Free tax preparation assistance available Free tax preparation assistance available ADVERTISING People who work and earn less than $50,270 from wages, self-employment or farming may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit and free help preparing their tax returns.
Free tax preparation assistance available
People who work and earn less than $50,270 from wages, self-employment or farming may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit and free help preparing their tax returns.
In West Hawaii, assistance is offered at the following Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites. Appointments are necessary.
c Goodwill Industries of Hawaii Inc., 74-5599 Luhia St., Suite F-4; 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 7 to April 4. Call 443-5838.
c The Homes of Ulu Wini, 73-4180 Ulu Wini Place; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 9 and March 9. Call 933-6065.
c Hawaii First Community Resource Center in the Parker Ranch Shopping Center, Waimea. Call 885-7349.
Bring a driver’s license or photo identification; Social Security card, SSN verification letter or Individual Taxpayer Identifying Number for those listed on the return; income statements, including W-2 and 1099 forms, Social Security, unemployment and investment statements showing taxes withheld; records of expenses, such as tuition, mortgage interest or real estate taxes; copies of last year’s state and federal tax returns, if available; bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit of refunds; child care information, including name, address and SSN or tax ID of paid caretakers.
If filing jointly, both spouses must be present to sign and efile tax return forms.
More information on EITC and detailed eligibility rules are available at irs.gov/eitc. IRS partners should also visit EITC Central at eitc.irs.gov for helpful resources.
Hui Laulima meets Friday morning
West Hawaii Hui Laulima meets from 10:30 a.m. to noon Friday at the West Hawaii Community Health Center community meeting room.
Cathie Amelotte, Hawaii Island United Way’s community advancement director, will discuss and gather input identifying areas of need in the community. The hui will pursue its role in addressing those areas.
For more information or directions to the meeting site, contact Linda Jeffrey at 327-4300, ext. 2432, or khparentcenter@yahoo.com.
Orchid society
meets Friday
The Kona Orchid Society meets at 6 p.m. Friday at the Hualalai Academy Bridge Building, 74-4966 Kealakaa St., Kailua-Kona.
Graham Wood of lehuaorchids.com will speak about paphiopelilums and caring for them. Visit his website to order orchids for pickup at the meeting.
A potluck begins at 6:15 p.m. — bring something to share. There will be an opportunity to renew membership or join the club at the meeting.
For more information, call Jan Rae at 325-4991.
Cherry blossom festival is Saturday
The 20th annual Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival offers a full lineup of performing arts and hands-on demonstrations and features more than 100 craft and food booths. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at various venues marked with identifying pink banners.
Organized by members of the community and the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation, the festival celebrates the blooming of the historic cherry trees at Church Row Park and the Japanese tradition of hanami, or “cherry blossom viewing party.”
This year’s festival commemorates festival organizer, community activist and Outstanding Older American for Hawaii Island, the late Anne Field Gomes, and her husband, David Gomes.
Activities and programs planned for Church Row Park include bonsai and cooking demonstrations. The Parker Ranch Center will host live entertainment and a craft fair. Commemorative event posters will be sold at the Firehouse Gallery, while Parker School will be the site of a farmers market and Okinawan folk dancing.
A keiki and junior high rodeo is slated at the Parker Ranch Arena, while the Parker Ranch Historic Homes will offer a Japanese tea ceremony and entertainment.
