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| Department of Hawaiian Homes is offering vacant lots to lease to Native Hawaiians to build homes in Discovery Harbour. Photo from DHHL |
THIRTY-SEVEN LOTS IN DISCOVERY HARBOUR ARE AVAILABLE to lease to Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries. Department of Hawaiian Home Lands bought the properties when they were selling for around $40,000 each. DHHL determined that it was less costly and quicker to lease them to Hawaiians to build houses than for Hawaiian Homes to build a new subdivision with roads and utilities, even on its own land. At the time there were few takers for the DHHL houselots in Discovery Harbour, and a new round of offerings has begun, with interested persons pre-selecting lots last Saturday at Na`alehu Community Center.
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Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries attended online and live sessions to become oriented to leasing land and building homes. Photo from DHHL |
DHHL leases out vacant land for ranching and farming and, in this case for homebuilding. It has also built subdivisions and homes to lease to beneficiaries. The DHHL statement says the Discovery Harbour opportunity is "unique in that it allows a family to select and construct a home that best fits its needs."
Hawaiian Homes Commission Chair William Aila, Jr said, “This is our second lot selection on Hawai‘i Island in the last two months and it is always wonderful to be in-person with our beneficiaries as they select their homestead lot. DHHL has received a record amount of Capital Improvement funding from the state in this recent legislative session and we look forward to continuing to build the infrastructure needed to develop the Department’s landholdings here on Hawai‘i Island and throughout the state.”
According to the DHHL statement, In addition to the vacant lot offer in Discovery Harbour, DHHL recently offered a Rent-With-Option-To-Purchase product within Laʻi ʻŌpua Village 4 – Akau in Kealakehe to beneficiaries who met area median income criteria. "Further Hawaiʻi Island development will continue with the groundbreaking of Subsistence Agricultural pilot projects in Honomū and Panaewa in the coming months.”
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| Prince Kuhio was called the Citizen Prince. Image from DHHL |
The statement also reviews the mission of DHHL: "The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands carries out Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole’s vision of rehabilitating native Hawaiians by returning them to the land. Established by U.S. Congress in 1921, with the passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, the Hawaiian homesteading program run by DHHL includes management of over 200,000 acres of land statewide with the specific purpose of developing and delivering homesteading." Prince Kuhio is known as "The Citizen Prince."
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| St. Jude's Episcopal Mission in Ocean View is open for food, showers, education, church services. Photo from St. Jude's |
ST. JUDE'S IS BACK IN FULL SERVICE with its free food and showers, live church services and community outreach in Ocean View. St. Jude's Episcopal Mission is at Paradise Circle - mauka at Keaka and offers in- person worship at 9:30 a.m. Sundays. Service is available on Zoom at rb.gy/3jfbzd, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. The service is also broadcast on Facebook through the St. Jude's web page at http://www.stjudeshawaii.org.
Free hot showers are open to anyone on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 pm There are two private stalls. The church provides body wash, shampoo and a clean towel. Shower participants must be signed up by 12:30 p.m.
Attendants take the temperatures of the shower users and ask that all wear masks, regardless of vaccination status. The monitors sanitize the shower stalls after each use. However, St. Jude's assumes no liability in the transmission of any illness and posts the cautionary, "Use at Your Own Risk."
On Saturdays, free lunches (take out only) are available between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
St. Jude's is also working with Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary for educational outreach and better internet for the entire Ocean View Commiunity.
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| Free showers and lunches are available for anyone at St. Judes on Saturdays. Photo from St. Jude's |
On Saturdays, free lunches (take out only) are available between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
St. Jude's is also working with Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary for educational outreach and better internet for the entire Ocean View Commiunity.
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Aloha HCA Friends and Supporters.
A two-day webinar features some of the industry's most prominent leaders, researchers and educators. In conjunction with the webinar, HCAA will host Board Elections and its12th Annual Statewide Cupping Competition and a Virtual Awards Ceremony.
Manfredi said that during informative sessions, "we will share the most current information on each featured topic. The industry and the conditions in which we operate are changing rapidly. 2020 was the
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| During the last in-person Hawai`i Coffee Association annual meeting in 2019, Berta and Jose Miranda, at left, took top Ka`u Coffee, while Gloria Camba took second in the cupping competition, which is on again his year. Photo by Maria Miranda |
year of COVID and CLR.." He said that 2021 "represents the year in which we have an opportunity to successfully emerge from these multilayered crises."
