‘People’s Choice’ awards named
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Special Olympics athletes’ achievements may not have caught the People’s Choice awards, but their sense of pride was as huge as those who earned honors at the All Wheels Expo Saturday at Vidinha Stadium.
Several of the athletes showed off their completion certificates from participating in the State Farm Insurance Bicycle Rodeo led by Tommy Noyes of Kaua‘i Path and getting help from the Kaua‘i High School Key Club.
The Kaua‘i Special Olympics program will be hosting its pre-registration for The Ride Saturday at Kukui Grove Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wheels enthusiasts who did not get their fill last weekend can whet their appetite for motorcycles as the Kaua‘i Harley-Davidson Owners Group will join J.C. Crouch and the Kaua‘i Harley-Davidson in showing off some of the Harley Davidson motorcycles.
Shoppers can also donate to get some of the event shirts as well as purchase advance lunch tickets to the Aug. 26 event, which will take place at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall from 9 a.m.
Another group that escaped the People’s Choice awards was the Garden Island Renegade Rollerz, the all-woman roller derby squad whose four-wheeled flat skates transported the derby girls throughout the expanse of wheeled wonders on display, including stops at many of the best “Meals on Wheels” outlets.
The GIRR, celebrating its third anniversary on various flat concrete surfaces on the island, recently topped the best of the isles bout on the Big Island and will be heading to O‘ahu in September to defend that honor.
Attendees flowed among a string of entertainment aboard the county’s mobile stage.
The displays from several community groups including The Salvation Army and the Hawai‘i Food Bank, both KUW agencies, awarded the best “Meals on Wheels” honor to Paco’s Tacos.
Best classic vehicle went to Randy Simao, best truck honors was bestowed on Randy Simao and Wayne Costa walked off with best import.
Wayne Costa was a dual winner in the show, which benefited the Kaua‘i United Way, earning the People’s Choice in best drag (racer) in addition to the import award.
Rodney Kapuy, one of the organizers of the All Wheels Expo, was the people’s choice for Volkswagen. Fredstan Kaluahine earned the best motorcycle street cruiser and Jacob Gandeza got the nod for motorcyle sportbike.
Brian Barretto, frequent contributor of motocross events to the press, topped the dirtbike voting.
Tom Green topped the “beater” Vehicle voting.
For non-motorized wheels, Jason Ubongen topped the bicycle voting with Jaysten Pimental getting the tap for tricycle and Andrew Obiano having the skateboard vote.
The event was put together by Ed and Cynthia Justus of The Talk Story Bookstore with help from numerous community organizations and businesses.
