SCHEDULE

Kona Octoberfest
Honokohau Harbor, Hawaii
Saturday – October 15, 2011
4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Kona Chocolate Festival
Keauhou Beach Resort
Saturday – October 15, 2011
6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The ninth annual Kona Chocolate Festival is back to sweeten your day on October 15, 2011, from 6 p.m. to10 p.m. at the Keauhou Beach Resort.  Be prepared to enter a chocolate lover’s dream with 15 to 25 of Hawaii Island’s top chefs creating innovative chocolate creations, along with champagne, wine, and chocolate beer. Melodious Hawaiian music serenades the crowd and sweetens the mood as guests sink their teeth into their favorite chocolate concoctions.

The evening features a variety of exciting events including a cook-off competition with participating regional chefs, chocolate body art, a life size chocolate fondue fountain provided by The Chocolate Guy Hawaii, and complimentary Artisan Micro Brew by Kona Brewing Company.

The crowd will be delighted with non-stop entertainment including the musical styling of one of Hawaii’s most noted, award-winning slack key guitarists, Cyril Pahinui, and dance the night away with live salsa music by Salsa Latinos.  

In addition, a silent auction offering a wide variety of exciting items donated by local businesses will be available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds to benefit Kona’s local chapter of The American Culinary Federation’s Chef and Child Program as well as the West Hawaii Community College Culinary School in Kealakekua. For more information or general admission tickets, please call (808) 987-8722 or email konachocolatefest@gmail.com.

“The purpose and goal of this event is to highlight and showcase Hawaii’s unique regional products, with an emphasis on chocolate,” said Jim Heather, general manager of Keauhou Beach Resort.  “Keauhou Beach Resort is proud to be a part of this event that not only supports culinary education opportunities, but also enriches our guests’ vacation experience by showing the diversified agriculture of Hawaii.”

Keauhou Beach Resort is an oceanfront hotel on the sunny Kona Coast of Hawaii Island. Ocean tide pools with gentle sea turtles and gardens with native Hawaiian flowers and trees are part of the resort’s beautiful natural surroundings. Special room rates are available starting from $99 per night.  For more information or reservations, please call (808) 324-2515, Monday-Friday, 7AM-3PM, Hawaii Standard Time, and ask for the Kona Chocolate Festival rate.

Kokua Kailua
Sunday – October 16, 2011
Hulihee Palace, Alii Drive
1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Hawaii County Redistricting Public Hearing
West Hawaii Civic center
Monday, October 17th, 2011
6:00 p.m.

Commission is holding a series of nine public hearings during October and public input invited. To view proposed maps, meeting agendas, etc., go to the County of Hawai’i website re: Redistricting Commission. If planning to speak at hearings, it’s best to submit written comments too but not essential. Bring at least 10 copies if possible, but again, not essential. Info: Karen Eoff (323-4264).

La ‘Ike Day celebration
Kahalu‘u Beach Park main pavilion
Saturday – October 22nd, 2011
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Kohala Center invites the community to a La ‘Ike Day celebration of culture and place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, at the Kahalu‘u Beach Park main pavilion.

The Kahalu‘u ReefTeach team will share why coral reefs are important to our island way of life and update participants on current stewardship projects at the bay. Come and learn palapalai wili haku, the art of stringless lei making, with Kumu Mele Waikiki and fresh coconut leaf weaving with Kumu Sam Kama and his daughter Sandee Kama. Join in games for both adults and children and win fun prizes, and enjoy plenty of ono food and Hawaiian music too!

La ‘Ike Day at Kahalu‘u Bay is presented by The Kohala Center and is sponsored by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. All events are free and everyone is welcome to participate.

For more information, contact Cindi Punihaole, The Kohala Center’s Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator, at (808) 895-1010 or cpunihaole@kohalacenter.org.