February has been a month dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating the past and current achievements of African Americans. Black History Month is an annual observance originated in the United States by Dr. Carter J. Woodson in 1926. Since 1976, every U.S. President has designated this month to honor the contributions and legacy of citizens of African descent across American history and society, including the fields of medicine, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, politics, military defense, music, art, and literature, and have shaped the world with courageous and selfless acts of service.
The African Americans On Maui Association (AAOMA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, enlightens and informs the community, the people of Hawaii, the nation and the world about the contributions and experiences of people of African descent. “Our aim is to foster and teach all people about our history, arts and culture,” said Sandra Shawhan, Vice President of AAOMA. “To achieve this goal, AAOMA promotes high quality research, cultural exhibits, arts, scholarships, and teaching of the African American experience. We sponsor a wide variety of programs on topics and issues that are critical for better understanding including events about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Black History Month, Juneteenth, Kwanzaa Programs, and more. We remain inclusive, never exclusive. We invite everyone to learn about the heritage and rich legacy of African Americans through networking, education and mentoring.”
Each year, Black History Month has a theme to focus the public’s awareness on a particular current issue. “The theme for 2022 is Black Health and Wellness,” Shawhan explained. “AAOMA hosted a Zoom presentation featuring well-known speakers and contributors to draw attention to health and wellness which is crucial for strength and resilience, especially during the current Covid-19 pandemic. On this topic, we explored the legacy and achievements of the forerunners who worked in the medical and health fields. We highlighted the current activities and initiatives that African American communities are engaged in to encourage good health and wellness—physically, mentally and spiritually. I am very pleased with our presence in the community and the events that we sponsor throughout the year.”
The AAOMA vision is to include and count all races and ethnicities and to be an outstanding regional resource for authentic African American historical information.
Maui big-wave photographer Martin Caprile has a great passion for the sea. With a degree in communication and media he traveled the world to land the perfect photos capturing some of the world’s biggest waves. With a truly unique perspective on surf and sea, Caprile’s obsession with the ocean made him choose Hawaii as his home in 2013. Here on Maui, his zeal to capture the thrill and beauty of surfing at Pe’ahi ‘Jaws’ keeps growing.
“After spending countless hours in the water growing up, and also teaching kitesurfing, I was in search of something new and decided to buy a camera,” Caprile said. “Instantly hooked, I took photography courses, and realized that I could mix the best of both worlds: being out in the ocean while creating dramatic imagery and artful interpretations of the world’s most magnificent ocean environment. I love shooting at Jaws! It is a thrilling place where everyone takes care of each other. Egos are put aside, and comradery takes over due to the dangers of the huge swells.”
Caprile wants to make people feel they are in the water, looking at what he is seeing through his lens. He understands the importance of knowing the swell to get the best angles for the shot. Some of his recognitions include Big Wave Awards 2018- 2019 nominee by World Surf League for: XXL Biggest Wave Award, Maui’s Kai Lenny photo; XXL Biggest Wave Award, Carlos Burle photo; and XXL Biggest Paddle Award, Billy Kemper photo.
Giving ample credit to both his jet-ski driver and boat captain, Caprile explained, “The ferocity of the waves cannot be captured from the beach, making big-wave photography an adventurous challenge. The driver swings me right into the pocket to get close enough for a perfect shot without being too close to where the wave is actually breaking, which can be hazardous. The action is best documented from out in the channel, often yards or mere feet from where massive chunks of sea realize their full potential. A big-wave photographer must be equal parts artist, technician, and athlete behind the lens.”
Big-wave and family surfing photos are the most exciting things to shoot. A big-wave photographer must be equal parts artist, technician, and athlete behind the lens.
It’s never too late to make music! Just ask Maui violist, violinist and music educator Teresa Skinner who began playing professionally and teaching in her native Southern California. On Maui since 1986, Skinner has become a celebrated local violinist. In 2015, she was honored with the Maui County Committee Women of Excellence Award for her contribution to music education in the community.
Currently, Skinner is principal violinist with both the Maui Pops Orchestra and the Maui Chamber Orchestra, and is part of a string quartet. Leading the string program at Haleakala Waldorf School, Skinner also teaches violin and viola at her private studio as well as at the Maui Music Conservatory in Queen Ka’ahumanu Center. Haleakala Waldorf School educators, Keith and Lynette McCrary said, “Skinner teaches with warmth, enthusiasm and artistry. She listens to her students, incorporating their ideas where appropriate, bringing laughter and musical discipline to their endeavors.”
