March is World Kidney Month
Hawaii has joined countries around the globe and the United States to celebrate World Kidney Month during March. Events throughout the month focus on kidney disease awareness, educating those at risk about the importance of early detection and the critical role kidneys play in maintaining good health.
“Most people with kidney disease are not diagnosed until late in the course of illness when there are few opportunities for prevention,” said Glen Hayashida, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii. “We need to alert the public to this real threat to populations here and around the world and work with policy makers to improve outcomes. Early detection makes a significant difference.”
“Recent studies estimate that 1 in 3 American adults is at risk for developing kidney disease and more than 29 million Americans and 162,000 people in Hawaii already have chronic kidney disease, which can contribute to heart disease and stroke. Kidney disease kills over 90,000 Americans every year — more than breast and prostate cancer combined,” Hayashida added.
Lewis honored as Red Cross Hero
In honor of March as Red Cross Month, the Hawaii Red Cross is honoring Red Cross Heroes. The kind, courageous and selfless deeds of these community and volunteer heroes are directly linked to the Red Cross mission of preventing and alleviating human suffering.
Cathy Lewis was honored as the 2014 Red Cross West Hawaii Volunteer of the Year at the Red Cross Heroes Breakfast on Saturday. A volunteer since the 1980s, Lewis is the longest active volunteer in Hawaii County. During this time, she has been able to assist those in need on both the local and national level. She has deployed to 20 disaster relief operations including 9/11, Hurricanes Isaac and Katrina, the Tuscaloosa tornadoes and superstorm Sandy.
Locally, Cathy has served in almost every capacity — disaster response, shelter management, staffing, disaster assessment and any other job that she has been asked to take on. She has worked on outreach teams in Saipan, supervised AmeriCorps teams in Guam, taught refugees basic Red Cross curriculum and assisted with a number of community health fairs.
Hiking Club visits Kohanaiki Beach Park
Kona Hiking Club will visit the new Kohanaiki Beach Park and hike on nearby historic trails Saturday.
This loop hike is about 5 miles total. Hikers need to be prepared for hot, sunny weather, especially while traversing the Ala Mamalahoa trail.
The group meets at 7 a.m. in the first public parking area at Kohanaiki Beach Park. Participants desiring to carpool may meet at 6:15 a.m. at Lanihau Center, and should depart no later than 6:30 a.m. They should park well away from businesses.
For more information, call Ruby at 987-0200.
Daughters of American Revolution to meet
The islandwide Hawaii Loa Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution meets at 10 a.m. Saturday at Pohakuloa Training Area. The speaker will be Commander Eric P. Shwedo.
For more information, call Mary Ellen C. Smith at 322-6870.
Discovery Center reopens Saturday
The public is invited to celebrate the grand reopening of NOAA’s Mokupapapa Discovery Center, an educational facility focused on the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in the Koehnen’s Ltd. building, located at 76 Kamehameha Ave. in Hilo. The 20,000-square-foot facility features new exhibits, artwork and a 3,500-gallon aquarium. Festivities will include entertainment and activities for everyone.
For more information, call 935-8358 or visit papahanaumokuakea.gov/education/center.html.
Kona Stampede Rodeo scheduled
The Kona Roping Club and about 250 contestants will participate in the 50th annual Kona Stampede Rodeo beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday and begining at noon Sunday at the Honaunau Rodeo Arena on City of Refuge Road.
Events include poo wai u, double mugging, bull riding, tie down roping, ribbon mugging, dally team roping, dally team 90s, wahine calf mugging, wahine breakaway roping and keiki barrel racing.
Admission is $7, children younger than 11 are admitted free. There will be a food concession open both days, with breakfast included.
For more information, call Sally at 323-2388.
Prayer meditation program planned
Contemplative Outreach, promoting the practice of centering prayer meditation, is sponsoring its 22nd annual United in Prayer day on Saturday. The occasion will be celebrated from 9 a.m. to noon at Hawaiian Queen Coffee Garden, 75-1048 Henry St. The gathering will include two 20-minute periods of centering, interspersed by a video of Thomas Keating titled “Falling into the Hands of God” and discussion. Keating is the founder of Contemplative Outreach. Participants can bring a bag lunch for sharing a meal after the program.
If an introduction or refresher on the method of centering prayer meditation is needed, come at 8:30 a.m. for instruction by Farley Jones, longtime practitioner.
For reservations or more information, contact to Farley at wfjj5@yahoo.com.