HONOLULU — Organizers of the upcoming Kupuna Spelling Bee presented by Alaska Airlines to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association Hawaii have announced the schedule for public competitions scheduled throughout the state.
There will be four in-person public competitions, one on each of the four major islands, in addition to one virtual event that will be held via Zoom.
The schedule for in-person public competitions is:
— Hawaii Island: Saturday, July 9 at 9 am at the Hilo Elks Lodge
— Oahu: Saturday, July 9, at 9 a.m. at Ali‘iolani Elementary School in Kaimuki
— Maui: Saturday, July 9, at 9 a.m. at Pu‘unene School in Kahului
— Kauai: Sunday, July 17, at 2 p.m. at the Lihue Neighborhood Center
The virtual event will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 16.
To register, visit kupunaspellingbee.com. The registration deadline is July 5. The cost to participate is a $10 donation to the Alzheimer’s Association. All Hawaii residents ages 60 years and above are eligible to participate.
The competition is both a fundraising activity to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association Hawaii and a way for kupuna to sharpen and utilize their cognitive skills in a friendly competition.
The competition will take place in three age categories: Category 1, seniors 60 to 69 years of age; Category 2, seniors 70 to 79; Category 3, seniors 80-plus.
The two top winners in each age category from each preliminary spelling bee will receive a medal and advance to compete for prizes at the 2022 statewide Kupuna Spelling Bee on Oahu on Saturday, July 23. Finalists will also have the option to compete virtually.
Alaska Airlines is providing the Grand Prize winner a pair of roundtrip tickets to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies. There will also be giveaways of a five-day/four-night stay for two people at the California Hotel in Las Vegas and other great prizes.