Sunday, June 14, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Sunday, June 14, 2020

A fisherman who went missing north of Punaluʻu overnight Friday is still the subject of a search.
Photo by Julia Neal

ONE NEW COVID-19 CASE ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND is reported today. Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says, "Although the Department of Health reports that this new case seems to be very isolated and connected to a previous travel-related case, it is a reminder that the Coronavirus threat remains and we must continue to follow the preventive policies of distancing, gatherings, face coverings, cleanliness, and keeping yourself physically and emotionally healthy. Hawaiʻi Island is in a very good place because of your efforts in keeping Hawaiʻi safe. Thank you for doing your part. Thank you for listening. Have a safe Sunday. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency."
     Hawaiʻi Island had recorded no new cases in nearly three weeks. The other 81 COVID-19 victims on Hawaiʻi Island recovered. No one died here. There was only one overnight hospitalization.
Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. White is 
zero cases. Yellow is one to five cases. Light orange (not pictured) 
is six to ten cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 11 to 20 cases. 
Red (not pictured) is 21 to 50 cases.
Hawaiʻi Department of Health map
     Oʻahu reports three new cases today, bringing the state's new case total to 80 in ten days.
     Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu has reported 492 cases, Kauaʻi 21, and Maui County 120. Twelve victims are residents who were diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 727 people have been confirmed positive for the virus. Seventeen people died.
      In the United States, more than 2,094,048 cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 115,732. Worldwide, more than 7,899,547 have contracted COVID-19. The death toll is more than 433,019.

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A REQUIRED FORM FOR INTERISLAND TRAVEL, which begins without quarantine on Tuesday, is available online from the state Department of Health, in order to save time at airports. The DOH website recommends arriving to airports early to avoid delays and missing fights. "You can expect two new mandatory procedures before boarding a plane. One is filling out the Travel & Health Form. The other is a temperature check. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 or higher will be prohibited boarding the plane."
     The requirements come with the end of the 14-day quarantine for interisland travel, imposed to tamp down spread of COVID-19. The quarantine ends this Tuesday, June 16. The health department asks "for your help in providing complete answers. Providing honest and complete answers will help ensure timely follow up and contact tracing as well as identify travelers who may benefit from testing and health information. Most importantly, you will be helping us keep Hawai‘i healthy! The health information may be filled in ahead of flight time, but no more than 24 hours in advance. The more current the information, the more useful it is."
     According to DOH, the fillable PDF form should take no more than two to five minutes to complete "if you have your information readily available. Once you complete the form, print it and bring a copy with you to present to the screener prior to boarding." See more on interisland travel at health.hawaii.gov/travel/interisland-travel/interisland-travel-procedures.

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Hawaiʻi Housing Authority is offering studio and one-bedroom apartments in Pāhala.
Photo by Julia Neal
EIGHT STUDIO AND THREE ONE-BEDROOM UNITS IN PĀHALA are available at
senior housing to seniors and younger people who qualify. The Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority made the announced last week. The units are available to those impacted by the pandemic.
     Hawaiʻi Housing Authority Executive Director Hakim Ouansaf said, "The COVID-19 pandemic is undoubtedly one of the most life-changing events that we have seen in modern times. During this time of emergency, the HPHA stands ready to continue to assist our most disadvantaged populations with safe, decent, and sanitary affordable housing." Call 933-0474 for an application to send to Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority, 600 Wailoa St., Hilo, HI 96720.

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A MESSAGE FROM WEST KAʻŪ'S STATE REP. DRU KANUHA takes a look at the legislature reopening on Monday: "On Tuesday, June 9, Senate President Ron Kouchi and House Speaker Scott Saiki announced that the Hawai‘i State Legislature will reconvene on Monday, June 22, and is expected to adjourn on Friday, July 10.
     "During the modified Legislative Session in May, the Legislature successfully passed bills regarding the State's budget, Capital Improvement Projects, and CARES Act funding. Now, we have another opportunity to provide further program support and improve our legislative process by including virtual remote access for public testimony. This is an amazing opportunity for neighbor island residents as this new technological venture can produce infrastructure for future legislative proceedings; whereas, creating a more thorough and representative public process at the Capitol.
     "As always, my staff and I are available in the office for immediate assistance at (808) 586-9385.  Please continue to practice general physical precautions - wear a face mask when in public, remain at home unless to retrieve essential goods, and practice social distancing.

