Kaua‘i Sends Aloha To Boston

on April 24, 2013 at 11:32 am

There was a great turnout for the fundraiser for musician Mike Young, who is battling cancer, April 14 at Bar Acuda in Hanalei | Photo courtesy Jerry Brocklehurst

While several people were busy politicizing the recent tragedy in Boston, I was so proud of all the aloha Kaua’i was sending to the area in which I grew up. Whether it was showing solidarity by wearing race shirts or tweeting or posting heartfelt messages on Facebook, it was appreciated. The county, too, released a condolence statement: “Our hearts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of those who were killed today, and to the many victims who suffered injuries,” Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. said in the release, adding that there were a number of Hawaii residents who participated in the Boston Marathon …

Kudos to state Rep. Derek Kawakami, (Hanalei, Princeville, Kilauea, Anahola, Wailua, Kapa’a), the first legislator from Kaua’i to take a courageous stand on federal GMO labeling. Citing transparency and accuracy in knowing what we eat as a fundamental right, Kawakami drafted a resolution that was approved unanimously by the state House of Representatives last week. It requests the U.S. Congress to support legislation requiring the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration to come up with a nationwide system for monitoring, labeling and enforcing the labeling of all whole and processed genetically engineered foods. The resolution states that “transparency and accuracy regarding the genetic and nutritional composition of food we eat is a right that should be protected by law.” Kawakami says, “More and more states are becoming aware of the necessity to properly label food items that contain genetically engineered ingredients. It makes a lot of sense to address the issue on the national level. Developing a national standard for labeling would keep it consistent throughout all the states and make it easier to monitor and enforce …”

Tom Moffatt of MidWeek Oahu reports: “Spotted: It’s looking like an annual tradition … Julia Roberts enjoyed quality beach time with hubby Danny Moder and children here on the Garden Isle. A recent report cites Roberts’ thoughts about a move to Hawaii so her family can “live off the land, bask in the sun and surf 365 days a year” …

Congrats to Char Ravelo, who is Leadership Kaua’i‘s new executive director. Not to worry – Puni Patrick, who has served the nonprofit so selflessly over the years, will stay on as program director … Also, Leadership Kaua’i will host its Ho’okanaka Awards ceremony May 4 at 6 p.m. at Kaua’i Beach Resort. Awards go to outstanding adult and youth leaders. Cost is $75 for adults, $50 for youths 18 and under, or $700 for a table of 10. To learn more, go to leadershipkauai.org …

Mokihana Club Music Scholarship Competition first-place winner Kimberly Hope McDonough | Photo courtesy Jane Riley

The Kaua’i Historical Society Pa’ina will take guests back to the way old Kaua’i was in the 1940s and ’50s at its fundraiser May 18 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Kaua’i Beach Resort in Lihu’e. The event will hearken back to the post-Depression years through World War II to the new post-war society, when people, businesses and island life went through many changes. Entertainment will be provided by Darryl Gonzales and Melveen Leed. Bidding on the silent auction starts at 5:30 p.m. To donate, call Karen Ouye at the KHS office, 245-3373. Reservations are required. Cost is $85 per person, or $800 for a table of 10. For information, call 245-3373 or go to kauaihistoricalsociety.org …

I was so heartened by the fundraiser turnout for Hawaiian singer-songwriter Mike Young, who is battling cancer. Dozens upon dozens turned up to offer support for the fundraiser conducted on his behalf April 14 at Bar Acuda in Hanalei, where money was raised to help Young offset medical costs. In addition to his music career, Young founded Wave Riders Against Drugs and has spoken to more than 200,000 schoolchildren with the help of world-class pro surfers and recovering addicts from within the schools’ communities. Send donations to: Friends of Mike Young, P.O. Box 950, Koloa, HI 96756 …

Kaua’i lei-maker Elvrine Chow, who specializes in haku lei that are worn around the forehead, will talk story May 18 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Kaua’i Museum about her love of lei and why she still enjoys making them 30 years after she was introduced to the art. After her talk, Chow will teach the audience how to make a haku lei. The conversation will be facilitated by Pamela Varma Brown, author of Kaua’i Stories: Life on the Garden Island. Admission is $10 and free for museum members. For more information, call Kaua’i Museum at 245-6931 …

Mokihana Club is happy to report winners from the recent Music Scholarship Competition: Kimberly Hope McDonough on violin (first place), Stuart Beeksma on piano (second place) and Megan Lake, voice (third place). All three winners will attend college and hope to further their music studies. The competition was varied with violin, piano, vocal, flute and electric guitar. The Music Scholarship Competition was under the direction of Winnie Lu, first vice president of Mokihana Club. For more information about the club, call Sarah Rogers at 822-3473 …

The sixth episode of the Kaua’i Shining Stars in Education show has been released for viewing. The episode includes Kapa’a Middle and Kilauea Elementary schools, and focuses on how Kapa’a Middle is making a concerted effort to integrate technology into its instructional practices, and how at Kilauea, both students and teachers are working toward that end. The show airs Sundays at 8 p.m., Mondays at 5 p.m., and Thursdays at 10 a.m. on Hoike local television, Channel 54. The webchannel link is: https://vimeo.com/channels/kauaishiningstars …

Kaua‘i Sends Aloha To Boston

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