Ka‘ū News Briefs, Sunday, August 2, 2020

A notice at the front entrance to Volcano House lets passersby know the hotel, restaurants, and other amenities
are closed temporarily, as the pandemic has prevented most visitors from coming here. Photo by Julia Neal

VOLCANO HOUSE IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED, after more than a month of a phased reopening of its hotel rooms, sit-down restaurant, take-out meals, and retail stores. For the last six weeks, as it renewed and adjusted its hospitality services to the reality of the COVID pandemic, Volcano House brought kitchen, hotel, concierge, and retail staff back to work. Staff members said they saw the reopening as a cause to support their community and to practice new protocols for the safety of their colleagues and guests.

Retail shops at Volcano House are temporarily closed 

again, along with the lobby, fireplace room, and views 

of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater. Photo by Julia Neal

     During the time of ramping up for the new way of business, Volcano House welcomed everyone to gaze into Kīlauea Caldera from its glassed-in sitting area and to rest by its famous fireplace. Some people began dining at The Rim and picked up food for take out, and stopped into the stores.
     On July 25, however, Volcano House operators pushed the pause button. With COVID-19 cases rising on O‘ahu, and some public officials wanting to halt interisland travel, it became apparent that the return of visitors in numbers that could sustain the operation of the hotel and its amenities will be the future. The Aug. 1 planned reopening of trans-Pacific travel to Hawai‘i for those with a negative COVID-19 test was delayed until at least Sept. 1. Anyone visiting from out-of-state this month would have to be quarantined in their hotel room for 14 days.

The Rim at Volcano House temporarily closed 
its doors. Photo by Julia Neal

     Lodging at Volcano House; the distanced, sit-down dining at The Rim Restaurant; and take out dining at Uncle George's Lounge, are suspended. The lobby, fireplace room,  retail shops, observation deck, and indoor sitting area where visitors can gaze into Halemaʻumaʻu, are closed. Volcano House is not taking reservations for hotel accommodations, nor for Nāmakanipaio, the campground and cabins.

     The announcement on the main door of Volcano House says, "As of July 25th, Volcano House will temporarily be suspending operations. We look forward to serving our guests, employees, and community in the near future. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact us at frontdesk@hawaiivolcanohouse.com if you have any questions." See hawaiivolcanohouse.com.

Entrance to Volcano House, closed until more visitors are allowed on the
island. It is partially boarded, following the Hurricane Douglas threat.
Photo by Julia Neal

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PREPARE FOR DELAYS ON HIGHWAY ELEVEN between Volcano Golf Course and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park's entrance. The wait is typically only a few minutes on each side. The work is paving the highway, with one lane paved at a time and one lane used for vehicles passing through.
     In addition to the paving project, an electrical pole replacement is ongoing. It began in April and is expected to run through the end of September, weather permitting. One lane, each way, is closed at a time, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, between Volcano and Pāhala. The work is done in phases, with a small section of the highway, between mile markers 30 to 40, worked on at a time. The closures are so Hawaiian Electric can replace 189 transmission poles and other equipment.

Road construction along Hwy 11 to repave sections of pavement, near
the entrance to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Photo by Julia Neal

     Kristen Okinaka, spokeswoman for Hawaiian Electric's operations on Hawai‘i Island, said, "During this challenging time, we know the community is counting on us to keep the lights on. Continuing to provide safe and reliable power is our priority. Our crews and contractors will practice social distancing on the job and there should be no interaction with the public. It's part of the critical work that continues, especially in advance of hurricane season, including tree trimming, replacement of equipment, and system resilience work that is difficult to reschedule."

     Once the line construction is completed, the replaced poles will be removed via helicopter. For questions or concerns, call 969-6666.

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Plot showing rise of Kīlauea's summit crater lake over the past year, during which laser rangefinder measurements 

of lake level were made 2–3 times per week. Photos compare the lake on August 27, 2019, when it 

was ~22 ft (7 m) deep, to July 7, 2020, when it was ~130 ft (40 m) deep. USGS photos

KĪLAUEA'S SUMMIT WATER LAKE is the subject of this week's Volcano Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:

     Kīlauea Volcano's summit water lake is one year old.

     On July 25, 2019, ponded water was first observed within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. Over the past twelve months, the USGS HVO has watched this amazing body of water grow from a nascent pond into a veritable lake, the first observed within Kīlauea caldera in at least 200 years.

