Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, August 15, 2020

Berkeley Yoshida, President of Kaʻū Hawaiian Civic Club, with his home grown floral display to welcome
everyone to last year's 50th anniversary celebration. See more below in The Way We Were Last Year. 

Photo by Julia Neal

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE  MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DELIVER ALL BALLOTS FROM HAWAIʻI VOTERS IN TIME for the Nov. 3 General Election. The State of Hawaiʻi and many other states  received the notice from the federal government warning of possible delivery delays.
     Hawaiʻi state legislators are encouraging County Clerks to mail out ballots early in case the warning that postal delivery becomes delayed, becomes a reality. According to a Hawaiʻi News Now story, local legislators are asking the Hawaiʻi Attorney General to work with Attorneys General in other states on possible legal action against the federal government to guarantee the mail will not be delayed through efforts to obstruct elections by mail.
     Hawaiʻi recorded a significant increase in voting during the recent Primary Election.

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HAWAIʻI ISLAND TOURISM STRATEGIC PLAN, recently released by Hawaiʻi County Department of Research & Development, recognizes the slowdown during the pandemic as an "opportunity to broaden the County's reach towards a more responsibly-minded visitor." It also puts forth the idea that "successful tourism starts with a high quality of life for residents, defined by Ola ka ‘Āina, Ola ke Kānaka," which means "Healthy Land, Healthy People."
     According to the summary, the County's work on the plan for 2020 to 2025, began in 2019 "before the COVID-19 situation escalated and dramatically changed the economy, especially the visitor industry." The Plan evolved with input from a diverse group of people in the community and  aims to achieve these goals:
     Responsible Tourism -- "Support a sustainable visitor industry on Hawai‘i Island that promotes the preservation of our natural and cultural resources and a high quality of life for residents that results in authentic experiences for visitors and economic growth for the county."

     Pono-Based Visitor Communication -- "Reinforces authentic Hawaiian culture that ensures the foundation of our unique sense of place and establishes the necessary communication to visitors for the care of our ‘āina and culture."
     Place Based Education for Residents -- "Support and encourage both community driven and institutional initiatives that are grounded in place based efforts to train and educate a local workforce that lifts up opportunities that are unique and authentic to Hawai‘i Island."
     Infrastructure -- "Provide social benefits to both residents and visitors by supporting initiatives and existing efforts that improve transportation, community assets, and housing for residents, which will also benefit visitors. "
     Data and research for the plan focused on metrics concerning health of this island in the following ways and subsequent takeaways:
     Health of Our Land -- "Indicators of negative impacts on our natural resources prior to the COVID-19 situation, such as alarming low scores for habitat biodiversity and coastal protection, which assess the condition of coral reefs, wetlands, beaches, and ponds, are buoyed by the observations of cultural practitioners of the quick recovery of our ‘āina due to the sudden decrease in human activity."
     Health of Our People -- "Negative indicators highlighted by the decrease in County residents agreeing that tourism has brought more benefits than problems from 2010 to 2019 by 24 percent. Also, the high percentage of households (48 percent) that were either living below the federal poverty level or classified as Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE), which means they earn less than the basic cost of living for the County."
     Health of Our Visitor Industry -- "Mixed indicators prior to the COVID-19 situation that indicate in 2019 that visitor expenditures have declined while arrivals grew. Meanwhile, 79 percent of visitors from all major market areas rating they were 'extremely satisfied' regarding their overall satisfaction to their most recent trip to the state of Hawaiʻi."

   
     The Tourism Plan notes that the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism forecasts a reduction in visitors to about 3.4 million arrivals statewide for 2020, followed by 6.2 million in 2021, 8.3 million in 2022, and 9.4 million in 2023.
     The Tourism Plan incorporates perspectives of visitor industry, community, and government stakeholders. Themes arose from the talk stories, focus groups, and survey results:
     Importance of Place & Culture -- "Need to rebuild authentic relationships that people have with the places and culture of Hawaiʻi Island, particularly native Hawaiian culture."
     Protecting the ʻĀina -- "Important to address environmental degradation by both residents and visitors and provide opportunities for both groups to collaborate."
     Lifting Up People -- "Ensure decisions are community driven, particularly by native Hawaiian stakeholders.
     Supporting a More Responsible Visitor Industry Connected to the Environment and Culture -- "Promoting activities like agrotourism and voluntourism, limiting the number of visitors based on environmental concerns, and focusing on the type of visitor who would respect and care for the land and culture."
     Increasing Visitor Awareness and Changing Mindsets -- "Emphasize the importance of caring for ‘āina, the uniqueness of Hawai‘i Island, being mindful of residents, and native Hawaiian culture."    
     Providing Educational Opportunities for Residents -- "Building capacity of residents in a variety of ways that centers place and culture would strengthen the visitor industry in a variety of ways.
     Improved Infrastructure -- "Supporting communal resources for residents will benefit visitors alike."
     See the entire Hawaiʻi Island Tourism Plan here. The county Department of Research & Development's Tourism Program states its mission is to provide Hawaiʻi Island Tourism Plan "leadership and financial support to strengthen a community-based visitor industry that ensures authenticity, reciprocity, sustainability and responsibility, invests in the people and places that host visitors, and appropriately grounds visitor activities in Hawaiʻi Island's sense of place and culture of its first nation." Its efforts are directed by the Hawaiʻi Island Tourism Plan 2020-1025.

