Message In A Bottle, More To Come?
Electrician's Mate Second Class Jon Moore removes a message from a bottle sent from Kagoshima, Japan more than five years ago. Mass Communications Specialist First Class Jay C. Pugh photo
It’s a novel idea reminiscent of childhood: putting a message in a bottle and setting it out to sea a romantic notion that we are all somehow connected in this small world. And while it was particularly sweet how a letter sent six years ago from Japan recently landed on Kaua’i shores found during a beach cleanup at Pacific Missile Range Facility I couldn’t help but think about the massive radiation levels emitting from the recent nuclear fallout in Fukushima and what else might arrive on our beaches.
According to Japanese news station NHK, 29.46 million becquerels of cesium were measured from 1 square meter of land in Okuma Town, several hundreds meters from the nuclear plant. That’s higher than the 10 million becquerels per square meter, the standard under which people are required to evacuate. So here’s to hoping all that continues to wash up on our beaches are those lovely Japanese blue glass fishing buoys …
With the holidays right around the corner and people starting to gear up for off-island travel, I thought I’d mention one of the island’s cutest, most progressive and innovative local businesses: Whiskers Resort, a home away from home for pets. It’s obvious “pet spa” owner Moksha McClure considers pets more than animals, as she was especially thoughtful when she created the business model for what she’s dubbed as “Kaua’i’s premier boarding facility.” Not only does McClure offer dog and cat sitting in deluxe and cozy suites, but therapeutic massage and grooming, too. Using an elaborately thought-out holistic philosophy on caring for animals, pets also get plenty of hugs, group playtime and even afternoon dips in the pool. McClure offers boarding and day care for those who work and want companionship for their furry friends. To learn more, go to whiskersresort.com or call 241PETS (7387) …
In the spirit of pets as more than just animals, St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Lihu’e will have its annual All Angels Animal Blessing at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, in honor of the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, who was known for his great love for animals. The blessing service will feature music by Henry Adam Curtis and the All Angels Children’s Ministry. Each animal receives an individual blessing and blessing certificate. The service is followed by a hot dog reception with animal crackers how cute, get it? cold beverages and doggie treats. There also is a petting zoo for children. The event is free and open to the public. All animals must be on leash or in a carrier. For more information, go to stmichaelskauai.org or call 245-3796 …
Mary Lou Harchis and Judy Pattee take tea on the lanai Sept. 9 at the Kauai Historical Society Tea Party. Kay Koike photo
Gearing up for the holidays, The Salvation Army is looking for vendors for its holiday craft fair, a fundraiser to benefit its soup kitchen. Booth space costs $25. Of course, this also means those wanting to help support this cause will want to mark their calendar Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 335-5441 …
Also for a good cause, now in its third year, the anniversary celebration at Merriman’s Kaua’i restaurant in The Shops at Kukui’ula Village is Oct. 3 at 5:30 p.m. and features a locovore-friendly dinner. The restaurant will donate proceeds to the vital social service work of Kaua’i United Way’s 28 participating agencies. Space is limited, so call quickly for reservations: 742-8385 …
Calling it “even better than last year,” the third annual Kaua’i Historical Society Tea Party went off without a hitch Sept. 9 thanks to hardworking committee chairwoman Lori Marston. Reviving all that was elegant and ladylike in Victorian and Edwardian eras, wahine were dressed to the nines. Offering appreciation, Jill Landis says Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas donated the event’s scrumptious tea sandwiches.
The next not-to-bemissed event is “Na Wahine Keikei” (Women of Distinction) at 5 p.m. Nov. 12 at Kaua’i Marriott Resort at Kalapaki. It will feature Hawaiian music by Kupaoa and chants and olelo honoring Chiefesses Kamakahelei and Emma Kauikeolani, ancestors of prominent Kaua’i families. To learn more, call 2453373 or e-mail info@kauaihistoricalsociety.org…
Film buffs should take note of the upcoming world premiere on Kaua’i of When the Mountain Calls: Nepal, Tibet & Bhutan directed by Emmy awardwinning Maui filmmaker Tom Vendetti. The film’s script was written by Rick Chatenever and features a prologue and epilogue by Kris Kristofferson. Its soundtrack is by Grammy award-winner Paul Horn. Reflecting on more than 30 years of traveling through the Himalayas, the film includes appearances by the Dalai Lama, Lama Tenzin, Tenzing Norgay, Sir Edmond Hillary, the prime minister of Bhutan Lyonchhen Jigme Y. Thinley, Dorjee Sherpa and Green Peace China. Vendetti won the aforementioned Emmy for his feature documentary Bhutan: Taking the Middle Path to Happiness, which aired nationally on PBS and premiered on Kaua’i in 2007. Preceding the premiere screening, author Ann Mortifee will read from her new book In Love with the Mystery. Tickets cost $20 and are available online at ticketderby.com before Nov. 11. Screening is at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Kaua’i Community College Performing Arts Center. To learn more, go to whenthemountaincalls-.com …
One of the island’s best portrait and wedding photographers Ken Posney (maybe you’ve seen his hula images at Kaua’i Village Shopping Center in Kapa’a) is hoping to help daughter Hali’a Baclayon, a cheerleader and student at Chiefess Kamakahele Middle School, attend cheerleading championships in Florida. To help raise funds, Posney is offering family portraits for $100 ($400 off) through Nov. 1. For more information, go to kawaiolaphotography.com, call 346.2495 or email kawaiola@ymail.com …
The county is wrapping up its Important Agricultural Lands (IAL) study and will provide an update during a second round of community meetings.
Here’s the schedule: Oct. 7, 5-7 p.m.: state Department of Agriculture office, 4398 Pua Loke St., Lihu’e; Oct. 8, 9-11 a.m.: Kilauea Neighborhood Center; Oct. 8, 3-5 p.m.: Waimea Neighborhood Center …
So glad to hear that in honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, the state of Hawaii received a federal grant totaling $1,591,789 for Neighbor Island veterans cemeteries, including Kaua’i, thanks to U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (DHawaii) and U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) …
