Visit the Hawaii Nature Center

The Hawaii Nature Center is a great place to take the kids. It is an interactive science arcade with 30 hands-on exhibits of Hawaii's natural history.

The Hawaii Nature Center is located at 875 Iao Valley Road in Wailuku (near the entrance to Iao Valley State Park). It is open from 10 am to 4 pm daily. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for children, and Kamaaina seniors (Hawaii Residents) 60 and older are free on the first Sunday of each month. For more information, call 808-244-6500.

Whaler's Village Museum

The Whaler's Village Museum is Hawaii's largest collection of whaling artifacts from Lahaina's golden era of whaling, short films on whales and whaling running continuously through the day, a large scrimshaw collection, gift shop and self-guided tours in several languages.

The Whaler's Village Museum is open 365 days a year from 9 am to 10 pm. Admission is free and the Museum is located on the third level of the Whaler's Village Shopping Center in Kaanapali. For more information, call 808-661-5992.

Memorial Day Weekend Maui

Have a Happy and SAFE Memorial Day Weekend here on Maui Hawaii from all of us here on the Island.

Sugar Museum

The Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum is a great place to visit to learn about Hawaii's sugar industry.

A plantation superintendent's residence houses exhibits on Maui's geography and water systems, people, plantation life, and sugar production as well as artifacts dating to 1878, scale models and a working model of sugar factory machinery.

The Sugar Museum is located at 3957 Hansen Road, in Puunene (very near Kahului from the Kihei side). It is open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Saturday. Admission is $5 adults, $2 children 6 to 17, free for those younger. For more information, call 808-871-8058.

Paper Airplane Museum

Did you know there is a Paper Airplane Museum on Maui? It's in the Maui Mall in Kahului.

The Paper Airplane Museum features historical films and hundreds of pictures showing Hawaii's aviation history, the largest known collection of paper airplanes in the world plus items made by the Tin Can Man of Maui. Tours may be arranged. The Museum is open 10 am to 7 pm, Monday through Thursday, 10 am to 9 pm on Fridays, from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturdays and from 10 am to 4 pm on Sundays. Admission is free. For more information, call 808-877-8916.

Angela Bassett is coming to the Maui Film Festival

Actress Angela Bassett, whose movie roles have ranged from civil rights crusader Rosa Parks to musical icon Tina Turner, will be honored at the Maui Film Festival at Wailea.

Angela will join irreverent TV talk-show host Bill Maher and former Best Actor Oscar-winner Adrien Brody as celebrities slated to attend the festival, which will celebrate its fifth anniversary when it returns to Wailea and the Maui Arts & Culutual Center June 16 through 20. Bassett will receive one of the festival's major awards.

CNN has signed on to provide live coverage several times a day from the array of film screenings, celebrity-award receptions, panel discussions and blitzy Hollywood-style parties that have given the festival a unique identity in the world of cinema celebrations.

Meanwhile on the big screen on the golf course at Wailea, 10 major motion pictures are booked, two-a-night, on the festival's showpiece venue, the outdoor Celestial Cinema overlooking the Wailea Golf Course and the Seawatch Restaurant. With screenings slated for Wailea's Digital Skydome as well as the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater and McCoy Studio Theaters, the programming includes "a significant number of smart summer films." There are 65 films in all.

The Maui Scene (part of the Maui News) will publish its annual Maui Film Festival issue and guide June 10.

For comprehensive information on ticket prices and on-line ticket ordering, visit www.mauifilmfestival.com or call 808-572-3456. Tickets may also be purchased at Borders Books and Music, beginning June 4th and also at the Maui Film Festival at Wailea's Ticket Kiosk at the Shops at Wailea, beginning June 11th.

Latoya Jackson is in town

The Wicked Wahine rolls into town. Latoya Jackson, sister of Michael and Janet Jackson is coming to Hawaii and she is bringing along pop singer Serena Parris. Latoya is here promoting her new CD "Startin Over" on her Wicked Wahine Tour.

They will both be signing autographs at the Hilo Hattie store in Lahaina on May 29th at 1:00 and at the Hilo Hattie Store on Nimitz Highway in Honolulu on May 30th (call for time)

There will be a party at 9:00 at the All-Star Hawaii in Waikiki on May 30th. $10/person, $100 VIP tickets at www.wantickets.com You must be 18 years of age and older. Lots of tv cameras are expected including Access Hollywood, ET, etc.

Kapalua to be the site of counties’ conference on “growing pains”

WAILUKU, Maui, Hawaii – The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua on Maui will be the site of the next Hawaii State Association of Counties conference, hosted by the Maui County Council, June 9-10, Council Chair Dain P. Kane announced today.

Kane, who also serves as HSAC’s president, said the conference theme will be “Growing Pains: How Will the Counties Cope?”

Government officials and civic-minded members of the public from all four Hawaii counties will convene in Kapalua to discuss how county governments can effectively respond to the challenges posed by growth--in population and in responsibility.

