COMMUNITY NEWS for August 1 issue

West Maui pro surfer Granger Larsen last week competed in the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, California. Larsen finished in the quarterfinals and earned $4,300 in the fourth ASP Prime event on the 2013 men’s calendar. PHOTO BY ASP/ROWLAND.
‘Better Choices Better Health’ series slated in Lahaina
LAHAINA – The Maui County Office on Aging will sponsor a six-week “Better Choices Better Health” workshop series beginning Wednesday, Aug. 14, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the West Maui Senior Center located at 788 Pauoa St. in Lahaina.
The course is designed to help people living with chronic conditions better self-manage their health.
The course will run on six Wednesdays: Aug. 14, 21 and 28, and Sept. 4, 11 and 18.
Cost of the workshop is $10 for those 60 and older and $30 for those under 60.

Rick Jyozen Beal (above) and Bodhi Hanna will lead a Zen-Archery Workshop at Lahaina Jodo Mission from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 3-4. The cost is $70 for one day or $130 for both sessions. The program “Introduction: Zen for Daily Life” with Beal will be held Aug. 2 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Lumeria Maui at 1813 Baldwin Avenue in Makawao. For information, contact Hanna at 572-3520 or bodhihanna@gmail.com.
The course fee includes the book “Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions” and a relaxation CD.
Scholarships are available. Contact Jan Roberson at 270-8221 or jan.roberson@ mauicounty.gov for more information or to register for the course.
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Obon dance practice set
LAHAINA – Free Obon dance practice will be held Aug. 13 and 20 at 7 p.m. at Lahaina Hongwanji Mission on Wainee Street.

Local artist Danny Braddix Jr. has spent 24 years capturing the spirit of the islands' lush forests and waterfalls in stunning acrylic landscape and floral paintings. His art will be featured at Lahaina Arts Society from Aug. 5 to Sept. 2 in the Banyan Tree Gallery on the first floor of the Old Lahaina Courthouse. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Meet Braddix at a reception on Friday, Aug. 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, call the gallery at 661-0111.
Obon dancing and services are set for Friday and Saturday, Aug. 23-24.
Services begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by dancing at 7:30 p.m. This is a great Japanese cultural event for everyone.
Enjoy food, music and great fun! Call 661-0640 for information.
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Kahili Restaurant helping Na Hoaloha

