The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team returns to Hawaii this week for four games, including two at Central Oahu Regional Park, 94-801 Kamehameha Hwy.
The inspiring national team is made up of soldiers and veterans who have sustained severe war injuries, but have undergone extensive rehabilitation to return to competitive athletics - many with prosthetic arms and legs.
The team will face a Honolulu Veterans Affairs team tonight (Jan. 9) and a Hawaii Celebrity Team Friday, both at 7 p.m. at the park's softball complex. The men also will play Jan. 7 and 10 at Pearl Harbor's Millican Field, and Jan. 8 at Fort Shafter's Takata Field.
For more information, visit woundedwarrioramputeesoftballteam.org.
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Amputee Team Plays In Waipio
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Keoneula Student’s Winning Pledge To Save Electricity In 2013
Beyond the usual vows of fitness, neatness and all kinds of personal improvements that adults pledge this time of year, hundreds of Oahu children have resolved to make a small change that can affect all of us: Save electricity. During Hawaiian Electric Co.'s yearlong Home Energy Challenge in the island's public elementary schools, keiki learn a variety of ways to conserve energy and save on home electric bills. In a recent HECO contest to find the best new year's resolutions, four winners emerged, including Shaina Mae Garma of Ewa Beach, responding to the statement, "I promise to conserve electricity at home by ...." Here's the Keoneula Elementary sixth-grader's plan of action - complete with illustration: "I will turn off the electric things that I do not use and do not waste it because it costs a lot of money for electricity." Garma has won a free presentation for Ms. Matsuura's classroom by Mad Science of Hawaii. And, according to contest rules, her parents must commit to helping their child lower the monthly electricity use in their home over a six-month period. Keoneula Elementary also won a HECO award of $3,000 in last year's Home Energy Challenge, and the school is in hot pursuit of bigger prizes. (Grand prizes of $10,000, $6,000 and $3,000 will go to the top three energy-saving schools in May.)
Keoneula Student’s Winning Pledge To Save Electricity In 2013
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Area Boards Seek Candidates
Residents can now file to run in Oahu's upcoming neighborhood board elections, set for April 24-May 17.
Elections are held every two years, and any resident who is 18 years old by Feb. 22, 2013, and lives within a board's boundaries is eligible to run. West Oahu area boards speak for the Ewa, Aiea, Pearl City, Waipahu and MakakiloKapolei-Honokai Hale communities to advise government on concerns ranging from zoning disputes and bulky-item pickup dates to land use and criminal activities. The boards meet monthly and also may conduct public forums and educational programs.
Candidates should apply online at www1.honolulu.gov/nco. Those without Internet access may call the Neighborhood Commission Office at 768-3717. Mailed forms must be postmarked by the deadline date, Feb. 15. The term of service will be from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2015.
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Making Tea To Help Plants Thrive
The Board of Water Supply hosts a "Plants Drink Tea Too" workshop from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday Jan. 19 at its Halawa Xeriscape Garden.
The session will teach participants to brew vita-min-rich organic plant teas that are designed to save water and keep plants healthy. Ewa Blue Worms owner Zac Johnson will lead the workshop. Each participant will take home a two-pound bag of organic fertilizer, along with materials to make more teas at home.
Fee is $15 for the general public and $10 for Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Garden members. The fee includes the cost of materials.
Registration is required. Call 748-5312 or email workshops@hbws.org by 2 p.m. Jan. 18 to register.
For more on this and other workshops, visit boardofwatersupply.com.
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West Oahu Highlights
Send West Oahu items by fax to 585-6324 or email cchang@midweek.com by Jan. 9 to be considered for the Jan. 16 edition.
* DANCE KAPOLEI The Kapolei chapter of Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association registers students at 7 p.m. Jan. 7, 14 and 28 at Kapolei Elementary cafeteria for Monday night classes in rumba, East Coast swing and samba. Classes begin at 7 p.m. Jan. 7 for eight weeks. Call 781-2076 or 220-6026.
* AARP DRIVERS Kaiser Permanente's Waipio Clinic hosts an AARP Driver Safety program from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at 94-1480 Moaniani St. Fee is $12 for AARP members, $14 for non-members. Call 1-888-227-7669.
* WAIMALU DANCE The Pearlridge chapter of Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association registers students at 7 p.m. Jan. 8 and 15 for classes at Waimalu Elementary School, running from Jan. 8 to Feb. 26 at the school, with nominal fees charged. Call 488-3935.
* CAREGIVERS The Caregiver Foundation hosts caregiver support groups at 7 p.m. Jan. 8 in the Pearl City-Aiea area (call 625-3782 for site) and 7 p.m. Jan. 24 at its Kapolei offices. Call 625-3782.
* NEIGHBORS The Ewa Neighborhood Board meets at 7 p.m. Jan. 10 at Ewa Beach Library; the Aiea board meets at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at Aiea Library, the Pearl City board at 7 p.m. Jan. 22 at Waiau District Park; Makakilo-KapoleiHonokai Hale at 7 p.m. Jan. 23 at Kapolei High cafeteria; and Waipahu at 7 p.m. Jan. 24 at the FilCom Center. Call 768-3710.
* CAFE MUSIC 3rd Cup Cafe & Venue in the Royal Times Kunia Building presents Open Mic Night at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11, and Heavy Weights playing contemporary Hawaiian music at 8 p.m. Jan. 12. Featured artist for January is Guy Vaught. Call 888-6087.
* ROYAL MUSIC The Royal Hawaiian Band plays a free concert at noon Jan. 12 at Pearlridge Center Uptown. Call 922-5331.
