Waha Nui
Leilehua graduate Cassandra Aoki has won the 2013 James M. Vaughan Award for Poetry and will collect $250 cash for her Chinatown, Honolulu entry Saturday at the annual Koolau Writing Workshops, held at Hawaii Pacific University’s Kaneohe campus. Cassandra’s poem will be published in HPU’s literary magazine, Hawaii Pacific Review. A retired UH administrator, she declares on her Facebook page: “I enjoy writing poetry and short stories. Still looking for what I want to be when I grow up” …
Everett Leeds (Leilehua 2011) has graduated from Army basic training at Fort Benning, Ga. …Speed-dating for pets was a hit at PetSmart Mililani’s recent grand opening. Sheree Young reports that 21 dogs and “about four cats” were adopted within the first two hours …
Wahiawa ophthalmologist Christopher Tortora is helping sponsor a U.S. fellowship for Dr. Thanh Hai Nguyen from Hue, Vietnam, where he is co-chief of cataract surgery demonstrations. He began observing and working with Dr. Tortora at the end of January. Speaking of cataracts, Tortora says they’re not so bad if you treat them early. There’s a “short, painless” procedure to replace that foggy lens. Meanwhile, eat as much fresh produce and seafood as you can to reduce the condition (621-8488) …
Mililani’s Shaun Mitsui has been appointed vice president and private banking officer for Central Pacific Bank. Shaun also is involved as a board member at Mililani YMCA … Wheeler Elementary third-grader Alana Souza placed second for her grade level in the 2013 Board of Water Supply Water Conservation Week poster contest, and her work also graces the month of April on the BWS calendar …
Mililani’s Lauren Marie Buenaventura made the fall dean’s list at Seattle Pacific University … Mililani’s Kevin Miyama of Prudential Locations, has been elected president of Honolulu Board of Realtors
