Junior Golfers Make Kaua‘i Proud

Pono Tokioka (left) and fellow junior golfer Kelli Oride with PGA Tour player Rocco Mediate at Kapalua, Maui

I hope all of you are having a Hau’oli Makahiki Hou. The year 2010 did end with some bad news dominating the headlines and, as a journalist who has covered “hard news” in the past, among the blessings I will count this year is the opportunity to cover good news and good people within our local community. …

Congratulations to Pono Tokioka, who made Kaua’i proud by playing in the Pro/Celebrity/Junior Golfer Shootout featuring defending champion Geoff Ogilvy, Rocco Mediate and Justin

Rose at Maui’s Kapalua course. The youths also played with Dave Marr, commentator on the Golf Channel. There were five teams, and they played three holes, on which Tokioka had all pars, while fellow junior golfer from Kaua’i KelliOride had two pars and a birdie. The event, connected to the PGA’s Hyundai Tournament of Champions (formerly Mercedes), included a family fun day sponsored by Hawaii State Junior Golf. Thanks go to Mary Bea King and Hawaii State Junior Golf Association for making such a great event possible. …

So often we find those around us aren’t as fortunate. Though he hasn’t asked for help, friends of Kendall Struxness asked to include his information in this column, as he has been fighting advanced colon cancer. He is in need of financial support because of his increasing expenses for chemotherapy and radiation. Those wanting to lend a hand can send a donation to: Friends of Kendall Struxness, c/o Danette Andrews, 4100 Queen Emma’s Drive, No. 21, Princeville, HI, 96722. …

Kaua’i has enjoyed wonderful gains already in 2011, and one is the hope that the island will have strength to protect one of its most valuable resources: land. Four island conservation land trusts have combined to form one new statewide land conservancy, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust. It includes Kaua’i Public Land Trust, which has acquired acreage for conservation around Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge and partnered with the county to receive conservation easements in Kilauea Valley. …

The Kaua‘i Public Land Trust is joining forces with other islands’ trusts to protect areas such as the Kilauea Coastal Preserve (above)

Native Hawaiian college students are being asked to apply for the Kapili Oihana Internship Program administered by Kamehameha Schools for summer and winter sessions. Interns are required to commit to at least 120 hours for part-time or 240 hours for full-time status. An internship provides a chance to gain professional work experience with meaningful, relevant and career-specific assignments. For more information, go to: https://apps.ksbe.edu/cphc/ and click on “career” tab. …

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is offering free services to improve statewide financial literacy for all Hawaii families. Dubbed Hawaii Family Finance Project, its aim is to provide courses such as debt reduction, credit building, home ownership and foreclosure prevention, financial education and free tax preparation. The project is tasked with helping Hawaii families receive $45 million in unclaimed credits. Organizations interested in becoming a project partner can contact CNHA to complete an application. Residents interested in HFFP can e-mail Kapu Gaison at info@hawaiiancouncil.org. or call (808) 596-8155. …

Folk-blues singer Maria Muldaur and American singer-songwriter Dan Hicks perform at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at KCC, and for those wanting to have some fun while helping support our future emergency responders, this is your chance, as a portion of the ticket proceeds will benefit the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association Jr. Lifeguard Program. Dubbed the “blues and jazz queen,” and “king of cowboy jazz,” (respectively, of course) Muldaur and Hicks will be backed up by the San Francisco Jazz All Stars. Tickets cost $35. Call 337-9234. …

Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical GardensAnnual Kama’aina Day in Kilauea is just around the corner: next Monday, Jan. 17. For a $10 donation, visitors can meander the formal gardens, take in views and the relaxing sounds of a waterfall while pondering the colorful koi or attempting a hedge maze. Tours are offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the last tour beginning at noon. For more info, call 828-0525. …

Six-man paddling season is about to resume, and those wanting to participate can contact Brian Curll of Garden Island Canoe Racing Association at 635-6311. There are member clubs from the North Shore to the Westside that welcome aspiring athletes of all abilities. There isn’t much time to get in shape for the first race of the year, the Kilohana Long Distance Race, Feb. 26 in Waimea …

Kaua’i County Red Cross is seeking donations. During 2010, it responded to six disasters as well as helping families. It’s not federally funded and instead uses grants to cover its costs. Those wanting to help the nonprofit can donate online at www.hawaiiredcross.org, or call 245-4919 …