How many hundreds of leis did it take to take care of a big crowd on Kaanapali Beach?
Kaanapali–The largest crowd this blogger has ever seen alongside the Kaanapali Beach path enjoyed the fragrances of beautiful leis. How many. Close to 1200 people gathered at the Hyatt Residences. What were these people doing there? GOOGLE Voices of Aloha on Magical Maui for more provocative photos.
CONCENTRATION
Kapalua, Feb. 19–Who says kids don’t concentrate on their studies. Here they sit transfixed at Whale Trust Maui event as they learn how a cutting tool is used to untangle whales.
voicesofmaui.com photo
HEY WHALES: THIS IS YOUR LIFE
KAPALUA—Humpback whales, some 10,000 who visit Maui and patrol Kaanapali Beach annually, will have their life stories told by some of the world’s leading whale researchers during four days of special events over the weekend at the 10th annual Whale Tales the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua.
Through films, unique underwater photography and lively presentations the public will be able to get better acquainted with these mammoth creatures of the deep, including their journey here from Alaska, how they birth and care for their young and how they communicate with each other along the West Maui coast.
The non-profit Whale Trust Maui will kick off the special events with an appearance by Chuck Nicklin, father of award-winning photographer and co founder of Whale Trust Maui Flip Nicklin.
Attendees will be able to talk story with NIcklin during a signing of his new book “On Camera” from 2 to 5:30 p.m Friday. Nicklin first came to Maui to shoot whales 40 years ago and has been a cinemaphotographer for many Hollywood movies.
Also on hand to talk story will be Whale Trust Co co-founder Jim Darling who made headlines recently with his discovery of mysterious whale sounds barely audible to the human ear.
Other top researchers who will be giving presentations and talking story on whale watches include Dr. Fred Sharpe, Alaska Whale Foundation; Ed Lyman, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary; Kenneth O Brian, Alaska Whale Foundation; Dr. Jonathan Stern, San Francisco State University; Olga von Ziegesar of Eye of the Whale and Merra Howe, University of Hawaii Manoa, Oceanwide Science Institute.
In addition to the prominent speakers, another highlight will be the premier and only Maui showing of a much heralded I-Max film with spectacular images of whales in Maui waters at the Ritz at 3:30 p.m. Sunday..
Visitors and residents will be able to mingle with the experts and hear about the antics of whales and learn about the their annual journey from Alaska to the Kaanapali area, how they birth and take care of thier young and how they communicate through “whale songs.”
One session will include a talk about a discovery how large number of whales come to the defense of other whales and even seals under attack by killer whales
Attendance is free but a donation to Whale Trust to support research is suggested. Whale Watches with top researchers on board will offer insights on whales will be available for a fee.
Whale Tales is hosted annually by Whale Trust Maui, a non-profit dedicated to whale research and education. Funds raised at Whale Tales support whale research efforts in the Hawaiian Islands.
Research led by Whale Trust Maui scientists has been featured in documentaries on the BBC, the Discovery Channel, National Geographic International, National Public Radio, theToday show, PBS, NHK (Japanese National Broadcasting).
Meagan Jones Gray who co-founded Whale Trust with Flip NIcklin and Jim Darling studies the birthing habits of whales and teaches a course in marine biology at UH in Kahului. She and colleagues are working on establishing a marine biology curriculum.
Contact Whale Trust Maui at info@whaletrust.org or 808-572-5700 and visit WhaleTrustMaui.org for a schedule of activities, sponsorship information, and program updates.
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WHAT STRING DID POYNESIANS INVENT THAT IS STRONGER THAN NYLON and why was it so important to Hawaii.
Kapalua, May 13–How do you hold a canoe together to sail from Tahiti and discover what today is known as Hawaii. You soak a coconut in sea water for four months, remove the mass, pound it, and weave it into rope. Watch for details in one of two upcoming columns on the Celebration of the Arts at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua. VOICES OF MAUI TALK STORY, LLC PHOTOS
What do Hawaiians do when they want to enter a celebration of the rich culture?`
Kumu Kawika Freitas who will recognize the chants of visitors stands with the hotel General Manager to begin welcoming guests who ask permission to enter through chants.
Kapalua, May 11–At the annual Celebration Arts at Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, they chant, asking permission. to enter. In a one-hour ceremony, they approached the doorway of the hotel with a chant about seeking permission to entire.
