Waha Nui – 2/11/15
Alaska’s new first lady Donna Pyle Walker initially stepped into the spotlight as Surfrider head cheerleader and a National Merit Scholar. Donna (Kailua 1972) assumed her new role following her husband Bill‘s successful campaign as an independent candidate. She wears many hats as an attorney with the Gov, mother of four, and tutu to more. Plus, her favorite charity (a domestic violence shelter) got a $5,000 gift from the inaugural ball proceeds in Kenai …
Aaron Sala is the new director of cultural affairs for Royal Hawaiian Center, which is serious about bringing the Hawaiian experience and hospitality to Waikiki visitors. An award-winning producer and musician, the Kailua native has been UH assistant professor of Hawaiian music and ethnomusicology and has advised venues like Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage … Talk story with Kaneohe law-makers at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 in WCC’s Hale Akoakoa 105 (587-7215). Sen. Jill Tokuda and Reps. Ken Ito and Jarrett Keohokalole are “looking forward to good questions and creative suggestions to address the challenges we face,” Jill says …
Kailua native Patrick Klein is the new president of the HUGS board of directors (Help, Understanding and Group Support), which serves seriously ill children and their families. Patrick directs advertising for Oahu Publications Inc., is active on several boards and was a 2012 Pacific Century Fellow … Ten years after his death, Kailua 1st Lt. Nainoa Hoe was honored at a wreath-laying ceremony Jan. 22 at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Nainoa was killed by a sniper in Mosul, Iraq, in 2005. His dad, Allen (now the local civilian aide to Secretary of the Army), honors his memory yearly and awards scholarships in his name. U.S. Reps. Mark Takai and Tulsi Gabbard attended, along with Ashley Arethel (for U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz) …
The word was “philately” and it took 19 rounds for Windward District Spelling Bee winners to emerge Jan. 29. Aikahi Elementary’s Nick Sarji placed first, and Le Jardin’s Abigail Dietrich was runner-up. They’ll represent Windward March 21 at the state bee & & & cchang@midweek.com
