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Saturday, September 12, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, September 12, 2020

Nā‘ālehu Hongwanji held its first Bon Dance in many years, last year, with moving around the yagura, drumming, 
chanting, and a lantern parade. See more, below, in The Way We WerePhoto by Julia Neal
REPLACE THE MANAGEMENT AT HILO VETERAN'S HOME, said Mayor Harry Kim at an unusual press conference on a Saturday. He spoke to the public following ten deaths from COVID-19 among residents, with news this morning about the infection of 66 residents and 27 employees at the state's Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home. The mayor said he wants the public to help him press the state to immediately change the administration of the Veterans Home to stop the further spread of COVID and to prevent more deaths.
     The mayor expressed deep sorrow for the veterans who died, residents and staff with the virus, and for their families. He said he has been asking for a prolonged period of more than two weeks for help to stop the spread and is disappointed with the time it is taking to make changes. As the number of cases and fatalities grew, Kim said, "We screamed out that this is non-acceptable. How can this be? It progressively goes on and on?"
Mayor Harry Kim today, calling for replacement of the
administration at Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home.
See the press conference at Hawaiʻi News Now.
     Finally, this past Wednesday, they came, said the mayor. The State and Veterans Administration representatives flew in, carried out a review, and left to make a report with their recommendations. They came back Friday for another review and provided a report. According to the mayor, when he asked, "Where do we go from here?" the VA reps said they would go back home, make a report and send it back, with
recommendations for changes and come back in a few days.
     Kim called it "totally non-acceptable." The mayor said he told them, "If you were under my command, you wouldn't even go home. We would do whatever we can from here on in, which is already way too late."
     Kim said he is calling for immediate suspension of the present administration of the Veterans Home until a review is completed and in the meantime "to replace all administration to correct all the wrongs."
     He said the "sadness for the families and veterans that are there, that can not ever, ever be corrected." He said that the only thing that can be done now is to seek "no further harm."
     Kim, himself a veteran, was one of the
community leaders who worked many years ago for the state's only veteran's home to be located in Hilo. He recalled the late Sen. Dan Inouye submitting the appropriation to the U.S. Congress specifically for Hilo. In seeking support for the matching money from the Hawaiʻi legislature, Kim fought off Oʻahu legislators who wanted the home on their island. He was joined by veterans in Hilo who rallied, believing that Hilo would embrace the home, welcoming veterans, and make them feel very appreciated, said the mayor.
     Hilo won the venue, the government built the facility, and the state turned it over to a private company to manage it - a choice not supported by the mayor, who said he preferred the state hospital system to run it.
     "I asked for trust and the trust was broken," said Kim. At the end of his talk, he said, "We made a promise and we did not keep it."
     See the entire press conference on Hawaiʻi News Now.

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MAYOR HARRY KIM SAID THAT LT. GOV. JOSH GREEN CONTRACTING COVID, "shows how the virus has no prejudices. The virus doesn't care if you are the Lieutenant Governor." During a press conference today, Kim pointed out that Green is a physician and most likely took more precautions than most people. He wished the Green family well.
Lt. Gov. Josh Green announces he has COVID last evening and works
today from the isolation room in his family home in Honolulu. 
Photo from Green's Facebook
     Green reported Friday evening that he tested positive for COVID-19. According to a Facebook post from his office, "Dr. Green reports that he feels fine and plans to update friends and family as he goes through what thousands of Hawaiʻi citizens are experiencing." Green was on staff in the Kohala Hospital emergency department on September 5, 6, and 7. He tested negative before he arrived.
     Kohala is a sister hospital to Kaʻū, one of the Rural facilities under Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corp., which also operates Hilo, Kona, and Honokaʻa hospitals. Kohala Hospital Administrator Gino Amar said employees and patients who were in contact with Green are being tested and the hospital is being deep cleaned. Green and his staff did not go into the long term care hospital last weekend. See more details in Friday's Kaʻū News Briefs.

