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Friday, March 27, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, March 27, 2020

Shai Lopez, at Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary, signals the cafeteria to prepare one lunch for the one child in the vehicle.
Grab & Go free food service begins at Nāʻālehu on April 6 and continues in Pāhala on Mondays through Fridays during the pandemic. See more below. Photo by Julia Neal
THE TWO TRILLION DOLLAR COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE, passed by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and signed into law today by Pres. Donald Trump, drew a statement from Kaʻū 's congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. She commented on the pandemic that has most Hawaiʻi and mainland people staying at home, most businesses and public places closed, and a mounting number of deaths across the mainland, as the U.S. becomes the country with the most COVID-19 cases.
     Gabbard wrote, "I pray this email finds you and your loved ones safe and well. Never before has it been so starkly undeniable that our fates as individuals, as nations, and as a world are inseparable. It will take all of us working together to defeat this global pandemic, relying on the very best of humanity to shine through and connect and unite us at a time when it would be just as easy to succumb to fear, isolation, and destructive division.
     "With that in mind, I want to take a moment now to first and foremost urge you to take — and to encourage your friends, neighbors, and family to also take — all the necessary preventative precautions required to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. Also, here is some information you can share about new measures Congress just passed that will provide some relief to those who need it most while we continue to address the growing challenges the pandemic poses to our health, safety, and economy.
     Gabbard wrote, "I am deeply inspired by and grateful for the countless examples of service above self — the abundance of courage, compassion, and strength — that I see every day as Americans step up to take care of each other despite fear and uncertainty:
     "Our heroic front line healthcare workers who are leaving their families behind every day, often self-quarantining from their own spouses and children, to put their lives on the line to test and treat strangers they swore an oath to serve.
     "My fellow service members in the National Guard who are activating and serving in their home states across the country to meet this new threat head-on. The essential service workers feeding our nation, delivering and producing essential goods, reinventing their businesses to keep us fit and healthy online.
See the video at tulsi.to/covid-19
     "Your neighbors and friends who are volunteering online, delivering groceries and picking up prescriptions for vulnerable members of the community who cannot. People giving blood, and those donating money to organizations helping those who have been hit hardest by this crisis. Parents keeping their children safe. The care providers looking after our most at-risk populations. There is no shortage of people demonstrating the spirit of aloha, and the immense ingenuity and strength of our nation and the American people. We need to keep it up.
     "Far too much of the existing concern around COVID-19's impact in the media and by our government leaders has been focused on bailing out the big end of town, making the same old tired trickle-down arguments we've seen time and time again. The American people don't have time to wait for relief, they need it now to make ends meet. I am continuing to urge my colleagues to remain focused on what we can do now to serve the American people. Now is not the time for politics; now is the time for leaders to step up and stand together.
     "The coming weeks and months will test all of us — but I have great faith that when We, The People, work side-by-side with compassion, love, and strength, we can accomplish anything. We can defeat this virus and come out not only stronger, but more compassionate, empathetic, and connected as a nation and a world than ever before." She signs off, "With hope and determination."

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SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ COMMENTED ON THE FEDERAL RESCUE PACKAGE: "The vast majority of the spending in the bill is for small business, unemployment insurance, cash payments, essential services, and front line health care. And the desperate people I hear from back home are happy it passed.
     "Good Stuff in the Bill: More than $130 billion for hospitals, nursing homes, health care centers; personal and protective equipment for health care workers; testing supplies; increased workforce, training, and medical research; new construction to house patients. $350 billion in partially forgivable loans to small businesses and non-profits to maintain existing workforce and help pay for other expenses like rent, mortgage, and utilities; $10 billion for SBA emergency grants of up to $10,000 to provide immediate relief for small business operating costs; and $17 billion for SBA to cover six months of payments for small businesses with existing SBA loans."

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St. Jude's hosts free food distribution Friday in Ocean View.
Photo from St. Jude's  Episcopal Church
FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION IS SCHEDULED FOR THIS SATURDAY, March 28 at St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. The drive through will begin at 9 a.m. in the lower church parking lot. According to a message from a church member, celebrity chef Sam Choy will provide vegetables. Oranges will also be distributed. "Please contact those who may be homebound or otherwise unable to drive to this location so arrangements can be made for them to get food they may need," says the message.
     St. Jude's put its soup and shower program on hold recently, with health concerns during the
COVID-19 pandemic, but is providing lunch sacks with sandwiches, fruit, cookie, and a napkin on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to the community that depends on the church for nutrition.
     Church services have gone online. See st.judeshawaii.org. The church motto is, "Where Jesus talk is a Daily Walk." The church is located at 92-8606 Paradise Circle in Ocean View.

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NĀʻĀLEHU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEARNING PACKETS and student resources can be picked up at distribution spots throughout Kaʻū on Monday, March 30. They are designed for learning at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
     One family member may pick up for several students in the same family. Students need not be present for the learning resources to be retrieved. Please indicate the grade level of each child. Distribution times are organized by the first letter of the student's last name at the site closest to their home. Supplies will be given out simultaneously.
     Distribution in the Nāʻālehu area will be at Nāʻālehu Elementary, Waiʻōhinu, and Discovery Harbour Community Center. Distribution in Ocean View will be at the county's Kahuku Park, the area in front of Malama Market, and Ocean View Community Center.
     At Nāʻālehu Elementary, campus pick-up will be from 9 a.m - 9:20 a.m. for A-H; 9:20 a.m. - 9:40 a.m. for I-P, and 9:40 a.m. - 10 a.m. for Q-Z.
     The Waiʻōhinu pick-up: 8 a.m. - 8:20 a.m. for A-H, 8:20 a.m. - 8:40 a.m. for I-P, and 8:40 a.m. - 9 a.m. for Q-Z.
     The Discovery Harbour Community Center pick-up: 9:30 a.m. - 9:50 a.m. for A-H, 9:50 a.m. - 10:10 a.m. for I-P, and 10:10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. for Q-Z.
     Morning distribution at Kahuku Park: 8 a.m. - 8:20 a.m. for A-H, 8:20 a.m. - 8:40 a.m. for I-P, and 8:40 a.m. - 9 a.m. for Q-Z. 
Nāʻālehu Elementary families can pick up a personal
 bag of school resources and learning packets
 for each enrolled student on Monday, March 30. 
See story for designated times and sites. 
Photo by Sheilah Okimoto

     Evening distribution at Kahuku Park: 5 p.m. - 5:20 p.m. for A-H, 5:20 p.m. - 5:40 p.m. for I-P, and 5:40 p.m. - 6 p.m. for Q-Z.
     Times for distribution in front of Malama Market are: 9:30 a.m. - 9:50 a.m. for A-H, 9:50 a.m. - 10:10 a.m. for I-P, and 10:10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. for Q-Z.
     Times for distribution at Ocean View Community Center are 5 p.m. - 5:20 p.m. for A-H, 5:20 p.m. - 5:40 p.m. for I-P, and 5:40 p.m. - 6 p.m. for Q-Z.
     Learning packets may be picked up from these distribution sites every two weeks. Everyone is asked to observe social distancing rules, staying 6 feet away from others during pick-up. 
     See the school website at naalehuel.hidoe.us for more information and updates.

