 |
This year, sitting and gathering on county and state shorelines and beach parks are prohibited to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Last year at more photos, below, in Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year. Photo by Jaimie Ferner |
"I am forwarding your concerns directly to Mayor Kim's task force with a request that the County work with DHHL and other government agencies and assist with this urgent request. I agree that areas not under county jurisdiction and not subject to lockdown will be inundated with people over this long holiday weekend.
 |
| Campers in trees along the shore. Kaʻū Hawaiian Home Land Assoc. photo |
"In the interim, I request county police assistance and show of presence to help deter campers and beachgoers to the area." She also asked for assistance to "community members who have stepped up to protect Kaʻū and its families from exposure to COVID. Please stay safe and mahalo for bringing this matter to our attention. Take care."
See story in the Friday Kaʻū News Briefs and comments on The Kaʻū Calendar newspaper Facebook page. They include pros and cons on the shutdown.
Ashley N. Joey Mainaʻaupo wrote: "Our ʻOhana has been going down to kaʻaluʻalu bay for the last 25+ years; never disrespected, always respect the ʻāina and mālama when we leave. Never raking and always only take what we need from the moana. Our keiki is taught to respect the ʻāina we come from. Not all are the same. When we leave we take back what opala we make and then some of what's left behind from others. So I repeat not all are the same, mālama the ʻāina!"
 |
| Trucks gather on Ka Lae shore. Kaʻū Hawaiian Home Land Assoc. photo |
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 red flag fire warning and small craft advisory are in effect through tomorrow night. NWS image |
RED FLAG FIRE WARNING is in effect through Sunday at 6 p.m. for all of Kaʻū and Volcano, reports the National Weather Service. Due to "gusty winds and low humidity," and "the lack of any significant rainfall through the summer months, fuels have become very dry across portions of the state." NWS says the conditions "support critical fire conditions.
Kaʻū will see trade winds of 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph, warm temperatures, and humidity in the afternoon dropping as low as 40 percent. "Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended," says NWS.
NWS also reports a small craft advisory for waters south and west of Kaʻū through Sunday at 6 p.m.
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.
 |
| Trojans mask posted on Kaʻū High's Trojan Twitter and under #OurKuleana on Twitter. |
Pre-register with Auntie Jessie Marques at 928-0101. It is co-sponsored by S&G Labs, Project Vision, Hawaiʻi District Health Office, Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi, Bay Clinic Inc., Kaʻu Hospital & Rural Health Clinic, Mayor Harry Kim, Kaʻū police and fire departments, and Hawaiʻi Island National Guard.
Everyone must wear a face mask at all times. Everyone is asked to bring ID and insurance cards if they have insurance. No medical requisition required, non-insured are eligible.
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.
 |
| Mayor Harry Kim says he may lock down the island again if residents don't refrain from gathering in large groups and if they don't social distance and wear masks to tamp down the virus. Photo from bigislandvideonews.com |
At least one relative of a veterans home resident made an appeal to Mayor Harry Kim on Hawaiʻi News Now statewide television broadcasts on Friday. The son of the vet asked for an islandwide lockdown to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
Kim called for an investigation of the veterans home's practices to determine the cause of the cluster and the number of deaths.
The mayor offered a message to the public: "Sadness does not even describe the order of what one feels of what is happening. ...We are supposed to depend on the community of what we call Hawaiʻi Island movement of Our Kuleana - your responsibility. It is your responsibility to prevent this disease from hurting your loved ones and your family and your community.
"You go out and you see people disregarding it, like, 'Oh, not me.' Well hell's bells, it is you," said the mayor.
The mayor referred to the Our Kuleana social media campaign founded by Hilo photographer Tracey Niimi to encourage the wearing of masks and other safe practices. See #ourkuleana
 |
| Mayor Harry Kim refers to #OurKuleana social media campaign to popularize the wearing of masks. Photo by Tracey Niimi of TN Photography. |
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.
 |
| Sen. Kai Kahele is asking for Miloliʻi to be closed off to all but those who live there to deal with a cluster of COVID-19 cases. Photo by Kai Kahele |
State Sen. Kai Kahele, interviewed on Hawaiʻi News Now on Friday, said that people are tired of the virus restrictions after about five to six months. "We have let our guards down. Nobody's perfect and it's clear that we all need to go back to those safe practices of handwashing, of social distancing, of wearing masks, of keeping our family members safe, and we all need to do our part."
