Kudos To Malie Award Winners

Kaleo Stevens and Uncle Nathan Kalama at the annual Malie Awards Luau

Malie Foundation honored seven people for their contribution to the Hawaiian language at the annual Malie Awards Luau. When Kaleo Stevens, a bilingual instructor for kindergarten and first-grade students in Kekaha at Kula Aupuni Niihau A Kahelelani Aloha – aka KANAKA – stepped up to receive her award, Malie Foundation co-founder Uncle Nathan Kalama joined her onstage. It was an emotional moment. Stevens was the first recipient of the Malie scholarship back in 1987 at the inception of the foundation. It gave her the opportunity to attend Aha Punana Leo preschool, and now she’s the one doing the teaching.

Colleagues and students of KANAKA chanted to her, voices ringing out in the night, and Kalama reflected on the genesis of it all.

This luau each November, intended to raise funds for the foundation and award the keepers of the culture, is one of the best-kept secrets on the island. To learn more about Malie Foundation, visit online at: maliefoundation.org/story.html …

West Kaua’i Canoe Club created a 2011 “Paddlers of Kaua’i” calendar as a fundraiser for its club. Full of exciting paddling photos, they’re in demand at $5 apiece. To get yours, call Roger Medd at 651-4248 or e-mail him at rmedd58@gmail.com …

Kauaibackstory.com congratulates its 2010 “Refuge” creative writing competition winners. First place goes to Jericho Panasuk for Awakening. Tied for second place: Brian Doyle for Kono’s Car and Laurie Barton for For the Portuguese Buried in Peace at St. Raphael’s.

The Garden Island Arts Council sponsored cash prizes; Kaua’i Community College was the venue. Award-winning author Patricia Wood served as the guest judge. Winners and runners-up can share their entries at a public reading Monday, Nov. 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the KCC Technology Education Building. Time permitting, other writers can sign up to read their submissions on a first-come, first-read basis. Time limit per piece may not exceed five minutes. Look for winners’ submissions online at kauaibackstory.com after the public reading …

West Kauai Canoe Club's 2011 calendar is on sale as a fundraiser for the club

Jazz at Joe’s is the title of a benefit concert to be held Friday, Nov. 19, at Joe’s on the Green at the Kiahuna Golf Course in Poipu. The beneficiary is the nonprofit Live Music Kaua’i, whose mission is to provide more musical experiences and learning opportunities for Kaua’i’s youths, increase public awareness of the importance of live music for all ages and encourage more live music opportunities on Kaua’i. Your $20 cover charge goes directly to Live Music Kaua’i. Food and beverage service is no host, and there will be door prizes. Advance tickets are available at Kaua’i Music & Sound, Kapa’a, and Scotty’s Music in Kalaheo. Got questions? Call 635-6477 or go to livemusickauai.org …

Here’s a cool Thanksgiving gift. If you’re homeless or living on a low income in the Kapa’a area, come to Kapa’a Beach Park Sunday, Nov. 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a free turkey lunch provided by Ohana Christian Fellowship Church. The church also will offer free-bies: clothing, shoes, household goods, toiletries and haircuts. They’ll provide games and crafts for keiki and ministry for all. For more information, call Pastor Matt, 639-6456…

Kaua’i Economic Development Board will hold its 2010 Kaua’i Energy Conference Thursday, Nov. 18, at Kaua’i Marriott Resort & Beach Club. The theme is “Kaua’i’s Energy Future – Putting the Pieces Together” and will focus on the latest developments and upcoming initiatives in the energy sector on Kaua’i, and how they fit together to create the island’s dynamic energy landscape. Keynote speakers for the daylong conference include George Costa, director, County of Kaua’i Office of Economic Development, and Ted Peck, energy coordinator, state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Speakers include energy leaders from about a dozen companies. Registration required. Cost is $40/person; some scholarships are available for senior citizens and students. Find out more online at kedb.com/2010-kauai-energy-conference.asp or call 245-6692 …

John Mayall – living blues legend and “godfather of British blues” – along with Shemekia Copeland, daughter of the late Texas blues guitar legend Johnny “Clyde” Copeland, will take the Kaua’i Community College Performing Arts Center stage Sunday, Nov. 21, at 6:30 p.m.; doors open at 5:30. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association Junior Lifeguard Program. Get tickets and information online at lazarbear.com. Tickets cost $40/advance; $45/door. Call Mardi Gras Entertainment at 337-9234 for more information …

Vote online now through Nov. 30 for Kilauea Lighthouse as your favorite USA landmark. Hampton Hotels’ Save-A-Landmark Program will preserve a piece of Hawaii history in 2011, and you can play a role in determining it. Vote to help select an “All-American” Landmark to be refurbished in Hawaii. Go to hamptonlandmarks.com/votelandmarks.aspx, scroll to the bottom, click Hawaii, then click on “Vote for this Landmark” next to the Kilauea Lighthouse photo. To vote again, click backspace and again choose the Kilauea Lighthouse. There is no limit to the number of times you can vote, so vote often and pass on this information to friends and family…

How can you refuse the offer TriKauai Triathlon is making? Brian Curll, who’s heading the event, writes, “Short of carrying you around the course, we want to make this happen for you.” The TriKauai Triathlon will be held Sunday, Nov. 28. Check out the video of last year’s event at https://puuwaioutriggercanoeclub.org/TriKauaiVideo. aspx, and then click on the event to read the rules.

Says Curll, “We wish to encourage anyone who has ever considered trying to increase their level of physical activity to consider this event either as a competitor in one of the legs of the Triathlon or as part of our 5K run/walk.”

To volunteer, contact Tenley at: Tuedacotchay@hawaii.rr. com or 346-4034 …