News and reviews of made on Maui products and Maui-based companies and success stories. Also featuring island shopping guides

Posts tagged ‘Maui Ocean Center’

Buy eskyflavor Hats Online

Aloha Maui Hawaii Trucker Hats Custom Colors

 

One of the top comments that I have received on this blog is ‘Where can I buy eskyflavor Hats Online?’ Well folks, I’m excited to tell you all that FINALLY, there’s a shop that sells these super hot and trendy trucker hats online –

UPDATE AUGUST 2017: I’m not sure when all of this has occurred, as this is not my primary blog at the moment, but you can now order eskyflavor hats online, directly from their own website!

 

eskyflavor hats online

Click on this image to get your eskyflavor on!!!

Update June 2016: EskyFlavor now has a Facebook page (click this to be linked)

 

eskyflavor hats are made by the Maui-based artist Mickey Eskimo.   To see more of Mickey’s wide array of talents, check out this earlier post . 

 

While you are shopping for cool Hawaiian trucker hats, we also want to share the super hot Sea Sea Aloha hats: which feature more feminine floral designs, with the outlines of specific Hawaiian Islands hidden in each design!  You have a couple ways of ordering these hats:  you can order through Beach Wahine  

floral trucker hats hawaiian trucker hats feminine trucker hats

How do you wear a flower tucked behind your ear and a trucker hat at the same time? Sea Sea Aloha!

Or follow them on Instagram, Or contact them directly at seaseaaloha@gmail.com

floral hawaiian trucker hats hawaii flower island design trucker hats

Buy Sea Sea Aloha’s super cute trucker hats directly through email or instagram!

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Accessories

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Maui’s Most Unique Wedding Venues

Maui is full of breathtaking wedding venues – from beautiful churches, white sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs, but the island also offers some really unique options for truly memorable weddings.  We’ve compiled the 5 Most Unique Wedding (and wedding-related) Venues on (and around) Maui.

Maui.Unique.Wedding.Venues

Haiku Mill – An Abandoned Sugar Mill

In 1861, Haiku Mill began its life as a sugar mill, only to be abandoned twenty years later, where it sat quietly, becoming part of the landscape, for the next one hundred years.  The only remains of the initial structure, the stately stone walls, are now covered with vines and lush vegetation.  The area has been lovingly restored, and entering the property is like stepping back in time. The Haiku Mill blends the stunning natural beauty of Hawaii with the Old World elegance of Europe. Conde Nast listed Haiku Mill as one of the top 25 wedding venues in the WORLD, one of only two listed in the USA. Haiku Mill is available for intimate parties to grand weddings,  private events and photo shoots.  Click here to see more.

Alii Kula Lavender – A Working Lavender Farm

The rolling lavender fields and stunning, bi-coastal views of Ali’i Kula Lavender farm offer unforgettable backdrops for your wedding, rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, or other private event.  Created by Agricultural Artist and Horticultural Master, Ali’i Chang, the thirteen acre farm is home to approximately 55,000 lavender plants and 45 different varieties of lavender.   The farm recently hired Melissa Padilla of Opihi Love Event Rentals to coordinate their private functions, ensuring that each bride and groom will enjoy the event of their dreams. Click here to see more.  (Photos by Tamiz Photography) 

Maui Ocean Center –  A Tropical Aquarium

From rehearsal dinners, sunset ceremonies, or unique wedding receptions, Maui Ocean Center provides an under-the-sea setting in this central Maui location.   The aquarium even offers underwater weddings in their Open Ocean exhibit, if bride and groom are SCUBA certified.  Guests can witness the event in the comfort (and dryness!) of the 54′ long acrylic tunnel which runs through the exhibit, or the large floor to ceiling viewing window.   Or, if you are looking for an out of-the-box proposal idea, how about an underwater one? One of the aquarium’s staff divers will carry a sign with a message for your special sweetie!  Click here to see more.

