Inter-Island Travel

For all HawaiianMiles members who fly interisland now through the end of 2009 they can earn discounted or free  flights to the mainland.  For every qualifying round trip interisland flight members can earn a 10% discount on a future flight to the mainland.  Members can earn up to two free roundtrip tickets each to any of the 10 West Coast cities Hawaiian Airlines flies.

When booking interisland flights members will simply enter their HawaiianMiles number and Hawaiian will automatically track discounts.  The earning periods for interisland travel are August 3, 2009 to December 31, 2009.  Booking and travel to the mainland using the discounts must be during August 3, 2009 to June 15, 2010.  Qualifying interisland flights must be prior to 10 a.m. and after 2 p.m. in a fare class that is eligible for HawaiianMiles earnings.

For more information visit Hawaiian Airlines website at www.hawaiianair.com.

As if the airline industry in Hawaii could get any more complicated.  With the closing of Aloha Airlines last year, the continued price wars between those remaining, and the economy weakening day after day, the inter-island travel industry just got another jolt.

go! Airlines and Mokulele are merging under Mesa Air Group to form go! Mokulele. This undoubtedly means higher prices for flights between the Hawaiian islands. Yuk! This comes at a time when Maui, Kauai, and The Big Island have all seen huge economic losses, and could mean further losses from those kama’aina that like to travel inter-island on a weekend getaway.

The new airline, only has to compete with Hawaiian Airlines, whose known for having higher priced tickets with it’s larger airplanes and higher carrying capacity. Only time will tell whether or note the price of your flight to Maui will increase, but we think it most likely has to.

For those of you with tickets on either go! or Mokulele, your tickets will still be valid and you can continue to book with either company, which will eventually become one seemless company as the merger continues.

Who will be the next airline to try and take a stab at inter-island travel?

Saturday October 17 2009 from 3PM to 5 PM folks will get a chance to immerse themselves in Hawai’i’an Culture at the Schaefer Gallery at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center when four master story tellers take center stage, sharing tales of Pele and Hi’iakaikapoliopele as found throughtout the isles, stories including Kamapua’a, Lohiau, Hopoe, and others, with at least one tale told in Hawai’i’an and English.

The Maui Arts & Cultural Center at One Cameron Way, Kahului, Maui (96732) brings together four brilliant storytellers.  Kalama Cabigon is the most contemporary combining elements of hip-hop, reggae and rock into his Hawai’i’an Music with the group ‘Kupa’aina’ yet he remains rooted in local experiences, a truly diverse talent Kalama Cabigon is a chanter, storyteller, slam poet, musician, actor, who has toured with Ka Halau Hanakeaka doing Hawai’i’an language plays and for the past several years and he has presented stories in Hawaiian and English at the Mary Kawena Puku’i Storytelling Festival at the Bishop Museum.

Nalani Kanaka’ole is a delightful storyteller whose history and that of her family is intertwined with Hawai’i’an history.  The daughter of Hula Master / Chanter Eddie Kanaka’ole (1913-1979), Nalani and sister Pualani are the inheritors of Halau ‘O Kekuhi, founded in 1953 by their mother.  Nalani is a Kumu Hula (Hula Master), “Based in Hilo, on Hawai’i Island, they are looked to as guardians of the hālau’s distinctive ‘aiha’a style which is vigorous and low to the ground, its bent-knee stance personifying power emanating from the earth and its elements. Hālau ‘O Kekuhi is recognized as the guardians of Pele-related hula, carrying hundreds of years of knowledge within the seven-generation hālau. Nālani is a Kumu Hula, artist, designer, writer, and educator. Nālani emanates generations of connection to the past and blends that with today while taking it all into the future.”

Tom Cummings is a master storyteller having learned from his mother Kahili Long Cummings, he weaves tales as an ‘offering’ a ho’pkupu’ to future generations, which Tom has been doing for forty years.  Uncle Tom has traveled extensively throughout Hawai’i and the American Mainland, and other places, mainly sharing tales about ‘folks,’ real and mythical, of Hawai’i and Polynesia, incorporating images & objects, inviting audiences to join in with singing and dancing, further enchanting them with puppets and other objects.