Kahele and the Hawaiʻi Island delegation to the state legislature have asked for Miloliʻi to be shut off from others going there.
Mayor Harry Kim sent out representatives from his new COVID Command Center to work on the Miloliʻi situation.
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.
Property management groups are partnering in the effort.
UHERO intends to make the survey monthly. A statement from UHERO says, "if you are a property manager or landlord yourself, please don't hesitate to complete it. We are particularly interested in reaching small 'mom and pop' and landlords and family huis, who may not be a member of our partner organizations and are typically underrepresented in data collection efforts."
For questions about the UHERO Survey on the Impacts of COVID-19 on Hawaiʻi's Rental Properties, contact Phillip Garboden, Professor of Affordable Housing Economics, Policy, and Planning, at UHERO at pgarbod@hawaii.edu.
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 governor said the Dashboard "is a tremendous step forward in providing vital information in an easy-to-read and understand format. It immediately improves our ability to provide key metrics about how Hawaiʻi is performing in our fight against COVID-19 and offers data to aid in decision-making."
The Dashboard covers modes of transmission with number of cases and clusters for each. It reports on mask-wearing in Honolulu, with Neighbor Island stats to be available soon. It reports the ICU bed and ventilator use by COVID patients, and percent of capacity. The Dashboard reports occupancy and capacity of Isolation and Quarantine facilities for those who cannot isolate or quarantine at home; contact tracing capacity and currently active/trained tracers, by county; and testing capacity and turn-around time. It also shows the amount of PPE supplies on hand and distribution.
Kauaʻi District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman, one of numerous collaborators who developed the dashboard, called it "a central, go-to source" and said it provides the ability to monitor COVID-19 indicators across the full spectrum of disease control actions: prevention, detection, containment, and treatment.
Edward Mersereau, deputy director of the Dept. of Health's Behavioral Health Administration, said, "While we know there is currently no cure or vaccine to control spread, every success we experience in prevention, detection, containment, and treatment means less burden on public health and the health care system." He said tracking their impact "helps to guide where our efforts are effective and where they are not. People will be able to see whether or not policies and strategies are having the intended impact and will be more empowered to make informed decisions for their personal wellbeing in this pandemic."
Dr. Victoria Fan of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work, said, "This dashboard is an all hands-on deck effort that aims to sync up multiple data sources into a single location. Our aspiration is to have data that are accurate, timely, and granular to help make individual and public decisions through a collaborative partnership with data providers."
Prevention depicts the impact that individual and community behaviors such as mask-wearing and physical distancing on keeping the virus from spreading. Prevention is essential in fighting the pandemic but often the most difficult to track because it largely relates to personal behavior and choices.
Detection depicts how much disease is present in Hawaiʻi, the types of activities or venues that are resulting in disease transmission, and whether it is increasing or decreasing, and how rapidly. This information allows policymakers to tailor their actions and the public to engage in safe practices.
Containment pulls together various parts of a complicated system to help people understand the status of contact tracing, lab testing results, quarantines, and other disease-limiting measures. These measures, taken together, are an important part of controlling the pandemic.
Treatment and health care shows data on hospital & ICU beds, ventilator use, and availability of personal protective equipment (PPE). From this information, the public and policymakers can understand how burdened the health care system is, and how prepared it is to manage an influx of COVID-19 patients.
The governor concluded, "This dashboard is a multi-faceted depiction of all the moving parts associated with pandemic management and response in one place. My hope is this will provide greater understanding and appreciation of the complexity of dealing with this unprecedented public health crisis and help get Hawaiʻi back on the road to health and economic recovery as soon as possible."
HAWAIʻI ISLAND HAS 269 ACTIVE COVID-19 CASES according to Department of Health. Today's new on-island case count of 24 brings the Hawaiʻi Island total to 493 since the pandemic began. Ten are hospitalized from the virus on-island.
The island death toll is five, all residents of Yukio Okutsu State Veteran's Home inHilo, where there have been 54 total cases among residents and 18 among staff.
