Hawai‘i Island residents invited to register for the annual Kiwanis Kūpuna Spelling Bee

Kūpuna statewide are invited to participate in this year’s Kiwanis Kūpuna Spelling Bee where proceeds from the event will go toward the Alzheimer’s Association – Hawaiʻi.

The annual event will take place on Oct. 26 at the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin in Honolulu. The statewide competition is open to all Hawaiʻi residents 60 years or age or older. A preliminary contest will take place on Hawai‘i Island on Sept. 14 at Hawai’i Island Adult Care.

“Kiwanis clubs throughout our island state are grateful that Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines will once again be the presenting sponsors of the 2024 Kiwanis Kūpuna Spelling Bee,” said Kiwanis Division 22 Lieutenant Governor Neil Yamamoto.

Registration for the statewide competition is limited to the first 100 registrants. Participants can secure their spots in the competition by registering as soon as possible. Registration starts as of Sept. 1. A $35 registration fee is required. Click here to sign up.

As a presenting sponsor, Hawaiian Airlines will donate 50,000, 30,000, and 20,000 miles, to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place spelling bee winners of the Hawaiʻi Island preliminary contest.

The Hawaiʻi Island finalists, along with a guest, will also receive complimentary airline transportation to Oʻahu for the statewide competition, courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines. The registration deadline for the Hawaiʻi Island contest is Sept. 1.

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

Cash prizes of $2,000, $1,000, and $500 to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be presented to the winners at the statewide competition. Alaska Airlines will also provide the statewide champion with a trip for two to any destination served by Alaska Airlines.

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

For more information, visit the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.