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| A 4.7 earthquake just off the Kaʻū Coast rocked the area today, after a weekend of waiting and saying aloha to Hurricane Douglas, who didn't come to shore. The earthquake size and site is in orange. See more below. USGS image |
SCHOOL REOPENING WILL LIKELY BE AUG. 17, according to state Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Christina Kishimoto. In a Return to Learn update, she issued a statement this evening, saying the
Department of Education "leadership has been working with the unions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure our students get the education they deserve and our employees have a safe work environment. We have continued these conversations and reached a conditional agreement today to propose a delayed start for students to accommodate concerns regarding employee training.
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"Throughout our discussions, we were mindful that any adjustments to the calendar must focus on educating and supporting students. We also acknowledge the voice of our families, partners, and employees who are not represented by the unions yet are impacted by this decision.
"We will use this time to prepare at yet another level, but I recognize this comes at a cost for public school parents and our students. My expectation is that if the Board approves the two-week delay, that our labor partners will do an aggressive push to their members to be at schoolhouse doors on day one for our students."
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 IS BEING CONSIDERED FOR TRAVEL FROM JAPAN. These islands are among 13 places where Japan may allow its citizens to travel, given the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi made the announcement today, calling it the Japan-Hawaiʻi Safe Travel Program.
Hawaiʻi is the only destination in the United States mentioned for consideration for Japan's
Ige said: "Providing safe travel for both residents and visitors is vital to strengthening our state's economic health and long-term recovery. Protecting the public's health will always be our first priority and the foundation for which any economic recovery program is built upon, including trans-Pacific travel."
"We will use this time to prepare at yet another level, but I recognize this comes at a cost for public school parents and our students. My expectation is that if the Board approves the two-week delay, that our labor partners will do an aggressive push to their members to be at schoolhouse doors on day one for our students."
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 IS BEING CONSIDERED FOR TRAVEL FROM JAPAN. These islands are among 13 places where Japan may allow its citizens to travel, given the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi made the announcement today, calling it the Japan-Hawaiʻi Safe Travel Program.
Hawaiʻi is the only destination in the United States mentioned for consideration for Japan's
resumption of international travel. Other possible destinations are Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Macao, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan.
Gov. David Ige stated, "On behalf of the State of Hawaiʻi, we are honored that Prime Minister Abe and Japan's policymakers are considering Hawaiʻi for resuming safe and responsible international travel. Japan and Hawaiʻi enjoy longstanding cultural ties and a deep-rooted friendship that has enriched the lives of many generations. It's important that we restore travel between Japan and Hawaiʻi, and we see this program as a way to make this possible, while also preventing the further spread of infections from COVID-19."
Ige noted that details for the Japan-Hawaiʻi safe travel program are still being worked out and no timetable is set for possible visits to begin. The governor stressed that public health will be the overriding factor in determining how the program is carried out to support the state's economic recovery and the tens of thousands of residents who depend on the travel industry for their livelihoods. Read more at governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/latest-news/governors-office-news-release-hawaii-honored-to-be-included-on-japans-list-of-12-global-destinations-to-resume-safe-international-travel/.
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| In September 2017, the state of Hawaiʻi welcomed the return of Japan Airlines direct flights from Narita International Airport in Japan to Kona. Photo from the governor's office |
Ige said that the state Speaker of the House was instrumental in Hawaiʻi being included on Japan's list of travel destinations through his discussions with Japan's top policymakers as the chair of the Japan Hawaiʻi Legislators Friendship Association. The association provides a forum for legislative-level interactions between Japan and Hawaiʻi lawmakers to share information and initiatives to strengthen relationships, policies, and economic opportunities.
Saiki commented, "We are thankful for this expression of confidence by Japan for the eventual renewal of travel with Hawaiʻi. It's just as important for Hawaiʻi residents to be able to travel again to Japan to connect with family members, conduct business, and experience historic cultural sites, as it is for us to welcome the people of Japan back to Hawaiʻi.
