wahanui_1

Waha Nui

Two local high school alumni are now among the state’s top communicators: Leilehua’s multitalented reporter and stage performer Donalyn Dela Cruz has been hired to direct communications for the state DOE, leaving her post as the governor’s communications director. Meanwhile, Mililani High graduate and former TV reporter Louise Kim McCoy has replaced Donalyn in Gov. Neil Abercrombie‘s office, leaving her job as press secretary to Mayor Peter Carlisle

wahanui_3

Image 3 of 4

Rene Chinen

Basic training graduates: Cheyenne Opiana (Waialua 2004) from Army Reserve in Fort Jackson, S.C.; Kristopher Ornellas (Mililani 2010) from Air Force at Lackland AFB, Texas; and Karlakatrina Anizaga of Wahiawa, from Army training at Fort Jackson…

Central Pacific Bank recently announced several appointments of Mililani residents: Garett Cosner is senior vice president and Leeward/Windward region manager; Rene Chinen is senior VP and director of compliance; and Reid Chung is vice president, private banking officer … The keiki from Wheeler Elementary School will sing out at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28 at Pearlridge Center, and you can hear the voices of Iliahi Elementary at 6 p.m. Nov.

29, both Uptown (488-0981) … An Operation Toy Box drive Dec. 2, hosted by Hawaii Polo Club on Mokuleia Field, will pay special tribute to the late North Shore pastor and North Shore News editor Ron Valenciana, who founded OTB. A benefit polo match begins at 2 p.m., and new, unwrapped toys are welcome (226-0061). Some of the gate proceeds ($10 each) also will go to the cause. Ron died July 29 …

Wild turkeys, it’s said, can run up to 25 mph, faster than Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, who averaged 23.35 mph in his world-record 100-meter race. Happy Thanksgiving