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Friday, July 31, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, July 31, 2020

Aerial photo of the two-acre brush fire in Volcano, along Hwy 11, that started yesterday and was put out today.
Read details, below. NPS photo
STATE OF HAWAIʻI SCHOOL BOARD on Thursday evening approved the delay of students returning to studies, setting the date for Monday, Aug. 17. Teachers and staff already returned to campuses to create safe teaching, dining and recreational areas, and protocols. The school board's 7 to 1 vote followed more than four hours of public testimony from dozens of teachers, parents, and community leaders. View the full meeting agenda here with extensive discussion among school board members.
     See a story in tomorrow's Kaʻū News Briefs, featuring the three public school principals from Kaʻū and Volcano who gave a public presentation in Pāhala Thursday night.
     During the state school board meeting, Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association President Corey Rosenlee noted that the teachers' request for the delay drew support from administrators and school staff who belong to the Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association and United Public Workers unions.
     Schools Superintendent Christina Kishimoto said the nine additional days will focus on "quality in-service training and professional development." Four days will be dedicated to mandatory training, including seven distance-learning modules. Five days will be administrator-directed professional development for staff. Substitute teachers will receive a full paid day to complete the distance learning modules to "guarantee that all of our substitutes get that quality training and can work hand-in-hand with the teacher that he or she is substituting for," she noted.
Meetings last night in Honolulu and Pāhala brought to focus the complications of keeping everyone safe on campuses. 
Read about the plan from Nāʻālehu Elementary Principal Darlene Javar, and the other two Kaʻū and Volcano 
principals, in tomorrow's Kaʻū News Briefs. Photo by Julia Neal
     "I think it responds to a lot of the comments made by our employees, our leadership team, and at the last board meeting. We know that we're going to need to continue to keep track of additional clarity. We'll need to provide, throughout the year, additional problem-solving and additional work that will have to be done, and this is really going to require a week-by-week assessment of how implementation is going," said Kishimoto. "These are going to be very, very difficult decisions, but I appreciate everyone continuing to share their perspectives, their best thinking at the table as we continue to make decisions, and to continue to provide that voice of confidence and hope for our students and our families who we know are struggling with making this design work, because
ultimately, we're not doing a full, in-person opening."
     While he does not hold a voting position, student school board representative Hunter Harris shared the Hawaiʻi State Student Council's perspective on the reopening of schools. "Students are comfortable with returning to school as long as our teachers are," Harris said. "Hearing that the HSTA, the UPW, and the HGEA have come together with the department to come to this date of Aug. 17 is very reassuring."
     Kishimoto noted that approximately 160, or 1.2 percent, of roughly 13,000 public school teachers did not report on Wednesday, July 29, for their first day back at school.
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.

Firefighters and volunteers, medics, fire engines, water trucks, and a helicopter were needed to put out a fire
that started yesterday along Hwy 11 in Volcano. NPS photo
FIREFIGHTING UNITS FROM VOLCANO, PĀHALA, the National Park Service and Keaʻau, along with volunteers from Volcano and Hawaiian Paradise Park, extinguished a two-acre brush fire today. Hawaiʻi County Fire Department reports that the fire was called in at 4:51 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, ignited in dry ‘ōhi‘a woodland between Nāmakanipaio Campground and Mauna Loa Road, off Highway 11, near mile marker 31. There were no injuries, and there are no structures in the area. The cause is under investigation.
Waikea Rescue Chopper 1, with a bucket of
water to help douse the fire. NPS photo
     Despite "moderately strong tradewinds and very dry conditions," the county police department reported that the crews were "able to stop the fire from running." An announcement from the Park says Waikea Rescue Chopper 1 "dropped several loads of water on the flames." The fire was also fueled by dry native lichen growing on the top layer of volcanic ash that is prevalent in the area. Many areas in the Park are under severe fire danger due to low rainfall amounts. Mauna Loa Road from Kīpukapuaulu to Mauna Loa Lookout is currently closed to vehicles due to very high fire danger.
     Hawaiʻi Volcanoes says motorists can help firefighters and other first responders "keep everyone safe by slowing down and heeding traffic control devices during fires and other emergencies, and by pulling over when emergency vehicles with flashing lights and sirens approach them. Did you know 99 percent of wildfires in Hawai‘i are started by people? Learn how to be fire safe by visiting hawaiiwildfire.org/lookout/."

