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Waha Nui – 2/19/14

Thanks, Doc. About 900 Kaiser Permanente staffers and friends descended on Heeia’s fishpond and lo’i – Paepae O He’eia, Kakoo ‘Oiwi and Papahana Kuaola – Jan. 20 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, planting 200 sweet potatoes and freeing the lo’i of hundreds of pounds of invasive vegetation … Hauula’s Dustin Goldstein got his GED at 16, then worked, became a community college honor student and, just recently at 22, was inducted into the Golden Key International Honor Society at UH West Oahu, where he’s studying psychology …

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Dustin Goldstein

Kailua Intermediate and Kainalu Elementary both need a small refrigerator. If you’re feeling cool about giving, call Kathie Wells of Community Helping Schools at 225-2621 … Mustang cheerleader update: Coach Shannon Callen is a top 10 finalist for Disney’s 2014 Coach of the Year. The girls say she’s “our teacher, our strength and our confidante.” The Kalaheo squad, meanwhile, plans a fundraiser March 4 with Papa John’s to help pay for the trip to AmeriCheer International Championships March 22-23 in Florida. To donate to the pizza benefit (and eat), call 979-7272 …

Speaking of food, KEY Project’s kitchen manager Ken Weir took his culinary class to Coconut Island Feb. 12, where they served the visiting Smithsonian’s board of directors. Hands-on learning, for sure … Kailua’s Michele Saito, the former face of Farmers Insurance here, is the new president of DTRIC Insurance Group, capping a three-decade career in the industry. Michele serves on many boards but also makes time to lead a Girl Scout troop …

Kahaluu’s Snookie Mello has been arrested by Muscular Dystrophy Association and will be “locked up” at Whole Foods Kailua from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday. Go witness her public shame, or better yet, help her raise $2,000 bail at mda.org/office/hawaii … To catch Kailua native B.K. Cannon on the new season of Switched at Birth (ABC Family), do it now through March 24 (8 p.m. Mondays, Oceanic 34) … Kailua eighth-grader Stone Parker has an invitation to play in July’s Baseball Factory World Series in Florida. All he needs is $3,000. Checks to Baseball Factory are welcome at 370 Kaimake Loop, Kailua 96734