Tax season has come to a close, and state Rep. Sharon Har (Kapolei-Makakilo) and Shred-It Hawaii host an After-Tax Shred Day from 9 a.m. to noon April 25 in Kapolei High School’s parking lot.

This event allows the community to dispose of tax documents and sensitive information in a secure manner in order to guard against identity theft, Two boxes per person are allowed.

For more information, contact Har’s office at 586-8500 or email rephar@capitol.hawaii.gov.

Friends of Ali‘i Beach Park and Ocean Program graduates sponsor a daylong beach cleanup with ocean fun activities from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 25 at Haleiwa Ali‘i Beach Park.

The keiki-friendly event features boogie boarding, surfing, canoeing, sailing, swimming and beach activities with the help of North Shore Lifeguard Association and graduates of its Ocean Fun program. Ocean Fun ran throughout the 1990s and taught children about ocean safety while providing a safe place for them to enjoy outdoor activities with their peers after school.

Free food, drinks and musical entertainment will be available from noon to 6 p.m.

“The purpose of this beach cleanup and family day is to gather longstanding and new community members to discuss, support and learn about the ocean recreation program that once was a cornerstone of childhood development on the North Shore,” explained organizer Kanani Oury, an Ocean Fun program graduate. “Through proper discussion and education, we hope to inspire our community to unite behind the common goal of making what once was, a possibility again — a community-centric center that reaches beyond age, gender, race and economic divisions to foster our children to become not only aware of their ocean surroundings, but inspire them to be better community members.”

For information, call 388-0389.

Mari Domingo

Mililani High School’s Mari Domingo is one of three honorees to receive the Violet Richardson Award last month from Central Oahu Soroptimists for “making the community and world a better place” through her peer education work on the Hawaii Meth Project Teen Advisory Council … Gallery on the Pali presents the exhibit “Suso in Italia bella,” paintings by Waialua artist Nitya Brighenti, April 26-May 28, with a reception starting at 5 p.m. May 2 (595-4047) …

Wahiawa author Dana Powell has a new book out, Oma and Opa’s Closet from Tate Publishing, that encourages kids to “embrace an active and creative mind”…

Speaking of local books, Honolulu author John Clark‘s newest one is North Shore Place Names: Kahuku to Ka‘ena from University of Hawaii Press … Floyd Dawkins (Mililani 2007) has graduated from Air Force basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas … Kahieau Kilaulani (Leilehua 2014) has graduated from Army basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. … Among Honolulu HomeLoans’ top producers for February were North Shore’s Darnell Souza, and Mililani’s Ryan Nakagawa and Leonard Loventhal …

Central Oahu students played a part in the 2015 Nene Award competitions, which surround the naming of R.J. Palacio‘s Wonder as Hawaii children’s favorite author. Mililani Ike Elementary students Mandy Kim-Fu, Emi Okazaki and Cody Chun all earned Honorable Mentions for their “persuasive posters.” Already a national award-winning librarian, Michelle Colte of Hale Kula Elementary co-chaired the entire program. Even Darth Vader attended the Nene ceremonies April 9 in Honolulu. Wonder is about a boy with extreme facial abnormalities who endures taunts from classmates and struggles to be “just another student” …

Michael Perry (Leilehua 2011, not the radio guy) has graduated from Air Force basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas … Sunset Beach Elementary kids did well in the Windward District’s “Be Pono — Be in School” video contest designed to promote good attendance. The team’s entries, Magic Package Commercial and How You Get to School took first and second place, respectively, in the primary group category & & & cchang@midweek.com

Ho‘ala students (from left) Aidden Murray, Sophie Park and Naiya Trujillo go for a ride. Ho‘ala Schools photo.

Ho‘ala School students in grades K-4 participated in the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Trike-A-Thon April 8 at their Wahiawa campus.

The annual event targets younger students, with older schoolmates supporting them as the junior keiki make their way around the Trike-A-Thon track on bicycles or scooters. Through this fundraiser and others, students learn about the importance of community service and how they can help others.

Students at the Wahiawa private school have participated in the Trike-A-Thon for seven years and have raised more than $7,500 to date.

