DIRECTORY OF RESOURCES

Directory of local/state resources assisting with some of the most essential needs during the pandemic, including programs for everyone, from keiki to k puna. Remember to check for updates on each program as benefits may expand or reduce anytime.

HEALTH CARE SERVICES Testing

If you are close to losing your health insurance, are uninsured, or underinsured, you can contact:

Med-QUEST: Medicaid & CHIP insurance for lowincome families. Submit the application online https://medical.mybenefits.hawaii.gov2 or 1(800) 316-8005

Affordable health services are available at • Ho‘ola Lahui Hawai‘i at a sliding scale rate. (808) 240-0100 • Malama Pono Health Services (MPHS) for reproductive health, testing/treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, & case management. (808) 246-9577 • The Bayanihan Clinic for those who lost their job due to the pandemic. (808) 674-7624 • HMSA’s Online Care for affordable telehealth services for anyone in Hawai'i, 18+ years old. • Project Vision for no cost screening + reading glasses. More vision & houseless support services coming soon. (808) 652-6930

Language access assistance for completing forms: • We are Oceania (WAO) for communities from

Micronesia, Marshall Islands, & Palau. • (808) 294-1692 / 3601 / 0533 / 2861 • COVID-19 helpline (808) 913-1364 • Helping Hands provides interpretation services to assist access to health care & social services. (808) 526-9724 If you develop any COVID-19 symptoms or believe that you have been exposed, contact your doctor or primary care provider (PCP). If you do not have a doctor, contact:

The Wilcox virtual Clinic (808) 462-5430

Ho’ola Lahui Hawai’i (808) 240-0100

MPHS (808) 246-9577

Online screenings are also available at: • The University of Hawai'i (includes language access options.) Visit https://hawaii.virtriage.com/#/uh _covid1 9 or (808) 692-1060 • The CDC’s Coronavirus Self-Checker. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-whensick.html#

Telehealth

You can continue with your health-related treatments & appointments via telehealth. Contact your Dr. & insurance for information:

Kaiser Permanente offers 24/7 advice lines, & online/phone appointments. (808) 246-5600

HMSA offers telehealth visits to all fully insured commercial, Medicare Advantage, &

QUEST Integration members. (808) 948-6079

Pacific Basin Telehealth Resource Center for more information. (808) 956-2514

HEALTHY FAMILIES

If you or a loved one is experiencing emotional or mental health issues, please 1(800) 753-6879 or text the word “ALOHA” to 741741 for support. Check for other mental & behavioral health resources for everyone:

Child & adolescent mental health services. Visit the Kauai Family Guidance Center or (808) 274-3883 Adult mental health & case management (808) 643-2643 Telepsychiatry & telepsychology, visit https://hawaii.virtriage.com/#/uhtelepsych Mental Health Pro Bono offers telehealth options https://hawaiipsychology.org/ Suicide Prevention Resource Center: 24/7, confidential support for people in distress & resources for you & your loved ones, 1(800) 273-8255. Options for Deaf & Hard of Hearing available. Support for sexual & gender minorities: • LGBTQ++ support & information at the Sexual & Gender

Minorities (SGM) Resource Hub. • Malama Pono Health Services provides counseling & hormone replacement therapy, & PrEP access & management. (808) 246-9577 • The YWCA offers LGBTQ support & information. (808) 2455959 x256 or email matthew@ywcakauai.org

Childcare & Children’s Programs

For help looking for affordable childcare options, contact • PATCH (People Attentive to Children) at mkelley@patch-hi.org or (808) 246-0622 • INPEACE (The Institute for Native Pacific Education & Culture

Help) at laciec@inpeace.org or (808) 245-0045 • Child Care Connection Hawai'i offers subsidy programs for income eligible families. (808) 245-2193

Other support programs for children & youth:

• The Easter Seals Kauai’s Early Intervention program supports the development of infants, ages 0-3. (808) 245-7141 • Hale pio: Case management & support for youth. (808) 245-2873 • The Boys & Girls Club of Kauai offers after -school programs.

Contact each Club House for information: Kapa'a (808) 8214406; Lihue (808) 245-2210; & West Kauai (808) 320-8353 • Keiki to Career: Information for parents & children. Visit their

FB page or (808) 632-2005 • More resources by the Executive Office on Early Learning: http://sites.google.com/eoel.hawaii.gov/covid-19/home

Assistance during crisis

YWCA: Case management & crisis intervention. Domestic Violence (808) 245-6362 & Crisis (808) 245-4144 Women in Need (WIN): support for women & children with a history of domestic violence, substance abuse, or incarceration. (808) 245-1996 Child Abuse or Neglect Reporting Hotline: to report a suspect case or for information, (808) 8325300 or 1(888) 380-3088 Virtual Family Assistance Center (VFAC) by the Red Cross. Visit www.redcross.org/VFAC or 1(833) 492-0094 (toll-free)

Support for Parents

The Parent Line: free & confidential support on kids’ behavior. 1(800) 816-1222 Family Hui Hawai'i: Peer-led parenting group for families with keiki, ages 0-5. Visit their FB page or (808) 230-7112 Healthy mothers, healthy babies offers virtual newparent support group & telehealth lactation services. (808) 737-5805 Queen Liliuokalani Trust: Social services for Native Hawaiian families. (808) 245-1873

HOUSING

Loan services & landlords are encouraged to work with mortgage holders & renters affected by the COVID-19 emergency to find the best options.

