PUHI — The spelling continued for 14 rounds on Saturday before Larry Nager settled the 2025 Kiwanis Kupuna Spelling Bee, Kauai Preliminary at the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School cafeteria. He won the Kauai Preliminary by spelling two correct words in a row.
Bee officials said there is still one more preliminary before the state finals, so details of the winning words are not to be discussed.
Earlier in Round 13, the order was reversed when Lucy Douthitt, the eventual first runner up, spelled one of two words correctly after Niger electronically buzzed.
Nager and Douthitt each earned eligibility into the state Kiwanis Kupuna Spell Bee that will be held on Sept. 20, courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines.
The grand prize winner of the statewide Kiwanis Kupuna Spelling Bee will receive a trip for two to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies as well as a 4-night stay at the California Hotel &Casino, and a cash prize. The second and third place winners of the statewide bee will receive a cash prize donated by Dr. Jacquie Maly, Kiwanis past lieutenant governor.
Receiving help from Key Club members from the island’s three public high schools, including Kapaa, Kauai and Waimea high schools, the panel of “Functionaries” included Jan Tenbruggencate, pronouncer, and Judges Michael Depoe, Joy Abreu and Sean Doi.
The field of spellers included Douthitt, Nager, Sue Meyer, Happy Parks, Susan Pickard and Fay Yoshida.
The idea for the Kupuna Spelling Bee originated in 2022 when Riley Regan partnered with nonprofit groups, including the Kiwanis, to organize the Kupuna Spelling Bee to encourage older women and men (60 years and older) to stay mentally sharp by learning and practicing the use and spelling of words to help strengthen memory.
Kiwanis clubs in Hawaii once again teamed up to coordinate and host all of this year’s Kiwanis Kupuna Spelling Bee events, including the preliminary bees.
The Kiwanis Kupuna Spelling Bee, benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association of Hawaii, is sponsored by Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, the California Hotel &Casino, Dr. Jacquie Maly, AARP Hawaii, Hale Ku‘ike, Hawaii Island Adult Care, the Kuakini Health System, Wailuku Hongwanji Mission, Maryknoll School, and State Rep. Della Au-Belatti.
Source: The Garden Island