The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, April 16, 2020

See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory

for farms, ranches, restaurant takeout.

Boys & Girls Club staff members carry food to families in Ocean View as part of the Kūpuna Keiki Kau Kau.
Photo from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island

SPREAD THE SHAKA, NOT THE COVID-19, is a message making the rounds on twitter. The idea is to replace handshakes and hugs, for now, with the traditional shaka, a greeting that has been trending down in social interaction in the Hawaiian Islands in recent years, until the pandemic. The logo for the shaka drive says, "Shaka People."

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BOYS & GIRLS CLUB STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS brought food to remote homes in Ocean View on Wednesday to reach children whose families may be unable pick up the free breakfast and dinner meals at Nāʻālehu and Kaʻū school campuses, Mondays through Fridays.

Remote homes in Ocean View receive food
from the Boys & Girls Club.

Boys & Girls Club staff members delivered directly to their homes and they know their locations. Before the pandemic, the staff drove the children home from Boys & Girls Club each weekday from its after-school venue at Ocean View Community Center. The COVID-19 pandemic arrived just as the new program at OV Community Center grew and stabilized, serving more than 40 children a day, many of them from the underserved Marshallese and Native Hawaiian community.
Called Operation Kūpuna Keiki Kau Kau, the meal program begins at the Hilo kitchen of Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island. The food is ferried by volunteers and passed on to the staff at Nāʻālehu School.
To volunteer to deliver food from Hilo to Nāʻālehu, contact Boys & Girls Club CEO Chad Cabral at
at 808-961-5536 or chad@bgcbi.org.

Fundraising for the program is ongoing and donations can be made through BGCBI's GoFundMe page.

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CORONAVIRUS AND THE MILITARY was the focus of a Tele-Town Hall with Hawaiʻi military base commanders and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday.
The commanders discussed the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the military and families. They ensured the public that all members of the military are complying with state and county orders on physical distancing and other coronavirus prevention protocol whether on the base or in the public.

Boys & Girls Club members in Ocean View
receive free food Mondays through Fridays.

Gabbard updated news on funds from the CARES Act being distributed to the state, new tools for individuals to receive Economic Impact Payment, and the National Guard's support for the state's COVID-19 response. She was joined on the call by base commanders Colonel Thomas J. Barrett, commander, U.S. Army Garrison Hawaiʻi, Colonel Raul Lianez, Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi, and Captain Jeff Bernard, Commander, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Listen to the full tele-town hall.

Gabbard reported that the IRS launched its "Get My Payment" page allows individuals to track their Economic Impact Payments. She noted that the one-time payment will be insufficient for many people. She committed to continuing to fight in Congress for additional aid to individuals and families to help make it through the pandemic.

She also reiterated the importance of completing the 2020 Census, and urged everyone to do so online or by phone to help limit the need for door-to-door follow ups in the summer and to ensure that Hawaiʻi gets its fair share of Federal resources in the decade to come.

Gabbard reviewed the latest CARES Act emergency funds being distributed to Hawaiʻi for schools and universities, as well as the state's airports, which are critical lifelines between our islands. She also noted that FEMA has opened up an additional $100 million in disaster relief funds to which states can apply by April 28.

Turning to developments in Hawaiʻi, Gabbard noted that, though there is continued frustration with the rollout of Unemployment Insurance and compensation, the state's Department of Labor and Industrial Relations has rolled out a new website and contact information to streamline the process. She also touched on the outbreak clusters in Kona and at Maui Memorial Medical Center, reiterating the call for more stringent use of PPE and wearing of masks, as well as increased testing and contact tracing.

Members of the Boys & Girls Club in Ocean View
receive free food Mondays through Fridays.

The Congresswoman and base commanders addressed how social distancing guidelines are being followed on military installations. The base commanders emphasized the importance of following stay-at-home, hygiene, and sanitation guidelines, noting the use of cloth facemasks and additional handwashing stations, limited access for visitors, and the requirement to maintain a 6-foot distance in public spaces such as commissaries and while exercising. Any confirmed COVID-19 cases on military installations are being reported to both the Department of Defense and the State Department of Health.

In response to a question about the current lack of ability to test all those who travel to the islands, Gabbard noted the work that needs to be done to prepare to reopen travel in the future. She repeated the need for widespread, rapid testing in order to stop the spread of the virus when travel again becomes possible.

See Gabbard's COVID-19 resource webpage on her website. She also sends out regular e-newsletter updates to keep connected with constituents as developments happen.

