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Saturday, July 03, 2021

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, July 3, 2021

Spectators watching the mower parade at OKK's Independence Day Celebration at the OKK Marketplace
 in Na'alehu on July 3.  Photo courtesy OKK
 
THE INDEPENDENCE DAY EVENT IN NA`ALEHU July 3 drew many more people than expected, said the leader of the sponsoring organization O Kaʻū  Kakou. Wayne Kawachi said the group served up 450 hot dogs and cut up nine watermelons. Participants decorated lawnmowers with American flags and other patriotic symbols for a parade around the grounds of the OKK Nā‘ālehu Marketplace.

Sen. Dru Kanuha surprised Wayne Kawachi
 of OKK today with a commendation from
 the State Senate. Photo by Lee McIntosh 
    Kawachi received an unexpected honor from state Senator Dru Kanuha, with a commendation from the Hawai’i State Senate. It acknowledged Kawachi for his many community contributions, including his role as a fisherman feeding people during the pandemic, his 100-mile walk to raise money for senior housing, his establishment of the OKK Nā‘ālehu Marketplace, the annual Keiki Fishing Tournament, Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run, cleaning the pond at Punalu’u, helping the local hospital and hosting many OKK community projects over the years.
    Music during the event came from Sonny Ramos and Tui Masaniai.

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MORE 2021 FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS are scheduled for Saturday and  County of Hawaiʻi Department of Parks & Recreation reminds the public of fireworks
Tui Masaniai and Sonny Ramos at today's
Independence Day celebration at OKK's
Na'alehu Marketplace. Photo courtesy OKK
in Hilo and Kailua-Kona. In East Hawaiʻi, the Hilo Bay Blast fireworks exhibition will begin at 8 p.m., with professional pyrotechnics set off from a barge moored in Hilo Bay. All marine vessels, including kayaks, all types of canoes, and stand-up paddleboards operating at night, are required to have navigation lights and personal floatation devices. A 100-yard perimeter will be established around the fireworks barge in Hilo Bay.
    At the Mo‘oheau Bandstand, Hawai‘i County Band will present a live accompaniment to the fireworks with a performance that begins at 7 p.m. 
    In West Hawaiʻi, the Kona Fireworks Display will begin at 8 p.m., with professional pyrotechnics set off from the north end of the old runway at Kailua Park. 
     The County asks the public to observe Hawai`i County mandated Covid-19 safety protocols – physical distancing, face coverings, and limits on gathering sizes. Personal fireworks, alcohol and tobacco use, and
Lawnmowers decorated for a parade today
on the grounds of OKK Marketplace.
Photo by Lee McIntosh

e-cigs are prohibited at all county and state parks  community entities.

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KA'U WAS CENTER STAGE AT MERRIE MONARCH FESTIVAL on its final day, Saturday, with the performance of Ka Nani Aʻo Kaʻū - The Beauty of Kaʻū, written by the late George Lanakilakeikiahialiʻi Naope. The music and dance describe Kaʻū places Palahemo, Kalae, Kaulana, and Ahukini, each verse with the refrain Aloha no'o Kaʻū - with love and affection for Kaʻū.  Naope was one of the founders of the Merrie Monarch Festival and his influence continues though his own student, Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder who teaches here.
      This year, the Festival was entirely virtual. To see the event and for the winners of Kahiko and 'Auana competitions, and Miss Aloha Hula,  see www.merriemonarch.com and www.hawaiinewsnow/merriemonarch.com.

