Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, May 28, 2020

A bee alights on a coffee flower. Hawaiʻi Coffee Association urges anyone involved in the coffee industry - from growing
to selling - to take a survey that will help the organization advocate for relief from effects from the pandemic on coffee.
Photo from Hawaiʻi Coffee Association

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

ADVOCATING FOR RELIEF FROM COVID-19 IMPACTS TO HAWAIʻI'S COFFEE INDUSTRY is the goal of a survey from Hawaiʻi Coffee Association. The organization asks farmers, wholesalers, retailers, processors, roasters, and others involved in the industry to take a survey, surveymonkey.com/r/638VWS6, as soon as possible.

     Hawaiʻi Coffee Association President Chris Manfedi says, "We need to understand the scope of the impacts so that we can best access and advocate for relief… We know the impacts are significant. Coffee is not currently eligible for assistance as a specialty crop under U.S. Department of Agriculture's Corona Food Assistance Program program… We need your response now."

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.

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FROM HAWAIʻI AND THE U.S. ISLAND TERRITORIES sent a letter to leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives this week, urging them to support local crop diversity and food security in upcoming emergency legislation responding to the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis. It outlines the challenge U.S. islands face with food security, and proposes to improve COVID-19 relief programs to better address food issues and farmer needs.

Mushrooms are popular at the OKK Market in Nāʻālehu, as one of the many locally grown foods for sale.
Photo by Julia Neal

     Rep. Tulsi Gabbard signed onto the letter and release a statement: "The coronavirus pandemic has brought to the forefront unique food security challenges that must be confronted by Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Territories, many of which are unlike those faced by the 48 contiguous states. Only Alaska has a similar disparity between where their food is produced and eventually consumed. However, food production is not possible in most areas of that state, while the opposite is true in Hawaiʻi and other U.S. Islands.
     "Arable land is readily available in most locations, water plentiful, and soil fertility and drainage highly conducive to a wide variety of crop production systems. Difficulties, however, exist, as the majority of U.S. Island agriculture operations are small, family-run farms, typically isolated from viewed here, and in two parts in today's and tomorrow's Kaʻū News Briefs.
other farms and supporting research organizations. Thus, landowners and other farm operators often lack the economy of scale afforded to medium and large-scale farm operations in the Mainland U.S." The full text of the letter can be 

     The letter says, "As the House develops strategies to address the economic impacts of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we respectfully request strong investments in food production industries for Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Territories of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (U.S. Islands). These locations differ from most of the United States in that they are very remote and thus highly isolated from much of our nation's food production and processing hubs. A larger degree of self-dependence in the short and long term is necessary, and thus, special consideration is warranted at this critical time.

Much teaching and resourcing is available in agriculture through the university and
also through Master Gardeners who share their skills, seeds, and young plants.
Photo by Julia Neal

     "As with other localities, the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the economies of the U.S. Islands. To date, about 37 percent of Hawaiʻi's workforce has applied for unemployment insurance benefits, and it will be a long time before the State's travel-based economy will recover. Guam estimates that 58 percent of its workforce, of which 30 percent are employed in the visitor industry, will be applying for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program assistance. In Puerto Rico, with tourism representing 6 percent of its total GDP, about 219,000 unemployment claims were made between March 14 and April 25. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, COVID-19 "poses a significant risk to the U.S. Virgin Islands economy," and "is particularly impacted due to its reliance on cruise ship and airline traffic to support its tourism-based economy" according to their Public Finance Authority. April data shows that unemployment claims increased by more than 172 percent over the 2019Q4. In the Northern Mariana Islands, more than 700 public school teachers have been furloughed without pay, resulting in more than 10,000 students being unable to attend classes due to COVID-19 related revenue shortfalls caused by the collapse of their visitor industry.
     "The COVID-19 pandemic clearly necessitates that Hawaiʻi and U.S. Island Territories implement new food production and security strategies to create stable diversified food production systems and new trade opportunities to diversify their economies. With Congressional assistance, U.S. Islanders will be able to attract investment capital through dynamic agriculture projects that can catalyze both upstream and downstream business and employment opportunities. As Congress works to help all states restart their economies, now is the time to aid Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Islands in retooling their agriculture and food security systems. This would allow shuttered businesses and displaced workers to focus on reviving this important economic sector, help increase self-dependence and food security, and get people back to work quickly.
     "Historically, agriculture has offered low-barrier opportunities for people to engage in commerce, find work, and purchase fresh foods. The COVID-19 pandemic has quickly disrupted that system, and we now have the opportunity to rebuild it in a sustainable, resilient way. The current lull in economic activity and the probable longer-term decline in island tourism will be an ongoing challenge. Nevertheless, U.S. Islanders have always shown a resiliency to bounce back in the face of adversity, whether caused by hurricane, tsunami, lava flows, earthquakes, or pandemics. With adequate investment, our people will meet the challenge."

