Maui Community Work Day

Aloha,

We all know how great it feels to help put a smile on someone's face, especially a child...
I am happy to work with a company who makes it a point to give back to our community .

The Windermere Foundation was created  to support assistance programs for low-income and homeless families in  communities on the West Coast. In 1989 as a grassroots foundation serving families in need in Washington state, began, and,  has  now grown to ten states, including Hawaii, raising over $23 million for programs and organizations that provide shelter, clothing, children’s programs, emergency assistance and other services .

Here on Maui, our Windermere Valley Isle Properties just finished  Community Work Day. Last year we cleaned and spruced up the Makawao Boys and Girls Club. It was a great day and everyone pitched in to help the good folks in the Boys and Girls Club. This year we worked at the Kihei  Youth Center. It was so satisfying helping them deep clean and organize along with  keiki (kids) from the community .

We are all so busy with our lives, and to take time out to help others is a win/win.   Most of my volunteer efforts have been environmental ,working in tandem with  volunteer-on-vacation-hawaii.com  Somehow, planting trees was always  attractive to me.

I know from my personal experience, that being involved with the children of my community, working to make their lives even just a little bit better is equally rewarding, and I am grateful to Windermere for making it a point to give back.

If you have a chance to volunteer in your community, go for it!  You'll be happy you did.

 With Aloha
Cherie
www.maui-bed-and-breakfast.com
www.homesalesmaui.com


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Makawao Town Parties

Aloha Folks,


Last night was our Third Friday Makawao Town Party. The best part of the event was the fact that a part of Baldwin Ave was closed off to make it safe for all to stroll the street, enjoy music and local grinds from the street vendors. Put it on your calendar.

Music entertained all with the Haiku Hillbillies..they really rocked...Talented musicians, a stage full of them, kept alot folks jumping and swaying.  My favorite piece was called Kahakuloa Sunrise, so sweet and  fine..

It was a nice assortment of folks, free spirits to cowboys..a typical mix in Makawao...gotta love it.
Because the streets were full, I imagine the merchants did not see quite as much action as in the past when sidewalks were crowded and people were popping into the stores for some time out....I know this may be a trade off, but, it sure felt nice to stroll the street without watching out for cars..alot safer for all the keiki, and parents with strollers..

In behalf of all the merchants who also chip in for the event, remember to Shop Local and support our small businesses whenever possible.

Makawao is a wonderful town with rich heritage from all the immigrants who settled this area.  I am so happy and proud to call Makawao my hometown.

 I hope we can one day have a muesum in Makwao to keep that spirit alive and share all the wonderful photos from the past.

Have a wonderful weeked, where ever you are!

With Aloha,
Cherie

Music Lovers..this is for you!

Aloha Jazz and Blues Fans,

True to form, Maui Delivers again..Put these upcoming dates on your calendar.

Iao Theater looks like an all out fest!!

Get out, tap your toes and swing your hips, and enjoy some tunes.

Thats what I like, more and more good music on Maui.

A hui hou..

Cherie

Maui Film Festival

Yippee..it's that time of year again.
The wonderful Maui Film Festival is in full swing.

Enjoy a lovely evening under the stars with friends and sweethearts..bring your blankets and beach chairs and get ready to be entertained.
As the folks from Maui Film Festival say " The One. The Only. Celestial Cinema"  and a great event it is!!!

Our lovely Maui Arts and Cultural Center also shows films for the four days of the festival, if you don't want the outside experience.

Check out the line up and make plans...It's a perfect time of year to go early and enjoy the sunset and a delicious dinner in Wailea. There is also food available at the cinema., and other events for the festival as well. Support the film makers and participate in their Filmaker's Panel on Sat. June 16th.

See you at the movies!
With Aloha,

Cherie

Maui Real Estate on Sale now!

Aloha,


With so many *headlines* concerning Real Estate changes  lately,this should clarify the  Maui News reporting a few days ago.  Record low interest rates and the lowest Median price on Maui in 5 years, makes it a great time to hop off the fence and think more seriously about a Maui Real Estate purchase. This year, your Maui ownership dream can become a reality.


*"Housing Indicators are Up!"
On May 24th several housing indicators came out: apps, prices, sales. And all were up! - Reuters


*"The national median home price rose for the third straight month in April" - HG Housingwire


*"Hawaii ranks #1 in House Price Appreciation"
Federal Housing Finance Administration’s Purchase-Only House Price Index


*"Oahu Home prices near 5-year high!"
Honolulu Star Advertiser 6/8/2012


And yet on June 11, 2012 the Maui News wrote…

*"Single-family homes at ‘sale’ prices on Maui"
Median price hits 5-year low in May

The median price of single-family homes in Maui County dropped last month to its lowest level in at least five years. Coupled with record-low interest rates, real estate professionals say the Maui home market is at one of its most affordable levels in nearly
 a decade.
"It sounds cliche, but Maui's on sale right now," says the president of the Realtors Association of Maui.... Maui's May numbers are the reverse of what the Honolulu market experienced last month. Those in the industry say because Maui has a much smaller inventory of properties than Oahu, a handful of low-priced homes can skew Maui's averages downward and vice versa.

