West Hawaii Today wants to share your news with our Hawaii Island readers. To submit a press release or announcement, visit https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/submit-news-story. WHT reserves the right to edit and does not guarantee publication.
Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive
The Salvation Army Hawaiian &Pacific Islands Division announced Central Pacific Bank Foundation and iHeartMedia Honolulu have joined the effort to “Rescue Christmas” as premier sponsors to help those in need in our island communities. Funds raised through the organization’s iconic Red Kettles are expected to be down at least 50% this year [from approximately $700K raised in 2019] due to COVID-19 restrictions while requests for services are at an all-time high. The social services agency has launched virtual Red Kettles at HawaiiRedKettle.org and additional components of Rescue Christmas will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
Every donation provides help and hope to those in need, and all gifts stay within the community in which they are given. Visit Hawaii.SalvationArmy.org to donate or learn more about how you can help The Salvation Army rescue Christmas this year. If you need services or know of someone in need, please visit Hawaii.SalvationArmy.org to find a location.
Honokaa Paving
Motorists in Honoka’a are advised that the Plumeria / Lehua Street Rehabilitation Project is underway. Project work includes paving Plumeria Street from Mamalahoa Highway to the intersection of Māmane St. / Honokaa-Waipio Valley Road. The project, which consists of pavement reconstruction and pavement striping/markers, is estimated to be completed in February 2021, weather and construction conditions permitting.
Crews began paving at the top of Plumeria Street where it intersects with Mamalahoa Highway and work their way down (makai to the intersection of Mamane St. / Honokaa-Waipio Valley Road. One lane of alternating travel will be in effect during the day, while the road is being paved.
Traffic control officers will be on duty directing traffic. Motorists are advised to drive with caution in the work zone.
During the repaving of Plumeria Street, crews will also repave the parking lot of the Honokaa transfer station. As a result, the transfer station will be closed on Oct. 27, while the parking lot is paved. On Oct. 28, paving work will be done fronting the transfer station.
The County of Hawai‘i Department of Public Works apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause and thanks the community for their patience and understanding.
If there are any questions or concerns, please call Howard Dang at Jas Glover at (808) 935-0871.
Volunteers needed
A state-wide delivery service for kupuna 60 and older is in need of volunteers. Since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Our Kupuna program has been connecting sponsors with kupuna who are in need of groceries, medication and other necessary supplies. With cases still on the rise, Our Kupuna is seeking volunteers in Ka‘u and Captain Cook.
Sponsors call their designated kupuna once a week to see if any deliveries are needed. Kupuna are responsible for reimbursing their sponsor for expenses incurred.
Since the program’s launch in March, about 400 kupuna have signed up for the free service. Those interested in volunteering can visit ourkupuna.com. Volunteers must pass a background screening beforehand.