Council to take up Ethics Board changes
The County Council Finance Committee at 9 a.m. Tuesday is scheduled to take up Bill 101, placing a charter amendment on the 2016 ballot asking voters if the current five-member Board of Ethics should be expanded to a nine-member board, with board members selected from each of the nine council districts.
The proposed charter amendment would also change how the board members are appointed. Instead of being appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council, two nominees would be appointed by the council member representing each council district. The mayor would then select one of the nominees and that appointee would be confirmed by the council.
Kohala Councilwoman Margaret Wille, the sponsor of the bill, said a change is needed because there are two vacancies on the five-member board and meetings have to be canceled because of a lack of a quorum. In addition, all three members must agree for any action to occur. She also noted that all members are from Hilo and meetings are held only in Hilo, further limiting islandwide representation and public access to the board.
Seniors group celebrating birthdays
The Kailua Kona Seniors meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Hale Halawai. Members will decorate their Christmas tree and celebrate December birthdays.
Info: Dave, 345-1388; Pat, 329-2424.
Dengue fever workshops planned
In response to the recent dengue fever outbreak on Hawaii Island, Laura Moire, MD, is volunteering to teach a free series of workshops in North and South Kona the first weekend of December. Moire, an emergency and integrative medicine doctor, who did research on the last outbreak in 2001, has found natural methods to prevent and treat the disease.
“Dengue Fever Prevention and Treatment” is the title of Moire’s series of talks and demonstrations. Sanctuary at Mauna Kea Gardens in North Kona is hosting workshops from noon to 2 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, Moire speaks from noon to 2 p.m. and again from 3 to 5 p.m. at Dragonfly Ranch: Healing Arts Center in Honaunau. Moire will speak again from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Sanctuary at Mauna Kea Gardens.
Effective DEET-free ingredients are being donated by Moire’s Priority Care Hawaii. Dragonfly Ranch owner Barbara Moore is donating organically fed, non-GMO papaya leaves for juicing at the workshops.
The workshops are limited to 20 participants per session. RSVP: prioritycarehawaii@gmail.com, 987-7654.
Dengue fever meeting today in Waimea
Waimea and North Hawaii residents are invited to a dengue fever informational briefing at 6 p.m. today in Waimea School cafeteria. Guest speakers will include Darryl Oliveira, Hawaii County Civil Defense chief and Incident Command for the Hawaii Island Dengue outbreak, and Department of Health representatives.
Info: health.hawaii.gov, 974-6001, 322-4880.
Meditation workshop offered Saturday
A workshop titled “Meditation: A Path to Love” will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Hawaiian Queen Coffee Garden, 75-1048 Henry St. The program introduces centering prayer meditation. The workshop will present insights from various spiritual teachers. It will be led by Farley Jones, president of Kona’s Pacific Rim Education Foundation. Suggested donation is $15.
Reservations: Farley, wfjj5@yahoo.com.
Kona Masonic Center to induct new leadership
At 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Kona Masonic Center, a new line of officers will be installed for 2016.
Bob Brogan will be the master of the lodge. Ramon Villasenor will be senior warden, Chris Domino will be junior warden, Bob Foerster, will be treasurer and Lee Meyerson will be secretary. Other men will take the positions to which they are appointed.
Following the installation, there will be a potluck luncheon at the Old Kona Airport Park pavilion No. 1.
Reservations are required. Info: 938-7149.
Meditation class scheduled Sunday
Gavin Harrison will offer sitting and walking meditation from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The event is offered on the first Sunday of each month.
Groups are nondenominational and open to all. Experienced and beginning meditators are welcome. Meditation guidance will be offered. Attendees should bring a cushion; chairs will be available. Donations are accepted.
Info: Matilda Tompson, 885-9206, tompsonp001@hawaii.rr.com, www.gavinharrison.net.
Cherry blossom festival Feb. 6
The 23rd annual Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is scheduled for Feb. 6.
The annual community event showcases the blooming of Church Row Park’s historic cherry trees and the Japanese tradition of viewing them — hanami. Fronting Mamalahoa Highway, the park’s collection of trees typically paints the town pink after January’s winter cold snap.
Held traditionally the first Saturday of February, the festival includes a variety of activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at multiple venues throughout Waimea — from Parker Ranch Center to the Hawaiian Homestead Farmers Market.
An all-day lineup of Japanese and multicultural performing arts at several locations, plus hands-on demonstrations of bonsai, origami, traditional tea ceremony and mochi pounding, plus a host of colorful craft fairs and local-style food booths are planned. Free shuttle transportation among most venues is available. For more information, call 961-8706.