Kekuhi Keali‘ikanaka‘oleohaililani whose roots are intertwined with Hawai’i’an history and culture is a renowned recording artist educator composer, who serves as a living repository of traditions & tales, a bridge to future generations.  A mesmerizing speaker whose presentations often induce that delightful sensation of ‘chicken skin.’

As part of this epic storytelling there will be an exhibit of artwork by Iao Intermediate School 7^th Graders inspired by several of the tales to be presented, those images will be on display in the Alexa Higashi exhibit rooms.  Kumu Hula and MACC Cultural Programs Director Hōkūlani Holt will host the event from 3PM to 5PM.

Thanks in part to an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, the County of Maui and Kauahea, Inc, this event is FREE, yes, FREE.  What a deal, do yourself a favor and run away to Maui!

It is officially Roctober on Maui, one of the true greats of Rock n’ Roll, Aerosmith will perform at the War Memorial Stadium (click here for directions to the stadium, gates will open at 4PM for the 7 PM show. This settles several years of wrangling when some strange Universal force cancelled a previously scheduled concert two years ago. In a phone conversation with promoter Tom Moffat, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming show saying that he was “feeling great and everything is back to normal,” and that the band has been looking forward to performing in Hawai’i since 1976, giving out a shout of “Mahalo” to local fans for making this gig possible, adding to the lingo by adding, “I’ll be mahallerring my ass off on stage.” A final request was made for fresh poi in the star’s dressing room.

For those who have been hovering under a rock for the last thirty years or so, Aerosmith burst onto the scene in the 1970’s with a blustering combination of swagger, ‘dirty’ blues, and power driven vocals and superb musicianship and unlike so many of their contemporaries they have neither faded away nor have they burned out, remaining fresh and vital to the end of the decade of the double zeros. Their current line up has remained consistent over the years, fronted by Steven Tyler whose vocals would be enough to cement stardom yet his energy is such that he is as likely to grab a set of maracas as he is to pound the piano or caress the keyboard and in keeping with blues driven rock Tyler’s harmonica is more than a fashion accessory. Equally energetic Joe Perry plays lead and rhythm guitar as well as singing, the silent one in the band is Brad Whitford who is heard only through his impressive lead and rhythm guitar prowess. Another member contributing vocals to solid musicianship is bassist Tom Hamilton. Adding voice to the controlled mayhem, anchor and fan favorite, is drummer percussionist Joey Kramer.

Through the decades Aerosmith has sold more than one hundred and fifty million albums, snagging four Grammys, eight American Music Awards, six Billboard Awards, and a slew of other awards. Their concerts are legendary for excitement and thrills, the band bringing verve to a variety of tunes no matter how familiar or known though naturally audiences scream loudest for their favorites; “chart topping hits like: “Dude (Looks Like A Lady),” “Rag Doll,” “Janie’s Got a Gun,” and “Walk This Way.” 

A new generation of fans will greet Aerosmith with enthusiasm, fans of the 2008 release of the ‘video’ game ‘Guitar Hero; Aerosmith Edition.’ The game chronicles the band from their early shows at Mendon Nipmus Regional High School in 1970 to their triumphant half time appearance at Superbowl XXXV in 2001.

Tickets for this eagerly awaited show; “Ticket prices are $125 and $85 for reserved seating and $65 for General Admission/Bleacher Seating (plus applicable fees). Tickets will be available first to Maui Arts & Cultural Center ’s Annual Donors starting 10 am on Saturday, September 26. MACC Annual Donors will have early ticket-buying privileges until Thursday, October 1, when tickets will go on sale to the general public. If you are not an Annual Donor of the MACC, you may join now and enjoy the benefits of early ticket purchase immediately. Visit www.mauiarts.org/donorbenefit for more information and how to easily become a MACC Annual Donor online.

