COMMUNITY NEWS for December 18 issue

Santa is on his way back to the North Pole, but he won’t mind at all if you stop in and take a few pictures in his sled. “Santa Land” is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Dec. 24 at The Wharf Cinema Center. Admission is free.
Hawaiian Music Series to feature Kawika Ho’opi’i & Friends
LAHAINA – This month, Lahaina Restoration Foundation’s popular Hawaiian Music Series free concert will feature Hawaiian Christmas favorites on Thursday, Dec. 18, with Kawika Ho’opi’i & Friends. Join them in front of the Baldwin Home Museum at the corner of Dickenson and Front streets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and watch the stars come out.
From a family deeply rooted in Hawaiian music, Ho’opi’i pays tribute to the traditional style of music that surrounded him in Kahakuloa Valley where he was raised. He has perfected his virtuoso falsetto voice and “cha-lang-a-lang” style of playing the ukulele in performances across the country.
Accomplished musicians Brandon Hirata and Po’okela Wood round out this trio. Ho’opi’i and Hirata recently performed at the Maui Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival with masters of steel guitar. Wood won the 2010 Festivals of Aloha Richard Ho’opi’i Falsetto Contest. The group will be accompanied by hula dancers for a highly entertaining show.
Blankets, mats and low beach chairs are welcome; a limited number of chairs are provided for kupuna. For more information, call the LRF office at 661-3262.

Atlantis Adventures announced that Margie Lehman was named director of sales for the company. Lehman is responsible for developing sales programs promoting Atlantis’ submarine tours (one is offered in Lahaina) and cruise experiences to travel consumers in North America.
This event is coordinated by Lahaina Restoration Foundation in partnership with the Hawaii Tourism Authority and County of Maui Office of Economic Development.
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Hula shows held at The Outlets of Maui
LAHAINA – Renowned as the longest-running weekly keiki hula show in the state, the children of Na Pua O Kapi`olani perform traditional hula, Tahitian and a variety of dances from other Polynesian islands at The Outlets of Maui.
Accompanied by a live band and led by Kumu Hula Kathy Ralar, the keiki performers sing, dance, chant and story-tell the memorable stories and songs of Polynesia. Enjoy the show from 5 to 5:45 p.m. on Dec. 19.

The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas is offering “Skating By The Sea, A Kaanapali Holiday” daily from 4 to 9 p.m. until Jan. 3, 2015. Open to all, there is a $15 fee for 30 minutes of access to the rink, including skates. The fun-filled activity is open to adults and children ages seven and older (minimum height of 42 inches). For information, visit www.westinkaanapali.com.
Santa will visit the center from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 19, and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 20.
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Keiki welcome to join Young Volunteers Club
KIHEI – Kihei Public Library invites children ages seven and older who love their library to make a New Year’s resolution and join the Young Volunteers Club on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 3:30 p.m. in the Children’s Area.
In this free one-hour program, children can volunteer their time and talents to work on various projects that will benefit the library and their community.

Members of the Lahainaluna High School softball team — from left, Mele Pasikala, Tobi Bonifacio and Elizha Criste — helped promote the Rotary Club of Lahaina’s recent Christmas tree sale.
Kihei Public Library is located at 35 Waimahaihai St. For more information, call the library at 875-6833.
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Realtors launch charitable fund
HONOLULU – The Hawaii Affiliates of Sotheby’s International Realty, which is comprised of four offices on four Hawaiian Islands, has launched a charitable fund.
The Hawaii Affiliates of Sotheby’s International Realty Charitable Fund at Hawaii Community Foundation will provide grants that invest in Hawaii’s future through programs that protect the natural environment, nurture the education of future generations and preserve Hawaii’s unique cultural legacy. The first disbursement is expected to take place in 2015. For more information, visit www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/hasircfund.

