The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Saturday, April 25, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, April 25, 2020

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

U.S. Post Office boxes in Pāhala are the only way that residents in Wood Valley, Pāhala and the surrounding area
receive mail and The Kaʻū Calendar newspaper. Postal boxes also serve Volcano, Nāʼālehu, and Ocean View,
with rural routes to Miloliʻi. A petition drive across the country is asking the federal government to provide
funding to U.S.P.S. to prevent its shutdown by September. See more below. Photo by Julia Neal

STAY HOME UNTIL MAY 31 is the order from Gov. David Ige today. In announcing his 6th supplementary emergency proclamation, he said, "This was not an easy decision. I know this has been difficult for everyone. Businesses need to reopen. People want to end this self-isolation and we want to return to normal, but this virus is potentially deadly, especially for the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions. Thanks to our residents, we are flattening the curve, saving lives, and avoiding a resurgence of this virus by not reopening prematurely."
The stay-at-home order means residents may leave their homes only for various essential needs, including healthcare; purchasing food, medicine, or gasoline; taking care of the elderly, minors, or those with disabilities; returning to a place of residence outside of Hawai‘i; picking up educational materials for distance learning; or receiving meals or other related services. Outdoor exercise is also permitted – including swimming, surfing, and walking pets.
In addition, running, jogging, and walking on the beach will be permitted, as long as social distancing requirements are observed. Elective medical procedures will also be allowed, with the state government concluding that hospitals have enough capacity to handle COVID-19 cases and other procedures.
Also extended through the end of May -- the 14-day quarantine for both visitors and residents entering the state, and for inter-island travelers, and the eviction moratorium, which prevents any eviction from a residential dwelling for failure to pay rent.
In addition, social distancing requirements remain in place across the state through the end of May.

With masks on and distance maintained, Hawaiʻi residents can go out to open markets to buy food and edible plants,
and learn a few tips about master gardening at this booth at the OKK Nāʻālehu Market, on Wednesdays.
Photo by Julia Neal

The governor issued the initial emergency proclamation for COVID-19 on March 4, 2020 followed by March 16 - Supplementary proclamation suspending certain laws to enable state and county responses to COVID-19; March 21 - Second supplementary proclamation implementing mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for visitors and residents entering the State of Hawai‘i; March 23 - Third supplementary proclamation mandating social distancing measures throughout the state; March 31 - Fourth supplementary proclamation implementing a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for people traveling between the islands in the State of Hawai‘i; and April 16: Fifth supplementary proclamation implementing enhanced social distancing requirements and an eviction moratorium.

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SAVE THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE is the aim of petitions circulated by members of Congress, Postal Service workers, and citizens, particularly folks in rural areas where U.S.P.S is sometimes the only option. From Volcano through Kaʻū to Miloliʻi, the number of postal addresses is about 5,000.
Sen. Mazie Hirono wrote to Hawaiʻi residents: "More than ever before, we are relying on the Postal Service to deliver essential goods, supplies, and medicine, to receive economic impact payments and government benefits, and to safely exercise the right to vote with mail-in ballots. U.S.P.S. is also the primary means of conducting the 2020 Census. But the Postal Service has been hit hard by the coronavirus, meaning it could run out of money by June and collapse completely by September without immediate intervention.
"The U.S.P.S. is a universal delivery system -- they are required by law to deliver all packages to everyone, no matter where they live. No other delivery system guarantees universal and affordable delivery to the entire country.

"Trump is refusing to give emergency funding to the U.S.P.S. -- putting hundreds of thousands of workers at risk of unemployment, and millions of Americans at risk of being left without this critical service. He even threatened to veto Congress' recent stimulus package if it included aid for the Postal Service, and said he will block emergency aid unless the Postal Service quadruples its prices. This is unacceptable. Our postal workers have put their lives on the line to continue serving the American people. Many seniors and veterans rely on the Postal Service to receive their medication and benefits. And without it, vote-by-mail would be impossible, causing people to have to choose between staying safe and exercising their right to vote.
"Many of us are familiar with this saying, 'Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.'

"Let's ensure that neither a pandemic nor Trump will stop them." She urged the citizenry to add names to a petition.

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Farmers and ranchers are asked to fill out the CTAHR survey on the impact of the pandemic on their operations
in order to address their needs. Photo by Julia Neal

THE AG EXTENSION SERVICE OF UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI CALLS ON FARMERS AND RANCHERS to complete its survey by next Tuesday, April 28. A message from the team at the College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources says, "The past few weeks have brought significant changes in the agriculture industry in Hawaiʻi. With that in mind, CTAHR extension agents have created a short COVID-19 Agriculture needs assessment focusing on finding out the immediate needs of the agriculture industry in the state linked below. This information will be used to inform extension agents throughout the state about the current needs of producers. We understand a lot is going on, however, this survey should only take 5-10 minutes to complete, and your answers will remain confidential. Thank you for taking the time to fill out this survey, we greatly appreciate it."

