Natural science degree offered in the fall
Hawaii Community College will begin offering an Associate of Science in Natural Science degree at the Palamanui campus in Kailua-Kona beginning in the fall semester.
Scholarships are available for qualified students who are part of the initial group of Associate of Science in Natural Science students at the college. The scholarships can potentially provide the equivalent of about 80 percent of tuition costs.
Students who complete the schooling can be automatically accepted into bachelor’s degree programs at University of Hawaii campuses as juniors.
Mail carriers seek to ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ Saturday
More than 175,000 mail carriers across the nation will lead the Postal Service’s effort to “Stamp Out Hunger” by collecting food donations throughout Hawaii and in cities and towns across the country on Saturday during the 25th annual National Association of Letter Carriers’ Food Drive.
The drive is the nation’s largest one-day effort to combat hunger and is held to support the mission of community food banks such as the Hawaii Foodbank. Last year, more than 57,000 pounds of food was collected on Hawaii Island.
Residents are urged to place non-perishable food items next to their mailboxes for pickup before their usual mail pickup time. Mail carriers will transport the donations back to their post offices where postal employees and volunteers will sort the food and deliver it to their nearest community food banks. Post offices without residential delivery will be collecting items during the days leading up.
Kona hospital auxiliary meets
Kona Community Hospital Auxiliary will hold its monthly board meeting at 12:30 p.m. Monday in Conference Room 1.
All members and those interested in becoming volunteers are invited to attend.
The group also invites the public to its bake sale every Friday morning in the hospital cafeteria, and to the hospital gift shop, which both raise funds for nursing scholarships.
Info: KCHAuxiliary@hotmail.com, www.KCHAuxiliary.org.
Kona Historical Society plans Jeep trip
Kona Historical Society will launch this year’s series of Jeep trips with a tour of the southern coast of Hawaii Island. Every year, Kona Historical Society coordinates several engaging 4-wheel drive excursions to areas not accessible to the public, accompanied by local historians, naturalists and cultural practitioners.
On May 27, John Replogle of The Nature Conservancy and naturalist Bobby Camara will lead a trip in Waiohinu to visit remote places on the south east coast of the island. Starting from Waiohinu Park, places of interest include Kii, Kamilo, and Kaalualu. They will explore geologic features, rare botanical ecosystems and discuss and examining jetsam, the oceanic trash brought to the shores of Kamilo by patterns of currents.
Cost is $95, or $115 if registering after May 22.
Those interested can enjoy this excursion by becoming members of Kona Historical Society. Visit store.konahistorical.org to become a member and reserve your spot. A high-clearance, 4WD vehicle and driving ability is required. Carpooling opportunities are available. The trip is limited and tends to fill up.
Info and phone sign-ups: 323-3222.
Free parenting class coming up
The Neighborhood Place of Kona will offer a free parenting education course called How to Talk So Kids Will Listen, and Listen So Kids Will Talk, which demonstrates effective skills for building relationships with children.
The six-week course meets from 3:30-5 p.m. every Tuesday May 16 through June 20. A certificate of completion is awarded to those who attend and participate in every class.
Info and to sign up: 331-8777.