After decades of planning, the first phase of the Lahaina Bypass is now open. Nearly a mile of new roadway, the phase links Keawe Street to Lahainaluna Road and gives the community an alternate access route. Callers gave the new roadway and Kahoma Stream Bridge high marks for their modern design and views. The second phase of the bypass connecting Lahainaluna Road and Hokiokio Street near Puamana is slated to open in June. PHOTO BY GARTH PANZER.

Council to inspect Launiupoko tracts

LAHAINA – The county is interested in purchasing two tracts near Launiupoko for $13 million for the Pali to Puamana Parkway.

The County Council’s Budget and Finance Committee plans to come to West Maui to visit the property on Wednesday, April 10, at 3 p.m.

The location of the site inspection and meeting was not set at press time Monday morning. Details will be posted April 4 on the County of Maui website.

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The State of Hawaii Boys and Girls Club held the 2013 Hawaii State Youth of the Year event on March 19 in Honolulu. Aaren Soriano (left) of the Makawao Clubhouse was named the winner. Here, Rep. Angus McKelvey congratulates Soriano and Kalani Minihan from the Lahaina Clubhouse at the Pacific Club, where a luncheon was held.

Supplies purchased for ‘Gotcha Store’

LAHAINA – Princess Nahi’ena’ena Elementary School Principal Lynn Kaho’ohalahala reported that the school and PTSA each donated $500 in supplies to the school’s “Gotcha Store.”

Children earn and receive “Gotcha Dollars” at Princess Nahi’ena’ena Elementary as rewards in the Positive Behavior Support Program. They can spend the dollars at the Gotcha Store for prizes.

The store was stocked before the editorial, “With donations, ‘Gotcha Store’ can reopen for students,” ran in the March 21 issue.

To make a donation to the store, call Kaho’ohalahala at 662-4020.

In celebration of National Library Week 2013, on April 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Makawao Public Library, “The Slack Key Artistry of Jeff Peterson” will be presented. Peterson (pictured) will share his passion for the guitar in words and music. Call 573-8785 for information. Visit www. librarieshawaii.org for a complete listing of National Library Week programs. PHOTO COURTESY OF UH-SCEP.

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Minit-Medical to accept local insurance

LAHAINA – Minit-Medical Urgent Care Clinic located in Lahaina Gateway Shopping Center is broadening its scope of services to the local community by accepting HMSA and UHA insurances.

These two local companies hold the largest market share both statewide and in the West Maui region.

Minit-Medical has a strong local and visitor-based patient population, but this latest step is a concerted effort to make services more available to locals.

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary offers free “45-Ton Whale Talks” on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Whalers’ Museum at Whalers Village (ask for the free Whale Talk Pass to enter and get parking validation). Talks are also held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. at the Sanctuary Education Center at 726 South Kihei Road. Visit http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov for more information.

Jennifer Gupton, the clinic manager, is a certified claims specialist with the AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) and will be submitting the claims to UHA and HMSA on behalf of the patients.

Minit-Medical is open for appointment or walk-in from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

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Fire damages The Plantation House

KAPALUA – Fire crews from Napili, Lahaina and Kahului responded to The Plantation House Restaurant for a report of a structure fire on March 27 at 9 p.m.

Units arrived to find a five-foot by five-foot section of the roof on fire at the clubhouse and also fire in the attic area.

The fire was called under control at 10:30 p.m. and extinguished at 1 a.m.

The restaurant was open for business when the fire occurred. All guests and employees were evacuated.

Damages were estimated to be $500,000 to the structure and $100,000 for the contents. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

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Have your dog’s nails clipped

LAHAINA – At West Maui Pet Supply on Saturday, April 6, dog nail clipping will be offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The cost is $18. Walk-ins are welcome, or call to make an appointment at 667-2662.

West Maui Pet Supply is located at West Maui Center, 910 Honoapiilani Highway, Suite 4.

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Social Media Bootcamp set

KIHEI – High Tech Maui’s popular Social Media Bootcamp, led by well-known consultant Peter Liu of Kaiscapes LLC, is set for Saturday, April 13.

If you’re new to social media, or starting to think about an overall social media strategy for your business but don’t know where to start putting all the pieces together, this workshop is for you.

The event is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Maui Economic Development Board’s Malcolm Center at 1305 N. Holopono St., Suite 5, in Kihei. The cost is $65, which includes lunch.

For more information, or to register, call 875-2300 or go to www.hightechmaui.com.

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Somos Ohana Nicaragua to hold rummage sale

PUKALANI – Somos Ohana Nicaragua will hold its huge, annual charity rummage sale on Saturday, April 6, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Pukalani Elementary School Cafeteria at 2945 Iolani St.

Proceeds will fund the many projects the group supports in the municipality of Villanueva, Department of Chinandega, in northwestern Nicaragua.

Items for sale will include collectibles, art, household articles, baby and sports equipment, plants, clothing and a “country store” of fruits and vegetables. Call Charlotte Flavin at 572-9898.

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See ‘5 Broken Cameras’

KAHULUI – The Oscar-nominated documentary “5 Broken Cameras” will be screened free to the public on Monday, April 8, at the University of Hawaii Maui College in Ka Lama 103 at 6 p.m.

The film is cosponsored by Maui Peace Action, the Hawaiian Studies Department and U.H. Maui College Peace Club.

“5 Broken Cameras” is a firsthand account of struggle and resistance in Bil’in, a West Bank village affected by the Israeli West Bank barrier that separated the villagers from their farmlands.

The documentary was shot almost entirely by Palestinian farmer Emad Burnat, who bought his first camera in 2005 to record the birth of his fourth son. In 2009, Israeli Co-director Guy Davidi joined on to create the film.

Structured around the destruction of Burnat’s five consecutive cameras, the filmmakers’ collaboration follows one family’s evolution over five years of turmoil.

Call Mele Stokesberry at 878-8015.

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Fantasia Ball set

WAILUKU – Imua Family Services’ second annual “Fantasia Ball” fundraiser will be held on Saturday, April 13, at 6 p.m. in the Haleakala Ballroom at the Grand Wailea Resort and Spa.

Event information and tickets are available through Imua Family Services and at www.imuafantasiaball.org.

This elegant affair will feature a cocktail reception followed by a chef-inspired dinner. There will be a program celebrating the lives of Maui’s keiki with visual and musical entertainment, from acrobatics and dance performances to the vocal styling’s of some of Maui’s most talented teens.

Presentations by Mayor Alan Arakawa and Gov. Neil Abercrombie are also expected.