About The Kaʻū Calendar

Saturday, November 28, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, November 28, 2020

Cheska Aurelio, Saskia Sarbin-Delacruz, and Emerald Aurelio are Volcano School of Arts & Sciences students who 
live in Pāhala and Nāʻālehu, helping with food distribution today. Barbara Sarbin teaches permaculture and civics 
at the school. The students are learning food justice – making sure everyone has equal access to healthy food, 
said their teacher. Photo by Julia Neal


TRANSPACIFIC TRAVELERS INTO HAWAIʻI COUNTY must arrive with a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine for 14 days. Mayor Harry Kim announced COVID-19 Emergency Rule No. 13, which amends the previous rule that said travelers awaiting test results from outside the state would only be required to quarantine until a negative test result arrived.
    Rule 13, approved by Gov. David Ige on Friday, also allows County arrival testing for 25 to 100 percent of persons participating in the state's negative test exception program. These randomly-selected travelers must take a second COVID-19 test upon arrival on Hawai‘i Island at a County-designated facility near the airport. The County will bear the cost of the testing under federal CARES Act funds.
    There is no change to interisland travel. Travelers may either test for COVID-19 no more than 72 hours before traveling to Hawai‘i Island, or be tested after arrival. A negative post-arrival test allows the traveler to be released from quarantine.
    The Rule also incorporates the statewide face covering mandate, under which all persons must wear face coverings over their face and mouth while in public settings.
    Rule 13 is effective through Dec. 31.

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This Thanksgiving, Boys & Girls Club Big Island coordinated volunteers to bake, package, and deliver Thanksgiving
meals to families in need all over Hawaiʻi Island. Right to left, U.S. Congressman-elect Kai Kahele, Al Konishi,
Sarah Rice, Kipp Rice, and BGCBI Chief Executive Officer Chad Cabral with sons Auloa and Makani. BGCBI photo

THANKSGIVING MEALS FROM BOYS & GIRLS CLUB BIG ISLAND were distributed Thursday to identified families in Kaʻu, Puna, Hilo, and West Hawaiʻi. Each household was provided with a full Thanksgiving dinner that was cooked, packaged, and delivered to them by the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island. Food was prepared out of Boys & Girls Club kitchen facilities beginning Wednesday evening and into Thursday by community volunteers. BGCBI Chief Executive Officer Chad Cabral organized the offering, utilizing community volunteers to be able to give their Boys & Girls Club kitchen employees the holiday off.

Al Konishi, Makani Cabral, and Chad Cabral peel 
potatoes as part of the Thanksgiving meal 
preparation for Boys & Girls Club-identified 
families in need. BGCBI photo

    Meals included a full Thanksgiving spread of turkey and chicken, homemade mashed potatoes, stuffing, rice, fresh cooked corn, gravy, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. Meals were portioned according to household size and families were provided with enough food to carry them into the weekend.
    By 2 p.m., all dinners were boxed and loaded up into delivery vehicles where volunteers helped to transport the food items into communities across the island. Families were provided with enough utensils and paper products that would be needed. Some families were also given tables and chairs so that they could sit together for their meal.
    Cabral said, "Our committed kitchen staff have been working tirelessly for the past eight months, providing over 140,000 hot meals (to date) that go to support community keiki, kūpuna, and their families. Since the pandemic began in March, our staff have not taken a holiday off and we wanted to give them this one so that they could enjoy Thanksgiving at home with their families.
    "(For) some households, the holiday season can be a difficult and challenging time of year. Many struggle to secure the little extras that help to lift the spirits of children and bring cheer for their keiki.

This Thanksgiving meal was delivered to this
family by Boys & Girls Club. BGCBI photo
    "In the spirit of holiday giving and continuing our efforts to provide key nutritional supplementation for those that are the most in-need, the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island, with the help of some dedicated community volunteers, spent their Thanksgiving preparing some much-needed dinners for Hawaiʻi Island children.
    "Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island is honored to be able to support children and families throughout Hawaiʻi Island and we will continue the good work needed, working closely with those in-need to help strengthen families, protect and develop youth, and bring greater resources into communities.
    "These are the smiles of joy and appreciation that you are helping us to provide for. Please consider contributing so that we can continue to support our Hawaiʻi Island youth and families that need us the most. We thank you."
    Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island has started the It Just Takes One Annual Giving Campaign to help raise the operational funding needed to provide youth development programming and critical needs resources for children.
    Contribute by credit card here: https://cutt.ly/ohhChtY. Mail donations to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Island, 100 Kamakahonu St., Hilo, HI 96720.
    Contact BGCBI at (808) 961-5536 or info@bgcbi.org. See bgcbi.org.

