 Nāʻālehu Anthony captured this photo of Hōkūleʻa returning to Hawaiʻi in 2017. See below for plans for a new global voyage for Hōkūleʻa and sister canoe Hikianalia. Photo from Polynesian Voyaging Society |
STATEWIDE RULES AND PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO WEAR A MASK during the pandemic were issued today by Gov. David Ige. His 15th COVID-19 emergency proclamation says, "All persons in the State shall wear a face covering over their nose and mouth when in public."
Earlier today on Spotlight Hawaiʻi, an online program of interviews sponsored by the Honolulu Star Advertiser, the governor said the proclamation will help keep down the caseload of COVID-19 in the islands. It will be the same all across the state. "Everyone in the state will be required to wear a mask while they're in public. Period," Ige said.
The rule directs the counties to enforce and adhere to the same regulation in all the counties: "Pursuant to section 127A-29, HRS, any person who intentionally or knowingly violates any provision set forth in this Section III of this Proclamation shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, the person shall be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than one year, or both."
The rule says "all persons" must comply with applicable safety, hygiene and physical distancing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and with State, county, industry and regulatory practices issued by Hawaiʻi Department of Health.
The rule says "all persons" must comply with applicable safety, hygiene and physical distancing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and with State, county, industry and regulatory practices issued by Hawaiʻi Department of Health.
The proclamation specifies that owners and operators of "any business or operation shall refuse admission or service to any individual who fails to wear a face covering, unless an exception applies under this section." Those that do not may be subject to enforcement, including fines and mandatory closure.
The islands already post the lowest case count in the country.
See the video on the Star Advertiser Facebook page. See another story about this issue in the Saturday Kaʻū News Briefs. Read the governor's 15th Emergency Proclamation here.THE MORATORIUM FOR EVICTIONS FOR FAILURE TO PAY RENT during the pandemic was extended to Dec. 31 today. Read the governor's 15th Emergency Proclamation here.
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 DANGER OF LEAF RUST TO KAʻŪ COFFEE FARMS will be the subject of a 10 a.m. meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 17 led by Andrea Kawabata of University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture. Kaʻū Coffee Growers Cooperative President Gloria Camba said she urges all farmers to attend since the new disease threatens the industry.
The meeting will be held outdoors at Pāhala Plantation House. Masks and social distancing are required.
See schedule of virtual webinars and other resources regarding CLR, below.
See schedule of virtual webinars and other resources regarding CLR, below.
SIGN UP FOR COFFEE LEAF RUST WEBINARS to be held this Thursday, Nov. 19. Hosted by Hawaiʻi Coffee Association, the CLR webinars and information are provided as a free resource for association members and the broader community. The information is designed to provide important updates on the Coffee Leaf Rust disease recently discovered in Kona and Maui.
From 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., attend Short Term Strategies with Jacques Avelino of CIRAD and Andrea Kawabata of University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. CIRAD is the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development, an organization working for the sustainable development of tropical and Mediterranean regions.
Avelino will discuss the biology of the causal agent of coffee leaf rust: the fungus Hemileia vastatrix and some epidemiological considerations. He will explain how meteorological variables, topography, coffee tree characteristics, natural enemies and management, particularly nutrition and shade, affect coffee rust development. This knowledge can be used to improve coffee rust management at farm and regional levels.
Kawabata will provide updated information on approved fungicides for coffee in Hawaiʻi to help combat Coffee Leaf Rust, including application recommendations. She will also cover necessary general farm practices, hygiene, and sanitation protocols that producers should be implementing on their farms immediately to avoid spreading CLR.
Register here.
Attend Research, Resources & Regulation from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with Kevin Hoffman of Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Lisa Keith of U.S. Department of Agriculture and Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center.
Hoffman will provide an update to attendees on the most current information available to HDOA including new quarantine restrictions.
Keith will focus on the pathology of coffee leaf rust in Hawaiʻi, including what is known, not known, and short and long-term research efforts to manage CLR in Hawaiʻi.
Register here.
Farm owners and operators are reminded to notify all farm staff, including seasonal pickers who may work on multiple farms, of new sanitation protocols to mitigate the spread of CLR fungus. Farms are encouraged to share webinar information with farm staff.
Kawabata will provide updated information on approved fungicides for coffee in Hawaiʻi to help combat Coffee Leaf Rust, including application recommendations. She will also cover necessary general farm practices, hygiene, and sanitation protocols that producers should be implementing on their farms immediately to avoid spreading CLR.
Register here.
Attend Research, Resources & Regulation from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with Kevin Hoffman of Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Lisa Keith of U.S. Department of Agriculture and Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center.
Hoffman will provide an update to attendees on the most current information available to HDOA including new quarantine restrictions.
Keith will focus on the pathology of coffee leaf rust in Hawaiʻi, including what is known, not known, and short and long-term research efforts to manage CLR in Hawaiʻi.
Register here.
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| Coffee Leaf Rust harms coffee plants by destroying the leaves. UH-CTAHR photo |
CLR Spray Publications, English version - www.HawaiiCoffeeEd.com/
CLRSprayEnglish; Spanish version - www.HawaiiCoffeeEd.com/
CLRSprayEspanol. HDOA CLR Field Guide and Submission Form, https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/pi/files/2020/11/CLR-Public-field-guide-with-form.pdf or www.HawaiiCoffeeEd.com/CLRFieldGuideForm.html. See hawaiicoffeeassoc.org.
