Paia Youth & Cultural Center‘s BEACHFEST 20 took place on January 21-22 at the Paia Bay on the North Shore of Maui.  BeachFest featured Maui’s young bodyboarders and surfers showcased their wave riding ability.  It was a great event for the community enjoyed by residents and visitors, as it was a tobacco and alcohol free event.  Music was provided by the awesome DJ Dave Mason.  Mahalo to PYCC alumni Marlon Tumacde, community board-riders and PYCC staff.
The family-friendly bodyboard and surf competition included Paia's own world-champion waterman Kai Lenny, IBA world tour champion bodyboarding duo Jeff and Dave Hubbard, and a heartfelt mahalo to Kainoa McGee for commentating the event.
There was a new cash-prize division for PRO/AM bodyboarders, and a chance to see the pros in action. Kona Kaiulani won the PRO/AM event.  Traditional divisions included Menehune, Juniors, Wahine, Kane, Drop Knee and Free Surfing.  It was amazing to see lots of young girls in the Free Surfing group.  Competitors received a plate lunch prepared by the youth of the PYCC Paia Bay Cafe program; collectors tee-shirt designed by the PYCC.  If you didn't get a chance to pick up a t-shirt, sorry, they are sold out.

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December 17th marked the 11th Annual Paia Gives.  It had been raining the whole week, and the sun decided to come out that day to keep us dry.  Lots of merchants participated to worthy causes varying from our home town non-profit the Paia Youth and Cultural Center to the Humane Society, and lots of health organizations.  Mahalo Nui Loa to our Paia Merchants.

Mahalo to all of our merchants that participated.  The County of Maui paid for the majority of the advertising/marketing this year.  This allowed us to mail out a post card to everyone with a 96779 zip code to advertise for Small Business Saturday, Paia Gives 2016, and a push for membership.  Here are some highlights from our merchants.  A huge "Mahalo" to the Office of Economic Development for funding majority of the advertising costs.

Aloha!  Our Executive Director attended the Maui Talks Story with Governor David Ige.  If you couldn't make it, the handout is attached.  Noelani attended the breakout session on homelessness.  There was a lot of dialogue and hopefully a pilot project for Maui will be available in the next year or so.  Mahalo.

Super awesome article featuring Paia merchants.  Mahalo to Vogue for writing about our hardworking small business owners on North Shore, Maui.

We love finding random Paia posts.  We found this Instagram pic of WWE superstar Chris Jericho on Twitter.  Do you have Paia post you would like to share?  Send it to us!

Even though this article is a few months old, our ED randomly found it on Twitter today when scrolling through the #Maui hashtag.  Here is the link if you would like to read the article from The Huffington Post website.

Yelp recently featured Paia in their weekly neighborhood spotlight.  Read the article here.  What's even more cool, is the PTA got notified about this highlight twice.  Mahalo to Yelp Maui and our PTA supporters who continue to share articles and photos with us.  If you have Paia content you would like to share, send it to us!  Mahalo!

Click here to make a donation.  Help us keep the park open.

Aloha my name is Noelani and I'm the Executive Director for the Paia Town Association.  I have been lucky enough to have a temporary desk at the Paia Youth & Cultural Center (PYCC) since October 2015.  It is summer time and PYCC has been extremely busy with kids coming as soon as the doors open. They are have created a survey for their strategic plan, and need as much feedback as possible.  I have a decade of non-profit experience, and I understand the importance of having an updated strategic plan. It is a tool for keeping PYCC open for future generations.  Please take five minutes out of your day to take the survey.  If you don't know anything about the youth center, click here to see their website.  Here is a collage with myself, PYCC staff, and youth at the community mural.  The future of the center is extremely important to me.  I hope you feel the same way.

Mahalo for your time.  I appreciate it! -Noelani Sugata, Executive Director