The Challenge and Need

     "Island geography, both within and between islands, restricts business in a variety of ways related to the economics of operations. Fixed costs as a percentage of revenue are higher for transportation, labor, energy, land, inputs, and other operating expenses. Tropical and subtropical agriculture year-round growing seasons are challenged to control insects, weeds, funguses, and plant diseases. While many farmers have embraced integrated pest management techniques, some of them have also been forced to purchase expensive synthetic controls to limit crop losses from noxious species. Separation from Land Grant Universities and Federal Research and Development Laboratories further inhibits acquiring new and innovative technologies in a timely manner. Further, Federal food farm and food programs have been invaluable, but funding has been insufficient to address the needs of rural consumers. Complex regulations and paperwork are also barriers for local farmers to access federal assistance necessary to increase food security and speed the delivery of fresh, healthy food to the people of our islands.

Farmers and the sellers of produce face higher costs in Hawaiʻi but interest in locally grown food is growing,
as seen at the OKK Nāʻālelhu Market, open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Photo by Julia Neal

     "Thus, the need is great to carefully focus stimulus resources in ways that specifically support U.S. Island farm production systems and the network of operations that foster economic growth and sustainability within our unique locales and social structures. To assist Congressional leaders and Appropriators in focusing the wide range of sources of aid, we have formulated the following guidelines for your use in identifying and prioritizing needs for the Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Territories."
    Summaries for two wide areas of consideration - COVID-19 Emergency Funding for Agriculture and Nutrition, and Additional Measures to Support Farmers - follow in tomorrow's Kaʻū News Briefs. "Within each of these areas, a number of sub-initiatives have been identified as areas felt to be of the highest importance. If further information is required on any specific suggestion or on the overall packaging of such funding, we will be readily available to provide more information."
     Contact Dave Chun (Gabbard) at Dave.Chun@mail.house.gov, Mitchell Heidenreich (Case) at Mitch.Heidenreich@mail.house.gov, or Jeffrey Nowill (Plaskett) at Jeffrey.Nowill@mail.house.gov.

     See more in Friday's Kaʻū News Briefs.

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THE STAY AT HOME ORDER IS STILL IN PLACE AND ARRESTS and citations are taking place, with one citation in Kaʻū last week. From May 20 through May 26, Hawaiʻi Police Department reports arresting one person in Puna and one in Kona. In addition to the one Kaʻū citation, there was one citation in Puna and one in Kohala. Stay at Home is in effect through May 31. It means not going out except for food and other essential shopping, medical care, taking care of family members, and exercising, unless one is working in an essential capacity, such as health care or food. See more on upcoming reopening, below. None of those cited last week were visitors.

     HPD's nine-week combined total enforcement stands at 100 arrests, 240 citations, and 12 additional cases.

