Chaminade-bound Mustang Kaleb Gilmore with his father George. Photo from George Gilmore.

Kaleb Gilmore saved his best effort for his biggest game, scoring a season-high 30 points to help drive Kalaheo across the finish line in its 53-46 win over Iolani in the Division I state championship game last month.

Gilmore was no less a force in the OIA, averaging 19.1 points per game. He also tallied 30 three-pointers for the season. Gilmore’s efforts were rewarded in a big way last week when he was named the league’s East Player of the Year.

Kalaheo finished 31-3 overall this winter, including preseason. It was upset by Farrington in the OIA tournament, eventually finishing third, but rebounded big to beat Maui 77-65, Punahou 64-48, Kahuku 36-35 and Iolani in the title game to earn its third state tournament in four years, and fifth overall in DI.

Gilmore signed with Chaminade in November, becoming the first member of Silversword coach Eric Bovaird’s recruiting class for 2015-16. He previously was a standout at Maryknoll, where he averaged 18.2 points per game in the ILH in the 2013-14 season, helping guide the Spartans to a third-place finish in the DI boys state basketball championships last spring.

Joining Gilmore on the East’s First Team was senior Kupaa Harrison, who averaged 14.3 points per game for the Mustangs. He is a two-time First Team pick. Kalaheo also saw Kekai Smith, Jalen Kuhia Smith, Alec Macleod, Zach Marrotte and Captain Whitlock earn Honorable Mentions.

Kalaheo’s Alika Smith was named Co-Coach of the Year, along with Branden Kawazoe of Kaiser.

• Kahuku, which finished 18-6 overall, had sophomore Samuta Avea and senior Denhym Brooke make the East’s Second Team. Brooke averaged 13.6 ppg, ranking 10th in the OIA. Avea scored at a 10.8 clip to rank 19th.

The Red Raiders won 11 straight games, dating to the front end of their season to the OIA Red title game, where they were defeated by Farrington. Hyrum Harris and Keanu Akina also earned Honorable Mentions.

• Kailua finished 6-5 this winter and had four players earn Honorable Mentions: Christian Mejia, Nainoa Mercado, Kawehe Kohatsu and Noah Ah Yat.

• Earning Honorable Mentions from Castle were David Benevedes, Kevin James Ng, Jeremy McGoldrick and Justin Pang. The Knights finished 3-8 in the OIA.

jackster.1969@yahoo.com

Manana Elementary School’s PTO already has more than 80 vendors lined up for its eighth annual “Celebrate Spring” Craft Fair, set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 18 on the Pearl City campus.

“Vendors love our craft fair because of our helpful volunteers and the good number of visitors,” said Cheryl Katano, Manana’s parent involver.

The fair will offer inflatables, games, and food favorites like beef stew, Spam musubi, teri chicken bowls, fried noodles, KC Waffle Dogs, Domino’s pizza, and beverages. The school is located at 1147 Kumano St.

The nonprofit PTO supports each grade level with “extra” funds for classroom supplies and projects, field trips, chorus, JPO, track and the arts, among other causes. The goal for this year’s fair proceeds is to purchase new laptops for teachers and students.

“Parents, teachers, cafeteria staff, custodians, office staff, students and community groups come together and volunteer their time to help out,” added PTO president Tricia Andrasko. “We do it for our kids.”

University of Hawaii-West Oahu has received reaccreditation for the next seven years from Western Association of Schools and Colleges’ Senior College and University Commission.

Notice of Concern status, implemented in 2012, was removed.

“Our faculty, staff and students have worked hard to create a student-centered environment at the university, and a culture of assessment and continual improvement,” stated UHWO chancellor Rockne Freitas.

“It was truly a collaborative effort by the entire university to address the commission’s recommendation.”

UHWO is working continually on its source planning and development, strategizing distance education delivery, developing assessment systems and more.

Visit the school’s website (uhwo.hawaii.edu) for more information about accreditation reaffirmation.

The Department of Environmental Services kicks off Earth Month April 4 with a cleanup of Pearl Harbor bike path.

Volunteer check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. at either Waipahu Depot Road’s Pouhala Marsh or Neal Blaisdell Park.

Festivities continue at 11 a.m. at Neal Blaisdell Park.

