Lahaina Intermediate School announced its Students and Staff of the Month for August: from left, eighth-grader Christian Niles, sixth-grader Alexander Bianco, Kausiga Tukana (nominated by the students), Jaenahlynn Kanaha, Tom Norton (nominated by colleagues), eighth-grader Isabelle Omura, and seventh-graders Jimmy Ngo and Camron Presley.

Councilors hosting recycling events

LAHAINA – County Councilmembers Elle Cochran and Mike White are hosting a series of monthly recycling events in West Maui to assist the community, due to the recent loss of recycling facilities within the district.

The closure of the Napili recycling drop-box facility and the now limited recyclables that are accepted at the Lahainaluna Road location (HI-5 only) have left West Maui residents with only one option to drop off their recycling: Olowalu.

The monthly events will be held at the south end of the Lahaina Cannery Mall parking lot on Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

All items previously accepted at both the Napili and Lahainaluna locations (glass, cardboard, plastics, etc.; no E-cycling, metals, appliances or HI-5 redemption) can be dropped off. There is no need to separate your recyclables; they will be hauled, sorted and processed at another location.

The public is invited to “Meet the Artists” at Lahaina Arts Society. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., local artists will hold demonstrations in LAS’ Banyan Tree Gallery in the Old Lahaina Courthouse. Talk story with oil painter Koana Smith on Oct. 7, oil/mixed-media artist Podge Elvenstar (whose work is pictured) on Oct. 8 and oil/watercolor artist Karen Camara on Oct 9. Bring your friends and family to see how the magic is created by these talented local artists. For more information, call 661-0111 or visit www.lahainaarts.com.

Cochran and White thanked Maui Disposal and Malama Maui Nui for assisting in the events. For information, call 270-5504 or 270-5507.

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Church to bless pets

LAHAINA – On Sunday, Oct. 5, Holy Innocents Episcopal Church will celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with its traditional Blessing of the Animals at its 9 a.m. service.

All are welcome to bring their pets (including stuffed ones) to join them in thanking God for all of God’s Creation.

The Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Solo Sessions continue on Friday, Oct. 3, at 7:30 p.m. with Raul Midon in the McCoy Studio Theater. A smoothly expressive singer, an emotionally insightful songwriter and an exciting, innovative acoustic guitarist, Midon maintains an expansive musical vision that led People Magazine to call him “an eclectic adventurist,” and Huffington Post to dub him “a free man beyond category... he plays with such freedom and joy that his hands smile.” Tickets are $30, $45 or $65, call 242-SHOW.

According to the church, “We bless the animals we love not to make them holy but to remind us that they, like us, are loved by God and entrusted into our care. All animals and their owners of every faith will be welcomed by the animal-loving congregation. Father Bill will be offering individual blessings.”

Holy Innocents is located at 561 Front St. next to King Kamehameha III School.

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Maui Humane Society to present findings on community cats

PUUNENE – The Maui Humane Society and The Humane Society of the United States are hosting a free public presentation on the initial research findings of community cats, as part of its partnership to identify solutions to reducing the number of free-roaming and feral animals.

The fifth annual West Maui Health and Fitness Expo will be held at Lahaina Cannery Mall on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Get the facts on Maui’s premier health and fitness venues and services, win prizes and balance your body from the inside out, all at this free, family-friendly, interactive expo. The event will feature healthy living showcases as well as products and services related to a healthy lifestyle. Exhibitors will showcase their businesses, give away classes, coupons, samples and services such as free blood pressure readings, and be present to answer any of your questions. The expo will end with a raffle drawing for prizes ranging from zipline tours to spa packages and haircuts. Winners do not need to be present to win, and anyone wearing their race number from the morning Wiki Wiki 5K and 10K races will receive three free tickets. Raffle tickets can be purchased directly from the expo before the event or at Lahaina Cannery Mall during the expo. The first 100 families will receive a free gift. Visit www.MauiFitnessExpo.com or contact the program producer, Amanda Furgiuele, at (808) 283-2606.

The presentation will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kihei Community Center at 303 E. Lipoa St.

Doctors John Hadidian and John Boone will discuss the initial findings of cat population research conducted at Kanaha State Park and Iao Valley, the challenges and opportunities on how best to humanely and effectively reduce free-roaming cat populations, and how the public can be part of the solution.

Members of the Maui County Animal Coalition, including the Maui SPCA and Feline Foundation of Maui, will also discuss their ongoing efforts and services.

Bring your questions and suggestions, and learn how all Maui residents can best work together to protect all animals. For information, call Maui Humane Society at 877-3680, extension 36.

“Maui’s Native Forest Birds,” a free presentation by the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project, will be held at Makawao Public Library on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Adult Section. Ornithologist Laura Berthold will share information about the ecological history of Maui’s native forest birds. These unique animals adapted to an island environment very different from ours today and continue to survive while facing many challenges. Berthold will share photos of the birds (a Apapane Honeycreeper is pictured) and the forest they inhabit, as well as discuss the project’s research and habitat restoration efforts. This one-hour program is suitable for ages 12 and older. Makawao Public Library is located at 1159 Makawao Avenue. For information, call 573-8785.