Happy Camper for Monday, December 18, 2023

Courtesy of Makana Weiss Media

Nicholas Gold, the vice president of operations and general managert of 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, lights the Menorah on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, under the officiating of Rabbi Michoel Goldman from Gani/Kaua‘i Jewish Center. The lighting was the world’s last public Menorah lighting, and Gold’s performance represented the resort’s community support.

Courtesy of Makana Weiss Media

Several dozen people came to view the world’s last public Menorah lighting on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, at the bluff at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. Rabbi Michoel Goldman from Gani/Kaua‘i Jewish Center officiated the service, where Nicholas Gold, the vice president of operations and general manager of 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, lit the Menorah in honor of the resort’s community support.

Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island

Sarah Tochiki, the Chiefess Kamakahele Middle School music director, helps the Chiefess band set up for their presentation at the Kukui Grove food court stage on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. The band had just come from performing for the residents of Wilcox Medical Center’s long-term care unit.

Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island

Sariah Lewis gets Chloe ready for a visit with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at Santa’s House in the Kukui Grove Center across from Jamba Juice. Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, is the final pet photo with Santa before Christmas.

Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island

Sheila Bradley and Elyse Litvack help a customer with a book on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at the book sale pop-up at Medicare Geek’s office at Kukui Grove Center. The book sale (and gift wrapping station) will be available Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. at Kukui Grove Center across from the Jeans Warehouse.

Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island

Kudos, Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School on getting enough students together for their own varsity paddling teams on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, during the Kaua“i Interscholastic Federation outrigger canoe paddling season. Here, the new teams get their canoes ready for competition at Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor.

Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island

Aloha Ambassador Dawn O’Brien of Choose Aloha (she’s from the Big Island) fills in for Kekaha School students Hapuna Aranio and Kiele Bustillos (they had to join the grade 5 students in the wild Rudolph number) during the Kekaha Kalikimaka free community event on at Kekaha Neighborhood Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023.