june • 2019 keiki cover model

Aloha and Mahalo to the family of Roni Surae Kauanoe Naea for sharing her sweet smile with us this month!

Roni is four years old, and attends preschool in Kahului. Mom is Kaleiopuaonalani Uweko’olani, cultural specialist in the recreation department at Grand Wailea Resort & Spa.

Roni enjoys gymnastics at Jumping Bean Gymnastics in Kahului, and loves going to the park, swimming, reading, playing, and singing.

Mom shared, “Roni loves going to school and making new friends. She loves learning and expressing herself through her vivid imagination. Roni reminds me that life is a lei halia’a, a lei of memories. When your flowers or memories have filled on one side, you can simply create more on the other side.”

mala ocean tavern: new(ish) owners cooking up exciting things

The funky pistachio-green exterior of MALA Ocean Tavern belies what awaits when you step inside this iconic oceanfront restaurant that’s been serving up delectable food and gorgeous sunsets for 15 years. Established in 2004 by Mark Ellman, one of the founders of Hawai‘i Regional Cuisine, along with wife Judy and daughters Ariana and Michelle, MALA is renowned for its distinctive brand of Mediterranean and Pacific Rim cuisine.

Until last November, the Ellman Family presided over a powerhouse trifecta of Lahaina restaurants which, besides MALA, included two adjacent dining establishments: Honu Seafood & Pizza and Frida’s Mexican Beach House. In a surprise move, the Ellmans sold MALA to the bright, ambitious (and successful) owners of Down the Hatch­­, also in Lahaina. Since then, these new(ish) owners have taken the MALA ball and run with it. Big time.

wa‘a kiakahi continues sailing canoe legacy june 7 – 9 at ka‘anapali resort

The 15th annual Wa‘a Kiakahi brings aloha to Maui shores from June 7 to 9, welcoming seven six-member crews from all islands to share with the public the beauty, history and proficiency of traditional Hawaiian sailing canoes.

The three-day event is created by the Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association (HSCA), and features traditional ceremonies, sailing canoe rides and educational talks about celestial navigation and water skills. New this year: prior to the event, the HSCA will rig the canoes at Sugar Beach (Kealia Beach) in Kihei and sail to Kaho‘olawe for a community day of tree-planting! The volunteer tree-planting takes place on Memorial Day Weekend, May 26, after which the canoes sail from Kaho‘olawe to Ka‘anapali on May 27. A traditional Hawaiian arrival ceremony will welcome the sailors, this will take place fronting the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas at around 12 noon.