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| Reopening of schools with online learning will come with free Grab & Go food for students enrolled at Nāʻālehu Elementary (above), Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary and Volcano School of Arts & Sciences. Photo by Nalani Parlin |
In-Person Training, Aug. 17-20: Students will return to campus on a schedule determined by each school, to connect with their teacher, receive training on the distance learning platforms, and address issues with connectivity and access to technology. Special considerations will be given to vulnerable students and their families for more in-person access to the school and teachers.
School cafeterias will begin to provide food to enrolled students throughout the school year, with grab-and-go meals. In-person dining will be prohibited. After-school programs will be suspended until students return to in-person blended learning models.
Ready to Learn, Aug. 24-Sept. 11: Staff will report to designated work sites for continued distance learning instruction. Special education services that cannot be provided in a distance learning format will be available in person for those students who need it. Supervised in-person learning labs at schools will be available for students without WiFi access.
Transition to Blended Learning or Continue Distance Learning, Sept. 14: The Department of Education will monitor the situation and work with the Governor's Office and state Department of Health to assess whether students can safely return to in-person blended learning models. If distance learning will continue for the remainder of the first quarter of school, an announcement will be made on Sept. 8 by each complex area superintendent.
Throughout the quarter, school buildings will remain open for faculty and staff. Employees are expected to follow all health and safety protocols. Plans are subject to change as the COVID-19 situation evolves, said the statement from DOE.
Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, Nāʻālehu Elementary, and Volcano School of Arts & Sciences are supervised by the Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area, under Area Superintendent Keone Farias. Hilo-Waiākea Area Superintendent Esther Kanehailua said, "This transition prioritizes the health and safety of our students and staff while ensuring equity of access for high-needs and underprivileged students. Student engagement and family needs during distance learning will be important factors in our decision-making as we move ahead."
A statement from DOE says, "Students and families are encouraged to utilize the ʻOhana Help Desk, the nation's first statewide, comprehensive technology support help desk to assist with distance learning."
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.
MORE COVID-19 RELIEF will be released by Hawaiʻi County in the next few months. The money comes from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. West Hawaiʻi Today reporter Nancy Cook Lauer wrote a story detailing the funding:School cafeterias will begin to provide food to enrolled students throughout the school year, with grab-and-go meals. In-person dining will be prohibited. After-school programs will be suspended until students return to in-person blended learning models.
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| Grab & Go nutrition will be offered to enrolled students at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, as well as Nāʻlāehu Elementary and Volcano School of Arts & Sciences. Photo by Julia Neal |
Transition to Blended Learning or Continue Distance Learning, Sept. 14: The Department of Education will monitor the situation and work with the Governor's Office and state Department of Health to assess whether students can safely return to in-person blended learning models. If distance learning will continue for the remainder of the first quarter of school, an announcement will be made on Sept. 8 by each complex area superintendent.
Throughout the quarter, school buildings will remain open for faculty and staff. Employees are expected to follow all health and safety protocols. Plans are subject to change as the COVID-19 situation evolves, said the statement from DOE.
Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, Nāʻālehu Elementary, and Volcano School of Arts & Sciences are supervised by the Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area, under Area Superintendent Keone Farias. Hilo-Waiākea Area Superintendent Esther Kanehailua said, "This transition prioritizes the health and safety of our students and staff while ensuring equity of access for high-needs and underprivileged students. Student engagement and family needs during distance learning will be important factors in our decision-making as we move ahead."
A statement from DOE says, "Students and families are encouraged to utilize the ʻOhana Help Desk, the nation's first statewide, comprehensive technology support help desk to assist with distance learning."
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| Hawaiʻi County Economic Opportunity Council will receive $1.5 million on its utility assistance program. |
The County will spend $1.4 million of the funds toward Civil Defense and first responders overtime pay, as well as purchasing sanitizing materials and personal protective equipment. The nine County Council members will each receive an additional $100,000 to distribute in their communities, in addition to the funding already in their budgets.
Hawaiʻi County Economic Opportunity Council will spend $1.5 million on its non-governmental utility assistance programs. Hawaiian Community Assets Inc. will spend $8.5 million on a rent and mortgage assistance program; Kohala Coast Resort Association and LaʻiʻOpua 2020 will each receive $900,000 to provide "needed goods and services during the pandemic." ʻAha Punana Leo, partnering with ʻImiloa, will receive $700,000 to help with childcare.
Aliʻi Health Center will receive $1.7 million for "community and family resilience." Hawaiʻi Rise Foundation will receive $1.1 million for "community connectivity."
