Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, July 17, 2020

A traditional Grand Rally for Democrats at the historic Moʻoheau Bandstand in Hilo. Saturday's Grand Rally will be 

virtual on Nā Leo TV, and on Hawaiʻi County Democratic Party Facebook and other platforms. Photo by Julia Neal

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

THE PRIMARY ELECTION GRAND RALLY GOES VIRTUAL ON SATURDAY, beginning at 4 p.m., July 18. It is traditionally held at Hilo's historic Moʻoheau Bandstand before every election, with candidates flying or driving in. During this year's COVID-19 pandemic, it will be a virtual production shown on Nā Leo TV and live-streamed.

With ballots arriving in the mail, registered voters can listen to 

candidates on Saturday virtually, a change from the traditional 

Hilo Bandstand venue, above. Photo by Julia Neal

     With ballots already mailed to registered voters' postal addresses this week, Democrats invite everyone to watch candidates locked in races for U.S. Congress, Hawaiʻi Senate, Hawaiʻi House of Representatives, Hawaiʻi County Mayor, County Prosecutor, and Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Ballots are due back to the county by Aug. 8.

     Maile David, County Council member for Volcano and Kaʻū, is running unopposed.

     Forty candidates will give speeches encouraging Democrats to vote for them in the Primary Election. A statement from the Hawaiʻi County Democratic Party says the Grand Rally will be "a memorable visual feast," celebrating "our Democratic Party values, diversity, and vibrancy! We are Hawaiʻi!"

2020 Primary ballot envelope.
Photo by Julia Neal

     In addition to local candidates and U.S. Presidential candidate Joe Biden, the event will feature incumbents not up for reelection, and those leaving office. Messages will come from U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz, U.S. Representatives Tulsi Gabbard and Ed Case, Gov. David Ige and Lt. Gov. Josh Green. Their speeches will be followed by 40 of the island's hopeful candidates.

     Hawai’i County Democrats have hosted pre-election Grand Rallies every year since 1954 -- usually in Moʻoheau Bandstand. In transforming to virtual space due to the Covid pandemic, Democrat party leaders scheduled it earlier than the night before the primary to coincide with arrival of Primary Election ballots in the mail, said Virtual Grand Rally Chair Gerri Kahili. "We thank Nā Leo TV for helping make this possible and all of our elected leaders and candidates, too. We know that the Covid situation has made it extremely challenging for candidates to each voters, and voters to meet candidates. We hope this Virtual Grand Rally helps with connecting candidates and voters," said Kahili.

     Tune in on Spectrum Channel 53, and online at naleo.tv/channel-53/, NāLeo's mobile app is available in iOS and Google Play Marketplaces, and on Hawaiʻi County Democrats' Facebook page. It will be on YouTube for on-demand replay on both naleo.tv and HawaiiCountyDemocrats.org.

     For more info, go to Facebook.com/Hawai’iCountyDemocrats, or HawaiiCountyDemocrats.org.

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Hawaiʻi County mayoral candidate Yumi Kawano. 
Photo from Kawano's Facebook

YUMI KAWANO IS RUNNING FOR MAYOR of Hawaiʻi County with a slogan of Be the Change, Make the Change. She says her passion is rainforest restoration and her mission is "to restore our Hawaiʻi Island and to find a healthy, safe, and balanced way of life. It takes planned wise use of our lands and resources for future generations to thrive. We can all build community by finding ways to get our need for goods and services met locally by buying or trading with each other."

     Volcano resident Kawano, 59, was born in Ohio. She is a mother and cares for a Persian Gulf veteran. Her campaign says she is an advocate for veterans, caregivers, and the mentally ill. She taught multiple subjects, including science, in Hawaiʻi, Alaska (Yupik Eskimos), and Oregon. She has worked as a wildlife and plant biologist, a University of Hawaiʻi-Hilo Science Instructor, a kayak tour guide on Kealakekua Bay, and a Hawaiʻi Agricultural Statistics Service Enumerator. Her volunteer and community work has included Neighborhood Watch and Hawaiʻi Volcano National Park Interpreter. She is currently a Puna Community Development Planning member.

