Rotary Club of Kapolei hosts guest speakers during many of its weekly 7:30 a.m. meetings in the faculty lounge of Kapolei High School. These include:

* Dec. 4 — University of Hawaii director of astronomy Gunther Hasinger explains the significance of the Thirty Meter Telescope, as well as its expected impact. The machine still is under construction on Mauna Kea.

* Dec. 11 — Honolulu prosecuting attorney Keith Kaneshiro hosts a discussion regarding crime trends and high-profile cases.

* Dec. 18 — Alan Oshima, president and CEO of Hawaiian Electric Company, talks about his immediate priorities and long-term challenges in his new position.

KHON2 News investigative reporter Gina Mangieri spoke at the Nov. 20 meeting regarding her investigative series.

For more information on the club, email Harold Nedd at htnedd@gmail.com or visit kapoleirotary.org.

The food trucks are coming! The food trucks are coming!

Leilehua High School will kick off its inaugural monthly food festival Dec. 12 in the school parking lot. “2nds at Leilehua” is the brainchild of first-year principal Jason Nakamoto, who was looking for ways to bring community members to the school. What better way than food?

Wahiawa is a long distance from the typical downtown street food scene, and the hope is that 2nds at Leilehua will give residents greater access to the excitement found at venues like Eat The Street.

The unsponsored event is a collaboration of students and faculty, led by Nakamoto and Leilehua High School Class of 2015 Leadership Board, who organized the food trucks and food vendors.

This event also is a fundraiser for the senior class luau, which will be held at Polynesian Cultural Center. Last year’s on-campus luau was poorly attended, and the school is hoping the grander venue will attract a larger crowd for the school’s last official function before graduation.

“It’s a nice way to bid aloha to our seniors,” said senior class co-adviser Willie Ganiko. “We want to do something for the community that shows the impact these seniors had on the campus.”

The hope is to raise enough funds to make the luau free for all graduating seniors. For that to happen, the school will need to raise $7,000-$8,000.

Students will be selling water, juice and soda, and a $25 vendor fee also will go toward the graduation celebration.

Vendors include Aloha Pops HI, Five-0 Hawaiian Style Smoked Ribs, Grandma G’s, Dat Cajun Guy, Local Stop, Hula

Shrimp Company, Beyond Burgers HI, The Taco Truck, Cupcakes and Things Bakery, Kau Kau Grill, Surfin’ Salsa, Ala Serenity (Leilehua High School Culinary), Iliahi Dragon Cafe (Iliahi Elementary School Cafe), Le Crepe Cafe and Paul’s Poppers.

In addition to food, the school’s marching band will perform, along with the band and orchestra musicians from Wahiawa and Wheeler middle schools (awaiting confirmation).

For further information, go to 2nds at Leilehua Facebook page, Twitter @2ndsatleilehua or Instagram @2ndsatleilehua.

More food festivals are being planned for the second Friday of each month through May of 2015 at the Wahiawa campus

Teddy’s Bigger Burgers keeps getting larger as the hamburger chain announces its newest venue in Haleiwa.

Scheduled to open next month, the restaurant will feature a new breakfast menu, offering pancakes, waffles, crepes and other classic morning meals. The eatery also will have its first tiki bar.

“We want our kamaaina Teddy’s family to know that we’re still more than 100-percent focused on our service and burgers here in Hawaii, even after expanding internationally,” said co-founder Ted Tsakiris.

Teddy’s opened in 1998 on Monsarrat Avenue in Honolulu, and now has 11 locations in Hawaii, Washington State, Iowa, Japan and the Philippines. Future restaurants are scheduled for openings in California, Texas and Thailand.

The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force gave its Outstanding Management award to Pupukea’s Denise Antolini for her work in fisheries, marine enforcement, aquatic invasive species control, and much more via the DLNR Law Fellows program … Another North Shore attorney, Jeanine Cornwell, has joined Imanaka Asato in its civil litigation section, bringing experience as city deputy prosecuting attorney and as a law clerk for Judge Dan Foley …

Andrew-Timothy Nuesca

◄ Back

Next ►

Picture 1 of 2

Great early Christmas present: Fun Factory is giving $1,000 plus one year’s University of Hawaii tuition to 20 students selected as its 2014 Fun Factory/UH Scholars. Two of them are Leilehua graduates: Jaylina Abuy (going to LCC) and Chelsea Lugo (UH West Oahu) … Solomon Elementary first-graders got their reward. If they read 1,000 books, principal Sally Omalza promised to kiss a pig — and she did. Kama the Surfing Pig and two of his squealy friends, to be exact …

