It’s been just over a month since Aina Haina’s Holy Nativity School installed a Buddy Bench on its campus, but it takes less than a minute for the bench to work its magic with students.

How it works is pretty simple, according to Caden Lombard, a Hawaii Kai resident and the Holy Nativity fifth-grader who spearheaded the effort to install the program at the school.

“You have a bench on the playground,” he explained, “and whenever a kid is feeling sad, lonely or doesn’t have anything to do at recess, you can go sit on the Buddy Bench. Then someone else will go over to him and ask him to play.

“I’ve seen a lot of kids using it,” Lombard added. “They’re not even there for a minute before someone asks them to play.”

Holy Nativity School’s fifth-grade class gathers around Christian Bucks (seated, left) and their classmate Caden Lombard, who partnered up to bring Bucks’ Buddy Bench to the Aina Haina school. Photo from Kelly Goheen.

Buddy Bench was started by Christian Bucks of Pennsylvania at Roundtown Elementary School, and the concept has been spreading across the Mainland. When Lombard heard about Buddy Bench, he decided it’d be cool to have one at his school, too.

Head of school Tim Spurrier agrees that it has been an excellent match for Holy Nativity, which focuses on character education as a curriculum pillar. “It really sets a different tone for the entire school,” he said. “We’re seeing a lot of positives.”

Bucks and his mother visited in November for the dedication of Buddy Bench at Holy Nativity, and the school will be making fliers after Christmas break to inform and remind both new and old students of the bench rules every quarter.

Spurrier is excited to see Buddy Bench spread beyond the school grounds. “When Caden brought it to me, we talked about it, and we want to make sure it gets out to all the different schools,” he said, noting that Island Pacific Academy in Kapolei has already expressed interest to him in starting its own Buddy Bench program.

“Buddy Bench went along so well with what we do,” Spurrier said. “We’d love to get some of the public schools involved, too.”

The International Brotherhood of Magicians, Honolulu chapter, presents a full feast of “Holiday Magic” Dec. 26 at Kaimuki High School auditorium.

The annual public show starts with strolling magic at 6 p.m. and the stage show at 7, featuring Hawaii’s top magicians, such as illusionists Alan Arita and Kelvin Chun, juggler Greg Gabaylo, sleight-of-hand guru Curtis Kam, teen magician Michael Ajimura, escape artist Aaron Vermeer, the unpredictable Mr. O, junior magician Ryder Young and female “visual” magician Fanny Kwan.

Comedy and variety acts as well as up-and-coming new talent round out the program.

“I love performing this show,” said Chun. “I have the best seat in the house because I get to see all of the kids’ faces as they smile in amazement and laugh hysterically.”

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 10 years old. There’s first-come seating and open parking. For tickets, call Richard Bautista at 216-9672.

Keeley York has been part of a lot of big wins in her Kalaheo soccer career, but she hopes the biggest are yet to come, now that the Mustangs have been promoted to Division I.

“I can’t believe I’m almost done,” said York, a senior attacker. She’s been a starter for the Mustangs and coach Alan Heu since her freshman year. Last year she was a key player during Kalaheo’s run to the OIA White championship, earning Second Team All-Conference hon-ors. The team also made a second straight appearance in the DII state tournament and earned a promotion to DI for this season.

Kalaheo’s schedule out of the gate was among the toughest in the OIA East, with Kaiser (a 5-0 loss) and Moanalua (a 3-0 loss) as its first two opponents.

“I thought the first games would definitely be the hardest, but we’ve hung in there,” said York.

She and the team hope to take care of business on a current four-game home stand that began against Kailua last Saturday. This Saturday, the Mustangs host Kalani at 2 p.m. in a key league contest. Home dates with Farrington Jan. 7 and McKinley Jan. 10 will follow.

Kalaheo closes out its East season with three straight road games against Kahuku Jan. 14, Kaimuki Jan. 17 and Castle Jan. 21.

York recently took some time to visit with MidWeek‘s Windward Islander.

What is your earliest sports-related memory? I was 4 when I began (playing soccer). My dad (Tim) had played semipro, so soccer kind of runs in the family. I was so young. I did well in the beginning, but as I grew tall, it was hard. From 11 to 14 was a pretty difficult time (coordination-wise).

