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| Mehe's Bar & Grills closes with its prime rib night on Saturday, Aug.15. See the message from the owners below. Photo by Julia Neal |
SHUTTING DOWN INTERISLAND TRAVEL AND SCHOOLS, is the call from Neighbor Island mayors. Led by Maui Mayor Mike Victorino, they asked Gov. David Ige today to require anyone coming from off-island to quarantine for 14 days. They also asked to delay the opening of schools and universities, and permission to close public facilities for 28 days. The request came with the soaring number of COVID-19 cases on Oʻahu, with stark metrics: 173 new cases of COVID-19 today and a 231 percent surge in cases statewide in the last two weeks. There are 1,300 active cases on Oʻahu alone. The fast spread of COVID-19 cases gives Hawaiʻi the second-highest rate of increase in the country, following New Jersey.
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INTENSIVE CARE BEDS ARE FILLING UP ON OʻAHU and could be full statewide by the end of the month. That's the word from Lt. Gov. Josh Green, MD, today, following an emergency meeting with health officials, after the state announced another sharp increase in COVID-19 cases.
"We are closely monitoring our hospitalization rate. The recent surge in cases means we will see more people in the hospital and over time this stresses our capacity. We do not want to be at that point. Now is the time to focus on drastically slowing down the spread of this virus," said Green on his Facebook page.
Green warned that the entire state has 244 intensive care beds. With ten percent of those contracting COVID requiring hospitalization, capacity could be overwhelmed. Hospitals could increase their capacity by 30 percent, taking over surgical care units and, once again, delaying elective surgeries, said Green.
Green noted that as many cases were announced today as the number of cases cleared. He said that one Honolulu hospital's ICU was at capacity yesterday. Another is preparing a second ICU unit for service, should the case load continue to soar.
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.
MOST FALL HIGH SCHOOLS SPORTS ARE DELAYED. With the increase in COVID-19 cases, the Hawaiʻi High School Athletic Association voted today to delay fall sports until January, including football, girls volleyball, cross country, and cheerleading. Bowling and air riflery will be allowed to start in the Fall, with school set to begin for students on Aug. 17.
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.
MEHE'S BAR & GRILL WILL CLOSE ON SATURDAY, AUG. 15 in Ocean View. Its owners, Dale and Sharon Meheula, sent out a message to the community: "It is with great sadness that we are announcing Mehe's closure. We have loved serving our community these last five years. Unfortunately, with the closure of our site, we are unable to continue. Many thanks to our wonderful employees who have worked tirelessly to make sure our guests have had some good food and friendly service. To our loyal customers, we thank you so much. We have met so many wonderful people! Our last day will be Prime Rib, Saturday, August 15th. Again, mahalo to you all."
After closing in late March due to the pandemic, Mehe's Bar & Grill reopened on Monday, June 1. Assistant manager and head waiter, Victor Manongdo, welcomed back the guests and said he was hoping to soon offer his karaoke nights again. After thorough sanitation, the restaurant welcomed diners with long hours, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday-Thursday and 10 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Fridays. Staff rearranged tables for more distancing and required guests to wear masks.
Mehe's first opened daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2015 at the former site of Lava Tube Restaurant. The Meheula's, of Ocean View, were the former managers and bartender at Drysdale's restaurants at Kona Inn Shopping Village and Keauhou Shopping Center.  |
Lt. Gov. Josh Green and Mayor Harry Kim at recent COVID meeting in Pāhala. Photo by Julia Neal |
INTENSIVE CARE BEDS ARE FILLING UP ON OʻAHU and could be full statewide by the end of the month. That's the word from Lt. Gov. Josh Green, MD, today, following an emergency meeting with health officials, after the state announced another sharp increase in COVID-19 cases.
"We are closely monitoring our hospitalization rate. The recent surge in cases means we will see more people in the hospital and over time this stresses our capacity. We do not want to be at that point. Now is the time to focus on drastically slowing down the spread of this virus," said Green on his Facebook page.
Green warned that the entire state has 244 intensive care beds. With ten percent of those contracting COVID requiring hospitalization, capacity could be overwhelmed. Hospitals could increase their capacity by 30 percent, taking over surgical care units and, once again, delaying elective surgeries, said Green.
