Waha Nui
Hanalani senior Chelsea Marie Robinson won $4,700 in grants, plus a four-year scholarship to HPU as Hawaii’s 2013 Distinguished Young Woman (formerly Hawaii’s Junior Miss) at the Jan. 13 pageant. She’ll represent the state in June at the national competition in Mobile, Ala., where judges will pick the teen with the best scholarship and leadership qualities to wear the crown. Chelsea, 17, also swept the talent, interview, fitness and self-expression categories locally …
Avid Haleiwa surfer and skateboarder Jordyn Barratt, 14, was invited to compete in the annual Vans Girl Combi Pool Classic Jan. 18-19 in Orange, Calif. The Waialua Intermediate student placed third in her age group, earning a $500 prize. “I have been working really hard to get to something like that,” she said, “and in a few weeks I’m going to Australia for a contest in New Castle (a major national event).” Way to go, Jordyn …
Eric Ronnel A. Bru (Mililani 2011) has graduated from Air Force basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, and Laura Thacker (Leilehua 2009) graduated from Army National Guard basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. … Wahiawa Nikkei Civic Association and Leilehua’s Nakayoshi Kai Club host a 90-minute cultural trolley tour Saturday morning, “Sakura Safari-Hana Mi,” to see the sakura trees in the town. It’s too late to reserve a seat on the trolley – Rene Mansho says the deadline was Jan. 26 – but just look up at the cherry blossoms anyway (291-6151, in case) …
Mililani’s Stephen Jones will play bass in the Satomi Yarimizo Quartet in “Tribute to Miles Davis and John Coltrane,” booked for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 in HPR’s Atherton Studio. Steve has played with Hawaii’s and the nation’s best during his long career as a jazz performer, composer, arranger, teacher and recording engineer (currently playing with Amy Hanaiali’i). For tickets ($30, $25 and $15), call 955-8821 … After major renovations, the American Savings Bank branch in Mililani (across from Foodland) is looking good, complete with a vivid photo on the wall by the North Shore’s renowned Clark Little (something to bank on)
