Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, August 22, 2020

To celebrate the 104th birthday of the National Parks, entrance fees will be waived for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
 next Tuesday, Aug. 25 and Kīlauea Overlook will be opened to view the caldera and Halemaʻumaʻu Crater for the
first time since 2018. Read more details, below. Photo by Janice Wei/National Park Service

PĀHALA ZIP CODE 96777 recorded its first COVID-19 case today, the first since the pandemic began. A check with its retail entities Bank of Hawaiʻi, Mizuno Superette, Longs Drugs, R&G Store, and Pāhala Gas, as well as Kaʻū Hospital and Pāhala Fire Department, brought responses of no knowledge of involvement of anyone working on their premises.
     The only public evidence of the one or more cases is the map provided by the Department of Health today, with the 96777 zip coded shaded light yellow, showing one to 25 cases. The actual number of cases and the neighborhood in which the victim(s) resides remains unreported to the public. The 96777 zip code includes Pāhala, Punaluʻu, Wood Valley, Kapāpala, lower Moaʻula, properties along Hwy 11, and farms and ranches along part of the old cane haul road between Pāhala and Nāʻālehu.
     Kaʻū Hospital, Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, the macadamia nut and coffee companies are located in the area. See more on the 15 COVID cases reported on this island today, along with counts for all the islands and beyond in the stories below.

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VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES is temporarily shut down for any on-campus activities, with a posting on its website saying the school's COVID-19 impact level is Red, which means Stay at Home, Major Disruption.
     One letter to student families said: "A parent of a VSAS student has tested positive for COVID-19. The individual entered the office to drop off paperwork and did not remain on campus or enter any other buildings."  A second letter said, "A VSAS student has tested positive for COVID-19. We are in the process of gathering information and will send out details as soon as possible Any person who came in contact with the individual will be notified directly."
     The VSAS notice on its website says, "All in-person activities (e.g. 1:1 meetings with teachers) are canceled until further notice. The WiFi Hub at Cooper Center is closed. The Old Volcano Road Campus is closed for cleaning and disinfection. Keakealani Campus is closed to visitors. Parents wishing to pick up materials will need to schedule an appointment and remain in their vehicles."
     Help is available for student families to make appointments by calling 808-204-4020. Help with school work is available by calling 808-204-4060. Help with both can be found by emailing studentsupport@volcanoschool.net.

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Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park offers free entry on Founders Day, Tuesday, Aug. 25, and presents the reopening
of Kīlauea Caldera Overlook. NPS photo

FREE ENTRY TO HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARKS celebrates Founders Day next Tuesday, Aug. 25. "It's the 104th birthday of America's Best Idea – our national parks – for free," says a statement from Volcanoes. Entrance fees are waived at Hawai‘i Volcanoes and all fee-charging national parks in the U.S. on this anniversary of the creation of the National Parks Service.
     Visitors to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will have another reason to celebrate: Kīlauea Overlook will be open for the first time in more than two years. The 2018 Kīlauea eruption and summit collapse created unsafe conditions at the overlook. Numerous earth cracks and gaping sinkholes on Crater Rim Trail leading to Kīlauea Overlook have been repaired, and post-and-cable barriers near the crater’s edge were upgraded. Visitors are urged to stay safe by staying on the trail and obeying all posted signs.
    In addition, extensive repairs to Crater Rim Drive near Kīlauea Military Camp and to the road leading to Kīlauea Overlook are complete, and the parking lot has been resurfaced and striped.
     Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Acting Superintendent Rhonda Loh said, "We are pleased to welcome our community back to Kīlauea Overlook in time for the 104th birthday of the National Park Service. Kīlauea Overlook is a vista near the edge of Kīlauea caldera that offers opportunities to observe much of the caldera and reflect on the dramatic impacts from the eruptive events of 2018."

Nēnē, flying over Kīlauea Caldera. NPS photo/Janice Wei

     Flocks of nēnē, the Hawaiian goose, are sometimes seen flying over Kīlauea Overlook after sunrise, and it's a good place to watch for koa‘e kea, the white-tailed tropicbirds, circling Halema‘uma‘u Crater. The section of old Crater Rim Drive, which plunged into Halema‘uma‘u during the summit collapse, is visible across the caldera.
     Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association, a non-profit partner that supports the park, will offer educational items, collectibles, and more for sale on the lānai of Kīlauea Visitor Center to honor the NPS birthday.
     Most of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is now open. Visit the website for detailed information on what areas are open, how to prepare for a visit, and how to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Haleakalā National Park on Maui will also waive entrance fees on Founder's Day. See nps.gov/havo/index.htm.

