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| Hurricane Douglas, about 665 miles east of Hilo at 5 p.m., may miss Kaʻū, skirt Hāmākua and head toward the other counties, for a possible landfall Sunday into Monday. Image from CNN |
HURRICANE DOUGLAS MAY STAY OFFSHORE KAʻŪ and swoop by the Hāmākua Coast, as he passes Hawaiʻi Island between 2 a.m and 2 p.m Sunday, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center forecast map. It shows the northeast coast of the island and Kohala within the cone of probability.
County of Hawaiʻi, in an abundance of caution, closed Punaluʻu and Whittington Beach Parks to the public at 7 p.m. Friday. All county parks up the east side of the island shut down, with all county camping permits canceled for the weekend. Other county coastal lands on the east side are also off-limits. The port of Hilo is closed, Young Brothers barge arrival canceled. Hawaiian Airlines canceled all of its Neighbor Island flights for Sunday and announced it is moving some 60 planes - most of them to Kona.
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center warns, "Douglas continues to approach the main Hawaiian Islands, potentially passing dangerously close to, or over, the islands Saturday night through Sunday night. The close passage of Douglas brings a triple threat of hazards, including but not limited to damaging winds, flooding rainfall, and dangerously high surf, especially along east facing shores."
The Hurricane Center also warns of dangerous surf and heavy rainfall: "Large swells generated by Douglas are expected to affect the Hawaiian Islands this weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions for a couple of days.
"Heavy rainfall associated with Douglas is expected to affect portions of the Hawaiian Islands from late Saturday night through Monday. Total rain accumulations of 6 to 10 inches with isolated maximum totals of 15 inches are possible, especially in higher terrain. This rain may result in life-threatening flash flooding and landslides."
As of Friday evening, Hawaiʻi Island is under a high surf alert and hurricane watch, as are Maui County and Oʻahu, which along with Kauaʻi, are possible landfalls for Douglas.
A Hurricane Hunter plane and crew headed to the eye of the storm today to gather more data on Hurricane Douglas.
At 5 p.m., Hurricane Douglas was 665 miles east of Hilo, with maximum sustained winds at 115 mph. Douglas is traveling fast at 20 mph in a west-northwest direction. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles with tropical-storm-force winds extending outward up to 105 miles.
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.
A PETITION TO PREVENT OPENING SCHOOLS UNDER PRESSURE from Pres. Donald Trump and Secretary of Education Betsy Devos is an initiative of Sen. Mazie Hirono. She sent out a statement this morning saying, "Amid the coronavirus pandemic and the surge in cases throughout the country, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and President Donald Trump are attempting to force
students to return to in-person classes in the fall with no plan on how to open schools safely. They forced the Centers for Disease Control to change reopening guidelines that were 'too tough', which they just reissued yesterday, and they are threatening to cut off funding to public schools that do not open, saying 'the science should not stand in the way of this.' DeVos falls right in line with Trump's cavalier disregard for the health and safety of our teachers, students, and families. Opening schools right now puts our keiki and educators in harm's way. The fall school year starts on August 4 in Hawaiʻi -- we must protect them at all costs.
Hirono spoke on the Senate floor yesterday. She called DeVos and Trump's plan a "diabolical plot to dismantle our public school system and attack teachers," and said it is dangerous to open schools "without certainty, resources, and support from the federal government." She urged constituents to sign her petition.
She also said that the U.S. Senate "must step up and put the welfare of our teachers and students ahead of Trump's political self-interest."
Today, Hirono spoke out on MSNBC, saying that with a federal judge denying the request of the Oregon Attorney General to curb actions of federal agents in Portland, "the role of the Justice Department's Inspector General is more important than ever. The Inspector General is conducting an investigation." See msnbc.com/30JHsJV.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
THE DATE FOR STUDENTS TO RETURN TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS MAY BE DELAYED in Hawaiʻi, beyond the scheduled day of Aug. 4. The issue drew thousands of comments and testimony from teachers, principals, school staff, and parents during a six-hour state Board of Education meeting on Thursday.
Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association reported today: "After receiving a record-breaking amount of written testimony from administrators, teachers, support staff, and parents, the BOE will schedule a special meeting in the days ahead to consider changing the 2020–21 school calendar to delay students' return to public school campuses."