Why are prices going up on Oahu but Maui is 'on sale'? Just a few months ago we wrote that Maui’s real estate market was starting to turn. The above headlines make it clear that this is a fact in Honolulu as well as in other parts of the country. While Maui tends to lag behind Oahu and the mainland, sometimes numbers can be deceiving.

The real estate market on Maui is turning, with different parts of the market behaving differently. In May, 36% of the closings on Maui were short sale or bank owned, and 25%  sold for under $299,999. Also, 13 of these lower priced homes  went into escrow more than 4 months ago. So the numbers would indeed be skewed to reflect this brisk activity in the lower end of the market and cause statistics of the overall median price to decline. But, this end of the market is seeing multiple offers and increasing prices, so don't be deceived by the statistics. When inventory is low and multiple buyers vie for the same properties, prices go up.

An important secondary factor in the market picture on Maui is the low inventory. The number of units on the market is down almost 40% from a "normal" market, and this will impact prices.
Conventional wisdom says.... You will not see a market like this again for at least 12 to 15 years. Maui is indeed “on sale”. And it won't be long before Maui's market catches up to Oahu and the rest of the country.


I look forward to helping you with your Real Estate needs.

With Aloha,

Cherie Attix R(S)
www.homesalesmaui.com
Windermere Valley Isle Properties
Paia, Maui

Ag, Animals Fowl and Farm Maui

Aloha,

This is an unoffical start to Summer weekend with the kick off of Upcountry Ag and Farm Fair.

Two days of food, entertainment (of course, food and music!!!) presentations and a  Maui 4H Livestock show and auction gave the community an event to enjoy together .
I had a guest who flew in from the mainland to judge the  kids's animals for the show. We had an interesting conversation while I was making breakfast. I learned about beef, catagories and sub-catagories of beef, natural, grass fed, organic, conventional...etc. I told my guest that the best beef I have ever eaten was in Argentina.  For the last 30 years I have sampled some of the best beef on the planet..and I have to say that Maui Cattle Company is  ono as well.
This year's Upcountry Ag and Farm Fair is dedicated to the legacy of the Maui Paniolo, Hawaii's beloved cowboys. Alot of talk story going on in the tents that are honoring the resourcefulness of the paniolo.

While my guest was here I showed him what my hens have been giving me with this week, itty bitty eggs, and gigantic eggs, (!) the kind that do not fit into the pukas of the egg carton..I can't close the lid they are so big.
 My knowledgable guest explained the ends of laying cycles for hens and what is produced during these times. I think it's time to explore getting a few more chickens, now that everybody is under control again with ducks and hens all where they belong.

For now, welcome to summer!!!!..beautiful blue skies, nice tradewinds..Always a pleasure, hope we can still get some rain for the garden throughout the summer.
Alot of guests from Texas are showing up now..they tell me it's the time of the year to get the heck outa Texas, pretty hot from what I gather.
Come to Maui, cool off in the blue Pacific ocean, hike in the forest and relax at the end of the day on the back lanai of Hale Ho'okipa Inn.

See ya soon.
With Aloha,
Cherie

Ulupalakua on Sunday

Aloha,
I wanted to share one of the most beautiful drives on Maui with you!, and to top it off..a great day with artists and musicians at the Winery in Ulupalakua as well. I may just see you there..love cruisin out this road..

Sunday Drive June 3 - "Ulupalakua Inspires"


Celebrating the beauty that has captivated artists for generations.

• Music at Winery Grounds Stage 11 - 4

•Jeff Kashiwa; one of the most diverse, in demand sax players of contemporary jazz

•The Mitch Kepa Banch

•Fulton Tashombe with Kelly Covington

•Baldwin High School Jazz Band

• Artists

•Randy Jay Braun

•Timothy Garcia

High Winds in Hawaii

Aloha,

Some typical Spring weather has been visiting the islands. Haleakala National Park had high winds up to 60 miles per hour today. Two sets of guests at Hale Ho'okipa Inn braved the elements up on the mountain. Yesterday morning also brought rain and even though the top of the mountain was above the clouds, they said they could hardly stand up and walk at the top. Today's guests did take a full day hike through the crater despite the high winds at the summit. A mile down the Sliding Sands trail the winds calmed down and they were rewarded with a great 11 mile hike.
I love this hike, but have not done it in awhile. I need to build up to it again..Maybe I'll go for it during the summer months. My first over night stay was during the summer several years ago, and it was truly an unforgettable experience.