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LOCAL BUSINESSES, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN TOURISM, ARE IN DIRE STRAITS, according to a University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization and Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi survey. The study, released Friday, is a followup of an April survey. It shows statewide, the number of businesses reporting inability to survive the pandemic rose from six to 17 percent, caused largely by the delay in reopening tourism. Those predicting permanent shutdown rose by 183 percent. The most impacted businesses are on the Neighbor Islands. According to the study, "Consistent with previous work, the strong reliance of Neighbor Islands on tourism means that they remain more economically depressed than businesses on Oʻahu."

UHERO Executive Director
Carl Bonham. Photo from UH

     In the survey of 464 Hawaiʻi businesses, nearly 20 percent reported no revenue. Another 20 percent reported earnings less than half of their baseline monthly revenue in July. These numbers are slightly improved since the previous survey, when over 30 percent of businesses reported no revenue, but points to only a modest stabilizing effect on the local economy and is consistent with other UHERO data on small business revenue, says a joint statement from UHERO and the Chamber.

     Sherry Menor-McNamara, President & CEO, Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi said, "This latest UHERO analysis further validates that local businesses are still in dire straits, despite the federal assistance many of them received, which ended Aug. 8. The huge increase in the percentage of businesses reporting they will not survive this pandemic is alarming, but not surprising. Many of our businesses have not reached the stabilization phase, much less, the recovery phase, and will remain in this precarious state until travel reopens. We have been calling for significant state and county support for businesses, and it's become even more evident that this support is critical."
     UHERO Executive Director Carl Bonham said, "The topline findings are troubling; there is no sign yet of significant recovery; and depending on when the pandemic is brought under control and when the tourist economy can safely re-open, the survey suggests that businesses will need significant support if they are to weather this crisis." Click here to view the full report.
     Other highlights of the survey include: Businesses reduced staff by 28 percent in full-time jobs and 35 percent in part-time jobs between January and April. Since then, a slight recovery increased full-time jobs by two percent and part-time jobs by six percent. Seventy-five percent of businesses made more staff cuts and other reductions, and roughly a third anticipate deeper cuts in the months to come.

Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi partnered with University of Hawaiʻi
 to study impacts of the pandemic on local economy. Their survey
 found that Neighbor Island businesses are depressed the most with
dependence on tourism. Statewide, 17 percent predicted they
will not survive. Photo from Chamber of Commerce

     Results from the April survey, show the lowest paying full-time jobs (those paying less than $30,000 annually) were more protected than those of middle-income workers earning between $30,000 and $100,000 per year. However, since then, nearly all of the job losses have been among the lowest salary jobs, which dropped an additional 16 percent between April and July.
     Both surveys show the most impacted industries are the most dependent on revenue from tourists: Accommodations (96 percent tourism revenue); Arts and Entertainment (83 percent tourism revenue); Food Services (47 percent tourism revenue); and Retail Trade (54 percent tourism revenue).
     According to the joint statement, "With their strong reliance on tourism, businesses on the Neighbor Islands remain more economically depressed than businesses on Oʻahu, with Maui County the most adversely affected.

     Over 70 percent of the businesses responding had received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, with little variation between counties. Kauaʻi has the fewest at 65 percent; Hawaiʻi has the most at 77 percent. PPP and other loans helped businesses retain or rehire 60,000 part-time and 165,000 full-time employees. Ten to 15 percent of businesses reported that their enterprise was not impacted in any way by COVID-19.
     Forty-six percent of businesses reported that if tourism had opened on Aug. 1, no additional cuts in employment would have been needed. Read the full report.

