I think it’s safe to say that these guys have balls.

Peahi (Jaws) is located on the north shore of Maui, Hawaii and only breaks a handful of times per year.  It’s one of those spots that needs enormous swell for even a ripple to begin stirring.  But, when the swell is hitting, Peahi gets big and scary.  There’s a left and right, but the right seems to be more popular.

Through recent years, Jaws has become recognized as one of the premiere big wave spots due to the attention brought from Laird Hamilton, Dave Kalama, and the big wave surfers of Hawaii and elsewhere.  Since their publicizing of the spot, surfing Jaws has become somewhat of a circus with all kinds of surfers in the water looking to prove themselves.  We’ve heard that in order to curb the participation, Laird and some others have organized competitions to where it’s becoming increasingly difficult to surf there without an invitation or some kind of permit.

We love to watch these guys surf here, and we hope that the surfers take every precaution to be safe.  It still shocks me when I hear a surfer say they want to surf there, especially when they’re not that good.  It takes a lifetime of training to get ready for something as heavy as surfing Jaws, and plenty of jokers think they’ve got what it takes.  Machismo will only take you so far.  For me, I’ll stick to manageable, fun waves and leave the suicidal waves to those looking for an ego boost.

We’d again like to thank Michael Chad Photography for sharing his photos of Jaws with us.  He’s a fantastic photographer and can be hired for weddings and portraits on Maui.

We’ve listed 6 of the most popular activities done on Maui in 2011.  We hope you’ll experience some of these when you visit Maui in 2012!

Big Aloha and happy 2012!!!

The Road to Hana is Maui’s number one attraction for a good reason. Cascading waterfalls, breath-taking coastal views, lush rainforest, and the untouched purity of the islands bring visitors back again and again. Hana is exactly what you imagine it to be. It’s home to local Hawaiians that pride themselves on keeping Hana undeveloped and untarnished by encroaching “civilization.”

Maui is world famous for the best whale watching in the world! Maui whale watching is what Africa is to safaris. You get a chance to not only see Humpback whales enjoy the freedom of warm waters with no predators, but you’ll most likely be given a show in acrobatics. Every year our Humpbacks journey to Maui in order to mate and give birth. If you haven’t witnessed whale surface behavior in Maui waters, you’re in for a treat!

Haleakala is Maui’s largest mountain/volcano with views of the surrounding islands and all of Maui. The best way to experience these views is by riding down the slopes of Haleakala on a bike. There are many Maui bike tours, and we recommend a self-guided tour for safety and convenience. Watch the sunrise from the crater, then bike downhill at your leisure through Maui’s Upcountry.

Molokini Crater is a volcanic atoll sitting just off the south coast of Maui. Conveniently, it harbors and protects some of the most awe-inspiring ocean life in Hawaiian waters. Snorkeling Molokini has become one of the most popular activities on Maui due to it’s incredible water clarity. Scuba diving is also a world famous activity for advanced divers on the backside of Molokini.

Maui is home to all kinds of surfing. Wind, kite, stand-up, longboarding, and shortboarding are all increasingly popular on the Valley Isle. You’ll find different areas attract different surfers and different skill levels. If you’re new to surfing, there are plenty of surf schools in Maui. If you have more experience under your belt, you can find great waves depending on season.

Duck Ingredients (cooking time 20-30 minutes):

• 2 duck breasts (we prefer free range, organic)
• liberal sea salt
• liberal fresh ground pepper

Chutney Ingredients (cooking time 45 min):

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1/2 Maui onion
• 2 guavas (juice strained)
• 2 figs
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger
• 1/2 cup of blueberries
• 4 table spoons of dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup of white wine
• 1 lime

Quinoa Ingredients (cooking time 12 minutes):

• 1 cup of chicken broth
• 1 cup quinoa
• sprig each of rosemary and sage

Start the chutney first.

Begin by sauteing the chopped onions in the coconut oil in a small sauce pan on medium high heat.  Cook until the onions are translucent and soft (5-10 min).

Pull the juice from the guavas and add to the onions with the brown sugar (toss out the seeds).  stir until the sugar has melted down.

Add all the other ingredients, cover, and reduce to a simmer.  Let it simmer for 20-30 minutes.  (Time to start the duck prep!)  Then uncover and let it reduce on low-medium heat for 5-15 minutes.  Continue stirring and don’t let it burn.

It’s true, you don’t need as many different ingredients, so if you want to taste 1 thing over the other, limit or cut ingredients.  The dates can take over if you have too much.

Cook the duck!

When the chutney is all mixed and is reducing, begin cooking the duck.  score the fat/skin being careful to not cut into the meat.  Use fresh ground pepper and coarse sea salt to liberally cover the duck.

