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| Boys & Girls Club food prep kitchen where hot plates were made for delivery to Miloliʻi people today. Photo from Boys & Girls Club |
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FRESH FOOD SOURCES FOR KAʻŪ AND VOLCANO are published and updated in the new online Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar. Read about local farmers and ranchers. Find schedules for delivery and take-out of fresh produce, beef, and prepared foods. Learn about places with gardening tools, soil, seeds, and starter chicks for sale. See schedules for free meals throughout the area.
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.
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| Haukea Koprivnikar with her Nāʻālehu Elementary School Chromebook, hard at work at home during the pandemic that shut down schools and other public places. Photo by her mom, Maile Wedemeyer |
Some of the online tools that teachers and students are using during the stay-home time are Google Classroom, Epic at getepic.com, Freckle.com, GoGuardian, and Codemonkey Math Challenge. GoGuardian is the Chromebook management and monitoring tool.
Technology Coordinator for Nāʻālehu Elementary, Bob Martin, said, "Everything we have done has been intentional. What it means for us is getting supplies out for the students who need them whether its food, water color paints, ʻukulele, home work packets, or Chromebooks."
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| Principal Darlene Javar and Nellie Davis with Chromebooks that were handed out this morning at Nāʻālehu Elementary School and this afternoon at Ocean View to students studying at home. Photo by Bob Martin |
THE FOOD BASKET FOOD PANTRIES DISTRIBUTION in Ocean View, where families can receive 14 days of food per family,
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER REMAINS CLOSED until further notice, with very limited exceptions, such as the CVS prescription drug delivery. Ocean View Community Association president Suzanne Reiter said the center "will re-open as soon as possible, keeping in mind the health and safety of our community. Please abide by all of the prescribed safety guidelines to keep our neighbors and our community safe and healthy. We look forward to seeing you again, and anticipate having a reorganized library for your use and enjoyment."
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MEALS TO MILOLIʻI WERE DELIVERED BY THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB today. Some two hundred hot plated meals were made "to support all families located down in the Hawaiian village of Miloliʻi," reports the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island. Eight-hundred-and-thirty individual hot meals were provided to the public from Hilo to Kona.
Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island will keep everyone posted on their continued "Community Meal Support" efforts during this COVID-19 period. Meals are going to homeless veterans; elders and families in shelters through Hope Services; the Salvation Army's East Hawaiʻi Homeless Resource Center; Hawaiian Homes communities; public housing programs; and Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island participating youth and families.
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.
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| Masks and gloves for plating up food. Photo from Boys & Girls Club |
Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island will keep everyone posted on their continued "Community Meal Support" efforts during this COVID-19 period. Meals are going to homeless veterans; elders and families in shelters through Hope Services; the Salvation Army's East Hawaiʻi Homeless Resource Center; Hawaiian Homes communities; public housing programs; and Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island participating youth and families.
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.
THE HAWAIʻI ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY RECOVERY & RESILIENCY PLAN leader was named Wednesday by Gov. David Ige, state Senate President Ron Kouchi, and House Speaker Scott Saiki. Their proclamation named veteran business executive and community leader Alan M. Oshima to lead Hawaiʻi's efforts to develop and implement a plan for economic and community stabilization, recovery, and resiliency. Oshima most recently served as President and CEO of Hawaiian Electric.
Said Ige, "The health and safety of Hawaiʻi's people will always remain my overriding priority. However, while working to protect our residents, we also need to focus on stabilizing our economy. With the staggering increase in unemployment and the number of businesses shutting their doors, we
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| Boys & Girls Club takes hot meals to many communities from Hilo to Kona. Photo from Boys & Girls Club |
Hawaiʻi Economic and Community Recovery & Resiliency Plan will include a concurrent three-part strategy to address both the economic and community impacts of COVID-19:
Part I: Stabilization. Identify and address critical economic and community impacts, including the allocation of the federal CARES act funds and state and local funding to mitigate the collapse of key economic sectors. Also, provide direct economic relief to individuals to avoid homelessness, hunger and sickness.
Part II: Recovery. Identify and support economic and community development activities which provide recovery, job growth, and capital investment in the economy.
Part III: Resiliency. Re-evaluate and restructure Hawaiʻi's economy to meet the new normal and desired future for Hawaiʻi. Identify and invest in systemic changes in the economy and society which furthers economic diversification, environmental preservation, sustainability, and Hawaiʻi's values and way of life.