* BLOOD DRIVES Hawaii Blood Bank has donor drives from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at Kapolei Shopping Center (near Safeway), 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Simplex Grinnell on Koaha Place in Aiea, 7 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Jan. 20 at Waikele Center (near Leonard's), and 7 a.m. to 2:15 p.m Jan. 27 at the Ewa Town Center Foodland. Call 848-4770.
* VERMICELLI Registered dietitian Ruth Madden presents "Versatile Vermicelli: Quick and Cost-effective Ways to Prepare Healthy Meals" at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 12 at Kapolei Library. Recipes and resources provided. Call 693-7050.
* NISHIHARA TALK State Sen. Clarence Nishihara hosts a monthly coffee hour at 8 a.m. Jan. 12 at the Waipahu Don Quijote store. Call 728-1008.
* GABBARD HOUR State Sen. Michael Gabbard hosts a Listen Story at 9 a.m. Jan. 12 at the Ewa Zippy's on Fort Weaver Road. Call 586-6830.
* RICE COLLECTION The Rotary Club of Kapolei collects bags of rice (15 pounds or larger) for Hawaii Foodbank from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Kapolei Foodland.
* BOXING CLINICS A free boxing coaches clinic runs from noon to 5 p.m Jan. 12 at Pearlside Boxing Gym, 2045 Lauwiliwili St. in Kapolei, followed by an officials clinic the same time Jan. 13. Those who complete the clinics can apply for officials certification. Email Eiichi Jumawan at coach-jumawan@hawaii.rr.com or coachjuma1@gmail.com.
* TAX PREP CLASS Hawaii Tax Help offers volunteer tax preparer training from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 12, and 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at Leeward Community College in Room GT-105. Learn it yourself, then help someone else. To sign up, call 381-0881 or email info@hawaiitaxhelp.org.
* HEALING TOUCH Client-Centered Massage offers free healing touch treatments from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 12-March 30 by appointment at 98-027 Hekaha St. #44 in Aiea. Call Amber at 457-2661.
* COLLEGE GOAL Waipahu High School hosts a College Goal Sunday at 1 p.m. Jan. 13 in the cafeteria to assist students and parents in completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form. Bring 2012 IRS tax returns, if possible, or W-2 forms and other income details. Call Frank Green at 591-2708.
* KAPOLEI DANCE The Kapolei Ballroom Dance chapter registers students at 7 p.m. Jan. 14 and 28 at Kapolei Elementary cafeteria for Monday night classes in rumba, East Coast swing and samba. Classes begin at 7 p.m. Jan. 7 for eight weeks. Call 781-2076 or 220-6026.
* SCHOLARSHIPS The Office of Hawaiian Affairs presents a briefing on available Native Hawaiian scholarships and financial aid at 6 p.m. Jan. 15 at the UH-West Oahu student center, and at 3 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Leeward Community College campus center. Call 594-1888.
* FOOD JUSTICE Renowned sustainable agriculture and food justice advocate, Dr. Vandana Shiva, presents "Seed Freedom is Food Freedom" at 7 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Salvation Army Ray Kroc Center in Kapolei. Call 429-5310.
* STARGAZING The Hawaiian Astronomical Society hosts a free "star party" with telescopes from 6:15 to 10 p.m. Jan. 19 at Geiger Community Park, 91-1129 Kahiuka St. Call 683-0118.
* AQUAPONICS Malama Learning Center, based at Kapolei High School, conducts an introductory workshop on aquaponics at 9 a.m. Jan. 19 at Mari's Garden in Mililani. Fee is $10 per person or $25 for a family of three or less. Register at malamalearningcenter.org or call 542-9107.
* CAR SEATS Kaiser Permanente offers a free safety inspection of child car seats and booster seats from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Jan. 25 at its Waipio clinic, 94-1480 Moaniani. St. Call 432-2260.
* CIVIL WAR SHOW Kapolei Library welcomes a special traveling exhibit Jan. 28-Feb. 14: "Civil War 150: Exploring the War and its Meaning Through the World of Those Who Lived It," supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities and other grants. Call 693-7050.
Ongoing
* ZUMBA WAIPIO Kaiser Permanente has Zumba classes at 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays now through Feb. 25 at its Waipio Clinic, 94-1480 Moaniani St. Fee is $5 per class for Kaiser members, $6.50 for non-members. Call 432-2260.
* ZUMBA KAPOLEI Kaiser Permanente's Kapolei Clinic hosts classes in Zumba Tone at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, now through Feb. 19 in the clinic's first-floor lobby. Fee is $5 per class for Kaiser members, $6.50 for non-members. Call 432-2260.
* SLACK KEY Yameen Fong teaches beginner slack-key guitar classes in four sessions at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at Ewa Beach Community Park on North Road. Students should bring their own guitars. Call 685-6035 evenings or visit fongsmusic.homestead.com.
* EWA CERT The Ewa Beach Emergency Preparedness Committee working to organize Community Emergency Preparedness Teams (CERT) to train residents in how to respond to a disaster. To request training or offer help, call chairman Donald Harlor at 682-0111.
* PREP FOOTBALL The Kapolei Islanderz are registering boys and girls in grades 4-8 for junior prep tackle football. Fee is $183 with no weight limit. Call 275-6134.
* YOGA Holistic Energy Yoga classes meet at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday-Friday at Momilani Community Center. Fee is $5 per class. Call 381-4376.
* RUGBY Players and coaches can join USO Athletics-Hawaii Youth Rugby in several age-group teams for boys, and under 16 for girls. Go to hawaiiyouthrugby.com or call 692-3589.
* BRIDGE PLAYERS Bridge and/or pinochle players are invited to join in games in Ko Olina with area residents. Call Valerie at 206-391-1755.
