The Maui Goodness

If you haven’t already seen it, you will.  Stand Up Paddle boarding and surfing is the latest retro craze.  For years, we we’re reluctant to give it a try because we feel tied to our own roots of surfing.  But, finally we gave it a shot and rented some boards from Boss Frog’s Dive & Surf in Kihei, Maui, Hawaii in Dolphin Plaza (ask for Benjammin.)

And WOW!  It’s a lot of fun!  Now we’re all hooked.  It’s like going snorkeling without getting wet (if it’s calm and you don’t fall.)  From looking down over your board, you can see the reef clearly as well as any sealife.  Turtles are everywhere!

Not only is it fun for the views of Maui and sealife, we enjoy it because it’s great exercise and a lot of fun.  Sometimes we’ll put some snorkel gear on our board (attached to the leash) and go out to spots that are difficult to access.

When it comes to surfing, it can make a really bad day good.  I don’t recommend taking them out in big waves, but riding tiny waves is really fun.  I feel you have more of an advantage in surfing larger waves with a short board or regular longboard.  Some would disagree, but we suggest only riding the SUP boards in really small waves or just for distance exploration.

Here’s a video from the boards the last time we went out.  We rode from the Makena Golf Resort to Little Beach and back.  We got up a little late, so it had a bit of bump.  It was still a lot of fun, but we suggest going out before the wind hits around 10-11 in the morning while it’s still glassy.  If there is wind, make sure to go up wind to start.  Save going down wind for when you’re tired and coming back. Also, always be safe and don’t ride over shallow reef or areas you don’t know. Be careful!

We rented our boards at Boss Frog’s Dive & Surf.  You can call and rent boards on Maui, Kauai and the Big Island of Hawaii by calling (808) 661-3333.

We’ve recently discovered one of the best deals in Maui.  For those looking to save some money when doing a private boat charter, check into Maui Fun Charters.  They only allow 6 guests on at a time which makes for an intimate and inexpensive fishing trip.  But if you’re reserving the private charter, you don’t need to fish!  They’re happy to take you whale watching (in season), dolphin watching, snorkeling, or even on a sunset cruise.

Maui Fun Charters specialize in Maui Bottom Fishing as well as Maui sport fishing.  Give them a call at (808) 572-2345. We suggest calling because they have their phone on them on the boat even when out fishing.  Emails, on the other hand, are not recommended.  These guys live and die fishing.  They don’t spend too much time in front of the computer.

Maui Pineapple Company, operated by Maui Land & Pineapple Company, will end all pineapple production in Maui, Hawaii. Warren Haruki, the Chairman and Interim CEO of ML&P, said that since 2002, Maui Pineapple Company (MPC) has lost $115 million in the businesses as well as $20 million they’d invested in a new fresh packing facility. They’ve been working for a year at making it profitable again but to no avail.

100’s of employees will be laid off as a century old business is shut down. Many are worried about what will happen with the 2,000 acres used in the ceased pineapple operations. Though ML&P has expressed that it will be used for other agricultural products, only time will tell whether it’s really sold for commercial and residential property.

This marks the end of an iconic industry that runs deep in many local families’ roots. With sugarcane also suffering, it’s not difficult to imagine what might happen to all of Maui eventually. Let’s hope we can keep the central valley green a little longer.

Advanced Maui Optical & Space Surveillance Technologies Conference

The AMOS conference was held at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort on September 1st through 4th, the only conference bringing together international astronomers and space surveillance experts.

Hosted by the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), the conference had prominent speakers such as Senator Daniel K. Inouye (appropriately via satellite), Air Force Lt. General larry James, Keawala’i Congregational Church’s Kealahou Alika, MEDB President Jeanne Skog, and Wes Friewald (the President of Pacific Defense Solutions) among others.

One of the major topics was the satellite collision in Early February of this year.  Discussion over the concern about large amounts of debris in Earth’s orbit from the Russian and American Satellites was deliberated.

Senate passes measure for additional MSSS funding

MSSS (Maui Space Surveillance System) is home to the largest optical telescope in the United States, designed for tracking satellites.  10,000 feet above sea level, Haleakala Crater’s summit has multiple telescopes that are crucial for space research.

On October 6th, the US Senate passed a measure to increase funding by 207.5 million dollars for projects involving Hawaii.  $20 million of this will go to the research projects at the MSSS.

Maui Observes Spacecraft Crash into the MOON!

We know. It sounds untrue, but it’s a fact! Because Maui and Hawaii have such incredible observing facilities and excellent proximity for viewing, we have been asked to observe a spacecraft being intentionally crashed in to the surface of the moon on October 9th.