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CHURCHES AND MOST OTHER VENUES are allowed to open in Hawaiʻi County. Places of worship can resume in-person services Saturday, May 30 and most businesses may reopen Monday, June 1, according to Hawai‘i County Mayor Harry Kim's 6th Emergency Rule. This is an expansion of Gov. Ige's 8th Supplementary Proclamation. Rule 6 rule is in place through Tuesday, June 30 or until extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended by a subsequent order or by law.

Places of worship, like St. Jude's, took to the internet to shares services and worship. They will now be
allowed to have in-person services starting this weekend Photo from St. Jude's

     Kim also requests Ige approve reopening of certain county park sites and recreational facilities on June 1, with some exceptions: swimming pools, gymnasiums, and community centers would remain closed.

     All businesses may open with the following exceptions: transient accommodations (bed and breakfast, short-term rentals, and time-shares) may not open except where workers of essential businesses or operations are renting or staying. Current occupants who have pre-booked at transient accommodations may stay until the end of the pre-booked period. These restrictions are in place until the travel quarantine restrictions are lifted; bars, nightclubs, arcades, and other public gathering venues where social distancing measures are difficult to implement; contact sports; events and other gatherings greater than 10 persons until allowed by Governor's Proclamation.

     Already allowed to be open are nonfood agriculture, including landscape, floral, and ornament; astronomical observatories and support facilities; car washes; pet grooming services; health care and social assistance, including elective surgery and non-emergency services; nonprofit organizations previously considered non-essential; retail business and services, including apparel and electronics; shopping malls; wholesale and warehousing operations; florists; certain real estate services; car dealerships; automated and mobile service providers; services provided on a one-on-one basis; and golf courses.

     When reopening, businesses must follow safe practices set forth in Proclamation 8, including: use of face masks, hand hygiene, surface cleaning, physical distancing, protection of high-risk populations, stay home if sick directives,  signage informing customers and employees of the safe practices requirements, and higher levels of safety precautions specified by Governor's proclamations, State rules, County proclamations or rules, CDC, OSHA, NIOSH, and/or industry-specific guidance.
     To request no-cost assistance in providing a safe and healthy business for employees and customers, contact the COVID Task Force on Education and Prevention at 935-0031.

     Individuals at higher risk should continue to minimize time and contacts outside the household.
     Businesses and gathering places that may reopen include, but are not limited to, billiards halls and bowling alleys, but not arcades or gaming places; exercise facilities, such as gyms, fitness centers, indoor pools, and facilities that offer classes or group exercises such as yoga, aerobics, Zumba, dance, Pilates, weight lifting, athletics clubs, and martial arts clubs, but there shall be no physical contact; museums and theaters; outdoor spaces, including ocean tours, outside pools, and summer camps; other personal services, including tattoo operators and acupuncturists; other real estate services, including open houses for general public viewing, real estate agent caravans, broker open houses, property viewing, inspections, surveys, and appraisals; and other retail and repair, including the rental of recreational and sports equipment.

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QUARANTINE FOR INTERISLAND TRAVEL MAY BE LIFTED SOON but the 14-day quarantine will likely be extended for domestic and international travelers past June 30. During a Facebook Live Community Connection with Gov. David Ige, Mayor Harry Kim, and Maui, Kauaʻi, and Oʻahu's mayors, Ige said an official announcement about the extension will be made at a later date. Ige said he and all four mayors have been working for the last three weeks to coordinate reopening interisland travel and said they would make a decision on that within the next few days. Maui Mayor Mike Victorino said they're still working out details and that there needs to be a "strong-checked" system whenever travelers leave their destination.

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Donna Kekoa's ʻohana sent mahalo meals to the staff of Bay Clinic, Kaʻū Family Health Center.
Photo from the Kekoa ʻohana

MORE HONORING OF SERVICE WORKERS from Donna Kekoa's family was reported this week. The ʻohana surprised more than Kaʻū Hospital and Rural Health Clinic staff with full course meals and thank you cards for their service to the community recently. Kekoa told The Kaʻū Calendar that her daughters – Shellen Hashimoto of Nāʻālehu, Tiffany Rosenthal of Maui, and Camilyn Javar of Lacey, WA – also gifted cards and food to the staff at Kaʻū Family Health Center (Bay Clinic), Pāhala Fire Station, and Kaʻū Police Station.

