Email Central items to cchang@midweek.com or fax them to 585-6324. The next edition is June 12, and the deadline is June 5.

* NEIGHBORS Wahiawa-Whitmore Village Neighborhood Board meets at 7 p.m. May 20 at Wahiawa District Park, Mililani Mauka-Launani Valley meets at 7 p.m. May 21 at Mililani Mauka school, MililaniWaipio-Melemanu meets at 7:30 p.m. May 22 at Mililani Rec Center III, and North Shore meets at 7 p.m. May 28 at Haleiwa Elementary cafeteria, Call 768-3710.

* TRAFFIC STUDY An information meeting on the Mililani H-2 Interchange Traffic Study is set for 6:30 p.m. May 22 at Mililani Mauka Elementary cafeteria, where state Department of Transportation officials will explain the project, take comments and answer questions. Call 587-2160.

* LEI MAKING Waialua District Park plans a public lei-making session from 9 a.m. to noon May 24 to create leis for Memorial Day. Call 637-9721.

* MOON WALK Waimea Valley hosts its monthly Moon Walk at 7:30 p.m. May 24, from the ticket both to the waterfall and back. Fee is $5 per person. Call 638-7766.

* MEETING DOGS Hawaii Dog Foundation has “meet and greet” sessions for its adoptable dogs from noon to 2 p.m. May 25 and June 8 at Mililani Mauka Dog Park. Call 782-8387.

* BLOOD DRIVES Hawaii Blood Bank has donor drives at Mililani Town Center (near Tesoro) from 7 to 10:45 a.m. May 25, and 7 a.m.-12:45 p.m. May 27; 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m. May 28 at Monsanto Co. on Kunia Road, and 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m. May 28 at the BYU-Hawaii ballroom, window side. Call 848-4770.

* BEACH CLEANUP Adopt A Beach Hawaii and Save the Sea Turtles International lead a beach debris cleanup at 10 a.m. May 25, meeting at Chun’s Reef. Trash bags, water, safety vests and gloves are provided. Call 637-2211.

* POLO Hawaii Polo Club presents Hawaii Polo Life “White Party” May 26, and Argentina v. Hawaii at 2 p.m. June 2 and 9 on the Mokuleia polo field. Admission is $25, $10 or $8, with children 12 and under admitted free. Gates open at 11 a.m. each Sunday. Call 226-0061.

* DOT’S MUSIC The Waikiki to Wahiawa Concert Series presents Kelly Boy De Lima and Kapena from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. May 31 at Dot’s banquet hall in Wahiawa, with no-host cocktails and pupus. Admission is $25 presale or $30 at the door. Call 224-0776.

* BANDSTAND Waialua Bandstand has entertainment by Na Lei Nani o Waialua Hula Halau at 4 p.m. June 2, sponsored by Friends of Waialua Town and Island X Hawaii. Call 637-9721.

* FILM The Taste of Summer Film Series presents Ingredients Hawaii at 7:30 p.m. June 6 at Waimea Valley, following the Haleiwa Farmers Market. Call 638-7766.

* STAR PARTY Hawaiian Astronomical Society brings its telescopes and know-how to Dillingham Airfield from 7:15 p.m. to midnight June 8 for a monthly star-gazing party. The public is welcome but there are restrictions. Visit hawastsoc.org.

* TRIATHLON The BikeFactory North Shore Triathlon runs from 6 to 10 a.m. June 8, starting and ending at Mokuleia Beach Park. Call 372-8885.

* FOOTBALL CAMP UH brings high school football camp to Mililani High School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 9. Norm Chow and staff will teach strategies and techniques. Fee is $20. Call 956-6508 or 956-4514.

* FOOTBALL Mililani Football Association seeks a volunteer head coach now for the Junior PeeWee division of Pop Warner Football. Call Tony at 756-3334.

* SOCCER The Mililani-based Fusion Soccer Club is practicing for HYSA season starting Sept. 1. The club seeks interested boys born between Aug. 1, 2004 and July 31, 2005 (927-4351) and girls born between Aug. 1, 2000 and July 31, 2001 (864-9965).

HMSA Foundation was among the local businesses donating to Special Olympics Hawaii to help with construction costs of its new sports center in Kapolei. Pictured (from left) are HMSA president and CEO Michael A. Gold, Special Olympics board member Howard Karr, Special Olympics president and CEO Nancy Bottelo and Special Olympics athlete Stephanie Zane. Photo courtesy Bennet Group.

In its effort to continue to be a resource to families with special-needs children, Special Olympics Hawaii (SOH) have moved a step closer to building a sports complex in Kapolei, thanks to recent donations from four local companies.

Totaling approximately $510,000, the funds came from the James & Abigail Campbell Family and HMSA foundations, James Campbell Co. and First Hawaiian Bank.

“We are most grateful to those who donate to our organization,” said SOH president and CEO Nancy Bottelo. “We know there is an abundance of other organizations people have to choose from, and we appreciate that people understand how important our services are to Hawaii’s most neglected citizens.”

Construction of the new facility, which will be located adjacent to Kroc Center, is expected to start at the end of this year, with phase one being completed by the end of 2015.

“Special Olympics Hawaii’s plan focuses on the creation of a multi-purpose sports, education, fitness and wellness facility in Kapolei, for use by the entire community of Hawaii,” said Bottelo, “with an emphasis on providing accessible facilities to persons with intellectual disabilities to showcase their abilities.”

