Maui Nui Botanical Gardens will host a Hawaiian Taro Plant Sale on Friday, Jan. 9, at 9 a.m. Rare potted taro varieties from the ‘Ele‘ele,  Mana, Lehua, Manini, Lauloa, Piko and ‘Ula‘ula families will be available for purchase from 9 a.m. until plants are sold out. Maui Nui Botanical Gardens is located at 150 Kanaloa Avenue in Kahului.  Call 249-2798 for more information.

Christmas tree recycling available

WAILUKU – The County of Maui advises the public that several Christmas tree “tree-cycling” options are available.

It’s important to remove all ornaments, lights, hooks, tinsel, flocking, etc. so that the trees can be composted properly.

The County’s Recycling Program is sponsoring free residential drop-offs of Christmas trees at the following sites: EKO Compost at the Central Maui Landfill Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Olowalu Recycling Center Mondays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Both facilities are closed on Sundays.

In South Maui, Kihei Compost off Piilani Highway will accept trees until Jan. 31. The facility is open Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. For all other greenwaste drop-offs, call 874-0899 for fees.

Harry Manx’s “Om Suite Ohm” Aloha Tour is coming to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s McCoy Studio Theater on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 7:30 p.m. Dubbed an “essential link” between the music of East and West, Manx creates musical short stories that wed the tradition of the blues with the depth of classical Indian ragas: a unique sound that is bewitching and deliciously addictive to listen to! Blend Indian folk melodies with slide guitar blues, add a sprinkle of gospel and some compelling grooves, and you’ll get Manx’s unique “mysticssippi” flavor. Tickets are $35 or $40; call 242-SHOW.

For general recycling information, call the Recycle Maui County Hotline at 270-7880.

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Hawaii Health Connector to hold ‘pop-up shops’ on Maui

HONOLULU – This month, individuals, families and small businesses can learn if they may be eligible for affordable health insurance at Hawaii Health Connector “pop-up shops” throughout Maui.

The events are designed to help people who need affordable health insurance learn about the Hawaii Health Connector, a health insurance marketplace where they can shop, compare and choose from a variety of health insurance plans to find the one that best suits their needs.

Kaunoa West Maui Senior Center, 788 Pauoa St., offers classes for those 55 and better. The offerings include art, Tai Chi, Stretch & Condition, line dancing and hula, yoga and exercise classes. Call 661-9432, extension 224.

With certified staff on hand to help, individuals and small business owners can learn how to sign up for health plans and apply for tax credits only available through the connector.

The schedule is: Koki Beach Hale in Hana, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Jan. 9, 12, 16, 23, 26 and 30; Hana Business Center, 3 to 5:30 p.m., Jan. 9, 16, 23 and 30; Pueo Family Medicine in Makawao, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28; Salvation Army in Kihei, 9 a.m. to noon, Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29; Central Pacific Bank in Lahaina, 3 to 6 p.m., Jan. 9, 16, 23 and 30; Maui County Business Resource Center in Kahului, 1 to 4 p.m., Jan. 13, 20 and 27; and Nahiku Marketplace in Hana, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29

Open enrollment runs through Feb. 15, 2015. For more information on the Hawaii Health Connector, visit www.hawaiihealthconnector.com or call 1-877-628-5076.

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HMSA to award Kaimana Scholarships

HONOLULU – Hawaii high school seniors graduating in 2015 are invited to apply for the tenth annual HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program. The application deadline is Feb. 13, 2015.

Scholarships are based on the student’s athletic and academic achievement, sportsmanship and community involvement. HMSA will award up to 15 scholarships valued at $5,000 each.

Applicants must be Hawaii high school seniors graduating in 2015 with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 in their senior year. They must also have played on a league-recognized team during at least one of their high school years. Special focus will be on student athletes in lower-profile sports.

Applications are available at hmsa.com/kaimana and on the Hawaii High School Athletic Association website at sportshigh.com.

Scholarship recipients will be notified in writing in April and recognized at the HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program luncheon in June at the Hawaii Convention Center.

Interested students can visit hmsa.com/kaimana or call Tai Matsuoka at 952-7989 on Oahu for more information.

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Kaanapali Makai Watch to hold beach cleanup

KAANAPALI – Kaanapali Makai Watch will hold a community potluck and beach cleanup on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 9 a.m. at Kahekili Beach Park.

“To start off 2015, we’re having a malama aina and social gathering event… open to all,” noted Liz Foote of Kaanapali Makai Watch.

“Come help out as we do a beach cleanup and talk story with our team about upcoming opportunities to get more involved in mauka to makai stewardship efforts.

“Bring your snorkel gear if you’d also like to check out the reef. We’ll provide cleanup supplies, drinks and some pupus. Feel free to bring something to share, potluck style!”

For more information, contact Foote at (808) 283-1631.

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Island Grocery Depot to host job fair in Lahaina

LAHAINA – Island Grocery Depot, formerly known as Cash N’ Carry Warehouse, has provided quality groceries to the Maui community for over 28 years from its Kahului store at 90 Amala Place.

The selection includes island favorites and national-branded grocery items in individual or bulk sizes. There are no membership fees to shop at the store.

Island Grocery Depot is expanding and opening a store in Lahaina. The new store, currently under construction in the Lahaina Business Park at 58 Kupuohi St., is scheduled to open in April 2015.

Island Grocery Depot will host a job fair on Thursday, Jan. 29, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 31, from 8 a.m. to noon. Pre-scheduled interviews will be conducted during the job fair. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply in advance at www.islandgrocerydepot.com.

Island Grocery Depot, a division of VIP Foodservice, is a local, family-owned business focused on serving the Maui community. The Kahului store is open seven days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and until 6 p.m. on weekends.

For more information, visit www.islandgrocerydepot.com.

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Lawmakers to host talk story meeting

LAHAINA – A 2015 Pre-Legislative Session Community Talk Story Meeting with Rep. Angus McKelvey and Sen. Rosalyn Baker will be held on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 9:30 a.m. at the West Maui Senior Center, 788 Pauoa St.

McKelvey and Baker will discuss priorities for future legislation as well as spending priorities for West Maui. This is a great opportunity to share your views and learn more about how to get involved in the legislative process.