BEST OF MAUI 2016: Best Maui Arts Entertainment and Nightlife Revealed!
These are the top voted arts and entertainment on Maui. We asked you Maui, what activities, what live music, and who the top entertainers were on Maui, and you responded with your votes. We tallied up all of your votes and posted them right here. These top spots for Maui nightlife, top people in the Maui entertainment business, and best places to be entertained are the definitely the best on Maui, because you said so. We tallied up all of your votes and posted them here. Read on for Maui’s best Dinner and a Show, where the best place to play pool is, and where the best Karaoke night is. Read on for Maui’s best entertainment on the island.
BEST FEMALE MUSICIAN
Lily Meola
There’s no wonder why our readers have chosen Lily Meola as our best female musician. Maui girl, and singer-songwriter Lily Meola, has been gracing the stage with her powerful vocals since she was 11 years old. Lots of hard work and determination have allowed her to make a name for herself in the Hawaiian Islands, and now she’s becoming a nationwide recognized artist. After sharing the limelight with musical icons like Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Jamey Johnson, we’re all excited to see where she lands next. (AM)
LILY MEOLA 18%
AMY HANAIALI’I GILLIOM 10%
ANUHEA 8%
BEST PLACE TO DANCE
Casanova Italian Restaurant
From Mana‘o Hana Hou Radio Upcountry Sunday music hours, to reggae nights with DJ Irie Dole, Casanova in Makawao has been a longtime favorite place for Maui folks to dance the night away. With a cozy atmosphere, friendly service and a bang-up speaker system, you can easily find yourself grooving the night away. Wednesday is Ladies Night with DJ Kurt, and every Friday and Saturday nights offer select nightlife events. Casanova isn’t just a place to go to shake your stuff for Latin night with Dr. Nat & Rio Ritmo, it’s also where to go when you’re feeling the urge to relive your rave days enjoying some deep, soulful house music. (AM)
(1188 Makawao Ave.); 808-572-0220; Casanovamaui.com
CASANOVA ITALIAN RESTAURANT 15%
AMBROSIA MARTINI LOUNGE 13%
SOUTH SHORE TIKI LOUNGE 7%
BEST BAND
GOMEGA
Maui readers love GoMega so much that they’ve voted them as best band for the past two years. These guys are only getting better with their multi-talents and unique blend of island rock, funk, hip hop and roots reggae sounds. Led by Kanoa, it’s always a fun time listening to these guys sing and play on Maui’s stages. If you want to check out GoMega in all of their glory, go see them at the 2016 Mayjah Rajah Festival on July 30 at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. (AM)
(3370 Anuwanu Pl., Pukalani); 808-281-8192; Reverbnation.com/officialgomegaband.
GOMEGA 6%
TOLO 5%
EKOLU 5%
BEST AKAKU PROGRAM
Moku Maui Live
The best Akaku Program winner is Moku Maui Live. Airing Live from Paia’s North Shore every Tuesday from 6:30-7pm, the Maui community can learn everything they want to know about hot community topics, and all the good work that Maui non-profits do. Every Tuesday night is a non-profit support night at Flatbread Company in Paia, so you can watch and listen to Moku Maui’s interviews weekly for the newest updates, success stories, and how you can support Maui non-profits, too. (AM)
(333 Dairy Rd., Kahului); 808-871-5554; Akaku.org
MOKU MAUI LIVE 28%
COUNTY MEETINGS 6%
MUSIC SHOW 4%
BEST MALE MUSICIAN
Willie K
Since he was 10 years old, Willie Kahaiali‘i has been entertaining audiences with his many versatile talents. It’s no surprise that Willie K is Maui’s favorite male musician with his soulful voice and instrumental talents in Hawaiian, jazz, blues, reggae, rock, and country music genres. Did you know that he can also sing opera? You can find Willie K doing his thing at the Sunday Hawaiian Music Jam Session Brunch at King Kamehameha Golf Course, every other Friday night at Kimo’s or at Mulligan’s for his weekly dinner show. (AM)
