Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, October 28, 2020

One of the murals at Pāhala Senior Center depicts Taka Fukunaga in his garden in the year 2000. A longtime, passionate 
gardener and well into his 90s, Fukunaga still lives in Pāhala with his family. See below for a story on artist 
Suzanne Dix Kaliko, who painted the murals 20 years ago and recently returned to carefully restore them. 
Learn more about the facelift, below. Photo by Julia Neal

KAI LOKI'S RESTAURANT & BAR opened in Ocean View today. Jesse Ke of Pāhala, accompanied by her daughter Kehau, invited the blessing of aloha to the premises, as friends of owners David and Jessica Pannell gathered to celebrate the revitalized dining location at the intersection of Hawaiʻi Boulevard and Hwy. 11.
     Offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and full bar service, the extensive menus features island favorites with the owners' promise to focus on using locally sourced products from the finest suppliers in the area and to prepare each meal made to order. There is ample parking. The new owners of the former Mehe's offer breakfast from 8 a.m. (7 a.m. on Sundays), followed by a comprehensive lunch menu at 11 a.m., and dinner from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (9 p.m. on Fridays). Kai Loki's is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. 
Kai Loki's blessing by Jesse Ke with help from daughter Kehau. 
Photo by Verna Keoho
    Several members of the local community were involved in creating the eclectic big island decor to purposely reflect its rural location. A series of large island murals welcome customers at the entry. Lava rock, bamboo, and other natural elements, distinctively focused on the Kaʻū lifestyle, surround diners in this casual spot, inviting them to linger among the camaraderie of friends and staff. 
    Wondering about the origins of the name? Kai and Loki are Dave and Jessica's handsome huskies. They, too, were draped with lei, as their namesake celebrated its opening.

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.

VOTE IN THE 2020 GENERAL ELECTION by dropping off ballots at Nāʻālehu Police Station 24 hours a day until 7 p.m. election day, Tuesday, Nov. 3 See more drop off locations at elections.hawaii.gov/voter-service-centers-and-places-of-deposit. Vote in person, with same-day registration, in Hilo at 101 Pauahi Street, #1, and Kona, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy. 
    Check to see if mail-in ballots have been received at ballotstatus.hawaii.gov/ballotreceipt. See more at elections.hawaii.gov. 
Owners Dave and Jessica Parnell, with their dogs Kai and 
Loki at their namesake's blessing. Photo by Verna Keoho
    Among the many candidates vying to serve Kaʻū, one official certain of reelection is County Council Maile David who ran unopposed for her final two-year term which begins in December. She told The Kaʻū Calendar that she will wrap up her many projects, from finishing restorations and upgrades to Nāʻālehu Community Center to the twists and turns of helping the county and community through the pandemic. She said that, after her final term, determined by a four-term limit, she will look forward to spending time with her husband fishing along the shore. When asked whether she would run for the state legislature, she said she would not separate from her family and community to spend so much time on Oʻahu for the legislative sessions. 
    Also ready and already elected is Kelden Waltjen, the new Prosecuting Attorney, who won in the primary. 
    Running for mayor are Mitch Roth and Ikaika Marzo. The winner will be sworn in Monday, Dec. 7 at noon. 
    Winners for posts in the Hawaiʻi Legislator will begin their terms upon election. 
    Running for state House of Representatives in East Kaʻū and Volcano into Hilo are incumbent Democrat Richard Onishi and Republican Susan Hughes. 
    Running for state Senate in East Kaʻū, Volcano into Puna, are Democrat Joy San Buenaventura and Aloha ʻĀina candidate Ron Ka-Ipo. 
    Running for state House of Representatives for West Kaʻū into Kona are Democratic contender Jeanné Kapela, Aloha ʻĀina candidate Citlalli Johanna Decker, and Libertarian Michael Last. 
    Winners for seats in Office of Hawaiian Affairs will begin their terms upon election. Running for the OHA trustee's seat for Hawaiʻi Island are Keola Lindsey and Lanakila Mangauil. Running for the open Office of Hawaiian Affairs At-Large trustee seat are incumbent Keliʻi Akina and Keoni Souza. 
    The winner for District 2 in the U.S. House of Representatives will be sworn in on Sunday, Jan. 3 at 6 a.m. Running are Democrat state Sen. Kai Kahele, Republican Joe Akana, Aloha ʻĀina Party's Jonathan Hoʻomananawanui, Libertarian Michelle Rose Tippens, American Shopping Party's John Giuffre, and nonpartisan candidate Ron Burrus. 

