Honokaa, Ka’u hospitals going tobacco free
Honokaa, Ka‘u hospitals going tobacco free
The East Hawaii Region of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation has adopted a tobacco-free policy that will go into effect Wednesday. This policy encompasses all hospitals and associated clinics on the campuses of Hilo Medical Center, Hale Hoola Hamakua in Honokaa and Ka‘u Hospital, including businesses leasing office space on property operated by the East Hawaii Region of HHSC. The use of tobacco products will be prohibited on these campuses, including the parking lots.
“We’re asking our community and hospital staff to help foster a healthy environment for patients and visitors,” said Howard N. Ainsley, CEO of East Hawaii Region of HHSC. “This new tobacco-free policy makes good public health sense for our hospitals.”
The East Hawaii Region will provide support to patients, staff and the community in their efforts to quit using tobacco products. Patients are currently offered tobacco cessation information and tobacco abatement products such as nicotine patches.
Ballesteros to speak at Rotary meeting
David Ballesteros, dean emeritus and professor of Spanish and cross-cultural education at San Diego State University, will speak at Wednesday’s Kona Sunrise Rotary meeting.
Ballesteros will discuss Mechanical Cow, a project which will provide milk from soybeans for hungry children.
Kona Sunrise Rotary meets from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. every Wednesday at Hale Halawai. Breakfast is served for $10 per person. Rotarians and persons of good character may attend. For more information, call Bev Fraser at 936-9965.
Kupuna singles meet Wednesday
Kona Kupuna Singles Club meets for dinner at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Bianelli’s in the Keauhou Shopping Center. Call 329-0882 for more information and reservations.
Thrift store grand opening Wednesday
The Unity of Kona Thrift Store will hold its grand opening Wednesday. Located next to Unity of Kona, in Kona Center, 75-5722 Hanama Place, the store offers quality goods and services. Unity will work with the Food Basket, Salvation Army, Child and Family Services, Neighborhood Place of Kona and the Domestic Abuse Shelter to offer necessities to those in need.
The store is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. To donate clean, saleable items – no electronics or baby items such as strollers or cribs – call the Rev. Deb Knowles at 989-6910 or email unityofkona@gmail.com.
Cancer support group meeting Thursday
Cancer support group You’ll Never Walk Alone meets from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Thursday. Cancer survivors and co-survivors may attend the group’s free meetings, held the first and third Thursday of every month; refreshments are served.
For more information and directions to the meeting site, call Michele Robinson at 333-5328.
Kahumoku documentary to be screened
Grammy Award-winning slack key guitarist George Kahumoku Jr. and guests will perform at Big Island premiere screenings of “Seeds of Aloha,” a documentary of his life, directed by David Barry. Doors open to these exclusive events at 6:30 p.m. and begin with live music, followed by the film at 7:30 p.m. A slack key and ukulele workshop is planned for ticket holders prior to the shows. Tickets are $10 online at SlackKeyshow.com, ticketfly.com and Facebook.com/events or $15 at the door. A movie trailer may be viewed at seedsofalohamovie.com.
An event is scheduled Friday at Honokaa People’s Theatre. The ticket holder workshop begins at 4 p.m. Kahumoku and his son Keoki Kahumoku will perform.
The film will be screened May 9 at Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu. The ticket holder workshop begins at 5 p.m. Kahumoku will perform with special guests.