MidWeek » Windward Oahu Waha Nui

Recently an ailing guest at a Ronald McDonald House near Stanford, Kailua High junior Tia Fuchigami came home and collected jars full of coins and bills for the Hawaii RMH and began volunteering there herself. Her kidney transplant and recovery enabled her to see how caring the home’s volunteers are, so she vowed “to try to give back in my own way.” Tia also plans to be a nurse someday …

Speaking of nurses, Hale Ku’ike Bayside, a Kaneohe nursing home, threw quite a party this summer for its memory care patients, complete with custom pizzas made by its Italian chef Roberto Gramigni and live music by respected local musician and producer Pierre Grill. Pierre outdid himself by playing trombone and piano simultaneously … Kaneohe Girl Scout Marissa Lum gratefully reports that the public brought more than 2,000 flower blossoms for her troop’s Lei of Aloha Memorial Day project at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery … Dudley Foster notes that Kailua’s Nadia Busekrus (mentioned here July 2 for two college grants) also won a four-year, $3,000 scholarship from Windward Rotary Endowment Fund, which has given $120,000 to Windward students so far …

Justin Souza (Castle 2012) and Marvin LaBella (Kailua 2008) have graduated from Air National Guard basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas … As president of National Christian Foundation Hawaii, Kailua attorney Tom Rulon is enthused about its new online giving platform at nation-alchristian.com. Tom says the upgrades make it “not just a transaction, it’s an experience!” … You can experience the KHKA-AM 1500 76 Hawaii Ohana Road show knowing it won a Best Radio award from American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association. Co-host is another Kailua attorney, Ed Kemper …

Kalaheo grad and funny man Jonah Ray (Rodrigues) gets his big break today (July 23) with his show’s premiere on TV’s Comedy Central, The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail. “I’m very proud to be from Hawaii,” Jonah writes. “In fact, I will be in the Hawaii episode of Comedy Central’s Drunk History talking about King Kalani’opu’u” … Willie K‘s at Surfer, The Bar at 7 p.m. July 21 (293-6000) & & & cchang@midweek.com

David Herndon

Kailua’s Matthew Beattie-Callahan (Iolani) has won a competitive scholarship from Washington Crossing Foundation, which encourages government service careers. Matthew has an early start on that. He’s already been a U.S. Senate page, Senate Youth Program delegate, Wounded Warriors Service Club treasurer, class president, first in district and state Science Olympiads, school newspaper editor, and had perfect scores on his math, history and reading SATs …

Oregon State University conferred degrees upon these smart Windward students in June: Kaneohe’s Nicholas Keliipuleole, Jennifer Kiyotoki, Tyler Kon and Kacie-Lyn Waters; Kailua’s Mark Maeda, Matthew O’Connell, David Fink and Hanna Smith (cum laude); and Kahuku’s Kayla-Maria Martin … Two retired Windward ministers have joined lives and moved into Pohai Nani. Barbara Grace Ripple and Rev. Samuel Cox celebrate their first wedding anniversary this year …

Kailua’s David Herndon has moved over from United Healthcare of Hawaii to be senior vice president of Health Care Finance for HMSA, where he will develop its QUEST Integration program … Jacque Shaner recently was selected as Hawaii 2014 Elementary School Assistant Principal of the Year by national and state associations of school administrators. Jacque is vice principal at Kaneohe Elementary, where she’s known as a mentoring genius for struggling teachers. She says her mission, simply put, is “to remove barriers, not matter how big or small, so that children can learn.” Her own children learned at Castle, King and Kaneohe El., where her granddaughter is currently enrolled …

Castle’s Max Hsing-Huo Vinci won the $10,000 Mamoru Takitani 2014 Distinguished Student Award from Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation, while $1,000 grants went to Kahuku’s Jennifer Nacapuy, Kailua’s Georgienne Murray, Kalaheo’s Tatianna Schenk-Lee and Le Jardin Academy’s Madeline St. John … Latest lucky slot players in Boyd’s downtown Las Vegas casinos: Kaneohe’s Amy Fujita $16,000 and Akira Harada $7,944; Kailua’s Yvonne McDermott $10,050 and Brian Araki $6,000 …

This just in (not!): Seattle Pacific University’s winter dean’s list included Kailua’s Jacob Fong and Kimberly Matsui, and Kaneohe’s Caleb Ige, Kelley Anne Ige and Tracie Lynn Villanueva & & & cchang@midweek.com

Kaneohe’s Albert Brum received the French Legion of Honor Medal July 16 at a Pearl Harbor ceremony to recognize his heroic 1944 jump into France with “Devil’s Brigade,” a Canadian-U.S. commando unit. A Canadian soldier at the time, Albert couldn’t sit still when other battles called. He re-enlisted for two tours of Korea, then deployed twice to Vietnam with U.S. Special Forces and finally retired here in 1972 as a colonel. Need I say more? I will: His son Scott has done eight tours in Iraq and Afghanistan …

