Stories by Stephanie Shinno

Making ‘Massive Masks for Kaua‘i’

When the COVID-19 pandemic triggered the need for masks throughout Kaua‘i and the rest of the state, Kaua‘i residents Kris Hunt and Morgan Lopez joined forces, creating the organization Massive Masks for Kaua‘i (MM4K).

Four students embody Aloha ‘Aina

LIHU‘E — Four Kaua‘i graduates, out of a statewide total of 20, landed on the list of the Aloha ‘Aina Leadership awards, which recognize high school seniors as emerging leaders who embody the spirit of aloha ‘aina leadership in their school communities.

Nourish Kaua‘i program feeds ohanas in need

On Wednesday, Nourish Kaua‘i, a service project spear headed by Crossroads Christian Church’s community outreach director Karolyn Freuler served 635 hot meals and gave out 204 USDA farmer’ s boxes to 165 families, 90 houseless individuals and about 40 kupuna at St. Catherine’s Church in Kapahi with a group of volunteers.

Kauai High convoys for commencement

On Friday afternoon, Kaua‘i High graduates and their parents and families lined up their decorated cars at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, patiently waiting to convoy in style before heading home to watch a virtual ceremony televised on K5 and Hawai‘i News Now.

Road repairs continue as usual

The state Department of Transportation is poised to identify shovel-ready projects on Kaua‘i and other islands should more federal funding be directed toward the Highways Division during the pandemic.

Addressing abandoned vehicles

LIHU‘E — With the help of a special task force moderated by County Councilmember Mason Chock, the county is hoping for a low report on abandoned vehicles on Kaua‘i this year.

Creatively giving back

Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank recently got a check for more than $600 and a Kaua‘i resident has a stack of gift certificates to local businesses, thanks to a t-shirt-design contest held by Heather Singleton, owner of the Aloha State T-Shirt Co.

A grand opening

LIHUE – Kaua‘i beaches are reopening on Friday, according to a Wednesday announcement by Mayor Derek Kawakami, who has also announced an extension of the mandatory quarantine for incoming travelers through June 30th.

Ten Kauaians receive scholarships

The Kaua‘i Filipino Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced its 2020 scholarship recipients, awarding $8,000 in scholarships to 10, four-year college/university recipients and community college/ vocational school recipients.

Local distiller producing hand sanitizer for community

Hanalei Spirits, a private distiller known for its local-inspired rum, ‘okolehao, dark rum and vodka, is now producing hand sanitizers for the community to purchase online and in selected stores around the island.

Housing market stable on Kaua‘i

HA‘ENA — Bette Midler, born and raised on O‘ahu and Grammy and Emmy actress and singer, has sold a parcel of her land on the Kauai north shore for $1.85 million — a parcel which she bought for $150,000 in 1986.

Some local businesses open up

LIHU‘E – Sudz Car Wash Lihu‘e manager Billy Parker was excited to see a line of cars awaiting a scrub on Wednesday, when both the Lihu‘e and Kapa‘a branches of the business staged a special COVID-19 car wash event.

Approaching delivery differently

Personal-shopping and grocery-delivery companies were in business on Kaua‘i years before COVID-19 countermeasures were put in place on the island, but now two of those companies are delivering almost exclusively to Kaua‘i residents in quarantine, or those following stay-at-home orders.

Princeville golf course going green

PRINCEVILLE ­– Just before COVID-19 countermeasures were put in place and golf courses were closed to the public, Princeville Makai Golf (PMG) Course banned plastic water bottles on their course, and now golfers get a refillable water bottle to use at various machines along the course, instead.

A comeback for ‘Victory Gardens’

In 1943, the U.S. Department of Agriculture encouraged everyone to grow their own “Victory Gardens” in their yards to fight against hunger and poverty during the war as a line of defense against food scarcity across the country.