Ag it up
Saturday (Mar. 14), 9am-4pm, Lu‘au grounds,
Maui Tropical Plantation, Waikapu
My master’s project was a lengthy journalistic piece that more or less charted the rise and fall of various industries in Florida as seen from State Road 60, which went from the Atlantic to the Gulf, from Vero Beach to Clearwater Beach. Numerous industries flourished and died along that road, including cattle, citrus, turpentine, phosphates, tourism and, yes, real estate. One of the most startling things one can learn from this road is that once something like development eats up those last few hundred acres of citrus groves, there’s really no going back. Hawaii has many parallels, except that there seems to be a glimmer of a chance, especially on Maui, that a more sustainable, sensible mindset can emerge and become common before all is lost. The 2009 Ag Fest aims to promote agriculture and sustainability on Maui. Farmers of everything that can possibly be raised on Maui (presumably with the exception of the obvious) will take part, and attendees can learn a thing or two about the process of cultivating crops, a key aspect to sustainable existence. Free.
Peer into the future
Saturday (Mar. 14), 5pm, Hui No’eau Arts Center, Makawao
The fact that I have not reproduced and don’t plan to may, to some, make me less qualified to rant about the current state of education not only in Hawaii, but nationwide. But just because I’m not all gung ho about adding to the human population does not mean I can’t see the effects of a system that promotes conformity and anti-intellectualism over creativity and informed citizenship. Hell, I’m a product of it myself. It’s hard to determine whether one education method is better than another, especially given all the alternatives available (usually at a cost). Montessori education is almost a century old, and stresses the importance of individual development over classroom control. Of course, such methods won’t be getting much help from the state any time soon. This means that super-fun fundraisers go a long way in ensuring longevity for this educational approach. Saturday’s Crystal Ball, which benefits Montessori School of Maui, has a fortune teller/Knights of the Round Table theme. The ball features an Ocean Vodka martini bar, pupus by Bev Gannon, fortune telling, dancing and more. $150.
What’s your sign?
Saturday (Mar. 14), 8pm, Voyage East, Pauwela Cannery, Haiku
There is debate among MTW staffers as to the relevance of astrology. Some of us think horoscopes have no bearing on anything while others think there may, at times, be something to them. It’d be nice if they were for real. It’d be a hell of a lot easier to plan one’s year if one knew that one should avoid boy X because she’s about to get accepted into PhD program Y, or what have you. But, alas, no dice. As far as mythology goes, astrological signs themselves are pretty damned interesting. Take Pisces, which is the ruling constellation from mid-March to mid-April. The Greek myth associated with the star cluster involves the goddess Aphrodite and her son, Eros. In order to dodge the monster Typhon, she turned herself and her son into fish and strung their tails together so as not to lose one another. Zeus rewarded them by sticking them among the stars. No Midnight’s Children, but not bad. In celebration of this constellation’s celestial prominence as well as the individuals whose fates it supposedly guides, African drum purveyor OmZone Maui is putting on a Pisces-themed rager in Haiku, complete with performances by Omar & the Soultones, among others. Attendees are encouraged to don Piscean attire, and have a chance at winning stuff for doing so. Tickets are available at Enchantress Boutique in Wailea, Mandala in Paia, Temple of Peace and Bangkok Cuisine. Huzzah. $15/$20 door.
As if you needed an excuse…
Tuesday (Mar. 17, all frickin’ day), Islandwide
For years, Chicago’s city fathers have deemed it necessary to dye the Chicago River green this time of year. It’s actually an improvement on the frigid waterway’s typical brownish-grey. Prior to our appropriation of the day commemorating the death of Ireland’s patron saint, however, Saint Patrick was actually associated with the color blue. But that color was already taken. I’m not sure what kind of hooch they imbibed in Saint Patrick’s time, but I doubt Irish car bombs were consumed as copiously as in our current epoch. But watering holes across the island are game to help us celebrate St. Paddy’s Day the only way we know how. Mulligan’s on the Blue is doing its gi-normous deal, complete with performances by BrownChicken BrownCow, the Island of Maui Pipe Band, the Celtic Tigers and the Willie K. Band. Admission is free before 5pm ($20 thereafter) and there’s a free shuttle from the Dog & Duck starting at 7pm. A shuttle will also go between the Dog & Duck and Tip Ups, which, respectively, will feature performances by Jordan, Kanoa and the Crunch Pups and MGM and Gomega. Elsewhere, Kahului Ale House is doing Irish music starting at six. Then there’s Lahaina, where Mulligan’s at the Wharf and Santa Fe Cantina, among other places, are set to go off in celebration what’s-his-name.
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