods for K-5th grade students with one instructor, one assistant, and up to eight participants, who will remain together for all seven weeks. Participant's required synchronous and asynchronous school distance learning needs will be addressed. Students will bring their own lunch, two snacks, and two bottled water each day. 
    Cost per member child is $695; registration starts Friday, Sept. 25 at 8 a.m. Non-member cost per child is $995; registration starts Friday, Oct. 2 at 8 a.m. Enrollment is first-come, first-served. Scholarship applications are open; proof of financial need required. 
    See imiloahawaii.org/halau-lamaku to register, apply for a scholarship, become a member, and find out more.

Nominate Businesses that Provide Excellent COVID-19 Safety Precautions for a Gold Star. Submit nominations to County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development here. Find help for small businesses here.

Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, and questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.

Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.


Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, will be available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island soon. Subjects are Homework Help, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.

Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.

     In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from  to  Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.

     In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from  to  Support is provided by Carla Lind.

     In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.

     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.

     All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.


Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts here. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.

Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at , with Worship Service starting at  The only time a face covering is needed is when the usher comes to the vehicle to pass out the worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at  and Praise Jam, which runs from  to  Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, here, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

One-Time Emergency Food for people is available through Big Island Giving Tree. Emergency food for pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

Food Basket Distribution last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. Another distribution will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Volcano Village's Cooper Center, from 10 a.m. until pau. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Call ahead, 967-7800.

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, , closed Saturday and Sunday. The Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open Wednesday through Sunday, , closed Monday and Tuesday. Virtual Shopping Appointments are offered at Volcano Art Center locations. Via Skype or FaceTime, a VAC associate helps customers browse the selection of artwork up close, and gives personalized tips and recommendations to help customers "find that perfect piece of locally made artwork, wherever you are in the world!" Book appointment online for $5 and VAC staff will help schedule a date and time at volcanoartcenter.org/shop. Shop the online gallery 24/7. Orders are shipped as regularly scheduled. Free local pickup is available.VAC now offers a Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. 

volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Ocean View Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 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.

Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays (starting next Wednesday, Aug. 12), , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks are mandatory. Limit of people is 100. Social distancing is required. Gate will be unlocked for vendors at  Vendors can show up without a reservation for now, with $15 dollars. Parking is in the upper lot; parking on the side of the road is prohibited. All vendors must provide their own sanitizer. All food vendors must have the permits required for the items that you are selling. Vendors and attendees are encouraged to carpool.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,  to . 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. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together here, using neuroscience and positive psychology, children and parents alike can learn to better understand themselves and each other. The program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics," to teach families "how to manage their emotions, communicate in healthier ways, and create a nurturing environment focused on the things that matter most." Sign up here.

ʻOhana Help Desk
 offers online How-To Guides fo

r Chromebooks and iPads given out to distance learning students enrolled in Kaʻū public schools. The website is open to the public here. ʻOhana Help Desk is also available to students and parents by phone, Mondays through Fridays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. It is closed on Saturdays and state holidays.

Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab operates weekdays from  to  at St. Jude's lower parking lot. It is o

pen to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.

Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries are open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons may 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, they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff, or they may go in-person to request items, without placing a hold. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Both locations are also open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi is available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot by using their library card and PIN. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.

Free Book Exchanges, at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, 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.

Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13, at  Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.


Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issuesthrough Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Access these remote services by completing the webform here or by calling 808-933-6600 to sign up. The Financial Navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across the County can also refer clients directly to a Financial Navigator. For more information, contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub. Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources. Developed by the Sexual and Gender Minority Workgroup in partnership with the DOH Harm Reduction Services Branch. Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Kahalo Center says the database consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Coffee Farmers and Producers of Other Agricultural Products are encouraged to apply to the Coronovirus Food Assistance Program through Dec. 11. CFAP-2 funds are pledged to agricultural industry members who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of the pandemic. Coffee industry members can check the HCA website for funding updates and resources related to COVID-19 at hawaiicoffeeassoc.org. See a complete list of eligible commodities, payment rates, and calculations, at farmers.gov/cfap.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. U.S. Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs is developing a list of Native Hawaiian farmers willing to sell direct to consumers through the On-Farm Market Directory. On-farm markets are managed by a single farm operator that sells products on their farm, or on a property next to their farm. Some on-farm markets may also deliver or ship their goods directly to consumers. Visit the program website for more information and to register.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Owners can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. They offer help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature to help find information that applies to the searcher.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.


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Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, September 26, 2020

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Manu Yahna, this time last year, returned to Kaʻū from an international beekeeping festival. The Swarm Season film, 
featuring her as a young beekeeper, was making the film festival rounds in Europe and the U.S. See more below, in 
Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last YearPhoto from Swarm Season

REACTION TO PRES. DONALD TRUMP'S SUPREME COURT NOMINEE came swiftly from Hawaiʻi Sen. Mazie Hirono today. She issued the following statement announcing her opposition to the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to serve on the United States Supreme Court: "I will not support the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett for the following reasons:
    "She will vote to strike down the Affordable Care Act after being rushed on the Supreme Court in time to hear the case on Nov. 10. Millions of Americans will lose their health care – catastrophic in the middle of a pandemic.
    "She has a long history of being anti-choice and an explicit willingness to reverse Supreme Court precedent – endangering the protections of Roe v. Wade. A woman's right to control her own body is at stake.
    "The president expects her to support any challenge he mounts to the election results.
Judge Amy Coney Barett, Pres. Donald 
Trump's Supreme Court nominee. 
Photo from Wikipedia
    
"Senate Republicans have gone back on their word about confirming a Supreme Court justice in an election year and disrespected the final, fervent wish of Justice Ginsburg to not be replaced until a new president is installed.
    "Judge Barrett has an ideological agenda she wo'’t acknowledge and an expressed willingness to overturn Supreme Court precedent. Her ideological agenda poses a direct threat to the health care of millions of Americans, a woman's right to control her body, the rights of LGBTQ Americans, and other individual and civil rights. I oppose her nomination and will fight to deny her a lifetime position on the United States Supreme Court, and in doing so, will tell the American people the danger she poses to hard-won rights."
    In 2017, Hirono opposed Barrett's nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Wikipedia describes Barrett as follows:
    "Amy Coney Barrett (born Amy Vivian Coney; January 28, 1972) is an American lawyer, jurist, and academic who serves as a circuit judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Barrett's scholarship focuses on originalism.
    "President Donald Trump nominated Barrett to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals on May 8, 2017, and the Senate confirmed her on October 31, 2017. While serving on the federal bench, she was a professor of law at Notre Dame Law School, where she has taught civil procedure, constitutional law, and statutory interpretation. Eleven months after her confirmation to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, Barrett was added to Trump's list of potential Supreme Court nominees.
    "On Sept. 26, 2020, Trump nominated Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States, eight days after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg."

David and Jessica Pannell moved to Ocean View to open 
KaiLoki's where Mehe's used to be. Photo from David Pannell
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.

KAILOKI'S RESTAURANT & BAR is taking the place of Mehe's in Ocean View. KaiLoki's is expected to open between Oct. 15 and Halloween. David and Jessica Pannell – from Portland, OR – said they are working on interior revisions with local tradesmen and artists. "We may be able to open for breakfast prior to opening for lunch and dinner, but that is still a work in progress," said David Pannell. Karaoke on Friday nights is also in the plan for the future, according to the new KaiLoki's Facebook page.
    The Pannells said previous owners, Dale and Shannon Meheula, and the Harry McKee Foundation "have been very accommodating, working with us to enable us to open… Without their generosity and flexibility, we would not have been able to take this task on. A special Thank You to them is in order," said the couple in an email to The Kaʻū Calendar.
    "We are very fortunate and grateful to have most of the previous staff willing to come back and be part of our team, as well as add some positions." The Pannells said they plan to keep consistent hours of service and steady hours for employees to provide "their friendly, welcoming service."
    The new owners said they will keep much of Mehe's menu at KaiLoki's and will add new options. They plan to use locally sourced products "as they are available, cooking meals from scratch so they are as fresh as possible." Daily specials, a happy hour, and a new variety of drinks "are just part of our overall plans." They said they will offer NFL Sunday ticket for the remainder of 2020 "and hopefully into the future years as well.
The Pannells will open KaiLoki's in Ocean View at the former Mehe's.
 The restaurant is named after their dogs. Kai is the Siberian husky.
Loki is a rescue Shephard mix. Photo from David Pannell

    "Lastly, we'd like to thank many in the local community for all their help, expertise, and advice, and we are humbled by how we have been welcomed into the community! As time goes on, we will personally thank them via FB page @KaiLokis. We are excited for the new adventures here in Ocean View. We look forward to meeting everyone that visits KaiLoki's. Our goal is to serve the community with a smile on our faces!"
Besides opening KaiLoki's, Jessica is a physical trainer and does online training for her clients, and Davis remotely runs a flooring business in Portland.
    The name KaiLokis comes from the combination of their two dogs' names: "We just liked the way it rolled off the tongue!"

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 CENSUS 2020 DEADLINE IS OCT. 31 through a federal judge ruling. On Friday, Judge Lucy H. Koh, of  U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, barred the Trump administration from ending the 2020 Census on Sept. 30, a month before the deadline. She also ordered officials to deliver completed population data to the White House in April 2021, instead of Dec. 31.
    Evidence filed in the case included officials in the Census Bureau stating the early deadline would endanger accuracy of the Census and create  "fatal data flaws that are unacceptable for a constitutionally mandated national activity."
    Koh wrote that the Trump Administration's explanation for shortening the Census deadline by 31 days was a two-page press release saying the December deadline must be met "by law," but not why.
    Read more in the Sept. 19 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.

WATCH THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES starting next week. The first Presidential Debate will be held Tuesday, Sept. 29 in Cleveland, Ohio. The single Vice Presidential Debate will be held Wednesday, Oct. 7 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The second Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, Oct. 15 in Miami, Florida. The final Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, Oct. 22 in Nashville, Tennessee.
    Each debate will air from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Each debate will be broadcast live on C-SPAN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, Fox News, Fox Business Network, and MSNBC, among others. All the major news networks will offer a free live stream, as will YouTube and Twitter. Listen to the Hawaiʻi Public Radio broadcast at 89.1, or stream the audio here, on the HPR mobile app, or on a smart speaker.

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.

HOW COVID-19 ECONOMICALLY IMPACTS HAWAIʻI is the focus of a briefing on Monday, Sept. 28 at 10 a.m. The state House Select Committee will hear reports from the Economic, Communications, & CARES Funds Subcommittee. Speakers include UHERO Executive Director Carl Bonham, Strategy and Communications Subcommittee member Ray Vara, and CARES Fund Subcommittee members Lauren Nahme and Jill Tokuda. The briefing will be televised live on ‘Olelo channel 49 or live stream it 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.

GIVE INPUT ON EFFECT OF PANDEMIC ON SMALL BUSINESSES to Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center. Partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank system, the 2020 Small Business Credit Survey provides vital information to policymakers and lenders who are weighing decisions that affect small businesses. It takes about ten minutes to complete and is open to businesses currently in operation, recently closed, and about to launch. The questions asked are about business conditions, financing needs, and the effects of the pandemic on businesses. The survey closes on Oct. 31. All responses are confidential. Click here to complete the survey. Questions? Contact SFFedSmallBusiness@sf.frb.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.

FREE COURSES AND CERTIFICATIONS through Coursera are offered by state Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Hawai‘i residents can access the online learning platform, picking from more than 3,000 courses and certifications from top universities and organizations, ranging from technology to business, and personal development offerings. Registration open until Oct. 31.
    The educational resources are meant to equip Hawai‘i's workforce, especially unemployed workers, with technology skills and reposition for new career opportunities. Those currently employed or furloughed can leverage Coursera's offerings to improve their professional skill-sets and take on more advanced technology projects. A list of recommended courses for those interested in picking up technology skills can be found at https://www.htdc.org/covid-19/learning-tech/. To view more, see https://dbedt.hawaii.gov/blog/20-25/.

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.

FOUR DEATHS FROM COVID-19 reports Hawaiʻi today, all on Oʻahu. This brings the state's official death toll to 131. Department of Health states some deaths are still being verified before being counted. Total 28 deaths are reported on Hawaiʻi Island, 26 of them residents at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home.
    The state reports 127 new cases today. Hawaiʻi Island reports two, Kauaʻi one, and Oʻahu124.
    Since the pandemic began, there have been 12,018 COVID cases in the state. Department of Health reports 10,126 people of those infected have completed isolation. About 5,000 were added to this count today due to updated information. There are about 1,890 active cases in isolation. There are 16 people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus.
    Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 10,848 cases, Hawaiʻi Island 693, Maui County 388, and Kauaʻi 59. Thirty victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 802 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray

areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases.

Yellow is one to 20 cases. Pale orange is 21 to 50 cases. Medium

orange is 51 to 70 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 71 to 110 

cases. Bright red is 111 to 170 cases. Dark red (not pictured)

is 171 to 330 cases. Department of Health map

    
In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; 96737 with Ocean View; 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, and Wood Valley; and 96785 with Volcano Village. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date. Other areas shaded gray have no or very little population and no cases.
    Visitation at Hilo Medical Center has been paused, with the exception of one visitor for OB, pediatrics, and end-of-life patients. The hospital's long-term care ward is closed to new patients for now.
    All beach and shoreline parks on Hawaiʻi Island are closed through Sept. 30. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited.
    Hawaiʻi Island police continue enforcement of preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, police officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help."
    Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island "reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Island as the virus remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe."
    See the Hawaiʻi County COVID-19 webpage at coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.
    COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 7,078,088 – about 22 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 204,491 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 32.84 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 994,146.

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.

Allison Yahna, this time last year, celebrated the revival of bees on this island. Photo from Yahna
Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year
LAST YEAR THIS TIME, THE RECOVERY OF WILD BEES ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND was celebrated, after a loss of about 99 percent of them over about eight years. Kaʻū resident and bee expert Allison Yahna said she was inspired by growth in bee populations on this island and around the world. She said people are becoming aware of the importance of bees in nature and for the survival of food for humans. She said there are many new beekeepers on this island.
Allison Yanha with honeybees on a removable comb.
Photo from Swarm Season
    Last year, Yahna, who founded Artemis Smiles Honey Bee Sanctuary in Kaʻū more than 20 years ago, took her daughter, Volcano School of Arts & Sciences student Manu Yahna, to Montreal for Apimondia 2019, the world's largest conference on bees. They found that people from many countries are dedicated to reviving bee populations.
    Yahna said she was most inspired by the number of folks interested in supporting local bees, adapted to their locale and evolving with genetic diversity to help fight off onslaught of disease. She said that Hawaiʻi Island, in its isolation from the mainland, is like a laboratory with very little risk to bees until the last decade. "We were able to see, with the sudden onslaught of imported mites, beetles, and disease, that only the strong bees evolved and survived." Even though 99 percent of wild bees and 90 percent of commercial bees perished, "evolution worked," she said. "The weak died off. The strong had traits that allowed them to survive." 
    Both Yahna beekeeping women are featured in the Sarah Christman film Swarm Season, which won awards and was featured in many film festivals in 2019 and 2020, from Barcelona and Nuremberg to Lincoln Center and Santa Fe, with showings continuing into March as the pandemic began.

directory for 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.

