National park holds Ohana Day Saturday
The closing of the makahiki season, or Hawaiian new year, will be celebrated Saturday at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park’s Ohana Day.
The free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Aiopio Fishtrap and will include cultural demonstrations, canoe rides depending on weather and water conditions, and food samples.
For more information, call the park at 326-9057.
APAC holds auditions for ‘HOT L Baltimore’
The Aloha Performing Arts Company announces auditions for its spring presentation, Lanford Wilson’s Drama Circle Award winning play, “The HOT L Baltimore,” guest-directed by Ka‘u playwright and actor, Dick Hershberger. Hershberger will be casting 17 roles, 10 men and seven women through the live audition process taking place at 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu. Auditioning actors need only attend one of the evenings and will read from the script. The show is scheduled to open April 18 and will run for three weekends. Rehearsals will be held Sunday through Thursday evenings, beginning Feb. 27.
“The HOT L Baltimore” is the story of one day in the lobby of a hotel so seedy that the “e” from its marquee sign is burned out. The action takes place as the staff and residents meet, talk and interact over the course of that day. The drama is a melange of everyday encounters and the human comedy, where the vivid and sometimes overlapping dialogue allows each emerging character to add to the sum of who they are, or wish they were, in a poignant call to America to restore and rebuild.
Roles to be cast are: Mr. Katz, the hotel manager, 50s; Mrs. Oxenham, the day desk clerk, 50s; Bill Lewis, the night clerk, 30s; Paul Granger III, a student, 20s; Mrs. Bellotti, mother of a former resident, 50s; Mr. Morse, 70s; Millie, a retired waitress, late 60s; The Girl, a call girl, 20; April Green, a prostitute, around 30; Suzy, a prostitute, 30; Jackie, a tough girl, mid 20s; Jamie, Jackie’s younger brother, 19; a cab driver; a pizza delivery guy; and Suzy’s John.
Copies of the script are available for perusal at the APAC office by arrangement with Suzanne Murdock. For more information, call 322-9924 or 989-4140.
Free tax help
offered in Waimea
Free tax preparation is offered in Waimea from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Friday through April 11 at Waimea Community Center on Kawaihae Road. It is provided by the AARP Foundation in conjunction with the IRS and Tax-Aide volunteers.
Those seeking tax help should bring ID, Social Security cards for themselves and all dependents, previous tax return, current tax papers and forms, W-2 forms from employers, unemployment insurance compensation statements, SSA-1099 if receiving Social Security benefits, all 1099 forms, receipts or canceled checks if itemizing deductions and other applicable forms.
This program is available for low- and moderate-income taxpayers, especially those 60 and older. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call 885-4722 or 388-6645.
Future of Hawaii’s coffee industry discussed
Coffee farmers and industry stakeholders are invited to a two-day strategic planning session 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 28 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 1 at Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay.
“The planning session will design the future of Hawaii’s coffee industry,” said Greg Stille, Hawaii Coffee Association president. “It will explore the industry’s potentials and address its challenges.”
Donna R. Ching of the University of Hawaii at Manoa will facilitate the planning sessions. The fee is $100 and includes daily continental breakfast, lunch and all supplies.
Event sponsors include Hawaii Coffee Association, Kona Coffee Council, Maui Coffee Association and Hawaii Coffee Growers Association.
Register at hawaiicoffee association.com.
Culinary Arts Under the Stars tickets on sale
Attendees to Kings’ Shops and the American Culinary Federation Kona Kohala Chefs Association’s Culinary Arts Under the Stars event will taste food from the Kohala Coast’s top chefs Saturday at the Kings’ Shops.
Kenny C will perform on the center court stage next to the wine and beer garden. Scrip for beer and wine will be on sale for $5 during the event. Coffee and water will be available for purchase at Kings’ Coffee.
Tickets are $45 in advance or $55 a the door and are available at Maui Divers Jewelry in Kings’ Shops or at kingsshops.com. Last year’s event sold out. This year, 100 more tickets will be available.
All proceeds will benefit Hawaii Island children through the American Culinary Federation Chef and Child Foundation. A silent auction with donations from Kings’ Shops retailers and restaurants will be held from 5 to 7 p.m.
Pancake breakfast, plant sale held Saturday in Honalo
The Daifukuji Fujinkai Women’s Association will hold a pancake breakfast and a plant and bake sale from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the temple’s social hall.
Breakfast tickets are $7 and will be sold at the door. Arrive early for the best selection of plants and baked goods, including freshly made manju. Daifukuji Soto Mission is located next to Teshima’s Restaurant in Honalo. This historic Buddhist temple has served the community for 100 years.
For information, call 322-3524 or email info@daifukuji.org.
Retired military
meet Saturday in Hilo
The Big Island Retired Military Association meets at noon Saturday at Banyan’s Restaurant, 87B Banyan Drive, Hilo. The speaker will be volcanologist Frank Trusdell, who will speak on the eruptions of Mauna Loa, both past and future.
Cost is $15 per person for a full buffet meal. Guests are welcome. Call Marilyn or Neal at 935-1946 or email nfherbert@hawaiiantel.net for reservations today.