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| John Benner, a 23 year old plant researcher at Volcano, wins the half marathon in the ‘Ōhi’a Lehua Runs on Saturday during the Experience Volcano Hawai'i Festival. Photo by Mikey Brown |
'OHIA LEHUA RUN HAS A NEW STAR. John Benner, a 23 year old Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park plant researcher and recent arrival to Hawai'i Island, ran away with the half-marathon on Saturday. Benner beat 37 year old Volcano resident and 2019 champion Billy Barnett by more than six minutes and 32 year old Kailua- Kona resident Patrick Stover by more than 11 minutes. Benner finished the run through Volcano Village and the countryside in an hour and ten minutes, with Barnett coming in at 1:16.21 and Stover in 1:21.25. The event opened the annual Experience Volcano Hawai'i Festival.
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| Mauna Kea rises high above an ‘Ōhi’a Lehua runner on Saturday. Photo by Mikey Brown |
The 5K first male finisher was 37 year old David Woodward in 17 minutes and 27 seconds, followed by 18 year old John Marrack in 19:33 and 13 year old Rogelio Doratt in 19:48.
The 5K female title goes to Kiralyn Kuramoto, 14, who finished in 22:27, followed by Alyx Barnett, 33,
who finished in 23:58, and Ella Johnson, 18 in 24:24.
‘Ōhi’a Lehua Half Marathon and 5K race director Keely McGhee said, "The run went off very smoothly. We did age group wave starts with 25 or less people. Everyone was required to wear a mask at the start, for the first 200m of the run, and immediately after they finished. Runners were very respectful and followed all social distancing rules and Hawai'i Island Racers COVID protocols. We feel that the event was safe and successful."
See Mikey Brown photos of the races at https://www.mikeybrown.photo/Sports/2021/2021-Ohia-Lehua-Half-Marathon-5k-Run/i-cdsQkbG/A
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AFGHANISTAN BRINGS DEEP CONCERN TO CONGRESSMAN KAI KAHELE, who called for an airlift of Afghani allies of the U.S. to safety in Guam. He released this statement today as the Afghan government collapsed, the country's president fled and the Taliban took over the palace and other government buildings, promising a peaceful transition of government.
Kahele wrote, "I am deeply concerned over the rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and the crisis unfolding in the capital city of Kabul. Decisions made by previous and current administrations have put the United States in a calamitous situation and swift, decisive decisions must be made immediately.
"Now is not the time to point fingers and find blame; instead, we must be unified in immediate solutions to evacuate American citizens and our Afghan allies and ensure their safety.
"As a National Guardsman and C-17 pilot who was deployed to Afghanistan multiple times in support of air mobility operations, including aeromedical evacuation operations, I believe that we must immediately initiate Noncombatant Evacuation Operations through United States Transportation Command whereby activating all available air mobility assets worldwide necessary to evacuate all American civilians and Afghan allies immediately. In addition we must secure the entire Hamid Karzai International Airport with the 82nd Airborne Division and additional forces if necessary before it becomes too difficult to accomplish that mission. Finally, we need to deploy a robust Tanker Airlift Control Element to provide the operational mission support elements to safely and effectively execute this monumental no notice air evacuation.
"Now is not the time to deliberate courses of action, we must act swiftly. I urge the administration to airlift our Afghan partners, their families and those who have applied for Special Immigrant Visas to the United States Pacific Territory of Guam as was suggested two months ago. The United States must provide a path for safety for those who worked alongside our troops. Failure to do so will have long term consequences that may be too difficult to overcome in future conflicts.
"My thoughts and prayers this evening are with our American citizens, our Afghan allies as well as our U.S. service members in Afghanistan and those being deployed at this very moment. I pray for their safety and their expedited return to their families."
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Other board members are: Kelleigh Stewart of Big Island Coffee Roasters, Juli Burden of Hawai'i Agricultural Research Center, Kimo Falconer of Hawai'i Coffee Growers Association, Dave Bateman of Heavenly Hawaiian Farms, Ryson Nakamasu of Honolulu Coffee Co., Fred Cowell of Kaua'i Coffee Co., Suzanne Shriner of Kona Coffee Farmers Association, Joe Vigliarolo of Kona Hills LLC, David Gridley of Maui Coffee Association, Abby Munoz of Monarch Coffee and Ross Uehara-Tilton of The Curb.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
AFGHANISTAN BRINGS DEEP CONCERN TO CONGRESSMAN KAI KAHELE, who called for an airlift of Afghani allies of the U.S. to safety in Guam. He released this statement today as the Afghan government collapsed, the country's president fled and the Taliban took over the palace and other government buildings, promising a peaceful transition of government.
Kahele wrote, "I am deeply concerned over the rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and the crisis unfolding in the capital city of Kabul. Decisions made by previous and current administrations have put the United States in a calamitous situation and swift, decisive decisions must be made immediately.
"Now is not the time to point fingers and find blame; instead, we must be unified in immediate solutions to evacuate American citizens and our Afghan allies and ensure their safety.
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| Kaʻū's U.S. Congressman Kai Kahele at Kandahar Airport when he was deployed as C-17 pilot. Today he called for the airlift of Americans and their Afghan allies, with the city is under threat of falling to the Taliban. Photo from Kahele twitter |
"Now is not the time to deliberate courses of action, we must act swiftly. I urge the administration to airlift our Afghan partners, their families and those who have applied for Special Immigrant Visas to the United States Pacific Territory of Guam as was suggested two months ago. The United States must provide a path for safety for those who worked alongside our troops. Failure to do so will have long term consequences that may be too difficult to overcome in future conflicts.