Counter Culture Foods owners Jay Bost and Rob Barreca. Photo from Kamehameha Schools.

By MAE RUSSELL

Kamehameha Schools Communications Specialist

A North Shore farm has won $15,000 and rent-free use of a five-acre parcel of land on the North Shore after taking second place in the 2015 Mahi‘ai Match-Up Agricultural Business Plan Contest sponsored by Kamehameha Schools and the Pauahi Foundation.

Counter Culture Foods is a seed-to-countertop fermented foods producer that will offer raw, probiotic kimchi and tempeh as its primary products.

Mala Kalu‘ulu Inc. won the $25,000 first prize and will have access to 3.7 acres of farmland in South Kona.

“The contest focuses on increasing food production for the local market by finding innovative farmers and providing them with the tools they need to succeed,” said Pauahi Foundation executive director Keawe Liu. “It has developed into a creative and exciting new venue to encourage farmers to develop their ideas and submit a plan to help with Hawaii’s food-security issues.”

The awards were revealed at a Feb. 28 fundraiser at Dole Cannery. Proceeds from the event will fund agricultural scholarships and grants to help cultivate a new generation of local farmers.

Four semi-finalists presented their business plans before a panel of judges who selected the two winners.

“The opportunity attracted many talented local farmers,” said Liu. “Mahalo to this year’s applicants for their passion and commitment to moving Hawaii one step closer to sustainability. We are thrilled to welcome the winning teams to our ohana.”

Judges included Kamehameha Schools CEO Jack Wong, Ulupono Initiative managing partner Murray Clay, American Savings Bank executive vice president of marketing and business development Tab Bowers, MA‘O Farms co-founder Gary Maunakea-Forth, and Hui Ku Maoli Ola and Papahana Kuaola founding partner Matt Kapaliku Schirman.

Central Concerns …Rep. Feki Pouha

Aloha Kakou, I hope everyone had an enjoyable Easter holiday.

For the past 16 years, Hawaii Women’s Legislative Caucus has spearheaded the donation of Easter baskets to Institute for Human Services (IHS).

During this donation drive, hygiene products, school supplies, food items, first-aid supplies and other essential items were donated.

For this year’s event, I had the honor of dressing up as the Easter Bunny. In addition to spreading Easter joy throughout the Capitol, I helped collect more than 140 donated baskets. Mahalo to the caucus, IHS and all those who donated.

Turtle Bay Easement

Senate Bill 284 (SB284), which would extend the deadline and allow for completion of the Turtle Bay easement deal, was heard March 25 by the House Water and Land Committee.

As a committee member, I conveyed to my fellow members the significance of the deal to North Shore residents, and encouraged them to pass the bill out of committee.

Fortunately, it was a unanimous vote in favor. SB284 then passed a second reading on the House floor and is now scheduled to be heard in the House Finance Committee. As a member of the Finance Committee, I will continue to promote the necessity of the Turtle Bay easement agreement in a responsible manner.

(From left) State Rep. Della Au Belatti, Institute for Human Services director Kimo Carvalho, state Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland, state Rep. Feki Pouha, state Sens. Rozalyn Baker and Laura Thielen, and state Reps. Lauren Kealohilani Matsumoto and Cynthia Thielen. Photo from 2015 Women’s Legislative Caucus.

I want to express my thanks to all of you who sent in testimony and also emailed me and my fellow legislators. I love the civic engagement of our community.

Vacation Rentals

Senate Bill 519 (SB519) seeks to regulate transient accommodations by doing the following: 1) extending Act 326, SLH 2012, for one year, requiring registration numbers on all Internet advertisements for transient vacation rentals; 2) requiring the Department of Taxation (DOT) to submit an annual report to the legislature on the implementation of Act 326; and 3) authorizing the DOT to enforce civil penalties for operators and plan managers who fail to display the certificate of registration for transient accommodations.

SB519 has passed out of three House committees thus far, and has passed a second reading on the House floor. The measure now is being considered by the House Finance Committee.

To follow the status of SB284 or SB519, and any other measures you may be interested in, please visit capitol.hawaii.gov and type the measure number into the search box at the top-left side of the page.

