Howling Holidays slated for Sunday

The eighth annual Howling Holidays Dog Walkathon is set for Sunday at the Hawaiian Paradise Park Activity Center on Makuu, between 17th and 16th streets. Registration for the benefit for Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary starts at 7 a.m.

There will be a sponsored dog walk, photos with Santa, games, contests, demonstrations in agility, search-and-rescue, a frisbee competition, ono food with Hilo Coffee Mill, live music with Dennis and Christy Soares, a silent auction, lucky-number drawings and fun with all those dogs.

The entry donation for the dog walk is $10, and only $5 for any additional dog within your ohana.

Rainbow Friends has an annual budgetary need of about $185,000, and there are some incentives for participants to help the nonprofit raise those funds — including prizes.

The super prize is a three-night stay for two at the Grand Wailea Hotel on Maui, including a whale watch tour, tickets to the museum and to the aquarium. The dog sponsor who raises the most with a minimum of $1,000 wins this super prize.

First-place prize is a deluxe ocean view room at the Hilton Waikoloa Village for two. Second-place prize is a “Circle of Fire Tour” for two aboard Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. Third-place prize is a zipline adventure for two from EcoSkyline Zipline Tours.

“These are fantastic prizes for two people, so be sure to include your human partner in this dog walk, collecting donations. Maybe even make it a competition,” said Mary Rose with Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary. “And remember, you are not asking your friends and family for money for you, you are asking for a donation for animals, who need rehabilitation or medical assistance, animals who have never known a home and can fine one through the sanctuary.”

To reach the HPP Activity Center, turn into Makuu and follow the signs.

For more information, call 982-5110, visit www.rainbowfriends.org or email to mail@rainbowfriends.org.