Hawaiʻi County mayoral candidate Yumi Kawano with supporters
in Nāʻālehu. Photo from Kawano's Facebook

     Kawano holds a Masters of Arts in Teaching Secondary Science from Pacific University and a Bachelor of Arts and Science, Environmental Biology, from Fort Lewis College.

     ​Her website says, "It's about equality, not preferential treatment. An outstanding leader requires all of the communities' input to make good long-lasting decisions." She says, if elected, she would focus on finding new ways for town communities to be community-led and county-supported. She says she would bring towns together to become self-sustaining by creating affordable housing, using renewable energy, and making "independent food production and thereby being more emergency prepared for disasters."

     See yamahilo.wixsite.com/mayorkawano.

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CU HAWAIʻI FEDERAL CREDIT UNION MAKES FORBES BEST-IN-STATE LIST for the second year in a row. Each year, Forbes partners with the research firm Statista to survey nearly 25,000 people in the U.S. for their opinions on their current or former banking relationships. Financial Institutions are scored on overall satisfaction, as well as five sub-dimensions: trust, terms and conditions, branch services, digital services, and financial advice. Of the 5,236 credit unions nationwide, just 3.5 percent made the Forbes Best-in-State list, and CU Hawaiʻi was one of those nationwide credit unions.

     CU Hawaiʻi locations in Kaʻū are in Ocean View, ATM only, outside Rancho Ace; Nāʻālehu at 95-5664 Māmalahoa Hwy; and Pāhala at 96-3208 Maile St. Other branches are in Kona, Pāhoa, Keaʻau, and Hilo. See cuhawaii.com.
     A statement from CU Hawaiʻi FCU says, "We are honored and humbled to be recognized on this Best-in-State list for the second year in a row. We know that times have changed due to COVID-19 and your continued support of your credit union is greatly appreciated. We're here to serve all of your needs and you can rest assured that you are our top priority. Thank you for allowing us to serve you with all of your financial needs. We can't say mahalo enough for your continued trust and support."

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THE TENTH EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION DURING THE PANDEMIC came from Gov. David Ige today. He and his staff promised more crackdown on those who violate the 14-day quarantine. Ninety-nine have been arrested on this island for violating quarantine. The rules of staying at home or in a hotel room, without so much as going to the store, apply to visitors, people moving here, and residents returning home. Essential workers are allowed only to go to work and return to accommodations.
     All arriving travelers undergo a mandatory screening process at the airport. Self-quarantine begins at arrival for 14 days, or for the duration of the visit, if shorter. All arriving travelers are required to comply with all applicable state and county rules, directives, and orders. 

     Eighty tracking and tracing workers from state agencies contact those in quarantine daily, between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., including weekends and holidays. According to a statement from the state, they have contacted more than 27,000 travelers through texts and emails, since the quarantine order went into effect at the end of March. An estimated 7,145 people are still actively being tracked as of Friday.
     Attorney General Clare Connors said, "Our investigations division team focuses on any crimes that significantly affect the safety and well-being of our community. In addition, they provide public safety services during emergency situations. We take seriously our responsibility to keep people safe during this COVID-19 pandemic."
       A pre-travel COVID-19 testing option -- which was pushed back from Aug. 1 to at least Sept. 1, due to an increase in Covid cases -- will be addressed in the 11th emergency proclamation in August, said a statement from the governor.

     The proclamation also extends the moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent, suspends certain laws to enable the governor to access CARES Act money in the Rainy Day Fund, and suspends certain post-employment benefits and pre-funding payments to the Hawai‘i Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund for fiscal year 2021, "to help address the economic shortfalls resulting from COVID-19. Read the proclamation here.

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UNEMPLOYMENT IN HAWAIʻI IS 13.9 PERCENT for June, an almost 10 percent drop from May, reports the state Department of Labor & Industrial Relations.
     Department of Labor reports statewide employment of 527,600 working and 85,200 unemployed in June, for a total seasonally adjusted labor force of 612,800. Nationally, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 11.1 percent in June, down from 13.3 percent in May.

