A Ton Of Fun At The Drag Races

Chipper Wichman

Photo from NTBG

I had the great pleasure of joining Garden Isle Racing Association for this month’s drag race at Kauai Raceway Park in Mana. Thanks to the organization’s president, Tony Ricci, and wife Alma Koetje, as well as Walt Barnes, for making the day a joy for my guests and me. Anyone can watch the races or enter their own car to compete in this family-friendly environment. There’s even a street car class, so maybe I’ll sign up my Prius one day (insert laugh). Visit dragrace-kauai.com to find out when the next race is and for more information …

The world’s largest conservation conference is coming to Hawaii in September 2016, and Chipper Wichman, director and CEO of National Tropical Botanical Garden, will speak about its importance April 28 at 5:30 p.m. in Kauai Community College’s campus cafeteria in Puhi. Wichman has been instrumental in bringing the International Union for the Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress to the state, and will discuss the organization’s significance. Next year’s conference is considered the “Olympics of conservation” and is held every four years. The previous one was held in 2012 in South Korea. What makes it even more noteworthy is that in its 67-year history, it has never been hosted by the United States …

Peter Klune

Photo from HHSC

Congrats again to Kauaibots 2465 for ranking ninth going into the final matches of the Hawaii Regional FIRST Robotics competition. Charlene Steuri, Kauaibots mentor and mother of Miss Hawaii Stephanie Steuri, who emceed the tournament, says they “fought really hard” and advanced to the semifinals with a fourth-place finish. They were up against 36 teams from Australia, Taipei, Mexico, Canada and Oahu …

Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park is celebrating Earth Day Saturday (April 18). Volunteers are invited to help beautify Lydgate Park by clearing vegetation, building picnic benches and picking up trash. The workday begins at 7:30 a.m. at the main pavilion and lunch will be served. Bring work gloves, shoes, sun protection and a water bottle. Visit kamalani.org for more information and to register … cocomidweek@gmail.com