Reservations still available for fundraiser
Tickets are still available for Christmas at The Fairmont, Dining with the Chefs.
The annual gala is a culinary scholarship fundraiser presented by the American Culinary Federation Kona Kohala Chefs Association. It features fare prepared by 20 top Hawaii chefs from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 8 at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii.
The event includes live jazz music, silent and live auctions and a gingerbread display created by West Hawaii Community College culinary students.
Tickets are $85 and available at konakohalachefs.org, Kona Wine Market, Clark Realty/Kona and Kailua Candy Co. Reserved tables of 10 are available for $1,000; tables for six are $600. Call 329-2522 for information or to charge tickets by phone.
Friends planning park hike Dec. 9
The public is invited to join the Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park for a “Sunday Walk in the Park” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 9. Nick Shema leads this month’s six-mile, round-trip trek along the Puna Coast Trail.
The group will start at the Puu Loa Petroglyph Trail parking area inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and follow the Puna Coast Trail for approximately three miles, toward Apua Point, crossing the 1971 and 1972 lava flows. After lunch overlooking the ocean, the group will return along the same trail.
This moderately strenuous hike will traverse hardened pahoehoe lava along a sun-soaked landscape. Hikers should be in good condition and able to do without shade all day in a remote, rugged area.
The parking area is located on Chain of Craters Road near the coast. Visit nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/maps.htm for a map.
The walk is free for Friends members. Annual membership fees are $30 for individuals and $45 for families.
To register, call 985-7373 or visit fhvnp.org.
Concert benefits charter school
Dancing Dog presents Melvin Seals and JGB in a benefit concert for Kona Pacific Charter School slated to begin at 1 p.m. Dec. 9. Seals and JGB will take the stage around 2:30 p.m.
Seals is best known for his long friendship and musical partnership with guitarist Jerry Garcia. Seals performed with the Jerry Garcia Band for 18 years and in doing so helped pioneer and define what has now become “Jam Band Music.” From blues to funk to rock to jazz, Seals serves up a tasty mix with a little rhythm and blues and gospel thrown in to spice things up. With acoustic and electric ingredients and unique combinations of guitar, mandolin, slide and lap steel with savory bass, hearty drums and, of course, a helping of the wizard’s magic on Hammond B-3 organ and keyboards.
A portion of ticket sales and all concession proceeds will go directly to Kona Pacific Charter School. This is an all ages show. Children 12 and younger are admitted free with a paying adult. No outside food or beverage, alcohol or pets are allowed.
Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Tickets are available at all Concious Riddims stores, Soundwaves Music, CD Wizard in Hilo and online at brownpapertickets.com. Seals and JGB will also perform Dec. 8 at the Akebono Theater in Pahoa.
