Suicide prevention task force meets
The West Hawaii Suicide Prevention Task Force is seeking new members and will hold its monthly meeting from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday at West Hawaii Community Health Center, 75-5751 Kuakini Highway at the corner of Hualalai Road.
Everyone is encouraged to attend. The group’s mission is suicide prevention and offering support to families and friends who are left behind in the wake of suicide.
Info: preventsuicidekona.com, 333-8988.
Masons to meet
The Kona Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons monthly meeting will be on Wednesday at the Kona Masonic Center, 73-5577 Kauhola St., Suite 7, Kailua-Kona.
Dinner is planned at 6 p.m., the meeting will be at 7.
All members of the craft are invited to the dinner and meeting.
Info: Lee Meyerson, 326-5661.
Small business energy conservation workshop planned
Hawaii Small Business Development Center and Hawaii Electric Light Co. offer “Electricity Savings – Simple Solutions for your Small Business” from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday at Kuakini Tower, 75-5722 Kuakini Highway, Suite 216.
Presenter David Kurohara will give tips for energy efficiency and conservation and offer disaster prepareness information.
The talk is free and light refreshments will be served.
Register: hisbdc.org. Info: 327-3680.
Senior Roundtable Hui meets
The Senior Roundtable Hui will discuss activities for those older than 60 from 1:30-3 p.m. Wednesday. The meeting is at the Pink Mocha Cafe, mauka of Home Depot.
The format will be interactive and all ages are invited. The group meets monthly to discuss an aging topic on the first Wednesday of every month. There is no cost, unless purchasing tea of coffee.
Info: Laura Guluzzy, gerontologist, 326-2100, writerlsg@gmail.com.
Traffic safety meeting planned
Kona Traffic Safety Committee will meet from 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday in the Mayor’s Conference Room at West Hawaii Civic Center.
Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss traffic issues with public officials who can make a difference. The committee meets the second Thursday of each month.
Taste of the Hawaiian Range coming up
Mealani’s Taste of the Hawaiian Range is planned from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Hilton Waikoloa Village.
More than 75 culinary stations, food producer booths and agricultural-themed displays will be set up in and around the resort’s conference center.
Pre-sale tickets are $45 through midnight Sept. 8 at TasteoftheHawaiianRange.com and islandwide locations until sold out, or $60 at the door.
Each chef is assigned to prepare 100 pounds of a specific cut of pasture-raised beef or locally sourced pork, lamb, mutton, goat or USDA-inspected wild boar. The result is a festive adventure of tasting everything from tongue to tail. Most of the beef cuts are utilized so chefs and attendees can get acquainted with not-so-familiar offerings.
Those wanting to learn how to use and prepare pasture-raised beef can attend the event’s annual Cooking 101 culinary demonstration. The 3 p.m. presentation includes sampling and is $10. Tickets are available online or at the door. A 1 p.m. seminar, Learn Where Beef Cuts Come From, is free.
Islandwide ticket locations include Kuhio Grille in Hilo, Kamuela Liquors and Parker Ranch Store in Waimea, Kona Wine Market in Kailua-Kona and Kohala Essence Shop at Hilton Waikoloa Village.
Info: 322-4892.
Lauhala bracelet weaving class
The hala tree was one of the most important trees in the Hawaiian culture. Learn traditional uses of varied parts of the tree, including how to gather and prepare leaves for weaving at a lauhala bracelet making class from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m Tuesday
The event is at Christ Church on Konawaena School Road. Attendees should bring a hand towel.
Cost is $15. Registration: Cindy Kuupua Whitehawk, blossoming_whitehawk@yahoo.com, 987-2662.
Fair Wind anniversary celebration supports Reef Teach
Fair Wind Cruises will celebrate 45 years of offering ocean tours on the South Kona coast.
To say mahalo to the community and visitors for their support, Fair Wind Cruises will host an event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Fair Wind Courtyard at Keauhou Bay. In honor of the 45-year milestone, the day’s festivities will be just $4.50, including 45-minute cruises on the Fair Wind II and Hula Kai vessels. The boats will depart every half hour from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
All proceeds from the day will go to the Kahaluu Reef Teach Program, which is committed to promoting reef etiquette to protect the bay’s fragile ecosystem. Fair Wind Cruises will match the money raised.