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GRAB & GO FREE FOOD FOR YOUTH BEGINS AT NĀʻĀLEHU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL on Monday, April 6, with a drive-through. Principal Darlene Javar reports that Nāʻālehu Elementary, designated as a Department of Education free feeding site, will give meals to anyone 18 years old or younger. Breakfast can be picked up at the school between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m., and lunch picked up between 11:30 a.m. and noon. The child must be present on site to receive a meal. Only one breakfast and one lunch will be distributed per child. Participants are asked to observe social distancing rules and remain six feet apart.
     Grab & Go continues at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School this Monday with the same schedule. The free food is for anyone 18 years and younger. The meals are hot and fresh. Meals are provided only to those youth who arrive in a vehicle or walk up to the distribution site.
     The service, sponsored by the state Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is prepared by the staff of each school cafeteria. The goal is to keep the children well fed while the campuses are closed to them during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many students depend on free breakfasts and lunches for their nutrition when the schools are open.

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The Food Basket plans to return to Kaʻū District Gym on Tuesday, April 28 at 10 a.m. See more below.
Photo by Julia Neal
THE FOOD BASKET PLANS TO RETURN TO KAʻŪ in a month, on April 28 at 10 a.m in the parking lot of Kaʻū District Gym. Fresh vegetables, milk, eggs, and more were handed out to the first delivery of 14 days of free food on March 24. Families drive through the distribution area where volunteers record the number of family members being served and provide the appropriate amount of food by placing it in each vehicle. A Food Basket distribution is tentatively planned for late April in Volcano.

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Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 6,250 mailboxes 
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
DAILY COVID-19 UPDATE: The state Department of Health reports seven cases of COVID-19 confirmed on Hawaiʻi Island as of today, March 27. Two are new since yesterday.
     Throughout the state, there are 122 presumptive positive or confirmed cases, with 16 reported today.  There have been zero deaths from COVID-19 in the state. There are several possible community spread cases of COVID-19 in Hawaiʻi.
     U.S. surpassed all other countries in COVID-19 cases on Thursday. According to Johns Hopkins University, the U.S. has recorded 104,837 cases.
     Worldwide, more than 598,245 people have become victims of COVID-19. The death toll is 27,762.

Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of April.


All Kaʻū High School and other public school sporting events are canceled through the end of April.

Spring Break for Public Schools is extended through Monday, April 6 for COVID-19 spread mitigation.


UPCOMING
SATURDAY, MARCH 28
CANCELLED: Final 2020 Hawaiian Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count, Saturday, March 28, 7:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., orientation included. Register at oceancount.org. Locations in Kaʻū are: Kaʻena Point in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Miloli‘i Lookout, Ka Lae Park, and Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park. Participants tally humpback whale sightings and document the animals' surface behavior during the survey, which provides a snapshot of humpback whale activity from the shoreline.

POSTPONED: Prince Kuhio Day Hoʻolauleʻa, Saturday, March 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Nāʻālehu County Park. Event features Hawaiian music and cultural demos, hula, crafts, food, and more. Drug- and alcohol-free. Live entertainment from Gene Akamu and G2G, Uncle Sonny & Bro Tui, Braddah Ben, Lori Lei's Hula Studio, and more. Local personality Kurt Dela Cruz will emcee and several lucky number prizes will be announced throughout the day. Organized by local non-profit Hana Laulima Lāhui O Kaʻū. Membership $10 per year. Contact Terry Shibuya at 938-3681 or terrylshibuya@gmail.com; Trini Marques at 928-0606 or trinimarques@yahoo.com; or Kupuna Ke.

CANCELLED: Ocean View Classic Car & Bike Show, Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Owners of classic cars and bikes are encouraged to register early, as space is limited. This second annual event, a fundraiser for Ocean View Community Association, will also feature food and live music, and prizes for the most impressive cars and bikes. Contact organizers Dennis Custard at 831-234-7143 or Ron Gall at 808-217-7982 to register or for more info.

CANCELLED: Forest Work Day, Saturday, March 28, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Learn some native plants, help restore a beautiful rainforest, and get some exercise. Tim Tunison leads. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

ONGOING
Kaʻū Art Gallery is looking for local artists. Call 808-937-1840.

AdvoCATS, Saturday, April 25, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Ocean View Community Center. Free spay/neuter for cats. Reserve spot in advance. 895-9283, advocatshawaii.org

Register for Volcano's ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and Keiki Dash by Wednesday, July 22. The second annual event will be held on Saturday, July 25. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to University of Hawaiʻi for furthering research of Rapid ‘Ōhiʻa Death and The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences. See webscorer.com to register.
     Half Marathon registration is $70 through May 24, $80 May 25 through July 22, and $90 for late registration. Registration for the 10K is $50 through May 24, $55 May 25 through Jul 22, and $60 for late registration. Registration for the 5K is $35 through May 24, $40 May 25 through July 22, and $45 for late registration. Keiki Dash registration is $10. All registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable.
     Late registration is only available at packet pickup or race day morning. Shirts are not guaranteed for late registration.  Race Shirts will be included for Half Marathon and 10K participants only. For all other participants, shirts are available to purchase online.
     Packet pick-up is scheduled for Thursday, July 23 in Hilo; Friday, July 26 in Volcano; and Saturday, July 27, 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. at the race start.
     Half Marathon will start at 7 a.m. Other distances follow shortly after. Keiki Dash will begin at 10 a.m. on VSAS grounds, with the option of one or two laps – about 300 meters or 600 meters. Race cut-off time for the Half Marathon is four hours. The races will begin and end in Volcano Village at VSAS.
     See ohialehuahalf.com.

Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium Closed for Renovation through June 30. The visitor center is closed until further notice due to COVID-19 spread mitigation. Park films, including Born of Fire, Born of the Sea, will not be shown. A popular seven-and-a-half minute 2018 eruption video will continue to be shown on a television in the exhibits area, once the center reopens, and is available online for free download.

