Windward Waha Nui

John Tanner

Kaneohe’s Sierra Hirayama is one of Hawaii’s two U.S. Presidential Scholars for 2015, earning high SAT and ACT scores and glowing recommendations. The Kamehameha Schools senior will be honored in June at the White House during her allexpenses paid trip there. Sierra says her most influential teacher is Darren Kamalu … Dr. Beach (Professor Stephen Leatherman of Florida International U.) put Waimanalo Bay Beach Park at the very top of his top 10 list for 2015, calling it “a little gem” with great beachcombing potential … Kailua’s Laura Smith is a special guest of the YWCA of Oahu today (May 27). Laura has been president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Hawaii since 1994, and she and three other inspirational women leaders are honorees at a Sheraton Waikiki luncheon for “extraordinary women who exemplify the mission of the YWCA” … John Tannerwill become the 10th president of BYU-Hawaii July 27, replacing Steven Wheelwright, who has served since 2007. John currently is first counselor in the Sunday School general presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a role that has taken him and wife Susan from Provo to Southeast Asia and around the U.S. . … Castle High’s Makana Mele took first in Music Groups at the 2015 Brown Bags to Stardom finals. Members are Kuluwai Punahele, Kalehua Zuttermeister and Pomai Punahele. Placing fourth for his song Thinking Out Loud was Knight Tristen Hegwood … Kailua’s Allison Mullen made the spring dean’s list at University of Vermont in Burlington, where she’s studying natural resources … Kathie Wells of Community Helping Schools knows there are readers out there ready with items to give. For Castle High: a slow cooker, restaurant-sized warmers, large rice cookers, cooking utensils; and for Kailua High’s FSC class: a blender, dish rack, kitchen towels, spatulas, stirring spoons. Something’s definitely cooking in the public schools. Call 225-2621 … Castle alum Mitchell Fong is now a graphic design major at UH Manoa, where his talent is displayed on the cover and section heads of the school’s 2015 catalog. (Look for the green swoosh) … Civilian Marksmanship Program awarded Kailua High School’s Kayla Hooker a $1,000 scholarship based on her high academics and sharpshooting skills … Kailua’s Sara Allen graduated cum laude from Missouri’s Culver- Stockton College May 16 with a degree in elementary education