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| Hawaiian Airlines will become a smaller company with fewer employees and flights as it sets out to survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo from Hawaiian Airlines |
The layoffs at Hawaiian Air led state and university economists to reduce expectations in economic recovery in the near future.
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.
ALAN WONG, THE RENOWN CHEF WHO SERVES AND PROMOTES KAʻŪ COFFEE, announced today that he suspended service at his Asian Fusion restaurant on King Street in Honolulu on Sunday evening. He told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that he is putting a pause on his restaurant until the COVID-19 pandemic settles down and restaurants can be open without concern for shutting down again, and with confidence in the safety of staff and guests.
Among the Kaʻū Coffees he served and promoted over the years are those from Rusty's, Will & Grace, Bull Kailiawa, and Wally Young. Wong also created his own Kaʻū Coffee label.
A coffee tasting for Alan Wong was held at Pāhala Plantation House years ago where he met many of the Kaʻū Coffee farmers.
Wong also promoted Kaʻū Coffee on cruise ships and to many other restaurants.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
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| Alan Wong, with his own brand of Kaʻū Coffee. |
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| Alan Wong with Kaʻū Coffee farmer Lorie Obra, whose Rusty's brand became a favorite in his restaurants. |
A coffee tasting for Alan Wong was held at Pāhala Plantation House years ago where he met many of the Kaʻū Coffee farmers.
Wong also promoted Kaʻū Coffee on cruise ships and to many other restaurants.
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 U.S. Senator pointed out that COVD-19, more than coming from travelers, "is spreading among us because of us, not because of tourism. We cannot fix this with a border, not when there's more disease in Honolulu than New York City."
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| Marshallese language education about COVID-19 and working on coffee farms. Sen. Brian Schatz says more education about the disease is needed in the Pacific Islander community, which is hard-hit by the virus. Poster from Hawaiʻi County Department of Research & Development |
Schatz recommended the following to stop the surge of the virus:
"Focus on vulnerable communities with language and cultural competency, and do it immediately. There is a rolling catastrophe in our Pacific Islander community, with eight to 10 times higher COVID-19 rates than the rest of Hawaiʻi. We need targeted outreach in Pacific island languages with Pacific island leaders. We also need to continue to address this disparity by alleviating overcrowded housing.
"Ramp-up contact tracing and testing, something that has inexplicably not yet been done. I thought this was under control when we helped launch a training program for 400 contact tracers at the University of Hawaiʻi. It was a shock to learn that the Department of Health chose not to hire many of these individuals, and went back to their 'contact tracing isn't a panacea' talking point. Nothing is a panacea — which is why we have to do everything, and that includes contact tracing.
"Spend the CARES Act money designated for fighting the disease. We still have most of our testing money unspent, and several other categories of the $7 billion in danger of having to go back to the U.S. Treasury by year's end if we don't get our act together.
"Have a statewide, universal mask mandate. We still have significant noncompliance, and we need to reinforce that masks are not optional. Lawyers will correctly point out that everyone is covered under individual county orders, but everything to emphasize and enforce the importance of masks should be done.
"Move carefully forward with the Safe Travels Hawaiʻi Program, understanding that a negative test as a barrier to entry in Hawaiʻi is not foolproof, but it's better than the current quarantine that is increasingly absurd (many originating destinations have lower infection rates than us) and difficult to enforce.
"Allow people to exercise outdoors. Whatever happens in the coming weeks, this is going to take a while, and helping people remain mentally and physically healthy is a priority. HPD may be hesitant to enforce rules around gatherings, but that's no reason to force everyone onto narrow sidewalks, or stay at home completely."
Schatz said that communications about COVID-19 "need to be more clear, concise, and focused on what people should do, rather than fixating on disagreements among politicians. This isn't a matter of PR consultants giving our leaders the right words to say. But it would be a good start to not have simultaneous and competing press conferences, and to have clear instructions. The deluge of information has caused some to want to ignore the orders, instead of heed them.
"Finally, our actions should reflect not just science but our values. We cannot open bars before schools. We cannot force people to pay a gym for exercise or say that the only way you can visit with family is to pay for dinner at an indoor restaurant. We cannot bicker. We have to stay disciplined and do the things that we have seen work around the world. We are all in the same canoe, and if we don't paddle in unison, we will continue to go in circles."
