The Hamakua Lions Club Pancake Breakfast is 6-10 a.m. next Sunday, April 19, at Honokaa School cafeteria. For a $5 donation, your breakfast will be hot and ready on arrival. It’s a yummy assortment of BBQ meat, hot dog, eggs,
The Hamakua Lions Club Pancake Breakfast is 6-10 a.m. next Sunday, April 19, at Honokaa School cafeteria. For a $5 donation, your breakfast will be hot and ready on arrival. It’s a yummy assortment of BBQ meat, hot dog, eggs, pancakes, coffee and juice. Or, if you desire, there is the drive-thru that makes it easy to take one or many plates home for a relaxing family Sunday morning.
As in the past, the benefits are many for this event: all donations will be used to benefit the Honokaa community, which includes, among others, Brantley Center, Boy Scouts, scholarships, Christmas party for special needs kids, Hawaii Eye Bank and recycle and used eye glasses.
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The Brantley Center, a service provider for people with disabilities, will host its 37th Annual Golf Tournament at the Big Island Country Club on Sunday, April 26. The tournament starts at 7:15 a.m., followed by lunch and a silent auction. Entry fees are $125 per player for golf, lunch and prizes, including a $10,000 hole-in-one award.
Brantley Center, founded in 1964 by Sgt. Gilbert Brantley, a former National Guard advisor, provides adult day programs for clients with physical, emotional or mental disabilities. In a safe and supportive environment, men and women from North Hilo, Hamakua and Kohala receive independent life skills and employment training, vocational rehabilitation and help transitioning into the regular job market. Work opportunity also is available for some clients through the center’s business services, such as aquaponic lettuce, auto detailing, janitorial and lawn and landscaping services.
A nonprofit organization administered by a volunteer board of directors, Brantley Center depends on government funding and grants from charitable organizations such as Hawaii Island United Way. The golf tournament and other fundraisers throughout the year fill a critical gap in budgetary need.
Golfers and non-golfers are invited to contribute to the benefit golf tournament, and various sponsorship levels are available. Organizers also welcome silent auction items, gift certificates and other donations at all price levels to generate enthusiasm and give everyone a chance to participate. For more information, contact tournament chairman Roland Kaneshiro at 987-7712 or call the Brantley Center at 775-7245.
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Honokaa Hongwanji invites the public to come and enjoy a Community Birthday Party from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, April 19, in the social hall.
An expanded version of a traditional day to honor the birthday of Syakamuni Buddha, the Community Birthday Party gives people of all ages a chance to celebrate their own birthdays, regardless of the actual date. The free, family friendly event will include music and dance performances by the New Dharma Band and others, games and prize drawings for the keiki, a birthday cake contest and great food.
“We are all one, so why can’t everyone celebrate everyone’s birthday?” asked event organizer Miles Okumura. “Like the Beatles’ song says, ‘It’s my birthday, too, yeah?’”
Okumura said attendees are encouraged to bring family and friends, and to celebrate the birthdays of everyone they care about — teachers, coaches, coworkers, favorite musicians and others from today and yesterday.
In Buddhist culture, Buddha’s birthday is traditionally honored on the first full moon date in the fourth month; however, in Japan the date is April 8. Temples will host the “Hana-Matsuri” (flower festival) and a ritual “bathing” of the baby Buddha, by pouring sweet tea on a small statue of the child.
“We will have the traditional ceremonies at our temple, but the purpose of our Community Birthday Party is to bring people together, to recognize and celebrate another year,” Okumura said. “Sometimes, people don’t want to acknowledge their birthday because it means getting older, and sometimes birthdays are overlooked in this busy world. So, if you didn’t celebrate yours, or if, maybe you know somebody whose birthday was forgotten, please bring them to the party — and let’s show some gratefulness for another year.”
The Community Birthday Party includes food (potluck contributions welcome), entertainment and prizes for children. Admission is free and all are encouraged to attend. RSVP is appreciated to the Rev. Shingo via email at shingofurusawa@gmail.com or by leaving a message at 775-7232.
To reach the Kokua Way, call 936-0067 or email waiukahenutz@gmail.com
