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Friday, July 03, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, July 3, 2020

The 6.2-acre lake is still only about half the size of the lava lake that Halemaʻumaʻu sported before the summit collapses
and draining of the lava lake during the 2018 eruption. See details below. USGS photo

THREE FEET IS TOO CLOSE FOR STUDENTS TO SIT NEXT TO EACH OTHER AND SCHOOL STAFF TO BE TOGETHER, declared Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association President Corey Rosenlee. The teachers' union leader responded last night to the Department of Education's announcement that schools would open with a minimum of three feet between desks, with all the students facing forward.
     Rosenlee said the spacing is "ludicrous and dangerous, and puts our keiki, their families, and our teachers at risk." Rosenlee said the three-foot rule would "only ensure Hawaiʻi will have to close our schools again, and go back to a 100-percent virtual model."
     HSTA Secretary-Treasurer Logan Okita, a first-grade teacher, said she will set up her classroom to have six feet of space between each student. "As first graders, they have difficulty sitting for long periods of time. Since they will likely not sit facing forward for a long time, three feet is not enough space in order to keep them safe," said Okita. "I can't think of any age group that would sit facing forward for an entire period without having an urge to lean over and tap a peer, or turning in their seat to speak to someone.
Read the HSTA story on distancing proposed by DOE at hsta.org.
     "For the safety of my students, their families, and my own family, I implore the DOE to be firm and consistent in their guidance that we will practice physical distancing of six feet whenever possible, even in the classroom," Okita added.  
     Rosenlee noted that the BOE agreed to a six-foot distance in its Memorandum of Agreement with the Union.
     HSTA posted the comments on its Facebook page and YouTube channel, and asked for testimony to the Board of Education to go to BVOE@boe.hawaii.gov.

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A M4.3 QUAKE THIS AFTERNOON AND M4.6 QUAKE last night near the coast in Puna were aftershocks of the magnitude-6.9 temblor during the eruption of 2018. That's the preliminary conclusion of U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory. Both earthquakes were located beneath Kīlauea Volcano's south flank. Seismologist Ashton Flinders said, "We do not see any immediate changes in activity at Kīlauea or Mauna Loa... It is not uncommon for aftershocks like these to happen in relatively short succession. Further aftershocks remain possible and may be felt."
     USGS HVO recorded the M4.6 quake on Thursday, July 2 at 11:20 p.m. The quake was centered about 7 km (4.3 miles) south of Puʻu ʻŌʻō, at approximately 6.8 km depth (4.2 miles). USGS HVO recorded the M4.3 quake flank on Friday, July 3, at 2:19 p.m. Today's quake was centered about 5.6 km (3.5 miles) south of Puʻu ʻŌʻō, about 1.7 km (1 mile) north of last night's M4.6 earthquake, at approximately 7.1 km depth (4.4 miles).
Neither the 4.6M quake last night nor this afternoon's 4.3M quake 
 under Kīlauea had any "apparent effect" on either Kīlauea 
or Mauna Loa. USGS map
     Last night, very light shaking, with maximum Intensity of V on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, was reported across the Islands of Hawai‘i, Maui, and Lāna‘i. At that intensity, significant damage to buildings or structures is not expected. The USGS "Did you feel it?" service, earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/, received over 725 felt reports within the first hour of the earthquake.
     This afternoon, weak shaking, with maximum Intensity of III on the Scale, was reported across this island. Significant damage to buildings or structures is not expected. "Did you feel it?" received over 220 felt reports within the first hour of today's quake.
     Kīlauea's south flank has been the site of 20 earthquakes of magnitude-4.0 or greater during the past 20 years. Most are caused by abrupt motion of the volcano's south flank, which moves to the southeast over the oceanic crust. The location, depth, and waveforms recorded as part of these quakes are consistent with slip along this south flank fault. Aftershocks are the result of crustal settling from larger earthquakes, such as the M6.9 that occurred on May 4, 2018. The 2018 eruption with its massive lava flows destroyed more than 750 houses and led to the collapse of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater.
     HVO continues to monitor Kīlauea and other Hawaiian volcanoes for any changes.
     According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, there is no tsunami threat from either earthquake.
     For information on recent earthquakes in Hawaiʻi and eruption updates, visit volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes.

