Stories by Bill Buley

Two powerful words: ‘Thank you’

Thank you. Those two words can go a long ways toward the respect and courtesy that Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. often refers to and has emphasized in his 10 years leading this island.

‘Stay connected’

When it was announced that the next mayor of Kauai was in the room at the Filipino Chamber of Commerce annual meeting Tuesday, everyone briefly looked around, puzzled. The general election wasn’t for two more weeks.

The heart of worship

As Kim Melchor was talking with a reporter Sunday morning about the Ohana Mass she just attended at St. Raphael Church, her 16-year-old son Josh walks by.

Making a big difference

Nicola Gibbons, on her last day of a two-week vacation on Kauai, had to catch a plane at 4 p.m. Saturday. So she spent her final morning on the island the best way she could, to offer a little show of appreciation for what she called a magical time: cleaning up the beach at Lydgate Park as part of National Make a Difference Day.

‘A whole lotta love’ for others

Plantation Coffee Company is usually busy with people ordering specialty coffee drinks. Saturday morning, it was busy with people getting makeovers — and, as Stephanie Shinno put it, “a whole lotta love.”

Up and down, just beautiful

In a recent chat with my friend and recent Ironman World Championship finisher Lisa Ledesma, I learned two things — one good, one bad.

‘God can change lives’

Why Kauai? That, said John Cass, is what people ask when told evangelist Will Graham with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is coming here for a three-day crusade next year.

Dream come true

Lisa Ledesma has four Ironmans to her credit, as well as hundreds of shorter races that involve water, wheels and running shoes. Since she began running at age 35, and learned to swim at 45, she’s set goals to test her fitness and fortitude — and completed races all over the world.

Postal Service can’t continue on same financial path

Well, no surprise that the U.S. Postal Service is at it again. No, we’re not talking about delivering the latest fliers, magazine subscriptions and credit card pitches to your door. It’s losing money. Lots and lots and lots of money.

‘This is pure fun’

There were times Lars Neuman carried his son, Gunnar, during the Ohana Fit Fest 5K run on Saturday. And there were times the 2-year-old insisted on running and walking on his own — and crawling under and over obstacles along the way on the Wai Koa Loop Trail.

Call for action

Shirley Jones came to Kauai for the usual vacation activities. Then, she had decided she wanted to do something more. So, the Little Rock, Ark., woman went to the store, bought some supplies, made a sign and stood along Kuhio Highway in Kapaa Wednesday. And her message? “America is in peril. Please pray.”