Registration open for sustainability summit
Registration is open for the 2021 Hawaii County Sustainability Summit March 4 and 5.
The free summit will be held virtually, covering a range of topics through a myriad of keynote speakers and 14 breakout sessions. Participants can choose to register for either day or both and will be allowed to pose questions via a chat feature.
The summit’s goal is to seek to move the needle, cultivate imagination, and develop actionable strategies to set the course for a more sustainable County of Hawaii. The summit will be hosted by the county and broadcast by Na Leo TV.
For more information, visit www.hawaiicounty.gov/summit.
Blood bank coming to Kona
To stabilize Hawaii’s statewide blood and COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma (CCP) supply, Blood Bank of Hawaii will host a blood drive Feb. 23 through 25 in Kailua-Kona.
Collections will take place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Kona Stake Center with hours varying by the day. On Feb. 23, collections will be taken from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Feb. 24, collections will be taken from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Feb. 25, collections will be taken from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We look forward to seeing our Kona donors once again,” said Todd Lewis, chief operating officer of Blood Bank of Hawaii. “In addition, we hope that those who survived COVID-19 will choose to dedicate an hour of their time to donate their plasma to help a fellow community member fight the virus.”
Blood Bank of Hawaii launched its “Fight COVID with COVID” campaign in an effort to increase COVID-19 convalescent plasma donations that will be used to treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Antibodies in CCP can help very sick patients win their own fight.
In preparation for a future surge or highly transmissible strain, Blood Bank of Hawaii said it is imperative that the state increases its local CCP inventory until a vaccine is widely distributed.
Kona residents who tested positive for COVID-19 and want to help are urged to contact Blood Bank of Hawaii via phone at (808) 848-4706 or email covidplasma@bbh.org. More information about donating CCP can be found at www.bbs.org/fightcovid.
An appointment is required for blood and CCP donations. Visit www.bbh.org or call (808) 848-4770 to schedule an appointment. Blood Bank of Hawaii follows strict sanitation protocols and safety procedures recommended by the FDA, CDC and state Department of Health.
Utility bill assistance program closed
Aloha United Way is no longer accepting applications for its Hawaii Utility Bill Assistance Program, which helps qualifying families recover from the economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program aimed to help residents financially affected by the pandemic and who have fallen behind on their electric, water, sewer and gas bills. Applicants will be qualified through a process administered by Aloha United Way on a first-come, first-served basis, until program funds are completely disbursed.
Residential customers who meet eligibility requirements can receive one-time assistance of funds up to $750. Payments for approved applications will be disbursed directly to each utility company.
Hawaiian Electric has pledged $2 million in shareholder money from its parent company, Hawaiian Electric Industries, to the program, which will be administered through Aloha United Way on Oahu in partnership with local United Way chapters. Aloha United Way will accept applications through the online portal and the mail.
About 4%, or 16,000, of Hawaiian Electric’s 412,000 residential customers are at least 90 days behind on their bills. The average balance owed by these customers is about $1,500, the result of the prolonged nature of the pandemic.
Hawaiian Electric has suspended its service disconnections for nonpayment through March 31.
For more information or to apply, visit www.auw.org/utilityhelp.
Culinary arts scholarship offered
Merriman’s Restaurant is offering scholarships for students entering or continuing in the field of culinary arts in Hawaii.
Culinary Scholarships are awarded annually based on applicant’s outstanding qualities, passion for the field and financial need.
Merriman’s Culinary Scholarship has donated more than $54,000 and assisted over 48 culinary students in advancing their culinary education since its establishment in 2000 to help students on Hawaii Island, Maui and Kauai.
The deadline for the Merriman’s Culinary Scholarship application is April 10.
For more information, visit merrimanshawaii.com.