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A NINETEENTH DEATH AND TWENTY-NINE NEW COVID-19 CASES IN HAWAIʻI are reported today. One of those cases is on Hawaiʻi Island. There are five active cases on-island, reports Department of Health, and one of the patients is hospitalized. The other active patients are being monitored by DOH. Four cases are travel-related, says a statement from DOH. The cause for the newest case is not yet disclosed.
     DOH reports the 19th COVID-19 death is of an elderly adult on O‘ahu who was hospitalized with multiple underlying health issues. Gov. David Ige expressed his condolences to the family and friends for their loss: "Every COVID-19 death is an emotional reminder of the need for all of us to be vigilant and wear a face covering when outside our homes, physically distance ourselves from others and wash hands frequently. It's about protecting each other and allowing the state to reopen safely. We all have a stake in this and now is the most critical time to wear a mask."
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 reported 25 new cases today, Maui County two, and one resident outside the state was diagnosed. The state's new case total is 339 in 28 days.
     DOH reports at least five cases throughout the state "represent three new events and possible clusters."
     Health Director Bruce Anderson said, "As the state continues to reopen businesses and rebuild the economy, controlling the spread of COVID-19 will be the key to moving forward. Controlling the spread of the virus requires everyone to wear a face-covering whenever they are out and avoid crowded places, closed spaces, and close contact with those outside of their household."
     Hawaiʻi Island recorded its five active cases over the last two weeks. All other 86 confirmed COVID-19 victims on Hawaiʻi Island recovered. Since the pandemic began, no one died here. There were two other hospitalizations on-island; those patients have been released.
     Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 701 cases, Kauaʻi 38, and Maui County 127. Eighteen victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 975 people were confirmed positive for the virus. Nineteen people died.
     The daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says the three on-island cases being travel-related "emphasizes the importance of exercising caution of traveling." He said, "As reported, the majority of states in our country continue to see an increase of large numbers of people being infected by the Coronavirus. Know how good Hawaiʻi is and how important it is to keep Hawaiʻi safe by everyone following the preventive policies of face coverings, distancing, gatherings, and cleanliness. On this Fourth of July Weekend, do take extra care in protecting yourself, your family, your friends, and your community to keep Hawaiʻi safe. Thank you for listening and a Happy Fourth of July to you. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency."
     In the United States, more than 2,793,034 cases have been confirmed – an increase of about 61,000 in about 24 hours. The death toll is over 129,405.
     The worldwide COVID-19 case count is more than 11 million. The death toll is more than 524,577.

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Sen. Kai Kahele voted against broad powers for DOH.
Photo from Big Island Video News
BROAD POWERS FOR THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT received a solo "no" vote from Sen. Kai Kalehe in the state Senate's Ways & Means Committee on Thursday. The bill goes on to a third reading in the full Senate. The aim of the legislation is to enable DOH to declare a public health emergency, and test, screen, quarantine, investigate, and track visitors who come to the islands, when the governor gives permission.
     Kahele said he is concerned about "sweeping powers that this bill will be giving to the state Director of Health." He said there are questions concerning privacy when tracking visitors, as well as civil liberties and the constitutionality of the measure. The introduction of the bill declares that the COVID-19 pandemic "demonstrates the need for preparation, flexibility, and quick action in the face of ongoing or new risks presented by outbreaks of communicable or dangerous disease in the state or in other parts of the world."
     Kahele said, "I would like to hear from the governor, himself, why we need to pass this bill right now, without giving the public the full opportunity to testify on this in both chambers, and that he does have within his authority under (Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes, Section 127A) the power to do everything this bill is asking him to do, and that we are doing right now."
     Among those who voted for the measure are Hawaiʻi Island Senators Lorraine Inouye and Dru Kanuha, with reservations. Testimony was overwhelmingly against the measure.

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THE MANDATORY INTERISLAND TRAVEL AND HEALTH FORM IS ONLINE. The State mandated form can be submitted online within 24 hours of flight departure. This upgrade, says an announcement from the state, "adds efficiency to the passenger verification process, helps save travelers time and allows information to enter the database in real-time." The form includes health and contact information needed to trace close contacts should a passenger become ill.
     Ticketed passengers are encouraged to visit Hawaiʻi Department of Health travel website to find the digital, fillable travel and health form. Once a completed and digitally signed form is submitted, the passenger will receive an email with a QR code. They should bring the code with them to the airport, either on an electronic device (preferred) or printed. The form may not be completed or submitted outside of the 24-hour time frame. The state recommends using Chrome browser as Safari and Explorer "are slow loading."

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THE LARGEST ONE-DAY OUT-OF-STATE ARRIVAL COUNT since the state's mandatory 14-day self-quarantine began is reported for Thursday. The 2,813 passenger total is considerably less compared to last year, when 35,000 passengers arrived per day. A total of 937 visitors, 704 returning residents, 220 new residents, 528 military, and 72 exempt travelers came into the state, on 25 arriving flights. No flights flew into Kona. See hawaiitourismauthority.org/media/4841/070220-passenger-count-press-release.pdf for more.