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.  Use an oven proof saute pan and bring to a medium, medium-high temp.  Cook the open duck breats fat down for 10-15 minutes.  Flip over and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes.

pour the fat out and save it for later in a glass container. (duck fat is God’s gift to food.  Use it in eggs, or anything you want to add savory umami flavors.

Flip the breasts back over on the fat side, and place the pan in the oven for 15-20 minutes. (Begin the quinoa.)

Pull the duck out and place on a cutting board.  Let sit for no less than 10 minutes before slicing.

Quinoa time!

Bring the chicken broth (or duck stock if you have it) to a boil, then lower temp to continue simmering.  Add the quinoa, chopped rosemary and chopped sage.  stir then cover and let simmer for 12 minutes.

Duck is one of the most flavorful pieces of meet and lends well to sweet sauces.  The quinoa is an excellent, light side.  We added the sage and rosemary to the quinoa instead of the chutney because we felt it would be lost.  This way, you get all the flavors.  Hope you like this Roasted Duck Breast Recipe!

Once you become a fan, you’ll be entered to win these boat trip tickets.  You’ll also automatically be getting 15% off of any future tickets on the Pride of Maui.  Good deal, right?

Go to Pride of Maui’s Facebook Page and become a fan!

Not only are they excellent at helping you with your loans, they represent some of the best vacation rental properties on the islands.

Aloha Luxury Properties

There are few companies in Hawaii that represent as many quality vacation rentals as does Aloha Luxury Properties.  Find accommodations on all of the Hawaiian Islands, but especially on Maui with their Hawaii Vacation Rental List.   They’ve got the best rentals at various locations such as:

• Wailea Beach Villas
• The Ho’olei
• Kaanapali Royal
• Makena Surf
• Kapalua Golf Villa
• Kapalua Ridge Villa
• Kapalua Bay Villa

Call Today! (808) 281-5182

Hawaii’s Premiere Mortgage Company

Need help with a new or existing loan?  Contact Tricia Morris and her qualified staff to help you through the process with ease.  Their reputation is impeccable, and you can expect your mortgage to be handled with diligence and efficiency.  Learn more at Mortgage Maui or Call and speak with one of the following staff members.

• Tricia Morris, President/Owner
• Duffy Herman, Co-Owner
• Nomi Nako-Baker, Executive Assistant to the President, and Operations Manager
• Cathy Mediti, Loan Coordinator
• Jan McGee, Senior Loan Processor
•  Lisa Puaa, Loan Coordinator

Call Today! 808-874-8800
535 Lipoa Parkway, Suite 101
Kihei, Hawaii 96753

• Resorts tend to charge for things that vacation rentals don’t.  A good example is using certain areas of the pool.
• With a kitchen, you save a bundle!  Doing even just 1 meal a day at the house will save you considerably.
• Cocktails!  Resort bars and pool bars will crush your wallet.

With that extra money you save, why not put a few extra bucks into your accommodations?  With Hawaii Bound, agents will help you find the perfect spot for you and your family.  Call today and ask about inexpensive, beautiful homes.  You won’t believe the kind of places that are available on Maui.  Give them a call at (808) 443-0221 or toll free at 1-800-711-6284.

To see listings available on all islands, go to Hawaii Vacation Rentals.

Here’s what you do:

• Get a ring.  Make sure it’s SECURELY on your person.  Keeping it in the box, or tying it to a string on your belt, isn’t a bad idea.  You don’t want it falling into the ocean.  Buzz kill.
• Book a private Maui sunset cruise on the Aikane X5.  This 62 foot catamaran offers the best prices for private tours.  It’s a big beautiful boat, and they specialize in private wedding proposal trips. If you want to go snorkeling, you can book a private tour during the day.  Either way is cool.  The boat rents for $575/hour for private trips.  It’s much less expensive than other private trips on other boats.  When pondering the price, keep in mind the priceless story that will be told from generation to generation.  You’ll be a hero to your family, her family and all of her friends (though your buddies may look like chumps for proposing at the Olive Garden.)  Call them to book your trip by calling: 1-800-490-0849
• Tell your lady you’ve booked a sunset cruise for you and her.  Don’t mention it’s private.  If you’re visiting Maui with friends, let her know you want to do it with just you and her (unless you want them on the boat too.  Could be fun to have them there to take some photos of you and celebrate.) If you do want your friends to join you, you may not need to do a private tour.  Aikane X5 limits it’s shared cruises to no more than 12 people (still pretty private.)
• Have fun!

Make her friends jealous, look like a baller to your friends, and take advantage of a beautiful opportunity to express your love in a memorable way.  Good Luck!

Give them a ring at (808) 661-SAIL or visit their website at Teralani Cruises.  Find out why the Maui News Poll voted the Teralani as the Best Water Activity for 2011!

