What’s Up in Windward Oahu

Send Windward items to cchang@midweek.com by Dec. 3 to be considered for the Dec. 10 edition.

Wednesday December 3

Castle tree lighting Castle Medical Center presents its 30th annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and festivities beginning at 6:15 p.m. with a concert by Marine Forces Pacific Band, the tree lighting at 7, followed by trolley rides, Santa photos, keiki activities, cookies, popcorn and drinks and a holiday concert at 7:30 by award-winning singer Nathan Aweau. Dawn O’Brien is emcee. Call 263-5400.

Wreaths Kaneohe Community Park and the district’s Parent Community Networking centers present wreath-making workshops from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at 45-529 Keaahala Road. Fee is $5. If possible, bring a straw wreath base, shears, evergreens, leaves, berries and other material to make your wreath or other arrangements. Call Sean at 233-7330 or Rosey at 233-5727, ext. 247.

Kaneohe book sale Friends of Kaneohe Library offers half-off prices in December on all Christmas/holiday books, CDs and DVDs in the library basement bookstore. Hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and 6-7:45 p.m. today, 1-3 p.m. Fridays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays and 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays. Volunteers to sort and shelve donated items are welcome anytime. Call 247-4819.

AA meetings Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 6:30 and 8 tonight, and at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Windward Unity Church, 46-005 Kawa St. Suite 303. Call 262-6731.

A Course in Miracles Alan Lemiux and Gloria Corea lead this new group meeting at 11:30 a.m. at Windward Unity Church, 46-005 Kawa St., Suite 303. Call 262-6731.

Thursday December 4

Caregivers Ko‘olau Caregiver Foundation leads a support group at 7 p.m. (first Thursday of each month) at First Presbyterian Church at Ko‘olau. Call 625-3782.

All about fishponds Paepae o He‘eia hosts an “Evening Launa” from 5 to 7 p.m. to share and learn about the scientific research happening at He‘eia Fishpond, along with light refreshments and drinks. RSVP to 236-6178 or email admin@paepaeoheeia.org.

Blood drives Hawaii Blood Bank has donor drives from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today at Kalaheo High library, and 9 a.m.-4:15 p.m. today and Friday at BYU-Hawaii ballroom. Call 848-4770.

Kailua music Singer/songwriter Gigi Love entertains at 6 p.m. today and Dec. 17 at The Grove on Aulike Street, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Lanikai Craft Faire. Call 291-6771.

Board meetings Kailua Neighborhood Board meets at 7 p.m. at Kailua District Park, Kahaluu at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at KEY Project, Ko‘olauloa at 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at Hauula Community Center, and Kaneohe at 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at Ben Parker Elementary cafeteria. Waimanalo is in recess for December. Call 768-3710.

Castle Birthing Class Giving Birth: The Castle Experience, a four-session class for expecting parents at Castle Medical Center, starts from 6 to 8 p.m. today. Cost is $45 per person, $80 for couples. There is an additonal class Sundays at 2 pm. beginning Dec. 7. Call 263-5400 to register.

Friday December 5

Lanikai “bus” Lanikai Elementary School’s Walking School Bus travels from 7:20 to 7:40 a.m. today, with students either walking or biking together from Kailua Beach Park to school. The traffic-safety promotion will repeat Feb. 6, March 6 and May 1. Call 266-7844.

Fantasy arts WCC’s Gallery ‘Iolani hosts its Christmas Fantasy Art and Craft Sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Sunday in Hale Palanakila. Call 235-1218.

Haiku music Johnna Padeken entertains from 8:30 to 10:30 tonight at Haleiwa Joe’s on Haiku Road. Next up: Kona Chang Dec. 12, and Kapana Trio Dec. 19. Call 247-6671.

Saturday December 6

Poinsettias, crafts St. John Vianney Parish has its Holiday Craft Fair and Poinsettia Sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 920 Keolu Drive to benefit the student travel fund. Email dsousa@sjvkailua.org.

Holiday bazaar Retiring crafter Josi Kona Han conducts a final sale of all her craft room supplies and inventory in a holiday bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 45-440 Koa Kahiko St. (behind Windward City Shopping Center). Items range from completed crafts and vintage doilies to purses, how-to kits, crochet hooks and ribbon. Call 247-4267.

