About Town 5-9-13

Subscribe Now Choose a package that suits your preferences.
Start Free Account Get access to 7 premium stories every month for FREE!
Already a Subscriber? Current print subscriber? Activate your complimentary Digital account.

Sponsorships available for Independence Day parade, fireworks

Sponsorships available for Independence Day parade, fireworks

The Kailua-Kona Community Parade Association’s 18th annual Kailua-Kona Independence Day Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. July 4. Themed “Celebrate Freedom,” the parade follows a route from Kekuaokalani Gym to Alii Drive, to Walua Road and Alii Drive, just past Coconut Grove Marketplace. Applications are available at paradesinkona.com, the mayor’s office at the West Hawaii Civic Center or by contacting Chauna Reese at rcpreese@gmail.com or 313-0025.

The parade operates with an all-volunteer committee and the support of the Rotary Clubs of Kona. The entry deadline is June 24, or sooner, if the 65 entrant maximum is reached. Musical entries and floats of all kinds are encouraged, including neighborhood and community groups, nonprofit groups and commercial entries. Former County Councilman Angel Pilago, a veteran who served with distinction as a member of the Army’s 101st Airborne Division, is this year’s grand marshal.

A fireworks display over Kailua Bay begins at 8 p.m. Hawaii County is providing funds from its fireworks sales fees. Donations from local businesses and individuals fund the parade and fireworks display; sponsors are needed. Visit the website for sponsorship information or call Barbara Kossow at 323-4448.

County band to perform Friday

The Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation, along with the West Hawaii County Band, is offering a free public concert featuring classic and Broadway hits from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at Hale Halawai in Kailua-Kona. The event is drug-, tobacco-, alcohol- and litter-free. Some bench seating is available; attendees may provide their own chairs.

For more information, call Marshall Tohara at 327-3565, visit hawaiicounty.gov/parks-and-recreation or email maestrolisa@yahoo.com.

Donkey Mill hosts summer art camp

Donkey Mill Art Center presents “Summer Art Experience 2013 : Making Waves” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, June 10 to July 12.

Instructors Gerald Lucena, Yarrow Lutz, Lindsay Lander, Andrea Lindborg, Margaret Shields and Emi Sundberg will teach basic art techniques students will use to promote “waves” of positive change and awareness. Various artistic media will be explored, including drawing, painting, printing, design, ceramics, papermaking, music, poetry and dance. The camp culminates with a performance and gallery showing.

The Summer Art Experience is open to children from kindergarten through 12th grade. Tuition is $800 for five weeks; $275 for weekly sessions, held each of the first three weeks of camp. For more information, visit donkeymillartcenter.org or call 322-3362.

‘Stamp Out Hunger’ food drive set Saturday

Mail carriers across the nation will lead the U.S. Postal Service’s effort to “Stamp Out Hunger” by collecting food donations Saturday, during the 21st annual National Association of Letter Carriers’ Food Drive.

The drive is the nation’s largest one-day effort to combat hunger and supports the mission of community food banks such as the Hawaii Foodbank. Last year, more than 44,000 pounds of food was collected on Hawaii Island; the Hilo Post Office led the way on the Big Island with 23,265 pounds of food collected. Statewide, carriers collected more than 213 tons of food.

“The NALC Food Drive is a big help because it always results in a lot of canned protein items, which are our ‘Most Wanted’ items.” said Mike Kajiwara, Hawaii Foodbank director of product donations. The most desired canned food donations include meats or tuna, meals such as chili, stew or spaghetti, soups, fruits and vegetables.

Participants must place nonperishable food items next to their mailbox for pickup, before the usual mail delivery time. Mail carriers, postal employees and family members will transport and sort the food, then deliver it to community food banks. Post offices without residential delivery will collect items through Saturday.

Elks to celebrate mothers on Sunday

Kona Elks will hold its annual Mother’s Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Sunday, followed by a $15 buffet brunch. The event is open to the public. Reservations are requested for brunch; call 329-2616 for reservations and more information.