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| A Pacific oceanic whitetip shark with pilot fish. See more below on efforts to protect sharks and attract visitors who care about the environment. Photo from Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi/Kaikea Nakachi |
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| Planning Director Michael Yee invites the public to help finalize the General Plan. Planning Dept. photo |
Yee announced that later this year the Planning Department will conduct another round of public workshops, "and I urge residents and stakeholders to be a part of this critical planning process. Hearing and listening to the many voices of our communities is integral to developing a General Plan that is reflective of the land-use patterns which support a sustainable and thriving Hawaiʻi Island."
The statement from Yee says, "The General Plan 2040 strives to position Hawai‘i Island for economic progress while preserving the environment and strengthening community foundations. Given this strategic importance, the Planning Department performed community outreach during August – October 2019 to solicit public comment. Members of the public and several governmental agencies submitted comments in writing, and in-person remarks were captured during the following events, which presented key messages on goals, policies, and actions for each section of the plan."
The Planning Department held Speak-Out Events in Nāʻālehu, Kona, and Waimea. It held Mini Speak-Out Events in smaller community venues at Volcano Village, Captain Cook, Honoka‘a, Kona, Kapaʻau, Panaʻewa, Pāhoa, and Waikoloa.
Community Groups made presentations to the Community Development Plan Action Committees, among them, Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Waimea Community Association, Board of Water Supply, Cultural Resource Commission, and Environmental Management Commission. Topic-Focused Workshops in Kona and Hilo provided focus on Economic Development, Infrastructure, Land Use, and Natural Resources. Coffee Hour Presentations connected to County and State governmental bodies.
The statement from Yee says, "The General Plan 2040 strives to position Hawai‘i Island for economic progress while preserving the environment and strengthening community foundations. Given this strategic importance, the Planning Department performed community outreach during August – October 2019 to solicit public comment. Members of the public and several governmental agencies submitted comments in writing, and in-person remarks were captured during the following events, which presented key messages on goals, policies, and actions for each section of the plan."
The Planning Department held Speak-Out Events in Nāʻālehu, Kona, and Waimea. It held Mini Speak-Out Events in smaller community venues at Volcano Village, Captain Cook, Honoka‘a, Kona, Kapaʻau, Panaʻewa, Pāhoa, and Waikoloa.
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| Leinaʻala Enos, who helped craft the Kaʻū Community Development Plan, speaks up at a General Plan SpeakOut last August in Nāʻālehu. Photo by Julia Neal |
The original timeline was to complete the comprehensive review by end of calendar year 2020. Yee said that four factors extended the timeline: higher than expected volume of public comments; the significant effort required to synchronize the General Plan with Kīlauea Recovery planning and to update to the Multi-Hazard
Mitigation Plan; re-deployment of some Long-Range Division staff to assist in processing Short-Term Vacation Rentals and resulting petitions to the Board of Appeals; and reduction in Long-Range Division staff capacity since March because of personal requirements for COVID-19 leave and transition to remote work.
The Planning Department announced new target dates for the remaining steps of the formal adoption process: Public Workshops - December 2020 and January 2021; Planning Commission Hearings - June 2021; and County Council Hearings - September 2021. Updates to these target dates will be communicated on the General Plan website.
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| Recording community input for the General Plan Draft in Nāʻālehu. Photo by Julia Neal |
The Planning Department announced new target dates for the remaining steps of the formal adoption process: Public Workshops - December 2020 and January 2021; Planning Commission Hearings - June 2021; and County Council Hearings - September 2021. Updates to these target dates will be communicated on the General Plan website.
Those interested in keeping current with upcoming events, progress, and process can sign up for General Plan eNews. For more information, contact the Planning Department, County of Hawai‘i, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3, Hilo, HI 96720. Phone: (808) 961-8288. Email: generalplan@hawaiicounty.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.