Oshima said, "This is a monumental role that the governor has established, and it will be critical in helping Hawaiʻi through this crisis and shaping the direction of our state for generations to come. We need to move quickly to establish a collaborative approach that brings together all stakeholders and maximizes Hawaiʻi's efficiency and response. These are critical times and we can't afford to be duplicating efforts.
"While we are sheltering in place to reduce community spread of COVID-19, the task force's primary concern is to ensure that all federal monies are used to the fullest extent possible to stabilize our current economic free-fall."
Part I: Stabilization. Identify and address critical economic and community impacts, including the allocation of the federal CARES act funds and state and local funding to mitigate the collapse of key economic sectors. Also, provide direct economic relief to individuals to avoid homelessness, hunger and sickness.
Part II: Recovery. Identify and support economic and community development activities which provide recovery, job growth, and capital investment in the economy.
Part III: Resiliency. Re-evaluate and restructure Hawaiʻi's economy to meet the new normal and desired future for Hawaiʻi. Identify and invest in systemic changes in the economy and society which furthers economic diversification, environmental preservation, sustainability, and Hawaiʻi's values and way of life.
Oshima said, "This is a monumental role that the governor has established, and it will be critical in helping Hawaiʻi through this crisis and shaping the direction of our state for generations to come. We need to move quickly to establish a collaborative approach that brings together all stakeholders and maximizes Hawaiʻi's efficiency and response. These are critical times and we can't afford to be duplicating efforts.
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| Alan Oshima will lead the development of the Hawaiʻi Economic & Community Recovery & Resiliency Plan. |
The Senate President added, "It is hoped that this task force will be able to advance and expand upon the partnerships that were aborted when the pandemic struck."
The House Speaker said, "This pandemic has reaffirmed what we have known for a while -- that our economy must be diversified and cannot be over-reliant on one or two major industries. This task force must help modernize our economy. The future of our families and state relies upon a sound and resilient economy."
The plan is designed to use the economic and community sectors identified in the Hawaiʻi 2050 Sustainability Plan: Economy, including Healthcare, Infrastructure; Financial Services, Hospitality, Construction, Innovation & Technology, Government and Military; Environment and Natural Resources; and Community and Social Well-being, including NGOs, social services, culture and the arts, and faith-based.
"To address community needs and expedite the decision-making process, input from key stakeholders and sectors will be essential. Each sector will have a state government appointed liaison to provide support, outreach, and connect ideas and needs with available government and community resources. They will also be asked to identify and leverage tools, resources, and assets available to achieve desired outcomes, including the roles and responsibilities of government, business, nonprofits, labor organizations, and individuals," says the statement.
Oshima said, "There are so many individuals, groups, and organizations in our community that want to help and many have already started looking for solutions. We want to make sure that they all are engaged and that our efforts are streamlined to collectively identify issues, needs, and solutions; facilitate cross-sector planning with government, business, non-profit, and labor organizations; and collect reliable data and information for analysis that will be used as the basis for decision making."
One of the first areas for collaboration is the federal CARES Act and other relief programs. It is anticipated that Hawaiʻi will receive $4 billion, which need to be used by the end of the year. If the funds are leveraged with state and local government (e.g., infrastructure spending, bond financing, tax incentives), private (e.g., targeted industries and investments), philanthropic (e.g., direct
contributions), and consumer initiatives, it will allow for greater utilization and provide for maximum impact to the stabilization and recovery efforts.
Gov. Ige concluded, "There is no time for personal agendas and self-interest – Hawaiʻi is one community, one family. We need to work together. This is the only way we are going to survive." See the Proclamation here.
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.
The House Speaker said, "This pandemic has reaffirmed what we have known for a while -- that our economy must be diversified and cannot be over-reliant on one or two major industries. This task force must help modernize our economy. The future of our families and state relies upon a sound and resilient economy."
The plan is designed to use the economic and community sectors identified in the Hawaiʻi 2050 Sustainability Plan: Economy, including Healthcare, Infrastructure; Financial Services, Hospitality, Construction, Innovation & Technology, Government and Military; Environment and Natural Resources; and Community and Social Well-being, including NGOs, social services, culture and the arts, and faith-based.
"To address community needs and expedite the decision-making process, input from key stakeholders and sectors will be essential. Each sector will have a state government appointed liaison to provide support, outreach, and connect ideas and needs with available government and community resources. They will also be asked to identify and leverage tools, resources, and assets available to achieve desired outcomes, including the roles and responsibilities of government, business, nonprofits, labor organizations, and individuals," says the statement.
