Quick Deadline; Jack Is On The Way

Dennis Brown, Jill Matro and Kaulana Finn

Yours truly (second from left, receives a certificate of appreciation for MidWeek’s sponsorship of Bowl For Kids’ Sake, from Dennis Brown, Jill Matro and Kaulana Finn of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Photo courtesy Big Brothers Big Sisters

You’ll have to act fast because the deadline is March 15, but Friends of Bethany Hamilton is offering four $500 college scholarships to Kaua’i high school seniors one from each pubic school and one for private/home schoolers. One stipulation is that applicants have overcome or are overcoming a “difficulty in life.” For details and an application, go to FriendsofBethany.com …

Friends of fast food will be pleased with a tidbit from a business story in the Oahu version of MidWeek: Jack in the Box has plans to open its first Kaua’i restaurant …

It was good, wholesome fun to see all the keiki and adults decked out in ’80s attire while simultaneously dancing and bowling March 3 at the Totally Awesome ’80s third annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake. The Kaua’i Big Brothers Big Sisters fundraiser was sponsored in part by MidWeek Kaua’i. Community director Kaulana Finn, who says with a smile that music from the heydays of Prince and Madonna remains among her all-time favorites, chose the ’80s theme. Finn did an amazing job, all the while rocking her hot-pink fishnet glove, side ponytail and neonstar earrings.

This Judy Mahon ceramic decorates Sen. Ron Kouchi’s Capitol office

Kudos also to everyone else I saw helping out, including Ron Wiley, Dennis Brown, Jill Matro, Daniel Sanchez, Angel Camacho, Leialoha Sanchez, Rodrigo Pascual, Ku’ulei Palomares and Jenni Sanchez. I’d also like to give a nod to Big Brother Alan Satta, a firefighter, and Little Brother Allen Duran, who celebrated their one-year match anniversary. Satta and Durran surf together, watch movies, frequent the Fun Factory and volunteer to help with Kaua’i Ocean Recreation Experience, which helps people with disabilities learn to paddleboard and enjoy the ocean. I must also say it was great to see Duran try a little ’80s-inspired moonwalking at the event…

The Hawaii State Legislature hosted its fourth annual “Art at the Capitol” March 2, to provide an opportunity for the public to view some 460 works of state-owned art displayed in the offices of legislators and executive offices in the state Capitol. Kaua’i’s own Sen. Ron Kouchi, who says he supports art and local artists, notes one of the reasons he values art is the process that stimulates and develops imagination and critical thinking. In addition to state-sponsored art in his office, Kouchi also has on display several pieces by Kaua’i artists Kerry Oda, Noah Silva and Judy Mahon. Featured work at the show also included that of Kaua’i artists David Kuraoka, Phyllis Kunimura, Paul Yardley and Take Hama.

Speaking of the Legislature, Police Commissioner Charles Iona (who also is director of Safety and Risk Management for Waimea Plantation Cottages), along with Mahi’ai Na’ihe, security manager for Kaua’i Beach Resort, and Kaupena Kinimaka, area director of Global Safety and Security for Kaua’i Resort and Marriott on Kalapaki Beach, met recently with Kouchi and state Reps. Derek Kawakami, Dee Morikawa and James Tokioka to discuss measures regarding private security services …

(from left) Charles Iona, Rep. Derek S.K. Kawakami, Mahi‘ai Na‘ihe, Rep. Dee Morikawa, Sen. Ronald D. Kouchi, Kaupena Kinimaka and Rep. James Tokioka. Photos from Sen. Ron Kouchi

Happy first anniversaryplus to the eastside’s Hanalei Trading Girls, the boutique-chic end-all beall in terms of bikinis and hot designs put together by waterwoman and Brazilian native Andrea Weston Webb. The sister store to Hanalei Trading Co., Webb brought her North Shore surf shop prowess when she expanded to Kapa’a a little more than a year ago. Webb says (understandably so) that she’s very proud of shop’s success. “Our goal has always been to offer a unique selection to our clients for kamaaina prices,” she says.

Partner Michele Sgarbi agreed, adding, “We know most of our clients by name and they appreciate the exclusive service and come back.” Inspired by Brazilian beauty and colors, the shop carries the latest trends in the fashion world mixed with vintage styles (kama’aina get 10 percent off, and 20 percent off during a shopper’s birthday month). Located at 4504 Kukui St., store hours are Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call 635-7910 or email andrea.kauai@gmail.com…

What a nice job Nalani Brun did promoting the island at the Kaua’i booth in Philadelphia’s recent International Flower Show March 4-11. Though it’s not a tough sell to those who are shivering on the East Coast and yearning for those first signs of spring, Brun sure drew in a crowd. Kaua’i Visitors Bureau executive director Sue Kanoho says “Hawaii: Islands of Aloha” was the show’s theme.

Nalani Brun (in haku lei) at the Philly flower show. Maile Horner photo

Each island had 10 booths with support from Hawaii Visitors Convention Bureau and island chapters, which included Kaua’i, O’ahu, Maui and Big Island visitors bureaus. Kaua’i booths included the Hawaii Tropical Flower & Foliage Association, National Tropical Botanical Garden, Orchid Alley, Kaua’i Grown/Kaua’i Made, Salty Wahine Gourmet Hawaiian Salts and Alley Cat. Way to represent! …

With tax season officially open, public libraries across the state are offering AARP tax help March 21. The free assistance program offers help in preparing basic 2011 federal and state income tax returns with trained volunteers available to assist those who cannot prepare their own tax returns, have low to moderate income, are disabled, have limited English skills, or are elderly.

For assistance, bring a photo ID, Social Security card (also for spouses and dependents, if applicable), your 2011 federal and state tax returns and any other relevant information regarding income and expenses. Kaua’i’s participating library is Princeville Public Library, and help is available between 2 and 5 p.m. by appointment only. Call 826-0122 …