PLANS FOR A GLOBAL VOYAGE FOR CANOES HŌKŪLEʻA AND HIKIANALIA are in the works. Polynesian Voyaging Society announced a plan, as well as back-up plans, for its next major journey and educational campaign: The Moananuiākea Voyage.
At the start and finish of the 2014-2017 voyage, Hōkūleʻa sailed through Kaʻū's offshore waters, making stops in Miloliʻi.
Contingent on the state of COVID-19 in Hawaiʻi and throughout the world, the 41,000-mile, 42-month circumnavigation of the Pacific will take Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia to 46 countries and archipelagoes, nearly 100 indigenous territories, and 345 ports.
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Miloli‘i children and crew of the Hōkūleʻa before her three-year voyage around the world, May 2014 to June 2017. Photo from Polynesian Voyaging Society |
Polynesian Voyaging Society says the voyage will be focused on "the vital importance of oceans, nature and indigenous knowledge, while developing young crew members, navigators and leaders." The goal "is to engage communities around the world to take part in navigating the earth towards a healthy, thriving future," says PVS.
Planning for Moananuiākea Voyage and its educational initiatives began two-and-a-half years ago. This year, after several delays due to shutdowns and new safety protocols related to the pandemic, work is now also underway to prepare the vessels and conduct crew training.
Circumnavigation of the Pacific is tentatively set to start from Alaska in spring 2022. The canoes will return to Honolua Bay, Maui on May 1, 2026, the 50th Anniversary of Hōkūleʻa's 1976 maiden voyage to Tahiti. Before this, PVS is hoping to sail Kealaikahiki, the ancient sea road connecting Hawaiʻi and Tahiti, in Spring of 2021, to train young crew members and navigators, and to ask permission at the sacred navigational heiau of Taputapuatea to embark on the Moananuiākea Voyage. Upon the return from Tahiti, the canoes will sail around the Hawaiian Islands to connect with local communities before departing Hawaiʻi for more than three years.
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Hōkūleʻa visited 23 countries, 150 ports and sailed 40,000 nautical miles on her last voyage, from May 2014 to June 2017. Map from Polynesian Voyaging Society |
Nainoa Thompson, Pwo navigator and president of PVS, said, "We want to be respectful to this global pandemic and its impacts on communities we are hoping to sail to, so although we continue to prepare to voyage, COVID has changed how we do everything. We have also been searching and having many conversations about how Hōkūleʻa and the voyaging family can make a positive contribution and help Hawaiʻi and its people during these very difficult times.
"Today, we find ourselves facing some of the most challenging threats we've ever faced. From this global pandemic to burning forests, emptying oceans, melting glaciers, rising seas… storms that will change the earth and humanity into the next century and beyond. With the Moananuiākea Voyage, we feel the urgency to seek out and connect a new generation of bold, brilliant and caring leaders around the world who can chart a course for a flourishing future for Hawaiʻi, the Pacific and the Earth. We call these leaders navigators."
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| Miloliʻi was the first stop when Hōkūleʻa returned to Hawaiʻi Island, following three years of sailing around the world. Onboard, the women chant, sailing into Miloliʻi in 2013. Photo from Polynesian Voyaging Society |
The goal of the "Third Canoe" is to "inspire people to action and to make good choices around the Pacific and the world," says PVG. Partners include ʻAha Moananuiākea Pacific Consortium (Kamehameha Schools, University of Hawaii and Bishop Museum), Arizona State University, Planetary Health Alliance, Ocean Elders and Nia Tero–a global NGO whose mission is to secure indigenous guardianship for vital ecosystems. They are already developing programs that will scale the educational impact and reach of the Pacific Voyage.
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| Hōkūleʻa, returning to Miloliʻi after the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage. Photo by Peter Anderson |
In the meantime, PVS is in the beginning phases of reaching out to the countries along the tentative voyage route to seek permission to visit and engage during the sail, a PVS protocol practiced prior to each voyage.
PVS has started a membership drive to help fund the Moananuiākea Voyage and educational campaign. As part of the launch, a one-hour documentary, He Wa’a, He Honua – The Earth Is Our Canoe, is available online for free as part of the Hawaii International Film Festival through Nov. 29. The announcement says the show "takes a look back at the cultural renaissance that began in the 1970s reclaiming language, land, voyaging and other native Hawaiian cultural practices, then shares PVS's plans for the next five years inviting viewers to join Hōkūleʻa in the next renaissance – that of Island Earth."
Finalists will be invited to submit a video by Jan. 4, displaying their culinary skills. Each of the 18 finalist will be issued a KTA gift card to purchase ingredients. A team of judges will choose the top six, who will participate in a live virtual coof-off for the public to choose the winner, on Jan. 14.
Learn more and submit recipes at tinyurl.com/Onolicious2021. Questions? Email mingwei@c4gts.org.
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.