Fill out the survey at surveymonkey.com/r/COVID19AG Andrea Kawabata, who works with many Kaʻū farmers, is among the agents appealing to the agricultural community to complete the survey. Also encouraging farmers and ranchers to become involved are Shannon Sand, Agricultural Finance Extension Agent at University of Hawaiʻi Komohana Research and Extension Center and Susan M. Kim, the Governor's Representative for West Hawai‘i.

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REP. RICHARD ONISHI WILL DISCUSS AGRICULTURE IN A POST-COVID WORLD, and the future of tourism. The interview with East Kaʻū's member of the state House of Representatives will live stream at olelo.org next Tuesday. April 28 at 8:30 a.m. on Live at the Legislature. The weekly television program features news, information, and live interviews with members of the House of Representatives. Nā Leo TV will also air it via tape delay.
Onishi is Chair of the House Tourism & International Affairs Committee and a member of the House Select Committee on COVID-19 Economic and Financial Preparedness. He will discuss the future of tourism and the role of agriculture and farming in a post-coronavirus world.

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THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION WILL RESUME PROCESSING PAYCHECK PROTECTION applications received from financial institutions on behalf of small businesses this Monday, April 27 at 4:30 a.m. Hawaiian Time. Financial institutions through which businesses are required to apply are listed by the SBA. Type in a zip code to find them. Those listed for Kaʻū and Volcano are CU Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union branches in Nāʻālehu, Pāhala and Keaʻau. Also listed is First Hawaiian Bank in Kealakekua.
"Interested applicants should contact their financial institution ASAP," says an alert from Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi. "Congress added $310 billion to the program, which includes $60 billion that will be distributed through community and rural banks. According to the SBA, there is no current update on when the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program application will reopen. The SBA recommends checking its website for updates. Congress added $50 billion in EIDL funding, $10 billion for EIDL emergency grants, and made farmers and ranchers with fewer than 500 employees eligible to apply."
Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi is conducting a poll, asking businesses how much lead time they need to safely reopen. The feedback will be shared with state and county leaders, promises the Chamber. Click here to participate.

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Not All Services are Suspended
This sign at the Pāhala Transfer Station caused a stir yesterday among those who thought the drive-to place to take
trash maybe shutting down. The sign refers to the county no longer being able to accept metal and white goods, like
washing machines, dryers, and stoves, as markets for the metal are hard to find. The county transfer stations remain
open at their regular hours. Photo by Julia Neal

MORE GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY DURING THE PANDEMIC is the goal of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi. Its President and CEO, Keliʻi Akina, released this opinion piece on Friday:
"Sunlight," wrote Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis in 1913, "is said to be the best of disinfectants." That short sentence sums up the philosophy behind government transparency.
Sunlight and openness are essential to keeping our lawmakers and administrative officials honest and accountable to citizens. If the people cannot see how decisions are being made, what the bases for those decisions are, or how their money is being spent, they cannot guard against waste, fraud, backroom deals, or other abuses.
Even in normal times, it requires multiple watchdog organizations to make sure our government is open and accountable.

Kealiʻi Akina cautions against reducing transparency
during emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Photo from Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi

Now, however, we are experiencing something extremely abnormal. With his supplemental emergency proclamation on March 16, Gov. David Ige suspended Hawaiʻi's open-records laws and significantly limited the application of Hawaiʻi's open-meetings laws.
The Grassroot Institute has joined with a coalition of concerned organizations in asking the governor to reconsider his actions. Together, we have requested that the government issue new guidelines that would restore the state's sunshine laws to the fullest extent possible during this statewide lockdown period.
In a webinar sponsored the Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi this past Tuesday, Brian Black of Civil Beat Law Center and Sandy Ma of Common Cause Hawaiʻi joined me to discuss the issue and chart a way forward that would restore transparency to the state.
Brian pointed out that no other state in the country has taken a measure as extreme as Hawaiʻi in suspending its sunshine laws. It is true that it can be difficult to conduct government business and comply with sunshine laws while practicing social distancing, avoiding groups, and working from home. However, there also are measures the state could take to mitigate those difficulties.
Sandy outlined the many different technologies that could be utilized to allow the public to view government meetings and offer testimony. From web conferencing to just the simple use of telephones, there are multiple options that would uphold the spirit of the sunshine laws.
Rather than suspending those laws entirely, Hawaiʻi could take advantage of technology, postpone all nonessential meetings, and allow more flexibility to respond to open-records requests. This would go a long way toward assuaging our concerns about transparency during the lockdown.
Some might ask why we are so focused on this issue right now. Why should people care about transparency during a time of emergency?
The answer is that government transparency doesn't become less important during an emergency. If anything, it becomes more important.