What’s it like?

Surfing Da Rush is kind of like surfing, snowboarding, and wakeboarding all rolled into one.  It’s really nothing like anything you’ve tried and offers a completely different rush than you’ve experienced before.  It’s both challenging and exciting to try for the first time.

Fun for all ages and skill level, we love the helpful staff that operate Da Rush.  They’re supportive in their instruction, and you’ll never feel more at home.  We love the level of aloha and pure fun in the air at this man-made wave in Kihei, Maui.  Check it out today by visiting our one and only Maui wave pool.

THE GOOD

• Location! Perfect for outdoor photo shoots and workshops. The beaches here are amazing and perfect for sunsets.  you can’t ask for a better area to shoot at.
• Warm, Strong Community. This is different from any other photography convention we’ve been to.  It’s not as huge as some of the mainland conventions, which brings people together more to meet and learn from each other.  These things are fantastic for networking and learning from other professionals and enthusiasts. It’s a less intimidating environment allowing everyone time to speak to the pros and mingle.
• Off-site Workshops. There are plenty of opportunities to shoot with the expert speakers away from the hotel.  There’s a trip to Haleakala Crater for sunrise, doors-off helicopter rides, and much more.
• Studio Lighting. For a few hours they set up studio lighting for anyone to use.  They also had some models there to give everyone a chance to shoot.
• Contests and Prizes. Each year there are multiple contests for photos taken during the week of the festival.  Awards are given on the last day and prizes are exceptional.  Some prizes this year included: Wacom Tablets, CS5 Photoshop, camera backpacks, and many more.  See some of last year’s best photos.
• Student Scholarships. We love that the Maui Photo Festival sponsors aspiring photographers from local high schools.  These kids are truly gifted and have a bright future in photo.
• Magazine Staff. We liked that staff from popular magazines came and spoke to us about how to submit photos to their magazines and what they’re looking for.  People from The Knot and from Maui No Ka Oi Magazine came and spoke.
• Live Models. Beautiful models are brought in to allow us opportunities to hone our craft.  There was studio shoots, outdoor shoots, hula dancers, bikini models shoots, etc…
• Great Speakers and Experts from all Over. World renowned experts and local legends include:

Jim DiVitale – I’m in awe of this man.  Unfortunately, most of the teachers I’ve had over the years for any technical matter offer too slow a pace.  Jim, on the otherhand, moves at times too fast.  He’s perpetually on a serious caffeine high and blows through material.  He’s incredible.  I’ve tried to go to all of his workshops the last 2 years, and I gain so much from each one.  he is a Photoshop wizard.

Randy Jay Braun – Randy is a local artist that is gifted in bringing the culture of Hawaii to the masses through beautiful images.  He’s proven to be one of the more successful photographer artists in Hawaii, and just happens to be one of the nicest guys you’ll meet.

Some of the Other Speakers include: Jim Tierney, Michael Sweet, Douglas Peebles, Judy Host, Stacy Pearsal, Andy Dunaway, Eddie Tap, Jack Reznicki, Randy Hufford, Lou Freeman, Lewis Carlyle, Rebecca Crumley, Frederick Van Johnson, and Mike Sidney.

Our Suggestions

• The Rooms are Too Cold. Air conditioning needs to be cut down a bit. This is an easy fix that I think they can have set up better next year.  Bring a sweatshirt just in case though.
• Parking. Many times we’ve gotten lucky, but the Hyatt isn’t great for parking.  If you get there too late, you’ll have to valet.  It’s $18 to valet, but you can get it validated if you eat at one of the restaurants.  Umalu is reasonable and good, but the new restaurant Japengo is outrageously expensive.
• Offer More Broad Classes, other than Photo: It would be nice if we could have some classes on business, marketing, branding, advertising, website design, networking, etc… I know that’s kind of a lot, but if there was time and an extra room, it’d be nice to offer some of these workshops.
• Mixers to Mingle. It would be great to have a different local restaurant/bar help sponsor a different night for every night of the fest.  This would be a great way for our photographers to get to know eachother away from the classrooms and help build lasting relationships in an even more casual setting. Sponsor host restaurant/bars could offer 1 free drink to each paid attendee and all other drinks are cash bar.  I’m sure plenty of locations would be interested in the exposure if Maui Photo Festival were to add some advertising for them.
• Breakout Sessions. We’d love to see a few hours each day dedicated to sign up sessions to have pros interact one on one with attendees.  Photoshop or shooting, it’d be nice to have a few hours where our experts stick around a classroom and meet with each person to discuss their questions one on one.  Not sure if this is possible, but it’d be cool.

Learn more at the Maui Photo Festival.

