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| The Volcano Store was one of the favorite places for masked men to pick up flowers for Mothers Day today. Photo by Julia Neal |
THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE 2020 HAWAIʻI LEGISLATIVE SESSION when it reconvenes this Monday, May 11 in Honolulu. Kaʻū's two Senators, Russell Ruderman and Dru Kanuha, as well as Kaʻū's two House of Representative members, Richard Onishi and Richard Creagan, will travel there to participate as essential workers.
The State Capitol will be secured and closed to the general public. Only lawmakers and essential staff will be given access to the building. These restrictions are to limit any possible coronavirus infections and to protect the health and safety of everyone working at the Capitol. The measures are compelled by the Governor's statewide stay-at-home order, which remains in effect through May 31.
Even though the public is unable to physically enter the Capitol building, there are many ways to participate and contribute to the outcome of proposed legislation. The public can watch online and televised sessions. The public can participate by submitting written testimony on specific bills. All hearing notices are posted on the legislative website.
Even though the public is unable to physically enter the Capitol building, there are many ways to participate and contribute to the outcome of proposed legislation. The public can watch online and televised sessions. The public can participate by submitting written testimony on specific bills. All hearing notices are posted on the legislative website.
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| The old days of holding hands and sitting close to one another will change for distancing when Kaʻū members of the state House of Representatives reconvene with their colleagues on Monday during the pandemic. Photo from Hawaiʻi House of Representatives |
Pay attention to testimony instructions listed on each hearing notice. Committees ask that testimony be submitted 24 hours prior to a hearing.
The reconvened Legislative Session is expected to last from six to nine working days with all Representatives and Senators in attendance during floor sessions. The primary goal is to revise the state budget bill to avoid any draconian budget cuts to wages or services and to plug a more than $1 billion hole in the budget caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The entire House of Representatives will meet at noon Monday through Friday during the session in a reconfigured seating arrangement to conform to physical distancing. These meetings will be televised on ʻŌlelo Community Television and its live stream. They will also be shown on public television stations on the neighbor islands. See the channels at olelo.org for the latest information. The public can also watch the House Finance Committee members as they work through the budget process with hearings live-streamed and televised on ʻŌlelo. See more broadcast information.
Submit public testimony with: Testifier's name with position/title and organization; Committee(s) to which the comments are directed; date and time of the hearing; and measure number.
Submit testimony in one of the following ways: For testimony less than 20MB in size, transmit online. By fax, testimony less than five pages in length can be transmitted to 800-535-3859. Testimony submitted will be placed on the legislative website and on the bill's status page. The public posting of testimony on the website should be considered when including personal information in the testimony.
The reconvened Legislative Session is expected to last from six to nine working days with all Representatives and Senators in attendance during floor sessions. The primary goal is to revise the state budget bill to avoid any draconian budget cuts to wages or services and to plug a more than $1 billion hole in the budget caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The entire House of Representatives will meet at noon Monday through Friday during the session in a reconfigured seating arrangement to conform to physical distancing. These meetings will be televised on ʻŌlelo Community Television and its live stream. They will also be shown on public television stations on the neighbor islands. See the channels at olelo.org for the latest information. The public can also watch the House Finance Committee members as they work through the budget process with hearings live-streamed and televised on ʻŌlelo. See more broadcast information.
Submit public testimony with: Testifier's name with position/title and organization; Committee(s) to which the comments are directed; date and time of the hearing; and measure number.
Submit testimony in one of the following ways: For testimony less than 20MB in size, transmit online. By fax, testimony less than five pages in length can be transmitted to 800-535-3859. Testimony submitted will be placed on the legislative website and on the bill's status page. The public posting of testimony on the website should be considered when including personal information in the testimony.
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| The Hawaiʻi Senate Chambers have much more room for the Senators to spread out. The layout of the desks will be different when the Legislature reconvenes on Monday. Photo from Hawaiʻi Senate |
In addition, every Tuesday at 8:30 a.m., an in-house news and information program called Live at the Legislature is shown on ʻŌlelo channel 49. The weekly show features timely interviews with lawmakers discussing events, bills, and issues moving through the House of Representatives.