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HUMANE MEASURES TO PROTECT NATIVE WILDLIFE FROM INVASIVE PREDATORS such as cats are urged by National Wildlife Federation and 52 state and territorial affiliates, including the Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi, Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña, and the Virgin Islands Conservation Society. The resolution was agreed upon during the organization's 84th Annual Meeting, held virtually due to the COVID-19 crisis.
     In a resolution, the organizations say, "State and local governments should take humane steps to protect island wildlife from domestic cats and other invasive predators." The resolution highlights the unique threats cats, rats, and introduced mammals pose to the endangered and at-risk wildlife species on Hawaiʻi, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other islands.
     "The National Wildlife Federation urges passage and enforcement of local and state ordinances, and promotion of related actions to restrict free-roaming cat populations associated with human activities on islands, as well as supports education programs (such as American Bird Conservancy's Cats Indoors Program) and common sense rules to eliminate or reduce the impact of outdoor cat activity on native island species," the resolution states, and ... that the National Wildlife Federation calls for development of improved trapping and toxicant options and methods to remove mammalian invasive predators that are humane and that avoid secondary impacts to non-target species."
     Moana Bjur, executive director of Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi, said the organization "appreciates the acknowledgment that something more needs to be done to protect our islands native species. The passing of this resolution provides us the support and foundation to engage local policymakers and industry partners in taking action to protect native plants, animals, and ecosystems utilizing progressive humane strategies."
     Julissa Irizarry, of Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña, said, "This resolution recognizes one of the biggest threats to native and endemic wildlife species on islands. With its passage, the National Wildlife Federation provides a platform for our organization to engage in local partnerships and protect Puerto Rico's avifauna. By promoting humane actions, this resolution supports the movement to ensure the welfare of Puerto Rico's out-sized stray cat and dog populations."
     Jason Budsan, president of Virgin Islands Conservation Society, said, "The protection of our wildlife from predators is paramount and all efforts to help reduce the harmful impacts from stray cats and other island predators will help protect our threatened and endangered species in the Virgin Islands. We are grateful to Conservation Council For Hawaiʻi for their resolution and the National Wildlife Federation for its passage."
     Visit the National Wildlife Federation Media Center at NWF.org/News. The National Wildlife Federation is America's largest conservation organization, "uniting all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly-changing world." Follow on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram.

