Spike was a white Bantam rooster with golden feathers. He came to live with us when he was just three days old and my son Evan was going into second grade.

Spike was a member of our family. He slept in a little cardboard box next to Evan’s bed. As he grew his personality became clear. He ruled the roost.

We understood his sounds, his “alert” when a bird dared fly over his “air space,” his soft voice when being held and his “warning call” which he would use only if he heard a loud sound in our area.

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(Source: Diane Daniells, Special to The Garden Island)

The Namolokama Canoe Club will be sponsoring an Open Water Swim at 9 a.m. on July 25 at Hanalei Pier. The event is for all keiki and adults with two events around the pier for keiki and adult events including a one-half mile, one-mile and for the first time this year, a two-mile swim.

The pre-registration deadline is July 11. Participants can register online at www.namolokama.com, or at local surf shops, athletic clubs and swim clubs and the YMCA.

Late registration will be the day of the event, beginning at 7 a.m.

Medals will be presented for all age groups, as well as shirts, food and goodie bags for keiki.

A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to the Kaua‘i Food Bank.

Additionally, the coordinators ask that swimmers and supporters bring something for the donation bin.

2009 Open Water Swim Flyer (.PDF)

2009 Registration Form (.PDF)

For more information call 826-7585.

(Source: The Garden Island)

The Club at Hanalei Bay Resort is now accepting registration for its Summer Tennis & Swim Camp. There are still four one-week camps available running on July 6-10, 13-17, 20-24, and 27-31. Camp times run from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day and ages range from 6-13.

Any questions please call 652-3971.

The Hanalei Canoe Club is hosting the 24th Annual Tahiti Fete at 9 a.m. on Saturday at the Pier in Hanalei. Businesses, residents and visitors are all invited for what promises to be a day of fun at the beach.

Events will include the Community Outrigger Canoe Races with 1/4-mile sprints, which is open to novice and experienced paddlers, Standup Paddle Board sprints for novices and the advanced, as well as events for Keiki. There will be crafts and food.

For more information call 639-4048 or CLICK HERE

Hawai‘i’s newest Relay For Life brought together the rural North Shore of Kaua‘i to celebrate, remember, and fight back.

While a few people had relayed before, most were seeing and feeling the magic of the American Cancer Society’s signature event for the first time. And the night was magical.

Opening ceremonies led by event chairs Frani Forde-Denny and Sandy Diego set the tone, with survivor Jim Jung and Guardian Angels member Joe Kanahele presenting the colors, a delightful surprise of Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. singing “Hawai‘i Pono‘i,” Nalani Ka‘auwai Brun leading “The Star Spangled Banner” and a blessing by emcee Lady Ipo Kahaunaele in both English and Hawaiian.

State Rep. Mina Morita, D-Kapa‘a-Hanalei, of Hanalei Valley, came early to help with the Picture a Cure advocacy project, in memory of her mom and in honor of two sisters. County Councilmember Derek Kawakami chatted with North Shore residents.

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(Source: Mary Williamson, Special to The Garden Island)

Kaua‘i’s coastal path meets resistance at Wailua

As the person who tends the heiau that line Wailua bay and river, Jim Alalem has a special sense about the region’s cultural value.

“It’s the most sacred area on Kauai,” he said. “No place else on Kauai but there were kings born. That’s where the first drums came up from Tahiti. Most of the history and legends came out of that area. They should leave it alone, and leave in intact.”

Instead, the County of Kauai plans to install a 14-foot-wide wooden boardwalk on the beach as part of its 16-mile Ke Ala Hele Makalae coastal multi-use path project on the island’s east side.

Doug Haigh, the Department of Public Works’ building division chief, acknowledged that at the design meeting for the path, “people were expressing concerns, saying it’s a sacred beach and we shouldn’t do anything. But there’s a highway there. It’s not like we’re introducing a new element there.”

Opponents, however, say that while there’s nothing they can do about Kuhio Highway, they’re motivated by the desire to, as Alalem phrased it, “save what’s left.”

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(Source: Joan Conrow, Honolulu Weekly)