Pier 1, PetSmart Eye Old Borders

Word is the 8,000-square-foot area in Lihu’e that once housed Borders Books and Music is being considered by Pier 1 Imports and PetSmart, which apparently are in separate negotiations to open a store in Lihu’e. It certainly will be nice to have something there, as the space has been vacant for roughly two years now …

Congratulations to Kaua’i Hospice Volunteer of the Year Ralph Stewart and 30-year Heart of Hospice award honoree Nancy Fuertes-Fuller, who were recognized April 7 at the Kaua’i Hospice Volunteer Appreciation Aloha Luncheon. Mahalo for all your selfless dedication and hard work …

The court date may have been pushed back from March to Sept. 30 for the accused murderer of Sandra Galas, but her father, Lawrence Mendonca, continues to keep her memory alive. Mendonca has been putting the finishing touches on the moss-rock work for the memorial in his daughter’s honor at the new YWCA Kaua’i …

Mendonca also was nominated recently, along with nine others, for the 2013 Outstanding Male and Female Older American Awards by the Agency on Elderly Affairs. The program is designed to honor adults age 65 and older who have made exceptional contributions to the community. In addition to Mendonca, nominees include Lourdes Domingo, Irenia Edrada, Romana Espanto, Cha-Cha Kaluahine, Lucy Miller, Carole Nacion, Itsue “Frecki” Okada, Katsumi “Gutsy” Oyama and William Rapozo. A special ceremony to honor the 10 nominees is scheduled for Thursday, May 9, when Kaua’i’s Outstanding Male and Female Older Americans will be announced. The ceremony is being held in recognition of May as Older Americans Month, a time to celebrate and appreciate the vitality and aspirations of older adults and their contributions to their respective communities. For more information, call the Agency on Elderly Affairs at 241-4470 …

Community input is welcome on the proposed Kaua’i Workforce Investment Board, and comments will be accepted until Thursday, May 2. The KWIB plan will serve to guide workforce-development services on the island that support anticipated industry growth, and employment and training opportunities. The community is encouraged to review the working draft, which can be accessed on the county website, kauai.gov, in the What’s New section on the home-page. Printed copies also are available at Kapa’a, Lihu’e, Princeville and Waimea public libraries. Interested people also can request that a copy of the plan be mailed to them by calling 241-4950. Written comments should be faxed to 241-6399 or mailed to: the Office of Economic Development, Mo’ikeha Building, 4444 Rice St., Suite 200, Lihu’e, HI 96766 …

The Kaua’i District Office of the Department of Health is conducting a grassroots community health assessment and is seeking the input of local residents, as part of the Affordable Health Care Act. The project, titled “Our keiki, our kupuna, and our ohana,” is in partnership with Wilcox Memorial Hospital, state Health Planning and Development Agency, the Office of Bernard P. Carvalho Jr., state Department of Education and Kaua’i Community College. Participants will be asked for their opinions on topics including visions or ideas for a healthy Kaua’i. Community talk-story focus groups currently are being scheduled. To date, sessions are with older adults and special target populations, which include people with disabilities, Native Hawaiian organizations and the Filipino Community Council. Two community meetings are scheduled for the public from 6 to 8 p.m.: Monday, April 22, at Lihu’e Neighborhood Center, and Wednesday, April 24, at Kapa’a Neighborhood Center. Light refreshments will be provided. To confirm participation, call Naomi Sugihara at 652-3040 or email nsugihara1957@gmail.com …

Come watch the rough and tumble roller derby girls’ teams April Showers versus May Flowers Saturday, April 20, at 6 p.m. at Kapa’a Hockey Rink. Garden Island Renegade Rollerz requests a $5 donation, and since the bleachers on one side aren’t accessible, please bring your own seating (cushions, chairs) …

A big mahalo to Kapa’a Middle School students Kiele Baliaris, Emma Burrati, Chono Fernandez, Sean Harrington and Makayla Hirokane, who recently coordinated a relay field day to help raise money to fight cancer, with the help of teacher Terry Maguire. Maguire says the day was a great opportunity for students to make an impact in the community, as well as become knowledgeable about cancer. “The students feel good about themselves knowing they are doing something to help others,” Maguire adds. Activities included an afternoon event complete with a “Jail & Stay” fundraiser, in which students donated $1 to keep their teacher in jail for two minutes. All money raised by the students will be donated to American Cancer Society. The local Relay For Life will be held April 27 at Hanapepe Soccer Field. The money raised by the Kapa’a Middle School students will be donated to Relay For Life in the name of their school …