KPD Promotes Seven Officers

Congratulations to Kaua’i Police Department‘s seven new lieutenants and sergeants, who were honored recently in a ceremony at Kaua’i Community College: Sgts. Scott Brede and James Rodriguez were promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

Promoted to the rank of sergeant were Officers Charles Dubocage, Jesse Guirao, Kennison Nagahisa, Colin Nesbitt and Ray Takekawa. Kaua’i Police Chief Darryl Perry and Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. offered congratulatory remarks, as did Deputy Chief Michael Contrades, County Council chairman Jay Furfaro, Police Commission vice chairman Charles Iona, and Acting Lt. Bryson Ponce, board secretary for the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers (SHOPO). “It is with great honor that we are recognizing this group of fine officers who have committed themselves to public service and our close-knit community,” stated Perry. “I ask that you continue to be guided by integrity, professionalism and treating others with dignity, as that represents who we are as law enforcement officers.” …

Storyteller Dave Del Rocco, a former Public Librarian of the Year, will be a featured performer for the 2013 HSPLS Children’s Summer Reading Program at seven selected public libraries statewide from June 1 through July 13. He will be on Kaua’i June 26 at 6 p.m. at Waimea Public Library. Admission is free. Del Rocco will present “Stories of Hawaii and the World” – folk tales of Hawaii and other places including Africa, Alaska, Italy, Laos and the Philippines. Del Rocco, who has been a student of the Hawaiian language for many years, received a master’s degree in library studies from the University of Hawaii-Manoa, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Hawaiian language. He has translated more than a dozen children’s books into Hawaiian for the Department of Education’s immersion program. In addition, Del Rocco recently wrote the Hawaiian translation for two commercially produced children’s books. For more information, go to the HSPLS website, librarieshawaii.org, “like” on facebook.com/HSPLSHIgov, or follow on twitter.com/HSPLSHIgov …

The Agency on Elderly Affairs has scheduled another round of the popular workshop series “Better Choices, Better Health” for older adults and their caregivers. The next series is in Lihu’e starting June 20, with a short pre-workshop session scheduled for tomorrow (June 13). “Many Kaua’i kupuna have benefitted from this program since we started offering it four years ago,” says Kealoha Takahashi, Kaua’i County executive on aging. “I encourage everyone who would like to improve their health to sign up for the workshop.” The six-week workshop series aims to improve the health of older adults by empowering and teaching them how to better manage their chronic conditions and to work toward achieving personal health goals. The program does not conflict with other health programs and treatments. It will be held Thursdays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Lihu’e Civic Center, Pi’ikoi Building, conference room A. To gain maximum benefit, participants should attend all six sessions. Cost is $12 for seniors 60 years and older. Scholarships are available. To register, call Charlyn at 241-4470 or email cnakamine@kauai.gov. If you need an ASL Interpreter, materials in an alternate format or other auxiliary aid support, please call at least seven days before the workshop series begins …

It’s almost time for the fifth annual Mayor-a-thon, which draws hundreds of people to the multiuse coastal path, Ke Ala Hele Makalae, for a day of fun, exercise and a chance to win great prizes. This free, Zero Waste event is scheduled for Saturday, June 22. Check-in starts at 7:15 a.m. at Kapa’a Beach Park, and the Mayor-a-thon begins at 8. Participants must pre-register online at getfitkauai.com to walk, run or bike one, two, four, six, or eight miles. The deadline to sign up is midnight Thursday, June 20. The first 600 people who sign up will get T-shirts, and everyone who registers has a chance to win a bicycle and a two-night stay at Kaua’i Marriott Beach Resort and Spa, although you must be present to win. Bus stop locations and pickup times for the Westside bus are scheduled as follows:

* Kekaha Neighborhood Center, 6:15 a.m.

* Waimea Athletic Field, 6:20 a.m.

* Hanapepe Multi-Purpose Building, 6:30 a.m.

* Kalaheo Post Office, 6:40 a.m.

* Kukui Grove Center, 6:55 a.m.

* Return trip from Kapa’a Public Library, 11 a.m.

There also will be games, door prizes, live music and a free, healthy breakfast …

Kaua’i music professor Greg Shepherd has released a new book, A Straight Road with 99 Curves. Written about his road to, away from then back to Zen was itself something like Zen’s unsolvable riddles called koans, designed to help one become enlightened.

“A Straight Road with 99 Curves is a good title for my story because the road I’ve been on has been straight. The 99 curves were of my own making,” Shepherd says, who has lived on Kaua’i since 1988 and is head of KCC’s music department. “I was going around and around in circles for a long time. Zen brought me back to itself. The road for me all along was Zen.” The book is available on Amazon.com for $14.95 …

Beach House Restaurant in Po’ipu, which was recognized by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of America’s Most Romantic Restaurants in 2013, was recently recognized by the state Senate, which congratulated owners Roy Dunn and Mike Hooks. For more information or to make a reservation, go to the-beach-house.com …

It’s time to stock up and stay safe, as Hawaii’s hurricane season runs from June through November. Remember: If that barge doesn’t come into Nawiliwili, we only have enough food to last seven days. With that in mind, Get Ready Hawaii is reminding residents to be prepared in case disaster strikes, asking families to have an emergency kit and disaster plan ready.

For tips, go to getreadyhawaii.org …

agregg@midweekauai.com