The summit of Haleakala is an island atop a volcanic island, with its own distinctive climate and habitats.  Its cinder desert is sometimes frozen and seemingly barren, Yet a variety of creatures and unique plants like the  ‘ahinahina (Silversword) have adapted to the summit’s extremes.

Despite the contrasts to seashores of Maui, the summit is connected to the rest of the island in critical ways. The upper slopes capture moisture to nourish the rain forest of Kipahulu and feed the streams and waterfalls in the valleys.  The summit also preserves portions of the original Hawai’i, including native vegetation and evidence of the early inhabitants.

THINGS TO DO at Haleakala National Park:

• Trails – Explore the cinder desert on Keonehe’ehe’e (Sliding Sands Trail) and native subalpine shrubland on Halemau’u Trail. Also check out Maui bike trails.
• Scenic Overlooks – Enjoy vistas of volcanic features and island panoramas.
• Naturalist Programs – Inquire at either of the visitor centers.
• Bird Watching – Hosmer Grove Nature Trail and Halemau’u Trail offer excellent opportunities to bird watch.
• Picnics – Set up a picnic at either Hosmer Grove or the Headquarters Visitor Center.
• Camping – Hosmer Grove, available on a a first-come first served basis, is an wonderful spot to camp at especially since there are no permits required.  In order to camp in the wilderness of Holua and Paliku, permits are required and available at the visitor center during operating hours.
• Bike the Volcano – You can do much of the above then be taken to the base of Haleakala National Park and ride all the way downhill to Haiku Town.
• Maui Van Tours – Check out Haleakala Crater at sunrise or later then go shopping and enjoy the restaurants of Kula and Makawao Town in Upcountry Maui.

CAUTION:

• You are responsible for your own safety
• Be prepared for extreme and sudden weather changes.  Dress in layers and bring rain gear.
• Be alert for symptoms of altitude sickness: headache, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath.  If you get altitude sickness, have help getting lower   in altitude, drink lots of water, and call 911. If you’re near a park employee or the visitor center, ask them for assistance as well.
• Protect yourself from the sun.  Cover up, use sunscreen, wear a hat and glasses. In cold weather, it’s easy to forget how powerful the sun is, especially at this altitude.

HALEAKALA PARK RULES:

• Respect the ‘aina (land).  Many people consider the park lands to be sacred. Be mindful.
• Stay on designated trails.  Off-trail hiking can kill unseen plants and animals or destroy cultural resources.
• Leave things as you find them, including rocks, which can possibly animal or plant homes.
• Help kep nene (Hawaiian Goose) wild.  No feeding or approaching!  Tame nene often get hit by cars.
• Limit group size to 12 or less.
• Enter on foot only, and don’t ride bicycles.
• No pets allowed on trail.
• Clean boots of dirt and seeds.
• Camp in designated areas only, and get a permit if required.

Now that you know what to do, and what not to do, you’ll have a better, safer, and less-impactful experience at the park. Maui thanks you!

There are many ways of doing this.  One of our favorite ways is to rent a jeep and explore at our own pace.  We’ve recently been able to use the Road to Hana Map, driving tips, and CD guide from R2H.  We loved the full experience it allowed us to have by allowing us to choose the journey best suited for us.

As you drive along the Road to Hana, you’re given a unique perspective of the area.  You truly breath in the best of the island while stopping at recommended spots along the way.  Swim under a picture-perfect waterfall.  Enjoy a picnic on a secluded beach.  Explore rainforests and bamboo forests on amazing hikes.  There’s so much to do on the way to Hana and beyond.

Learn more about the Road to Hana by visiting the R2H.  There you can listen to the CD for free, watch video of a recent trip to Hana, flip through photos, and read tips.

Moral of the story:  Leave the ocean life to itself.  Maui has some incredible life in the ocean, but it’s best to enjoy from a safe distance.  This ensures everybody’s safety.  Going within 10 feet of a sea turtle on purpose is against the law.  Sea turtles are protected by law because they can become overstressed and possibly drowned by human interaction.

If you’d like to see more about snorkeling, check out these Maui snorkel maps, or read this information about snorkeling Maui.

A few more things about the tour.  Expect to be picked up and dropped off at your hotel (no driving for you!)  Also, expect a delicious breakfast and picnic lunch.  There’s so much more that you’ll be doing on this tour, so we’ve listed a few more things you can expect:

• Watch waves being surfed at Ho’okipa Beach Park (often Huge waves!)
• Visit Charles Lindbergh’s Memorial
• Explore Hana Town
• See the volcanic village of the Keanae Peninsula
• and much more!

Get your seats today while they’re available!

Play all day at the beach, then retire to the quiet and cool of Upcountry Maui at the Kula Cottage.

