The Hamakua Sugar Plantation Days Festival is just around the corner.
The Hamakua Sugar Plantation Days Festival is just around the corner.
Do you have from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, saved on your calendar?
Come spend all day with the Honokaa community as “we step back 20 years in time” to remember. See how Honokaa kept its distinct cultures alive with — what else? — food, tradition and, most importantly, community stories.
Are you thinking, “Mmm, got the onos for Portuguese food? Maybe Puerto Rican food?” Pick up a pastele, gandule and bakalau salad plate.
Or, are Filipino desserts the kind you like and only get at the big parties?
Well, Honokaa will be the happening place for every ono-kine food and cultural activity taking us back to the plantation life “camp style” with sharing and talk-story times.
Enjoy the Filipino dances, songs and music all performed in full Filipino attire. And then, go to the Japanese/Okinawan booth to be surprised. Our Portuguese Club will have a Cultural Fashion Show, so be prepared to be wowed.
Kumu hula Haleakala Sakata is showcasing the keiki of her troop. Come on over to purchase the Hawaiian funnel cakes — haupia and taro are her specialty. Yum!
Been wondering how the Chinese arrived and prospered during the plantation days? Or maybe the “Story of the Chinese and Sandalwood” will catch your ear.
Be sure to be there from the beginning to hear it all.
Do you miss the real almond cookie or perhaps a fortune cookie “fortune” to cheer up your day? Then check out the Chinese booth for baked goods; look for the colorful lanterns.
End your day relaxing at the Honokaa school cafe for the potluck dinner at 6 p.m., desserts preferred or bring along a canned good donation.
•••
Important announcement: Aug. 5 is the application deadline for Basic Mediation Training, a 24-hour, three-day training from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 15-17.
The training sessions will focus on approaches for dealing with people in conflict and, specifically, the Hawaii model, which is used successfully in community-based mediations with culturally diverse participants.
Successful mediators come from all walks of life but share a common desire to help resolve conflict in a peaceful and lasting way. No prior experience or training is required.
This training also will also assist with more effective communications at work and home.
Leading the training will be Diane Petropulos, MA, lead mediator with Mediation Services of Maui, and Franco Acquaro, Ph.D., a former executive director of West Hawaii Mediation Center and a Hawaii-licensed psychologist who is the associate director and clinical psychologist at Kipuka o ke Ola (Native Hawaiian Health Clinic). Franco also is an ordained Buddhist priest.
A $200 fee includes training workbook and mediation manual.
For more information and an application, email info@WHMediation.org, call 885-1725 or visit www.whmediation.org.
•••
Primary election walk-In absentee voting is available through this Thursday. The Waimea Community Center is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. You must bring a photo ID. Many races will be decided in the primary election.
•••
The Royal Order Of Kamehameha — Moku O Kohala College Scholarships deadline is Aug. 20.
Seven $1,000 awards are available based on financial need, academic standing of a 2.5 GPA or higher and a demonstrated commitment for success. Proof of acceptance to school and a transcript of grades from the previous semester must accompany the application.
Each recipient will receive an award for one semester and, upon receipt of satisfactory performance, an equal award for the next semester. Awards are paid directly to the financial aid office of the school.
The awards committee will notify successful applicants via email. Recipients will be notified by Sept. 3.
Applications can be obtained by email at kakaukii@hawaiiantel.net or by writing to: Scholarship Committee, Moku O Kohala, P.O. Box 2188, Kamuela, HI 96743.
To submit items for Kokua Way, email Carol Yurth at waiukahenutz@gmail.com.
____________________
Booths are available for the 30th Annual Kohala Country Fair set for Saturday, Oct. 4. Sign up for food, treats, crafts, one-of-a-kind gifts or education. Booth fees same as last year, with discounts for local residents and nonprofit groups. There won’t be a separate Made in Kohala tent this year, so vendors with limited items are encouraged to join one or two friends and apply to share a space. Booth rates increase in mid-August. The Kohala Country Fair depends on sponsors and volunteers to continue to offer this great event free of charge. Info and application forms are available at www.KohalaCountryFair.com or by emailing: Booths@KohalaCountryFair.com or calling 990-3458.
____________________
Community kokua is welcome to assist with the Waimea Anuenue Playground repairs: A group of Waimea residents have taken on repairing this popular keiki activity area that has fallen into disrepair to the point of becoming dangerous. They are working with the county on this and holding periodic work days, needing skilled and unskilled workers to do carpentry, clean-up, staining, child care and lots more. For more information, please call Michele Chavez-Pardini (960-6392) or “Like” them: www.Facebook.com/FriendsofAnuenue Park.
To submit items for the Kokua Calendar, send Carol Yurth an email at waiukahenutz@gmail.com.