One of the first areas for collaboration is the federal CARES Act and other relief programs. It is anticipated that Hawaiʻi will receive $4 billion, which need to be used by the end of the year. If the funds are leveraged with state and local government (e.g., infrastructure spending, bond financing, tax incentives), private (e.g., targeted industries and investments), philanthropic (e.g., direct
contributions), and consumer initiatives, it will allow for greater utilization and provide for maximum impact to the stabilization and recovery efforts.
Gov. Ige concluded, "There is no time for personal agendas and self-interest – Hawaiʻi is one community, one family. We need to work together. This is the only way we are going to survive." See the Proclamation here.
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.
HAWAIʻI COFFEE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT CHRIS MANFREDI issued a statement today to the coffee industry and friends, with links to resources for coffee farmers. "I hope you are doing well and staying safe. We would like to share some helpful information with farms and small businesses in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic. See the summary of the recent postings below.
"Roll out of the CARE Act and refinement of rules and regulations governing this federal COVID-19 emergency funding iteration #3 continues with the objective of providing relief as quickly and with as limited red tape as possible. By now, you're likely aware that many online sources of information are available. Some
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| Chris Manfredi |
COVID-19: Helpful Resources for Food & Agriculture - House Agriculture Committee; House Agriculture Committee - USDA Resources; SBA - COVID-19 Relief for Small Business; Loans for Nonprofits in the CARES Act; Hawaii Lenders Serving SBA's Hawaii District; Paycheck Protection Program Application.
Here is the website for those who are tracking the coronavirus pandemic, from the John Hopkins University of Medicine.
The message also recommends keeping up with the federal Department of Labor Office of Foreign Labor Certification policies. DOL recently issued a second round of COVID-19 related H-2A FAQ to address potential issues regarding the H-2A temporary agricultural labor certification program. View the Round 2 FAQs regarding COVID-19. These, along with other ongoing announcements, are being posted at farmers.gov/manage/h2a. Along with these DOL FAQs and State Department's additional interview waiver flexibilities announced last week, USDA continues to work specifically with DHS on flexibilities related to lawful presence and transfer of workers.
FEMA: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Public Assistance Simplified Application - last updated on March 23.
Manfredi said Hawaiʻi Coffee Association "will continue to post information that we find valuable to Hawaiʻi's coffee community on our website. Please check there often."
He also wrote, "We will need to work together and support each other throughout - and in the aftermath of this crisis. Please offer any suggestions you have on how we can best support you and our industry by contacting us via contact@hawaiicoffeeassoc.org."
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.
IDEAS FOR BEYOND THE PANDEMIC ARE PLENTIFUL. The op-ed from the former state Senator and founder of Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action, Gary Hooser, is entitled: Post-Pandemic Public Policy - The Conversation Starts Now. He writes:
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.
HAWAIʻI RANKS THIRTEENTH IN THE INCREASE OF UNEMPLOYMENT due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a WalletHub study. It shows that Hawaiʻi unemployment claims were higher in the last week in March by more than four thousand percent (4030.89%) compared to the same time last year. Claims increased 2,808.6 percent over January this year.
The state with the highest number of unemployment claims is Louisiana, followed by New Hampshire, Virginia, Georgia, and Mississppi. The places with lowest number of unemployment claims are Connecticut, Oregon, Wyoming, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Alaska.
Here is the website for those who are tracking the coronavirus pandemic, from the John Hopkins University of Medicine.
The message also recommends keeping up with the federal Department of Labor Office of Foreign Labor Certification policies. DOL recently issued a second round of COVID-19 related H-2A FAQ to address potential issues regarding the H-2A temporary agricultural labor certification program. View the Round 2 FAQs regarding COVID-19. These, along with other ongoing announcements, are being posted at farmers.gov/manage/h2a. Along with these DOL FAQs and State Department's additional interview waiver flexibilities announced last week, USDA continues to work specifically with DHS on flexibilities related to lawful presence and transfer of workers.
FEMA: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Public Assistance Simplified Application - last updated on March 23.
Manfredi said Hawaiʻi Coffee Association "will continue to post information that we find valuable to Hawaiʻi's coffee community on our website. Please check there often."
He also wrote, "We will need to work together and support each other throughout - and in the aftermath of this crisis. Please offer any suggestions you have on how we can best support you and our industry by contacting us via contact@hawaiicoffeeassoc.org."
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.
