Waha Nui – 2/4/15

San Diego Chargers linebacker Manti Te’o stepped into the new role of donor last week at his alma mater, Kahuku High & Intermediate School (before he transferred to Punahou). Manti presented a $10,000 check — half of it his own money and half from the NFL Matching Funds Grant — to support the Red Raiders’ football program, including equipment and supplies. Principal Pauline Masaniai was excited and grateful for the gift: “We appreciate that Manti is giving back to his community, and as a school and extended ohana, we’re proud of his many accomplishments and giving spirit.” Manti’s mom also works as a counselor at the school, and both parents are proud Red Raider alumni …

Speaking of football, City Council Chairman Ernie Martin bestowed honorary certificates on Ma’ake and Chris Kemoeatu last week in honor of the brothers and NFL players from Kahuku who made national news when older brother Ma’ake donated his kidney to ailing Chris. Both men are now recovered and back home to enjoy family time out of the limelight and off the gridiron …

Get ready to travel, if you want to follow Alice down the rabbit hole this spring. Kristi Kashimoto-Rowbottom is rehearsing her Diamond in the Rough cast in Wahiawa for its March production of Alice in Wonderland — in Kaneohe at Paliku Theatre … Waialua High & Intermediate School’s Hawaiian Kids robotics crew is again in contention for state honors Feb. 22 at the Hawaii State VEX IQ Championship at Pearlridge Center. Glenn Lee‘s team won awards for excellence, programming skills and robot skills at the Jan 17 state qualifying tourney at Island Pacific Academy in Kapolei …

For a girl who grew up in Mililani, visual effects artist Marcie Moura has lived much of her life in the unreal world of movie animation, working on several Dreamworks films (Ice Age, How to Train Your Dragon, Shark Tale, Flushed Away, Bolt, Puss in Boots and The Croods). Now she’s back home with husband Adam and the kids, teaching her craft at Mid-Pacific and Kapiolani Community College …

North Shore Shark Adventures founder Joe Pavsek wants to make sure his passengers will always have a healthy ocean to explore, so he collaborates with Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology by tagging sharks (30 Galapagos and 15 sandbar sharks so far) and also supporting a marine science program at Waialua High School and area graffitibusting campaigns & & & cchang@midweek.com