Interview with Maui Violinist Don V. Lax

I saw Don Lax perform for the first time at the Four Seasons Resort Maui with Vance Koenig on guitar. For over 20 years, this talented duo have created music together on island. Don regularly performs at the Four Seasons Resort Maui and other venues as well as private house concerts. He plays solo and with other musicians for certain events. He is a poet and published author and writes one new poem daily and shares it on his Facebook page. His book of poems is entitled Lovesongs for the Soul: A Spiritual Journey. Both Don's music and book can be purchased on Amazon. Don is an ordained minister and officiates at weddings in the most creative way, by incorporating his violin along with Kristine Snyder on classical harp, and many other musicians. They make beautiful music together.

Listen and watch one of Don Lax and Vance Koenig’s performing samples from some of their most popular contemporary hits:

Listen and watch Kristine Snyder, Don Lax, and Silvina Samuel (The Bravado Trio), perform samples from some of their most popular contemporary hits:

Kathy: You told me that as a young child, you lived abroad outside of the US. Tell us about your childhood and the countries you resided and how the experiences shaped you musically. 

Don: I grew up in Karachi Pakistan, Bombay India, Paris France and Rome Italy. The good thing about France and Italy is that I got to attend two of the best music schools in the world - the Paris and the Rome Conservatory. Once I got out of the Rome Conservatory I joined a progressive rock band and started writing music and improvising.

Kathy: You must have had a great deal of talent at a young age to get accepted to two of the top European music schools. Who were your musical influences and inspiration?

Don: My father’s parents were Romanian. He was born in Detroit and had pure Romanian blood. That is where my gypsy vibe comes from. My musical influence began when I was five years old, in Karachi Pakistan. That is where my mom took me to see this gypsy violinist play. I remember walking into this big tent and down the middle of the aisle when I saw this woman. I knew right away I wanted to play that kind of music on that instrument. So I went home and wrote a letter to Santa Claus asking for a speedboat, race car, scuba diving outfit, motorcycle, like ten impossible things. At the bottom of my list I wrote: “violin.” I figured if I wrote all the impossible stuff first, I would get what I really wanted. It worked. I got a violin under the Christmas tree.

While we lived in Pakistan, I began learning the violin starting from age five. My father had played when he was a child, so he bought himself a violin too. 

He gave me my first couple years of lessons. Then we moved to India. India for me was literally like going from the desert to the ocean. Karachi was not thanice of a place. Bombay India was so rich, so full of life. There were so many cultures coming together. Duke Ellington came to Bombay to play a series of concerts. My father invited him and his band to our house for tea. He also invited a bunch of classical Indian musicians who played ragas and sitars and tablas. All the musicians spent the afternoon with us jamming and improvising. I was nine years old. This was my first real experience with brilliant musicians being completely in the moment, creating on the spot. It changed my life. I knew then, that I wanted to grow up and be creative. I didn’t just want to play the notes. In Bombay, I had an Indian violin teacher. She taught me the classical way. I was exposed to sitar players and jazz musicians, too. I really wanted to do different stuff. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I started breaking out and playing rock. I was influenced by Stephane Grappelli, the great French jazz violinist. I finally got to jam with him when I was in my early 20s. I got to play with some really amazing musicians for which I am grateful.

Growing up, my dad and I were not always on the best of terms. He wanted me to fit into society and I didn’t. We often disagreed but in a lot of ways we were both the same in that we were both really creative people. He originally was a poet and musician before he got into a different career after World War II. I think part of his frustration was that I was doing what he really wanted to. My dad did drive me to pursue the violin and eight years before he died he became my best friend. He started really sharing his stories about what he had done in his life.

Kathy: So in the end, it sounds like your dad was really proud of you.

Don: Yes, in the end he was because I stuck to it.

Kathy: You have a strong spiritual base. I see you have a gentle soul. You are attracted to the mystical. When did you develop this sense?

Don: My mom was a big influence on me. She was the one to get me interested in spirituality by exposing me to her love of Nature. She often times took me for a swim in some desolate mountain lake in the wilderness.

