Improvements to homeless shelter will accommodate more people

LIHU‘E — MaBel Fujiuchi of Kaua‘i Economic Opportunity wanted to know who would get the first flush Friday during the blessing celebrating the completion of the Mana Olana Emergency and Transitional Shelter Improvements project at the KEO site in Pua Loke.

‘Thank You for Being A Friend’

Thank You for Being A Friend was the theme of the Kaua‘i Animal Welfare Society fundraising event that was held March 14 at the Kaua‘i Beach Resort near Hanama‘ulu.

Bowling for the kids

LIHU‘E — The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kaua‘i welcomed a sold-out audience to the Kaua‘i Bowling Center for its 2020 ‘Roaring 20’s’ Bowling for Kids’ Sake bowling tournament, Saturday evening at the Kaua‘i Bowling Center.

Hinamatsuri happiness

The Kaua‘i Japanese Cultural Society and the Kukui Grove Center celebrated Girls’ Day, Saturday with its annual Hinamatsuri, or Doll Festival, celebration.

Hana hou, Waimea Town Celebration

The Heritage of Aloha Ho‘olaule‘a, spanning nearly two days from Friday evening, marked the final weekend of the nine-day Waimea Town Celebration presented by the Westside Business & Professional Association.

Crowning glory

Wessteros never looked so good as in the Kaua‘i Crown and Cuisine at the historic Waimea Theater, Saturday night.

Science equals fun

More than 70 science projects in the Junior and Senior divisions attracted a big crowd to the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Center for the Kaua‘i Regional Science and Engineering Fair.

First Saturday soars

Holly Ka‘iakapu said Saturday was her first experience at First Saturday Art Walk Kapaa, presented by the Kapaa Business Association in downtown Kapaa.

For the 4-legged friends

The Kauai Humane Society took time out to show its appreciation to its volunteers, and used the opportunity to recruit additional volunteers to add to its roster of helpers, Saturday afternoon at The Kauai Beer Company on Rice Street in Lihue.

Checking out ‘Evolution’

“We have to change money into dollars to give to the performers,” said Miz Debz Saturday night during the DMD Productions’ presentation of “Evolution — The Musical Spectacular,” at the Kauai Beach Resort near Hanamaulu.

Discovering Kauai’s ocean

John Peacock, a former maintenance worker at Kukui Grove Center, repainted the “2020” logo used for a social media contact to match the colors of the Kauai Ocean Discovery center that opened Saturday morning.

New year for the weekly market

“You’ve got to give citrus for Chinese New Year,” said Kenny Ishii, a shopper at the Kauai Community Market. “There are a lot of citrus going off now.”

Celebrating Dr. Rizal

Rizal Day is celebrated on Dec. 30, the anniversary of the execution of Dr. Jose Rizal, who is considered a national hero in Philippine history.

Holiday hoopla

The winds blew, but the rains stayed away Saturday during the annual Waimea Lighted Christmas Parade that delighted the hundreds of people that lined Kaumuali‘i Highway from the West Kauai Tech Center through the Waimea Bridge.

Holly Jolly time

A steady stream of people flowed through the Holly Jolly Holiday Fair set up in the front parking lot of the former Big Kmart store in Lihue Saturday.

Holiday happenings at Kauai Museum

The Kauai Museum’s annual Christmas Craft Fair (with food from several community providers), the Hawaii Foodbank Kauai branch’s holiday bash at the Rice Shopping Center, the opening night of the Festival of Lights featuring the Kauai Chorale at the Historic County Building and the annual Rotary Club of Kauai’s Lights on Rice holiday parade were reasons why Lihue bristled with excitement last Friday.

Bring on the holidays!

Aida Kawamura was the winner of the Las Vegas trip giveaway, the first person following a list of people who did not respond in the rain-soaked, windy area of the Kukui Grove Center during the shopping center’s launch into the holiday season. Among the rules of the contest, sponsored by Kukui Grove Center, The Garden Island and Midweek newspapers, you had to be present to win.

Kilauea chili a blast

The North Shore Lions Club hosted its first Fall Roundup Sunday at the Porter Pavilion at Anaina Hou Community Park in Kilauea.

YWCA celebrates women leaders

Stacy Sproat-Beck, Sarah Tochiki and JoAnn Yukimura joined the growing list of women leaders honored over the past 11 years by the YWCA of Kauai through its Na Wahine Alaka‘i O Kaua‘i annual awards event Friday at the Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club on Kalapaki Beach.

Kauai Community Market celebrates 10 years

The Kauai Community Market, a partnership between the Kauai County Farm Bureau and Kauai Community College, celebrated 10 years of meeting each Saturday — rain or shine — at the KCC front parking lot adjacent to Kaumualii Highway.