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The Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run 50K (31.0686 miles) was held for the first time in Kaʻū Coffee Trail Runs' seven year history. Patrick Stover wins it in 4 hours, 38 minutes and 52.1 seconds. A spokesperson for Nutrex Hawai'i and BioAstin, Stover also led the 30-39 age group. Second is Sergio Florian in 4:49:24.4. He led the 40-49 age group. Third overall is top female finisher Mele Demill in 5:31:36.2. She led the 30-39 female age group. Fourth is Ryan Cochran in 5:42.20.5. Fifth overall is second women's finisher Bree Wee, who also led the women's 40-49 age group. She finished in 5:49:38.3. All of the female finishers were between 30 and 49 years of age. All the men's finishers were between 30 and 69 years of age.
For Kaʻū Coffee Trail Runs' Half Marathon, David Collier is the overall winner in one hour, 47 minutes and 51 seconds. He also led the 30 - 39 men's age group. Second is Daniel Hill, who led the 40-49 age group in 1:53:15.9. Third is Todd Marohnic, who led the 60-69 age group in 1:53:40.1. Todd Wagner finishes
In the women's Half-Marathon, Sierra Ponthier, with 1:59:50.2, takes the title. She led the 20-29 age group. Laura Ankrum takes second in 2:07:35.2, and led the 40-49 age group. Amy Young is third in 2:09:40.9, and led the 30-39 age group. Marta Camproni comes in fourth, in 2:10:28.2. Female winner of the 50-59 age group is Michelle Suber, with 2:24:31.4. Female winner of the 60-69 age group is Sandy Keith in 4:03.23.1. There were no women in the race over 70 years of age.
For Kaʻū Coffee Trail Runs 10K, John Benner is the overall winner in 38:02.8. He also led the 20-19 men's age group. Second in the men's is Patrick Baker in 48:59.0. He also led the 40-
49 mens age group. Third in men's is Chris Poerstel in 51:54.4. He also led the 30-39 age group. Fourth is Jacob Head in 53.41.4. Male winner in the 50-59 age group is Danny Guerpo in 54.42.4. Mens winner in the 60-69 age group is Ricardo Barbarti 1:43:25.6. Male winner in the 70 plus age group is Kevin Kunz in 2:08:04.
In the women's 10K, Kendra Ignacio wins the title in 59:45.3. She also led the 50-59 female age group. Second is Laura Birse in 1:00:49.7. She also led the 40-49 age group. Third is Julie Sheele, taking second in the 40-49 age group. Fourth is Michelle Young, also taking third in the 40-49 age group. Female winner for the 30-39 age group is Melissa Kunz in 1:14:49.8.
For the 60-69 female age group, Dawn Tillery takes the title in 1:10:16.8. The 19 and under female category sees Jordan Avilla take the race in 1:18:29.8. There were no female racers over 70.
For Kaʻū Coffee Trail Runs 5K, Parker Smith is the overall winner, in 21:25.7. He also led the 19 and under men's age group. Second in the men's is Kyle Ignacio, also coming in second in the 19 and under male age group. Third is Joe Barcia in 24.10.4. He led the 50-59 mens age group. Fourth is Cody Smith in 25:39. He was third in the 19 and under group. in the men's 40-49 age group, Justin Denny is the winner in 26:35.9. In the 60-69 age group, Richard Gillingwater is the winner in 31:07.3. There were no male runners between the ages of 20 and 40 and none over 70.
In the women's 5K, Megan Denny wins in 28:06.2. She also led the 40-49 female age group. Second in the women's is Hina Barcia, in 30:37.6. She led the 20-29 female age group. Third is Tracie Brewere in 30:51.1. She is second in the 40-49 age group. Fourth is Christina Rasmussen in 31:42.9, third in the 40-49 age group. Winning the 19 and under age group is Elaina Head in 34:24.4. Winning the 30 to 29 age group is Amy McDavid in 34:39.3. Winning the 50-59 age group is Louann Griego in 36:23.1. Winning the 60-69 age group is Barbara Anderson in 39:27.6. There were no female runners over 70.
See all the results from Timing is Everything at https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=254382. The race was produced by OKK, Kaʻū Coffee Mill and Hawai'i Island Racers.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
FRIDAY'S FIRST COMMERCIAL FLIGHT TO AMERICAN SAMOA since the pandemic lockdown began in March 2020 carried a returning resident with COVID who was immediately put into quarantine in a government facility. 
All 240 passengers on the Hawaiian Air flight on Friday are now in quarantine. American Samoa officials are registering the case as its first COVID-19 infection. The resident with COVID-19 was going home from a trip to the U.S. mainland and Hawai'i.
According to a statement from American Samoa, the COVID victim was fully vaccinated and tested negative before boarding the flight home. American Samoa requires vaccinations plus ten days of quarantine after arrival and three pre-travel tests before boarding the plane to Pago Pago.
