20 years of Thanksgiving dinners
Nov. 23, 2019, marks the 20th anniversary of made-from-scratch Thanksgiving dinners served annually at Hualalai Elderly Housing. Served at 5 p.m. this year, the meals started as an Eagle Scout Project of Keevan Matsumoto, Konawaena graduate and Troop 14 Eagle Scout candidate at the time (Nov. 20, 1999).
Although the Scouting program of Troop 14 which was once sponsored by Kona Daifukuji Soto Mission no longer has a charter, the original group of parents and friends have continued preparing and serving Thanksgiving dinners under the guidance and ongoing enthusiasm of of the troop’s original Scout Master and his wife for 20 years.
The group now feeds Turkey dinners for all three phases of the housing project, with various other youth groups assisting.
Currently, 506 12-pound turkeys are prepared with homemade stuffing and gravy, 20 pounds of potatoes are mashed, and a second entree which changes annually are prepared and served with green bean casserole, fresh fruits and vegetables and homemade desserts.
Keevan Matsumoto will return to help cook and serve as he did 20 years ago to honor his ongoing tradition and his work with Hawaii Affordable Properties contact, Charlene Sohriakoff.
Walk/Run for Literacy Nov. 9
Friends of the Library-Waikoloa Region (FL-WR) hosts its 10th annual Walk/Run for Literacy on Saturday, Nov. 9, featuring a silent auction, quilt drawing and community health fair at Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School, and is an important fundraiser for the future Waikoloa Library and FL-WR’s ongoing literacy projects.
Runners and walkers can pre-register online, or at the school from 6:15 to 7 a.m. on race day, for a 7:30 a.m. start. The 5K route goes from Waikoloa School past the golf course clubhouse and around the traffic circle where FL-WR’s bookmobile is located, then back to the school.
Medals are awarded to top female and male competitors in 12 different categories, including strollers, and families are encouraged to participate together. Registration is $20 for adults (pre-register online), $30 race day, $10 for keiki 12 and under, including event t-shirt.
Info: http://www.flwr-runforliteracy.com
Kawaihae Canoe Club Luau Nov. 23
The Kawaihae Canoe Club is hosting its 25th annual Luau at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Kawaihae Canoe Club site.
Enjoy an outdoor luau with authentic food and great Hawaiian entertainment under the stars with Kumu Pele Kaio Halau Unulau, Tihati Productions and Lorenzo’s Army. Pre-sale adult tickets are $40 ($45 at the door) and children’s tickets are $15 (ages 5-10). Gate opens at 5 p.m. and dinner starts at 6 p.m.
Coolers are welcome, and please bring a designated driver. Malama i ka aina – KCC is plastic free.
For more information, please contact kccluau@yahoo.com.