• Carpenter is his man of the year • Gym workouts offered at Princeville • A hui hou, Andy Carpenter is his man of the year Congratulations to The Garden Island for their fine editorial “The choice is ours” 10/31
• Carpenter is his man of the year •
Gym workouts offered at Princeville • A
hui hou, Andy
Carpenter is his man of the year
Congratulations to The Garden Island for their fine editorial “The choice is ours” 10/31 in which the Rotary Clubs of Kaua‘i recognized the Humanitarian Award Winners.
It is so enlightening to read about the “good people” amongst us who go above and beyond their designated purposes in life to help those who are not so fortunate or just go out of their way to help someone like the man who fixed Kathy Miller’s flat tire.
But there is so much more to be said for the Rotary Clubs of the world, the ones on Kaua‘i in particular. I once had the honor of speaking before one of their meetings and I made the statement that if all of the municipalities including our federal government could be run as efficiently and stay fiscally in the black as they do, we would all be living in a far-better nation.
Besides the hierarchy doing such a great job of running this well-oiled machine, we have to look into the trenches where the heavy lifting is done.
And, in particular I want to recognize a man who is the go-to guy whenever something, actually ANYTHING, is to be done. This person’s name is Ray Carpenter and for those of you who know Ray you will say, wow, this is certainly the right person to single out.
Whether it is the organizational part of Rotary’s “Taste of Hawai‘i,” putting up the tents, fixing what gets broken, or selling tickets to that wonderful event, Ray is the man on the spot.
And, not only is Ray the behind-the-scenes cog in any worthwhile Rotary endeavor — and their community contributions are endless from the scholarships they give our young people to the homes they paint and repair for those in need — he is there for anyone needing the help. Ask Clayton Cataluna, head caretaker of Lydgate Beach Park, who kept their golf cart running for picking up the trash while the county’s new vehicle was on order — Ray, of course.
Yes, there are probably other Ray Carpenters out there who do so many good things we never hear about. But I know Ray, he is my friend and he is a unique individual who together with the Rotary makes this island a better place for all of us to live.
Glenn Mickens, Kapa‘a
Gym workouts offered at Princeville
October 30th the North Shore lost what to many has been a second home for more than 18 years. Extended families were created within the groups of people from Wailua to Ha‘ena who congregated there in the pursuit of better fitness and health over the years. The spa has provided a safe haven for many for the 18 years it has served our community; a respite from the occasional challenges that comprise our daily lives. It has been a social-networking zone where friendships were formed and people met for aquacise, aerobics, a weight-room workout, tai chi, qi gong or a yoga class. Not to mention the children whose lives it has helped direct and form with ballet and dance classes and taikwando.
Princeville Health Club and Spa has been at the heart of our North Shore community. Losing it to big business’ grand ideas and what they envision for this location instead of a community gathering place is like having this heart ripped out. The fact that employees of Princeville Health Club and Spa and its members were misled for the last two years to believe that this facility would always have a home is beyond my scope of understanding. I am so grateful to have been an employee and part of the spa family for the 18 years we were in that magical location in Princeville. I am grateful to be able continue to offer classes and personal training at Kaua‘i Bodywork at Hanalei Bay Resort starting November 1st. My students and clients are like family to me and above all else I do not believe in abandoning family. Come and find your spa friends at our new location at Kaua‘i Bodywork at HBR, under the old Bali Hai Restaurant. We are offering yoga, pilates, core/stretch, cardio, body-sculpting, dance class and personal training with hopefully more to come. See www.kauaibodywork.com, call 652-2659 or e-mail petrina.kauai@gmail.com, 826-9318.
Petrina Blakely, Princeville
A hui hou, Andy
I bring the news of Andy Irons’ passing to NH (I wrote letters to local papers in NH), because my father has lived on Kaua‘i since I was 9 years old. I have spent my life between Kaua‘i’s North Shore and Pittsfield, NH. I met my wonderful husband on Kaua‘i, and I have many close friends as well as ‘ohana there. I often saw Andy around the island. He was the only celebrity I even met there who made me star struck, because he was so kind and humble that you wouldn’t of thought he was a professional athlete. Most of all Andy was loved by the locals, who were proud of his accomplishments and his representation of the island.
It was a shock and upset to me, as well as many of my close friends and ‘ohana to hear of his passing. Kaua‘i loved him for his kind soul — and that he never forgot where he came from.
My family is praying for his ‘ohana and friends during this tragic time, and our deepest sympathies for his beautiful wife and baby to be.
On Facebook they are asking everyone to wear blue tomorrow, Saturday, November 5, in remembrance of Andy.
May his mana live on in the island and ocean.
Aloha and A Hui Ho,
Marla Salas and family, Pittsfield, N.H.
