State arts and culture director will retire
The executive director of the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts is retiring at the end of the year.
Ronald Yamakawa has held the position since 2002. He has been with the foundation for 35 years.
Foundation officials say a search will begin immediately for his replacement.
The foundation was established in 1965 by the state Legislature.
Barbara Saromines-Ganne, Oahu commissioner and chairwoman of the board, said Yamakawa’s accomplishments include increasing the number and percentage of works in public places. She said he has encouraged more programs to highlight Native Hawaiian performing arts, especially slack-key guitar.
She said systems by which art is purchased, grants are given and honors awarded have been streamlined and improved during Yamakawa’s tenure.
Guided forest tours of Hakalau area offered by Friends
The Friends of Hakalau Forest is offering guided tours Oct. 15 of the seldom-visited lower portion of the Pua Akala tract of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge on Hawaii island.
Participants will get the chance to see and hear endangered birds. Guides will be wildlife biologists.
Tours will leave Pua Akala barn at 8:30 a.m. and return no later than 3 p.m.
The cost is $50 per person for members of Friends of Hakalau Forest. Nonmembers will be charged an additional $25 to cover their cost of membership for one year. All proceeds will go to Friends of Hakalau Forest to help support the refuge. To register, call the refuge office at 443-2300.
State land officials heading to Molokai to listen to public
Officials from the Department of Land and Natural Resources will visit Molokai this week to hear the community’s questions and concerns.
William Aila, department director, will attend Friday with his deputies, Guy Kaulukukui and William Tam.
The session is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. at Mitchell Pauole Community Center in Kaunakakai. The department has already held similar sessions in Kahului and Lahaina on Maui and in Lihue and Kilauea on Kauai.