The Kula Kottage is a 2 bedroom 1 bath private vacation rental with 180 degree views of Maui.  Watch the sunset over the ocean from your lanai!

Call today and book your cottage by calling toll free: 1.888.922.2453
Ask them about bike tours and bike rentals.  If you book the cottage and do a bike ride from Haleakala, you can keep the bikes for the rest of your stay!  It’s a great deal because Kula and Makawao are really fun areas to bike around.

I’ve been asked many times how one can propose marriage creatively on our island. I tell my own story, and then give suggestions. It’s time to share this with everyone.

How I Proposed to my wife on Maui

We live here, so I felt that I needed to do more than just walk down the beach and propose (though it would have sufficed.) I rented a beautiful house in Hana and told my girlfriend that I’m taking her camping in Hana.

My lady is notorious for sleeping in (as am I), so I woke up early and packed everything I needed for a weekend at the house. I added a few camping accessories to seal the deal. When she woke up, she marveled at how I’d packed the car already. We left early for the Road to Hana.

Once we arrived, my lady was very surprised about the house and asked what occasion we were celebrating. This is where I blew it. I should’ve made something up, but I said it was for some spontaneous fun. Bad liar. She knew something was up.

I immediately began setting up a picnic on our property (great views!) The day before, I’d visited Who Cut The Cheese in Kihei to pick up some wine and cheese. Despite the horrific name, this shop is something really special. The woman working there helped me pair some of my favorite cheeses with some half-bottles of wine.

During the picnic, I nervously unpacked each cheese as we sipped on complimentary splits. It was great! Then, as we savored a french grape-leaf-wrapped goat cheese, I proposed to her. It went off pretty damned well. We then spent the next 4 days running around Hana, hiking, swimming, exploring, and relaxing. The perfect start to our engagement.  (And today we celebrate our 3 year anniversary! I love you, honey!)

My one regret is not having the ability to wait a little longer to propose under a beautiful waterfall we’d discovered the next day. There was NO WAY I could hold out for a whole night without relieving myself of the burden of holding all of this in, so I proposed immediately when we got there (that would be 1 long sleepless night in Hana.) It would have been cool though If I’d swam up to her under the waterfall with the ring (so long as I didn’t drop it.)

Here are a few ideas I have about some unique ways to propose to your woman while visiting Maui, Hawaii.

1. Picnic on the beach - You can find a spot on a low-density beach or on a grassy bluff along the water. Sunsets are a great idea for both #1 and #2 if on the South or West side.

2. Walk on a deserted beach – Try some of the long stretches between North Kihei and Maalaea or go up North to some of the kite beaches. Most of these are long and don’t have many occupants.

3. Go on a hike and find a waterfall - Wait for any other hikers to leave before popping the question. Bring a little bottle of champagne or sparkling cider. If you don’t know of any less-traveled hikes, have a local take you up to a good waterfall, then have them leave. This only works if you’ve got friends on the island, or if you find someone nice enough to do this for you. (Consider calling around for a private tour like this.  If the hiking tours out there don’t already have one, they should.)

4. Propose while fine dining - We’re not talking about hitting up Outback or Applebys. Reserve a secluded table at Ferraros at the Four Seasons or at Capische. Dress nice and order some good wine. Take your time with a long meal and propose whenever you want. See a list of Maui restaurants.

5. Go on a cocktail sunset cruise - You can take a trip on the Kai Kanani or another vessel that doesn’t have too many people on it, or if you’ve got the bucks, charter a private cruise on the Island Star. The later would be preferred. If you can go sailing in Maui, that would be the best since you get less fumes and noise.  Plus it’s more romantic than a power boat.

6. Take a drive - There are many gorgeous spots to stop and enjoy Maui views. You might want to drive around exploring, and once you find the perfect spot, drop to a knee.

Remember: Always get down on your knee! make some effort. You don’t want your future wife to be telling a lame story for the rest of your lives.

I hope this helps. If you can think of any other ideas, give us a shout.

Taking the plunge in Hana

One that we particularly like is Pride of Maui.  Along with regular snorkeling trips, sunset dinner cruises and whale watches, Pride of Maui does their fair share of private bookings for weddings and events.

Their catamaran is fast and stable with lots of deck room.  For those looking to enjoy water activities like snorkeling, scuba or even snuba, this is a great boat to choose.  They have warm water showers, stairs into the water and swim platforms.  The Pride of Maui also has a water slide and glass-bottom viewing windows.

Weddings on the Pride of Maui are great for small parties.  I personally would suggest a ceremony on the beach then having the reception on the boat, though quite a few people do their ceremonies on the water with excellent results.

We went to one ceremony on the water in south Maui a few years back.  It was a really special event because at sunset the sky lit up and the photos were beyond amazing!

You can call to make a reservation right now at 1-877-TO-PRIDE or visit their site at Maui Private Charters.

