About Town 4-27-13

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The Kona Community Hospital Auxiliary announces its $2,500 annual scholarship. To qualify, a student must already be enrolled in an accredited school of nursing; current registered nurses are ineligible.

The Kona Community Hospital Auxiliary announces its $2,500 annual scholarship. To qualify, a student must already be enrolled in an accredited school of nursing; current registered nurses are ineligible.

Scholarship applications must be postmarked by June 7. Interviews will take place June 18. Applications are available at the Kona Community Hospital Nursing Administration Office or the Education Department.

For more information, call Stephanie Irwin at 322-4560.

Cooking class features picnic fare

Abbey Golden will lead “Spring Picnic Delights,” a cooking demonstration class, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. May 7 at Hale Halawai. Participants will learn to create a picnic menu, perfect for packing in a cooler and taking to the beach. Recipes include spiced chicken bites, zucchini ribbon and fresh herb salad, and frozen mango lemonade granita.

The $15 class fee includes recipes and tasting. Call the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation, Culture and Arts division to register at 961-8706.

VFW auxiliary to hold lunch fundraise

The ladies auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12122 is holding a lunch fundraiser from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at Teru’s Restaurant. Leah’s Old-Fashioned Italian Extravaganza will include lasagna, sausage and peppers, a pasta dish, green salad, garlic cheese bread and dessert for $10. Carry-out is available.

Bosco will entertain; door prizes will be awarded. For more information, call Bev Skarnes at 329-6261.

AARP driver safety course slated Monday

Kona Palisades Community Association is sponsoring an AARP Driver Safety Class from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday at the Palisades Recreation Center on Kaiminani Drive. The course includes defensive driving tactics and advice on dealing with road rage, cellphones, general safety and how to adjust to age-related changes.

Some automobile insurance companies offer discounts to those who complete the class.

To register or for more information, call instructors Reni or Roy Damron at 325-5422.

Monday’s senior ID program canceled

The Hawaii County Coordinated Services for the Elderly Program has canceled a senior ID card program scheduled from 3 to 4 p.m. Monday at Hale Hauoli Senior Center in Honokaa.

Senior yoga, chair yoga classes offered

Elderly Recreation Services is considering a chair yoga class, beginning Monday at Hale Halawai from 10 to 10:45 a.m. The cost would be $5 per class. Anyone interested in attending such a class, designed for those with limited mobility, should call Kelly at 323-4340.

Elderly Recreation Services continues to offer senior yoga classes for people 55 and older. The next session is planned for 8:30 a.m. Mondays, April 29 to May 20 at Hale Halawai; and 8:30 a.m. Fridays, May 3 to 31 at Hale Halawai.

The gentle yoga class is a series of stretches and breathing techniques that relax the body and mind and help reduce stress. The cost is $5 per class; registration and payment can be made the first day. Bring a beach towel or yoga mat and water. For more information, call Elderly Recreation Services at 323-4340.

OHA launches Kipuka database

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has unveiled a new searchable online geographic information system, which makes data that once would have taken hours — if not days — to compile now available within seconds.

Three years in the making, OHA’s new Kipuka database provides easy access to a wide array of information, including more than 5,000 Native Hawaiian land awards, nearly 10,000 historic site and various ahupuaa boundaries.

The database is expected to help complement OHA’s other key research tools, such as the Native Hawaiian Data Book and the Papakilo Database, a digital library for Native Hawaiian historical and cultural information.

“The Kīpuka database is the latest example of efforts by OHA to make the best possible Native Hawaiian historical and cultural land information widely available,” said OHA Chief Executive Officer Kamanaopono Crabbe.

For more information about OHA’s new hi-tech research tool, visit kipukadatabase.com