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| Isaac Hale Beach Park and Pohoʻiki Boat Ramp were greatly changed by the 2018 Kīlauea eruption. See details below regarding FEMA funds to repair infrastructure. DLNR photo |
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IS HOSPITALIZED TONIGHT WITH THE CORONAVIRUS. Hawaiʻi congressional delegation members reacted:
Sen. Mazie Hirono said, "I'm wishing the President and First Lady a speedy recovery from COVID-19. As we continue to confront this moment as a nation, it is imperative that everyone take the threat of this virus seriously ,and continue wearing a mask, practicing social distance, and washing our hands."
Sen. Brian Schatz retweeted an AP Politics report that says, "Official says masks will still not be mandatory at the White House, even after president tested positive for the virus. The official described facial coverings as 'a personal choice,' despite overwhelming evidence that they help stop spread of virus."
Presidential contender Joe Biden said, "Be patriotic. It's not about being a tough guy. It's about doing your part. Wearing a mask is not only going to protect you, but it also protects those around you. Your mom, your dad, your brother, your sister, husband, wife, neighbor, co-worker. Don't just do it for yourself. Do it for the people you love, the people you work with." Biden said the president's test that shows him positive for coronavirus, a "bracing reminder" of the seriousness of the pandemic."
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said, "My husband Abraham and I offer our best wishes and aloha to President
@realDonaldTrump and the First Lady @FLOTUS and praying for their speedy recovery. We also send our best wishes to Ivanka, Tiffany, Donald Trump Jr., Eric, and Barron during this difficult time."
@realDonaldTrump and the First Lady @FLOTUS and praying for their speedy recovery. We also send our best wishes to Ivanka, Tiffany, Donald Trump Jr., Eric, and Barron during this difficult time."
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
HAWAIʻI'S BOARD OF EDUCATION VOTED ON THURSDAY TO ALLOW SCHOOLS TO REOPEN beginning Oct. 12, to be determined by school principals and their area superintendents. It also voted to allow teachers involved in distance learning to work from home. Learn about concerns about reopening on the Monday, Sept. 28 Kaʻū News Briefs.
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.
FREE MEALS AND CENSUS INFO WILL BE SERVED ON SATURDAY AT NĀʻĀLEHU HONGWANJI from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Organizer Shellen Hashimoto said partners include West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center, L&L Drive-In, and the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations. The meals are first-come, first-served, with 300 meals available, said Hashimoto.
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 POISONING OF FRESH WATER in streams, gulches, ponds, a criminal felony, is of increased concern to the state Department of Land & Natural Resources. While Kaʻū has intermittent streams mostly running during rains, any poisons, including pesticides for agriculture dumped into them can wind up in the few ponds, the gulches, and the ocean. The poisoning witnessed in recent months, according to DLNR, happened north of Hilo.
Over the last three months, officers with the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement investigated six suspected chemical poisonings of streams. They collected samples of Tahitian prawns, water, and sediment in streams north of Hilo to verify poisonings after photographs showed mass die-offs of this popular local delicacy. Some photographs show prawns dying in streams or on their banks. Officers believe this indicates the prawns tried to get out of water that had been poisoned.
Two years ago, in April 2018, DLNR documented another series of poisonings in many of the same streams. DOCARE investigators said that unless suspects are caught in the act of using pesticides or other chemicals on streams, cases are difficult to prosecute. They warn the public to be careful about the sources of their prawns and to provide detailed information when they believe any stream has been poisoned. When reporting, notify DOCARE at (808) 933-3460, or 643-DLNR, or via the free DLNR tip app. Note time of day, date, and vehicle/license plates. Provide photographs if possible and a call-back number. If observing prawns crawling out of the water, freeze them as soon as possible (poisons break down quickly). The quicker this information is provided the higher the chance specialists can get water and sediment samples.
DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla said, "These poisonings not only risk the public's health when they unknowingly eat a poisoned prawn, but clearly this illegal activity has dramatic and negative impacts on the otherwise pristine streams flowing from the mountains and into the ocean on Hawai‘i island. If anyone has information on any of these poisonings we strongly urge you to contact DOCARE."
No arrests have been made, but several incidents are being investigated. Anyone convicted of poisoning a Hawai‘i stream could face felony criminal charges and civil penalties, which upon conviction can carrying significant fines and/or jail time. See the DLNR video on stream poisoning at https://vimeo.com/269393431.
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.
LOCAL NONPROFITS WILL EXPAND MORTGAGE AND RENT HELP through grants provided to Hawaiʻi County from the federal government. Six Hawaiʻi Island-based nonprofit partners offer Hawaiʻi County Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program. RMAP partners encourage Hawaiʻi Island residents who are at least 18 years old and lost income or work hours due to COVID-19 may be eligible for up to $2,000 per month for rent, lease, or mortgage payments. The previous grant limit was $1,000 per month. RMAP applicants must also have a current annual household income at or below 140 percent of area median income for the number of members in their household – see chart.
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Payments are made directly to landlords, property managers, or mortgage lenders. Approved applicants also have access to financial counseling services.