Pāhala Fire Station received
free meals from the Kekoas.
Photo from the Kekoa ʻohana

     Kekoa's children and grandchildren live in Kaʻū and further away, but wanted to honor the community where they grew up, said Kekoa.

Kaʻū Police Station enjoyed meals
from the Kekoas.
Photo from the Kekoa ʻohana

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KAʻŪ HOSPITAL HAS RENEWED COMMITMENT TO FEEDING THE PUBLIC through its food services. In June, the new take-out food service in Pāhala out of Kaʻū Hospital, under the direction of Keone Grace, expands its meal offerings by providing a daily menu.
     The chef, and Institutional Food Service Manager at Kaʻū Hospital, produced the menu with his crew, at a cost of $8 per meal. It is ready for takeout at 11 a.m. weekdays, with pizzas for $10 on Fridays. Chef salads and cold sandwiches are available each day, with a choice of turkey, ham, or pastrami. Sandwiches come with chips, small salad, and dessert. Hot meals come with small salad, dessert, and a change of the entrée each day. See the menu, below.

     Meals are ready for takeout at 11 a.m. Mondays - Fridays. Orders must be placed between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Pre-pay over the phone with credit or debit card, drive-thru pick-up only. Call Jennifer at 932-4372, Shawnette at 932-4373, Lois at 932-4374, Melani at 932-4375, or Danarie at 932-4376. Pick up is in the back of the hospital at the kitchen's rear entrance. Ring the bell for service, wear a mask, and observe social distancing with other persons picking up food.

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PICK UP A FREE HOT MEAIL tomorrow, Friday, May 29 from 5 p.m. until food runs out, at Nāʻālehu Shopping Center. Prepared by L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, the distribution is sponsored by West Hawaiʻi  Community Health Center and Kaʻū Community & Friends. One plate per person, each person must be present.

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LOCAL MUSIC TALENT WILL BE SHOWCASED in a new radio series, Blue Note: Virtually Live. Available on HPR-1, 88.7 KHPH for West Kaʻū, and 89.1 KANO for East Kaʻū and Volcano. Hawaiʻi Public Radio and Blue Note Hawaiʻi features performances recorded live on the Blue Note Hawaiʻi stage, along with backstage interviews with the artists. The show is hosted by Marco Olivari, General Manager at Blue Note Hawaiʻi. The ten-week series, airing Saturdays at 6 p.m. beginning May 30, will also stream on Blue Note Hawaiʻi's Instagram and Facebook pages.
     Blue Note: Virtually Live kicks off with Henry Kapono & his band, with special guests Johnny Valentine and Alx Kawakami. The show celebrates the timeless classics of the legendary duo Cecilio & Kapono, and includes beloved songs from Henry's career, such as Friends, Good Times Together, Highway in the Sun, and Home, which have become anthems for the people of Hawaiʻi, says HPR.

     Subsequent artists will be announced at a later date. Updates will be posted on the series web page. 

Henry Kapono

     An announcement from HPR says, "The collaboration between HPR and Blue Note is one that has been in discussion for some time; the unique circumstances of the day have created the perfect opportunity to realize the vision. In a time when it's not possible to attend a live concert, Blue Note: Virtually Live offers the experience of an intimate concert wherever the listener may be.
     June 6th's show will feature Tavana, a one-man-band who uses his feet to lay down a variety of grooves to accompany his soulful, island-inspired rock and blues. His Blue Note performance will be in tribute to Willie K, who passed away this month.
     Hawaiʻi Public Radio is a private, nonprofit organization which broadcasts classical, jazz, and international music; and in-depth news and informational programming from National Public Radio, American Public Media, Public Radio International, and other local, national, and international program sources, as well as programs produced by Hawaiʻi Public Radio. Charity Navigator, the premier charity evaluator, has awarded HPR eight consecutive four-star ratings for exceptional fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. The station won two National Edward R. Murrow Awards for its news coverage of the 2014 Pāhoa lava flow, and a third National Murrow Award for its series on the Thirty Meter Telescope.