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.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY MARKET is set to open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting tomorrow, Aug. 1. The location is on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, said David Joslin in a post on the Ocean View Community page on Facebook. Joslin and his wife Natkrita operate their Thai Grindz food truck on the property. He said the owner of the lot "gave the go-ahead to try and make it work" for 90 days.
     Joslin said he and Mark Cocucci, a vendor at the recently closed Ocean View Swap Meet, will manage the operation. "Cocucci is willing to put the time in to make this all work out. Cocucci is the go-to guy" and vendors can bring any issues to him. At this time, there is no one to contact directly except by going to the Market.
     In his post, Joslin said masks are mandatory and a sign will be posted at the entrance to the parking area. "If you are seen in the swap meet without a mask, I'm sure someone will have a problem with it. I have talked to Civil Defense and we are required to post a sign and tell anyone we see without a mask that masks are required. It is not our job to escort you off the property or force you to wear a mask… If you want to prove a point by not wearing a mask, please do it somewhere else."
Natkritta Joslin, with her Thai Grindz food truck in Ocean View, on the property where an open market plans
 to open this Saturday, to fill in for Ocean View Swap Meet, which recently closed. Photo from Thai Grindz
     The limit of people at any gathering is 100 and social distancing is required, per County mandate. "If the swap meet is too crowded," said Joslin, "changes will have to be made... If we have to, we will have someone at the gate to regulate the amount of people entering the area. Please make sure you are social distancing as best you can. Everything nowadays seems to be politically charged but, the new swap meet is not the place… If you can't talk politics, keep your cool, and respect anyone else's opinion, then don't talk to anyone about politics... There are those who would love to see this fail, there always is. Let the haters hate."
     Joslin said Cocucci will be at the lot Saturday morning for the first day and to unlock the gate for vendors at 5:30 a.m. Vendors can show up without a reservation for now, with $15 dollars. He said Cocucci will "be open to suggestions but he will not tolerate bad behavior or drama. If he gives you a warning about your actions or behavior, consider yourself lucky… We are working on many things in order to open this Saturday and it won't be perfect. Please be patient and try to understand that Mark is not only the market coordinator, he is also trying to be a fellow vendor."
     Parking is in the upper lot; parking on the side of the road is prohibited. A bathroom may not be at the location this weekend, so attendees and vendors are advised to "plan on taking a trip to the nearest restroom you know of."
     Joslin said, "We are in a hurry to get this going due to the great need for the vendors who depend on the swap meet for making a living. I will try to answer any questions I can but Mark will be the guy you will be working with. Please be patient and this will be a one of a kind swap meet." He said if issues of overcrowding and not enough parking do come up, they may look for an additional location so there's "enough space for all vendors."
     All vendors must provide their own sanitizer. All food vendors must have the permits required for the items that you are selling. Vendors and attendees are encouraged to carpool.
     Said Joslin, "Bear with us while we work out these bugs. Please work with us to improve our market so we can keep it open. It is really nice, seeing all the people in this community who are supporting us in getting this off the ground. With any luck, we will have a swap meet again."

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.

An early 2020 photo of some of the many volunteers at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. NPS photo/Janice Wei
VOLUNTEERS IN PARKS PROGRAM TURNS 50 this week. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park announced, "We celebrate the 50th anniversary of the NPS Volunteers in Parks program this year with the latest, greatest group shot featuring many of our fantastic volunteers who work to protect. We have said it many times: we couldn't fulfill our mission without the selfless dedication and spirit of aloha from our corps of VIPs."
     The Park says, last year, 651 park volunteers contributed 27,568 hours of their time. They worked in museum collections and archives, led hikes and answered countless visitor questions, monitored the backcountry, restored native forest, maintained trails, helped save native animals like honu‘ea (hawksbill turtles) and other endangered species, and more. The Park say their "invaluable effort" is equal to 13.25 full-time equivalent employees working 40 hours a week, or $701,000.
     In the announcement, the Park also sent mahalos to the Park's non-profit partners, the Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association and the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, "whose support keeps many of these vital VIP programs operational.
     "Mahalo nui loa to ALL of our volunteers, past, present and future, and to our partners for all your kōkua (care)!"

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.

