Lava flow update meeting is Thursday
The next lava flow community update meeting will be held with representatives from Hawaii County Civil Defense and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Pahoa High School Cafeteria.
In addition, the County of Hawaii has established an Incident Command Center and Informational Resource Center at the Pahoa Community Center. Residents are invited to the information center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday for answers to their questions.
For the latest Civil Defense message or more information, contact Hawaii County Civil Defense at 935-0031 or hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/
Halloween alternative event held Friday
The Kids Rock Halloween Alternative will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at Kamehameha Park. This event, sponsored by Solid Rock North, is free and will include food, games, entertainment and a drawing. For more information, contact Kyler Texeira at 345-3585.
A Big Brothers Big Sisters Hollywood Horror inaugural gala will support at-risk youth and adult mentors.
The gala will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday in the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel Mokuola Ballroom at 71 Banyan Drive. The event will include pupu, a costume contest, music by Vizion 20/20 and a silent auction. Contact Gail Takaki at 430-4562 or Gtakaki@bbbshawaii.org for tickets.
Grace Community Church hosts free harvest festival
Grace Community Church will host a free Harvest Festival at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. A chili cookoff in the events pavilion opens the festivities, then participants move to big tents for games and activities, a campfire and pastor Bruce Campbell’s faith walk. Attendees are requested not to wear gory or demonic costumes.
Call the church office at 326-9580 for more details. Grace Community Church is located at 74-4889 Palani Rd.
The Honokaa High School Class of 1978 Reunion will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Honokaa complex. Attendees should bring their own drinks and a dish to share for the potluck. For more information, contact Randall Aurelio at aurellok001@hawaii.rr.com.
Konawaena Class of 1959 holds reunion luncheons
Konawaena class of 1959 will hold reunion luncheons at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in the big pavilion at Kahaluu Beach and at 11:30 a.m. Sunday in pavilions No. 3 and 4 at Kona Old Airport Beach Park.
For more information call Loretta at 323-9816 or 937-6073.
Picnic planned for returned Peace Corps volunteers
The annual Big Island returned Peace Corps volunteer picnic will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at Old Kona Airport Park, Pavilion 3. All former Peace Corps volunteers, staff and employees are invited to bring food and drinks to share and their own chairs. Napkins, cutlery, and plates will be provided.
For more information, contact Tondalaya Gillespie at 990-1967 or Ron Gillespie at 989-2028.
Ceremony celebrates more than a century of Buddhist history in Hawaii
Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple invites the public Sunday to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the temple, the 125th anniversary of the establishment of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii and the 125th memorial service for Hamakua labor martyr, Katsu Goto. The theme is “125 years–Connected to Our Community.”
At 10 a.m., bishop Eric Matsumoto will officiate a special service at the temple in Honokaa, followed by the unveiling of a peace pole at 11 a.m. Afterward, attendees are welcome to join in a luncheon celebration in the temple’s social hall.
Goto was an Japanese laborer who worked for Robert Overend’s Ookala Plantation for $9 a month. When his three-year contract was fulfilled, he opened a store selling general merchandise. Goto’s financial success, sympathy with labor and encouragement of other Japanese businessmen led to animosity and eventual confrontation with plantation staff. At the age of 27, his body was found hanging from a telephone pole in Honokaa. Three men were prosecuted and jailed, though two escaped.
Events are free and all are welcome, regardless of religious or cultural beliefs. RSVP to The Rev. Shingo Furusawa at 987-4928 by Wednesday.
Harrison leads meditation event
Gavin Harrison will lead sitting and walking meditation from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Waimea Events Salon, 66-1664 Waiaka St., Waimea. The nondenominational gathering is open to the public. Experienced and beginning meditators are welcome; meditation guidance is offered. Attendees should bring a meditation cushion; chairs are available. Donations are accepted. For more information contact Matilda Tompson at 885-9206 or tompsonp001@hawaii.rr.com or visit gavinharrison.net.
Hilo pool to remain open
Hilo’s NAS Swimming Pool will remain open Thursday and operate according to normal schedules. The Department of Parks and Recreation had announced it would close the pool so Hawaii Electric Light could install new utility poles that service the pool. The work has been postponed.
For more information, contact Jason Armstrong, public information officer, at 961-8311 or jarmstrong@hawaiicounty.gov.