Aloha, Sam, Youâ€™ll Be Missed

on March 19, 2014 at 12:01 am

Sam Mitzel | Coco Zickos photos

A recent trip to Oahu still has me floating in the clouds. The city buzz is such a fun delight, and every time I return for a visit I find something just a little bit more endearing about my hometown. Food, fun and entertainment were part of the magical two day package I enjoyed with a dear friend. I do miss the kind of activities a city has to offer from time to time, and, of course, I’m grateful to be able to support local events by promoting them in this column on the Garden Isle …

But before I dive into this week’s activities, I’d like to send my thoughts and love to the family of Sam Mitzel, whose life tragically was taken this month in a car accident on the North Shore. He leaves behind his wife, Kirsten, and their 1-year-old daughter Cozy. Though I didn’t know him well, I do know that he was a supremely talented photographer who always radiated warmth – there was never a moment I crossed paths with him when he didn’t have a smile on his face. Your Kauai ohana will miss you dearly, Sam …

It’s difficult to transition to a new topic after that, but I’ll do my best. The commemoration of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole‘s birthday continues this week through March 29. The Kauai native is being celebrated through a series of events, including a tour of Makauwahi Cave Thursday (March 20) from 9 to 11:30 a.m. This site contains fossils dating back thousands of years and is steeped in ancient history. To make reservations, email makauwahi@gmail.com or visit cavereserve.org for more information. On Saturday (March 22), the official ceremonies begin with the Royal Order of Kamehameha at Prince Kuhio Park on Lawai Road. The day’s festivities will include the 44th annual Prince Kuhio Long Distance Canoe Race, sponsored Garden Island Canoe Racing Association, with evening performances by Ledward Kaapana and Mike Kaawa. Visit princekuhio.net for more information …

St. Regis Princeville Resortâ€™s Makai Golf Club now offers weddings | Photo courtesy Makai Golf Club

The February episode of the Department of Education‘s Shining Stars television series is ready for viewing online at vimeo.com/channels/kauaishiningstars and at Oceanic Channel 6. The episode features the Koloa Elementary School robotics team as it prepared for the state competition, as well as students in the Breakfast Leadership Club at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School and spelling bee participants at the Kauai District Spelling Bee …

Another student to spotlight is John Hatakeyama of Lihue, who recently was acknowledged for making last semester’s dean’s list at Rochester Institute of Technology. He is a fifth-year student in the electrical engineering program in RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering …

Ever thought the scenic view from a golf course was stunning? Ever consider it stunning enough to want to get hitched there? Well, now you can at Makai Golf Club at St. Regis Princeville Resort on the North Shore. The course was rated as one of the “Top 5 Great Golf Settings in the U.S.” by National Geographic Traveler in 2011. Weddings are offered at a variety of sites on the course, with receptions in the late afternoon. For more information, call the golf shop at 826-1863 or email dsutter@troongolf.com or visit makaigolf.com …

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Aloha, Sam, Youâ€™ll Be Missed

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