Hawai‘i Community Lending and Hawai‘i County have modified RMAP to address barriers for applicants, application processing, and how to encourage more residents to apply. Other changes include reimbursement for payments made with personal resources, such as savings, credit cards, personal loans, or assistance from family or friends. In addition, households who entered into a forbearance or payment agreement with their mortgage lender or landlord for payments that were due between March and December 2020 may now be eligible. Residents who previously applied to RMAP and were rejected are encouraged to reapply.
RMAP is funded by the County of Hawaiʻi with Federal CARES Act dollars. Funding is limited to households' primary residence on Hawaiʻi Island. RMAP nonprofit partners are:
Hawaiian Community Assets/Hawaiʻi Community Lending: www.HawaiianCommunity.net, 808-934-0801
HOPE Services Hawaiʻi: www.hopeserviceshawaii.org/rmap, 808-935-3050
Hawai‘i First Federal Credit Union: www.hawaiifirstfcu.com/pathways, 808-933-6600
Neighborhood Place of Puna: www.neighborhoodplaceofpuna.org/coronavirus-rent-mortgage-relief, 808-965-5550
Hawai‘i Island Home for Recovery: www.hihrecovery.org/RMAP, 808-640-4443 or 808-934-7852
Habitat for Humanity Hawai‘i Island: www.habitathawaiiisland.org/rmap.html, 808-450-2118.
RMAP partners have disbursed more than $1.2 million in housing grants to 338 island households in the program's first four weeks. They are disbursing approximately $1 million per week and are on track to spend down $7.25 million by Nov. 30.
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Diane Ley, director of the County's Department of Research and Development, said, "By increasing the monthly rent and mortgage assistance allotment will better match the high cost of housing and further cushion impacted families in the months ahead. The County urges all families who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to apply. Do not disqualify yourself; instead, work with the County's partners, as they are available to assist."
Jeff Gilbreath, HCL Director of Lending and Development, said, "RMAP is a demonstration of a successful public-private partnership at a time when our families are so desperately in need of financial assistance. Our role as nonprofit partners is clear: to be an advocate for our applicants and to use data to inform the prudent and efficient disbursement of relief funds to those who need. We mahalo all our RMAP partners and the County of Hawai‘i in staying focused first-and-foremost on getting $7.25 million into our community."
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.
CDC: PUBLISH DATA ON COVID-19 SPREAD IN SCHOOLS, urges Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and colleagues. Gabbard and 23 other Congress members wrote Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield to ask that the CDC begin collecting and publishing data nationally to track and address the spread of COVID-19 in schools.
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An announcement from Gabbard's office says, "COVID-19 has disproportionately affected young Hispanic, Black, Native Americans, and Alaska Natives. In addition, young Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are overrepresented with chronic medical conditions that put them at greater risk for severe COVID-19 symptoms. The federal government is not currently tracking outbreaks of COVID-19 in schools, leaving the responsibility to states and school districts."
In the letter to Redfield: "Efforts to reopen our classrooms should not happen in the dark. The limited COVID-19 school data we do have so far is troubling. This week the CDC reported that more than 120 youth (aged 21 and younger) have died of COVID-19 between February and July. Notably, the burden of disease revealed stark disparities.
"Seventy-five percent of the youth deaths were students of color, despite Hispanic, Black, and American Indians or Alaskan Natives making up only 41 percent of the U.S. youth population. Further, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPI) acquire underlying chronic medical conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, asthma, kidney disease, cancer, and cardiovascular disease, at younger ages than other ethnic groups. This puts NHPI students at greater risk of severe symptoms of COVID-19. We cannot allow these disparities to continue. Data is the first step to addressing these alarming inequities."Read the letter here.
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.
EDMUND "FRED" HYUN IS TEMPORARY ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY announced Gov. David Ige today. Hyun will oversee the state Department of Public Safety through November 30. Nolan Espinda announced his retirement in early September, effective at close of business Sept. 30.
Hyun will assess the operations of the administration, corrections, and law enforcement divisions, including strengths and weaknesses. He is tasked with investigating concerns raised by the unions about the department's COVID-19 response. Following his assessment, Hyun will make recommendations to address any areas of concern and prioritize potential mitigation measures.
Hyun is chair of the Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority. Effective immediately, he will take a temporary leave of absence. HPA board member Fituina Fiapule Tua will fill in as acting HPA chair until Hyun's return on Dec. 1.
After completing his undergraduate requirements, Hyun served in the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard. Following his initial active duty, he was hired by the Hawaiʻi Youth Correctional Facility as a Youth Corrections Officer, where he started the first halfway house for committed wards. He then was hired as a supervisor with the Oʻahu Intake Service Center to address jail overcrowding. Hyun became the Hawaiʻi Intake Service Center manager until his retirement from Public Safety in 2003. Upon his retirement, Hyun worked in private security until he was hired by the Honolulu Liquor Commission.
Tua was born in American Samoa and raised on Oʻahu. He is a graduate of Saint Louis High School and San Jose State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree. He also graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, with a Master of Science Degree.