Veteran Farmers can register for virtual Farmer Veteran Coalition Conference: Veterans Farming through Adversity held Nov. 18 and 19, Wednesday and Thursday. Features education, workshops, keynote speakers, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and more. $45 ($35 for coalition members). Advance registration required.
Attend Virtual Coffee Leaf Rust Webinars Thursday, Nov. 19. Hosted by Hawaiʻi Coffee Association, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., attend Short Term Strategies with Jacques Avelino of CIRAD and Andrea Kawabata of University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. Register here.
Attend Research, Resources & Regulation from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with Kevin Hoffman of Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Lisa Keith of U.S. Department of Agriculture and Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center. Register here.
Farm owners and operators are reminded to notify all farm staff, including seasonal pickers who may work on multiple farms, of new sanitation protocols to mitigate the spread of CLR fungus. Farms are encouraged to share webinar information with farm staff. See hawaiicoffeeassoc.org.
Volcano Village Art Hui: Creative Adaptations 2020 34th Annual Studio Tour & Sale, adapted to fit pandemic circumstances, will be held over Thanksgiving weekend – Nov. 27-29, Friday through Sunday. Participating artists will offer various ways to acquire art using safety guidelines, including online orders, scheduled appointments, and/or modified on-site studio tours. Many artists will continue these opportunities throughout December and beyond. See VolcanoVillageArtistsHui.com or Instagram: @VolcanoArtHui for updates and individual artists' contact information.
Apply or Donate to Full Calabash Fund to support vulnerable Hawaiʻi families and food producers impacted by the pandemic through The Kohala Center. Organizations and foundations can donate to the Full Calabash Fund through Dec. 31 by contacting Nicole Milne, The Kohala Center's vice president of food and agriculture initiatives, at (808) 987-9210 or nmilne@kohalacenter.org. Nonprofit organizations and meal preparation services can apply for grants through Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. online at koha.la/calabash or by calling 808-887-6411.
Big Island Giving Tree will have a booth at St. Jude's in Ocean View on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Available to those in need will be free clothing, linens, shoes, household items, cleaning products, and hygiene products.
Volunteer in the Community urges Hawaiʻi Community Foundation: "You can make Hawaiʻi better with your time. Whether you help pull invasive species from the coastline, pick up rubbish from the beach, deliver food to seniors, or read to keiki, just a couple hours of your time make a huge difference in your community! If you've ever considered volunteering, now is the time your community needs it most." Connect with community partners and get resources on where to volunteer at hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/participate.
Free Lifetime Entry for Veterans and Gold Star Families to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes and other national parks. Free entry applies to national parks, wildlife refuges, forests, and other Federal lands managed by the Department of the Interior. Learn more details, and how to apply and receive a Gold Star Family voucher, at https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm.
New Operating Hours for Wai‘ōhinu Transfer Station are Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Recycling services available 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. HI-5 deposit beverage container collection Saturdays only, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. "White goods" appliance collection services will accept one appliance per resident per day. Customers need to check in with the facility attendant before dropping an appliance off at the facility. No unattended drop-offs allowed. Visit hawaiizerowaste.org website or call 961-8270.
New Operating Hours for Ocean View Transfer Station are Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. HI-5 deposit beverage container collection will continue as usual on Saturdays only, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit hawaiizerowaste.org website or call 961-8270.
St. Jude's Episcopal Church services and worship are posted online at stjudeshawaii.org. Join the Aloha Hour via Zoom at 11 a.m. on Sundays, here, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.
Purchase Stay Home, Cook Rice – A Pandemic Limited Edition cookbook by Hawaiian Electric employees and retirees, their families and friends. Cookbook is $14 and includes more than 160 recipes. Benefits Hawaiʻi Island's United Way chapter partners, which includes Boys & Girls Club Big Island. Find order form at hawaiianelectric.com/
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 are required for all vendors and patrons.
Volcano Art Center Volcano Village
Read Report on Public Input about Disaster Recovery from damage during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption. View the Civic Engagement and Comment Analysis Report here.
Watch Hawaiʻi's 28th Annual Filipino Fiesta and 8th Flores de Mayo virtual celebration here, hosted by the Filipino Community Center, at filcom.org/center/hawaiis-annual-filipino-fiesta.
Food Pickup through Hope DIA-mend Ministries, weekdays, 5 p.m. in the Ace parking lot in Ocean View and lunches on Mondays. In Nāʻālehu, meals distributed in front of old Nāʻālehu Theatre at 4 p.m.
Program to Sell Produce and Meats on Hawaiʻi Island from commercial farmers and livestock producers on Hawai‘i Island for distribution to families in need. Learn more.
Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. Visit the program website.
Read About Seed Biodiversity for Hawaiʻi's Local Food System in It all Begins...and Ends with Seed, where Education and Outreach Coordinator Nancy Redfeather shares her insights. Read the blog.
Find Rangeland Management Resources at globalrangelands.org/state/hawaii. Subscribe to the newsletter to receive updates.
PVS has started a membership drive to help fund the Moananuiākea Voyage and educational campaign. As part of the launch, a one-hour documentary, He Wa’a, He Honua – The Earth Is Our Canoe, is available online for free as part of the Hawaii International Film Festival through Nov. 29. The announcement says the show "takes a look back at the cultural renaissance that began in the 1970s reclaiming language, land, voyaging and other native Hawaiian cultural practices, then shares PVS's plans for the next five years inviting viewers to join Hōkūleʻa in the next renaissance – that of Island Earth."
