A Rough Race; One Year Later

on April 5, 2012 at 11:48 am

Mayor Carvalho with Japanese Consul General Yoshihiko Kamo. Art Umezu photo

What a harrowing race this year’s Garden Island Canoe Racing Association Prince Kuhio Race was, with a canoe missing with six paddlers – including one who is blind – for nearly five hours. The crew had a canoe so swamped it was too heavy to be towed in by an escort boat. Special thanks to Brian Curll and Jon Rosario for their steadfast determination to get everyone back safely. Perhaps GICRA president Mia Pauletto said it best: “We’re just glad everybody was safe and came home in one piece.” Congratulations to winners of the race that day, including the following canoe clubs and times: Hanalei Open Women, 1:29:30; Kuku’iula Masters Women, 1:26:26; Kaiola Senior Masters Women, 1:41:32; Pu’uwai Masters Women, 1:46:16; Kaiola Mixed Open, 1:19:33; West Kaua’i Mixed Masters, 1:29:20; Pu’uwai Open Men, 1:20:23; Kuku’iula Masters Men, 1:25:02; Na Molokama Senior Masters Men, 1:38:45. And a special shout-out to a visiting off-island crew who Pauletto says helps support GICRA every year, the Waikiki Surf Club Senior Masters, who took second place in their division with a time of 1:47:08. Hana hou! …

It’s hard to believe it’s been a little over a year since tsunami and earthquake to hit Japan. Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. and Film Commissioner Art Umezu, who has family roots in Fukushima, went to the Japanese Cultural Center in Honolulu to attend an event commemorating the disaster. Other attendees included Gov. Neil Abercrombie, former Gov. GeorgeAriyoshi, Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle and Gen. Gary North, commander of the Pacific Air Forces.

Carvalho addressed the audience by describing his visit to what is also one of Kaua’i’s sister cities, Iwaki City, Japan, noting how touched he was by the boundless energy and resilience residents there have shown. Over the past 20 years Kaua’i has been fostering its relationship with Japan. Its outreach includes several exchange programs, including one between Kaua’i Community College and Iwaki East Japan International University, the Kaua’i Marathon and the Iwaki Sunshine Marathon, and hula halau …

It’s almost time for March of Dimes, and if dining out is more your cup of tea than walking, then here’s an opportunity to donate to a worthy cause: Roy’s Restaurant in Po’ipu will be offering a donation night for the event Thursday, April 5, and will donate 5 percent of all sales for the evening to the Ambassador Family team. The March for Babies Walk is scheduled for Saturday, April 14 at Lydgate Park and is the signature fundraising event statewide for a nonprofit that helps premature delivery of their keiki. Roy’s will also provide food items at the walk for participants to enjoy. Reservations for the April 5 donation night are recommended. For more information, contact Allison Lum, event coordinator, at 1-800-272-5240, or go to marchforbabies.org…

Part of the Kuhio Day commemoration. Imai Aiu photo

Easter’s right around the corner, and St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church has announced its Good Friday Observation at 7 p.m. April 6. The church’s Good Friday Project will feature eight different artists or groups responding to the many and profound themes of Crucifixion. This year’s artists include Alan Van Zee, Lee Richards, Hank Curtis, Dottie Bekeart, Karen Dickinson, Aki Conqest, David Braun, Cher Ellwood, Mark Rossi, and Pua Rossi Fukino. After the service, there will be donkey rides for keiki. The performance is free and open to the public. In addition, the church has announced its Easter Day Services, at 8 and 10 a.m. The service will feature a brass quartet with David Braun and Barry Toy on trumpet, Dennis McGraw on trombone, and Larry McCreery on French horn, the St. Michael’s Choir, and Hank Curtis on piano. Father Bill Miller will preach the Easter sermon. At 9:15 a.m. there will be a pancake breakfast and at 11:15 a.m. there will be an Easter brunch in the Parish Hall. Childcare is provided at both services. For more information, call 245-3796 or go to father-bill.net or stmichaelskauai.org…

The Royal Order of Kamehameha held their annual ceremonies in honor of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana’ole at Prince Kuhio Park, in Lawai. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including Sen.

Ron Kouchi, Rep. Jimmy Tokioka and Rep. Dee Morikawa, and members of the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. As one attendee put it: It’s always good to remember and honor the ali’i…

Lanakila Kitchen – which has an aim of helping people with disabilities learn valuable work skills- is offering new, “Good to Go” dinner service. Starting this week, the kitchen will offer up conveniently packaged good-to-go dinners for four, ideal for the commute home. The $49 dinner includes a salad, side dish, main course and dessert. The kitchen, which has expanded its hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., will continue offering its hot lunch plates. Good to Go dinners will be available for pick-up between 3 and 5:30 p.m. To view specials online, go to: LanakilaKitchen.org. Calling in take-out orders are recommended: 332-5500. Lanakila Kitchen Kauai is located at 2-3687 Kaumualii Hwy. in Lawai, next to the Post Office…

The Hawaii Children’s Theatre is sponsoring the Ethan Shell Memorial Scholarship for the Performing Arts again this year, and $1,000 scholarships are available for first-and second-year college students from Kaua’i. The deadline for applications has been extended to April 20. More information and applications, go to hawaiichildrenstheatre.com or call Debra Blachowiak at 639-2437..

Registration is now open for Kauai’s Pedal to the Meadow, an uphill bicycle race from sea-level Kekaha up to Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow in Koke`e State Park, followed up with the Banana Poka Round-Up festival Sunday, May 27. Last year more than 100 riders climbed “over the hills and through the woods,” coordinator Mary Williamson says. The uberfun Memorial Day weekend event is also in need of volunteers to help with race-day registration, course marshals, timing assistance at the finish line and with the hospitality tent. If interested, email p2mKauai@gmail.-com, or call Binney Williamson at 639-9018…

A Rough Race; One Year Later

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