Transportation, affordable housing and environmental protection will be among the specific topics of discussion, according to Kane. He said co! nferees will hear from speakers such as Terry White of Hawaii SuperFerry; Larry Naake, Executive Director of the National Association of Counties; Honolulu Recycling Coordinator Suzanne Jones; Hawaii County Transit Administrator Tom Brown; utility analyst Art Griffith from Seattle; and Melvin Finstein, Professor Emeritus of Environmental Science at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

Registration and other information are available at the HSAC website:

http://www.co.maui.hi.us/hsac2004.htm

“The HSAC conference will provide an excellent opportunity to learn about new concepts for coping with growth,” Kane said. “We’ve compiled a roster of dynamic speakers, and we’re sure this will be an enlightening and entertaining event.”

Kane noted that the conference will include guided tours of several West Maui points of interest. Also, he said the conference site will feature Maui Nui Showcase 2004, an exhibit highlighting a wide array of products an! d services.

Kane said companies interested in co-sponsoring the conference or being featured in Maui Nui Showcase 2004 should contact the Office of Council Services at 270-7838.

Telephone:
(808) 270-7760 (Council Chair Dain P. Kane)

Fax:
(808) 270-7639

Web:
http://www.co.maui.hi.us/council/members/dkane/

E-mail:
dain.kane@co.maui.hi.us

Healthy Food Prep For Busy People

Saturday, May 29, 2 to 5 p.m. at Unity Church, 483 High St., Wailuku. With Grace Purusha, Ph.D. Nutrition. Simple, basic, money-saving, delicious dishes that provide the foundation for your weekly eating. Learn an easy, practical way to “pull it off” in a busy lifestyle and have nutritious, delicious food available all the time. Stay lean and energized. Taste, learn new methods. Recipe booklet included. Save money. Great ideas for kids. $45. Must reserve your space, at 875-6123.

Wailea Arts & Crafts

Hawaiian arts and crafts are for sale in the lobby of the Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort from 8 am to 2 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Banyan Tree Arts

The "He U'i Cultural Arts Festival" and the Lahaina Arts Society alternate weekends from 9 am to 5 pm every Saturday and Sunday in Banyan Tree Park, Lahaina. You gotta check out the Banyan Tree!

Annual Wailea Open Tennis Championship (May 28-31)

Wailea Tennis Club
(808) 879-1958
A weekend of fun tennis competition in Open Divisions, drawing worldwide players.

Maui Queen and the Maui Weekly Link Up!

The Maui Weekly and MauiQueen.Com are linking up to serve kama’aina and visitors even better.

Okay, so I’ll admit it. I’ll be upfront with you guys…I have ties to both the Maui Weekly and MauiQueen.com. Remember that as you read this, because I am about to present you all with some very exciting news that concerns them both.

Here’s the deal: I’ve been fortunate to have written for the Maui Weekly for a long period of time. I’ve shared hundreds of stories with you guys—from fun stuff (like drag-queen shows at the Iao Theatre), to the very serious (introducing Maui Weekly readers the Upcountry water situation). I’m proud to say that I’ve had the opportunity to write for the “Best Non-Daily Newspaper” on the island.

I am an Editor at MauiQueen.com. MauiQueen.com is an informational website that is geared toward visitors heading to Maui. The goal of MauiQueen.com is to become the most comprehensive guide to Maui on the planet.

It is well on its way toward achieving that goal. Launched in March of 2004, this “baby” site is already getting about 2,000 page views per day, and at press time 158 people have downloaded “Maui Today”—MauiQueen.com’s guide to the island. The numbers keep getting bigger, and it’s exciting.

The publisher of the site, Klaus Bandisch, has a tendency to shoot for the stars, so to speak, and succeed at it. Years of computer engineering for some of the top aerospace companies in the United States has paved the way to put him at the top of the game when it comes to conducting business over the internet. He’s also the founder of ParadiseMaui.com, which is one of Hawaii’s premier visitor websites.

Mr. Bandisch realized that for MauiQueen.com to truly be the most comprehensive informational Maui site, we needed to be blatantly honest with our visitors. Our visitors need to see the “real” Maui along side the “fantasy” Maui. Pretty conscience for someone whose eggs lie in the tourism industry basket, don’t you think? So, we thought, what better way to provide this honesty than to join forces with the Maui Weekly?

So what does this mean to Maui Weekly readers? Well, now you can check out various articles and editorials from the Maui Weekly on MauiQueen.com. Plus, you can download the complete paper in PDF format onto your computer. Not to mention, you can also subscribe to the Maui Weekly online…which means that every week, you’ll find the Maui Weekly in your inbox.

If you live on Maui for part of the year, have relocated and want to stay current with the real people and issues that make up our community, or are just too lazy to walk to your mailbox, an online subscription may be perfect for you.

This is awesome news to businesses that are thinking about advertising in the Maui Weekly. You know all that exposure you got from the paper? Well, it just got better and much, much bigger. The bottom line is that when tourists aren’t in Maui, they’re on the internet planning their trip here…Potential visitors will see ads from Maui businesses in the crucial “planning” stage of their trip.

On the MauiQueen.com side of it all, we’re proud to announce that we’re boldly going where no one else has gone before through iNews. iNews is a live internet broadcast that we’ll be conducting once a week from various spots on the island. We’ll show visitors in real-time just how much Maui has to offer in entertainment, dining, activities and shopping, as well as brief them on “what’s happened on Maui this week”.