Incumbent Rep. Richard Onishi.
Photo from Onishi's Facebook
RICHARD ONISHI is the incumbent running for a fifth term in the state House of Representatives, to serve District 3, stretching from Honuʻapo and Punaluʻu to Pāhala, Volcano, into Puna and South Hilo. Onishi is a member of the House Consumer Protection & Commerce Committee and the Agriculture Committee, and chairs the Tourism & International Affairs Committee.
     Onishi is also a member of the House Select Committee on COVID-19 Economic and Financial Preparedness, working with other legislators and officials working toward recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. In mid-July, he and the Kaʻū Farm Bureau helped to organize a gift of Kaʻū's Aikane Plantation Coffee to first responders. Onishi has been a speaker at Farm Bureau meetings and has been honored by the organization for his work for the agricultural community.
     During the 2020 session, despite the interruptions from the pandemic, he was a primary sponsor of 24 bills, including developing a plan to "recognize, honor, and memorialize" the legacy of Kaʻū-born Mary Kawena Pukuʻi in perpetuating Hawaiian culture.
     He supports the annual Miss Kaʻū Coffee competition with donations of scholarships. His efforts to help build a larger kitchen for Volcano School of Arts & Sciences and his continuing support helped lead to the VSAS Keakealani Campus that broke ground last weekend.
     Onishi was born, raised, and lives in Hilo. He and his wife, Joni, have three children. He served in the United States Army from 1973 to 1977. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from University of Hawaiʻi-Hilo in 1986.
     Before his election on Nov. 6, 2012, to the state House of Representatives, he worked for over 20 years for the County of Hawaiʻi as an Information System Analyst. He also worked as a lecturer at UH, a sales manager and travel consultant at Puainako Travel Service, and an operations supervisor and computer programmer for KTA. 
Rep. Richard Onishi with supporters pre-COVID-19 at Honpa
Hongwanji Mission of Hawaiʻi. Photo from Onishi's Facebook
     Onishi belongs to the Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association and American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees. His past affiliations include Big Island Computer Users Group and Hawaiʻi System 38 Computer Users Group. His community organizations include the Democratic Party, Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaiʻi Board, Hawaiʻi Island Adult Care Board, Hawaiʻi County Employees Federal Credit Union Board, Hilo High School Foundation Board, Hilo High School Class of '72 Reunion Committee.
     Onishi's campaign information says he pledges to "address issues and concerns and find solutions to better our communities and our future generations." His website says he promises to listen to, stay in touch, work tirelessly, and work together with constituents. His campaign information says his vision "is for our communities to be safe, healthy, economically viable, and sustainable. I will ensure our communities are a safe place to live, play, work and do business; our children receive high-quality education; our seniors (kūpuna) are cared for; our economy supports local businesses and products; our individual rights are protected; our environment is preserved; and our people have access to first-rate medical services."
Rep. Richard Onishi and Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau sponsored gifts of Kaʻū's Aikane Coffee to Hawaiʻi County Police
and Fire Departments, and Hawaiʻi Island hospitals. Photo by Elena Cabatu
     Onishi has promised throughout his campaigns to increase revenues and to "assist our communities to become safer, healthier, economically viable, and sustainable. To achieve these goals I will identify, develop, and support programs that will increase revenue; and I will work with the members of our communities to identify issues and problems dealing with the safety, health, economy, and sustainability of their community and work with them to find solutions.  I support legislation to increase research and development of alternative energy programs, the research and development of sustainable agriculture, the development of small and entrepreneurial businesses, and programs for affordable housing development and ownership."
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.

Keiki can become Junior Rangers virtually this Summer.
See go.nps.gov/volcanojuniorrangerNPS photo/Janice Wei
BECOME A JUNIOR RANGER at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Keiki are encouraged to virtually explore a lava tube, create their own National Park Service arrowhead, or complete a coloring book at go.nps.gov/volcanojuniorranger. Follow the instructions to let the Park know what the keiki has done, and the Park will send them a Junior Ranger sticker. The first 50 kids to send excellent answers to the scavenger hunt questions will also earn a special prize.
     The announcement says, "Are the kids missing summer road trips, visiting parks, and becoming a Junior Ranger? Many national parks have online programs for kids, including Hawaiʻi Volcanoes!"

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.

TODAY, THE NUMBER OF COVID-19 CASES SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN TOPPED 2,000 IN THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. A near-record single-day high of 123 new cases includes 18 pediatric (18-years-old and younger). Almost a quarter of the 124 cases reported yesterday were pediatric. Public health authorities, says DOH, "continue to remind everyone to be kind and to act with care, as not only do we need to protect our kūpuna, but everyone we love and cherish, including our keiki. Please, each of us must act as if we have the virus and take responsibility for preventing its spread by physically distancing, wearing masks, and washing our hands frequently."
Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. White
is zero cases. Yellow is one to five cases. Light orange (not
pictured) is six to ten cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 
11 to 20 cases. Red (not pictured) is 21 to 50 cases.
Hawaiʻi Department of Health map
     This is the ninth day in a row of no new cases for Hawaiʻi Island, with 115 cases, none active, none hospitalized. One case is reported in Volcano, zip code 96785, in the last 28 days. It has been more than 28 days since a case was recorded for a Kaʻū zip code. Since the pandemic began, no one died here.
     Maui County reports four new cases. Oʻahu reports 119 new cases and lost one case due to new information. The state's new case total is 2,111 since the pandemic began. Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 1,755 cases, Maui County 171, and Kauaʻi 47. Twenty-three victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Twenty-six people in the state died from COVID-19.
     In the daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense, Director Talmadge Magno said, "Do understand that many states are continuing to experience increased numbers of Coronavirus cases and the threat is still out there. Hawaiʻi County continues to do well. This is a result of you following the preventive measures of face coverings, distancing, gatherings, cleanliness, and keeping yourself healthy and of staying at home when sick. Thank you for making the effort to keep our neighbors, friends, family, and community safe. We must all continue to get better to keep us safe. The County Task Force continues its efforts seven-days-a-week of disinfecting and cleaning highly used public areas. This and other programs will continue until the virus is no longer a threat. As a reminder, the wearing of face masks is mandatory on the Island of Hawaiʻi. Thank you for listening and have a safe day. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency."
     In the United States, more than 4,558,994 cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 153,311. The worldwide COVID-19 case count is more than 17.5 million. The death toll is more than 677,279.

directory for farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is 
free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout 
Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at 
kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your 
business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com.

