About The Kaʻū Calendar

Saturday, August 28, 2021

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

The garden grows at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary with first harvest this week going to 
teachers and staff. Ninth graders Laci Ah Yee and Hazel Dodson tote the eggplant bins.
Photo by Katie Graham/
Kaʻū Global Learning Lab

THE NEW FARM AT KAʻŪ HIGH & PAHALA ELEMENTARY IS PRODUCING. This week, the first harvest, with 30 lbs. lettuce and 30 lbs. eggplant went to teachers and staff. 'Aina Akamu, director of the program, said, "My new ag teacher, Ms. Katie Graham, has done a great job taking over the farm, and Iʻm so proud of her efforts.
Tenth grader Terlynn Hirata washes lettuce.
Photo by Katie Graham/
Kaʻū Global Learning Lab
  "The eggplants were planted back in June and wow, they are fat and huge. The hydro lettuce were growing for four weeks in the hydro boxes. Our plan was to give them away at our Farm Fest on Aug. 20, but was cancelled due to COVID, and so we distributed it to our teachers and staff. They are Manoa lettuce, and the seeds were donated from the Kaʻū Seed Library. We also grew Black Beauty and Purple Long eggplant." 
    Akamu said more lettuce and eggplants are ready harvest. "Our lūʻau leaf should be ready to harvest soon also."         
    Graham said the school's WIN/Advisory class washed and bagged the lettuce and eggplant, with the first round of distribution to teachers and staff.
    See more on the new Kaʻū Global Learning Lab at the school at https://khpes.org/kau-global-learning-lab.

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Greenhouse lettuce flourishes on the Kaʻū High & Pahala Elementary School campus.
Photo by Katie Graham/Kaʻū Global Learning Lab

WORKFORCE IS A GLOBAL COMMODITY, in particular as defined in the Filipino community. That is a focus of Hawai'i Philippines Business & Economic Council's zoom meeting this Thursday, Sept. 2 at 4 p.m. in Hawai'i (Friday, Sept. 3, 10 a.m. in the Philippines). A statement from meeting organizers says:
   "The mass migration of Filipinos to different parts of the world took a quantum leap in the 1970s due in part to the need for quality workforce in the oil-rich nations. However, labor as an export commodity has affected families and children—whether left behind or brought up in a different milieu. The more recent trend of business process outsourcing allows global companies to tap Filipino talent and keep folks home. In Hawai'i, the descendants of the pioneering Overseas Filipino Workers or the sakadas continue to support the visitor industry —sometimes called the new plantation." Speakers include:


    Winnie Ferrer representing Parman, Inc., a Philippine-based workforce recruiter that has sent 30,000+ Filipino workers to all corners of the world to operate cranes, build bridges, dig wells and maintain power plants...from oil rigs to hotels, skyscrapers to naval facilities.
    Gemma Weinstein, President of UNITE HERE Local 5, a labor union that represents over 12,000 workers in the hospitality, healthcare, and food service industries statewide. She started as a housekeeper at Ala Moana Hotel until she became a Local 5 Organizer in 2007. She was born and raised in Central Luzon, Philippines and arrived in Hawai'i in 1990. The statement from the organizers says, "Her strength and leadership of Hawai'i’s hotel workers is rooted in her values as a strong and independent Filipina, single mother of two, and worker-leader in one of Hawai'i’s most important industries."
    Tim Mobley, President of Connext Global Solutions, a business process outsourcing firm. He serves as board member for an emergency medicine physician group and a US special purpose acquisition company. He has 25 years in general management including serving as President of Hawai'i’s largest dental group and as VP of Operations at an integrated clinic and hospital. He began his career as an officer in the US Army, graduating from West Point, earning an MBA from Harvard and graduating from specialty military schools including the Army’s Rangers.
   Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqceirqz8uHdAzxQwb49CNQDP0AjnZAYE7

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RESURGENCE OF COVID IS CAUSING THE ECONOMY TO STUMBLE, according to the latest analysis from University of Hawai'i Economic Research Organization. UHERO said the fallback began in July and will likely impact recovery for a couple of years. The UHERO Economic Pulse reports a 75 percent economic recovery for the week ending July 17, based on the economy before the pandemic. That slipped to 66 percent by the end of last week, with record numbers of COVID cases piling on.
    The state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism also pulled back its economic improvement forecast, extending the likely recovery period through 2024.
    DBEDT Director Mike McCartney said, “Due to the rapid spread of the delta variant, this new spike in COVID-19 cases has created economic uncertainty.” His agency changed the predicted growth for the state economy from 3.5 percent to 2.7 percent this year. Part of the hold back will be residents being more conservative in spending and more restrictions that could keep more people away from restaurants, stores and other money spending venues, according to DBEDT.

