Page 2 - MidWeek Leeward - April 5, 2023

2
APRIL 5, 2023
A ttention Leeward O‘ahu residents, the state Department of Education is accepting nom- inations for the 2024 Teacher of the Year awards program. HIDOE will acknowledge one outstanding teacher from each of the 15 complex ar- eas, joining the charter school teacher of the year as honor- ees. Among these honorees, one will be selected as the statewide teacher of the year and will be Hawai‘i’s candi- date for the national teacher of the year award. All nominees should be in a state-approved or accredited school, pre-kin- dergarten through grade 12, and planning to continue in an
School Rings In 50th Anniversary
active teaching status. Dead- line to submit nominations is 4:30 p.m. April 28. Visit Ha- wai‘i State Teachers Associa- tion’s Instagram (@hstavoice) for more info ... Calling all Leeward O‘ahu keiki artists — Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts is accepting submissions for its student art competition. It’s open to students in kinder- garten to seventh grade. This year’s theme is “Good Lead- ers Taking Action.” The dead- line is April 14. Ninety-six works will be chosen for an exhibit at the Hawai‘i State Art Museum from May 20 to July 17. For more informa- tion, visit sfca.hawaii.gov/yah
... Chicken & Brisket is now at Pearl Highlands Center. It held a soft opening March 15-20, during which custom- ers got to try its famous YUM chicken and kalbi nachos. The eatery is open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays and Mondays, and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesdays-Sat- urdays. Visit chickenandbris- ket.com ... City Mill, which has a location in Waimalu Plaza Shopping Center, has partnered with Pono Stone founder Trevor Thompson to offer Aspec tiles — porce- lain, ceramic and mosaic — to customers who are looking to transform their homes. Visit citymill.com for more info ... jlansangan@midweek.com
Pearl Ridge Elementary’s 50th anniversa- ry celebration fun fair takes place 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at the campus (98- 940 Moanalua Road), and the school is invit- ing the community to attend the free event.
To further celebrate the school’s 50th anni- versary, the PTA has donated a double-sided digital marquee to the school.
There will be food trucks, vendors, games and live entertainment by Crossing Rain — with performances at 6-6:30 p.m. and 7-7:30 p.m. Food trucks, including Aloha Crisps, Cece’s Patisserie, HI Freeze Treats, Local Poke Bowl and Waialua BBQ, will be present.
“It’s something we’ve been planning for a few years now and with the help of do- nations, we are able to donate such a nice and needed addition to our school,” notes Arnold.
Grade levels and club booths will keep the whole ‘ohana entertained with games and activities, such as a fish pond, bean bag toss, a dunking booth, giant bowling and more.
In addition, a mural will be painted on the school by Jasper Wong, founder and lead di- rector of World Wide Walls (formerly known as POW! WOW! Worldwide) to honor the institution’s feat.
“My daughter has been (here) since kinder- garten and she is finally graduating. Time flies so fast,” shares Cynthia Arnold, the school’s Parent Teacher Association treasurer. “We are so happy to be able to celebrate our 50th an- niversary with not only our alumni, past fac- ulty and staff, current Pearl Ridge Elementary families, but also the ‘Aiea community.”
“Pearl Ridge Elementary School holds a dear place in the hearts of many and the community it serves,” says principal Blaine Takeguchi. “This fun fair is an opportunity to bring the entire community together to cele- brate the rich history of the school, reconnect with old friends and share in the memories that make Pearl Ridge Elementary a special school.”
Parking will be on campus and at Pearl- ridge Center. For more info, visit sites. google.com/k12.hi.us/pre50.
Chantelle Luarca (with lei) is the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Hawai‘i 2022-23 Teacher of the Year. She is pictured with husband, Jovic (second from right), and children Amelia and Jude. Luarca is a teacher at Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Pearl City, and was nominated by VFW Post 10276 Fort Shafter.
PHOTO COURTESY VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS
Jocelyn Lansangan
Editor 808-218-6714 jlansangan@midweek.com
Regional Editor
Kody Nishijo
Account Executive 808-529-4754 knishijo@staradvertiser.com
Director of Advertising
Darin Nakakura 808-529-4726
Don Robbins
HONOLULU - AIEA
Call for either Ala Moana or Pearlridge office
(808) 487-WILL
(9455)
Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts, Probate, Property Transfer & Gifting
Visit www.georgenam.com
Serving Hawaii since 1992