Friday, September 11, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, September 11, 2020

The Luminarium with a light for Hawaiʻi residents, Outdoor Circle arborist Christine Snyder and antiques dealer
Georgina Corrigan, who both died on 9/11 when Flight 93 was hijacked and went down in Pennsylvania.
The Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial holds an event each year to honor all those who perished.
Photo from Flight 93 National Memorial 
NINE PEOPLE WITH HAWAIʻI TIES WERE 9/11 VICTIMS and they drew memories and respect today, Patriot Day. They are: Michael Collins, 38, married to a Leilehua High School graduate Lisa Collins. He loved mountain biking on Hawaiʻi's back roads. Patricia Colodner, 39, was born in the Islands and graduated from Our Redeemer Lutheran High School and Fordham University. She worked at Marsh & McLennan at World Trade Center and left two keiki behind.
     Georgina Corrigan, 56, was an antiques dealer in Hawaiʻi, onboard hijacked Flight 93 when it crashed in a Pennsylvania field, as she was returning home from an antiques show in Massachusetts.
     Maile Hale, 26, was valedictorian at Kaiser High, earned a degree in chemistry from Wesleyan University, and became COO of Boston Investor Services. She was attending a seminar at World Trade Center. Heather Malia Ho, 32, was a Punahou graduate and a pastry Chef at Windows of the World at the top of the World Trade Canter. She planned to open her own pastry shop.
     David Laychak, 40, was married to Hawaiʻi Baptist Academy graduate and teacher Laurie Laychak. He was at the Pentagon when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into it. Richard Lee, 34, was a Punahou graduate and went to Yale. He worked for Cantor Fitzgerald in 1 World Trade. Christine Snyder, 32, was an Outdoor Circle arborist in Honolulu, on her way home when hijacked Flight 93 came down in a field in Pennsylvania. See more at https://www.flight93friends.org.

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STATE SEN. DRU KANUHA, who represents West Kaʻū through Kona, released a statement today on remembering the events of 9/11: "Today, on September 11, let us take a moment to pause, reflect, and remember the individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice – a devotion to community service – to help others in need. In our darkest hour, our country came together proving that we can be a greatest force for good when we act in service, kindness, and have compassion for others. My continued thoughts and prayers for the families and friends who lost a loved one on 9/11.
     "As you prepare for the weekend and week ahead, reflect and consider how you can contribute to your community as September 11th was not only a day of remembrance, but a day of service, too.
     "Finally, as we continue to flatten the curve of COVID-19, please continue to do your part – stay home when you feel sick, wear a facial covering when in public, sanitize hands regularly and practice social distancing. "

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Lt. Gov. Josh Green last weekend at Kohala Hospital where some
staff is quarantined after he tested positive for COVID-19. He
is now quarantined at home on Oʻahu. Photo from Green's Facebook
LT. GOV. JOSH GREEN HAS COVID-19. The physician made the announcement this evening and said he feels ok but will quarantine for two weeks in a bedroom at his condo where he lives with his family, in downtown Honolulu. He said he will work from home. His diagnosis came after the word that a deputy sheriff on his security detail, with whom he recently shared a vehicle for an hour and a half, tested positive today.
     Green said he tested negative before going to his emergency room job last weekend at the hospital in North Kohala. Tested again, he received the positive results for COVID this evening. The Lt. Gov. and his 14 staff members at the capitol, including administrative and executive teams and security detail, are in quarantine and being tested. Those interacting with Green at the Kohala Hospital and at other places were also contacted to quarantine.
     Green said, "We are following proper protocols to ensure the health and safety of our team members first and foremost. Our thoughts are with our team member who tested positive for COVID-19." He wished his security staff member "a speedy recovery."

