Ka‘ū News Briefs, Sunday, July 26, 2020

Punaluʻu fun in the small waves before Hurricane Douglas slipped by Kaʻū and  tracked close
to the north shores of Maui, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi. Photo by Julia Neal

HURRICANE DOUGLAS SPARED KAʻŪ and brought some wind and  waves to the north shores of Maui, Molokaʻi, O’ahu and Kaua’i. Wind shear pushed the hurricane north Sunday, leaving the islands exposed to the weakest, southern part of the storm. At sundown, there was still a chance of Douglas clipping the north shores of Oʻahu and Kauaʻi. Instead, he jogged north, making no landfalls.

Punaluʻu remains closed until tomorrow morning. Photo by Julia Neal

     As the storm left the islands behind, the weather became eerily still in many places around the state, with high humidity becoming the main complaint of those hunkering down for a hurricane. With the surf still up and the wind calmed down, many surfers took to riding smooth waves throughout the islands.

     In Kaʻū, Punaluʻu and Whittington  Beach Parks remained closed and reopen on Monday. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park reopened at noon. High surf and storm warnings were canceled for all but Oʻahu and Kauaʻi until overnight.

     At 5 p.m. Sunday, Central Pacific Hurricane Center continued to warn residents, particularly on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, that the hurricane remained a powerful threat. "In spite of increasing southerly vertical wind shear of more than 20 knots, a large burst of convection redeveloped around a ragged eye late this afternoon."

     Hurricane Hunters from the Air Force 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron spent much of the day sampling the system, with another mission Sunday evening. The data revealed that a slow increase in central pressure had little impact on reducing winds. Land-based radar showed winds at about 90 mph. Aircraft data indicated that Douglas took a jog to the north. Central Pacific Hurricane Center predicted that Douglas would take a turn and accelerate toward the west, the timing of the turn influencing the threat to Kauaʻi.

     "Douglas will pass dangerously close to Oʻahu and Kauaʻi tonight,  producing a triple threat of hazards, including but not limited to damaging winds, flooding rainfall, and dangerously high surf, especially along east facing shores... Even if the center remains offshore, severe impacts could extend well from the center and be realized over Oʻahu and Kauaʻi," reported Central Hurricane Center.

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CHANGING THE SCHOOL REOPENING DATE will be considered at a state Board of Education meeting this Thursday, July 30. Schools were set to reopen as early as Aug. 4, statewide, but the teachers union, as well as many principals and staff members, objected. They say they want more time on campus to prep for the coming school year, which begins during the COVID-19 pandemic and daily cases rising in Hawaiʻi.
     The virtual meeting will take place the day after educators report back to campuses across the state for training and preparation for the 2020-2021 school year.

     The school board meeting begins at 1 p.m. Thursday. The meeting agenda lists three "action items," giving teachers, parents, and students an idea of what the BOE is considering.
     One proposal is to give the Department of Education's 2020-2021 school calendar more days of training and professional development for teachers and staff at the beginning of the school year and "delaying Students' First Day to ensure health and safety preparedness for schools."
     Another would consider providing a general waiver to allow reduction of the 180 day school year and 1,080 student instructional hours "pursuant to Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes Section 302A-251, consistent with revisions to the Department of Education's 2020-2021 school calendar."

     The BOE will consider: Additional training and professional development days for teachers and staff for health, safety, and distance learning; the concept of starting student instruction for the 2020-2021 school year in distance learning mode; mandating masks on public school campuses; and holding off school until there is detailed, written, publicly posted guidance from the Department of Health for protocol. Some of the protocol measures would set rules for dealing with COVID-19 cases among students, staff, teachers, and families of students.
     Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association President Corey Rosenlee said, "We're grateful that the Board of Education members heard educators' testimony loud and clear. They are now looking at enacting important safeguards that we have been asking for over the last few weeks." HSTA is joined by the United Public Workers and Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association in supporting delay of school openings.

     The public is invited to attend a Community Meeting on Reopening Schools, this Thursday, July 30. at Pāhala Community Center. Registration is at 4:30 p.m. Seating will be limited and based on first come, first served. Written concerns will be taken during the registration. The 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 & Sciences. Organizer Jessie Marques said wearing of masks and social distancing will be required.