"Similar to Japan, a lot of work has been accomplished to make Hawaiʻi as safe as possible from the spread of the coronavirus since international travel was suspended in March. We are getting closer to the point where travel between Japan and Hawaiʻi can be restarted, while staying focused on protecting people's health. When that occurs, it will be a big step forward to reviving a segment that is important to the overall economic health of Hawaiʻi and its people."
AN ASTEROID PASSED THE EARTH TODAY, AT LESS THAN TWICE THE DISTANCE OF THE MOON. It's called 2020-OO1. University of Hawaiʻi Pan-STARRS1 telescope discovered the asteroid on July 20 and estimates its diameter at about 65 feet. If the asteroid had pierced the Earth's atmosphere it would have sent send out shock waves, but not as strong as the asteroid that blew up in skies above Russia in 2013, breaking tens of thousands of windows throughout six cities, which injured many people.
After the U.H. discovery of 2020-OO1, Center for Near-Earth Object Studies at NASA issued a notification that the asteroid would likely pass close to Earth. Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope on Maunakea joined in monitoring to verify its orbit and determine whether it's hazardous. University and high school students joined the mission.
"Similar to Japan, a lot of work has been accomplished to make Hawaiʻi as safe as possible from the spread of the coronavirus since international travel was suspended in March. We are getting closer to the point where travel between Japan and Hawaiʻi can be restarted, while staying focused on protecting people's health. When that occurs, it will be a big step forward to reviving a segment that is important to the overall economic health of Hawaiʻi and its people."
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.
PELE SIGHED WITH A MAGNITUDE 4.7 EARTHQUAKE AFTER HURRICANE DOUGLAS SLIPPED BY. The quake rocked Kaʻū at 6:06 a.m. this morning with two rolling motions. Located in the ocean floor between Loʻihi Seamount and South Point, about 12.4 miles southeast of Nāʻālehu, its depth was 21.7 miles, according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Light shaking came from the offshore quake, with maximum Intensity of IV, is the message from those making reports to HVO, with no word of significant damage to buildings or structures. The USGS Did you feel it? service at http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/ received more than 400 felt reports within the first hour of the earthquake.
See more at the HVO website at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/. More details are available at the National Earthquake Information Center website at https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv72063082/. |
Of the many earthquakes in Kaʻū, the one on the floor of the ocean this morning rattled more people. Image from HAVO |
Light shaking came from the offshore quake, with maximum Intensity of IV, is the message from those making reports to HVO, with no word of significant damage to buildings or structures. The USGS Did you feel it? service at http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/ received more than 400 felt reports within the first hour of the earthquake.
According to HVO acting-Scientist-in-Charge, David Phillips, the earthquake had no apparent effect on Kīlauea or Mauna Loa volcanoes. "We see no detectable changes in activity at the summits or along the rift zones of Mauna Loa or Kīlauea as a result of this earthquake. Aftershocks are possible and could be felt." HVO continues to monitor Mauna Loa and other Hawaiian volcanoes for any changes.
HVO reported, "The depth, location, and recorded seismic waves of the earthquake suggest a source due to bending of the oceanic plate from the weight of the Hawaiian island chain, a common source for earthquakes in this area. Aftershocks are possible and could be felt."
Pacific Tsunami Warning Center predicted no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
HVO reported, "The depth, location, and recorded seismic waves of the earthquake suggest a source due to bending of the oceanic plate from the weight of the Hawaiian island chain, a common source for earthquakes in this area. Aftershocks are possible and could be felt."
Pacific Tsunami Warning Center predicted no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
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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| Hurricane Douglas, when he seemed to be a big threat to the Big Island. GOES satellite image |
HURRICANE DOUGLAS IS LONG GONE OUT OF THE ISLANDS. The storm, once a Category Four, left Hawaiʻi as a Category One this morning after hugging the northern side of the island chain on its northwest track, shutting down the entire state in waves.