Community meeting

Please join us for an informational briefing and community input meeting on the Honolulu Rail Project at 7 p.m. April 21 in the Waialua Elementary School cafeteria. Representatives from Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit will be present, as well as other area legislators. I look forward to seeing you there.

Contact Rep. Feki Pouha at 586-6380, by email at reppouha@capitol.hawaii.gov or visit his Hawaii State Capitol office in Room 319.

Mokuleia Writers Retreat is returning to the North Shore May 3-8.

The annual retreat at Camp Mokuleia offers two dozen writers for a week of intimate workshops and one-on-one coaching on fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays and memoirs.

Featured workshop leaders include Zoe FitzGerald Carter, essayist and author of the memoir Imperfect Endings; Constance Hale, North Shore native, writing coach and author of Sin and Syntax; Kathryn Ma, author of award-winning novel The Year She Left Us; Don Wallace, Honolulu author and journalist with Harper’s and The New York Times.

Special guests include Kellen Paik and Lihau Hannahs Paik of Abrigo Ohana, kumu hula Candy Pollack, Waialua writer George Tanabe, poet Lisa Linn Kanae and University of Hawaii writing guru Steven Goldsberry.

Cost is $1,200, which includes lodging, meals, all workshops and activities. Additional packages are available from $500. For more information, visit campmokuleia.com/retreats/writers or email connie@sinandsyntax.com.

Hawaiian Bath & Body, a natural handcrafted soap and skin care line located at Waialua Sugar Mill, is raising funds for Clean the World.

Clean the World recycles soap and hygiene products that are then given to people in impoverished areas.

The retailer has the Clean the World logo on specially marked soap boxes. Proceeds from the sale of these products will be donated to the organization.

“We know handcrafted soaps have naturally occurring antibacterial and cleansing properties that help kill germs,” said Hawaii Bath owner Debora Driscoll. “Partnering with Clean the World and sharing their message is an important part of our mission as well. Soap does save lives!”

Carissa Moore (left) and Stephanie Gilmore hoist their firstand second-place trophies at Bells Beach, Australia. World Surfing League photo.

North Shore Surf News…Gary Kewley

Aloha surfers and beach-goers,

Last week flew by, and when it did, we saw our very own Carissa Moore soar into history at Bells Beach in Australia, ringing the famous Trophy Bell April 10 for the third consecutive year.

No one has ever accomplished such a feat. The wave at Bells is super complicated, with a broad playing field very sensitive to tides. It reminds you of Sunset Beach — a spot you never totally wire.

A lot of luck is involved, no matter how good you are. To consistently harness such seemingly uncontrollable forces is rare.

The win places Carissa in the “best ever at Bells” conversation. When you think of the history of the longest-running contest in surfing history (54 years), it really grabs you. This is a huge honor for the young prodigy from Oahu.

Carissa also has won the first two contests on the World Surfing League Tour 2015, putting her in a good position to win her third world title. She won both events by having to beat another prodigy, Stephanie Gilmore. The current world champ, Gilmore has six world titles and three Bells victories, just not consecutively.

Gilmore won her first four world titles in her first four years on tour. That’s a record not even Kelly Slater has (and he has most of them). This makes Carissa’s victory even more special.

The rivalry between Moore and Gilmore is the best on the world tour, and they have been up against each other 21 times now, with Carissa going one up at Bells.

Carissa is not one to miss out on the big picture.

“It’s such an honor,” she said. “I love coming down here, and it’s such a magical place. It’s just been such a beautiful experience, and I feel super blessed. It’s challenging not only to regroup after a win, but you’re also competing against the best in the world, so you really have to be in tip-top shape. I’m just stoked I got to continue my momentum here.”

The world tour is a marathon, not a sprint, and she is very aware of the challenges ahead.

“It’s a long year; there have only been two contests so far, and I know that all of the girls are fired up and they want it really bad. Everyone is going to be surfing their best. I’m just living in the moment.”