Doris Duke Theatre gets a double dose of Windward talent this month. First it’s the Tyrone Wells family show at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9 with Castle alumni Erin Chang (Elina Wells) and Kevin Chang of Kupa’aina sharing the stage. Hmm, do I know them? Then on Aug. 20 the Saloon Pilots take over, also at 7:30. Come on down! (honolulumuseum.org) … HHF Planners has promoted Kailua’s Wendie McAllaster to principal, recognizing her three decades’ experience as a registered landscape architect who has beautified historic Pearl Harbor neighborhoods and much more here and across the Pacific …

Hawaii USA FCU has hired Windward’s Steven Shimazu as its business loan portfolio management officer. Steven has 16 years of experience at local and mainland banks … Kailua’s Michelle Salvador, a 20-year banking veteran, is the manager of Central Pacific Bank’s newest branch in Manoa (opened July 12) … Kailua photographer Susan Benay will have a booth (Peggy Chun‘s former space) at Made in Hawaii Festival Aug. 15, showing her paintings this time. It’s all part of Susan’s new series, “Colors on Fire! Hawaii” …

Mobi PCS has promoted Kaneohe’s Jeff Napoleon to vice president of sales, overseeing all customer care and call center operations for the company. The UH Manoa graduate also was Mobi’s 2007 Employee of the Year … Kailua’s Bryce Sadarananda made the spring dean’s list at St. Olaf College in Minnesota, where he’s a biology and chemistry major & & & cchang@midweek.com

Kaneohe’s Maria Zarka plunged her way onto the Tongan National Team, which just concluded swimming and diving events at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. A stand-out diver at Kalaheo High, Maria is part-Tongan. As a sophomore at Kenyon College in Ohio, she’s already claimed NCAA Diver of the Year in Division III, is a two-time national champion on the 3-meter board, and was named to Nike’s Scholar All-American team … Jesse Bukoski (Kailua 2011) has graduated from Air National Guard basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, and has entered Tech School in Pensacola, Fla. …

Kaneohe’s Spencer Weidie, who helped Marcelo Pacleb perfect the dance moves for Paliku Theatre’s upcoming Hairspray musical, is currently at a choreographic conference in Jerusalem, of all places. He reports that life in Israel “is OK and without stress.” See how dancing soothes the soul? …

The Actors’ Group (TAG) presents a staged reading of Kailua playwright Jan McGrath‘s The Parish Saturday and Sunday at Brad Powell Theatre in Dole Cannery Square (722-6941). Among the parishioners are Liz and Kira Stone, Alyse and Alana Glaser, and Alma McGoldrick, all of Kailua, and Rick Crump of Kaneohe (plus some unlucky folks from other parts of the island) …

Laie’s Richard Harter has joined Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties’ Windward office. Richard previously owned a realty office in Alaska and is a VA loan specialist … Where do principals go when they retire? Alexis Kane left Puohala Elementary, but she may do some teaching at Saint Louis School with her husband, also retired. Brad Odagiri, Windward DOE’s compliance performance administrator and former Hauula Elementary principal, will make his first trip to Europe (Helsinki, Finland this month) to confer with his fellow judges. An award-winning breeder of toy and miniature poodles, Brad will be judging dog shows around the world. Castle High’s Meredith Maeda will focus on photography, guitar-playing and grandkids & & & cchang@midweek.com

The public can pay its respects to renowned Kaneohe kumu hula Norene Pomaialoha Dalire during services at 5 p.m. Aug. 19 and 10 a.m. Aug. 20 at Hawaiian Memorial Park. A celebration of life for “Aloha,” longtime Kaneohe dancer and teacher (and first Miss Hula in 1971) also is set for 1 p.m. today (Aug. 20) as a convoy of her family and friends will drive by her special Kaneohe places, including the Keolalaulani Halau ‘Olapa O Laka studio on Kahuhipa Street. Aloha died Aug. 6 at age 64 … A chicken strolled onto the stage during a recent Hairspray rehearsal at Paliku Theatre. He checked out the green room, the multipurpose room and production manager Allan Lau‘s office before being gently invited back outside.

So you might notice a chicken dance in the musical when it opens Sept. 19, “cooked up” by director Ron Bright and choreographer Marcelo Pacleb. Cluckits, I mean, tickets anyone? (235-7310) … Hawaiian Airlines has promoted Kaneohe’s Renee Awana to senior director of product development, capping a 20-year career in marketing and brand strategies … Kaneohe’s Taylor Ishida has won a $4,000 scholarship for outstanding academics and community service. The Hawaii Baptist Academy graduate was eligible as an Aloha Petroleum family member for the grant from Western Petroleum Marketers Association. She’ll study music at Minnesota’s Concordia College … Sam Izumi has started the new school year as the official, not “acting,” principal of Kahuku Elementary, where he also taught, coached and was vice principal before heading up Hauula Elementary from 2009-2013 …

Kaneohe’s Heidi Nicholls has won a $2,000 grant from the Scholarships for Military Children Program (funded by commissaries worldwide). She’s currently a student athlete in cross-country and track-and-field at Westmont College in Santa Barbara … Kaneohe’s Kalehua Katagiri made the spring dean’s list at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. & & & cchang@midweek.com

