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| Leo Norberte, right, leads a farm tour during an annual Kaʻū Coffee Festival, which was canceled this year. So are orders from coffee buyers, and farmers say they need help from the government to tide them over and save the $50 million Hawaiʻi Coffee industry. See more below. Photo by Jesse Tunison/Kaʻū Coffee Festival |
The change in plans to offer on-campus school across the state Aug. 17, came after a push today from the teachers union, Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association.
The HSTA statement says, "As coronavirus cases continue to rise exponentially in Hawaiʻi, HSTA believes our public schools should utilize 100-percent distance learning starting Aug. 17 rather than returning to in-person instruction. Distance learning should continue until the end of the first quarter or until such time that public schools are safe for students, teachers, and staff to be together on campuses."
During a press conference, HSTA President Corey Rosenlee said, "Hawaiʻi can no longer pretend we are not in the middle of a pandemic and that somehow our keiki and our teachers are impervious to this virus. As teachers, we know how important education is, but we are most concerned about the lives of every one of our students. Online classwork cannot replace face-to-face learning, but it ensures that learning continues, and that our keiki and our communities remain safe."
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| Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association President Corey Rosenlee and Vice President Osa Tui, Jr. asked the state for distance learning only for the first semester, which starts Aug. 17. Kaʻū and Volcano Schools will reopen as planned, with a mixture of in-person and distance learning. Oʻahu schools offer distance-learning for the first four weeks. See their news conference here. Photo from HSTA |
The HSTA Board of Directors voted unanimously Thursday night to take these positions and pointed to its memorandum of understanding with the state to ensure acceptable conditions to reopen campuses. View more here.
HSTA also noted that "With a daily case count now surging into triple digits, Hawaiʻi has become one of the top states in the nation with the fastest-growing number of COVID-19 cases, according to The New York Times. Health officials say if this rate continues, Hawaiʻi's existing hospital capacity will be at risk of being overwhelmed."
In a letter Wednesday, Hawaiʻi's three neighbor island mayors urged the governor to keep public schools and universities closed for 28 days. State Director of Health Bruce Anderson said on Aug. 4 that rising cases in Hawaiʻi make reopening schools risky. "It doesn't look good, certainly for the schools. We can't open schools if your community isn't healthy. You're just asking for disaster," he said.
The HSTA statement says, "Our state needs to join 11 of the 15 largest school districts in the country that are starting school with virtual learning. Hawaiʻi is the 12th largest school district in the nation... Six Hawaiʻi public school campuses reported COVID-19 cases over the summer. Yet this information was not disclosed until July 29, and only in response to a media inquiry. Given six cases per 8,000 students enrolled in summer school, infections among 179,000 students who would return to campus in the fall could spike into the hundreds, causing exponential growth in Hawaiʻi's overall case count. At that point, state officials will have no choice but to close school buildings. Starting the school year with distance learning allows our educators, students, and parents to be proactive and best prepared for this situation."HSTA also pointed to the pre-pandemic shortage of teachers. "Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaiʻi already suffered from a critical teacher shortage crisis. Since the outbreak, HSTA has received an overwhelming amount of feedback from educators who are considering leaving the profession because they are worried about their health and/or the health of their family members. Many teachers are submitting Americans with Disabilities Act requests for accommodations while others are choosing to retire or take a leave from school this year.
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| DOD Dir. Kenneth Hara revoked military exemptions from quarantine. |
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.
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 PLIGHT OF KAʻŪ COFFEE FARMERS went national with an Associated Press story carried widely today across the nation and beyond. The AP story quotes Kaʻū Coffee farmer Leo Norberte, of Pāhala, from his interview on Hawaiʻi Public Radio on Tuesday. AP says he "works eight hours a day, seven days a week to tend to his 50-acre coffee farm in Kaʻū... Norberte said he has lost over $20,000 per month since the pandemic began." Norberte told HPR, "I sell all roasted to all the store but now no can sell cause nobody buy."
The story also quotes Kaʻū Coffee Mill manager Louis Daniele, warning that the harvest season begins this month, but "he's still sitting on $1.2 million worth of coffee he bought in 2019. He questioned how he would be able to pay farmers without federal aid if he can't even move the crops he bought a year ago."