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HAWAIʻI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE URGES EVERYONE TO BUY LOCAL during the holidays. In a message sent out Friday evening, the Chamber notes that Yelp's Economic Average shows Hawaiʻi with the largest number of business closures, temporary and permanent, per thousand businesses since March. "Money spent in Hawaiʻi helps our local economy," says the Chamber message.

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PĀHALA FOOD HUB COMPLETED ITS FOURTH week on Friday, with help from Volcano School of Arts & Sciences students. Volunteers Katie Graham, who works with Food Corps., and Julia Neal are co-captains, assisted by James Akau, Clyde Silva, Yvette Slack and this week new volunteer Lynn Hamilton, all of Pāhala. The idea is to hook up local families with local farmers. Funding from the federal CARES ACT comes through the county to Resilient Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi Rise Foundation, which pays the farmers for their food. In addition to feeding families during the pandemic, the goal is to help strengthen the relationship between Pāhala-area food producers and their community, leading to residents deciding to buy food directly from them when they can.
    The volunteers go to 50 houses a week, meet the residents, and deliver the food, expecting to cover the more than 400 houses in the village by the end of December.
The Aurelio sister volunteers were surprised and happy to bring
fresh grown Kaʻū food to their home. Photo by Julia Neal
    Participating food providers include: Crooked C. Ranch, Kaʻū Maliʻe Farms. Riley Ranch and Wood Valley Ranch, with many varieties of vegetables, fruit and mamaki tea; Kuahiwi Ranch with grass feed beef; Yvette Slack with avocados; Delvin Navarro and Millie Akau with bananas; Punaluʻu Bake Shop with cookies; and Bee Boyz with honey.

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.

STAY SAFE FROM COVID AND SPREAD ALOHA this holiday season, is the message from Sen. Dru Kanuha this week: "As the cases of COVID-19 encounter a steep rise this holiday season, the State of Hawai'i continues to be vigilant, implementing general safeguard mandates, to flatten the curve of this deadly virus. Thankfully, by working together, we have kept our cases of COVID-19 low and steady throughout the State – just another blessing of living in our beautiful Hawaiian Islands.
    "While there may be more holidays celebrated remotely, there are still opportunities to spread aloha and support children at risk of going hungry or losing small gifts of holiday cheer. Therefore, please continue to mask up, wash up, keep your distance, and consider donating to your local Food Bank, toy drive, and community organizations stepping up to help those less fortunate. Wishing you and yours a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season."

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.

Humpback whales breaching is one of the whale surface behaviors the Sanctuary Ocean Count documents each year.
NOAA photo


REGISTER FOR THE 2021 SANCTUARY OCEAN COUNT starting Tuesday, Dec. 15. The signature outreach and citizen science project offers the community – locals and visitors alike – a chance to monitor humpback whales from the shores of Kaʻū, all of Hawaiʻi Island, Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi. The count is conducted during peak whale season and provides a snapshot of humpback whale sightings from the shoreline.
    The count is held the last Saturday of January, February, and March, yearly. In 2021, the dates are Jan. 30, Feb. 27, and March 27, from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The Ocean Count promotes public awareness about humpback whales, the sanctuary, and shore-based whale watching opportunities in the Hawaiian Islands. The Great Whale Count takes place on the same dates on Maui, led by the Pacific Whale Foundation.
Volunteer for the 2021 Sanctuary Ocean Count. NOAA photo
    The Sanctuary Ocean Count project is highly dependent on and hugely successful due to enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers. Volunteers monitor the water for humpback whales and document the animals' surface behavior. Noting any other species seen is encouraged. The majority of participants are local residents; however, expanding interest has brought volunteers from all over.
    For information about volunteering, contact Cindy Among-Serrao, cindy.among-serrao@noaa.gov. Register at oceancount.org.

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.

