Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022

`Imi Pono No Ka `Aina helped during a  Hawai`i Wildlife Fund cleanup of anchialine ponds near the coast of Wai'ohinu.
Photo from Megan Lamson

THE FIFTH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ANCHIALINE ECOSYSTEMS has been announced. Megan Lamson, of Hawai'i Wildlife Fund, which helps to research and steward anchialine ponds in Kaʻū, and beyond sent out the message this week.

     The symposium will be held Nov. 3-5 at King Kamehameha Hotel in Kailua-Kona. Register by Sept. 15. 

   The organizing committee is comprised of Lamson, Anne Farahi, Mio Kamioka, Leah Keller, Rebecca Most, Troy Sakihara, Dena Sedar and Barbara Seidel.

     The event is sponsored by the state Divisions of Aquatic Resources and Hawaiʻi State Parks, Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy and members of the Hui Loko network. Abstracts are due April 1. Contact hianchialine@gmail.com.

    Anchialine ponds, a mix of fresh and salty water, are above and underground and are home to endangered Hawaiian shrimps and other native species. The shrimps include the herbivorous half-inch long Opae'ula and the Lohena snapping shrimp that prey on Opae'ula and grows as long as two inches.

     Their threats include introduced tilapia, Tahitian prawns, koi, mosquitofish and guppies, as well as destruction of the ponds by filling them and pollution.

    Native plants that frequent anchialine ponds include 'Ilima papa (Sida fallax), makaloa (Cyperus laevigatus), ahuawa (Cyperus javanicus) and Akulikuli (Lycium sandwicense), as well as native seagrass. Invasive plants range from Christmas berry to sourbush and lantana.

Opae'ula, one of the native species living in anchialine
ponds. Photo from The Nature Conservancy.

     Locations of anchialine ponds along the Kaʻū  Coast include at Ka Lae on Hawaiian Home Lands, many of the conserved shoreline areas, and within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. The work to preserve them through Hawai'i Wildlife Fund, other nonprofits and government agencies has grown over the last 15 years.

     According to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service,  "Anchialine habitats are ecologically distinct and unique, and while widely distributed throughout the world, they only occur in the United States in the Hawaiian Islands. Over 80 percent of the state’s anchialine pools are found on the island of Hawai`i, with a total of approximately 520 to 560 pools distributed over 130 sites along all but the island’s northernmost and steeper northeastern shorelines."

Kanonone Waterhole at Pohue Bay is an anchialine pond that hosts endemic and native species.
Photo by Shalan Crysdale

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VOLCANO WATCH TURNS ITS ATTENTION TO A VOLCANO IN THE MIDDLE EAST. Written by scientists and affiliates of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, this week's column: 
    First hint: most people who know the name probably don't know it refers to a volcano. Second hint: where do many people think Noah's Ark landed when the Biblical Great Flood receded?The answer is Mount Ararat, a volcano that rises to an elevation of 5,137 m (16,854 ft) and towers over the Armenian Highlands in eastern Turkey near its borders with Iran and Armenia. A small glacier caps the mountain and is currently melting. The volcano dominates the skyline as seen from Yerevan (population 1.1 million), the capital city of Armenia some 65 km (40 miles) away and 4 km (2 miles) lower, and it has long been a cultural icon for Armenians.
    Mount Ararat comprises two large cones 13 km (8 miles) apart, Greater and Lesser Ararat. Greater Ararat, the western of the two cones, is about 25 km (16 miles) wide and rises some 3 km (1.9 miles) above its surroundings. It is separated from Lesser Ararat (3,896 m or 12,782 ft high and 15 km or 9 miles wide) by a large north-south fault; many smaller cones and lava domes erupted along this fault and on the flanks of the two larger cones.

Glacier caps Greater Ararat, looking 30 km (19 miles) north through hotel window in Dogubeyazit, Turkey.