"Focus on vulnerable communities with language and cultural competency, and do it immediately. There is a rolling catastrophe in our Pacific Islander community, with eight to 10 times higher COVID-19 rates than the rest of Hawaiʻi. We need targeted outreach in Pacific island languages with Pacific island leaders. We also need to continue to address this disparity by alleviating overcrowded housing.
"Ramp-up contact tracing and testing, something that has inexplicably not yet been done. I thought this was under control when we helped launch a training program for 400 contact tracers at the University of Hawaiʻi. It was a shock to learn that the Department of Health chose not to hire many of these individuals, and went back to their 'contact tracing isn't a panacea' talking point. Nothing is a panacea — which is why we have to do everything, and that includes contact tracing.
"Spend the CARES Act money designated for fighting the disease. We still have most of our testing money unspent, and several other categories of the $7 billion in danger of having to go back to the U.S. Treasury by year's end if we don't get our act together.
"Have a statewide, universal mask mandate. We still have significant noncompliance, and we need to reinforce that masks are not optional. Lawyers will correctly point out that everyone is covered under individual county orders, but everything to emphasize and enforce the importance of masks should be done.
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| U.S. Sen Brian Schatz lays out a plan to recover from the COVID-19 health and economic disaster. |
"Allow people to exercise outdoors. Whatever happens in the coming weeks, this is going to take a while, and helping people remain mentally and physically healthy is a priority. HPD may be hesitant to enforce rules around gatherings, but that's no reason to force everyone onto narrow sidewalks, or stay at home completely."
Schatz said that communications about COVID-19 "need to be more clear, concise, and focused on what people should do, rather than fixating on disagreements among politicians. This isn't a matter of PR consultants giving our leaders the right words to say. But it would be a good start to not have simultaneous and competing press conferences, and to have clear instructions. The deluge of information has caused some to want to ignore the orders, instead of heed them.
"Finally, our actions should reflect not just science but our values. We cannot open bars before schools. We cannot force people to pay a gym for exercise or say that the only way you can visit with family is to pay for dinner at an indoor restaurant. We cannot bicker. We have to stay disciplined and do the things that we have seen work around the world. We are all in the same canoe, and if we don't paddle in unison, we will continue to go in circles."
This Op-Ed was originally carried in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. See it here. Also see Shatz' Facebook and Twitter.
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| Dr. Libby Char, MD, is an emergency medicine physician with experience in management of first responders. |
A CHANGE AT THE HELM OF THE HAWAIʻI HEALTH DEPARTMENT will take place Sept. 15, with the retirement of state DOH Director Bruce Anderson.
Gov. David Ige made the announcement today, praising Anderson's work as a public health and environmental management professional over the last 35 years in Hawaiʻi. The new acting and likely permanent director will be a physician, Dr. Libby Char.
Char is an Emergency Room physician and graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi, John A. Burns School of Medicine. After completing residency training in California, she returned to Hawaiʻi to the clinical practice of emergency medicine at The Queen's Medical Center. She provided administrative oversight for the City and County of Honolulu EMS system for many years.
Char has most recently focused on developing systems of care, training, protocols, and emergency response, and best practices in the pre-hospital environment. She provides medical direction for several EMS, Fire, and Ocean Safety agencies across the state of Hawaiʻi, and is the current chair of the State of Hawaiʻi EMS Advisory Committee.
Ige said, "Dr. Char brings experience in medicine and administration to the department during a time of great stress on the state's healthcare system. I'm confident that she will step into the role with energy and passion for ensuring the health of Hawaiʻi's people."
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| Dr. Bruce Anderson will retire as director of the state Department of Health. |
Lt. Gov. Josh Green, MD, also praised Anderson for his dedication and work and said he looks forward to the new leadership, particularly in pushing forward contact tracing to help Hawaiʻi open up the economy while protecting the public.
Anderson said, "It has been an honor and pleasure to serve as Director under Gov. Ige, with Nolan and my other fellow cabinet members. In my retirement, I look forward to doing a lot more fishing and horseback riding with my wife."
