Dr. King celebration Jan. 14
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 37th annual Community Celebration will take place at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 14 with a program and pot luck. Please bring your favorite dish to share.
The free celebration open to all will take place at the Old Kona Airport Beach Park pavilion (Maka’eo), AKA the big pavilion.
The celebration will consist of art displays, songs, signing, dancing, reading from MLK speeches and music by our local schools and the community, the Kona Choral Society and youth, the Kailua-Kona County Band, the Kona Choral Society, the Hoagus Boagus Clown, performances by Miss Aloha Hawaii, and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Choir.
The late Frank Bramlett paved the way for the celebration held in Kailua-Kona, along with Mamie Bramlett, and Virginia Halliday. The program started in 1980 and has been observed ever since. Later, the group was joined by Kathy Simmons.
In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill creating a U.S. federal holiday in honor of King. Observed on the third Monday of January, it was first celebrated in 1986.
Because of the popularity of the celebration in Kailua-Kona, a committee of 12 was formed in 2008 along with many volunteers and donors from the community. The committee, volunteers, and donors make this a successful celebration each year.
Info: Virginia Halliday, 325-1112 or Mamie Bramlett, 331-1448.
Ocean count vols needed
The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is looking for volunteers for the 2018 Sanctuary Ocean Count.
Now in its 23rd year, volunteers count whales and record their behaviors from more than 60 shore sites on the islands of Oahu, Kauai, and Hawaii.
Through Ocean Count, the public can learn about humpback whale population, distribution, and behavioral trends, and also get involved in a volunteer monitoring effort. The Sanctuary Ocean Count will be held from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Jan. 27, Feb. 24, and March 31 at selected sites.
Interested volunteers may register online at http://sanctuaryoceancount.org/register.
More info: hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov or call 725-5923 for Oahu, and Hawaii and 246-2860 for Kauai. Registration will close one week prior to the event date.
Ukulele construction class offered
Kona Community School for Adults is again offering its popular ukulele construction class taught by Guy Sasaki at Kealakehe High School.
The 16-session class begins Jan. 22 and runs from 6-9 p.m. Mondays until May 28. Class fee is $120, plus about $100 for materials. A list of required tools and supplies will be provided during the first session.
Registration is Jan. 8-19 at Kona Community School for Adults on the campus of Kealakehe Intermediate School. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Info: Chris Stewart at 756-6111 or chrisstewart1455@msn.com.