Koa Ukuleles

Where to find that rare and beautiful koa wood ukulele?

Bounty Music Maui
111 Hana Hwy. #105
Kahului, Maui, HI 96732

Maui Hula Lessons

For the most comprehensive listing of hula groups across all the islands of Hawaii, and also across the country see: http://www.mele.com/resources/hula.html

Listed hula classes on Maui:

•Kahului: Halau Hula I Kona Mau Lima
Ualani Smith, Phone: 808-283-3310
•Kahului: Halau Hula Ka Malama Mahilani
Cody Pueo Pata, Phone: 808-281-0714
•Kahului: Halau Hula Kauluokala
Uluwehi Guerrero, Phone: 808-250-8581
•Kahului: Kawaianuhealehua
Colsen Kaluawaipakui Kanei, Phone: 808-298-7821
•Kahului: Na Hanona Kulike O Pi`ilani
Kapono`ai Molitau & Sissy Lake-Farm, Phone: 808-249-8129
•Kihei: Hula Alapa`i I Maluuluolele
Sharon Ioana Balidoy, Phone: 808-879-5644
•Kihei: Manutea Halau
Mapuana Samonte, Phone: 808-268-8653
•Kihei: Na Pua Melia
Kalei Jaramillo, Phone: 808-276-4852
•Lahaina: Halau Hula O Ka`onohiokala ma Maui Nei
Akoni Akana, Phone: 808-667-0219
•Lahaina: Na Pua O Kapi`olani Hula Studio
K. Holoamoku Ralar, Phone: 808-669-8565
•Lahaina: Na Kamali`i Nani o Lahaina
Jan Kealani Kitaguchi, Phone: 808-661-5498
•Pukalani: Pukalani Hula Hale
Hi`ilei Maxwell-Juan, Phone: (none)
•Wailuku: Halau Hula O Na Pua O Pakipika
Keoni Ionakona Manuel, Phone: 808-757-0140
•Wailuku: Halau Ke`alaokamaile
Keali`i Reichel, Phone: 808-572-1280
•Wailuku: Halau Kekuaokala`au`ala`iliahi
Iliahi & Haunani Paredes, Phone: 808-283-4852
•Wailuku: Halau Hula Ka Makani Kili`o`opu
Luana Kawa`a, Phone: 808-243-9232
•Wailuku: Halau Hula O Ma Kau Kau Na Olapa O Maui
Kamalu & Kawainui Kekahuna, Phone: 808-268-1488
•Wailuku: Halau Hula O Mahailani
Mahailani & Kamuela Rodrigues, Phone: 808-442-2098
•Wailuku: K & K Hula Halau
Kimberly Kuloloia Juan & Kathleen Kuloloia Palalay, Phone: 808-344-4676

Try also "Hālau Hula Alapa`i I Malu Ulu O Lele" holding lessons in Kihei, Lahaina and Paukukalo.

Lahaina: Monday (5:30 to 7:00 adults) and Paukukalo: Wednesday (5:45 to 7:30 adults) on the last week of each month.

Contact :
Sharon & Ricky Balidoy
114 Kono Pl.
Kahului, HI 96732
808-871-1479 (home)
808-385-3016 (cell)
Email: balidoyr002@hawaii.rr.com

Maui Film Festival 2010 - June 16-20

This past winter friends and I headed to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, a very nice performance theater, to watch "The Horse Boy" a documentary film about an American couples' trek to Mongolia to find a shamanistic cure for their son's autism. It was the last show of the winter season and the Film Fest organizer sadly announced they may not have enough funds and donors to continue the annual independent film festival. The good news is that as far as this summer goes, they will indeed host the annual outdoor event.

So, pull up your beach chairs and towels and support the 2010 film festival held in Wailea. Head to the lawn, grab some good food there, and watch foreign films and indy flicks under the stars. A fantastic Maui night! Coming soon, June 16-20th.

