Inexperience will be the first opponent for the Pearl City girls volleyball team this fall, as it’s in “rebuild” mode, according to head coach Bryan Camello.

As far as skills go, however, the girls have the look of the prototypical Charger team.

“Our freshmen and sophomores are pretty athletic,” said Camello. “They’re just raw and are probably a year or two away (from All-Conference caliber). We’ll have some size and athleticism.”

In his second year at the helm for Pearl City, following a highly successful stint at Roosevelt, Camello led the Chargers to a 5-6 record in his first season. They returned to the practice floor last month to prepare for the season. Fall camp for OIA teams officially begins the first week of August. But summer workouts are even more critical for a young team like Pearl City.

“We know them a lot better now, and they know us a lot better,” said Camello. “There’s a lot more teaching and a lot more learning now on their part. It’s a little slower in the beginning because we are putting in what we want. It’s a process.

“We’ll be counting on underclassmen to step up and fill important roles. We want to be more creative on offense this year and be more scrappy, defensively, and a team that does all of the dirty work. There’s a lot of potential here, and as a staff, we’re really pleased with the progress they’ve made.”

While he will have a young team overall, a trio of veterans in libero McKayla Apo, Tiffany Okinaga and Lexxie Enos are expected to provide leadership.

“We’re looking for McKayla to shore up our back row,” he said. “Tiffany may be one of our most dependable hitters. We’re looking for Lexxie to run our offense.”

Okinaga spent time as a libero last fall before transitioning to an outside hitter position recently.

Pearl City’s public unveiling will take place in the Kamehameha Invitational in early August, where it could play six or seven matches against top-rate competition. The OIA season begins at the end of August.

“We’ll be able to see what we have and go back to work at practice on what we need to work on,” Camello said of the August tournament.

“We’ll have a chance to see what’s broken first. We want to be clicking by mid-season to peak in time for the (OIA) playoffs and the state tournament.”

Email Jack Danilewicz at jackster.1969@yahoo.com

The state Department of Education has formed a new group to tackle barriers to effective leadership, and among the members are four administrators from West Oahu schools.

Area members are Mauka Lani Elementary principal Shelley Ferrara, Kaimiloa Elementary principal Debra Hatada, Waipahu High principal Keith Hayashi and Waipahu High vice principal David Tanuvasa. They are among nearly 40 nominated for the new panel of 14 principals as well as all 12 members of the HGEA Unit 6 board of directors.

The statewide Deputy Superintendent’s Principal Roundtable is meeting over the summer to establish priorities to “improve communication, garner feedback, develop collaborative solutions to critical challenges and identify individuals for future complex area, state and national leadership positions and opportunities.”

As a former principal himself, DOE deputy superintendent Ron Nozoe acknowledged the daily challenges school leaders face, noting the select new group is dedicated and committed to transforming public education.

“We hope to create solutions that will transition into meaningful change to positively impact the everyday work of the principals and vice principals,” stated HGEA executive director Randy Perreira. “We look forward to working with all stakeholders to support these efforts.”

Alyssa Yoshida displayed her knack for finishing scoring plays time after time last season for the Kapolei girls soccer team.

Her nine tallies were a big lift for a team that went 13-4 overall en route to fourth-place finish at the Division I state soccer tournament.

The sophomore-to-be said team cohesiveness is why she found the back of the net so often. Yoshida was one of just two freshmen kept on the roster by longtime coach Brian Beck.

“The girls were very welcoming to me when I got there (to high school),” said Yoshida, who competes for Rush Soccer Club when the high school season is finished. “We all had to work together to score. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Yoshida was named a Second Team All-Conference player by OIA coaches in a vote at season’s end.

“I didn’t think I would do that well,” she said of her freshman season. “It was a good experience. I’m very excited to get back to the (2014-15) school season.”

Yoshida recently took some time away from the practice field to visit with MidWeek‘s West Oahu Islander.

What is your earliest soccer-related memory? When I was 6 and playing for AYSO. I remember going to Kapolei Regional Park and playing with my teammates. That’s when it all started. That’s as far back as I can remember.

Who’s had the biggest impact on your life? My dad (Ronald). He’s always been pushing me since I was young, and he always wanted me to do my best.

