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Saturday, April 18, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, April 18, 2020

Some county parks have been opened with limited access to restrooms and walking to the shore. Pāhala Community
Center Park building and grounds with the children's playground remains closed. See more below.
Photo by Lora Botanova
See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar directory for farms, ranches, takeout.

THE FIRST COVID-19 CASE IN KAʻŪ WAS REPORTED TODAY by the state Department of Health. The person lives somewhere within the 96772 zip code area, which covers South Point and Kamaoa Roads through Mark Twain, Green Sands and Discovery Harbour. It also covers Hwy 11 near South Point Road through Waiʻōhinu and Nāʻālehu. The area is shown on the DOH map, shaded in light yellow to indicate one to five cases. Pāhala and Volcano are in white, to indicate no cases.
     Nāʻālehu's restaurants Hana Hou and Shaka's which serve takeout, Will & Grace and Wikiwiki which sell food, and Ace which sells hardware and supplies, reported this afternoon that they have no involvement with the case and adhere to all protocol to protect workers and customers.
The first Kaʻū case of COVID-19 was reported in the 96772 zip code 
area, which covers South Point and Kamaoa Roads through Mark Twain,
Green Sands and Discovery Harbour. The zip code also covers Hwy 11 near 
South Point Road through Waiʻōhinu and through Nāʻālehu.
Map from the state Department of Health
     Islandwide, the number of COVID-19 cases jumped to 59, mostly due to the cluster stemming from a Kona McDonald's fast food restaurants employee who went to work sick for days without knowing the illness was the virus. Those infected include employees of McDonald's at Kona Walmart and Kona Commons, and their families.
     This morning, county Civil Defense reported 30 victims on this island quarantined at home and monitored by the Department of Health. Twenty-nine have been cleared as recovered.
     No one on this island has died from the virus and no one is hospitalized.
     Civil Defense Director Talmadge Magno said, "This high increase over the past week mainly stems from the fast food establishment cluster, 27 of the 30 quarantined have been associated with the fast food establishment as family or employees. This so clearly demonstrates how important it is to follow the health advisories of the Department of Health: Stay at home if you are sick; sneezing and coughing etiquette; physical distancing; social gatherings and staying healthy. We owe it to our family and the community to do our share. This is a community issue and needs all to do their part.
Civil Defense Director 
Talmadge Magno.
Photo from Big Island Video News
     "For your information, drive through testing will be conducted at the Hilo Civic Center Sunday April 19 from 9 in the morning till 1 in the afternoon, and in Kona at the Keauhou Shopping Center Monday, April 20th from 8 in the morning till 1 in the afternoon. Know that early testing means early detection and early care.
     "A huge thank you to all those having a part in providing food to the community in need. Mahalo nui loa. Thank you for listening and have a safe weekend.This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense."
     See below for testing this coming week in Kaʻū.
     Statewide, 21 new cases were reported today, totaling 574 for all islands. More than 400 people have recovered. Nine people have died, all on Oʻahu or Maui.
     In the U.S., nearly .75 million people have tested positive for the virus. More than 38,900 have died. The U.S. records the highest death toll in the world from COVID-19. At least 64,800 people have recovered.
     Worldwide, there have been more than 2.3 million cases of COVID-19 in over 200 countries. The death toll is almost 160,000. The recovery rate is over 592,300.

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COVID-19 TESTING WILL BE HELD AT NĀʻĀLEHU CLUBHOUSE THIS MONDAY, APRIL 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., sponsored by Premiere Health Systems.

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COVID-19 SCREENING WILL BE HELD AT ST. JUDE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH on Wednesday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to noon for those who are prescreened, and noon until 2 p.m. for those needing onsite screening and testing, if indicated.

