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Thursday, September 09, 2021

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021

Biodiversity conservation is emphasized at the IUCN World Conservation Congress, reports
the state Department of Land & Natural Resources, which also lauds the Kamehameha 
Butterfly and encourages growing of mamaki, one of its foods. See more below. DLNR photo

LIKE IN HAWAI'I, COMMUNITIES INTERNATIONALLY are achieving climate change mitigation through such activities as "beach restoration, and herbivore fish protection," says a statement from the state Department of Land & Natural Resources today. DLNR referred to numerous presentations and leaders from around the world at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Marseille, France, which wraps up Sept. 11. 
    The presenters emphasize the close connection between climate change mitigation and adaptation and biodiversity conservation. "The win-win is nature-based solutions that address climate change and provide benefits to humans as well," says the DLNR statement.
    "This is a significant new tone, as we are all seeing fierce fires, drought, storms, floods, coastal erosion, and coral bleaching in our own back yards wherever we live."
     See the proceedings, films, presentation for this year's World Conservation Congress at 
https://www.iucncongress2020.org/.  The last World Conservation Congress was held in Honolulu.
     
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BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN HAWAI'I INVOLVES THE KAMEHAMEHA BUTTERFLY, according to the state Department of Land & Natural Resources.
     "The deep, beautiful orange and black hue of Hawai’i’s official state insect is well known by visitors to native forests, and cultural practitioners. It is considered a critical pollinator for numerous native plants. The Kamehameha butterfly, like so many insects, plants, and animals in Hawai’i, is being crowded out of its traditional habitat by ever-encroaching human presence, the introduction of invasive predator species, and global climate change." 
      DLNR notes that Kamehameha butterfly is historically known from all the main Hawaiian Islands (Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lanaʻi, Maui, and Hawai’i), but is no longer found in some areas where it used to be common and it appears to be declining. One of the places where this butterfly remains is in Kaʻū where there is wild and farmed Mamaki, one of its favorite plant foods.
      DLNR encourages the public to become involved in The Pulelehua Project, which includes an effort to map current populations of the Kamehameha butterfly using observations submitted by ciizens, combined with surveys of remote areas by scientists. Pulelehua is the Hawaiian word for butterfly.
Mamaki, popularly served as tea and a medicine,
 is a native and food for endangered Kamehameha
butterflies. Photo from Pulelehua Project
    
    Another goal of DLNR's Division of Forestry & Wildlife and Pulelehua Project is to reintroduce Kamehalmeha Butterfly to areas that have been restored and places where its host plant (primarily, māmaki) can be outplanted and cared for. DOFAW entomologist Cynthia King said,  “Unfortunately because of the effects of introduced predators and habitat destruction, the butterfly has only been able to survive in patches of habitat, mostly in higher elevation areas and in the backs of valleys that have not been disturbed.”
    Dr. William Haines, principal investigator for the Pulelehua Project, said, "Most of Hawai'i’s immense biodiversity is found in small creatures, like the Kamehameha butterfly. This is true everywhere else in the world, but it’s especially true in Hawai’i where we don’t have any native mammals. We don’t have any native terrestrial reptiles, we don’t have any native amphibians, so the insects and arthropods in general make up such a huge percentage of the biodiversity which is found only in Hawai'i. If an endemic creature like this butterfly goes extinct here, it’s extinct everywhere.”

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ANYONE GOING ONTO STATE PROPERTY MUST SHOW PROOF OF COVID VACCINATION OR RECENT NEGATIVE TEST RESULTS starting Monday, Sept. 13. Gov. David Ige signed an executive order today that requires contractors and visitors at state facilities and on state property to provide their vaccination or testing status prior to entry.
    Executive Order 21-07 (Access to State Property) says, “… ensuring the safety of the government workforce during this ongoing escalation in COVID-19 cases, the hospitalizations, and deaths resulting from the Delta variant is essential for continued operation and service to the public, and now requires additional protections to the State workforce and public by requiring contractors and visitors to provide their vaccination or testing status as a condition of entry onto State property and into State facilities.”
   Under the executive order, all visitors to state facilities where contact is made with state employees, must: Provide verification of being fully vaccinated; provide a negative COVID-19 test result if not fully

vaccinated; wear a mask at all times while in the state facility, and physically distance themselves from others.
    All contractors entering, working, or providing services in any state facility must: Identify all employees accessing state facilities; attest to whether employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, partially vaccinated (one of two doses), or not vaccinated for COVID-19; provide weekly verification that partially vaccinated or unvaccinated employees are being COVID-19 tested with a negative result once or twice a week, as determined by the state department/agency receiving the goods/services; and wear a mask at all times while in the state facility, and physically distance themselves from others.
    Verification of vaccinations or COVID-19 tests may include digital or hardcopy documentation. Contractors and visitors may not remain in any state facility unless they are in compliance with the state Order. State agencies are required to implement these policies no later than Sept. 13, 2021.

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ALL EMPLOYERS WITH MORE THAN 100 WORKERS MUST REQUIRE COVID VACCINATIONS, or weekly tests, according to a federal mandate announced today by Pres. Joe Biden. The rule also applies to workers in all facilities receiving medicare and medicaid patients. The estimate is that some 100 million workers are affected. Penalties for the employer are $14,000 per incident.
    An even stricter mandate announced today requires federal executive branch employees and contractors who do business with the federal government to be vaccinated, without an allowance for unvaccinated workers to continue their employment, even if receiving weekly testing. The estimate is that several million workers are affected.
     Another federally funded program requiring vaccinations is Head Start.  
    Additional mandates include increasing fines on passengers who refuse to wear masks on airplanes and in federal venues. The President also promised to subsidize COVID testing in schools and announced that retailers from Walmart to Amazon have promised to sell test kits at cost, starting this week. 

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COVID UPDATE IN KAʻŪ AND VOLCANO: Latest reports today from the state show two additional cases in Pāhala, zip code 96777, with a total of 40 cases since March of 2020. In Nāʻālehu , there have been no additional COVID cases in the 96772 zip code area since Sept. 5. In Ocean View, there have been no positive cases since Sept. 3. In Volcano, zip code 96785, no additional cases today, total of 36 since March, 2020.

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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.
















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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.




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

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.

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.