The opening day schedule on Thursday, June 24 is as follows: 8-8:30 a.m., a Message from HCA President Chris Manfredi; 8:45-10:15 a.m., Keynote: Living with Coffee Leaf Rust — Emilio Lopez, Topeca Coffee Roasters; 10:45-11:30 a.m.; Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture Update; 11:45-12:30 a.m. - University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources Update on Supporting Hawaiian Agriculture: The IR-4 Project's Impact.
The second day schedule on Friday, June 25: 9-10 a.m., US Department of Agriculture/Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center Panel Update: CLR on Hawaiʻi Island: Initial Insights from Six Months of Field Monitoring by Melissa Johnson; Coffee Leaf Rust in Hawaiʻi: Fungal Attacker Revealed by Lisa Keith; and Coffee Leaf Rust Resistant Variety Trials in Hawaiʻi by Tracie Matsumoto.
From 10:15-11:15 a.m. will be Hawaiʻi Agriculture Research Center and Hawaiʻi Coffee Growers ![]()
Association Panel Update: Regional Rust Report, and Coffee Leaf Rust Resistant Varietals by Kimo Falconer; Field Grafting to Control Coffee Leaf Rust by Tyler Jones.
From 11:30-12:15 p.m., learn about Social Media Marketing Tips— Anthology Marketing Group.
From 12:45-1:30 p.m., listen to Get To Know Us: The Hawaiʻi Coffee Association Cafe Collective by Madeleine Longoria-Garcia and David Hall
From 12:45-1:30 p.m., listen to Get To Know Us: The Hawaiʻi Coffee Association Cafe Collective by Madeleine Longoria-Garcia and David Hall
At 1:45 p.m., learn the HCA Board of Directors Election Results
At 5 p.m., witness the Hawaii Coffee Association Cupping Competition Award Ceremony
Sponsorships are still available.
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SIXTEEN MOTORISTS WERE ARRESTED during the week of May 31, 2021, through June 6. Hawaiʻi Island police arrested the 16 for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Four were involved in a![]()
traffic accident. Three were under the age of 21. So far this year, there have been 529 DUI arrests compared with 365 during the same period last year. This is an increase of 44.9 percent.
There have been 343 major accidents so far this year compared with 349 during the same period last year, a decrease of 1.7 percent.
To date, there were 11 fatal crashes, resulting in 11 fatalities, compared with 9 fatal crashes, resulting in 9 fatalities for the same time last year. This represents an increase of 22.2 percent for fatal crashes, and 22.2 percent for fatalities. DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.
At 5 p.m., witness the Hawaii Coffee Association Cupping Competition Award Ceremony
Sponsorships are still available.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
SIXTEEN MOTORISTS WERE ARRESTED during the week of May 31, 2021, through June 6. Hawaiʻi Island police arrested the 16 for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Four were involved in a
There have been 343 major accidents so far this year compared with 349 during the same period last year, a decrease of 1.7 percent.
To date, there were 11 fatal crashes, resulting in 11 fatalities, compared with 9 fatal crashes, resulting in 9 fatalities for the same time last year. This represents an increase of 22.2 percent for fatal crashes, and 22.2 percent for fatalities. DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.
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WHILE THE JULY 4 PARADES IN VOLCANO AND NAʻALEHU ARE STILL PAUSED, for the second year, due to the pandemic, the county will allow Independence Day fireworks in Hilo and Kona. The mayor's office gave the announcement today. There will be no July 4 parade - a tradition in Kona.
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EXPERIENCE VOLCANO COMES BACK THIS SUMMER. A statement from organizers says, "This unique festival was well received in 2019 by locals and visitors as it offered a wide array of art, food, music, Hawaiian cultural performances and more!" The Experience Volcano Festival will be on August 14th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.and is free to the public.
Experience Volcano Hawai`i "is proud to continue our partnership with the Ohia Lehua Runs," which will begin in the morning hours of Aug. 14 and will offer a 5K and half-marathon option. The race will![]()
benefit efforts to prevent Rapid Ohia Death (ROD) and the Volcano Community. For runner safety partial road closures will be in effect in the Volcano Village area prior to festival hours.
Festivities will span from the Volcano Area with a concentration of activities in the heart of historic Volcano Village. Restaurants will be featuring special menus and drink options alongside their everyday menus.
Experience Volcano Hawai`i "is proud to continue our partnership with the Ohia Lehua Runs," which will begin in the morning hours of Aug. 14 and will offer a 5K and half-marathon option. The race will
Festivities will span from the Volcano Area with a concentration of activities in the heart of historic Volcano Village. Restaurants will be featuring special menus and drink options alongside their everyday menus.