We have a cabin in the Sierra mountains right on the border of Desolation National Wilderness. Real remote. From this starting point, we would hike. Afterwards, we would sit on the hot rocks and my mom would look up and say, “I am one with the earth and sky.” It was a natural spirituality. My parents exposed me to a lot when we lived in India. They were really open and introduced me to Buddhism. I just reread the journal that me and my mom kept. It is dated 1963. I was nine years old and we were driving from Bombay to North India and visiting all these Buddhist and Hindu temples. There is so much spirituality in this region. The people there have been practicing their faith for thousands of years. We caught a flight on a small plane to Kathmandu to visit friends who lived there. We would visit Buddhist and Hindu shrines. It was just something I grew up with.

Kathy: How long have you lived on Maui? What brought you here. What was the attraction for you.

Don: I moved here over 20 years ago. I originally had no desire to be here whatsoever. I was living in Santa Cruz, California and I thought I would spend the rest of my days there. I really love how the mountains and redwoods come down to the ocean. I was playing in symphonies, I was teaching in three

schools, playing in string quartets, rock, jazz and belly dancing bands and all kinds of stuff. I was really making a good living there. I was really happy. I had a lot of great friends and family nearby. Then one day, this woman I had known in Eugene Oregon where I had previously lived told me she had moved to Maui. Every summer she would return to California to do the festival circuit. When she came through Santa Cruz she would say to me, “Don, you need to come to Maui.” I told her I’m not interested in Maui. It’s too touristy. I don’t want to go.” 

Then one summer she said, “Don, I’m in charge of the Sufi Retreat on Maui in camp Keanae. I am going to buy your plane ticket and pay you to fly to

Maui for a week and play for the retreat.” I finally agreed to do it. I had never been to Maui before. When we landed on Maui, we drove straight from the airport to camp Keanae, a quiet place on the cliffs. It was so beautiful and I could look right down into the ocean. I completely fell in love. Two of the
best musicians in the world, to me, were also playing at that retreat. Daniel Paul on the tablas and Priyo (Nicola Notaro) on guitar. After spending a week at the retreat, I said to myself, I could live here. They told me they loved my
music and wanted me back in six months for the next retreat. So they flew me out twice a year for three years for their spring and fall retreats. After the third year I looked around me and thought, you know the economy here on Maui works for me. There are plenty of hotels and weddings here. I could make a

living on this island. I had fallen in love with the island itself.

Kathy: The turning point for you was that you fell in love with the island of Maui. That is why you finally moved here.

Don: I also had a dream that led me to Maui. The dream began with me walking over to a well. I looked down into it. Then a voice called me from the well inviting me to come down. I said, “okay, okay I will go down but who is calling me?” I got down to the bottom of the well to follow the voice. It kept calling me to come underwater. There I see a dolphin. I said to it, “But I can’t breathe underwater” and the dolphin said, “Don’t worry you can breathe underwater, you’ll be okay.” The dolphin led me down, way down under the ocean and it was full of light. I was introduced to turtles, Eagle rays, whales and other dolphins. It said, “It is time for you to get to know your water nature.” 

Then soon after, I went to the Sufi camp and Maui for the first time. The land itself, has what they say in Hawaiian, “mana.” It has energy. I had a friend take me to Mount Haleakala early on and we drove through a moonbow. It was a full moon, so magical. During one of the first few retreats I got to witness Haley’s Comet, next to the full moon, over the ocean. The moon lit up the entire ocean and turned it silver. As the moon was setting lower into the ocean, Haley’s Comet was sitting next to it. That was a moment I will never forget. Another night at one of the retreats I was sitting underneath an ancient tree and felt the tree. I have this deep spiritual relationship with trees. As I was sitting there in the middle of the tree canopy there was a triangle opening. I looked at the triangle and there was a star in the middle of it. I looked up and there was a star in the center. I knew that star was like me or where I had come from. I felt the star vibrating all the way through me and through the earth.