WILLIE K 18%
JOHNNY RINGO 15%
KANOA LOUIS KUKAUA 5%
BEST LOCAL FINE ARTIST
Taryn Alessandro
Taryn Alessandro has been a favorite Maui fine artist for some time now. With her mixed media talents, and obvious insight into the human form, she creates vibrant pieces that invoke real life, island style. With a palette that includes acrylic paint, gold leaf, resin, sand and corrugated cardboard, there’s always a sense of texture that is a mystery to the eye. Compositions by Maui’s best local fine artist can be found at Sargent’s Fine Art and Maui Hands in Lahaina, Turnbull Fine Art in Kahakuloa, or at many of Oahu’s most emerging fine art galleries like the Thomadro Art Gallery. (AM)
530-618-2796; Tarynalessandro.com
TARYN ALESSANDRO 6%
PHILIP SABADO 4%
CHRISTINA DEHOFF 3%
BEST LOCAL RADIO STATION
91.7 Mana‘o Hana Hou
Mana‘o Hana Hou Radio is back and better than ever with their mission to inform, educate, and entertain the Maui community with a diverse music selection. Maui’s best local radio station showcases local singers, songwriters, musicians, authors and various musical artists. They don’t only provide us with a broad range of music, but they also report on local news, community events, and offer an ongoing forum for the opinions of Maui residents in regards to local issues. (AM)
808-244-2032; Manaoradio.com
91.7 MANA‘O HANA HOU 18%
97.3 KROCK 14%
103.3 FM 13%
BEST LOCAL RADIO DJ
Trance & Mackie Da Jam 98.3
Da Jam 98.3 with DJ Trance and Mackie definitely hits the mark for our readers. Tune in every Monday-Friday from 6am-10am for Hawaii’s hottest hits and hilarious rants by these two jokers. If you want to know how to do the “real running man,” find out who has the best poke or how to surprise your co-worker with a Prince-themed best friend necklace, check them out. They also interview lots of cool local Maui celebrities. (AM)
(311 Ano St., Kahului); 808-877-5566; Dajam983.com
TRANCE & MACKIE DA JAM 98.3 14%
ALAKA‘I PALEKA 93.5 KPOA 12%
BILL BEST 9%
BEST LOCAL TWITTER FEED
Erik Blair
Get @Erikblair for a fresh perspective on local news, nationwide political issues, the international state of the world, the best blogs to follow and web content marketing tips. Or, if you want to find out when cool underground things happen on Maui like where to buy fireworks over the counter, or when to watch the original Ghostbusters at Maui Mall, the winner of Maui’s Best Local Twitter feed is your guy. PS: If you want to see what Erik’s tiny house looks like, you’ll want to link up with him on Twitter stat. It’s pretty cute. (AM)
ERIK BLAIR 10%
@MAUI 5%
BEST LOCAL FACEBOOK FAN PAGE
MAUIWATCH
Maui’s 24-7 News Source, MAUIWatch, definitely knows what’s up on Maui right when it’s happening. Acting like Maui’s eye in the sky, these guys must have a tiny army of ambassadors strategically positioned around the island to get the news to Maui Facebook followers so quickly. Whether it’s traffic, power outages, surf reports, shark sightings or fire updates, these guys are committed to informing Maui residents in real time. Mahalo to MAUIWatch, you are Maui’s best local Facebook fan page! (AM)
MAUIWATCH 16%
MAUI NOW 7%
POST POPO 6%
BEST LOCAL INSTAGRAM
Drew Toonz
When doing daily scrolls through your Instagram feed, it’s always such a thankful sight to see @DrewToonz pop-up. It’s a refreshing change to nature pics, Boomerang videos and endless selfies. You can always look forward to Maui’s best local Instagram page for some witty afternoon humor, wuz up wi Emo Cat, local and nationwide news. From Maui’s favorite lifeguard surfing at Ho‘okipa Beach Park, to a ‘Mexican Shark Week’ inspired toon with Trump being swallowed up by a Great White shark, you will always find a piece of happiness here. There’s a reason we run Drew in MauiTime each week, and our readers agree. (AM)
