Source: Maui Time, Maui News, Best of Maui, Maui Activities

Picks%20of%20the%20Week

by Kate Bradshaw

April 09, 2009

Maui gets its Fil

Fri. (Apr. 10), 7pm, Iao Theater, Wailuku

One of the ways the rest of the planet can help Maui residents reduce their carbon footprint is to bring more awesome shows to the island. That way Mauians don’t have to fly to other islands—or worse, the Mainland—in order to catch a can’t-miss show. 2-Flip Productions is on to this. They’re bringing their 5th Annual Fil-Am Comedy Jam to Maui for the first time ever. The event, which showcases Filipino talent, will be hosted by Island 98.5 (Oahu) DJ Lanai. Philippines-born Rex Navarrete, who was the first Filipino-American to release a standup comedy album in the U.S., headlines. Award-winning comedian Joey Guila also performs, as does comedian Kaleo Pilanca. Kommon Ground holds down the musical side of things. You can find tickets at the Iao Theater box office, Da Kitchen restaurants islandwide, Urban City at Queen Kaahumanu Shopping Center or online at www.islandtix.com. Eighteen and over.

Fiercely independent

Fri. (Apr. 10), 7pm, Voyage East, Pauwela Cannery

There are some places where you’d be hard-pressed to find boutiques featuring clothing and jewelry made by local designers. For example, when I moved to St. Petersburg, Fla. I had to resign myself to the fact that my only options for clothing were thrift stores or corporate mall outlets. Here on Maui, though, independent boutiques seem to proliferate. The epitome of this is Wings Hawaii, an all-female-run boutique situated next to Pauwela Cannery in Haiku. According to their Web site (wingshawaii.com), the shop started out as a UH Manoa art project, and has evolved into a full-scale operation without losing its youthful and independent flair. In celebration of their two-year anniversary, Wings is putting on a killer party next door at the cannery. The fun starts at 7pm, with a free cocktail hour featuring pupus from the new ultra-sustainable Market Fresh Bistro as well as a gift bag for the first 100 ladies in attendance. A fashion show featuring Wings’ latest follows to the sweet sounds of Paula Fuga. Later, Paula will play an encore set, rounding out the evening at about 10pm or so. The theme is “forest under the sea.” $35 presale/$45 day of sale.

Get tanked

Sat. (Apr. 11), 8pm, Mulligan’s on the Blue, Wailea

So dancing is not a right. So liquor-selling establishments require a cordoned-off section of floor that is at least 100 square-feet in area. It could be worse, I suppose. At least you can legally dance at shows like Saturday’s birthday bash for Scott Johnson of Dogtowne Design and Pete Sebastian (formerly of LAWA), a reinstated tradition. With a lineup like the one they’ve got, substantial floor space will be paramount. Roots reggae band Teomon and the Kryptones as well as punkish rock outfit Erin Smith and the Throwdowns are on the bill. The expected pinnacle of the evening will be the debut of Fish Tank, Sebastian’s latest project, which got together at the beginning of this year. However nascent, the band’s got a killer lineup. Sebastian is on guitar and vocals. Kit Okazaki is on saxamophone. Kaipo Haleakala from Nuffsedd and the Kryptones is on bass. Drummer Pete Grand, who played in the original lineups of Crunch Pups and the Afrodisiacs also takes part. Sebastian says Saturday is the new band’s trial run, and that they’ve been having a blast collaborating on songs. This is a chance to get down while seeing what they’ve been up to. $10.

Peep this

Fri.-Sun. (Apr. 10-12), Islandwide

I’ve been told that one of the coolest things about Easter is the wealth of opportunities for watching what happens when you microwave Peeps. Here are some choice Easter weekend options where Peeps, jellybeans and other Easter icons abound. For starters, Upcountry folks can kick off Easter weekend with what’s being dubbed Hawaii’s biggest Easter egg hunt at Pukalani Field (Friday, 4pm). In South Maui, Maui Dreams Dive Co. is throwing a free underwater Easter egg hunt at Keawakapu Beach Park (the south end of South Kihei Road) on Saturday from 8-10am (call to reserve: 874-5332). Up until April 11, Maui Ocean Center is hosting its Easter Scavenger Egg Quest, which teaches keiki about eggs’ role in ocean life while they hunt for golden eggs. On the West side a noteworthy (and free) egg hunt will take place at Honokowai Beach Park on Saturday at 8am (call 276-8811 for more details). If the weather’s not so good, Lahaina Cannery Mall’s Easter deal, which goes from 10am-3pm, is a suitable Saturday alternative. Kaanapali Beach Hotel is doing an Easter extravaganza all day Sunday, including an egg hunt, a visit from the bunny of the hour, a petting zoo and live Hawaiian entertainment (661-0011). Other resorts taking part in Easter Sunday festivities include the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua at 10:30am (669-6200) and Sheraton Maui at 9:30am (662-8053). Central Mauians can do the whole Easter thing all day Saturday at Maui Mall; egg hunt, E.B. photos and all.