138 BEST COMMUNITY FESTIVAL
whale day
This year’s Maui Whale Day took place Feb. 19 at Kihei’s Kalama Park. It’s one of those fun-for-the-whole-family type of events, and the proceeds went to a great cause. It featured live Hawaiian entertainment, a craft fair, children’s fair, food booths, a silent auction, the parade of whales, a keiki whale-a-thon and the Maui Whale Regatta. Next year’s event is slated for Saturday, Feb. 18. All proceeds benefit whale education programs for Maui school children.
runner-up: a taste of lahaina. (kh)
139 BEST THING ABOUT THE MAUI COUNTY FAIR
da food!
I moved to Central Maui just so I could go to eat at the county fair every night it is open. They have everything there, turkey and mashed potatoes, flying saucers, chow fun, fried ice cream, coscaron, smoke meat, tacos, pizza, cotton candy, candy apple and malasadas, just to name a few of the tasty items that keeps the food at the fair at the top of your list. The food booths at the county fair benefit non-profits trying to make a buck, so bring home a plate or two for later. War Memorial, First Weekend in October
runner-up: the rides (jr)
140 BEST KARAOKE
sansei
Honestly, what could be better than belting out “What’s New Pussycat?” to a roomful of strangers, after which you sit down to eat a plate of the freshest, most creative sushi at half-price? Twenty years ago, Japanese business invented this now famous pastime, as a means for relaxation and camaraderie among peers. Now karaoke—the translation of which means “empty orchestra”—is seen worldwide, and in some parts (especially here) can be rather competitive. Hey, where do you think American Idol came from? 115 Bay Dr., Kapalua, 669-6286; 1881 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, 879-0004.
runner-up (tie): life,s a beach. 1913 s. kihei rd., 891-8010/kobe. 136 dickenson st., lahaina, 667-5555. (sc)
141 BEST ART EXHIBITION
schaefer gallery
The Schaefer Gallery is museum-like in its presentation and professionalism. They tend to favor Hawaiian artists, or art that is locally significant, but also feature exhibits with global relevance. Whether it’s the annual Art Maui exhibit, or the recent thought-provoking Brown & White installation, you can tell the gallery puts a lot of thought and effort into its programs, and the staff is always willing to walk a visitor through the many rooms and dimensions of the art they’re featuring. Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Located at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, One Cameron Way, Kahului, 242-2787.
runner-up: friday night is art night, lahaina (sc)
142 BEST THING ABOUT THE MACC
maui film festival
Barry and Stella Rivers are the masterminds behind Maui Film Festival, an enterprise that encompasses several cinematic events every year. They’ve got the FirstLight screenings in December, where you get to see the films most likely to be in the running for the Academy Awards. In June, they also do the Film Festival in Wailea, which brings impressive film industry people and a dignified buzz to our island’s arts and entertaiment. But perhaps the most important event the Maui Film Festival holds is every Wednesday night at the Castle Theater and Candlelight Cafe. It’s probably our only consistent exposure to the world of independent, international and arthouse films on Maui. And we thank the Rivers for our gain in perspective, culture and good times every week because of it. Located at the Castle Theater, 572-FILM.
runner-up: concerts (sc)
143 BEST MUSICIAN
willie k
Let’s face it—the guy plain ol’ rocks.
runner-up: anastasia gilliam (sc)
144 BEST LADIES NIGHT
casanova,s
Who else on Maui can claim casual deli/coffeehouse by day, romantic Italian restaurant by night, and all-out dancetastic nightclub soon after? Casanova, that’s who. We love Casanova—even late night when it’s packed to full capacity, there’s something intimate about the place, a warmth that isn’t just emanating from hot Euro bods. Ladies’ Nights are popular at most nightclubs, enticing females in with preferential treatment, with the lesser sex in hot pursuit. Sometimes, the meat market vibe of these nights can be overwhelming and somewhat intimidating. But the charm of Casanova—its location in sleepy, cool-at-night Makawao, as well as its cozy, smaller-than-the-average-nightclub interior—is that it takes a layer of pretentiousness off an otherwise sexploitative evening. With DJ Blast, $5 cover. Every Wednesday, 1188 Makawao Ave., Makawao, 572-0220.
runner-up: hapa,s. 41 e. lipoa st., kihei, 879-9001. (sc)
145 BEST ROCK BAND
voodoo suns
Your vote for best rock band was formed four years ago by lead vocalist Anastasia Gilliam and guitarist Nils Rosenblad. They combine rock, R&B and blues, playing original music, as well as some covers with their unique twist. And when you see them live, it’s kind of hard to take your eyes off the stage—Anastasia’s powerhouse vocals belies her petite stature, and as ferocious as Nils’ guitar work is, he just can’t seem to wipe the smile off his face. These are people who love what they do, and it shows. The complete band these days features Jerry Byers or sometimes Rebecca Young on bass and Patrick Major or Michael Buono on drums. You can catch them Monday and Saturday nights at the Lobby Lounge in the Four Seasons Resort Wailea, some Wednesdays at Paradice Bluz in Lahaina, and Fridays either at the Ritz Carlton Kapalua or at Longhi’s in Lahaina. For more info, check their website at www.voodoosuns.com.
