Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, November 7, 2020

The dance of Veracruz in Mexico came to Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder’s Hoʻokupu Hula No Kaʻū Cultural Festival

 last November. See more photos below and look back at the event, canceled due to the pandemic this year, in
Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year. Photo by Julia Neal

THE FORTY-SIXTH U.S. PRESIDENT-ELECT, JOE BIDEN, promised to serve all Americans, from Trump supporters to moderates and progressives, as he made his acceptance speech Saturday night: "Folks, the people of this nation have spoken. They've delivered us a clear victory, a convincing victory for we the people. We've won with the most votes ever cast for a presidential ticket in the history of the nation. Seventy-four million." The number has since exceeded 75 million, 

A light show featuring choreographed drones flashing lights to spell out
46 to indicate the announcement of the election of the
46th U.S. President-Elect, Joe Biden.

    Winning became apparent Saturday morning when Biden took Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, and Pennsylvania to acquire the 270 Electoral College votes for the presidency. It was five days into meticulous vote-counting around the country since Tuesday, Nov. 3, Election Day.

    In response to Biden's win over Trump, Hawaiʻi's congressional delegation weighed in:

    Sen. Brian Schatz said, "The republic has been saved. The challenges within the republic remain, but at least we still have one." In a phone interview with NBC, he said, "I am going to clean the slate and be open-minded to the idea that this will open up a new era of cooperation. The real test is whether there's going to be a blockade against [a Biden] Cabinet. If there is, we know [Republicans] are deciding to go scorched earth. 

    Sen. Mazie Hirono posted to social media, "Just landed back in DC and heard the great news that @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris will be the next President and Vice President of the United States! It's been a grueling four years, but I'm excited to get to work with Joe and Kamala to bring our country together."
    Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, herself a presidential contender in the primary, posted to social media, "Joe, congratulations on your election. You promised to be president not just of those who voted for you but for those who didn't. Now it is time for unity & healing. You have the grave responsibility to do your best to make that happen. May God be with you in this noble endeavor."

President-Elect Joe Biden with Sen. Mazie Hirono. FB photo 

    While Pres. Donald Trump refused to concede, his appeals claiming fraud and illegal voting going nowhere with judges, global leaders congratulated Biden and news outlets declared Biden the winner ahead of his acceptance speech.

    The Washington Post reported that Biden has promised to rejoin the Paris Climate Accord and World Health Organization, rescind Trump's ban on immigration from Muslim-majority countries, and establish a task force to reunite children taken from their families at border crossings. He promised to reestablish the DREAMER program for young people brought to the U.S. illegally. A task force to deal with the COVID pandemic is also in the works, to be named Monday.

    Biden's Cabinet may be named around Thanksgiving, with many Trump executive orders rescinded and new policies adopted soon after Biden takes his oath on Wednesday, Jan. 20.

    During the acceptance speeches in Biden's hometown of Wilmington, Delaware on Saturday, Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris took the stage. She is the first woman,  and the first person of color to be elected to the office. Of Jamaican and Indian immigrant heritage, she wore white, the color of the women's suffrage movement.

    She quoted the late John Lewis, who said, "Democracy is not a state. It is an act." Harris pointed out that more people than ever in U.S. history came into the democratic process to campaign and vote during this election. More than 145 million people cast a ballot in this election.

Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris with Sen. Mazie Hirono and supporters. 
FB photo 

    Neither Biden nor Harris said anything negative about the sitting President and said this is the time to heal. Biden said, "I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide but unify, who doesn't see red states and blue states, only sees the United States. I'll work with all my heart, with the confidence of the whole people, to win the confidence of all of you. ...I sought this office to restore the soul of America, to rebuild the background of this nation - the middle class... And to make America respected around the world again. And reunite us here at home."

    See the full speech at washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/11/7/annotated-Biden-victory-speech/.
    In a statement before his speech, Biden said it's time for the U.S. "to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation. There's nothing we can't do if we do it together." 