Green noted that as many cases were announced today as the number of cases cleared. He said that one Honolulu hospital's ICU was at capacity yesterday. Another is preparing a second ICU unit for service, should the case load continue to soar.
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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| Scholastic athletes will need to wait until January to engage in sports like girls volleyball. Photo by Julia Neal |
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 are reported today. The state's count today is 173 new cases, all on Oʻahu. The state's new case total is 2,763 since the pandemic began.
Of the new cases, 162 are adults and 11 are pediatric (18-years-old and younger). Public health officials say that, given the rate of rise in cases and the lack of enforcement of restrictions, they expect numbers to continue increasing until there is consistent, community-wide adherence to safe practices.
Of 134,909 tests processed since the pandemic began, 132,129 returned as negative and 17 as inconclusive.
Of the new cases, 162 are adults and 11 are pediatric (18-years-old and younger). Public health officials say that, given the rate of rise in cases and the lack of enforcement of restrictions, they expect numbers to continue increasing until there is consistent, community-wide adherence to safe practices.
Of 134,909 tests processed since the pandemic began, 132,129 returned as negative and 17 as inconclusive.
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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 |
Hawaiʻi Island's case count to date is 122, with seven active, none hospitalized. One case was 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. Since the pandemic began, no one died on this island. The 96740 Kona zip code recorded between six and ten cases during the last 28 days.
Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 2,394 cases, Maui County 17, and Kauaʻi 47. Twenty-three victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Twenty-seven people in the state died from COVID-19.
In the daily message from Hawaiʻi County, Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno said, "The increase of positive cases on Hawaiʻi Island in the past two days are primarily travel-related, which emphasizes the importance of exercising caution of traveling trans-Pacific as well as inter-island.
"Due to the identification of a positive case at a Hilo dialysis center and to ensure the safety of all clients and staff, the Department of Health and County of Hawaiʻi Task Force are working closely with the administration of the Liberty Dialysis in response to this incident. This includes screening and testing of all those that could have been infected and the disinfecting of the dialysis facilities. Testing began yesterday and approximately 200 people were already tested.
Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 2,394 cases, Maui County 17, and Kauaʻi 47. Twenty-three victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Twenty-seven people in the state died from COVID-19.
In the daily message from Hawaiʻi County, Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno said, "The increase of positive cases on Hawaiʻi Island in the past two days are primarily travel-related, which emphasizes the importance of exercising caution of traveling trans-Pacific as well as inter-island.
"Due to the identification of a positive case at a Hilo dialysis center and to ensure the safety of all clients and staff, the Department of Health and County of Hawaiʻi Task Force are working closely with the administration of the Liberty Dialysis in response to this incident. This includes screening and testing of all those that could have been infected and the disinfecting of the dialysis facilities. Testing began yesterday and approximately 200 people were already tested.
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Civil Defense Director |
"Hawaiʻi Island continues to remain in a good place, but we must know that the Coronavirus threat still remains. Everyone must do their part, especially when socializing, by following the preventive measures of face coverings, cleanliness, keeping yourself healthy, of staying at home when sick, and special care of gatherings and distancing. Thank you for making the effort to keep our neighbors, friends, family, and community safe. As a reminder, the wearing of face masks is mandatory on the Island of Hawaiʻi. Thank you for listening and have a safe day. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency."
In the United States, more than 4,818,328 cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 157,930. The worldwide COVID-19 case count is more than 18.71 million. The death toll is more than 704,869.
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 the United States, more than 4,818,328 cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 157,930. The worldwide COVID-19 case count is more than 18.71 million. The death toll is more than 704,869.
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.
MEHE'S BAR & GRILL WILL CLOSE ON SATURDAY, AUG. 15 in Ocean View. Its owners, Dale and Sharon Meheula, sent out a message to the community: "It is with great sadness that we are announcing Mehe's closure. We have loved serving our community these last five years. Unfortunately, with the closure of our site, we are unable to continue. Many thanks to our wonderful employees who have worked tirelessly to make sure our guests have had some good food and friendly service. To our loyal customers, we thank you so much. We have met so many wonderful people! Our last day will be Prime Rib, Saturday, August 15th. Again, mahalo to you all."
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| Mehe's when it opened in July of 2015. Photo by Charles Tobias |
Call 929-7200 for more information.