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SOME COUNTY PARKS HAVE REOPENED around the island, but none in Kaʻū. All county parks remain closed to picnicking, camping, or any kind of gathering. People are allowed to cross parks to the ocean but not allowed to sit, stand and talk with one another, lounge or lie down on the beach, or otherwise loiter. Violators face a warning or outright arrest. Penalties for breaking emergency rules are up to a $5,000 fine and up to a year in jail.
     The following county beach parks will be made available daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., "for the purposes of direct access to and from the ocean and shoreline in order to engage in outdoor exercise, fishing for and gathering food, and use of restroom and shower facilities": Kahalu‘u Beach Park, Magic Sands Beach Park, Wai‘aha Bay Beach Park (Honl's), Kawaihae Canoe Area, Honoli‘i Beach Park, Kaipalaoa Landing Beach Park, Bayfront Beach Park, Reed's Bay Beach Park, and Lili‘uokalani Gardens.
Fishing by canoe for food, like this man at Punalu`u, is an approved
use of the ocean during the pandemic. Photo by Julia Neal
     Restrooms at Kaʻū's two county beach parks, Punaluʻu and Honuʻapo - Whittington Beach Park remain closed.
     Open restrooms, daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. include Mo‘oheau Bus Terminal, Lincoln Park, Bayfront Soccer Fields, Bayfront Beach Park, Liliuokalani Gardens, Reeds Bay Beach Park, Honoli‘i Beach Park, ‘Alae Cemetery, Shipman Park, Kurtistown Park, Kahalu‘u Beach Park, Magic Sands Beach Park (La‘aloa), Waiʻaha Bay Beach Park (Honl's), Kailua Park (Old A/Maka‘eo) beach only, Waikoloa Pu‘u Nui Park, and Waimea Park tennis courts only. Veterans Cemetery No. 2 restrooms are open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area restrooms are open 24 hours.

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RIM OF PACIFIC EXERCISE, WITH MILITARY SHIPS, PLANES, SUBMARINES, AND LANDING CRAFT, are planned for July. Gov. David Ige is asking all personnel to refrain from coming ashore during this time of the coronavirus.
     Every two years, RIMPAC brings war games to oceans around the Hawaiian Islands, marines landing on the shores of places like Barking Sands on Kauaʻi, and military planes and helicopters landing on Hawaiʻi Island. The last RIMPAC in Hawaiian Islands was in 2018.
     In waters off Hawaiʻi Island, concern from public organizations has been the possible affect on marine life, including dolphins and whales. On land, war games are held at the Pohakuloa Training Area in the saddle between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes.
     RIMPAC has been operating since 1971, using California and Hawaiʻi venues, involving some 25,000 military personnel from 25 countries, around 50 surface ships, dozens of submarines, and 200 aircraft.
     Smaller international war games scheduled for spring and summer in Australia and the Philippines have been cancelled.

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THE HAWAIʻI NATIONAL GUARD is helping with the COVID-19 response. Last week, 400 soldiers and airmen were activated, and 800 more Guardsmen were brought on status Friday. National Guard Commanders for each island have been in contact with the county mayors and emergency management team to best help the state in its COVID-19 response.
     The National Guard has received federal funding to assist in pay and allowances for soldiers and airmen.
     Joint Task Force Commander Brig. Gen. Moses Kaoiwi Jr. said, "I am confident that by working together, we will meet our objectives of continuing to flatten the curve and create a safe and secure environment for the people of Hawai‘i."

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MORE SUPPLIES FOR COVID-19 TESTING ARE NEEDED to track the disease throughout the Hawaiian Islands. That is the message from Diagnostic Laboratory Services, which processes all samples of COVID-19 tests not sent out of state. Diagnositic's two labs are on Oʻahu.
Limited tests and testing supplies are the main
cause of fewer COVID-19 tests being performed.
     Diagnostic Laboratory Inc. President Mark Wasielewski, and Vice President, Dr. Andrew Whelen, issued a statement to the House Select Committee on COVID-19 Economic and Financial Preparedness, which met last Monday, April 13. Wasielewski and Whelen answered questions on testing needs and capacity, for active COVID-19 cases and antibody testing.
     The committee asked them whether the two DLS locations are sufficient for testing needs across the state. Should more labs be opened to expand capacity for testing in Hawaiʻi?
     Demand for COVID-19 tests to be processed in Hawaiʻi can run from 200 to 500 per day. Drive-thru test days can bring the number to 1,000.
     Diagnostic Lab Services' capacity for testing per day is 180 to 280 per day at its two Oʻahu locations. Overages are sent to Quest Diagnostics Laboratory or Laboratory Corp. of America, both on the mainland. Their turnaround time is less than a week.
     In its written statement, Diagnostic Lab Services reported that the limitation in the number of tests it can run "is supplies. Increased allocation of collection and testing supplies would expand capacity. Another facility would just be fighting for the same short supplies. DLS has expanded the acceptability of specimen, swab, and transport fluid types in order to ease the shortage. We just need more supplies, and as yet, swabs and transport media are just not available in these quantities."
Long swabs, coupled with personal protective gear, are some
of the supplies needed to test for COVDI-19.
     Read the report here.