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Thursday, March 26, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, March 26, 2020

Matson says it is well prepared to continue shipping essential goods to Hawaiʻi. It christened this cargo
 ship last year in San Diego, and gave it the name Luraline. Photo from Matson
MATSON, YOUNG BROTHERS AND PASHA, the main ocean carriers of food, goods and vehicles to Hawaiʻi, all promise to continue shipping during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    The message from Matson, the shipping company founded in 1882, says it "is committed to taking all appropriate steps to ensure the continuation of services, including the deployment of reserve vessels if necessary, to continue meeting the needs of our customers and communities. We are monitoring developments closely and ensuring compliance with all United States Coast Guard and local, federal, and international government reporting and prevention directives at sea and ashore."
Aloha served daily is a slogan of Young Brothers.
Photo from Young Brothers
     The U.S. Department of Homeland Security deems Matson's operations and services as essential as stated by the Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response. Matson delivers to Hawaiʻi, Guam, Micronesia, and the South Pacific.
     Much of its cargo is loaded in California where the stay-at-home executive order does not affect its operations. For American Samoa, Samoa, the Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji, and Niue, Matson often picks up freight in New Zealand, where its services are considered essential for supporting critical transportation infrastructure to the South Pacific. Matson also ships between the West Coast and Hawaiʻi.
     A moving message across the top of Matson's website says, "Service scheduled unaffected by COVID-19. See matson.com. Remain in frequent and regular communication with the United States Coast Guard and the port authorities throughout our Pacific network regarding commercial port operations in the interest of maintaining all our services and the continued reliable flow of goods to our communities."
Young Brothers will continue bringing essential goods between the
islands. Photo from Young Brothers
     Young Brothers has reduced the types of cargo it will ship interisland. Starting on March 30, Young Bros. will turn away nonessential privately-owned vehicles, dry mixed cargo, and less than a container load of livestock. It will accept, food, water, and other household consumer products for retail stores; all household consumer products; medical supplies and equipment for hospital and to care for those in need; educational supplies; first responder vehicles; public utilities vehicles and equipment; and construction supplies and equipment. Dry and refrigerated full containers will be shipped.
     Anyone picking up cargo at the Hilo or Kawaihae ports must follow a new statewide protocol: Enter the port facilities with vehicle windows rolled up and hold TWIC ID or driver's license against the window for the security officers to view through the glass. Maintain the recommended six-feet of distance from others and refrain from congregating. Remain in vehicle at all times while delivering or receiving cargo. Wait to be directed by a YB employee to roll down window and/or to exit vehicle to handle cargo. For more information and regular updates regarding YB operations and COVID-19, visit youngbrothershawaii.com/covid-19.
Pasha shipping company promised this week to help fill the shelves of Hawaiʻi stores again.
Photo from Pasha
     Pasha Hawai’i, the shipping line that brings in Costco goods, promises to keep its schedule carrying big containers. Sr. Vice President Mike Caswell told KITV news this week, "We are the lifeline of the islands and we want everybody to be aloha out there and live aloha and understand that the shelves might be empty right now – people are trying to prepare and stock up – but as you can see we're moving. We are going to fill the shelves again we just want to ensure the people not to panic and cargo is still flowing." On Hawaiʻi Island, Pasha serves Hilo and Kawaihae. See pashahawaii.com.
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CONTINUOUS LEARNING PACKETS AND ACTIVITIES will be available for Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary students on Monday, March 30 via the schoolwebsite. A message from Principal Sharon Beck states that elementary teachers will contact parents to determine the best way to deliver packets and learning activities, and that many middle school and high school teachers will use Google Classroom to communicate with their students.
     "Please encourage them to check in on their school Google accounts often," requests Beck. "As many teachers will be using internet resources as part of these packets, we are trying to determine which students have computers and internet access at home. If your student has limitations accessing the internet or may need a capable device, please call the school as soon as possible at 808-313-4100.
     "Please note that the work packets are primarily meant for enrichment purposes and to promote retention of previously learned skills. However, teachers will be providing feedback on work which is returned and graded content may be submitted depending on individual student and teacher agreements."
     Beck said that school staff may be calling soon and throughout the weeks to clarify class packets and answer questions from parents and students. Calls may come in via Google Voice, so phone numbers may show up as unidentified on caller ID.
     The school campus will remain closed through Thursday, April 30. The campus will only be open for daily community meal services for children 18 and under from 7:30 a.m. through 8 a.m. for breakfast and 11:30 a.m. through noon for lunch, on weekdays.
     For the most up to date continuous learning information, see KHPES.org or the Department of Education's Continuity of Education website, sites.google.com/k12.hi.us/resources-student-parent/home for more student and parent resources.
     Said Beck, "Thank you for your ongoing patience as we navigate our school's response to COVID-19. Please know that the health and safety of our students is a top priority… Mahalo for your continued support. Please stay safe and healthy."
The campus of Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary is closed to all activity except meal pickups on weekdays,
7:30 a.m.to 8 a.m. for breakfast and 11:30 p.m. to noon for lunch, for those 18 and younger. KHPES photo 

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RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION, Hawaiʻi's Attorney General, Claire Connors, has joined 27 other attorneys general in calling on the U.S. Department of Education to provide federal student loan borrowers with crucial emergency measures. In a letter to the Education Secretary, the coalition asks the DOE to take steps to "protect borrowers from further financial burden and debt collection due to job losses and lost wages."

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY LAUNCHED NATURE LAB TODAY, an educational and entertainment site to help children stay busy when isolated during the pandemic. The Nature Conservancy operates its Hawaiʻi Island headquarters in Kaʻū.
     Nature Lab is a new online learning platform, created by TNC and its 550 scientists. The platform is designed to "help students learn the science behind how nature works for us, and how we can help keep it running strong." A message from the organization states: "More than 850 million children and youth – roughly half of the world's student population – have to stay away from schools and universities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While students can't travel the world right now, they can still develop great passion and knowledge about the world through high-quality classroom content."
     Kate Ireland, director of Youth Engagement Programs at The Nature Conservancy, said, "As schools around the world shut down to in response to COVID-19 and parents work to balance the demands on their time and energy, we know that students will have very different learning experiences over the next few months. I'm proud that The Nature Conservancy, with our newly relaunched Nature Lab curriculum, can offer families some support and open up new worlds for young people."
     A variety of age appropriate courses are available for grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12, plus bonus Virtual Field Trips such as The Secret Life of CoralsBorneo: The Symphony of the Rainforest, and more. Nature Lab features a free curriculum and engaging videos that can be viewed on computers, tablets, and computers.
     To learn more about Nature Lab and other youth engagement opportunities offered by The Nature Conservancy visit nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/how-we-work/youth-engagement.

