About The Kaʻū Calendar

Monday, October 25, 2021

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Monday, Oct. 25, 2021

A boy and his mother check out a hollow lava tree mold near Mauna Ulu at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, which invites
 family for Halloween scavenger hunts, free passes for fourth graders and their families and other events for Halloween
 weekend at Volcano and Kahuku. See more below. NPS photo by Janice Wei

HAWAI'I COUNTY'S FIRST-EVER FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CENTERS are open. The announcement was made today by Mayor Mitch Roth. He said the program was established through a partnership between the national nonprofit Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, Hawai’i Community Foundation, Hawaiian Community Assets, and Hawai`i First Federal Credit Union.
    The centers offer free professional, one-on-one financial counseling and coaching as a public service to residents. Counseling sessions can range from 30 - 60 minutes, with no limitation to the number of free sessions per individual. 
    Financial Empowerment Centers are staffed with professionally trained financial counselors who can help residents 18 and older, regardless of income, to manage their finances, pay down debt, increase savings, establish and build credit, and access safe and affordable mainstream banking products. 
    "Financial empowerment will play a key role in how we begin to build back from the COVID-19 pandemic and return to a vibrant and thriving Hawaiʻi Island," says the message released on the mayor's facebook page today. "We encourage everyone in our community to take advantage of this free service, regardless of their income level. Making sure that our residents have the resources they need to succeed is all part of creating a sustainable Hawaiʻi Island, where our keiki can raise their keiki for generations to come – and that is really our number one priority."
    Visit this link for more information: https://tinyurl.com/5h9kfzvr.

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

THE FIRST SPORTING EVENT OF THE YEAR FOR KAʻŪ TROJANS WILL BE FOOTBALL THIS SATURDAY AT HOME. Kaʻū plays Kohala at 11 a.m. on Oct. 30. 
     Today, Oct. 25 is the first day that Big Island Interscholastic Federation allowed spectators at football and volleyball competition. The BIIF new rules for football and volleyball are that only family members - two per each player - can attend the competitions and both must be vaccinated. They must wear masks and keep social distance from others. No children under 12 years of age can attend, as they are not yet fully vaccinated.
     However, Trojan parents said this evening that the county's rules, allowing no more than 25 people to gather at any time, trump BIIF rules, making it impossible to allow any spectators at this first game on Kaʻū's home turf. One parent said that she hopes the county will clarify the rules to allow spectators at future games.
    Last weekend the first BIIF cross country meet was held at Kamehameha. The rules for Cross Country are that an unlimited number of vaccinated family members can attend. However, according to Kaʻū Cross Country Coach David Wells, the Trojan team skipped the meet on Saturday and is still preparing, expecting to compete for the rest of the season. 
     Girls volleyball season is starting competition islandwide but Kaʻū Coach Josh Ortega said that too few players have come out to field a Trojan team. He said he hopes for some kind of program to keep Kaʻū High volleyball players in training as a number of students each year win college scholarships through volleyball.
    For bowling, there will be no spectators allowed closer than six feet from bowling areas.
   
  To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

IT'S ALL TREATS AND NO TRICKS FOR HALLOWEEN AT HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK. During this Halloween weekend, families can visit the pop-up tent at Kīlauea Visitor Center near the bus parking area on Saturday, Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or go to Kahuku on Sunday, Oct. 31 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., and pick up a Halloween scavenger hunt bingo card. Explore the trails with the family. Those who make bingo can return to the tent or the visitor contact station for a treat bag provided by the Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association.    
    For any fourth grader in the family, park entrance is free for everyone in the vehicle. Complete the online activity on www.everykidoutdoors.gov and print the paper voucher to bring to the park in exchange for a fourth grade pass. Everyone in the car gets in on the fourth grader's pass - for free. This pass provides free access to fourth grade students and those accompanying them to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas until the end of August 2022. Can’t make it Halloween weekend? Fourth graders are eligible for the Every Kid Outdoors pass throughout the year. Families without fourth graders are also welcome to attend – park entrance fees or passes will apply at the Kīlauea summit area; Kahuku is always free.
    Note to teachers and home-schoolers: Park ranger will visit classrooms virtually, ready with distance learning programs. They can tailor the program to curriculum needs and do a virtual huakaʻi (voyage) on location from the park. Email havo_education@nps.gov to set it up.

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

O KAʻŪ KAKOU will host a Halloween trick or treat event at its farmers market grounds in Nāʻālehu on Saturday, Oct 30. from 8 a.m. to noon. Face painting, trick or treat, and games with prizes for the children will be offered along with the regular Saturday farmer and vendors market.

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


HALLOWEEN WEEKEND Bands will perform at the Lava Lounge at Kilauea Military Camp. Friday, Oct. 29 will feature Mikioi Street Band and Saturday, Oct. 30 will feature Lucky Tongue. State and County COVID-19 rules must be followed. Social distancing requirements are in place. Open to authorized patrons.

A SPOOKY TRAIL & HALLOWEEN VOLCANO VILLAGE TOUR await keiki and adults wearing a favorite costume. 
    Enter  Volcano Art Center' s Spooky Trail at Volcano Art Center’s Haunted Forest on Saturday, Oct. 30 from 4 p .m. to 6 p.m. The adventure begins with a tour of the Halloween Village, followed by a Tour Ghoul luring participants into the Haunted Forest.
   This Halloween experience includes a keiki costume contest and the best decorated or carved pumpkin, which can be brought from home.
    Goodie bags will be distributed to each keiki (while supplies last). Drawings for prizes will happen throughout the event. Costume and pumpkin judging will be from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
    The cost is $4.00 per person; at least one adult per family, with a maximum of six in a group, will be welcomed. Bring flashlights.
Due to COVID restrictions, a limited number of participants at a time will be allowed on the Spooky Trail. Masks and sign-in will be required. 

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 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

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.