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

Posts tagged ‘Upcountry’

Carden Academy Jamboree – Tickets Now Available!

bendon.jamboree

Tickets are now available for Carden Academy’s annual fundraiser, the Jamboree, to be held on Saturday, April 25!  This is a gala-style event, with live auction, hand-crafted cocktails, a buffet and dancing, but with a unique twist – its a cowboy theme!  Attendees break out their finest cowboy hats and boots, jeans and plaid shirts, and head upcountry to the polo field for this event with a great cause.  This year’s funds raised will go towards tuition assistance, the creation of a new Pre-K classroom, and the ‘greening’ of the campus – making it more energy efficient and healthier for all.

The evening’s activities include a BBQ dinner buffet by Three’s Bar and Grill, hand-crafted cocktails by Dazoo and Ocean Vodka, live music by the Country Knights, silent auction, live auction, and a pie contest!

nova.burnes.maui.pie.contest.winner

Tickets range from $100 for a general admission ‘Paniolo’ ticket to $2,000 for a Spurs Sponsorship table for 10 guests, which includes 2 bottles of wine, wait staff at your table, preferred seating around the stage and dance floor, thank you gifts, website acknowledgement and logo placement in program.

lenny.ally.freeland.tamalyn.baldwin

Spurs Sponsorship Table
Buckaroo Lounge
Beautiful Decor

Even with the event two months away, almost 100 silent and live auction items have already been donated!  Highlights so far include a private dinner in your home with Chef Dan Fiske, gift certificates to Fleetwood’s on Front Street, two nights in an ocean view room at the Four Seasons Wailea, two nights at the Grand Wailea including spa treatments and dining at the Molokini Bistro, and a children’s party at the Kihei Fire Station!

tamalyn.baldwin.maui.jewelry

Silent and live auction items are still begin accepted, (click here to submit) and event sponsors are welcome as well (view contact information on this link)

Check out more on the Jamboree at these links : order tickets, donate an item or gift certificate, view the auction items, or join the Park and Ride shuttle courtesy of Hike Maui.

Highlights of last year’s events are pictured on this post, but read more about last year’s event, and see the rest of the pictures! 

—-

Facebook Contest Details!  For a limited time, MauiMadeBlog is running a CHALLENGE – IF we can get 10 (ten) legitimate made or designed on Maui items or gift certificates (valued at $10 or more) donated towards a Maui Made Gift Basket for the silent auction by March 13, we will do a RANDOM giveaway on our Facebook Page, for one individual ticket to the Jamboree (valued at $100)  To enter the contest, you must comment or share any of the corresponding posts on the MauiMadeBlog Facebook Page.  Anyone donating an item will receive TWO entries.  And best of all?  If the basket comes together, all the items will be featured in an upcoming post!  I will coordinate the pick-up of items located centrally (Kihei, Upcountry, Wailuku) – for Hana or westside items, can meet in town possibly?

To donate, send me a message on the MauiMade Facebook Page 

What is a legitimate item?  One that can be purchased at a store or craft fair on Maui, and/or with an actual online or Etsy shop  (must be a REAL product or service)  You must have created or designed that product, or be an authorized re-seller of the product.

 

Category:

Contest, Event, Fundraiser

Tagged with:

Maui’s Winery – Knocked by Iselle but Now Even Stronger!

When I sent out the inquiry to the local liquor producers looking for news and updates for my recent post, Booze News You Can Use, I got such a long response from Maui’s Winery that I knew it deserved its own post.

“There’s actually quite a lot of new things happening up here!”, shared Joseph Hegele, the winery’s Director of Marketing.  “We have a new brand releasing soon, new company logo, new website, reopening the old jail as a 2nd tasting room for all the new estate wines, new tour offerings, events and more!”

(Maui Made Note: Stay tuned here for news as these details are released! And make sure you are following the Winery on Facebook)  

My first inquiry was about the damage from Hurricane Iselle, as Ulupalakua took the brunt of the storm’s force.

Tim Garcia Hula Circle Wood Winery Upcountry Sculpture Carvings

The new rock wall replaces the picket fence that was destroyed by the storm. Tim Garcia’s sculptures, carved from 150 year old trees, which would have otherwise had to have been removed, stand in the background.