EVENTS
EVENTS
Attend How to Start a Parent Pod webinar Monday, Sept. 28. Partnership with Community First and Vibrant Hawaiʻi Parents learn How to create a Parent Pod; Pod Pitfalls and Communication Crises to Avoid; COVID-19 Health and Safety Pod Guidelines; and "Answers to your questions, so you can get started with confidence and peace of mind!" Register here.

Produce Safety WebinarOct. 5 through 7, Monday through Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Hosted by University of Hawaiʻi Cooperative Extension and Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture. Training open to commercial fruit and vegetable farmers subject to the Food Safety Modernization Act's Produce Safety Rule. Covers Introduction to Produce Safety; Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training; Soil Amendments; Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use; Agricultural Water; Postharvest Handling and Sanitation; and How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan. Attendees must have stable internet connections, video capability, and participate in all three meetings in order to be eligible to receive their certificate of completion. Register no later than Monday, Sept. 28. Seats are very limited. Those who are unable to attend this training can email kylielw@hawaii.edu to be added to the waiting list. 

Presidential Debates Schedule: The first Presidential Debate will be held Tuesday, Sept. 29 in Cleveland, Ohio. The single Vice Presidential Debate will be held Wednesday, Oct. 7 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The second Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, Oct. 15 in Miami, Florida. The final Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, Oct. 22 in Nashville, Tennessee. 
    Each debate will air from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on. Each debate will be broadcast live on C-SPAN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, Fox News, Fox Business Network, and MSNBC, among others. All the major news networks will offer a free live stream, as will YouTube and Twitter. Listen to the Hawaiʻi Public Radio broadcast at 89.1, or stream the audio here, on the HPR mobile app, or on a smart speaker.

Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt
 for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, AI, EPS, or PNG with a quality of at least 1500 pixels by 1500 pixels and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.

Register to Vote online, olvr.hawaii.gov, or by U.S. Mail. Print a registration form. Forms must be postmarked no later than Monday, Oct. 5. As during the Primary, all ballots will be mailed, but voters can still vote in-person and may register the same day. Locations are in Hilo at 101 Pauahi Street, #1, and Kona, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy. Ballots should start to arrive around Oct. 16. Secure ballot dropbox located in Nāʻālehu Police Station at 95-5355 Māmalahoa Hwy from Oct. 14, 24 hours a day until 7 p.m. Nov. 3. See other locations here. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. See tips on helping others to register to vote at nationalvoterregistrationday.org. Find more information at elections.hawaii.gov. Check voter registration status here.

Attend Hawaiʻi Children and Youth Summit on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a watch party on Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. For ages 24 and younger. Register here. The annual event brings together youth from across the islands to discuss key issues that they believe the Hawaiʻi State Legislature needs to address to make Hawaiʻi a better place to live and work. Priorities that come out of the Summit are used by legislators to create bills and resolutions in the following year. Some of the things that have come out of the Summit are things like expanding afterschool programs, lowering the age of consent for Mental Health Services, and planting over one million trees.

Take Free Courses and Certifications for Hawaiʻi Residents through Coursera are offered by state Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. More than 3,000 options. Registration open until Oct. 31. Recommended courses for picking up technology skills, see https://www.htdc.org/covid-19/learning-tech/. To view more: https://dbedt.hawaii.gov/blog/20-25/.

Give Input of Pandemic on Small Businesses to Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center. Partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank system, the 2020 Small Business Credit Survey provides vital information to policymakers and lenders who are weighing decisions that affect small businesses. Ten-minute-long survey open to businesses currently in operation, recently closed, or about to launch. Survey closes Oct. 31. Responses are confidential. Click here to complete the survey. Questions? Contact SFFedSmallBusiness@sf.frb.org. 

Artists and Vendors, sign up for the Annual Art & Craft Fair at Ocean View Community Center on Nov. 7. The event, held outside from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., will help raise funds for the Center, as well as benefit local artists and crafters. Booths are $8 for a 10' x 10' space, tents not provided. Face masks required. Free admission for attendees. Contact organizer Helen McCullough at 808-209-9204 or hmccullough.1@gmail.com.

ONGOING
Micronesian-Language COVID-19 Helpline offered by We Are Oceania. Receive answers to questions about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, quarantine, health insurance, housing, unemployment, and other related questions, for those Micronesians who do not speak English. COVID-19 questions can be asked 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily. Other questions about health insurance, housing, or unemployment, helpline available weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. WAO helpline: (808) 913-1364. Watch the video here.

Anyone Feeling Depressed or Anxious, or who needs someone to talk to, can call Department of Health's expanded Hawai‘i C.A.R.E.S. program at 1-800-753-6879 – the same number previously used by Crisis Line of Hawai‘i. Individuals in crisis can also text ALOHA to 741741, available 24/7.

The State of Hawai'i requires a Letter of Exemption for Farm Workers. Requests should be submitted to 
covidexemption@hawaii.gov 5 days prior to arrival. For a sample request letter visit: https://www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov

Student Athletes of Kaʻū High interested in participating in athletics during the 2020-2021 school year are encouraged to call Athletic Director Kalei Namohala at 313-4161 to sign up for the Student Athlete Google Classroom.

Sign Up for ‘Imiloa's Hālau Lamakū Place- and Culture-based Fall Enrichment Program at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. Held for seven weeks, Oct. 19 through Dec.4, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., except holidays. 
    The program offers "fun, engaging and educational activities, crafts, games, outdoor exploration, and observations grounded in Hawaiian culture, science, math, and art. Explorations from deep ocean to deep space, and everything in between – all from ‘Imiloa's facilities and outdoor gardens. 
    Enrollment limited to seven pods for K-5th grade students with one instructor, one assistant, and up to eight participants, who will remain together for all seven weeks. Participant's required synchronous and asynchronous school distance learning needs will be addressed. Students will bring their own lunch, two snacks, and two bottled water each day. 
    Cost per member child is $695; registration starts Friday, Sept. 25 at 8 a.m. Non-member cost per child is $995; registration starts Friday, Oct. 2 at 8 a.m. Enrollment open through Oct. 7, first-come, first-served. Scholarship applications are open; proof of financial need required. See imiloahawaii.org/halau-lamaku to register, apply for a scholarship, become a member, and find out more.

Nominate Businesses that Provide Excellent COVID-19 Safety Precautions for a Gold Star. Submit nominations to County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development here. Find help for small businesses here.

Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.

Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.


Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island. Subjects are Homework Help, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.

Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.

     In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from  to  Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.

     In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from  to  Support is provided by Carla Lind.

     In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.

     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.

     All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.


Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts here. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.

Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at , with Worship Service starting at  Face coveri required when usher comes to vehicle to pass out worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at  and Praise Jam, which runs from  to  Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, here, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

One-Time Emergency Food for people is available through Big Island Giving Tree. Emergency food for pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

Food Basket Distribution last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. Another distribution will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Volcano Village's Cooper Center, from 10 a.m. until pau. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Call ahead, 967-7800.

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Virtual Shopping Appointments offered via Skype or FaceTime. Book at volcanoartcenter.org/shop for $5. Shop online gallery 24/7. Orders shipped or free local pickup available. See the VAC Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Ocean View Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 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.

Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays, , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at  $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in upper lot only. Vendors must provide own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling encouraged.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,  to . Limit of 50 customers, 25 vendor booths, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required, social distancing enforced. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together using neuroscience and positive psychology. Program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics." Sign up here.

ʻOhana Help Desk
 offers online How-To Guides fo

r Chromebooks and iPads here. ʻOhana Help Desk also available by phone, weekdays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab, weekdays from  to  at St. Jude's lower parking lot. O

pen to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.

Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries,
 open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu open Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala open Tuesday, noon to 7 p.m., Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot. librarieshawaii.org

Free Book Exchanges, at laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Open to all. Keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them. Selection of books replenished weekly at both sites.

Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13 at  Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.


Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issuesthrough Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Complete webform here or call 808-933-6600. Contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019 with questions.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub, Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources.Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Coffee Farmers and Producers of Other Agricultural Products encouraged to apply to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program through Dec. 11. Coffee included; see funding updates and resources hawaiicoffeeassoc.org. See complete list of eligible commodities, payment rates, and calculations at farmers.gov/cfap.

Local Ag Producers can Sign Up for a Program to Sell Produce and Meats on Hawaiʻi Island. Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, in partnership with County of Hawai‘i and non-profit entities, has developed a program to purchase product from commercial farmers and livestock producers on Hawai‘i Island for distribution to families in need. The Food Basket and other channels will distribute the products. Learn more.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. Visit the program website for more information and to register.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19 from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. Help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.


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.






Ka‘ū News Briefs, Sunday, September 27, 2020

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On OKK's 2019 Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run, through the orchards at Kaʻū Coffee Mill. Take a look back at
last year's race in The Way We Were, below. Photo by Julia Neal 
APPROVALS OF COVID-19 TESTS TO EXEMPT TRAVELERS FROM QUARANTINE when coming into Hawaiʻi are pending, as the Oct. 15 day to open up the state for trans-Pacific travel approaches. The state Department of Health has so far approved only tests that are witnessed – no mail-in tests allowed.
    The state has arranged for them to be taken on the mainland at Walgreens and CVS, though Walgreens announced testing will be limited to those 12 and older, bringing up an issue of children traveling here. Both United Airlines – which brought in the most passengers before the pandemic – and Hawaiian Airlines announced testing for passengers at airports or nearby. United plans to offer an $80 mail-in test, but the idea was rejected by the state. United's $250, 15-minute test by airline contractors for San Francisco-Hawaiʻi flights is approved.
    Lt. Gov. Josh Green, MD, told Honolulu Star-Advertiser: "Testing at the airport meets all the criteria and could be a game-changer for Hawaiʻi. The mail-in component has not been approved. Perhaps it will be in the future. Right now, we are not taking mail-in testing that is not witnessed." 
United spokeswoman Annabelle Cottee sent this email to the Star-Advertiser: "The governor outlined the testing the state is accepting in his 13th proclamation yesterday; both tests we're offering our customers meet those requirements." 
A $250 rapid COVID-19 test to be offered by United Airlines on its 
San Francisco to Hawaiʻi flights. Photo from United Airlines
    According to the Star-Advertiser, "Green, who was among those brokering the United deal, said the state agreed that San Francisco travelers who are Hawaiʻi-bound may elect to take a rapid Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 test – administered by GoHealth Urgent Care (gohealthuc.com) and its partner Dignity Health – on the same day as their flight departing from SFO and get their results back in 15 minutes."
    For flights around the world, the International Air Travel Association and International Civil Aviation Organization are working on development of a "rapid, accurate, affordable, easy-to-operate, scalable, and systematic" COVID-19 test, for passengers on international flights prior to departure. They would be offered to airports and airlines. 
    A Flyer Talk story says, "The COVID-19 pandemic has taken an immeasurable human toll around the world. In an abundance of caution and preventing the spread of the virus, individual nations and trade blocs have closed borders or mandated a 14-day quarantine period for foreign visitors. While arguably effective, the approach has also decimated the international aviation industry. According to IATA data, international travel is down 92 percent compared to 2019 levels. In their vision, the only way to reopen borders and allow free travel once more is to start offering rapid testing at the gate." 
    Alexandre de Juniac, director general and CEO of IATA, said, "The key to restoring the freedom of mobility across borders is systematic COVID-19 testing of all travelers before departure. This will give governments the confidence to open their borders without complicated risk models that see constant changes in the rules imposed on travel."
    According to Flyer Talk, IATA data suggests the public would support a testing scheme that would allow them to travel internationally. Their public opinion research suggests 84 percent of those polled agree that testing should be required of all travelers, while 88 percent say they would undergo testing as part of the travel process. Flyer Talk reports that "One of the key reasons that testing isn't more widely offered is because they primarily offer antigen tests, instead of the laboratory-dependent PCR tests. Reuters reports while they can produce results in as little as 15 minutes, they can also create 'false negatives,' meaning flyers who carry the novel Coronavirus could still potentially board aircraft, creating a risk to other flyers and even the government." 
    
The pre-test program approved by the state would allow those coming into Hawaiʻi to avoid a 14-day program. Those not taking the test would still be allowed to fly here but would quarantine for the two weeks. Apparently, essential workers would be able to receive an exemption from the quarantine and the testing and go to work in while here, but promise to go straight back to accommodations between work hours.

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 DRIVE-THRU COVID-19 TESTING will be held Thursday, Oct. 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano Village. Other free testing will be held at:
    Keauhou Shopping Center on Monday, Sept. 28; Wednesday, Sept. 30; and Friday, Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to noon.
    Civic Auditorium in Hilo – enter from Kuawa Street – on Monday, Sept. 28 and Friday, Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to noon, and Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
    Kea‘au High School Tuesday, Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    No insurance is necessary to be tested, but bring insurance card if have. No co-pay for the individuals being tested. Be sure to wear a face-covering at all times and observe social distancing. For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

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.