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Gov. David Ige at a press conference today.
Photo from KHON
GOV. DAVID IGE JOINED WITH LT. GOV. AND PHYSICIAN JOSH GREEN in an update on the COVID-19 pandemic. Today is the first day of the governor's mandate for anyone arriving in Hawaiʻi to quarantine for 14 days. The governor reported that arrivals by air are down from 30,000 a day to about 4,000 a day, and said he hopes this will help prevent an overwhelming increase in COVID-19. Today's report shows 106 cases so far, with 5 on Hawaiʻi Island.
     Green commended the governor for the home-quarantine directive to all persons in Hawaiʻi, which began on Tuesday. Green called it a bold move that will "absolutely save lives." Green talked about his own survey of health care centers to see what they need if there should be a surge in the need for hospital care. "Everyone is putting into place an important process so if we do get – when we do get – a surge of COVID-19  cases that require intensive care, they will be ready to save lives of our kūpuna or anyone who is sick." He said earlier that at Hilo Medical Center, surgery suites, and clinics could be made into hospital rooms, if necessary.
     Green said the biggest concern is locating more ventilators and personal protection  equipment for health workers. He also talked about hospital beds. Green reported that state of Hawaii has 3,031 licensed hospital beds. The average daily census is 1,970, about 65 to 67 percent. "We can surge that capacity by about 15 percent, another 500 beds." He also reported a count statewide of 328 intensive care beds, 204 negative pressure isolation beds, and 431 to 560 ventilators, depending on what is in supply and activated.
Lt. Gov. Josh Green at a press conference today.
Photo from KHON
     He said that Adjudant General Kenneth Hara, who is commander for the state in the COVID-19 battle, could activate military field hospitals.

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TO ADDRESS THE "VERY SERIOUS SITUATION" OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, Lt. Gov. Josh Green participated in a video meeting with Hawaiʻi County Council on Wednesday. "We absolutely, absolutely must isolate at home for this period of time" and socially distance, despite how "painful" it is, said Green. He explained that the only way to defend against a novel virus, to which there is no human immunity, is to prevent the spread between people.
     Green told the council that he is working with Kenneth Hara, Adjutant General for the State of Hawaiʻi's Department of Defense, to plan for military assistance, including bringing in supplies and providing field hospitals. 
     Green said he spent the past three weeks speaking with the healthcare community and visiting facilities around the state, including five major hospitals and about 200 providers. He meets twice weekly with healthcare representatives as part of the COVID-19 Healthcare Task Force.
     Green explained to the County Council that the "shortage of health care providers and health care facilities" is worse on Hawaiʻi Island than Oʻahu. "The state has about a 22 percent shortage of healthcare providers across all disciplines; Big Island has a 40 percent shortage of healthcare providers." He said that five of every hundred people who contract COVID-19 "end up in serious condition and need serious hospital support – it will flood the hospitals and overwhelm them just like that, if we have a big surge."
     Green said if 40 percent of Hawaiʻi's 1.4 million population were to contract COVID-19, 25,000 people would need "serious care in the critical care capacity with ICU beds. We would have to choose who to give care to. Whether some people would get ICU beds and some wouldn't. Some get ventilators. Some don't. Some get that breathing tube. That's what I'm speaking about. So the necessary choice to slow down the virus, to do home quarantine, total isolation."
     Watch the video here.

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MANDATORY 14-DAY QUARANTINE of all people coming in from out-of-state, residents and visitors, began Thursday. The governor's office reports initial data indicate incoming airport traffic was "light, as expected, and that the process on this first day of the mandatory order, for the most part, went smoothly." Department of Transportation reported, "Some planes are arriving with fewer than 10 passengers. Some flights had no passengers or only one." Hawai‘i Tourism Authority staff members are assisting DOT in collecting, processing, and scanning traveler forms. Hotels are being alerted before visitors arrive. The majority of the passengers so far are either returning Hawaiʻi residents or catching connecting flights.
     Regarding the directive that everyone stay at home, the state Department of Health is asking residents to make only measured purchases in order to ensure that everyone can acquire needed supplies. DOH has also transitioned vital records to online only, and now requires an appointment to acquire a marriage license.
     In another health related matter, the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation reopened all restrooms in state small boat harbors and boat ramps. This is in response to Centers of Disease Control & Prevention guidelines for "ensuring availability of toilets and hand washing facilities for people experiencing homelessness." The Division of State Parks will be opening a comfort station at Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park on Hawaiʻi Island and at Sand Island State Recreation Area on Oʻahu. 

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DAILY COVID-19 UPDATE:
     The state Department of Health reports five cases of COVID-19 confirmed on Hawaiʻi Island as of today, March 26. None are new since yesterday. Two are locals who caught the virus elsewhere. Three are non-residents.
     Throughout the state, there are 106 presumptive positive or confirmed cases, with 11 reported today. Hawaiʻi residents make up 86 of the cases. There have been zero deaths from COVID-19 in the state. There are several possible community spread cases of COVID-19 in Hawaiʻi.
     Today, the U.S. surpassed all other countries in the world in COVID-19 cases. According to Johns Hopkins University, the U.S. has recorded 85,991 cases and 1,296 deaths from the virus.
     Worldwide, more than 533,416 people have become victims of COVID-19. The death toll is 24,110.


Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 6,250 mailboxes 
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more are listed at kaucalendar.com. However, all non-essential activities are canceled through the end of April.



All Kaʻū High School and other public school sporting events are canceled through the end of April.

Spring Break for Public Schools is extended through Monday, April 6 for COVID-19 spread mitigation.

UPCOMING
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
CANCELLED: Stewardship at the Summit, Friday, March 27, 8:45 a.m. Meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Volunteer to help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, a World Heritage Site. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, rain gear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools are provided. Under 18? Parental or guardian accompaniment or written consent is required. Additional planning details at nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm.

CANCELLED: The Lake at Halemaʻumaʻu Monthly Kahuku Coffee Talk, Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., HVNP Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station. Free. nps.gov/havo

SATURDAY, MARCH 28
CANCELLED: Final 2020 Hawaiian Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count, Saturday, March 28, 7:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., orientation included. Register at oceancount.org. Locations in Kaʻū are: Kaʻena Point in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Miloli‘i Lookout, Ka Lae Park, and Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park. Participants tally humpback whale sightings and document the animals' surface behavior during the survey, which provides a snapshot of humpback whale activity from the shoreline.