Photo: Sugar Beach Events

I felt the earth also vibrating through me back up to the star. The earth spoke to me and said, “This is where you belong.” My whole life I have traveled the world. I have never had this kind of experience. It resonated loud. The earth spoke to me once, loud and clear. I am here on Maui and I definitely have gotten to know my water nature. I love to swim with the dolphins and whales. I am an ocean person. I was always a swimmer. In California, I was a downhill skier but when I moved to Maui, I realized that I needed something new because I wouldn’t be downhill skiing anymore. So I got a hand board and taught myself how to body surf big waves. I try to get in the ocean every day. If there is no surf on Maui, I will swim long distance and go out about two miles from the shore to swim with dolphins, whales, Eagle rays and manta rays. Whatever creatures I see out there I swim with. I love moving my body. Both my parents were champion athletes. Twelve years ago, my mom won the hour long swim. She placed first for her age group, 70 and above. At the time she was 86 years old. Today she is 98 and doing great. My father was a champion rower in France in the 1950s. My parents met while they were both downhill skiing. My family were always outdoors staying active, skiing or hiking together.

Kathy: Don, tell us more about your healing sound meditation gatherings.

Don: It is interesting, when I lived in Eugene, Oregon in my late 20s I had been playing in these rock and jazz bands. I decided to go back to music school and enroll at the University of Oregon. They had a great music department and a wonderful teacher. I decided I needed to retrain my classical chops. When I was touring with rock and jazz bands, I always took the Bach classical Sonatas with me. It is one of the hardest things to play on the violin solo.

I did this to keep me pure. I love to improvise, but you need to have a certain kind of strength and focus to actually play the violin well, in tune and beautifully. My first lesson with this teacher brought tears streaming down my face. He knew exactly what I needed. I went back to school at the age of 28. I had already done the Paris and Rome Conservatory and played major upper level academics in music. Now, after my first year at that school I wanted to do music therapy and sound healing for my thesis. I wanted to discover how music relates to colors. There is a color for frequencies, there is a color for every musical tone, and you can do healing with it but this was many years ago.

Kathy: You were ahead of your time, right.

Don: Yes, the only degree you could get in music at the time was based on B.F. Skinner behaviorism. I had no interest whatsoever in pursuing a career in behavioristic music therapy - “we can make a few people feel better by changing their behavior”, so I kind of dropped it. It wasn’t what I wanted. But now there are whole schools dedicated to sound healing. About five years ago, I realized that I needed to move away from just playing at the Four Seasons and begin to use my healing abilities. There was this small group of eight people and we were having a full moon thing and it lead to sound healing with the violin. I asked everyone to OM together. I played the music to their chakras

Denise Kusmit and Don Lax

and wove their souls together into one harmony. Everybody started out as separate individuals then ended up as one beating heart, one song. This can change your life. Then a year later, I met this woman Denise Kusmit, she has been doing vibrational healing using everything from sound, to crystals, to hands on. She is also a Shiatsu massage therapist at the Fairmont Kea Lani Maui for 20 years.

She has been on Maui for about the same amount of time as me. Her crystal bowls are tuned to the frequency of 432. I worked with her to create the musical chords so she can play them musically. We have made three musical CDs.  Our CD’s are available at our Sound Healings, every other Monday night at the Wailea Healing Center. We’re working on making a video.

We have been doing the New Moon and Full Moon Sound Healing Ceremony for over 5 years together. I start by leading people into a meditative state, then in our private thoughts we set an intention.

Together we OM or use some sound in unison. This changes every time, but that is the basic format. The idea is to get people to vibrate their own bodies. Once we are in a meditative state, Denise plays the crystal bowls starting from the lowest note going up the scale and up through the chakras.

I play along visualizing the color that goes with each chakra. The second part of our meditation we do what is called “soul weaving.” I have had this ability since about the age of 18 or 19, maybe I had it before, but I didn’t know about it where I can listen to a person and play the music of their soul. I can hear a person’s song and play it back to them. People have had healings or past life experiences and different things when I do that. I am playing the song of the heart and soul of the person.