runner-up: willie k (sc)
146 BEST NIGHTCLUB
hapa,s
It’s the biggest, with the most consistent influx of hip-hop, Hawaiian and reggae, and a few scattered punk and metal shows. They do the ladies’ night thing on Wednesdays, Willie K plays to a packed house every Monday night, and the happiest of dancers flock to house and techno-friendly Ultra Fab Tuesdays. Hapa’s is home to the winners of at least six categories, including Best Bartender, Best Club Theme Night, Best Musician, Best Hawaiian Band, Best Place to Dance and now, Best Nightclub. Geez, maybe next year they can get Best Place to Hunt Wild Boar, too. 41 E. Lipoa St., Kihei, 879-9001.
runner-up: tsunami. grand wailea resort, 875-1234. (sc)
147 BEST CLUB THEME NIGHT
ultra fab tuesdays
Look, it’s gay night and it’s fabulous. If you come from the city, then you know that the best place to just go dancing is at the gay club. They have the best music, the liveliest atmosphere, the most stylish and nice-smelling folks, and some of the hottest men who’ll love you like a sister, just as long as you don’t try to steal their man and they can flirt with yours. Right—just like a sister. Every Tuesday at Hapa’s, 41 E. Lipoa St., Kihei, 879-9001.
runner-up: mulligan,s on the blue. 100 kaukahi st., wailea, 874-1131. (sc)
148 BEST JAZZ BAND
joyce & gord
I have to admit I had no idea who this was until you told me how much you love them. Joyce and Gord are an older married couple—I’m told they’ve either been married 50 years or they just met five years ago—who travel back and forth between Maui and Canada, where they have a restaurant. They play cocktail-cabaret-ish jazz and swing standards, with Gord switching between upright bass and sax, while Joyce plays piano and sings. They’ve performed all over the island, including Capische? and the now-defunct, Le Creperie. And I’ve heard they’re quite delightful.
runner-up: north shore sextet (SC)
149 BEST COVER BAND
crunch pups
They play your pop-alt. favorites. You know the ones—that damn infectious White Stripes song, the Cures ballad, the Hawai’i-requisite Sublime song. Okay, so they’re a cover band—no original music here. You could just turn on the radio to hear this stuff, right? But the great thing about the Crunch Pups is that they put the power and passion back into these popular tunes. You get the comfort of familiarity, with the irreplaceable excitement of live music. And you know, sometimes when you’re out drinking and dancing, that’s all you need.
runner-up: willie k (sc)
150 BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC
willie k
The man’s been playing music with soul, aloha, some blues, a little bit o’ country and a lotta rock ‘n roll attitude—and whatever else he wanted to put into it—for years. And it worked, every time. People have been trying to explain the natural wonder that is Willie K for years. But the truth is, if you haven’t seen him play live, then you will never fully understand the depth and breadth of his guitar and vocal work. He inspires awe and girlish worship from even the most hardened and experienced musicians, and oblivious bystanders soon realize they’re witnessing a Hawaiian legend in the making.
runner-up (tie): lahaina grown/khrinj/the easy (sc)
151 BEST HAWAIIAN BAND
willie k
Uncle Willie K wins your vote for year after year for all categories, even last year’s misnomer “Best Record Slinger,” that we meant for DJs…
runner-up: marty dread (sc)
152 BEST PLACE TO DANCE
hapa,s
It has a big dance floor with stage, sometimes a pole and a cage, too. And most importantly, you will never be without a willing dance partner. Hapa’s appears to be the most dance-friendly throughout the week, what with their somewhat house-y, very gay (and we mean that in the best possible way) Tuesdays, the lovely meat market appeal of Wednesdays, with another DJ night or two during the week. Hapa’s also has the distinction of being the place for visiting DJs, like Mark Farina, Rob Swift and that one hot chick. Also, Hapa’s hosts regular salsa nights—usually on Sundays—that draw quite the crowd of spicy steppers. 41 E. Lipoa St., Kihei, 879-9001.
runner-up: tsunami. grand wailea resort, 875-1234. (sc)
153 BEST MOVIE THEATER
maui mall megaplex
This central Maui megaplex was built just a few years ago, which means it’s still lookin’ and smellin’ good. The bathrooms are pretty cool, too—they’ve got that crazy festive, mosaic, artsy thing going on. Plus, they’re clean. Actually, the whole joint’s pretty clean. And it’s got 12 screens. Usually two or three of ‘em are reserved for something dumb, like the latest Lord of the Rings or Star Wars sequel. But all in all, a good choice for a commercial-flick theater. 70 E. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului, 249-2222.