SOH annually provides 40 competitions in nine sports for about 3,500 children and adults. Bottelo credits this to more than 7,000 coaches and volunteers.

“Through sports, our athletes learn to follow rules, to be a part of a team, to pay attention to the coach or teacher,” said Bottelo. “They develop self-confidence and self-esteem, making them better students.”

The SOH goal is simple: “to create a community throughout the state, where people with intellectual disabilities are accepted, respected and a vibrant part of their communities,” said Bottelo.

When completed, the Sports and Wellness Center will be the first of its kind, and free to all athletes and families.

“The Special Olympics Hawaii Sports and Wellness Center would create, for the first time, an inclusive training and competition environment designed specifically to unite athletes of all abilities and train other service providers so they may bring these programs back to their communities,” she added.

In addition to sports and training competitions, the center will provide physical examinations, oral health and vision screenings, and sports skills assessments.

SOH continues to accept donations for construction. For every dollar donated up to $150,000, the James Campbell Family Foundation will match it.

For more details on Special Olympics Hawaii, visit specialolympicshawaii.org, call 943-8808, follow on Twitter (twitter.com/sohawaii) or like on Facebook (facebook.com/specialolympicshawaii).

A view of the rose garden at the Urban Garden Center in Pearl City. Before an alleged theft last month, the garden was home to 176 roses in 33 varieties. Photo from Honolulu Rose Society.

When members of the Honolulu Rose Society (HRS) arrived at the rose garden at the Urban Garden Center on the morning of May 15, they found 13 empty holes in the ground where their roses had been.

Three weeks prior to that visit, two rose plants went missing.

In an effort to deter the alleged thieves, HRS sprayed the main stem of the remaining roses white, in order to be able to easily identify their plants.

HRS is asking the public to be on the lookout and contact the police if these roses pop up in gardens or at markets.

The rose varieties that are missing include: Peace, Love and Peace, Chicago Peace, Sevillana, Sun-sprite, Sugar Moon, Coretta Scott King, Michelangelo, George Burns, Orchid Romance, Ebb Tide and Livin’ Easy.

Prior to May 15, the Urban Garden Center rose garden featured 176 roses in 33 varieties.

This isn’t the first time that the rose society’s plants have disappeared. Two years ago, when the rose garden first opened, about 40 roses vanished over a period of several months.

The Urban Garden Center rose garden was established in partnership with the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to share roses with the public. The garden, which is run by volunteers from HRS and other community organization, often is visited by elementary schools and senior groups.

For more information, visit the website honolulurosesociety.org.

Anyone who has information regarding the garden theft should email Ron at matsuzakr001@hawaii.rr.com or Myrna at mcariaga@honolulurosesociety.org.

Virginia Rhodes (wearing a Girl Scout vest) distributes bags containing tsunami safety packets to senior citizens during a March 1 event at Lanakila Multi-Purpose Senior Center as the culmination of her Girl Scout Gold Award project. Photo from Cynthia Rhodes.

The culmination of at least 60 hours of hard work paid off for 15 Girl Scouts on April 27.

Seventeen-year-old Ewa Beach Scout Virginia Rhodes was among the elite team being honored with a Gold Award, the Girl Scouts’ highest achievement, for conducting a project aimed at helping the community. Her plan, Tsunami Safety for Seniors, provided information to elderly residents on preparing for an emergency.

“After the devastating tsunami following the 2011 earthquake in Japan, I realized how unprepared most people are, especially those not as tech savvy, like the elderly,” said Rhodes, who graduated from Island Pacific Academy last week. “They may not know how to get information about preparing for a tsunami or have the extra money to buy needed preparation materials. I saw this need in the community and worked toward solving the problem.”

Rhodes dove into the task, contacting various organizations, including fellow Girl Scout troops and her church at the Ray and Joan Kroc Center, to request donations for tsunami preparedness kits. Next, she searched for a suitable place to host an informational event where she would distribute the kits.

By March 1, Rhodes was ready to welcome seniors to her preparedness gathering at the Lanakila Multi-Purpose Senior Center. Attendees learned how to prepare for an emergency, how to respond to a tsunami warning, and where to go to remain safe. They also were given contacts to resource organizations that could potentially offer transportation during an evacuation, or that may be able to check on the seniors during a state of emergency. The first 50 seniors who arrived were given one of Rhodes’ emergency readiness kits.

“The hardest part was definitely collecting the items for my kits,” she admitted. “Each kit had 10 different items, and I had the goal of 50 kits.”

Rhodes received a welcome surprise at the culminating event, with members of her Japanese National Honor Society lending the seniors a helping hand.

“I thought they only came to get the community service hours,” said Rhodes, “but every time I turned around I would see my members and the seniors laughing and smiling together.”

Looking back, Rhodes, who describes herself as shy, said the project required a lot of email correspondence and phone calls to a number of organizations, giving her new confidence in her ability to communicate.

“I also learned to handle last-minute decisions,” she pointed out. “I had a few complications at the last minute, but I was able to remain calm and fix the situation.”

Completing the project gave Rhodes the distinguished honor of being among only 5 percent of Girl Scouts nationwide who achieve the meritorious Gold Award.

