HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Summer is here, and there are so many things to do. So, be sure to take advantage of some of the free things being offered to our community.
Binhi at Ani will host a Summer Program offering free classes for youth in Philippine Cultural Dance, Art and Introductory Tae Kwon Do, announced Melen Agcolicol, president of Binhi at Ani.
These free classes begin on Monday, June 10 and will include:
Beginning June 10, there will be a variety of FREE classes:
- On Mondays (June 10, June 17, June 24, July 1), the classes will be from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. These classes will feature Philippine Cultural Dance for Youth and will be taught by Rodrigo Domingo.
- On Tuesdays (June 11, June 18, June 25, July 2), the classes will be from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The classes will feature Art Classes for Youth and will be taught by Philip Sabado.
- On Wednesdays (June 12, June 19, June 26, July 1). the classes will be from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The classes will feature Introduction to Tae Kwon Do for Youth and will be taught by Rico San Agustin.
The Summer at Binhi at Ani Filipino Community Center program will conclude on Wednesday, July 3, with a Presentation at 5 p.m. Pre-registration is highly recommended by emailing binhiatani@gmail.com with your name, phone number, email and age of participant.
Agcolicol stated, “The Summer at Binhi at Ani program aims to provide free activities during the summer, especially for youth.”
Binhi at Ani means “Seed and Harvest”. The organization is a Hawaii non-profit corporation that was founded in 1985. It operates the Binhi at Ani Filipino Community Center in Kahului, which opened in 2005 and hosts the annual Barrio Fiesta. The festival has been being celebrated on Maui since 1970.
Binhi at Ani also awards scholarships to outstanding high school graduates, with twenty-six scholarships (three at $2,000 and twenty-three at $1,000) to be awarded in 2024.
During the pandemic, Binhi at Ani launched the Bayanihan Food Distribution Program, distributing 8,443 food boxes and 8,760 plate lunches.
The Bayanihan Feeding Program delivered 23,482 meals to kūpuna and hosted eleven vaccination clinics at the center.
Following the Lāhainā fire, Binhi at Ani created the Tulong for Lāhainā® Fund which provides $750 grants to qualified applicants who lost homes, businesses or immediate family members.
By Sept. 30, 2023, there were 713 applications received, with 227 qualifying. Binhi at Ani raised more than $170,000 and distributed grants and additional supplies to those in need.