COMMUNITY NEWS for February 19 issue

The Lahainaluna High School boys basketball team took a giant step toward a championship season with a thrilling 45-41 double overtime victory over Baldwin on Saturday night to complete a perfect 12-0 regular season going into the Maui Interscholastic League championship tournament this week at Baldwin. Six Luna seniors played their final game before a red and raucous home crowd at the Lahaina Civic Center to capture the school’s first MIL regular season title in over a decade. Cyrus Kama, Marvin Sidon, Josh Chapital, Ryan Madera, Renzo Corpuz and Zach Carlton all contributed to the victory over the Bears. Congratulations to first-year head coach Jason Justus, his staff, and the entire Luna team on a terrific season. Imua Lunas! PHOTO BY GLEN PASCUAL.
Lahainaluna graduation meeting for parents set
LAHAINA – Parents of Lahainaluna High School’s Class of 2015 should plan ahead to attend a pre-graduation meeting on either Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 6 p.m. or on Sunday, March 1, at 2 p.m.
Important information regarding academic requirements, the Senior Contract, and the arrangements for graduation itself will be provided by the senior vice principal, senior guidance counselor and senior class advisor.
Representatives will also be available with information and applications for Project Graduation.
Senior Contracts, which require the signatures of both the student and a parent or guardian, will be distributed at the meeting. They must be signed and returned by March 13 before leaving for Spring Break.

Maui Preparatory Academy’s Middle School iPueo Robotics Team recently took first place in Robotic Design, second place in Robot Programming and sixth place in Robotic Teamwork at the University of Hawaii at Hilo Astronaut Robotics Competition. They qualified for the state contest this month.
Any parent who cannot attend the group sessions will need to make an individual appointment with Principal Emily DeCosta.
If students have not yet ordered their cap and gown, they should see Class Advisor Laura Jones to do so immediately, as they will not be permitted to participate in commencement exercises without one.
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Event to benefit Hale Kau Kau
KIHEI – “Celebrate the Joy of Giving” is the theme for the 16th annual fundraiser for Hale Kau Kau, the program in South Maui that daily feeds the needy and homebound elderly and disabled “with compassion and aloha.”

The Napili Kai Foundation teaches local children the history, arts, crafts, language and dances of Polynesia. Every Tuesday evening at Napili Kai Beach Resort, 5900 Lower Honoapiilani Road, foundation students present a delightful program of Polynesian song and dance from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12 and free for children five and under. Call 669-6271.
The benefit will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28. Doors open at 4 p.m. at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort and Spa’s Aulani Ballroom.
Musical entertainment for the dinner and dancing will be provided again this year by the popular six-piece Maui band Asian Blend.
Pre-dinner music will be offered by performers from the Hawaiian Music Institute at the University of Hawaii Maui Campus.
Information about sponsorships, advertising, donations for the auctions, and tickets for the benefit is available by calling Hale Kau Kau at 875-8754, extension 31, or e-mailing halekaukau@saint-theresa.com.
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Kidney foundation holding keiki recipe contest
KAHULUI – The National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii is launching a new keiki cookbook to be released in the fall of 2015. The cookbook will feature healthy recipes from the community.
NKFH Dietitian Tabitha Zamarripa will review all recipes and work with the Programs Staff to organize this project.
According to Zamarripa, “The ideal recipe would be a healthy recipe that might be lower in fat, sodium and/or sugar but of course yummy to taste. By having our community provide recipes to be featured in our cookbook, we hope for engagement and healthier cooking habits at home.”
The NKFH is sponsoring a contest for keiki age 12 and under in Maui County.
For information on how to submit your keiki recipe, contact the NKFH Maui office at 986-1900. The deadline for recipe submissions is April 15, 2015.
The winner of the keiki recipe contest will not only be published in a statewide cookbook, “Cooking with Keiki,” but he or she will receive a $150 Visa gift card.
The second place winner will receive a movie gift card good for four movies, and the third place finisher will receive a movie card for two free movies.
The cookbook will also provide nutritional facts and heathier cooking methods/ingredient substitutions.
For more information on the Maui Branch of the NKFH, contact Director Jill Holley at 986-1900 or visit www.kidneyhi.org.
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Scout-O-Rama set
WAILUKU – The Maui County Council of the Boy Scouts of America will host the annual Scout-O-Rama event on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Boys & Girls Club of Maui at 100 Kanaloa Avenue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free.
Open to people of all ages, Scout-O-Rama offers families a fun-filled day with more than a dozen exciting exhibits, outdoor competitions and live demonstrations. Food will be available for purchase.
A canned goods drive will also be part of the event.
“For many decades, Scout-O-Rama has been a hallmark event on Maui, and this year’s program promises to be a memorable one,” said Event Chair Ellie Leialoha.
“The event highlights the core values and skills of scouting in a fun manner that is open to the entire community.”
Scout-O-Rama events include demonstrations, entertainment, pinewood derby-car racing and informational booths about scouting and its many lifetime learning programs.
“For Scouts, the best way to find out what you do best is to do it, and that doing is the focus of Scout-O-Rama,” said Danielle Ing, program director of the Maui council.
For more information, call 244-3724 or visit www.mauibsa.org.
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Kaanapali Makai Watch to hold outreach day
KAANAPALI – A Kaanapali Makai Watch Outreach Day & Talk Story Gathering and Potluck will be held on Sunday, Feb. 22.
Organizers noted, “Whether you’re one of our awesome Kaanapali Makai Watch seasoned volunteers, partners or supporters, or simply interested in getting more involved or finding out how you can help in some way, join us at Kahekili Beach Park on Sunday, February 22nd, to gather together for a community potluck to talk story about what you’d like to see us accomplish together in the near and long term.
“We’ll meet at the pavilion at 9 a.m. Bring your snorkel gear if you’d like to get in the water and explore the reef with us!”
For more information, check out Kaanapali Makai Watch on Facebook or contact Liz Foote at Lfoote@hawaii.rr.com or 669-9062.
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Celebrate Chinese New Year at Lahaina Cannery Mall
LAHAINA – Lahaina Cannery Mall will kick off Chinese New Year with a display of martial arts mastery, firecrackers and the traditional “feeding of the lions” on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 2 to 4 p.m.
This free cultural experience, led by the enigmatic Au’s Shaolin Arts Society, will usher in the Year of the Sheep for West Maui residents.
The family-friendly event will be preceded by a hula performance by Halau Te Tiare Patitifa at 1 p.m.
- Maui Preparatory Academy’s Middle School iPueo Robotics Team recently took first place in Robotic Design, second place in Robot Programming and sixth place in Robotic Teamwork at the University of Hawaii at Hilo Astronaut Robotics Competition. They qualified for the state contest this month.
- The Napili Kai Foundation teaches local children the history, arts, crafts, language and dances of Polynesia. Every Tuesday evening at Napili Kai Beach Resort, 5900 Lower Honoapiilani Road, foundation students present a delightful program of Polynesian song and dance from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12 and free for children five and under. Call 669-6271.