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HAWAIʻI PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT DROPPED STATEWIDE during the beginning of this pandemic-burdened school year. The state Department of Education released the enrollment count on Friday, showing 2.6 percent fewer students than last year, statewide. The figures include public schools where 174,707 students are enrolled and charter schools where 12,213 students are enrolled. Fewer students reflect fewer people living in Hawaiʻi and some families choosing homeschooling because of the pandemic and other reasons.
     While Nāʻālehu Elementary and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary are considered locally as some of the smallest schools in the state, the latest count of students shows that the state's smallest is Niʻihau High & Elementary with 15, Maunaloa Elementary with 40, Hawaiʻi School for the Deaf and Blind with 58, Kilohana Elementary with 67, and Linapune Elementary and Waiahole Elementary, each with 89.
     Volcano is also not the smallest charter school in the state. They are Kanaka with 22, Ke Ana Laʻahana with 46, Ke Kula O Niʻihau Kekaha with 55, Hakipuʻu Learning Center with 56 and, Halau Ku Mana with 113.
     Volcano School, Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, and Nāʻālehu Elementary are located in the Kaʻū-Keaʻau Complex of nine schools, where 5,501 students are enrolled in public schools and Charter Schools.

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THE 2030 PROMISE PLAN FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN HAWAIʻI is online. According to the state Department of Education, it will "guide Hawai‘i's public school system from 2020 to 2030. We have identified five student promises to realize in every school by 2030, focusing on creative ideas and solutions toward a thriving, sustainable state grounded in the values of HĀ." The word HĀ is Hawaiian for breath, but means much more in the language. Themes of the 2030 Promise Plan include the place, Hawaiʻi:
The staff at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary sport their masks in style through #OurKuleana.
     Hawaiʻi is a theme: "Students will be educated within a public school system that is grounded in , powers a multilingual society, and honors Hawai‘i's local and global contribution." It mentions markers: "Nā Hopena A‘o; languages; culture; context; place-based; safety and total well-being." See more on .
 Equity is a theme: "Students will be immersed in excellent learning environments that are thoughtfully designed around a community's power to contribute to a thriving, sustainable Hawai‘i. Markers are: Core values; curriculum; infrastructure; magnets; college and career; partners.
     School Design is a theme: "Students will be immersed in excellent learning environments that are thoughtfully designed around a community's power to contribute to a thriving, sustainable Hawai‘i." Markers are: Core values; curriculum; infrastructure; magnets; college and career; partners.
     Learn more, with a video Introduction on School Design.
It's cool to wear masks to protect teachers, students, and staff at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary through #OurKuleana
     Empowerment is a theme: "Students will develop their authentic voice as contributors to equity, excellence and innovation, by providing input on what they learn, how they learn, and where they learn." Markers are: Engagement; civic and policy voice; educational leadership; discovery; choice.
     Innovation is a theme: "Students will engage in rigorous, technology-rich, problem-solving learning that enables them to solve authentic community challenges and develop pathways to goals." Markers are: Applied learning; design thinking; project-based learning; creativity.

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NOT WORKING ARE MORE THAN 20 PERCENT OF PEOPLE IN HAWAIʻI WITH UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, as of the week ending Aug. 22. On Thursday, the  U.S. Department of Labor announced the statistic 20.3 percent for Hawaiʻi's insured unemployment rate. Hawaiʻi is followed by 16.7 percent for Puerto Rico, 16 percent for Nevada, 14.9 percent for New York, 14.8 percent for California, 14.7 percent for Connecticut, 13.2 percent for Louisiana, 12.6 percent for Virgin Islands, 12.2 percent for Georgia, and 11.5 percent for District of Columbia.
     The insured unemployment rate counts those who file unemployment claims who are covered by unemployment insurance. The other recently reported statistic, this one from the state, is the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, which was 13.1 percent for July, a slight decrease from June.
     The state Department of Labor & Industrial Relations reported on Thursday that since the COVID pandemic began, it has paid $3.08 billion in unemployment benefits going back to March 1, with 274,233 of the 282,897 claims paid.