* ROLLER DERBY The West Oahu Roller Derby's Aloha City Rollers practice and train evenings at a track at Kalaeloa. Men and women age 18 and older are welcome as new players or referees. Positive attitude and teamwork required. Go to alohacityrollers.com or email info@alohacityrollers.com.
* SENIOR EXERCISE Hideo Kimura leads free wellness education classes for seniors and others from noon to 2 p.m. Mondays and Fridays and from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays at Crestview Park building in Waipio Gentry, covering Ki energy and development, self-improvement and aikido warm-up exercises. Call 671-4838 or 671-1422.
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Solid Teamwork Yields Wins For Kapolei
The Kapolei team that basketball fans had been waiting to see all preseason showed itself just in time for the new year. Indeed, with wins of five of their last six preseason games to close out 2012, the Hurricanes have looked every bit the team that battled Kahuku for the OIA title last February.
"We started off rocky, but we've been playing more as a team of late," said head coach Gary Ellison. "The kids had to go back and realize why they had success last year. They understand that they have to do it together more now instead of as individuals. Winning five of the last six was a plus, and we think we saw everything. We played all of the best teams in the state (over the past six weeks); we played a team from China, and we got to play a few Mainland teams. It was the toughest preseason we ever had."
For three straight weeks, the team was in tournaments - Moanalua, Iolani Classic and Merv Lopes - and had to play multiple games over as many days.
"We played three in a row, then four in a row and four more in a row," Ellison noted. "When you get late into the playoffs and state tournament, you usually will play four in a row. Hopefully, we'll understand what it takes to make the final day if we get there."
Wins over Kahuku and Tsinghua at the Iolani Classic were the highlight. The Hurricanes also posted wins over Saint Louis, Kamehameha-Hawaii and Saint Francis a week later at the Merv Lopes tourney. A 59-49 loss to Foothill High (Nevada) in the title game was Kapolei's only loss over the last two weeks of preseason.
The Hurricanes went 18-4 overall last season (13-2 against OIA competition), in addition to making an appearance in the Division I state tournament. Ellison welcomed back nine players for 2012-13, giving him one of the most seasoned teams in the state. The lone starter not to return was Josh Farias, who completed his eligibility.
Starters Chris Dillard, Zach Reeves, Curtis Tavares and Joshua Wills all are back, as well as teammates Dorien Antonio Martos, Elia McKeague, Kula Seno, Kaeo Soares and Michael Kapoi.
The 6-4 Dillard is on pace to have a monster year, according to his coach. "Right now, Christopher has really been playing well," Ellison said of Dillard, who is averaging 14 points per game over his last four outings. "Zach also had been playing really well of late until he had to have surgery on his nose. Elijah Gipson has been playing really well, and so have Elia and Curtis, of course."
Kapolei was to open its OIA Red West schedule last weekend with matchups against Mililani and Nanakuli before turning its attention to this Wednesday's road game at Radford.
"Radford is always a tough team. We have to play really tough defense against them. They're very quick, and they have good shooters. They're a really quick team overall. They match up with our guards well."
Defense has been its forte. Five of its last seven opponents were held to under 40 points. "We've learned a lot over the past few weeks, and we were able to correct some things we were having trouble with. I think we're much better defensively as we start the season," Ellison said.
On the heels of Wednesday's road date with Radford, Kapolei will return to host Waialua Friday night. Tip-off for both games is set for 7 p.m.
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Former Pearl City Standout Makes Her Mark At Chaminade
Sabrina Angle completed her prep career in style last winter by helping lead the Pearl City girls basketball team to its first-ever OIA title. Less than a year later, she's already having an impact as a freshman at Chaminade, where she's cracked the starting lineup and is averaging 22 minutes per outing.
A two-time All-Conference player at Pearl City, Angle is liking her latest challenge. The Silverswords are still a relatively new program and are in the rebuilding mode.
"I really like college, although balancing school and athletics is way harder than in high school," said Angle, who now averages 6.2 points per game.
Angle and the Silverswords return to action at 5 p.m. Wednesday when they host Academy of Art at McCabe Gym. She recently took some time away from the basketball court to visit with MidWeek's West Oahu Islander.
Who's had the biggest impact on your life? My coaches and my parents (Ray and Stephanie Angle) have shaped who I am.
What is your earliest sports-related memory? The first sport I played was basketball. I was trying out for a team in sixth grade, and I didn't have a clue about anything about basketball. The coach asked me to do a layup, and I didn't know what a layup was. I can laugh about it now. Playing basketball has been a great experience for me from then to now.
What's been the biggest adjustment from high school to the college level? There are better players and better teams at the college level. It is way more challenging. We're an underdog, so we are always playing up, which is new for me. Academically, it is harder. There is more time you have to put in.
What is your favorite road destination so far as a college basketball player? We always go to Utah and Arizona, but I'm really looking forward to our trip to San Francisco. We'll be there for nine days.
What's the most important thing you've learned through athletics? When you want something, you have to work hard for it. Hard work can overcome obstacles.
Who is Chaminade's hardest worker - the girl who gives 110 percent at all times in practice? That's an easy one. Diana Zane is always on it, encouraging us and doing her best. Definitely, it is her.
What Internet site do you frequent the most? I'm not all over the social networking, but if I had to choose one, I'd say Instagram.
What is your least favorite household chore? My only chores were cleaning my room and doing the dishes. Doing the dishes is my least favorite.
What movie could you watch over and over? I've never been one to watch a movie over again, but since it came out, I've watched Pitch Perfect about five times.
What is in your iPod? Recently, I really like listening to Ed Sheeran. It's nice music.