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Fishermen's trucks and trailers at Punaluʻu Boat ramp while the boats are in the ocean, with many fish gifted to
kūpuna and needy families in the community. Photo by Julia Neal

FISHERMEN EVAN ENRIQUES, JOHN MASTERS, AND MICHAEL OKAMURA have joined ʻO Kaʻū Kākou President Wayne Kawachi in fishing for kūpuna and the needy in the community. The fleet of fishing boats takes off from Punaluʻu Boat Ramp and brings back mainly ahi, ono and kahala.
The fishermen give it away in Nāʻālehu and Pāhala, with kūpuna and needy folks signing up to receive it by messaging Jana Marques Kaniho on Facebook.

Fisherman Wayne Kawach hands out ahi and ono to
senior citizens in Pāhala. Photo by Julia Neal

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FULL CALABASH FUND has been launched by The Kohala Center and a group of Hawaiʻi food systems practitioners. "In Hawaiʻi, when an ʻumeke or a calabash was full, it was a sign of strong relationships, knowledge, and resource abundance held within our communities," says a statement from The Kohala Center. "The Full Calabash Fund reminds us of the honor that comes from the generous exchanges of gifts, including time, energy, and food."

With initial funding from The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Frost Family Foundation, and The Johnson ʻOhana Foundation, the fund will support Hawaiʻi's community-based organizations that are purchasing food from local farmers, ranchers, and food producers and providing food to community members in need. Information for prospective applicants will be available online in early May.
For more information or to donate to the Full Calabash Fund, contact Nicole Milne, TKC's vice president of food and agriculture initiatives, at 808-987-9210 or organizationsnmilne@kohalacenter.org..

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LILIʻUOKALANI TRUST SHARES THE KUIKUU OLA resource for individual and ʻohana well-being. Kūkulu Kumuhana is a well-being framework, developed by Kānaka Maoli and others for the lāhui and all who live in Hawaiʻi. It is a transformative model to be utilized by families and communities for holistic well-being. This fact sheet shares tips and ideas for self care, ʻohana care, and community care.

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Volunteer firefighter Lizie Stabo and Terry-Lee Shibuya
help with Food Basket distribution in Ocean View.

THE FOOD BASKET DELIVERED 14 DAYS of food to make meals on Tuesday at its staging place across from St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. The Food Basket gave drive-up family members an amount of food based on the number of persons they reported in their families.
The next Food Basket distribution will be in Nāʻālehu at Sacred Heart Church at 95-558 Mamālahoa Hwy. Called the Loaves and Fishes program, it will take place Thursday, April 23 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Call 928-8208.
The next Food Basket distribution in Pāhala will be at Kaʻū District Gym at 96-1149 Kamani Street, with help from the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Pantry, on Thursday, April 30 at 11:30 a.m. Call 933-6030.

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FORESIGHT, NOT HINDSIGHT, SHOULD BE OUR GOAL is the title of the latest opinion piece from Gary Hooser, founder of Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action. The former state Senator. He writes:

2020 vision and decisive action by our state legislature is needed now more than ever. Hawaiʻi cannot afford to wait until 2021.

Food Basket volunteers at Ocean View.
Photos from Terry-Lee Shibuya

The State House and Senate have each convened a "Special Committee on COVID-19." Ostensibly, the mission and goal of each committee is to monitor and review the pandemics' economic impacts, and the executive branch's management of the situation. Unfortunately, neither committee provides an opportunity for public input or testimony. Citizen input is a valuable and necessary component of any successful information gathering process and should be welcomed, not prohibited.

It would seem that by now, both legislative committees have done their due diligence and that our legislature at some point soon will actually begin legislating. Whether the 2020 Session reconvenes in May and/or extends into a special session in June or even July, the work can and should begin now.

Word on the street however, is that leadership in the House and Senate is considering simply
putting everything off until January of 2021. Apparently, they are thinking to "gavel in" the session around May 1, schedule a handful of hearings necessary to pass and fund Grant-In-Aid (GIA) requests and Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), and put off all other work until 2021.

Needless to say, I believe adjourning without addressing the many critical issues facing our community now, would be a gross failure of legislative leadership. There is much work to be done and no valid reason why the legislature cannot do it, this year.

Legislators can and should be doing the nitty-gritty work now, remotely. Just as the COVID-19 Special Committees are meeting, so can other committees of the House and Senate. Proposed bill language can be discussed remotely with experts and stakeholders, and possible amendments refined.