 Photo by Don Swanson  

    Mount Ararat began forming about 1.5 million years ago. Eruptions produced thick deposits of explosive debris, including pyroclastic flows, and lava flows with wide-ranging compositions from basalt to rhyolite, resulting in the construction of the two major composite stratovolcanoes.
    Greater Ararat remains volcanically active. It last erupted on July 2, 1840, when a pyroclastic flow issued from radial fissures high on its northern flank, accompanied by a phreatic explosion.
    Unconfirmed eruptions may have occurred in CE 1783 and 1450. Oral traditions recount an eruption in about 550 BCE.                

    Pyroclastic flows from the northwest flank of Greater Ararat killed many people and destroyed at least one Bronze Age settlement in 2500-2400 BCE. Such activity in the past 4500 years indicates that Mount Ararat continues to pose a hazard to the sparse population of the surrounding area.
   Could an eruption of Mount Ararat have covered or burned away Noah's Ark, assuming, for the sake of argument, that the ark existed? The eruptive history of the past 4500 years allows this remote possibility, but since we don't know the age of the ark, the question is moot.
    Biblical scholars emphasize that the Hebrew of Genesis 8:4 refers to "mountains of Ararat." Postbiblical tradition assigns the location of ark landing to Mount Ararat itself, but the name Urartu (the cognate of the Hebrew Ararat) was the name of a much wider region that happens to contain Mount Ararat. Were volcanoes other than Mount Ararat active in Urartu?

A structure claimed to be Noah's Ark on the broad shield volcano called
 Tendurek near Mount Arawat, Turkey. Photo from Wikipedia

    

    Young volcanoes also occur near Lake Van 120 km (75 miles) southwest of Mount Ararat; the closed-basin lake is Turkey's largest and one of the most alkaline lakes in the world, with a pH of 9.7-9.8. Basalt flows from Tendurek, a broad shield volcano which last erupted in 1855, line the road 20-40 km (12-25 miles) northwest of the lake.
    At the southwest end of Lake Van is the well-known Nemrut volcano, with a summit caldera and, according to the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, 10 confirmed eruptions in the past 6,000 years. Other volcanoes, such as Suphan, also occur between Mount Ararat and Lake Van but are reportedly a little older than those mentioned.
    The Mesopotamian "Epic of Gilgamesh" also describes a huge flood, probably some 4500-5000 years ago along the Tigris and(or) Euphrates Rivers, which drain much of the area containing these active volcanoes. Some scholars speculate that the Gilgamesh and Biblical floods are the same. Such speculation can probably never be more than just that, but the possibility that an eruption in Urartu dammed a river and led to a massive flood when the dam failed may be one element of speculation that is reasonable geologically.
     Whether or when the great floods of Noah and Gilgamesh actually happened may never be known. A remote possibility overlooked in most discussions about these canonical events, however, is that volcanic activity could have played a role.

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THE ONGOING ATTEMPTED TAKEOVER OF UKRAINE BY RUSSIA drew a statement from Gov. David Ige this week: "During WWII, Hawaiʻi experienced first-hand the destruction and suffering caused by bombs. Now, bombs are falling in Ukraine, and the people there are experiencing unimaginable loss of life and suffering. I know the people of Hawaiʻi join me in condemning this act of aggression and supporting President Biden’s actions to help the brave people of Ukraine and hold Russia accountable."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events and Kaʻū Calendar newspaper sponsors at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/02/events-of-february-2022.html. 

YOUNG WOMEN IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS AWARD offered by Zonta Club of Hilo. Deadline to apply is March 1. Open to women ages 16-19 interested in careers in public policy making, government, and volunteer organizations. For more details, visit zontahilo.org/scholarships-grants/.

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Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022

Proposed new roundabout for entrance to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. See more below.
NPS image

CHRIS KANAZAWA HAS RETURNED AS NEW RURAL DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR FOR HAWAI'I AND THE WESTERN PACIFIC. The announcement was made Friday by President Joe Biden. The last Director was Brenda Iokepa Moses, of Pahala, appointed by Donald Trump. Since the Biden administration took office, an acting director has been in charge.
    Rural Development headquarters for all of Hawai'i and Western Pacific are in Hilo at the historic federal building. In announcing the appointment of Kanazawa and ten other Rural Development Directors around the nation, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, "I am thrilled to welcome these talented and experienced public servants to USDA at a critical time in the Biden-Harris administration. I look forward to working alongside these individuals to build a better America.” 

