About Town | 12-30-13

HELCO offers fireworks safety tips

HELCO offers fireworks safety tips

Hawaii Electric Light Co. urges the community to use caution if celebrating the New Year’s Eve holiday with fireworks. The company offered the following tips:

• Carefully set up and use fireworks in an area clear of overhead power lines; do not string fireworks on utility poles.

• If using a ladder, pole or tie lines to set up fireworks, keep a 10-foot clearance from power lines. Power lines are energized and not insulated and could cause a serious electrical shock, burn or electrocution.

If an object becomes entangled in an overhead power line, don’t try to free it. Call HELCO’s trouble line at 969-6666.

Blind, low vision support group meets Thursday

The West Hawaii Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind and low vision support group will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday at Hale Halawai in Kailua-Kona. There will be a group discussion on coping with vision loss.

For more information, call Sally at 345-7065 or visit nfb-westhi.org.

Aging support services topic at hui meeting

West Hawaii Hui Laulima will meet from 10:30 a.m. to noon Friday in the West Hawaii Community Health Center community meeting room.

Gerontologist Laura Guluzzy will address aging-friendly cities, counties and organizations. Deborah Wills, aging program planner of Hawaii County Office of Aging, will share information about the agency and the aging network.

For information on the presenters visit sagewiselaura.com and hcoahawaii.org.

For more information, call Linda Jeffrey at 327-4300 ext. 2432 or email khparentcenter@yahoo.com.

Kahaluu beach cleanup is Saturday

The Kahaluu Bay Education Center and Kohala Center are organizing a special beach cleanup at Kahaluu Beach Park following high surf in late December that resulted in damage and debris on the beach.

The volunteer cleanup is slated for 9 a.m. Jan. 4 at the beach park located off Alii Drive, said Cindi Punihaole, the education center’s director.

Those looking to participate can show up at the beach on the day of the event or let the education center know they are coming by visiting its Facebook page at facebook.com/kahaluubay.

Garbage bags, light-duty work gloves, refreshments and snacks will be provided. Volunteers are asked to bring heavy-duty work gloves and rakes, if available.

Harrison plans meditation gatherings

Gavin Harrison will lead silent and walking meditation sessions Saturday and Jan. 12.

Walking Meditation in the Wild in North Kohala is slated from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday at Iole, the Historic Bond Homestead, 53-496 Iole Road, Kapaau. The program includes an introduction to mindfulness and silent walking meditation. Bring hiking gear, sunscreen, bottled water and a towel or cushion for rest stops.

A $10 to $15 donation is suggested. For more information, contact info@iolehawaii.com or the Iole office at 889-5151.

Sitting and walking meditation, as well as discussion, is slated from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Waimea Events Salon, 66-1664 Waiaka St. Experienced and beginning meditators are welcome. Bring a meditation cushion; chairs are available. Donations are accepted.

Contact Matilda Tompson at 885-9206 or TompsonP001@hawaii.rr.com or visit gavinharrison.net for more information.

North Kohala center receives two grants

The North Kohala Community Resource Center received two grants this fall in support of two of its sponsored projects.

Hawaii Tourism Authority and Hawaii Community Foundation awarded the center a $40,000 grant for the Malama Kohala Kahakai Coastal Preservation project, in conjunction with other community groups, for stewardship activities on 277 acres of preserved lands on the North Kohala coast.

The Hawaii County Product Enrichment Program awarded $15,000 to the North Kohala Food Forum for its program to develop agricultural tourism in North Kohala.

The center’s mission is to increase the number of community improvement projects in North Kohala. It values projects that bring the community closer together and stimulate volunteerism. The center provides support, education and bridges to funding for 83 community improvement projects.

For more information, visit northkohala.org.