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A LEADING ALOHA 'AINA ADVOCATE, DR. HAUNANI-KAY TRASK, passed away Saturday morning. She was 71, born on Oct. 3, 1949. After an education at Kamehameha Schools and on the mainland, she became a founder of the Center for Hawaiian Studies at University of Hawai'i and a professor emeritus. 
    A powerful public speaker who was often compared to black activist Angela Davis, Trask was awarded 
Aloha Aina advocate Haunani Trask. Photo by Kapulani Landgraf
the Angela Davis Prize by the American Studies Association in 2019.     During her academic career she  earned many fellowships, from the Rockefeller Foundation to Harvard University, National Endowment for the Arts and University of Otago in New Zealand to the International Institute of Human Rights in France.
    In her writings and poetry, Trask often warned of negative environmental and cultural impacts of colonialism, and the presence of the military and tourism on the Hawaiian islands. Her books include From A Native Daughter: Colonialism and Sovereignty in Hawai'i, Night of the Sharkskin Drum and Thirty Years of Land Struggle in Hawai'i. Her film is Hawai'i: A Voice for Sovereignty.
Haunani Trask and partner David Stannard. Photo from U.H.
     Her partner, David Stannard, a professor in American Studies at U.H., also focuses on history and change in Hawai'i. A scholarship at U.H., endowed in their names, supports Indigenous and Pacific Island studies. See https://giving.uhfoundation.org/funds/20935503 
    Congressman Kai Kahele said: "As the founding director of Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies at UH Mānoa, she inspired generations of young scholars. Mahalo for your immeasurable contributions to the advancement of Native Hawaiians."    
    University of Hawai'i Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge Dean Jonathan Kamakawiwoʻole Osorio said, “Professor Trask was a fearless advocate for the Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) and was responsible for inspiring thousands of brilliant and talented Hawaiians to come to the University of Hawaiʻi. But she also inspired our people everywhere to embrace their ancestry and identity as Hawaiians and to fight for the restoration of our nation. 
    She gave everything she had as a person to our Lāhui and her voice, her writing and her unrelenting passion for justice will, like our Queen, always represent our people.
    "E ola mau loa e Haunani Kay Trask, ʻaumakua of the poet warrior."
    Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies Director Kekuewa Kikiloi said, "Dr. Trask was a visionary leader of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement and the founding director of Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies at U.H. at Mānoa. She served her career as tenured professor in our department inspiring critical thinking and making important contributions in areas of settler colonialism and indigenous self-determination. 
    "More importantly, she was a bold, fearless, and vocal leader that our lāhui needed in a critical time when Hawaiian political consciousness needed to be nurtured. Our center mourns her passing and sends our aloha and to the Trask ʿohana. Our department remains committed to carrying on the legacy of Professor Trask in educating and empowering the lāhui."

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DEPT. OF INTERIOR BILLS IN CONGRESS, supported by Rep Ed Case, include "critical investments in environmental protection and land conservation, clean air and water to protect our communities’ health, earthquake and volcano warning systems,” said the Congressman. “There is also funding to protect our public lands and endangered species, support our Native Hawaiian communities, assist with climate change mitigation, and help our state government with the costs of programs benefiting our Compacts of 
Free Association residents.”


     Proposed funding includes $44 million for the U.S. Geological Survey Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, and $16.9 million for the National Trails System, which will benefit the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail. Case said,      “The critical work of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory cannot be overstated given the destructive impacts of both lava 
flows and the emission of sulfur dioxide in the wake of eruptions as recently as last December.”
    Programs and provisions requested by Case in the Interior bill also include: $452 million for National Park Service land acquisitions and State Assistance Grants; Language instructing the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations to expand the federal governments Native Hawaiian community consultation efforts. Another appropriation would be $4 million for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s State of the Birds to support efforts "to recover our most endangered Hawaiian forest bird species. There would be $33.5 million, a $3.3 million increase, for the U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Hazards Program to includes funding for the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, which monitors the active volcanoes in Hawai‘i, assess hazards, issue warnings and advance scientific understanding to reduce impacts of volcanic eruptions.

    National Park Service American Indian and Native Hawaiian Art and Culture Grants program would receive $1.8 million. State Historic Preservation Office would receive $57.7. 
    The measure also includes $1.1 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which provides funding to Hawaii’s regulated water systems for the construction of drinking water infrastructure projects.
    Concerning Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies, Case said, “As we continue to emerge from the devastating impact of COVID-19, we must work to strengthen Hawai'i’s agricultural sector, which has been a major driver of our local economy.” Case recently testified before the Committee on Agriculture, concerning Hawai'i's special circumstances. See his presentation at https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=568. He said small farms and farmers market have provided a critical lifeline "in helping to feed families during the pandemic.”
   Case also noted that Rural development, "critical, and most important here, is ensuring broadband connectivity which, as we’ve also seen in COVID-19, is essential to effective tele-health, remote learning and working from home, especially for those students who were unable to attend schools shut down during the height of COVID-19.”