GREAT DEPRESSION-TYPE FUNDING FOR CRUMBLING INFRASTRUCTURE across the mainland and Hawaiʻi passed the U.S. House of Representatives today. Congressman Ed Case announced passage of the Moving Forward Act, a $1.5 trillion initiative to rebuild the nation's crumbling roads, bridges, and transit systems.
Case, a co-sponsor, said, "The measure is more than just a plan to rebuild our transportation infrastructure. It also commits us to filling out the chronic gaps in the 'information superhighway'– the Internet. With this bill, we are looking to finally deliver Internet access to all parts of the country by investing $100 billion to promote competition for broadband Internet infrastructure to unserved and underserved communities.
"In a time when COVID-19 drives us to deliver more and broader services like health and education remotely, this bill would connect students to remote learning with digital equipment and affordable broadband options, connect school buses to Wi-Fi, and help schools and libraries close the 'homework gap' outside school. It's way past time to bring America's infrastructure into the 21st Century," said Case.
GREAT DEPRESSION-TYPE FUNDING FOR CRUMBLING INFRASTRUCTURE across the mainland and Hawaiʻi passed the U.S. House of Representatives today. Congressman Ed Case announced passage of the Moving Forward Act, a $1.5 trillion initiative to rebuild the nation's crumbling roads, bridges, and transit systems.
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| Congressman Ed Case co-sponsors a $1.5 trillion bill to build infrastructure. It passed the U.S. House today. Photo from Facebook |
"In a time when COVID-19 drives us to deliver more and broader services like health and education remotely, this bill would connect students to remote learning with digital equipment and affordable broadband options, connect school buses to Wi-Fi, and help schools and libraries close the 'homework gap' outside school. It's way past time to bring America's infrastructure into the 21st Century," said Case.
The Moving Forward Act also includes $70 billion to transform the nation's electric grid to accommodate more renewable energy; supports widespread adoption of zero-emission cars, vans, and buses through tax credits for purchasing vehicles; and builds on tax incentives that promote the deployment of green energy technologies, among other provisions meant to deal with the climate crisis.
Other measures to involve Hawai‘i in H.R. 2 include:
Other measures to involve Hawai‘i in H.R. 2 include:
Transportation: Authorizes over $1.2 billion for Hawai‘i in highway formula funding over five years; authorizes over $319 million for Hawai‘i in transit formula programs over five years; increases the resilience of transportation assets by requiring the Metropolitan Planning Organizations and State-prepared long-range transportation plans. Those plans include strategies to mitigate and reduce climate impacts, and a vulnerability assessment of critical transportation assets, evacuation routes, and facilities repeatedly damaged by disasters. Metropolitan Planning Organizations and the State must identify projects to address identified vulnerabilities, and these projects are eligible for funding under the newly established Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program.
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| Safety is a focus of the Transportation portion of the $1.5 trillion dollar H.R. 2 bill. Image from saferoads.org |
Natural Resources: Authorizes a $3 billion coastal resiliency fund managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to provide funding for shovel-ready coastal restoration projects that restore habitat for fish and wildlife, or assists in adaptation to the impacts of climate change. Priority projects include those that stimulate the economy, create jobs for fishermen, or are located in under-resourced communities.
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| Funding preparation for and stopping worse outcomes from disasters is the goal of part of the H.R. 2 bill. Image from tidalbasingroup.com |
Broadband: Establishes a grant program at the Federal Communications Commission, using the authorities that established the E-Rate program, for schools and libraries to fund connectivity for students and teachers in the digital classroom. The program could be used to fund wired and wireless broadband connections at home, and provide connected devices, including laptops and tablets, to homes of students and teachers. The program also supports mobile hotspot-lending by schools or libraries, among other things. It appropriates $5 billion to carry out this program. Five percent of those funds are set aside for use on Tribal Lands.