Four area keiki were among 42 Oahu students recognized for excellence in the Board of Water Supply’s (BWS) 2013 Water Conservation Week Poster and Poetry Contests.

“The quality and creativity of the entries we received continue to exceed our expectations,” said BWS chairman Duane Miyashiro. “The winning students demonstrated a clear understanding of the contest theme and the need to incorporate sustainable practices into our everyday lives.”

Sixth-graders Alema Lowe of Kapolei Middle School, Cindy Tsou of Kapolei Middle and Elijah Jan Banasihan of Ewa Elementary School took first, second and third place, respectively, in the fifth- and sixth-grade category for the poster contest.

Ninth-grader Ariel Faumuina of Calvary Chapel Christian School won fourth place in the ninth- and 10th-grade category of the poetry contest.

The contests aim to educate children about water conservation – and encourage them to be a part of the solutions.

“This contest is an excellent way to educate the community about protecting our precious island resources,” stated Mayor Kirk Caldwell.

“These students are helping to set the groundwork for future generations by conveying the importance of conservation through their fine works of art and poetry.”

“It is great to see that Oahu’s schoolchildren understand the value of water and the need to conserve it for this generation and into the future,” BWS manager and chief engineer Ernest Y.W. Lau added.

All winning and honorable mention artwork and poems will be on exhibit from July 2 to July 25 at Kapolei Hale, as well as other locations around the island.

Winning pieces also will be featured in the Board of Water Supply’s 2014 Water Conservation Calendar, which will be available for the public at the end of the year. Entries also can be viewed at boardofwatersupply.com/cssweb.

Rep. Bob McDermott

Everybody knows that Hawaii’s beaches are world-renowned. They are assets to our island communities and contribute greatly to our unique Hawaiian lifestyle.

Having eight children of my own, I can attest to the fact that going to the beach is one of the best and most affordable things a family can do together.

The Ewa community has several beautiful beaches, from the old Barbers Point Air Station, to our town’s namesake Ewa Beach, to the scenic Iroquois Point.

Our relationship to our beaches helps define us. Whether it is fishing for a record-size ‘o’io, surfing, or just enjoying the sunset, our beaches are critically important to who we are as a people – and that’s why it is worth noting when one of our corporate citizens repeatedly steps in to make things better.

Indeed, it is notable that Hunt Development Co. is funding the $14-million beach replenishment project that will restore Iroquois Point Beach to its former glory, and hopefully stop future erosion from reclaiming the beach.

The nearly 1-mile- long Iroquois Point Beach has suffered from decades of erosion. The shoreline receded 150 feet between 1961 and 2003. Additional damage occurred from 2004 to 2008 with the erosion of another 30 to 50 feet; 16 homes were lost along the shoreline. Red clay soil leached into the ocean, causing murky conditions along the coast, which damaged reefs and corals.

This beach replenishment project is good news for our district. City Councilwoman Kymberly Pine was a proponent of public access; most recently, I have joined in the planning, and the work began last year to implement changes needed to off-set the beach erosion.

The scale of the project is massive, with nine T-shaped groins being constructed using more than 2,000 truckloads of very large boulders. These structures will help capture and hold the sand in place, as well as serve as artificial reefs.

There will be more than 85,000 cubic yards of new sand with another 2,700 truckloads brought in to add 20 to 100 feet to the width of the current beach.

This sand will be dredged out of the Pearl Harbor Channel, where it has accumulated over the years, much of it from the original Iroquois Point Beach.

Completion of the project is estimated to be sometime this summer.

Access to the beach will be available to the general public, and beach-goers will receive free one-day passes at the front gate.

The finished project will add one more spectacular beach to our roster of recreational assets here in Ewa, and one we can be truly proud of.

We all owe a debt of thanks to the Navy and Hunt Development Co. for once again being a good neighbor.

Contact state Rep. Bob McDermott, R-District 40 (Ewa, Ewa Beach and Iroquois Point) at 586-9730 or email him at repmcdermott@capitol.ha waii.gov

Pearl City head girls basketball coach Miles Okamura and the Chargers are hoping to use the summer league as a springboard to the 2013-14 season.

“Our girls are a little more advanced than last year, and we have some JV girls coming up that are going to help us along with the varsity returnees, so we hope to be a lot better this year,” said Okamura.

“They all get along well with each other, and they like to have fun, but they’re serious when it comes to basketball. They ask a lot more questions this year, and they’re willing to learn.”

Okamura took over in the spring of 2012 with virtually no returnees. The team had graduated a stellar senior class that delivered the school’s first OIA overall girls basketball title only three months earlier under then-outgoing coach Mike Morton.

The youthful Chargers struggled to a 0-10 last season, but the outlook is much brighter this spring.

Three starters return this time around, led by senior-to-be Megan Ramos.

“She should be one of our leaders this year,” said Okamura, who is in his second stint leading the Pearl City program, having been head coach from 1985 to ’90.

“She’s a hard worker, she listens well, and she tries to keep everybody together.”

Also back are junior-to-be Jurey Jao and sophomore-to-be Ciera Sylva. The pair earned invaluable playing time as under-classmen last year.

“Jurey is one of our better ball-handlers, so she’s going to help us take care of the basketball. She also will be one of our better shooters.

Sylva is the younger sister of AJ Sylva, who was a Charger standout under Morton.

