Big Island Chocolate Festival names winners
Winners of the Big Island Chocolate Festival have been announced. Chefs, chocolatiers and students were critiqued on taste, texture, appearance and creativity by a team of celebrity judges during the three-day festival.
Event host The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii was cited in three categories for best plated dessert, bean to bar and the People’s Choice award. Hilton Waikoloa Village earned best savory while Madre Chocolate took top bonbons.
Likao Kula Farm of Holualoa bested 11 entries to win the inaugural cacao processing category.
Culinary students from University of Hawaii-Maui College won the morning student competition besting second place Hawaii Community College-Hilo and third place Hawaii Community College-West Hawaii. Students prepared elaborate plated desserts using chocolate.
The event benefited the Equip the Kitchens campaign for the future Hawaii Community College-Palamanui and Kona Pacific Public Charter School.
Visit bigislandchocolatefestival.com for updates on next year’s event.
Funds available to restore forests
Are you on nonindustrial private forest land and want to restore native forest habitat for threatened and endangered species? The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has federal funds to help you do this and you are encouraged to apply.
NRCS partners with the Department of Land and Natural Resources to engage local and regional stakeholders in science-based collaborative, community-driven land management activities. Specifically, the partnership will focus on planning, prioritization, implementation and monitoring of non-industrial private forest lands. Funds are now available as DLNR was Hawaii’s first recipient of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program.
Through the Farm Bill, funds are being provided from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Through EQIP, there will be an application, evaluation and ranking process to address resource concerns such as improving surface water, improving ground water quality, reducing soil erosion and increasing native forest habitat for threatened and endangered species.
The deadline to apply for the RCPP Healthy Forest initiative is June 5. Applications will be considered for Hawaii Island, Maui, Oahu and Kauai only at this time. Only agricultural producers in the watershed partnership areas may apply for this RCPP Healthy Forest Initiative. Land enrolled in this initiative must meet EQIP eligibility. For more information, applicants are encouraged to contact NRCS at pia.nrcs.usda.gov.
Alzheimer’s Association hosts workshops, movie
The Alzheimer’s Association will hold four events June 5 and June 6 at the Regency at Hualalai, 75-181 Hualalai Road, Kailua-Kona.
Chris Ridley will present “What Is Dementia?” at 6 p.m. June 5. This seminar will include the latest information on the warning signs of dementia, information on dementia, stages, symptoms and treatments.
At 9 a.m. June 6, Ridley will present “Legal Affairs and Dementia.” This presentation will discuss dementia and potential legal needs, legal capacity, advance health care directives, financial planning and organizing legal financial affairs.
At 11 a.m., the movie “I Am Not Fictional” will be shown. The video was produced by three sons who took care of their mother while she suffered from dementia.
At 1 p.m., Ridley will present “Communication and Behaviors in Dementia,” which includes information on why behaviors occur and possible interventions.
All events are free but will have limited seating. Interested attendees should call 443-7360 to reserve a seat.
Red Cross seeks disaster services volunteers
The American Red Cross is recruiting disaster services volunteers in Waikoloa. Training is provided free of charge.
Those who would like to volunteer should visit redcross.org/hawaii, click on volunteer, becoming a volunteer, then apply now. They will then be contacted to attend training. Upcoming classes are planned in the community room at Waikoloa Village Community Association.
Disaster Services: An Overview is planned from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 6. Shelter Fundamentals will be from 1 to 5 p.m. June 6. Disaster Assessment Fundamentals is planned from 9 a.m. to noon June 13. Finally, Disaster Action Team Orientation will be held from 12:30 to 4:30 June 13.
For more information about volunteering or other opportunities at the American Red Cross, visit redcross.org/hawaii. Those with additional questions may contact Barney Sheffield at barney.sheffield@redcross.org or at 217-0805.
Spy Camp open to children this summer
Hawaii Learning Resource is accepting applications for Spy Camp 2015. Spy Camp focuses on building on student’s academic and social skills in a fun, hands-on learning environment with an emphasis on observation, focus and listening. The camp targets diverse learners entering grades two to five in the 2015-16 school year. Enrollment is limited to 25 students and early registration is encouraged.
A typical day includes circle time, organized group play, an academic block and activity centers such as cooking, art and puzzles.
The three-week camp will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m Monday through Friday June 8 through June 26 at Kanu o ka Aina New Century Public Charter School in Waimea.
Cost is $400 per student. Financial assistance is available for eligible families. Minimum tuition is $200.
Contact Hawaii Learning Resource at 885-9318 for more information or visit hawaiilearningresource.org to download an application packet.