News

Kiwanis Division 22 Lieutenant Governor Neil Yamamoto is pleased to announce that the 2024 Kiwanis Kupuna Spelling Bee is set to take place on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 10 a.m. at the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, 1727 Pali Hwy, Honolulu.  The statewide competition is open to all Hawai’i residents 60 years or older. 

“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 Kupuna Spelling Bee,” said Yamamoto.

As one of the two presenting sponsors of the Kiwanis Kupuna Spelling Bee, Hawaiian Airlines is donating 50,000, 30,000, and 20,000 miles for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place (respectively) spelling bee winners of the Hawaii island preliminary contest to be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 9 a.m. at Hawai’i Island Adult Care.  The Big Island finalists, along with their guest, will also receive complimentary airline transportation to travel to Oahu for the statewide Kiwanis Kupuna Spelling Bee competition, courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines.  

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

This year, all Hawaii residents 60 years or older are eligible to compete in the statewide competition on October 26. 

Kiwanis will present $2,000, $1,000, and $500 cash prizes to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners of the October 26 statewide competition. A donor generously donated cash prizes. Alaska Airlines will provide the statewide champion with a trip for two to any destination Alaska Airlines flies to. The statewide champion will also receive a 4-night stay at the California Hotel in Las Vegas.  

To participate, Hawaii residents who are 60 years or older as of September 1st are asked to register and pay a $35 registration fee at www.kupunaspellingbee.com by September 1. Net proceeds from this annual event will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. 

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