Tickets may be purchased on-line at www.mauiarts.org, in person at the MACC Box Office, by phone at 242-SHOW (7469). Box Office hours are 10 am – 6 pm Monday through Saturday. (Ticket limits based upon level of donor-ship apply with an 8 ticket maximum limit.).

Do not miss this opportunity to run away to Maui to see one of rock’s true living legends perform.

The crew at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in cordination with the Hawai’i’an Film Festival continue to bring intriguing one of a kind films to the delightful McCoy Studio Theater.  “Heart Strings: The Story of the Kamaka Ukulele” will be shown at 3PM on Sunday October 11 2009.

The film presents the story of Kamaka & Sons one of the few companies capable of claiming nearly a hundred years serving the community of Honolulu, a firm crafting that uniquely Hawai’i’an instrument the Ukulele.  This is a story of hard work, dedication, strength & fortitude, but even more, it is a story about Hawai’i’an ideas and values: Pono, Malama, Aloha, and much more.  It is a film that provides rare glimpse into Honolulu during the 1920s when Samuel K Kamaka started a business in his basement that grew to rival the one time fifteen manufacterers of Ukulele but untimately to survive their demise, thriving to this very day.  To quote MACC press release, “at its heart this film examines how Hawaiian values have shaped the company and how those values reflect a unique worldview and identity.”

Following the film there will be a discussion and opportunity to question the producer Dawn Kaniaupi‘o.  Tickets for this film as a mere $10 and can be purchased via the MACC boxoffice at 242-SHOW (7469) or go online at www.mauiarts.org. “Hope to see you there! Sponsored by an award from the National Endowment from the Arts, County of Maui and KPOA radio.”

Two great sites to check out: http://www.kamakahawaii.com/index.html and http://www.geocities.com/~ukulele/kamaka.html .

Samuel Kamaka with one of his original pineapple

http://www.geocities.com/~ukulele/kamaka.html

Ala Moana Hotel guests can hit the jackpot and win a free trip for two to Las Vegas, thanks to the property’s new “The More You Stay, The More You Play” promotion. From now through January 31, 2010, Ala Moana Hotel is giving away a trip for two per month to its kama’aina patrons, for a total of eight Vegas vacations.

Frequent visitors have a greater chance of winning the flyaway – as each night of stay earns another entry. Each Las Vegas prize package includes roundtrip airfare for two from Oahu, four nights of accommodations at the California Hotel, plus airport and hotel transportation, along with a meal plan.

“Ala Moana Hotel’s ‘The More You Stay, The More You Play’ program is a fun way for us to show our appreciation for the ongoing support and loyalty of our kamaaina guests,” said Marty Milan, director of sales and marketing for the Ala Moana Hotel. “Las Vegas is a favorite vacation destination for Hawaii residents – and we know our guests will enjoy this free getaway.”

Winners will be announced at the monthly KUMU 94.7 Breakfast Club Show at the hotel’s Plantation Café. The popular weekend event is hosted by KUMU personalities Frank and Mandy and takes place the first Saturday of each month. For information or to make a reservation for the KUMU 94.7 Breakfast Club Show, please call (808) 955-4811 ext. 4070.

Staying at Ala Moana Hotel has never been more affordable with new low kamaaina rates, starting at just $99 for the Kona Tower and $129 for the Waikiki Tower. Suites are also available starting at $229. The prices are a great deal for business guests, traveling from the neighbor islands, as well as families and groups looking to stay at the heart of Honolulu’s bustling sights and nightlife.

Following its multi-million dollar renovation, Ala Moana Hotel now offers the perfect harmony of contemporary decor and island-style appeal. Casually sophisticated and comfortably appointed for business or leisure, guests will enjoy mountain and ocean views enhanced by the rhythms and vibrancy of the city. All rooms feature custom-designed furniture, flat-screen televisions, a private balcony in all Waikiki Tower rooms and complimentary high-speed Internet access.

