Waha Nui – 12/25/13

James Brewbaker

Kailua scientist James Brewbaker, also known as Hawaii’s father of sweet corn, has given $1 million to UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to start an endowment for fellowships in plant breeding at the campus from which he’s spent a half century improving local crops, seeds and food sources around the world. “The 2 billion people this world held when I was born in 1926 have sadly grown to more than 7 billion, of whom 1 billion go to bed hungry,” Brewbaker says. Noting his effort and outstanding contributions to international crop science, the Crop Science Society of America named him its Presidential Award winner Nov. 27 in Florida …

As federal, state and county officials beef up security for the Obama ohana, Kailuana Place neighbor and retiree Doug Miller has been doing his part to beat off the redbrown paper wasps that swarmed a bit recently by his house and also by the marsh. “I’ve killed about 80 with my badminton racket,” he says, adding that at one point Hardware Hawaii ran out of its five kinds of hornet spray. And, no, the insects are not spy drones in disguise. “I’ve smashed them; they have no electronic parts.” If you notice a wasp problem, call state DOH official Peter Oshiro at 586-8020 …

Kalaheo’s student gov’t. needs a microwave, and Olomana School needs new rubber slippers (to swat wasps?), adult sizes 8-13. To help them out, call Kathie Wells of Community Helping Schools at 225-2621 … Kaneohe writers Sebastian and Shaley DeGiorgio – aka “S DeGiorgio” – have a new keiki book, Yo Ho Ho and a Very Merry Christmas!, and are finishing the science fiction Orion Connection. Join their adventures at amazon.com …

Lanikai artist Michael Ives has created a 5-minute Vimeo as a gift to his community “for all the beauty it has given my wife and me over the years” (vimeo.com/80301248) … Ka’ohu Cazinha has a big mahalo for the crowds at the Kaneohe parade and Keiki Christmas Hoolaulea who helped her halau collect more than 100 gifts for Toys For Tots …

You have until Dec. 30 to view the annual Frog and Critter Art Show at Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden gallery. Winners on the recycling theme are Nicole Popp‘s Friendly Mice (made from dryer lint), Anne Waters‘ Puffer Fish Ensnared in Net (marine debris) and Susan Scott‘s Giant Frogfish (beach and plastic debris). Call 233-7323