Daniele told HPR, "Coffee is the second most valuable crop in the State of Hawaiʻi." He pointed out that there is assistance for farmers of papayas, guavas, and Brussels sprouts, but not coffee.
The Hawaiʻi Coffee Association and its President Chris Manfredi have urged the community to make a plea to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to include coffee farmers in its agricultural assistance programs for the pandemic.
The Kaʻū Coffee Growers Cooperative alone has 38 members, most of them becoming successful farmers, small business owners, and homeowners since 1996. In that year, the sugar plantation in Kaʻū shut down after more than 100 years of operating in the region, leaving much of the community without jobs. Former plantation workers and new farmers became entrepreneurs and built a successful industry, promoting Kaʻū Coffee as an award-winning specialty brand around the world.
Farmers are looking to the $16 billion Coronavirus Food Assistance Program to help them save the $50 million coffee-growing industry throughout the islands.
Manfredi noted that Hawaiʻi's coffee
industry has the second-highest value crop in the state of Hawaiʻi. "A
recent HCA member survey indicates that our members have been severely impacted
by the pandemic." For coffee to gain eligibility, USDA needs to
understand what were the commodity losses, market losses, and price losses
during the period between January 15,
2020 and April 15, 2020 .
He said criteria for crops to be considered are "suffered a five
percent-or-greater price decline between mid-January and mid-April as a result
of the COVID-19 pandemic; shipped but subsequently spoiled due to loss of
marketing channel; or not left the farm or remained unharvested as mature
crops."
Manfredi noted that USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service had an average green price in 2019 of $20.10 per pound. "The USDA staff told us that Value-Added (roasted) pricing is not eligible… You may apply now for relief. Please contact your local FSA office to begin this process. FSA can receive your application but they are unable to process it until coffee is made eligible. Applications will be accepted untilAugust 28, 2020 ."
Manfredi said HCA will follow up with more information. "Feel free to reach out to local FSA with questions regarding this program by visiting their website."
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.
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.
VOTERS WHO MISSED THE DEADLINE to postmark their ballots for the 2020 Primary Election can walk them into to Nāʻālehu Police Station, 24 hours a day, until tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. Other drop-off places around the island include Pāhoa Police Station, County of Hawaiʻi Aupuni Center Hilo , Waimea Police Station, West Hawaiʻi Civic Center in Kona, and Rodney Yano Hall in Capt. Cook.
SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, including those coming to Kīlauea Military Camp and Pōhakuloa Training area on this island, are subject to the 14-day quarantine, whether traveling in-state or coming from out-of-state. Department of Defense Director Kenneth Hara revoked Military Exemption for service members traveling as of today. Arriving military service members must check with their commands for current orders and policies regarding restriction of movement. All arriving military, family members, DoD employees, and government contractors need to follow state restrictions. The military is following all state-directed restrictions.
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THE PLIGHT OF KAʻŪ COFFEE FARMERS went national with an Associated Press story carried widely today across the nation and beyond. The AP story quotes Kaʻū Coffee farmer Leo Norberte, of Pāhala, from his interview on Hawaiʻi Public Radio on Tuesday. AP says he "works eight hours a day, seven days a week to tend to his 50-acre coffee farm in Kaʻū... Norberte said he has lost over $20,000 per month since the pandemic began." Norberte told HPR, "I sell all roasted to all the store but now no can sell cause nobody buy."
 |
| Kaʻū Coffee Mill manager Louis Daniele, back right, promoting the Hawaiʻi coffee industry at a national convention in Boston, with Kaʻū Coffee Mill founder Ed Olson; agricultural land planner John Cross; roaster Kalikoweo Keolanui; The Kaʻū Calendar publisher Julia Neal; and the late Kaʻū Coffee farmer Bull Kailiawa. Photo by William Neal |
Daniele told HPR, "Coffee is the second most valuable crop in the State of Hawaiʻi." He pointed out that there is assistance for farmers of papayas, guavas, and Brussels sprouts, but not coffee.
The Hawaiʻi Coffee Association and its President Chris Manfredi have urged the community to make a plea to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to include coffee farmers in its agricultural assistance programs for the pandemic.
