About Town | 4-27-15

Celebrate Free Comic Book Day at libraries Saturday

Public libraries will offer readers free comic books on Saturday in celebration of the 14th Free Comic Book Day. Library patrons showing their valid Hawaii State Public Library System cards will receive a free comic book, while supplies last. The Friends of the Library of Hawaii, Gecko Books &Comics and Collector Maniacs are sponsoring this year’s event.

Free Comic Book Day is celebrated worldwide on the first Saturday in May and participating libraries and comic book shops have given away millions of free comic books over the past 13 years. Each participating HSPLS library will offer a variety of comic books for all ages. Readers can choose from among popular series including “Avengers,” “Pokemon,” “Attack on Titan,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “Secret Wars.” Comic book selections will vary by library.

Participating libraries include Hilo Public Library, Kailua-Kona Public Library and Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library.

Costumed characters from the Pacific Outpost of the 501st Imperial Legion, Rebel Legion Hawaii, and Costumers Guild of Hawaii will be appearing at selected libraries. Library patrons are invited to bring their cameras for a photo opportunity with their favorite intergalactic heroes and villains. Visit librarieshawaii.org or call the hosting libraries for appearance times and more information.

Gardening workshops offered in Honaunau

Dragonfly Ranch is hosting a weekend course titled “How to Grow Your Own Food” from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Joseph Dunsmoor, tropical agriculture teacher and consultant with 40 years of tropical agricultural experience, will explain how to create a sustainable vegetable garden in Kona.

The Saturday class will offer a look at indigenous knowledge and cover how to co-create with nature and spirit, planting by the seasons, understanding a plant’s needs, understanding nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, carbon and phosphorous cycles, soil testing and soil feeding.

On Sunday, Dunsmoor will present his blend of Korean and Japanese natural farming, sustainable and local farming, simple ways to release nutrients and kill nematodes with a fungal digestion of the soil, how to decay weed seed and nutgrass, crop feeding and composting.

Suggested donation is $20 for one class or $35 for both. Reserve a space by contacting Dunsmoor at 639-3256 or josephd2@yahoo.com. For directions to the Dragonfly Ranch, visit dragonflyranch.com.

Wildfire Preparedness Day observed

Saturday is the second annual National Wildfire Preparedness Day. Communities from across the nation are rallying to hold events to help raise wildfire awareness, promote collaboration and bring neighbors together to work on projects that protect homes, neighborhoods and entire communities.

Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization is organizing a day of fire preparedness fun and festivities from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Waikoloa Dryland Wildfire Safety Park in Waikoloa Village at the end of Melia Street. There will be a volunteer work session planting and maintaining native plants, a firefighter meet and greet, garden tours and a keiki craft corner with fire prevention sign-making. All ages are welcome and the event is free.

HWMO is working with a number of organizations to put on this event including Hawaii Fire Department, Waikoloa Community Association, Waikoloa Community Emergency Response Team, Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative, Waikoloa Outdoor Circle and Malama Kai Foundation.

For more information, contact pablo@hawaiiwildfire.org or 885-0900.

Fashion show, luncheon benefit Arc of Kona

The Shops at Mauna Lani will present a fashion show and luncheon to benefit Arc of Kona on Sunday. “A Taste of Spring Fashion” takes place from noon to 2 p.m. at Tommy Bahama Restaurant and Bar. A gourmet three-course lunch and complimentary mimosa accessorize the fashion show, which features the latest designer looks from a day at the beach to a night on the town.

In the spotlight are the center’s apparel stores: Hulakai Surf, Jams World, The Fine Hawaiian Gift Gallery, Jourabchi, and Hawaiian Island Creations, as well as Tommy Bahama. Models include Hawaii’s title holders in the Miss America program — Ariel Enriquez, Miss Kona Coffee 2015; Keahi Delovio, Miss Aloha Hawaii 2015; and Jessica Lloyd, Miss Kailua Kona 2015.

All proceeds will benefit The Arc of Kona, the 50-year-old nonprofit that assists individuals with disabilities, their advocates and families. Seating is limited and tickets are $50 in advance, $60 on the day of the event, available at Tommy Bahama, The Fine Hawaiian Gift Gallery or online at shopsatmaunalani.com. For more information, call 885-9501.

Historic properties workshop planned

Historic Hawaii Foundation will offer a community workshop on how to nominate historic properties to the Hawaii State and National Registers of Historic Places from 9 a.m. to noon June 18 at Royal Kona Resort, 75-5852 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona.

The workshop will address the criteria, standards and process for nominating a property to the historic register, and will provide professional experts to discuss property research, completing the nomination form, and the benefits and responsibilities that come with designation.

The workshop features instructors from Historic Hawaii Foundation, preservation architectural firms and the State Historic Preservation Division. They will provide attendees with a chance to learn the basic process to complete a nomination to the Hawaii and National Register of Historic Places. Topics covered include: evaluating eligibility for the register; the benefits and responsibilities of designation; completing the nomination form; and the roles of the various commissions and boards in the nomination process.

The content is directed toward individuals, organizations and professionals wanting to list a site on the historic register as well as those who will benefit from an understanding of the nomination process and nomination form including planners, cultural resource staff, county officials, elected officials, architects, historians, real estate professionals who deal with historic properties, contractors and local citizens who care about preserving these sites.

Funding for the workshop is provided by the State Historic Preservation Division, Cooke Foundation and Historic Hawaii Foundation.

The workshop is free and open to the public. Preregistration is required. Information and online registration is available at historichawaii.org. Questions about the workshop may be directed to Historic Hawaii Foundation at 523-2900 or megan@historichawaii.org.

Ocean Fair scheduled Saturday

Jack’s Diving Locker hosts the 11th annual Ocean Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Free introductory dives and snorkel lessons in the pool, free hot dogs at lunchtime, prizes and giv-aways are planned. Free marine education presentations include: 10 a.m., “Fascinating Lives of Manta Rays;” 11 a.m., “Monk Seals;” noon, “Diving with Big Animals;” 1 p.m., “Pelagic Magic Creatures;” and 2 p.m., “Hawaiian Reefs.”

Call for more information, 329-7585.