Turkey Trotting Before The Feast

What better way to work up an appetite for a Thanksgiving feast than with a quick run? It doesn’t have to be a long one – just a trot.

The Free Kapa’a Turkey Trot is an informal 5K and 10K walk, run or bike ride Thanksgiving morning at Kapa’a Beach Park on Ke Ala Hele Makalae (Eastside multiuse path). Check-in is 6:45 a.m.; event starts at 7:30. Coordinators will accept nonperishable food for Hale Ho’omalu, and monetary donations to Kaua’i Path also are accepted. To register online, go to kauaipath.org. For more information, call Randy Blake at 635-8823 …

The Shops at Kukui’ula merchants will sell student-made holiday bags this season, and all proceeds will benefit Koloa Elementary School in Po’ipu. Each one-of-a-kind bag is hand-decorated, comes with a holiday tag and bow, and is available for a minimum donation $1, with all proceeds going directly to Koloa Elementary. “We’re proud to showcase these budding artists and support the education of our community,” says Helaine Perel, real estate manager of The Shops at Kukui’ula. For more information, visit TheShopsAtKukuiula.com, “like” The Shops at Kukui’ula on Facebook, follow @ShopsAtKukuiula on Twitter, or call 742-9545 …

Congratulations to Tech Sgt. Johnette Chun, a civilian employee, and acting Sgt. Damien “Kaina” McCallum, who were recently honored as exemplary employees at Kaua’i Police Department. Chun, who works in counterdrug support, is the primary liaison between KPD and the Hawaii National Guard Counterdrug Support Program on drug interdiction missions. Chun compiles, collects, researches and reviews data as directed by supervisors and officers in the NEU, and updates statistical information related to drugs, arrests and cases as required. She employs applicable intelligence gathering and covert operation techniques as directed, and assists in surveillance and other military-related tasks that are instrumental in the unit’s police operations. “Johnette is an asset to the NEU and is always willing to help and provide assistance wherever and whenever she can,” says Roy Asher, assistant chief of Investigative Services Bureau. “And she does this without complaint or negativity.”

McCallum was honored as the department’s Officer of the Month. McCallum has served with KPD since 2002 and is currently assigned to the Waimea District. He recently initiated a two-day police detail utilizing a squad of three officers to locate and arrest six individuals wanted on a total of 32 drug-related charges and one criminal contempt of court. During that same week, McCallum led a truancy detail in Waimea after noticing a number of school-aged children loitering in Waimea town during school hours. During a 90-minute period, 10 juveniles were detained and returned to school.

“Acting Sgt. McCallum continues to demonstrate his ability to lead and motivate his squad to ‘serve and protect’ his community,” says Ale Quibilan, assistant chief of the Patrol Services Bureau. “He is able to identify areas of concern specific to his community and initiates the appropriate response.” …

Kudos to Wilcox Memorial Hospital, which recently announced that it offers breast tomosynthesis, also called 3-D mammography, a new technology that produces a three-dimensional image of the breast and improves cancer screening and detection. It allows doctors to more effectively pinpoint the size, shape and location of any abnormalities. Radiologists can manipulate the images to see areas of concern from all angles, leading to better detection, fewer false positives, call backs, unnecessary biopsies or additional tests – and greater peace of mind. To date, three confirmed cancers have been diagnosed using the new technology – cancers that likely would have gone undetected until much later, according to Dr. Mary Mackiernan, a diagnostic radiologist. “We recognize the importance of early detection,” Kathy Clark, president and CEO of Wilcox Memorial Hospital, says. “More than 200,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. every year, and early detection and treatment offer a better chance of survival than ever before.”

Wilcox Health also offers a high-risk breast program in which the 3-D mammography is just one of the many services available. A multifaceted approach includes radiological services, physician and nursing services, genetic counseling and testing, nutritional counseling, psychological services, patient education and support services, and access to research and clinical trials.

Women who qualify for the program include those with one or more of relatives with breast cancer, those with personal history or family history of ovarian cancer, atypical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma. To learn more, go to wilxcoxhealth.org …

It may be 280 days away (Sept. 1, 2013), but Kaua’i Marathon organizers are gearing up for next year’s annual event by offering a holiday kama’aina and active military special Dec. 1-15. (All mailed entries must be postmarked by Dec. 15). Half-marathon entry with the special will cost $50, with full-marathon entry priced at $70. No transfers, rollovers, changes or refunds will be allowed with the special promotion. To receive the offer, fill out the “Kama’aina Holiday Promotion” entry form at thekauaimarathon.com and mail to Kaua’i Marathon, PO Box 573, Koloa, HI 96756, or register online through active.com using the promotion code “half” for the half marathon and “full” for the full marathon. TKM representatives also will accept registration Dec. 5-8 at their booth at the Honolulu Marathon Expo at the Hawaii Convention Center – or, you can stop by our booth Dec. 5-8 at the expo …