COMMUNITY NEWS for June 20 issue

On Second Friday last week, Lahaina celebrated the kickoff of the annual Lahaina Poster Contest with an art-themed event called “Draw the Line.” All were encouraged to contribute their varying art skills to a 30-foot community art piece. In addition, artists Nicole Auletta, Tori Dixon and Teddi Martinez turned blank trucker hats into custom, one-of-a-kind art pieces. While the art was being created, Lahaina’s Maui Jam and Maui Taiko Drummers entertained the crowd. When the event ended, participants went on to Lahaina galleries for Art Night.
Russell Sparks to present ‘State of the Reef’ talk
MAALAEA – Russell Sparks, aquatic biologist with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources, will present a talk titled “State of the Reef” – offering an overview of Maui’s coral reef trends, threats and management plans for the future – on Thursday, June 20, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Free and open to the public, the talk will be held at Pacific Whale Foundation’s Discovery Center at the Maalaea Harbor Shops. To learn more, visit www.pacificwhale.org.
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Event to honor Maui’s Nisei veterans

Chef Paris Nabavi, owner of Cilantro Mexican Grill in Lahaina and Pizza Paradiso in Honokowai, will hold an interactive Persian cooking class on June 29. Nabavi will host the event at his home kitchen and organic garden, preparing a five-course meal accompanied by beer and wine. Admission is $100 per person, with all proceeds donated to the Maui Food Bank. Checks made payable to Maui Food Bank are collected at the class. Space is limited; visit www.chefnabavi.com to register.
WAILUKU – Japanese Cultural Society of Maui (JCSM) President Brian Nagami announced that a luncheon and social in honor of Maui’s Nisei veterans will be held on Saturday, June 29, at 10 a.m. at the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center in Wailuku.
In addition to lunch and socializing, the free event will include fun activities, an open house and tours of the Education Center.
To reserve limited seating, and for food count purposes, call Kristl Ito-Lau at 227-0499 by June 21. For more information about JCSM, visit www.jcsmaui.org.
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Gardening classes set

The Napili Kai Foundation teaches local children the history, arts, crafts, language and dances of Polynesia. Every Tuesday evening at Napili Kai Beach Resort, 5900 Lower Honoapiilani Road, foundation students present a delightful program of Polynesian song and dance from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12 and free for children five and under. Call 669-6271.
LAHAINA – The Home Gardening Support Network is holding a series of classes on Wednesdays at Lahaina Civic Center.
Scheduled for 10 a.m., the next class is “Landscaping With Herbs” on June 26. The cost is $15. To register, call Anne Gachuhi at (808) 446-2361 or e-mail hgsn2011@gmail.com. Visit www.homegardeningsupportnetwork.com for information.
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Art classes slated
LAHAINA – Life drawing sessions are held every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Magenta Boulevard Art Studios in Emerald Plaza, 142 Kupuohi St., F3, near Star Noodle.
Come by the studio for a relaxed evening and sketch or paint the model – no instructor; no pressure. The entry is around back.
Are your keiki creative? Bring them to the Open Studio for kids weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Group projects begin at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The cost for each program is $20 for kama’aina and $25 for visitors. Text (808) 280-1390 to reserve a space. Visit www.MagentaBlvd.com for information.
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Maui’s uninsured can get free health screenings
KIHEI – For the fourth year in a row, medical professionals on Maui are coming together in one setting to offer free health screenings to those who may need it the most.
The annual clinic, coordinated by the Kihei-Wailea Medical Center, will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, at the medical center in the Piilani Village Shopping Center. The clinic is geared for individuals and families without insurance and in need of medical care. Call 874-8100.
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College information sessions slated at Lahaina Education Center
LAHAINA – The Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) at the University of Hawaii Maui College (UHMC) is hosting a series of college information sessions at the UHMC Lahaina Education Center on the fourth Thursday of every month throughout the summer.
The summer series will be offered on June 27 and July 25 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
This series is free and open to anyone interested in college but unsure of where to begin.
A special invitation is extended to graduating high school seniors who have not applied to college and would like more information.
The sessions will give students an opportunity to learn about the college and financial aid opportunities available on Maui, as well as strategies for those going to college off-island.
These interactive sessions will provide an opportunity to ask an expert questions about higher education.
For more information, or to reserve your space, call 984-3286.
The Lahaina Education Center is in Lahaina in the Front Street Apartment complex at 60 Kenui St. Call 662-3911.
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Na Kumu Mele to play free show
LAHAINA – Great live Hawaiian music continues on Front Street, as the Hawaiian Music Series features Dale and Mamo Nitta and Kalei ‘A’arona-Lorenzo as Na Kumu Mele on Thursday, June 27, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the Baldwin Home lawn.
Dale and Mamo Nitta have been playing music together for nearly three decades, entertaining visitors and locals alike at venues island-wide. Nowadays, you can find them teaching music at Kamehameha Schools Maui along with their close friend and talented colleague, ‘A’arona-Lorenzo, a musician, kumu hula and Hawaiian language teacher.
Relax under the stars and enjoy the free concert brought to you by Lahaina Restoration Foundation. Chairs are limited, so blankets, mats and low beach chairs are welcome.
The Baldwin Home Museum is located in the heart of Lahaina on the corner of Front and Dickenson streets. Call 661-3262 for information.
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Vendors sought for Health & Fitness Expo
WAILUKU – The Maui County Volunteer Center announced an invitation for vendors to participate in the first annual Interactive Health & Fitness Expo being held July 13 at Maui Preparatory Academy in Napili.
The event from 8 a.m. to noon is being hosted by Soroptimist International of West Maui in partnership with the Volunteer Center.
Vendors who make and sell healthy products, fitness/dance/yoga organizations, alternative medicine and others are welcome to apply.
The expo is open to the first 25 approved vendors with a $50 vendor fee.
The Interactive Health and Fitness Expo will be a friendly, fun, family event featuring fitness and cooking demonstrations, healthy vendors, youth obstacle course with slip and slide, health screenings, mile walk, cross fitness challenge and more.
For more information, or to register, visit www.handsonmaui.com or call Wendy Stebbins, County of Maui volunteer coordinator, at 270-7150.
- Chef Paris Nabavi, owner of Cilantro Mexican Grill in Lahaina and Pizza Paradiso in Honokowai, will hold an interactive Persian cooking class on June 29. Nabavi will host the event at his home kitchen and organic garden, preparing a five-course meal accompanied by beer and wine. Admission is $100 per person, with all proceeds donated to the Maui Food Bank. Checks made payable to Maui Food Bank are collected at the class. Space is limited; visit www.chefnabavi.com to register.
- The Napili Kai Foundation teaches local children the history, arts, crafts, language and dances of Polynesia. Every Tuesday evening at Napili Kai Beach Resort, 5900 Lower Honoapiilani Road, foundation students present a delightful program of Polynesian song and dance from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12 and free for children five and under. Call 669-6271.