Kailua’s Vicki Yu has joined the team at Carvill Sotheby’s International Realty in its Pali Palms headquarters. They say she comes with multiple talents to handle transactions: attorney, fluent in Mandarin and English, plus negotiating skills. And one never knows when the office might need a stand-up paddleboarder, yoga instructor, advanced SCUBA diver and Pilates teacher who’s also competitive in snowboarding, wakeboarding, mountain biking and more …

Kailua artist Frank Oliva will have a painting featured in Artists magazine’s annual art competition issue in December. Only six out of more than 1,000 submissions will be on display. Closer to home, you can see his work at ARTS at Marks Garage, Honolulu Country Club and right here in Kailua at Oeno Winemaking and Mu’umu’u Heaven … Kaneohe’s Shane Sato has collected his BS in physiology from Seattle Pacific University … Prolific muralist Hilton Alves of Kahuku just completed his third “perfect wave” project in Wailuku, Maui. The

Brazilian native now has only 98 wave murals left to go all over the world …Windward Community FCU has awarded $1,000 scholarships to Kailua High’s Francisco Valenzuela and Castle High’s Briana Hidalgo … Kaneohe’s Annika Seavey is the brand-new brand manager for Atlantis Adventures. She brings to the job 15 years of marketing experience here and in Seattle. Both cities are good venues for ocean tours above and below the surface … Carpet remnants wanted: Coach Bobbye Yamamoto says Castle’s riflery team needs to re-line its target holders. Call Roberta at 233-5600, ext. 2215 … Lanikai’s Will Bowers (Punahou 2013) has earned his Army Air Assault qualification at West Point after completing cadet field training. Now an academy sophomore, Will is majoring in life sciences … If it’s not too late, a Banana Mini Conference meets at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at Kaneohe Extension Office by the police station to share the latest facts on banana crops, pests and products (Jari Sugano, 622-4185) & & & cchang@midweek.com

Hawaii Conservation Alliance honored Hui Ku Maoli Ola owners Rick Kaponowaiwaiola Barboza and Matt Kapaliku Schirman this summer with its Conservation Innovation Award for making their Kaneohe nursery a great source for native Hawaiian plants for gardens and landscapes … Hawaiian Airlines has promoted Kailua’s Jim Landers to managing director-Hawaii maintenance, putting him in charge of its fleet of aircraft. Jim knows his planes, after a career as a Navy pilot with 42 combat support missions in the Balkans and Middle East, plus command posts and two college degrees …

Adam Worrel and Peter Keizer take their Kaneohe custom-shirt business online with a crowd-sourcing campaign called “FlashFlood.” They’ll need $15,000 in order to set up a mobile screen-printing trailer at BayFest Hawaii Oct. 17-19 on the Marine base. Check out flashfloodhi.com before Sept. 24 …

Waimanalo’s Ann Phet Keosavanh has graduated from Army basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., as has Lafrederick Conley (Kahuku 2002, Remington College 2009) … Kailua’s Megan Cook, also known as Mission Blue ocean ambassador and Atlantis Submarine copilot, is currently the lead science communication fellow onboard the Nautilus, a 211-foot research vessel exploring undersea mountain ranges near Puerto Rico. What a tale to tell! See it at nautiluslive.org …

Kaneohe’s Greg Leong has joined Hawaii State FCU as financial adviser for its Kaimuki and Main branches. A veteran finance guy, Greg’s also logged 20 years with Hawaii Air National Guard Reserves … Crime report: Friends are lending support to canoe maker Uncle Bobby Puakea, whose tool supplies were raided — for the second time — by thieves at Heeia State Park in July. Find out how to help him get back to his craft and teaching others at puakea.org/donate …

Have you seen a flowering 12-foot white shower tree? Thieves plucked it Aug. 23 where Halekou Road and Apuakea Street meet. Neighbor Rom Duran says the city planted it just a month ago. Call 971-7151 with any clues … Kalaheo’s Varsity Sideline Cheer squad won Outstanding Team plus leadership and showmanship awards at Moanalua High’s AAA Cheer Camp & & & cchang@midweek.com

Fox TV’s new pre-Batman series Gotham premieres this month, and Camren Bicondova, a product of Marcelo Pacleb‘s Kaneohe 24-VII Danceforce studio, will play Selina Kyle, an orphan and cat burglar — and pre-Catwoman … Looking for more local super-heroes to save the day? (We need plenty!) Kailua artist Christopher Caravalho has the answer in his Aumakua-Guardians of Hawaii comic book. Check out the fun and bold colors at facebook.com/aumakuaguardians … Retired WCC art prof Snowden Hodges and nephew Addison are part of a new exhibit at Mezzanine Gallery of Honolulu Museum of Art School. “All in the Family” runs through Oct. 3, and the reception is 5:30-8 p.m. Sept. 17 (532-8700) …

