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 (46-1240 Kalehua Road, Honokaa HI 96727) at least 10 days before the requested publication date, call her at 775-7101, or e-mail waiukahe@interpac.net.
By CAROL YURTH
The Honokaa Public Library will host an after-school Valentine’s Day craft program at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7. This free program is open to all keiki. For more information, please call the library at 775-8881. Dawn Shibano will bring her special materials to make very extraordinary Valentines.
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The Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Women’s Association and the Kyodan will hold a garage and food sale fundraiser from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12, at the Honokaa Hongwanji Hall. There will be lots of delicious baked goods, pickles, jellies, jams, and sushi for sale. Also, varieties of dishes, other household goods, clothing, books, tools, and miscellaneous items will be available at great bargains. A silent auction will also be held. So, everyone, “the early bird catches the worm!” Proceeds will be used for maintenance purposes and temple and religious projects.
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Become a certified nurses’ aide. The classes are in Honokaa from Feb. 21-April 3.
What is a CNA? A certified nurses’ aid provides basic needs for patients of any age, ethnicity or gender as they work under supervision. Since nursing assistants have daily contact with patients, they are key to providing vital information about the patients’ conditions to their supervisors. This job sometimes is difficult, because the workload can become intense and fast paced. But, many CNAs profess that this job is rewarding. A desire to help people and compassion for patients helps the nursing assistant during difficult days.
Why enroll with Hawaii Community College? Hawaii Community College’s CNA program offers the only CNA training on Hawaii Island that is part of an accredited institution. Enroll in the most extensive training available on the island. This 150-hour curriculum is more than 20 hours longer than any program around.
Instructor Jeanne Abe holds both a Bachelor of Science in nursing as well as a master’s degree in Public Health from UH-Manoa. Abe’s nursing career has spanned more than 43 years, including eight years of service as the director of nursing and 21/2 years as the interim administrator at Hale Ho’ola Hamakua.
A prerequisite for the course is completion of the adult CPR/first aid certification. The CPR/first aid class at NHERC is being offered on from 5-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8. The cost is $65. To register call the Office of Continuing Education and Training at 934-2700.
Completion of prerequisites and payment in full is due at the time of registration for the CNA class. To register, call the Office of Continuing Education & Training at 934-2700. The deadline to register is Feb. 15.
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Small business is a vital part of Hawaii’s economy. Are you thinking of being your own boss and starting your own business? What do you need to know before investing time and money in your idea?
Hawaii Small Business Development Center East Hawaii will present a “Starting Your Small Business” workshop from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at Hawaii Community College, Manono Campus, 1175 Manono St., buidling 379-1.
Participants will learn about entrepreneurship, key ingredients for business success, steps involved in starting your own business, sources of capital and services offered by the SBDC as well as other resources for the start-up business.
The registration fee is $25. Preregistration is required by Friday. For more information or to register, call 933-0776 or visit www.hawaii-sbdc.org.
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Rep. Mark Nakashima introduced HB 2093 to support agricultural education and school farms. This bill would establish a center for agricultural leadership at the University of Hawaii which is in line with the Hawaii State Planning Act policy to develop student leadership potential, personal growth and career success while promoting sustainability and local products.
This center would reinvigorate the Future Farmers of America Program in our schools that encourages and develops our next generation of agricultural leaders.
Food grown in school gardens and farms do not meet the current food safety standards and cannot be served in school cafeterias. The University of Hawaii and the state Departments of Education, Agriculture, and Health are working together to establish a school farm pilot project to determine the steps necessary for school farms to achieve food safety certification that would allow food grown on campuses to be served in school cafeterias.
The House Committee on Agriculture voted to pass this measure with amendments and the measure has been referred to the joint House Committee on Higher Education and Committee on Education. To follow the bill or submit testimony, please go to www.capitol.hawaii.gov.
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 (46-1240 Kalehua Road, Honokaa HI 96727) at least 10 days before the requested publication date, call her at 775-7101, or e-mail waiukahe@interpac.net.