89th Annual Maui Fair Starts Today

89th Annual Maui Fair Starts Thursday The 89th Annual Maui Fair will begin Thursday, September 29th at the War Memorial Complex Fairgrounds in Wailuku. By Madeline Ziecker Article from: www.Mauinow.com The fair will begin on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. with the 89th Maui Fair Parade. At 5 p.m., fair gates will open and guests can  begin to enjoy the array of food and festivities planned for this year. Gates will close at 11 p.m. ‘Aloha’ Friday is when the action increases. In the morning visitors can attend the Special Fair, beginning at 10 a.m. with a  performance by Zenshin Daiko, the children’s Japanese style taiko (drum) group. Following Zenshin Daiko, Mayor Alan  Arakawa will give a brief welcome. Musical entertainment will continue throughout the day until gates close at midnight. On Saturday fairgoers can look forward to several musical talents, including Kihei Cowboys, Conscious Roots, and Nuff  Sedd. The Meadow Gold Healthy Baby Contest begins at 10:30 a.m., which gives proud parents the opportunity to s howcase their healthy keiki in a setting that promotes health and nutrition. Gates will close at midnight. The fair will conclude on Sunday, beginning with the 2011 Cheer Spirit Showcase at 11 a.m. All pop warner, high school,  and all star teams will get the chance to showcase their team spirit through a routine. A Best in Team Spirit Award along  with other participation awards will be handed out at the showcase. The rest of the day will include performances by  Homestead, Kendra, Kalapana, and hypnotist James Kellogg Jr., but the schedule is reportedly subject to change without  notice. Gates will close at 11 p.m. At least 17 rides will be open during fair hours including this year’s newest ride, The Dragon Coaster, along with classic  favorites such as the Castle Bounce, Century Wheel, and Wave Swinger. In addition to the rides and entertainment, many flock to the fair for the endless variety of decadent foods offered.  Everything from Ahi Bowls to Malasadas will be available for purchase. There is nowhere else on Maui where you have  40 options of places to eat in one day, within a block. Proceeds from the sale of these meals will go to many nonprofit  & civic organizations to help boost their yearly operating costs. The 7th Annual Maui County Department of Fire and Public Safety Chili Cook-off Fundraiser will be held on Saturday,  October 1 from 10 a.m. – noon. This year’s cook off will feature some of Maui’s top chefs including Executive Chefs  Tylun Pang from The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui, Ryan Luckey from Pineapple Grill at Kapalua Resort, and Chef Riko  Bartolome. The chefs will showcase their best chili recipes alongside teams of Maui Fire Department. The public is  invited to sample the chili for $1 a bowl. Proceeds will benefit the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital Patient Transportation  Fund for children afflicted with injuries related to fires. HOURS & PRICES Thursday, September 29 — 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, September 30 — 5 p.m. to midnight Saturday, October 1 — 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday, October 2 — 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. General Admission: Adults $7 Keiki (5-11) $3 Discount Sunday: Adults $5 Keiki (5-11) $2 Rides: Single Coupons $1 Sheet of 10 Coupons – $10 See www.mauifair.com for questions or for more details.   shareshare

Maui Memorial Medical Center Awarded Grant To Support Launching Of The New 24/7 Heart Brain & Vascular Center

Maui Memorial receives $50,000 grant

Article From: MauiWeekly

First Hawaiian Bank Foundation recently awarded a $50,000 grant to the Maui Memorial Medical Center (MMMC) Foundation to support MMMC’s new Heart Brain & Vascular Center.
With the launching of MMMC’s “24/7” Heart Brain & Vascular Center, the stress, anxiety and travel costs for countless Maui patients have been eliminated, as Maui residents no longer need to travel to O‘ahu for procedures such as angioplasty or open heart surgery. In addition, patients’ families no longer have to take time off from work, find child care or make other arrangements in order to travel with and care for their sick family member. But most of all, providing these critical services here on Maui saves lives.

“First Hawaiian Bank appreciates the opportunity to partner with Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation to support this fundraising campaign to dramatically improve and expand healthcare services for Maui,” said FHB Foundation President Sharon Shiroma Brown.

