The Maui Huliau Foundation announced that the Huliau Environmental Filmmaking Club is returning to the West Side for spring 2018 at Maui Preparatory Academy. Registration is open this week.

NAPILI – The Huliau Environmental Filmmaking Club run by the nonprofit Maui Huliau Foundation has been helping students in grades 7-12 from all Maui schools make films about local environmental issues for the past eight years.

These films range from documentaries to music videos and have been selected 83 times for film festivals around the world.

The semester-long program normally meets after school at Hawaiian Canoe Club in Kahului. However, last spring, Maui Huliau Foundation partnered with Maui Preparatory Academy in Napili to bring the program to West Side communities in a condensed format.

Due to the success of last year’s program, the club is returning to the West Side for spring 2018.

“We are so grateful that Maui Preparatory Academy has again offered us space for this program,” said Malia Cahill, Maui Huliau Foundation executive director.

Students from all Maui schools make films about local environmental issues in the club.

“Last year’s students made some amazing films, and we are thrilled to be able to offer the program again to West Side students. Our goal moving forward is to find ways to make the program accessible to students in all parts of the island.”

Students in grades 7-12 from all West Side schools can apply on the MHF website before Jan. 12 or until all spots are filled.

The program fee is only $75, including snacks, most transportation and a Huliau T-shirt. Need-based scholarships are also available.

The program meets mostly on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., including Feb. 18-19, Feb. 25 and March 4 and 11.

Filming will take place during part of spring break, and editing sessions will be scheduled on weekend days in April.

The West Side program is only offered during spring semester, as the fall program will continue to be based at Hawaiian Canoe Club.

A full schedule and program application can be found at www.mauihuliaufoundation.org/hefc. Call 757-2100 for more information.

Maui Huliau Foundation’s mission is to promote environmental literacy and leadership among Maui’s youth.

Its other programs include Huliau Outdoor Leadership Council, the Huliau Climate Literacy Project, Huliau Green Events and the Huliau Eco-Adventure alumni-run summer camp.

Through unique, hands-on programs, they seek to educate and empower Maui 12- to 18-year-olds to become stewards of our natural environment. n