THIS WEEK’S PICKS:

MONEY CAN’T BUY HAPPINESS

***

TUESDAY, OCT. 11 – Ed Gazmen lectures on “How To Be Joyfully Jobless: Creating Work That You Love.” Gazmen is the founder/publisher of Kayumanggi, a news pub for Filipinos, and was the founder/pastor of New Life Community Church. Free. 12-1pm. Maui County Business Resource Center, Maui Mall (70 E. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului); 808-873-8247

This Week’s Picks: Fil-Am Dunk

MAUI FIL-AM HERITAGE FESTIVAL: Saturday (Oct. 8), 10am-3pm, Maui Mall (70 E. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului); free

<<<by Ynez Tongson>>>

I can say a lot about the Philippines. There’s the intimate-with-strangers population density; the so-hot-you-can’t-breathe heat; the what-the-hell-is-this-but-it’s-awesome food. But even that doesn’t begin to convey all the rich culture the island nation has to offer. Instead, here’s a recent conversation my kasinsin/pinsan/ig-agaw (cousin) and I had at the dining room table of (one of) my aunt’s house, in San Fernando, PI:

Me: How does the whole “courting” thing work?

Her: Usually mutual friends introduce you. Then, he’ll ask if he may call on you. He introduces himself to your family. You may go on group dates or with a chaperone, then later, on your own.  Traditionally, he’ll serenade you, outside your window. (Me: What, John Cusack style? Her: No.) In modern times, it’s acceptable to text poetry… What about you, ate?

Me: Usually we’re drunk. Or trying to get drunk. Sometimes there’s Facebook or Google stalking.

There you have it. One culture of tradition and romantic ideals versus another that’s straight to the point with better plumbing. I won’t say if one’s better than the other, but I will say that after coming home to Maui–viciously sick with some exotic virus or food poisoning–I damn-appreciate toilets that flush. Of course, we Fil-Ams in Hawaii have the best of both worlds: all the deliciously sketchy foods, and the leisure to eat them; all while being surrounded by bright, smiling people and glorious, glorious personal space. The Maui Fil-Am Heritage Festival is the perfect place to celebrate being karbakada, balikbayan or anything else.  And when everything is done, we can all go home to hot showers. Perfection.

*It’s the same as manang.

Whole Foods Market’s Community Support Day To Benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui

Wednesday (September 14), Whole Foods Market, Maui Mall (70 E. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului)

***

Whole Foods is making it really, really easy for Mauians to help support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui, this Wednesday (Sept. 14). They’re donating five percent of the day’s proceeds to the club, which will be used to provide Maui keiki with weekend and after school programs — a time when kids need “positive, productive outlets” most.

To participate in this benefit, patrons need no coupon, flyer or password — simply shop! Considering Whole Foods’ in-jest nickname is “Whole Paycheck,” stocking up on stuff you’re going to buy anyway could equal major coin for this kids’ club.

Also worth noting is that every Wednesday, the store’s salad and hot bar items are discounted to $5.99/lb. — so, not only is shopping at Whole Foods a great way to give back, it’s a great deal, too.

For more about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui, visit http://www.bgcmaui.org/

THIS FRIDAY: MAUI AG DAY

If you’re a fan of the adage “grown here, not flown here,” mark your calendars for Friday’s (Aug. 26) second annual Maui Ag Day, presented by the Maui County Farm Bureau (MCFB). The trade show begins with a continental breakfast (8am), followed by a panel presentation from three Maui farmers who have gone through the Food Safety Certification process (9am). Then, a tour of Haliimaile Pineapple Company’s facilities and fields (10:30am) precedes a delicious grown on Maui lunch (11:45am; free for MCFB members/fee for non-members). Free. 8am-1pm. Haliimaile Pineapple Company, 872 Haliimaile Rd., Makawao; 243-2290

