Universe composition topic of Friday program
Universe composition topic of Friday program
“Modern Cosmology” is the topic of a Maunakea Skies program beginning at 7 p.m. Friday at Imiloa Astronomy Center. Simon Radford from the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory will lead an in-depth look at the composition of the universe.
The composition of the majority of the universe remains a mystery. Radford will outline the development of modern cosmology and describe scientists’ current understanding of the overall properties of the universe. He will emphasize how observations at radio and submillimeter wavelengths complement other evidence to develop a complete picture of the universe.
Maunakea Skies is hosted by Imiloa’s planetarium manager, Shawn Laatsch, who will provide observational highlights of the current night sky over Hawaii.
The program costs $10 for nonmembers and ranges from free to $8 for members. Purchase tickets at the Imiloa front desk or by phone at 969-9703. For more information, see imiloahawaii.org.
Club plans hike to
Cook monument
The Kona Hiking Club will visit the Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua Bay Saturday. The hike is approximately four miles long, with an optional oceanfront hike.
The trail descends 1,300 feet; the return is a long, hot climb mostly on dirt and lava.
The shoreline is rocky, but there is access to the bay for swimming and snorkeling. Participants should prepare for sunshine and rain, wear closed-toed shoes and bring hiking sticks, sun protection, lunch or snack, swim gear, and at least 2 liters of water per person.
The hike begins at 7:30 a.m. at the trailhead on Napoopoo Road, south of the Mamalahoa Highway intersection. Carpooling is recommended. A carpool group meets at 6:45 a.m. at Lanihau Center, near Buns in the Sun. Another group meets at 7 a.m. in the Kealakekua Ranch Center upper parking lot.
For more information, call Kathleen at 557-9246 or visit konahikingclub.com.
Skaters rolling in
for Cruise Night
Lanihau Center will host a Cruise Night from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot facing Palani Road. The event is open to all vehicles, with no entry or admission fee.
The ladies from the Echo City Knockouts roller derby team and members of the West Hawaii Hockey in-line skate club will give demonstrations and share about their upcoming events. The team, a nonprofit organization, will solicit donations for trips to compete on neighbor islands.
Nonprofits wishing to be featured at an upcoming event may call Margo Takata for information,at 960-1392.
Giveaways, held every half hour, will be presented by emcee G. Cruz from KWXX radio.
A 7:30 p.m. parade around the parking lot is planned.
For more information, visit lanihau.com or contact show manager Paul Maddox at zoom96740@gmail.com.
Camp Tarawa Marines meet Saturday
The Camp Tarawa Detachment 1255 of the Marine Corps League meets Saturday at Banjy’s Paradise Bar & Grill at the Waikoloa Village Golf Course. A no-host lunch begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by a business meeting at 1 p.m. All serving, retired or reserve Marines and Navy corpsmen and their spouses are invited to attend. Dress is resort casual.
For more information, call Jim Browne at 883-0069.
Ag census offers second chance
to be counted
Federal law requires all agricultural producers to participate in the 2012 Census of Agriculture and requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service to keep all individual information confidential.
The deadline for submitting census forms was Feb. 4. For producers who missed the deadline, NASS is mailing a second form with another opportunity to be counted. Forms may be mailed or submitted online at agcensus.usda.gov.
Visit the website or call (888) 424-7828 for more information or help filling out forms.
License offices
begin scheduling
road tests March 1
In an effort to improve efficiency and reduce waiting times, all Hawaii County driver’s license offices will take appointments for road tests beginning March 1. Walk-in road tests will continue to be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, time permitting.
To make an appointment, call 961-2223 in Hilo; 887-3087 in Waimea; 323-4800 in Kona; 854-7214 in Ka‘u; or 965-2721 in Pahoa.
Chinese New Year festival slated Saturday
The Gung Hee Fat Choy Festival, celebrating Chinese year 4711 — the year of the water snake — is slated from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Hilton Waikoloa Village Grand Ballroom. The event will include Chinese lion dancers, a Chinese costume contest, crafters and artists.
To become a vendor or exhibitor at the event, or for more information, email Bambi Lau at Bamzlauwae@gmail.com or Maile Wong at maile@pukamoon.com.
AdvoCats meets Saturday morning
AdvoCats will hold a general meeting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Kona United Methodist Church on Palani Road.
AdvoCats is a nonprofit “trap-neuter-release” organization, committed to solving the homeless cat problem in a humane way.
Upcoming clinics and plans for the March Kona stroll and St. Patrick’s Day will be on the agenda. Bring ink cartridges for recycling. Community support is needed.
For more information, call 327-3724 or visit advocatshawaii.org.