The Kaʻū Coffee Growers Cooperative alone has 38 members, most of them becoming successful farmers, small business owners, and homeowners since 1996. In that year, the sugar plantation in Kaʻū shut down after more than 100 years of operating in the region, leaving much of the community without jobs. Former plantation workers and new farmers became entrepreneurs and built a successful industry, promoting Kaʻū Coffee as an award-winning specialty brand around the world.
Farmers are looking to the $16 billion Coronavirus Food Assistance Program to help them save the $50 million coffee-growing industry throughout the islands.
Manfredi said HCA
submitted comment to the USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, to ask coffee
be listed as an eligible specialty crop. That would allow reimbursement to
producers of green coffee for lost sales, or sales made at a reduced price of
at least 5 percent, due to COVID-19. The deadline to submit comment was June
22. Read comments at regulations.gov/document?D=FSA-2020-0004-0003.
 |
| Hawaiʻi Coffee is a $50 million industry with decades of promotion on the mainland, including Hawaiʻi Coffee Association and its President Chris Manfredi's outreach annually at Specialty Coffee Association of America events around the country. Photo by Kalikoweo Keolanui |
Manfredi noted that USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service had an average green price in 2019 of $20.10 per pound. "The USDA staff told us that Value-Added (roasted) pricing is not eligible… You may apply now for relief. Please contact your local FSA office to begin this process. FSA can receive your application but they are unable to process it until coffee is made eligible. Applications will be accepted until
Manfredi said HCA will follow up with more information. "Feel free to reach out to local FSA with questions regarding this program by visiting their website."
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.
REINSTATING THE 14-DAY QUARANTINE FOR TRAVEL TO ANY ISLAND
BUT OʻAHU, Gov. David Ige signed the 11th emergency proclamation Friday. In
effect on Tuesday, Aug. 11 quarantine rules don't change quarantine protocols for
travelers coming into Hawai‘i from out-of-state. Inter-island quarantine
continues through Aug. 31 unless terminated or extended by a separate
proclamation. The previous inter-island travel quarantine affecting all
inter-island travelers took effect on Apr. 1 and was lifted on June 16. The
proclamation can be viewed here:
Ige. said, "I
have been working closely with all of our county mayors and we agree that
reinstating part of the inter-island travel quarantine is necessary and the
right thing to do at this time. We must protect our neighbor island residents
in light of the alarming increase in COVID-19 cases on O‘ahu."
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Saturday is primary election day, with county and state officials promising to tabulate the results as early as possible. It will be the first-ever election in Hawaiʻi with most of the ballots mailed.
Those who did not receive a ballot in the mail or want to vote in-person may do so at Voter Service Centers in Kona at 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy and Hilo at 101 Pauahi St. Vote in-person through on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Same-day voter registration is available at Voter Service Centers. See elections.hawaii.gov.
NEW METRICS TO TACKLE TRACING COVID-19 will be available to the public, announced Hawai‘i Department of Health Director Bruce Anderson, MD.
He said the metrics will help evaluate four pillars of the public health response: prevention, detection, containment, and treatment. They will be updated frequently on HawaiiCOVID19.com.
"The combination of all of these tools and evaluating them together will enable us to make better decisions," said Anderson, noting the enhanced metrics were selected during meetings with district health officers and the counties. "This is not just an academic exercise. The accessibility of this information on a public dashboard allows us to clearly see how well we are dealing with this pandemic, helps others understand why decisions are made, and holds all of us to a higher standard."
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| Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson announces new metrics for COVID-19 control efforts. |
The prevention-related metrics track disease in Hawai‘i compared with other states and monitor implementation and compliance with safe practices, including wearing face masks. Also included are food establishment enforcement metrics, including number of complaints received and the number of red placards that are issued by DOH to indicate restaurants violating the rules.
Detection
Detection metrics track the epidemiological curve - - cases by county and sources of exposure, per day over time. They also include the number of tests completed and the percent of positive cases of those tested, and their sources of exposure.
Detection metrics track the epidemiological curve - - cases by county and sources of exposure, per day over time. They also include the number of tests completed and the percent of positive cases of those tested, and their sources of exposure.
Containment
Metrics relating to containment will include the percent of positive cases and contacts who are interviewed within 24 hours, the number of individuals and capacity of isolation and quarantine facilities, and laboratory testing turn-around time.