We thought, considering Pepper’s recent success with their Volcanic Rock Tour, we’d revisit the past with some photos we took when the boys played at our little rat-hole pad at the beach on 42nd Street in Newport Beach, CA.  We think the show was in 1999, but that has yet to be confirmed (college dates and times are always a little blurry.)  They played an incredible show to the delight of us poor surf bums and the neighborhood rejoiced.

Our cancerous, toxic little pad on the corner of 42nd was barely big enough to fit the band (let alone any audience.)  We moved all of our furniture into the garage and a select few of us packed into the kitchen to watch the show.  The rest of us squeezed on the patio outside to listen.

It began raining, but no one seemed to care.  All of our neighbors on the street began migrating towards the good tunes.  Next thing you know, we had a load of people creating a block party in the rain.  EPIC ALL TIME EVENT.

We were a little worried that the boys would be bummed on the tiny venue and the crazy rainy conditions.  But, luck would have it that they we’re pumped on everything.  They said that the acoustics were incredible, and they’d consider recording at our pad (must have been the asbestos and cardboard walls.)

We were lucky that our little double-wide didn’t crumble under the weight and powerful sounds.  A cop came after a few hours and told us we needed to turn down the music.  I replied, “No worries, Officer Schaumburg.” (Unfortunately we knew all the cops very well.)  “They’d just finished their set anyways.”  Astonished on how we managed to fit them in there, he replied, “You mean you’ve got a band in there, Chris?”

All in all, it was an incredible experience, and we’re glad we got them early on enough to enjoy them before they became huge.  Thanks, Baldy, for arranging everything.  We’re sorry for treating you like crap for so many years, but you kind of deserved it (and still do, daddy.  Haha!)

Pepper Today

Today, Kona’s little rock-trio is one of the biggest bands around.  Guitarist and vocalist, Kaleo Wassman, leads the charge with his unique style and outgoing stage performances.  Bassist and vocalist, Bret Bollinger, is a multi-talented artist that not only sings and jams with just as much stage presence as Kalea and Yesod, he also writes music for some of the biggest names in the music industry.  Yesod Williams, drummer, is rocking as hard as ever and turns out to be a damned good pilot.  Though after having watched many performances with him nearly destroying the drums, I’d be a little fearful of being his passenger.

Looking forward to your next show in Maui.  The last one we went to ROCKED!  If you ever feel like doing another tiny venue, we’ll get Baldy and Ethan out here and have a reunion on Maui.

by Chris Norberg

We recommend going through Aloha Rents.

You can find competitive rates along with many options for makes and models. Their service was created to simplify the rental process while saving you money. Let them help you secure your discount rental car for the Hawaiian Islands.

Call 1-800-440-7029

Maui Driving Tips

1. Slow Down!! This ain’t the mainland.  It’s very easy to do, since a lot of our roads have lower limits than you’d expect. Keep in mind that if you go 30 miles over the limit, you’ll be getting mandatory jail time!  They’re serious in Hawaii about slowing things down.

2. Honk only in an emergency. Honking in Hawaii is considered very rude and is hardly ever done.  It’s not an easy thing to do, but t steady your hand and let go of the road rage.  You’re in Maui now.

3. Don’t trespass! A lot of places you’ll find in the guidebooks make it look like you’ll be on public land, but it’s not always true. The last thing you want is to piss off some locals or violate your car rental agreement.

4. Don’t leave valuables in your car. We don’t have much crime, but the little crime we have is usually nonviolent. Maui theives know what a rental car looks like.  Please keep your valuables in your hotel or on your person when you travel.

Maui Visitors

We’ve seen a lot of people get hurt on Maui while doing activities.  If you think that you were put in a dangerous position without warning, call Jan.  He can help you get compensation you may deserve.

Local Residents

Be protected! If you’ve experienced any kind of personal injury or have a family member that has died wrongfully, you should have a lawyer.  Jan K. Apo is your man.

Jan K. Apo
Hawaii Attorney at Law
24 North Church Street Suite 302
Wailuku, HI 96793
Ph: 1-808-244-6073

This is the first of many posts we’ll be adding about being pregnant on Maui.

For the most part, snorkeling while pregnant can be done without danger and can be a great way to get some exercise while increasing the mother’s happiness (both very important for a healthy pregnancy.)

There are a few things you should consider before snorkeling while pregnant. When in your 3rd trimester, it’s a bit more risky since you’ll have less energy and dexterity.

Dangers and tips:

1. Reef Cuts and Infection
Upon entry and exit of the water, you’ll often find yourself in shallow water. Shallows are also prevalent around reef outcroppings. If you touch the reef at anytime, you’ll likely be cut. Cuts lead to infections, which are bad news when pregnant. We suggest going out at calm beaches and staying a clear distance from any reef.