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NA'ALEHU AND VOLCANO ARE CENTER FOR SENIOR SUMMER CLASSES IN THE KA'U area,  provided by County of Hawai'i Department of Parks & Recreation. Elderly Recreation Services will begin summer classes for seniors on Monday, July 26. ERS will offer a variety of classes like yoga, Zumba, Tai Chi, arts and crafts, dance, sports and much more. Participants must be 55 years of age or older.
    Classes will run for nine weeks, through the week ending Friday, Sept. 24 with different classes offered in Nā‘ālehu, Volcano, Hilo, Pāhoa, Mt. View, Volcano, Hōlualoa and Kailua-Kona. “We are thankful to our many instructors who make it possible for our seniors to learn new skills, recreate and socialize responsibly through these classes during these trying times,” said Messina. For more information go to the EAD website, https://www.parks.hawaiicounty.gov/divisions/elderly-activities.

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ENROLL CHILDREN, from first through eighth grade, in Kula ʻAmakihi, a program from Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences. It starts Aug. 3. Call 808-985- 9800 or visit www.volcanoschool.net. See more on Page 6 of the July Kaʻū Calendar Newspaper.
 
SIGN UP FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL IN KA‘Ū. See more on Page 5 of the July Kaʻū Calendar Newspaper.

REGISTER TO GET RID OF JUNK VEHICLES at a pop up event at Ocean View Community Center on Saturday July 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the pickup on July 17 and 18. See more on Page 11 of the July Kaʻū Calendar Newspaper.

GET PFIZER OR J&J COVID VACCINATIONS at Ocean View on July 10 and Pāhala on July 17. See more on Page 13 of the July Kaʻū Calendar Newspaper.

VOLUNTEER AT KA‘Ū SCHOOL GARDEN on Saturday, July 31 at 9 a.m. as part of the Hawai`i Island Community Food Summit. See more on Page 5 of the July Kaʻū Calendar Newspaper. 

SIGN UP FOR EXPERIENCE VOLCANO FESTIVAL, which happens on Saturday, Aug. 14. See more on Page 15 of the July Kaʻū Calendar Newspaper.

REGISTER FOR VOLCANO’S OHIA LEHUA RUNS, which happen on Saturday, Aug. 14. See more on Page 5 of the July Kaʻū Calendar Newspaper.

REGISTER FOR THE KA‘Ū COFFEE TRAIL RUN, which returns on Saturday, Sept. 18. See more on the OKK event at https://www.kaucoffeetrailruns.com/

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WALK THROUGH A GUIDED 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. www.volcanoartcenter.org. Call 967-8222.

KAʻŪ ART GALLERY is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in Kaʻū. It features and sells works by local artists and offers other gift items. Kaʻū Art Gallery's website has 24/7 access online and is frequently updated to show current inventory items. "We are always looking to collaborate with local artists in our community," said assistant Alexandra Kaupu. Artists with an interest in being featured at Kaʻū Art Gallery and Gift Shop, contact gallery owner and director Corrine Kaupu at kauartgallery@hawaiiantel.bi

GOLF & MEMBERSHIPS for Discovery Harbour Golf Course and its Clubhouse: The Club offers Social Memberships, with future use of the clubhouse and
current use of the pickleball courts as well as walking and running on specified areas of the golf course before 8 a.m. and after 3 p.m. to enjoy the panoramic

ocean views. Golf memberships range from unlimited play for the avid golfer to casual play options. Membership is required to play and practice golf on the course. All golf memberships include Social Membership amenities. Membership fees are designed to help underwrite programs and improvements to the facilities.
Call 808-731-5122 or stop by the Clubhouse during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at 94-1581 Kaulua Circle. Email clubatdiscoveryharbour@gmail.com. See The Club at Discovery Harbour Facebook page.


FREE LIFETIME ENTRY for Veterans and Gold Star Families to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes and other national parks available at the entry gate.





