 |
| Chassis Kaleohana with her potted vegetable plant to take home to grow, from the Pāhala Elementary Farm Stand. It opened today to sell the food grown by students and is open on most Fridays at 1 p.m. on the campus. Photo by Julia Neal |
A FARM STAND OPENED AT PĀHALA ELEMENTARY today for students, their parents, teachers and others on the campus. The produce is grown by students who also learn sales and how to explain good nutrition to others.
Students receive a 50 percent discount at the Farm Stand. Lettuce, arugula, basil, and potted food plants ready for home gardening were among the offerings today.
The Farm Stand is the work of Katie Graham, an elementary teacher who specializes in gardening, assigned to the Pāhala campus through Food Corps, which states on its website:
"Together with communities, FoodCorps connects kids to healthy food in school. Our vision: We are creating a future in which all our nation's children––regardless of race, place, or class––know what healthy food is, care where it comes from, and eat it every day.
"Healthy food is a building block for a full life. But right now, not all kids have access to healthy food or education about how to make healthy choices. Structural inequities based on race, place, and class have resulted in health disparities that have taken an unjust toll on children of color and children growing up in households struggling to make ends meet.
![]()
"In the United States, one in three kids are on track to develop diet-related illness in their lifetime. For kids of color, it's one in two." Children who lack a quality diet are more likely to face a lifetime of challenges: they score lower on tests, miss more days of school, advance less in their careers, and raise children who are likely to repeat the same cycle.
"We see schools as places where we can correct these injustices, providing healthy food access and education for all kids. FoodCorps helps schools become places where kids get the nourishment they need to thrive."
 |
| Pāhala Elementary's tech wiz Andrew Honma picks up Thai basil from the new Farm Stand. Photo by Julia Neal |
The Farm Stand is the work of Katie Graham, an elementary teacher who specializes in gardening, assigned to the Pāhala campus through Food Corps, which states on its website:
"Together with communities, FoodCorps connects kids to healthy food in school. Our vision: We are creating a future in which all our nation's children––regardless of race, place, or class––know what healthy food is, care where it comes from, and eat it every day.
"Healthy food is a building block for a full life. But right now, not all kids have access to healthy food or education about how to make healthy choices. Structural inequities based on race, place, and class have resulted in health disparities that have taken an unjust toll on children of color and children growing up in households struggling to make ends meet.
"We see schools as places where we can correct these injustices, providing healthy food access and education for all kids. FoodCorps helps schools become places where kids get the nourishment they need to thrive."
The Farm Stand is open every Friday, except for Thanksgiving Week and other holidays, from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. near the Pāhala Elementary School playground.
Food Corps is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americorps, and corporate and foundation partners.
 |
| Elementary School gardening teacher Katie Graham smiles as the children who are learning about growing food and nutrition gather around the new Food Stand on the campus. Photo by Julia Neal |
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE is investing $13.45 million "to improve the quality of rural life in Hawaiʻi and Western Pacific," according to an announcement from its Rural Development agency. The investments will go through its Community Facilities Direct Loan Program.
Hawaiʻi/Western Pacific State Director Brenda Iokepa-Moses, of Pāhala, said she encourages all rural communities to take advantage of these funding opportunities. "Don't be intimidated by the applications, we have fully capable and willing staff to help applicants through the process," said Iokepa-Moses.
Projects announced this month include a Rural Development loan guarantee of $2.45 million to be used to purchase Keaʻau Family Health and Dental Center and fund alternative energy technology. The clinic has been leasing the facility and serving the community since June 2002. "The 7,175 square foot health center provides much needed health and dental services to the rural communities of Hamakua, Puna, and Kaʻū," said the Rural Development statement.
Rural Development investment of $11 million will be used to help finance the renovation and expansion of a World War I submarine museum in Honolulu's Pearl Harbor historic site, which houses the USS Bowfin Submarine at the Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Museum. The museum was formed 40 years ago with the mission and purpose of preserving and sharing stories of our Silent Service submarine force. The museum will expand its current education programs with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities program funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas.
See Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity and Rural Prosperity infographic.
For information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details in Hawaii, interested parties should contact Roxanne Kimm-Yanagi at (808) 600-2947. Interested parties in the Western Pacific should contact Joseph Diego at (671) 300-8560.
Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants, a detailed overview of the application process, USDA Rural Development webpage at htrd.usda.gov/hi and twitter.com/RD_Hawaii.
Projects announced this month include a Rural Development loan guarantee of $2.45 million to be used to purchase Keaʻau Family Health and Dental Center and fund alternative energy technology. The clinic has been leasing the facility and serving the community since June 2002. "The 7,175 square foot health center provides much needed health and dental services to the rural communities of Hamakua, Puna, and Kaʻū," said the Rural Development statement.
 |
| Brenda Iokepa-Moses, of Pāhala, in her new role as Director of the USDA's Rural Development agency for Hawaiʻi and the Pacific (front, second from right) with her crew at the historic Federal Building in Hilo. Photo from USDA |
More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities program funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas.
See Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity and Rural Prosperity infographic.
For information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details in Hawaii, interested parties should contact Roxanne Kimm-Yanagi at (808) 600-2947. Interested parties in the Western Pacific should contact Joseph Diego at (671) 300-8560.
Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants, a detailed overview of the application process, USDA Rural Development webpage at htrd.usda.gov/hi and twitter.com/RD_Hawaii.
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.
ENDING FEDERAL MARIJUANA PROHIBITION is the goal of a bill, introduced by Kaʼū's congresswoman, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. The House Judiciary Committee voted to pass the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement Act and now awaits consideration by the full House. Said Gabbard. "I've long been a champion for ending the federal marijuana prohibition, and today's vote on the MORE Act is a crucial step forward toward ending our failed marijuana policy which has ruined people's lives and strained our criminal justice system. Congress must pass this bill so that we can begin to help heal the wounds caused by the failed war on drugs and move forward together."
The MORE Act would decriminalizes marijuana at the federal level, apply retroactively to prior and pending convictions, and enable states to set their own policy.
 |
| Rep. Tulsi Gabbard with the NORML group, earlier this year, as she promotes legalization of marijuana on the national stage. Photo from Gabbard's Twitter |
The Act would place a five percent sales tax on marijuana and marijuana products. This tax would create an Opportunity Trust Fund, which includes three grant programs:
The Community Reinvestment Grant Program would provide services to individuals most adversely impacted by the War on Drugs, including job training, re-entry services, legal aid, literacy programs, youth recreation, mentoring, and substance use treatment.
The Cannabis Opportunity Grant Program would provide funds for loans to assist small businesses in the marijuana industry that are owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
The Equitable Licensing Grant Program would provide funds for programs that minimize barriers to marijuana licensing and employment for the individuals most adversely impacted by the War on Drugs.
The Act would also open up Small Business Administration funding for cannabis-related businesses and service providers; and prohibit denial of federal public benefits and alleviate immigration impact based on use, possession, or prior conviction for a marijuana offense.
The Act has support from: the Drug Policy Alliance, Center for American Progress, 4thMVMT, ACLU, California Minority Alliance, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Human Rights Watch, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Law Enforcement Action Partnership, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), Sentencing Project, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, UndocuBlack Network , Washington Latin America (WOLA).
 |
| Photos from Tutu & Me |
TŪTŪ AND ME hosted special guests during an outing on Monday, Nov. 18. Barbara Sarbin from Something Good in the World visited Tūtū and Me and brought her friends, the worms. Michelle Buck from Tūtū and Me said, "The keiki had a wonderful time learning about worms and how to care for them. Auntie Barbara read to us, and Dillon and Grandma Dawn became total 'bookworms.' Mahalo to Auntie Barbara!"
Tūtū and Me is a program under Partners in Development for keiki ages zero to five and their caregivers. There is no cost to attend. Home visits are also available.
See pidfoundation.org or call Tata Compehos and Melody Espejo at 808-938-1088.
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.
TRAVEL BACK IN TIME to Hilo in the 1880s in this week's Volcano Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:
Over the last two centuries, six lava flows erupted from Mauna Loa 's Northeast Rift Zone and advanced toward Hilo . These flows were from eruptions in 1852, 1855-56, 1880-81, 1935-36, 1942, and 1984. Of the six, only one advanced closer to Hilo Bay Hilo Bay
A new USGS publication titled The Lava Flow that Came to Hilo—The 1880–81 Eruption of Mauna Loa Volcano, Island of Hawai‘i tells the story of this flow, briefly recounted below.