After completing his undergraduate work, Tua returned to Hawaiʻi and was employed as a business agent for United Public Workers Union representing Unit 10 members (Judiciary and State Corrections). Later, he returned to Boston and worked in Corrections for the State of Massachusetts and for the Trial Courts of Massachusetts in the Probation Department. Tua returned to Hawaiʻi and worked at the Judiciary as a Family Court probation officer until he was hired as a United States probation officer with the Federal Judiciary for the District of Hawaiʻi. After 20 years of federal service, Tua retired from the U.S. Probation Office in 2013 and was appointed to the State of Hawaiʻi Parole Board by Gov. Neil Abercrombie for a 4-year term and later by Gov. David Ige to another 4-year term that is scheduled to expire in Feb. 2021.
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.
Apply for Local Initiative Support Corporation-Lowe's Rural Relief Small Business Grants by Oct. 5. Applications are being accepted in "rounds." Owners must submit a new application for each round in order to be considered for funding in that round. Apply here.
The grants go to support small businesses and enterprises affected by COVID-19 across the country, "especially those in underserved communities, including entrepreneurs of color and women- and veteran-owned businesses that often lack access to flexible, affordable capital," says the announcement.
Applications will be reviewed based on criteria designed to prioritize particularly challenged businesses, and the final grantees will be randomly selected from the top-scoring applicants. Non-profit organizations are not eligible. All potential applicants are encouraged to review FAQ and grant information before applying.
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32nd Annual The Trash Show Hawaiʻi: Artists Recycle open through Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center, 141 Kalakaua St. in Hilo. Features The TrashFace Collection by Volcano Artist Ira Ono. To attend, all visitors are required to wear a face mask, maintain six-foot social distancing, no physical contact when greeting people, a maximum of ten people in the gallery, and encouraging anyone who feels ill to stay home. See more art from Ono at Volcano Garden Arts & Café Ono, 19-3834 Old Volcano Rd., www.volcanogardenarts.com, www.cafeono.net, 967-7261. For more information go to ehcc.org.
Take Free Courses and Certifications for Hawaiʻi Residents through Coursera are offered by state Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. More than 3,000 options. Registration open until Oct. 31. Recommended courses for picking up technology skills, see https://www.htdc.org/covid-19/learning-tech/. To view more: https://dbedt.hawaii.gov/blog/20-25/.
Give Input of Pandemic on Small Businesses to Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center. Partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank system, the 2020 Small Business Credit Survey provides vital information to policymakers and lenders who are weighing decisions that affect small businesses. Ten-minute-long survey open to businesses currently in operation, recently closed, or about to launch. Survey closes Oct. 31. Responses are confidential. Click here to complete the survey. Questions? Contact SFFedSmallBusiness@sf.frb.org.
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ONGOING
Anyone Feeling Depressed or Anxious, or who needs someone to talk to, can call Department of Health's expanded Hawai‘i C.A.R.E.S. program at 1-800-753-6879 – the same number previously used by Crisis Line of Hawai‘i. Individuals in crisis can also text ALOHA to 741741, available 24/7.
COVID-19 Talk Story on Nā Leo TV series aims to help deliver accurate and current information to Hawaiʻi Island residents. Airs live Thursdays at 10 a.m. at 10 a.m. on Spectrun Channel 53, online at naleo.tv/channel-53/, and streaming via the Nā Leo's free mobile app. Watch all episodes on-demand at naleo.tv/covid19.
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The program offers "fun, engaging and educational activities, crafts, games, outdoor exploration, and observations grounded in Hawaiian culture, science, math, and art. Explorations from deep ocean to deep space, and everything in between – all from ‘Imiloa's facilities and outdoor gardens.
Enrollment limited to seven pods for K-5th grade students with one instructor, one assistant, and up to eight participants, who will remain together for all seven weeks. Participant's required synchronous and asynchronous school distance learning needs will be addressed. Students will bring their own lunch, two snacks, and two bottled water each day.
Cost per member child is $695; registration starts Friday, Sept. 25 at 8 a.m. Non-member cost per child is $995; registration starts Friday, Oct. 2 at 8 a.m. Enrollment open through Oct. 7, first-come, first-served. Scholarship applications are open; proof of financial need required. See imiloahawaii.org/halau-lamaku to register, apply for a scholarship, become a member, and find out more.
Resilience Hub at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji, Monday-Wednesday-Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Drop-in wifi and laptop access, free meals for participating keiki. Follows all county, state, and federal COVID-19 guidelines. For more info, contact Michelle Galimba, 808-430-4927.
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Nominate Businesses that Provide Excellent COVID-19 Safety Precautions for a Gold Star. Submit nominations to County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development here. Find help for small businesses here.
Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.
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Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts here. 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. Face coveri required when usher comes to vehicle to pass out 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, here, 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 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 Volcano Village's Cooper Center, from 10 a.m. until pau. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.
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Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Call ahead, 967-7800.
Volcano Art Center Volcano Village
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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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Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays, 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 mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in upper lot only. Vendors must provide own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling encouraged.
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Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together using neuroscience and positive psychology. Program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics." Sign up here.
ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides fo
Apply for Holomua Hawaiʻi Relief Grants for small businesses and nonprofits of up to $10,000 to support core operations, safe on-going and reopening costs, personal protective equipment, and training and technical assistance. The business or nonprofit must employ 50 people or fewer. See the program website.
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Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries, open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu open Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala open Tuesday, noon to 7 p.m., Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot. librarieshawaii.org
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Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.
