The Maui Goodness

On Friday June 20th, 2009, Willie Nelson received the Maverick Award Tribute at the Celestial Cinema in Makena during the Maui Film Festival.  He sang a few songs and played the guitar (shown in this video) between movies.  His music and good spirit were welcomed under the stars by thousands of Maui locals and visitors. 
The first film to be shown was Splinterheads about a young man in a small town that falls in love with a beautiful Carnie.  The second film as One Peace At A Time (world premiere), a touching film about what we can do for our world in crisis.  In this film, Willie Nelson, among notable others, has a short insightful interview.  The last film was also a world premiere of Cash Crop.  This film explored the many defining characteristics of a booming marijuana economy in Northern California. The Maui Film Festival is an incredible event to experience.

Every year, local Maui residents anticipate the fun and excitement of the festival.  Those visitors lucky enough to be here for it all claim that Maui has the best film festival in the world.  Enjoying warm weather under the stars with a sunset over the ocean, then watching great movies with friends in the grass can’t be beaten. (One warning though:  If you plan on watching more than the first film, we suggest bringing a jacket and/or blanket.  It can get a bit chilly later on.)

Willie Nelson was awarded this tribute for “courage in his convictions, the ability and willingness to stand the heat, and protect our collective constitutional rights to artistic and political freedom of expression.”

On May 17th, 2009, the bad-a$$ ladies of roller derby got together on Maui for a battle royale.  The roller derby bout took place at the Boys and Girls Club in Wailuku between the Oahu and Maui teams.  Though (as you can see in the pictures) it was fiercely competitive, both teams played with the best of intentions and sportswoman-like conduct.

The event was fantastic!  Around 200 people showed up for the festivities, not including the paramedics standing by.  Along with many excited fans, the event had a great DJ and snacks and water available.

The Derby bout went off without a hitch and without any serious injury (though most grown men would be in tears after suffering some of the falls that these brave and talented riders took.)

Keep kicking butt, Maui!  We’ll be at your next bout and hope you get even more exposure.  What you do is inspiring, and offers some serious entertainment.  Time to turn off the football game on TV.  There’s something much more exciting going on at a Maui parking lot near you.

Maui’s favorite springtime event, the 36th annual Seabury Hall Craft Fair was held today Upcountry.  This much anticipated event did not disappoint.  Every year, the craft fair is held the day before Mother’s Day and for good reason.  The event was packed with visitors and residents looking to pick up something unique and locally made for Mom.

Seabury Hall had fun for all ages: kids enjoyed the pony rides provided by Piiholo Ranch, the large double slip and slides, and the jumping castles, while adults shopped, looked at classic cars, enjoyed local food, and danced to the live bands.

Art on Maui has always been the major focus of the event, and again this year dozens of talented artists gathered to show and sell their goods.  Everything from glass blowing to photography was featured at the many booths.  We’ll make sure to come back next year, and we’re glad so many people came this time.

Don’t worry!  You can still do the road to Hana, but you can’t go all the way around for 4-5 weeks (Maui time.  That could be a lot longer.)

The Paihi Bridge is undergoing repairs again.  This means those that are looking to go to Oheo Gulch (7 sacred pools) will have to drive the back way,through Upcountry’s Kula.  Basically, Hana is now 2 trips: 1 through the lush rainforest past waterfalls and dramatic green coastline, and another to the Tedeschi Winery, Upcountry, and the drier arid back side of Haleakala to Seven Sacred Pools.

This isn’t the first time that this bridge has been closed to traffic, and I assure you it won’t be the last.

Maui’s Big Beach (Makena Beach) is finally getting lifeguards!  Today, over a dozen lifeguards trained near the second entrance as a lifeguard tower was put together.

The dangers at Makena State Park are SERIOUS!  The shore break is extremely powerful even when there’s little to no real swell in the water.  Incidents of injury and death have become common place on Big Beach.  Finally, we’ll have some professionals to take care of the many visitors that are unaware of the dangers.  Read more on Big Beach Dangers.

Funding for the lifeguards at Big Beach had been approved back in July of 2007. It’s taken 2-3 years for us to see the reality.  Due to impedments from the DLNR (the Department of Land and Natural Resources), it seems that we’ve had to wait this long for action.  It’s a shame that this should happen, seeing that many people have been hurt and some killed during their stagnation.