It establishes the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program to aid States in digital equity and digital inclusion activities. States applying to receive grants must have an established State Digital Equity Plan and a designated administering entity. Grants are determined by formula and must be used within a five-year period. Appropriates $60 million for grants to States to develop their digital equity plans and $625 million for grants to implement those plans. No less than five percent of the funds must be used to award grants to Indian tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
It establishes the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program to aid States in digital equity and digital inclusion activities. States applying to receive grants must have an established State Digital Equity Plan and a designated administering entity. Grants are determined by formula and must be used within a five-year period. Appropriates $60 million for grants to States to develop their digital equity plans and $625 million for grants to implement those plans. No less than five percent of the funds must be used to award grants to Indian tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
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| #Right2Connect, a social media hashtag, supports broadband access for the entire U.S. Image from accessnow.org |
Case said, "H.R. 2 responds directly to the critical needs of our nation's infrastructure which we have allowed to deteriorate to critical levels. But it also responds directly to the critical need to rebuild the overall economy of our nation and Hawaiʻi through an investment in jobs in the same manner as we literally dug ourselves out of the Great Depression."
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK OF OBSERVING CDC GUIDELINES of face masks, social distancing, and hand hygiene over the upcoming July 4 holiday, amid an upsurge of COVID-19 cases in the
Kim said, "Hawai‘i remains in a very good place with the lowest case count per capita in the nation, thanks to you following these preventive measures. Let's continue to keep Hawai‘i safe by following these measures, and we'll get through this together as a community."
Hawai‘i County workers are postinghighly-visible signs in all of its public restrooms and other facilities which say "Help Keep Hawai‘i Safe." The Departments of Public Works and Parks & Recreation continues to deploy disinfection teams known as "Bug Busters" to sanitize high touch surfaces such as handrails, traffic buttons, and park areas.
"With everyone practicing these preventive measures and encouraging others to do so, too, we'll get through this together," Kim said, wishing everyone a happy and healthy Fourth of July weekend.
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HAWAIʻI IS ONE OF FOUR STATES WITH ENOUGH TESTING to suppress the COVID-19 outbreak, according to an analysis by Harvard researchers for National Public Radio.
A statement from Hawai‘i COVID Joint Information Center says, "Suppression means greatly reducing new infections and keeping them low enough to safely open public life again. In order for testing to be effective, communities must have enough health workers to trace contacts, following up with people who test positive as well as their contacts, and help them quarantine so they don't spread infection."
The analysis showed, "Hawai‘i, Alaska, Montana, and Vermont do enough aggressive and consistent testing of high-risk individuals to allow communities to clamp down on emerging cases faster; thus, suppressing the outbreak." The analysis shows that, in order for states to meet "suppression" standards, Hawai‘i needs to do 330 tests per day. The State far surpasses that number with an average of 1,206 tests per day. See more results at NPR.
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.
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| Hawaiʻi's focus on testing produces knowledge to trace and isolate COVID victims in order to suppress the spread of the disease, says a new study. Photo from CGTN |
A statement from Hawai‘i COVID Joint Information Center says, "Suppression means greatly reducing new infections and keeping them low enough to safely open public life again. In order for testing to be effective, communities must have enough health workers to trace contacts, following up with people who test positive as well as their contacts, and help them quarantine so they don't spread infection."
The analysis showed, "Hawai‘i, Alaska, Montana, and Vermont do enough aggressive and consistent testing of high-risk individuals to allow communities to clamp down on emerging cases faster; thus, suppressing the outbreak." The analysis shows that, in order for states to meet "suppression" standards, Hawai‘i needs to do 330 tests per day. The State far surpasses that number with an average of 1,206 tests per day. See more results at NPR.
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.
REPORTING ON THE PANDEMIC'S EFFECTS ON AG AND FOOD DISTRIBUTION is the focus of an Agriculture & Food subcommittee that is still forming, said Rep. Richard Onishi. He said the subcommittee of the state House of Representatives Select Committee of COVID-19 Economic and Financial Preparedness will be looking into the shortage of labor for local farms and food distribution systems, getting government institutions such as schools and retail food stores more involved with the local industry, and more.
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TWELVE SHIPPING CONTAINERS REMAIN MISSING, ADRIFT OR ON THE OCEAN FLOOR, following the incident June 22 when they fell off the Young Brothers barge headed for Hilo.