Everyone is encouraged to swing by Volcano Garden Arts and participate in art driven "make and take projects." Blown glass demonstrations will be on display once more at 2400 Fahrenheit, live and local music will be on the menu at Lava Rock Cafe, Kilauea Lodge and Volcano Winery.
In 2019 nearly 40 local vendors and booths were featured and highlighted local businesses, locally made products, activities and other offerings.
Experience Volcano invites people to stay in the area at one of the many accommodations in the rainforest. The organization also issued a statement about festival safety: "As the world and the State of Hawai’i strives to move forward from the challenges that COVID-19 has presented to all of us, EVH wants you to know that we will be taking all reasonable precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and that all vendors, participants and locations will be fully compliant with local regulations while offering sanitization options to festival attendees. Masks will be required at all times unless otherwise stated. If we feel that this festival will be postponed due to local regulations or unforeseen circumstances we will let you know as soon as we are able!"
To find out more and to get up to date information and updates, visit www.experiencevolcano.com.
Experience Volcano invites people to stay in the area at one of the many accommodations in the rainforest. The organization also issued a statement about festival safety: "As the world and the State of Hawai’i strives to move forward from the challenges that COVID-19 has presented to all of us, EVH wants you to know that we will be taking all reasonable precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and that all vendors, participants and locations will be fully compliant with local regulations while offering sanitization options to festival attendees. Masks will be required at all times unless otherwise stated. If we feel that this festival will be postponed due to local regulations or unforeseen circumstances we will let you know as soon as we are able!"
To find out more and to get up to date information and updates, visit www.experiencevolcano.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
To To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
WALK THROUGH A GUIDED 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. www.volcanoartcenter.org. Call 967-8222.
KAʻŪ ART GALLERY is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in Nāʻālehu. It features and sells works by local artists and offers other gift items. Kaʻū Art Gallery's website has 24/7 access online and is frequently updated to show current inventory items. "We are always looking to collaborate with local artists in our community," said assistant Alexandra Kaupu. Artists with an interest in being featured at Kaʻū Art Gallery and Gift Shop, contact gallery owner and director Corrine Kaupu at kauartgallery@hawaiiantel.bi
GOLF & MEMBERSHIPS for Discovery Harbour Golf Course and its Clubhouse: The Club offers Social Memberships, with future use of the clubhouse and current use of the pickleball courts as well as walking and running on specified areas of the golf course before 8 a.m. and after 3 p.m. to enjoy the panoramic ocean views. Golf memberships range from unlimited play for the avid golfer to casual play options. Membership is required to play and practice golf on the course. All golf memberships include Social Membership amenities. Membership fees are designed to help underwrite programs and improvements to the facilities.
Call 808-731-5122 or stop by the Clubhouse during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at 94-1581 Kaulua Circle. Email clubatdiscoveryharbour@gmail.com.
See The Club at Discovery Harbour Facebook page.
Call 808-731-5122 or stop by the Clubhouse during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at 94-1581 Kaulua Circle. Email clubatdiscoveryharbour@gmail.com.
See The Club at Discovery Harbour Facebook page.
FREE LIFETIME ENTRY for Veterans and Gold Star Families to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes and other national parks available at the entry gate.
OUTDOOR MARKETS
ALOHA FRIDAY MARKETPLACE, hosted by Nāʻālehu Main Street, is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., grounds of Kauahaʻao Congregational Church in Waiʻohinu. "It's a Farmer's Market, Swap Meet, Food Court, Arts & Crafts, Health Practitioners, Entertainment and more sharing our Manao and Aloha," says a statement from Nāʻālehu Main Street. "Our intention and mission is to increase economic viability in Kaʻū by providing additional opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses to share their products and services with the community. We welcome you to participate and help create a vibrant community!" Email AlohaFridayMarket@gmail.com for vendor inquiries, availability and application.
VOLCANO FARMERS MARKET, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays. 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Hawai‘i Coffee. Cooper Center's EBT Machine, used at the Farmer's Market, is out of service until further notice. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY MARKET, open Saturdays and Thursdays, 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 Council. 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.
OCEAN VIEW SWAP MEET is open 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 required.
BUY LOCAL GIFTS ONLINE, IN-PERSON
VOLCANO ART CENTER ONLINE, in person. Shop at Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Virtual Shopping Appointments offered via Skype or FaceTime. Book at volcanoartcenter.org/shop for $5. Shop online gallery 24/7. Orders shipped or free local pickup available. See the VAC Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. See volcanoartcenter.org/events, call 967-8222.