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| Hawaiʻi Rise Foundation will receive $1.1 million for "community connectivity." It works on online education, professional development for youth, and affordable housing. See hawaiirisefoundation.com. |
The money is part of $80 million from the CARES Act. Proposals for the grants were handled by county Department of Research & Development.
FOOD, AGRICULTURE, AND NATURAL RESOURCE EDUCATION FUNDS will come from the federal government for Native Hawaiian students. The $1.5 million, announced by Sen. Mazie Hirono today, will go to University of Hawaiʻi with the aim to promote educational equity for underrepresented students, expand education programs, and provide job training in these fields.
The funding comes from U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Hirono said, "The food insecurity too many families are facing during the coronavirus pandemic only further highlights the urgency of Hawaiʻi's efforts to promote food and agriculture sustainability. Programs receiving the grants include:
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UH's Hi!ag program provides education and training for underrepresented individuals and businesses to break the negative cycle of resource and employment insecurity. Grants support individuals and businesses by ensuring equitable access to UH, state, and federal agribusiness resources, while addressing issues related to food security, climate change, social equity, land preservation, and a diversified economy. Hi!ag also supports activities to improve science-based education, increase rural economic viability and job opportunities, and build a larger and better-prepared workforce to serve Hawaiʻi's food, agriculture, and natural resource management industries. The program Mauka to Makai: From the Mountain to the Sea supports research methods and communications courses, and internships with local industry and nonprofit organizations, to prepare students for science-based careers, particularly in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. It also supports a Ridge-to-Reef summer bridge program for high-school students that incorporates place-based learning through fieldwork experiences. It will also support data collection to inform future policies and engage stakeholders in ridge-to-reef management strategies.
In Hawaiʻi, the National Guard performed temperature checks and symptom screenings on thousands of airport passengers; assisted with various medical projects like transporting beds and masks' supported the Department of Health with swabbing tests on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, and Maui; and helped with traffic and security during food drive and distribution efforts on Maui, Kauaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island, among other missions.
DISTURBANCES IN THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN PACIFIC are forming into cyclones. Disturbance 1 in the Central Pacific is about 1,100 miles east-southeast from Hilo today, and has a 20 percent chance of cyclone formation within 48 hours.
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To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
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.
Specialty crops newly eligible are aloe leaves, bananas, batatas, bok choy, carambola (star fruit),
cherimoya, chervil (french parsley), citron, curry leaves, daikon, dates, dill, donqua (winter melon), dragon fruit (red pitaya), endive, escarole, filberts, frisee, horseradish, kohlrabi, kumquats, leeks, mamey sapote, maple sap (for maple syrup), mesculin mix, microgreens, nectarines, parsley, persimmons, plantains, pomegranates, pummelos, pumpkins, rutabagas, shallots, tangelos, turnips/celeriac, turmeric, upland/winter cress, watercress, yautia/malanga, and yuca/cassava.
West Hawaiʻi Today described the vetting for use of the money. "First, a two-person team screens the applications to ensure all the required information is provided. The proposal then goes to an evaluation committee that assigns points in various categories and creates a priority list that then goes to the director of the Department of Research and Development."
Mayor Harry Kim told WHT most of this CARES funding is distributed in direct aid to individuals and businesses. "It's the bulk of it and we're trying to get it out where it's most needed – into people's pockets."FOOD, AGRICULTURE, AND NATURAL RESOURCE EDUCATION FUNDS will come from the federal government for Native Hawaiian students. The $1.5 million, announced by Sen. Mazie Hirono today, will go to University of Hawaiʻi with the aim to promote educational equity for underrepresented students, expand education programs, and provide job training in these fields.
The funding comes from U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Hirono said, "The food insecurity too many families are facing during the coronavirus pandemic only further highlights the urgency of Hawaiʻi's efforts to promote food and agriculture sustainability. Programs receiving the grants include:
UH's Hi!ag program provides education and training for underrepresented individuals and businesses to break the negative cycle of resource and employment insecurity. Grants support individuals and businesses by ensuring equitable access to UH, state, and federal agribusiness resources, while addressing issues related to food security, climate change, social equity, land preservation, and a diversified economy. Hi!ag also supports activities to improve science-based education, increase rural economic viability and job opportunities, and build a larger and better-prepared workforce to serve Hawaiʻi's food, agriculture, and natural resource management industries.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.