    Trump said he would "not rest until the American People have the honest vote count they deserve and that Democracy demands." He posted a tweet, which was flagged by Twitter as potentially misleading: "I WON THIS ELECTION, BY A LOT!" Trump is the first incumbent president to lose reelection since 1992, when Republican George H.W. Bush lost to Bill Clinton. 

Biden is the name spelled out by a dance troupe of tiny drones in the sky,
directed from the ground at the President-Elect speech Saturday.

    The General Election revealed record-breaking voting across the U.S., with over 103 million early ballots cast. Biden's more than 75 million Popular vote count is the most ever cast for U.S. President. 

    Former President Barack Obama said the U.S. is "fortunate that Joe's got what it takes to be President and already carries himself that way."

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STATES STILL UNDECIDED were Alaska, Georgia, and North Carolina at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Alaska has three Electoral votes, North Carolina 15, and Georgia 16.  If Trump were to take all three states, he would not have enough Electoral votes nor Popular votes to win. 

    At 8 p.m., Biden held 290 Electoral votes. Trump held 214. Biden had 50.6 percent of the Popular vote, Trump 47.7 percent – a nearly three percent lead.

    If Biden takes Georgia, he would have 306 Electoral votes, the same number as Trump in 2016 when Trump lost the Popular vote but took the presidency.

Drones in the sky spell out President-Elect for the Joe Biden speech accompanying his presidential victory on .
Saturday. The event took place in Delaware.

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UP TO 25 PERCENT OF TRAVELERS ARE TESTED FOR COVID after entering Hawaiʻi County from out-of-state. This is a change from giving the fast test to every pretested person who lands. Those without a negative pretest must adhere to the mandatory 14-day self-quarantine.

    Mayor Harry Kim said the cost and lack of adequate space at the airports, to give the second test to everyone make it unsustainable.  Said Kim, "We're testing 25 percent of passengers instead, and we believe we'll still get a picture of how much spread of COVID-19 there is among incoming passengers.”
    The cost is borne by Hawai‘i County via Federal CARES Act funding.

Fungicide spraying and avoiding contamination spread are ways to fight
Coffee Leaf Rust once it infects an area. Kona and Hilo have suspected
cases, and Maui is confirmed. Photo from Dept. of Ag

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COFFEE LEAF RUST has tentatively been found in Kona. Results are not yet confirmed for suspected CLR in Hilo and Kona, but confirmed on Maui. Andrea Kawabata of University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources urges all Hawaiʻi Islanders to "check your coffee tree leaves for signs and symptoms" of "the world's most important and devastating disease of coffee." A state guide to the fungal pathogen and submission form can be found here. 

Coffee Leaf Rust threatens the coffee industry in Hawaiʻi.
Photo from worldcoffeeresearch.org

    Proper application of fungicides is critical for the suppression and management of CLR, says a message from Kawabata. "Please read through the Spraying to Suppress Coffee Leaf Rust publication carefully. Fungicide product rotation is especially important for reducing the risk of CLR becoming resistant to approved products. Whenever handling, mixing, and applying pesticides, read the product label completely and follow all directions provided on the label. This is an updated publication from that you may have received earlier (Nov. 4). Please replace the old document with this newer version."
New webpage for Coffee Leaf Rust: hawaiicoffeeed.com/clr.html.

    Kawabata said she is postponing farm visits because of the risk of CLR spread. She’s asks people to follow sanitation procedures provided by USDA to reduce the spread of CLR spores to non-infected locations and farms.
    Clear photos of the upper and lower surfaces of leaves with potential CLR can be sent to Kawabata. Do not bring suspected CLR leaf samples to the Extension Office – photos only. Contact Kawabata via text 415-604-1511 or email andreak@hawaii.edu.
    Kawabata also asks that any suggestions on additional publications on CLR be sent to her for review and posting. See her CLR resource page.

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Four Kinds of ʻŌʻō, Limited Edition, giclée print by Caren Loebel-Fried.

