About The Kaʻū Calendar

Friday, November 06, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, November 6, 2020

Fresh veggies go into Vibrant Pāhala meal bags to deliver locally grown food to the community. Photo by Katie Graham


VIBRANT HAWAIʻI FOOD DISTRIBUTION in Pāhala began today. Captains Katie Graham, of Food Corps, and Julia Neal, of The Kaʻū Calendar newspaper, along with Clyde Silva of the Pensioners Club, and James Akau and Yvette Slack, of the Pāhala Resilience Food Hub, made deliveries in the Paʻaʻau Street neighborhood and up the Hilo side of Koali Street as far as the home of coffee and banana farmer Delvin Navarro.
    Navarro provided bananas for the 50 meal bags delivered to the households. Other participating food producers are Bee Boys, Crooked C. Ranch, Mely Akau, Kaʻili Maliʻe Farms, Kuahiwi Ranch, Riley Ranch and Wood Valley Ranch. The aim is to help families during the pandemic and to connect local farmers with local households. Foods included were kale, chard, lettuce, oranges, bananas, butternut squash, beets, turnips, Kuahiwi beef, honey, pasta and mamaki tea. In each meal bag were spices and recipes from Chef Hui's Mariah Williams for Braised Beef with Carrots, Honey-Lemon Vinaigrette, Butternut Squash & Swiss Chard, and Spaghetti with Kale & Lemon.
Co-captains Katie Graham and Julia Neal take locally
grown food to the Paʻaʻau neighborhood.
Photo by Yvette Slack
    Funding comes from a County of Hawaiʻi federal Cares Act grant to Vibrant Hawaiʻi through County Council member Ashley Kierkiewicz. Vibrant Hawaiʻi issued a statement saying, "One way we're supporting Pāhala is through food resilience, and distributing 50 Nourish Pāhala meal bags for eight weeks. Each meal bag is full of ingredients sourced from Pāhala area farmers and food producers. Recipes are provided to inspire creativity in the kitchen and based on the concept - Cook What Get!"
    The Pāhala Resilience Food Hub's Nourish Pāhala program is sponsored by Vibrant Hawaiʻi, Chef Hui, County of Hawaiʻi and Suisan.
    Next Friday's Pāhala neighborhood to receive food will include the remainder of Koali Street.

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.

JOE BIDEN LEADS IN THE RACE FOR U.S. PRESIDENT tonight. If he wins Pennsylvania, he becomes president-elect. At 8 p.m., Biden led Donald Trump nationwide by 4,181,916 votes, with election workers still counting in Pennsylvania, Alaska, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina, where the count was close.
    Overall, Biden had 74,387,118 popular and 253 Electoral College votes. Trump had 70,205,202 popular votes and 214 Electoral College votes. Biden led Trump by 4,182,822 popular votes and 39 Electoral College votes. The winner must claim 270 Electoral College votes.
Pensioners Club President Clyde Silva volunteers
for Nourish Pāhala. Photo by Julia Neal
    While Alaska was expected to go for Trump, Biden predicted he would win the other undecided states. However, he only needs Pennsylvania to win, following Michigan and Wisconsin flipping from voting Republican to Democrat in this presidential election. Pennsylvania reported 3,336,887 votes for Biden versus 3,308,054 for Trump at 8 p.m.
    While Biden has called for patience to honor every legitimate vote that was cast, Trump's campaign has filed numerous lawsuits to stop counting, contending fraud. Most of the Trump suits have been rejected by the courts, as states finish counting votes and Biden's lead continues to rise.
    Sen. Mazie Hirono said, "Every vote counts. Every vote matters. We won't let anyone take our democracy away, especially not Donald Trump."
    Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said, "No matter what happens tonight, let's remember who we are as Americans and what unites us — life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. United we stand, divided we fall. Onward, together! #election #freedom #ALOHA"
    Sen. Brian Schatz said, "Shout out to election workers everywhere. This race is so close in so many states that every volunteer can legitimately feel like they personally, meaningfully contributed to saving the republic."
    On Thursday evening, Trump said in a press conference from the White House briefing room, "If you count the legal votes, I easily win. If you count the illegal votes, they can try to steal the election from us, if you count the votes that came in late." He claimed "fraud by Democrats and the media" was influencing the count. "They're trying very obviously to commit fraud." He said mailed-in ballot counting had been tainted. He took no questions from the press.
    Trump said he will contest the election with "a lot of litigation" and claimed there have "been a lot of shenanigans, and we can't stand for that in our country."
    NPR, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, NBC, Twitter, radio stations and more stopped broadcasting Trump before he could finish his statement, with the complaint his speech was laced with falsehoods about the election. CNN's Anderson Cooper said the president is an "obese turtle on his back, flailing in the hot sun, realizing his time is over."
James Akau delivers to Walter Wong Yuen
for a neighbor. Photo by Julia Neal
    Trump's campaign has filed lawsuits in Michigan, Nevada and Pennsylvania, claiming Republican observers do not have sufficient access to vote counting locations. Michigan and Nevada state courts dismissed the suits. A Pennsylvania state court judge ruled observers have a right to be within six feet of ballot counting. A federal judge threw out a lawsuit to stop vote counting in Philadelphia.
    Biden said yesterday, "No one is going to take our democracy away from us. Not now, not ever. America has come too far, fought too many battles, and endured too much to let that happen. I ask people to stay calm. The process is working. The count is being completed."
    "In America, the vote is sacred," he said. "It's how the people of this nation express their will. And it is the will of the voters — no one, not anything else — that chooses the president of the United States of America. So each ballot must be counted. Democracy is sometimes messy. It sometimes requires a little patience as well. But that patience has been rewarded now for more than 240 years."
    In a speech tonight, Biden said that, despite no final victory yet, he expects to receive "more than 300 electoral votes. I know watching these vote tallies on TV moves very slowly, slow — and as slow as it goes, it can be numbing. But never forget, the tallies aren't just numbers. They represent votes and voters, men and women who exercised their fundamental right to have their voice heard. What's becoming clearer each hour is that a record number of Americans of all races, faiths, religions chose change over more of the same. They have given us a mandate for action on COVID, the economy, climate change, systemic racism."
 