Right now, critical decisions are being made at all levels of local government. These are decisions that affect our businesses, our civil rights, and the future of our economic livelihoods. Hawaiʻi's citizens have a right to be a part of that process.
This is why we need the state to restore transparency as soon as possible.
State and county leaders are asking us to trust their decision-making. But the only way to really secure public trust is to make government open and transparent.
In other words, we need a lot more sunshine. See more on The Grass Root Institute of Hawaiʻi at

grassrootinstitute.org.

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Carol Andrade and the late Pricilla Obado promoting
Las Vegas and Pāhala reunions for alumni and friends.
Photo by Julia Neal

PĀHALA-KAʻŪ HIGH SCHOOL REUNION for alumni and friends has been cancelled. The annual event is held in Las Vegas and a message today from the organizing committee says, "Hope you are all staying healthy in this crazy world that has become the new normal for all of us. Our committee has been monitoring the situation related to the pandemic to determine whether having the annual Las Vegas reunion would be feasible or not. As the reunion date gets closer, there is still too much uncertainty so we have decided to cancel the 2020 reunion. We will hopefully be able to all meet again in 2021.
"For those of you who submitted your registration earlier, we will send you refunds or return your uncashed checks soon.

"We know that this is an event that we all look forward to and this cancellation may be disappointing but we all must stay healthy so we can get together in 2021!
"On an even sadder note, Priscilla Obado recently passed away and we wanted to send our condolences to her family. As you all know, for the 16 or so years that the class of '59 hosted this reunion, Priscilla worked tirelessly in many different capacities. The reunions would not have happened without her dedication and hard work. We are extremely grateful for and appreciative of her commitment to this event."

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AN ONLINE MINDFUL EATING LAB is offered by Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi every Thursday in 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Register by Thursday, April 30, at hmono.org/services. A message on the group's Facebook asks, "Are you wondering how your eating habits affect your overall health? Join us as we enhance food pleasure and nutritional benefits in our newest class: Mindful Eating Lab! Learn how to slow down the eating process, listen to psychological cues of hunger/fullness/satisfaction, while making mindful choices that enhance nutritional benefits and overall health. See more on the Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi Facebook.
May from

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SUSPENDED ARE ALL 2020 KDEN THEATER PRODUCTIONS at Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network. "We just do not see that we'll be able to get back to business as usual before the end of the year," writes Executive Director Suzi Bond. She also made an appeal to the community for donations toward future productions.

The cast and crew of Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network's Flower Drum Song, promoting the show
during a parade. Theatrical productions are suspended for 2020. Executive Director Suzi Bond
is fourth from the right. Photo from KDEN.com

Bond wrote that KDEN hopes to be able to sponsor the Volcano Festival Chorus, which usually starts rehearsing in September. The group also hopes to continue its Living History program at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park when it reopens. It is called A Walk Into the Past with Kaʻū resident Dick Hershberger playing Dr. Thomas Jaggar. Hershberger, dressed in period costume, presents a one-hour live walking performance to bring back to life the founder of Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory.

Bond predicted that KDEN's schedule will resume in Spring 2021 with the comedy How The Other Half Loves by Alan Ayckbourn, followed by Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance in July 2021.

Instead of productions, KDEN plans to use this Summer to clean out and reorganize its containers. "We will probably have more than one work party to get this accomplished. We will announce those work parties as the time gets closer," reported Bond.

"We will also be suspending our fundraisers at Amalfatano's till further notice. We hope to be able to hold some kind of celebration for KDEN's 18th birthday on June 9th. This leaves us in a bit of a pickle as we have no money coming in, but we still have utilities and other bills to pay. We know people's finances are all affected by COVID-19, but if you could see your way to sending us a little donation, we would be most grateful… Please help support the arts any way that you can," wrote Bond.

No COVID-19 cases so far in the zip code areas of Volcano,

Pāhala, and Ocean View. White indicates zero cases, light

yellow indicates one to five cases. The 96772 area in
Kaʻū has one case recorded. Map from DOH

Checks can be made out to KDEN and mailed to HCR 3 Box 13089, Keaau, HI 96749, or one may donate via kden.org. Questions? Call Bond at 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com.

