The students, staff and board of directors of Hui Malama Learning Center would like to thank all of those who made our fundraiser last month at the Flatbread Co. in Paia such a success!
Thanks to community members and visitors for investing in our local youth through pizza purchases, and contributing to our gas fund for our first school van. The van enables students to participate in job-skills development and community-service activities.
Mahalo to the hardworking, friendly staff at Flatbread Co., especially Jenna Haugaard for supporting our student performers and providing guests with amazing pizza and excellent service. And thank you to our prize-giveaway donors: The Fairmont Kea Lani, The Royal Lahaina Resort and Doug Karatsu.
Proceeds raised will be used for tuition assistance for our middle, high school and GED students.We are so fortunate to live in a community that cares so much about the education and job preparation of our youth!
Pualani Enos
Executive director
Fact Box
* Thank-you letters are published on Sundays, space permitting.
Letters must be typed, and be limited to 250 words. The number of people or groups thanked is limited to 15. Whenever possible, include first and last names of individuals being thanked. All letters are subject to editing. The writer's name and community will be published as part of the letter.
The letters must include an address and a phone number where the writer can be reached during weekday working hours. The letters are due by noon Monday in order to be considered for publication the following Sunday.
To submit a thank-you letter, go to The Maui News Web site at www.mauinews.com. Look for Community in the left margin, then click on Submit Community News: Virtual Newsroom.
Once there, go to the Community menu and click on Thank-You Letters.
For more information, call 242-6323.
Donna Yanos
Outreach coordinator
Hui Malama Learning Center
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The Kalama Intermediate School's Parent-Community Networking Center would like to thank all the students, staff and community members who helped to make our Kalama "Giving Tree" a success again this year.
Thanks to our parents - Cora Brown, Lalena Charles, Kelly Lau, Nina Micheelsen and Teri Takamura - for sharing the duty of staffing the table for those 11 school days during the busy holiday season.
To all the parents who sent in donations with their children and to the staff members who purchased ornaments, a gracious mahalo to you, too!
Even in these tough economic times, many were able to donate. It can make a difference to those in need when we can share from the bounty of our hearts and pocketbooks.
Dana Hartley
Facilitator
Parent-Community Networking Center
Kalama Intermediate School
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Many changes were obvious at the Plantation Course last week as the PGA Tour started the season with a new sponsor. However, the champion of the inaugural SBS Championship was very familiar, as Geoff Ogilvy successfully defended his Kapalua Resort title with an exciting one-shot victory over Rory Sabbatini. Spectators enjoyed the competitive tournament as well as considerable sunshine and the sight of whales breaching in the Pacific.
While the signage at the course was different and the color scheme switched from green to blue, one consistent thing was the tremendous job that more than 600 volunteers did throughout the tournament. Pat Dawson (marshals), Lee and Ann Ahlbrecht (on-course transportation), John Valtierra and Joe Craig (on-road transportation), Dave and AJ Records (ShotLink operators/walking scorers), Jack Field (television), Kathy Taylor and Barbara Land (admissions), and Gary Robert (volunteer headquarter operations) each led a team of hardworking and dedicated volunteers, who spent many hours making the tourney a huge success.
PGA Tour management stated that the volunteer team assembled on Maui is continually one of the best the tour sees all year. As volunteer chairman, I would like to extend my thanks to each and every volunteer because, collectively, you are a fantastic team that I am proud to be associated with.
I wish you a healthy and happy year, and look forward to working with you once again in January 2011. Mahalo!
Ed Hogan
Volunteer chairman
SBS Championship
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Kudos to Suzie Cooney of Suzie Trains Maui and Tommy Callan of Beach Boy Events for putting on a wonderful, free stand-up paddling event for women Jan. 9.
They pulled together an amazing array of sponsors and helping hands to put women out on the water, some of us for the first time on a stand-up paddle board. As one of those beginners, I felt very well cared for, even though on the day of this event - with some 300 women and their boards showing up on the beach in front of the Four Seasons Resort - there was a serious shore break.
In addition to putting on a great fitness-oriented program with a slew of prizes for participants, Suzie and Tommy seemed to have pulled in a significant portion of the stand-up community on Maui to help. I especially appreciated the "board caddies," a bunch of very fit and helpful gentlemen, who helped us with our boards and got us safely in and out of that hairy shore break.
Although I spent a lot more time in the water and climbing back onto my board than I did standing up, I had a great time, and I hope the event raised lots of funds for the American Breast Cancer Foundation.
Jill Engledow
Wailuku
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Many mahalo to Maui County for keeping the Kihei pool water at a nice, warm 82 degrees. The 40 or so mostly seniors who go to Nellie's water-aerobics class three times a week are so thankful that we can do our exercises on these cooler and sometimes breezy winter days.