“She’s trying to be a leader,” he said of Sylva, a guard. “She tries hard and also keeps everything light. We think she’ll be one of our better shooters, too.”

Okamura also will have the services of sophomore-to-be Johnneen Kapua. A post-player, she started a handful of games last season.

“She’s a lot more serious this year: She wants to improve and get better, and she’s a lot more dedicated.”

The Chargers currently have 17 players in their Summer League, which runs June 10-July 5.

“The girls have been working hard, and their basketball mentality is more advanced with a year of experience,” he noted.

Pearl City’s Summer League field includes Island Pacific Academy, Hanalani, Nanakuli, Mililani, Kapolei, Waipahu and Waianae in addition to the host Chargers.

Pearl City’s games are scheduled as follows:

Island Pacific Academy, 6 p.m. June 10; Hanalani Schools, 6 p.m. June 12; Nanakuli High, 6 p.m. June 17; Waipahu High, 6 p.m. June 21; Waianae High, 6 p.m. June 24; Mililani High, 6 p.m. June 26; Kapolei High, 7 p.m. July 1.

Waipahu junior Luuga Vailuu was named OIA Red West boys volleyball Player of the Year, the league revealed recently. An outside hitter and middle blocker, Vailuu was a key component on a team that won 10 straight games before back-to-back losses to Moanalua and Roosevelt at the OIA post-season tournament ended its run.

OIA All-Star teams are chosen in a vote of league coaches at season’s end. Waipahu’s Julna Pasicaran was named Coach of the Year in the West by his peers.

Vailuu was joined on the West’s First Team by senior teammate Chayse Antonio. It marked the second year in a row Antonio earned All-Conference honors, having been a Second Team pick as a junior. Antonio also was a First Team ILH selection as a sophomore at Lanakila Baptist before transferring to Waipahu.

Senior Austin Viloria also made the Second Team from Waipahu, which has gone 23-5 over the past two seasons. The Marauders also placed Malutafa Bentley, Johnny Tuia and AJ Maiava as Honorable Mentions.

Jacob Ka’awa made the First Team from Campbell, which finished 9-9 overall. The Sabers also advanced to the Division II state tournament, finishing sixth. Ellery Vitug, Nio Poesi, Adam Amosa, Kepa Berengue and Filipo Maugaotega were named Honorable Mentions from Campbell.

Pearl City senior Luke Motoyama made the First Team, while teammates Tyson Hickcox and Derek Chang earned Honorable Mentions. Aiea had nine players make Honorable Mention: AJ Aleaga, Perritte Togafau, Nakamakaniolonahe Obrero, Kamakana Apelu, Kekoa Pi’ianaia, Michael Leui Jr., Zachary Barte, Keali’i Leopoldo and Chaz Kino.

Earning Honorable Mention from Kapolei were Isaiah Mo’o, Elias Mc-Moore, Tali Coleman, Masi Tunoa, Eleneki Fernandes and Tyler Yadao.

In track and field, Pearl City’s Diamond Briscoe was named OIA West Player of the Year. Briscoe was an individual state champion in the 400-yard dash recently with a time of 56.26. She also finished second in the 100. Her teammate Maile Shigemasa also made the West’s First Team, while Alexia Blalock was named to the Second Team.

Campbell’s Chantell Taito was a First Team pick, while the Shatres Ah Nee made the Second Team.

Nicole Puaa was a First Team honoree from Waipahu, which also placed Kayla Anela Obrero on the Second Team.

Megan Ma’afala-Maeva earned Second Team honors from Aiea.

Filipino Community Center in Waipahu will offer citizenship readiness classes from 1 to 3 p.m. every Saturday in June.

Comprised of five sessions and led by an immigration attorney, the course will include instructions in filling out the necessary forms, writing exercises and practice interviews.

Following each session, outreach workers will be on hand to answer questions.

FilCom Center said the goal of these classes is to help applicants gain confidence in taking the naturalization tests. And it seems to be working: A number of graduates from last year’s class have since become U.S. citizens.

Registration is limited, and fee is $25. For more information, email filcom@filcom.org or call 680-0451.

Send West Oahu items to cchang@midweek.com or fax them to 585-6324 by May 29 to be considered for the June 5 edition.

* NEIGHBORS Pearl City Neighborhood Board meets at 7 p.m. May 28 at Waiau District Park; the Aiea board meets at 7:30 p.m. June 10 at Aiea Library. Call 768-3710.

* BLOOD DRIVES Hawaii Blood Bank has donor drives from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 28 at Monsanto Co. on Kunia Road, 7 a.m.-1:15 p.m. June 2 at Ewa Beach Elementary School on Papipi Road, and 7 a.m.-12:45 p.m. June 8 at Kapolei Shopping Center. Call 848-4770.

* DRAINAGE The city Department of Planning and Permitting conducts a public hearing at 10:30 a.m. May 29 at Kapolei Hale on the special management area use permit and shoreline setback variance needed to build a 150-foot-wide by 1,750-foot-long drainage canal on Malakole Street in Campbell Industrial Park. Call Ann Asaumi at 768-8020.

* CAR SEATS Kaiser Permanente sponsors a free keiki car seat/booster seat inspection from 3:30 to 6 p.m. May 31 at Alphabetland Pearl City, 1716 Komo Mai Drive. Call 432-2260.