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COVID CASES INVOLVING PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS continue to increase, Hawai'i  Department of Education reported on Friday. During the last week, statewide, there were 557 new cases, with 383 the week before and 325 the previous week, connected to schools. Since July 1, 1,570 cases have been linked to public schools across Hawai'i, according to HIDOE. 
    Hawai'i State Teachers Association, the teachers union, reports that free testing for unvaccinated and vaccinated teachers may be provided. According to HSTA, HIDOE told the union that the state will expand a COVID-19 free testing program and that more than 100 public schools across Hawai'i have requested on-site testing. Further details, including when the testing program will begin, exactly how it will work and what schools will participate will be announced soon, the union reported.
    Teachers union leader, President Osa Tui, Jr., sent out a statement saying that the state Department of Education continues to claim that schools are “open and safe for learning.” He points to a letter to parents and guardians on Thursday, and interim Superintendent Keith Hayashi appearing Friday on Hawai'i News Now Sunrise "to say that schools need to remain open and that data tell them that there is no spread of COVID-19 in our schools."
  According to the HSTA report, "During last Thursday’s Board of Education meeting,  BOE member Bruce Voss asked Hayashi what HIDOE was doing to gather workplace safety concerns or issues and if  HIDOE was open to adjusting procedures based upon that feedback. Hayashi responded that complex area superintendents have been very active in touching base with school principals and that if there are situations, those would have to be brought to the attention of the HIDOE through the proper channels of the principal or the complex area superintendent. "This response shows that there is no desire for teacher voice or teacher concern when it comes to school safety," according to HSTA.  In response, Voss said he appreciated the response and found “dueling press conference” to be unproductive and cause confusion among the public because they don’t provide clear and consistent communication among all stakeholders. "We will not be silenced."
    The teachers union contends: "The system is beginning to buckle under the strain of increased school personnel on quarantine and continued days of record COVID-19 counts. State office workers have already been asked to assist with schools in the Nanakuli-Waianae complex due to staffing shortages. At least one school is reportedly considering announcing closure on Monday due to the testing mandate spelled out in Gov. David Ige’s emergency proclamation. With 1,035 new cases reported Friday statewide, it’s time for all of us to say, 'Enough is enough!'"
    Last week, the teachers union asked for submissions for slogans to be used for schools or HSTA chapters to hold informational pickets. The winner is Joanna Hirota of Ka Waihona O Ka Na’auao PCS with the slogan “Safe Schools Safe Communities.” HSTA says it will print signs and distribute them in the coming weeks for members to use before or after school off of school property "to let the public know that we continue to seek the safety our students deserve."
    HIDOE emailed all employees Friday regarding the deadline to upload either proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test before the start of the workday on Monday, Aug. 30. "HSTA believes unvaccinated people required to test should be able to do so through a process that has been negotiated and not unilaterally implemented. Because the governor has suspended portions of Chapter 89 (Hawai'i's Collective Bargaining Law) in his emergency proclamation, to date the HIDOE has refused to negotiate the implementation of the testing mandate," reports the teachers union.
    HSTA recommends that members who have out-of-pocket costs or other impacts related to the testing mandate (e.g., required to pay for a test or required to seek testing outside of paid work time) "should review our FAQs for guidance on steps they can take if they want to pursue an individual grievance on the matter."
   In addition, HSTA is preparing to file a class grievance regarding the failure of the HIDOE to negotiate the impacts of the HIDOE testing mandate. 
    See more at www.hsta.org.

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IN HAWAI'I COUNTY, 116 NEWS COVID CASES were reported today, with 1,760 active cases and 69 persons hospitalized. County Civil Defense released this statement: "The State and Island of Hawai'i are experiencing wide-spread community-based transmission of the Coronavirus and new rules have been added to help control the spread. We need to slow the spread by limiting our activity in public to only essential needs. If you do go out, minimize your risk to potential exposure by wearing face coverings, maintaining physical distance of at least 6 feet from others, washing your hands with soap and water often, and reducing the size of or avoiding social gatherings. Please visit the Civil Defense website for more information on changes to gathering sizes and outdoor activities."

