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A mature ʻAlalā in the wild. Read below, in The Way We Were, about last year's efforts to reintroduce the endangered, endemic crow to the wild. Photo from |
The drought is forecast to worsen until the end of the year, "barring any tropical cyclone near passes or direct hits."
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| U.S. Drought Monitor map released on Friday shows Moderate Drought from Volcano up the east side of the island, and Abnormally Dry Conditions along the east side of the Kaʻū Coast and mauka of Pāhala. |
When it gets dry, the ranchers start moving animals to the slaughterhouse. If they can't process them, cattle become increasingly skinny with less meat as pastures dry up.
Fewer tropical storms in August are partly responsible for the drought, says NWS. Half the state is experiencing drought conditions, with extreme drought in Western Molokaʻi and part of southwest Maui , with moderate drought affecting cattle ranches in central Maui .
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.
 Ronelle Kahanuolaikealomahina Valera became Miss Collegiate America 2020 in Little Rock. |
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| Masked beauty queen Ronelle Valera. |
Valera has worked in San Francisco with the homeless through Project Open Hand and in Costa Rica on a mission. In July, as Miss Collegiate Hawaiʻi, she created and donated busy boards to residents of the Yukio Okutsa Veterans Home in Hilo. She also launched a campaign against bullying.
Winners were judged on Interview (40 percent), Evening Gown (40 percent), and Fashion Runway (20 percent). Valera won a new JL Jeep Wrangler Sport and $100,000 in scholarships, trips, wardrobe, travel, service, and additional prizes.
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Ronelle Kahanuolaikealomahina Valera (left) donates busy boards to residents of the Yukio Yotsuka Veteran's Home as Miss Collegiate Hawaiʻi in July. She won the national title Miss Collegiate America on Saturday. |
"I GUESS I HAD TO GET COVID TO MAKE MY POINT," Lt. Gov. Josh Green said in an interview with Good Morning Hawaiʻi yesterday. He told KITV-4's Annalisa Burgos the news didn't come as a complete surprise to him and his wife. "Jamie and I always expected that I would test positive for COVID eventually. This was my fifth, maybe sixth test. And I've been getting tested because I wanted to make sure at intervals that I didn't expose anyone. Because a lot of times, this is one of the things we always are preaching, which is you could be an asymptomatic carrier," said Green.
Green said his security team member felt sick on Tuesday, after driving him from the airport to Kohala and back for his three-day shift at the hospital over Labor Day Weekend. "We were in a car together essentially for an hour driving up the coast and an hour driving back and we were wearing masks -- except we take sips from our coffee and being in a car together, I guess, was enough for that to be the likely way that I caught it."
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| Lt. Gov. Josh Green, in isolation for COVID-19, during an interview with KITV-4. |
He said the staff member's wife went to the hospital around Sept. 1 for upper respiratory problems, but her doctor did not have her tested for COVID-19. "If we had known sooner, then he would have taken the weekend off and I likely wouldn't have contracted COVID. She should have gotten tested. There's no question. She got put on some antibiotics, which won't treat a virus, but look, I've been there myself. I've made a judgment call and have to stand by it. I will say that I am very, very permissive about ordering tests and I always have been from the beginning."
He said a doctor's decision to refrain from ordering a COVID test underscores how fast the virus can spread in a matter of days. Green has potentially exposed his wife and two children, 14 staff members, five Honolulu radio station employees, and staff and patients at Kohala Hospital ER.
"If you get that test at the right time, you might stop the need for 20 other tests and three other, five other cases, right? So everyone, I hope they'll listen. When they see me promoting 500 contact tracers and 10,000 tests, it's for a reason, for a short time, so that this doesn't happen. And so that we can open the economy and open schools."
He said Gov. David Ige was likely not exposed by him. "I'm almost certain he couldn't be because we do all of our meetings through zoom or Microsoft teams or whatever. So, for the purposes of continuity of government, we've intentionally not been together in meetings. I know a lot of people think must be the Gov. is pissed at Green again, but it's really... you want both individuals to be healthy just in case, right?"
Green said he remains positive, is only lightly symptomatic, and that his family is expected to get their tests back today. Hawaiʻi News Now reports the Department of Public Safety says a second deputy sheriff of Green's security detail has tested positive, that one team member is negative, and the rest are still awaiting their results.
Green also said that the reopening of the state on Oct. 1 for tourism and returning residents with negative COVID tests should move forward. Watch the interview on Good Morning Hawaiʻi here.
Green also said that the reopening of the state on Oct. 1 for tourism and returning residents with negative COVID tests should move forward. Watch the interview on Good Morning Hawaiʻi here.
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| OHA Hawaiʻi Island candidate Keola Lindsey |
KEOLA LINDSEY AND LANAKILA MANGAUIL ARE VYING FOR THE HAWAIʻI ISLAND OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS SEAT in the General Election. People can register to vote in the General Election by Monday, Oct. 5 online, https://olvr.hawaii.gov/, or by mail, if postmarked by Oct. 5. As during the Primary, all ballots will be mailed, but voters can still vote in-person at locations in Kona and Hilo , and may register the same day, starting Oct. 20. Ballots should start to arrive around Oct. 16. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
As of Aug. 8, Lindsey received $3,714.14 in monetary and non-monetary campaign contributions. Of that, about 66 percent, $2,450, were donations of $100 or less. He began his campaign with a zero balance. He received $12,325 in "other" funds, including his own money.
