Orchid and plant sale is this weekend
Kona Orchid Society will hold its annual Mother’s Day weekend sale from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m Saturday in the large pavilion at Old Kona Airport Park.
There will be many orchid vendors as well as other types of plants and trees available for sale. There will also be arts and crafts vendors. Seminars will also be offered both days.
Admission is free. For more information, contact Jan Rae at 325-4991.
Chamber seeks Pualu nominations
The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations of West Hawaii individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations for its 12th annual Pualu Awards.
The chamber has recognized leaders in the community for business and marketing for the past 30 years for various categories including: Community Education, Environmental Awareness, Business Innovation, Lifetime Service, Culture and Heritage, Visitor Industry Marketing Award and Chamber Member of the Year.
Companies and organizations can nominate others or themselves but must provide specific and concrete examples of how they made a difference in West Hawaii. They must also include two letters of recommendation. All applications must be received by 4 p.m. May 22 to be considered.
The Pualu Awards will be presented at the chamber’s annual installation and awards luncheon June 26 at the Four Seasons Resort, Hualalai.
Nomination forms are available at kona-kohala.com or at the chamber office at 75-5737 Kuakini Highway, Suite 208, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740. Submissions are accepted via mail or by email to Kirstin Kahaloa at kirstin@kona-kohala.com.
Habitat for Humanity recognizes Ahana
Gwen Ahana of Waimea recently received Habitat for Humanity International’s Clive Rainey Lifetime Achievement Award for Service. The award honors Habitat for Humanity volunteers for their exceptional and sustained accomplishments to advance the nonprofit’s mission to build homes, communities and hope.
Ahana has been a driving force in her community in Waimea for years, actively involved with the church, the Homestead Association, and most importantly, as a mentor to the residents helping them access services and supporting them to improve their living conditions. Kuhio Village in Waimea was selected as the focus neighborhood for Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization Program in 2011 and since then Ahana has played a pivotal role in furthering the affiliate’s efforts in the neighborhood. She has made an exceptional and sustained commitment to advancing Habitat’s mission through generously sharing her time and talents.
“It’s very exciting to be recognized for this award. Some of my best memories are volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, and I look forward to many more fulfilling years of helping families in need of decent, affordable housing,” said Ahana.
The award was created in honor of the legacy and work of Habitat’s first volunteer, Clive Rainey, who has been a steadfast champion for Habitat and its mission at home and abroad.
“Our volunteers are the pillars upon which Habitat is built,” said Patrick Hurney, executive director. “We are so grateful for Aunty Gwen’s long-term commitment to safe, decent and affordable housing in Kuhio Village and for her longstanding contributions to Habitat’s mission.”
Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii has built 24 new homes and completed 25 critical home repairs for nearly 50 West Hawaii families. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit habitatwesthawaii.org.
Scholarships available for children of deceased or disabled Elks
The Emergency Educational Grant program provides financial assistance to children of deceased or totally disabled Elks, who wish to obtain or further their college education.
Grant amounts are based on the information submitted in the application and can range up to $4,000. The grant is for one year only, however, the student may submit up to three annual renewal applications for succeeding years as long as he or she meets all other eligibility requirements. The applicant cannot accept more than one ENF scholarship or grant in any one academic year.
New and renewal applications should be filed between May 1 and Oct. 31.
Call 773-755-4732 or email scholarship@elks.org to request an application. For additional Elks Scholarship information ,call Joe Reynolds, scholarship chairman, Kona Elks, 334-0077 or email konaelks@hawaiiantel.net.