Here's to hanging on to your hat....welcome to the windy and rainbow!! season in Hawaii..love that fresh air!

A hui hou,

Cherie

Meals for looking and feeling Great

Aloha, Get ready for summer fun and good health.

Learn to prepare healthy meals in a beautiful setting.

Click for larger version.

Meltonia Orchids

Aloha,


I recently had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful orchid grower named Ivan Kamoda. Ivan took over his father's green houses and is growing beautiful orchids  known as the "Pansy Orchids." These happy flowers have really increased in their popularity due to the development of the hybrid methods of producing new color combinations. Ivan has a small lab on his property where he works his magic to create new blossoms. He purchases his mother plants from South America, where this open bloom , flat faced orchid originated.

The fragrence is his green house was intoxicating..not too overwhelming, just the right amount of "mmmmm"
These flowers prefer filted shade, and require watering twice a week in the summer.
I'm very happy to have them in the rooms of Hale Ho'okipa Inn. I know my visitors really enjoy them, and they last for a month. This is the time of year for lots of blooms,Mother's Day was flower heaven on Maui!

 Mahalo Ivan for the tour of your operation, and the best of continued success to you!
Take time and come smell the flowers. I'm happy I did.
With Aloha,
Cherie

Maui Mothers Day

Aloha,

Mother's Day, a joyful day.

Maui's Mother's Day weekend is all about the Seabury Hall Crafts Fair for many island residents and visitors alike. The setting for Seabury Hall is one of the most stunning on the island. It's a private school just
up te street from Hale Ho'okipa. The campus is breathtaking and it makes a perfect backdrop for this well known Mother's Day event.


Hawaii's crafters with lots of fantastic jewlery, photography, wood workers, lotions and potions and fanciful hats are only some of the fare offered at the fair.
It was quite sunny and warm ,and the lavender lemonaide was delicious and refreshing. Cooling off on the grass looking at the distant ocean, visiting with friends and enjoying some hot tunes was a great way to spend Saturday afternoon.
Did I mention shopping? Seems like all the moms were  picking out a little gift for themselves, because, hey, we all  deserve a little bling now and then. I found a beautiful pair of shell carved earings from Tahatti  They are just what I was hoping for.

Who knows what Sunday will bring..I sure wish I could spend Mother's Day with my children, but, not possible this year. I'm looking forward to a little gardening after breakfast, and a hike and a swim sound like a perfect Mother's Day afternoon.

I wanted  to write something nice about mothers to close this post, but, the truth is..it's hard to find words to describe the most rewarding and challening job of a lifetime.
How about, Happy Mother's Day to all, may it be a heart warming time for families everywhere.

With Much Aloha,
Cherie

Ebb & Flow Arts Free Upcoming Music Concerts

Aloha, These folks always produce quality events, please come and support them if you are able.

North South East West Festival 2012


6 EVENTS, 3 ISLANDS
Ebb & Flow Arts presents North South East West Festival 2012 - a wide ranging and captivating series of six concerts from May 20 - July 28, 2012.

All concerts are free admission.

Music spans the early twentieth century to very recent work. It includes 26 works by 23 composers - 9 Hawai’i, and 3 World premieres. Four concerts take place on Maui, one in Honolulu, and one in Hilo.

Featured performers include leading musicians from San Francisco Symphony, Hawai’i Symphony, an improvising virtuoso pianist from Canada, a team of 6 pianists, and E&FA’s Multi media group - dancers, musicians, and visual and performance artists.

“We are thrilled to present our ninth annual, statewide series of concert and multi media events,” says Robert Pollock, Exec. Dir. of E&FA. “Our unswerving commitment to excellence and originality keeps us strong in these hard economic times,” he asserts.

• Sunday, May 20, 5pm - CHAMBER MUSIC FROM SAN FRANCISCO, works by Ravel, Kodaly, Oliver, and Pollock, leading musicians from San Francisco Symphony - Sarn Oliver, Mariko Smiley, violins, David Kim, viola, Peter Wyrick, 'cello. Seabury Hall Performing Arts Studio, 480 Olinda Rd., Makawao, Maui

• Saturday, June 2, 7:30pm - EBB & FLOW ENSEMBLE, works by Schoenberg, Koston, Kurtag, Sydeman, and Pollock - Rachel Schutz, soprano, Iggy Jang and Helen Liu, violins, Ethan Pernela, viola, Joanna Morrison-Pernela, 'cello, The ARTS at Marks Garage, 1159 Nu’uanu Ave., Honolulu, Oahu

