Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii recently acquired land in the county’s Kamakoa Nui project in Waikoloa and will be offering home and land packages for the first time to families in need.
Kamakoa Nui application day
is today
Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii recently acquired land in the county’s Kamakoa Nui project in Waikoloa and will be offering home and land packages for the first time to families in need.
“We are so thrilled to offer these homeownership opportunities for hard working families in our community,” said Executive Director Patrick Hurney. “We estimate the cost of the land and home package to be around $200,000. Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii will provide zero percent mortgages, that’s no interest, for the families that are selected. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to fulfill the American dream of homeownership right here in Waikoloa.”
An orientation and application session begins at 9:30 a.m. today at the Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School cafeteria. In order to qualify, an individual must work within 45 miles of Kamakoa Nui in Waikoloa Village and meet Habitat requirements, which will be shared at the orientation.
To register, contact the Habitat office at info@habitatwesthawaii.org or at 331-8010.
Legion Post 20 meeting Wednesday
American Legion Post 20 meets Wednesday at Teshima’s restaurant in Honalo. The event begins with fellowship at 6:30 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. meeting and buffet dinner. Dinner costs $15; cocktails are available for purchase.
A representative from Pacific Rim Fishing Supplies will brief the group on duties for the American Legion Fishing Tournament, Labor Day weekend. The Ladies Auxiliary will be in charge of the tournament dinner, while the men will be in charge of the honor guard and decor.
All veterans are invited to attend. For dinner reservations, call Dave Carlson at 325-6491 or Kalani Hamm at 329-7274 or 936-8033.
Governor, Cabinet members coming
to Kealakehe
Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Cabinet members from several departments will meet with the public from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Kealakehe Intermediate School cafeteria. For more information, contact Barbara Dalton at 327-4953, 443-8449 or Barbara.Dalton@hawaii.gov.
Bart earns
Eagle Scout rank
Kristian Bart recently achieved Eagle Scout. A member of Troop 26, Bart earned the required merit badges, performed the required youth leadership positions in his troop and planned and carried out a community service project in June 2012. For his project, Bart led troop members and adult volunteers who painted Kealakehe High School’s bus stop curbing, handrails, caution step lines, speed bumps, storm drains and benches.
Scouting helped him build leadership and socialization skills, Bart said. He also gained a love of the outdoors and learned survival skills. Bart graduated from Kealakehe High School in May with a 3.8 grade point average.
Corker commended for CBB funding request
At a recent board meeting, the Kona Coffee Farmers Association unanimously commended board member Bruce Corker for his efforts in effecting the $1 million allocation to combat coffee berry borer that Sen. Mazie Horono and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in July.
Corker orchestrated a request “soliciting emergency assistance from the White House and the Department of Agriculture for the Hawaii Coffee Industry,” in February. Hirono subsequently wrote USDA Secretary Thomas Vilsack with a request for funding of a pest management program for the mitigation of the borer.
Woodward wins
fiction award
Waimea resident Greer Woodward won second prize in the competition for the 2013 Fred Otto Award in Oz Fiction. The honor was presented by the Winkie Research Table at Winkie Con 2013/The 49th annual Wizard of Oz Convention in Pacific Grove, Calif.
Woodward’s “The Steady Man” places a familiar Oz character in a contemporary setting, to explore what literature loved in childhood might have to say to an adult. Woodward is a member of the Writer’s Support Group at Tutu’s House.
For information about the Winkie organization and its awards, visit winkies.org/wiki/Winkie_Research_Table.
Alahou Clean and
Sober honored
Alahou Clean and Sober, a long-term housing facility on the Big Island for individuals with a dual diagnosis of addiction combined with mental illness, was honored recently by the state Legislature for its work with at-risk individuals. The facility received a $30,000 grant-in-aid from the Legislature.
The facility is unique in that half of the board of directors is comprised of Alahou residents. There is a residents’ council made up of residents who monitor each other for suspected drug or alcohol use. Alahou is an ohana of 60 family members where everyone participates and supports each other.
“Alahou performs a crucial function in the Kona community providing a safe, sober and stable environment for some of our most at-risk individuals,”aid Rep. Nicole Lowen, D-Kailua-Kona, Holualoa, Kalaoa, Honokohau. “Sandi (McCoy) has done a terrific job at Alahou, which is more like one big ohana where everyone looks after each other.”