Essay winners recognized at DAR conference
Daughters of the American Revolution’s Hawaii Loa Chapter hosted the 91st annual Hawaii State Conference in March at Royal Kona Resort.
Hawaii state regent Mary Ellen Smith, of Kailua-Kona, greeted the 70 attendees, welcoming the Aloha Chapter from Oahu, the Hawaii Loa Chapter from Hawaii Island and several guests. Regent Jane Mann, of Kaneohe, Oahu, led the Aloha Chapter delegation.
A highlight of the day was awarding the State and Hawaii Loa Chapter prizes in two student essay contests. Anna Bitter, a Hilo 10th-grader, was recognized for her essay “How Americans View Christopher Columbus and George Washington Today”. Kimo Diven, a seventh-grader from Pahoa, wrote about the life of a child during the revolution. Both well-researched papers will move forward to competition in the Southwest Division of Daughters of the American Revolution. Smith presented mayor Billy Kenoi’s congratulatory certificates to each winner.
After the meeting and luncheon, Maile Melrose, local author and storyteller, gave the group a look at Kona’s earlier days of coffee farms and ranch living.
To be contacted about upcoming essay contests email hawaiiloadar@aol.com. Contests are for fifth- through 12th-graders, regardless of school or island. To find out about upcoming Hawaii Loa Chapter meetings email mellencs@aol.com.
Hawaii Supreme Court to hear arguments at Kealakehe High
The Hawaii Supreme Court will hear an oral argument from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Kealakehe High School Gymnasium. Students from several area schools will attend.
This is part of the Courts in the Community outreach program, which educates students and the public about the judiciary’s role in government. The court will hear Molfino v. Yuen. A brief case description and summary of the issues on appeal may be viewed on the judiciary’s website.
To prepare for the oral argument, the participating juniors and seniors from each school study a curriculum developed by the Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center and the Students for Public Outreach and Civic Education of the University of Hawaii’s William S. Richardson School of Law. The students’ study culminates with a moot court activity facilitated by members of the West Hawaii Bar Association.
The oral argument is open to the public. RSVP to the Communications and Community Relations Office at 539-4909.
Rotary Club honors Bairos
The Rotary Club of Kona Mauka recently recognized Ali Bairos with its Rotary Vocational Award of Professional Excellence.
The club recognized at an award presentation his outstanding achievements, high ethical standards, commitment to the community and his vocation, and his support of the Rotary concept of service above self. Bairos was presented with a $1,000 check to be given to a nonprofit organization of his choice. He chose the Kona Community Hospital Auxiliary Nursing Scholarship Fund.
Bairos has been a practicing surgeon in Kona since 1985. He helped establish the Adult Day Care Center in Kealakekua. Bairos has also served as a member and chairman of the Kona Community Hospital board. He is also the vice chief of surgical services and is the physician leader of the Pharm2Pharm Research Project being conducted by the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
Kona Mauka Rotary Club meets from noon to 1 p.m. every Tuesday at Teshima’s Restaurant in Honalo. For more information, call Donna Hiranaka at 322-0202.