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CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY with these local activities:
     Celebrate 4th of July with OKK at its Market space in Nāʻālehu from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. ʻO Kaʻū Kākou will offer shave ice, hot dogs, and watermelon, free to the public, either grab-and-go or during the event. See the Lawn Mower Parade and listen to the music of Keoki Sereno, Sonny Ramos, Tui Masaniai, and Shootz band. Attendees must observe social distancing, sanitize hands at the entry, and wear face masks. OKK will thank Brawny for naming OKK Pres. Wayne Kawachi a Brawny Giant and donating $10,000 to the non-profit group.
     Independence Day Community Barbecue, Saturday, July 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or as long as supplies last at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Free grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, chicken and ribs plates available for purchase. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222
     Dine In or Grab-and-Go at Crater Rim Café in Kīlauea Military Camp on Saturday, July 4. Ready-to-Go Family BBQ Special will be served from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes 8 BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches, 16 pieces of Local Style Fried Chicken, 8 pieces of 6 oz. Corn on the Cob, 2 lbs. of Coleslaw, 2 lbs. of Steamed Rice, and 2 lbs. of Mashed Potatoes, all for $55.95. Individual To-Go Lunches will also be available for purchase at $12.95 per person. Reservations for dine-in and take-out are required, call 967-8356. KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.
At OKK Market space in Nāʻālehu on Saturday, July 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., enjoy free shave
ice, hot dogs, and watermelon; watch the Lawn Mower Parade; and listen to the music of
Keoki Sereno, Sonny Ramos, Tui Masaniai, and Shootz band.
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.

DON'T DRIVE IMPAIRED is the message for Independence Day weekend from Hawaiʻi Police Department: "On the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, people love to celebrate the 4th of July with family, friends, food, and fireworks. Unfortunately sometimes the festivities turn tragic on our roads.
     "This holiday happens to be one of the deadliest holidays of the year across America due to Impaired Driving crashes."
     HPD says that, over the 4th of July Holiday in 2018, from 6 p.m. July 3 to 5:59 a.m. July 5, 193 people died in motor vehicle crashes. Alcohol impairment was a factor in 78 – 40 percent – of those fatal crashes. In 2017, when 38 percent of July 4th holiday period fatalities occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. At least one driver in 71 percent of those fatal crashes tested with a Blood Alcohol Level of .15 percent or higher – nearly twice the legal limit.
     HPD continues to conduct impaired driving enforcement projects and patrols, despite the pandemic. Officers have arrested many drivers, and will be out patrolling this weekend to "make sure people are driving safe and not intoxicated. If you are drinking alcohol or using any intoxicating substance, don't drive. It is not safe. Make arrangements ahead of time for a ride or a place to stay. If you need a ride call a friend, a family member, a taxi, or a rideshare program. Just don't drive impaired. Don't make a bad decision that will have a negative impact on your life. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
This 780 square foot cottage is available for bid through July 15. Photo from Habitat for Humanity
BID ON A COTTAGE with a covered lanai through a closed auction by Habitat for Humanity through July 15 at 5 p.m. The 780 square foot cottage was dismantled and donated to Habitat for Humanity Hawaiʻi Island. Starting bid is $15,000 and it will be sold "as is" and with no warranty.
     The dismantled cottage is stored in a container in Waimea. The 780sf includes lanai. Exterior walls, subfloor, windows (missing one), front door, roofing, front stairs, and conceptual plans created by Habitat are part of the package.
     To place a bid, send an email to info@habitathawaiiisland.org with name, phone number, and bid amount. Bids accepted in increments of $500. Winner will be contacted July 16. In the case of a tie, the person that submitted the winning bid first will be the winner.
Dismantled, the cottage can be viewed at Habitat for Humanity's ReStore
in Waimea on July 8. Photo from Habitat for Humanity
     To view the dismantled cottage, visit the Waimea ReStore at 65-1259 Kawaihae Road on Wednesday, July 8 between 1 p.m and 4 p.m. Email info@habitathawaiiisland.org with questions.