Click here to listen to a recording of the meeting. Those prompted for a password, can enter HawaiiBOE2020.
School employees and the public sent in 4,000 pages of testimony, and provided roughly two hours of live testimony during a virtual meeting of the board, during which more than 1,000 people listened virtually, exceeding the BOE's Webex platform's capacity.
BOE Chair Catherine Payne said the board will "hold a special meeting to address the concerns in the testimony about training and health matters that came up. At that point, we could also consider a waiver (of the 180 required student instructional days) for some additional professional development days."
BOE member Dwight Takeno said, "These individuals reached out to us as board members. They reached out asking for help. While I trust that the (Hawaiʻi State Department of Education) will do something if we give them some directives, I still think that overall, they came to us and we owe them something in return."
BOE member Maggie Cox, a former principal, joined a majority of board members calling for a delay in bringing students back to campuses. "Some of them are going to be using curriculum they haven't seen before. We're trying to find out how to give extra time that the principals have asked for and that the teachers have asked for," Cox said.
While it's unclear ultimately what will happen, board members discussed several options focused on bringing educators and other staff back to campuses on July 29 as scheduled.
One proposal would start distance learning on Aug. 4 instead of in-school instruction for students, and then bring students back to classrooms two weeks later on Aug. 18. That would give educators time for training on COVID-19 protocols and distance learning. Another option discussed by board members would delay the beginning of the school year for a period of time so educators could concentrate on professional development, COVID-19 protocols, and other preparations before bringing students back to classrooms. Ultimately, the board could recommend other options.
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.
THIS IS THE SECOND DAY OF RECORD NEW COVID-19 CASES IN THE STATE OF HAWAIʻI, with 60 new victims, following Thursday's 55 record. According to the state Department of Health, the majority of cases, both days, are on the island of Oʻahu. Fifty-eight are reported for Oʻahu today. One case is reported on Maui, and the other is a Hawaiʻi resident diagnosed out of state.
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center warns, "Douglas continues to approach the main Hawaiian Islands, potentially passing dangerously close to, or over, the islands Saturday night through Sunday night. The close passage of Douglas brings a triple threat of hazards, including but not limited to damaging winds, flooding rainfall, and dangerously high surf, especially along east facing shores."
The Hurricane Center also warns of dangerous surf and heavy rainfall: "Large swells generated by Douglas are expected to affect the Hawaiian Islands this weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions for a couple of days.
"Heavy rainfall associated with Douglas is expected to affect portions of the Hawaiian Islands from late Saturday night through Monday. Total rain accumulations of 6 to 10 inches with isolated maximum totals of 15 inches are possible, especially in higher terrain. This rain may result in life-threatening flash flooding and landslides."
As of Friday evening, Hawaiʻi Island is under a high surf alert and hurricane watch, as are Maui County and Oʻahu, which along with Kauaʻi, are possible landfalls for Douglas.
At 5 p.m., Hurricane Douglas was 665 miles east of Hilo, with maximum sustained winds at 115 mph. Douglas is traveling fast at 20 mph in a west-northwest direction. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles with tropical-storm-force winds extending outward up to 105 miles.
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.
QUARANTINE RULES ARE MODIFIED until the threat of Hurricane Douglas passes. Gov. David Ige said today, "I want to make sure that those in quarantine are adequately prepared per the state recommendations. If you are in quarantine, to the extent possible, please have supplies and materials delivered, and lean on friends and family to help build your supply kit. As a last resort, you are allowed to break quarantine, but only to procure necessary supplies and materials. Please physically distance yourself, wear a mask, and minimize your time outside your home or place lodging and your contact with others. If possible, utilize curb-side pickup and similar options. To the extent possible, you should shelter in place. If you need to seek emergency shelter, please do so."
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.
