Free COVID-19 testing today in Kona, Hilo
Free COVID-19 drive-through testing will be held today in North Kona and Hilo.
Testing will be available from 9 a.m. to noon at the Keauhou Shopping Center and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hilo Civic Auditorium.
On Friday, testing will be available from 9 a.m. to noon at the Keauhou Shopping Center. Testing is also planned from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the West Hawaii Civic Center.
No insurance is necessary to be tested, but those seeking testing should bring their insurance card if they have one. There is no co-pay for individuals being tested for the novel coronavirus.
For more information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.
Ballots to be mailed today
The Hawaii County Elections Division will begin mailing ballots for the Nov. 3 general election today.
Voters should receive their ballots within three days of the mailing date. Any registered voter who does not receive a ballot within five days of the mailing date should contact the Elections Division at 961-8277.
The ballots may be mailed back or delivered between Oct. 14 through Nov. 3 at one of the drop box locations around the island.
Drop boxes will be open 24 hours a day at the Waimea Police Station, Rodney Yano Memorial Hall, Pahoa Police Station, Naalehu Police Station, West Hawaii Civic Center, Hilo County Building, North Kohala Police Station and Laupahoehoe Police Station.
In-person voting will be available at the voter service centers located at Aupuni Center in Hilo and West Hawaii Civic Center Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. starting Oct. 20 through Nov. 2.
On Election Day, which is Nov. 3, the voter service centers will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Virtual NAMIWalks
Big Island Saturday
Each year, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) brings together community, family members and friends to raise mental health awareness and funds through NAMIWalks events across the country. This year NAMIWalks is “going virtual.”
On Saturday, NAMI Big Island will participate in NAMIWalks Your Way: A National Day of Hope. This day also marks World Mental Health Day and the last day of Mental Illness Awareness Week.
Instead of walking a 5K together at Hilo’s Liliuokalani Gardens, participants will choose an activity of their choice and join virtually with nearly 70 other NAMIWalks and hundreds of thousands of mental health advocates from across the country.
Many participants still plan to walk, using their treadmill or going outside in the backyard or through a local park — all while taking precautions to stay safe. Others plan to hula-hoop, flip pancakes, practice yoga or do another activity they enjoy. They will share their activities on social media and follow NAMI Hawaii’s program that includes mental health facts and participant activities.
To join NAMIWalks Your Way, visit www.namiwalks.org/bigisland. There is no registration fee, but fundraising is encouraged. Funds raised support NAMI Big Island’s free local mental health family education programs, family support groups and other services.
For more information, visit www.namihawaii.org. For questions on the virtual walk, contact Walk Manager Susan McGovern at (808) 238-0074. For NAMI programs and services, contact Kathy Hammes at (808) 959-2426.
West Hawaii Today wants to share your news with our Hawaii Island readers. To submit a press release or announcement, visit https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/submit-news-story. WHT reserves the right to edit and does not guarantee publication.
Board of Bar Examiners applicants sought
The Hawaii Supreme Court Nominating Committee is accepting applications from attorneys wanting to serve as members of the Board of Bar Examiners. Individuals from all islands are invited to apply.
Appointed board members will serve three-year terms beginning Nov. 1.
The board of Examiners administers the process of admission to the Hawaii State Bar. It examines each applicant’s qualifications, knowledge of legal ethics, moral character, and administers a written examination.
Board members receive no compensation but may be reimbursed for travel and other expenses incidental to the performance of their duties.
Applicants should submit a letter of interest, along with a resume by mail or email to: Sidney Ayabe, Chair; Hawaii Supreme Court Nominating Committee; 1000 Bishop St., Suite 807; Honolulu, HI 96813 or sidayabe@gmail.com
The deadline to submit applications is Oct. 21.
DOH offers guidance for a safe Halloween
Although Halloween traditions in Hawaii may look different this year, there are still many ways families can have fun while avoiding the scare of being exposed to or spreading the virus.
This Halloween, the state Department of Health recommends celebrating with your household members at home and avoiding traditional door-to-door trick or treating where treats are handed to children or children take candy from a shared bucket. These are high-risk activities as they can result in close contact and crowding among people outside your household.
“It’s more important than ever to put safety first,” said Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char. “Gatherings on Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day led to spikes in positive cases in Hawaii. This Halloween, be extra mindful as you navigate how to safely celebrate in order to keep the spread of coronavirus as low as possible during this holiday.”
Ideas for safer, low-risk activities include planning contactless trick-or-treating and drive-through pumpkin patches, hosting a scary movie watch party online, organizing a neighborhood pumpkin carving contest and carving the pumpkins with people in your household, and hosting a virtual Halloween costume contest.
The department encourages the public to keep following safe practices of avoiding large gatherings, keeping a distance of 6 feet from others, washing hands often, and wearing a cloth face covering.
“Carefully plan your costume. Because Halloween masks have nose and mouth holes, they will not protect you or others from COVID-19,” said Char. “Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask or vice versa as it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth face mask.”
For more tips to stay safe this holiday season, visit www.HawaiiCOVID19.com/safe-halloween.
West Hawaii Today wants to share your news with our Hawaii Island readers. To submit a press release or announcement, visit https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/submit-news-story. WHT reserves the right to edit and does not guarantee publication.
