Essay contest announced for high school students
The Hawaii Access to Justice Commission and the Hawaii State Bar Association are sponsoring an essay contest for High School students entitled “How to Inspire Others to Volunteer.” It is being held to recognize exceptional volunteerism by Hawaii students to encourage those students to share their volunteering experiences with others. The contest is open to students in grades 10 to 12. The deadline for submissions is Sept. 22.
Winners will receive a $500 award and will be recognized at a Pro Bono Celebration event to be held at 4 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Hawaii Supreme Court courtroom in Honolulu.
For more information on the essay contest, email Carol K. Muranaka, Esq. at Carol.K.Muranaka@gmail.com.
Voter registration forms available at public libraries
Hawaii’s 50 public libraries are offering two brochures “Wikiwiki Voter Registration” and “Wikiwiki Voter Registration &Permanent Absentee” that include voter registration forms.
Eligible voters must be citizens of the United States, legal residents of Hawaii, and 18 years old by General Election Day on Nov. 4. Permanent absentee voting allows registered voters to receive their ballots by mail for future elections.
Voter registration application forms must be received by 4:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at the county clerk’s office where the applicant lives. Mailed voter registration applications must be postmarked by Oct. 6. If applying for permanent absentee voter status, forms must be received by Oct. 28.
For more information, visit hawaii.gov/elections, call 800-442-8683, or refer to the brochures.
Chevron USA. Inc. launches program to equip schools
Chevron U.S.A. Inc. has launched its Fuel Your School program for the second year in Hawaii. The program will expand to 22 U.S. communities to give educators tools for students to learn, explore, and get excited about school.
Last year, Chevron helped fund projects in 110 public schools in Hawaii. This year, Chevron will contribute $1 to fund eligible classroom projects when consumers purchase eight or more gallons of fuel from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31 at participating Chevron stations, up to a total contribution of $350,000 in Hawaii alone.
Public school teachers in Hawaii are invited to post eligible classroom project requests at donorschoose.org for possible funding as part of the Fuel Your School program.
By visiting fuelyourschool.com consumers can monitor the classroom projects in need of funding and see how much money is being earned for public schools. Donations will help fund eligible classroom projects from Oct. 2 through Nov. 30, or until funds have been exhausted. Anyone may also browse and fund inspiring classroom projects on donorschoose.org by making separate donations.
Peace Week events announced
The Peace Committee of the Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple is presenting several events in conjunction with the United Nations International Day of Peace.
A student peace poster contest is open to all students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Peace in action is the theme. The deadline to enter is Friday. The Peace Week kickoff and poster gallery reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at C&J Concepts. Peace posters from previous contests will be on display; music will be performed by The New Dharma Band.
A daylong workshop on the practice of mindfulness meditation will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Hamakua Jodo Mission. A $29 fee includes a vegetarian lunch. Space limited, advance registration is recommended by calling 775-1064.
“Mindfulness Meditation: The Way to Compassion and Inner Peace,” a meditation by Gregory Pai, will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at Kamuela Hongwanji. It is free and open to the public.
A “Read for Peace” activity is planned for 3 p.m. Monday at Hamakua Youth Center. For more information, contact Connie Fay at seejfay@hotmail.com or 987-8166.
“Dead Poets Society” will be shown Wednesday at Honokaa People’s Theater.
A walk to prevent suicide will be at 8 a.m. Sept. 20. To sign up, call 494-1829, email walktosave.lives@aol.com, or visit afsp.org/news-events/event-calendar/honokaa-community-walk.
“Peace in the Streets” will be from noon to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 20. This celebration through Honokaa will have cotton candy, a treasure hunt and bounce house.
The Peace Day parade will be at 4 p.m. Sept. 20 on Mamane Street in Honokaa. This original signature event includes a “moving stage” of marching bands, taiko drummers and entertainment with a message.
The Peace Day festival will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 20 at Honokaa Sports Complex. It will include food, a silent auction, and entertainment, including a bon dance. A kendama tournament is also planned. Admission is free.
A peace pole will be installed Sept. 21. John Cruz will perform at 7 p.m. Cost is $15 and the event is a fundraiser for Honokaa People’s Theater.
The Peace Committee is collecting origami cranes in memory of the casualties of the nuclear bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Cranes will be sent as a combined flock to peace centers in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. To participate, make cranes no larger than 7 inches square. Cranes may be dropped off at the Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple or mailed to P.O. Box 1667, Honokaa, HI 96727. Groups or individuals with 1,000 cranes can inquire about participation in the Peace Day parade. For information, email info@peacedayparade.org.
Military convoys to Hilo Friday
Soldiers will convoy from Pohakuloa Training Area to Keaukaha Military Reservation in Hilo between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Friday.
Motorists are advised to be alert and drive with care. For more information, contact the U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii Public Affairs Office at 656-3160 or 656-3159.
Hula kahiko performed at Volcano Art Center
The Volcano Art Center’s hula kahiko series continues at 10:30 a.m. Saturday with a performance by kumu hula Keola Dalire and Keolalaulani Halau Olapa o Laka.
Hula halau are invited to perform each month in an outdoor setting at the hula platform in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The audience is encouraged to bring sun and rain gear and sitting mats. Park entrance fees apply.
Visit volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222 for more information.