Kathy: This is what I love about Maui, we all do our best to raise our own vibrations and connect with beautiful nature and the island vibe. When you visit Maui you might be picking up on this subtle energy and that is what makes Maui so great!   To purchase Don’s music, books or to have him play at your private music session, private party or perform the most beautiful wedding ceremony, please visit: www.Mauiviolin.com and www.apassionatamusic.com

Niihau- The Forbidden Island

You probably are familiar with most of the better known islands in the Hawaiian island chain. But there may be one you've never heard of- Niihau.  This remote and pristine island is often referred to as the island where "time has stood still".

 

Niihau (Nee-ee-how) is a remote island that is 72 square miles in size.  It is a privately owned island. The island is located southwest of the island of Kauai. On a clear day, you can see the tall silhouette of Niihau rising from the sea as viewed from Kauai's Kekaha Beach. Niihau is the oldest island in the Hawaiian island chain.

Niihau was purchased from King Kamehameha V in 1864 by the Sinclair family for $10,000 worth of gold.  The purchase was finalized with the understanding that the new owners would honor King Kamehameha's wish that the island would be a place where Hawaiian culture, language, and traditions would be honored and maintained. The island has been owned by one family since that time. Today, the island is owned by descendants of the Sinclair family, the Robinson family.

Native Niihauans- circa 1880's

Here are 10 interesting facts about Niihau:

1. Niihau has no paved roads, no cars and no hotels, and no telephone service. Some residents (referred to as Niihauans) have radios and televisions, though a lack of services and internet means that these residents must rely solely on DVDs and older VHS tapes for entertainment.

2. On Niihau, residents speak the Hawaiian language almost exclusively in keeping with the wishes of King Kamehameha V, although many do speak and understand English. Emphasis is put on a simpler way of life without the noise and chaos of modern city life.

3. The Niihauans still fish and hunt for their food, with some supplies brought in by air or sea by the owners of the island. Niihauans hunt with ropes and knives, and fish using nets and spears.

4. Due to a lack of a variety of flowers found on other islands, Niihau has become famous for their exquisite, beautifully crafted leis

Niihau Shell Lei Necklace

made from tiny shells that populate the beaches of Niihau. Some of these delicate creations can sell for thousands of dollars due to the expert craftmanship of the Niihauan people.  

5. When the island was purchased in 1864, the Niihau people who were already living there were allowed to stay. The island is strictly off limits to outsiders including those from neighboring islands. The 2010 Census put the island resident number at approximately 170 people. This includes the residents and members of the Robinson family. The occasional guests are allowed if invited by the the Robinson family. Because the Robinsons are not required to submit population data, this number may fluctuate as some residents do leave the island to seek employment or opportunities elsewhere, or leave to travel for pleasure or work during the summer months.

6. Niihauans are not required to pay rent.  They travel by bike or on foot and retrieve their water by rain catchments and the use of generators for electricity. Many island residents used to be employed on the Robinson cattle ranch which was eventually shut down in 1999. During that time, they earned salaries, free food and housing and received education for their children and families.

7. Residents are expected to follow island rules set by the Robinsons. Alcohol and guns are not allowed. Anyone caught breaking the island rules can be evicted and asked to not return.  There were earlier reports from a prior resident that the men of Niihau were not allowed to wear their hair long or have earrings, and everyone is expected to attend church on Sunday.

8. Even though access to Niihau is extremely restricted, there are ways to view Niihau from water, or on select parts of the island. From Kauai,, tour boats do offer views of Niihau's beautiful pristine waters with their day-long dive and snorkel trips that head to the Lehua Crater, which is a volcanic "cone" that is north of Niihau island.  The Robinson family offers very limited half-day guided tours and day-long hungting safaris on Niihau. The guided tour starts by picking up visitors on Kauai by Niihau Helicopters. The helicopter tour starts with an aerial tour of the island,

Nanhina Beach on Niihau

Photo Credit: Bob Abraham, Getty images

followed by lunch and snorkeling on a remote beach on the island.  Travel by visitors anywhere else on the island is not allowed. The day long hunting safari costs $1,700 and allows a bit more access to safari participants. These tours offered by the Robinson family help support Niihau, but the Robinsons are very careful not to expose the Niihauan people to outsiders or allow visitors near their main village of Puuwai. In a rare interview given by Bruce Robinson long ago, he said, "The tours are solely for people to come see an unspoiled Hawaiian Island. We will not take them (tourists) to the village or put the residents into a fishbowl-type of situation. We don’t even fly over the village. That is not what we’re about. We respect their privacy, we respect their desire to live untouched by the outside world and we intend to preserve that."

