Kona Christmas Parade winners announced
The Kailua-Kona Christmas Parade committee has announced award winners for the 30th annual Christmas parade. There were 81 entries, with more than 2,000 people in the parade and thousands of spectators lining the streets.
Winners in the nonprofit / community category were: Halau Kalaakeakauikawekiu, first place; Keauhou Canoe Club, second place; Kona Korean Mission Church and Solid Rock Ministries tied for third place.
For marching entries, St. Michael’s Hispanic Community took first place; Team Kona Tae Kwon Do came in second, Grace Community Church and Kona Community Hospital tied for third place.
In the keiki division, Ke Kula O Ehunuikaimalino and Kona Marshallese Community tied for first place. Coming in third place was Innovations Public Charter School.
For commercial entries, best in Christmas spirit winners were: first place, The Dancing Tree; second, Just Balloons, tied for third were Kona Trans and West Hawaii Concrete.
Makua Lani Christian Academy took first place for best school entry, while Ke Kula O Ehunuikaimalino came in second. Innovations Public Charter School and Kahakai Elementary School tied for third place.
The winner in the best in song category was Halau Kalaaakeakauikawekiu. Second place was Kona Korean Mission Church; coming in third was KBXtreme.
West Hawaii Concrete came in first place in the best in lights catgeory. Just Balloons came in second and Mokulele Airlines took third.
For best four-legged entry, Paws University was the winner.
The crowd pleaser was Kealakekua Ranch Center / ChoiceMart. Finally, the judges’ special award went to Katie Moore Fitness.
Winners may pick up their awards at the Kona Mayor’s office at West Hawaii Civic center beginning Thursday. Questions may be directed to to Barbara Kossow at the mayor’s office at 323-4448.
Book helps readers cope with disabilities
Accessible Hawaii has added another service for disabled people. Jean Hartley’s recent book, “Go Beyond: Coping with Disability,” addresses the needs of those with limited mobility.
“Go Beyond” is the product of Hartley’s personal history of disability and her own coping techniques. The reader-friendly handbook contains medical information, as well as resources for assistive devices, testimonies and short stories. Hartley is available for presentations to area organizations. Her book can be purchased at tiny.cc/lulushop-gobeyond.
The nonprofit organization’s next project will be an island guidebook placed in all American Disability Act hotel rooms in West Hawaii.
Hartley can be contacted at 896-8967 or at Accessible Hawaii, accessiblehawaii.com.
Holiday ballets screening this week
The Live in HD series at Makalapua Cinemas continues with two holiday ballets. The first is the Royal Ballet’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” screening happening at 7 p.m. tonight. The second is the Bolshoi Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” screening at 12:55 p.m. Sunday.
Rotary Clubs announce this week’s speakers
The Rotary Club of Kona Mauka will welcome Stan Sitko from the Hawaii Property Tax Office from noon to 1 p.m. today at Teshima’s restaurant. For more information, contact Larry Kniffin at 557-1178 or maukarotary2014@gmail.com.
On Wednesday the Rotary Club of Kona Sunrise will hold a club social from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. at Humpy’s restaurant. For more information, contact KC Mahoney at 769-8148 or kc.mahoney@employment-experts.com.
Rotary Club of North Hawaii will host Vikki Catellachi from the Hamakua Youth Center from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Anna Ranch in Waimea. For more information, contact Joyce Riggen at 640-1930 or jmriggen@gmail.com.
Rotary Club of Kona will hold a club assembly from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. Contact James Resor at jresor@pmghawaii.com.
A Rotary Means Business networking meeting will convene from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Humpy’s. For more information, Laura Guluzzy at writerlsg@gmail.com.
VFW events scheduled
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12122 will host the Arc of Kona today. On Wednesday a guest chef will prepare a chicken dinner. Cost is $15 and reservations are required. A pizza party will be held Friday for $5. Dance music will be performed by Kelly and the Buccaneers. For reservations and information call 326-5675 or Dick at 818-384-7500.
In addition, the Ladies Auxiliary hold a party Saturday.
Parker School to hold alumni event
Parker School will hold its annual Alumni Day Soccer Game and Social from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 28 on the school soccer field behind the lower school building, 65-1167 Kapiolani Road in Waimea.
Alumni are invited to bring their families and play soccer or simply socialize with old friends, teachers and staff. Food and beverages will be served.
Alumni are asked to reserve a space or contact the school with any questions by emailing advancement@parkerschoolhawaii.org or by calling 885-8709. For more information, visit parkerschoolhawaii.org.
Dances of universal peace held
Every third Sunday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. at the New Thought Center in Kealakekua, there is dancing in the moment while singing sacred phrases, mantras and poetry of various spiritual traditions. The next session is Sunday.
Winter solstice celebration planned in Kona
Unitarian Universalists of West Hawaii will hold a winter solstice celebration at 5:30 p.m. Sunday in the Sadie Seymour Biological Gardens at Kona Outdoor Circle, 76-6280 Kuakini Highway. The gathering will incorporate poetry, songs of the season and solstice rituals. Participants should bring a candle for the ceremony and a plate, napkin, cup and dish to share if participating in a potluck that will follow.
Call Stone Wolfsong at 990-4785 for more information or visit uuwesthawaii.org.