Saturday, July 18, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, July 18, 2020

Keiki and youth, ages one to 18, no matter their school registration, picked up breakfast and lunch weekdays at
Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary, March 23 through July 17, with help, above, from Principal Sharon Beck (right).
The program to feed registered students starts when school classes begin in early August. Photo by Julia Neal

GRAB-N-GO MEALS FOR KEIKI AND YOUTH WRAPPED UP AT NĀʻĀLEHU AND PĀHALA campuses on Friday as schools prepare to welcome students back in early August. The state Department of Education reports that during the last 17 weeks, the program provided more than 1.3 million school meals for breakfast and lunch to anyone 18 or younger, at some 80 public schools and community locations on this island, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi, March 23 through July 17.
     Statewide Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto said, "The Grab-and-Go meals program was a tremendous effort that ensured that our keiki would receive nutritional meals during the spring school closure and summer months, in our communities with the highest need. We send our utmost gratitude to the hundreds of our dedicated school cafeteria, support, administrative, and food service staff statewide for working tirelessly since March, many without taking a break, to keep our keiki fed during this time of economic uncertainty. We also thank our many community partners who donated food, snacks, drinks, containers, personal protective equipment, and distribution sites to help us reach more keiki, especially in remote areas."
     The program provided free breakfasts and lunches to all children 18 and younger regardless of their enrollment at public, private, or homeschool, or eligibility for free and reduced-price meals, with on-site distribution conducted through drive-thru and walk-up pick-ups. Program funding was provided by U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Hot lunches dished up by dedicated Nāʻālehu Elementary cafeteria manager Eileen Naboo helped feed keiki from
mid-March through last Friday, despite school being closed due to the pandemic. Photo by Nalani Parlin
     School cafeterias and kitchens will begin preparations for the new school year with maintenance and deep cleaning of equipment and facilities. School meals will return to modified operations when schools reopen beginning Aug. 4. Students will be able to pick up their meals only at their schools of enrollment and payment schedules will apply. Schools on Blended, Rotational, and Hybrid learning schedules will be able to pick up meals at designated locations for distance learning.
     On-campus dining may include students taking grab-and-go meals back to classrooms or other locations, with staggered meal schedules to ensure social distancing. Details will be provided to parents and guardians by each school.
     The DOE statement says, "HIDOE remains committed to reopening schools safely for the Fall semester. As the COVID-19 situation evolves or as new health and safety guidance becomes available, HIDOE will adjust plans to ensure that a safe learning and working environment is provided for students, teachers, and staff."
      For more information about the Return to Learn plan, click here.

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Kaʻū Hgh Cross Country runner
Bernadette Ladia. Photo by Erin Cole
BOWLING, CROSS COUNTRY, AIR RIFLERY, AND CHEERLEADING are all Fall sports that could be allowed at Kaʻū and other high schools, according to Big Island Interscholastic Federation. All four sports allow for distancing between competitors.     Athletic Directors around the island, whose high schools compete through BIIF, met on Thursday to address Fall sports, including those most attended in Kaʻū -- girls volleyball and football. With it impossible to distance players, they discussed delaying start of their seasons into September. School starts on Thursday, Aug. 6.
     In the meantime, a ban on practices, scrimmages, and preseason tournaments -- that usually start up in Summer -- remain in place.

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FLAGS FLY AT HALF STAFF TO HONOR CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER, U.S. REP. JOHN LEWIS, who passed away on Friday at age 80. Gov. David Ige ordered the U.S. and Hawai‘i state flags be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol and upon all state offices and agencies, as well as the Hawai‘i National Guard in the state through the end of today. This action is a mark of respect for Rep. John Lewis' many years of public service to the nation. See https://en.
Civil Rights leader and Georgia Rep.
John Lewis passed away on Friday.
     Comparing Lewis to Nelson Mandela, state Sen. Kai Kahele said the two have a heroic legacy: "As a grateful nation mourns the passing of Rep. John Lewis, we also fondly remember the heroic legacy of another civil rights icon: Pres. Nelson Mandela. Twenty-six years ago today, Nelson Mandela was elected as the first Black President of South Africa and became a figurehead for justice and equality across the world. Pres. Mandela's legacy is felt decades later as we hear the echo of his words, 'For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.' He dedicated his life and legacy to the pursuit of true racial equality."

