About Town | 4-26-15

Wilson completes Air Force training

Air Force Airman Zachary A. Wilson has graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Wilson earned distinction as an honor graduate.

He is the son of Brett and Kellie Wilson of Meridian, Idaho, and brother of Bryce Wilson of Hawi.

The airman graduated in 2014 from Meridian High School, Meridian, Idaho.

HPA book club meets Thursday

The Hawaii Preparatory Academy Community Book Club will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Dyer Memorial Library, upper campus. Community Book Club meetings are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served and participants are invited to bring a snack to share.

The book selection is “The Book of Unknown Americans” by Cristina Henriquez.

For more information, contact Jaime Johnson at jjohnson@hpa.edu.

Free identity theft workshop offered

Warren Chong, an independent representative with LegalShield, will conduct a free identity theft workshop at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Suite Possibilities, suite 102 in the Chamber of Commerce Building south of McDonald’s. Chong will discuss seven types of identity theft and and how to restore identity to pre-fraud status.

Space is limited and reservations are required. Call Chong at 325-1060 to reserve a space.

Grant available for a disabled student

Applications are sought for the University of Hawaii at Hilo Scholars with Disabilities Achievement Grant.

This annual award recognizes a student with a disability for his or her superior scholastic performance and who plans to enroll or is enrolled at UH-Hilo for the fall 2015 semester. The student may be enrolled either full- or part-time and must have a 3.0 GPA and be a qualified student with a disability.

Applications are due June 30. For more information or an application form, contact the Disability Services office at 932-7623, 932-7768 (TTY), or email udshr@hawaii.edu.

Farmers must complete form for crop insurance premium support eligibility

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reminds farmers the 2014 Farm Bill requires producers to file a Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form (AD-1026) with their local USDA service center by June 1 to become or remain eligible for crop insurance premium support.

Most farmers already have a certification form on file since it’s required for participation in most USDA programs. However, farmers who receive federal crop insurance premium support who don’t participate in other USDA programs also must file a certification form to maintain their crop insurance premium support.

Producers should visit their local USDA service center and talk with their crop insurance agent before the deadline to learn about conservation compliance procedures. USDA will publish a rule outlining the linkage of conservation compliance with federal crop insurance premium support at go.usa.gov/3Wy5J.

The form is available at local USDA service center or at fsa.usda.gov/AD1026form. For more information, visit usda.gov/farmbill.

Essay contest open to high school and college students

Go For Broke National Education Center will hold its third annual student essay contest with students having the option to create short videos. The contest is open to high school students in grades 9 through 12 and undergraduate and graduate college students. Cash prizes totaling $6,500 will be awarded to 14 winners with $1,000 given to each of the top four winners. The top 30 finalists will receive two tickets to attend the center’s 14th annual Evening of Aloha Gala Dinner this fall in Los Angeles.

Students may write an essay or create a short video. Participants can address one of three topics: (1) Study the Japanese American World War II soldier experience and explain its relevance to peoples’ lives today; (2) Research one Japanese American World War II soldier and highlight elements of the experience that are most meaningful to the writer or (3) Analyze what the Japanese American World War II experience can teach about the Constitution, rights and responsibilities.

Submissions are due by June 30. Essays must be emailed to chris@goforbroke.org. Videos must be posted to YouTube and the link must be emailed to chris@goforbroke.org.

Essays should consist of 250- to 500-word original compositions. Videos should be between 3 and 5 minutes in length. Winners will be notified by July 31.

For more information, contact Chris Brusatte at 310-222-5711, or visit goforbroke.org/about_us/about_us_student_essay.php.

Homeownership seminar planned

Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union will host a free educational seminar on the “ABCs of Homeownership” from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 9 at the John Y. Iwane Credit Union Center training room at its Kaloko facility.

The seminar will feature a presentation by Reina Miyamoto, program director of the Hawaii HomeOwnership Center. The session topics include dispelling home buying myths, the benefits of homeownership, purchase assistance programs and more. To register for the seminar or for more information, contact the HCFCU Call Center at 930-7700 or marketing@hicommfcu.com. Seating is limited.

Hui Laulima meeting Friday

West Hawaii Hui Laulima meets from 10:30 a.m. to noon Friday at The Salvation Army, 75-223 Kalani St. This is a change from the regular meeting place.

The hui welcomes Debby Webster from Court Appointed Special Advocates and representatives from Project Vision Hawaii who will share about their programs.

For more information, contact Linda Jeffrey at 313-3652 or khparentcenter@yahoo.com.