OUTDOOR MARKETS

ALOHA FRIDAY MARKETPLACE, hosted by Kaʻū Main Street, is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., grounds of Kauahaʻao Congregational Church in Waiʻohinu. "It's a Farmer's Market, Swap Meet, Food Court, Arts & Crafts, Health Practitioners, Entertainment and more sharing our Manao and Aloha," says a statementfrom Nāʻālehu Main Street. "Our intention and mission is to increase economic viability in Kaʻū by providing additional opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses to share their products and services with the community. We welcome you to participate and help create a vibrant community!" Email AlohaFridayMarket@gmail.com for vendor inquiries, availability and application.

VOLCANO FARMERS MARKET, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays. 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Hawai‘i Coffee. 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 COMMUNITY MARKET, open Saturdays and Thursdays, 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 Council. 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.

O KAʻŪ KĀKOU MARKET, in Nāʻālehu, open Wednesday, and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon. Limit of 50 customers per hour, 20 vendor booths, with 20 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing 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. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

OCEAN VIEW SWAP MEET is 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 required.

BUY LOCAL GIFTS ONLINE, IN-PERSON
VOLCANO ART CENTER ONLINE, in person. Shop at Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, 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. See volcanoartcenter.org/events, call 967-8222.

KAʻŪ COFFEE MILL & VISITOR CENTER. Buy online at kaucoffeemill.com and in person at 96-2694 Wood Valley Road, daily, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

PUNALUʻU BAKESHOP online at bakeshophawaii.com and in-person 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week in Nāʻālehu.

ALIʻI HAWAIʻI HULA HANDS COFFEE. Order by calling 928-0608 or emailing alihhhcoffee@yahoo.com.

AIKANE PLANTATION COFFEE COMPANY. Order online at aikaneplantation.com. Call 808-927-2252

MIRANDA'S FARMS KAʻŪ COFFEE. Order online at mirandafarms.com or, in person at 73-7136 Mamalahoa Hwy, Nāʻālehu.

KUAHIWI RANCH STORE, in person. Shop weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 11 am to 3 p.m. at 95-5520 Hwy 11. Locally processed grass-fed beef, live meat chickens, and feed for cattle, goats, sheep, chickens, horses, dogs, and pigs. Call 929-7333 of 938-1625, email kaohi@kuahiwiranch.com.

CHURCH SERVICES

OCEAN VIEW EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY CHURCH holds services on Sundays beginning with Sing-Along on the Square at 10:15 a.m., followed by Sunday Morning Service at 11 a.m. In-person services following CDC Guidelines and Hawaii mandates by using hand sanitizer, wearing face masks and practicing social distancing.
Music and Sermons are posted to FaceBook.com/OVECC. Also see FaceBook.com/OVECC for more. The church campus for Ocean View Evangelical Community Church is 92-8977 Leilani Circle. ovecchurch@gmail.com

ST. JUDES'S IS HOLDING SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP at 9:30 a.m. in the sanctuary, with COVID protocol in place, including wearing masks. For those unable to attend in person, a Zoom link is offered at
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85798655114?pwd=QW5YSmQwNFAyWVZud3QvSVBiNXJ0Zz09. Meeting ID is 857 9865 5114. Passcode is Aloha.
    St. Jude's offers free food and showers, live church services and community outreach in Ocean View. St. Jude's Episcopal Mission is at Paradise Circle - mauka at Keaka. The Sunday service is also broadcast on Facebook through the St. Jude's web page at http://www.stjudeshawaii.org.
    Free hot showers are open to anyone on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 pm There are two private stalls. The church provides body wash, shampoo and a clean towel. Shower participants must be signed up by 12:30 p.m.
Free showers and lunches are available for anyone at St. Judes
on Saturdays. Photo from St. Jude's
    Attendants take the temperatures of the shower users and ask that all wear masks, regardless of vaccination status. The monitors sanitize the shower stalls after each use. However, St. Jude's assumes no liability in the transmission of any illness and posts the cautionary, "Use at Your Own Risk." On Saturdays, free lunches (take out only) are available between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
    St. Jude's is also working with Kaʻū High & Pahala Elementary for educational outreach and better internet for the entire Ocean View Community.

HOPE DIA-MEND MINISTRIES holds outdoor services Sundays at 9:45 a.m. at 92-898 Ginger Blossom Lane in Ocean View. Masks and distancing required. For help and/or to donate, call or text 808-937-6355, or call the Ministry at 808-920-8137. See Facebook and at hopedia-mendministries.com.

