City planners want to know what stakeholders and the public consider Oahu’s “important” farmland, and they’re coming to Windward Oahu to listen from 5:30 to 8:30 April 15 in Hale Akoakoa 105 at Windward CC.

Community input is needed by the Department of Planning and Permitting in order to meet requirements to identify and map the island’s Important Agricultural Lands (IAL).

Determining factors will include: 1) Are they capable of producing sustained high agricultural yields when treated and managed according to accepted farming methods and technology? 2) Do they contribute to the state’s economic base, and produce agricultural commodities for export or local consumption? 3) Are they needed to promote the expansion of agricultural activities and income for the future, even if currently not in production?

The DPP anticipates completing the IAL maps by the end of this year, sending them to City Council and then to the Land Use Commission for final review and approval.

For more information, visit honoluludpp.org and mapoahuagland.com.

By CAROL CHANG

The urge to protect children has brought four local men in blue out of retirement and back on campus to revive a lively safety lesson for Windward students.

Leighton Kaonohi Sr., a former Kaneohe resident who reunited this past winter with colleagues from his HPD days, quickly set about booking assemblies at Blanche Pope, Waimanalo, Kahaluu and Kahuku elementary schools for early March. The men wanted to deliver their message before the idleness of spring break brought unsupervised kids together with dangerous adults.

“We wanted to revive that child safety message of what to do if you meet a stranger as you walk home,” explained Pastor Eldean Kukahiko of Kahaluu who, like Val Huihui and Helamen Kaonohi, had once been on the No Hope In Dope team of Officer Honolulu (Leighton Kaonohi’s trademark character) in the 1990s road show.

“We were once fearless, young, strong cops with experience in busting the drug dealers,” recalled Kaonohi. (Helamen is his cousin). “We called our rap group ‘Lawmen Taking Down Druggies.’ Today,” he added, chuckling, “we look more like grandpas squealing on druggies — on our cell phones!”

The men held the kids’ attention through song-and-dance routines and plenty of loud aloha at each school in March, just as Officer Honolulu intended. “It dawned on me that the conventional approach to teaching child safety as it related to dealing with strangers failed to protect children from predators,” he said, noting that they must have a clear concept of “stranger danger” — what a stranger is, how to avoid contact, how to put that person on the defensive (a crowd of kids all pointing and screaming “help!” together), and how to describe the stranger later to police.

Now living in St. George, Utah, Kaonohi is firmly committed to coming back here to continue the effort. He also takes his message to Utah schools, arriving via a helicopter in full Officer Honolulu regalia. On Oahu, however, there are no funds and no support from HPD at this point, he said, because of the department’s own DARE program, so he hopes to form a nonprofit and obtain grants to continue the assemblies.

If you pass by a school during one of their gigs, you’ll know it. Kaonohi and crew also plan to film a pilot TV cable show in the Kahaluu area soon, complete with his arrival by helicopter.

To learn more about the renewed cause or to offer help, call Kaonohi at 277-0227 or program coordinator Kukahiko at 741-4524.

The robust sounds of country-pickin’ music will fill the air day and night at “Bluegrass in the Ko‘olau” April 24-27 at Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden.

Both musicians and music fans are welcome to attend the free, four-day celebration, filled with workshops, potlucks, and plenty of live performances and jam sessions with professionals and amateurs alike from 9 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. each day.

Friday is mostly dedicated to setting up camp and open jamming, but Saturday is filled with classes in vocals, fiddle, banjo, jamming and more, and Sunday sees gospel singing and a band scramble. Cleanup is Monday.

Attending performances and workshops is open to the public, but only the first 200 Bluegrass Hawaii members are permitted to camp overnight. Email evelyn@blue-grasshawaii.com by April 17 to register.

Those interested in just attending for the day should note that parking passes are required in order to remain after 4 p.m. Pick them up at the Visitors’ Center, open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Workshop participants also should bring a chair, music stand and clothes-pins to keep papers together.

For more information, visit bluegrasshawaii.com.

