Renowned Maui artist Sherri Reeve is celebrating a 25-year anniversary in her Makawao gallery. Reeve, who supports numerous Maui-based nonprofit organizations, also captures the spirit of aloha in her artwork with watercolors that shimmer and shine. Offered in a wide variety of forms, her work includes originals, as well as copies on canvas, paper, metal, clothing, stationary, and much more. Inspired by the colors and scenes of Hawaii, Reeve’s originals can be found in private art collections throughout the islands and around the world. In addition, her iconic apparel line is worn by men and women on several continents.
Reeve’s story is one that can serve as an inspiration for any young artist. One of the many things that makes her artwork unique is that she is primarily self-taught. Her innate skill, woven together with fortuitous early job choices and some graphic art courses, laid the foundation for her to become the successful artist and business owner she is today.
“My career came full circle when the retail store where I worked in the early 1980s began distributing my products,” Reeve explained. “This success also facilitated my transition into the Lahaina art gallery scene in the 1990s. During that time, my daughter Hailey was born; she also became an artist and now helps manage the gallery.”
In 1997, a perfect store location became available in Makawao. With the support of her sister Lori and mother Clara, Reeve opened her own gallery. “After all these years, it is still fun for me,” she reflects. “I love having the flexibility of working from my home studio and also spending time in my gallery meeting people and producing artwork and creative products that are both unique and affordable. Having this gallery has enabled me to maintain a more personable connection with my customers.”
Hailey Reeve added, “One of the greatest lessons so far from growing up in my mom’s gallery is that we strive for human connection. That’s what really matters. I truly appreciate all the care and aloha everyone has shared with my family and I over the last 25 years.”
The magnificent colors of the islands have always had a profound influence on me and have inspired me to create a gallery space of color and peaceful beauty.
Trish ‘da Dish’ Smith is living her dreams on Maui. An award-winning community journalist, wordsmith and event producer, Smith currently hosts MANA’O@HOME, a talk-story and live music experience celebrating Maui’s finest musicians. The live show, presented on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 4pm HST, is online via the Mana’o Radio Facebook page. Smith also provides a catalog of past shows on www.manaoradio.com, which includes over 50 Maui artists, a treat for all music enthusiasts.
Mana’o Radio Managing Director Michael Elam noted, “A key part of our mission is to support live music and the local Maui entertainers who make it thrive. We can now reach people who cannot otherwise see an artist perform locally──fans from all over the world can tune in.”
Smith added, “The Mana’o Radio ‘ohana and I are proud to showcase Maui artists by providing this live platform to share their music and be interviewed. It is great that now you can get your live-music fix from the comfort of home and learn more about your favorite Maui performers. Support for the show comes from underwriters da Playground Maui, the island’s multi-faceted live event venue in Maalaea, and from family business, Venture Physical Therapy.”
The show attracted an array of talents from the start and Smith was able to form a solid team to produce a full-fledged broadcast for audiences. Smith recalled, “What began as a Zoom show from a bedroom is now a sophisticated livestream broadcast with tech wizard Cody Quintana from BackLit Buddha Studios, a state-of-the-art artist space. The show not only brings together extraordinary musicians; it also provides a unique platform for them to share their stories and their vulnerability in an online setting. It is just the kind of journalism I have always loved to share!”
During his MANA’O@HOME performance, Maui’s Reggae Ambassador of Hawaii Marty Dread remarked, “Speaking for myself and for all of my contemporaries, thank you Trish and Mana’o Radio for providing a place where we can come talk story and play music, especially after the long lockdown. It is wonderful to share music again in such an amazing format.”
MANA’O@HOME presents an hour-long talk-story, interview, and live music experience featuring Maui’s extraordinary talent.
In November 2021, The Hawaii Wildlife Discovery Center (HWDC), a much anticipated 5,000-square-foot space, opened at Whalers Village in Kaanapali. With contributions from several partners, HWDC features more than 30 exhibits about Hawaii’s undersea life, whaling era, cultural values and conservation work. The space also allows the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary to offer education and outreach programs, Additionally, the Maui Visitors Bureau (MVB) provides volunteer opportunities and community gatherings.
“We have long needed a place that helps our visitors better understand how to respect native wildlife while simultaneously gaining a deeper appreciation for the islands,” said Hannah Bernard, HWDC Executive Director. “We depend on partnerships like the one we are sharing with Whalers Village, MVB, and the whale sanctuary to succeed in our conservation efforts, and I could not be more excited about this wonderful place we have co-created.”
