Samantha Monge-Kaser on May 19 graduated with honors and distinction, Summa Cum Laude, from Yale University with a degree in the field of architecture. The West Maui resident graduated from Seabury Hall in 2010 as class valedictorian. Pictured with her stepfather, Dennis Ensminger, Samantha wrote for the Yale News and was involved with theatre, earning acceptance into a secret theatre society at the university.

Theatre Theatre Maui to hold car wash benefit

LAHAINA – Theatre Theatre Maui will hold a car wash/bake sale on Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lahainaluna Shell Station at the corner of Lahainaluna Road and Honoapiilani Highway to raise funds for West Maui’s theatre youth.

Car washes are just $5 per car. Join the keiki on June 28 for a squeaky clean car and yummy cookies. Funds raised will help pay for the currently running Theatre Theatre Maui 2014 Westside Youth Summer Theatre Camp and its July 18-20 summer musical “Bugsy Malone Jr.,” a zany and madcap children’s musical hailing back to the film noir days of the roaring 1920s. The production is sponsored in part by the community and the County of Maui.

For information, call Angie at (808) 214-7443 (cell) or 661-1168 (office).

——————

Featuring favorite Indian dishes — masala, koorma, vindaloo, saag and kabobs — India Express is open on the plaza level of The Wharf Cinema Center. The restaurant uses only fresh, local ingredients, with the exception of the unique spices only found in India. Curry entrees are prepared to your preferred taste (mild, medium or hot). Generous portions of Tandoor (clay oven) baked naan breads are made fresh daily and can be ordered plain or with garlic, onion, coconut, shrimp or cheese. Top your meal off with a mango, pineapple or sweet lassi. See the full lunch and dinner menus at indiaexpressmaui.com. Express Lunch is only $6.95 for Soup of the Day (dal or mullgatawny) and a generous order of naan bread. Free local delivery; call 661-1207.

Lahaina Library to host folk singers

LAHAINA – Children of all ages are invited to attend Lahaina Public Library’s Summer Reading Program on Saturday, June 28, at 10:30 a.m. on the lawn fronting the ocean to hear folk singers Chris Vonderborch and Cate Foley Burke of Tasmania, Australia.

Dr. Vonderborch, a retired professor of geology at Flinders University in Adelaide, and his wife, Cate, an artist and songwriter, are well-known Australian musicians. They enchant audiences with their sea shanties and children’s songs, accompanying themselves on instruments made by Chris, including the flute, guitar and Chris’ own invention, the “Banjolele.”

The event is free; enjoy a true Aussie sing-along! For information, call Nansy Phleger at 662-8642.

Josie Gomez elected to

In celebration of the 2014 Children’s Summer Reading Program, Uncle Wayne Watkins and the Howling Dog Band will perform on June 26 at 10 a.m. at Makawao Public Library and June 27 at 10:30 a.m. at Kihei Public Library. The free sing-along is for keiki ages three and older, accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Watkins (second from left), an early childhood educator and musician, has been performing lively sing-along concerts for young children and families in Hawaii for 20 years.

two honor societies

APPLETON, WI – Josie Gomez, the daughter of Barbara Newton and Robert Gomez of Lahaina, has been elected to the Lawrence University chapters of Phi Beta Kappa and Pi Kappa Lambda honor societies.

A music major at Lawrence, Gomez is a 2010 graduate of Lahainaluna High School.

Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest honorary society in America, awards membership to seniors who have demonstrated superior scholarship.

Pi Kappa Lambda is a national honor society that recognizes students for exceptional musical and

Hikers are sought to volunteer in Haleakala Crater on a two-night service learning outing from July 4-6. The ranger-accompanied trip includes some education about Haleakala, some service work and some free time. Participants stay at Paliku Cabin and exit down the Kaupo Gap with a ride back to the park. Visit www.fhnp.org and call Friends of Haleakala National Park at 876-1673 for information and reservations.

scholastic achievements.

——————

MECO to inspect power lines

KAHULUI – Maui Electric Company will be using a helicopter to perform routine power line inspections throughout Maui County on June 26 and 27.

Weather permitting, the inspections are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Kahului to Hana and Haleakala, Ulupalakua to Wailea to Kihei, and Maalaea to Napili.

For more information, call Maui Electric at 871-8461.

In related news, with the 2014 hurricane season under way, Maui Electric Company urges customers to review their preparations for emergencies.

“The best time to prepare for an emergency is before one occurs,” said Bobby Motooka, company safety director. “It’s vital to have an emergency plan for you and your loved ones should a natural disaster strike.”

Maui Electric’s website, www.mauielectric.com, offers a consumer guide to emergency preparedness that includes key numbers to have on hand, checklists for emergency supplies such as a home survival kit and first aid kit, electrical safety information, power outage preparedness and recovery, household and food safety tips, and references and links to related resources such as the American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency and civil defense agencies.

For those without Internet access, Maui Electric also has available a free Handbook for Emergency Preparedness that can be picked up at the company’s Kahului customer service lobby at 210 W. Kamehameha Avenue, Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; or call 871-2339. Copies will also be available at the local libraries in Maui County.

——————

Maui Ocean Center holding photo contest

MAALAEA – Maui Ocean Center is accepting entries through Friday, Aug. 1, 2014, for its “I Love Marine Life” Photo Contest.

The contest is open to everyone. Entries must contain a marine animal and be taken in or around Maui waters or at Maui Ocean Center.

Two grand prize winners will receive an Annual Journey Pass to Maui Ocean Center and a photo eco tour with Photo Safari Hawaii. Eight finalists will receive a One-Day Journey Pass to the aquarium. Visit www.mauioceancenter.com for contest details.