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Thursday, July 23, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, July 23, 2020

Hurricane Douglas today with a well-defined eye and 130 mph winds is headed this way for the weekend.
Photo from NOAA GOES Satellite
HURRICANE DOUGLAS STRENGTHENED TO A CATEGORY FOUR this afternoon, with 130  mile per hour winds and 160 mph gusts. Douglas is a big boy, with an eye 17 miles wide, racing 18 mph through warm waters toward Hawaiʻi. The Major Hurricane could strengthen again, but National Hurricane Center predicts that Douglas will run into cool water and some shear, weakening before he sails into Hawaiʻi.
     Douglas is expected to pass over Hawaiʻi Island or slide up the east side as a Category One or strong Tropical Storm, his affects reaching here late Saturday or early Sunday.
     As of 5 p.m., Hurricane Douglas was traveling west-northwest. National Hurricane Center's map shows Kaʻū in the southern part of the cone of prediction, with the path skirting the Hamakua Coast and heading north where Maui, Lanaʻi, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi are in the cone.
     High surf, rain, and wind watches could be issued on Friday for a portion of the island, with swells rolling in on Saturday. "These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," says the National Hurricane Center statement. 

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HAWAIʻI COUNTY'S CIVIL DEFENSE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER activated today in preparation for the approach of Hurricane Douglas. Mayor Harry Kim said all coastal parks and recreation areas will be closed for the weekend. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park will clear all backcountry areas by 2 p.m. this Saturday, July 25. See nps.gov/havo.
     In an interview with KHON2 news, the mayor urged the public to secure water, medications, food, and other supplies, but cautioned against hoarding. A 14-day supply is standard, but a seven-day supply of food and water should be sufficient, he said. "I can safely say that I think we have a response system, that seven days is a really good number."
     The mayor told Hawaiʻi News Now that he worries about capacity of emergency shelters since physical distancing is necessary during the pandemic. He said that using hotel rooms might be a possibility. He said hallways can also be good shelters. "We just have to make do with the best can."
     He issued a statement asking residents to "make sure your family's emergency plans are in place" and take necessary precautions as soon as possible "in case they need to evacuate." He referred the public to hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense/emergency-preparedness. Kim said he met with federal, state, county, and private entities at the Emergency Operations Center today, the session "aimed at getting staff familiar with the background regarding the storm." The Civil Defense Emergency Operations Center will be on 24-hour duty starting Friday.
     Watch an interview with the mayor at khon2.com/local-news/mayor-kim-urges-big-island-residents-to-be-storm-ready/.

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PREPARING FOR HURRICANE DOUGLAS should happen right away, according to Civil Defense, which recommends the following: For shelter-in-place, one gallon of potable (drinkable) water per person per day, for drinking, cooking, and hygiene; five to seven day supply of non-perishable food; emergency equipment such as flashlights, emergency generator, battery-operated (or hand-crank or
See the Hurricane Preparedness Guide
from County Civil Defense
solar) radio, light sticks, and lanterns, plus extra batteries; supplies of medications; personal hygiene, sanitary, and baby supplies; first aid kit; hibachi or camping stove, plus fuel; manual can opener; matches or lighters; disposable plates and utensils for eating; extra pet food, if necessary; water stored (bathtubs, rubbish bins, washing machines, etc.) for toilet use.
     Tips for preparing the home include unplugging unnecessary electric appliances; shutting off gas valves; turn refrigerators and freezers to the coldest setting so, in the event of a power outage, food will keep fresh longer; tape glass windows with an "X" to reduce shattering in case of broken windows; wedge a dowel or a piece of broom handle into the track of sliding glass doors to secure them; package valuables and important papers safely, for transport in case of evacuation. Actions to prepare the outside of the home include tying down or storing loose objects; removing and storing lanai furniture and décor, including plants; and covering all windows and door openings with boards, shutters, or other shielding materials.
     To prepare for evacuation, the public is also advised to pack bedding/blankets, clothing, and special dietary foods. Download the Hurricane Preparedness Guide. For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.
    
