Hayes speaking in Kona Tuesday
Hawaii SEED is sponsoring a statewide speaking tour of University of California Berkeley Professor of Integrative Biology Tyrone Hayes. Hayes will be joined by local food advocates from each island community. Paul Towers from Pesticide Action Network will speak as well, presenting an overview of pesticide use nationally and internationally and the significant role that Hawaii plays as ground zero for open-air pesticide experimentation. The duo will speak at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Island Naturals Health Food Store in Kailua-Kona.
Hayes is best known for his research findings that Swiss chemical company Syngenta’s herbicide atrazine is an endocrine disruptor that not only demasculinizes male frogs but transforms them into fully functioning reproductive females. Hayes is also an advocate for critical review and regulation of pesticides and other chemicals that may cause adverse health effects. He has presented hundreds of papers, talks, and seminars on the role of environmental chemical contaminants in global amphibian declines and in the health disparities that occur in minority and low-income populations.
Rotary Club of North Hawaii announces grant recipients
The Rotary Club of North Hawaii awarded $7,400 in grants to community organizations in Waimea, Honokaa, and North Kohala. Funds raised through the club’s annual Oktoberfest and smaller events throughout the year are dedicated to community grants and scholarships. The grant recipients include:
Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation — Help the Hawaii County Fire Department in Waimea secure essential equipment and training.
Honokaa United Methodist Church — SEW FUN for community projects. Participants make bibs for residents of Hale Hoola Hamakua and fabric for prayer quilts for North Hawaii Community Hospital.
Honokaa Corps — Transportation, food, housing and event support to send children to a week-long summer camp.
Ka Hale O Na Keiki Preschool — Care and education for children.
Malaai Garden — Initiate “The Super Kitchen” to expand healthy eating and encourage students to share cooking knowledge. The Super Kitchen is planned for June 25.
North Kohala Resource Center — Community Athletics Association to provide after-school sports and activities.
Healthy Lifestyles — Fitness program held at Kohala Elementary School.
Kohala Unupaa &Ocean Warriors — Summer camp that focuses on Hawaiian culture through environmental stewardship.
Roots Advocates for Youth — Sixth Annual Go Skate Day that includes food, music, and partnership with Drug &Alcohol Free coalitions.
Waimea Preservation Association — Second annual Waimea Preservation Father’s Day Fun Run/Walk June 15.
We Empower Youth — Will educate the youth on nutrition, proper exercise, and fundamentals of a positive attitude.
Founded in 1954, North Hawaii Rotary Club is part of Rotary International, the world’s oldest service organization with more than 1.2 million Rotarians in 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries.
Kona residents attend AAUW conference
Ten members of the American Association of University Women Kona Branch attended the organization’s bi-annual state conference April 25 through 27 at the Ala Moana Hotel in Honolulu. The conference theme of “Half the Rainbow,” reflected the focus topics that included violence against women, leadership skill building, and human trafficking.
Local residents attending the conference included Linda Arlington, Bill Armer, Cindy Armer, Chantal Dechape, Linda Keeling, Maureen Lu, Madalyn McWhite-Lamson, Toni Rimer, Beverly Ruhaak, and Jamie Pardau, who was installed as the president of the state organization for 2014-2016.