LIHU‘E — A full plate of events greeted Gov. Neil Abercrombie during his day trip to Kaua‘i Friday. Abercrombie surprised Lesther Calipjo, president of the Kaua‘i Philippines Cultural Center, when he informed Calipjo that he signed, Thursday night, an approval
LIHU‘E — A full plate of events greeted Gov. Neil Abercrombie during his day trip to Kaua‘i Friday.
Abercrombie surprised Lesther Calipjo, president of the Kaua‘i Philippines Cultural Center, when he informed Calipjo that he signed, Thursday night, an approval for $1.5 million grant in aid for the cultural center through the efforts of the Kaua‘i legislative team headed by Rep. James Tokioka.
“I don’t know what to say,” the surprised president of the KPCC group said. “I spent all last night writing a speech asking for your approval of the grant-in-aid, and you already did it.”
The smiles were not limited to the Filipino group as Abercrombie followed that presentation with a $1 million authorization for the release of funds for improvements to the Kaua‘i Raceway Park hosted by the Garden Island Racing Association.
“The bidding and contractor selection process is complete and work at the Mana track should start real soon,” Abercrombie said. “I understand you have a big race coming up on July 4.”
Earlier in the day, Abercrombie stopped in to visit with the launch of the Keiki to Career Kaua‘i program, adding his support to those of the organizers.
A stop at the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School saw Abercrombie present more than 50 awards to the middle school’s students and staff who were recipients of state and national recognition, being joined by Kaua‘i Complex Area Superintendent William “Bill” Arakaki, Kaua‘i Board of Education representative Nancy Budd, and CKMS principal Debra Badua.
“Rituals are the perpetuators of value,” Abercrombie told the students, noting the Hawaiian words of character surrounding the walls of the CKMS cafeteria. “This is a ritual and it perpetuates the values and good work you do.”
Akira Takabayashi, the state Spelling Bee champion, was among the recipients getting awards from Abercrombie.
Badua said the perpetual spelling bee trophy arrived Friday morning and Takabayashi will be getting help from the Grove Farm Co. in getting his family to the National Spelling Bee. She said a principal from a school in Japan also contributed toward Tabayashi’s trip to Japan.
Joining Takabayashi, Sydney Brade was recognized as the First Runner Up for the Kaua‘i District Spelling Bee, along with students from the CKMS media program, and winners from the Hawai‘i State Band Festival.
“How many of you play the trumpet?” Abercrombie asked. “When I learned we had music awards, I couldn’t resist. I played the trumpet when I was in school, but I could only get as high as second seat. I was never good enough to make it to the first seat.”
A visit to the Kaua‘i Literacy Festival at the Kaua‘i Community College and a stop at the Culinary Institute of the Pacific 11th Annual Spring Gourmet Gala rounded out his day trip.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