What area of your game are you focusing on this summer? I’m just focusing on my technical skills — my dribbling and passing and working with my foot skills … getting my touches.

What Internet site do you frequent the most? Instagram.

What is your least favorite household chore? I don’t like any of them. I will have to say vacuuming. I hate vacuuming.

What movie could you watch over and over? Alice in Wonderland.

Who are three of your favorite musical artists? Justin Bieber, Zac Efron and Shakira.

Do you play video games? When you have free time, how do you like to spend it? I play Call of Duty on Xbox. I also like going to the beach with my friends, surfing, and I like sketching.

Let’s say you’re stuck on the island of Kaho’olawe and can

have an endless supply of just one food. What would it be? Combo pizza.

Given the chance, what celebrity would you most like to meet? Zac Efron.

Email Jack Danilewicz at jackster.1969@yahoo.com

Golfers who tee off in the Finance Factors Family of Companies Charity Golf Tournament Aug. 28 will be helping Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii.

All proceeds from the 2014 tourney, set for 10:30 a.m. at Waikele Country Club, will go toward the nonprofit’s one-on-one mentoring programs for at-risk keiki. The group serves more than 1,200 youths statewide.

“At Finance Factors, giving back is at the core of our company, and we look forward to providing family and friends an opportunity to join us in supporting a truly worthy local nonprofit through our tournament,” stated Finance Factors president Steven Teruya.

“We are grateful for their support of us and our mission to help keiki in need,” added Dennis Brown, CEO of BBBSH.

“Thanks to the generosity of community partners such as Finance Factors, we are able to provide for youths facing adversity in personal relationships (and thus) contribute to better schools, stronger communities and a brighter future for the state.”

Deadline for teams of three players to register for the tourney is Aug. 21. For more information, call 548-3325.

The team of (from left) Keith Sakuda, Eric Martinson, Ilima Ho-Lastimosa and David Walfish (far right) with Richard Wacker (second from right) of American Savings Bank, which sponsored the competition. Photo from Keith Sakuda.

It’s one thing to grow vegetables in a backyard garden. It’s another entirely to transform that action into a community-wide industry. But that’s exactly what UH-West Oahu-affiliated Ho’oulu Pacific aims to do with its Waimanalo Aquaponics project, which won top honors and $12,000 at Chaminade University’s Hogan Entrepreneurs/American Savings Bank Non-Profit Business Plan Competition in April.

“It meant a lot to us to be recognized locally and to be chosen as the best out of a great slate of nonprofit teams that were there, with very innovative projects,” said co-founder and UHWO student David Walfish. The team also won $25,000 as a finalist in the national Agricultural Innovation Prize at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in April.

Founded two years ago by Ilima Ho-Lastimosa, Eric Martinson, Keith Sakuda and Walfish, Ho’oulu Pacific sees modern aquaponics technology imbued with very traditional meaning in Waimanalo.

“The backyard aquaponics system is our newfangled traditional ahupuaa system,” said Ho-Lastimosa, noting that there’s “too much stuff in the way” to nurture the mountain-to-ocean system.

Ho’oulu Pacific believes its aquaculture system, which can grow native foods like kalo, is the best way to address today’s issues, such as diet-related obesity and diseases, rising sea levels and lack of suitable soil.

“The idea is people can grow enough in their backyard to feed their families and of course have this extra amount,” said Sakuda. “Individually, they can’t do much with that (small surplus). … But if we’re able to get all these families to network together, we can start to generate enough that as a group it becomes a marketable commodity.”

A business administration assistant professor at UHWO, Sakuda emphasized the importance of connecting business to agriculture; this is how the project will thrive. The team is focused on building a network to sell the backyard produce, and once it is sustainable, it will look to expand to other hubs like Waianae.

Ho’oulu Pacific also is in the process of distributing aquaponics models that can produce 2,000 pounds of produce and fish annually.

For more information or to get involved, email info@hooulupacific.org.

Send West Oahu items to cchang@midweek.com by July 16 to be considered for the July 23 edition.