Who’s had the biggest impact on your life? My dad. He’s always pushed me to be a better player. He’s been my club coach (with Lanikai) for almost the whole time I’ve played. He’s a hard worker, and that was passed down to me.

What area of your game did you focus on during the off-season? It wasn’t so much about improving skills, but having a better sense of how the game is played.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned through athletics? It’s going to sound cliché, but to never give up.

Who is Kalaheo’s best “practice player” — the girl who puts out the best

effort every day? My sister, Mia. She’s a sophomore sweeper. She’s a hard worker and a real good overall player.

What Internet site do you frequent the most? Probably Google. I’m always Googling things. I like to know the answer to things.

What is your least favorite household chore? Doing the dishes.

What movie could you watch over and over? Sixteen Candles.

Who are three of your favorite musical artists?

Taylor Swift, Adam Levine and Cake.

When you have free time, how do you like to spend it? I like to go to the beach and hike with my friends.

You’re stuck on Kaho‘olawe and can have an endless supply of just one food. What would it be? Strawberries.

If you had your pick, what celebrity would you most like to meet? (Professional soccer player) Cristiano Ronaldo.

jackster.1969@ yahoo.com

When it comes to OIA post-season Division I basketball tournaments, Windward schools practically can sign their own figure to the conference checkbook, having produced all but one of the league’s champions since the OIA separated into divisions in 2008. They also have won the last six OIA DII titles and six of eight overall.

Farrington head coach Allan Silva is well-aware of the history, but expects there to be more parity than before this winter throughout the league.

“There are some really good teams in the West this year, like Mililani and Campbell,” said Silva, whose team once again is in the discussion of elite OIA teams, joining Kalaheo and Kahuku.

The outcome of Farrington’s upcoming games with Windward schools could go a long way in determining the fate of its season. A longtime Windward resident, Silva starred for Kailua in the mid-’70s before moving on to play for Chaminade.

Windward fans had their first look at Silva’s current team last week when the Governors played in Kalaheo’s Pete Smith Classic. (Silva and Smith grew up on the same block of Hualani Street.)

“Pete had a big effect on my life, so when Alika called me up and invited us, I told him it would be an honor,” Silva said. “Pete was a few years older than me and an all-star basketball player. When he would come home from college on breaks, he would come to Kailua and he would work with me. He was a great technician on offensive moves.”

In addition to coaching against Alika Smith, Pete’s son and Kalaheo’s current coach, Silva also will coach against first-year Kahuku head coach Alan Akina, who is the son of Hiram Akina, longtime area coach who won OIA boys titles at both Mililani and Kahuku.

“Playing (Windward teams) makes it enjoyable, but it’s also very competitive,” Silva admitted. “I know these coaches as friends. I used to play against Hiram when he was at BYUH and I was at Chaminade. Alan is picking up right where Hiram left off.”

Now in his 11th season with Farrington, Silva saw his teams win DII state titles at the school in 2008 and 2011. The Govs now are defending OIA Red champion and state runner-up after losing a close one to Iolani in the DI title game.

This preseason, Farrington took a 7-1 record into the end of last week. Highlights to date include wins over Iolani 66-57 Dec. 11 and Punahou 61-53 Dec. 6. The Governors’ only loss to date came to the same Punahou team 68-50 Dec. 13.

“Halfway through preseason, we’re at a pretty good point,” he said. “We’re making some good progress. Defense will be our key. Offense wins games, but defense wins championships. That cliché is very real, even in basketball today.”

In addition to the Pete Smith Classic, Farrington also will take part in the Punahou Tournament over the Christmas holidays, their fourth preseason tourney of 2014.

“We’ll play 17 preseason games all together. We used to play five tournaments, but that is too much. We need practice time with this team.”

Farrington plays its first two OIA East games against Windward schools: a road game at Kahuku Jan. 3 and home game against Kailua Jan. 7. Farrington also hosts Kalaheo Jan. 21 and Castle Feb. 4 in much-anticipated games.

jackster.1969@yahoo.com

Harper Lee’s famous novel To Kill a Mockingbird takes the stage Jan. 30-Feb. 16 at Diamond Head Theatre.