KAʻŪ COFFEE MILL & VISITOR CENTER. Buy online at kaucoffeemill.com and in person at 96-2694 Wood Valley Road, daily, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
PUNALUʻU BAKESHOP online at bakeshophawaii.com and in-person 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week in Nāʻālehu.
MIRANDA'S FARMS KAʻŪ COFFEE. Order online at mirandafarms.com or, in person at 73-7136 Mamalahoa Hwy, Nāʻālehu.
KUAHIWI RANCH STORE, in person. Shop weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 11 am to 3 p.m. at 95-5520 Hwy 11. Locally processed grass-fed beef, live meat chickens, and feed for cattle, goats, sheep, chickens, horses, dogs, and pigs. Call 929-7333 of 938-1625, email kaohi@kuahiwiranch.com.
CHURCH SERVICES
OCEAN VIEW EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY CHURCH holds services on Sundays beginning with Sing-Along on the Square at 10:15 a.m., followed by Sunday Morning Service at 11 a.m. In-person services following CDC Guidelines and Hawaii mandates by using hand sanitizer, wearing face masks and practicing social distancing.
Music and Sermons are posted to FaceBook.com/OVECC. Also see FaceBook.com/OVECC for more. The church campus for Ocean View Evangelical Community Church is 92-8977 Leilani Circle. ovecchurch@gmail.com
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, at rb.gy/3jfbzd, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended. Check the webpage for Christmas services.
HOPE DIA-MEND MINISTRIES holds outdoor services Sundays at 9:45 a.m. at 92-898 Ginger Blossom Lane in Ocean View. Masks and distancing required. For help and/or to donate, call or text 808-937-6355, or call the Ministry at 808-920-8137. See Facebook and at hopedia-mendministries.com.
DEPRESSED, ANXIOUS, NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO? 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 SELF-CARE THROUGH Big Island Substance Abuse Council's Practice Self-Care Series. For additional series that feature refreshing wellness tips, follow the Behavioral Health & Homelessness Statewide Unified Response Group at facebook.com/bhhsurg
KAʻŪ WOMEN'S COLLECTIVE OFFERS HEALTH PROGRAMS. 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. Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.
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.
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 at chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home.
Free WiFi Access for Students is available in Kaʻū, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.
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. Contact Michelle Galimba, 808-430-4927.
Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach and Tutoring Programs at rb.gy/o1o2hy. For keiki grades 1-6. 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 or info@bgcbi.org.
Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Ka'ū Elementary, 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.org for Live WebEx link.
Public Libraries are 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. Pahala open Tuesday, noon to 7 p.m., Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., limited entry into library with Wiki Visits. 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. See librarieshawaii.org.
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.
Read Report on Public Input about Disaster Recovery from damage during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.
View the Civic Engagement and Comment Analysis Report at rb.gy/awu65k.
Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through Papakilo Database, papakilodatabase.com.
Virtual Workshops on Hawaiʻi's Legislative Processes through Public Access Room. Sign up by contacting (808) 587-0478 or par@capitol.hawaii.gov. Ask questions and discuss all things legislative in a non-partisan environment. Attend Coffee Hour with PAR: Fridays at 3 p.m. on Zoom, meeting ID 990 4865 9652 or click zoom.us/j/99048659652. PAR staff will be available to answer questions and to discuss the legislative process. Anyone wanting to listen in without taking part in discussions is welcome. Learn more at lrb.hawaii.gov/public-access-room.
ECONOMIC RELIEF
Online Directory at shopbigisland.com, co-sponsored by County of Hawai‘i, has a signup sheet for local businesses to fill in the blanks. The only requirement is a physical address on this island.
COMMUNITY
Food Assistance: Apply for The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences COVID-19 Family Relief Funds. Funded by Volcano Community Association, and members of the VSAS Friends and Governing Boards, who have donated, the fund supplies KTA or Dimple Cheek Gift Cards, or gift cards to other locally owned business, to VSAS families in need. Contact Kim Miller at 985-8537, kmiller@volcanoschool.net. Contributions to the fund can be sent in by check to: VSAS, PO Box 845, Volcano, HI 96785 – write Relief Fund in the memo. See volcanoschool.net.
Food Assistance: Apply for The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences COVID-19 Family Relief Funds. Funded by Volcano Community Association, and members of the VSAS Friends and Governing Boards, who have donated, the fund supplies KTA or Dimple Cheek Gift Cards, or gift cards to other locally owned business, to VSAS families in need. Contact Kim Miller at 985-8537, kmiller@volcanoschool.net. Contributions to the fund can be sent in by check to: VSAS, PO Box 845, Volcano, HI 96785 – write Relief Fund in the memo. See volcanoschool.net.