Keeping to the family theme, Wendy Matsuzaki is now permanent principal at King Intermediate, replacing Sheena Alaiasa, who is now permanent principal at Castle High. Wendy has taught or administered at nine Windward schools, sort of like her mother Naomi, who’s currently doing award-winning work at Kahaluu Elementary … Speaking of King, Susan Thain reports a great discovery made while visiting King Intermediate: The office is hung with some amazing artwork by the students. “I was really impressed; it’s outstanding!” she says. Come view the poster-size drawings of bugs and bug parts, just like Bishop Museum’s current show … Hairspray music made it to Windward Mall Aug. 30, courtesy of Clarke Bright and his Royal Hawaiian Band. Paliku’s fall musical cast also took a break from rehearsals to have an ice cream sundae party in honor of director Ron Bright‘s 81st birthday. The show opens Sept. 19 (235-7310) …

Kumu Alan Akaka will take his Ke Kula Mele students to Pearlridge Center Saturday for Keiki Ho’olaule’a festivities. They’ll sing at 1:15 p.m. (375-9379) … Kailua’s Robin Kobayashi was promoted to associate general counsel at Hawaiian Airlines, where she’ll continue to handle labor and employment matters. She spent four years with the National Labor Relations Board in D.C. … University of San Diego cum laude grads: Waimanalo’s Anela Akona (marine science) and Kailua’s Matthew Suiter (engineering) & & & cchang@midweek.com

On a whim, Makoa Ho (Kahuku 2014) took a photo of his friend Brooklyn Dombroski at Puaena Point in Haleiwa with her hair whipping around, called it “Compulsion,” and saw it win a gold medal at the 2014 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Then they flew him to New York’s Carnegie Hall for the ceremony, and now his photo will tour the country for a year with the 55 other national winners. “I’m proud of myself,” Makoa admits.

He’s now a freshman at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego … Through Army ROTC, UH Manoa student Juvie Varela (Kalaheo 2012) recently took Cadet Language and Cultural Immersion training and then spent three weeks in Vietnam, where she taught English to a Hanoi search-and-rescue team, performed hula and visited an orphanage (her favorite). Join the Army and see the world. Juvie also is an earlier recipient of the 1st Lt. Nainoa Hoe Scholarship of Honor. (An Army Ranger from Kailua, Hoe died in combat in Iraq in 2005.) Also picked for CLCI training was cadet William Woodbery (Le Jardin Academy 2012), now studying at Gonzaga …

Kailua High’s athletic department needs “slow cookers, any size.” Got some? Call Kathie Wells at Community Helping Schools, 225-2621 … Lanikai native and state wildlife biologist Dave Smith just returned from a successful mission where he helped to translocate (move) 28 Laysan ducks from Midway Atoll to Kure Atoll, carefully caging them aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Kukui for the trip …

Author Graham Salisbury was in town last weekend for the screening of Under the Blood-Red Sun, a film based on his cherished childhood book of the same name. Graham wasn’t always a famous author with more than a million books sold. While visiting his old school, Kailua Elementary, in 2009, he recalled to reporters, “I flunked English.” Somehow, he muddled through to pen the Calvin Coconut book series, which was set at KES … Kailua’s Micheal Crews is the new project manager for Graham Builders (no relation to Salisbury), bringing 35 years of experience in home building, including with his own Kailua company. Look out for him on the senior softball circuit, too & & & cchang@midweek.com

Maia Miller

As a lady who wears at least five hats, Kahaluu Elementary administrative services assistant Monica DeCosta is so good at what she does, that the DOE named her its 2014 Employee of the Year, noting her role in cutting absentees and streamlining operations. Monica also helped save Kahaluu’s Hawaiian studies program … Busy family: Miss Kaneohe USA 2015 is local girl, part-time model and college grad Maia Miller. She needs sponsors by Oct. 1 for November’s state pageant. Her parents, meanwhile, are currently in New York doing Hurricane Sandy Recovery Program work. To help Maia, go to Facebook.com/maia4missHIUSA15 …

Food flash: First, Windward Mall’s Ruby Tuesday is now open from 8 to 11 a.m. daily. Second, “oyster maiden” Kuuipo McCarty says fans now can order fresh Kualoa Ranch oysters online at kualoa.com, $15 per dozen, for pickup at the ranch … More sea treasures: I was privileged to dine beside He’eia Fishpond Sept. 6 with Hawaii’s limu practitioners, who had prepared some great poke prior to Ken Weir‘s luau buffet from KEY Project’s Kipuka Cafe, all with the full moon shining down from a clear sky. What a way to end a conference on seaweed. Mahalo, Kua’aina Ulu Auamo …

Vote for poop. That’s a project by Emily MacNintch, who’s helped Hui O Ko’olaupoko on its watershed work. The HPU graduate and cheerleader is one of 10 Next Generation finalists for $50,000 to develop a “Poop Master” for bio-toilets in water-starved countries. Vote by Sept. 29 at expeditiongranted.com … New degree earners: Kailua’s Heidi McBride, BS in nursing, Graceland U. in Iowa; Kaneohe’s Wallance Miranda, computer science, Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; Kailua’s Philippa O’Shea, BS in hospitality management from James Madison U. in Virginia; and Kailua’s Tyler Tanaka, a BS in health science and PT from Springfield College in Mass. …

