Neighbors of Wailea & Makena - Best Version Media

12/04/2024

12/04/2024

Our Mentor Introduction & Training Event is this week!
You're invited! Please join us for this special meeting to learn how you can forever change the life of a child in foster care.
We will be meeting at Valley Isle Fellowship at 6:00pm, dinner will be provided (and delicious)!

Reach out here: [email protected]


Village of Hope Maui

29/03/2024

The whales are still here!!! Take a break this week and enjoy some playful antics with a beach picnic or on a boat with friends and family :)

29/03/2024

***Mālama Pono opportunity!***

Details below for the Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project (4/3)

8:30 am to 12:30 pm at the 'ua'u kani (wedge-tailed shearwater) burrows at Hāwea.

If you plan to carpool with us, participants are to meet at the Māʻalaea employee lot by 7:25 am. Others will meet us at the Cliff House free parking; then we will drive in together (parking at Cliff House is extremely limited, fyi).

The project will take place in direct sunlight, so be sure to wear a hat, long sleeves, and close-toe shoes. Also, don't forget to bring sunscreen, water and snacks.

Together, we can understand our place in ʻāina restoration :)

Pacific Whale Foundation
Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project

29/03/2024

Can you volunteer to help Village of Hope Maui for a few hours in April?

23/03/2024

Join us for this wonderful event where there will be workshops, demos, and fun activities for the whole family. Partnering organizations include Chef Hui, Tropical Fungi Academy, UH Maui College Kauluwehi Biocultural Garden, Roots & Rise Hawai'i, PATCH, When We Shine, and Grow Some Good.

Grow Some Good

23/03/2024

A field of blooming sunflowers will be the backdrop for the 2024 Sunflower Farm Music Festival on Saturday, May 4th from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., announced by Licorice Pizza owner Kerry Brown. This iconic Maui event will be hosted at the family farm of Pacific Biodiesel founders Bob and Kelly King in Maui’s Central Valley.

Brown curated this year’s star-studded lineup, which includes the Licorice Pizza All-Star Band featuring multiple Rock & Roll Hall of Famers: Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (Co-Founder of Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers), Al Jardine (Co-Founder of The Beach Boys), Gilby Clarke (Guns N' Roses, Slash's Snakepit), Slim Jim Phantom (Co-Founder of Stray Cats), Russ McKinnon (Tower of Power, Joe Cocker), Carmine Rojas (David Bowie, Rod Stewart), Larry Dvoskin (Sammy Hagar, Bad Company), Jennie Vee (Eagles of Death Metal, Palaye Royale), and Kerry Brown (Catherine, Smashing Pumpkins). Additional high-profile Hawai’i musicians include Tavana, Marty Dread, Gretchen Rhodes, Gail Swanson and Pito & the Kid.

General Admission tickets for this third annual benefit event are $100 each; 100% of the profits will benefit Maui-based non-profits focused on supporting local farming and helping grow Maui’s food security: Maui Hub, Common Ground Collective and Grow Some Good.

Additionally, a pre-festival dinner “VIP Experience” hosted by Kerry Brown and film producer Stacey Sher on May 3rd will feature culinary masterpieces crafted by Hawai’i chefs using locally-sourced ingredients. This is a rare opportunity to discuss pressing issues regarding Maui’s food insecurity with the artists playing the festival in an intimate setting. This exclusive VIP experience is available for $250, which includes admission to the festival the following day.

Grow Some Good

15/03/2024

We welcome you to join us on Saturday, April 20 for the Plastic Free Hawaiʻi Art Show at Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation

Cast Your Votes Today!

Mahalo to all students from 8 different schools that participated in the 2023-24 Plastic Free Hawaiʻi School Mural Contest with this year's theme: SEA a Solution to Plastic Pollution! We are beyond excited to SEA their ideas and creativity come to life! For this contest, K-12 students were encouraged to utilize marine debris, found plastic material, and any other single-use items collected from cleanups or waste recovery drives for their artwork.

Now it’s time to cast your vote! From March 1st through April 20th, select your top three murals and help us choose a winner by using this form! The grand prize winner will receive an Elkay water refill station for their school and an in-person presentation from Upcycle Hawaiʻi for their class. All participants will receive gifts from Upcycle Hawaiʻi and Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation for their submissions.

We welcome you to join us on Saturday, April 20 for the Plastic Free Hawaiʻi Art Show at Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation to view all murals in-person, meet community partners, and learn more about how you can minimize the use of single-use plastics. Stay tuned for more details about the event! SEA you there!


Kokua Hawaii Foundation

Grow Some Good

15/03/2024

"The Maui Murders" book signing on April 13th!........................................................

Aloha kākou,

I will be having a book signing at Barnes & Noble on Dairy Road from 12-2 pm on Saturday, April 13th.

Even if you don't buy a book, feel free to stop by just so it looks like my table got some traffic. (Make me look good with the management so they feel good about hosting me.)

