Coach Chow Visits; Kudos To A Cop

on February 23, 2012 at 10:12 am

The mayor proclaimed Feb. 13 Norm Chow Day on Kaua‘i. Photo courtesy Beth Tokioka

It made me smile to learn about the visit by University of Hawaii’s new head football coach and offensive genius Norm Chow Feb. 13, which the county proclaimed Norm Chow Day. Of course, on hand were Warriors fans, including Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. Chow talked about leadership and spent some time with KIF coaches, athletic directors and other university and government officials …

In his recent guest column in MidWeek, Pastor Tom Iannucci asked that we as a community thank members of Kaua’i Police Department who go above and beyond. It’s with that in mind that I’d like to mention Sgt. Robert

Gausepohl, who helped out at the recent Feb. 12 Po’ipu race for 6month-old Pa’akamana’o Matiu Lee, and brought in roughly $8,400 for his family, which had to leave Kaua’i to live near the hospital in California, incurring expenses for food, transportation and air fare.

Event organizer Sundey Dillberg says Gausepohl helped “pave the way and got volunteers to do over-time,” which included closing the road for walkers and runners. For more information or to make a donation for baby Pa’a, go to https://s370374879.onlinehome.us/paa/prayforpaa.html …

It’s almost time for the Oscars. The 84th annual Academy Awards Feb. 26 will feature some shots of lovely Kaua’i, but another reason to watch the show is because The Descendants is up for Best Picture, along with a nomination for Best Actor in a leading role for George Clooney and Best Director for Alexander Payne. Competition for Best Picture includes The Artist, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, The Help, Hugo, Midnight in Paris, Moneyball, The Tree of Life and War Horse. But we know which one we’ll be rooting for, right? …

Featured at Waimea Film Festival. Photo courtesy Jobe Allen

Speaking of films that capture life here, congratulations to participants in this year’s Waimea Film Festival, put on lovingly (and without a budget) by Puni Patrick and Thomas Nizo. The festival featured Aloha Buddha, directed by Lorraine Minatoishi-Palumbo; Miss South Pacific: Beauty and the Sea by Teresa Tico; Blessed Assurance by ‘Aina Paikai; Aqua Hazard, edited by three middle and high school students from Maui as part of Maui Huliau Foundation; KoAloha Story, Tribute in Memory of Sion Milosky, and Dane Neves’ Giant Monsters Attack From Hawaii, which features local actor Jobe Allen. Allen, an upand-coming voice actor, who along with some independent film work under his belt has done philanthropic voiceover work for nonprofits such as Malama Pono, called the experience “bittersweet,” because his father died last year before the film was completed. For those who missed out, keep an eye open. Patrick and Nizo may bring another festival to Kaua’i in the future …

There’s also some keikifriendly entertainment around the corner. Mahalo to Jane Grey of Kaua’i Museum for letting us know that children’s book author Jerilyn Ito will be on Kaua’i from 10 a.m. to noon this Saturday, Feb. 25. Ito will read from and sign copies of her second publication, Double Rainbow Island, at the museum. The book is about a child, Malia, who is tired of staying home, and sets out and meets friends Kaleo and Mano, who have adventures along the way. Raised in Kailua, Ito is a graduate of Kailua High School and has throughout her life wanted to “bring fun, familyfriendly stories to the children of Hawai’i” …

Author Jerrilyn Ito will be on Kaua‘i Saturday. Photo courtesy Jane Grey

Our already hardworking lifeguards will be upping their unrelenting work, and each Wednesday will act as “mobile life towers” on various beaches along the North Shore to help to determine the need for additional resources, warning signs or potential locations for a permanent lifeguard tower. A team of two to three lifeguards, equipped with a 4×4 truck, Jet Ski and a trailer, will patrol beaches to assist with ocean rescues and prevention efforts. As part of the test program, Ocean Safety officials will collect data on the types and number of incidents that occur. “The goal of this project is to reduce response times for ocean rescues and expand our resources to other beaches,” says Kalani Vierra, head of the Ocean Safety Bureau. “Ideally, as we grow our team, we hope to expand this program to include more beaches on more days, and possibly continue the program indefinitely.”

The project continues at ‘Anini, Kalihiwai, Ke’e, Larson’s, Lumaha’i and Kahili beaches until further notice. As hazardous ocean conditions change with the seasons, the crew will move to beaches along the east and south shores. For more information on this pilot program, contact the Ocean Safety Bureau at 241-4984. For up-to-date information about ocean conditions, and speak to a county lifeguard, log onto kauaiexplorer.com or call 241-4984 …

For those who like jazz, I want to make a quick note about a newly recurring gig on the Eastside: The Marty Leonard Jazz Orchestra will play every Thursday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Wahooo’s Seafood Grill and Bar in Kapa’a. It’s a great group to check out with Chris Bush on tenor sax, Greg Yost on guitar, Ed Cook on bass and Marty Leonard on drums. Of course, the restaurant has some great food, too …

Mark your calendars if you’re in the mood to laugh, as Na Ali’i of Comedy will be onisland from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, March 16, at Kaua’i War Memorial Convention Hall starring Augie T, Frank De Lima, Mel Cabang, Andy Bumatai and Ed Kaahea. Kaahea is the last surviving member of the iconic comedy trio, Booga Booga, Cabang is probably best known for his TV spots and, in my humble opinion, Bumatai, a headliner in comedy clubs across America, is known for his local-style jokes (including his local directions one, hilarious!) Tickets are available at Kama’aina Surf and Sport, Tamba and Kalaheo CafÃ© and Coffee …

Prosecuting attorney Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho will continue to host a series of senior fraud presentations because of what her office cites as a “growing trend of crimes perpetrated against the elderly.” Presentations this week are from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Hanapepe Senior Center (Neighborhood Center); 10-11 a.m. Feb. 29 at the Regency at Puakea; 10:30-11 a.m. March 1 at Kaumakani Senior Center (Neighborhood Center); and 10-11 a.m. March 8 at the Waimea Plantation Cottages. For assistance or auxiliary aid, call Lianne Parongao at 2411745 …

Coach Chow Visits; Kudos To A Cop

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