About Town | 1-5-16

Suicide prevention task force meets Wednesday

Suicide prevention task force meets Wednesday

The West Hawaii Suicide Prevention Task Force will meet from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the West Hawaii Community Health Center, 75-5751 Kuakini Highway, which is at the corner of Hualalai Road.

Everyone in the community is encouraged to attend. The group’s mission is suicide prevention and offering support to families and friends who are left behind in the wake of suicide.

Info: 333-8988, preventsuicidekona.com.

Kona Orchid Society meets Friday

Kona Orchid Society will meet at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Makua Lani Christian Academy, 74-4966 Kealakaa Street in Kailua-Kona.

Jurahame Leyva will teach the group how not to kill Paphiopedilums, as well as how to care for them properly. He recently opened a nursery called Orchidfix in Kurtistown.

Attendees should bring a dish to share. Dinner will be served at 6:15 p.m.

Attendees may bring their blooming orchids for display if they are pest free. A drawing for orchids will be held.

Info: Jan Rae, 325-4991.

Library offers Wii gaming

The Kailua-Kona Public Library will offer Wii gaming for young adults and teens from 10 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9 and from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 20.

There will be free chips and drinks. The event is offered on a first come, first served basis. Those who would like to request specific games may call the library. Teen gaming titles are appropriate for ages 13 through 17.

Info: 327-4327.

Mauna Loa eruption recounted at Lyman Museum

Jim Kauahikaua and Ben Gaddis, both of the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, will tell the story of the Mauna Loa eruption from 1880-81 using maps, art and photographs. The talk is scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m Monday at the Lyman Museum in Hilo.

Of five recent eruptions of Mauna Loa, this flow came the closest to Hilo. Prayers were offered and preparations were made to dig ditches, construct rock barriers and blast dynamite in attempts to divert the advancing lava streams. More than nine months later the flow stopped less than a mile from the bayfront.

Admission is free to museum members or $3 for nonmembers.

Info: 935-5021, lymanmuseum.org.

HPA planning open houses Jan. 18

Hawaii Preparatory Academy is hosting a day of admission events for prospective K-12 day students on Monday, Jan. 18.

An open house for prospective students entering grades K-8 and their families will be held at the Village Campus from 8:15 to 10:30 a.m. School administrators, current students and parents will provide information about the academic program and the benefits of an HPA education. Students and their families also will have an opportunity to visit classrooms and learn more about HPA’s curriculum and activities.

Prospective day students entering grades 9-12 and their parents can register for the open house event that will be held from 8:45 to 11 a.m., followed by an optional 30-minute question-and-answer session. Guests will receive an in-depth look at the school’s academic, athletic, visual and performing arts programs, and more. The high school event is limited to 20 guests.

Registration is required for the open house events. To register: www.hpa.edu/openhouse.

Info: 881-4321, admissions@hpa.edu.

NARFE members plan picnic

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Chapter 1802 will hold its holiday potluck-picnic beginning at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, at Kailua Park, also known as Old Kona Airport Park, pavilion No. 3.

All members, their families and friends are invited to attend. Bring a favorite dish and a chair.

Reservations/info: Mary, 883-9363 or kekoa815@yahoo.com; Marcia, 882-7959 or mwishnick@earthlink.net.