The MMMC Foundation recently embarked on a $2 million “SEED” Campaign to support “space, equipment, education, and delivery” of improved healthcare services for Maui. The campaign will focus on providing additional space for the new cardiovascular team, continuing education for clinical staff to improve quality and delivery of healthcare, and new state-of-the-art equipment, which will allow Maui residents to receive the best possible treatments.

Total Airline Seats For Maui Have Increased Dramatically So Far In 2011 Notes Local Economist Dr. Leroy Laney

Local Economy a ‘Mixed Bag’ Economists share analyses and predictions at economic outlook forum. “…the recession served to pull the scab off the  long-term wound of our economy—that wound is debt.” Sarah Ruppenthal Article From: Maui Weekly Dr. Jack Suyderhoud, professor of business economics at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Shidler College of Business,  and Dr. Leroy Laney, First Hawaiian Bank economic advisor and professor of economics and finance at Hawai‘i Pacific  University, presented their economic analyses during the 37th Annual First Hawaiian Bank Economic Outlook on Friday,  Sept. 16.  For many, it may have been uncertain if the analysis presented at this year’s First Hawaiian Bank Economic  Outlook Forum was good news or bad news. But after taking a look at the big financial picture, one thing seemed certain:  Maui County is creeping along the road to recovery. More than 200 residents filled the Elleair Ballroom of the Maui Beach  Hotel on Friday, Sept. 16, for coffee, breakfast and the 37th Annual First Hawaiian Bank Economic Outlook Forum featuring  local economists Dr. Leroy Laney and Dr. Jack Suyderhoud. “Overall, Maui’s economy this year is a mixed bag,” said Laney,  First Hawaiian Bank economic advisor and professor of economics and finance at Hawaii Pacific University. “Maui’s visitor  industry is doing extremely well, thanks to its resilient upscale image… with resulting higher room  rates and a welcome  growth in airlift, including flights from secondary Mainland cities.” Total airline seats for Maui “have increased dramatically  so far in 2011,” with far stronger growth than anywhere else in Hawai‘i—an increase of more than 11 percent this year, Laney reported.  “A big reason is the fact that Maui has been picking up direct flights by Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines from  secondary cities in the U.S. and Canada. That, combined with aggressive marketing in those cities, has paid off,” he said. As a result, hotels have been able to raise their room rates, and Maui now has the highest average daily room rate in the state. “So reputation does pay off,” said Laney. With its unique juxtaposition of small town charm and big city sophistication, Maui offers “a combination that’s hard to top.”  But while tourism may be a boon for Maui County, it isn’t an economic panacea. “Tourism alone cannot be relied upon  to bring Maui back to better times,” said Laney. “The job total continues to struggle to return to pre-recession levels [and]  unfortunately, other sectors of  Maui’s economy, especially the construction industry, continue to lag significantly. Residential construction is down practically everywhere now,but anyprogress to resuscitate overall construction-public  or private—would result in a more balanced and sustained recovery for Maui.  ”The anemic construction industry is contributing to the lag in job creation and the uptick in unemployment  across Maui County, Laney said. “Maui continues to lose jobs, the only county in the state for which that’s consistently the  case,” he pointed out. “Even though the official end to the recession occurred some time ago… although the visitor industry is doing quite well, weakness in other sectors of Maui’s economy simply overwhelms that strength.” Laney predicted that gradual declines in Maui’s unemployment rate “will likely continue in the future. But there remains a  stark contrast between the current jobless rate and the 2 percent number that prevailed in the peak year of 2007.” However, he said, “Help may be on the way,” citing several projects slated for construction, such as Alexander & Baldwin’s Maui Business Park Phase II in Kahului and the 138-room Courtyard by Marriott around the corner from the Kahului Airport. In addition, economic growth is evident on the campus of University of Hawai‘i Maui College, which has seen a significant  increase in enrollment—nearly 33 percent in two years. “One growth area in the Maui economy, which also helps to diversify  it, is the recently renamed UH Maui College,” said Laney. “The name change reflects the addition of four-year degrees to its  curriculum, the first UH community college to grant such degrees.  ”Taking a look at the bigger picture—the U.S. and global economies—Dr. Jack Suyderhoud, professor of business economics at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa Shidler College of Business, described an invaluable opportunity to mold the future by  ooking at the past—and the present. “A few years down the road, when historians and economists look back on the Great Recession of 2007-09, it will not be regarded so much as a painful transitory period, but rather as the moment when the  long-term weaknesses of the U.S. economy became glaringly exposed,” he said. “In that sense, the recession served to  pull the scab off the long-term wound of our economy—that wound is debt.  ”Debt is the most formidable obstacle to financial recovery, he said, and the longer we take to deal with it, the longer it  will  take to see adequate economic growth.  “I’m hoping that the limited progress made on debt reduction will help stabilize short-term expectations,” said Suyderhoud.  However, he said, if capital markets believe that the U.S. is not serious about reducing its structural deficits, “this may spook  consumers and business investments. ”The result?  “That could indeed push us into the second dip,” Suyderhoud said.  “But I’m deeply hopeful that will not be the case… how we handle debt reduction and rebalancing the economy in the next few months will tell us a lot about our long-term prospects." For more information about the 2011-12 Economic Forecast for Maui County, visit the First Hawaiian Bank Website at  www.fhb.com.

