april • 2013 keiki cover model

We want to send out a big   Mahalo to the family of our handsome cover boy this month, three-year-old Tito Becerra.

Mom is Soralla Becerra, who works in guest services  and banquets at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. Dad is Arturo Gonzalez, a chef at Okazuya Restaurant.

Tito attends Holy Innocents Preschool in Lahaina, and his favorite sport to play is soccer. He also loves to watch Curious George.

Mom shares, “Tito is very friendly, he is curious and wants to try and learn about everything. He inspires me every day with his big smile and easy way of interacting with others!”

Thank you for your contagious smile, Tito!

emerald city trapeze arts: run away and join the circus for a day!

Many kids dream of running away and joining the circus. If you were one of them, your dream can now become reality at Emerald City Trapeze Arts in Lahaina. Opened in December of last year, Emerald City offers high-flying trapeze and aerial arts classes at their open-air facility high above Lahaina near Star Noodle.

Allyson and I don’t quite know what to expect as we drive around the pali towards Lahaina. Will it be scary? Will we have to climb up a tall ladder? Will it be fun? The answers, we find out later, are yes, yes, and yes!

trilogy’s blue‘aina reef cleanup program: protecting our beautiful, yet fragile marine ecosystem

The ocean waters surrounding Maui contain some of the most exquisite coral reefs in the entire world, making this a highly desirable location for fishing and diving. Coral reefs are some of the most complex ecosystems on the planet, supporting more than 4,000 species of fish, 700 species of coral, and thousands of other plants and animals. Coral reefs are sensitive environments because of their highly specific requirements for temperature, salinity, oxygen, light, and nutrients. Pollution, disease, climate change, physical contact, and habitat destruction threaten these fragile ecosystems.

In 2010, Trilogy Excursions crew members started their Blue‘aina reef cleanup program as a means of “giving back” to the ocean. The crew committed to donating their time, Trilogy donated the boat, and their initial goal was to clean up 12 reefs in 12 months. They partnered with the Surfrider Foundation to get other members of the community involved as well. The name “Blue‘aina” reflects the relationship between land and sea, and how living on this island together we are all inseparably intertwined.

pacific whale foundation introduces new raft cruises

Pacific Whale Foundation has just upped their level of adventure with newly launched raft cruises. With the addition of a second high-tech ocean raft to its fleet, PWF is adding more ecotours to its line-up.

The new 38 foot raft, named Ocean Adventurer, features a rigid channeled fiberglass hull designed to cut through the waves for a smooth ride. An overhead canopy provides ample shade. Guests can sit on forward facing seats or on the pontoons. The vessel can accommodate 30 guests and has an onboard bathroom, fresh water shower and dive ladder. It operates out of Lahaina Harbor.

star noodle’s 2nd annual empty bowl project

The 2nd Annual Empty Bowl Project will be held on April 13, 2013, from 5:30pm-8pm at Star Noodle (286 Kupuohi Street in the Lahaina Business Park).  Star Noodle and the Maui Organization for the Ceramic Arts (MOCA) came together to bring you inspired cuisine, outstanding art and great entertainment for a very worthy cause, the Maui Food Bank and Hale Mahaolu.

This year, ceramic artists from around Maui have come together and have created over 300 hand crafted ceramic bowls to be sold for a $25 donation at the event.  The bowl you purchase is a keepsake to remind you of all the “empty bowls” in the world, proceeds collected from the bowl purchase will be donated to the Maui Food Bank and Hale Mahaolu.  The donation will also include a visit to a special Empty Bowl Project “Noodle Bar” created by “Top Chef” finalist and Award Winning Chef, Sheldon Simeon, of Star Noodle.  At the “Noodle Bar” tent you will be able to create your own Ramen or Organic Soba with a variety of garnishings.