Monk Seal pups

9. Because of the insulated environment of Niihau, wildlife is abundant. There is a healthy Hawaiian monk seal population along with good numbers of free roaming Polynesian Boar, Hybrid Sheep, Eland and Oryx.

10.  Sitting atop a 1,300 foot cliff sits a small Navy installation which accounts for approximately 80 percent of Niihau's annual income. This installation contains remote control tracking devices that are used along with Kauai's Pacific Missile Range Facility for tracking and training purposes. This income allows the island residents to maintain their way of life and live in peace without the need for industrial development, new technologies or tourism. 

So is Niihau an island sanctuary where time truly has stood still?  Some would call it a paradise where a simpler way of life is enjoyed and one where Hawaiian culture and traditions are nurtured and survive.  However one views this island, the allure of its mystery and the curiosity it creates for those not allowed to visit will forever carry on. 

Whale Watching In Maui

Each year, we celebrate the long awaited return of our beloved humpback whales. The humpback whales are a revered and respected island treasure.  People travel from around the world to witness this annual event and to enjoy whale watching in Maui. 

Evidence of the importance of the humpback whale (the Kohola) in Hawaiian culture has been found in ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs found on many of the islands in the Hawaiian island chain.  It has been estimated that the humpback whale has been traveling to Hawaii since the Polynesian Era (1-600 AD). The petroglyphs showing the whales importance in ancient culture can be found at Palaoa Hill on Lanai, Olowalu on Maui, and Pohue on the Big Island.

Representations of the stories and legends of the whale are seen throughout Hawaiian culture; in wood carvings, artwork, artifacts, poetry, chants, and musical instruments. Ancient whale tooth necklaces have been found which anthropologists believe were only allowed to be worn by Hawaii's chiefs and royalty.

In Hawaiian mythology, the Humpback Whale is believed to be the ancestors of Hawaii's people, and a powerful representation of Kanaloa, the god of the sea and its creatures.

The height of whale season runs late November thru the end of April each year. Although humpback whales inhabit all major oceans, the North Pacific Humpback Whale population travel from the coast of California and from the cold Alaskan waters of the Bering Sea to arrive at the subtropical climate and warm water of the Hawaiian oceans. Scientists have estimated the whale's journey one way can take as long as 4 to 6 weeks. Some whales have been tracked making the journey in a little over one month. On average, 8,000 to 10,000 whales visit Hawaii each year, and this number is growing as the population increases. They come here to breed, give birth, and to provide a safe environment to raise their young calves.  Hawaiian waters offer greater underwater visibility and the lack of natural predators make it a perfect sanctuary for the whales.

The gestation period of a humpback whale is 11-12 months, so in theory, a calf can be conceived in, then birthed in Hawaiian waters. A newborn whale calf averages 13-16 feet in length and weigh 2,000 pounds. Humpback whale mothers are extremely affectionate, playful, and protective of their calves. Calves are weaned from their mothers within 4 to 6 months of age. It is not uncommon to have the amazing experience of sighting numerous mother and calves frolicking in our waters.

As the seasons move into the first part of Spring, you can see the growing calves playing and surfacing. As the calves play and dive, they are learning critical skills which ensures their survival as they grow into adulthood.

While out on the beautiful open sea enjoying these majestic creatures, here are just a few of some commonly seen whale behaviors to look for:

BLOW -  Although adult humpback whales can stay submerged for up to 45 minutes, they usually come to the surface for air every 10-15 minutes. Calves will surface every 3-5 minutes.  The best way to first sight a whale is to look for the "blow spray" as they rise above the surface.