I'm sure Joann's somewhat younger class that follows is appreciative also. We hope it stays this way all winter and that no parts break, as in previous winters. Again, thanks to everyone responsible.
Betty Cesario
Kihei
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At a time when unwavering community support is essential to continuing our mission of feeding the homebound and less fortunate of South Maui, we say mahalo. For the seventh straight year, Mulligan's on the Blue Irish Restaurant in Wailea made Hale Kau Kau the beneficiary of its annual golf tournament. Tourney proceeds allowed Hale Kau Kau to feed the needy for nearly a month.
Our thanks also go to the Wailea Old Blue Golf Course and to the sponsors, players, donors and volunteers who made this tournament so much fun and such a success.
Hale Kau Kau, now in its 18th year, is a nonprofit meal program for the hungry, homebound and less fortunate of South Maui. Located in Kihei, we provide a warm, nutritious evening meal 365 days a year, with the help of volunteers, who generously give their time and cooking talents. The program is funded by the community, businesses, local government and individuals.
We are thankful for all this continuing support, in spite of the current economic climate. The help from Mulligan's and the Wailea Old Blue Golf Course is but one example of the outstanding support Hale Kau Kau receives. Mahalo nui loa, Maui!
Marie Osaki
Hale Kau Kau (Feeding the Needy)
Kihei
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Pomaika'i Elementary School gives a big mahalo to Hawaii USA Federal Credit Union for donating school supplies and books that were collected at its Kahului office. The staff also donated $500 worth of new books to the library. Royce Fukuroku spearheaded this project, along with co-workers Lili Briones, Dora Rabago, Shellie Kahakauwila and Mary Santos who also volunteered their time to read to our students.
Pomaika'i also thanks Barnes and Noble in Lahaina for hosting a book fair at its bookstore during the Thanksgiving weekend. The store was able to donate $116.71 from the sales generated from the book fair. Mahalo to Rose Castillo for coordinating this book fair for us.
Jan Yoshizu
Librarian
Pomaika'i Elementary School
* * *
The Friends of the Chaplain (FOTC) ministry and the Religious Volunteers of Maui Community Correctional Center thank our friends - Debi Winckler, Pat Hebert, United Methodist Women, Salvation Army, Norma Akima and Bishop Pahia, and members of the Wailuku Life in Christ Church - for blessing the inmates' children at Christmas with gifts and kindness.
After 25 years of coordinating the Prison Fellowship Angel Tree Ministry, we wish good health and wisdom to all who intercede for these children. The chaplaincy is a volunteer position, and we ask Maui County to pour blessings into the Friends of the Chaplain at 600 Waiale Road, Wailuku 96793. FOTC will mail a tax-deduction slip.
The FOTC ministry and the Religious Volunteers of MCCC send their sincere aloha and glad tidings for a prosperous 2010.
The Rev. Pua and Al Hashimoto
Staff chaplains
Friends of the Chaplain
Maui Community Correctional Center
* * *
The Maui Farm thanks those thoughtful individuals and organizations that contributed to a very Merry Christmas for the children, youth and families we serve.
We thank the elves at Old Lahaina Lu'au and the Friends of the Children's Justice Center for again providing a gift for every child. We also thank Brenda and Norman Nouskajian, Carol and Jim Ellerton, David and Glenda Grooms, Debbi and Stuart Katz, and Rob and Terri Rakusin for donating gifts for the youth and families. Special mahalo nui loa to Haleakala Ranch for its generosity, and to Zane and Beth Mathias for donating their services to photograph our holiday party.
Sincere thanks to those Maui Farm friends, who included us in their annual charitable giving. We especially acknowledge the O.L. Moore Foundation for its annual contribution and the Beyond the Rainbow Foundation for a grant from the proceeds of the Aloha Team Classic 2009.
The Maui Farm programs and services are an important community resource, and we remain committed to working alongside struggling youths and families to help them create a brighter future. To all of our supporters throughout the year, thank you for your generosity.
The Maui Farm ohana sends aloha and best wishes for peace and happiness to all the Maui County community.
Paula Ambre
Executive director
The Maui Farm
Makawao
* * *
I just wanted to praise Royal Hawaiian Movers employees Doug Souza and Tom Tigner for saving a bird hanging by its wing on a fishing line 50 feet in the air on a high beam at 400 Hana Highway. The crew was able to reach the animal and clip the line to free it before further harm was done to the bird. Great job, guys. Apparently we don't just help people move; we save lives too.
Carolyn Caires
Royal Hawaiian Movers
Kahului