“We were lucky in a lot of ways, but Iselle got us pretty bad,” Hegele continued, “the grounds will be under repair and going through improvements for several months, an incredible new rock wall is being built around the perimeter of the winery grounds to replace the white picket that was demolished, we’re going to come out looking good.  The  2014 harvest of Malbec, Grenache, Viognier, Chenin Blanc, and Gewürztraminer came in before Iselle but we had a little over 13 tons of Syrah left on the vine.  The was no damage to the fruit luckily but with all that weight and 100 mile an hour gusts, the rows were like sails. We had entire rows of syrah that were laying flat on the ground, probably 50% of the 6 acres (50 rows) were at 45 degree angle or lying down.  We harvested a few days before we had planned to, again no fruit damage, and surprisingly no root or stock damage, they bent but did not break or uproot.”

grape harvesting maui winery

Harvesting the grapes at Maui’s Winery at Ulupalakua Ranch

“The entire 6 acres will have to be restaked and retrellised, still we celebrated the most successful harvest we’ve ever had and on our 40th year anniversary, and that’s the beauty of wine, its farming and we are at mercy of mother nature.  We did open up this years Syrah harvest to the public last minute, after Iselle we needed to get the grapes off the vine asap, with 24 hours notice we had 16 volunteers, 22 the next day, and 24 the last… incredible!  There were even people that came to the winery the day after Iselle without even being asking to help clean the winery grounds and all the fallen trees and mess.”

maui winery samples tasting

Maui Winery’s 2014 Harvest Stats

 

“Forty years of trial and error and 3 replantings has this place producing quality fruit with place driven personality.  In the past because of the experimental nature of the vineyard, unique challenges growing vinifera here in Hawaii, replantings, waiting for maturity we’ve had many years without estate wines at all or maybe just a couple hundred cases of one varietal. This year’s harvest will result in a traditional saignée Grenache Rosé, Viognier, Chenin Blanc, extended tirage Chenin Blanc sparkling, Malbec, Grenache, and Syrah.  We’re still very small in the wine world but the vineyard is doing so well that we’ll be increasing estate wine production by 10 fold in a matter of just a few years. For being 40 years old, the vineyard is young and very healthy and it’s been fascinating to discover over the last couple years what personality these varietals exhibit in such a unique vineyard site, that’s what wine is all about, time and place.”

“We’re in the process right now of final blending trials and finishing the estate whites, while the estate reds are just now finishing malo and we’ll be doing oak trials in the coming weeks.  We got a new winemaker via the Willamette Valley of Oregon wine country, he’s been with us for about 8 months, making a huge impact. I’ve been with the company for about a year and a half, it’s an exciting time for us, lots of developments, changes and successes in our near future.”

Mahalo to Joseph for sharing this exciting news with us! 

Visit Maui’s Winery at Ulupalakua Ranch –

(New Tour Information & Website coming soon: Please Call 808-878-6058 to confirm before making the drive…)

Tastings: The King’s Cottage Tasting Room is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily (except for major holidays). The tasting room is the former guest cottage of King Kalakaua, Hawai‘i’s “Merrie Monarch.” Must be 21 years of age; valid ID required for wine tasting.

Tours: Complimentary 30 minute walking tours are offered at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Hear the amazing history of the grounds, visit the winery’s production area and learn about how wine is made from grapes and fresh pineapple fruit – only in Hawai‘i!  Private groups of 10 or more and organized tours are requested to call in advance to make private tour arrangements.

Category:

Food and Beverage, Rain Day

Tagged with:

Clearview Riding Academy Now True North Equestrian

 

maui kula horseback riding lessons adults kids I know nothing about horses.  From the moment my daughter would head straight towards the ‘Horse’ section at the book store, I knew we were in trouble.  We’ve tried out a few (ok, almost all) of the horseback riding facilities around Upcountry Maui, but once we found Clearview, we stopped looking.  It recently came under new management, and we couldn’t be happier.

Formerly known as Clearview Riding Academy, the facility is now being managed by Rachelle MacKenzie’s True North Equestrian Services. Rachelle offers horseback riding lessons, schooling and training programs, at the facility towards the top of Omaopio Road in Kula.  Instruction is available for ages 5 to adult – beginning rider though advanced hunter/jumper, or riding just for fun. Every rider receives an individualized program to help them meet their goals. Lessons are available on your horse or one of their safe and reliable lesson horses (including Demi, the adorable Welsh Pony!) .  Rachelle is acceting new clients and/or horses of all ages and abilities for instruction, training and schooling/riding.

maui horseback riding lessons summer camp

“Wee Ones” with Demi, and superhero little brothers…

Lesson Prices start at $35 for the “Wee One” Beginner Pony Lunge Group, for ages 5-8 riding on a shared pony. (more info on prices and lessons on the flyer at the bottom – click to enlarge)

If your little horse lover is looking for some quality horse time this summer  – Summer Camps are also being offered for the following weeks (Monday – Friday) : June 23-27, July 7-11, July 28-Aug 1 and Aug 11-15.  (Saturday camps, from 10-2, are also available year-round.)