* PEST CONTROL Oahu Resource Conservation and Development Council offers a workshop on Organic Pest Control and Pest ID at 9 a.m. June 1 at the Pioneer Research facility in Kunia. Fee is $5. Call 622-9026.

* ACUPUNCTURE Licensed acupuncturist MeiLin Maunakea discusses acupuncture and other treatment modalities used in traditional Chinese medicine at 2 p.m. June 1 at Aiea Library. Call 483-7333.

* WAIMANO HIKES Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club leads a 14-mile advanced hike in Waimano to the Koolau crest at 8 a.m. June 1; at the same time and date, the club plans a 5-mile intermediate hike to the Waimano tunnels. Visit htmclub.org.

* ORGANIZED Simply Organized offers a free FreedomRail workshop at 1 p.m. June 1 at its Kapolei store on Kamokila Boulevard. Call 693-8888.

* YOUTH LEADERS Ewa Weed and Seed has a leadership training conference with HPD officers from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 1 at Kroc Center in Kapolei for students in grades 9 to 11. The program, lunch and transportation (from the Ewa Boys and Girls Club) are free. Call 723-8411.

* AIEA HIKE Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club leads a 12-mile advanced hike to Aiea Ridge at 8 a.m. June 2. Visit htmclub.org.

* BOWLING Aiea Bowl hosts a special edition of Madhouse Mondays with a BAMF party from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. June 3, featuring art, music, fashion and bowling for ages 18 and older. Call 488-6854.

* AIEA BOOK CLUB The Aiea Book Club meets at 6:30 p.m. June 6 at Aiea Library to discuss Katherine Govier’s The Printmaker’s Daughter. Email thereadingtutor@gmail.com.

* ROTARY TOUR Kapolei Rotary Club meets at 7:30 a.m. June 6 for “breakfast on the road” at Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Academy at 1787 Shangrila Ave. Email info@limelighthawaii.com.

* ORCHID SHOWAiea Orchid Club has its annual orchid show and sale June 7-9 at Aiea Elementary School. Call 224-5824.

* PLANTING The Urban Garden Center sponsors “Let’s Plant” in its children’s gardening series from 9 a.m. to noon June 8 at 955 Kamehameha Hwy. in Pearl City. Topics include sowing seeds, building raised beds and getting dirty. Call 453-6050.

* GEOCACHING Kapolei Library plans a Geo-caching program at 10:30 a.m. June 8 to explain all one needs to know about the global hide-and-seek game. Call 693-7050.

* HEALTH TESTS Sam’s Club pharmacy in Pearl City offers free men’s health screenings from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 8, including prostate, thyroid, blood pressure, body mass and vision tests. Visit samsclub.com/clublocator.

* OPEN MARKET Prince Kuhio Community Center has an open market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 8 at 91-1270 Kinoiki St. in Kapolei, near the Hawaiian Home Lands building. Call 780-6082, 394-0050 or email info@hawaiimaoli.org.

* CHARITY GOLF The Joshua Neves Children’s Foundation hosts a benefit golf tournament with events beginning at 10 a.m. June 14 at Hawaii Prince Golf Club in Ewa Beach, Fee is $435 for a three-person team, including lunch, dinner, prizes and more. Visit nevesfoundation.org.

* TRAINING The Building Industry Foundation course, ComPACT: Building Skills to Build Lives, is accepting applications through June 14 from adults living in the Ewa Beach area for pre-apprenticeship construction training. Call 629-7505.

Ongoing

* HIDEAWAY BAND 11th Hour performs original and cover rock music from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. every third Saturday at the Hideaway, 1 Coral Sea Road in Kalaeloa. Free admission for ages 21 and older with military ID. Call 347-1323.

* ZUMBA Kaiser Permanente offers a Zumba class at 5:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, now through June 17 at its Waipio Clinic. Fee is $6.50 per class for non-members. Call 432-2260.

* YOGA Free classes in Holistic Energy Yoga meet at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Waiau District Park. Call 381-3276.

* FOOTBALL USO Athletic Club is signing up players in grades 5-8 for tackle football (no weight limit) and grades 1-4 for flag football (Jr. Prep league). Coaches also are needed. Call Leilani at 275-6134.

* VEGGIE COOKS Down to Earth has free vegetarian cooking classes at 4 and 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays at its Kapolei store, and 5:30 p.m. on the first and third Monday at its Pearlridge store. Call 947-3249.

* ZUMBA Pinoy Crew 808 leads Zumba classes at 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday and Friday at FilCom Center. Fee is $5 per session. Call 680-0451.

* STRIDERS The Leeward Stroller Strides group meets at 8:45 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursday at Central Oahu Regional Park, offering a fitness walk for moms and tots in strollers. Fee is $60 a month. A Kapolei group meets at 8:45 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Kapolei Regional Park. Call 398-6275.

* HULA No Kealoha O Hula leads hula classes Wednesday nights in Waipahu, with beginners at 6 and intermediate students at 7:10 p.m. Call Desiree at 478-0404.

* ROLLER DERBY The Aloha City Rollers are recruiting new players and referees for league play in the West Oahu area. All adults age 18-50 can learn and compete. Call 454-3847 or visit 808derby.com.

* MASTERS SWIM Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center has launched a U.S. Masters swimming program, meeting at 7 p.m. each Monday and Wednesday at Central Oahu Regional Park. Call Ruthie Heuton at 677-8510.

