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Homebuyers seminar set

Homebuyers seminar set

Tired of paying rent?

Big Island residents who want to learn about owning a home are invited to a free homebuyers seminar from 6-7 p.m. Thursday at the Hilo Lagoon Center, 101 Aupuni St., Room 145.

Seminar panelists Nova Leyua, Realtor, Amber Lopez, home insurance, Dennis Santiago, mortgages, and Tom Burgess, inspector, challenge residents to “stop paying someone else’s mortgage and start building equity today.”

The specialists promise to take out the mystery of homebuying.

For more information or to reserve a seat in the seminar, call 933-3000.

Lions collect food at KTA

Hilo Crescent city Lions Club is proud to be partnering with KTA Puainako and will be collecting non-perishable food items on the First Saturday of each month.

All items collected will be given to the Hawaii Island Food Basket. The Lions Club also will accept monetary donations.

The first drive is from 8 a.m.-noon Saturday.

Other dates are: July 11, Aug. 1, Sept. 5, Oct. 3, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5.

Portugal trip slots available

There are a few places remaining on the fall tour of Portugal with a stop in the Azores, sponsored by the Big Island Portuguese Culture Club.

The departure date is Sept. 21 and the return is on Oct. 13. Travelers will visit famous monuments, holy places and cultural sites, and experience Portugal’s wonderful cuisine and wine, shopping and diverse countryside.

Highlights will include overnights in Sao Miguel in the Azores, Lisboa, Fatima, Coimbra, Porto and Pinao, with many sightseeing stops in between.

For more tour information and cost, obtain a flier by calling BIPCC president John Sousa at 964-1216. The deadline to sign up is June 12.

Student exchange program grows

International Student Exchange, a nonprofit organization that has since 1982 brought foreign exchange students from around the world into host family homes and high school classes throughout the United States, in April launched its program on the east side of the Big Island.

John Atwell, the ISE area representative for East Hawaii, said some 30 students from Germany to Vietnam are awaiting placement for a semester or yearlong stints.

Big Island families interested in hosting a student can visit the program’s website at www.iseusa.com or email Atwell at ise.bigisland.ja@gmail.com.