Thelma Parker Library joins AstroDay
Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library will join the Maunakea Observatories’ annual AstroDay science event that continues through May 2 at Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo. This year’s annual science event goes hybrid with a weekend full of contactless celestial fun.
AstroDay participants can visit the Prince Kuhio Plaza, the long-time home of AstroDay, any time during regular business hours through May 2 to receive free STEM materials and activity kits while supplies last (no purchase required). Posters outside participating stores will announce their involvement. AstroDay participants also can view demos and presentations by scanning QR codes throughout the mall.
Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library is offering two NASA@My Library activity kits featuring the following activities: Mosquito Habitat Mapper, Build a Mosquito Larvae Trap, Cloud Teller (includes a digital microscope); and Make a Stained Glass Earth
For more information, contact Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library at (808) 887-6067.
Kona Potters Guild celebrates reopening with sale
The Kona Potters Guild is holding a sale this weekend in celebration of the guild’s reopening
The potters have been busy making their wares and will showcase them at the Society for Kona’s Education and Art in Honaunau from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Sunday. Today’s sale will be held in an outside tent. On Sunday, the work will be shown in the downstairs studio.
The Society for Kona’s Education and Art is located at 84-5191 Mamalahoa Highway in South Kona. For more information, call (808) 328-9665 or visit www.skea.org.
HVNP announces May flight operations
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will conduct a range of flight operations during May.
Between 7 and 10 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Friay and May 17 and 21 for personnel and fence material sling loads from the Kapapala Forest Reserve boundary at 4,300 feet elevation to the Kahuku boundary around 7,200 feet elevation.
Between 10 a.m. and noon on Friday to remove lua waste, beach trash and gear from ‘Apua Point, Keauhou and Halape coastal backcountry campsites, between sea level and 1,000 feet elevation. (808)Between 9 and 10 a.m. May 12 for vegetation surveys in the ‘Ola‘a Tract and Kilauea volcano’s East Rift Zone, between 2,500 feet and 4,500 feet elevation.
Between 7 and 9 a.m. May 18 and 19 for Hawaiian petrel monitoring on Mauna Loa between 6,000 feet and 9000 feet elevation.
Between 8 a.m. and noon on May 19 for invasive banana poka surveys and control on Mauna Loa between 5,000 feet and 6,400 feet elevation.
In addition, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory may conduct flight operations over Kilauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.
Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.
The National Park Service said that management of the park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources, and to maintain backcountry facilities.
Free memory screening offered
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is inviting senior citizens across the country to get a free virtual memory screening this May as part of Older Americans Month. Appointments can be scheduled by calling AFA at (866) 232-8484 or by visiting www.alzfdn.org.
Screenings take just a few minutes and are a conducted by a trained professional through secure video conference technology. A computer, smart phone or tablet with a webcam and internet access is all that’s needed. Results are not a diagnosis of any particular condition, but a memory screening can suggest if someone should see a physician for a full evaluation.
Screenings are conducted every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
“The risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease increases with age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meaning it’s especially important for older Americans to be vigilant about their brain health,” said AFA president and CEO Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. “As we celebrate older Americans and how their life experiences and contributions strengthen our communities, it’s also a good time to encourage them to contribute to their own health by getting a memory screening.”