POSTPONED: Prince Kuhio Day Hoʻolauleʻa, Saturday, March 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Nāʻālehu County Park. Event features Hawaiian music and cultural demos, hula, crafts, food, and more. Drug- and alcohol-free. Live entertainment from Gene Akamu and G2G, Uncle Sonny & Bro Tui, Braddah Ben, Lori Lei's Hula Studio, and more. Local personality Kurt Dela Cruz will emcee and several lucky number prizes will be announced throughout the day. Organized by local non-profit Hana Laulima Lāhui O Kaʻū. Membership $10 per year. Contact Terry Shibuya at 938-3681 or terrylshibuya@gmail.com; Trini Marques at 928-0606 or trinimarques@yahoo.com; or Kupuna Ke.

CANCELLED: Ocean View Classic Car & Bike Show, Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Owners of classic cars and bikes are encouraged to register early, as space is limited. This second annual event, a fundraiser for Ocean View Community Association, will also feature food and live music, and prizes for the most impressive cars and bikes. Contact organizers Dennis Custard at 831-234-7143 or Ron Gall at 808-217-7982 to register or for more info.

CANCELLED: Forest Work Day, Saturday, March 28, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Learn some native plants, help restore a beautiful rainforest, and get some exercise. Tim Tunison leads. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

MONDAY, MARCH 30
CANCELLED: OKK Farmers Market in Nāʻālehu, Mondays and Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the future Nāʻālehu Senior Housing Site. Contact Sue Barnett for vending, 808-345-9374.

ONGOING
Kaʻū Art Gallery is looking for local artists. Call 808-937-1840.

AdvoCATS, Saturday, April 25, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Ocean View Community Center. Free spay/neuter for cats. Reserve spot in advance. 895-9283, advocatshawaii.org

Register for Volcano's ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and Keiki Dash by Wednesday, July 22. The second annual event will be held on Saturday, July 25. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to University of Hawaiʻi for furthering research of Rapid ‘Ōhiʻa Death and The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences. See webscorer.com to register.
     Half Marathon registration is $70 through May 24, $80 May 25 through July 22, and $90 for late registration. Registration for the 10K is $50 through May 24, $55 May 25 through Jul 22, and $60 for late registration. Registration for the 5K is $35 through May 24, $40 May 25 through July 22, and $45 for late registration. Keiki Dash registration is $10. All registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable.
     Late registration is only available at packet pickup or race day morning. Shirts are not guaranteed for late registration.  Race Shirts will be included for Half Marathon and 10K participants only. For all other participants, shirts are available to purchase online.
     Packet pick-up is scheduled for Thursday, July 23 in Hilo; Friday, July 26 in Volcano; and Saturday, July 27, 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. at the race start.
     Half Marathon will start at 7 a.m. Other distances follow shortly after. Keiki Dash will begin at 10 a.m. on VSAS grounds, with the option of one or two laps – about 300 meters or 600 meters. Race cut-off time for the Half Marathon is four hours. The races will begin and end in Volcano Village at VSAS.
     See ohialehuahalf.com.

Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium Closed for Renovation through June 30. The visitor center is closed until further notice due to COVID-19 spread mitigation. Park films, including Born of Fire, Born of the Sea, will not be shown. A popular seven-and-a-half minute 2018 eruption video will continue to be shown on a television in the exhibits area, once the center reopens, and is available online for free download.

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Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Takami Munnerlyn comes through a long line at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary today, where families picked up free breakfasts from 7:30 a.m to 8 a.m. and lunches from 11:30 a.m. to noon. The service for anyone 18 and younger will continue on Friday, after closing for Thursday's Prince Kuhio holiday. More than a hundred students received lunches today, the number soaring from the first day on Monday.
 See more below. Photo by Julia Neal
BANK OF HAWAIʻI WILL KEEP ITS PĀHALA BRANCH OPEN FIVE DAYS A WEEK. Early this week, Bankoh named Pāhala as one of 40 of its 60 branches that would temporarily close during the pandemic. Today, the tellers wore aloha orchid lei, gifted from a patron who heard that Wednesday was their final day of service for now. By evening, Bank of Hawaiʻi had updated its website with news that Pāhala will be spared, with reduced hours of 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. for kūpuna and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the general public.
     According to Bankoh's website, the Kaʻū Branch is one of only four remaining open on this island. The others are Kona Branch, Kaikoʻo Branch in Hilo, and Kamuela Branch in Waimea. All four will have the same reduced hours and early time for kūpuna. The Kaʻū Branch is located on Pikake Street next to the U.S. Post Office, Longs Drugs, two food stores, and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School. See boh.com.

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A community and visitor gathering at the ninth annual Kaʻū Coffee
Festival, with local Halau Hula O Leionalani performing. The 12th annual
event this May has been postponed or canceled due to the COVID-19
situation. Photo by Jesse Tunison/Kaʻū Coffee Fest
THE TWELFTH ANNUAL KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL IS POSTPONED, POSSIBLY CANCELLED. The message is posted on the Kaʻū Coffee Festival website. It says, "We are sad to announce that the 12th Annual Kaʻū Coffee Festival will not happen as originally planned in May of 2020. We are following the recommendations of the CDC relating to large gatherings in an effort to protect our community and kūpuna. Please check back to learn more about our plans as they develop. In the meantime, please take care of your health and enjoy Kaʻū coffee as often as possible. We promise it will brighten your day! A hui hou - The Kaʻū Coffee Festival Planning Committee."
     The festival was scheduled for ten days beginning May 8, and wrapping up with the annual Hoʻolauleʻa on May 16 and Kaʻū Coffee College on May 17. It included a kickoff dinner with music and hula at Pāhala Plantation House, a Harvest Dinner at Kaʻū Mountain Farm in Wood Valley, a Kaʻū Mountain Hike & Lunch at Kaʻū Coffee Milll, a Tour & Lunch at Kaʻū Valley Farms, Coffee & Cattle Day at Aikane Plantation, a Stargazing excursion from Kaʻū Cofffee Mill, the Kaʻū Coffee Experience for tasting local farmers' brew, and a full day of hula, music, food, and interacting with Kaʻū Coffee farmers and the larger community at Pāhala Community Center. The last day was set to be an educational event for Kaʻū Coffee farmers and coffee enthusiasts.
     The many funding sponsors include Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and the Edmund C. Olson Trust.
See more sponsors and background at kaucoffeefestival.com

