Living Nativity slated at Mokuaikaua
Mokuaikaua Church will host a holiday affair, a “Journey to Bethlehem, a Live Nativity Experience” from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, on its church grounds. Visitors will stroll back in time with a live, interactive passage from Nazareth to Bethlehem throughout the historic church site. Along the way, Christmas carols, re-enactment storytelling, period exhibits, refreshments and opportunities for holiday photos will be engaging for both children and adults. The storytelling sessions will be held every 15 minutes beginning at 4:30 p.m. The last grouping will be at 7:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the community.
Mokuaikaua Church, founded in 1820, is the oldest Christian church in Hawaii and is located at 75-5713 Alii Drive.
Info: 329-0655, www.mokuaikaua.com.
Visually impaired wrapping gifts
The West Hawaii Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind will hold its annual Christmas gift wrapping event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 21-23 in front of Kmart in Kailua-Kona.
Info: nfb-westhi.org; Sally, 345-7065.
Hawaiians invited to info meeting
The Villages of Laiopua and Laiopua 2020 are hosting former U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who will conduct a workshop presentation on the Department of Interior’s proposed rulemaking regarding the Procedures for Re-establishing a Formal Government-to-Government Relationship with the Native Hawaiian Community.
The DOI informational meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday at the West Hawaii Civic Center Council Chambers
Native and part-Hawaiians are encouraged to come to the informational consultation meeting to be informed of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, as to what is being proposed by the DOI and what Department of Hawaiian Homelands’ standing and to this action would be.
Info: 355-8689.
Vocal music scholarship begun
Friends of local jazz vocalist Jimmy Borges have raised more than $300,000 for a vocal music scholarship fund bearing his name at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The needs-based scholarship will benefit Hawaii high school graduates. Borges, 80, is battling cancer.
Contributions are still being accepted by Malia Peters at the UH Foundation: malia.peters@uhfoundation.org.
Student artists invited to create pieces
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard is accepting submissions from Hawaii high school artists in the 2nd Congressional District for the 2016 Kaha Kii Congressional Art Competition, hosted by the U.S. House of Representatives.
Artwork must be submitted by Feb. 23. Semi-finalists will be announced shortly after, and Gabbard will reveal the winning pieces at an awards ceremony in April at the Hawaii State Capitol. Interested applicants can obtain complete details regarding the competition on the congresswoman’s official website or by calling 541-1986.
Daylight Mind opens in Waikoloa resort
Daylight Mind, a boutique coffee roaster, bakery and restaurant, has opened its second coffee bar and restaurant in Queens’ MarketPlace in Waikoloa.
With award-winning food and coffee, Daylight Mind is designated one of the top U.S. coffee cafes by a dozen media organizations from Fodor’s and Huffington Post to USA Today and foodandwine.com. Its menu features ingredients grown on local farms and ranches including customer favorites Hawaii coffee-braised short ribs, Kauai prawns and avocado smash.
The coffee bar is open daily from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The restaurant is open daily from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. It is located at 69-201 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Suite J1, Waikoloa.
Info: www.daylightmind.com, 223-0982, shawn.steiman@DaylightMind.com.
Kona Stories among Patterson award winners
Brenda McConnell and Joy Vogelgesang, owners of Kona Stories book store, were among the 87 national winners of the James Patterson Christmas Bonus for booksellers. They will be splitting $2,500.
Bestselling author and literacy advocate James Patterson launched the bonus program in October to thank booksellers for their dedication to spreading the joy of reading.
The holiday bonus program is part of $2 million in grants and bonuses that Patterson is giving to independent book store employees and school libraries this holiday season.
From 2,848 nominations received for the holiday bonus program, Patterson personally selected the booksellers who will receive bonuses ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. In 2014, Patterson awarded more than $1 million in grants to 178 independent book stores committed to fostering a love of reading among children and young adults.