WATCH THE VIRTUAL BOOK RELEASE of Manu, The Boy Who Loved Birds by Caren Loebel-Fried. The event, held Nov. 5, was hosted by Volcano Art Center. The award-winning author and artist, Loebel-Fried, joined some of those who helped behind the scenes with the book. They include Thane Pratt, Paul Banko of U.S. Geological Survey, Chris Farmer of the American Bird Conservancy, Noah Gomes of Kamehameha Schools, Rachel Sprague of Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi, Les Welsh of National Wildlife Federation, Joel Cosseboom of University of Hawaiʻi Press, and Julie Williams of Volcano Art Center. Watch the virtual book release presentation here. 

    An option to purchase Manu, The Boy Who Loved Birds with personalized inscriptions is available online. The public can also purchase Loebel-Fried's limited edition block prints featuring art from the book, online.

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THE U.S. REPORTED MORE THAN 100,000 COVID CASES for the fourth day in the eight days, at 122,075. The cumulative COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 9,849,420 – about 19.5 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 237,125 – about 19 percent of worldwide deaths – more than 1,000 new deaths each day for the last five days.

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 11 new COVID cases today. The average daily case count for Hawaiʻi Island is 8.2. There are at least 10 people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus.
    New cases reported statewide today total 128, with 108 on Oʻahu, two on Maui, two on Kauaʻi, and five residents diagnosed out-of-state.
    Since the pandemic began, 48 deaths have been reported on Hawaiʻi Island by Hawaiʻi Civil Defense. At least 220 people have died in the state, according to state records, one new today.
    Since the pandemic began, there have been 15,819 total COVID cases in the state. Oʻahu has reported 13,704 total cases, Maui 423, Lanaʻi 106, Molokaʻi 17, and Kauaʻi 71. Residents diagnosed while out-of-state,112. Statewide, 1,157 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 Hilo zip code 96720, 24 cases have been reported in the last 28 days. In Kona zip code 96740, 103 cases have been reported. 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, 29 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 49.72 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 1,248,680.

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USING CUTTING EDGE TECHNIQUES TO MONITOR KĪLAUEA'S HOT WATER LAKE is the focus of this week's Volcano Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates. This week's article is by HVO technician Frank Younger:
    Innovative Monitoring of Kīlauea's Summit Water Lake
    Famous for glowing red lava and billowing volcanic plumes, Halema‘uma‘u has long inspired poets, painters and photographers to find meaning in the color and light of this dynamic landscape.
    Today, Kīlauea's current phase of activity has inspired volcanologists to experiment with cutting edge techniques to understand the dynamic colors and patterns of Halema‘uma‘u’s newest feature: a steaming hot water lake.

An HVO scientist tests a colorimeter instrument on the water lake within
Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea's summit. Colorimetry is the measurement
of the wavelength and intensity of light. USGS photo by M. Patrick

    For fifteen months now, hot groundwater has been seeping into the collapse pit created by the evacuation of the 2008–2018 Halema‘uma‘u lava lake and part of the underlying summit magma chamber. Since the gaping pit and the water lake rising within are physically inaccessible, the USGS HVO uses remote techniques to monitor this changing, and potentially hazardous, environment.
    HVO uses Unoccupied Aircraft Systems (UAS, or "drones") to collect water samples, the chemical analyses of which are snapshots of lake composition. Visual and thermal cameras keep constant watch on the lake surface and the hot fumaroles surrounding it. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) helps to reveal the lake's growing form. A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is integrated with frequent water level measurements to calculate lake depth, volume, and inflow rate. These quantitative data sets are complemented by the written accounts of HVO scientists, who document their first-hand observations in field logs.
    The lake gives strong impressions of color, pattern, and motion. When it first emerged, it was described as a pond of milky turquoise water. Later, it developed yellow hues and green shoreline margins. Today, the lake surface has lobes of rust orange water over expanses of deep brown, with patches of light brown and tan. Elongated green inflows emerge from the rocky shoreline, along which several ruddy spots have recently upwelled.
    The water surface is a mosaic in constant motion, a scene that changes by the minute and hour. Sharply defined color boundaries are often seen, accompanied by more subtle gradients and mixing. The patchwork waters may indicate zones of distinct temperature and dissolved constituents, and their movement is likely driven by differentials of density, wind, and fresh groundwater inflow. 