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| OHA Hawaiʻi Island candidate Lanakila Mangauil |
As of Aug. 8, Mangauil received $13,425.70 in monetary and non-monetary campaign contributions. Of that, about 29 percent, $3,892.70, were donations of $100 or less. He began his campaign with a zero balance. He received $25 in "other" funds, including his own money, and a loan of $600.70.
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.
JUDGE KAREN TOOKO NAKASONE is the nominee for the Intermediate Court of Appeals.
Gov. David Ige made the appointment, which requires state Senate approval. Nakasone has served on the First Circuit Court since 2011.
Previously, she was a deputy public defender with the Office of the Public Defender, and a law clerk with the Intermediate Court of Appeals for the Honorable Simeon R. Acoba, Jr. Nakasone attended the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the University of Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan, and Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania where she earned a B.A. in Political Science. Nakasone earned her J.D. from Boston University School of Law in 1995.
"I am deeply honored and grateful for this nomination by Governor Ige. I look forward to meeting with the Senate for the confirmation process. It would be a privilege to continue serving the people of Hawaiʻi if confirmed as an ICA judge," said Nakasone.
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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A DISTRIBUTION OF SUPPLIES, PROGRAMS, AND COMPUTERS FOR KAʻŪ HIGH & PĀHALA ELEMENTARY STUDENTS will be held this week.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
THE FIRST HAWAIʻI ISLAND COVID-19 FATALITY NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE VETERANS HOME is reported today. The state's official death toll since the pandemic began is 97, with one on Hawaiʻi Island and one on Oʻahu reported today. Twelve others have died on Hawaiʻi island, two reported by the Veterans Home today, all residents of Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home inHilo .
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.
Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year
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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JUDGE KAREN TOOKO NAKASONE is the nominee for the Intermediate Court of Appeals.
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| Judge Karen Tooku Nakasone |
Previously, she was a deputy public defender with the Office of the Public Defender, and a law clerk with the Intermediate Court of Appeals for the Honorable Simeon R. Acoba, Jr. Nakasone attended the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the University of Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan, and Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania where she earned a B.A. in Political Science. Nakasone earned her J.D. from Boston University School of Law in 1995.
"I am deeply honored and grateful for this nomination by Governor Ige. I look forward to meeting with the Senate for the confirmation process. It would be a privilege to continue serving the people of Hawaiʻi if confirmed as an ICA judge," said Nakasone.
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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It's cool to wear masks to protect teachers, students, and staff at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary through #OurKuleana. |
A DISTRIBUTION OF SUPPLIES, PROGRAMS, AND COMPUTERS FOR KAʻŪ HIGH & PĀHALA ELEMENTARY STUDENTS will be held this week.
For Elementary students, drive-thru pick up will be Thursday, Sept. 17 from 11:30 a.m. to noon at the upper Elementary roundabout, or at the school gym from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Parents are encouraged to pick up Grab-and-Go meals before supplies.
For Middle and High School students, distribution is based on the students' physical address and last name.
Nāʻālehu residents pick up at the Clubhouse Parking Lot Tuesday, Sept. 15. 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. is for last names beginning with A or B; 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. C-J; 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. K-N; and 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. O-Z.
Ocean View residents pick up at St. Jude's Church Wednesday, Sept. 16. 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. is for last names beginning with A-D; 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. E-K; 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. L-O; and 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. P-Z.
Pāhala residents pick up at the school gym Thursday, Sept. 17. 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Those unable to attend their scheduled pick up times can pick up during the Elementary times on Sept. 17.
All Centers for Disease Control & Prevention guidelines must be followed and masks must be worn at all times. See photos of KHPES teachers following mask rules above and below.
Questions? Call 313-4100 or go to khpes.org.All Centers for Disease Control & Prevention guidelines must be followed and masks must be worn at all times. See photos of KHPES teachers following mask rules above and below.
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The staff at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary sport their masks in style through #OurKuleana. |
THE FIRST HAWAIʻI ISLAND COVID-19 FATALITY NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE VETERANS HOME is reported today. The state's official death toll since the pandemic began is 97, with one on Hawaiʻi Island and one on Oʻahu reported today. Twelve others have died on Hawaiʻi island, two reported by the Veterans Home today, all residents of Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in
Since the pandemic began, there have been 10,700 cases, 114 new today. Department of Health reports 3,565 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are more than 7,000 active cases in isolation. Hawaiʻi Island reports 15 new cases, Maui County
Eighteen Hawaiʻi Island residents are hospitalized, six in ICU. Visitation at Hilo Medical Center OB , pediatrics, and end-of-life patients.