Tavana will join the Blue Note HPR collaboration. Photo from HPR

     Located in the former Society of Seven showroom inside Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, Blue Note Hawaiʻi features a year-round lineup of musical entertainment – from local talent to international sensations – for limited engagements. Blue Note Entertainment Group, founded in 1981 by Danny Bensusan, is a multi-faceted entertainment company that owns and operates New York's Blue Note Jazz Club and Sony Hall; The Howard Theatre (Washington D.C.); and Blue Note Jazz Clubs Worldwide in Honolulu, Milan, Beijing, Tokyo, Nagoya, Napa, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo. Subsidiaries of Blue Note Entertainment Group include the GRAMMY®-nominated record label Half Note Records, whose catalog includes over 50 titles recorded live at New York's Blue Note Jazz Club, as well as Blue Note Travel, Management Group, and Media Group.

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NO IN-PERSON PAYMENTS OF CUSTOMER SERVICE INQUIRIES until at least June 30 at Department of Water Supply, as a pandemic safety precaution. DWS continues to accept only telephone, online, auto-payment, mail, or non-cash payments left in a secured DWS payment drop box. Pay a water bill online at hawaiidws.org. Pay by telephone toll-free at 844-216-1994 any time. There are no fees for these services. For more information about no-charge payment options, call 961-8060 (Hilo) or 322-0600 (Kona), or email dws@hawaiidws.org.

     Service disconnections and late payment fees are already suspended through June 30.

     DWS "thanks customers for their patience and understanding while urging everyone to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please stay healthy and do your part to help prevent the spread of the virus!"

There is one reported case of COVID-19 in Kaʻū. White is no cases.
Yellow is one to five cases. Light orange is six to ten cases.
Dark orange (not pictured) is 11 to 20 cases. Red is 21 to 50 cases.
Hawaiʻi Department of Health map

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THREE NEW COVID-19 CASES IN HAWAIʻI, reports the Department of Health, all on Oʻahu. All are Hawaiʻi residents and all were diagnosed in Honolulu. Two of the cases are from community spread, and the risk factor for the third person is unknown at this time.
     Eighty-two cases of COVID-19 have been reported on Hawaiʻi Island since the pandemic began, with 81 recovered. The remaining victim is quarantined and monitored by DOH. Statewide, 647 people – 417 in Honolulu County, 20 in Kauaʻi County, and 118 in Maui County – have been confirmed positive for the virus since the pandemic began.

     The daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says, "Know that all the policies of distancing, gatherings, face coverings, cleanliness, and personnel health remain in effect. Hawaiʻi Island and the State of Hawaiʻi are doing well in minimizing the spread and impact of the Coronavirus. We need to continue to do our part to get better as we move forward to keep Hawaiʻi safe. Thank you for listening. Thank you for your help. Please stay safe. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense."

     In the United States, more than 1.75 million cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 103,000.

     Worldwide, more than 5.76 million have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is over 358,000.

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar 

directory for farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is 

free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout 

Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at 

kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your 

business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of May.

ONGOING

A Keiki Giveaway by ʻO Kaʻū Kākou at OKK's Nāʻālehu Market location this Saturday, May 30, will feature Shave Ice and Goodie Bags. In the Goodie Bags, the keikis' families will have an opportunity to randomly receive the special bags with gift certificates from local merchants: Punaluʻu Bake Shop, Wikiwiki 76, Shaka's, and Hana Hou. Each business is giving two gift certificates.

     OKK President Wayne Kawachi said the Goodie Bags will be available from 1 p.m. until OKK runs out. He said parents should check the bags for the gift certificates before giving them to keiki. He also promised similar giveaways at a later date in Ocean View and Pāhala.

