Hawaii Independent Party formed
The Hawaii Independent Party has announced that its State Executive Committee has met to officially organize the new political party. They voted unanimously to appoint Michelle Del Rosario as party chairwoman. They also passed measures to accept new members and candidate applications as well as outlining the establishment of its organization at the state and county levels.
Del Rosario is a Maui business woman and a former vice-chairwoman of the Democrat party of Maui. Now that the Hawaii Independent Party has been formally established, its candidates do not need a minimum number of votes to advance to the general election.
The party is accepting membership applications and that annual party dues will be one dollar. To obtain an application, email votehawaii2014@gmail.com.
According to Del Rosario a significant number of people from all political parties have expressed interest in running under the Hawaii Independent Party banner.
Del Rosario said the party State Executive Committee voted to extend an invitation to former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann to be its gubernatorial candidate in the upcoming election.
Elderly Recreation spring classes set
Elderly Recreation Services spring classes will run in 10-week sessions beginning Monday. Classes are open to anyone 55 and older. Most registration fees are $10 per session and can be paid in advance at the West Hawaii Civic center or to the instructor on the first day of class.
West Hawaii classes available this session are:
• Line Dancing at 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Waikoloa Community Church
• Line Dancing at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Waimea Community Center
• Line Dance Aerobics from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays at Hale Halawai
• Deep Water Aerobics, 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, and Thursdays beginning April 8 at the Kona community pool
• Beginner Adult Swim Lessons, 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays at the Kona community pool
• Intermediate Adult Swim Lessons, 10 to 10:45 a.m. Thursdays at the Kona community Aquatic Center
• Senior Fitness Classes, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Mondays at the Kona Aerial Gymnastics gym, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Hale Halawai, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Thursdays at Yano Hall.
• Senior Yoga, 8:30 a.m. Mondays or Fridays at Hale Halawai, or Tuesdays at Yano Hall. Cost is $5 per class.
• Chair yoga for seniors, 10 a.m Mondays at Hale Halawai. Cost is $5 per class.
• Zumba Gold, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays beginning April 8 at the West Hawaii Civic Center’s outdoor pavilion.
• Zumba Toning, 6 to 7 p.m. Fridays beginning April 11 at the West Hawaii Civic Center outdoor pavilion.
• Tai Chi classes, 9 a.m Wednesdays at Painted Church
• Pickleball equipment is provided and it is free to play 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at the outdoor basketball courts at Kekuaokalani Gym.
For more information, call the Elderly Recreation Services office at the West Hawaii Civic Center 323-4340.
Honokaa Western Week events announced
Cowboys and horses on parade, a block party, Saloon Girl and “Cowboys Got Talent” competitions, plus rodeo action in Honokaa Arena will make for an exciting roundup of paniolo festivities for Honokaa Western Week, May 17 through 26.
Premiering the newly renovated Honokaa Arena, the 58th annual Hawaii Saddle Club Scholarship Rodeo kicks into action, starting with “Saturday Slack,” an elimination round. Then cowboys, keiki and wahine are put through their paces Sunday and Monday, competing for buckles, saddles and prize money. Unique-to-Hawaii rodeo events, such as poo waiu, are in the lineup, along with bull riding, calf roping, bareback and saddle bronc events and sheep riding for the keiki.
More events, concerts, educational exhibits and activities are in the planning stages.
Honokaa Western Week is a volunteer-driven project. Checks payable to Honokaa Business Association can be sent to P.O. Box 474, Honokaa HI 96727, attention: Honokaa Western Week. For more information, follow Honokaa Western Week on Facebook.
c Monday is the deadline to enter the Rodeo Queen competition. Call 756-3293.
c Tuesday is the deadline to apply for Hawaii Saddle Club scholarships. Call 960-2947 or email hawaiisaddleclub@ymail.com.
c May 9 is the deadline to enter Saloon Girl and Cowboys Got Talent Contests. For information, call Jill Mattos at 960-5605 or Lorie Farrell at557-2780.
c May 17 through 22: Celebrate Honokaa Western Week. Wear western-style clothes and visit Honokaa merchants, plus join in paniolo-themed activities every night. For information, call Jeanne Keller at 775-0530.
c May 19: Chili cook off hosted by The Landing. For information, call Steve Offenbaker at 775-0888.
c May 20: Art event: Make-your-own stick horse for the races.
c May 21: Western movies at the Peoples Theatre.
c May 22: Memories of Honokaa Western Weeks Past, and blessing of the Ohia Lanai to celebrate the Andrade Building’s 90th birthday.
c May 23: 2 p.m. road closure, 3 p.m. stick horse race, 4 p.m. Paniolo Parade down Mamane Street, 5 p.m. Block party, and steak fry, 6 p.m. Saloon Girl and Cowboys Got Talent Contests, 8 p.m. dancing in the street.
c May 24, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Hawaii Saddle Club Scholarship Rodeo “Saturday Slack.” Tickets are $7 in advance or $8 at the gate.
c May 25, noon: Hawaii Saddle Club Scholarship Rodeo. Tickets are $7 in advance or $8 at the gate.
c May 26, noon, Monday: Hawaii Saddle Club Scholarship Rodeo. Tickets are $7 in advance or $8 at the gate.