EVENTS
Food from Wood: Growing Edible & Medicinal Mushrooms on Logs, Stumps, & Wood Chips, Saturday, Aug. 19 a.m. to 2 p.m., course fees $55/$50 VAC member plus $15 fee, inclusive of supplies. Pre-registration required. Each participant will depart with a shiitake mushroom log kit, and a King Stropharia mushroom kit. Participants meet at VAC's Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village for a slideshow lecture, then drive to Shaka Forest Farms on Wright Road in Volcano Village for the hands-on segment of the workshop. Lunch break, noon to 1 p.m. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

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

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

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

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

From Plant to Pigment Workshop with Puakea Forester, Saturday, Aug. 810 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn how to create colorfast dyes, inks, and paints from common and invasive locally sourced plants. This workshop is good for painters and kapa enthusiasts alike who are interested in expanding their knowledge about natural dyes. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Exhibition Mixed Flock: Prints by Margaret Barnaby and Pottery by Emily Herb, held over through Aug. 8. Also available to view online, view the exhibition in person the Gallery in the Park during normal gallery hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Free. The exhibition features two prominent female artists from Volcano Village "who find deep inspiration in Hawaiʻi's natural environment and specifically the native bird populations found within it." volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Exhibition Hawaiʻi Nei Invitational: Nā ʻAumākua, Saturday, Aug. 8 through Saturday, Sept. 12. Also available to view online, view the exhibition in person the Gallery in the Park during normal gallery hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Free. The exhibition is a group exhibition will present works focusing on the theme of Nā ʻAumākua, family gods. VAC will not hold an opening reception on August 8th. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

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

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

Writing for Inner Exploration and Life Reflection Workshop with author Tom Peek, Saturday, Aug. 159:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. "Have you ever wondered how the place you come from influenced who you are? Or what memories you carry from your ancestors? Or how your personal history impacts your view of the world? Take a day out of your busy life to explore your deeper self and ponder the life you’ve lived so far." volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

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

The Food Basket, last Tuesday of the month, Aug. 25, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, last Thursday of the month, Aug. 27, Cooper Center 19-4030 Wright Rd. Call 985-7140 to verify.

On-Call Emergency Box Food PantryCooper Center, weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Eligible one time every three months. Call Kehau, 443-4130.

Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries, open for pick-up services. Nāʻālehu is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons schedule Library Take Out appointment times to pick up their hold item(s) at their favorite libraries by going to HSPLS Library Catalog and placing a hold on any item(s) they want to borrow, or they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. For patrons who placed holds during the closure, their item(s) are ready for pickup after the patron schedules a Library Take Out appointment. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.

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

Avocado Growers Survey Open. Help identify opportunities for expanding the local avocado industry, to assist local farmers, buyers, and agencies develop strategies to bolster Hawaiʻi's avocado industry, says Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United. Farmers and farm names kept anonymous, results shared publicly. Survey completion gives option to register to win a $200 gift certificate to Home Depot. For a hard copy of the survey, email: info@growfruithawaii.com. Take the survey: surveymonkey.com/r/Hawaiiavosurvey2020.

Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues, through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Access these remote services by completing the web form at hawaiifirstfcu.com/community-resource-center or by calling 808-933-6600 to sign up. The Financial Navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across the County can also refer clients directly to a Financial Navigator. For more information, contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub. Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources. Developed by the Sexual and Gender Minority Workgroup in partnership with the DOH Harm Reduction Services Branch. Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov/harmreduction/sexual-gender-minority/sexual-and-gender-minorities-sgm-in-hawaii/.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Kahalo Center says database consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. U.S. Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs is developing a list of Native Hawaiian farmers willing to sell direct to consumers through the On-Farm Market Directory. On-farm markets are managed by a single farm operator that sells products on their farm, or on a property next to their farm. Some on-farm markets may also deliver or ship their goods directly to consumers. Visit the program website for more information and to register: ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/onfarm.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Owners can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. They offer help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature to help find information that applies to the searcher.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. See https://kohalacenter.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=54bdd67c601f0c0d3ea430053&id=9e1691c22d&e=0e3fe20c1f.