PECTORAL SLAP -  Humpbacks slap one of their pectoral fins (or both in alternating movements) against the surface. This is believed to be a form of communication between whales.

SPY HOP - Also called a "head rise", this is when just the whale's head comes up vertically straight out of the water.  This behavior is believed to enable the whale to determine what is happening at the water's surface.

TAIL SLAP - When a humpback raises just its tail (fluke) out of the water and forcefully slaps it back down onto the surface.  This is called a tail slap. Thought to be a warning signal by scientists, it is often done repetitively by the whale in succession.

PEDUNCLE SLAP - The humpback will raise its entire tail out of the water and dramatically slap it down onto the surface.  This is called a peduncle slap.

PEDUNCLE ARCH - Also called a "round out", this behavior is where you really don't see much of either end of the whale, but just see the rounded arch of their back as they prepare to dive down below the surface.

BREACH - One of the most spectacular shows provided by the humpback, and one not easily forgotten!  This is when the humpback quickly gains speed below and propels their entire body out of the water, landing back onto the surface with a tremendous amount of splash and resulting wake. Breathtaking!

The island of Maui offers numerous whale watching tours, along with the exceptional educational experiences by taking the PACWHALE Eco-Adventures provided by the non-profit Pacific Whale Foundation.

During peak whale season, around mid-January thru mid-April, whales can be spotted from the shore. We recommend using high-powered binoculars for viewing as the whales can be very far off shore. Of course, we think the best way to experience these gentle giants is up close and personal, which you can do by enjoying an unforgettable whale watching cruise.

5 Waterfalls To Experience On Maui

For Hawaiians, water is life. Mineral rich cool mountain water flows down from the mountains nourishing crops on farms below. The waters continue their natural path down to the sea where it provides food for marine life and coral. It supports critical reef ecosystems which continue to thrive and flourish from this perpetual cycle.

Maui offers some of the most stunning waterfalls in the Hawaiian island chain. Most are located on the north side of the island and many are found on the famous Road to Hana.

From waterfalls surrounded by rock outcroppings located deep in the rain forest, to stunning "bridal veils" and plunging pools, any traveler will be in awe once they've experienced one of these natural wonders.  

Following are just a small selection of the many incredible waterfalls to visit during your stay on Maui.

Waimoku Falls

Set above East Maui's Sacred Pools of Ohe'o, these falls are accessible by the Pipiwai Trail.  The trail is a two-mile hike each way.  The trail is moderate to challenging in difficulty level, but the surrounding groves of banyan trees and bamboo along the trail make you feel like you've entered another world. Waimoku Falls are an incredible 400 feet high and a sight you won't soon forget.

Alelele Falls

Referred to as a "hidden" waterfall, it also happens to be located on a hidden road. When driving the back road to Hana, this is also the last waterfall you'll probably find. At the end of this fall's glorious 50-foot dropping cascade, you will find an amazing and secluded plunge pool below.  Because the falls diminish to a slow trickle during summer months, this fall is best visited in the winter season.

Twin Falls

Although these falls are very popular and can get crowded, the ease of access and beautiful jungle setting definitely make these falls a sight not to miss. Even though it is called Twin Falls, there are actually more than two. The biggest falls, including the breathtaking "Caveman", are only about a mile hike in from the road. You can even get away from the crowds by taking many different trails to view smaller falls. There is also a great roadside fruit stand to buy fresh fruit while you're there!

Honokohau Falls

Being Maui's tallest and virtually inaccessible waterfall, one can only view the the majesty of this 1,100 foot stunner by helicopter.  Located in a remote valley, conditions needs to be just right to experience Honokohau Falls. Best viewing is in the early morning to eliminate the chance of heavy cloud cover.

To book your helicopter waterfall adventure, you can find information here: www.mauivision.com/maui-fun

Wailua Falls

If you or someone in your party has limited mobility, Wailua Falls is a great option. This waterfall is nearly on the road- making it accessible to everyone. Many guided tours of the Road to Hana stop here. For the more adventurous, you can also follow a very short trail to arrive at the very base of these beautiful falls and soak in the sounds and pounding energy of these magnificent falls.