Hawaiian Hoary Bat. Photo from NPS
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COUNT OUR BATS TO SAVE OUR BATS was theme of the recent gathering of supporters for the Kaʻū Community Bat Monitoring Project held at Manuka State Park.
     About 25 Kaʻū residents took the opportunity to find out more about ʻōpeʻapeʻa, the endangered native Hawaiian hoary bat. The attendees socialized and shared a potluck barbecue organized by Linda Morgan and Sandy Demoruelle. Bat-related activities were provided for the keiki, and bat-themed treats were in abundance. Valuable door prizes went to a lucky few. Some bat enthusiasts enjoyed the sunset in the forest while others pored over books in the new organization's library.
     "The Kaʻū Community Bat Monitoring Project is a five-year community-based pilot project to train and empower Kaʻū citizen-scientists by encouraging them to count bats and save bats through research and advocacy," wrote Morgan in a handout.
     Morgan noted that bats are mentioned in the Kaʻū Community Development Plan, including the need for the community to monitor bats and take action to ensure the future of this endangered species. She said that the new organization aims to count bats. It also plans to give input to the mitigation process, adopted by the state and federal government with funding from the Tawhiri windmill company at South Point where bats can die when flying into windmill blades. Since the Hawaiian hoary bats are an endangered species, activities that unintentionally lead to their harm and deaths require a permit and a mitigation effort.
Endangered native Hawaiian Hoary Bat enthusiasts plan to count bats and
monitor government plans to restore their habitat and reduce interaction
with windmills. Photo from Kaʻū Community Bat Monitoring Project
     A federal and state permit was issued to Tawhiri in September 2019 to allow for an estimated number of deaths over the next ten years. The estimates are 2.6 bat deaths per year, .33 Hawaiian goose (nēnē) deaths per year, and .33 petrel (ʻuaʻu) deaths per year.
     In compliance with its permit, Tawhiri committed to providing some $2.4 million over ten years to improve habitats for the bat, goose, and petrel.
     The funding will be used by U.S. Fish & Wildlife and the state Department of Land & Natural Resources. Organizers of the Bat Monitoring Project said its group is a 501C and also will seek funding for its bat education and counting projects.
     Tawhiri itself committed to reduce the deaths of bats and birds at its 111-acre site off Kamaʻoa Road with year-round low wind speed curtailment during sunset and sunrise, lighting direction and reduction, removing any standing water that may attract the three species, a 25-mph speed limit, and avoiding use of barbed wire.
     Pakini Nui has been in operation since April 2007. The facility has the capacity to produce of 20.5 megawatts of power, using 14 turbine generators, each equipped with 70-meter rotors.
Bat brownies were served at the first meeting of the bat enthusiasts.
Photo from Kaʻū Community Bat Monitoring Project
     One mitigation project is forest restoration of at least 1,200 acres of degraded, ‘ōhiʻa forest in the Kahuku Unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in order to provide more habitat for the bats. Another funds the DLNR to construct a new seven-acre predatory-proof nēnē breading area. Another assists with management of a petrel colony, with fencing within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
     For more on the Kaʻū Community Bat Monitoring Project, contact Morgan at lindainhawaii65@gmail.com.

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A $2 TRILLION FEDERAL SPENDING PACKAGE PASSED the U.S. Senate late Wednesday. It includes cash payments to Americans and extended unemployment to gig economy workers, freelancers, and employees who are furloughed. It would provide credit to industries. It is the largest economic rescue bill in U.S. history. The bill goes to the House and, if passed, to the desk of Pres. Donald Trump.

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PHYSICIAN AND LT. GOV. JOSH GREEN AND U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD led a town hall meeting today by phone to update the public and answer questions on the COVID-19 pandemic. Gabbard noted that she called for a nation-wide shelter-in-place order and co-wrote a letter to the President emphasizing the urgent need for protective gear for healthcare workers. She said $750,000 is already going to 14 health care centers across the islands.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Lt. Gov. Josh Green, at the 2018
Unity Breakfast after the election. HPR photo 
     Green gave an update on the latest public health status and strongly urged individuals to respect the stay-at-home guidance being issued. He said that the greater restrictions on travel to and from the state may help significantly hamper the spread of the virus. He also helped address questions about the differences between the novel coronavirus and influenza, as well as how the COVID-19 coronavirus spreads. Listen to the Telephone Town Hall.

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A DISASTER AND EMERGENCY PRICING ACT was introduced today by U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono, Amy Klobuchar, and colleagues. The bill would prevent price gouging on essential services or goods during catastrophes. The bill would prohibit the sale of goods or services at overly inflated prices before or during a natural disaster, pandemic, or state of emergency, and allow the Federal Trade Commission to take legal action against sellers that try to take advantage of consumers during such crises.
     Hirono said, "We are in a national emergency, with people's resources stretched thin. It is simply unacceptable for people and companies to try to profit on the backs of consumers in dire need through sky-high prices on essential goods and services. The Disaster and Emergency Pricing Abuse Prevention Act would put an end to this practice now and in the event of future emergencies by ensuring consumers pay fair prices on essentials." The bill would allow for potential civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation.

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Free lunches soared to more than 100 today for anyone 18 and younger at the Pāhala school campus. Photo by Julia Neal
FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH LINES FOR KEIKI are growing at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School. The number of people served lunch who are 18 and under soared from 45 on Monday to over 100 today. Breakfasts are handed out to walk-ups and drivers with keiki in their vehicles from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. on weekdays. Lunches are handed out from 11:30 a.m. to noon on weekdays. However, tomorrow, Thursday, is the Prince Kuhio state holiday and the food service from the cafeteria will resume on Friday. It is sponsored by the state Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where students qualify for free nutrition on the campus.