Folks may know of Liz Rizzo and Buddy, her Kailua golden retriever and busy therapy dog who has assisted humans in many ways islandwide. Now age 10, Buddy needs surgery on a stomach tumor. If you can help, visit gofundme.com/eg956w … Kupa’aina’s Kevin Chang (Castle 1990) opens for Good Foot at 9 p.m. Friday at Mercury Bar (537-3080) … Noell Au (Kahuku 2006) has graduated from Air National Guard basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas & & & cchang@midweek.com

Steven Lai

Kailua’s Paul Sibley, who is CFO of Retina Institute of Ha waii, knows running and he knows cancer, being a survivor himself. So after meeting his nephew’s ailing 5-year-old friend, Paul was inspired to run a 135-mile race from New Orleans to Baton Rouge (in 36 hours) in July to raise money for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. It honored the memory of Paul’s little friend Trevor Sim, and helped fulfill Trevor’s last wish before he succumbed to cancer in 2013: Feed the hungry …

Kaneohe artist Michael Furuya has his new works on display through Nov. 9 at Second Floor at Cedar Street Galleries (589-1580) … Castle High’s STEM Club will introduce 3-D printing and its new officers at the next meeting, says adviser Jenny Yee. That’s how to recruit new leadership … Windward Rep. Cynthia Thielen is keynote speaker at the Energy Storage North America Conference Sept. 30-Oct. 2 in San Jose, getting them up to speed on Hawaii’s Clean Energy Initiative …

Communications Pacific has hired Kaneohe’s Steven Lai as controller. Not a bad choice, considering Steven’s past work with A&B Hawaii, Monroe & Friedlander, General Growth Properties and Easter Seals. And he plays golf … Three area students have won $1,000 scholarships from Safeway Hawaii Foundation, which rewards outstanding employees or their children: Waimanalo’s Brittany Correa (UH Manoa), and Kaneohe’s Gabriella Kuoha (Hawaii Tokai International College) and Jaylin Kuoha (Windward Community College) …

Graduating HPU nurses wore white coats for the first time at Sept. 29 ceremonies at Hawaii Loa, funded by Arnold P. Gold Foundation and American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Dean Lynette Landry says it’s meant to instill role development and commitment to quality care …

Erin Chang Wells (Castle 1996) now lives in Chino, Calif., near some of the state’s prisons. That helped inspire The Message Project, which she, spouse Tyrone and others started in their area. They recorded “inmate mommies” reading from donated books and giving a positive message to their children on DVDs. “These loving mothers longing to speak to their kids on camera brought out unspeakable joy, compassion and tears from all involved,” Erin says via Facebook … Kristen Kadooka (Kalaheo 2014) has enrolled at the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, RI & & & cchang@midweek.com

Good, cool news for hot times: The popular playground of “snow” will return to Cool Kailua Nights this Saturday, along with hot stuff like martial arts, Zumba, food, music, health and more (see calendar) … Family and friends are planning an evening of dinner, pupus and music for Kaneohe optician Kyle Moriwaki, who has aggressive liver cancer and huge medical bills. The benefit is from 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 1 in the Net Shed at Kewalo Basin, close to Kyle’s favorite pastimes: fishing and cooking. To offer help, call his sister Saundra Gentzler at 342-3094. Donations also can be mailed to 46-123 Heeia St., Kaneohe, HI 96744, Attn: Kyle Moriwaki …

Congratulations to renowned Kailua artist, teacher and filmmaker Meleanna Aluli Meyer, who recently received the He Kumu Kukui 2014 MAMo award for her creative contributions to Native Hawaiian culture … Students of St. Ann’s School circa 1984-1991 may recall Sister Helen Louise Gleason, who taught kindergarten there before being sent to teach in Papua New Guinea. Sister Helen died Sept. 11 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, N.Y., at age 85 …

Kailua Realtor Tracey Stott Kelley is sold on the Chinatown tours led by Ed Korybski of Hanai Tours (398-7990). “It was so incredible! I feel I must help get the word out,” she said after her family did the walk. She calls Ed a walking encyclopedia, plus they stopped for food five times … Atlantis Adventures welcomes Kaneohe’s Mike Scott as sales representative for its submarine and sunset dinner cruises. It’s a perfect fit, since Mike is an avid waterman who also ran Hawaii Adventure Sport in Kailua, taught kite boarding windsurfing and was on the UH sailing team …

The bold, vivid stylings of Kahaluu native Brook Kapukuniahi Parker illustrate David Kawika Eyre‘s latest children’s book, Kamehameha: The Rise of a King from Kamehameha Publishing … Windward high school graduates off to a good start on college business studies are Longs Drugs’ $1,000 grant recipients Leila Latorre of Castle, Helen Law of Kahuku, Jhoana Mae Delos Reyes of Kailua, Elizabeth Herrera of Kalaheo and Casey Doyle of Le Jardin Academy & & & cchang@midweek.com

Where is Jack Nakamura, you ask? The 91-year-old Pohai Nani resident and 442nd/100th Battalion veteran is in France this month as the French government’s guest. He says he wishes to revisit the old battlegrounds in Bruyeres and Biffontaine, “in a time of peace” … Elayne Cho and Richard Smith represented Kailua’s Christ Church Uniting at the people’s march (400,000 strong) during the historic U.N. Climate Summit last month in New York City …

