Windward Hallowine

Honolulu, HI, October 18, 2007 – The Windward YMCA will host its fourth annual “Hallo-Wine” tasting and silent auction on Friday, October 26 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Koolau Golf Club. Proceeds from this event will benefit their financial assistance fund for children, teens and adults who otherwise could not afford to attend YMCA programs.  Tickets for the event are $40 for YMCA members and $45 for non-YMCA members if you purchase before October 21.  Tickets will be available at the door for $50.

The event, which is costume optional, will feature dozens of wines donated by the Kalapawai Market and its suppliers. These suppliers include Better Brands, Coastal Wine & Spirits, Fine Wine Imports, Johnson Brothers, and Kendall Jackson.  This year, Majestic Fine Wines will host a special tasting which will give attendees an opportunity to taste Old World and New World wines of the same type side-by-side. Koolau Caterers is providing hot and cold heavy pupus to complement the wine.  Contemporary Hawaiian music will be provided by Ahi Wela, composed of Jason Mejia, Ocean Kawili, Lopaka Hoopii, and friends.  
Individuals and businesses have donated an array of more than 100 silent auction items ranging from a cruise, hotel stays, tour packages, fine wine, dining certificates, artwork and even koa furniture.  “We are very excited to be able to host this event for the fourth year in a row. The YMCA has such a tremendous opportunity to impact this community in a positive way and the proceeds from this event will allow us to continue building strong kids, strong families and strong communities,” said Bill Stone, executive director, Windward YMCA.

The Windward YMCA participates in the YMCA of Honolulu’s Island-Wide Membership Program.  Through this program, Island-Wide members have access to not only the Windward branch but all other YMCA branches including Atherton, Central, Kaimuki-Waialae, Kalihi, Leeward, Mililani and Nuuanu.  
For more information on the Hallo-Wine tasting and silent auction or to purchase tickets, please call (808) 261-0808 or visit www.ymcahonolulu.org.

About the YMCA of Honolulu
For more than 138 years, the YMCA of Honolulu has been a place where friends and neighbors come together to build strong communities. Each year the YMCA of Honolulu serves thousands of children, teens and adults in a wide variety of programs, including before and after school, youth sports, teen leadership programs, substance abuse counseling and treatment programs and health and wellness. The YMCA of Honolulu serves more people on Oahu than any other direct-service, non-profit organization.

The YMCA is one of the largest school-age childcare providers in Hawai`i. Through a partnership with the Department of Education, the YMCA of Honolulu provides after school care for 7,000 children in grades K6 through the A+ program at 47 public schools on Oahu. The YMCA also employs 40 full-time adolescent substance abuse counselors assigned to 28 public schools on the island, and 8 counselors are assigned to the State Judiciary programs. The treatment program serves more than 1,000 youth. The Prevention programs serve another 3,000 youth in communities throughout the Island of Oahu.
The YMCA of Honolulu currently operates nine branches throughout Oahu, including Atherton, Central, Kaimuki-Waialae, Kalihi, Leeward, Mililani, Nuuanu, Windward, and Camp H.R. Erdman, the YMCA resident camp on the North Shore.