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STATE SEN. DRU KANUHA, who represents West Kaʻū through Kona, released a statement Friday on the increase in COVID-19 cases:

Sen. Dru Kanuha, in red, encourages constituents in West Hawaiʻi to
be selfless, civic-minded and compassionate by wearing a mask, using
hand sanitizer and practicing physical precautions to stem the
COVID-19 increase on this island. Photo from Kanuha Facebook

     "As the State and local leadership implement new policies to improve our fight against COVID-19, my office and I have been receiving your support and concerns. During this challenging time, the most selfless, civic-minded, and compassionate role is to be the person who is committed to change, actively safeguarding their lifestyle in service to others. Many of us know someone in the community who has gone above and beyond the call to action, whether it is volunteering hours packing food baskets or serving a hot meal to those in need or the medical professionals working long and unpredictable hours for the health and well-being of our community – we recognize and appreciate you."
     "Every day, we get the chance to wake up, greet the rising sun, and conquer a new challenge. It starts from the moment you leave home, with a face mask on and hand sanitizer in tote, to the days you practice general physical precautions at work. No small feat has gone unnoticed or unaccounted for as we keep a watchful eye on the number of confirmed cases in West Hawaiʻi.
     "Therefore, please remember to stay updated with new local and state policies regarding COVID-19, register to vote by Monday, Oct. 5, and continue to maintain general physical precautions – wear your mask when in public, practice social distancing from others, and sanitize hands regularly."

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.

OKK President Wayne Kawachi receives a $5,000 check from
the Kaʻū Andrade enterprise, represented by Zee Andrade,
along with four head of cattle from the ranching
Andrade family. Photo from OKK

KAʻŪ RANCHERS ARE HELPING TO FEED THE COMMUNITY with donations of beef and money.
     Zee Andrade from the Kaʻū Andrade enterprise recently donated $5000 to ʻO Kaʻū Kākou, the nonprofit organization which gives away fresh-caught fish from its members and volunteers labor for massive food distributions throughout the district.
     OKK President Wayne Kawachi said the Andrade ranching family also donated four head of cattle, which will be processed for hamburgers and other meat distributions.
     Dean and Tiss Kaniho of T&D Ranch at South Point donated beef on the hoof.

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BIG ISLAND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SOLUTIONS recently presented a $500 check to Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island. The money was raised specifically for Ocean View, where there are many children who depend on schools for nutrition at breakfast and lunch on weekdays. Schools allow families to drive up for meals but some families are without wheels. While schools are making their best effort to take food to the children, Boys & Girls Club is distributing one additional meal per day to fill in and give more nutrition to the keiki. Gabe Morales is Executive Director for the Ocean View branch of Criminal Justice Solutions. Ryan Quesenberry of Boys & Girls Club accepted the check.

Big Island Criminal Justice Solutions recently raised $500 for Big Island Boys & Girls Club's Ocean View program.
At left is Ryan Quesenberry, of Boys & Girls Club. At right is Gabe Morales, Criminal Justice System's
Ocean View Executive Director. Photo from CJS

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SIGN WAVING TO HELP SAVE THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE, sponsored by Kaʻū Voices, was held today by Nāʻālehu Post Office. The local group, affiliated with Indivisible, encourages the community to join them on Tuesday, Aug. 25. from 11a.m. to noon.

     Laurie Boyle, Chairperson of Kaʻū Voices, told The Kaʻū Calendar that six Kaʻū Voices members waved signs today, "to ask that the USPS be allowed to carry out its regular operations, unimpeded, as it has been doing for 228 years, and that it receive $25 billion from Congress in the next stimulus bill so that it remains solvent and exists in perpetuity for all Americans. We need the post office now more than ever during this pandemic."

Six members of Kaʻū Voices demonstrated in support of the Postal Service today, in front of Nāʻālehu Post Office.
Photo by Laurie Boyle

     The demonstration in Nāʻālehu was one of more than 800 #SaveThePostOffice events that took place around our country today. "We love our postal workers, so we gave them some cookies and macnuts, and some face masks made by one of our members," said Boyle.