HHF Planners has hired Kaneohe’s Angelica Rockque-more as a planner and landscape designer. She has studied and contributed to beautiful outdoor spaces from Japan to New Zealand, and to Manoa’s Lyon Arboretum … U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard hosts a town hall meeting at 7 p.m. Oct. 14 at Kahuku Community Center (286-0803, if it’s not too late) … Winners of Ko’olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club’s 2014 original song composers competition Sept. 21 in Kaneohe are Liko Martin, Lilikala Kame’eleihiwa and Laulani Teale …

Kaneohe native Uilani Kaitoku now is officially principal of Hau’ula Elementary, where she hopes to develop engineering and agriculture opportunities for the kids … Kaneohe crowd-sourcing T-shirt entrepreneurs Adam Worrel and Peter Keizer will bring their mobile screen-printing company FlashFlood to BayFest Hawaii this weekend. Pick your design and see the shirt appear (flashfloodhi.com) …

Kaneohe’s Kim Binsted is principal investigator of UH-Hilo’s Mars Habitat, a dome that opens today to six crew members. For eight months, they’ll live at the 8,000-foot level on Mars-like Mauna Loa … Kalaheo’s Navy JROTC unit helped at the school’s 9/11 ceremony for graduate Christine Snyder, who was aboard the hijacked UA flight 93; Cadet Hasina Shah sang the national anthem … Kaneohe’s Courtney Graham is now human resources director at ProService Hawaii, after a successful decade of similar work on the Mainland, where she also won the title of Mrs. Colorado of 2012 & & & cchang@midweek.com

A great cast is ready for HPU’s musical Fiddler on the Roof Nov. 7-30, but director Joyce Maltby still seeks some strong, skilled males for the Russian bottle-dance scene, and maybe a trombonist (391-2000). Fiddler is special to her, Joyce says, because it’s her heritage. Her mother was born in a Russian town about the time the play’s story unfolds. She also directed the late Glenn Cannon as Tevye in an earlier show in Honolulu, and his foundation is underwriting HPU’s production … Kaneohe’s Forest Jenkins has joined the Porter McGuire Kiakona & Chow law firm as an associate, moving over from work in the City Prosecutor’s office …

Paepae o He’eia has won Whole Foods’ 2014 Ono Award for sustainability, earning the spotlight as a supplier of limu for the stores’ poke selections. Customers and staff honored the fishpond team for preserving the ‘aina, supporting the local economy and promoting food/product self-sufficiency …

On Oceanic Time Warner’s list of 2014 Outstanding Educators are Castle High’s Aaron Tsuha, Kahuku High’s Amy Swiderski, Kailua High’s Joy Nishida and Kalaheo High’s Jerylin Florimonte … The Association of State Correctional Administrators named Ted Sakai 2014 Outstanding Director of Corrections for his decades of service and contributions. The Kahaluu man came out of retirement in 2012 to again head public safety for Hawaii, after wearing that hat from 1998 to 2002 and having various prison leadership roles since the 1970s. He was 2004 Advocate of the Year for Children and Youth, and recently served on the board at KEY Project and other nonprofits …

Part of the Nozawa’s Ark ohana, Keegan Nozawa (Kahuku 2011) has graduated from Air Force basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas … Winner of the 2014 University of Hawaii Regents’ Medal for excellence in Teaching is WCC math instructor (and alumna) Jodi-Lynn Storm, who is known for her creativity in the subject, multiplied by a load of patience and encouragement … Congratulations to 2014 Kalaheo PTSA scholarship winners Amanda Bell, Hannah Carnes, Keaka Farleigh, Kendra Odrunia, Chandler Roth and Helena Stevenson & & & cchang@midweek.com

Recent law school graduate Shae Kamaka’ala, who has led community management efforts in Kahana, is a living example of why the field of law can be a fascinating thing. She’s the new Marine Legal Fellow for The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii … While Japanese language teacher Beverly Vierra praises the dedication of volunteer Tyler Lau (three times a week), he’s moving on to substitute teaching. New volunteers for her Castle High classes, anyone? Call Bev at 389-7529 …

Hawaiian Airlines has promoted Kailua’s Brad Matheny to director of cargo operations. Brad has worked for two decades in airline operations across the country …The airline also has promoted Kailua’s Sue Moss to director of inflight, bases, for Honolulu and L.A. Sue has 35 years’ experience in the sky, most of that time with Aloha Airlines …

Waiahole’s Uncle Calvin Hoe will share his knowledge of Hula Ki’i at a Saturday seminar during the International Waikiki Hula Conference at Hawaii Convention Center (hulap-reservation.org). Hula Ki’i is the ancient practice of using an image to dance with, or becoming the image through movement and chant … A unique opportunity awaits for helping hands who are music fans: Castle High’s Project Grad committee seeks concession volunteers at the Jan. 10 Elton John concert, and for many other events (220-2320) …

Think Asian chicken salad with fruit and milk. Not in a school cafeteria, right? Wrong! Knights’ cafeteria manager Christian Lee-Tomita is slowly introducing teens to the right stuff.