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THE LOST WAGES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM becomes easier to navigate. The state Department of Labor announced the launch of a self-certification modification to the unemployment insurance portal, Saturday, Sept. 12.
     Acting Director Anne Eustaquio said, "This will allow claimants to enroll in the Lost Wages Assistance program by certifying that their unemployment was due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. We are deploying this feature as part of our efforts to provide additional relief to claimants as soon as possible. We're diligently building a new program within the unemployment computer system to implement and pay LWA benefits."
     The Department of Labor statement said it will start processing payments in October and the payments will be staggered for each week of eligibility. Payments will be retroactive for all weeks of eligibility. With the assistance of the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Labor received approval to pay five weeks of benefits from FEMA. The program will pay $300 a week to all eligible claimants that receive at least $100 per week in unemployment insurance benefits. Those with a weekly benefit amount less than $100 in benefits are not eligible. Payments will be retroactive for August. Learn how to enroll in the Lost Wages Assistance Program.
House of Representatives District 3
candidate Richard Onishi
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RICHARD ONISHI AND SUSAN HUGHES are the candidates in the finals for the state House of Representatives District 3 seat, which represents East Kaʻū – Punaluʻu, Pāhala, Wood Valley – and Volcano, into Hilo.
     The General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3 will be preceded by ballots arriving around Oct. 16, in Hawaiʻi's first all-mail-in General Election. People can register to vote by Monday, Oct. 5 online, https://olvr.hawaii.gov/, or if postmarked by that date via mail. Voters can still vote in-person and may register the same day at voting locations in Kona and Hilo from Tuesday, Oct. 20 through Nov. 2, excluding Sundays, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on election day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
     As of Aug. 8, Onishi, Democrat, received $27,000 in monetary and non-monetary campaign contributions. Of that, about 7.2 percent, $1,950, were donations of $100 or less. He began his campaign with a balance of $10,045.93.
     As of Aug. 8, Hughes, Republican, received $20 monetary and non-monetary campaign contributions. She also has a campaign loan of $1,600. She began his campaign with a zero balance.
House of Representatives District 3 
candidate Susan Hughes
     According to his campaign website, Onishi is endorsed by Hawaiʻi Island Contractor's Association, Hawaiʻi Farmers and Ranchers United, University of Hawaiʻi Professional Assembly, Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association, Hawaiʻi State American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations, State of Hawaiʻi Organization of Police Officers, Hawaiʻi Carpenters and Joiners Union 745, Laborers Union International of North America Local 368, Hawaiʻi Building and Construction Trades Council, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 1186, Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association, Hawaiʻi Fire Fighters Association, Plumbers and Fitters Local 675
Hawaiʻi Association of Realtors, General Contractors Association of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Planned Parenthood Action Network, and Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaiʻi.

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STUDENT ATHLETES OF KAʻŪ HIGH interested in participating in athletics during the 2020-2021 school year are encouraged to call Athletic Director Kalei Namohala at 313-4161 to sign up for the Student Athlete Google Classroom.
    
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Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary staff, distributing supplies
and computers at St. Jude's in Ocean View.
Photo from Kaʻū Athletics
ST. JUDE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN OCEAN VIEW is cooperating with public schools, recently becoming a venue for teachers and staff to hand out supplies and computers to students for distant learning.
     Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub is held in St. Jude's lower parking lot on 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.
     St. Jude's hosts The Food Basket on the last Tuesday of the month. On Sept. 29 the event will provide food to those in need. See hawaiifoodbasket.org.
     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.
     Due to the pandemic, weekly hot meals, hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended.

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OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER hosts free wifi access for students on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Coordinated by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, support is provided by Carla Lind and Mrs. Marcia Masters. Limited to five students at a time. No restrooms are available.
     Due to the pandemic, the free Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island after-school program at the Center is temporarily suspended, as is VA Telehealth, pancake breakfasts, and other community activities.

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Missing teen Destiny
Espinueva-Moreno
MISSING TEEN DESTINY ESPINUEVA-MORENO is the subject of a police statement looking for help to find her. The 17-year old was last seen in Hilo. Hawaiʻi Police Department describes her as 5-foot-5, 115 pounds, with a thin build, black hair, and brown eyes. She was last seen Aug. 17 at about 8 p.m. wearing gray pants and a black jacket. Information on her whereabouts can be shared anonymously by calling the police non-emergency number at 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.

