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| GEER funding through Gov. David Ige goes to Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, as well as Volcano School of Arts & Sciences. Photo from Office of Gov. Ige |
KAʻŪ HIGH SCHOOL & PAHALA ELEMENTARY, AND VOLCANO SCHOOL of Arts & Sciences have received two of Gov. David Ige's innovation grants totaling $8.1 million to schools, colleges and other educational entities across the state. The Kaʻū High grant for $449,775 comes from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) fund. Awards across the state, including one to Volcano School of Arts & Sciences (see below) range from $100,000 to $450,000. Projects are scheduled to run through June 30, 2022 and encompass STEM education, project-based learning opportunities, and leadership development programs.![]()
Partners are listed as: Hawaiʻi Community College, Joni Onishi, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Hawaiʻi CC Agriculture Department, Lew Nakamura, Professor; Hawaiʻi Executive Collaboration, Duane Kurisu, Chairperson; Strada Impact (Strada Education Network), Dr. Ruth Watkins, President; Freeman Foundation, Alec Freeman, Senior Program Officer; Harold Castle Foundation, Terry George, President & CEO; Claremont McKenna College, Dr. Hiram Chodosh, President; lnterGlobe Enterprises, Dr. Roland Smith, Leadership, Strategy, Development Group; Head KTA Superstores, Derek Kurisu; Executive Vice-President; Kaʻū -Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area Superintendent, Chad Keone Farias; Hawaiʻi DOE Deputy Superintendent, Phyllis Unebasami; and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary Agri-preneurship Academy Community Advisory Board.
The Governor said, “The COVID-19 pandemic is changing Hawai‘i, and every sector must reinvent itself for the post-COVID environment, including education. The GEER awardees represent a diverse array of programs that address unprecedented pandemic needs and support the dreams and aspirations of each student.”
Kaʻū is also one of the schools that will work with Edison Chong and the Hawai'i Academies
Consortium of Schools. Chong said, “GEER funds will allow students at 25 public high schools to utilize design thinking to work with vulnerable small businesses and non-profits on developing COVID-19 response strategies. This is an investment in educating students and our future workforce while serving local businesses and community organizations impacted by the pandemic.”![]()
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VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES has received a $292,000 award from Gov. David Ige's GEER program. The project is the operation of a PK-12 research and development Consortium for Hawaiian Culture-Based STEM education. It aims to "Use collaborative and sustainable innovation to improve culturally relevant STEM education and ensure universal access for historically underrepresented populations such as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities.
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The Kaʻū grant is for the school's new Global Learning Lab. The governor's announcement says the project will: "Leverage a community of global and local influencers in the private, civic and educational sector to build workforce development opportunities and reduce educational inequity in Kaʻū."
The Governor said, “The COVID-19 pandemic is changing Hawai‘i, and every sector must reinvent itself for the post-COVID environment, including education. The GEER awardees represent a diverse array of programs that address unprecedented pandemic needs and support the dreams and aspirations of each student.”
Kaʻū is also one of the schools that will work with Edison Chong and the Hawai'i Academies
Consortium of Schools. Chong said, “GEER funds will allow students at 25 public high schools to utilize design thinking to work with vulnerable small businesses and non-profits on developing COVID-19 response strategies. This is an investment in educating students and our future workforce while serving local businesses and community organizations impacted by the pandemic.”
The GEER innovation grant program was developed and implemented in coordination with the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Advisory Group, which is composed of education leaders from Hawaiʻi’s public, private and charter schools.
Applicants were required to submit a proposal addressing the impacts of COVID-19 on school services, including: Measurable goals and indicators; evidence-based practices and/or innovative strategies; enabling actions and estimated timelines; personnel and budget and other resource information.
Criteria for selection included collaboration and problem solving for an innovative mindset and overall impact.
“It is truly inspiring to see Hawaiʻi’s visionary educators and school teams strive to build bridges and help find creative solutions in the midst of unpredictability and uncertainty,” said Darrel Galera of Hawai'i Center for![]()
Instructional Leadership and GEER Advisory Group member. “Their anticipation and visualization of a better future for our students will inspire them and others to make their dreams a reality.”
The state received $4.4 million from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA), in addition to the $9 million received in GEER funds through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), doubling the amount of funding available for the innovation grants program.
Earlier this year, $5 million in GEER funds was awarded to the State of Hawai‘i through the CARES Act, the first was granted to the University of Hawai‘i to create the Distance Learning Teacher Academy (Hawai‘i Online Portal for Education). The UH was awarded an additional $600,000 to develop the Transition to College Program (Next Steps to Your Future) for public high school juniors and seniors whose college career plans were impacted by the pandemic in 2020-21.
Applicants were required to submit a proposal addressing the impacts of COVID-19 on school services, including: Measurable goals and indicators; evidence-based practices and/or innovative strategies; enabling actions and estimated timelines; personnel and budget and other resource information.
Criteria for selection included collaboration and problem solving for an innovative mindset and overall impact.
“It is truly inspiring to see Hawaiʻi’s visionary educators and school teams strive to build bridges and help find creative solutions in the midst of unpredictability and uncertainty,” said Darrel Galera of Hawai'i Center for
The state received $4.4 million from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA), in addition to the $9 million received in GEER funds through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), doubling the amount of funding available for the innovation grants program.
