Message from the Campus Leadership regarding the Coronavirus – June 4, 2020
Aloha ‘Ohana,
For the past two months, we have committed ourselves to protecting our Campus Ohana as well as our west Hawaii community by ensuring UofN YWAM Kona is in compliance with all CDC and government recommendations concerning COVID-19. We are grateful to report that since the global outbreak began we have had no cases on our campus. The campus continues to diligently follow social distancing and government recommendations.
As we begin the process of reopening, we will continue to work within the guidelines established in Governor Ige’s plan for reopening Hawaii and the requirements set forth by our state and local leaders. We also remain committed to implementing the recommendations of medical professionals as we have since the start of this crisis. Our primary focus is to ensure the health and safety of our staff, students, and broader Kona community as we head towards a new normal in the weeks and months ahead.
We care deeply for our West Hawaii community and are working to keep both our campus and island community safe. With that as priority, all April quarter schools and programs have been officially cancelled and July offerings will be limited. Several online courses have been developed for those affected by these changes and eligible students have been notified.
Programs previously scheduled during the July quarter are being evaluated on a case by case basis in consultation with the appropriate parties to ensure compliance with medical and governmental guidelines and statuses remain subject to change. Please email the respective school for information and details.
We will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.
Message from the Campus Leadership regarding the Coronavirus – March 20, 2020
Dear ‘Ohana,
We have been working together to protect our students, staff, volunteers and community through this unfolding COVID-19 crisis. Since we started monitoring the situation in early January, we worked diligently to ensure the safety of everyone as well as comply with all CDC and government recommendations. This situation has been global, fast moving and impacts all aspects of our lives. We want to thank you for working with us through this increasingly difficult time.
In utmost concern for our ‘Ohana, the community and everyone involved with the University, the Campus leadership has made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend ALL activity on campus and have asked all remaining staff and students on campus to return home to their families. This decision was not an easy one, but with great concern for everyone’s well being and after much prayer we feel it is the right decision.
Other than staff and services critical to the operations and security of the property, all other activities will be indefinitely suspended starting March 21, 2020.
Please continue to check UofNKona.edu, and our social media sites for the most up-to-date information and when campus will resume its programs.
COVID-19 has changed the landscape of our world, but we hold fervently to the promises of God in this season as we navigate these days in which information changes so quickly. We know that this decision will require all of us to work together and respond with love and concern for everyone.
Message from the Campus Leadership regarding the Coronavirus – March 19, 2020
Aloha ‘Ohana,
There have been many changes in the past few days, throughout the world, the nation and across our campus. The campus has been able to meet the challenges head-on. We have been able to recall all our teams and ensure they are all back home with their loved ones. We have also suspended present running classes and modified our program schedules. Our campus is safe and there has been no reports of any cases among our campus community.
In order to comply with the March 18th request of the Hawaii State government, and in an abundance of caution and concern for our ‘Ohana, the campus is planning to run only essential departments and have asked all remaining staff and students who have not traveled home to their families to remain in self-isolation for the next two weeks.
All remaining staff, volunteers and students are asked to remain home and limit interaction and follow CDC guidelines. The campus will set up a support system for our kupuna (elders) and those that need additional help. Please contact the switchboard if you need any help.
We are willing to help in any way needed. We see this as an opportunity for all of us to work together for the well being of the community. By praying, following the government guidelines and looking out for each other we know that we can weather this storm and emerge a stronger community.
Please stay tuned for updates.
Campus Leadership Team
If you have further questions, please contact us at campusleadership@uofnkona.edu or contact the specific school directly.
Message from the Campus Leadership regarding our upcoming training programs – March 16, 2020
Aloha from YWAM Kona,
As a campus we have had an incredible start to the year in Kona and God has done amazing things. We have experienced unprecedented hunger for God in the student body, and Jesus has been touching hearts and changing lives in astounding ways. Our hearts overflow with gratitude for all that God has done, and all that he’s yet to do in our midst.
Our priority is ensuring the health and safety of all students and our community therefore the decision has been made today, Monday March 16th, to adjust all planned schools scheduled to run in the April 2020 quarter. We know this may create mixed feelings and an interruption in people’s plans. Yet we believe people will recognize the wisdom of this decision at this critical time in the world. This is a time for families to be together.
We have postponed the start of our April schools. We will be updating our YWAMKona.org website. Please watch your inbox for updated information on when classes will resume.
Classes and outreach for the January 2020 quarter have already been modified with all students returning home.