DEPRESSED, ANXIOUS, NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO? 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 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 at facebook.com/bhhsurg

KAʻŪ WOMEN'S COLLECTIVE OFFERS HEALTH PROGRAMS. 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. Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.

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 at chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home.

EDUCATION

Free WiFi Access for Students is available in Kaʻū, Nāʻālehu, and Ocean View through Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary. Questions? See khpes.org or call 313-4100.

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.

 Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach and Tutoring Programs at rb.gy/o1o2hy. For keiki grades 1-6. 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 at rb.gy/8er9wm. ʻOhana Help Desk also available by phone, weekdays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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.

Weekly Virtual Town Meetings, hosted by Kaʻū High & Ka'ū Elementary, 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.org for Live WebEx link.

Public Libraries are 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. Pahala open Tuesday, noon to 7 p.m., Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., limited entry into library with Wiki Visits. 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. See 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.

Read Report on Public Input about Disaster Recovery from damage during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.

View the Civic Engagement and Comment Analysis Report at rb.gy/awu65k.

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.
ECONOMIC RELIEF

Online Directory at shopbigisland.com, co-sponsored by County of Hawai‘i, has a signup sheet for local businesses to fill in the blanks. The only requirement is a physical address on this island.

COMMUNITY

Food Assistance: 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. 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.




Marketing Assistance, for small businesses affected by COVID-19, from University of Hawaiʻi-Hilo faculty and the senior class at bit.ly/2YvFxsl.
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. Contact RMAP partners: 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, up to $10,000, 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 rb.gy/v2x2vy.

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 at hawaiifirstfcu.com/community-resource-center or call 808-933-6600. Contact Sharon Hirota at 808-961-8019 with questions.

AGRICULTURE
QUALIFY TO BECOME A BEGINNING FARMER OR RANCHER and receive benefits from the U.S. Department of Agriculture To qualify for status as a beginning farmer or rancher: Applicants must be an individual. Business entities may receive benefits only if all of the substantial beneficial interest holders (ten percent or more) of the business entity qualify as beginning farmers or ranchers. For example, a son moves home to take over the family farm and incorporates with his spouse and neither have previous farming experience. Their corporation would qualify as a beginning farmer/rancher. However, if a son moves home and forms a corporation with his father, who has had an insurable interest in crops or livestock for more than five crop years, the corporation cannot receive beginning farmer and rancher benefits. Although the son qualifies as a beginning farmer or rancher, the father does not so the corporation cannot receive benefits.
   Applicants must not have actively operated and managed a farm or ranch anywhere, with an insurable interest in any crop or livestock for more than five crop years (ten years for Whole-Farm Revenue Protection). This includes an insurable interest as an individual or as a substantial beneficial interest holder (ten percent or more) in another person who has an insurable interest in any crop or livestock. Applicants may exclude a crop year's insurable interest if they were under the age of 18, enrolled in post-secondary studies (not to exceed five crop years) or on active duty in the U.S. military.
    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, 
rb.gy/87fn9d.
    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.
    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 at rb.gy/exzuk1.

Native Hawaiian Farmers and Ranchers urged to use U.S. Dept. of Ag On-Farm Market Directory. Visit the program website, ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/onfarm.

Read About Seed Biodiversity for Hawaiʻi's Local Food System in It all Begin and Ends with Seed, where Education by Outreach Coordinator Nancy Redfeather shares her insights. Read the blog at rb.gy/ijai3y.

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.

Learn Basics of Organic Farming, via free modules at rb.gy/4wio2y.

PETS & WILDLIFE
One-Time Emergency Food For Pets is available through KARES. Call David or Barbara Breskin at 319-8333.

Report Humpback Whales in Trouble at NOAA Fisheries 24 hour hotline, 1-888- 256-984. Also report distressed sea turtles, monk seals and dolphins.


For free Veterinary Care, Spay & Neuter, visit hihs.org, Services Tab, Spay and Neuter or Community Vet Care, or email petsupport@hihs.org. Call 808-217- 0154. All appointments must be scheduled in advance and are open to healthy dogs and cats. Two pets per family will be accommodated, each pet with own appointment. Unavailable to animals other than dogs and cats.