•Junior Lifeguards rock • Miraculously • Heiva a great success Junior Lifeguards rock That was a very happy photo in the Aug. 9 edition of The Garden Island showing our six-time state champion Junior Lifeguard team. I can’t think of
•Junior Lifeguards rock
• Miraculously
• Heiva a great success
Junior Lifeguards rock
That was a very happy photo in the Aug. 9 edition of The Garden Island showing our six-time state champion Junior Lifeguard team.
I can’t think of any other pursuits where Kaua‘i can claim to be state champion for the last six years. Awesome!
Although we can’t help but be proud of all these victories by our Junior Lifeguards, the fact is that these are just a small facet of the program. The guts of the program is simply that a number of our professional lifeguards spend their time with our youth, teaching them ocean skills and safety and rescue principles.
I am friends with a couple of the parents, and they describe that the experience, particularly when the child can be in the program for several years, has been nothing less than life-changing for their child.
I am also personally aware of a number of dangerous beach situations in which a Junior Lifeguard was key to the situation being resolved safely. Talk about awesome!
The primary sponsors are Kaua‘i County and the Hawai‘i Lifeguard Association and they deserve great credit for this program. Our lifeguards/teachers deserve even greater credit. And our youth — well, they of course are our future. They are awesome.
Monty Downs, ER physician, Wilcox Memorial Hospital
Miraculously
My family and I would like to thank everyone for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers.
On July 14, I was medivaced to Straub Hospital for double pneumonia and was put into a coma. Doctors told my family that I wouldn’t make it.
One week later, I miraculously came out of the coma. Because of your prayers — especially the recorded voices — and God, I was given a second chance at life.
Our hearts go out to Joni Craig’s family. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers.
Tiffany “Titi” Alisna, Lihu‘e
Heiva a great success
The Heiva I Kauai Ia Orana Tahiti for 2009 was a great success.
The Heiva Committee acknowledges sponsors Hawaii Tourism Authority and the County of Kaua‘i Product Enrichment Program and the Office of the Mayor, and the Departments of Public Works and Parks and Recreation for support.
Leo Tangatailoa and the Tongan group Loto Ngone Kakala opened the festival with a traditional awa ceremony with Mayor Bernard Carvalho, the Heiva Committee and dance group leaders as honored participants.
We are also grateful to Big Save, Kapa‘a Rotary, Kaua‘i Nursery and Landscaping, Linda and Tom Summers of Summers Realty, Ed Stumpf of Mohala ke Ola B and B, Donna Nunes Hoopii and family, Kauai Music and Sound, Hilo Hattie, Havaiki Oceanic and Tribal Art, Hawaiian Gypsy Fashions, The Secret Garden, Ink Spot Printing, Nite Owl T Shirts and many other vendors who donated talent and prizes. Hawaiian cultural crafters Fran Nestel, Ed Stumpf, Ken Bray, Jerry Kaneholani and Lu Koerte demonstrated lei making, lomilomi massage, woodcarving, coconut frond weaving and Ni‘ihau shell work to the delight of the Heiva audience.
Competition judges included Ione Teriipaia, Etua Tahauri, Camelia Temanaha, Henry Taeza, and Roiti Sylva and apprentice judges, Mareva Anderson and Kala Oshiro. Tyrone Temanaha Jr. directed house drumming with assistance from Tyrone Sr. and Whitney Holguin. We are humbly grateful that these talented and generous people are willing to make this festival part of their busy lives. In addition to judging and drumming, they were advisers, workshop teachers, craft designers, trophy providers and competition enhancers.
Our extraordinary Master of Ceremonies Cathy Teriipaia continues to be the real star of our show. She entertained the audience for two full days with unmatched expertise, joy and skill. Wailana Dasalia, Heather Rowland and Monica Kaauwai kept solo and group dancers organized and moving through the competition.
Beverly Muraoka and Healani’s Hula Halau and Music Academy, Pualani Avaeoru and Taere Tiai and Tamatea Nui o Kaua‘i presented exhibition dancing to delight the audience. Ray Duarte provided the sound system and Jerry Kaneholani and “Almost Hawaiian Band” played music during lunch breaks.
This nonprofit, family-centered community event is only possible with the dancers and musicians who compete and with the help of those who volunteer. Tepairu Manea, Stella Miyoshi, Ray Carpenter, Olinda Higashi and all the members of the Heiva I Kauai 2009 organization say maururu roa to all sponsors, supporters and volunteers for a great job.
Tepairu Manea, president, Heiva I Kaua‘i Ia Orana Tahiti