WATCH FOR NUISANCE COASTAL FLOODING, as a northwest swell and high tides affect Kaʻū shores and shores all over Hawaiʻi Island, through at least Wednesday. The National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement Saturday that advises, "Impacts may include flooding of beaches that are normally dry, some minor coastal erosion, and salt water inundation of typically vulnerable low-lying roads, docks, boat ramps and other coastal infrastructure. Additional impacts will be felt as a large incoming northwest swell is expected to produce warning level surf which will coincide with high tide."

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.

Aerial photograph showing the distal western branch of the Thanksgiving 
Eve Breakout. This flow was active on the western side of the TEB flow 
field, near the top of the Royal Gardens subdivision and east of Puʻu ʻŌʻō. 
The Puʻu ʻŌʻō cone and gas plume are visible in the upper left of the image 
and the TEB vent plume is visible in the upper center. Mauna Kea is 
visible in the background. USGS photo taken on January 19, 2010.
THIS WEEK'S VOLCANO WATCH, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates, tales a look back at the Thanksgiving Eve Breakout from 2007:
    Recall this lava flow crisis from years ago: lava breaks out of the normal confines of the long-lived Puʻu ʻŌʻō eruption, with flows advancing relentlessly towards residential areas downslope. Over several months, USGS HVO and County of Hawai‘i Civil Defense Agency monitor the hazards closely in lower Puna as the situation evolves.
    While this scenario describes the highly destructive 2018 eruption on the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea, it also pertains to an earlier event on the East Rift Zone: the Thanksgiving Eve Breakout lava flow in 2007.
    Although the TEB flow was much less destructive than the 2018 LERZ eruption, it nevertheless threatened homes in lower Puna for months. The TEB episode also bore important lessons on lava flow hazards that are worth considering in any future rift zone eruption in Hawaiʻi.
    By late 2007, the Puʻu ʻŌʻō eruption, on the middle East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano, was already 24 years old and showed no signs of slowing down. A new vent had formed in July just east of Puʻu ʻŌʻō cone, with lava heading north of the rift zone, forming a large perched lava channel during September through November.
    Early on Nov. 21, the day before Thanksgiving, lava broke out of the vent area on the south flank of the elevated lava channel, and the slope of the channel levees helped direct lava towards the south.
    The new TEB flow slowly advanced downslope towards the south, with the pāhoehoe lava forming a lava tube as it moved. The flow cut through the remains of Royal Gardens subdivision on its course to the ocean.
    The TEB flow reached the coastline, just west of Kalapana, in March 2008. Its lava tube remained active for three years, supplying lava to ocean entries (including the long-lived Waikupanaha entry). The consistent supply through the tube allowed the flow to gradually widen on the low slopes of the coastal plain.
    In mid-2010 the eastward expansion of the flow began threatening Kalapana Gardens subdivision. The subdivision had been covered by lava flows in 1990, with subsequent rebuilding in later years. Between July 2010 and January 2011, a slow-motion lava flow crisis destroyed three homes, while threatening many more.
Puʻu ʻŌʻō flows from 1983 through 2008, episodes 1 through 58. USGS map

    
Eventually, a backup of magma in the system near Puʻu ʻŌʻō drove rising pressure, which then caused an intrusion and new vents to form west of Puʻu ʻŌʻō in March 2011. Within weeks, however, activity shifted back to Puʻu ʻŌʻō, and it continued with its eruptive activity from new vents for another 7 years.
    What can we learn from the TEB episode 13 years ago? The main takeaway is that a minor shift in vent position on the rift zone can cause a major change in lava flow direction and the resulting hazard.
    When the TEB breakout started, it moved the vent location by just a stone's throw, and yet it shifted the entire thrust of the flow from north to south. The precise location of a vent relative to the axis of the rift zone, which forms a subtle ridge, can determine which side of the ridge the flows descend. This was also a factor in why lava flows headed northeast during the 2014–2015 Pāhoa lava flow crisis.
    The TEB flow also shows how an eruption can build new features on the rift zone, like lava channels and lava shields, that can influence subsequent flow direction. More recently, during the 2018 LERZ eruption, lava from early fissures built up new topography that contributed to the destructive fissure 8 flow focused northeast towards Kapoho subdivisions. The early lava kept the fissure 8 flow from moving southeast towards less populated areas.
    These examples illustrate why the opening hours or days of a rift zone eruption are so consequential for hazards, both for Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. When an eruption starts, geologists must keep a close eye on the position of fissures relative to the rift zone axis. And they must be on the lookout for growing features like lava channels or shields that may shunt subsequent lava in a new direction.
    The 2007 TEB episode of the Puʻu ʻŌʻō eruption, and rift zone events since then, are a reminder that big changes in hazards can hinge on small changes at the vent. 
 
