People for Educational Equality board members present the check to the Lahaina Complex After School Enrichment Tutoring Project; pictured (from left) are Flo Wiger, Barbara Potts, Pat and Richard Endsley, Lisa Agdeppa and Mihaela Stoops.

LAHAINA – The Aina Nalu Wine & Silent Auction Fundraiser, held on May 25 and sponsored by People for Educational Equality, LahainaTown Action Committee and others, was a huge success.

The Lahaina Complex After School Enrichment Tutoring Project received $21,000 as a result of the fundraiser and private donations.

Attendees of the May event enjoyed a wonderful evening with friends, pupus, wine, live entertainment by Sam Ahia and a huge silent auction in a beautiful setting around Aina Nalu’s infinity pool.

The event was held at the Aina Nalu Pavilion at 660 Wainee St. The decorations were elegant, and the ambiance was perfect for a night of mingling – and most importantly, giving!

Waiters passed around pupus provided by Betty’s Beach Caf, Pioneer Inn, Take Home Maui, CJ’s Deli, Lahaina Yacht Club, Fleetwood’s on Front Street, The Bakery, Koa’s Seaside Grill, and Ono Gelato, as well as committee members Debbie Arakaki, Liz May, Connie Stevenson, Cathy Kampstra and PFEE Board Member Flo Wiger.

There was an impressive array of wines from all over the world donated by local businesses and individuals.

Many chose to sample and drink their wine from the commemorative wine glass they were given upon entry to the event. For those who preferred a different kind of beverage, Maui Brewing Company donated an assortment of locally brewed beers.

The Lahaina Complex After School Enrichment Tutoring Project, founded by Richard and Pat Endsley of Lahaina over 13 years ago, helps students in the four public schools of West Maui to increase literacy and comprehension in various subjects and to build self confidence, self-esteem and leadership qualities.

The project has no regular source of funding, is staffed with all volunteer tutors, and provides bus service and snacks, annual curriculum and incentives for students.

Richard and Pat Endsley, along with Lee and Barbara Potts, offer their thanks to all the donors, volunteers and attendees.

Richard said that he was “overwhelmed at the amount of talent displayed by the volunteers and Fundraiser Committee members. They are a wonderful team!”

“We could not have had such an outstanding fundraiser event without your incredible support! We are so blessed to have so many people who care about the education of our keiki and our tutoring project. A huge mahalo to all of you,” said Pat of the volunteers.

Liz May of AAAAA Rent a Space in Lahaina said that her efforts as a committee member were “a true labor of love benefitting education. I believe [this fundraiser is] one of the best causes in our community.”

Lee and Barbara Potts are planning another Aina Nalu fundraiser in May 2015 (every other year) for the tutoring project, and they support the project on an ongoing basis through donations and volunteer tutoring.

If you are interested in donating to this important project that benefits hundreds of public school children and their families in West Maui every year, you can donate online at www.razoo.com/story/Lahaina-Tutoring-Program or www.pfee.org, or mail a donation to People for Educational Equality, c/o Barbara Potts, 180 Dickenson St. #217, Lahaina, HI 96761.

Volunteers are excited about implementing new instructional lessons for students enrolled in the Lahaina Complex After School Enrichment Tutoring Project.

The 13th year of free after school tutoring in three Lahaina public schools begins on Sept. 10.

This year, approximately 268 students in grades 3-8 will be tutored by 100 adult volunteers and 50 Lahainaluna High school students.

“The project is successful thanks to our dedicated and caring volunteers from The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua Resort, Rotary Clubs of Lahaina and citizens from Wailuku, Kahului and Lahaina,” explained Pat Endsley.

Instructional lessons have been redesigned to meet the new Core Curriculum Standards in language arts/reading and in mathematics.

Theatre Theatre Maui will present drama lessons on Mondays at Lahaina Intermediate School.

Fourth-graders will ride the bus to Lahainaluna High School for math tutoring on Tuesdays. Math will also be taught on Tuesdays to Lahaina Intermediate School students in grades 6, 7 and 8.

Wednesdays and Thursdays will include a rich program of reading and writing using content from literature, history and science for students in grades 5-7 and for English Language Learners in grades 6-8.

During the week of Aug. 19, tutors received intensive training to improve their skills in teaching reading and writing skills and test taking skills.

Students who have been accepted into the programs must attend their site orientation meeting to meet their tutors and receive instructions about the programs.

Orientation meetings for parents, students and tutors are scheduled as follows: Wednesday, Sept. 4, King Kamehameha III Elementary School Cafeteria, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 5, Princess Nahi’ena’ena Elementary School Cafeteria, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.; and Monday, Sept. 9, Lahaina Intermediate School Cafeteria, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.

Contact your child’s school PCNC facilitator for more information.