This is a great opportunity for Maui businesses to really come to life. Research has shown that the majority of visitors are booking all of their activities etc. before they get on the plane to come here. What better way to showcase your business or service than on an internet site geared toward those planning a trip here...live and in person.

MauiQueen.com is big and getting bigger by the day. If you run a search for “Maui Travel” or “Maui Travel Guide” you’ll see us at the top of the search results. Pretty cool, stuff. Most websites get lost in the shuffle. Right now there are about 2.5 million pages that pop up when you run a search on “Maui travel”—being at the top of the list is quite a feat.

There is strength in numbers, so if you have a website, link to us. It’s free and believe me; you’ll start getting more traffic. Basically, the way that it works is that your site will get “credit” from search engines for linking onto an expert site like MauiQueen.com. The point is to build something strong, together, as a community. Want even more traffic? Become a preferred vendor. When you become a preferred vendor your site will have a visible link going out of MauiQueen.com. To date, more than 23% of our page views per day go to the Preferred Vendors section of the site. This means that your website will potentially be seen by 500 people per day…and the numbers are only going to continue to grow.

If you are a business owner and want us to broadcast from your place, give me a holler. Space is limited as we are only going to be broadcasting live once a week for the time being. It’s a revolutionary step—you don’t want to be left behind on this one.

For more information on linking to MauiQueen.Com visit us at www.MauiQueen.Com, and hit the “referrals” button in the upper left hand corner of the page.

Contact me, Starr Tendo, for more information on broadcasting live from your business, or with any other questions that you have. I’ll be glad to answer them for you. My email is editor@mauiqueen.Com

Have a great week. Check back with the Maui Weekly and MauiQueen.Com for a broadcast schedule.

Old Lahaina Luau

Everyone asks me what is the best luau on the island! Well, the consensus is the Old Lahaina Luau which is located at 1251 Front Street in Lahaina behind the Lahaina Cannery Mall right on the ocean. What sets the Old Lahaina Luau apart from all of the others? For one, it's the location right on the ocean, and it's setting. The Old Lahaina Luau built it's own venue which gives a more authentic polynesian village feeling (versus the other luaus which are in hotel settings). Then I think it's the quality of the dancers which is none other than fabulous! The food is authentic luau food and their hospitality is unmatched.

The one thing that the Old Lahaina Luau does not have that most visitors assume it does is the fire-knife dancing. Fire Knife Dancing is orginally from Samoa and the Old Lahaina Luau tries to stay along the more traditional Hawaiian style (although they do have alot of the exciting Tahitian dancing in their show).

They offer two kinds of seating at the Old Lahaina Luau--traditional style seating which is down in the very front row, sitting on pillows at tables, and the regular table/chair seating.

The most important point for prospective Old Lahaina Luau goers to know is that the Old Lahaina Luau sometimes sells out more than one month in advance, especially during the summer months so booking way in advance is strongly recommended.

For more information, check out the Old Lahaina Luau at http://www.paradisemaui.com/activities/index.html

E Komo Mai Maui County Republican Party Monthly Dinner

Sat., May 26 at Eddie and Cary’s Hideaway Restaurant, 5:30 p.m. Delicious buffet available for $15. Charles Djeu, O‘ahu Councilman will be our guest speaker. Djeu is one of the “shining stars” of the Hawaii Republican Party. You will want hear what he has to say. We invite all to join us at this fun event where we have good food, talk story, enjoy ourselves and learn more about local politics.

Pizza on the West Side

Looking for great pizza while you are staying on the West Side of Maui (Lahaina, Kaanapali, Honokowai, Kahana and Kapalua)? Try one of these great pizza joints:

Kahana
Dollie's Pub & Cafe located in the Kahana Manor at 4310 Lower Honoapiilani Road across from the Sports Club of Kahana

Honokowai
Pizza Paradiso in the Honokowai Marketplace

Kaanapali
Pizza Paradiso in the Whaler's Village Shopping Mall

Giovanni's Tomato Pie Restaurante located at the entrance to Kaanapali at 2291 Kaanapali Parkway

Lahaina
Gaby's Pizzeria & Deli located at 505 Front St in Lahaina

BJ's Chicago Pizzeria located at 730 Front St in Lahaina

Tickets for 'American Idol' shows sold out!

"American Idol" fans flooded phone lines and waited patiently in line Saturday for a chance to see their favorite finalists in Honolulu. Tickets for two "American Idol Live" shows at the Neil Blaisdell Arena went on sale at 9 am and sold out in 2 hours.

Promoters said it was the fastest selling two-show event in the arena's history. Oahu's Jasmine Trias and Maui's Camile Velasco will perform along with eight otehr finalists from the hit Fox singing competition. They'll perform in Honolulu on September 28-29.

Arts & Crafts Show

The Wailea Marriott (Outrigger) Resort's Ho'olokahi Hawaiian Culture Program sponsors an arts and crafts fair from 9 am to 2 pm in the south lobby every Friday. There's also a fresh flower lei-making class from 9 to 11 am.

Maui Swap Meet

Maui's biggest flea market is held from 7 am to noon on Puunene Avenue across from McDonald's in Kahului every Saturday. Admission is 50 cents. Call 808-877-3100 for more information.

Congratulations to Jasmine Trias!