The Thanksgiving Eve Breakout lava flow in 2007 created a lava tube that helped supply the long-lived Waikupahana entry.
USGS photo

    
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 past month show variable but typical rates of seismicity and ground deformation, low rates of sulfur dioxide emissions, and only minor geologic changes since the end of eruptive activity in September 2018. The water lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u continues to slowly expand and deepen. For the most current information on the lake, see https://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 89 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 usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/monitoring.
    There were two events with three or more felt reports in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M2.3 earthquake 17 km (10 mi) S of Volcano at 4 km (3 mi) depth on Nov. 25 at 7:38 a.m. and a M3.1 earthquake 8 km (4 mi) ENE of Pāhala at 31 km (19 mi) depth on Nov. 21 at 6:26 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.

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.

Onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 14 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 SEVENTEEN NEW COVID case today. There are two people hospitalized on Hawaiʻi Island with the virus. The average daily case rate for Hawaiʻi Island is nine over the last two weeks.
    New cases reported statewide today total 76, with 48 on Oʻahu, nine on Maui, one on Kauaʻi, and one residents diagnosed out-of-state. The average daily case rate for the state is 94 over the last two weeks.
    Since the pandemic began, 49 deaths have been reported on Hawaiʻi Island. At least 240 people have died in the state, according to state records, none reported today.
    Since the pandemic began, there have been 17,784 total COVID cases in the state. Oʻahu has reported 15,218 total cases, Hawaiʻi 1,591, Maui 530, Lanaʻi 106, Molokaʻi 17, and Kauaʻi 111. Residents diagnosed while out-of-state, 211. Statewide, 1,287 people have been hospitalized since the pandemic began.
    No new cases have been reported in the last 14 days for Volcano zip code 96718 and Kaʻū zip code 96777.
    In the last 14 days, less than ten active cases have been reported in zip code 96704, which includes Miloliʻi; zip code 96772, which includes Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, and Discovery Harbour; zip code 96737, which includes Ocean View; and Volcano zip code 96785.
    In the last 14 days, 15 cases have been reported in Hilo zip code 96720, 49 in Kona zip code 96740.
    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.
    COVID-19 case count in the U.S. is more than 13,227,195 – about 20.9 percent of worldwide cases. The death toll is more than 265,973 – about 18.5 percent of worldwide deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 62 million COVID-19 cases. The death toll is more than 1,449,642.

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.

Hannah's Makana ʻOhana Hālau performed at Kauahaʻao Congregational Church's annual fundraiser bazaar in 2019.
Photo by Debbie Wong Yuen

Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year
Gene Akamu played for the crowd last 
Year at the annual Kauahaʻao Congregational 
Church fundraiser bazaar. 
Photo by Debbie Wong Yuen
Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries at the bazaar
offered a huge selection of items, to raise 
money for Pāhala Public and School 
Library, and the Nāʻālehu Public Library. 
Photo by Debbie Wong Yuen
Last year, Kauahaʻao Church's annual Fundraising Bazaar "was a great day, with many people attending until the rain came and shut all the vendors and entertainment down quickly," said Kahu, Pastor, Debbie Wong Yuen. The Waiʻōhinu church's grounds hosted more than four dozen vendors offering food, crafts, and more.
    Entertainment for the event included Hannah's Makana ʻOhana Hālau, Thy Word Ministry Praise Team, and Gene Akamu. Vendors included Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries, who offered a huge mostly-books sale, with a large selection of art books, cookbooks, vintage books, antique books, Hawaiiana, novels, non-fiction, a collection of World War II books, a collection on fighter planes, a collection on wines of the world, audio books, records, DVDs, plants, household items, and clothes. All proceeds were given to the Pāhala Public and School Library, and the Nāʻālehu Public Library.

