Goodwill Hawaii opening free tax filing clinics
Goodwill Hawaii is partnering with the Internal Revenue Service and Aloha United Way to provide free tax preparation assistance to individuals or families who earned $54,000 or less in 2016 and do not own a home or business.
Starting Feb. 1 and ending on April 1, Goodwill Hawaii will open seven tax clinics statewide, including two on Hawaii Island. The Kona clinic will be open from 4-7 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of every month until April 5 at the Goodwill Kona office, 74-5599 Luhia St., Suite F-4. The Hilo clinic will be open from 4-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Goodwill Hilo Office, 200 Kanoelehua Avenue, Suite 102.
Those interested should schedule an appointment at higoodwill.org or call 836-0313. Walk-ins will also be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Only one individual or household will be served per appointment.
Kupuna Singles meet for lunch
Kupuna Singles will meet at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Fumi’s.
Info: 333-8049.
Hui Laulima meeting planned
West Hawaii Hui Laulima will meet from 10:30 a.m. to noon Friday at the Salvation Army, 75-223 Kalani St., Kailua-Kona.
The hui welcomes Momi Fernandez, vice chairperson of Hawaii Sub Area Health Council. Also speaking will be Theone Suzuki, the Hoopono rehabilitation teacher for the outer islands. Hoopono is the state agency for the blind.
The Hui Laulima is a consortium of health and human service providers and organizations that collaborate around matters affecting West Hawaii’s youth and families.
Contact: Linda Jeffrey, khparentcenter@yahoo.com, 989-4241.
Boater safety course offered
All boaters are required by the state to complete a boater safety course approved by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary will offer an approved course at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4 near the Keauhou boat ramp. Topics covered include state regulations, federal navigation rules, what to do in a boating emergency, and preparing a boat for an outing on the water. The course is taught in a classroom setting with time for questions and answers, hands-on experience with safety equipment and a written exam.
The class takes eight hours. Cost is $40, which includes class supplies and lunch.
The class is limited to 20 participants. Registration: Bob Lathrop, 557-6577.
AdvoCATS garage sale this weekend
AdvoCATS, Inc. will hold its after-Christmas garage sale extravaganza from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5 at 76-6256 Koko Olua Place in Kilohana.
AdvoCATS is a nonprofit organization founded in 1999 to help feed and neuter community cats in Kona. So far, it has neutered 19,000 cats.
Ready, set, Senior Strut
The County of Hawaii, Elderly Recreation Services will hold the Senior Strut race Saturday, Feb. 4 at the West Hawaii Civic Center.
The free 5-kilometer or 1-mile race is open to anyone age 55 or older. Pre-registration is not required. The out-and-back race will start at 8 a.m. and head south down the newly paved path along Ane Keohokalole Highway.
Info: Kelly at Elderly Recreation Services, 323-4340.
Rotary Club of Kona Sunrise offers scholarships
The Rotary Club of Kona Sunrise is offering a one-time scholarship for $2,000 to a West Hawaii high school senior, including a home schooled student, who has been accepted to a either a 2- or 4-year college or art school in Hawaii or on the mainland, with a major in one of the areas of the arts. This includes, but is not limited to, design, graphic arts, creative arts, theater, etc.
Two letters of reference are required. At least one should be from a teacher or instructor who can share information as to why the applicant would merit the award and understands the student’s future artistic aspirations.
The organization is also offering two $1,500 scholarships in recognition of Francis Kuailani Sr., to any West Hawaii high school senior, including those who have been home schooled. Applicants must be registered in a 2- or 4-year program at any school/college or university with a focus in biology, geology or ecology. Two letters of reference are required. At least one should be from a teacher or instructor who can share information regarding the student’s career ambitions.
All scholarship applications will be weighted based on financial need, merit (GPA and test scores) and community service.
Applicants must provide either FAFSA or EFC data with the application form.
Applications for all scholarships will be accepted through Feb. 15. Award notifications will be sent out by March 10.
Info: Ann Goody, animals@threeringranch.org. or 331-8778.