After watching the actions (and inaction) of the DLNR over the last few years especially, it’s fair to say that the interest of Maui residents and visitors are not at heart.  Many of their actions bare little effect and only harm the tourist industry and local Maui residents’ way of life.  If there ever was a time for reform among the DLNR, it is now.

To our future lifeguards: Thank you for taking on this difficult task.  Though you’ll be working pretty hard to keep people from hurting themselves, you will be lucky enough to be the only ones making a living on Big Beach. Not a bad life!

Want more information on Maui Beaches?  We’ve got plenty at the Maui Information Guide along with accommodations, activities, and other helpful information for visitors and residents of Maui County.

After many difficulties, the Hawaii Superferry has finally been put to rest… for now.

The Hawaii Supreme Court struck down a new law that allowed the Alakai to run operations in Hawaii waters without an official Environmental Impact Report (EIS.)

The Hawaii Superferry ran its last voyage between Maui and Oahu on Thursday March 19th, 2009.  236 employees were laid off, and no future Hawaii service can be expected without an EIS. The Alakai, which ran for over a year and booked over 250,000 round-trip voyages in that time, will be leased for commercial use outside of Hawaiian Waters or by the US military. Hawaii Superferry President and Chief Executive Tom Fargo has hopes that his vision of an interisland ferry system can be met in the future by his organization, though the possibility of this happening is doubtful at best.

Concerns for the environment as well as danger to our visiting Humpback Whales has raised concerns particularly with both Kauai and Maui residents.  Protests and legal action have ensued from environmental groups after the state exempted the Hawaii Superferry from having any type of environmental review in 2005.  Controversy has grown seeing that the State had dealing with the Hawaii Superferry as far as investments.

From the beginning, the Hawaii Superferry has been a Maui Lawyers dream situation.  This will continue to be litigated over for years if the owners feel like putting the time into it.  Though it looks like they’re going to pursue other ways of making money.  The way things have been going, we can’t blame them.

If you’re looking for a real thrill while on Maui, you need to try the most popular activity on the island.  Take a Haleakala Bike Ride with Haleakala Bike Company and you’ll experience many things that most won’t be able to.

While cruising down Haleakala’s slopes, you’re able to see Maui in a different way than most.  If you drive, you’ll miss out on a lot of views only seen in areas where a bike can stop (and cars can’t.)

We suggest using Haleakala Bike Company over the other bike companies because of their safety record.  They still maintain the best record of safety on Maui, and for good reason.  Their bikes are all built for the ride with high quality parts.  The most important factor that makes them safer is the pace you ride at.  You ride at whatever speed you’re comfortable with.  Having been on other bike company tours, we can attest to the additional value in being able to stop for photos or breaks whenever you feel like.  There’s no pressure to catch up with the others.

Riding at your own pace also opens up a chance to stop and have a leisure breakfast at Kula Lodge.  They have great lunch and breakfast.  You can also check out the attached art gallery featuring some beautiful oil paintings by Curtis Wilson.  They also have one of the best views of any restaurant on Maui.

We suggest taking the early ride because you’re given a chance to watch the sunrise over Haleakala Crater.  Sometimes, it’s not all that clear, but most of the time, you get a great view of the sun piercing through the clouds and illuminating the volcanic crater.

Haleakala Bike Company is 1 of only a few bike companies still permitted to come into Haleakala National Park.  They bring you up in a van to watch the show.  Once the sun is fully up, you’ll be taken to the base of the park and given safety instructions.  Then you’re off on your ride.

We highly suggest you bring a camera for when you stop.  The views at the crater and along the ride are unparalleled.  You’ll also find that the ride offers a plethora of enticing smells.  You pass through a eucalyptus forest, by a lavender farm, and past some flowering trees.  The trip is really a feast for all senses.

You can book online at Maui Bike Tours, or call this toll-free number 1-888-922-2453.  Have fun!

We’d like to thank Greg Hoxsie for the great photos!

Nowadays, it seems everyone in the world is suffering at least a little bit.  Maui and Hawaii are no exceptions.  After dealing with companies on Maui for many years now, we’ve identified some common traits that are keeping regular Maui business owners down, especially right now.  Here are a few things that you can do for your Hawaii Business that will keep you from going under.