2. Pressure Issues
When snorkeling when pregnant, it’s imperative that you stay on the surface. Diving below causes pressure issues which can cause harm to the baby. Scuba diving is out of the question because of this.

3. Exhaustion
The 1st trimester and 3rd are the most exhausting. It’s suggested that you never overexert yourself with exercise at anytime during your pregnancy. When you’re out in the ocean, you can’t take breaks. Stay close to the shore and don’t stay out any longer than you’re comfortable with.

4. Currents
On the same lines as #3, currents can put you in positions that would necessitate you’re pushing harder than you should. Research the spot you want to go to for regular currents. Always start against a current if present. That way if you get tired, going back is the easy part.

5. Waves
I’ve seen a pregnant woman in her 3rd trimester swimming out at a heavy beach break (Big Beach). Unfortunately, I only realized her condition after she’d struggled to come in. That baby had a hell of a ride. Thankfully they both are OK, but it could have been much worse. Even if the water looks calm, watch it for a while before entering. The ocean can do some scary things even if you’re not pregnant.

6. Holding Your Breath
Some snorkelers find themselves involuntarily holding their breath. This is fine, but when pregnant, it’s a danger. Don’t hold your breath ever while pregnant especially when over-exerted.

We hope these tips have helped you snorkel while pregnant more safely (if we didn’t completely discourage you!) We think snorkeling in Maui is a great thing to do when pregnant, but we strongly urge you to take precautions and limit your activity to light exertion.

All of the photos were taken on a recent snorkeling session with my wife on the south side of Maui.  She is in her first trimester of pregnancy and doing great!

We’d like to put a spotlight on some of the activities that have a positive impact on our world, economically and ecologically.  The first activity we’d like to discuss is Ziplining.

Ziplining – #1 Eco-Friendly Activity

With over 1 million safe customer zipline crossings, it’s incredible to think that a company like Skyline Eco-adventures could maintain a minimal ecological footprint while running at such a high-volume of visitors.  We’d like to commend them in their efforts to educate each zipline patron on the unique culture and environment surrounding their activity areas.  Not only do they inform their customers about the fragile eco-systems around them, but they have visitors enjoy the process.

One of the biggest pluses Skyline Eco-Adventures have offered to Maui is their keeping our land pure.  In order to run a successful zipline course, the many acres of land used need to be protected.  Nature then becomes part of the attraction.  Without their involvement, it’s possible that the purity of the land would be developed and destroyed.

Of all the activities you can do while visiting Maui, consider the excitement of ziplining with Skyline Eco-Adventures.  You’re not only getting your money’s worth with an unforgettable experience, but you’re also enjoying mother nature while doing some mild hiking, learning about the land and its sacred culture, and you’re helping to protect our island.

You can book them now by calling (808) 878-8400 or visiting them at zipline in Maui.

We’d like to thank Skyline for providing the photos and for staying committed to keeping our island pure.  Here at Maui Goodness, we’ll continue to experience the fun you provide as well as share it with the world.  ALOHA!

“She’s looking right at me.  I know it.”

I leaned back slightly and slid myself left along the side of the boat.  The big eye followed me.  I grinned and slid myself to the right.  The big eye followed me back.

“What must you think of me?” I whispered to the whale.  “Do you wonder about me the way I wonder about you?  Are you old enough to remember when there weren’t so many humans riding on boats?  Are you able to remember at all?”

A giant splash to my right startled me out of my revere.  Another whale was slapping his shining white pectoral fin over and over against the surface of the water.  Then he rolled onto his back and began slamming the back side of his tail on the surface.  Bang, bang, bang.  One more splash, a big breath, and then he dove, sinking out of sight.  I turned back to the water, but the first whale was gone too.

“Well ladies and gentleman,” the Captain of the Kai Kanani said into his mike.  “That was quite a show but it’s time for us to be heading back to shore.  Please check for any loose clothing or trash, and be careful of your hats as I pick up speed.  The whales aren’t looking for any donations.”

On the trip back I thought about what I’d seen.  The breaching and splashing were very exciting, and I had some great photos to share with my friends.  But I was moved by what I had seen looking into the eye of the whale.

“Humans aren’t so special,” I thought to myself as we neared shore.

By Megan Edgar, Staff Writer

Read more about our fascinating visitors from up north at Maui Whale Watch Tours. There you’ll see photos, videos, in-depth information about Humpback Whales, as well as illustrations of the various Humpback surface behaviors.

All of the photos seen here have been taken by Natalie Brown Photography.  All Rights are reserved on these copywritten images, and we thank her for the use of them.

