The new era of the State Makai Watch (SMW) program will begin with community volunteer training on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kaunoa Senior Center in Lahaina. The Kaanapali Makai Watch program will host Luna Kekoa (holding net), the newly hired SMW coordinator, who will discuss the program’s strategy. Community members who would like to know more about SMW or get involved with the Kaanapali Makai Watch program are invited. For information, visit www.facebook.com/kaanapalimakaiwatch. To attend the training, call Liz Foote at 669-9062.

Recycling opportunity for Lahaina community set

PUUNENE – In partnership with Hammerhead Metals and other parties, Malama Maui Nui will coordinate an event in West Maui to promote recycling and reuse of many household items.

On Saturday, Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Lahaina Cannery Mall parking lot near Longs, staff will be on-hand to accept scrap metal, bicycles, appliances, beverage containers, cooking oil, cellular phones, household batteries, vehicle batteries, power tool batteries, laptops, printer cartridges, computers, electronics, HI-5 items, recyclables, newspaper, cardboard, telephone books, magazines, used eye glasses, hearing aids, books, DVDs, clothing and household items.

The event will NOT accept motor oil or hazardous fluids, greenwaste and vehicles. Paper shredding will not be available.

Additional partners include Maui Disposal, Maui Friends of the Library, Lions Club, Intrade Corp., ARC of Maui, Savers, Habitat for Humanities E-cycling, Pacific Biodiesel and Maui County.

Christmas trees are now on sale in the parking lot at Lahaina Cannery Mall, with proceeds benefiting community projects coordinated by the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunrise. Trees are on sale weekends from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekdays from 3 to 7 p.m. The inventory includes large and small noble fir trees and wreaths. Everything is kept in a refrigerated container to maintain freshness. Free delivery is available to any location in West Maui. The community may also purchase a Christmas tree to be donated to a family in need. The Rotary Club will provide a tree stand, lights, decorations and delivery for every donated tree. For information, call Ann Neizman at 281-1807. Above, Stella and Rhiannon Garnier choose a tree for their family.

Participants are encouraged to bring a nonperishable donation for Feed My Sheep. Call 877-2524.

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LHS students raising money for trip

LAHAINA – The Lahainaluna High School Hawaiian Language Program will hold a Holiday Craft Fair/Rummage Sale featuring free games and entertainment. Come support the students as they raise money for a cultural exchange trip to Aotearoa, New Zealand, in March 2014.

Festivities will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Lahainaluna campus.

“Lei of Aloha 7,” the annual open house celebrating the holiday season and a benefit for Hokulani Holt’s halau hula, Pa‘u O Hi‘iaka, will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. at The Old Wailuku Inn at Ulupono, 2199 Kaho‘okele St. Tour the historic Old Wailuku Inn, celebrate in the style of 1930s Hawaii music and hula, enjoy readings of Don Blanding’s poems and shop in the Hawaiian Country Store. Light snacks and beverages will be served. Free parking and a shuttle service will be offered at the county parking lot at High and Kaohu streets. Tickets are $25; call (808) 264-1820.

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Read Aloud America to share holiday stories

LAHAINA – Joanne and Larry Laird, program directors of the Read Aloud America Program (RAP), will offer four Holiday Story Times at two Maui libraries this month.

Read Aloud America is a family literacy program that has been held at 18 Maui County public schools since January 2007. With its staff of two and dozens of trained volunteers, RAP has reached more than 60,000 students and parents since coming to Maui.

Slated at Makawao Public Library on Dec. 5 and 12 at 10 a.m. and Lahaina Public Library on Dec. 7 and 14 at 10:30 a.m., the 30-minute RAP Holiday Story Time is for children ages Pre-Kindergarten through second grade.

Gallery Night at West Maui Senior Center will be held Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Experience the talent and talk story with West Maui’s senior artists. Call 661-9432 for information.

Every child can select a brand new book to take home at the end of the program. All children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

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LHS to host Parent Night

LAHAINA – A Parent Night for current eighth-graders on the West Side will be held at Lahainaluna High School at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, in the Samuel Kamakau Library.

Targeted to current eighth-graders at Lahaina Intermediate and Sacred Hearts School entering the freshman Class of 2018 next fall, the meeting will assist parents in understanding Lahainaluna’s curriculum and program offerings, as well as help in the planning of the child’s class schedule for next school year. Call Registrar Barbie Otomo at 662-3979, extension 244, for information.

United States Air Force Airman Leanne Mae P. Alibin recently graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio.

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West Maui Cheer to hold fundraiser

LAHAINA – West Maui Cheer is holding a Silent Auction Fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Lahaina Cannery Mall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The team is raising funds to travel with 25 girls to Las Vegas in February for a national competition and the Aloha Spirit Competition on Oahu in April.

There will also be a raffle every hour for prizes, poinsettias for sale, and a Santa Letter Writing Station for children.

The estimated cost and expenses for each girl to travel is $2,000. Monetary donations and silent auction items are sought. Contact Janice Simeon at “mailto:sjsimeon@gmail.com”>sjsimeon@gmail.com or (808) 276-5258 to make a donation.

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Breakfast with Santa set

LAHAINA – Breakfast with Santa will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 8 to 11 a.m. in the Sacred Hearts School cafeteria.

Each child will get a chance to meet Santa and take home a free photo.

Breakfast includes eggs, sausages, pancakes, rice, fresh fruit salad, juice and coffee. Tickets are $7 per keiki and $10 per adult, available in the school office. Call 661-4720.

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Holiday Lighting of The Banyan Tree returns

LAHAINA – LahainaTown Action Committee will hold the 16th Holiday Lighting of The Banyan Tree event on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7-8.

Saturday’s entertainment lineup includes: 10 a.m., Uncle Lui Williams; 11 a.m., Christmas music; noon, Na Kupuna Ohana Serenaders; 1 p.m., Al Nip; 3 p.m., Christmas music; 5 p.m., Na Kamali’i Nani O Lahaina; 6 p.m., Lahainaluna High School Band; and 6:30 p.m., Lighting of the Tree.

Keiki activities from noon to 4 p.m. include face painting, cookie decorating and crafts. “Santa’s North Pole and Photo Op” is sponsored by AAAAA Rent a Space. An official 2014 Lahaina Poster signing with winning artist Erin Dertner is set for 1 to 4 p.m.

Sunday’s lineup includes Kapule Paoa at 9 a.m., Al Nip and Hauanu Gushiken-Nip at 10 a.m., Christmas music at noon, and Haiku Hillbillys at 2 p.m. More than 25 artists will exhibit their crafts both days of the event. For information, call LAC at 667-9175.

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Lahainaluna seeks track coaches

LAHAINA – Lahainaluna High School is currently looking for coaches in boys golf and track and field for the upcoming season.

Interested individuals should send their resume to Athletic Director Scott Soldwisch, 980 Lahainaluna Road, Lahaina, HI 96761. The deadline is Dec. 17. Call 662-3979, extension 324.

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Alibin completes basic training

LAHAINA – United States Air Force Airman Leanne Mae P. Alibin recently graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland Air Force Base in Amarillo, Texas.

She completed an intensive eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen that complete basic training earn four credits toward an Associate in Applied Science Degree through the community college of the Air Force.

The daughter of Erwin and Marvie Alibin of Lahaina is a 2013 graduate of Lahainaluna High School.