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ADDRESSING FOOD SECURITY during the COVID-19 pandemic is an aim of Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United. The organization announced that it has launched a task force to quickly organize local food production; aggregate existing food hubs; collaborate with certified commercial kitchens, door-to-door distributors and other stakeholders; and to immediately address the economic impact of food sustainability from the global crisis.
     The task force is developing a 12 to 24 month plan for immediately supporting agricultural communities and plans to help double local food production. The plan is to aggregate food across islands into food hubs and commercial kitchens, where it will be sorted into community-supported agriculture boxes of fresh vegetables, fruit, and immune-boosting herbs. Partnering with food entrepreneurs such as chefs, caterers, and other prepared foods businesses, it will prepare family-style dishes and work with current distribution channels, including door-to-door delivery businesses.
     HFUU's members include existing operators of food hubs across the state, including the oldest known food hub in Hawaiʻi.  Data from the recent Food Hub Pilot Program – conducted by Saleh Azizi PhD, UH – states that eight existing food hubs statewide have successfully served all Department of Education schools, seven hospitals, and over 200 restaurants, with food coming from 660 small-to-medium farms with $2.7M in annual revenue. Food value chain members such as the Pacific Gateway Center, the largest commercial kitchen in the state, and distribution channels with farmers' markets and retail/restaurant outlets, are "critical to its success," according to Hawaiʻi Farmers Union.
     State Sen. Mike Gabbard, Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Environment is a Farmers Union member. He said, "In our worst fears, where global economic recession coupled with a global pandemic, is at our doorstep, and our island community is just days away from a food shortage, now is the time for action."
     Hawaiʻi is home to 7,328 farms, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture 2017 Ag census. Of the total farms, 6,561 (89 percent) are under 50 acres; 4,868 (66 percent) are under 9 acres; and 5,826 (78 percent) are family-run. HFUU is the largest statewide membership of family farming operations in Hawaiʻi, comprising 1,400 members across 13 chapters, including Kaʻū.
     Vincent Mina, state president, HFUU, said, "We exhibit the essential effectiveness of our local food systems here in Hawaiʻi, as a global example of how agricultural communities collaborate and cooperate with one another along with partnering with leaders nationally."
     HFUU is asking for community collaboration from farmers that want to sell to food hubs, as well as increase production; businesses that have commercial refrigeration; restaurants and other food entrepreneurs who want to utilize a ghost kitchen model to prepare family-style meals; logistics and food delivery organizations that can move fresh produce boxes; and others such as seed networks, funding organizations, food banks, schools, and healthcare providers.
     For more information, to join the task force and to collaborate, email food@hfuuhi.org.

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HAWAIʻI POLICE SERVICES, INCLUDING DISPATCH, POLICE REPORTS, TRAFFIC REPORTS, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, AND FIREARMS REGISTRATION, remain operational.
     Regarding police reports, records offices are closed to the public. Staff will answer questions, and accept and process requests for copies of police reports, which will be distributed by mail. To order a copy of a report or ask questions about a report, call (808) 961-2233. Police report requests can also be made through the Kaʻū district police station at (808) 939-2520.
     Applications for Permits to Acquire and Firearms Registration services Island-wide remain open and will be conducted by appointment only. To schedule an appointment in Hilo, call (808) 961-2233; in Kona, call (808) 326-4646 (ex 222). To schedule an appointment at the Kaʻū station, call (808) 939-2520.
     Traffic Services Section is closed to the public, but staff is available at (808) 961-2227. Driver's License Services are overseen by the Finance Department and not affected by these closures.
     Dispatch and the 911 system, as well as Patrol and Criminal Investigation Divisions services, continue normal operations. Call Major Samuel Jelsma of the HPD Administrative Division at (808) 961-2265 with questions.

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AUTHORS AND POTENTIAL ATTENDEES of Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance's Ola Ka ʻĀina Momona: Managing for Abundance international conservation conference have until Friday, April 3, to complete a survey on how best to proceed with conference planning for 2020. Planned for Monday, Aug. 31 through Thursday, Sept. 3 in Honolulu, the organizers are exploring options for an in-person or virtual conference. The Alliance and the Society for Conservation Biology-Oceania plan to work on a joint conference for the Pacific conservation community in 2021. Learn more at hawaiiconservation.org.

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HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HAS CLOSED ITS RESTORES temporarily, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Habitat has helped families become homeowners in Kaʻū and beyond, through family sweat equity and the organization's guidance and fundraising. Habitat operates ReStores to sell donated construction materials, furniture, and other items in Hilo, Kamuela, and Kona. A statement today says, "In order to do our part to support the health and safety of our employees, volunteers, partners and community, our ReStores and office are 'temporarily closed' effective today. Share the love with your family, friends, and neighbors, and we will get through this crisis together. If you are able, please continue to support us. We look forward to serving our beautiful island community soon." See habitathawaiiisland.org.

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Learning how to make a lei in the Park during Merrie Monarch week 
will have to wait until next year. NPS photo
ALL HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK EVENTS for April are cancelled. These events include National Park Week, April 18 through 26; Kahuku Coffee Talk: The Recovery of the Kaʻū Silverswords on Friday, April 24; and a Huewai Demonstration on Wednesday, April 8.
     Also cancelled are special Merrie Monarch Festival activities on Thursday, April 16, including learning to weave lau hala, make leis, and enjoy local music.
     Stewardship of Kīpukapuaulu on Thursdays and Stewardship at the Summit on April 4, 11, 18, and 24, when volunteers help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in the Park, are cancelled.
     Ka‘ū actor-director Dick Hershberger will place a hold on bringing the renowned founder of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory to life in A Walk into the Past with Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, normally held Tuesdays at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m.
     Kahuku Unit, the free Park location in Kaʻū, is closed to all visitors.
Experiencing living history at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park with Actor Dick Hershberger, who brings the 
renowned geologist and founder of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory to life, is postponed until at least May.
NPS photo/Janice Wei
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WATCH FOR MORE SCAMS during the COVID-19 pandemic, warns Hawaiian Electric. The utility sent out a statement today, stating that it is important to "remain calm as scammers are still actively trying to steal personal and financial information, and they are taking advantage of the pandemic to target customers who are stressed and panicking."
     The utility said the state recommends watching for fraudulent emails claiming to be from the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) or experts saying they have information about the virus. Verify information through trusted government websites such as www.ftc.govwww.cdc.govhealth.hawaii.govwww.who.int, etc. Do not click on links from sources you do not know as doing so may lead to computer viruses or phishing attempts. Ignore offers of goods or services for COVID-19. "There currently are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges, or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure COVID-19. Scammers may still offer fake vaccines and other bogus medical products claiming to offer 'cures' for the virus. They may also offer 'get rich quick' investment schemes for unproven virus treatments," states the utility.
     Hawaiian Electric also recommends being wary of fundraising solicitations. "Do not rush into making donations whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. You should never feel rushed or pressured to donate, and never make donations in cash, by gift card, or by money wire. Be sure to do your due diligence to verify the charity's legitimacy."
     The government advises against revealing personal or financial information in email, and recommends disregarding email solicitations requesting this information. Read the full release at http://hwnelec.co/Z1s750yTqlU.

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BOTH LANES OF HWY 11 were closed this afternoon due to a downed tree at the 70 mile marker, near South Point Road. HPD states it took about an hour for highway crews to clear the tree, which was across both lanes. South Point Road remained accessible from the Nāʻālehu side.
     Shortly after that tree was cleared, another tree, plus downed power lines, closed Hwy 11 near the 68 mile mark, causing police to establish a detour through Kamaʻoa Road. Clearing the highway for traffic again took about two hours.

