We are just days away from the scheduled opening of the 2020-21 school year in the Lahaina Complex on Aug. 4.

While many facets of the upcoming year are up in the air due to the COVID-19 pandemic, two things are certain: students need school supplies, and many West Maui families are struggling due to our stalled tourist economy.

First, some good news from the Princess Nahi’ena’ena Elementary School PTA, as posted on Facebook: “We’ve Got You! We know times are tough right now, and anxiety about back-to-school is affecting many parents and guardians. In an effort to relieve some of the financial burden due to COVID-19, Princess Nahi’ena’ena PTA will be purchasing school supplies for all students this year.”

To help equip needy West Maui students, the Rotary Club of Lahaina’s annual School Supply Donation Drive will be held on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1-2.

Rotarians will be collecting school supplies from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the south side entrance of Lahaina Cannery Mall near the Longs/CVS store.

Supplies and cash donations will benefit West Side schools and keiki programs.

“‘It takes a village to raise a child’ is an African proverb that means that an entire community of people must interact with children for those children to experience and grow in a safe and healthy environment – like our West Maui community looks out for our students and children,” Rotarian Rhonda Park explained.

The following weekend, Lahaina’s Sunset and Sunrise Rotary Clubs will collect school supplies and donations (see page 2).

Park hopes to see residents make donations this weekend.

“This annual Rotary effort has been a successful community partnership in giving… your help is needed more than in past years as our keiki return to school under COVID-19 learning conditions, where sharing of a student’s tools and materials may not be encouraged,” she concluded.