Lei For A Top Cop, Friday Night Lights

Chief Darryl Perry, Sgt. Kenneth Cummings (in lei) with his ohana

Congratulations to Sgt. Kenneth Cummings, who was named the Kaua’i Police Department’s Officer of the Month for July for superior performance in criminal investigations and traffic enforcement. Under Cummings, the WaimeaKoloa district squad made 314 arrests this year, of which 72 were felonies and nine included driving-under-the-influence charges. Cummings’ team also led the Patrol Services Bureau in the number of drug related search warrants his team executed. Well done, Sargent…

Though the contentious issue of endangered seabirds and Friday night lights caused some heat, the Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation July 20 announced its 2011 fall football season, which, under the agreement of the Department of Justice, allows for four evening games during the fledgling season, Sept. 15 to Dec. 15. The pre-season games and the first two games of the regular season, not taking place during the fledgling season, will be played at night, according to the County Parks and Recreation Department. For more information, go to kauai.gov….

Perhaps local resident Bertram Kaukahi Almeida said it best when describing how local people kokua in the wake of a tragedy: “People here are good at gathering together for a cause,” he says. “We want to do more than write a check. We like to be social.” That tendency is something Almeida and other community organizers are banking on, as plans come to fruition for the Aloha Kaua’i For Japan Benefit Concert from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 14, at Vidinha Soccer Field. The event will benefit the orphanages that were affected by the recent Japanese earthquake and tsunami, he says. Though it’s been nearly five months since the disaster, Almeida says timing is perfect for the event, as media attention has died down despite a remaining need for help.

“It’s time to help rebuild the communities for our brothers and sisters,” Almeida says.

Niumalu Canoe Club open wahine winners, from left: Beth Kauwe, Shannon Brunner, Robin Jumper, Marleny Cotrim, Rebecca Snowden, Leigh Drachman, Alexandre Coutinho, Tara Palama, Joy Chow, Lei Wann, Keala Wann and Rachel Lim
. Amanda C. Gregg photo

Wanting to give a proverbial shout out to those who were instrumental in getting the event under way, such as Lorraine Wichman, Ron Victorino, Edee Bandmann, Vance Pascua, Charles Iona and Martin Roberts Designs, Almeida also wants to thank the Lauakea Foundation and Malie Foundation and respective directors Blaine Kamalani Kia and Jodi Hashimoto-Omo, the County of Kaua’i and KQNG radio. With two foundations backing the event, coupled with a long list of volunteers ready to donate their skills and labor, the event should be one for the books, with emcees Dickie Chang and Ron Wiley, with entertainment by Larry Rivera, Baiyu, Olomana, Kupaoa, Glen Medeiros,

Kainani Kahaunaele, Blane Kia, Donovan Frankenreiter and Friends, I’o, Cindy Combs, Anela, Kane Pa, Green Stone Project, Michelle Walker, Revival, Mike, Sean, Bernard and Friends, The Goats, Frank Hewett and arguably the best kachi-kachi band onisland, Wally Rita and Los Kauaianos. Also performing, taiko drummers, obon dancers and dancers from halau Ka Waikahe Lani Malie and Shane Kamakaokalani Herrod. Cost is $10 presale and $15 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at: Shrimp Station; Wong’s Chinese Deli; Hanapepe Café; Scotty’s Music; Kalaheo Steak and Ribs; Sueoka’s; Da Crack; Kaua’i Humane Society; Harley Davidson; Baby Blutique; Hanama’ulu Unique Hair Designs; Kaua’i Beach Resort; Kaua’i Music and Sound; Vicky’s Fabric; Larry’s Music; Kilauea Pot and Hanalei Liquor. For more information, call Almeida at 651-3000…

Something to keep in mind while commuting: If you’re heading to the end of the road, jot down these dates first: Aug. 1 to Sept. 23. That’s when road work will begin from Hanalei to Ke’e Beach from Lumahai to the wetand dry-caves in Ha’ena, as well as milepost 5 in Lumahai through December, for repairs to a crumbling retaining wall and the installation of new guardrails. For more information about the first project, call Demetrio Tolentino at 245-3609 or Alex Pascual, 246-8880. For the second, call Harry Funamura, 246-8880 or Curtis Bailey, Earthworks Pacific, 346-9471…