On their visit, kama’aina can take advantage of Ala Moana Hotel’s first-class facilities: relax on the expansive sundeck, take a dip in the pool, work up a sweat at the upgraded fitness center and purify the body and mind in the sauna and steam room. A robust nightlife and exceptional dining selections on property include Rumours Nightclub, Plantation Café for breakfast, Tsukasa Japanese food and Royal Garden Chinese cuisine.

Ala Moana Hotel’s “The More You Stay, The More You Play” promotion is open to Hawaii residents. Proof of residency must be provided at check-in. Official rules are available at the hotel’s front desk Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. No purchase is necessary.

Here is a perfect reason to run away to Maui Saturday September 26 2009, the annual St John Episcopal Church’s Kula Festival.  St John has been an integral part of upcountry Maui for more than a century and for nearly three decades they have presented a music festival attracting visitors from around The World.   The St John’s Kula Festival shares the proceeds with several charities; this year will benefit The Friends of The Children’s Justice Center, and Carol Adams Youth Encouragement Service (YES) in Uganda.

St John Episcopal Church is located at 8992 Kula Highway, Kula, Maui across from the lovely Keokea Park.  The event draws a variety of artist, 2009 will be blessed by an appearance by Jeff Peterson, a Na Hoku Hanohano Award winning guitarist, plus the always enchanting Hula Honeys, Fred Lacar, Louise Lambert, and more to be announced.  The Kula Festival features a variety of food booths, games for the children, arts & crafts, an auction, there will be ono produce on sale, an incredible variety of plants, St John’s famous Tea Room with its amazing view,  and for many a wonderful opportunity to meet & mingle with those fortunate enough to call upcountry Maui their home.

Among the locals be certain to check out Skarlatti’Art Wear, renowned for creations in silver, the artist will be on hand displaying rings and necklaces as well as tiaras (crowns) that are unique & stylish and definitely not the usual ‘cookie cutter’ designs one might find just about anyplace.  Scope out http://www.skarlatti.com/?page=galleries for inspiration.

The Kula Festival begins at 9AM and is pau at 3PM, admission is free, donations are more than welcome.  For further info one can contact Marilynn Hirashima via 808-878-1866, and to scope out St John’s Episcopal Church   http://www.stjohnsmaui.org/index.php?page=Home.

Photo courtesy of Flickr

There are those that Dance to Live and those that Live to Dance.  Mikhail Baryshnikov is Dance.  The decades have not diminished  Baryshnikov’s determination or ability to Dance a fact one can verify by flying away to Maui Thursday September 17 2009 where Mikhail Baryshnikov and Ana Laguna will perform ‘Three Solos and a Duet’ at 7:30 PM at the wonderful Castle Theater.  Sponsored by the Grand Wailea and an award from the National Endowment of the Arts, and the Performing Arts Presenters of Hawai’i, Baryshnikov and Laguna will perform to the ballet of choreographers Mats Ek, Benjamin Millepied and Alexei Ratmansky.

Baryshnikov was born in Riga, Latvia in 1948 when that nation was part of the Soviet Union.  In 1960 at the ‘late’ age of twelve Baryshnikov began ballet; within four years he entered the famous Vanganova School, soon to win top prize in the junior division of the International Competition.  In 1967 nineteen year old Mikhail joined the Kirov Ballet, making his debut at the Marrinksky Theatre in ‘Giselle.’ Baryshnikov’s fame spread beyond Soviet Russia through the end of the turbulent 60s and beginning of the 1970s, and when he defected to Canada in 1974 it was viewed as a Cold War Triumph.  Baryshnikov graced the National Ballet of Canada, performing in ‘La Sylphide’ before ‘defecting’ to The American Ballet Company, partnering with Gelsey Kirkland,   as well as performing for George Balanchine for the New York City Ballet.  In a dizzying fifteen months, 1974 thru 1979, Baryshnikov appeared in roles created specifically for him: Opus 19: The Dreamer, Rhapsody, and Other Dances.