     The market is open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. There will not be vendors during this event.

Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.

     A testing team from Aloha Critical Care in Kona will provide testing at St. Jude's every other Wednesday. The next date is June 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
     The next drive-thru screening at Nāʻālehu Community Center will be held Wednesday, June 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Screening will be carried out by Aliʻi Health, with support from County of Hawai‘i COVID-19 Task Force, Premier Medical Group and Pathways Telehealth.

     Wearing masks is required for everyone. Those visiting screening clinics will be asked to show photo ID, and any health insurance cards – though health insurance is not required to be tested. They are also asked to bring their own pen to fill in forms.
     To bypass the screening queue at community test sites, patients can call ahead to Pathways Telehealth, option 5 at 808-747-8321. The free clinic will also offer on-site screening to meet testing criteria. Physicians qualify those for testing, under the guidance of Center for Disease Control & Prevention and Hawaiʻi's COVID-19 Response Task Force.

     For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

Ocean View Swap Meet is 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.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced.
     A wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more are offered on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374, for more and to apply to vend.

Volcano Farmers Market at Cooper Center on Wright Road, off of Old Volcano Highway, is open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

Free Breakfast and Lunch for Anyone Eighteen and Under is available at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary and at Nāʻālehu Elementary on weekdays (no holidays) through Friday, July 17. 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 from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Food is being delivered on Wednesdays to students in Green Sands, Discovery Harbour, and 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's ʻOhana Food Drop is available once a month at four Kaʻū and Volcano locations. People can receive a multi-day supply of shelf-stable and fresh food, depending on supply. Call The Food Basket at 933-6030 for Pāhala and Volcano or at 322-1418 for Nāʻālehu or Ocean View. Food can be picked up from 10 a.m. until pau – supplies run out – at:

     Nāʻālehu's Sacred Heart Church at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy on Monday, June 1.

     Ocean View's Kahuku Park on Tuesday, June 8.

     Volcano's Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road on  Wednesday, June 24.

     Pāhala's Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street on Tuesday, June 30.

On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 967-7800 to confirm.

Enroll in Kua O Ka Lā's Hīpuʻu Virtual Academy for school year 2020-2021, grades four through eight. The Hawaiian Focused Charter School teaches with an emphasis on Hawaiian language and culture. The blended curriculum is offered through online instruction and community-based projects, with opportunities for face-to-face gatherings (with precautions), in an "Education with Aloha" environment.

     Kua O Ka Lā offers a specialized program that provides students with core curriculum, content area, and electives in-keeping with State of Hawaiʻi requirements. Combined with Native Hawaiian values, culture, and a place-based approach to education, from the early morning wehena – ceremonial school opening – Kua O Ka Lā students are encouraged to walk Ke Ala Pono – the right and balanced path.

     The school's website says Kua O Ka Lā has adopted Ke Ala Pono "to describe our goal of nurturing and developing our youth. We believe that every individual has a unique potential and that it is our responsibility to help our students learn to work together within the local community to create a future that is pono – right." The school aims to provide students with "the knowledge and skills, through Hawaiian values and place-based educational opportunities, that prepare receptive, responsive, and self-sustaining individuals that live 'ke ala pono.'"
     See kuaokala.org to apply and to learn more about the school. Call 808-981-5866 or 808-825-8811, or email info@kuaokala.org for more.

Free Book Exchanges at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu are provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Everyone is invited to take books they want to read. They may keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them to the Book Exchange to make them available to others in the community. The selection of books is replenished weekly at both sites.

Make Reservations for Father's Day at Crater Rim Café in Kīlauea Military Camp for Sunday, June 21 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Seating limited due to social distancing. Dinner also available to go. The main course is Prime Rib and Vegetable Alfredo Pasta Bake, with side dishes and dessert, for $27.95 per person. Call 967-8356 for dine-in reservations, to-go orders, and current event information. KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.

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.

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

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.