Stories by Bill Buley

US nuns demand action to end ‘culture of silence’ on abuse

The largest association of Roman Catholic nuns in the United States urged its members Monday to report any sexual abuse of religious sisters by clergy and demanded that church authorities “take action to end a culture of silence, hold abusers accountable and provide support to those abused.”

Strong start, and finish, too

There are times it helps to have someone at your side. For Vanessa Duterte, one of those times was Sunday morning in the Koloa Plantation Days Family Fun Run 5K. And the person at her side was Au’rai Fitness owner, coach, and chief motivator, Jacob “Smilie” Punzal.

Love, aloha help overcome theft of boots

Who knew a story about the theft of a pair of cowboy boots would generate such an overwhelming response? M. Martin didn’t, and she’s the one who recently shared the story with TGI’s readers.

Coming together, saving lives

People often tell Chris Pico what a great job he and other lifeguards are doing on Kauai. But when he saw that the 5th Wave celebration on Friday night was sold out — more than 700 tickets to benefit the Kauai Lifeguard Association — that made him smile. Because that is clear evidence that people are doing more than praising lifeguards. They are putting their money down to support all they do.

Gabbard campaigns on Kauai

Right in the middle of a small crowd holding up “Tulsi Gabbard” signs near Lihue Airport was none other than the congresswoman herself.

Ludwig book: Iniki took much, but gave ‘a rebirthed strength’

The book on the shelf of the The Helen Mitsui Shared Blessings Thrift Shop in Kilauea caught my eye. “Kauai: In the Eye of Iniki,” by Myles Ludwig. Published in 1992, this photo essay clearly revealed two things: One, Hurricane Iniki was powerful enough to cause immense destruction; Two, it wasn’t powerful enough to destroy the aloha spirit on Kauai.

The beauty of golf is more than the score

Golf can be a maddening, aggravating game. A drive that bounces off a tree, a fairway iron that hits more dirt than ball, a wedge that sends sand flying while the ball doesn’t leave the bunker, or a putt that rolls well past the hole even though you barely tapped it, are a regular part of the game for weekend duffers like me.

Guardsmen deploy to Saudi Arabia

The deployment of soldiers separates families, said Col. Roy J. Macaraeg. “You, the families in the audience, sacrifice the most,” he said to the crowd of about 75 people seated under the canopy at Grove Farm Park on a cloudy Sunday morning. “The most difficult aspect is family separation.”

GM turns to never-tested law to sue Vegas shooting victims

The unprecedented move from MGM Resorts International to sue hundreds of victims of last year’s mass shooting in Las Vegas using an obscure U.S. law never tested in court has been framed by the casino-operator as an effort to avoid years of costly litigation — but the legal maneuver may not play out that way.

Kawakami leading in campaign contributions

Derek Kawakami, Kauai Council councilman and mayoral candidate, reported contributions of $204,071 to his campaign, the most of those seeking the highest office on Kauai.

A life saved, a happy ending

Dee Wood and Sheila Dotson were doing what many people do on vacation on Kauai — enjoying Anini Beach. But they were called on to do a bit more than go snorkeling and soak in the sunshine on a sunny day this week. “We were on the beach and noticed a woman in the water about 100 yards from shore who was alone and started screaming for help,” wrote Wood.