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| Old South Hilo Sanitary Landfill, covered in synthetic turf weighted down by sandbags. Read details of the closure, below. Photo by David Corrigan, Big Island Video News |
WEDNESDAY WAS KAMEHAMEHA DAY, the celebration of the life of the king who unified all of the
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| King Kamehameha I |
There are four statues of Kamehameha: one in Hilo , another in Kapaʻau on the north end of this island, a third in Honolulu , and a fourth in the U.S. Capitol visitor center in Washington , D.C. Wailoa State Park Hilo . A long maile lei was draped from his outstretched fingers, and foliage, flowers, and fruit surrounded the base of the statue," reported Big Island VideoNews.
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King Kamehameha statue in the U.S. Capitol, draped with lei. In-person celebrations this year in honor of the king are canceled. Photo by Julia Neal |
SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES WITH TEN OR FEWER EMPLOYEES from the Small Business Administration is requested by Senators Mazie Hirono, Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass). The group urges SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to "make sure these businesses can fully access coronavirus relief programs."
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| Sen. Mazie Hirono asks SBA to make sure small businesses, with ten or fewer employees, receive benefits through federal programs during the pandemic. |
The Senators wrote: "Our smallest businesses, especially women-owned and minority businesses, have long struggled getting access to capital. The coronavirus pandemic has created new hurdles for them. We urge you to ensure that small businesses with 10 or fewer employees and self-employed individuals get the help they need from the Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loan, and other COVID-19-related assistance.
"Smaller businesses represent 96 percent of small businesses across the country and are disproportionately women- and minority-owned… The CARES Act was meant to prioritize underserved concerns including many of these women and minority-owned businesses. Soon after the PPP went into effect, however, it was reported that many smaller and underserved businesses struggled to access these loans."
Read the letter here.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
HAWAIʻI COFFEE ASSOCIATION WEBINAR SERIES is open for registration. The virtual event will be held Wednesday, June 24 and Thursday, June 25. Each session is designed to provide important updates on the effects of the pandemic on the Hawaiʻi coffee industry and on the coffee industry at large, as well as addressing other useful topics to inform coffee professionals of changing trends and regulations. Each session must be registered for individually. The sessions will be recorded and later published on the HCA website. To become a sponsor for the webinar, click here.
Webinar Schedule (For speaker bios follow the registration links):
Wednesday, June 24
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.
IN-PERSON SERVICE reopens at Environmental Management Administration offices Monday, June 15. This includes the Department's administration, Solid Waste Division administration, the Abandoned and Derelict Vehicles Program (345 Kekūanāoʻa Street, Suite 41 , Hilo 108 Railroad Avenue , Hilo
Operations will be modified to ensure the safety of both customers and employees. Face coverings will be required. The Department encourages customers to continue to practice social distancing by using these options:
Payments for Solid Waste and Wastewater services are accepted by phone, mail, or at drop box locations (checks only). Most customer service inquiries can be handled by phone, or email. Mail payments to 345 Kekūanāoʻa Street, Suite 41 , Hilo
For payments by phone, or for questions or to schedule an appointment, call Administration at 808-961-8083, Solid Waste Customer Service at 808-961-8339, Wastewater Customer Service at 808-961-8338, or Wastewater Engineering at 808-961-8615.
Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments are recommended. Notary service and engineering services will be by appointment only. Please notify the office to cancel a scheduled an appointment due to feeling ill, and they will reschedule it.
"The public's understanding is very much appreciated during this challenging time," says the Department.
GREEN SYNTHETIC TURF GRASS COVERS THE OLD SOUTH HILO SANITARY LANDFILL where much of Kaʻū's trash was disposed until its closure. The turf covers the landfill as large as 30 football fields. The county started to shut down the place for disposal in August 2019. County of Hawaiʻi Department of Environmental Management's Solid Waste Division worked on closing the Landfill with contractor Kiewit Construction. The project is expected to be substantially completed by mid-June.
Use of the landfill goes back to the 1960s, and it received the last truckload of waste in December 2019. The county hired HDR Engineering to facilitate the closure plan, approved by the state Department of Health.
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| Covered in fake grass, the old South Hilo Sanitary Landfill's big green hill compliments the color of the surrounding vegetation. Photo by David Corrigan, Big Island Video News |
A statement from the Solid Waste Division says, "Thank you for doing your part in keeping our island a clean and safe paradise." Visit hawaiizerowaste.org for locations and services, or call Department of Environmental Management, Solid Waste Division Office, at 961-8270.
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.
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.