    As HVO scientists documented the lake's early growth and development, they recognized the need to define these valuable visual observations of color with quantitative measurements, and to help control for variable effects of lighting, personal impressions, and the color biases in cameras.  

The colorful caldera lake at Kīlauea summit. The view is from the western
rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater, 1900 ft (580 m) above the water surface,
in a restricted area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
USGS photo by M. Patrick on Aug. 25.

    A colorimeter instrument, a handheld optical device that measures chromaticity and brightness, is being field-tested for this purpose. A similar type of color measurement was conducted at Aso Volcano in Japan in 2010, inspiring the techniques used by HVO. In an experiment to test its efficacy at Kīlauea, HVO scientists use a portable colorimeter to quantify visual observations and track color changes over time.
    Colorimeters are more commonly used in industries like food processing and textile manufacturing than in volcanology. Colorimetry is the measurement of the wavelength and intensity of light. The quantification of color can be divided in two parts. Brightness, or luminicity, is the quantity of light that is reflected, emitted from, or passes through an object. Chromaticity is a measurement of hue and colorfulness, independent of brightness. Colorimetry relates these variables to the human eye's sensation of color, and to our judgement of the physical stimulus of light.
    In the field, scientists make broad visual observations, then sight the colorimeter at a point of interest. The record of chromaticity and brightness builds upon hydrologic and geologic data sets, contributing insight that may help link other remote observations. Analysis of the colorimetry data from this experimental technique may help scientists explain the dynamic colors seen at the Halema‘uma‘u lake.
    Lake color changes may possibly even signal changing volcanic conditions beneath the watery depths. Water color and appearance changes have been observed at other active crater lakes around the world. For example, at Aso Volcano in Japan in 2003, Yudamari lake changed from blue green to solid green before an eruption occurred at the lake bottom.
    While we don't know if the water lake within Halema‘uma‘u would have a similar color change prior to an eruption, it is a potential indicator that HVO scientists will be looking for and tracking as part of routine monitoring in the post-2018 collapse era of Kīlauea activity.

Discovered in July of 2019, the lake in Halema‘uma‘u began as a small, green pond. USGS photos

    Volcano Activity Updates
    Kīlauea Volcano is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level remains at NORMAL (https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/volcano-hazards/about-alert-levels). Kīlauea updates are issued monthly.
    Kīlauea monitoring data for the month of October show variable but typical rates of seismicity and ground deformation, low rates of sulfur dioxide emissions, and only minor geologic changes since the end of eruptive activity in September 2018. The water lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u continues to slowly expand and deepen. For the most current information on the lake, see https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/k-lauea-summit-water-resources.
    Mauna Loa is not erupting and remains at Volcano Alert Level ADVISORY. This alert level does not mean that an eruption is imminent or that progression to eruption from current level of unrest is certain. Mauna Loa updates are issued weekly.
    This past week, about 42 small-magnitude earthquakes were recorded beneath the upper-elevations of Mauna Loa; most of these occurred at shallow depths of less than 8 kilometers (about 5 miles). Global Positioning System measurements show long-term slowly increasing summit inflation, consistent with magma supply to the volcano's shallow storage system. Gas concentrations and fumarole temperatures as measured at both Sulphur Cone and the summit remain stable. Webcams show no changes to the landscape. For more information on current monitoring of Mauna Loa Volcano, see: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/monitoring.
    There were three events with three or more felt reports in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M2.6 earthquake 6 km (3 mi) N of Wai‘ōhinu at 0 km (0 mi) depth on Nov. 3 at 6:40 a.m., a M3.5 earthquake 9 km (5 mi) ENE of Pāhala at 30 km (18 mi) depth on Nov. 2 at 1:47 a.m., and a M2.9 earthquake 1 km (0 mi) W of Pāhala at 34 km (21 mi) depth on Oct. 31 at 8:25 a.m.
    HVO continues to closely monitor both Kīlauea and Mauna Loa for any signs of increased activity.
    Visit HVO's website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

