Brick sales benefit church rebuilding
The public is invited to help build a church’s history brick-by-brick via the new Waikupua Brick Garden. A fundraising effort for the construction of St. Michael the Archangel Church, the 35-foot diameter garden will display multicolored bricks in a circular mosaic design and be complemented by a water feature.
For a donation, community members and parishioners can sponsor a brick to commemorate a family, loved one or a special occasion. Bricks are laser engraved for lasting durability and will be displayed in a garden atmosphere for years to come. The garden’s location and design will be a focal point upon entering the new church on Alii Drive.
The center of the Waikupua Brick Garden will chronicle the history of St. Michael’s and its four mission churches: Immaculate Conception in Holualoa, St. Peter’s in Kahaluu, St. Paul’s in Honalo and Holy Rosary in Kaloko. The four corners of each grouping will be dedicated to recognize the parish’s significant pastors and individuals through the years.
Bricks sponsored by community members will radiate from the groupings and be randomly placed according to size. Conjoined placement of bricks ordered together can be requested. The design, layout and administration of the project is being donated by an anonymous member of the Kona community.
Pavers available for purchase are 4-by-8-inch, 8-by-8-inch and 12-by-12-inch. In addition to names and dated occasions, pavers can contain scripture, clip art, custom artwork or a logo and be engraved in English, Hawaiian or Spanish. Bricks purchased before Oct. 15 range in price from $100 to $2,500; after that date they sell for $125 to $3,000.
As many as 1,650 pavers are available for engraving.
Funds raised from the brick garden will benefit the church’s building fund. Constructed around 1850 of lava rock, coral and sand, St. Michael’s was damaged beyond repair during the Oct. 15, 2006, earthquakes. Construction of a new church is underway with a completion date targeted for Christmas.
Bricks can be ordered online at stmichaelparishkona.org/waikupua-brick-garden or contact Barbara Kossow at 938-0806 or waikupua@gmail.com.
Mauna Kea State Park to close for repairs
Mauna Kea State Park will close July 1 for renovations and remain closed until further notice.
Temporary restrooms will be provided at the administrative building fronting the park’s main entrance. The public will be notified when the park is reopened. Until then, no camping reservations will be taken and permits required for overnight use will not be issued.
On July 1, Hawaii County will assume responsibility for Mauna Kea State Park. The shutdown is needed to expedite the work and ensure the public’s safety while the park’s restrooms, parking lot and picnic area are refurbished. Maintenance crews will be using heavy equipment to improve the park located near mile marker 34 of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway, also known as Saddle Road.
For more information, contact Jason Armstrong at 961-8311 or jarmstrong@co.hawaii.hi.us.
Senior hui starts with caregiving
The Senior Roundtable Hui is starting in Kona and will meet monthly to discuss an aging topic. The first meeting will discuss caregiving and will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. July 1 at the Pink Mocha Cafe above Home Depot. There is no charge.
Call Laura Guluzzy, facilitator, for more information at 326-2100.
Sayer foundation fundraiser Aug. 30
Registration is now open for the 17th annual Daniel Robert Sayre Memorial Foundation Awards and Fundraising Dinner on Aug. 30. The gourmet buffet dinner, silent auction and awards ceremony will be held in the ballroom of The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii starting at 4:30 p.m. with the opening of the silent auction. Cost to attend is $95 per person, including tax and gratuity. Register by visiting danielsayrefoundation.org or calling 325-5456.
Over the years this event has raised more than $1 million to support Hawaii Island’s fire/rescue and emergency response teams. All profits from the evening’s dinner and silent auction go toward the purchase of essential fire and rescue equipment.
The Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation was created 17 years ago when Frank and Laura Sayre lost their son, Daniel, in a hiking accident. The foundation was founded to honor the dedication of Hawaii Island fire/rescue workers and to help purchase essential rescue equipment.