How do you like to spend your time when you are away from basketball practice and the college classroom? I like to go out and eat, and I like going to the beach.
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Focus on West Oahu
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Toyota Seeking Dream Car Art
Young artists are invited to enter Toyota Hawaii's annual competition to design their ultimate dream car.
Local dealerships, including Servco Auto Leeward on Farrington Highway in Waipahu, have entry forms and contest rules available now for the seventh annual contest. Hand-drawn entries from children age 15 and younger are due by Feb. 25. Online information also is posted at toyotahawaii.com.
"Last year, 11-year-old Emily Stone of Kaneohe was the only U.S. representative selected to attend the awards ceremony at the World Contest," said Glenn Inouye, senior vice president of Toyota Hawaii. "To say we were excited and proud of Emily is an understatement. We anticipate even more entries this year and look forward to seeing the amazing talent of our keiki as they create their dream car."
Prizes range from an iPad Mini to a trip to Toyota headquarters in Japan. A People's Choice contest also gets under way soon. The contest is held worldwide to give children the opportunity to "develop an interest in cars and help them experience the joys and importance of having a dream."
For more information, call the Leeward dealership at 564-1000 or call Paul Lam at 564-2329.
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Workshop Teaches Aquaponics
A Mililani nursery will host an introductory workshop on aquaponics at 9 a.m. Saturday, sponsored by the Malama Learning Center.
The program is offered at Mari's Gardens, 94-415 Makapipipi St., and covers the basics of growing plants (hydroponically) and raising fish (through aquaculture) at the same time.
Garden staff will lead a tour of the 18-acre nursery and explain how their system works.
Mari's Gardens is considered a "hidden gem" of the area and a pioneer in the commercial use of aquaponics on a large scale. It currently raises tilapia and Chinese catfish, using the water from that to grow vegetables.
Workshop fee is $10 per person or $25 for a family of three or less.
Registration is required. Visit malamalearningcenter.org, or call education coordinator Janice Staab at 542-9107.
Malama Learning Center is based at Kapolei High School, where advocates for a performing arts center and those for an environmental learning center merged their ideas to create the nonprofit program on the school campus.
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Civil War Exhibit Visits Kapolei
Kapolei Library will sponsor a series of talks to enrich the traveling exhibition, Civil War 150, which opens Jan. 28 with a ceremony 10:30 a.m.
The series, presented by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, will feature letters, personal accounts and images about how soldiers, former slaves, presidents and families dealt with the war and its consequences.
Talks include "Terrorist or Liberator? Old John Brown and Slavery" at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29; "The North vs. The South" at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 2; "Book Discussion: Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane" at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 5; "This Cruel War: Strategic Concepts in the Civil War" at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 6; and "The Hawaii Sons of the Civil War" at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 9.
The exhibit moves to University of Hawaii -West Oahu Feb. 11-18.
For more information, call 693-7050. Contact the library two weeks in advance if a sign language interpreter or other special accommodations are needed.
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Globetrotting Band Performs Feb. 1 at Leeward College Theatre
If you're looking for a concert that features otherworldly music you can't hear on the radio, Toubab Krewe may be the answer. The band will be making a stop Feb. 1 at the Leeward Community College Theatre. "The band has always dreamed of traveling to and performing in Hawaii," said percussionist and djembe player Luke Quaranta. "The band is looking forward to visiting the Islands and enjoying the natural beauty, and having the chance to share our music with a new audience." This five-member group is based in Asheville, N.C., and has been combining sounds from around the globe since 2005. Rooted in both rock 'n' roll and traditional music of West Africa, their signature sound has evolved to include influences from Louisiana, South America and Latin America. "Ultimately, it can best be described as 'creole,' or a language that is born from the coming together of many languages," said Quaranta. Together, the bandmates traveled widely between 1994 and 2004, to places such as Guinea, Ivory Coast and Mali. Toubab Krewe's instruments and sounds reflect their travels. The djembe, for example, is a goblet-shaped drum from West Africa that dates back to approximately 1200 AD. "It is a very important instrument in West African traditional and contemporary music," explained Quaranta. "It is a core part of our band's sound, and it is my primary instrument. "Folks can expect a high-energy dance concert that is deeply rooted in traditional music from around the world," Quaranta added. "The show will be entertaining for young and old alike, and for concertgoers who want to dance or listen." Their latest album, TK2, was released in September 2010, and the band currently is in the process of recording its next studio album. "The most important aspect of our next album will be the approach to recording," Quaranta said. "I believe we will again center our experience around collaborating and writing the new music; it will be a true representation of where we are coming from as a band in the moment of recording." Tickets cost $18 for LCC faculty and students, $20 for other students, seniors and military, and $25 for general-admission adults. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8. The concert is open to all ages. For more information on Toubab Krewe, visit toubabkrewe.com. For tickets, go to lcctheatre.hawaii.edu/toubabkrewe.html or call the box office at 455-0385.
Globetrotting Band Performs Feb. 1 at Leeward College Theatre
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‘Unthirsty’ Neem Tree Is Class Topic
The Board of Water Supply hosts a workshop on the unthirsty Neem tree from 10:30 a.m. to noon at its Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Garden. The workshop will demonstrate ways to utilize the plant's insecticidal and medicinal properties - including repelling insects, treating acne and wounds, helping control diabetes and more.
Fee is $5 for the general public and is free for Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Garden members. Advanced registration is required by noon Jan. 25. Email work-shops@hbws.org or call 748-5363.
