Waha Nui
UH grad student Larry Martin of Kailua has won the top national award for an electrical engineering student from Eta Kappa Nu, based on his UH undergrad work managing the school’s small-satellite program. His team’s studies have led to two NASA launch opportunities in 2013-14. Only a few students are allowed to work on the Air Force-sponsored Space Vehicles Directorate’s University Nanosatellite Program …
Nysja Barrientes, 14, visited her Kailua grandparents at Thanksgiving before flying home to Las Vegas, where she’s known as “Knockout Nysja” for her boxing prowess. Grandma Darlene Pahed (A Cup of Tea owner) says the Clark High School honor student is the reigning Adidas National Champion boxer, among other 2012 titles, and is heading for a pre-Junior Olympics showdown in the boxing ring next month in Reno …
Al Rogers will launch his book, Arsenic and Old Age, from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday among friends and neighbors at the Pohai Nani club room party (thrown by daughter Carla). It’s a mystery spoof about murder at a retirement home. Hmmm. Public welcome (247-1670) … Speaking of Pohai Nani, if it’s not too late, you can catch the Samoan Gospel Heralds, singing away at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 in its auditorium …
Kahaluu’s Art Machado, who’s chaired or helped on the Kaneohe Christmas Parade for 42 years, had a harrowing few weeks, with five heart bypasses and a new pacemaker. He missed the Dec. 1 parade (Get well soon, Art!), forcing me to seek waving lessons elsewhere. Art’s wife Janet says she hasn’t seen the march for 30 years: “I was too busy fixing food for the marchers at the other end!” …
Last year’s Hawaii Teacher of the Year, Kailua High’s Chad Miller, has awarded a full-tuition University of Phoenix scholarship to former student Kimiko Yashiki (Kailua 2009). UP sponsors the Teach It Forward grants, giving each state’s TOY the same chance to make a difference … Kailua’s Ian Chames plays with Rick Smith and the Trailer Park Romeos at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at HPR’s Atherton Studio (955-8821) … Update: Funeral services begin at 4 p.m. Friday at St. Andrew’s Cathedral for Kailua’s David M. Peters