U.S. Coast Guard and Young Brothers reported Tuesday that one located north of Hilo sank before it could be retrieved. Another washed ashore at Onomea, then was refloated and towed to Hilo Harbor. Others floating near Hilo were removed from the ocean.
Last weekend, Young Brothers unloaded all of the contents of the barge Ho Omaka Hou at Hilo. The tug Hoku Loa towed it back to Honolulu early this week.
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PROTECTING SHARKS AND ATTRACTING ENVIRONMENTALLY CONCERNED VISITORS to the Hawaiian Islands is the aim of a bill in the Hawaiʻi Legislature. A statement from the Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi, released Tuesday, says, "Protecting sharks means protecting ourselves. COVID-19 has demonstrated how Hawaiʻi needs to refocus and double down on its resiliency and self-sufficiency, including by protecting the environment and resources that are and will continue to be the foundation of our survival. |
| Shipping containers that fell over on the Young Brothers barge to Hilo. Twelve are still missing. The barge is back in Honolulu. Photo from Sen. Kai Kahele |
TWELVE SHIPPING CONTAINERS REMAIN MISSING, ADRIFT OR ON THE OCEAN FLOOR, following the incident June 22 when they fell off the Young Brothers barge headed for Hilo.
U.S. Coast Guard and Young Brothers reported Tuesday that one located north of Hilo sank before it could be retrieved. Another washed ashore at Onomea, then was refloated and towed to Hilo Harbor. Others floating near Hilo were removed from the ocean.
Last weekend, Young Brothers unloaded all of the contents of the barge Ho Omaka Hou at Hilo. The tug Hoku Loa towed it back to Honolulu early this week.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
"Manō are critical building blocks of the marine ecosystem and protecting them will help keep our reefs healthy and resilient (esp. in light of climate change) which in turn will help protect present and future generations of Hawaiʻi residents.
"Protecting sharks means attracting the right kind of tourist dollars to our rebuilt economy. A bill protecting manō will be landmark legislation that will signal to potential visitors that we take ecological protection seriously, an important consideration for higher-spending eco-tourists who will likely be a critical part of our newly rebuilt economy.
"Protect sharks now to prevent the wrong kind of tourism. Protecting manō now is necessary to prevent even more 'adventure-fishing' pressure on their populations."
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| An Oʻahu Midnight Shark Hunt, promoted on Hawaiʻi Travel Network. |
"Protect sharks now to prevent the wrong kind of tourism. Protecting manō now is necessary to prevent even more 'adventure-fishing' pressure on their populations."
Senate Bill 2717 states that "no person shall knowingly capture, possess, abuse, or entangle any shark, whether alive or dead, or kill any shark, within state marine waters. Any person violating this section or any rule adopted pursuant to this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor; provided that the fine for violating this section shall be $500 for a first offense; $2,000 for a second offense; and $10,000 for a third or subsequent offense.
According to Conservation Council, "When tourism and the economy reopen, without this law, there will be nothing stopping more charter boats desperate to capture tourist dollars from offering guaranteed hook-up shark-fishing 'adventures' like we see in Honolulu and Kona. These kinds of charters can significantly impact the behavior and ecological role of manō while further ignoring their cultural significance; unfortunately, once these businesses start, it will be that much harder to stop them. By putting this law into place now, we can help prevent the wrong kind of tourism, while we have the chance." Follow the bill and submit testimony here.
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| Boys & Girls Club spends more than $4,000 a day feeding keiki not receiving free school meals, along with homeless families, isolated kūpuna, and others in need. To donate, click here. Photo from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island |
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Hot meals go out to Kaʻū and beyond from Boys & Girls Club kitchens. Photo from Boys & Girls Club |
The message states that "BGCBI continues with our daily efforts to assist our most vulnerable and impacted populations with much needed nutritional supplementation during this coronavirus pandemic period. We are proud to share that our dedicated staff and volunteers have been able to produce, transport, and deliver over 52,000 hot meals that have benefited Hawaiʻi Island children, kūpuna, our homeless populations, and family households experiencing hardship as a result of the pandemic and related economic crisis.