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A CHANGE AT THE HELM OF THE STATE PRISON SYSTEM will take place Oct. 1, with the retirement of the state Director of Public Safety Nolan Espinda. Gov. David Ige announced today that Maria Cook, deputy director for administration will be temporarily assigned and has been granted signatory authority while Espinda is on
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.
A CHANGE AT THE HELM OF THE STATE PRISON SYSTEM will take place Oct. 1, with the retirement of the state Director of Public Safety Nolan Espinda. Gov. David Ige announced today that Maria Cook, deputy director for administration will be temporarily assigned and has been granted signatory authority while Espinda is on
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| Nolan Espinda, chief of Hawaiʻi's prison system, will retire. |
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 NUMBER OF COVID-19 CASES AT YUKIO OKUTSA STATE VETERANS HOME in Hilo has reached 38, with ten of them employees. The 28 residents include three who died, the only COVID-19 deaths on this island, all happening in the past few days. Retesting of all residents and staff was set for today.
The Veterans Home, managed by Avalon Health Care Group, is one of Hawaiʻi Health System's facilities, which include Hilo Medical Center and Kaʻū Hospital.
Three of the Veterans Home victims are hospitalized, none on ventilators. The statewide death toll from COVID-19 was, seven statewide, the highest since pandemic began. See more COVID statistics below.
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 Veterans Home, managed by Avalon Health Care Group, is one of Hawaiʻi Health System's facilities, which include Hilo Medical Center and Kaʻū Hospital.
Three of the Veterans Home victims are hospitalized, none on ventilators. The statewide death toll from COVID-19 was, seven statewide, the highest since pandemic began. See more COVID statistics below.
APPOINTMENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND
LICENSING as of Tuesday, Sept. 1. County of Hawai‘i Department of Finance
announced, "Due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases on Hawai‘i Island
and in an effort to maintain shorter lines and discourage gatherings of more
than 10 people, the Vehicle Registration and Licensing office will only service
customers by appointment. To offset the loss of walk-in service,
additional appointments will be offered at each of our locations."
Anyone who
has traveled off-island within the past 14 days, has a fever of 100.4 degrees
or higher, is feeling sick, or has taken a COVID-19 test without receiving the
results, is asked to "not attempt to visit our offices for
services or schedule an appointment in-person."
Schedule
appointments at https://vehicleregistrationlicensing.as.me.
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MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING FROM MAIL CARRIERS, requests the
U.S. Postal Service. Mayor Harry Kim put out the word over social media today:
"The Postal Service requests that Big
Island
Kim said, for
both customer and carrier safety, customers "should allow their carriers
to completely depart their mailbox areas before collecting their deliveries."
For deliveries that require a signature, carriers will knock on the customers'
door, back away to a safe distance and, instead of asking for customers
signatures on their mobile devices, they will ask for a name. The carriers will
then leave the mail or packages in a safe place for retrieval by the customer.
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.
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.
TWO NEW DEATHS ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND are reported today. Hawaiʻi
County Civil Defense says both victims were residents of the Yukio Okutsu
Veteran's Home in Hilo . Civil
Defense reports 165 active cases for the island, with 17 hospitalized. Five
more people died on other islands today, bringing the state death toll to 70.
The state reports
Hawaiʻi Island has 24 new cases today. There is at least one active case in the
last 28 days in Kaʻū zip codes for Nāʻālehu 96772, Pāhala 96777, and Volcano zip code 96785.
Hawaiʻi Island reported 364 cases since the pandemic began. Since the pandemic
began, three people died from the virus on this island.
 |
Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28
days, by zip code.
White is zero cases. Yellow
is one to 25 cases. Light
orange is 26 to 50 cases. Dark orange is 51
to
150 cases. Red (not
pictured) is 151+ cases.
Hawaiʻi Department of Health map
|
In his daily
update, Lt. Gov. Josh Green, MD, said there are 5,825 active cases statewide, 292 of
them hospitalized with COVID-19. With 198,182 people tested since the pandemic
began, the state positivity rate is 4.3 percent. However, recent testing
positivity, from the last 1,463 people to be tested, is 9.1 percent. He calls
the mask mandate "critical."