* SLACK KEY Yameen Fong teaches beginner slack-key guitar from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at Ewa Beach Community Park on North Road. The course has four sessions, and students should have their own guitars. Call 685-6035 evenings or visit fongsmusic.homestead.com.

* EWA CERT The Ewa Beach Emergency Preparedness Committee is organizing Community Emergency Preparedness Teams (CERT) to train residents in how to respond to a disaster. Call chairman Donald Harlor at 682-0111.

* RUGBY Players and coaches are invited to join USO Athletics-Hawaii Youth Rugby in several age-group teams for boys, and under 16 for girls. Call Raymond Maae at 692-3589 or visit hawaiiyouthrugby.com.

* BRIDGE PLAYERS Bridge players are invited to join in games with residents in the Makaha area. Call Flo at 695-8106.

* PET FOOD The Kapolei and Pearl City PETCO stores accept unopened, unexpired dry pet food daily for the Hawaiian Humane Society to help owners better afford to feed their dogs and cats. Call 356-2217.

* STAR SIGHTINGS Ko Olina hosts “Stars Above Hawaii,” an astronomical star show at 8, 9 and 10 nightly by reservation at 291-2464.

Campbell softball stand-outs Summer Palipti and Tiana Rosario helped lead the team to an OIA Red title this spring, and the play of both girls was noticed by opposing coaches, who voted Palipti (pitcher) and Rosario (shortstop) as OIA First Team All-Stars in a post-season vote.

The Sabers won the league for a second straight year under Coach Shag Hermosura and finished 12-6 overall.

They also were a win away from advancing to the title game of the Division I state softball tournament before dropping a tough loss to ILH powerhouse Punahou. Campbell defeated Moanalua to finish third at the state tournament, capping off a riveting post-season.

Palipti finished with an ERA of 2.47 and was 9-5 overall. She was the winning pitcher in the OIA title game and also batted .436 with four home runs. Rosario batted .340 in the leadoff spot in addition to stellar play in the field.

The Sabers also placed senior outfielder Jessica Arata and freshman Caragh Morris on the Second Team.

Pearl City had a pair of First Team picks in freshman second baseman Hope Casarez and senior out-fielder JoeAnn Rapoza. Receiving Honorable Mention were fellow Chargers Taylor Kawakami, Robi Kami, Nat Kang, Joe-Ann Rapoza, Anuhea Rapoza, Ariela Bali, Kristin Frost, Cydny Rivera, Naomi H. Hama and Makana Kekaulike.

Junior outfielder StaciaAl Mahoe was named to the First Team from Kapolei, which was the OIA tournament runner-up.

The Hurricanes went 10-9 overall en route to another state tournament appearance. Senior Kacee Navarro was named to the Second Team as a pitcher, while Shaycelynn Hoohuli, Tayzma Meyers, Rachel McKean, Kanaiaupuni Smith and Amayha Dycus earned Honorable Mention.

Waipahu senior Nala Viliamu made the Second Team as a catcher.

The Marauders finished 10-9 overall this season en route to a state tournament appearance and also named nine members – Shevan DeFreitas, Laugatausala Pedebone, AJ Miranda, Kylie Nishino, Tammy Viliamu, Tevanah Niuatoa, Shandell Palencia, Taliiaga Viliamu and Lauren Tauanuu – Honorable Mentions.

In Division II, Aiea junior Tiana Pantil made the OIA’s First Team as a second baseman. Na Ali’i finished 12-6 overall this spring and took third at the OIA White post-season tournament.

Aiea went on to finish fifth at the DII state tournament. Senior catcher Kendra Chong and junior first baseman Kendra Kakazu also made the Second Team.

Receiving Honorable Mention were Raisa Strom-Okimoto, Kayla Higuchi, Mapu Tauala, Kaile Alama, Ashley

Nakamoto, Riley Tagawa and Brandi Mahoe.

Email Jack Danilewicz at jackster.1969@ yahoo.com

Former sports greats from the Cougar Ohana will be honored this Saturday, highlighting Kaiser High School Athletic Foundation’s third annual benefit luau at Sea Life Park.

An all-you-can-eat buffet, entertainment and silent auction are planned from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., as alumni and supporters come together to share memories and support the school’s athletic programs. Tickets cost $100 and can still be reserved online at kaiserathleticfoundation.org. Tables of 10 for $1,000 also are encouraged.

“The luau will be good times for all,” said foundation member and 1976 alumnus David Uchiyama, “but most importantly, we’ll be raising money to help Kaiser provide better athletic facilities for its students to enjoy in future years.”

The five honorees are Sid Fernandez, alumnus and World Series pitcher for the 1986 New York Mets; Dave Nakama, alumnus and coach of the San Jose University baseball program; Asa Tanaka, alumnus and former Kaiser swim coach; Bill Von Arnswaldt, former Kaiser athletic director, teacher, track and football coach; and Stephen Kim, former Kaiser wrestling coach and administrator.

Introducers are (Fernandez) Keith Komeji, El Sid’s catcher at Kaiser, UH baseball standout and former UH assistant coach; (Nakama) former Cougar baseball coach, teacher and assistant schools superintendent Clayton Fujie; (Tanaka) spouse and active Cougar supporter Cynthia Tanaka; (Von Arnswaldt) Brian Alamadova, Kaiser athlete, teacher, coach, assistant AD and UH football player; (Kim) Kurt Ginoza, Waianae coach, teacher, Molokai High and Kamehameha-Maui athletic director, and current vice principal at Makawao Elementary.