"My thoughts and prayers this evening are with our American citizens, our Afghan allies as well as our U.S. service members in Afghanistan and those being deployed at this very moment. I pray for their safety and their expedited return to their families."
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
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| Hawai'i Coffee Association's board has reelected Chris Manfredi to its presidency. Manfredi has released a review of the coffee industry. Image from Hawai'i Coffee Association |
CHRIS MANFREDI CONTINUES HIS ROLL AS PRESIDENT OF HAWAI'I COFFEE ASSOCIATION. The broker of Kaʻū Coffee, and an organizer of the Kaʻū Coffee Festival, continues his HCA leadership roll following the recent election of board members, who chose HCA officers. The 2021-22 officers are : President Chris Manfredi of Kaʻū Farm and Ranch Co., Vice-President Tommy Greenwell of Greenwell Farms, Inc., Treasurer Donna Wooley of Island Sun Coffee, and Secretary Brittany Horn of Pacific Coffee Research.
Last week Manfredi issued a newsletter to the coffee industry and coffee enthusiasts saying: "It's been an eventful summer for our industry and we would like to share with you a few updates and resources that might be useful to you.
"We would like to remind you that we regularly share coffee related news, updates and resources on our website. Recently we added a dedicated Coffee Leaf Rust page to help you navigate through this topic with ease. We recommend adding these pages to your bookmarks, so you can check them regularly.
"Our Coffee Marketplace is now live and our social-media campaign is driving potential customers to it from several West Coast cities. We are also testing responses from Dallas, Atlanta, Boston and New York. If you'd like to add your company, please complete this form.
"HCA hosted a virtual conference in June and we had a very positive response from our attendees on topics we covered in this event. We have posted presentation recordings and slides on our website and you may see them here." For more see https://hawaiicoffeeassoc.org/
"Our Coffee Marketplace is now live and our social-media campaign is driving potential customers to it from several West Coast cities. We are also testing responses from Dallas, Atlanta, Boston and New York. If you'd like to add your company, please complete this form.
"HCA hosted a virtual conference in June and we had a very positive response from our attendees on topics we covered in this event. We have posted presentation recordings and slides on our website and you may see them here." For more see https://hawaiicoffeeassoc.org/
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"A SMALL MINORITY THAT IS OTHERWISE CONDEMNING SOCIETY TO LOCK DOWN - AND POTENTIALLY LARGE SCALE DEATHS," is the way Lt. Gov. Josh Green, a former physician at Kaʻū Hospital, described people who protest COVID vaccinations. He told Hawai'i News Now today: “No one wants to close down businesses; no one wants to put in curfews; no one wants to curtail regular life or schools — but we have to keep people alive.” He predicted that heavier restrictions could be put on society in Hawai'i within two to four weeks, unless the number of hospitalizations decline. He said hospitalizations are at 300 across the state with more than 274 of the patients unvaccinated. He recommended weekly testing and mask wearing for all those who are unvaccinated.
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| A chart shared by Lt. Gov. Josh Green who urges everyone to get vaccinated for COVID. It shows the Delta variant as much more contagious than the original virus. |
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COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE RELEASED THE COVID COUNT TODAY from the state Department of Health. The report is 147 new cases and 1,420 active cases with 25 persons hospitalized on this island.
A Community Test and Vaccination Clinic is scheduled for tomorrow, Monday at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo from noon to 5 p.m.. Hilo Medial Center and Arc of Hilo will conduct Vaccination Clinics tomorrow.
Civil Defense urged the public to "Know that beside the Community Test and Vaccination clinics that multiple medical clinics and pharmacies continue to offer testing and vaccination. Please visit the Civil Defense website for a calendar and a comprehensive list of all clinics and all pharmacies providing testing and vaccination. Civil Defense: www.hawaiicounty.gov."
Civil Defense reminded the public that those who are tested "are required to quarantine until cleared by a negative test result." If the test result is positive, "the test provider will contact you and you will be required to isolate until recovered. If you have not yet received your vaccination and are age 12 or old, please use this time to get vaccinated. If you have questions regarding testing or vaccination, please contact your primary care physician or the Department of Health."
A Community Test and Vaccination Clinic is scheduled for tomorrow, Monday at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo from noon to 5 p.m.. Hilo Medial Center and Arc of Hilo will conduct Vaccination Clinics tomorrow.
Civil Defense urged the public to "Know that beside the Community Test and Vaccination clinics that multiple medical clinics and pharmacies continue to offer testing and vaccination. Please visit the Civil Defense website for a calendar and a comprehensive list of all clinics and all pharmacies providing testing and vaccination. Civil Defense: www.hawaiicounty.gov."
Civil Defense reminded the public that those who are tested "are required to quarantine until cleared by a negative test result." If the test result is positive, "the test provider will contact you and you will be required to isolate until recovered. If you have not yet received your vaccination and are age 12 or old, please use this time to get vaccinated. If you have questions regarding testing or vaccination, please contact your primary care physician or the Department of Health."
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
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.
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.
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
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.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 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.
