Waha Nui

Jon Davidann

Kaneohe’s Michelle Yoshida scored big at her Fairfield University graduation in Connecticut. She collected her bachelor’s degree and was named Female Athlete of the Year for her outstanding achievements in swimming. That included setting at least 20 of a possible 38 school records in the pool … Brook Gra-mann has a handy new product at Lanikai Bath and Body on Kailua Road. The bright, hand-painted Lanikai Beach Brush is designed to get all the sand off of you, your kids, your dog and your car. Eric Carlson, the son of Brook’s business partner Gloria Garvey, came up with the idea (262-3260) …

King Intermediate students Alexis Kimpl, Haley Lambert and Caitlin Witt-Lau are winners in Hawaiian Humane Society’s “Shout Out for Animals” contest for their science project, “The Plan,” about ways to reduce animal overpopulation … Kaneohe’s Brandon Nuss made the spring dean’s list at The Citadel, a military college in South Carolina. Brandon is studying hard for his degree in political science …

Kailua history professor Jon Davidann is co-author with his HPU colleague Marc Gilbert of a new book, Cross-Cultural Encounters in Modern World History. HPU’s diversity inspired their study of “cultural contact as an agent of change.” Jon also directs the college’s study abroad program … Attention all Kaneohe Danes: Look out for little sunburned blonds on the beach. Kaneohe native Kristen Soli Jochumsen is visiting from Denmark with her husband Andre and two keiki, looking for a warm time in the Islands with Mom (Betty Soli). Kristen’s dad was the late Kaneohe chiropractor Gary Soli. The kids have mastered a few English phrases, like “Grandma, do you have a surprise for me?” …

First lady Michelle Obama addressed Oregon State University graduates during June 17 ceremonies that saw five Windward residents receive degrees: Kailua’s Nicholas Chang earned his doctorate in pharmacy, Kaneohe’s Jennifer Shepherd earned her doctorate in philosophy, human development and family studies; bachelor’s degrees went to Kaneohe’s Reesene Choy (business administration), Kamaehu Naipo (manufacturing engineering) and Kimberly Takata (cum laude, public health) …

Kailua’s Chancey Christenson got her master of public health degree AND her M.D. last month at Tulane University in New Orleans