     Ka'u Voices will be joining the American Postal Workers Union's national event by waving signs to #SaveThePostOffice on Tuesday. "We invite everyone who cares about the USPS to join the demonstration. We have extra signs if you need one. Please wear a mask and stay physically distanced," said Boyle. "Text Mail to 668366 to help #SaveThePostOffice. Postal workers asked us to urge more people to sign the petition to #SaveThePostOffice."
     The U.S. House of Representatives held a Saturday session today and passed $25 billion to fund the U.S. Postal Service. The measure goes to the Senate. Pres. Donald Trump announced that if it passes, he will veto it.

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.

FIFTEEN NEW CASES OF COVID-19 are reported on Hawaiʻi Island today, bringing the pandemic total to 192. There are 37 active cases, with at least one in Kaʻū zip code 96777. There are no active cases in Volcano, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Nāʻālehu or Ocean View to Miloliʻi. There are two new hospitalizations, bringing the total in hospital today to four. Statewide, 284 new cases are reported, with ten in Maui County and 259 on Oʻahu.

     Lt. Gov. Josh Green said the 4,202 active cases in the state means "a lot of hospitalizations" in the next two to three weeks. He says 2,634 tests were completed Friday, with a 10.9 positive rate, the highest positive rate in the state to date.

     Willie Talamoa, a 36-year-old Institute for The Human Services worker with the homeless on O`ahu became the 47th person in the state to die from the virus. A statement from IHS Executive Director Connie Mitchell, said Talamoa "worked tirelessly to encourage and inspire our homeless shelter guests. His young age reminds us all of our own vulnerability against this disease that does not discriminate." To date, no one has died from COVID-19 on this island.

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code.

White is zero cases. Yellow is one to 25 cases. Light orange

is 26 to 50 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 51 to 150 

cases. Red (not pictured) is 151+ cases.

Hawaiʻi Department of Health map

     Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 5,806 cases, Maui County 279, and Kauaʻi 56. Twenty-three victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places.

     In his daily message, Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno said, "Hawaiʻi Island has seen daily increases of positive cases for the past two weeks. Most of these recent cases were transmitted within the community and Department of Health data shows the majority of these new cases have been identified as Hilo based.

     "A review is underway to see what policy changes need to occur to address the growing spread of the virus. Effective yesterday, indoor and outdoor gatherings are limited to no more than ten persons. This does not apply to family gatherings of the same household, nor to faith-based worship services. For any questions, please call Civil Defense at 935-0031. In all gatherings face coverings must be worn and physical distance of six feet must be maintained.

     "We must all get better, this is a serious situation developing in Hilo and only you can help stop the spread of this virus. We need your help in following the guidance of prevention. This is of gatherings, distancing, and face coverings. Thank you for listening and have a safe weekend. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency."

     COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 5,660,719 – about 25 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 176,243 – about 22 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 23 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 801,629.

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KAʻŪ'S DOPPLER RADAR is the focus of this week's Volcano Watch, a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates. Today's article is by Alaska Volcano Observatory geologist, and former Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge, Tina Neal:

Nāʻālehu radome, 39 ft (about 12 m) in diameter. The radar 

dish inside is 28 ft (8.5 m) across. More details on the 

technical specifications of this instrument can be found 

at this website. USGS photo by C. Neal on July 27, 2019.

     Doppler radar in Ka‘ū: more than a weather radar

     Driving Highway 11 from Volcano to Wai‘ōhinu on sunny, vog-free days, it's hard to miss that bright white soccer ball on the slope of Mauna Loa above Pāhala Town.    

     The curious white orb is the radome (housing) of the South Hawaiʻi or Nāʻālehu Weather Surveillance Doppler radar installation owned by the Federal Aviation Administration and operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. It is one of two such facilities on the Island of Hawai‘i; the other sits atop Kohala to the north.

     The radar's job is to scan the atmosphere rapidly in all directions to locate and track weather clouds. Around the clock, the resulting information, maps and animations of the intensity of radar returns from the atmosphere extending more than 100 miles (161 km) from the site. In the case of station PHWA, or the Nāʻālehu radar, this extends from well southwest of South Point sweeping counterclockwise northeast off Cape Kumukahi and Hilo Bay. Data are displayed for all to see on a NOAA website.

