About Town | 4-24-14

EPA accepting award nominations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Pacific Southwest region is encouraging residents in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii and the Pacific islands to nominate a friend, peer or organization for this year’s Environmental Awards program. Nominations must be made by May 31.

The program recognizes those outside the EPA who have made significant contributions to improve the environment. Anyone can be nominated. Last year’s winners include a nonprofit organization that offers building supplies for reuse, wetland scientists who champion vernal pool protection, and a solar-powered dairy.

For more information, visit epa.gov/region9/awards. To submit a nomination, visit www2.epa.gov/region-9-documents/forms/environmental-awards-how-nominate.

Transmedia program explained Monday

What is transmedia, anyway? Why would we want to accelerate it? Dave Bruce will explain it all during a presentation from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority Gateway Energy Center, 73-4460 Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Kailua-Kona.

The Global Virtual Studio is a team of content creators, led by veteran filmmaker and entrepreneur David L. Cunningham, that aims to enhance the power of storytelling on multiple platforms. The Global Virtual Studio will empower creative entrepreneurs in launching successful media franchises. Bruce is the head of marketing for its Transmedia Accelerator program.

The program is part of a monthly pau hana series for people interested in technology in West Hawaii. Each month, a presenter discusses a different topic related to technology and entrepreneurship. All are welcome. A potluck is included with the event. Bring pupu and nonalcoholic beverages to share; reusable plates and cups are encouraged.

For more information, contact Rod Hinman at rod@auroraresearch.com or 989-0977.

Insects are topic of library program

North Kohala Public Library in Kapaau will host The Insect World at 5 p.m. Monday.

Ryan Caesar, a researcher with the Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa will share his fascination with insects in this one-hour program. All ages are invited to view insect exhibits and to learn about insect life in Hawaii.

Call the North Kohala Public Library at 889-6655 for more information.

Duarte honored as officer of the month

The Kona Crime Prevention Committee will honor officer Jerome Duarte as “Officer of the Month” at noon May 7 at Huggo’s Restaurant.

He will be honored for his outstanding performance as a member of the Hawaii Police Department. The guest speaker will be state senator Malama Solomon.

The public is invited to attend the luncheons normally held on the first Wednesday of each month. Cost is $20. Reservations are required and may be made by emailing Liz Holey at lholey@hawaii.rr.com or calling 443-7708 by May 5.

Cancer support group meets Tuesday

A cancer support group meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Teshima’s Restaurant in Honalo. People newly diagnosed with cancer, cancer survivors, their caregivers and family members are welcome.

For more information, call Shirley at 323-2732.

Codependent women meeting Thursday

A Co-Dependents Anonymous women’s meeting meets from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday at Unity Church sanctuary, 75-5722 Hanama Place.

The 12-step fellowship is comprised of those whose common purpose is recovery from codependence and the development and maintenance of healthy relationships. The nonprofit organization is supported by the voluntary contributions of attending members.

Email kona.womens group@gmail.com or call 990-2649.

College presents agricultural awards

Thomas Lumpkin has been named Outstanding Alumnus for his work to reduce poverty and improve food security worldwide, and Big Island food industry executive Derek Kurisu will receive the Ka Lei Hano Heritage Award for advocacy on behalf of agricultural producers in post-sugar Hawaii by the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

Lumpkin has a long-standing interest in both agronomy and Asian studies. As director general of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, he greatly expanded initiatives to improve the lives and economic status of people in developing countries. Lumpkin is also an expert on azuki, wasabi and edible soybeans and the use of the aquatic fern azolla as green manure and poultry feed.

Derek Kurisu is executive vice president of KTA Super Stores and created the Mountain Apple Brand, a private label that partners with producers to feature items grown or made in Hawaii. He has chaired the Hawaii Food Industry Association, is on the dean’s advisory council for the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and helped bring student-created Pava, papaya-guava nectar, to market.

The awards will be presented May 9 at the Ala Moana Hotel. For more information, or to reserve a space at the banquet, visit ctahr.hawaii.edu/banquet.

Coffee workshop is Tuesday morning

Kona Coffee Farmers Association presents a “Coffee Talk: Vertical/Shoot Selection Workshop” at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Bob Smith and Andrea Kawabata of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources will explain methods for choosing new coffee to ensure strong future verticals. The class will be held at Bob Nelson’s Farm, which is just across from Kona Joe’s in Kainaliu. Park in the large grassy area to the right.

The class is free for Kona Coffee Farmers Association members. The $10 fee for nonmembers can be applied to the annual membership fee of $25.

Call 937-8329 for more information.

Rosen offers ukulele building classes

Sam Rosen is offering ukulele building classes from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday and May 1 at his The Holualoa Ukulele Workshop in Holualoa. Shoes are required. Each class is limited to four participants and runs for 10 weeks.

For more information or to sign up for the classes, call 937-2347 or 324-1688.

Recycle Hawaii lists award winners

Hualalai Academy, Seaview Performing Arts Center for Education and the Green House Center for Sustainability and Going Green Recycling Community Clean-Up Program on Oahu were awarded the 2013 Keeping It Green Hawaii award by Recycle Hawaii.

The award highlights projects that promote recycling, resource awareness and sustainable practices in Hawaii.

In an effort to improve environmentally sustainable practices on campus, Hualalai Academy students determined that 61 percent of their trash could be reused, recycled, or composted. Recycling and compost bins and recycling stations were placed around campus and Kindergarten through fifth grade students served as recycling and compost monitors to collect and sort recyclable materials. The students aim to divert all of the recyclable, reusable, and compostable materials from the waste stream, as well as reduce their overall landfill waste by 20 percent.

Seaview Performing Arts Center for Education is a multi-purpose facility used as a school, farmers market, performance arts education center and community meeting place. The building is owned and operated by Hawaii’s Volcano Circus, a nonprofit organization, and it was built with many green features.

The Going Green Recycling Community Clean-Up Program is a monthly one-stop drop off event for recyclables held on Oahu and Maui.

For more information on Keeping It Green Hawaii, visit recyclehawaii.org or call 969-2012.

Brinkman graduates from basic training

Air Force Airman First Class Myra R. Brinkman graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Brinkman earned distinction as an honor graduate.

She is the daughter of Daniel and Jamie Brinkman of Pepeekeo, Hawaii.

The airman is a 2007 graduate of Ravenwood High School, Brentwood, Tenn. She earned an associate degree in 2012 from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Ongoing Kona Historical Society programs offered

The historic H.N. Greenwell Store Museum offers the Smithsonian-affiliated, living history program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday and Thursday. The program offers a glimpse into the daily life of multiethnic ranchers and coffee farmers in the 1880s.

Participants may join the process of panning the dough and baking 96 loaves of bread in Kona Historical Society’s Portuguese Stone Oven from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Thursday. The program is free and the bread is $7 per loaf.

Also, visitors may walk through the coffee and macadamia nut orchards at the Kona Coffee Living History Farm and learn the methods used by Japanese immigrants from 1920 to 1945. It is America’s only living history coffee farm. Costumed interpreters are available to talk story and answer questions. The farm is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday with the last tour admission at 1 p.m.

For more information, visit konahistorical.org or call 323-3222.

Madrigal completes basic training

Air Force Airman Kaipo Madrigal graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Madrigal is the son of Robert Madrigal of Keaau. He is a 2013 graduate of Hilo High School.