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.

This Week on Maui: June 7-14

Aloha and welcome to our new regular feature, "This Week on Maui" where we highlight two or three interesting events that will take place this week on the Valley Isle. As always, our focus is mainly on the culture, arts, and history of our island, but as you will see from below, we will also highlight other events that impact all of us, whether we live in Hawaii or not.

TUESDAY, JUNE 8, at 6:00PM

TAPPED

Under the auspices of the Pacific Whale Foundation, come to the Kihei Charter School for a free screening Tapped, a documentary about the bottled water industry's effects on our health, climate change, pollution and our reliance on oil. And in a place like Maui, with our reliance on so much imported material, our culture's addiction to bottled water takes on added dimensions. While the screening has been underwritten by the Pacific Whale Foundation, $5 donations are welcomed at the door. 

Kihei Charter School is located at 300 Ohukai Road.

FRIDAY, JUNE 11 -- ALL DAY

KAMEHAMEHA DAY

Friday marks the 138th annual celebration of Kamehameha Day, a holiday created by King Kamehameha V in 1872 to honor his grandfather, Kamehameha the Great, who unified Hawaii into one kingdom. It is a state holiday, so public offices and many banks will be closed.

SATURDAY, JUNE 12, at 9:45AMNA KAMEHAMEHA PA'U PARADE
In honor of Kamehameha Day (see above), come to Lahaina to see the Kamehameha Pa'u Parade and Ho'olaulea (celebration). The parade will include many local groups and floats but what is most stunning to see are the Pa'u riders -- women riding horseback in colorful pa'u (skirts) and wearing fragrant floral lei. The horses are are also garlanded with flowers making for a beautiful display. Following the parade, the celebration will continue in Banyan Tree Park with food, crafts, and music.

The parade will run down Front Street in Lahaina. Arrive early for a good spot.

Gig at Moana Cafe in Pa'ia | Thursday, June 3, from 6:30-8:30PM

In addition to all the other things we do (writing history, researching, leading walking tours, etc.), Kimo is a singer/songwriter and this Thursday, June 3, he'll be showcasing his material at Moana Cafe in Pa'ia.

Many of Kimo's recent songs are steeped in Hawaiian history and myth, telling the stories of everything from sugar cane workers to famous Hawaiian legends. He also writes songs that don't have anything to do with Hawaii (or history) and will include an eclectic array of covers on guitar and ukulele.

More info about Kimo's music can be found at http://www.walkmaui.com/music.htm.

Moana Cafe is located at 71 Baldwin Avenue in Pa'ia (just mauka of the Mana parking lot). You can read more about them at http://www.moanacafe.com/

Hope to see you there!

Raiatea and Keola Beamer in Concert on Saturday, May 22, in Lahaina

Keola Beamer -- famed slack key guitarist, composer, and all-around Hawaiian musical treasure -- has teamed up with Raiatea Helm to create a new album, Keola Beamer & Raiatea for Mountain Apple. Released at the beginning of the month, the album features everything from traditional Hawaiian songs to their cover of John Lennon "Imagine" (reworked in Hawaiian as "Ina-".)

On Saturday night, they will be performing at the Maui Theatre in Lahaina (home of 'Ulalena) on Saturday at 7:30PM. This will be a great opportunity to see two of the stars of the Hawaiian music scene in an intimate setting -- there really isn't a bad seat in the house.

Call 877-688-4800 for tickets. For more information on the album -- including a preview of the songs -- visit http://www.mountainapplecompany.com/keola/raiatea/.