Statewide, 133
new cases are reported today, with one in Maui
County
Statewide, 508 people have been hospitalized
since the pandemic began, and 2,578 have been released from isolation.
Civil Defense
says there will be testing in Puna District this week, with schedule to be
announced. "The purpose of testing is to identify positive cases as
early as possible and in this way help stop the spread of the virus. For a
complete list of testing facilities go to the list on the Civil Defense
website." See hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense.
Civil Defense
reminds the public that Hawaiʻi Police Department is increasing their patrols
and enforcement of the preventive policies of wearing face coverings,
distancing, and gatherings. "We need everybody to be responsible and follow
these measures to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With your
help, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep Hawaiʻi safe."
See the Hawai‘i
County COVID-19 webpage at
https://coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.
https://coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.
COVID-19 case count in the U.S.
is more than 6,027,111 – about 24 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is
more than 183,499 – about 22 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are
more than 25.34 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 848,394.
 |
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
Hui Mālama Free Online Home Gardening Class, Tuesdays, Sept. 8 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mala 101 is sponsored by Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi and Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The announcement says, "Learn to garden at home! Whether you have a large backyard or a few pots to grow in, anyone can learn to grow some of their own food at home! In this introductory series, learn the basics of selecting plants to grow, building healthy soil, and growing on a budget." Receive several plants and A Grow Your Own Laʻau guidebook for participation. The class will meet four times, once a week on Tuesdays, from Sept. 8 through Dec. 8. Sign up at hmono.org/services.
Give Input on Proposed Improvements to Miloliʻi Beach Park through Tuesday, Sept. 8. A draft Environmental Assessment is released by County of Hawai‘i Department of Parks and Recreation, which would update the park to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines; make improvements to the parking lot, boat ramp, walkways, playground, and basketball/volleyball courts; and replace the restrooms, water system, and hālau.
One-Time Emergency Food for people is available through Big Island Giving Tree. Emergency food for pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.
The Food Basket, last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.
On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry, Cooper Center, weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Eligible one time every three months. Call Kehau, 443-4130.
Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries, open for pick-up services. Nāʻālehu is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons schedule Library Take Out appointment times to pick up their hold item(s) at their favorite libraries by going to HSPLS Library Catalog and placing a hold on any item(s) they want to borrow, or they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. For patrons who placed holds during the closure, their item(s) are ready for pickup after the patron schedules a Library Take Out appointment. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.
Free Book Exchanges, at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Everyone is invited to take books they want to read. They may keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them to the Book Exchange to make them available to others in the community. The selection of books is replenished weekly at both sites.
Avocado Growers Survey Open. Help identify opportunities for expanding the local avocado industry, to assist local farmers, buyers, and agencies develop strategies to bolster Hawaiʻi's avocado industry, says Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United. Farmers and farm names kept anonymous, results shared publicly. Survey completion gives option to register to win a $200 gift certificate to Home Depot. For a hard copy of the survey, email: info@growfruithawaii.com. Take the survey: surveymonkey.com/r/Hawaiiavosurvey2020.
Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues, through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators fromCounty of Hawaiʻi
Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. U.S. Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs is developing a list of Native Hawaiian farmers willing to sell direct to consumers through the On-Farm Market Directory. On-farm markets are managed by a single farm operator that sells products on their farm, or on a property next to their farm. Some on-farm markets may also deliver or ship their goods directly to consumers. Visit the program website for more information and to register: ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/onfarm.
Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, andCalifornia Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. See https://kohalacenter.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=54bdd67c601f0c0d3ea430053&id=9e1691c22d&e=0e3fe20c1f
Volcano Art Center Volcano Village 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. , closed Saturday and Sunday. The Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. , closed Monday and Tuesday. Virtual Shopping Appointments are offered at Volcano Art Center
Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222
Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna, 808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.
Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222
Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.
ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,8 a.m. to noon . The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.