The Christopher Sergel adaptation is loyal to its source material: Six-year-old Scout Finch lives with her brother Jem and lawyer father Atticus in a small town in Alabama in the 1930s. Life is idyllic until Atticus is asked to defend Tom Robinson, a black man who is accused of raping a white woman.

Showtime is 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, and 4 p.m. Sundays. There will be additional 3 p.m. performances Feb. 7 and 13, and a special “talk back” session after the play Feb. 8 with cast and crew.

Tickets cost $15 to $35 and should be purchased early, as seats sell out fast. For more information or reservations, visit diamondheadtheatre.com.

Six students from Kaiser and Kalani high schools took top honors at Aloha Harvest’s third annual Compassion Arts Competition for their works in sculpture, photography and poetry.

Aloha Harvest, a Kaimuki-based nonprofit, sponsored the art contest as a way to bring awareness to its mission of providing food to those in need. The 11 winning pieces were displayed at The ARTS at Marks Garage this fall, selected from entries by more than 100 students from 16 schools that participated in the competition.

Kaiser High’s Ethan Frank took first place in the Digital Photo category with an image of a houseless man lying on a bench, titled, “Is it Too Hard to Help Another Person?” Fellow Cougar Talia McNamara took first in the Poetry division for her entry, “The Gift.”

Kalani High School swept the Sculpture category, with Jacob Ball, Traci Urata and Dezzi Synan taking first, second and third place, respectively. Ball’s sculpture, “Human,” depicts a homeless man reaching out toward an oblivious businessman, while Urata’s “Hope” is a damaged heart. Synan’s “(Not) a Reflection” rounds out the trio of winners.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz has announced his choice of 15 Hawaii teens for his 2015 Seniors Internship Program, based out of his Honolulu office.

The list includes Kaiser High senior Sharissa Miyasato, the only public school intern from the Honolulu District, and Niu Valley resident Aina Katsikas of Sacred Hearts Academy. The girls join seven other public school seniors and six from private schools throughout the state. They were selected based on community involvement, diversity of interests and demonstrated leadership qualities. (Katsikas has voiced a desire to run for president in 2048.)

“Our Schatz Seniors are some of the most active and community-engaged high school students in our state,” Schatz said. “I look forward to working with this year’s class as they continue to develop useful civic leadership skills that they can apply in their schools and communities.”

While working with the senator’s outreach staff here, the new interns will attend and assist at special events co-hosted by Schatz and must maintain a 2.0 grade-point average.

For details on the next internship program, principals and counselors may call 523-2061 or visit schatz.senate.gov.

Improvements continue to be made to Diamond Head State Monument and its surrounding infrastructure, as the state broke ground on the second phase of Fort Ruger Pathway this fall.

Located next to Diamond Head and Monsarrat Drive, the pathway is a multi-use walking and cycling path that will terminate at Diamond Head Road and 22nd Avenue. Phase 2, which will cost $1.15 million, involves finishing the path, as well as installing irrigation systems and landscaping the area with native plants. Work should be completed by the end of next March.

Phase 1 renovated the road between the old Cannon Club site near Wauke Street and the American Red Cross building, at a cost of $1.37 million.

The state’s envisioned pathway will stretch over 12 acres and serve as an aesthetically pleasing recreational site and historical tribute to the former Fort Ruger Military Reservation, complementing the 475-acre Diamond Head State Monument site, which receives more than 900,000 visitors annually.

For more information, call 587-0300.

If you want to make a difference in your community, here’s a good way to start.

Oahu residents who are at least 18 years old or will be by Feb. 20, 2015, can file to run for a seat on their respective neighborhood board.

Candidates can apply online at honolulu.gov/nco. Registration forms also are available at the City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office at Honolulu Hale, Room 406, or by calling 768-3717. Deadline to apply is Feb. 20, 2015, and mailed forms must be postmarked by that date. It also is the deadline to register to vote in the neighborhood board elections; residents who voted in either the primary or the general election automatically are registered.

Voting begins April 21 and ends May 15. Each member serves a two-year term.

The Neighborhood Board System is the only government-sponsored civic engagement system in the state.

For more information, go to honolulu.gov/nco.