Four families and numerous groups each gave individual chants. A Kupuna who owns the Wailuku store Native Intelligence chanted in reply. Each chant is different. And the reply to each chant is different as well. In reply, the kupuna acknowledges he understand the unique words being chanted in Hawaiian and adds his own words of welcome. Let the celebration begin.
Also, see Rick Chatenever in today’s Maui News in which he too describes the moving ceremony. This was the first time the blogger over 14 years got close and personal grabbing a good vantage point early.
Check out my books at Joys of Kaanapali bookstore on the web that contain profiles of host Clifford Naole, and 20 others that talk about their heritage before celebration audiences or in interviews by this author/blogger. celebrate Hawaiians or report on the events of past years.
WAHINES: A few words and pictures worth a thousand
Along the Kaanapali Beach path this month, enough said/
PUTTING ON THE RITZ AT THE RITZ
The Voices of Maui camera last week caught hundreds of fashion industry visitors all dressed in white wending their way to dinner on the beach at the Ritz Carlton Kapalua. Some 1500 people were brought here by the company to enjoy Maui. Another important boost for our economy. The Celebration of the Arts (see previous posts) began the next day. VOICES OF MAUI TALK STORY, LLC PHOTOS
HOW WE CELEBRATE HAWAIAN CULTURE
At the Celebration of the Arts, from dawn to midnight.
First, a cleansing ceremony in the ocean at sunrise (did not go this year), later opening ceremonies in the lobby of the Ritz Carlton Kapalua, informative talks including one on Hawaiian adornments (shown), the luau show (shown), after hours entertainment with a friend greeting a friend. Blogger focused on learning and not photographing or there would have been much moe. Thinking of posting a couple You tube videos when there is time. Mahalo Ritz Carlton Kapalua for my enjoyable 10th year at the festival photographing and taking notes. Watch for a Lahaina News column in the next month containing nuggets of new insights on the culture.
RITZ LUAU
HOW CAN AN AUTHOR HAVE A FUN WEEKEND ON MAUI?
THREE OF THESE LOVELY LADIES APPEAR IN MY BOOKS.Attend the 50th anniversary of the Kaanapali Beach Hotel, give away my latest book to some in them, attend the Ritz Festival of the Arts, attend a Mothers Day Fashion show: PICTURES: MORNING GODDESS OF KPOA, SEING STAR AMY HANELEI’I, A A LOVELY LADY AT THE CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS WHO HAS BEEN HONORED BY BEING GIVEN A NAWAIIAN NAME AND A MODEL AT A FASHION SHOW. bloggers Note: Technical difficulties (t00 many photos in computer memory) prevented earlier posts. Much more to come. VOICES OF MAUI TALK STORY, LLC.
TODAY: 27TH CULTURAL EVENT OF YEAR
KAPALUA–This in memory of Charles Ka’upu.
(photos below). If you Love or want to learn more about Hawaiian culture go to Celebrations of Arts Today and tomorrow at Ritz Carlton.
PERSONAL STORIES: In 2004, I asked the late Charles Ka’upu why I was so passionate about Hawaii. “Well, he said, “in another life, you were once here.” I still cherish this.
SECOND STORY: Also in 2004 i attended a special ceremony restricted to a few in which we drank an ancient Hawaiian drink sitting around a circle and could make a wish. Mine: that I would learn to cherish Hawaiian culture. The wish has come true.
VOICES OF MAUI TALK STORY, LLC PHOTOS BELOW: Charles at the Celebration of the Arts; cleansing ceremony in the rain in 2004, Clifford Nao’le and Hokulani Holt, the moving force behind the celebration with Charles for two decades. i 
CHARLES AT THE CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS
CLEANSING ALSO SCHEDULE BELOW: vvv
Profiles of both Charles and Clifford appear in my books
HIGHLIGHTS:
TODAY: 7 PM two films on whales and haleakala
SATURDAY: Sessions of hawaiin ceremonies, waters of kane, rare appearance by residents of Ni/iha, Hawaiian paths, Alaloa various times 10, , 11 am , 111.15 am, 12 pm, 2 pm opening cermeony too. go to celebration of arts web site for more. SEE U THERE ALL WEEKEND.
JOYS of KAANAPALI 
