About The Kaʻū Calendar

Friday, October 30, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, October 30, 2020

Filipino American History Month ends tomorrow. Here, Gloria Camba's  Filipino Dance Troupe performed in 2017 to 
celebrate the first wave of Sakadas, the first Filipino immigrants to Pāhala. At left, Kaʻū Coffee farmer and marketer
 Joan Obra emceed the presentation by the Pāhala Filipino Club. Read more, below. Photo by Julia Neal 

THE DANGEROUS COFFEE LEAF RUST DISEASE IS SUSPECTED IN HILO, following the first-ever confirmation in the state, discovered last week on Maui. Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture reported today that samples taken from coffee on a residential lot in Hilo will be tested by U.S Department of Agriculture's National Identification Services in Maryland. State Dept. of Ag staff continues statewide surveys and rules are likely to prevent the movement of coffee plants and unprocessed coffee between islands to prevent the spread from one farm to another.

Coffee leaf rust-infected plant. Photo from Hawaiʻi DOA

    Kaʻū Coffee is a major agricultural product in Kaʻū, with a concentration of farms between Pāhala, Wood Valley, and Nāʻāelehu. Chris Manfredi, President of Hawaiʻi Coffee Association, a broker of Kaʻū Coffee  and an organizer of Kaʻū Coffee Festival, said, "Coffee Leaf Rust has finally made its way to Hawaiʻi and it will take every available resource if Hawaiʻi's coffee industry is to survive. 
    "Layered on top of the COVID crisis, where many producers saw their sales dwindle to nearly nothing, Hawaiʻi risks losing one of its signature crops. It's important to note that Hawaiʻi's coffee industry supports thousands of our citizens. It's an industry that helps preserve open spaces, a culture, a rural lifestyle, and supports Hawaiʻi's tourism. Hawaiʻi is known for its exceptional coffee quality worldwide. The outpouring of support over the last few days has been remarkable. We look forward to working with our local, state and federal partners and learning from coffee professionals the world over." 
    CLR is one of the most devastating pests of coffee plants and is established in all major coffee growing areas of the world, but not in Hawaiʻi - prior to its discovery on Maui. It can reduce production of coffee by 80 percent or more. See Tuesday's Kaʻū News Briefs for details on the disease.
Coffee leaf rust on the upper leaf surface. 
Photo from Hawaiʻi DOA
    Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser, chair of Hawaiʻi Board of Agriculture, said Dept. of Ag and other partner agencies "survey the state to determine the extent of the coffee leaf rust infestation. We are also trying to determine the pathway of how this fungus was introduced into the state."
    Andrea Kawabata, Associate Extension Agent for Coffee & Orchard Crops at University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, urges growers to scout their farms "for any symptoms of coffee leaf rust." See her website and a poster that provides information and more images of the disease on coffee trees. Call Dept. of Ag's Plant Pest Control Branch at (808) 973-9525 with any suspicion of CLR. Email, call, or text Kawabata with questions about rust, the control of rust, or preventative treatments for the disease at at andreak@hawaii.edu or (415) 604-1511.
    Kawabata also recommends a Coffee Leaf Rust Sanitation Protocol, adopted from Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Protocol and provided by USDA's Agricultural Research Service:
    Decontaminate before and after surveying/collecting samples. Never go from a suspected affected site to another site without cleaning shoes, tools, and vehicle (when possible).
    Tools and shoes should be cleaned with 70 percent rubbing alcohol solution after removal of any surface debris. Correctly label a spray bottle with a Sharpie pen as "70% isopropyl alcohol – Flammable." Fill the spray bottle with isopropyl alcohol. Always take this bottle when in any field vehicle for use after all field activities. Store in vehicle in such a manner that it does not spill.
    A freshly prepared 10 percent solution of chlorine bleach and water can be used as long as tools are oiled afterward, as chlorine bleach will corrode metal tools. Clothing should be machine washed with detergent in hot water. Heat dry in a dryer as well, if possible.
    Vehicles used in infected areas should be thoroughly cleaned; power washing is recommended.
    Be careful of the alcohol and bleach, and follow all label precautions to prevent damage to eyes, skin, respiratory system, clothing, and equipment.