Shelters

For emergency shelter & support: • Kauai Economic Opportunity

INC (KEO) (808) 245-4077 • YWCA for people experiencing domestic or sexual violence. (808) 245-5959 • Women in Need for women & children. (808) 245-1996 Houseless Hawai'i residents who wish to shelter in place at a County campground, please call first to request a permit. (808) 241-4460

Renters

Moratorium on evictions: Evictions for failure to pay rents, leases, or other related charges, & increasing of rent are prohibited during this emergency.

Public Housing, Section 8, USDA rural housing, or Low- Income

Housing Tax Credits program are also eligible.

Moratorium continues being extended, check monthly updates.

After the moratorium ends, renters will be responsible for making payments.

Homeowners

Government-guaranteed mortgages such as FHA, USDA, VA, HUD Sec 184, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac, are eligible for interest & penaltyfree forbearance (payments can be paused) for at least 6 months & up to one year.

Assistance

Low-income families looking for information & support

on housing & mortgage/rent payment, can contact:

The Hawai‘i Rent Relief & Housing Assistance Program (RRHAP) is receiving applications to assist Hawai‘i residents with rent payments. It will also support mortgage payments in the future weeks. Visit www.hihousinghelp.com or 211 or (808) 5214357

Catholic Charities (808) 241-4673

Women in Need for emergency assistance. Email sharon.winkauai@gmail.com or call (808) 245-1996

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) offers Emergency

Assistance for Native Hawaiians. (808) 784-4464 or visit www.hawaiiancouncil.org/kahiau

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) offers an Emergency Rental Assistance. Visit dhhl.hawaii.gov/covid-19/ or 211.

For more information & other programs, contact the

County Housing Agency (808) 241-4444

To check eligibility for moratorium or forbearance, call a HUD approved housing counselor (800) 569-4287 or: • Hawaiian Community Assets, Inc. (808) 632-2770 • Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i 1(800) 499-4302.

Senior’s line (808) 536-0011

Financial assistance programs for food, utilities, &

other essentials for eligible families:

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) can provide monthly cash benefits. 1(855) 643-1643

Helping Hands Hawaii offers an Emergency Assistance

Program. (808) 440-3835

The Kaua‘i Economic Development Board (KEDB) offers the Home Energy Retrofit Savings (HERS) program for energy saving equipment to those impacted by the pandemic.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers support with electric or gas bills.

Contact KEO at (808) 245-4077 or keo@keoinc.org

Food resources are open to ANYONE experiencing food insecurity. The availability of food services changes constantly. Please contact the

provider & check for eligibility before visiting any center.

Food Emergency Meals & Pantries

This list includes some of the pantries, meals, & emergency food providers available for everyone facing food insecurity. Availability of food services

changes daily, PLEASE CALL FIRST.

North

• St. William Church at Hanalei Colony Resort, Haena (808) 346-2850 • St. William Church, Hanalei (808) 346-2850 • Church of the Pacific, Princeville (808) 826-6481 • North Shore Food Pantry, Kilauea. Anaina Hou

Community Park (970) 618-8889

East

• Anahola Beach Park, Anahola (808) 826-6481 • U-Turn for Christ, Anahola (808) 778-4751 • Hale Ho’omalu, Kapa‘a (808) 821-2520 • Kapa‘a Missionary Church (808) 822-5594 • St. Catherine’s, Kapa‘a (808) 635-3722 • Kauai Lighthouse Outreach Center, Kapa‘a (808) 631-1179

Central & South

• Kings Chapel, Hanamaulu (808) 335-6845 • Hui O N Makuhine, Central coverage area (808) 639-1070 • KEO, L hu‘e (808) 245-4077 • L hu‘e Salvation Army (808) 245-2571 • QLIC’s K puka Kaua‘i, L hu‘e (808) 245-1873 • St Raphael Church, Koloa (808) 742-1955 • Holy Cross/Sacred Heart, Kal heo (808) 651-9725

West

• King’s Chapel, Ele ele (808) 335-6845 • Hanapepe Salvation Army (808) 335-5441 • Nana’s House, Waimea (808) 338-0252 • Westside Christian Center AOG, Kekaha (808) 643-7040 For the most UP TO DATE LIST, call Malama Kauai (808) 828-0685 x23 or visit www.malamakauai.org/mk/kauai-emergency-foodresources/