Join volunteers from Hawaiian Electric Co., Pearl City Lions Club, Waipahu Coalition, Honolulu Police Department, state Department of Land and Natural Resources, Navy, Army and more as they help remove debris along the bike path.

Volunteers must be at least 12 years old to participate. Call Ciress Quidilla at 768-3267 for more information.

Following Earth Month, Clean Water Honolulu features screenings of The Journey Home, Part 2, featuring Apoka the o‘opu, who goes on a journey to reach his home stream. Along the way, he teaches keiki how they can be clean-water heroes.

West Oahu showtimes are May 9 at 2:30 p.m. at Waianae Public Library, and May 31 at 2 p.m. at Waipahu Public Library.

Business attire is more than welcome at U.S. VETS housing facility’s Rotary Day, which is made possible by Barbers Point Bowling Center and area Rotary clubs.

Help veterans look their best when applying for jobs by donating new or nearly new business attire at the Saturday drive, which takes place at Barbers Point Bowling Center from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Thirty-year Navy veteran Bev Brennan, who has owned the bowling alley since 2009 along with Linda Painter, opened the doors to their facility for the clothing drive.

Barbers Point Bowling Center is located at 91-1259 Saratoga Ave. in Kapolei. For more information, call Naomi (694-8332) or Mary (566-6561).

(clockwise from front, center) Waipio Gentry’s Christina Uyeno, Junior Tesoro, Alvin Chan, Maile Holck and Matthew Mazzella star in HTY’s ‘Where the Mountain Meets the Moon,’ opening April 10 at Tenney Theatre. Photo by Brad Goda.

Honolulu Theatre for Youth brings author Grace Lin’s Where the Mountain Meets the Moon to life on stage April 10 at The Cathedral of St. Andrew’s Tenney Theatre.

The story follows young Minli (played by Waipio Gentry’s Christina Uyeno), who wants to change her family’s fortune by finding the Old Man of the Moon.

On her Wizard of Oz-like journey, she encounters mystical creatures, including a dragon.

“My favorite part of the story would have to be when she meets the dragon for the first time,” said Pearl City High grad Uyeno.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon has a small, but extraordinary cast, including Uyeno, Alvin Chan, Maile Holck, Junior Tesoro and Matthew Mazzella, directed by Eric Johnson.

“It’s just me and a few other actors,” said Uyeno. “I just play that one character (Minli) who goes on this journey, but all the other actors play these million other roles that come together to create this whole world that Minli is in.

“They challenge me, and they work really hard.”

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a Newberry Honor book that also appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers list.

Showtimes are April 10 at 7:30 p.m., and April 11, 18 and 25 and May 9 at 4:30 p.m.

A special ASL/sensory-friendly performance is offered April 25 at 1:30 p.m.

Tickets cost $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for youths age 2-17, and are available by calling 839-9885 or online at htyweb.org.

Kevin Yoneda

Allyn Wijnveldt

Kevin Yoneda and Allyn Wijnveldt have been named floor managers at Servco Auto Waipahu’s Toyota and Chevrolet dealership. They will assist in managing new and pre-owned automobile sales staff, while advocating to continue to provide all their customers with an outstanding customer-service experience. Both Yoneda and Wijnveldt started in the Servco Automotive field in 2006 in its management associate program. Prior to becoming floor manager, Yoneda was service manager of Servco Lexus Honolulu. Wijnveldt, also an Aiea resident, previously was floor manager of Servco Toyota Windward.

Kristi Hirota-Schmidt (CMCA, AMS), senior vice president of business development with Associa Hawaii, has been named president of the nonprofit West Oahu Economic Development Association. WOEDA’s mission is to “be a voice for growth and economic opportunity in West Oahu by engaging in advocacy, education and networking.”

Abegaile Baon, Christine S. Cheu and Christopher Kane Katakura Thomas of Waipahu, along with Sharayah S. Silva and Ashley Shirley Sonan of Aiea, have made the autumn quarter dean’s list at Seattle Pacific University. They completed a minimum of 12 credits and attained a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Donna M. Aukai

Cynthia D.
Campos

Donna M. Aukai (RA) and Cynthia D. Campos (RA) have joined Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties’ Kapolei office as independent agents. Prior to joining Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties, Aukai, who resides in Waikele, was a Realtor-Associate at Locations LLC. Campos, who was raised in Waipahu and lives in Ewa, previously was Realtor-Associate at Concepts Unlimited Inc.