Maui Academy of Performing Arts recently received a donation of $5,000 from Bank of Hawaii in support of its School Partnership Programs: Educational Theatre Tours and Voices. Karen Frampton of Bank of Hawaii presented the donation to David Johnston, MAPA’s executive and artistic director. PHOTO BY JACK GRACE.
WAILUKU – The Kahili Restaurant is holding a “Giving Back” dinner on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Fifteen percent of food sales will be donated to Na Hoaloha-Neighbors Helping Neighbors.
The Wailuku nonprofit recruits volunteers to help seniors remain in their homes and independent.
To support this fundraiser, go feast on Kahili’s Asian-American Fusion Buffet on Aug. 10 by calling 242-6000. To find out more about Na Hoaloha-Neighbors Helping Neighbors, visit www.nahoaloha.org.
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Earth Wind & Fire will perform in the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s A&B Amphitheater at 7 p.m. on Aug. 4. The lineup features Verdine White, Philip Bailey and Ralph Johnson with an arsenal of musicians on guitar, keyboards, percussion and horns. Well-known for their showmanship, the band will deliver fun with stage presence and big hits: “Shining Star,” “Can’t Hide Love,” “Getaway,” “September,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “After the Love Is Gone,” and “Let’s Groove.” Tickets are $65, $79, $89 or $129; call 242-SHOW.
Red Cross recruiting disaster services volunteers
WAILUKU – The American Red Cross is recruiting disaster services volunteers on Maui. All Disaster Services training is provided free.
The first step for all new disaster volunteers is to take a series of basic disaster classes.
New volunteer candidates must register for, and attend, the entire series that begins Aug. 6 at the Maui Red Cross Office at 45 North Market St., Suite A, in Wailuku.
To become a volunteer, register online at www.redcross.org/hi/honolulu. For information, call 244-0051.
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Lahaina keiki pool closed for waterline repairs
LAHAINA – Due to waterline repairs at Lahaina Aquatics Center, the women’s restroom and keiki pool are closed until further notice, the county reported.
The 50-meter pool is open.
The waterline leak appears to be located under a concrete slab beneath the showers in the women’s restroom. Contractors are working to pinpoint the leak and make needed repairs.
Until the repairs are completed, the women’s restroom will remain closed. Portable toilets, an outdoor shower and an enclosed changing room have been provided. Women with any special needs or concerns may inquire with the lifeguards on duty.
For more information on the repairs, call Fran Yamamoto at 270-6138. For recorded pool information, call 270-8208; the information is updated at 9 a.m. daily.
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Mayor, fire chief seek public’s help in stopping brushfires
WAILUKU – Mayor Alan Arakawa and Fire Chief Jeff Murray seek the public’s help in stopping the brushfires happening on Maui this year.
The most recent and largest fire consumed 87 acres in Kaupo and cost the Department of Fire and Public Safety an estimated $82,000 to battle.
Flames were first spotted on July 13, and because of constant flare-ups, the fire was not called extinguished until July 22 at 4 p.m., nine days later.
Fire investigators believe the cause of the fire to be a piece of fireworks found at the scene about 30 feet from the road.
“Because of the time of day and area where it was found, we feel that this fire was likely intentionally set,” said Chief Murray.
“There were residences on Hawaiian Homelands located above the fire, about 30 of them, and had it been drier, we might have had to evacuate residents. This definitely could have been a lot worse.”
According to Department of Fire and Public Safety statistics, there have been 221 brushfires reported on Maui so far this year, compared to 272 reported last year.
This year’s fires included eight that had been set in Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company cane fields from May to June.
One of those fires on June 16 forced the evacuation of Mama’s Fish House in Kuau and shut down Hana Highway for several hours.
Mayor Arakawa asked anyone with information about the fires to step forward and share what they know with investigators.
He also pointed out that whoever is setting the fires does so at the risk of injuring someone or destroying property.
“When we have idiots in this community that go around and start fires, they’re burning the assets of our community,” said Mayor Arakawa.
“There have been multiple fires in one day that the Fire Department has had to respond to… the type of person that’s doing this is one who’s clearly not thinking right.”
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Luna JV football team welcomes new players
LAHAINA – Attention all Lahainaluna High School incoming freshmen and sophomores – Luna JV football wants you!
The Maui Interscholastic League’s top junior varsity football program is looking for a few good athletes. Experience is not necessary; all that’s required is a desire to work hard to become part of the team.
Come up to the “Imu” – the Lahainaluna Athletic Field – to see the ongoing practice sessions Mondays through Fridays from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on the state-of-the-art field turf surface that is the newest and highest-rated facility in the state.
Come up and meet the JV coaching staff led by Aloha Kaniho or call him at 250-8298 or 760-6022 for more information. Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of the sterling tradition of Lahainaluna football.
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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, Aug. 10.
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 workshop 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 online to www.hightechmaui.com.
High Tech Maui is a business-support program of MEDB.
- Rick Jyozen Beal (above) and Bodhi Hanna will lead a Zen-Archery Workshop at Lahaina Jodo Mission from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 3-4. The cost is $70 for one day or $130 for both sessions. The program “Introduction: Zen for Daily Life” with Beal will be held Aug. 2 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Lumeria Maui at 1813 Baldwin Avenue in Makawao. For information, contact Hanna at 572-3520 or bodhihanna@gmail.com.
- Local artist Danny Braddix Jr. has spent 24 years capturing the spirit of the islands’ lush forests and waterfalls in stunning acrylic landscape and floral paintings. His art will be featured at Lahaina Arts Society from Aug. 5 to Sept. 2 in the Banyan Tree Gallery on the first floor of the Old Lahaina Courthouse. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Meet Braddix at a reception on Friday, Aug. 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, call the gallery at 661-0111.
- Maui Academy of Performing Arts recently received a donation of $5,000 from Bank of Hawaii in support of its School Partnership Programs: Educational Theatre Tours and Voices. Karen Frampton of Bank of Hawaii presented the donation to David Johnston, MAPA’s executive and artistic director. PHOTO BY JACK GRACE.
- Earth Wind & Fire will perform in the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s A&B Amphitheater at 7 p.m. on Aug. 4. The lineup features Verdine White, Philip Bailey and Ralph Johnson with an arsenal of musicians on guitar, keyboards, percussion and horns. Well-known for their showmanship, the band will deliver fun with stage presence and big hits: “Shining Star,” “Can’t Hide Love,” “Getaway,” “September,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “After the Love Is Gone,” and “Let’s Groove.” Tickets are $65, $79, $89 or $129; call 242-SHOW.