Aikahi Elementary sixth-grader Nick Sarji correctly spelled “fabula” in the 12th round of the Hawaii State Spelling Bee March 20 at New Hope auditorium and won it all, including a trip to Washington, D.C., May 24-29 for “Bee Week” and the 2015 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Nick, who also spelled his way into the state’s 2014 finals, loves social studies and says he want to become a cyber developer …

Nick Sarji

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Three Heeia Elementary students recited their winning poems (among sixth-graders) before Mayor Kirk Caldwell and the crowd at the April 11 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Poetry Contest awards ceremony: Kaylie Kamark‘s “Peaceful Ways to Change,” Makala LeStrange-Tupouniua‘s “Martin Had a Dream” and Randy Aiwohi‘s “The People were Proud” … The Random Weirdos band out of Kailua Music School will open for Grammy award-winner Jack White tonight (April 15) at Blaisdell Arena (ticketmaster.com)…

The April 6 Chamber Music concert at Paliku, with family and friends attending, was dedicated to the late Red Miller, a great fan and major donor to the theater … Aikahi native who went Hollywood, B.K. Cannon, has just filmed a new Yahoo eight-episode series in Las Vegas, Sin City Saints with Malin Akerman, Tom Arnold and Andrew Santino. B.K. (who switched from brunette to blonde) is a regular in the adult comedy, which started streaming March 23 on Yahoo Screen (screen.yahoo.com/sin-city-saints) …

Not only does Ahuimanu’s Herman Perreira pick up litter on Kahekili Highway during his morning walks to the Kaneohe metropolis, he also pulls down old yard-sale signs. Thanks again, Herman … You can become a foster care volunteer for Hawaiian Humane Society, just like Dr. Jill Yoshicedo of Kailua Animal Clinic. Jill’s taken in all creatures, great and small, from rats to a 45-pound tortoise. Call HHS at 356-2229 … Congratulations to new graduates of Pacific University in Oregon: Kailua’s James Duncan (bachelor’s degree); Kaneohe master’s degrees: Cathlene Goya, Kasey Kehoe and Katherine Sakumoto; and a doctorate in clinical psychology for Kaneohe’s Lauren Kagami & & & cchang@midweek.com

Po‘o kumu Sheena Alaiasa

Kamehameha Schools Kapalama ended a careful search for its next high school po‘o kumu (principal) last week by hiring away the current principal of Castle High School, Sheena Alaiasa.

Alaiasa will officially start her new job June 1 and is “extremely honored and humbled” by the opportunity. She has led Castle since January of 2014, first as acting, then as permanent principal.

“I believe that our young people need to be prepared for their journey ahead,” she stated, “to know and understand one’s culture and to find balance between expectations and challenges to be prepared to excel in the world they live in.”

The Laie resident and New Zealand native spent five years as King Intermediate principal, and the school’s achievements during that time resulted in Alaiasa being named National Middle Level Principal of 2013 by MetLife and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

“We had an excellent pool of candidates from which to choose,” noted KSK po‘o kula (head of school) Earl Kim. “Ms. Alaiasa’s distinguished experience as an educator, deep understanding of the role of culture in education and child-centered philosophy made her the right person to lead our high school.”

Castle-Kahuku Complex area superintendent Lea Albert called Alaiasa “a force of excellence” as an administrator, and she will be missed. “We wish her the best,” Albert said, “and will be all the while thankful for the many contributions she has made to administrators, teachers and especially to our students.”

A search for her replacement begins soon.

Marjorie Scholl’s ‘Tsunami: Headed towards the back side of a wave’ is on view with works by 27 other Alaska artists in the current exhibit at Windward Community College’s Gallery ‘Iolani, ‘Communities, Disaster and Change.’ Image from Bonnie Beatson.

Destruction isn’t the only thing that comes out of a natural disaster. There can be hope, too — as the 28 Alaskan artists featured in Gallery ‘Iolani prove in the traveling exhibit Communities, Disaster and Change, running until April 30. “This is an exhibition about redemption as well as grief,” stated gallery director Toni Martin.

Communities commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Alaska earthquake and tsunami that destroyed the harbor of Valdez, as well as the village Chenega. Each artist contributed one piece to the display, in mediums including painting, sculpture, mixed media and ceramics.

Gallery ‘Iolani is open weekdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. on the Windward CC campus. For more information, call 236-9150 or visit gallery.windward.hawaii.edu.

Neighborhood boards have been around long enough to now conduct “Internet-only” elections, and that’s what lies ahead — April 24 to May 15 — for all community-minded residents who want a voice at the grass-roots level.

Oahu’s 33 boards meet monthly to identify and address area issues and concerns in dialogue with residents, organizations, lawmakers and government staff. There are 575 candidates willing to represent their neighbors in 2015-2016. Elections are held every two years, in odd-numbered years. Voters will be mailed a passcode April 23 giving them access to the online ballot. Walk-in sites will be open in Hau‘ula, Honolulu and Kapolei for those without their own computer access.

