About The Kaʻū Calendar

Friday, September 04, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, September 4, 2020

A baby petrel outside its burrow. On this island, petrels make their nests high on Mauna Loa and will be surveyed
with overflights by Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park next Thursday. See more below.
Photo by Andre Raine, American Bird Conservancy
CARAVANS OF CAMPERS ARE OVERWHELMING THE KAʻŪ COAST this weekend, according to a message from the Kaʻū Hawaiian Home Lands Association, which is asking for the County of Hawaiʻi and DHHL to shut down South Point Road to everyone except those who live there. Nohea Kaʻawa, a member of the Hawaiian Home Lands Association, released this statement this evening:
     "I am writing on behalf of the Kaʻū DHHL Association along with the concerns of many Community members of our Kaʻū District. The current Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense proclamation that has prohibited camping at all beach parks and shoreline parks has placed a massive amount of pressure on our Kaʻū coastline in the areas that do not fall within the Hawaiʻi County jurisdiction.
     "Ka Lae, Kaʻaluʻalu, Kamilo all the way to Manukā, is being overwhelmed by campers. Today, several Kaʻū Families have set up on South Point Road to get people to turn away and it is promised that tomorrow, many more families have committed to joining that effort. A total of 122 Vehicles with camping gear was counted today from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., going down to Ka Lae. A total of 40 vehicles who respected the message that was shared, turned away and went elsewhere. Numerous went down just for the day but still in large groups.
Campers setting up for Labor Day weekend on the Hilo side of Kaʻaluʻalu Bay today, with more 
trucks heading over to Kamilo. The Hawaiian Homes Association is asking the county and 
DHHL to shut down South Point Road to keep the Kaʻū Coast 
from being overwhelmed. Photo by Joe Velez
     "Our resources, our cultural and burial sites, are being disrespected, ocean is being overharvested, and our land is suffering from off-road vehicles more than we can bear to witness. With lobster season opening, illegal aquarium fishing, and a long weekend ahead, We are asking you to step in and help!
     "You have the support of our Kaʻū community, what we need is your support, we need enforcement, and we need protection. During this time of COVID-19, along with Kaʻū being in the red zone for fire hazard, we are in a 'state of emergency.' Ka Lae should be added to the proclamation and DHHL, along with the County, should shut down access to the area. Our Community is on standby and will be awaiting your response."