Apply for Utility Assistance to pay for electricity, non-government water, or gas. Applicants must be a Hawaiʻi Island resident, at least 18 years old, lost income or work hours due to COVID-19, and not previously received assistance from other COVID-19 federal or state-funded programs. Funded by CARES Act and distributed by Hawaiʻi County Economic Opportunity Council, required documents for application are government-issued identification, income verification documents for all household members, utility statement with address of services, lease/rental agreement or mortgage document, and proof of hardship. Hardship may include, but not limited to, pay stubs documenting pre-COVID-19 income, unemployment approval letter, or layoff letter. Apply at HCEOC.net or call 808-961-2681.
Apply for Expanded Hawaiʻi County Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program. Contact RMAP partners: Hawaiian Community Assets/Hawaiʻi Community Lending, HawaiianCommunity.net, 808-934-0801; HOPE Services Hawaiʻi, hopeserviceshawaii.org/rmap, 808-935- 3050; Hawai‘i First Federal Credit Union, hawaiifirstfcu.com/pathways, 808-933- 6600; Neighborhood Place of Puna, neighborhoodplaceofpuna.org/coronavirus-rent-mortgage-relief, 808-965-5550; Hawai‘i Island Home for Recovery, hihrecovery.org/RMAP, 808-640-4443 or 808- 934-7852; Habitat for Humanity Hawai‘i Island, habitathawaiiisland.org/rmap.html, 808-450-2118.
Apply for Holomua Hawaiʻi Relief Grants for small businesses and nonprofits, up to $10,000, 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 rb.gy/v2x2vy.
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 at hawaiifirstfcu.com/community-resource-center or call 808-933-6600. Contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019 with questions.
AGRICULTURE
QUALIFY TO BECOME A BEGINNING FARMER OR RANCHER and receive benefits from the U.S. Department of Agriculture To qualify for status as a beginning farmer or rancher: Applicants must be an individual. Business entities may receive benefits only if all of the substantial beneficial interest holders (ten percent or more) of the business entity qualify as beginning farmers or ranchers. For example, a son moves home to take over the family farm and incorporates with his spouse and neither have previous farming experience. Their corporation would qualify as a beginning farmer/rancher. However, if a son moves home and forms a corporation with his father, who has had an insurable interest in crops or livestock for more than five crop years, the corporation cannot receive beginning farmer and rancher benefits. Although the son qualifies as a beginning farmer or rancher, the father does not so the corporation cannot receive benefits.
Applicants must not have actively operated and managed a farm or ranch anywhere, with an insurable interest in any crop or livestock for more than five crop years (ten years for Whole-Farm Revenue Protection). This includes an insurable interest as an individual or as a substantial beneficial interest holder (ten percent or more) in another person who has an insurable interest in any crop or livestock. Applicants may exclude a crop year's insurable interest if they were under the age of 18, enrolled in post-secondary studies (not to exceed five crop years) or on active duty in the U.S. military.
Coffee Growers are urged to take a survey on how the pandemic is affecting them by Hawaiʻi Coffee Association. Take the survey here: surveymonkey.com/r/638VWS6.
Program to Sell Produce and Meats on Hawaiʻi Island from commercial farmers and livestock producers on Hawai‘i Island for distribution to families in need. Learn more at rb.gy/exzuk1.
Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. Visit the program website, ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/onfarm.
Read About Seed Biodiversity for Hawaiʻi's Local Food System in It all Begin and Ends with Seed, where Education by Outreach Coordinator Nancy Redfeather shares her insights. Read the blog at rb.gy/ijai3y.
Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature. Find Rangeland Management Resources at globalrangelands.org/state/hawaii.
Learn Basics of Organic Farming, via free modules at rb.gy/4wio2y.
PETS & WILDLIFE
One-Time Emergency Food For Pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.
Report Humpback Whales in Trouble at NOAA Fisheries 24 hour hotline, 1-888- 256-984. Also report distressed sea turtles, monk seals and dolphins.
For free Veterinary Care, Spay & Neuter, visit hihs.org, Services Tab, Spay and Neuter or Community Vet Care, or email petsupport@hihs.org. Call 808-217- 0154. All appointments must be scheduled in advance and are open to healthy dogs and cats. Two pets per family will be accommodated, each pet with own appointment. Unavailable to animals other than dogs and cats. Unavailable to strays and those with contagious illnesses.
Ocean View Transfer Station is open Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. HI-5 deposit beverage container collection will continue as usual on Saturdays only, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit hawaiizerowaste.org or call 961-8270.