Windward Oahu has five boards. The Waimanalo board is fielding 15 candidates for its 11 subdistricts; Kailua has 44 candidates for four subdistricts; Kaneohe has 20 candidates for 14 subdistricts; Kahaluu has 16 candidates for six subdistricts; and Ko‘olauloa has 20 candidates for five subdistricts.

For more details about the process, visit honolulu.gov/nco.

Uncuddled and lonely teddy bears can find new purpose at Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii’s 18th annual Teddy Bear Drive and Family Resource Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 25 at Windward Mall center court.

PCAH welcomes new and gently used bears and other stuffed animals for keiki who have suffered abuse. Last year, the group collected more than 7,000 animal friends for the cause.

Also planned are keiki activities, parenting information, photo ops with some cartoon favorites and entertainment by Island Storm. The first 500 families to make a donation will receive a special gift and child safety information.

The annual drive takes place in April in observance of Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, and is sponsored by PCAH, Child Abuse Planning Prevention Council, the state Department of Health and Foster Realty.

“These stuffed animals provide children with happiness and comfort,” explained Elsie Foster, volunteer chairwoman of the event.

“Our profound wish is that one day there is no need for a Teddy Bear Roundup because there will be no abused children.” Government figures from 2014 report about 3,400 incidents of child abuse and neglect, with 1,337 of them confirmed cases.

For more information, call 951-0200 or visit preventchildabuse.org.

HPU men’s soccer coach Chris Fisher

As men’s soccer head coach at Hawaii Pacific University, recruiting is one subject Chris Fisher is very familiar with, and he recently visited with MidWeek‘s Windward Islander to share his insights into the process for prospective college student-athletes.

What determines the geographic regions you recruit the hardest? HPU is a very international school, so the whole world is literally available to recruit. Hawaii is the first place we look and try to identify the best players in the state. Many local kids want to go to the Mainland, which is understandable, but we want to let them know we are an excellent option.

If you were to advise a young soccer player hoping to continue in the sport, what would you say? If you love the game and want to continue playing, there is a place for you. There are literally thousands of options in college soccer, from junior college to NAIA to NCAA Division I, II, and III. Even intramural soccer is very competitive at some schools. The key is finding the right fit for you and being realistic in your pursuit. Find a place that makes you happy, even if you cannot play soccer.

How important is a prospective recruit’s character and high school academic standing when you are in the evaluation stage? Coaches want to bring in student-athletes who not only will help them win, but will represent the program and school positively during and after college. One of the first questions a college coach asks a high school or club coach is about the player’s character and how they interact and lead their teammates. We also will immediately look at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages for red flags, so potential student-athletes need to be cognizant of what information is being posted on these sites.

High academics is invaluable, as it will give a student-athlete a wider range of colleges to choose from and an academic scholarship to be able to afford it. This academic money can be added to an athletic scholarship, making the prospective student-athlete even more appealing to a coach.

Do you rely more on a potential HPU prospect’s play on his high school team, or his club team, when evaluating talent? For Hawaii, both. With high school, we can see how prospects compete and represent their school. In club, they are typically playing with and against more talented players as a whole, but not necessarily doing whatever it takes to win. Often in clubs, they are playing to get noticed by a college or pro scout and will play more as individuals. With that said, Hawaii’s club soccer scene is exploding in numbers, talent and educated coaches every year, so the level of play and competition among them is increasing as well.

As HPU is situated in the Pacific, how do you go about recruiting in general? Is the majority of it done by phone? In this day and age, the Internet makes recruiting from the middle of the Pacific Ocean convenient. We receive hundreds of emails with players’ videos and information from all over the world. The first place we look is Hawaii and identify who we think are the top players in the state. From there, we have a network on the Mainland, Europe, Australia, Oceania and Asia. HPU is a very diverse university, so our team tends to reflect that.

How can a Hawaii-based college prospect best get noticed by a college coach? Hawaii players are getting better every year, and therefore more coaches are taking notice. There are more coaches visiting the Islands to watch games and attend the various and increasingly frequent individual development camps. In addition, most college programs will have an ID camp on their own campus. This is the best way, in my opinion, that a potential student-athlete can spend time on a campus they are interested in and be coached by the staff to see if they are a good fit. There are also yearly club showcase tournaments that attract coaches from all over the nation. I think college prospects need to take control of their own recruiting process and know how to market themselves. Do not wait for a coach to find you. jackster.1969@yahoo.com

Kalaheo High School’s tennis players taking a break on their new courts. Photo from Stephan Ogasawara.