The Waves

The northwest swells have come back to life with a winter-caliber swell with beautiful size and conditions. I spoke of this last week, and sure enough, it’s cranking. At this stage of the spring season, we know these high surf advisory waves will become more rare. So catch it while you can!

When you get this week’s surf column, we should see the south-by-southwest swells dominate town. Such conditions will increase in frequency and size for the entire Leeward side as we near summer. And the country will see waves this week starting April 21 — everyone will have room to move!

Lastly, thanks to everyone who came out to support the Haleiwa Outrigger Annual Fundraiser Celebration and silent auction and raffle April 10 at Surfer, The Bar at Turtle Bay Resort.

Happy surfing and see you here in the Islander lineup next week.

Mahalo and Aloha!

gary@surfnewsnetwork.com

The Leilehua girls water polo team entered 2015 certain of one distinction — having the youngest lineup in the OIA.

That the Mules would find themselves with a 6-1 record at the midway point of the season despite their youthful roster was less certain, to hear Leilehua coach Nate Higa tell it.

“I think they’ve already accomplished quite a bit for a young team,” he said.

To be sure, these Mules are the youngest in Higa’s 12-year run at Leilehua.

“In the past, we’ve always had two or three players who had been with us for three or four years. With this group, we have six sophomores in their second year, one junior who didn’t play last year, and the rest are freshmen. We’re hoping they stay intact. When they’re seniors, we should be even more competitive as far as moving higher in the OIA.”

Despite the excitement about future success, 2015 has been a solid season for the Mules, who have made the state tournament four of the past five years.

One game into the OIA’s second round, Leilehua has posted wins over McKinley, Campbell, Farrington, Kalaheo, Mililani and Pearl City. (The Mules’ two defeats at press time came from East powers Kaiser and Kalani.)

In addition to their pursuit of another state tourney berth, Higa said the team also has rallied around assistant coach Robyn Araki, whose 1-year-old niece Curryn recently was diagnosed with leukemia.

“We dedicated the season to her and had shirts made up with her name and a ribbon on it,” Higa said. “Every day we remind ourselves that others have it worse than we do and that we should be grateful for the opportunity to play water polo.”

What the Leilehua team lacked in game experience they’ve made up for through their athleticism. (Ten of the Mules’ 19 players also are competitive swimmers for Leilehua.)

“It’s been a collective effort,” Higa said of his team’s start. “We don’t have an All-Star like Kapolei has in Tiala (Wendt), but we have some pretty athletic girls.”

Mules sophomore goal-keeper Chyel Palmer has been among the team’s leaders.

“She has a basketball background, so she’s pretty athletic, and she understands the game,” Higa said. “She keeps us in a lot of games.

“We like to stress playing good defense,” he added. “We start with (teaching) defense, and then we hope our offense will eventually start clicking. We have to work on our offense, being that we have so many new players. We have to work on our shooting and our passing to get where we want to be.”

Leilehua was to play Kapolei over the weekend before turning its attention to this Saturday’s season finale against defending OIA champion Kahuku. The game will start at 10:30 a.m. at Central Oahu Regional Park.

The OIA tournament is April 30-May 2 at CORP, where the top six finishers earn berths to the state championships, set for May 5-8 at University of Hawaii’s Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.

jackster.1969@yahoo.com

Kylie-Ann and Khloe-Ann Bello.

Even a season away from the softball field couldn’t undermine Mililani standout Kylie-Ann Bello’s momentum.

Although she missed the entire 2014 season (and the Trojans’ state championship run) while preparing to give birth to her daughter, Khloe-Ann, you would never know she’d been away from the game, given Bello’s production this spring.

Outside of her softball life, much has changed for Bello, obviously.

“It (having a child) has taught me a lot,” Bello said. “It matured me and has helped to prepare me for the future.”

As Bello is still a high school student, she depends on her family to help raise Khloe-Ann.

“My parents (George and Charly) usually watch her, depending on their work schedules,” said Bello. “When they’re not available, I bring her to practice and my coaches will help watch her.”

Mililani head coach Rose Antonio was among those who pushed Bello, who was already being recruited by colleges as a sophomore, to return.