Three flows erupted from Mauna Loa in November 1880. The first two flows were fast-moving, and rapidly advanced both north and south from the Northeast Rift Zone at average speeds of 6 km (3.7 mi) per day before stalling a few weeks later. The third flow, which erupted from a slightly lower vent, advanced directly toward Hilo , although at a much slower average rate of 0.18 km (0.11 mi) per day.
The Hilo flow was slow but relentless, and as it got closer to Hilo , government officials took action to try to save the town. The Governor of the Island declared a day of prayer in early July 1881 to stop the flow, but it kept advancing and praying continued.
 |
This painting by Charles Furneaux, Night View 1880-1881, Eruption from they would have been in November 1880. In reality, however, both flows would not have been visible from this vantage. Image courtesy of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park |
At the end of July, Princess Ruth Luka Keʻelikōlani, a descendant of the Kamehameha line of chiefs, traveled from Honolulu to Hilo . There, she camped with her entourage on Puʻu Honu, the westernmost hill of the three Hālaʻi hills – the most makai, or lowest, hill is at the top of Haili Street in Hilo . Puʻu Honu was an excellent vantage point from which to observe the Hilo flow.
A week after Princess Ruth arrived in Hilo , Princess Regent Liliʻuokalani and her department heads also arrived in Hilo , where they met to consider ways to save the town. This may have been the first time in Hawaiian history that lava flow diversion was discussed.
A plan of action, including building barriers to divert the flow, building shelters for those displaced by the flow, and placing dynamite somewhere along the lava conduit, or tube, to drain the flow's supply of lava, was devised and sent back to Honolulu. Hilo families and friends entertained both Princesses during the following week while the Hilo flow continued to slowly advance.
In early August, Princess Ruth's attendants secured brandy and red scarves. She approached the flow somewhere within what is now the ʻAlenaio gulch, where she offered the brandy and scarves and chanted, asking Pele, the Hawaiian volcano deity, to stop the flow and go home. By all reports the flow stopped.
 |
Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani served as Royal Governor of Hawaiʻi Island. She attempted to divert a lava flow, headed toward to Pele of brandy and red scarves. Photo from |
About that same time, government supplies for building barriers and shelters and draining the lava flow arrived, but the flow had stopped. Only one homestead outside of Hilo had been destroyed. The town of Hilo was spared.
In retrospect, not only did officials understand how lava flows were supplied with lava from the vent, they felt confident that they could manipulate the flow's advance by using dynamite to breach the supply conduit and stall the flow.
Reverend Titus Coan, a Hilo missionary, had discovered these lava conduits and how they worked in 1843 while observing a Mauna Loa lava flow erupted that year. In 1881, Coan's ideas were being used in a plan to stop an active lava flow. Coan must have been thrilled that his discovery of these lava conduits, which he named "pyroducts," were understood by his fellow residents and missionaries. Sadly, this would be his last eruption; he died 16 months later, on December 1, 1882 .
There are many stories surrounding the 1880-81 eruption, illustrated by numerous photographs, paintings, and maps. Photography was being used more often in Hawaiʻi and traditional artists were finding inspiration in various aspects of the volcanic activity and displaying them in vivid color.
Until recently, there was confusion about where the first lava flow erupted in November 1880 was located. Using chemical analyses of lava flows in the vicinity, as well as eye-witness accounts of the 1880 flow, the true identity of that first flow was revealed.
Many more details of this fascinating eruption can be found in the new USGS publication, which can be freely downloaded at pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2019/5129/sir20195129.pdf.
Volcano Activity Updates
Kῑlauea Volcano is not erupting and its USGS Volcano Alert level remains at NORMAL . Monitoring data showed no notable changes over the past week. Earthquake activity across the volcano remained largely steady. Sulfur dioxide emission rates are low at the summit and below detection limits at Puʻu ʻŌʻō and the lower East Rift Zone. The water pond at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u continues to slowly expand and deepen.
This past week, about 62 small-magnitude earthquakes – nearly all less than M2.0 – were detected beneath the upper elevations of Mauna Loa . Deformation measurements show continued summit inflation. Fumarole temperature and gas concentrations on the Southwest Rift Zone remain stable.
No earthquakes with three or more felt reports occurred in Hawaiʻi this past week.
Visit volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvofor past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
 |
See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com |
See monthly and weekly Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, and Meditation at kaucalendar.com.
