Blue Zones Project holds recruitment rally
Blue Zones Project Hawaii will host a leadership recruitment rally at noon Saturday in the Honokaa High School cafeteria.
Those interested in working together to lead Hawaii to a healthier and happier future are encouraged to attend.
Blue Zones employs evidence-based ways to help people live longer and better by taking a systematic, environmental approach to well-being, which focuses on optimizing policy, building design, social networks, and the built environment. For more information, visit bluezones.com.
Beginning bridge lessons planned
Kona Bridge Club will offer a five-week class on the basics of duplicate bridge, play of the hand and conventions. The class is geared toward those who have played some bridge, understand trick taking, suits, and want to learn some basic conventions and partner communication skills. Lessons will be held at 6 p.m. on five consecutive Thursdays beginning May 7 at Kuleana Education in the Pottery Terrace, 75-5995 Kuakini Highway, in the top building on the right side.
The class will last for one hour with additional time for practice. For more information, call Rexanne at 345-0036.
Chocolate Soiree planned in Keauhou
As a prelude to Big Island Chocolate Festival, local event planning and catering company The Feeding Leaf presents the premier “Chocolate Soiree” dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. May 7 at Kokoleka Lani Farms.
The seven-course feast features Original Hawaiian Chocolate, savory and sweet, in dishes created by notable chefs and chocolate cocktail concoctions.
The event begins with hors d’oeuvres served in the retail shop at Kokoleka Lani Farms in Keauhou. Dinner will be served family-style in an adjacent home.
Tickets are limited to 100 at $125 per person, including cocktails and wine, and are available at Kona Wine Market and Westside Wines, online at eventbrite.com/e/chocolate-soiree-tickets-16328176014, or by calling 325-3803. Part of the proceeds help fund American Culinary Federation Kona Kohala Chefs Association scholarships.
Big Island Chocolate Festival takes place May 8 and 9 at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii.
For more information, contact Les Apoliona at 325-3803, thefeedingleaf@gmail.com or visit thefeedingleaf.com.
Hawaii Island Visitor Industry Charity Walk planned
The 37th annual Hawaii Island Visitor Industry Charity Walk will be held May 9 at the Mauna Lani Resort, beginning at 6:45 a.m. for runners and 7 a.m. for walkers.
The 3.1-mile run/walk will begin and end at The Shops at Mauna Lani with entertainment and food stations. The goal is to raise $300,000 for Hawaii Island charities. A minimum donation of $35 per adult and $25 per child is requested. For more information or pledge forms, visit charitywalkhawaii.org.
Waimea author recognized
Waimea resident and nationally best-selling author Darien Gee received the Award of Excellence in Special Interest Books at the Hawaii Book Publishers Association’s 2015 Ka Palapala Pookela Awards for “Writing the Hawaii Memoir: Advice and Exercises to Help You Tell Your Story,” released by Honolulu-based Watermark Publishing. The Award of Excellence is the highest honor in the category. The awards, which recognize the best local books published during the previous year, were announced at ceremonies held April 23 at the East-West Center in Honolulu.
The book takes writers step-by-step through the process of writing their memoirs to preserve what might otherwise be lost. Gee is a nationally best-selling author with six novels to her credit.