Blood drives coming up
Several blood drives are scheduled in November on Hawaii Island.
They will be held from 11:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7 and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 9 in the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Kona Hawaii Stake Cultural Hall.
A drive is also planned from 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Nov. 8 in the Mauna Lani Ballroom at Mauna Lani Bay Hotel &Bungalows.
Those who donate blood must be in good health, be 18 years old or older (17 with signed Blood Bank of Hawaii parent/legal guardian consent form) and weigh 110 pounds or more. Participants should bring photo ID with date of birth.
Drives are subject to change.
Arbor Day celebration planned
The newly formed nonprofit group, Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, will celebrate Arbor Day Saturday.
Garden tours will be offered at 2:30, and a program and pupu will be at 4 p.m. There is no charge for the event, but attendees may become friends of the group for a $5 membership fee.
Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden is at 82-6160 Mamalahoa Highway in Captain Cook.
The 13-acre garden’s mission is to “support Hawaiian cultural traditions of land use and plants and conserve the plant resources of traditional Hawaiian cultural activities.”
Waimea Outdoor Circle plant sale Saturday
Waimea Outdoor Circle’s Fall Plant Sale and Arbor Day Celebration will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Ulu Laau the Waimea Nature Park.
Plants and trees, including an array of natives and indigenous, exotic plants, ornamentals, herbs and vegetable starts, which were grown by members will be sold. Vendors will be present with additional plants, fruit trees, arts, crafts and baked goods.
Also, trees and plants will be given away in honor of Arbor Day while supplies last.
Info: 443-4482 or wochawaii@gmail.com.
Program recognizes young volunteers
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, is calling for entries from students in grades 5-12 for its 2017 Spirit of Community Awards. The program recognizes kids who have volunteered to make their communities better places to live.
The deadline is Nov. 8. Applications are at spirit.prudential.com, or call (855) 670-4787.
Hailed as the nation’s largest youth volunteer recognition program, the top national winners each receive $5,000 and a $5,000 Prudential Foundation grant for a charitable organization of their choice. Two honorees are named each year from each state. Each May, the top 10 youth volunteers are then selected and named America’s Top 10 Youth Volunteers.
Tours and talks planned during coffee festival
As the Kona coffee region continues to gain recognition, more farm tours are popping up during the 10 days of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival.
Farm tours and talks are offered at Kona Coffee Living History Farm, UCC Kona Coffee Picking and Farm Experience, Kona Coffee Council Farm and Mill. Seminars are also offered in conjunction with the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival.
Food and tastings will be offered at the Holualoa Village Coffee &Art Stroll, KTA Super Stores Kona Coffee Recipe Contest, Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Cupping Competition, Kona Coffee Beer, Wine and Coffee Tasting, the intercultural concert, Kona Coffee Farmers Market Place, Kona Coffee Council Dinner and Benefit Auction and the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Hoolaulea.
A festival button is required for attendance to all events and can be purchased for $3 at all events and many retail and farm locations. For a list of 46th Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival events or information, visit konacoffeefest.com. Follow the festival on social media @konacoffeefest.