Send Windward items to cchang@midweek.com by Dec. 24 to be considered for the Dec. 31 edition, or call 529-4850.

Wednesday December 24

Family worship

Emmanuel Episcopal Church on Keolu Drive hosts family worship services at 5 and 8 p.m, followed by a chocolate buffet. At 7:30 p.m. is the singing of hymns and carols. Call 262-4548.

Candlelight service

Windward Unity Church conducts a Christmas Eve candlelight service at 6:30 p.m. at 46-005 Kawa St. Suite 303. Call 262-6731.

Park art

Donna Yanoviak’s “Magic of Creativity” art exhibition is on display now through Dec. 31 at Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden. Call 233-7323.

Thursday December 25

Mele Kalikimaka!

Saturday December 27

Kahaluu hike

Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club leads a 3-mile novice hike to Pu‘u Ma‘eli‘eli in Kahaluu at 8 a.m. Dec. 27. Visit htmclub.org.

Hakipu‘u help

Hui o Ko‘olaupoko volunteers help restore Hakipu‘u Stream from 9 a.m. to noon. Call 277-5611 or email nalani@huihawaii.org.

Blood drive

Hawaii Blood Bank has a donor drive from 7 a.m. to noon at Kaneohe Bay Shopping Center. Call 848-4770.

Sunday December 28

Blood drive

Hawaii Blood Bank has a donor drive from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at St. John Vianney Parish on Keolu Drive. Call 848-4770.

Upcoming

Kaneohe book sale

Friends of Kaneohe Library will conduct a “renovation” sale in January with some items free and the rest at half-off prices in the library basement bookstore. Hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and 6-7:45 p.m. Wednesdays, 1-3 p.m. Fridays, 1-4 p.m. Sundays and 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays. Volunteers to sort and shelve donated items are welcome anytime. (December promotion is for half-off on all holiday books, CDs and DVDs.) Call 247-4819.

Kawainui ponds

Wildlife biologist James Cogswell will lead volunteers in a monthly workday from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 3 at the marsh’s restoration ponds. Call 266-0911 or email james.m.cogswell@hawaii.g ov.

Downton Abbey

A Cup of Tea, the Victorian tea room on Uluniu Street, will celebrate the fifth season of the PBS series Downton Abbey Jan. 3 in two seatings, buffet style: 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m., featuring prizes for best hat or dress, trivia games, keepsakes and a “special guest.” Cost is $35.95 per person. Call 230-8832.

Kailua baseball

Kailua Little League will register players from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 3 and 10, and 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 6 and 8 at Enchanted Lake Elementary School. Visit kailualittle-league.com.

Ko‘olauloa board

Ko‘olauloa Neighborhood Board will meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 8 at Kahuku Community Center, 56-576 Kamehameha Hwy. Call 768-3710.

Lanikai “bus”

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

Ongoing

Farmers market

Hau‘ula Elementary School hosts a farmers market from 8 a.m. to noon on the third Saturday of each month, featuring local produce, crafts, preserves and baked goods. Vendors may register at the office; call 293-8925.

Creative art

Maresa-Ann Hiromoto’s Live Inspired company offers a wide range of Creative Art classes for all ages in Kaneohe, with topics changing weekly. Call 384-2386.

Dental clinic

Waimanalo Health Center offers a dental clinic from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except noon-1 p.m.) weekdays at 41-1347 Kalanianaole Hwy., accepting all new patients and most insurance plans. Call 259-5466.

Mental self-help

United Self-Help sponsors a mental health support group meeting at 5:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday at St. Chris-topher’s Episcopal Church,

93 N. Kainalu Drive, providing a safe environment to share personal concerns. Call 235-2615.

Recovery group

Celebrate Recovery meets from 7 to 9 p.m. each Saturday at Hope Chapel Kaneohe Bay, 45-815 Pookela St. The national, faith-based program and support group helps people with their hurts, habits and hang-ups. Everyone is welcome, and free childcare is available. Call Ernie at 225-7408.

Miracles

Windward Unity Church conducts “A Course in Miracles” at 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays with Alan Lemieux and Gloria Corea at 46-005 Kawa St. #303. Call 262-6731.