Officer Dane Shibuya helps with the rainy
day distribution of food in Ocean View
from The Food Basket.

At some point in the coming few months, Hawaiʻi will start reopening both business and government. The legislature could then be reconvened and extended into June or July as may be needed. There is no shortage of legislative "vehicles" (bills), and the appropriate public hearings could be held to comply with open government laws and avoid issues associated with "gut and replace."

Hawaiʻi needs more than just a blanket approval of so-called "shovel ready" projects and pending Grant-In-Aid funding.

There are many issues that simply cannot wait until 2021.

The state budget must be massively readjusted in order to deal with the financial realities of tax revenue grinding to a halt as economic activity does the same. This process deserves and requires active legislative participation. Hiding on the sidelines – sheltered from the political ramifications of the hard choices while leaving the governor hanging out to dry – is not acceptable.

Nearly 25 percent of Hawaiʻi's workers are now unemployed. Without employment, most are also now without health insurance. Whether through an expansion of Med-Quest or via other means, our legislature must develop and fund health coverage for these workers.

In order to fully reopen our economy, incoming travelers must be screened and tested for COVID-19. A statewide screening and testing program must be established with appropriate personnel hired and trained to implement it. This requires legislative action.

It is essential that worker rights be protected during the economic recovery period and beyond. Recently laid-off workers must be given first preference to return to their former jobs under the same terms that were previously held. The government must not allow nor reward businesses who attempt a shift to part-time, no health insurance, lower-wage workers.

The EITC and other tax credits aimed at low income working people along with the minuscule increase in the minimum wage must be preserved and passed into law. Our state budget must not be balanced on the backs of low income working people.

The fragility of our food supply chain has become more apparent than ever. Providing both public policy and tangible financial support to local farmers growing food for local consumption is crucially important and should not have to wait until 2021. Our farmers need help now.

Hawaiian Electric is replacing utility 180 poles in Volcanoes National Park and along Hwy 11 toward Pāhala.
This photo shows workers at a road inside the park, changing a pole. Essential workers are allowed to carry
out their duties during the Stay-at-Home directive from local and state government.
Photo from Hawaiian Electric

Emergency funding could and should be used to support "remote access" that will allow all residents access to the legislative process and meaningful public participation, regardless of where they reside. According to the National Council on State Legislatures, Alaska began holding remote hearings for residents in 1978. In 2014, more than 4,000 citizens participated remotely in 5,000 hours of legislative teleconferences. Here in the islands, Hawaiʻi County and Maui County both allow residents to testify via teleconference from remote locations. Given the COVID-19 limitations on "social distancing" and other "stay-at-home" rules, now more than ever, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature needs to make universal remote access a reality.

GIA funding should be substantially increased and new applications from entrepreneurs focused on food-self sufficiency, import-substitution, recycling, economic diversification, and job creation should be encouraged. Construction projects should be funded only if they truly meet the needs of the community, and are genuine "shovel ready," rather than just pet projects located in some influential legislators district.

Waiting until 2021 to tackle these and many other issues facing our state would be an unequivocal failure in leadership. I am hopeful and cautiously optimistic that those elected to high office, will not let us down.

See more from Hooser and HAPA at hapahi.org/news.

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Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno

NO NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES WERE REPORTED ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND, continuing a trend of fewer cases per day. The state of Hawaiʻi COVID-19 Joint Information Center reported four news cases on Oʻahu and three on Maui with none the other islands.
Gov. David Ige announce that it appears Hawaiʻi is flattening the curve. However, he said, the state "currently doesn't meet the criteria for a phased opening. The guidelines, released by the federal government today, require a downward trajectory of cases for a 14-day period. Ige said, "We are not there yet, so please continue your hard work and perseverance. We will get through this together."
Hawaiʻi Island has registered 41 cases since Feb. 28, with 30 released from isolation. There have been no deaths nor hospitalized patients with COVID-19 on Hawaiʻi Island, and no cases in Kaʻū or Volcano. Statewide, nine people died with confirmed cases of the virus.