If you already have a book, bring it along and I will sign it there.

Hope to see you there,
Marty Martins
Maui Author

16/08/2023

16/08/2023

PRESS RELEASE
RE: Olowalu Fire Station Fundraiser
The West Maui Improvement Foundation announces their first Conditional Pledges for the proposed Olowalu Fire Station. (Visit this link) https://www.westmauiimprovementfoundation.org/blog

Launiupoko Property Owners, The Yarnolds, Pledge $100,000 towards development for Olowalu Fire Station initiative. Now they have been matched by property owners The Leffingwells who also pledged $100,000. That’s $200K in pledges. (With 18 more matching this, we will have the $2M needed. Now …this is exciting…Please join them!)



“We love living in Launiupoko and are delighted to see the WMIF’s program to privately fund and develop a badly needed fire station in our area. We’ve decided to make a significant conditional pledge to support this effort. The past few years we have witnessed wildfires in our area, and the ongoing risks we face will continue without better proximity to fire protection as proposed by the WMIF. Their track record at Napili is an unprecedented success, and the opportunity to bring a state-of-the-art fire station to our area is one we should all embrace.



A new fire station will reduce response times to the fires we see frequently in our area and should have the added impact of reducing the cost of our homeowner’s insurance. By making this pledge contingent upon the fire station becoming operational we give the WMIF the ability to borrow funds and get this project done. We ask you to make similar conditional pledges and join us in making this new fire station a reality.”--Dave and Adrienne Yarnold --“We agree completely”—Dean and Becky Leffingwell.





NOW IS THE TIME TO BE PROACTIVE IN A HANA HOU MIRACLE IN PROCESS! SEND YOUR PLEDGE AGREEMENT IN TODAY! YOU HAVE AN UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITY!



Please call Joseph D Pluta, President, WMIF at 808-661-7990. Mahalo!

Contact:

Joseph Pluta

President, West Maui Improvement Foundation

Ph: 808-661-7990

[email protected]

Aloha Dear Friends of West Maui: Please find enclosed the following with this Olowalu Fire Station Update: OLOWALU FIRE STATION FLYER-INSURANCE Statement by Mahealani Strong-Managing...

17/04/2023

Fun for the whole family at Ohana Fest!!!

Join us for a gathering for families and keiki to ...

17/04/2023

Are you a foster parent or caregiver? Time for a well-deserved break! :)

Join us for our next RCG Night Out - drop off keik...

17/04/2023

Join us for our Annual Journey Bag Drive! Grab a b...

17/04/2023

15/04/2023

Grow Some Good press release:

We are hosting our very first Grow Some Good Restaurant Week, May 22-28th, and our theme is connecting Food, 'Āina, & Community! Come eat local and support neighborhood restaurants that care about Maui's 'āina and community. Help Grow Some Good raise the necessary $10,000 to support school garden and community garden programming across Maui County. Restaurants will be creating a delicious prix fixe or entree special that features locally sourced ingredients and a connection to Maui's community.

Are you a restaurant and want to participate? We would love to hear from you and get you signed up today. Email us today!

15/04/2023

Watch this recap video that captures just some of the special moments in our gardens during Mālama Māla Spring 2023, an island-wide volunteer workday! Turn O...

31/03/2023

Book-Signing Event on May 3!

MAUI MERMAID MAGIC: A Book Review
By Amorah St. John

Dechen Groode and Aerie Waters have been friends living on Maui for over 40 years, both on land and in sea. They call themselves “mermaids,” since swimming and snorkeling in the ocean are where they are most at home. Often cavorting with other mermaids and mermen, their love of the water and the magical kingdom beneath the sea inspired their new book, “Maui Mermaid Magic.”

This glossy full-color playbook includes initiation practices like the mermaid salute and mersage, mermaid philosophy, and intergenerational mermaid games with 20 fun and exhilarating water antics to do with others whether in the ocean, pool, lake, or river. Who knew that swimming could include so many variations on the theme? There are sea-inspired writings and poems plus a section on sacred swimming, using water as a vehicle for prayer and celebration. My personal favorite is the laughing meditation.

Additionally, the reader can learn the names of a myriad of fish, both in English and Hawaiian, along with some illuminating fun facts. For example, “asthma improves, anxieties decrease, the benefits of swimming never cease”

What makes this book special is the unique blend of the authors’ special gifts. Dechen, whose mermaid name is Luana, is a watercolor artist who created the many joy-filled illustrations. Aerie, whose mermaid name is Dev Ocean, is an author and poet, and her verses are sprinkled generously throughout the pages of this unique and colorful book. It’s a fun read for swimmers and for others, like me, who just love to play in the water.

You can get your copy at MauiMermaidMagic.com or come to a book signing on MAUI MERMAID MAGIC: A Book Review
By Amorah St. John

Amorah St John

13/03/2023

Now seeking host companies! Could your business use some extra support?