Earlier this year, $5 million in GEER funds was awarded to the State of Hawai‘i through the CARES Act, the first was granted to the University of Hawai‘i to create the Distance Learning Teacher Academy (Hawai‘i Online Portal for Education). The UH was awarded an additional $600,000 to develop the Transition to College Program (Next Steps to Your Future) for public high school juniors and seniors whose college career plans were impacted by the pandemic in 2020-21.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
Partners are: Akaka Foundation for Tropical Forests; U.S. Forestry Service; The Nature Conservancy; NOAA; National Park Service, Hawai'i Academy of Arts & Sciences; Innovations Public Charter School; Konawaena Middle School; Nāʻālehu Elementary, West Hawai'i Explorations Academy; Kapa'a High and Waimea Middle School.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
NO OUTDOOR SOCIAL GATHERINGS WITH MORE THAN 25 PEOPLE, NO INDOOR GATHERINGS WITH MORE THAN TEN are the new rules from Gov. David Ige today. Executive Order 21-05 sets statewide limits for social gatherings, restaurants, bars, and social establishments. The governor said, "The Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has changed the course of the pandemic in Hawaiʻi. We are seeing case numbers in the 600s – the highest numbers we've seen since this pandemic began. This requires immediate and serious attention to avert unmanageable strains on our healthcare system and other catastrophic impacts to the state."
The Executive Order requires patrons at restaurants, bars and social establishments to remain seated with parties maintaining at least 6 ft distancing between groups, with maximum groups size of 10 indoors![]()
and 25 outdoors). "There will be no mingling, and masks must be worn at all times except when actively eating or drinking," says the order.
Larger events of more than 50 people are allowed, if approved by the county in which they are held. "The counties will review proposals for all professionally sponsored events for more than 50 people, to ensure that appropriate safe practices will be implemented." Organizers must notify and consult with the county agency prior to the event. County approval is required for professional events for more than 50 people. The Hawai'i County registration for large event is at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/d5823afc128d4c4baf63565393562794
The Executive Order says: "For all high-risk activities, indoor capacity is set at 50%. This includes bars, restaurants, gyms, and social establishments. These limitations apply statewide and will be implemented as defined by each county and in accordance with definitions specified by each county. Additionally, the counties will enforce these measures pursuant to county orders, rules, and directives that identify penalties for each county. Statewide limitations will not affect the counties' COVID-19 policies regarding weddings, churches or other structured events."
The Executive Order will remain in place until Oct. 18, unless superseded by a subsequent order, says the statement from the governor.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
The Executive Order requires patrons at restaurants, bars and social establishments to remain seated with parties maintaining at least 6 ft distancing between groups, with maximum groups size of 10 indoors
Larger events of more than 50 people are allowed, if approved by the county in which they are held. "The counties will review proposals for all professionally sponsored events for more than 50 people, to ensure that appropriate safe practices will be implemented." Organizers must notify and consult with the county agency prior to the event. County approval is required for professional events for more than 50 people. The Hawai'i County registration for large event is at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/d5823afc128d4c4baf63565393562794
The Executive Order says: "For all high-risk activities, indoor capacity is set at 50%. This includes bars, restaurants, gyms, and social establishments. These limitations apply statewide and will be implemented as defined by each county and in accordance with definitions specified by each county. Additionally, the counties will enforce these measures pursuant to county orders, rules, and directives that identify penalties for each county. Statewide limitations will not affect the counties' COVID-19 policies regarding weddings, churches or other structured events."
The Executive Order will remain in place until Oct. 18, unless superseded by a subsequent order, says the statement from the governor.
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.
ALIʻI HAWAIʻI HULA HANDS COFFEE. Order by calling 928-0608 or emailing alihhhcoffee@yahoo.com.
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. JUDES'S IS HOLDING SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP at 9:30 a.m. in the sanctuary, with COVID protocol in place, including wearing masks. For those unable to attend in person, a Zoom link is offered at
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85798655114?pwd=QW5YSmQwNFAyWVZud3QvSVBiNXJ0Zz09. Meeting ID is 857 9865 5114. Passcode is Aloha.
St. Jude's offers 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. The Sunday 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 12 p.m. Last sign up is at 11:30 a.m. There are two private stalls. The church provides body wash, shampoo and a clean towel.
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 Kaʻū High & Pahala Elementary for educational outreach and better internet for the entire Ocean View Community.
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.
EDUCATION
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.
ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides for Chromebooks and iPads at rb.gy/8er9wm. ʻOhana Help Desk also available by phone, weekdays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Invite Park Rangers to Virtually Visit Classes, through connecting with teachers and home-schoolers with distance learning programs and virtual huakaʻi (field trips). Contact havo_education@nps.gov.
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.
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
ENROLL CHILDREN, from first through eighth grade, in Kula ʻAmakihi, a program from Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences. It started Aug. 3. Call 808-985- 9800 or visit www.volcanoschool.net.
SIGN UP FOR EXPERIENCE VOLCANO FESTIVAL, which happens on Saturday, Aug. 14. See more on Page 14 of The Kaʻū Calendar newspaper's August edition.
REGISTER FOR VOLCANO’S OHIA LEHUA RUNS, which happen on Saturday, Aug. 14. See more on Page 5 of The Kaʻū Calendar newspaper's August edition.
REGISTER FOR THE KA‘Ū COFFEE TRAIL RUN, which returns on Saturday, Sept. 18. See more on the OKK event at https://www.kaucoffeetrailruns.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 panoramiocean 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.
ALOHA FRIDAY MARKETPLACE, hosted by Kaʻū Main Street, is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., grounds of Kauahaʻao Congregational Church 95-1642 Pinao St. in Waiʻohinu, corner of Kamaoa and Hwy 11. Farmers Market, Arts & Crafts, Health Practitioners, Food, Music, Yoga, Keiki Fun & More. Inquiries: AlohaFridayMarket@gmail.com.
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.
O KAʻŪ KĀKOU MARKET, in Nāʻālehu, open Wednesday, and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon. Limit of 50 customers per hour, 20 vendor booths, with 20 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing 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. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.
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.
