MidWeek

on August 5, 2026 Photo courtesy Ryan Stevenson Pu‘ulu Lapa‘au Gains National Acclaim Hawai‘i healthcare nonprofit Pu‘ulu Lapa‘au has earned best practices recognition from the Federation of State Physician Health Programs after the group successfully completed a performance enhancement and effectiveness review.

on August 5, 2026 Photo by Lawrence Tabudlo Drop in on the Kailua High School campus these days and you’ll recognize that happiness is in the air. It’s a lingering feeling, likely a carryover courtesy of the varsity football team’s epic ride in 2025. Eight months after the squad ripped off 10-straight wins, punctuated by its 13-9 victory over defending state champ Kapa‘a at John Kauinana Stadium in Mililani, Surfrider nation remains enthusiastically upbeat — and why shouldn’t it be?

on July 29, 2026 For the Wades, volleyball is more than a game. It’s a way of life. Over the years, the family has become a true powerhouse in Hawai‘i volleyball, starting with the partriarch, Charlie, who enters his 18th season as head coach of the University of Hawai‘i national champion men’s volleyball team, and the matriarch Tani, a Kaiser High School graduate who played collegiate volleyball at University of Washington.

on July 29, 2026 Donation Reaches A High Note Spectrum and Ovation TV recently presented Hawai‘i Youth Symphony with a Stand For The Arts Award and a $10,000 donation.

on July 23, 2026 Photo courtesy Islands Hospice Supporting Those In Need Islands Hospice has awarded $5,000 to Gregory House Programs through its Makana Pono employee recognition program, supporting the nonprofit’s work to provide housing assistance for Hawai‘i residents, particularly those living with HIV/AIDS.

on July 23, 2026 Photo by Lawrence Tabudlo At a young age, Mike Leong uncapped a fervent desire to dig for old glass bottles and collect them. It’s a yearning that hasn’t fizzled out during his almost four decades of hunting for highly sought-after memorabilia.

on July 16, 2026 Photo Courtesy University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa When Vassilis Syrmos first came to University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa in 1991, he said it felt like home. Originally from Athens, Greece, Syrmos, who had just finished his doctorate in electrical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, was ecstatic to accept a position as UH’s assistant professor in its electrical engineering department.

on July 15, 2026 Photo courtesy Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i Happy To ‘Bee’ A Civics Success The Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i, with support from presenting sponsor Honolulu Star-Advertiser, recently hosted the second annual National Civics Bee Hawai‘i State Finals at Kaimukī High School. Capturing top honors was Moanalua Middle School’s Hailey S. (far right), who received a $1,000 prize and will go on to represent Hawai‘i at the national event in Washington, D.C., this fall.

on July 8, 2026 Photo by Lawrence Tabudlo Like most other parents, Guy Moriwaki has only ever wanted what was best for his child. So when his 7-year-old son, Ryker, approached him one day back in 2011 and said he wanted to learn the game of golf, Moriwaki sprang into action. He began looking into the junior golf programs out there, hoping to find one that championed values beyond skills development, expert coaching and competitive play.

on July 8, 2026 Foundation Rewards K-9 Unit The Honolulu Police Community Foundation presented the Honolulu Police Department’s K-9 Unit with gift bags paid for by donations from the foundation’s annual Raise the Paw fundraiser. The bags contained water bowls, grooming brushes, training balls and other items requested by K-9 handlers. Pictured (from left) are HPD Cpl. Christopher Chu and Ghost; Cpl. Joseph Tomita and Nobu; Cpl.