Kaʻū's County Council Maile David, third from left, meets the crew at Nāʻālehu Resilience Hub today, which she 
helped to fund through the federal CARES Act. Already re-elected, she heads into her final term.

    Winner in the presidential and vice-presidential national election will be sworn in on Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 6 a.m. Running are incumbent Republicans Pres. Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, and Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. 
    County Charter Amendments are also on the ballot. See the October Kaʻū Calendar for the entire list.

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CU HAWAII'S CHERYL WEAVER RETIRED Oct. 13, after serving credit unions for 36 years. She served as President and General Manager of Kaʻū Federal Credit Union from 2010 until January 2012. She helped to shepherd Kaʻū's merger with CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union and became its islandwide Marketing Manager. Weaver led a rebranding program for CU Hawaii, with new logo and rollout of increased communication with members and the broader community. "The merger with CU Hawaii brought many more services to the people of Kaʻū," said Weaver. "My heart is with the people of Kaʻū who welcomed me as one of their family members."

CU Hawaii's Cheryl Weaver retired in October.

    
She said her main focus in serving the credit union community has always been on financial education for all of our members. She started Financial Reality Fairs for high school students. She remains on boards of high school organizations that provide these programs and scholarships. "It's a community that knows everybody and we all help each other in all aspects of our life. Kaʻū is a good model of how we all need to support each other," she said.
    In Kaʻū, Weaver fostered the receipt of a grant that brought funding for financial education, presented to her by Sen. Daniel K. Inouye. She sat on the Board of Directors of the statewide Hawaiʻi Credit Union League.
    Weaver grew up in Ewa Beach on Oʻahu and graduated from Campbell High School. Her first credit union job as marketing director with Tyndall Federal Union in Panama City, Florida, where her husband was stationed in the military. Her credit union experience included locations such as Hickam Federal Credit Union on Oʻahu and California Coast Federal Credit Union in San Diego. She was a regular guest on morning television news in San Diego, answering questions about finance.
    During her career, she served in senior management for credit unions with up to a billion dollars in assets, as well as smaller, rural credit unions like in Kaʻū, with $10 million in assets.
    CU Hawaii operates out of its main Kaʻū headquarters in the building constructed by Kaʻū Federal Credit Union in Nāʻālehu, with branches in Pāhala and Ocean View. It offers walkup and online connectivity for its members. Credits unions are member-owned.
    See cuhawaii.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.

Suzanne Dix Kaliko, restoring one of the murals she painted two decades
ago, featuring Pāhala's famous senior line dancers. Photo by Julia Neal
THE MURALS AT PĀHALA SENIOR CENTER are shining brighter with a restorative facelift from their original artist, Suzanne Dix Kaliko. She painted the images of seniors well-known in the community 20 years ago. She said it was amazing to document the village, the garden with Taka Fukunaga, and the lively seniors. before she became a senior. Now an official member of Pāhala Senior Center, Dix Kaliko continues her relationship, teaching painting to its members before the pandemic.
    She recalled that three of the senior ladies in one of the murals were renowned line dancers. Other murals depict seniors performing in costume, their Bon Dance, Filipino movements, and hula. "Pāhala is a richly diverse cultural place as represented by the seniors," she said. The seniors are very talented in music, dance, and cooking, and also planted many of the food-bearing trees that remain in the senior garden, she said.
    Dix Kaliko lives in Ocean View where she works in oils and acrylics in her studio. See dixstudios.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.

HAWAIʻI ISLAND REPORTS FIVE NEW COVID-19 CASES today. New cases reported statewide today total 62, with 41 on Oʻahu, two on Maui, seven on Lanaʻi, one on Kauaʻi, and six residents diagnosed while out-of-state.
    Since the pandemic began, Hawaiʻi Island reported 1,238 cases. There are at least five people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus.

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 28 days, by zip code. Gray

areas have populations less than 1,000. White is zero cases.