Hawaiian Air canceled interisland and mainland flights and flew many of its planes to the Kona International Airport to shelter in the shadows of Hualalai and Mauna Loa volcanoes. The aircraft began returning to Oʻahu to resume some flights today. Young Brothers canceled a barge to Hilo, and other shipping liners PASHA and Matson, rode out the storm, avoiding it at sea.
County shoreline recreational areas closed for the weekend on the east side of the island, including Punaluʻu and Whittington Beach Parks. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes closed Friday and reopened Saturday at noon.
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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| An asteroid, less than twice the distance of the moon from Earth was discovered by U.H. and passed by today. Image from University of Hawaiʻi |
After the U.H. discovery of 2020-OO1, Center for Near-Earth Object Studies at NASA issued a notification that the asteroid would likely pass close to Earth. Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope on Maunakea joined in monitoring to verify its orbit and determine whether it's hazardous. University and high school students joined the mission.
A statement from U.H. says, "Pan-STARRS1 is the world leader in finding large near-earth objects, and this recent discovery is the latest example of the fundamental role Hawaiʻi astronomy plays in the nation's planetary defense system."
Richard Wainscoat, leader of the Pan-STARRS1 near-Earth object project at UH Institute for Astronomy, said, "Finding these objects is the bread-and-butter work of Pan-STARRS. Our mission is to find potentially hazardous asteroids together with the larger telescopes on Maunakea, the LCO (Las Cumbres Observatory) global telescope network, and our ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) project." The statement noted Pan-STARRS' many partners, including Maunakea telescope scientists who halt their own work to track objects that could be a threat to Earth.
According to their research on 2020-OO1, it has a tiny chance of hitting Earth and that won't be until it comes around again in 2087.
The search for Near-Earth Objects is funded by NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office through its Near-Earth Object Observations Program.
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.
The Hawai‘i County Charter allows for funding 501(c)3 non-profits and organizations that operate under the umbrella of a 501(c)3 non-profit to receive a stewardship grant. The applicant must submit a grant application and detailed business plan for the project along with a signed agreement to file a written report on accomplishments within one year after receipt of funds, detailing expenditures.
TWENTY-EIGHT NEW COVID-19 CASES were reported for the state today. This is the fifth day in a row of no new cases for Hawaiʻi Island. Oʻahu reports 28 new cases, with one case removed due to new information.
There are four active cases on-island, with one hospitalization. The patients are being monitored by Department of Health. The state's new case total is 1,711 since the pandemic began.
One case is reported in Volcano, zip code 96785, in the last 28 days. It has been more than 28 days since a case was recorded for a Kaʻū zip code. One zip code on the west side has between 6 and 10 active cases in the last 28 days. This island's other confirmed COVID-19 victims recovered. Since the pandemic began, no one died here.
Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 1,373 cases, Kauaʻi 45, and Maui County 153. Twenty-three victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Twenty-six people in the state died from COVID-19.
In the daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno, said, "On July 20th, Kona Community Hospital staff were retested for the coronavirus as part of a series of tests to ensure that they staff is free of the virus. All tests returned negative results. Thank you Kona Community Hospital for taking the steps to keep us safe and to the Premier Medical Group, Hawaii National Guard and County Task Force for making this possible.
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 eruption from current level of unrest is certain. Mauna Loa updates are issued weekly.
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.
Richard Wainscoat, leader of the Pan-STARRS1 near-Earth object project at UH Institute for Astronomy, said, "Finding these objects is the bread-and-butter work of Pan-STARRS. Our mission is to find potentially hazardous asteroids together with the larger telescopes on Maunakea, the LCO (Las Cumbres Observatory) global telescope network, and our ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) project." The statement noted Pan-STARRS' many partners, including Maunakea telescope scientists who halt their own work to track objects that could be a threat to Earth.
According to their research on 2020-OO1, it has a tiny chance of hitting Earth and that won't be until it comes around again in 2087.
The search for Near-Earth Objects is funded by NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office through its Near-Earth Object Observations Program.