POLICE WARN OF INCREASED FINANCIAL SCAMS by individuals and businesses. This includes identity thefts, theft offenses related to credit cards, computer-related crimes, forgery, financial exploitation, and others. They are often perpetuated by cybercriminals through "phishing" and "spoofing," explains Hawaiʻi Police Department, which are fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and financial information via electronic communication. Forms of communications include emails, phone calls, and websites that originate from an unknown source but appear as being from a known or trusted source. The goal is to gain access to a victim's personal, financial information, or spread malware through infected links or attachments. 
    With the heavy reliance of computers, mobile devices, and networks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, says HPD, cyber-criminals exploit the vulnerability of individuals and businesses through data breaches of financial accounts, targeting online shoppers, and are now focusing on stealing stimulus payments, unemployment benefits, and paycheck protection program payments. 
    While not totally eliminating the possibility of becoming a victim, HPD says, they recommend taking the following precautions: 
    Conduct regular checks of your banking statements for accuracy and report any irregularities to your financial institution. 
    If your occupation requires you to work from home, you should consider a separate router to separate your home and work network traffic and using the strongest security configuration for online protection. 
See tips to protect from financial scams. 
Image from Investopedia.com
    When examining an email to determine its legitimacy, look for unusual phrases, grammatical or spelling errors, or transposing of letters in the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) also referred to as the "web address", as these are often indicators of "spoofing" or "phishing" attempts. Do not click on any unfamiliar links or download attachments you may receive in any emails and instead delete them. 
    If using mobile or computer applications to perform banking online, set up strong passwords and change them regularly. You should also set up "two-factor authentication" (2FA) which involves logging into your account with your username and password and requiring a time-sensitive code sent to the device which needs to be entered by the user for verification. 
    If you receive a mobile or landline call from an unknown or unfamiliar number, do not answer it but instead let the call go to your voicemail. These "robocalls" often use applications to display an area code from your area along with a random or unused phone number. If you happen to answer the call or hear a recording, do not provide any personal identifying or financial information but simply hang up. To prevent further "robocalls", you should consider looking for a "call-blocking solution" or download the "donotcall" app from the Federal Trade Commission's website. 
    Finally, if you become a victim of a financial crime, prepare a packet that includes your financial statements as well as documents supporting the crime, such as emails, invoices, receipts, and others, which you'll be turning over to police when reporting the incident. It is recommended that you also retain a copy of all of your documents for file.

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STAY SAFE IN CARPOOL OR RIDESHARE with tips from Hawaiʻi Department of Health Communications Office. Recommendations include: Wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don't live in the same household. Avoid touching surfaces. Limit the number of passengers in the vehicle to only those necessary. Avoid pooled rides where multiple passengers from different households are picked up. Improve ventilation by opening the windows or setting the air ventilation/air conditioning on non-re-circulation mode. After leaving the vehicle, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol. When arriving at the destination, wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

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LOCAL PRODUCERS CAN SIGN UP FOR A PROGRAM TO SELL PRODUCE AND MEATS on Hawaiʻi Island. Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, in partnership with County of Hawai‘i and non-profit entities, has developed a program to purchase product from commercial farmers and livestock producers on Hawai‘i Island for distribution to families in need. The Food Basket and other channels will distribute the products. Learn more

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Attend Soft Pastel Still Life with Patty Pease Johnson.
ACTIVITIES AT VOLCANO ART CENTER in October include workshops and classes with important safety measures in place. Niʻaulani Gallery in Volcano Village and VAC Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park are open. Hours of operation for the Gallery are Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Niʻaulani.
    On Saturday, Oct, 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Zach Mermel will teach the basics of mushroom cultivation in the Food From Wood: Growing Edible & Medicinal Mushrooms on Logs, Stumps, and Wood Chips.
    On Thursday, Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., attend a hands-on Introduction to Sogetsu Ikebana, workshop with Nancy "Sorin" Locke. Good for beginners, students will have the opportunity to create their own arrangement. 
    On Saturday, Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Zentangle is back, with Lydia Meneses as instructor. 
    On Saturday, Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., attend the popular From Plant to Pigment workshop with Puakea Forester. 
    On Saturday, Oct. 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., discover what's edible and what's not in the wild in Edible Wild Plants with Zach Mermel
Attend a workshop on edible wild plants
with Zach Mermel.

    On Saturday, Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Patti Pease Johnson will teach Soft Pastel Still Life workshop.
    On Saturday, Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., attend Mixed Media Encaustic with Mary Milelzcik. A hands-on workshop, learn safe studio practices, all the encaustic painting basics, and how to integrate encaustic painting into other media. No experience necessary.
    Volcano Art Center is a non-profit educational organization created in 1974 to promote, develop, and perpetuate the artistic and cultural heritage of Hawai‘i's people and environment through activities in the visual, literary, and performing arts. Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more details and to register for events.

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HAWAIʻI ISLAND HAS REPORTED 700 COVID-19 CASES since the pandemic began.
    Hawaiʻi reports one new death today, on Oʻahu. This brings the state's official death toll to 132. Department of Health states some deaths are still being verified before being counted. Total 28 deaths are reported on Hawaiʻi Island, 26 of them residents at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home.
    The state reports 98 new cases today. Hawaiʻi Island reports seven and 91 on Oʻahu.
    Since the pandemic began, there have been 12,116 COVID cases in the state. Department of Health reports 10,155 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are about 1,830 active cases in isolation. There are 16 people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus.
    Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 10,939 cases, Hawaiʻi Island 700, Maui County 388, and Kauaʻi 59. Thirty victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 816 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray

areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases.

Yellow is one to 20 cases. Pale orange is 21 to 50 cases. Medium

orange is 51 to 80 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 81 to 130 

cases. Bright red is 131 to 220 cases. Dark red (not pictured)

is 221 to 330 cases. Department of Health map

    
In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, and Wood Valley; and 96785 with Volcano Village. Zip code 96737, with Ocean View, has had no cases in the lat 28 days. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date. Other areas shaded gray have no or very little population and no cases.
    Visitation at Hilo Medical Center has been paused, with the exception of one visitor for OB, pediatrics, and end-of-life patients. The hospital's long-term care ward is closed to new patients for now.
    All beach and shoreline parks on Hawaiʻi Island are closed through Sept. 30. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited.
    Hawaiʻi Island police continue enforcement of preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, police officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help."
    Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island "reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Island as the virus remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe."
    See the Hawaiʻi County COVID-19 webpage at coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.
    COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 7,115,088 – about 22 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 204,756 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 32.99 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 996,695.

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A MORE ACCESIBLE AND MOBILE-FRIENDLY WEBSITE is the focus of this week's Volcano Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:

www.usgs.gov/hvo 

    
HVO's new website is more accessible and mobile-friendly.
    You may have seen the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory's Caldera Chronicles article about their new-and-improved website, in which they hint at a change coming to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's website, too. It's true!
    This week, HVO is the latest of several USGS volcano observatories (Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, Cascades Volcano Observatory, and California Volcano Observatory) to reveal a new website. This continues our effort to more efficiently provide the public with up-to-date information on Hawaiian volcanoes.
    The original HVO website premiered in 1998 and its appearance remained essentially unchanged until 2017. That year, HVO revamped its original website (see our May 18, 2017 Volcano Watch for details).
    HVO's 2017 website revision was just one piece of a larger effort that included most other volcano observatories within the USGS Volcano Hazards Program. At the time, informational content and volcano monitoring data for HVO and most other USGS volcano observatories were gathered into a database.
    This database then fed the content and data to similarly formatted USGS volcano observatory websites, which offered consistent experiences to visitors. The availability of dynamic data, such as real-time seismic maps and ground deformation plots, was a major improvement.
    Like the 2017 website transition, the HVO website launched this week is just one small piece of a much larger effort that includes not only the volcano observatories, but the entire USGS! This year, the VHP's "webolution" joined other programs within the USGS, many with websites that have already migrated to this new system.
    This new system, essentially a larger database, will house the content and data to drive websites for all USGS programs, including the Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program and the Earthquake Hazards Program, as well as the VHP. Each USGS program is part of a larger Mission Area, with the VHP and other hazards-related programs included in the USGS Natural Hazards Mission Area.
    Unlike the past website transition, which looked different from its predecessor and unveiled new content, today's HVO website doesn't look dramatically different than the 2017–2020 website. The content on the new website is essentially the same – it's just formatted slightly differently.
HVO geologists made observations of Kīlauea's summit water lake from the
east rim of Halema‘uma‘u. This view point is on the large downdropped
block that subsided during the 2018 collapse events. From this spot, a view
of the entire lake is possible, providing a new perspective on the growth of
the lake. The last visit to this spot was on December 18, 2019, when the lake
had a surface area of 1.1 hectares (2.7 acres). The lake has risen approximately
25 m (82 feet) since that time, and now has a surface area of 3.3 hectares
(8.2 acres). The yellow circle in the left photo shows the normal observation
site used by HVO geologists on the west caldera rim. Steaming is more
apparent in the September 23, 2020, image due to the humid and
rainy conditions on that day. USGS photos by K. Mulliken and M. Patrick.
    On the full-sized version – using a tablet or computer – users can still access Hawaiian volcanoes information and data via a menu of options viewed on the left-hand side of the screen, with a list of shortcuts to our most popular pages available on the right-hand side. News items are listed at the bottom of the homepage. The new website maintains the dynamic data streams – seismic maps, deformation plots, and webcam imagery of Hawaiian volcanoes – of the old website. 
    But an exciting and major improvement on the new HVO website is that it's more mobile-friendly. With almost half of our website visitors doing so via mobile devices, it's now easier to check the status of Hawaiian volcanoes at any time and from any device. Our new website will automatically re-size a page when viewed on smaller screens, which meets the federal mandate to make our data and volcano information more accessible.
    One of the biggest changes to the new HVO website is its dynamic connection to USGS-wide pages. By integrating HVO's website with the rest of USGS, we can easily share information on Hawaiian volcanoes. For example, when posting new content, we can choose to share it only on the HVO website, or we can choose to simultaneously share it to the VHP, the Natural Hazards Mission area, and other relevant USGS websites to reach a wider audience.
    This capability ensures that HVO, with its mission to monitor active volcanoes and their hazards, can share vital information more broadly when necessary. It also helps you – the user – more easily find information, data, and content related to the subject that interests you. You can search for anything across all USGS pages in the box at the top of the website.
    Another feature unveiled with HVO's new website is the ability to subscribe to Volcano Watch articles. Subscribing will allow you to receive the weekly articles directly through your email.
    We hope that learning to navigate HVO's new-and-improved website will be fun – explore it at www.usgs.gov/hvo. As always, feedback is welcome at askHVO@usgs.gov.
Color variations are common at Kīlauea's summit water lake, and are usually
dominated by tan and brown hues. In this photo, the interaction between
different color zones produced a large swirl in the
center of the lake. USGS/M. Patrick photo
    
Volcano Activity Updates
    Kīlauea Volcano is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level remains at NORMAL (https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/volcano-hazards/about-alert-levels). 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://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/k-lauea-summit-water-resources.
    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 103 small-magnitude earthquakes were recorded beneath the upper-elevations of Mauna Loa; most of these occurred at shallow depths of less than 8 kilometers (about 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 and fumarole temperatures as measured at both Sulphur Cone and the summit remain stable. Webcams show no changes to the landscape. For more information on current monitoring of Mauna Loa Volcano, see: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/monitoring.
    There was one event with three or more felt reports in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M2.8 earthquake 8 km (4 mi) ENE Pāhala at 31 km (19 mi) depth on Sept. 17 at 8:54 p.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.

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Pāhala's Alfred Ibarra, at right with his sister Betsy Potter, won the 5K in the 60-69 age group in the 2019 Kaʻū Coffee 
Trail Run, which drew a record breaking 226 runners in three OKK events. At left, a Youth Challenge cadet 
greets a runner. Photos by Julia Neal
Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year
    This time last year, Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run broke its participation record under sunny skies, with 226 runners. The 5 K hosted 119, with 54 in the 10K, and 53 in the half marathon.
    The sixth annual race saw participants climbing the slope behind Kaʻū Coffee Mill into the rainforest, runners weaving through orchards of Kaʻū Coffee with their red berries ready for the height of coffee picking season.
Second and third place winners of the 60-69 age group in the 5K, Dennis 
McClellan and Charles Laird, with 2019 Kaʻū Coffee Queen Helena 
Sesson, Princess Liliana Marques, and Miss Flower 
Kysha Manini Kaʻupu. Photo by Julia Neal

    
Co-sponsored by Kaʻū Coffee Mill, the Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run raises about a third of the budget for the local community organization ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. Local families set up refreshment booths to raise money to send children to Kamehameha Schools and for a trip to the nation's capitol. The race and festivities were canceled this year due to the pandemic.
    Racers came to Kaʻū Coffee Mill from around the state and across the globe as Kaʻū Coffee Mill founder Edmund C. Olson looked on. Youth Challenge program brought 67 cadets to support the event, and 12 participated in the race.
    Miss Kaʻū Coffee 2019, Helena Sesson, presented the awards, accompanied by Kaʻū Coffee Princess Liliana Marques and Miss Kaʻū Coffee Flower Kysha Manini Kaʻūpu.
    The overall winner of the men's Half Marathon was Zachary Songa, at 1:28:51.8, in the 30-39 age group. Overall winner of the men's 10K was Jeffrey Iverslie, at 51:37.0, in the 50-59 age group. Overall winner of the men's 5K was Jared Barrett, at 21:59.3, in the 19 & under age group.
    Overall winner of the women's Half Marathon was Amy Young, at 1:48:03.7, in the 30-39 age group. Overall winner of the women's 10K was Lucile Redon, at 58:03.6, in the 20-29 age group. Overall winner of the women's 5K was Megan Denny, at 21:01.3, in the 40-49 age group.

directory for 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.

EVENTS
Attend How to Start a Parent Pod webinar Monday, Sept. 28. Partnership with Community First and Vibrant Hawaiʻi Parents learn How to create a Parent Pod; Pod Pitfalls and Communication Crises to Avoid; COVID-19 Health and Safety Pod Guidelines; and "Answers to your questions, so you can get started with confidence and peace of mind!" Register here.

Produce Safety WebinarOct. 5 through 7, Monday through Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Hosted by University of Hawaiʻi Cooperative Extension and Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture. Training open to commercial fruit and vegetable farmers subject to the Food Safety Modernization Act's Produce Safety Rule. Covers Introduction to Produce Safety; Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training; Soil Amendments; Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use; Agricultural Water; Postharvest Handling and Sanitation; and How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan. Attendees must have stable internet connections, video capability, and participate in all three meetings in order to be eligible to receive their certificate of completion. Register no later than Monday, Sept. 28. Seats are very limited. Those who are unable to attend this training can email kylielw@hawaii.edu to be added to the waiting list. 

Presidential Debates Schedule: The first Presidential Debate will be held Tuesday, Sept. 29 in Cleveland, Ohio. The single Vice Presidential Debate will be held Wednesday, Oct. 7 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The second Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, Oct. 15 in Miami, Florida. The final Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, Oct. 22 in Nashville, Tennessee. 
    Each debate will air from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on. Each debate will be broadcast live on C-SPAN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, Fox News, Fox Business Network, and MSNBC, among others. All the major news networks will offer a free live stream, as will YouTube and Twitter. Listen to the Hawaiʻi Public Radio broadcast at 89.1, or stream the audio here, on the HPR mobile app, or on a smart speaker.

Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt
 for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, AI, EPS, or PNG with a quality of at least 1500 pixels by 1500 pixels and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.

Register to Vote online, olvr.hawaii.gov, or by U.S. Mail. Print a registration form. Forms must be postmarked no later than Monday, Oct. 5. As during the Primary, all ballots will be mailed, but voters can still vote in-person and may register the same day. Locations are in Hilo at 101 Pauahi Street, #1, and Kona, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy. Ballots should start to arrive around Oct. 16. Secure ballot dropbox located in Nāʻālehu Police Station at 95-5355 Māmalahoa Hwy from Oct. 14, 24 hours a day until 7 p.m. Nov. 3. See other locations here. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. See tips on helping others to register to vote at nationalvoterregistrationday.org. Find more information at elections.hawaii.gov. Check voter registration status here.

Attend Hawaiʻi Children and Youth Summit on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a watch party on Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. For ages 24 and younger. Register here. The annual event brings together youth from across the islands to discuss key issues that they believe the Hawaiʻi State Legislature needs to address to make Hawaiʻi a better place to live and work. Priorities that come out of the Summit are used by legislators to create bills and resolutions in the following year. Some of the things that have come out of the Summit are things like expanding afterschool programs, lowering the age of consent for Mental Health Services, and planting over one million trees.

Take Free Courses and Certifications for Hawaiʻi Residents through Coursera are offered by state Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. More than 3,000 options. Registration open until Oct. 31. Recommended courses for picking up technology skills, see https://www.htdc.org/covid-19/learning-tech/. To view more: https://dbedt.hawaii.gov/blog/20-25/.

Give Input of Pandemic on Small Businesses to Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center. Partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank system, the 2020 Small Business Credit Survey provides vital information to policymakers and lenders who are weighing decisions that affect small businesses. Ten-minute-long survey open to businesses currently in operation, recently closed, or about to launch. Survey closes Oct. 31. Responses are confidential. Click here to complete the survey. Questions? Contact SFFedSmallBusiness@sf.frb.org. 

Artists and Vendors, sign up for the Annual Art & Craft Fair at Ocean View Community Center on Nov. 7. The event, held outside from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., will help raise funds for the Center, as well as benefit local artists and crafters. Booths are $8 for a 10' x 10' space, tents not provided. Face masks required. Free admission for attendees. Contact organizer Helen McCullough at 808-209-9204 or hmccullough.1@gmail.com.

ONGOING
Micronesian-Language COVID-19 Helpline offered by We Are Oceania. Receive answers to questions about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, quarantine, health insurance, housing, unemployment, and other related questions, for those Micronesians who do not speak English. COVID-19 questions can be asked 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily. Other questions about health insurance, housing, or unemployment, helpline available weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. WAO helpline: (808) 913-1364. Watch the video here.

Anyone Feeling Depressed or Anxious, or who needs someone to talk to, can call Department of Health's expanded Hawai‘i C.A.R.E.S. program at 1-800-753-6879 – the same number previously used by Crisis Line of Hawai‘i. Individuals in crisis can also text ALOHA to 741741, available 24/7.

The State of Hawai'i requires a Letter of Exemption for Farm Workers. Requests should be submitted to 
covidexemption@hawaii.gov 5 days prior to arrival. For a sample request letter visit: https://www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov

Learn How to Practice Self-Care through Big Island Substance Abuse Council's Practice Self-Care Series. In partnership with Hawai‘i Department of Health, the program seeks to "remind the community that now more than ever, it's important to be gentle with yourself. Be present, limit the amount of news and media, listen to your body, and most importantly, ask for help if you need it. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health challenges, please reach out to friends and family for support, and seek professional help for serious or persistent symptoms."
For additional series that feature refreshing wellness tips, follow the Behavioral Health & Homelessness Statewide Unified Response Group on Facebook.

Student Athletes of Kaʻū High interested in participating in athletics during the 2020-2021 school year are encouraged to call Athletic Director Kalei Namohala at 313-4161 to sign up for the Student Athlete Google Classroom.

Sign Up for ‘Imiloa's Hālau Lamakū Place- and Culture-based Fall Enrichment Program at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. Held for seven weeks, Oct. 19 through Dec.4, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., except holidays. 
    The program offers "fun, engaging and educational activities, crafts, games, outdoor exploration, and observations grounded in Hawaiian culture, science, math, and art. Explorations from deep ocean to deep space, and everything in between – all from ‘Imiloa's facilities and outdoor gardens. 
    Enrollment limited to seven pods for K-5th grade students with one instructor, one assistant, and up to eight participants, who will remain together for all seven weeks. Participant's required synchronous and asynchronous school distance learning needs will be addressed. Students will bring their own lunch, two snacks, and two bottled water each day. 
    Cost per member child is $695; registration starts Friday, Sept. 25 at 8 a.m. Non-member cost per child is $995; registration starts Friday, Oct. 2 at 8 a.m. Enrollment open through Oct. 7, first-come, first-served. Scholarship applications are open; proof of financial need required. See imiloahawaii.org/halau-lamaku to register, apply for a scholarship, become a member, and find out more.

Resilience Hub at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji, Monday-Wednesday-Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Drop-in wifi and laptop access, free meals for participating keiki. Follows all county, state, and federal COVID-19 guidelines. For more info, contact Michelle Galimba, 808-430-4927.

Nominate Businesses that Provide Excellent COVID-19 Safety Precautions for a Gold Star. Submit nominations to County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development here. Find help for small businesses here.

Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.

Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.


Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island. Subjects are Homework Help, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.

Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.

     In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from  to  Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.

     In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from  to  Support is provided by Carla Lind.

     In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.

     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.

     All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.


Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts here. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.

Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at , with Worship Service starting at  Face coveri required when usher comes to vehicle to pass out worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at  and Praise Jam, which runs from  to  Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing dwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, here, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

One-Time Emergency Food For Pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

Food Basket Distribution last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. Another distribution will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Volcano Village's Cooper Center, from 10 a.m. until pau. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Call ahead, 967-7800.

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Virtual Shopping Appointments offered via Skype or FaceTime. Book at volcanoartcenter.org/shop for $5. Shop online gallery 24/7. Orders shipped or free local pickup available. See the VAC Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Ocean View Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 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.

Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays, , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at  $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in upper lot only. Vendors must provide own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling encouraged.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,  to . Limit of 50 customers, 25 vendor booths, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required, social distancing enforced. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together using neuroscience and positive psychology. Program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics." Sign up here.

ʻOhana Help Desk
 offers online How-To Guides fo

r Chromebooks and iPads here. ʻOhana Help Desk also available by phone, weekdays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab, weekdays from  to  at St. Jude's lower parking lot. O

pen to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.

Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries,
 open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu open Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala open Tuesday, noon to 7 p.m., Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot. librarieshawaii.org

Free Book Exchanges, at laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Open to all. Keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them. Selection of books replenished weekly at both sites.

Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13 at  Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.


Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issuesthrough Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Complete webform here or call 808-933-6600. Contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019 with questions.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub, Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources.Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Coffee Farmers and Producers of Other Agricultural Products encouraged to apply to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program through Dec. 11. Coffee included; see funding updates and resources hawaiicoffeeassoc.org. See complete list of eligible commodities, payment rates, and calculations at farmers.gov/cfap.

Local Ag Producers can Sign Up for a Program to Sell Produce and Meats on Hawaiʻi Island. Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, in partnership with County of Hawai‘i and non-profit entities, has developed a program to purchase product from commercial farmers and livestock producers on Hawai‘i Island for distribution to families in need. The Food Basket and other channels will distribute the products. Learn more.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. Visit the program website for more information and to register.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19 from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. Help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.


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Ka‘ū News Briefs, Monday, September 29, 2020

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Kahuku Unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park expands its open days starting Thrusday. See details, below. NPS photo

WHETHER TO END THE 14-DAY QUARANTINE for traveling to Neighbor Islands is the big discussion this week among the mayors of Hawai`i Island, Kaua`i and Maui Counties. Lt. Gov Josh Green, MD., fresh off his 14-day quarantine after contracting COVID-19, said he thinks quarantines could end. 
      Quarantines are set to end Oct.15 for those coming from out of state, who show a negative COVID-19 test approved by the state Department of Health, taken within 72 hours of arrival. Interviewed on the Honolulu Star Advertiser'sSpotlight Hawai`i program livestream today, Green said. "We don't need the 14-day quarantine." While some people question whether there should be one test prior to coming to the islands and another test after arrival, Green recommended one test per person before coming from out of state. He said additional tests, including testing for interisland travel, would be extremely expensive and generate few positive COVID results. He noted that the number of cases have been going down in Hawai`i.
     There is also a question of whether there is capacity to carry out tests in Hawai`i for everyone coming here. If 7,000 persons a day arrived to the state, only a fourth of incoming tourists before the pandemic, the cost could be $800,000 a day, said Green.
      He said he supports individuals, airlines and other entities paying for testing. One of the challenges is that it is not cheap," said the Lieutenant governor. The alternative will remain a two-week quarantine after arriving in Hawai`i.
    In a story published by the Star AdvertiserMayor Harry Kim addressed  the possibility of testing for those coming to this island, where a 14-day quarantine is required, even for residents returning from another island. He said, "I'm am told at this point, it's not very practical or better yet not even possible because of the availability of testing. If you times the number of tourists that may come in and you post testing or interisland traveling, there's just not enough testing to do that." He said it is a serious consideration and that the two-week quarantine will remain in place for now.
       The Neighbor Island mayors are expected to announce later this week their plans to test or not to test and whether to end the interisland quarantine.
        The state plans a press conference this Thursday to roll out all aspects of pre-testing for those coming from the mainland. Green said that new partners to administer COVID tests on the mainland are joining in They include CVS, Walgreens, Kaiser, Hawaiian Air, United Airlines, and Quest Labs, which will enable testing at Walmart. He said children under five will be exempt from testing since they are usually with their parents and the parents' test would cover them. Children over five often go to school and other places which separate COVID risks from their parents, he said.

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This chart from Dept. of Health shows each county's COVID case curve, plus the state average. Hawaii Island is teal.

AS THE WORLDWIDE DEATH COUNT FOR COVID- NEW COVID-19 CASES REACHED ONE MILLION TODAY, HAWAIʻI ISLAND reported zero cases for the first time since Aug. 10. The state reported no deaths for the first time since Sept. 22. See more COVID statistics 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.
    
TIGHTER CONTROL OVER RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR REOPENING ON-CAMPUS public school classes is the aim of the chair of the state Board of Education. BOE Chair Catherine Payne will bring her proposals before the BOE during a live stream meeting this Thursday, Oct. 1 at 1:30 p.m.
    Her proposal would require, for on-campus classes, that schools "Successfully implement and consistently enforce at least six feet of physical distance between all individuals on campus at all times; consistently enforce mandatory, proper mask wearing for all individuals on campus; and implement proper ventilation strategies" as outlined in the state Department of Health Guidance for all indoor area on a campus occupied by more than one person.
Board of Education Chair Catherine Payne suggests tighter rules
for in-person schooling. HSTA photo

    The proposal would require principals seeking approval to transition schools from distance learning to hybrid or in-person learning, or from hybrid learning to in-person learning, to demonstrate that the school can adequately implement all COVID-19 mitigation strategies required by the Board of Education, Department of Education, and applicable collective bargaining agreements, with the anticipated number of students and staff that will be on campus in the new instructional delivery mode.
    To switch between distance, hybrid, and on-campus learning, a week's notice to student families and school staff would be required. Additional proposals include the rules be added to the school Principal Handbook, and Health and Safety Handbook.
    The BOE will also consider giving teachers more flexibility in teleworking during distance and hybrid learning classes, provided they have good internet connectivity, a place to work without distractions, and can keep in touch with their administrators.
    Send testimony to testimony.BOE@boe.hawaii.gov by noon this Wednesday, Sept. 30. The meeting will livestream this Thursday at 1:30 p.m. on Facebook and YouTube. See more at HSTA.org.

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HAWAIʻI RANKS NUMBER ONE IN SEATBELT USEAGE in the U.S., according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Hawaiʻi's seat belt usage is 97.1 percent. According to National Center for Statistics and Analysis, the national use rate was at 90.7 percent in 2019.
    Department of Health said in a recent statement, "One of the safest choices drivers and passengers in Hawaiʻi County can make is to buckle up. Statistics show that the majority of people in Hawaiʻi understand the lifesaving value of the seat belt. Wearing a seat belt is an easy way to help prevent a family member, a friend, or yourself from being seriously harmed.
    "We all must understand the potentially fatal consequences of not wearing a seat belt and properly buckle up every time. Seat belts are one of the best defenses against impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers. Being buckled up during a crash helps keep you safe and secure inside your vehicle; being completely ejected from a vehicle is almost always deadly."
    Hawaiʻi's universal seat belt law requires that all front and back seat motor vehicle occupants buckle up. Adults and children must use their seat belts and child passenger restraints at all times. The fine for unrestrained occupants on Hawaiʻi, Oʻahu, and Maui is $102. On Kauaʻi it's $112. Drivers receive one citation for each unrestrained occupant in the vehicle. 
    Hawaiʻi's child passenger restraint law requires children younger than four years of age to ride in a child safety seat. Children four through seven must ride in a child safety seat or booster seat. Violators of the child restraint law are required to appear in court. If convicted, they must attend a four-hour class and may be assessed a penalty of $100 to $500.
    Hawaiʻi Police Department is dedicated to protecting the community in many ways, including strictly enforce the seat belt and child restraint laws. DOH says, "Every day, officers stop vehicles for traffic violations. If you are observed not properly wearing your seat belt, you will be issued a citation. We are proud that we have ranked number one in seat belt usage, but that's not enough. We want everyone to wear their seat belts all time. That simple act will save even more lives."

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ADDING NURSES AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL STAFF to Hawaiʻi's hospitals will be paid for by $14 million of CARES Act funds. Hawaiʻi Department of Health will allocate the funds to provide more than 200 nurses and other specialists for hospitals over the next four months. Some of the out-of-state personnel began arriving this weekend.

Dr. Elizabeth Char backs allotment of CARES
Act funds for professional hospital staff.

    The breakdown includes 70 critical care nurses, 61 telemetry nurses, 71 medical-surgical nurses, 17 respiratory therapists, nine emergency department nurses, and five dialysis nurses.
    Dr. Elizabeth A. Char, Director of Health, said, "As Hawai‘i faces increases in hospitalizations due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the Department of Health wants to be sure our hospitals have sufficient surge capacity. During their time here, these experienced healthcare staff will be providing critical patient care as well as respite for our dedicated local healthcare workforce."

