Community forum set for Tuesday
West Hawaii legislators will provide an update on the recently adjourned legislative session during a community forum from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Makaeo Events Pavilion at Old Kona Airport Park.
Representatives Richard Creagan and Nicole Lowen and state Senator Malama Solomon will be available for questions.
In addition, University of Hawaii Center at West Hawaii Director K. Marty Fletcher will provide an update of current educational opportunities and potential future programs at the upcoming Palamanui Campus.
Community Enterprises will make a special presentation to Christianna Abella, an eighth-grade student at Konawaena Middle School and Hawaii State Spelling Bee champion.
For more information, call John Buckstead at 326-9779 or email jbuckstead@hawaii.rr.com.
Soap-making process explained
Friends of the Libraries, Kona is sponsoring a program featuring Greg Colden of Kona Natural Soap Company, explaining the process of cold processed vegan soap making and the health benefits of using essential oils.
The talk is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Free samples will be provided. This program is free to the public.
Kona Stories May book clubs planned
The Kona Stories fiction book club will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to discuss “A Hundred Flowers” by Gail Tsukiyama. The nonfiction book club will gather at 6 p.m. May 27 to review “The Revenge of Geography” by Robert D. Kaplan.
The fiction book club meets the second Tuesday of each month, and the nonfiction group meets the fourth Tuesday at Kona Stories in Keauhou Shopping Center. No membership or fees are associated with these groups and monthly attendance is not required. Bring a pupu or beverage to share.
For more information call Brenda or Joy at 324-0350.
Drug Court events offered
The Big Island Drug Court is offering various events in conjuction with National Drug Court Month.
A graduation will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the Kona drug court, where the success of the participants and the program will be highlighted.
West Hawaii drug court participants will lend a hand in beautifying the Makaeo Walking/Jogging Path at Old Kona Airport Park from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.
Students from Konawaena and Kealakehe Elementary Schools will visit the Kona drug court on May 20, and the winner of a poster contest will be named.
An appreciation day event will also take place at 10 a.m. May 22 at the Hilo drug court, followed by a graduation at 12:30 p.m.
Aside from these events, the public is welcome to observe any of the drug court hearings happening on-island. In Kona, drug court is held at 9 a.m. Mondays at 81-940 Halekii Street in Kealakekua. In Hilo, drug court is held at 1 p.m. Thursdays at Hale Kaulike, 777 Kilauea Ave.
For more information, call drug court coordinator Grayson Hashida at 443-2201.