Plants and leaves of Coffee Leaf Rust-infected plants. CTAHR images

IN RESPONSE TO DISCOVERY OF COFFEE LEAF RUST, Hawaiʻi's congressional delegation called for swift action from U.S. Department of Agriculture. Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz, and Representatives Tulsi Gabbard and Ed Case wrote to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, saying the outbreak warrants "a rapid response to contain and treat the fungus in areas of known infection and monitoring for the presence of the fungus in other areas. The method by which the fungus arrived in Hawaiʻi is unknown at this time, but left unchecked, wherever it becomes established it can decrease the following year productivity of coffee farms from between 30 to 80 percent.
    "We urge USDA to consider providing emergency response resources such as funding set aside from the Plant Protection Act's Section 7721 program to rapidly respond to pest emergencies of high economic consequence, as well as USDA's coordination, support, and provision of other available tools and resources to state, academic, and coffee industry stakeholders in Hawaiʻi. Putting forward robust resources at this early stage can mean the difference between effective management and decimation of coffee farms in Hawaiʻi."  Read the full letter here.

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Tinikling, the bamboo dance, requires careful hopping. Photo by Julia Neal
FILIPINO-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH wraps up tomorrow. The Filipino community thrives in Kaʻū, and has helped to build the famous Kaʻū Coffee industry of independent farmers, after working in the sugar industry, which shut down in 1996.
    Sen. Mazie Hirono introduced a resolution in the United States Senate to recognize October as Filipino American History Month. S. Res. 761 honors and celebrates the history and culture of Filipino Americans. It also honors Filipino-American contributions to the United States. Rep. T.J. Cox, of California, introduced a similar resolution in the House. 
    Hirono said, "This resolution acknowledges the immense contributions of Filipino Americans to our country over hundreds of years. This includes the Filipino World War II veterans who served our country with courage and bravery – and sacrificed greatly for it. We must honor them by making sure that they can reunite with their children by passing the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act. This year, we also recognize the critical roles that nearly 500,000 Filipino-American healthcare workers fill on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic."     
The history of Filipino clothing design, presented
 by the Pāhala Filipino Club. Photo by Julia Neal
    Hirono has led similar efforts to commemorate Filipino American History Month, introducing a similar resolution during the last three Congresses alongside her other efforts to advocate for the Filipino-American community. Hirono helped secure the creation of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' Filipino World War II Veterans Parole program in 2016. In August 2019, the Trump Administration announced it was terminating the program, a decision Hirono criticized. Hirono led her colleagues in sending a letter to Immigration Service, urging it to rescind that decision. Hirono reintroduced the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act, which she previously introduced in the 113th, 114th, and 115th Congresses. This legislation would help reunite families by expediting the visa process for children of Filipino World War II Veterans.
    Following years of advocacy from Hirono and theHawaiʻi Congressional Delegation, Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the Filipino Veterans of World War II in October 2017. 
    The full text of the U.S. Senate resolution is available here.

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NEW OPERATING HOURS FOR WAIʻŌHINU AND OCEAN VIEW TRANSFER STATIONS are effective Sunday, Nov. 1. Solid Waste Division of Department of Environmental Management changed both to three days a week. 
    Wai‘ōhinu Transfer Station, previously open daily, will be open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Recycling services will be available 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. HI-5 deposit beverage container collection will continue as usual on Saturdays only, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. "White goods" appliance collection services will accept one appliance per resident per day. Customers need to check in with the facility attendant before dropping an appliance off at the facility. No unattended drop-offs allowed. 
    Ocean View Transfer Station will be open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. HI-5 deposit beverage container collection will continue as usual on Saturdays only, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
    Visit hawaiizerowaste.org website for future announcements, or call 961-8270.