Congratulations to Jasmine Trias for her outstanding performances on the "American Idol"! She made it to the top three beating incredible odds to make it so close to the end of the "Idol" competition. She emerged from a field of 70,000 applicants to become one of 32 semifinalists. The 17-year old Mililani, Oahu girl says she just recently learned she'd be paid for taking part in the "American Idol" tour this summer, but she says she's just happy to have a chance to sing. The tour is coming to Oahu! Dates to be announced.

Getting a Tattoo on Maui

Feeling a little wild? Got Sailor blood running through those veins? Bring the island home with you...for good. Many, many travelers decide to get tattooed while visiting Maui. There's one Maui tattoo parlor that is King of the Sandcastle...Island Ink Tattoo

Island Ink Tattoo in Paia, Maui has been a haven for those who are into decorating their bodies with art and (like I like to refer to piercing) strategically placed "pretty-shiny-things" on themselves since 1996.

Whether you are a visitor or kama'aina, I wouldn't recommend any other place on the island over Island Ink Tattoo in Paia, Maui...not that the other places are evil-little-nooks, or anything...

It's just that if you're going to subject yourself to discomfort and permanent Maui vacation-memoribilia you want to be "under the gun" of the best, don't you? Uh-huh...that's what I thought.

Island Ink Tattoo in Paia, Maui is a custom tattoo parlor. This means that if you are looking for a one-of-a-kind, top of the line, "look at me, I am so unique" tattoo...you've got it. The tattoo artists at Island Ink Tattoo are all highly skilled at creating the piece that you envision yourself with...it's kind of scary, actually (you hear the theme music from the Twilight Zone)...maybe a little ESP going on at the shop there, guys?

Owner, Joey Riegling recommends that those seeking custom work should contact Island Ink Tattoo in Paia, Maui about a week in advance so that they have time draw up the design and make any revisions.

Walk ins are also welcome. There are tons and tons of "flash" tattoos that are available and ready to take up skin space...great if you're in a time pinch and want something relatively simple. A lot of flash can be modified a little...size and of course, color to suit your specific needs.

Island Ink Tattoo in Paia, Maui also does body piercing...now, now...don't cringe. Body piercing is becoming more and more widespread as people become educated on what it is and what it isn't. A dainty diamond on a nostril, pretty-pretty girlie belly-button piercings...all these now culturally accepted "norms" took place in a tattoo parlor...well, at least I hope they did.

Brad Ward and the mysterious Tammy of Island Ink Tattoo in Paia, Maui are the best piercers on the island...and I say this from experience. They take piercing to a whole new level. It's almost like a medical procedure...sterile, deliberate, educated and tons of aftercare instructions...just no sedation. They use the highest quality body jewelry on the market, which is a lot more than I can say about a lot of the other places out there...and believe me, the quality of jewelry really does matter, because if it's junk stuff...well then, ouch.

From ultra-femme to the downright-burly, if you're looking to add another hole to your body go visit Brad or Tammy. They don't bite, I promise...hey, they don't need to bite if they're holding a 14 gauge piercing needle.

Speaking of needles...

I'm a border-line hypochondriac. This means that every time I get something done to myself that has the potential (any potential) to go wrong I want the gory details.

Here's the scoop for my fellow worry-warts: All needles are single use. There is an autoclave that is constantly sterilizing full-speed-ahead, anything and everything that gets germy...and the folks at Island Ink Tattoo in Paia, Maui are so obsessive about germs that I think most of them believe that germs can jump. I'm surprised that they don't put on surgical gloves to open and close the parlor door...This is a good thing...I like this...over clean is good clean.

The best thing about Island Ink Tattoo in Paia, Maui is that the people that work there are really nice. Yeah, I said nice. If you've ever been tattooed you know that this is not always the case. When you step into Island Ink Tattoo in Paia there's no need to feel intimidated. The crew is welcoming, accepting and open minded.

They have never made fun of my really-bad-picked-it-off-the-wall-when-I-turned-eighteen tatoo...although, they probably should. They do great cover ups, too ya know? Well, at least no fun was poked that I was aware of...hmm...

This is one tattoo parlor that actually cares about customer service. Very refreshing. It's friendly atmosphere and the addictive sting of ink keeps people coming back for more.

As a side note, all tattooing and piercing should be done at the end of your vacation because you won't be able to go into the ocean or swim in the pool for a while...Plan ahead!

Prices are honest, and anyone who mentions that they saw Island Ink Tattoo here on MauiQueen.com will receive a 10% discount! Pretty cool... Oh...and don't forget to tip your artist. Like folks in the restaurant industry these people never forget the faces of those that stiffed them...grrrrrr...... (That came from my bitter, ex-waitress side)

Have fun, be safe and get some ink on Maui!

For more info call Island Ink Tattoo at 808-579-9461 or visit them on the web at www.islandinktattoo.com

They are located at 100 Hana Hwy Paia, Hawaii 96779 (upstairs on the right hand side coming from the airport)

Kanaka Ikaika Kayak Race

Molokai to Oahu
(808) 732-9949
This Starbuck's Molokai Challenge is an international 32-mile, one-person kayak and canoe race

Crash a wedding on Maui!