Jennifer Tanele

Jennifer Tanele of Ewa Beach has been named Head Start program manager with Honolulu Community Action Program Inc. She will supervise a cluster of teachers and family advocates, and develop, monitor and evaluate the delivery of a Head Start component system through an interdisciplinary approach, as outlined by National Head Start Performance Standards. Tanele has more than 16 years of relevant experience, having started with HCAP in 1998 as a Head Start teacher. In 2014, she became a Head Start teacher mentor, supporting teaching staff and conducting training. Most recently, Tanele has been interim Head Start program manager.

Soroptimists International of Central Oahu, Soroptimists International of Honolulu and Soroptimists International of Waikiki Foundation Inc. recently hosted its awards banquet March 14 and presented more than $30,000 to deserving women and girls. Rachel Wells of Campbell High School received the Violet Richardson Award for making the community and the world a better place through her volunteer work. Haiju Mukai of Leeward Community College received the organization’s Living Your Dream Award scholarship for overcoming obstacles and supporting her family while pursuing higher education.

The by-product of the Pearl City girls judo team’s overwhelming the field at last May’s state tournament is its “all-or-nothing” mindset about 2015. Nothing less than a repeat will do for this group, to hear longtime head coach Robin Puahala tell it.

“More than anything, I think it’s our captains not wanting to lose it on their watch,” he said. “Our former captains also are back, still helping with practice, and they’re a constant reminder that they don’t want to lose it on their watch.”

High expectations are the daily reality. A year ago, Pearl City was in regroup mode after graduating a large senior class. But it still delivered the school’s fifth state title in a row and its seventh in the last eight years. (Pearl City also claimed five OIA titles in a row and seven of the last eight.)

The Chargers had 14 players qualify for the state championships in May and were the only school represented in every weight class. By the end, they had placed in the top six in all 10 weights with a state tournament record of 104 points. Kamehameha-Kapalama and Moanalua finished a distant second with 41 points each.

Of the 12 who placed for Pearl City, only Megan Ramos and Trudi Eltagonde graduated last spring. Both currently help as assistant coaches. The Chargers lost standouts Chastyne Dolor (109) and Ashlyn Antonio (220), whose families relocated to the Mainland. (Dolor won the Chargers’ lone individual state title in May; Antonio finished third in her weight class.)

The team is loaded with returnees: Louise Pekelo (103-pound class), Netanya Kang (129), Kayla Arakaki (139), Kim Mendez (154), Mikayla Abe (115), Joen Tominaga (122), Adrienne Nazareno (98) and Sara Kaaiakamanu (139).

Kang, Arakaki, Pekelo and Abe are captains this year. Kang, Pekelo and Arakaki all were runners-up in their weight classes at the state tournament, while Abe placed fifth.

“Netanya’s work ethic is her strength,” Puahala said of Kang, who is a junior. “Kayla also is a hard worker. She’s Netanya’s training partner, so we have both of our blue-collar kids working together.

“Louise leads by example — she’s one of our studs in the middle. Mikayla is only a sophomore. She took second in the state in wrestling and fourth in judo.”

Puahala refers to Nazareno, who finished fifth in the state last year, as his current team’s “spark plug” in the 98-pound class.

“When she gets a good start, we get a good start (as a team),” he said.

Puahala also expects big seasons from Mendez (fourth in the state in ’14), Tominaga (fourth in the state) and Kaaiakamanu (sixth).

“We’re blessed to have both Kim and Sara,” he noted. “Their strength is their ability to learn something and apply it immediately in a match. Joen is the nicest person in the world. She brings calm to our team during our most stressful times.”

Pearl City was to compete in a Novice/Open Tournament at Aiea over the weekend, and it will open its OIA season at 10:30 a.m. this Saturday at Kapolei High School.

“We’re a little ahead of where we thought they’d be right now, and I don’t know if that’s good,” he admitted. “We don’t want them to burn out early. We want them peaking at the right time. But when it comes to camaraderie, work ethic and training ability, this group has it in spades.”

Pearl City will host the OIA West championships April 18.

The OIA individual and team championships will be April 25 and May 2, at Leilehua and Moanalua, respectively. The state judo championships are set for May 9 at Stan Sheriff Center at UH Manoa.

jackster.1969@yahoo.com

The Campbell girls soccer team broke new ground this winter, delivering the school its first Division I OIA title in its long history.