MORE ABOUT AG DAY’S PANEL PRESENTATION

The Maui County Farm Bureau’s Maui Ag Day will feature a panel discussion, “Understanding Food Safety Certification”. The panelists are Geoff Haines of Pacific Produce, Inc., Heidi Watanabe of Watanabe Vegetable Processing LLC and Brian Igersheim of Haliʻimaile Pineapple Co. The panel will run from 9-10:30am. While geared to provide farmers first-hand information they can use to determine if Food Safety Certification is right for their agricultural operation, the general public is invited to learn about the process and requirements. (via mauicountyfarmbureau.org)

THIS SATURDAY: MAUI PRODUCTS FESTIVAL

Check out the Maui Products Festival this Saturday (Aug. 27) at the Maui Mall. Cultural exhibits and local products will be on display, and the main stage acts run all day; including performances by Te Tiare Patitifa (11:30am), Na Pua Melia (1pm), Uncle George Kahumoku Jr. (1:45pm), and Energy 35 Productions (2:30pm). Free. 10am. Maui Mall, 70 E. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului; 871-1307; mauimall.com

FARM BUREAU CHEF DEMOS AT THE MAUI PRODUCTS FESTIVAL

The Maui County Farm Bureau is proud to present two chef demos at the Maui Product Festival,  scheduled at 11am-12pm and 1-2pm. Chef Riko Bartolome will conduct the first demonstration starting at 11am. He will prepare an appetizer and a side dish utilizing Grown on Maui produce. The appetizer is Kula Corn Vichyssoise and Soup (Potage) with garnishes and the side dish is Deconstructed Ratatouille. Chef Susan Teton Campbell will prepare Grown on Maui fruit and vegetable smoothies starting at 1pm. (via mauicountyfarmbureau.org)

THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER: CHEFS DEMO LOCALICIOUS EATS FOR “GROWN ON MAUI” CAMPAIGN

The Maui County Farm Bureau also launches a month of “Grown on Maui” cooking demonstrations, every Monday in September, as part of their “Grown on Maui, Agriculture Matters” campaign. The first September event (Monday, Sept. 5 Whoops! Late Wednesday after going to press, we received notice that the date of this event has been changed to Tuesday, Sept. 6. So, sorry, print readers–and, you’re welcome, Web readers.) features executive Chef Tylun Pang of the Fairmont Kea Lani, who will demonstrate how to prepare beef poke using Maui Cattle Company beef and fresh produce from Whole Foods Market. Other chefs to be featured throughout the month include Garret Fujieda of the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Caroline Schaub of O’o Farm, and Ryan Luckey of Pineapple Grill at Kapalua Resort. Free. 5:30-6:30pm. Whole Foods Market, Maui Mall, 70 E. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului

WANNA LEARN MORE ABOUT SEPTEMBER AG MONTH? VISIT: mauicountyfarmbureau.org/category/september-ag-month

THE GOODNESS OF GREEN

***

PURCHASE POLYNESIAN PLANTS

Lucky we live Hawaii, eh? More than a land of endless summer, over 30 million years of evolution, our wildly remote isles have yielded the highest endemism known on Earth. Celebrate Hawaii’s unique native flora—and support the programs and mission of the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens (MNBG)—by attending this Saturday’s (Aug. 27) Hawaiian Plant Sale and Family Fun Day. The event is free, but you can support the MNBG by purchasing rare Hawaiian plants sold on-site by various nurseries. And, augmented by entertainment from KPOA 93.5 FM, other festivities include activities for keiki and guided tours of the gardens’ Polynesian plant collection. Remember, parking may abundant and free, but carpooling is fun and green. 9am-12pm. Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, 150 Kanaloa Ave., Kahului; 249-2798; mnbg.org

TO DO LIST: 1) SAVE THE WORLD; 2) GET A JOB; 3) PARTY WITH THE KOOL KATS

Speaking of our comely home, the Keep The Hawaiians Islands Beautiful (KHIB) organization is working to keep it pristine. On Saturday (Aug. 27) they’re conducting an annual conference which focuses on litter control and greening initiatives—and you’re invited. A statewide network of Keep America Beautiful, Inc., KHIB conference highlights include marine debris reports and plans in the aftermath of Japan’s tsunamis. Not that conferences like this aren’t totally cool, but you’re going to want to stick around (or show up) for the big benefit extravaganza following the day’s events.

