It was a celebration of “sweet sorrow” and ono food at the No Ka Oi Deli Ho‘olaule‘a/Farewell Party held Sunday, Sept. 25, at Anchor Square. After 19 years, the popular West Side eatery is closing its doors, and the DeGama family (including Laurie-Lei DeGama, right) invited the community to share in their success. With over 150 in attendance, there was plenty of food, fun, music, dancing and laughter. Musicians gathered, including Paula Kahahane, Gilbert Shim, Shane Kahahane and Vance Dizon. Other performers shared their aloha as well, including Wilmont Kahaialii (left), Kapali Keahi and John Kahaialii. PHOTO BY SHALEINA KEKOA.

Project Graduation meeting slated

LAHAINA – It’s time to start planning the party of the year – Project Graduation 2017 for the Lahainaluna High School Class of ’17 will take place on Sunday, May 21.

Committees are forming now to plan the event. All parents are welcome, and much help is needed. There are fundraising and event planning roles, as well as opportunities to help the night of the event. Come find your place on a committee. Be part of the greatest gift parents can give their seniors: one last, unforgettable evening with their classmates!

The first meeting will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 6 p.m. in the school library. Questions? Contact Joanna Stockham at (808) 280-6049 or “mailto:joannastockham67@gmail.com”>joannastockham67@gmail.com.

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Dolly Hinau from Wailuku recently won free gas for a year from Aloha Petroleum. The prize was part of a sweepstakes held by Aloha Petroleum to thank residents for voting them Hawaii’s Best Gas Station in the Star-Advertiser’s People’s Choice Awards earlier this year. “We had a tremendous response to the sweepstakes, which was held in July at our Aloha Island Mart locations on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island,” said Larry Adams of Aloha Petroleum. “Dolly entered to win at our Aloha Kehalani fuel station, where she is a regular customer.”

Rotary district governor to address Maui clubs

LAHAINA – District Governor Clint Schroeder, who oversees Rotary for the State of Hawaii under District 5000, will visit all Maui coastal clubs the week of Oct. 3. Schroeder will meet with each club’s board of directors to discuss strategic targets for the Rotary year and then speak at each club’s weekly meeting.

His talk will focus on the worldwide projects of the 100-year-old Rotary International Foundation, as well as Rotary’s work to eradicate polio.

The district governor’s visit is an opportunity for clubs to refine their goals and a chance for the public to attend a meeting and learn more about Rotary’s role in Hawaii and beyond.

“The five Maui coastal clubs and the Lanai clubs look forward to District Governor Clint Schroeder’s visit,” said Assistant District Governor Larry Laird. “We are eager to share with him our plans for the 2016-17 Rotary year.”

The sixth annual Wiki Wiki 5K & 10K Fun Run/Walk is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 1, at 7 a.m., with race day registration starting at 6 a.m. The shorter distance is for runners and walkers of all skill levels, and the longer distance is for runners only. The 5K and 10K races will start and finish at Island Grocery Depot and follow an off-road course up on the old sugar cane haul road in Lahaina, fea- turing sweeping mountain and ocean views. Individuals or teams of four or more may register online at www.wikiwikirun.com or at the Vitamin Shoppe on Sept. 30 from 4 to 7 p.m. at discounted rates. Race day registration will also be accepted. The entry fee includes an event beach towel, goodie bag and entry into the door prize drawings. Contact Trish Link at wikiwiki5kand10k@hotmail.com for information.

On Tuesday, Oct. 4, Schroeder will visit both the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunrise at 7 a.m. at the Pioneer Inn and the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset at 5:30 p.m. at the Royal Ocean Terrace Restaurant, Royal Lahaina Resort.

The following day, Wednesday, Oct. 5, he will speak to the Rotary Club of Kihei-Wailea at noon at Mulligan’s on the Blue. On Thursday, Oct. 6, he will attend the Rotary Club of Lahaina’s meeting at noon at the Royal Ocean Terrace Restaurant at the Royal Lahaina Resort, followed by a visit to the Rotary Club of Lanai at 5 p.m. at Lanai High School. For more information, contact Rotary Maui Public Relations Chair Melissa Crawley at crawley.m@gmail.com.

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Grammy Award winners Sly & Robbie to perform in Lahaina

LAHAINA – Maui Theatre last week announced the first edition of its new Music Icon Series with “A Tribute to Legends of Reggae” featuring world-renowned Sly & Robbie and The Taxi Gang and special guest Marty Dread. The one-night only concert starts at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Maui Theatre in Lahaina.