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NO NEW CASES OF COVID-19 were reported on Hawaiʻi Island today. The island's total remains at 69, according to Department of Health. Statewide, three new cases were reported, bringing the total cases to 604.

On Hawaiʻi Island, county Civil Defense reports 40 people have been cleared as recovered. Those remaining in quarantine are monitored by DOH. There is one male victim in Kona Hospital with the virus.

No one on Hawaiʻi Island has died from the virus. The state death toll is 14.

Civil Defense Director

Talmadge Magno.
Photo from Big Island Video News

The daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says, "A gracious mahalo to all who contributed to the availability of 200,000 surgical facemasks free to those most in need on Hawaiʻi Island. Everyone Hawaiʻi, a non-profit founded by Duane Kurisu, for the purchase of the masks; Hawaiian Airlines for transporting the masks from China to Hawaiʻi State; The National Guard for distributing to all the islands; and Vibrant Hawaiʻi for circulating the masks to more than 50 charitable organizations on this island. Thank you, People of Hawaiʻi, for who you are, a community together at a very difficult time. Thank you for listening, have a safe weekend."

In the United States, more than 953,000 cases have been confirmed. Recovery is about 11 percent, with over 102,000 recovered. The death toll is at 53,625, an increase of 1,329 in one day.

Worldwide, more than 2,886,408 people have contracted COVID-19. Recovery is about 28 percent, with 813,938 recovered. The death toll is 202,270, an increase of 6,350 in one day.

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Sammi Fo is a regular at the kick off for the Kaʻū Coffee Festival and shares hula at many events in
Kaʻū, including this one with Ken Emerson. Photo by Julia Neal

Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year

Last year, this weekend, marked the kickoff for the annual Kaʻū Coffee Festival at Pāhala Plantation House, followed by the Miss Kaʻū Coffee Pageant.

Boni Narito entertained crowds during

last year's Kaʻū Coffee Fest paʻina.

Bolo added more musical talent to last
year's Kaʻū Coffee Fest paʻina.

The Kickoff featured Bolo performing with Sammi Fo and Boni Narito. The free gathering gave the community an opportunity to meet Kaʻū Coffee farmers and the contenders in the Miss Kaʻū Coffee Pageant, and their director Trini Marques. Other musicians from the community performed on piano, guitar, and ʻukulele. The potluck paʻina was free and open to all.

The gathering opened ten days of Kaʻū Coffee Festival activities, from the Miss Kaʻū Coffee Pageant to the Kaʻū Mountain Hike & Lunch at Kaʻū Coffee Mill, and a Kaʻū Valley Farms Tour & Lunch with visit to a nursery, food farm, coffee and tea plantings, native forest, and hidden valley, above Nāʻālehu. These were followed by Coffee & Cattle Day, with a BBQ buffet, and hayrides at historic Aikane Plantation Coffee Farm.

Kaʻū Stargazing, with Kaʻū Coffee Mill, presented an opportunity to learn about ancient Hawaiian culture and see the Hawaiian night sky and stars. The main event, the Kaʻū Coffee Festival Hoʻolauleʻa, welcomed the public, with free entry for a full Saturday of music, dance, coffee tasting, demonstrations, food, snacks, educational booths, and games.

Closing out the Kaʻū Coffee Festival, Kaʻū Coffee College was held at Pāhala Community Center.

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms,
ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and
to all postal addresses throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district.
Read online at kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your business or
your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar 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.

MOST EVENTS ARE CANCELLED for the month of April, to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. The state is under a stay-at-home order, with l4 days of quarantine required for anyone coming into the state. Interisland travel is restricted. Those in Hawaiʻi should stay at home unless needing to obtain food or medical care.

ONGOING

Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.

The next drive-thru screening will be Wednesday, April 29 at Nāʻālehu Community Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Screening will be carried out by Aliʻi Health, with support from County of Hawai‘i COVID-19 Task Force, Premier Medical Group and Pathways Telehealth.
Beginning Wednesday, May 6, a testing team from Aloha Critical Care in Kona will provide testing at St. Jude's every other Wednesday.
Wearing masks is required for everyone.
To bypass the screening queue at community test sites, patients can call ahead to Pathways Telehealth, option 5 at 808-747-8321. The free clinic will also offer on-site screening to meet testing criteria. Physicians qualify those for testing, under the guidance of Center for Disease Control and Hawaiʻi's COVID-19 Response Task Force.