Skinner started the Suzuki-Maui School of Talent Education and Ability Development and mentors students of varying ages. “The Suzuki Method, named after its founder, the late Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki, applies the basic principles of language acquisition to the learning of music,” Skinner explained. “A music curriculum and teaching philosophy, the method aims to create an environment for learning music which parallels the linguistic environment of acquiring a native language. Incorporated in the Method is the Suzuki Triangle, in which the parent helps the child practice and gives encouragement. The central belief of his language acquisition theories is that all people can and will learn from their environment. Some components to the Suzuki method include saturation in the musical community, developing friendships with other music students, and listening to recordings of professional musicians in the home every day.”
Skinner has seen the immeasurable benefits of music education firsthand and is quick to point out that there is more to it than scales and chords. “Music education is part of a well-rounded education,” she emphasized. “It fosters the development of self-motivation, as well as verbal and musical intelligence. It provides the life skills students need to make decisions, juggle multiple tasks, and foster excellent character.”
Maui Pops Orchestra is in rehearsal for the Winter Pops performance on February 20th and Spring Pops on March 13th. It is wonderful to be playing again for our Maui community!
Teresa Skinner, Principal Violinist Maui Pops Orchestra and Maui Chamber Orchestra
In celebration of their 30th anniversary in 2021, the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea launched Rooted in Aloha, a reforestation initiative in partnership with Skyline Conservation. Their goal, to plant native trees along the slopes of Haleakala, will help educate locals and visitors alike about Maui’s precious eco-system, its natural beauty, landscape, and history.
“Friends, family, and guests are welcome to join in our Rooted in Aloha initiative by sponsoring trees and planting seedlings that will be nurtured in the resort greenhouse and later planted on Haleakala,” said Michael Pye, Fairmont Kea Lani Area General Manager. “The Rooted in Aloha program is part of the resort’s long-standing history of prioritizing conservation of natural resources and community service to Maui. It focuses on three pillars: Mālama ʻOhana─supporting the welfare of the community, Mālama Maui─protecting native resources, and Mālama Pono─reducing environmental impact.”
To introduce the project, Fairmont Kea Lani planted the beautiful ʻŌhiʻa Grove at the resort and completed an installation of a Native Forest Display in the lobby, together with a Hawaiian blessing of the areas. “The Native Forest Display showcases higher-elevation trees including Koa and ʻŌhiʻa, along with Palapalai ferns to demonstrate the biodiversity of the forests,” Pye explained. “The seedlings will grow in the resort greenhouse until they reach a viable size, at which time they will be permanently planted in Pōhakuokalā Gulch at Skyline Conservation. When we plant 100 or 200 trees, we are not simply ‘gardening’ for aesthetic purposes. We are installing a regenerative forest system that will get better over time if we do a good job of managing during our tenure.”
Joe Imhoff, Conservation Manager at Skyline Conservation, noted, “Planting trees and shrubs in this restoration area will be most impactful when this sanctuary forest is eventually considered ‘old growth’. The Rooted in Aloha program, through education, fundraising, and voluntourism, is geared toward all who truly care about the future of Maui’s sustainability and want to give back. The program is directly supporting an ambitious mission to protect what remains of rare and endemic plants in Kula for future generations.”
The trees planted will include Koa, ʻIliahi (Sandalwood), ‘Aʻaliʻi and ʻŌhiʻa. To support the health of these trees, other native plants including Māmaki, Maile and Hala Pepe will also be planted to encourage the biodiversity of the area.
Michael Pye, Fairmont Kea Lani Area General Manager
Maui resident Joe Breman, Director and CEO of International Underwater Explorations (IUE), is an oceanographer and information technology integrator, as well as a longtime Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) Maui TechOhana enthusiast. Breman began IUE in 2007 and found a supportive network for business development through MEDB programs and among the Maui community. “MEDB has always been a great support, since day one,” said Breman. “They pointed me to the Small Business Development Center, linked me up with other key business owners, and also connected me to CEROS (Center of Excellence for Research in Oceanographic Science), who were interested in the work IUE was doing. MEDB’s association with many different government organizations from NASA to NOAA has been invaluable.”
