Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday Sept. 15, 2021

 The seventh Ka`u Coffee Trail Runs happen this Saturday at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Registration closes at midnight.
See more below and at www.kaucoffeetrailruns.com. Previous race photo from Ka'u Coffee Trail Runs
HELE-ON ANNOUNCED IMPROVEMENTS TO ITS BUS SERVICE impacting Volcano, Pāhala, Nāʻālehu and Ocean View today.  For its County transportation service, see, download and print the Red Line schedule between Hilo and Volcano at http://www.heleonbus.org/sandbox/Route%2011.pdf. See the schedule between Hilo to Ocean View at http://www.heleonbus.org/sandbox/Route%2010.pdf. See the schedule between Pāhala, the westside of Kaʻū through Kona to South Kohala resorts at 
http://www.heleonbus.org/sandbox/Route%2090.pdf.
    Volcano is served by Route 11; Hilo to Ocean View, Route 10; Hilo to Volcano, and Pāhala to South Kohala Resorts by Route 90.
    New timetables (schedules) and route maps for the entire island are available online at http://www.heleonbus.org/news/starting-september-5-2021-changes-are-coming-tohele-on-bus-routes or by calling (808) 961-8744, option 1. Printed schedules can be picked up at Mo'oheau Bus Terminal at 329 Kamehameha Avenue, Hilo, Monday -Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. See more at www.heleonbus.org, or find Hele-On Bus on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or You Tube.

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Ka`u Coffee Trail Runs are Saturday at Ka`u Coffee Mill.

ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR KAʻŪ COFFEE TRAIL RUNS CLOSES AT MIDNIGHT. In person registration will not be allowed on race day, this Saturday, Sept. 18 at Kaʻū Coffee Mill, due to the COVID protocol at the race site.
    The only in person registration still available will be tomorrow, Thursday at the Hilo race packet pickup site in the Suisan pier parking lot, right below the bridge. The Kona packet pickup was today.
    Race emcee this year will be Eddie-O. Timing is Everything is the name of the team that will time the events. The seventh Kaʻū Coffee Trail Runs event will take runners from Kaʻū Coffee Mill through macadamia and coffee orchards, up trails to the rainforest and back along Wood Valley Road. The events are a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and 50K.
    The Kaʻū Coffee Mill coffee shop will open at 8 a.m. Local vendors will sell chili and rice bowls, nachos and Portuguese bean soup and much more.
    The event is a major fundraiser for the community group O Kaʻū Kakou and is managed by co-sponsor Big Island Running Club. All finishers will receive medals and t-shirts. See more at https://www.kaucoffeetrailruns.com/

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KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS INVITES THE PUBLIC TO AN 'OHANA ENGAGEMENT CONFERENCE. It is free and happens this Friday, Sept. 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Zoom. This year the conference aims to uplift ʻohana, schools, and community through strengthening of health and well-being.
    Dr. Austin Aukahi Seabury will kick off the event with an opening keynote at 9 a.m., entitled Ohana in the Time of COVID-19: What Holds Us Together and Sees Us Through. Seabury will explore "ways that
'ohana are uniquely challenged in this time of change and stress and discuss core cultural values and practices that can hold them together," states the conference program.    
    Following the opening, participants can choose from a range of engaging presentations, including hula, kūkulu kumuhana (Native Hawaiian well-being framework), hoʻokuakāhi (clearing mind, body and spirit), to digital storytelling, conscious discipline and much more. 
     A lunchtime mele session with live music from Alika Souza and Albert Ka'ai will serve as a break before the last set of sessions. Some of the presentations also include a Department of Human Services certificate for attending.
    The day will close with a talk-story session, at 2 p.m., with Salevaʻa Atisanoʻe, also internationally known as Konishiki and the first foreign-born sumo wrestler to reach ōzeki champion status. Atisanoʻe will discuss the importance of family values and how it motivated and prepared him for his successful career.
    Register for the event until 8 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 17, at http://bit.ly/2021VirtualOEConference
to receive an access pass with Zoom links for the conference. Recordings of most sessions will also be made available for those who register, but cannot attend a session.
To see the conference program, visit
https://blogs.ksbe.edu/ohanaengagement/2021-virtual-%ca%bbohana-engagement-conference-program-booklet/

