About Town 8-22-12

County sponsors keiki triathlon

Hawaii County’s Department of Parks and Recreation and the Hawaii Isle Police Activities League are teaming up to hold a Keiki Triathlon on Oct. 20 at the Kona Community Aquatic Center and Makaeo Park in Kailua-Kona.

Children between the ages of 7 and 14 years old are invited to race in swimming, bicycling and running events similar to the Ford Ironman World Championship that will be held one week earlier.

“We’ve designed a safe and exciting course that will challenge the children’s fitness levels,” Parks Director Bob Fitzgerald said. “This is a great opportunity for the next generation of triathletes to compete in the same environment that for years has tested the world’s best triathletes.”

There will be a $5 per-child entrance fee. Applications are available from noon to 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays at Yano Hall in Captain Cook. Kekuaokalani Gymnasium in Kailua-Kona, Puu Nui Park in Waikoloa, Waimea Community Center and Kamehameha Park in Kapaau.

To ensure the athletes’ safety, enrollment will be limited to the first 30 children who sign up in each of the four age-group categories or a maximum 120 total racers. All participants must supply their own bicycle, helmet, swim goggles and other equipment.

Racers must check in between 7 and 8:30 a.m. on race day. The youngest children will start the triathlon by entering the Kona Community Aquatics Center pool at 8:30 a.m.

Science day Sunday in Ka‘u

Ka Ohana O Honuapo will host “Science Sunday in the Park” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Honuapo Park in Ka‘u.

Representatives from the Hawaii Wildlife Fund and Ka Ohana volunteers will demonstrate how scientists collect information about Hawaiian shoreline animals and plants. Local resource managers will answer questions about data collecting and what they do with the information.

Other topics will include fish survey techniques, Japanese tsunami debris and sea turtle research and conservation.

Refreshments will be available for sale. Find more information at honuapopark.org.

Conflict workshop scheduled for Saturday

Conflict as the ultimate opportunity to know one’s self and others will be the topic of an experiential workshop scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The program will focus on learning the skills of deep listening, clarifying what is most important to self and others and discovering solutions.

The workshop is being led by Andrea Pro and is being held at the Unity Church in Kona Center, corner of Kuakini Highway and Hanama Place in Kailua-Kona. Pro has for the past six years been offering workshops in Kona that support people in cultivating skill in the art of establishing deeper connection with self and others.

The program is donation only, and includes a complimentary light lunch.

Registration and coffee start at 9:45 .am.

Sponsored by International Women in Hawaii and co-sponsored by the Pacific Rim Education Foundation, the program is for both women and men.

For reservations contact 987-6510 or wfwp.kona@gmail.com

Church seeks Kona congregants

Lighthouse Baptist Church in Naalehu is seeking residents of Kailua-Kona and the surrounding area interested in starting an independent, fundamental Baptist church.

Call Pastor Don Reed Sr. at 939-8536 or visit lbckau.org for more information.

Christ Church plans graveyard tours

The public is invited to return to the 19th century on a lantern-lit tour of the Christ Church Cemetery. The tour will visit several historical graves, hear their owners’ stories and enjoy a hot beverage at the events offered Oct. 12, 19 and 26. The oldest Episcopal church in the state of Hawaii, Christ Church is located on Konawaena School Road in Kealakekua. Reservations are $25 and check-in is at 6 p.m.

The tours are limited to 25 people; register online at store.konahistorical.org or call the Kona Historical Society office at 323-3222.