EVENTS OF APRIL
LITTLE LEAGUE OPENING CEREMONY will be held on Friday, Apr. 1 at 6 p.m. at Old Kona Airport Park. Little League teams from Kaʻū, Kona, and Kohala will convene for this special event.
A VISIT TO EVA LIU'S FARM IN NĀʻĀLEHU on Saturday, Apr. 2 hosted by the Kaʻū Chapter of Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United. Those interested can meet at Ace Hardware in Nāʻālehu at 11:30 a.m. Potluck lunch will be served. Please email kau@hfuu.org to RSVP or with any questions.
LEMONADE PARTY AND MONTHLY CHURCH YARD CLEANUP at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church, Saturday, Apr. 2. All are welcome. Lemonade and hot dogs will be provided.
SOIL NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT FREE WEBINAR SERIES on Monday, Apr. 4 and 11 from 5 - 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by CTAHR and Hawaiʻi Department of Health. Topics covered include importance of soil testing, fertilizer timing for specific plant growth stages, and the use of Sunn hemp as a cover crop. To register for the Apr. 4 webinar, visit https://go.hawaii.edu/Ukx. For the Apr. 11 webinar, register at https://go.hawaii.edu/xnU.
USDA REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM PARTNERSHIPS (RFSP) WEBINAR on Wednesday, Apr. 6 at 7 a.m. HST. The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service announced the availability of $40 million in competitive grant funding to strengthen the viability and resilience of local or regional food systems by increasing market opportunities for locally and regionally produced agricultural products. To register for the webinar, visit: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_n43uQhdhR2aZw15YeZY7iw.
KUHIKUHI MENTORSHIP PROGRAM: ACING THE PROBATION PERIOD WORKSHOP on Friday, Apr. 8 from 10 - 11:30 a.m. Sponsored by Vibrant Hawaiʻi, the Kuhikuhi Project connects participants with working professionals in the community who provide individualized feedback and coaching. This workshop will give participants insight into what it means to “perform well” in the first 90 days of a new job. To learn more and register, visit vibranthawaii.org/get-involved.
KAʻŪ LITTLE LEAGUE GAMES on Saturday, Apr. 9 at Nāʻālehu Park. Coach Pitch (7 & 8 year old team) will play at 9 a.m. T-Ball (5 & 6 year old team) will play at 11 a.m.
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| Coach Pitch game in action during Ka'u Little League Tournament, sponsored by Hawai'i Police Activities League last Saturday. Photo by Katie Graham |
FREE CLEAN WATER CLASS will be taught by Todd Lolla of Uncle Tilo’s Clean Water, LLC. on Saturday, Apr. 9 from 1 - 3 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Lolla will focus on safe rainwater harvesting, “a technology that communities across the globe will increasingly rely upon to adapt to climate change and environmental pollution issues.” Learn more at TilosCleanWater.com.
LOVE THE ARTS FUNDRAISER GALA: 2022 PAʻINA PANIOLO at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus on Saturday, Apr. 9 from 2 - 6 p.m. This gala is the main event to raise funds for Volcano Art Center which allows them to fund classes, exhibits, workshops, and more. Will include food, drinks, live entertainment, and a silent auction with unique offerings. Tickets are on sale. $70/$65 VAC members.
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EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA at Ocean View Community Market on Sunday, Apr. 17 from 12 - 4 p.m. The event will be free to all and will feature games, prizes, raffle, treats, live music, and food trucks. The Easter Bunny will also be present, handing out candy-filled eggs and available for photo shoots. Sponsors are needed and welcome. Vendor booths will also be available. To participate as a vendor, contact Helen McCullough at 209-9204. The event is located on Kona Drive at the corner of Hwy 11.
LOVE THE ARTS FUNDRAISER GALA: 2022 PAʻINA PANIOLO at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus on Saturday, Apr. 9 from 2 - 6 p.m. This gala is the main event to raise funds for Volcano Art Center which allows them to fund classes, exhibits, workshops, and more. Will include food, drinks, live entertainment, and a silent auction with unique offerings. Tickets are on sale. $70/$65 VAC members.
HOKU NIGHTS AT HIPUʻU, Sunday, Apr. 17, 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Ohana Miloliʻi and Hipuʻu o Miloliʻi Kumu every full moon. Topic is Youth Alaka’i. Zoom ID: 227 574 9157.