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MORE TIPS ON PREPARING FOR HURRICANE DOUGLAS -- and potential for power outages, high winds, and heavy rain -- come from Hawaiian Electric. In a statement today, the utility urges its customers to have emergency plans in place. Hawaiian Electric is "proactively preparing to respond" and "is closely monitoring Hurricane Douglas' movement to move crews and equipment to areas most likely to be affected."
See Hawaiian Electric's Emergency Preparedness
guidebook.
     Hawaiian Electric urges customers to review family and business emergency plans, ensure they have supplies they need on hand, and keep close watch on the development of the storm system.
     "Especially since the onset of COVID-19, residents are urged to shelter in place. Space in emergency shelters will be limited by social distancing requirements and availability of emergency supplies," says the utility. In addition to other supplies, "pack COVID-19 safety supplies like face cloth coverings, disinfecting supplies, and hand sanitizers in case of evacuation," suggests the utility.
     Hawaiian Electric also recommends, for those with a rooftop photovoltaic system, consulting a licensed solar contractor regarding normal and emergency operation procedures. "As a safety precaution, most photovoltaic systems are designed to safely shut down during outages. PV systems typically have monitoring systems that allow owners to check on the status of their system," says the utility.
     Home health care patients are urged to discuss emergency plans with their physicians or agency representative beforehand and make appropriate arrangements. "If necessary, make prior arrangements with a hospital or emergency facility to stay there if you must evacuate," says Hawaiian Electric. "Storm shelters generally only provide first aid, not nursing care or medical assistance. If you must go to a hospital or emergency facility, be sure to take your medicines, medical equipment, and COVID-19 supplies. If the situation is life-threatening, call 911."
     More electrical safety and preparation tips are available in the company's Handbook for Emergency Preparedness, available in five languages, at hawaiianelectric.com/prepare.

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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 (not
pictured) is six to ten cases. Dark orange is 11 to 20 
cases. Red (not pictured) is 21 to 50 cases.
Hawaiʻi Department of Health map
FIFTY-FIVE NEW COVID-19 CASES AND ONE NEW DEATH are reported in the state of  Hawaiʻi today, the highest single-day case count since the pandemic began. The Department of Health announced three new cases on Hawaiʻi Island, two in Maui County, and 50 on Oʻahu. The 26th fatality from the virus in Hawaiʻi is an elderly Oʻahu woman who died late Wednesday.
     Lt. Gov. and physician Josh Green said one of the reasons for the high rate could be more testing but without an increase in safe practices, "this could really get away from us very quickly.”
     Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson extended condolences to the family and friends of the 26th person to succumb to coronavirus, and said, "These cases represent people from all walks of life and varied professions, indicating the apparent challenges of maintaining safe practices is widespread across the state."
     There are nine active cases on Hawaiʻi island, with one hospitalization. The patients are being monitored by Department of Health. The state's new case total is 1,490 since the pandemic began.
     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 on the west side has between 11 and 19 active cases in the last 28 days. This island's other 108 confirmed COVID-19 victims recovered. Since the pandemic began, no one died here. Of the five hospitalized, four have been released.
     Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 1,167 cases, Kauaʻi 43, and Maui County 141. Twenty-two victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Twenty-six people in the state died from COVID-19.
     In his daily message, Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno said, "Please check on your kūpuna to make sure that they are prepared for this weekend. Remember to follow the preventive measures of face coverings, distancing, gatherings, and cleanliness throughout the day. You should also stay at home if you do not feel well to help keep your neighbors, friends, and family safe. As a reminder, the wearing of face masks is mandatory on the Island of Hawaiʻi. Thank you for listening and thank you for doing your part to keep Hawaiʻi safe. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency."
     Cases since the pandemic began neared five million in the U.S. More than 4,955,860 cases have been confirmed -- an increase of over 79,000 in about 24 hours. The death toll is over 144,223.
     The worldwide COVID-19 case count is more than 15.43 million. The death toll is more than 631,874.