Tickets are usually $10/show. For ticket information and special VIP passes (tax deductible to support the MACC): https://secure.mauifilmfestival.com/tixSYS/2010/passes/selection

{ happy birthday to mom! }

2nd Annual Maui Brewers Festival

On May 15th from 3-7 p.m., Maui beer lovers will gather for the island's second annual Brewers Fest.

The Festival will highlight hand-crafted beers (around 30 companies) along with local pupus (appetizers). Yum! Live music and entertainment from local artists will be there. And check out the fun giveaways and prizes.

The event is hosted by the Maui Brewing Company and held at the The at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. Tickets are $45 and includes admission, beer samples and pupus.

Maui Onion Festival 2010

Known to be the sweetest onions around, Maui Kula Onions have put this Hawaiian island on the map. Afterall, Maui Onion potato chips are sold everywhere from your local Subway sandwhich chain, Trader Joes to major supermarkets.

Dedicated to the cultivation and promotion of the world-famous Maui Kula Onion and the festival claims to be attended by thousands of visitors each year. It started in 1990 and is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year.

*games, prizes, food & beer, hula and jazz entertainment, cooking demos, and more*

Here's what last year's chef contest winner cooked up:
Pan Seared Island Snapper served with Reduced Maui Onion Jus, Soft Polenta and Pickled Maui Onions (yum)

Where it's at: Whalers Village

For more information
call: Whalers Village 808.661.4567
email: info@whalersvillage.com

Penguini - Best Gourmet Gelato & Sorbet in Paia, Maui

Penguini is the best kept secret in Paia. I like revealing hidden finds and supporting local start ups, and mark my words...it’s just a matter of time before this place gets hoppin'.

Melissa, the chef-entrepeneur, makes fresh gelato and sorbets daily. You never know what flavor will be offered until you get there. She herself doesn't know what she will create until she wakes up in the morning, sees what fresh ingredients are around, and embarks on the process of exploring a new creative combination. Kula Strawberry and White Chocolate is her most popular sell. I enjoyed her Ruby Red Grapefruit with Mint sorbet, Goat Cheese Gelato, Coconut Kifer Lime Sorbet, Chocolate Hazelnut Rum gelato, and Green Tea gelato. As you can tell, her culinary training inspires her to work with flavor combinations, and use ingredients you'd not usually associate with frozen desserts (the goat cheese was fabulous, btw).

The texture of her gelato is smooth, creamy and rich. Her sorbets are light and filled with flavor. She uses local and natural ingredients when possible. And check out the unbeatable price: 2 scoops with your choice of flavors for only $3.00! Now that's a real treat!

Melissa McKelvy left her post as pastry chef at Wolf Gang Puck's Spago and opened up her own little joint in Paia. This sweet 30-something entrepenuerial chef kicked the fast paced beat of the glizy restaurant world to put her tastebuds to work under her own direction and whim. I was inspired by her courage to leave her post at a nationally reknown restaurant to start something small yet authentic to her soul. Her shop opened just six months before I stumbled upon it, and chatting with her was an inspirational delight.

Her shop front is a cozy little room in the back of Paia Inn. The location is pretty hidden and one would easily miss it were it not for a little "A" shaped sign perched on the sidewalk. Currently, the store is simple--it's just a wide window opening where customers order their treats (they have homemade cupcakes, petite pastries, Chai tea, and coffee too.) If you peek inside, the wall of her kitchen is painted a bright hot-peony pink, with a side door dressed in French inspired black and white toile window curtains. Her decor taste is whimsical and fun, and I can't wait until she's able to expand her business into a bigger space. For now, customers can enjoy her treates outside in the shade of a wooden bench.

See you there!

