Local News

Thank-You Letters

Somos Ohana Nicaragua sends a big mahalo and gracias to the individuals, groups and businesses that helped us raise funds at our annual rummage sale and country store April 5 to further the funding of our summer 2014 projects in rural northwestern Nicaragua.

Many thanks to Pukalani Elementary School, Evonuk Farms, Ohana Drapery & Upholstery, Satisha Smith of Da Kine Herbs, Watanabe Vegetable Processing LLC, Akaku Television and Lucienne DeNaie, The Maui News, The Maui Weekly, The Lahaina News, The Maui Bulletin, Mana’o Radio, Carlos Hernandez of KNUI, other radio stations, and the countless individuals who support us with their donations and purchases of goods or their volunteer time and service.

Proceeds from the sale will boost our fund for a regional secondary school to be started this summer, which will serve students from rural communities north of Villanueva, Department of Chinandega, who have had no high school. Our other 2014 projects include our third annual day camp for special-needs youth, bike donations for rural secondary students with very long commutes to their school, and tuition help for two college students studying to become teachers and therapists.

Somos Ohana Nicaragua

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Praise be to God! A huge mahalo to Joyce and Wes Higuchi, Michele and Daryl Sakuma, Kahului Baptist Church and its members, fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and Maui County’s Department of Water Supply for all your undying love, unwavering prayers and endless support during our time of need. A benefit yard sale was held at Kahului Baptist Church on behalf of Billy Martinellie, who is suffering from cancer, on March 22. Your generosity will forever be remembered and is truly appreciated! May God continue to bless each and every one of you and your families abundantly.

William & Gail Martinellie

Puunene

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On behalf of the board of directors and staff of Na Hoaloha – Neighbors Helping Neighbors, we wish to acknowledge the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church’s generous donation of office space since we opened our doors as the Maui Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers in 1996. Over the years, we have been able to provide thousands of rides and friendly visits to homebound seniors and people with disabilities.

We sincerely thank the church leadership, staff and parishioners for their gracious hospitality.

Joyce Afalla, president

Na Hoaloha – Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Local News

Thank-You Letters

On behalf of the Makawao Public Library staff, I want to acknowledge and thank the mayor’s office, Mike Molina, Mayor Alan Arakawa and county workers for a timely response to a request for signage at the busy crosswalk fronting the Makawao Public Library.

Thank you for being concerned about the safety of all who come to Makawao: children, visitors, workers and residents.

We are hoping the signage will make a big difference and get drivers to pay close attention to the crosswalk, pedestrian safety and the speed limit.

Audrey Love

Paia

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It was windy, rainy and cold for Maui, but happily the whales were breaching all over. Seventy intrepid members and friends of the American Association of University Women had a great time on Pacific Whale Foundation’s Ocean Odyssey. The sale of tickets and donations brought in enough money for AAUW to fund approximately two $2,000 scholarships for the University of Hawaii Maui College.

AAUW Maui branch members wish to thank all those who bought tickets, made donations of cash or donated door prizes. We also wish to thank the Pacific Whale Foundation for allowing us to use Ocean Odyssey and her crew for our annual fundraiser. We hope next year to have fair skies, a full boat and, of course, wonderful whales.

Karen Grafe

AAUW Whale Watch chairwoman

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Thank you to the Hyundai Tournament of Champions for raising $333,185 in 2014 for Hawaii nonprofits including the designated beneficiaries Boy Scouts of America Maui County Council, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center, Hale Makua Health Services, J. Walter Cameron Center, Ka Lima O Maui and Lahainaluna High School Foundation.

The Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children via Hyundai’s Hope on Wheels and 5K Run/Walk also received a donation.

The tournament’s total contributions to Hawaii charities since moving the Tournament of Champions to Maui in 1999 has now reached nearly $5 million.

Hale Makua Health Services is privileged be a part of this world-class PGA Tour event and the tremendous impact that it makes throughout Maui. We appreciate the tournament’s continued support of Maui’s nonprofits and its help in furthering our mission to improve the well-being of those in our care.

A special mahalo to Tournament Director Nancy Cross for all of her hard work and efforts in ensuring that this event is a success, tournament sponsor Hyundai Motor America, the PGA Tour, and the dozens of individuals who volunteered on behalf of Hale Makua Health Services.

We’re looking forward to next year’s tournament, to be held Jan. 8-12.

Denise Thayer

director of development and marketing

Hale Makua Health Services

Local News

Thank-You Letters

Members of the Maui branch of the American Association of University Women would like to thank Scott Fisher, director of conservation for the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust, for his excellent presentation about HILT’s Waihe’e Coastal Dunes and Wetlands Refuge.

Fisher’s wide-ranging talk included the archaeological evidence for what Waihee looked like during its 1,000 years of human habitation. His informative talk included descriptions of the site’s huge heiau, enormous freshwater irrigation system and the intricate systems of both fresh and saltwater ponds in which fish and taro were grown.

Surprising to many of us was the information that the very large sand dunes backing the Waihee site once extended through Kihei and all the way to Makena. Fisher emphasized that visiting the beautiful Waihee preserve is encouraged by HILT, with overnight camping allowed. Other activities available include fishing, hiking, exploring, volunteering for weekly cleanup days and attending the educational tours Fisher conducts.

Information about other sensitive Maui sites being preserved by HILT, in addition to their work across the Hawaiian Islands, is available on hilt.org.

Since one of the major goals of AAUW is to promote education, we are additionally grateful to Fisher and HILT for the very important work they do teaching the public about restoration and land protection in Hawaii.

AAUW also wishes to extend a big mahalo to Dragon Dragon’s Raymond Shek and his staff for the delicious lunch expertly served following the presentation. We will miss you.

American Association of University Women

Maui branch

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I would like to thank Mayor Alan Arakawa, the Public Works Department, Executive Assistant Mike Molina and Makawao resident Janice Salvador for the installation of flashing lights on Makawao and Baldwin avenues.

The lights have helped drivers become more aware of pedestrians, including children and senior citizens who cross these roads.

Also, I would like to express my appreciation as a Pukalani resident for the flashing lights along Pukalani Road near the shopping center as well.

Lorna Ramon

Pukalani

Local News

Thank-You Letters

Mahalo to the organizers, volunteers, and sponsors of the March 29 Wahine Kekoa event honoring women veterans. It was a wonderful day filled with valuable information, fun and camaraderie.

Monica Heeney

Kahului

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On March 22, a benefit yard sale was held at Kahului Baptist Church on behalf of Billy Martinellie, who is suffering from cancer. Fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and co-workers from the Maui County water department came together to encourage and bless the family of Billy Martinellie, who is battling an aggressive form of cancer.

A huge mahalo to the Maui County water department, Kahului Baptist Church and all those who came to support the Martinellie family. Although it was a rainy day, many came and the event was truly blessed by God and the efforts of many to help this dear family with incurring large medical expenses.

Billy Martinellie is the husband of Gail Martinellie, who is an employee of the Maui County water department.

Joyce Higuchi

Kahului