Those visiting screening clinic will be asked to show photo ID, and any health insurance cards – though health insurance is not required to be tested. They are also asked to bring their own pens to fill in forms.

For further information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

Free Breakfast and Lunch for Anyone Eighteen and Under is available at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary and at Nāʻālehu Elementary weekdays through at least the end of April. Each youth must be present to receive a meal. Service is drive-up or walk-up, and social distancing rules (at least six feet away) are observed. Breakfast is served 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Food is being delivered to Ocean View.

St. Jude's Episcopal Church Soup Kitchen is open, with a modified menu and increased health & safety standards, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hot showers, the computer lab, and in-person services and bible studies are suspended. Services are posted online on Sundays at stjudeshawaii.org.

The Food Basket Food Pantries Distribution, where families can receive 14 days of food per family:

The Ocean View location for May is to be announced.

The Nāʻālehu location is Sacred Heart Church at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy, under their Loaves and Fishes program, on Thursday, May 28 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Call 928-8208.

The Pāhala location is Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street, distributed by the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Pantry, on Thursday, April 30 at 11:30 a.m. Call 933-6030.

The Volcano location is Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road Wednesday, April 29 from 11 a.m. until food runs out. Call Kehau at 443-4130.

On Call Emergency Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 808-933-6030.

The Next Learning Packet and Student Resource Distribution for Nāʻālehu Elementary School Students will be Monday, April 27. The packets are designed for learning at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, and can be picked up every two weeks. 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 note the grade 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.

Everyone is asked to observe social distancing rules, staying 6 feet away from others during pick-up. See the school website, naalehuel.hidoe.us, for more information and updates.

Distribution in the Nāʻālehu area is at Nāʻālehu Elementary, Waiʻōhinu, and Discovery Harbour Community Center. Distribution in Ocean View is at the county's Kahuku Park, the area in front of Malama Market, and Ocean ViewCommunity 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.

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.

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 Park is closed until further notice due to COVID-19 spread mitigation. A popular seven-and-a-half minute 2018 eruption video will be shown on a television in the exhibits area, once the Park and center reopen, and is available online for free download.

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Friday, April 24, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, April 24, 2020

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

Kaʻū Hospital provides extra security for its long-term patients with a check in station outside the entrance.
See more below. Photo by Lora Botanova

THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN FOR HAWAIʻI COUNTY is ready for public comments. The first draft is available here. A statement from County Department of Research & Development says, "This document is the next step forward for Hawai‘i County to reach its Greenhouse Gas emissions goals, and to protect the health and safety of our communities. Implementing the actions and strategies outlined in this plan will enable Hawai‘i Island to become more sustainable and self-reliant, while playing its role in mitigating global climate change." Comments and feedback should be submitted to the county at sustainability@hawaiicounty.gov no later than May 31.

"During these times of preventative steps taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19, many people are noticing the true impact that human behavior has on nature. The County estimates it will see a drop of 1,482,319.546 MTCO2, or a 42 percent reduction, in total emissions, due to the decrease in air travel and vehicle miles traveled, due to Stay-At-Home and Social Distancing measures," says the county's statement released today.
In addition to mitigating GHG emissions, the plan also aims for Hawai‘i Island to produce all of its energy demand domestically and through renewable alternatives to fossil fuels; provide clean and accessible public mobility; encourage zero waste behavior; and expand conservation and preservation of natural areas. "The Climate Action Plan increases the County's commitment to deliver equitable solutions to improving our community's health, wellness, and economic resiliency," says the statement. "The Climate Action Plan will continue to be updated and improved to reflect the values and priorities of our community as we reach our goals. Please share your mana‘o on this important initiative."
See more on the draft in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs stories. See the complete draft at docs.google.com/document/d/1cGPQ20MVTOMwYyyfcbChSnSXdlo4linpIXcU23Ypl-A/edit.

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KAʻŪ HOSPITAL PROTECTS ITS RESIDENTS AND IS PREPARED FOR COVID-19. Marilyn Harris, administrator at Kaʻū Hospital, told Hawaiʻi Public Radio that one challenge is to ensure that long-term patients remain isolated from those who have other medical issues. The hospital set up an outdoor medical screening area for people going for testing at its lab or to see a medical care provider. It established a no-visitor policy for the hospital building more than a month ago.

Only personnel and screened patients can enter Kaʻū Hospital during
the pandemic. Photo by Julia Neal

On Thursday, Hawaiʻi Public Radio's The Conversation aired reporter Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi's interview with Harris and Jessie Marques, Executive Director of Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association. Marques told HPR that Kaʻū District is 921 square miles – an area the size of Oʻahu. Kaʻū is the only hospital in the district, with 21 beds, 17 of them for long-term care patients.

