Final KIUC Candidates Forum

The 2013 Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative Board of Directors Election packets are in the mail. Links to candidate statements and voting instructions can be found online at kiuc.coop. There will be one more candidate forum March 13 at Waimea Neighborhood Center. For more information, call Aloha Votes at 877-324-7655. Election results will be announced March 23 …

Kaua’i Police Activities League (KPAL) received a check for $10,000 earlier this month thanks to the hard work of the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay and a generous gift from Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. KPAL provides an array of activities islandwide for schoolchildren ages 5 through 18, or those still in high school. The Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay chose KPAL to be the recipient of its “Weinberg Friends Program” community service grant. Members and friends of the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay spent a Saturday at Kilauea Elementary School, renovating a storage shed and power-washing the school’s walkways as its community service project. Proceeds will be used to award scholarships to participants who cannot afford the $20 fee. For more information on the KPAL program, contact Sgt. Mark Ozaki at 652-6999 or mozaki@kauai.gov …

An informational meeting for coaches regarding the Mayor’s Youth Track Meet is set for March 13 at 6 p.m. in the Lihu’e Neighborhood Center kitchen. All elementary, middle and home-school coaches planning to enter their young athletes in this event are invited to attend. For more information or to request additional support or an auxiliary aid to attend the meeting, call Aaron at 822-0511 or Lihu’e Neighborhood Center at 241-6858 at least five business days prior to the meeting …

After raising more than $18,000 in four months with its “You Dine, We Donate” charity program, RumFire Po’ipu Beach announced it will continue to raise funds for local charities this month. All food and beverage proceeds at RumFire Poipu Beach’s Table No. 53 will go toward helping feed the island’s hungry. RumFire Po’ipu Beach is located within Sheraton Kaua’i Resort, with a focus on Hawaiian-rooted cuisine. Patrons interested in participating in RumFire’s monthlong “You Dine, We Donate” program are encouraged to call 742-4786 to make a reservation and request Table No. 53. The table will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about RumFire Poipu Beach and Sheraton Kauai Resort, go to sheraton-kauai.com…

It’s almost time for the Kekaha St. Theresa School Carnival April 19 and 20 from 6 to 11 p.m. The two-day event will feature ono island favorites like kiawe chicken, flying saucers, pronto pups and malasadas, as well as games, live entertainment, a teen dance, petting zoo and $500 in cash prizes. The family-friendly event also features a silent auction and country store. For more information, email koji299@hotmail.com or call 346-5189 …

The popular Winter Concert sponsored by Mokihana Club is set for March 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Lihu’e Parish Hall, 4340 Nawiliwili Road. Light pupus are available following the concert. Tickets cost $12 at the door, $10 in advance, $5 for students, free for ages 8 and under. This year’s concert will highlight local musicians and educators, and funds raised will go to scholarships for Kaua’i’s youths. Tickets are available at Scotty’s Music in Kalaheo, Kaua’i Music in Kapa’a and Aloha Furniture Gallery in Lihu’e. For more information, call Corinne at 855-2938 …

Hawaii Medical Service Association, which serves many on Kaua’i, announced changes to its executive team earlier this month. Gwen Miyasato will serve as chief of staff and lead HMSA’s Corporate Services Division. In her new position, Miyasato will work to ensure that employees have the leadership, tools and resources to interact effectively and focus on members’ needs. Steve Van Ribbink will lead the company’s Foundational Services Division as chief financial and services officer. He will be responsible for bringing together internal operations to enable HMSA to deliver seamless and exceptional member, provider and consumer experiences. Tim Johns has been named chief consumer officer and will head up the company’s Consumer Strategy Division. He will lead efforts to evolve HMSA’s business model to distinguish HMSA as the plan all segments of Hawaii’s population can depend on to deliver the best member service and products. Hilton Raethel will head HMSA’s Health Division as chief health officer. His focus will be on the continuing evolution of HMSA’s approach to the delivery of care through innovative programs and partnerships to help members advance toward well-being. Additional changes were announced to align HMSA’s leadership within the new divisions. Michael Cheng, Michel Danon and Linda Katagiri, currently HMSA senior vice presidents are joined by: Gina Marting, senior vice president for Health Financial Management; Janna Nakagawa, senior vice president for Corporate Services; Michael Stollar, senior vice president for Integrated Health Development, and Elisa Yadao, senior vice president for Consumer Experience …