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HELP HAS ARRIVED to contain the spread of COVID-19 at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo. On Sunday, Sen. Brian Schatz wrote a request for assistance from the VA, asking for the immediate "expertise" of "the largest integrated healthcare system in the country" in assuring the facility "is following infection control best practices that will help arrest this outbreak." Schatz called the outbreak a public health emergency.
The state's only Veterans Home will receive help from Veteran's Affairs
in controlling the COVID-19 outbreak. 
     The Veterans Home reported its first positive case Aug. 22, which sparked a round of testing that day and Aug. 23 of all staff and the 88 residents. The first round of testing revealed seven positive cases. The first COVID death happened on Aug. 29. There are now ten deaths, reports the Veterans Home, all veterans with serious underlying health conditions, some of whom were on palliative/end of life care.
     As of Sept. 11, 66 residents and 27 staff had tested positive, with 17 residents and five staff recovered. Four residents are hospitalized at Hilo Medical Center,
     Schatz said, "This medical team will be a big help in containing the outbreak happening on the Big Island. My staff and I will continue working with the VA, and state and local officials, to make sure we are utilizing all the federal help that's available."
     The VA team will recommend interventions, processes, and procedures to address the outbreak, and will conduct an assessment of infection control issues. The team is made up of an infectious disease physician, a facilities engineer who understands environmental airflow and AC systems, an infectious disease nurse specialist with expertise in running COVID-19 units, a safety officer, an industrial hygienist, and a nurse manager.
     See more on COVID-19 statistics, below.

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Earlier this month, ʻO Kaʻū Kākou donated snacks and
drinks to staff at Yukio Okustu State Veterans Home.
Twenty-seven staff and 66 residents have tested
positive for COVID-19. OKK photo
THE TEN DEATHS AT YUKIO OKUTSU STATE VETERANS HOME sparked a response from Rep. Tulsi Gabbard yesterday:
     "Our nation's heroes and their families made profound sacrifices for the country we love, and it is our honor to care for them in their time of need. Losing ten of my fellow veterans at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home to COVID-19 leaves a profound hole in our hearts. 
      "It is unconscionable that these veterans who selflessly sacrificed so much now find themselves struggling to survive under the threat of this virus -- yet another consequence of the lack of testing and contact tracing should have been in place months ago, that continues to plague our state.
     "We are in close contact with those responsible for managing the facility to help provide support to contain this outbreak and prevent more undue suffering and loss of life. Not only is urgent action needed to protect our veterans, urgent action is needed to protect every person in our state."

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FREE COVID-19 TESTING tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m  at the Civic Auditorium in Hilo. No insurance necessary. This offers a chance for those who were unable to get tested in Miloliʻi today, as the event was postponed. See future Kaʻū News Briefs for more testing events.

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MORE THAN $10 MILLION in Community Development Block Grants will be issued to Hawaiʻi, Sen. Mazie Hirono announced today. The funds will provide critical assistance for the community as it continues to combat the coronavirus pandemic, helping prevent, prepare for, and respond to the pandemic in vulnerable populations across Hawaiʻi. The funds are the third round of CDBG funding from the federal CARES Act.
Mobile learning help from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island is funded
in part by CARES Act distributions. BGCBI photo
     Hawaiʻi County will receive $1,077,958, Kauai County will receive $677,028, Maui County will receive $1,874,312, and the City and County of Honolulu will receive $6,445,350.
     Hirono said, "As the coronavirus pandemic continues to dramatically impact day-to-day life in Hawaiʻi, these funds will help address essential needs across our state. The flexibility of CDBG-CV funds allow each county to maximize their efforts to support communities who have been hit hard by the pandemic, including Pacific Islanders and other communities of color. It will take collective action to address the economic consequences of the pandemic, and I remain focused on getting federal assistance to those who need it most."
     In May more than $5 million of CDBG funding supported a variety of projects including mobile youth outreach services at the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island, emergency food distribution equipment at The Food Basket, laundry and utility improvements at Na Kahua Hale O Ulu Wini, Project Vision Hawaiʻi's mobile health and hygiene services, Malama Pono Health Services' rent, mortgage and utilities assistance, rental assistance from Maui Economic Opportunity and Family Life Center, and homeless prevention, mobile testing, and eviction prevention efforts on Oʻahu.

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THREE ARE RACING FOR WEST KAʻŪ'S STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEAT. Contenders are Democrat Jeanné Kapela, Libertarian Michael Last, and Citlalli Johanna Decker of the Aloha ʻĀina Party. The winner, taking over the seat Rep. Richard Creagan now holds, will serve District 5 from Honuʻapo, though Nāʻālehu, Ocean View, and Miloliʻi, into Kona. People can register to vote in the General Election by Monday, Oct. 5 online, https://olvr.hawaii.gov/, or if postmarked by that date via mail. As during the Primary, all ballots will be mailed, but voters can still vote in-person at locations in Kona and Hilo, and may register the same day, starting Oct. 20. Ballots should start to arrive around Oct. 16. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Citlalli Johanna Decker, Michael Last, and Jeanné Kapela are in a three-way race for the District 5 Senate seat.
     As of Aug. 8, Kapela received $39,610 in monetary and non-monetary campaign contributions. Of that, about 9.6 percent, $3,835, were donations of $100 or less. She began her campaign with a balance of $3,535.34. She received $12,325 in "other" funds, including her own money.
     As of Aug. 8, neither Last nor Decker had submitted campaign finance records. Last explained that he filed with the Campaign Spending Commission when he first declared his candidacy, submitting a signed form indicating he will not receive more than $1000. He is not required to file again until after the election.
     Kapela is endorsed by ILWU Local 142, Hawaiʻi AFL-CIO, Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association, HGEA Local 152, Patsy Mink PAC, Planned Parenthood, Pono Hawaiʻi Initiative, 350 Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Teamsters and Allied Workers, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Our Revolution Hawaiʻi, and Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network.