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FORMER SENATOR RUSSELL RUDERMAN posted a farewell message on his senatorial Facebook page on Tuesday: "Aloha and Mahalo! On this, my last day as state senator, I thank you all for the support over the years. No flowery speeches today as I know we are focused on the election. This page may disappear soon. If you want to stay in touch please contact me on my personal page. Again, Aloha, and Mahalo!"
    Joy San Buenaventura took the state Senator District 2 seat on Nov. 3. She represents east Kaʻū and Volcano, into Puna and Hilo. Contact her at 808-586-6890 or sensanbuenaventura@capitol.hawaii.gov. See capitol.hawaii.gov/memberpage.aspx?member=Sanbuenaventura&year=2020.

Keiki and adults celebrated Halloween at ʻO Kaʻū Kākou's Nāʻālehu Farmers Market on Saturday, Oct. 31. 
See more and photos, below. OKK photo

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ATTEND HAWAIʻI FARMERS UNION UNITED VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS for HFUU members. Virtual: Carbon Market Information Expo will be held Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. Essential Resources for Essential Workers will be held Thursday, Nov. 12 at 4 p.m. The Squeeze Chute - Examining Market Concentration in our Fragile Food System(s) will be held Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 4 p.m.

SIGN UP TO LIST LOCAL ITEMS FOR SALE for Hawaiʻi Farms Union United members attending the HFUU Virtual Convention Nov. 12-15. The Hawaii Theatre will offer a SHOP LOCAL items for sale page. Vendors must be registered for the convention in order to sell items on the SHOP LOCAL page. 
    By submitting a request to publish the information and sell the item, sellers agree that 15 percent of the total sale will be retained as a commission and 4 percent will be retained to cover transaction fees by Hawaiʻi Theatre Center. Sellers must include shipping and handling, and 4.167 percent GET, in the cost for the item. Sellers are responsible for shipping items to purchasers and paying GET. Hawaiʻi Theatre will provide sellers with the purchaser's shipping information within 24 hours of purchase.
    Use this link to enter each individual item for sale.
    Registered for the convention at hfuu.org

Japan is the first country allowed to fly into Hawaiʻi since the pandemic
shut down international travel. Gov. David Ige, Lt. Josh Green, and the
press greeted one of the arrivals today. Photo from Facebook
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HAWAIʻI'S FIRST INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT under the Safe Travels Program brought 64 travelers from Japan today. The All Nippon Airways flight originated from Haneda Airport in Tokyo. More than 100,000 domestic travelers have arrived in the state since Safe Travels began on Oct. 15. Yesterday, Kona Airport saw 932 arrivals, 667 of them tourists.
    The pre-travel testing program for incoming travelers to Hawai‘i is part of a layered program that includes thermal screening of all passengers at arrival gates and receiving a negative nucleic acid amplification COVID test within 72 hours of departure. Those who arrive with a pending test must quarantine until a negative test result is confirmed. Travelers who test positive must take a test that detects the virus's genetic material and quarantine. Those who choose not to test must quarantine for 14 days. 
    Upon returning to Japan, travelers are subject to quarantine. Most U.S. citizens are currently restricted from traveling to Japan. 
    Gov. David Ige held a morning news conference while the passengers from Japan were clearing customs and taking mandatory steps to prevent the spread of infectious disease. He said, "Today we welcome additional visitors from Japan who are participating in the pre-travel testing program. This allows us to revive our economy while keeping our community, the people who work here, and those in the hospitality industry, safe." 


