A Rotarian supervisor shakas the efforts of Kauai High School Key Club volunteers wrangling bags of opala during the Rotary Club of Kapaa 33rd Taste of Hawaii at Smith’s Tropical Paradise on Sunday, June 1, 2025.
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Dennis Fujimoto/The Garden Island
Key Club members from the Kapaa and Kauai high schools enjoy the shade on the Japanese Island while volunteering during the Rotary Club of Kapaa 33rd Taste of Hawaii at Smith’s Tropical Paradise on Sunday, June 1, 2025.
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There has got to be some value in the “Volunteer” shirts available at the volunteer check-in station during the Rotary Club of Kapaa 33rd Taste of Hawaii fun-draiser at Smith’s Tropical Paradise on Sunday, June 1, 2025.
Dennis Fujimoto | The Garden Island
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Congratulations, Josie Cortez and the Rotary Club of Kapaa on the 33rd Taste of Hawaii that played out on Sunday (the Vidinha Stadium parking lot was pretty full) to a sold-out audience of about 1,500 people at Smith’s Tropical Paradise (Mokihana Smith was the queen in her golf cart parked next to the pavilion … definitely one of the senatorial seats).
Congratulations, Josie Cortez and the Rotary Club of Kapaa on the 33rd Taste of Hawaii that played out on Sunday (the Vidinha Stadium parking lot was pretty full) to a sold-out audience of about 1,500 people at Smith’s Tropical Paradise (Mokihana Smith was the queen in her golf cart parked next to the pavilion … definitely one of the senatorial seats).
Cheryl Shintani of the Kiwanis Club had two contingents of Key Clubs helping (they should’ve claimed some of those flashy “Volunteer” shirts!) from even before the first batches of food arrived … cleaning stored chafing dishes and other kitchen goods is definitely a long-term project). Kapaa High School girls soccer coach had more than a handful of volunteers to the event he opened to “just those who wanted to help,” and kudos to the Hawaii Community College in Hilo culinary arts department for bringing home the Kalaheo girl (she even got to experience the truck parade in Kalaheo on Saturday) who went all the way to Hilo to learn culinary arts.
Entertainer Kekai Chock of Kaikona Southseas was waiting for the audio system before taking the stage at the Smith’s Luau Pavilion that was pretty close to where Nani Moon Mead had a flamingo theme with their outfits secured from the Lihue Rags to Riches shop behind Rainbeau Jo’s.
Dave Lister of the Rotary Club of Kauai said it’s not too early to sign up for this year’s Lights on Rice holiday parade since the website just became activated. This answers Lyah Kama-Drake’s question about planning the annual Kauai Museum craft fair. The parade is scheduled for Dec. 5, the first Friday in December.
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Dennis Fujimoto can be reached at 245-0453 or at dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
