About Town 1-27-14

Kokolulu Farm and Retreats to begin medicine-less healing program

Kokolulu Farm and Retreats to begin medicine-less healing program

Kokolulu Farm and Retreats recently received a grant from the Dorrance Family Foundation to begin a medicine-less healing program.

Master Ning will spend six months at the Kokolulu Retreat Center beginning Feb. 5 to help institute the new medicine-less healing program. Ning is an internationally recognized teacher and healer who worked at the world’s largest qigong medicine-less hospital, Huaxia Zhineng Qigong Clinic &Training Center that treated over 200,000 patients, with more than 185 different illnesses with a 95 percent effective improvement rate.

Ning will speak from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Tutu’s House in Waimea, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at Kokolulu’s Retreat Center in Hawi, or 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Nandi Pencak’s house in Kona. Donations benefit Kokolulu Farm and Cancer Retreats’ Scholarship Fund.

For more information, call 889-9893 or visit kokolulu.org.

Whale watch cruise benefits health center

A whale watch aboard an Ocean Sports catamaran will raise funds for West Hawaii Community Health Center from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 9. Check-in time is noon.

John Keawe, the Grammy and multiple Na Hoku HanoHano award winning slack-key guitarist, will perform on board and refreshments will be served. Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased by calling Terri at 329-0400 or emailing westhawaiicom munityhealth@yahoo.com.

All proceeds support West Hawaii Community Health Center’s mission to make quality, comprehensive and integrated health services accessible to all regardless of income.

For more information, visit westhawaiichc.org.

Children’s story time scheduled Wednesday

Kona Stories is teaming up with the American Association of University Women to host a story time for children ages 2 to 6 years old.

This month’s story time will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the courtyard of Keauhou Shopping Center. The theme is weather and snacks and crafts will represent this theme. The fee is $5. Space is limited to 30 children and reservations are recommended. Participants should check in 10 minutes early at Kona Stories Book Store.

For more information, call 324-0350. The next story time will be held Feb. 26.

Lecture explains energy costs

Friends of NELHA will continue its series of lectures about energy at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority Gateway Visitor Center at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Andrea Gill, state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism renewable energy specialist, will speak on understanding energy and electricity costs. Admission is free.

After graduating from Stanford University, Gill began working for the State of Hawaii’s energy program, managing a solar planning project and then opening the Hawaii Energy Extension Service office in Hilo. She has authored numerous papers on ocean energy and the direct use of geothermal energy. Among her recent projects was the development of Renewable EnerGIS, an online mapping tool that permits landowners, developers and policymakers to assess the renewable energy resources and pertinent attributes – such as rainfall and zoning – for specific land parcels and ocean locations statewide.

The next lecture, “Energy Resource Optimization,” is scheduled for Feb. 19. Call 329-8073 for more information.

Kona Literacy Council meets Friday

The Kona Literacy Council will hold a general membership meeting at 1 p.m. Friday at the Kailua Learning Center at Kailua Village Condominiums, 75-5766 Kuakini Highway, unit 106A.

The council was organized in 1972 and administers the Kailua Learning Center. Trained volunteer tutors help adults improve their reading, writing, math and computer skills. The service is free to all adults.

Members and anyone interested in learning about the council are invited to attend.

For more information, call the center at 329-1180.

PTA honors Hilo resident

Hilo resident Anthony Ortogero received Pohakuloa Training Area’s Employee of the Quarter Award for his contributions while serving in the Range Division.

Ortogero improved the operation of the ranges by initiating unique solar upgrades, while evaluating the safety aspects of all training and jobs conducted on PTA’s ranges. He takes the lead as the initial journeyman introducing a new standard for operating procedures. This new standard enhances the mission of Range Maintenance by on the job training of new range employees, according to PTA.

Ortogero’s knowledge of solar energy and personal skills led to the design and construction of a new “line row concept.” His unique solution minimized trouble shooting and range maintenance down time since implementation. Ranges are now able to operate at a moment’s notice with secure and sustained power, PTA stated.

Ortogero has been a PTA team member since 1992. His perseverance to eliminate job hazards and to analyze key project planning stages has immensely decreased injuries at PTA ranges.

Free movie shown Friday in Waimea

Big Island families are invited to a screening of “Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs” at 6:30 p.m. Friday at New Hope Waimea, 65-1078 Mamalahoa Highway. Admission, popcorn and water are free.

For more information, call 885-5510.