Hawaii County is welcoming seniors back to classes with a transitional summer schedule beginning on Monday, July 26.
The County of Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation announced that Elderly Recreation Services will offer classes in Hilo, Keaau, Pahoa, Mountain View, Volcano, Naalehu, Holualoa and Kailua-Kona through Friday, Sept. 24.
While not every class is coming back for the summer schedule, there are many different physical and nonphysical classes to choose from.
“We are gearing up for classes and have a lot more to offer and more variety than I originally envisioned,” said program director Iris Higa. “We’ll have more classes to offer in the fall, but I think this will help us transition everyone back.”
Each senior will only be allowed to attend one class at the Kamana Senior Center and two classes at the Keaau Senior Center and West Hawaii Senior Center.
Seniors will be able to register for Kamana Senior Center classes in Hilo with a drive-thru registration at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, July 12.
After Monday, seniors can register at the Kamana Senior Center from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, to Friday, July 16.
On the registration form, seniors can list their first class choice followed by three alternatives. Everyone will be enrolled on a first come, first served basis until the class limit is met.
Phone registrations and late registrations will not be accepted.
“We want to be able to accommodate everyone to get one of their choices while making it fair and giving everyone an opportunity to enroll,” Higa said. “This is going to have such a positive impact on seniors coming back to classes, and we can’t wait to see everyone back in action.”
Each participant will be required to wear a mask upon entering the facilities. Masks will not be required during classes that require physical activity.
Registration forms and information, as well as class schedules for all three senior centers, are available at https://www.parks.hawaiicounty.gov/divisions/elderly-activities.
The senior centers also will have registration forms available in-person.