Every Wednesday at noon, Talk Story with House Majority is aired on ʻŌlelo channel 49. House Majority Leader Della Au Belatti is the host. She interviews community and government leaders along with State Representatives discussing pressing community issues.
Both programs are also available to neighbor island viewers through their public-access stations. The Legislature has been in recess since March 17 when one lawmaker tested positive for the coronavirus.
For more information on the legislative process, submitting testimony, and keeping track of bills and Kaʻū's legislators, go to capitol.hawaii.gov. Read about Kaʻū legislators and connect with them through the Legislature's links to: Creagan,Onishi, Ruderman, and Kanuha.
Every Wednesday at noon, Talk Story with House Majority is aired on ʻŌlelo channel 49. House Majority Leader Della Au Belatti is the host. She interviews community and government leaders along with State Representatives discussing pressing community issues.
Both programs are also available to neighbor island viewers through their public-access stations. The Legislature has been in recess since March 17 when one lawmaker tested positive for the coronavirus.
For more information on the legislative process, submitting testimony, and keeping track of bills and Kaʻū's legislators, go to capitol.hawaii.gov. Read about Kaʻū legislators and connect with them through the Legislature's links to: Creagan,Onishi, Ruderman, and Kanuha.
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Kaʻū Gold Oranges family sells oranges and beef at OKK Nāʻālehu Market. Photo by Lora Botanova |
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Kaʻū Boy's Stone Oven offers different breads, from sourdough to dill, organic and vegan, non-GMO, and cinnamon rolls, baked in a traditional Portuguese oven in Ocean View. Sold at ʻO Kaʻū Kākou's Market in Nāʻālehu. Photo by Lora Botanova |
"Masks and hand sanitizing are required for attending this farmers market. Social distancing will be enforced.
"Coffee and other vendors will be added as space allows."
Contact Barnett at 808-345-9374 to sign up.
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 hand out free food Monday at 1 p.m. at the parking lot behind Bank of Hawaiʻi in Pāhala, near R&G store. OKK Pres. Wayne Kawachi said hamburger patties, raw onions, rice, and saimin will be distributed to those in need during the pandemic.
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.
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 hand out free food Monday at 1 p.m. at the parking lot behind Bank of Hawaiʻi in Pāhala, near R&G store. OKK Pres. Wayne Kawachi said hamburger patties, raw onions, rice, and saimin will be distributed to those in need during the pandemic.
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Masked volunteers help distribute food to those in need in Kaʻū. Front left, volunteer firefighter Liz Stabo. Back: Terry-Lee Shibuya and Officer Dane Shibuya. Photo from Terry-Lee Shibuya |
THE FOOD BASKET FOOD WILL DISTRIBUTE 14 DAYS OF FOOD in Ocean View at Kahuku Park 10 a.m. to noon . Call 933-6030 to verify schedule as dates, times, and places are subject to change. Social distancing, masks, and other COVID-19 precautions will be in use.
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| The Food Basket will distribute 14 days worth of food per family at the county Kahuku Park Monday from 10 a.m. to noon. Photo by Terry-Lee Shibuya |
"This time last year, my office was busy as we wrapped up the regular 2019 Legislative Session. Although this year had many surprises, I would still like to take this opportunity to thank my staff. When Senate President Ron Kouchi recommended the Senate offices at the Capitol close on Thursday, March 19, my staff immediately shifted gears to teleworking and moved all communications online.
"We started with morning briefings on Microsoft Teams, sending bi-weekly newsletters on Tuesdays and Fridays every week, providing time-sensitive information about new State mandates and exemptions through social media as well as responded to numerous constituent inquiries via email, phone calls, and social media. Needless to say, we wanted to make sure every piece of critical information during COVID-19 was made available to you – our Senate District 3 ʻohana.
