Mayor Mingles Among Many More

on February 13, 2013 at 2:14 pm

Mayor Carvalho in Washington with (left) Connecticut Gov. Daniel Malloy and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel | Photo from County of Kaua’i

I was impressed to hear that having recently returned from a weeklong visit to Washington, D.C., for the 81st winter meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. heard from Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, who spoke about the Dec. 14 tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Malloy said it was time to take a hard look at current gun laws to prevent future gun violence in the nation’s schools. Vice President Joseph Biden Jr. joined in the discussion on amending gun-control legislation. During his time there, Carvalho also met with U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono and U.S. Reps. Tulsi Gabbard and Colleen Hanabusa to share his vision for Kaua’i. During the USCOM meeting in the nation’s capital, approximately 1,200 mayors from across the country along with special guests converged to discuss a wide range of challenges facing U.S. cities and counties …

Waimea Town Celebration Feb. 16-24 marks 36 years of community tradition. Put on by West Kaua’i Business and Professional Association, it’s Kauai’s largest and oldest annual festival that provides nonprofit organizations and clubs with a fundraising opportunity while promoting community unity and economic development. The schedule is as follows:

* Feb. 16, 9 to11:30 a.m.: Kilohana Long Distance Canoe Race. GICRA’s first traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoe race of the season is visible from shore at Waimea Pier.

* Feb 18, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Waimea Film Festival. Japanese films related to disaster and reconstruction efforts. Suggested donation is $5 to help with maintenance and preservation of Historic Waimea Theater.

* Feb. 21, 7 to 8:30 p.m.: Nostalgic Night with Cherry Cherry from Seattle paying tribute to Neil Diamond at Historic Waimea Theater. Tickets cost $8 for adults, $7 for students/military/seniors, $6 for children.

* Feb. 22, noon to 8 p.m.: Paniolo hat lei contest (entries accepted from 7 to 9 a.m.) Categories: Beautiful (fresh materials), unique and recyclable. All lei must measure 24 inches.

* Feb. 22, 6 to 10 p.m.: Youth Dance for ages 11-18, alcohol-free, drug-free event. $10 presale includes hot dog and soda. $12 entry at the door. Adult chaperones and security. Appropriate dress required.

* Feb. 22, 4:15 to 11:30 p.m.: On Stage at Old Sugar Mill site with food booths, craft booths, games and rides, beer garden and entertainment including Mike Baez, Cherry Cherry, Kamaainas, Waipuna and Hoaikane.

* Feb. 22 and 23, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Waimea Roundup Rodeo. Traditional rodeo events and paniolo po’owaiu and double mugging unique to Hawaii. Saturday’s opening ceremonies to honor the Ho’okano ‘Ohana. Free admission Friday; $5 Saturday.

* Feb. 22, 6 to 9 p.m., and Feb. 23, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.: 3‐on‐3 Basketball Tournament. Largest 3-on-3 tournament on the island. $10/player, school division and $25/player, adult division. Late registration, 5 p.m. Friday for adults and 8 a.m. Saturday for students.

* Feb. 22, 5 to 9 p.m.; Feb. 23, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Feb. 24, 8 a.m. to 2:30: Slow Pitch Softball Tournament with 24 teams playing.

* Feb. 23, 7 a.m.: Fun Run 2, 5 and 10K. Register at Old Mill Site 4:30-10 p.m. Feb. 22, or at Waimea Plantation Cottages 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. Feb. 23. Cost is $25 for youths 17 and younger, $30 for adults. Late registration costs $40.

* Feb. 23, noon: OC-1, OC-2 and SUP race, Port Allen to Waimea Pier or Salt Pond to Waimea Pier. Cost is $25. Leash required.

* Feb. 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: A Glimpse of Old Waimea. Paniolo Hall of Fame, lei-making, poi pounding, konane (ancient game of Hawaiian checkers) and display of Ni’ihau shell lei at West Kaua’i Tech and Visitor Center.

* Feb. 23, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Silent Auction at Old Sugar Mill Site. Island activities, hotel stays and Kaua’i-made products.

* Feb. 23, noon to 12:45 p.m.: Lappert’s Ice Cream Eating Contest (Sign up at 11:30 a.m. next to stage at Old Sugar Mill Site).

* Feb 23, 1 to 2:45 p.m.: Ukulele Contest. Sign up from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.; Youths up to 12th grade and adults.

* Feb 23, 10 to 11:30 a.m.: On stage at Old Sugar Mill site with food booths selling malasadas, flying saucers, poi balls and more, craft booths, games and rides, beer garden and free entertainment, including Mahea Yamashita, Pono Breeze, Tiare a Nani o Kaua’i, Papaa Bay Boys, HI Fusion, Micah G and Maoli.

For more information, go to waimeatowncelebration.com, wkbpa.org or kauaifestivals.com …

The deadline to nominate candidates for Leadership Kaua’i’s Ho’okanaka Awards is 5 p.m. March 4. The awards honor and celebrate exceptional leaders in the Kaua’i community who demonstrate the following practices: Model the way (sets the example), inspire a shared vision (forward-thinker), challenge the process (experiment and takes risks), enable others to act (fosters collaboration), or encourage the heart (recognizes contributions). Submissions and supplemental materials can be sent via mail, fax or email by deadline. To download the form, go to: https://thehookanakaawards.blogspot.com/p/awards.html. Mail to: Leadership Kaua’i, ATTN: Ho’okanaka Awards Nomination, 2013 PO Box 1567, Lihu’e, HI 96766; fax: (808) 246-8727; email Hookanaka@leadership-kauai.org. For more information, call the Leadership Kaua’i office at 246-8727 or executive director Sherri Patrick at 651-5744. From the nominations, the Leadership Kaua’i’s board of directors will select outstanding adult and youth leaders to be honored and celebrated at an awards ceremony Saturday, May 4, at 6 p.m. at Kaua’i Beach Resort. 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 …

Mayor Mingles Among Many More

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