In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; 96737 with Ocean View; 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour Wood Valley Volcano Village
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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 is 21 to 60 cases. Medium orange is 61 to 100 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 101 to 160 cases. Bright red is 161 to 240 cases. Dark red (not pictured) is 241 to 590 cases. Department of Health map |
Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 9,654 cases, Hawaiʻi Island 587, Maui County 375, and Kauaʻi 58. Twenty-six victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 636 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.
All beach and shoreline parks on Hawaiʻi Island 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. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited.
Hawaiʻi Island Police will continue their enforcement of the preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, Police Officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help."
Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island "reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Island as the virus remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe." 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 6,513,489 – about 23 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 194,018 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 28.85 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 921,619.
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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ʻAlalā in the enclosure can get to know ʻAlalā that have already been released, before being released themselves. Photo from |
This time last year, the ʻAlalā Project released a third cohort of the endangered Hawaiian crows into the wild. The birds are released into Puʻu Makaʻala Natural Area Reserve. Milestones for the project include the formation of breeding pairs and construction of the first wild nests in almost 20 years. The group recently hosted a webinar. Watch it here.
The ʻAlalā Project field team processed some "difficult challenges" during their reintroduction efforts last year. Mele, a male from the 2017 cohort, was found dead, with wounds suggesting he was depredated by an ʻIo. Another 2017 cohort male, Kalokomaikaʻi, had received care at the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center
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ʻAlalā pairing up in the wild. Photo from |
In a Facebook post, the group said: "The potential for loss in reintroductions is a reality, and the reasons for loss are often part of the ecosystem as well. We appreciate all of the support that our followers have shown throughout the reintroduction efforts. We are all working together to strengthen the community and provide ʻAlalā with the resources they need to thrive again in their forest homes... It is important to learn as much information from these situations for use in guiding ongoing and future release efforts to make them more successful. The road to species recovery is challenging and it can take many years for the species to establish."
The ʻAlalā Project site states that the crows "are considered a keystone species." This is a species on which other species in an ecosystem depend on for things such as food, shelter, or help spreading their seeds. "If these types of species are removed, the ecosystem would change drastically. Another important keystone species in Hawaiʻi is ʻōhiʻa lehua, Metrosideros polymorpha. ʻŌhiʻa is often considered one of the most important native Hawaiian trees. These trees can be found from sea level up to 9,000 feet in elevation and are often one of the first plants to grow on fresh lava substrate. ʻŌhiʻa forests make up part of the natural habitat for the ʻAlalā. They help to provide shelter from predators as well as a food source for the birds."
The ʻAlalā Project site states that the crows "are considered a keystone species." This is a species on which other species in an ecosystem depend on for things such as food, shelter, or help spreading their seeds. "If these types of species are removed, the ecosystem would change drastically. Another important keystone species in Hawaiʻi is ʻōhiʻa lehua, Metrosideros polymorpha. ʻŌhiʻa is often considered one of the most important native Hawaiian trees. These trees can be found from sea level up to 9,000 feet in elevation and are often one of the first plants to grow on fresh lava substrate. ʻŌhiʻa forests make up part of the natural habitat for the ʻAlalā. They help to provide shelter from predators as well as a food source for the birds."
See more at facebook.com/alalaproject.
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Life stages of ʻAlalā. Photo from |
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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
ONGOING5:30 p.m. Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, and questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.
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Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. , at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.
Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, will be available from Boys & Girls Club of theBig Island Reading , Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.
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Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts at https://member.everbridge.net/index/482552460607505#/signup. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.
Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at10 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.
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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.
Food Basket Distribution last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. Another distribution will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, atVolcano Village Cooper Center 10 a.m. until pau. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.
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Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center 8 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Call ahead, 967-7800.
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, 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.
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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.
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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/.
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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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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
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.
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Submit Comments and Questions about Hawaiian Electric's KeāholeBattery Storage Project through Saturday, Sept. 26. The utility submitted an application to the Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 28 for a first-of-its-kind on-island, 12-megawatt, 12-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System to help stabilize the power grid for the whole island, reducing the likelihood of customer outages. Virtual public meetings on both projects were held earlier this year and video replays of the discussions, along with the PUC applications and project details, can be found at www.hawaiianelectric.com/selfbuildprojects. Comments and questions can be submitted to keaholebess@hawaiianelectric.com and will be included in the application to PUC.
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
Submit Comments and Questions about Hawaiian Electric's Keāhole
Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt for Hawaiian 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.
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| COVID-19 Information for Farm Workers Poster. English: https://bit.ly/2F3gJ3u; English/Spanish: https://bit.ly/2Z0cihc; English/Marshallese: https://bit.ly/2QLbybk |
Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, will be available from Boys & Girls Club of the
Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.
In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.
In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind.
In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.
Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.
All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.
Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts at https://member.everbridge.net/index/482552460607505#/signup. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at
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.
Food Basket Distribution last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. Another distribution will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, at
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. 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 are open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons may 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, they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff, or they may go in-person to request items, without placing a hold. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Both locations are also open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi is available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot by using their library card and PIN. 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
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