Choosing the Best Maui Luau

Photo credit: Te Au Moana Luau

You can’t go on a Maui vacation without experiencing a traditional Hawaiian Luau. With so many luau options, how do you go about finding the right one? Your decision will be based on what matters to you most, whether it be price, food, performance or atmosphere. Regardless of which one you decide on, it’s a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and enjoy great food and entertainment. 

A buffet style dinner is usually served at most luaus and includes Kalua pork,island fish, local style chicken, steak and an assortment of side dishes and salads. Imagine yourself on the shores of Maui having an amazing feast with live music, hula dancing and incredible sunset views. There’s nothing quite like it!

Each luau is unique in its own way; some are more suitable for families while others are more on the romantic side and ideal for couples. Below is a list of the most popular luaus found in Maui.

Drums of the Pacific Luau (Hyatt Regency Resort in West Maui)
http://drumsofthepacificmaui.com/ - Reservations: 808-667-4727

Photo credit: Drums of the Pacific Luau

Your exciting journey begins with a shell lei greeting and culminates with a spectacular fire-knife dance. Complete with a traditional Imu ceremony,the buffet dinner includes kalua pork, mahi mahi, huli huli chicken, ulapalakua beef, polynesian rice and other authentic dishes. Includes an open bar and great entertainment. Enjoy a memorable evening of Hawaiian culture. 

Te Au Moana: Ocean Tide (Wailea Marriott Beach Resort South Maui)

https://teaumoana.com/ - Reservations: 877-827-2740

Photo credit: Kathy McCartney

Te Au Moana, “The Ocean Tide” is an exceptional luau experience which takes place on the beachfront of the beautiful Wailea Marriott. Enjoy a traditional Hawaiian feast while experiencing ancient Polynesian stories brought to life through traditional dance, music and games. Includes a fresh flower lei greeting or carved wooden fish hook necklace, traditional Imu Ceremony (Hawaiian underground oven cooking), Polynesian crafters and many pre-show activities. An unforgettable family experience!

Feast at Lele (505 Front Street, Lahaina West Maui)
https://www.feastatlele.com/ - Reservations: 808-667-5353

Enjoy a traditional Polynesian menu with music and dance from the Pacific Island nations of Aotearoa, Tahiti, Samoa and Hawaii. Known as the most romantic luau in Maui, every table is intimate and offers a prime view of the West Maui sunset. The setting is perfect for an anniversary celebration or for a couple wanting to experience an unforgettable romantic evening.

Grand Luau at Honua’ula (Grand Wailea Resort, South Maui)
http://www.honuaula-luau.com/ - Reservations: 808-875-7710

Photo credit: Grand Luau at Honua'ula

Considered one of South Maui’s Best Luau, you’ll enjoy a wide range of menu options such as fried macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi, baked molokai sweet potatoes, kalua pork and so much more! You’ll also enjoy an assortment of Island Style desserts like traditional hawaiian haupia, guava mousse and pineapple upside down cake just to name a few. The activities include hula lessons and photos with cast members in full costume. Expect to have a fun-packed evening with lots of memorable moments.

Maui Nui Luau at Black Rock (Sheraton Resort, West Maui)
http://www.sheratonmauiluau.com/ - Reservations: 877-846-5554

Photo credit: Maui Nui Luau at Black Rock

Known for having one of the top rated shows in Maui, the Sheraton is a great spot for you to watch the torch lighting ceremony and cliff diving off of Black Rock at the beautiful Ka'anapali Beach. As you enjoy the luau buffet, performers from Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, Rarotonga, New Zealand and Samoa will be providing authentic cultural entertainment.

Old Lahaina Luau (1251 Front Street, West Maui)
https://www.oldlahainaluau.com/ - Reservations: 800-248-5828

If you want to enjoy a traditional hula and feast, the Old Lahaina Luau is considered as one of the most authentic. You’ll enjoy a premium open bar and an outstanding luau buffet with Polynesian mahi mahi, Pulehu steak, kalua pig and other delicious regional cuisine. The food and award-winning entertainment makes this luau an excellent choice. Be sure to book way in advance since this is one of the most popular luaus on Maui!