James Samuel (Leilehua 2008) has graduated from Air Force basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, as did Mililani’s Andrew-Timothy Nuesca … Mililani’s Dec. 6 Christmas Parade has added eight tons of snow for the kiddies, to be played in at Mililani Shopping Center … Need to get warmed up after that? Look for Loyola Marymount grad Kimi Kaloi‘s bright-turquoise food truck, Homegrown Brew, in its usual Wahiawa spot, at 505 Avocado St. weekday mornings, or midday Tues/Thurs near Oceanic Cable in Mililani Tech Park. She’s also got tea, lemonade slush and homemade pastries (facebook.com/homegrown-brew) …

As the Nov. 4 general election dust settles, 2015 state Senate committee chairmanships have been announced, with Central Oahu lawmakers all ready to go: Michelle Kidani will chair Education, and Donovan Dela Cruz will chair Government Operations … Overlooked in the periodic, glowing report of lucky local Las Vegas gamblers listed in the Nov. 17 Waha Nui: Wahiawa resident Jane Oda, who won $10,776 on the Blazing 7′s slot machine at the California Hotel and Casino & & & cchang@midweek.com

Early intervention is critical for children’s good mental health, and a White House initiative is backing that premise with $12.7 million in support for three Hawaii public school complexes, including Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua.

Called “Now is the Time,” the initiative aims to keep schools safer and increase access to mental health programs. A combination of federal infrastructure grants will be spent over five years in areas considered “high risk.” Central Oahu schools’ enrollment of the state’s greatest number of military dependents was a major factor in the complex’s selection.

“We look forward to building on our systems of support, increasing family outreach and collaborating with partner agencies,” stated schools superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi.

School personnel will receive training in intervention, case management, data collection and analysis, plus anti-bullying and family engagement strategies.

Other tools include $1.9 million from the state Department of Education’s annual Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education) and $608,901 in School Climate Transformation grants.

The two other selected complexes are Nanakuli-Waianae and Kau-Keaau-Pahoa.

Rep’n Mililani …Rep. Beth Fukumoto Chang

This time of year, I get plenty of opportunities to interact with members of our community at festivals and fairs. Much of the feedback I hear is that people enjoy the frequent communications from my office that either ask for opinions or provide updates.

So, this year, one of my resolutions is to increase our communications by trying some new techniques.

Starting in 2015, I’ll be hosting regular “office hours” in locations around Mililani so that constituents who want to meet face to face have a more accessible venue.

My office is experimenting with an online town hall to provide updates on legislation and to facilitate community involvement by alleviating some barriers, such as the long drive we encounter as residents of Central Oahu.

My goal is to take innovative steps and concrete action to make government more accessible. We also will provide updates via podcast and video throughout the session for those who like to listen to news and receive updates on their own schedule.

Scheduling for these events will be made available at repbeth.com, which also has regular updates on roadwork and other community and legislative events. Mililani residents can sign up for weekly email updates on roadwork at the above website.

Another way we’re looking to engage our community is by sponsoring a model legislature project, similar to Model UN, designed by Mililani High School students who interned with my office this year.

This Model Legislature project is meant to help students get a better idea of how government works and what kinds of issues and situations legislators encounter. We hope that it will help young people get excited about participating in government.

Any Mililani resident who is interested in participating either as a facilitator (18 or over) or as a member of the Model Legislature (grades 9-12) can send me an email for more information.

All of these initiatives are simply meant to provide more avenues to get involved with government. One area where we could use your participation immediately involves a petition to keep soldiers and their families in Hawaii.

As part of its 2020 structure realignment, the Army is considering reducing its force in Hawaii by 19,800 soldiers, mostly from Schofield Barracks.

The loss of these soldiers and their families would reduce our Central Oahu population by approximately 38 percent and eliminate more than $1 billion from our economy. Other communities on the Mainland facing similar cuts are engaging in an active campaign to keep their soldiers at home, and our local campaign needs to catch up. To sign the petition, learn more and help spread the word, visit keephawaiisheroes.org.

As always, we’ll continue to keep you updated on events and issues impacting our community via email, mail and our website.

Contact state Rep. Beth Fukumoto Chang at repfukumoto@capitol.hawaii.gov or call her office at 586-9460.

Julia Estrella has much to say about the condition of the world and of our own health, and she did so in her hometown Oct. 25 to launch her memoir, Being Local in Hawai’i: Talking Story with Julia of Wahiawa.