We continue to have a great sense of anticipation in our hearts for our Spring quarter students. It is at times like this that God assembles students who are uniquely equipped to meet the challenges and blessings that await. So we encourage you to continue in this journey with us and see what God will do as we trust Him together.
If you have further questions, please do contact us at campusleadership@uofnkona.edu or contact the specific school directly.
Video Message from Campus Leadership regarding the Coronavirus – March 15, 2020
To Our Big Island & International Ohana,
This is a practical update regarding our response to COVID-19 as of March 15, 2020. Stay tuned for regular updates as we continue to respond with both hope and compassion to the current circumstances.
Message from the Campus Director regarding the Coronavirus – March 14, 2020
Aloha, ‘Ohana,
In light of the US Government announcing a state of emergency regarding the global COVID-19 Pandemic, the campus is working diligently to have the appropriate responses. We have a dedicated team and have been monitoring the ongoing government recommendations and updated travel restrictions. Our priority is ensuring the health and safety of the students and our community, and we will be following and going above and beyond CDC and WHO guidelines.
As of Friday March 13th, we have made the decision to change all planned school outreach teams. We are encouraging all students and staff whose permanent residence is not Kona to return home. We recognize this is a time for families to be together and we want to honor that. We anticipate that many will want to depart over the weekend.
We have already redirected most returning students back home. Of the few that have to pass through Kona, on arrival they are immediately screened and consult with a doctor at our medical clinic. They then go into self isolation and follow all recommendations of our medical staff and governmental agencies. Arrangements will be made to help these students all return home as soon as reasonably possible.
The campus will be limiting group gathering sizes as well as continue to follow CDC safety guidelines. While there is no reported case among our student and staff, the campus is putting in place rigorous screening processes for the safety of the community. We have no reported or suspected cases among returning staff or students.
Our primary concern is for the community and we will be taking all reasonable steps to protect our O’hana. Please pray with us that the situation improves and the healing of all those affected. Pray that we overcome fear with love and courage in this time of need.
Campus Director
University of the Nations, Kona, Inc.
Message from the Campus Director regarding the Coronavirus – March 11, 2020
Aloha, ‘Ohana,
Our Campus continues to follow state, national and international recommendations regarding the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). To date, the Hawaii State Department of Health reports there are only two known cases in the Hawaii, these are on the island of Oahu. There are no known cases involving our students, faculty, staff, or dependents and no reports of any case on the Big Island. Presently, the immediate health risk to members of our Campus is considered low. However, in light of the rapidly changing nature of the virus and our commitment to preserve the safety of both our campus community and Island community, we may reassess this status in future.
Our Campus Response Team is working closely with the Hawaii County Civil Defense and the Hawaii Department of Health in addressing this situation and, following their guidance, have updated our overall Emergency Response Plan and our specific CORVID-19 Incident Action Plan, setting out protocols for caring for our students, staff and dependents. We will continue to update this page with relevant information.
Our campus has taken proactive measures to protect the community. The following FAQs are guidelines put in place after consultation with medical staff and experts. These guidelines are designed to protect the community based off the recommendations and information from the Hawaii Department of Health, CDC and WHO guidelines.
All arriving students and staff will be briefed and monitored for CORVID-19 signs or symptoms, and if warranted, could be asked to stay in voluntary self-isolation until determined safe. Food, housing and medical care would be overseen by our campus medical staff.
Please continue to pray for this situation.
Paul Childers
Campus Director
University of the Nations, Kona, Inc.
Message from the Campus Director regarding the Coronavirus - Feb 5th, 2020
Aloha, ‘Ohana,
The University of the Nations, Kona, is aware of the present Coronavirus 2019-nCoV outbreak and is working closely with our medical staff to monitor the situation. We are providing this information to raise awareness and to work with the community on how best to protect our students and staff.
There are no cases in Hawaii, and the government has taken steps to minimize the spread of the virus. We are in contact with all of our overseas students and staff, and none have recently visited or travelled through Wuhan or Hubei province in China where the virus originated.
The University and our medical team is taking this situation seriously. Our first concern is the safety of our community, so we are actively monitoring the situation and have taken steps to maintain a safe and healthy campus as per the World Health Organization (WHO) and Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommendations. Additional steps that we are taking are:
We are training all our staff and students on best practices to minimize risk;
We are in regular communication with local YWAM leaders and outreach teams; and
Our medical staff is aware of and will follow the CDC and Hawaiian Department of Health directives.
We will be providing updates through our website about this developing situation.
Please pray with us that the situation improves and the healing of all those affected, especially our brothers and sisters in Wuhan and Hubei. Pray that God’s people may be courageous and a beacon of light to those experiencing fear.