DREW TOONZ 9%
@ADVENTURESPORTSMAUI 5%
@HYATTMAUI 3%
BEST LOCAL BLOG
A Maui Blog
A Maui Blog promotes our beautiful Island of Maui on a daily basis. Owner/writer Liza Pierce is passionate about being kama‘aina and shares insightful collections of the best things to do on Maui through the eyes of a local. By talking story online, and exposing Maui’s creative small businesses, Maui’s best local blog has become one of the most widely recognized blogs in the Hawaiian Islands. With beautiful pictures of Maui, great ideas, and a passion to help local businesses gain a stronger internet presence, you can’t help but click the link to read more. (AM)
A MAUI BLOG 12%
PRIDEOFMAUI.COM 7%
BEST LOCAL CLUB DJ
DJ Illz
For over five years, DJ Illz has been Maui’s favorite best local club DJ. Like we’ve said before, this isn’t your average high school prom DJ. Illz is still taking the island by storm gig after gig, playing weekly at venues like Paradise Grill, Sheraton Maui Resort, Charley’s in Paia or at Diamond’s in Kihei. Known as an “open format” DJ, this guy can scratch, and play all kinds of music ranging from Top 40 hits, old school hip hop, funk, oldies and EDM. (AM)
DJ ILLZ 22%
DJ DEL SOL 11%
DJ BLAST 10%
BEST LOCAL COMEDIAN
Corky Gardner
Maui’s best local comedian Corky Gardner is one of the funniest female comedians in Hawaii. She performs all over the island at small shows at the comic book store in Kahului, open mic nights, and at bigger venues opening for comedic greats like Cheech & Chong. If you want to laugh alongside Maui’s best local comedians, you can find her opening for Gilbert Gottfried on Aug. 27 at the Iao Theater. (AM)
CORKY GARDNER 40%
COOL HAND LUKE 19%
TED ANDERSON 14%
BEST KARAOKE
Sansei
When you gotta belt out a cover tune there is nothing like being on the stage at Sansei. They have a huge selection of songs, so there’s always something to sing. They even sweeten the show with half-price specials on sushi and appetizers! Now that’s music to my ears and opu. (JR)
(1881 S. Kihei Rd.); 808-879-0004; Sanseihawaii.com
SANSEI 47%
KOBE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & OKU’S SUSHI BAR 14%
HAUI’S LIFE’S A BEACH 13%
BEST OPEN MIC NIGHT
Charley’s Restaurant & Saloon
Every Monday night from 7-10pm, Maui’s singers, songwriters, musicians, poets, performance artists, and comedians can present their talents on stage at Charley’s Restaurant & Saloon in Paia. Maui’s best open mic night is always a good time and well attended! You never know what you’ll hear or who you’ll see, but you’re sure to have a good time in a great community of local and visiting open mic enthusiasts. (AM)
(142 Hana Hwy., Paia); 808-280-4290; Charleysmaui.com
CHARLEY’S RESTAURANT AND SALOON 25%
HAUI’S LIFE’S A BEACH 23%
THREE’S BAR & GRILL 19%
BEST DINNER & A SHOW
WARREN & ANNABELLE’S
Warren & Annabelle’s, Maui’s best dinner and a show, is four hours of magical entertainment for the whole family. With Southern hospitality, guests will enjoy a cocktail hour, gourmet pupus, homemade desserts, and a barrel of laughs in a cozy home-like setting. You won’t find “big box tricks” at this Maui venue, so look forward to “close-up magic” and hilarious comedy. This show sells out nightly, so if you haven’t been there before, make sure to book your reservations in advance. (AM)
(900 Front St., Lahaina); 808-667-6244; Warrenandannabelles.com
WARREN & ANNABELLE’S 47%
OLD LAHAINA LUAU 12%
MULLIGAN’S ON THE BLUE 8%
BEST LIVE THEATER
Maui OnStage
Voted as best live theater by our readers, Maui OnStage at the Iao Theater rules all once again! You can always find an array of fantastic shows, plays and theater performances from Maui OnStage productions. Maui stage lovers have lots to look forward to with Monty Python’s Spamalot, Boeing Boeing and Mary Poppins coming right up. If you have a rising theatrically inclined keiki, make sure to look into Maui OnStage’s youth classes so you can see your kids sing, dance, act and perform right away. (AM)