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 EXPANDING LAKE OF HOT, COPPER COLORED WATER IN HALEMAʻUMAʻU CRATER AND RISING MAGMA IN KĪLAUEA CALDERA are drawing concern from USGS scientists. "Something we're keeping an eye on, a big question that the lake poses for people, is what does this mean about future eruptions at the summit of Kīlauea, and could they be explosive? That is certainly a possibility that we're considering right now: how rising magma – once it hits the surface beneath the lake would interact and produce explosions – is something that's very much on the minds of our geologists." The comments came from Tina Neal before her recent transfer to Alaska from her post as Chief Scientist at Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory. The interview with Sherry Bracken was broadcast on Island Conversations on KWXX radio.
     Neal said the summit crater lake at Halemaʻumaʻu, "was a wonderful surprise for all of us. In retrospect, it shouldn't have been surprising, because we know that the collapse of the summit punched deeply enough into the volcano that it reached down below the adjacent water table."
Halemaʻumaʻu's hot water lake has undergone a transformation as it's grown, shifting in color from a bright green to mostly
copper. These images also show how the lake grew between November of last year and March 1. USGS photo
     The lake depth was about 118 feet (36 meters) deep at the beginning of June, the last released measurement. The hot lake, shown in thermal imaging as mostly bright yellow, was about 885 ft (270 m) long and about 1970 ft (600 m) below the western caldera rim. The surface area was about 6.2 acres, more than double the area measured in late December. In comparison, the lava lake in Halemaʻumaʻu was about 11.9 acres before the summit drained during the 2018 eruption. The lake continues to grow and deepen.
     "The volcano is fairly quiet," said Neal. "That doesn't mean we aren't seeing changes and we aren't seeing signs of activity. It's just that it's a very low level and we don't feel that there's any imminent threat."
     Neal said, "We're trying to keep track of how the lake is changing both in terms of its depth and size, its color, and its behavior." The water has been sampled twice, and more sampling is in the works, said Neal.
     The overall picture of Kīlauea, said Neal, "is that the magmatic system is slowly recharging, that is recovering from the big events of 2018. There are signs that magma may be re-accumulating in the shallow reservoir system at a low rate and also re-accumulating in the East Rift Zone, but we're not seeing signs of ramping up of either earthquake activity or deformation. There are some changes here and there that we're watching carefully, but overall the volcano is pretty quiet."
     During an interview with Hawaiʻi News Now on June 29, she warned that Kīlauea is still active and that while "it's easy to think that Kīlauea has had its big event in 37 years, now it's going to be quiet for a long time - you can't bet on that."
     Learn more at volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html.
Infrared images of the hot lake in Halemaʻumaʻu shows the water is much warmer than the surrounding crater 
walls - about 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius). USGS image

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
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Virtual Cultural Festival runs from July 5 through July 11 on social media. Hawaiian culture will be shared with a wide audience free of charge. Instead of gathering the community and visitors together in person, the Park will share short videos and other mana‘o (knowledge) about Hawaiian culture virtually. #FindYourVirtualPark" Go to facebook.com/hawaiivolcanoesnps/.
     All virtual events will be posted at the listed time, but the content will be available any time afterwards:
     Opening ‘Oli Komo will kick off the festival on Sunday, July 5 at 8:08 a.m. Park staff and ‘ohana will blow the pū (conch shell) and chant the ‘Oli Komo together, requesting permission to begin the Virtual Cultural Festival. The ‘Oli Komo, which expresses the intent to learn and do good, was gifted to the park by Kepā Maly. Ranger Kekoa Rosehill narrates. 
     Mo‘olelo & Places. On Monday, July 6 at 8:08 a.m. and 4 p.m., learn the mo‘olelo (stories) of Pele the volcano goddess, Kamapua‘a the pig demigod, and others, on the Park's new Moʻolelo web page which debuts that morning. That afternoon, the Park will launch the new Places page, which shares mana‘o (knowledge) about the wahi pana (sacred places) protected within Hawai‘i VolcanoesNational Park, including Uēkahuna, the sacred bluff near Jaggar Museum.
     Learn to Make a Tī Leaf Lei on Tuesday, July 7 at 8:08 a.m., with Ranger Leilani Rodrigues of the Kahuku Unit. Learn how to select tī leaves, prepare them for lei making, and how to twist them into a beautiful and easy-to-make garland.
     Facebook Watch Party for the documentary, Saving ‘Ōhi‘a. At noon on Wednesday, July 8, grab lunch and join the virtual gathering for a free screening of the Emmy-award winning 28-minute documentary, Saving ‘Ōhi‘a. This 2018 film explains the significance of the ‘ōhi‘a tree to the people of Hawai‘i and environment, and the threat that the new disease called "Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death" poses to these values. Park ecologist David Benitez, park botanist Sierra McDaniel, and filmmaker Annie Sullivan will answer questions in real time in the comments. The documentary was filmed partially in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
     Hawaiian Lua (Martial Arts) with Ranger Michael Newman and Olivia Crabtree on Thursday, July 9 at 8:08 a.m. Bone-breaking maneuvers and war clubs encircled with tiger-shark teeth are probably not the first things to come to mind when one pictures the Hawaiian Islands. The Hawaiian fighting style of lua is a formidable art form that requires skill, specific movement, and a host of deadly weapons. The rangers demonstrate this traditional fighting style.
     Learn to Make a Pūlumi Nī‘au (Hawaiian Broom) with Ranger Dean Gallagher on Friday, July 10 at 8:08 a.m. Get swept up in gathering plant materials and learn to make a pūlumi nī‘au, or authentic Hawaiian broom.
     Closing ‘Oli Mahalo will close the Virtual Cultural Festival on Saturday, July 11 at 8:08 a.m. Park staff and ‘ohana will blow the pū (conch shell) and chant the ‘Oli Mahalo together, requesting departure to close the festival. Gifted to the park by Kepā Maly, the ‘Oli Mahalo expresses gratitude. Ranger Kekoa Rosehill narrates. 
     Many areas in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that provide outdoor experiences like hiking trails, overlooks, and roads, are now open to the public, but services are limited. Visit the Current Conditions page on the park website for a complete list of what's open, and how to prepare for a safe trip to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, at nps.gov.