The evening’s entertainment begins at 4:30pm, and crescendos with a Castle Theater screening of Get A Job, at 6:30pm—the last chance you’ll have to see Get A Job in Hawaii this year. For those of you who are just emerging from under some cozy rock, we’ll remind you that Get A Job was shot entirely on Maui over 21 intense days last spring, and features 175 local cast-members (of 180)—including the late, great kumu Charles Ka‘upu, who passed away on July 13. “About us, by us,” as the film’s director Brian Kohne says, this independent feature film is so far—and by far—the best fiction produced on our isles, from our isles.

It was a standing-room-only affair when Get A Job debuted at the Castle Theater last Fall, and it’d be nice for Mauians to send off it’s movie with similar flair. After the flick, be sure to stick around for Jimmy Mac & The Kool Kats at 8pm. These classic rockers keep you hoppin’ so high, you’re better off trading your dancing shoes for landing gear. Oh, that reminds me! We may already be lucky we live Hawaii, but a few benefit attendees are going to be even luckier: Vacations Hawaii is giving away trips to Las Vegas all evening. Seriously. $20 advance / $25 day-of. 4:30-10pm. Castle Theater, MACC, One Cameron Way, Kahului; 242-7469 (SHOW); mauiarts.org

VIEW A RARE, 1937 HAWAIIAN-STYLE CARTOON

In other Maui-movie news, the first free movie night at Lahaina Gateway was such a huge success, they’re doing it again! This time they’re screening a rare, 1937 Hawaiian-style cartoon at 7:15pm, followed by a “magnificently produced… ocean-oriented docu-drama filmed throughout the globe” at 7:30pm. (Legal stuffs prevent us from printing film titles here, but you can find them at lahainagateway.com.) Mall-provided seating accommodates up to 100 peeps (first-come, first-served; no reserving seats), and beach chairs are welcome. Of course, No coolers or outside drinks are allowed, but why would you bother brown bagging it when myriad grinds abound? Speaking of grinds, if you attend arrive early and enjoy free chocolate fondue samples from The Melting Pot, plus other special deals. Free. 7pm. Lahaina Gateway, 305 Keawe St., Lahaina; 877-7073; lahainagateway.com

MAUI PRODUCTS FESTIVAL

All this talk of green-meets-grinds events has got us hungry. If you are too, check out the Maui Products Festival this Saturday (Aug. 27) at the Maui Mall. Cultural exhibits and local products will be on display, and the main stage acts run all day; including performances by Te Tiare Patitifa (11:30am), Na Pua Melia (1pm), Uncle George Kahumoku Jr. (1:45pm), and Energy 35 Productions (2:30pm). Free. 10am. Maui Mall, 70 E. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului; 871-1307; mauimall.com

MAUI AG DAY

If you’re a fan of the adage “grown here, not flown here,” mark your calendars for Friday’s (Aug. 26) second annual Maui Ag Day, presented by the Maui County Farm Bureau (MCFB). The trade show begins with a continental breakfast (8am), followed by a panel presentation from three Maui farmers who have gone through the Food Safety Certification process (9am). Then, a tour of Haliimaile Pineapple Company’s facilities and fields (10:30am) precedes a delicious grown on Maui lunch (11:45am; free for MCFB members/fee for non-members). Free. 8am-1pm. Haliimaile Pineapple Company, 872 Haliimaile Rd., Makawao; 243-2290; mauicountyfarmbureau.org

