O'ahu youth taking trip to Japan

Advertiser Staff

Thanks to the 2001 Bon Ami Konishiki Golf Tournament at the Ko Olina Golf Club, 35 Leeward O'ahu sixth-graders left yesterday for a weeklong, all-expenses-paid trip to Japan, where they will be greeted by the retired sumo standout from Hawai'i.

Besides visiting the Musashi-gawa Sumo Stable and attending a sumo tournament, the itinerary includes trips to Nagoya, Nagano and Tokyo Disneyland.

Employee of the year

• Puakea honors greenskeeper: Greenskeeper Danny Valera, a Kaua'i native, was named the 2001 employee of the year at the Puakea Golf Course in Lihu'e, Kaua'i.

"Danny's performance last year was consistently outstanding," said Dan Urwiler, Puakea's golf course superintendent

Owned by America Online founder Steve Case, Puakea is in the process of expanding from nine to 18 holes without interruption. The work is expected to be completed this year.