Waha Nui

Anthony Kim

Dentist Anthony Kim writes as good as he treats gum disease. He won the grand prize in a national competition for his essay on why he chose to be dental director of Waimanalo Health Center (beginning in January 2009) over remaining in a lucrative private practice. Anthony was honored last month in Washington, D.C., by the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations.

“He treats complex and often severe health conditions effectively because of his sincere commitment to the wellness of his community,” says outgoing WHC executive director May Akamine … Spring specials this month at Paul Brown‘s Kailua salon: eyebrow waxing with Kiki Arquette and prom hair and makeup combos … It’s done! Lehua Fuller got the keys to her new two-bedroom home in Waimanalo March 31 from Honolulu Habitat for Humanity. To find out how she and her family did it, call Linda Masuda at 224-6195 …

Award-winning Kailua sculptor Mark Chai presents “in the pukas: Postcards from Rotorua” at town restaurant in Kaimuki through the end of April. The exhibit is inspired by Mark’s recent trip to Aotearoa (735-5900) … Sharon Wahinekapu (Kalaheo 2000, Portland State 2006) graduated from Air Force basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas …

It’s not often that a serious entrepreneurship competition (they’re all in suits) breaks out in compassion – and a standing ovation. Winner Ben Howells from England (Project: school uniforms for underprivileged keiki) spontaneously switched prize checks March 21 with his runner-up and colleague Vulcain Yengo of Congo (teaching entrepreneurship to his countrymen) at BYU-Hawaii’s Business Plan awards in Laie. Ben says he believes in what Vulcain’s team was doing and that it could really empower people …

If it’s not too late, you can catch jazz musician Dean Taba at 6:30 p.m. April 10 at Kailua Library (266-9911) … The Filipino Community Center has picked Kaneohe’s Rose Churma as its next president. She helped to establish the FilCom Center in Waipahu 10 years ago and has served it under many hats; Rose also oversaw its construction in 2001. She’s married to retired Kaneohe Library manager Thomas Churma … Kailua health sciences student Tyler Tanaka made the fall dean’s list at Springfield College in Massachusetts