Ocean Vodka – Organic Farm and Distillery

Ocean Vodka Farm and Distillery recently opened The Point, a private event space, 22,000 square foot grassy vista with unparalleled views of the north and south shore of Maui, surrounded by fields of organic sugar cane.  Besides weddings and private events, Ocean Vodka offers tours and samplings at its 80 acre farm, located in lower Kula, near Surfing Goat Dairy.  Click here to see more. 

Trilogy – Sailing over the Pacific

Trilogy Weddings captures the essence of romance with their exclusive sailboat venues. Whether it is an intimate rehearsal dinner, private group snorkeling adventure (a pre- or post- destination wedding group activity!) or celebrating your ceremony and reception, a professional planner will ensure every detail of your important day is perfect.  Click here to view more. 

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Uncategorized, Wedding

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Shopping News for This Friday!

Here’s a quick post about two BIG shopping events happening this Friday – one on Maui and one online!

The Annual Sample Sale for Tamara Catz

  • Date: Friday, November 15, 2013
  • Time: 4-9pm
  • Details: Up to 50% off samples and more! Enjoy pupus, champagne, and locally made kombucha, See models showing off the styles and designs, Groove to live music from Maui Makers
  • Location: 83 Hana Hwy (next to Flatbread), Paia, Maui

Online Shopping with Maui Ocean Center Store

  • Date: Starting Friday, November 15
  • Details: The island’s best gift store will finally have its own online shop.  Get ready to virtually shop!
  • Website: click here 

 

Category:

News, Shop Local

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News and Events for November 2013

I’ll be posting more about November events and news as the month goes on – but there’s some great news in the restaurant scene for Maui, and some really special events taking place this month so I wanted to get this out quickly.  Once everyone gets over their Halloween hangover, puts all the decorations away, and changes the calendar, they will realize that Thanksgiving is coming faster than we can say ‘gobble, gobble’, and I’ll start getting lots of information on Thanksgiving lunch specials, Black Friday sales, etc!

Here’s your highlights for Maui News and Events for November, 2013.

Tour News:

maui ocean vodka tour tasting samples

Instead of just looking at all the vodka, you can now taste it. #awesome

Ocean Vodka Adds Tastings to Their Tours 

Starting today, Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery in Kula is now adding samplings of their vodka.  Tours are offered daily for $10 a person (12 years and older).  For those 21 and over, includes a sampling and souvenir Ocean Vodka shot glass.     Click to learn more about tours.

Restaurant News:

Morimoto Maui to Open November 7

Morimoto Maui, at the Andaz Maui in Wailea, is now taking reservations for their official opening date of November 7!

Masaharu Morimoto, best known for Iron Chef and Iron Chef America, is opening his newest Morimoto Restaurant in Wailea, featuring local ingredients and blending Western and Japanese traditions.  Enjoy hand-rolled sushi and sashimi made from locally-caught fish, as well as inspiring cocktails, in the laid-back, oceanside setting.  Will be open daily for lunch and dinner.  Call (808) 879-1234 for reservations.

Dazoo Restaurant Opens in Paia

Officially opening today, Dazoo is reinventing fine dining on Maui, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients prepared with an Asian-Pacific flair.  Combining their unique ambience, affordable tapas style plates and award winning cocktails, Dazoo is a welcome addition to the restaurant scene of Maui’s North Shore.  Open daily for breakfast and lunch, and Tuesday – Saturday for dinner.  Call (808) 579-9999 for reservations.

Shopping News:

One of the island’s best gift stores, Maui Ocean Treasures at the Maui Ocean Center, is set to be opening its long-awaited online shop on November 15.  More info coming soon!

Events:

Modern American Circus Comes to Maui

  • Location: Maui Tropical Plantation, Wailuku
  • Dates: November 8 to 10
  • Show Schedule:
  • Friday: 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday: 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday: 1 p.m.
  • Reservations: (808) 781-4773 or click here
  • Details: The “Modern American Circus” features a world- acclaimed troupe of more than 15 artists performing a star-studded show with a contemporary array of aerial, ground and stand-up acts utilizing the traditional circus center ring under the “BIG TOP”.