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DEPUTY COUNTY PROSECUTOR KELDEN WALTJEN is on the ground running for Hawaiʻi County prosecutor. Last week, he stopped in Pāhala and Nāʻālehu to talk story with people and family. Born and raised in Hilo, his kūpuna roots are in Kaʻū. While in Kaʻū, he tried to connect with some cousins but ended up meeting more "cousins." He talked story in Waiʻōhinu. He talked to workers at Punaluʻu Bake Shop in Nāʻālehu, and Mizuno Superette in Pāhala.
Hawaiʻi County Prosecutor candidate Kelden Waltjen visited Nāʻālehu 
as he circumnavigated Hawaiʻi Island last week. Photo from Waltjen
     He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and a Juris Doctorate from William S. Richardson School of Law at UH-Mānoa, where he met his wife, Shawn Hisako Yamada. She practices estate planning, probate, trust administration, real property, and land use law at Carlsmith Ball LLP in Hilo.
     Waltjen's campaign information says he has served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the Hawai‘i County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney since 2012, starting his career as a law clerk for District, then Circuit and state Supreme Court.
     As Deputy Prosecutor, he handles a wide variety of felonies, including domestic violence, murders, traffic, property, and violent crimes. He also works with the Hawai‘i County Police Department, including assignment to the Special Enforcement Unit of the Criminal Investigation Section. Prior to working at the Prosecutor's Office, he clerked for Associate Justice Richard W. Pollack at the Circuit Court of the First Circuit and under Pollack at Hawai‘i Supreme Court.
     Waltjen serves as the East Hawai‘i Director of the Hawai‘i State Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division and was honored as the 2018-2019 Hawai‘i County Employee of the Year.
Hawaiʻi County Prosecutor candidate Kelden Waltjen with a supporter 
and handfuls of local bakery products, outside Punaluʻu 
Bake Shop last week. Photo from Waltjen
     His interest in classics cars was sparked by his late Papa, Tony Amaral, "who was the most influential person in my life. He was a plumber and sheet metal worker by trade, who passed on his knowledge, and stressed the importance of honesty, compassion, and hard work. Being born and raised on Hawai‘i Island, I always hoped to have the opportunity to serve the community that I love. From a young age, my parents stressed the importance of commitment, integrity, and respect through public service.  I sought higher education with the ultimate goal of returning home to make Hawai‘i Island a better place."
     He says he has "seen firsthand how crime, drugs, and violence can leave a devastating impact upon a person, family, and community. As a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, I have fought for justice, held offenders accountable for their actions, and provided victims with a voice."
     His campaign information says, if elected, he will "continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of our community." He says he will focus on addressing the root causes of crime, such as mental health, substance addiction, and reaching at-risk youth and disadvantaged communities. "I believe that by applying a multifaceted approach in identifying and seeking stiffer penalties for serious and repeat offenders, promoting rehabilitation and treatment for those suffering from addiction and mental illness, and utilizing available resources toward prevention and education, we can reduce crime in Hawai‘i County," he says.
Hawaiʻi County Prosecutor candidate Kelden Waltjen with a supporter, 
both masked, outside Punaluʻu Bake Shop last week. Photo from Waltjen
     Waltjen says "effective and just" prosecution requires multiagency collaboration and community involvement. He says he has built "strong partnerships with various law enforcement agencies and government officials on the County, State, and Federal levels, as well as with local community-based groups and individuals. I am the candidate who is most familiar with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney's organizational structure, policies, procedures, special programs, prosecutors, and staff. If elected, I plan to increase transparency, reexamine our current policies and procedures, and promote more coordination, training, and response from our office and law enforcement agencies. I will also enhance the lines of communication between law enforcement and our community, and work with leaders and members of our community to address concerns and enact positive change to restore public trust in our criminal justice system.
     "With crime trends on the rise, Hawai‘i County needs a Prosecuting Attorney who is dedicated, innovative, and embraces our community’s concerns. I will continue to work hard and fight for justice. Together we can make Hawai‘i Island a better and safer place."
     See keldenforprosecutor.org.