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COMBATING SCAMS AND MISINFORMATION about the coronavirus pandemic is a battle for Senators Mazie Hirono, Cory Booker, and Maggie Hassan. The senators asked executives of domain name registrars and hosting sites – GoDaddy, Dynadot, Donuts Inc., Namecheap Inc., Web.com, Endurance International Group, InMotion Hosting, and DreamHost – to explain their methods of fighting misinformation. The senators' letters cited a "dramatic increase" in fake websites that reference the coronavirus, and other online platforms used for telework and distance learning, including Zoom, Google Classroom, and Microsoft Teams.
     "As cybercriminals and other malevolent actors seek to take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic, it is critical that domain name registrars like yours (1) exercise diligence and ensure that only legitimate organizations can register coronavirus-related domain names and domain names referencing online communications platforms; (2) act quickly to suspend, cancel, or terminate registrations for domains that are involved in unlawful or harmful activity; and (3) cooperate with law enforcement to help bring to justice cybercriminals profiting from the coronavirus pandemic.
     Read one of the letters here.

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THE 2020 CENSUS IS ON. Due to COVID-19, some households haven't received their invitations yet. Those who have not received a questionnaire or have lost it can respond online or over the phone by using their street or rural route address. Click here to complete the 2020 Census questionnaire online or call 1-844-330-2020 to respond over the phone (language specific phone lines can be found here).
     All residents participating in the census helps in many ways: Residents use the census to support community initiatives involving legislation, quality-of-life, and consumer advocacy. Businesses use census data to decide where to build factories, offices, and stores, which helps create jobs. Real estate developers and city planners use the census to plan new homes and improve neighborhoods. Government officials use the census to ensure public safety, plan new schools and hospitals, and distribute funds for public programs and other needed projects. Federal funding to states depends on an accurate census count.
     Learn more at census.hawaii.gov/census_2020/.