  • Ages: 5-11
  • Time: 9am – 3pm
  • Size: Max of 8 campers, 1 counselor per 4 students
  • Price: $365 /week.  Day rate (available for Mon. & Tues. only) /$100
  • Details: Summer Horse Camp aims to teach children about the wonderful world of horses and English (hunter/jumper) riding and equitation.  Through horse-related games and activities, campers learn about the care of horses, their characteristics, both on the ground and while in the saddle, in a fun-filled environment. Designed for all level riders.
  • To sign up or for more questions, call Rachelle at (808) 268-3082

View the website

More About Rachelle

Rachelle grew up in Canada riding and showing in the hunter/jumper and equitation rings.  She competed extensively throughout Canada and on the east coast US as a junior rider.  Rachelle has been training and coaching children, juniors, and adult amateurs in Canada, the Pacific Northwest, California and now Maui since 1996. Her students and horses have qualified for and won many big events, finals and year ends including Royal Winter Fair, PCHA Championships, and Hunter and Medal Finals. Rachelle has competed successfully in all hunter and jumper divisions, through Grand Prix in both Canada and the U.S.

Rachelle’s program of classical training methods and sound horsemanship has produced winning horse/rider combinations from local shows to the AA circuit, from the short stirrup ring to Medal Finals.  She has found, started and brought along countless young horses and introduced new horse/rider combination into successful partnerships and show careers.

maui horse lessons children adult riding horse stable Clearview Riding Academy Under New Management

Category:

Activity

Tagged with:

Feel Good Events on Maui for June 2014

There are so many great events coming up in June, so I decided to put together a list of all the events that have proceeds going to a good cause!  I selected these events in particular because they are something that anyone can join in – you don’t need to be a part of these organizations to help out, and they would be great events for visitors and locals alike!  Add your event to the list (or for upcoming months) by sending to the email at the bottom:

  • tipsy turtle maui event june 2014 drink fundraiser Event: Hawaii Wildlife Fund Benefit Night at Dazoo
  • Date: Monday, June 2, 2014
  • Time: 5-9pm
  • Location: 78 Baldwin Avenue, Paia (former Moana Cafe)
  • Event Website For More Info
  • Details: A Portion of the Proceeds from Dinner Sales will be donated to Hawaii Wildlife Fund. Includes live music, silent eco-auction and a signature cocktail, “The Tipsy Turtle”.  Benefit Night for HWF will be occurring the first Monday of every month.
  • What They Do: Formed in 1996, Hawaii Wildlife Fund (HWF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of Hawaii’s native wildlife through research, education and advocacy.
  • Event: Basketball Maui Fundraiser Night at Flatbread
  • Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2014
  • Time: 5-10pm
  • Location: 89 Hana Hwy, Paia
  • Event Website: For More Info: 
  • Details: 2nd Annual Flatbread Fundraiser: A portion of sales of each flatbread is donated to Basketball Maui.
  • What They Do: Basketball Maui is dedicated to providing hope to Maui County youth through education, leadership training, character development, and world-class basketball instruction. (see more basketball maui events below)
  • Event: Maui Upcountry Ag and 4-H Farm Fair Fair
  • Dates: Saturday and Sunday, June 7 & 8, 2014
  • Time: 8am – 4pm
  • Location: Oskie Rice Field, Makawao
  • Details: The 34th annual Upcountry Fair features music, food, games, exhibits, a rodeo- a true upcountry experience! This year’s event features the Cowboy Church, a beauty pageant, paniolo awards, and the best-dressed cowboy and cowgirl contests.
  • 4-H Livestock Show Saturday @8am – Followed by the auction – Bidding starts at 1pm sharp, continues 9am Sunday.
  • For More Info: 
  • What They Do: 4-H projects and activities help youth develop life skills through livestock projects includign feeding, managing and exhibiting their animals. Students acquire knowledge and skills in selection, production, processing and marketing.
  • Event: Used Book Sale by Maui Friends of the Library at Whole Foods
  • Date: Saturday, June 14, 2014
  • Time: 9am – 2pm
  • Location: Outside Whole Foods at Maui Mall, Kahului
  • Website:
  • Details: Summer reading ahead — at bargain prices! A large variety of donated fiction and non-fiction book selection! Each keiki will be able to take home a free children’s book from the designated selection, while supplies last!
  • What They Do: Everyday, Maui Friends of the Library sells used books, DVD’s, CD’s and more at their three book stores around the island, as well as new Hawaiiana items. All proceeds benefit Maui County’s public libraries
  • maui poker night celebrity tournament Event: Poker with the Pros – Fundraiser for Basketball Maui
  • Date: Thursday, June 26, 2014
  • Time: 6-10pm
  • Location: Grand Wailea
  • Event Website:
  • Details: 1st Annual Poker with the Pros charity poker tournament. Guests can play for a chance to bet against celebrity players including a lineup of NBA All Stars
  • What They Do: see above
  • Event: Night of Shooting Stars
  • Date: Saturday, June 28, 2014
  • Time: Doors open at 4pm
  • Location: Lahaina Civic Center
  • Website: 
  • Details: 4th Annual Night of Shooting Stars celebrity and professional exhibition games :  Last year more than 2,400 basketball fans filled the Lahaina Civic Center to watch professional players go head-to-head and local celebrities play basketball Maui’s camp all-stars. Family Friendly event.
  • Event: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maui’s 27th Annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake Event
  • Date: Saturday, June 21, 2014
  • Time: 9am – 5pm
  • Location:  Maui Bowling Center in Wailuku.
  • Website:
  • Details: Bowl for Kids’ Sake is a fun and easy way for you and your company, friends, or family to support the life-changing work of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maui. If you care about keiki and can spare an hour to have fun with your friends, then Bowl for Kids’ Sake is for you! Don’t forget that this year’s theme is a “Western Paniolo” theme so find a fun outfit to wear representing our theme. Dressing up is not mandatory but there will be prizes for the teams that demonstrate the most team spirit.
  • What They Do:  Since their inception in 1968, Maui’s BIGS, LITTLES, donors, corporations and other community members have been coming together to change the lives of children facing adversity for the better, forever.
  • Event: Relay for Life of Central and South Maui
  • Date: Saturday, June 28, 2014
  • Time: Starts at 6pm
  • Location: War Memorial Soccer Overflow Field, Wailuku
  • Website: 
  • Details & What They Do: Relay For Life – an overnight event – is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.  Monies raised will fund educational programs, research, advocacy and services to cancer patients.

 

To Submit your event : (must have a non-profit beneficiary) – For any month – will run if I get enough events listed: please send two weeks out from start of month if possible. Email to lizsmithonmaui (at) yahoo (dot) com

Please fill out:

  • Event Name:
  • Date:
  • Time:
  • Location:
  • Website (for the Event):
  • Details:
  • What They Do:

(Word count for ‘details’ and ‘what they do’ should be under 100 words combined) You may also send a small image.

Category:

Fundraiser

Tagged with:

Carden Jamboree Roundup

You know its going to be an unusual night out when it starts with “Should we bring the 4-wheel drive?”  With reports of heavy rain upcountry, we were advised to “bring an umbrella” and “be careful in the mud”.

carden.tent.fundraiserWe were heading to one of Maui’s numerous annual fundraisers, but instead of heading towards the resort towns of Wailea or Kaanapali, full of fancy hotels, ballrooms and valet attendants, we were driving up Haleakala, towards the dark clouds and pouring rain.  We were making our way to horse country for Carden Academy’s Jamboree, which takes place, literally, on a polo field.  We made it easily through the muddy back roads to the Oskie Rice field, and in typical ‘Maui Moment’ fashion, the rain let up as soon as we opened the car doors.

The welcoming sight of illuminated party tents, which were warm and dry, helped us instantly forget about the damp and dreary weather (being greeted with a glass of champagne helps with that, too).  Instead of the typical aloha shirts, fancy slippers and resort wear, or sometimes even evening attire that is normally seen at these functions, everyone was decked out in their finest jeans, plaid shirts and an impressive selection of cowboy boots and hats.  And, since this is an Upcountry Maui event, some of these people were actual cowboys and girls.

these are not actual cowboys

There was too much going on to list everything that happened at the Jamboree, but some of the highlights included a fantastic buffet of BBQ food by Three’s Bar and Grill, a cocktail bar by Dazoo, featuring Ocean Vodka, a homemade pie contest (this year’s winner – Nova Burnes with a chocolate meringue), an extensive silent auction, and a live auction with several once in a lifetime experiential and gift items.