Stephan Ogasawara likes to say he has “the best of both worlds” in his relationship with both Kailua and Kalaheo high schools. A lifelong Kailua resident and former Surfrider tennis player, he tutors students at his alma mater during the day, and then travels across town to coach the Kalaheo boys and girls tennis teams.

Recently, when the two schools met on the tennis court in an OIA match, Ogasawara found himself coaching against some of the Kailua players he had tutored. “I hear it from them sometimes,” Ogasawara admitted of his Kailua students.

The timing of his arrival at Kalaheo two years ago to take over the tennis program could not have been better, as its new tennis courts had just been completed.

“It was 10 years in the making, and there were a lot of issues and challenges, but it came together at the end,” said Kalaheo athletic director Mark Brilhante. “We’re just starting to develop a program. We have full teams in boys and girls varsity and girls JV, which is great.”

Added Ogasawara: “It’s nice to have brand-new courts. Most coaches dream of having new courts.”

The Kalaheo job opened up when longtime coach Greg Siok’s work schedule changed, forcing him to step aside.

The new courts figure to be a huge boost to the program, as evidenced by the full rosters (35 players in all). Ogasawara noted that most players come to the program fairly new to the sport, so their development is a high priority. He also hopes to generate further interest by offering free tennis lessons to the public.

“A lot of the tennis players in Kailua go to private schools, so we don’t get the USTA players,” said Ogasawara, who also is youth pastor at New Hope East Shore. “We’re usually starting from scratch. Our mentality right now, and for the next few years, is that wins don’t have much to do with anything. What has been cool to see is the development of the players. Our kids are amazing.”

Ogasawara also noted the support from Brilhante and assistant coaches JD Tsukayama and Ryan and Krista Kido.

“He’s the best,” he said of Brilhante. “He supports every sport at Kalaheo equally.” jackster.1969@yahoo.com

Send Windward items to cchang@midweek.com by April 15 to be considered for the April 22 edition, or call 529-4850.

• NEIGHBORS Waimanalo Neighborhood Board meets at 7:30 p.m. April 13 in the National Guard auditorium at Bellows, and Kaneohe at 7 p.m. April 16 at Ben Parker Elementary cafeteria. Call 768-3710.

• QUARTET Sounds of Aloha Barbershop Quartet and Chorus performs a free public concert at 7 p.m. April 14 at Pohai Nani auditorium. Call 234-6639.

• CAREER FAIR Wind-ward CC hosts a College & Career Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (a new time) April 14 on campus, featuring more than 40 employers and college representatives. Call 235-7485.

• SOCCER SIGNUPS AYSO’s Kaneohe region 13 accepts registration for the fall season from 5 to 8 p.m. April 14 at Windward Mall center court and 2 to 6 p.m. April 19 on the mall’s second floor in the old Soultrex space. AYSO is open to players 4 to 19 years old. Fee is $85 or $75. Call 235-2976 or visit kaneoheayso.org.

• BREAST-FEEDING Castle Medical Center has a Breast-feeding class at 5:30 p.m. April 15. Fee is $25 or free with any childbirth class. Call 263-5400 or visit castlemed.org.

• AG LANDS The city Department of Planning and Permitting hosts a meeting from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 15 in Windward CC’s Hale Akoakoa 105 to gather public input on how to identify and map Oahu’s Important Agricultural Lands. Visit honoluludpp.org and mapoahuagland.com.

• TAX HELP Trained volunteers with AARP Tax Counseling for the Elderly offer assistance through April 15 at Kahuku Library. Call 888-687-2277.

• STRESS Eileen Towata begins a new “Stress Less” exercise class at 1 p.m. April 15 at Castle Medical Center. Fee is $15. Call 263-5050.

• PIZZA FUNDS The 24-VII Heartbeat dance troupe is raising funds at Pizza Huts islandwide April 15, May 25, June 10 and July 6 to defray costs of its trip to perform at the Special Olympics World Games in L.A. (For the required flier, call 554-1410). To offer help, call 255-4305, email jungm001@hawaii.rr.com or visit gofundme.com/heartbeat2worlds.