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Mount St. Helens erupted in spectacular fashion on May 18, 1980, at 12:36 p.m. It was the largest known debris avalanche
in recorded history. The magma in St. Helens burst forth into a large-scale pyroclastic flow that flattened vegetation
and buildings over 230 square miles, and killed 57 people. Ashfall from the eruption was seen as
far away as Oklahoma, about 2,000 miles from the volcano in Washington state. USGS photo
TAKING A LOOK BACK TO THE 1980 MOUNT ST. HELEN'S ERUPTION on the 40th anniversary is the direction of this week's Volcano Watch. Written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates, take a trip to the past and across the ocean to Washington state:
     April 1980 was a month to remember at Mount St. Helens.
     Mount St. Helens was exploding! The first eruption in the Cascades since 1914­–1917 (Lassen Peak) started on March 27, 1980. April became a frenzied, exciting, challenging, sometimes frustrating, once-in-a-lifetime experience for several scientists with experience at USGS HVO, called on to measure the deforming volcano.
     Their work augmented seismic monitoring by University of Washington geophysicists and was coordinated with other USGS scientists having previous geologic knowledge of the volcano. Everyone tried to make sense of what was happening.
Measuring tilt in Timberline parking lot in early April 1980 
during lightly falling snow. USGS photo by Don Swanson
     Forty years ago, no scientists in the USGS and academia were adept at monitoring all types of active volcanoes. Their expertise was gained from working on Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, not from steep composite volcanoes that dominate the Cascades. Equipment was remedial by today's standards: computers were not in general use, and satellite observations were limited. There was no cache of equipment or experience to lean on. We were on our own.
     By early April, a growing bulge high on the north flank of the volcano was readily apparent, cracking glaciers and leaving a crater behind as it moved northward. This in itself was alarming, but was it a shallow feature or only the tip of deeper, larger deformation that might reach beyond the volcano?
     To answer this question, we used ice-covered Spirit Lake north of the volcano as a large liquid tiltmeter. We nailed wooden yardsticks to tree stumps or dock piers around the lakeshore where open water was present. Using helicopter hops, we read water levels at six sites in about 20 minutes and calculated their differences. The ice cover damped wave oscillations, and yardsticks could be read to 1/16 inch (about 2 mm), enabling detection of tilt across the lake to about 2 microradians (roughly one ten thousandth of a degree). To our relief, repeat measurements until the ice melted in mid-month showed no change.
     We could thus focus deformation measurements on the bulge itself. The flat parking lot at Timberline campground just northeast of the bulge was perfect for measuring tilt, using a method developed at HVO. We drove nails into the pavement at the tips of a triangle about 10 m (33 feet) on a side and leveling determined their relative elevations.
USGS Volcanologist David A. Johnston, 30, was monitoring Mount St.
Helens from Coldwater II observation camp on the day it erupted. The post
was thought to be relatively safe but was destroyed in the disaster. The last
transmission heard from Johnston occurred as the eruption happened:
"Vancouver! Vancouver! This is it!" before his radio signal went dark.
His remains were never recovered. This photo was
taken 13 hours before the eruption. USGS photo
     Repeated leveling, often during snowstorms, found changes in elevation caused by tilting ground. Seven relevelings (March 30–April 30) showed an overall tilt away from the bulge at about 2 microradians per day. This small tilt was further evidence that deformation was concentrated in the bulge itself.
     Huge tilts of tens of microradians lasting only a few minutes were superimposed on the overall tilt. The parking lot was swaying back and forth, probably because of jerky movement of the bulge itself. Such tilts amazed us, but tests confirmed they were real.
To provide continuous tilt data, electronic platform tiltmeters were installed in nearby areas in late April. Instrument problems and sites made unstable by thawing ground limited their use.
     Meanwhile a search was underway for an electronic distance meter (EDM) to make measurements of the bulge itself—our Holy Grail. Powerful EDMs were expensive and not readily available. An instrument was located at the Smithsonian Institution and a loan arranged. Measurements began on April 20.
     But measurements were not straightforward. An EDM requires a target that reflects a laser back to the instrument. Normally, costly glass prisms were used, but anything on the bulge had to be expendable, that is, cheap. HVO had experimented with plastic highway reflectors and found them suitable for short distances. Could 5–8 such plastic reflectors clustered together work at distances of 2–4 km (1–2.5 miles)?
     Yes, they could. Several reflectors were screwed to a board, which was bolted onto a steel signpost driven into the ground at helicopter-accessible sites on and near the bulge. These makeshift targets, the loaned EDM, and an old-fashioned optical theodolite allowed us to measure bulge movement of up to 1.5 m (almost 5 feet) per day, define the limits of the bulge, and otherwise provide scientists with reliable data as Mount St. Helens tore apart over the next month.
     At the time, we measured our progress in blood, sweat, and—after the deadly eruption on May 18—tears. Forty years later, we can add a measure of pride for what was accomplished under extraordinary circumstances.
In May of 2017, St. Helens starting making overtures of a coming eruption. That has not yet occurred, but volcanologists
state the next eruption is an when-not-if scenario. USGS photo
     Volcano Activity Updates
     Kīlauea Volcano is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level remains at NORMAL (https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vhp/about_alerts.html). Kīlauea updates are issued monthly.
     Kīlauea monitoring data over the past month showed no significant changes in seismicity, sulfur dioxide emission rates, or deformation.
     The water lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u continued to slowly expand and deepen. For the most current information regarding the depth of the lake see volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/summit_water_resources.html.
     Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level remains at ADVISORY. This alert level does not mean that an eruption is imminent or that progression to an eruption from the current level of unrest is certain. Mauna Loa updates are issued weekly.
     During the past week, HVO seismometers recorded 63 small-magnitude earthquakes beneath the volcano's summit and upper-elevation flanks. Most of these earthquakes occurred less than 8 kilometers (~5 miles) below ground level. The largest earthquake was a magnitude 3.1 under the volcano's upper Southwest Rift Zone. Slow summit inflation continued and fumarole temperature and gas concentrations on the Southwest Rift Zone remain stable.
     There were three events with three or more felt reports in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week.  A magnitude-2.9 earthquake 8 km (5 mi) S of Volcano at 2 km (1 mi) depth occurred on April 14, 2020 at 1:36 p.m. A magnitude-3.0 earthquake 7 km (4 mi) NNE of Pāhala at 31 km (19 mi) depth occurred on April 12, 2020 at 02:31 p.m. A magnitude-3.6 earthquake 7 km (4 mi) NE of Pāhala at 33 km (21 mi) depth occurred on April 12, 2020 at 01:45 p.m.
     HVO continues to closely monitor both Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.
     Visit volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