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PAUL BRYANT is running for Mayor of Hawaiʻi County, for the second time, to address his "long list" of things he'd like to "fix or change" for Hawaiʻi Island. He lives in Laupāhoehoe.
     Before coming to Hawaiʻi, says his campaign information, Bryant lived in Asia (1964-1990) as a roving cultural journalist, mainly working out of Tokyo. He held "a host of other jobs simultaneously:" art critic, author of four books, art gallery owner, charity exhibition organizer, Cable TV program host, NHK overseas radio host; volunteer teacher of Ki-Swahili for the JOCV (Japan's Peace Corps); university teacher, and worldwide lecturer on Japanese ceramics, prints, and folk art.
     Bryant says he "retired" in 1990 to do something else: build from scratch a sheep ranch to produce marketable lambs. He re-started a fine art gallery (originally begun in NY) and became a volunteer board member for four non-profit organizations. He also taught high school remedial English and Japanese, and 4th grade.
Hawaiʻi County mayoral candidate Paul Bryant
     In 2016, Bryant decided to run for Hawaiʻi County mayor. "Everyone living on the Big Island has a mental (if not actual paper) list of things they'd fix or change if they were Mayor. My list was long and I thought running for Mayor was a good way to talk change. I didn't take into consideration that island elections aren't for novices. By the time the 2016 primary came near the original dozen candidates were divided into two groups: 'serious' and 'others.' There were just three 'serious' candidates and it wasn't so funny when that trio garnered nearly all pre-primary publicity. I and the other eight were excluded from several major forums," which he says made him upset. He says he learned "cherry-picking" by non-profit organizers of any public political forum "was clearly against federal law. So I started a class-action suit against the organizers. A suit I had to quit for lack of funds."
     Bryant says the 2020 race is another chance. He says he planned around "some of the tricks being used… but while doing so I began to rethink the whole Mayor scenario. Why elect someone like any of the current (or past) candidates to do a job none were actually qualified for? A job that oversees a workforce of 2000 plus with a yearly county budget of $600,000,000. That's a job for a proven professional who has the expertise to walk in and begin work. Not a popular but clueless face but someone specifically hired for the job of County Manager. No promises made but not delivered as is so common with our elected officials. A person of experience and integrity who will do the job from the day he/she walks into the county offices. What to do with the 'Mayor' then? Make the position totally ceremonial -- cutting ribbons, planting trees, greeting island guests with no power to make decisions at all. Or just dump the office and focus on making sure our County Manager is the very best we can scout out and hire (at will). Those last two words assure the job will be done or they'll be gone!"
     He says, if elected, he will push for a County Charter amendment "so a County Manager will become a fiscal reality. Someone long-needed, who can and will turn our county around."

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OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER REOPENS for events Monday, Aug. 3. The library will be open Friday mornings beginning Aug. 7. AdvoCATS, an all-volunteer non-profit organization "dedicated to the well-being of Hawaiʻi Islands's homeless cat population," which often offers spay and neutering services, will be at OV Community Center all day Tuesday, Aug. 11 -- see advocatshawaii.org. To schedule an event, contact Christopher Garske at chrisgarske@gmail.com or 650-996-2790.

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FAMILY FARMS CAN APPLY for a $500 one-time emergency relief payment from Farm Aid. Funds are administered by the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union Foundation and The Kohala CenterApplications are due no later than 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28. Bonafide family farms in Hawaiʻi who have suffered demonstrable economic loss as a result of COVID-19 may apply. Access to other federally funded relief efforts (i.e., PPP, EIDL) and sustainable methods practiced on the farm will be considered when awarding relief payments.
     Use of the funds is restricted to household expenses, such as groceries, home utilities, medical bills, or other not directly related to the commercial operation of farm or ranch. Funds may not be used for any farm operations, business expenses, or investment. IRS guidelines regarding direct assistance to farm families prevent granting funds to support the farm and its business costs. Acceptance of this grant award signifies recipient's understanding and agreement to these use requirements.
     To apply, email a signed copy of the grant application to Anny Bruch, vice president of Hawaiʻi Farmers Union Foundation, at vicepresident@HFUF.org. Applicants will be contacted via email after July 31. For more information, email vicepresident@HFUF.org.

