Sending A Loud Message On PLDC

KPD Deputy Chief John Blalock, Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr., Imai Karratti, Kilipaki Vaughan, Battalion Chief Jason Ornellas, Corey Sakai, James Pelegrino, Ronald Bush and KPD Chief Robert Westerman. Photo courtesy County of Kauaʻi

“It is opening day of the Hawaii State Legislature and the most important day of the year to send a message to all lawmakers,” Hooser says. “Show up to send a message that the PLDC (Public Land Development Corp.) must be repealed, that environmental and public interest laws must be embraced, not circumvented. Show up to support the labeling of GMO products and to show that this movement is real and is not going away.”

There also will be a contingent marching from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, departing UH at 8:30 a.m. and proceeding down Beretania Street …

Sundey Dillberg, owner of O.F.F. Studio in Kukui’ula Shopping Center, is at it again, helping organize the Run For Pa’a Feb. 17, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. The 5K family fun run/walk/jog/stroller will include a silent auction and refreshments to raise funds for Pa’a Lee, a baby born with a congenital heart disease (and still in need of expensive surgeries as a result). Last year more than 350 community members, visitors and family showed their support, and $8,500 was raised for the then-1-year-old. The entry fee for the run is a suggested donation of $25. To learn more, email offkauai@gmail.com …

Congratulations to the six firefighters who were promoted at a KPD pinning ceremony earlier this month. Michael “Imai” Karratti and James Pelegrino were promoted to Firefighter II; Ronald Bush, Corey Sakai and Kilipaki Vaughan were promoted to Firefighter III. The ceremony concluded with the promotion of Jason Ornellas to Battalion Fire Chief. “We are so proud of these men for the hard work they have and will continue to do for our community,” Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. said …

Congratulations also to former County Councilman Sen. Ron Kouchi for his appointment last week as vice president of the state Senate …

Taiko and African drummers will perform Sunday, Jan. 20, at the 9:45 a.m. service at St. Michael’s Church. The JoyFul Noise Drummers is a ministry of the church, under the direction of Akiko Conquest, and is in demand on the island and beyond. The drummers will perform the prelude and postlude as well as during services at the church located at 4364 Hardy St. in Lihu’e. For more information, call 245-3796 or email info@stmichaels-kauai.org …

Plant doctor Bob Nyvall offers free healthy plant clinics. NTBG photo

Sue Kanoho is serenaded by Elvis again …

National Tropical Botanical Garden will host free plant health clinics with Bob Nyvall the Plant Doctor Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. through April 14. Bring a sample of your troubled plant in a sealed, clear bag (include leaves, flowers, etc.) for diagnosis and suggested treatment by the plant pathologist. This is a walk-in service, first-come, first-served. The Southshore Visitors Center is located at 4425 Lawa’i Road in Po’ipu across from Spouting Horn. For more information, go to ntbg.org or call 742-2433 …

Women in Theatre (WIT) will host a 10-minute play festival, “Kauai Shorts,” and is currently calling for works. (This means it’s time to submit your mini magnum opus).

Typically, WIT produces 16 plays during the festival. The plays are chosen by a panel of experienced judges, and if things go as they did in the past, the audience will vote on their favorites. Deadline for submissions is April 1. Email romeycurtis@aol.com. Those whose works are selected will be asked to send a hard copy …

Regional Science Olympiad Tournaments are upcoming across the state, in which students participate in events covering a wide spectrum of fields related to science, technology, engineering and math. Topics include astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, genetics, medicine and rocketry. The tournament date for Kaua’i is Jan. 21 at Kaua’i Community College. To learn more, contact Ryan Girard at hssokauairegionaldirector@gmail.com …

Applications are being accepted through Feb. 15 from Hawaii high school seniors for the eighth annual Kaimana Awards and Scholarship Program. Kaimana Scholarships are awarded to student-athletes who are role models for other students. Awards are based on the student’s athletic and academic achievement, sportsmanship and community involvement. HMSA will award 21 scholarships, valued at $3,000 each. Five distinguished recipients will be selected from the 21 honorees to receive an additional $2,000 each. This year, HMSA also will unveil a new $7,500 scholarship in honor of former president and chief executive officer Bob Hiam. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 in their senior year.

They also must have played on a league-recognized team during at least one of their high school years. Special focus will be on student-athletes in lower-profile sports. Student-athletes must submit a completed application, short essay on their high school experience and plans after high school, two letters of recommendation from faculty members, and verification of their GPA in writing by a school official. Download an application at hmsa.com/kaimana, and on the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) website at sportshigh.com. To learn more, call Aloha Kim at (808) 948-6883 on Oahu …