For more, visit hokulea.com or social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
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.
ENTER HAWAIʻI COUNTY YOUTH RECIPE & VIDEO CONTEST through Monday, Nov. 23. Open to three age groups: grades 5-8, high school, and youth under 25. Organized by USDA Farm-to-School, submissions should be nutritious, easy-to-make recipes that feature locally grown, raised or caught products.
ENTER HAWAIʻI COUNTY YOUTH RECIPE & VIDEO CONTEST through Monday, Nov. 23. Open to three age groups: grades 5-8, high school, and youth under 25. Organized by USDA Farm-to-School, submissions should be nutritious, easy-to-make recipes that feature locally grown, raised or caught products.
Learn more and submit recipes at tinyurl.com/Onolicious2021. Questions? Email mingwei@c4gts.org.
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. REPORTED MORE THAN 170,000 NEW COVID CASES in the last day. Since the pandemic began, the U.S. reported 11,172,779 cases – about 20 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 247,019 – about 18.5 percent of worldwide deaths.
Hawaiʻi Island reports eight new COVID cases today. There are ten people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus. Hawaiʻi Island reports an average of 12 new cases per day over the last 14 days, with 347 active.
New cases reported statewide today total 95, with 76 on Oʻahu, six on Maui, two on Kauaʻi, and two residents diagnosed out-of-state.
Since the pandemic began, 48 deaths have been reported on Hawaiʻi Island. At least 222 people have died in the state, according to state records, none new today.
Department of Health reports 1,288 new cases have been diagnosed in the state the last 14 days, a daily average case rate of 92.
Since the pandemic began, there have been 16,613 total COVID cases in the state. Oʻahu has reported 14,337 total cases, Maui 450, Lanaʻi 106, Molokaʻi 17, and Kauaʻi 82. Residents diagnosed while out-of-state, 142. Statewide, 1,210 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.
No new cases have been reported in the last 14 days for Volcano zip codes 96785 and 96718, and Kaʻū zip codes 96772 and 96777. In the last 28 days, less than ten active cases have been reported in zip code 96704, which includes Miloliʻi.
In the last 14 days, 15 cases have been reported in Kaʻū zip code 96737, 20 in Hilo zip code 96720, 79 in Kona zip code 96740, and 12 in zip code 96738 – which includes Waikoloa Village and Puako.
See the Hawaiʻi County COVID-19 webpage. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311. Hawaiʻi Island police continue enforcement of preventative policies.
Worldwide, there are more than 54.78 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 1,322,400.
THE U.S. REPORTED MORE THAN 170,000 NEW COVID CASES in the last day. Since the pandemic began, the U.S. reported 11,172,779 cases – about 20 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 247,019 – about 18.5 percent of worldwide deaths.
Hawaiʻi Island reports eight new COVID cases today. There are ten people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus. Hawaiʻi Island reports an average of 12 new cases per day over the last 14 days, with 347 active.
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Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 14
days, by zip code. Gray areas have populations less than 1,000. White is zero cases.
Yellow is one to 10 cases. Light
orange is 11-50 cases. Dark orange is 51-200 cases. Department of
Health map |
Since the pandemic began, 48 deaths have been reported on Hawaiʻi Island. At least 222 people have died in the state, according to state records, none new today.
Department of Health reports 1,288 new cases have been diagnosed in the state the last 14 days, a daily average case rate of 92.
Since the pandemic began, there have been 16,613 total COVID cases in the state. Oʻahu has reported 14,337 total cases, Maui 450, Lanaʻi 106, Molokaʻi 17, and Kauaʻi 82. Residents diagnosed while out-of-state, 142. Statewide, 1,210 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.
No new cases have been reported in the last 14 days for Volcano zip codes 96785 and 96718, and Kaʻū zip codes 96772 and 96777. In the last 28 days, less than ten active cases have been reported in zip code 96704, which includes Miloliʻi.
In the last 14 days, 15 cases have been reported in Kaʻū zip code 96737, 20 in Hilo zip code 96720, 79 in Kona zip code 96740, and 12 in zip code 96738 – which includes Waikoloa Village and Puako.
See the Hawaiʻi County COVID-19 webpage. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311. Hawaiʻi Island police continue enforcement of preventative policies.
Worldwide, there are more than 54.78 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 1,322,400.
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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
Attend or Testify Environmental Rules Public Hearing on Thursday, Nov. 19 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The hearing will address the Department of Environmental Management's proposal to repeal its existing rules and adopt a new set of proposed Rules of Practice and Procedure. Attend the meeting via Webex Conferencing, meeting number (access code) 126 195 1374, meeting password v2uNh8nZS2w; or by phone: call 1-408-418-9388, access code 126 195 1374, password 82864869.
Proposed rules will be emailed or mailed at no cost by contacting Mary Fujio at 961-8099. Copies of the proposed rules may be reviewed or obtained at the Department of Environmental Management, 345 Kekūanāoʻa Street, Suite 41, Hilo, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by appointment only or through emailing cohdem@hawaiicounty.gov.
