Now That’s A Welcome Home

Students participate in Department of Water’s ‘Make A Splash’  project.Department of Water photo

Students participate in Department of Water’s ‘Make A Splash’ project.Department of Water photo

I love … love. I’m such a sucker for it.

That’s why I can’t resist mentioning an international love story and the sweet serenade that took place recently at Lihue Airport. Randy Leonard, musical director of Kauai Voices and a nurse at Wilcox Memorial Hospital, welcomed home his fiancé, Rommel Rodriguez, from Ecuador Sept. 19 in style. Leonard organized a flash mob with a 30-voice choral ensemble, having them burst from the crowd at baggage claim in a Jamaican song of welcome with Akihito Ki on Japanese taiko drums. According to Melissa Mojo, an alto with Kauai Voices, “Loco” (crazy) was Rodriguez’s response as smiles beamed from his and Leonard’s faces. A moment not to be forgotten. Congrats to the happy couple, who will be married Oct. 19 …

Department of Water‘s festival last month made a big splash! More than 750 students attended the 11th annual Make a Splash Festival with Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) at Pua Loke Arboretum. Fifth graders from around the island are invited to the event each year and participate in hands-on activities, games and educational exhibits to learn how critical that natural resource is. Kauai is the only island to sponsor this festival. For more information, call DOW at 245-5455 …

Curt Fune  Photo courtesy Poipu Bay Curt Fune  Photo courtesy Poipu Bay

Curt Fune. Photo courtesy Poipu Bay

Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital is sponsoring its second annual Walk to Celebrate Life to help raise awareness about breast cancer Friday (Oct. 3). The public is invited to meet at 8:30 a.m. at Ke Ala Hele Makalae (Kauai Multiuse Path) next to Kapaa Neighborhood Center. Everyone is encouraged to wear something pink.

Donations are welcome and checks can be made out to “American Cancer Society.” Refreshments will be available. Contact Josie Pablo at 823-4138 for more information or to volunteer to help push the hospital’s residents in wheelchairs …

St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Lihue hosts its eighth annual All Angels Animal Blessing at 4 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 5). Bring your pets (on leashes or in carriers) to the church, which will include a “Hot Deity Dog” reception on the lawn (cuteness overload) with music performed by Goats with Headlamps. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs for the outdoor festivities, which begin after the blessing service at 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 245-3796 or visit stmichaels-kauai.org …

Congrats to Curt Fune, who recently was named Poipu Bay Golf Course’s “Aloha Spirit Award” winner for the first half of 2014.

He has been employed at the course since 2005 and has held his current position as head mechanic since 2008.

He was nominated by supervisor Dean Uyehara, who says, “He (Fune) has all the right stuff you look for in a good employee: good attendance, conscientious, efficient, innovative, inventive, good attitude. But the thing that really puts Curt at the top of the list is that he is always, always working.” Fune now is eligible for the annual Employee of the Year Award …

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