Chris Kanazawa, new and returning Director of Rural Development
for Hawai'i and the Western Pacific, his appointment announced by
 Pres. Joe Biden on Friday.

    Kanazawa is returning to the role 12 years after being appointed by President Barack Obama in 2010. “It’s an honor to serve under President Biden's Administration and USDA Rural Development. I look forward to rejoining the mission of improving the quality of life and increasing the economic opportunities for our rural communities in Hawaii and the Western Pacific,” he said.
    Rural Development State Directors serve as the chief executive officer of Rural Development in the states and territories and are tasked with carrying out the mission of Rural Development to the benefit of everyone in rural America. In conjunction with the guidance and support of the National Office, State Directors are responsible for promoting the mission and strategic goals of Rural Development and provide key leadership to develop and support a productive, diverse, and inclusive state workforce.
    The announcement comes with a statement saying, "USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, promoting competition and fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America." To learn more, visit www.usda.gov. See the local Rural Development programs and news at www.rd.usda.gov/hi and follow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RD_Hawaii.

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Plans for the new Visitor Center at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park with comments due March 11. 
Design from National Park Service

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON PLANS FOR HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK VISITOR CENTER, KILAUEA LOOKOUT, the park entrance and other locations are due March 11. To view site plans and simulations of the proposed changes to the park, visit: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/19519a65ac3d42bd825518909eebbdce. To submit comments, visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/HAVODisasterRecovery or call (808) 460-6212 and leave a message.
    The Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Disaster Recovery Project with the proposed plans was topic of discussion during two virtual community meetings Thursday, Feb. 24. They were facilitated by Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Rhonda Loh.
    Principal Landscape Architect Chad Weiser, of Otak, the architect and planning firm out of Portland, presented plans for recovery of damage related to the 2018 Kīlauea eruption. Weiser guided attendees through an ArcGIS Story Map of the project, which proposes to repair, replace, and remove/relocate critical park infrastructure and facilities damaged by the 2018 eruption at Uēkahuna (Kīlauea Lookout). Also in the plans is replacement of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory research facilities with a new USGS field station and new visitor center to replace the functions of the Jaggar Museum. Plans also call for Crater Rim Drive changes at the park entrance to improve visitor safety.

Proposed new visitor center for Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
Image from National Park Service

    The facilities affected by the 2018 eruption include the Reginald T. Okamura building and the adjacent Geochemistry Annex building and historic Jaggar Museum. These facilities would be removed due to their present damage and lack of long-term resiliency. The project includes plans for repairing and improving the overlook, revegetating the former building areas with native plants, and incorporating historical reference to the Jaggar Museum. The National Park plan also proposes to construct a new research facility for the USGS next to the Kīlauea Military Camp.
    The new visitor center building would be located next to the existing Kīlauea Visitor Center Headquarters and would provide a large covered outdoor area for orientation, ranger programs, exhibits, and special events. The existing building would continue to serve as the park headquarters and would be utilized for indoor park programs. Visitor parking and public restrooms would be expanded.
    The last project element is to improve existing park entrance and re-align Crater Rim Drive. Weiser explained how visitation over the past decade has led to ongoing traffic congestion issues "that pose collision hazards for motorists and pedestrians" by the park entrance. To address this problem, the National Park proposes to relocate the intersection on Crater Rim Drive and convert it to a roundabout and add an entrance lane for administrative function.
    In response to the proposed idea of expanding the parking area, meeting attendee Nancy Locke commented that many national parks in the continental U.S. are instituting a "no-personal-car policy, making visitors use park-supplied buses." Danielle Foster of NPS responded stating that they are considering this option for the future of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, however it is not part of the current proposed project.
    Other meeting attendees commented on the thoroughness and conciseness of the project plans. To learn more, visit https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/19519a65ac3d42bd825518909eebbdce.

