FOLK Book Club to meet Tuesday, July 18th
The Friends of the Libraries, Kona (FOLK) Book Club meets Tuesday, July 18h at 12:30 p.m. on the Kailua Kona Public Library lanai. This month’s selection is “The Code Breaker” by Walter Isaacson, et al. Info: folkhawaii.com
Kona Stories Bookstore presents an author talk story – with Jasmin ‘iolani Hakes and Sara Ackerman
Kona Stories welcomes to the Keauhou Courtyard Stage Jasmin ‘Iolani Hakes, author of her debut novel Hula. Interviewing Jasmin will be Big Island’s beloved author Sara Ackerman author of five USA Today Bestselling novels set in hawaii. This FREE event will happen on the stage area at Keauhou Shopping Center in the courtyard area in front of Kona Stories Bookstore beginning at 1PM on Saturday, July 15th. Following this author talk story will be a book signing at Kona Stories Bookstore.
Aloha Festivals seeks applicants for Royal Court and floral parade
The start of Aloha Festivals 2023 marks the continuation of its treasured traditions and the opportunity for the local community to be part of its heritage spanning more than 70 years. Aloha Festivals announces that it is seeking applicants for its 2023 Royal Court and participants in the Annual Floral Parade to be held on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. Applications are available at www.AlohaFestivals.com/Participate.
The Salvation Army seeks B2S supplies on Hawaii Island for keiki-in-need
The Salvation Army is seeking back-to-school supplies for keiki-in-need with a supply drive. Requested items include: backpacks (most needed), colored markers, colored pencils, composition notebooks, crayons, erasers, facial tissue, glue, glue sticks, highlighters, school boxes, paper towels, pencils, pencil pouches, pens (black, blue and red), portfolios, rulers, scissors, small calculators, and wide-rule binder paper. For more details about The Salvation Army’s various back-to-school supply drives and distributions, or to make monetary donations to support the efforts, visit SchoolSupplyHawaii.org. In Kailua -Kona, the drive will take place at the Salvation Army Kona Corps, 75-223 Kalani St., Kailua-Kona until August 4. Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, contact The Salvation Army Kona Corps at (808) 326-2330.
Little Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Pageant seeking entrants
The Little Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Pageant is looking for young ladies ages 5 to 17 to enter in this year’s competition. There are 4 divisions for participation: Mini Miss, Little Miss, Young Miss and Teen Miss. Contestants can develop more confidence and poise, overcome worries about public speaking and learn interview skills. In addition, there are the opportunities to win scholarships, help community needs and develop friendships, all while having fun. First orientation is Saturday, August 19. Enter by August 19th for the best application fee. Get the details and apply online at littlemisskonacoffee.org, or email questions to contact@littlemisskonacoffee.org.
Kalai Papa &Pohaku – (board &stone carving)La`i`Opua 2020 program for families aims to perpetuate the culture
La`i`Opua 2020 is pleased to announce a program for families interested in a cultural experience which offers the opportunity to hand-carve their own papa ku’i ‘ai (board for pounding kalo) and pohaku ku`i `ai (stone kalo pounder).
Kalai Papa &Pohaku commences August 25 and includes an orientation and six half-day sessions; at its end, each `ohana will have created a board and stone, which will last them a lifetime. The class will be taught by Keahi Tomas, a mahi’ai kalo, educator and wood worker, who learned this concept of ‘ohana building from Kumu Earl Kawa’a. Kawa’a coined the phrase, “one board, one stone in every home,” and Keahi has adapted his practices and titled this Hawai`i Island program “Kalai Papa &Pohaku,” reflecting the creation of a poi board and stone pounder. Keahi will be assisted by Kamuela Meheula, mahi’ai kalo and aina based educator, and Kekoa Kaho’onei, an aloha aina educator and carver.
Funded by a County of Hawai`i WaiWai grant, La`i`Opua 2020 Executive Director Kawehi Inaba describes the program as a way of bringing families together in a safe environment for learning and empowerment. “It’s an opportunity for parents and children, kupuna, aunties and uncles, brothers and sisters to share a culturally profound and meaningful experience,” she said, adding that one of the program goals is to assist the `ohana in “strengthening their commitment as a family and ultimately their commitment to serving their communities.”
There is no cost for the program. There is a $150 refundable deposit for each `ohana; refund of the deposit is contingent upon 100 percent participation in the program by each `ohana. Sessions will be held at La`i`Opua 2020 (74-5210 Keanalehu Dr., Kailua-Kona) and other locations related to the program.For more details on the program and to register, visit Laiopua.org/board&stone.
La`i`Opua 2020 is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide social, recreational, vocational, economic, educational, and cultural opportunities and infrastructure to Native Hawaiians to include the communities of the Kealakehe ahupua`a. It is a place for pilina (building and supporting one another through relationships) and pu`uhonua (a place of comfort, peace, and safety). For more information about La`i`Opua 2020, visit its website, Laiopua.org, or call 808.327.1221.
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