july • 2016 keiki cover models

Mahalo to the Ideta-Gomes ‘ohana for sharing Lana and Lily with us this month!

Their grandmother is Charlene Ideta, who just recently retired from the Sheraton Maui Resort after over 37 years of service in front desk, reservations and PBX. Congratulations on your retirement, Charlene!

Lana is six years old, and will start first grade in the fall; she enjoys art projects at school. Lily is eight years old, and will enter third grade when school starts. Her favorite subject is also art!

Mom is Leah Ideta and dad is Kamana Gomes. Mom shares, “They are both really good swimmers, so we love taking them to the beach. That is the only place they don’t fight! My girls make me realize the importance of family.”

Mahalo for sharing their smiles with us!

taverna urban drinks + italian eats: affordable, family-friendly dining in kapalua

Chris Kaiwi, Roger Stettler, and Greg Shepherd know a thing or two about operating a restaurant. Kaiwi could be aptly nicknamed “Mr. Kapalua,” having spent the past 10 ­­years managing The Pineapple Grill and the Plantation House. Stettler completed a ten-year stint as executive chef at the Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea before opening, with Shepherd, the gastropub Cow Pig Bun in Kihei in September of 2014. Shepherd has more than 20 years’ experience managing first-class dining venues in California, Las Vegas, and Hawai‘i, including Ka‘ana Kitchen at the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort.

Now this talented trio has collaborated to bring a brand-new dining experience to Kapalua Resort: Taverna Urban Drinks + Italian Eats, which opened in March of this year in a prime location at the Kapalua Adventure Center.

It’s a blustery evening in Kapalua when Charles and I arrive at Taverna. The restaurant’s rustic, yet chic interior is both cozy and welcoming. Hostess Gwen is also welcoming, and she shows us to our table overlooking Kapalua Golf Academy’s lush, green practice area.

maui paint parties launch at the pioneer inn

A brand-new opportunity for residents and visitors to create their own Maui art is coming to Lahaina. Anita Marci Studios has teamed up with Mark Guerrera, the Hotel General Manager of the historic Pioneer Inn to present the very first Maui Paint Parties.

Adults and children over 14 are invited to enjoy harbor sunsets, drinks, pupus, music and painting in a festive party-style atmosphere at the Pioneer Inn Grill and Bar located at the Lahaina harbor (658 Wharf Street). Parties will be held every Monday and Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the restaurant area.

‘night at the aquarium’ offers a brand-new experience saturday nights at maui ocean center

Maui Ocean Center has just announced a new experience “Night at the Aquarium” which invites guests to explore Maui Ocean Center’s exhibits as day transitions into night. The new evening experience features live entertainment, marine presentations, and activities, with Seascape Ma‘alaea Restaurant open for dinner, 5pm-8pm. Night at the Aquarium takes place every Saturday, June through August, from 6pm-9pm.

The Aquarium experience changes drastically as the sun sets behind the West Maui Mountains. Nocturnal marine life that is typically dormant or hidden during daylight hours spring to life at night. Throughout the evening, guests will be able to explore Maui Ocean Center’s exhibits from the interactive tide pool to the 750,000-gallon Open Ocean exhibit. Marine-friendly flashlights will be available for guests to explore The Living Reef’s Nocturnal Zone where a portion of the exhibits will have dimmed lighting, providing guests with an authentic encounter with Hawaii’s nocturnal marine animals. Marine naturalists will be present to share their knowledge and point out interesting nighttime behavior. Other marine presentations include a Turtle-rrific Station, Reef Explorer, and an Open Ocean Exhibit dive presentation among sharks, rays, and large reef fish.

ka’anapali beach hotel brings hawaiian culture to ocean activities with opening of its beachfront hale huaka‘i

Kaanapali Beach Hotel, Hawai`i’s Most Hawaiian Hotel, will continue to enrich guests’ experience through authentic cultural offerings with the official opening of their new water activities center today.

Paying homage to Hawaiian traditions, the center will be called Hale Huaka‘i, which means “Adventure Center” and signifies a trip, voyage or a place to start your journey or embark on an adventure, often in a “hui,” or group to build connections with others. The Hale Huaka‘i offers a Hawaiian perspective to several popular ocean activities such as surfing, stand up paddle boarding (SUP), snorkeling, conch shell blowing and more.