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Waha Nui

Kaneohe native Jessica Reid plays in the 80-member, all-female band, Batala DC, which delivered plenty of robust Afro-Brazilian samba-reggae rhythms last month when it opened for the Rolling Stones‘ 50th anniversary concerts in New York and New Jersey. Jessica also works at Habitat for Humanity in Maryland as director of community partnerships and family services, and previously with AmeriCorps VISTA. (Her mom is Kaneohe’s Kathy Bentley) … Oregon State University’s fall term honor roll lists several studious area residents: From Kailua: Jasmine Pahukula (straight A average – in civil engineering, no less), Alexandria Carlyle,

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James Denzer

Tara Imamura, Hannah Smith and Kaanoi Zuttermeister. From Kaneohe: Gerrit Evensen (straight A average in horticulture) and KacieLyn Waters … Castle High student James Denzer helped deliver two vans full of Christmas presents and household supplies to Tripler’s Fisher House (for families of sick, injured or wounded soldiers and veterans).

The “Dream of a Better World” campaign, which brought cheer to 19 families, is organized by Denzer’s friend, North Shore 12-year-old Hannah Button, whose nonprofit has raised more than $100,000 in four years …

ProService Hawaii has recruited Kailua human resources expert Marcia Hakanson to lead its new HR strategy team to help clients identify and plan for their staffing needs into the future … Busy year for Reno Henriques. He’s opened a drive-through (235-7653) at his Fresh Catch Kaneohe next to Pizza Hut, reopened his seafood shop in the Yogi building down the street, and enjoyed a few minutes of fame last summer with host Guy Fieri of the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Mom Linda Henriques is quite proud … Windward Community College students will exhibit their artwork this month at the state Capitol in the Senate chamber level, East wing, courtesy of Sen. Jill Tokuda (587-7215)