Yellow is one to 10 cases. Light orange is 11-50 cases. Dark

orange is 51-200 cases. Department of Health map

    
Since the pandemic began, 46 deaths have been reported by Hilo Life Center (12); Kona Community Hospital (one); Hilo Medical Center (six); and Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home (27). Hawaiʻi Island's death toll, as reported by the county, is 40 since the pandemic began. Some Hawaiʻi Island deaths are not officially reported by the state. At least 213 people have died in the state, according to state records, two removed today from the total count.
    There have been 14,834 COVID cases in the state. Department of Health reports 11,605 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are about 3,000 active cases in isolation.
    Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu has reported 12,953 cases, Maui 405, Lanaʻi 94, Molokaʻi 17, and Kauaʻi 63. Sixty-four victims are residents diagnosed while out-of-state. Statewide, 1,081 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.
    No new cases have been reported in the last 28 days for Volcano zip codes 96785 and 96718, and Kaʻū zip code 96772. In the last 28 days, less than ten active cases have been reported in Kaʻū zip code 96777, and 96704, which includes Miloliʻi.
    In the last 28 days, 19 active cases have been reported in Kaʻū zip code 96737. In Hilo zip code 96720, 42 cases have been reported in the last 28 days. In Kona zip code 96740, 91 cases have been reported in the last 28 days. In Puako/Waikoloa zip code 96738, 25 cases have been reported in the last 28 days. In Pepeʻekeo zip code 96783, 28 cases have been reported in the last 28 days.
    See the Hawaiʻi County COVID-19 webpage. Report violators of COVID-19 safety protocols or quarantine to non-emergency at 935-3311. Hawaiʻi Island police continue enforcement of preventative policies.
    The U.S. cumulative case count is more than 8,837,688 – about 20 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 227,421 – about 19.5 percent of worldwide deaths.
    Worldwide, more than 44.31 million COVID-19 cases have been reported. The death toll is more than 1,171,300.

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
Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United Annual Meeting, Sunday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m. via Zoom, meeting code 450 691 6693. No password. Attend by phone at (669) 900-6833, code 450 691 6693#. Delegates elect HFUU president, and adopt policies and bylaw amendments. Nominations for president due by Friday, Oct. 30 or at meeting; send to Nominations Committee Chair, David S. Case, at casedavids@gmail.com. Review and comment on proposals from Friday, Oct. 30. Enjoy world-class educational and musical presentations Nov. 12, 13, and 14. See hfuuhi.org.

Free Drive-Thru Candy Giveaway at Ocean View Community Center on Saturday, Oct. 31, Halloween Day, starting at 3 p.m. Each keiki will receive a bag and kids in costume "may get a little something extra," says the announcement, "as long as supplies last."

Visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park's Kīlauea Visitor Center Lānai on Halloween weekend, Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rangers will safely provide each keiki a free ecology gift bag and bingo card to help families explore the Park Halloween-style. Park entrance fees apply, but families with fourth graders enter free when they complete the paper voucher on everykidoutdoors.gov, and present it at the entrance station fee booth.

Ocean View Community Center Library New Hours as of Saturday, Oct. 31 are Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Free Courses and Certifications for Hawaiʻi Residents through Coursera offered by state Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. More than 3,000 options. Registration open until Oct. 31. Recommended courses for picking up technology skillsView more.

Give Input of Pandemic on Small Businesses to Hawaiʻi Small Business Development Center through Oct. 31. Provides vital information to policymakers and lenders who are weighing decisions that affect small businesses. Ten-minute-long survey open to businesses currently in operation, recently closed, or about to launch. Responses confidential. Complete the survey. Questions? Contact SFFedSmallBusiness@sf.frb.org. 

32nd Annual The Trash Show Hawaiʻi: Artists Recycle open through Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center, 141 Kalakaua St. in Hilo. Features The TrashFace Collection by Volcano Artist Ira Ono. To attend, all visitors are required to wear a face mask, maintain six-foot social distancing, no physical contact when greeting people, a maximum of ten people in the gallery, and encouraging anyone who feels ill to stay home. See more art from Ono at Volcano Garden Arts & Café Ono, 19-3834 Old Volcano Rd., volcanogardenarts.comcafeono.net, 967-7261. For more information go to ehcc.org

Vote and Register In-Person same day. Locations are in Hilo at 101 Pauahi Street, #1, and Kona, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy. Secure ballot dropbox located in Nāʻālehu Police Station at 95-5355 Māmalahoa Hwy 24 hours a day, until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, Election Day. See other locations here. Tips on helping others to register to vote at nationalvoterregistrationday.org. Find more information at elections.hawaii.gov. Check voter registration status here

Attend Free Virtual Hawaiʻi Book & Music Festival through Nov. 4 15th year of the festival features in-depth presentations covering a variety of topics deeply impacting the local community. Featuring Hawaiʻi Public Radio's Burt Lum, host of Bytemarks Café, on several panels. More info & schedule.