“My teammates and coaches helped me to come back,” said Bello, who is batting .435 for the Trojans. “(Coach Antonio) had me promise I would come back for my senior year and give it my all.”

The rewards of competing for another state championship and giving birth have been many.

“I like the normal ‘Mommy’ things,” she said. “Seeing her grow and do things for the first time, like sitting up, or calling my name for the first time, or walking for the first time.”

Back on the softball field, it will be business as usual for Bello and the Trojans, who close out their regular season at 3 p.m. Thursday with a road date against Leilehua. Bello recently took some time to visit with MidWeek‘s Central Oahu Islander.

What is your earliest softball-related memory?

When we went to Irvine (California) in 2006 and won the nationals in BobbiSox (youth softball). That’s probably the first big memory I have.

Who’s had the biggest impact on your life? My dad (George). He’s been training me and pushing me to be a better softball player ever since I started playing. He wants the best for me.

What area of your game did you focus on during the off-season? My dad helped me with my hitting and my all-around game just to help get me back into the groove.

What Internet site do you frequent the most? Instagram.

What is your least favorite household chore? Washing the dishes because I don’t like to get my hands in all of that.

What movie could you watch over and over? Fast and Furious 7.

Who are three of your favorite musical artists? I like all kinds of music, depending on the situation. I like local music more (than others).

When you have free time, how do you like to spend it? With my daughter, my boyfriend (Henry), and my family and friends. We usually either go shopping or to lunch, or we play different games together.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I see myself working in the medical field.

You’re stuck on Kaho‘olawe and can have an endless supply of just one food. What would it be? That’s a hard one because I love food. I’d probably say sushi or kalua pig and cabbage.

If you could have your pick, what celebrity would you most like to meet? (The late actor) Paul Walker.

jackster.1969@yahoo.com

Mililani Hongwanji once again is screening the popular documentary Ola: Health is Everything.

Written, directed and produced by Matthew Nagato, the film is said to challenge viewers to rethink what it means to be healthy, and explores social factors that create a sustainable society. Nagato also is communications director for Hawaii Primary Care Association.

Show time is 7 p.m. April 28 at 95-257 Kaloapau St. For more information, call 625-0925 or visit olamovie.com. An RSVP is recommended.

Send Central Oahu items to cchang@midweek.com by April 22 for the April 29 edition, or call 529-4850.

• GREYWOLF Grey-wolf presents a lecture on “Women Warriors of Europe & Asia” at 10 a.m. April 21 at Waialua Library, featuring his display of weapons, antiques, costumes and more. Call 637-8286.

• NEIGHBORS Mililani Mauka-Launani Valley Neighborhood Board meets at 7 p.m. April 21 (and May 19) at Mililani Mauka Elementary, Mililani-Waipio-Melemanu meets at 7:30 p.m. April 22 (and May 27) at Mililani Rec Center III. Call 768-3710.

• WAIALUA READS Waialua Library’s readers group meets at 9:30 a.m. April 23 to discuss its pick of the month, Paul Bowles’ The Sheltering Sky. Call 637-8286.

• TEEN ART Friends of Waialua Library host an opening reception at 5:30 p.m. April 23 for the Waialua High & Intermediate School Art Show by Howard Farrant’s students. The mixed-media exhibit runs through May 19 at the library. Call 637-8286.

• DRAWING Waialua Library hosts a drawing group, formerly Sketchers, at 11 a.m. April 25. Bring sketchbook, pencils, pens and a object for a group still-life. Call 637-8286.

• LANAI SALE St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church conducts a lanai sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 25 at 1679 California Ave. The church thrift shop also will be open during the sale. Call 226-3510.

• RECYCLING Kahuku High & Intermediate School has an Aloha Aina recycling drive from 9 a.m. to noon April 25, and Mililani Waena Elementary has one from 9 a.m. to noon May 16, welcoming all kinds of items. A shredding service also is planned. Email 3rs@kokuahawaiifoundation.org.

• KELLEY RIDE Hawaii Bicycling League sponsors the John Kelley Haleiwa Metric Century Ride at 6:30 a.m. April 26 from Kaiaka Beach Park to Kahuku High School and back. Call 735-5756 or visit bhl.org.