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.
GRANTS FOR STEWARDSHIP OF KĀWĀ AND KAWAʻA BAY, WAIKAPUNA, AND KAHUA OLOHU are available from the County of Hawai‘i, Department of Parks and Recreation. P&R seeks non-profit organizations to apply for grants-in-aid to provide public safety maintenance and preservation of these county lands. The properties were acquired for the public by the county through various contributions, including the Two Percent Fund that comes from county property taxes.
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Waikapuna, along Kaʻū's coast, is one preserved county land open for stewardship. Photo from DLNR Legacy Land Conservation Program |
In addition to the Kaʻū stewardship opportunities, funds are available for county land from Waipio Lookout to Pohoiki and in South and North Kona, and North Kohala.
Applications and property information are available on-line at hawaiicounty.gov. See Our County/Boards & Commissions/Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Folder-/Stewardship Grant Program. They are also available at the P&R office at Aupuni Center, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 6, Hilo. Completed applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31, or postmarked by that date if sent by mail. For questions, contact Reid Sewake at 961-8311.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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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 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 |
There are four active cases on-island, with one hospitalization. The patients are being monitored by Department of Health. The state's new case total is 1,711 since the pandemic began.
One case is reported in Volcano, zip code 96785, in the last 28 days. It has been more than 28 days since a case was recorded for a Kaʻū zip code. One zip code on the west side has between 6 and 10 active cases in the last 28 days. This island's other confirmed COVID-19 victims recovered. Since the pandemic began, no one died here.
Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 1,373 cases, Kauaʻi 45, and Maui County 153. Twenty-three victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Twenty-six people in the state died from COVID-19.
In the daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno, said, "On July 20th, Kona Community Hospital staff were retested for the coronavirus as part of a series of tests to ensure that they staff is free of the virus. All tests returned negative results. Thank you Kona Community Hospital for taking the steps to keep us safe and to the Premier Medical Group, Hawaii National Guard and County Task Force for making this possible.
"On Hurricane Douglas, all threats to the Island and State of Hawaiʻi have passed. All field reports show no impacts to the Island of Hawaiʻi. All services and activities will open per their normal schedules.
"We were fortunate to have minimal impacts from Hurricane Douglas; however, the Coronavirus remains a threat so it is important that you continue to follow the preventive measures of face coverings, distancing, gatherings, and cleanliness throughout the day. You should also stay at home if you do not feel well to help keep your neighbors, friends, and family safe. As a reminder, the wearing of face masks is mandatory on the Island of Hawaiʻi. Thank you for listening and have a safe week. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency."
In theUnited States , more than 4,282,140 cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 147,791.
"We were fortunate to have minimal impacts from Hurricane Douglas; however, the Coronavirus remains a threat so it is important that you continue to follow the preventive measures of face coverings, distancing, gatherings, and cleanliness throughout the day. You should also stay at home if you do not feel well to help keep your neighbors, friends, and family safe. As a reminder, the wearing of face masks is mandatory on the Island of Hawaiʻi. Thank you for listening and have a safe week. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency."
In the
The worldwide COVID-19 case count is more than 16.36 million. The death toll is more than 651,449.
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.
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO HOST SEISMOGRAPHS where they live is the focus of this week's Volcano Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:
HVO looking to install seismographs in your community
The Youth and Education in Science program at USGS in collaboration with HVO is launching a community outreach and educational project called Bridging Local Outreach & Seismic Signal Monitoring (BLOSSM) in Hawaiʻi. BLOSSM aims at engaging local students and communities through seismology.
Living on a volcanically active island, earthquakes are part of our lives. Most of the time, these earthquakes are small -- too small for us feel. Every once in a while, we feel a good jolt from a relatively large earthquake that almost everyone on the island is all kapakahi (messed up).
But, what about those "in-between" earthquakes? The ones where you are not really sure if you felt an earthquake, and no one else around you seemed to notice any shaking.
