Puukohola Heiau reopens museum, provides tours
Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site is increasing access to the park’s indoor museum and is offering interpretive talks and ranger-led guided tours.
The interpretive talks and guided tours must be scheduled in advance and are limited to 10 visitors per event. The National Park Service is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.
The park reopend trails and outdoors spaces as well as its visitor center in July.
Beginning Sunday, Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site will reopen access to:
• Indoor museum and sales outlet from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
• Interpretive talks and Ranger-led guided tours: (educational-based school groups and certified/authorized commercial use tour groups) scheduled in advance by calling (808) 882-7218, ext. 1011; groups no larger than 10 visitors will be allowed.
Details and updates on park operations will be posted online at www.nps.gov/puhe.
‘Wish Upon Waimea’ fundraiser launches Saturday
Make a “Wish Upon Waimea” at Parker Ranch Center and raise funds for the Big Island Giving Tree, a nonprofit helping kupuna and working families year-round in the Hawaii Island community. The goal is to raise $10,000 to provide Christmas meals for those in need.
To support the Big Island Giving Tree, visit the Waimea Wish booth located in Parker Ranch Center’s food court or the Parker Ranch Center Management Office starting Saturday and continuing through Dec. 18. At the locations, a donation to the Big Island Giving Tree, either monetary or through gift cards from Foodland or the Healthways II store, can be made. Then, make a Wish Upon Waimea and submit your own Parker Ranch Center wish list for a chance to win gifts from its stores or restaurants.
For more information on the volunteer-driven Big Island Giving Tree, visit www.thebigislandgivingtree.com.
HIHS launches Community Pet Support Program
Hawaii Island Humane Society, in partnership with the John R. Peterson Foundation, has initiated its Community Pet Support Program to provide basic veterinary care to pets in need of assistance. The Community Pet Support Program includes vaccinations, routine lab tests, deworming, flea and tick preventatives and addressing routine health maintenance issues.
“Our main goal with the Community Pet Support Program is to preserve families by providing services and resources to help keep pets in homes. We would not be able to do this expanded outreach into the community without the support of the John R. Peterson Foundation,” said Hawaii Island Humane Society Chief Executive Officer Dr. Beth Jose.
The John R. Peterson Foundation was established in 2020 with the mission to ensure better, longer lives for companion animals. The foundation strives to tackle and alleviate those conditions that cause animals to be placed into shelters and rescues.
The Hawaii Island Humane Society veterinary team first reached out to the residents of Kamakana Village, a senior housing complex in Kona, to offer free veterinary services to the residents there. They will be traveling around the island to bring those same services to Naalehu, Kohala, Laupahoehoe, Waikoloa, Ocean View, Honaunau and Paauilo over the next two months.