USDA RURAL INNOVATION STRONGER ECONOMY (RISE) GRANT deadline to apply is April 19 at 11:59 p.m. EST. The USDA encourages applications that serve the smallest communities with the lowest incomes. RISE offers federal funding assistance for (1) building or supporting a business incubator facility, (2) providing worker training to assist in the creation of new jobs, (3) training the existing workforce with skills for higher-paying jobs, and (4) developing a base of skilled workers and improving their opportunities to obtain high-wage jobs in new or existing local industries. Grant amounts are awarded competitively with a minimum of $500,000 and a maximum of $2,000,000. Learn more and apply by visiting https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/rural-innovation-stronger-economy-rise-grants.
MILOLIʻI-KAʻŪ SOUTHSIDE ADULT VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT at Kaʻū District Gym on Saturday, Apr. 30 and Jun. 4 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Men’s 5-on-5 and womens 8-on-8. Entry fee is $50. All proceeds will fund Miloliʻi Southside 18U travel expenses to Oahu and Las Vegas. For more information, contact Yolanda Kuahuia at kuahuia@aol.com or (808) 443-7133.
NET RECOVERY PATROL on Mondays with Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund. The team and core volunteers conduct marine debris recovery efforts targeting large debris items, including derelict fishing net and line bundles, that are especially hazardous to marine wildlife. Due to Covid 19 restrictions, these events are limited to current HWF volunteers. Please contact kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com for more info. Check https://www.wildhawaii.org/ with its HWF calendar for more opportunities to get involved with its bi-weekly net recovery patrols.
ST. JUDE'S SHOWER MINISTRY has reopened to the public on Saturdays from 9 a.m. noon, with hot water, soap, shampoo, conditioner, and clean towels. Masks and social distancing are required before and after showering. The long standing public shower service, put on pause by Covid, is supported by the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi's Commission on Mission Beyond Church and St. Jude's own outreach fund. Location is 8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View. Members of the congregation built the facility.
FREE HELP WITH FAMILY HISTORY in Kaʻū is available 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Tuesday. All are welcome to the Family History Center. The aim is to "Come Discover Your Past," says the statement from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which hosts the weekly sessions at 95-5682 Hawaiʻi Belt Road in Nāʻālehu. The drop-in assistance includes free Ancestry.com, Familysearch.org, and other online resources.
KAHUKU ORIENTATION TALK on Thursdays and Fridays every week from Apr. 1 to Apr. 29 from 10 - 10:30 a.m. at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Kahuku Unit. The talks will include a general overview of the park and volcanic activity update. Topics will vary and will highlight the natural, cultural, and historic attributes of Kahuku.
STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT at Kīlauea Visitor Center on Apr. 2, Apr. 16, and Apr. 30 from 8:45 a.m. - 12 p.m. Volunteer to help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, raingear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools are provided. Under 18? Parental or guardian accompaniment or written consent is required.
KAHUKU RANGER GUIDED HIKES, Saturdays and Sundays, 9:30 a.m. Join a Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park ranger to learn about the history, geology, and ecology of Kahuku while hiking through varied landscapes. Meet at the Visitor Contact Station. See www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku.htm.
KEIKI UKULELE WITH DINA KAGELER at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus on Thursdays from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. from Apr. 28 - May 26. This 5-week series will be available for children grades 2-4. Students should bring a ukulele to play during class and be willing to practice at home. Cost is $55/$50 VAC members.
ZENTANGLE FOR KEIKI’S WITH DINA KAGELER at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus on Fridays from 2:30 - 4 p.m. from Apr. 29 - May 27. This 5-week series will be available for children ages 7 - 13 years old and will begin with Zentangle Basics and go on to explore Stacks and inspirations from Dr. Seuss. Instructor will provide tiles, pens, and other supplies. Cost is $90 for VAC and non-VAC members.
USDA RURAL INNOVATION STRONGER ECONOMY (RISE) GRANT deadline to apply is April 19 at 11:59 p.m. EST. The USDA encourages applications that serve the smallest communities with the lowest incomes. RISE offers federal funding assistance for (1) building or supporting a business incubator facility, (2) providing worker training to assist in the creation of new jobs, (3) training the existing workforce with skills for higher-paying jobs, and (4) developing a base of skilled workers and improving their opportunities to obtain high-wage jobs in new or existing local industries. Grant amounts are awarded competitively with a minimum of $500,000 and a maximum of $2,000,000. Learn more and apply by visiting https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/rural-innovation-stronger-economy-rise-grants.