There are 45 locally produced, Maui-focused videos with topics ranging from ‘Voice of the Sea’ to ‘Kumukahi: Stories of Living Hawaiian Culture’ and ‘What Does it Take to Disentangle a Whale?’ Allen Tom, the regional manager for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary said, “The Discovery Center’s goals and approaches are well-aligned with the sanctuary’s mission. We are thrilled to work together in this space.”
Among the many featured artists and photographers are cousins Kahi and Patrick Ching, who created spectacular murals on display outside and inside the center. Other local artists specialize in utilizing marine debris and beach-cast plastics in a variety of 3-D and video displays. Marine debris is a focal point of HWDC, and the Kids Zone is a place where keiki can learn about how plastic and other types of pollution directly affect local wildlife and habitats. Also, the HWDC Shop offers numerous sustainable products with an emphasis on merchandise locally sourced in Hawaii.
Melissa Aguilar-Craft, Whalers Village General Manager, noted, “We are honored to play host to this one-of-a-kind tenant, bringing more than just retail offerings to our shoppers. Our customers, many of whom are visitors, are looking for the complete Hawaiian experience, and HWDC provides that.”
A portion of the proceeds from gift-shop sales and entry fees into the Discovery Center supports conservation work of Hawaii Wildlife Fund, new exhibits and special displays.
Hannah Bernard, HWDC Executive Director, President, Hawaii Wildlife Fund
Steve Grimes, Maui musician and songwriter, is a world-renowned luthier, a builder of stringed instruments. He is known as a master of transforming wood into extraordinary guitars, ukuleles, acoustic basses, flat top guitars, electric guitars, and mandolins that have found a home in the collections of well-known Maui artists like Keola Beamer, Willie Nelson, Jake Shimabukuro, Marty Dread, and numerous others. Grimes’ 1100-square-foot upcountry workshop includes a soundproof music studio and is embellished with photos of famous clients. To date, he has made over one thousand instruments.
“I’ve been building guitars and ukuleles since the mid-70s,” Grimes said, “In 1989 I had the pleasure and honor to meet Keola Beamer, including an introduction to his unique style of guitar. I’d seen a double hole guitar a few years earlier, but had never had the chance to have one on the bench to examine it. A few years later, I built a double hole guitar and took it to Beamer for his approval. He was enthusiastic about my first guitar of this kind so I built one to his specs. This started a long working relationship, and an equally enduring friendship. He has referred countless slack key guitarists to my shop over the years.”
On August 12th at 7:00 PM Keola and Moana Beamer are presenting a concert and film fundraiser at the MACC to benefit Mohala Hou Foundation, a non-profit promoting Hawaiian music and culture. For the event, Grimes built a tenor ukulele to auction made of select curly Koa. Grimes noted, “The ukulele has an African ebony fingerboard, bridge and peghead overlay, and light-colored curly Koa bindings. It is rosette and curly Koa, bordered by two 5-ply rings of multi-colored wood, which also trim the body and peghead. The neck is made from Honduran mahogany. I will probably string it with low-G tuning since that’s what the majority of my uke customers prefer. I will include a saddle that is designed (intonated) for re-entrant (high G) tuning so that the uke will tune optimally for either tuning. Also, to benefit Mohala Hou, I am auctioning a very rare early 30’s Martin Soprano Ukulele.”
The guitars I made for Hawaiian slack-key master Keola Beamer were a success. I asked him if I could name the model The Beamer. He said yes!
Steve Grimes, Maui musician, songwriter and luthier
Under the Stars, Lit by the Moon, Powered by the Sun! Known as Hawaii’s answer to Sundance, the 2022 Maui Film Festival, an annual event except during the pandemic, is being presented Wednesday, July 6 thru Sunday July 10 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Founded back in 2000 by Barry and Stella Rivers, the program is committed to the presentation of compassionate vision and transformative storytelling. Offering a wide range of films and ticket prices, anyone who wants to celebrate the wonderful world of feature films can take part, either in-person or virtually. Available for streaming, the virtual cinema showcases a colorful array of feature film premieres highlighting politically, culturally, and socially relevant films by producers from around the world.