Looking for a party? Try Tony n' Tina's Wedding over at the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa on Kaanapali Beach. We know you don't know the lucky couple and that you don't have an invitation, but that's ok. Tony and Tina have been throwing wedding receptions for perfect strangers for years.

This wedding bash is really a long running, off-Broadway comedy that continues to draw rave reviews in cities across the United States. In this satire of an Italian-American wedding, the audience plays the role of the guests. You'll meet the bride and groom following a torch-lit wedding ceremony at the Weeping Banyan bar overlooking Kaanapali Beach. Just follow the wedding procession through the Hyatt to the reception area. Join in a toast to the Nunzio and Vitale families, mingle with the bride and groom and join the other wedding guests for a complete, sit-down dinner followed, of course, by wedding cake and dancing to a live, four-piece band.

Tony n" Tina's Wedding is performed at the Hyatt Regency every night except Sunday and Tuesday. Cash bars are avilable througout the evening. Seating is general admission. Participants are asked to arrive at least an hour early for seating assignments.

Clothing attire is more casual than not, somewhere between sequins and shorts, and wheelchair accommodations are available. For ticket information, contact Aloha Services at 808-661-1234.

Hidden Maui Accommodations

Want your Maui vacation to be unique and magical? Stay at a Maui Bed and Breakfast or Maui Vacation rental...the Hidden Maui Accommodation. Join me as I showcase some of the best!

Resorts are luxurious, yes, they really are...but if you want something different, something cozy and homey that honestly emanates the true Spirit of Aloha consider staying at a Maui Bed and Breakfast or Maui Vacation Rental during your visit.

We have many fantastic, little jewel-of-accommodations nestled into every nook and cranny of the island...Whether you are looking for an Indonesian-style hideaway in the jungle, a restored plantation house with gorgeous grounds, or a clean economical room for a few nights, Maui has got it.

The question is...WHICH ONE DO YOU STAY AT?

Well, I did a little research for you (long, grueling hours of talking with B&B owners about the rich history and heart-felt philosophy behind their rentals...sipping iced-tea in a rattan chair looking at some of the best views of the island...relaxing under the stars in an outdoor Jacuzzi...you know, hard work).

Starting June 1st, I will be showcasing some of the greatest "hidden" places to stay on Maui. I'll give you the lowdown on why you just have to visit these little island secrets during your stay.

Remember, June 1st...mark your calendars...be there or be square.

Conversations That Matter For Singles

Meet great new people for friendship and intimacy. Make and maintain conscious connections. Cultivate confi-dence and the art of relation-ship. Develop refined com-munication skills in pleasant one-on-one or small-group settings. Includes potluck, music and dancing after. Fri., May 21, 7 to 9:30 p.m. $20 members. $25 non-members. MOA Center, 164 Kamehameha Ave., Kahului. Tomas and Joan Heartfield, Ph.D., 572-1250, www.talkinghearts.com.

Salsa on the Beach

The Maui Style Salsa Congress Salsa workshops, amateur competition, professional shows, and celebration! Fri., May 21 through Mon., May 24, in Kihei. Proceeds benefit orphans via Ascent Russian Orphan Aid Foundation, a nonprofit which utilizes 100% of donations to help orphans & homeless children. www.RussianOrphan.org More salsa congress info at: www.MauiSalsa.com/salsa_congress.html or call 891-0321 or 283-3645.

FREE Shopping Center Activities on Maui

Looking for a listing of Shopping Center FREE activities for Maui? Here's a current schedule as of May, 2004 (subject to change without notice):

Harbor Shops at Ma'alaea slack key guitar and hula show 3:30 pm Saturdays

Kapalua Shops Thursdays: "Hula Kahiko O Hawaii" from 10 to 11 am. Fridays: Na mele O Kapalua hula show, 11:30 am. Tuesdays: Slack key, 10 am.

Lahaina Cannery Mall Keiki hula shows 1 pm Saturdays and Sundays. Polynesian, hula or multicultural dancers, 7 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Lahaina Center Sunset serenading, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, Tuesdays through Thursdays. Keiki Polynesian Show, 2:30 pm on Wednesdays. Aloha Friday Hula Show, 7 pm on Fridays. Hale Kahiko, a replica of an ancient Hawaiian Village open from 9 am to 6 pm daily.

Old Lahaina Shopping Center Free hula show at 11:30 am every Tuesday and Friday at the Maui Theatre.

Queen Ka'ahumanu Center, Kahului Farmers Market 8 am to 4 pm on Fridays and Tuesdays.

The Shops at Wailea WOW! Wailea Wednesdays 6:30 - 8:30 pm with art gallery receptions and entertainment in the lower courtyard.

Whaler's Village, Kaanapali Hula 6:30 pm on Thursdays and Saturdays. Polynesian Revue at 7:30 pm on Thursdays. Tahitian Show at 7:30 pm on Saturdays. Jazz 2:30 - 5:00 pm on Sundays. Dance of the Nations at 6:30 pm and Paranku Dancers at 7:30 pm on Mondays. Lei making noon to 2 pm on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Wharf Cinema Center, Lahaina On-site artists and Polynesian craftsmen work daily from 10 am to 9:30 pm. Call 808-661-8748 for more information on the Wharf Cinema Center activities.