"We started with morning briefings on Microsoft Teams, sending bi-weekly newsletters on Tuesdays and Fridays every week, providing time-sensitive information about new State mandates and exemptions through social media as well as responded to numerous constituent inquiries via email, phone calls, and social media. Needless to say, we wanted to make sure every piece of critical information during COVID-19 was made available to you – our Senate District 3 ʻohana.
"Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my permanent staff, Tonga Hopoi, and Iokepa Command as well as our wonderful session staff, Marlene Sai and Kirstin Kahaloa. Although we have been in recess since mid-March, it has been a pleasure and blessing to have my session staff Marlene and Kirstin with us. I wish them well and truly thank them for their ongoing commitment to the health and safety of our entire community."
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.
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.
Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser, chairperson of the Hawaiʻi Board of Agriculture, said, "The reimbursement program is aimed at providing assistance to farmers to ease some of the operational cost relating to the purchase of composting material."
For more information and to download the application forms, go to hdoa.hawaii.gov/blog/main/compostreimbursement.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.
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.
INFO TO START COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE is provided by University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Cooperative Extension Service. CTAHR published a fact sheet in response to growing demand for Community-Supported Agriculture programs, to sell food directly from farms and ranches. See Kohala Center's presentation with links for more info online.
Community-Supported Agriculture is a membership-based subscription for local fruit, vegetables, and/or other food products. Members receive a bundle of items at regular intervals in exchange for a subscription or membership fee.
There are many variations on the CSA model. Some CSAs require payment at the start of a season, while others offer a pay-as-you-go plan. Some CSAs accept SNAP benefits or offer discounts.
CSAs can help producers with membership fees paid in advance or in several scheduled payments. Producers plan on this income and use it to buy supplies, pay workers, and handle other farm expenses. For consumers, a CSA can introduce them to local products, new foods, and scheduled good nutrition.
CSAs offer pick-up and/or delivery options to minimize in-person contact and health risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. CSAs may provide orders online and over the phone.
At this time, the only CSAs on these lists that deliver to Kaʻū are:
Big Island Creamery, which sells vegan, plant-based cheeses, creams, spreads, and desserts. They deliver to Kaʻū and Volcano for free with purchase of at least three items. Order at bigislandcreamery.com. Questions? Email govegan@bigislandcreamery.comor call 808-825-8485.
Tai Shan Farms, located at 92-9095 Lehua Lane in Ocean View, is a farm and commercial kitchen. They offer take-out and hot sauce, cocktail mixes, vinaigrettes, baked goods, jam, and honey. Tai Shan Farms products are available at taishanfarms.com/shop. Their take-out menu is available at taishanfarms.com/oceanview-to-go-menuWednesday, Fridays, and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for dinner. Call 808-929-9613.
See the list of other farms in or that deliver to Kaʻū, and stores and restaurants that are open during the pandemic, at Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar.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.
HPD says that "suspect(s) created a 'fake' social media account for a local political candidate," appearing very similar to the candidate's actual social media account. The suspect(s) transferred images from the actual account to the fake account and gained access to the candidate's followers. The suspect(s) solicited money under the guise of the candidate's campaign.
HPD warns the public to withhold personal information over the phone and online to anyone who's identity is unconfirmed. The list includes birthdates, social security numbers, credit card information, bank account information, etc.
Those contacted by persons, either by phone or online, whom they believe are involved in a scam, call the police department's non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311 to report the activity.
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.
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No COVID-19 cases so far in the zip code areas of Volcano, Pāhala, and Ocean View. White indicates zero cases, light yellow indicates one to five cases. The 96772 area in Kaʻū has one case recorded. Map from DOH |
NO NEW COVID-19 CASES ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND were reported by State Department of Health on Sunday. The state death toll remains at 17. The total number of cases since the pandemic began is 632, up one from Saturday.
On Hawaiʻi Island, of 75 COVID-19 victims, 74 are free from isolation. The remainder quarantine at home, monitored by DOH. Only one person stayed in a hospital overnight, and no one died here. Only one case in Kaʻū, in the 96773 zip code, is reported since January.