GROWN ON MAUI CAMPAIGN

The Maui County Farm Beureau is also launching a month of Grown on Maui cooking demonstrations, every Monday in September, as part of their “Grown on Maui, Agriculture Matters” campaign. The first event (Monday, Sept. 5 Whoops! Late Wednesday after going to press, we received notice that the date of this event has been changed to Tuesday, Sept. 6. So, sorry, print readers–and, you’re welcome, Web readers.) features executive Chef Tylun Pang of the Fairmont Kea Lani, who will demonstrate how to prepare beef poke using Maui Cattle Company beef and fresh produce from Whole Foods Market. Other chefs to be featured throughout the month include Garret Fujieda of the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Caroline Schaub of O’o Farm, and Ryan Luckey of Pineapple Grill at Kapalua Resort. Free. 5:30-6:30pm. Whole Foods Market, Maui Mall, 70 E. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului

Saturday (November 13), 6:30-8pm, Foam Co., Maui Mall, $5

Don’t miss the premier of Chout!, directed by Richard Lornie. It features Waiehu boy Jacob Romero, who’s been competing for seven of the 12 years he’s been bodyboarding. Lornie is currently working on another film due out next year called Chout Guy, also featuring Romero.

Photo by Michelle Rozzen

Jacob Romero’s Blogger: http://www.jacobromero.com/

Jacob Romero’s Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=19509056

Chout Films Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chout-Films/149884111706137?v=wall

Maui Health Explosion!

Saturday (July 17), 10am-4pm, Maui Mall, Kahului, Free

This event could easily have been billed as an “expo”—but “explosion,” is much cooler. Too, it’s indicative of the vibe that need be generated in celebrating and creating a healthy community. Center stage performances and demos stack up like this: Halau Hula O Keola Ali’iokekai (10am), Ka’alele Lomi Lomi Movement Meditation (11am), Energy 35 (12pm), The Union Yoga Movement (12:30pm), Art of Flamingo Dance (1pm), Healthy Cooking Demonstration (2pm), Aloha Ballroom Dancing (2:30pm), and Zumba (3:15pm)… And what’s healthier than a little suspension of disbelief? Check out Showtimes on page 19, and catch a flick while you’re near the Megaplex… But if you require a one last hurrah before embarking on new healthy resolutions, check out Timba the night before (Friday, July 16) for their “X-mas in July” shindig. Everyone’s encouraged to dress up in their best red and green threads, for a “bigger-than-NYE” party that’s sure to be full of spark (9pm-2am, $10 cover). mauimall.com / timbamaui.com, 808-661-9873

greendeen.files.wordpress.com

I saw a listing for a sculpture class and cheerfully signed up when I pictured the kinds of vases and bowl that I’d made at the Hui as a child.  Soon I discovered that it was a contemporary sculpture class, and that my friend and I were supposed to make ‘art’ out of immense pieces of heavy, scratchy, fraying burlap. Something meaningful, that preferably didn’t resemble a potato sack. Throughout the course I discovered that my partner was extraordinarily allergic to burlap, making her almost unable to breathe and her entire body itch, that anytime I try to use an exacto knife, I inevitably nick myself, and that if you decide to hang giant burlap fish off trees within the height of middle-schoolers, they will stay on the trees for approximately 5 minutes.  After our painted, stuffed, horendously ugly burlap school of fish was torn down by a couple gusts of upcountry wind and a few springy, jumpy little kids, I vowed never to attempt to make art again, and that I would have great respect for those who do. Using only recycled materials, the participants of Art of Trash create beautiful sculptures, clothing items, and unique art of every size and shape as a testament to the goal of the Great American Cleanup; to make a collective effort to take better care of our precious planet earth. Over the years, I’ve been amazed by life-size animals, cool, weird evening gowns, and abstract pieces made completely out of materials that would otherwise have been sent directly to the landfill. Check out the Art of Trash 2010 exhibit opening at Maui Mall on April 23rd (showing through May 15th.) Maybe I’ll even enter a burlap fish. To learn more about Community Work Day, The Great American Cleanup, or the Art of Trash, call 877-2524. By: Sierra Brown

MAUI MALL MOUNTAIN OF GIFTS

Through the years, I’ve suffered a lot of grief at the hands of friends and loved ones who’ve taken it upon themselves to chastise my obsession with keeping of receipts. Ok, so it’s a little bit of OCD and a little bit pack rat (I’m not always the most organized), but I’ve got them. All of them.