The afterglow continued when the league recently revealed its All-Star picks from the season, as Campbell landed four players on either the West’s First or Second Team.

Earning First Team honors were junior midfielder Aliani Lorenzo and sophomore defender Chardonnay Curran, while seniors Aryana Cabudol and Brittney Ann Copp made the Second Team as defender and goalkeeper, respectively.

OIA’s All-Star teams are selected in a vote of league coaches at season’s end.

Campbell went 13-3-1 overall, and 7-2-1 in the West season to finish in second place with Pearl City (behind Mililani). As the No. 3 West seed for the OIA Red tournament, the Sabers had to go the long, hard route to win the title, playing four games in six days, but they responded with wins over Kailua 1-0, Kaiser 4-3, Mililani 2-1 and Moanalua 2-1.

The team continued its upward mobility at the DI state tournament, defeating Pearl City 3-2 in the quarterfinals to come within a game of playing for the title.

A 2-1 loss to Iolani in the semifinals ended the run, but the girls bounced back to win the third-place game 2-0 over Konawaena.

Campbell’s Lauryn Cabudol, Kiley Haraguchi and Kylie Rae Sabino earned Honorable Mentions.

• Pearl City had six players make either the West’s First or Second Team, second only to champion Mililani, which had seven. Attacker Daelenn Tokunaga and defender Jordan Gomes both made the First Team, while attacker Nikki Suwa, mid-fielders Bethany Nazareno and Randi Fontes, and defender Kylie Louis earned Second Team honors.

Tokunaga and Fontes each scored 13 goals apiece, ranking them ninth in scoring in the OIA.

Pearl City’s Sydney Young earned Honorable Mention.

• Aiea placed two players on the West’s First Team: attacker Sara Olanda and defender Jordan Hill.

Na Ali‘i went 7-1-2 in the West. Losses to Moanalua and Pearl City in the OIA tournament ended their bid for a state tournament berth. Earning Honorable Mentions from Aiea were Keani Napuunoa, Tiana Ono, Brittny Maze and Tamara Mikamura.

• Kapolei had a pair of First Team picks in mid-fielder Bianca Gonzales and defender Shandy Hopeau. Both are seniors. The Hurricanes, who went 6-6 overall this winter, also saw Kayla Alcott and Kelsea Akau earn Honorable Mentions.

• Waipahu, which competed in Division II during the postseason, landed attacker Jessica Gonzales and midfielder Alysha Somers on the West’s Second Team.

The Marauders earned the top seed from the West for the OIA DII tournament, but were upset by Waialua 3-0 in the semifinals. Waipahu rebounded to defeat Nanakuli 2-0 in the third-place game to earn one of the league’s berths for the DII state tournament.

Waipahu went 1-2 at states, finishing as Consolation Round runner-up to Nanakuli.

Receiving Honorable Mention from Waipahu were Dezyria Martin, Karlee Manding and Summer Akau-Mika.

jackster.1969@yahoo.com

Hawaii Culinary Education Foundation invites guests to enjoy two favorite pastimes — golfing and eating — all for a good cause.

Presented by Young’s Market Company of Hawaii and American Express, the Hawaii Culinary Education Foundation Charity Golf Tournament is set for Monday, April 6, at Kapolei Golf Course.

Before a noon shotgun start, participants will enjoy a buffet lunch followed by an awards reception.

The tourney’s raffle prizes include Neighbor Island trips, electronics and luxury gift certificates. Lucky golfers also can win gifts during hole-inone, closest to the pin, putting, chipping and driving competitions.

Participating restaurants include Chef Chai at Pacifica, MW Restaurant, Tango Contemporary Cafe, Roy’s Ko Olina, Side Street Inn on Da Strip, Murphy’s Bar & Grill, Hokulani Bake Shop and Tiki’s Grill & cational initiatives.

For more information about the tournament and Hawaii Culinary Education Foundation, visit hawaiiculinaryeducationfoundation.org or call 941-9088.

Aiea’s Webling Elementary School presents its Summer Fine Arts Program in two sessions — June 15-30 and July 1-17 — and offers courses in basic math/reading, ceramics, dance, drama, drawing/painting, multimedia, physical education, taiko and ukulele.