The book launch/talk story was held at Wahiawa Botanical Garden and sponsored by Wahiawa Historical Society. By design, the program encouraged writing by Leilehua High School juniors and seniors, who submitted essays on a topic of their choice for judging.

Winners of $50 each plus a free Being Local book were Jordan Maddox, Niko Lemalu and Anthony Joseph Castillo. Runners-up were Joanna Largosa, Lovely Janairo, Kimonako Washington and Keola Spencer. Estrella hopes to repeat the contest at her alma mater in the future to stir the pool of budding authors.

“I want to encourage others to write their memoirs,” she said. “Otherwise the memories will be lost.”

A self-described activist, Estrella has proven it many times over the years since graduating from Leilehua in 1958, and on through her studies at UH Manoa, Claremont School of Theology and UC Berkeley.

Born Keiki Matsui Higa in 1940 at her family home in Wahiawa, Estrella said she wanted to honor her Okinawan/Nisei heritage by using her birth name for authorship. She’s the widow of Roger Estrella and has a grown son, Robert, who works as a photographer at Disney’s Aulani resort.

As the Leilehua essay writers read through the 252 pages of Being Local, they will find a wealth of stories about Estrella’s protests of social, economic and racial injustices, from here to Cuban villages and the slums of Nairobi.

“I even got arrested at Honolulu city hall following our 40 days of rain (in 2006) — when the homeless had nowhere to go,” Estrella said proudly.

A sampling from the book of her early years: dashing for the family bomb shelter as a kamikaze pilot spiraled to a crash a block away from their Kuahiwi Street house; reporting before dawn to her Japanese language class behind the Top Hat bar; helping her mother raise dahlias for the fallen soldiers during WW2; stabbing future Hawaii Chief Justice Ron Moon in the wrist with her pencil in sixth grade.

Estrella is a lifelong learner who’s not slowing down. She has both worked and volunteered for missions of the Methodist, Bahai, Buddhist and Congrega-tional faiths.

Her latest and strongest passion now is to reinvent health care, eat healthy and, of course, talk and write about it for others.

‘Olelo Channel 53 recorded the Wahiawa meeting, and will air it at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7, 4 p.m. Dec. 8, 10:30 a.m. Dec. 10 and 10 a.m. Dec. 14. To order the book or ask about future book-signing talks, visit beinglocalinhawaii.com or call 852-1892.

Habilitat urges Central Oahu residents to purchase a Christmas tree now and fight the meth epidemic at the same time.

The drug rehab center’s annual tree sale will distribute previously ordered, fresh-cut noble, grand and Douglas firs and decorations at locations across the island from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 6, including Mililani Waena Elementary School at 95-502 Kipapa Drive. Trees also will be for sale that day; deadline to order ahead is Nov. 29.

There are a variety of sizes and prices, and orders can be placed online. For details, visit habilitat.org, email give@habilitat.com or call 235-3691.

All proceeds go to the adult substance abuse program, a self-supporting facility that trains addicts in job skills as they go through rehabilitation from alcohol and drug abuse, especially “ice.”

More than 100 residents at a time undergo the program, which is headquartered in Kaneohe.

The Christmas tree fundraiser is now in its 40th year and is a major boost to Habilitat’s tuition fund and operating budget.

Retail tree lots also will open this Saturday at Stadium Mall (by Ice Palace) and McKinley High School adult school (off Pensacola Street).

Aircrews assigned to the 25th Aviation Regiment at Wheeler Army Air Field provided air assault support to soldiers Oct. 24 in the Jungle Operations Training Course (JOTC).

Air assaults use helicopters to transport soldiers into an operational area. The exercise allowed the JOTC class to experience the complexities of movement through a jungle environment during their multiple-day, live-fire training exercise.

“Adding the air assault capability to training adds realism needed for the units to understand all the elements that come together in the jungle environment,” said Staff Sgt. Oscar Salmeron, a JOTC instructor.

Training at JOTC includes waterproofing equipment, utilizing field-expedient communication methods, performing jungle-specific medical treatment and conducting jungle patrolling tactics.

“The thing to understand about the jungle is the mobility aspect,” Salmeron explained. “The helicopters facilitate entry and exit points which change the ability of the unit to navigate the jungle better.”

The open nature of JOTC training also provides soldiers and Army aviators with the perk of gaining diverse aviation experience.

“The unit leadership participating in JOTC have the ability to develop their own missions to include deciding how they would like to use aviation support,” said 1st Lt. Caitlin Withenbury. “This benefits us because we never see the same mission twice.”

Mililani’s dominance of the OIA Blue conference on the football field this fall was not lost on opposing coaches when they gathered to vote on the league’s All-Star teams.

