Waha Nui – 9/24/14

Maia Miller

As a lady who wears at least five hats, Kahaluu Elementary administrative services assistant Monica DeCosta is so good at what she does, that the DOE named her its 2014 Employee of the Year, noting her role in cutting absentees and streamlining operations. Monica also helped save Kahaluu’s Hawaiian studies program … Busy family: Miss Kaneohe USA 2015 is local girl, part-time model and college grad Maia Miller. She needs sponsors by Oct. 1 for November’s state pageant. Her parents, meanwhile, are currently in New York doing Hurricane Sandy Recovery Program work. To help Maia, go to Facebook.com/maia4missHIUSA15 …

Food flash: First, Windward Mall’s Ruby Tuesday is now open from 8 to 11 a.m. daily. Second, “oyster maiden” Kuuipo McCarty says fans now can order fresh Kualoa Ranch oysters online at kualoa.com, $15 per dozen, for pickup at the ranch … More sea treasures: I was privileged to dine beside He’eia Fishpond Sept. 6 with Hawaii’s limu practitioners, who had prepared some great poke prior to Ken Weir‘s luau buffet from KEY Project’s Kipuka Cafe, all with the full moon shining down from a clear sky. What a way to end a conference on seaweed. Mahalo, Kua’aina Ulu Auamo …

Vote for poop. That’s a project by Emily MacNintch, who’s helped Hui O Ko’olaupoko on its watershed work. The HPU graduate and cheerleader is one of 10 Next Generation finalists for $50,000 to develop a “Poop Master” for bio-toilets in water-starved countries. Vote by Sept. 29 at expeditiongranted.com … New degree earners: Kailua’s Heidi McBride, BS in nursing, Graceland U. in Iowa; Kaneohe’s Wallance Miranda, computer science, Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; Kailua’s Philippa O’Shea, BS in hospitality management from James Madison U. in Virginia; and Kailua’s Tyler Tanaka, a BS in health science and PT from Springfield College in Mass. …

Folks may know of Liz Rizzo and Buddy, her Kailua golden retriever and busy therapy dog who has assisted humans in many ways islandwide. Now age 10, Buddy needs surgery on a stomach tumor. If you can help, visit gofundme.com/eg956w … Kupa’aina’s Kevin Chang (Castle 1990) opens for Good Foot at 9 p.m. Friday at Mercury Bar (537-3080) … Noell Au (Kahuku 2006) has graduated from Air National Guard basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas & & & cchang@midweek.com