About The Kaʻū Calendar

Saturday, December 25, 2021

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021

Mayor Mitch Roth and his wife Noriko helped with Christmas giving at Touched by an Angel. Photo by Olani Lilly

TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL Hana Laulima Lāhui O Kaʻū organizers Terry and Dane Shibuya sent out a mahalo today for helping with the non-profit's celebration last Saturday. Terry Shibuya, Hana Laulima Lāhui O Kaʻū president, thanked all who participated and help serve the community. "It's a Christmas event to be remembered, seeing all the lives that we touched in our community," said Shibuya. She added, "Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!"
Mayor Rich Roth and Noriko, with Terry Shibuya,
President of Hana Laulima Lāhui O Kaʻū.
Photo by Olani Lilly
    To herald in Christmas in Ka'u, 575 people attended Touched by An Angel at Nā'ālehu Shopping Center parking lot, which was filled with festive tents; blow-up candy canes and Santas; a Christmas tree; and lots of holiday cheer. The event was featured on the Hawai'i News Now television and online platforms.
    Volunteers passed out 500 bentos, along with bottled water, presents and supplies, as people drove through, staying Covid-safe in their vehicles. To make sure that every family was served, Hana Laulima Lāhui O Kaʻū, the local nonprofit organizing the festivities, bought and added 18 pizzas. "We had just enough for everyone! Mahalo ke akua!" said co-organizer Dane Shibuya.
    Among those assisting Hana Laulima Lāhui O Ka'ū in the community-giving were Jonathan Dale Miller Foundation, which helped to provide food and hundreds of toys, books and blankets to keiki. The Jonathan Dale Miller Foundation was founded 22 years ago in memory of its namesake.
    A foundation representative said that "Jonathan was a very special boy who developed a terminal illness when he was nine. He became an angel a year later. When Jonathan was asked if he had any special wishes, he said, 'I want to feed the hungry and give toys to children at Christmas who usually do not receive any.' That is what Jonathan's Foundation does. All the recipients were told if you want to give thanks, please thank Jonathan as he is the one who is responsible."
Twenty-pound bags of rice, sponsored by Catholic Charities, were among the food supplies provided to families at the
Touched by an Angel event organized by Hana Laulima Lāhui O Kaʻū. Photo by Olani Lilly
    During the festivities, Hawaiʻi County Police Department gave out DARE backpacks. A Santa dressed in blue and an officer decked out in an Ironman suit represented all the policemen and women who work hard to keep the community safe.
Touched by an Angel Festival Booths. Photo by Olani Lilly
    Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi presented 20 pounds of bag rice and supplies to all.
A Just Serve representative from Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave books to all the keiki who attended.
    Punalu'u Bake Shop assisted with providing bentos for all to enjoy and a dinners for the 'ohana.
    Nā'ālehu Assembly of God group sang Christmas songs to cheer all who attended.
    Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth, his wife Noriko, and state Rep. Sylvian Luke, candidate for    Lieutenant Governor greeted cars and helped volunteers pass out candy canes and Christmas

A volunteer gets bentos ready to hand out to
hungry participants. Photo by Olani Lilly


cookies.
    ChangeMakers, a nonprofit dedicated to helping nonprofits bring about positive change in local communities, assisted the organizations to succeed in their goals and future planning.

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THE JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE LAUNCHED ON CHRISTMAS MORNING and is designed to compliment and possibly outperform land-based telescopes like those on Mauna Kea.
    The monster observatory for astrophysics is expected to settle into its orbit around the sun in about a month. Ahead of the launch, it was carried by ship from its manufacturer in California through the Panama Canal to the spaceport in French Guiana.
A report Christmas Day from space.com says:
 
 Ariane 5 rocket launched the James Webb
telescope, which will orbit the sun and be stronger
than the telescopes on Mauna Kea. NASA photo

  "The space telescope is destined to orbit a point in space known as Earth-sun Lagrange point 2 or L2, which is located nearly 1 million miles (1.5 million kilometers) away from Earth on the opposite side as the sun. The spacecraft covered the first 10% of that journey within 12 hours of launching. Then, when the telescope was about 100,000 miles (160,000 km) away from Earth, the observatory executed a crucial burn to ensure it would safely reach its destination."
    The project is managed by NASA, the European Space Agency and Canadian Space Agency. It is largely funded by the U.S. Congress. The cost is about $9.7 billion. Named after former NASA administrator James Webb, it is built to be the most powerful telescope to date and is expected to become the successor to the Hubble telescope.
The James Webb Observatory was launched Christmas morning  from French Guiana and is expected to compliment and
outperform Mauna Kea telescopes as it orbits around the sun. NASA photo by Chris Gunn

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


See the December and past issues of The Ka`u Calendar
at www.kaucalendar.com.























































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. "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 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.