Community Resources

The County of Kauai, in partnership with the local food banks, is providing food bags to those economically impacted by the pandemic. • Tuesdays & Thursdays at Kilauea,

Kapa‘a, & L hu‘e neighborhood centers. • Wednesdays & Fridays: Koloa,

Hanap p , & Waimea neighborhood centers. • Preregistration is necessary, visit www.Kauai.gov/COVID-19 or (808) 241-1800. Hawai'i Food Bank-Kauai Branch (808) 482-2224 Kauai Independent Food Bank (808) 246-3809 Malama Kauai offers free CSA Box Delivery for low-income families with limited transportation. Intake Form ONLINE or (808) 828-0685 x23 The Kauai Humane Society may offer assistance with food for pets. (808) 632-0610

Supplemental Resources

The CARES Act provides supplemental funding for nutrition programs, including:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance

Program, SNAP (808) 274-3371

After receiving your SNAP card, please sign up for the Da Bux CARD for 50% discounts on qualifying local fresh produce.

Supplemental Nutrition for Women

Infants, & Children, (WIC) (808) 241-3080

Public Assistance (855) 643-1643

For

CARES Act - K puna Meals Distribution Programs for seniors 65+. Call to check eligibility & register: • Kekaha to Eleele, E Ola Mau Nau Leo O Kekaha. (808) 346-7400 • Kalaheo to Kapaa: Nourish Kauai. (808) 635-3722. • Lihue area: Kauai Economic Opportunity. (808) 245-4077 • Northshore: KGEFCU / Common Ground. (650) 576-987 The Agency of Elderly Affairs (AEA) provides assistance to seniors. To be referred to a social worker, (808) 241-4470 The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) program has been extended until November. To check eligibility, contact the Kauai Food Bank (808) 482-2224

For Keiki

Early Head Start Program provides lunches for children participating in their program. (808) 245-5914 Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT): Families with children who previously received free or reduced-price meals are eligible for a second round of the one-time payment for food assistance. Contact hi.pebt@dhs.hawaii.gov Malama Kauai offers Keiki Free CSA Box Program for low-income residents facing barriers to transportation. Complete the Intake Form ONLINE or call for more information, (808) 828-0685

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

K pa`a Kaua `i, for resources & information for business & residents, https://kauaiforward.com/ For information on available jobs, visit: • Rise to Work by Kupa`a Kaua`i. Applications https://kauaiforward.com/RisetoWork/ (808) 241-1968. • www.HawaiiIsHiring.com • hi-employment.com/ For assistance & information about workers rights, contact • Hawai'i Working Families (808) 785-4833 • Family values @ Work (414) 436-9536 Economic & Community Recovery Navigator for resources for business & residents recoverynavigator.hawaii.gov/

Other Key Resources

We are Oceania: COVID related questions & other inquiries (including health insurance, housing, unemployment). WAO helpline (808) 913 1364 Legal Aid: Help & resources www.legalaidhawaii.org/covid-19-legalhelp.html. • Information available in Marshallese,

Chuukese, Filipino (Tagalog &

Ilokano), & Kosraean. Crowdsourced Hawai'i COVID-19 Resources resilienthawaii.org/ Children’s Action Network Interactive Map covid19.hawaii-can.org/

Call 211 - Aloha United Way (AUW) for more information on food, shelter, financial assistance, parenting support, elderly care, disability services, & more. If your questions can’t be answered by AUW, please call KEMA

The Invasive Albizia Tree

grovefarm.com

Eucalyptus trees, planted about a year ago, already 20-25 feet tall

Chances are, when you’re driving around Kaua‘i, you will notice a bunch of albizia trees -- Falcataria Moluccana -- towering over vegetation on the sides of roads. While beautiful and stately, albizia is one of the most destructive and invasive species in Hawai‘i.

Brought to the islands in 1917 by biologist Joseph Rock, the first specimen planted still lives in the Lyon Arboretum on O‘ahu. Albizia is commonly used for matchsticks, shipping pallets, wooden boxes, and chopsticks. The most massive tree in the legume family, they can grow up to 20 feet in one year! Albizia is a perfect example of an invasive species in Hawai’i. It seeds well, it multiplies with ease, and it has no natural predators. Albizia has shallow roots with fragile limbs, which make it susceptible to falling in high winds, causing landslides. On the Big Island, Hawaiian Electric Company estimates that fallen albizia trees during Tropical Storm Iselle resulted in $13 million in damages. On Kaua’i, the abundance of albizia has resulted in landslides, damage to critical utility infrastructure, road closures, and hazardous driving conditions. For example, the storm in late March 2020 caused the blockage of the Wailua River mouth when massive albizia logs lodged around the bridge and blocked water flow to the ocean. The water then backed up and caused damage to neaby roads, homes, and businesses. It also affected the structural integrity of the bridge! Grove Farm also suffered considerable damage from this storm as albizia trees fell on important water infrastructure and logs and branches blocked water flow. Landslides also resulted as the lush canopy of the albizia prevents vegetation growth beneath it, causing weakened slopes. Heavy rains washed away exposed soil leaving the weak albizia to uproot and result in dangerous landslides. Here is where Green Energy steps in to help with the invasive albizia.