Coffee Farmers and Producers of Other Agricultural Products encouraged to apply to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program through Dec. 11. Coffee included; see funding updates and resources hawaiicoffeeassoc.org. See complete list of eligible commodities, payment rates, and calculations at farmers.gov/cfap.
Local Ag Producers can Sign Up for a Program to Sell Produce and Meats on Hawaiʻi Island. Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, in partnership with County of Hawai‘i and non-profit entities, has developed a program to purchase product from commercial farmers and livestock producers on Hawai‘i Island for distribution to families in need. The Food Basket and other channels will distribute the products. Learn more.
Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. Visit the program website for more information and to register.
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 .
Over the last three months, officers with the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement investigated six suspected chemical poisonings of streams. They collected samples of Tahitian prawns, water, and sediment in streams north of Hilo to verify poisonings after photographs showed mass die-offs of this popular local delicacy. Some photographs show prawns dying in streams or on their banks. Officers believe this indicates the prawns tried to get out of water that had been poisoned.
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| Dead Tahitian prawns are evidence of poisoned streams. DLNR photo |
DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla said, "These poisonings not only risk the public's health when they unknowingly eat a poisoned prawn, but clearly this illegal activity has dramatic and negative impacts on the otherwise pristine streams flowing from the mountains and into the ocean on Hawai‘i island. If anyone has information on any of these poisonings we strongly urge you to contact DOCARE."
No arrests have been made, but several incidents are being investigated. Anyone convicted of poisoning a Hawai‘i stream could face felony criminal charges and civil penalties, which upon conviction can carrying significant fines and/or jail time. See the DLNR video on stream poisoning at https://vimeo.com/269393431.
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.
LOCAL NONPROFITS WILL EXPAND MORTGAGE AND RENT HELP through grants provided to Hawaiʻi County from the federal government. Six Hawaiʻi Island-based nonprofit partners offer Hawaiʻi County Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program. RMAP partners encourage Hawaiʻi Island residents who are at least 18 years old and lost income or work hours due to COVID-19 may be eligible for up to $2,000 per month for rent, lease, or mortgage payments. The previous grant limit was $1,000 per month. RMAP applicants must also have a current annual household income at or below 140 percent of area median income for the number of members in their household – see chart.
Hawai‘i Community Lending and Hawai‘i County have modified RMAP to address barriers for applicants, application processing, and how to encourage more residents to apply. Other changes include reimbursement for payments made with personal resources, such as savings, credit cards, personal loans, or assistance from family or friends. In addition, households who entered into a forbearance or payment agreement with their mortgage lender or landlord for payments that were due between March and December 2020 may now be eligible. Residents who previously applied to RMAP and were rejected are encouraged to reapply.
RMAP is funded by the County of Hawaiʻi with Federal CARES Act dollars. Funding is limited to households' primary residence on Hawaiʻi Island. RMAP nonprofit partners are:
Hawaiian Community Assets/Hawaiʻi Community Lending: www.HawaiianCommunity.net, 808-934-0801
HOPE Services Hawaiʻi: www.hopeserviceshawaii.org/rmap, 808-935-3050
Hawai‘i First Federal Credit Union: www.hawaiifirstfcu.com/pathways, 808-933-6600
Neighborhood Place of Puna: www.neighborhoodplaceofpuna.org/coronavirus-rent-mortgage-relief, 808-965-5550
Hawai‘i Island Home for Recovery: www.hihrecovery.org/RMAP, 808-640-4443 or 808-934-7852
Habitat for Humanity Hawai‘i Island: www.habitathawaiiisland.org/rmap.html, 808-450-2118.
RMAP partners have disbursed more than $1.2 million in housing grants to 338 island households in the program's first four weeks. They are disbursing approximately $1 million per week and are on track to spend down $7.25 million by Nov. 30.
Jeff Gilbreath, HCL Director of Lending and Development, said, "RMAP is a demonstration of a successful public-private partnership at a time when our families are so desperately in need of financial assistance. Our role as nonprofit partners is clear: to be an advocate for our applicants and to use data to inform the prudent and efficient disbursement of relief funds to those who need. We mahalo all our RMAP partners and the County of Hawai‘i in staying focused first-and-foremost on getting $7.25 million into our community."
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.
CDC: PUBLISH DATA ON COVID-19 SPREAD IN SCHOOLS, urges Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and colleagues. Gabbard and 23 other Congress members wrote Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield to ask that the CDC begin collecting and publishing data nationally to track and address the spread of COVID-19 in schools.
An announcement from Gabbard's office says, "COVID-19 has disproportionately affected young Hispanic, Black, Native Americans, and Alaska Natives. In addition, young Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are overrepresented with chronic medical conditions that put them at greater risk for severe COVID-19 symptoms. The federal government is not currently tracking outbreaks of COVID-19 in schools, leaving the responsibility to states and school districts."
In the letter to Redfield: "Efforts to reopen our classrooms should not happen in the dark. The limited COVID-19 school data we do have so far is troubling. This week the CDC reported that more than 120 youth (aged 21 and younger) have died of COVID-19 between February and July. Notably, the burden of disease revealed stark disparities.