Current projects for the nonprofit KHSAF are the weight room, wrestling room and gymnasium floor. Proceeds from its luaus also go to equipment, transportation and student-athlete scholarships.

Additional donations may be sent to the foundation, Attn: Luau Foundation Committee, P.O. Box 25112, Honolulu HI 96825. For more information, send an email to go cougars@kaiserathleticfoundation.org.

Maunalua Communities Foundation will conduct its sixth annual Independence Day celebration from noon to 7 p.m. July 4 at Maunalua Bay, even as last-minute fundraising efforts appear to have fallen short on the fireworks.

The community celebration will feature Hawaii Kai’s own award-winning band, Maunalua, along with a “backyard barbecue,” hula, keiki bike parade, art projects, near-water activities, a watermelon-eating contest and much more.

For more information or to offer help, call 224-8357.

Several donors, including one with an anonymous $25,000 gift, came forward prior to the June 1 deadline on the pyrotechnics fund drive. As of press deadline, a deficit of $10,000 remained. Paying for a fireworks display, according to chairwoman Dianne Glei, would have taken 60 percent of the event’s budget.

Kaneohe Marine base’s annual BayFest also has fallen victim to budget cuts, along with fireworks plans at other military installations. Kailua’s fireworks advocates recently succeeded in raising enough revive its 2013 fireworks show off of Kailua beach.

Just like yeast, Tyler Kimura‘s mood rose when he learned his Great Harvest Bread Co. in Kahala won the national “Phenomenal Bread” award at the chain’s Arizona convention. The company also lauded his dedication to the food bank and other community causes … Junior League gave Wailupe broker Cathy George its Volunteerism Award in April. Cathy is known for her tireless leadership in civic groups and the spirit of volunteerism that she brings to all that she does … Named Volunteer of the Year at Palolo/Kaimuki Community Media Center was Rick Bayonna for his support of ‘Olelo cable TV clients and positive use of video …

Cathy George

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It took many hours, 35 pages, video, 50 photos – but Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board chairman Greg Knudsen has submitted its Maunalua-Makapuu Hawaii Scenic Byway plan for review. The route (in case you don’t know!) is posted on YouTube … B.E.A.C.H. marks World Ocean Day at 2:30 p.m. June 8 at Aina Haina Library when co-founder Suzanne Frazer will present “Protecting the Ocean and our Health: Plastic Reduction Solutions” (393-2168) … Kaiser’s Jung Won Choi, Sacred Hearts’ Megan Tang and Saint Louis’ Dayne Okamura all were named Most Valuable Staffers for their newspapers. In the Hawaii High School Journalism Awards print division, Cougar Connection also tied for third-best, winning best for single issue and editorial writing. SHA’s Ka Leo took best website and tied for best online newspaper …

Kaimuki’s Olu Campbell, a UH graduate and law student, is a legal intern this summer with Native Hawaiian Legal Defense & Education Fund … New books from East Oahu: Hawaii’s Favorite Bento Box Recipes: Fun Lunches for Kids by Kaimuki chef/mom Susan Yuen; The Lost Traveler Part I: Water Above, a surfing fantasy by Kalani High surfing art teacher John Nippolt; S Went Surfing, by Hawaii Kai’s Ruth Moen; and Walking on Eggshells: Discovering Strength and Courage Amid Chaos by Lyssa Chapman - Dog and Beth‘s “Baby Lyssa,” who also operates No Tan Lines salon at Koko Marina

Possible winning entry at Hawaii Kai Rotary Club's first Ducky Dash on July 4. Photo from the club.

Reports say that Hawaii Kai Rotary Club members have grown webs between their toes, but MidWeek‘s East Oahu Islander has gotten to the truth of the matter: They are selling rubber duckys for the club’s inaugural Ducky Dash July 4 at Hawaii Kai Towne Center.

For each $5 donation, supporters can adopt a bright yellow ducky – which wears a mortarboard and comes with a certificate and coupon to area McDonald’s restaurants. And as the event’s primary sponsor, McDonald’s will donate $1 per adoption to either Kaiser High School or the Rotary club.

As adoptions mount, the club predicts that 6,000 duckys will race to the finish line at the town center’s gazebo, earning great prizes for their parents. These include Sea Life Park admissions, a Waikiki hotel overnighter, and a Las Vegas trip for two.

“With this event and the funds we will raise, we are creating opportunities for people in our own community,” declared Kaiser High football coach Rich Miano, who is honorary Ducky Dash chairman.

For adoption advice and reservations, email duckydash96825@gmail.com or call 377-0485 or 781-0419.

Rep. Gene Ward

There is ongoing concern in Hawaii Kai over 20 years about over-development and a reduction of open space. One of the outstanding open spaces is the Great Lawn, now center stage in a land-use debate: Open space or commercial development?

The Great Lawn encompasses the area bordered by Hawaii Kai Drive, Kalanianaole Highway and Keahole Street across from Maunalua Bay, and is owned by Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate. KSBE wants to build a shopping village and “gathering place” on the site with stores, restaurants, an educational facility, and bike and walking paths, anchored by Foodland, which in 2011 lost its lease at Koko Marina.

