Best Scholastic Athlete
Nick Wright
Nick Wright can swim. He broke all kinds of Maui County swimming records while competing for Baldwin High School and Seabury Hall High School, as well as the Hawaiian Swim Club (whom he swam with for a few years). This past March, he placed first in the 100-meter fly at senior sectionals, beating his personal best by almost a second and breaking HSC’s Maui team record. Not only can he swim, he can study, too! Nick Wright graduated from Baldwin High School last spring and will be attending Colorado Mesa University in the fall. Just keep swimming, Nick.
Runner-up: (MH)
Best Local Amateur Surfer
Miles Serafica
For a lot of young surfers, catching waves consumes all free time. Other things, like school, get put on the backburner. But that is not the case with Makawao boy Miles Serafica, who is successful in this balancing act. He’s a 15-year-old surfer sponsored by Alpinestars, Dakine Hawaii and Kazuma Surfboards, and he’s also an honor roll student at King Kekaulike High School. He’s been placing in local surf competitions since he was a seven-year-old grom, and shows no signs of stopping. Makawao; milesserafica.com
Runner-up: Ikaika Kawai (MH)
Best Local Coach
Shane Hurdman
Shane Hurdman is a coach/personal trainer based in Lahaina. If you’re trying to get yoked and look like Schwarzenegger in his prime, hit the weights at the gym. Hurdman focuses on strengthening while preventing injury. He’ll get your core nice and strong with beach workouts that include sand crawls and swim sprints. Check him out in Lahaina and you’ll be doing the Baywatch run down the beach in no time. Red bathing suit sold separately. Hurdman Fitness; 5111 Hanawai St., Lahaina; shanehurdman.wordpress.com.
Runner-up: Anthony Bianucci (MH)
Best Yoga Teacher
Lysha Kamisato Wernig
Local girl Lysha Kamisato knows fitness. She is a certified Kitaido Yoga instructor, AFPA certified personal trainer, Mad Dogg Athletics certified spinning instructor, certified TRX trainer and she was Miss Maui in 2004. Born and raised in Lahaina, Kamisato began her fitness career in 2002 when she taught yoga at the Westin. She currently teaches yoga classes at Passion of Movement Studio in Napili. If you’re looking to increase your flexibility and mind/body/spirit connection, Kamisato can help you out. Westin Maui Resort, 2365 Kaanapali Pkwy; 808-661-2525; westinmaui.com. Passion of Movement Studio; 5095 Napilihau St., Lahaina; 808-419-6028; passionofmovement.com.
Runner-up: Rachel G (MH)
Best Local Grom
Jackson Bunch
This is a grom who is a pro-surfer in the making. And he’s eight years old. Coincidentally, the same age I was when I developed a deathly fear of seaweed. But this kid, Jackson Bunch, clearly fears nothing. He’s out there tearing up waves with style and technique far beyond his years. And he’s totally adorable. His skills in the water caught the attention of local surf stars Matt Meola and Albee Layer, who have posted videos of Bunch on their website. With a fan base like that and incredible talent, this grom’s going places. Facebook.com/JacksonSurfingMaui; meolalayerproductions.com
Runner-up: Sophie Johnson (MH)
Best Gym
Powerhouse Gym
There are few things worse than a bad gym. It’s dirty, sweaty, has maybe one elliptical and yet you’re paying to be there. But there’s hope! Powerhouse Gym pulls out all the stops when it comes to getting you healthy and happy. One of the perks: each of the 21 cardio machines comes with its own HD TV! So you don’t have to suffer through that daytime courtroom TV show that the “Situation” lookalike pumping iron finds so entertaining. Add to that sweet group classes and massage therapy. Now that’s a gym. 1279 S. Kihei Rd.; 808-214-6737; mauipowerhousegym.com.
