Stories by Dennis Fujimoto

Happy Camper for Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Talia Anama of Ruke (permanent jewelry) has been so busy she was not aware of now-Tropical Storm Calvin floating around in the Pacific (the alert day is Wednesday!), and the Beach House Craft Fair coordinator Edwin Vea was already tied up with the early effects of Calvin after rushing to help Bernadette Byrd of Tanline Trading Company (they’re from Kilauea!) hold down her tent in the breezes that upended artist Leslie Frasier’s new pieces.

Celebrating a centenarian in Waimea

Nancy Toyama nodded her head and waved her clasped hands together in time to the Okinawan music being provided by the Kaua‘i Sanshin Group at Kaua‘i Care Center.

A trio of Kaua‘i Golf Hall of Famers named

LIHU‘E — Mary Bea Porter-King, Winston Ogata and Art Fujita were inducted into the Kaua‘i Golf Hall of Fame through the efforts of Kaua‘i Golf Association President Dick Ueoka at the Mo‘ikeha Building, Lihu‘e Civic Center on Monday.

Happy Camper for Monday, July 17, 2023

Ron Wiley of KONG Radio Group said when the state Department of Transportation closes the right lane (of a two-lane road like the Kaumuali‘i Highway), that’s closing half the road. Grass and tree trimming have been responsible for a lot of motorists’ adjustments to accommodate this maintenance work, like all those motorists from Kapa‘a who planned to attend the Waimea Shingon Mission bon dance who had to leave by 3 p.m. to arrive by 5 p.m. (the bon service start at six). That was not enough time to stop at Friday Art Night in Hanapepe. Brian Atendido was smart…he got to Waimea by 3 p.m. (so what to do until the bon dance starts at 6 p.m.?).

PMRF hosts ceremony to reinter Native Hawaiian remains

The lineal descendants of iwi kupuna discovered on the grounds of the U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) were joined by leadership of the facility during the two-day Ka Mauiki‘iki‘i O Ke Kauwela, or celebration of the summer solstice.

Back to School Bash a smash in LIhu‘e

Resembling a scene from the pre-COVID days of the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau Fair, thousands of keiki accompanied by their families filled the walkways of Kukui Grove Center during the ninth annual Back to School Bash on Saturday.

Bonjolea II gets third win in Wahine Series

Bonjolea II, with Bonnie Tiffany behind the big wheel, took its third straight win on Thursday during the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Wahine Series Race No. 3 that was waged in winds of 13 knots blowing out of the northeast at the Nawiliwili Harbor.

Kaua‘i Veterans Museum reopens after renovation work

LIHU‘E — Kahu Jade Wai‘ale‘ale Battad said, personally, the Kaua‘i Veterans Museum almost always makes you feel better than when you enter the museum located inside the Kaua‘i Veterans Center on Veterans Memorial Highway.

Bird cape making workshop coming up

HANAPEPE — The Storybook Theatre invites everyone to learn from fabric artist Evelyn Roth on July 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Storybook Theatre in Hanapepe.

Happy Camper for Saturday, July 15, 2023

Don’t forget, Saturday is the Back to School Bash when nearly 3,000 backpacks of school supplies — there’s more than 1,500 for elementary (kindergarten through Grade 5), and more than 1,200 backpacks for middle and high school (Grades 6 through 12) — will be given away …

Kawaihau Minors earn District 1 title

KAPA‘A — The Kawaihau Community Little League Minors division is a step closer to reaching the pinnacle of its division after the Kawaihau Minors All-Stars captured the District 1 title with a 7-3 win over Kainalu at the Hawai‘i Little League Minors Division District 1 championship game on Wednesday afternoon on O‘ahu.

Kaua‘i North Shore Lions roar with $50,000 in scholarships

PRINCEVILLE — With the help of the Steve and Janine Hunt Family Foundation, a golf tourney and Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, the Kaua‘i North Shore Lions Club celebrated its $50,000 goal for scholarships that were shared by 29 North Shore students on Wednesday.

Happy Camper for Friday, July 14, 2023

What? We missed the 7-Eleven Slurpee special? Not to worry; McDonald’s is supposed to have their “limited time” cookies and creme pies (wonder how it compares with the all-time favorite apple pie) starting today.

Kapa‘a High School alum honored for work in California

LIHU‘E — Michelle Toy, a 2006 alumnus of Kapa‘a High School, was recently recognized as California State Coach of the Year by the National High School Strength Coaches Association during a dinner at the NHSSCA National Conference in Chicago.