Our Outstanding Police Officers
HMSA executive vice president Gwen Miyasato (center) with scholarship winners Stephanie Steuri of Island School and Chas Okamoto of Kapa‘a High School. Photo courtesy HMSA
I have a soft spot for the police, probably because the first beat I ever worked out of graduate school was as a cops-and-courts intern back in Colorado, writing the blotter. Going on ridealongs, I witnessed how thankless the job of a cop can be. So I’d like to give a nod to Officers Damien “Kaina” McCallum and Aaron Relacion, who were recognized for outstanding efforts in law enforcement at this month’s Police Commission meeting. Following a spike in youths skipping class, McCallum was part of an effort to deter truancy, which resulted in 19 juveniles being detained and returned to school. McCallum also was responsible for increasing enforcement of the distracted driving law, and led his squad by issuing 388 citations and 45 arrests in March.
Relacion, who found a car with an ice pipe and double-barreled shotgun inside, was lauded not only for his discovery, but for recognizing that the car belonged to a suspect who had eluded police a few days prior and who was wanted in conjunction with a burglary case. Chief Darryl Perry said it was because of Relacion’s diligence that there is one fewer illegal weapon on Kaua’i streets. Well done, officers! …
The old adage that beauty is in the eye of the beholder certainly applies to art and in the eyes of one Princeville resident, penmanship as well. I was intrigued by an email I received by a fan of Angeline Welk, a handwriting analyst who is working to preserve the dying art by educating others on why handwriting is not only relevant, but crucial in our ever-digitizing age. The author of a course on how to read handwriting, Welk will present “Handwriting:
The Foundation of an Enlightened Civilization” July 13 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Princeville Community Center (behind the shopping center). A $10 donation is requested. To learn more, go to ourlivingalphabet.com …
Kudos to all the volunteers who put on a local-style breakfast of eggs, Portuguese sausage and rice July 2 to help raise funds for Annie Eulalio, the mother of three boys who is in stage four of peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis. Friend Kwailan Barsotti says Eulalio’s immediate medical expenses are $50,000. Friends of Annie are asking the public to help the Eulalio family by donating money to help pay for treatment and recovery. An upcoming car wash fundraiser will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 16 at the Waipouli Complex in Kapa’a. Donations also can be sent to: Friends of Annie Eulalio, (Trust), P.O. Box 510194, Kealia, HI 96751 …
A free school supplies day will take place from July 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Kukui Grove Center, thanks to several local businesses including Kmart, Grove Farm, Longs Drugs, State Farm and Kaua’i Museum. Coordinator Mary Navarro says they are still soliciting donors for school supplies, and that another challenge is getting the supplies to the keiki who really need them. To learn more, email Navarro at marynavarro59@yahoo.com …
Levi and Annie Eulalio. Photo courtesy Kwailan Barsotti
July is the heart of summer, which means summer camp. Anahola Baptist Church hosts a pirate-themed fourday Bible-study getaway titled “Pirates of the Coconut Coast” July 12-15. At the free camp for youths up to age 17, organizer Jimmy Johnson says they will grind on ono food, sing silly pirate songs, play games, enjoy swashbuckling skits, listen to sea stories and win pirate-inspired prizes. For more information, call 639-9675, email Jimmy@hiinfo.net or go to anaholabaptistchurch.org …
It was all about family and fun July 1 at the Pacific Missile Range Facility Freedom Celebration, which drew thousands of attendees, according to U.S. Navy Petty Officer Jay C. Pugh. The event featured a volleyball tournament and variations of other sports, plenty of music and, of course, a sky alight with glittering pyrotechnics …
Kudos to three local students who were each awarded $2,000 scholarships after taking top honors as part of the HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship program.
Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation (KIF) scholarship recipients for the Garden Island are Chas Okamoto of Kapa’a High, and Kyle McDonald and Stephanie Steuri of Island School. Island School took home the top school honor for Kaua’i. More than 200 high school students and their family members, school principals and athletic directors from across the state gathered June 25 for the ceremony at Hawaii Prince Hotel in Waikiki.
Congratulations! …
Congratulations also to Team Link’d, part of the men’s community open basketball league that beat Da Hui June 26 at Kalaheo Gym and claimed the league’s championship title. Even though they don’t have to show up for rigorous practices (teammates drop in for games just for fun on Sundays) the players, including Daniel Higashi, Tony Brun, Keahi Caldera, Tony Magaoay, Kawika Smith, Chauncy Medeiros, Keola Karratti, Kaina Makua, Byron Vea and Afa Acoba, did a great job …