Seismologists use seismographs to objectively record ground motion and locate earthquakes. There are approximately 80 seismograph stations on the Island of Hawai
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| The Raspberry Shake 4D (RS4D) is a personal seismograph with a vertical-component velocity transducer, and three-component (vertical, north-south, and east-west) accelerometer. A Raspberry Pi, which is a computer about the size of a credit card, powers the RS4D unit, which is about the size of a can of Spam. Advances in emerging technology are able to make scientific research-grade instruments smaller and more affordable, making data more accessible to science enthusiasts. HVO is looking for volunteers to host small seismographs like this, as part of the BLOSSM in Hawaiʻi project. HVO photo |
Wouldn't it be nice to have a personal seismograph nearby that you could check to see what the ground was doing? This could help you determine if you really did feel that earthquake. It could also let you see just how many earthquakes are happening underneath you that normally go unnoticed.
If that sounds like something you are interested in, HVO is looking for volunteers to host a small seismograph for the BLOSSM project. Host sites should ideally be communal hubs -- such as schools, libraries, parks, museums, or other such public institutions.
These instruments require a steady AC power supply and a wired Ethernet connection to transmit small packets of seismic data to a centralized server. The monthly power consumption and data usage are typically not enough to be a noticeable increase. The instrument should sit directly on the ground or hard surface, and away from heavily trafficked areas.
Upward Bound, a program at the University of Hawai Hilo , recently partnered with HVO in leveraging emerging technology in their classroom. Ten high school students from Hawai‘i (4), Guam (5), and California (1), and received personal seismographs during their summer STEMulate course, in a virtual online classroom. Using a Problem-Based Learning approach, the students worked in groups to address real geologic hazards affecting their local communities. Some students integrated Hawaiian and Chamorro chants and cultures in their approach, affirming that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) should serve to benefit the community.
If you would like to host one of these personal seismographs or would like more information, please contact askHVO@usgs.gov with the subject line "BLOSSM." All recorded seismic data and the approximate location of the site will be made publicly available online.
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 https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/summit_water_resources.html.
This past week, about 97 small-magnitude earthquakes were recorded beneath the upper-elevations of Mauna Loa ; most of these occurred at shallow depths of less than 8 kilometers (~5 miles). Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements show long-term slowly increasing summit inflation, consistent with magma supply to the volcano's shallow storage system. Gas concentrations and fumarole temperatures as measured at both Sulphur Cone and the summit remain stable. Webcams show no changes to the landscape. For more information on current monitoring of Mauna Loa Volcano, see: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/monitoring_summary.html.
There were 2 events with 3 or more felt reports in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week (previous to today): a magnitude-3.3 earthquake 8 km (4 mi) ENE of Pāhala at 31 km (19 mi) depth on July, 17 at 12:05 a.m., and a magnitude-2.2 earthquake 7 km (4 mi) SW of Volcano at 0 km (0 mi) depth on July, 16 at 8:12 p.m.
HVO continues to closely monitor both Kīlauea and Mauna Loa for any signs of increased activity.
Visit HVO's website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.
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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
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ONGOING
The Food Basket provides food to those in need. See hawaiifoodbasket.org. Ocean View residents can go to The Food Basket's pantry at St. Jude's the last Tuesday of the month, July 28.
Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Cooper Center 19-4030 Wright Rd. Served by Friends Feeding Friends Thursday, July 30 -- the last Thursday of the month. Call 985-7140 to verify.
On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Eligible one time every three months. Call Kehau, 443-4130.
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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.
Nursery, Greenhouse, and Cut-Flower Growers are invited to participate in COVID-19 impact survey by Cornell Cooperative Extension. The survey may help them qualify for USDA CFAP financial assistance. Complete the survey online.
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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.
