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Thursday, September 23, 2021

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday Sept. 23, 2021

JC and Nikki Littlefield, and Caleb Jernigan took on a tiny home build - a home that their families donated to Habitat for Humanity Hawai'i Island for a family in need of shelter here. Habitiat is offering a lot in Ocean View to go with the home. Stephen Goss and Chad Unrein, co-owners of Mockingbird Tiny Homes, mentored the youth in hundreds of hours of sweat equity by the teens, their friends and families. Applications are open for a family of up to two persons.  Photo from Habitat for Humanity Hawai'i Island

The tiny home offered by Habitat to place
 on an Ocean View lot was built by teens
 who, with their families, donated the
 finished home. Photo from Habitat
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE TINY HOME OFFERING from Habitat for Humanity Hawai'i Island, with the option of the house being placed on a lot in Ocean View. Applicants must be Hawai'i Island residents in need of permanent housing with no more than a two-person household. 
    Applicants must have a stable income and a reasonable credit history, with no outstanding judgments. Those who apply must also have adequate income to cover taxes, utilities, insurance and maintenance expenses as well as the mortgage payment. Gross earnings must be between 30 percent and 80 percent of current US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) median income.
    Required income for a household of one would be $18,000-$47,950; for a household of two $20,600-$54,800.
Habitat will request verification of financial information in the next phase of the application process. Habitat will take into consideration income for everyone in the household.​
     Applicants must have land or agree to live on a lot in Ocean View currently owned by Habitat.
     The partnership leading to home ownership includes completing approved pre and post sweat equity time of at least 250 hours.
     For an application, contact Family Services Manager Jane Mireles at (808)331-8010 ext 110 or at jane.mireles@habitathawaiiisland.org or Family Services Coordinator Adrienne Eisele at (808)217-9542 or at adrienne.eisele@habitathawaiiisland.org. Deadline to apply is Sunday, Oct. 31.
    Habitat for Humanity Hawai'i Island is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a global, non-profit housing ministry. Habitat for Humanity Hawai'i Island works with families in need build a safe and affordable place that they can call home. Habitat Hawai'i Island is volunteer driven, and relies on donations to help our partner families.
    The tiny house being offered was built by teens volunteering their time and donating the house to Habitat for a small household in need of housing. Take a virtual tour of the home: habitathawaiiisland.org.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com

SMALL BUSINESSES ARE INVITED TO TALK STORY through a Small Business Initiative of the Hawai'i Democratic Party, which is planning to enrich its Party Platform to advocate for small business needs at the state and county levels. A statement from Democratic Party of Hawai'i says the organization is excited to announce its Small Business Initiative. "Small businesses have always been at the core of our local community - from our cherished longtime neighborhoods grocery stores and bakeries to new tech-forward startups by our local entrepreneurs and every type of enterprise in between."
     Democratic Party of Hawai'i's Platform on Small Business states: “By supporting small business and entrepreneurship, we can grow jobs faster in Hawai‘i. We will cut red tape that holds back small business and entrepreneurs. We will open up access to credit because we know that small businesses are some of the best job creators in our State. We will provide tax relief and tax simplification. Democrats will provide targeted funding and support for entrepreneurship and small business growth in underserved communities. We realize the critical importance of small businesses as engines of opportunity for women, people of color, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, and people in rural Hawai'i and will work to nurture entrepreneurship.”
     Talk story sessions are planned for Friday, Oct. 1 at noon and Wednesday, Oct. 6 at noon. Register at HawaiiDemocrats.org/Zoom. Co-chairs for the project are Chase Shigemasa and Eliza Talbot.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com

A COVID TEST CLINIC WAS HELD THURSDAY AT PAHALA COMMUNITY CENTER from noon to 2 p.m. County Civil Defense sent out a message Thursday afternoon announcing the clinic and also stated:
"For Hawai'i County, the Department of Health reports 81 new cases and 1,090 active cases, with 27 persons hospitalized. The number of deaths attributed to Coronavirus throughout this pandemic on Hawai'i Island has increased during this high spike in cases to 81. Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of those that have passed from this virus. "We need to continue our efforts as the virus continues to be transmitted within our communities. Please follow the preventive measures of wearing face coverings, maintaining physical distancing, limiting gatherings and staying home when you are sick."   
    For a comprehensive calendar and list of all clinics and pharmacies providing vaccination and testing, visit the Civil Defense website at www.hawaiicounty.gov. They include Kaʻū Community Rural Health Clinic and Long's Pharmacy in Pahala and Bay Clinic in Na'alehu. 
    The CDA today recommended booster booster Pfizer vaccines for those 65 and older, as well as those 50 t0 64 with underlying health problems.
Roberts Hawai'i and the State of Hawai'i are looking for screeners to hire for Kona and Hilo airports,
with bonuses through most of December to work there. (Photo from Roberts Hawai'i)

HILO AND KONA AIRPORTS ARE IN NEED OF SCREENERS, and are offering jobs with incentives, according to a statement from Gov. David Ige. He said 100 screeners are needed across the state. The screeners assist in verifying Safe Travel requirements for all incoming travelers and airline crew member on international and domestic transpacific flights. The incentives will be for existing and new hires,
providing $300 to $400 monthly through December. 
Screeners much have a high school diploma or equivalent, customer service experience or combined education and experience, fluency in verbal and written English, be at least 18 years of age, ability to work flexible shifts, including weekends, evenings and holidays, adjust to changing schedules, and interact professionally with passengers, vendors, agents, clients - all individuals. Basic iPhone, iPad and computer skills are required.
    For more info and to apply, call 808-539-9414 or Contact Roberts Hawai'i, which was given the contract to oversee the Safe Travels program at the airports. See www.robertshawaii.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com

THE IRONMAN TRIATHLON, which draws thousands of visitors to this island. has been rescheduled from October in Kona to May at St. George, Utah, but is expected to return to Hawai'i Island in October of 2022. The Kona Ironman next year is expected to be a two day event to allow the large number of competitors who qualified for 2021 and 2022 to race, according to organizing officials. The 2020 Ironman was also postponed due to COVID-19. 
    A statement from race organizers said, "The 2021 Supersapiens IRONMAN World Championship will take place in St. George, Utah, on May 7, 2022, giving professional triathletes the opportunity to claim a world championship title and a share of the $750,000 prize purse that goes with it. The ongoing uncertainty regarding Kailua-Kona, Hawaii's ability to host the event in February required a change in venue to outside of Hawai'i for the first time since the inaugural event in 1978."
    “Hawai'i Island, and Kona in particular, have had a wonderful 40-plus year relationship with IRONMAN and its origins,” said Ross Birch, Island of Hawai'i Visitors Bureau Executive Director. “While the iconic event has provided long-lasting economic benefits to our island, what’s sometimes missed is the transformation of Kona as a lifestyle destination because of IRONMAN. We are in full support of IRONMAN’s change to host a two-day race format that enables the opportunity for all qualifying athletes from the past two-plus years to compete as well as giving the local economy a chance to benefit and recoup lost tourism opportunities.”

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com





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.





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 The Old Shirakawa Estate   in Waiʻohinu.  It features: Made in Hawai'i Products, Organic Produce, Creative Crafts, ARt, Flower and Plants, Food, Ka`u Coffee, Gluen Free Low Carb Goodies, Wellness Services and Products, Clothing, Hand Crafted Treats, Music and more. Vendor and customer 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.