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UBER AND HAWAI'I COUNTY WILL PROVIDE TRANSPORT FOR COVID VACCINATION APPOINTMENTS. The county Mass Transit Agency is partnering with rideshare program Uber for a Hele-On Get Your Shot! campaign.
    Mayor Mitch Roth said, “The main role of transportation is providing access to services, resources and essential destinations. We are focused on offering more ways that County residents can access transportation to COVID-19 vaccine appointments by working with Uber." 
     John Andoh, Interim Mass Transit Administrator, said, " For many people in communities across the
County, transportation is a constant barrier to getting to their doctor’s visits, grocery stores, and other appointments. This barrier was made even more complex by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the populations most in need of the vaccine are unable to get to their vaccine appointment,” said John Andoh, Interim Mass Transit Administrator. “We are ensuring that through Hele-On, transportation is not a barrier to the COVID-19 vaccine on island and we are excited to work with Uber to facilitate this partnership.” Nationally, Uber has pledged to provide up to ten million free or discounted rides to help people get vaccinated, particularly “communities of color that have been disproportionately hurt by the pandemic,” said a statement from Uber. “We’re proud to support transit agencies like Hele-On as they continue to facilitate vaccinations and positive health outcomes by leveraging Uber’s on-demand platform,” said Teague Kirkpatrick, Customer Success Manager at Uber. Participants can get access to up to four free rides (up to $15 each trip) to and from vaccination appointments. Any amount over $15 will be automatically charged to the user’s debit or credit card on file with the user’s Uber account. To receive a voucher to book COVID-19 vaccine trips through Uber: http://t.uber.com/heleonhawaiicounty.
    For vaccination locations in Hawai’i County, visit: https://coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaiihawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/vaccine-information.
    This promotion runs through December 31, or while funding lasts. For more information about Hele-On, please (808) 961-8744, TDD: 711 though the relay service, email heleonbus@hawaiicounty.gov, visit www.heleonbus.org or find HeleOn Bus on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or You Tube. ### About Hele-On.

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MORE THAN $28 MILLION WILL GO TO HAWAIIAN EDUCATION PROGRAMS, according to announcements yesterday from Sen. Mazie Hirono.    
    U.S. Department of Education is awarding the 35 grants through the Native Hawaiian Education Program. Grants will go to Native Hawaiian educational organizations, Native Hawaiian community-based organizations, and similar organizations.
    Hirono said, “This funding will support Native Hawaiians across our state by providing support for Native Hawaiian students, parents, and teachers through a variety of programs. I will continue to advocate for strong funding in programs that invest in Native Hawaiian communities, especially because Native Hawaiians have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.”

    The grantees include the following organizations: Partners in Development Foundation, which operates Tutu & Me in Kaʻū and elsewhere, as well as other programs for children: $2,527,045; University of Hawaii (Systemwide): $9,348,569; Friends of the Future: $1,895,786Papa Ola Lokahi: $740,577; Hula Preservation Society: $260,948; Malama Loko Ea Foundation: $733,150; Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture: $350,471; Awaiaulu, Inc.: $748,934; Kai Loa, Inc.: $512,494; Kamalani Academy: $675,919; Hooulu Lahui Inc.: $431,052; Keiki O Ka Aina Family Learning Centers: $2,207,987; Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu: $1,278,423; Kanu o ka Aina Learning Ohana: $1,385,750; Pacific American Foundation: $540,000; Consortium for Hawaii Ecological Engineering Education: $787,433; Hui Mauli Ola: $558,798; Kulaniakea: $651,42; Hui Malama O Ke Kai Foundation: $365,593; Hookakoo Corporation: $576,640; Hanona: $742,252

Contact deisha.davis@k12.hhi.us. Free Hele On
after school bus will be availalbe to participants.
     NHEP provides funding to develop, supplement, and expand innovative educational programs to assist Native Hawaiians, including through early childhood programs, family-based education centers, reading and literacy programs, activities to address the needs of gifted and talented Native Hawaiian students, special education programs, professional development for educators, and activities to enable Native Hawaiian students to enter and complete postsecondary education programs. More information about the program is available at https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/rural-insular-native-achievement-programs/native-hawaiian-education/

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DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS is among the fastest distributors of Emergency Rental Assistance in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Treasury.
    Congressman Kai Kahele made the announcement. He helped pass the American Rescue Plan, which nearly doubled the initial funding to expand the existing ERA program to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the families and communities most in need, he encouraged Hawaii'i State and County governments to fast-track the distribution of ERA funds.
    "The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands' and the City & County of Honolulu's success in distributing federal rent and utility assistance is a victory for Hawaiʻi," said Kahele. "As we face the ongoing economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, efficiently distributing Emergency Rental Assistance to our community members in need keeps families in their homes. I am proud to be a federal partner in these efforts, and I applaud the outstanding work of DHHL, the City and County of Honolulu, Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi and Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement for connecting our community members to these resources."
    Kahele said he is in communication with Gov. David Ige to support the State's efforts to ramp up the distribution of remaining rent and utility assistance to eligible households across Hawaiʻi.

    "The nonprofit organizations running these programs have worked together to simplify the application process and provide additional 'one-on-one' and culturally competent support to meet local needs," according to an announcement from the U.S. Treasury. "They have also proactively engaged with other nonprofit organizations providing human services resulting in more integrated continuum of care for those in need of ERA benefits. These coordinated services have supported high spend rates on ERA funds for both grantee programs run by the City and County of Honolulu and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands."
    "Emergency Rental Assistance is available to households across Hawaiʻi," Kahele added. "I encourage anyone experiencing anxiety about paying for rent or utilities in the ongoing public health crisis to contact your county's rent and utility assistance program to see if you qualify for this federal assistance."
    To aid in these efforts, Congressman Kahele has launched an Emergency Rental Assistance resource page on his website.

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Read the entire Kaʻū Calendar and back issues at 
www.kaucalendar.com. Find it in the mail from Volcano
through PāhalaNāʻālehu, 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.  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.




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.