Last year's church bazaar offered food and craft vendors, music, dance, and more. Photo by Debbie Wong Yuen


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
Free Drive-Thru COVID Testing, every Saturday at Kea‘au High School in Puna, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. No co-pay, no insurance necessary, but bring insurance card if have. People do not have to have symptoms in order to be tested. Social distancing must be observed and face coverings must be worn at all times. For more, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

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

Holiday Open House at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, Sunday, Nov. 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy viewing of handmade wreaths, cider, music, door prizes, and gifts. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Volcano Village Art Hui: Creative Adaptations 2020 34th Annual Studio Tour & Sale, adapted to fit pandemic circumstances, will be held Nov. 29, Sunday. Participating artists will offer various ways to acquire art using safety guidelines, including online orders, scheduled appointments, and/or modified on-site studio tours. Many artists will continue these opportunities throughout December and beyond. See VolcanoVillageArtistsHui.com or Instagram: @VolcanoArtHui for updates and individual artists' contact information.

Get Books Into the Hands of Keiki at the Volcano School of Arts & Sciences Virtual Book Fair, through Sunday, Nov. 29. This link, https://www.scholastic.com/bf/volcanoschoolofartssci, is for VSAS and will allow all purchases through this site to be credited towards VSAS's fundraiser. In addition, teachers will set up individual ʻeWalletʻ accounts for teacher wishlist funds: The eWallet allows parents, guardians, and community members to donate funds (not books) from which teachers can purchase books. There is free shipping on book purchases over $25.

Watch Hawaiʻi International Film Festival Online through Sunday, Nov. 29. Tickets for individual screenings as well as all-access passes are available here.

Order Culinary and Craft Gifts Made By Kaʻū High Entrepreneurs online through Monday, Nov. 30 and by email through Friday, Dec. 11 via email. Mail orders will be shipped by Dec. 4. Pick up orders will be available at Kaʻū High School on Dec. 10. Make purchases online at hfwfmarketplace.com. Selections include Kaʻū ʻOno Iʻa, sustainably-caught, artisan-dried ʻopelu (mackerel) - Kaʻū residents receive $5 off per bag; Manaʻolana Butters, two butter flavors: lilikoi or chilli; Kaʻū Quality F.I.T. Powder, all-natural fruit powder; Lāʻau Aloha by Kamalanini, pendants, incorporating resin and hand-carved polished ʻōhiʻa and ʻaʻaliʻi wood; and Kaʻū Design Group two custom-designed hats. Email questions for the student entrepreneurs to aina.akamu@k12.hi.us.

The Cultural Significance of Humpback Whales in Hawaiʻi virtual presentation will be held Monday, Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The webinar will focus on the place of humpback whales, koholā, in Hawaiian culture. Koholā was believed to be a manifestation of Kanaloa, the god of the ocean, and is said to be responsible in helping the Polynesians discover the Hawaiian Islands. Join presenter Solomon Pili Kahoʻohalahala as he shares that whales are also revered as ʻaumakua (spiritual protector) to specific families and were generally viewed as divine beings. Register here

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.


Apply for Small Business Relief Grants, Thursday, Nov. 26 through Wednesday, Dec. 2. Local Initiatives Support Corporation's Small Business Relief Grant program will accept applications from eligible businesses in rural areas for awards up to $20,000. For more information and to apply, visit the program website.

From Plant to Pigment with Puakea Forester returns on Saturday, Dec. 5 at Volcano Art Center in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees apply. Register at volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222.

Apply or Donate to Full Calabash Fund to support vulnerable Hawaiʻi families and food producers impacted by the pandemic through The Kohala Center. Organizations and foundations can donate to the Full Calabash Fund through Dec. 31 by contacting Nicole Milne, The Kohala Center's vice president of food and agriculture initiatives, at (808) 987-9210 or nmilne@kohalacenter.org. Nonprofit organizations and meal preparation services can apply for grants through Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. online at koha.la/calabash or by calling 808-887-6411.

Sea Turtles in Hawaiʻi virtual presentation will be held Wednesday, Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The webinar presenter, Hannah Bernard, is the executive director of Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, a non-profit organization with a mission to protect native wildlife. She will discuss the latest information on their work with the various sea turtle species found within the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. The live presentation is hosted by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Register here

Big Island Giving Tree
 will have a booth at St. Jude's in Ocean View on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Available to those in need will be free clothing, linens, shoes, household items, cleaning products, and hygiene products.