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GET READY FOR CYBERATTACKS ON COMPUTERS AND ONLINE PLATFORMS warns Hawai'i U.S. Congressman Ed Case. On Friday, he urged all Hawai’i state and county governments, businesses and residents to practice heightened preparation and vigilance against cyberattacks on their computers and online platforms. He said the threat is "associated with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and 

resulting sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus."
    He said he is also is relaying resources and practical advice "from our country’s leading cybersecurity and law enforcement agencies" together with a direct request that any online incidents or unusual activity be immediately reported to federal agencies.
    Case said, “Today I joined a briefing to Members of Congress by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, Director of Homeland Security Mayorkas, FBI Director Christopher Wray and our other national law enforcement and cybersecurity leaders on the reality of the heightened threat of cyberattacks associated with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and our response and what each of us can and should do to 
prepare, deter and respond.”

    Case warned: "The bottom line is that we should fully expect and prepare for Russia and individuals and entities associated with Russia to engage in cyber warfare across the world, as they are already doing in Ukraine and have done in our country and elsewhere in the world and as we pursue our critical response through sanctions and other means. This is just as true in Hawai’i as anywhere else in our country. For although we may be physically located on the other side of the world and far from the actual war, cyberattacks do not care about physical locations. We should also not assume that the targets are just governments and businesses with key infrastructure roles. The intent of cyberwarfare is to disrupt economies and societies across a broad range and so nobody is immune."
    He reported that the briefers also stated that those initiating cyberattacks could be various bad actors, starting with Russia itself but also including criminal enterprises sponsored by Russia, other countries and organizations associated with Russia, or other countries, organizations and individuals who may take the opportunity to conduct their own attacks.”
    Case said that the briefers asked and urged all Americans to assist, beginning with reviewing the information, resources and contact directions through the SHIELDS UP program at the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) website at https://www.cisa.gov/shields-up. CISA also offers the following contact number for questions or information: (888) 282-0870. Case said the number one 
request is that any actual attacks or unusual activity be reported as soon as possible to the federal
authorities through the CISA website or the FBI.
    For the FBI, the number to call is 1- 800-CALL-FBI (225-5324). Reports can also be filed online at https://www.ic3.gov/.  The FBI website features an interview with the head of its Cyber-Division in Washington, DC at https://www.fbi.gov/news/podcasts/inside-the-fbi-staying-ahead-of-the-cyber-threat-011422, with further advice on safety and security at https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/on-the-internet

    Case said, “The reason for prompt reporting is that in the area of cyberattack vigilance, response and prevention time is of the essence to identify, authenticate and counter-attack,." He also relayed the following practical advice to heighten cybersecurity and head off attacks: • Update antivirus and anti-spyware software and operating systems to their latest versions. • Avoid clicking unknown links in emails • Enable and use multifactor authentication (MFA) wherever possible. • Never give  password to anyone, and do not reuse passwords across multiple sites. • Turn unused devices all the way on and off once a day • If unsure about an email, link, or attachment, save it as an attachment and send it to your IT department or to the FBI for analysis.
    “Unfortunately, this is the reality of instability and conflict in a modern world so dependent on technology, “ said Case. “We have some of the most advanced cyber operations in the world, but others like Russia have long known that one key way to wage war is in the cyber realm and they have no hesitation to do so. So we must meet this threat just as seriously with preparation and defense throughout our governments, businesses, communities and homes (in addition to the counter-cyber efforts we will continue to conduct through our federal agencies).” 

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A BRUSH FIRE AT MILE MARKER 98 SLOWED KA'U RESIDENTS COMING HOME FROM KONA THIS AFTERNOON. Hwy 11 was closed while firefighters fought the blaze.

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NO MORE HAVING TO GO TO HILLO OR KONA TO PICK UP BUILDING PERMIT PLACARDS to display on construction sites. That's the word Friday from county Department of Public Works, Building Division, which is providing the service of downloading and printing the placards remotely.

    DPW Building Division issued permit placards are available to print from the convenience of the

applicant’s home or place of business. Applicants may access their permit placard upon issuance by logging into their EPIC account and viewing the “Attachments” tab of their permit. 

