KHS Brainiacs Star On New Show
Rabbi Michoel Goldman’s surfboard Menorah
We can’t reveal the outcome, but folks in Honolulu are saying great things about the intelligence, work ethic and resiliency of the Kaua’i High School team that competed in the new TV quiz show It’s Academic Hawaii, which premieres on KFVE Jan. 9. It’s a tournament-style format involving 27 public, private and charter high schools from Kaua’i, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island. With faculty adviser Tahara’a Stein, the Red Raider brainiacs’ appearance is scheduled for Feb. 13.
“The team from Kaua’i is really amazing,” says show producer Wendy Suite, “smart and well-prepared! And they had an interesting travel story. Flights to Honolulu from Lihu’e on Hawaiian Air (which sponsors the program and provides airfare for Neighbor Island teams) were sold out that morning. So the team flew to Maui first, where they were delayed on the runway before taking off they had to wait while Air Force One refueled at Hickam AFB while the president returned home from Australia. That delayed our production, too.” Still, the cool Kaua’i kids acted as if nothing had happened …
It’s so pleasant to see people out and about enjoying the multiuse path. Some of the most precious morning walks and moments I’ve had were there, especially as it’s a safe place to walk with my baby son. So, in the spirit of the new year being about growth and moving forward, I was heartened to learn that despite any previous contention, a recent blessing and groundbreaking was held at Gore Park near Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital for the Kawaihau spur, a segment that will allow schoolchildren to cross the street more safely for field projects. The spur is an offshoot of the main path and will span about one-half mile from the intersection of Kawaihau Road and Kuhi’o Highway, ending at the top of the hill at Gore Park. It’s intended to encourage residents to walk to and from Kapa’a town rather than adding to traffic congestion. To date, about 6.8 miles of the estimated 30-mile path have been completed, which will continue from Anahola to Nawiliwili. The project is aimed at augmenting Kaua’i’s sustainability. In this time of financial cuts, when people are getting a little bit more creative, having to multitask a bit more and leverage partnerships to get things done when projects could be mired in red tape, I’d like to give a nod to people such as Dennis Esaki, Gov. Neil Abercrombie‘s Kaua’i Liaison, and Ray McCormick, state Department of Transportation district engineer, who both offered open ears to Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. for possible future collaborations on potential infrastructure enhancements. For more information about the multiuse path, call the Department of Parks and Recreation at 241-4460 …
The Tiki Menorah
Had to smile at the interfaith whimsy of Rabbi Michoel and Zisel Goldman, who created two isle-style remembrances for the first night of Hannukah. The first is a tiki torch menorah at the Princeville St. Regis, the other a surfboard menorah. More than 100 people gathered at St. Regis for a ceremony …
With an estimated 62 percent of Americans who made New Year’s resolutions planning to lose weight by either exercising or eating right, what better way to get that under way than to join in activities with others sharing similar goals? The Wailua Homesteads Country Roads Bike Ride will start at 9 a.m. Sunday (Jan. 8) and promises a gorgeous, verdant and rainbow-filled trek (OK, maybe the last one can’t be promised in advance). A repeat of the Dec. 17 ride, the course includes the UH-Wailua Experimental Station, Opaeka’a, Pu’uopae, Olohena, Waipouli, Kainahola and Kahuna roads. A potluck lunch after the ride will surely hit the spot (so bring healthy options). The 30-mile ride begins at Wailua Homesteads Park, and those with either road bikes or mountain bikes are invited, as well as people with varying degrees of athleticism. Be prepared to fix your own flats, it’s BYO everything, helmets are required and bright attire is suggested. For more information, call 639-1018 …
Speaking of resolutions, if yours is to help the environment, you may want to lend a hand to the Friends of Kalalau Trail, an effort supported by the nonprofit Kaua’i Planning and Action Alliance. Working to rehabilitate the first two miles of Kalalau Trail, which began more than a year ago, “Friends” are still needed to volunteer to do everything from berm removal to clearing water bars. The next workday is Jan. 7 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you’re interested, contact Mark Hubbard at 639-4746 or via email: markhubbard@hawaiiantel.n et (as liability forms are required in advance) …
More input is needed in order for public projects to come to fruition, and county administration hosts meetings throughout the month at each of the eight neighborhood centers: from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 5 at Hanapepe Neighborhood Center, Jan. 11 at Kapa’a Neighborhood Center, Jan. 25 at Kekaha Neighborhood Center and Jan. 26 at Koloa Neighborhood Center. The meetings will include a report on islandwide and regional projects of interest. The first is intended to offer updates on Lima Ola Green Affordable House project in ‘Ele’ele, the new police substation at Hanapepe Armory, Kalaheo Community Garden and Hanapepe town vendor issues. In February, Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. will attend Kilauea and Hanama’ulu community association meetings, and community outreach meetings will be held at Kilauea, Lihu’e, Kalaheo and Waimea neighborhood centers later in 2012. Special accommodations, sign language interpreters and interpreters for non-English-speaking residents are available upon request five days prior to the meeting date by calling 241-4900 or via email at sblane@kauai.gov …
It seems money scammers are getting a bit more adept. Kaua’i Police Department recently reported a money scam that involves a solicitation letter asking people to be part of a mystery shopper program as a “customer service evaluator.” The fraudulent company claims it pays to evaluate the performance of various establishments, then sends a check that is supposed to cover the cost of the first assignment. The company you’re supposed to evaluate? Western Union. And, yes, you’re instructed to wire transfer money from your personal checking account into a predetermined location using the Western Union service. It is usually not until after the victim has transferred personal funds that he is notified by his bank that the original check from the company was fraudulent, and therefore null and void. Another scam involves a company posing as Shell Petroleum claiming potential victims have won money. Capt. Kaleo Perez of KPD’s Investigative Services Bureau says to research a company you intend to do business with by calling the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs at 587-3222, then press 2, or visit www.businesscheck.hawaii.gov. The Better Business Bureau also offers company reviews on its website, www.bbb.org. To report a scam, call Kaua’i Police Department at 241-1711. For more tips on consumer protection, visit the Federal Trade Commission website, https://ftc.gov/bcp …