Provide written testimony by email to cohdem@hawaiicounty.gov, fax to (808) 961-8086, or mail to the Department of Environmental Management, 345 Kekūanāoʻa Street, Suite 41, Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720. Testimony must be received by noon on Wednesday, Nov. 18. To provide oral testimony, email cohdem@hawaiicounty.gov or call (808) 961-8099 by noon on Wednesday, Nov. 18, with name, phone number, and email address of testifier.
Provide written testimony by email to cohdem@hawaiicounty.gov, fax to (808) 961-8086, or mail to the Department of Environmental Management, 345 Kekūanāoʻa Street, Suite 41, Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720. Testimony must be received by noon on Wednesday, Nov. 18. To provide oral testimony, email cohdem@hawaiicounty.gov or call (808) 961-8099 by noon on Wednesday, Nov. 18, with name, phone number, and email address of testifier.
Veteran Farmers can register for virtual Farmer Veteran Coalition Conference: Veterans Farming through Adversity held Nov. 18 and 19, Wednesday and Thursday. Features education, workshops, keynote speakers, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and more. $45 ($35 for coalition members). Advance registration required.
Attend Virtual Coffee Leaf Rust Webinars Thursday, Nov. 19. Hosted by Hawaiʻi Coffee Association, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., attend Short Term Strategies with Jacques Avelino of CIRAD and Andrea Kawabata of University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. Register here.
Attend Research, Resources & Regulation from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with Kevin Hoffman of Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Lisa Keith of U.S. Department of Agriculture and Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center. Register here.
Farm owners and operators are reminded to notify all farm staff, including seasonal pickers who may work on multiple farms, of new sanitation protocols to mitigate the spread of CLR fungus. Farms are encouraged to share webinar information with farm staff. See hawaiicoffeeassoc.org.
Beadweaving in the Round with Phyllis Cullen, Thursday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Christmas in the Country 21st Annual Wreath Exhibition opens Saturday, Nov. 21 through Thursday, Dec. 31 at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Paint Your Own Silk Scarf workshop with Patti Pease Johnson, Saturday, Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Virtual ʻŌhiʻa Love Fest through Saturday, Nov. 21. ʻŌhiʻa lovers of all ages will be treated to a fun-filled and educational week of workshops, videos, arts, crafts and cultural sharing. All activities are free, but some require advance registration. Included in the week's activities will be information about how ROD spreads and the actions needed to protect remaining healthy ʻōhiʻa. See UH-CTAHR's website.
Small Businesses and Nonprofits can Apply for Reimbursement Grants through the Business Pivot Program to cover expenses up to $10,000 that they incurred implementing changes to their operations, products, and services. Grant application open until Nov. 23, as funds are available. Click here for eligibility requirements and to apply. Click here for frequently asked questions.
Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner Fundraiser for Kaʻū Hospital Charitable Foundation will be held Wednesday, Nov. 25, noon to 4 p.m. and Thursday, Nov. 26, noon to 2 p.m. Drive-thru pickup at lanai gate at the hospital parking lot. Each plate is $10 and includes turkey, dressing (stuffing), mashed potatoes, gravy, veggies, and pumpkin pie. Tickets are available through Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 4:30 p.m., cash or check, in the business office or clinic reception. Questions? Contact Jennifer Grace at 808-932-4372.
Holiday Open House at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, Friday, Nov. 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy viewing of handmade wreaths, cider, music, door prizes, and gifts. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Get Books Into the Hands of Keiki at the Volcano School of Arts & Sciences Virtual Book Fair, through Nov. 29. This link, https://www.scholastic.com/bf/volcanoschoolofartssci, is for VSAS and will allow all purchases through this site to be credited towards VSAS's fundraiser. In addition, teachers will set up individual ʻeWalletʻ accounts for teacher wishlist funds: The eWallet allows parents, guardians, and community members to donate funds (not books) from which teachers can purchase books. There is free shipping on book purchases over $25.
Watch Hawaiʻi International Film Festival Online through Sunday, Nov. 29. Tickets for individual screenings as well as all-access passes are available here.
Watch Hawaiʻi International Film Festival Online through Sunday, Nov. 29. Tickets for individual screenings as well as all-access passes are available here.
Volcano Garden Arts' Think X-Mas! Exquisite Gift Sale, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Nov. 27, 28, and 29 features special plate lunch at Cafe Ono. Held at 19-3834 Old Volcano Rd. See ShopVGA.net, CafeOno.net, and VolcanoGardenArts.com.
Volcano Village Art Hui: Creative Adaptations 2020 34th Annual Studio Tour & Sale, adapted to fit pandemic circumstances, will be held over Thanksgiving weekend – Nov. 27-29, Friday through Sunday. Participating artists will offer various ways to acquire art using safety guidelines, including online orders, scheduled appointments, and/or modified on-site studio tours. Many artists will continue these opportunities throughout December and beyond. See VolcanoVillageArtistsHui.com or Instagram: @VolcanoArtHui for updates and individual artists' contact information.
Hawaiian Islands Challenge Virtual Run through Dec. 31. Registration closes Nov. 30. Individuals or teams can register to traverse some or all of 808 kilometers on six different courses, one on each main island. Register here.
