Kiwanis Kūpuna Spelling Bee to host Maui preliminary event, Sept. 6

Hawai’i residents, 60 years or older, are invited to compete in the upcoming Kiwanis Kūpuna Spelling Bee. The announcement was made by Kiwanis Division 22 Lt. Gov. Kelsey Okuda.

Preliminary events open to Hawai’i kūpuna are as follows:

• Honolulu: Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025 at 9 a.m. to 12 noon at Maryknoll High School, 1402 Punahou Street
• Hilo:   Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 at 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Hawai’i Island Adult Care, 561 Kupuna Place
• Kailua Kona:  Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 at 9 a.m. to 12 noon at The Salvation Army, 75-223 Kalani St, Kailua Kona
• Kaneʻohe:  Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 at 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Windward Community College, 45-720 Keaahala Road
• ʻAiea:  Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Aiea Public Library, 99-374 Pohai Place
• Kauaʻi:  Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025 at 9 a.m. to 12 noon at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Cafeteria, 4431 Nuhou Street, Lihue
• Maui:  Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 at 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Wailuku Hongwanji Mission Social Hall, 1828 E. Vineyard St, Wailuku

Interested participants 60 years or older are asked to register and pay a $35 registration fee at www.kupunaspellingbee.com.  Registration deadlines will vary for each preliminary contest location.  Net proceeds from this annual event will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

The first and second place winners from each preliminary contest will receive a certificate and be eligible to compete in the Kiwanis Kūpuna Spelling Bee Finals on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 at 1 p.m. at Pulama Mau Auditorium at Kuakini Medical Center.  The grand prize winner will receive prizes, including a trip for two to any destination Alaska Airlines flies and a 4-night stay at California Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

For more information or for sponsorship opportunities, visit www.kupunaspellingbee.com, email kiwaniskupunaspellingbee@gmail.com or call/text 808-280-1299.