As on the field, the Trojans dominated on the All-Star lists with a league-best nine First Team picks. Six of its First Team All-Stars came from the offensive side of the ball, led by Offensive Player of the Year McKenzie Milton.

The Trojans’ junior quarterback lived up to all preseason hype, throwing for 2,918 yards and 28 touchdowns through their first 11 games. He also rushed for 764 yards and 12 scores.

Joining Milton from Mililani on the Blue’s First Team Offense were running back Vavae Malepeai, wide receiver Kalakaua Timoteo and linemen Jordan Agasiva, Andru Tovi and Derrick Fetui-Suapaia.

Malepeai rushed for 1,155 yards and 23 touchdowns through his first 11 games, while Timoteo led Mililani in catches (48), yards (871) and touchdown receptions (seven).

Teammate Bronson Ramos made the Second Team as a wide receiver.

As a unit, the Mililani offense topped the 40-point plateau in all but two of its first 12 games.

Mililani went 7-0 in the Blue and defeated Kaiser (54-14), Campbell (42-15) and Kahuku (20-7) to win its second straight OIA Title. The Trojans were to meet Punahou in the Division I state championship game last Friday.

Lineman Rex Manu led the way for Mililani, winning Defensive Player of the Year honors. Teammates Kaimana Padello and Tielu Mamea also were named to the Defensive First Team as a lineman and safety, respectively. Defensive back Ty Apana-Purcell was named to the Second Team.

Mililani’s Rod York was voted the Blue’s Coach of the Year by his peers.

* Just as Mililani cleaned up on individual honors in the Blue, neighboring Leilehua was well-represented on the OIA Red All-Conference lists, led by Offensive Player of the Year Ikaika Piceno.

Piceno made the First Team as both a running back and a utility player. He was the Mules’ leading rusher and scored seven touchdowns on the year.

In addition to Piceno, Leilehua had six players — quarterback Kalanimoku Pauole, wide receiver Toma Savea, wide receiver Tyreek Keough, defensive back Deshaun Osborne and offensive linemen Sifa Hufanga and Soakimi Hufanga — earn First Team Honors in the Red.

The Mules also had five players named to the Red’s Second Team, including offensive lineman Netane Muti, linebacker AJ Gainwell, defensive back Charles Watson and defensive linemen Allan Lagaaia and Soga Eli.

In the OIA White Conference, Mila Lele was selected to the First Team Offense as a utility player.

* Waialua Bulldog team-mates Kaimi Kamai (offensive line), Kapono Kamai (offensive line), Aaron Nunez (defensive line) and Thomas Pule (line-backer) were named to the White’s Second Team.

jackster.1969@yahoo.com

Progress hasn’t shown up in the win-loss column for the Waialua girls basketball team the last couple of years, but the Bulldogs are beginning to see the light, according to head coach Virgilio Basilio.

“We’re kind of optimistic and eager to see how they’ll perform this year,’ said Basilio. “We’re looking at being better than last year.”

Basilio took over last year in the midst of a major rebuilding job, which had begun a year earlier under Michael Moon.

The Bulldogs, who were winless in 2013-14, had been without a girls basketball team for two seasons before Moon restarted the program.

Before taking on his latest challenge, Basilio spent 15 seasons with the Waialua boys program, including the last eight as head varsity coach. He also was an assistant coach for the Waialua football program.

This year, Basilio will rely on a corps of veterans highlighted by juniors Kaedy Hatchett, Kiana Paakaula-Reis, Kayla Kapika and Alaina Bayudan.

Hatchett proved a huge addition to the Bulldogs last season after transferring from Oklahoma.

“She’s our point guard and ball-handler — we’ll look to her to run the team on the court as she did last year. She brings an understanding to what we’re trying to do.”

The loss of junior center Gabriella Delgado to a volleyball injury undermined some momentum from pre-season camp, but Basilio remains optimistic about his team’s prospects in the post.

“Kayla will probably be our starting post with Gabby out,” Basilio said. “I like her and Kiani’s leadership. They bring a lot in helping the rest of the team.”

Paakaula-Reis, meanwhile, will hold down a spot in the back court alongside Hatchett. “Kiani will be one of our shooters — we’ll also depend on her for leadership and ball-handling.”

Bayudan will be one of the Bulldogs’ more versatile players, according to Basilio. “She can play the 2 (position), the 3 or the 4 spot. She’s one of our most improved players from last year, as far as understanding the game.”

Although the program is finding solid ground, numbers have still been an issue. “We’re small in numbers with 11 on paper; most of the time, we’ve only had eight or nine at practice, but they are more understanding of the system (this year).”