* KAPOLEI DANCE The Kapolei chapter of Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association registers students at 7 p.m. July 14 and 21 at Makakilo Community Park for classes in waltz and samba that began July 7. Call 781-2076.

* AIEA DANCE The Pearlridge chapter of Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association signs up students at 7 p.m. July 15 at Waimalu Elementary School for lessons in rumba and East Coast swing. Classes began July 8. Call 456-2129 or 488-3935.

* CAMPBELL ’72 Deadline is July 15 to reserve a place at 60th birthday festivities for Campbell High School’s Class of 1972, set for Sept. 19-23 in Las Vegas. To make arrangements, call Vacations Hawaii. For more details, call Myrna at 265-2412 or email coacha-bang@earthlink.net.

* NIGHT MARKET Down to Earth Kapolei hosts a night market from 5 to 7:30 p.m. July 15 at Kapolei Commons. Call 673-2300.

* EWA DANCE Ewa Beach’s chapter of Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association registers students at 6:45 p.m. July 16 at Asing Community Park for intermediate Bolero and East Coast Swing classes. The park is at 94-1450 Renton Road. Call 781-2076.

* KEIKI FILM HUI Pearlridge 16 and Kapolei 16 Theatres’ Keiki Film Hui screens The Croods at 10 a.m. July 16-17, with children’s tickets costing $1. Still ahead: Despicable Me 2 July 23-24 and Rio July 30-31. Call 239-0919.

* METH ART Kapolei Hale Courtyard displays original works by Hawaii teens in the exhibit, “Not Even Once … Take a stand against METH,” through July 17. Call 922-5331.

* PAU HANA MUSIC Aka Vibes entertains for pau hana from 6 to 8 p.m. July 17 at Aiea Bowl and The Alley Restaurant. Call 445-8236.

* PEARL CITY BON Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Church of Hawaii presents its bon dances and plenty of food from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. July 18 and 19 at 2289 Auhuhu St. in Pearl City. Call 455-3212.

* ORGANIZED Simply Organized offers a free demonstration of Freedom-Rail closet systems at 1 p.m. July 19 at its Kapolei store, 889 Kamokila Blvd. Call 693-8888.

* ARCHERY BENEFIT Pu’u Kapolei Archery Range on Fort Barrette Road plans a Peter Akau Memorial Shoot from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 19 to benefit Hawaii Foodbank. For details, visit bushwackersarcheryclub.org.

* NISHIHARA HOUR State Sen. Clarence Nishihara hosts a monthly coffee hour at 9 a.m. July 19 at Waipahu Don Quijote. Call 728-1008.

* BLOOD DRIVES Hawaii Blood Bank has donor drives from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 20 at Waikele Center and from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 27 at the Ewa Town Center Foodland. Call 848-4770.

* NEIGHBORS Pearl City Neighborhood Board meets at 7 p.m. July 22 at Waiau District Park, and Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale meets at 7 p.m. July 23 at Kapolei High cafeteria. Call 768-3710.

* AWARENESS Kundiman 808 offers a variety of free entertainment and messages against domestic violence from Filipino voices from 4:40 to 8:30 p.m. July 27 at the FilCom Center, 94-428 Mokuola St. Call 778-3230.

* DRESS DRIVE Beautiville of Kapolei has its annual Prom Dress Drive Spartea (spa party) from 3 to 5 p.m. July 27. Donate a dress and get a $10 gift card for a spa or salon treatment. Call 674-9999.

* KROC COMEDY Kroc Center presents “Comedy Night at the Kroc” at 7 p.m. Aug. 2, featuring local comedians Jose Dynamite and James Mane. Admission is $10 at the door or in advance, with pre-show plate dinners from 5:30 to 6:30. The center is at 91-3257 Kualakai Parkway in Ewa Beach. Call 682-5505.

* YOUTH FOOTBALL KapCity Hurricanes register players for youth flag and tackle football now through Aug. 31 for the fall season (September-November). Area practices are held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. week-days. Call 393-5844 or visit facebook.com/usoathletics.

Ongoing

* WAIPAHU ZUMBA Zumba classes with Sexy Crew are back every Thursday at 6:30 p.m at United Visayan Community Hall, 94-833 Awanei St. in Waipahu. Drop-in fee is $5. Call 393-8073.