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HAWAIʻI TROPICAL FRUIT GROWERS 30TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE is called Keeping It Local - Virtually. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/HTFG2020. Presenters include Gabe Schater-Smith, Dr. Noa Lincoln, Dr. Nat Blatter, Dr. Robert Paull, with Ken Love and many others.
     Watch the presentations and bring questions to the follow-up Q&A session with presenters on Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to noon via Google Meet. The access link will be posted at https://tinyurl.com/HTFG2020. It is open to all.
     For More Information, contact Ken Love, Executive Director, Hawaiʻi Tropical Fruit Growers
at Ken@mycoffee.net and 808-969-7026.

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ʻUlu - breadfruit - is a focus for potential Hawaiʻi-made flour.
TAKE A SURVEY ABOUT ʻULU FLOUR for home and commercial use. Hawaiʻi Farmers Union Foundation, Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Cooperative, and Voyaging Foods have partnered on an initiative to promote replacing up to 30 percent of flour used in Hawaiʻi with that made from local starches by 2030.
     The survey is intended to gather preliminary data on consumer interest, experience, and knowledge regarding utilization of ʻulu (breadfruit) flour, specifically. HFFU says, "As an indigenous tree crop, ʻulu offers unparalleled potential to mitigate climate change, increase food security, and perpetuate Native Hawaiian cultural traditions. We are now in the early planning stages of scaling ʻulu flour production and are looking for partners to join the movement, help test products, and assist with both product and market development."
     Participants are asked to share their email to be kept informed of project updates and product availability for sampling and purchase, anticipated this Fall. Inquiries for broader collaboration. Are also welcome. See https://forms.gle/FdH4buxpmguZyoas7.

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DONATIONS TO HAWAIIAN ISLANDS HUMPBACK WHALE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY FOUNDATION can be made during September at any Foodland or Sack N Save checkout. With each donation, Foodland and the Western Union Foundation will make a donation to the Sanctuary Foundation. The code is 7896.
     How to donate: Shop at Foodland or Sack N Save. Show a Maikaʻi card to the cashier at checkout. Tell the cashier the Marine Sanctuary code and the amount of donation (up to $249). Review receipt to confirm the following appears: Person's organization, donor's name and amount, along with Maikaʻi number. Donations can also be made when placing an online grocery order for curbside pickup or delivery at https://shop.foodland.com/.
     Foodland operates a Sac N Save in Kona and one in Hilo, along with a Sac N Save Gas & Go. Foodlands are located in Keaʻau, Waimea, and at the Mauna Lani on the Kohala Coast.

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TWENTY-FIVE INMATES WHO PARTICIPATED IN TUESDAY'S RIOT at Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center are transferred to Halawa Correctional Facility on Oʻahu. Hawaiʻi Department of Public Safety said 26 men were identified as part of the riot "through on-duty staff observations and preliminary investigative questioning." All but one of the inmates identified were transported on two charter flights, without incident.
     In a media release, Maria Cook, Deputy Director for Administration, said, "This large transport could not have been coordinated and executed this fast and efficiently without the collaboration of many departments and agencies. We want to thank our Mainland Branch and Oʻahu Community Correctional Center staff who secured the air transports, the Halawa staff, our Hilo and Oʻahu Sheriffs, and the Hawaiʻi Police Department for assisting us in all the details of this action."
     On clean-up of the facility, Public Safety said, "The water, broken furniture and other debris have all been cleaned up. The broken windows, security screens, and bathroom fixtures will have to be replaced. The cost to fix the damage and replace furniture is pending the ongoing assessment."
     Hawaiʻi County Police are conducting a criminal investigation regarding the riot, which included a barricade and fire. It was set off by a shakedown of contraband amongst inmates.
An area inside Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center after the riot on Tuesday. Twenty-six men participated in
erecting a barricade and setting fires. Public Safety photo