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| Temporary bridge along Hwy 11 between Punaluʻu and Kāwā while new bridges are being built. Photo by Julia Neal |
Incoming travel has just about been eliminated. The hotels and airlines are shutting down, restaurants and many businesses have closed, and residents are staying home. At some point soon, our broader community conversation must shift from the fear and response of the moment to our hope and plans for the future. And yes, for now anyway, we must have this conversation from home.
As a former legislator who served at both the State and County level, I tend to look at problems and challenges through a public policy lens. How do we maximize the opportunity for a strong economic "bounce back" once the pandemic has peaked and life starts returning to normal? How do we immediately and boldly charge down the long-overdue path of food self-sufficiency? What about the 48 percent of those who were already living on the edge of poverty, prior to the arrival of Covid-19? The homeless situation is only going to get worse. How do we get ahead of this issue in a humane and economically sensible way? Can we use this emergency to make our government better and more accessible, by offering statewide access and remote testimony? How can we improve our health care system to ensure that no-one will be denied treatment, and our hospitals and medical facilities remain strong?
For each of these challenges, there are public policy proposals now in place that await legislative leadership. Some measures sit in the form of bills introduced during the 2019/2020 legislative session and others will need to be amended and/or added to existing legislative vehicles. When the 2020 legislative session resumes, the State House and Senate could and should "re-boot" an array of legislative vehicles, hold the necessary public hearings (avoiding the issues with "gut and replace"), and appropriately address these pressing needs. The list and suggestions contained here are not all-inclusive but rather intended to show clear examples of what can and should be done.
We need construction jobs and we need to invest in rebuilding our public infrastructure. Investing in construction is an obvious and important part of getting our economy back on its feet. At some point, we also must kick-start our visitor industry back into gear. Both are pillars of our economy. We need construction projects that reflect good planning and benefit our community, without sacrificing our natural environment. We need a visitor industry with limits, that pays its own way, and that caters to travelers who are mindful of their impact, and who tread lightly when they visit our special places.
The fragility of our "supply chain" and the need for food self-sufficiency has never been so apparent. We must attack this challenge with the commitment it deserves. There are many, many ways to tackle this issue, and it starts with requiring all State and County owned institutions that serve food, to, whenever possible, purchase only locally grown agricultural products. Imagine the immediate impact on local food production if every public school, every UH campus, every jail and prison, and every public medical facility, were required to purchase their food from local farmers and ranchers.
The economically vulnerable 48 percent, are likely post Covid-19 closer to 70 percent of our population. Now is not the time to balance the state budget on their backs. Hard-earned and much-deserved tax credits and modest incremental wage increases must be preserved and in fact, expanded.
Those who are houseless require multi-faceted support delivered via intensive individual case management. Mental health services, shelter availability, job training, and access to food and medical services - all must be managed by qualified trained service providers. There is a public price to pay, no matter what. An investment in expanded support services and additional trained social workers is, both morally and economically, the right thing to do.
Creating a system that allows everyone in Hawaiʻi to participate in delivering testimony to the State legislature and other public institutions, without having to fly to Oʻahu, is long overdue. One-third of our population is effectively disenfranchised by the current system. During the current Covid-19 crisis, that number is closer to 100 percent. With the wide availability of modern communication technology, there is no legitimate excuse to continue delaying the implementation of a system that would allow remote testimony and public participation, regardless of where you live.
The revamping and providing of increased support for Hawaiʻi's health care system is above my pay grade. While I still have a lot to learn about this topic, I do know one thing for sure. This whole experience has reaffirmed that people's healthcare should not be tied to their employment. Hawaiʻi's residents deserve single-payer universal health care.
Legislative leadership, together with the Chairs' of key committees, can start this process now without convening formal in-person meetings. Discussions with experts, agencies, and key stakeholders can be held remotely and the proposed amendment language developed. Then, when it's safe and appropriate to reconvene the legislative session, the bills can be promptly scheduled, hearings held, the measures amended as needed, and then passed into law.
Yes. Let's turn our attention toward utilizing the urgency of the moment to create something good for our future. We need to stay home and hunker down, but also get moving toward making that lemonade.
Hooser suggests reading the University of Washington Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation - state by state modeling, for a global health perspective that affects us locally, which shows Hawaiʻi peaking on April 30. Go to drop-down menu under United States of America and select Hawaiʻi.
As a former legislator who served at both the State and County level, I tend to look at problems and challenges through a public policy lens. How do we maximize the opportunity for a strong economic "bounce back" once the pandemic has peaked and life starts returning to normal? How do we immediately and boldly charge down the long-overdue path of food self-sufficiency? What about the 48 percent of those who were already living on the edge of poverty, prior to the arrival of Covid-19? The homeless situation is only going to get worse. How do we get ahead of this issue in a humane and economically sensible way? Can we use this emergency to make our government better and more accessible, by offering statewide access and remote testimony? How can we improve our health care system to ensure that no-one will be denied treatment, and our hospitals and medical facilities remain strong?