    Per Section 5-5-2 of Hawai'i County Code, work requiring a permit shall not be commenced until the permit holder or their agent shall have posted the permit in a conspicuous place on the job site. The permit shall be readily visible for the authority having jurisdiction to identify and make all required inspections.        The permit shall remain posted in a conspicuous place on the job site until the work has passed a final inspection by the authority having jurisdiction. Failure to comply with this provision shall subject the violator to a $100 fine. 

    Applicants remain able to have their permit placard printed at the Building Division offices and are highly encouraged to schedule a time to pick up their permit placard via the EPIC Request Assistance form available online. Any questions can be addressed to DPW Information and Education Specialist, Sherise Kana’eKāne at sherise.kanae-kane@hawaiicounty.gov or 808-961-8499.

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COVID-19 PFIZER VACCINE/BOOSTER CLINIC at Ocean View Community Center. Saturday, Feb. 26, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Open to ages 5 and up. Home test kits will be available while supplies last. Walk-ins and uninsured are welcome. Bring ID. Contact (808) 932-4205 for any questions.

MILOLIʻI ʻOHANA FUNDRAISER at Park Halau in Miloliʻi. Saturday, Feb. 26 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Food, crafts, music, silent auction, and more. For more information, contact (808) 937-1310 or visit www.Kalanihale.com.

YOUNG WOMEN IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS AWARD offered by Zonta Club of Hilo. Deadline to apply is March 1. Open to women ages 16-19 interested in careers in public policy making, government, and volunteer organizations. For more details, visit zontahilo.org/scholarships-grants/.

ST JUDE'S HOT MEALS are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until they run out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View.

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Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022

One Car, One Pole in Discovery Harbour
A one-car accident apparently took out a pole and brought down utility lines this evening,
with no one hurt on Kahiki Street in Discovery Harbour. Photo by Jana Kaniho

SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ GAVE THE FOLLOWING REACTION TO INVASION OF UKRAINE: "Russia’s unprovoked attack against Ukraine’s national sovereignty and independence is the greatest breach of peace in Europe since World War II and a threat to democracies around the world. It cannot stand.President Biden has taken tough and appropriate actions, imposing crushing economic sanctions on Russian financial institutions and other actors, and limiting Russia’s participation in the world’s economy. Ukraine and its people have the full support of the United States and our NATO Allies."

The flags of countries in the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization

REACTING TO THE INVASION OF UKRAINE, Sen. Mazie Hirono said today, "As President Biden said, America and our allies stand united in condemning in the strongest terms possible Russia's reckless and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. I have confidence in President Biden's efforts to continue marshaling a unified and coordinated international response to Russia's blatant violation of international law through the use of the most significant sanctions. Russia is recklessly endangering the lives of thousands of innocent people and the free world must stand up to this authoritarian dictator and hold Putin accountable."

CONGRESSMAN KAI KAHELE tweeted his reaction to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia : "The United States and its Allies will stand united with the people and Government of Ukraine. We must hold Putin accountable for the unjustified violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. I’m praying for the millions of innocent civilians caught in the crosshairs.

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Hawai'i Police Department's
K9 Rory helped with a recent
drugs and gun bust in Ocean View.
This K9 works with Police Officer
Stephen Kishimoto. Photo from 
Hawai'i Island K9 Association

K9 RORY, WHO ASSISTED WITH A RECENT DRUG AND WEAPONS BUST IN OCEAN VIEW, is also a fundraising dog for Hawai'i Island K9 Association, which raises money to provide equipment, k9s, kennels, training, and medical care to Hawaii Island K9. Its most recent event was a donation of a Live Find Tracking K9 to the Hawai'i Police Department and to help retire K9 Falcon from HPD. K9 working with Hawai'i Police and Fire Departments help to investigate crimes, search and rescue. K9 Rory works alongside Police Officer Stephen Kishimoto.
    To help Hawai'i Island K9 Association raise money for its mission,
t-shirts with an image of K9 Rory are available on its website at https://hik9s.org/. Board Chair Tammy Passmore said the organization "raises funds to ensure our hardworking and loyal K9 have safe-comfortable kennels, equipment, training, and medical care."
    Hawai'i Island K9 Association is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization. Donations are tax deductible, as permitted Under IRS Regulations. See more at https://hik9s.org/

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A PERMIT TO INSTALL A NEW EMERGENCY GENERATOR for T-Mobile, within the existing

telecommunications compound on protected Waikapuna lands, has been issued by Hawai'i County. The permit involves no expansion of the existing facility and no work required on the tower. Installed for public safety, emergency generators allow for wireless networks to continue operating in the event of a prolonged power outage. The owner of the communications tower, which was established before acquisition of Waikapuna for conservation, is Crown Castle. The permit says the value of the work is $40,000.