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Last year: Easter music, Hawaiian style, with Calvin Ponce, Makana Kamahele, and Guy Sesson
at Pāhala Preschool. 
Photo by Julia Neal
Kaʻū Life: The Way We Were Last Year
     Last year, this time, keiki were running around outside, making bee lines for hidden eggs filled with treats. Pāhala Preschool and Pāhala Elementary drew droves of little ones to two Easter Egg hunts on the grounds of the two schools.
Keiki ran for the eggs at Pāhala Elementary the day before Easter. 
Photo by Julia Neal
     At Pāhala Preschool, Eddie Andrade – well known for his role as Santa during 40 years of Christmas Parades – delighted with his many wooden games for children. Keiki were treated to other fun activities, such as a coloring station and prize wheel. The Easter celebration featured songs from musicians Calvin Ponce, Makana Kamahele, and Guy Sesson, with food and games for all.
     At nearby Pāhala Elementary and Kaʻū High School, the Easter Egg Hunt was tied to the annual Kaʻū Wellness Fair. Providers at booths set up in the Kaʻū District Gym annex offered medical, dental, mental health, healthy living, and preventative care services. Organized by Kaʻū High School teacher, track coach, and events organizer Angie Miyashiro, the gathering of children and families offered blood pressure and diabetes screening, strength and exercise analysis, and opportunities for outdoor experiences. The day included a reading with Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries.
     Among those on hand were Bay Clinic, Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes UH-Hilo, and Phi Delta Chi Pharmacists, Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association, United Healthcare, Keiki ID, Blue Zones, Children's Community Council, PATH, Tūtū and Me, Project Aware - Mental Health First Aid, and Ocean Awareness & Safety.
Angie Miyashiro, organizer of the annual Kaʻū Wellness Fair, held this weekend last year. It was
cancelled this year during the pandemic. Photo by Julia Neal

Read online at kaucalendar.com. See our Fresh Food on The Kaʻū Calendar. 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.

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.


Friday, April 17, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, April 17, 2020


