Ka‘ū News Briefs, Monday, Aug. 9, 2021

Kaʻū residents can ride the Hele-On to Kona and spend the day going around Kailua-Kona on
the Kona Trolley Route 201. Photo from County of Hawai'i Mass Transit 

MORE HELE-ON BUS ROUTES, LATER SERVICE AND NEW SERVICE will be added to the County of Hawai'i's public transportation program. Hele-On transports approximately 410,000 passenger trips a year on a fleet of more than 30 buses, vans, and a trolley. It services locals and visitors with tranportations 
between neighborhoods and stops in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and Punalu'u Black Sand Beach.
    The additional service in Volcano, Puna, Hilo, Kailua-Kona and Waimea could help Kaʻū residents reach their destinations more easily. There will be added Sunday service in the Puna, Hilo, Kailua-Kona, and Waimea areas of the island. Routes in Hilo, Waimea, and Kailua-Kona will operate every 60 to 120 minutes.
    Additional trips will be added on service to Volcano, North Kohala, South Kohala, Honoka'a, and Waimea routes. New service will be established between Waimea and Kailua-Kona via Route 76: Green
Line, between Hilo and Kona via Route 2: Blue Line, within Kailua-Kona on Routes 202 and 204,
within Hilo on Route 104, and within the Puna District on Routes 401, 402 and 403.

       A statement from the County today says, "The implementation of the restructured transit service supports the efforts of Mayor Roth to increase access to public transit for all island residents, allowing for more economic development, improved access to employment, shopping, medical, education, and quality of life opportunities and helps the County to achieve substantiality goals regarding transportation as set
forth from the Sustainability Summit that occurred this past March."
    Timetables and route maps will be available on the buses and online in mid-August 2021. Additional actions from the the county Mass Transit Agency Master Plan include launching the Hele-On Bus social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, providing General Feed Transit Specification to Google, Bing and Apple to allow for the addition of bus routes on their map applications, development of a new brand to be placed on all the transit buses.
    Mass Transit is implementing route numbers and route names. Route 10 is the Kaʻū-Volcano-Hilo run with the schedule and route maps at http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/kau-volcano-hilo. Route 90 serves Pahala through Kaʻū and Kona to South Kohala resorts with the schedule and route maps
at http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/pahala-south-kohala-resorts.
    The County also announced it is developing a new timetable with more information about Hele-On transit services, continuing to receive grants to replace the aging transit fleet with new electric, hydrogen, and diesel hybrid electric buses, and streamlining transfers to increase access to passengers riding Hele-On routes.
    Mass Transit is also implementing flex route service on Route 301: Waimea Shuttle to bring the bus close closer to Waimea residents, and implementing paratransit service within a one mile radius of Route 40: Hilo-Pahoa-Kalapana for those with disabilities. There is a new partnership with HIBIKE bike-sharing service in Hilo and Kailua-Kona and the county is upgrading the website to provide accessible and clearer
information to the general public.

    More improvements based on the Transportation Master Plan will continue throughout 2021 and into 2022, promises the county statement. On Monday, Sept. 6, Hele-On will operate a Sunday Schedule on Labor Day. Only Routes 2, 11, 40, 70, 75, 80, 90, 101, 201, 202, 301 and 401 will operate. More details on those routes are available on the Hele-On website. For more information about Hele-On, and the new Route 201: Kona Trolley, call (808) 961-8744, TDD: 711 through the relay service, email heleonbus@hawaiicounty.gov, visit www.heleonbus.org, or find Hele-On Bus on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube.
    Hele-On is a service of the County of Hawai’i Mass Transit Agency and provides countywide public transit services on 14 fixed and fixed routes. The Transit agency also provides HeleOn Kako’o for ADA complementary paratransit service in Hilo, Kailua-Kona, and Puna, a shared ride taxi program with three taxi companies in Hilo, countywide seniors and persons with disabilities transportation service in partnership with Hawai'i County Economic Opportunities Council (HCEOC) and Brantley Center and 10
HIBike bike-share stations in Hilo and Kailua-Kona in partnership with PATH.
    Transit services are provided under contract with Roberts Hawai’i, taxicab companies, Ace-1 Taxi, HCEOC, Brantley Center, and PATH. For additional Hele-On information, call (808) 961-8744, TDD/TTY: 711 through the relay service, email: heleonbus@hawaiicounty.gov, or visit www.heleonbus.org.

