Senior Moments

Tonight (last night) I got to sit on a judging panel for Waimea High School Senior Projects presentations. Once again it was a very rewarding experience all around.

 

Each student successfully made a presentation. For some the victory was just showing up. Some had to overcome great fears of public speaking. Others were ashamed of the procrastination that prevented them from being as successful as they might have been. Some came well-prepared and were eager to share the results of their great senior travail! And a precious few were delighted to share with us what they hoped would become lifetime careers.

Did I mention that each student was successful? I found that every student spoke with candor about the challenges their project produced. Each one felt the pressure of the stretch that was required to accomplish their project and each one demonstrated significant growth and maturation in the process.

The school rewarded them with "badges of courage" proclaiming each a "Senior Project Survivor" when they were finished and their advisors or teachers celebrated with high fives and hugs. Congratulations, Seniors - ya did good!

And what a beautiful day it was today! The vog was much less evident on the drive to work this morning and mountain views were spectacular!

This day was the commemoration of the Ascension of Baha'u'llah.

For more about the life of Baha'u'llah:

A Taste of Waimea

This was a bitter-sweet event for me because some communication lines were crossed and some hard-working Rotarians who helped direct traffic and get the hundreds of cars parked safely discovered afterwards that they were not able to attend this event and went home disappointed because it sold out. It won't happen again.

 

I learned something today. Mayor Carvalho is a very good singer! He sang the Star Spangled Banner beautifully!

 

Rotarian Rick visits Rotarian Val and her hubby at her booth while people visit the food stations.

Everywhere you could see folks from the Pacific Missile Range Facility enjoying themselves with westsiders and Chamber members from all over the island. Cyril Pahinui performed with 3 of our great Kauai musicians.

Information booths were spread over the area and one thing I could not pass up was Kauai Coffee's special iced drink!

Another thing I stopped immediately for was Hideaway Spa's chair massage! And of course, I had to sample Aunty Lilikoi's special new lilikoi chiffon pie. That treat is coming with me to the next Tsai-ko tailgate when football season starts!

Business cards were drawn for give-aways and lucky Hanalei Rotarian Sally was a winner! The armed forces were also recognized during this event so I had to give these folks "equal time".

I think everyone who got to attend this sold-out event had a very nice time. West Kauai has a nice way of bringing people together.

For more images, enjoy this Picasa Album.

Lihue Business Association

Mayor Carvalho addresses today's meeting with updates on the many
projects going on in Kauai county.

You can view this meeting live and later at hawaiistream.com.

Footprints

Lilu is walking and talking and making and leaving her impressions.

 

  

With K-Paw - and blowing kisses to Mommy and to us. 

Two of my favorite pro football players are ready to make impressions too.

Jordon Dizon- linebacker for the Detroit Lions was drafted in the second round last year and got thrown into the pool without time to learn how to swim. A coaching change and time to heal from injuries should give him a better chance for success this year.

Colt Brennan- quarterback for the Washington Redskins was drafted in the 6th round, got a chance to dazzle us in preseason and then stepped out of the spotlight to settle into the new system, heal from surgeries and build himself up.

I'm looking forward to seeing how both these guys come out for their sophomore years in the NFL.

All Buffed Out

Last night's birthday bash for Roger Jacobs was like celebrating old home week.
Steven and Byron picked me up from the airport when I came home from the Rotary Conference (more on that later) and we headed straight for the Nawiliwili Yacht Club for the party.

Every person there was like a blast from the past for me and a new look at mom for the boys.

I introduced them to Ned Leone and his wife Yolanda. It was at Ned's place I stayed - with a bunch of other people- my first night on Kauai. November 3, 1969.

 

Thayne and Lynn Taylor were there- and I got to hear them make music for the first time! Our connection is Hawaii OnLine- Hawaii's first commercial BBS and ISP - back in the day. The Taylors made telecommunication history starting about 1992.

Then I saw Buffy having a good time with her Kauai friends just before embarking on her summer tour. Byron was already napping but Steven got to meet her.

Buffy Ste. Marie is one of our Kauai folks that has long demonstrated the Power of One.
I first saw her in Oklahoma City at a Baha'i Youth Conference where she and Cher were surprise concert artists along with Seals and Crofts and England Dan and John Ford Coley.
Then she was standing on our stage in Hawaii for the Baha'i Youth Conference a few months later.
She added her support to Doug Cameron's video Mona with the Children- a vignette of persecution in Iran that continues today, and has been a friend of Faith and person for many years.
And now she has a new album out - Running for the Drum. Here she is adding her voice track to one of my favorite cuts:

Kirby Keogh cuts!

Roger Jacobs 50/20

50 years old, 20 years on Kauai
Awesome music, friends and food!

Roger rips it up with Tony Lehoven and Kevin "Swampdaddy" Rogers.

Peacemakers!

District 5000 receives recognition for it's support of Rotary
International's Peacemaker Initiative

Rotary - The Power of One

Over the vase of white roses memorializing those who have passed, RI
Director Paul Netzel talks about the Power of ONE in Rotary and
recognizes many of Hawaii's Rotarians who make a difference locally.

Club Service Award Winners!

Small, medium and large club winners!

Laura Steelquist

First recipient of the Linda Coble Women in Rotary Award!

Laura is an amazing asset to Rotary- hard-working and kind-hearted!

District 5000 Literacy Award

These are just a few of the Literacy Award recipients. EVERY club in
District 5000 earned this award this year!

DG Banquet

Sam and Sharon

You meet the nicest people in the pool sometimes!

Lunch break

Our Conference is beautifully-planned with time to enjoy this
beautiful resort of go shopping in Haleiwa (shuttle provided) or just
take a nap!

DG Ayman and the GSE Team

Talent and Gift Exchange!

Tango!

Maria shared song with us as well!

GSE team dances

Group Study Exchange

The great group from Argentina and Uruguay that were at our Steak-Out!

Dr. Quinn McKay

A most excellent presentation about the skills of being honest. Meaty
stuff about real issues that will improve our lives, our Rotary clubs,
our communities and our world.

Four Way Test Essay Contest

Waimea High student Natasha Abadilla's prize-winning essay is read to
the District 5000 Conference.

Turtle Bay Fellowship

The District 5000 Rotary Conference got off to a sweet start with dinner on the lawn.

 

The food was prepared and served at stations and the weather a perfect. Here are some of our gang from Kauai and our District Governor Ayman and beautiful daughter Amanda.

  

And here are Rotary sweethearts Kirk and Linda! 

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Today is a Baha'i Holy Day-the Declaration of the Bab. This is when it all began- in 1844.