MILOLIʻI-KAʻŪ SOUTHSIDE ADULT VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT at Kaʻū District Gym on Saturday, Apr. 30 and Jun. 4 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Men’s 5-on-5 and womens 8-on-8. Entry fee is $50. All proceeds will fund Miloliʻi Southside 18U travel expenses to Oahu and Las Vegas. For more information, contact Yolanda Kuahuia at kuahuia@aol.com or (808) 443-7133.
LAU MAIʻA SCHOLARSHIPS FOR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS are being offered by the Purple Maiʻa Foundation for those pursuing a Computer Science, Engineering, Business or Entrepreneurship degree at a 4-year university in the U.S. The Purple Maiʻa Foundation is a Hawaiian non-profit organization whose mission is "to inspire and educate the next generation of culturally grounded, community serving technology makers." The goal of the $2,500 Lau Maiʻa Scholarship Program is to "help ease the burden of tuition and empower students to stand tall in their growth." The application states that "recipients must have a demonstrated commitment to ʻāina, kaiāulu, lāhui and be willing to volunteer for a Hawaiian organization in the future. To learn more and apply, visit purplemaia.org/education/scholarship/. Deadline to apply is April 30, 2022.
ST JUDE'S HOT MEALS are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until they run out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View.
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KAʻŪ FOOD PANTRY FOOD DISTRIBUTION, Tuesday, Apr. 26, 9:30 a.m. - Pau. Located at St. Judeʻs Episcopalian Church above Kahuku Park in Ocean View. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket.
ʻO KAʻŪ KĀKOU PANTRY FOOD DISTRIBUTION, Tuesday, Apr. 26, 10 a.m. - Pau. Located at Kaʻū District Gym in Pāhala. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket.
COOPER CENTER COMMUNITY PANTRY FOOD DISTRIBUTION, Wednesday, Apr. 27, 9:30 - 11 a.m. Located at 19- 4030 Wright Road in Volcano. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket.
SACRED HEART: LOAVES AND FISHES FOOD DISTRIBUTION, Thursday, Apr. 28, 9 - 11 a.m. Located at 95-5558 Mamalahoa Hwy in Nāʻālehu. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket.
KUPUNA FOOD BASKET, Thursday, Apr. 28, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Located at Kaʻū District Gym in Pāhala. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket.
VOLCANO EVENING MARKET, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Thursdays, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See facebook.com/Volcano-Evening-Market-105888795330870.
VOLCANO FARMERS MARKET, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Kaʻū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.
‘O KA’Ū KĀKOU MARKET, in Nāʻālehu, open Wednesday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Masks, temperature checks and hand sanitizing required. Social distancing enforced. No vaccination proof required. 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 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. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in the upper lot only. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.
OCEAN VIEW SWAP MEET 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.
ALOHA FRIDAY MARKETPLACE is hosted by Nā’ālehu Main Street on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the grounds of the Old Shirakawa Estate in Wai’ōhinu. It features Made in Hawai’i products, organic produce, creative crafts, art, flowers & plants, food, music, and more. Email AlohaFridayMarket@gmail.com.
THE BOOK SHACK is open every Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Kauahaʻao Congregational Church grounds, located at 95-1642 Pinao St. in Waiʻōhinu.
REFLECTIONS EXHIBIT BY GARY EOFF at the Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park from Apr. 9 through May 15. The exhibit will feature prints, cultural reproductions, and kapa influenced by Hawaiian culture and traditions. While admission is free, park entrance fees apply.
FREE FOOD
ST JUDE'S HOT MEALS are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until they run out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View.
KAʻŪ FOOD PANTRY FOOD DISTRIBUTION, Tuesday, Apr. 26, 9:30 a.m. - Pau. Located at St. Judeʻs Episcopalian Church above Kahuku Park in Ocean View. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket.
ʻO KAʻŪ KĀKOU PANTRY FOOD DISTRIBUTION, Tuesday, Apr. 26, 10 a.m. - Pau. Located at Kaʻū District Gym in Pāhala. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket.