Harris told HPR that, should a COVID-19 case come to Kaʻū Hospital, the first option would be to transfer the person to Hilo Medical Center. Should Hilo have too many, Kaʻū Hospital could take the patient. Should Kaʻū experience a tremendous surge, Kaʻū Hospital could add more beds. One of its challenges, however, is that it is equipped with one ventilator.
To date there has been no confirmed COVID-19 case in Volcano, Ocean View, or Pāhala, the home of Kaʻū Hospital. One case was confirmed in the 96772 zip code area, where Discovery Harbour, Mark Twain, Green Sands, Kamaola, Nāʻālehu, Waiʻōhinu, and South Point neighborhoods are located. Concerning a possible surge in Kaʻū, Harris said, "Of course we are praying that does not happen."

Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association entrance
in Pāhala. Photo by Julia Neal

Concerning readiness, she said, "We have a very small medical staff so we don't have a lot of backup should one of them get sick. The only kind of positive in all that, is that with the respect to the impact of our location, I'm getting access to needed supplies. We've had to deal with a number of natural disasters over the years, from the volcano to the earthquakes to brushfires. So in some ways, that is sort of an advantage, so we kind of know how to prepare, so we have what we need."
She mentioned the hospital received donations of N95 masks from community members, who obtained them during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption. She said widespread testing is key, but that she has not seen enough testing yet in Kaʻū.
Harris has past experience with a pandemic. She worked on the SARS Pandemic when she served in the administration in the Department of Health for Ontario, Canada.

Hiraishi reported for HPR only "light details" about the one COVID-19 case presently in Kaʻū. Whether the case is related to travel, or if victim is a resident or visitor, has not yet been released to the public.
Listen to the interview at hawaiipublicradio.org/post/conversation-how-hawaiis-rural-communities-prepare-covid-19.

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MORE VOLUNTEERS FOR THE MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS are needed by the state Department of Health and Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi. Volunteer health care professionals would provide medical evaluation and care, vaccinations, and assist with distributing medications in the event of COVID-19 surges in island communities. Medical Reserve Corps volunteers may also support preparedness activities such as community education and training.

A statement from DOH says, "With COVID-19 as unpredictable an enemy as Hawaiʻi has ever faced, preparing for the possibility of a medical surge in our health care facilities has never been more important."

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National Guard Helicopter Brings in Masks for the Needy
Hawaiʻi National Guard in Hilo takes delivery of 200,000 surgical masks donated by Every1Hawaii. The masks will be
distributed islandwide to the vulnerable and resource-limited population. Vibrant Hawaiʻi will use its network of charitable
organizations to channel the masks to the needy. HPM provides storage for the masks. Photo courtesy of County of Hawaiʻi

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SHARED RIDE TAXI COUPON EXPIRATION DATES are extended. The county Mass Transit Agency made the announcement today. "Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our Shared Ride users are unable to use the Shared Ride Taxi Coupons within the timeframe allowed. For the convenience of our users, the Hawaiʻi County Mass Transit Agency is extending the expiration date from April 30, 2020 to May 31, 2020. Please do not alter the expiration dates on the coupons as they will not be accepted. The Mass Transit Agency has notified the participating taxi companies of this extension." For further information, call Mass Transit at 961-8744.

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No COVID-19 cases so far in the zip code areas of Volcano,

Pāhala, and Ocean View. White indicates zero cases, light

yellow indicates one to five cases. The 96772 area in
Kaʻū has one case recorded. Map from DOH

HAWAIʻI'S DEATH TOLL ROSE TO FOURTEEN TODAY, with the passing of two more men on Oʻahu. The state Department of Health reports one victim is an Oʻahu man who had been hospitalized since the beginning of April, was over 65-years-old, and had underlying medical conditions. He had a history of travel to Las Vegas in March. The other is also an Oʻahu man, over 65-years-old, who had also been hospitalized recently and also had underlying health conditions. His infection was the result of community-associated spread.

Gov. Dvid Ige said, "Dawn and I join all of Hawai‘i in expressing our sincere condolences to the family and friends of two men, whose deaths were reported today. While the death rate from coronavirus in Hawai‘i is among the lowest in the nation, the tragic passing of these men emphasizes the need for social distancing, staying home when sick, washing hands, and other measures to protect everyone and prevent serious illness, hospitalizations, and deaths."

Hawaiʻi Island has one new case of COVID-19, bringing the island's total to 69, according to DOH. Statewide, five new cases were reported, bringing the total cases to 601.