The 11th annual Maui Ukulele Festival will be held on Sunday, Oct. 2, in the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s A&B Amphitheater from 1 to 6 p.m. This year’s lineup includes Richard Ho‘opi‘i, Aidan James (above), Willie K, Arlie-Avery Asiu, Kamakakehau Fernandez, Paula Fuga, Seabury Hall Hawaiian Ensemble, Nick Acosta, Nelly and Daniel Baduria, the Hula Honeys, the Kolohe ‘Ukulele Club, Alika Nako‘oka, and Derick Sebastian. Fine ukulele will be given out as door prizes, and the free festival also features displays of made-in-Hawaii arts and crafts and ono island foods available for purchase.

The event will also celebrate the release of Marty Dread’s brand new CD, “Marty Dread – Icon Series Volume 1.” The CD will only be available at Maui Theatre, and the first 50 people who purchase tickets to the concert will receive an autographed copy of the exclusive new release.

Tickets start at $40 for general admission. Limited VIP Packages are available for $80. Tickets can be purchased by calling Maui Theatre at (808) 856-7900 or visiting www.MauiTheatre.com.

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County conducting parking improvements at West Maui parks

WAILUKU – The county Department of Parks and Recreation announced that Phase I of parking improvements at West Maui park facilities is under way and expected to conclude on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016.

Hawaii Animal Rescue Foundation (HARF), founded in March 2011 by Dawn Hall (pictured), is a nonprofit organization servicing both people and animals on Maui. In the past five years, HARF has successfully rescued and re-homed more than 3,000 dogs and ten horses. These efforts reduced the euthanasia rate for dogs on Maui by over 30 percent. The organization is privately owned and receives no county, state or federal funding; it relies on donations from individuals, corporations and foundations. Weekly adoption events are held at Maui Mall in Kahului every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 876-0022 or visit http://hawaiianimalrescue.org for information.

Improvements include asphalt cold plane and resurfacing, tree root mitigation, lot striping and curbs and ADA parking spaces and access aisles.

Work is being planned to allow facilities to remain open while parking lots are closed. Signs will be placed notifying the public of the closure at each facility as construction continues.

Facilities affected by construction closures include Lahaina Recreation Center 1 and 2, Lahaina Aquatic Center, Napili Park, Honokowai Beach Park, and Wahikuli Wayside north, central and south parking lots.

Work will be done between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The contractor is Maui Kupono Builders; total construction cost is $940,717.

The construction schedule – which may be modified due to weather conditions or other reasons – is as follows: Lahaina Recreation Center 1, Sept. 19-27; Lahaina Recreation Center 2, Sept. 27 to Oct. 6; Lahaina Aquatic Center Phase 1, Oct. 3-10; Lahaina Aquatic Center Phase 2, Oct. 10-18; Napili Park, Oct. 17-25; Honokowai Beach Park, Oct. 24-Nov. 1; Wahikuli Wayside North, Nov. 1-15; Wahikuli Wayside Central, Nov. 16-18; and Wahikuli Wayside South, Nov. 21 to Dec. 7.

For more information, contact April Shiotani at 270-8017 or the West Parks and Recreation Office at 661-4685.

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Lanai to host Fifth Friday Town Party

LANAI CITY – The Lanai Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with Coalition for a Drug-Free Lanai and the support of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development (OED), will hold its tenth Fifth Friday event on Sept. 30 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The chamber urges Maui residents and visitors to support Lanai businesses by attending the town party in Lanai City.

To accommodate the special Friday event, OED has teamed up with Expeditions Ferry and the chamber to provide round-trip ferry and ground transportation between Maui and Lanai, including a special late night ferry that departs Manele Harbor at 9:45 p.m. Expeditions’ last ferry to Maui on a regular day is at 6:45 p.m.

The Fifth Friday Lanai Package includes a round-trip ferry ride between Lahaina Harbor and Manele Harbor, round-trip ground transportation between Manele Harbor and Lanai City, and an event passport. Visiting participating business and collecting stamps for the passport gains entry into a free prize drawing. Details can be found at www.fifthfridaylanai.com.

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MACC gallery to host family day

KAHULUI – An “Observe & Play Family Day” is slated in the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Schaefer International Gallery on Saturday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to noon. This family program offers a guided walk-through of the gallery and a chance to meet exhibiting artists; enjoy some ranger-led activities and make a piece of art to take home. Admission is free.

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Senior center hosts classes

LAHAINA – Kaunoa Senior Services, West Maui Senior Center located at 788 Pauoa St. is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The center is open to lifelong learners age 55 and up. A variety of classes are offered, from fitness and exercise, to art and technology, and health and wellness.

Class fees range from a $2 donation to session fees. Visit the center and pick up the monthly newsletter (“The Best Years”) or call 270-4310 to register.