Jim Kingwell just completed the last of five panels of his six- by 15-foot oil painting, “Sweet Lahaina Night,” depicting Lahaina Town. The complete limited edition set will be on display Thursday, Dec. 21. A reception for the artist with music and refreshments will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at Kingwell Island Art Studio at 834 Front St. in Lahaina. For information, call (808) 281-2945.

Malama Maui Nui launches holiday gratitude campaign

KAHULUI – Malama Maui Nui, a local 501(c) nonprofit focused on environmental conservation, recently launched a holiday gratitude video series and is inviting the public to participate.

Titled “The Faces of Malama Maui Nui,” the series features videos from various partners, supporters and volunteers who express gratitude for the organization’s efforts.

According to MMN Community Relations Specialist Megan Moseley, the concept formed in an effort to showcase the people who embody the spirit of Malama Maui Nui.

“These messages demonstrate the diverse group of stakeholders who make our mission come alive on a daily basis,” she said. “We hope their words resonate with you and will inspire everyone to get involved with Malama Maui Nui.”

Phil Lesh & Friends will perform on Dec. 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater. Formed and led by Lesh, former bassist of the Grateful Dead, the band takes the music of the Dead and an ever-increasing number of other influences and touring members to explore and interpret the music in new ways. All of the incarnations of Phil & Friends have followed a trend of “updating” the Grateful Dead’s massive body of work, and all have been extremely adept at the long, exploratory jams that were a trademark of the legendary band. Phil Lesh & Friends has been acclaimed for giving new life to the Grateful Dead’s material, bringing in new styles and innovations, while at the same time remaining loyal to the original music and fans. Supporting Phil is special guest and Grammy Award-winning guitarist, songwriter and producer Eric Krasno, along with the same ultra-talented lineup of musicians who performed during last year’s successful Hawaii run: Grahame Lesh, Ross James, Alex Koford and Jason Crosby. Tickets are $140 or $150; call 242-SHOW or visit www.MauiArts.org for tickets.

To view the videos, go to www.malamamauinui.org/faces-malama-maui-nui. If you’re interested in submitting a video describing your partnership experience with MMN, e-mail info@malamamauinui.org.

Malama Maui Nui is a community-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate, inspire and empower individuals and communities to beautify and maintain Maui Nui’s environment, thereby supporting its economy, quality of life and unique Hawaiian culture. MMN brings individual volunteers, local businesses, community organizations and government agencies together to promote the environmental health of Maui County.

MMN, a Keep America Beautiful Affiliate, is supported by the Maui County Department of Environmental

Management.

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Roselani Place and Ola Na Mele Productions invite you to a Picnic for Poki concert at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, at Historic Kaahumanu Church in Wailuku Town, 103 South High St. The featured guest with live entertainment will be Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner Napua Greig. Bring lunch with you and enjoy fresh baked cookies from Roselani Place. Relax under the monkeypod tree for an hour or so at this free event, which is open to the public. Picnic for Poki is held every third Thursday of the month to continue bringing the spirit of aloha and Hawaiian music to the Maui community.

Maui Cannabis Conference signs on new speakers

KAANAPALI – The Maui Cannabis Conference announced that it has signed on several new speakers for the event’s series, including Andrew DeAngelo and Samantha Campos from Harborside Dispensary, the nation’s model cannabis dispensary, for the first annual conference on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 6-7, 2018, at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa in Kaanapali.

Other speakers include keynote speaker Sen. Roz Baker, Teri Freitas Gorman from Maui Grown Therapies and Richard Ha from Lau Ola Dispensary.

“The Marijuana Show” will host a pitch lesson and casting call for its fourth season on Amazon Prime, which has 10 million viewers.

The conference will be promoting cannabis awareness and education regarding the health benefits of medical marijuana, as well as offering networking opportunities for cannabis industry leaders.

Central Pacific Bank has appointed Tracey Lyum to vice president and senior financial consultant with Central Pacific Investment Services located at the bank. In her new position, Lyum is responsible for providing customers with comprehensive financial advice and wealth management services.

This two-day event will feature a speaker series, exhibition and vending hall, Maui Wowie VIP Party and Mobile Clinic, where guests can make an appointment with a physician to find out if they qualify for a 329 Hawaii State Medical Cannabis License.

The conference will be open to the public, and a 329 Medical Cannabis License is not required for entrance. Tickets to the event can be purchased on eventbrite.com and cost $20 each day, $50 for the Maui Wowie VIP Party or $75 for an all-access pass.

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MEO to honor Souki

WAIKAPU – Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. (MEO) will hold its Annual Gala honoring State House Speaker Emeritus Joe Souki and other former MEO executives and board members on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at the King Kamehameha Clubhouse from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Sponsorships range from $15,000 to $500 and include event tickets. Individual tickets are $150.

For sponsorships, ticket purchases or more information, contact Debbie Cabebe at 249-2990 or debbie.cabebe@ meoinc.org.

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E-Cycling holiday schedule announced

WAILUKU – The County of Maui Department of Environmental Management recently announced the holiday schedule for E-Cycling, the county’s electronics recycling program.

E-Cycling, managed by Habitat for Humanity Maui under a County Recycling Grant from the Environmental Protection & Sustainability Division, will be open as follows: Saturday, Dec. 23, and Tuesday, Dec. 26, closed; Saturday, Dec. 30, open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tuesday, Jan. 2, open from 1 to 5 p.m.; and Thursday, Jan. 4, open from 9 a.m. to noon.

After the holidays, days and hours are expected to remain stable through June 2018. Normal hours of operation are Tuesdays from 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

E-Cycling accepts all computers and televisions and everything that attaches to them, including printers of every size, plotters, DVD players and TVs. All phones, microwaves, audio and gaming devices ever made are also accepted. At least one 40-foot container is shipped off-island to the Mainland for recycling every week.

E-Cycling is located at 901 Lower Main St. in Wailuku across from the ILWU Building; look for the rainbow-colored “Open” flag when the site is open.

The public is asked to please respect the facility by not leaving anything outside the gate when E-Cycling is closed.

For information, call the E-Cycling information line at 280-6460.

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Slow down and save a nene

KULA – Nene breeding season has arrived, which means the endangered birds are more active along Crater Road in Haleakala National Park.

Because the road bisects native shrub land where nene feed and nest, the birds are especially vulnerable to being killed by cars.

Nene are found in Hawaii and nowhere else on Earth. In the busy Headquarters Visitor Center area, where nesting pairs are often seen, fences have been installed to keep the birds off the road.

Multi-lingual “Slow Down for Nene” posters are being distributed to rental car agencies on Maui through an outreach program now in its fourth year. Park visitors also get a free card that lists ways to protect the endangered birds.

“Slowing down and driving carefully are the most important actions visitors and local drivers can take to help this species,” said Park Superintendent Natalie Gates.

“This is especially true on cloudy days, at dawn or dusk, or in other low light conditions. We need everyone’s help to protect the nene.”