About Town | 9-28-15

Waimea town meeting is Thursday

Innovative strategies to lower energy costs for North Hawaii, make healthier choices easier, rethink cattle ranching, improve emergency preparedness and assess environmental options for town planning will be included in the 5:15 p.m. Thursday Waimea Community Association Town Meeting at Waimea School cafeteria.

Topping the meeting will be updates on Parker Ranch’s Paniolo Power initiative to reduce energy costs to both the ranch and possibly the community using the natural resources of the region coupled with 21st century technology. Making the presentation will be Parker Ranch CEO Dutch Kuyper and Paniolo Power’s Jose Dizon. Alden Woodrow will provide an update on Google’s Makani energy kite pilot project on Parker Ranch land.

Also related to Parker Ranch will be an update on a comprehensive environmental assessment that’s about to begin to explore infrastructure improvement options including completion of Ala Ohia (the town’s mini-bypass). Parker Ranch’s Brandi Beaudet and consultant William Moore will lead this update discussion. Then, Jason Van Tassell will provide a briefing on the ranch’s Paniolo Cattle Co. partnership with Pierre and Pam Omidyar’s not-for-profit Ulupono Initiative, to explore lowering production costs and improving the quality of locally produced grass-fed beef.

Also on the agenda will be a briefing on a community-led effort to become designated an official “Blue Zone,” wherein healthier choices are easier. Working in collaboration with Healthways Inc. and HMSA over the past several months, a team of community volunteers have identified programs and set priorities that will be rolled out at a free Blue Zones kickoff celebration from 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 17 at Kahilu Theatre and Kahilu Town Hall.

The WCA agenda also will include an overview by Hawaii County Public Works’ Director Warren Lee on planned improvements to Mamalahoa Highway east of town center, plus an introduction of the second annual Waimea Alive! Amateur Photography Contest and an update on Waimea’s Community Emergency Response Training program by Tina Stuart.

Meetings are open to everyone. There is no charge to attend town meetings, though donations to, and membership in, the nearly 60-year-old community organization are invited. Attendees also are urged to contribute to the Waimea food pantry with cash or check, though nonperishable, not-expired food items are also welcome. Checks may be payable directly to the food pantry so the donation is tax deductible.

For more information, call Patti Cook at 937-2833 or visit facebook.com/waimeacommunityassociation.

Yoga on the Farm class offered in Captain Cook

Starting Oct. 2, Kona Historical Society’s Kona Coffee Living History Farm is offering yoga classes every Friday. The instructor, Ryan Nakade, attended the Ananda College of Living Wisdom in Oregon, graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in yoga therapy and Eastern healing modalities, and has been teaching yoga for four years.

Classes will be held from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Kona Coffee Living History Farm located near mile marker 110 in Captain Cook and include a complimentary cup of 100 percent Kona coffee. The class is $10 or free to Kona Historical Society members. To become a KHS member, visit store.konahistorical.org. Membership starts at $35.

For more information, call Kona Historical Society at 323-3222.

Breakfast, auction benefit scouts

An “all-you-can-eat” pancake breakfast and silent auction fundraiser, sponsored by Kona Hongwanji Cub Scout Pack 12, from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Social Hall in Kealakekua.

Cost per ticket is $7. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. This event raises funds for the scouts’ activities for the year. For tickets/donations or more information, call Glenn at 322-2278 or leave message.