Metrics relating to containment will include the percent of positive cases and contacts who are interviewed within 24 hours, the number of individuals and capacity of isolation and quarantine facilities, and laboratory testing turn-around time.
Treatment
In collaboration with the Healthcare Association of Hawai‘i and hospital partners, the DOH will continue to monitor hospital capacity, including acute care bed occupancy by day and county for COVID-19 positive cases, intensive care unit bed occupancy, and ventilator use by COVID patients.
In collaboration with the Healthcare Association of Hawai‘i and hospital partners, the DOH will continue to monitor hospital capacity, including acute care bed occupancy by day and county for COVID-19 positive cases, intensive care unit bed occupancy, and ventilator use by COVID patients.
DOH says these metrics are especially important now as the number of COVID-19 cases have continued to climb rapidly over the past few weeks in Hawai‘i and elsewhere in the country. The escalating disease rate may potentially require the state to resume tighter controls and restrictions, says DOH, to prevent the spread of the disease. This will be especially important as Hawai‘i prepares for the opening of schools and, potentially, the welcoming of trans-Pacific travelers, says DOH.
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| Lani Petrie of Kapāpala Ranch and other ranch, farm, and private forestland owners, are urged to take a survey on how the USDA can improve. Photo by Julia Neal |
FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND PRIVATE FORESTLAND OWNERS are
encouraged to take a survey on how the U.S. Department of Agriculture can improve.
The new annual survey will help USDA – specifically Farm Service Agency,
Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Risk Management Agency – understand
what they are doing well and where improvements are needed.
A selection of
28,000 producers will receive the survey over the next few weeks, but all
farmers are encouraged to take the survey at farmers.gov/survey.
Under Secretary
for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey said, "We want to hear
from our customers so we can learn what we’re doing right and where we're
missing the mark. Good data is critical to good decision-making. The more
responses we receive, the better we can understand what we need to do to
improve our services to America 's
farmers, ranchers, and private forestland owners."
The survey is
part of the President's Management Agenda. It requires High Impact Service
Provider agencies across the federal government, including FSA and NRCS, to
conduct annual surveys to measure and respond to areas needing improvement.
Farm Service
Agency Administrator Richard Fordyce said, "We recognize producers and our
staff may be experiencing a lot of change in how they interact with USDA. This
is a good time to check in with our customers."
Natural Resources
Conservation Service Chief Matthew Lohr said, "We will use this input to
help improve the delivery of our conservation programs as our sister agencies
will do for their programs."
Risk Management
Agency Administrator Martin Barbre said, "We're about our customers. RMA
works to provide producers with crop insurance policies that meet their needs
and we need to know where we can improve."
The survey
consists of 20 questions and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
Responses are confidential, and individual responses will be aggregated. The
survey will be open for at least six weeks and will be closed once USDA
receives a 30 percent response rate. Learn more and take the survey at www.farmers.gov/survey.
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| Louis Sanchez, of HOVE, is wanted by HPD. |
POLICE ASK FOR HELP locating a 26-year-old Ka‘ū man who is
wanted on two outstanding bench warrants and for questioning in connection with
stolen vehicles in Ocean View.
Louis Sanchez,
having a last known address in the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates Subdivision, is
described as being 5-foot-six inches tall, 150 pounds with brown eyes and brown
hair.
Anyone who may
have information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Police Department’s
non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311, or Sergeant Pernell Hanoa, of the Ka‘ū
Patrol Division at (808) 939-2520, or via email at Pernell.Hanoa@hawaiicounty.gov.
Tipsters who
prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime
Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to
$1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want
to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe
to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
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Anderson
said, "Unfortunately, projections for increases in COVID case and ICU bed
utilization are being realized." Many of the Intensive Care Units on O‘ahu
are full or close to full, says DOH, and hospitals are surging, transferring
patients, and opening new units to handle new patients. ICU bed use on Hawaiʻi
Island and other Neighbor Islands Anderson
said, "We all need to act now. Avoid crowded places, closed spaces, and
close contact. Your life and the lives of your loved ones and friends will
depend on it."
Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 2,741 cases, Maui County 181, and Kauaʻi 47. Twenty-three victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Thirty-one people in the state died from COVID-19.
