Fourth of July festivities at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa included a Flower Shower of 60,000 fresh orchids dropped from a Blue Hawaiian helicopter, lei making immediately after the flower drop, the Beach Ball Extravaganza, photos with four resort associates in mermaid costumes, two female aerial artists performing a dangling rope act at the resort’s pool deck area, keiki games and all-day pool and beach lawn party with barbecue favorites and Fourth of July specials.

Golf tourney to support buildout of Lahaina housing project

KAHULUI – The nonprofit Na Hale O Maui (NHOM) invites the community to participate in its inaugural charity golf tournament on Sunday, July 16, at Makena Golf & Beach Club. A $10,000 prize is being offered for a hole-in-one on the 15th hole.

This is a reservation-only, space-limited tournament; registration will not be available at the event. For more information, visit “http://www.nahaleomaui.org/events.php”>www.nahaleomaui.org/events.php or e-mail info@ nahaleomaui.org.

NHOM is partnering with Makena Golf & Beach Club to host its first charity golf tournament. The event costs $250 per individual player and includes a full breakfast, buffet luncheon and entry in hole-in-one and closest-to-the-pin contests throughout the course.

The tournament begins at 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start. Breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m., and the club’s driving range will be open.

George Allan is the artist-in-residence at Village Galleries at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua this month. The gallery is hosting an exhibition of his recent works (“Heading to School” is pictured) and oil painting with palette knife demonstrations every Tuesday (July 11, 18 and 25) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Allan’s large-scale oils are part of the resort’s permanent art collection. Call 669-1800 or visit villagegalleriesmaui.com for information.

Proceeds from the event will support the buildout of new three- and four-bedroom homes in Kahoma, Lahaina. The homes will benefit low- and moderate-income island families, with a priority for those who work and/or live in Lahaina.

“We invite you to join us for a fantastic morning of premier golf at the Makena Golf & Beach Club to support providing truly affordable housing in perpetuity for Maui families,” said NHOM President Michael Trotto. “Your participation will help us change the lives of 12 Maui families that work or live in West Maui.”

Na Hale O Maui is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created in August 2006. Its mission is: “To secure and preserve a permanent supply of affordable housing alternatives for low- and moderate-income households in Maui County.”

NHOM has proven the viability of the Community Land Trust form of homeownership in Maui County over the past ten years, with 33 Maui families currently owning homes. For more information, visit www.nahaleomaui.org.

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Tickets are now on sale for "Disney’s Mulan Jr.," performed live on stage by students of Maui Academy of Performing Arts’ Summer Musical Theatre Camp. The show runs July 21–23 and 28–30 at the `A`ali`ikuhonua Creative Arts Center at Seabury Hall in Makawao. Ticket prices for reserved seats are $15 for adults and $12 for youth, and general admission seats are $12/$10. And bring the whole family to "Mulan Family Day;" the Saturday 3 p.m. shows are just $10, and the entire house is general admission. Call 244-8760. PHOTO BY PETER SWANZY.

Residents asked to pay residential landfill fees in cash

WAILUKU – A new residential landfill fee began on July 1 for users of the Central Maui Landfill only.

The residential landfill fee is $3 and needs to be paid in cash until the Department of Environmental Management can set up an online system for residents to pay with credit and debit cards in October, the county reported.

For more information, click on www.co.maui.hi.us/765/Landfill-Information or call 270-7875.

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The Shops at Wailea will welcome Na Hoku Hanohano and Grammy Award winner John Cruz on Wednesday, July 19, at 5:30 p.m. at the Fountain Courtyard. Concerts at The Shops is a monthly concert series that is open to the public and features headlining musicians from all the Hawaiian Islands. This free event occurs on the third Wednesday of every month from 5:30 to 7 p.m. For a complete calendar of events, activities and entertainment, visit TheShopsAtWailea.com.

Meet Maui authors

LAHAINA – “Remote islands isolated by vast seas have long attracted the seafarer, the dreamer, the artist, and the teller of tall tales along with the colorful folk of dubious past deeds, some of whom gather fortnightly to share their thoughts and creativity as the Maui Writers Ink. We hope you enjoy our stories. Some will make you laugh, some might make you cry, and some could make you think and reflect upon how – and why – you came to Maui, too.” (Nansy Phleger).

So begins the inaugural collection of 33 stories and poems by eight local authors, all members of Maui Writers Ink. Their book will be featured at the Local Authors Table in Campbell Park during Lahaina’s Second Friday Town Party on July 14 beginning at 5 p.m.

Joining Maui Writers Ink will be John Scheiman with his thrillers, Howard Fields with his WWII history books, Elaine Gallant with her novel about the CIA and Russia’s diamonds, and Oliver Gold with his crazy tales of searching for love on Maui. Come meet these authors and have them sign your purchases. Most books are also available at the Lahaina Visitor Center at the Old Lahaina Courthouse, Maui Friends of the Library Bookstores at The Wharf Cinema Center and Queen Ka’ahumanu Center, as well as from the authors themselves.

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Maui Brewing Co. at Kahana Gateway will host another “Wag Your Tails for Maui Ales!” event on Friday, July 28, from 6 to 10 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from Maui Brewing Co. beers sold will be donated to Assistance Dogs of Hawaii. ADH provides people with physical disabilities and special needs with specially trained dogs, giving them the freedom and confidence to live more independent lives. Call Maui Brewing Co. at 669-3474 for information.

Maui Orchid Society to meet

WAILUKU – The Maui Orchid Society meets monthly on the third Tuesday at Wailuku Community Center at 6:30 p.m. The next meeting will be held on July 18.

Meeting activities open this month with member Andy Okada sharing his knowledge on “Starting An Orchid Collection” at 6:30 p.m.

The featured speaker is Michael Blietz of Exotic Orchids of Maui on “The Rights and Wrongs of Fertilizing.”

Maui Orchid Society meetings are open to the public; however, only members are able to participate in door prize orchid giveaways, show and tell exhibits and sometimes silent and live auctions.

Annual membership is $15 (free for seniors over 80).

Dr. Bert K. Akitake is the president of Maui Orchid Society. Retired, he is an avid grower and promoter of the society that was founded in 1941.

“The Maui Orchid Society begins its 76th year of service to the Maui community; and, as president, I would like to encourage all those who may be interested in the growing and caring for orchids to please join us.

“Orchid culture can be a rewarding experience, and it is important to know there are no ‘black thumbs’ when it comes to the growing of orchids. All orchids will grow if given the right ‘microclimate,’ and it is our purpose to help you discover this, with your participation in the Maui Orchid Society ‘ohana.’

“Please, join us and enjoy the excitement that comes with the growing of orchids,” Akitake added.

For more information, call Akitake at 250-1585 or visit http://www. mauiorchid society.org.

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DMVL offices to close for staff training on Friday

WAILUKU – The County of Maui Department of Finance’s Division of Motor Vehicles & Licensing (DMVL) announced that all DMVL offices will be closed on Friday, July 14, for staff training.

Due to the one-day closure of the Kahului DMVL office at the Maui Mall Service Center, the other offices located at the Service Center, Real Property Assessment and Real Property Tax, will also be closed to the public on July 14.

The DMVL offices (with the exception of the Kihei Satellite Office) will resume regular customer service hours on Monday, July 17.

The Kihei Satellite Offices were closed on July 3 for construction work. They are tentatively scheduled to reopen on Wednesday, July 26.

Customers with questions may call the DMVL Call Center at (808) 270-7363. For general DMVL information, visit www.mauicounty.gov/DMVL.