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Saturday, April 04, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, April 4, 2020

The late Uncle Chris Bengay is memorialized in a mural on the Pāhala Senior Center building, shut down
 temporarily during the pandemic. Click the photo to read the message, or see the wording below.
 Photo by Julia Neal
THE COUNTY NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR SENIORS shut down at Pāhala, Nāʻālehu and other locations around the county. Under the program, seniors came together at the Pāhala Senior Center and Nāʻālehu Community Center at 10:30 a.m. on weekdays for an early lunch. Many took home the hefty offerings for their dinners.
     The closure of the service in the time of COVID-19 is due to the possibility that seniors will bring the virus to the senior center, after being infected by family members and friends who wouldn't even know if they have it. The county Office of Aging is considering ways to provide take-out for the seniors, perhaps frozen meals that can be picked up, five at a time, perhaps once a week.
     A sign on the front door of Pāhala Senior Center says, "Due to the COVID-19 emergency, the Pāhala Senior Center will be closed from Monday, March 30 through Thursday, April 30, 2020. For assistance, call 928-3101 or 928-3200. The office will be closed for walk-ins in order to maintain safe conditions for our Seniors and Staff.
     "The Governor's Stay-at-Home order is in effect and you are encouraged to follow the guidelines,
     "Stay at home, except for necessary food shopping.... Take care and Be Safe!"
     The Senior Centers are also closed for all other activities, including ʻukulele playing and singing, dancing, exercising, and other classes and socializing.
Dancing was a regular activity, along with ʻukulele and singing, at Pāhala Senior Center.
Photo by Julia Neal

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CHANGING HOTELS AND PUBLIC PLACES TO MEDICAL FACILITIES drew the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' technical survey team to five places on Hawaiʻi Island last Wednesday, April 1. The mission was to assess and plan for conversion. The state directed the Engineers to Hilo and Kona. The Army Corps of Engineers issued a press release:
Army Corps of Engineers visits hotels and public sites to analyze their
possible use as hospitals during the pandemic. 
Photo from Army Corps of Engineers
     "Our District and engineering assessment team is fully engaged in providing engineering solutions as fast as possible for our state and federal partners in response to the COVID-19 pandemic," said Lt. Col. Kathryn Sanborn, Honolulu District commander. "This analysis provides essential information to the state so they can make informed decisions about next steps for the health and wellness of the community."
     Jeff Herzog, assessment team leader, said, "During site evaluations we are evaluating structural soundness, square footage, potential bed capacity and isolation space, electrical, plumbing, HVAC systems, as well as the feasibility of creating a negative-pressure environment. The data collected provides the state with information on facility capabilities."
     Following the April 1 presidential declaration that a major disaster exists in the state of Hawaiʻi, federal funding is now available to the state, should leaders decide to move forward with USACE-related emergency support measures.
Hotels and public buildings may convert to hospitals soon.
Photo from Army Corps of Engineers 
     Sanborn said, "Currently, we are doing technical planning and site assessments in partnership with FEMA, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the state and counties. We remain an option for additional support, including construction and other technical assistance, through FEMA mission assignment should the state request it."
     USACE is prepared to assist the nation in times of crisis and is working with the White House, Department of Defense, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and other federal, state, and local partners in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The FEMA mission assignments are intended to provide support nationwide to address possible medical facility shortages.
     Overall, USACE has received 15 FEMA mission assignments totaling approximately $1.2 billion, and has more than 15,000 personnel engaged in the response effort and providing support.

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DAILY COVID-19 UPDATE: Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense reports ten active cases of COVID-19 on Hawaiʻi Island as of Saturday, April 4. One is new since yesterday, 13 have recovered, two have left the island. None have been hospitalized and none have died. None have been from Volcano or Kaʻū.
     The state Department of Health reports 351 cases statewide, with 32 reported today. There have been four deaths, all on Oʻahu. The man who died this morning was a 65-year-old from east Oʻahu. He may have been exposed to a traveler from out of state.
     According to Johns Hopkins University, the U.S. has recorded 312,146 cases. The death toll is more than 8,500. The people recovered number nearly 15,000.
      Johns Hopkins counts more than 1,203,100 people as victims of COVID-19. The death toll is 64,774. The recovery total is 246,893.
     There are cases reported in over 200 countries.

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A SMALL BUSINESS VIRTUAL TOWN HALL will be held Monday, April 6 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Zoom. Space is limited; registerat EventBrite. A link with meeting info is sent after registration is complete.
     Organized by The Hawaiʻi Business Consultancy, topics will include Small Business Association Disaster Loan Programs; Hawaiʻi's economic outlook; how to apply for assistance; and what resources there are to support small businesses. Participating agencies include the U.S. Small Business Administration; state Department of Business, Economic Development, & Tourism; Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corp; Hawaiʻi Economic Association; Small Business Development Center; Pacific Islands Small Business Development Center Network; U.S. Commercial Service; Hawaiʻi Pacific Export Council; and Hawaiʻi Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations.