• SLACK KEY Song-writer and slack key guitarist John Keawe performs at 6 p.m. April 16 at Kailua Library. Call 266-9911.

• TI LEAF LEI Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden has a workshop on making ti leaf leis at 10 a.m. April 16. Fee is $5. Register at 522-7066.

• HPU PLAY Hawaii Pacific University presents You Can’t Take It With You April 16-26, Thursday-Sunday, at Paul and Vi Loo Theatre on its Hawaii Loa campus. Reserve seats as 375-1282 or visit hpu.edu/theatre.

• HEALTH Lanikai Elementary School presents Health and Wellness Night for the public from 4 to 7 p.m. April 17, featuring a bike rodeo, Pilates classes, a farmers market, plant sale, chair massages and more. Call Espie at 266-7844.

• KAHUKU MUSIC Ron Artis II performs at 8 p.m. April 17 at Surfer, the Bar at Turtle Bay Resort, featuring special guest Thunderstorm Artis, and opening band Quadraphonix. Cover is $10. Call 371- 3895.

• BLUEGRASS Saloon Pilots play bluegrass music from 8 to 10:30 p.m. April 17 at Big City Diner on Hekili Street. Call 263-8880.

• HAIKU MUSIC Kahiau entertains from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. April 17 at Haleiwa Joe’s on Haiku Road. Call 247-6671.

• KAILUA HOOPS Kailua Community Basketball League signs up players for team play from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. April 18 at Enchanted Lake Playground. Youths born between 1998 and 2008 are eligible (1997 is OK for September 2015 high school seniors). Bring medical insurance card and birth certificate. Call 216-8103.

• E-SPORTS eSportsHI & eSports Foundation present E-Sports Awareness Day from noon to 5 p.m. April 18 at Windward Mall, featuring the best of Hawaii’s gaming community, emceed by Miss Hawaii 2013 Crystal Lee. Email asao@esportshi.com.

• AAUW BENEFIT Windward Oahu’s American Association of University Women hosts a reception and showing of “Maunakea Between Earth and Sky” at 6 p.m. April 18 at WCC’s Hokulani Imaginarium. Tickets cost $25, and proceeds support the chapter’s scholarship fund. Call Mary for reservations, 239-8406.

• FOOD DRIVE Hawaii Foodbank volunteers accept donations from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 18 at Windward City Shopping Center. Call 836-3600.

• FISHPOND HELP Waikalua Loko fishpond welcomes volunteers from 8 a.m. to noon April 18 for a La Hana workday. Wear old clothes and bring gloves, tabis, sunscreen and a reusable water bottle. A light lunch will be provided for helpers as well as a pond tour. Call 263-8202 or email jepsona001@hawaii.rr.com.

• RAIN GARDEN Hui o Ko‘olaupoko volunteers help maintain the Windward CC rain garden from 9 a.m. to noon April 18. RSVP to 381-7202 or email nalani@huihawaii.org.

• BAY CULTURE Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club sponsors “cultural awareness” glass-bottom boat rides by trained guides on the Coral Queen at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. April 18 from Heeia Kea pier as part of the club’s Legends of Ko‘olau series. It offers stories, history and booklets about the bay and its marine resources. Fee is $20 and $10. Reservations needed at 235-8111 or email legendsofkoolau@aol.com.

• FILM TOOLS Robyn Busfield and Loha Kane lead “Solaris,” a Wake Up at the Movies program on the commentary of John Mark Stroud, who uses film as a teaching tool to open minds to forgiveness and metaphysics — at 1 p.m. April 18 at Windward Unity Church, 46-005 Kawa St. #303. Call 262-6731.

• STARGAZING Hokulani Imaginarium presents “Earth, Moon & Sun” at 2 and 3 p.m. April 18 on the WCC campus. Admission is $7-$5. Call 235-7433.

• CRAFT FAIR Ka‘elepulu Elementary has a spring craft fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 18, with food, fun and shopping at 530 Keolu Drive. Booth fee is $35. Call 372-6752.

• KANIKAPILA Keikilani Lindsey sings at 4 p.m. April 18 at “Kanikapila in Kailua,” a free show in Kailua parking garage. Call 263-7073.

• SOCCER SIGNUPS Kailua-Waimanalo AYSO has signups 2-4 p.m. April 18 at Kailua District Park and 6:30-8:30 p.m. April 23 at Kailua High cafeteria. Fee is $65. Pre-register at eayso.org and visit kailuaayso.org.

