Stories by Bill Buley

‘The future is bright’

Growing up, Denise Trentham often read the book, “The Little Engine that Could.” She never forgot its lessons of perseverance, hard work and hope, and it reminded her of Alakai O Kauai Charter School, where she is the director.

Hale Opio takes it ‘to the next level’

You could say Lei Sanchez is proud of the work Hale Opio does with youth. And you would be right. But the community programs director is more than proud. She loves what she and the others at this nonprofit do to help young people on Kauai 24/7.

Arnold Meister directs ‘The Cemetery Club’

Jennifer Cullen was all set to head to Montana for vacation when “The Cemetery Club” called out to her. Vacation canceled. Instead, Cullen stayed on Kauai to play the role of Lucille in this Women In Theatre production directed by Arnold Meister. “It’s about life,” Cullen said. “It’s about sweet life.”

Tupola: ‘Hawaii deserves better’

State Rep. Andria Tupola does not waste words when asked why people should elect her as Hawaii’s next governor. “I believe that Hawaii deserves better,” she said emphatically.

A life inspired by Nancy Drew

Gabriela Taylor is an adventurer. A traveler. A person with heart who can’t help but care about what’s happening in this world around her and, in particular, right here on Kauai, which she calls home.

Push-ups: Try them and you will see

My wife, I’m sure, thinks I’m crazy. Every morning she wakes up, she finds me in the living room waving something called a Bodyblade that I picked up at the thrift store for a few bucks.

All the right moves

Chess, for most people, is likely seen as a quiet, boring, maddening game of strategy that involves moving pieces slowly around a checkered board.

A mountain, mud and madness

Jon Barretto did not just finish first in the Ultimate Hawaiian Trail Run 5k on Saturday. He finished with style. The Lihue man dove headfirst across the finish line, rose to his knees, looked up, closed his eyes and let out a loud yell. Victory, and one heckuva mess, was his.

A parade of faith

Roger Aguda, joined by sons Mark and Reggie, walked in the Jesus Reigns parade Saturday. He was there for one simple reason. “Because I love Jesus,” he said.

Stu Burley was always there

Here’s a question about Stu Burley: What wasn’t this Lawai man involved with on Kauai? The answer: Not much. How do we know this? Because Stu Burley was so often on the pages of The Garden Island newspaper.

Everywhere you go, there you are

Like it or not, our past tends to follow us around. Wherever we go, our past is still out there. It’s hard to hide from it. There are some things we are more than happy to chat about, like recounting the story of a good deed, or perhaps when we won an award or were acknowledged for a great effort.

Perfection in pizza

Pizzetta Italian Kitchen and Bar. That just sounds like a place you would want to visit. And to that, we say, go for it.

If you want to make Hawaii home, read this book

Not long after I moved to Kauai in 2013, a friend gave me a book she said would be invaluable for life in Hawaii. She was right. The book, “Culture Shock! A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette Hawaii,” by Brent Massey, is one of those must-reads for anyone who wants to live here, and might even come in handy for those who do live here.