For both Barry and Stella, the festival is a labor of love. They have seen it grow from a weekly series that began in 1997, to an event that spotlights current and future industry stars, and is regularly attended by many celebrities. Barry, a former producer-director and New York native noted, “We have always had the deep desire to showcase life-affirming stories. We wanted a festival that suggested how things might be, rather than how they necessarily were or are. Stella and I do not have any delusions of grandeur about what we are doing at this small festival in the middle of the ocean. Nevertheless, I often describe the festival program as living at the intersection of ‘smart and heart’ because some of the films that we showcase catch a little traction, open some eyes, and inspire creative thinking.”
Stella, a distinguished Maui artist, added, “We have always tried to find films we deem worthy of putting on the screen. We are all fired up for the July event! This year’s five-day festival is full of fantastic films and honorees. Additionally, there will be filmmaker panels after each 8pm show in the CandleLight Café. This meet-and-greet experience is not to be missed. See you at the movies!”
We enjoy presenting cinema that enlightens people and exposes them to infinite possibilities.
Barry and Stella Rivers, Maui Film Festival, Co-founders
Last year, Juneteenth, short for June 19th, was designated a national, Federal holiday for the first time to commemorate the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African-Americans in Texas were freed. Hawaii was the 49th state to officially recognize Juneteenth when Governor Ige signed legislation marking the occasion (only South Dakota does not recognize the day). Because Juneteenth falls on a Sunday this year, Federal workers will have the day off on Friday, June 17. Juneteenth becomes the twelfth federal holiday, but it is only a State holiday in nine states, and State workers in Hawaii will still have to report to work.
Also called Freedom Day and Emancipation Day, Juneteenth is a landmark date for the African-American community nationwide. It marks the date when the Federal proclamation freeing all slaves finally reached Galveston, Texas, then a remote outpost of the Southern slave states. Although the rumors of freedom were widespread prior to this, actual emancipation did not come until General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston and issued General Order No. 3, on June 19, 1865, almost two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
Juneteenth marks the culmination of a shameful era in American history and evokes mixed emotions for some. While for many, this is a joyful and celebratory occasion, others advocate for questioning progress towards true racial justice, especially in the light of recent events involving Trayvon Martin in Florida, George Floyd in Minneapolis, Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, as well as others closer to home.
In Governor Ige’s words, “With the signing of this bill, I hope that June 19 will serve as a moment of reflection for everyone here in the islands and across the country to remember where we’ve come from, but most importantly, to be inspired to move our country and our community forward in search of that more perfect union where we treat everyone equally each and every day.”
There is no such thing as race. None. There is just a human race — scientifically, anthropologically.
Toni Morrison, critically-acclaimed African-American novelist, Pulitzer Prize winner and Nobel Laureate.
Maui journalist and community volunteer Emily O’Neil Bott recently celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends. Recalling Bott’s many contributions to island life, Maui Mayor Michael Victorino proclaimed April 2, 2022, as Emily Bott Day. “Emily’s life demonstrates that good citizens are the riches of a community,” Victorino said. “Today, she is adding yet another hat to the collection worn over the course of her life, that of a centenarian.”
Bott’s column in the Haleakala Times was entitled Silver Streak. In 2012, at age 90, she published a book, Silver Streak Revisited, in which she recounts the adventures and misadventures of her life on Maui and her earlier years on the mainland. A fan of Bott’s said, “She is one of Maui’s treasures. Anyone who reads Emily is richer for it.” Author Tom Stevens says the book is all “wit, warmth and wisdom.” Fellow writer Paul Wood added that Bott has produced “the career retrospective of a born humorist. Her voice has always been wry, authentic, and sane.”
Bott’s most memorable community service is her 30 years and 5,000 hours of volunteering in the Emergency Room (ER) at Maui Memorial Medical Center. “Comforting children and adults with my puppet, Lamb Chop, was memorable for countless Mauians,” Bott recalls. “I remember the many hands I held as an ER volunteer, all the ripped up, blown out, agonized, bleeding human beings I have registered, iced, and comforted. It was meaningful work and I would do it all over again!”
Bott also dedicated 20 years to Make-a-Wish Hawaii, ultimately earning their Lifetime Achievement Award. Thanks to her unwavering support, numerous Maui families with a seriously ill child have been uplifted by the power of a wish. “There are numerous Maui keiki battling life-threatening medical conditions,” Emily explained. “Volunteering for Make-A-Wish Hawaii is a great way to give back to the community. It is so rewarding to bring joy to a family in need. It fulfills a dream for a youngster who does not have much control over his current situation. When you give, you receive much love in return.” Bott’s Secret: “Keep Giving!”