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SIXTY-FOUR NEW COVID-19 CASES were reported for the state on Sunday, but no new cases for Hawaiʻi Island. Kauaʻi reported two new cases, Maui County reported seven new cases, and Oʻahu reportEd 55 new cases, with one case removed due to new information.

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

      Sunday marked the second-highest case count since the pandemic began. During the previous three days of record statewide cases of 55 on Thursday, 60 on Friday, and 73 on Saturday, public officials talked about possibly limiting interisland travel again if the Oʻahu cases don't go down.

     There are as many as nine active cases on-island, with one hospitalization. The patients are being monitored by Department of Health. The state's new case total is 1,683 since the pandemic began.

     One case was  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 Had between 11 and 19 active cases in the last 28 days. This island's other confirmed COVID-19 victims recovered. Since the pandemic began, no one died here.

     Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 1,345 cases, Kauaʻi 45, and Maui County 153. Twenty-three victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Twenty-six people in the state died from COVID-19.

     In the United States, more than 4,233,927 cases have been confirmed. The death toll is over 146,934.

     The worldwide COVID-19 case count is more than 16.2 million. The death toll is more than 647,928.

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SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN OBJECTS TO HŪ HONUA'S PLEA to open its recently built biofuel plant on the Hamakua Coast. Ruderman wrote to the Public Utilities Commission on July 23, saying Hawaiʻi Island already "pays the highest rates for electricity in the state and that this project would have further increased our rates. And then there is the massive question of climate change. It is irresponsible to begin a new 30-year period of tree burning, under any price schedule, especially when we have abundant power supply available, including cheaper safe renewables such as solar with battery storage." 

Read Sen. Russell Ruderman's opinion
on the Hū Honua Bioenergy plant.

     Hū Honua has asked the PUC to reconsider approving its contract with Hawaiian Electric Co. It would burn eucalyptus grown on tree farms around Pāhala and beyond to make electricity to sell to Hawaiian Electric Co. The PUC recently rejected the contract and said Hū Honua must compete with proposals from other energy sources.
     Ruderman also took issue with Sen. Glenn Wakai, who chairs the state Senate Energy Committee. Wakai sent a letter to the PUC supporting the biofuel plant, writing on July 20 that trees burned in the biofuel factory would be replaced with new plantings "to create a carbon-negative operation. In addition, the plant will deliver green energy baseload power at a lower rate than costlier intermittent solar."

     Ruderman contested the statement, saying Hū Honua's power "will cost two to three times that of other new power plants," increasing our rates. "Solar combined with battery storage is the fastest growing, greenest, and cheapest new utility-scale firm power for us here in Hawaiʻi. Two new such plants are underway on our island at much cheaper prices. Thus the phrase 'costlier intermittent solar' is a double falsehood. Nothing about the tree burning is 'green,' including toxic waste disposal near the ocean. And this operation could never be carbon negative as claimed, nor will it be carbon neutral. Despite a poll quoted, and a PR campaign underway, I assure you that, when given accurate information, most Big Islanders do not want further rate increases nor needless environmental destruction.

     "I am mystified as to why an Oʻahu senator would involve himself in the disinformation campaign of this tree-burning facility on the Big Island. Unfortunately, Senator Wakai has, on several occasions, shown that he does not have at heart the interests of Big Island residents. I have watched him repeatedly propose toxic developments for our island without first talking to us or considering our desires. His words on our behalf once again ring hollow."

     Read more details on the issue in the July 9 Kaʻū News Briefs and in the July 21 Kaʻū News Briefs, where Hū Honua asks for community support to preserve jobs and open its biofuel operation. Also read Life of the Land's response to Hū Honua asking the PUC to reconsider rejection of their contract. See lifeoftheland.org.

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WARNING OF A SOCIAL SECURITY SCAM comes from Kaʻū Computers owner Jerry Pritchard. Last week, he told The Kaʻū Calendar, "I just received a fake scam call today claiming they were from the Social Security office and my 'account would be suspended.'" He says it is similar to a scam reported on by the Federal Trade Commission in 2018.

