Deadline approaching for nursing scholarship applications
The Kona Community Hospital Auxiliary is still accepting applications for nursing scholarships for fall of 2016. Applications will be accepted until June 1. Applicants must be residents of the Big Island and be accepted to an accredited school of nursing. Preference will be given to residents of West Hawaii at the time of application (areas from Honokaa and Kohala south to Ka‘u). Consideration will be given to financial need. Registered Nurses pursuing other nursing degrees are not eligible. Scholarships are $2,000 each.
Info and applications: KCHAuxiliary.org. Info: Stephanie Irwin, 322-4560.
Mauna Kea Soil and Water Conservation District meets
The Mauna Kea Soil and Water Conservation District will meet from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Waimea Service Center, 67-1185 Mamalahoa Highway, Suite 148.
If accommodation is required, call 885-6602, ext. 100.
Teramoto is Sarah Rosenberg scholarship recipient
The Kona 4-H Federation announced Leah Teramoto of Konawaena High School is the recipient of the 2016 Sarah Rosenberg “Make a Difference” 4-H Scholarship. She received a $2,000.
This scholarship was created in memory of Sarah Rosenberg, who excelled in all areas of the 4-H Youth Development Program that included project work, leadership, and community service. Scholarships are awarded to Kona 4-H Federation high school seniors who best exemplify Sarah’s giving spirit as well as academic achievement, community service, and the 4-H philosophy.
Suicide Prevention Task Force meets
The West Hawaii Suicide Prevention Task Force meets from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at West Hawaii Community Health Center, 75-5751 Kuakini Highway.
Everyone from the community is encouraged to attend. The group’s mission is suicide prevention and support to families and friends who are left behind in the wake of suicide.
Info: preventsuicidekona.com, 333-8988.
Hakalau refuge seeks interns
Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge is looking for two enthusiastic individuals to serve as interns through Kupu Hawaii’s Extended Internship Program. Interns will help with the refuge’s outreach and biological field programs. Full-time, 40 hours per week internships will begin in the fall of 2016 and last 11 months. Interns will get a monthly living allowance and an educational award at the end of their term.
Applicants must be 18 years old or have a high school diploma. Applications are being accepted until June 30.
Those interested in an internship at Hakalau working in conservation elsewhere in Hawaii should visit kupuhawaii.org/hycc.
Hakalau internship info: Cashell Villa, 443-2300, fws.gov/refuge/hakalau_forest/.
Landowners recognized
Kona Soil and Water Conservation Distrcict has named three land owners as Cooperator of the Year.
Louise Hanna and her husband Bob Kraus took a coffee farm that was very hazardous to walk through, because of the slope and the quantity of rocks underfoot, and turned it into an agroforestry environment that is a pleasure to view from their lanai. They brought innumerable cubic yards of mulch to their land to start developing soil and started on establishing conservation cover. They started on planting native species within their coffee orchards, including more than 600 trees.
When Midori Satoh and her husband where looking for their piece of paradise, Midori wanted land she could restore to its native glory. The piece of land they found had Christmas berry, rose apple, African tulip and silver oak as well as some unique rock wall configurations. Midori managed the tree removal work with no damage to any cultural resources. With the big trees removed, a fence could be installed, followed up with removing invasive understory shrubs and finally, the planting of more than 600 native trees.
Robert and Dawn Barnes began their coffee growing adventure in 1999. They were told to protect their soil because they did not have a lot of it. When they were creating their coffee fields the first thing they got established was annual rye grass. With the grass growing they marked off coffee rows and planted their trees. They retained islands of native forest stands and frequently see hawks, an owl and bats. Overall, there is a fairly large bird population on the farm. A claim to fame for this farm is their coffee has been served regularly in the Whitehouse.