Donations still being taken for Ohshima Island
Typhoon Wipha ravaged coastal towns along Japan’s east coast on Oct. 16 and the hardest hit place was Ohshima Island, a sister city of Hawaii County. Wipha brought torrential rains — a record-breaking 33 inches in 24 hours — that caused flooding and mudslides that destroyed nearly 300 homes, 32 deaths have been reported and nine people were missing in the most recent report.
As Ohshima’s only sister city, Hawaii County joined the Japanese Chamber of Commerce &Industry of Hawaii, Japanese Community Association and Kona Japanese Civic Association in the Aloha Ohshima relief drive. The drive has been extended through the end of January, bolstered by a recent donation of $1,000 from the JCCIH. Donations to “Aloha Ohshima” will continue to be accepted at Bank of Hawaii branches statewide.
Volcanoes National Park offers free days
The public is invited to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and volunteer to remove invasive ginger along the summit of Kilauea from 9 a.m. to noon Monday. Bring a hat, raingear, garden gloves, day pack, snacks and water. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Walk-ins welcome, no advance registration required. Entrance is free all day.
The park will also offer free admission President’s Day weekend, Feb. 15 through 17; National Park Week’s opening weekend, April 19 and 20; National Park Service’s 98th birthday, Aug. 25; National Public Lands Day, Sept. 27; and Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
Hawaii Volcanoes is one of five national park units on Hawaii Island. Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park is also free of charge on theses fee-free dates. Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site, Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park and the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail do not charge entrance fees. Information on special offerings at parks nationwide is available at nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.
Seniors celebrating birthdays Wednesday
Kailua-Kona Seniors meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Hale Halawai in Kailua-Kona. Attendees will celebrate members’ January birthdays, play board games and participate in a sketching class.
For more information, call Billie at 315-8367 or Pat at 329-2424.