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July 13, 2006
BEST BAND
(Tie) Ekolu/Gomega
Their latest album, Ekolu Music, won Reggae Album of the Year at
this year's annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. That's pretty cool because
the album is a follow-up to their album, Back to the Valley, the
Trilogy, which also won a Hoku Award. Not too shabby for the three Maui
boys of Ekolu who've been crooning their contemporary Hawaiian hits
tinged with reggae beats and R&B soul for only 10 years. Plus,
they're just really nice guys. Speaking of nice guys, Gomega is another
crowd favorite, and though they have not won any Hoku Awards yet, they
definitely win my award for Local Band I Never Get Sick of Seeing Live
and for doing original rock, punk and genre-bending covers of
everything from Britney Spears' "Toxic" to Israel Kamakawiwo Ole's
"White Sandy Beach of Hawai'i."
Runners-up: (Tie) Lahaina Grown and Willie K. (SC)
BEST RADIO PERSONALITY
Morning Goddess Alaka'i
Alaka'i the Morning Goddess has perfected the local morning radio
show. She combines just the right amount of talking with music to wake
you up and prepare you for the day. Cute tidbits of information and
uplifting quotes, as well as genuine birthday wishes and a reading from
the Hawaiian moon calendar are all included every morning, making
Alaka'i's show one to look forward to. Perhaps Alaka'i's best quality
is her accessibility—she's not the mysterious radio DJ that no one's
seen; listening to Alaka'i in the morning is like listening to your
favorite auntie. You can hear Alaka'i each morning on KPOA 93.5 FM.
Runner-up: Babulu (KH)
EDIT PICK:
BEST ART EXHIBITS THAT WON'T BORE YOU TO TEARS
Cafe Marc Aurel/Hui No'eau
When you live on an island that is a work of art all by itself, it's
easy to see how so many inhabitants could be inspired artistically. But
when the result is an endless barrage of typically tropical
images—colorful coral reef fishes, swaying palm trees, rainbows, sandy
white beaches, blah blah blah—the effect can be numbing on people who
enjoy art for art's sake. Expect the unexpected at exhibits like Hui
No'eau's "Wood Skin Ink" last year depicting the world of woodblock
printing and the Japanese aesthetic in modern tattooing. Or Cafe Marc
Aurel's ongoing group shows, featuring local artists in their
interpretation of themes like "The Sacred Feminine: Madonna, Whore,
Daughter, Wife, Sister, Lover" or "Boys Will Be Boys: Reflections on
personal and global patriarchal worlds." Plus, both places really know
how to throw a party—er, art opening. Cafe Marc Aurel, 28 N. Market
St., Wailuku, 244-0852; Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center, 2841 Baldwin
Ave., Makawao, 572-6560. (SC)
BEST PLACE TO DANCE
Hapa's
It's important to have a large, open dance space to do the humpty,
the jiggy, the krumping or whatever it is the kids are calling it these
days. It's also important to feature solid beats and a full bar, which
each in their own way inspire you to bust a move or two. And it's a
bonus when you're getting sweaty next to some fine asses a-shakin'. But
the best part about dancing at Hapa's is that the dance floor is
viewable from any spot at the large nightclub. That makes for mad
scoping and easy access to making fun of whoever you want, whenever you
want. God bless America. 41 E. Lipoa St., Kihei, 879-9001.
Runners-up: (Tie) Paradice Bluz, 744 Front St., Lahaina, 667-5299; and Casanova, 1188 Makawao Ave., 572-0220. (SC)
EDIT PICK:
BEST PUBLIC ART
The corner of Church and Main in Wailuku
Hanging on a gently sloping fence in front of the SpeediShuttle
office are 10 paintings done by Wailuku Elementary School students.
Splashed with many bright colors and some surrealism, the paintings
depict the seashore, a sailboat, a church steeple and the Iao Needle,
among other things. They bring alive a particularly drab corner of town
in a far better way than any fountain or abstract sculpture ever could.
(AP)
BEST MOVIE THEATER
Maui Mall Megaplex
There are few places you can go and just let yourself enter another
world. One of my favorites is the movie theater. It's always
air-conditioned and brimming with fresh popcorn and sweets. You can be
transported to worlds far away or take advantage of the dark setting
and have a helluva make-out session. It's a beautiful thing. 70 E.
Ka'ahumanu Ave., Kahului, 249-2222.
