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| Ka`u volleyball players attending Kamehameha-Schools-Hawaii led their team to the BIFF championship last weekend, and their game at state finals will be televised this evening. See more below. Photo by Coach Richard Lau |
TELEHEALTH IS COMING TO KA`U. To be located at Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, Inc. in Pahala, the Health Kiosk makes accessing health care easy and convenient for community members. The kiosk will serve residents from the Ocean View, Ninole, Wai`ohinu, Na`alehu and Pahala communities. Anyone living in those communities, including children accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, can use the kiosk for free.
“Many residents have no primary care physician, no insurance, no access to health care and limited financial resources,” said Jessie Marques, executive director of KRHCAI. “They often have medical conditions that are treatable, but they don’t see a doctor or health care professional and eventually end up in the emergency room or in the hospital.” |
| Telehealth is coming to Ka`u this summer. Photo from KRHCAI |
Natasha Richards, business analyst for HMSA’s Online Care, encouraged residents to use the wide array of services that the kiosk offers. “The kiosk makes it much easier for residents to go to the community center and sit down for a 15-minute visit versus driving an hour and a half or taking the bus to Hilo or Kailua-Kona,” Richards said.
Another advantage of the kiosk is that residents can get behavioral health services, which is one of the specialist shortage areas.
The kiosk also features a blood pressure cuff, otoscope, derm cam, thermometer, pulse oximeter and a handset for private conversations.
“It’s remarkable how rapidly telehealth has grown over the past few years,” Richards said. “We’ve gone from expensive, complicated computer equipment in doctors’ offices and hospitals to immediate access to quality health care with a simple click of a button. We hope that offering the use of the kiosk free of charge to community members will encourage more of them to see a health care professional before their condition gets serious. It’s easy, convenient and completely confidential.”
The kiosk also plays a role with interning practical nursing students from the University of Hawai`i at Hilo, certified nurse aides and community health workers who help people use the kiosk and its features.
“The internship is an outreach to the underserved, geographically isolated communities and minorities who are in dire need of access to health care,” Marques said. “The students learn about telehealth alternatives while connecting residents to doctors and specialists.”
The kiosk will be located in a separate room to ensure privacy. It’s a self-guided touchscreen with a high-definition webcam that lets residents use Online Care to see health professionals.
For more information, call 928-0101.
HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE ARE WARNING the public about an IRS scam.
The kiosk also features a blood pressure cuff, otoscope, derm cam, thermometer, pulse oximeter and a handset for private conversations.
“It’s remarkable how rapidly telehealth has grown over the past few years,” Richards said. “We’ve gone from expensive, complicated computer equipment in doctors’ offices and hospitals to immediate access to quality health care with a simple click of a button. We hope that offering the use of the kiosk free of charge to community members will encourage more of them to see a health care professional before their condition gets serious. It’s easy, convenient and completely confidential.”
The kiosk also plays a role with interning practical nursing students from the University of Hawai`i at Hilo, certified nurse aides and community health workers who help people use the kiosk and its features.
“The internship is an outreach to the underserved, geographically isolated communities and minorities who are in dire need of access to health care,” Marques said. “The students learn about telehealth alternatives while connecting residents to doctors and specialists.”
The kiosk will be located in a separate room to ensure privacy. It’s a self-guided touchscreen with a high-definition webcam that lets residents use Online Care to see health professionals.
For more information, call 928-0101.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
KA`U VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS attending Kamehameha Schools-Hawai`i led their team to the Big Island Interscholastic Federation championship last weekend and play for the state finals tonight on O`ahu. They are Addison Enriques, of Punalu`u – hitter; Avery Enriques, of Punalu`u – hitter; Kameron Moses, of Pahala – setter and libero; and Naia Makuakane, of Na`alehu – setter.
Kamehameha, coached by Punalu`u resident Guy Enriques is undefeated for the season.
Ka`u residents can watch today’s match on OC16 at 7 p.m.
Kamehameha, coached by Punalu`u resident Guy Enriques is undefeated for the season.
Ka`u residents can watch today’s match on OC16 at 7 p.m.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Apply this month for Preschool Open Doors. Photo from DHS |
PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS is accepting applications through May 31. Applications received in this period are for consideration for POD program participation for July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. Applications will be accepted for children born August 1, 2011 through July 31, 2012.
Families affected by the change to the kindergarten entry age are encouraged to apply. The POD program provides child care payments to eligible families so their child is able to receive a preschool experience prior to their entry into kindergarten. Funding for POD is limited, and priority for program selection is detailed in the POD administrative rules which can be found at the state Department of Human Services website at http://humanservices.hawaii.gov/admin-rules-2/admin-rules-for-programs.