Civil Defense director Talmadge Magno's message today: "Know that the policies of 'Stay at Home,' physical distancing, and (no) gatherings remains in effect. These policies all have one major goal: to help stop the spreading of the Coronavirus from those that may have to those that do not have it. This is why you are asked to wear a mask.
"As always within the polices of 'Stay at Home,' stay physically and emotionally healthy as best as you can. Get your fresh air, sunlight, exercise, and stay socially connected, especially to the kūpuna. Thank you for listening, take care of each other, and have a good day."
In the U.S., more than 667,801 people have tested positive for the virus. More than 32,917 have died. The U.S. records the highest death toll in the world from COVID-19. The U.S. posts a 4.9 percent fatality rate among confirmed cases, much lower than the 14 percent in Belgium, 13.2 percent in the United Kingdom, 13.1 percent in Italy, and 12.2 percent in France.
Worldwide, there have been more than 2,159,267 cases of COVID-19 in over 200 countries. The death toll is almost 146,000.

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. See Kaʻū exercise,
meditation, daily, bi-weekly, and weekly recurring events. 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 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, 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.

The Volcano location is Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road Thursday, April 30 at 3:30 p.m. Call Kehau at 443-4130.

A Free Dinner for Those in Need is served at Volcano Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road every Thursday, by Friends Feeding Friends, between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.

On Call Emergency Food Pantry is open at Cooper Center Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is operated by The Food Basket. 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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Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, April 15, 2020

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

All together with classmates and confetti would be counter to protocols for Kaʻū High School's Class of 2020 graduation.
The DOE made the announcement today in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Julia Neal

CLASS OF 2020 KAʻŪ HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION will be untraditional this year. There will be no filling up the gym with family and friends, music and dance; no inspirational keynote speaker close to the graduates. There will be neither up-close photography, nor hugging and piling on the lei and balloons outside the gym.

No community celebration for this. year's Kaʻū High School graduation,
during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Julia Neal

The state Department of Education made the call today. School Superintendent

Christina Kishimoto made the announcement this morning and released a video. She called the decision emotional and said, "We understand the importance of this milestone," but emphasized, "The safety of our community is paramount."

Celebratory options under consideration include drive-by handing out of diplomas, with schools decorated for the event. Kishimoto said that any alternative commencement program would be with "strict safety protocols."

While schools are closed until at least April 30, students are studying online and with hard-copy, take-home assignments, which will be ungraded. Grade point averages through the first three quarters will be the GPA for the 10,000 public high school students set to graduate across the state.

Hawaiʻi Department of Education released Special Update - Graduation 2020 today, announcing that traditional on-campus graduation ceremonies will not be held. Alternatives are in the making. Vimeo presentation from DOE

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THE IDEA OF A TWENTY PERCENT PAY CUT FOR TEACHERS AND TEN PERCENT FOR NURSES, FIRST RESPONDERS, and other government employees is drawing heavy pushback from public school teacher and state government employee unions.

In a letter to Gov. David Ige on Tuesday, Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association Pres. Corey Rosenlee wrote that state human resources and buget directors are proposing cuts "to prevent an economic collapse as the coronavirus pandemic cuts off major sources of state revenues. While we recognize the coronavirus has already started to cripple Hawaiʻi's economy, no one can be sure of its long-term impacts. We believe cutting salaries for tens of thousands of state workers is rash and will hurt our state even more."
Rosenlee, who represents 14,000 educators in the Hawaiʻi public school system, said the HSTA was not given a formal proposal concerning any cutbacks and that "it is unclear if the governor intends to implement these cuts as furloughs or across-the board salary decreases."

HGEA President Randy Perreira
Photo from HGEA

He also pointed to the appropriation of $863 million to state government and hundreds of millions to counties by Congress.
The Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association, the union for state workers, also wrote a letter to Ige. The HGEA objects to a 10 percent pay cut to include nurses, correctional officers, and first responders. HGEA Pres. Randy Perreira told Ige in a letter, "I'd like to remind you that a significant number of the employees we represent continue to provide critical services to the public, without appropriate protective equipment." In a video, released to the public, Perreira said, "Frankly folks, I have lost all, all confidence that this administration is going to pull us out of this problem."
During his press conference on Tuesday, the Governor said that state officials are considering other fund management "in anticipation of significant reductions in revenues to fund state services."

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PROTECTING TEACHER PAY AND LAYOFFS is the goal of the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association. Its President Corey Rosenlee sent out this message this week to teachers across the state:
"Over the past several weeks, I have been amazed and impressed by your actions during this coronavirus crisis. In a time of isolation and social distancing, you are finding innovative ways to provide educational opportunities to connect with our keiki and support our communities. It is truly inspiring. Today, I urge you to go one step further.
"COVID-19 is not only impacting our health, it is devastating our economy. Visitor spending makes up the majority of our state's income. With tourism and non-essential businesses shut down, economists are predicting a massive plunge in tax revenue.
"We do not know exactly how this crisis will impact education funding, but the reality is clear. There is no escaping this economic disaster. There will be cuts to the state budget, and we expect the Department of Education to be affected. We could face furloughs, hiring freezes, and/or salary changes.

Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association President Corey Rosenlee
asks for testimony to support teacher pay and jobs.
Photo from HSTA

"The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association and our parent union, the National Education Association, are working to minimize this impact by urging Congress to ensure critical federal funding is reserved for education. States need this money to keep our public schools running.
"But we can't do it alone. Amplify our collective voice by sending your own message to lawmakers in Washington, D.C. Remind them how important it is to support our schools so our students don’t suffer. Warn them of the devastating impacts a lack of funding would have on our keiki, our community, and our future." He sent a link to submit public testimony.

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FOUR NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND TODAY, and 13 statewide, were reported today. The Hawaiian Islands have recorded a total of nine deaths, all on Oʻahu and Maui, with 359 people out of isolation after testing positive and recovering. The hospitalization rate for those 60 years of age and older is 19 percent; 40-59, 5.8 percent; 20-39, 2.9 percent; and zero percent for those under 20.

Civil Defense director

Talmadge Magno.
Photo from Big Island Video News

Hawaiʻi Island's COVID-19 case count has risen to 40, according to county Civil Defense, with 11 active cases in quarantine at home and closely monitored by Department of Health. Twenty-nine people have been cleared as recovered by DOH. At this date, no one on Hawaiʻi Island has been hospitalized or died. No cases from Kaʻū or Volcano are reported.
DOH continues the investigation of the fast food situation in Kona to "ensure that all precautions are taken," preventing further spread of the virus. Based on findings thus far, DOH does not believe this outbreak poses a risk to the general public.

Civil Defense director Talmadge Magno's message today: "As you may know, the County's task force on disinfection continues seven days a week, and motorist are asked to please drive with caution and be on the lookout for them. Do keep yourself physically and emotionally healthy as best as you can. Look out for each other, be well, and please wear your mask. Thank you for listening, have a safe day. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense."

Hawaiʻi County map, showing distribution of COVID-19 cases by zip code.

In the U.S., nearly 642,000 people have tested positive for the virus. More than 28,400 have died. The U.S. records the highest death toll in the world from COVID-19. At least 52,000 people have recovered. More than 101,000 have been hospitalized.
Worldwide, there have been more than two million cases of COVID-19 in over 200 countries. The death toll is almost 137,000. The recovery rate is 512,000.

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HAWAIʻI IS ONE OF THE TOP TEN STATES IN CHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE, according to the WalletHub report 2020's Best & Worst States for Children's Health Care. WalletHub also released a video.

In order to determine which states offer the most cost-effective and highest-quality health care for children, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 33 key metrics. The data set ranges from share of children aged 0 to 17 in excellent or very good health, to pediatricians and family doctors per capita.

Hawaiʻi ranks seventh overall, placing sixth in kid's health and access to health care, and 13th in kids nutrition and physical activity. The good attributes of Hawaiʻi health care outweighed its first-place rank for having unaffordable medical bills, fourth in number of uninsured children, seventh in obese children, and tenth in overweight children. It ranks first place for having the most cost-effective and highest quality health care, 13th in percent of children in excellent or very good health, 19th in percent of children with medical and dental preventive care visits in the past year, 24th in pediatricians and family doctors per capita, and 24th in percent of children with excellent or very good teeth. It ranked 49th for kids oral health overall. See the full report here.

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New rules are in place for vendors and customers at the OKK Market in Na`alehu.
The market is open 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays. Photo by Bryanna Ehls

ʻO KAʻŪ KĀKOU WILL GIVE OUT FREE EGGS AND HOT DOGS at the Kahuku County Park in Ocean View tomorrow, Thursday, at 11:30 p.m. The fresh eggs will be in cartons and the hot dogs in packages, ready to take home.

ʻO KAʻŪ KĀKOU MARKET IN NĀʻĀLEHU SOLD OUT of most food today. It opened at 8 a.m. and most fresh food was gone by 10 a.m.
The market is
selling fresh beef, vegetables and fruits from local farms, baked goods, and locally made soaps.
The new protocol requires vendors and customers to wear masks. Hand washing stations and sanitizer are provided, and all patrons must use use hand sanitization before entering the market.
To sign up to sell at the market next Wednesday, call manager Sue Barnett at 808-345-9374.

