Taggart Nakamoto, 12, is champion speller
Taggart Nakamoto, a 12-year-old sixth-grader at Konawaena Middle School on Hawaii island, will represent Hawaii at the 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee after becoming the Hawaii State Spelling Bee champion Saturday night.
Nakamoto won the 2012 aio Hawaii State Spelling Bee by correctly spelling “billabong” — defined as “a backwater caused by overflow from a river and forming a stagnant pool” — during round 16 of the competition held Saturday night at the PBS Hawaii studio.
Sixth-grader Roland Afaga Jr., 11, of Waimea Middle Public Conversion Charter School is Hawaii’s first runner-up.
“Taggart and Roland Jr. are both remarkable spellers,” said 2012 aio Hawaii State Spelling Bee coordinator Sherie Char. (The title sponsor, aio, is a family of companies specializing in media, technology, sports and food.)
“Before the championship round, Taggart correctly spelled difficult words, such as ‘whortleberry’ and ‘bildungsroman,’ with ease. His extraordinary spelling talent amazed us all.”
Taggart enjoys reading and wants to become a forensic chemist or a chemistry professor.
The 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee competition will be held May 29-31 near Washington, D.C.
PBS Hawaii will rebroadcast the 2012 Hawaii State Spelling Bee at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Funds released for isle highway work, planning
Several road, bridge and harbor improvement projects have been given state funding.
According to Gov. Neil Abercrombie, the selected projects should help create new jobs and stimulate the local economy. Abercrombie announced Friday he was releasing $27.7 million for the projects.
The projects include work on Kaumualii Highway on Kauai and Kohala Mountain Road on Hawaii island, as well as highway planning statewide. The released funds also include $11 million for design and construction of projects that support the state’s efforts to expand radio communication coverage in all counties.
Another $6.9 million will go toward design, construction and works of art at several Department of Health facilities.
Hotel on Maui will go dark for Earth Hour
For the fourth year, the Fairmont Kea Lani hotel on Maui will switch off its lights as part of Earth Hour 2012, an environmental awareness event organized by the World Wildlife Fund. The hourlong blackout starts at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
“As the world’s largest climate change initiative, Earth Hour provides a unique opportunity for Fairmont colleagues and guests to participate in a worldwide event,” said Charles Head, the hotel’s general manager, in a statement. “It is also a terrific opportunity to demonstrate our ongoing pledge to environmental awareness and energy conservation.”
The hotel will illuminate its entrance with more than 200 floating candles in the lobby fountain.
