Eighteen Scouting Units from Hau'ula, La'ie, and Kahuku attended an 8 a.m. flag raising at the BYU-Hawaii Little Circle. They then organized into troops and marched to patriotic music down Kulanui Street to La'ie Elementary, up Hale La'a Blvd, and back around Naniloa Loop to BYUH.

There were a few people lining the street, but it was pretty early for crowds. Here are a few photos I took at the start of the parade. Recognize anyone you know?

A Scout parade isn't complete without La'ie's longtime Master Scouter Aunty Emma Ernestburg.

Other things happening in our corner of paradise include:

TODAY

-Furlough Friday!
-BYUH Farmer's Market, 10 a.m. in the Seasider snackbar on campus
-BYUH student art exhibit, 5 p.m. in the school Auditorium. Free admission, public welcomed to view works created by the ART 312 Intermediate Photography class. Exhibit runs daily through Feb. 12.
-OIA girl's basketball White Tournament Semifinal, Kahuku at Kaimukī, 6 p.m. Go Lady Raiders!
-Playing at Laie Palms Cinemas: The Lovely Bones (4:15, 7, and 9:40 p.m.) and the Tooth Fairy (4:30, 7:10, and 9:20 p.m.)

SATURDAY

-Boy Scout's 100th Year Parade, 8 a.m. flag raising at BYUH Little Circle followed by 8:30 a.m. parade of 18 Scouting Units from La'ie, Hau'ula, and Kahuku. Route: Little Circle out to Laie School Roundabout, down to the Temple roundabout then back to the Little Circle.
Free and open to the public; refreshments will be served. For info call Emma Ernestburg, 293-9988.
-BYUH basketball, 5 p.m. women's game vs. Dominican followed by men at 7:30 p.m.
-Playing at Laie Palms Cinemas: The Lovely Bones (4:15, 7, and 9:40 p.m.) and the Tooth Fairy (4:30, 7:10, and 9:20 p.m.)

SUNDAY

-Super Bowl Sunday: the Colts vs. the Saints
-Free musical fireside, 7 p.m. at the LDS Temple Visitor's Center in La'ie

I've always thought that it might be fun for the players to join the rest of the state's top prospects at the big group signing in Honolulu, but I'm thinking that waking up and starting the long journey into town while it's still dark isn't too appealing.

Kahuku senior Kona Schwenke at the Kahuku signing day held in the gym. Advertiser library photo

Anyway, the two big signings were Kona Schwenke, who heads to Notre Dame, and Hauoli Jamora, who chose Washington. Other players who signed included Veteson Sauni, Weber State University; Jackson Kaka, New Mexico State; and Jaron Compoc-Hurlbutt, Jase Toomalatai, Johnny Tupola, and Shaun Fuataga, who will all attend Pasadena City College.

Congrats to all of our great athletes--we'll continue to watch you as you represent us out there in the big, wide world!

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Another, slightly older Kahuku athlete doing big things is out in Florida this week preparing for his second Super Bowl in two years on two different teams.

Aaron Francisco, who was part of the Cardinals team that lost last year's matchup, is back as a Colt to challenge the New Orleans Saints. He's been sharing daily writeups with The Advertiser:

2/4: Focus finally turns to football
2/3: Viva la Mexico! again this season
2/2: Week is off to flying start
2/1: Soaking up sun part of game plan
Good luck, Aaron--hope you get that ring this year!
1/31: I am super fortunate again

Best of luck to Aaron on Sunday--hopefully you'll come home with a ring this year!

Any thoughts on the recent controversy over the city's aquisition of Hau'ula property (across from Masa's) to relocate the Hau'ula Fire Station?

Here's the weekly roundup of events happening this weekend. Please shoot me an email or leave a comment anytime if you have an event you'd like listed!

TODAY
-“Hawaiian and Fijian Weaving Traditions” workshop/presentation by Selina Aina of the Polynesian Cultural Center, 6 p.m. at the Bishop Museum; cost $5. It's a little bit late notice, but reservations are required by calling 847-8296 or by email at trey.dodge@bishopmuseum.org.
-Kahuku girl's basketball vs. Nanakuli, 6 p.m. at Kahuku Gym.
-Now playing at Laie Palms Cinemas: Tooth Fairy (6:30 and 8:45 p.m.) and Extraordinary Measures (7:20 and 9:30 p.m.)