Breman taught Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) at the University of Hawaii Maui College and was one of their first STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) online instructors back in 2008. “I had a class of 20 in the room with about a dozen more students on a Zoom-like platform from Molokai, Kauai, and Hana,” Breman noted. “That was back when online courses first began.”
Prior to starting his own company, Breman worked as a data model program manager at ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute). He also served as GIS architect for Akimeka on Maui and published works that include Ocean Globe, Marine Geography, and Arc Marine: GIS for the Blue Planet. Currently, IUE is developing visualization and analysis technology for online information management. “Our specialties include geospatial map and globe services for marine and coastal resource management.We do a lot with maps, globes, data and images in the 3D or multi-dimensional information environment. The underwater environment has always intrigued me, and this naturally extends to other frontiers like space. Satellite imagery has also been another keen interest, and this is an area that has a lot of potential growth right now. We have been able to think globally and act locally through collaborations and work with Pacific Whale Foundation and Maui Ocean Center. Now, more than ever, we are ready to think globally and act galactically, with exciting new potential to expand what we do to new horizons.”
Throughout the pandemic, MEDB promoted resilience and support through the Adaptability Fund Grants, and Maui TechOhana’s Zoom events helped participants network to make new business connections.
Joe Breman, Director and CEO of International Underwater Explorations
One of the newest nonprofits on Maui, Clean Living Environment (CLE) has organized exclusively to help recovering addicts return to a happy, fulfilling, and drug-free life. CLE founders, Marcie and Maui Fernandez explain Clean Living’s purpose as providing life-skill counseling, housing, recovery maintenance and accountability, employment training and all other efforts necessary to assist clients to a self-sustaining return to society.
“My husband and I are both dedicated to helping others in their recovery,” said Marcie. “We started CLE in March 2020 and self-funded a house for recovering women followed by a house for men. Incorporated as a nonprofit in May 2021, CLE is currently opening a second house for recovering men.”
Marcie added, “I have struggled with addiction all my life. Finally, after attending rehab in 2003, my life changed and I have been clean ever since. My passion, along with my husband, is to now support those who feel helpless and have nowhere to turn to get their lives back on track. Maui and I feel called to devote our lives to guide others toward a new and clean way to live.”
Maui said, “The restorative power of people who truly care can mean everything to someone who needs a life-changing experience to set them free from the bondage of addiction. As a nonprofit, our goal is to have community assistance to sponsor those we can help. It takes a village to make a long-term impact. These are lives being saved and changed.”
A recent client reflected, “Being at CLE taught me that I am worth something and employable again. It was a large part of regaining confidence and regaining my daily drive so I could re-enter the world with strength. My relationships were all in ruins. I burned every bridge back to hope. However, CLE fellowship living and meetings taught me how to live sober and clean, to be part of the solution, not the problem. CLE is not like any other program. The Fernandez’s’ offer an encounter with people who really care in a cultivated environment for real healing, and I will be eternally grateful.”
CLE gives clients a firm foundation for sobriety by offering them the needed life skills to choose recovery; at no cost to them.
The New Year celebration in Hawaii, also known as Makahiki season, covers the lunar months from October/November through February/March. The focus of the season, influenced by the Hawaiian moon calendar, was and is a celebration of the bounty of the land. In the Hawaiian language, Makahiki means ‘year’ as in the change from harvest time to the beginning of the agricultural season.
Multi-Grammy and Hoku Award-winning master slack key guitarist, native Hawaiian practitioner and entrepreneur Uncle George Kahumoku Jr. explained it well, “The ‘āina (land) is considered a living entity. We are the earth and the earth is us. We must remember that what we do to the ‘āina, we do to ourselves. It is our kuleana (responsibility) to mālama (care for) our keiki and all life in a healthy, nurturing environment. The festive Makahiki season always offers entertainment, lawn games, lei-making and a true expression of the never-ending circle of aloha with friends and ‘ohana alike. This time of year has always focused on bringing the community together in the spirit of abundance, gratitude, peace and healing.”
Kahumoku added, “Amazing communities of people are dedicated to cultural and sustainable agriculture on Maui, reaping fruits of labor and love before new seeds are sown. The Makahiki season is also a time to celebrate the earth’s bounty and those who seek to improve the productivity of the land. Throughout the new harvest season, we are reminded of our spiritual connection to the earth and to each other. The premise is simple. The earth with everything on it is an integral part of the whole solar system. The better we understand this insight, the more we understand Makahiki.”