Rep. Gene Ward

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More than 300 people attended a town hall meeting March 21 at Kamiloiki Elementary School to share concerns about the impending development. This historic meeting was co-sponsored by Sens. Slom and Laura Thielen, Rep. Mark Hashem, City Councilman Stanley Chang, many members of the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board, and myself – the first time in recent years all East Honolulu elected officials hosted a joint meeting. Also attending were representatives from Kamehameha Schools, Foodland, The Outdoor Circle, Hui Ilio Hawaii (Dog Park), and Livable Hawaii Kai Hui, for example. While the community expressed affinity for Foodland and Hui Nalu Canoe Club, the overwhelming majority (90 percent-plus) of those in attendance wished to see the Great Lawn preserved as open space. Follow-up polls in greater Honolulu confirm this opposition to another shopping center.

A Honolulu Star-Advertiser poll on March 24, for example, found 50 percent in opposition to commercial development including Foodland on the Great Lawn, 21 percent “don’t care” and 29 percent support. Polls conducted by my office last spring and in January showed around 79 percent opposed.

These polls contrast significantly with one conducted by KSBE finding 72 percent in favor of a shopping center anchored by Foodland. KITV also conducted a poll on the issue and found that 31 percent were in favor of the strip mall, 66 percent not in favor and 3 percent undecided. These polls certainly show the vast majority of residents are against the project.

These polls should not be surprising because Hawaii Kai already has three vibrant shopping centers and one dormant (Kalama Valley). Bottom line of all this: Yes, we love Foodland, but we love Hawaii Kai more.

Contact state Rep. Gene Ward, R-District 17 (Hawaii Kai to Kalama Valley) at 586-6420, repward@capitol.hawaii.gov.

Send East Oahu items by fax to 585-6324 or email cchang@midweek.com. The next edition is July 3, and deadline is June 26.

* FOOD SITES The state low-income summer food program is at Palolo Elementary (733-4700), Kaimuki High (733-4900) and Anuenue (733-8465) serving free breakfast and/or lunch for all children.

* SUMMITS State Rep. Gene Ward has a “coffee summit” at 5:30 p.m. June 4 at Zippy’s and a “beer summit” at 5:30 p.m. June 6 at Kona Brewing Co. Pub, both in Koko Marina Center. Call 586-6420.

* TOWN HALL State Rep. Bert Kobayashi hosts a “Lawmakers Listen” town hall from 6:30 to 8 p.m. June 5 at Waialae Elementary with House committee chairs reporting and listening to residents. Call 586-6310.

* SENIOR TOPICS Hawaii Kai Retirement Community invites seniors to a nutrition and hydration talk at 10:30 a.m. June 7; a classic car show at noon June 8; and a Father’s Day barbecue at 10:30 a.m. June 9. Call 395-9500.

* AUDITIONS Diamond Head Theatre holds tryouts for Legally Blonde The Musical at 7 p.m. June 7, and 2 p.m. June 8 and 9 at its rehearsal hall. Call 733-0277, ext. 309.

* CLASSIC CARS Kahala Mall has a classic car and truck show from 2 to 8 p.m. June 8, plus a food drive, antique fire truck rides, keiki activities, prizes and music. Call 732-7736.

* ORGANIZED Simply Organized marks its first year at Kahala Mall with workshops, demonstrations and more now through June 15. Call 739-7007. * BONSAI Pacific Bonsai Club has its exhibit and plant fair from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 9 at Kilauea District Park. Call Wayne at 737-7156.

* ST. LOUIS MEETS St. Louis Heights Community Association meets at 7 p.m. June 10 at Hokulani school. Call 737-5654.

* LIFE HELP Real Life Seminars starts a 12-part weekly series at 7 p.m. June 18 at Kings Chapel in Niu Valley Center on marriage, financial peace and more. Call 373-7416.

* ORCHESTRA Oahu Civic Orchestra plays a free concert of “Celebrated Classics” at 4 p.m. June 30 at Ala Wai Golf Course Palladium. Call 261-6127.

* ACUPUNCTURE A licensed acupuncturist shares acupuncture and other traditional Chinese medicine treatments at 10:30 a.m. June 29 at Hawaii Kai Library. Call 397-5833.

June Motokawa signals the race between Niu Valley’s Julia Lefritz and Zi Jun Huang. Photo from HECO.

Sun power and brain power were tested this spring at the annual Solar Sprint at Kapolei High School, where hundreds of seventh-and eighth-graders raced their handmade, model solar-powered vehicles.

Supported by a mini photovoltaic panel and a small electric motor, each entry had to travel a 20-meter course within 20 seconds – about 3 feet per second.

“We gave them the basic vehicle parts and let them build it,” said Niu Valley Middle science teacher Darrah Brown of the self-directed team. “In this project they applied science principles, testing the product and adjusting the variables to make it work.”

Regardless of their “real” learning, students enjoyed bringing to life their designs for the lightweight, bare-frame racers. And the lesson (shhh!) was all about energy.

Sponsored by the DOE and Hawaiian Electric Co., the April 18 races also attracted teams from Kahuku High and Intermediate, Laie Elementary, Waipahu and Wheeler Intermediate and Kapolei Middle schools.