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.
A UNITY BETWEEN MAYORAL CANDIDATES MITCH ROTH AND IKAIKA MARZO was on display yesterday evening in a discussion on Insights On PBS Hawaiʻi. As the two agreed on many issues and said several times that they are friends, moderator Daryl Hugg said in a joking way that he would try to divide them. His mission was to show their differences to help Hawaiʻi Islanders choose a new Mayor.
     Concerning the economic collapse caving in on the COVID crisis, Huff asked candidates to prioritize "Public safety or economy." Roth responded, "Without your life, you don't have a livelihood." He also mentioned that without work, people face hardships that can lead to depression and heart attacks. He said the approach is to go back to work in a safe manner. He said he is working on a recovery plan.
     Marzo talked about the number of businesses shut down in hard-hit Hilo and said the county needs to be more proactive, "not reactive." He said it is hard for businesses to recover once they close. He mentioned during the interview that he can empathize with small businesses since he is a small business person himself, operating fishing and tour boats, and other enterprises.
Streamlining building permits is on the agendas of both 
mayoral candidates. Photo from Hawaiʻi County
     Marzo talked about the construction industry being a solid provider of income for households. He said that, in many families, the father goes to work in construction and the mother, who used to work in tourism, is now staying home taking care of keiki. He said that permits for construction should be streamlined, including Capital Improvement Projects to improve local infrastructure. "We cannot go back to tourism," said Marzo.
     Regarding building permits, Roth advocated for streamlining, particularly for construction of houses. He said that house building shouldn't be delayed by waiting for inspections, making corrections, and then waiting again as new corrections are required. He said a system should be developed to make the process simpler, with fewer delays, as every delay costs workers time on the job. As a prosecutor, Roth said, "It shouldn't take longer to build a house than prosecute a murder case."
     Roth also predicted that tourism will return, with proper COVID-19 testing to reduce and eliminate quarantine time for those with negative results. He said the need is to put businesses back to work so people can put food on the table and live in a safe manner.
     Concerning the Two Percent Fund, that conserves special properties, particularly those along the Kaʻū Coast, Marzo said that no more open space land should be purchased at this time, with the financial crisis burdening the county.
Kāwā is one of the Kaʻū Coast lands preserved with Two Percent funds, which may be in jeopardy with
the county budget crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Julia Neal
     Regarding short term vacation rental rules and laws, Roth said they are poorly written and need to be revamped. Marzo agreed. Neither said that vacation rentals should be eliminated when pressed by the commentator.
     Concerning the biomass plant, already built on the Hāmākua Coast, but without a Public Utilities Commission permit to operate, both candidates said they recently toured the facility. They both said they were impressed by the technology. Marzo called the burning of trees to make energy "firm power," distinguishing it from hydro, wind, solar, and geothermal. He said he wants to find out if the plant could also be used to make energy from waste, since the county's landfills are filling up. However, he said he needs to contact those who live the area surrounding the power plant to talk story with people who have concerns.
Mayoral candidate Mitch Roth delivers food to Pāhala, early in his campaign,
with help from a union that endorses him, the ILWU, which represents
retired sugar workers and macadamia workers. Photo by Julia Neal
     Roth noted that Hawaiʻi has vowed to be off fossil fuels by 2045 and that the biofuel would go a long way toward that goal. He noted that trees being used to burn for electricity were planted and that no native forest would be disturbed. Roth also said he needs to communicate with those with concerns about the facility.
     Regarding geothermal, Roth said it may be "a cleaner route than we have now" for getting off fossil fuel. He said geothermal could produce hydrogen to use for buses and other transportation, a fuel cleaner than oil. He called it "freer energy." Marzo said there should have been an Environmental Impact Statement required before allowing Puna Geothermal to rebuild and go back into operation. He said the land is totally changed with the lava flow that covered part of the geothermal site. A study would show its impacts and whether it is safe.
     Concerning the Thirty Meter Telescope, Roth said he thinks of education and economic opportunity. He said he also thinks of stewardship of Maunakea. He said people for and against building the Thirty Meter Telescope should come together. Both candidates said the mayor is not in the position to make decisions on whether TMT is constructed. Marzo said people can agree to disagree on the issue and hope to move the ball forward. He also said he believed that Hawaiians had the right to occupy the road to protest TMT and that the road belongs to them. He said, "I am pro-business and pro-Mauna."
Mayoral candidate Ikaika Marzo, left, early in his campaign, with former
County Council member Guy Enriques and a group of teachers,
specializing in agriculture and gardening. Photo by Julia Neal
     Regarding schools, Marzo said they should be taken outdoors. Outdoor Learning Centers could bring people back together for education. He noted that during the 1918 pandemic, schools were taken outdoors to protect students from the Spanish flu, even in places where the weather was cold.
     Roth noted that many teachers are fearful of schools opening back on campus, where COVID-could spread. He also talked about working with children at home, a situation faced by many
families. He mentioned technology improving in homes to assist with online education.
     PBS describes the candidates as follows: "The top vote-getter in the Primary was Mitch Roth, who is completing his second term as Hawaiʻi County's elected prosecutor. The former teacher was a high school dropout before earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Hawaiʻi and a law degree from Whittier College in California.
     "The second-place finisher was Hawaiʻi Island native Ikaika Marzo, an entrepreneur and slack key guitarist. His childhood home in Kalapana was destroyed by lava in the 1990s. As an adult, he organized a grassroots effort to help those displaced by lava during the months-long eruption of Kīlauea Volcano in Puna, through the summer of 2018."
     The program will be available online at https://www.pbshawaii.org/programs/insights-on-pbs-hawaii/.

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.
A CENTRAL COMMAND POST TO COMBAT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 was announced by Mayor Harry Kim on Thursday. The purpose of the umbrella organization, under the Mayor's Office, is to better coordinate programs of County, State, and Federal agencies, and private sector entities to
respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
     Aunty Sally Kaleohano's Luʻau Hale is being converted into an emergency operation center, which will house staff from County and State agencies tasked with, but not limited to: Public education, enforcement, contact tracing, monitoring of incoming passengers, quarantine/isolation facilities,
hospitalization, and care facilities.
     Said Kim, "The Governor's Office and the State Department of Health, along with County and other State agencies, will be part of the Command Center. We will all be working as a team on the same goal: to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our community and to keep our people safe."

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.
THE NEW KUPU ʻĀINA & INNOVATION WORKFORCE HAWAIʻI PROGRAM will provide temporary employment for those who are interested in exploring environmental and sustainability-related work. The Kupu ʻĀina Corps program will run from Sept. 14 through Dec. 15. Applications will remain open until all positions are filled. Visit the program website for more information and to apply.