     HVO closely monitors the lake using a variety of methods, many of which you can check yourself on the HVO website. Visual and thermal cameras track the lake's surface color and temperature. Color is variable and the lake surface temperature is hot, consistently around 158–185 degrees Fahrenheit (70–85 Celsius). Laser rangefinder measurements track the surface level, which has risen steadily by about 2.5 ft (0.75 m) each week. And two dedicated water-sampling missions have been flown using unoccupied aircraft systems.
     Crater lakes occur at volcanoes around the world, but very few of those crater lakes occur at basaltic volcanoes like Kīlauea. Halema‘uma‘u, which collapsed and deepened during Kīlauea's 2018 eruption, is so deep (1,600 ft/500 m) that the bottom is actually below the local water table, providing us with a unique "window" into a realm that is normally hidden from direct view.

Photos over the last year show the growth and color change of Kīlauea's
hot water summit lake. USGS photos

     Ground water did not rush in and fill the crater immediately because it takes time for water to squeeze through the pores and cracks of the surrounding rock, and because volcanic heat can evaporate ground water just as it does surface water. With time, the surrounding ground water slowly squeezed through the voids, and the subsurface cooled enough that water was able to remain in liquid form and accumulate within this newly exposed subaerial space. Water will continue to flow into the crater, and the lake will continue to get deeper, until a point of equilibrium is reached.  

     For the first few months, the source of the water was not known. Did it come from groundwater, in turn fed by rainfall? Or did it come from the condensation of water vapor released directly from magma? HVO was able to answer this question thanks to the water sampling missions. Analysis of the isotopes in the water indicated that it was meteoric in origin, meaning that it originally came from rainfall. While a small amount of rain falls directly into the crater, most of the water is coming from groundwater (that started off as rainfall that percolated into the ground) seeping in where the water table intersects the crater.  

     With time, minerals and volcanic gases dissolve into the water, and the lake’s chemistry changes. When the lake first formed it was a light blue green in color, a color that is still seen in parts of the lake where there is higher influx. The surface water is mostly shades of orange and brown now, likely due to dissolved iron-rich sulfate minerals. The water within the lake is not uniformly mixed, and cells of water with different color, chemistry, and temperature are seen to circulate.

     Besides being uncommon because of its very existence, this lake is unique in that it is only mildly acidic, with a pH of ~4.0, while most volcanic lakes are either strongly acidic or strongly alkaline. For reference, orange juice is also mildly acidic with a pH of 3.5. The water's acidity is likely being moderated at this early stage of development, and it may become more acidic in the future.

Sunlight reflecting off the summit lake causes shimmers. USGS photo

     Following a year of steady growth, the lake now covers an area of more than 6 acres (2.5 hectares) and reaches a depth of more than 130 ft (40 m). Its volume exceeds 125 million gallons of water, equivalent to nearly 200 Olympic-size swimming pools.

     As one HVO scientist said, "We are watching a crater lake being born." As this lake continues to grow, HVO will continue to watch carefully, to learn as much as we can, and to share what we learn. A future Volcano Watch article will describe potential hazards that may result from the presence of this water lake within Kīlauea caldera.

     It has been an amazing first year, "Hauʻoli Lā Hānau" (Happy Birthday) to Kīlauea Volcano's summit water lake!

     Volcano Activity Updates

     Kīlauea Volcano is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level remains at NORMAL (https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vhp/about_alerts.html). Kīlauea updates are issued monthly.

     Kīlauea monitoring data for the past month show variable but typical rates of seismicity and ground deformation, low rates of sulfur dioxide emissions, and only minor geologic changes since the end of eruptive activity in September 2018. The water lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u continues to slowly expand and deepen. For the most current information on the lake, see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/summit_water_resources.html.

     Mauna Loa is not erupting and remains at Volcano Alert Level ADVISORY. This alert level does not mean that an eruption is imminent or that progression to eruption from current level of unrest is certain. Mauna Loa updates are issued weekly.