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DOWNLOAD DOG LICENSE APPLICATIONS AND MAIL THEM IN. That is the update on dog licensing announced Friday. It is managed by the County Finance Department, Vehicle Registration and Licensing Division.
A vintage Hawai'i County dog tag.
    Starting Sept, 8, dog owners can download the dog license application on the County website, www.hawaiicounty.gov, under the Finance Department. Dog owners can mail the form, including the owner’s name, mailing address, and dog’s microchip number, along with license fee, to the Department of Finance, Vehicle Registration and Licensing Division, 101 Pauahi St, Suite 5, Hilo, HI, 96720. Dog license applications are only being processed by mail. Dog license fees have not increased and remain $2.10 for sterilized dogs and $6.10 for unsterilized. Those with questions about dog licensing can call the Department of Finance at (808) 961-8413.

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MORE THAN 200 MORE EARTHQUAKES beneath the south section of Kīlauea summit caldera were recorded from Thursday night through Friday, the seismicity settling down this morning according to USGS, reporting from Hawaiian Volcano Observatory:    
    The US Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) detected a resumption in earthquake activity and ground deformation beneath the south part of Kīlauea summit caldera, within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The rate of ground deformation began increasing again around 6:00 p.m. HST on August 26 and was followed by increased earthquake activity after 8:30 p.m. The renewed activity occurred in approximately the same location as the August 23-25 earthquake swarm—within and south of Kīlauea caldera. The combination of these observations indicate a second pulse of intrusive activity.
Map shows seismic activity beneath the south part of Kīlauea caldera, within
HawaiʻiVolcanoes National Park, from Aug. 23 at noon through same time
Aug. 25, 2021.The earthquake swarm began at around 4:30 p.m. on
Aug. 23 and continued until the morning of Aug. 25. Almost 500
 earthquakes were detected. The map shows earthquake locations, with
 earthquakes colored by the time that they occurred and their magnitude
(see key at bottom of figure). The plots above and below the
  map show earthquake depth below sea level (0) by longitude (bottom)
 and depth below sea level (0) by latitude (top), with longitude
 and latitude lines corresponding to the map. USGS map and plots
    Most earthquakes in this renewed swarm were located 1–3 km (0.6–1.8 miles) beneath the surface, similar to the initial swarm. Approximately 200 earthquakes have been recorded since 8:30 p.m. on August 26, less than half of the number of earthquakes detected in the initial August 23–25 swarm. The largest recorded earthquake was magnitude 2.8, with the majority of earthquakes less than magnitude 1. Between 8:30 p.m. on August 26 and 5 a.m. on August 27, small earthquakes occurred at 16 detected earthquakes per hour, with a peak rate of 24 detected earthquakes per hour just after midnight. Since 5:00 a.m. on August 27, the average seismicity rate has dropped to about six detected earthquakes per hour.
    As of this statement, both earthquake and ground deformation rates in Kīlauea’s summit region appear to be decreasing. In addition, there has been no indication of upward migration of earthquakes toward the surface or change in deformation that would indicate shallowing of the source intrusive activity. Accordingly, Kīlauea’s Volcano Alert Level and Aviation Color Code remain at ADVISORY/YELLOW.
    While the activity has slowed down, additional intrusion pulses are possible. Any potential eruptive activity related to these events would be entirely within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and localized within undeveloped areas, well away from infrastructure such as roads. HVO continues to monitor this situation and will issue additional messages and Volcano Alert Level changes if warranted by changing activity.

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Read the entire Kaʻū Calendar and back issues at 
www.kaucalendar.com. Find it in the mail from Volcano
through Nāʻālehu, Ocean View to Miloli'i.
Pick it up from newsstands.

















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, 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.




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

Resilience Hub at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji, Monday-Wednesday-Friday, 12:30 to 4 p.m. Drop-in wifi and laptop access. Free meals. 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 https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory High & Pāhala 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. 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.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.




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.Vendor applications are being accepted for its Holiday Arts & Crafts Sale on Saturday, Nov. 13. 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.