The island death toll is five, all residents of Yukio Okutsu State Veteran's Home in
Sen. Brian Schatz recommended that the state ask the Veterans Administration send in its infection control specialists, provide additional testing, and continue to share PPE "to get this under control." Schatz recommends much more testing at elder care facilities around the state.
 |
Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases. Yellow is one to 20 cases. Pale orange (not pictured) is 21 to 60 cases. Medium orange is 61 to 120 cases. Dark orange is 121 to 210 cases. Bright red (not pictured) is 211 to 500 cases. Dark red (not pictured) is 501 to 910 cases. Department of Health map |
Statewide, 221 new cases are reported today, with five in Maui County
Statewide, 592 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began, and 2,931 have been released from isolation.
All beach and shoreline parks are closed through Sept. 19. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Hawaiʻi Island Police will continue their enforcement of the preventative polices of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced," says Civil Defense. "With your help, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. Thank you for listening and have a safe Labor Day Weekend." See hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense.
See the Hawai‘i County COVID-19 webpage at
https://coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.
COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 6,241,183 – about 23 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 188,496 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 26.72 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 876,842.
COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 6,241,183 – about 23 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 188,496 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 26.72 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 876,842.
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.
LEARN ABOUT THE MAGMA SYSTEM UNDER KĪLAUEA in this week's Volcano Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates. Today's article is by HVO research geophysicist Ingrid Johanson:
Underneath Kīlauea 's new landscape, the magma plumbing keeps working
Last week, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park was able to open the Kīlauea Overlook to the public for the first time since the lower East Rift Zone eruption and summit collapse in 2018. The viewing location offers a new perspective on the breathtaking summit collapse structures and the major changes those collapses had on Kīlauea 's landscape.
 |
View of the 2018 USGS photo by K. Mulliken on Sept. 2, 2020 |
From May 16 until Aug. 2, 2018 , pieces of Kīlauea caldera dropped downwards in a series of 62 individual collapse events. At the end, the deepest part of Halemaʻumaʻu had descended 500 m (1600 feet); more than enough to fit the Empire State Building Kīlauea caldera just as high as the caldera cliff face under Kīlauea Overlook.
While these collapses were happening, it was clear the summit would never look the same. Those of us watching at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory also wondered if the underlying summit magma system would ever behave the same.
Prior to 2018, geophysical data showed a complex system of magma storage chambers under Kīlauea summit. One of the most prominent was a shallow chamber (about 1.6 km or 1 mile deep) under Kīlauea caldera, called the Halemaʻumaʻu reservoir. This reservoir was connected to the surface via a conduit that formed the Overlook crater and supplied lava to the summit lava lake.
The first clue about the post-collapse state of the shallow reservoir came in October 2018 when summit tiltmeters picked up a phenomenon called a deflation-inflation event (DI-event). Before the 2018 collapses, DI-events occurred regularly and could be observed from summit tiltmeter records and in the changing lava lake height. Together these data showed that the shallow Halemaʻumaʻu reservoir was deflating and re-inflating repeatedly.
 |
The blue line shows the radial tilt at Uwekahuna Station (UWE), on the western rim of line is radial tilt at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō (POO), north of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō cone. These are recorded by continuously operating electronic tiltmeters. Positive changes often indicate inflation of the magma storage areas beneath the caldera or Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, but may also result from heavy rainfall or, occasionally, instrumental malfunctions. |
While DI-events were clearly observable at Kīlauea 's summit, tiltmeters near Puʻu ʻŌʻō recorded similar motions just with a slight time delay. The fact that pressure changes during the deflation and inflation of the summit reservoir could be transmitted so directly to Puʻu ʻŌʻō was an indication of how closely connected the East Rift Zone was to the summit magma system.
It was with a little excitement that the first clear post-eruption DI-event was observed in October 2018. The shape and size of the event was very similar to pre-eruption DI-events, indicating that the shape and size of the shallow Halemaʻumaʻu reservoir must not be too different from its pre-eruption state. Furthermore, tiltmeters on the East Rift Zone showed a faint trace of a DI-event just following the October event. This indicated that the close connection between the shallow Halemaʻumaʻu reservoir and the East Rift Zone still exists.
Since then, a more in-depth analysis has been done that gives us more clues about the shallow Halemaʻumaʻu reservoir. In a December 2019 article in Science magazine, USGS scientists detailed how deformation data from the intense deflation of the summit magma chambers during the first weeks of the 2018 eruption, together with observations of the descending lava lake, allowed them to calculate the total amount of magma in the Halemaʻumaʻu reservoir more precisely than ever before.