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

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Saturday and Sunday. The Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday and Tuesday. Virtual Shopping Appointments are offered at Volcano Art Center locations. Via Skype or FaceTime, a VAC associate helps customers browse the selection of artwork up close, and gives personalized tips and recommendations to help customers "find that perfect piece of locally made artwork, wherever you are in the world!" Book appointment online for $5 and VAC staff will help schedule a date and time at volcanoartcenter.org/shop. Shop the online gallery 24/7. Orders are shipped as regularly scheduled. Free local pickup is available.VAC now offers a Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers MarketCooper CenterVolcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

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Thursday, July 30, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, July 30, 2020

Rainbow Sanctuary, known for finding good homes and its no-euthanization policy, will take over animal control for
 Hawaiʻi County this Saturday. It is adding on to its location in Kurtistown, with new facilities
in Kona and Hilo. See more below. Photo by Janice Wei
DAILY COVID-19 CASES HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED SINCE JULY 23, with 124 statewide, reported today. Gov. David Ige said he may call in the National Guard to help with contact tracing to track down those interacting with victims. State Department of Health says 32 of the new victims are under 18 years old.
     Mayor of Honolulu, Kirk Caldwell, responded to the spike by shutting down bars at midnight for three weeks, with restaurants stopping liquor sales at 10 p.m. He said, "We don't know who has the virus and who doesn't have the virus. But we know it's traveling throughout our community. We see it popping up everywhere... We're all at risk at this point in time, and strong, decisive action needs to be taken so we can get back to a healthy community, so that we can have a healthy economy."
     The 124 cases include 120 on Oʻahu and four on Maui. Hawaiʻi Island has no cases reported in the last eight days. Maui's Mayor, Mike Victorino, is asking for reinstating restrictions on interisland travel to protect Maui, Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi, and Lanaʻi, where there are few cases, compared to Oʻahu. He also asked the governor for a ban on tents and umbrellas at beaches, and that gatherings be limited to 25 outdoors and ten indoors. Hawaiʻi County Mayor Harry Kim said he is weighing the options.
Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. White
is zero cases. Yellow is one to five cases. Light orange (not
pictured) is six to ten cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 
11 to 20 cases. Red (not pictured) is 21 to 50 cases.
Hawaiʻi Department of Health map
     In the daily message from Hawaiʻi County, Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno said, "Hawaiʻi County is doing well with no new cases for several days but we must know that that the Coronavirus threat is still out there. Thank you for doing your part by following the preventive measures of face coverings, distancing, (postponing large) gatherings, and cleanliness. You should also stay at home if you do not feel well; with this, we ask for all to strive to be better. Your efforts are keeping our neighbors, friends, and family safe. As a reminder, the wearing of face masks is mandatory on the Island of Hawaiʻi. Thank you for listening and have a safe day. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency."
     In the United States, more than 4,487,987 cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 151,834. The worldwide COVID-19 case count is more than 17.22 million. The death toll is more than 671,042.
     This is the eighth day of no new cases for Hawaiʻi Island. New information changed one case from Hawaiʻi Island to Oʻahu, leaving this island with 115 cases since the pandemic began. There is only one active case on-island. That person is hospitalized and, according to Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense, "is doing very well."
     One case was reported in Volcano, zip code 96785 in the last 28 days. It has been more than 28 days since a case was recorded for a Kaʻū zip code. This island's 114 other confirmed COVID-19 victims recovered. Since the pandemic began, no one died here.
     The state's new case total is 1,989 since the pandemic began. Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 1,637 cases, Maui County 167, and Kauaʻi 47. Twenty-three victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Twenty-six people in the state died from COVID-19.
    
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RAINBOW FRIENDS ANIMAL SANCTUARY has launched a branch to conduct animal control for County of Hawaiʻi. Called Hawaiʻi Rainbow Rangers, it begins its work on Saturday, under contract with the county. Rainbow Friends is known for its no-euthanasia policy and success in finding homes for abandoned, abused, and neglected animals.
     The new service, funded by the Hawaiʻi Police Department, will replace the Hawaiʻi Island Humane Society effort. A nonprofit founded in 1999, Rainbow Rangers will ramp up services into November, first using the Hawaiʻi Island Humane Society Shelter in Kona. The location, at 74-5225 Queen Kaʻahumanu Hwy, Kona, will also issue dog licenses.
     Shelter hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Until November, no animal drop boxes/cages will be provided.
     Call 808-666-9589 for services and complaints regarding animals. Animal Control Officers will be available to pick up stray, unwanted, trapped, or vicious animals, island-wide, which will be transported to private sanctuaries in East Hawaiʻi and the Kona Shelter in West Hawaiʻi. Animal Control officers will also respond to reports of deceased animals on roadways or roadway shoulders. Contact HRR for these requests. Free spay and neuter clinics will be announced and held once monthly, to be announced.
     Contact the Police Department at 935-3311 for animal-related after-hour emergencies. Until November, Hawaiʻi Police Department officers will conduct all animal cruelty and related investigations. See the https://www.facebook.com/rainbowfriends/.