"All our meals are balanced with nutrition and comfort. Our most recent meal was a hot and fresh cheesy beef macaroni for the kids!"
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Boys & Girls Club plans to extend its free meal service into July and August. Photo from Boys & Girls Club |
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BOATING RESTRICTIONS ARE REDUCED by the state Department of Land & Natural Resources, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, with the concurrence of the Counties of Hawai‘i, Maui, Kauai, and of the City & County of Honolulu. They lifted some COVID-19 emergency restrictions imposed on larger commercial and recreational boating, and on ocean recreation.
The Act With Care phase guidelines are based on Dept. of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, as well as input from boaters in Hawai‘i and in coordination with the counties. The protocols cover physical distancing, hygiene protocols, staffing, and cleaning and disinfecting.
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| Habitat for Humanity ReStores are open for customers to purchase building supplies and household goods, with the income helping people to become homeowners. Habitat will also pick up building supplies and household goods to be donated to the organization. Photos from Habitat |
Income made for donations sales goes to the program to help people become homeowners through their own sweat equity, along with volunteers helping to build and assistance with obtaining a mortgage.
Ocean View is the place where Habitat does the most work in Kaʻū.
Those closest to Kona can call 331-8010 for pickup of donations Those closest to Hilo can call 935-6671.
To buy from the Re-Store in Kona, go to 73-4161 Ulu Wini Street. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. To buy from the Re-Store in Hilo, go to 871 Iolani St. See more on Habitat for Humanity Hawaiʻi Island.
Ocean View is the place where Habitat does the most work in Kaʻū.
Those closest to Kona can call 331-8010 for pickup of donations Those closest to Hilo can call 935-6671.
To buy from the Re-Store in Kona, go to 73-4161 Ulu Wini Street. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. To buy from the Re-Store in Hilo, go to 871 Iolani St. See more on Habitat for Humanity Hawaiʻi Island.
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.
NINE NEW COVID-19 CASES IN HAWAIʻI are reported today, with no new cases on Hawaiʻi Island. There are three active cases on-island, and one of the patients is hospitalized. The other two patients are being monitored by Department of Health.
Oʻahu reported seven new cases today and Maui County
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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 |
Hawaiʻi Island recorded its three active cases over the last two weeks. All other 84 confirmed COVID-19 victims on Hawaiʻi Island recovered. Since the pandemic began, no one died here. There were two other hospitalizations on-island; those patients have been released.
Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 659 cases, Kauaʻi 38, and Maui County 125. Seventeen victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 926 people were confirmed positive for the virus. Eighteen people died.
The daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says, "As reported, the majority of states in our country are continuing to see an increase of large numbers of people being infected by the Coronavirus. Hawaiʻi remains in a very good place because of your care of following preventive measures. You are asked to continue and even get better in following the health policies of keeping Hawaiʻi safe. This is a community issue and we need your help. Follow the preventive measures of face coverings, distancing, gatherings, and cleanliness. It is all of our responsibility to keep Hawaiʻi safe. Thank you for listening and thank you for doing your part to protect our community. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency."
In the United States , more than 2,685,806 cases have been confirmed – an increase of about 57,000 in about 24 hours. The death toll is over 128,061.
The worldwide COVID-19 case count is more than 10.66 million. The death toll is more than 515,646.
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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
After-School All-Stars Free Virtual Summer Program runs through Friday, July 17. For students going into 6th, 7th, or 8th grade. Classes offered are cooking, baking, fitness, arts & crafts, sports, gardening, and more. Every activity earns one entry in a prize drawing. All materials provided; pick up on Monday mornings, 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., in Volcano, Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, or Ocean View. Register at tinyurl.com/KauSummer2020. For more info, contact Chrysa Dacalio, kau@asashawaii.org, 808-561-3710.