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HAWAIʻI REPORTS 131 NEW COVID-19 CASES TODAY. Since the pandemic began, there have been 10,588 cases. Department of Health reports 3,418 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are more than 7,050 active cases in isolation. Hawaiʻi Island reports ten new cases, Maui County six, and Oʻahu 115.
     The state's official death toll since the pandemic began is 97, with one on Oʻahu reported today. Ten died on this island, all residents of Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo.
     Eighteen Hawaiʻi Island residents are hospitalized, six in ICU, all at Hilo Medical Center, says a statement from the hospital.
     A patient who was COVID tested upon admission at Hilo Medical Center was determined negative but developed a fever and cough, and tested positive 11 days later. Testing shows the roommate of the patient and 20 of 21 exposed staff as negative so far. Hospital visitation "has been paused in an abundance of caution with the exception of one visitor for OB, pediatrics, and end-of-life patients," says the statement.
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 40 cases. Medium
orange is 41 to 90 cases. Dark orange (not pictured) is 91 to 150 
cases. Bright red is 151 to 240 cases. Dark red (not pictured)
is 241 to 600 cases. Department of Health map
     Hawaiʻi Island's case total is 572 since the pandemic began. 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, Mark Twain, Discovery Harbour, and South Point; 96777 with Pāhala, Punaluʻu, Wood Valley; and 96785 with Volcano Village. Zip code 96718, shaded gray on the map, 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.
     Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu reported 9,559 cases, Hawaiʻi Island 572, Maui County 373, and Kauaʻi 58. Twenty-six victims are residents diagnosed while visiting other places. Statewide, 635 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.
     All beach and shoreline parks on Hawaiʻi Island 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." 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 6,476,460 – about 23 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 193,518 – about 21 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 28.58 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 917,221.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT KĪLAUEA'S POST-COLLAPSE SURFACE LANDSCAPE in this week's Volcano Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:
     On the surface of Kīlauea's new landscape, a story is told.
     Kīlauea's 2018 summit collapse dramatically transformed the geometry and appearance of Halema‘uma‘u crater and Kīlauea caldera. Last week's Volcano Watch article described how the 2018 events impacted the magma plumbing system beneath the surface of Kīlauea's summit. This week, we'll explore how the 2018 events impacted the geologic deposits on the surface.
A comparison of aerial imagery and geologic deposits before and after Kīlauea's 2018 summit collapse. Large 
cracks are visible in lava flow deposits on Kīlauea caldera floor above the areas that down-dropped during 
the summit collapse-events of 2018. USGS maps
     Kīlauea's summit is no stranger to change. Several summit drainages or collapses in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries are documented in early western accounts. Reverend William Ellis, author of the first written description of Kīlauea, observed of the summit in 1823, "…that the crater had been recently filled with liquid lava…and had, by some subterranean canal, emptied itself into the sea, or inundated the low land on the shore."
     Ellis' description hypothesizes that Kīlauea's summit had been erupting before a flank eruption drained the summit. Indeed, an eruption of Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone in 1823 may have contributed to the summit collapse that Ellis described, much like Kīlauea's summit collapse in 2018 was accompanied by the lower East Rift Zone eruption.
     Kīlauea's summit was partially drained, sometimes leading to enlargement of Halema‘uma‘u or collapse of portions of the caldera floor, in 1823, 1832, 1840, 1868, 1886, 1891, 1894, 1916, 1919, 1922, 1924, and 2018. It's unclear why Kīlauea summit collapses were less frequent in the past century, but perhaps prolonged flank eruptions on Kīlauea's middle East Rift Zone (Mauna Ulu 1969–1974 and Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō 1983–2018) played a part.
     Some Kīlauea summit drainages or collapses were accompanied by lower-elevation flank eruptions; others, by likely "failed" eruptions, wherein magma intruded into the flank of the volcano but wasn't erupted onto the surface.
Inside Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō in 2003. USGS photo
     In the past, Halema‘uma‘u crater was described as being transformed into a pit of "tumbled masses of rock blocks" after a drainage or collapse of Kīlauea summit. This description is certainly applicable to the current appearance of Halema‘uma‘u, with its steep crater walls and rubble base.
     Nineteenth-century descriptions of Kīlauea summit after a collapse sometimes describe a "black ledge" – evidence of summit lava-lake activity – bordering collapsed areas. Though there was a summit lava lake before the 2018 collapse, it left no such "black ledge;" those deposits are now part of the rubble at the base of Halema‘uma‘u. The 2018 collapse almost completely erased the geologic evidence of Kīlauea's 2008–2018 summit lava lake! How did the 2018 summit collapse impact other geologic deposits within Kīlauea caldera?
     A comparison of pre- and post-2018 geologic maps shows that before 2018, the floor of Halema‘uma‘u crater consisted of lava flows erupted in 1974 and 1982 and overflows from the 2008–2018 summit lava lake. All of these deposits are now part of the rubble at the base of the current (post-2018) Halema‘uma‘u. Now, another type of lake (water) occupies the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u, although not in the same location as the 2008–2018 lava lake.
     The 2018 Kīlauea summit collapse also impacted a broader area of Kīlauea caldera. Before 2018, Kīlauea caldera floor was a mosaic of different-aged lava flow – nineteenth century flows that inundated much of the caldera floor mostly overlain by more recent flows from summit eruptions in 1918–1919, 1919, 1921, 1954, 1971, 1974, 1975, and 1982.
     During the many earthquakes that accompanied the collapse events of 2018, these deposits on the floor of Kīlauea caldera were jostled, cracked, and shifted. Portions of them were lowered over one hundred meters (yards) and likely shifted laterally several tens of meters (yards).
Halema‘uma‘u shows the lava lakes as well as the different layers of
lava from many eruptions and overflows of the lake. USGS photo
     Fragments of these older lava flow deposits remain intact on the "down-dropped blocks" that formed within Kīlauea caldera during 2018. Lava flows from 1919 and 1974 are on the surface of the smaller down-dropped blocks, and numerous lava flows erupted over the past 150 years remain on the largest of the down-dropped blocks.
     More detailed future geologic mapping will reveal how much these deposits were impacted by Kīlauea's 2018 collapse. A previous Volcano Watch article describes the new outcrops exposed in the fault scarps formed during 2018 and their importance to better understanding Kīlauea's eruptive history.
     Changes to Kīlauea's summit as a result of the 2018 collapse are profound, but not permanent. As the record over the past two centuries demonstrates, Kīlauea's summit will erupt and collapse again (and again), repeatedly transforming the summit geometry and appearance in the process.
     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.
Kīlauea in 2018, 2019, and 2020. NASA photos
     This past week, about 70 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 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 5 events with 3 or more felt reports in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M2.9 earthquake 14 km (8 mi) N of Kukuihaele at 23 km (14 mi) depth on Sept. 9 at 5:47 p.m., a M3.0 earthquake 8 km (4 mi) E of Pāhala at 32 km (20 mi) depth on Sept. 9 at 12:18 a.m., a M3.4 earthquake 1 km (0 mi) SE of Pāhala at 31 km (19 mi) depth on Sept. 6 at 2:19 a.m., a M2.6 earthquake 15 km (9 mi) N of Pāhala at 9 km (6 mi) depth on Sept. 5 at 5:04 p.m., and a M3.7 earthquake 2 km (1 mi) N of Hāliʻimaile at 31 km (19 mi) depth on Sept. 4 at 9:43 p.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, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