runner-up: macc,s castle theater. 1 cameron way, kahului, 242-7469. (sc)
154 BEST ART GALLERY
one world gallery
When first walking into One World Gallery in Lahaina, visitors should refrain from talking to or otherwise acknowledging the distinguished, tuxedoed gentleman near the entrance—he’s fake. Then again, what do you expect from a place that has the word “Artrageous!” hanging on a sign out front? One World is like a lot of the galleries on Front Street, in that visitors are encouraged to hand over hundreds, even thousands of dollars to purchase the works on the walls. But it’s unique in that those works involve a lot more glass fish, ceramic bikini women crawling out of a giant martini glass, dog-head clocks, wire sculptures, bronze golfers and giant, brightly-painted pop-up images of Broadway than your average Lahaina gallery. 816 Front St., Lahaina, 661-3984.
runner-up: peter lik gallery. 712 front st., lahaina, 661-6623. (ap)
155 BEST RECORD SLINGER
tie: dj twist/dj durty
I know it and you know it: DJs are an important part of a healthy nightlife. These are the guys who have the potential to transform your ho-hum mood to “outta sight dynomiiiite” dance floor theatrics. Being a top DJ ain’t easy, my friends. But you’ve voted DJs Twist and Durty as your favorite local masters of the art form that is turntablism, thereby deeming them the greatest of their league in using creativity, originality and experimentation when mixing and spinning their stuff. In other words, they know how to break the dopest beats and really rock the crowd. Mad props.
runner-up: dj blast (sc)
156 BEST PLACE TO MEET YOUR FUTURE EX
tie: casanova/life,s a beach
Yeah, this category was a tough one for you. But I think the message lies in what you’re not saying, dear reader. Okay, so you’ve obviously been to Casanova and Life’s a Beach. You’ve seen the cuties, the hotties and the just plain old dangerous—hell, maybe you even made contact. The point is, everyone knows bars are for quick hook-ups—not serious relationships. But the fact that you chose these two means that even in spite of this knowledge, you might’ve seen some tail that made you reconsider for a moment. Aww, that’s kinda sweet. Thank God for alcohol, though—for clearing your head of all that nonsense. Casanova, 1188 Makawao Ave., 572-0220/Life’s a Beach, 1913 S. Kihei Rd., 891-8010.
runner-up: hapa,s. 41 e. lipoa st., kihei, 879-9001. (sc)
157 BEST LIVE VENUE
maui arts & cultural center
Whether you caught the Jack Johnson Kokua Festival outside at the 4,000-seat A&B Amphitheater, the Tony Bennett show inside at the 1,200-seat, multi-leveled Castle Theater, or the one-man act of Legend of Kaulula’au in the 350-seat McCoy Studio Theater, the MACC definitely wins your favor for best place to see a live show. Over the past year, we’ve seen a lot of variety, with performances ranging from the classical to experimental, comedic to poignant and sometimes all of the above simultaneously. One Cameron Way, Kahului, 242-SHOW.
runner-up: hapa,s. 41 e. lipoa st., kihei, 879-9001. (sc)
158 BEST PLACE FOR A MASSAGE UNDER $50
blue bamboo chinese medical center
Sometimes I think the people who need a massage the most are the ones least likely able to afford it. And so, Blue Bamboo comes through for us struggling-to-get-by folk, or for those of us who enjoy quality massage in a quaint plantation-style cottage, centrally located in historic Wailuku Town. Just a block away from all those big, bad, stressful government buildings, Blue Bamboo provides a welcome oasis of health and wellness, including massage, acupuncture and other spa treatments, herbs, tinctures and literature. And there’s a peaceful gazebo in the back, with soothing music, an aesthetically pleasing garden, rock fountains and comfy cushioned seats to relax upon, where you can escape from the otherwise worrisome realities of your day. 2099 Wells St., Wailuku, 244-6778.
runner-up: makawao school”(sc)
159 BEST RADIO STATION
mana,o radio
Not a bad choice at all. Mana’o Radio—91.5 on your FM dial—is one of Maui’s more colorful stations. It’s one of the few low-power FM stations in the country, so it’s on a shoestring, but their all-volunteer crew of jocks put some very unique and colorful material on the air. That’s because they all know music, and they’re on the air solely because they love radio and despise canned, corporate playlists. Some, like station manager Barry Shannon, Kathy Collins and Bill Best are veterans; others like Don Lopez had never worked radio before showing up at Mana’o. All bring something special to the airwaves.
runner-up: kpoa, 93.5 fm (ap)
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