Lauhala bracelet weaving class offered
Attendees of a lauhala bracelet weaving class will learn about traditional uses of the hala tree and how to gather and prepare leaves for weaving. They will also create their own bracelet during the workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Christ Church on Konawaena School Road.
Cost is $15. Attendees should bring a hand towel.
Register: Cindy Kuupua Whitehawk, blossoming_whitehawk@yahoo.com, 987-2662.
Ocean fair planned
Jack’s Diving Locker in Coconut Grove Marketplace will host a free ocean fair from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.
Keller Laros of Manta Pacific Research Foundation will present manta ray research updates at 10 a.m. Neal Hoogenboom of Jack’s Diving Locker will discuss endemic species of Hawaii at 11. Deb Wickham of the Marine Mammal Center Ke Ola Kai will give a talk on monk seals of Hawaii at noon. “Plankton Soup-Animals of the Abyss-que” will be given by Jeff Leicher of Jack’s Diving Locker at 1 p.m. At 2 p.m., Christopher Peters of The Nature Conservancy will discuss marine science in West Hawaii.
Various marine conservation organizations will be on-site with booths. Free crafts and activities will be offered for keiki and free scuba diving and snorkel lessons will be offered in the pool. There will be dolphin and manta snorkel charter give-aways.
Info: jacksdivinglocker.com, 329-7585.
AARP offers free document shredding
AARP Hawaii and Access Corporation are offering free document shredding from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Access Information Management Destruction Plant, 73-4164 Huli Koa Drive, Suite 5.
Participants are invited to bring sensitive papers for confidential, on-site destruction. Staples and paper clips do not need to be removed. This is a drive-through and drop-off event with unloading assistance available. AARP membership is not required. There is a limit of four file boxes or bags of paper per vehicle occupant.
Donations of brown rice and canned goods will be accepted for Hawaii Food Basket. Registration is not required.
New tours offered at NELHA
The nonprofit Friends of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority offers a new lineup of tours open to the public.
Morning tours are Monday through Friday and start at Gateway Visitor Center. The schedule includes:
The Ocean Matters Tour offers an introduction green energy, aquaculture, desalination and research efforts underway. It is offered from 10 to 11:15 a.m. Monday with options to also visit the OTEC tower at Keahole Point, Big Island Abalone and the Kanaloa Octopus Farm.
The Ocean Conservation Tour visits Ke Kai Ola, the monk seal rehabilitation center. Attendees learn about the efforts to revive Hawaii’s declining seal population and visit the world’s first octopus farm before seeing the nearby OTEC Tower. It is offered from 10 a.m. to 12:30p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Attendees to the Sustainable Aquaculture Tour hear about the challenges and successes of producing sustainable food in the ocean during a tour at Kampachi Farms. Participants will then visit Big Island Abalone where they will learn about operations and taste a grilled sample of ezo abalone, then stop at the OTEC Tower. This tour is from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays.
Cost varies depending on the tour. Info and reservations: friendsofnelha.org, 329-8073.