Kiwanis Kūpuna Spelling Bee competition set Oct. 26

Prizes are on the line for a statewide kūpuna spelling bee coming to Oʻahu this October. The competition is open to all Hawaiʻi residents 60 years or older.

Organized by global service club Kiwanis International, the Kiwanis Kūpuna Spelling Bee will take place on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. at the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaiʻi Betsuin, 1727 Pali Hwy, Honolulu.

Sponsor Alaska Airlines will provide podium winners with donated prizes, including $2,000, $1,000, and $500 cash prizes to the first, second, and third place winners of the statewide competition. The airline will provide the statewide champion with a trip for two to any destination Alaska Airlines flies.  

Additional awards will be provided to top-3 winners of the Big Island preliminary contest held Saturday, Sept. 14 at 9 a.m. at Hawai’i Island Adult Care. Hawaiian Airlines is donating 50,000, 30,000, and 20,000 miles for the first, second, and third place (respectively) winners of the Hawaiʻi Island preliminary contest. The Big Island finalists, along with their guest, will also receive complimentary airline transportation to travel to Oʻahu for the statewide Kiwanis Kūpuna Spelling Bee competition, courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines.  

Unlike previous years, there will be no other preliminary competitions on the other neighbor islands or on Oʻahu.

To participate, register and pay a $35 registration fee at www.kupunaspellingbee.com by Sept. 1. Net proceeds from this annual event will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. 

For more information, visit www.kupunaspellingbee.com, email kiwaniskupunaspellingbee@gmail.com or contact any of the spelling bee organizers at:  kiwaniseasthawaii@gmail.com (Big Island) or 808-280-1299 (Statewide Event Hotline).