• POLO Hawaii Polo Club hosts matches at 2 p.m. each Sunday at Mokuleia Field. April 26 is Equus Hotel vs. Wealth Strategy Partners for the Mabuhay trophy; May 3 is Boys Bunch Fundraiser for North Shore Community Land Trust. Gates open at 11 a.m., and admission is $10 and $8. Visit hawaii-polo.org.

• SANCTUARY NOAA seeks public comment on the proposed expansion of Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary boundaries and conducts an informational meeting on it from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 27 at Sunset Beach Recreation Center, 59-540 Kamehameha Hwy. Call 271-3213.

• LEI PO‘O Wahiawa Botanical Garden has a workshop on making Lei Po‘o (wili method) at 9:30 a.m. April 30. Fee is $15. Register at 522-7066.

• STORE LOTS Haleiwa Store Lots has a grand opening of its new community and retail development at 66-111 Kamehameha Hwy. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 2, with activities, tours, prizes and entertainment. Call 391-7441.

• LEI DAY Waimea Valley conducts its annual Lei Day competition at 10 a.m. May 2 with live music and hula, as well as cash prizes for the best leis (lei drop-off is 7:30-9:30 a.m.). Call 638-7766.

• BANDSTANDWaialua Bandstand presents the Waialua High & Intermediate School Band at 4 p.m. May 3, sponsored by Surf N Sea. Call 637-9721.

• WRITER RETREAT Camp Mokule‘ia is home base for the Mokule‘ia Writers Retreat May 3-8, featuring top local authors, workshops and coaching. Fees range from $500 to $1,200. Email connie@sinandsyntax.com.

• ROBOT LUAU Dole Plantation hosts its annual benefit luau for Waialua High’s robotics team from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 7. Tickets cost $40 and are on sale through April 30 at Dole Plantation, or call the school at 637-8200.

• LEILEHUA EATS Leilehua High School presents “2nd’s at Leilehua” from 4 to 7 p.m. May 8 at the school, featuring food trucks, entertainment and more as a campus fundraiser. Visit 2nd’s at Leilehua on Facebook or email second-satleilehua@yahoo.com.

• PINEAPPLE FEST Wahiawa Historical Society presents the 13th annual Wahiawa Pineapple Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 9 at Wahiawa District Park, featuring a parade at 9 a.m., crafts, food, exhibits, keiki bouncers and rides, and entertainment all day, including the Wahiawa Jazz Festival at 2 p.m. Call 694-0103.

• PINE RUN The 2015 Wahiawa Pineapple Run is set for 7 a.m. May 16, starting and ending at Kaala Elementary School. Entrance fee is $60 with proceeds going to the school. The first 650 finishers receive a medal and a pineapple. Visit the Facebook page or email pineapplerunhi@gmail.com.

• TRIATHLON North Shore Olympic Triathlon begins at 5:45 a.m. May 17 at Mokuleia Beach Park and features an 800-meter swim, 25-mile bike race and 10K run. Entries are due by May 9. Call 372-8885 or visit active.com.

Should Aiea’s softball team produce another riveting postseason run this spring, they likely will look back on their work ethic as a contributing factor.

“Peaking at the end was our goal from the beginning,” said Na Ali‘i head coach Alan Higuchi. “We’ve been having high-intensity practices, and the girls have responded to our plan as far as practice and games.”

Although Aiea entered the last week of OIA’s White Conference regular season, Na Ali‘i have been in postseason mode seemingly all season, as they pursue one of the league’s top two seeds for the upcoming Red tournament. It not only would mean automatic entry into the semifinals, but it also would guarantee Na Ali‘i one of the league’s berths for the DataHouse Division II state softball tournament.

Na Ali‘i entered last weekend with a 6-2 record, and locked in a battle with Nanakuli and Kalaheo for one of the aforementioned top two seeds. Nanakuli still was unbeaten 9-0, so Na Ali‘i’s main competition for second seed was the Mustangs. Aiea defeated Kalaheo (14-2) in their regular-season meeting March 14 to help their cause.

