Welcome to Walk Maui!

Hawai'i has a rich history dating back over 1,000 years. On a Walk Maui tour, you'll explore everything from the first Polynesian migrants to the modern era. Our tours are a unique way to add a fun and easy cultural component to your Maui vacation and a fantastic way to learn a little bit of the history that makes Hawai'i such a magical place.

This blog features links to news stories, events, and other activities on Maui that we think will be of interest for historically and culturally minded visitors (and kama'aina).

For more information about our walking tours, visit our main web site at http://www.walkmaui.com.

Horses in Hawaii

Today -- August 9th -- is the generally accepted date that horses first arrived in the Hawaiian islands back in 1803. (We says "generally accepted" because dates of May and June 1803 are also seen in older literature.)

The horses were brought by Captain R.J. Cleveland aboard the ship Lelia Byrd; two were landed in Kawaihae and presented to the king, Kamehameha. Another pair of horses were taken to Lahaina, Maui, and given to John Young. Cattle had been brought to the island by Captain Vancouver in 1793 and the king had put a 10-year kapu (taboo) on them to allow the cattle to breed and multiply. That kapu ended up lasting until 1830, by which time the cows had gotten completely out of control. Two years later John Palmer Parker hired the first Mexican cowboys--who would come to be known as paniolo (a variant of Hispaniolo or "Hispanic person")--to help him on his Big Island ranch with the cattle problem. Presumably, those first horses from 1803 had also multiplied in subsequent generations and were already waiting when the paniolo arrived.

Meanwhile, the ship that brought those first horses, the Lelia Byrd, was acquired by King Kamehameha for his ultimately unsuccessful attack on Kauai.

Concert at Moana Bakery and Cafe in Pa'ia | Thursday, August 5, 7:30-9:30PM

As part of Kimo's other life as a singer/songwriter, he'll be performing a 2-hour set on Thursday, August 5th, at Moana Cafe in Pa'ia.

Kimo's songs range from eclectic covers on guitar and 'ukulele to his own compositions, many of them rooted in Hawaiian myth and history. For a preview of his songs, visit http://listn.to/jameskimonevius.

Moana Cafe is located at 71 Baldwin Avenue in Pa'ia, just mauka of the public parking lot. They have a great menu, a full bar, and a relaxed atmosphere. You can check them out at http://www.moanacafe.com/.

Hope to see you there!

Ko'ie'ie Fishpond Auction on eBay

Our friends at 'Ao 'ao O Na Loko I'a O Maui (The Association of Maui Fishponds) are hosting a charity auction on eBay to raise funds for the ongoing restoration of the Ko'ie'ie fishpond in Kihei. This is a great way to support a wonderful Maui resource. The fishpond provides a living link to Maui's ancient history as well as providing wonderful volunteer opportunities for residents and visitors alike.

Some of the auction items are currently priced WELL below their value (the last time we checked the snorkel trip for 2 was going for $36 and there was a gift certificate to Bubba Gump's at half price.) So you can help out a worthy cause and get a great bargain in the process!


Check out all of the auction items at http://donations.ebay.com/charity/charity.jsp?NP_ID=39599.

Prohibition in Hawaii

We were just reading that 100 years ago today, the voters of Hawai'i rejected "overwhelmingly" a law prohibiting the sale of alcohol in the territory.

With the number of people whose stereotypical vision of Hawai'i includes a fruity drink and a tropical umbrella, it can be tough to remember that Hawai'i actually has a long history of temperance. All the way back in 1829, during the reign of Kamehameha III, the Kingdom of Hawai'i passed an ordinance banning the sale of "ardent spirits." However, the ban was unloved by the visiting whale ships as well as by mainland exporters who wished to sells their goods in the Hawaiian market, so in 1850, Kamehameha III lifted the ban.

Over the next 50 years, as temperance movements on the mainland gathered steam, Hawai'i had a strong "dry" movement, as well. An anti-saloon league was founded in 1901 but voters, on July 26, 1910, rejected the idea of an outright ban on alcohol. What finally brought about full-scale Prohibition--both in the Territory of Hawai'i and on the mainland--was World War I. Wartime rationing led to bans on the sale and production of alcohol in 1918 and just a year later, Congress passed the 18th Amendment banning the alcohol nationwide.

Prohibition went into effect in 1920 in all states and territories and stayed in effect until 1934. (Interestingly, while the Constitutional amendment reversing Prohibition was passed in 1933, states and territories each ended Prohibition on their own schedules.)


In Kimo's other life as a songwriter, he's written a song about the beer running out in Hawaii at the turn of the 20th century. The song is called Fair Angeline and you can see a video of him performing it live in New York City.

If you are interested in Prohibition in general, we recommend Daniel Okrent's Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition, which came out earlier this year.

Today, of course, alcohol is not only served liberally in the islands--it's made here, too. Our local favorite is Maui Dark Rum.

This Week on Maui: June 28-July 4

Our week on Maui comes to a close this week with Independence Day. Did you know that the Declaration of Independence was actually approved on July 2nd? As John Adams wrote to Abigail, "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival."

(Why do we celebrate the 4th instead of the 2nd? That's the day the Declaration was printed for the first time.)

Some great things are happening this week on Maui. First, on Friday, July 2nd, it's the First Friday celebration in downtown Wailuku. Every month, food and craft vendors come, stores stay open late, and there's plenty of live music and entertainment. This month, Maui Thing -- a clothing boutique on Market Street -- is celebrating its 2nd anniversary with a fashion show and a concert by the great Willie K. It should be a great night.

The next morning, head upcountry to the old cowboy town, Makawao, for the annual 4th of July paniolo parade starting at 9:00 a.m. Paniolo are Hawaiian cowboys and this annual parade coincides with the 55th Annual Makawao Rodeo at Oskie Rice arena on Olinda Road. Rodeo events on Saturday begin at 1:00 p.m.

This Week on Maui | June 14-20

The big event this week on Maui is the annual Maui Film Festival, which runs from June 16-20. Screenings and events take place in Wailea at the open air "Celestial Cinema" as well as at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center's Castle Theater.

Each year, a number of films focus on Hawaii and Hawaiian issues, and this year is no exception. Films include The Watermen Experience, about tow-in surfing, Ho'okele Wa'a (Turning the Canoe), Hana Surf Girls, Poi Dogs, and more.

Visit http://www.mauifilmfestival.com/ for a complete listing of films, information on tickets, and a schedule of all the wonderful non-film events happening as well.