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West Oahu Roundup
Here's a look at what some of your neighbors have been up to. Kapolei resident Paul "Kalama" Kim recently was selected to serve on the Honolulu Board of Realtors' board of directors. His three-year term as a member-at-large began Jan. 1. He also is a member of the Hawaii Association of Realtors, where he currently serves as the vice chairman. Kim is the senior vice president and branch manager of Cold-well Banker Pacific Properties' Kapolei office. He joined CBP in 2004 as an assistant area office leader. Christopher L.K. Ulu Jr. recently joined Cold-well Banker Pacific Properties as part of its New Agent Training Program (NATO). Ulu was previously the owner/operator of Stor-Keeper Self Storage, LLC and has served in the Hawaii Air National Guard. Ulu has a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Communications Pacific welcomes two new West Oahu residents to its staff - Shere'e Young of Kapolei and Theresa Webber of Ko Olina. Communications Pacific offers public relations, marketing, community building and crisis communication. Young is a graduate of the University of Hawaii, where she majored in broadcast journalism with a minor in speech, and was involved with the campus radio station and the student newspaper. Young rejoined the company after a stint with KITV as a news producer, for which she won an Emmy Award for Best Newscast in a Medium Market. Young joins CommPac as an assistant account executive. Webber is a graduate of Boston University, where she majored in communications with an emphasis in advertising. Before joining the company, Webber worked in human resources in Bos-ton, and previously served as an event planner and graphic designer. As an account coordinator at CommPac, Webber will work with clients on corporate communications, tourism public relations and digital and social media. Students who hail from West Oahu are racking up academic achievements as they continue their education on the Mainland. Students at Oregon State University in Corvallis who made the honor roll last semester include: freshman psychology major Kelsey M. Tasoe of Aiea; senior environmental science major Nicholas K. Curcio of Kapolei; senior marketing major Jon M. Lim of Kapolei; sophomore general science major Landon M. Oka of Pearl City; senior industrial engineer major Curtis T. Shimotsu of Pearl City; and senior general science major Mandilyn Suzuki of Waipahu. Waikele resident Kevin Valera recently joined the team at Kahala Nui, a senior living retirement community, as housekeeping supervisor. Valera previously was a business owner and brings 10 years of hotel management experience to the position. He has a degree in tourism and hotel management from the University of Hawaii. Local actor Jonah Ho'okano, a Pearl City resident, has a new gig as Aladdin at Disneyland. His previous roles include guest spots on Hawaii Five-0 and Last Resort. He heads off to Disneyland at the end of the month. Air Force Airman Cyrus F. Faumuina recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, following an eight-week program. Faumuina is the son of Jacquline Lee and Manuele Faumuina of Kapolei and is a 2010 graduate of Campbell High School.
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West Oahu Highlights
Send West Oahu items by fax to 585-6324 or email cchang@midweek.com by Jan. 16 to be considered for the Jan. 23 edition.
* DANCE KAPOLEI The Kapolei chapter of Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association registers students at 7 p.m. Jan. 14 and 28 at Kapolei Elementary cafeteria for Monday night classes in rumba, East Coast swing and samba. Classes began Jan. 7 and run for eight weeks. Call 781-2076 or 220-6026.
* NEIGHBORS Aiea Neighborhood Board meets at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at Aiea Library, the Pearl City board at 7 p.m. Jan. 22 at Waiau District Park, Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale at 7 p.m. Jan. 23 in Kapolei High cafeteria, and Waipahu at 7 p.m. Jan. 24 at the FilCom Center. Call 768-3710.
* DANCE WAIMALU The Pearlridge chapter of Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association registers students at 7 p.m. Jan. 15 for classes at Waimalu Elementary, running from Jan. 8 to Feb. 26 at the school, for a nominal fee . Call 488-3935.
* SCHOLARSHIPS The Office of Hawaiian Affairs presents a briefing on available Native Hawaiian scholarships and financial aid at 6 p.m. Jan. 15 at the UH-West Oahu student center, and at 3 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Leeward Community College campus center. Call 594-1888.
* BLOOD DRIVES Hawaii Blood Bank has donor drives from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Simplex Grinnell on Koaha Place in Aiea, 7 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Jan. 20 at Waikele Center (near Leonard's), and 7 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Ewa Town Center Foodland. Call 848-4770.
* CAFE MUSIC 3rd Cup Cafe & Venue in the Royal Kunia Times Building hosts Tony Kato and Ken Leung playing jazz at 7:30 p.m Jan. 18, and Slam Poetry Night at 8 p.m. Jan. 19. Featured artist for January is Guy Vaught. Call 888-6087.
* TAX PREP CLASS Hawaii Tax Help leads volunteer tax preparer training from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at Leeward Community College in Room GT-105. Learn it yourself, then help someone else. To sign up, call 381-0881 or email info@hawaiitaxhelp.org.
* STARGAZING The Hawaiian Astronomical Society hosts a free "star party" with telescopes from 6:15 to 10 p.m. Jan. 19 at Geiger Community Park, 91-1129 Kahiuka St. Call 683-0118.
* TEA FOR PLANTS Halawa Xeriscape Garden conducts a "Plants Drink Tea Too" workshop at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 19 at 99-1268 Iwaena St. Zac Johnson of Ewa Blue Worms shares ways to mix organic and vitamin-rich concoctions to feed your plants. Fee is $15 and registration closes at 2 p.m. Jan. 18. Call 748-5312.
* HI-5 DRIVE The Waimalu Elementary PTO has a HI-5 recycling drive from 8 a.m. to noon Jan. 19 at the school, 98-825 Moanalua Road. Proceeds go to the sixth-grade graduation and banquet. Call 383-1664 or email waimaluschoolpto@hotmail.com.
* CLOSURES All public schools and libraries are closed Jan. 21 in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
* CAREGIVERS The Caregiver Foundation hosts a caregiver support group at 7 p.m. Jan. 24 at its Kapolei offices. Call 625-3782.