First one of Kaua’i’s own became known as the first executive director of Pride At Work in Washington D.C., (now County Councilman Kipukai Kuali’i) and now Kaua’i will have its first Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender labor leadership training, tackling issues such as homophobia, transphobia and national and local issues affecting LGBT workers. While, yes, civil rights have made some serious progress, there still is a way to go. The training, from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 27 (application deadline is Aug. 15), is designed to develop organizational and leadership skills to address LGBT issues in the workplace and labor unions. Cost is $15. Go to: www.hawaflcio.org/PAWHI for an application…

Congratulations to the runners of all ages who pounded the pavement and some of the grass along the south shore for the Koloa Plantation Days Fun Run July 24. The 1-mile Keiki Fun Run was won by Mark David (boys) and Liva Schmid (girls), each clocking in under 10 minutes. Evan Clinton and Nicole Weir won the 5K in their respective divisions, and Pierce Murphy and Rani Minei won the 10K. Serious runners in the 10mile race were topped in the men’s division by Mark Shirra, finishing at 1:10:20, and by Ayuko Nakamura in the women’s division at 1:14 :28. Congratulations to all the participants who got out there and had some fun!…

What are the odds that a canoe club would sweep the freshmen through senior races at the Garden Island Canoe Racing Association Championships? A pretty good bet for Arthur Chow, coach for Niumalu Canoe Club wahine, who not only thinks it’s possible, but expects it. At the final event of the GICRA regatta season at Hanalei Bay on July 23, Chow’s crews paddled faster and turned tighter to take first place in the 1 mile long Freshman, Sophomore and Junior races and the 1.5 mile senior women’s race. The ladies did well, thanks to all the power in the canoes and skills honed by Chow. Brava, Niumalu!…

Congratulations to Kauai’s Junior Lifeguard island champions, who will now go on to compete for the program’s seventh state championship. Winning the 1,000-meter run for the 1314 girls, Heather Patey; 13-14 boys, Kaeo Kruse; 15-17 girls, Shania Weiss, and 15-17 boys, Pierce Murphy … Winning the 200-meter swim for 13-14 girls, Kate Machorek; 1314 boys, Bryson Baligad; 15-17 girls, Sophia Britzman; 15-17 boys, Kaikea Elias … Winning the beach flags competition for the 13-14 girls, Maliana Kaui, 13-14 boys, Noah Lamadrid, 15-17 girls, Jazzy Morris and 15-17 boys, Kawai Barrett …

Winning the 100x100x100 Run/Swim/Run for the 1314 girls was Kate Machorek; 13-14 boys Bryson Baligad, 15-17 girls, Abirae Stine, and 15-17 boys, Pierce Murphy. Hana hou, Junior Lifeguards! It’s good to know we can home grow talent and skills to keep our beaches safe for generations to come…

Calling all artists using the mediums of clay, fiber, glass, metal, mixed media and wood: The Hawai`i Craftsmen at the Honolulu Academy Art Center at Linekona is seeking the likes of you for a chance at the 44th annual Statewide Juried Exhibition Oct. 6Nov. 2. This year’s Hawai’i Craftsmen juror, Allison Wong, the Deputy Director at the Honolulu Academy of Arts and formerly the Executive Director of The Contemporary Museum in Honolulu, will be on-island to give a lecture from 2 to 3 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Aston Aloha Beach Hotel. (Art should be delivered that morning at 11 a.m.) For more information, go to: www.hawaiicraftsmen.org or call 228-9624…

Kudos to the crew of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the musical comedy in Puhi that featured Chris Alderete, Maile Speetjens, Kameron Fort, Kathy Miner, Marty Whitney, Sean Evans, Cheston Chandler-Borges, Megan Ross and Billy Quebido, directed by Jennifer Downs. Anything about etymology and taking life a little less seriously is just my cup of tea. Nicely done…