Ballot envelop for the Primary.
The General Election in
Hawaiʻi is also all mail-in.
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NO DELAYS TO THE NOVEMBER ELECTION. That is the message from Sen. Mazie Hirono Thursday evening, following the suggestion from Pres. Donald Trump this morning that the General Election be delayed. Hirono insisted that the President has no authority to change the timing of the election. "Only Congress has the authority to make such a decision and no election in U.S. history has ever been postponed, for any reason," said Hirono as she launched a petition drive.
     "On Twitter, Trump is again promoting the fallacy of mail-in voting fraud, casting doubt about the reliability of mail-in voting in an attempt to sabotage our election, defy the Constitution, and rattle the foundation of our democracy. Trump is also trying to undermine mail-in voting by denying the necessary support to the U.S. Postal Service, which has the responsibility to deliver ballots to our mailboxes.
     "Trump's claims are baseless. We can safely and securely vote without delay on Nov. 3. Trump's tactics show that he does not want a fair election where all eligible Americans can participate. We have to protect our right to a free and fair election. Every single one of us must speak out and demand universal vote-by-mail across the country. We must fight back against Trump, Republican rampant voter suppression, and protect voters at all costs."
     She urged citizens to demand universal vote-by-mail now. See the petition.

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READ COMMENTS ON HAWAIʻI COUNTY'S 2040 DRAFT GENERAL PLAN. The Draft, an update of the 2019 version, was presented through a variety of public engagement events across the island. Public comments were used to inform the next round of revisions to the Draft General Plan.
     Read the Repository of all 2019 Draft General Plan Public Comments, which contains sorted and categorized public comments, collected through outreaches, written emails and letters, and an open public comment submission installation in the Aupuni Center Building in Hilo. See comments by Draft General Plan Sections, popular topic, or unsorted general public comments.
     Read the Repository of Draft General Plan Agency Comments, submitted by public agencies such as county, state, or federal governments. 

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FISHERS AND SWIMMERS ARE ASKED TO "SHARE ALOHA." The request comes from the state Department of Land & Natural Resources' Division of Aquatic Resources. Brian Neilson, DAR administrator, says, "We've been seeing higher than usual fishing activity around the state, ever since April, when the governor allowed people to cross closed state beaches in order to fish. In a few locations, fishers and swimmers have been using the same areas, which can lead to potential conflicts."
"Share Aloha" swimmers and fishers, asks Dept. of Land &
Natural Resources Division of Aquatics. Photo by Julia Neal
     The announcement from DAR says, "After the lifting of certain restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of people returned to Hawai‘i's ocean waters." Akin to "playing well with others in the sandbox," DAR is encouraging swimmers and fishers to share aloha when in the water. "Summer is the season for inshore fishing for ‘oama, pāpio, halalu, sardines, and a number of other fish species. Fishers go where the fish are, and this summer fish are showing up in places that haven't usually been popular fishing sites. Some of these same places are also frequented by swimmers," says DAR.
     Neilson says DAR staff have been monitoring activity and conducting outreach in these areas. "Swimmers might be upset that fishers are showing up for the first time in places where they've been swimming for years, but they need to understand that fishers have the same rights to those waters as swimmers do. We've been reminding fishers to use caution to keep swimmers and others safe, and we're asking swimmers not to interfere with fishing activity – to try and avoid specific areas where people are fishing. Many fishers are trying to put food on their table. There's plenty of room in the ocean for everyone, all we ask is that people fish and swim with aloha."

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THE COST OF THE JONES ACT TO THE HAWAIʻI ECONOMY became clear Wednesday during the Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi's webinar on its new study. The Jones Act is the 100-year-old federal maritime law that requires all goods carried between U.S. ports be on ships flagged and built in the U.S, and mostly owned and crewed by Americans. The aim was for the U.S. government to have access to American vessels during war.
     Supporters of Jones Act reform have long asserted that the act adds to Hawaiʻi's already-high cost of living. Grassroot institute's new study, "Quantifying the cost of the Jones Act to Hawaiʻi," was produced for the by economic researcher and consultant John Dunham. Grassroot Institute said the study is exhaustively researched, independent, and peer-reviewed, and found that overall the Jones Act costs Hawaii $1.2 billion annually, including 9,100 fewer jobs and $148 million in unrealized tax revenues.
     Dunham, U.S. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah and U.S. Rep. Ed Case were on hand during the webinar to comment on report findings – Lee from the Republican side of the aisle and Case from the Democrat. Both sponsored bills in Congress to reform the maritime law. During the discussion, Case expressed disappointment that some Democrats have rejected calls for Jones Act reform, since Democrats have been known as the monopoly busters. According to Grassroot Institute, "Clearly the Jones Act is a case of corporate interests using their lobbying influence to secure undue market power."
     Lee argued that not all Republicans support Jones Act reform, which is ironic considering the GOP generally purports to advocate less accumulation of government power and fewer excessive regulations. He called the Jones Act "standard, textbook protectionism that favors a certain industry at the expense of everybody else, and it's wrong."
     Watch the entire conversation, which also featured institute president Keliʻi Akina as moderator, at grassrootinstitute.org/2020/07/grassroot-institute-of-hawaiis-puts-jones-act-on-political-front-burner/?mc_cid=3e80b818c3&mc_eid=[UNIQID].