Waialua will host Hanalani at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2 in its first preseason game. A preseason game with Le Jardin is also scheduled for Dec. 11 at home. Waialua’s OIA West opener is set for Dec. 20 at home against Leilehua.

jackster.1969@yahoo.com

Email event items to cchang@midweek.com by Dec. 3 for the Dec. 10 edition.

* NEIGHBORS North Shore meets at 7 p.m. Nov. 25 at Waialua Elementary cafeteria, and Mililani-Waipio-Melemanu meets at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 26 at Mililani Rec Center 3. These and all other area boards will recess in December. Call 768-3710.

* VETS ON TV ‘Olelo Channel 53 broadcasts the Wahiawa Veterans Day Parade at 9 a.m. Nov. 27, 6 p.m. Nov. 30, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 1 and 8 a.m. Dec. 2. Call Angela at 392-6942.

* BLOOD DRIVES Hawaii Blood Bank has donor drives from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 28 at Wahiawa General Hospital, and 7-11:45 a.m. Dec. 6 and 24 at Mililani Town Center. Call 848-4770.

* BENEFIT SALE Mililani 10-s Kidz tennis team has its benefit garage sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 29 at Mililani High School to support its league play. Call 371-4007.

* ART WALK Haleiwa Art Walk runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 29 in Haleiwa town, featuring sales and activities from dozens of merchants. Call 637-4558.

* BEACH CLEANUP Save the Sea Turtles and Adopt a Beach Hawaii have a beach cleanup at 10 a.m. Nov. 29 on the North Shore. Call 637-2211.

* WINTER FAIR Hawaii Okinawa Center has a winter craft fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 29 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 30 at 94-587 Ukee St. The event welcomes non-perishable food for Hawaii Foodbank. Call 676-5400.

* CHAMBER PARTY North Shore Chamber of Commerce has its annual Christmas party at 6 p.m. Dec. 3 at Waimea Valley’s Pikake Pavilion. Call 637-4558.

* READERS Waialua Library’s readers group meets at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 4 to discuss Homer’s The Odyssey. Call 637-8286.

* SANTA PARADE Wahiawa Community and Business Association has its Wahiawa Town Santa Parade at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5, moving down California Avenue from Ka’ala Elementary to Center Street. Call 348-2238.

* ST. MICHAEL’S St. Michael’s School has is Holiday Extravaganza from 4 to 9 p.m. Dec. 5 with food, gifts, sweets, crafts, a silent auction and more. Call 637-7772, ext. 215.

* FOOD BANK Waialua Community Association hosts a benefit for the North Shore Food Bank from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 in the gym with food, gifts, jewelry and more. Call 637-3138.

* BANDSTANDWaialua Bandstand has a Bluegrass Special with music by North Shore Ramblers and Sam and the Sumo Ninjaz at 4 p.m. Dec. 7. Call 637-9721.

* MILILANI MARCH Mililani’s Christmas parade begins at 9 a.m. Dec. 6 at Mililani High, goes past Mililani Shopping Center and ends at Mililani Town

Center. Both centers plan holiday festivities around the parade. Call 722-6467.

* WRITERS Waialua Library’s writers group meets at 11 a.m. Dec. 6 to share childhood stories. Call 637-8286.

* CRAFTERS Waialua Library’s new crafters group meets at 11 a.m. Dec. 6 to share projects, tips and techniques. Call 637-8286.

* MISSION CRAFTS Wahiawa Ryusenji Fujinkai has its craft fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 6 at Soto Mission at 164 California Ave. Call 622-1429.

* CHURCH TEA Wahiawa United Methodist Church serves “A Christmas Tea” at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 and 11:30 a.m. Dec. 7 Donation is $20. Call 622-4361.

Send Windward items to cchang@midweek.com by Dec. 3 to be considered for the Dec. 10 edition.

Wednesday December 3

Castle tree lighting Castle Medical Center presents its 30th annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and festivities beginning at 6:15 p.m. with a concert by Marine Forces Pacific Band, the tree lighting at 7, followed by trolley rides, Santa photos, keiki activities, cookies, popcorn and drinks and a holiday concert at 7:30 by award-winning singer Nathan Aweau. Dawn O’Brien is emcee. Call 263-5400.

Wreaths Kaneohe Community Park and the district’s Parent Community Networking centers present wreath-making workshops from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at 45-529 Keaahala Road. Fee is $5. If possible, bring a straw wreath base, shears, evergreens, leaves, berries and other material to make your wreath or other arrangements. Call Sean at 233-7330 or Rosey at 233-5727, ext. 247.