Huliau Food & Film Festival 

  • Date: Saturday, November 9
  • Time: 5:30-9:30pm
  • Location: Ocean Vodka Organic Farm, Kula
  • Cost: $75 (four course dinner, cash bar – 21 and over only)
  • Reservations: (808) 757-2100 or click here 
  • Details: Mana Foods and Maui Huliau Foundation will host a farm-to-table benefit dinner and mini-film festival under the stars at Ocean Vodka Farm.  Huliau is a nonprofit offering environmental education programs to Maui youth.  Makena Resort’s Executive Chef Mark McDowell will serve up the main course, and other local Maui chefs will face off in a pūpū competition using produce from local farms. Local food and beverage sponsors Whole Foods, Life Foods and Ali’i Kula Lavender will contribute ingredients, Pono Pies will serve up dessert, and Maui Brewing Company, Ulupalakua Winery, and Ocean Vodka will stock a 100% local bar.  The festival will also screen the teens’ videos about the chefs and farms as well as the music video, Barges, which went viral on YouTube. 

Pacific Cancer Foundation’s Holiday Gala

  • Date: Saturday, November 23, 2013,
  • Time:  5:30pm
  • Location: The Yokouchi Estate, Wailuku
  • Reservations: (808) 242-7661
  • Details: The 8th Annual Pacific Cancer Foundation Holiday Gala is always a favorite event to usher in the holiday season.  This year’s theme is A Great Gatsby Style Christmas! More event details coming soon!

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Event, Food and Beverage, News, Tours

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Tips for enjoying Maui in the Rain – Safely

Tropical Storm Flossie is heading towards Maui tomorrow – but these tips go for anytime there is rain on Maui (which luckily, is rare).

Tips for Enjoying Maui in the Rain – Safely

Activities:

Maui Ocean Center is a great activity during the rain – most of the exhibits are indoors.  Here’s a tip: The aquarium opens at 9am.  During my many years of working there, the lines during rainy days wouldn’t extend the front gate until 10:30 or 11am.  Get there early to avoid the lines and crowds.  Or, go late.  (If you are reading this in regards to Tropical Storm Flossie) – It’s July, so it’s still open until 6pm. It takes around 2 hours, so arriving at 3 or 4 is still OK.  If you need more time, you can always upgrade that day to a week pass)

There’s also the usual malls and movies.  Lahaina Cannery Mall is completely enclosed (Maui’s only) – the other ones are open air- and I know from experience, the floors at The Shops at Wailea are slippery.

And while you are at Lahaina Cannery Mall – grab some games and toys from Maui Toy Works- which also has a brand new location at Pioneer Square on Front Street and at Whaler’s Village.  Personal fave: Spot it! the card game.

There’s also lots of great spas and salons – maybe time for a massage or facial?

Safety:

And now for the safety tips- and these go for any rain activity, not just a storm:  (now i’m starting to sound like a mother, which I am, so here goes)

maui waterfall dangers in the rain tips

Rain forecasts of 6-10 inches could make this waterfall dangerous

Stay WELL away from streams and waterfalls.  Even if its not raining where you are, if its raining up the mountain, the stream could be building up and torrents of rain could come down at any time. With rocks.  It would be bad.

Don’t cross flowing water, by foot or by car : this tip goes for anywhere, but is worth a reminder.

The storm is expected to bring big waves, so stay away from the beaches… always check with the lifeguards first.  No lifeguard?  Find a beach that has one, if you have any doubt.

maui rain tips things to do hawaii

This waterfall has a warning sign – most don’t

Even after the rains – Stay out of the ocean if its murky or there’s debris floating.   I’m just going to say it: dead animals could get washed down the stream, attracting sharks.  But, even if you don’t believe me about dead animals and sharks, there could be bacteria in the water… Just stay out of the water until its clear.

What’s your favorite activity in the rain on Maui?

maui ocean advisories

Big Waves, Runoff- not a good time to go to the beach

Any other safety tips to add?

