Old News: Caring For Isle Seniors

Bill Fernandez

To address the needs of Kaua’i’s growing senior population, the Agency on Elderly Affairs is collecting data for its Four-Year Area Plan on Aging that extends to 2015. About 14,150 seniors live on Kaua’i, and by 2015 roughly 31 percent of the island’s population, or 19,800 people, will be age 60 or older. Anyone interested in providing input can contact AEA, says Kealoha Takahashi, head of the Office on Elderly Affairs – 241-4470 or elderlyaffairs@kauai.gov. A listening summit in May saw the introduction of a website that’s a comprehensive resource for information on services available on Kaua’i for older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers. Check it out at kauaiadrc.org …

Remember the Roxy? Bill Fernandez can give you da scoop on that and more about his hometown of Kapaa. He’ll talk story on Wednesday, Aug. 11, at 6 p.m. at the Princeville Library. Fernandez will have copies of his book, Rainbows Over Kaua’i.

Born and raised in Kapaa, Fernandez is an alumnus of Kamehameha Schools and a retired judge of Santa Clara County, California Court. Settle in, there’s lots to hear as he covers five generations of his family that settled on the east side of Kaua’i in the little town of Kapaa and eventually built the Roxy Theater …

Surf’s up at KKCR, Kaua’i’s own community radio that streams live to listeners in 70 countries and always needs your support. Next up is a fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 14. Mose Orion and Tracey Schavone invite you to a surf dance party and lasagna dinner at the Church of the Pacific in Princeville. The Take Offs will provide music, and KKCR volunteers will provide food and refreshments as well as staff the event. Dinner and dance cost $40; $20 for dance only. Get tickets online at kkcr.org or call 826-7774 for outlets …

Rev. Kosen Ishikawa
of Koloa Jodo Mission

Aloha to the Koloa Hongwanji Bon Dance, the last of the season and the final bon dance at this site. It was on then off and now it’s on again for Friday-Saturday, Aug. 13-14, Hannah Kawamata informs us, and adds, “Join in the circle of dancers in memory of our ancestors and come for the good eats” …

On the subject of bon dances, the commemorative lanterns or Toro Nagashi, hosted by Koloa Jodo Temple, go out to sea from Kukuiula Harbor in Poipu on Tuesday, Aug. 17, at 7:30 p.m. This marks the last evening of the Bon Festival and is based on the belief that the Toro Nagashi guide the spirits of the departed back to the other world. The Rev. Kosen Ishikawa of Koloa Jodo Mission presides …

Lovers of Clean Seeds and Pure Food should save Friday-Saturday, Aug. 13-14, to join GMO-Free Kaua’i and Hawaii SEED for free leadership training titled “Raise Awareness, Inspire Change,” to be held at St. Michael’s Gym. Mi-Key welcomes calls at 651-9603 …

Shayna Carney, supervisory park ranger, invites you to spend a free day – as in you don’t pay an entry fee – outdoors at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, home of the Kilauea Lighthouse – and a gazillion sea birds. Great family outing. Go Saturday-Sunday Aug. 14-15. The gates are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 828-1413 for information…

Also for the birds, the Kokee Natural History Museum, through its newsy e-shout Forest Hotline, advises it’s kolea time. The beautiful birds reappear each year after an arduous journey to and from Alaska for breeding purposes. “Watch for the very first in your neighborhood, nearby golf course or other large grassy area,” says the Forest Hotline. “They love the expanse of Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow in Kokee State Park in the last weeks of August and the first week of September.” A good reason to head to the uplands of Kaua’i …

Kokee Museum also is looking for workers to help out at the historic Civilian Conservation Corps Camp buildings. It’s hosting workdays Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 14-15. Give a yodel to the museum at 335-9975, ext. 0. The museum provides all tools, paint, snacks, beverages and lunches. Come for one day or two, and youngsters are welcome. Also, you can sign up to kokua on National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 25 …

Here’s a collector’s item if ever there was one. You get to learn something new and leave some of your mana behind. Join Sun and Lisa at One Song Farm in Moloaa and build an earthen cob bench. Says Sun, “Its shape and design will echo the beauty and abundance of the garden.” Tuition is $50/day or $90 for two days, Aug. 14-15. Call 635-3020 to register and get information about and directions to their abundant organic garden …