Waha Nui

Kapahulu fiddler extraordinaire Lesley Kline was part of a Guinness world record-breaker — the largest mandolin ensemble (389 folks) — in Galax, Virginia this summer. She was there for the Old Time Fiddlers Convention with the Saloon Pilots, an Oahu bluegrass band that frequents Ward’s Rafters …

Lesley Kline

Lori Shimizu coordinated a successful ‘Aina Garden Party at Liholiho Elementary’s garden recently, where volunteers moved 7,900 pounds of soil and installed raised garden beds. More help and green (or purple) thumbs are always welcome, she says (733-4850) …

Brandon McMurtry of Kaiser,Grant Takara of Kalani and Britny Ching of Sacred Hearts have each won the coveted UH Regents Scholarship, which comes with four years of tuition, a $4,000 yearly stipend and a $2,000 travel grant for “academically outstanding students with remarkable extracurricular achievements”…

Congratulations to Portlock resident Rylynne Totoki, who has earned her broker’s license and the all-important “R” after her name …

Larry Rodriguez

Say hello to UH Manoa’s Shidler College of Business Executive-in-Residence, Larry Rodriguez. The Waialae Iki resident is a retired executive with Ernst & Young and Central Pacific Bank, and is now running his own consulting business. He will spend fall semester lecturing and sharing his vast knowledge and experience with the young ones. He also established a $300,000 endowed scholarship at the business school with colleague Terri Fujii …

The Kahala Hotel and Resort has earned Hawaii’s Green Business Award for its use of pumped seawater to cool its chillers, Energy Star-rated equipment, light sensors, low ceiling fans, and low-flow showers and faucets …

Sacred Hearts Academy’s annual gala Sept. 28 in Waikiki honored six Distinguished Alumnae, including Kathy Dolim Bow. Now a clinical nurse at Kaiser, Kathy still finds time to volunteer at Saint Patrick’s Church …

The National Merit Scholarship Program has named Kaiser High’s Jason Cheng a Semi-Finalist for 2013 …

Susan Shiroma was Aina Haina Library’s 10th-grade finalist in the summer reading program, winning a NOOK Color e-Reader in a drawing at the finale