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Rain Day

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Maui Made Treasures at Maui Ocean Center Store!

Maui Ocean Center Store Shop

For the last ten years I have shopped at one store for just about every birthday, shower and Christmas gift that I have purchased.  The gift shop at Maui Ocean Center (aquarium), now called Maui Ocean Treasures, is a 6,000 square foot store featuring an unbelievable assortment of ‘treasures’.  There are the typical aquarium gifts: t-shirts, stuffed sharks, a wide assortment of logo-items, plus quality items that you would never expect in an attraction gift shop.  There is fine jewelry, hand-blown glass, beautiful artwork, home and kitchen wares, and more.  It would literally take hours to pursue all the sections at this store.

I went today to get gifts for a baby shower, a baby luau (first birthday party, a big deal here in Hawaii), and a birthday/care package for my family on the East Coast (sorry everyone to ruin the surprise!).  I also figured I’d take a few pictures of some of the made on Maui items.  First, let me just say that if I had taken pictures of each made on Maui item my phone would have run out of memory.  Second, I have to say that I go to the shop fairly often, and each time I am pleasantly surprised by all the new items.  Third, the store has filled the void recently left on Maui in two different genres- It has a wide variety of books and music, including a great children’s book section, which is awesome since the only book store on the island is all the way in Lahaina.  The shop also has a great children’s/toy section, and since there is (currently) no baby stores on the island, this is a great place to buy toys, books, and the ever important kids beachwear (including the hard-to-find reusable swim diaper)!

Before we get into all the great made on Maui items I found at the aquarium today, here’s some important information to know beforehand : Admission to the store is complimentary, just check in at the Front Gate and let them know you are going to the store!  Also, aquarium members get a 15% discount on all purchases at the store.  And, while the aquarium doesn’t have an online store, if you see something you like, they’ll help you out over the phone or email, and can ship stuff all over the world!  Maui Ocean Treasures has the same hours as the aquarium : 9am to 5pm, with hours extended until 6pm in July and August. Plus, its open every day of the year, including Christmas, for really last minute gifts…

Need A Bag to carry all your purchases home?  How about a bag made from recycled kite sails, made by Sailbags Maui:

A beautiful display of ‘Sailbags Maui’ bags at the entrance – made from recycled kite surf kites!
Various Sizes of Sailbags Maui available

Gifts Galore, including foods, bath and body products, kitchen wares and pet gifts:

NUTS! No Ka Oi Nut Company’s nuts look good enough to eat!
Jams, Cookies, Coffees, Candies and more…. Made in Hawaii!
All kinds of lotions, soaps, sunscreens… made in Hawaii…
Find the perfect gift for your pet and your pet sitter!
Pottery, Plates, Perfect for Presents….
handPrinted in Hawaii dish towels

A great assortment of Hawaiiana, Environmental, Ocean-Related and more Books and DVDs, and lots and lots of Hawaiian music:

Books of all kinds….
Books on fish, sharks, etc.

Need a gift for a baby luau, baby shower, or kids birthday party?

A wide selection of baby and children’s gifts and toys.
Hard-to-find iplay hats, rash guards, sun suits and reusable swim diapers!
Children’s book with a fun reading area…

Or get a child’s name hand-painted in fun, tropical letters!

Hand-painted tropical letters by Mark!
A perfect, one of a kind gift for any child!

Do you want to contact Mark by Facebook and order your Name Art online?  Click here for his new Facebook Page as of 2015 – 

 

Gifts for someone you REALLY like (or if you’ve been VERY, VERY good this year…)

Hand-blown glass by master artist Rick Strini
Pandeia Watches – Follow your Inner Compass with this Compass Sundial Watch!

And if all that shopping makes you thirsty, don’t forget about the Roselani Ice Cream at the Reef Cafe, or the Maui Brewing Company beers at the Seascape Restaurant (all, of course, made on Maui).

What gift would you get?

Category:

Bath and Body, Clothing, fine art, Food and Beverage, Gift Guide, Home Decor, jewelry, Kids

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