Saturday, November 20, 2021

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021

Roiling Lava Fountains
A telephoto photograph of the roiling 4-7 meter (13-23 ft) lava fountains of the western vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The spatter cone is nearly circular, with only one outlet letting lava cascade east into the lake. Concentric lava crust rings form around where lava enters the lake from a single source with persistent flux. See more from Hawaiian Volcano Observatory below in Volcano Watch, celebrating the publication's 30th anniversary. USGS Image by C. Parcheta

A FREE THANKSGIVING DINNER WILL BE OFFERED during a drive-thru at Kaʻū District Gym on Wednesday, Nov. 24 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. It is sponsored by Kaʻū High & Pahala Elementary School, O Kaʻū Kakou, Food Basket, Kaʻū High Athletics and Auntie Nona with County of Hawai'i Parks & Recreation.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

A HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE FUND aims to mitigate financial hardships of the coronavirus pandemic. It's a partnership between  State of Hawai‘i, counties of Hawai‘i and Kaua‘i and Hawai'i Community Lending, a nonprofit community development financial institution. The $5 million fund is for Hawai'i and Kaua'i homeowners.  
     U.S. Congress established the fund to provide homeowners with grants to prevent mortgage delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures. The pilot project will give an estimated 200 homeowners on Hawai‘i Island and Kaua‘i grants to bring mortgage current or to reduce monthly payments. 
    Priority will be given to low and moderate-income homeowners (earning below 100% area median income) and/or “socially disadvantaged” borrowers, including Native Hawaiians, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Pacific Islanders, African-Americans, Hispanic populations and homeowners with English as a second language. 
    HCL and sister agency Hawaiian Community Assets will provide professionally trained financial counselors to help homeowners with the application process. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, HUD-approved housing counseling agency, HCA builds the capacity of low- and moderate income families to achieve and sustain economic self-sufficiency, with a particular focus on Native Hawaiians. 
    “As we emerge from the pandemic, many families are still struggling with the economic fallout,” said Gov. David Ige. “Now many homeowners in Hawaiʻi and Kauaʻi counties may be eligible for mortgage assistance under this pilot program. It’s great to see all levels of government coming together to strengthen our communities.” 
    Mayor Mitch Roth said, “We are honored to work alongside Kauaʻi County, the State, and Hawaiʻi Community Lending to invest Federal funds into our communities by providing long-overdue assistance to our on-island homeowners. As we head into the holiday season, it is humbling to be able to alleviate some of the financial pressures facing many of our families so they can worry more about spending time together and less about keeping the roofs over their heads.” 
    To apply for grants, homeowners will be required to complete an intake application and prescreening questionnaire to enroll with a Financial Opportunity Center run by HCL partner and HUD counseling agency, Hawaiian Community Assets. Homeowners will only be able to qualify for grants if their mortgage servicer signs up to participate in the program. The list of participating mortgage servicers can be found at www.hawaiicommunitylending.com/grants-loans/.
     To receive grant funds, homeowners must earn less than 150% area median income and meet program requirements established by the State and Counties: 
       Property must be located on Hawai‘i Island or Kaua‘i and be the primary residence of homeowner. Single-family homes and condos qualify. The assistance is for first mortgages only (no HELOC, second mortgages or reverse mortgages). Mortgage origination date must be prior to Jan. 21, 2020 
     Homeowner must show financial hardship during Covid-19 pandemic and have less than $25,000 in assets (or equivalent of less than 5 months of mortgage payment). Applicants must submit federal tax returns and/or other income documents and complete intake listing for all household members.
     To apply for a grant, homeowners are encouraged to go online to www.HawaiianCommunity.net. For more information, visit www.HawaiiCommunityLending.com
     Hawaiian Community Assets is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, HUD approved housing counseling agency and community lending institution. HCA builds the capacity of low- and moderate-income families to achieve and sustain economic self-sufficiency, with a particular focus on Native Hawaiians. From access to free education, career coaching, and income supports including down payment grants, emergency loan funds, and matching funds for closing costs, HCA has a range of options for struggling families. 
    Hawaiʻi Community Lending is a nonprofit US treasury certified community development financial institution that specializes on providing loans to local residents who cannot qualify at mainstream banks and credit unions. HCL offers grants and loans to consumers, renters, homebuyers, nonprofits, businesses, and affordable housing builders. 

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
Kaʻū Scores Against Honoka'a 
    Kaʻū High School Trojans football team scored for the first time this season, racking up the six points for the game on home turf against the Honoka'a Dragons on Saturday. Hawai'i Tribune Herald covered the game and reported that the Trojans "celebrated their first touchdown of the season in the second quarter when Kaimana Kaupu-Manini got behind the defense, tipped a contested ball to himself and streaked to the end zone to loud applause from his sideline on an 85-yard pass from Jycetin Mukini. Kaupu-Manini told Tribune Herald,  'We’ve been waiting for one all season and finally got one,” Kaupu-Manini said. “Hopefully, more to come against Pahoa (next week).” See the Tribune Herald photo by Kelsey Walling at https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2021/11/21/sports/biif-football-honokaa-hot-for-playoffs-downs-kau-54-6/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=daily_news
     Honoka'a Dragons prevailed with a final score of 54-6. The final game for the Trojans is on home turf agains Pahoa next Saturday, Nov. 27 at 11 a.m. 
    Two spectators for each team member are allowed on the sidelines. Tickets are $7 for those who pre-registered and show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations. File photo from Kaʻū High School.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

