Surf Festival; Lots Of Worthy Events

Waterwoman Mariko Strickland. Photo courtesy Sue Strickland

Congratulations to water-woman Mariko Strickland, who not only took first place in women’s SUP division recently at the Kealia Surf Festival, but is in the running for top paddler for 2012. If you’d like to help her chances, go to upthemag.com/supawards/vote/2012-top-5-female-paddlers and vote for her. (She recently beat out 100 paddlers and won the 17-mile Na Pali on her stand-up paddleboard before heading off to Molokai. She’s busy, that one). Mom Sue Strickland is understandably proud to tout the accomplishments and athletic prowess of her daughter.

Sue also is on the board of the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Kaua’i (see cover story), and with that I’ll say that the nonprofit is among many good causes to support this month. I’m not being hyperbolic here – I can’t remember a month with this many well-intended fundraisers. Hopefully August will be a busy month for all …

The FCJC will have its annual pau hana fundraiser Friday from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the Kaua’i Marriott tennis courts. The nonprofit gives local sexually and physically abused children clothing, toys and counseling, and is in need of financial and community support. Tickets for the Treasure Our Children, Kaua’i Style fundraiser cost $35 each or $300 for a table of 10. No host bar. Entertainment will include Halau Mohala O Ka Pua Hau Hele, music by Sean Carillo, Michael Barretto and the Kaua’i String Quartet. Silent auction items will include a Chocolate Farm Tour from Steelgrass Farm, fitness session from Organic Functional Fitness, and a photo session from Ken Posney. Tickets can be purchased at The Wine Shop in Koloa, Pictures Plus in Lihu’e and Island Soap and Candle Works in Kilauea. For more information, call 246-0923, email fcjcKauai@live.com or visit fcjckauai.org

Tea co-chair Lori Marston with pianist Carla Watson. Photo courtesy Jill Landis

Surely people still remember the Sandra Galas case. It seems like a lifetime ago that I first spoke with her heartbroken father Lawrence Mendonca and mother Toshie about losing their young, vibrant daughter, the mother of two young boys, in an incomprehensible crime. Galas was found murdered in her car Jan. 25, 2006, in ‘Ele’ele. A stalemate and politics have affected the case, but with a little hope (and maybe the fact that this is an election year) perhaps things will get pushed along and justice will be served. The fifth annual Never Forget Sandy G Golf Tournament is slated for Aug. 19, starting at 7:30 a.m. (sign in is at 6:30 a.m.) at Kaua’i Lagoons. Cost is $100. The tourney not only keeps awareness of the importance of this case in the forefront of our minds, but also, thanks to the fact that Mendonca wants to help put an end to domestic violence, benefits the YWCA Kaua’i. To register online, go to ywcakauai.org. For more information, call Mindy at 245-5959 ext.229 …

Tickets go on sale this week for the Kaua’i Historical Society Victorian Tea, which benefits the society and will take place Sept. 7 at 1 p.m. at the McCloskey Estate in Kealia. Lawn games, horse and carriage, and door prizes will all be part of the fun. Tickets cost $50. For more information, call 245-3373 …

The Laulima Conference and annual meeting of Keep the Hawaiian Islands Beautiful and local affiliates Nani O Waianae, Community WorkDay Program, Keep Kalaupapa Settlement Beautiful, Keep Honolulu Beautiful, Keep Kaua’i Beautiful and Keep Hawaii Beautiful, the statewide network of the Keep America Beautiful Inc. system in Hawaii, will be on Maui Aug. 25 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. While litter control remains at the heart of the volunteer partnerships throughout the state, beautification efforts have expanded to include greening initiatives like community gardens, streetscapes and landscaping, the removal of invasive species, and practices of sustainability, including environmental education and preservation of culture and natural resources.

Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter will keynote the conference.

For more information, go to khib.org

The Kaua’i String Quartet performs Friday. Photo courtesy Children’s Justice Center of Kauai

So happy to hear about the Build-A-Thon 2012 “Working Together to Build a Better Kaua’i,” an effort between the Kaua’i Habitat for Humanity and the Kaua’i Board of Realtors. It’s two-day affordable housing build to benefit three families in Phase I of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ Pi’ilani Mai Ke Kai subdivision in Anahola. The Aug. 4 and 5 build will bring together volunteers, donors and community supporters to raise money and awareness for Habitat for Humanity. Participants don’t need prior building experience, but must be at least 18 years of age. For more information, go to buildathon.kauaihabitat.org or call 335-0296 …

In celebration of the Historic County Building’s 100th birthday, Kaua’i County Council, in collaboration with Kaua’i Historical Society, will offer free guided walking tours of Kaua’i’s first government building on the first Friday of each month at 10 a.m.

It’s dubbed “The People’s Building” and the public is welcome to stop in between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tours are approximately one hour. For more information, contact Yvette Sahut at 241-4188 …