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DISPOSE OF HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE for free between 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1 at Waiākea High School Parking Lot B (entry via Poʻokela Parkway) in Hilo and Saturday, Aug. 8 at Kealakehe High School Parking Lot (entry via Pū‘ohulihuli Street) in Kona.
     Acceptable waste includes automotive fluids, used batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and pesticides. No latex paint, no electronic waste, and no tires will be accepted. See hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/household-hazardous-waste/ for more acceptable waste and other information on solid waste diversion and recycling. These events are for household-generated and self-hauled waste only. Business, government agency, non-profit agency, or farm wastes are prohibited by law.
     Social/Physical Distancing Rules for Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events are: Remain in vehicle unless directed by authorized personnel. Prior to arriving at the event, place HHW items in trunk or truck bed. Make sure trunk can be unlocked or opened remotely. If not, or no truck bed, place materials in unlocked and unoccupied backseat area.  No containers brought to the event will be returned. To keep containers, transfer the material into a safe, disposable container prior to the event. Minimize interactions by labeling items. Make sure items are easily distinguishable and separate from anything else in vehicle. Facial masks and 6-foot social distancing is required. If feeling ill or showing symptoms of illness, postpone participation or designate someone else to drop off materials.
     The next collection events are in Waimea and Pāhoa in March 2021.
     County of Hawai‘i's Department of Environmental Management holds these regular collection events, at no charge to the public, so households can conveniently dispose of acceptable household hazardous waste in a manner that protects both public health and the environment.  
     Questions? Contact Chris Chin-Chance, Recycling Specialist with the Department of Environmental Management, at 961-8554, or email recycle3@hawaiicounty.gov.

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The size, depth, and color of Kīlauea's hot summit lake have changed drastically in the last year. 
Read details on the progression, below. USGS photo/M. Patrick
KĪLAUEA'S HALEMAUMAU CRATER LAKE TURNED ONE YEAR OLD on Saturday, July 25. According to the U.S. Geological Survey staff at Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory, the lake has grown to more than 885 feet (270 meters) long and 430 ft  (131 m) wide, with a surface area over 6 acres (2.5 hectares) since is was first spotted on July 25, 2019. The lake is over 130 ft (40 m) deep with a volume of approximately 125 million gallons (480,000 cubic meters), almost equivalent to 200 Olympic swimming pools.
     Animated telephoto images, below, about a week apart, show the lake's growth between Aug. 2, 2019, and July 21, 2020. The first image displays the small green pond, about 6 ft (2 m) deep. The most recent shows the huge body of water with shades of tan to brown and a sharp color boundary often cutting across the crater lake.
Occasional green still shows up in the water, near the west end (bottom 
right of photo), which HVO scientists say is from new 
hot water influx. USGS photo/M. Patrick
     On July 21, at 8:45 a.m., morning sunlight reflected off the rippling water to create a bright luster, masking tan and brown surface colors. At 10:15 a.m., sunlight reflected off the ripples. By 11:20 a.m., reflections diminished to reveal the true colors of the lake.
     On July 28, a photo of the lake shows vibrant colors, with a zone of aquamarine water in the west end. HVO says greenish zones "tend to be slightly hotter, and appear to be zones of water influx."
     Former Chief Scientist at Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory Tina Neal, before her recent transfer to Alaska from her post at HVO, said the lake is "something we're keeping an eye on... we're considering right now how rising magma – once it hits the surface beneath the lake – would interact and produce explosions." She also said the lake "shouldn't have been surprising, because we know that the collapse of the summit punched deeply enough into the volcano that it reached down below the adjacent water table."
     Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists continue to monitor Halemaʻumaʻu's crater lake, and Kīlauea's summit. See volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/.
A GIF of the growth and deepening of the lake in Halemaʻumaʻu Crater. USGS photos