Tuition is $180, including supply fees, for both sessions, which are open to students who have completed grades 1-5.

Application forms are available at Webling Elementary’s school office and Aiea Complex elementary schools starting March 30; deadline to apply is April 30. Only 160 spots are open, and priority will be given to Webling Elementary students and students in the Aiea Complex.

For more information, email linda_leetang@notes.k.12.hi.us.

Rep. Bob McDermott and wife Utu stand with Naomi Takamori (right), who recently retired after more than 30 years of dedicated service to Campbell High and other schools. Photo from Rep. McDermott’s office.

McDermott’s Message…Rep. Bob McDermott

When it comes to requesting funds from the state budget, as a legislator, I place education and the improvement of our schools as one of my top priorities.

This year, I’m focusing on ways to expand the capacity of our district schools. During recent discussions with one of Campbell High School’s assistant principals, Shayne Greenland, we zeroed in on what is needed straightaway. Campbell High School needs additional classroom space to accommodate our growing community.

“My concern is that our projected enrollment in the years to come reveals that our facility is undersized to house additional students,” said Greenland. “Our student population is expected to be more than 3,100 next year, and the projected numbers by 2016-2017 are said to be near 3,500.”

Given the growing competition to secure state funding, we have to pick the projects that will do the most good for the community’s children. Currently, that would be portable classrooms, according to Greenland.

“We know portable classrooms aren’t the best possible solution for our teachers and students, but they can be an option,” he continued. “We are very limited on space. However, we do have some areas that could accommodate some portable classrooms.”

Capital improvement projects for heat abatement and athletic facilities renovations that were secured during the last legislative session are well underway. The current construction project awarded to Campbell High School involves improvements to the football/track field, and should be completed by the end of July.

In conclusion, I would like to mention that the longtime principal of Campbell High School, Naomi Takamori, retired at the end of last year and she will be sorely missed. It has been my pleasure to work with Mrs. Takamori over the years.

I applaud her dedication to the school and our community. I pledge to work hard with Campbell’s new principal, along with hardworking assistant principal Greenland, to get the school what it needs.

State Rep. Bob McDermott represents District 40 – Ewa, Ewa Beach and Iroquois Point. Call him at 586-9730 or email repmcdermott@capitol.hawaii.gov.

Send West Oahu items to cchang@midweek.com by March 25 to be considered for the April 1 edition, or call 529-4850.

• BUTTERFLIES Pearl-ridge Center’s Butterfly Conservatory continues March 23-April 4 Downtown with daily exhibits, classes and tours (554-3307); Kapolei Shopping Center hosts Dancetta Feary and her Butterfly House from noon to 2 p.m. April 4, along with activities, crafts and photos with Keoki Cottontail to celebrate “Spring Is in the Air” (inkapolei.com).

• FEET Naturopath Ulia Meyerhof presents “Stories Feet Can Tell” at 6:30 p.m. March 24 at Kapolei Library, sharing her years of experience in European foot reflexology. Call 693-7058.

• NEIGHBORS Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board meets at 7 p.m. March 25 at Kapolei High cafeteria. Call 768-3710.

• FARM TRAINING GoFarm Hawaii conducts a training session from 5:30 to 8 p.m. March 26 at Leeward CC for those interesting in sustainable and organic farming. RSVP to leeward@gofarmhawaii.org.

• CLOSURESAll public libraries and schools are closed March 26 in observance of Prince Kuhio Day.

• KAPOLEI PLAY Kapolei Performing Arts Center presents West Side Story March 26 (family night), 27, 28 and April 2, 3 and 4 at Kapolei High School Forum (7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 6 p.m. Thursdays). Tickets cost $6 and $5. Call 305-8048 or visit showtix4u.com. For details,` go to packapolei.org.

• FISH FRY Knights of Columbus has its final Lenten fish fry from 5 to 7 p.m. March 27 at St. Jude Church, 92-455 Makakilo Drive. Cost is $8 per plate. Call 672-8669.

• MANANA SALE Na Keiki ‘O Manana has a garage sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 28 in Manana Elementary cafeteria to benefit its chorus, featuring items and plants from more than 50 families, at 1147 Kumano St. Call 455-7970.

• WAIAWA HELP Hawaii Nature Center volunteers work to restore the Waiawa unit of Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 28. Call 955-0100, ext. 118, or email volunteer@hawaiinaturecenter.org.

