ERS announces fall classes
Hawaii County Elderly Recreation Services fall classes run in 10-week sessions beginning Oct. 2 and continuing through Dec. 8, excluding holidays, and are open to anyone aged 55 and older.
Most registration fees are $10 per session, unless otherwise noted, and can be paid to the instructor on the first day of class. West Hawaii classes available this session are as follows:
• Art Group, Mondays, West Hawaii Civic Center, Parks and Recreation, Building B, 9 a.m.
• Line Dancing, Tuesdays, Waikoloa Community Church, 10:15 a.m.
• Mah Jong, Tuesdays (except second Tuesday), Kohala Intergenerational Center, 1 p.m.
• Line Dancing, Wednesdays, Waimea Community Center, 10:30 a.m.
• Line Dancing, Thursdays, Hale Halawai, 10-11:30 a.m.
• Beginner line dance classes, Friday at Yano Hall, 9 a.m.
• Intermediate line dance classes, Mondays at Yano Hall, 9 a.m.
• Aquatic Aerobic/Swim Classes at the Kona Community Pool: Deep Water Aerobics Tuesdays, 9-10 a.m. and Thursdays, 9-10 a.m.; Beginner Adult Swim Lessons, Thursdays, 10:45-11:30 a.m.; and Intermediate Adult Swim Lessons, Tuesdays, 9:45-10:30 and Thursdays, 9:45-10:30 a.m.
• Senior Fitness Classes, Tuesdays at Kona Aerials, 8:30-9:30 a.m. (beginning Oct. 17) and Thursdays at Yano Hall, 8:30-9:30 a.m. (beginning Oct. 19).
• Senior Yoga, Mondays, 8:30 a.m. or Fridays, 8:30 or 10 a.m. at Hale Halawai. (Oct. 6 Yoga will be held at West Hawaii Civic Center gazebo). Cost is $5 per class.
• Senior Yoga, Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. at the West Hawaii Civic Center gazebo. Cost is $5 per class.
• Chair yoga for seniors, Mondays at Hale Halawai, 10 a.m. (beginning Oct. 30). Cost is $5 per class.
• Tai Chi, West Hawaii Civic Center gazebo, Tuesdays, 9 a.m.
• Quigong, West Hawaii Civic Center gazebo, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.
Info: Call the Elderly Recreation Services office at the West Hawaii Civic Center at 323-4340.
Hawaii Tourism United States earns national awards
Hawaii Tourism United States, managed by the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, earned awards from the American Society of Travel Agents, Travel Weekly and the U.S. Travel Association’s Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations for its work with travel agents and its #LetHawaiiHappen campaign.
“Competition for travelers is constant and the focus of these national awards conveys the creativity and diligence HTUS employs continuously to showcase Hawaii’s distinctive appeal to travel professionals and consumers seeking a destination experience unmatched anywhere. Congratulations to HTUSA for their excellence in serving travel professionals and sharing the qualities of the Hawaiian Islands that attract travelers throughout the U.S. mainland,” George D. Szigeti, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, said in a statement.
The American Society of Travel Agents voted HTUS as Destination Partner of the Year, an award that recognizes suppliers that show a willingness to collaborate and reward travel professionals for their work.
Travel Weekly selected HTUS for its Magellan Awards. From design to marketing to services, the Travel Weekly Magellan Awards honors the best in travel and salutes outstanding travel professionals. HTUSA earned gold and silver distinctions for its #LetHawaiiHappen videos series.
In addition, HTUS was awarded the National Council of State Tourism Directors Mercury Award for its branding and integrated marketing campaign.
“We’re honored to receive recognition from such well-respected organizations,” said John Monahan, HTUS’s president and CEO. “These awards are a reflection of our dedicated travel trade and marketing teams who are passionate about sharing the special people, places and culture of the Hawaiian Islands, as well as the industry partners who consistently deliver amazing Hawaii experiences.”
IRS extends relief for drought-stricken farmers
Farmers and ranchers who previously were forced to sell livestock due to drought in an applicable region now have an additional year to replace the livestock and defer tax on any gains from the forced sales, according to the Internal Revenue Service. The designated counties in Hawaii are Hawaii, Kauai and Maui.
This relief generally applies to capital gains realized by eligible farmers and ranchers on sales of livestock held for draft, dairy or breeding purposes. Sales of other livestock, such as those raised for slaughter or held for sporting purposes, or poultry are not eligible.
To qualify, the sales must be solely because of drought, flooding or other severe weather causing the region to be designated as eligible for federal assistance.
Under these circumstances, livestock generally must be replaced within a four-year period, instead of the usual two-year period. But in addition, the IRS is authorized to further extend this replacement period if the drought continues.
The one-year extension, announced Wednesday, gives eligible farmers and ranchers until the end of the tax year after the first drought-free year to replace the sold livestock.
Details, including an example of how this provision works, can be found in Notice 2006-82, available on www.irs.gov.