Volunteers beautify Anahola makai
Overlooking the ocean from the top of the Anahola Beach, you can see the surf rolling in and you see two pop-up tents enjoying birthday parties. If you’re down the beach looking up towards the hill, you can hardly see anything except buffalo grass, koa bushes and bougainvillea covering the hillside. It has been that way for many years.
Thank goodness to some local braddahs, Dexter Chun, Robert Goodwin and Keiki Pa, who are making a difference by clearing the these invasive weeds, such as buffalo grass, haole koa and bouganvilla, (its thorns can go right through your slippers or tennis shoes if you’re not careful.)
Dexter has a vision to clear the area so the community would be able to feel and appreciate the beauty of the hillside. He can see what it will look like when completed. He has been thinking of planting some of the following: papaya, ginger, ulu, coconut, kukui, avacado, noni, and even some vegetables.
They have been faced with scratches, thorns, falling down because it’s very steep working up there, and the weather has been hot, humid and tiring working under those conditions.
This threesome has made a big difference so far, clearing about half of the hillside. It should be done in a couple of weeks. Some groups have been kind enough to bring some lunches for them. Honk when you see them there to show your aloha for them.
Gerald Pa‘aluhi Gonsalves, Anahola
Shout out to Wilcox ER team and neighbors
A few weeks back I was helping to paint a neighbor’s house and fell about 15 feet off a ladder onto a driveway. It resulted in an open, compound wrist fracture, among other assorted injuries. As I hobbled home kind of in shock while looking at my bone sticking through my skin, my neighbors, Gini Kapali, Maureen Tabura, Katie Vercelli, Janece, my wife and others rushed to provide me immediate aid while calling 911.
I was pretty messed up, but Dr. Downs treated me, saved my wedding ring from getting cut off, and he and his team got me well-prepared for the surgery that Dr. Judd and his team performed so skillfully. I now have five screws and a bracket for new body parts, but I’m healing up from other injuries and have a ways to go with physical therapy for my wrist.
From the ambulance providers to Dr. Downs, Dr. Judd, nurses Stacy and Michelle and the entire team at the Wilcox ER, along with my terrific neighbors, I want to express my gratitude for taking care of me. My wife and I appreciate the genuine care and attention you all provided to me at a time I really needed it.
Lucky we live Kaua‘i. Mahalo nui loa.
Jack Yatsko, Kapa‘a