Taking into account the natural uncertainty of the data, they found the most likely volume of the reservoir to be just under 4 cubic km (about 1 cubic mile). Given the collapse volume of 0.8 cubic km (0.2 cubic miles), this means that only about 20 percent of the reservoir was emptied during the 2018 eruption and 80 percent of the reservoir's magma is still underneath the summit.
So, while the surface of Kīlauea caldera has undergone a major remodel, underneath, the magma plumbing system still works in much the same way did before. This is reassuring, because it means that what we've learned about Kīlauea 's magma system over the past several decades can still be applied to our current monitoring efforts. It also means that we can continue to improve our understanding of the 2018 eruption by using observations we make now. The 2018 eruption has already provided incredible insights into Kīlauea 's structure and behavior and we look forward to learning even more.
 |
The view into Halemaʻumaʻu, with the hot water lake at the bottom. USGS photo by M. Patrick |
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 month of August 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 140 small-magnitude earthquakes were recorded beneath the upper-elevations of Mauna Loa ; most of these occurred at shallow depths of less than 8 kilometers (about 5 miles). Global Positioning System 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 3 events with 3 or more felt reports in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M2.9 earthquake 1 km (0 mi) ESE of Pāhala at 30 km (19 mi) depth on Sept. 1 at 5:09 p.m., a M2.6 earthquake 4 km (2 mi) WSW of Volcano at 0 km (0 mi) depth on Aug. 27 at 6:15 p.m., and a M2.1 earthquake 9 km (5 mi) S of Waikoloa at 28 km (17 mi) depth on Aug. 27 at 12:51 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.
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.
 |
Surfers of all ages had fun at last year's DDD Surf Contest. Photo by Jaimie Ferner |
 |
Boards and braddahs hang loose at Kāwā during the 2019 DDD Surf Contest. Photo by Jaimie Ferner |
This time last year, the DDD Memorial Annual Surf Contest drew many families and competitors to Kāwā Bay
Donations included a sound system, stages, and music. Sponsors included Nathan McCasland, co-organizer of the event and provider of bodyboards; DVM - dedicatedtovisionaryminds.com, with its deck pads and stickers; Pacific Vibrations for its Hawaiian flag; Keikai Organics, for its sunscreen and lotion; Kalae Coffee, for its gift cards; Thomas Foley, for his surfboards; and Concious Riddims, for the sound system.
In 2019, the winner of the Men's Open was Goddy Leopoldino. Winner of the Women's Open was Starsea Kahikina. Winner of the Guys Surf 13-18 Division was Nalu Alameda. Winner of the 13-18 Boys Bodyboard was Manoa Dawson. Winner of Men's Bodyboard was Willy Petrovich.Donations included a sound system, stages, and music. Sponsors included Nathan McCasland, co-organizer of the event and provider of bodyboards; DVM - dedicatedtovisionaryminds.com, with its deck pads and stickers; Pacific Vibrations for its Hawaiian flag; Keikai Organics, for its sunscreen and lotion; Kalae Coffee, for its gift cards; Thomas Foley, for his surfboards; and Concious Riddims, for the sound system.
McCasland said that many friends gathered for the event and offered fresh fish and potluck foods for all to enjoy. A post-contest beach cleanup at Kāwā, McCasland said, showed "Mālama da ʻĀina with perfect weather and many waves for all."
 |
ʻOhana sat at picnic tables as surfers headed out over the rocky shoreline of Kāwā to try the waves at last year's DDD Surf Contest. Photo by Jaimie Ferner |
 |
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
Hui Mālama Free Online Home Gardening Class, Tuesdays, Sept. 8 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mala 101 is sponsored by Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi and Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The announcement says, "Learn to garden at home! Whether you have a large backyard or a few pots to grow in, anyone can learn to grow some of their own food at home! In this introductory series, learn the basics of selecting plants to grow, building healthy soil, and growing on a budget." Receive several plants and A Grow Your Own Laʻau guidebook for participation. The class will meet four times, once a month, the second Tuesday of the month, from Sept. 8 through Dec. 8. Sign up at hmono.org/services.
