honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, January 25, 2005

HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Cherry Blossom Festival on Feb. 5

Advertiser Staff

WAIMEA, Hawai'i — The 12th Annual Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 5.

This year's festival is dedicated to the late Hisao Kimura, who supported the event since its inception.

The opening ceremony and dedication will begin at 9 a.m. on the lanai of the Kahilu Theater. Cultural exhibits and demonstrations will be featured at Kamuela Hongwanji, Church Row Park, Kahilu Theater, Parker Ranch Historic Homes, Top Stitch, YMCA Hall and Parker Ranch Center. The festivities include entertainment, food, mochi making, a Japanese tea ceremony, an o-bon dance, taiko drums and crafts.



Aloha group needs volunteers

KAILUA, Hawai'i — A Kona group that aims to share the aloha spirit by helping tourists in distress is looking for volunteers.

The Visitor Aloha Society of West Hawai'i (VASH West Hawai'i ) will have an orientation and training session from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, 75-5737 Kuakini Highway, Suite 208, in Kailua. Lunch will be served.

Volunteers assist by providing information and emergency transportation to visitors who are the victims of crime while on the Big Island or who suffer other misfortune. Volunteers also act as liaisons with other agencies on behalf of victims. Bilingual volunteers also needed.

For more information or to register for the training, contact Linda Allen at (808) 756-0785 or e-mail vashwh@yahoo.com.



KAUA'I

Garden Isle adds tourism expert

LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Singer and songwriter Robbie Kaholokula, who also has a background in resort industry sales, has been appointed the county's tourism specialist, replacing Nalani Brun, who left the position in December.

Kaholokula was raised in show business as a member of the singing Kaholokula clan on Kaua'i, and has a Na Hoku Hanohano award to his credit. He was a senior sales manager with the former Outrigger Kaua'i Beach Hotel and was director of sales and marketing at the former Holiday Inn on Kaua'i.

"Robbie's skills and experiences are an excellent fit for what we're trying to accomplish" in tourism, said Beth Tokioka, director of the county Office of Economic Development.



WAIKIKI

Seminar focuses on elder abuse

A free seminar titled "Elder Abuse-Financial Exploitation," will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Waikiki Community Center, 310 Paoakalani Ave. Scott Furukawa, executive director of CSI Inc. will give a presentation and discuss who abuses the elderly, what the warning signs are, financial scams and where to seek help.

To sign up for the event, call 923-1802.



MO'ILI'ILI

Board committee meets Thursday

The Sub District Boundary Committee of the McCully/Mo'ili'ili Neighborhood Board will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in Room 102 of the Mo'ili'ili Community Center, 2535 S. King St. The committee will discuss possible boundary changes and report their findings at the next full board meeting Feb. 3.



DOWNTOWN

Art gallery seeks exhibition ideas

The ARTS at Marks Garage is seeking visual-arts proposals for exhibitions in May and June at its downtown center. To apply, send a one-page synopsis of your idea and a visual sample by Feb. 15 to 1159 Nu'uanu Ave., Honolulu, HI 96817. Proposals will be reviewed by the partner organizations at Marks during their monthly meeting.

For more information call Rich Richardson at 521-2903.



E-commerce talks planned

The Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i is hosting two free workshops for small businesses and vendors focused on how to start or improve Internet or e-commerce initiatives.

Both workshops will be at the University of Phoenix on Fort Street.

• For small businesses: 2 to 3:30 p.m. today or 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday.

• For vendors: 10 to 11:30 a.m. today or 2 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

For more information, call Brenda at the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i at 545-4300, Ext. 317 or e-mail bwatson@cochawaii.org.



KAILUA

Civil Defense to offer program

Information about disaster planning and preparedness will be offered during a free program at the Kailua Public Library at 6:30 tonight.

John Cummings, the public information officer for the O'ahu Civil Defense Agency will conduct the 45-minute program, which is recommended for ages 12 to adult.

Among the topics will be what to do if a tsunami is approaching.

For more information, call the library at 266-9911. To request a sign-language interpreter, call the library as soon as possible.



MANOA

Benefit to aid Afghan women

A benefit titled "An Evening in Solidarity with Afghan Women and Girls," featuring keynote speaker Mavis Leno, is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 12 at College Hill, 2234 Kamehameha Ave., Manoa.

Leno, the wife of "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno, has been a leading advocate nationally for the campaign to improve the lives of Afghan women, who were oppressed under the Taliban regime.

Although the Taliban have been defeated, pockets of the country remain under their influence, said event organizers, members of the Afghan Women's Hui. Money raised will help restore girls' schools that were destroyed or closed and improve healthcare for women.

In addition to Leno's address, the gala will feature Afghan music, artwork and photography, Afghan and Middle Eastern food, and a poetry reading by Raofa Ahrary, editor of Afghanistan's first women's magazine.

Admission is a $100 donation, $85 of which will be tax-deductible. Checks should be made payable to The Feminist Majority Foundation, a nonprofit collaborating on relief efforts with the Afghanistan group, the Shuhada Organization.

Reservation deadline is Feb. 7. Checks should be mailed to: Afghan Women's Hui, 1750 Kalakaua Ave. #1009, Honolulu, HI 96826.

Information: afghanwomenshui@yahoo.com.