Lucky we live Hawaii, eh? More than a land of aloha spirit and endless summer, over 30 million years of evolution, our wildly remote isles have yielded the highest endemism known on Earth. Celebrate Hawaii’s unique native flora—and support the programs and mission of the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens (MNBG)—by attending this Saturday’s (Aug. 27) Hawaiian Plant Sale and Family Fun Day. The event is free, but you can support the MNBG by purchasing rare Hawaiian plants sold on-site by various nurseries. And, augmented by entertainment by KPOA 93.5 FM, other festivities include activities for keiki and guided tours of the gardens’ Polynesian plant collection. Remember, parking may abundant and free, but carpooling is fun and green.
9am-12pm. Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, 150 Kanaloa Ave., Kahului; 249-2798; mnbg.org
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Speaking of our comely home, the Keep The Hawaiians Islands Beautiful (KHIB) organization is working to keep it pristine. On Saturday (Aug. 27) they’re conducting an annual conference which focuses on litter control and greening initiatives—and you’re invited. A statewide network of Keep America Beautiful, Inc., KHIB conference highlights include marine debris reports and plans in the aftermath of Japan’s tsunamis. Not that conferences like this aren’t totally cool, but you’re going to want to stick around (or show up) for the big benefit extravaganza following the day’s events.
The evening’s entertainment begins at 4:30pm, and crescendos with a Castle Theater screening of Get A Job, at 6:30pm—the last chance you’ll have to see Get A Job in Hawaii this year. For those of you who are just emerging from under some cozy rock, we’ll remind you that Get A Job was shot entirely on Maui over 21 intense days last spring, and features 175 local cast-members (of 180)—including the late, great kumu Charles Ka‘upu, who passed away on July 13. “About us, by us,” as the film’s director Brian Kohne says, this independent feature film is so far—and by far—the best fiction produced on our isles, from our isles.
It was a standing-room-only affair when Get A Job debuted at the Castle Theater last Fall, and it’d be nice for Mauians to send off it’s movie with similar flair. After the flick, be sure to stick around for Jimmy Mac & The Kool Kats at 8pm. These classic rockers keep you hoppin’ so high, you’re better off trading your dancing shoes for landing gear. Oh, that reminds me! We may already be lucky we live Hawaii, but a few benefit attendees are going to be even luckier: Vacations Hawaii is giving away trips to Las Vegas all evening. Seriously.
$20 advance / $25 day-of. 4:30-10pm. Castle Theater, MACC, One Cameron Way, Kahului; 242-7469 (SHOW); mauiarts.org
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In other Maui-movie news, the first free movie night at Lahaina Gateway was such a huge success, they’re doing it again! This time they’re screening a rare, 1937 Hawaiian-style cartoon at 7:15pm, followed by a “magnificently produced… ocean-oriented docu-drama filmed throughout the globe” at 7:30pm. (Legal stuffs prevent us from printing film titles here, but you can find them at lahainagateway.com.) Mall-provided seating accommodates up to 100 peeps (first-come, first-served; no reserving seats), and beach chairs are welcome. Of course, No coolers or outside drinks are allowed, but why would you bother brown bagging it when myriad grinds abound? Speaking of grinds, if you attend arrive early and enjoy free chocolate fondue samples from The Melting Pot, plus other special deals.
Free. 7pm. Lahaina Gateway, 305 Keawe St., Lahaina; 877-7073; lahainagateway.com
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All this talk of green-meets-grinds events has got us hungry. If you are too, check out the Maui Products Festival this Saturday (Aug. 27) at the Maui Mall. Cultural exhibits and local products will be on display, and the main stage acts run all day; including performances by Te Tiare Patitifa (11:30am), Na Pua Melia (1pm), Uncle George Kahumoku Jr. (1:45pm), and Energy 35 Productions (2:30pm).
Free. 10am. Maui Mall, 70 E. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului; 871-1307; mauimall.com
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If you’re a fan of the adage “grown here, not flown here,” mark your calendars for Friday’s (Aug. 26) second annual Maui Ag Day, presented by the Maui County Farm Bureau (MCFB). The trade show begins with a continental breakfast (8am), followed by a panel presentation from three Maui farmers who have gone through the Food Safety Certification process (9am). Then, a tour of Haliimaile Pineapple Company’s facilities and fields (10:30am) precedes a delicious grown on Maui lunch (11:45am; free for MCFB members/fee for non-members).
Free. 8am-1pm. Haliimaile Pineapple Company, 872 Haliimaile Rd., Makawao;
243-2290; mauicountyfarmbureau.org
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The Maui County Farm Beureau is also launching a month of Grown on Maui cooking demonstrations, every Monday in September, as part of their “Grown on Maui, Agriculture Matters” campaign. The first event (Monday, Sept. 5) features executive Chef Tylun Pang of the Fairmont Kea Lani, who will demonstrate how to prepare beef poke using Maui Cattle Company beef and fresh produce from Whole Foods Market. Other chefs to be featured throughout the month include Garret Fujieda of the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Carolin Schaub of O’o Farm, and Ryan Luckey of Pineapple Grill at Kapalua Resort.
Free. 5:30-6:30pm. Whole Foods Market, Maui Mall, 70 E. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului; mauicountyfarmbureau.org
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