Windward Waha Nui

Kailua’s Brian Kaji-yamahas a new UH scholarship named after him, Heart of a Warrior. Supported by donations to June Jones Foundation, the first grant will be made in 2016 to a UH student who has overcome great personal challenges. Now a doctoral candidate and instructor in UH Department of Special Education, Brian was the first person with cerebral palsy to serve on a Division I college football coaching staff. As he told all those teary-eyed Rainbow Warriors at the ceremony in his honor, “Our purpose here on Earth is to make things a little better for the next generation” … Kailua’sKielan Fedorkahas claimed his bachelor’s degree in computer science and business at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. … Award-winning music teacher Micah Hirokawa, a Kalaheo grad and former Le Jardin music director, is now teaching at Island Pacific Academy in Kapolei, where his students are winners of the national Rock Your School 2015 song competition, sponsored by GRAMMY Foundation and Jostens and judged on school spirit and talent … In a sentimental trip back to New York in remembrance of her late husband, Kaneohe’s Laurie Bachranfound out something she never knew about Bill Bachran (a golf media director here for decades). He was the 1948 Mr. Iona at his alma mater, Iona College. They were married for 67 years … Not often does a future canonized saint visit Ahuimanu, but Jozef Damien De Veuster definitely did. During his study for the priesthood, Father Damien spent about a year at Ahuimanu College — the starter campus for Saint Louis School on the slopes of Ahuimanu valley, way before Kahekili Highway. Does anyone know where the seminary buildings once stood? … Adept Laie performers Jeralee Galeai and Achilles Tafiti placed second and third, respectively, in the junior division May 8 at Polynesian Cultural Center’s World Fireknife Championships … Waimanalo singer and minister Kawika Kahiapo collected two more Na Hoku awards May 23 for best Slack Key Album (Ho‘omaluhia) and Island Music Album (Ku‘u ‘Aina Aloha) … Kahaluu’s Ukulele Band plays Saturday at 2 p.m. at Ocean Fest at Turtle Bay. Plan your day accordingly for a real treat … Kailua Intermediate School students Sean Aoki placed first andThatcher Fernandez fourth for grades 7-8 in the Board of Water Supply’s 2015 Water Conservation Week poetry contest.Maddison Matthews of Le Jardin Academy placed third among grade 11-12 entries. You can see their work for yourself at Windward Mall June 15-25 … On the dean’s list at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon, is Kaneohe student Quincy Woo(cinema and media major) ❑ ❑ ❑ cchang@midweek