(from left) Chief Darryl Perry, Anthony Abalos, Darin Irimata and Deputy Chief Michael Contrades. Photo courtesy Mary Daubert
CONGRATULATIONS TO Officers Anthony Abalos and Darin Irimata, who were named officers of the month for their diligence and dedication in responding to an incident that occurred May 12. Both were conducting routine checks in their assigned areas aimed at discouraging underage drinking and reckless driving. While checking an area known as Second Ditch along Kekaha Beach, the officers recognized a man who was wanted on an outstanding warrant sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle. Upon approaching the suspect, the officers saw drug paraphernalia and recovered $1,000 in cash, distribution supplies, marijuana and more than 20 grams of methamphetamine. The work of the officers yielded 18 felonies being charged. Nice job! …
I was heartened by the recent completion of Pa’anau Village phase two, as Rev. Ipo Kahaunaele-Ferreira conducted the blessing of the project that is demonstrating more change in the right direction. The blessing, marking the completion of the 50-unit affordable rental complex in Koloa, was attended by Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr., Paul McDonald of Kaua’i Housing Development Corp., and Mark Chandler of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It demonstrated how partnerships involving multiple levels of government and private entities can come to fruition. Though the project shares the same ZIP code (and views) as the luxury style of living that is Kuku’iula (thanks to land conveyed by its development company), the village, built with several “green” elements in mind, offers rentable units from $575 to $850 a month for qualified residents, made up of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments (with three units specially designed for people with disabilities). Occupancy is restricted to households at or below 60 percent of the Kaua’i median household income limits – between $35,580 (one person) and $58,920 (six people). If you qualify but didn’t make the cut, don’t despair. Though all of the income-qualified tenants for the Pa’anau Village units were determined by a lottery, applications are still being accepted for future openings …
Rev. Ipo Kahaunaele-Ferreira at the Pa‘anau blessing. Photo courtesy Mary Daubert
It’s that time again for the Kaua’i Music Festival, the be-all, end-all of song-writing and workshops. The sessions, July 11-14 at Kaua’i Beach Resort, will finish off with two concerts, in which visiting staff will perform, organizer Jerry Brocklehurst tells me. The concerts will begin at 7 p.m. July 13 and 14, starting with the Po’alima Concert, which will feature David Pack, Robert Schwartz-man, Chris Birkett, Ross Golan (songwriter for Nicki Minaj, Cee Lo Green and Maroon 5) followed by the Pau Hana Concert, starring musicians HAPA, John Cruz, Paula Fuga and Charles Michael Brotman. For more information, go to kauaimusicfestival.com …
As we all know, it’s not just children who have adoring parents, but pets, too. And Cheryl Ann Ferrell of Hearts4Kaua’i has just the thing for diligent dog owners: pet CPR and first aid. The training class will be offered from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. July 21 at Natural Pet Hawaii, 1596 Haleukana St., Lihu’e. Cost is $35 – and $5 of that money goes straight to Kaua’i Humane Society. The class is limited to 15 people (one dog per person), and pre-registration is required and can be done online at hearts4kauai.com. For assistance with registration, call 652-1284. For more information, call 246-1738 or email hearts4kauai@gmail.com …
The cast of ‘Bugsy Malone Junior’. Debra Blachowiak photo
It’s hard to believe that summer has nearly peaked already, but the “best ofs” (both the oldies and the goodies in terms of athletic events) are right around the corner. That includes two races around Na Pali Coast, the first of which is Na Pali Race, slated for July 21 (the second is the 15th annual Na Pali Challenge, the beautiful six-man outrigger canoe race Aug. 11). The 17-mile-long distance paddleboard/stand-up paddleboard/one-man canoe race will start in Ha’ena and end at Polihale Beach Park, and is expected to include dozens of paddlers ranging from good to superb abilities. Top finishers have taken between two-and-a-half and three hours to finish, while others have managed to finish in four or so hours. Cost is $65 per person for three-person teams and $100 for solo entries. All late entries cost an additional $50 per person, per division. Price includes a T-shirt, custom sandals, an event hat, race jersey, and a meal by Duke’s Canoe Club (they had me at Duke’s), as well as beer from Landshark Lager. Start times will be staggered depending on the wind, and could be as early as 9 a.m. or as late as 10:30 a.m. So keep up to date by checking the race website, napalirace.com or Facebook and Twitter. For assistance with arranging escort boats, email NaPaliRace@gmail.com …
If you’re looking for a keiki-friendly event, the Hawaii Children’s Theatre Summer Stars will present Bugsy Malone Junior at 7 p.m. July 13 and 14, and at 4 p.m. July 15 at Kaua’i Community College Performing Arts Center. Tickets cost $10 in advance and $12 at the door. For more information, call 246-8985 or go to hawaiichildrenstheatre.com …