Second Saturday at Volcano Art Center on Dec. 12 offers barbecue chicken or ribs plates as a fundraiser for VAC, in the parking lot of Niʻaulani. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Homestead Mushroom Cultivation workshop with Zach Mermel, Saturday, Dec. 12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees apply. Register at volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222.

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.

Register for 2021 Sanctuary Ocean Count starting Tuesday, Dec. 15. The count is held the last Saturday of January, February, and March, yearly. In 2021, the dates are Jan. 30, Feb. 27, and March 27, from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The Ocean Count promotes public awareness about humpback whales, the sanctuary, and shore-based whale watching opportunities in the Hawaiian Islands. Contact Cindy Among-Serrao, cindy.among-serrao@noaa.gov. Register at oceancount.org.

Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund Public Cleanup Event Saturday, Dec. 19. Group size limited due to COVID-19 precautions and government proclamations. Contact Megan Lamson-Leatherman at (808) 280-8124 or wild@aloha.net.

Apply for SNAP at Markets Grant through Sunday, Dec. 20. Launched by Hawaiʻi Farmers Market Association, the program will work through implementation and promotion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Visit the program website for more information and to apply.

Homeowners, Apply for Affordable Rental Housing Tax Reduction through Dec. 31. Application, requirements and benefits are at hawaiipropertytax.com/misc.html or call the county Real Property Tax office at 961-8201 or 323-4880.

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

Vote for Kīlauea Military Camp's Holiday Challenge Winner. Local community members and guests at KMC are invited to come see the decorated cottages at the camp and vote for their favorite one. The annual event is a friendly decorating competition between KMC employees. It began the day after Thanksgiving and ends on New Year's Day, Jan. 1, 2021.

Apply for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Members by Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. There are five primary and 11 alternate seats open: Business/Commerce (primary & alternate), Commercial Shipping (alternate), Conservation (alternate), Fishing (primary & alternate), Lānaʻi Island Representative (alternate), Maui Island Representative (primary & alternate), Molokaʻi Island (alternate), Native Hawaiian (alternate), Oʻahu Island (primary & alternate), Research (alternate), and Youth (primary & alternate). To receive an application kit or for further information, contact Cindy Among-Serrao via email at Cindy.Among-Serrao@noaa.gov or visit the sanctuary website, hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/management/advisory/recruitment.html.

ONGOING
COMMUNITY
Support Volcano Emergency Response Team's Efforts
 to supply a newly-developed plan to manage potential disasters in the community of Volcano until other assistance arrives. In order to address these disasters quickly and efficiently, such as hurricanes, COVID-19, and volcanic issues, supplies, and equipment are needed to assist the Volcano community in the event of a disaster. VERP has set up a GoFundMe website to address these needs and would be "extremely grateful" for any contribution in any amount. See gofundme.com/volcano-emergency-response-plan or the VERP page at thecoopercenter.org.

Volunteer in the Community urges Hawaiʻi Community Foundation: "You can make Hawaiʻi better with your time. Whether you help pull invasive species from the coastline, pick up rubbish from the beach, deliver food to seniors, or read to keiki, just a couple hours of your time make a huge difference in your community! If you've ever considered volunteering, now is the time your community needs it most." Connect with community partners and get resources on where to volunteer at hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/participate.

Free Lifetime Entry for Veterans and Gold Star Families to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes and other national parks. Free entry applies to national parks, wildlife refuges, forests, and other Federal lands managed by the Department of the Interior. Learn more details, and how to apply and receive a Gold Star Family voucher, at https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm.

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.

Purchase Stay Home, Cook Rice – A Pandemic Limited Edition cookbook by Hawaiian Electric employees and retirees, and their families and friends. Cookbook is $14 and includes more than 160 recipes. Benefits Hawaiʻi Island's United Way chapter partners, which includes Boys & Girls Club Big Island. Find order form here, call 543-4601 on weekdays from 8 a.m to 3 p.m., or email karen.garcia@hawaiianelectric.com. Cookbooks can only be mailed within the U.S. USPS Priority Mail rates will be applied. Delays may be due to the pandemic.

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. Cooper Center's EBT Machine, used at the Farmer's Market, is out of service until further notice. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. 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.

