Benefit Night at Flatbread Company for Nā Mele O Maui

 By Katie McMillan

Nā Mele O Maui is partnering with Flatbread Company on Tuesday, August 30, 2011, to raise money for the annual Nā Mele O Maui Song & Art Contest.  From 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Flatbread Company will donate $3.50 for each large flatbread and $1.75 for each small flatbread sold during the benefit.  Join Kāʻanapali Beach Resort, Akakū Public Television, Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association -Maui Region, Mele Ukulele, and others in the community to support Hawaiian language, music and arts in Maui’s schools. 

Pele Pesto Flatbread (file image)

The 39th Annual Nā Mele O Maui Song & Art Competition will be held on Thursday, November 17, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. This yearʻs theme, Ka Hoʻolina Leo a Kahauanu Lake Trio, honors the Vocal Legacy of Kahauanu Lake Trio.

Established in 1972 for the youth of Maui County, Nā Mele O Maui, Maui’s only county wide Hawaiian song and art competition, is dedicated to cultural preservation and perpetuation of Hawaiian mele, language and arts.  Nā Mele O Maui strives to foster education and enlightenment of Hawaii’s heritage.  In 2002, the event was honored with the prestigious Kahili Award in the Hawai`i Visitors & Convention Bureau’s “Keep It Hawai‘i” annual awards program. Nā Mele O Maui helps instill pride in our youth by providing a rare opportunity for many of them to perform in public and compete for excellence with the support of the community.  

 Flatbread Company is located at 89 Hana Highway, Paia.  Open 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Telephone: 808-579-8989.