Jobless benefits now direct deposit
The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations has announced that direct deposit of unemployment insurance benefits are now offered to claimants. Making unemployment benefits available via direct deposit is part of the Gov. Neil Abercrombie administration’s efforts to transform government into a more efficient enterprise and provide convenient services to the public.
Direct deposit is a faster and more secure method of payment for claimants and will save the state by reducing postage costs. The implementation of the direct deposit system will be in phases, starting March 10 with Kauai and progressing to the remaining islands. By April, all residents across the state will have access to direct deposit.
To qualify, individuals must have a personal registration account on the unemployment insurance website at labor.hawaii.gov/ui. Newly established registrants or existing users should log in and check for the direct deposit feature as it becomes available where they reside.
Coffee berry borer experiment results revealed Thursday
Shawn Steiman and Elsie Greco will announce the results of their experiment using Surround WP, or kaolin, to control the coffee berry borer and increase coffee yields at a seminar planned from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Friday at the University of Hawaii Extension Service office conference room.
The experiment spanned two harvest seasons on four area farms. Participating farmers will be in attendance.
Farmers and other community members are welcome to attend the free seminar and join the discussion.
Poi Supper fundraiser set for Saturday
The Waimea Hawaiian Civic Club will celebrate Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole with its annual scholarship Poi Supper fundraiser beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday in Laiana Hall on Church Row in Waimea.
The event features Hawaiian food and music for a $20 donation. Tickets are available at the event or from any club member. All proceeds benefit the educational scholarship fund.
Contact Maulili Dickson at 885-8676 for more information.
Beginner knitting class offered
Stephanie Macdonald will lead a knitting class for beginners from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday and again March 30 at Island Yarn and Art Supplies. Students will learn basic knitting skills and create a custom beanie. No knitting skills are needed to take this class.
This two-session class costs $25 per session, plus materials.
To register or for more information, call 326-2820. Island Yarn and Art Supplies is located at 73-5568 Olowalu St., Kailua-Kona.
Native tree planting slated at Puuwaawaa
Puuwaawaa is in need of volunteers to help plant native trees including mamane, koa, aalii and more.
Dates are today and March 27, and reservations are required. The planting begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends around 3:30 p.m. Volunteers should bring a lunch and snacks; sunscreen; hat, jacket and rain gear; gloves; and water. They should also wear boots or closed shoes. A camera, binoculars and a change of clothes are optional.
For more information, directions or reservations, contact Cassie Smith at pwwvolunteer@yahoo.com. Space is limited.
Young directing Food Basket
The Food Basket Inc. has appointed En Young as executive director. Young will oversee operations, agency relations and development for The Food Basket islandwide.
He succeeds Nani Lee, who retired in November 2012. Young returns to the Big Island, where he was born and raised, having previously served as the contract, performance and evaluation administrator for the state Office of Community Services. In this capacity, he oversaw state and federally funded programs designed to alleviate poverty, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture Emergency Food Program and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.
The Food Basket Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages an islandwide, supplemental food network that collects and distributes food to low-income households, the working poor, the disabled, the ill, senior citizens and children. For more information, call 933-6030.
Internment film screenings Saturday
The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii film, “The Untold Story: Internment of Japanese Americans in Hawaii,” will be screened at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Hawaii Japanese Center, 751 Kanoelehua Ave., Hilo. Tickets are $8 and available at the Book Gallery, 259 Keawe St., and at KTA Super Stores Puainako.
The full-length documentary chronicles the internment experience of Japanese Americans in Hawaii. More than 2,000 men and women of Japanese ancestry were arrested, detained and interned in Hawaii. No charges were ever filed against any of them. This film chronicles their story with oral histories, documents, interviews and re-enactments.