Eco-Tour at Shaka Forest Farms, Friday, July 3 at10 a.m. in Volcano Village
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Apply for Small Grants to improve access to healthy foods in underserved areas, create and preserve quality jobs, and revitalize low-income communities through the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, urges The Kohala Center. Deadline to submit a letter of interest is Friday, July 10. Visit the program website or refer to this fact sheet for more information.
After-School All-Stars Free Virtual Summer Program runs through Friday, July 17. For students going into 6th, 7th, or 8th grade. Classes offered are cooking, baking, fitness, arts & crafts, sports, gardening, and more. Every activity earns one entry in a prize drawing. All materials provided; pick up on Monday mornings, 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., in Volcano, Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, or Ocean View. Register at tinyurl.com/KauSummer2020. For more info, contact Chrysa Dacalio, kau@asashawaii.org, 808-561-3710.
Eco-Tour at Shaka Forest Farms, Friday, July 3 at
Independence Day Community Barbecue, Saturday, July 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. , or as long as supplies last at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village
Celebrate 4th of July with OKK at its Market space in Nāʻālehu from10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. ʻO Kaʻū Kākou will offer shave ice, hot dogs, and watermelon, free to the public, either grab-and-go or during the event. See the Lawn Mower Parade and listen to the music of Keoki Sereno, Sonny Ramos, Tui Masaniai, and Shootz band. Attendees must observe social distancing, sanitize hands at the entry, and wear face masks. OKK will thank Brawny for naming OKK Pres. Wayne Kawachi a Brawny Giant and donating $10,000 to the non-profit group.
Celebrate 4th of July with OKK at its Market space in Nāʻālehu from
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| At OKK Market space in Nāʻālehu on Saturday, July 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., enjoy free shave ice, hot dogs, and watermelon; watch the Lawn Mower Parade; and listen to the music of Keoki Sereno, Sonny Ramos, Tui Masaniai, and Shootz band. |
Dine In or Grab-and-Go at Crater Rim Café in Kīlauea Military Camp on Saturday, July 4. Ready-to-Go Family BBQ Special will be served from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes 8 BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches, 16 pieces of Local Style Fried Chicken, 8 pieces of 6 oz. Corn on the Cob, 2 lbs. of Coleslaw, 2 lbs. of Steamed Rice, and 2 lbs. of Mashed Potatoes, all for $55.95. Individual To-Go Lunches will also be available for purchase at $12.95 per person. Reservations for dine-in and take-out are required, call 967-8356. KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Virtual Cultural Festival runs from July 5 through July 11 on social media. Hawaiian culture will be shared with a wide audience free of charge. Instead of gathering the community and visitors together in person, the Park will share short videos and other mana‘o (knowledge) about Hawaiian culture virtually. #FindYourVirtualPark" Go to facebook.com/hawaiivolcanoesnps/.
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All virtual events will be posted at the listed time, but the content will be available any time afterwards:
Opening ‘Oli Komo will kick off the festival on Sunday, July 5 at 8:08 a.m. Park staff and ‘ohana will blow the pū (conch shell) and chant the ‘Oli Komo together, requesting permission to begin the Virtual Cultural Festival. The ‘Oli Komo, which expresses the intent to learn and do good, was gifted to the park by Kepā Maly. Ranger Kekoa Rosehill narrates.
Mo‘olelo & Places. On Monday, July 6 at 8:08 a.m. and 4 p.m. , learn the mo‘olelo (stories) of Pele the volcano goddess, Kamapua‘a the pig demigod, and others, on the Park's new Moʻolelo web page which debuts that morning. That afternoon, the Park will launch the new Places page, which shares mana‘o (knowledge) about the wahi pana (sacred places) protected within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Jaggar Museum
Learn to Make a Tī Leaf Lei on Tuesday, July 7 at 8:08 a.m. , with Ranger Leilani Rodrigues of the Kahuku Unit. Learn how to select tī leaves, prepare them for lei making, and how to twist them into a beautiful and easy-to-make garland.