* AIKIDO Aikido Yuishinkai Honolulu leads ki and martial arts classes from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at Halawa District Park, second floor. Classes follow the teachings of Koretoshi Maruyama and Morihei Ueshiba, for all ages and skill levels. Call James Peters at 256-9944.

* SELF DEFENSE Austin Streadbeck leads a self-defense class from 6 to 8 p.m. each Wednesday and Thursday at Makakilo Community Center, based on the teachings of Henry Okazaki’s Kodenkan/Danzan Ryu Jujitsu. Call 383-1480.

* WELLNESS Shizendo Ki method founder Hideo Kimura teaches therapy exercises and how to use Ki to monitor pain and emotional release for beginners at 6 p.m. each Monday and Friday. He also leads adult beginner aikido at 7:30 p.m. the same nights at Soto Mission of Aiea, 99-045 Kauhale St. Free trials are allowed. Classes start this month. Call 671-1422.

By JACK DANILEWICZ

As seen throughout its run at the recent Far West Regionals in Albuquerque, the Rush 2001 (Under 13) girls soccer team takes representing Hawaii seriously. With a trip to Surf Cup in San Diego looming in early August, that mind-set has remained in place, according to head coach Brent Murakami.

Even so, the weeks between the two tourneys were a good time to reflect.

“Regionals are always a challenge and a great opportunity to compete in that region,” Murakami said. “To get out of our pool is very difficult. California and Colorado are very competitive soccer sports, and for us to get to the semifinals was great.

We were the only team from Hawaii still playing on Saturday, and it’s the farthest I’ve been as a player or coach. I’d always been stopped in the quarterfinals. I’m definitely proud of this team.”

Rush 2001 captured its third straight state title this spring. At the New Mexico tournament, it continued upward, defeating Real National of Colorado 1-0 and Rush 2001 New Mexico 4-0 and tying highly regarded Beach Black of California 1-1 in pool play.

A 1-0 win over Eastside Timbers Asten Villas of Colorado in the quarterfinals left Rush 2001 two wins from a berth at nationals. Its run was finally ended 2-1 by Heat FC of Nevada in the semi-finals on penalty kicks.

“It would have been great to be in the finals, but that’s soccer. The best team in soccer doesn’t always win.”

Rush’s 2001 girls team is mainly comprised of players from West Oahu.

On the team roster for the Far West Regionals were Karlee Manding (Kunia), Kitty Jones Kamaka (Ewa Beach), Bree Fuller (Pearl City), Isabelle Kuni (Waianae), Mya Tolentino (Kunia), Destiny Souza (Kapolei), Alysha Somera (Pearl City), Alyssa Primacio (Ewa Beach/Kapolei), Karalyn Lum (Aiea), Anuhea Kane (Ewa Beach), Jenna Ramirez (Waikele) and Alyssa Tokunaga Magno (Ewa Beach).

The Surf Cup roster also will include Sammie Kuriyama (Mililani) and Hayley Silipa (Waianae).

Team unity has been its biggest strength, according to Murakami.

“The root of the team being good is that they all get along. Ultimately, it’s because the girls like each other off of the field. That bond translates to when they’re on the field. They’re all competitive, and they want to get better and compete against the better teams. Those two things are driving our success.”

Email Jack Danilewicz at jackster.1969@yahoo.com

Aiea-based Rengo Packaging Inc. opened its new facility in Kapolei July 1 on 160,000 square feet of land at Campbell Industrial Park.

More than 60 percent of the new hires — who include general laborers, machine operators and production workers — are West Oahu residents.

City Councilwoman Kymberly Pine proudly announced the the high percentage of area workers recently.

“I am excited to see businesses like Rengo Packaging bringing jobs to the Leeward Coast,” stated Pine. “Our goal is to make residents aware of these opportunities, and the 53,000 jobs on the Leeward Coast, so they can get out of traffic and spend more time with their families.”

Bringing West Oahu residents job opportunities closer to home has been a pet project of Pine since 2012, when she launched the Hire Leeward campaign. The project aims to improve quality of life for West Oahu residents by encouraging them to seek jobs in their neighborhoods and improve coordination between area job seekers and prospective employers.