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VOLCANO GARDEN ARTS IS FEATURED IN THE TRIPLE A TRAVEL MAGAZINE. The article is featured in the current edition of AAA Explorer, titled Mauka to Makai. The American Automobile Association story tells the history of the place, with Ira Ono opening up his gallery in 2004 housed in an 1908 farmhouse on three acres of forest and gardens on Old Volcano Hwy. He offers his masks, paintings and mixed-media sculptures and collages, plus the artwork of friends throughout the islands.

    The story talks about the secret garden, filled with hidden gems, such as sculptures and teapots that Ono has collected from around the world. Visitors can enjoy the sounds of native birds in the forest and the offerings of Cafe Ono, a now popular vegetarian lunch spot. Cafe hours: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. 

    To learn more about Ira Ono and to see his artwork, visit iraono.com. For details on Volcano Garden Arts, visit volcanogardenarts.com or call (808) 967-7261.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events and Kaʻū Calendar newspaper sponsors at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/02/events-of-february-2022.html.

A DECREASE IN COVID COUNTS MEANS FEWER TESTING EVENTS sponsored by Hawaiʻi 
County. The county announced today it will scale back County-sponsored COVID-19 testing the week of
Feb. 27 due to continued decreases in case counts and site users.
    The changes will be in effect through March 31. Additional changes to the testing schedule after March 31 have yet to be determined. In the meantime, weekly testing will remain available islandwide. Mayor Mitch Roth said, “Throughout the pandemic, we have used hard data to make tough decisions, and it has worked to the benefit of our community thus far. At this point, the data is showing that we can begin scaling back and refocusing our efforts on other pertinent issues, such as economic resurgence. This does not mean that we should stop getting tested or vaccinated to help to keep ourselves and those around us safe; it just means that for now, we can refocus County resources on other matters. Should the data tell
us otherwise down the road, we will adjust and respond accordingly.”
   The weekly testing site in Kaʻū will be Thursdays at Na'alehu Community Center from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. In Hilo, testing will be Tuesdays and Thursdays at Afook Chinen Civic from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. In Pahoa, testing will be Fridays at Pahoa Community Center from 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
    In Kona, testing will be Wednesdays at Old Kona Airport Pavilion from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. and Fridays at Old Kona Airport Pavilion from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. In South Kona testing will be on Wednesdays at Yano Hall from 7 a.m - 8 a.m.
    For testing conducted by private entities, the County encourages residents to visit our webpage at www.hawaiicounty.gov/testing and check the section labeled, ‘Additional COVID-19 Testing Locations’. We would also like to thank the community for their continued efforts in keeping our island safe and healthy.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events and Kaʻū Calendar newspaper sponsors at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/02/events-of-february-2022.html.

COVID-19 PFIZER VACCINE/BOOSTER CLINIC at Ocean View Community Center. Saturday, Feb. 26, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Open to ages 5 and up. Home test kits will be available while supplies last. Walk-ins and uninsured are welcome. Bring ID. Contact (808) 932-4205 for any questions.

MILOLIʻI ʻOHANA FUNDRAISER at Park Halau in Miloliʻi. Saturday, Feb. 26 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Food, crafts, music, silent auction, and more. For more information, contact (808) 937-1310 or visit www.Kalanihale.com.

YOUNG WOMEN IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS AWARD offered by Zonta Club of Hilo. Deadline to apply is March 1. Open to women ages 16-19 interested in careers in public policy making, government, and volunteer organizations. For more details, visit zontahilo.org/scholarships-grants/.

ST JUDE'S HOT MEALS are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until they run out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View.

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See the February Print Edition of The Kaʻū Calendar at www.kaucalendar.com