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.

STAY SAFE DURING LABOR DAY WEEKEND is the message from Hawaiʻi County Police: "Labor Day, the first Monday in September, constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country."
     HPD urges the public to follow health and safety guidelines, and to not drive after consuming "any substance that could impair your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely." Officers will conduct DUI Saturation Patrols in several areas islandwide, searching for impaired drivers.
     HPD says, "The goal is to prevent drivers from injuring or killing themselves or others. In Hawaiʻi County we should all be proud and celebrate the work we do to make our community a better place. This is especially true in the trying times of 2020… be careful over the Labor Day weekend and take care of your friends and family. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over."
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Keauhou Trail, in red, from Chain of Craters Road to
the Coast, will be the site of flights to survey and control
guinea grass next Wednesday, Sept. 9.
HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK WILL CONDUCT FLIGHTS next Thursday, Sept. 10 to monitor Hawaiian petrels, the ʻuaʻu. The seabirds nest for four months in burrows at high elevations, with the males and females taking turns guarding the young and going out to sea to fish for food. The petrel flights will be from the summit of Kilauea to Mauna Loa between the 8,000 and 9,000 ft. elevation, between 7 a.m. and noon.
     Survey and control of guinea grass will be along Keauhou Trial from the coast to the 2,000 ft. elevation between 8 a.m. and noon on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Also that day, at noon, the Park will conduct trail maintenance at Nāpau between 3,000 and 4,000 ft. elevation.
     These flights will be followed by invasive banana poka survey and control on the Mauna Loa Strip between 5,000 and 6,400 ft. elevation, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10.

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HOLUMUA HAWAIʻI'S SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF & RECOVERY FUND is open for applications. The program of the County of Hawaiʻi will distribute up to $22 million in Hawaiʻi County's CARES Act funding in the form of one-time reimbursement grants up to $10,000 to local businesses and nonprofits. Holomua Hawaiʻi is a reimbursement program for costs incurred from business interruption during the COVID-19 Emergency Proclamation period that began on March 23, for the time period when the applicant was impacted. Click here for details.

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DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Coronavirus Food Assistance Program is next Friday, Sept. 11. Farmers are encouraged to apply, as funding is still available for many specialty crops and livestock produced in Hawaiʻi. Visit farmers.gov/cfap for more information and to submit an application.

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.

ESSENTIAL SUPPORT TO FARMERS, RANCHES, AND FOOD PRODUCERS is available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service. Its resource website aims to enhance existing efforts of educational institutions, technical assistance centers, and community-based organizations. Visit the website to access the resource library and join the listserv.

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.

THE LOST WAGES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM of the federal government will be extended for Hawaiʻi for one week. It adds another week of a $300 plus-up for various unemployment benefits on top of the three weeks initially approved by FEMA on Aug. 29.
     Gov. Davide Ige said, "This will bring an extra week of relief to many who are still unemployed due to the impact of the coronavirus on our economy. I'm taking this action to maximize all available federal funds to help people in Hawaiʻi who are unemployed because of COVID-19."
     Acting Department of Labor & Industrial Relations Director Anne Perreira-Eustaqio said, "The DLIR is working to build a new program within the unemployment computer system to implement and pay LWA benefits. In conjunction with FEMA and the U.S. Department of Labor concerning program administration, the state will work diligently to complete this process as quickly as possible."
     To qualify for the $300 benefit, recipients must be eligible for at least $100 in weekly benefit and must certify that they are unemployed or partially unemployed due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19. Payments would be retroactive to Aug. 1, 2020. Claimants will be notified by email and through a news release on how and when to file their self-certification.
     Unlike the FPUC program that ended in July, LWA is a grant with a finite amount of funding. When FEMA exhausts its grant funding, it will no longer have the resources to provide LWA payments and the program will end. If the federal program does not exhaust the LWA grant funding, payments will end on Dec. 26, 2020.

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.

THE ENERGY RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM FROM HAWAIʻI ENERGY will award $1 million in funding for energy efficiency improvements for small businesses, nonprofits, and other qualifying organizations experiencing economic loss due to COVID-19. Eligible applicants may apply for up to $25,000 to cover eligible expenses on pre-approved energy efficiency projects. Visit hawaiienergy.com/grant or refer to the press release for more information.