VOLCANO WATCH
HAS BEEN PUBLISHING WEEKLY FOR 30 YEARS. The latest column by USGS scientists and affiliates tells the story:
    It’s hard to believe that the Volcano Watch weekly article and volcano activity update started 30 years ago. On Nov. 3, 1991, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Volcano Watch had its debut.
    David Clague, former HVO Scientist-In-Charge, initiated this series and served as primary author until March 1995, when the HVO staff—and eventually other partners—began contributing. Clague recently
David Clague launched Volcano Watch in 1991.
Photo from Monterey Bay Aquarium
commented, "I did not think I would be starting a weekly newspaper column that would continue for 30 years. Volcano Watch has exceeded my expectations in longevity and has served Hawai'i well by teaching the populace about how Hawaiian volcanoes work, but more importantly, about how science and the scientists who do it constantly incorporates new observations and ideas to improve understanding."
    Volcano Watch started as a weekly eruption and earthquake update to inform the public about the activity taking place at Pu‘u‘ō‘ō and Kupaianaha, which were erupting in the middle East Rift Zone of Kīlauea. These updates provided the public with current information that didn’t warrant a Press Release. Occasionally, they included lava flow field area or earthquake location maps. Short articles addressing volcano-related topics of interest to the community were added before the Volcano Activity Update section in 1992, the forerunner of our present-day format.



    Over the past 30 years, many subjects have been highlighted in these articles ranging from volcanic activity and processes, earthquakes, monitoring techniques, HVO staffing updates, and much more. Topics are typically focused on Hawaiian activity, but also include interesting observations about global volcanism and seismicity, news from other USGS volcano observatories, and some additional special topics.
    Thirty years’ worth of articles have formed a treasure trove of information that can be used as a reference for almost any volcano-related questions you have. In addition to the articles being printed in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, the full Volcano Watch archive of more than 1,500 articles is available on the HVO website.
    HVO staff have written most of the articles, but there have also been numerous contributions from volunteers, other Volcano Science Center staff, university partners and affiliates, and the USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center.
   The effort put into Volcano Watch has not gone unnoticed. In November 2000, Volcano Watch received a Customer Service Excellence Award from U.S. Geological Survey for communicating science to a diverse

A precursor to Volcano Watch was The Volcano Letter written for 30 years
by Thomas Jaggar, from 1925 to 1955, this one in 1931.

 
audience. The National Association of Government Communications awarded the HVO Volcano Watch column First Place in the Electronic Publication category during the annual Blue Pencil and Gold Screen award program on June 26, 2019.
   Since the founding of HVO in 1912, a large part of our mission has been to communicate science, volcanic activity and earthquake updates, and hazards to the public, emergency managers, and other scientists. HVO has published many different informational products over the years to keep the public informed, but the Volcano Watch remains one of the longest-running and timely series.
    The Volcano Letter was a collection of short scientific articles along with volcano activity and earthquake updates started by Thomas Jaggar and published monthly from 1925 to 1955. After this publication was terminated in 1955, HVO no longer had regularly scheduled, publicly available volcano updates. A few short-lived products, similar to Volcano Watch were written by HVO, news outlets, and other scientists, however none lasted for more than a few years.
   The most notable of these short-term publications, titled Volcano Watching, was written weekly by Bob and Barbara Decker, while Bob was a geology professor at Dartmouth. These ran
in the Hawai'i Tribune-Herald from July 1978 to February 1979, but stopped when Bob became Scientist-in-Charge at HVO.
    When David Clague restarted Volcano Watch in 1991, it filled a void in HVO’s public communications. Before the USGS began releasing volcano updates through the Volcano Notification Service in 2006, Volcano Watch updates kept residents apprised of weekly changes that were not substantial enough to issue a Press Release.
  Volcano Watch articles continue to be an important and timely means of distributing information to both local and global audiences. HVO’s founder, Thomas A. Jaggar, believed—as we do now—that effective communication of volcanic hazards and eruption information, especially to the residents of Hawai'i, is crucial.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

 ST JUDES Episcopal Church in Ocean View offers an online worship service on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Join the Zoom meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85798655114?pwd=QW5YSmQwNFAyWVZud3QvSVBiNXJ0Zz09
Meeting ID: 857 9865 5114.  
Passcode: Aloha

  





























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 x.

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. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com..

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.

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

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

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.

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. Pāhala 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.

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

ENROLL CHILDREN, from first through eighth grade, in Kula ʻAmakihi, a program from Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences. It started Aug. 3. Call 808-985- 9800 or visit www.volcanoschool.net.

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 Nāʻālehu. It features and sells works by local artists and offers other gift 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.biz.

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 panoramiocean 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.

ALOHA FRIDAY MARKETPLACE, hosted by Main Street, is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., grounds of The Old Shirakawa Estate in Waiʻohinu. It features: Made in Hawai'i Products, Organic Produce, Creative Crafts, ARt, Flower and Plants, Food, Ka`u Coffee, Gluen Free Low Carb Goodies, Wellness Services and Products, Clothing, Hand Crafted Treats, Music and more. Vendor and customer inquiries: AlohaFridayMarket@gmail.com.

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 x.

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. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com..

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.

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

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

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.

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. Pāhala 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.

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

ENROLL CHILDREN, from first through eighth grade, in Kula ʻAmakihi, a program from Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences. It started Aug. 3. Call 808-985- 9800 or visit www.volcanoschool.net.

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 Nāʻālehu. It features and sells works by local artists and offers other gift 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.biz.

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 panoramiocean 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.

ALOHA FRIDAY MARKETPLACE, hosted by Main Street, is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., grounds of The Old Shirakawa Estate in Waiʻohinu. It features: Made in Hawai'i Products, Organic Produce, Creative Crafts, ARt, Flower and Plants, Food, Ka`u Coffee, Gluen Free Low Carb Goodies, Wellness Services and Products, Clothing, Hand Crafted Treats, Music and more. Vendor and customer inquiries: AlohaFridayMarket@gmail.com.

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.