93 Hana Hwy #3 (look in the far back of the building)
808.214.4608

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday - 12:30p.m. to 8:30pm

Makawao, Maui

Don't know why, but strolling down the streets of Paia, I feel like I walk back in time to the 1970s and yet forward into good whole living. Slow pace, earthy folk, good organic eats, and an appreciate for the arts. Makawao (painting above) is another great little artist town that doesn't seem to have lost it's flower-power flavor. Both towns, I believe, have histories of being areas where hippie-types from the mainland came to settle, merging their values of community, artistry, and free-spirited living with the already laid-back subculture of Maui island life. I like it! Two of my favorite towns to visit on Maui.

Best of Kahului, Maui

My dad and his family are from Maui and I love returning here time and again. I like that the island is big on local community events. Casual and informal, there's always something going on. Just check the local papers or flyers at the restuarants.

Kahului, the main city center is not an exceptionally unique Maui town, but it is a good center for living must-haves: Costco, Barnes and Noble, Krispy Kreme and the biggest mall on the island.

But there are other stops to explore:
Tasaka Guri Guri (Maui Mall stripmall) - the best homemade ice treat on all the islands

Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum - great historical site of labor and commerce
Maui Film Festival: June 17-21 (Maui Community Cultural Arts Center) - a great way to catch some well made films

Typically my usual Kahului stops include:

Starbucks at the mall - multiple outlets for laptop work by the window and comfi chairs.
Food Court at the mall - indoor eatery under glass roof; quick, easy and convenient
Airport - can't get anywhere without this joint
Macy's - the main department store on the island
Borders Bookstore - small but they'll get you what you need (even if it has to be shipped)
Krispy Kreme - a stop right before the airport (take back donuts to friends/family on Oahu)
Costco - after your flight arrival to the island pick up your goodies (on the way to Kihei, etc)
Bark Avenue - best couture pet store in all the Hawaiian islands. love the maui branch even over the hawaii kai branch.

Where's it at:
Maui Arts & Cultural Center One Cameron Way, Kahului, HI 96732
808.242.2787

Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum 3957 Hansen Road, Puunene, Maui, HI 96784
808.871.8058

For other Maui side trips see my post on the Best of Wailuku and Best of Kihei (forthcoming).

Best of Maui - Highlights

{Maui highlights in no particular order}

Road to Hana - A must-drive at least once in your life. Enjoy the lush views and take hike and a dip if you dare.

Wailea Beaches - Spend an afternoon under a rented cabana. My favorite spot (shhhh) is Polo Beach.

Drive through the cane fields from Kahului to Kihei. One of my favorite drives of all time. Can do this drive over and over and over. Super relaxing and beautiful.

Paia and Makawao - Drive to the upcountry and experience a laid back, artist type community. Love these two areas alot!

Maui Ocean Center - This is where I saw my favorite sealife exhibit: Jellyfish tanks! So peaceful and mesmerizing to watch these 'fish' puff in and out as they glide around in water.

Hike down Haleakala - And check out the Silversword endangered species plants. If you need to use the restroom, go behind a rock (women: bring portable toilet tissue).
Take the old sugar cane Lahaina Train - I was driving somewhere, had to make a u-turn and saw this touristy but historical train. They have dinner train rides too! (website)

Walk around Laihaina on Front Street for tourist shops. Check out the Maui Jim (sunglasses) flagship store, the big historic 135+ year old banyon tree, and my favorite resturant on Maui, Lahaina Grill. Plus every Friday from 7-10 pm is Art Night in this city where you can stroll galleries and watch artists in action.

Sugar Mill Museum - very cool historic place just outside the airport (1o min or so).

Iao Valley - walk down the trails and enjoy the green covered pointed mountain view.
Shops at Wailea - Perhaps the best shopping on the island (upscale stores and other favorites like BCBG, BR, Coach, Tiffany's. Even a store called Serendipity.) The Queen Kaahumanu mall in Kahului is your typical midrange mall. The Maui Mall has a theater and the Guri Guri store for the island's best strawberry and orange ice treat.

