Concert will feature eclectic gathering
The combined choirs of Maria Lanakila and Sacred Hearts Mission Catholic churches will present their annual Christmas in Lahaina concert at 7 p.m. Friday at Maria Lanakila. The concert is free, although "goodwill offerings" will be accepted.
The program will include Christmas carols by the Filipino and Hispanic choirs, a performance by the Hawaiian choir and singing by the children of Sacred Hearts School Honors choir, as well as Maria Lanakila's youth choir. The Tongan choir will perform Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus."
There will be refreshments and a surprise ending to the eclectic gathering of voices, according to a news release. Maria Lanakila Catholic Church is at the corner of Dickenson and Wainee streets.
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Tour guide to speak at Rotary meeting
Cindi Welson, the owner of Local Tastes of Maui Tours, will speak at the meeting of the Rotary Club of Kihei Sunrise at 7:30 this morning at the Five Palms Restaurant at the Mana Kai Maui Resort in Kihei.
Weldon is a longtime educator originally from Seattle. She has spent 35 years working in schools both in Seattle and Hawaii. After moving to Upcountry Maui, she became aware of the unique charm of the island's small towns and decided to launch tours that would benefit local merchants as well as visitors and locals.
The cost of the breakfast is $22. The public is invited. For more information, contact President Patty Hemmen at 280-8372 or see the club's website at www.kiheirotary.org.
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Author will appear at book signing
Maui author Stuart Nicholls will attend a book signing from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at A Saigon Cafe in Wailuku. His book, "Thunder Road: The Journey Home," is based on a true story of a Vietnam combat veteran who returns to the land of his former enemy in search of peace and a place called home.
The book will be available for cash and check purchases only. The price is $18. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Nicholls at snicholls@hawaii.rr.com.
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Dinner and dance set for Monday
The Maui Chapter of the Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association will sponsor a Christmas dinner and dance in the Maui Beach Hotel's Elleair Ballroom from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday. Tickets are $40 through Friday and $50 from Saturday onward, including tickets purchased at the door. For information and tickets, call Lydia Dela Cruz at 244-3263.
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Library to screen 'Elf' on Thursday
Wailuku Public Library will offer a free screening of the Christmas classic "Elf" on Family Movie Night at 6 Thursday.
The comedy starring Will Ferrell is rated PG. All children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
Contact the library as soon as possible if a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation is needed. For more information, call the library at 243-5766.
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Club raises $500 for Angel Tree
A Dec. 1 cruise staged by the Slammed Society car and truck club raised more than $500 for The Salvation Army's Angel Tree project.
Members of the club gathered at the Kahului Burger King to accept donations for Angel Tree, which delivers holiday gifts to deserving, disadvantaged families. In less then two hours, the club members with their custom vehicles raised more than $500 in donations.
On Dec. 6, club members went to a Salvation Army Angel Tree to select names and shop for the gifts requested.
Slammed Society's next charitable activity will be in February at Wailuku Good Shepherd Church's "Feed the Hungry," serving lunches.
The club is more than 20 years old and has six original members: President Anthony Munson, Vice President William Kapoi, Byron Aloy, Bryan Aloy, Steve Aheong and Val Lincoln. The club is committed to serving the island and providing a positive outlet for the younger generations.
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School's shopping fundraiser now open
Kula School PTA has announced its opening of www.kulaptastore.com to the community and the public.
Kulaptastore.com is a yearlong Amazon.com fundraiser to help fund student programs. The domain is opening to the public to help raise funds throughout the year for physical education, music and art.
Kula PTA has seen a trickle of purchases from parents at Kula School of printer and computer supplies, books, toys, spa skin care, sports teams goods and kitchen items during November. The goal is to move 5,000 items through the KulaPTAStore portal throughout the coming year. To date, the school has successfully logged 51 sold items in the fundraiser.
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Grants fund program at sugar museum
Grants from the A&B Foundation ($8,000), First Hawaiian Bank ($5,000) and the Fred Baldwin Memorial Foundation ($7,000) are funding this year's educational program at the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum.
The program includes pre-visit materials for teachers and a field trip to the museum.
Field trips are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays through May, except holidays, for $1 per student; teachers and chaperons are admitted free. The museum also offers subsidies to cover transportation costs for 2nd-graders through the grant from A&B Foundation.
For more information, contact the museum by email at sugarmus@maui.net, by phone at 871-8058 or by fax at 871-4321.