cocktails by dazoo and ocean vodka
catering by three’s bar and grill

A professional auctioneer was imported all the way from Oahu, assisted by Tamalyn Baldwin, literally ‘cracking the whip’.  Tamalyn, aside from being the head wrangler at her family’s Piiholo Ranch, supplied one of the live auction items, a custom piece of jewelry from her collection, Vaquera Maui.  Another high-interest live auction item was a gift basket by world-champion surfer Kai Lenny, which included a stand-up paddling lesson by the champion himself.

tamalyn whips up auction excitement!
She’s a real cowgirl! and man can she crack a whip!
kai lenny and surfer joe
kai lenny with tamalyn baldwin
surfer joe the auctioneer from oahu!

Rounding out the evening was dancing to live music by Country Knights.  If you missed the event (or if you were there!), here are some more of the photos from the event (click to see a larger version):

the artwork section of the jamboree’s silent auction
the lounges at the jamboree
catering by three’s bar and grill
cocktails by dazoo and ocean vodka
the upgraded tables at the jamboree
yours truly with my handsome cowboy
mrs brown models the gear from the Kai Lenny gift basket
nova burnes wins best pie!
artwork up for auction by the students at careen
piero resta with alan battersby,
mrs brown with the winning pie – which joined the live auction! and it was amazing chocolate meringue
mrs sato and coach mason
this one is called ‘how many college degrees does it take to fix a keg?’
fixing the keg
these are not actual cowboys

 

Category:

Event

Tagged with:

Upcountry Farmers Market – Pukalani, Maui

Upcountry Farmer's Market Maui Pukalani After attending the Maui Swap Meet last Saturday, the Upcountry Farmer’s Market, near the Long’s in Pukalani, was quite literally, a refreshing experience (and by this, I mean it’s cooler.  It’s also smaller, so it’s easier to quickly get in and out with two kids).   While it’s not exactly fair to compare a ‘swap meet’ and a ‘farmers market’, here are my unscientific, rushing through with two kids comparisons.

The Maui Swap Meet, located in Kahului at the UH Maui College, is large, with a bit of everything, from produce stands to soaps, jams and jellies, shave ice, food trucks, art, clothes and trinkets.  There’s pretty much something for everyone, whether it’s 2/$5 necklaces for your 5 year old daughter, or really nice jewelry for your mother’s birthday. There are some excellent crafters and items, if you have time to peruse all the booths.  The admission fee is reasonable (50 cents), and there’s ample parking, but it can be quite hot and sunny (bring a hat and water – or, you can buy them of course!)

We attended Upcountry Farmer’s Market yesterday, on the market’s third anniversary, which was our first experience, so while the regulars found it a bit busy, we didn’t have a hard time finding parking, and the crowds weren’t too bad to easily peruse all the items and chat with the sellers.  Its a much smaller market (i have no idea how many were at either, but I’d estimate 30-ish upcountry, with over 100 at the swap meet) with a nice variety of produce (each seemed clearly labeled with ‘organic, pesticide-free or conventional), herbs, plants and flowers, food, fresh fish (whole and filleted- sold by the actual fisherman), and a limited selection of gifts and crafts.  It was much also cooler upcountry, with just enough cloud cover and a light breeze to keep it very comfortable.  Here were some of the day’s finds:

A Farm Stand by Roots + Wings 

Fresh Produce from Maui
Roots and Wings Family Farm

A Selection of baked goods, including gluten-free options and some truly delicious bakalava by Lilia Biniaris

Gluten-Free Options
Lilia Biniaris offers a wide variety of baked goods, inlcuding many gluten free options, and offers catering for special events!

Vegan Cupcakes by Baked by Amy, who alternates between the two Saturday Markets, so check out her Facebook page to find these yummy treats:

Cupcakes by Baked by Amy at Maui Market

Cupcakes by Baked by Amy – vegan with gluten-free options

and a whole host of other fun stuff:

Gourmet Lemonade!
Fresh Cut Flowers
Brazilian Food
Handmade Windchimes
Vegan, Raw Organic Chocolate Mousse
Keanae Poi
Farm Stands clearly label their methods

One more delicious find was the fruit candies by Maui Fruit Jewels, which has a great website and online shop, and an interesting enough story that they may get one of their own posts!  Check it out and let me know what you think.

maui fruit jewels

Maui Fruit Jewels

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

Tag Cloud