Interesting Opportunity For Maui Meadows Volunteers

Smart Grid Project Recruiting 200 Maui Meadows Volunteers By Wendy Osher Article From: www.Mauinow.com The Maui Smart Grid Project will demonstrate and evaluate new technologies that will help residents better  manage and reduce energy consumption during periods of high demand. It will also assist Maui Electric  Company (MECO) operate the electricity grid more efficiently. Volunteers are being sought from the Maui Meadows neighborhood in South Kihei to participate in a pilot project to help Hawaii reduce its dependence on  imported oil. The Maui Smart Grid Project is recruiting up to 200 volunteers for the program with all project  technologies to be provided and installed at no cost to participants. The technologies that will be evaluated by the Maui Smart Grid Project are designed to give customers more  control over their energy use, increase energy efficiency and allow for greater integration of clean energy  resources. The project is also designed to reduce Hawai’i’s dependence on imported oil, which the state relies  upon for about 90% of its energy needs. “Maui is the perfect location for this kind of smart grid research.  Approximately 26% of the energy on its relatively small electrical grid comes from renewable resources,” said  Dr. James Griffin, project director for the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute at the University of Hawai’i, one of  the project’s lead organizations. Under the program, participants will have a smart meter installed in their home as well as access to a  personalized, secure website displaying information on energy use measured by the new meter. Participants will also have the opportunity to try additional smart grid technologies in their home, such as an  in-home energy use display and a smart thermostat. The technologies will provide project participants with  more information on, and control over, how and when they use energy. In addition to the home-based  equipment, Maui Electric Company (MECO) will assist in the monitoring and management of the delivery of  electricity to customers. “Improving each island’s electricity grid through new smart grid technologies is a key element of Hawaii’s  landmark clean energy goals,” Griffin said. “Through the experiences of Maui residents in this project, we  will learn valuable lessons about the best ways to modernize Hawaii’s electricity system.” MECO President Ed Reinhardt said initiatives like the Maui Smart Grid Project are vital to successfully balancing  service reliability and as-available sources of power like solar and wind. “The success of the Maui Smart Grid Project will give our customers greater control of energy use in the home  and help MECO manage demand during peak usage times, reduce outages, and enable quicker restoration of  power,” said Reinhardt. Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa said the first step in reducing energy use is to understand how our choices affect  energy use. “Volunteers in this project will see how much electricity is used when they turn on their computer,  television, or lights. The Smart Grid project has great potential,” said Arakawa. The project team will host a community meeting in the next couple of months to provide further details on t he project and answer questions from community members. To learn more about the Maui Smart Grid Project and to sign up, visit: www.mauismartgrid.com or call  808-270-6803. The US Department of Energy is funding the Smart Grid initiative as part of a nationwide set of  demonstration projects. In addition to HNEI and MECO, other project partners include the Hawaiian Electric  Company (HECO), Silver Spring Networks, GE Energy, County of Maui, Maui Economic Development Board  (MEDB), Sustainable Living Institute of Maui at the University of Hawaii-Maui College, HNU Energy, and SRA  International. *** Supporting information courtesy, Maui Electric Company.