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A lantern lit by the Rev. Satoshi Tomioa in remembrance of loved ones who've passed on. Photo by Julia Neal
Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year
This time last year, the first Bon Dance in many years graced Nā‘ālehu Hongwaji with a celebration of movement around the yagura tower, singing, chanting, and drumming. People flocked to Nā‘ālehu from around the island, some who traditionally travel from Buddhist temple to temple all the summer Bon Dance season to celebrate the harvest by remembering ancestors. All such events are canceled this year due to the pandemic.
Keiki from all faiths enjoyed stamping headscarves at last year's Bon Dance
at Nā‘ālehu Hongwanji. Photo by Julia Neal
     The Buddhist priest for Puna, Pāhala, and Nā‘ālehu Hongwanji, Satoshi Tomioa, led a service and a lantern parade. Foods placed on the altar symbolized nourishment for those who passed on, whose presence is recognized as helping this generation. Sushi and other food for the celebrants warmed up a rainy evening with the lights sparkling under gentle showers.
     The Reverend followed up the Nā‘ālehu Bon Dance with a special service today at Puna Hongwanji, where he delivered the message Peace Begins with Me? It is available on Facebook.
     Bon Dance season runs through July and August, Peace Day Weekend on Sept. 21. Peace Day was first declared in Hawai‘i on April 18, 2007, making Hawai‘i the first state in the U.S. to recognize Peace Day. See more.

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

EVENTS
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. 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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