Steam comes off Kīlauea's summit lake. The water is about
158–185 degrees Fahrenheit (70–85 Celsius). USGS photo

     This past week, about 105 small-magnitude earthquakes were recorded beneath the upper-elevations of Mauna Loa; most of these occurred at shallow depths of less than 8 kilometers (~5 miles). Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements show long-term slowly increasing summit inflation, consistent with magma supply to the volcano's shallow storage system. Gas concentrations and fumarole temperatures as measured at both Sulphur Cone and the summit remain stable. Webcams show no changes to the landscape. For more information on current monitoring of Mauna Loa Volcano, see: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/monitoring_summary.html.

     There were 5 events with 3 or more felt reports in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a magnitude-2.7 earthquake 16 km (9 mi) SE of Waimea at 16 km (10 mi) depth on July 29 at 10:37 p.m., a magnitude-2.2 earthquake 3 km (1 mi) WSW of Pāhala at 36 km (22 mi) depth on July 27 at 6:31 a.m., a magnitude-4.7 earthquake 19 km (11 mi) SE of Nāʻālehu at 36 km (22 mi) depth occurred on July 27 at 6:05 a.m., a magnitude-2.6 earthquake 29 km (18 mi) E of Hōnaunau-Nāpōʻopoʻo at -1 km (0 mi) depth on July 26 at 9:10 p.m., and a magnitude-2.5 earthquake 1 km (0 mi) S of Pāhala at 35 km (21 mi) depth on July 23 at 5:11 p.m.

     HVO continues to closely monitor both Kīlauea and Mauna Loa for any signs of increased activity. Visit HVO's website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

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FORTY-FIVE NEW COVID-19 CASES in Hawaiʻi are reported by Department of Health today. DOH issued a statement saying, "While this number is encouraging and lower than previous days, it also reflects a significant lag in the testing results. With many test specimens now being sent to mainland labs for processing, reporting of test results is delayed 5-7 days. This delay may make case numbers appear lower than actual disease activity."
     Health Director Bruce Anderson said, "Many of the cases reported recently are associated with social gatherings." This month, DOH reports, multiple cases have been associated with a yoga class, fire station, funeral events, gyms, socializing at bars, and training events. DOH said infections are traced to workplaces including, but not limited to, a construction company and site, non-patient care areas of hospitals, social service organizations, nursing and care homes, retail establishments, warehouse, and delivery businesses. Multiple household and other cases are primarily associated with social interactions such as house parties, beach parties/gatherings, birthday parties, Father's Day and Fourth of July gatherings, religious functions, gathering to view sporting events, and co-workers socializing while off-duty, reports DOH.

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. White
is zero cases. Yellow is one to five cases. Light orange (not

pictured) is six to ten cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 

11 to 20 cases. Red (not pictured) is 21 to 50 cases.

Hawaiʻi Department of Health map

     Anderson said, "Everyone should avoid close contact with others outside of their household members, crowded places, and large gatherings. Act as if everyone around you has the virus and can spread it." DOH strongly encourages wearing of face masks to protect each other other, physical distancing and, most importantly, stay at home and separate yourself from others to prevent exposing them if you do not feel well.

     New cases on O‘ahu are widespread and located in many areas including and not limited to: Hale‘iwa,  Hau‘ula, Kāneʻohe, Lāʻie, Mililani, Wahiawa, Waimānalo, ‘Aiea, Ewa Beach, Honolulu proper, Kailua, Kapolei, Pearl City, Wai‘anae, and Waipahu. To protect the privacy of individuals, DOH does not release detailed information on its investigations unless there is an imminent risk to the public.

     This is the eleventh day in a row of no new cases for Hawaiʻi Island, with 115 cases, none active, none hospitalized. One case was reported in Volcano, zip code 96785, in the last 28 days. It has been more than 28 days since a case was recorded for a Kaʻū zip code. Since the pandemic began, no one died here.

     Maui County reported on new case. The other 44 new cases are on Oʻahu. The state's new case total is 2,242 since the pandemic began. Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 1,886 cases, Maui County 171, and Kauaʻi 47. Twenty-three victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Twenty-six people in the state died from COVID-19.

     In the daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno said, "Do understand that many states are continuing to experience increased numbers of Coronavirus cases, including the State of Hawaiʻi. Hawaiʻi County continues to do very well, but do know that the threat is still out there. The citizens of Hawaiʻi County should be congratulated but know the importance of continuing to follow the preventive measures of face coverings, cleanliness, keeping yourself healthy, of staying at home when sick, and special care of gatherings and distancing while enjoying the outdoors on the weekend. Your help is so needed to keep Hawaiʻi safe. Thank you for making the effort to keep our neighbors, friends, family, and community safe. We must all do our part. The County Task Force continues its efforts seven-days-a-week of disinfecting and cleaning highly used public areas. This and other programs will continue until the virus is no longer a threat. As a reminder, the wearing of face masks is mandatory on the Island of Hawaiʻi. Thank you for listening and have a safe day. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency."