Runner-up: 24-Hour Fitness (MH)
Best Activity Company
Pacific Whale Foundation
One of the advantages of living on an island in the Pacific Ocean is the vast number of sea critters that you have for neighbors. Get up close and personal with them with the help of the Pacific Whale Foundation. They can hook you up with a whale watch, snorkeling adventure, sunset cruise and more. And the best part is, they use your money to help protect marine life and research. Save the whales! 300 Ma’alaea Rd.; 808-249-8811; pacificwhale.org
Runner-up: Skyline Adventure (MH)
Best High School Spirit
Lahainaluna High
Fun fact: Lahainaluna is the oldest high school west of the Mississippi. Isn’t that cool? It’s not surprising they have a lot of school spirit, they’ve been working on it since 1831. They’re so proud, they even put a huge red and white “L” in the side of a mountain. Students are involved in all kinds of extracurriculars including sports, clubs, performing arts and journalism. The Lunas are a well-rounded bunch, able to withstand the Lahaina heat. 980 Lahainaluna Rd., Lahaina; 808-662-4000; lahainalunahs.org
Runner-up: Baldwin High (MH)
Best Public Pool
Kihei Aquatic Center
Competitive swimmers and kids trying to escape the South Maui heat alike are patrons of the Kihei Aquatic Center. With an Olympic-sized pool for swim meets, a training pool for warm-up laps and a kiddie pool for keiki, the Center is great for cooling off and/or practicing your backstroke. And it’s one of the few places where speedos are socially acceptable. So slap on the sunscreen and get your daily doses of Vitamin D and chlorine. Lifeguards are an added safety feature. 303 E. Lipoa St., Kihei; 808-874-8137
Runner-up: Lahaina Aquatic Center (MH)
Best County Park
Keopuolani Park
Located next to the Boys & Girls Club in Wailuku, Keopuolani offers one of the best skateparks on the island. “The park features a multi-level concrete street course with various banks, quarter-pipes, ledges, stairs and rails,” states the County of Maui website on the park. “The street course has a wide variety of obstacles, suitable for all ages and abilities.” Now that’s a fun park, even for old guys like me. 700 Halia Nokua St., Wailuku
Runner-up: Launiupoko (AP)
Best Barbecuing Beach
Kamaole III
Kama’ole Park III, aka Kam 3, is more than picturesque. The rolling grassy park is perfect for an afternoon of grilling and family fun. That’s why you’ll always find at least five kids’ birthday parties there at any given time. The location, weather and atmosphere can’t be beat. It’s ideal for grilling because the distance from the beach itself means you won’t get sand in your buns! So fill up your cooler and head on down. S. Kihei Rd.; mauiguidebook.com/kamaole-beach-park.
Runner-up: (MH)
Best Yoga Studio
Island Spirit Yoga
Something about Maui attracts yogis. You can find them literally all over the island, and there are plenty of studios to meet their yoga needs. But only one studio can be the best, and that is Island Spirit Yoga in Lahaina. They offer over 25 classes seven days a week, which range from Anusara to Sacred Chanting. There’s a class for everyone, regardless of skill level. They emphasize “cultivating physical and spiritual well-being” through yoga. Get in touch with your inner chi and zen out, or something. 840 Wainee St., Lahaina; 808-667-211; islandspirityoga.com; facebook.com/Island-Spirit-Yoga
Runner-up: Paia Yoga (MH)
Best Local’s Beach
Baby Beach
Locals know that Baby Beach is the perfect place to bring your…well, babies, but the rest of the family, too. The kiddies can play in the water without danger of big waves, thanks to that protective reef/rock/undefinable landmass. Add to that the beautiful views, privacy and the proximity of Mana Foods, and you have an ideal spot for a sunny afternoon. Or, if long walks on the beach at sunset are your thing, Baby Beach is a great starting point for a romantic stroll down Baldwin Beach and the cove (until you get to the nude beach. Unless that’s your thing, too.). Mile marker 5, Hana Hwy.; mauiguidebook.com/beaches/baby-beach
Runner-up: Makena (MH)