The project also is responsible for hosting an annual job and career fair. Rengo Packaging was in attendance at the most recent one.

For more information on the campaign and to view weekly area job postings, go to hireleeward.com. Employers can submit area job opportunities to Pine by calling 768-5001.

An illustration of the interior of the new Aiea Library. Rendering by Glenn Miura of CDS International.

The new facility at the former Aiea Sugar Mill site replaces the older branch on Moanalua Road.

“We’re very, very excited. The Aiea community has been waiting for this library for decades,” said Keith Fujio, special assistant to the state librarian.

By the early 1990s, it was evident that the community was outgrowing its library, as more housing and schools continued to spring up. Parking in the area always was an issue, and library patrons often had to fight traffic to get in and out of the lot.

The new library has space for 78,000 books, 8,000 DVDs and CDs and 12 public computers with Internet, along with a room for library and community events. The building has been designed to reduce electricity costs with high-efficiency air conditioning and photo-voltaic solar panels.

Fujio predicts “a lot of happy people” at the grand opening.

The new library sits on 17,200 square feet of land at 99-372 Pohai Place.

Waipahu Library closed temporarily for renovations July 8 and will remain closed until further notice.

The facility currently is undergoing an air conditioner replacement.

The drive-through book drop will remain open, but the drive-through window will be closed. No donations will be accepted during this time. Any items borrowed from the Waipahu branch may be returned to any other public library.

For continued updates and to access online library services, visit librarieshawaii.org.

Here’s a brief look at what some of your neighbors have been up to.

Aiea resident Heidi Lin Kim recently was named 2014 National Young Mother of the Year, an award granted by nonprofit American Mothers Inc. It honors mothers (age 40 and under) who have demonstrated service to their communities, as well as their families.

Heidi Kim and husband Edwin Sniffen with their kids (from left) Simon, Sam and Eli. Photo courtesy MVNP.

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Kim is a marketing executive at an engineering firm and spends her free time volunteering for organizations such as Move Oahu Forward, March of Dimes and Girl Scouts. She has three children with husband Edwin Sniffen.

Kim accepted her award at the American Mothers Inc. national convention held in April in Colorado. As Young Mother of the Year, she will join American Mothers as an ambassador to help raise awareness of and funds for victims of domestic violence.

Another Aiea resident, Isaac Kosasa, recently was elected vice president of claims at First Insurance Co. of Hawaii by its board of directors. Kosasa began his career with FICOH in 1989 as a senior adjuster. Since then, he has earned several promotions, and most recently was assistant vice president of litigation.

In his new position, Kosasa is responsible for the company’s property, auto, liability, third-party adjusting and workers’ compensation departments.

“During his 25 years at FICOH, Isaac’s claims expertise and quiet but effective leadership have been indispensable to our company,” stated CEO Allen Uyeda. “He embodies the customer mindset, knowledge and experience that have earned FICOH’s local claims service consistently high ratings from our customers.”

Kapolei’s Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii recently named Jerry Pupillo general manager.

For Pupillo, the new position is more of a return home — he was president/general manager of the water park for 10 years when it first opened. More recently, he served as general manager at Sea Life Park Hawaii. In the past, he also was vice president at Best International Marketing Group.

“It’s great to be back to a park we started with the local and visitor community nearly 15 years ago,” stated Pupillo. “Premier Attractions, the current management company, are leaders in the water park and amusement industry. We have exciting plans for the future.”

Waipahu resident Kevin Hall has been appointed vice president and credit-delivery portfolio manager of retail and small-business credit delivery at Central Pacific Bank. He has a master’s degree in business administration from Arizona State University. Prior to joining CPB, he was senior vice president of business development at credit counseling company Take Charge America.

West Oahu Economic Development Association recently announced its 2014-2015 officers and board of directors: president Lee Hopkinson, Pankow Builders; vice president Kristi Hirota-Schmidt, Associa Hawaii; treasurer Greg Sokolowski, Innovative Items; secretary Georgette Stevens, Grace Pacific; and past president Darian Chun, Maryl Group.