Build Your Dream Just Steps From Charley Young Beach

This 10,545 sf vacant lot is apartment zoned ~ so build a single family home or there are existing plans for 4  approximately 1300sf Hanalei Townhomes. The lot has ocean and mountain views and is just steps away from Charley Young Beach. For a closer look  at Charley Young Beach be sure to check out our website’s livestreaming webcam. This property is currently  listed for $795,000 ~ mls #349490. For more information on this or any other properties call Clint Hansen  (808)280-2764 or email: Clinthansen33@gmail.com

29th Annual St. John's Kula Festival

Article From: The MauiWeekly

The 29th Annual St. John’s Kula Festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in lovely, cool Kēōkea. This festival is always greatly anticipated by Maui residents and visitors alike as a tradition that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
This year, a new layout will facilitate easier access to all the food, fun, fundraising, entertainment and events, but will still showcase the spectacular views of the valley and coasts and offer everything that everyone has come to expect from this event.

The festival will showcase delicious food, including Portuguese bean soup, waffles with fresh Kula strawberries, a wonderful vegan curry, grilled-on-the-spot hamburgers made from Maui Cattle Company beef, fudge, plate lunches, fresh Chinese chicken salad and more, as well as cold drinks and coffee.

Fresh Kula produce, plants and cut flowers, baked goods, a gift shop with handmade items and an assortment of treasures, beautiful gift baskets, a wide variety of crafters, children’s games, free face painting, a silent auction and live entertainment will be offered all day long.

The festival stage will showcase Uluwehi Guerrero’s choir, Na Leo Lani O Maui; Derick Sebastian; the Hula Honeys; and SideTracks. Entertainment will also include the Future Stars of Maui—Gabrielle Goebbert and Austin Carvalho (together known as “The Flow”), The Mill with Christy, Lilly and Zoe and a surprise or two.

Proceeds from this annual event are usually shared with a variety of local nonprofit organizations each year, which are selected by the church, but this year, the organizers decided to focus on one nonprofit. This year’s beneficiary is Hospice Maui; specifically, to contribute to building a 12-bed hospice unit, Hale Ho‘olu‘olu, a place for comfort, compassion and care.

The vision for Hale Ho‘olu‘olu is more than bricks and mortar, construction and staff jobs—it is to help patients live out their lives more peacefully, with more dignity and with less pain, and to provide comfort for the families whose grief is then lightened. It is the highly skilled compassionate team of Hospice Maui caregivers who assist the patients and their families through this transition. Their ideality is a community pulling together to invest collectively in Hale Ho‘olu‘olu, making a peaceful end-of-life experience a reality for all of Maui. Learn more about the hale at www.hospicemaui.org/hooluolu.

St John’s Episcopal Church has been a community center since its beginning in 1900 and continues by offering its facilities for a number of community organizations, operating a pantry that distributes boxes of food to families in emergency situations, and holding a Fellowship Dinner on the last Friday of every month where all are welcome to come and enjoy a free meal and friendship.

Admission is free, but donations are welcomed. For more information, or to contribute to the auction or volunteer your time, call (808) 878-1485.

St. John’s is located at 8992 Kula Highway across from Kēōkea Park.

Hawaii's Visitor Industry Job Count Continues To Grow

Filed under: Uncategorized — Clint Hansen  Tourism Related Jobs Could Top 159,000 By Sonia Isotov Article from: www.mauinow.com Expected growth in Hawaii’s visitor industry job count could reach as high as 159,542 in 2011, according  to a statement released today by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA). The statement issued by the HTA was a reaction to statements made by President Obama and Governor  Abercrombie last night regarding the importance of job creation in order for our state and nation to fully  recover from the economic downturn. “Hawaii’s visitor industry helped to provide 152,864 jobs in the state in 2010, the largest generator of jobs  among the major industry sectors. Tourism is also the largest single source of private capital into Hawaii,  with visitor spending reaching $11.4 billion and contributing to $1.1 billion total tax revenue,” said Mike  McCartney, president and CEO Hawaii Tourism Authority, in a written statement. “With new airlift, marketing and destination experience-based programs, we anticipate the number of  tourism related jobs to grow to 159,542 by the end of 2011. Tourism is a natural export for Hawaii  and the US and provides a strong foundation for our economy.”

