Waha Nui – 3/25/15

Samuel Perez Hults

Samuel Perez Hults

Kailua’s Samuel Perez Hults took second place in Master of the Ocean, an international watersports battle held Feb. 22-28 in the Dominican Republic, his native land. First place went to Maui pro athlete Zane Schweitzer. The competition combined kite-boarding, windsurfing, surfing and SUP to find the top overall wave rider. Samuel, 28, owns Sammy’s Aloha Watersports in Kailua …

Five Windward teens are among 23 finalists in the 2015 Kaha Ki‘i Congressional Art Competition. U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard will announce the winners Saturday, but readers also can have a say in Gabbard’s People’s Choice awards by March 26 on her Facebook page. Artistic students include Shion Goldstein, Lili Maero and Triana Tran of Le Jardin Academy; and Shelby Mendes and RJ Sigel of Castle High …

More art: Three Kahuku High students have their works on view through April 10 at Hawaii State Art Museum, as winners in the 2015 Hawaii Regional Scholastic Art Awards program. Sadie Morelock earned a Gold Key for her painting “Bargaining.” Benjamin Earl (design, “Red Raider Nation”) and India Pyzel (design, “Benoa ’bout It”) earned Silver Keys … Kaneohe improv artist Kimee Balmilero, a Castle Performing Arts Center and Broadway veteran who starred in an Emmy-nominated TV show, is putting on Hawaii’s first Sketch Comedy Festival, with Saturday Night Live as “a huge inspiration.” Kimee assembled talent from L.A., NYC and right here for sketches and films March 28-29 at Doris Duke Theatre (kimee@bizgym.org) …

Friends and kin of Waimanalo cultural practitioner and healer kumu Alva James Andrews will celebrate his life from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 3 at Ka Ho‘oilina na Kuhio Community Center 41-253 ‘Ilauhole St. (paolahawaii@gmail.com). “To have met Uncle Alva was to be loved and changed by his presence,” writes Kate Brenton

Harry and Florence (Iida) Fanning plan to add more families to a revision of Florence’s Partial History of the Japanese in Kaneohe book (2007). They seek area families circa 1898-1959. Call 254-1221 to share your story, or write to them at 44-208 Malae Place, Kaneohe, HI 96744 … Dr. Wally Johnson updates his kolea studies at 7 p.m. Friday at Hale Akoakoa at WCC &&& cchang@midweek.com