They’re joined by members Lee Tokuhara, D.R. Horton Hawaii; Ryson Matsumura, Bank of Hawaii; Karen Gionson, Territorial Savings Bank; Jose Bustamante, Hunt Companies; Rich Hartline, DeBartolo Development; and Chris Lee, Y Hata.

The association brings business, community and government leaders together to support economic growth in West Oahu. The group advocates for area job development and awareness about the area’s business activity.

“Our guiding vision for the next three years will be to connect communities by providing valuable resources for businesses to succeed,” stated Hopkinson.

“I am looking forward to serving our membership, which includes more than 100 companies with direct interests in West Oahu.”

In an effort to lend a helping hand to Helping Hands Hawaii, Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii will extend its hours Saturday, when it will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Guests who donate $10 worth of school supplies at the door or at any Central Pacific Bank branch will gain admission for $19.99. (All tickets will be that price starting at 4 p.m. that day.) Donors also will earn a coupon for a second visit at a discounted rate.

The supplies will go toward Helping Hands’ Ready to Learn program, which provides school supplies to children in need each year.

In addition to all of the usual water park rides, live entertainment, games and prize giveaways also are planned beginning at 4 p.m.

For more information, call 674-9283 or visit wetnwildhawaii.com.

Sending an athlete to Special Olympics will be as easy as pumping gas until Aug. 5.

Five West Oahu Tesoro2Go locations (and others across the island) have teamed up with Special Olympics Hawaii to serve as donation hubs as part of Hawaii Independent Energy’s Fueling Dreams campaign.

Motorists can stop at Tesoro2Go in Kapolei at 91-141A Kalaeloa Blvd., Pearl City at 922 Kamehameha Hwy., Waipahu Town Center at 94-050 Farrington Hwy., Waipahu at 94-120 Farrington Hwy. and Waipio at 94-1082 Ka Uka Blvd.

As an added incentive, there are three prize drawings for a $500 Tesoro gas card. Those who make a $5 donation earn one entry, $20 earns five entries.

Fueling Dreams has raised a total of $416,000 over the last nine years. All proceeds help Special Olympics athletes compete in competitions locally, nationally and internationally.

Luck was on the side of Laukani girls soccer team when its number came up last spring in a lottery that led to the Aiea-based team accepting an invitation to the 2014 American Youth Soccer Organization National Games. On the field, however, the team made its own breaks at the recent tournament, held in Culver City, Calif., going 7-1 en route to play in the championship game, ultimately placing second in the 12U division.

Along the way, Laukani even surprised itself.

“My daughter (Alyson) told me she didn’t expect to do so well,” head coach DeAnne Hayashi said.

“Most of them were just hoping to make it out of pool play. To get to the championship game was more than anyone expected. The girls came to play, and they played with heart, and it really showed.”

More than 7,000 players (and 500 teams) from across the country played in AYSO’s National Games. A record crowd of 30,000 attended the event, beginning with a festival the first two days. Laukani was one of 36 teams in its age division.

On the Laukani roster were Alyson Hayashi, Autumn Kahapea, Hannah Yuasa, Hope Markillie, Jaida Sumajit, Janice Manzano, Kate Helbush, Megan Dalit, Paige Fahrni, Rylee Barber, Taylor Hayes and Zoe Bell.

Hayashi and assistant coach Kim Markillie were careful to mix fun with the business of tournament play. The team ohana watched a pro soccer game and visited Castle Amusement Park.

“Before or after the tournament, most of us went to Disney World, too,” Hayashi said. “During the tournament, we had them watch what they ate and we had them sleep at a regular time.”

After a few days, Laukani found itself something of a novel attraction, she said.

“Because we were doing well, the other teams were talking about us. Our girls weren’t used to that, and we had to explain to them that this was a good thing.”

Hayashi attributed Laukani’s success in the win-loss column to its closeness off of the playing field. (It also earned the “Outstanding Sportsman-ship”award in its age group at the nationals.)

“The fact that they were really good friends” carried them through, she said.

“We’d known since the end of last May that we would be traveling, so we had a whole year to grow as a team. They learned to respect each other and to play with each other. This was the first time for many of them that they’d traveled for any sport.

