Happy Camper for Friday, April 29, 2022

Happy birthday, Coach Dick Ueoka (he said he’s good friends with Mayor Derek Kawakami!) who was surprised when University of Hawai‘i football Coach Timmy Chang rolled in through the efforts of Chef Mark Oyama of Mark’s Place and Contemporary Flavors Catering. Coach Ueoka said a lot of people couldn’t attend the party because there’s bug going around, but Keith Amemiya (how many of you remember him from the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association?) came over to visit Kaua‘i.

Kudos, Kaua‘i Community College Chancellor Joseph Daisy, Vice Chancellor Margaret Sanchez, and the many Kaua‘i CC hands (good to see Earth Day event coordinators Pua Rossi and Emily Broderick, she said the kava works because her lips with sparkling), and the Leadership Kaua‘i team for hosting the talk story with ‘aina-based organizations on creating economic diversity.

More fun and educational opportunities are on the horizon as the Kukui Grove Center (“ocean-themed” characters) joins Steve Soltysik who, along with Jean Souza of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, celebrate the re-opening of Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery, Saturday and Sunday.

Finally, Happy May Day (is Lei Day), Kaua‘i! There’s still time for the Keiki La Lei Contest that starts at 9 a.m. fronting the Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort grand ballroom, before doors open to the Walter and Irmalee Pomroy Lei Contest that will be featured from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.