Our school's Ho'olaule'a (May Day celebration assembly)

Today was our local elementary school's annual May Day assembly - called the Ho'olaule'a (which is Hawaiian for festival or celebration). Since our school is in South Maui where it rarely to never rains, we don't have school gyms or assembly halls. Instead we use the school's grassy sports field.

Our school's Ho'olaule'a involves a royal court. The royal court isn't made up of royalty, but rather of fifth grade students who write essays as part of a competition to be a part of this year's royal court. They are dressed in beautiful traditional outfits, with a 'prince' and 'princess' representing each Hawaiian Island (dressed in each of the islands' official colors - Maui's official color is pink). We also have a representative 'king' and 'queen'.

this year's Royal Court at our school's Ho'olaule'a (May Day) celebration

The 'ladies of the court' practiced a special hula for the Ho'olaule'a - this year they danced it to 'White Sandy Beach', sung by Hawaii's famous singer Iz.

Here is a short clip of the girls' hula... how does this compare to your school's assemblies?

After the girls' hula, the various grade levels got up and gave their own dance presentation (they were decidedly non-traditional, but the kids had fun!). The assembly lasted for about 75 minutes.

The kids (hopefully) all wore sunscreen (it had to be applied at home as our teachers aren't allowed to sunscreen the students), most had hats, sunglasses and water bottles. The teachers walked around with spray bottles and sprayed water at the kids to keep them cool. It was a hot morning in the sun!

Deals on flights!

Hawaiian Airlines has just posted a sale on their flights (August-November 2013), starting at $342 return from San Jose (taxes in). Nice!

Allegiant Airlines is up to its tricks with good prices also - $325 return all in from Bellingham WA. However, I heard that Allegiant was talking about discontinuing certain flights to Hawaii, such as from Eugene OR, so definitely look into that.

Today is the last day of that Westjet sale I mentioned the other day (for our Canadian friends). Did you know that about half our condo guests are Canadian? Unfortunately Air Canada/United does not fly directly to Maui in the low-season months.

And then of course there's also Alaskan Airlines to check out.

And it's low season - shoot me an inquiry, we'd love to have you stay at one of our condos!

how about an early evening stroll on the beach?

This Saturday - the 2013 Annual Maui Brewer's Festival!

When:    Saturday, May 18th from 4 - 7pm
Where:   Maui Arts and Cultural Center

Over 30 craft breweries from Hawaii and beyond will be there, your paid ticket (admission is $50/person or $60 at the door) gets you eight 4 oz beer samples, food, live music, prizes and parking. There is also a special VIP package which includes special rare-beer tasting etc. for $95/person

For more information and to buy your tickets online, click here. While you're on the MACC website, check out their calendar for other fun events!

Please don't drink and drive! Please also inquire about their discounted 'designated driver' tickets.

Pupus at Gannon's Red Bar

We have been going to Gannon's at Wailea's Emerald Course for years now - but only for brunch and lunch. My wonderful condo cleaning lady Cindy has told me how wonderful their happy hour is (happy hour is in their bar area, called the Red Bar). So yesterday, we checked out Gannon's Red Bar happy hour. Wow.

the beautiful view from Gannon's Restaurant

The great thing about the Red Bar's happy hour is - 50% off pupus (appetizers) between 3-6pm (they also have drink specials). They had a great selection! Between the four of us, we sampled the Trio of Deviled Eggs, Crab Stuffed Jalapenos, BBQ Chicken Nachos 'Dip' (I had this - it was fabulous), Trio of Crabcake Sliders and Tater Tots. With drinks our bill came in at around $70. Not bad for four people. We'll have to go again! Thanks for the tip, Cindy!

Spring Special on Maui!

Are you looking for a last-minute get away? I still have some openings at our condos... (check the listings for available dates)

for new bookings for stays in May/June 2013

Maui Kamaole..........................$150/night ($1310/week all in)
Palms at Wailea.......................$190/night ($1679/week all in)
Sugar Beach............................$135/night ($1225/week all in)

How about a quick Maui trip?

May 26-June 1 is Wailea Restaurant Week

Do you enjoy fine dining? Then this is for you! Twice a year a number of Wailea's restaurants get together for a week dining deals - Wailea Restaurant Week.

This month 19 restaurants (some are award-winning restaurants with celebrity chefs) have teamed up to provide you with prix-fixe menu deals, either $29, $39 or $49/three course dinner. You don't need tickets or special passes, but reservations are strongly recommended.

Go try a new restaurant - or re-visit a favorite!

The bestest mangoes on Maui!

mmmmm.... Mangoes!

I had a bit of a frustrating morning today, so I decided to treat myself. After running my errands, I went to Lee's Orchard for some of his amazing Golden Glow mangoes. Oh my goodness. They are soooooo good. At 3.99/lb they are not cheap - but if you ask me, they are worth it!

Where is Lee's Orchard? It's in Central Kihei. If you are driving North on South Kihei Road, it is on the right-hand side just past the Long's Drugstore stripmall. It's set back from the road and sometimes you will see peacocks wandering around on the property.

it's just a little hut - but don't let appearances fool you!

"Hawaiian - the Legend of Eddie Aikau"

Have you heard of the Eddies, that famous Hawaiian big wave surf competition? There is a new movie about Eddie Aikau (yes, the Eddies are named after him), the life guard pioneer and big wave surfer. It will be showing opening night of the 2013 Maui Film Festival (June 12th at 8pm). Movie under the stars anyone??

The trailer looks really interesting (click here if it doesn't load)

If you are on Maui, do check it out!

2013 Seabury Hall Craft Fair

It's coming up - this weekend - the annual Seabury Hall Craft Fair - Saturday, May 11th from 9am-5pm. This is a great craft fair with lots of variety, a silent auction, bouncy castles for the kids and food (lots of food) in a beautiful setting at Makawao's prestigious private school, Seabury Hall. The fair is a fundraiser for the school's financial aid program.

If you've never been - do go check it out!

The fair is on the school ground at 480 Olinda Road in Makawao. Admission is $5/person, kids 12 and under are free.

Have you ever seen a palm tree bloom?

One of our palm trees is blooming

The mangoes are large and heavy, starting to turn red

our pineapple is full-grown, but still pretty green