Teachers and administrators in Kaʻū are taking toiletries and other necessities to students living remotely, using
the school bus and private vehicles. Lane Uyeda (center) is the Homeless Liaison Coordinator for the area
and coordinated with Salvation Army to provide such basics as tooth paste and tooth brushes. Kaʻū High &
Pāhala Elementary School Principal Sharon Beck (right) also helped. See more below. Photo by Jason Britt
SEN. MAZIE HIRONO ENDORSED JOE BIDEN FOR U.S. PRESIDENT TODAY. She issued this message: "The American people deserve a president who can bring our divided country together. That's why today, I'm endorsing my friend Joe Biden for President of the United States.
     "Joe not only brings years of committed leadership to the presidency, but also empathy and humanity forged by his own personal experiences with tragedy and pain. Empathy and humanity sadly lacking in the current president.
     "At a time when the health of Americans is at risk, Joe's fight to enact, sustain, and expand the Affordable Care Act and his leadership on the Cancer Moonshot (which marshaled federal resources to speed up cancer research and trials) demonstrate his commitment to health care as a right and not a privilege.
     "So many of us have watched in horror as Donald Trump refuses to take responsibility to keep Americans safe or provide necessary leadership during this pandemic. Donald Trump and members of his administration have incited hatred of Asian Americans by calling COVID-19 the 'Chinese Virus' or 'Kung Flu.' These racist comments, amplified by the President's allies on Fox News and the right-wing media, have contributed to an explosion of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans in this country.
Mazie Hirono took the oath before then Vice-President Joe Biden in 2013 to become the first Asian American woman 
in the U.S Senate. Today, she endorsed him for U.S. President. Photo from Zimbio.com
     "I was proud to hear Vice President Biden's forceful condemnation of Donald Trump's racism. It supports efforts I've led in Congress to combat these hate crimes, fighting alongside allies like Tammy Duckworth, Kamala Harris, and Elizabeth Warren. Joe demonstrates the principled leadership we need right now. This is the kind of humanity we need back in the Oval Office.
     "Joe is fighting for a more just, progressive future for our country. He knows where he came from, who he's fighting for, and why. He knows what's at stake in this election and just how hard we're going to need to work. But he can't do it alone. It's up to each of us to get fired up, stay mobilized, and work every day for the next few months to elect Joe Biden the next President of the United States. We're in this together."

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COVID-19 TESTING IN KAʻŪ WILL BE HELD THIS MONDAY, APRIL 20 at Nāʻālehu Clubhouse from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The testing is sponsored by Premier Medical Group Hawaiʻi, which has  been conducting testing around the state.

This chart shows COVID-19 cases in the U.S., with Hawaiʻi
in pink and average cases in green. The chart shows almost all states
 flattening the curve, and shows that Hawaiʻi is doing better and has fewer
cases overall than almost any other state. Chart from Johns Hopkins
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DECISIONS TO REOPEN THE STATE WILL BE MADE LOCALLY, Gov. David Ige said today in his press conference on the COVID-19 pandemic. Hawaiʻi was named as one of four states that could possibly open up by May 4 in the assessment by University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, which projects rise and fall of COVID-19 cases, state by state. The other states named for possible reopening are West Virginia, Vermont, and Montana. The governor also said that the federal guidance for reopening, which recommends possibly easing restrictions after 14 successive days in reduction of new COVID-19 cases, "is just guidance."
     Some 20,000 tests have been conducted across the state, with over 500 positive results for COVID-19 It shows about 4 percent of those who have been tested were found positive, said Dr. Bruce Anderson, state director of the Department of Health. Hawai`i has one of the lowest test rates in the country.

Ocean View keiki receive hot meals from Boys
 & Girls Club. Photo from Boys & Girls Club
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CAMPUSES WILL REMAIN CLOSED FOR THE REST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR for all 180,000 students in Hawaiʻi's public and charter schools. Distance learning will continue until May 28, to be followed by summer school - also online. State Superintendent  of Schools Christina Kishimoto said today that students can sign up for E Courses. Those needing to catch up to graduate this year will also receive an extended time to study.
     She noted that 15 area superintendents will be involved in the planning for reopening over time.  They and their teachers and staff will work on improving online learning, with more than 12,000 devices (computers) loaned to students. Also supporting distance education are printed lessons and activities and 24/7 educational programs on television in partnership with Hawaiian Tel and Spectrum.
     She said early college courses through University of Hawaiʻi are available for students to get ahead while learning at home, and that teacher training has been expanded online.
     The superintendent noted that there will be money issues for the Department of Education and said that everyone needs to be fiscally prudent to be ready for next year. She said the DOE encourages only essential spending in preparation for next year.

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A STATEWIDE REQUIREMENT TO WEAR MASKS in essential business establishments - for both operators and customers - was handed down by Gov. David Ige today. The proclamation sets more stringent requirements for essential businesses that continue to operate. They include requiring customers to wear face coverings while waiting to enter and while inside an essential business or operation; requiring essential business employees who have contact with customers or goods to wear face coverings; requiring personnel to monitor and enforce six-foot distances between customers and employees; and requiring limits to the number of customers in a facility. Violations could result in a misdemeanor with fines up to $5,000 and up to a year in jail.  See the new rules.

Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School staff
 filled bus seats with Grab & Go bags of food
 for Ocean View, Green Sands, and Discovery
Harbour families. Photo by Jason Britt
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NEW BOATING RESTRICTIONS prohibit no more than two persons from occupying a boat on the water, unless they are from the same household or family with the same address. While people can actively engage in fishing and gathering food in state waters, the emergency rules issued today require all people on any boat to maintain physical distancing of six-feet from one another, as is reasonably possible. All boats are required to stay 20 feet from one another. Violations of the emergency rules are a petty misdemeanor and could result in fines of up to $5,000 and one year in jail, or both. See the new rules.

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GATHERING FOOD, HIKING, AND RUNNING ARE ALLOWED ON STATE LANDS, including along the coast.  However, no groups of two or more people can hunt for or gather food on state lands unless they are from the same household or family sharing the same address.
     A statement from the Department of Land & Natural Resources says, "If you feel the need to hike, it's recommend that you first check the Na Ala Hele website, hawaiitrails.hawaii.gov, for trail updates, and then the Center of Disease Control, cdc.gov/coronavirus, and Hawaiʻi Department of Health, health.hawaii.gov/coronavirusdisease2019, for the most up to date guidelines for personal safety and distancing requirements.
Keiki in Ocean View are delivered hot meals by the Boys & Girls Club.
Photo from Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island
     People who want to hike alone, but who want to have another person nearby for safety reasons, are required to maintain a distance of not less than 20 feet from each other.
     "Certain DLNR-managed coastal and trail features are deemed unsuitable for visitation due the inability to achieve the desired social distancing recommendations, remoteness of location exacerbating public safety concerns, and known history of issues such as illegal camping and social gatherings. Please try to stay in or near your own ahupuaʻa of residence for your outdoor exercise." For a complete list of closed state parks visit dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp." See the new rules.

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UNOPENED WINE OR BEER WILL BE ALLOWED to be sold with take out and delivered food from restaurants that have liquor licenses.  The governor's new Executive Order 20-04 enables the county liquor commissions give the approval and gives the commissions flexibility to deal with deadlines or other administrative procedures. See the new rules.

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Keiki who belong to Boys & Girls Club 
receive meals each weekday during
the pandemic shutdown.
Photo from Boys & Girls Club
A STATEWIDE MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS, preventing any eviction from a residential dwelling for failure to pay "rent, lease, or other related charge" is enacted for the state as of today, through April 30.  There is also a moratorium placed on rental price increases. Eviction for failure to pay all or any portion of maintenance fees, utility charges, taxes, or other fees required by the rental agreement or lease is also prohibited.
     Any landlord violating these rules shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, the person shall be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
     Tenants who experience a violation of this rule can contact Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs at 808-586-2634, or file a complaint online at cca.hawaii.gov/contact.
See the new rules.

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THE ORIGINAL EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION FOR COVID-19 was signed by Gov. David Ige on March 4, 2020, allowing the state to work quickly and efficiently to prevent, contain and mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19, and to provide disaster relief if necessary.
     Supplementary proclamation of March 16, 2020: Suspending certain laws hindering state and county responses to COVID-19.
     Second supplementary proclamation of March 21, 2020: Implementing a mandatory self-quarantine for all persons entering the state, effective 12:01 a.m. March 26, 2020.
     Third supplementary proclamation of March 23, 2020: Mandating and effectuating social distancing measures throughout the state.
     Fourth supplementary proclamation of March 31, 2020: Implementing mandatory self-quarantine for all persons traveling between any islands in the state, effective 12:01 a.m. on April 1, 2020.