“We didn’t have a star player,” she added. “Everyone on the team knows their part, and they tried to do it for the whole team.”

jackster.1969@yahoo.com

Reflections …Sen.Will Espero

Growth in Ewa

In 1989, I bought my first house in the Ewa by Gentry community for $159,000. It has been 25 years, and Gentry Homes is still building homes in Ewa Beach for many first-time buyers, along with developer Haseko down the street. The new million-dollar homes in Ewa have changed the demographics in our area, and new stores and restaurants have been a welcome addition to the neighborhood.

When I first moved in, Fort Weaver Road was two lanes in and two lanes out, and the medial strip was nothing but dirt. With a $55-million investment, we were able to add another lane in each direction, improving traffic and beautifying the area. Many old-timers in Ewa remember when Fort Weaver Road was one lane in and out, as it obviously was a slower, less busy time back then.

The $155 million we invested in Kualakai Parkway made a significant difference for Kapolei, and the parkway paved the way for Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center and University of Hawaii at West Oahu.

The dream of the “second city” is certainly becoming a reality, although somewhat slower than was expected. Thousands of homes have been built on the Ewa Plain in the last 25 years, and with the homes have come shopping centers, government buildings and new businesses and services.

The much-debated rail transit system is now being constructed, and this project is definitely a game changer. With an additional 200,000 or more residents expected in West Oahu in the future, another option for traveling or commuting is needed. People will have the choices of cars, buses or rail.

The first phase of rail is expected to be operational by 2017, with the full line to Ala Moana Center expected to be finished by 2019. Expect future expansion to UH Manoa and possibly Ko Olina.

Transit-oriented development will occur along the rail, with the new community of Ho’opili between Waipahu and Kapolei being the first neighborhood planned around rail. Next door in Waipahu, businesses and neighborhoods will be transformed as the rail transit system changes the character of this small plantation town. Areas like Waipahu Town Center, Waipahu Plantation Village and Waipahu Festival Marketplace should benefit from the rail.

Making West Oahu Bike Friendly

Another project I have been working on for some time is almost ready for construction and will make West Oahu a destination for cycling. The Leeward Bikeway will be a 15-mile, 10-foot-wide path from Pearl Harbor to Nanakuli, and it will probably be the best place to ride a bike on the island. Some people will be able to use it to commute to work via bicycling, but I expect the vast amount of users will be for recreational and fitness purposes.

Much is planned for the coming years, such as schools, parks, shopping centers and government facilities, and the best is yet to come. When fully built out, West Oahu easily will be able to compete as one of the most livable regions in the state.

State Sen. Will Espero represents District 19, which includes Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe, Ewa by Gentry, Iroquois Point, and a portion of Ewa Villages. He can be reached at 586-6360 or senespero@capitol.hawaii.gov.

Destyni Grace

As a freshman last fall, Destyni Grace was a newcomer to Aiea varsity volleyball, but not to the sport. That showed quickly, as Grace established herself as a key component of the high school’s breakthrough season.

Coached by Kory Toyozaki and Blythe Yamamoto, Na Ali’i finished 9-8 overall and returned to the Division I state tournament after a four-year hiatus. This week marks the official beginning of the 2014 season for OIA teams. Grace is hoping to make a few more state appearances with three full seasons of eligibility remaining.

“It was great going to the state tournament in my first experience (as a high school player),” said Grace, a setter. “I hope to get there again. We can learn from our mistakes and know what to expect when you go back there. It was exciting being the only freshman on the team.”

On the eve of the new prep volleyball season, Grace took some time out to visit with MidWeek‘s West Oahu Islander.

What is your earliest sports-related memory? Back when my brother (Derek) was playing baseball for Aiea. We used to go to the park every single day and come home late. Everyone knew me as the little girl running around the park causing trouble.

Who’s had the biggest impact on your life? My parents (Derek and Wanda). They always pushed me and really encouraged me to be a leader on the team.

I had to step up so I wouldn’t disappoint them.

What’s the best part about playing in the Aiea volleyball program? You get to see how it feels to play with and against older girls. In Club, you play with girls your own age. I was pretty nervous at first.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned through volleyball? That a good team has a good vibe. They know each other well and get along and can play as a team instead of as individuals.