     Radar is a very useful tool because it penetrates clouds where the radar energy bounces off particles within the atmosphere and returns to the antenna. The strength of the return signals (known as reflectivity) are directly related to size and concentration of reflectors (usually rain droplets or ice particles). These data are used daily by weather forecasters, mariners, and anyone wanting helpful information on weather conditions and related hazards such as thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, heavy rain, or flash flooding.

     In 2018, this radar provided an additional service to Hawaiʻi residents. Data from the Nāʻālehu installation assisted the USGS HVO, NWS, and other agencies to rapidly detect and characterize ash clouds that erupted from Kīlauea Volcano's Halemaʻumaʻu Crater repeatedly in May and June. Although not strictly weather clouds, these plumes of rock, mineral, and glass particles behaved a lot like normal meteorological clouds: they rose through the atmosphere, mixing with or punching through the existing weather cloud deck, and then drifted downwind.

     By examining the radar snapshot of the clouds within minutes of formation, NWS and HVO could estimate the maximum height of the cloud and then use a computer model to visualize where the cloud would move and how much ash might fall. This capability was especially useful at night when direct visual observations were not possible.

Radar image of the May 17, 2018 eruption of ash from Halemaʻumaʻu Crater. This image is a slice through the cloud at 

an altitude of 14,000 ft (4 km) above sea level at 4:12 a.m. The colors scale is radar reflectivity, a measure of the size of 

the particles and their concentration within the ash cloud. Colors indicate the different echo intensities or reflectivity. 

Reflectivity is the amount of transmitted power returned to the radar receiver, and because it occurs over a wide range, a 

logarithmic (or decibel, dBZ) scale is used. Data could also be displayed in cross-section to estimate the height of the cloud.

     Most of the 2018 clouds were not very energetic as volcanic ash plumes go, rising less than 10,000 ft (3 km) above the ground and producing only a trace of ashfall (about the thickness of a dime – less than 1 mm or 0.04 in) as they drifted downwind, typically to the southwest with the trade winds. A few, however, contained more significant amounts of ash and left irritating amounts in the Ka‘ū Desert and communities downwind including Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, Ocean View, and possibly farther.

     The tallest cloud was produced in the predawn hours of May 17, 2018. Based on radar, it reached as high as 30,000 ft (9 km) above sea level, well above the elevations of the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Portions of the cloud moved northeast dropping ash on the Kīlauea summit area including the Volcano Golf Course and Volcano Village.

     Although a towering and impressive cloud, characteristics of the radar imagery and the resulting fallout pattern indicate that the upper portion of this cloud was ash-poor and consisted primarily of water or ice droplets. This is not surprising, as condensation of water high in an eruption cloud is a well-known occurrence in ash-producing eruptions worldwide.  

     In early 2020, the Nāʻālehu radar was upgraded with a new pedestal to hold up the radar antenna and new internal electronics, communications, and other components. The work is part of a larger program of NOAA, the FAA, and the Department of Defense to refurbish all Doppler installations across the nation.
     Here in Hawaiʻi, we can rest assured that, should Kīlauea again produce ash clouds of any significance, the Nāʻālehu radar stands guard, 24/7, to assist in rapid response. For more information about how a Doppler radar works, see this informative NWS website.

May 15, 2018, Halemaʻumaʻu. The Nāʻālehu Doppler helped HVO
scientists assess the explosions during the 2018 eruption.
USGS photo/Cindy Orlando

     Volcano Activity Updates

     Kīlauea Volcano is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level remains at NORMAL (https://volcanoes.usgs.
gov/vhp/about_alerts
.html). Kīlauea updates are issued monthly.

     Kīlauea monitoring data for the past month show variable but typical rates of seismicity and ground deformation, low rates of sulfur dioxide emissions, and only minor geologic changes since the end of eruptive activity in September 2018. The water lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u continues to slowly expand and deepen. For the most current information on the lake, see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/summit_water_resources.html.

     Mauna Loa is not erupting and remains at Volcano Alert Level ADVISORY. This alert level does not mean that an eruption is imminent or that progression to eruption from current level of unrest is certain. Mauna Loa updates are issued weekly.

     This past week, about 144 small-magnitude earthquakes were recorded beneath the upper-elevations of Mauna Loa; most of these occurred at shallow depths of less than 8 kilometers (about 5 miles). Global Positioning System measurements show long-term slowly increasing summit inflation, consistent with magma supply to the volcano's shallow storage system. Gas concentrations and fumarole temperatures as measured at both Sulphur Cone and the summit remain stable. Webcams show no changes to the landscape. For more information on current monitoring of Mauna Loa Volcano, see: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/monitoring_summary.html.