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Hui Mālama Ola Nā ‘Oiwi brought education for keiki and families to Pāhala community Center for the third year in a row
last June. Among the displays was this illustration of The Balancing Act of Food and Fitness, which includes
Activity. Leenal Castro explained its importance to health. Photo by Leilani Esperanza
Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year
Last year, Hui Mālama Ola Nā ‘Oiwi hosted the third Nā Keiki Fest at Pāhala Community Center. The festival – canceled this year due to the pandemic – aims to serve expecting and first-time mothers, women considering pregnancy, and young families, encouraging families and individuals to take steps toward better health. Attendees experienced activities, music, food, health screenings, education, and prizes.
     Hui Mālama Ola Nā ‘Oiwi offers online classes and support groups during the pandemic – see hmono.org/calendar/.
     The festival featured a trail map to direct keiki and families to local agencies offering health resources and wellness services. The map led to surprises. Once a keiki completed the trail on the map to agencies in the room, the award was a backpack with school supplies. Participants also entered a raffle for more prizes, including car seats, diapers, and more from donors like KTA Super Store, ACE Hardware, Mizuno Superette, Hana Hou Restaurant, and Punaluʻu Bake Shop.
     Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻOiwi hosted tables with more activities, health information and awareness, and crafts, including Kahea; Whoa, Slow, Go; Jump Your Height; Otitis Media Screening; Sugary Drinks; Rainbow Frames; Cancer Kine Tings; Healthy Hapai; Grow Your Own Plant; and Makahiki Games.
Gaku Yamaguchi-Tiare Ortega of Otitis Media. Photo by Leilani Esperanza
     Mabel De Silva, Chair of Hui Mālama Ola Nā ‘Oiwi, said she wishes to focus on keiki health and services "to show keiki we care and to show them the value of life."
     Dr. Kaʻohimanu Dank Akora, who works for Hui Mālama, said she "spends much time as a street doctor seeing homeless people and those who are homebound, unable or unwilling to go to a physician." She said she works with the Marshallese community and is willing to come to Kaʻū to see whomever needs medical care in their home or homeless camp.
     Hawaiʻi Diaper Bank invited families to donate and receive diapers. According to Diaper Bank founder and President Jessica Histo, one in three American families have to choose between diapers and food. This agency accepts diapers (unopened or opened packs) and wipes to "help Hawaiʻi island families meet their keiki's basic needs." Diaper Bank also accepts other items for young keiki. To make donations online, visit Hawaiʻi Diaper Bank's Amazon Wish List: bit.ly/HDB_WishList. For all other donations, contact info@hawaiidaiperbank.org.
     Partners in Development Foundation, which sponsors Tutu & Me in Kaʻū, explained its early childhood education program and encouraged participation in foster care. Partners aims "to inspire and equip families and communities for success and service, using timeless Native Hawaiian values and traditions," states the information provided at Keiki Fest.
     The Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes from the University of HawaiʻiHilo, provided information on volcanic and natural hazards that occur in Hawaiʻi and worldwide. Its programs on learning about volcanoes are aimed at bringing families together for fun and educational activities.
Many families choose between buying diapers and food, says Jessica Histo, 
President and founder of the Hawaiʻi Diaper Bank, at 
Mālama Nā Keiki Festival last June. Photo by Julia Neal
     Hawaiʻi Child Passenger Safety Program promoted car seat safety and gave out car seats. "Children under the age of four are required to ride in a child safety seat and children ages of four through seven to ride in a child safety seat or a booster," said the info distributed on car safety.
     Family Support Hawaiʻi promoted an Early Head Start, answering questions about pregnancy, labor, and delivery; sharing the latest ideas in baby care and development; teaching about playing with infants and toddlers; and encouraging planning a healthy future "for you, your baby, and your family." Early Head Start is for those who are pregnant or have a child under three years old, are a teen parent or foster parent, are living below the poverty level, are receiving TANF benefits or S.S.I. benefits, or are homeless – or hidden homeless (couch-surfing) – and living in the districts of North and South Kona, Waikaloa, North and South Kohala, Kaʻū, Kamuela or Honokaʻa. For more, contact the closest office: Kaʻū, (808) 939-7028; Kona, (808) 334-4123. See familysupporthawaii.com or facebook.com/familysupporthawaii.
     PARENTS, Inc. provided information on prevention, education, and treatment services for men, women, and children. The organization hopes to strengthen families and create cycles of positive parenting in the community by providing resources, skills, support, and advocacy. Contact the closest office: Kaʻū, (808) 333-3460; Hilo, (808) 934-9552.
Laurel Ledward at Cancer Kine Tings. Photo by Leilani Esperanza
     At the American Red Cross table, Uilani Soares gave natural disaster scenarios and ideas for what families could do to prepare. The group works to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
     Bay Clinic, which provides health care to the local people of Hawaiʻi, educated about the dangers of vaping, e-cigarettes, hookahs, and secondhand vaping. Bay Clinic states vape pipes, hookah pens, and e-cigarettes are, "A new way to addict people to nicotine," and that even vape products that don't contain nicotine may still be harmful.
     Project Vision Hawaiʻi provided free eye health screenings to participants at the festival and educated them about the importance of healthy eyes.
     Hawaiʻi Island Food Bank provided and received food for families that came to Pāhala's Community Center. Their mission is to end hunger in Hawaiʻi County.
     See more on Hui Mālama.

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
‘O Ka‘ū Kākou will Host a Giveaway to Seniors and the Needy on Monday, June 15 at 11 a.m. behind the Bank of Hawai‘i in Pāhala. The gift bags will include rice, chicken, canned goods, and toilet paper.

Advocate for Hawaiʻi Crops to be Included in Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Listing by submitting comments by June 22. The CFAP helps agricultural producers impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. Crops not included are coffee, macadamia nuts, cacao, and more. Comments can be submitted online, or by mail by, June 22. Go to regulations.gov/document?D=FSA-2020-0004-0003 or mail to: Director, SND, FSAU.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0522, WashingtonDC 20250-0522. Reference Docket ID: FSA-2020-0004.
     Questions? Contact William L. Beam, (202) 720-3175 or email Bill.Beam@usda.gov. Persons with disabilities or who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
     "One well-supported comment is often more influential than a thousand form letters," says UH-CTAHR's Andrea Kawabata. See Tips for Submitting Effective Comments.