Best Playground
Giggle Hill
Giggle Hill’s Kalakupua Playground is the one playground to rule them all. Seriously, it is like a castle for small children. But as they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day. This playground took a few years of planning, designing, fundraising (it cost around $240,000) and finally construction, and relied on the work of hundreds of volunteers. It was a huge community effort that paid off big time. Its disabled-accessible and features mosaics and murals, along with slides, climbing structures and everything else you can think of. Mile 2, Kokomo Rd., Haiku
Runner-up: Kalama Park (MH)
Best Snorkeling Spot
Black Rock, Kaanapali
You know that Black Rock out in Kaanapali? Yeah, it’s cool to jump off of. You can even get a jumping-off-of-rocks-into-water Facebook profile pic out of it, so people will know how adventurous you are. But the fun doesn’t stop there. Black Rock is a snorkeler’s dream. It has amazing underwater visibility, even at 25 feet (the deepest point), so you can check out turtles and all kinds of tropical fish that call the rock home. Ocean conditions are almost always perfect, so you don’t have to worry about ending up on the rocks. Kaanapali Parkway; hawaiisnorkelingguide.com/kaanapali_beach
Runner-up: Honolua Bay (MH)
Best Swimming Beach
Big Beach
Big Beach is pretty straightforward. It’s a big beach. The biggest beach on Maui, in fact (almost two-thirds of a mile long and 100 yards wide). But that’s not the only reason why it’s the best swimming beach: the crystal blue water and endless golden sands make it quite a looker, too. Unlike North Shore beaches, Big Beach doesn’t get slammed with wind in the afternoon, making for a pleasant on-shore experience. It’s popular with locals and tourists, swimmers and skimmers. In this case, bigger is better. Makena Beach State Park, South Maui; gohawaii.com/maui
Runner-up: Charley Young Beach (MH)
Best Hike
Bamboo Forest
Hikers, nature-lovers and photographers fall in love with this hike on a regular basis (and if Maui had pandas, they would, too). The trail winds through a forest of the spindly, graceful and hollow bamboo trees. Along the way, you will find a few waterfalls with pools for swimming and cooling off. It’s a hike that reminds you that this is, in fact, paradise. It can get rainy, and is prone to flash-flood warnings, so be sure to check the weather before you go. Hana Hwy.
Runner-up: (MH)
Best Spa
Spa Grande
When MauiTime readers need restorative and therapeutic spa time, they head straight to Spa Grande at the Grand Wailea for some me time. Maui is lucky enough to have one of the most incredible spas in the nation right at the base of Haleakala, with over 50,000 square feet dedicated to your well being. Their terme is unique featuring Hawaii-made products, dipping baths and waterfall showers honoring the islands, an Asian furo and Roman baths. Spa Grande’s therapists are the best on Maui voted by you! Spa Grande’s therapists make each treatment incredible, beginning with the complimentary body scrub. Their monthly Diva Nights make it easy to hang out, and even give our Keiki wahine an opportunity to pamper. Grand Wailea, 3850 Wailea Alanui Dr.; 808-875-1234, x4949; grandwailea.com/spa-grande
Runner-up: Four Seasons (JR)
Best Children’s Activity
Valley Isle Gymnastics
The coaches at Valley Isle Gymnastics are some of the best in the state and region, exemplified by their recent State Championships for Maui youths Jonathan You, Makena Derby and Shyanne Sheldon. Coach and owner Rusty Gage says the secret to their success at the gym is “that gymnastics remains fun. We’re insanely picky about the quality of professionals who join our staff, with strong character being the most difficult trait to find. Character is our driving force. With the right character, all the issues above naturally fall into place, and we guide happy, healthy gymnasts who thrive.” MauiTime readers agree! 250 Alamaha Street, Suite N8 Kahului; 808-871-6116
Runner-up: Maui Ocean Center (JR)
[PHOTO: Patrick Devault]
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