**Photo Courtesy of Anuhea**
Wanna know who’s the best musician, band and DJ? Got an idea you know how our readers voted on places to dance, open mic nights and karaoke spots? Well, nightlife on Maui is neither boring nor predictable, and our reader votes exemplify that.
Best Female Musician
Born Rylee Anuheake’alaokalokelani Jenkins, she’s better known as simply Anuhea. And this year, our readers chose her as Maui’s Best Female Musician. Noted for her acoustic style and lyrical skills, the Kamehameha Schools graduate has landed on Billboard charts, toured extensively and has performed with musicians like Bruno Mars and Ziggy Marley. The niece of Na Leo Pilimehana’s founder and a granddaughter of a country musician, Anuhea’s music abilities are something to behold. She’s also won two Na Hoku Hanohano awards, Anuhea is well on her way to becoming a Hawaiian legend. Anuheajams.com @sandtothecity
Runner-up: Erin Smith
**Photo by Peter Liu**
Best Local Blog
Maui’s Twitter virtuoso blogs her heart out at AMauiBlog.com. There you’ll find travel tips, heartfelt inspirations about Maui living, and a few guest bloggers. Her sweet personality bubbles through each post, whether it’s about a local healthfood store, a call to artists or social media in general. Her fourth year of winning puts her blog at the top for MauiTime voters, and that’s something to blog-brag about. Amauiblog.com. @jenrusso
Runner-up: Kama’aina Loan
Best Place To Dance
Been practicing your twerk at home? Amateurs and pros all know the place to shake what yo mama gave ya is the Ambrosia dance floor. Their music lineup features dance music seven nights a week, something no other venue offers. That means dancing is guaranteed good fun any evening, whenever you feel like getting a groove on. What’s more, their lilikoi martinis are mythical in the Triangle, in case you need a bit of liquid courage before getting out on the dance floor. 1913 S Kihei Rd.; 808-891-1011; Ambrosiamaui.com. @jenrusso
Runner-up: Casanova
Best Male Musician
Local boy Louis Kanoa Kukaua has a fearless approach to his music. Sometimes he’s acoustic on guitar, sometimes he’s playing with high-tech gadgets. He could be with a band or without–he’s equally entertaining either way. Not afraid to try new stuff, he publishes music and acts on his Youtube channel, and this year he’s focusing on his own unique sound. You can find him regularly on Monday afternoons at the South Shore Tiki Lounge, and Monday evenings at Ambrosia as half of the duo Kanoa and Jessica. His band Gomega has a big fan base who enjoy rocking out to the most versatile sound on Maui. Youtube.com/NAK556. @jenrusso
Runner-up: Willie K
Best Open Mic Night
You never know who will show on the Wednesday night open mic night at Haui’s Life’s a Beach. Perhaps for that reason, MauiTime readers think it’s the best on the island. After all, the fun part about open mic nights is the mystery of who’ll show. Local musicians, nobodys and sometimes even the occasional secret visiting artist will get up and jam. Remember the time Prince played here on open mic night? Life’s A Beach has the best set-up, a spacious stage, good sound and drink specials to keep your hearing in tune. 1913 S. Kihei Rd.; 808-891-8010; Mauibars.com. @jenrusso
Runner-up: Three’s Bar & Grill
Best Local Facebook Fan Page
What do you want on your Facebook feed? Lots of cute okole’s wearing Pakaloha’s cute Brazilian bikinis, right? Photos like that embody the girlie ocean sports lifestyle, and are sure to create a smile or two upon visiting. Congrats to Pakaloha on recently getting recognized in Shape for being such a flattering fit for curves while looking sporty, too. Pakaloha reaches many of their fans with their Facebook page, letting us know about sales and style but also throwing out some awesome happy shoutouts like “all you need is love” and “aloha friday.” Pakalohamaui.com. @jenrusso
Runner up: Hawaiian Island Surf & Sport
Best Local Twitter Feed
Year after year we love @reqb (Brendan Smith of Requests in Wailuku) for his microblogging twitterisms: “Great, Smurfs 2! Now I can finally get some closure!”; “Who’s in charge of bringing @richardcheese to Oahu? Can Maui PLEASE get him, too??”; “Pretzel bread- For people that love sandwiches, but wish they were harder to chew.”; “Happy Convenience Day! #711#notanactualthing #makingitanactualthing” and “My mom almost pulled over to shop at a flower stand yesterday, until I pointed out it was actually a roadside memorial.” He’s a pop culture Twitter hero, music aficionado, photographer, sneaker lover and island hipster (if we actually admitted to having them). Try his Instagram @brendanms for a graphic view of his world. Twitter.com/reqb. @jenrusso
Runner-up: @MauiTime
Best Karaoke
Getting on the mike is easier when you’re surrounded by great sake and sushi. If you haven’t gotten on the mike in front of strangers and belted out an Eagles song, then something’s wrong with you. My first induction into the world of karaoke was in Japan, where English songs did not prevail. I was stuck with Barbra Streisand show tunes. Luckily, I’m back in America and Sansei does it best, whether you’re in Kihei or Kapalua. Most of the late nights on karaoke have great late night specials, too, so you can eat, sing and drink yourself merry. Sanseihawaii.com. @jenrusso
