Biking For Justice; Cocoâ€™s New Line

on April 18, 2012 at 3:52 pm

Jonathan Moeller biked across America. Photo courtesy Noah Hamilton. Photo courtesy Noah Hamilton

It’s always a pleasure to learn about good things people do for others, especially when it’s for no reason other than to lend a helping hand. Such is the case for Jonathan Moeller, who April 4 finished his Biking for Justice goal, completing a 3,200-mile bike ride that he began Feb. 20 from the San Diego coast to Virginia Beach. Friend Noah Hamilton let me in on the scoop about Moeller, as Moeller is so humble he hasn’t gotten much press coverage, and, of course, part of the aim of the ride was to bring further awareness to International Justice Mission, a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. So I’d like to give Moeller kudos here, and ask readers to laud his efforts when he returns to Kaua’i at the end of May. To learn more, visit Moeller’s blog: bikingforjustice.com. Donations can be made online at https://bikingforjustice.com/ …

It also makes me happy to see when friends who are moonlighting have such success in their business, it takes on a life of its own. My MidWeek colleague Coco Zickos has been demonstrating her own entrepreneurial prowess with her now-booming Happy Earth Designs, which features her happy little earrings and other jewelry that is as unique as it is beautiful. For those who know the sustainability-loving Zickos, her business mantra makes sense: “Creations made with the Earth in mind.” Zickos has been making her jewelry in an environmentally friendly way, and it features everything from rooster feathers to found beach glass and recycled metals (and she even drives her hybrid to make her deliveries). Zickos’ little gems can be found at Halele’a Gallery in Po’ipu, and Crush Boutique and Divine Planet in Kapa’a. Plus, she’s making the rounds: Those living off-island can now buy her work at Kahala Mall in Honolulu! For more information, visit Happy Earth Designs’ Facebook page. Keep up the good work! …

The YWCA Kaua’i Walk A Mile in Her Shoes men’s march against violence will begin at 11 a.m. April 20 at Kaua’i Community College One-Stop Center in Puhi. For more information, contact YWCA Kaua’i at 245-5959 or visit online at ywcakauai.org…

Kaua’i residents and visitors wanting to relax with a morning of music, stories and hula are in luck. National Tropical Botanical Garden hosts Papa Laua’e O Makana from 11 a.m. to noon this Sunday, April 22, at the Southshore Visitors Center. The free show is part of the garden’s ‘Ohana Day series held on the third Sunday of each month. Also, from 10 a.m. to noon, Hobey Goodale will sign copies of his new book Hobey. Tours of McBryde Garden or Allerton Garden are free to Hawai’i residents with valid ID on a space-available basis. The McBryde Garden tour is self-guided; no reservations needed. The Southshore Visitors center is located at 4425 Lawa’i Road in Po’ipu (across from Spouting Horn). For more information, call 742-2433 …

It’s hard to believe it’s almost time for St. Catherine’s Carnival May 4 and 5, but hey, I’m not going to fight a reason to munch on malasadas and ono ground beef “flying saucers,” or see keiki enjoying rides and the famous petting zoo. I’m told the cost of hosting the annual fundraiser tops $30,000, and donations and sales offset these costs. In addition to the famous flying saucers cooked lovingly by local moms around the island, there also will be Filipino food plates and a Country Store selling baked goods and plants …

Men will march against violence Friday

That same weekend is Kaua’i Museum May Day and 32nd annual Kaua’i Museum Lei Contest, May 5, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A day dedicated to celebrating Hawaiian culture, participants will enjoy the fresh, fragrant and colorful lei displayed throughout the museum, and guests are encouraged to try their hand at lei making. An added bonus is lei masters who will demonstrate their art on the steps of the museum, and a keiki lei-making contest. Admission is free for kama’aina. Attendees may want to stick around for the award ceremony, which will take place at 1 p.m. The event also will feature a silent auction, which closes at 3 p.m., followed by a live auction at 3:30 including sales of remaining lei. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners of each category. For more information, go to kauaimuseum.org …

This weekend marks Leadership Kaua’i‘s Pi’ina Hoku Graduation – Class of 2012, April 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Smith’s Tropical Garden in Wailua. Congrats to its soon-to-be graduates, who have completed three community service projects this year and participated in numerous other activities that have benefited the community. Cost to attend the graduation is $10. The nonprofit also will host its Ho’okanaka Awards ceremony May 5. It’s known as a fun and fabulous evening of networking, celebration, food, hula and music by Paul Togioka, Tommy Tokioka, Kanihou (Darryl Gonzales and Garret Santos), Halau Ka Lei Mokihana, Puni Patrick and Na Hoapapa …

Members of Papa Laua‘e O Makana perform at NTBG Sunday. Photo from NTBG

I called the Anti-Drug Office and learned it’s now been renamed “Life’s Choices,” but I quickly realized the name makes more sense. Coinciding with Alcohol Awareness Month, Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. says the office will continue to “empower our community to be drug-free.” Theresa Koki, who has served as coordinator of the Anti-Drug Office for five years, said that the name change offers her team a new beginning. The team isn’t wasting any time keeping up the good work, and will put on its well-known “Shattered Dreams” presentation April 18 and 19 at Waimea High School. In addition, from 6 to 8 p.m. April 24, it will present a “Getting to Outcomes” town hall meeting at the Historic Waimea Theater featuring two videos, including Wasted, which takes a somber look at alcohol and drug issues facing local youths. Refreshments including hot dogs, popcorn and beverages will be available. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28, Kaua’i Police Department will host its “Spring Cleaning and National Take Back Day” …

Biking For Justice; Cocoâ€™s New Line

DIGITAL EDITION