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FREE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT is available through funding approved by the 2020 Hawaiʻi Legislature. Eligible applicants include private or independent medical and dental practices; small hospitals; child, adult, or foster care facilities; small businesses; and nonprofit organizations in the state of Hawaiʻi. Locally available supplies will be distributed quickly, although it might take up to three months to receive A full order. Visit the program website for more information and to submit a request.

Christina Harper will discuss Creating a Communication
System at Home for those who work there. Register
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.

WHEN WHERE YOU PLAY BECOMES WHERE YOU WORK is the title of a talk on zoom with Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center on Thursday, Sept. 17 as part of the Finding Solutions, Growing Peace Brown Bag Lunch Series. Talks are third Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m. This month's speaker is Christina Harper will talk about work and Creating a Communication System at Home.
     "What happens when where you relax and play must now transform into where you work and learn?" says Harper. "While there were previously clear distinctions between work, school, and home life, now many people have to combine them under one roof... In this talk, learn better communication habits to create essential peace at home and help protect your professional and personal relationships."
     Christina Harper is owner of TRY Communication, which provides coaching services in the areas of relationships and communication. She graduated with a B.A. in Communications from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and utilizes her degree in community mentoring and marital coaching. She said she hopes to bring a well-rounded perspective for maintaining healthy connections. Harper is a professionally trained mediator at Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center.
     Ku‘ikahi's Brown Bag Lunch Series is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to enjoy an informal and educational talk-story session and connect with others interested in Finding Solutions, Growing Peace. To get the Zoom link, register online at https://freebrownbagtalk.eventbrite.com.
     For more information, contact Ku‘ikahi Program Coordinator Majidah Lebarre at 935-7844 x 3 or majidah@hawaiimediation.org, or visit www.hawaiimediation.org.
     This lunch-and-learn series is made possible thanks in part to funding from the County of Hawai‘i and Hawai‘i Island United Way.

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.

HAWAIʻI ISLAND HAS 263 ACTIVE COVID-19 CASES according to Department of Health. Today's new on-island case count of 34 brings the Hawaiʻi Island total to 469 since the pandemic began.
     One new death on-island reported today brings the island death toll to six, all residents of Yukio Okutsu State Veteran's Home in Hilo. The state death toll is 81.
     In the last 28 days, active cases have been reported in zip codes 96704 with Miloliʻi; 96737 with Ocean View; 96772 with Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, Green Sands, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, Wood Valley; and 9678 with Volcano Village. Zip code 96718 is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date. Other areas shaded gray have no or very little population and no cases.
Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray 
areas have zero or few residential addresses. White is zero cases.
 Yellow is one to 
30 cases. Pale orange (not pictured) is 31 to 50
cases. Medium orange 
is 51 to 130 cases. Dark orange is 131 to
 210 cases. Bright red (not 
pictured) is 211 to 520 cases. Dark red
 (not pictured) is 521 to 950 cases. Department of Health map
     In his daily update, Lt. Gov. Josh Green said there are 6,537 active cases statewide, 265 of them hospitalized with COVID-19. With 221,391 people tested since the pandemic began, the state positivity rate is 4.3 percent. Recent testing positivity, from the last 7,669 people to be tested, is 3.5 percent. Green asks everyone to make sure to wear a mask over their nose and mouth.
     Statewide, 271 new cases are reported today, with one in Maui County and 236 on Oʻahu. That brings the total cases since the pandemic began to 9,473. Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 8,575 cases, Maui County 347, and Kauaʻi 57. Twenty-five victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places.
     Statewide, 583 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began, and 2,855 have been released from isolation, a 30 percent recovery rate.
     Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense said, effective today, Sept. 4 through 19, all beach and shoreline parks are closed. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Hawaiʻi Island Police will continue their enforcement of the preventative polices of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced," says Civil Defense.
     Premier Medical Group will provide free drive-thru COVID-19 testing from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5 in Hilo at Prince Kuhio Shopping Center's Ohuohu Street parking lot (across from Macy's Menswear Department). No copay; no insurance necessary, but bring insurance card if have; wear a face covering at all times; and observe social distancing. "With your help, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. Thank you for listening and have a safe Labor Day Weekend." See hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense.
     See the Hawai‘i County COVID-19 webpage at
https://coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/. Request travel exemptions for critical infrastructure and medical travel at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/e2f4ce19aa854964a8fd60bec7fbe78c. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311.
     COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 6,198,996 – about 23 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 187,696 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 26.49 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 872,250.