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ONGOING
Cooper Center 19-4030 Wright Road on Wednesday, June 24.![]()
Pāhala's Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street on Tuesday, June 30.
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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INTERESTED IN GROWING POTATOES? Attend a free webinar on potato production on Wednesday, June 17 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Planting seed material may be available. Register at: https://bit.ly/potatovirtualworkshop.
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.
WIND ADVISORY FOR KAʻŪ and most of the rest of Hawaiʻi Island is in effect through tomorrow morning. The National Weather Service expects sustained winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour, with localized gusts over 45 mph. "Please take the time to secure or bring in-doors any items in your yard that may be affected by high wind," says NSW.
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| Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. White is zero cases. Yellow is one to five cases. Light orange (not pictured) is six to ten cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 11 to 20 cases. Red (not pictured) is 21 to 50 cases. Hawaiʻi Department of Health map |
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
NO NEW COVID-19 CASES ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND, but seven on Oʻahu bring the state's new case total to 44 over the last week.
Hawaiʻi Island has recorded no new cases in more than two weeks. All 81 COVID-19 victims on Hawaiʻi Island recovered. No one died here. There was only one overnight hospitalization.
Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu has reported 458 cases, Kauaʻi 21 and Maui County 120. Twelve victims are residents who were diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 692 people have been confirmed positive for the virus. Seventeen people died. In the daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense, Director Talmadge Magno said, "As the Island and State of Hawaiʻi goes forward, please know the importance of continuing to follow the policies of physical distancing, gatherings, face coverings, cleanliness, and keeping yourself physically and emotionally healthy. Thank you for doing your part in keeping Hawaiʻi safe. Thank you for listening and in celebration of a beautiful day of heritage, Happy King Kamehameha Day! This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency."
In the United States , more than 2.06 million cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 115,000. Worldwide, more than 7.15 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 408,000.
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Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar 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. |
Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com.
EVENTS
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the intersection of Mamalahoa Hwy and South Point Road . Kaʻū Voices, a group of local residents affiliated with the Indivisibles, "is sponsoring sign waving to promote social justice. All are invited to participate in this demonstration to end police brutality," Linda Morgan of Kaʻū Voices told The Kaʻū Calendar.
Advocate for Hawaiʻi Crops to be Included in Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Listing by submitting comments by June 22. The CFAP helps agricultural producers impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. Crops not included are coffee, macadamia nuts, cacao, and more. Comments can be submitted online, or by mail by, June 22. Go to regulations.gov/document?D=FSA-2020-0004-0003 or mail to: Director, SND,FSA , U.S. 1400 Independence Avenue SW , Stop 0522, Washington , DC 20250-0522
Advocate for Hawaiʻi Crops to be Included in Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Listing by submitting comments by June 22. The CFAP helps agricultural producers impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. Crops not included are coffee, macadamia nuts, cacao, and more. Comments can be submitted online, or by mail by, June 22. Go to regulations.gov/document?D=FSA-2020-0004-0003 or mail to: Director, SND,
Questions? Contact William L. Beam, (202) 720-3175 or email Bill.Beam@usda.gov. Persons with disabilities or who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA Target Center
"One well-supported comment is often more influential than a thousand form letters," says UH-CTAHR's Andrea Kawabata. See Tips for Submitting Effective Comments.
ONGOINGFree COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.
A testing team from Aloha Critical Care in Kona will provide testing at St. Jude's every other Wednesday. The next date is June 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.
Volcano Farmers Market at Cooper Center on Wright Road, off of Old Volcano Highway, is open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.
The Food Basket's ʻOhana Food Drop is available once a month at four Kaʻū and Volcano locations. People can receive a multi-day supply of shelf-stable and fresh food, depending on supply. Call The Food Basket at 933-6030 for Pāhala and Volcano or at 322-1418 for Nāʻālehu or Ocean View. Food can be picked up from 10 a.m. until pau – supplies run out – at:A testing team from Aloha Critical Care in Kona will provide testing at St. Jude's every other Wednesday. The next date is June 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The next drive-thru screening at Nāʻālehu Community Center will be held Wednesday, June 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Screening will be carried out by Aliʻi Health, with support from County of Hawai‘i COVID-19 Task Force, Premier Medical Group and Pathways Telehealth.
Wearing masks is required for everyone. Those visiting screening clinics will be asked to show photo ID, and any health insurance cards – though health insurance is not required to be tested. They are also asked to bring their own pen to fill in forms.