     Department of Labor reports that the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting data derived for unemployment from the Current Population Survey, also known as the household survey. For  the household survey, individuals were classified employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force, based on answers about their activities during the week of June 7 - 13.  Department of Labor stated that COVID-19-related issues affected unemployment statistics published for Hawai‘i by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. The major discrepancy was that those without a job not actively seeking work, "particularly during this time of government-ordered business closures and social distancing requirements," were classified as "not in the labor force." The misclassification of workers recorded as "employed but not at work" instead of "unemployed on temporary layoff" is a contributing factor. The low response rate for the survey during the pandemic is possibly another factor, reports the state Department of Labor.

     The state labor department also announced updated employment insurance claims information, including paying $2,189,522,737 since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 1, 2020. Department of Labor Deputy Director Anne Perreira-Eustaquio said, "91-percent of the valid unemployment insurance claims that have come in since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic have been processed and paid out. Although it appears that the number of claims requiring departmental action is stable, we are still receiving nearly 8,000 new claims a week."

Drought conditions last July compared to this July.

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PARTS OF KAʻŪ AND VOLCANO ARE UNDER MILD DROUGHT CONDITIONS according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Northeastern Kaʻū to Miloliʻi and a portion of Volcano, according to the map, are under Abnormally Dry conditions, which means less water available for crops, pasture, and wildlands. Hiking trails show noticeable soil erosion. Parts of Hāmākua and Kohala are under Moderate Drought conditions, which means crops and pasture growth are stunted, farmers are not allowed to use reservoir water, concerns about fire danger increase, and there are more bugs. A tiny portion near Kawaihae is under Severe Drought, which means cattle health and pasture conditions are poor, coffee and sugar cane struggle, fire danger is high, and water restrictions are implemented.

     Last year, all Hawaiʻi Island except parts of coastal Kona were under some level of drought, with Nāʻālehu under Extreme Drought.

     Information on website droughtmonitor.unl.edu is produced jointly by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and U.S. Department of Agriculture. The 21-year-old partnership publishes weekly information on drought conditions for the U.S.

     The monthly report for Hawaiʻi Island, released by National Weather Service on July 9, says Kaʻū District had a wide range of conditions in June, with some sites reporting above average totals and others at less than 50 percent of June average. 

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NATIVE ʻŌHIʻA SEEDLINGS CAN SURVIVE RAPID ʻŌHIʻA DEATH for at least a year, according to a new study by U.S. Geological Survey and Hawaiʻi Cooperative Studies Unit at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. The study, published recently in Restoration Ecology, reports "successful restoration is possible" in areas with trees dying from Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death, the fungal disease that devastates the native species.

     USGS Director Jim Reilly says, "Ōhiʻa is a keystone species in Hawaiian forests, and ROD has the potential to cause major ecosystem disturbances that will negatively impact water supply, cultural traditions, natural resources, and quality of life. This innovative research provides a glimmer of hope for native ʻōhiʻa tree restoration in Hawaiʻi by indicating that successful planting of ʻōhiʻa could be possible in ROD-affected forests if the native species' seedlings are protected."
     Stephanie Yelenik, an ecologist with the USGS and lead author of the study, says "We found that ʻōhiʻa seedlings planted into a forest heavily affected by ROD have a high probability of survival for the first year. While that one-year survival of seedlings is great news, this species lives centuries and there's currently no treatment once the tree becomes infected. Because ʻōhiʻa grow slowly, a dead tree is a gap in the canopy for a long time, and one of Hawai‘i’s many quick-growing invaders can take over the gaps caused by dead trees. These results provide the first, but still early, evidence that planting ʻōhiʻa may be used as a restoration tool in forests that are threatened by ROD.

Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death is spreading through native Hawaiian forests all over Hawaiʻi Island. DLNR photo

     "The ʻōhiʻa tree is the dominant tree in Hawaiian forests, the first to colonize new lava flows and often forms the bulk of what makes up the forests. While planting ʻōhiʻa may not be necessary in forests where ʻōhiʻa seedlings naturally occur, we thought planting might be a good tool for managers who want to maintain a native ʻōhiʻa canopy in forests dominated by invasive plants in the understory. We wanted to test that idea."
     Scientists planted seedlings in areas with confirmed fungal pathogen Ceratocystis -- the ROD  infection. They weeded and fenced some areas, and left other areas untouched except for the ʻōhiʻa plantings. The study showed seedlings were most likely to die in unweeded and unfenced areas due to competition from other plants and feral ungulates damaging them. While viable ROD fungal spores were found in the soil, none of the dead seedlings tested positive for ROD.

ʻŌhiʻa seedlings show no sign of contracting ROD from soil according to the one-year study. CTAHR image

     Lisa Keith, research plant pathologist for the USDA Agricultural Research Service, says the study provides clues about epidemiology of the disease and dynamics of ROD pathogens across the landscape. "This information can help to slow the spread of the disease through effective management strategies. While surrounding disease pressure may be high, results suggest that ʻōhiʻa seedlings have the capacity to thrive in areas devastated by ROD."
     J.B. Friday, a forester with University of Hawai‘i Cooperative Extension Service, says the study indicates that ʻōhiʻa seedlings are not infected with ROD through the soil. "Those results are encouraging for two reasons. First, it means that even in forests with invasive trees and shrubs, ʻōhiʻa may possibly be re-established. And second, it means that in our high-elevation, pristine native forests, natural ʻōhiʻa regeneration could be possible, even in forests hit by ROD, if those areas are protected."

Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death is a fungal infection that kills native Hawaiian forests.
DLNR photo

     Yelenik said research needs to be done for a longer time, that early results show active planting could successfully help maintain native ʻōhiʻa forests, but that "protecting ʻōhiʻa from infection remains the primary tool in the fight against ROD."

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TWO NEW DEATHS FROM COVID-19 are reported today. An elderly, male resident of O‘ahu over the age of 60 is the 23rd recorded COVID-19 death in the state. Department of Health says he had an underlying condition and had been isolating with family at home. An elderly O‘ahu woman with underlying medical conditions is the 24th death.

     State Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson said, "We all extend our heartfelt sympathies to the patient's family and friends who have just lost a loved one. Every COVID-19 death is an emotional reminder to be vigilant, wear a face covering, and practice proper social distancing measures. It's about protecting each other. It strikes at all of our hearts, each and every time we have to report another casualty of COVID-19. Please be safe and practice all precautions. People who have been sick with this disease, and tragically the victims of coronavirus and their loved ones, deserve that respect and care from each and everyone one of us in Hawai‘i."

     Twenty-three new cases are reported in the state today. Hawaiʻi Island reports two new cases, with one hospitalization. All active cases on-island are monitored by Department of Health. Oʻahu reported 23 new cases today, and one resident was diagnosed out-of-state. The origin of three cases are not yet released. The state's case count has risen by 176 in the last seven days.

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. White
is zero cases. Yellow is one to five cases. Light orange is six
to ten cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 11 to 20 

cases. Red (not pictured) is 21 to 50 cases.

Hawaiʻi Department of Health map

     Volcano, 96785 zip code, has one active case in the last 28 days. In Kaʻū, since the pandemic began, there was one case reported in Ocean View and one in Nāʻālehu, but none in the last 28 days. Since the pandemic began, Hawaiʻi Island reported 109 cases, with 98 victims recovered. No one died of COVID-19 here. Of the five hospitalized, four have been released.

     Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 1,025 cases, Kauaʻi 43, and Maui County 135. Twenty-two victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Twenty-four people in the state died from COVID-19. The state has reported 1,334 cases since the pandemic began.

     In his daily message, Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno said, "There are three active cases associated with the Kona Community Hospital and all are isolated at home and monitored by the Department of Health." He said Premier Medical Group and the County Task Force headed by Hawaiʻi Fire Department tested all employees and a construction crew at the Kona Community Hospital today.

