WAILUKU, MAUI — Nominations for the honor of Maui County's "Outstanding Older Americans 2008" will be accepted through the close of business today, the Maui County Office on Aging and Mayor Charmaine Tavares announced.

A recognition ceremony and luncheon for Maui's Outstanding Older Americans will be held April 30 at the Maui Beach Hotel. The male and female chosen as the Outstanding Older Americans of Maui County will travel with Tavares and County Executive on Aging's John Tomoso to the official state recognition ceremony hosted by Gov. Linda Lingle at Washington Place on May 22.

Any individual or organization may nominate an outstanding male or female, or both. Nomination forms are available at www.mauicounty.gov (in the "What is New" box) or at the County Office on Aging, located at One Main Plaza, Suite 547, 2200 Main St., Wailuku. Completed nomination forms must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. today. They may be faxed to 808-270-7935, or mailed to the Office on Aging, Attn: OOA Committee, 200 S. High Street, Wailuku, HI 96793. For more information, call the Office on Aging at 808-270-7755.

May is National Older Americans Month nationwide, and has been celebrated in Maui County since 1968 when Wendell Crockett was honored as Maui County's first Outstanding Older American. This year's theme, "Working Together for Strong, Healthy and Supportive Communities," heralds the month-long salute to Maui's kupuna.