     In the scam, a caller pretends to be from the Social Security Administration to get the Social Security number or money from the victim. Some scammers say "your SSN has been suspended" because of suspicious activity or because it's been involved in a crime. Sometimes, the scammer asks the victim to confirm the SSN to "reactivate" it. Some scammers say the victim's bank account is about to be seized and how to keep it safe. This often involves putting money on gift cards and giving the scammer the codes.

     Caller ID often shows the real Social Security Administration phone number (1-800-772-1213) when these scammers call.

     FTC wants the public to know SSNs "are not about to be suspended. You don't have to verify your number to anyone who calls out of the blue. Your bank accounts are not about to be seized. SSA will never call to threaten your benefits or tell you to wire money, send cash, or put money on gift cards. Anyone who tells you to do those things is a scammer. Every time. If you're worried about what the caller says, hang up and call 1-800-772-1213 to speak to the real SSA. Even if the wait time is long, confirm with the real SSA before responding to one of these calls. Never give any part of your Social Security number to anyone who contacts you. Or your bank account or credit card number."

     Report any similar calls to FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

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.

Experience Volcano Festival kicked off last year with art, food, and entertainment events. A community mosaic 

was constructed by attendees at Volcano Art Center. Photo from Experience Volcano

Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year

     This time last year, Experience Volcano Festival kicked off its inaugural event to showcase the village that was devastated economically in 2018, during everyday earthquakes and threats of explosive lava. This year's event is postponed due to gathering restrictions in place during the pandemic, but the Experience Volcano Hawaiʻi website, experiencevolcano.com/discounts, includes a new page, highlighting available discounts from several businesses in the Volcano Area.

     Next to a calm Kīlauea volcano and no pandemic in 2019, the festival had a full schedule:

     All-day events included Volcano Garden Arts presents Art of Bonsai with Bill Newton; Margret Lynch, Raku Demo; Wheel Throwing with Michael Boucher; Paper Batik Make & Take; and Self-Guided Rainforest Walk. Kīlauea Lodge opened the Lili Farm House Petting Zoo. Volcano Winery hosted Tuk Tuk Thai Food Truck. Akatsuka Orchid Farm offered a special discount on plant and garden purchases.
     In the morning, Cooper Center Farmer's Market operated as usual. Other early bird activities included the ceremonial opening Oli at Kīlauea Lodge; a Hawaiian Quilting Demo with Roberta Miller at Lava Rock Café; Estate White Tea Harvest Workshop at Volcano Winery; and Rain Forest Walk & Tour at Volcano Art Center.
     Mid-morning activities included Poi Pounding at Lava Rock Café; Lauren Elle Brodio Acoustic Performance at Volcano Art Center; Kids Activity Corner at Akatsuka Orchid Farm; Volcano Winery Tour; Veronica Rose Acoustic Performance at Lava Rock Café; The Brown Boys at Kīlauea Lodge; Hawaiian Block Printing at Volcano Art Center; and Orchid Tour at Akatsuka Orchid Farm.

     For the afternoon crowd, activities included Tahitian Hula at Lava Rock Café; Community Mosaic at Volcano Art Center; Volcano Winery Tour; Watch Sunday High Fire! with Eric Wold at Volcano Art Center; Ceramic Mask Making with Ira Ono at Volcano Garden Arts; Makana Kamahele's Hawaiian music at Volcano Winery; Orchid Flask Painting Demo at Akatsuka Orchid Farm; Keiki & ʻOhana Time Activities at Akatsuka Orchid Farm, William Kauhane's Hawaiian music at Lava Rock Café, Rain Forest Walk & Tour at Volcano Art Center; Afternoon Tea at Kīlauea Lodge, advanced booking required; Hula Performance from Ke ʻOlu Makani O Mauna Loa at Kīlauea Lodge; Winery Tour at Volcano Winery; and ʻUkulele lessons at Volcano Art Center.
     The evening ended with Grand Slam Band at KMC's Lava Lounge.
     The event is supported by local businesses and organizations. See Experience Volcano online.

Hula at the first day of the first Experience Volcano Festival. Photo from Experience Volcano's Instagram

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

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 Center. Applications 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.

     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.

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.

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

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