A PETITION TO PREVENT OPENING SCHOOLS UNDER PRESSURE from Pres. Donald Trump and Secretary of Education Betsy Devos is an initiative of Sen. Mazie Hirono. She sent out a statement this morning saying, "Amid the coronavirus pandemic and the surge in cases throughout the country, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and President Donald Trump are attempting to force
students to return to in-person classes in the fall with no plan on how to open schools safely. They forced the Centers for Disease Control to change reopening guidelines that were 'too tough', which they just reissued yesterday, and they are threatening to cut off funding to public schools that do not open, saying 'the science should not stand in the way of this.' DeVos falls right in line with Trump's cavalier disregard for the health and safety of our teachers, students, and families. Opening schools right now puts our keiki and educators in harm's way. The fall school year starts on August 4 in Hawaiʻi -- we must protect them at all costs.
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| Sen. Mazie Hirono launched a petition today concerning Pres. Donald Trump and the Secretary of Education pressuring schools to reopen without more protection from the COVID-19 pandemic. She also took an interview with MSNBC concerning the role of the federal Inspector General. Image from MSNBC |
She also said that the U.S. Senate "must step up and put the welfare of our teachers and students ahead of Trump's political self-interest."
Today, Hirono spoke out on MSNBC, saying that with a federal judge denying the request of the Oregon Attorney General to curb actions of federal agents in Portland, "the role of the Justice Department's Inspector General is more important than ever. The Inspector General is conducting an investigation." See msnbc.com/30JHsJV.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
THE DATE FOR STUDENTS TO RETURN TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS MAY BE DELAYED in Hawaiʻi, beyond the scheduled day of Aug. 4. The issue drew thousands of comments and testimony from teachers, principals, school staff, and parents during a six-hour state Board of Education meeting on Thursday.
Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association reported today: "After receiving a record-breaking amount of written testimony from administrators, teachers, support staff, and parents, the BOE will schedule a special meeting in the days ahead to consider changing the 2020–21 school calendar to delay students' return to public school campuses."
Click here to listen to a recording of the meeting. Those prompted for a password, can enter HawaiiBOE2020.
School employees and the public sent in 4,000 pages of testimony, and provided roughly two hours of live testimony during a virtual meeting of the board, during which more than 1,000 people listened virtually, exceeding the BOE's Webex platform's capacity.
 |
| Board of Education Chair Catherine Payne |
BOE member Dwight Takeno said, "These individuals reached out to us as board members. They reached out asking for help. While I trust that the (Hawaiʻi State Department of Education) will do something if we give them some directives, I still think that overall, they came to us and we owe them something in return."
BOE member Maggie Cox, a former principal, joined a majority of board members calling for a delay in bringing students back to campuses. "Some of them are going to be using curriculum they haven't seen before. We're trying to find out how to give extra time that the principals have asked for and that the teachers have asked for," Cox said.
While it's unclear ultimately what will happen, board members discussed several options focused on bringing educators and other staff back to campuses on July 29 as scheduled.
One proposal would start distance learning on Aug. 4 instead of in-school instruction for students, and then bring students back to classrooms two weeks later on Aug. 18. That would give educators time for training on COVID-19 protocols and distance learning. Another option discussed by board members would delay the beginning of the school year for a period of time so educators could concentrate on professional development, COVID-19 protocols, and other preparations before bringing students back to classrooms. Ultimately, the board could recommend other options.
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.
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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 is 11 to 20
cases. Red (not pictured) is 21 to 50 cases.
Hawaiʻi Department of Health map
|
State Director of Health Bruce Anderson said, "We're concerned that this relatively high level of cases is persisting on Oʻahu. Some of the cases we're reporting today are associated with existing clusters, known cases, and household spread, but others are new, unassociated cases that indicate increasing community spread. In contact tracing, we continue to identify cases connected with gatherings or just hanging out with close friends. Until we all recognize the importance of physically distancing from people outside of their households and wearing masks, we face the prospect of even higher numbers."
There are nine active cases on-island. The patients are being monitored by Department of Health.
The state's new case total has increased by about 200 in less than ten days.
There are nine active cases on-island, reports DOH. It has been less than 28 days since a case was recorded for a Kaʻū zip code. One zip code on the west side has between 11 and 19 active cases in the last 28 days. This island's other confirmed COVID-19 victims recovered. Since the pandemic began, no one died here. Of the five hospitalizations on-island, four patients have been released.
Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 1,125 cases, Kauaʻi 43, and Maui County 141. Twenty-three victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 1,549 people were confirmed positive for the virus. Twenty-six people died.
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Civil Defense Director
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In the United States , more than 4,112,529 cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 145,546.