In the United States , more than 1.36 million cases have been confirmed. The number of confirmed recoveries is about 210,000. The death toll is over 80,574.
Worldwide, more than 4.1 million cases have been confirmed. The number of confirmed recoveries is about 1.4 million. The death toll is over 282,000.
Worldwide, more than 4.1 million cases have been confirmed. The number of confirmed recoveries is about 1.4 million. The death toll is over 282,000.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
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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.
INTERNATIONAL TRAINING is the focus of this week's Volcano Watch, a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates. Today's article is by Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes educational specialist Darcy Bevens and Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes director Don Thomas. HVO assists CSAV with International Training:
The mission of USGS HVO is "to monitor, investigate, and assess hazards from active volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawaiʻi, and communicate results of this work to the public, emergency managers, and scientific community."
Whether this work is done during a volcanic crisis (such as in 2018), or during the COVID-19 pandemic (when HVO staff work remotely from home), HVO is on the job, 24/7.
Because HVO has over 100 years of volcano monitoring experience, scientists from volcano observatories around the world are eager to visit and learn from HVO and our active volcanoes. During Bob Decker's tenure as HVO Scientist-in-Charge (1979–1984), he hosted many scientists from international observatories, such as Indonesia , to "shadow" HVO staff and learn modern monitoring techniques.
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CSAV International Program participants from 2011 came from volcano observatories in the Republic of Congo, |
The occasional request for shadowing and training became a flood in 1985 after a small eruption of the Colombian volcano, Nevado del Ruiz, produced debris flows that tragically killed more than 23,000 residents living at the foot of the volcano.
To meet the need for training, Dr. Decker, who by then was a geology faculty member at the University of Hawai Hilo campus, came up with a brilliant plan: UH-Hilo would host an International Training Program in Volcano Monitoring Methods. This would provide scientists from developing countries, such as Indonesia , Papua New Guinea , and Guatemala , with training in how the USGS monitors volcanoes.
Thus, the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes, or CSAV, was established at UH-Hilo. CSAV is a partnership among UH-Hilo, the Hawai‘i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology at the UH-Mānoa campus, and HVO.
Since 1990, CSAV has offered an annual six- to eight-week summer training course for international volcanologists. UH-Hilo organizes course logistics, from airline flights to housing to schedule. HVO staff, as well as scientists from other USGS observatories and UH, provide instruction and hands-on training in geophysical, geochemical, and geological methods of monitoring and assessing volcano hazards. Training is also provided on how to best communicate those hazards to civil officials and the public.
Six weeks of the course are in Hilo and two weeks are at Cascades Volcano Observatory, where trainees have an opportunity to learn about more explosive volcanoes than we have here in Hawaiʻi.
Scientists who attend the training program return to their home countries better equipped to gather and interpret monitoring and other data, and to communicate effectively.
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HVO gas geochemist Tamar Elias (entering data on laptop) coaches CSAV participants from gas geochemistry monitoring. Photo courtesy CSAV |
Compared with Hawaiian volcanoes, volcanoes of Peru , El Salvador , and the Philippines are far more dangerous, and are surrounded by cities with millions of people who are at risk. Hence, the CSAV program is not merely educational, but is designed to save lives by empowering developing nations to be self-sufficient in monitoring and forecasting eruptions.
In addition to the International Program, HVO and CSAV have had a formal Cooperative Agreement in place for more than two decades. This agreement allows USGS funds to hire technical support staff and UH-Hilo students who assist HVO in monitoring and research and to acquire scientific equipment used by both HVO and UH-Hilo earth scientists. This relationship has had many benefits for both USGS and UH. As an example, a number of UH-Hilo’s students and staff worked long hours during the 2018 eruption crisis to help alleviate the tremendous demands made on the HVO staff by that event.
The HVO-CSAV Cooperative Agreement also provides funding to augment HVO's public outreach efforts. A CSAV education specialist, funded by the agreement, visits Big Island
These school visits are extremely popular and feature hands-on demonstrations where children try on the field gear worn by volcanologists, make a miniature tsunami, and create their own "earthquake." This program also provides students with informational handouts to take home to their parents and help the entire family be better prepared for our natural hazard events.
