West Maui cheerleading program to start new classes in April

Maui Cheer All-stars finally has a home on the West Side.
WEST MAUI — Maui Cheer All-stars, formerly Cheer808 Maui, is celebrating new beginnings.
They started their program in May 2008 with Cheer808 Inc. in Oahu. In 2010, a group of energized parents and a former cheerleading enthusiast decided to venture into creating their own identity, now known as Maui Cheer All-stars.
Since then, they have been diligently structuring their nonprofit cheerleading program to benefit youths ages 5-18. Recently, they opened the program up to participants ages 18-35.
This is the first West Side program to have a structured 501(c) nonprofit organization and gym.
Struggling over the last two years to find a safe practice environment, in September 2010 they found a home — a gym to comfortably accommodate their needs at Kilohana Development Center, which is owned and operated by Jim Whitehead and Tyler Coons.
“We are so blessed and grateful to have supportive families, parents and the community to help us with our program. Everything in our gym was done with a little bit of love here and there, and donations from our sponsors gave it more of an added touch,” said Marilyn Valencia, program director.
“Even though we don’t have what we really want in our gym, it is functional and safe for our team to practice. We are just thankful that we have a place to call home for our program.”
Maui Cheer All-stars is open all year long for registration. Monthly tuition is $75 per month with sibling specials. Cost for uniforms and other expenses follow with commitment to the program.
The gym is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Dance classes, stunting, basic cheerleading drills and motions, tumbling and gymnastics, and flight school for stunting flyers instruction will start in April.
Zumba classes are offered on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. with Trixia of Live, Laugh and Love ZUMBA. Subleasing is also available.
“We encourage our community youths, both male and female, to join us in this fun sport and take advantage of this cheerleading phenomena. You never know how fun it is until you actually try it,” said Valencia.
The program focuses on basic fundamentals of cheerleading and helps participants develop acquired skills that they can utilize at the high school and collegiate levels. They will soon offer a scholarship program for members that qualify and meet certain criteria.
Maui Cheer All-stars also makes community service a priority. In recent years, they have supported the Go Green recycling campaign, Visitor Industry Charity Walk, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Freedom Families-Scholarships for Victims of 9/11, Malama I ke Kai-Ocean Day Cleanup, Community Work Day highway cleanups, West Maui Health and Fitness Expo and Maui County Fair Spirit Showcase.
Team members include Irish Barlaan, Ronalyn Cabida, Aprelene Curesama, Maila Kanohokula, Chassidy Prones, Sami-Lei Saribay, Tayler Hayase, Taylor Trout, Perry McCall, Charmey Valencia, Sheila Manuel, Rona Bigorina, Gemima Salem and Johlie Pascua.
The staff also includes head coach Dexter Quiambao, assistant head coach Otis Gomes, assistant coach Joyce Curesma, Deanna Asuncion, Daven Dolan, President Jonelle Watson and Vice President Stacy Dagupion.
In April, the team will travel to Oahu to compete in the Aloha Spirit International. Merging with the Maui Cheer Babes of Wailuku, the students will compete as the Maui Cheer Force in levels 1, 2, 4 and 4.2 for a total of 55-plus members. They also will compete as individuals and in stunt groups.
To date, Maui Cheer All-stars have won four international, four national and one grand championship titles.
For information, contact Valencia at (808) 268-3250.
Maui Cheer All-stars thanked the following sponsors: Bob and Tess Cartwright of Whalers Realty, Starwood Hotels-The Westin Maui (Ho’olokahi) and Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas, Willamson’s Luxury Kitchen and Bath, Valencia Construction, Lahainaluna Shell Gas Station-Lahaina Petroleum, Lahaina Car Wash and Lube, Ameritone-Kahului, Lulu’s Lahaina Cannery Mall, Jeans Warehouse-Lahaina Cannery Mall, Four Sisters Bakery Lahaina, Komodo Bakery, Rainbow Glass, Riddim of Knowledge, Mele Pono, Conrad Bolor and Nathan Williams of Lahainaluna High School Wrestling.