Hard times in Kihei and Wailea, Maui

Roy’s restaurant in Kihei papered over its windows, removed the marquee and closed its doors for good last month. Roy’s was located in the Pi’ikea Shopping Center, not far from the resort zone that includes the Grand Wailea Resort, the Four Seasons, Wailea beach villas and Kihei condos. For those in the area who are going to miss his daily changing menu, my palette goes out to you. The upside is that bargains can be found for vacationers in South Maui, where room rates have dropped over 20% in the last two years and just about everything, from tours to food, is on sale.

Cycle 13 of Tyra Banks’ America’s Next Top Model on location in Maui, Hawaii

Tyra Banks chose Maui, Hawaii, as the “exotic” location in the second half of season (or cycle) 13 for “reality” show about becoming America’s Next Top Model. Tyra Banks shoots model contestant Erin on location near Kahului, Maui. Erin muddles through portraying someone who is “hapa” Tibetan and Egyptian, while “working it” in a hot sugar cane field in Pu’unene near the mill.

Makawao still paniolo country…for dogs

So there we are on the sidewalk during rush hour in Makawao at sunset: my malamute husky ripping and crunching a still warm chicken, feathers stuck to his muzzle like velcro darts; my shepherd scanning impatiently the scene, eyes shifting side to side; and me, wondering if anyone driving by has any idea of the carnage going on. But no one really notices. Either they are totally oblivious or it’s just normal to see a wolf-like dog nosing a pile of feathers on the side of the road. Or perhaps Makawao remains a little wild at heart, still paniolo country.

Maui students explore the universe through fun and radio

Students at the Paia Youth and Cultural Center (PYCC) in Paia, Maui, teamed up with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and started a new radio show for their low-power radio station, Radiopio, in a show, called “Astrofacts”. The spots take a fresh look at some important questions about the universe, such as black holes colliding, intergalactic weather and interviews with leading astronomers. The spots are likely to make you laugh out loud.

Tips for moving to Hawaii

Before nearly everything was online, I had to learn about island living the hard way. Now it’s easy to pass along tips to make the transition from the Mainland easier. Here are a few that I’ve discovered.