Meet the Artists at the Maui Open Studios Event

Artists and art collectors will be glad to hear that the second annual 2012 Maui Open Studios Event has returned to the island. This event extends through all 4 weekends of February, involving artists and galleries across the entire island. If you choose to attend any one of the event venues, you may meet the artists and "talk story," see live art demonstrations, enjoy refreshments, browse the many unique types of art on display and perhaps purchase a piece of original work that speaks to you. The concept of uniting the art of a region in an annual event is one that has been successfully practiced in California for decades.

On February 4th, the Maui Tropical Plantation will be hosting the Opening Celebration and Preview Exhibition. This active plantation is set upon 60 beautiful acres of Waikapu land and is viewed by many as a work of art in itself. The Opening Celebration is the perfect chance to see most of the participating artists in one place and experience an array of samples from their galleries. Attending this event is a great way to get information on the art venues for the next 3 weeks to come, and plan which, if not all, of them that you would like to visit. The festivities for the Opening Celebration and Preview begins at 6:00pm and ends at 9:00pm.

The Opening Celebration and Preview is free to the public and will provide live music. Drinks and pupus (appetizers) will be available for purchase. The talented musicians entertaining for the evening are part of the 2012 Maui Invitational Music Festival, which is produced by the Arts Education for Children Group. The event is sponsored by the County of Maui and the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

Weekend One is February 11 and 12 will involve open studios in West, Central and South Maui from 11:00am to 6:00pm. Weekend Two takes place on February 18 and 19, and includes North and Upcountry Maui open studios from 11:00am to 6:00pm. Weekend Three begins on Friday, February 24 with an Artist Reception at Travaasa (once Hotel Hana, Maui) from 5:00pm to 7:00pm and continues on February 25 and 26 with open studios on the road to Hana, Hana itself and East Maui from 11:00am to 6:00pm.

For more information on this event, the artists involved, and for a map of the open studios, visit www.mauiopenstudios.com.

In the market for a West Maui home? There are beautiful Kapalua properties and Kaanapali homes for sale. If you need assistance, you'll find our contact information at the bottom of the page. Mahalo!

Hawaii State Foreclosures Down

In 2010, Hawaii had the 11th highest foreclosure rate in the nation. It became widely known that fraudulent advertisers were conning the trusting, desperate and elderly into contracts that would bleed homeowners dry and ultimately lead to debt and foreclosure. The state responded by signing Act 48: a law intended to help protect home owners by ensuring that lenders were putting effort into negotiating proper loan modifications. The process would be mediated by Hawaii's Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA). A Mortgage Foreclosure Dispute Resolution mediation process became part of the non-judicial foreclosure process and a Mortgage Foreclosure Task Force was assembled to investigate judicial and non-judicial foreclosures.

Some were skeptical of the new law's ability to protect home owners as there seemed to be one rather substantial loophole. Hawaii has two types of non-judicial foreclosures, both of which fall under the umbrella of Act 48. If a bank were to avoid both of these non-judicial foreclosures and choose to proceed with a judicial foreclosure, no mediation would be enforced. Many mainland banks would rather file a judicial foreclosure and bypass Act 48 altogether. The Mortgage Foreclosure Task Force attempted to convince legislators that banks may use this route to avoid Act 48. 

Whale Trust Annual Golf Tournament on Maui

Maui is well loved for its many golf courses on land and its beautiful whales at sea. Golf and whale enthusiasts alike will be excited to hear of the upcoming Whale Trust Annual Golf Tournament. Proceeds from this event will go to Whale Trust, a non-profit organization whose goal it is to educate and aid in the protection of these special undersea mammals. The tournament will take place on Saturday, January 28 at King Kamehameha Golf Club in Wailuku.

Entry is $275 per individual ($175 of which is tax-deductible), $1,000 for a 4-person team ($600 tax-deductible) and for those interested in going above and beyond, $1,500 gives you the Sponsorship Package, which includes a 4 person team, a sign and media recognition ($1,100 of the Sponsorship Package is tax deductible). A delicious continental breakfast and the awards luncheon are included.

Participants of the tournament may enter a hole-in-one contest and have a chance at winning a stunning, new Mercedes Benz.

Whale Trust has several whale education programs with schools across the country and works frequently with National Geographic. This organization aims to help Maui become a leader in whale research, conservation and marine education.

The King Kamehameha Golf Club boasts sweeping views of the ocean, Central Maui and Haleakala, and is Maui's only private 18-hole golf club. Participants in this event will be able to admire the phenomenal architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright's 74,000 square foot clubhouse.

Click here to download a PDF entry form: http://www.whaletrust.org/PDFs/GolfTournamentEntryForm.2012.pdf. If you'd like additional information on this event, call 572-5700 or email mlynn@whaletrust.org. In the meantime, if you are in the market for Maui real estate in Kaanapali, or perhaps Lahaina condos, you can browse the categories to the left of the page. As always we also recommend that you try our Maui real estate search tool. If you need assistance, you'll find our contact information at the bottom of the page. Mahalo!

Old Lahaina Lu'au Hosts Buy Back the Beach

Maui residents know better than anyone else how important it is to care for our island, and on Saturday, January 28th, you can do your part and have a fabulous evening at the same time. Old Lahaina Lu'au will be hosting the 11th Annual Buy Back the Beach Benefit Lu'au to support the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust. Enjoy live Hawaiian entertainment, hula, and a special private concert by the talented local band, HAPA. An array of delicious foods will be served by Hoaloha Na Eha, the combined culinary expertise of Old Lahaina Lu'au, Aloha Mixed Plate, Star Noodle and Leoda's Kitchen. This event will also feature a live auction, where guests may bid on "Adventures for the 'Aina", island activities.

The formally accredited non-profit organization, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust, has made it their mission to provide protection for indigenous species of plants and animals, and native Hawaiian culture by preserving Hawaiian land. The better our island's ecosystem is sustained, the better we all can enjoy clean beaches, forests, wetlands, and activities like hiking, fishing and healthy organic farming.

This event begins at 5:00pm. Reservations are $150 per person and if you reserve a full table for eight people at $1200, you will receive special recognition during the benefit. You or your company can become a Buy Back the Beach sponsor for a donation of $5000. Current sponsors for this event include Mana Foods, Skyline Eco Adventures, Sempra and Boeing.

Old Lahaina Lu'au is located at 1251 Front Street, Lahaina. To make reservations, call (808) 244-5263 or online by visiting www.hilt.org. If you have found our website because you are in the market for Maui real estate, we can assist you. You'll find our contact information at the bottom of the page. If you'd like to explore Maui mls listings, feel free to browse the categories to the left of the page, or try our Maui real estate search if you have a specific criteria in mind. Mahalo!