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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VOTERS WHO MISS THE AUG. 3 DEADLINE to postmark their ballots for the 2020 Primary Election can walk them into to Nāʻālehu Police Station, 24 hours a day, until Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. Other drop-off places around the island include Pāhoa Police Station, County of Hawaiʻi Aupuni Center Hilo , Waimea Police Station, West Hawaiʻi Civic Center in Kona, and Rodney Yano Hall in Capt. Cook.
Saturday. Aug. 8 is primary election day, with county and state officials promising to tabulate the results as early as possible. It will be the first-ever election in Hawaiʻi with most of the ballots mailed.
Those who do not receive a ballot in the mail or want to vote in-person may do so at Voter Service Centers in Kona at 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy and Hilo at 101 Pauahi St. Vote in-person through Aug. 7, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Election Day, Aug. 8, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Same-day voter registration is available at Voter Service Centers. See elections.hawaii.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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Exhibition Mixed Flock: Prints by Margaret Barnaby and Pottery by Emily Herb, 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
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Apply for Grants, through 6 p.m. on Aug. 10 at grants.gov, to Help Socially Disadvantaged Groups develop business and strategic plans in rural areas through USDA Rural Development. Eligible applicants include cooperatives, groups of cooperatives, and cooperative development centers. Key strategies include e-connectivity for rural America
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The Food Basket, last Tuesday of the month, Aug. 25, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.
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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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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: ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/onfarm.
Volcano Art Center Volcano Village 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
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Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Volcano Village 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free.
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Ocean View Community Center Library, open Friday mornings beginning Aug. 7.
Eco-Tour at Shaka Forest Volcano Village 10am . Interact firsthand with an innovative rainforest farming operation, agroforestry. Pre-registration required.
From Plant to Pigment Workshop with Puakea Forester, Saturday, Aug. 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn how to create colorfast dyes, inks, and paints from common and invasive locally sourced plants. This workshop is good for painters and kapa enthusiasts alike who are interested in expanding their knowledge about natural dyes.
Exhibition Mixed Flock: Prints by Margaret Barnaby and Pottery by Emily Herb, held over through Aug. 8. Also available to view online, view the exhibition in person the Gallery in the Park during normal gallery hours, Exhibition Hawaiʻi Nei Invitational: Nā ʻAumākua, Saturday, Aug. 8 through Saturday, Sept. 12. 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 is a group exhibition will present works focusing on the theme of Nā ʻAumākua, family gods. VAC will not hold an opening reception on August 8th.
AdvoCATS, at OV Community Center all day Tuesday, Aug. 11 – see advocatshawaii.org.
Writing for Inner Exploration and Life Reflection Workshop with author Tom Peek, Saturday, Aug. 15, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. "Have you ever wondered how the place you come from influenced who you are? Or what memories you carry from your ancestors? Or how your personal history impacts your view of the world? Take a day out of your busy life to explore your deeper self and ponder the life you’ve lived so far."
ONGOING
ONGOING
St. Jude's Episcopal Church Soup Kitchen, open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. , with a modified menu and increased health & safety standards. Hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended. Services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, us02web.zoom.us/j/6843449828?pwd=YW94djVvU0szOGNKaFZ1V0pUL1owUT09, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha.
Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, last Thursday of the month, Aug. 27, Cooper Center
On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry, Cooper Center 8 a.m. to noon . Eligible one time every three months. Call Kehau, 443-4130.
Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries, open for pick-up services. 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, 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 kept anonymous, results 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.
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 Minority 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
Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Owners can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. 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.
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.
Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. See https://kohalacenter.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=54bdd67c601f0c0d3ea430053&id=9e1691c22d&e=0e3fe20c1f
Apply for Internships with Sen. Brian Schatz's office. Internships for undergrad, graduate, and law students are offered in the Honolulu Washington D.C.
Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna, 808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.
Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Volcano Village
Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays (starting next Wednesday, Aug. 12), 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. New market location for vendors of the recently closed Ocean View Swap Meet. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks are mandatory. Limit of people is 100. Social distancing is required. Gate will be unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m. Vendors can show up without a reservation for now, with $15 dollars. Parking is in the upper lot; parking on the side of the road is prohibited. All vendors must provide their own sanitizer. All food vendors must have the permits required for the items that you are selling. Vendors and attendees are encouraged to carpool.
Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center Volcano Village 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, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,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. 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.
ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,
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