Kaneohe book sale Friends of Kaneohe Library offers half-off prices in December on all Christmas/holiday books, CDs and DVDs in the library basement bookstore. Hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and 6-7:45 p.m. today, 1-3 p.m. Fridays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays and 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays. Volunteers to sort and shelve donated items are welcome anytime. Call 247-4819.

AA meetings Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 6:30 and 8 tonight, and at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Windward Unity Church, 46-005 Kawa St. Suite 303. Call 262-6731.

A Course in Miracles Alan Lemiux and Gloria Corea lead this new group meeting at 11:30 a.m. at Windward Unity Church, 46-005 Kawa St., Suite 303. Call 262-6731.

Thursday December 4

Caregivers Ko‘olau Caregiver Foundation leads a support group at 7 p.m. (first Thursday of each month) at First Presbyterian Church at Ko‘olau. Call 625-3782.

All about fishponds Paepae o He‘eia hosts an “Evening Launa” from 5 to 7 p.m. to share and learn about the scientific research happening at He‘eia Fishpond, along with light refreshments and drinks. RSVP to 236-6178 or email admin@paepaeoheeia.org.

Blood drives Hawaii Blood Bank has donor drives from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today at Kalaheo High library, and 9 a.m.-4:15 p.m. today and Friday at BYU-Hawaii ballroom. Call 848-4770.

Kailua music Singer/songwriter Gigi Love entertains at 6 p.m. today and Dec. 17 at The Grove on Aulike Street, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Lanikai Craft Faire. Call 291-6771.

Board meetings Kailua Neighborhood Board meets at 7 p.m. at Kailua District Park, Kahaluu at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at KEY Project, Ko‘olauloa at 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at Hauula Community Center, and Kaneohe at 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at Ben Parker Elementary cafeteria. Waimanalo is in recess for December. Call 768-3710.

Castle Birthing Class Giving Birth: The Castle Experience, a four-session class for expecting parents at Castle Medical Center, starts from 6 to 8 p.m. today. Cost is $45 per person, $80 for couples. There is an additonal class Sundays at 2 pm. beginning Dec. 7. Call 263-5400 to register.

Friday December 5

Lanikai “bus” Lanikai Elementary School’s Walking School Bus travels from 7:20 to 7:40 a.m. today, with students either walking or biking together from Kailua Beach Park to school. The traffic-safety promotion will repeat Feb. 6, March 6 and May 1. Call 266-7844.

Fantasy arts WCC’s Gallery ‘Iolani hosts its Christmas Fantasy Art and Craft Sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Sunday in Hale Palanakila. Call 235-1218.

Haiku music Johnna Padeken entertains from 8:30 to 10:30 tonight at Haleiwa Joe’s on Haiku Road. Next up: Kona Chang Dec. 12, and Kapana Trio Dec. 19. Call 247-6671.

Saturday December 6

Poinsettias, crafts St. John Vianney Parish has its Holiday Craft Fair and Poinsettia Sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 920 Keolu Drive to benefit the student travel fund. Email dsousa@sjvkailua.org.

Holiday bazaar Retiring crafter Josi Kona Han conducts a final sale of all her craft room supplies and inventory in a holiday bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 45-440 Koa Kahiko St. (behind Windward City Shopping Center). Items range from completed crafts and vintage doilies to purses, how-to kits, crochet hooks and ribbon. Call 247-4267.

Aikahi recycling Aikahi Elementary School conducts an Aloha ‘Aina recycling drive from 9 a.m. to noon, accepting all kinds of items from scrap metal, appliances and computers to cardboard. Call 254-7944 or visit kokuahawaiifoundation.org.

Kawainui ponds Wildlife biologist James Cogswell leads volunteers in a monthly workday from 9 a.m. to noon at the marsh’s restoration ponds. Call 266-0911 or email james.m.cogswell@hawaii.gov.

Kaneohe parade, block party The annual Kaneohe Christmas Parade begins at 9 a.m., moving from Windward Mall to Castle High School, followed by block party from 1 to 9 p.m. on Mehana and Kawa streets by the mall (behind Zippy’s). The 2014 theme is “Celebrate Christmas in Kaneohe’s Country.” Call the parade committee at 348-2749 or 450-5140.

Lanikai crafts The annual Lanikai Craft Faire is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lanikai Park with dozens of vendors offering art, homemade gifts, a bake sale and more. Call 262-4455 or 554-7752.