Baryshnikov squeezed in an Oscar nominated performance in what was/is the only major ballet movie to ever score big at the American box Office, ‘The Turning Point.’  Though Mikhail did not bring home an Oscar for his performance “The Turning Point,’ the role snagged his a David from The David Di Donatello Awards in 1978.  Emmy has also been kind to Baryshnikov, copping an Emmy in 1979 for his White House Performance, in 1980 for ‘Baryshnikov on Broadway,’ and in 1989 for the episode “Baryshnikov Dances Balanchine’ of the special ‘Great Performances; Dance in America.’  Baryshnikov has received several other nominations as well as appearing in two Gregory Hines Movies,   1985’s ‘White Nights,’ and in 1987 in ‘Dancers.’  Many felt it was a treat to see Mikhail as Carrie Bradshaw’s boyfriend during the final season of ‘Sex in the City.’

But Dance remains Baryshnikov’s passion and the passing of time seems not to phase him aside from his comments about old horses going to the glue factory, in fact during recent performance Mikhail has taken to playfully competing with his younger image as portrayed on film projected behind him.  Dancing with Ana Laguna has definitely reinvigorated Baryshnikov.  Ana Laguna is the wife of choreographer Mats Eks, and she has graced such renowned works as Swan Lake and Carmen.

Tickets are $12, $35, $55, $65 and available at the MACC Box Office (Mon- Sat, 10 am – 6 pm) or charge by phone at 242-SHOW (242-7469).

When flying off to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center keep in mind that Lisa Haole of the Food & Beverage Department can arrange catering etc for your group; “we provide tent, tables, table skirt, cash register, Approx 4 menu choices, one being a vegetarian option…price range: $8-$13 complete meal plates – - – .”  Lisa R. Haole Food & Beverage Manager Maui Arts & Cultural Center One Cameron Way Kahului, HI 96732-113 Phone (808) 242-2787 ext. 289 Fax (808) 242-4665 email: fblisa@mauiarts.org

As always one is encouraged to check out http://www.mauiarts.org/calendar.html as well as http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showIndividual&entitY_id=3693&source_type=A and http://www.mikhailbaryshnikov.net/ .

The folks at The Maui Arts & Cultural Center continue to schedule an incredible array of World class entertainment making it hard to resist the impulse to run away to The Valley Isle.

The Maui Film Festival Candlelight Café and Cinema continues to present a provocative mix of films at 5PM and 7:30 PM at the enchanting Castle Theater. September 4th catch ‘Unmistaken Child,’ a compelling captivating film documenting the Dalai Lama’s challenge to a deceased monk’s disciple to search for his reincarnation. 102 minutes of intriguing insight into Tibetan Buddhism it is touching humorous enchanting as well as a visual treat and a linguistic stew in English and Tibetan, Nepali and Hindi, with English subtitles. Tickets are $10 for those twelve and over, half price for the keiki. An added bonus is a chance to dine at the Candlelight Café from 4:30 to 7:30 PM. For further info check out www.mauifilmfestival.com or call 808-572-FILM.

Likewise for September 11th s offering, the documentary ‘Food, Inc,’ a rather startling expose of the American Food Industry that might upset your dinner, none-the-less visit the Candlelight Café for light supper, deserts and beverages.

A true Legend plays at the Castle Theater on Thursday September 10 2009 at 7:30PM. Grammy Award Winner John Legend brings his soulful prowess with piano and voice to Maui for the perfect finale to his Evolver World Tour. John Legends three albums have been solid hits generating such gems as “Another Again,” :”Green Light,” “Save Room,” “Ordinary People,” and “Used to Love U,” tickets range are, $65, $55 and $45 with a six ticket limit, available via 808-242-7469 or https://www.mauiarts.org/tickets.

For a change of pace check out the McCoy Theater at 6PM on Friday September 11th when the MACC presents “Remembering Roots & Envisioning Future: Five Hawaiian Women Poets.” Poetry can enlighten as well as entertain and educate and is very much Hawai’i’an in the tradition of ‘talk story.’ The five remarkable poets who will share their poems are Puanani Burgess, Ho’oipo DeCambra, Tamara Wong Morrison, and Mahealani Wendt. Entry to this one time event is a modest $20.

