Keiki story time features reptiles
Kona Stories bookstore and the American Associated of University Women are hosting a story time best suited for children ages 3 to 7 years old. The 10:30 a.m. Tuesday story time will feature books, crafts and snacks about reptiles. There is a $5 participation fee to cover crafts and snack. Space is limited to 24 children and reservations are required. Check in 10 minutes early at Kona Stories Book Store.
Story time will happen in the courtyard of Keauhou Shopping Center. For more information or to make a reservation, call 324-0350.
Activities planned at VFW Post
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12112 is located behind Kona Locksmith off Kaiwi Street. The following events will be conducted this week:
Free coffee is served starting at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Veterans are invited to meet for camaraderie with others who have served honorably.
A $5 taco dinner with salad and dessert will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday.
Saturday’s dinner will be chili and rice for $10 and each meal includes a bingo card. Meal service is from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by the game from 6:30 to 8.
Daily lunch has started to be served at the post from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. by Privateers Cove Catering at $10 for a multiple choice stir-fry and a soda. The grand opening is set for Sept. 3 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information, call Don Zero at 509-879-1040.
Rev. Moon celebration planned Friday
The Kona Family Church hosts a celebration commemorating the life of Rev. Sun Myung Moon beginning at 7 p.m. Friday at the Hawaiian Queen Coffee Garden. The evening includes dinner, Ursula Vietze performing on the violin, hula and Japanese dances and songs. This September marks the third anniversary of Moon’s death. There is no admission fee but donations are accepted.
For more information, contact Chuck at 987-4219.
Thousands participate in Great American Cleanup
The charitable nonprofit Keep the Hawaiian Islands Beautiful celebrates another successful Great American Cleanup campaign, which took place March 1 through June 30 across the state. More than 17,000 people participated in 200-plus events that promoted environmental stewardship, ranging from community cleanups and recycling collections to beautification projects and educational outreach programs.
Beach cleanups dominated this year’s Great American Cleanup activities in Hawaii, with volunteers removing thousands of pounds of litter from coastlines and surrounding areas that would have otherwise likely become marine debris and threaten the health of Hawaii’s reef systems and wildlife. Cleanups ranged from casual activities such as the 15-minute “speed-cleanups” that Keep Puako Beautiful encourages beachgoers to conduct anytime, to large-scale coordinated efforts, like the collaborative project orchestrated by Nani O Waianae on Oahu in late April that involved several community groups and civic organizations working together to combat the unsightly effects of illegal dumping in the area.
Other events focused on the importance of reusing and recycling to engage environmental stewardship in the community, such as Recycle Hawaii’s Art &Science of Recycling Project on the Big Island. The event featured the works of local students or residents made from repurposed materials.
Efforts to clean and conserve the Hawaiian Islands continue year-round. Affiliates are now gearing up for “Get the Drift and Bag It,” the next cleanup campaign that focuses on protecting oceans, waterways and marine wildlife from trash and debris as part of the International Coastal Cleanup on Sept. 19.
People interested in volunteering or in organizing their own cleanup can email admin@khib.org or call 383-8177 to connect with a local affiliate.