     In the United States, more than 4,665,002 cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 154,834. The worldwide COVID-19 case count is more than 17.96 million. The death toll is more than 687,072.

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The inaugural Volcano's ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon raced to raise money to save the ʻŌhiʻa Forests. 

Photo from Mikey Brown Photography

Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year

     This time last year, the inaugural ʻŌhiʻa Lehua 5K and Half-Marathon drew many runners to Volcano Village. A fine mist cooled off runners who participated in the half marathon, 5K, and two levels of keiki dash for those ten and under – who didn't want to race with the adults. The 2020 race, originally scheduled for July, was canceled due to the pandemic.

     Race Director Kelly McGhee, Organizer Kelly Muragin, and Course Manager Nick Muragin, all of Hawaiʻi Island Racers, devoted their time to the new race to fill the gap left by Volcano Rain Forest Runs ending after nine years. The race also helps to raise money to help save ʻŌhiʻa Forests.

On the course. Photo from Mikey Brown Photography

     Said Kelly Muragin, "It certainly was a grassroots race in Volcano Village, being an inaugural event. After the race, many runners approached us and said they were grateful for us bringing the 'Big Island Running ʻOhana' together in Volcano and keeping running alive there. A lot also said they will definitely return next year, the event started on time, very organized, and ended early as well. No long waits for awards."

     She said Grant Matsushige contacted her to say the Kaʻū aid station "was an awesome group. They had to direct traffic BOTH ways and they did a fantastic job! Super helpful to the runners. They also went out of their way to go beyond their aid station area to sweep for cups after the event."

     Said Nick Muragin, "Being that I was on the course most of the time, I can't say enough about the volunteers and the positive vibes they put out. Wouldn't pull it off without them. I saw lot of smiles all during the race. The businesses were also happy we brought so many to the town for the weekend."

Finishers of the inaugural Volcano's ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon races.
Photo from Mikey Brown Photography

     McGhee said, "The inaugural Volcano's ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Runs was well received by runners and locals alike. Our group, Hawaiʻi Island Racers had a blast organizing this event and cannot wait to be back next year. We are so thankful to all of the Volcano Community, the Experience Volcano group, The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences, and all of our hard-working volunteers."

     The 5K female winners were: overall, Aria Heil (age 16); 19 and under, Jade Ivey; 20-29, Midori Mastuo; 30-39, Elyse Cummins, 40-49, Yuko White; 50-59, Aubrey Hawk; 60-69, Marta Ciancio; 70+, Fia Mattice.

     The 5K male winners were: overall, Rylie Cabalse (age 19); 19 and under, Caleb Crook; 20-29, Bryce Harada; 30-39, James Twig-Smith; 40-49, Jarvis Valera; 50-59, Reed Brozen; 60-69, Zinn; 70+, Jeff Hamilton.

     The Half Marathon female winners were: overall, Noe Waller (age 28); 19 and under, no entries; 20-29, Nicole Lewien; 30-39, Jodie Rosam; 40-49, Julia Scharwaechter; 50-59, Brenda Camacho; 60-69, Elizabeth Wright; 70+, Morgen Bahurinsky.

     The Half Marathon male winners were: overall, Billy Barnett (age 35); 19 and under, Ayrton Takane; 20-29, Darian Basacdua; 30-39, Joe Fairchild; 40-49, Jacob Fansler; 50-59, Kentaro Aoki; 60-69, Leonard Torricer; 70+, Paul Whitehouse.

At the awards ceremony for the inaugural Volcano's ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon races. 

Photo from Mikey Brown Photography

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.

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.

EVENTS

Food from Wood: Growing Edible & Medicinal Mushrooms on Logs, Stumps, & Wood Chips, Saturday, Aug. 1, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., course fees $55/$50 VAC member plus $15 fee, inclusive of supplies. Pre-registration required. Each participant will depart with a shiitake mushroom log kit, and a King Stropharia mushroom kit. Participants meet at VAC's Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village for a slideshow lecture, then drive to Shaka Forest Farms on Wright Road in Volcano Village for the hands-on segment of the workshop. Lunch break, noon to 1 p.m. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Ocean View Community Center Reopens for Events, Monday, Aug. 3. To schedule an event, contact Christopher Garske at chrisgarske@gmail.com or 650-996-2790.