The worldwide COVID-19 case count is more than 15.73 million. The death toll is more than 639,653.
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Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar
directory for farms, ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is
free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and to all postal addresses throughout
Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district. Read online at
kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your
business or your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.
|
Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com.
EVENTS
9 a.m. to noon . "How long has writing been on your bucket list? Are you ready to make 2020 the year you finally get started or restarted? This class is perfect for all writers seeking new inspiration and strategies." volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222
Ocean View Community Center Reopens for events Monday, Aug. 3. The library will be open Friday mornings beginning Aug. 7. AdvoCATS, an all-volunteer non-profit organization "dedicated to the well-being of Hawaiʻi Islands's homeless cat population," which often offers spay and neutering services, will be at OV Community Center all day Tuesday, Aug. 11 -- see advocatshawaii.org. To schedule an event, contact Christopher Garske at chrisgarske@gmail.com or 650-996-2790.
Exhibition Mixed Flock: Prints by Margaret Barnaby and Pottery by Emily Herb has been 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
Apply for Grants to Help Socially Disadvantaged Groups develop business and strategic plans in rural areas through USDA Rural Development through 6 p.m. HST on Aug. 10 at grants.gov. Eligible applicants include cooperatives, groups of cooperatives, and cooperative development centers. USDA defines a socially disadvantaged group as one "whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities."
ONGOING
The Food Basket provides food to those in need. See hawaiifoodbasket.org. Ocean View residents can go to The Food Basket's pantry at St. Jude's the last Tuesday of the month, July 28.
Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Cooper Center 19-4030 Wright Rd. Served by Friends Feeding Friends Thursday, July 30 -- the last Thursday of the month. Call 985-7140 to verify.
On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Eligible one time every three months. Call Kehau, 443-4130.
Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries are Open for Pick-Up Services Only. 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 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.
Nursery, Greenhouse, and Cut-Flower Growers are invited to participate in COVID-19 impact survey by Cornell Cooperative Extension. The survey may help them qualify for USDA CFAP financial assistance. Complete the survey online.
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 will be kept anonymous. Results will be 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.
Register and Submit Advance Questions for Webinar The Coming Covid Eviction Crisis and How to Stop It, with Pulitzer Prize-winning sociologist Matthew Desmond on Tuesday, July 28 at 9 a.m. Desmond will be interviewed by Colin Moore, director of University of Hawaiʻi's Public Policy Center. Special guests include Philip Garboden, HCRC Professor in Affordable Housing, and Nalani Fujimori Kaina, executive director of the Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i. Register and submit advance questions here.
Family Farms Can Apply for $500 One-Time Emergency Relief Payment from Farm Aid. Funds are being administered by the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union Foundation and The Kohala Center. Applications are due no later than6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28. Bonafide family farms in Hawai'i who have suffered demonstrable economic loss as a result of COVID-19 may apply. Access to other federally-funded relief efforts (i.e., PPP, EIDL) and sustainable methods practiced on the farm will be considered when awarding relief payments.
Family Farms Can Apply for $500 One-Time Emergency Relief Payment from Farm Aid. Funds are being administered by the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union Foundation and The Kohala Center. Applications are due no later than
Use of the funds is restricted to household expenses, such as groceries, home utilities, medical bills, or other household expenses not directly related to the commercial operation of the farm or ranch. Funds may not be used for any farm operations, business expenses, or investment. IRS guidelines regarding direct assistance to farm families prevents granting funds to support the farm and its business costs. Acceptance of this grant award signifies recipient's understanding and agreement to these use requirements.
To apply, email a signed copy of the grant application to Anny Bruch, vice president of Hawaiʻi Farmers Union Foundation, at vicepresident@HFUF.org. Applicants will be contacted via email after July 31. For more information, email vicepresident@HFUF.org.
To apply, email a signed copy of the grant application to Anny Bruch, vice president of Hawaiʻi Farmers Union Foundation, at vicepresident@HFUF.org. Applicants will be contacted via email after July 31. For more information, email vicepresident@HFUF.org.
Virtual Meeting of Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, Tuesday, July 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The public is invited to attend. The council will discuss previous action items, receive sanctuary updates, and address questions from members and the public. Public comment begins about 10:30 a.m.