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Hula from Hoʻomaikaʻi Hula Studio at last year's Hoʻokopu No Kaʻū Cultural Festival. Photo by Julia Neal

Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year

Men from Mexico City who dance Tahitian arrived in Pāhala last year with
a troupe of some 40 members of Ballet Bali Hai. Photo by Julia Neal

THIS TIME LAST YEAR, Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder was preparing for Hoʻokupu Hula No Kaʻū Cultural Festival at Pāhala Community Center. The free day-long event – canceled this year due to COVID – featured many troupes of dancers from across Hawaiʻi and the world. Many Hawaiian musicians graded the stage. Attendees could also learn about Hawaiian agricultural and aquaculture practices, building traditional Hawaiian houses and instruments, and see other cultural demonstrations and workshops. Games, and foods and crafts for sale, were also on offer.

    The theme was appreciation of cultures worldwide, and the welcoming of those from afar who study Polynesian music and dance. Kumu Debbie Ryder and her husband Kawehi founded the festival on Lanaʻi, and established a cultural exchange with Hawaiian dancers and musicians from Kaʻū who traveled there. After five years, the festival moved from Lanaʻi to the grounds of Pāhala Plantation House, which it quickly outgrew, and on to Pāhala Community Center. The Ryders now live and work in Kaʻū with the schools and community, teaching Hawaiian dance, music, agriculture, and other cultural practices.

Making poi at last year's Hoʻokopu No Kaʻū Cultural Festival. 

Photo by Julia Neal

    Dance troupes included more than 30 members of Ballet Bali Hai of Mexico City under Clara Snell; Hoʻomakaʻi Hula Studio of Oʻahu under Kumu Hula Shona LamHo; Hālau Hula O Leionalani of Kaʻū under Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder; Hālau Ola O Kalani of Kaʻū under Kumu Hula Moses Kahoʻokele Crabbe; Kawehileimamoikawekiu o Kohala ogf Kohala under Kumu Hula Lorna Lim; Uluhaimalama of Hilo under Kumu Hula Emery Acerat; Aloha Pumehana/Vero Cruz Mexican Dances of Mexico under Professor Vero Ramirez; Hālau Kahanuola of Virginia under Instructor Keiko Alva; UH-Hilo's Filipino Dance Ensemble; UH-Hilo's Samoan Dance Ensemble; and Taiko Drummers under Paul Sakamoto.

A keiki dancer and singer watches on as Shona Lam Ho's
hālau performs last year. Photo by Julia Neal

    Musicians included Keaiwa, Times 5, Victor Chock, Steven Sioloa, Wailau Ryder & Friends, Kaleo Maoli, and Shootz.
    Cultural demonstrations included making poi by hand on stone poi pounders, and preparing kukui nuts and sea salt. Hawaiian medicine and nutritious food for heart health were on display. Kiko Johnson-Kitagawa, of Honuʻapo, displayed his outrigger canoe. Expert Wally Ito and Pam Lota Fujii helped educate the public about local seaweed and the limu's nutritional and cultural value. Crafts for sale included handmade Polynesian drums by the master, Ika Vea, and lei from the kumu of Hoʻomakaʻi.
    Among those who attended were Mayor Harry Kim and Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa District School Superintendent Keoni Farias. Both said they were inspired by the Hawaiian culture presented at the festival.
    See hookupukau.com.

Women of Mexico City who dance Tahitian in Pāhala at last year's Hoʻokupu No Kaʻū. Photo by Julia Neal

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar 

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

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.

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

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.

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.
    Attend virtual workshops: 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.
    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% 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. 

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.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. 

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 Issues, through 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 Kūpuna, 808b-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.

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

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