Hui o Wa‘a Kaulua (Assembly of the Double-Hulled Canoe) announced that the launch of Mo‘okiha o Pi‘ilani will be held on Dec. 21, 2013, during the Winter Solstice. Under construction for more than 17 years, the 62-foot, double-hulled voyaging canoe will serve as a living classroom for the youth of Hawaii and community of Maui. Donations and volunteers are sought. For information, visit www.huiowaa.org or stop by the hui’s hale at Kamehameha Iki Park at 525 Front St. PHOTO BY CADENCE FEELEY.

MHS offers Helping Paws Visitor Program

PUUNENE – Visitors can offer a “helping paw” at the Maui Humane Society every Wednesday and Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m.

Each session will start with a brief orientation followed by pre-planned activities such as walking dogs, bathing puppies, brushing cats or playing with puppies and kittens. Participants in the Helping Paws program must arrive by 1 p.m. on the designated days. It is recommended to wear closed-toed shoes and comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting “mussed” or dirty.

Children age ten through 17 are welcome but must be accompanied by a supervising parent for the duration of the volunteer session. For more information, e-mail volunteer@MauiHumaneSociety.org or call MHS’ volunteer coordinator at (808) 877-3680, extension 14.

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The Wharf Cinema Center is ready to host its fifth annual Fourth of July Karaoke Contest. Registration for adults and children begins at 4 p.m. At 5 p.m., the “Queen of Karaoke,” Toddy Lilikoi, will take the stage to emcee the contest. From 5 to 6 p.m., keiki contestants under 18 years of age will start off the evening. At 6 p.m., the adults get a chance to have fun and win lots of prizes. Contestants should bring their “networks” along for support and to help the judges out. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 661-8748.

Jiu-Jitsu champion to lead clinic

LAHAINA – Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu is coming to the Carlson Gracie Team Maui’s Lahaina dojo at 11 Ulupono St. to lead a Jiu-Jitsu clinic on July 8.

Abreu is a very well-known Jiu-Jitsu world champion. Visit www.mauibjj.com for information.

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Art classes slated

Jazz Maui 2013, featuring Tommy James (left) of the Duke Ellington Orchestra, starts at 7 p.m. on July 3 in the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s McCoy Studio Theater. The Jazz Maui Festival will feature an evening of world-class jazz with performances by award-winning pianist James. The show will also feature the Louisiana-based Louis Romanos Quartet’s original music combining Latin, bebop and New Orleans street beat rhythms, plus trumpeter Jim Seeley and alto saxophonist Peter Brainin of the Arturo O’Farrill Latin Jazz Orchestra. The concert is sponsored by the Arts Education for Children Group and Mana‘o Radio. Enjoy a pre-show concert in the McCoy Courtyard. Tickets are $25; call 242-SHOW.

LAHAINA – Lovebird Art and Design LLC at 505 Front Street, Suite 225, is holding art classes for keiki and adults.

Summer Art Camp keiki classes are held Monday through Friday with sessions from 9 a.m. to noon and 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. The cost is $150 per week/session. Drop-ins are accepted for $15 per hour if space is available. The limit is ten per class.

Adult classes for painting and artistic screen printing are held on Saturdays. Sign up in advance.

View the schedule online at www.lovebirdgallery.com, or contact Cynthia at (808) 280-4423 or lovebirdarts@gmail.com.

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Event to support Maui Food Bank

OLOWALU – Maui Paintball in Olowalu will host a food drive on Sunday, June 30, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to benefit the Maui Food Bank.

Earn a lucky drawing ticket for great prizes with every six pounds of food you bring. The field fee and a limited number of rental fees will be waived for six pounds of food donated (first- come, first-served). Visit www.facebook.com/mauipaintball for details.

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Grace Baptist Church to hold camp

LAHAINA – Join the action at Grace Baptist Church in Lahaina for exciting Bible stories, crafts, games, puppets and snacks during “Investigation Destination.”

Bring your friends ages four through high school and join the church community each day on July 22-26 from 9 a.m. to noon.

For more information or a free ride, call 661-4017 or 870-1494.

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‘Passing Family Treasures to Younger Generations’ set

KAHULUI – Everyone has valuable treasures that hold family meaning, values and stories. But how do families sift through years of collected “stuff” to identify which are treasures and which are rubbish?

In the two-part workshop “Passing Family Treasures to Younger Generations,” participants learn step-by-step strategies for clearing out the clutter and distributing the important family treasures.

Join the University of Hawaii at Manoa Cooperative Extension and the Maui Association of Family and Community Education for this free two-day community workshop at the Community Services Building on the U.H. Maui College Campus on June 29 and July 6 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Preregistration is required; call 244-3242, extension 222, to register.

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Powerful Tools for Caregivers class set

LAHAINA – Do you care for a parent, spouse, friend or someone living with you, in a care facility, or on another island, the Mainland or in another country? If so, the Powerful Tools for Caregivers class is designed for you.

Topics include reducing stress, improving self-confidence, communicating effectively with health care professionals and family members, balancing caregiving responsibilities, making tough decisions and locating helpful resources.

Classes consist of six sessions held once a week. Interactive lessons, discussions and brainstorming will help caregivers practice and incorporate the “caregiver tools.”

The Lahaina class will be held at West Maui Kaunoa Senior Center on Tuesday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m. from July 2 to Aug. 6. A registration fee of $25 is refunded to all who complete the course. Call Heather Greenwood at 244-3242, extension 226, to register.