Renew or Apply for Membership in Experience Volcano Hawaiʻi for $20 until Nov. 30. Details available at experiencevolcano.com/2020special. Membership offers perks such as free 25-word classified ads in the newsletter. Buy, sell, trade or donate. Members can send ads to experiencevolcano@gmail.com. Deadline is the 15th of the month. Ads will publish until canceled. No artwork or logos allowed.
Give Input on Cleaning up the Former Quarry Firing Range in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Engineering evaluation and cost analysis will address surface soils impacted with heavy metals. The EE/CA document is available through Dec. 1. Executive Summary of the EE/CA and the Community Involvement Plan are available online at parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?parkId=307&projectID=92898. View them in person, by appointment only – call 808-985-6073 – at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Headquarters Building, 1 Crater Rim Drive, in the Park, weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Electronically submit comments via the website above or writing to Ms. Danielle Foster at danielle_foster@nps.gov or Environmental Protection Specialist, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, P.O. Box 52, Hawaiʻi National Park, HI 96718.
Receive Help Signing Up for Med-Quest Health Insurance via nonprofit organizations starting Sunday through Dec. 15. Local contacts through the community organization Kalanihale include Kaʻimi Kaupilo, of Miloliʻi, who can be reached at 808-937-1310 and Donna Kekoa, of Pāhala, at 808-769-1334.
The state's Med-Quest provides eligible low-income adults and children access to health and medical coverage through managed care plans.
Island of Hawaiʻi YMCA helps through Shon Araujo at 808-854-0152 and Carrie Fernandez at 808-854-0256. West Hawaiʻi Community Center assists through Beonka Snyder at 808-327-0803, Tina Evans at 808-640-8587, Charles Kelen at 808-491-9761, and Walter Lanw at 808-785-8201. Hawaiʻi Island HIV/AIDS Foundation helps through Rachelle Hanohano at 808-896-5051, Paul Thome at 858-876-5154, Melani Matsumoto at 808-854-1877, and Jennifer Reno-Medeiros at 808-333-6443.
Island of Hawaiʻi YMCA helps through Shon Araujo at 808-854-0152 and Carrie Fernandez at 808-854-0256. West Hawaiʻi Community Center assists through Beonka Snyder at 808-327-0803, Tina Evans at 808-640-8587, Charles Kelen at 808-491-9761, and Walter Lanw at 808-785-8201. Hawaiʻi Island HIV/AIDS Foundation helps through Rachelle Hanohano at 808-896-5051, Paul Thome at 858-876-5154, Melani Matsumoto at 808-854-1877, and Jennifer Reno-Medeiros at 808-333-6443.
Kokua Services will help with virtual appointments through the Certified Assisters above.
Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund Public Cleanup Event Saturday, Dec. 19. Group size limited due to COVID-19 precautions and government proclamations. Contact Megan Lamson-Leatherman at (808) 280-8124 or wild@aloha.net.
Homeowners, Apply for Affordable Rental Housing Tax Reduction through Dec. 31. Application, requirements and benefits are at hawaiipropertytax.com/misc.html or call the county Real Property Tax office at 961-8201 or 323-4880.
ONGOING
COMMUNITY
Support Volcano Emergency Response Team's Efforts to supply a newly-developed plan to manage potential disasters in the community of Volcano until other assistance arrives. In order to address these disasters quickly and efficiently, such as hurricanes, COVID-19, and volcanic issues, supplies and equipment are needed to assist the Volcano community in the event a disaster. VERP has set up a GoFundMe website to address these needs and would be "extremely grateful" for any contribution in any amount. See gofundme.com/volcano-emergency-response-plan or the VERP page at thecoopercenter.org.
ONGOING
COMMUNITY
Support Volcano Emergency Response Team's Efforts to supply a newly-developed plan to manage potential disasters in the community of Volcano until other assistance arrives. In order to address these disasters quickly and efficiently, such as hurricanes, COVID-19, and volcanic issues, supplies and equipment are needed to assist the Volcano community in the event a disaster. VERP has set up a GoFundMe website to address these needs and would be "extremely grateful" for any contribution in any amount. See gofundme.com/volcano-emergency-response-plan or the VERP page at thecoopercenter.org.
Volunteer in the Community urges Hawaiʻi Community Foundation: "You can make Hawaiʻi better with your time. Whether you help pull invasive species from the coastline, pick up rubbish from the beach, deliver food to seniors, or read to keiki, just a couple hours of your time make a huge difference in your community! If you've ever considered volunteering, now is the time your community needs it most." Connect with community partners and get resources on where to volunteer at hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/participate.Free Lifetime Entry for Veterans and Gold Star Families to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes and other national parks. Free entry applies to national parks, wildlife refuges, forests, and other Federal lands managed by the Department of the Interior. Learn more details, and how to apply and receive a Gold Star Family voucher, at https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm.
New Operating Hours for Wai‘ōhinu Transfer Station are Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Recycling services available 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. HI-5 deposit beverage container collection Saturdays only, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. "White goods" appliance collection services will accept one appliance per resident per day. Customers need to check in with the facility attendant before dropping an appliance off at the facility. No unattended drop-offs allowed. Visit hawaiizerowaste.org website or call 961-8270.