A CALL TO RESTORE FULL FEDERAL FUNDING TO THE NATIONAL GUARD deployed to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, came today from Sen. Mazie Hirono and 33 colleagues.
The letter, led by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), says Pres. Trump slashed the Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement for National Guard operations to 75 percent for all states except Texas and Florida , and for Arizona , California , and Connecticut through Sept. 30.
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| National Guard has been helping with medical checks at Hawaiʻi's airports, but funding has been cut by Pres. Donald Trump. Sen. Mazie Hirono and colleagues are for restoration of full funding. Image by Tech Sgt. Andrew Jackson, State of Hawaiʻi, Department of Defense |
The letter reads, "The National Guard response has been critical within our states to supporting the health and well-being of millions of Americans… This new determination to reduce the cost-share comes at the worst possible time, as positive cases continue to rise, and food security and other basic needs increase due to the ongoing economic impact of the pandemic. Further, by singling out Florida and Texas for a full cost share as other states face challenges of similar magnitude, the decision appears arbitrary and without justification."
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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| Three disturbances, circled, may turn into cyclones. Image from NOAA |
Disturbance 1 in the Eastern Pacific is about 1,900 miles east-southeast from the islands, with a 90 percent chance of cyclone formation within 48 hours.
Disturbance 2 in the Eastern Pacific is more than 3,400 miles east-southeast from Hawaiʻi, with a 70 percent chance of cyclone formation within 48 hours.
Tropical Storm Elida, off the coast of Mexico , is expected to dissipate completely within the next 48 hours, and not affect Hawaiʻi.
LEARN HOW TO PREPARE FOR HURRICANES AND FLOOD RISKS at a webinar tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 13 at 8:15 a.m. The webinar is made up of four courses: Hurricane Science and Risk, 8:30 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. ; Emergency Supplies, Evacuation Planning, 9:30 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. ; Home Strengthening, 10:30 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.; and Insurance - Homeowner's, Flood, and Hurricane, 11:30 a.m. to 12: 20 p.m. Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3653668751246597646. Download Homeowner’s Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards, 4th edition at http://bit.ly/HawaiiHomeownersHandbook. Download Hawaiian Electric Company's Emergency Preparedness Handbook at https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/safety-and-outages/storm-center/emergency-preparedness-handbook.
ADDITIONAL CROPS are eligible for assistance through U.S. Department of Agriculture's Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. The deadline to apply is extended from Friday, August 28 to Friday, Sept. 11.
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| Aloe is one of the newly eligible plants listed for assistance to farmers during the pandemic. Photo from University of Hawaiʻi |
cherimoya, chervil (french parsley), citron, curry leaves, daikon, dates, dill, donqua (winter melon), dragon fruit (red pitaya), endive, escarole, filberts, frisee, horseradish, kohlrabi, kumquats, leeks, mamey sapote, maple sap (for maple syrup), mesculin mix, microgreens, nectarines, parsley, persimmons, plantains, pomegranates, pummelos, pumpkins, rutabagas, shallots, tangelos, turnips/celeriac, turmeric, upland/winter cress, watercress, yautia/malanga, and yuca/cassava.
Non-Specialty Crops and Livestock newly eligible are liquid eggs, frozen eggs, and all sheep. Only lambs and yearlings (sheep less than two years old) were previously eligible.
New aquaculture eligible are catfish, crawfish, largemouth bass and carp sold live as foodfish, hybrid striped bass, red drum, salmon, sturgeon, tilapia, trout, ornamental/tropical fish, and recreational sportfish.
Nursery crops and cut flowers are also newly eligible.
Other changes include adding onions (green), pistachios, peppermint, spearmint, walnuts, and watermelons for funding for sales losses.
Additional details can be found in the Federal Register in the Notice of Funding Availability and Final Rule Correction and at farmers.gov/cfap.
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 daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense, Director Talmadge Magno said, "Do know that the State of Hawaiʻi has reinstated the 14-day quarantine for inter-island travel effective yesterday, Aug. 11. This change was due to the high percentage of travel-related cases of Coronavirus in the State of Hawaii . Information on the revised inter-island quarantine exemptions is available at the Civil Defense website or by calling Civil Defense at 935-0031. Please understand that there will be some problems with the transition from the State to the County handling the inter-island travel exemptions process. We appreciate your patience while we adjust the system to meet your needs.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com.