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WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAMS through the University of Hawaiʻi have been awarded nearly $13.4 million from the U.S. Department of Education, announced Sen. Mazie Hirono. The funding, created by the CARES Act, will be administered through ED's Education Stabilization Fund. UH will develop programs focused on high-paying, in-demand jobs within the health care, technology, and skilled trades industries.
    The funding will support Hana Career Pathways, which UH will develop with the Hawaiʻi Workforce Development Council to increase short-term training that leads to industry-valued credentials, increase employment opportunities within high-paying, in-demand jobs, expand high-quality apprenticeship opportunities throughout Hawaiʻi, and develop post-apprenticeship career pathways and advancement opportunities.

    Hirono said, "During this time of great uncertainty for our community, we should be doing everything we can to support workers – including those who decide to seek new careers in resilient industries like health care, technology, and the skilled trades. This funding will provide much-needed support for workforce training programs to help workers throughout the state."
    Key partners include UH Community Colleges, Chaminade University, Hawaii ED Community School for Adults, Castle Foundation, the Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi P-20, Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, Elemental Excelerator, and CIO Council of Hawaiʻi.
    Earlier this year, Hirono cosponsored the Coronavirus Child Care and Education Relief Act (S. 4112), which would provide additional substantial funding for education programs through the ESF – including $175 billion for K-12 schools, $132 billion for colleges and universities, and $33 billion for states.

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KEIKI CAN ACCESS WIFI AND LAPTOPS, as well as a free meal, at Resilience Hub at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji. Open Monday-Wednesday-Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Follows all county, state, and federal COVID-19 guidelines. For more info, contact Michelle Galimba, 808-430-4927.

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.

JOIN PRENATAL HEALTHCARE PROGRAM PIKO. Kaʻū Women's Health Collective's director Tara Compehos, a midwife, says Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. This year, the Piko program is mobilizing to distribute sterilized prenatal care kits to the doorsteps of pregnant people, with an instructional video, Zoom classes, and access to midwifery support and childbirth education. Piko is funded, in part, by Papa Ola Lokahi, Hawaiʻi People's fund, and the Groundswell fun. Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.

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HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK'S KAHUKU UNIT WILL BE OPEN FOUR DAYS A WEEK. Hours for the expansion from three to four days are Thursdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., starting Oct. 1. The Visitor Contact Station window will be open, but services are limited, and visitors should bring everything they might need for a safe visit including water, meals, and hand sanitizer.
    Visitors are encouraged to #RecreateResponsibily by: Practice social distancing. Maintain at least six feet of distance between you and other visitors.  Wear a face covering when social distancing cannot be maintained.   Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use  hand sanitizer. Cover mouth and nose to cough or sneeze.   Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.    If feeling sick, choose to visit another day.  
    For more information on Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, please visit the park website, www.np.gov/hawaiivolcanoes.

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 NO NEW CASES ON HAWAI`I ISLAND AND NO NEW DEATHS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, is todays news from the state Department of Health. The Hawaiʻi Island case count is 700 since the pandemic began. Total 28 deaths are reported on Hawaiʻi Island, 26 of them residents at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. The state reports 90 new cases today, all on Oʻahu. 
    The state reports no new deaths today, for the first time since Sept. 22. The state's official death toll is 132. Department of Health states some deaths are still being verified before being counted. 
    Since the pandemic began, there have been 12,203 COVID cases in the state. Department of Health reports 10,215 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are about 1,850 active cases in isolation. There are 15 people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus. 
    Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 11,026 cases, Maui County 388, and Kauaʻi 59. Thirty victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 819 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began. 
    In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, and Wood Valley; and 96785 with Volcano Village. Zip code 96737, with Ocean View, has had no cases in the last 28 days. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date. Other areas shaded gray have no or very little population and no cases. 
    Visitation at Hilo Medical Center has been paused, with the exception of one visitor for OB, pediatrics, and end-of-life patients. The hospital's long-term care ward is closed to new patients for now. 

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray

areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases.

Yellow is one to 20 cases. Pale orange is 21 to 30 cases. Medium

orange is 31 to 80 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 81 to 110 

cases. Bright red is 111 to 150 cases. Dark red (not pictured)

is 151 to 340 cases. Department of Health map

    All beach and shoreline parks on Hawaiʻi Island are closed through Sept. 30. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited. 
    Hawaiʻi Island police continue enforcement of preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, police officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help." 
    Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island "reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Island as the virus remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe." 
    See the Hawaiʻi County COVID-19 webpage at coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311. 
    COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 7,143,521 – about 22 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 205,003 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 33.23 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 999,667.

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.

directory for 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.

EVENTS
Presidential Debates Schedule: The first Presidential Debate will be held Tuesday, Sept. 29 in Cleveland, Ohio. The single Vice Presidential Debate will be held Wednesday, Oct. 7 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The second Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, Oct. 15 in Miami, Florida. The final Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, Oct. 22 in Nashville, Tennessee. 
    Each debate will air from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on. Each debate will be broadcast live on C-SPAN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, Fox News, Fox Business Network, and MSNBC, among others. All the major news networks will offer a free live stream, as will YouTube and Twitter. Listen to the Hawaiʻi Public Radio broadcast at 89.1, or stream the audio here, on the HPR mobile app, or on a smart speaker.

Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt
 for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, AI, EPS, or PNG with a quality of at least 1500 pixels by 1500 pixels and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.

Register to Vote online, olvr.hawaii.gov, or by U.S. Mail. Print a registration form. Forms must be postmarked no later than Monday, Oct. 5. As during the Primary, all ballots will be mailed, but voters can still vote in-person and may register the same day. Locations are in Hilo at 101 Pauahi Street, #1, and Kona, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy. Ballots should start to arrive around Oct. 16. Secure ballot dropbox located in Nāʻālehu Police Station at 95-5355 Māmalahoa Hwy from Oct. 14, 24 hours a day until 7 p.m. Nov. 3. See other locations here. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. See tips on helping others to register to vote at nationalvoterregistrationday.org. Find more information at elections.hawaii.gov. Check voter registration status here.

Attend Hawaiʻi Children and Youth Summit on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a watch party on Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. For ages 24 and younger. Register here. The annual event brings together youth from across the islands to discuss key issues that they believe the Hawaiʻi State Legislature needs to address to make Hawaiʻi a better place to live and work. Priorities that come out of the Summit are used by legislators to create bills and resolutions in the following year. Some of the things that have come out of the Summit are things like expanding afterschool programs, lowering the age of consent for Mental Health Services, and planting over one million trees.

Take Free Courses and Certifications for Hawaiʻi Residents through Coursera are offered by state Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. More than 3,000 options. Registration open until Oct. 31. Recommended courses for picking up technology skills, see https://www.htdc.org/covid-19/learning-tech/. To view more: https://dbedt.hawaii.gov/blog/20-25/.

Give Input of Pandemic on Small Businesses to Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center. Partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank system, the 2020 Small Business Credit Survey provides vital information to policymakers and lenders who are weighing decisions that affect small businesses. Ten-minute-long survey open to businesses currently in operation, recently closed, or about to launch. Survey closes Oct. 31. Responses are confidential. Click here to complete the survey. Questions? Contact SFFedSmallBusiness@sf.frb.org. 

Artists and Vendors, sign up for the Annual Art & Craft Fair at Ocean View Community Center on Nov. 7. The event, held outside from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., will help raise funds for the Center, as well as benefit local artists and crafters. Booths are $8 for a 10' x 10' space, tents not provided. Face masks required. Free admission for attendees. Contact organizer Helen McCullough at 808-209-9204 or hmccullough.1@gmail.com.

ONGOING
Micronesian-Language COVID-19 Helpline offered by We Are Oceania. Receive answers to questions about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, quarantine, health insurance, housing, unemployment, and other related questions, for those Micronesians who do not speak English. COVID-19 questions can be asked 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily. Other questions about health insurance, housing, or unemployment, helpline available weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. WAO helpline: (808) 913-1364. Watch the video here.

Anyone Feeling Depressed or Anxious, or who needs someone to talk to, can call Department of Health's expanded Hawai‘i C.A.R.E.S. program at 1-800-753-6879 – the same number previously used by Crisis Line of Hawai‘i. Individuals in crisis can also text ALOHA to 741741, available 24/7.

The State of Hawai'i requires a Letter of Exemption for Farm Workers. Requests should be submitted to 
covidexemption@hawaii.gov 5 days prior to arrival. For a sample request letter visit: https://www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov

Learn How to Practice Self-Care through Big Island Substance Abuse Council's Practice Self-Care Series. In partnership with Hawai‘i Department of Health, the program seeks to "remind the community that now more than ever, it's important to be gentle with yourself. Be present, limit the amount of news and media, listen to your body, and most importantly, ask for help if you need it. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health challenges, please reach out to friends and family for support, and seek professional help for serious or persistent symptoms."
For additional series that feature refreshing wellness tips, follow the Behavioral Health & Homelessness Statewide Unified Response Group on Facebook.

Student Athletes of Kaʻū High interested in participating in athletics during the 2020-2021 school year are encouraged to call Athletic Director Kalei Namohala at 313-4161 to sign up for the Student Athlete Google Classroom.

Sign Up for ‘Imiloa's Hālau Lamakū Place- and Culture-based Fall Enrichment Program at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. Held for seven weeks, Oct. 19 through Dec.4, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., except holidays. 
    The program offers "fun, engaging and educational activities, crafts, games, outdoor exploration, and observations grounded in Hawaiian culture, science, math, and art. Explorations from deep ocean to deep space, and everything in between – all from ‘Imiloa's facilities and outdoor gardens. 
    Enrollment limited to seven pods for K-5th grade students with one instructor, one assistant, and up to eight participants, who will remain together for all seven weeks. Participant's required synchronous and asynchronous school distance learning needs will be addressed. Students will bring their own lunch, two snacks, and two bottled water each day. 
    Cost per member child is $695; registration starts Friday, Sept. 25 at 8 a.m. Non-member cost per child is $995; registration starts Friday, Oct. 2 at 8 a.m. Enrollment open through Oct. 7, first-come, first-served. Scholarship applications are open; proof of financial need required. See imiloahawaii.org/halau-lamaku to register, apply for a scholarship, become a member, and find out more.

Resilience Hub at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji, Monday-Wednesday-Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Drop-in wifi and laptop access, free meals for participating keiki. Follows all county, state, and federal COVID-19 guidelines. For more info, contact Michelle Galimba, 808-430-4927.

Nominate Businesses that Provide Excellent COVID-19 Safety Precautions for a Gold Star. Submit nominations to County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development here. Find help for small businesses here.

Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.

Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.


Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island. Subjects are Homework Help, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.

Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.

     In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from  to  Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.

     In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from  to  Support is provided by Carla Lind.

     In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.

     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.

     All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.


Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts here. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.

Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at , with Worship Service starting at  Face coveri required when usher comes to vehicle to pass out worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at  and Praise Jam, which runs from  to  Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, here, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

One-Time Emergency Food For Pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

Food Basket Distribution last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. Another distribution will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Volcano Village's Cooper Center, from 10 a.m. until pau. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Call ahead, 967-7800.

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Virtual Shopping Appointments offered via Skype or FaceTime. Book at volcanoartcenter.org/shop for $5. Shop online gallery 24/7. Orders shipped or free local pickup available. See the VAC Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Ocean View Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 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.

Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays, , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at  $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in upper lot only. Vendors must provide own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling encouraged.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,  to . Limit of 50 customers, 25 vendor booths, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required, social distancing enforced. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together using neuroscience and positive psychology. Program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics." Sign up here.

ʻOhana Help Desk
 offers online How-To Guides fo

r Chromebooks and iPads here. ʻOhana Help Desk also available by phone, weekdays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab, weekdays from  to  at St. Jude's lower parking lot. O

pen to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.

Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries,
 open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu open Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala open Tuesday, noon to 7 p.m., Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot. librarieshawaii.org

Free Book Exchanges, at laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Open to all. Keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them. Selection of books replenished weekly at both sites.

Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13 at  Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.


Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issuesthrough Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Complete webform here or call 808-933-6600. Contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019 with questions.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub, Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources.Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Coffee Farmers and Producers of Other Agricultural Products encouraged to apply to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program through Dec. 11. Coffee included; see funding updates and resources hawaiicoffeeassoc.org. See complete list of eligible commodities, payment rates, and calculations at farmers.gov/cfap.

Local Ag Producers can Sign Up for a Program to Sell Produce and Meats on Hawaiʻi Island. Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, in partnership with County of Hawai‘i and non-profit entities, has developed a program to purchase product from commercial farmers and livestock producers on Hawai‘i Island for distribution to families in need. The Food Basket and other channels will distribute the products. Learn more.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. Visit the program website for more information and to register.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19 from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. Help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.


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Ka‘ū News Briefs, Tuesday, September 29, 2020

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Veterans of Foreign Wars delivered American Flags on Monday to Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home 
to honor those who lost their lives in the fight against COVID-19. See more below in story
about Stacyn Lopes Sakuma. Image from Veterans of Foreign Wars

THE FIRST DEBATE BETWEEN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES DONALD TRUMP AND JOE BIDEN was held today and drew responses from Hawaiʻi Senator Brian Schatz. He assessed Biden's performance by tweeting, "Don't be afraid of winning. Don't get cocky, but momentum is good, hope is good, confidence is good." He pointed out Trump's answer to the moderator's question on whether he would denounce white supremest groups as a source of violence at recent protests around the country. Trump said he would, but urged the Proud Boys to "stand by." Schatz remarked, "Just triple-checking he didn't condemn white supremacy... On the one hand white supremacy but on the other, no. There is no other hand." Referring to Trump, Schatz also tweeted, "To say that he's a child is an insult to children" and that "Trump is not in command of his emotions."
    Numerous suggestions in social media comments about the candidates talking over each other and lack of a civil discussion about the issues, included turning off the microphone of the person waiting to talk next. The next debate is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15 in Miami, Florida. The single Vice Presidential Debate will be held Wednesday, Oct. 7 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Each debate will air from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Each debate will be broadcast live on C-SPAN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, Fox News, Fox Business Network, and MSNBC, among others. All the major news networks will offer a free live stream, as will YouTube and Twitter. Listen to the Hawaiʻi Public Radio broadcast at 89.1, or stream the audio here, on the HPR mobile app, or on a smart speaker. Watch or listen today's debate at any of the above sites.

