Kudos: Koloa Union Says YIMBY

Storyteller Pat Braden

The Kaua’i Planning and Action Alliance launched its new Safe Parking Program for homeless people with mahalo to Koloa Union Church, the first organization to step up to the plate. It’s a first for Kaua’i, modeled after a program in Santa Barbara in existence for eight years. Koloa Union will welcome up to three homeless families living in their vehicles; certain eligibility rules apply.

Mahalo to Koloa Union Church for modeling YIMBY instead of NIMBY – Yes In My Back Yard, as opposed to Not In My Back Yard. Call Catholic Charities-Hawaii at 632-6950 if you need the service. Call KPAA at 632-2005 if you have a parking location you’re willing to offer – KPAA is still looking for an East Side and a North Shore location …

Enjoy storytelling? On Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. at Princeville Public Library, Ihiihinui Kanealii, a most enjoyable and animated speaker, will wax eloquent on the subject of Kaua’i Museum, which celebrates its 50th anniversary soon …

But wait, there’s more!

Waimea Public Library will host two separate Canadian storytellers, one Oct. 16 and another Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m. both evenings. The first, Pat Braden, will talk about the characters he met during his youth as he played bass in bands in bars. Audiences will go behind the scenes in an old mining town and discover the stark beauty of the rock and ice lands he calls home. It’s recommended for people ages 10 and older …

Walt Keale takes the stage Oct. 16 at the Waipa Kalo Festival 2010

Then, Jim Green, celebrated poet, writer, broadcaster and performer, will bring the Northwest Territories of Canada to life Oct. 20. Recommended ages 5 and older …

Your forest needs you for a workday at the Civilian Conservation Corps Camp Saturday, Oct. 23 aka National Make a Difference Day. There’s a Halloween theme, an excellent time to wear an orange hunting shirt – or anything spooky – as you do trim painting and buff out the grounds of the historic site in Kokee. Volunteer trim painters may come any day of the week. All that’s needed is a steady hand. Call 335-9975 or e-mail museuminfo@earthlink.net to schedule …

Never pass up a trip to the North Shore, and in this instance, for the revival of the former Taro Festival. On Saturday, Oct. 16, hijack the family from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and get them to the Waipa Kalo Festival 2010 on the big field in Waipa. Included in the $3/adult, $1/keiki ticket price: hands-on workshops and lo’i tour, a kalo art contest, educational displays, craft vendors, biggest kalo competitions, a cooking contest, food booths, tasting and demonstrations, keiki activities and games, recognition of kupuna mahiai kalo, live entertainment with Walt Keale and emcee Bu Laia, music, presentations and movies into the evening. It’s a fundraiser for the Waipa Community Kitchen and Poi Mill. It’s also a minimalist event promoting minimum to zero waste, so bring your own plates and utensils …

On Sunday, Oct. 17, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Limahuli Garden and Preserve, there will be a workshop on kalo varieties, followed by a kalo tasting and pa’ina until 12:30 p.m. For information, call 826-9969 or go to: waipafoundation.org …

Inside Out Fitness Hawaii’s Robin Lopez will offer free body fat testing Oct. 19 and 20 at Cost-U-Less

Snap your fingers seven times – that’s how long it takes to get a reading of your body fat. Robin Lopez, owner of Inside Out Fitness Hawaii, will offer free body fat testing at Cost-U-Less Tuesday, Oct. 19, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and Wednesday, Oct. 20, from 9 to 11 a.m. “Feel great about your fitness and weight loss effort – even when the scale may not show the numbers you want,” says Lopez. “Tracking your body fat percentage instead of just body weight lets you know you’re losing the ‘right’ weight – fat instead of muscle.” Lopez will provide information and sponsor a drawing for free fitness sessions. Call 346-0025 or e-mail insideoutfitnesshawaii@yahoo.com …

In preparation for the upcoming International Garden Isle TRI FEST that will attract visitors here for a “Green” multisport event in 2011 to benefit the Independent Kaua’i Food Bank and Poipu Rotary Club, organizers and potential beneficiaries played golf …

Way to go Vishwambhara Reyes, James “Kimo” Rosen, Laurie Medeiros, Barbara Watson and Bonne Eckert. What do they share in common? They sent in personal photos to Focus On Kaua’i, which appear on page 13 of this issue. Send us everything from family reunions to people and their pets, a day at the beach or a sports celebration, a trophy fish catch or just a precious or even silly moment shared by your family. Each Focus page will essentially be a Kaua’i ohana photo album. Send your photos to Terri Hefner at MidWeek, 45-525 Luluku Road, Kaneohe, HI 96744 or by e-mail to thefner@midweek.com, with the subject line “Focus on Kaua’i.” And be sure to include your name. Here’s looking at you! …