• STRESS RELIEF Barbara Cole discusses “The Science of Stress Relief: Using Ancient Tools to Solve Modern Problems” at 6:30 p.m. April 19 at Windward Unity Church, 46-005 Kawa St. #303. Call 262-6731.

• UKULELE SHOW Roy Sakuma’s Ukulele Studio performs at 3 p.m. April 19 at Windward Mall center court. Call 235-1143.

• LIFE WORKSHOP Windward Unity Church offers a Luminous Life workshop with Melissa Heckman at noon April 19 at 46-005 Kawa St. #303. Call 262-6731.

• TRIATHLON Lanikai Triathlon starts at 6 a.m. April 19 with a 500-meter swim off Kailua Beach Park, then bike and running routes through Kailua and back to the park. Visit bocahawaii.com.

• OUTDOOR CIRCLE Kaneohe Outdoor Circle hosts its first “Sunday at the Garden” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 19 at Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden, with hands-on gardening for all ages in partnership with EarthWorks. Call Cindie at 542-0546.

• HANAUMA Hanauma Bay Education Program screens the free film Our Deepest Waters at 3 p.m. April 19 in the park theater from National Marine Monuments and NOAA. Call 397-5840.

• SECURITY WALK Hau‘ula Neighborhood Security Walk meets at 8:45 p.m. April 20 at Hau‘ula Civic Center and patrols 9-10 p.m. Call 781-2048 or email kaluaum@yahoo.com.

• VARIETY HOUR A free public show of legacy music, pops and Hawaiian potpourri starts at 7 p.m. April 21 at Pohai Nani auditorium. Call 234-6639.

• PREPARED Hau‘ula’s Emergency Leadership Preparedness meets at 6 p.m. April 21 at Hau‘ula Civic Center. Call 293-0820.

• FINANCES Kahuku Library offers “Dollar$ and Sen$e” financial literacy at 5:30 p.m. April 21 with games, prizes, speakers and a storytime. Call 293-8935.

• NATURE HOUR Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden’s preschool “Ducks” nature hour is at 10:30 a.m. April 21. Call 233-7323.

• HURRICANES Kailua’s Disaster Preparedness hosts a meeting on hurricanes and tsunamis at 6:30 p.m. April 22 at Kailua District Park. Call 783-5396.

Connie Mitchell of IHS

Residents concerned about the increasing homeless population in Windward Oahu have a chance to learn more about what groups like Institute for Human Services are doing to help.

IHS executive director Connie Mitchell will speak from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Emmanuel Church in Kailua, discussing the organization, its goals, its collaborations with government, and programs in other parts of the state.

The free presentation will be followed by a Q&A session and “talk story” coffee hour, where attendees can mingle with Mitchell and other guests.

The church invited Mitchell to serve as a follow-up to Colin Kippen and Jun Yang’s talk last May about how the state and city are addressing homelessness.

The church is located at 780 Keolu Drive. For more information, call 262-4548 or visit emmanuelkailua.com.

Kailua nonprofits, community groups and more will convene to clear Kailua Beach of trash from 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday for Earth Day Cleanup 2015.

The goal is to clean everything, including the beach’s seven public accesses, ranging from the boat ramp at Kailua Beach Park to Castles at the north end.

Volunteers can check in at any of the access points at 9:30 a.m., where Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii will hand out supplies, water, snacks and information about the area; or catch a shuttle to the sites from Kailua Beach Park across from Buzz’s Steak House.

The Kailua Beach cleanup is sponsored by Parley for the Oceans, Manuheali‘i and Better Homes, but other groups will tackle other parts of Kailua in need of maintenance: My Kailua will be at Ka‘elepulu Stream, Hui o Ko‘olaupoko will work on its canal bank project, and 808 Cleanups will clear Lanikai Beach and the Pillboxes.

All volunteers are invited to the beach park from noon to 3 p.m. for a concert featuring Mike Love and friends, with free food, shirts, adult and keiki activities, guest speakers and prize giveaways.

Bring a reusable water bottle, sunscreen and a hat. Those who walk, bike, bus, skate or carpool to the cleanup will earn extra tickets for prizes, since parking is limited at Kailua and Kalama beach parks and Lanikai Elementary School.

For more information, visit sustainablecoastlineshawaii.org.

