Stories by John Steinhorst

The best of beers & more

Established in downtown Port Allen, the nation’s westernmost brewery features 10 handcrafted beers, six pinball machines, five large high-definition televisions and 80 seats.

Malasada maker moving on

An island bakery that has made malasadas, cakes, cookies, breads and other fresh goods for more than three decades is up for sale.

Students create new sign for Waimea Public Library

Waimea High School’s advanced graphics class designed and produced a new sign for the Waimea Public Library. The student who primarily came up with the concept was Waimea High School Class of 2018 Valedictorian Joshua Ochua.

Education programs join

Kilauea’s Puu Kumu School is closing, and its teachers and students plan to combine classes with the nonprofit education program Homeschool Now.

Kapaa’s Marissa Goo graduates, joins Air Force

A 2014 Kapaa High School graduate is moving up the military ranks after completing college in Colorado. Marissa Goo of Kapaa earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial organizational psychology at Colorado State University’s College of Natural Sciences spring commencement in Fort Collins last month.

Kauai High teacher earns state fellowship

Kauai High School English teacher Erin Medeiros has earned a spot as the only Kauai representative on the Merwin Creative Teachers Fellowship. The innovative partnership between nonprofit and public school teachers focuses on creativity in all classrooms.

Strumming strings

The ukulele is one of Hawaii’s most beloved instruments. Along with the ipu — a percussion instrument made from gourds that has provided beats for hula dancing since the 18th century — the four-stringed instrument has had a lasting impact on Hawaii’s music.

Keiki love choppers

More than 40 pre-kindergartners got to experience the thrill of Kauai’s “flight-seeing” operations on a recent field trip to Blue Hawaiian Helicopter’s Kauai base.

Funds available for flooded students

Kauai Community College students affected by the April 15 floods are eligible for financial relief. Kauai Community Foundation is collaborating with the college to provide funds to assist students impacted by the recent natural disaster.

‘If you reach your goal, set a bigger one’

Kauai High School presented 242 diplomas to graduating students in Friday’s commencement ceremony. Family and friends happily packed Vidinha Stadium with umbrellas, signs and balloons to honor the graduates despite intermittent rains and winds.

Pedaling to the meadow

Cyclists from around the world tested their mettle during the ninth annual Pedal to the Meadow Saturday. The 16-mile, mountainous, uphill race took more than 100 competitors along the Waimea Canyon rim and through Kokee State Park for panoramic ocean and valley views.

A winning business

A local family business will be getting a push thanks to the Catch a Wave Business Competition sponsored by Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay on May 18. A panel of expert judges selected Hoa Kai as the first-place winner of the Kauai-style “Shark Tank” entrepreneurial competition.