Members of the Boys & Girls Club in Ocean View
receive free food Mondays through Fridays.
Photo from Boys & Girls Club
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ASSESSING THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON HAWAIʻI BUSINESS is the aim of a survey by Chambers of Commerce across Hawaiʻi and the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization.
     Businesses can click here to take the survey, which measures changes in employment and employee wages, revenue, application rates for U.S. Small Business Administration loans, and business outlook.
     "We know that Hawaiʻi businesses are suffering due to COVID-19 impacts. Accurate data on what businesses are experiencing will allow us to shape our continued response and put resources where they are needed," said Sherry Menor-McNamara, President & CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi. "This survey will also give us a foundation to plan for economic recovery and identify industries that need more assistance."
     UHERO Executive Director Carl Bonham said, "The information from this survey will help UHERO analyze the impact of the COVID-19 shutdown on businesses and households statewide, and to better assess our existing projections. This type of geographic and industrially-detailed information is not available from any traditional data source in real time, and it will be invaluable to our ongoing work."
     Previous Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi surveys have informed legislative and learning opportunities. The Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi is updating its COVID-19 resource for businesses page at cochawaii.org.

Ocean View keiki who are members of the 
Boys & Girls Club are delivered free food 
on weekdays. Photo from Boys & Girls Club
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ALMOST A QUARTER OF A MILLION NEW UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS were submitted in Hawaiʻi between March 1 and this week. Department of Labor & Industrial Relations reports 237,048 filings as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most claims were filed via a web form made available March 23. All claims will be honored from the date of separation, if eligible, according to the Department of Labor.
     Gov. David Ige announced that last week more than $11 million was distributed, with $7.7 million sent out this week. The governor said, "The system was initially unable to handle the increased volume of claims. But it has been upgraded and we are diligently working on increasing and improving the filing and processing of new claims. A step-by-step guide is available to walk individuals through the process of filing, certifying and obtaining unemployment benefits at labor.hawaii.gov/blog/main/covid-19-how-to-obtain-unemployment-ins-benefits.
     A web portal went live this week. It gives claimants the ability to check on the status of their claims at huiclaims2020.hawaii.gov/status. In addition, email addresses are available for claimants who are experiencing specific challenges with their claims processed by the Labor offices in Līhuʻe, Kona, and Hilo: ui.backdate@hawaii.gov is for those who would like to have their claim backdated; ui.disqualified@hawaii.gov is for those who have received an email, letter, or other message that says that they are disqualified from unemployment insurance ; and Dlir.ui.languageassistance@hawaii.gov is for those who would like to request language assistance f. For language assistance, individuals are to submit their full name, telephone number (including area code), and the language in which they would like to receive interpretation services.
     Nationally, more than 10 million people applied for unemployment benefits in March.

Civil Defense director 
Talmadge Magno.
Photo from Big Island Video News
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ONE PERSON FROM THE MCDONALD'S CLUSTER OF COVID-19 CASES IN KONA was flown to Oʻahu for hospitalization. Of 42 cumulative cases on Hawaiʻi Island, 29 have recovered and 13 are active, all quarantined at home and monitored by Department of Health, except for the person taken to Oʻahu.
     Civil Defense director Talmadge Magno's message today: "This increase of two from yesterday, stems from the fast food establishment cluster. This so clearly demonstrates how important it is to follow the health advisories of: If sick, stay home and seek medical advice; sneezing and coughing etiquette;, physical distancing; gatherings; your good health, and other advisories. To keep Hawaiʻi safe, your help is needed. We expect those that take care of us to always be there, please do your part. Thank you for listening and a healthy Aloha Friday to you. This is your Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense."
Cases of COVID-19 by zip code. No cases from Kaʻū or
Volcano have been reported.
     The Hawaiian Islands have recorded a total of nine deaths, all on Oʻahu and Maui. No new deaths have occurred in the state since last Saturday. Hawaiʻi reports 553 positive COVID-19 cases, 12 new since yesterday. The number of people out of isolation after testing positive and recovering is 390. Less than 50 people have been hospitalized or are hospitalized for COVID-19.
     In the U.S., more than 701,600 people have tested positive for the virus. More than 32,200 have died. The U.S. records the highest number of deaths in the world from COVID-19. It also records one of the lowest deaths per COVID-19 case. At least 58,400 people have recovered.
    Worldwide, there have been more than 2.24 million cases of COVID-19 in over 200 countries. The death toll is almost 155,000. The number who have recovered is almost 570,000.

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.

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.
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.

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.