Ground Broken On The New $37.1 Million Pu'u Kukui Elementary School in Wailuku

Filed under: Uncategorized — Clint Hansen @ 9:41 am Groundbreaking of Pu’u Kukui Elementary By Wendy Osher Article from: wwww.mauinow.com Maui broke ground today on a new $37.1 million elementary school that will serve the growing Central Maui community  of Wailuku. Pu’u Kukui Elementary School, which is roughly translated as “Hill of Enlightenment” is expected to  accommodate an estimated 550 students in grades K-5. The 98,562 square-foot facility will sit on 14 acres of land  provided by Kehalani Mauka, LLC, and is scheduled for completion by August 29, 2012. During today’s ceremony,  Governor Neil Abercrombie emphasized his commitment to education and the critical role of Hawai’i’s keiki. DOE  Superintendent Ronn Nozoe, Sen. Pres. Shan Tsutsui, and Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa join in digging shovels into the  ground at the groundbreaking of Maui’s newest elementary school. Photo by Wendy Osher.“Two of our most important goals right now are to grow jobs in our economy and invest in young people,” said Gov. Abercrombie. “By building a 21st  Century campus at Pu’u Kukui Elementary, we will be doing both. Our administration is investing our dollars into putting  our children first,” he said. Senate President Shan Tsutsui of Maui took a moment to thank the late Rep. Bob Nakasone  who was among those who worked to secure a $14 million appropriation during the 2007 legislative session to plan,  design and construct the new school. “It was his (Nakasone’s) vision, his commitment to public education and really  supporting our keiki, that drove projects like this back to our community here on Maui,” said Sen. Pres. Tsutsui. Tsutsui  said the project will bring hundreds of much needed jobs to the island of Maui for the next several months. He said over the long term, it will result in a positive impact not only on the surrounding community here, but for neighboring schools as well. Senate President Shan Tsutsui (left) and DOE Deputy Superintendent Ronn Nozoe (right) were among the dignitaries in attendance at the groundbreaking of Wailuku’s second Elementary School. Photo by Wendy Osher.  State  and county leaders stood alongside DOE represenatives as groundbreaking got underway for the new Pu’u Kukui Elementary  School on Maui. Photo by Wendy Osher.  Governor Neil Abercrombie poses for a photo with construction crews at the  new Pu’u Kukui  Elementary School in Wailuku. Photo by Wendy Osher. “We need to not only treat this as a new building,  but as a building block on a different way to deliver education, so that the rest of the state can follow us,” said Wesley Lo,  the Department of Education Representative for Maui. The Governor expressed a similar sentiment saying, “We’ve got  to recognize what’s happening across the state, but particularly on Maui. It’s so exciting to be on Maui. You can see  change–you don’t have to talk about it–you can see the change that’s in the air,” said Gov. Abercrombie.“It’s clear to me that  as far as Maui is concerned and perhaps symbolically for the whole state, this is a new start. This is a new day,” he said. The campus will consist of eight buildings and a covered play court. Buildings include four classroom structures, an  administration builidng, a library/media center, and a student center. The Department of Education will also seek LEED  (Leadership in energy and Environmental Design) Silver Project certification. Under the designation,  the school will be  fitted with an air conditioning commissioning program, and natural day lighting design for energy conservation. “This school, this commitment, is an investment in our young people,” said Gov. Abercrombie, “and I’m happy to be a part  of it.”

UH economists say ‘recovery has slowed, but not stopped’ - Mauinews.com | News, Sports, Jobs, Visitor's Information - The Maui News

UH economists say ‘recovery has slowed, but not stopped’ - Mauinews.com | News, Sports, Jobs, Visitor's Information - The Maui News