"Seventy-five percent of the youth deaths were students of color, despite Hispanic, Black, and American Indians or Alaskan Natives making up only 41 percent of the U.S. youth population. Further, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPI) acquire underlying chronic medical conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, asthma, kidney disease, cancer, and cardiovascular disease, at younger ages than other ethnic groups. This puts NHPI students at greater risk of severe symptoms of COVID-19. We cannot allow these disparities to continue. Data is the first step to addressing these alarming inequities."Read the letter here.
Gabbard and her team have been working since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and public health crisis to bring more resources home to Hawaiʻi, while also keeping Hawaiʻi residents informed through a resource hub on her website, https://gabbard.house.gov/COVID-19.
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.
RECOGNIZE AND AVOID SPOOFED ONLINE INFO with help from Federal Bureau of Investigation and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The FBI and CISA urge all members of the American public to critically evaluate the websites they visit and the emails sent to their personal and business email accounts, to seek out reliable and verified information on election information. The agencies issued an announcement to help the public recognize and avoid spoofed election-related internet domains and email accounts during the 2020 election year:
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Spoofed domains and email accounts are leveraged by foreign actors and cybercriminals and can be easily mistaken for legitimate websites or emails. Adversaries can use spoofed domains and email accounts to disseminate false information; gather valid usernames, passwords, and email addresses; collect personally identifiable information; and spread malware, leading to further compromises and potential financial losses.
Cyber actors set up spoofed domains with slightly altered characteristics of legitimate domains. A spoofed domain may feature an alternate spelling of a word ("electon" instead of "election"), or use an alternative top-level domain, such as a "[.]com" version of a legitimate "[.] gov" website. Members of the public could unknowingly visit spoofed domains while seeking information regarding the 2020 election. Additionally, cyber actors may use a seemingly legitimate email account to entice the public into clicking on malicious files or links.
Recommendations:
Verify the spelling of web addresses, websites, and email addresses that look trustworthy but may be close imitations of legitimate election websites.
Seek out information from trustworthy sources, verifying who produced the content and considering their intent. The Election Assistance Commission (https://www.eac.gov) provides a vast amount of verified information and resources.
Ensure operating systems and applications are updated to the most current versions.
Update anti-malware and anti-virus software and conduct regular network scans.
Do not enable macros on documents downloaded from an email unless absolutely necessary, and only then, after ensuring the file is not malicious.
Disable or remove unneeded software applications.
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Use strong two-factor authentication if possible, via biometrics, hardware tokens, or authentication apps.
Do not open e-mails or attachments from unknown individuals. Do not communicate with unsolicited e-mail senders.
Never provide personal information of any sort via e-mail. Be aware that many e-mails requesting your personal information appear to be legitimate.
The FBI is responsible for investigating and prosecuting election crimes, malign foreign influence operations, and malicious cyber activity targeting election infrastructure and other U.S. democratic institutions. CISA helps critical infrastructure owners and operators, including those in the election community, remain resilient against physical and cyber threats. The FBI and CISA provide services and information to uphold the security, integrity, and resiliency of U.S. electoral processes.
The FBI encourages the public to report information concerning suspicious or criminal activity to the Hawaiʻi Field Office, (808) 566-4300, or to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. For additional assistance, best practices, and common terms, please visit: Protected Voices, Election Crimes and Security, or #Protect2020.
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.
RECOGNIZE AND AVOID SPOOFED ONLINE INFO with help from Federal Bureau of Investigation and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The FBI and CISA urge all members of the American public to critically evaluate the websites they visit and the emails sent to their personal and business email accounts, to seek out reliable and verified information on election information. The agencies issued an announcement to help the public recognize and avoid spoofed election-related internet domains and email accounts during the 2020 election year:
Cyber actors set up spoofed domains with slightly altered characteristics of legitimate domains. A spoofed domain may feature an alternate spelling of a word ("electon" instead of "election"), or use an alternative top-level domain, such as a "[.]com" version of a legitimate "[.] gov" website. Members of the public could unknowingly visit spoofed domains while seeking information regarding the 2020 election. Additionally, cyber actors may use a seemingly legitimate email account to entice the public into clicking on malicious files or links.
Recommendations:
Verify the spelling of web addresses, websites, and email addresses that look trustworthy but may be close imitations of legitimate election websites.
Seek out information from trustworthy sources, verifying who produced the content and considering their intent. The Election Assistance Commission (https://www.eac.gov) provides a vast amount of verified information and resources.
Ensure operating systems and applications are updated to the most current versions.
Update anti-malware and anti-virus software and conduct regular network scans.
Do not enable macros on documents downloaded from an email unless absolutely necessary, and only then, after ensuring the file is not malicious.
Disable or remove unneeded software applications.
Do not open e-mails or attachments from unknown individuals. Do not communicate with unsolicited e-mail senders.
Never provide personal information of any sort via e-mail. Be aware that many e-mails requesting your personal information appear to be legitimate.
The FBI is responsible for investigating and prosecuting election crimes, malign foreign influence operations, and malicious cyber activity targeting election infrastructure and other U.S. democratic institutions. CISA helps critical infrastructure owners and operators, including those in the election community, remain resilient against physical and cyber threats. The FBI and CISA provide services and information to uphold the security, integrity, and resiliency of U.S. electoral processes.