Register for Hawaiʻi Coffee Association Webinar Series. The virtual event will be held Wednesday, June 24 and Thursday, June 25. Each session is designed to provide important updates on the effects of the pandemic on the Hawaiʻi coffee industry and on the coffee industry at large, as well as addressing other useful topics to inform coffee professionals of changing trends and regulations. Each session must be registered for individually – go to hawaiicoffeeassoc.org/page-1771697. The sessions will be recorded and later published on the HCA website. To become a sponsor for the webinar, click here.

ONGOING
Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.
     A testing team from Aloha Critical Care in Kona will provide testing at St. Jude's every other Wednesday. The next date is June 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
     The next drive-thru screening at Nāʻālehu Community Center will be held Wednesday, June 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Screening will be carried out by Aliʻi Health, with support from County of Hawai‘i COVID-19 Task Force, Premier Medical Group and Pathways Telehealth.
     Wearing masks is required for everyone. Those visiting screening clinics will be asked to show photo ID, and any health insurance cards – though health insurance is not required to be tested. They are also asked to bring their own pen to fill in forms.
     To bypass the screening queue at community test sites, patients can call ahead to Pathways Telehealth, option 5 at 808-747-8321. The free clinic will also offer on-site screening to meet testing criteria. Physicians qualify those for testing, under the guidance of Center for Disease Control & Prevention and Hawaiʻi's COVID-19 Response Task Force.
     For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

Ocean View Swap Meet is open at Ocean View makai shopping center, near Mālama Market. Hours for patrons are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Vendor set-up time is 5 a.m. Masks are required for all vendors and patrons.

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

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

Free Breakfast and Lunch for Anyone Eighteen and Under is available at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary and at Nāʻālehu Elementary on weekdays (no holidays) through Friday, July 17. Each youth must be present to receive a meal. Service is drive-up or walk-up, and social distancing rules (at least six feet away) are observed. Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Food is being delivered on Wednesdays to students in Green Sands, Discovery Harbour, and Ocean View.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church Soup Kitchen is open, with a modified menu and increased health & safety standards, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended. Services are posted online on Sundays at stjudeshawaii.org.

The Food Basket's ʻOhana Food Drop is available once a month at four Kaʻū and Volcano locations. People can receive a multi-day supply of shelf-stable and fresh food, depending on supply. Call The Food Basket at 933-6030 for Pāhala and Volcano or at 322-1418 for Nāʻālehu or Ocean View. Food can be picked up from 10 a.m. until pau – supplies run out – at:
     Nāʻālehu's Sacred Heart Church at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy was June 1; the July date will be announced later.
     Ocean View's Kahuku Park was June 9; the July date will be announced later.
     Volcano's Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road on  Wednesday, June 24.
     Pāhala's Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street on Tuesday, June 30.

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

Enroll in Kua O Ka Lā's Hīpuʻu Virtual Academy for school year 2020-2021, grades four through eight. The Hawaiian Focused Charter School teaches with an emphasis on Hawaiian language and culture. The blended curriculum is offered through online instruction and community-based projects, with opportunities for face-to-face gatherings (with precautions), in an "Education with Aloha" environment.
     Kua O Ka Lā offers a specialized program that provides students with core curriculum, content area, and electives in-keeping with State of Hawaiʻi requirements. Combined with Native Hawaiian values, culture, and a place-based approach to education, from the early morning wehena – ceremonial school opening – Kua O Ka Lā students are encouraged to walk Ke Ala Pono – the right and balanced path.
     The school's website says Kua O Ka Lā has adopted Ke Ala Pono "to describe our goal of nurturing and developing our youth. We believe that every individual has a unique potential and that it is our responsibility to help our students learn to work together within the local community to create a future that is
pono – right." The school aims to provide students with "the knowledge and skills, through Hawaiian values and place-based educational opportunities, that prepare receptive, responsive, and self-sustaining individuals that live 'ke ala pono.'"
     See kuaokala.org to apply and to learn more about the school. Call 808-981-5866 or 808-825-8811, or email info@kuaokala.org for more.

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.

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

Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium Closed for Renovation through June 30. The Park is closed until further notice due to COVID-19 spread mitigation. A popular seven-and-a-half minute 2018 eruption video will be shown on a television in the exhibits area, once the Park and center reopen, and is available online for free download.

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