Apply for Small Grants to improve access to healthy foods in underserved areas, create and preserve quality jobs, and revitalize low-income communities through the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, urges The Kohala Center. Deadline to submit a letter of interest is Friday, July 10. Visit the program website or refer to this fact sheet for more information.

Zentangle with Lydia Meneses, Saturday, July 1110 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Villagevolcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Virtual 80th Meeting of Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, Tuesday, July 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The public is invited to attend. The council will introduce new and returning members; have presentations on advisory council guidelines, sanctuary updates, and discussions on potential council action topics; and address questions from members and the public. Public comment begins about 10:30 a.m. To provide comment, sign up in advance, email cindy.among-serrao@noaa.gov or type a comment into the Question box. Register in advance at attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5189333551313546256. Learn more on Facebook; Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov; NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, sanctuaries.noaa.gov; State of Hawaiʻi Division of Aquatic Resources, dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar.

After-School All-Stars Free Virtual Summer Program runs through Friday, July 17. For students going into 6th, 7th, or 8th grade. Classes offered are cooking, baking, fitness, arts & crafts, sports, gardening, and more. Every activity earns one entry in a prize drawing. All materials provided; pick up on Monday mornings, 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., in Volcano, Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, or Ocean View. Register at tinyurl.com/KauSummer2020. For more info, contact Chrysa Dacalio, kau@asashawaii.org, 808-561-3710.

Grow Food From Wood: Mushroom Cultivation with Zach Mermel, separate workshops on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Villagevolcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Strategies to Jump-Start Your Writing by Jacquolyn McMurray and Kristin Wolfgang, a virtual workshop via Zoom, will be held Saturday, July 25 from 9 a.m. to noon. "How long has writing been on your bucket list? Are you ready to make 2020 the year you finally get started or restarted? This class is perfect for all writers seeking new inspiration and strategies." volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Apply for Grants to Help Socially Disadvantaged Groups develop business and strategic plans in rural areas through USDA Rural Development through 6 p.m. HST on Aug. 10 at grants.gov. Eligible applicants include cooperatives, groups of cooperatives, and cooperative development centers. USDA defines a socially disadvantaged group as one "whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities."
     Applicants are encouraged to consider projects that provide measurable results in helping rural communities build robust and sustainable economies through strategic investments in infrastructure, partnerships and innovation. Key strategies include e-connectivity for rural America, developing rural economies, harnessing technological innovation, supporting a rural workforce, and improving quality of life.

ONGOING
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 provides food to those in need. See hawaiifoodbasket.org to verify dates and times. Nāʻālehu's final ʻOhana Food Drop is Wednesday, July 8 from 10 a.m. until pau – supplies run out – at Nāʻālehu Shopping Center. Go to Volcano's Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road on Wednesday, July 22, 10 a.m. until pau. Ocean View residents can go to The Food Basket's pantry at St. Jude's the last Tuesday of the month, July 28.

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.

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.

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

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.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming from two free modules of a virtual training program. Accessible online, additional modules will be added. The course is presented by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.

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

Guided Nature Walks through Nature Trail & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at VolcanoArt 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

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

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

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.

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.

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