The Honolulu City Council honored Alyshia Shimizu on Feb. 19 for her "perseverance in the face of adversity and for her courageous stance against bullying." Shimizu is a 19-year-old survivor of a flesh-eating disease and "patient ambassador" at Shriners Hospitals for Children. She was diagnosed with the disease when she was 5 after a fall in her garage. Doctors at Shriners Hospitals for Children, mostly here, and in Sacramento, Calif., saved her life. She is doing well after 28 surgeries. She has two more to go at the Honolulu hospital to rehabilitate her skin.
Shimizu is the reigning Miss T.E.E.N. Ala Moana Hawaii USA. T.E.E.N. stands for Teens Exemplifying Excellence Nationally. She was a Miss Hawaii Collegiate America contestant Jan. 11 at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. She was bullied as a child because of deep scars on her skin from the flesh-eating disease, and she speaks at community events against bullying. Some school kids can be nasty to students who are handicapped or who are sufferingfrom disease. Shimizu had to deal with students who called her "disease girl" and other things. Council members Ron Menor and Kymberly Marcos Pine pushed for Shimizu to receive the council honor. Menor said he read about Shimizu in a Jan. 9 Honolulu Star-Advertiser story written by Nadine Kam. Pine said she met Shimizu two years ago at an event and knew there was something special about her. Shimizu’s parents are Tony and Annette Shimizu. The award for their daughter was certainly deserved. You go, girl! …
STEPPING OUT: Dancing Queens, put on those shoes! On March 8, La Pietra-Hawaii School for Girls is hosting another HOOPLA, its annual fundraiser for the financial aid program. Featured is Bjorn Again, a group based in North London that pays tribute to ABBA for a night of disco music and dancing. Chef Chai Chaowasaree has a gourmet menu planned, and event designer Steven Boyle will make the Great Lawn look like Studio 54, they say up there. La Pietra alumnae Lauran Bromley and Debbie Weil-Manuma, co-chairwomen of the event, say the silent and live auctions will include trips, antique furniture, upscale jewelry, Hawaiian woodwork and more. Tickets are $300 per person or start at $3,000 for a table of 10. Call 922-2744 or go to lapietra.edu …
WITH THE BIRTH of Jordynn Amarie Canepa Feb. 8 in Fontana, Calif., the family of Makakilo’s 92-year-old Mary Anita Gueco now spans six living generations. Jordynn is Mary’s great-great-great-granddaughter. Mary’s daughter Gloria Jean Gueco Langdon, 70, lives in Moreno Valley, Calif. Gloria’s daughter Donna Marie Gueco McCartney, 55, lives in Whittier, Calif. Donna’s son Jason Allen Canepa, 37, lives in Redlands, Calif. Jason’s son James Anthony Canepa, 19, little Jordynn’s dad, lives in Fontana …
Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things. Email him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.