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STATE SENATOR DRU KANUHA sent a message on Saturday about the balance between staying healthy and staying in business during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Dru Kanuha, at an earlier time when people could be
together, mask-free and close. Photo from Dru Kanuha

     "Earlier this week, I received a note regarding statements made in my weekly message about 'remaining home unless to retrieve essentials.'  Now, as Oʻahu continues to see spikes in confirmed cases, I am thankful and extremely grateful to each and every one of you who has done their part to contain the spread of COVID-19 in West Hawaiʻi.
     "Although the chance of community spread is still relevant, being able to witness local businesses, long-time staples of our community, nearing the brink of closure, pulls a different set of heartstrings – what is the value and quality of life if we do not maintain our sense of community.
     "Therefore, a big mahalo to all the local businesses, owners and staff, who are waking up to set up shop – taking the risk and exposure to provide us with a sense of normalcy, community, and aloha during this difficult time. As always, please continue to maintain general physical precautions and patronize responsibly – wear your mask when in public, practice social distancing from others, and sanitize hands regularly. Be safe, connected, and prepared."

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HAWAIʻI ISLAND REPORTS THREE NEW CASES TODAY. Statewide, 284 new cases are reported today. Department of Health reports Kauaʻi has one new case, Maui seven, and Oʻahu 273.

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

     There are 16 active cases on Hawaiʻi Island. A total of 145 cases since the pandemic began reflects a loss of two due to new information. No one is hospitalized from the virus. It has been more than 28 days since a case was recorded for a Kaʻū or Volcano zip code. Since the pandemic began, no one died on this island. The Kona 96740 and Hilo 96720 zip codes recorded between six and ten cases during the last 28 days.

     The state's new case total is 4,825 since the pandemic began. Oʻahu reported 4,390 cases, losing one to new info; Maui County 213, losing one to new info; and Kauaʻi 54. Twenty-three victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Forty people in the state died from COVID-19.

     In his daily message, Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno said, "Hawaiʻi Island numbers although still low have shown an increase throughout the island and we need your help to protect our community from the virus spread. People disregarding the policies of gatherings, distancing and face coverings has been identified as a major cause for the increase of cases in the State of Hawaiʻi. We need your help by following the policies of prevention. We all need to get better. Thank you for doing your part to keep our neighbors, friends, family and community safe.

     "You are reminded that when traveling interisland the State of Hawaiʻi is under a 14-day quarantine for inter-island travel. Information on the revised inter-island quarantine exemptions are available at the Civil Defense website or by calling Civil Defense at 935-0031. As a reminder, do know the wearing of face masks is mandatory on the Island of Hawaiʻi. Thank you for listening and have a safe day. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency."

     COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 5,356,244 – over 25 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 169,423 – over 22 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 21.35 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 768,864.

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AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE about 550 miles south of Hilo has a 50 percent chance of developing beyond showers and thunderstorm activity, into a tropical depression. However, the system is moving steadily west at around 10 miles per hour and is not forecast to affect Hawaiʻi.

Hundreds of miles away from Hawaiʻi, a low pressure system looks to pass the islands with out effect.
Ten-E is stationary more than 1,500 miles from the islands. NOAA image

     Tropical Depression Ten-E is stationary about 1,500 miles southeast of Hawaiʻi. It is forecast to meander for the next several days, with little overall change in position. It has maximum sustained winds near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts.

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WATER WAS IN KĪLAUEA CALDERA BEFORE THE 2018 SUMMIT COLLAPSE reports this week's Volcano Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:

     On July 4, 2018, an observer at the Volcano House Hotel was watching the evolving collapse of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) away. Suddenly he did a double take, blinked a couple of times, but couldn't erase the dark line descending the wall of Kīlauea caldera above Halemaʻumaʻu. Not knowing what it was, he dubbed it the "black streak."

     Two ideas for this curious feature came to mind. One was that the streak was a fresh rockfall scar cutting across the dusty gray slope. The other was that the streak was made by water that washed away the dust.

Black streak on caldera wall (center) is about 50 m (yards) long, and white steam plume (lower right) rises from 

northwestern part of Halemaʻumaʻu. Photo from Volcano House Hotel on July 4, 2018. The configuration of this 

area changed considerably after the photo was taken, as collapse continued into early August. USGS photo

     Over the next few days, the black streak came and went. Finally, observations showed that the streak stayed black during a time when a lot of dust was billowing from Halemaʻumaʻu. This was proof positive that it was made by water, not a rockfall.