As with the threat to our community posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the key to successfully managing volcano hazards requires cooperation and work by many individuals and organizations, as well as awareness, preparedness, and adaptability by our entire community. Please keep informed, stay safe, and stay healthy.
Learn more about CSAV at hilo.hawaii.edu/csav.
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 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 an eruption from the current level of unrest is certain. Mauna Loa updates are issued weekly.
summit_water_resources.html.
This past week, about 62 small-magnitude earthquakes were recorded beneath the upper elevations of Mauna Loa ; most of these occurred at shallow depths less than 8 kilometers (~5 miles). Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements show continued slow summit inflation, consistent with ongoing magma supply to the volcano's shallow storage system. Gas concentrations at the Sulphur Cone monitoring site on the Southwest Rift Zone remain stable. Fumarole temperatures as measured at both Sulphur Cone and the summit have not changed significantly. For more information on current monitoring of Mauna Loa Volcano, see volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/monitoring_summary.html.
There were four events with three or more felt reports in the Hawaiian islands during the past week: a magnitude-3.7 earthquake 25 km (16 mi) W of Kailua-Kona at 41 km (25 mi) depth on May 06, 2020 at 10:55 p.m., a magnitude-3.9 earthquake 18 km (11 mi) S of Hawaiian Ocean View at 35 km (22 mi) depth on May 05, 2020 at 03:22 p.m., a magnitude-3.1 earthquake 6 km (4 mi) ENE of Pāhala at 33 km (21 mi) depth on May 04, 2020 at 01:50 a.m., and a magnitude-3.2 earthquake 7 km (4 mi) ENE of Pāhala at 32 km (20 mi) depth on May 04, 2020 at 01:46 a.m.
HVO continues to closely monitor both Kīlauea and Mauna Loa .
Visit HVO's website for past Volcano Watch articles, for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna 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.
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Kaʻū Coffee Festival tents filled with people enjoying Kaʻū Coffee, entertainment, and food, as well as learning more about Kaʻū Coffee culture, at the 11th annual Kaʻū Coffee Festival. Photo by Peter Anderson |
Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year
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Kaʻū Coffee farmers joined in a coffee picking contest at the 11th annual Kaū Coffee festival, showing off sorting skills. Photo by Julia Neal |
The Hoʻolauleʻa saw Kaʻū Coffee farmers and baristas show off their top coffees. The event also supported the broader community with fundraisers for organizations and entertainment for all.
Many businesses, Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and other government agencies, and the Edmund C. Olson Trust, supported the event. The Kaʻū Coffee Farmers Cooperative and community group ʻO Kaʻū Kākou provided volunteers to stage it.
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Annabelle Orcino gasping for joy, surrounded by friends and family. She took home the $1,000 check from Kaʻū Coffee Fest's Buy Local, It Matters campaign last year. Photo by Lora Botanova |
Visitors and local coffee enthusiasts were cooled by a brisk wind, but the sun remained shining for the all-day event. The festival recovered from slightly lower attendance in 2018, during the Kīlauea Volcano lava flow and earthquakes disaster. The day before the 2018 Hoʻolauleʻa, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake shook the region and the annual Kaʻū Coffee & Cattle Day at Aikane Plantation.
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Kimo sings with Braddah Ben, center, whose wife of 30 years offers hula, at last year's Kaʻū Coffee Festival Hoʻolauleʻa. Photo by Julia Neal |
Entertainment included a welcome home for Gene and Bula Akamu, who brought their hālau with them from Kona. The Akamu family was one of the leading musical families of Kaʻū for generations. After the sugar plantation shut down, where Gene Akamu worked until 1996, the family moved to Kona for work opportunities.