AA meetings

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

Mommy & Me hui

Castle Medical Center presents a class for new mothers from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each Friday in the Wellness Center auditorium. The free class is open to all mothers and their infants up to 12 months old, covering a variety of topics with professional educators, plus a fun physical activity each week. Call 263-5400.

Parenting

Hawaii Parents Inc. provides an ongoing, nine-week course in “Confident Parenting” from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturdays at its Kaneohe office at 45-955 Kamehameha Hwy. #403 (the Sprint store building). Call 235-0487 or email kristen@hawaiiparents.org.

Lessons in love, mastery

Windward Unity Church hosts two Thursday courses, complete with books and study groups: “A Course in Love” at 1 p.m., and “The Way of Mastery” at 3 p.m. at 46-005 Kawa St., # 303. Call 262-6731 or email unity@windwardunity.com.

Japanese classes

Nakayoshi Class at Kailua Christian Church offers affordable Japanese language lessons for all ages in small groups at morning and afternoon times at Kailua Christian Church on Manono Street. Call 384-8650, visit nakayoshiclass.com or email info@nakayoshiclass.com.

Kailua book sale

Friends of Kailua Library bookstore is open at the library entrance from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 1- 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Call 392-1824.

Kailua Seniors

Kailua Seniors Club meets from 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays at Kailua District Park for planned activities and fellowship for ages 55 and older. Fee is $15 per year. Call 266-7652.

Pali music

Mel Murata and the Palaka Ohana band entertain from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Fridays at Fatboy’s Fairway Bistro at Pali Golf Club. Call 380-6670.

Breast-feeding class

Waimanalo Health Center has a free series of breastfeeding classes at 9 a.m. Wednesdays in its WIC office. All moms and moms-to-be are welcome. Call Leigh Ziegler at 259-7948.

Hula classes

Ho‘omaika‘i Hula Halau welcomes new students to its Monday and Wednesday classes at KEY Project with kumu hula Shona Lam Ho. Call 728-8960 after 4 p.m.

Alzheimer’s support

An Alzheimer’s support group meets at Castle hospital’s wellness center at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday; and at King Intermediate’s Portable 1 at 10 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month. Call 591-2771.

Park yoga

Carolyn Sawai leads yoga for stress relief at 5:30 p.m. Thursdays at Kaneohe District Park. Fee is $2 per class. Call 381-6380.

Fun and learning

Little People Hawaii has a free keiki session at 11 a.m. Wednesdays at Windward Mall with Aunty Margaret Shimizu, and Party Rock for children (and parents). Goal is fun, laughter and learning. Call 236-1772.

Give it fresh

Windward Unity Church seeks help with Give It Fresh Day after 4:30 p.m. each Thursday at Kailua Night Market. Call 262-6731.

Vegetarian cooking

Down To Earth Kailua offers free vegetarian cooking classes at 4:30 p.m. on the first and fourth Tuesday.

Call 947-3249.

Kaneohe yoga, Zumba

Windward Family Wellness Center and Yoga Studio in Koolau Center has ongoing classes in yoga, tai chi and Zumba, plus tips on healthy eating, weight loss, personal training, chiropractic, acupuncture and massage. For details, call 445-9100.

Mary Jane home

The Kailua-based Mary Jane Home, operated by Catholic Charities for pregnant women 18 and older, offers counseling and daily classes in infant care, childbirth and life skills. Call 261-9776.

Below is a look at some of East Oahu’s memorable 2014 sports stories.

Kaiser upsets Kahuku

An overflow crowd watched the Cougars’ stunning 20-19 upset of previously undefeated Kahuku in week three of the OIA Red season. Kaiser was in its first Division I play in several years after being promoted after its 2013 OIA White title. (The Cougars also were 2013 DII state champion.) The win was the first for Kaiser over Kahuku since 1989, and the fifth game for first-year coach Cameron Higgins, who replaced Rich Miano in the off-season.

Defense forced seven turnovers, two in the fourth quarter. Kaiser finished its season 5-4 overall, including 4-3 in the OIA Red.

Chaminade wins Pac-West, NCAA bid

Chaminade sophomore James Harper, a transfer from DI Houston Baptist, tallied a season-high 31 points, including nine 3-pointers (one short of the school record) to lift fifth-seeded Chaminade to a 99-83 win over Dominican University of California March 8 in the title game of the PacWest tournament in San Diego.

