Registration open for free youth archery class
The Department of Parks and Recreation is registering children ages 9-14 for a beginner and intermediate archery classes.
Classes will be held from 3:30-4:30 p.m. and from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Participants should indicate which time they wish to attend when registering. Registration ends Aug. 23. Class size is limited; early registration is recommended. Classes begin Aug. 24 and run for three weeks.
Participants will shoot in an indoor target range at Hale Halawai on Alii Drive. The class is free, but a donation of a large package of balloons is appreciated. All equipment and supplies will be provided. Participants may use their own equipment but it must be approved by the recreation director.
Info and registration: Marhsall: 327-3565.
Free mindfulness class offered for teachers
Mindfulness exercises and gentle yoga will be offered for teachers to help start the school year with purpose, new energy, and ease. Everybody is welcome and no previous experience is required.
The class will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Saturday at Malama Holistic Health Center in Holualoa.
Info: Sabine, 640-8049.
Ways to better Big Island workforce discussed
More than 80 attendees met at a community forum Wednesday, Aug. 10 at Hawaii Community College, Palamanui to share and brainstorm ideas to better the Big Island workforce. The forum, “Poha Ka Lama: Growing Our West Hawaii Workforce Together,” was the first of its kind to unite education and industry leaders to discuss current obstacles and viable solutions to accommodate a growing West Hawaii economy.
“This event is a meeting of the minds,” said Marty Fletcher, director of the Hawaii Community College – Palamanui and the University Center, West Hawaii. “A forum where leaders from business and education can come together and discuss career pathways and workforce development.”
Attendees also met with newly appointed chancellor of Hawaii Community Colleges, Rachel Solemsaas.
“The collaborative spirit of the West Hawaii community is what will make us stronger,” said Solemsaas. “This event showed how the education and business sectors can come together to achieve economic sustainability and I look forward to continuing this exciting partnership.”
Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kirstin Kahaloa said the chamber’s support for the community college has been part of its advocacy efforts for more than 20 years. With the new campus, there is new opportunity, a reason Kahaloa gave for inspiring the Hawaiian name of the forum.
The forum was presented in conjunction with the recent release of a study on workforce needs by the chamber’s Education and Workforce Development committee. The report is available at kona-kohala.com.