Derek Park had a question — which led to an idea. What if persons dedicated themselves to improving the wellness and safety of others by taking on activities that enhanced their own health? Waimea paddler spurs fight against breast cancer
Waimea paddler
spurs fight against breast cancer
Derek Park had a question — which led to an idea. What if persons dedicated themselves to improving the wellness and safety of others by taking on activities that enhanced their own health?
A familiar part of the idea will be displayed when Park picks up his paddle in Saturday’s Hulakai Race to Fitness, an event that will begin at Richardson’s and end at Hilo Bay. Proceeds from his local sponsorship, notably businesses and individuals, will go to supporting patients who need financial assistance for early breast cancer treatment from North Hawaii Community Hospital’s new Breast Health Program.
A five-year member of the Parker Ranch maintenance crew, Park is a seasoned veteran of paddling competitions. His concerns about breast cancer are anything but impersonal. Years ago, his mother suffered multiple treatments for a malignant breast tumor and eventually underwent a mastectomy.
Moving to the Big Island seven years ago, he was still reflecting on her ordeal. “When I began paddling, I thought to myself, ‘I’m young, I’m healthy.’ Then I’d go home and realize how I’d love to know that my life could inspire other people to do good things, whether it’s beating breast cancer or something else.”
Actions to fulfill his convictions were not long in coming. One earlier running competition, the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure, sent a potent message of support to breast cancer victims. “The goal is to increase my sponsorship for the races and give all the proceeds to patients in need,” he explained.
Kupuna singles meet for dinner Monday
Kona Kupuna Singles Club members meet for dinner at 5 p.m. Monday at Bianelli’s. Call 329-0882 for more information and reservations.
Aloha Quilters
meets Saturday
The monthly meeting of Aloha Quilters of Kona begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in Wallace Hall at Christ Episcopal Church in Kealakekua.
Aloha Quilters is composed of quilters working in both traditional and Hawaiian styles. The group meets informally on the third Saturday of each month to share old and new ideas and techniques and to promote the art of quilting in the community. New members, novice quilters or “old hands” are welcome.
For more information, call Eileen 328-8027 or Lana 329-3723.
Galaxy Forum scheduled Sunday
Galaxy Forum Hawaii 2012-Waimea will focus on ILOA Moon Missions/Hawaii Culture and Exploration in the 21st Century from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Headquarters, 65-1238 Mamalahoa Highway, Waimea. The event is free and open to the public.
The program includes an overview of the current progress of Hawaii-based International Lunar Observatory Association science and education missions to the Moon: ILO-1 to the Moon South Pole NET2014, ILO-X with GLXP Team Moon Express in 2014, ILOA-NAOC collaboration on the China Chang’e-3 in 2013, and leading the call for innovative independent Human ventures to the Moon in the near future; a Hawaii culture and exploration presentation by Kimo Pihana and ohana; Chang’e-3 Principal Investigator Dr Jianyan Wei, Moon Express CEO Bob Richards and possible ILO-1 and Human Moon Mission presentations; update and introduction on the planned Thirty-Meter Telescope project by Sandra Dawson and interactive panel discussions with invited speakers.
For reservations, email info@iloa.org or call 885-3474.
Kokua Kailua slated Sunday afternoon
Kailua Village’s Kokua Kailua is slated from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Alii Drive is a pedestrian-only walkway during the monthly event, which features a marketplace along the village’s oceanfront including arts, crafts and food vendors. Free entertainment begins at 4 p.m. on the Hulihee Palace lawn.
The holiday tree at Emma’s Square will be lit at 6 p.m. Nov. 23, kicking off Kailua Kalikimaka.
Stove oven program changes day next week
The Kona Historical Society’s Portuguese stone oven bread baking program, normally scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays, will be open Wednesday and closed Thursday, in observance of Thanksgiving.The society practices the traditional art of baking Portuguese bread in a large wood-fired forno, located in the pasture below its H.N. Greenwell Store Museum.
The society’s H.N. Greenwell Store Museum and the Kona Coffee Living History Farm will also be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday and closed on Thanksgiving.
For more information, call 322-3222 or visit konahistorical.org.
Board of Ethics
meets Monday in Hilo
The Hawaii County Board of Ethics meets at 10 a.m. Monday in the County Council Chambers, Hawaii County Building, 25
Aupuni St., Hilo. Board meetings are open to the public. The agenda is posted on the county’s website.
For more information, call Mary Fujio at 961-8251.
Tropical fruit growers meeting Monday
The West Hawaii chapter of Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the University of Hawaii Experiment Station in Kainaliu, across from Aloha Theatre. Jessica Sternfels, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service district conservationist, will discuss the programs and assistance available in soil conservation. Mike Kolman, NRCS soil scientist, will present an expose on the nature of West Hawaiian soil types.
Nonmembers are welcome to attend. All are encouraged to bring fruit for sampling and talk story with the guest speakers.
For more information, contact Brian Lievens at 895-8753 or greenwizard@hawaii.rr.com or Ken Love at 323-2417 or kenlove@hawaiiantel.net.
District governor visiting Lions Clubs
The current district governor of Lions Club District 50 (state of Hawaii) will be the guest speaker at the next Lions Club meeting to be held Monday at Teshima’s Restaurant in Kainaliu. Members of the Lions Club of Kona, Kailua-Kona Lions Club and the Kaloko Lions Club will also hold a joint meeting to welcome the district governor while he explains his platform for his term, “Take Joy in Service.”
The public is invited to attend this event to ask questions and to learn how the Lions Club can be of service to the community.
For more information or to get involved with the Lions Club of Kona, contact Mitch Tam at lionmitch@gmail.com.