Maui Tropical Flowers

Thriving abundantly in the rain forests of Hawaii where there is constant rain, mist in the early morning, sultry air and more than enough sunshine, you will find a lavish display of exotic tropical blooms with vibrant to subtle colors. Maui cradles the most tantalizing and unique assortment of tropical flowers originating from Caribbean, Western Pacific, America and Asia - just to name a few.

Fresh tropical flower arrangements are a common delight which deck the lobbies of hotels, resorts, reception areas, waiting rooms, restaurants, and even the homes of residents on the island. The wide selection from each major group makes it difficult to single out just one favorite; Birds of Paradise, Heliconias, Gingers, Anthuriums and more.

Your tropical bouquet is not complete without the final touch and polish of our tropical foliage. Caladium, a close relative to taro plants, ti plant, which leaves come in dashing colors of red, #006600, yellow and variegated, Dracaenas, Ferns, Monstera, Philodendrons, Taro and Peacock plant. Whether skinny, elongated, rotund or hear-shaped, graciously arranged leaves can bring the dramatic effect to a tropical flower arrangement. Let us create a rare combination. These stunning Maui Blooms will bring delight and joy to all those who are lucky enough to receive such an uplifting gift.

Maui Protea

Proteas are wild flowers and native to Southern Hemisphere, primarily South Africa and Australia. Today, our award-winning farmed proteas from Maui mimics those in the wild and by far, the State of Hawaii supplies 90% of the market worldwide

The protea family come in a spectacular variety of shapes, textures and sizes; from furry dusty rose pink to loud red-orange "pincushions" with the flowerheads range in size from few millimeters measured across to a proud 12 inches in diameter.

On the Island of Maui (The Valley Isle), protea farms are located around the cool volcanic slopes of Mount Haleakala which farming elevation ranges from 4,000 to 10,000, slightly acidic soils, tropical mountain breeze and frequent low clouds cover is ideal for raising these rare beauties.

Some of the most popular types of proteas from The Valley Isle are King Protea - available all year-round, Queen Protea - available from October to May, Princess Protea - available in Winter and Spring, Prince Protea–available from November to May, Duches Protea - blooms from November to May, Red Baron Protea - available from September to May, Pink Mink Protea - blooms from August to March, Ermine Tail Protea - available from December to May, Sugar Bush Protea - it blooms year-round and Blushing Bride Protea - available from October to February.

Proteas can last between two to three weeks from the time of shipment. These flowers are also excellent for drying - creating a unique dry flower arrangement.

Manana Garage Happenings

Manana Garage announced 50% off Dinner entrees all nigh, every day! For great Latin American Cuisine and the best margaritas on Maui, visit Manana Garage at 33 Lono Ave in Kahului (near the Queen Kaahumanu Center shopping Mall). For reservations, call 873-0220.

Lahaina's King Kamehameha Day Festivities

Honoring King Kamehameha the Great, the annual Floral & Pa'u rider parade begins at 10am from the 900 block of Front St. to the Banyan Tree. An awards ceremony and cultural craft fair with Hawaiian music and hula follow. Held at Banyan Tree Park, Free, 9am to 5pm. Call Lahaina Visitor Center, 808-667-9193. Contact: Theo Morrison, LahainaTown Action Committee (888) 310-1117

MAUI GROCERIES

It is seems to be a well known fact that grocery shopping on Maui can be an eye opening experience. It is comical to see the faces of first-time visitors as they pay for their first supply of groceries. They are completely taken aback when they relieved of $50.00 or more at the checkout counter and walk away with only one bag of goods. To us who live on the Island, the cost of groceries is just another price we have to pay to call Paradise home.

There are a few things that you can do to minimize your food expenses:

Grocery Coupons:
Every Tuesday you can find grocery store flyers with coupons in the MAUI NEWS (our afternoon paper available after 1pm). Our major grocery stores are SAFEWAY, FOODLAND, and STAR MARKET. There is also SACK & SAVE but it is near the Wailuku Industrial Center. That's about a 50 minute drive from Lahaina or 30 minutes from South Kihei.

Farmer's Market:
Save a few dollars and get great produce.
-- Mon, Wed, Fri 7:00am-11:00am on Lower Honoapiilani Highway in the Hawaiian Moons Store parking lot.
-- Mon, Wed, Fri 1:30-5:30pm on Kihei Road by Suda Store.
-- Sat 8:00am-Noon at Long's Drugs in Kihei on North Kihei Road.
They sell locally grown produce and flowers at reasonable prices. Be sure to try the small bananas and the strawberry papaya.

Maui Farmer's Market:
More great selections of Maui-Grown vegetables, fruits and flowers.
-- Wed from 10 am to 2 pm at the Kahului Shopping Center.
-- Fri 9:30am - 5:00pm at the Center Stage within the Ka'ahumanu Center.
Co-sponsored by the Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Organic Farmers Assoc. and A&B Properties.

Costco:
If you are a Price Club/Costco member and you are planning to spend an extended time on Maui or have a large family you need to feed, then bring your membership card with you. COSTCO is located near the Kahului airport on Dairy road.

Long's Drugs:
Every week this store has food and sundry items on sale. Usually you can find these items located down the middle aisle and they are well marked.