Manu, the Boy Who Loved Birds Virtual Book Release with author Caren Loebel-Fried and special guests all day Thursday, Nov. 5. Option to order books with personalized inscriptions. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222


Artists and Vendors, Sign Up for the Annual Art & Craft Fair at Ocean View Community Center on Saturday, Nov. 7. The event, held outside from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., helps raise funds for OVCC and benefit local artists and crafters. Booths $8 for a 10' x 10' space, tents not provided. Free admission for attendees. Face masks required for all. Contact organizer Helen McCullough at 808-209-9204 or hmccullough.1@gmail.com.

PETFIX and Hawaiʻi Rainbow Ranger Spay and Neuter Clinic for Dogs Saturday, Nov. 7 in Ocean View. Microchips available. For information and to register, call 808-990-3548 or email petfixbigisland@gmail.com.

AdvoCATS Free Spay and Neuter Clinic will be held Wednesday, Nov. 11 at Ocean View Community Center. To make a reservation, to reserve traps, to volunteer, or with questions, e-mail Cindy Thurston at cindyt@hawaii.rr.com, or call or text (808) 895-9283. See advocatshawaii.org.

Veterans Day Ceremony and Dinner, Kīlauea Military Camp, Wednesday, Nov. 11. Ceremony held live on KMC Facebook page at 3 p.m. Veterans Day Dinner at Crater Rim Café, located in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Reservations required, limited number of complimentary meals available. Call 967-8371 for either Dine-In or Grab & Go. Menu: prime rib au jus, vegetable stir fry & black bean sauce, roasted red potatoes, cheesecake, and drink. Adults $26.95, $16.95 Vegetarian Option (w/o prime rib), children 6-11 years old, $14.95. Proof of eligibility (Military ID, DD214 with photo ID, 100% DAV, or Hawaiʻi Veterans driver license) required to receive complimentary meal. Face coverings and 6 feet distancing required in common areas. KMC open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 

Introduction to Beadweaving, new series of beading classes with Phyllis Cullen, begins Thursday, Nov. 12, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Kaʻū Art Gallery First Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Sale, Saturday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kaʻū Art Gallery (behind Ace, across from Punaluʻu Bakery, in Nāʻālehu – the old Kamaʻaina Cuts building). Free admission, face masks required for all. Contact organizer Corrine Kaupu at 808-937-1840 or kauartgallery@hawaiiantel.biz to vend.

Second Saturday Barbecue Fundraiser, Saturday, Nov. 14 in the parking lot of Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Come get barbecued turkey legs and more. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Basics of Mushroom Cultivation with Zach Mermel, Saturday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222


Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund Public Cleanup Events Sunday, Nov. 15, cleanup and survey; and Saturday, Dec. 19, cleanup. Group sizes limited due to COVID-19 precautions and government proclamations. HWF says details are forthcoming but will be a blend of hiking, BYO-4wd, and limited HWF carpool options. Contact Megan Lamson-Leatherman at (808) 280-8124 or wild@aloha.net.

Kīlauea Military Camp Thanksgiving Dinner, Dine-In or Grab-and-Go, for Thursday, Nov. 26 – order by Monday, Nov. 16. Choice of turkey or ham, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed poataoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, corn on the cob, salad, pumpkin squares. $19.95 adults, $12.95 6-11 yrs old for Dine-In. Turkey dinner to go, $59.95. Ham dinner to go, $69.95. Call 808-967-8356.

Veteran Farmers can register for virtual Farmer Veteran Coalition Conference: Veterans Farming through Adversity held Nov. 18 and 19, Wednesday and Thursday. Features education, workshops, keynote speakers, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and more. $45 ($35 for coalition members). Advance registration required.

Beadweaving in the Round
 with Phyllis Cullen, Thursday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Christmas in the Country 21st Annual Wreath Exhibition opens Saturday, Nov. 21 through Thursday, Dec. 31 at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Paint Your Own Silk Scarf workshop with Patti Pease Johnson, Saturday, Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Small Businesses and Nonprofits can Apply for Reimbursement Grants through the Business Pivot Program to cover expenses up to $10,000 that they incurred implementing changes to their operations, products, and services. Grant application open until Nov. 23, as funds are available. Click here for eligibility requirements and to apply. Click here for frequently asked questions.

