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Big Isle Rotary Club builds YMCA pavilion

The Rotary Club of North Hawaii built and dedicated a new open-air pavilion to the YMCA for the Waimea community on the Big Island -- a $100,000 project. The club raised $60,000 and Menehune Development Co., the general contractor, donated the cost of the pavilion's construction. The club initiated the project five years ago.

American Savings Bank awarded a $20,000 grant to the Mala 'Ai Opio Community Food Security Initiative (MA'O Farm) and the Waianae Community Re-Development Corporation (WCRC). The funds will be used to support the agricultural workforce training and environmental education of Ke Ala Ho'oulu'Ai, a program geared for youth of Hawaiian ancestry.

MA'O Farm was established to address hunger and nutrition problems in Waianae by developing a comprehensive local food system, and WCRC is an economic development organization that creates employment and business opportunities for Waianae residents.

Winners of the Hamakua Music Festival's 13th annual scholarship awards, totaling $3,500, include Cole Gravela, piano, first place; Amethyst Sumoba, voice, second; Kurt Irvine, clarinet, third; Cody Sugai, ukulele, Waianuhea Inn Creativity Award; and Roya Sabri, piano, and Noelani Waters, voice, honorable mention.

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