* TOASTMASTERS The Prince Kuhio Toast-masters Club has an open house from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at its new location, 91-5420 Kapolei Parkway, offering positive feedback on communication skills. Call 779-1145.
* CAR SEATS Kaiser Permanente runs a free safety inspection of child car seats and booster seats from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Jan. 25 at its Waipio clinic, 94-1480 Moaniani. St. Call 432-2260.
* NEEM TREES Halawa Xeriscape Garden has a Magnificent Neem Tree Workshop at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 26 at 99-1268 Iwaena St., led by neem enthusiast Saleem Ahmed. Fee is $5 and registration closes Jan. 25. Call 748-5363. * LION DANCE Kapolei Commons marks the Chinese Year of the Snake at 10 a.m. Jan. 26 with a lion and dragon dance and martial arts demonstration by Chinese Lion Dance Association. Call 782-5180.
* FIELD DINNER Chef Ed Kenney prepares an Outstanding in the Field meal at 3 p.m. Jan. 27 for guests of MA'O Farms in Waianae; cost is $220. Visit outstandinginthefield.com.
* CANDIDATES Area residents must register by Feb. 15 (postmark) to run in the next Neighborhood Board elections, which will take place by mail April 24-May 17 for a term starting July 1. All those who are at least 18 by the deadline are eligible to run.
Ongoing
* ROLLER DERBY The Aloha City Rollers are recruiting new players and referees for league play in the West Oahu area. All men and women 18-50 years old are welcome to learn and compete in this fun team sport. Call 454-3847 or visit 808derby.com.
* MASTERS SWIM The Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center has launched a U.S. Masters swimming program, meeting for practice at 7 p.m. each Monday and Wednesday at Central Oahu Regional Park. Call Ruthie Heuton at 677-8510.
* ZUMBA KAPOLEI Kaiser Permanente's Kapolei Clinic hosts classes in Zumba Tone at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, now through Feb. 19 in the clinic's first-floor lobby. Fee is $5 per class for Kaiser members, $6.50 for non-members. Call 432-2260.
* ZUMBA WAIPIO Kaiser Permanente has Zumba classes at 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays now through Feb. 25 at its Waipio Clinic, 94-1480 Moaniani St. Fee is $5 per class for Kaiser members, $6.50 for non-members. Call 432-2260.
* SLACK KEYYameen Fong teaches beginner slack-key guitar classes from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at Ewa Beach Community Park on North Road. The course consists of four sessions, and students should bring their own guitars. Call 685-6035 or visit fongsmusic.homestead.com.
* EWA CERT The Ewa Beach Emergency Preparedness Committee is working to organize Community Emergency Preparedness Teams (CERT) to train residents in how to respond to a disaster. To request training or offer help, call chairman Donald Harlor at 682-0111.
* YOGA Holistic Energy Yoga classes meet at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday through Friday at Momilani Community Center. Fee is $5 per class. Call 381-4376.
* RUGBY Players and coaches are invited to join USO Athletics-Hawaii Youth Rugby in several age-group teams for boys, and under 16 years for girls. Call Raymond Maae at 692-3589 or visit hawaiiyouthrugby.com.
* BRIDGE PLAYERS Bridge and/or pinochle players are invited to join in games in Ko Olina with area residents. Call Valerie at 206-391-1755.
* KEIKI COUNCIL The Central District South Community Children's Council meets at 6 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month in Moanalua High School Room G104; and the Leeward council meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday at the State of Hawaii building, 601 Kamokila Blvd. in Kapolei All parents of children with special needs are welcome. Call 586-5363.
* COMIC JAMS Pearl-ridge Center hosts Comic Jam Hawaii from 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays, Uptown second level, by Hot Unique Images, welcoming professional and amateur artists. Call 488-0981.
* ROTARY P.M. The Rotary Club of Kapolei Sunset meets at 5:30 p.m. Mondays at Roy's Ko Olina, second floor, for a program and light dinner, and guest are welcome. Cost is $20. Email txtutu@yahoo.com.
* ROTARY A.M. Kapolei Rotary Club meets at 7:30 a.m. Thursdays in the faculty lounge at Kapolei High School. Email info@limelighthawaii.com or call 722-1489.
* STORIES Kapolei Library offers a free, interactive children's storytime sessions at 10 a.m. each Monday and Thursday for ages 3 to 5. Call 693-7050.
* MCC MARKET The Momilani Farmers Market at Momilani Community Center offers about 20 vendors plus a new family activity from 3 to 7 p.m. Fridays at 715 Hoomoana St. Call Kasey at 341-0568.
* MAKEKE KAPOLEI Kapolei High School has a farmers and green market, Makeke Kapolei, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. each Thursday in the school parking lot, offering more than 30 vendors with locally grown produce, prepared foods, plants, arts and crafts, demonstrations and cultural presentations. Co-sponsors are Malama Learning Center and Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. Call 697-3599.
* EWA MARKET A Mahiku Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays at The Waterfront at Pu'uola, 5105 Iroquois Ave. Call 225-4002.
* WAIPIO MARKET The Kaiser Waipio Clinic hosts a Fresh Days Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays at 94-1480 Moaniani St. Call 432-2260.
* EWA MARKET Ewa Beach Shopping Center and Lay Farms sponsor a farmers market from 7 a.m. to 3 or 4 p.m. daily; the Serendipitous Gardener from 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; and The Bread of Life from 2 to 6 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays.
* OPEN MARKET Prince Kuhio Community Center has an open market from 3 to 7 p.m. on the first and third Friday at 91-1270 Kinoiki St. in Kapolei, near the Hawaiian Home Lands building. Call 780-6082, 394-0050 or email info@hawaiimaoli.org.