    Lt. Gov. Josh Green said, "This program helps us welcome back friends and loved ones traveling from Japan, thanks to the governor's strong leadership. We are excited to reunite people and restore some hope."
    Eric Takahata, with Hawai‘i Tourism Japan, called today a "momentous day." He said the arrival of the first international flight under the pre-travel testing program is exciting and people should be proud that the incredibly hard work of both Hawai‘i's and Japan's leaders and the hospitality industry made this possible. He also singled out the work of House Speaker Scott Saiki, Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism Director Mike McCartney, and Hawai‘i Tourism Authority President and CEO John De Fries for their coordination.

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Christopher-Jay Baird has been missing
since Nov. 30, 2019.

HELP POLICE FIND A MISSING CHRISTOPHER-JAY K. BAIRD. A 38-year-old Kaʻū, Baird was last seen in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision on Nov. 302019. He is described as a local male, medium build, approximately 5'3" tall, 160 pounds, short brown hair, and brown eyes. He may also frequent the Kona area.
    Police ask anyone with any information on his whereabouts to call non-emergency at (808) 935-3311, or Officer Sayaalii Baker of Kaʻū Patrol Division at (808) 939-2520.
    Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

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FREE DRIVE-THRU COVID TESTING will be held in Kona tomorrow, Saturday, Nov, 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy. No testing in Hilo. No insurance necessary, but bring insurance card if have. No co-pay. Face coverings and social distancing required. For more, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

A group of celebrants at OKK's 
Halloween event during the
market last Saturday. OKK photo
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HALLOWEEN WAS CELEBRATED SOCIALLY DISTANT and with mask precautions in place at ʻO Kaʻū Kākou's Nāʻālehu Farmers Market on Saturday, Oct. 31. The free keiki Halloween event saw 132 children attend. Volunteers painted keiki's arms and hands with fun artwork, keiki were given pumpkins to paint and take home, free Halloween COVID masks were given out, and they were encouraged to go trick or treating around the market grounds.
Almost 300 adults also came to listen to the Lucky Lizard band, or enjoy a bite to eat, or simply show off their own Halloween costumes.

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HALF-OFF SALE AT COOPER CENTER'S THRIFT AND BOOK STORE is held tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 7.

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.

VOLCANO WINERY'S HOLIDAY SHIPPING SPECIAL is in effect through Dec. 31. Buyers can take 10 percent off six bottles or 20 percent off 12 bottles. Discounted shipping for six bottles is $20 for Hawaiʻi, $40 for mainland, and $75 for Alaska. Discounted shipping for 12 bottles is $25 for Hawaiʻi, $50 for mainland, and $90 for Alaska. Visit volcanowinery.com, call 808-967-7772, or go to the winery in person, 35 Piʻi Mauna Drive in Volcano.

Socially distant and wearing masks, two keiki paint pumpkins at OKK's
Halloween event during the market last Saturday. OKK photo

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.

ANNUAL KAMAHALO HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR will be held Friday and Saturday, Nov. 27 and 28, the two days after Thanksgiving. More than 30 vendors will be on hand with homemade, handmade and homegrown items. Besides gift items, Cooper Center Council volunteers will make hearty soups and food for hungry shoppers. The Fair is a project of the Cooper Center Council and proceeds will be used to fund community activities and projects such as the Volcano Friends Feeding Friends hot meal program. See the current newsletter for more details. Download vendor forms here.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

THE U.S. REPORTED MORE THAN 100,000 COVID CASES for the third day in the last week, at 121,500. More than half the states in the U.S. have recorded record virus numbers. The cumulative COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 9,727,345 – about 19.5 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 236,025 – about 19 percent of worldwide deaths – more than 1,000 new deaths each day.