Maui Economic Development Board wishes Emily a happy 100th birthday. Thanks, Emily, for your dedicated years of community service!
MEDB and Hawaii have lost a dear friend and inspiring leader with the passing of Pono Shim. The President and CEO of our sister organization, Oahu Economic Development Board, Pono was a gifted and respected visionary and storyteller. We were honored to share his presentation on True Aloha at the Hawaii Small Business Conference where he said, “A true leader works to bridge the members of the community, giving dignity to whom they are and what they have to offer” – words he inspired through his own actions.
Pono shared Aloha insights with many an audience over the years where he would provide techniques he learned at a young age from Lahaina-born Auntie Pilahi Paki. Auntie Pilahi wrote the Aloha Spirit Law (Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 5-7.5) that was passed by Hawaii lawmakers in 1986. “According to the Aloha Spirit Law, all Hawaii citizens and government officials must conduct themselves with aloha, which is a real commitment to accepting others,” said Pono. Auntie Pilahi explained that the five values that make up the Aloha Spirit Law are: A: Akahai, meaning kindness, expressed with tenderness; L: Lokahi, meaning unity, expressed with harmony; O: ‘Olu’olu, meaning agreeable, expressed with pleasantness; H: Ha’aha’a, meaning humility, expressed with modesty; and A: Ahonui, meaning patience, waiting for the moment, expressed with perseverance.
Pono noted, “A person cannot do one of the principles without truly doing all. If you are not doing one you are not doing any. So, to be living Aloha is to live all of the principles.”
Pono served in leadership on many boards in Hawaii (Friends of Iolani Place, Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii, Hawaii Green Growth, Hawaii Public Housing Authority and Small Business Development Corporation) with his knowledge and skills sought by every sector of Hawaii.
In the words of Auntie Pilahi who knew the world would look to Hawaii for healing. “Aloha would be its remedy,” she said. We send strength and healing to Pono’s family and his vast circle of friends and colleagues.
Pono’s Celebration of Life will take place at 10.30am on May 7th at Bishop Memorial Chapel of the Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus on Oahu. Masks will be required.
Maui residents Stephen Reyes and Savannah Forbeck started Tartaria Juice Company during the pandemic to stay healthy, share their knowledge of wholesome juicing, and grow their business. Once the community opened up again they were eager to get out and offer their nutritious and organic juices. “Our goal is to share the wealth of health with as many people as possible while supporting local and organic agriculture,” said Forbeck. “Our juices, 100% cold-pressed for premium quality, maintain their nutritional value and anti-inflammatory health benefits. We feel it is important to be fully transparent about our ingredients and where we source them. Grown locally on Maui, our ingredients are either certified organic, organically grown, or grown without the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides.”
Tartaria Juice came about as Reyes and Forbeck dove deeper into uncovering a healthy lifestyle for themselves. Starting the company aligned with their passion for removing obstruction from the body, especially in the time of Covid-19. “Juice became a center point for our own healing journey as we found it to be a very powerful tool in pulling lymphatic waste from our bodies as well as aiding in digestion and healing,” Reyes explained. “Our bodies finally had a well-deserved break. Cold-pressed juicing has become an integral part of our daily life and now we want to share its power.”
The method of extracting cold-pressed juice uses significantly less friction and heat than traditional forms of removal. Cold-press juicers are gentle in their extraction, leaving nutrients intact, with dramatically increased flavor and longer refrigerator life. “Most of the juice that you buy at supermarkets is pasteurized, meaning it has been cooked or heated to a certain temperature which eliminates most of the nutrients you need,” Forbeck noted. “The cold- pressed process boosts your energy levels, and improves your immune system while it retains more vitamins, enzymes, minerals, and antioxidants. Cold-pressed juice—liquid love—is a simple form of energy, a way to rehydrate and heal the body. Most importantly, this method of juicing helps us live in balance with nature and one another to stay healthy and happy.”
The benefits of cold-pressed juice are boundless. The nutrients immediately enter the body and provide a kick of energy!
Stephen Reyes and Savannah Forbeck, Tartaria Juice Company