Le Jardin Academy’s 2014 yearbook, Define, was recog nized by Columbia Scholastic Press Association as one of the “best of the best” in yearbook design and coverage. Applause for former adviser Susan St. John, and class editors Madeline St. John, Renee van Bergeijk, Katherine Jacobs, and Hayley Dietrich and Tawny Ventura. The 2015 Jostens Look Book will feature the Kailua private school’s effort …

Erland Odd

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Kailua’s Erland Odd is now vice president of eCommerce and digital strategy for Castle Resorts & Hotels, an aptitude he’s developed over 15 years in Hawaii’s hospitality industry. Erland got his start at Goteborgs Tekniska Institute in Sweden (IT and electrical engineering), and then HPU … Kaneohe’s Bob Figgs, commander of the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Louisville, safely saw her back into Pearl Harbor April 10 from national security maneuvers during a six-month deployment between Hawaii and the Arabian Sea …

There’s hope ahead for health care. Fifteen Castle High HOSA (health occupations) students, plus two alumni, placed in the top three for their events at the state competition last month, making them eligible to attend the national conference in Texas in June, and Garrett Cho was elected vice president of HOSA programs for Hawaii … Kailua resident Stewart Crawford has been appointed to ABET Computing Accreditation Commission, which evaluates college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering and engineering technology. Stewart also chairs HPU’s computer science department and actively promotes computer-enhanced STEM learning in high schools here …

Honolulu HomeLoans honored two Kailua employees at a recent company appreciation lunch. Loan manager David Vieira won the Kokua award for “demonstrating the aloha spirit, a selfless attitude and a willingness to help others (he’s a trainer with good advice).” Loan manager Alan Fentriss was recognized as Top Producer-Retail, and was rewarded with a trip for two to Maui … Author John Clark‘s newest book is North Shore Place Names: Kahuku to Ka‘ena from University of Hawaii Press & & & cchang@midweek.com

The UH Industrial Hemp Research Project kicked off April 10 with a blessing and planting ceremony in Waimanalo, where principal researcher Harry Ako placed a seed in each prepared hole. Rep. Thielen (behind Ako) long has supported the crop for soil cleaning and bio-fuel uses, and to help farmers stay in business. Photo by Bodie Collins, bcollins@midweek.com.

Thielen’s Turf…Rep. Cynthia Thielen

University of Hawaii and the state Department of Agriculture made hemp history April 10 in Waimanalo with the launch of the nation’s second state-funded and state university-initiated industrial hemp research project since the 2014 Farm Bill legalized its cultivation for research purposes.

State legislators, UH officials and longtime supporters gathered on the hemp field at UH Waimanalo Research Station for a seed planting ceremony and blessing. Some attendees proudly wore beautifully patterned aloha shirts made of hemp, and everyone held a program made from this multi-purpose material. Community groups also contributed generously by lending o‘os (traditional Hawaiian digging sticks).

Lawmakers across party lines are galvanizing to legalize hemp. Federally, the House and Senate are pushing the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2015, which would remove federal restrictions on the commercial farming of industrial hemp, and non-drug oilseed and fiber varieties of cannabis. Thanks to the Farm Bill that President Obama signed in 2014, more than 15 states, including Hawaii, now are permitted to study the properties of hemp and start growing it.

Vermont, Colorado and Arkansas began pilot programs this year. UH will study phytoremediation and biofuel properties of industrial hemp. If Congress succeeds in its efforts to legalize hemp, it could revolutionize Hawaii agriculture. Farmers could grow hemp on abandoned agricultural lands once used for pineapple and sugar cane, removing the toxic buildup from years of pesticide and petro-fertilizer use. Deep-rooted hemp stalks could eliminate pest nematodes and any weeds in the process, ending up with a valuable crop that can be used for biofuels.

In our climate, hemp’s growth period can be as short as three months, and one acre of hemp equates to up to four acres of tree pulp.

With more than 25,000 uses — food, fiber, fuel, plastics and the building material hempcrete, for example — many anxiously await the findings of lead researcher Harry Ako, as to the potential industrial hemp has for Hawaii agriculture.

Contact state Rep. Cynthia Thielen, R-District 50 (Kailua, Kaneohe Bay), at 586-6480 or email repthielen@capitol.hawaii.gov.

Kaneohe potter Steve Martin is preparing a huge vessel for the May 2 Windward Potters spring sale. He also will be at Pots ‘n Plants this Saturday. Photo by Karen Kim.