• Saturday, June 16, 7:30 - LEE MICHAEL WALCZUK & FRIENDS, multi media performance - music, dance, film, visual art, area artists including Tomas Belsky, works by Cone, Walker, Cowell, East Hawai'i Cultural Center, 141 Kalakaua St., Hilo, Hawai’i

• Saturday, June 23, 7:30 - LEE PUI MING, an evening of improvisation by renowned Canadian pianist. Keawala'i Congregational Church, 5300 Makena Rd., Makena, Maui

• Saturday, July 14, 7:30 - PIANO SYNERGY - works for 4 pianos by Cage, Feldman, Busby, Milhaud, Osborne (world premiere), Debussy, Ravel, others - pianists Beatrice Scorby, Peiling Lin, Lotus Dancer, Anne Ku, Ruth Murata, Robert Pollock, Maui Music Conservatory, Queen Ka’ahumanu Mall, 2nd floor, Kahului, Maui

• Saturday, July 28, 7:30 - MULTI MEDIA ORIGINALS - captivating stage compositions by Peter Swanzy, Tony Walholm, others, area performance artists including Paul Marchetti, Danny M., John Zangrando, musicians, Lisa Buell, dancer, Francis Kane, master puppeteer, Todd van Amburgh, actor and set design, Michael Takemoto, artist, Robert Wehrman, composer.
Seabury Hall Performing Arts Studio, Makawao, Maui

For further information, contact E&FA, Box 1081, Kula HI 96790; reach our website: www.ebbandflowarts.org, or call: (808) 876 1854.

These events are part of E&FA’s annual, multi day, multi site, international
NORTH SOUTH EAST WEST FESTIVAL 2012.
They are produced with support from Aaron Copland Fund for Music, AHS Foundation, Makana Aloha Foundation, Hawai’i Tourism Authority/Maui County OED/CPEP, John R. Halligan Charitable Fund, Hawai’i State Foundation on Culture & Arts, Roger Shapiro Fund for New Music, Edward T. Cone Foundation, BMI Foundation, Fred Baldwin Memorial Foundation, and private contributions.
 Ebb & Flow Arts, Inc. (E&FA) is a non profit presenter of modern music and multi media events. It is the only such presenter in Hawai'i, and was founded in 1999, by composer/pianist Robert Pollock. It aims to build bridges between the arts and connect artistic expressions and cultures. E&FA creates a global sound board and mirror for music and art in Hawai’i. We also teach Maui's children how to read and write music with "Scaling Haleakala," an award winning curriculum.







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Maui Real Estate Hot Picks

Aloha,

April Showers have brought out the May flowers..... The trade winds are scattering  blossoms of the beautiful purple Jacaranda trees and mango flowers are preparing for their winter fruit.
This is the time of year people visit Maui and fall in love. The air is perfumed with Jasmine and Mock Orange flowers, the skies are brilliant blue,   and great entertainment abounds with music and plays island wide. Folks come to experience island life and want to stay.

  If you're  thinking about retirement and are seriously considering calling Maui home, or are day dreaming about  future possibilites,  check out these Maui May Hot Picks  



I'd be  more than happy to answer questions, or make arrangements to visit properties during your next visist to Maui. Cruise Maui listings on my real estate site http://www.homesalesmaui.com/ to see what's new .Let's find the perfect fit for your lifestyle.

It's almost Mother's Day, a special time of year. To all the mothers and aunties out there, may this coming week be a week filled with the love of your family.

Sending Aloha, far and wide. A hui hou, until later.
Cherie

Nature's Colors and Textures

Aloha,

Today I decided it was time to get off my okole and get hiking again. I was sitting at my computer and my little dog Annie jumped up and started batting at my hand with her skinny little legs and cute paws. She would not let up..I got the message, grabbed my shoes and we headed up to the forest.

I chose the watershed forest hike and it was spectacular. Blue sky and bright green colors still moist from the morning rain. The  soft red earth filled with puddles were just starting to dry from the mid-day sun. It was quiet and I was drinking in all the colors and textures of the forest. Annie was following her nose as usual, keeping an eye on me, but really enjoying sniffing here and there, up and down each trail we chose. Sometimes I like to cross country it and cruise off the paths into the deeper forest.

One of the sights that  captivates me is the bark of the multi colored Euculyptis trees. My heart sings when I see these miracles of Nature.
Ahh, the end of a very sweet day...Mahalo ke Akua.
May the rest of the weekend be just as wonderful for one and all.

With Aloha,
Cherie

Great Upcoming Hike, You're Invited

If you are on Maui for this, mark your calendar..a fantastic hike with some great folks. Please click for larger version.

Aloha,
Cherie