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Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. White
is zero cases. Yellow is one to five cases. Light orange is six
to ten cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 11 to 20 
cases. Red (not pictured) is 21 to 50 cases.
Hawaiʻi Department of Health map
TWENTY NEW COVID-19 CASES IN HAWAIʻI are reported today, with two new cases on Hawaiʻi Island. There are 12 active cases on-island, with one hospitalization. The patients are
monitored by state Department of Health.
     Oʻahu reported 15 new cases today. Three cases' origins are not yet released. The state's new case total has increased by 154 in seven days.
    One case is reported in Volcano, zip code 96785, in the last 28 days. It has been more than 28 days since a case was recorded for a Kaʻū zip code. One zip code, shaded orange, on the west side, has between six and ten active cases in the last 28 days. Yellow-shaded zip codes have between one and five active cases in the last 28 days.
     This island's other 99 confirmed COVID-19 victims are released from monitoring. Since the pandemic began, no one died here. Of the five hospitalized, four have been released.
     Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 1,040 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 1,354 cases since the pandemic began.
     In his daily message, Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno said, "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, have a safe weekend. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency." 
Civil Defense Director 
Talmadge Magno.
Photo from Big Island Video News
     In the United States, more than 3,711,297 cases have been confirmed -- an increase of over 70,000 in about 24 hours. The death toll is over 140,119.
     The worldwide COVID-19 case count is more than 14.24 million. The death toll is more than 601,455.

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DEEP REPEATING EARTHQUAKES BELOW MAUNA KEA are the focus of this week's Volcano Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates. This article is by Alaska Volcano Observatory seismologist Aaron Wech:
     Mauna Kea volcano hasn't erupted in over 4,500 years, but that doesn't mean it's quiet. In fact, for decades it has been hiding one of the most unique seismic signals seen at any volcano.
     Some discoveries are just serendipity. Several years ago, USGS seismologists at HVO and Alaska Volcano Observatory were trying out a new method to track seismicity at Kīlauea Volcano. The method scans 24-hour sections of seismometer data looking for signal similarity on many instruments. Out of curiosity, they decided to look at the rest of the Island of Hawaiʻi to see what else they might find.  
     What they found came as a surprise. A study published in the journal Science in May, 2020 describes how they detected deep earthquakes beneath Mauna Kea that repeat every 7 to 12 minutes. Noise in the seismic records from wind and nearby cars, together with the small size of the individual earthquakes (magnitude 1.5), had prevented these earthquakes from being detected with the regular earthquake detection system.
Two hours of seismic data from a station near Mauna Kea on April 14, 2020. The large spikes are earthquakes under 
Mauna Kea repeating every ~11 minutes. Bottom waveform zooms in on 15 seconds of an individual event. 
USGS image
     The small, repeating earthquakes occur at depths of about 20 to 25 km (12 to 15 mi) directly beneath Mauna Kea's summit and happen every 7 to 12 minutes with surprising regularity. Furthermore, the repeating events can be detected going back to at least 1999. This was when a particularly quiet seismic station was installed in the saddle between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. It is very likely that the repeating earthquakes were occurring even further back in time.
     Scientists were initially cautious to interpret the earthquakes as due to volcanic processes, because the regularity seemed man-made. It took a long period of investigation to rule out all of the possibilities, such as activity at the Pōhakuloa Training Area or road construction. Eventually, it became clear that these earthquakes were telling us something important about Mauna Kea.
     One clue to the origin of the repeating, deep Mauna Kea earthquakes is that their seismic waves (or waveforms) look different from those of ordinary earthquakes. Where regular earthquakes produce more high frequency shaking, the Mauna Kea events are more drawn out, containing lower frequencies. This implies that regular slip on a fault is not responsible for the deep Mauna Kea events.
     Low-frequency earthquakes aren't unusual at volcanoes, but there's no other example of this kind of repetition or longevity anywhere in the world. Ultimately, over 1 million earthquakes were found from 1999 to 2018. Summing the energy release of the earthquakes gives a total that is equivalent to a magnitude-3 earthquake under Mauna Kea every day.
Mauna Kea is home to many large telescopes and many sacred Hawaiian sites. Shutterstock photo
     Adding together the signals of thousands of these earthquakes allows the waveform to be examined in greater detail, and the results suggest the events are caused by the movement of fluids above a deep magma chamber. As the fluids ascend, they enter a crack that is sealed at the top. The continuous flow of fluid will pressurize the crack, eventually breaking the top seal and creating the earthquake. The crack then reseals, and everything starts over again.
     So where do these fluids come from? To get earthquakes every 7 to 12 minutes for decades requires a near-constant supply of fluids. The source is likely magmatic gases that behave like fluids when they are deep within the Earth's crust. These gases separate from the magma as it cools. Large magma bodies cool over hundreds to thousands of years, so this process provides a long-term, nearly continuous supply of fluids to repeatedly drive deep earthquakes beneath Mauna Kea.
     Under this interpretation, the fluids are produced from magma cooling in place. There is no evidence (from this study or other work) that magma is rising under Mauna Kea. So while this study provides important insight into processes beneath the volcano, it does not change estimates of volcanic hazard at Mauna Kea. We expect any opening of a new conduit will be accompanied by swarms of shallow earthquakes to provide advanced warning of impending eruptive activity.
     The earthquakes nonetheless underscore that Mauna Kea is classified as an active volcano. Although interpretations can change with new data, the deep low-frequency earthquakes likely serve as a reminder that there is still magma down there, just chillin'.
Mauna Kea in the background, lava flow from the July 6, 1975 Mauna Loa eruption. While Mauna Kea hasn't erupted
lava for about 4,500 years, small, repeating earthquakes occur under the mauna every seven to 12 minutes. USGS photo 
     Volcano Activity Updates
     Kīlauea Volcano is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level remains at NORMAL (https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vhp/about_alerts.html). Kīlauea updates are issued monthly.
     Kīlauea monitoring data for the past month show variable but typical rates of seismicity and ground deformation, low rates of sulfur dioxide emissions, and only minor geologic changes since the end of eruptive activity in September 2018. The water lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u continues to slowly expand and deepen. For the most current information on the lake, see https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/summit_water_resources.html
     Mauna Loa is not erupting and remains at Volcano Alert Level ADVISORY. This alert level does not mean that an eruption is imminent or that progression to eruption from current level of unrest is certain. Mauna Loa updates are issued weekly.
     This past week, about 63 small-magnitude earthquakes were recorded beneath the upper-elevations of Mauna Loa; most of these occurred at shallow depths of less than 8 kilometers (~5 miles). Global Positioning System measurements show long-term slowly increasing summit inflation, consistent with magma supply to the volcano's shallow storage system. Gas concentrations and fumarole temperatures as measured at both Sulphur Cone and the summit remain stable. Webcams show no changes to the landscape. For more information on current monitoring of Mauna Loa Volcano, see: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/monitoring_summary.html.
     No felt earthquakes were reported in the Hawaiian islands during the past week. 
     HVO continues to closely monitor both Kīlauea and Mauna Loa for any signs of increased activity.
     Visit HVO's website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