Whether you’ve kept your receipts because you’re smart and organized, or if–like me–you’re just plain nuts (or salted, or sour cream, or roasted on an open fire, or whatever), if you’ve shopped at the Maui Mall November 1^st – December 19^th, those carbon imprinted bits-o-paper could equal picking from a “ Holiday Mountain of Gifts.”

What is it about the word ‘gifts’ that ignites such instantaneous happiness? Even in a season where the word is tossed about frivolously—and sometimes with trepidation—just hearing (or reading) the word ‘gifts’ can elicit a smile.

Those smiles, and gifts, are free this Saturday at the Maui Mall. Just bring in your receipts dated 11/1 – 12/19, write your name on the back, and drop ‘em off Center Stage between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Receipts will be drawn, winners announced, and gifts distributed!

The only thing more satisfying than finally putting those old receipts to use (scaling a mountain of wrapped-up goodies, no less), is that one lucky winner will share a present-prize with a local charity, valued at up to $300.

As these things usually go, you must be present (he he) to win.

Feeling the bahhumbugs for having trashed all your proof of payments? It’s okay. The consolation prize is great entertainment by The Gospel Singers & Chancel Choir (11:30 a.m.), Halau Hula O Keola Ali’iokekai  (1:00 p.m.), and Kawa Ohana Maui Choir (6:30 p.m.)

{NOTES: Click the festive (albeit unrelated) images at top for tips on how to organize and store wrapping paper, organize your receipts, and MT’s awesome local charity gift guide. And, I’ll continue to be shameless in my blog-linking, by informing you of an opportunity to scale a real mountain, for the last Haleakala “kilo hoku” (stargazing) session on December 18th. PAU NOTES}

LIONS AND TAIKO AND SAMURAI- OH MY! A shisaa (lion) recently 'awakened' at a an obon festival held in Paia last month. It's one of only three ever created in the state, and Maui's very first!

Yet another successful installment of this Festival coordinated by the Maui Okinawan Kenjin Kai (MOKK)! Featuring an all-day line up of entertainment ranging from taiko drumming to samurai swordsmanship, the event also plays host to a bunch of booths with ono grindz (like chow fun, andagi, andadog and Chinese pretzels), as well as crafters and carnival-like games for kids.

The Festival’s stage performances opened with a lion dance featuring the bright, whimsical character in the photo above. This lion was ‘awakened’ at the Paia Rinzai Zen Mission’s obon festival on August 22nd, where ‘life was breathed into’ it via traditional rites performed by a woman (chosen as the spiritual leader), prior to dancers entering the costume.

"MAMA DON'T TAKE MY KODACHROME AWAY!" Paul Simon sang it best, and might agree these colorful ensembles make for a great window display to the temporary museum / cultural display set up for the 2009 Maui Okinawan Festival at the Maui Mall.

MOKK has a beautiful facility on Waiehu Beach road (across the intersection from Sack N Save), their East and West facing walls lined with beautiful glass cases that house artifacts, art, photographs, awards and gifts of cultural exchange. Members of the MOKK painstakingly move these items and create a beautiful makeshift museum in an empty storefront at the Maui Mall. Though I am lucky enough to regularly enjoy these items at the MOKK’s facility (myself a member of Komei Juku Maui, the swordsmanship group that performed at this and every Festival and calls the MOKK our home dojo), I am nonetheless continually intrigued by masterful craftsmanship used in creating these pieces and the evident care taken to preserve them through (and for) generations to come.

FUNCTIONAL, AESTHETIC - Lacquerware, silk kimono, sanshin (three-stringed instrument, here decorated in snakeskin), and bamboo flutes on display thanks to the MOKK