Who is Aiea’s best “practice player” — the girl who puts out the best effort every day? (Senior setter/defensive specialist) Lole Kalani-Liulama. She always has a positive attitude and never gives up, and picks everyone up. She works hard, and she makes practice fun.

What is your least favorite household chore? I don’t like washing the dishes. Everyone piles up the dishes.

What movie could you watch over and over? After I watched Hansel and Gretel for the first time, I probably watched it two more times after that. It was pretty good.

Who are three of your favorite musical artists? I like Usher and Adam Levine (of Maroon 5), and I’d have to say Beyonce.

When you have free time, how do you like to spend it? I like to spend time with friends and family, although I sometimes have to stay in because I don’t have a car. Volleyball fills up my schedule.

You’re stuck on Kahoolawe and can have an endless supply of just one food. What would it be? Steak. I don’t think I could live without meat.

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McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii has been rewarding its student employees with scholarships for nearly 20 years, and this time three recent West Oahu graduates are among the state’s nine winners.

Marshall Fletcher, Kylie Gumban and Dexter Manglicmot — all employees of the Ewa Beach restaurant — received their scholarships at an awards luncheon in May.

“We are proud of our hard-working employee scholars as they seek to pursue higher education,” stated Linda Rosario, a McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii owner and operator. “Since 1995, Mc-Donald’s has been committed to awarding scholarships to our student employees based on academic achievement, community involvement and on-the-job performance.”

Fletcher and Manglicmot recently graduated from Campbell High School and will attend Portland State University and Washington’s Whit-worth University, respectively. Gumban, meanwhile, was home-schooled and plans to study at Corban University in Salem, Ore.

That’s not the only fast food chain to help out local students. Burger King McLamore Foundation has awarded $1,000 scholarships to 33 Hawaii high school seniors, employees or employee-related students for the 2014-2015 school year. Among them are 11 students or residents of West Oahu.

West Oahu recipients are Campbell High’s Raven Parado, Aiea High’s Gina Chanthavong, Pearl City High’s Roselyn Chan and Jenny Rose Anacan, Waipahu High’s Maria Andrea Jurado, Lanakila Baptist Academy’s Amelia Pacheco, Lani Felicitas of Aiea, Kourtney Christen Kawano and Lorelei Blossom Zabanal of Kapolei, Cindy Vuong of Pearl City and Chantyle Ramones of Ewa Beach.

Awards are based on students’ grade-point average and are funded by year-round contributions accepted by the chain’s front-counter cashiers, as well as the foundation itself, which is named for Burger King co-founder James W. McLamore.

Its mission is to build brighter futures and to “provide hardship assistance to members of the Burger King family.”

Filipino Community Center brings back Kundiman 808 for the second year this Sunday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at its Waipahu headquarters on Mokuola Street.

The event will feature poetry, music, Filipino martial arts, dance and more — and this time it will all presented for the purpose of raising awareness about domestic violence among youths.

“Kundiman is a genre of Filipino music: love songs,” explained organizer Marie Ramos, who spearheaded the first Kundiman 808 event when she was FilCom’s program specialist. “Under colonial rule, it developed into a secret method of expression for one’s love of country and desire for freedom.

“My goal for Kundiman 808 was to create an event that focused on our youths, honored our ancestors and various cultures, and allowed for community building,” Ramos explained.

FilCom launched Kundiman as a way to get teenagers and young adults more involved in the center, while also showcasing various aspects of Filipino culture. Last year, artists shared what their Filipino ancestry meant to them.

“I saw how empowering and healing it was for all those who attended last year’s event,” she recalled. “As soon as we ended the program, people were asking me when the next one would be.”

Ramos wanted to focus on domestic violence this year because she believes that cultivating healthy relationships also will lead to healthy communities. Also on the program agenda is an informational session hosted by UH Manoa’s Gender Equity office, as well as various activities designed to encourage dialogue about domestic violence.

“I am hoping that those who attend will be empowered, that they recognize the power of their own voices and be inspired to get involved in the community,” Ramos said.

Kundiman 808 is free and open to the public.

For more information, email Ramos at Kundiman808@gmail.com.