Open to all Hawai‘i residents aged 60 or older, the 4th Annual Kiwanis Kūpuna Spelling Bee is a fun, rewarding, and challenging event that encourages older adults to stay mentally sharp by learning and practicing the use and spelling of words and to help strengthen memory. Research shows that those who view themselves as “lifelong learners'' often have a cognitive edge.

Preliminary contests will be held on Hawaii Island (East and West), Kauai, Oahu, and Maui. Here is the most current information:

Hawaii Island:

Kauai:

Oahu:

Maui:

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

The 1st place winner of the Finals Competition will receive two complimentary roundtrip tickets to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies and a 4-night stay at the California Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

We invite you to be a sponsor of this statewide event!  As a leader in our community, your involvement and support for the older residents in our island state is an opportunity for your organization to receive positive exposure and to join other individuals, organizations, and coalitions in our community to support the Alzheimer’s Association in achieving its goals. Community sponsors are the primary source of the prizes for this statewide competition and will help ensure its success.