Submit Grants, by 6 p.m. HST Monday, Aug. 3 to Start, Expand, or Improve Rural Cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses in rural America from USDA to grants.gov. Key strategies include Achieving e-Connectivity for Rural America, Developing the Rural Economy, Harnessing Technological Innovation, Supporting a Rural Workforce, and Improving Quality of Life. Nonprofit corporations and institutions of higher education are eligible to apply, to provide technical assistance to individuals and rural businesses.

Ocean View Community Center Library, open Friday mornings beginning Aug. 7.

Eco-Tour at Shaka Forest Farms, in Volcano Village, on Friday, Aug. 7 at 10am. Interact firsthand with an innovative rainforest farming operation, agroforestry. Pre-registration required. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

From Plant to Pigment Workshop with Puakea Forester, Saturday, Aug. 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn how to create colorfast dyes, inks, and paints from common and invasive locally sourced plants. This workshop is good for painters and kapa enthusiasts alike who are interested in expanding their knowledge about natural dyes. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Exhibition Mixed Flock: Prints by Margaret Barnaby and Pottery by Emily Herb, held over through Aug. 8. 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 features two prominent female artists from Volcano Village "who find deep inspiration in Hawaiʻi's natural environment and specifically the native bird populations found within it." volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Exhibition Hawaiʻi Nei Invitational: Nā ʻAumākua, Saturday, Aug. 8 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. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Apply for Grants, through 6 p.m. on Aug. 10 at grants.gov, to Help Socially Disadvantaged Groups develop business and strategic plans in rural areas through USDA Rural Development. Eligible applicants include cooperatives, groups of cooperatives, and cooperative development centers. Key strategies include e-connectivity for rural America, developing rural economies, harnessing technological innovation, supporting a rural workforce, and improving quality of life.

AdvoCATS, at OV Community Center all day Tuesday, Aug. 11 – see advocatshawaii.org.

Writing for Inner Exploration and Life Reflection Workshop with author Tom Peek, Saturday, Aug. 15, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. "Have you ever wondered how the place you come from influenced who you are? Or what memories you carry from your ancestors? Or how your personal history impacts your view of the world? Take a day out of your busy life to explore your deeper self and ponder the life you’ve lived so far." volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

ONGOING

St. Jude's Episcopal Church Soup Kitchen, open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a modified menu and increased health & safety standards. Hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended. Services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, us02web.zoom.us/j/6843449828?pwd=YW94djVvU0szOGNKaFZ1V0pUL1owUT09, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha.

The Food Basket, last Tuesday of the month, Aug. 25, 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 from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Access these remote services by completing the web form at hawaiifirstfcu.com/community-resource-center or by calling 808-933-6600 to sign up. The Financial Navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across the County can also refer clients directly to a Financial Navigator. For more information, contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019.

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. The Kahalo Center says database consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

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 California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. See https://kohalacenter.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=54bdd67c601f0c0d3ea430053&id=9e1691c22d&e=0e3fe20c1f.

Apply for Internships with Sen. Brian Schatz's office. Internships for undergrad, graduate, and law students are offered in the Honolulu and Washington D.C. offices. Applications are considered on a rolling basis year-round. Non-office internships are open for high school students to advocate in their communities. Applications due Sunday, Sept. 13. Schatz may also nominate exceptional students for appointment to the U.S. Service Academies. Applications due Friday, Oct. 23. See schatz.senate.gov/services.

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, 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 locations. Via Skype or FaceTime, a VAC associate helps customers browse the selection of artwork up close, and gives personalized tips and recommendations to help customers "find that perfect piece of locally made artwork, wherever you are in the world!" Book appointment online for $5 and VAC staff will help schedule a date and time at volcanoartcenter.org/shop. Shop the online gallery 24/7. Orders are shipped as regularly scheduled. Free local pickup is available.VAC now offers a Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

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 Community Market, open Fridays, Saturday, and Sundays, 6 a.m. to 1 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.

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.

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

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