Maui Ocean Center celebrated its “12 Days of FISH-mas” with the arrival of a very special guest from the North Pole: Scuba Claus. Through Christmas Day, Scuba Claus and his helper Elf made daily underwater appearances in the aquarium’s Open Ocean Exhibit to spread holiday cheer and talk about the center’s marine life. Both wore special dive masks that allowed them to communicate with the audience and answer questions.

School Community Council nominations sought for Lahaina Intermediate School

LAHAINA – Lahaina Intermediate School is accepting nominations for one parent and one community member to serve on its School Community Council (SCC).

Each member will serve for two school years: 2015-16 and 2016-17.

Nomination forms are available at the school office. For more information, call Becky Altier at 662-3965, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The deadline to submit nominations is Jan. 29, 2016.

Chevron U.S.A. Inc. announced that its 2015 Fuel Your School program generated $350,000 to help fund 391 classroom projects, including 148 focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), to help connect real world experiences to classroom learning for 35,539 students at 144 Hawaii public schools. Through the program, Chevron contributed $1 when consumers purchased eight or more gallons of fuel at participating Chevron stations in Hawaii during the month of October, generating $350,000 to help fund eligible classroom projects at local public schools. Thirty-nine Maui County public school teachers received a total of $37,412 from the 2015 FYS program, including Mrs. Landes, Mrs. Kohlhepp and Ms. Green at Princess Nahi’ena’ena Elementary School. Mayor Alan Arakawa (second from right) is pictured with members of the Chevron Hawaii team: Carina Tagupa, Alvin Makimoto and Heather Namahoe. 

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Columnist to give talk on people of aloha

LAHAINA – Author and Lahaina News columnist Norm Bezane will begin a series of talks titled “Remarkable People of Aloha” on Tuesday, Jan 5, at the first meeting of the year of the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset.

The 5:30 p.m. talk preceded by a social hour at the Royal Lahaina will preview the author’s new book, “Voices of Aloha Beyond the Beach,” and include a reading of “Voices of Aloha” and a slide talk showing some 15 members of the community and memorable things they have said about Maui.

Those whose quotations will be shown include slack key guitar master George Kahumoku Jr., guitar wizard Willie K, Kumu Hula Keali’i Reichel, vocalist Amy Hanaiali’i Gilliom, Realtor Bob Cartwright, community leader Joan McKelvey, Old Lahaina Luau’s Michael Moore, Kimo’s hostess Laura Blears, Trilogy’s Jim Coon, Deejay Alaka’i Paleka (known as the “Morning Goddess”), artist Jim Kingwell, the pop artist known as Davo, birdman Brian Botka, Kaanapali Beach Hotel’s 400,000 Mai Tai man, the little dog Kea Aloha, and Queen Liliuokalani.

Village Galleries at 120 Dickenson St. in Lahaina will feature recent works by Carleton, an award-winning plein air painter, from Jan. 1-21, 2016. A Gala Artist’s Reception will be held on Friday, Jan. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m. — enjoy a festive evening of art, music and refreshments as the gallery kicks off its 2016 season. For more information, call 661-4402 or visit villagegalleriesmaui.com. Carleton’s “Morning at 505” is pictured.

Bezane has written a column for Lahaina News since 2006 and was recognized earlier this year as a finalist in the state’s best feature column. He also was named a finalist for independent journalist of the year in Hawaii.

Writing from the perspective of a malihini (newcomer) for the last 14 years and a visitor for 27, the author says, “It has been a great journey learning about the rich Hawaiian culture and getting to know remarkable people.”

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LahainaTown Action Committee to hold Annual Meeting

LAHAINA – LahainaTown Action Committee’s 27th Annual Meeting will be held on Monday, Jan. 25, in the Pioneer Inn Courtyard at 5 p.m.

Straight No Chaser’s “The New Old Fashioned Tour” is coming to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 3. The male a cappella group has emerged as a phenomenon with a massive fan base, numerous national TV appearances, and proven success with CD releases. The tour comes to town on the heels of the release of their new album, “The New Old Fashioned,” their fifth album release through Atlantic Records. Straight No Chaser is the real deal — the captivating sound of ten unadulterated human voices coming together to make extraordinary music. Tickets are $31.50, $41.50 or $51.50 (prices increase $3.50 the day of the concert); call 242-SHOW.

LAC will elect new board members. Music will be provided by Maui Jam, light pupus will be offered with refreshments, and a no-host bar will be available.

Come meet the LahainaTown Action Committee board and discuss ideas for the 2016-17 calender. For information, call LAC Executive Director Lynn Donovan at 667-9175 or visit www.visitlahaina.com.

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Surfrider Maui to meet

MAALAEA – The Surfrider Foundation-Maui Chapter will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, Jan. 7, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Pacific Whale Foundation in the Maalaea Harbor Shops.

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary sponsors “45-Ton Talk” photo-video talk story presentations about humpback whales from 11 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Sanctuary Visitor Center at 726 S. Kihei Road.

Meetings are open to the public, and Surfrider Maui is always looking for new volunteers and support.

For more information, e-mail secretary@maui.surfrider.org.

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Learn stress relief

MAKAWAO – Do you want to learn how to release your emotional energy in the New Year? Author and licensed massage therapist Denise La Barre will present “What Are the Issues in Your Tissues,” a free presentation for adults at Makawao Public Library on Wednesday, Jan. 13, at 6:30 p.m.

La Barre, author of “Issues in Your Tissues: Heal Body and Emotion from the Inside Out,” will discuss how emotional energy is stored in an individual’s body, which causes stress and illness. Learn how to release your emotional energy through fun exercises in this one-hour program.

Makawao Public Library is located at 1159 Makawao Avenue. For more information, call the library at 573-8785.

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Maui Boy Scouts to hold banquet

KAHULUI – The Maui County Council, Boy Scouts of America will hold their Annual Banquet on Saturday, Jan. 23, at the LDS Maui Lani Stake Center.

The banquet will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the 1300 Maui Lani Parkway center.

The night’s theme is “Super Heroes.” The organization will celebrate all of the accomplishments of the Maui Council in 2015.

The guest speaker for the night will be Major General John Harrel.

The cost is $20 per person for a catered meal, or $150 for a catered table of eight. To sign up to attend, visit www.mauibsa.org/cab2016.

For more information on Maui Boy Scouts, visit www.mauibsa.org or www.facebook.com/mauibsa.