Give Input on Proposed Improvements to Miloliʻi Beach Park through Tuesday, Sept. 8. A draft Environmental Assessment is released by County of Hawai‘i Department of Parks and Recreation, which would update the park to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines; make improvements to the parking lot, boat ramp, walkways, playground, and basketball/volleyball courts; and replace the restrooms, water system, and hālau.
![]()
Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at 10 a.m. , with Worship Service starting at 10:10 a.m. The only time a face covering is needed is when the usher comes to the vehicle to pass out the worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at 10:10 a.m. and Praise Jam, which runs from 9:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.
St. Jude's Episcopal Church 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. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.
One-Time Emergency Food for people is available through Big Island Giving Tree. Emergency food for pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.
The Food Basket, last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, 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.
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
![]()
Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222
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, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.
![]()
Ocean View Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 at Ocean View makai shopping center, near Mālama Market. Hours for patrons are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Vendor set-up time is 5 a.m. Masks are required for all vendors and patrons.
![]()
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.
Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together at chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home, using neuroscience and positive psychology, children and parents alike can learn to better understand themselves and each other. The program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics," to teach families "how to manage their emotions, communicate in healthier ways, and create a nurturing environment focused on the things that matter most." Sign up at https://chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home/.
![]()
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.
![]()
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.
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, andCalifornia Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. See https://kohalacenter.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=54bdd67c601f0c0d3ea430053&id=9e1691c22d&e=0e3fe20c1f
Hui Mālama Free Online Home Gardening Class, Tuesdays, Sept. 8 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mala 101 is sponsored by Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi and Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The announcement says, "Learn to garden at home! Whether you have a large backyard or a few pots to grow in, anyone can learn to grow some of their own food at home! In this introductory series, learn the basics of selecting plants to grow, building healthy soil, and growing on a budget." Receive several plants and A Grow Your Own Laʻau guidebook for participation. The class will meet four times, once a month, the second Tuesday of the month, from Sept. 8 through Dec. 8. Sign up at hmono.org/services.
PETFIX Spay and Neuter Clinic for Cats will be held Wednesday, Sept. 9 in Ocean View. For information and to register, call 808-990-3548 or email petfixbigisland@gmail.com.
![]()
ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Food Giveaway in Ocean View, Saturday, Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. Pick-up will be at the Park and Ride parking lot. Pick-up will be at the back store. Ingredients for a hamburger steak dinner for four will consist of 2 lbs. of ground beef, gravy mix (just add 1 cup of water), onion, and rice to be distributed.
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
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.
![]()
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.
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Virtual Advisory Council Meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 15,9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Presentations will include acoustic research, a proposal for voluntary speed regulations for ocean-going vessels in the sanctuary. Register in advance here.
![]()
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 inKīlauea 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 a 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.
Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt forHawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, .AI, .EPS or PNG with a quality of at least 1500px x 1500px and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.
ONGOING
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,
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Virtual Advisory Council Meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 15,
ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Food Giveaway in Nāʻālehu, Friday, Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. Pick-up will be at the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market location. Ingredients for a hamburger steak dinner for four will consist of 2 lbs. of ground beef, gravy mix (just add 1 cup of water), onion, and rice to be distributed.
Dine In or Order To Go Oktoberfest Meals from Crater Rim Café in
Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt for
 |
| COVID-19 Information for Farm Workers Poster. English: https://bit.ly/2F3gJ3u; English/Spanish: https://bit.ly/2Z0cihc; English/Marshallese: https://bit.ly/2QLbybk |
ONGOING
St. Jude's Episcopal Church 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. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.
One-Time Emergency Food for people is available through Big Island Giving Tree. Emergency food for pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.
The Food Basket, last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.
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, open on Sundays from 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.
Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together at chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home, using neuroscience and positive psychology, children and parents alike can learn to better understand themselves and each other. The program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics," to teach families "how to manage their emotions, communicate in healthier ways, and create a nurturing environment focused on the things that matter most." Sign up at https://chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home/.
ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides for Chromebooks and iPads given out to distance learning students enrolled in Kaʻū public schools. The website is open to the public here. ʻOhana Help Desk is also available to students and parents by phone, Mondays through Fridays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. , and on Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. It is closed on Saturdays and state holidays.
Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab operates weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at St. Jude's lower parking lot. It is open to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.
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.
Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13, at 2 p.m. Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.
Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues, through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi
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.
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
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