On Hawaiʻi Island, county Civil Defense reports 39 people have been cleared as recovered. Those remaining in quarantine are monitored by DOH. There is one male victim in Kona Hospital with the virus.

DOH reports that zero victims of COVID-19 in the islands under the age of 20 have been hospitalized. The percentage of victims 20 to 39 years old have a hospitalization rate of 3.6 percent; 40 to 59-year-olds are hospitalized at 7.5 percent; and those 60 and older at a rate of 26 percent.

No one on Hawaiʻi Island has died from the virus.

Civil Defense Director

Talmadge Magno.
Photo from Big Island Video News

The daily message from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno says DOH continues investigating the fast food cluster incident in Kona. So far, the outbreak "does not pose a threat to the general public." He also wished everyone a happy Aloha Friday.

In the

United States

, more than 952,000 cases have been confirmed. Recovery is about 11 percent, with over 101,000 recovered. The death toll is at 52,296, an increase of 4,323 in one day.

Worldwide, more than 2.79 million have contracted COVID-19. Recovery is about 28 percent, with 781,382 recovered. The death toll is 195,920, an increase of 12,450 in one day.

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IDEAS FOR COVID-19 RECOVERY FOR HAWAIʻI ISLAND'S VISITOR INDUSTRY came to the County Council this week. Ross Birch, Executive Director of the Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau, gave his report via video conference. He presented Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority statistics, showing hotel occupancy rates plunging from 80 percent on Feb. 29 to under 10 percent by April 11. Fear of spreading and contracting COVID-19, accompanied by travel and quarantine mandates, created the plunge in tourism along with massive unemployment.
Birch described the situation as "a wild ride" and "unlike anything we have ever seen in tourism." He said he supports restrictions on travel and accommodations for tourists, insisting that the visitor industry backs mitigation measures to stop COVID-19 "before we can start again." Birch shared his suggestions for restarting tourism once the pandemic is gone.

Ross Birch, Executive Director of the Island of Hawaiʻi
Visitors Bureau. Photo from Big Island Video News

He recommended that the first visitors go to "drive-to" destinations, away from congested urban areas. He predicted that travelers will be attracted less to crowded places. He said venues with fewer COVID-19 cases and strong preventative measures will do better in attracting and serving visitors.
He said precautions taken by airports and airlines will be necessary to keep visitors and locals safe.
Birch predicted that hotels on Hawaiʻi Island will stay closed at least until the end of May and noted that previous bookings for July are strong and that some groups scheduled for March through June have moved to Fall or 2021. According to Birch, "Airlines will ramp up slowly, with limited flights through the end of June. In order to bring back visitors, the "initial price point for airfare and accommodations needs to be very competitive," he said.
As a destination, travel demand remains strong for Hawaiʻi, said Birch. He also recommended creating unique experiences allowing social distancing, and promoting small group activities.
See the presentation of Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau to the County Council on Big Island Video News.

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CAST BALLOTS IN THE MAIL FOR THE UPCOMING NATIONAL ELECTIONS. That is the push from Sen. Mazie Hirono who sent out a message. "Eligible voters across the country should be able to cast their ballots through mail-in voting -- which several states, including Hawaiʻi, allow. By mailing our ballots we can follow safety precautions, stay at home, and practice social distancing during this pandemic, instead of risking further exposure in the long lines and crowds at polling places."

Sen. Mazie Hirono

Hirono said that Pres. Donald Trump and U.S. House Majority Leader Mitch McConnell "continue to block efforts to expand vote-by-mail. They're terrified of a fair election -- they are afraid that when more Americans vote, Republicans lose.
"Trump even called vote-by-mail a 'terrible thing,' even though he cast a mail-in ballot in Florida's primary last month! Recently, voters in Wisconsin were forced to jeopardize their health to exercise their right to vote in a primary election. Though the state's governor, a Democrat, had issued an executive order to reschedule the election, the state Supreme Court overturned that decision -- even though most other primaries had already been rescheduled or changed to a mail-in ballot to lessen exposure. As a result, at least seven individuals who participated in the election may have contracted coronavirus."
Hirono called the Wisconsin voting "an absolute disgrace" and contended that it "proved that Republicans are not taking this health crisis seriously. They want to make it harder for Americans to vote -- making people choose between their health and their right to vote. We should encourage all Americans to register and vote. Voter suppression tactics are dangerous -- and one of the ways to stop this is by implementing universal vote-by-mail."
She urged everyone to "Sign my petition to demand universal vote-by-mail so every voter can safely cast a ballot in November's elections."