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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 |
COMMUNITY SPREAD OF COVID-19, particularly on O‘ahu, continues to be the primary cause of new infections, reports Department of Health. Today, of the 202 newly diagnosed cases of COVID-19, 197 are on O‘ahu. Hawai‘i Island and Kaua‘i each report two additional cases, Maui reports one.
State Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson said, "The important factor to keep in mind is, community-associated infections continue to be responsible for the surge in COVID-19 cases in the past week and a half. The virus is transmitted through droplets, and that's why wearing masks and distancing is so important. We must all continue these and other safe practices."
There are multiple clusters of infections, reports DOH, including five distinct restaurant clusters. Each involves a few employees at single locations and no transmission to customers has been identified at this time. An employee potluck at Honolulu Hale is a potential transmission source for 11 cases of illness among City and County of Honolulu workers.
Anderson also extended condolences to the family and friends of four O‘ahu men; the latest victims of the disease. The deaths of two of the men, both over 60-years-old, were reported yesterday but included in case counts today. The third and fourth deaths reported today are men 40-59 years old, at least one of whom had underlying health conditions. Investigations into all of the deaths are ongoing.
There are multiple clusters of infections, reports DOH, including five distinct restaurant clusters. Each involves a few employees at single locations and no transmission to customers has been identified at this time. An employee potluck at Honolulu Hale is a potential transmission source for 11 cases of illness among City and County of Honolulu workers.
DOH reports 150,233 people have been tested for COVID-19, with 21 inconclusive.
There are 16 active cases on Hawaiʻi Island, with a total of 135 since the pandemic began. At least one was recorded recently in Volcano, zip code 96785. No one is hospitalized from the virus. 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 zip code recorded between six and ten cases during the last 28 days.
The state's new case total is 3,958 since the pandemic began. Oʻahu reported 3,558 cases, Maui County 191, and Kauaʻi 51. Twenty-three victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Thirty-eight people in the state died from COVID-19.
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Civil Defense Director |
"The high increase of positive cases on Oʻahu have been identified as closely related to people disregarding the policies of gatherings, distancing, and face coverings. This demonstrates how easy the virus can spread and the need of your help in following the policies of prevention. Thank you for doing your part to keep our neighbors, friends, family, and community safe. As a reminder, do know 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."
COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 5,187,611 – over 25 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 165,883 – over 22 percent of worldwide deaths.
Worldwide, there are more than 20.45 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 745,600.
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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
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."
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ONGOING
St. Jude's Episcopal Church Soup Kitchen, open every Saturday from9 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.
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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.
On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry, Cooper Center, weekdays from 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.
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Apply for Assistance through U.S. Department of Agriculture's Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, Sept. 11. Visit farmers.gov/cfap for more information.
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.
Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues, through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators fromCounty of Hawaiʻi
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Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Kahalo Center
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.
Apply for Internships with Sen. Brian Schatz's office. Internships for undergrad, graduate, and law students are offered in theHonolulu 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 Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222
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Writing for Inner Exploration and Life Reflection Workshop with author Tom Peek, Saturday, Aug. 15,
Attend a Virtual Presentation about ʻAlalā, the endemic, endangered Hawaiian crow via Zoom on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 1 p.m. Register in advance at https://hawaii.zoom.us/…/tJcocuGrrTwiGNDBJcyKZOB8cUqkjkbtN9…
A confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting will be sent. See alalaproject.org.
A confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting will be sent. See alalaproject.org.
Give Input on Proposed Improvements to Miloliʻi Beach Park
Introduction to Papermaking Workshop with Mary Milelzcik on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This papermaking workshop, using a household blender, will introduce papermaking using recycled papers with various additives, including cotton linters, and local plant materials. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222
Catalyst Abstract Watercolor Workshop with Patti Pease Johnson on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222
Dine In or Order To Go Oktoberfest Meals from Crater Rim Café in Kīlauea Military Camp on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Menu offers Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Bockwurst, German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut, Tossed Salad, and German Chocolate Cake. $14.95 per person. Call 967-8356 to book reservation for dine-in or place a grab-and-go order. Face coverings and 6 feet social distancing are required in common areas. KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply.
ONGOINGSt. Jude's Episcopal Church Soup Kitchen, open every Saturday from
On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry, Cooper Center, weekdays from 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.
Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues, through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from
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 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.
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.
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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
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 Apply for Internships with Sen. Brian Schatz's office. Internships for undergrad, graduate, and law students are offered in the
Exhibition Hawaiʻi Nei Invitational: Nā ʻAumākua, runs 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.
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.
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 Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222
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.
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.
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.
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