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Kupuna Singles Club plans Monday dinner

Kupuna Singles Club plans Monday dinner

The Kona Kupuna Singles Club meets for dinner at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Lava Java in Kailua-Kona. Call 238-5360 for more information and reservations.

UH-Hilo seeking distinguished alumni

The University of Hawaii at Hilo Alumni and Friends Association is accepting nominations for its Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Service Awards. The nomination deadline is Oct. 31.

Each year, the association grants one or more Distinguished Alumni Awards to individuals based on the nominee’s professional accomplishments, service to the community or service to the university. Nominees should have completed at least 50 percent of their educational program at UH-Hilo.

The Distinguished Service Award is given to those whose contributions to UH-Hilo have benefited the university in numerous and significant ways.

“UH-Hilo benefits from strong community support, and the community benefits from a strong UH-Hilo alumni base working hard to make our island and state a better place,” said Chancellor Don Straney. “These distinguished awards provide an opportunity for us to celebrate members of our extended ohana who show extraordinary commitment to our students, the university, the island community and beyond.”

The awards will be presented at UH-Hilo’s 13th annual Distinguished Alumni and Service Awards Banquet, to be held Feb. 22 at the university’s dining hall.

For more information, a nomination form and a list of past award recipients, call 974-7643 or visit uhh.hawaii.edu/alumni. Nomination forms may be sent to: UH-Hilo Marketing/Alumni Office, 200 W.Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720.

Kona Mauka Rotary
is No. 1 in zone 26

The Rotary Club of Kona Mauka is the first Rotary Club in zone 26 to achieve premier status for Rotary’s Ignite program. Ignite is a comprehensive membership recruitment, retention and extension program being piloted in zones 25 and 26. Zone 26 includes Southern and central California, southern Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii.

As the No. 1 club in zone 26, the Rotary Club of Kona Mauka will receive the Ignite Torch award. The torch is the symbol of the Ignite Program. From ancient times, torch bearers have the first on the paths of discovery, exploration and battle, illuminating the way for those who follow.

The Rotary Club of Kona Mauka meets at noon Tuesdays at Teshima’s Restaurant in Honalo. Guest are invited and no reservations are necessary.

Macdonald teaching basic crochet, knitting

Stephanie Macdonald will teach two basic classes in September at Island Yarn and Art Supplies. The first class teaches beginners how to crochet and customize the traditional granny square. The second class teaches beginner and intermediate knitters how to knit a custom market or beach bag.

The crochet class is set from 10 a.m. to noon and the knitting class follows from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 22 and 29. The cost is $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.

Music, talk story
event slated Sunday

“Sense of Place: Music and Talk Story,” a project that creates small music events to share and preserve stories of communities along the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, is entering its second year.

The first event for 2012, planned by the Ala Kahakai Trail Association, Hui Kuapa and Olohana Foundation, will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Kailapa Hawaiian Homestead Mauka, north of Kawaihae. Follow the signs and bring the ohana, a chair and favorite beverage for an afternoon of music and stories of the place.

The project was made possible in part by a grant from the National Park Foundation America’s Best Idea. For more information, visit nationalparks.org.

Lauhala weaving workshop is Sunday

Kumu Hulali will hold an ulana lauhala — pandanus leaf weaving — workshop from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in a halau at Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park. The kumu will show participants how to choose a lau, or leaf, how to clean and dethorn it and how to condition and strip the lau to make an item to take home.

Ancient Hawaiians considered the puhala, or pandanus, the most useful of all the trees growing on their islands. They used every part of the plant, including the roots, root fibers and flowers. The products of the tree had many uses beyond the weaving of the leaves and the making of lei.

The workshop is limited to 10 participants, on a first-come, first-served basis. Others may watch. Those attending should bring lunch and drinking water. Participants will sit on the the ground on lauhala mats during the workshop.

Park entrance fees are $5 per vehicle or $3 per walk-in.

Celebration of poetry Monday in Kohala

A celebration of poetry, hosted by Joshua Bowman and Anneka Keck, is set from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the North Kohala Public Library.

Poets and those who love poetry are invited to share original and favorite poems. Aspiring poets will also share writing tips.

The event is an opportunity for area poetry fanatics to meet one another and discuss ways to share their passion with the community.

For more information, contact Bowman at 895-8693.

Palace concert
honors Liliuokalani

The public is invited to a free Afternoon at Hulihee scheduled from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The palace concert will remember Hawaii’s most accomplished royal musician and composer, Queen Liliuokalani (1838-1917). The Merrie Monarchs and Hulihee Palace Band perform.

Hulihee Palace is open for self-guided tours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturdays. Palace admission is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and $1 for keiki younger than 18. Volunteers are sometimes available to give guided tours. For details, contact the palace at 329-1877, the palace office at 329-9555 or visit daughtersofhawaii.org. The gift shop can be reached by phoning 329-6558.