The last of the 2013 North Hawaii Obon dances are coming up. In Buddhist tradition, families welcome back the spirits of departed loved ones during the summer months with services and festive dances called Obon. The community is invited. Celebrations begin with a temple service, followed by traditional dancing with taiko drums, delicious traditional foods and time with family and friends.
Here are the locations and days (most dancing starts at 7 p.m.): Hamakua Jodo Mission Aug. 10 in Honokaa, Hakalau Jodo Mission (8 p.m.) and Kamuela Hongwanji Mission, both on Aug. 17, and the Honohina Hongwanji Mission in Ninole on Aug. 31.
Save this date: Saturday, Aug. 24, 4-6 p.m. for a gala fundraiser for the Hamakua Youth Foundation (HYF) at The Hiilani EcoHouse, the new home of Dave and Sherry Pettus and Teri and Jim Sugg.
The Pettuses and Suggs are long-term supporters of the Youth Center and are making their extraordinary “green” home available for a local community event for the first time. HYF is honored to be able to gather old and new supporters of the youth center’s after-school and summer youth programs in a place of such innovative ecological beauty. Events such as this one are essential to the center being able to continue supporting the youth of Hamakua.
The Hiilani EcoHouse, a groundbreaking carbon-neutral demonstration home, illustrates how innovative design and leading-edge products can make living comfortably and living sustainably compatible. See www.HiilaniEcoHouse.com for more on this inspiring project.
At the event, keiki and staff from the center will be describing the various no-fee programs offered to the youth of Hamakua, and there will be music along with “pupus gone wild” by local caterers and other friends of the center. We will be in touch with you again in the near future with further details.
Kahilu Theatre 2013-14 Season Tickets go on sale on Aug. 9. Responding to community recommendations, this season will showcase more wonderful Big Island talent and Hawaiian music than in recent years alongside a visiting artists program. Also, for the first time the theater will include locally produced community shows in its own season. As part of its renewed community emphasis, Kahilu Theatre invites all to invest in Kahilu and community arts and education by joining its new membership program.
Special incentives to do so include: Members from the $50 family level up to the $250 contributing level receive a 5 percent discount on all tickets (up to four per show); sustaining members at $500 receive 10 percent discounts and the Wao Kula Circle members that support the theater at $1,000 and above receive 15 percent discounts. Full season subscription or the flex subscription will be available online on the new website, www.kahilutheatre.org, or call 885-6868.
All fire fighter recruit applicants considered for hire by the Hawaii Fire Department shall have completed an English 100 (ENG 100) and a health (Medical Terminology) 125 (HLTH 125) course with a grade of “C” or higher prior to selection for hire by the Hawaii Fire Department. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact their local community college or other university for information regarding on-campus and online courses for ENG 100 and HLTH 125.
Interested applicants who would like to check to see if other similar courses can be substituted for ENG 100 and HLTH 125 may call Kapiolani Community College counselor Russell Kinningham (kinningh@hawaii.edu) or 734-9224. The Hawaii Fire Department is the only County Fire Based Emergency Medical Services service in the state. The HFD provides the County of Hawaii with Emergency Ambulance Services.
Therefore, all fire fighters are required to become State of Hawaii Emergency Medical Technicians. The HFD Fire Fighter Recruits attend EMT training through Kapiolani Community College at its Hawaii Island EMS Training Center in Hilo. The HFD anticipates a Fire Fighter Recruit recruitment in the fall, with a anticipated hiring process starting in February.
The HFD will allow applicants to apply for the recruitment without ENG 100 and HLTH 125 for this period only. However, these courses must be completed before the hiring process is completed or the applicant will not be considered.
The sixth annual Hawaii Island Humane Society Hawaii Horse Expo is this coming Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 10-11, at the Paniolo Preservation Society historic Pukalani Stables in Waimea. Internationally renowned equine experts will be sharing their knowledge in a variety of horse-related disciplines during clinics and demonstrations.
Anyone interested in horses and in building on their own awareness in a variety of horse-related disciplines is invited to attend the Expo. Clinics and demonstrations held throughout the two days always include the opportunity for personal interaction with the experts.
Already confirmed to participate are veterinarian, renowned equine behaviorist and lecturer Dr. Robert Miller; Popular host of RFD TV’s The Horse Show ¨Rick Lamb; developer of Resistance Free® Riding and Resistance Free® Training Richard Shrake; and Barrel Racer, National Cowboy Hall of Fame and National Cowgirl Hall of Famer Sharon Camarillo. In addition, there will be a wide array of vendors offering state-of-the-art services, medical and nutritional information and programs, saddle making, and related equine services including clothing, art and more.
The proceeds benefit the Hawaii Island Humane Society Horse Rescue Fund, which helps abused and abandoned horses on the island. There is a fee. For more information call 887-2301 or go on line to www.hawaiihorseexpo.com.
Carol Yurth’s column is published every Sunday and spotlights activities on the Hilo-Hamakua coast. She welcomes items for her column. Reach her by mail (46-1250 Kalehua Road, Honokaa HI 96727) at least 10 days before the requested publication date, call her at 775-7101, or e-mail waiukahenutz@gmail.com.