With the win, Chaminade earned back-to-back NCAA appearances for the first time in its history, having received an at-large berth in 2012-13. The Silverswords (19-12) had defeated three higher seeds (No. 4 BYU-Hawaii, No. 1 California Baptist and Dominican) to make the NCAA West Regionals. The team lost a heartbreaker in the regional tourney game 79-78 to top-seeded CSU San Bernardino, ending its 2013-14 season at 19-13.

Head coach Eric Bovaird signed a two-year contract extension in May.

Kaiser softball stands tall in East

Kaiser’s softball team went 11-1 en route to earning the No. 2 seed for the league’s post-season tourney. The Lady Cougars won seven straight at one point, including over Moanalua (its only loss). Losses to Campbell and Leilehua at the OIA tournament ended the Cougars’ bid for a state tournament berth.

Kaiser soccer OIA best

The Kaiser boys soccer team delivered the school its first-ever OIA Red crown Jan. 31, with a 3-1 win over Kalani in the title game, marking the first time since 1996 that two teams from the East made the OIA title game.

Kaiser avenged a loss to Kalani with the win and was coming off an exhausting semifinal win over Mililani the day before. That game stretched to 100 minutes and two overtimes before being decided by penalty kicks.

Kaiser and Kalani both went on to compete at the DI state championships and met one more time in the fifth-place game. The Cougars prevailed 3-2.

Kalani and Kaiser play for hoops title

More than neighborhood bragging rights were on the line when Kaiser and Kalani met in the OIA White championship game at McKinley Feb 6. Avenging a loss to the Falcons only five days earlier, the Cougars stepped up big for a 54-49 victory.

Both teams moved on to the DII boys basketball state championships the following week.

Kaiser’s Tashiro takes cross-country title

Kaiser junior Lisa Tashiro posted a time of 18 minutes, 59.90 seconds to win the girls individual title at the cross country state championships Nov. 1. She beat out Iolani junior Amanda Beaman (19:11.80), who was runner-up.

Competing in her first cross-country season, Tashiro also won the OIA individual title the previous weekend.

Football Falcons make White playoffs

Kalani qualified for the OIA DII playoffs for the second straight year, going 4-4 overall. Coached by Greg Taguchi, the team beat Waialua, Roosevelt, Anuenue and Kaimuki. It battled valiantly in its OIA White playoff game against eventual champion Nanakuli, leading after three quarters before succumbing 20-14.

Kaiser girls team makes state soccer semifinals

Alicia Chang scored on a header in the 46th minute to lift Kaiser over Mililani 1-0 in the OIA girls soccer tournament quarterfinals Jan. 22. The win helped fuel a riveting run for Kaiser, which outlasted Kapolei the following night in a game won on penalty kicks after two scoreless overtimes. The Cougars also played two overtime periods in the OIA title game with Pearl City, eventually succumbing to the Chargers on penalty kicks. Kaiser played in the state tourney, tying Castle for consolation title.

Kalani boys advance to state hoops title game

On the heels of its loss to Kaiser in the OIA finale, the Kalani boys bounced back at the DII state basketball tournament, beating defending DII champion and top-seeded St. Francis and fourth-seeded Kohala to make the title game. Although Hawaii Prep beat them 42-33, Kalani’s runner-up finish was the farthest any Falcon boys basketball team had ever gone before.

Kaiser swim teams win OIA titles

Both the boys and girls teams made it a clean Kaiser sweep Feb. 1, winning OIA swimming and diving titles. It was a second straight OIA title for the girls, and Corrine Shigeta set a new record for the OIA finals in the 100 Breaststroke with a time of 1:04.76.

The boys team delivered the school’s first boys title since 2006, ending a run of seven straight Mililani titles.

Kaiser girls claim OIA track and field title

The girls track and field team edged Campbell by a mere half-point to win the OIA title May 4. Kaiser’s Celine Lum won an individual title in the pole vault and finished third in the 800 meters. Several Cougars finished in the top three in events, including Lina Schell (second in 1,500 meters), Teuila Gardner (third in 400m, second in 800m), Lisa Tashiro (second in 3,000m) and Kristen O’Handley (third in high jump).

jackster.1969@yahoo.com

Ever since 1968, people in Lanikai always know when it’s New Year’s Day, and so it continues at 8 a.m. Jan. 1, 2015, at the community park with a foot race, then the Woes Day Parade at 9.