Royal Lahaina Luau (Royal Lahaina Resort, West Maui)

http://www.royallahainaluau.com/ - Reservations: 808-672-2520

The Royal Lahaina Luau, also known as the 'Myths of Maui Luau', is considered a great luau for children (keiki). They offer some great family deals such as free admission for a child under the age of 11 with each fully paid adult. You’ll enjoy an open bar, shell lei greeting, traditional Imu ceremony and both a keiki and adult buffet. Their fire dance finale is one you don’t want to miss!

Photo credit: Grand Luau at Honua'ula

Wailele Polynesian Luau (Westin Maui Resort, West Maui)
https://www.westinmaui.com/dining/wailele/ - Reservations: 808-661-2992

Serving a four-course meal family style, the Wailele Luau at Ka’anapali Beach is a Maui favorite. You’ll enjoy an open bar, traditional cuisine, Fiji and Maori performances and an exciting torch lighting ceremony. With a stunning oceanfront backdrop, this dinner show offers a perfect setting for an authentic Hawaiian cultural experience.

Maui video a sampling of some of our luaus

With luau options in Lahaina, Ka’anapali and Wailea, it is easy to find one that is close to you. Regardless of which one you attend, it’s a unique opportunity to soak in the rich history of the Hawaiian people, their hospitality and delicious cuisine.

Oprah Winfrey speaks live on Maui at the MACC - June 26, 2017

Living here on Maui, "Magic" just happens!

June 26, 2017, Oprah Winfrey, our celebrity resident on Maui, was called upon to give a speech at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center (MACC) to promote Maui living, good health, focused intention, gratitude, and talk story!  She is a wonderful motivational speaker and she knows how to entertain with her great sense of humor.   I really enjoyed the presentation.

Over 5,000 people attended

The event was advertised June 19th.  Eventually Maui’s coconut wireless reached my friend Rob who told me about the event with only 24 hours left to enter the sweepstakes.  I said, "YES let’s do it!"  It was not easy for him to enter, and I also tried with no success.  I however gave up, but pleaded and encouraged Rob to keep trying :).  And try he did for more than an hour until he finally got us entered.  He had to go as far as to make several telephone calls.  Mahalo mahalo Rob!  I spoke with other people who  also experienced technical difficulties and they gave up.  So we were lucky to get entered at the last minute and awarded two free tickets to the event sponsored by Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) and its app called Sharecare.

Those who downloaded the app to their cell phone were entered to win tickets. Sharecare allows HMSA subscribers to track their health, fitness, level of happiness or stress etc.  Sharecare app goes beyond HMSA members, their goal is to have the app go statewide.

HMSA Chief Executive Officer Michael Gold called the event a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"We know that her ability to inspire will be a huge boost to our efforts to advance health and well-being across Hawaii,” he said.

More than 5,000 people showed up for the free event.  There was a long line stretching out to Kahului Beach Road.  The mood was festive and positive.  The day was warm in the sun, but well worth attending to see Oprah speak in her first ever live appearance on Maui.  This was a dream come true for me and many others.

I created a 4 minute video with snippets from her speech that focused on the “why” she moved here and her take on the Maui Magic.  My visual quality is not very qood on the video, for that I apologize.  Take in the message the audio is good and her message profound.  She reveals the reason why she moved here.  I added some pictures of upcountry, Kula, the beautiful land she speaks of on Maui so you will get an idea that our island is more than just pretty beaches…We have forests and jungles too.

It is a great place to live for those brave enough to take the leap but if not, an annual visit to our lovely island will leave you rejuvenated and in awe.

For the full hour Oprah Winfrey speech click this link to see the video.

Remember bring the Aloha spirit and mindset with you and take it back to the mainland with a full heart.  Let us make this world a better place.

Kathy McCartney RS#77317
La Costa Realty Hawaii LLC
Maui Vision Rentals LLC
www.mauivision.com
www.mccartneyfineart.com
https://www.facebook.com/MauiVisionRentals