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Coffee drinks and mac nuts enjoyed by local residents at the Kaʻū Coffee Fest Hoʻolauleʻa last year. Shane Augustine, right, is a mac nut machinery mechanic. Ed Olson, far left, owns thousands of acres of macadamia and coffee in Kaʻū, and is a major sponsor of the festival. Photo by Julia Neal |
The land of this district that supports Kaʻū Coffee farmers and nature was celebrated by musician Bolo, who sang a song composed at an earlier Kaʻū Coffee Fest songwriting workshop with Daniel Ho. Written about the mystical mountain of Kaiholena
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Last year, Bolo performed the song Kaiholena, written at an earlier Kaʻū Coffee Fest music workshop. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie |
Memories entwined with desired eyes.
Kaiholena, Kaiholena.
Gold pushing through green misty skies.
Kaiholena, Kaiholena.
Gold pushing through green misty skies.
ʻUa falling on watchful eyes,
Kaiholena, Kaiholena.
Voices from the past, visions that will last in Kaʻū.
Kaiholena, Kaiholena.
Voices from the past, visions that will last in Kaʻū.
Mana of the land, coming from the hand of Akua - Kaʻū.
Also participating in Kaʻū Coffee Fest were conservation and stewardship groups that care for lands conserved along the Kaʻū Coast and other special places.
Keoni Fox represented the Ala Kahakai Trail Association. Chris Reid represented Hoʻomalu Kaʻū, which manages the makahiki grounds. Wendy Vance and Leilani Rodrugues represented the Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. They all shared their conservation efforts with presentations and education for the public.
Also participating in Kaʻū Coffee Fest were conservation and stewardship groups that care for lands conserved along the Kaʻū Coast and other special places.
Keoni Fox represented the Ala Kahakai Trail Association. Chris Reid represented Hoʻomalu Kaʻū, which manages the makahiki grounds. Wendy Vance and Leilani Rodrugues represented the Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. They all shared their conservation efforts with presentations and education for the public.
Buy Local, It Matters is a leading theme of the Kaʻū Coffee Fest, which offered many locally grown, prepared, and crafted items for sale at last year's Hoʻūolauleʻa. The campaign encourages people to buy locally to support the Kaʻū community. The person who comes up with the most business cards and receipts from participating area businesses, wins a prize. Last year, $1,000 went to Annabelle Orcino, whose family plants, tends, and sells Kaʻū Coffee.
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| Volunteers are the backbone of the Kaʻū Coffee Fest. Photo from the Kaʻū Coffee Festival |
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Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com. |
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of May.
MOST EVENTS ARE CANCELLED to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. The state is under a stay-at-home order, with l4 days of quarantine required for anyone coming into the state. Interisland travel is restricted. Those in Hawaiʻi should stay at home unless needing to obtain food or medical care.
ONGOING
Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.
ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced. A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.
Free Breakfast and Lunch for Anyone Eighteen and Under is available at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary and at Nāʻālehu Elementary weekdays through May. Each youth must be present to receive a meal. Service is drive-up or walk-up, and social distancing rules (at least six feet away) are observed. Breakfast is served 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Food is being delivered to Ocean View.
St. Jude's Episcopal Church Soup Kitchen is open, with a modified menu and increased health & safety standards, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended. Services are posted online on Sundays at stjudeshawaii.org.
A testing team from Aloha Critical Care in Kona will provide testing at St. Jude's every other Wednesday. The next date is May 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The next drive-thru screening at Nāʻālehu Community Center will be held Wednesday, May 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Screening will be carried out by Aliʻi Health, with support from County of Hawai‘i COVID-19 Task Force, Premier Medical Group and Pathways Telehealth.
Wearing masks is required for everyone.
To bypass the screening queue at community test sites, patients can call ahead to Pathways Telehealth, option 5 at 808-747-8321. The free clinic will also offer on-site screening to meet testing criteria. Physicians qualify those for testing, under the guidance of Center for Disease Control & Prevention and Hawaiʻi's COVID-19 Response Task Force.
Those visiting screening clinics will be asked to show photo ID, and any health insurance cards – though health insurance is not required to be tested. They are also asked to bring their own pen to fill in forms.
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For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.