Todd Eddins 
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FOUR NOMINEES FOR HAWAIʻI'S STATE SUPREME COURT are under consideration by Gov. David Ige. They are recommended by the Judicial Selection Commission. The seat has been vacant since Associate Justice Richard W. Pollack retired in June. The four nominees are:
    Todd W. Eddins. He's served as a judge with the First Circuit Court since 2017. He previously worked in private practice, specializing in criminal, civil, and appellate litigation. He also worked in the Office of the Public Defender and as a judicial law clerk for the Hawaiʻi Supreme court under Justice Yoshimi Hayashi. Eddins earned his BBA from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, and his J.D. from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He has
David M. Forman 
coached youth athletics and the Hawaiʻi Youth Correctional Facility/Olomana High School mock trial team.
    David M. Forman. He is director of the Environmental Law Program at the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He is also a faculty specialist at Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law. Previously, Forman worked as interim director, lecturer, and pro bono faculty advisor at the law school. He attended Harvard College where he earned a B.A. and later a Graduate Ocean Policy Certificate from UH Mānoa. Forman has a J.D. from UH Mānoa's William S. Richardson School of Law.
    Darolyn Lendio Heim. She serves as a District Court judge in Honolulu. Her first job was field worker for Del Monte Pineapple in Kunia. She was a staff reporter at Good Housekeeping Magazine and the Wall Street Journal, L.A. Bureau. As an attorney, she worked in private practice, and as an extern for Hawaiʻi Supreme 
Darolyn Lenio Heim
Court Justice Yoshimi Hayashi. In addition, Lendio Heim served as director of the Department of the Corporation Counsel, City, and County of Honolulu; vice president for Legal Affairs and University General Counsel, University of Hawaiʻi System; and interim executive administrator and secretary for the UH Board of Regents.
    Benjamin E. Lowenthal. He is a deputy public defender at the Office of the Public Defender in Wailuku, Maui. He has served as a law clerk for the Hon. Judge Corinne K.A. Watanabe, Intermediate Court of Appeals in Honolulu and worked as an attorney in private practice. Lowenthal also writes the column The State of Aloha for The Maui News. He attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, Maui Community College, and San Francisco State University, where he earned his B.A. In 2003, Lowenthal
Benjamin E. Lowenthal
received his J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law.
    The public is welcome to submit comments on any of the nominees here. The governor has 30 calendar days to make his appointment.

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STACYN SAKUMA, OKUTSU VETERANS HOME'S Recreational Director, brings hope to residents, families, and staff as she coordinates with community groups who want to help. The Pāhala-raised Kaʻū High graduate grew up volunteering with Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association, helping Kaʻū Hospital and Rural Clinic. Its programs prepare local youth for careers in health care and support research on healthy living in the shadow of the active Kīlauea Volcano. Her father works for Kaʻū Hospital.
    Most recently, Sakuma has been a liaison between the Yuko Okutsu Veterans Home and ʻO Kaʻū Kākou, which raises money and brings gifts to the Veterans Center. She also works with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, which is raising money and sending American flags to the Veterans Home to honor each vet who died there in the recent outbreak of COVID-19.
Stacyn Lopez Sakuma with Kaʻū Rural Health Community
 Association founder Jessie Marques (right) and state
 Sen. Lorraine Inouye earlier this year when Sakuma
was honored at the Hawaiʻi Legislature. 

    Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 383 sent flags to Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home on Monday, to be placed over each deceased veteran's bed. Hilo Exchange Club donated the flags. Chaplain John Hiduhick and Veterans of Foreign Wars made the presentation of flags that volunteers made ready by cleaning and folding them.
    According to a story in the Tuesday Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald, the Chaplain praised Sakuma saying, "Stacyn and all the staff have been so great and have worked tirelessly through this. The staff cares deeply for the veterans and I know this has been hard for them."
    The story by Kelsey Walling also says, "Hiduchick has also offered virtual, spiritual guidance to residents, especially those in the COVID-19 unit. 'It has been so wonderful and I think it's helpful to residents, especially those who can't be visited in-person,' Hiduchick said." See more at hawaiitribuneherald.com.

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SMALL BUSINESSES IN RURAL AREAS are encouraged to apply for Local Initiative Support Corporation-Lowe's Rural Relief Small Business Grants by Oct. 5. Applications are being accepted in "rounds." Owners must submit a new application for each round in order to be considered for funding in that round. Apply here.
    The grants go to support small businesses and enterprises affected by COVID-19 across the country, "especially those in underserved communities, including entrepreneurs of color and women- and veteran-owned businesses that often lack access to flexible, affordable capital," says the announcement.
    Applications will be reviewed based on criteria designed to prioritize particularly challenged businesses, and the final grantees will be randomly selected from the top-scoring applicants.
    Non-profit organizations are not eligible.
    All potential applicants are encouraged to review FAQ and grant information before applying.

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100 MILLION RAPID COVID-19 TESTS will be distributed by the federal government over the next several weeks, according to a report from Associated Press. Pres. Donald Trump made the announcement Monday and urged governors to "use them to reopen schools" for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
    
U.S. cases remain elevated, with more than 40,000 per day. Experts warn of a likely surge in infections during the colder months ahead. Tests will be distributed on a per capita basis and can be used as governors see fit.
    The Abbott Laboratories' rapid tests would allow parents quick access to test results in symptomatic children. AP reports that officials said the administration "is emphasizing testing in schools because it's important to the physical, social, and emotional development of students to be back in classrooms to the degree that's possible."

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STUDYING MISINFORMATION SPREAD ABOUT COVID-19 is the goal of legislation introduced by Sen. Mazie Hirono and Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.). They introduced the COVID-19 Disinformation Research and Reporting Act, which would direct a study of the "infodemic" of "COVID-19-related disinformation and misinformation that has impacted the effectiveness of the response to this pandemic," says a statement from Hirono's office. "In the first three months of this year alone, disinformation and misinformation about COVID-19 sent an estimated 5,800 people to the hospital and cost at least 800 lives."

Image from medium.com
    The study would examine sources of disinformation and misinformation, social media's role in boosting its spread, and explore potential financial incentives driving the spread of misinformation and disinformation. The study would also include strategies to limit the negative impacts in the future. The bill authorizes $1 million to the National Science Foundation and the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct the study.
    Hirono said, "More than 200,000 Americans have died as the coronavirus pandemic rages on. As we work to curb infections across the country, we also face an infodemic caused by the viral spread of false information on the internet – particularly on social media. The COVID-19 Disinformation Research and Reporting Act will help our country get to the bottom of where coronavirus disinformation came from, how it spread, and how to mitigate the impact of COVID-related misinformation and disinformation going forward."
    Wexton said, "Misinformation and disinformation about COVID-19 is rampant and undermines the tireless work being done by our public health officials, doctors, and scientists to keep our communities safe and healthy. False information, spread willfully or not, can be deadly in a public health crisis like this. With this legislation, Senator Hirono and I are tasking the brightest scientific minds to examine this threat and provide lawmakers with the objective analysis we need to confront it."
    The COVID-19 Disinformation Research and Reporting Act is endorsed by the Union of Concerned Scientists.
    Hirono has repeatedly called on social media platforms and domain name registrars to better respond to coronavirus-related misinformation and disinformation. In April, Senator Hirono wrote to Facebook asking that the platform shut down coronavirus misinformation on WhatsApp, and also called for eight domain name registrars and hosting sites to combat scams and misinformation related to the coronavirus.

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LEARN HOW TO PRACTICE SELF-CARE through Big Island Substance Abuse Council's Practice Self-Care Series. In partnership with Hawai‘i Department of Health, the program seeks to "remind the community that now more than ever, it's important to be gentle with yourself. Be present, limit the amount of news and media, listen to your body, and most importantly, ask for help if you need it. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health challenges, please reach out to friends and family for support, and seek professional help for serious or persistent symptoms."
    For this and additional series that feature wellness tips, follow the Behavioral Health & Homelessness Statewide Unified Response Group on Facebook.

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AT LEAST 28 DAYS SINCE A COVID-19 CASE WAS REPORTED for two Kaʻū zip codes and Volcano. 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; 96785 with Volcano Village; and 96737, with Ocean View, have had no cases in the last 28 days. In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; and 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, and Wood Valley. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date.
    Three new cases are reported for Hawaiʻi Island today. Two new deaths on Oʻahu bring the state's official death toll to 134. Total 28 deaths are reported on Hawaiʻi Island, 26 of them residents at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. The state reports 87 new cases today, two in Maui County, 80 on Oʻahu, and two of residents diagnosed out-of-state. 
    Since the pandemic began, there have been 12,290 COVID cases in the state. Department of Health reports 10,256 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are about 1,900 active cases in isolation. There are 15 people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus.

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray

areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases.

Yellow is one to 20 cases. Pale orange is 21 to 30 cases. Medium

orange is 31 to 50 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 51 to 70 

cases. Bright red is 71 to 130 cases. Dark red (not pictured)

is 131 to 310 cases. Department of Health map

    
Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 11,106 cases, Hawaiʻi Island 703, Maui County 390, and Kauaʻi 59. Thirty-two victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 832 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.
    Visitation at Hilo Medical Center has been paused, with the exception of one visitor for OB, pediatrics, and end-of-life patients. The hospital's long-term care ward is closed to new patients for now.
    All beach and shoreline parks on Hawaiʻi Island are closed through Sept. 30. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited.
    Hawaiʻi Island police continue enforcement of preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, police officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help."
    Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island "reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Island as the virus remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe."
    See the Hawaiʻi County COVID-19 webpage at coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.
COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 7,183,367 – about 22 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 205,883 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 33.48 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 1,004,278.

directory for 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.

EVENTS
Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, AI, EPS, or PNG with a quality of at least 1500 pixels by 1500 pixels and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary
.org.

Register to Vote online, olvr.hawaii.gov, or by U.S. Mail. Print a registration form. Forms must be postmarked no later than Monday, Oct. 5. As during the Primary, all ballots will be mailed, but voters can still vote in-person and may register the same day. Locations are in Hilo at 101 Pauahi Street, #1, and Kona, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy. Ballots should start to arrive around Oct. 16. Secure ballot dropbox located in Nāʻālehu Police Station at 95-5355 Māmalahoa Hwy from Oct. 14, 24 hours a day until 7 p.m. Nov. 3. See other locations here. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. See tips on helping others to register to vote at nationalvoterregistrationday.org. Find more information at elections.hawaii.gov. Check voter registration status here.

Attend Hawaiʻi Children and Youth Summit on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a watch party on Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. For ages 24 and younger. Register here. The annual event brings together youth from across the islands to discuss key issues that they believe the Hawaiʻi State Legislature needs to address to make Hawaiʻi a better place to live and work. Priorities that come out of the Summit are used by legislators to create bills and resolutions in the following year. Some of the things that have come out of the Summit are things like expanding afterschool programs, lowering the age of consent for Mental Health Services, and planting over one million trees.

Presidential Debates Schedule: The first Presidential Debate was held Sept. 29 in Cleveland, Ohio. The single Vice Presidential Debate will be held Wednesday, Oct. 7 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The second Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, Oct. 15 in Miami, Florida. The final Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, Oct. 22 in Nashville, Tennessee. 
    Each debate will air from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on. Each debate will be broadcast live on C-SPAN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, Fox News, Fox Business Network, and MSNBC, among others. All the major news networks will offer a free live stream, as will YouTube and Twitter. Listen to the Hawaiʻi Public Radio broadcast at 89.1, or stream the audio here, on the HPR mobile app, or on a smart speaker.

Take Free Courses and Certifications for Hawaiʻi Residents through Coursera are offered by state Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. More than 3,000 options. Registration open until Oct. 31. Recommended courses for picking up technology skills, see https://www.htdc.org/covid-19/learning-tech/. To view more: https://dbedt.hawaii.gov/blog/20-25/.

Give Input of Pandemic on Small Businesses to Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center. Partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank system, the 2020 Small Business Credit Survey provides vital information to policymakers and lenders who are weighing decisions that affect small businesses. Ten-minute-long survey open to businesses currently in operation, recently closed, or about to launch. Survey closes Oct. 31. Responses are confidential. Click here to complete the survey. Questions? Contact SFFedSmallBusiness@sf.frb.org. 

Artists and Vendors, sign up for the Annual Art & Craft Fair at Ocean View Community Center on Nov. 7. The event, held outside from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., will help raise funds for the Center, as well as benefit local artists and crafters. Booths are $8 for a 10' x 10' space, tents not provided. Face masks required. Free admission for attendees. Contact organizer Helen McCullough at 808-209-9204 or hmccullough.1@gmail.com.

ONGOING

Presidential Debates Schedule: The first Presidential Debate was held Tuesday, Sept. 29 in Cleveland, Ohio. The single Vice Presidential Debate will be held Wednesday, Oct. 7 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The second Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, Oct. 15 in Miami, Florida. The final Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, Oct. 22 in Nashville, Tennessee. 
    Each debate will air from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on. Each debate will be broadcast live on C-SPAN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, Fox News, Fox Business Network, and MSNBC, among others. All the major news networks will offer a free live stream, as will YouTube and Twitter. Listen to the Hawaiʻi Public Radio broadcast at 89.1, or stream the audio here, on the HPR mobile app, or on a smart speaker.

Micronesian-Language COVID-19 Helpline offered by We Are Oceania. Receive answers to questions about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, quarantine, health insurance, housing, unemployment, and other related questions, for those Micronesians who do not speak English. COVID-19 questions can be asked 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily. Other questions about health insurance, housing, or unemployment, helpline available weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. WAO helpline: (808) 913-1364. Watch the video here.

Anyone Feeling Depressed or Anxious, or who needs someone to talk to, can call Department of Health's expanded Hawai‘i C.A.R.E.S. program at 1-800-753-6879 – the same number previously used by Crisis Line of Hawai‘i. Individuals in crisis can also text ALOHA to 741741, available 24/7.

Learn How to Practice Self-Care through Big Island Substance Abuse Council's Practice Self-Care Series. In partnership with Hawai‘i Department of Health, the program seeks to "remind the community that now more than ever, it's important to be gentle with yourself. Be present, limit the amount of news and media, listen to your body, and most importantly, ask for help if you need it. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health challenges, please reach out to friends and family for support, and seek professional help for serious or persistent symptoms."
For additional series that feature refreshing wellness tips, follow the Behavioral Health & Homelessness Statewide Unified Response Group on Facebook.

The State of Hawai'i requires a Letter of Exemption for Farm Workers. Requests should be submitted to 
covidexemption@hawaii.gov 5 days prior to arrival. For a sample request letter visit: https://www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov


Student Athletes of Kaʻū High interested in participating in athletics during the 2020-2021 school year are encouraged to call Athletic Director Kalei Namohala at 313-4161 to sign up for the Student Athlete Google Classroom.

