Honokaa High & Intermediate School is happy to announce a ninth-grade parent orientation presentation. The sessions will be held on Monday, July 23, at the school auditorium and on Wednesday, July 25, at Thelma Parker Library in Waimea. Both sessions will begin at 5 p.m. Parents will be provided information on school goals, college and career readiness, and bus and free and reduced lunch applications and other exciting programs happening at the school. Come out and meet Principal Glenn Gray and Vice Principal Alan Brown. For more information, call the school at 775-8800.
Honokaa High & Intermediate School is happy to announce a ninth-grade parent orientation presentation. The sessions will be held on Monday, July 23, at the school auditorium and on Wednesday, July 25, at Thelma Parker Library in Waimea. Both sessions will begin at 5 p.m. Parents will be provided information on school goals, college and career readiness, and bus and free and reduced lunch applications and other exciting programs happening at the school. Come out and meet Principal Glenn Gray and Vice Principal Alan Brown. For more information, call the school at 775-8800.
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North Hawaii Education & Research Center presents “Beachcombing Treasures: Portals to the Past.” This free lecture will be held on Thursday, July 26, at 6 p.m. at NHERC in Honokaa. S. Deacon Ritterbush (aka Dr. Beachcomb), one of the world’s leading beach experts, says beachcombing is a growing outdoor coastal phenomena sweeping across the North American continent, and is an affordable and fun way to exercise, increase well-being, extend social networks and develop a healthy respect for nature.
A special emphasis will be placed on treasures that can be found on the Big Island’s Hamakua Coast, many arising from the 19th and 20th century sugar plantation industry. Please call 775-8890 to RSVP.
On Saturday, August 4, Dr. Beachcomb will conduct a fun field practicum, finding sea-tossed treasures, many of which reveal aspects of Big Island’s sugar plantation history. This field trip includes beachcombing tips, techniques and ethics as well as a discussion on the history, origin and possible use of specific beach artifacts. Cost for this “Beachcombing Hamakua” course is $50. Please call 775-8890 to register.
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It’s now through Aug. 4 that voters may request absentee mail ballots for Primary or General Elections. Questions? Call 961-8277 or visit www.hawaiicounty.gov/lb-clerk-elections. Then, from July 30 to Aug. 9, primary absentee walk-in voting will be held. Anyone may go to any of three locations; photo ID is required: In Hilo, go to the Aupuni Center conference room at 101 Pauahi St. from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday; in Kona, vote at the West Hawaii Civic Center Community Room (Building G) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and in Waimea, vote at the Waimea Community Center on Kawaihae Road from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. or Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. Primary Election Day is on Aug. 11 at designated voting locations.
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A creative writing course by prize-winning author Susanna Moore will be offered in Hawi on Wednesdays, Aug. 8-15, 22-29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The author was born and raised in Hawaii and now resides in New York City. She has published nine books of fiction and nonfiction as well as teaching creative writing at Princeton University.
Among her books is “In the Cut,” which was made into a movie scripted by Moore and starring Meg Ryan. She is visiting family friends on the Big Island for the summer and was asked to teach the course. She has a program for all levels of writers. Each student will submit two short stories or parts of a memoir for review by the class. Registration is first-come, first-served, with the class limited to 12 people. The class will be held in a private home in Hawi. Cost is $100. For more information and reservations, email susannam@princeton.edu. Visit www.susannamoore.com.
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The upcoming Waimea Community Association Town Meeting will be important for all of the Waimea community. The meeting is on Thursday, Aug. 2, at 5:15 p.m. at the Waimea School cafeteria. Parker Ranch CEO Dutch Kuyper will share the ranch’s new strategic plan. All are invited. As always at WCA Town Meetings, donations are welcomed for Waimea food pantries. Hot coffee and snacks will be provided. For more information, visit www.WaimeaTown.org or call Sherman Warner at 885-1725 or Patti Cook at 937-2833.
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It’s almost time for the 5th Annual Hawaii Horse Expo, where Waimea welcomes the world’s best equine specialists. Come on Aug. 11-12 to the Paniolo Heritage Center at Pukalani Stables in Waimea.
The expo has a well-deserved reputation for bringing nationally and internationally noted experts to share their knowledge and skills in a variety of horse-related disciplines during clinics and demonstrations that always include the opportunity for personal interaction.
Pukalani Stables allows for three expo programs to occur simultaneously throughout the two days in three different settings. 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, food and more. All are welcome to attend. Proceeds benefit the Hawaii Island Humane Society’s Horse Rescue Fund, which helps abused and abandoned horses.
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.