About Town | 9-26-12

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Imiloa Astronomy Center and the Subaru Telescope invite visitors to Imiloa for Tsukimi from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday.

Imiloa to host
moon-viewing celebration Friday

Imiloa Astronomy Center and the Subaru Telescope invite visitors to Imiloa for Tsukimi from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday.

Tsukimi, meaning “moon viewing,” is a Japanese custom honoring the full moon, where families gather to celebrate with food and drink.

The night will include a 6 p.m. “Moons of our Solar System” presentation in the planetarium, followed by moon stories in other cultural paradigms, meteorite and lunar science exhibits, and moon viewing on the Imiloa grounds. Mochi will be available to participants, and the Sky Garden Restaurant will be open until 8:30 p.m.

Tickets cost $8 for individual, dual, kupuna and family members; $6 for patron members; free for silver, gold and corporate members. The nonmember rate is $10. Seating is limited. Purchase tickets at the Imiloa front desk or by calling 969-9703 during regular business hours. Tickets are nonrefundable.

Breadfruit history
and future presentation slated for Friday

Environmental resource specialist Noa Kekuewa Lincoln will discuss the past, present and future of breadfruit in a Puana Ka Ike lecture set for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday in the Keauhou Beach Resort ballroom.

Lincoln will present research examining the extent and production of the large breadfruit grove, kaluulu, that grew in pre-European Kona. This breadfruit plantation of old Kona was a huge source of food — one that would produce even in drought years — and a critical component of the traditional economy.

Lincoln will also discuss contemporary projects aimed at revitalizing breadfruit as a healthy, sustainable food in the modern context.

For more information, contact Joy Cunefare at 322-5340 or email info@kohalacenter.org. For lecture schedules and a collection of recorded presentations, visit kohalacenter.org/puanakaike/about.html.

Pitch perfection workshop Saturday

“Life’s a Pitch,” a boot camp-style workshop for business owners, start-ups, entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders to learn the art of the pitch is slated from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 29 at the NELHA Gateway Center.

The workshop is limited to 25 participants who will compete for the title of “Hottest Pitch on the Island.”

A $50 registration fee includes breakfast, lunch and a pizza party. A $20 audience-only ticket is also available. Visit lifesapitch.org for registration information. For more, call 329-3680.

Lions to hold charity walk on Sunday

The West Hawaii Lions clubs will hold a “Walk for Vision and Hearing” to benefit the Hawaii Lions Foundation Sept. 30. The charity walk begins in the Huggo’s parking lot and ends at the Makaeo Pavilion at the Old Kona Airport Park.

Money raised from the charity walk will remain in Hawaii to help fund the Hawaii Lions Foundation’s initiatives, including hearing and vision screening in public schools statewide.

All participants will receive an event T-shirt and a light lunch at Makaeo Pavilion. The tax-deductible donation to join the charity walk is $35. Applications are available from any Lions Club member, or by contacting Hawaii Lions Foundation Trustee Lion Bob Lovin at 969-7966. Corporate teams and donations are also welcome.

Free aikido classes offered in Kailua-Kona

The Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation, along with Aiki Kai O Kona, is offering free aikido classes for both children and adults.

Instructors Sharon Gilbert and Bill Stockton have taught aikido in West Hawaii for more than 24 years. They have more than 70 years combined experience in aikido.

Aikido is a Japanes martial art that teaches self-discipline, blending, harmonizing and defensive techniques in a noncompetitive atmosphere.

Classes will be held Mondays and Wednesday at Hale Halawai in Kailua-Kona. Classes for 6 to 14 year olds start at 6:30 p.m. with by adult classes, for those 15 and older, following at 7:30 p.m.

For more information or to register, call Sharon or Bill at 325-7501 or Marshall at 327-3565.

St. Michael’s plans feast day celebration, fundraiser

The community is invited to the annual St. Michael the Archangel Feast Day Celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 30 at Hale Halawai.

The event includes “A Taste of St. Michael’s” featuring various cuisine from countries as diverse as the Philippines, Thailand, Hungary and Lebanon. Carnival games, keiki activities, entertainment and a silent auction are also planned.

Admission is free with proceeds from food sales and keiki activities benefiting the Parish Building Fund. St. Michael the Archangel Church was damaged beyond repair during the October 2006 earthquake and subsequently demolished. The congregation continues to worship in a tent while raising funds for a new building.

Mass, showcasing the congregation’s rich ethnic heritage, begins at 10 a.m. on the grounds of Hale Halawai.

To make a donation, contact Thelma Bacxa at 322-9032 or email feastday@onecatholicohana.org.