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Nursing scholarships awarded to five

Nursing scholarships awarded to five

The Kona Community Hospital Auxiliary recently awarded five nursing scholarships to local students seeking to pursue nursing careers. This year, the auxiliary awarded four of the scholarships, and an anonymous donor awarded the fifth.

The auxiliary’s nursing scholarship program annually awards up to $2,500 per recipient to five nursing students. This year’s scholarship recipients included Jessica Johnson, Russell Nishihara, Charilou Presiados, Kui Len Rocha and Michael Warnecke.

To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must submit a resume, school transcripts, two letters of recommendation and a personal essay on why nursing was chosen as a career. In addition, students must already be accepted to a nursing school.

The auxiliary’s goal is to provide financial assistance to nursing students, and to aid Kona Community Hospital in meeting its future nursing needs.

To be a volunteer or to donate to the nursing scholarship fund, contact the auxiliary office at 322-4577 or visit kchauxiliary.org.

Wang graduates from UC-Davis

Pamela and Yuan Wang of Kealakekua announce the graduation of their son, Jason, from the University of California at Davis. He received a degree in computer science and graduated with honors.

Jason Wang has already begun work at Microsoft in Seattle.

UH offers Hawaiian studies courses

Hawaii Community College at the University of Hawaii Center West Hawaii will offer two Hawaiian studies-related courses between Aug. 21 to Dec. 13.

The courses will be taught on Tuesdays and Thursdays by Associate Professor E. Kalani Flores.

HWST 102 — Hawaii Spirituality: Investigate aspects of spirituality that connect with the belief and practices of Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians). Compare native perspectives of creation accounts, spirit realms, deities and aumakua (ancestral guardians) with one’s own personal beliefs. Examine cultural knowledge and practices linked to kahuna (experts/priests), places of worship and other facets of Hawaiian culture. The class is scheduled from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m.

HWST 105 — Hawaii Plant Culture: Discover the uses of Hawaiian plants through a cultural perspective and hands-on approach. Experience traditional Hawaiian foods, crafts and medicine from these plants. Includes several site visits in Kona to further engage these plants and their uses. The class is scheduled from 2 to 3:15 p.m.

Students can earn three college credits or audit this class by fulfilling requirements for regular admission and submitting tuition. Applications for new students are due by Aug. 1.

For admissions and registration information, contact student services at 322-4856. For specific course information, contact Flores at ekflores@hawaii.edu.

Whiting selected to head Hualalai Academy in 2012-13

Kailua-Kona’s Hualalai Academy has announced Robert Whiting will serve as interim head of school during the 2012-13 academic year.

Whiting recently retired from Holy Nativity School on Oahu after 11 years as head of school. Prior to his role at Holy Nativity, Whiting had a lengthy career at Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus that included positions in administration, curriculum, learning centers and teaching.

Whiting’s educational background reflects not only degrees in education but also a depth and range of relevant experience in independent schools. As a leader, Whiting brings to Hualalai Academy the ability to enrich and enliven students and advance our mission of 21st Century Learning.

Hualalai Academy is a K-12 college preparatory school that empowers students through an integrated curriculum and experiential learning to develop their academic, artistic, social and physical skills. We provide a safe, healthy and nurturing environment that encourages exploration, community involvement and lifelong learning.

Mooers named HPA board of trustees chairman

Gregory Mooers has been named chairman of the board of trustees at Hawaii Preparatory Academy. Mooers will serve a two-year term, effective July 1. Outgoing chair Laurie Ainslie will remain on the board.

Mooers, a Waimea resident, joined the board in September 2003. He has extensive experience in West Hawaii real estate development in the public and private sector. He is president of Mooers Enterprises, a subsidiary of The Mooers Corp., which specializes in analyzing and implementing land use alternatives.

He previously was vice president of project development for a Big Island development company, where he obtained all permits for development of more than 5,000 acres in West Hawaii. Prior to that he was a Hawaii Count deputy managing director.

Mooers’ 40-year relationship with HPA includes 13 years at the school as teacher, coach, dean and athletic director. He currently is a member of the Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference Board of Directors and the American Planning Association, Hawaii Chapter. He also sits on the Mauna Kea Management Board.

Other members of the HPA board are Laurie Ainslie, Michael Chun, Putman Clark, Michael Fujimoto Allison Holt Gendreau, Will Hancock, Nona Hasegawa, Charles King, Duncan MacNaughton, Jake Mizuno, David Pratt, William Pratt, Robert Reed, Michael Spalding, Hannah Kihalani Springer, Donna Tanoue, Peter Vitousek, Roy Vitousek III, and Harry von Holt.