Stores Promote Recycling Batteries

As I watch a garbage truck haul away yet another weekly heap of trash, I wonder why we aren’t more concerned about the waste we accumulate on such a regular basis. Sure, it’s out of sight, but it’s most certainly not out of my mind. All our treasured trinkets ultimately end up in a landfill, rotting away (or maybe not, if they’re made of plastic). Other countries cherish and reuse things we don’t think twice about discarding, like zip-lock bags (it’s true). I’ve done my best in the last decade to really curb the amount of products I purchase, including packaged food items, but I know I can always do better. We all could …

That’s why I was pleased to hear that business owners like Terry Caplan of Ace Hardware in Princeville are doing their part to help divert waste from the landfill by promoting the county’s household battery recycling program. Retailers across the island, including Ace Hardware, Big Save, Foodland, Kmart, Longs Drugs and Safeway are placing informational signage and paperwork in strategic places, with detailed information regarding how to recycle the batteries they purchase, which customers can take home.

Batteries may be dropped off at the Kauai Resource Center in Lihue Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Alkaline, NiCad (rechargeable) and lithium batteries are accepted. Thank you to everyone putting in the extra effort to help the island stay as free from waste as possible …

Congrats to Det. Kenneth Cummings, who was recognized as Kauai Police Department‘s Officer of the Month. He served as the lead investigator on a robbery at Kapaa Bank of Hawaii in January. The suspect, who fled the scene immediately following the incident, was located and arrested within hours of the robbery and currently awaits trial for first-degree robbery …

Pa’akamana’o Matiu Lee is a little boy who was born with hypoplastic right heart syndrome. He is slated to undergo his third open-heart surgery this month, and his friends are holding a run and luau to help offset his family’s medical and travel expenses. Sundey Dillberg, owner of Organic Functional Fitness, has organized the “Run for Pa’a,” which will begin at 7:30 a.m. The route starts and returns at The Shops at Kukuiula with a halfway point at the intersection of Koloa Road. The run will be followed by a luau at Poipu Beach Park. The entry fee for the run is by donation. Visit prayforpaa.com for more information …

Another fundraiser is for Jason Cabot, a 2008 graduate of Kauai High School, who was injured in a swimming accident in 2013 that left him paralyzed from the chest down with limited mobility in his arms. His friends are holding a craft fair and food fundraiser at Lihue Hongwanji Mission Saturday (April 12) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit lihuehongwanjimission.com for more information …

The eighth annual Kauai Orchid and Art Festival will be held Friday (April 11) and Saturday (April 12) in Historic Hanapepe Town. There will be a display of exotic, tropical orchids; opportunities for plein air artists to paint in various locations throughout the town; and food and music by artists including Makana and Brittni Paiva. Visit hanapepe.org for more information …

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