     There were eight events with three or more felt reports in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M3.4 earthquake 19 km (11 mi) NNW of Kalaoa at 42 km (26 mi) depth on Aug. 19 at 7:43 p.m., a M2.9 earthquake 6 km (3 mi) SE of Pa‘auilo at 12 km (7 mi) depth on Aug. 16 at 8:56 a.m., a M2.1 earthquake 8 km (4 mi) E of Pāhala at 32 km (19 mi) depth on Aug. 16 at 6:09 a.m., a M2.7 earthquake 5 km (3 mi) SSW of Volcano at 11 km (7 mi) depth on Aug. 16 at 5:47 a.m., a M3.6 earthquake 5 km (3 mi) SSW of Volcano at 11 km (7 mi) depth on Aug. 16 at 5:45 a.m., a M1.1 earthquake 6 km (3 mi) S of Volcano at 1 km (1 mi) depth on Aug. 16 at 1:27 a.m., a M3.5 earthquake 8 km (4 mi) NNE of Nāʻālehu at 33 km (20 mi) depth on Aug. 16 at 1:25 a.m., and a M1.9 earthquake 4 km (2 mi) SW of Kukuihaele at 10 km (6 mi) depth on Aug. 15 at 3:22 p.m.

     HVO continues to closely monitor both Kīlauea and Mauna Loa for any signs of increased activity. Visit HVO's website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

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.

Kaʻū Wahine jump. Varsity Trojans faced off against the Hilo Vikings this time last year at Kaʻū District Gym.
Photo by Julia Neal

Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year

THE FIRST GIRLS VOLLEYBALL GAME OF THE SEASON for the Kaʻū High School Trojans was held this week last year, with Kaʻū hosting the Hilo Vikings. With three sets per game for Varsity, two sets for Junior Varsity, the Kaʻū teams fought against the larger school for over two hours.

     JV Trojans scored 5 and 3, but Hilo won with 25 each game. Varsity scored 13, 13, and 18, but Hilo again won with 25 each game. After the big guns came in from Hilo, the Trojan's season improved to allow Kaʻū to maintain its fame for generations of volleyball culture, which leads to many wins and scholarships for a school with such a tiny student body.

     Coach Joshua Ortega said he hopes that the pandemic situation will change to give the Kaʻū Trojans a chance to show their skills and compete sometime this school year.

The first game of the girl's volleyball season took place last year this time at Kaʻū District Year. A pause for the
pandemic delayed opening the season this year. Photo by Julia Neal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EVENTS
Give Input on Proposed Improvements to Miloliʻi Beach Park
through Tuesday, Sept. 8. A draft Environmental Assessment is released by County of Hawai‘i Department of Parks and Recreation, which would update the park to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines; make improvements to the parking lot, boat ramp, walkways, playground, and basketball/volleyball courts; and replace the restrooms, water system, and hālau.

Introduction to Papermaking Workshop with Mary Milelzcik on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This papermaking workshop, using a household blender, will introduce papermaking using recycled papers with various additives, including cotton linters, and local plant materials. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Catalyst Abstract Watercolor Workshop with Patti Pease Johnson on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Dine In or Order To Go Oktoberfest Meals from Crater Rim Café in Kīlauea Military Camp on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Menu offers Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Bockwurst, German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut, Tossed Salad, and German Chocolate Cake. $14.95 per person. Call 967-8356 to book a reservation for dine-in or place a grab-and-go order. Face coverings and 6 feet social distancing are required in common areas. KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply.

Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, .AI, .EPS or PNG with a quality of at least 1500px x 1500px and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.

ONGOING

Apply for a Crossing Guard Position at Nāʻālehu Elementary, to help keiki cross the street safely before and after school. Apply online at governmentjobs.com/careers/countyhawaii or contact Officer Torey Keltner of the Traffic Services Division at 961-2305 for more information.

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.

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.

Apply for Assistance through U.S. Department of Agriculture's Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, August 28. Visit farmers.gov/cfap for more information.

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 webform 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.

Exhibition Hawaiʻi Nei Invitational: Nā ʻAumākua, runs 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

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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