Free tax filing help for low-income families
Goodwill Hawaii is partnering with the Internal Revenue Service and Aloha United Way to provide free tax preparation assistance to eligible tax filers – individuals or families who earned $54,000 or less in 2015 and do not own a home or business.
Starting Feb. 2 and ending April 2, Goodwill Hawaii will open seven tax clinics statewide – including three on Oahu, two on the Big Island, one in Kahului, Maui and one in Lihue, Kauai. Big Island locations include the Goodwill Kona office at 74-5599 Luhia Street in Kailua-Kona and the Goodwill Hilo office on Kanoelehua Avenue. Kona hours will be 4-7 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month, including April 6.
Last season, Goodwill Hawaii assisted more than 1,300 households to file their federal and state tax returns who received over $2 million in tax refunds and credits. On average, each household serviced by Goodwill received a tax refund of $2,175.
Interested parties are encouraged to schedule an appointment to meet with a tax preparer by visiting www.higoodwill.org or calling 836-0313. Walk-ins will also be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Only one individual or household will be served per appointment.
Squash and Awe Farm owner demonstrates simple fermentation
Anna Peach, owner of Squash and Awe Farm, will offer a demonstration of simple fermentation at North Kohala Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 1.
Info/request accommodations: 889-6655
Talk covers protection from vog
U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist Tamar Elias and Durham University researcher Claire Horwell will provide an update on Kilauea volcanic gas emissions and vog, and share results from a study on vog perception and protection in Hawaii island communities.
Their talk begins at 6:30 p.m.Wednesday in the Ocean View Community Center, 92-8924 Leilani Circle in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. The event is free and open to the public.
Info: hvo.wr.usgs.gov, askHVO@usgs.gov, 967-8844.
HPM offer $1,000 scholarships
Applications for the Barney S. Fujimoto Memorial Scholarship are available for Hawaii Island high school seniors who are planning on attending a University of Hawaii institution.
Barney Fujimoto, a past officer of HPM, strongly valued the importance of higher education. Today, HPM continues to express these same values through this scholarship.
Scholarships will be awarded to students who are able to show a history of strong community service and a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Preference will be given to children of HPM Building Supply owner-employees.
Applications are being accepted online via the University of Hawaii Common Scholarship Application. Deadline to apply is March 1. Visit hpmhawaii.com/about/scholarship for more details.