UPCOMING
SATURDAY, NOV. 23
Realms and Divisions, Saturday, Nov. 23, 9:30-11:30a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderately difficult, two-mile, hike. Bring snack. nps.gov/havo/
Nā‘ālehu Elementary School Friend-Raiser, Saturday, Nov. 23, 10a.m.-2p.m., Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. Friendship building activities with food, games – including bounce house, splash booth, and face painting – prizes, and more.
Saturday Thanksgiving Dinner, Saturday, Nov. 23, 10a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. 939-7000, stjudeshawaii.org
Blue Tattoo Band, Saturday, Nov. 23, 7-10p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge, in HVNP. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Free; park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com
SUNDAY, NOV. 24
‘Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sunday, Nov. 24, 9:30-11a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, easy one-mile walk. nps.gov/havo/
Santa's Workshop Event Registration, Nov. 25 - Dec. 11, Ka‘ū District Gym. Event takes place Thursday, Dec. 12, 6-7:30p.m. All ages. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation
Christmas Coloring Contest Registration, Nov. 25 - Dec. 11, Ka‘ū District Gym. Deadline for entries is Thursday, Dec. 12, 6p.m. Grades Pre-K to 6. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation
Cultural Understanding through Art and the Environment: Kapa Aloha ‘Āina, the fabric of Hawai‘i with Puakea Forester, Monday, Nov. 25, 11a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center. Pre-registration required; class size limited. $10 per person supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
TUESDAY, NOV. 26
Birding at Kīpukapuaulu, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 8-10a.m., Kīpukapuaulu - Bird Park - parking lot, HVNP. Led by retired USGS Biologist Nic Sherma. 2 hour birding tour. $40/person. Register online. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 985-7373, admin@fhvnp.org, fhvnp.org
Guided Hike on a 60 Year Old Lava Lake, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 10a.m.-2p.m., Kīlauea Iki Overlook parking lot, HVNP. Moderate to challenging 2.4 mile hike (one way). $80/person. Register online. Park entrance fees may apply. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 985-7373, admin@fhvnp.org, fhvnp.org
Trail Less Traveled, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 10:30a.m.-12:30p.m., Devastation Trail parking lot, HVNP. Moderate, 2 mile, two hour roundtrip hike. $40/person. Register online. Family friendly. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 985-7373, admin@fhvnp.org, fhvnp.org
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 11:30a.m.-1p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Volunteers welcome. Dave Breskin, 319-8333
Pom Pom Wreath Registration, Nov. 27 - Dec. 4, program takes place Tuesday, Dec. 10, 3-4p.m. Ages 6-14. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation
‘Ulu Maika Demonstration, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 10a.m.-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Play ‘ulu maika – which resembles American bowling but uses two stakes and a disc-shaped tone instead of pins and a ball – to celebrate the annual makahiki season. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo/
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wednesday, Nov. 27 – last Wednesday, monthly – 9-11a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors 60 years and older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i – referral required, 961-8626, for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: 329-3910 ext. 925. tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org. legalaidhawaii.org
Free Thanksgiving Dinner, Thursday, Nov. 28, noon-3p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Thanksgiving Day Buffet, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2-6p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Crater Rim Cafe. Traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixin's. $23.95/adult, $13.95/child (ages 6-11). Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com
ONGOING
ONGOING
Vote for Izaiah "Bobby" Pilanca-Emmsley for the Wedemeyer Award - Two-Way Player of the Year, at khon2.com/uncategorized/vote-2019-cover2-hawaii-high-school-football-awards/. Voting remains open through Monday, Nov. 25. The winners will be announced on Thanksgiving by the L.A. Rams. Pilanca-Emmsley is the only candidate from Kaʻū. Fans can vote for six of the seven awards presented.
![]()
Vendor Booth Space is Available for the Kamahalo Craft Fair. The 12th annual event will be held Thanksgiving weekend, Friday, Nov. 29, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. , and Saturday, Nov. 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cooper Center. Booths are open for crafters with quality homemade and homegrown products. Food vendors must prepare all food items in a certified kitchen and must have a Department of Health permit displayed prominently at their booth. Application online at thecoopercenter.org. Direct questions to 936-9705 or kilaueatutu@gmail.com.
Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call Tata Compehos and Melody Espejo at 808-938-1088.
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.
![]()
