COMMUNITY NEWS for February 14 issue

Keali‘i Reichel’s “Kukahi 2013” will be staged at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 16-17 in the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater. Reichel is the award-winning kumu hula of Halau Ke‘alaokamaile. His music and chants represent the best of Hawaii’s traditional and contemporary poetry today, earning multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Awards in addition to a top spot on world music charts. Halau Ke‘alaokamaile has brought home top awards from the Merrie Monarch Festival, and “Kukahi” is their annual fundraiser at the MACC. For tickets — $12, $35, $45 or $55 — call 242-SHOW.
Maui Prep to hold Paniolo Night benefit
NAPILI – Maui Preparatory Academy’s seventh annual Paniolo Night benefit will be held on Saturday, Feb. 23, with fun and games starting at 4 p.m.
The event will feature laser tag and lots of games for keiki, a paniolo barbecue buffet, music, contests and line dancing.
Admission is $10 for keiki nine and under and $20 for people age ten and up. Call 665-9966.
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Lahaina Cannery Mall will kick-off Chinese New Year with a display of martial arts mastery, firecrackers and the traditional “feeding of the lions” on Saturday, Feb. 16, from 2 to 4 p.m. This free cultural experience, led by the enigmatic Au’s Shaolin Arts Society, will usher in The Year of the Snake for West Maui residents. The family-friendly event will be preceded by a hula performance from Te Tiare Patitifa at 1 p.m.
Napili Plaza to welcome Year of the Snake
NAPILI – Napili Plaza will welcome Ben Seng Au and Au’s Shaolin Arts Society to celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Snake.
Come watch them as they showcase their martial arts techniques, lion dance and firecracker display on Thursday, Feb. 14, at 10 a.m. Call 244-8735 or visit “http://www.NapiliPlaza.com”>www.NapiliPlaza.com.
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Chinese New Year Brunch slated
KAANAPALI – Kung Hee Fat Choy! Come and celebrate the Year of the Snake with Kaanapali Beach Hotel’s Chinese New Year Celebration Brunch on Sunday, Feb. 17.
A 22-year tradition, Kaanapali Beach Hotel will have fireworks and lion dance performances by Au’s Shaolin Arts Society at 9 and 11 a.m. This year’s brunch will also feature live Hawaiian music, free flowing champagne and a sumptuous buffet with over 50 items, including Asian delicacies.
Brunch is served from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is $42.95 for adults and $22 for children 12 and younger. Children five and younger eat free with each paid adult. For reservations and information, call 667-0124 or visit www.hawaiiansundaybrunch.com. Special event parking rates apply.
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Governor releases funds to improve Kaanapali intersection
KAANAPALI – Gov. Neil Abercrombie recently announced the release of $96,000 in Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funds for infrastructure repairs and upgrades on Honoapiilani Highway and the intersection of Kaanapali Parkway and Halelo Street.
The funds secured by Tenth District Rep. Angus McKelvey last session were released by the administration as part of a cooperative effort between the legislature and governor to address critical infrastructure needs in areas of high traffic to improve safety and efficiency.
“The roadways which will be receiving attention are essential for both visitor and commuter traffic in the Kaanapali area,” said McKelvey.
“This funding is necessary not only to improve traffic flow, but most importantly, to ensure the safety of our community at one of the busiest intersections in West Maui,” he continued.
“It pleased me to see the governor recognize the need for repairing Honoapiilani Highway and the intersection of Kaanapali and Halelo, and I hope the state continues to appreciate the importance of West Maui.”
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AARP Tax-Aide offers free filing assistance
LAHAINA – Tax season is right around the corner, and many Hawaii seniors will soon be looking for filing assistance.
This year, more than 250 Tax-Aide volunteers across the state are standing by to help. AARP-trained and IRS-certified volunteers are now available at four locations on Maui to help prepare federal and state tax forms.
Assistance will be offered at the West Maui Senior Center, 788 Pauoa St., from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 19, March 5 and 19, and April 2. Call 661-9432 to make an appointment.
Call 1-888-AARPNOW or visit www.aarp.org/taxaide.
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Blood drives set
KIHEI – Each year, the Blood Bank of Hawaii needs about 7,000 new donors to meet the blood needs of Hawaii’s patients.
For the February series on Maui, blood drives will be held on Feb. 19 in the Baldwin High School Multipurpose Room from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Cameron Center Auditorium from 7 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Feb. 20 and 22; and Kihei Community Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 21. Call 1-800-372-9966 or visit www.BBH.org.
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Will Smith Foundation welcomes inaugural board
HAIKU – The Will Smith Foundation announced the election of new members to the foundation’s inaugural board of directors.
The new members include Mark Ellman, Archie Kalepa, Lawrence Kauha’aha’a, Marian Feenstra and Jenny Worth.
To raise awareness and fund development, the first annual “Will’s Hearts in Haiku Valentine’s Day Soiree” will be held at the Haiku Mill from 6 to 10 p.m., featuring live music by Henry Kapono and Ekolu Kalama, Valentine’s Day-inspired food, silent auction and open bar.
Tickets are $125. For more information, contact Jenny Worth at (808) 238-8613 or visit thewillsmithfoundation.org/.
- Lahaina Cannery Mall will kick-off Chinese New Year with a display of martial arts mastery, firecrackers and the traditional “feeding of the lions” on Saturday, Feb. 16, from 2 to 4 p.m. This free cultural experience, led by the enigmatic Au’s Shaolin Arts Society, will usher in The Year of the Snake for West Maui residents. The family-friendly event will be preceded by a hula performance from Te Tiare Patitifa at 1 p.m.