Baseball signups Windward PONY Baseball registers players ages 5-14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and Dec. 13 at Enchanted Lake Elementary School. Bring proof of birth and health coverage. Call 389-8595 or email windwardpony@gmail.com.

Sunday December 7

Softball at Aikahi Kainalu Little League hosts softball games among 12 high school teams from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Sunday through Jan. 25 at Aikahi Community Playground’s baseball fields. KLL wants to “encourage young kids to participate in the sport.” Call John at 295-4426.

Hanauma talks Hanauma Nature Preserve has free public lectures by UH graduate students at 3 p.m. in the park theater on “Reef Corals and the Threat of Global Climate Change.” Parking costs $1. Call 397-5840.

Book Sale Friends of Kaneohe Library has a special book sale, “A Taste of KLF,” in the library lobby from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., where you also can sign up as a bookstore volunteer. Call 247-4819.

Tuesday December 9

St. Nick pets Santa invites pets (leashed or in a cage) to pose with him for photos at Windward Mall from 6 to 9 p.m. today and Dec. 16 at center court. Call 235-1143.

Winter Piano Concert Paliku Theatre presents festive holiday music by students in the WCC Piano Program under the direction of So Jin Kimura at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Call 235-7310.

Infant Safety Castle Medical Center offers this session from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for parents, grandparents and other nonprofessional childcare providers. Call 263-5400 or go to castlemed.org to register.

Upcoming

Stargazing Hokulani Imaginarium at WCC will present “Stargazing” at 7 p.m. Dec. 10, and “Season of Light” at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19, and 10 a.m. Dec. 13. Admission is $7, $6 and $5. Call 235-7433.

College aid Kalaheo High School will host a financial aid night for seniors and parents at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10 in the school library. Financial aid officers from Windward Community College will discuss the FAFSA form and other means to obtain college funds. Call 254-7900.

Bariatric surgery Dr. Steven Fowler and colleagues will conduct a free seminar on weight-loss surgery at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at Castle Medical Center’s wellness auditorium. Register in advance at 263-5400.

Plastic surgery talk Plastic surgeon Boa Phan will discuss “The Mommy Makeover” at 6 p.m. Dec. 11 in a free seminar at Castle Medical Center’s wellness auditorium. Call 263-5400 or visit castlemed.org.

Blood drives Hawaii Blood Bank will have donor drives from 11:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 11 at Castle Medical Center, 4-7 p.m. Dec. 11 at Kailua Town Center, and 7 a.m.-noon Dec. 13 at Kaneohe Bay Shopping Center. Call 848-4770.

College pot sale The WCC Ceramics Club will have its annual Christmas Pottery Sale from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Hale Palanikila Ceramics Studio, featuring communityand student-made mugs, bowls, vases, planters and more. Call 235-7323.

Season of Light Hokulani Imaginarium will present its holiday show, “Season of Light,” at 7 p.m. Dec. 12, 10 a.m. Dec. 13 and 7 p.m. Dec. 19 on the WCC campus. The show features winter’s brightest celebrations, the seasons, and the origins of world customs from Christmas trees to the Hanukkah menorah. Tickets cost $7, $6 and $5. Call 236-9111 or 235-7433.

Laulima day Windward Mall and KHON2 will sponsor Laulima Giving Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 13 at center court, offering a drop-off site for gifts for needy families, plus live entertainment. Call 235-1143.

Lauren Fonseca-Fiddler received the grand prize of a $2,000 gift certificate for United Airlines in Battleship Missouri Memorial’s nationwide Facebook contest. At the center of the ‘Ship it Forward’ contest was its eye-catching new ‘Battle-head’ headgear, designed in the shape of the Mighty Mo. Photo from Battleship Missouri Memorial.

It was a Battlehead that ultimately deemed Lauren Fonseca-Fiddler grand-prize winner of Battleship Missouri Memorial’s “Ship it Forward” Facebook contest.

Open to the entire nation, a “Battlehead ambassador” in each state received a complimentary Battlehead — much like a Cheesehead, only more appropriately in the shape of the Mighty Mo. To enter, contestants were asked to take a photo at a historic location in their hometown wearing the Battlehead, before posting it to the Missouri’s Facebook page with #shipitforward and a hashtag of their own state.

Then, ambassadors were asked to “ship it forward” by sharing their Battlehead with friends and family to encourage others to enter the contest. All contestants from the state with the largest number of entries became eligible to win the grand prize in a random drawing.

“Pearl Harbor and the USS Missouri will always hold a special place in the hearts of people throughout the nation,” said Jaclyn Hawse, director of communications and business development with Battleship Missouri Memorial.

