Stories by Stephanie Shinno

Beware Portuguese man-o-war is here

KEALIA —Last Saturday, Katie Guastella, an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse at Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital (KVMH) on the Westside, discovered a group of Portuguese man-o-war (jelly-fish like sea creatures) on her day off at Kealia Beach, after the heavy showers of rained passed.

Chamber Silent Auction online starting Dec. 1

LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce is bringing in the holiday spirit with their 32nd Annual Online Silent Auction, coordinated by Malama Auctions & Realty, LLC from Dec.1 through Dec. 10.

Mobile WiFi, STEAM in Kaumakani Saturday

KAUMAKANI — The Kauai Community Science Center (KCSC), a nonprofit science center on the Westside is hosting a free HOTspot Mobile STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Culture, and Math) event at Kaumakani Pavilion near Kamehameha Preschool today, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Rice Street launches ‘Operation Save The Holidays’

LIHU‘E — The Lights on Rice Parade will be virtual this year on Friday, Dec. 4, and businesses on Rice Street will participate allowong Kaua‘i ‘ohana to view the lights safely by driving or walking through downtown Lihu‘e.

New kahu at Wai‘oli Hui‘ia Church

HANALEI — After two and a half years of searching, 100 active and associate members of Wai‘oli Hui‘ia Church, a United Church of Christ in Hanalei, finally got their prayers answered with a new kahu, Eric Lucy, joining the congregation at the end of August.

DOE data impacted by pandemic

HONOLULU — The state Department of Education shared its 2019-20 Strive HI Performance System results at the state Board of Education meeting Thursday.

Rowena Pagan and team help feed the houseless community

All it took was one selfless woman at the beginning of the pandemic, Rowena Pangan, to spearhead and get the ball rolling for a community meal delivery program that runs every Saturday for the houseless communities island-wide with 12 to 15 committed volunteers.

Face-to-face KCC music courses next semester

PUHI — The arts and music program at Kaua‘i Community College (KCC) in Puhi is gearing up their face-to-face courses for the 2021 spring semester with the hopes that the community will take interest in the program.

Mama Bear Mafia launches Sip & Shop events

With the goal of supporting other moms and caregivers, Casey Fitchett of Hanama‘ulu started a mom’s club, Mama Bear Mafia, in hopes of providing a safe support group, where moms, aunties and other women can feel appreciated and start their self-care journey through invite-only Sip & Shop events.

Kupuna have issues paying Spectrum bill

Lawa‘i resident and retired NASA mechanic Matthew Harms just wanted to pay his cable bill safely last week. However, he could not find a dropbox outside of the new Spectrum store at Kukui Grove Center in Lihu‘e.

Input sought on housing

The County Housing Agency will hold a public hearing on Monday, Nov. 30, on proposed rules and regulations governing the certification of affordable Additional Rental Units.

Monica Belz named Business Executive of the Year

LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Government Employees Federal Credit Union’s CEO Monica Belz, 37, has been recognized by Pacific Edge magazine’s 2020 Business Achievement Awards as Hawai‘i’s Business Executive of the Year.

Kamehameha Schools plans 2nd semester

LIHU‘E — Last week, Kamehameha Schools Kapalama announced in an email for parents to prepare for their new second-semester plans, including opening up boarding for seniors only and announcing a new virus-testing program.

Nearly 14,000 participate in Kids Voting

LIHU‘E — Nearly 14,000 students from schools across the islands cast their votes on key public-policy issues in the Kids Voting Hawai‘i process, both on-line and at participating schools. Kids Voting Hawai‘i aspires to engage all Hawai‘i youth in voting at an early age, hoping that as adults they will be engaged citizens.