Runner-up: Maui Arts & Cultural Center, One Cameron Way, Kahului, 242-7469. (HK)
EDIT PICK:
BEST ANNUAL EVENT THAT MAKES CANNES JEALOUS
Maui Film Festival at Wailea
Every year in June, throngs of film industry types and the people
who love them descend upon Wailea. This makes for interesting banter at
South Maui's bars, resorts and parties. But more importantly, it means
we locals get to see a fine array of independent, artistic or just
really good movies, under the stars on a golf course, or under the
stars on a resort rooftop, or under the stars on the beach watching
silent films as waves lapping the shore make the most exquisite
soundtrack. Thank goodness for Maui residents and film festival
founders, Barry and Stella Rivers, and their handy crew of
cinema-lovers. Check 'em out online at www.mauifilmfestival.com. (SC)
BEST RADIO STATION
The Point 101.1
Maui's modern rock station—or should I say, station that plays
"modern" rock that we can listen to while on Maui—won your votes for
best radio this year. They feature top hits of alternative rock from
today and yesterday, and the day before that. But they also have weekly
programs, like Monkey Spankers, where Johnny A, Captain Coconut and
Moto-Babe delight and confound with their twisted humor and classic
rock tunes. Plus, there are other weekly programs that highlight new
albums in their entirety, interviews with rock stars, and other stuff
like that.
Runner-up: Mana'o. (SC)
EDIT PICK:
BEST PLACE TO SEE A HORROR MOVIE
Wharf Cinema Center
It's dark, a bit dank, a little chilly inside and smells vaguely of
decaying fish—what better place to see a film about demonic possession,
sadistic serial killers or mutant brain-eating zombies? It brings a
whole new meaning to the phrase "total movie-going experience." And
it's not just for horror flicks, either: I saw Batman Begins there, and
really felt like I was standing shoulder to shoulder with Bruce Wayne
in the Bat Cave. 658 Front St., Lahaina, 667-7865. (AP)
EDIT PICK:
BEST WAY TO SEE POETS FIGHT TO THE DEATH
MauiSlam
Okay, maybe not to the death, but Maui Booksellers' poetry slams are
still pretty intense. And you can compete, too. What, you got something
against going up on stage in front of a lot of people you don't know
and throwing down your best verse? Did I mention there's a $100 cash
prize? For more information on times and locations, call Maui
Booksellers in Wailuku at 244-9091. (AP)
BEST MUSICIAN
Teri Garrison
A country and blues singer/songwriter with over 300 original tunes
under her belt, Teri Garrison achieved great renown when her song "The
Eyes" recently won the Embassy Music Songwriter's Contest in Nashville.
She's been on Maui forever, garnering vocal comparisons to Janis Joplin
and playing gigs locally whenever she's not on the road touring. She's
sung with and opened for Leon Russell, Leo Kottke, David Crosby, Tanya
Tucker, Don Henley, Bonnie Raitt and Willie Nelson. And she's got an
album produced by and featuring Nelson, also called The Eyes—hey, it's
a lucky title. You can catch her live on Sundays at Jack's Terrace, 843
Waine'e St., Lahaina, from 7 p.m. to close.
Runner-up: Willie K. (SC)
EDIT PICK:
BEST WAY TO HEAR BEETHOVEN
Maui Classical Music Festival
For the last 25 years, each May the island's more traditionally
cultured music aficionados gather to hear some of the world's best
pianists, cellists, violinists and flautists play the old masters. Once
hidden away in Kapalua where most people would never find it, the
festival now plays at a variety of churches in Makena, Wailuku, Hana,
Lahaina and Makawao. Obviously this year's concert has already
passed—it, to use a colloquialism, rocked—but there's always next year.
For more information call 878-2312 or visit www.maui-cmf.org. (AP)
BEST THING ABOUT THE FAIR
Food
Yeah, the food is great, what with all the local malasadas, fried
and mochi-ed this and that, and chow fun in every possible way. But
what about the orchid exhibition? You people never vote for that! It's
a dying art form! And what about the neat games, where you can win a
five-foot stuffed purple bear with red stripes by throwing ping pong
balls into milk bottles? You never vote for that, either! Those game
operators work hard collecting your tossed rings on the bowling pins
and replacing the balloons in that annoying water gun race. Where is
the love? The 84th Annual Maui County Fair happens Sept. 28 through
Oct. 1 at the War Memorial Complex, Wailuku, 281-9053.
Runner-up: The rides. (SC)
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