Wai‘ōhinu (above) and Ocean View transfer stations will be open Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays as of Sunday. 
Photo by Julia Neal

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SAFETY ON HALLOWEEN is the focus of a message sent by Hawaiʻi Police Department today: "Wearing a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19 isn't the only way to keep yourself and others safe during this Halloween weekend. If you are out walking this weekend, make yourself visible by wearing light-colored or reflective materials, carry a flashlight, and walk facing the flow of traffic. Make sure you're not distracted by an electronic device and cross the road at an intersection. Drivers don't expect to see pedestrians on the road in the middle of a block, which can lead to a crash or even worse. Before the Halloween festivities begin, plan a way to get home safely at the end of the night. Alcohol affects judgment, balance, and reaction time. Create a 'buddy system' to get each other home safely. Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving." 
    HPD recommends drivers watch closely for pedestrians, slow down where pedestrians are likely to be or where sight distances are limited, and "keep your windshield clean." 
    "If you attend a small gathering and drink alcohol or consume anything that will impair your ability operate a vehicle safely, don't drive. Hawaiʻi Police Department Patrol Officers and Traffic Enforcement Units will be out specifically looking for drunk drivers this weekend. If you are under the influence of any substance that prevents driving safely and an officer stops you, you will be arrested. The fines, court fees, attorney fees are all costly, but the impact of a serious crash can carry more than a financial cost. Remember that 'Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.'" 
    HPD requests drunk drivers or impaired pedestrians be reported to non-emergency, 808-935-3311.

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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.

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CANCELED IS ONLINE BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT GROUP MOMs to MOMs, set for the fourth Wednesday of the month by Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi. See HMONO.ORG/SERVICES for details.

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Part of the first prize in ‘Imiloa Planetarium's pumpkin
carving contest. Photo from ‘Imiloa
ENTER ʻIMILOA'S VIRTUAL PUMPKIN CARVING CONTEST by tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 31. Open to all residents of Hawaiʻi Island, pumpkins must be carved by those entering the contest. Winners must be able to pick up prize at ‘Imiloa Planetarium in Hilo. Halloween-themed designs accepted, with bonus points given to designs incorporating wayfinding or navigation themes.
    Submit entries by taking a photo of the carved pumpkin, including a short introduction of the design; post on Facebook or Instagram and tag ‘Imiloa - @imiloaastronomycenter, by end of day tomorrow. Winners will be announced Monday, Nov. 2. Top three carvings will receive the following prizes: first place, $135 -- $75 KTA gift certificate + ‘Imiloa tote, sticker & utensil set ($60 value); second place, $83 -- $50 KTA gift certificate + ‘Imiloa tote, sticker & puzzle ($33 value); and third place $50 -- $25 KTA gift certificate + ‘Imiloa tote, sticker, keychain & postcard ($25 value).

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FREE DRIVE-THRU COVID-19 TESTING at the Civic Auditorium in Hilo, Monday, Nov. 2, 9 a.m. to noon. Enter from Kuawa Street entrance. No insurance necessary, but bring insurance card if have. No co-pay for those tested. Face covering required at all times and observe social distancing. For more, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

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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. Mailed ballots will not arrive in time to be counted, as all ballots must be received no later than 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.

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TOTAL COVID-19 CASES IN HAWAIʻI TOPPED 15,000 today. Cumulative global cases exceeded 45 million today, the same day the U.S.'s total surpassed nine million – about 20 percent of worldwide cases. Worldwide, more than 1,185,760 people have died from the disease, with 19.3 percent of those deaths, 229,356, in the U.S.