Innovative solutions to company problems? Someone with fresh, cutting-edge engineering design skills? MEDB STEMworks provides summer internship opportunities for high school STEM students and STEMworks college alums to gain work-based learning experiences.

STEMworks students are the top of their class, and are trained in creative media, 3D design & CAD, GIS, Architecture, Astronomy, Biomedical Technologies, Botany & Plant Science, Data Collection and Management, Engineering, Health Sector Assistants (medical and dental), IT/Cybersecurity, Programming, Web Design, Social Media Marketing, Robotics, and more.

This program will run for six weeks from June 12th, 2023 - July 21st, 2023. Interns are available to work 20 hours per week for their host organizations. Please consider applying to host an intern today. https://forms.gle/wWgwCLtqwGBUyV6e6

12/03/2023

PRESS RELEASE

Celebrating Prince Kūhiō at Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center

Kahului, Maui - The Prince Kūhiō Maui Ho’olaule’a returns to Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center Friday, March 24, 2023, from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.. The event is free and open to the public and features free keiki activities, hands-on exhibits, Hawaiian music and hula!

Entertainment by: The Kalama School Ukulele Band under the direction of Benny Uyetake, Kūikawā, Award winning artist Josh Tatofi, Hālau Kekuaokala'au'ala'iliahi with Nā Kumu Hula Iliahi and Haunani Paredes and hosted by Cody Pueo Pata.

Come talk story and learn more about the Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art and enjoy exhibits and hands-on activities with Maui Grown 808, LLP., Kapa Curious, ‘Ohana Kwon of Lāna‘i, the Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club, Mālama Ka‘ehu and Waihe‘e Limu Restoration.

Hawaii celebrates two special holidays, June 11 is for Kamehameha I and March 26 is in honor of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole. Prince Kūhiō was born on March 26, 1871. In 2021 we celebrated the 150th anniversary of his birth, so that would make him 152 this year. Among his accomplishments, the establishment of the Hawaiian Homestead
Act within federal law is one of his greatest. Watch our celebration here: https://www.facebook.com/PrinceKuhioMaui/videos/299739184907888

In addition to serving as a delegate to the U.S. Congress for two decades and establishing the Hawaiian Homestead Commission Act, he led establishment of the county system of government, and he led establishment of what are now known as Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Haleakalā National Park. He also brought in many millions of dollars for infrastructure projects like harbors, lighthouses, and a
hospital at Kalaupapa.

For more information visit facebook.com/princekuhiomaui

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Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art - To create a center through the mana‘o of our islands’ kumu and hālau hula that will advance the cultural, social, and historical impact of Native Hawaiian ‘Ōiwi Art and practices.
Hoamaui.com

27/02/2023

:) Learn about Mentoring a Youth in Foster Care with FORGE Youth Mentoring :)

--Monday March 6th 6pm at Hope Chapel Youth Room--

Dinner Provided! We'd like to invite you to join in on a conversation about changing the life of a Keiki in Foster Care. Mentoring really does change lives. All you have to do is show up - once a week for a year commitment.

Or if you are a caregiver or know of a youth in foster care who would like a mentor please join us to find out more about our program.

"76% of at-risk young adults who had a mentor aspire to enroll in and graduate from college versus half of at-risk young adults who had no mentor."

Find out more Monday March 6th 6pm or visit villageofhopemaui.com/youthmentoring


Village of Hope Maui

Village of Hope has partnered with FORGE to bring a mentorship program to Maui's foster care youth!

22/02/2023

***SAVE THE DATE***

Please join us for the second annual Gutsy Women Showcase at the ProArts Playhouse on Saturday, March 4th beginning at 7:30pm. We will be celebrating International Women's Day with music, hula, poetry, song and fun.

I'll be hosting the show…with Louise Lambert, Maui’s “queen of swing,” as music director. The multitalented Nara Boone… whom I interviewed when she was running for Maui County Council… is our featured performer. Nara sang the lead in Ulalena for 10 years and will be joined by a host of others giving tribute to women at this special time in March

A portion of the proceeds will go to Women Helping Women here on Maui. The first Gutsy Women Showcase sold out…so grab your tickets now! Mahalo to Lin McEwan, managing director at ProArts, for her support and partnership.

By the way, there will be a sneak peek of the upcoming stage presentation of Pride and Prejudice as part of our potpourri of gutsy women “acts.”

I hope to see you at the theater on March 4th.

Always Aloha,
Amorah St John

07/02/2023

It was a pleasure having Maui educator Michelle Lazuka grace the November 2022 cover of Neighbors of Wailea & Mākena! 😊🌺
Michelle has since become a contributor to both Neighbors of West Maui and Neighbors of Wailea & Mākena magazines in our newest section, "Keiki Corner," where she shares her hard-earned teacher wisdom through fun and exciting tips for educating children. Mahalo, Michelle!
Cover photo by Maui Island Photography & Ardolino Photography