Parakeets, Gardens And A Film

Mike DeMotta. NTBG photo

Mike DeMotta. NTBG photo

Has anyone else noticed the flourishing population of rose-ringed parakeets lately? I marvel at the flocks of our fine-feathered friends as they return to their roosts every night. From what I understand, they leave at dawn each morning and travel to the Westside mecca of GMO cornfields to feast on the crops. And as the fields continue to expand around the island, including the area around Kipu Bypass Road, so does the population of these green birds. I would be interested in learning more about this phenomenon from local biologists. But, until then, I’ll continue to watch them as they return in the evening to settle busily into their preferred trees, chatting away at length with their neighbors …

National Tropical Botanical Garden will offer “Tips and Techniques for a Successful Native Hawaiian Garden” Tuesday (Sept. 23) in Kauai Community College’s campus center cafeteria. Mike DeMotta, NTBG’s assistant director of living collections and horticulture, will present the free public talk and discuss how to create and maintain your own Hawaiian garden, and how it benefits insects and other plants.

A full-length feature film highlighting the importance of siblings with disabilities was aired earlier this month at Kukui Grove Cinema during Learning Disabilities Association of Hawaii‘s seventh annual Traveling Mini-Conference. The 1999 movie, The Other Sister, was screened free of charge for attendees, who also enjoyed food, prizes and giveaways. LDAH is a source of education, training and resources for families of children with or at risk of disabilities. Visit ldahawaii.org for more information …

The Salty Wahine family (front, from left): Angela Soto, Kendall Andersland, Aaron Andersland, Brittney Barreira, Paige Ando, (back) Jessika Montoya, Sean Cristobal, Lynne Carvalho, Bernie Rasay, Dave Andersland, Laura Cristobal- Andersland, Nikki Cristobal, Nelson Borja, Shawn Valmoja and Steve Cristobal. Photo courtesy Pang Communications

The Salty Wahine family (front, from left): Angela Soto, Kendall Andersland, Aaron Andersland, Brittney Barreira, Paige Ando, (back) Jessika Montoya, Sean Cristobal, Lynne Carvalho, Bernie Rasay, Dave Andersland, Laura Cristobal- Andersland, Nikki Cristobal, Nelson Borja, Shawn Valmoja and Steve Cristobal. Photo courtesy Pang Communications

Congrats to Salty Wahine Gourmet Hawaiian Sea Salts for being a finalist for Pacific Edge magazine’s “Best Family-run Business” award. The Business Achievement Awards ceremony will be held Thursday (Sept. 25) at Iolani Palace, and all winners and finalists will be recognized. This is the magazine’s (whose co-publisher is Kauai native Naomi Giambrone-Hazelton) fourth lifetime achievement award and finalist celebration …

Kauai Humane Society offers its fall “Critter Camp” for boys and girls ages 7 to 12 Oct. 6-10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Each day KHS sponsors games, crafts and hands-on educational opportunities for keiki. Fee is $150 per week or $30 per day. Parents can pick up application forms at the KHS office, or apply online at kauaihumane.org

cocomidweek@gmail.com