Waha Nui
Two good and skilled Kailua Catholics have opened a koa path to the Vatican, after Pam Pochinski Aqui was asked by the White House to make a rosary for the new pope, and her neighbor and master woodworker Matt Medeiros fashioned the carved box to house it. Reports say they were a bit rushed, but very honored to do it. You can learn more about Pam’s online rosary business at heirloomrosaries.com …
UH student Erin Lau, an award-winning young Kaneohe filmmaker, has been picked to lead a crew going to the Cook Islands next month to produce her film about domestic violence, Little Girl’s War Cry. In one week they will shoot, edit and premiere it to Cook Islanders in the FilmRaro Filmmakers Paradise Challenge. She leaves for Rarotonga in mid-May, but still needs to cover about $6,000 in costs. For details, contact the crew’s photography director Kristin Kouke at kkouke@hawaii.edu …
New word to add to my vocabulary: heartboggling – which is what Hawaii Public Radio’s Michael Titterton declared at the triumphant end to the spring fund drive last week … New CDs out by Windward musicians: Manawa by Mailani, Mele ‘Ailana by Manu Boyd and The Change I’m Seeking by Mike Love …
HPU has hired two Kaneohe residents: Sharon Blanton is its new chief information officer and vice president, and Sam Moku is director of public and governmental relations, moving over from city and state government posts. Sharon was formerly CIO at Portland State University … Kathie Wells of Community Helping Schools says Kalaheo High’s food science classes need a small frying pan, citrus juicer, garlic press and a couple dozen dish cloths and towels. Call 263-6703 or go to communityhelpingschools.org …
Yes, Hawaii folks are still going to Vegas, and yes, some of them win. Here are Windward slot players who got lucky at Sam Boyd‘s downtown casinos recently: Kaneohe’s really, really lucky Lillian Okihiro ($166,109, playing pai gow poker), Barbara Yee ($15,272) and Betty Mundo ($4,000); and Kailua’s Wendy Opiopio ($10,000) and Shirley Kateoka ($4,278)