To offer help in the kitchen, call him at 233-5628 … She’s not exactly a shopaholic, but it could be tempting: Kailua’s Stephanie England spends a lot of time at malls, as new general manager of Kahala Mall, Kapolei Shopping Center, Hunakai Office Building, Hawaii Opera Place; belongs to the International Council of Shopping Centers and previously managed Kamehameha Shopping Center … Tada! All 16 Kahuku-Castle Complex schools now have their own Facebook pages & & & cchang@midweek.com

Army Staff Sgt. Tony Woods got a big surprise on his recent retirement, and you can see the whole thing this Sunday on the Food Network, HGTV and Travel channels in A Hero’s Welcome. Cable show stars Robert Irvine and Genevieve Gorder, along with Gary Sinise of Gary Sinise Foundation, worked tirelessly with the Woods family’s Hau’ula neighbors to renovate the family home before Tony (a Wounded Warrior from his Iraq service) arrived to see it. Tony and wife Joedi also take in foster children — as many as their house can hold, they say. There was a six-channel screening blitz Nov. 11 for Veterans Day audiences … Kaneohe’s Dawn Kot is now a senior loan officer for Honolulu HomeLoans, after a decade with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage …

Terry Olival says tickets are selling out fast for HPU’s Fiddler on the Roof (see calendar Page 9), which recently took in siblings from two talented Windward families: Chase, Chandler and Chance Bridgman of Kaneohe (who can do that Russian bottle dance) and Sofia, Marianne and Ryan Garcia … Part of Hawaii Opera Theatre’s recent school tour of The Pirates of Penzance were Kaneohe actors John Gruhler, Matt Walker and Marlise Ahuna, and Kailua’s Eric Schank as music director/accompanist. They’ll do it again in the spring …

Yes, the Fazio and Palmer golf courses remain open at Turtle Bay Resort, despite the fire in the cart barn last month, reports Kirstin Seal: “The courses are in great shape and are operating business as usual”… Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties has hired Lanikai’s Elizabeth “Biz” Kellam as an independent agent in its Windward office. She brings 25 years’ experience in real estate, plus some competitive international skiing …

Mu’umu’u Heaven, the home of eco-conscious fashion, opened a sister store Nov. 5 close by, Hana Hou Vintage, at 35 Kainehe St. and will showcase the art of Heather Brown there Thursday (261-2100) … Ka’a'awa Elementary had an interactive health fair Oct. 14 that taught kids a few things. Besides exercise and a watermelon-eating contest, they shopped in a mock grocery store and earned points toward prizes if they chose healthy items & & & cchang@midweek.com

The 42 children at Malama Honua public charter school in Waimanalo signed the pledge Nov. 5 to care for the environment and support Hokule’a's current worldwide voyage — and they had some very good company. Nainoa Thompson and Jack Johnson signed with them at the school, which was founded by Nainoa to honor the commitment to the voyage’s values and knowledge. You can pledge too at hokulea.com/oceans-campaign …

As the election dust settles, Windward law-makers Jill Tokuda and Laura Thielen have snagged Senate committee chairmanships: Jill at Ways & Means, and Laura at Water & Land …

RevoluSun has hired Kailua’s Kawena Uyematsu as special operations and project development representative. Kawena already is a veteran of the solar industry and has her bachelor and master’s degrees …

The DiCicco brothers, both Castle High grads, are doing well in the real world with their college degrees, reports mom Bonnie Beatson. Now an engineer for PG&E in San Jose, Vincent (2008) claims that a Castle AP calculus class sparked his interest. Anthony (2010) is interning with the NFL St. Louis Rams — not on the field but at the table tending to the players’ “nutritional performance needs.” (He has a culinary degree.) He says his Castle senior project on healthy food for teens started the ball rolling …

Kauai Police Commission recently named Kaneohe native Dustin Broad Employee of the Month. The Kauai officer diligently sought out a suspect in a sex-assault case, leading to an arrest. “What you’re doing now is all anyone could ask for,” stated commission chairman Charles Iona. “You are setting a high standard.” Iona knows about high standards; he once worked with Dustin’s Kaneohe grandfather, the late HPD officer Vernon Broad, whom he calls a legend …

What a good fellow: America Achieves has named Castle Complex early learning specialist Jonathan Gillentine a Teacher Fellow, enabling him to improve public preschool from a national level. A longtime advocate for pre-K to grade 3 keiki, especially needier ones, he also is a 2014 Hope Street Group Hawaii State Teacher Fellow, among other positions and honors & & & cchang@midweek.com

It’s all drama for Kailua native Kelsey Baehrens, who did such a good job as Mercutio in Baldwin Wallace University’s Romeo & Juliet last month that she’s been selected to compete for a national drama scholarship next spring in D.C. Kelsey’s also cast in the Ohio college’s Cat On A Hot Tin Roof and will teach drama next summer at her alma mater, Mid-Pacific Institute — after studying in London’s West End theater district …

