About Town 4-22-13

World Book Night
is Tuesday

Half a million books will be given away in more than 6,000 towns and cities across the country Tuesday, World Book Night U.S.

Volunteers locally will pick up books at Kona Stories Bookstore and share them in locations such as nursing homes, bowling alleys and schools.

The books were chosen by an independent panel of booksellers and librarians through several rounds of voting. The printing of the free books was made possible because of the generosity of authors, publishers and book manufacturers.

The free WBN editions are not available in Kona Stories, except when WBN volunteers take them to the community; the store will display regular editions of the books all month.

For more information, visit worldbooknight.org or call Kona Stories at 324-0350.

Retired ranger to discuss volcanoes

Ruth Levin will present “Life and Breath of Hawaiian Volcanoes” from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Kailua-Kona Public Library. Levin, a former environmental educator and early childhood teacher, recently retired after many years as an interpretive ranger at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. As an interpretive ranger, she taught the geology, biology, culture and history of Hawaii.

In her talk, Levin will explain what brings liquid lava up from the deep to bubble and flow on the surface; why Kona has earthquakes and vog; and how scientists study volcanoes. Hands-on activities will help children learn about the life and breath of the powerful volcanoes under people’s feet. Adults are also welcome.

This free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Libraries, Kona. For special accommodations, call the library at 327-4327.

Bocce ball club
plans member drive

Kailua-Kona Bocce Ball Club will hold a membership drive and meetings from 10:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday and from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, behind the tennis courts next to the horseshoe pits at Old Kona Airport Park.

For more information, see Tom at the meetings or leave a message at 479-6362.

Hanohano lecture features anthropologist

“Guns, Germans and Steers” are the subjects of a free Hanohano o Kona Lecture by University of Hawaii at Hilo anthropologist Peter Mills slated from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Building A council chamber at the West Hawaii Civic Center. Mills will discuss the history and archaeology of ranching in the Humuula District and discoveries made there through a collaborative research project conducted by UH-Hilo and the University of Nevada at Reno.

Mills is the author of “Hawaii’s Russian Adventure.” He serves on the Paniolo Preservation Society Board.

The event is sponsored by Kona Historical Society and Hawaii County.

For more information, call 938-8825 or visit konahistorical.org. The Kaahumanu Society, the Royal Order of Kamehameha and the Daughters of Hawaii will participate in next month’s program.

Study exchange presentation planned

A presentation about the Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange in Poland is slated during a meeting of the Kona Sunrise Rotary Club from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. Wednesday at Hale Halawai in Kailua-Kona. The program is a cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals, between the ages of 25 and 40, who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries.

Breakfast is $10 per person. Rotarians and interested individuals are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Bev Fraser at 936-9965.

Keiki story time
slated in Keauhou

Kona Stories bookstore, assisted by the American Association of University Women, will host a story time for children ages 3 to 6 at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Keauhou Shopping Center courtyard. The “Under the Sea” story time will feature stories, a craft and snacks about underwater friends for a $5 participation fee. Space is limited to 30 children. Those attending should check in 10 minutes early at Kona Stories.

For reservations or more information, call 324-0350.