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HAWAIʻI STATE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES ARE CLOSED through April 30, to all but necessary workers, due to concerns over COVID-19 spread. House Speaker Scott Saiki stating the extension is to maintain consistency with Gov. David Ige's "stay at home" order. A member of the state Senate tested positive for COVID-19 in March.
     Under the closure order, representatives determine their own office hours and staffing needs based on their respective circumstances. Staff who remain at home are asked to work from home.
     Kaʻū's Representatives and Senators can still be contacted:
     Sen. Dru Kanuha – who represents west Kaʻū up through Kona – can be reached at 808-586-9385, repkahuna@capitol.hawaii.gov, or at facebook.com/SenatorKanuha.
     Sen. Russell Ruderman – who represents east Kaʻū, Volcano, into Hilo – can be reached at 808-586-6890, repruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov, or at facebook.com/senator.russell.ruderman.
     Rep. Richard Creagan – who represents west Kaʻū up through Kona – can be reached at 808-586-9605, repcreagan@capitol.hawaii.gov, or at facebook.com/DocCreagan.
     Rep. Richard Onishi – who represents east Kaʻū, Volcano, into Hilo – can be reached at 808-586-6120 or repcreagan@capitol.hawaii.gov.
     Go to capitol.hawaii.gov/members/legislators.aspx?chamber=H for other contact information.

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FARMERS CAN APPLY FOR GRANTS from American Farmland Trust through Friday, April 23. The first grants are expected to start going out on Friday, May 1. American Farmland Trust's Farmer Relief Fund will award farmers with cash grants of up to $1,000 each to help them weather the current storm of market disruptions caused by the coronavirus crisis.
     Initially, eligible applicants include any small and mid-size direct-market producers, with annual gross revenue of between $10,000 and $1 million from sales at farmers markets and/or direct sales to restaurants, caterers, schools, stores, or makers who use farm products. Applicants will be asked to estimate their financial loss.
     Apply for the Fund.
    From farmland.org/farmer-relief-fund: The coronavirus pandemic is impacting businesses that rely on direct contact with their customers, including farmers and ranchers that primarily sell their products through farmers markets and to restaurants, schools, and other institutions. In fact, a new report estimates that local and regional food systems could lose up to $1.3 billion between just March and May of this year. To help directly support farmers impacted by the current crisis, American Farmland Trust is launching a new Farmer Relief Fund. 100 percent of donations to the fund go directly to farmers. "Because it's simple: No Farms No Food."

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PALM SUNDAY WILL BE CELEBRATED VIRTUALLY in churches tomorrow, April 5th, including the presentation on St. Jude's Episcopal Church Worship webpage. Everyone is invited to check the worship page for services for Maundy Thursday, good Friday, and Easter Sunday, and also to read a Special Edition of Talk Story.

KAʻŪ HIGH & PĀHALA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ALUMNI members announced today that the next reunion may be postponed until later in the year. The decision will be made in May and depend on whether it will be safe to travel and gather by the proposed date. The reunion is held annually in Las Vegas. Questions can be directed to Neal Kanda, nkkanda2@gmail.com or 808-284-1066.

Storybook Theatre, this time last year, teaching at the old Pāhala Gym. See storybook.org. Photo by Julia Neal
Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year
     A year ago today, Storybook Theatre of Hawaiʻi had just wrapped up its marine science and cultural presentations to school children in Kaʻū. This year, the annual presentations in 39 classes on four islands are postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
     Storybook Theatre founder and Captain Mark Jeffers sends out a message:
     "Let's just take a moment to remember our children and their journey in today's world. They are learning and growing at each moment, and we are their helpers, providing them with safety, support, and our love.
     "Each day for them is an opportunity to gain deeper understanding of themselves, their friends and family members, and the world around them.
Storybook Theatre in 2017 with Tūtū & Me inside Pāhala Community Center.
Photo by Julia Neal
     "My decision to 'scuttle' this year's Marine Eco Tour of our new inflatable Orca and Baby that has been visiting your schools was very easy to make because of the circumstances that surround all of us at present. Luckily, I am blessed with a good imagination, so I am already thinking of next school year and hopefully, the great times we will be having: learning with your students about the wonderful marine world of our island. home...
      "I am proud to be a small part of the great profession of Early Childhood Education in Hawaiʻi. I believe we are providing the greatest service to the community by our work and vision for young people looking forward to the generations to come."
     See Storybook Theatre online at storybook.org. and see Storybook Theatre videos at storybook.org/russells-youtube-links-family-fun-videos.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 6,250 mailboxes 
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars 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. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of April.

MOST EVENTS ARE CANCELLED for the month of April, to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. The state is under a stay-at-home order, except for exercising, picking up food and medicine and traveling for medical care. Essential workers are allowe to leave home for their jobs.
      A  l4- day quarantine is required for anyone coming into the state. Interisland travel is restricted, except for essential service worker.
ONGOING
Free Breakfast and Lunch for Anyone Eighteen and Under is available at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary weekdays through at least the end of April. Each youth must be present to receive a meal. Service is drive-up or walk-up, and social distancing rules (at least six feet away) are observed. Breakfast is served 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to noon.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church Soup Kitchen is open, with a modified menu and increased health & safety standards, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended. Services are posted online on Sundays at stjudeshawaii.org.

