Human trafficking task force meeting planned
The next monthly human trafficking task force meeting will be from noon to 1 p.m Tuesday at West Hawaii Community Health Center on Kuakini Highway. This meeting is open to anyone concerned about trafficking.
Kaloko Fishpond road closed for tree trimming
The access road to Kaloko Fishpond and parking lot will be closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday for tree removal and helicopter operations, the National Park Service reports.
The Kaloko gravel road, Ala Nui Kaloko, is off Highway 19 between mile markers 96 and 97 at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park.
Info: 326-9057.
Students invited to enter essay contest
“What I Can Do to Promote Americanism and Love of Country” is an Elks national essay contest sponsored by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of America.
Eligible participants must be students enrolled in fifth through eighth grade at the time of the contest; essay length is not to exceed 300 words; essay must be typed or legibly printed in ink and written (or typed) by the entrant; essay must be submitted for judging to the Elks Lodge nearest to the address of the entrant; and participant must be identified by name, grade, school attending and sponsoring Elks Lodge on the essay.
Plaques will be awarded by the Grand Lodge for first through third places for national winning essays in Division I and Division II. Winners will be announced at the Grand Lodge Session in Houston, July 3-6.
Essays should be submitted to a local Elks Lodge by Dec. 18. The essay contest cover sheet must be completed for each level of competition and remain attached to the essay.
Info.: www.elks.org/programs/americanism.cfm; Kona Elks 2616; Joe or Mary Reynolds, 334-0077.
Kailua-Kona Seniors to attend movie day
Kailua-Kona Seniors will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday at West Hawaii Civic Center in Building A to attend a free showing of the movie, “Chef.” The event is open to all interested seniors. It is a comedy-drama about a chef who loses his restaurant job and starts a food truck. Some of the stars are Dustin Hoffman, Oliver Platt, Sofia Vergara and Robert Downey Jr.
Kailua-Kona Seniors will not meet at Hale Halawai this week. For more information, call Dave at 345-1388 or Pat at 329-2424.
Police officer to be honored
The Kona Crime Prevention Committee will honor Bradden Kimura as its “officer of the month” at noon Wednesday, Dec. 2, for outstanding performance as a member of the Hawaii Police Department. The guest speaker will be Chad Cabral, development director Hope Systems, The Friendly Place.
The committee encourages and supports the police department in its efforts to prevent crime, deter potential criminals and enforce laws. The committee also provides needed police equipment for use by Kona District officers when department funds cannot support those needs.
The public is invited to attend the luncheon. Cost is $20, all inclusive at Huggo’s Restaurant.
Reservations by Nov. 30: Liz Holey, lholey@hawaii.rr.com, 443-7708.
Annual Christmas craft fair set
The 33rd annual Joanne “Goose” Williams Christmas Treasures Art, Gift and Craft Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.
The event features vendors from all over Hawaii with exclusive items for sale. The wide selection of gifts includes jams, jewelry, crafts, artwork, household items, clothing and homemade personal care products.
Admission is free and door prizes donated by each vendor will be given away throughout the day. The fair aims to promote Island artists and craftspeople and several nonprofit organizations.
Kailua Kalikimaka brings Christmas cheer downtown
Kailua Village will be transformed for the holidays with the addition of Kailua Kalikimaka banners, brightly colored holiday decor. Kailua Village Business Improvement District begins its holiday festivities Friday with the lighting of the Christmas tree at Emma’s Square across from Hulihee Palace. Entertainment will be offered from 5:45 p.m. and the tree will be lit at 6:15.
A dinner and a movie night will be offered at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at Kona Commons. The movie, “Polar Express” will be played, popcorn will be served and Santa will be present. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs, but not coolers.
Kokua Kailua will provide opportunity for Christmas shoppers to buy locally on Dec. 13 when Alii drive will be closed to vehicles and vendors will be present. A free Hawaiian music concert will be offered at 4 p.m. at Hulihee Palace and Mark Yamanaka will present a Hawaiian holiday concert from 5 to 6 p.m.
A lighted boat parade is planned at 6 p.m. in Kailua Bay. Body Glove will be docked at Kailua Pier to offer parade viewing. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Info: historickailuavillage.com.
Ocean View church hosts FAFSA workshop
St. Jude’s Episcopal Church will host a free FAFSA application workshop from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 26. College bound students are invited. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a federal form, required for students to access federal and state financial aid for college.
Computers will be available at the church, located at 92-8606 Paradise Circle in Ocean View, for parents and students to complete the form via the church’s Wi-Fi. Cindy Cutts, a retired college adviser, will be available to assist questions.
To complete a FAFSA, students will need to bring social security numbers for student and parents, current email addresses and the adjusted gross income figure from their most recent income tax filing (if 2015 tax information is not available, bring 2014 numbers) for parents and student.
Info.: www.stjudeshawaii.org.