If you want to see more about Maui weddings, go to the Maui Information Guide where there’s a long list of favorite vendors as well as tips for your wedding.  Some of the Maui wedding vendors we’ve listed specialize in catering, photography, transportation, planning, flowers, and even fire dancing.  Check them out!

After I’d been here for about six months I started to miss biking.  A lot.  Surfing was fun, but I wanted to go really fast for longer than a few seconds.  I wanted to brush elbows with trees, smell piney air and dust, and feel my body compress as I whipped around a berm.  I wanted to ride a bike.

I went to some bike shops and asked around but everyone was really secretive.  I’d get vague answers about good trails somewhere on Haleakala, or redirected toward the road biking groups that met every Wednesday and needed more riders.  On this small island in the middle of the Pacific, nobody wanted to give up the goods.

Finally I had a break through.  I was walking my dog on the beach and asked a fellow dog walker if she knew of any Upcountry hikes you could take dogs on.

“Yeah,” she said.  “The Makawao Forest Reserve is great.  There are a lot of trails, the trees are bautiful, and the air is about 10 degrees cooler than down here, but you have to watch out for all the bikers.”

Bingo.  Bikers.  I got directions, rented a sweet full suspension downhill bike from the Haleakala Bike Company, and headed out.  I couldn’t believe it.  Just 45 minutes from Kihei were miles of mountain biking trails.  Pine trees.  Dust.  Single track.  Yes!

Local riders very skilled at trail building had connected the obvious multi-use trails in the Reserve  with windy, single track that narrowly missed trees and used the natural lay of the land to create fun drops, berms, and log rides.  A few of the trails were too advanced for me, with large gap jumps and big drops, but most were right up my alley.  I grinned the whole way home.

After that first day I called my brother and told him to pack up my bike and ship it out here.  It arrived a few weeks later and I headed back out.  The more I biked, the more bikers I met, and the more I learned about the trails.  Once I figured out where to go on my own, I was in the club, and people were very willing to share.  Turns out Maui isn’t just about surfing, beaches, and jungle – there are bikers too.

By Megan Edgar, Staff Writer

See more Maui wedding photography by Natalie Brown Photography.

Land Paddling is the land version of Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP.)  In order to escape the monotony of the gym, this middleweight Maui native skateboards up and downhill near his home in North Maui.  Since 2008, Kendall has been using his long skateboard and six foot carbon-fiber pole to break a sweat while bombing hills and then climbing them again the hard way.

Kendall Grove (Da Spyder) does Land Paddling to clear his head while getting a workout and preparing for UFC.  I was fortunate enough to assist on the photo shoot and get some time with this Maui celebrity.  It’s hard to believe that such a funny and easy-going guy could tear my limbs off if he wanted to.  Meeting athletes like Kendall bring the realization that MMA is more than fighting.  It’s a sport for those strong in the mind and the body.

We look forward to seeing Da Spyder in his next bout.

Humpback whales mate and give birth in the same season? Sometimes, but most often they come to mate then return the following year to give birth.  The gestation period of a Humpback Whale is 12 months, which forms a perfect cycle.

Why Hawaii? Humpbacks travel to Hawaii as well as south of North America for the warm, protected waters.  Hawaii, and specifically Maui, offers shallower areas to perform their mating habits as well as give birth away from deep ocean predators.

If Hawaii is ideal for mating and giving birth, why don’t Humpback Whales live there year round? They have to make this long trek, back and forth, every year because plankton (Humpback’s primary food source) doesn’t thrive in warm waters.  Each year, Humpbacks feed and store fat while living in the Pacific Northwest.  They then make the journey and the stay in Hawaii without any food.  This is particularly hard on the mothers nursing over 100 gallons of milk to their calves each day.

For more humpback whale information, including recognizing surface behavior, migration, and birth, visit Whale Information.

That’s right, The Maui Goodness is getting a face lift! Please be patient as we add the old posts and some new ones to the site. We should have some pretty cool features when all is said and done. Thank you for your loyal visits! We only update this site because YOU want local updates from our beautiful island of Maui, Hawaii.

Mahalo nui loa for your regular visits.

Some posts to look for in the future:

• The Whales are back!
• MMA Maui Celebrity, Da Spyder workouts

Last night Sublime played at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center (MACC) with their new lead guitar and singer Rome Ramirez.  Rome made for an excellent replacement for the deceased Bradley Nowell.

Sublime, now “Sublime with Rome”, played most of our favorite classic Sublime songs along with a few new ones.  We think that they made a great move in doing this.  Appeasing the fan base is the only way for them to move towards newer material, especially considering how Bradley is now considered a legend.

We really enjoyed the show.  I’m sure the veteran members of Sublime enjoyed the crowd, and Rome seemed very pleased with his first trip to Hawaii.  Read about more Maui Events.