Hula is the drawing card Saturday September 12th 1PM at the Castle Theater when the fourth annual international competition brings together group and solo artists for “ Ku Mai Ka Hula: Hula Appears,” an event featuring traditional hulu, kahiko, and auana, modern day hulu styling. $25 for this event.

What, your wallet is tapped out? The Schaeffer International Gallery presents a free exhibit from September 12th thru October 24th “Hi` Iakaikapoliopele.

There is much more at the Maui Arts Cultural Center in September but that will have to await another article. http://www.mauiarts.org/ Do yourself a favor and run away to Maui in Septmber.

Lydia Lili’u Loloku Walania Wewehi Kamaka’eha was born on September 2 1838, under the name Lili’uokalani she became Hawai’i’s first and only Queen Regnant of the Kingdom of Hawai’i and due to an unfortunate set of circumstances Hawai’i’s last reigning monarch, ruling from January 29 1891 to January 17 1893. Unlike predecessor King Kamehameha the State does not honor Queen Lili’uolani with an official holiday but there are still plenty of ways to celebrate to honor Queen Lili’uokalani.

On Sunday, September 6, Hawai’i Pono’i invites everyone to the Iolani Palace at 10AM to 4PM to rejoice & remember Queen Lili’uokalni with music & song, hula & mele, and prayer.  The event features choral director Nola Nahulu, The Royal Hawai’i’an Band, Halau I Ka Wekiu, and the Queens Play.  There will be educational exhibits and food booths on the lawn of the palace.  Admission is free, with a special church service at 12 Noon.  Hawai’i Pono’i was formed to educate those who live in Hawai’i as well as visitors about “Hawai’i’s true history, the Native Hawaiian people and the culture that makes Hawai’i like no other.”  To learn more readers are encourage to call (808) 224-8068 or check out http://huiohawaiiponoi.org .

One of the most exhilarating ways to celebrate Queen Lili’uokalani is by attending (or participating in) the 38^th Queen Lili’uokalani Canoe Race on The Big Island of Hawai’i.  Starting from the Kailua-Kona Pier, wahine (women) get the event moving Saturday September 5^th paddling eighteen miles to Honaunau Bay where the kane (men) take over paddling back to Kailua-Kona in single hulled canoes (Wa’a Kaukahi).  Ironman Divisions paddle with no changes, the same crew there and back.  Sunday September 6^th wahine & kane tie together two single canoes (wa’a) to make double hull (Kaulua) canoes and “and the women and the mixed double hulls start, taking the Wa’a (canoes) 3 miles South to Lyman’s, turn there and return to Kailua Bay for a total of six miles.”  A recent addition on Sunday are the OC-1, single person, and OC-2, two person canoe races following the same six mile course.  New for 2009 are three keiki (children) divisions, 15, 16 and 18 and under.  Ashore everyone celebrates with picnic lunches and dance and a torchlight parade on Saturday, and an awards luau on Sunday.  For further info scope out http://www.kaiopua.org/ql/index.html ..

The Queen Lili’ukolani Canoe Race attracts people from across the World and is easily the largest racing event of its kind.  It is an excellent excuse for running away to the Big Island of Hawai’i for the labor day weekend.

Another excuse for running away to the Big Island happens at the very end of September, the Sunday the 27^th is to attend the He Halia Aloha No Ka Queen Liliuokalani Festival, held in beautiful central Hilo at the Japanese style gardens named for the Queen.  A day long celebration of Queen Lili’uokalani’s birthday featuring hula & mele from worldwide hula halau, festivities begin at 10AM to 4PM.  For further information check out http://www.bigisland.org/calendar/1284/he-halia-aloha-no-ka-queen-liliuokalani-festival or call (808) 961-8706.

And finally, one quieter way to honor Queen Lili’ukolani is to visit her statue behind the State Capitol Building and bless her with a floral lei.  Hey, it is her Birthday, so celebrate it.