“An Evening with Bill Maher” will be held at 8 p.m. on Jan. 1 in the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater. Enjoy an evening with the brilliantly funny Maher and his characteristic combination of unflinching honesty and big laughs. Maher opened the floodgates of funny political talk with his television shows and five bestselling books. The show contains adult content and language. Tickets are $65.50, $85.50 or $150.50; call 242-SHOW.
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Oshogatsu Traditions Dinner slated
WAILUKU – Members and the general public are invited to attend the Japanese Cultural Society of Maui’s Oshogatsu Traditions Dinner on Saturday, Dec. 27, at 5:30 p.m. at Wailuku Hongwanji social hall.
Mochi pounding and sampling will promptly begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and other activities starting at 6 p.m. Ozoni, a traditional New Year’s soup made with mochi and seasonal vegetables, will be served. Post-dinner activities include sharing of information about other Japanese New Year’s traditions, playing Japanese games and making New Year’s cards and decorative box crafts.
Tickets are $10 for Japanese Cultural Society of Maui members and $15 for non-members. Tickets are available for purchase at Credit Associates of Maui at 1817 Wells St. in Wailuku until Dec. 22. For more information, call 283-9999.
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Season for ‘ama’ama closed
HONOLULU – The state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) reminds the fishing public that the season for ‘ama’ama (striped mullet) will be closed through Tuesday, March 31, 2015.
Copies of statewide fishing regulations for ‘ama’ama and all other marine species are available at all neighbor island DLNR-Aquatics offices. Fishing regulations can also be found on the Division of Aquatic Resources’ website at hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar. To report fish catch size or net violations, call (808) 643-DLNR (643-3567).
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Celebrate Kwanzaa
WAILUKU – A Kwanzaa celebration will be held on Friday, Dec. 26, at Iao Recreational Center (across from Wailuku Community Center) from 6 to 8 p.m.
This educational and cultural event will feature light refreshments, poetry and storytelling.
The event is sponsored by the County of Maui and African Americans on Maui Association. For information, call Terri at (714) 305-2128 or visit www.africanamericansonmaui.com.
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Meet LAS artists
LAHAINA – Come “Meet the Artists” at Lahaina Arts Society. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., local artists will be demonstrating in the Banyan Tree Gallery in the Old Lahaina Courthouse.
Talk story with oil/watercolor artist Koana Smith on Dec. 23 and oil/mixed-media artist Bryan DeBris on Dec. 24.
Bring your friends and family to see how the magic is created by these talented local artists.
For more information, call LAS at 661-0111 or visit www.lahainaarts.com.
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West Maui Little League to hold registration
LAHAINA – West Maui Little League will hold registration for T-Ball (ages 5-6), Rookies (ages 7-8), Minors (ages 9-10) and Juniors (ages 13-14) Divisions on Jan. 17, 24, 31 and Feb. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Lahaina Civic Center Gym.
Visit WMLL’s website at www.westmauilittleleague.com to view additional information and required documents to bring to registration.
The league also seeks dedicated parents, family and friends to volunteer as coaches (head and assistant coaching positions are available) and team moms, and to assist with field maintenance, concessions and umpires. If you are interested, e-mail westmauibaseball @gmail.com.
- Atlantis Adventures announced that Margie Lehman was named director of sales for the company. Lehman is responsible for developing sales programs promoting Atlantis’ submarine tours (one is offered in Lahaina) and cruise experiences to travel consumers in North America.
- The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas is offering “Skating By The Sea, A Kaanapali Holiday” daily from 4 to 9 p.m. until Jan. 3, 2015. Open to all, there is a $15 fee for 30 minutes of access to the rink, including skates. The fun-filled activity is open to adults and children ages seven and older (minimum height of 42 inches). For information, visit www.westinkaanapali.com.
- Members of the Lahainaluna High School softball team — from left, Mele Pasikala, Tobi Bonifacio and Elizha Criste — helped promote the Rotary Club of Lahaina’s recent Christmas tree sale.
- “An Evening with Bill Maher” will be held at 8 p.m. on Jan. 1 in the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater. Enjoy an evening with the brilliantly funny Maher and his characteristic combination of unflinching honesty and big laughs. Maher opened the floodgates of funny political talk with his television shows and five bestselling books. The show contains adult content and language. Tickets are $65.50, $85.50 or $150.50; call 242-SHOW.