To provide comment, sign up in advance, email cindy.among-serrao@noaa.gov, or type a comment into the Question box. Register in advance at attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8466893051952339472. Learn more on Facebook; Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov; NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, sanctuaries.noaa.gov; State of Hawaiʻi Division of Aquatic Resources, dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar. See hawaiihumpbackwahle.noaa.gov.
Attend Webinar on the Cost of the Jones Act Study Wednesday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Hosted by Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi, John Dunham, the nationally recognized economic researcher and consultant who was commissioned by the institute to conduct the study, will be available to answer any questions about the report's methodology. The event will feature Rep. Ed Case and U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, Republican from Utah , both of whom have sponsored bills in Congress to update the protectionist federal maritime law, and will be moderated by be Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi Pres. Keliʻi Akina, Ph.D., and executive vice president, Joe Kent, who will field questions from the audience.
For more information or to register, go to us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zFpcoBdVSyqycUV4gaROqQ, call 808-591-9193 or email info@grassrootinstitute.org. To arrange an interview with Keliʻi Akina, institute president, contact Josh Mason at 918-261-8444 or jmason@grassrootinstitute.org.
Ocean View Community Center Reopens for events Monday, Aug. 3. The library will be open Friday mornings beginning Aug. 7. AdvoCATS, an all-volunteer non-profit organization "dedicated to the well-being of Hawaiʻi Islands's homeless cat population," which often offers spay and neutering services, will be at OV Community Center all day Tuesday, Aug. 11 -- see advocatshawaii.org. To schedule an event, contact Christopher Garske at chrisgarske@gmail.com or 650-996-2790.
Apply for Grants to Start, Expand, or Improve Rural Cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses in rural America . USDA will make $5.8 million in grants available under the Rural Cooperative Development Grant program. USDA encourages applications that will help improve life in rural America . 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. Fiscal year 2019 award recipients who received a grant period extension due to a loss of operations as a result of the coronavirus pandemic are eligible to apply for fiscal year 2020 funding. Electronic applications must be submitted to grants.gov by 6 p.m. HST Aug. 3. Additional information is available on page 39870 of the July 2 Federal Register.
Applicants are encouraged to consider projects that provide measurable results in helping rural communities build robust and sustainable economies through strategic investments in infrastructure, partnerships, and innovation. Key strategies include e-connectivity for rural America , developing rural economies, harnessing technological innovation, supporting a rural workforce, and improving quality of life.
ONGOING
us02web.zoom.us/j/6843449828?pwd=YW94djVvU0szOGNKaFZ1V0pUL1owUT09, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha.
Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Cooper Center 19-4030 Wright Rd. Served by Friends Feeding Friends Thursday, July 30 -- the last Thursday of the month. Call 985-7140 to verify.
On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Eligible one time every three months. Call Kehau, 443-4130.
Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries are Open for Pick-Up Services Only. 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 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.
Nursery, Greenhouse, and Cut-Flower Growers are invited to participate in COVID-19 impact survey by Cornell Cooperative Extension. The survey may help them qualify for USDA CFAP financial assistance. Complete the survey online.
Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi
Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village is 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 an 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. Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more.
Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden
Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano ArtCenter Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222
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 Minoroty 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
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. To search for statewide grants, hover over "Grants & Loans" and select "For Farmers & Ranchers." Set the Grant/Loan Filter to "Grant" and the Region Filter to "Statewide." Ranney notes that narrowing the search to County will display opportunities specific to that county. Selecting Nationwide or Statewide will display other opportunities searchers may be eligible for and/or want to be aware of for future reference.
Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming from two free modules of a virtual training program. Accessible online, additional modules will be added. The course is presented by the Organic Farming Rese
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.
Receive Free Marketing Assistance for Small Businesses affected by COVID-19 can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. Helen Tien, College of Business and Economics, and her senior retail and distribution management course is offering 1-hour sessions dedicated to helping small business marketing needs. 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.
Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming from two free modules of a virtual training program. Accessible online, additional modules will be added. The course is presented by the Organic Farming Rese
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.
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.
Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano ArtCenter Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222
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.
ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week -- Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday --, 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.
OKK's Nāʻālehu Market offers 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, on various days. 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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