Waha Nui

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September 04, 2007 - MidWeek The Islander

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The dedicated advocate and restoration coordinator for Kawai Nui Marsh, Chuck Burrows, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Hawaii Home+Remodeling at its inaugural “Who’s Keeping Hawaii Green” program last week in Moanalua Gardens ... Kathleen French, a social science teacher at Windward Community College, is one of 11 faculty members to win the 2007 UH Regents Medal for Excellence in Teaching. Kathleen also has coordinated Women’s History Month at the college for three years, bringing in the speakers, the funding and the crowds ... Backstage news. George Abbott‘s widow Joyce put her stamp of approval on Paliku’s take on her husband’s The Pajama Game, and she also liked the lavendar crown flower lei created by Gayle Harimoto ...

Playing this month with J.P. Smoketrain on Thursdays at O’Toole’s Irish Pub downtown is Kaneohe bassist and soul singer Dennis McClees. They open this Thursday at 9 p.m. ... And then there’s the Kailua band Coconut Joe, presenting Songwriters Night from 6 p.m. Sept. 4 at The O Lounge ... Speaking of September events, Shannon Wood has had to cancel a few, after suffering some cracked bones (and a totaled VW bug) in an accident Aug. 24 near Kaiser Clinic in Kailua. An active volunteer with Windward Ahupuaa Alliance and other groups, she will have to concentrate on mending herself for awhile. Get well soon, Shannon. For updates, go to www.waa-hawaii.org. You can’t keep her away from the computer ...

Michelle Bruno

Michelle Rivera Bruno of Waimanalo is stationed at Nellis AFB where she works as an intelligence analyst - someone we could use at the casinos in nearby Las Vegas.

Michelle’s job as a member of the 547th Intelligence Squadron is to help pilots improve their combat air tactics during exercises like Red Flag. Though she only graduated from Kailua High in 2003, Michelle gets to tell them what they’re doing wrong and how they can correct it. Pretty neat job in a somewhat distracting location. She admits, however: “I’d like to get out of here, but since I can’t, I’ll make the best of it until I can” ... “It was on my second paddle when I got this funny feeling,” recalls surfer Kayne Oku. “I thought the rock was moving, and then my body froze.” The rock was a shark, mouth open, dead eyes checking him out - and then it moved on. “You’re so scared you come out of your skin.” Kayne was at the Crouching Lion surf break Aug. 28 when Hauula teenager Joshua Sumait’s foot encountered a tiger shark. And though he’s glad the beast passed him by, the Kaaawa Realtor wants parents to know that the area isn’t exactly your fun little wading pool for the kiddies. He thinks the shark, which appeared to be 8 feet long to him, was out for smaller prey than his 5-11, 230-pound frame. “I’m worried that the smaller the person, the more attracted the shark” ...

Farewell to Aikahi Theatres - the place with the big wide aisles, tiny snack haven and movies that had more to say ... Connie Cabasag says folks at the Kailua Seniors’ pool party last week started out in the water exercise class and just stayed there, floating around for the rest of the morning to enjoy the entertainment on deck at Kailua District Park ... Waimanalo’s Shelley Kehaulani Pe’a, who is certified to teach Hawaiian language, has found a new outlet that fits her talent. On Aug. 24 she assumed the role of Oahu’s Queen of the 2007 Aloha Festivals. Opening ceremonies with her royal court start at 5 p.m. Sept. 14 at ‘Iolani Palace ... Kailua’s Meleana Meyer is one of 10 artists selected for the Legacy exhibit running Thursday through Oct. 6 at The Arts at Marks Garage. The reception is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday as part of Girl Fest (599-3931)