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Register and Submit Advance Questions for Webinar The Coming Covid Eviction Crisis and How to Stop It, with Pulitzer Prize-winning sociologist Matthew Desmond on Tuesday, July 28 at 9 a.m. Desmond will be interviewed by Colin Moore, director of University of Hawaiʻi's Public Policy Center. Special guests include Philip Garboden, HCRC Professor in Affordable Housing, and Nalani Fujimori Kaina, executive director of the Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i. Register and submit advance questions here.
Family Farms Can Apply for $500 One-Time Emergency Relief Payment from Farm Aid. Funds are being administered by the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union Foundation and The Kohala Center. Applications are due no later than6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28. Bonafide family farms in Hawai'i who have suffered demonstrable economic loss as a result of COVID-19 may apply. Access to other federally-funded relief efforts (i.e., PPP, EIDL) and sustainable methods practiced on the farm will be considered when awarding relief payments.
Family Farms Can Apply for $500 One-Time Emergency Relief Payment from Farm Aid. Funds are being administered by the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union Foundation and The Kohala Center. Applications are due no later than
Use of the funds is restricted to household expenses, such as groceries, home utilities, medical bills, or other household expenses not directly related to the commercial operation of the farm or ranch. Funds may not be used for any farm operations, business expenses, or investment. IRS guidelines regarding direct assistance to farm families prevents granting funds to support the farm and its business costs. Acceptance of this grant award signifies recipient's understanding and agreement to these use requirements.
To apply, email a signed copy of the grant application to Anny Bruch, vice president of Hawaiʻi Farmers Union Foundation, at vicepresident@HFUF.org. Applicants will be contacted via email after July 31. For more information, email vicepresident@HFUF.org.
To apply, email a signed copy of the grant application to Anny Bruch, vice president of Hawaiʻi Farmers Union Foundation, at vicepresident@HFUF.org. Applicants will be contacted via email after July 31. For more information, email vicepresident@HFUF.org.
Virtual Meeting of Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, Tuesday, July 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The public is invited to attend. The council will discuss previous action items, receive sanctuary updates, and address questions from members and the public. Public comment begins about 10:30 a.m.
To provide comment, sign up in advance, email cindy.among-serrao@noaa.gov, or type a comment into the Question box. Register in advance at attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8466893051952339472. Learn more on Facebook; Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov; NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, sanctuaries.noaa.gov; State of Hawaiʻi Division of Aquatic Resources, dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar. See hawaiihumpbackwahle.noaa.gov.
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Attend Webinar on the Cost of the Jones Act Study Wednesday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Hosted by Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi, John Dunham, the nationally recognized economic researcher and consultant who was commissioned by the institute to conduct the study, will be available to answer any questions about the report's methodology. The event will feature Rep. Ed Case and U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, Republican from Utah , both of whom have sponsored bills in Congress to update the protectionist federal maritime law, and will be moderated by be Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi Pres. Keliʻi Akina, Ph.D., and executive vice president, Joe Kent, who will field questions from the audience.
Attend Webinar on the Cost of the Jones Act Study Wednesday, July 29 from For more information or to register, go to us02web.zoom.us/
webinar/register/WN_zFpcoBdVSyqycUV4gaROqQ, call 808-591-9193 or email info@grassrootinstitute.org. To arrange an interview with Keliʻi Akina, institute president, contact Josh Mason at 918-261-8444 or jmason@grassrootinstitute.org.
webinar/register/WN_zFpcoBdVSyqycUV4gaROqQ, call 808-591-9193 or email info@grassrootinstitute.org. To arrange an interview with Keliʻi Akina, institute president, contact Josh Mason at 918-261-8444 or jmason@grassrootinstitute.org.
Attend a Community Meeting on Reopening Schools, Thursday, July 30 at Pāhala Community Center
Ocean View Community Center Reopens for events Monday, Aug. 3. The library will be open Friday mornings beginning Aug. 7. AdvoCATS, an all-volunteer non-profit organization "dedicated to the well-being of Hawaiʻi Islands's homeless cat population," which often offers spay and neutering services, will be at OV Community Center all day Tuesday, Aug. 11 -- see advocatshawaii.org. To schedule an event, contact Christopher Garske at chrisgarske@gmail.com or 650-996-2790.
