Hamakua Youth Center depends on the community to fund its free after-school programs for intermediate and high schoolers. (Photo courtesy of Hamakua Youth Foundation)

On Saturday, June 5, the Hamakua Youth Foundation, Inc. invites golfers and givers to “Invest in our Youth: A Day of Golf and Celebration,” to benefit the Hamakua Youth Center. North Hawaii’s only free, drop-in youth center, the Hamakua Youth Center (HYC) depends on the community to fund its remarkable after-school programs for intermediate and high schoolers.

The “Day of Golf and Celebration” begins with a golf tournament at Hamakua Country Club at 7:30 a.m., for only $50 registration fee including lunch. At 1 p.m. everyone is welcome to join the free afternoon Celebration, featuring special presentations by HYC youth, live music, silent auction and great food.

The Hamakua Youth Foundation is a grassroots, non-profit organization which oversees HYC, committed to providing a safe and engaging place for youth.

Located in the old “Honokaa Cash & Carry” store on Mamane Street, HYC offers a warm welcome, communal kitchen, study space, computers, a pool table and other games, as well as a comfortable social environment and a community garden.

All HYC activities are free including Hawaiian cultural programs, piano and ukulele lessons, and an exciting new multi-media studio to nurture young talent and develop skills in video and CD production The HYC also provides referrals to other services and assists in many unseen ways, the needs of youth and their families.

Foundation President Joel Cohen of Waimea has been volunteering at HYC for five years.

“There is a lot of love in this place,” Cohen said. “It’s really something special that you won’t find anywhere else.”

The Foundation receives financial support for HYC from the Hawaii Island United Way, Hawaii County and private foundations, and food from the Hawaii Island Food Bank, island ranchers and farmers. However, their good work depends heavily on community support in order to maintain the operating costs for its full scope of services and programs.

Local businesses are encouraged to field a team for golf, or donate an item or gift certificate to the Silent Auction. All proceeds go directly to funding Hamakua Youth Center programs.

Golf signups and donations for silent auction gratefully accepted at Barbara Franklin’s Office: 45-3488 Mamane Street (by the red wood bridge).

To sign up or for more information, call HYC, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 775-0976.