Sign Up for ‘Imiloa's Hālau Lamakū Place- and Culture-based Fall Enrichment Program at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. Held for seven weeks, Oct. 19 through Dec.4, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., except holidays. 
    The program offers "fun, engaging and educational activities, crafts, games, outdoor exploration, and observations grounded in Hawaiian culture, science, math, and art. Explorations from deep ocean to deep space, and everything in between – all from ‘Imiloa's facilities and outdoor gardens. 
    Enrollment limited to seven pods for K-5th grade students with one instructor, one assistant, and up to eight participants, who will remain together for all seven weeks. Participant's required synchronous and asynchronous school distance learning needs will be addressed. Students will bring their own lunch, two snacks, and two bottled water each day. 
    Cost per member child is $695; registration starts Friday, Sept. 25 at 8 a.m. Non-member cost per child is $995; registration starts Friday, Oct. 2 at 8 a.m. Enrollment open through Oct. 7, first-come, first-served. Scholarship applications are open; proof of financial need required. See imiloahawaii.org/halau-lamaku to register, apply for a scholarship, become a member, and find out more.

Resilience Hub at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji, Monday-Wednesday-Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Drop-in wifi and laptop access, free meals for participating keiki. Follows all county, state, and federal COVID-19 guidelines. For more info, contact Michelle Galimba, 808-430-4927.

Nominate Businesses that Provide Excellent COVID-19 Safety Precautions for a Gold Star. Submit nominations to County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development here. Find help for small businesses here.

Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.

Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.


Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island. Subjects are Homework Help, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.

Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.

     In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from  to  Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.

     In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from  to  Support is provided by Carla Lind.

     In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.

     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.

     All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.


Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts here. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.

Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at , with Worship Service starting at  Face coveri required when usher comes to vehicle to pass out worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at  and Praise Jam, which runs from  to  Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, here, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

One-Time Emergency Food For Pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

Food Basket Distribution last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. Another distribution will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Volcano Village's Cooper Center, from 10 a.m. until pau. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Call ahead, 967-7800.

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Virtual Shopping Appointments offered via Skype or FaceTime. Book at volcanoartcenter.org/shop for $5. Shop online gallery 24/7. Orders shipped or free local pickup available. See the VAC Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Ocean View Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 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.

Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays, , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at  $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in upper lot only. Vendors must provide own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling encouraged.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,  to . Limit of 50 customers, 25 vendor booths, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required, social distancing enforced. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together using neuroscience and positive psychology. Program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics." Sign up here.

ʻOhana Help Desk
 offers online How-To Guides fo

r Chromebooks and iPads here. ʻOhana Help Desk also available by phone, weekdays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab, weekdays from  to  at St. Jude's lower parking lot. O

pen to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.

Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries,
 open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu open Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala open Tuesday, noon to 7 p.m., Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot. librarieshawaii.org

Free Book Exchanges, at laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Open to all. Keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them. Selection of books replenished weekly at both sites.

Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13 at  Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.


Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issuesthrough Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Complete webform here or call 808-933-6600. Contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019 with questions.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub, Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources.Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Coffee Farmers and Producers of Other Agricultural Products encouraged to apply to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program through Dec. 11. Coffee included; see funding updates and resources hawaiicoffeeassoc.org. See complete list of eligible commodities, payment rates, and calculations at farmers.gov/cfap.

Local Ag Producers can Sign Up for a Program to Sell Produce and Meats on Hawaiʻi Island. Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, in partnership with County of Hawai‘i and non-profit entities, has developed a program to purchase product from commercial farmers and livestock producers on Hawai‘i Island for distribution to families in need. The Food Basket and other channels will distribute the products. Learn more.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. Visit the program website for more information and to register.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19 from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. Help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.


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.






Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, September 30, 2020

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County and state-owned beach and shoreline areas like this one on the Kaʻū Coast reopen Oct.1 with no camping. 
Gatherings are allowed for no more than ten people in each group. Face masks are required. Photo by William Neal

COUNTY AND STATE BEACH AND SHORELINE PARKS REOPEN THURSDAY, OCT. 1. A statement from Mayor Harry Kim today says, "All persons must abide by face covering, physical distancing, and gathering requirements of no more than ten persons. Camping at all beach parks and shoreline parks remains prohibited.
    At county and state parks, sports training and competitive play are allowed if conditions and requirements are met; pickup play is allowed, with a maximum of ten persons, i.e. beach volleyball would be allowed at Punaluʻu with fewer than ten competing in the match. Other sports would be allowed at grassy and paved sports areas in parks with maximum of ten persons practicing or playing. 

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.

Punaluʻu  beach with the county park in the background, which opens Oct, 1 without camping.
 Photo by Julia Neal

QUARANTINE LOCATIONS ARE DEFINED by Mayor Harry Kim's new Emergency Rule #12, released today. A statement from the mayor says, "It makes clear that short-term vacation rentals (STVR), bed and breakfast (B&B) homes, or other paid or commercial lodging defined by the Hawai‘i Revised Statutes as 'transient accommodations' cannot be designated as a quarantine location except for visiting essential and critical infrastructure workers, provided quarantine restrictions are followed. They also cannot be designated as a quarantine place for new or intended residents. This is to address persons wanting to use an STVR, B&B, etc. as quarantine location and staying longer than 30 days. Persons who have pre-arranged for long-term residential housing of 180 days or longer may utilize such housing as their designated quarantine location, provided that the full 14-day quarantine is served and not stopped early." 
    However, "persons meeting the negative test exception under Section IV.B. and Exhibit B Section 4(2) of the Governor's 13th Proclamation can designate an STVR, etc. as quarantine location." This means that a visitor can stay at the vacation rental or bed and breakfast if quarantining until the negative COVID-19 tests arrive. This rule applies to visitors arriving Oct. 15, or later. For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031. See article, below, for Kim's reaction on reopening to Trans-Pacific travelers.

Mayor Harry Kim doesn't think
quarantine-free travel is a good idea yet.

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 IS NOT READY TO WELCOME TRANS-PACIFIC TRAVELERS ON OCT. 15 without quarantine, Mayor Harry Kim said Tuesday, according to an article in Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald by Nancy Cook Lauer. Reopening to out-of-state travelers with a negative COVID-19 test, without requiring 14-day quarantine leaves too many gaps for the virus to come here, said the mayor.
"It's not as easy as just a pretest... How are you going to distinguish between those who have been tested and who has not... How do you monitor these people? The County of Hawaiʻi is having a very, very difficult time being the agency to ID who these travelers are. We will have a policy that's impossible to enforce."
    He told the Tribune-Herald he worries that more COVID cases will be brought in by improperly screened travelers. He told Cook Lauer of a traveler from the mainland infecting 40 people. A Hawaiʻi Island resident brought COVID back from a trip to Oʻahu and spread it to 29 other people: "He came back, he tested positive, he gave it to his wife and, in the meantime, he attended a gathering of mainly family and 17 of those people got infected and then 11 employees working with him got infected."
    Read the article 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.

FREE DRIVE-THRU COVID-19 TESTING will be held for the first time at Cooper Center tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. No insurance is necessary to be tested, but bring insurance card if have. No co-pay for the individuals being tested. Be sure to wear a face-covering at all times and observe social distancing. For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031. Other free testing this week will be held at:
    Keauhou Shopping Center on Friday, Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to noon.
    Civic Auditorium in Hilo – enter from Kuawa Street – on Friday, Oct. 2 from 9 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.

Leslie Wilcox will leave Hawaiʻi
to care for an ailing relative.

ONE OF HAWAIʻI'S TOP LOCAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMING LEADERS will leave Hawaiʻi. Leslie Wilcox, known for developing many television shows at PBS Hawaiʻi, during her 14 years as CEO, will move to San Antonio to care for a relative. She is also one of the leading fundraisers in the state, leading PBS through its transition from the University of Hawaiʻi-Mānoa campus to its own facilities. The programs she developed for local broadcast ranged from music, to history, Hawaiian culture, and political discussions. Her own show, Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox, produced interviews with Hawaiʻi leaders in many fields.
       "PBS Hawaiʻi has been a labor of love and learning for me. It's been an honor to steward such a vital public service, upholding fact-based journalism and universal access to education," said Wilcox.
    A number of Long Story Short interviews involved people with ties to Volcano and Kaʻū, including Suzanne Case, who led The Nature Conservancy's acquisition of Kamehame turtle preserve on the coast east of Punaluʻu, and the conservation of parcels of pristine Native Hawaiian forests between Nāʻālehu and Pāhala. She chairs the state Board of Land & Natural Resources. 
    Another Wilcox interview is with Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory geophysicist James Kauahikaua. Also interviewed are Dr. Billy Bergin, the veterinarian who documents ranch and paniolo life, including the history of Kapāpala Ranch between Pāhala and Volcano. Another interview features Kumu Hula Robert Cazimero, who brought his music and dance to Kalae Kilohana on South Point Road. Another person with ties to Kaʻū is Derek Kurisu, who founded the Mountain Apple brand of locally produced foods to KTA stores and invites young people to come up with a brand during his commencement speeches at Kaʻū High School. 
James Kauahikaua, geophysicist with Hawaiian
Volcanoes Observatory, is one of the Long Story
Short
connections to Volcano and Kaʻū
     Wilcox also interviewed Dr. Terrence Knapp, who performed the one-man play at Nāʻālehu Methodist Church on the life of Father Damien, who became Saint Daimen of Molokaʻi and helped Hansen's disease patients of Kalaupapa. Another Long Story Short is with Sabra Kauka who, for many years, brought children from a Kauaʻi school to Kaʻū, and narrated the film Saving Kaʻū's Coast, which was produced by The Kaʻū Calendar
     See the Long Story Short archive here or click on the names above to view each of their interviews.
    Wilcox is a Hawaiʻi native, born and raised on Oʻahu, who began her journalism career at Honolulu Star-Bulletin in 1973, while a freshman at University of Hawaiʻi–Mānoa. Mother to four and grandmother to three, she received a Hoʻokele Award for outstanding nonprofit leadership in 2011. According to an interview with Katherine Kama‘ema‘e Smith for Generations Magazine, Wilcox's Portuguese grandparents, Joao and Faustina Fraga Silveira, met on the ship on which they sailed to Hawai‘i, when it was still a monarchy. Read more at https://generations808.com/an-interview-with-leslie-wilcox/.

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REMINDING COFFEE FARMERS TO SIGN UP FOR ASSISTANCE from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sen. Mazie Hirono yesterday noted National Coffee Day and tweeted: "On #NationalCoffeeDay I want to recognize all of the hard-working coffee growers in Hawaiʻi that supply high-quality coffee to consumers across the globe. These growers, like so many others, have suffered due to COVID-19 and are finally able to get some relief from USDA's CFAP-2." 
    Those needing help can contact Kaʻū Coffee Growers cooperative president Gloria Camba at 928-8558 or board member Miles Mayne at 928-0106; the state Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau at 808-848-2074, hfbf.org; or Hawaiʻi Coffee Growers Association at hawaiicoffeeassoc.org, contact@hawaiicoffeeassoc.org.

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The Food Basket feeds people throughout Kaʻū, serving 80,000 people
 around the island each month. Photo by Julia Neal
THE FOOD BASKET HAS EXPANDED from serving about 14,000 people a month to about 80,000 due to the pandemic, says an article from Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald's Stephanie Salmons. Executive Director Kristin Frost Albrecht said the nonprofit food bank, which serves all of Hawaiʻi Island, is serving those in need through ʻOhana Food Drop, partner agencies, and other programs, using food purchased only from on-island grocers, distributors, farmers, ranchers, fishermen and restaurants. "We haven't bought any food off this island," Albrecht told the Tribune-Herald.
    ʻOhana Food Drop was created in March to deliver food but has changed to drive-through pickup at ten locations around the island, including Cooper Center in Volcano and St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. The Food Basket also offers Kūpuna Pantry through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which requires elderly to sign up and qualify for the program.
    Albrecht told Salmons The Food Basket serves between 2,000 and 3,700 at each ʻOhana Food Drop site, and that more than 80 percent are unemployed. Albrecht said The Food Basket's capacity is "nearly bursting at the seams," with food coming in and going out at a rapid pace. Salmons reports Albrecht said, before the pandemic, food was rarely purchased for emergency distribution, "But now, due to high demand and problems getting food from the USDA's Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program, 'we are having to purchase food like we have never done before.'"
Food Basket reports that more than 80 percent of those
accept its free food are unemployed. Photo by Julia Neal
    
The Food Basket has received $653,000 in federal coronavirus relief money through the state, Albrecht told the Tribune-Herald, which has only been used for food, and another $643,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding.
    Local foundations, local donors, and farmers also have given money or food to the food bank, "and continue to give," Albrecht told Salmons. "That's made it truly possible."
    Donate to The Food Basket at hawaiifoodbasket.org.
    Read the article here.

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WATCH EPISODE TWO OF COVID-19 TALK STORY ON NĀ LEO TV on Thursday, Oct. 1. The new series aims to help deliver accurate and current information to Hawaiʻi Island residents "regarding the most pressing challenge of our modern lives, the COVID-19 pandemic," says the announcement. A weekly show, it airs live Thursdays at 10 a.m. at 10 a.m. on Spectrum Channel 53, online at naleo.tv/channel-53/, and streaming via the Nā Leo's free mobile app. Watch all episodes on-demand at naleo.tv/covid19.

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HEALTHCARE FOR ALL – KEIKI TO KŪPUNA is the focus of tomorrow's Talk Story with Kai. State Sen. Kai Kahele's guest speakers are Lt. Gov. Josh Green and Dr. Kealoha Fox, Native Hawaiian Liaison at AlohaCare, a non-profit health plan. On Thursday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. on Facebook Live, the three will discuss disparities in Hawaiʻi's healthcare system, and approaches to address those issues and improve access for those who are most vulnerable. 
    Says Kahele, "There have been over 11,900 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawai‘i to date. The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a spotlight on longstanding and deep-seated challenges and inequities in our healthcare system. Access and affordability for rural and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities, the physician shortage, and Hawai‘i's high rate of chronic diseases like diabetes remain daunting challenges exacerbated by the pandemic." 
    