     Magno said, "Yesterday's testing of Kona Community Hospital staff and contractors resulted in 548 persons tested. Results are pending. Thank you Premier Medical and the County Task Force for conducting the testing.
     "The majority of states continue to see an increase of people being infected by the Coronavirus. We need your help to keep Hawaiʻi Island numbers low. Please take the time to follow the preventive measures of face coverings, distancing, gatherings, and cleanliness. When you interact with kūpuna, remember that they are the most vulnerable to Coronavirus, so we must be especially careful when visiting our loved ones. As a reminder, wearing of face coverings is mandatory on Hawaiʻi Island. Thank you for listening, thank you for doing your part to keep Hawaiʻi safe. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency."

     In the United States, more than 3,641,539 cases have been confirmed -- an increase of over 81,000 in about 24 hours. The death toll is over 139,176.

     The worldwide COVID-19 case count is more than 14 million. The death toll is more than 600,820.

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

Ka‘ū Residents are Invited to Attend a Talk Story with Mayoral Candidate Stacy Higa tomorrow, Saturday, July 18 at the Dahlberg beach house at Punalu‘u, across from the lei stand in Punaluʻu, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Higa says he invites everyone to his talk story to "get more details about how I intend to empower your community to decide your future." See blacksandsbeach.com.

Attend Miloliʻi Lawaiʻa ʻOhana Camp In-Person or Virtually. The tenth annual event runs through Monday, July 20, feature in-person classes for a limited number of students, and offering classes via Zoom. Receive the knowledge of kūpuna. Sponsors include Kalanihale, Paʻa Pono Miloliʻi, Kua O Ka Lā, Conservation International, Alu Like Inc, Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, and Hawaiʻi Marine Education and ResearchCenter. See facebook.com/kalanihaleMilolii for more. Register for virtual classes here. Register for in-person attendance here. Contact organizer Kaimi Kaupiko at 937-1310 or kkaupiko@gmail.com with questions.

Free Virtual Storytime Sessions with Jeff Gere, Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday for three weeks, 9:30 a.m. to 10:10 a.m., through July 23. Partnered with UH-Mānoa's Outreach College Statewide Cultural Extension Program. To attend each show, email jeffgere1031@gmail.com and csinfo@hawaii.edu, with the subject SCEP : Jeff Gere. In the body of the email, copy & paste in the programs wanted to watch from the list below. An email confirming the reservation will confirm receipt. About 30 minutes before each show starts at 9:30 a.m., csinfo@hawaii.edu will email the Zoom link to the email provided.

     Tuesdays: Participation Tales. July 21, Teaching Tales. Wednesdays: Folktales. July 22, several Adventurous Tales. Thursdays: "Spooky Hawaiʻi" Tales. July 23, Pele Tales, true stories of meeting Pele.

     During performances, leave microphones off so everyone can enjoy the show. Share sign-up information with "as many listeners as you like" and watch "as many shows as you like." Tech questions should be directed to summer aides. All attendees will be asked to answer a host and technology questionnaire after each show. Zoom's WEBINAR format does not allow a view of the audience. "We won't be able to see your children. It is not an issue."

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 Village. volcanoartcenter.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

Register and Submit Advance Questions for Webinar The Coming Covid Eviction Crisis and How to Stop It, with Pulitzer Prize-winning sociologist Matthew Desmond on Tuesday, July 28 at 9 a.m. Desmond will be interviewed by Colin Moore, director of University of Hawaiʻi's Public Policy Center. Special guests include Philip Garboden, HCRC Professor in Affordable Housing, and Nalani Fujimori Kaina, executive director of the Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i. Register and submit advance questions here.

Virtual Meeting of Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, Tuesday, July 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The public is invited to attend. The council will discuss previous action items, receive sanctuary updates, and address questions from members and the public. Public comment begins about 10:30 a.m.
     To provide comment, sign up in advance, email cindy.among-serrao@noaa.gov, or type a comment into the Question box. Register in advance at attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8466893051952339472. Learn more on Facebook; Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov; NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, sanctuaries.noaa.gov; State of Hawaiʻi Division of Aquatic Resources, dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar. See hawaiihumpbackwahle.noaa.gov.

