Taco night at VFW
The VFW Auxiliary will host a taco dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, served with salad and dessert for $5.
The post is across Kaiwi Street from Allies Ice House. Families are welcome.
Info: VFW, 326-5675.
Time to sign up for summer reading program
The Hawaii State Public Library System invites readers of all ages to sign up and participate in the Summer Reading Program from June 5 through July 16. “Health and Fitness for the Mind, Body and Soul” is this year’s theme.
Registration for the free, six-week program at all 50 public libraries statewide begins on May 31. Contact your local library for details and guidelines.
Weekly incentives for participants will be provided, including a Marcus Mariota READ Poster, while supplies last.
The Summer Reading Program will also feature lucky drawings for prizes.
Info: librarieshawaii.org, facebook.com/HSPLSHIgov, twitter.com/HSPLSHIgov.
Libraries closed for Memorial Day
In observance of Memorial Day, all public libraries will be closed Saturday through Monday.
Normally closed on Thursday, Kealakekua Public Library, 323-7585, will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Thursday.
Info: librarieshawaii.org.
Veterans business outreach center opens in Hilo
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced $1.5 million in grant funding for six additional Veterans Business Outreach Centers, including a new center hosted by the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
The grant award enables each center to provide entrepreneurial training, comprehensive business assessment and mentoring to active duty service members, veterans and service-disabled veterans, National Guard and Reservists, and military spouses interested in starting a small business.
To learn more about additional opportunities for veterans available through the SBA, visit www.sba.gov/vets.
Business loans, support for Hawaiians, kamaaina
The Kahiau Rural Business Development Microloan Program, administered by The Kohala Center, seeks to support entrepreneurs who strive to make a positive social impact in communities on Hawaii Island and Molokai. The program offers low-interest microloans and hands-on business development services to help entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses, particularly in the arenas of local food production, ecosystem health and renewable energy. In addition to the financial viability of the business, the program considers nonfinancial values — including impact on community, culture, and nature — in the credit analysis and business development process.
The program is open to Native Hawaiians and persons born and raised in Hawaii. Qualifying businesses can apply for loans between $2,000 and $15,000, with a fixed interest rate of 2 percent and no collateral requirements. Loan funds may be used to pay for supplies, equipment, labor costs, construction costs, and other expenses that will contribute to business viability and growth.
The Kohala Center’s rural business development specialists also provide participants with individually tailored technical assistance, including help with business planning and financial record keeping.
Info: http://kohalacenter.org/business/microloan-kahiau, The Kohala Center, 887-6411.