About Town 4-20

Early childhood meeting next weekend

“Creating a Community of Learners” is the theme for the fifth annual Hawaii Island Early Childhood Conference, set for April 27 and 28 at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. The conference is open to anyone who works or has an interest in the field of early childhood education.

Organized by Baby STEPS to Stronger Big Island Families, the conference kicks off from 6 to 9 p.m. April 27 with Kristie Kauerz, who will give a presentation on “P-3: Thinking and Working Across Early Childhood Education and the Early Grades.” Kauerz will provide an overview of how P-3 works in districts and communities around the nation. The P-3 effort is currently being applied in two areas of the Big Island — North Hawaii and Puna/Keaau.

On April 28, conference participants are offered a choice of working sessions starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m. Terry Lock, the governor’s early childhood coordinator, will speak at lunch on the statewide work that is happening around early childhood education.

Costs to attend the conference days are: $40 for the April 27 event with Kauerz, which includes a light buffet, and $55 for the April 28 program, which includes continental breakfast and buffet luncheon.

For more information on workshop topics, registration fees, room rates at the hotel and to register for the conference, visit babystepshawaii.org.

Baby STEPS to Stronger Big Island Families, a program of Friends of the Future, is an initiative created by individuals and organizations committed to helping all keiki on Hawaii Island be healthy, happy and thrive by supporting families, strengthening practitioners and engaging communities. For information on Baby STEPS to Stronger Big Island Families, contact Angela Thomas at 887-1228.

‘Sunday Pampering’ workshop April 29

Tropical Edibles Nursery in Captain Cook is offering a workshop on creating pampering products using edible plants and other natural ingredients. Mandi Newton from Aina Botanica will lead the workshop offering recipes, instruction and guidance. “Sunday Pampering” is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. April 29.

Newton will share recipes, then collect ingredients from the nursery’s herb garden. She will provide the other ingredients and help participants create soaks, scrubs and rubs. Beverages and light snacks will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring drinks and treats to share.

Those interested must register by April 27 to attend. The fee for the class is $50, including instruction, recipes, ingredients and containers to take home some of the finished products.

Tropical Edibles Nursery is located on Mamalahoa Highway in Captain Cook, just south of mile marker 108. A white mailbox at the bottom of the drive to the nursery is numbered 83-5696.

Call 328-0420 or email tropicaledibles@gmail.com to register.

Friends of park
seeking new members

Those interested in joining Na Hoa Aloha o ka Puuhonua o Honaunau may attend the group’s meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. May 8 in the library.

The nonprofit organization supports and assists in the preservation and perpetuation of programs and objectives of the Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. It is known as the park’s “Friends” group.

For more information, contact Sami Beimborn at 936-4566.

Spearfishing, free diving topics of lecture

Spearfishing and the evolution of free diving are the subjects of Richard “Sonny” Tanabe’s presentation — part of the Kona Historical Society’s Hanohano O Kona lecture series — scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the West Hawaii Civic Center.

A self-described “barefoot boy from the island of Hawaii,” Tanabe began his swimming career by free diving with his uncle off the coast of Hilo. Tanabe was an All-American swimmer at Hilo High School and Indiana University, where he earned NCAA and AAU honors. He won a spot on the U.S. Olympic Swim Team that participated in the 1956 Melbourne Games.

After serving in the military and earning his Master of Science degree in physical education, he became assistant aquatic director and swim coach for Hinsdale Township High School in Hinsdale, Ill. Not long after, he returned to Hawaii to teach and coach for more than 33 years at Kamehameha Schools.

In addition to his commitment to competitive swimming, Tanabe has enjoyed spearfishing and free diving all his life, recently writing books about each of them. He has also given back to the world of aquatics by volunteering his talent and time to various organizations and competitions connected with water sports.

Senior citizens ground golf tourney April 27

The Rotary Club of Kona Mauka and Natural Investments LLC are hosting the West Hawaii Senior Citizens Ground Golf Tournament beginning at 10 a.m. April 27 at Yano Hall in Captain Cook. All West Hawaii residents 55 years of age and older are invited to participate in this free event.

A combination of croquet and golf, ground golf requires no previous experience to play and enjoy. Five people are combined to form a team and the rules are simple. Score keepers will help explain the rules to all participants. The course requires walking approximately 300 yards on a grass field so good walking shoes and sun protection are recommended. All equipment and balls will be provided.

The event concludes after lunch at approximately 1:30 p.m. A light breakfast, snacks, water and lunch are provided at no charge.

For more information and to reserve a spot, call Kelly Hudik from the Hawaii County Elderly Recreation Services Office at 323-4340 by today.

Wednesday program at Puuhonua o Honaunau

Nakoa Goo will speak in the amphitheater of Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Goo, a scientist, diver, the cultural resources researcher for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and program coordinator at the Mokupapapa Discovery Center in Hilo, will give a presentation about the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.

For more information, contact Ranger Charles T. Hua at 328-2326, ext. 1241.