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The number of meals given out by Boys & Girls Club
has soared to 702 a day. Photos from Boys & Girls Club

HOT MEALS TO OCEAN VIEW began today for Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island youth members. Volunteers bring the food on weekdays from Hilo to Nāʻālehu for pick up and distribution to the children in Ocean View.
Less than a month ago, Boys & Girls Club launched 200 free meals a day from its East Hawaiʻi Kitchen to support those struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization has ramped up production, transporting and delivering 702 hot meals a day, and adding on a kitchen in Kona. All meals continue to be free. In some areas, kūpuna are also served hot meals.

"The struggle and need continues, and the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island will do what we can to support Hawaiʻi Island, our communities, and our most at-risk and vulnerable populations," said the organization's CEO, Chad Cabral.

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Kitchens are operating for Boys & Girls Club
in Hilo and Kona to provide free food.

HELPING FARMERS TO SELL DIRECTLY TO SCHOOLS, FARMERS MARKETS, CONSUMER institutions, retail markets, restaurants, food hubs, and regional distribution centers is the aim of a letter from Sen. Mazie Hirono and colleagues. They ask Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to set aside a portion of the $9.5 billion in the third coronavirus relief package toward this effort.

Hirono said that Hawaiʻi's local farmers continue to explore ways to get their produce to consumers while the pandemic prevents some of their usual means of distributing their produce. In their letter, the Senators urge timely action from the USDA to protect local food producers from the fallout of the pandemic and ask for continued support of farmers in future relief packages.

The Senators wrote, "We urge you to protect the rich diversity of American agriculture by working with producers who supply local markets to tailor USDA relief efforts to their needs. To do this, we respectfully request that you provide payments to local food producers for lost revenue and additional cost incurred by the COVID-19 disaster."

The letter also notes that the "growth of the local food economy over the last decade has nurtured a diverse group of small and medium size producers who depend on direct markets to reach consumers. Consumers benefit from having more choices and a deeper connection to where their food comes from and how it is grown. Unfortunately, these losses, compounded by increased sanitization and transportation expenses, threaten the survival of many of the farms that supply local food systems."

The letter was also signed by Senators Brian Schatz, Amy Klobochar, Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, and others. The letter can be found here.

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HAWAIʻI WILDLIFE FUND IS REDIRECTING ITS EFFORTS during the pandemic. The organization is shifting from volunteer events like the beach and shoreline cleanup days in Kaʻū. "During this new era of the Coronavirus pandemic while our team is still working hard to further our mission to protect Hawaiʻi's plants, animals, culture, and environment," the organization encourages volunteers to "shift your efforts to supporting our island communities (if you haven't done so already) in whatever ways you are able (by donating time, money, homemade masks, delivering food, etc.) in addition to continuing to caretake our beloved Hawaiʻi nei and planet Earth. We are hopeful that this current situation will bring countries, islands, and communities together to support each other through this challenging period."

    Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund suggests the KANU Hawaiʻi's Respond with Aloha website for opportunities to get involved – see link. "You can also help support farmers and businesses by buying local (think zero waste and sustainable) and getting take-out from restaurants that remain open at this time. Those itching to get outside and enjoy a little nature therapy... can join Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund and friends with Sustainable Coastlines Hawaiʻi to promote #antisocialcleanup efforts through hosting solo D.I.Y. style cleanup events at a beach, community park, trail, campus, or a yard. And for some light humor, we'd recommend the "Nature Rx" YouTube channel – however, language may not be suitable for kids!"
     See the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund YouTube cannel for educational entertainment, events, and keiki environmental education videos here. A Virtual Earth Day celebration will be held on Sunday, April 26, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. with Hannah Bernard one of the featured speakers. Check social media and web calendar from more.
     Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund is working on developing COVID-19 safety protocols and procedures for future wildlife fieldwork operations with volunteers. Hawaiʻi Wildlife Team for Kaʻū includes Megan Lamson and Nohea Kaʻawa.

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A HIGH SURF ADVISORY is in effect for west-facing shores of Hawaiʻi Island, from South Point to Mahukona in North Kohala, effective at midnight Wednesday night through Thursday evening, warns the National Weather Service. A High Surf Advisory means surf will be higher than normal, shore break, and dangerous currents could cause injury or death.