(68 N. Market St., Wailuku); 808-244-8680; Mauionstage.com
MAUI ONSTAGE 33%
‘ULALENA 24%
MACC 12%
BEST GALLERY
Schaefer International Gallery
Maui is full of amazing and gorgeous art galleries, but the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Schaefer International Gallery has stolen the hearts of our readers. Voted as the best gallery in Maui for 2016, there’s no doubt that their free art events that are open to the public are helping to build more artist awareness. Besides being one of the only museum quality exhibition spaces in Maui, Schaefer International Gallery provides traveling collections that feature artists from all of the Hawaiian Islands. Some collections even feature artists from around Polynesia and the Mainland U.S., and others highlight local Maui artists in an ultra-professional setting. (AM)
(1 Cameron Way, Kahului); 808-242-2787; Mauiarts.org/schaefer_international_gallery
SCHAEFER INTERNATIONAL GALLERY 14%
PETER LIK 11%
MAUI HANDS 11%
BEST PLACE TO SHOOT POOL
Kahului Ale House
There are very few places to shoot pool on Maui these days, unless your uncle and auntie have a pool table in their carport! The Kahului Ale House is the best place to shoot pool on Maui for many reasons, and here’s why. It’s centrally located, so you can find yourself challenged by pool pro’s from around the island without having to go to Kihei bars, and the Ale House has been recently renovated. The tables are nice, the vibes are local, cool and sporty, and the beer is cold! Don’t forget to check out the newly updated bathroom sink faucets/hand dryers. (AM)
(355 E. Kamehameha Ave., Kahului); 808-877-0001; Kahuluialehouse.com
KAHULUI ALE HOUSE 16%
STEEL HORSE SALOON 15%
LULU’S LAHAINA 15%
BEST MUSEUM
Bailey House Museum
The Bailey House Museum–which is now actually known as Hale Ho‘ike‘ike–has an enormous collection of information, artifacts, and paintings. Through the paintings, by Edward Bailey, of Maui before any major development or construction this museum literally provides a window into the past. That is something that all museums should aspire to do: show us what life used to be like and inform about the world from long ago. (ME)
(2375 Main St., Wailuku); 808-244-3326; Mauimuseum.org
BAILEY HOUSE MUSEUM 32%
ALEXANDER & BALDWIN SUGAR MUSEUM 25%
BALDWIN MUSEUM 9%
BEST PARTY PROMOTER
Brendan Smith
Longtime Maui community friend and music lover Brendan Smith is once again our readers’ favorite party promoter. You can find him manning down Request Music in Wailuku on the daily and he’s BAMP Project’s “it” guy for the Maui party scene. A few of the best parties on Maui have him behind them, including ‘90s Night, Vinyl Frontier and that Blackalicious concert that went down in Lahaina this past Spring. Pretty much anything musical that happens on Maui, Smith has his pulse on it. DJ’s, new record releases, short notice shows on island, he’s your guy. (AM)
Facebook.com/BrendanMSmithPhotography
BRENDAN SMITH 10%
ENVISION CREATIVE EVENTS PRODUCTION 7%
NEXT LEVEL ENTERTAINMENT 4%
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER
Sean Hower
Sean Hower been shooting photography and videography on Maui for many years–and he’s long been our go-to guy for photos–but that’s not where the buck stops for Hower. He’s shot on location in over 20 countries, recently created Maui’s newest Wedding Technology Expo, and is pretty much amazing at everything he does. If you’re looking for wedding, music, location photography or videography, hit him up. By the way, did you know that he finished his B.A. in Fine Arts in Paris, and before moving to Maui in 1999 he lived in Taiwan? (AM)
(33 N. Market St., Wailuku); 808-250-1788; Mauiweddingmedias.com
SEAN HOWER 9%
SHERRIE AUSTIN 4%
DOOMA 4%
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