About Town

Effects of geothermal discussed tonight

The Pele Defense Fund will make a presentation on how geothermal affects cultural practices, people and the aina at a community meeting slated to begin at 6 p.m. today in Building A of the West Hawaii Civic Center.

Call 323-4260 for directions and more information.

Orchid lovers meeting Friday

The Kona Orchid Society meets at 6 p.m. Friday at the Hualalai Academy Bridge House building. The speakers will be Carol and Jerome Seibenrock, from Seven Rocks Orchids. They will talk about caring for orchids from start to finish.

There will be a display of members’ orchids and drawings for plants.

Potluck will be served at 6:15 p.m.

For more information, call Jan Rae at 325-4991.

National Tails Day events planned

Various hikes along the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail network are planned to celebrate National Trails Day. National Parks, park partners and community groups will lead hikes Saturday and Sunday. Hikers should prepare for the weather, wear appropriate footwear and pack water and snacks. The first 25 people at these events will receive a special prize.

Saturday hikes:

c Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site hosts a ranger-led hike through the park from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Call the visitor center at 882-7218.

c Kaloko Honokohau National Historical Park plans a guided hike to the Aiopio fish trap from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Call 326-9057 for more information.

c Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park offers shoreline trail hikes. Call 328-2326.

c Hawaii Volcanoes National Park also plans ranger-led walks. Call 987-6000.

Sunday hikes:

c A hike from the entrance to Maniniowali — Kua Bay — is slated from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hikers will walk to Kona Village, return to Kukio Bay for lunch and shuttle or hike back to Kua Bay. Call Barbara at 885-7132 or visit emaunaalahele.org.

c Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park plans a four-mile hike and field seminar of the Kona Trail at Kahuku from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program costs $50 for members; $70 for nonmembers. To register, contact the Friends at 985-7373 or visit fhvnp.org.

Kealakekua library slates June events

The Kealakekua Public Library will hold its Summer Reading Program “Dream Big — Read” from Monday to July 7. Prizes for reading books and weekly library visits are offered. The following free craft and music special events are planned:

c Kid’s Bubble Wand, for children 5 years and older, at 5:30 p.m. June 6

c Paper Fan Design, for children 5 years and older, at 2:30 p.m. June 8

c Harp Music Performance at 5:30 p.m. June 13

c Teen Beaded Necklace at 2:30 p.m. June 15

c Kid’s Temporary Tattoos, for children 5 years and older, at 5:30 p.m. June 20

c Adult Botanical Print Scarf at 2:30 p.m. June 22

c Chinese Knotting for Teens and Adults, limited to 20 participants, at 2:30 p.m. June 25

c Ukulele Performance at 5:30 p.m. June 27

c Kid’s Beaded Spider Web, for children 5 years and older, at 2:30 p.m. June 29.

Each program lasts about one hour. All children 5 years or younger must be accompanied by a parent.

For more information, contact the Kealakekua Public Library at 323-7585.

Meeting June 7 on new license requirements

With proof of legal presence now required to obtain a Hawaii driver’s license or permit, Hawaii County will hold a meeting June 7 in Kona to help residents understand the new rules.

Officials will review the new rules, as well as take residents’ questions on applying for or renewing a license, during the one-hour meeting that begins at 5 p.m. at the county’s West Hawaii Civic Center Liquor Control Conference Room in Building B. The meeting is one of several being held to help residents understand the new requirements.

Effective March 5, anyone applying for an original or renewal of their Hawaii driver’s license or permit must show proof of legal presence in the U.S., according to the Hawaii County Department of Finance Vehicle Registration and Licensing Division. Legal presence means that a person is either a U.S. citizen or is legally authorized to be in the U.S.

The requirement is a result of Act 38, Session Laws of Hawaii 2010, which prohibits the issuance of a Hawaii driver’s license to any person who is not legally in the United States and limits the term of the issued licenses only for the period the applicant is temporarily authorized to be in the United States.

In order to receive a license or permit, each person applying will have to provide proof of their identity, legal presence and Social Security Number. Such proof is not required when seeking a duplicate license, according to the division.

The meeting room is accessible to individuals with disabilities. To request accomodations, call 961-8021.

Information about the new requirements is available online at hawaiicounty.gov/finance-dl-hi-legal-presence.

Biochar workshop slated at One Island

One Island Sustainable Living Center in Honaunau presents a two-day biochar workshop June 9 and 10. The slow-burn method of turning tree waste into a valuable nutrient accelerator is a low-cost technique for increasing the availability of minerals and water all plants need. Workshop participants will build and demonstrate a large-scale garden or farm biochar system and see a portable backyard system in action. An introductory lecture lasts from 9 a.m. to noon June 9 and the hands-on construction takes place from 2 to 5 p.m. that day and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 10. Attendees planning to stay for the hands-on workshop should bring a lunch and wear outdoor clothing.

Participants will receive a biochar sampler for personal garden use. The $35 workshop donation will help support One Island’s Summer Youth Camp scholarship fund.