Kaʻū News Briefs, Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

Ocean View Skatepark Association is an official nonprofit, raising money for a facility at the Kahuku County Park.
Photo from OVSA

 OCEAN VIEW SKATEPARK ASSOCIATION has finalized the creation of its nonprofit and raised more than $17,000, according to a statement from its treasurer Laura Roberts. The organization is applying for

Ocean View Skatepark Association needs volunteers. Photo fro OVSPA

two grants this month and continues fundraising through our tee shirt, hat, and sticker sales. Items that raise money for the new skatepark can be purchased at Lisa's Kahuku Gift and Garden in Ocean View. Donation jars are located at Kahuku market, Ace, and Lisa's. Donations are accepted on the website www.oceanviewskatepark.org, Letters have gone out to local island businesses for donations, said Roberts.
    Support can be given to Ocean View Skatepark Association through Amazon Smileby selecting the organization under Amazon Smile each time shopping on Amazon. Amazon donates a portion of each sale to Ocean View Skatepark.

     Roberts said that Ocean View Skatepark Association needs volunteers for such tasks as sending out letters, helping with fundraisers, making follow up phone calls, grantwriting and putting together auction packages. The help will make Ocean View Skatepark "a reality for our community."

     One of the next steps is an Environmental Assessment. "We hope to have that done soon so we can start the planning of the park build," said Roberts. To volunteer, donate and with questions, call Roberts at 
406-249-3351.

Ka'u's member of the state House of Representatives, Jeanne Kapela, center, met with advocates for a new Ocean View Skatepark. Photo from OVSPA

EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTs FOR SNAP WILL CONTINUE FOR ANOTHER 60 DAYS. Gov. Josh Green, M.D. signed a sixth emergency proclamation to extend federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, in keeping with ongoing federal COVID relief efforts. The federal government passed the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act and established that the Emergency Allotments for the benefit month of February 2023 will be the last month for the SNAP Emergency Allotments."

"Hawai'i's families are heavily burdened by economic impacts of the pandemic as well as inflation and these additional SNAP benefits ensure access to nutritious food," said Green. He said that for qualifying households, SNAP is a lifeline to food and nutritional support that also assists people transitioning from public assistance to independent living.
    State Department of Human Services' Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division administers SNAP. "The department has been committed to advocating the importance of food security for individuals and households in the islands throughout the public health emergency," says the statement from the governor's office.

    U.S. Department of Agriculture manages SNAP, which is the largest food nutrition assistance initiative in the nation. Recipients of SNAP and Financial Assistance Programs are required to renew their eligibility annually in order for most households to continue to receive benefits. Documents for
recertification and renewal can be uploaded here: https://pais-benefits.dhs.hawaii.gov/.
For more information, about applications and renewals, call the toll-free Public Assistance Information Line at 1-855-643-1643. 

    On this island DHS contracts with The Food Basket for outreach, to provide information and basic assistance with SNAP applications as well as referrals to other food sources.

EXPERIENCE VOLCANO IS OPEN FOR NEW MEMBERSHIP. The organization is open to "everyone who wants to help participate in our community." Members receive an experiencevolcano.com profile page and listing, copies of Experience Volcano Hawai'i brochures, news and invitations to events, exposure on social media platforms, a place on a shortlist for media, and a preferred booth placement at the annual Experience Volcano Hawai'i Festival. Memberships for 'Ohana are $99, for Basic $25.  See www.experiencevolcano.com.

Experience Volcano Hawai'i is open for new memberships. Photo from EVH

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FREE FOOD

St. Jude's Hot Meals are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until food runs out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 96-8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View.  Those in need can also take hot showers from 9 a.m. to noon and use the computer lab from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Masks and social distancing required.

Free Meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are served from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Nā'ālehu Hongwanji. Volunteers prepare the food provided by 'O Ka'ū Kākou with fresh produce from its gardens on the farm of Eva Liu, who supports the project. Other community members also make donations and approximately 150 meals are served each day, according to OKK President Wayne Kawachi.

OUTDOOR MARKETS

Volcano Evening Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See facebook.com.

Volcano Swap Meet, fourth Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. Large variety of vendors with numerous products. Tools, clothes, books, toys, local made healing extract and creams, antiques, jewelry, gemstones, crystals, food, music, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also offered are cakes, coffee, and shave ice. Live music.

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Ka'ū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.

'O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nā'ālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Ocean View Community Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in the upper lot only. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.

Ocean View Swap Meet 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.

The Book Shack is open every Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Kauaha'ao Congregational Church grounds at 95-1642 Pinao St. in Wai'ōhinu.