Among the passengers on the flight was American Samoa Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga, who said, "The discovery of this positive case during quarantine highlights the importance of why our process is critical to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It further highlights the importance of maintaining our current quarantine protocols." The governor, according to protocol for all travelers to American Samoa, is in quarantine.HAWAI'I COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE reported 79 new cases and 1219 active cases, with 45 persons hospitalized on Hawai`i Island today. Civil Defense sent out this message:
"Thank you for doing your part, whether getting vaccinated or following the preventive measures but we need to continue as the virus is still being transmitted within our community. Please follow the preventive measures of wearing face coverings, maintaining physical distancing, limiting gatherings, and staying home when you are sick."
According to a statement from American Samoa, the COVID victim was fully vaccinated and tested negative before boarding the flight home. American Samoa requires vaccinations plus ten days of quarantine after arrival and three pre-travel tests before boarding the plane to Pago Pago.
Among the passengers on the flight was American Samoa Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga, who said, "The discovery of this positive case during quarantine highlights the importance of why our process is critical to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It further highlights the importance of maintaining our current quarantine protocols." The governor, according to protocol for all travelers to American Samoa, is in quarantine.
American Samoans are 48 percent fully vaccinated. Hawai'i residents are 66 percent fully vaccinated.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
County restrictions include no more than five persons gathering indoors and no more than ten outdoors.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
WHY AREN'T THERE ENOUGH DOCTORS, ICU BEDS, and other health care facilities in Hawai'i? Grassroot Institute of Hawai'i's President Keli'i Akina, Phd., published this opinion today: Throughout Hawai'i's declared public health emergency over the past 18 months, many of the rules and orders issued have been less about the disease in question and more about reducing stress on our state's public health services.
But if the surge in COVID-19 cases is overwhelming our healthcare capacity, shouldn't we also take a closer look at the government policies that have contributed to the problem?
But if the surge in COVID-19 cases is overwhelming our healthcare capacity, shouldn't we also take a closer look at the government policies that have contributed to the problem?
Healthcare access is a complicated issue, and no single policy is responsible for the problems we now face. But it is undeniable that our own laws have played a part in this crisis. In other words, to some extent, the stress on Hawaii's healthcare system is less the fault of COVID-19 than our own regulations.
Some of those problems are so obvious that the governor dealt with them in his earliest proclamations. Restrictions on telehealth and licensing for out-of-state practitioners were lifted at the outset. But there are other laws and regulations, some more complex, that continue to throttle healthcare in Hawai'i. For example, Hawai'i's doctor shortage continues to worsen, and it's a problem that will inevitably spread unless we do something about it. Even before our current state of emergency was declared, the state needed nearly 800 doctors and about 2,200 nonphysician healthcare personnel.
Hawai'i's high cost of living plays a large role in the doctor shortage, but that's not the only factor. Local physicians will tell you that Hawaii's policy of applying the general excise tax to medical services is particularly burdensome.
According to research from the Grassroot Institute of Hawai'i, a medical services exemption from the state's 4% GET would save about $5,275 each for the approximately 38,000 full-time workers in the medical industry.
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| Keli'i Akina, President of Grassroot Institute of Hawai'i |
The lack of medical facilities is also self-inflicted. Hawai'i's broad certificate-of-need laws require that investors prove there is a "need" for their proposed new services — such as a new hospital, imaging center, rehab facility or dialysis center. Too often their proposals are denied.
Grassroot Institute research shows that since 2006, state officials have rejected over $200 million of private healthcare investment covering over 200 hospital beds, including 25 ICU beds, to the point where Hawai'i has among the fewest hospital beds per capita in the nation.
And here's something that would be funny if it wasn't sadly true: CON laws are sometimes referred to as a "competitor's veto," because that's essentially what they are. At the state hearings, "interested parties" can testify on whether an area truly "needs" the proposed new facilities or services. Such parties include the owners of existing facilities, so the local hospital, rehab center or dialysis center gets to weigh in on whether the government should greenlight a potential rival.
Unsurprisingly, the existing "interested parties" tend to oppose the idea — which is what you could expect if, say, McDonald's and Burger King had veto power over whether you could open a new burger restaurant in your neighborhood.
According to a study from the Mercatus Institute — mentioned earlier this week in an excellent article by Civil Beat reporter Kirstin Downey — Hawai'i has the highest number of certificate-of-need restrictions in the country. By comparing costs and outcomes in states with restrictive certificate-of-need laws and those without, the Mercatus Center determined that CON laws have increased annual per capita healthcare spending in Hawaii by $219 and reduced the number of healthcare facilities in the state by about 14.
These are additional facilities that could have been available to us when the coronavirus first appeared in the islands in March 2020. Wouldn't it be nice if they were available to us when the next public health emergency presents itself?
While we hope Hawai'i never has to face another public health emergency like COVID-19, it is foolish not to prepare for the worst. After all, this won't be the last challenge our state faces, and improving overall healthcare access and quality is itself a worthy goal.
Being prepared means removing the obstacles that the government has placed in our path. That's what we "need" to improve Hawaii's healthcare and eliminate the problem of overstressed and overcrowded hospitals.
See more research and opinion at www.grassrootinstitute.org.
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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Read the entire Kaʻū Calendar and back issues at www.kaucalendar.com. Find it in the mail from Volcano through Pāhala, 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. 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
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.
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.
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.