     The water flowed from a point 10–20 meters (yards) below the rim of the caldera, high above the groundwater body that today feeds the deepening lake described in the past two Volcano Watches. This point is within the national park's presently closed SW Rift wayside (marking the upper extent of Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone), beneath which are many vertical dikes of solidified magma. How can water be so high in this area?

     We put two and two together. During exceptionally heavy downpours, a river flows for an hour or so across the ground surface between the south end of Uēkahuna Bluff and SW Rift, a distance of 600–800 m (yds). The flowing river, which we nicknamed Kīlauea river, is several meters (yds) wide and a few centimeters (inches) deep. Most notably, the flowing river always ends before reaching SW Rift, sinking into alluvial sand. Where does the water go? Could that be the water that forms the black streak?

     Yes, we think so. Beyond where it disappears, the river water probably flows underground but is dammed by dikes beneath the SW Rift area, forming a shallow perched aquifer. Faulting of the caldera wall during the 2018 summit collapse opened a pathway for this stored water to exit the aquifer and pour into the caldera.

In just under one year, the hot summit lake went from very small to larger than a football field. USGS photos

     The black streak, more prosaically called a water cascade, has reappeared sporadically in the past two years. In fact, a couple of such ephemeral cascades may streak the same area. Any photographs of a black streak taken by a reader since 2018 would be much appreciated. Recent photos show a cavity at the head of one cascade, either a lava tube or drained magma conduit. Volcanic ash has been washed from the cavity and forms a deposit next to the cascade.

     The perched water body responsible for the water cascade is one of two such bodies existing before 2018. The other formed a tiny warm pond on the caldera floor 500 m (yds) north of Halemaʻumaʻu before it enlarged in 2018. Lush vegetation surrounded the pond, and microorganisms lived in the water.

     The tiny pond drained as Halemaʻumaʻu widened in 2018, though its site, marked by vegetation, remains. As the crater expanded in June and July, a white steam plume generally rose above the northwestern part of the crater, contrasting with the dusty brown clouds that engulfed most of the crater. The plume might have been generated by boiling of water in the same shallow aquifer that supported the pond.

     Could other shallow water bodies exist unseen beneath the caldera floor? More rain falls on the northern part of the caldera than on the southern. Several caves below the northern caldera floor emit steam and are very hot, as cavers attest. Most likely the heat comes from solidified lava flows and lakes active in this area in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and it heats rainfall to steam. The steam persists even in dry weather. Does this suggest the presence of a deeper water body? Probably not, but we can't be sure.

This 2013 photo from space shows effects from the large amount of rainfall
the area around Halemaʻumaʻu receives.

     Any perched water body would doubtless pale in importance when compared with the more extensive groundwater reservoir that supports the present lake. Such bodies would be both smaller and higher (farther from magma) than the main reservoir. Nonetheless, we would be remiss not to consider that even shallow water could contribute to explosive hazards at the summit of Kīlauea.

     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 164 small-magnitude earthquakes were recorded beneath the upper-elevations of Mauna Loa; most of these occurred at shallow depths of less than 8 kilometers (about 5 miles). Global Positioning System (GPS) 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.

     There were 2 events with 3 or more felt reports in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M1.9 earthquake 5 km (3 mi) WSW of Kailua-Kona at 11 km (7 mi) depth on Aug. 10 at 10:28 a.m. and a M2.8 earthquake 3 km (2 mi) ENE of Leilani Estates at 6 km (4 mi) depth on Aug. 6 at 11:06 a.m.

     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,for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

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.

Keiki hula performers from Lori Lei's Hula Studio at last year's 50th anniversary celebration for Kaʻū Hawaiian 

Civic Club. Photo by Julia Neal

Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year

Kenneth Makuakane introduced a song about Hawaiian 

activism in the past and present at last year's Kaʻū 

Hawaiian Civic Club 50th anniversary. Photo by Julia Neal

     This time last year, Kaʻū Hawaiian Civic Club celebrated its 50th anniversary. Held in Pāhala, the event drew members from other civic clubs and many of the founders of the Kaʻū organization. Its president, Berkeley Yoshida, introduced one of the founders, and former Hawaiʻi Island mayor and state senator, Dante Carpenter, who described Kaʻū people as strong and independent. He worked for the old sugar plantation and told many stories of his life here.
     The chef for the evening was ʻĀina Akamu, who instructs future chefs at Kaʻū High School.