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UNSOLICITED SEED PACKETS sent to American addresses are under investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The seed packets have been mailed to numerous individuals across the country, primarily from China, reports USDA-APHIS. Since Saturday, Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture received five reports of seed packets being received by Hawaiʻi residents and are in contact with those individuals to acquire the shipments.
An example of packages of unsolicited seeds
from China. Photo from Snopes.com
     Residents who receive unsolicited seed packets should keep the contents of the package, mailing envelope in its entirety, and any other contents that arrive with the shipment, and contact the USDA-APHIS or their nearest Dept. of Ag Plant Quarantine office for further instructions. "Do not open, throw away, or plant any of the seeds to help ensure that new invasive species are not introduced into the state," advises Dept. of Ag.
     USDA-APHIS Offices are Kona – (808) 326-1252; Hilo – (808) 933-9040; Maui, Molokai, Lanai – (808) 877-5261; Oahu – (808) 834-3240; and Kauai – (808) 632-2505. Dept. of Ag Plant Quarantine Offices are Kona – (808) 326-1077; Hilo – (808) 971-9393; Maui, Molokai, Lanai – (808) 872-3848; Oahu – (808) 832-0566 or (808) 837-8413; Kauai – (808) 241-7135; or call the state's toll-free pest hotline at 643-PEST (7378).
     USDA-APHIS is responsible for inspections of agricultural material imported from foreign countries. It is working nationally with the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection, other federal agencies, and state agriculture officials to investigate the situation. USDA-APHIS says, "At this time, federal authorities do not have any evidence of nefarious activity connected to the seed packets but are testing the contents to determine if they contain anything that could be of concern to U.S. agriculture or the environment." HDOA is working with the USDA to ensure that all known shipments of unsolicited seeds in Hawaiʻi are recovered and handled appropriately.

directory for farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is 
free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout 
Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at 
kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your 
business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Exhibition Mixed Flock: Prints by Margaret Barnaby and Pottery by Emily Herb, held over through Aug. 8. Also available to view online, view the exhibition in person the Gallery in the Park during normal gallery hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Free. The exhibition features two prominent female artists from Volcano Village "who find deep inspiration in Hawaiʻi's natural environment and specifically the native bird populations found within it." volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Exhibition Hawaiʻi Nei Invitational: Nā ʻAumākua, Saturday, Aug. 8 through Saturday, Sept. 12. Also available to view online, view the exhibition in person the Gallery in the Park during normal gallery hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Free. The exhibition is a group exhibition will present works focusing on the theme of Nā ʻAumākua, family gods. VAC will not hold an opening reception on August 8th. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

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

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

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

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

The Food Basket, last Tuesday of the month, Aug. 25, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, last Thursday of the month, Aug. 27, Cooper Center 19-4030 Wright Rd. Call 985-7140 to verify.

On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry, Cooper Center, weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Eligible one time every three months. Call Kehau, 443-4130.

Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries, open for pick-up services. Nāʻālehu is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons schedule Library Take Out appointment times to pick up their hold item(s) at their favorite libraries by going to HSPLS Library Catalog and placing a hold on any item(s) they want to borrow, or they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. For patrons who placed holds during the closure, their item(s) are ready for pickup after the patron schedules a Library Take Out appointment. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.

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

Avocado Growers Survey Open. Help identify opportunities for expanding the local avocado industry, to assist local farmers, buyers, and agencies develop strategies to bolster Hawaiʻi's avocado industry, says Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United. Farmers and farm names kept anonymous, results shared publicly. Survey completion gives option to register to win a $200 gift certificate to Home Depot. For a hard copy of the survey, email: info@growfruithawaii.com. Take the survey: surveymonkey.com/r/Hawaiiavosurvey2020.

Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues, through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Access these remote services by completing the web form at hawaiifirstfcu.com/community-resource-center or by calling 808-933-6600 to sign up. The Financial Navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across the County can also refer clients directly to a Financial Navigator. For more information, contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019.

Find Resources for LGBTQ+, Loved Ones, and Allies at Sexual and Gender Minority online resource hub. Hawaiʻi Department of Health's first website dedicated to LGBTQ+ resources. Developed by the Sexual and Gender Minority Workgroup in partnership with the DOH Harm Reduction Services Branch. Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov/harmreduction/sexual-gender-minority/sexual-and-gender-minorities-sgm-in-hawaii/.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Kahalo Center says database consists of "collections of data pertaining to historically and culturally significant places, events, and documents in Hawaiʻi's history. The purpose of this educational online repository is to increase the community's ability to preserve and perpetuate cultural and historical information and practices." See papakilodatabase.com.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. U.S. Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs is developing a list of Native Hawaiian farmers willing to sell direct to consumers through the On-Farm Market Directory. On-farm markets are managed by a single farm operator that sells products on their farm, or on a property next to their farm. Some on-farm markets may also deliver or ship their goods directly to consumers. Visit the program website for more information and to register: ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/onfarm.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Owners can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. They offer help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature to help find information that applies to the searcher.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. See https://kohalacenter.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=54bdd67c601f0c0d3ea430053&id=9e1691c22d&e=0e3fe20c1f.

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

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Saturday and Sunday. The Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday and Tuesday. Virtual Shopping Appointments are offered at Volcano Art Center locations. Via Skype or FaceTime, a VAC associate helps customers browse the selection of artwork up close, and gives personalized tips and recommendations to help customers "find that perfect piece of locally made artwork, wherever you are in the world!" Book appointment online for $5 and VAC staff will help schedule a date and time at volcanoartcenter.org/shop. Shop the online gallery 24/7. Orders are shipped as regularly scheduled. Free local pickup is available.VAC now offers a Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, open on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, island beef, and prepared foods. Call 808-967-7800.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

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