Other Stores:
You will find that there are a number of additional grocery style stores around Maui. Their goods selection is usually limited but their prices are inflated. Try to avoid these stores unless convenience is what you are looking for because they are near to your condo or hotel.
See more tips at www.mauigateway.com/~rw/savings.htm

Sunrise over Haleakala

Making the drive to the top of Maui's inactive volcano, Haleakala, is one of the highlights of everyone's trip to Maui. Going for the sunrise is the most popular time. We suggest leaving very early in the morning--around 3 am.

To avoid being disappointed, call the National Weather Service (877-5111) for Maui's weather forecast. A taped message will give you information on sunrise and sunset times and viewing conditions at the summit. Pick up some coffee, pastries or a sandwich on the way up because no food, beverages or gas are available in the park. There is a $10 park entrance fee, which is good for seven days. The Haleakala Visitor Center is open in the summer from 6 am to 3 pm and in the winter from 6:30 am to 3 pm. Give yourself at least two hours in the park to drive to the summit area and back to the entrance. It's cold up there with temperatures ranging between 40 to 65 degrees F., sometimes dipping below freezing, so bring along warm jackets or sweaters and don't forget your camera. Read on for a little bit of Haleakala's mythology.

Standing in the chilly darkness that precedes the dawn at the summit of Haleakala, you can almost imagine the demigod, Maui, crouched behind the lava rocks waiting to lasso the sun to make it go slower over the islands. In Hawiian mythology, Hina, the mother of Maui complained that her tapa cloth would not dry properly because the sun passed through the skies too quickly. A dutiful son, Maui hid at the summit of Haleakala and lassoed the sun. Only after the great yellow orb promised to travel more slowly through the sky did he release it.

When the sun's first rays pierce through the darkness, spreading over the magnificent peak, the long pre-dawn drive (10,023 feet from sea level to the summit) is forgotten.

The volcano has been inactive since about 1790 when two minor flows occurred on the southwest rift zone near La Perouse Bay. The great basin commonly called the crater, below the observatory, is 3,000 feet deep, 7.5 miles long by 2.5 miles wide. The basin is actually an "erosional depression," where water, wind and possibly glaciers cut into the mountain. Later, new lava flows partially filled the basin, leaving cinder cones to mark their eruption. Pu'u'o Maui, the talles tcinder cone reaches 500 feet from the basin floor.

As the sun, heeding the promise it made to Maui, continues its slow climb into the sky, yo'll feel as if you're standing on the top of the world. All of Maui is at your feet. Across the ocean, to the west, are the islands of Lana'i, Moloka'i and Kaho'olawe. Molokini's crescent bay looks invitingly close. To the east, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, the Big Island's majestic volcanoes, appear to be floating on clouds. The cinders within the crater deepen into more vivid colors; the sky changes from a soft coal gray to blue. Morning dawns on Maui.

An evening with Kris Kristofferson on May 28th

A solo Acoustic Evening with Kris Kristofferson is being held on Friday, May 28th at 7:30 pm in the Castle Theatre at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. His show is a benefit for 'Ohana Makamae. Show time is 7:30 pm, Tickets are $75, $50, $35 and $10. Call 808-242-SHOW(7469) for tickets.

Zippy's is coming to Maui!

Zippy's Restaurants has snapped up one of the last vacant business lots at Maui Business Park in Kahului (near the Home Depot) and expects to open a Zippy's/Napoleon's Bakery by late 2005. A retaurant this size usually hires between 100 - 120 workers. It is uncertain whether this Zippy's will be open 24 hours a day as 19 of the 23 Oahu Zippy's are. Zippy's made its reputation with chili, selling 10 tons per week.

The Web Finally Hits Prime Time

(iNews) -- inewsHawaii® is a continuation of the old American institution, television. It is the newest American institution also, because it is live television coming to you across the internet. At first, the impact of this is not readily apparent.

provide a four hundred million dollar market annually on Maui alone. Future travelers to the islands roam the internet daily finding out all they can about the places they plan to visit. Conde Naste’s publications put Maui as the number one island destination for the past decade. When folks invest so much on their vacation, they believe it is important to inform themselves about the place they are going.

inewsHawaii® makes this task both easy and affordable. Traditionally, any institution or business wanting to get their message to their perspective customers on the mainland, have had very few options. Those options were not plentiful and they were expensive. The internet changed the possibilities of getting information off the island by making it affordable for both small businesses and large corporations.

inewsHawaii® takes the gigantic leap of providing the technology necessary to change static printed media into live television broadcasts. Everyone knows how much more exciting television is than newsprint. The same difference holds true on the web. Html pages can convey information but they don’t entertain like television.
The unheralded advance of broadband on the net is what allowed such innovation to occur so rapidly. Three years ago it was not even feasible to believe we could bring Hawaii into the heartland of America unless we were able to spend millions of dollars to advertise at half time at the Rose Bowl or some other sports extravaganza. Other forms of advertising were also expensive whether it was on the airlines, in the newspapers across America, or in entertainment or travel magazines.

inewsHawaii® changes all of this. Advertisers can now have their activities and hotels viewed in real time by anyone in the world who has a broadband connection and a modern computer. We believe this will have a major impact in the immediate future and will be every bit as revolutionary as the events that transpired in the printing industry and the communications industry. In a short time people will be watching their computers as they watched their televisions. The difference is, the people will have the ability to control completely that which they seek to watch now, not only what is presented to them via some television guide in their local newspaper.
Imagine you are in Iowa and planning to make your first visit to the islands. You’ve been saving your money for some time to make this dream vacation possible. Before inewsHawaii® came along, where would you be able to get up to the minute news from the middle of the Pacific? Basically, nowhere.If visitors could not readily find inewsHawaii® on the web, all the technology in the world would not benefit the island advertiser. Fortunately, any user on the web who puts in the query, “Maui live broadcast” will readily find ParadiseMaui.Com’s newest division, inewsHawaii®.

