Stories by Stephanie Shinno

First time for the virtual choir

Across the big screen at Waimea Theatre, voices from around the nation blended together to create a single sound entitled “We Are The World From Kaua‘i.”

Growing together

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a shift toward hosting meetings and conducting business online, and local technology company IT Kaua‘i has grown through the last few months by helping small businesses keep up with the trend.

Bikes are in vogue during pandemic

LIHU‘E – These days Lihu‘e resident Romie Mabyni can be found pedaling around town, biking around his home near Wilcox Elementary School or over to the 7-11 store for a cold drink.

Books teach lessons from Hawaiian culture

HANALEI – The second edition of lessons in aloha has been released by the Aloha Publishing Company of Hanalei, with artwork and writings from Kaua‘i students included.

Anguay is Principal of the Year

Mahina Anguay, principal of Waimea High School, has been selected as the 2020 Hawai‘i Association of Secondary School Administrators Principal of the Year, nominated by state Department of Education Kaua‘i Complex Area Superintendent Bill Arakaki.

Baby Jesse fights for his life

On January 14, Madlynn “Lei” Lopes and Jesse Cole welcomed their son, Jesse Earl Cole, at Wilcox Medical Center in Lihu‘e, but the happy day came with dire news.

Bill Arakaki, Mahalo for everything

At the end of June, the (DOE) Department of Education, along with Kaua‘i principals and students will say farewell to their (CAS) Complex Area Superintendent William (Bill) Arakaki of Kaua‘i’s district, a man who served the Kaua‘i education system in many capacities over 13 years — 40 years total with the — and impacted countless lives in the process.

Arakaki integral in the pilot project

LIHU‘E — Bill Arakaki is among the educators reimagining traditional educational models in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and has developed the Kaua‘i Education Technology Pilot Project, alongside incoming Complex Area Superintendent Paul Zina, with input from Garden Isle principals and teachers.

Houseless rally on Rice Street

LIHU‘E — About 15 members of the houseless community residing at Lydgate Camp Park rallied their “I am” message in front of the Historic County Building on Rice Street Thursday morning, asking for understanding of their lifestyle and a chance to explain their situation.

Emergency housing program maxed out

LIHU‘E– Five days after announcing a new $400,000 COVID-19 emergency assistance program, the County of Kaua‘i’s Housing Agency said on Tuesday, their emergency rental, mortgage, and utility assistance program has reached its current capacity of applicants and is no longer accepting new applicants.

New principal at ‘Ele‘ele School

‘ELE‘ELE — Allison Carveiro is stepping into the role as ‘Ele‘ele School’s new principal beginning in July 1, and is looking forward to continuing a more-than-30-year career in education.

Jasper waiting for tourists before opening businesses

KAPA‘A — Jimmy Jasper, a local restaurateur and real estate developer, is waiting for visitors to return before he opens his businesses, but he’s been working on the finishing touches of NoKa Beachfront — a collection of shopping, bars and restaurants that sits along the northern edge of Kapa‘a.

Rebuilding with renewables in mind

County Energy and Sustainability Coordinator Ben Sullivan joined other field experts to discuss the role of renewable energy in Hawai‘i’s economic recovery plans in a recent online seminar hosted by the Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i.

Facelift for Spouting Horn

PO‘IPU– Construction on new booths for vendors at Spouting Horn on the south side of Kaua‘i has started, a plan that began at the Kaua‘i County Council two years ago.