About Town | 9-14-15

Ka‘u race, auction planned

The public is invited to join O Ka‘u Kakou (OKK) on Saturday for the southernmost race and auction in the U.S. — the second annual Ka‘u Coffee Trail Run and Auction, sponsored by Hawaii County and the Edmund C. Olson Trust II.

The race course, which offers a unique opportunity to run through private property with various terrains, breathtaking landscapes and panoramic views of the Ka‘u coastline, includes a family-friendly 5K, a moderately challenging 10K and a vigorously demanding half marathon. The race will be followed by a silent auction, food and live entertainment.

All proceeds will go to support the Ka‘u community. OKK is a 501(c)(3) volunteer-based organization whose services include providing school supplies and scholarships to students, furnishing fundraising equipment for schools, athletic teams and other organizations, producing the annual Keiki Fishing Tournament, performing minor home repairs and installing grab bars and ramps for seniors, and more.

Staggered gun starts begin at 7 a.m. All races begin and end at the Ka‘u Coffee Mill at 96-2694 Wood Valley Road, Pahala.

Race-day registration will be from 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. Discounted fees are offered by registering online at www.race360.com/21357 by Sept. 14 or visit okaukakou.org for a link to race360 and for updated infomation and course photos.

Library hosting LEGO program

The Kailua-Kona Public Library is offering a LEGO program for youths in sixth to 12th grades from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. The first 20 young adult tickets are handed out at 9 a.m. and the program will start at 10.

Projects are the property of the library as the LEGO bricks will be recycled for future programs. Participants may opt to have their creations on display in the library for a couple of weeks following the program.

For more information, contact the Kailua Kona Public Library Young Adult Section at 327-4327.

Peace Day event planned in Kona

The annual United Nations International Day of Peace, falling each year on the autumn solstice, will be celebrated with a “Dimensions of Peace” program starting at 5 p.m. Saturday at Hawaiian Queen Coffee Garden, 78-1045 Henry St.

The program, upholding the universal concept of nonharming, will kick off with a pule by kumu Kauilani Trainer followed by an interfaith meditation gathering led by Tetsuyu Minataka, former head teacher of Japan’s Tempukai spiritual/philosophical movement. Minataka will discuss the method and philosophy of the Tempukai approach to meditation.

A potluck vegan dinner will follow. All guests are invited to bring a dish to share.

The final event of the Peace Day celebration will be a concert featuring Manuel and Bernice Roberto and friends, starting at about 7:15 p.m.

For reservations or more information, contact Farley Jones at prefpeace@gmail.com.

Mini-golf tourney benefits Humane Society

The second annual Putts for Mutts Miniature Golf Tournament, sponsored by Kohala Burger &Taco, will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at Hilton Waikoloa Beach Resort miniature golf course. The event will benefit the Hawaii Island Humane Society.

For 50 years HIHS has carried out its mission of preventing cruelty to animals and worked to eliminate pet overpopulation on the island. HIHS is a nonprofit organization that operates the only open-admittance animal shelters on the Big Island.

Player registration is $25 per player, which includes two rounds of golf, player’s gift bags plus admission to the awards dinner and party at Kohala Burger &Taco from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Cash awards and gift certificates donated from are businesses will be presented at the awards dinner. Award dinner tickets only are available at $15 each.

Registration is available online at kohalaburger.com, hihs.org, or at Kohala Burger &Taco in Kawaihae Center. For more information or to make a donation, contact Cary Peterson at 880-1923 or kohalabandt@yahoo.com.

Rotary hosting Harvest Moon Bash

The Rotary Club of Kona Sunrise is hosting a Harvest Moon Bash, featuring the rocking sounds of Jack and the Rippers, from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 17 at Honokohau Harbor Fishing Club. Beer is provided by the Kona Brewing Co., and wine and soft drinks will be available. A full prime rib dinner is being catered by the Big Island Grill, a vegetarian entree will also be available, along with pupu, dessert, and Kona coffee. There will be a silent auction and door prizes. Cost is $35 per person, which includes food and first beverage. Tickets may be purchased at Kailua Candy Co., Westside Wines and Queen K Tesoro.

For more information, call Mike May at 756-5565 or email him at miketransworldhawaii@gmail.com.

League of Women Voters launches registration drive

The League of Women Voters of Hawaii County is participating in National Voter Registration Day, a nationwide, nonpartisan effort to register thousands of voters this fall on Sept. 22. The league encourages all U.S. citizens to register to vote, as this is the key for citizens to participate in the political process.

Those who wish to register to vote, receive a permanent absentee ballot or update their address may pick up a mail-in Wikiwiki Voter Registration and Permanent Absentee Form from League volunteers at the following locations:

— Waimea: Saturday Waimea Homestead Market, 9:30 a.m. to noon

— Waikoloa: Sept. 22, KTA in Waikoloa Village, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

— Kona: Sept. 22, KTA on Palani Road, 2 to 6 p.m.

Voters may also register to vote in person on Sept. 22 or any other working day at the Elections offices at 25 Aupuni St., Suite 1502, Hilo, 961-8277, or at the West Hawaii Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building B, second floor, 323-4400.

Online registration is also available at https://olvr.hawaii.gov/ for those who have a Hawaii Driver License or Hawaii state I.D.

The deadline to register to vote in the 2016 Primary Elections is July 14, 2016. The 2016 General Election voter registration deadline is Oct. 10, 2016.