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Royal Lahaina to rock for benefit of Lahaina’s library

By Staff | Jul 7, 2011

Preparing for the Rotary Club of Lahaina’s “Savor the Sunset” library benefit party on Thursday, July 14, artist Jim Kingwell (left) shows Rotary President-elect Eric van Ketel an oil painting of Lahaina Public Library he is working on for the event’s auction.

KAANAPALI — California’s Citrus College Night Shift — a crowd-pleasing pop rock ensemble featuring trumpeters, keyboardist, percussion, guitar players and vocalists — will rock the Royal Lahaina Resort on Thursday, July 14, to support the Rotary Club of Lahaina’s campaign to renovate Lahaina Public Library.

Keeping a promise to appear at Rotary’s “Savor the Sunset” benefit for the second straight year, the popular performing group — which has earned rave reviews as the summer band for the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa for the past ten years — will cap off the evening after a sunset performance of Hawaiian music.

At the benefit, guests will taste wines from Better Brands, enjoy signature pupus from Royal Lahaina chefs and participate in a live and silent auction from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Tickets, priced at a modest $35 in advance to attract the broad spectrum of library patrons and visitors, can be purchased at 5A Rent-A-Space at 3600 Lower Honoapiilani Road (call 669-5200) or the Royal Lahaina Resort (661-3611, extension 2348). Tickets can be picked up in person or held for will call at the event.

“Attracting the best young musicians in the nation and training them to become professional performers, the Citrus College group last year stole the show and helped make this the party of the year,” said newly elected Rotary Club of Lahaina President Eric van Ketel.

He added that the Rotary Club of Lahaina is committed to three years of benefits for the cause of renovating Lahaina Public Library.

“This is a major effort for our Rotary to be spearheading, and we are so gratified at the community’s response,” he said.

College Dean and Band Director Robert Slack, a highly credentialed musician, said that last year, the band had so much fun as Rotarians and guests danced before them. They decided to return to support this good cause.

The Rotary Club of Lahaina is sponsoring the initiative to raise funds to carry through ambitious plans to give Lahaina Public Library’s interior a needed facelift, said Sara Foley, Renovation Committee co-chair.

Auction items include an oil painting created for the occasion by plein air artist and gallery owner Jim Kingwell that captures the essence of the public library serving patrons of all ages with information and entertainment resources.

Foley said anyone who wishes to write a tax-deductible check, whether they attend Savor the Sunset or not, should make it payable to Maui Friends of the Library for Lahaina Public Library.

Maui Friends of the Library will use all of the proceeds for the renovation in a cooperative effort between Rotary, Librarian Madeleine Buchanan and the Hawaii State Public Library System, which has provided input for the renovation plan.

The Rotary Club of Lahaina also seeks contributions of preselected building materials and professional contractor services.

Various groups from Citrus College led by Slack will be appearing daily at the Hyatt through July 24 (see related article on page 3).

In addition to the Rotary Club of Lahaina, Savor the Sunset is being sponsored by the Royal Lahaina Resort, Better Brands and Citrus College, whose band is donating the live entertainment for the event.

For more information, go to www.rotaryclublahaina.org or call 669-5200.