Five blacktip reef shark pups were recently introduced at Maui Ocean Center. At approximately two feet in length, the pups will reside in the Deep Reef exhibit for about a year before they are released back to their original home at sea.

Award ceremony slated for Lahaina Poster Contest

Lahaina – Winners in the 28th annual Lahaina Poster Contest sponsored by LahainaTown Action Committee and Lahaina Arts Society will be announced at a reception on Thursday, Aug. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m.

The reception will be held in the Old Jail Gallery in the Old Lahaina Courthouse. For more information, go to “http://www.visitlahaina.com”>www.visitlahaina.com or call Lynn Donovan at 667-9175.

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Sports after-school pilot program starting

West and South Maui Rep. Angus McKelvey (left), chair of the House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee, recently expressed his staunch support for the Air Line Pilots Association and the pilots of Hawaiian Airlines, who picketed last week. “By refusing to negotiate with the pilots in good faith, Hawaiian Airlines could jeopardize the life-blood of our economy, the Hawaii visitor industry... the management of Hawaiian Airlines should do the pono thing with the pilots and negotiate with them in good faith, for a fair and just profit-sharing package and other well-deserved compensation that will help to ensure that our islands remain connected, and our number one industry remains vibrant and solvent,” McKelvey wrote.

HONOLULU – A sports after-school pilot program will be kicking off this fall at all eight of Maui, Lanai and Molokai’s middle schools. Students can sign up at their respective school’s administration office.

The program, which is called the Fall 2016 R.E.A.C.H. Maui Middle School Athletics Pilot Initiative, is being offered by Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui’s R.E.A.C.H. (Resources for Academics, Culture and Health) after-school initiative for middle and intermediate school students.

Students will be able to participate in a basketball program from August to October. A volleyball program will also be offered and will begin in October and run through December. Each school will have two teams comprised of ten boys and ten girls for each sport.

Tsutsui said, “This sports program will have many positive outcomes, including teaching students about being part of a team and good sportsmanship as well as keeping them engaged and active during the after-school hours.”

This pilot program seeks to measure whether an after-school athletics program is viable in Maui County. Maui County’s Parks and Recreation Department is a partner in the program.

The Sons of Manu Kahaiali‘i will perform at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Friday, Aug. 5, at 7:30 p.m. Join Willie K and his brothers in this special, intimate evening sharing the music and stories of their father, Manu, and growing up on Maui. Tickets are $30 or $45; call 242-SHOW or visit www.MauiArts.org.

“As Maui County’s population grows, so does the need for programs such as these for our keiki,” said Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa. “Our children need structure and guidance, especially after school. I would personally like to thank Lt. Governor Tsutsui for bringing this program to Maui and look forward to a possible expansion, so that it may serve other families and communities.”

If successful, the sports program could be expanded.

R.E.A.C.H.’s mission is to ensure all public school students in grades six to eight receive the academic and community-based support they need to stay on track toward high school graduation, engaging them in a broad-base of programs and activities, outside of regular instructional hours, in the areas of academic enrichment, arts and culture, and athletics.

Studies have shown that after-school programs not only keep students safe and engaged in learning, but they also help improve their academic performance, school attendance, behavior and health.

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Lahaina Hongwanji Mission will hold its annual summer Obon Festival on Friday, Aug. 5, and Saturday, Aug. 6, on the 551 Wainee St. church grounds. Everyone is invited to dance to the beat of the taiko drums and enjoy traditional, local Japanese food. The memorial service starts at 6 p.m., and the Bon Dance will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Food concessions open at 5:30 p.m.; there will be assorted sushi, bentos, nishime, somen salad, chow fun, andagi and many more prepared food items for sale. There will also be games to play and craft items for sale. Contact “Noosh” Nishihara at 870-6478 for information.

Organ Transplant Maui support group to meet

WAILUKU – Have you had a transplant or want to find out more about them? Come and join Organ Transplant Maui’s support group.

The group invites all who are interested in hearing from recipients, donors and caregivers that want to share and hear from one another on their experiences. Meetings are held on the first Saturday of every month at Liberty Dialysis at 95 Maui Lani Parkway in Wailuku from 10 to 11 a.m. E-mail organtransplantmaui@gmail.com or visit www.organtransplantmaui.org for more information.