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

    
Hawaiʻi Island reports fourteen new COVID cases today. New cases reported statewide today total 94, with 74 on Oʻahu, three on Maui, two on Lanaʻi, and one on Kauaʻi.
    Since the pandemic began, Hawaiʻi Island reported 1,259 cases. There are at least ten people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus.
    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 216 people have died in the state, according to state records, one new today.
    There have been 15,003 total COVID cases in the state. Department of Health reports 11,738 people of those infected have completed isolation. There are about 3,050 active cases in isolation. Since the pandemic began, Oʻahu has reported 13,087 cases, Maui 407, Lanaʻi 99, Molokaʻi 17, and Kauaʻi 64. Seventy victims are residents diagnosed while out-of-state. Statewide, 1,097 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, 16 active cases have been reported in Kaʻū zip code 96737. In Hilo zip code 96720, 35 cases have been reported in the last 28 days. In Kona zip code 96740, 93 cases have been reported in the last 28 days. In Puako/Waikoloa zip code 96738, 27 cases have been reported in the last 28 days. In Pepeʻekeo zip code 96783, 25 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. 

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
Halloween Fun for Keiki at ʻO Kaʻū Kākou's Nāʻālehu Farmers Market on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 8 a.m. to noon. The event will feature Truck-or-Treat, pumpkin painting, Halloween COVID masks, and face or arm painting, with plexiglass safety shield.

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

Free Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing at Civic Auditorium in Hilo, Monday, Nov. 2, 9 a.m. to noon. Enter from Kuawa Street entrance. No insurance necessary, but bring insurance card if have. No co-pay for those tested. Face covering required at all times and observe social distancing. For more, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

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

Learn How to Help Hawaiʻi Island's Food System during the third annual Hawaiʻi Island Community Food Summit through the month of November. Sponsors of Food Summit seek to increase residents' exposure to local foods; provide opportunities for networking and engaging with fellow food system-minded community members; expose attendees to ways they can help the food system as individuals; and lay the foundation for a Food System Action Plan. The 2020 Food Summit website page provides information about sessions and corresponding registration links, with new content and sessions as the weeks progress.
    Keynote Presentation is Friday, Nov. 6 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., with Sarah Newcomb, a member of the Hawaiʻi Island Hawaiʻi Youth Food Council. Register here. Watch preparation videos for Food Summit on Youtube, prerecorded to give participants the most time together during live discussions on Nov. 6. When registering for live sessions, summit questions ahead of time. See more here.

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.

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 at meeting; send to Nominations Committee Chair, David S. Case, at casedavids@gmail.com. Review and comment on proposals. Enjoy world-class educational and musical presentations Nov. 12, 13, and 14. See hfuuhi.org.

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

Volcano Garden Arts' Think X-Mas! Exquisite Gift Sale, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Nov. 27, 28, and 29 features special plate lunch at Cafe Ono. Held at 19-3834 Old Volcano Rd. See ShopVGA.net, CafeOno.net, and VolcanoGardenArts.com.

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

Receive Help Signing Up for Med-Quest Health Insurance via nonprofit organizations starting Sunday through Dec. 15. Local contacts through the community organization Kalanihale include Kaʻimi Kaupilo, of Miloliʻi, who can be reached at 808-937-1310 and Donna Kekoa, of Pāhala, at 808-769-1334.
    The state's Med-Quest provides eligible low-income adults and children access to health and medical coverage through managed care plans. 
    Island of Hawaiʻi YMCA helps through Shon Araujo at 808-854-0152 and Carrie Fernandez at 808-854-0256. West Hawaiʻi Community Center assists through Beonka Snyder at 808-327-0803, Tina Evans at 808-640-8587, Charles Kelen at 808-491-9761, and Walter Lanw at 808-785-8201. Hawaiʻi Island HIV/AIDS Foundation helps through Rachelle Hanohano at 808-896-5051, Paul Thome at 858-876-5154, Melani Matsumoto at 808-854-1877, and Jennifer Reno-Medeiros at 808-333-6443.
    Kokua Services will help with virtual appointments through the Certified Assisters above.

ONGOING
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.

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.

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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