Celebrating Women Who Lead, Serve

KVMH recently received a five-star rating from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and was the only hospital in the state to do so | Photo from KVMH

While penning my stories for this week’s edition, I realized they each just so happen to highlight women who are doing amazing things for the community. I’d like to use this opportunity to pay homage to all the females around the island who make such an empowering impact on our society. Your selfless acts to make Kauai a better place are commendable, and as a member of the community I am truly thankful …

Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital (KVMH) recently was awarded the Five-Star quality score by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The Westside medical center is the only hospital in Hawaii to receive this highest possible ranking. The rating is based on evaluations of patient experiences at some 3,500 facilities nationwide, and the star rating was awarded to only about 7 percent of qualified hospitals …

Kaytlen Akau Photo from DOE

Big congratulations go to 13-year-old Kaytlen Akau of Lihue, who recently was honored in the nation’s capital for her outstanding voluntary service during The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. She was joined by 100 other top youth volunteers from across the U.S. who all received $1,000 awards and personal congrats from Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts at the ceremony and gala dinner reception, held at Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History. Akau volunteers for many activities, including several hours each weekend assisting dance classes, and as a junior leader supervising keiki in a summer enrichment program. She is an inspiration …

The winning videos from ‘Olelo Youth Xchange student video competition were announced earlier this month at an awards gala held at Sheraton Waikiki Resort. Kauai High School won in the Animation category for its “Benefits of Physical Education,” as well as for “Feral Pigs” in the Forest Health in Hawaii category. Kapaa High School won for “He Loves Me Not” in the Creating Peace category. Videos are judged on subject matter, impact and technical production, and winners were selected from nearly 900 submissions. There were a total of seven broad categories and nine sponsored categories, and keiki competed in three age divisions: elementary, intermediate and high school …

If you’ve ever wanted to record music or a story, now may be your chance. A certificate program for a four-week digital recording workshop, offered by Kauai Island Recording Studio at Storybook Theatre in Hanapepe, begins Monday (June 1). Instructor is professional recording artist and technician Russell “Rusty” Faraldi. For more information, contact Mark Jeffers at director@storybook. org.

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