The FBI encourages the public to report information concerning suspicious or criminal activity to the Hawaiʻi Field Office, (808) 566-4300, or to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. For additional assistance, best practices, and common terms, please visit: Protected Voices, Election Crimes and Security, or #Protect2020.
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.
EDMUND "FRED" HYUN IS TEMPORARY ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY announced Gov. David Ige today. Hyun will oversee the state Department of Public Safety through November 30. Nolan Espinda announced his retirement in early September, effective at close of business Sept. 30.
Hyun will assess the operations of the administration, corrections, and law enforcement divisions, including strengths and weaknesses. He is tasked with investigating concerns raised by the unions about the department's COVID-19 response. Following his assessment, Hyun will make recommendations to address any areas of concern and prioritize potential mitigation measures.
Hyun is chair of the Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority. Effective immediately, he will take a temporary leave of absence. HPA board member Fituina Fiapule Tua will fill in as acting HPA chair until Hyun's return on Dec. 1.
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| Fred Hyun is new manager of Hawaiʻi's prison system. Photo from Ige's office |
Tua was born in American Samoa and raised on Oʻahu. He is a graduate of Saint Louis High School and San Jose State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree. He also graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, with a Master of Science Degree.
After completing his undergraduate work, Tua returned to Hawaiʻi and was employed as a business agent for United Public Workers Union representing Unit 10 members (Judiciary and State Corrections). Later, he returned to Boston and worked in Corrections for the State of Massachusetts and for the Trial Courts of Massachusetts in the Probation Department. Tua returned to Hawaiʻi and worked at the Judiciary as a Family Court probation officer until he was hired as a United States probation officer with the Federal Judiciary for the District of Hawaiʻi. After 20 years of federal service, Tua retired from the U.S. Probation Office in 2013 and was appointed to the State of Hawaiʻi Parole Board by Gov. Neil Abercrombie for a 4-year term and later by Gov. David Ige to another 4-year term that is scheduled to expire in Feb. 2021.
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ISAAC HALE BEACH PARK WILL RECEIVE OVER $1.4 MILLION FROM FEMA announced Sen. Mazie Hirono today. The $1,494,360 in funds are part of a grant agreement with Federal Emergency Management Agency for repairs to areas affected by the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.
Hirono said, "We have come to realize and value the importance of our parks and outdoor spaces during this coronavirus pandemic, particularly when our activities were restricted. This funding will go towards park-related infrastructure to assist with Puna's recovery, so that residents and visitors can safely enjoy the park."
ISAAC HALE BEACH PARK WILL RECEIVE OVER $1.4 MILLION FROM FEMA announced Sen. Mazie Hirono today. The $1,494,360 in funds are part of a grant agreement with Federal Emergency Management Agency for repairs to areas affected by the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.
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| Isaac Hale Beach Park will receive infrastructure repairs with over $1.4 million from FEMA. County 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.
APPLY FOR HOLOMUA HAWAIʻI RELIEF GRANTS for small businesses and nonprofits of up to $10,000 to support core operations, safe on-going and reopening costs, personal protective equipment, and training and technical assistance. The business or nonprofit must employ 50 people or fewer. See the program website.
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.
WATCH TOM PAXTON & THE DON JUANS Livestream performance Monday, Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. Blues Bear Hawaiʻi presents Grammy award-winning Tom Paxton with Grammy award-winning songwriters Don Henry and Jon Vezner for "an intimate concert experience full of harmonies, original songs, and superb musicianship," says the announcement. Stick around for a 15-minute audience Q&A following the show. Songs included in the performance will include covers of pieces by Harry Belafonte, John Mellencamp, Miranda Lambert, Neil Diamond, Ray Charles, Judy Collins, Pete Seeger, Janis Ian, Kathy Mattea, John Denver, Bob Dylan, and Peter, Paul, & Mary. Purchase tickets here.
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.
THREE NEW DEATHS on Oʻahu bring the state's official death toll to 142. Total 29 deaths are reported on Hawaiʻi Island, 27 of them residents at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home.
The state reports 87 new cases today: 16 on Hawaiʻi Island, 69 on Oʻahu, and one a resident diagnosed out-of-state.
Since the pandemic began, there have been 12,601 COVID cases in the state. Department of Health reports 10,389 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are about 2,070 active cases in isolation. There are 12 people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus.
Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 11,365 cases, Hawaiʻi Island 752, Maui County 391, and Kauaʻi 59. Thirty-four victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 880 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.
No new cases reported in the last 28 days for two Kaʻū zip codes and Volcano. 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; 96785 with Volcano Village; and 96737, with Ocean View, have had no cases in the last 28 days. In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; and 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, and Wood Valley. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date.
Hawaiʻi Island police continue enforcement of 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 the Hawaiʻi County COVID-19 webpage at coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at 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 7,320,006 – about 21 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 208,600 – about 20 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 34.45 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 1,025,354.
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| Tom Paxton and the Don Juans will entertain virtually on Monday at 5 p.m. Purchase tickets. |
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.
THREE NEW DEATHS on Oʻahu bring the state's official death toll to 142. Total 29 deaths are reported on Hawaiʻi Island, 27 of them residents at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home.
The state reports 87 new cases today: 16 on Hawaiʻi Island, 69 on Oʻahu, and one a resident diagnosed out-of-state.
