Rotary Club announces scholarships

The Rotary Club of Kona Community Foundation is accepting applications from West Hawaii public and private high school seniors for four scholarships: the $6,000 Jim and Sis Bedingfield Scholarship; the $8,000 Ken and Marge Clewett Scholarship and the $4,000 James Lightner Scholarship, all are paid in four annual installments.

Eligible students for either scholarship are generally those who would have difficulty continuing their education without some type of financial assistance. Candidates are evaluated in five areas: scholastic and academic achievement, leadership, personal involvement on campus, community service and activities, extracurricular activities, employment experience, and financial need.

The $2,000 Ron and Kathy Hawkes Vocational Scholarship is paid in two annual installments. Students planning to attend a vocational or trade school are invited to apply for the scholarship.

In addition; scholarships are available for any full-time student attending Hawaii Community College — Palamanui and working toward their associate degree or associate of applied science degree.

Applications are available for download from www.rotaryclubofkona.com, from any school guidance counselor or by contacting Peggy Peckham at (808) 326-1101. The deadline for submitting applications is April 10.

AARPTax Aide program starts March 3

AARP has obtained approval to start the free AARPTax Aide program next month.

Beginning in March, AARP Hawaii will be offering taxpayers (by appointment only) the ability to drop off their documents at three sites in West Hawaii: Hale Halawai, Yano Hall and Waimea Community Center.

At Hale Halawai, 75-5760 Alii Drive, in Kailua-Kona, the program will be offered from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays, beginning March 4. For an appointment, call (808) 481-8005

At Yano Hall, 82-6156 Mamalahoa Highway, in Captain Cook, the program will be offered from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. on Wednesdays, beginning March 3. For an appointment, call (808) 481-8005.

At Waimea Community Center, 65-1260 Kawaihae Road, in Waimea, the program will be offered from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays, beginning March 5. For an appointment, call (808) 481-8005.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is an AARP Foundation program to help low- to moderate-income taxpayers have more discretionary income for everyday essentials by assisting with tax services and ensuring they receive applicable tax credits and deductions. AARP Tax-Aide is available free to taxpayers with low and moderate income, with special attention to those 50 and older.

OHA releases grant solicitations

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs recently published two of an anticipated seven grant solicitations scheduled to be released by March 1 to support Native Hawaiian beneficiaries and communities.

OHA is dedicating $144,079 to its new Iwi Kupuna Repatriation and Reinternment grant. The grant is intended to empower communities to take care of iwi kupuna, including the protection of known burial sites of iwi kupuna, respectful reburial of iwi kupuna that have been disturbed, and returning iwi kupuna that have been taken away from their homeland. Proposals must identify a specific project or activity that will be completed with grant funds, and grant awards range from $5,000 minimum to $50,000 maximum amounts.

Project proposals may include, but are not limited to, the purchase of ceremonial and reburial materials including temporary storage containers to hold iwi until reburial; transportation costs to facilitate repatriation and reinternment objectives; construction costs for burial vaults to hold the iwi; repatriation research; and training for community members, cultural descendants and other advocates.

A grant orientation has been scheduled via Zoom at 11 a.m. Thursday. The orientation is highly recommended. The application deadline is Feb. 19.

The second solicitation was the ‘Ahahui grants program, which provides financial assistance to support nonprofit organizations hosting community events that align with OHA’s 2020-2035 Mana i Mauli Ola Strategic Plan and provide significant benefits to the Hawaiian community. ‘Ahahui grants support events that are free to attend, publicly announced, and open to the larger community. This grant program is not intended to support fundraisers, award and recognition events, or individuals and groups seeking financial assistance to participate in an event.

There are $200,000 in funds available for this current application solicitation, which covers events occurring between July 1 and Dec. 31 of this year. Nonprofit organizations may apply for grant awards up to $10,000 and may receive only one ‘Ahahui grant award in a single fiscal year.

An orientation session is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Feb. 10 with registration required 24 hours in advance. The application deadline is March 12.

For more information, visit www.oha.org/grants.