• HAUPIA Learn to make haupia from scratch during a workshop at Malama Learning Center at Kapolei High School from 9 a.m. to noon March 28. Fee is $15 per person, or $40 for families. Registration is required. Call 483-0678.

• GARDENS Halawa Xeriscape Garden offers workshops on succulent gardens and on low-maintenance landscapes at 10:30 a.m. March 28. Fee is $5. Call 748-5363. • SECURITY Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties hosts a free seminar on “Securing Your Home from Thieves and Burglars” at 4 p.m. March 28 at its office in Kapolei Commons. RSVP to 947-8101.

• STEAK NIGHT Aiea High School Music Boosters sponsor a steak-plate benefit, plus bake sale, silent auction and live entertainment from 4:30 to 7 p.m. March 28 in the cafeteria. Tickets cost $10, dine in or take out, which includes a 6-ounce steak, rice, tossed salad and corn. Order in advance at 483-7300.

• TAX HELP Trained students and others at Leeward CC offer VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) services from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 28 to lowto moderate-income residents. Call 455-0294.

• LEHUA CARNIVAL Lehua Elementary PTA sponsors a Spring Carnival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 28 at 791 Lehua Ave. in Pearl City, with food, prizes, games, vendors and bouncy fun. Presale wristbands cost $15. Email lehuapta@gmail.com.

• RABBITS Rabbit breeder Zachary Johnson leads a talk on “Let’s Learn About Rabbits” at 10:30 a.m. March 28 at Kapolei Library, complete with live rabbits. Call 693-7050.

• STADIUM EASTER Aloha Stadium hosts its annual Egg-citing Easter Celebration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 29 at North Plaza (gates 6-7), with an egg hunt, treats, Easter bunny photos, Playzone, dunking booth, train rides, arts and crafts, balloon art, face painting and hot dog-eating contests. Free with a canned good or cash donation for Salvation Army. Call 486-6704.

• KILTED GOLF Saint Andrew Society of Hawaii and Friends of Saint Patrick sponsor Blue Shamrock Kilted Golf Classic Tournament for 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 29 at Pearl Country Club, with bagpipes, loaner kilts, all meals plus a grand-prize trip to Scotland. Call 372-1941.

• BLOOD DRIVES Hawaii Blood Bank has donor drives from 7 to 11 a.m. March 29 at Ewa Town Center Foodland, 7 a.m.-noon March 30 at Queen’s Medical Center West, 3-7 p.m. April 1 at Kapilina Beach Homes in Ewa Beach, 7:30-11:30 a.m. April 3 at Waikele Center, and 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. April 4 at Pearlridge Center by Chili’s. Call 848-4770.

• BALLROOM Pearl-ridge’s Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association chapter signs up students from 7 to 7:30 p.m. March 31, April 7, 14 and 21 for classes that start April 7 in cha-cha and tango. Register at Harbor Center #211A and #212A (across from Waimalu Shopping Center, by Cutter Ford). Call 456-2129.

• EGG HUNT Kapolei Commons has 7,500 eggs ready for its Easter egg hunt from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 4. Planned are prizes, entertainment, carnival games, face painting, balloon animals and a climbing wall. Visit thekapoleicommons.com.

• HALAWA EGGS Halawa Xeriscape Garden has an Easter egg hunt from 10:30 a.m. to noon April 4, along with information on water conservation. Keiki ages 2 to 12 should bring 4 to 6 boiled eggs to decorate and a basket for collecting them. Register by April 3. Fee is $8 per family. Call 748-5363.

• BALLROOM Kapolei’s Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association chapter signs up students at 7 p.m. April 6, 13 and 20 for classes that start April 6 in Merengue and West Coast swing. Register at Makakilo Community Park. Call 781-2076.

Ongoing

• JIU JITSU Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy has opened in Kapolei, offering family-oriented instruction for all age and skill levels. Call 782-8590.

• ALZHEIMER HELP An Alzheimer’s support group meets at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Aiea. Call 591-2771.

With the goal of one million meals, Hawaii Foodbank has launched its 26th annual food drive, which culminates at collection points from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 18 all over Oahu, including three sites in East Oahu.

Volunteers will accept nonperishable food as well as monetary donations at Koko Marina Center, Costco at Hawaii Kai Towne Center and Waiokeola Congregational Church in Kahala.