Leslie Wilkins, Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) President and CEO, said, “As 2021 comes to an end, MEDB applauds our Focus Maui Nui community filled with amazing people doing extraordinary things to enhance our island home. Looking back at the stories we shared in this column, and the thousands of other people and organizations working tirelessly to make Maui nō ka ‘oi for residents and visitors alike, we say Mahalo.”
The Nutcracker, a perennial holiday production, was performed on Maui this year by The Alexander Academy of Performing Arts (AAPA). Debuted in 1892, the two-act ballet was originally adapted from E.T.A. Hoffmann’s tale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The famous musical score by Tchaikovsky has become as well-known as the ballet itself.
Steeped in tradition, the Nutcracker has been a staple of Christmas celebrations for generations. The ballet is set on Christmas Eve, when family and friends have gathered in the parlor to prepare for their Christmas party. The story tells of young Clara, her brother Fritz, and a wooden soldier doll given to them by their Uncle Drosselmeyer. That night the nutcracker, himself a messenger of goodwill, comes to life and whisks Clara off into a dream world where toys come alive, a battle ensues against an evil Mouse King, and a fairy-tale ending with a Sugar Plum Fairy breaks the curse on the nutcracker, who then turns into a handsome prince. Sugar Plum Fairy Gabriella Craft said, “The Fairy is a motherly figure in her Kingdom of Sweets, hoping to bring a bit of sweet joy to all she meets. I hope my unique wonder of dancing this part inspired that same pure joy in others.”
Danelle Watson, AAPA Director and Teacher, said, “I am incredibly grateful for our dancing ohana and staff who brought the Nutcracker ballet to our island. It took a village! I wanted to offer something special to our students and our community to help take away the stresses of challenging times. To be safe and to meet county requirements, we constructed an outdoor theater.”
Watson explained, “Whether you have witnessed it once or dozens of times, the magic of the Nutcracker never fades. The glow of the holiday tradition amplifies Clara’s timeless story and Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable music coming to life through dance. Audiences enter a land of snow, full of fairies, life-sized dolls, dancing snowflakes, and a procession of other beloved characters. With the Sugar Plum Fairy, herself a creature of magic, and an astonishingly diverse cast, the Nutcracker never fails to delight audiences, bringing Christmas joy to all.”
The cast, with seemingly effortless beauty of movement and electrifying brilliance, enchanted audiences with the radiance of the season.
Santa Claus came to town and what an entrance! Leaving Rudolph and his reindeer at an undisclosed Upcountry location, Santa was escorted down South Kihei Road in a vintage 1944 fire truck by the Maui Classic Cruisers. Upon his arrival at The Shops at Wailea, hula performers welcomed Santa and the guests with aloha. He was accompanied through the shopping center to the Wailea Window Wonderland at the Shop’s upper valley where the holiday hula show commenced. As an added treat, Santa’s elf was also present handing out Peppermint Macadamia Nut Cookies from the Honolulu Cookie Company.
In keeping with holiday traditions, the Shops are hosting numerous festivities and cultural activities, including Lei Po’o Making, Coconut Frond Weaving, Coconut Husking and Papa Hula, as well as free photos with Santa. After another challenging year of Covid-19, the festive parade, Santa photos, and the community food drive are contributing to the holiday spirit.
“We want our guests to experience memorable moments and feel the magic of the season even though celebrations may be slightly different this year,” said Diana Whitt, General Manager and Vice President of Property Management for The Shops at Wailea. “We have also begun our holiday food donation drive, Aloha Can Make a Difference, in partnership with the Maui Food Bank. During this season of giving, we invite our guests—both locals and visitors—to support those in need in our community. There is still time to visit Santa at Wailea Window Wonderland on Saturday, December 18th from 4-7pm and to donate to the Maui Food Bank. Most-needed items include canned meat and tuna, canned fruits and vegetables, cereal, soups with proteins, rice, pasta, and monetary donations are always welcome.”
Santa reflected, “I need lots of helpers this year! The task has been spread among us all. Remember, it is all about the hearts that we touch and the care that we show. There is no better way to celebrate the holidays than by giving back. I like to see people helping each other, especially for families in need. We can all make a difference!”
Believe in love. Believe in magic. Believe in others. Believe in yourself. Stay safe and keep the holiday spirit all year!