Since the pandemic began, there have been 12,601 COVID cases in the state. Department of Health reports 10,389 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are about 2,070 active cases in isolation. There are 12 people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus.
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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 19 cases. Pale orange is 20 to 35 cases. Medium orange is 36 to 57 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 58 to 92 cases. Bright red is 93 to 114 cases. Dark red (not pictured) is 115 to 287 cases. Department of Health map |
No new cases reported in the last 28 days for two Kaʻū zip codes and Volcano. 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; 96785 with Volcano Village; and 96737, with Ocean View, have had no cases in the last 28 days. In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; and 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, and Wood Valley. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date.
Hawaiʻi Island police continue enforcement of 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 the Hawaiʻi County COVID-19 webpage at coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at 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 7,320,006 – about 21 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 208,600 – about 20 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 34.45 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 1,025,354.
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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
Register to Vote online, olvr.hawaii.gov, or by U.S. Mail. Print a registration form. Forms must be postmarked no later than Monday, Oct. 5. As during the Primary, all ballots will be mailed, but voters can still vote in-person and may register the same day. Locations are in Hilo at 101 Pauahi Street, #1, and Kona, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy. Ballots should start to arrive around Oct. 16. Secure ballot dropbox located in Nāʻālehu Police Station at 95-5355 Māmalahoa Hwy from Oct. 14, 24 hours a day until 7 p.m. Nov. 3. See other locations here. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. See tips on helping others to register to vote at nationalvoterregistrationday.org. Find more information at elections.hawaii.gov. Check voter registration status here.
Apply for Local Initiative Support Corporation-Lowe's Rural Relief Small Business Grants by Oct. 5. Applications are being accepted in "rounds." Owners must submit a new application for each round in order to be considered for funding in that round. Apply here.
The grants go to support small businesses and enterprises affected by COVID-19 across the country, "especially those in underserved communities, including entrepreneurs of color and women- and veteran-owned businesses that often lack access to flexible, affordable capital," says the announcement.
Applications will be reviewed based on criteria designed to prioritize particularly challenged businesses, and the final grantees will be randomly selected from the top-scoring applicants. Non-profit organizations are not eligible. All potential applicants are encouraged to review FAQ and grant information before applying.
Attend Hawaiʻi Children and Youth Summit on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a watch party on Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. For ages 24 and younger. Register here. The annual event brings together youth from across the islands to discuss key issues that they believe the Hawaiʻi State Legislature needs to address to make Hawaiʻi a better place to live and work. Priorities that come out of the Summit are used by legislators to create bills and resolutions in the following year. Some of the things that have come out of the Summit are things like expanding afterschool programs, lowering the age of consent for Mental Health Services, and planting over one million trees.
Presidential Debates Schedule: The first Presidential Debate was held Sept. 29 in Cleveland, Ohio. The single Vice Presidential Debate will be held Wednesday, Oct. 7 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The second Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, Oct. 15 in Miami, Florida. The final Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, Oct. 22 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Each debate will air from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on. Each debate will be broadcast live on C-SPAN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, Fox News, Fox Business Network, and MSNBC, among others. All the major news networks will offer a free live stream, as will YouTube and Twitter. Listen to the Hawaiʻi Public Radio broadcast at 89.1, or stream the audio here, on the HPR mobile app, or on a smart speaker.32nd Annual The Trash Show Hawaiʻi: Artists Recycle open through Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center, 141 Kalakaua St. in Hilo. Features The TrashFace Collection by Volcano Artist Ira Ono. To attend, all visitors are required to wear a face mask, maintain six-foot social distancing, no physical contact when greeting people, a maximum of ten people in the gallery, and encouraging anyone who feels ill to stay home. See more art from Ono at Volcano Garden Arts & Café Ono, 19-3834 Old Volcano Rd., www.volcanogardenarts.com, www.cafeono.net, 967-7261. For more information go to ehcc.org.
Take Free Courses and Certifications for Hawaiʻi Residents through Coursera are offered by state Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. More than 3,000 options. Registration open until Oct. 31. Recommended courses for picking up technology skills, see https://www.htdc.org/covid-19/learning-tech/. To view more: https://dbedt.hawaii.gov/blog/20-25/.
Give Input of Pandemic on Small Businesses to Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center. Partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank system, the 2020 Small Business Credit Survey provides vital information to policymakers and lenders who are weighing decisions that affect small businesses. Ten-minute-long survey open to businesses currently in operation, recently closed, or about to launch. Survey closes Oct. 31. Responses are confidential. Click here to complete the survey. Questions? Contact SFFedSmallBusiness@sf.frb.org.
Artists and Vendors, sign up for the Annual Art & Craft Fair at Ocean View Community Center on Nov. 7. The event, held outside from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., will help raise funds for the Center, as well as benefit local artists and crafters. Booths are $8 for a 10' x 10' space, tents not provided. Face masks required. Free admission for attendees. Contact organizer Helen McCullough at 808-209-9204 or hmccullough.1@gmail.com.
