Honoring Our Islandâ€™s Treasures

on July 25, 2012 at 2:31 pm

Ezra Kanoho with son Solomon. Photo courtesy Sue Kanoho

It’s often hearing the mana’o from those who are living right around us that can make all the difference in the world. With that said, I’d like to congratulate those named this year’s Living Treasures by the Kaua’i Museum, resident kupuna who make all of our lives a little richer just by being around. Honorees were Ezra Kanoho for Excellence in Public Service, Ramon De La Pena for Excellence in Agriculture, Tad Miura for Excellence in Public Service, David Pratt for Excellence in Public Service, Tutu Ane Kanahele for Excellence in Hawaiian Culture and Language, Papa Thomas Takahashi for Excellence in Hawaiian Culture and Julia Peahu Smith Sueoka for Excellence in the Art of Lei Making. The “treasures” were recognized for their service to the community and for inspiring the people of Kaua’i and Ni’ihau July 14. Imua!…

Right around the corner are some not-to-miss flag-ship events of the summer, including the 11th annual Heiva I Kaua’i Iaorana Tahiti, Aug. 4 and 5 at Kapa’a Beach Park. The international Tahitian dance competition with drumming and solo and group performances is a two-day family-friendly event. Gates open both days at 9 a.m., with festivities officially starting at 10. Categories include ‘ote’a vahine (women) and tane (men) for junior, senior and master (age 26 and over) divisions, and ‘ote’a, aparima and ahuroa group categories. Admission is $5 a day at the door. (Keiki 6 and under are free). The Heiva is a community nonprofit event put on by more than 150 volunteers and is enjoyed by residents and visitors, with the help of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, County of Kauai Product Enrichment Program, Kapaa Rotary, and Kaua’i Nursery and Landscaping. For more information, call 822-9447 or go to heivaikauai.com…

The other not-to-miss event is the “Live Like Sion Gromfest” July 28, honoring the life of Sion Milosky. The contest at PKs surfbreak across Prince Kuhio Park in Lawai is hosted by the Beach House Restaurant in Po’ipu and requires registration. Entry forms are available at Po’ipu Surf Backdoor and Tamba or at nssahawaii.com…

Tahitian dance will be celebrated Aug. 4-5. Pat Finberg photo

I was excited to hear about the recent collaboration between Hawaii film commissioners Art Umezu of Kaua’i, Harry Donenfeld of Maui, and John Mason from the Big Island, who helped represent the islands at the Association of Film Commissioners International in Los Angeles. The show drew more than 2,500 filmmakers and locations professionals. Running the booth was a joint effort of all of Hawai’i’s film commissioners, and also included Honolulu commissioner Walea Constantinau and state commissioner Donne Dawson. Neighbor Island commissioners met with producers about shooting an episode of Last Resort here, and met at Lionsgate Studios about filming the Hunger Games sequel on Kaua’i and other Neighbor Islands. Well done – way to represent!…

County officials are reminding Kaua’i property owners that the first installment of real property taxes for the 2012-2013 tax year is due Aug. 20, and that failure to pay real property taxes by the due date will result in a 10-percent penalty, as well as 12-percent interest per year. Payments can be made online at www.kauai.gov/paypropertytax, at the drop box located outside the Kapulē Building at the Līhu’e Civic Center, or in person or via snail mail to Kapulē Building, 4444 Rice St., suite 463, Lihue, HI 96766. Checks should be made payable to the Director of Finance. For questions, call 241-4272 or visit www.kauaipropertytax.com….

Was glad to hear about good turnout again for an environmentally friendly e-waste recycling event held by the County – just goes to show when options are provided to responsibly get rid of hardware, many of us are happy to do so. According to the county, 852 residents and 78 businesses came with assorted electronic items for recycling. Seven shipping containers were filled with roughly 80 tons of electronics, which in turn was diverted from the Kekaha Landfill (now in transit to Sim’s Recycling Solutions in California) and dismantled, recycled or reused. For more information, call the County Recycling Office at 241-4837…

It’s almost time for the Kaua’i All Wheels Expo, Aug. 11 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Vidinha Stadium parking lot. Food trucks, vendors and music by Pono Breeze, The Wheels and Sean Carillo will just be part of the fun during a day that highlights trucks, cars, classic cars, motorcycles, bicycles, skateboards, ATVs, dirt bikes, bicycles, and any other kinds of “wheels.” The public is invited to bring vehicles for display (free) alongside the inventory of Kaua’i Harley-Davidson, King Auto Center, Kaua’i VW Club, Kuhio Motors, A Tow In Paradise, Suzuki Kaua’i, Garden Island Racing Association, MidPac Auto Center, Service Rentals, Kaua’i Police Department, Kaua’i Fire Department, Kaua’i Toyota, roller derby team Garden Island Renegade Rollerz, Philippines Hawaii Bicycling Club, Kaua’i Kruisers and Kauai Skate ‘Ohana. There also will be a “Best in Show” people’s-choice contest in 13 categories: classic, VW, truck, drag car, motorcycle cruiser, sportbike, dirtbike, bicycle, skateboard, tricycle and beater vehicle. To learn more, call Ed Justus at 335-6469…

Where is this mystery place on Kaua‘i? See the last item. Daniel Lane photo

With cancer such a problem, I was happy to have learned recently that the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has awarded the University of Hawai’i Cancer Center another five years of recognition and funding. The NCI designation means that the Cancer Center, a unit of the University of Hawai’iManoa, will continue to be recognized among the nation’s best cancer centers characterized by scientific excellence and the capacity to integrate a range of scientific approaches to focus on the problem of cancer. The funding is thanks to committed UH members and state and federal legislators. To learn more, go to uhcancercenter.org…

“At least 17 people” stopped Dan Lane and asked the location of the beautiful photo here, which previously appeared in his Eye On Kaua’i feature. Sez Dan: “It was taken up on Kauai Fresh Farms. They are located on the Kalihiwai Ridge in Kilauea. The waterfall looking thing in the way back is the old Kilauea Dam. Some people know the dam exists, but almost nobody knows where it is and what it looks like there now. Just a beautiful spot. I took this one during a major downpour. That’s why it looks like a fog/mist is between me and the dam.”

Honoring Our Islandâ€™s Treasures

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