About Town: October 17, 2020

Time changed for COVID-19 testing in Ka‘u

Hawaii County announced Friday a change in the times for testing today in Ka‘u.

Free drive-through COVID-19 testing will now be offered from 9 a.m. to noon at Kahuku Park in the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision.

No insurance is necessary to be tested, but those seeking testing should bring their insurance card if they have one. There is no co-pay for individuals being tested for the novel coronavirus.

For more information, call Civil Defense at 935-0031.

Revitalized Waikoloa Foundation launched

The Waikoloa Foundation, philanthropic sister organization to the Waikoloa Land Co., relaunched this week with renewed purpose and fresh programmatic priorities. The foundation will focus its work on stewardship of the environmental, historical and cultural features at Waikoloa and the community it was founded to serve.

The mission of the Waikoloa Foundation is to steward the cultural and environmental attributes that make Hawaii unique. The foundation preserves the archaeological and ecological resources of the past, while supporting the advancement and education that will benefit both the aina and ohana of the community for generations to come.

“I’m so grateful I have this chance to perpetuate the legacy my father began when he started the Foundation back in 1987, at the beginning of development for Waikoloa Beach Resort,” said Cary Boeddeker, board chair for the Waikoloa Foundation. “Waikoloa — the place and its people — represents a remarkably special kuleana that we are proud to carry forward.”

Early initiatives underway include partnership in the Keiki Heroes campaign supporting COVID-19 prevention in educational settings, and development of virtual field trip experiences for students to have digital access to the unique environmental and historical features at Waikoloa.

The foundation will resume hosting volunteer groups to care for the trails, shoreline, fish ponds and other natural resources at a later date.

Planning is underway to convert the historic Parker Ranch recreation building — located near Anaehoomalu — into a Waikoloa cultural resource center. Work is set to begin in 2021.

For more information, visit www.waikoloaland.com/mission.

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