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Lava, left, covers part of Puna Geothermal Venture. Give input on whether or not PGV should be allowed a permit
for more injection wells. Photo from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense
PUBLIC COMMENT ON PUNA GEOTHERMAL VENTURE PERMIT for new and existing injection wells ends tomorrow, Friday, July 24. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency asks the public to give input on its proposal to issue a Class V Underground Injection Control renewal permit for PGV. It would authorize, for ten years, continued operation of five existing injection wells and conversion of up to 11 proposed geothermal production wells to injection wells.
     PGV owns and operates a geothermal electrical power generating facility at 14-3860 Kapoho-Pāhoa Road in Pāhoa. The facility was partially covered by lava during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.
     PGV's existing wells are currently permitted to inject non-hazardous fluids under an existing EPA UIC permit. The proposed wells' conversion would be permitted contingent upon PGV "meeting certain conditions of the Permit," says the EPA website. Current production wells at the PGV Facility are authorized and regulated by a permit issued by Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources.
     The EPA reports, "After completing a thorough technical review of all submitted information, EPA has made a preliminary determination that the activities under the Permit are protective of underground sources of drinking water, as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act. EPA is therefore proposing to issue a Class V Geothermal UIC permit to PGV pending this public notice and comment period." Send comments to Michele Dermer, dermer.michele@epa.gov. See the EPA for more

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A comparison of cellular service during the last five decades. Image from Informa
STOPPING 5G DEVELOPMENT ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND, until its safety is proven, passed the County Council on Wednesday -- as a resolution. The vote was 8-1 with councilman Tim Richards voting no. He said that 4G, already here, is not necessarily safe and suggested the issue be solved through developing more fiber optics to reduce cellular network transmission through the air.
     Almost all testimony at Wednesday's public hearing contended that 5G is dangerous to health and the human nervous system.
     County Corporation Counsel Joe Kamelamela told the council that the resolution would not allow the county to reject telecommunications installations that meet FCC requirements. He suggested urging Congress to investigate 5G safety.
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.

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

EVENTS
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.

Family Farms Can Apply for $500 One-Time Emergency Relief Payment from Farm Aid. Funds are being 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 Hawai'i 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 household expenses not directly related to the commercial operation of the farm or ranch. Funds may not be used for any farm operations, business expenses, or investment. IRS guidelines regarding direct assistance to farm families prevents 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.

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.

Attend Webinar on the Cost of the Jones Act Study Wednesday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Hosted by Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi, John Dunham, the nationally recognized economic researcher and consultant who was commissioned by the institute to conduct the study, will be available to answer any questions about the report's methodology. The event will feature Rep. Ed Case and U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, Republican from Utah, both of whom have sponsored bills in Congress to update the protectionist federal maritime law, and will be moderated by be Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi Pres. Keliʻi Akina, Ph.D., and executive vice president, Joe Kent, who will field questions from the audience.
     For more information or to register, go to us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zFpcoBdVSyqycUV4gaROqQ, call 808-591-9193 or email info@grassrootinstitute.org. To arrange an interview with Keliʻi Akina, institute president, contact Josh Mason at 918-261-8444 or jmason@grassrootinstitute.org.

Attend a Community Meeting on Reopening Schools, Thursday, July 30 at Pāhala Community Center. Registration at 4:30 p.m., community meeting and talk story run from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Hosted by Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association, invited are Mayor Harry Kim and representatives of the teachers union, school administration, and families of students enrolled in Nāʻālehu Elementary, Pāhala High, Intermediate & Elementary, and Volcano School of the Arts and Sciences. Organizer Jessie Marques said that wearing of masks and social distancing will be required. Seating will be limited and based on first come, first served. Written concerns will be taken during the registration for the event.

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.

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. 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.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market in Nāʻālehu is open three days per week -- Monday, Wednesday, and 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.
     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.

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