Coco’s Other Side; Fun Summer Stuff

Happy Earth Designs

Forgive us a shameless plug for Coco Zickos and her jewelry creations. My fellow MidWeek Kaua’i journalist also is a talented jewelry designer, under her company Happy Earth Designs, which will be featured at the upcoming isle-style “Katwalk” show at 7 p.m. June 16 at Tahiti Nui in Hanalei. The goal is to showcase accoutrements that are commonplace on the Mainland, but not so much on Kaua’i.

Kaua’i Katwalk Red Carpet Runway Show kicks off with Hollywood-style arrivals, and will include a fashion show with models wearing hand-crafted jewelry by Coco, with hair and makeup by Epic Hair Design and Relish Salon, as well as clothing by Angelique Ell of a.ell atelier and Taryn Rodighiero of KaiKini Bikinis. Also featured will be the art of Troy Carney, Kelly Keane, Acacia Jones and Chanel Anderson of Little Tsunami Tattoo, which will be translated with hand-painted designs using clothing as their canvas. Tickets are on sale at the Bikini Room in Hanalei, a.ell atelier in Kapa’a and Kama’aina Surf & Sport in Lihu’e…

It’s the time of year again when North Shore beach swells have that gorgeously calm, azure appeal, with fitness challenges and annual events around the island gearing up. Though staples such as the Ha’ena Civic Fun Run, Paddle Fest and Taste of Hawaii are behind us, there’s still plenty ahead to enjoy in a sun-drenched summer, including Niumalu Canoe Club‘s Kalapaki Bay Open Water Swim and Stand Up Paddle event at 8 a.m. July 4 on the south end of the beach, in front of Duke’s Restaurant. The keiki-friendly fundraiser is tax-deductible and costs $15 for youths, $25 for adults. Options include an open swim for ages 12 and under, as well as 750-meter and 1,500-meter swims and stand-up paddle options for 18 and under, adults and masters (55 and older). Register until July 3 (hard deadline 11:59 p.m. July 2) online at active.com. Same-day registration is allowed at 7:15 a.m. at Kalapaki Beach, but the cost is $30 each or $50 for both …

Kalapaki is the site of Niumalu’s July 4 event. Amanda C. Gregg photos

Speaking of fitness, it was great to run into Dr. Brigitte Carreau at this year’s Summer Fest by Wilcox Health. Carreau had inspired keiki who lined up and followed her around the grounds at Kaua’i Beach Resort, all in an effort to get a little exercise and to help promote a healthier lifestyle, starting with youths. The pediatrician says she plans to host plenty of walks with keiki once a month in upcoming months, and also will be at the Mayor-A-Thon at 6 a.m. June 23 at Kapa’a Beach Park, where she says she hopes to see plenty of “littles” out there. To register, go to kauaipath.org. For more information, call 635-8823 or email exedir@kauaipath.org.

It also was great to see all the keiki hopping aboard Kaua’i Police Department‘s mobile command center, where Assistant Chief Ale Quibilan demonstrated the high-tech options that keep the community (and children) safe. Keiki IDs, in which children are fingerprinted and their photos are taken in case of future emergency, were just one of the safety measures that kids learned about …

Summer also means it’s time for camp, and St. Michael‘s is offering an arts camp for children and youths June 11-15, from 9 a.m. to noon each day. The camp will feature hula and aspects of Hawaiian culture with kumu Pua Rossi-Fukino, as well as taiko drumming with Aki Conquest, and ukulele with kumu Mark Rossi. Tuition is $100. St. Michael’s children and youths receive a 50 percent tuition discount. Limited scholarships are available. For more information and to enroll, call the church office at 245-3796 or Bridgette Orsatelli at 645-1486 …

Dr. Brigitte Carreau

There’s a universal appeal to jazz, and the be-all, endall jazz event on Kaua’i is right around the corner: The Red Clay Jazz Festival starts Wednesday, June 27, at the Kaua’i Marriott Aupaka Bar from 6 to 8 p.m. with Vanessa Collier from Berklee College of Music, while across the way, the same night, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Treysara will play on the North Shore in Princeville at the St. Regis Bar. The festivities continue at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 28, at Kaua’i Marriott Aupaka Bar, with the Kaua’i Jazz Quartet. Saturday, June 30, highlights EC Scott, Venissa Santi and Collier again along with the Kirk Smart Quartet at 4 p.m. at Kaua’i Lagoons at Kalapaki Bay.

Cost is $40 in advance, $50 at the door. And just a quick side note: If musical talent isn’t reason enough to make it out there, then perhaps knowing cuisine will be from locovore-inspired Hukilau Lanai, among others (including the Right Slice, Westin Princeville, Reggie Berry’s Interactive Café) will convince you. Tickets are on sale at Magic Dragon in Princeville, Kaua’i Music and Sound in Kapa’a, The Wine Shop in Puhi, and Kalaheo Café. To learn more, go to RedClayJazz.org …

On the South Side, check out Rumfire at the Sheraton Kaua’i in Po’ipu, headed by Executive Chef Leanne Kamekona. Kamekona has made her own mark with the restaurant that boasts a different look and concept than its sister establishment at the Sheraton Waikiki on O’ahu. Two 10-seat communal tables are available in the open kitchen, allowing guests to view demonstrations by Kamekona and her seasoned (pun intended) staff. Brick oven specialties include signature flatbreads with Japanese pear, pipikaula or seared ahi.

Assistant KPD Chief Ale Quibilan gives a keiki a lift

Among the unique salads is bacon and beets with Kunana goat cheese and orange honey, while high-end versions of local staples include taro malasadas, and popcorn streusel with Kaua’i coconut ice cream. Pairing dinners or pupu with wine shouldn’t be difficult, either, with a wine list influenced by master sommelier Chuck Furuya. Open daily from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. for breakfast buffet, and 5 to 9:30 p.m. for dinner, the bar is open until 11 p.m. For reservations or more information, call 742-4RUM or visit rumfirekauai.com …

Congrats to Brandon Jenner and Leah Felder, who tied the knot on the North Shore. Celeb family members in town for the beautiful occasion included brother Brody and dad Bruce Jenner, his wife Kris Kardashian and their girls Kendall and Kylie