For each of these challenges, there are public policy proposals now in place that await legislative leadership. Some measures sit in the form of bills introduced during the 2019/2020 legislative session and others will need to be amended and/or added to existing legislative vehicles. When the 2020 legislative session resumes, the State House and Senate could and should "re-boot" an array of legislative vehicles, hold the necessary public hearings (avoiding the issues with "gut and replace"), and appropriately address these pressing needs. The list and suggestions contained here are not all-inclusive but rather intended to show clear examples of what can and should be done.
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| The approach to the temporary Ninole Bridge, with new bridge construction to the left. Photo by Julia Neal |
The fragility of our "supply chain" and the need for food self-sufficiency has never been so apparent. We must attack this challenge with the commitment it deserves. There are many, many ways to tackle this issue, and it starts with requiring all State and County owned institutions that serve food, to, whenever possible, purchase only locally grown agricultural products. Imagine the immediate impact on local food production if every public school, every UH campus, every jail and prison, and every public medical facility, were required to purchase their food from local farmers and ranchers.
The economically vulnerable 48 percent, are likely post Covid-19 closer to 70 percent of our population. Now is not the time to balance the state budget on their backs. Hard-earned and much-deserved tax credits and modest incremental wage increases must be preserved and in fact, expanded.
Those who are houseless require multi-faceted support delivered via intensive individual case management. Mental health services, shelter availability, job training, and access to food and medical services - all must be managed by qualified trained service providers. There is a public price to pay, no matter what. An investment in expanded support services and additional trained social workers is, both morally and economically, the right thing to do.
Creating a system that allows everyone in Hawaiʻi to participate in delivering testimony to the State legislature and other public institutions, without having to fly to Oʻahu, is long overdue. One-third of our population is effectively disenfranchised by the current system. During the current Covid-19 crisis, that number is closer to 100 percent. With the wide availability of modern communication technology, there is no legitimate excuse to continue delaying the implementation of a system that would allow remote testimony and public participation, regardless of where you live.
 |
| New construction is expected to help the economy recover after the pandemic. Photo by Julia Neal |
Legislative leadership, together with the Chairs' of key committees, can start this process now without convening formal in-person meetings. Discussions with experts, agencies, and key stakeholders can be held remotely and the proposed amendment language developed. Then, when it's safe and appropriate to reconvene the legislative session, the bills can be promptly scheduled, hearings held, the measures amended as needed, and then passed into law.
Yes. Let's turn our attention toward utilizing the urgency of the moment to create something good for our future. We need to stay home and hunker down, but also get moving toward making that lemonade.
Hooser suggests reading the University of Washington Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation - state by state modeling, for a global health perspective that affects us locally, which shows Hawaiʻi peaking on April 30. Go to drop-down menu under United States of America and select Hawaiʻi.
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.
The state with the highest number of unemployment claims is Louisiana, followed by New Hampshire, Virginia, Georgia, and Mississppi. The places with lowest number of unemployment claims are Connecticut, Oregon, Wyoming, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Alaska.
WalletHub explains, "As the U.S. has embraced social distancing policies in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19, many businesses have shut their doors either voluntarily or by government order. While some businesses have dealt with the crisis by having employees work from home, that option is not available to everyone. Millions of Americans have found themselves temporarily or permanently out of a job as a result, illustrated by the extremely high number of initial unemployment insurance claims, at over 6.6 million, for the week of March 30."While Americans can look forward to stimulus checks in the coming weeks, those who are jobless will likely still struggle. However, not all states have experienced the same levels of unemployment due to the pandemic. In order to find out the states whose unemployment percentages are most and least affected, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across two key metrics. These metrics compare unemployment claim increases for the week of March 30 to both the same week in 2019 and the first week of 2020."
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.
NONPROFITS CAN REQUEST GRANTS from the newly established Hawaiʻi Resilience Fund. Hawaiʻi Community Foundation and Pierre and Pam Omidyar have joined together to create the Hawaiʻi Resilience Fund to "rapidly deploy resources and encourage community giving to address the COVID-19 pandemic." Nonprofit organizations should email grants@hcf-hawaii.org to request assistance in the form of a grant award from this fund.
Visit hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/coronavirus for more information.