* CITY MARKETS The People's Open Market sells produce on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. at Waiau District Park and 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. at Waipahu District Park; Fridays from 7 to 8 a.m. at Halawa District Park and 9 to 10 a.m. at Ewa Beach Community Park; Sundays from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at Kapolei Community Park, 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Royal Kunia Park-n-Ride and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Waikele Community Park. For more information, call 522-7088.
* HALAWA LUNCH Halawa Xeriscape Garden offers free Brown Bag tours from noon to 12:45 p.m. each Wednesday, inviting working folks to take their lunch break in the garden and learn conservation tips at the same time. Call 748-5363.
* BUDDHISTS Kapolei Buddhist Sangha conducts Sunday services at 9 a.m. at American Renaissance Academy at Barbers Point, including Dharma school for keiki. The public is welcome. Call Rev. Bert Sumikawa at 221-9661.
* XERISCAPE HOURS Halawa Xeriscape Garden is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, featuring self-guided tours and free mulch for the community. Call 748-5041.
* SENIOR EXERCISE Hideo Kimura conducts free wellness education classes for seniors and others from noon to 2 p.m. Mondays and Fridays and from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays at the Crestview Park building in Waipio Gentry, covering Ki energy and development, self-improvement and aikido warm-up exercises. Call 671-4838 or 671-1422.
* PET FOOD DRIVE The Kapolei and Pearl City PETCO stores accept unopened, unexpired dry pet food daily for the Hawaiian Humane Society to help owners better afford to feed their dogs and cats. Call 356-2217.
* CHORALE New singers are invited to join the Kapolei Chorale, which rehearses at 6:30 p.m. each Sunday in Makakilo. For directions and an interview, call 672-8888.
* TOASTMASTERS Pearl City Toastmasters meet at 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesday in Pearlridge Gardens & Tower's Mokihana Room, 98-1042 Moanalua Road (780-2066).
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West Oahu Girls Battle For A Place In State Basketball Tourney
As the OIA season winds down this week, the league's conference tournament and securing berths for the upcoming girls state basketball tournament will be the focus for area teams.
A look at the post-season prospects for both Aiea and Kapolei follows:
Aiea High: 5-2 (record before last weekend)
Signature wins: Kapolei (58-39) at home; at Campbell (57-43)
Players to watch: Mich'lae Higa (OIA White scoring leader at 15.7 points per game), Pumehana Beltran (13.5 ppg), Paula Mauga (5.7), Allysha Cooper-Tabisola, Mele Sitani, Natasha Maroney
Na Ali'i at a glance: Perhaps no team in the OIA had as tough a schedule in the last week of the regular season play as did Aiea, which played league-leader Mililani last Saturday and had to bounce back to play a red-hot Leilehua team Tuesday.
Regardless of the outcome of those games, Aiea was easily in line for the top seed out of the West for next week's OIA DII tournament, since it defeated all of its DII opponents.
Indeed, Aiea's only two losses came to Division I programs, Radford and Nanakuli.
A top seeding means a first-round bye for Aiea, which will play either the No. 2 seed from the West or the No. 3 seed from the East in its semifinal matchup. Defense has been Aiea's forte to date, as only two opponents have topped the 40-point mark against it. Aiea is giving up an average of just 32.4 points per game, while scoring at a 46.4 clip.
Did you know? The OIA White has produced the Division II state champion twice in the last five years: Radford (2011) and Campbell (2008).
What's next: Aiea was to host Leilehua Tuesday in its season finale. The OIA Division II tournament begins next week.
Make plans for the state tournament if: Na Ali'i continues to bring its "A" game on the defensive end.
Aiea's best offense to date has been its defense, which is a good omen at tournament time. It is a safe bet to make the state tournament field and should be in the mix for the title.
Kapolei: 5-3 (record before last weekend)
Signature wins: Over Radford (43-31) and Campbell (50-37) at home
What's next: The Hurricanes were to close out their OIA season on Tuesday with a road date at Waianae. The OIA Red tournament begins next week.
Players to watch: Amayha Dycus (9.4 points per game), Chermayne Yago (9.4), Anna Souza (6.6)
Hurricanes at a glance: The Hurricanes need to finish among the top six teams at the upcoming OIA tournament to make the field for the state tournament.
With 10 teams in the Red (including East and West) at .500 or better, that goal would seem within reach if Kapolei can continue to improve game by game as it has all season. The higher the seeding, the better, obviously, for Kapolei, which closed its regular season with key games versus Nanakuli over the weekend and Tuesday's finale with Waianae.
In Dycus and Yago, Kapolei has a pair of goto players, offensively. Their post-season fate may be tied to finding more scoring elsewhere in the lineup to help balance out the Hurricanes' attack.
Worth tracking: Kapolei is 5-0 when scoring 40 points or more.
Make plans for the state tournament if: the Hurricanes can tighten up their defense at the OIA tournament. Through its first eight games, Kapolei was second to last in the Red West in points given up.
Offensively, it has usually been able to manufacture the scoring it needs, topping the 50-point mark on five separate occasions.
West Oahu Girls Battle For A Place In State Basketball Tourney
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Kapolei Boys Soccer Team Has Sights On Post-season Run
If all goes according to plan, the Kapolei boys soccer team will play at a pace all its own at next week's OIA post-season tournament, to hear coach Ryan Lau tell it.
"We have a lot of players with good skill sets, but our ball movement and our decision-making can always be better," said Lau. "Scoring opportunities will be harder to come by, so we need to play quicker, possess and distribute the ball."