Kahele also posted a message for Hawaiʻi residents to fill out the 2020 Census, as health care is one aspect the census influences. A federal judge has ordered the census to continue through the end of October. "Hawai‘i needs our help to ensure our state receives its share of federal funding based on accurate population counts. Funding is critical for health care, education, social services and other programs. Plus, Hawai‘i receives specific federal funding for ethnic populations including Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, as well as Asian American communities. Tomorrow is the last day to be counted in the 2020 Census, which determines how much funding Hawai‘i will receive for the next decade – and it happens only once every 10 years! We have a chance to shape Hawaiʻi's future. Go to my2020census.gov to fill out the census. It only takes five minutes. Do it for Hawai‘i. Do it for our community. Mahalo."

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IMPROVING MAIL-IN BALLOT SECURITY BY BANNING BALLOT HARVESTING is the goal of legislation introduced by Reps. Tulsi Gabbard and Republican Rodney Davis. The Election Fraud Prevention Act, H.R.8285, would amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit payments to states that permit ballot harvesting. It would ensure that voters seeking to turn in their mail-in ballots may only be assisted by an election official or mail carrier acting in their official capacities as well as family members, household members, or caregivers.
    
Gabbard said, "The strength of our democracy lies in the integrity of our elections. Whether in the midst of a pandemic where mail-in voting is likely to drastically increase, or in a normal election, no one should get in between a voter and the ballot box. While some states have prohibited vote harvesting, many states lack any regulations that would stop third-parties from fraudulently collecting and mishandling ballots as has occurred in recent elections. Our bipartisan bill incentivizes states to take action and prevent any political parties or any third-party special interest groups from interfering with our sacred right to vote.
    Davis said, "Banning ballot harvesting shouldn't be a partisan issue. Allowing any individual, including political operatives, to pick up multiple voters' ballots and deliver them to a polling location undermines the integrity of our elections. We've seen ballot harvesting widely used in states like California and a recent court case in North Carolina outlined the clear opportunities for fraud and coercion with the ballot harvesting process. This bipartisan bill will encourage states to ban this process that is ripe for fraud and is a major threat to the integrity of our elections."

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JOIN HAWAIʻI TROPICAL FRUIT GROWERS ONLINE CONFERENCE Q&A session on Friday, Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. View recorded presentations, take a survey after watching the videos, and join presenters and hosts for the session. 
s    Topics include: Message from HDOA, Aloha & Welcome, Presidents Report, World Banana Tour, Breadfruit Varieties, New Cultivars & Species, and more. Visit HTFG 2020 Conference website for other details and for Zoom connections to the Q&A session.

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THE DEATH OF VIETNAM VET CHRIS DRAYER, 70, of Volcano, at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo on Sept. 2 is the subject of a lawsuit from his sons Noah Bennett-Drayer and Daniel Bennett-Drayer, according to reporting in Honolulu Star-Advertiser. The sons said their father was within days of being released into their care when he contracted the disease and died. 
    The suit was filed against Avalon Health Care, of Utah, which managed the facility at the time of the death. Hawaiʻi Island attorney Jeffrey Foster is handling the case and issued a news release saying deaths at the Veterans Home was due to "gross mismanagement." Avalon spokesperson Allison Griffiths said she could not comment on the case but "health and safety of our residents is always our top priority."
Veterans of Foreign Wars delivered flags this week to drape over the beds of the fallen veterans who died fighting
off COVID-19 at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. Photo from Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corp


TWENTY-SEVEN NEW COVID-19 CASES ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND are reported today, the highest single-day case count for this island since Sept. 4. On that date, Hawaiʻi Island had reported a total of 469 cases. Less than a month later, Hawaiʻi Island's cumulative case count is 730. See more COVID details, below.

ONE NEW DEATH FROM THE HILO VETS HOME today brings the total to 29 reported deaths on Hawaiʻi Island, 27 of them residents at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. Two more deaths on Oʻahu today bring the state's official death toll to 136, but not all deaths from the Vets Home are included in that count.
    The state reports 121 new cases today, 27 on Hawaiʻi Island, one in Maui County, 91 on Oʻahu, and one resident diagnosed out-of-state. One case was removed due to new information.
    Since the pandemic began, there have been 12,410 COVID cases in the state. Department of Health reports 10,298 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are about 1,975 active cases in isolation. There are 13 people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus.
    Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 11,197 cases, Hawaiʻi Island 730, Maui County 391, and Kauaʻi 59. Thirty-three victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 847 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray

areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases.

Yellow is one to 20 cases. Pale orange is 21 to 30 cases. Medium

orange is 31 to 50 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 51 to 70 

cases. Bright red is 71 to 130 cases. Dark red (not pictured)

is 131 to 300 cases. Department of Health map
    
No new cases reported in the last 28 days for two Kaʻū zip codes and Volcano. 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; 96785 with Volcano Village; and 96737, with Ocean View, have had no cases in the last 28 days. In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; and 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, and Wood Valley. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date.
    Visitation at Hilo Medical Center has been paused, with the exception of one visitor for OB, pediatrics, and end-of-life patients. The hospital's long-term care ward is closed to new patients for now.
    All beach and shoreline parks on Hawaiʻi Island are closed through today. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited.
    Hawaiʻi Island police continue enforcement of preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, police officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help."
    Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island "reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Island as the virus remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe."
    See the Hawaiʻi County COVID-19 webpage at coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.
    COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 7,221,278 – about 21 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 206,693 – about 20 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 33.8 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 1,010,477.

directory for 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.

EVENTS
EVENTS
Register to Vote online, olvr.hawaii.gov, or by U.S. Mail. Print a registration form. Forms must be postmarked no later than Monday, Oct. 5. As during the Primary, all ballots will be mailed, but voters can still vote in-person and may register the same day. Locations are in Hilo at 101 Pauahi Street, #1, and Kona, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy. Ballots should start to arrive around Oct. 16. Secure ballot dropbox located in Nāʻālehu Police Station at 95-5355 Māmalahoa Hwy from Oct. 14, 24 hours a day until 7 p.m. Nov. 3. See other locations here. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. See tips on helping others to register to vote at nationalvoterregistrationday.org. Find more information at elections.hawaii.gov. Check voter registration status here.

Apply for Local Initiative Support Corporation-Lowe's Rural Relief Small Business Grants by Oct. 5. Applications are being accepted in "rounds." Owners must submit a new application for each round in order to be considered for funding in that round. Apply here
    The grants go to support small businesses and enterprises affected by COVID-19 across the country, "especially those in underserved communities, including entrepreneurs of color and women- and veteran-owned businesses that often lack access to flexible, affordable capital," says the announcement. 
Applications will be reviewed based on criteria designed to prioritize particularly challenged businesses, and the final grantees will be randomly selected from the top-scoring applicants. Non-profit organizations are not eligible. All potential applicants are encouraged to review FAQ and grant information before applying.

Attend Hawaiʻi Children and Youth Summit on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a watch party on Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. For ages 24 and younger. Register here. The annual event brings together youth from across the islands to discuss key issues that they believe the Hawaiʻi State Legislature needs to address to make Hawaiʻi a better place to live and work. Priorities that come out of the Summit are used by legislators to create bills and resolutions in the following year. Some of the things that have come out of the Summit are things like expanding afterschool programs, lowering the age of consent for Mental Health Services, and planting over one million trees.

Presidential Debates Schedule: The first Presidential Debate was held Sept. 29 in Cleveland, Ohio. The single Vice Presidential Debate will be held Wednesday, Oct. 7 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The second Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, Oct. 15 in Miami, Florida. The final Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, Oct. 22 in Nashville, Tennessee. 
    Each debate will air from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on. Each debate will be broadcast live on C-SPAN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, Fox News, Fox Business Network, and MSNBC, among others. All the major news networks will offer a free live stream, as will YouTube and Twitter. Listen to the Hawaiʻi Public Radio broadcast at 89.1, or stream the audio here, on the HPR mobile app, or on a smart speaker.

Take Free Courses and Certifications for Hawaiʻi Residents through Coursera are offered by state Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. More than 3,000 options. Registration open until Oct. 31. Recommended courses for picking up technology skills, see https://www.htdc.org/covid-19/learning-tech/. To view more: https://dbedt.hawaii.gov/blog/20-25/.

Give Input of Pandemic on Small Businesses to Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center. Partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank system, the 2020 Small Business Credit Survey provides vital information to policymakers and lenders who are weighing decisions that affect small businesses. Ten-minute-long survey open to businesses currently in operation, recently closed, or about to launch. Survey closes Oct. 31. Responses are confidential. Click here to complete the survey. Questions? Contact SFFedSmallBusiness@sf.frb.org. 

Artists and Vendors, sign up for the Annual Art & Craft Fair at Ocean View Community Center on Nov. 7. The event, held outside from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., will help raise funds for the Center, as well as benefit local artists and crafters. Booths are $8 for a 10' x 10' space, tents not provided. Face masks required. Free admission for attendees. Contact organizer Helen McCullough at 808-209-9204 or hmccullough.1@gmail.com.

ONGOING

Presidential Debates Schedule: The first Presidential Debate was held Tuesday, Sept. 29 in Cleveland, Ohio. The single Vice Presidential Debate will be held Wednesday, Oct. 7 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The second Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, Oct. 15 in Miami, Florida. The final Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, Oct. 22 in Nashville, Tennessee. 
    Each debate will air from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on. Each debate will be broadcast live on C-SPAN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, Fox News, Fox Business Network, and MSNBC, among others. All the major news networks will offer a free live stream, as will YouTube and Twitter. Listen to the Hawaiʻi Public Radio broadcast at 89.1, or stream the audio here, on the HPR mobile app, or on a smart speaker.

Micronesian-Language COVID-19 Helpline offered by We Are Oceania. Receive answers to questions about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, quarantine, health insurance, housing, unemployment, and other related questions, for those Micronesians who do not speak English. COVID-19 questions can be asked 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily. Other questions about health insurance, housing, or unemployment, helpline available weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. WAO helpline: (808) 913-1364. Watch the video here.

Anyone Feeling Depressed or Anxious, or who needs someone to talk to, can call Department of Health's expanded Hawai‘i C.A.R.E.S. program at 1-800-753-6879 – the same number previously used by Crisis Line of Hawai‘i. Individuals in crisis can also text ALOHA to 741741, available 24/7.

Learn How to Practice Self-Care through Big Island Substance Abuse Council's Practice Self-Care Series. In partnership with Hawai‘i Department of Health, the program seeks to "remind the community that now more than ever, it's important to be gentle with yourself. Be present, limit the amount of news and media, listen to your body, and most importantly, ask for help if you need it. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health challenges, please reach out to friends and family for support, and seek professional help for serious or persistent symptoms."
For additional series that feature refreshing wellness tips, follow the Behavioral Health & Homelessness Statewide Unified Response Group on Facebook.

The State of Hawai'i requires a Letter of Exemption for Farm Workers. Requests should be submitted to 
covidexemption@hawaii.gov 5 days prior to arrival. For a sample request letter visit: https://www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov


Student Athletes of Kaʻū High interested in participating in athletics during the 2020-2021 school year are encouraged to call Athletic Director Kalei Namohala at 313-4161 to sign up for the Student Athlete Google Classroom.

Sign Up for ‘Imiloa's Hālau Lamakū Place- and Culture-based Fall Enrichment Program at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. Held for seven weeks, Oct. 19 through Dec.4, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., except holidays. 
    The program offers "fun, engaging and educational activities, crafts, games, outdoor exploration, and observations grounded in Hawaiian culture, science, math, and art. Explorations from deep ocean to deep space, and everything in between – all from ‘Imiloa's facilities and outdoor gardens. 
    Enrollment limited to seven pods for K-5th grade students with one instructor, one assistant, and up to eight participants, who will remain together for all seven weeks. Participant's required synchronous and asynchronous school distance learning needs will be addressed. Students will bring their own lunch, two snacks, and two bottled water each day. 
    Cost per member child is $695; registration starts Friday, Sept. 25 at 8 a.m. Non-member cost per child is $995; registration starts Friday, Oct. 2 at 8 a.m. Enrollment open through Oct. 7, first-come, first-served. Scholarship applications are open; proof of financial need required. See imiloahawaii.org/halau-lamaku to register, apply for a scholarship, become a member, and find out more.

Resilience Hub at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji, Monday-Wednesday-Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Drop-in wifi and laptop access, free meals for participating keiki. Follows all county, state, and federal COVID-19 guidelines. For more info, contact Michelle Galimba, 808-430-4927.

Nominate Businesses that Provide Excellent COVID-19 Safety Precautions for a Gold Star. Submit nominations to County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development here. Find help for small businesses here.

Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.

Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.


Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island. Subjects are Homework Help, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.

Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.

     In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from  to  Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.

     In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from  to  Support is provided by Carla Lind.

     In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.

     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.

     All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.


Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts here. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.

Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at , with Worship Service starting at  Face coveri required when usher comes to vehicle to pass out worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at  and Praise Jam, which runs from  to  Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, here, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

One-Time Emergency Food For Pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

Food Basket Distribution last Tuesday of the month, Oct. 27, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. Another distribution will be held Wednesday, Oct. 28, at Volcano Village's Cooper Center, from 10 a.m. until pau. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Call ahead, 967-7800.

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Virtual Shopping Appointments offered via Skype or FaceTime. Book at volcanoartcenter.org/shop for $5. Shop online gallery 24/7. Orders shipped or free local pickup available. See the VAC Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Ocean View Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 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.

Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays, , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at  $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in upper lot only. Vendors must provide own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling encouraged.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,  to . Limit of 50 customers, 25 vendor booths, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required, social distancing enforced. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together using neuroscience and positive psychology. Program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics." Sign up here.

ʻOhana Help Desk
 offers online How-To Guides fo

r Chromebooks and iPads here. ʻOhana Help Desk also available by phone, weekdays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab, weekdays from  to  at St. Jude's lower parking lot. O

pen to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.

Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries,
 open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu open Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala open Tuesday, noon to 7 p.m., Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot. librarieshawaii.org

Free Book Exchanges, at laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Open to all. Keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them. Selection of books replenished weekly at both sites.

Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13 at  Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.


Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issuesthrough Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Complete webform here or call 808-933-6600. Contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019 with questions.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub, Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources.Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Coffee Farmers and Producers of Other Agricultural Products encouraged to apply to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program through Dec. 11. Coffee included; see funding updates and resources hawaiicoffeeassoc.org. See complete list of eligible commodities, payment rates, and calculations at farmers.gov/cfap.

Local Ag Producers can Sign Up for a Program to Sell Produce and Meats on Hawaiʻi Island. Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, in partnership with County of Hawai‘i and non-profit entities, has developed a program to purchase product from commercial farmers and livestock producers on Hawai‘i Island for distribution to families in need. The Food Basket and other channels will distribute the products. Learn more.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. Visit the program website for more information and to register.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19 from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. Help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.


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