Christmas parade accepting entries
The 31st annual Kailua-Kona Community Christmas Parade starts at 5 p.m. Dec. 12. Primary sponsors are the Rotary Clubs of Kona Sunrise, Kona Mauka, and Kona. The parade theme is “Na Mele O Kalikimaka — The Songs of Christmas.” There will be 75 to 80 entries in the parade, including community and corporate groups.
The parade will once again be supportive of Hawaii Island’s Food Basket through the fourth annual Menehune Holiday Food Drive, and parade entrants and parade attendees are encouraged to contribute what they can.
Applications and additional parade and food drive information are available online at paradesinkona.com or call Chauna Reese at 313-0025.
Sirens to be tested today
The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency monthly test of the statewide outdoor siren warning system, coordinated with the test of the live audio broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System, is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. today.
The siren test is a steady one minute tone on all sirens. The steady tone is used to alert the public to any emergency that may pose a threat to life and property. Besides natural hazards, the Emergency Alert System could be used for terrorist incidents or acts of war.
To report siren operations issues, call 935-0031.
Students attend NASDA meeting
Six students who attend Honokaa, Kauai, Konawaena, Lahainaluna, Leleihua and Molokai high schools and three agriculture teachers from Pahoa, Leleihua and Konawaena high schools recently attended the National Association of State Directors of Agriculture meeting held in Kailua-Kona.
The NASDA represents 50 state directors of agriculture, who oversee the development, implementation of sound public policy and programs. NASDA has invited students from all over Hawaii from the Department of Education’s Ag/Future Farmers of America programs to increase student exposure to agricultural topics and interact with national ag policymakers.
NHCH program featured in national publication
North Hawaii Community Hospital’s Code Lavender program was recently featured in a national publication, Healthcare Business Insights, and recognized for its innovation and positive impact on patient satisfaction.
Developed in 2004 by staff members at NHCH, Code Lavender is a call for support and prayer initiated by patients or employees for themselves, patients, co-workers or friends.
Code Lavender reflects the hospital’s commitment to providing patients with a blended-medicine healing environment.
Greenwell Farms on Top 10 tours list
Greenwell Farms, a fourth-generation Kona coffee farm, has been selected as one of the 10 Best Food Factory Tours in the nation, according to readers of USA Today.
The national newspaper asked readers to help find the nation’s 10 best food factory tours, and after a busy month of voting, Greenwell Farms stands with Herr’s Snack Factory, Tabasco, Hershey’s Chocolate World, Celestial Seasonings Tea, PEZ, Jelly Belly and Boudin Bakery. Other factory tours nominated but not making the Top 10 included Ben &Jerry’s, Tillamook Cheese Factory and World of Coca-Cola.
Greenwell Farms offers tours of its working Kona coffee farm every day from 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Guides take farm visitors on a walking tour of coffee fields, highlighting farm history, pointing out various stages of coffee growth, production, and, depending on the season, visitors to the farm watch coffee cherry being processed.
Greenwell Farms is located at 81-6581 Mamalahoa Highway in Kealakekua. For more information, call 323-2295 or visit greenwellfarms.com.