The plume of debris will rise up to 3 miles from the surface of the moon.  NASA and the university of Hawaii are hoping this event will determine whether water exists under the surface at the Moon’s poles.  If there is enough water on the moon, we could very possibly colonize it.  With water, agriculture, oxygen, and protective radiation shields would be possible.

We’ll keep you updated!

Plans for a new Maui prison has been under dispute for some time with lawmakers.  This new complex would replace the Maui Community Correctional Facility that currently houses 351 inmates.  This facility is old and holds 142 more inmates than it was originally built for.

Problems arose in the plans over disagreements at to the size, design and price of the prison.  The current price was set at $235 million with a completion date of 2012.  Governor Lingle put a stop to the plans when Senator Shan Tsutsui made some comments in a Maui News article.

Within government, there’s always going to be difficulties and disagreement with plans involving such a large budget.  Hopefully, an agreement can be made sometime in the future.

Perhaps induced by the recent anniversary of the original Woodstock, our favorite Aloha sticker company has come out with a whole line of great Hippie Stickers!

Stuck on Maui has been producing the most authentic Aloha and Tiki Stickers for years, and it’s great to see them branching out.  Maui is home to many hippies, and we love to see a Maui business building new quality products.

If you live on Maui or in Hawaii, please support our island economy.  If you live on the mainland, don’t buy your stickers anywhere else!  It’s hard these days to buy anything that’s not made, packaged and sold from China.   Support our friends on Maui and spread the Aloha!

Maui Zipline Tours

Founded in 2002, Skyline Eco-Adventures now offers two locations for ziplining on Maui, Hawaii. The Haleakala Skyline Tour is phenomenal with views of the South and North Coast as well as the West Maui Mountains and the Central Valley. You’ll zip across 5 lines while learning about the ecology of upcountry Maui. Each zipline becomes increasingly more exciting with longer distances, bigger heights, and much more speed. Before each crossing, you’re given some insight into the endangered bird that the Maui zipline is named after. A portion of your ticket goes to preservation of these birds as well as other Maui conservation efforts.

Safety is the primary concern of your 2 zipline tour guides of whom personally hook each person up themselves. For those worried about equipment and cables, the lines you cross are strong enough to hold a full-sized car. All of the equipment has been tested for safety.

The last crossing is by far the most fun. Each time you zip across a gulch, or over waterfalls, you’ll find that you want more. You finally get it with the last run when you’re hurled at incredible speeds over a long forest gulch. Besides the adrenaline rush of the Maui ziplines, taking a walk through Eucalyptus forests with incredible views makes this a journey worth making.

The Kaanapali Skyline Adventure takes twice as long with 8 ziplines. You’ll experience views of West Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Lahaina, and some gorgeous waterfalls. A step up from the Haleakala Tour, ziplining in Kaanapali is a half-day trip you’ll never forget.

Make sure to wear good shoes and something warm. Long pants and a jacket are very nice to have when upcountry, especially while zipping at high speeds.

This Maui Zipline Video was taken at the Syline Eco Adventure Kaanapali Course. The terrain is different than the zipline discussed above, but just as fun. You’ll see below!

Our latest discovery has been Family Flix, a Mom and Pop video editing company that specializes in putting together Family and Vacation video footage on DVD.  We really like this premise because they’re not some huge editing company based in India.  The people at Family Flix have kids, love Hawaii, and take the time necessary in personalizing your homemade video footage.

How It Works

You take a bunch of video footage while in Hawaii, as well as a bunch of photos.  You come home and look at the mess of media and realize that you have to go back to work tomorrow.  When will this stuff get put together so you can show your friends and family? This is where Family Flix has proven to be very useful.

You send your photos and/or video to Scott at Family Flix and he will put it together for you in a timely fashion.  They can make video slideshows of your photos along with clips of your footage edited for the most impact.  All of this can be put into DVD menus like a real movie.

They’ve mastered the editing process.  No longer will your videos be dragging while your audience looks at their watch.  It’s not that your vacation wasn’t interesting, it just needs to be cut correctly and put to music.  This way, you’ll enthrall anyone who’s watching!

We’ve found this service to be EXTREMELY valuable.  Do you know how much time you waste editing video and going through digital photos?  It’s pretty ridiculous.  Take advantage of their services before they get booked up for months!  Summer’s over and there’s tons of vacations needing editing.

Call Scott at 1-877-FMLYFLX or email him at info@familyflix.com