Green Energy to the rescue… Green Energy runs the biomass plant here on Kaua`i. They fell, chip, and burn the invasive albizia to create almost 12% of the island’s firm power – meaning 24/7 – to Kaua`i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) since 2015. The plant, located near Halfway Bridge, replaces up to 3.7

million gallons of fossil fuel a year from being imported to Kaua`i. This is an annual savings of approximately $12 million – money that stays on island! This plant is an integral part in moving towards KIUC’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045. Plus, Green Energy already created 43 long-term jobs ranging in many skillsets, including nursery managers, heavy equipment operators, plant technicians, mechanics, Green Energy Plant near Halfway Bridge has been in operation since 2015 welders/fabricators, and engineers – and they continue Why replace Albizia with eucalyptus? to seek to fill more positions. Eucalyptus is one of the most common “We are using Kaua`i resources to make trees on the planet. It has dense wood Kaua`i energy,” Plant Manager Gilles that grows quickly, burns hotter, and is Lebbe said, “Sustainability is the main cheaper to harvest than albizia. Working goal to do business here.” In achieving with the Kaua`i Invasive Species Council, this goal, Green Energy is committed to Green Energy selected 30 species that planting one million trees every year. you see growing on Kaua‘i today.

Stacked albizia logs ready to be split, chipped, and hauled

Green Energy has looked into experimenting with other widely common material on Kaua`i like hau and guinea grass. “The science and the research aren’t proven to work yet,” said Lebbe. “One of the basic needs of every community is electricity. It’s best to take the safe route that’s guaranteed to work. You can’t take risks with energy.” This model has been in existence since 2015 and proves that creating sustainable and renewable energy, reducing our carbon footprint, providing jobs in our community and eradicating invasive species works.

DIY Simmering

For The Holidays

The scents of the season! Nothing is better than walking into a home filled to the brim with the fresh scents of the holiday season! What better way to fill your home with those sweet aromas than to create your own potpourri!

NEEDED:

Crock pot or slow cooker (please remember to keep this out of the reach of small children)

DIRECTIONS:

For all of them, we recommend placing all ingredients in your crockpot or slow cooker, cover with water, leaving 1-2 inches free at the top, place on low heat and let simmer with top off. Continue to brew for smell until you are done. Discard when finished. Note: Feel free to adjust all ingredients to specific smell preferences! You can’t go wrong adding less or more of an ingredient!

3 lemons cut into slices 4 rosemary sprigs 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 2 bay leaves Water

1 bag fresh cranberries 2 cinnamon sticks 2 oranges, cut into slices 1 tablespoon fresh cloves 1 apple, cut into slices 1 lime, cut into slices Water

Pine cuttings 3 cinnamon sticks 1 tablespoon vanilla Water 3 cinnamon sticks 2 apples, cut into slices 1 teaspoon whole cloves 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1 tablespoon vanilla extract Water

2 oranges, cut into slices 1 tangerine, cut into slices 3 cinnamon sticks 1 lemon, cut into slices 1 cup fresh cranberries 1 tablespoon whole cloves Water

Creative Ways To Enjoy Working From Home

By Leah Ragsac As this pandemic continues, more of us are now working from home, many for the first time. With a little effort and creativity you can turn your home into a great place to work! Here are a few ways to make your work time at home enjoyable. 1. Invest in fun office accessories.

Get a few things that will bring you joy such a new comfy chair, desktop calendar, new pens and a supply organizer.

Embrace the newness of working at home with a few functional accessories that will inspire you to stay motivated and organized. 2. Go Outside. Living on Kauai we have many sunny days. Set up a table on your lanai or use a picnic table under some shade. Most things we need for work are portable such as your computer, phone and files. Getting outside in the fresh air can do wonders for productivity. 3. Keep your work area clean and neat.

Take a moment every morning to tidy up your space before you get to work. Mess equals stress and by working with a clean slate every morning you will promote clarity of mind and focus.

4. Designate an area. If you need a space with no distractions, consider an unused corner in your bedroom or a space in your garage. Manage expectations by setting boundaries in your household with “off limit” areas.

5. Get Dressed For Work. Dressing the part brings some normalcy to your daily routine.

Changing out of your pajamas will put you in a different mind set.

Working from home is a big adjustment. As you find ways to make your work days enjoyable at home, be patient with your household as we are all in this together and adjusting to a new way of life.