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.
TWO NEW COVID-19 DEATHS are reported today by Department of
Health, for the second day in a row. The state death toll is 31. Gov. David Ige
said, "Today we received the heartbreaking news that two more of our
neighbors passed away due to COVID-19. I want to extend my sympathy to the
families and friends of the victims." He said the 201 cases statewide are
"a disturbing trend... I know you are concerned about these growing
numbers. And this is why we needed to reinstate the inter-island quarantine and
restrictions on Oʻahu, and although some of you are getting tired of hearing us
repeat ourselves, we need to remind you that everyone needs to take personal
responsibility to curb this surge in cases." The governor also reminded
everyone to continue wearing masks, washing their hands, avoiding large
gatherings, and staying home if they feel sick to help stop the spread of
COVID-19.
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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 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
|
Health Director Bruce Anderson said, "We send our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the latest victims of this terrible disease. Their passings are a stark reminder of the realities today. Unfortunately, we are going to see more and more casualties as the surge of cases over the last few weeks continues and, sadly, more and more families and neighborhoods will experience the loss of loved ones."
Both of the latest victims are men from Oʻahu. One was older than 60 and had been in the hospital. He died on Aug. 4. He was exposed to a positive household member. The second man passed away on Wednesday and was in the 40 to 59-year-old age group. His death was reported by the Honolulu Medical Examiner because he died at home, unattended. His family reported he had symptoms but did not seek medical care. Both men are said to have had underlying medical conditions and the health investigations into their deaths continue.
Public health
officials, including State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park, have warned that
people getting together in social settings – whether it be on the beach, in a
park, in a home, or anywhere else – have let down their guard and fail to
maintain safe practices, which will inevitably lead to further spread of this
virus.
On Thursday,
State and County leaders issued a renewed plea for everyone to take personal
responsibility and to maintain safe practices to stop the surge.
 |
Civil Defense Director
|
No new COVID-19 cases are reported for Hawaiʻi Island. Oʻahu reported a record 200 cases, Maui reported one new case. The state death toll is 31. The state's new case total is 3,115 since the pandemic began.
Hawaiʻi Island's case count to date is 123, with eight active, none hospitalized. The newest case is travel-related. It has been more than 28 days since a case was recorded for a Kaʻū zip code or for Volcano. Since the pandemic began, no one died on this island. The 96740 zip code recorded between six and ten cases during the last 28 days.Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 2,741 cases, Maui County 181, and Kauaʻi 47. Twenty-three victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Thirty-one people in the state died from COVID-19.
In the daily message from Hawaiʻi
County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno said, "Due to the high
increase of positive cases on Oahu , the State will
reinstate the fourteen-day quarantine for inter-island travel on Tuesday,
August 11. Details are being finalized and will be provided when
available. At this time, no policies have been changed for Hawaiʻi
Island.
"It is so
critical that everyone follow the preventive polices already in place. Do know
that night clubs, large indoor venues, and large outdoor venues remain
closed. Special events, such as concerts, require a permit. Please follow
the policies of face coverings, distancing, gatherings, cleanliness, keeping
yourself healthy, and of staying at home when sick. 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 4,925,675 cases have been
confirmed. The death toll is over 160,737. The worldwide COVID-19 case count is
more than 19.26 million. The death toll is more than 718,414.
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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
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
The Food Basket, last Tuesday of the month, Aug. 25, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.
Receive Help Over the Phone with Critical Financial Issues, through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi
Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Kahalo Center
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.
Volcano Art Center Volcano Village 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
Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Volcano Village 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free.
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.
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
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,
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.
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."
ONGOING
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.
On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry, Cooper Center 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.
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
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 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 Washington D.C.
Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna, 808b-fit.com, contains
videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching,
tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and
chair yoga.
Yoga with Emily Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Volcano Village
Ocean View Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays (starting next Wednesday, Aug. 12), 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. , on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. New market location for vendors of the recently closed Ocean View Swap Meet. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks are mandatory. Limit of people is 100. Social distancing is required. Gate will be unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m. Vendors can show up without a reservation for now, with $15 dollars. Parking is in the upper lot; parking on the side of the road is prohibited. 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.
Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center Volcano Village 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.
ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,
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