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Helicopters fly low and slow to inspect major
Hawaiian Electric transmission lines.
Photo from Hawaiian Electric

MAJOR OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINES OF HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC that travel through Kaʻū will be inspected by helicopter. The dates for the islandwide, quarterly aerial inspections will be Monday, Aug. 23 to Thursday, Aug. 26 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. A statement from Hawaiian Electric days, "exact times and routes will depend on weather conditions. Inspections will be conducted in a Manuiwa Airways helicopter and require the aircraft to fly low and slow which may cause some noise disturbances. Hawaiian Electric apologizes for any disruption this may cause and sincerely thanks the community for their cooperation and understanding."
    With questions or concerns, call Hawaiian Electric at 969-6666.

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HAWAI'I ISLAND POLICE ARRESTED 13 MOTORISTS FOR DUI during the week of Aug. 2, through Aug. 8. Four of those arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant were involved in a traffic accident. None were under the age of 21.
So far this year, there have been 687 DUI arrests compared with 540 during the same period last year, an increase of 27.2 percent.

    There have been 474 major accidents so far this year compared with 469 during the same period last year, an increase of 1.1 percent.
    To date, there were 13 fatal crashes, resulting in 13 fatalities, compared with 12 fatal crashes, resulting in 12 fatalities for the same time last year. This represents an increase of 8.3 percent for fatal crashes, and 8.3 percent for fatalities. DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.

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THE NUMBER OF NEW DAILY COVID CASES DROPPED FROM 101 to 67 ON THIS ISLAND TODAY. The state Department of Health reported monitoring 1,124 active cases with 28 victims hospitalized. Despite the one-day drop in new cases, Department of Health maintains that "County of Hawai'i has reached community spread of Coronavirus. This means that you may be exposed to Coronavirus whenever you leave your home. Please protect yourself and your family when you are out by following the safe practices of face coverings, distancing, and limiting gathering sizes. Please stay at home if you are not feeling well." is the Civil Defense recommendation. Visit the Civil Defense website for a list of all clinics and pharmacies providing vaccinations and testing. See www.hawaiicounty.gov.

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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAWAI'I TODAY KICKED OFF Hawaii2Work: Securing Tomorrow's Workforce Today to address Hawai'i's workforce shortage, help dislocated workers find jobs, and encourage the local business community to invest in their future workforce by participating in work-based learning with local public schools. Based on a Chamber survey conducted in July, 75 percent of respondents are still struggling to fill job openings and 59 percent are offering hiring incentives or raising wages. The Chamber encourages carving time out to provide work-based learning with public schools, either virtually or in-person. "This can include speaking to a class about your industry, spending an hour participating in mock job interviews, or offering an internship," said Chamber President  Sherry Menor-McNamara.

    To sign up through the Chamber, go to www.cochawaii.org/hawaii2work, take minute to complete the form, and a member of the Chamber team will connect to support involvement in work-based learning.

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.

SIGN UP FOR EXPERIENCE VOLCANO FESTIVAL, which happens on Saturday, Aug. 14. See more on Page 14 of The Kaʻū Calendar newspaper's August edition.

REGISTER FOR VOLCANO’S OHIA LEHUA RUNS, which happen on Saturday, Aug. 14. See more on Page 5 of The Kaʻū  Calendar newspaper's August edition.

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/

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. 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 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 Kaʻū Main Street, is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., grounds of Kauahaʻao Congregational Church 95-1642 Pinao St. in Waiʻohinu, corner of Kamaoa and Hwy 11. Farmers Market, Arts & Crafts, Health Practitioners, Food, Music, Yoga, Keiki Fun & More. 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 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 12 p.m. Last sign up is at 11:30 a.m. There are two private stalls. The church provides body wash, shampoo and a clean towel.
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