FRIDAY
-Furlough Friday!
-Kahuku boy's basketball vs Kalaheo, 5 p.m. JV game followed by Varsity at Kalaheo High Gym
-BYUH Performance Series: LDS new age classical pianist Jon Schmidt and LDS renown cellist Steven S. Nelson will perform from 7:30 - 9 p.m. in the BYUH Auditorium. $5 students, $8 missionaries, $12 General. Call 675-3545 or 3759 for more details.
-Now playing at Laie Palms Cinemas: Tooth Fairy (4:20, 6:30 and 8:45 p.m.) and Extraordinary Measures (5:10, 7:20 and 9:30 p.m.)

SATURDAY
-Kahuku boy's soccer vs. Kalani, 2 p.m. at Kahuku's Carleton Weimer field
-Now playing at Laie Palms Cinemas: Tooth Fairy (2, 4:20, 6:30 and 8:45 p.m.) and Extraordinary Measures (3, 5:10, 7:20 and 9:30 p.m.)

MONDAY
-BYUH basketball: Women's game at 5 p.m. followed by men at 7:30 p.m. vs. Notre Dame de Namur in the Cannon Activities Center.

And speaking of sports, there are tons of local events scheduled over the weekend, beginning with the Kahuku girl's basketball Homecoming game tonight:

TONIGHT
-Kahuku girls basketball Homecoming vs Nanakuli at the Kahuku Gym, Varsity game to follow 5 p.m. JV game.
-Now playing at Laie Palms Cinemas: The Princess and the Frog (5:30, 7:30, and 9:30 p.m.), and Invictus (6:45 and 9:15 p.m.)

TOMORROW
-Bloodmobile Blood Drive, 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at Kahuku High School
-BYUH Farmer's Market, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Seasider Snackbar
-Kahuku boy's basketball vs. McKinley at Kahuku Gym, Varsity game to follow 5 p.m. JV game.
-BYUH Basketball in the Cannon Activities Center: 5 p.m. women's game followed at 7:30 p.m. by the men's team vs. HPU.

SATURDAY
-If you are up to the journey, the Kahuku girls and boys soccer teams will play Caste at Castle High School; girls' game starts at 2 p.m., followed by the boys at 4. The paddling team will also compete in OIA races at 2 p.m. at Keehi Lagoon.

Eleven hula halau participated in the festival, including the Joan S. Lindsey Hula Studio and Halau Hula Olana, which have performed at the festival every year since inception.

Halau Hula O Kekela, under the direction of La'ie resident Kela Miller (front, in white), perform at the Moanikeala Hula Festival at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Photo courtesy PCC.

I found some great photos from the festival on the blog of local photographer Mark Holladay Lee.

Read more about the festival.

TONIGHT
-Kahuku boy's basketball vs. Moanalua, 7 p.m. at Moanalua High School
-Koolauloa Neighborhood Board meeting, 7 p.m. at the Hauula Community Center (54-010 Kukuna Road).
-Laie Palm Cinemas playing The Chipmunks (7, 9:15 p.m.) and Sherlock Holmes (6:45, 9:40 p.m.)

FRIDAY
-Furlough Friday!
-Kahuku girl's basketball vs. Kalaheo, 5 p.m. JV game followed by Varsity at Kahuku High Gym

SATURDAY
-Kahuku Project Grad CAR WASH fundraiser, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Sunset Beach Christian Elementary School. $7 per vehicle. Support our seniors!
-Moanikeala Hula Festival, 10 a.m. at the Polynesian Cultural Center

MONDAY
-Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday

UPCOMING
-Jan. 19: "Food Safety Tips and Tricks," a presentation by KCC instructor/Chef Henry Holthaus, 6:30 p.m. in the Kahuku Library Conference Room. Free, ages 12 and older.
-Feb. 19: Kahuku Community Grants applications due

Let's resolve this year to be more involved in our communities than we were in 2009. Here's to putting more effort into supporting local businesses, shaping our future, and experiencing our beautiful coastline. Happy New Year, Ko'olauloa!

Our neighborhood (the North end of Moana Street in La'ie) organized a New Year's block party complete with a huge potluck dinner spread, DJ and sound system, dance floor with swirling lights, and music all night long.

Robert Ah Puck made 'Mo Street' t-shirts for everyone to wear.

It was nonstop (legal!) fireworks all night

And dancing in the streets all night long

Now that's how you celebrate the New Year. Happy 2010 everyone!

All proceeds from the dance will support the Laie Girls Rookie Rugby Team and their efforts to get to Las Vegas for the LVI Rugby Tournament.Visit www.usabigboysleague.com or contact Halona Wily (hsiufanua@aol.com, 808-306-3780) for more information.

Hauula Hills is located at 54-230 Kamehameha hwy.