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CELEBRATE HISTORIC LAHAINA - A day of Hawaiian Culture and Family Fun! SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

8/19/2013

After you hit the Maui Swap Meet* (open 7am - 1pm at MACC), join us as we Celebrate Historic Lahaina on the West Side of Maui! Bring the whole family for a day of fun and interactive history! There's no better way to learn about the Hawaiian culture than an event like Celebrate Historic Lahaina. Lahaina is located just 25 miles from our Kihei vacation rentals, and is a wonderful day trip for the entire family. There are lots of things to see on the West Side, so plan for a full day of fun at this event.

Celebrate Historic Lahaina is a free community event (10am to 4pm) that celebrates the Native Hawaiian culture of Lahaina. The day full of fun includes:

Demonstrations of Hawaiian cultural arts and ancient Hawaiian games
Performances by Hawaiian entertainers
Free Rides on a 30-foot Sailboat
A Hawaiian traditional food tasting booth
Surfing contest in Lahaina Harbor
Traditional fishing demonstrations
Fishing contests
A Keiki Fishing Game
Guided Walking Tours
Arts & Crafts Fair
Kalo Planting

"Celebrate Historic Lahaina will be an event that will actualize many of the goals for the harbor front area that were developed during the recent IMAGINE community planning process," said Theo Morrison, Lahaina Restoration Foundation executive director. The IMAGINE project is aimed at creating a year-round Native Hawaiian sense of place in Lahaina.

Celebrate Historic Lahaina will be held at Banyan Tree Park (Lahaina Harbor) on Saturday Aug. 24th from 10am - 4pm.

*Maui Swap Meet is Maui's largest open air market and is a great place to shop for unique, home-made, handcrafted, quality products at reasonable prices.

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4 Top Spots to Snorkel in South Maui

7/23/2013

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I love to snorkel. I don't consider myself to be a snorkeling expert by any means, but I know enough to keep me safe. Such as, when to snorkel and when not to snorkel.

Case in point: Maui has a North Swell and a South Swell. North Swell happens during the winter months (approximately November to May) and brings the larger swells to the north shore of the island. Big swells on the north shore typically mean the south shore is a little tamer. Since I live on the south shore, winter is when I snorkel the most. That's not to say that I don't try to get out there and snorkel during the other months, but I tend to have to rely on my husband's swell-watching (i.e. perusing Surf News Network) abilities in order to know when I should/shouldn't go out.

Maui Snorkeling Guide

I have found over the years that I prefer a few snorkel spots for a variety of reasons. My preference does not mean that there aren't numerous amazing spots to snorkel in South Maui, because there are. These are just a few of my favorites:

Makena Landing & TURTLE TOWN - Hands down, this is my favorite spot. Each time I've snorkeled at M.L., I have seen something "big". By "big", I mean an sea creature/mammal/fish larger than myself. First time out - HUGE turtle. On our next snorkel, we saw multiple turtles. On my third trip out, I saw spotted sting rays for the first time and it was incredible. Of course, I wanted to take a picture, but I didn't know whether to swim away (fast) or stand my ground. Luckily, I decided to be brave, and they glided right past me, with their magestic wings floating up and down through the blue water. My only suggestion for snorkeling at Makena is to get out there as early as you can. Once the wind and waves pick up (sometimes as early as 10am), visibility is poor and the swim back to the cove can be sketchy.
Ulua Beach - GREAT FOR BEGINNERS! This is where I brought my oldest daughter to snorkel when she was 7. It's got some beautiful sea life and the coral reef is closer to the shore, which makes it an easier swim for little ones.
Ahihi Keanau Reserve - Some of the best snorkeling on the island. It's a bit of a drive, but very worth it. Head out of the bay and you'll see some of the most beautiful underwater settings you've ever seen. I haven't seen as many turtles here, but that's not to say that they're not around every turn. There's just so much to see, so it may be more difficult to spot them as they blend into their surroundings.
La Perouse Bay - Again, one of the best places to snorkel on the island. It is an excellent place to snorkel if it isn't too windy. There's also a pod of dolphins that sometimes hangs out in the bay, so keep your eyes open and perhaps you'll get to swim with them!

What are your favorite spots to snorkel in South Maui? Please share them with us and let us know why they're the best!

Sending Aloha...
Kelli Blair Braxton

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A Movie Night Under the Stars: 2013 Maui Film Festival June 12 - 16

6/11/2013

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The 2013 Maui Film Festival starts tomorrow and we can't wait to see what's in store! Whether you prefer movies under the stars (drive-in movie style at Wailea and Emerald Golf Course) or in a theater (Castle Theater), there's something for everyone.

To see the list of this year's offerings and reserve your seat on the grass, go to the Maui Film Festival website. This year, there are quite a few movies featuring Hawaii life and, the ocean and its people, plus many other great looking films.

And don't forget about the fun Special Events that take place throughout the festival: Opening Night Twilight Reception, Taste of Chocolate, Taste of Wailea, Soirée at Spago VIP Party, pus 4 Filmmakers Panels.

Hope to see you at this year's Maui Film Festival!

Celestial Cinema 2012

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My Guide to All Things Maui

4/29/2013

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Want to know where to go when you're on the Valley Isle? Where can you get the best fish and chips? What's the best Maui experience for the buck? Check our guide on Gogobot for some of our favorites! We'll be updating this guide periodically, so check back often. If there's a specific question you have about a Maui activity or restaurant you've heard about, please give us a call or email. We look forward to assisting you with your Maui dream vacation!

Travel Reviews, Tips & Ideas

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Fun for the whole family - Maui community parks!

4/23/2013

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It's inexpensive (FREE) family fun!

While on Maui, be sure to check out one of Maui's beautiful parks. Kihei Community Park, located just off of Liloa Street in Kihei, is Maui's newest park. Features at this park include a modern climbing feature for older kids, plus a fun "Kids Only" clubhouse-style feature, complete with a slide and retro can-phone! The park also features a soccer field, baseball fields and a walking path.