Fresh Christmas trees are on sale in the Lahaina Cannery Mall parking lot on weekdays from 3 to 7 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This annual fundraiser by the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunrise (Rotarian Skeeter Stebbins is pictured) will raise money to support numerous community service projects in West Maui. The Noble Fir trees are kept in a refrigerated container on the lot, so they remain as fresh as the day they were cut. The large trees, six to seven feet, are $80; wreaths are $25; and there will also be “mini trees” in the two- to three-foot range, perfect for the condo dweller, with prices yet to be determined. Free delivery to any West Maui location from Olowalu to Kapalua is an added bonus. Too busy to stop by the lot? E-mail thefarm@hawaii.rr.com with your address and contact information, and Rotarians will bring a tree to you.

Book launch set

LAHAINA – The official book launch for “Tourism Impacts West Maui,” edited by Lance D. Collins and Bianca Isaki, will be held at Lahaina Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 1 p.m.

The book explores the ways tourism changed West Maui and how changes brought to the region made a tourist economy viable.

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Lahaina Baptist Church to hold Christmas Carnival

National retailer See’s Candies Shop opened on Nov. 10 for the holiday season at Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center in its former location on the ground level, south wing. “See’s Candies Shop sells American-made delicious candies and chocolates,” said Toni Rojas, the center's marketing director. “We are so very excited to have them return for the holiday season, as they are one of the most requested retailers by our community.” The retail chocolate shop features a candy counter where customers can create their own custom mixed box of chocolates and candies, along with its famous boxed chocolates, truffles, nuts and chews, lollipops, and sugar-free candy.

LAHAINA – Lahaina Baptist Church will host a Christmas Carnival on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The family fun event at the 209 Shaw St. church will feature carnival games, local vendors, horse rides, bounce house, jousting station, and music by Deejay Ron.

Tickets are $1 for horse rides, jousting and human bowling; all other games are free.

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Event to support Hospice Maui

More than 50 Sacred Hearts School students in grades K-8 ran in the cross country team this year as part of the Valley Isle Road Runners’ Youth Cross Country Program.

LAHAINA – The first annual “Toast to Maui,” a live and silent auction benefiting Hospice Maui, starts at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, at Lahaina Yacht Club.

The $25 entry includes champagne tastes, buffet of pupus, and a bidding paddle. For reservations, call 667-6211.

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Celebrate Delaware Day

MAALAEA – The annual Delaware Day Celebration will take place on Thursday, Dec. 8, starting at 4 p.m. at Beach Bums BBQ & Grill located at 100 Maalaea Road in the Maalaea Harbor area.

"Holiday Pops" with guest vocalist Nicole Parker (above) is set for Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. in the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater. The Maui Pops Orchestra and Parker will present favorite holiday classics plus a little something different added by Conductor Jim Durham. Parker is best known for her portrayal of Elphaba in the Broadway production of "Wicked." With additional impressive Broadway and off-Broadway credits, Parker was also a contributing writer and cast member of Fox’s "MADtv" for six years. She has been a guest artist with numerous orchestras, including Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, Houston Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Utah Symphony and Opera, Colorado Symphony and many more. She will sing a fun-filled selection of holiday music backed by the Maui Pops. The orchestra will also play some on its own, including “Around the World at Christmas,” “Trepak” from "The Nutcracker" and Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride.” This will be a family event with an exciting variety of holiday music. Tickets are $20, $35, $45 or $55 (half price for students 18 and under); call 242-SHOW.

Be sure to look for the “Aloha from the 50th State to the 1st State” banner. All “First Staters” who are visiting the islands, have lived, worked or attended college in Delaware are encouraged to attend and wear a Delaware T-shirt or hat.

For further information, and to make a reservation, contact First State Coordinator Adele Rugg at 879 9964.

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Maui Friends of the Library to hold used book sales

Maui Friends of the Library will hold used book sales on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Kahului at the entrance of Whole Foods Market, and Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Makawao Public Library (with Santa Claus photos).

Help Maui’s less fortunate children this holiday season. The Kahiau Angel Tree Kickoff donation drive will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Lahaina Cannery Mall. Santa arrives at 10:45 a.m., to be welcomed by Maui Music Mission’s Keiki Ukulele and Keiki Chorus. The day’s entertainment slate includes family magic with Holden Mowat at noon, keiki hula by Na Kamali’i Nani O Lahaina at 1 p.m., and holiday jazz with #1 Billboard artist Rock Hendricks (pictured) and Fulton Tashombe from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Call 661-5304 for more information.

The sales will feature pre-loved books of all kinds: fiction and nonfiction, keiki and adult… starting at just $1! All proceeds benefit Maui’s public libraries, and every child gets to choose and take home a book for free.

Every day, Maui Friends of the Library sells used books, DVDs, CDs and new Hawaiiana titles at their three book stores around the island. All proceeds benefit Maui County’s public libraries.

For more information about this sale and the bookstores, www.MFOL.org.