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FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND CONSUMERS can receive aid from the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, said it will "provide critical support to our farmers and ranchers, maintain the integrity of our food supply chain, and ensure every American continues to receive and have access to the food they need," in response to the COVID-19 national emergency.

Perdue said. "The American food supply chain had to adapt, and it remains safe, secure, and strong, and we all know that starts with America's farmers and ranchers. This program will not only provide immediate relief for our farmers and ranchers, but it will also allow for the purchase and distribution of our agricultural abundance to help our fellow Americans in need."

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, with ag leaders on Hawaiʻi
Island, during the last disaster, the lava flows and earthquakes of 2018.
Photo from Purdue's Twitter

     The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program will use funding and authorities provided in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and other existing USDA authorities. The program includes two major elements:
      Direct Support to Farmers and Ranchers: The program will provide $16 billion in direct support based on actual losses for agricultural producers, where prices and market supply chains have been impacted. It will assist producers with additional adjustment and marketing costs resulting from lost demand and short-term oversupply for the 2020 marketing year caused by COVID-19.
     USDA Purchase and Distribution: USDA will partner with regional and local distributors, whose workforce has been significantly impacted by the closure of many restaurants, hotels, and other food service entities, to purchase $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy, and meat. "We will begin with the procurement of an estimated $100 million per month in fresh fruits and vegetables, $100 million per month in a variety of dairy products, and $100 million per month in meat products. The distributors and wholesalers will then provide a pre-approved box of fresh produce, dairy, and meat products to food banks, community and faith based organizations, and other non-profits serving Americans in need," said Perdue. "On top of these targeted programs, USDA will utilize other available funding sources to purchase and distribute food to those in need."

For more on USDA's work during the COVID-19 pandemic and resources available, visit usda.gov/coronavirus.

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VIRTUAL COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING is an opportunity during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is Virtual Volunteer Week Hawaiʻi, in conjunction with Earth Day. Organizers call on Hawaiʻi youth "to pitch in and take the lead in helping their communities, and to offer up ideas, creativity and passion. Virtual Volunteer is sponsored by Kanu Hawaiʻi and Blue Zones Project Hawaiʻi, with support from Hawaiʻi Green Growth network, Hawaiʻi Department of Education, Youth Service America, and others.

Students in Kindergarten through high school are invited to create a simple volunteer activity or service project, focusing on a community issue of importance to them, through encouraging public awareness, service, advocacy, or philanthropy.

The mission of Virtual Volunteer Week Hawaiʻi is to "inspire youth to take action and #RespondWithAloha in their communities while following current COVID-19 health and safety guidelines." Its mission also supports the State of Hawaiʻi's Aloha+ Challenge commitment to achieving the Hawaiian Islands' long-term sustainability goals.
Molly Mamaril, engagement lead of Blue Zones Project, said, "If you're a parent, encourage your child to join in. Youth who have participated in volunteer service projects are likely to develop essential skills, values, citizenship, and leadership throughout their time of service."

The statement says making a difference and doing something positive through volunteerism in their community that would be greatly appreciated by residents is another reward of volunteering.
Students can find entry information and resources to help them develop their safe and creative virtual volunteering ideas at the Virtual Volunteer Week Hawaiʻi website. Registration is open through Saturday, April 25. Students can also earn service hours by e-mailing kokua@kanuhawaii.org.

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory f or farms,
ranches, takeout. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free, with 7,500 distributed on stands and
to all postal addresses throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano throughout the district.
Read online at kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar. To advertise your business or
your social cause, contact kaucalendarads@gmail.com.

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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.

MOST EVENTS ARE CANCELLED for the month of April, to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. The state is under a stay-at-home order, with l4 days of quarantine required for anyone coming into the state. Interisland travel is restricted. Those in Hawaiʻi should stay at home unless needing to obtain food or medical care.

ONGOING

Free COVID-19 Screenings are at Bay Clinic during business hours, with appointment. Call 333-3600.

Wearing masks is required for everyone.

To bypass the screening queue at community test sites, patients can call ahead to Pathways Telehealth, option 5 at 808-747-8321. The free clinic will also offer on-site screening to meet testing criteria. Physicians qualify those for testing, under the guidance of Center for Disease Control and Hawaiʻi's COVID-19 Response Task Force.

The Ocean View location for May is to be announced.

The Nāʻālehu location is Sacred Heart Church at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy, under their Loaves and Fishes program, on Thursday, April 23 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Call 928-8208.

The Pāhala location is Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street, distributed by the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Pantry, on Thursday, April 30 at 11:30 a.m. Call 933-6030.