When Kailua’s Dennis Muth steps onto the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani stage, he becomes Ringo Starr in the Beatles tribute show, Fourever Fab. There’s a two-for-one promo on right now, he says (387-9153). Come join the fun … The show must go on Dec. 6 for the Castle High band, though wobbly legs are likely. The Knights march in the Kaneohe parade in the morning and Honolulu City Lights parade that night …

Rumor has it that those rascals at Windward Choral Society staged a flash mob concert Nov. 13 at Whole Foods Kailua. Harmony among the veggies … Kahuku recording star and man of the good earth Jack Johnson recently joined Polynesian Voyaging Society president Nainoa Thompson (home on a break from the canoe) at Malama Honua public charter school in Waimanalo, where they signed a pledge with the 42 children to take care of the ocean and support the world voyage of Hokule’a and Hikianalia …

Kailua runner Bobby McKaig joined thousands at the Oct. 11 Ironman Triathlon and finished in under 15 hours. Cycling was hardest, he admits in his journal, especially with the wind pushing back: “Being an engineer … I had to think about (the slowdown). When ‘the elite’ passed me (coming back), that meant that with a 30-minute head start, they were over 60 miles ahead of me on the bike … holy crap!! But I just had to keep going” …

Teacher Beverly Vierra said more than 65 students from Musashino Seijo school in Japan came to visit their Castle High sister school Nov. 18 to share lunch, gifts, cultural activities and tour the campus … Castle student Lara Sato co-hosts the current Hiki No show on PBS Hawaii, highlighting fall productions by teens statewide. Check pbshawaii.org/hikino for rebroadcast dates & & &

cchang@midweek.com

Windward District Teacher of the Year for 2015, Olomana School science instructor Elizabeth Frilles, recently received a $500 cash gift (as a DOE district winner) from Polynesian Cultural Center, plus instructional software from SMART Technologies … Kailua’s Sandy Armstrong has earned good reviews from her online book, and it’s now available in paperback at Bookends in Kailua (and through amazon.com). Look for A Jewish Girl and a Not-So-Jewish Boy, the story of how her husband Donald came to embrace her Jewish faith …

Retired Army sergeant Tony Wood, who was honored with a makeover of his family’s Hauula home — and mentioned here Nov. 12 — does not have an “s” at the end of his name. Sorry, Tony, and thank you for your service … Keli‘i Kotubetey reports that Paepae o He‘eia, the caretaker of He‘eia fishpond, was honored Oct. 22 with Whole Foods Hawaii’s Sustainability Award. The pond’s limu harvest is used in the grocer’s seafood department …

Belated congratulations to the first-place winners of 2014 Na Mele Ko‘olaupoko song composers competition in September at Windward Mall: They were Liko Martin in the professional category, Lilikala Kame‘eleihiwa in the Hawaiian language category, and Laulani Teale in the amateur category … Mahalo to Waimanalo fisherman Kalani Kalima and many helpers in Na Kua‘aina o Waimanalo. They were able to “repatriate” the ashes of two beached dolphins Oct. 21, after finding them dead near Kaupo beach …

Kailua’s Marcus Salazar has graduated from Air Force Reserve basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas … John Paul Danao (Castle 2011) has completed his Air Force basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas … Kailua’s Peter Castillejos has joined Ditech Mortgage Corp. as an area sales manager, bringing years of mortgage lending experience to the national firm … Kaneohe’s Randy Ha is the new general manager for The Plaza Club, a popular private club and special events facility downtown. A former Starwood Hotels executive, Randy comes here from the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino, which had 350 employees & & & cchang@midweek.com

Natalie Uehara is proud of her Castle High Dance Ensemble, which placed second overall at the recent Honolulu Best High School Dance Competition … Kaneohe’s Taylor Rae Silva has won an Army ROTC scholarship to HPU, which comes with a monthly stipend and an eight-year obligation to military service …

Kailua’s Ian Wilks (homeschool 2013) has graduated from Army basic training at Fort Benning, Ga. … Scott Rogers has moved his Honolulu acting school to Kaneohe (because of the light rail route), sharing studio space with Ryan Brown’s ADR Agency at 45-1123 Kamehameha Hwy. (779-4444). Actors, models and all — right across the street from Fresh Catch …

Great early Christmas present: Fun Factory is giving $1,000 plus one year’s tuition at University of Hawaii to 20 students selected as its 2014 Fun Factory/UH Scholars, including two Kailua High School graduates: Jhoana Delos Reyes (going to UH Manoa) and Trenton Higashi (WCC) … Lifelong Waimanalo resident and master gardener Ilima Ho-Lastimosa is now community coordinator for the learning center at the UH Waimanalo Research Station. Just add that to her work as God’s Country Waimanalo executive director and studying for her master’s degree in social work, among other roles …

Rena Miranda should do well in her new job as activities director for Hale Ku‘ike Bayside, a memory care facility in Kaneohe. Even as a child, she would visit her grandparents at Ann Pearl Home, and the family could sing and dance for everyone there … Speaking of activities, lucky Windward gamblers at downtown Las Vegas slots recently include Kaneohe winners Carlyn Rafael $9,850, Richard Hirai $8,000, and Milton Fujita $4,000; and Kailua’s Eva Shyne $6,408 &&& cchang@midweek.com

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