Hands-on fruit tree grafting class offered
The University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources will host an informational and interactive workshop on fruit tree grafting with Joe Sabol, professor emeritus at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Classes will be held in Hilo and Kona in February.
During the hands-on workshop, Sabol teaches the basics of grafting fruit trees. He will instruct and guide participants through active grafting of scion to rootstock. All grafting tools will be provided, including scion and rootstock materials.
Each class costs $10 and is limited to 40 participants. The Kona class is slated 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Kona Cooperative Extensive Service conference room at 79-7381 Mamalahoa Highway. The Hilo class is 5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at Komohana Research and Extension Center at 875 Komohana St.
Info/register: http://hawaiicoffee.weebly.com/grafting-workshop.html.
Dengue fever update meeting planned
A community dengue fever outbreak meeting is planned from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park.
Presentations will be made by the Office of the Mayor, Hawaii County Civil Defense, State of Hawaii Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service.
A question and answer period will follow.
Info: Ranger Julia, 328-2326 ext. 1702
Keck astronomy talk coming up
The Keck Observatory February astronomy talk, “How Keck Observatory Helps Decode the Formation of our Solar System” will be given from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Honokaa People’s Theatre, 45-3574 Mamane St., Honokaa.
Unknown just a generation ago, more than 2,000 planets have been discovered orbiting other stars in our galaxy and Keck Observatory has been at the forefront of this exciting field. Professor Greg Laughlin, an expert on planet formation and dynamics at the University of California, Santa Cruz, will share an up-to-the-minute picture of what we know about these other worlds, and explain how the these new discoveries from Manua Kea help humankind understand how our own solar system formed.
The program is free and open to the public.
Info: www.keckobservatory.org/events, Steve Jefferson, communications officer, sjefferson@keck.hawaii.edu, 881-3827.
Math family night planned
Kealakehe Elementary School plans its second annual Math Family Fun Night 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday at the school’s cafeteria.
During the event, families will have the opportunity to engage in several different math activities and teachers will present parents with ideas on how to have fun teaching math to their children at all grade levels. Parents will also have the opportunity to race against their children to fluently solve math problems.
Computers will be available to help families learn how to access all the school’s online math websites at home and a math information center will also be available to answer any questions parents may have about the school math curriculum.
Food will be served and there will be a drawing for door prizes.
Info: Diane Clarke or Cher Rutherford, 327-4308.
Tools discussed to help employers hire ex-cons
Employers interested in learning about the Going Home Re-entry program are invited to an employer recognition event from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. Thursday at West Hawaii Civic Center, Meeting Hale Building G.
Speakers will talk about the program and services available to employers who are interested in supporting transitioning ex-offenders. Employers who are supportive of this initiative will also be recognized.
To make reservations: Thomas Au, 327-4770, Thomas.T.Au@hawaii.gov.
Summer food service program helps fill hunger gap
Children in low-income communities are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. However, the programs end when school lets out for the summer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Summer Food Service Program helps fill the hunger gap by providing nutritious meals during the summer.
Schools, public agencies, and private nonprofit organizations may apply to be Summer Food Service Program sponsors. Sponsoring organizations receive reimbursements for serving healthy meals and snacks at approved sites to children and teenagers 18 years old and younger. Sponsors are encouraged to provide educational or recreational activities.
Info: Jennifer Dang, 587-3600.