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HAWAIʻI REPORTS 167 NEW CASES TODAY, two fewer than yesterday. Since the pandemic began, there have been 10,459 cases. Department of Health reports 3,334 people have been released from isolation. There are 7,029 active cases. Hawaiʻi Island reports 21 new cases, Maui County four, and Oʻahu 142.
     The state's official death toll is 96, with a total of ten deaths on-island. All are residents of Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. "Prayers and condolences from the Island's People go out to the families," says Civil Defense. See more on the Veterans Home, above.
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 20 cases. Pale orange is 21 to 50 cases. Medium
orange is 51 to 100 cases. Dark orange is 101 to 240 cases. Bright
red (not pictured) is 241 to 450 cases. Dark red (not pictured)
is 451 to 630 cases. Department of Health map
     Hawaiʻi Island's case count total is 562 since the pandemic began. Seventeen island residents are hospitalized, five in ICU.
     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 96785 with Volcano Village. Zip code 96718 is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which has few residents and no cases to date. Other areas shaded gray on the map, below, have no or very little population and no cases.
     Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 9,446 cases, Maui County 367, and Kauaʻi 58. Twenty-six victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 622 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.
     All beach and shoreline parks are closed through Sept. 19. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities, and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Use of pavilions, barbecues, tents, or other shade devices, tables, hibachis, coolers, picnicking, camping, and commercial operations are all prohibited.
     Hawaiʻi Island Police will continue their enforcement of the preventative policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Civil Defense says, "Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, Police Officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Mahalo for your help."
     Civil Defense says the number of new cases of coronavirus on this Island "reflects the need and importance of continuing testing throughout the Island as the virus remains a threat. With all accepting kuleana, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community's involvement, we can keep Hawaiʻi Safe. Thank you for listening and please take a moment to remember those we lost nineteen years ago today in New York City. Take care of each other." 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 6,435,528 – about 23 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 192,792 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 28.29 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 911,940.

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 in Ocean View, Saturday, Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. Pick-up will be at the Park and Ride parking lot. Pick-up will be at the back store. 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.

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. 159 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.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Food Giveaway in Nāʻālehu, Friday, Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. Pick-up will be at the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market location. 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.

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.

Submit Comments and Questions about Hawaiian Electric's Keāhole Battery Storage Project through Saturday, Sept. 26. The utility submitted an application to the Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 28 for a first-of-its-kind on-island, 12-megawatt, 12-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System to help stabilize the power grid for the whole island, reducing the likelihood of customer outages. Virtual public meetings on both projects were held earlier this year and video replays of the discussions, along with the PUC applications and project details, can be found at www.hawaiianelectric.com/selfbuildprojects. Comments and questions can be submitted to keaholebess@hawaiianelectric.com and will be included in the application to PUC.

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.

COVID-19 Information for Farm Workers Poster. English: https://bit.ly/2F3gJ3u;
English/Spanish: https://bit.ly/2Z0cihc; English/Marshallese: https://bit.ly/2QLbybk
ONGOING
Attend Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. Discussion topics include attendance, best practices, Grab-n-Go meals, school updates, and questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.

Pre-Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach Program in Ocean View here. Completing the form does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families, to complete the registration process. Questions? Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org.

Free Tutors for Keiki in Pāhala, for grades one through six, will be available from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island soon. Subjects are Homework Help, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math, Spelling, Test Taking Strategies, Organizational Skills, and more. Contact Boys & Girls Club at info@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.

Free Wifi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.
     In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Support is provided by Joshua Ortega.
     In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind.
     In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. No restrooms available at this location.
     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Mrs. VanNewkirk, Mrs. Heather Naboa, Mrs. Marcia Masters, and Mrs. Ebanez.
     All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? Call 313-4100.

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=YW94djVvU0szOGNKaFZ1V0pUL1owUT09, 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.

Emergency Boxes Available at Cooper Center Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Call ahead, 967-7800.

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

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.

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/.

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.

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.

Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries are open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu is open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala is open Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Library patrons may 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, they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with the library staff, or they may go in-person to request items, without placing a hold. After receiving a notice that item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Both locations are also open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi is available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot by using their library card and PIN. 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.

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.

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.

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