A Victorian Tea; America’s Coming

Lori Marston and Pam Dohrman. Photo courtesy Jan Landis

One of my fondest memories growing up was having high tea with my mother and sister, and to this day I believe there isn’t anything else quite like it. It wasn’t just about the smattering of delicate sandwiches, scones and jam, or the porcelain teapots and ambient piano, but getting to dress up and enjoy some quality girl time. Perhaps it’s in reviving that romantic notion that the ladies of Kaua’i Historical Society will host the third annual Victorian Tea Party from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Kilauea estate of T. D.

King Jr. It’s for wahine only. And ladies, wear your Sunday best (including a fabulous hat and anything of the Edwardian or Victorian era), as it’s all about atmosphere: a serenading harpist, games of croquet and Victorian-era photograph mementos to take home. For tickets, which cost $55, call 2453373 (pre-purchase only). For more information, email info@kauaihistoricalsociety.org …

This is for all the lonely people, thinking that life has passed them by: Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell of the iconic, Grammy-winning band America will be on-island at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24, at Kaua’i Marriott Ballroom as part of its 40th anniversary tour. Tickets cost $45 and are available online at www.TicketWeb.com or via phone at 1-866-4683399. So for those who thought big names didn’t come to the Garden Isle, don’t give up until you drink from the silver cup,and ride that highway in the sky

Congratulations to Theodore “Teddy” Daligdig III, who was recently named manager of Kaua’i Civil Defense and took his post July 18, replacing Kylan Dela Cruz. The Kapa’a High School and University of Hawaii alumnus is a former colonel and island commander of Hawaii Army National Guard, Kaua’i branch. Part of the recovery efforts after Hurricane Iniki, Daligdig retired in 2004 after 38 years of service in active duty and the reserves. He also served on the Kaua’i County Planning Commission, including one term as chairman from 2002 to 2007 …

America: Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell. Photo courtesy Nicole Sollberger

It’s with the idea of boosting our youths’ selfesteem that Kaua’i Police Activities League hosts a breakdancing workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in August and a hip-hop style workshop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, Aug. 21 and 28, at KPAL Youth Center. Students age 5 to 18 are encouraged to bring a towel to class and wear sneakers and sweatpants. Instructor Paul Ruma will teach breakdancing using New York City-inspired urban dance; the hip-hop style writing workshop will be taught by Ken “East3” Nishimura. The cost for each workshop is $20, or free for KPAL members (annual membership costs $50). For more information on the KPAL program, or to request additional support or an auxiliary aid, contact Sgt. Rod Green at 2411605 or email Capt. Michael Contrades at mcontrades@kauai.gov …

Theodore Daligdig III. Photo courtesy Mary Daubert

Kudos to Kaua’i Fire Department and Ocean Safety Bureau, the Office of Economic Development and Kaua’i Visitors Bureau for collaborating on the fifth edition of the Official Kaua’i Beach Guide, a free, islandwide publication that is already available at Lihu’e Airport and in hotels on-island, and helping save lives. Waterman and Ocean Safety Bureau head Kalani Vierra says the safety guide is part of a larger effort to educate visitors on how to stay safe while visiting the Garden Isle’s beaches. Those wanting to distribute the guide can pick them up or have them delivered by contacting the Office of Economic Development at 241-4946 or the Ocean Safety Bureau at 241-4984 or 241-4980. For more information on ocean safety and current ocean conditions, visit kauaiexplorer.com …

Readers of MidWeek Kaua’i know I’ve got a place in my heart for galerie 103, so it’s no surprise that I’d like to mention yet another must-see exhibit that opened July 21 and is on view through Sept. 17. It includes the diverse works of artists Carol Bennett, Kimberlin Blackburn, Doug Britt, Kathleen Adair Brown, Karen Gally, Tom Lieber, Deyana Mielke, Wayne Zebzda and Mark Van Wagner, excerpts from solo exhibitions by Margaret Ezekiel and Sally French, an installation piece by Rosa Silver and pieces from gallery owner Bruna Stude. To learn more, go to galerie103.com …

Congratulations to Pono Tokioka, who not only finished fourth at the U.S. Deaf Golf Championships at The Golf Club at Yankee Trace in Ohio, but is going on to compete this week in the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships July 26-30 in Florida. Proud mom and Kaua’i County director of communications Beth Tokioka says he placed 11th last year and hopes to do better this year. But it doesn’t end there for Pono. In mid-August he’s off to Oregon with three other juniors from the state who qualified for the Eddie Hogan tournament. Nicely played! …

Pono Tokioka (second from left) is one of six members of the U.S. Deaf Golf Team that will go to Japan in 2012.Photo courtesy Beth Tokioka

Also, congratulations to Racquel Figueroa, daughter of Nestor and Peggy Figueroa of Kilauea, who earned honors (GPA 3.4 to 3.669) at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. …

Happy to hear that Alexander & Baldwin Inc. and Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative plan a utility-scale solar photovoltaic facility on the South Shore. Though it’s just in the proposal stages, if approved it would help KIUC toward its aggressive goal to generate 50 percent renewable energy by 2023 …

Mahalo to U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye and Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. for helping retain funding to finish cleanup efforts at Kilauea River and Wailapa Stream, especially since when multiple jurisdictions are involved some projects aren’t completed. The earlier phases of the cleanup followed the Ka Loko Dam breach and were funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Dept. of Land and Natural Resources was the lead agency for the final phase. Completing the job before the funds expired was a challenge for the state, prompting Carvalho to seek a deadline extension and county sponsorship, making the project’s finalization a reality …