Apply for Grants to Start, Expand, or Improve Rural Cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses in rural America. USDA will make $5.8 million in grants available under the Rural Cooperative Development Grant program. USDA encourages applications that will help improve life in rural America. Key strategies include: Achieving e-Connectivity for Rural America, Developing the Rural Economy, Harnessing Technological Innovation, Supporting a Rural Workforce, and Improving Quality of Life. Nonprofit corporations and institutions of higher education are eligible to apply, to provide technical assistance to individuals and rural businesses. Fiscal year 2019 award recipients who received a grant period extension due to a loss of operations as a result of the coronavirus pandemic are eligible to apply for fiscal year 2020 funding. Electronic applications must be submitted to grants.gov by 6 p.m. HST Aug. 3. Additional information is available on page 39870 of the July 2 Federal Register.

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

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

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 and worship are posted online on Sundays 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 provides food to those in need. See hawaiifoodbasket.org to verify dates and times. 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.

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Cooper Center 19-4030 Wright Rd. Served by Friends Feeding Friends Thursday, July 30 – the last Thursday of the month. Call 985-7140 to verify.

On-Call Emergency Box Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Eligible one time every three months. Call Kehau, 443-4130.

Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries are Open for Pick-Up Services Only. Nāʻālehu is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons schedule Library Take Out appointment times to pick up their hold item(s) at their favorite libraries by going to HSPLS Library Catalog and placing a hold on any item(s) they want to borrow, or they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. For patrons who placed holds during the closure, their item(s) are ready for pickup after the patron schedules a Library Take Out appointment. For more information, visit librarieshawaii.org.

Free Book Exchanges at the laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu are provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Everyone is invited to take books they want to read. They may keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them to the Book Exchange to make them available to others in the community. The selection of books is replenished weekly at both sites.

Nursery, Greenhouse, and Cut-Flower Growers are invited to participate in COVID-19 impact survey by Cornell Cooperative Extension. The survey may help them qualify for USDA CFAP financial assistance. Complete the survey online.

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

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 web form 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 Minoroty Workgroup in partnership with the DOH Harm Reduction Services Branch. Resources: Understanding the Pacific's alternative genders; Pronoun guide; Book lists for children and teens; ʻOhana support; and DOH data. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov/harmreduction/sexual-gender-minority/sexual-and-gender-minorities-sgm-in-hawaii/.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through the Papakilo Database, a resource developed by The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The Kahalo Center 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.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance for Small Businesses affected by COVID-19 can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. Helen Tien, College of Business and Economics, and her senior retail and distribution management course is offering 1-hour sessions dedicated to helping small business marketing needs. They offer help with moving a business online, finding out more about the businesses' customers, analyzing marketing effectiveness, and providing customer service or website feedback. Visit https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature to help find information that applies to the searcher. To search for statewide grants, hover over "Grants & Loans" and select "For Farmers & Ranchers." Set the Grant/Loan Filter to "Grant" and the Region Filter to "Statewide." Ranney notes that narrowing the search to County will display opportunities specific to that county. Selecting Nationwide or Statewide will display other opportunities searchers may be eligible for and/or want to be aware of for future reference.

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

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.

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

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

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

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 Saturday – replacing Friday with Saturday, from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is no more than 50 customers on the grounds at a time. Vendor booths per day are limited to 25, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required to attend the market. Social distancing will be enforced.

     More food vendors are added on Mondays, including Bella's Mexican takeaway hot foods. 

     Lau Lau Man and Flyin' Hawaiian Coffee return to the Market on Wednesdays.

     Saturday will host vendors who have not been able to get space at the Wednesday market. The Saturday Market will feature familiar faces and plenty of new sellers. 

     OKK's Nāʻālehu Market offers a wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits, prepared take away foods, assorted added value foods, breads and baked goods, honey, cheese, grass-fed beef, fish, vegetable plants, masks, handmade soaps, coffee, and more, on various days. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

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.

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

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