     Attendees were treated to a song sung for the first time in public from Hawaiian songwriter, producer, and performer, Kenneth Makuakane. The words reflect on the history of Hawaiian activists as they gave their lives to stop military weapons testing on the island of Kahoʻolawe. The song also refers to the positive influences of such people as Israel Kamakawiwoʻole and his inspirational version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Its contemporary focus, the future of Maunakea and protests regarding expansion of the telescope campus there, with the song acknowledging the reverence for the mauna that is felt by Hawaiian people. Makuakane, whose family is from Nāʻālehu, said he hoped to record the song soon. See https://kennethmakuakane.com/.

Kūpuna hula dancers performed at last year's Kaʻū Hawaiian Civic Club 50th anniversary celebration. 

 Photo by Julia Neal

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

Virtual Diabetes Support Group, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sign up for the bimonthly meeting, hosted by Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi at hmonon.org/services or check out hmono.org to learn more about the other diabetes-related programs they offer.

Attend a Virtual Presentation about ʻAlalā, the endemic, endangered Hawaiian crow via Zoom on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 1 p.m. Register in advance at https://hawaii.zoom.us/…/tJcocuGrrTwiGNDB
JcyKZOB8cUqkjkbtN9…

A confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting will be sent. See alalaproject.org.

Give Input on Proposed Improvements to Miloliʻi 
Beach Park through Tuesday, Sept. 8. A draft Environmental Assessment is released by County of Hawai‘i Department of Parks and Recreation, which would update the park to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines; make improvements to the parking lot, boat ramp, walkways, playground, and basketball/volleyball courts; and replace the restrooms, water system, and hālau.

Introduction to Papermaking Workshop with Mary Milelzcik on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This papermaking workshop, using a household blender, will introduce papermaking using recycled papers with various additives, including cotton linters, and local plant materials. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Catalyst Abstract Watercolor Workshop with Patti Pease Johnson on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Dine In or Order To Go Oktoberfest Meals from Crater Rim Café in Kīlauea Military Camp on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Menu offers Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Bockwurst, German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut, Tossed Salad, and German Chocolate Cake. $14.95 per person. Call 967-8356 to book reservation for dine-in or place a grab-and-go order. Face coverings and 6 feet social distancing are required in common areas. KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply.

ONGOING

Apply for a Crossing Guard Position at Nāʻālehu Elementary, to help keiki cross the street safely before and after school. Apply online at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/countyhawaii or contact Officer Torey Keltner of the Traffic Services Division at 961-2305 for more information.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church Soup Kitchen, open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a modified menu and increased health & safety standards. Hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended. Services and worship are posted online 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, last Tuesday of the month, Aug. 25, provides food at St. Jude's to those in need. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.

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

Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries, open for pick-up services. 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, 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.

Apply for Assistance through U.S. Department of Agriculture's Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, August 28. Visit farmers.gov/cfap for more information.

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 kept anonymous, results 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 webform 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 Minority 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: ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/onfarm.

Receive Free Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Owners can receive free marketing assistance from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class. 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.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, from two free modules of a virtual training program by the Organic Farming Research Foundation, the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. See https://kohalacenter.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=54bdd67c601f0c0d3ea430053&id=9e1691c22d&e=0e3fe20c1f.

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.

Exhibition Hawaiʻi Nei Invitational: Nā ʻAumākua, runs through Saturday, Sept. 12. 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 is a group exhibition will present works focusing on the theme of Nā ʻAumākua, family gods. VAC will not hold an opening reception on August 8th. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

Volcano Art Center, Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, 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 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. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222

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

Health and Fitness Website for Kūpuna, 808b-fit.com, contains videos for kūpuna to play and move along with. There are videos for stretching, tai chi, yoga, dancing, dance fitness, bon dance, hula, chair dancing, and chair yoga.

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

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, 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 Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays (starting next Wednesday, Aug. 12), 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. New market location for vendors of the recently closed Ocean View Swap Meet. Managed by Mark Cocucci. Masks are mandatory. Limit of people is 100. Social distancing is required. Gate will be unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m. Vendors can show up without a reservation for now, with $15 dollars. Parking is in the upper lot; parking on the side of the road is prohibited. All vendors must provide their own sanitizer. All food vendors must have the permits required for the items that you are selling. Vendors and attendees are encouraged to carpool.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, 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. 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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