Kudos To KIUC For Solar Honors

If you’re like me, you might think Kauai is not advancing much in the realm of alternative energy sources. But Kauai Island Utility Cooperative recently was honored by the Solar Electric Power Association as one of America’s Top 10 utilities as far as harnessing the sun’s energy as a power source. The co-op was voted No. 9 on the list of electric companies that added the most new solar power energy to their systems in 2013 and No. 6 for the number of cumulative watts installed per customer. This is a true testament to the people who live here and their ongoing efforts to curtail the island’s dependence on oil …

Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu Beach named Ike Cockett as its new general manager last month. He brings with him more than 25 years of visitor industry experience, and says he is honored to accept the position …

Carol Culver Dance Academy and Dolly Kanekuni Vocal Studio students are presenting Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! on Saturday (May 24) at Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall. Tickets for the musical revue of song and dance are available from the students for $10, at various outlets across the island for $12, and $15 at the door. Performances will be held at 2 and 7 p.m. For more information, call 245-3150 …

Congrats to musician Stuart Hollinger, who was recently featured in a Kauai Midweek cover story “Rockin’ Kauai.” His album Dangerous Crossing was nominated for a Na Hoku Hanohano award for Rock Album of the year. The award ceremony will be held Saturday (May 24) on Oahu at Hawaii Convention Center. Good luck to all the local artists who were nominated …

Robert Hamby was awarded a grand prize of $4,000 for his winning “My Hawaii” design for Aloha Petroleum’s 2015 Mug Design Competition. The gasoline marketer distributes Hawaiian-themed coffee mugs as gifts during the holiday season and partnered with the Hawaii Watercolor Society this year to create its design. Thirty members of the society, including Hamby, submitted their entries. The winning design will remain a surprise until the holiday season …

Marilyn Matsumoto and Loren Johnson Sr. were recently named Kauai’s 2014 Outstanding Older Americans. Matsumoto teaches ukulele classes at Lihue Senior Center and is known for her volunteer efforts among the senior community. She was nominated by one of her students, Paula Green, and fellow instructor Herman Paleka. Johnson, whom I have had the privilege of interviewing (“Finding Adventure All Over Kauai”), is the co-founder of Kauai Adventure Club. The volunteer extraordinaire and environmental advocate was nominated by Jessica Clabo, volunteer coordinator for Kauai Habitat for Humanity …

For those of you who may not have already noticed, Pier 1 Imports is officially open to the public. Nick Chow will serve as the Lihue store’s manager. Hours of operation will fluctuate depending upon the season and business needs …

Other developments currently underway that are likely to gain your attention include an expanded parking lot at Kauai Village in Kapaa (where Safeway is located). ValueRock Realty Partners, the complex’s property owners, will also renovate the center’s two Wyland Whaling Wall murals. Phase two of their refurbishing plan includes an enhancement of the shopping village’s entire façade …

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