Artisans have been making bowls and pots for centuries, drawing from the earth the materials to create both the practical and the beautiful objects of life. People are still making them today, folks, and Windward fans have at least three opportunities to browse and shop for some favorites before Mother’s Day.

• First up is the third annual Pots ‘n Plants Sale from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. this Saturday at 45-061 Ka Hanahou Place. Neighbors and friends converge at the Kims’ home with their “fun and artsy” ceramics, stained glass, watercolor paintings, orchids, wood carvings and even poi pounders. The list includes Ruth Canham, Claudia Butler, Don Fowler, Lori Nakatsuka, Jon Rawlings, Steve Martin (pictured), Karen Kim, Pablo Tello, Ryan Lazear, Matt Danielson, Elsie Horikawa, Larry Kamiya and Deb Soutar. Call 383-9487.

• The Windward Potters will have their annual spring sale from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 2 at Kailua Elementary School cafeteria, featuring one-of-a-kind items, sculptural and raku forms, planters and functional pieces. Call 383-9487.

• Windward Community College ceramics club will showcase its best pieces at the club’s annual Mother’s Day pottery sale, set for 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 8 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 9 in Hale Palanakila studio on the WCC campus. Call 235-7323.

The Aloha Aina recycling program has scheduled two collection drives in the area in coming weeks: Kahuku High & Intermediate School will have one from 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday, and St. John Vianney Parish School will have one from 9 a.m. to noon May 9.

Both schools welcome all contributions from the public, in partnership with Schnitzer Steel and Kokua Hawaii Foundation’s 3Rs School Recycling Program. Acceptable items include scrap metal, bicycles, appliances, computers, game systems, laptops, printers, cartridges and other e-waste products.

Also needed are batteries, TV sets, used cooking oil, paper, corrugated cardboard, newspaper, reusable clothing and household items (for Goodwill), HI-5 containers and plastics (No. 1 and 2 containers).

A shredder also will be at each site for confidential document disposal.

Proceeds from recycling payments go to the schools. Email 3rs@kokuahawaiifoundation.org.

With an open date last weekend, the Kalaheo girls softball team took a much-needed break from the sport, but not from each other.

Team chemistry has been among the team’s strengths since the beginning of pre-season camp, and head coach John Spencer looked to solidify their cohesiveness. “We’ve rented a private home for the kids for the weekend,” he said. “We want to take their minds off of softball and make them hungry again.”

The Mustangs have reached the back end of their OIA Division II season slate in good shape, having taken an 8-3 record into the weekend. A road game with Radford at 10 a.m. Saturday is all that remains. If they can hold onto their second-place standing, they will be in line for a first-round bye for the OIA DII tournament.

The DII playoffs are April 30 to May 2. Kalaheo must finish among the top four in the White to ensure a berth in next month’s DII state tournament. The team is seeking its first state tournament appearance in softball since 2012, when they were DII runner-up to Nanakuli.

While preparing for the postseason, much emphasis at practice is on maximizing offensive production, according to Spencer. His team has emerged as one of the White’s most capable at the plate, topping the 10-run plateau in seven of its eight wins.

“What’s been really outstanding has been the hitting — that’s where we’ve excelled,” Spencer said. “When the lower half of the order starts hitting, everything starts to fall into place. Consistency in our hitting has put us in a good situation. We’ve been doing a lot of hitting drills. Hitting is always a key (in the playoffs), and we’re hoping it continues.”

Kalaheo’s exploits at the plate were evident in its sweep of Kahuku April 4. The Mustangs trailed late in both games before rallying to win by 4-3 and 11-1, respectively. All told, Kalaheo won eight of its last nine games.

They went 5-7 last year, their first time in DII since 2012, and have a young roster this spring. But leadership still has played a huge role behind seniors Jaquelyn Howard, Autumn Grant, Kylie Ishimaru and Brianna Gorgonio.

A four-year player, Howard has been the workhorse on the mound. “Jaquelyn has done a wonderful job — she’s kept us in games. She and the seniors have dedicated themselves to playing the best that they can this year, which is what they’ve been doing.”

Throughout the roster, Spencer is quick to add that he has a team “without one particular standout.”

“It’s really been a team effort, with everybody contributing when it counted,” he added. “I’m pretty happy with the team. We have an opportunity to close (the season) at 9-3, which will get us into the playoffs, obviously.”

jackster.1969@yahoo.com