Awards, Hobnobbing And More

The Honolulu Advertiser and Star-Bulletin have merged into the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, bringing changes for our community paper. Exit the Advertiser‘s Kaua’i People. Enter the Star-Advertiser’s MidWeek Kaua’i. But some things will remain the same. You’ll still find the sale inserts for Kmart and Longs. Barbara Bennett remains the lady to call for ads, and you’ll still see plenty of familiar Kaua’i faces and names, including ours. We’ve been with the paper as it’s evolved over the years, and we’ll keep on bringing you stories about the people who make this island so distinct …

Like author Mark Huff, who has just been awarded the North American Bookdealers Exchange Pinnacle Book Achievement Award for his second children’s book, The Sheltering Place. You can pick up a copy at Border’s …

Beth Tokioka, special assistant to Mayor Bernard Carvalho, got to hobnob with Gov. Linda Lingle when the Small Business Administration honored Beth for moving Kaua’i Made Products into the global market …

Koloa Rum Company, meanwhile, beat out international competitors to win a gold medal for its dark rum at the Rum Renaissance Festival in Miami …

And Rick Beech of Wailua is king of the mountain. He won first place in his division and overall in a field of 90 cyclists ranging in age from 14 to 62 in the Pedal to the Meadow bicycle race. He covered the 15.75-mile course with a 3,835-foot elevation gain, finishing at the Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow in Koke’e with a time of 1:05:21 …

We hear Dorin Kaauwai was giving dance lessons to music provided by The Starlighters and Doric Yaris at Leadership Kaua’i’s super-fun fundraiser aboard the Golden Princess cruise ship, docked at Nawiliwili …

About 50 people attended a lecture and demonstration by bonsai artist Lance Laney over at the Lawai International Center, where Kyle Chuplayed shakuhachi flute. Director Lynn Muramoto says she’s so thankful for the volunteers who nurture the center …

Since its grand opening in early May, about 600 cookies a week have rolled out of the the Kauai Ono Kuki Company, a wholesale and retail bakery-café in Kinipopo Shopping Center owned by Magda and Michael Sterioff. They also offer gourmet pizza, coffee, tea, artisan breads and pastries …

Congrats to Dylan Thomas and the folks at Havaiki Gallery in Hanalei, who just celebrated three years in business …

Also celebrating are Karen Gray and Brandon Malama, Roslynn Samio and Shawn Ho’okano, and Kande Wong and Ray Rapozo Jr. They all welcomed new babies on the same day at Wilcox …

Realtor Ron Margolis has launched a new Web site, www.kauaiavoidforeclosure.com, aimed at helping folks keep their homes …

KIUC has announced electric bills are going up this month, so if you’re an average residential customer, expect to pay about $8 more …

Which leads us to a sign seen outside the Hanapepe Church of Christ: “A budget helps us live beyond our yearnings.” …

If a foreign trip is beyond your budget, you can learn about the sporting life in another country by taking in an international exchange guest through NorthWest Student Exchange. Jill Lowry is seeking host families for a Czech female rower, a Russian male basketball player and a Mexican male soccer player, who will arrive in July. If you’re interested, give her a call at 431-4695 …

We really do want to hear from you, so please send us your news, story ideas and calendar announcements. We’d also love to feature your photos – a winning sports team, family reunion, new grandchild, big fish, special event or whatever – on our new Focus on Kaua’i page. Send stuff to either aomalley@midweekkauai.com or joan@midweekkauai.com. No need send to both.