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DAILY COVID-19 UPDATE:
     Hawaiʻi today remained one of a dozen U.S. states with no deaths  from COVID-19. The state Department of Health reports five cases of COVID-19 confirmed on Hawaiʻi Island as of today, March 25. None are new since yesterday. Two are locals who caught the virus elsewhere. Three are non-residents.
     Throughout the state, there are 95 confirmed cases – six reported since noon yesterday – with five requiring hospitalization. There have been zero deaths from COVID-19 in the state.
     According to the World Health Organization, the U.S. has recorded 51,914 cases, including 9,750 reported today. There are 673 deaths, 202 reported today. Worldwide, more than 414,179 people have become victims of COVID-19, with 40,712 reported today. The death toll is 18,440, with 2,202 reported today. Check the number of cases and deaths by date and by state.

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Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 6,250 mailboxes 
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
See daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more at kaucalendar.com.

All Kaʻū High School and other public school sporting events are canceled until further notice, including:
Kaʻū Spring Sports Schedule
Girls Softball Cancelled
Saturday, March 28, 11 a.m., host Hilo
Wednesday, April 8, 3 p.m., @Honokaʻa
Saturday, April 11, 11 a.m., host Kamehameha
Boys Baseball Cancelled
Saturday, March 28, 1 p.m., host Hilo
Tuesday. April 7, 3 p.m., @Honokaʻa
Saturday, April 11, 1 p.m., host Kamehameha
Boys Volleyball Cancelled
Tuesday, March 31, 6 p.m., @Kohala
Thursday, April 2, 6 p.m., host Keaʻau
Tuesday, April 7, 6 p.m., @Honokaʻa
Friday, April 10, 6 p.m., @Ehunui
Judo Cancelled
Saturday, March 28, 10:30 a.m., @Waiakea
Saturday, April 4, 10:30 a.m., @Keaʻau
Saturday, April 11, 10:30 a.m., BIIF at Kona
Saturday, April 18, 10:30 a.m., BIIF at Hilo
Track Cancelled
Saturday, March 28, 9 a.m., @Waiakea
Saturday, April 4, 9 a.m., @HPA
Saturday, April 11, 2 p.m., @Keaʻau

Spring Break for Public Schools is extended through Thursday, April 30 for COVID-19 spread mitigation.

UPCOMING
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
CANCELLED: Stewardship at the Summit, Friday, March 27, 8:45 a.m. Meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Volunteer to help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, a World Heritage Site. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, rain gear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools are provided. Under 18? Parental or guardian accompaniment or written consent is required. Additional planning details at nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm.

CANCELLED: The Lake at Halemaʻumaʻu Monthly Kahuku Coffee Talk, Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., HVNP Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station. Free. nps.gov/havo

SATURDAY, MARCH 28
CANCELLED: Final 2020 Hawaiian Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count, Saturday, March 28, 7:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., orientation included. Register at oceancount.org. Locations in Kaʻū are: Kaʻena Point in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Miloli‘i Lookout, Ka Lae Park, and Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park. Participants tally humpback whale sightings and document the animals' surface behavior during the survey, which provides a snapshot of humpback whale activity from the shoreline.

POSTPONED: Prince Kuhio Day Hoʻolauleʻa, Saturday, March 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Nāʻālehu County Park. Event features Hawaiian music and cultural demos, hula, crafts, food, and more. Drug- and alcohol-free. Live entertainment from Gene Akamu and G2G, Uncle Sonny & Bro Tui, Braddah Ben, Lori Lei's Hula Studio, and more. Local personality Kurt Dela Cruz will emcee and several lucky number prizes will be announced throughout the day. Organized by local non-profit Hana Laulima Lāhui O Kaʻū. Membership $10 per year. Contact Terry Shibuya at 938-3681 or terrylshibuya@gmail.com; Trini Marques at 928-0606 or trinimarques@yahoo.com; or Kupuna Ke.

CANCELLED: Ocean View Classic Car & Bike Show, Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Owners of classic cars and bikes are encouraged to register early, as space is limited. This second annual event, a fundraiser for Ocean View Community Association, will also feature food and live music, and prizes for the most impressive cars and bikes. Contact organizers Dennis Custard at 831-234-7143 or Ron Gall at 808-217-7982 to register or for more info.

CANCELLED: Forest Work Day, Saturday, March 28, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Learn some native plants, help restore a beautiful rainforest, and get some exercise. Tim Tunison leads. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

MONDAY, MARCH 30
CANCELLED: OKK Farmers Market in Nāʻālehu, Mondays and Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the future Nāʻālehu Senior Housing Site. Contact Sue Barnett for vending, 808-345-9374.

ONGOING
Kaʻū Art Gallery is looking for local artists. Call 808-937-1840.

AdvoCATS, Saturday, April 25, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Ocean View Community Center. Free spay/neuter for cats. Reserve spot in advance. 895-9283, advocatshawaii.org

Register for Volcano's ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and Keiki Dash by Wednesday, July 22. The second annual event will be held on Saturday, July 25. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to University of Hawaiʻi for furthering research of Rapid ‘Ōhiʻa Death and The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences. See webscorer.com to register.
     Half Marathon registration is $70 through May 24, $80 May 25 through July 22, and $90 for late registration. Registration for the 10K is $50 through May 24, $55 May 25 through Jul 22, and $60 for late registration. Registration for the 5K is $35 through May 24, $40 May 25 through July 22, and $45 for late registration. Keiki Dash registration is $10. All registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable.
     Late registration is only available at packet pickup or race day morning. Shirts are not guaranteed for late registration.  Race Shirts will be included for Half Marathon and 10K participants only. For all other participants, shirts are available to purchase online.
     Packet pick-up is scheduled for Thursday, July 23 in Hilo; Friday, July 26 in Volcano; and Saturday, July 27, 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. at the race start.
     Half Marathon will start at 7 a.m. Other distances follow shortly after. Keiki Dash will begin at 10 a.m. on VSAS grounds, with the option of one or two laps – about 300 meters or 600 meters. Race cut-off time for the Half Marathon is four hours. The races will begin and end in Volcano Village at VSAS.
     See ohialehuahalf.com.

Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium Closed for Renovation through June 30. The visitor center is closed until further notice due to COVID-19 spread mitigation. Park films, including Born of Fire, Born of the Sea, will not be shown. A popular seven-and-a-half minute 2018 eruption video will continue to be shown on a television in the exhibits area, once the center reopens, and is available online for free download.

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