Driver safety classes scheduled for March 26 Driver safety classes scheduled for March 26 ADVERTISING Kona Community School for Adults is sponsoring two AARP Driver Safety Classes to be held at the Kona Palisades Recreation Center located on Kaiminani Drive
Driver safety classes scheduled for March 26
Kona Community School for Adults is sponsoring two AARP Driver Safety Classes to be held at the Kona Palisades Recreation Center located on Kaiminani Drive at the foot of the Palisades Subdivision. The one-day, four-hour classes will be held at 1 p.m. March 26 and March 27.
The courses will cover defensive driving tactics, dealing with road rage, cellphones, general safety, rules of the road and how to adjust to age-related changes, such as decrease in vision and hearing ability, as well as slower reaction time. These are classroom refresher courses. There are no driving or written tests.
Those participants having Hartford Insurance may receive as much as a 10 percent discount on automobile insurance upon completion of the course. Those who do not carry Hartford Insurance may want to check with their insurance company prior to taking one of the classes to determine if they will recognize it for a discount.
Total cost of the course is $12 for AARP members and $14 for nonmembers. Class size is limited so early registration is recommended.
To register for the March classes or for more information, call instructors Reni and Roy Damron at 325-5422.
Kona Town Meeting features nonprofits
This month’s Kona Town Meeting will feature varied nonprofit organizations, including Gretchen Lawson, president of Arc of Kona; Ann Goody, director – curator of Three Ring Ranch; Linda Spencer, community director of Catholic Charities; Cathy Swedelius, president of AdvoCATS; and Ray Wofford, associate director of Family Support Services of West Hawaii. Councilmember Brenda Ford will provide a County Council update.
The meeting runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Makaeo Pavilion at Old Kona Airport Park.
Social media seminar offered March 22
Learn how Big Island businesses are using social media and digital marketing successfully at a social media seminar from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. March 22 at the West Hawaii Association of Realtors, 74-5620 Palani Court No. 106.
See examples of Kona businesses using Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc., learn specifically how to show up in searches and get some individual ideas and advice. A portion of all proceeds and 100 percent of all donations from the seminar go toward supporting Project Hawaii’s Summer Program for Homeless Keiki.
The seminar fee is $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Please RSVP by March 20 to Julie Ziemelis at julie@ziemelis.com or contact her for more information. Learn about the Summer Camp at projecthawaii.org.
Kona Camera Club meets March 29
The Kona Camera Club will meet March 29 at the West Hawaii Civic Center in Building G. Visitors are welcome. In addition to the monthly show-and-tell and critique session, this month is “gadget night.” Members will bring and demonstrate their favorite accessories. Doors open at 6 p.m.; meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Directions to the meeting can be found on the club website, konacameraclub.com or call Rick Decker at 325-2000.
Three Ring Ranch offers mentor program
The Three Ring Ranch is accepting applications from children ages 11 and up for its afterschool mentor program. Children and parents can visit threeringranch.org education pages to learn more and to apply.
The program is from 1 to 5 p.m. on either Wednesdays or Fridays, and it is on a 12-week rotation.
Children from all schools, as well as homeschooled students, are encouraged to participate. The program is funded in part by a Kukio Community fund grant, as well as the Hawaii Island United Way. The program is free to all students.
Viezbicke featured speaker at program
Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park is continuing its evening program at 6 p.m. March 21 with Justin Viezbicke, the Big Island Program coordinator for the Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
He will talk about Hawaii’s yearly visitor, the humpback whale, focusing on the current threats and what the sanctuary program in Hawaii is doing to help protect the gentle giants. The program will be held in the amphitheater.
For more information, contact Ranger Charles T. Hua at 808.328.2326, ext. 1241.
Cruise Night features Mini Coopers
This Saturday evening’s Cruise Night at Lanihau Center will feature a gathering of the popular Mini Coopers and a benefit for the West Hawaii branch of Habitat for Humanity. The 6 to 9 p.m. event is open to all cars, trucks and motorcycles, and is free for both participants and the public.
The featured marque for the evening will be the popular BMW Mini. There will be a sign-up form for all Mini owners who may be interested in forming a Big Island club. There will be reserved parking for a least a dozen Minis next to the Lanihau Center DJ tent at the center of the event.
The Lanihau Cruise Nights also highlight a different nonprofit group each month. This Saturday night there will be an information table for West Hawaii’s Habitat for Humanity and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about their drive to build and renovate safe, decent, affordable housing. This year, the affiliate is celebrating its 10th anniversary and it is marking this milestone by building five homes in 10 days this September at Lai Opua.
With parking space for more than 70 vehicles, the Cruise Nights also draw a diverse collection of muscle cars, hot rods, classics, VWs and other unique rides. Special show lighting will be provided by Transmission Technology, with kokua from Service Rentals in Kona. There is no entry fee and parking is first-come-first-served for the three-hour show n’ shine.
At 7:30 p.m. there will be a parade around the shopping center, led by the featured Minis and including all the participants who wish to show off their cars, trucks and bikes.
Eddie O from LAVA 105FM will be the guest DJ for the evening, playing classic rock n’ roll music and giving away prizes donated by Lanihau Center merchants. Those giving cash donations to Habitat for Humanity will receive tickets for the giveaways that are held every half hour.
For more information, contact event manager Paul Maddox at zoom96740@gmail.com.
American Legion post to meet Wednesday
The American Legion Post 20 will hold a regular meeting Wednesday at Teshima’s Restaurant. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. for fellowship with a 7 p.m. meeting and dinner.
The meeting will concentrate on the finance committee and any members that may want to join. There will also be discussion about scholarships, as well as next year’s leadership of the Legion. Antonio Gaspar will provide information on free tax preparation.
A buffet dinner for $14 will be served and cocktails are available for purchase. For dinner reservations, call David Carlson at 325-6491 or kalokodavid@cs.com, or Kalani Hamm at 329-7274 or 936-8033.
Green homes tour tickets on sale soon
Get the latest on earth-friendly building technology, landscaping and decorating at the second annual Grand Green Homes Tour on April 22. Presented by the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce and West Hawaii Mediation Center and sponsored by the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development, the event offers residents and visitors the opportunity to visit “green” homes on Earth Day 2012.
Attendees have their choice of touring up to eight homes in the Kona-Kohala districts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All homes exemplify various green home strategies and tour attendees can get information on where to source products and services.
Pre-sale tickets go on sale March 26 and are priced at $35 to tour up to four homes, or $10 per home the day of the tour. Tickets will be available at the KKCC office in Kailua-Kona and WHMC in Waimea.
For more info and event updates, visit kona-kohala.com or call the chamber at 329-1758.