Grand Wailea Spa - My favorite place for a spa treatment (Bacara in Santa Barbara is gorgeous and elegant)--but at this spa they offer you two complementary treatments: an apricot seed scrub down to start. and then enterance into various mud and milk baths, waterfall massage areas, steam rooms, and an upstairs lounge area and open air deck.

Drive past Mckena beach and past Oneule Beach and you'll come to a desolate lava area that is very cool in it's own way. The view is stunning because in an unexpected way. You can try to make a hike to the ocean but you need sturdy shoes and pants in case you fall and cut yourself on the sharp lava. Makes for great photos. Very black all around. And not your typical Maui beach scene. A hidden find! (Shhhh)
Lavender Farm - stroll the farm on a self guided walk, have informal tea outdoors, and shop the Lavender gift store. (directions)

Maui Winery at Ulupalakua Ranch - One of the few places on the Hawaiian islands that bottles their own wine, offers tours, and wine tasting. Good place to pick of a bottle for your travel collection. (directions)

Maui Film Festival - this June festival in Wailea hosts international and independent films paired with organic wine, cocktails and live music. There are smaller festivals and gatherings throughout the year. Check the site for details.

Places I'd like to visit:
Paper Airplane Museum - 2,000 models in the Kahului Mall complex (70 Kaahumanu Ave)

Aloha Shirt Museum - Paia corner (know what it looks like, don't know the street names)

Whaler's Village Mall and Museum- in Kanapaali. (Lahaina Cannery Mall is not the most interesting but a good enclosed respite area away from the heat and has a food court. I had Baile Vietnamese sandwiches on my last visit.)

Maui Onion Festival - at Whaler's Village every May. Free admission, food boths, games, beer gardens and a raw onion eating contest. That I've got to see!

Best of Wailuku, Maui

I love Maui and know it like the back of my hand. It's the one place in the U.S. that I actually don't need a GPS system...and where I never get lost. Perhaps the only place.

One favorite way to spend a relaxing day in Maui is to take a stroll through Wailuku. Wailuku offers a taste of the Old Town mom-and-pop feel before Kahului and Kihei got commercialized. It's quaint, and has a nice small town suburban feel.

I start of by taking a morning Restorative Yoga class at my favorite studio: Body Of Light on Main Street. This type of yoga allows you to rest in different poses...almost to the point of sleeping. Now that's what I call "exercise." Nah. The idea is that the body is centering itself and that the poses offer blood flow and interal organ massages.
I usually then walk across the street to Cafe Marc Aurel, a bohemian cafe and wine bar, that offers oraganic, vegetarian healthy eats. Been here many times where changing art exhibits and and live music happens weekly. I like to sit outside and have a nice breakfast to start my day. It's much easier to be vegetarian on Maui than Oahu--perhaps the hippie revolution from Paia and Makawao still leaves its marks on Maui. Cafe Marc Aurel also has flights of wine to try.

From there I walk the streets to check out the up and coming shops and places to eat on Market street. Check out Gallerie Ha for live demonstrations on conteporary art in process or Sig Zane Designs for some local fashion wear. For lunch or afternoon tea, I do recommend Cafe O Lei. Spacious, clean and quite modern change for the area (love their Kihei joint too). Then head to Green Ti Boutique for one of the best deep tissues massages by Deborah.
I'll then drive to the Iao Mountains sometimes to walk around the valley. Other times I to drive to the nice suburban track that sits high up there overlooking the valley. I love sitting at the neighborhood park and enjoying the view and moment. Could live up there.

There's the smallest Farmer's Market I've even seen on Vineyard Street. The best place for manju is at Sam Sato's. Call in your order the day before or be prepared to wait long or be turned away. There's a donut place called Dad's Donuts that has donuts with Hawaii styled fillings (mango, lilikoi, guava)
For dinner try Tokyo Tei hidden under apartments or the famous landmark, Tasty Crust for some local food. Spam and eggs. Fried rice. Shoyu spare ribs. The food there was surprisingly okay! I tried their famous banana nut pancakes. And best of all--you must must must stop by Tasaka Guri Guri (in Kahului) for the best iced treat dessert of all time!