Individuals can enter the One Million Meals Challenge by downloading the Food Drive packet from hawaiifoodbank.org. Most-needed items are canned meals, meats, fruits and vegetables, and rice.

For more information, call 836-3600.

Opening night looms April 16 in New York for the Broad way revival of The King and I, complete with Ruthie Ann Miles (Kaimuki 2001) — already an award-winning actress, wife and mom living in Brooklyn — who will play Lady Thiang. She also played Imelda Marcos in the critically acclaimed off-Broadway show Here Lies Love …

James Lewis

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Recent pageants show that East Oahu has its share of distinguished young women. Kaiser High senior Tianzhen Nie is the 2015 Distinguished Young Woman of Hawaii, first runner-up is Tianzhen’s classmate Kiri Takanishi, and third runner-up is Sacred Hearts Academy senior Megan Garcia. The national pageant is in Mobile, Ala., in June. (The state’s 2014 crown went to Hawaii Kai’s Makana Williams.) Tianzhen, a talented Chinese zither player, won a $5,000 cash scholarship, a four-year scholarship to HPU, and bonus cash awards for winning other categories. What’s next? A career in international environmental law …

Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties’ (Kahala office) independent agent James Lewis has earned the Seniors Real Estate Specialist designation, meaning he really understands the needs of clients age 55 and older, plus he specializes in East Oahu properties … Keeping up with Kayttie: Kaimuki Middle seventh-grade gymnast Kayttie Nakamura competed at the Holland Flower Cup March 20-21 (near Amsterdam) with a difficult trampoline routine and placed 14th overall, just missing the finals at the prestigious meet, which attracted the best gymnasts in the world. Kayttie trains locally with Hawaii Trampoline and Tumbling Club. Hopefully she saw a few tulips …

Kaimuki High senior Robin Henski, meanwhile, has qualified for the USA Triathlon Championships in August in Wisconsin … Kaimuki baseball coach and special ed teacher Reid Yoshikawa was named OC16 Educator of the Year … Sea Life Park now serves Pink’s Hot Dogs, brought over with much celebration by the Pink ohana from Tinseltown — Beverly Pink, Richard Pink and Gloria Pink … East Oahu author John Clark‘s latest is North Shore Place Names: Kahuku to Ka‘ena from University of Hawaii Press & & & cchang@midweek.com

Kapiolani Community College technology professor Mary Therese Hattori is one of seven outstanding University of Hawaii community college faculty to be named a 2015 Wo Global Learning Champion.

Hattori and six fellow champions from Windward, Hawaii, Maui and Kauai campuses visited New Zealand recently for a first-hand look at how cultural differences contribute to global education. They learned ways of better serving indigenous students, which is a cause close to Hattori’s heart.

It’s been a busy spring semester. A native of Guam, Hattori also co-organized a Micronesian College Student Summit March 29 at Honolulu Museum of Art School. “We have much to learn from our Maori counterparts,” she said, noting that “as a Chamoru, I am very interested in supporting students from the region of Micronesia who enroll in college in Hawaii. This program (Global Learning Cham-pions) provides resources that I can use to achieve this goal.”

Her doctoral dissertation also is linked to the Champion award: Culturally Responsive Educational Technology. Meanwhile, Hattori directs KCC’s campus technology services and lives in Kuliouou with her husband and young son.

“My brother and I have long believed that international education is critical to Hawaii’s success today and in the future,” stated Jim Wo, referring to his and Bob Wo’s initial Wo Learning Champions Program of 2001 for community colleges. This year, the James and Juanita C. Wo Foundation added the component of global learning and leadership.

The question of nature versus nurture in child rearing will be on full display in Chaminade University’s production of Blood Brothers, opening at Mamiya Theatre at 7:30 p.m. April 17.

Based on the novel by Willy Russell, Blood Brothers focuses on two brothers, Mickey and Eddie, fraternal twins unknowingly separated at birth. Mickey grows up poor with his birth mother and siblings, while a wealthy couple adopts

Eddie. Nevertheless, the two boys are drawn toward one another — with tragic results.

The show runs April 17, 19 and 24-26. The curtain goes up at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 4 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets cost $20 and $10 and can be ordered online at eventbrite.com/e/blood-brothers-musical-tickets, or at Chaminade’s business office.

For more information, call 735-4827.