Waha Nui – 4/16/14

Tisha Lehfeldt

Award-winning author Chris McKinney has penned another good one. The Red-headed Hawaiian is a nonfiction story about Chris’s childhood friend from Kahaluu, Rudy Puana, who rose out of a troubled island life to become a double board-certified critical care physician, now running a pain clinic in Hilo. Chris says the message is critical: “that anyone can succeed if they set their mind to it. In my work with the Language Arts Center in Mililani, which I run with my wife, I see how important it is for young people to believe this.” You can get a copy next month at the Hawaii Book and Music Festival …

Speaking of books, Kahuku High’s 2006 valedictorian Kealohilani Wallace will sign copies of her new novel Thursday during a fundraiser from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the school store. Some proceeds go to KHIS and to Koolauloa Educational Alliance. Half-Hearts is the first in her fantasy trilogy, which Kealohilani explains she’s writing for “the Echo Boomers – those who grew up with Harry Potter but were then abandoned by Young Adult publishers when they turned 18.” She’ll also be at the Hawaii Books & Music Festival May 3-4 with more copies …

Kalaheo freshman Michael-Logan Jordan has won more national honors: the 2014 Military Child of the Year (Marine Corps branch) award (plus $5,000) April 10 from Operation Homefront for his community service efforts on behalf of arthritis awareness, Wounded Warriors and other good causes here … Keolu Elementary needs 12 youth-size golf clubs (six putters and six chipping wedges). To offer help, call Kathie Wells of Community Helping Schools at 225-2621 …

Tish on The Fish? Yes, that’s the voice of Tisha Falcon Lehfeldt you hear now on the KAIM 95.5 FM Radio Music morning show, with Jack Waters (Kailua native) and Bulla Eastman, 5 to 10 a.m. weekdays. A longtime area resident, Tisha also is an assistant pastor at Kaneohe’s Mountain View Community Church with husband Jason Lehfeldt …

Local band The Green got a few seconds of airplay on the April 4 fan-built episode of Hawaii Five-0, and it’s not the first time on the series for this reggae group. Kailua member Zion Thompson explained to Honolulu Star-Advertiser‘s Mike Gordon that it’s all good, because “it’s national recognition without being on the show.” The group also opens for all Bruno Mars gigs this week at Blaisdell Arena