Style, grace, fun and woes from the past year are on display at the race, followed by the marchers and floats as they meander along Lanikai Loop and return to the park for breakfast, live jazz, awards and a live auction of original art. A breakfast of scrambled eggs, Portuguese sausage, muffins, orange juice and coffee will be prepared by David Smith for a mere $5 per person.

An open invitation has been extended to all groups and clubs who use the park, the loop, the ridge, the bay and the beach. Floats, decorated bikes and pets are welcome, along with a supportive crowd.

For details, call Lee Bell at 497-6546.

Send items by Dec. 31 to cchang@midweek.com for the Jan. 7 edition.

• BOOK SALE The Friends of Hawaii Kai Library offers half price on all cookbooks in December at the basement bookstore. Hours are 12:30-4:30 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, and 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays. Call 397-0515.

• KAHALA MUSIC Award-winning local musician Weldon Kekauoha performs at 2 p.m. Dec. 23 at Kahala Mall center stage; Performing Artist Academy follows at 6 p.m., and complimentary gift wrapping and Santa photos end Dec. 24. Call 732-7736.

• EVE WORSHIP Holy Nativity Church Christmas Eve services start at 5 p.m. Dec. 24 for the keiki pageant, 9 p.m. carols and hymns, and 9:30 p.m. candlelight choral worship with hula and song. Call 373-2131.

• CRATER HIKE Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club leads a 3-mile intermediate hike to Koko Crater at 8 a.m. Jan. 1. Visit htm-club.org.

• BLOOD DRIVES Hawaii Blood Bank has donor drives from 7 to 11 a.m. Jan. 3 at Koko Marina Center and 7-11:30 a.m. Jan. 4 at Kahala Mall. Call 848-4770.

• WARD SUMMITS State Rep. Gene Ward has a coffee summit at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at Zippy’s Koko Marina, and a beer summit at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at Kona Brewing Pub. Call 586-6420.

• FLOOD TIPS Hawaii Kai Strong hosts a public information session on preparing for floods at 7 p.m. Jan. 7 at Kamiloiki Elementary cafeteria. Call 395-5406 or email hawaiikaistrong@yahoo.com.

Come next Monday, the world’s best pro golfers will start swinging at Waialae Country Club, and East Oahu residents will have a ringside seat for the Sony Open.

Fans also can help out as volunteers along the course or in the office for the signature PGA Tour that kicks off the pro season for 2015. The Friends of Hawaii Charities, a nonprofit, all-volunteer group, produces the event for Sony Corp. and considers it the biggest fundraiser of the year for its 100 local nonprofits. About 150 golfers will be here for the event, which runs from Jan. 12 to 18.

Partnering with the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation (which provides matching funds), the Friends are able to raise more than $1 million each year for charity and, according to its own figures, the tournament is broadcast to more than 560 million homes in 200-plus countries and contributes about $100 million in marketing and economic impact to Hawaii.

To offer help as a volunteer, call Friends of Hawaii Charities at 792-9300, email friend@friendsofhawaii.org, or visit friendsofhawaii.org. To watch all the action, tickets at the gate cost $20 per day, or $50 for a season badge that’s good all week. Presale tickets cost $15 online at sonyopeninhawaii.com.

Hawaii State Federal Credit Union and Hawaii Association for College Admission Counseling are planning free workshops on college planning this winter on Oahu, including a Feb. 5 date at Kalani High School.

The program is designed for teens in grades 9-12 and their families and will include presentations on high school preparation, choosing a college, financial aid and more. Each family in attendance will receive a free workbook on College Planning — A Family Affair.

For more information, call 377-7744.

