Stories by Stephanie Shinno

Braddah Dave’s Taro Burger expands offerings

In 2011, a California native used the tools and knowledge he learned from the residents of Hawai‘i Island and started taking care of a small taro farm in Hanalei. The work inspired him to produce and distribute alternative meat products statewide while giving back to the farming community on the North Shore.

Restaurant Card Program boost Hawai‘i’s economy

HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Restaurant Card (HRC) Program established and distributed to the unemployed back in Mid-October by the state’s Economic Relief program came to an end on Dec. 15, 2020, and the program administrator recently reported on how it contributed to Hawai’i’s economy.

Lihu‘e post office safe from closure

LIHU‘E — On Sunday night, the U.S. Congress passed the COVID Relief Bill, which among other things approved the transition of a $10 billion loan to the U.S. Postal Service in March and into a grant with conditions.

Sara Buisson’s poetry takes high honor

Sara Buisson, a seventh-grader at Kapa‘a Middle School, was recently awarded high honors at a virtual awards ceremony that can be viewed on Ho‘ike Kaua‘i Community Television.

COVID-inspired disc created by isle youth

LIHU‘E — Three young Kaua‘i creative-media specialists, “The KAVE KREW,” assisted in the production and marketing of the “We Are One World” CD by Kaua‘i singer Daphne Sanchez, which was released recently and produced by Kaua‘i artist Art Umezu.

Unko’s Kitchen serves a community tree of hope

HANAPEPE — Through the pandemic, there was one uncle on the Westside working hard to help feed those in need, which made an impact on others’ hearts to pay it forward and donate to his community Christmas giving tree, which was made available to Kaua‘i keiki this holiday season without any strings attached.

Santatizing on Christmas Eve

After a year of “Santa-tizing,” following social distancing and wearing masks, Santa Claus is here on Kaua‘i with Mrs. Claus and Elf Kitty Claus at his Kukui Grove Center hale.

UH updates lawmakers on budget-balancing measures

HONOLULU — Last week in the state House’s last virtual meeting of the year, the University of Hawai‘i’s president reported on impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and proposed budget cuts that their organization has been facing, while a Hawai‘i senator is hopeful that Congress will come to an agreement soon on the next stimulus package that includes funds for the state Department of Education and UH.

Smoky Mountain Helicopters fined for cesspool by EPA

HANAPEPE — After a year of investigations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has taken an enforcement action against Smoky Mountain Helicopters, Inc., aka Maverick Helicopters, to force closure of a large-capacity cesspool that the EPA said the company was operating illegally at Port Allen Airport (Burns Field).

Watch the KCC Creative Media Showcase today

PUHI — The Kaua‘i Community College Creative Media program is having its fall 2020 Creative Media Student Showcase today at 3:30 p.m. via Zoom, and all are welcome to register and watch.

High schools revise 2nd-semester plans

LIHU‘E — Last week, the state Department of Education Kaua‘i Complex Area superintendent announced in a video that Kaua‘i’s public schools’ distance-learning plans will be revised for the second semester.

Skate park renovations expected done next week

KAPA‘A — With two weeks to go, Na Lei Wili Area Health Education Center’s executive director and Kaua‘i Skatepark Foundation’s lead advocate are confident that the Kapa‘a skate park’s resurfacing project will be done earlier than the expected deadline.