Holiday Open House at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, Friday, Nov. 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy viewing of handmade wreaths, cider, music, door prizes, and gifts. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Hawaiian Islands Challenge Virtual Run through Dec. 31. Registration closes Nov. 30. Individuals or teams can register to traverse some or all of 808 kilometers on six different courses, one on each main island. Register here

ONGOING
Halloween Safety Tips are promoted in a video shared by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary. The video cited Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for the holiday, warning against high-risk activities such as door-to-door trick-or-treating, and indoor gatherings or haunted houses. Watch the video at khpes.org.

Watch the Oct. 5 Debate between Mayoral Candidates Ikaika Marzo and Mitch Roth on Nā Leo TV, Spectrum Channel 54, online at naleo.tv/channel-54/, or via the free Nā Leo mobile app. Watch the mayoral forum on PBS at youtube.com/watch?v=uneuqwEPH7s.

Invite Park Rangers to Virtually Visit Classes, through connecting with teachers and home-schoolers with distance learning programs and virtual huakaʻi (field trips). Contact havo_education@nps.gov.

Virtual Workshops on Hawaiʻi's Legislative Processes through Public Access Room. Sign up by contacting (808) 587-0478 or par@capitol.hawaii.gov. Ask questions and discuss all things legislative in a non-partisan environment. Attend Coffee Hour with PAR: Fridays at 3 p.m. on Zoom, meeting ID 990 4865 9652 or click zoom.us/j/99048659652. PAR staff will be available to answer questions and to discuss the legislative process. Anyone wanting to listen in without taking part in discussions is welcome. Learn more at lrb.hawaii.gov/public-access-room.

Apply for Expanded Hawaiʻi County Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program. RMAP partners encourage Hawaiʻi Island residents who are at least 18 years old and lost income or work hours due to COVID-19, including quitting or reduced hours to provide childcare, may be eligible for up to $2,000 per month for rent, lease, or mortgage payments. Payments made directly to landlords, property managers, or mortgage lenders. Approved applicants also have access to financial counseling services.
    RMAP nonprofit partners are Hawaiian Community Assets/Hawaiʻi Community Lending, HawaiianCommunity.net, 808-934-0801; HOPE Services Hawaiʻi, hopeserviceshawaii.org/rmap, 808-935-3050; Hawai‘i First Federal Credit Union, hawaiifirstfcu.com/pathways, 808-933-6600; Neighborhood Place of Puna, neighborhoodplaceofpuna.org/coronavirus-rent-mortgage-relief, 808-965-5550; Hawai‘i Island Home for Recovery, hihrecovery.org/RMAP, 808-640-4443 or 808-934-7852; Habitat for Humanity Hawai‘i Island, habitathawaiiisland.org/rmap.html, 808-450-2118.

Coffee Growers are urged to take a survey on how the pandemic is affecting them by Hawaiʻi Coffee Association. Take the survey here: surveymonkey.com/r/638VWS6.

Micronesian-Language COVID-19 Helpline offered by We Are Oceania. Receive answers to questions about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, quarantine, health insurance, housing, unemployment, and other related questions, for those Micronesians who do not speak English. (808) 913-1364. Watch the video here.

The State of Hawai'i requires a Letter of Exemption for Farm Workers. Requests should be submitted to 
covidexemption@hawaii.gov 5 days prior to arrival. For a sample request letter visit: https://www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov

Anyone Feeling Depressed or Anxious, or who needs someone to talk to, can call Department of Health's expanded Hawai‘i C.A.R.E.S. program at 1-800-753-6879 – the same number previously used by Crisis Line of Hawai‘i. Individuals in crisis can also text ALOHA to 741741, available 24/7.

Free Monthly Online Breastfeeding Support Group MOMs to MOMs, fourth Wednesday, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Presented and facilitated by Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi's Leila Ryusaki. Open to pregnant women and new breastfeeding moms with babies from birth to one year old. Sign up at HMONO.ORG/SERVICES.

Learn How to Practice Self-Care
 through Big Island Substance Abuse Council's Practice Self-Care Series. For additional series that feature refreshing wellness tips, follow the Behavioral Health & Homelessness Statewide Unified Response Group on Facebook.

