ʻAha Mele 2014

Everyone from Hawaiʻi knows that Song Contest has been a long-standing tradition of Kamehameha Schools.  Broadcasted live across the state of Hawaiʻi, each high school grade level performs three songs: one girls' song, one boys' song, and one combined number (except for the Freshmen, who sing only a combined song).  All songs are performed a capella, typically in 4-part and sometimes 8-part harmony.  While three Song Contest judges count their tallies and determine who wins each of the six different awards, the Hō'ike commences.  This portion of the show features select students who perform hula and additional mele. Then the winners are announced and the night ends with lei after lei after lei after lei... until students can barely see over tons (literally) of lei around their neck. Almost like graduation.

UHMC Autofest 2014

I got a chance to attend this year's Autofest event at the University of Hawai'i Maui College on Sunday, March 23rd.  Put on annually by UHMC's Auto Department, it's one of the biggest and best car shows on Maui.  Maui doesn't have a big car scene due to our small island population and limited (or should I say, expensive) automotive resources.

27th Annual Hoʻomau Fundraiser on Saturday 03/29

I urge all of you Mauians to attend one of the biggest fundraising events on the island -- Hoʻomau.  An annual fundraiser for Pūnana Leo o Maui Hawaiian Language Immersion preschool, the event features live entertainment, ʻono food, keiki games and crafts, live and silent auctions, and Hawaiian crafters and vendors from all over Hawaiʻi.

This is the first time that I am on the other end of the event, helping to organize and work at the fundraiser for my son who is in his first year of preschool and first year of Hawaiian immersion.  Pūnana Leo o Maui's program is the best.  Our keiki receive an excellent education, have the most caring and dedicated kumu, and it's all done in a true immersion setting.  I would recommend it to any 'ohana who is interested in revitalizing the Hawaiian language and culture through our youngest generation.

This year's theme, Kū Ha'aheo I Ka 'Ōlelo Makuahine, loosely translates to "stand proud in our mother-tongue," and thus reflects the school's mission statement: E ola ka 'ōlelo Hawaiʻi - "the Hawaiian language shall live."

Live entertainment includes:

• Kamaka Kukona, Piʻilani Arias & Hālau O Ka Hanu Lehua
• Weldon Kekauoha
• Mark Yamanaka
• Nā Hoa
• ʻEkolu
• Ata Damasco
• ʻAipōhaku
• The Keiki & Mākua of Pūnana Leo o Maui
• Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Maui

27th Annual Hoʻomau
Saturday, March 29, 2014
9:00 am - sunset
Maui Nui Botanical Gardens
Wailuku, Maui, HI
$10 presale, $15 at the door

For more information, visit hoomau.com, or call Pūnana Leo o Maui Preschool at 808-244-5676.

Hawaii All-Stars are "Showoffs"...in a good way.

Hawaii All-Stars Senior Level 3 is a co-ed team featuring a male flier.

Saturday, March 8th marked the second annual "Showoffs" at War Memorial Gymnasium in Kahului hosted by Maui's elite cheerleading team, Hawaiʻi All-Stars.

Alice in Wonderland @ KS Maui

Kamehameha Schools Maui (KSM) High School will be debuting their interpretation of Alice in Wonderland tonight, Friday, February 28th at 7:00 pm, with two more shows tomorrow, Saturday, March 1st at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm.  Be sure to check out the production as it is free and open to the public at the Pukalani school's High School campus.

Opening scene of Kamehameha Schools Maui High School's Alice in Wonderland.

Mouse, Mad Hatter, & March Hare

As a big fan of Disney's 1951 cartoon movie of Alice in Wonderland, I was really excited to get a sneak-peek during the high school students' last "dress rehearsal" as they performed for the Elementary Students at KSM.  I loved the creativity used for the costumes, props, and set.  If you've ever seen or read any version of Alice in Wonderland, you're familiar with the extravagant fantasies that would be difficult for anyone to convey in real-life.

The cast and crew are made up of students from all grades.  The lead role of Alice is played by a sophomore.  All cast sang, with many characters performing solos.  These teens have great vocals, which is not surprising considering the fact that KS has a long history of choir and singing events.

Dave Chappelle Stand-Up on Maui

"The theme of the night is...hopelessness.  Now you can't have hope without hopelessness." - Dave Chappelle

Maui finally got to host Dave Chappelle and his stand-up comedy, a visit that was waayyy long overdue.  After practicing stand-up around New York's comedy circuit, a few failed TV pilots, and several silver-screen appearances, Chappelle really gained notoriety when he burst onto the entertainment scene 10+ years ago with Comedy Central's "Chappelle's Show" in 2003.  Known internationally for his character comedy and jokes on racism, sexuality, and pop-culture, Chappelle ranks #43 on Comedy Central's "100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time."

Tickets for Dave Chappelle's stand-up show, scheduled for February 5th at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center (MACC), went on sale January 15th.  No less than 24 hours later, a second show was arranged for those who missed out on tickets for the first show.  Chappelle's comedy was in such high demand, MACC was forced to add three more shows, giving Chappelle a total of five sold-out shows in the MACC's 1200-seat Castle Theatre.