New Operating Hours for Ocean View Transfer Station are Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. HI-5 deposit beverage container collection will continue as usual on Saturdays only, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit hawaiizerowaste.org website or call 961-8270.
Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts here for site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.
COVID-19 Talk Story on Nā Leo TV series aims to help deliver accurate and current information to Hawaiʻi Island residents. Airs live Thursdays at 10 a.m. on Spectrum Channel 53, online at naleo.tv/channel-53/, streaming on Nā Leo's free mobile app, and on-demand at naleo.tv/covid19.
Nominate Businesses that Provide Excellent COVID-19 Safety Precautions for a Gold Star. Submit nominations to County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development here. Find help for small businesses here.
Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at 10 a.m. , with Worship Service starting at 10:10 a.m. Face coverings required when usher comes to vehicle to pass out worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live-streamed service at 10:10 a.m. and Praise Jam, which runs from 9:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.
Purchase Stay Home, Cook Rice – A Pandemic Limited Edition cookbook by Hawaiian Electric employees and retirees, their families and friends. Cookbook is $14 and includes more than 160 recipes. Benefits Hawaiʻi Island's United Way chapter partners, which includes Boys & Girls Club Big Island. Find order form at hawaiianelectric.com/
unitedwaycookbook, call 543-4601 on weekdays from 8 a.m to 3 p.m., or email karen.garcia@hawaiianelectric.com. Cookbooks can only be mailed within the U.S. USPS Priority Mail rates will be applied. Delays may be due to the pandemic.
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. Managed by Mark Cocucci. 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.
ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon . Limit of 50 customers, 25 vendor booths, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are 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. facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket
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.
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. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov.
Read Report on Public Input about Disaster Recovery from damage during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption. View the Civic Engagement and Comment Analysis Report here.
Watch Hawaiʻi's 28th Annual Filipino Fiesta and 8th Flores de Mayo virtual celebration here, hosted by the Filipino Community Center, at filcom.org/center/hawaiis-annual-filipino-fiesta.
FREE FOOD
Bulk School Meal Service for those 18 and under will be held at Volcano and Pāhala on alternating weeks. Friday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., pick up food at Kaʻū District Gym. Friday, Nov. 20, pick up food at The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences Keakealani Campus located at 19-4024 Haunani Road in Volcano. There is no service on Friday, Nov. 27. The program runs through June 30, 2021. Pick up food items such as eggs, cereal, dry pasta, rice, beans, tortillas, milk, and canned vegetables and fruit. As the program grows, a variety of fresh products like meats, fruits and vegetables may be on offer. Each distribution will provide enough food for every person 18 years and under to eat breakfast and lunch. No income requirements to participate. Youth do not need to be present to receive bags but be prepared to give their names and birthdates. See https://www.volcanoschool.net/ or call 808-985-9901.
Bulk School Meal Service for those 18 and under will be held at Volcano and Pāhala on alternating weeks. Friday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., pick up food at Kaʻū District Gym. Friday, Nov. 20, pick up food at The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences Keakealani Campus located at 19-4024 Haunani Road in Volcano. There is no service on Friday, Nov. 27. The program runs through June 30, 2021. Pick up food items such as eggs, cereal, dry pasta, rice, beans, tortillas, milk, and canned vegetables and fruit. As the program grows, a variety of fresh products like meats, fruits and vegetables may be on offer. Each distribution will provide enough food for every person 18 years and under to eat breakfast and lunch. No income requirements to participate. Youth do not need to be present to receive bags but be prepared to give their names and birthdates. See https://www.volcanoschool.net/ or call 808-985-9901.
One-Time Emergency Food For Pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.
Food Pickup through Hope DIA-mend Ministries, weekdays, 5 p.m. in the Ace parking lot in Ocean View and lunches on Mondays. In Nāʻālehu, meals distributed in front of old Nāʻālehu Theatre at 4 p.m.
Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Call ahead, 967-7800.
FINANCES
Apply for Utility Assistance, to pay for electricity, non-government water, or gas. Applicants must be a Hawaiʻi Island resident, at least 18 years old, lost income or work hours due to COVID-19, and not previously received assistance from other COVID-19 federal or state-funded programs. Funded by CARES Act and distributed by Hawaiʻi County Economic Opportunity Council, required documents for application are government-issued identification, income verification documents for all household members, utility statement with address of services, lease/rental agreement or mortgage document, and proof of hardship. Hardship may include, but not limited to, pay stubs documenting pre-COVID-19 income, unemployment approval letter, or layoff letter. Apply at HCEOC.net or call 808-961-2681.
Apply for Expanded Hawaiʻi County Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program. RMAP partners encourage Hawaiʻi Island residents who are at least 18 years old and lost income or work hours due to COVID-19, including quitting or reduced hours to provide childcare, may be eligible for up to $2,000 per month for rent, lease, or mortgage payments. Payments made directly to landlords, property managers, or mortgage lenders. Approved applicants also have access to financial counseling services.
Apply for Holomua Hawaiʻi Relief Grants for small businesses and nonprofits of up to $10,000 to support core operations, safe on-going and reopening costs, personal protective equipment, and training and technical assistance. The business or nonprofit must employ 50 people or fewer. See the program website.
Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on 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 website for Live WebEx link.
Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach and Tutoring Programs here. Registration does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families for keiki grades 1-6, to complete the registration process. Questions? 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.
HEALTH
Appointments for free Veterinary Care or Spay & Neutering can be scheduled by visiting hihs.org and clicking on the Services Tab, then selecting Spay and Neuter or Community Vet Care, or by emailing petsupport@hihs.org or calling 808-217-0154. All appointments must be scheduled in advance and are open to healthy owned dogs and cats only. Two pets per family will be accommodated. Each pet must have its own appointment. Animals other than dogs and cats, unhealthy animals, or those with contagious illnesses will not be accepted.
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
Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. 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. Meetings held Sundays on Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.
Report Humpback Whales in Trouble is the reminder from Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association and Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale and National Marine Sanctuary: "If you spot a humpback whale in trouble (entangled, being harassed etc.) please call the NOAA Fisheries 24 hour hotline at 1-888-256-984. The line also works for reports for sea turtles, monk seals and dolphins."
RMAP nonprofit partners are Hawaiian Community Assets/Hawaiʻi Community Lending, HawaiianCommunity.net, 808-934-0801; HOPE Services Hawaiʻi, hopeserviceshawaii.org/rmap, 808-935-3050; Hawai‘i First Federal Credit Union, hawaiifirstfcu.com/pathways, 808-933-6600; Neighborhood Place of Puna, neighborhoodplaceofpuna.org/coronavirus-rent-mortgage-relief, 808-965-5550; Hawai‘i Island Home for Recovery, hihrecovery.org/RMAP, 808-640-4443 or 808-934-7852; Habitat for Humanity Hawai‘i Island, habitathawaiiisland.org/rmap.html, 808-450-2118.
Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues, through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Complete webform here or call 808-933-6600. Contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019 with questions.
Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19, from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class at https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.
EDUCATION
Free WiFi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.
In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.
In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind.
In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Crystal Mandaquit. No restrooms available at this location.
Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Arianrhod VanNewkirk, Heather Naboa, Marcia Masters, and Breeann Ebanez.
All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.
Free WiFi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.
In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.
In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind.
In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Crystal Mandaquit. No restrooms available at this location.
Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Arianrhod VanNewkirk, Heather Naboa, Marcia Masters, and Breeann Ebanez.
All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.
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.
Student Athletes of Kaʻū High interested in participating in athletics during the 2020-2021 school year are encouraged to call Athletic Director Kalei Namohala at 313-4161 to sign up for the Student Athlete Google Classroom.
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.
ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides fo
Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries, 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. Pāhala open Tuesday, noon to 7 p.m., Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 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. 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.
Free Job Training for workers displaced by COVID-19 is launched by the state for up to 650 workers. Programs offer on-the-job training through Dec. 15, with wages starting at $13 to $15 an hour, health care benefits, and mentoring. Two different tracks in innovation or conservation sectors. See dbedt.hawaii.gov/blog/20-21/.
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.
Appointments for free Veterinary Care or Spay & Neutering can be scheduled by visiting hihs.org and clicking on the Services Tab, then selecting Spay and Neuter or Community Vet Care, or by emailing petsupport@hihs.org or calling 808-217-0154. All appointments must be scheduled in advance and are open to healthy owned dogs and cats only. Two pets per family will be accommodated. Each pet must have its own appointment. Animals other than dogs and cats, unhealthy animals, or those with contagious illnesses will not be accepted.
Micronesian-Language COVID-19 Helpline offered by We Are Oceania. Receive answers to questions about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, quarantine, health insurance, housing, unemployment, and other related questions, for those Micronesians who do not speak English. (808) 913-1364. Watch the video here.
Anyone Feeling Depressed or Anxious, or who needs someone to talk to, can 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 How to Practice 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 on Facebook.
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
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 here.
Report Humpback Whales in Trouble is the reminder from Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association and Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale and National Marine Sanctuary: "If you spot a humpback whale in trouble (entangled, being harassed etc.) please call the NOAA Fisheries 24 hour hotline at 1-888-256-984. The line also works for reports for sea turtles, monk seals and dolphins."
AGRICULTURE
Coffee Growers are urged to take a survey on how the pandemic is affecting them by Hawaiʻi Coffee Association. Take the survey here: surveymonkey.com/r/638VWS6.
Coffee Farmers and Producers of Other Agricultural Products encouraged to apply to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program through Dec. 11. See funding updates and resources for coffee growers, hawaiicoffeeassoc.org. See complete list of eligible commodities, payment rates, and calculations at farmers.gov/cfap.
Program to Sell Produce and Meats on Hawaiʻi Island from commercial farmers and livestock producers on Hawai‘i Island for distribution to families in need. Learn more.
Read About Seed Biodiversity for Hawaiʻi's Local Food System in It all Begins...and Ends with Seed, where Education and Outreach Coordinator Nancy Redfeather shares her insights. Read the blog.
Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature.
Find Rangeland Management Resources at globalrangelands.org/state/hawaii. Subscribe to the newsletter to receive updates.
Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, via free modules.