february • 2014 keiki cover models

Aloha to this month’s keiki cover models from the beautiful Rivera Family: Jaden Hi‘ilei Waioleka, Jadacyn Christina Leihuluonalani & Jade Carolina Ha‘ilani

Mom is Jere Rivera, Front Desk agent at the Ka‘anapali Ali‘i, and dad is John Rivera, owner of Waiohuli Tilers. The family lives in Kula.

Jaden is 13 years old and attends Kalama Intermediate. She dances hula with Halau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala‘iliahi, and also enjoys playing volleyball. Jadacyn is in second grade at Kula School and she is the artist in the family! Jade is four years old and loves taking their family dog, Ilihia, for walks in the neighborhood.

Mom shares, “My children inspire me to be happy, and that feeling shows when I am at work. I love to smile and share aloha with everyone who comes to our desk.”

The girls’ Grandma, Ermilda, works at the Hyatt Regency Maui, and Grandpa Oscar works at Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club.

sugar cane maui: it’s not traditional—it’s adventurous

If you live Upcountry like I do, having an opportunity to people watch from a second-floor lanai right smack in the middle of Lahaina Town is like being transported to another place. And when said people-watching is combined with top-notch cuisine artistically prepared by a French master chef, you’ve got yourself one memorable evening. It’s exactly this that awaits you at Sugar Cane Maui.

It’s been a busy work week, and my friend Susan and I are ready to kick back and relax. After welcoming us warmly, Sugar Cane Maui’s gracious hostess Jamie Lee leads us up the wood staircase, and shows us to a cozy corner table on the lanai. The table and chairs are wrought iron, but pillows and cushions have been thoughtfully placed on the chairs for comfort. It’s Friday evening in Lahaina Town, and Front Street is bustling. A solo musician nearby croons easy-listening tunes that help us unwind.

top artists converge in lahaina: maui plein air painting invitational feb. 15-23

Beginning February 15, the 9-day Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational will bring together 25 top plein air artists from Hawai‘i and the mainland to capture Maui’s Upcountry vistas, pristine beaches, majestic mountains, and historic towns. Hawai‘i’s premier plein air painting event offers visitors and locals the opportunity to watch these amazing artists at work, learn about outdoor painting, and support art activities in our community. The Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational is interspersed with special events which are free and open to the public.

“The success of this annual event is directly attributed to the caliber of artists,” said Lynn Shue, owner of The Village Galleries. “Their paintings pay witness to Maui’s history, capturing the beauty and lifestyle that makes our island home unique. Not only are these artists’ exceptionally talented individuals, but they also have a genuine aloha for our island.”

Local artists participating in this year’s event are Ronaldo Macedo, Macario Pascual and Carleton of Lahaina; Michael Clements of Kula; Mike Carroll of Lanai City; Pierre Bouret of Hanalei, Kauai; Saim Caglayan of Kilauea, Kauai; and Jenifer Prince of Princeville, Kauai; and Mark Brown of Honolulu.

whale tales 2014: learn about these incredible creatures and meet renowned researchers

• Humpback whales may be coming off the endangered list?
• Are whales more like humans than we had thought?
• Killer whales tagged in Hawai‘i.
• The subtle tones of Humpback songs.
• Award-winning underwater IMAX footage.

These are just a few of the topics that will be unveiled and discussed at this year’s Whale Tales, an annual educational fundraising event, featuring presentations, receptions and whale watches. The event runs from February 14 through 17, 2014. Presentations include some of the latest findings on social, behavioral and conservation topics related to whales and their natural environment. Hear directly from the source on recent discoveries and view stunning underwater photography and video of whales in their natural environment. Join the experts on the water with the whales and feel the magic during the benefit whale watching cruises hosted throughout the weekend.

34th annual world whale day—rock icon mick fleetwood is guest star on saturday, february 15

Rock icon Mick Fleetwood will be the special guest star on Saturday, February 15 at the 34th Annual World Whale Day Celebration at Kalama Park in Kihei. A community event attended by more than 25,000 Maui residents and visitors last year, World Whale Day starts at 9am and continues until 7pm. Admission is free.

Fleetwood is the co-founder and drummer of the legendary band Fleetwood Mac. The band is best known for its 1977 megahits “Don’t Stop,” “Go Your Own Way” and “Dreams.”

Mick Fleetwood will be taking the stage at World Whale Day as a guest performer with the R.E. Metoyer Blues, Rock and Soul Revue. He will also serve as the Grand Marshall in the Parade of Whales, which kicks off the festivities at 9am along South Kihei Road. This colorful parade begins at Alanui Keali‘i Drive, proceeds north along South Kihei Road and ends at Kihei Library on Waimahaihai St.