Green Ti Boutique
40 N Market St
Wailuku, HI 96793
808.242.8788

Cafe O Lei
62 N. Market Street
808.986.0044

Sam Sato’s, Inc.
1750 Wili Pa Loop
808.244.7124
Manju pick-up: 7am-4pm

Dad's Donuts
1910 E Vineyard St/Central
808.244.3303
Body of Light
1995 Main Street, Stuite 2
808.264.8263
www.bodyoflightyoga.com

Cafe Marc Aurel
28 North Market Street/Main
808.244.0852

Tasaka Guri Guri
70 E Kaahumanu Ave
Kahului, HI 96732
808.871.4513

Best of Paia, Maui

Paia is my favorite town on Maui. Love the shops, food and vibe here.

Besides my favorite stops at the Flatbread Company, Maui Hands (my favorite Paia stop--local art), and Mana organic market, I also enjoy the following places:

Lilikoi: Fun chic store for lotions and aroma candles and soaps
Nuage Bleu: has my favorite jeans "Fortune Denim" as well as Trina Turk, Oglen, Ella Moss and saint Glace.
Paia Contemporary Gallery: great paintings by local Maui artists
Biasa Rose: Spotted a cool Scout brand diaper bag for men here.
Cafe Mambo for spanish fare and bright colored walls.
Indigo: has a community board in back thumb tacked with business cards, local events, and such. Mana has one outside the market, but less filled than Indigo's.

There's suposed to be an Aloha Shirt Museum by the 76 gas station which I'll check out soon.

Other notables:
Fresh Mint: Vietnamese Vegetarian
Cafe des Amis: mediterranean and Indian food
Morning Glories: Organic internet cafe, free WiFi upstairs, $0.10/minute on computer
Moana Bakery & Cafe: their bakery items were good
Birken & Bailey's Pet Boutique: has couture toys from hautediggitydog (which i love)
Ono Gelato: with lots of stuff to look at on the walls

Where It's At
Lilikoi
18 Baldwin, Paia 808.579.6055

Cafe Des Amis
42 Baldwin, Paia 808.579.6323

Morning Glory
137 Hana Hwy, Paia 808.579.3336

Fresh Mint
115 Baldwin, Paia 808.579.9144

Cafe Mambo
30 Baldwin Ave, 808.579.8021

Spiritual Eating - Flatbread Company, Maui

I love the small town feel of Paia. It's one of my favorite areas to visit day in and day out on Maui.

I'll usually shop at Mana market to get my organic foods, visit my favorite store, Maui Hands (handmade crafts by local artists), and then walk across the street to my favorite eatery, Flatbread Company for some lunch.

Flatbread Company claims that eating their food is a "spiritual experience." And before you think this is just a metaphor or marketing strategy to promote the business, their pizza dough is actually made of kosher salt, organic flour, cake yeast, and spring water (perhaps similar to the way flatbread was prepared in Jewish culture)...and topped with sauce made from freshly grown organic tomatoes (I believe they have a garden outside) and topped with whole milk cheese other organic vegetables.

What makes this joint unique is that the pizzas are cooked in a real stone oven...which sits in the middle of the restaurant and is always fun to watch. The interior (pictures to come) is a casual setting, with wooden benches and chairs for small to large groups, and a bar to the left.
One pizza I ordered was called "Punctuated Equilibrium" (a theortical critique of Darwinism) topped with rosemary, goat cheese, kalamata olives, red onions, organic tomatoes, fresh italian herbs and mozerella cheese. The pizza was good and the spiritual politics interesting.

The notion of Punctuated Equilibrium states (in a nut shell) that the evolution of species happens in punctuated periods rather than as one continuous flow as Darwin suspected.