Kaʻu Art Gallery is Open in Nāʻālehu Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Gallery is in the process of showcasing everything in the gallery online at kauartgallery.com. If interested in purchasing, contact Kaʻu Art Gallery at kauartgallery@hawaiiantel.biz.

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

Watch Hawaiʻi's 28th Annual Filipino Fiesta and 8th Flores de Mayo virtual celebration here, hosted by the Filipino Community Center.

FREE FOOD
Apply for The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences COVID-19 Family Relief Funds. Funded by Volcano Community Association, and members of the VSAS Friends and Governing Boards, who have donated, the fund supplies KTA or Dimple Cheek Gift Cards, or gift cards to other locally-owned business, to VSAS families in need. Contact Kim Miller at 985-8537, kmiller@volcanoschool.net to apply. Contributions to the fund can be sent in by check to: VSAS, PO Box 845, Volcano, HI 96785 – write Relief Fund in the memo. See volcanoschool.net.

Bulk School Meal Service for those 18 and under will be held at Volcano and Pāhala on alternating weeks. Friday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., pick up food at Kaʻū District Gym. Friday, Dec. 11, pick up food at The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences Keakealani Campus located at 19-4024 Haunani Road in Volcano. No service on Friday, Nov. 27. The program runs through June 30, 2021. Pick up food items such as eggs, cereal, dry pasta, rice, beans, tortillas, milk, and canned vegetables and fruit. As the program grows, a variety of fresh products like meats, fruits, and vegetables may be on offer. Each distribution will provide enough food for every person 18 years and under to eat breakfast and lunch. No income requirements to participate. Youth do not need to be present to receive bags but be prepared to give their names and birthdates. See https://www.volcanoschool.net/ or call 808-985-9901.

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
Purchase The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences Fundraising calendars, t-shirts, and sweatshirts. Preview the calendar here. Order the Calendar using this form. Send payment or donations to VSAS PayPal. Order school t-shirts and sweatshirts via order forms with payment to the main office: VSAS, PO Box 845, Volcano, HI 96785. For a printed copy of the order form to be mailed, contact Kaye at 985-9800, knagamine@volcanoschool.net. Contact Kanani at kwylie@volcanoschool.net for more information and assistance with ordering.

Free WiFi Access for Students is available in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary. 
    In Pāhala, access is limited to ten students at a time at the school gym on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Support is provided by Joshua Ortega. 
    In Nāʻālehu, access is limited to 12 students at a time at Nāʻālehu Assembly of God on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Support is provided by Carla Lind. 
    In Ocean View, access is limited to five students at a time at Ocean View Community Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Support is provided by Crystal Mandaquit. No restrooms available at this location. 
    Kaʻū Mobile Learning Hub at St. Jude's lower parking lot is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instruction and support are provided by Carla Lind, Arianrhod VanNewkirk, Heather Naboa, Marcia Masters, and Breeann Ebanez. 
    All students and staff must wear a mask at all times and follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Each student must bring their device, school materials, and a water bottle. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.

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

Appointments for free Veterinary Care or Spay & Neutering can be scheduled by visiting hihs.org and clicking on the Services Tab, then selecting Spay and Neuter or Community Vet Care, or by emailing petsupport@hihs.org or calling 808-217-0154. All appointments must be scheduled in advance and are open to healthy owned dogs and cats only. Two pets per family will be accommodated. Each pet must have its own appointment. Animals other than dogs and cats, unhealthy animals, or those with contagious illnesses will not be accepted.

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.

Report Humpback Whales in Trouble is the reminder from Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association and Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale and National Marine Sanctuary: "If you spot a humpback whale in trouble (entangled, being harassed etc.) please call the NOAA Fisheries 24 hour hotline at 1-888-256-984. The line also works for reports for sea turtles, monk seals and dolphins."

AGRICULTURE
Contact AskUSDA at (833) ONE-USDA with representatives available 4 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays. The website, ask.usda.gov is available 24/7 and includes live chat agents available 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays. Inquiries can also be sent via email at any time to askusda@usda.gov.

Women Farmers can Register with Hawaiʻi Women Farmers Directory, a statewide online directory of women-operated farms, ranches, and agribusinesses. Visit the program website to register.

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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