“We wanted to inspire participants in this friendly competition so they could have the opportunity to show the pride they have for their hometown and country.”

Fonseca-Fiddler took her winning photo at the Brewseum in Kakaako. The bar, known for its collection of military memorabilia, had a Battlehead and was encouraging its customers to participate in the contest.

“It was the perfect place to take the photo, being surrounded by a museum full of historic military gear,” she said.

As grand prize winner, Fonseca-Fiddler has received a $2,000 United Airlines gift certificate. With it, she and husband Kawika Fiddler hope to travel to Europe.

“I’ve love to visit Ireland because of its natural beauty and seclusion,” she said. “The history, the culture and landscape are all so beautiful, and I’ve always wanted to experience it.”

Fonseca-Fiddler has long been a patron to the Missouri, and the contest also stirred personal memories.

“I remember exploring the Mighty Mo on field trips as a student at Kamehameha Schools,” she recalled. “It was such an emotional and moving visit. I’m so grateful for the experience they provided me with as a student, and now, for the experience to come in the future thanks to the organization’s generosity.”

Though the Missouri does not have any immediate plans to repeat this contest, it is designing other social media competitions.

Battleship Missouri Memorial opened in 1999 and has since welcome more than 6 million visitors from around the world.

“Our mission as the USS Missouri Memorial Association is to preserve the Battleship Missouri and to share her story and place in history,” explained Hawse. “As the caretaker for America’s last battleship, we are truly thankful and touched by the support and enthusiasm our fans show each day.”

The public is invited to commemorate those who lost their lives during the World War II attacks this weekend.

Here is a list of events:

• Hawaii Pops honors USS Arizona’s Band 22 at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor.

The group will perform selections that were popular Dec. 6, 1941, as well as other tunes from the era.

Tickets cost $45 general admission and $95 for table seating, and can be purchased online at hawaiipops.com or by phone at 550-8457.

• Destinations & Dreams, the organization’s eighth-anniversary dinner gala, takes place from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Dec. 6 in the battlefield hangars at Ford Island.

Special guest Capt. Chelsey B. Sullenberger will speak, and Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor’s honoree of the evening will be chairman of the board Adm. Ronald J. Hays.

Guests also can expect cocktails, dinner, entertainment and prize opportunities.

Gala tickets cost $250 and help support the museum’s restoration and education programs.

Sponsor tables, ticket sales and more information are available online at pacificaviationmuseum.org.

• Dec. 7 marks the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and Pacific Aviation Museum will host a blackened canteen ceremony hosted by Dr. Hiroya Sugano, director general of Zero Fighters Admirer’s Club.

At 11:30 a.m., Sugano will conduct a commemoration of peace and reconciliation ceremony with a silent prayer and by pouring bourbon whiskey from a WWII-blackened canteen into the water from the USS Arizona Memorial.

Call 441-1006 for more information.

• A remembrance ceremony is slated for 7:55-9 a.m. Dec. 7 at the Atterbury Circle historic flag pole on Hickam Field, where the 15th Wing will honor the 189 killed and 303 wounded during the attacks.

Base access is required for this event, and those in attendance must by in place by 7:15 a.m.

Later in the day, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., the National Park Service hosts a remembrance day for those who served aboard USS Oklahoma, which is now based on Ford Island.

The event is free, and shuttles run every 15 minutes. For more information, visit pacifichistoricparks.org.

Celebrate Christmas early this year at Kroc Center Hawaii’s A Touch of Christmas, taking place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at 91-3257 Kualakai Pkwy. in Kapolei.

Families can create their own gingerbread houses, enjoy “reindeer” rides, see a live nativity scene, partake in family crafts, say “cheese” in a festive photo booth and more.

Admission is free, and food will be available for purchase.

Call 682-5505 or visit KrocCenterHawaii.org for more information.

Olelo channel 53 hosts “The Sovereignty Conversation: Community Forums” as part of its November programming.

The discussion features Francis A. Boyle, a lawyer from the Midwest OHA invited for the last Kamau a Ea meeting.

He discusses his new book Restoring the Kingdom of Hawai‘i, The Kanaka Maoli Route to Independence during the interview with hosts Poka Laenui and Makakilo’s Kioni Dudley, and special guest Dr. Kuhio Vogeler. The group will expand Boyle’s concepts to include non-Hawaiian nationals, as well as other possibilities for a nation other than a kingdom.

Show dates for the lively discussion are Dec. 6 and 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Programs also can be viewed online at TheSovereigntyConversatio n.org or olelo.org/olelo53.