 The Food Basket Food Pantries Distribution, where families can receive 14 days of food per family:
     The Ocean View location for April, scheduled for Tuesday, April 14 will be at Hawaiian Ocean View Estates Community center parking lot, 92-8924 Leilani Circle, instead of at St. Jude's Episcopal Church, 11 a.m to 1 p.m.
     The Nāʻālehu location is Sacred Hearts Church at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy, under their Loaves and Fishes program, on the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Call 928-8208.
     The Pāhala location is Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street, distributed by the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Pantry, on the last Thursday of the Month at 11:30 a.m. Call 933-6030.
     The Volcano location is Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road on the last Thursday of the month at 3:30 p.m. Call Kehau at 443-4130.

A Free Dinner for Those in Need is served at Volcano Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road every Thursday, by Friends Feeding Friends, between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.

On Call Emergency Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is operated by The Food Basket. Call 808-933-6030.

The Next Learning Packet and Student Resource Distribution for Nāʻālehu Elementary School Students will be Monday, April 13. The packets are designed for learning at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, and can be picked up every two weeks. One family member may pick up for several students in the same family. Students need not be present for the learning resources to be retrieved. Please note the grade of each child. Distribution times are organized by the first letter of the student's last name at the site closest to their home. Supplies will be given out simultaneously.
     Everyone is asked to observe social distancing rules, staying 6 feet away from others during pick-up. See the school website, naalehuel.hidoe.us, for more information and updates.
     Distribution in the Nāʻālehu area is at Nāʻālehu Elementary, Waiʻōhinu, and Discovery Harbour Community Center. Distribution in Ocean View is at the county's Kahuku Park, the area in front of Malama Market, and Ocean ViewCommunity Center.
     At Nāʻālehu Elementary, campus pick-up will be from 9 a.m - 9:20 a.m. for A-H; 9:20 a.m. - 9:40 a.m. for I-P, and 9:40 a.m. - 10 a.m. for Q-Z.
     The Waiʻōhinu pick-up: 8 a.m. - 8:20 a.m. for A-H, 8:20 a.m. - 8:40 a.m. for I-P, and 8:40 a.m. - 9 a.m. for Q-Z.
     The Discovery Harbour Community Center pick-up: 9:30 a.m. - 9:50 a.m. for A-H, 9:50 a.m. - 10:10 a.m. for I-P, and 10:10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. for Q-Z.
     Morning distribution at Kahuku Park: 8 a.m. - 8:20 a.m. for A-H, 8:20 a.m. - 8:40 a.m. for I-P, and 8:40 a.m. - 9 a.m. for Q-Z.
     Evening distribution at Kahuku Park: 5 p.m. - 5:20 p.m. for A-H, 5:20 p.m. - 5:40 p.m. for I-P, and 5:40 p.m. - 6 p.m. for Q-Z.
     Times for distribution in front of Malama Market are: 9:30 a.m. - 9:50 a.m. for A-H, 9:50 a.m. - 10:10 a.m. for I-P, and 10:10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. for Q-Z.
     Times for distribution at Ocean View Community Center are 5 p.m. - 5:20 p.m. for A-H, 5:20 p.m. - 5:40 p.m. for I-P, and 5:40 p.m. - 6 p.m. for Q-Z.

Kaʻū Art Gallery is looking for local artists. Call 808-937-1840.

Register for Volcano's ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and Keiki Dash by Wednesday, July 22. The second annual event will be held on Saturday, July 25. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to University of Hawaiʻi for furthering research of Rapid ‘Ōhiʻa Death and The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences. See webscorer.com to register.
     Half Marathon registration is $70 through May 24, $80 May 25 through July 22, and $90 for late registration. Registration for the 10K is $50 through May 24, $55 May 25 through Jul 22, and $60 for late registration. Registration for the 5K is $35 through May 24, $40 May 25 through July 22, and $45 for late registration. Keiki Dash registration is $10. All registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable.
     Late registration is only available at packet pickup or race day morning. Shirts are not guaranteed for late registration.  Race Shirts will be included for Half Marathon and 10K participants only. For all other participants, shirts are available to purchase online.
     Packet pick-up is scheduled for Thursday, July 23 in Hilo; Friday, July 26 in Volcano; and Saturday, July 27, 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. at the race start.
     Half Marathon will start at 7 a.m. Other distances follow shortly after. Keiki Dash will begin at 10 a.m. on VSAS grounds, with the option of one or two laps – about 300 meters or 600 meters. Race cut-off time for the Half Marathon is four hours. The races will begin and end in Volcano Village at VSAS.
     See ohialehuahalf.com.

Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium Closed for Renovation through June 30. The Park is closed until further notice due to COVID-19 spread mitigation. A popular seven-and-a-half minute 2018 eruption video will be shown on a television in the exhibits area, once the Park and center reopen, and is available online for free download.

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