Nelson Daquip, left, a culinary graduate of Kapi'olani Community College, has been named wine director at Seattle's prestigious Canlis Restaurant. Daquip, who formerly worked as a server at Alan Wong's Restaurant, rose from server to assistant wine director at Canlis in just four years.

Daquip holds a diploma from the International Sommelier Guild. He has taken the Court of Master Sommeliers introductory course and passed the master sommelier advanced exam on the first try. He is studying now for the grueling final exam in the three-part master sommelier process.

CHECK OUT HUNGER

BUY A COUPON AND PROVIDE MEALS FOR THOSE IN NEED

The Hawaii Foodbank's annual Kraft's Check Out Hunger campaign is under way, raising money to help the local organization feed more than 130,000 people a year (of whom more than 32,000 are children and more than 14,000 elderly).

This year, there is a choice of three donation coupons — $2.81, which feeds a child breakfast for a week; $12.43, which feeds a senior lunch for a month; $16.84, which feeds a family dinner for a week. When you're shopping at Safeway, Times, Tamura's or Kokua Market Natural Foods Co-op, just rip off a coupon and hand it to the checker, and the amount will be added to your bill. Painless — but that simple act can help alleviate so much need.