The next drive-thru screening at Nāʻālehu Community Center will be held Wednesday, May 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Screening will be carried out by Aliʻi Health, with support from County of Hawai‘i COVID-19 Task Force, Premier Medical Group and Pathways Telehealth.
Wearing masks is required for everyone.
To bypass the screening queue at community test sites, patients can call ahead to Pathways Telehealth, option 5 at 808-747-8321. The free clinic will also offer on-site screening to meet testing criteria. Physicians qualify those for testing, under the guidance of Center for Disease Control & Prevention and Hawaiʻi's COVID-19 Response Task Force.
Those visiting screening clinics will be asked to show photo ID, and any health insurance cards – though health insurance is not required to be tested. They are also asked to bring their own pen to fill in forms.
ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced. A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.
Volcano Farmers Market at Cooper Center Wright Road , off of Old Volcano Highway , is open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. , with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.
Free Breakfast and Lunch for Anyone Eighteen and Under is available at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary and at Nāʻālehu Elementary weekdays through May. Each youth must be present to receive a meal. Service is drive-up or walk-up, and social distancing rules (at least six feet away) are observed. Breakfast is served 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Food is being delivered to Ocean View.
St. Jude's Episcopal Church Soup Kitchen is open, with a modified menu and increased health & safety standards, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended. Services are posted online on Sundays at stjudeshawaii.org.
The Food Basket Food Pantries Distribution, where families can receive 14 days of food per family:
The Ocean View location for May is Kahuku Park on Monday, May 11, 10 a.m. to noon. Call The Food Basket, 933-6030.
The Nāʻālehu location Sacred Heart Church at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy, under their Loaves and Fishes program, on Thursday, May 28 from9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Call 928-8208.
The Nāʻālehu location Sacred Heart Church at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy, under their Loaves and Fishes program, on Thursday, May 28 from
The Pāhala location is Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street , distributed by the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Pantry, on Tuesday, May 26, 10 a.m. to noon. Call The Food Basket, 933-6030.
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On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 967-7800 to confirm.
The Volcano location is Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road Wednesday, May 27 from 10 a.m. to noon. Call Kehau at 443-4130.
The Next Learning Packet and Student Resource Distribution for Nāʻālehu Elementary School Students will be Monday, May 11. The packets are designed for learning at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, and can be picked up every two weeks. One family member may pick up for several students in the same family. Students need not be present for the learning resources to be retrieved. Please note the grade of each child. Distribution times are organized by the first letter of the student's last name at the site closest to their home. Supplies will be given out simultaneously.
Everyone is asked to observe social distancing rules, staying 6 feet away from others during pick-up. See the school website, naalehuel.hidoe.us, for more information and updates.
Distribution at Nāʻālehu Elementary has pick-up from 8 a.m - 8:20 a.m. for A-H; 8:20 a.m. - 8:40 a.m. for I-P, and 8:40 a.m. - 9 a.m. for Q-Z.
Distribution at Discovery Harbour Community Center has pick-up from 8 a.m - 8:20 a.m. for A-H;8:20 a.m. - 8:40 a.m. for I-P, and 8:40 a.m. - 9 a.m. for Q-Z.
Distribution at Discovery Harbour Community Center has pick-up from 8 a.m - 8:20 a.m. for A-H;
Distribution at Ocean View Mālama Market has pick-up from 9:30 a.m. - 9:50 a.m. for A-H, 9:50 a.m. - 10:10 a.m. for I-P, and 10:10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. for Q-Z.
Distribution at Ocean View Community Center 5 p.m. - 5:20 p.m. for A-H, 5:20 p.m. - 5:40 p.m. for I-P, and 5:40 p.m. - 6 p.m. for Q-Z.
Those who come to campus to pick up free student breakfasts are encouraged to also pick up their packets at the same time.
Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium Closed for Renovation through June 30. The Park is closed until further notice due to COVID-19 spread mitigation. A popular seven-and-a-half minute 2018 eruption video will be shown on a television in the exhibits area, once the Park and center reopen, and is available online for free download.
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