Runner-up: Kobe Japanese Steakhouse
Best Local Visual Artist
Alessandro says her big breakthrough came when she started doing the Maui Open Studios event, when artists invite the community to their studio to connect with them IRL. Her painting “wine and spirit” was chosen in December 2012 as the official image for the first Wailea Wine and Food Festival. Her images are on footwear at sandalista.com. You can find her work in the prestigious 2013 & 2014 Edition of American Art Collector, and her kickstarter documentary was highlighted in Complex Magazine. Her film will premier this Saturday July 20 at Turnbull Fine Art in Paia. Tarynalessandro.com. @jenrusso
Runner-up: Dolphin Dave Jimenez
Best Local Radio DJ
Trish dishes on everything in the community, including Soroptimist fitness expos and community group meetings. You can also find out the happening shows like who is headlining at Stella Blues or whose CD release party is going on at Charley’s. Her weekly one-hour show on KAOI 1110AM and 96.7FM is packed with what to do for the weekend and airs 7-8am on Fridays. To be honest, I had no idea our readers got up that early. Shawn Michael co-hosts but it’s Trish’s personality and gravelly voice that won her the votes. Theweeklydishradio.com. @jenrusso
Best Show
Warren & Annabelle’s
Magic and comedy collide in the Warren and Annabelle’s evening show, voted the best on the island by MauiTime’s readers. Intimate sleight of hand trickery by Warren Gibson or any of his visiting magicians (John Shryock, John George, Dana Daniels or Chris Blackmore) will amaze you. Of course, a night of illusions isn’t all you get for the evening–they also have a great lineup of pupus and cocktails to warm you up. 900 Front St., Lahaina; 808-667-6244; Warrenandannabelles.com. @jenrusso
Runner-up: Ulalena
*photo courtesy of Chino*
Best Local Comedian
Please give a nice round of applause to Chino, who just won the coveted title of Best Local Comedian. Back from a career highlight tour of his native Guam, Curtis “Chino” LaForge has won MauiTime readers’ hearts. The founder of Power Up Comedy, Chino has been a moving force in the island’s local comedy scene. He’s also opened for famous names like William Shatner and Tom Arnold, which has to be tough. Powerupcomedy.com @sandtothecity
Runner-Up: Augie T
Best Local Club DJ
Once again, MauiTime’s readers have chosen DJ Illz as their favorite club DJ. And why not, he’s made a name doing fun parties like St. Patrick’s Day at Umalu in Kaanapali and spinning sessions at Fleetwoods on Front St. Catch him at Longhi’s Lahaina every 1st and 3rd Friday this summer spinning at FREEquency. Next month he will be spinning at Diamonds for the Kihei Fourth Friday Town Party. Take a bow, Illz (if that is your real name…) because you deserve it. Facebook.com/djillz808. @apignataro
**Photo Courtesy of Inna Vision**
Best Band Website Page
[TIE] Inna Vision/Moth XP
This year’s competition was tight, and our readers ultimately couldn’t decide between Inna Vision and Moth XP as to which sported the Best Band Website Page. Their websites seem to have left quite the impression with bold graphics, clear photography and an easy navigation flow. Inna Vision’s striking color palette and Moth XP’s signature font are just a couple of reasons they make this year’s winning circle. Happy typing, clicking and scrolling! Innavisionmusic.com; Mothxp.com @sandtothecity
Best Local Radio Station
NATIVE 92.5 is our readers’ pick for Best Local Radio Station. No surprise here–Native 92.5 isn’t known as “Maui’s Island Music Station” for nothing. They play a mix of Reggae and island music that often features local artists. The island wakes up with radio personality and Maui boy Kawikaveeka while Ms. Loke and Chisa round out the day. On the weekends, Dane Patao and Damien Awai take to the air. Tune into the station MauiTime’s readers have deemed the best and hear for yourself. Native925.com @sandtothecity
Runner-up: KPOA 93.5 FM
Best Band
The Throwdowns definitely know how to throw down and MauiTime’s readers agree. Maui’s go-to source for rock is always popping up in our local music scene, putting on great shows but still leaving the audiences wanting more. The Throwdowns have found themselves on the same stage with big names like The Fray and Train, just to name a few. Complete with sick vocals from Erin Smith, killer drumming from Ian Hollingsworth and outstanding guitar work from Ola Shaw, there’s no telling how high these guys can go. Thethrowdowns.com @sandtothecity
Runner-up: Moth XP
Best Akaku Program
Yoga
If you’re like me and are apprehensive about signing up for cramped and sweaty yoga classes, Akaku may have the solution. In fact, MauiTime’s readers voted Yoga the Best Akaku Program. Solo or with a group of friends, you can enjoy a time of rejuvenation, relaxation and restoration in the comfort of your own home. Akaku.org @sandtothecity
Runner-up: MACC Moment
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