Here's how one food philosopher links the theory of Punctuated Equilibrium to flatbread:

"It strikes me that the evolution of human food also exhibits a pattern of punctuated equilibrium. During the Paleolithic, humans and protohumans hunted and gathered. By occasional improvements in tools and hunting implements, the Paleolithic period was punctuated. 10-12,000 years ago the Neolithic revolution ushered in an era of farming which dramatically changed human activity and food patterns...

Today American food is in a new period of punctuation. The organic and natural food movement along with its variants biodynamic, sustainable, and localvore foods has rapidly changed the dialogue and economics of food. Increasingly people see food as important; that how it is grown and where it comes from intimately affects human health and the well being of the world.
Punctuated Equilibrium flatbread marks this important event in the history of American food and honors an advancement in our evolutionary view of life."

{And, by the way, before you think that was all hog-wash, food philosophy is a real legitimate scientific field. i met a woman in my photography class whose daughter is working toward a doctorate degree where she is combining her interests in environmental politics and the food industry to interrogate the impact of foodways on the earth's sustainable nature.}

One last bit...Flatbread Co claims that they have the best zucchini bread. In my opinion, I'd pass up on the dessert. It was dry, unflavorful, and uninspiring. A touch a cinnamon or cardamon would have added a spiced kick to the bread, and it's pairing with coconut ice cream...well, I just don't get that. Coconut and zuchinni...ice cream and bread? An odd culinary decision. Nonetheless, they give money away to charity, post their politics on wooden signs above the bar, and serve some good eats on the island.

Where's it at:
Flatbread Company, Maui
89 Hana Hwy
Paia, HI 96779
(808) 579-8989

Restorative Yoga

Restorative Yoga can help by releasing patterns of deeply held tension in the body and re-patterning the nervous system to release stress.

Myfavorite place to do restorative yoga is at Body of Light in Wailuku, Maui. We spend most of the time resting in gentle poses--almost like sleeping with your body twisted comfortably. Emphasis is on breathing, letting go of tension, and being kind to your body. When my mind is frazzled from school, work, or life this type of yoga helps to center me. Body of Light offers discounts for 5 classes, 10 classes, monthly and yearly passes. The studio offers different types of healing and restorative yoga classes through out the week. My favorites ones are taught by the owner, Elizabeth. She is nurturing, present, encouraging, patient and centered.

On Oahu, restorative yoga classes can be taken at Yoga Hawaii in Kaimuki. I've only tried their "free beginners classes" for first time visitors. It was nice to be in an actual yoga studio again and the class was actually pretty good. I will soon visit their restorative yoga classes: Wednesdays, 11am-noon (no class Oct 8 & 15).

Where to go:
Body of Light
1995 Main Street, Suite 2-O
Wailuku, Maui
808.264.8263
www.bodyoflightyoga.com

Yoga Hawai, Kaimuki
808.739.YOGA
www.yoga-hawaii.com

Asian Clad Jeans - "Fortune Denim"

During my last trip to Maui, I walked around my favorite town of Paia and found found a boutique in that carried this fabulous new demin line: Fortune Denim ($270).

Love the Asian Accents: Silver Asian rivets and button in-lay with 24 Swarovski crystals; Satin lined pockets using fabric from the Chinese chi-pao; A personal fortune cookie label sewn into the inner waistband of each jean

What Else I Love:
The denim material is super soft and I personally like the "Karen" cut (bootcut). I appreciate the story of the designer, Karen, a 30-something Chinese American woman from Texas who excelled in school through college and who later chose to follow her passions combining ethnic culture, fashion and entrepreneurship. Way cool!

Celebrities Who Wear the Jeans:
Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz, Teri Hatcher, Demi Moore, and Paris Hilton among others.

Where to Get It:
Nuage Blu | Paia, Hawaii
Fred Segal | Santa Monica, California
Blitz | Vail, Colorado

http://www.fortunedenim.com/