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To bypass the screening queue at community test sites, patients can call ahead to Pathways Telehealth, option 5 at 808-747-8321. The free clinic will also offer on-site screening to meet testing criteria. Physicians qualify those for testing, under the guidance of Center for Disease Control & Prevention and Hawaiʻi's COVID-19 Response Task Force.
For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.
ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced.Wearing masks is required for everyone. Those visiting screening clinics will be asked to show photo ID, and any health insurance cards – though health insurance is not required to be tested. They are also asked to bring their own pen to fill in forms.
To bypass the screening queue at community test sites, patients can call ahead to Pathways Telehealth, option 5 at 808-747-8321. The free clinic will also offer on-site screening to meet testing criteria. Physicians qualify those for testing, under the guidance of Center for Disease Control & Prevention and Hawaiʻi's COVID-19 Response Task Force.For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.
Ocean View Swap Meet is open at Ocean View makai shopping center, near Mālama Market. Hours for patrons are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Vendor set-up time is 5 a.m. Masks are required for all vendors and patrons.
A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.Volcano Farmers Market at Cooper Center on Wright Road, off of Old Volcano Highway, is open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.
Free Breakfast and Lunch for Anyone Eighteen and Under is available at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary and at Nāʻālehu Elementary on weekdays (no holidays) through Friday, July 17. Each youth must be present to receive a meal. Service is drive-up or walk-up, and social distancing rules (at least six feet away) are observed. Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Food is being delivered on Wednesdays to students in Green Sands, Discovery Harbour, and Ocean View.
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.
Nāʻālehu's Sacred Heart Church 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy was June 1; the July date will be announced later.
Ocean View's Kahuku Park
Volcano's 
Pāhala's Kaʻū District Gym at On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 967-7800 to confirm.
Enroll in Kua O Ka Lā's Hīpuʻu Virtual Academy for school year 2020-2021, grades four through eight. The Hawaiian Focused Charter School teaches with an emphasis on Hawaiian language and culture. The blended curriculum is offered through online instruction and community-based projects, with opportunities for face-to-face gatherings (with precautions), in an "Education with Aloha" environment.
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pono – right." The school aims to provide students with "the knowledge and skills, through Hawaiian values and place-based educational opportunities, that prepare receptive, responsive, and self-sustaining individuals that live 'ke ala pono.'"
See kuaokala.org to apply and to learn more about the school. Call 808-981-5866 or 808-825-8811, or email info@kuaokala.org for more.
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Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries are Open for Pick-Up Services Only. Nāʻālehu is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons schedule Library Take Out appointment times to pick up their hold item(s) at their favorite libraries by going to HSPLS Library Catalog and placing a hold on any item(s) they want to borrow, or they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. For patrons who placed holds during the closure, their item(s) are ready for pickup after the patron schedules a Library Take Out appointment. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.
Free Book Exchanges at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu are provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Everyone is invited to take books they want to read. They may keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them to the Book Exchange to make them available to others in the community. The selection of books is replenished weekly at both sites.
Make Reservations for Father's Day at Crater Rim Café in Kīlauea Military Camp for Sunday, June 21 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Seating limited due to social distancing. Dinner also available to go. The main course is Prime Rib and Vegetable Alfredo Pasta Bake, with side dishes and dessert, for $27.95 per person. Call 967-8356 for dine-in reservations, to-go orders, and current event information. KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.
Enroll in Kua O Ka Lā's Hīpuʻu Virtual Academy for school year 2020-2021, grades four through eight. The Hawaiian Focused Charter School teaches with an emphasis on Hawaiian language and culture. The blended curriculum is offered through online instruction and community-based projects, with opportunities for face-to-face gatherings (with precautions), in an "Education with Aloha" environment.
Kua O Ka Lā offers a specialized program that provides students with core curriculum, content area, and electives in-keeping with State of Hawaiʻi requirements. Combined with Native Hawaiian values, culture, and a place-based approach to education, from the early morning wehena – ceremonial school opening – Kua O Ka Lā students are encouraged to walk Ke Ala Pono – the right and balanced path.
The school's website says Kua O Ka Lā has adopted Ke Ala Pono "to describe our goal of nurturing and developing our youth. We believe that every individual has a unique potential and that it is our responsibility to help our students learn to work together within the local community to create a future that is
See kuaokala.org to apply and to learn more about the school. Call 808-981-5866 or 808-825-8811, or email info@kuaokala.org for more.
Free Book Exchanges at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu are provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Everyone is invited to take books they want to read. They may keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them to the Book Exchange to make them available to others in the community. The selection of books is replenished weekly at both sites.
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.
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.