1. Take Responsibility.  When you have bills to pay, pay them on time.  If you don’t have the money, you shouldn’t have spent it.  If you need more money, see our next point.
2. Stop Complaining and start Maximizing your Business Potential! It’s possible that you’re business has run very well for the last 10-20 years while still operating in the stone age.  Keep in mind, it’s easy to keep things running smoothly when the economy is growing and visitors continue to come.  You need to realize that successful businesses don’t just GROW.  The true meaning of a successful business is an adaptable business that becomes more efficient with time, offering a more superior product year after year.  Having 100 shops  that are all poorly run does not make you a success. You need to begin finding ways not only to save where you’re wasting, but also to maximize areas that work the best.  Cut needless costs, promote the most positive points of your business, and take advantage of opportunities that are new to this day and age (which brings me to my next point.)
3. Don’t be left behind because of Ignorance.  If you’re business has yet to figure out that the web is the driving force for huge amounts of sales and inexpensive marketing, you can bet your competition has!  Just having a website is not enough.  Make sure people are getting to your site, through Sponsored listings, Referring websites, and our favorite, Search Engine Organic listings (FREE!)  Find some one to begin getting quality traffic to your website, and make sure your site doesn’t waste it once it gets it.  See Hawaii Web Group for quality Web Design, SEO, SEM, and PPC.  If you don’t know what these are, you should.  Have them explain it and find out how they can save you money and increase your profits ASAP.
4. Leave the Drama at home and Play Ethically.  This is pretty standard for any community, but is especially important on Maui.  It has become all too clear how much Maui is like one big High School when it comes to business.  Everyone knows everyone, and they all have an opinion.  This island is small, and it astonishes me to see how many companies burn bridges, and more disturbingly screw other companies over.  Treat everyone the way you would want to be treated and stay out of the drama.  If you aren’t spreading gossip, rumors, or talking down the competition, you may be left out of the same conversations on the other side.
5. Show Up!  And on Time!  I know this sounds crazy.  But in these times, we need every competitive edge we can get over our Hawaii competition.  Doing this will give you a foot in the door (because you know your competition will show up late!)
6. Reinvent your business!  Go Green!  Ok, you’ve heard this before.  I’m not writing this on Hemp paper with incense burning.  I’m not suggesting you follow the trendy thing to do.  Rather, It’s become an obvious fact that companies whom take an interest in it’s own negative environmental contribution are appreciated and preferred over the more callous competition.  It’s not impossible, and can save your company a lot of money.  Once you’ve thoroughly looked at your company for needless waste, you’ll find many ways to save money.  Invest that money in more environmental and community friendly resources, and you’ll find a new angle at which to promote yourself.  It’ll pay off largely in a very short time.
7. Go Local!  Take advantage of the local community resources.  This goes for personnel, commodities, and anything else that you can do to contribute to the island.  Yah, you may be able to get it cheaper from the mainland or another country, but the positive contribution will be recognized by those that receive it and will most likely be reciprocated in some way (which most always makes up for the cost.)  Plus, you’re feeding another Maui business which helps everyone.  The more we keep our money on Maui, the more we benefit directly and indirectly from it.
8. Continue to live life free from fear!  I’m not saying,”spend! Spend! Spend!  Don’t worry about anything!”  What I mean is to be frugal, but don’t cut off your spending on Maui entirely.  Don’t let the media scare you into buying Euro dollars and living on Top Raman.  Continue to live life as you would, but with less extravagance and a more cautious eye.  The world is in a crazy place, but living in fear will only make things worse.
9. Find synergy with other businesses and opportunities!  Find other local businesses that look as though they could benefit from working with you and vice versa.  Even your competitors can be used to help you make money if you use the right angle.  Just because you’re selling the same thing doesn’t mean you can’t help each other.  look into a relaxed partnership with a competitor to bulk up on things that make your product cheaper, better, and more desirable.
10. Preach and Spread Aloha!  I know it’s a bit cliche, but that’s what people want.  Many people on the islands have forgotten how to live with aloha.  More importantly, many have stopped preaching its importance.  When you live with goodwill and a positive demeanor, it becomes infectious.  The happier we all are, the more valuable our home becomes, and the higher our quality of life becomes.

This was written by Chris Norberg, project manager of Hawaii Web Group LLC.  Their company has increased profits while building on new and continuing clients even with a down economy.  Much of their success is said to derive from their continual evolution as a business by staying one step ahead of popular trends and taking new technologies and using them for everyone’s benefit.  Learn how they can help you turn things around and become successful in these difficult times.