You too can be part of this revolutionary capability of advertising your island business today on the mainland. E-mail your ideas about making inews® your portal for getting all the news to your future customers before they arrive to the islands.

Reilley's Steak and Seafood is moving!

Roy's Nicolina in Kahana is now a thing of the past. Moving in June 5th will be Reilley's Steaks and Seafood which is currently located at the entrance to Kaanapali. Check out the new Reilley's location at the corner of the Honoapiilani Highway (Hwy 30) and Hoohui Street in Kahana. It will be located upstairs in the mall behind McDonalds. This will only add to the little mall's restaurant collection which includes Roy's Kahana Bar & Grill, Fish & Game Brewery, the Outback Steakhouse, McDonald's and Ashley's Yogurt Shop!

Parasailing and Jet-skiing start on May 16th!

Whale Season on Maui is over today and the water sports are back on! You can now parasail, jet-ski and waterski on Maui starting May 16th. Enjoy these great sports on Maui! For parasailing right off of Kaanapali beach, check out UFO Parasail at:
https://berry.site-secure.net/paradisemaui/activities/ufoparasail.html

International Festival of Canoes (May 15-29)

Front Street, Lahaina
(888) 310-1117
Two-week long cultural festival featuring the Hawaiian canoe. Master canoe carvers from around the Pacific carve canoes from logs throughout the event, a parade of canoes, cultural demonstrations and concert

Molokai Ka Hula Piko Hula Festival

Papohaku Beach Park, Island of Molokai
(808) 658-0662
Celebration of the birth of hula; hula performances, lectures, story-telling, Hawaiian food, games and crafts.

Maui Golf Courses

If you are into golf, we have all the courses listed here for you!

Sandalwood Golf Course
Public -18 Holes - Par 72 - 6000 Yds.
2500 Honoapiilani Hwy, Wailuku, HI 96793
(808) 242-7090 Fax: (808) 242-8024

The Dunes at Maul Lani
Public -18 Holes - Par 72 - 6800 Yds.
31 Kuualoha, Kahului, HI 96732
(808) 872-9047 Fax:(808) 871-9717

Pukalani Country Club
Public -18 Holes - Par 72 - 6494 Yds.
55 Pukalani St., Pukalani, HI 96768
(808) 572-1314 Fax:(808) 572-1961

Elleair Golf Club
Public -18 Holes - Par 71 - 6400 Yds.
1345 Piilani Hwy., Kihei, HI 96753
(808) 874-0777 Fax: (808) 879-5368

Frank De Lima Show (May 14-15)

Maui Arts & Cultural Center
(808) 242-7469
A delightful musical comedian, voted Hawaii's favorite entertainment

Maui Snorkel Guide

Your "mini" snorkle guide to the best snorkeling that Maui has to offer!

Here, fishy, fishy, fishy...Masks and fins, jagged reef, parrot fish, manini and the humuhumunukunukuapua'a. It's all snorkeling Maui, baby...

We're creating a brand-new "mini" Maui snorkel guide just for you. Where is the best place to snorkel on Maui if it's been cloudy during your entire stay and you’re going home tomorrow (and need to swim with tropical fish...right NOW)? How about the safest place on Maui to take your kids snorkeling? What’s all the fuss about this “snorkel Molokini” thing, anyhow?

Should you rent snorkel gear or buy? Where will you find the best snorkel gear and the friendliest service? What kind of sea creatures (besides that 15 foot tiger shark) should you stay away from? Where can you swim with turtles and dolphins (yes, in the wild) for free?

Well, you'll just have to check back with us to find out…We’ve been too busy snorkeling our way around Maui to write the darn thing…(nudge, nudge, wink, wink…)

Really, we understand, you want to know now... check back with us in a day or two because the answers to your Maui snorkeling questions are coming soon!

Specific questions? Send us a comment below and we'll get you the scoop.

Mandara Spa Outrigger Wailea Resort

Mandara Spa is the newest spa on Maui, opened last December in a leafy corner of the Outrigger Wailea Resort. A native Hawaiian herb garden is planted in front of the renovated hotel rooms that house the spa, the latest exponent of a large Indonesian spa chain.
Instead of the architectural grandeur of some of Maui's other spas, Mandara offers a very intimate, highly refined aesthetic experience based on the beauty of small things. You are ushered into a suite, and there you will stay. "This is your room," explains massage therapist Jerry Zisko.
While Hawaiian treatments make up a third of the spa's offerings- the Hawaiian Tropical Flower Bath, the Hawaiian Coconut Scrub, lomilomi and pohaku massage- Ma