Public input sought on school calendar
The state Department of Education is seeking public feedback on school calendar models through an online survey.
Data from the short, three-part survey will be used to help guide calendar development for the 2016-17 school year and beyond. Public input will help ensure the calendar maximizes learning opportunities for students while meeting the needs of educators and families.
The survey is available through Wednesday at bit.ly/1CIq6ac through April 22.
Denny’s event supports wildfire prevention
Project Compassion at Denny’s restaurant will raise funds for Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Hawaii Wildfire will receive 20 percent of the food and beverage sales and all of the guest servers’ tips. Project Compassion is a partnership between the Rotary Club of Kona, Denny’s Restaurant and nonprofit organizations in West Hawaii.
Hawaii Fire Department will bring an engine for keiki to explore. There will be also be a “goat dozer” petting zoo, live music and giveaways for keiki. From 7 to 8 p.m., Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization will hold a silent auction. Reservations are not required.
Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, a small nonprofit organization based in Waimea, has been tasked with the mission of protecting Hawaii’s communities and natural resources from wildfire and its impacts.
For more information or to make a donation, contact pablo@hawaiiwildfire.org, 885-0900 or visit hawaiiwildfire.org.
Kealakehe High School students to take vow of silence
Kealakehe High School GSA club will coordinate participation in the nationwide Day of Silence, a student-led action sponsored by Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network.
Students will take a vow of silence on Friday to promote a safe environment for all students, especially lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals.
Students will break the silence with a rally at lunch.
Honokaa Hongwanji hosts community birthday party
Honokaa Hongwanji invites the public to celebrate everyone’s birthday at a community birthday party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in the social hall.
The event is an expanded version of a traditional birthday tribute to Syakamuni Buddha. The free, family-friendly event is open to all regardless of religious beliefs and includes music, dance performances by the New Dharma Band and others, games, prize drawings for keiki, a birthday cake contest and food.
Reservations are appreciated to Rev. Shingo, shingofurusawa@gmail.com or 775-7232.
Pancake breakfast held in Honokaa
The Hamakua Lions Club will hold its annual pancake breakfast fundraiser in the Honokaa High School cafetorium from 6 to 10 a.m. Sunday. The menu consists of barbecue meat, hot dogs, scrambled eggs, pancakes, papaya, coffee, cocoa, juice and milk. A drive-through pickup will also be available. Tickets are a $5 donation that benefits various community causes.
Tickets are available from Hamakua Lions members, Honokaa Jewelers or from Maurice Kaneshiro, 775-9763 or 896-1121.
VFW activities announced
VFW Post 12112, behind Kona Locksmith off Kaiwi Street, will host several events next week.
The post is closed Monday. The VFW activities committee will meet at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Coffee will be served free to veterans at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Tacos will be served at 4 p.m. Friday for $5.
On Saturday, the Marine Corps League will meet at 11:30 a.m. Also bingo will be played from 5 to 8 p.m. Chili and rice will be served, which comes with two bingo cards.
On Sunday, the Elks will host a fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to pay for the replacement of equipment stolen from West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery.
For more information, call Don Zero at 509-879-1040 or the post at 326-5675.