The Hurricanes are in the fine-tuning mode at present as they look to make another post-season run. They took care of business during the regular season, going 7-0-1 through their first eight games, to clinch either a first or second seed for the tournament. They will host a quarterfinal match next Thursday against a team to be determined by first-round results. (The semifinal and championship round matches Friday and Saturday will be played at Kaiser High School.)
As Kapolei enters the post-season, statistics tell the story of a dominant team. On the defensive end, it has yielded only four goals for the season, three of which came in a win over Aiea. In their other seven encounters, Kapolei gave up only one goal. Offensively, it also has been able to finish plays, tallying 35 goals, which is the second-best total in the OIA, include both East and West teams.
For its regular-season efforts, Lau promptly gave his team time off Tuesday and today from practice. "Our legs have been pretty taxed," admitted Lau, who handles the coaching duties alongside Neal Sakaue and Mark Ishii. "The plan is for them to recharge their bodies and stay on top of their studies. We'll take a few days to refocus and come back hungry, and we'll convene at the end of the week."
Kapolei has relied on a mix of veterans and talented underclassmen so far in 2013. Lau had high praise for sophomore C.J. Harvey and senior Vineal Singh as the West slate wound down. "C.J. was the man of the match in our estimation when we played Mililani (to a scoreless tie). He's been creating a lot. And Vineal has been good. We're getting consistent play from our outside-halves."
The Hurricanes also have had stellar seasons from junior midfielder Dakota Kato and forwards Shannon Hopeau, Keo Ponce and Dylan Orian. "Dakota's play has definitely come on," Lau said. "He's real strong at winning 50-50 balls." Although only a freshman, Hopeau had a team-best eight assists through his first eight games to go with four goals. Orian and Ponce have each tallied eight goals to lead the Hurricanes on the offensive end.
As the Hurricanes look ahead to the OIA playoffs and state tournament, which follows two weeks later, Lau is emphasizing the mental aspect as much as the physical end in his preparations.
"Staying in the game mentally is something we stress," he said. "Everyone who will be there (in the post-season) will be good. We try to work on the things that we can control. It's a process. We separate the season into four quarters, and we're in the third (OIA playoffs) and fourth (states) quarters now. We're entering the phase we want to be in, and we've stressed the steps to get there, doing the simple things. The best aspect of our play is that we've defended well and been good at winning the 50-50 balls."
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Focus on West Oahu
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Kapolei Refinery Will Close In April
Tesoro Corporation announced earlier this month that it will close refining operations at its Kapolei refinery in April. The facility will be converted into a terminal that will receive, store and distribute fuel that has been imported from the Mainland and Asia.
The decision comes one year after the company announced that it was putting its Hawaii operations up for sale.
Tesoro Hawaii manager of government and public affairs Lance Tanaka explained the company found in a market analysis that the Kapolei refinery was no longer in alignment with the its strategic focus, which is centered on the Mainland.
The refinery - the larger of two in the state - will continue its operations until April, and Tesoro has stated that it will fulfill all of its existing supply contracts.
"We have developed a detailed and very specific plan for how we will continue to fulfill our supply commitments," Tanaka explained. "We are meeting with our customers to let them know about these supply plans, and also to let them know about alternate ways of receiving supplies in the future."
During this time, Tesoro also will be in the process of marketing its retail and distribution assets for sale, including its gas stations.
Tesoro estimates that between 180 and 200 jobs will be impacted by the closure.
Tanaka said that there likely will be an opportunity for some employees to apply for positions elsewhere in the company, possibly at the new import, storage and distribution terminal.
"We will need employees to run the terminal," he said. "How many that will be is still to be determined. It is too early to say."
In a statement released following Tesoro's announcement, U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono said that this "is terrible news for the state and the workers who will lose their jobs." She went on to state that she "will work closely with Hawaii's delegation, state officials and community leaders to ensure displaced workers and their families receive whatever federal assistance is available to them as they search for new jobs."
While some concern has been expressed in the community about how the closure will impact the energy market - particularly if it will affect gas prices - energy experts are claiming that it won't.
"This doesn't fundamentally change the structure of energy in Hawaii," said Kang Wu, a senior fellow at the East West Center in the Innovation, Energy and Economic Growth division.
"In terms of the energy market, there is no huge immediate impact."
Hirono also stated that the closure of the facility is a reminder that the state should pursue ways to create a greater level of self-sufficiency when it comes to energy: "This closure underscores the importance of energy self-sufficiency for Hawaii. While Hawaii is the most energy-dependent state in the nation, we are not a dependent people. We must continue to find more ways to support research and development of renewable and alternative energy sources."
"Hawaii needs alternative energy, which is a longterm issue," Wu said. "We always need alternative energy, but of course we have to be realistic. When we say we need it, we also have to work out a plan to get it.
"(The closure) is kind of a wake-up call that we have to be realistic in finding workable solutions," Wu added.
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Literacy Group Seeks, Trains Tutors
Hawaii Literacy currently is seeking volunteer tutors to teach reading and writing to adults. The organization hosts a free orientation from 1 to 2 p.m. Feb. 3 at the Waipahu Civic Center for those interested in learning more about the program.
For those who choose to participate, the first of four tutor training sessions will begin immediately following the orientation. Training continues from 1 to 5 p.m. for the next three Sundays (Feb. 10, 17 and March 3).
Hawaii Literacy is a nonprofit that is dedicated to helping people learn to read and write. It offers a range of programs and services, including English lessons, adult and family literacy classes and a traveling library.
The Waipahu Civic Center is located at 94-275 Mokuola St.
For more information and to RSVP, call 537-6706.
For more information about Hawaii Literacy, visit hawaiiliteracy.org.
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