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.

Resilience Hub at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji, Monday-Wednesday-Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Drop-in wifi and laptop access, free meals for participating keiki. Follows all county, state, and federal COVID-19 guidelines. Contact Michelle Galimba, 808-430-4927.

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, questions and feedback, and more. Go to KHPES website for Live WebEx link.


Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach and Tutoring Programs
 here. Registration does not guarantee a spot in the program. A staff member will reach out to eligible families for keiki grades 1-6, 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 or info@bgcbi.org.

COVID-19 Talk Story on Nā Leo TV series aims to help deliver accurate and current information to Hawaiʻi Island residents. Airs live Thursdays at 10 a.m. on Spectrum Channel 53, online at naleo.tv/channel-53/, streaming on Nā Leo's free mobile app, and on-demand at naleo.tv/covid19.

Nominate Businesses that Provide Excellent COVID-19 Safety Precautions for a Gold Star. Submit nominations to County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development here. Find help for small businesses here.

Sign Up for Solid Waste Operations Alerts here for 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. Face coverings required when usher comes to vehicle to pass out 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, here, 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 Pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

Food Pickup through Hope DIA-mend Ministries, weekdays, 5 p.m. in the Ace parking lot in Ocean View and lunches on Mondays. In Nāʻālehu, meals distributed in front of old Nāʻālehu Theatre at 4 p.m.

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. Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Virtual Shopping Appointments offered via Skype or FaceTime. Book at volcanoartcenter.org/shop for $5. Shop online gallery 24/7. Orders shipped or free local pickup available. See the VAC 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 Community Market, open Saturdays and Wednesdays, 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 mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in upper lot only. Vendors must provide own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling encouraged.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Market, in Nāʻālehu, open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon. Limit of 50 customers, 25 vendor booths, with 30 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing are required, social distancing 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. facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket

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.

Choose Aloha for Home is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together using neuroscience and positive psychology. Program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics." Sign up here.

ʻOhana Help Desk
 offers online How-To Guides for Chromebooks and iPads here. ʻOhana Help Desk also available by phone, weekdays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Apply for Holomua Hawaiʻi Relief Grants
 for small businesses and nonprofits of up to $10,000 to support core operations, safe on-going and reopening costs, personal protective equipment, and training and technical assistance. The business or nonprofit must employ 50 people or fewer. See the program website.

Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Public Libraries,
 open for wifi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu open Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala open Tuesday, noon to 7 p.m., Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. Wifi available to anyone with a library card from each library parking lot. librarieshawaii.org

Free Book Exchanges, at laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Open to all. Keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them. Selection of books 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 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 Issuesthrough Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Financial Navigators from County of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union. Complete webform here or call 808-933-6600. Contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019 with questions.

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. For more information on joining the SGM Workgroup, email Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov. See health.hawaii.gov.

Free Job Training for workers displaced by COVID-19 is launched by the state for up to 650 workers. Programs offer on-the-job training through Dec. 15, with wages starting at $13 to $15 an hour, health care benefits, and mentoring. Two different tracks in innovation or conservation sectors. See dbedt.hawaii.gov/blog/20-21/.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture
 through Papakilo Database, papakilodatabase.com.

Read Report on Public Input about Disaster Recovery from damage during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption. View the Civic Engagement and Comment Analysis Report here

Coffee Farmers and Producers of Other Agricultural Products encouraged to apply to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program through Dec. 11. See funding updates and resources for coffee growers, hawaiicoffeeassoc.org. See complete list of eligible commodities, payment rates, and calculations at farmers.gov/cfap.

Program to Sell Produce and Meats on Hawaiʻi Island from commercial farmers and livestock producers on Hawai‘i Island for distribution to families in need. Learn more.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. Visit the program website.

Read About Seed Biodiversity for Hawaiʻi's Local Food System in It all Begins...and Ends with Seed, where Education and Outreach Coordinator Nancy Redfeather shares her insights. Read the blog.

Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19, from Univeristy of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and their senior class at https://bit.ly/2YvFxsl.

Find Grants and Loans Offered to Farmers and Ranchers, at oahuaca.org. The website has a new search feature.

Find Rangeland Management Resources at globalrangelands.org/state/hawaii. Subscribe to the newsletter to receive updates.

Begin Learning Basics of Organic Farming, via free modules.


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