Hawaii Kai Chamber of Commerce has selected its new president. She’s Gindi French, a mechanical engineer with an aerospace background and her own company, Rocket Science Tutor-ing. Gindi also is a Hawaii Kai mom with three keiki. Janayhe Self, a mortgage banker, steps down from the post after four years, but will continue as vice president …

Gindi French

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Former Hawaii Kai Library manager Stacie Kanno is interim state librarian pending the BOE’s selection to replace Richard Burns, who retired … Caffeine report: McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii gave Hawaii Kai’s Jim Lenhart its National Supply Leadership Council Award. As vice president of sales and service for Hawaii Coffee Co., Jim helped Hawaii take third place nationally for most coffee given away during a two-week promotion in September. In fact, his company supplied 285,000 pounds of coffee to the burger chain last year alone and has been its caffeine partner since the first outlet opened in 1968 in Aina Haina …

Kaiser graduate Robin Kobayashi has been promoted to associate general counsel at Hawaiian Airlines, working on labor and employment matters. And Kahala’s Mark Arimoto oversees much of the airline’s legal affairs, following his promotion to deputy general counsel … Palolo Chinese Home declares itself lucky to have its new food service manager Edward Frady. The Palolo Valley man’s motto is “making people happy through food.” Ed previously was executive chef at Makaha Resort and Waikiki Resort Hotel …

Update: Smart Business Hawaii’s board has voted to close the agency instead of carrying on after Sam Slom‘s retirement … Congratulations to Kaiser High teacher Shareen Murayama, who has earned National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification, joining 45 other Hawaii public schoolteachers and 13 private schoolteachers in the achievement this year. It’s a rigorous, yearlong process designed to improve learning … Kalani junior Jacob Ly scored a perfect 36 on his ACT college-entrance exam (the only public school teen to do so). He also played two roles in Ballet Hawaii’s The Nutcracker, plays viola, is class VP, does math league, mock trial, etc. & & & cchang@midweek.com

Kalani High School health academy students and the Falcon soccer team prepare Aina Haina Elementary School children for some vigorous soccer drills during Kalani’s second annual Lifestyle Fair for 122 keiki from AHES and Star of the Sea School. Photo from Yongchuan Lin.

Healthy living starts early — which is why Kalani High School hosted 122 students from Aina Haina Elementary and Star of the Sea schools last month for its second annual Lifestyle Fair.

“(The mission was) to educate and promote healthy and active well-being in order to lead students to follow a positive path,” explained Hyeji Lee, one of the Clinical Health students at Kalani who organized the fair. Hosting the event is one of the requirements for senior students in the school’s health academy.

The first- and second-graders enjoyed soccer, nutrition games, card making and Zumba at the health fair, with positive results. “I was on the field working with our Kalani boys soccer team,” said student Leiolani Ieon. “The kids loved interacting with our players and getting to know more about them and the game.”

In addition to all the fun, Misa Akiyama confirmed that the lessons did get across to the attendees. “When we got a thank-you card from the students, they all talked about how they learned that too much candy is bad and how they learned what to do in order to continue a healthy lifestyle,” she said.

Next year’s Lifestyle Fair will be hosted by a new crop of Clinical Health students, so the 2014 veterans plan to volunteer in the community on a smaller scale for HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) club.

While young children were the target audience of this fair, the health lessons the Clinical Health students seek to teach are for all kinds of reasons. Akiyama shared one tip about the importance of community: “As we get older, we start to participate in clubs and extracurricular activities in school, and I think that having a good, positive relationship with our peers, teachers and also our family can provide a very healthy lifestyle.”

“People, especially children, should eat more fruits and vegetables and less junk foods,” advised Yongchuan Lin.

The Vandana Shiva Home Tour will make two stops on Oahu Jan. 21 — including a nighttime talk story session at Mamiya Theatre.

Vandana Shiva, a food sovereignty activist and author, will look to bring awareness to the dangers of pesticide use coupled with genetically modified foods. She’ll head a free Home Rule Tour rally at the State Capitol from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. before heading to the Kaimuki theater for a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. and presentation at 7, with entertainment by Makana.

Admission is $45 for the whole evening and $15 for the presentation only. To purchase tickets and obtain more information, visit vandanashivahomeruletour.eventbrite.com.

Shiva, who also is founder and director of Navdanya International and was one of Forbes Magazine‘s 2010 “Seven Most Powerful Women on the Globe,” last visited Hawaii in 2013 for her Raise Awareness, Inspire Change tour.