Kiwanis Kupuna Spelling Bee

09/16/2025

Kiwanis Division 22 Lt. Gov. Kelsey Okuda has announced the finalists for the Kiwanis Kūpuna Spelling Bee Final, following preliminary competitions held across the state.

09/03/2025

Kiwanis Division 22 Lieutenant Governor Kelsey Okuda announced that there are only five more slots available for Hawai’i residents, 60 years or older, to compete in the upcoming Kiwanis Kūpuna Spelling Bee Preliminary Competition on Maui on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 9 a.m. at Wailuku Hongwanji Mission...

09/02/2025

SEEKING 5 MORE HAWAI’I RESIDENTS TO COMPETE IN KIWANIS KŪPUNA SPELLING BEE PRELIMINARY COMPETITION ON MAUI

Kiwanis Division 22 Lieutenant Governor Kelsey Okuda today announced that there are only 5 more slots available for Hawai’i residents, 60 years or older, to compete in the upcoming Kiwanis Kūpuna Spelling Bee Preliminary Competition on Maui on Saturday, September 6 at 9 a.m. at Wailuku Hongwanji Mission Social Hall, 1828 E. Vineyard St, Wailuku.

Interested participants 60 years or older are asked to register and pay a $35 registration fee at www.kupunaspellingbee.com. Net proceeds from this annual event will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

The top 2 spellers from the Maui preliminary contest will compete in the Finals on Saturday, September 20 at Hale Pulama Mau at Kuakini Medical Center Auditorium on the Kuakini Health System Campus. Hawaiian Airlines will be providing one round-trip ticket for the 1st and 2nd place winners from each neighbor island preliminary competition to fly to Oahu for the Finals Competition. The top three spellers win medals and cash prizes! The Kiwanis Kupuna Spelling Bee Champion will receive round trip tickets for 2 to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies, a 4-night stay at California Hotel & Casino!

For more information or for sponsorship opportunities, visit www.kupunaspellingbee.com, email [email protected] or call/text 808-280-1299.

Aloha and Welcome to the 2025 Kiwanis Kūpuna Spelling Bee website! This year, we will be having a preliminary spelling bees on Hawaii Island in East Hawaii (Hilo), Kauai, Maui and Oahu. First and second place winners of each preliminary spelling bee will be invited to participate in the Finals

08/23/2025

Mahalo to Hawaii Island Adult Care for hosting today’s Kiwanis Kupuna Spelling Bee Hawai’i Island Preliminary!

08/20/2025

08/10/2025

Kupuna Spelling Bee is back

The popular Kiwanis Kupuna Spelling Bee is returning to the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School cafeteria

Aug. 30, 2025
9 am to noon,
—or whenever the top 2 state finalists are determined.

Under terms established through the Kiwanis International office on Oahu, the top two spellers will compete in the statewide competition on Oahu on Sept. 20.

The winners of the preliminary bees from each island will meet at Hale Pulama Mau at the Kuakini Medical Center Auditorium in Honolulu.

Hawaiian Airlines will be providing one round-trip ticket for the first and second place winners from each Neighbor Island’s preliminary competition.

The top three spellers at the state competition earn medals and cash prizes.

The Kiwanis Kupuna Spelling Bee Champion will receive round trip tickets for two to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies and a 4-night stay at the California Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

“We chose Aug. 30 at 9 a.m. in hopes of accommodating both participants and volunteer availability,” said Kyle Morden of the Kiwanis office in Honolulu.

“I’m excited for this opportunity to coordinate with the three Key Clubs on our island

Kauai High
Kapaa High
Waimea High

— to help with the spelling bee as well. It will be a way for our students to give back and support their families.”

As a fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association of Hawaii, there is a $35 entry fee for spellers. Spellers are limited to being Hawaii residents over 60 years and older.

The bee will be limited to the first 20 registrants.

Online registration can be done at www.kupunaspellingbee.com before the Aug. 16 deadline.

The 2025 Kiwanis Kupuna Spelling Bee benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association of Hawaii, is presented by the Kiwanis clubs of Hawaii with help from presenting sponsors Alaska Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines.

Major sponsors include the California Hotel Casino, Las Vegas and Dr. Jacque Maly, past Division 22 Lt. Gov., Kiwanis Club of Kaneohe.

Other sponsors include the Kuakini Medical Center, AARP Hawaii, and Hle Kuike.

Kupuna Spelling Bee is back https://www.thegardenisland.com/2025/08/01/lifestyles/kupuna-spelling-bee-is-back/

https://mauinow.com/2025/07/20/kupuna-across-hawaii-invited-to-compete-in-annual-spelling-bee-promoting-brain-health/

07/06/2025

Register today for the Kiwanis Kupuna Spelling Bee at www.kupunaspellingbee.com!