Facebook Watch Party for the documentary, Saving ‘Ōhi‘a. At noon on Wednesday, July 8, grab lunch and join the virtual gathering for a free screening of the Emmy-award winning 28-minute documentary, Saving ‘Ōhi‘a. This 2018 film explains the significance of the ‘ōhi‘a tree to the people of Hawai‘i and environment, and the threat that the new disease called "Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death" poses to these values. Park ecologist David Benitez, park botanist Sierra McDaniel, and filmmaker Annie Sullivan will answer questions in real time in the comments. The documentary was filmed partially in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
Hawaiian Lua (Martial Arts) with Ranger Michael Newman and Olivia Crabtree on Thursday, July 9 at 8:08 a.m. Bone-breaking maneuvers and war clubs encircled with tiger-shark teeth are probably not the first things to come to mind when one pictures the Hawaiian Islands . The Hawaiian fighting style of lua is a formidable art form that requires skill, specific movement, and a host of deadly weapons. The rangers demonstrate this traditional fighting style.
Learn to Make a Pūlumi Nī‘au (Hawaiian Broom) with Ranger Dean Gallagher on Friday, July 10 at 8:08 a.m. Get swept up in gathering plant materials and learn to make a pūlumi nī‘au, or authentic Hawaiian broom.
Closing ‘Oli Mahalo will close the Virtual Cultural Festival on Saturday, July 11 at 8:08 a.m. Park staff and ‘ohana will blow the pū (conch shell) and chant the ‘Oli Mahalo together, requesting departure to close the festival. Gifted to the park by Kepā Maly, the ‘Oli Mahalo expresses gratitude. Ranger Kekoa Rosehill narrates.
Many areas in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that provide outdoor experiences like hiking trails, overlooks, and roads, are now open to the public, but services are limited. Visit the Current Conditions page on the park website for a complete list of what's open, and how to prepare for a safe trip to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, at nps.gov.
Zentangle with Lydia 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Volcano Village
Grow Food From Wood: Mushroom Cultivation with Zach Mermel, separate workshops on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village
Strategies to Jump-Start Your Writing by Jacquolyn McMurray and Kristin Wolfgang, a virtual workshop via Zoom, will be held Saturday, July 25 from 9 a.m. to noon . "How long has writing been on your bucket list? Are you ready to make 2020 the year you finally get started or restarted? This class is perfect for all writers seeking new inspiration and strategies." volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222
Apply for Grants to Help Socially Disadvantaged Groups develop business and strategic plans in rural areas through USDA Rural Development through 6 p.m. HST on Aug. 10 at grants.gov. Eligible applicants include cooperatives, groups of cooperatives, and cooperative development centers. USDA defines a socially disadvantaged group as one "whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities."
Applicants are encouraged to consider projects that provide measurable results in helping rural communities build robust and sustainable economies through strategic investments in infrastructure, partnerships and innovation. Key strategies include e-connectivity for rural America , developing rural economies, harnessing technological innovation, supporting a rural workforce, and improving quality of life.
ONGOING
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.
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.
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.
Avocado Growers Survey Open: Help identify opportunities for expanding the local avocado industry, to assist local farmers, buyers, and agencies develop strategies to bolster Hawaiʻi's avocado industry, says Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United. Farmers and farm names will be kept anonymous. Results will be shared publicly. Survey completion gives option to register to win a $200 gift certificate to Home Depot. For a hard copy of the survey, email: info@growfruithawaii.com. Take the survey: surveymonkey.com/r/Hawaiiavosurvey2020.
Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming from two free modules of a virtual training program. Accessible online, additional modules will be added. The course is presented by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo .
Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden
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Exhibition Mixed Flock: Prints by Margaret Barnaby and Pottery by Emily Herb has been held over through Aug. 8. Also available to view online, view the exhibition in person the Gallery in the Park during normal gallery hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. , Wednesday through Sunday. Free. The exhibition features two prominent female artists from Volcano Village
Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano ArtCenter Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222
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.
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 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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