Aiea finished second in the OIA White last season and went on to take fourth in the DII state tournament.

Higuchi cited his team’s senior leadership as a big strength to date, behind veterans Kayla Higuchi, Riley Tagawa, Kailie Alama and Raisa Strom-Okimoto. (Strom-Okimoto has been out of the lineup all season with an injury.)

“We’ve been kind of riding their backs,” Higuchi said. On the field, Higuchi also credited new pitching coach Megan Rigos as having made a huge difference. A Pennsylvania native, Rigos played collegiately at Division I Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and has been tutoring Aiea pitchers Poamai Tuli and Vesi Liilii. “Poamai has a presence

about her,” Higuchi noted of Tuli. “In the heat of the battle, she’s able to stay calm.

“Vesi was a little inexperienced as a pitcher when she came to us, but she’s a good athlete, and Megan has done an outstanding job with her as far as getting her to excel with different pitches, rather than just a fastball,” he added of Liilii.

Both Tuli and Liilii have found much support behind them, defensively.

“We’ve kind of hung our hat on our defense,” Higuchi said. “Our pitching and catching have been above average, and our defense has been good as far as making the routine plays.”

Although Aiea has posted some big numbers in wins, three games were forfeits, so opportunities at the plate have been limited.

“Offensively, we’ve been coming around after a slow start,” Higuchi said. “The forfeits left us down three games, which is one of the reasons why we hadn’t been getting the ‘game reps.’ Lately, we’ve been playing every weekend, so we’re hoping we can build some confidence (in their hitting). I always tell the girls, ‘anyone can have one good game.’ What we’re looking for is consistency and good at bats in five or six games (in succession).”

Aiea closes out its regular season 10 a.m. Saturday at home against Farrington. Pairings for the White tournament, which will run next Wednesday-Friday, will be revealed Saturday.

jackster.1969@yahoo.com

Send West Oahu items to cchang@midweek.com by April 29 to be considered for the May 6 edition, or call 529-4850.

• NEIGHBORS Pearl City Neighborhood Board meets at 7 p.m. April 28 at Waiau District Park. Call 768-3710.

• BLOOD DRIVES Hawaii Blood Bank has donor drives from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 2 at Pearlridge Center Downtown, and 8:15 a.m.-3 p.m. May 4 at Aiea High library. Call 848-4770.

• AG LANDS The city Department of Planning and Permitting hosts a meeting from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 29 in Kapolei Hale conference rooms A-C to gather public input on how to identify and map Oahu’s Important Agricultural Lands. (The original date was postponed because of the ZipMobile snafu.) Visit honoluludpp.org or mapoahuagland.com.

• ACTOR’S TAKEActor and director Justin Chon (21 & Over, The Twilight Saga films) discusses his career and creative influences and will take qu estions at 12:30 p.m. April 30 in UH West Oahu Library, as part of the Creative Media Masters Series. Call 689-2604.

• GOP CONVENTION Republican Party of Hawaii has its 2015 state convention from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2 at Salvation Army Kroc Center, 91-3257 Kualakai Parkway. Visit gophawaii.com.

• ROLLER DERBYAloha City Rollers stage its annual Star Wars Scrimmage at 4:30 p.m. May 2 at Mililani Hockey Rink, 95-1000 Makaunulau St. The team practices in Kapolei and Mililani. Visit 808derby.com.

• BONSAI Pearl City Bonsai Club plans its annual bonsai show and plant fair from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 2 at Pearl Ridge Elementary cafeteria, complete with exhibits, tips, pots and bonsai tools for sale. Email pearlcitybonsai@hawaii-bonsaiassoc.org.

• SOCCER Leeward AYSO 269 (Kapolei to Makaha) registers players age 4-18 from 5 to 7 p.m. May 2 at Kapolei Middle School, Building E, and 4 to 6 p.m. May 16 at Nanakuli High cafeteria. Early registration fee is $75 (until May 31, then $85), which includes uniform, insurance and photo package. Make checks payable to AYSO 269; credit cards welcome. Seasons start in August and September, depending on age. Visit leewardayso269.com.