Aikahi recycling Aikahi Elementary School conducts an Aloha ‘Aina recycling drive from 9 a.m. to noon, accepting all kinds of items from scrap metal, appliances and computers to cardboard. Call 254-7944 or visit kokuahawaiifoundation.org.

Kawainui ponds Wildlife biologist James Cogswell leads volunteers in a monthly workday from 9 a.m. to noon at the marsh’s restoration ponds. Call 266-0911 or email james.m.cogswell@hawaii.gov.

Kaneohe parade, block party The annual Kaneohe Christmas Parade begins at 9 a.m., moving from Windward Mall to Castle High School, followed by block party from 1 to 9 p.m. on Mehana and Kawa streets by the mall (behind Zippy’s). The 2014 theme is “Celebrate Christmas in Kaneohe’s Country.” Call the parade committee at 348-2749 or 450-5140.

Lanikai crafts The annual Lanikai Craft Faire is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lanikai Park with dozens of vendors offering art, homemade gifts, a bake sale and more. Call 262-4455 or 554-7752.

Baseball signups Windward PONY Baseball registers players ages 5-14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and Dec. 13 at Enchanted Lake Elementary School. Bring proof of birth and health coverage. Call 389-8595 or email windwardpony@gmail.com.

Sunday December 7

Softball at Aikahi Kainalu Little League hosts softball games among 12 high school teams from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Sunday through Jan. 25 at Aikahi Community Playground’s baseball fields. KLL wants to “encourage young kids to participate in the sport.” Call John at 295-4426.

Hanauma talks Hanauma Nature Preserve has free public lectures by UH graduate students at 3 p.m. in the park theater on “Reef Corals and the Threat of Global Climate Change.” Parking costs $1. Call 397-5840.

Book Sale Friends of Kaneohe Library has a special book sale, “A Taste of KLF,” in the library lobby from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., where you also can sign up as a bookstore volunteer. Call 247-4819.

Tuesday December 9

St. Nick pets Santa invites pets (leashed or in a cage) to pose with him for photos at Windward Mall from 6 to 9 p.m. today and Dec. 16 at center court. Call 235-1143.

Winter Piano Concert Paliku Theatre presents festive holiday music by students in the WCC Piano Program under the direction of So Jin Kimura at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Call 235-7310.

Infant Safety Castle Medical Center offers this session from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for parents, grandparents and other nonprofessional childcare providers. Call 263-5400 or go to castlemed.org to register.

Upcoming

Stargazing Hokulani Imaginarium at WCC will present “Stargazing” at 7 p.m. Dec. 10, and “Season of Light” at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19, and 10 a.m. Dec. 13. Admission is $7, $6 and $5. Call 235-7433.

College aid Kalaheo High School will host a financial aid night for seniors and parents at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10 in the school library. Financial aid officers from Windward Community College will discuss the FAFSA form and other means to obtain college funds. Call 254-7900.

Bariatric surgery Dr. Steven Fowler and colleagues will conduct a free seminar on weight-loss surgery at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at Castle Medical Center’s wellness auditorium. Register in advance at 263-5400.

Plastic surgery talk Plastic surgeon Boa Phan will discuss “The Mommy Makeover” at 6 p.m. Dec. 11 in a free seminar at Castle Medical Center’s wellness auditorium. Call 263-5400 or visit castlemed.org.

Blood drives Hawaii Blood Bank will have donor drives from 11:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 11 at Castle Medical Center, 4-7 p.m. Dec. 11 at Kailua Town Center, and 7 a.m.-noon Dec. 13 at Kaneohe Bay Shopping Center. Call 848-4770.

College pot sale The WCC Ceramics Club will have its annual Christmas Pottery Sale from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Hale Palanikila Ceramics Studio, featuring communityand student-made mugs, bowls, vases, planters and more. Call 235-7323.

Season of Light Hokulani Imaginarium will present its holiday show, “Season of Light,” at 7 p.m. Dec. 12, 10 a.m. Dec. 13 and 7 p.m. Dec. 19 on the WCC campus. The show features winter’s brightest celebrations, the seasons, and the origins of world customs from Christmas trees to the Hanukkah menorah. Tickets cost $7, $6 and $5. Call 236-9111 or 235-7433.

Laulima day Windward Mall and KHON2 will sponsor Laulima Giving Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 13 at center court, offering a drop-off site for gifts for needy families, plus live entertainment. Call 235-1143.