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.
BAY CLINIC AND PREMIER MEDICAL GROUP will offer a drive-through screening and testing clinic for COVID-19 this Saturday, April 11 at Hilo's Hoʻolulu Complex from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Access only through the Piʻilani/Hinano entrance. The testing day has been changed to Saturday, to adjust for Easter Sunday; normally the Hilo testing is done on Sundays.
This free clinic is open to the public. However, individuals must first undergo a screening to determine if they meet the criteria to be tested. Clinic physicians on site will make the determination regarding testing. The screening criteria is based on guidance of the CDC and the State's COVID-19 Response Task Force.
People who visit the screening clinic will be asked to show photo ID. Additionally, people are requested to bring their own pen, and any health insurance cards they have, although insurance is not required.
Bay Clinic operates its dental and medical facilities in Nāʻālehu and east Hawaiʻi locations. The COVID-19 clinic is also supported by the County of Hawaiʻi COVID-19 Task Force. For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.
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.
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, with l4 days of quarantine required for anyone coming into the state. Interisland travel is restricted. Those in Hawaiʻi should stay at home unless needing to obtain food or medical care.
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:
Cooper Center 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.
Distribution in the Nāʻālehu area is at Nāʻālehu Elementary, Waiʻōhinu, and Discovery Harbour Community Center Kahuku Park Ocean View Community Center Ocean View Community Center 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.
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.
NONPROFITS CAN REQUEST GRANTS from the newly established Hawaiʻi Resilience Fund. Hawaiʻi Community Foundation and Pierre and Pam Omidyar have joined together to create the Hawaiʻi Resilience Fund to "rapidly deploy resources and encourage community giving to address the COVID-19 pandemic." Nonprofit organizations should email grants@hcf-hawaii.org to request assistance in the form of a grant award from this fund.
Visit hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/coronavirus for more information.
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.
This free clinic is open to the public. However, individuals must first undergo a screening to determine if they meet the criteria to be tested. Clinic physicians on site will make the determination regarding testing. The screening criteria is based on guidance of the CDC and the State's COVID-19 Response Task Force.
People who visit the screening clinic will be asked to show photo ID. Additionally, people are requested to bring their own pen, and any health insurance cards they have, although insurance is not required.
Bay Clinic operates its dental and medical facilities in Nāʻālehu and east Hawaiʻi locations. The COVID-19 clinic is also supported by the County of Hawaiʻi COVID-19 Task Force. For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.
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.
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| See updated maps and graphs with more on how the pandemic is affecting Hawaiʻi at health.hawaii.gov/coronavirusdisease2019/what-you-should-know/current-situation-in-hawaii. |
DAILY COVID-19 UPDATE: Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense reports seven active cases of COVID-19 on Hawaiʻi Island as of Thursday, April 9. Two new cases were reported today. Twenty-one people have recovered. None have been hospitalized and none have died on island. No cases have been reported from Volcano or Kaʻū.
According to Johns Hopkins University U.S. has recorded more than 466,000 cases. The death toll is more than 16,600. About 26,000 people have recovered.
Worldwide, Johns Hopkins counts more than 1.6 million people as victims of COVID-19. The death toll is nearly 95,000. The recovery total is more than 355,000. There are cases reported in over 200 countries.
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Read online at kaucalendar.com. See Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. See Kaʻū exercise,
meditation, daily, bi-weekly, and weekly recurring events. 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. 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, with l4 days of quarantine required for anyone coming into the state. Interisland travel is restricted. Those in Hawaiʻi should stay at home unless needing to obtain food or medical care.
ONGOING
Free Breakfast and Lunch for Anyone Eighteen and Under is available at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary and at Nāʻālehu 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. Food is being delivered to Ocean View.
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 Tuesday, April 14 has moved to the lot across from St. Jude's Episcopal Church at 92-8606 Paradise Mauka Circle, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Nāʻālehu location is Sacred Hearts Church 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy , under their Loaves and Fishes program, on Thursdays, April 9 and 23, 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 Thursday, April 30 at 11:30 a.m. Call 933-6030.
The Volcano location is Cooper Center 19-4030 Wright Road Thursday, April 30 at 3:30 p.m. Call Kehau at 443-4130.
A Free Dinner for Those in Need is served at Volcano Cooper Center 19-4030 Wright Road every Thursday, by Friends Feeding Friends, between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
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
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 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.
Kaʻū Art Gallery is looking for local artists. Call 808-937-1840.
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.
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
See ohialehuahalf.com.
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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