Hui Mālama Free Online Home Gardening Class, Tuesdays, Sept. 8 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mala 101 is sponsored by Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi and Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The announcement says, "Learn to garden at home! Whether you have a large backyard or a few pots to grow in, anyone can learn to grow some of their own food at home! In this introductory series, learn the basics of selecting plants to grow, building healthy soil, and growing on a budget." Receive several plants and A Grow Your Own Laʻau guidebook for participation. The class will meet four times, once a week on Tuesdays, from Sept. 8 through Dec. 8. Sign up at hmono.org/services.
PETFIX Spay and Neuter Clinic for Cats will be held Wednesday, Sept. 9 in Ocean View. For information and to register, call 808-990-3548 or email petfixbigisland@gmail.com.
Introduction to Papermaking Workshop with Mary Milelzcik on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This papermaking workshop, using a household blender, will introduce papermaking using recycled papers with various additives, including cotton linters, and local plant materials. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222
Exhibition Hawaiʻi Nei Invitational: Nā ʻAumākua, runs through Saturday, Sept. 12. Also available to view online, view the exhibition in person the Gallery in the Park during normal gallery hours,9 a.m. to 5 p.m. , Wednesday through Sunday. Free. The exhibition is a group exhibition will present works focusing on the theme of Nā ʻAumākua, family gods. VAC will not hold an opening reception on August 8th.
Apply for Internships with Sen. Brian Schatz's office. Internships for undergrad, graduate, and law students are offered in theHonolulu and Washington D.C.
Dine In or Order To Go Oktoberfest Meals from Crater Rim Café in Kīlauea Military Camp on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Menu offers Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Bockwurst, German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut, Tossed Salad, and German Chocolate Cake. $14.95 per person. Call 967-8356 to book a reservation for dine-in or place a grab-and-go order. Face coverings and 6 feet social distancing are required in common areas. KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply.
Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt forHawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, .AI, .EPS or PNG with a quality of at least 1500px x 1500px and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.
ONGOING
Exhibition Hawaiʻi Nei Invitational: Nā ʻAumākua, runs through Saturday, Sept. 12. Also available to view online, view the exhibition in person the Gallery in the Park during normal gallery hours,
Apply for Internships with Sen. Brian Schatz's office. Internships for undergrad, graduate, and law students are offered in the
Catalyst Abstract Watercolor Workshop with Patti Pease Johnson on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222
Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt for
ONGOING
One-Time Emergency Food for people is available through Big Island Giving Tree. Emergency food for pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.
The Food Basket, last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.
Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries, open for pick-up services. Nāʻālehu is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons schedule Library Take Out appointment times to pick up their hold item(s) at their favorite libraries by going to HSPLS Library Catalog and placing a hold on any item(s) they want to borrow, or they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. For patrons who placed holds during the closure, their item(s) are ready for pickup after the patron schedules a Library Take Out appointment. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.
Free Book Exchanges, at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Everyone is invited to take books they want to read. They may keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them to the Book Exchange to make them available to others in the community. The selection of books is replenished weekly at both sites.
Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues, through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from
Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub. Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources. Developed by the Sexual and Gender Minority Workgroup in partnership with the DOH Harm Reduction Services Branch. Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov/harmreduction/sexual-gender-minority/sexual-and-gender-minorities-sgm-in-hawaii/.
Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. TheKahalo Center
Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The
Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. U.S. Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs is developing a list of Native Hawaiian farmers willing to sell direct to consumers through the On-Farm Market Directory. On-farm markets are managed by a single farm operator that sells products on their farm, or on a property next to their farm. Some on-farm markets may also deliver or ship their goods directly to consumers. Visit the program website for more information and to register: ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/onfarm.
Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Owners can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. They offer help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.
Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature to help find information that applies to the searcher.
Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and
Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222
Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna, 808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.
Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222
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 (starting next Wednesday, Aug. 12), 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. New market location for vendors of the recently closed Ocean View Swap Meet. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks are mandatory. Limit of people is 100. Social distancing is required. Gate will be unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m. Vendors can show up without a reservation for now, with $15 dollars. Parking is in the upper lot; parking on the side of the road is prohibited. All vendors must provide their own sanitizer. All food vendors must have the permits required for the items that you are selling. Vendors and attendees are encouraged to carpool.
ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,
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