Preschool prepares children for kindergarten by teaching social skills and recognition of shapes and some letters. It allows children to explore and discover their world in an environment where they learn through hands on play experiences.
Eligible families select the DHS-licensed facility of their choice. Household size and monthly gross income also are used to determine priority. Income eligibility for tuition subsidies is based on a monthly gross family income not exceeding the amounts below. The subsidy amount is based on a sliding fee scale using the family monthly gross income and the maximum POD rate allowed for the selected preschool or the cost of care if lower.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early to ensure the May 31 deadline is met.
For additional information, call 1-800-746-5620 http://humanservices.hawaii.gov.
Preschool prepares children for kindergarten by teaching social skills and recognition of shapes and some letters. It allows children to explore and discover their world in an environment where they learn through hands on play experiences.
Eligible families select the DHS-licensed facility of their choice. Household size and monthly gross income also are used to determine priority. Income eligibility for tuition subsidies is based on a monthly gross family income not exceeding the amounts below. The subsidy amount is based on a sliding fee scale using the family monthly gross income and the maximum POD rate allowed for the selected preschool or the cost of care if lower.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early to ensure the May 31 deadline is met.
For additional information, call 1-800-746-5620 http://humanservices.hawaii.gov.
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| Be aware of IRS scams, Hawai`i police advise. |
Residents have reported that they receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS who threatens a government lawsuit because they owe a large sum of money to the IRS. The potential victims are instructed to go to the bank and withdraw a large sum of money. One resident reported that the caller said he would then go to the house to collect the money.
Instructions from the official IRS website say that if you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, you should record the employee’s name, badge number, call back number and caller ID if available; call 1-800-366-4484 to determine if the caller is an IRS employee with a legitimate need to contact you.
If the person calling you is an IRS employee, call them back. If not, report the incident to TIGTA and to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov (Subject: ‘IRS Phone Scam’)
For more information, see www.irs.gov/uac/Report-Phishing.
Instructions from the official IRS website say that if you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, you should record the employee’s name, badge number, call back number and caller ID if available; call 1-800-366-4484 to determine if the caller is an IRS employee with a legitimate need to contact you.
If the person calling you is an IRS employee, call them back. If not, report the incident to TIGTA and to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov (Subject: ‘IRS Phone Scam’)
For more information, see www.irs.gov/uac/Report-Phishing.
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| The Inoue `Ohana will perform at Ka`u Coffee Festival Ho`olaule`a. Photo from Kathie Inoue |
THE INOUE `OHANA WILL PERFORM at the Ka`u Coffee Festival Ho`olaule`a on Saturday, May 21. Kathie Inoue said the group will be flying across the Pacific to the Big Island and will share some of the Hawaiian music they perform where they live in and around Japan. They are hosted by Kumu Debbie Ryder. The Ho`olaule`a is from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and also includes performances by Halau Hula Kalehuaki`ki `Eika`iu, Hands of Time, Hannah’s Makana `Ohana Halau, Miss Ka`u Coffee, Junior Miss Ka`u Coffee, Miss Peaberry and their courts, Kupuna `O Pahala, Bolo, Keaiwa & Demetrius, Halau Hula O Leonalani, Sammi Fo & Halau Kahokukauahiahionalani, Phoebe & Bobby Gomes Family, Makana and Harry Evangelista & Kukubird.
Enjoy a free, full day of music, hula, the Ka`u Coffee Experience, educational displays and demonstrations, farm tours and vendors, and meet the farmers.
See kaucoffeefest.com.
See kaucoffeefest.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
TWAIN MEETS TITA TODAY at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The show celebrates the sesquicentennial of Mark Twain’s 1866 visit to Hawai`i.
In honor of Mother’s Day, actors will also read from the Diaries of Adam & Eve.
Tickets are $15 and will be available at the door.
In honor of Mother’s Day, actors will also read from the Diaries of Adam & Eve.
Tickets are $15 and will be available at the door.
Reserve by calling 982-7344 or emailing kden73@aol.com.
Park entrance fees may apply.
Park entrance fees may apply.
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| KMC offers Cinco de Mayo buffet tomorrow. Photo from KMC |
KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S Crater Rim Cafe in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers a Cinco de Mayo buffet tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Menu includes short rib fajitas, Mexican chicken casserole, stuff-your-own-burrito bar and more. Adults, $18; Children 6-11, $9. KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8356 for more information.
VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES students present Middle School Theater Night tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Sixth grade offers Poultry in Motion by Patrick Rainville Dorn. Seventh grade takes on the humorous murder mystery No Body to Murder by Edith Weiss. Eighth-grade students perform After Hours by Kevin Stone.
Free; donations accepted. Park entrance fees may apply.
Free; donations accepted. Park entrance fees may apply.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf. |