Women’s history essay winners recognized at luncheon
In recognition of Women’s History Month, the Hawaii County Committee on the Status of Women will hold the annual Real Women Creative Writing Competition.
Through this essay competition, Hawaii County students look at the lives of women they know, see the ways in which these women contribute to history and author their compelling essays. The winners will be celebrated at a luncheon from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 12 at Hilton Waikoloa Village. The program will feature the students reading their winning essays and recognition of their teachers.
Tickets are $35 for adults and $25 for students ages 5 to 12 years old, including the luncheon. Parking is $5.
For tickets or more information, call Roxanne at 934-3345.
Teen Wii gaming planned at library
Sponsored by Friends of the Libraries, Kona, the Kailua-Kona Public Library is offering monthly Wii gaming for young adults and teens. There will be free chips and soda and it’s first-come, first-served. Teen gaming titles are appropriate for ages 13 to 17. The program will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. to noon April 25.
For more information or to share gaming ideas, contact the Young Adult Section at 327-4327.
Child abuse awareness sign waving set
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. The public is invited to take to the streets to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect in the community by attending a sign-waving from 4 to 5 p.m. Monday at the intersection of Kuakini Highway and Kalani Street, fronting Kuakini Tower and McDonalds. Those attending should bring a sign and wear blue, the national symbol of Child Abuse Awareness.
For more information, call Neighborhood Place of Kona at 331-8777.
Kupuna singles meeting Thursday
Kupuna Singles Club meets at 5 p.m. Thursday at Fumi’s Kitchen. Call 333-8049 by Monday for reservations.
County to issue senior ID cards
The Coordinated Services for the Elderly Program of the Hawaii County Elderly Activities Division will issue senior ID cards for seniors 60 years and older Monday through Friday at the Aging and Disability Resource Center in Hilo.
Staff will also issue cards from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Kmart in Kailua-Kona, from 9 to 11 a.m. April 13 at St. Jude’s Church in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, from 9 to 11 a.m. April 13 at Kohala SCE building, from 9 to 11 a.m. April 14 at the L. Yoshimatsu Senior Center in Waimea, from 1 to 4 p.m. April 21 at Hale Hauoli Senior Center in Honokaa and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m April 22 at West Hawaii Civic Center, Building B.
For more information, call 961-8777.
Daughters of Hawaii, cousins to meet
Maile Spencer Napoleon will be the featured speaker at the Daughters of Hawaii and Calabash Cousins meeting at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Hulihee Palace in Kailua-Kona. There will be music and a birthday celebration with refreshments following the meeting. Guests and potential members are welcome.
For more information, call Sabine Andresen at 896-0289, Bettina Linke at 324-7062 or Lale Kam at 938-6394.
Signage required for electronic smoking devices
Mayor Billy Kenoi signed Bill 302 into law making Hawaii County the first in the state to restrict the use of electronic smoking devices wherever smoking tobacco products is prohibited. It went into effect Jan. 9. County beaches and parks, enclosed areas of employment, shopping malls, bars, restaurants and in cars where minors are present were included in where the use of electronic smoking devices were banned.
The ordinance defines electronic smoking devices as any electronic product that can be used to simulate smoking in the delivery of nicotine or other substances to the person inhaling from the device, including but not limited to an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo or electronic pipe, and any other component of the device or related product.
Signage is required to be clearly and conspicuously posted in every public place and place of employment where tobacco and ESD use is prohibited.
Signs must include the words “Smoking is Prohibited by Law. Including E-Cigarettes and All Other Electronic Smoking Devices” or the international “No Smoking” symbol including the “No electronic smoking device” symbol.
Signs will be available soon at various county offices. Downloadable signage and the full Hawaii County Ordinance 15-11 are available at tobaccofreehawaii.org or contact the West Hawaii Tobacco-Free Coalition coordinator at tmacaller@tobaccofreehawaii.org.
For more information, visit tobaccofreehawaii.org or health.hawaii.gov/tobacco/home/laws.
Hotline helps hungry people access food
The U.S. Department of Agriculture funds a toll-free hotline to help the hungry access food from both private and governmental resources.
The hotline can be reached at 866-3-HUNGRY or 877-8-HAMBRE for Spanish speakers from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Monday through Friday.
National Hunger Hotline staff connect callers with emergency food providers in their community, government assistance, nutritional assistance programs, and various services that promote self-sufficiency. During summer months, the hotline provides information about meal sites where children 18 years old and younger can get free, nutritious meals through the USDA Summer Food Service Program.