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 reports no new COVID deaths for the fourth day in a row.
    Hawaiʻi Island reports 21 new COVID cases today. There are at least 11 people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus.
    New cases reported statewide today total 122, with 87 on Oʻahu, six on Maui, one on Kauaʻi, one on Lanaʻi, and six residents diagnosed out-of-state.
    Since the pandemic began, 48 deaths have been reported on Hawaiʻi Island by Hawaiʻi Civil Defense. At least 219 people have died in the state, according to state records, none new today.
    Since the pandemic began, there have been 15,691 total COVID cases in the state. Oʻahu has reported 13,596 total cases, Maui 421, Lanaʻi 106, Molokaʻi 17, and Kauaʻi 69. Residents diagnosed while out-of-state,107. Statewide, 1,134 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 codes 96772 and 96777. In the last 28 days, less than ten active cases have been reported in Kaʻū zip code 96737, and 96704, which includes Miloliʻi.
    In the last 28 days, in Hilo zip code 96720, 30 cases have been reported in the last 25 days. In Kona zip code 96740, 109 cases have been reported in the last 28 days. In zip code 96743 – which includes Waikoloa, Kawaihae, Waimea, Puako, Waikui, and Akona – 13 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. 
    Worldwide, there are more than 49.22 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 1,241,366.

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
Attend 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. Free admission. Face masks required for all. Contact organizer Helen McCullough at 808-209-9204 or hmccullough.1@gmail.com.

PETFIX Spay and Neuter Clinic for Dogs Saturday, Nov. 7 in Ocean View. 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.

Celebrate Veterans at ʻO Kaʻū Kākou's Market in Nāʻālehu on Wednesday, Nov. 11 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free watermelon for all attendees. Veterans receive a $15 voucher to purchase lunch from market vendors. Musical entertainment provided. Limited chairs available; bring chairs if need. Market will operate as usual.

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 in Volcano Village on Nov. 14 features Volcano Art Center, volcanoartcenter.org, with choice of BBQ baby back ribs or half a chicken, with sides of corn on the cob and baked beans, for $20 per plate. Pre-order on Volcano Art Center's website. All orders are grab-and-go. Pre-orders drive by at VAC's Niʻaulani Campus, tickets will be available day of event. Cash and credit cards accepted. Kīlauea Lodge Restaurant, will have all-day comfort food, for both curbside take-out and dine-in, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Volcano Garden Arts, volcanogardenarts.com, & Café Ono, cafeono.net, will be serving special plate lunches. Jewelry designer Suzie Cousins will be showcasing her collections of wearable art and demonstrating some of her techniques. See experiencevolcano.com.

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 potatoes, 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.netCafeOno.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

Renew or Apply for Membership in Experience Volcano Hawaiʻi for $20 until Nov. 30. Details available at experiencevolcano.com/2020special. Membership offers perks such as free 25-word classified ads in the newsletter. Buy, sell, trade or donate. Members can send ads to experiencevolcano@gmail.com. Deadline is the 15th of the month. Ads will publish until canceled. No artwork or logos allowed.

Give Input on Cleaning up the Former Quarry Firing Range in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Engineering evaluation and cost analysis will address surface soils impacted with heavy metals. The EE/CA document is available through Dec. 1. Executive Summary of the EE/CA and the Community Involvement Plan are available online at parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?parkId=307&projectID=92898. View them in person, by appointment only – call 808-985-6073 – at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Headquarters Building, 1 Crater Rim Drive, in the Park, weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Electronically submit comments via the website above or writing to Ms. Danielle Foster at danielle_foster@nps.gov or Environmental Protection Specialist, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, P.O. Box 52, Hawaiʻi National Park, HI 96718.

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
COMMUNITY
New Operating Hours for Wai‘ōhinu Transfer Station are Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Recycling services available 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. HI-5 deposit beverage container collection 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. Visit hawaiizerowaste.org website or call 961-8270. 

New Operating Hours for Ocean View Transfer Station are Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 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 p.m. Visit hawaiizerowaste.org website or call 961-8270.

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.

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.

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.

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
 open 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.

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

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.

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

FOOD
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.

FINANCES
Apply for Utility Assistance, to pay for electricity, non-government water, or gas. Applicants must be a Hawaiʻi Island resident, at least 18 years old, lost income or work hours due to COVID-19, and not previously received assistance from other COVID-19 federal or state-funded programs. Funded by CARES Act and distributed by Hawaiʻi County Economic Opportunity Council, required documents for application are government-issued identification, income verification documents for all household members, utility statement with address of services, lease/rental agreement or mortgage document, and proof of hardship. Hardship may include, but not limited to, pay stubs documenting pre-COVID-19 income, unemployment approval letter, or layoff letter. Apply at HCEOC.net or call 808-961-2681.

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.

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.

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.

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

EDUCATION
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

HEALTH
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.

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

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.

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.

AGRICULTURE
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.

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.

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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