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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
Apply for Grants to Start, Expand, or Improve Rural Cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses in rural America . USDA will make $5.8 million in grants available under the Rural Cooperative Development Grant program. USDA encourages applications that will help improve life in rural America . Key strategies include: Achieving e-Connectivity for Rural America, Developing the Rural Economy, Harnessing Technological Innovation, Supporting a Rural Workforce, and Improving Quality of Life. Nonprofit corporations and institutions of higher education are eligible to apply, to provide technical assistance to individuals and rural businesses. Fiscal year 2019 award recipients who received a grant period extension due to a loss of operations as a result of the coronavirus pandemic are eligible to apply for fiscal year 2020 funding. Electronic applications must be submitted to grants.gov by 6 p.m. HST Aug. 3. Additional information is available on page 39870 of the July 2 Federal Register.
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.
ONGOINGus02web.zoom.us/j/6843449828?pwd=YW94djVvU0szOGNKaFZ1V0pUL1owUT09, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha.
Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Cooper Center 19-4030 Wright Rd. Served by Friends Feeding Friends Thursday, July 30 -- the last Thursday of the month. Call 985-7140 to verify.
On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Eligible one time every three months. Call Kehau, 443-4130.
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.
Nursery, Greenhouse, and Cut-Flower Growers are invited to participate in COVID-19 impact survey by Cornell Cooperative Extension. The survey may help them qualify for USDA CFAP financial assistance. Complete the survey online.
Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi
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Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Saturday and Sunday. The Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday and Tuesday. Virtual Shopping Appointments are offered at Volcano Art Center locations. Via Skype or FaceTime, a VAC associate helps customers browse the selection of artwork up close, and gives personalized tips and recommendations to help customers "find that perfect piece of locally made artwork, wherever you are in the world!" Book an appointment online for $5 and VAC staff will help schedule a date and time at volcanoartcenter.org/shop. Shop the online gallery 24/7. Orders are shipped as regularly scheduled. Free local pickup is available.VAC now offers a Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more.
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Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden
Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9a.m. at Volcano ArtCenter Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222
Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub. Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources. Developed by the Sexual and Gender Minoroty Workgroup in partnership with the DOH Harm Reduction Services Branch. Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov/harmreduction/sexual-gender-minority/sexual-and-gender-minorities-sgm-in-hawaii/.
Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Kahalo Center
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Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature to help find information that applies to the searcher. To search for statewide grants, hover over "Grants & Loans" and select "For Farmers & Ranchers." Set the Grant/Loan Filter to "Grant" and the Region Filter to "Statewide." Ranney notes that narrowing the search to County will display opportunities specific to that county. Selecting Nationwide or Statewide will display other opportunities searchers may be eligible for and/or want to be aware of for future reference.
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 Rese
Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers Urged to Use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. U.S. Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs is developing a list of Native Hawaiian farmers willing to sell direct to consumers through the On-Farm Market Directory. On-farm markets are managed by a single farm operator that sells products on their farm, or on a property next to their farm. Some on-farm markets may also deliver or ship their goods directly to consumers. Visit the program website for more information and to register.
Receive Free Marketing Assistance for Small Businesses affected by COVID-19 can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. Helen Tien, College of Business and Economics, and her senior retail and distribution management course is offering 1-hour sessions dedicated to helping small business marketing needs. They offer help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.
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 Rese
Apply for Internships with Sen. Brian Schatz's office. Internships for undergrad, graduate, and law students are offered in the Honolulu and Washington D.C.
Non-office internships are open for high school students to advocate in their communities. Applications due Sunday, Sept. 13.
Schatz may also nominate exceptional students for appointment to the U.S. Service Academies. Applications due Friday, Oct. 23.
Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9a.m. at Volcano ArtCenter Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222
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.
ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week -- Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday --, 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.
OKK's Nāʻālehu Market offers 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, on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.
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