COOPER CENTER COMMUNITY PANTRY FOOD DISTRIBUTION, Wednesday, Apr. 27, 9:30 - 11 a.m. Located at 19- 4030 Wright Road in Volcano. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket.
SACRED HEART: LOAVES AND FISHES FOOD DISTRIBUTION, Thursday, Apr. 28, 9 - 11 a.m. Located at 95-5558 Mamalahoa Hwy in Nāʻālehu. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket.
KUPUNA FOOD BASKET, Thursday, Apr. 28, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Located at Kaʻū District Gym in Pāhala. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket.
OUTDOOR MARKETS
VOLCANO FARMERS MARKET, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Kaʻū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.
‘O KA’Ū KĀKOU MARKET, in Nāʻālehu, open Wednesday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Masks, temperature checks and hand sanitizing required. Social distancing enforced. No vaccination proof required. 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 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. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in the upper lot only. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.
OCEAN VIEW SWAP MEET 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.
ALOHA FRIDAY MARKETPLACE is hosted by Nā’ālehu Main Street on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the grounds of the Old Shirakawa Estate in Wai’ōhinu. It features Made in Hawai’i products, organic produce, creative crafts, art, flowers & plants, food, music, and more. Email AlohaFridayMarket@gmail.com.
THE BOOK SHACK is open every Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Kauahaʻao Congregational Church grounds, located at 95-1642 Pinao St. in Waiʻōhinu.
DAILY/WEEKLY/MONTHLY
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| Volcano Art Center is proud to announce the exhibition Reflections by Gary Eoff beginning on April 9 through May 15. |
NET RECOVERY PATROL on Mondays with Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund. The team and core volunteers conduct marine debris recovery efforts targeting large debris items, including derelict fishing net and line bundles, that are especially hazardous to marine wildlife. Due to Covid 19 restrictions, these events are limited to current HWF volunteers. Please contact kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com for more info. Check https://www.wildhawaii.org/ with its HWF calendar for more opportunities to get involved with its bi-weekly net recovery patrols.
ST. JUDE'S SHOWER MINISTRY has reopened to the public on Saturdays from 9 a.m. noon, with hot water, soap, shampoo, conditioner, and clean towels. Masks and social distancing are required before and after showering. The long standing public shower service, put on pause by Covid, is supported by the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi's Commission on Mission Beyond Church and St. Jude's own outreach fund. Location is 8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View. Members of the congregation built the facility.
FREE HELP WITH FAMILY HISTORY in Kaʻū is available 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Tuesday. All are welcome to the Family History Center. The aim is to "Come Discover Your Past," says the statement from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which hosts the weekly sessions at 95-5682 Hawaiʻi Belt Road in Nāʻālehu. The drop-in assistance includes free Ancestry.com, Familysearch.org, and other online resources.
KAHUKU ORIENTATION TALK on Thursdays and Fridays every week from Apr. 1 to Apr. 29 from 10 - 10:30 a.m. at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Kahuku Unit. The talks will include a general overview of the park and volcanic activity update. Topics will vary and will highlight the natural, cultural, and historic attributes of Kahuku.
STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT at Kīlauea Visitor Center on Apr. 2, Apr. 16, and Apr. 30 from 8:45 a.m. - 12 p.m. Volunteer to help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, raingear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools are provided. Under 18? Parental or guardian accompaniment or written consent is required.
KAHUKU RANGER GUIDED HIKES, Saturdays and Sundays, 9:30 a.m. Join a Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park ranger to learn about the history, geology, and ecology of Kahuku while hiking through varied landscapes. Meet at the Visitor Contact Station. See www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku.htm.
KEIKI UKULELE WITH DINA KAGELER at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus on Thursdays from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. from Apr. 28 - May 26. This 5-week series will be available for children grades 2-4. Students should bring a ukulele to play during class and be willing to practice at home. Cost is $55/$50 VAC members.
ZENTANGLE FOR KEIKI’S WITH DINA KAGELER at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus on Fridays from 2:30 - 4 p.m. from Apr. 29 - May 27. This 5-week series will be available for children ages 7 - 13 years old and will begin with Zentangle Basics and go on to explore Stacks and inspirations from Dr. Seuss. Instructor will provide tiles, pens, and other supplies. Cost is $90 for VAC and non-VAC members.