Waha Nui
Ted Sakai
Kaneohe’s Kepa Maly, a renowned cultural historian, has been hired by Lanai’s new owner, Larry Ellison, to be his vice president of culture and historic preservation – a very good sign for the Pineapple Island. As Kepa told the Star-Advertiser, “It’s the opportunity of a lifetime.” He already heads the Lanai Culture & Heritage Center and knows it well from childhood …
Mary Beth Laychak, who manages Hokulani Imaginarium at WCC, says you’ve just got to be there to experience the upgraded Definiti 4K fulldome system from Sky-Skan. “Viewers feel like they are part of the unfolding scene, whether it is falling through a black hole, flying through Saturn’s rings or witnessing the beginnings of the universe” (see Calendar for tonight’s rockin’ laser show “Led Zeppelin”) …
Closer to terra firma, wildlife officer Ati Jeffers-Fabro explained during a recent tour of Kawainui wetlands improvements: “We’re growing birds, not taro. But we’ve set up the system the same way taro is managed” … Managing a human crowd, Castle High played host last week to students and staff from its Japan sister school, Musashino Seijo. The teens shadowed their Knight counterparts and partook of a spaghetti lunch …
This just in: Grand prize float at the Lanikai Woes Parade was “Let the Parrotfish Sleep Tonight,” designed by Kris and Kitty Courtney. (No fish were harmed for this competition)… Congratulations to Kahaluu’s Ted Sakai, confirmed unanimously – on Valentine’s Day – by the state Senate to be permanent director of the Department of Public Safety. He’s been interim leader since last June. And he’s had his hands full right from the start. Ted’s a veteran in Hawaii’s criminal justice field and also has contributed a great deal to KEY Project over the years …
Kalaheo boys soccer team assistant coach Jack Cornell received a $500 grant from his employer, Monsanto, for his service as a volunteer coach … Still more volunteers: The Kailua team of Aime Black and daughters Sara and Shelby have launched the Oahu chapter of Lion’s Heart, a nationwide volunteer group for grades 6-12 that focuses on “giving back” with no fundraising allowed (!). To join or learn more, go to lionsheartservice.org … If it’s not too late, the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization wants to hear your traffic gripes at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at Kailua High (587-2015)