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Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year
     This time last year, virtual doctor visits became available in Kaʻū and throughout the state. The parent company of Longs Drugs, CVS Health, announced last July that people with "minor illnesses and injuries, skin conditions, and other wellness needs can now seek care" with MinuteClinic Video Visits. The service provides patients in Hawaiʻi with 24-hour access to care from a mobile device or computer. Other efforts since have offered telehealth services, such as the kiosk at Kaʻū Rural Health and one for veterans at Ocean View Community Center. Now, telehealth visits are widely available online from home.
An example of a telehealth visit. Photo from BIVN
     A CVS Health study found that 95 percent of telehealth pilot patients were "highly satisfied" with the quality of care, with the convenience, and with the overall telehealth experience. MinuteClinic Video Visits, launched in August 2018, shows more than half of appointments took place outside of traditional clinic hours, during the first year.
     For video visits, patients complete a health questionnaire and are matched to a board-certified health care provider licensed in Hawaiʻi. The provider reviews the completed questionnaire with the patient's medical history, assesses the patient's condition, and determines appropriate treatment. Prescriptions are submitted to the patient's preferred pharmacy. If a patient should be seen in person for follow-up care or testing, the provider recommends the patient to a local health care provider.
     Sharon Vitti, President of MinuteClinic, said the expansion of the service enabled CVS to "provide even more people with access to an innovative, on-demand health care option and demonstrates our commitment to delivering high-quality care when and where our patients need it, at prices they can afford."
     Sign up for a virtual visit at cvs.com/minuteclinic.

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
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.

Survey on "Shovel-Ready" Food and Ag Projects is due by Wednesday, July 22 at https://tinyurl.com/y9zm63mw. Information will be used to encourage investment in the sector and inform decision making around federal stimulus, state/county, private, philanthropic, and other funding sources. The survey should take 5-10 minutes to complete. Learn more here. See http://plantofarm.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Agriculture-Response-and-Recovery-Plan-April-2-2020.pdf. Questions or comments, contact Christine Brammer, Executive and Program Director of Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaiʻi at director@agleaderhi.org.

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 23Pele 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."

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.

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.

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