The Fourth Annual Kiwanis Kūpuna Spelling Bee welcomes Hawai'i residents 60 years and older to register to participate in the preliminary spelling bee events held throughout the State of Hawaii on Hawaii Island, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu. Preliminary competitions are as follows:

Hawaii Island:

• East Hawaii Preliminary - Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 9:00am at Hawaii Island Adult Care. 

  • Registration Deadline: August 16th by 11:59pm

• West Hawaii Preliminary is currently being coordinated and more information will be provided shortly.

  • Registration Deadline: August 16th by 11:59pm

Kauai:

• Kauai Preliminary - Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 9:00am at the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Cafeteria

  • Registration Deadline: August 16th by 11:59pm

Oahu:

• Aiea Preliminary - Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 9:30am at Aiea Public Library

  • Registration Deadline: August 17, 2025 by 11:59pm

• Honolulu Preliminary - Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 9:00am at Maryknoll School

  • Registration Deadline: August 8, 2025 by 11:59pm

• Kaneohe Preliminary - Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 1:00pm at Windward Community College

  • Registration Deadline: August 16th by 11:59pm

Maui:

• Maui Preliminary - Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 9:00am at Wailuku Hongwanji Mission Social Hall

  • Registration Deadline: August 30th by 11:59pm

The top two winners from each preliminary competition will be eligible to participate in the 2025 Kiwanis Kūpuna Spelling Bee Finals Competition to be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 1:00pm at the Kuakini Medical Center.  

The idea for the Kūpuna Spelling Bee originated last year with Riley Regan, who partnered with nonprofit groups, including Kiwanis, to organize Kūpuna Spelling Bee events in 2022. To continue to encourage older women and men (60 years and older) to stay mentally sharp by learning and practicing the use and spelling of words and to help strengthen memory, Kiwanis clubs throughout Hawai‘i teamed up to coordinate and host all of this year’s Kiwanis Kūpuna Spelling Bee events. Research shows that those who view themselves as “lifelong learners” often have a cognitive edge. The net proceeds from the 2025 Kiwanis Kūpuna Spelling Bee will support the Alzheimer's Association as part of "The Longest Day." 

Mahalo to all contestants, sponsors, supporters, and volunteers for supporting the Alzheimer’s Association through the 2025 Kiwanis Kūpuna Spelling Bee!

Kiwanis is a worldwide service organization with members and service projects touching millions.  Here are some statistics:

• 8,386 Kiwanis clubs around the world

• Over 400 Kiwanis clubs in the District of California-Nevada-Hawaii

• 10 Kiwanis clubs in the State of Hawaii (Division 22) with clubs on Kauai, Hawaii Island, Oahu, and Maui

• 19 million hours that Kiwanis family members dedicate to service annually

• 8,268 number of clubs worldwide in the service programs for youth, college students, and adults with disabilities

• 85 nations and geographic areas where Kiwanis has clubs

• 537,830 adult and youth members in the Kiwanis family

• $133 million raised each year by Kiwanis clubs around the world

• 152,000 service projects Kiwanis clubs conduct each year

For more information, visit Kiwanis.org.

Mahalo!

Kiwanis Kupuna Spelling Bee Committee