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
ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Food Giveaway: Ingredients for a hamburger steak dinner for four will consist of 2 lbs. of ground beef, gravy mix (just add 1 cup of water), onion, and rice to be distributed in: Pāhala – Saturday, Sept. 5 at 10 a.m. Pick-up will be at the back store; Ocean View – Saturday, Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. Pick-up will be at the Park and Ride parking lot; and Nāʻālehu – Friday, Sept.18 at 10 a.m. Pick-up will be at the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market location.

Writing for Inner Exploration and Life Reflection Workshop by author Tom Peek, Saturday, Sept. 59:30 a.m. to 4 p.m at Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No previous writing experience is necessary, just the desire to explore. Cost is $80 for the general public and $70 for Volcano Art Center members. Register at VAC.


Hui Mālama Free Online Home Gardening Class, Tuesdays, Sept. 8 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mala 101 is sponsored by Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi and Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The announcement says, "Learn to garden at home! Whether you have a large backyard or a few pots to grow in, anyone can learn to grow some of their own food at home! In this introductory series, learn the basics of selecting plants to grow, building healthy soil, and growing on a budget." Receive several plants and A Grow Your Own Laʻau guidebook for participation. The class will meet four times, once a month, the second Tuesday of the month, from Sept. 8 through Dec. 8. Sign up at hmono.org/services.

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.

PETFIX Spay and Neuter Clinic for Cats will be held Wednesday, Sept. 9 in Ocean View. For information and to register, call 808-990-3548 or email petfixbigisland@gmail.com.

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

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

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. See schatz.senate.gov/services.


Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Virtual Advisory Council Meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Presentations will include acoustic research, a proposal for voluntary speed regulations for ocean-going vessels in the sanctuary. Register in advance here.

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 a 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.

Design the 2021 Ocean Count T-Shirt for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary by Sept. 30. Designs highlighting humpback whales in Hawaiian waters must be entirely the artist's own creation. To ensure the design looks its best when printed, submit as a high definition PDF, .AI, .EPS or PNG with a quality of at least 1500px x 1500px and 300 DPI (dots per inch) with dimensions no greater than 11.5 inches by 14 inches. Top finalists' designs will appear on oceancount.org, the winner's design on the back of the shirt. The winner will also receive $500. Email the design and completed registration form to oceancount@marinesancutary.org.

ONGOING
Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts at https://member.everbridge.net/index/
482552460607505#/signup. Receive notice via phone or email of site closures, availability of services, hours of operation, special conditions affecting solid waste service (such as road closures, flooding, fires), or special events, such as household hazardous waste collections.


Attend Sunday Drive-In Worship Service at Waiʻōhinu's Kauahaʻao Congregational Church. Parking on the lawn begins at 10 a.m., with Worship Service starting at 10:10 a.m. The only time a face covering is needed is when the usher comes to the vehicle to pass out the worship bulletin and other materials, and at the same time, collect any offering or gifts the individual(s) would like to give, or when leaving vehicles for the restroom. Church provides paper fans to stay cool. Bring water. Catch the live streamed service at 10:10 a.m. and Praise Jam, which runs from 9:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Service is emailed Sunday afternoon to anyone on the email list. Sign up by emailing atdwongyuen.kauahaaochurch@gmail.com or call 928-8039 or 937-2155.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church 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=YW94djVvU0szOGNKaFZ1V0pUL1
owUT09, Meeting ID: 684 344 9828, Password: Aloha. Weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

One-Time Emergency Food for people is available through Big Island Giving Tree. Emergency food for pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

The Food Basket, last Tuesday of the month, Sept. 29, 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.

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.

ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides for Chromebooks and iPads given out to distance learning students enrolled in Kaʻū public schools. The website is open to the public here. ʻOhana Help Desk is also available to students and parents by phone, Mondays through Fridays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. It is closed on Saturdays and state holidays.

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.

Sign Up for Two Women's Health Programs from Kaʻū Women's Collective. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Meetings held Sundays on Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 13, at 2 p.m. Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.

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.

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together at chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home, using neuroscience and positive psychology, children and parents alike can learn to better understand themselves and each other. The program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics," to teach families "how to manage their emotions, communicate in healthier ways, and create a nurturing environment focused on the things that matter most." Sign up at https://chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home/.

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.

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 Kūpuna808b-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

Ocean View Mobile Learning Lab operates weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at St. Jude's lower parking lot. It is open to students of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, to connect to internet for distance learning. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.

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 Swap Meet reopens Sept. 5 at Ocean View makai shopping center, near Mālama Market. Hours for patrons are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Vendor set-up time is 5 a.m. Masks are required for all vendors and patrons.

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.

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