Presidential Debates Schedule: The first Presidential Debate was held Tuesday, Sept. 29 in Cleveland, Ohio. The single Vice Presidential Debate will be held Wednesday, Oct. 7 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The second Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, Oct. 15 in Miami, Florida. The final Presidential Debate will be held Thursday, Oct. 22 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Each debate will air from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on. Each debate will be broadcast live on C-SPAN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, Fox News, Fox Business Network, and MSNBC, among others. All the major news networks will offer a free live stream, as will YouTube and Twitter. Listen to the Hawaiʻi Public Radio broadcast at 89.1, or stream the audio here, on the HPR mobile app, or on a smart speaker.Micronesian-Language COVID-19 Helpline offered by We Are Oceania. Receive answers to questions about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, quarantine, health insurance, housing, unemployment, and other related questions, for those Micronesians who do not speak English. COVID-19 questions can be asked 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily. Other questions about health insurance, housing, or unemployment, helpline available weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. WAO helpline: (808) 913-1364. Watch the video here.
Anyone Feeling Depressed or Anxious, or who needs someone to talk to, can call Department of Health's expanded Hawai‘i C.A.R.E.S. program at 1-800-753-6879 – the same number previously used by Crisis Line of Hawai‘i. Individuals in crisis can also text ALOHA to 741741, available 24/7.
Learn How to Practice Self-Care through Big Island Substance Abuse Council's Practice Self-Care Series. In partnership with Hawai‘i Department of Health, the program seeks to "remind the community that now more than ever, it's important to be gentle with yourself. Be present, limit the amount of news and media, listen to your body, and most importantly, ask for help if you need it. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health challenges, please reach out to friends and family for support, and seek professional help for serious or persistent symptoms."
For additional series that feature refreshing wellness tips, follow the Behavioral Health & Homelessness Statewide Unified Response Group on Facebook.
For additional series that feature refreshing wellness tips, follow the Behavioral Health & Homelessness Statewide Unified Response Group on Facebook.
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The State of covidexemption@hawaii.gov 5 days prior to arrival. For a sample request letter visit: https://www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov |
Student Athletes of Kaʻū High interested in participating in athletics during the 2020-2021 school year are encouraged to call Athletic Director Kalei Namohala at 313-4161 to sign up for the Student Athlete Google Classroom.
COVID-19 Talk Story on Nā Leo TV series aims to help deliver accurate and current information to Hawaiʻi Island residents. Airs live Thursdays at 10 a.m. at 10 a.m. on Spectrun Channel 53, online at naleo.tv/channel-53/, and streaming via the Nā Leo's free mobile app. Watch all episodes on-demand at naleo.tv/covid19.
Sign Up for ‘Imiloa's Hālau Lamakū Place- and Culture-based Fall Enrichment Program at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. Held for seven weeks, Oct. 19 through Dec.4, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., except holidays.
The program offers "fun, engaging and educational activities, crafts, games, outdoor exploration, and observations grounded in Hawaiian culture, science, math, and art. Explorations from deep ocean to deep space, and everything in between – all from ‘Imiloa's facilities and outdoor gardens. Enrollment limited to seven pods for K-5th grade students with one instructor, one assistant, and up to eight participants, who will remain together for all seven weeks. Participant's required synchronous and asynchronous school distance learning needs will be addressed. Students will bring their own lunch, two snacks, and two bottled water each day.
Cost per member child is $695; registration starts Friday, Sept. 25 at 8 a.m. Non-member cost per child is $995; registration starts Friday, Oct. 2 at 8 a.m. Enrollment open through Oct. 7, first-come, first-served. Scholarship applications are open; proof of financial need required. See imiloahawaii.org/halau-lamaku to register, apply for a scholarship, become a member, and find out more.
Resilience Hub at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji, Monday-Wednesday-Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Drop-in wifi and laptop access, free meals for participating keiki. Follows all county, state, and federal COVID-19 guidelines. For more info, contact Michelle Galimba, 808-430-4927.
Nominate Businesses that Provide Excellent COVID-19 Safety Precautions for a Gold Star. Submit nominations to County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development here. Find help for small businesses here.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, available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Reading , Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.
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 here. 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 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 Volcano Village's Cooper Center, from 10 a.m. until pau. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.
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
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.
Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays, ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon . Limit of 50 customers, 25 vendor booths, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required, social distancing 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. facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket
ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides fo
Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at St. Jude's lower parking lot. O
Apply for Holomua Hawaiʻi Relief Grants for small businesses and nonprofits of up to $10,000 to support core operations, safe on-going and reopening costs, personal protective equipment, and training and technical assistance. The business or nonprofit must employ 50 people or fewer. See the program website.
Free Book Exchanges, at laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Open to all. Keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them. Selection of books replenished weekly at both sites.
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 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, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Complete webform here or call 808-933-6600. Contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019 with questions.
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.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.
Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.Coffee Farmers and Producers of Other Agricultural Products encouraged to apply to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program through Dec. 11. Coffee included; see funding updates and resources hawaiicoffeeassoc.org. See complete list of eligible commodities, payment rates, and calculations at farmers.gov/cfap.
Local Ag Producers can Sign Up for a Program to Sell Produce and Meats on Hawaiʻi Island. Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, in partnership with County of Hawai‘i and non-profit entities, has developed a program to purchase product from commercial farmers and livestock producers on Hawai‘i Island for distribution to families in need. The Food Basket and other channels will distribute the products. Learn more.
Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. Visit the program website for more information and to register.
Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19 from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. 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.
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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