After an eight-year wait, a new pool heater was recently installed at Lahaina Aquatic Center. The exercise class recently celebrated the holiday season by throwing fake snowballs in the pool. The pool is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thurdays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 4:30 p.m. Call 661-7611 for information.

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.

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 “http://www.visitlahaina.com”>www.visitlahaina.com.

——————

Maui Music Mission holds keiki ukulele classes on Mondays from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. and Wednesdays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Na ‘Aikane ‘O Maui Cultural Center at 562-A Front St. in Lahaina. The price is $15 for beginners and $25 for intermediate players. A trial class is free. Call (808) 463-7856 for information.

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 nomination is Jan. 29, 2016.

The Rough Riders — from left, Brother Noland, Henry Kapono and John Cruz — will perform in the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 8. Hawaii music icons and multiple award-winning artists, the Rough Riders bring the well-honed craft and power of three inspiring songwriters, three distinct voices, and the perfect blending of guitars to create an exceptional musical style. From classics such as “Friends,” “Coconut Girl,” and “Island Style” to the new, provocative sounds of three seasoned professionals coming together as one on stage, the Rough Riders are independent by nature, connected by music and bonded by skills, determination and style. Tickets are $12, $35, $45 or $55 (half off for keiki 12 and under for the $35 to $55 tickets); call 242-SHOW.

——————

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.

Village Galleries at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua this month is featuring guest artists: George Allan (whose art is pictured) on Tuesdays, Rich Kenny on Wednesdays, and Fred KenKnight on Fridays, all from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For information, call 669-1800 or visit villagegalleriesmaui.com.

——————

Updated recycling guide available

WAILUKU – The Recycling Section of the Maui County Department of Environmental Management announced that an updated Recycling, Refuse & Landfill Guide was mailed to 70,000 residents throughout Maui County in early November.

The updated guide, which features a green cover (Maui and Lanai) or blue cover (Molokai), is also available online at www.mauicounty.gov/Recycle.

The guide includes the most up-to-date information, resources and guidelines on recycling items in Maui County; county-sponsored recycling programs for appliances, HI-5 redemption, composting, used motor oil, battery and paint recycling, abandoned vehicles and metals; landfill and residential refuse information, such as damaged carts, missed pick-ups and appliance pick-ups; tips on reducing waste; and suggestions on where to donate items that can be reused.

More information is available on the Maui County Recycling website at www.mauicounty.gov/recycle or by calling the Maui County Recycling Hotline at 270-7880.

——————

Paratransit Advisory Council to meet

WAILUKU – The Paratransit Advisory Council will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 19, at the MEO Family Center at 99 Mahalani St. from 1:30 to 3 p.m. All interested riders and community members are welcome to attend.

The council is currently looking for new members to serve on this committee in 2016. If you are interested in serving, or if you are unable to attend this meeting but would like to offer input, e-mail your suggestions to debbie.cabebe@meoinc.org or call her at 249-2990, extension 342.

——————

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.

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.

——————

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard seeks entries for art contest

HONOLULU – Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard announced that she is accepting submissions from Hawaii high school artists in the Second Congressional District for the 2016 Kaha Ki’i Congressional Art Competition, hosted by the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Hawaii art students, with the support and mentorship of their teachers, continue to surpass my expectations year after year with their creative, beautiful and thoughtful artwork. I’m looking forward to seeing the submissions to our annual competition in 2016,” said Gabbard.

“The nationwide competition is a great platform for Hawaii students to showcase the unique culture of our islands and communities from their perspective. The winning pieces will be on display for one year at the U.S. Capitol and in my Washington and Hawaii offices for visitors to enjoy.”

Artwork must be submitted by Feb. 23, 2016. Semi-finalists will be announced shortly after, and Congresswoman Gabbard will reveal the winning pieces at an awards ceremony in April at the Hawaii State Capitol.

Interested applicants can obtain complete details regarding the competition on the congresswoman’s official website or by calling Rep. Gabbard’s office at (808) 541-1986.

——————

State to accept grants-in-aid applications

HONOLULU – Hawaii Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Jill Tokuda and House Finance Committee Chair Sylvia Luke announced that qualified nonprofit and other organizations will again be able to apply for State Grants-in-Aid (GIA) that may become available and will be under consideration during the 2016 Regular Session.

Previous grants were appropriated to nonprofit and other organizations for various public purposes that were recognized as priorities and seen as complimentary to state government functions, including health, education, workforce development, social services, and cultural and historical activities.

In order to allow the legislature time to thoroughly review applications, the deadline to submit grant applications will be 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 22, 2016.

Last year, the legislature awarded nearly $30 million in grants to non-profits across the state.

Information on the GIA process will be made available at www.capitol.hawaii.gov. For information, call the Ways and Means Committee at 586-6800 and the Finance Committee at 586-6200.

——————

Work slated at ‘Iao Valley State Monument

KAHULUI – ‘Iao Valley State Monument will be closed from Jan. 11-22 for various park improvements, including closures of the two large capacity cesspools in the park that were mandated via a consent agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The cesspools were servicing the park’s comfort station that was closed in 2009 due to the EPA violations and will remain closed.

In order to comply with these required closures, the Division of State Parks will close the monument for two weeks to decommission the cesspools as required by the EPA, and make additional repairs and renovation to the parking lot and improvements to the park’s water system.

When the monument reopens, a trailer restroom facility will be onsite to meet the sanitation needs for park users.