• BENEFIT GOLF St. Francis Healthcare Foundation’s 14th Golf Healthy Challenge is set for 9:30 a.m. May 7 at Hawaii Prince Golf Club in Ewa Beach. Fee is $1,250 for a three-person team, and proceeds support St. Francis Kupuna Village on the Liliha campus. Call 547-8031.

• MAKE-A-WISH Make-A-Wish Hawaii sponsors its annual gala at 6:30 p.m. May 9 at Disney’s Aulani resort in Ko Olina with food, fun and entertainment for guests, who are asked to wear white for hope. Call 537-3118.

• SUCCULENTS Halawa Xeriscape Garden offers a Succulent Framed Art workshop at 10:30 a.m. May 9 at 99-1268 Iwaena St. Fee is $10. To register by May 8, call 748-5363.

• GRAFTING Oahu Urban Garden Center’s “Stroll the Gardens” day is from 9 a.m. to noon May 9 featuring a workshop on grafting fruit trees at 9:15 a.m. ($35 preregistration fee), plus a plant sale and a Master Gardeners’ answer booth at 955 Kamehameha Hwy. Call 453-6050.

• LEEWARD L’ULU The annual Leeward Culinary Arts gala is set for 6 to 9 p.m. May 9 when 13 celebrity chefs and local cultivators join up to present a fine-dining menu, entertainment and silent auction at The Pearl. Tickets cost $100 ($125 after May 2) and proceeds support culinary scholarships. Call 455-0300 or 455-0298.

• XERISCAPE Halawa Xeriscape Garden offers workshops with Diane Moses at 10:30 a.m. at 99-1268 Iwaena St. on the following dates: Succulent framed art May 9, Five simple steps to a beautiful garden May 23, and Terracotta madness May 30. For fees and to reserve a space, call 748-5363.

• OCEAN SAFETY Na Kama Kai seeks volunteers to help with its May 10 ocean safety clinics for youths at Ewa Beach Park. Call 864-9164.

• FOOTBALL The Ewa Beach Hurricanes program is registering intermediate and elementary players, and recruiting coaches and parent help. Apply to ewabeachhurricanes@gmail.com or call 232-4449.

Ongoing

• JIU-JITSU The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Kapolei offers family-oriented instruction for all age and skill levels. Call 782-8590 or email cjjfkapolei@gmail.com.

• FITNESS R.I.P.P.E.D. Fitness leads a complete one-hour workout at 6 p.m. Tuesdays at Momilani Rec Center covering cardio, agility, resistance and endurance. Call 676-9677.

• CHORALE New singers are invited to join Kapolei Chorale at its rehearsals, held at 6:30 p.m. Sundays in Kapolei. The group features sopranos, altos, tenors and basses for four-part harmony. Call Judy at 623-4045.

• SLACK KEY Yameen Fong teaches classes in beginner slack-key guitar in four weekly meetings at 9 a.m. Thursdays, and ukulele picking at 10 a.m. Thursdays, both at Ewa Mahiko District Park, 91-1145 Renton Road. Call 685-6035 or visit fongsmusic.homestead.com.

• GATHERING Prince Kuhio Community Center hosts The Gathering Place market from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays at 91-1270 Kinoiki St. in Kapolei, offering food, crafts and entertainment to bring Westside folks together. Vendors may call Megan at 772-6682.

BYU-Hawaii’s International Cultural Studies department is partnering with Hawaiian Islands Land Trust to infuse youths into its land protection efforts.

A conservation collaboration agreement recently signed by both parties will mean more helping hands for the trust and wider learning opportunities for the college students. As BYUH associate professor Tevita O Ka‘ili put it, the partnership “nurtures a symbiotic relationship for sharing and acting on knowledge and practices pertaining to conservation and culture.

“We look forward to many fruitful years of collaborating with HILT in caring for our honua, Earth,” he said.

HILT will present land conservation lessons to the students, for example, and the students will participate in ongoing cleanups at Maunawila Heiau in Hau‘ula. The students also will help raise funds, and will be able to join the trust’s discounted Young Friends membership program.

HILT formed a similar partnership last spring with Kihei Charter School on Maui.