february • 2018 keiki cover models

Aloha and Mahalo to the Welch family for sharing daughters Rhyan and Raya this month for our cover.

Dad is Jared Welch, front desk agent at Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, and mom is Kate Welch, a teacher at Pomaika‘i Elementary School in Kahului.

Rhyan is in second grade at Pomaika‘i. She loves art, math and reading. Raya attends preschool at Blossom Keiki Care in Kahului, and loves crafts, playing outdoors and learning her letters and numbers. Both girls do gymnastics and dance ballet.

Dad shares, “It’s a fun journey to watch Rhyan and Raya’s personalities develop. Seeing Maui through the eyes of my girls inspires me to be an educational resource for our guests.”

monkeypod kitchen by merriman in ka‘anapali: business is brisk at new whalers village location

Chef/Restaurateur Peter Merriman seemingly has the Midas touch. With 30 years of creating memorable meals in Hawai‘i under his belt, and 10 successful restaurants sprinkled throughout the four major islands, you never know what to expect next from this culinary giant.

Chef Peter’s latest venture, with his Handcrafted Restaurants brand partner Bill Terry, is Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman at Whalers Village in Ka‘anapali, which opened this past October adjacent to another of the chef’s enterprises, Hula Grill. It joins two other Monkeypod Kitchens—one in Wailea, and the other in Ko Olina on O‘ahu—whose motto is “Lucky Live Hawai‘i.” Amen. Monkeypod’s mission is to be “a place where foodies, beer lovers, and families ­­­escape the stress of their day-to-day lives by enjoying an ice-cold beer and a great meal while surrounded by people who consider them honored guests and friends.”

2018 maui plein air painting invitational

Beginning Saturday, February 17, the 2018 Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational will bring together top plein air artists from Hawai‘i and the mainland to capture Maui’s Upcountry vistas, pristine beaches, majestic mountains, and historic towns.

Watch 25 artists create inspiring paintings at the Lahaina Harbor Kick Off, Kapalua Bay Paint Out, and the Canoe Beach Quick Draw. There will be six opportunities to purchase original paintings. The week culminates with the ‘Art to Heart’ Gala, the Artists’ Aloha Reception and, the Artists’ Farewell Reception – all held at the Royal Lahaina Resort. A Youth Paint Out will be held on Sunday, February 18.

maui mobility Systems proud to announce launch of ‘scootxcursions™’

Maui’s premier provider of mobility equipment rentals recognized that many of our visitors cannot participate in or take advantage of certain attractions and activities on our island because they have trouble walking distances or walking up hills. Maui Mobility Systems is now offering the use of their electric mobility scooters at favorite visitor sites. These scheduled day trips make it easy for the whole family to enjoy the adventure without leaving anyone back at the hotel. Maui Mobility delivers the scooters to the site, trains the guests on the use of the scooter, provides additional goodies, and picks up the scooters at the end of the excursion. The guests meet at the site and other family members are invited along.

whale tales 2018: FEBRUARY 16-19

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), Maui, Hawaii

Whale Trust invites the public to join world-renowned scientists, photographers, and conservationists at the 12th Annual Whale Tales, February 16th-19th, in West Maui. Whale Tales 2018 features four days of expert presentations, guided whale watches, films, an education/art expo, and the first annual Whale Tales Family Day. More than 16,000 people have attended the event since its debut in 2006 and contributed over $575,000 for whale research in Hawai‘i.

Learn the latest findings on marine mammals around the world including right whales, killer whales, humpback whales, and bowheads. Hear from the experts about the effects of human activities on marine mammals and view stunning underwater photography and videography of whales in their natural environment. Join the experts on the water with the whales during benefit whale watching cruises hosted throughout the weekend.