Mar 19, 2013 | Community
“Keep it hot and fresh” could be the motto for Waikapu on 30 owner Barbara Kikuchi, who runs the popular plate lunch stop on Honoapiilani Highway in Waikapu. “We’re kind of like a truck stop,” said the former hotel sales and marketing executive. Kikuchi also worked for six years in media and employee relations for Maui Electric Co. “I’m not a trained chef,” she said. But she knows her customers aren’t exactly looking for haute cuisine. “It comes out like you were cooking at home,” Kikuchi said. And her simple, home-cooking approach works well. “People are coming back,” she said, “plenty of repeat customers.” The business sells an average of 200 to 250 plate lunches daily, and “we do lots of saimin and burgers and deli sandwiches are flying out the door.”
While Kikuchi is enjoying success in her seven-year-old business, she contemplated shutting down two years ago when her targeted clientele of construction workers and local families scaled back on eating out. Kikuchi’s family urged her to carry on and pledged to help out. “If I didn’t have them, I don’t know if I would be here today … You need a strong family backing when times are hard,” she said. Kikuchi adjusted in the down times by accepting catering jobs, some of which have turned into regular clients.
“You always have to re-evaluate and see what you need to do to stay in business,” she said. After one such business evaluation, Kikuchi decided to start an outdoors Friday night dinner featuring Hawaiian food at her store beginning this summer. Kikuchi also remains loyal to her commitment to use local products, from growing her own luau leaves to purchasing locally-grown taro for her popular Hawaiian plates. She has no plans to expand the store. “We don’t want to lose the mom and pop, the local feel. That’s what I love about my store, I know my customers. If I were any bigger, I wouldn’t be able to talk to people and get to know them.”
Mar 6, 2013 | Community
Dorothy Hew
Volunteers with the American Association of Retired Persons Tax Aide Foundation are once again providing free tax preparation assistance. The group on Maui has been providing help for more than 30 years now. “In the early days, we did it by hand. Now we’ve got computers,” said Barbara Workman, a 19-year volunteer and AARP’s district coordinator for the Tax Aide project. The program is open to the public, and all volunteers are certified through the AARP Tax-Aide Program. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use the service or to volunteer. AARP targets low- to moderate-income people.
It’s the gratitude shown for the tax return help that has motivated 88-year-old Dorothy Hew, one of the original volunteers who now focuses her time on welcoming walk-in clients at the Kahului Union Church site. “I just feel like we’re helping people who know absolutely nothing about taxes,” Hew said. “These people need help and they appreciate the help.” According to Workman, even the simplest tax return could cost upwards of $100 each if prepared by a tax professional. “We know a lot of people come to us year after year because they simply can’t afford to pay to have their taxes done,” Workman said.
The service is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis Saturdays (except March 30) at Kahului Union Church; and on the second and fourth Mondays at the Kihei Community Center. Tax aide volunteers will also help appointment-only clients at the Kaunoa Senior Center, 270-7308; and the West Maui Senior Center, first and third Tuesdays, 661-9432. Taxpayers need to bring a photo ID and Social Security cards for all family members. If filing married filing jointly, both spouses must be present. Participants also need to bring 2011 federal and state tax returns and current tax documents. Free e-filing of returns can also be done. The AARP Tax Aide Foundation has 24 certified counselors and five client facilitators volunteering this year on Maui. They completed 1,200 tax returns last year and expect to do at least that many again in 2013.
Feb 6, 2013 | Community, Environment
Kihei Elementary School gives students opportunities to grow – not just academically, emotionally and physically, but also in the campus garden. The lessons for the 850 students participating stems from the nonprofit, Grow Some Good, founded by Kathy Becklin. Garden Coordinator Kirk Surry said Grow Some Good garden educators host daily classes from kindergarten to 5th grade. “Science, math, history, reading and social studies are all experienced in real life in this outdoor edible learning center,” Surry explained.
The garden has areas assigned to different grade levels. For example, kindergarteners are studying the difference between plants harvested from above and below the ground, and 3rd-graders are exploring geography, different cultures and climates and how those factors influence the foods people eat. Surry said the gardening program, now in its sixth year, has had a positive impact on students’ learning and on encouraging a more healthy diet. “Students are excited about growing and eating fresh fruits and vegetables,” he said. “Many teachers who participate in the garden program have also reported their students are able to understand curriculum concepts they had previously struggled to grasp. By giving students a tangible, outdoor experience, students are inspired to learn and make better nutrition choices.”
Kihei School Principal Halle Maxwell said working in the garden is competing with other campus activities. “Some of the children enjoy working in the garden so much that they give up their recess to help water or pull weeds,” Maxwell said. “We have observed children who are shy or those who don’t do well in the classroom, blossom like the plants they are cultivating. They share information or techniques with other students and beam with pride with the positive response from classmates.” Surry said he has been inspired by the keiki in the program. “Every day we see young lives being changed by their experiences in nature,” he said. The program could use more community volunteers plus additional funding to buy garden supplies and hire more staff to keep the movement growing. A fundraiser is planned for March 2nd at the Garden Lawn at Hotel Wailea. For more information, go to growsomegood.org
Jan 22, 2013 | Community
Susan and John Guard
Since opening in November 1973, Maui pet lovers have found a friend at The Pet Shop. In fact, the relationship of being a friend is the motto of the nearly 40-year-old business, said John Guard, president and founder. “Our primary selling proposition is ‘where you’ve got a friend — since 1973,” he said. Further, The Pet Shop’s mission is “providing quality pets and pet supplies to the pet-loving population of Maui, sold with a spirit of Aloha.”
The business has grown along with Maui, which only had a resident population of around 40,000 in 1973. Guard said that when the business opened then, he had a staff of three — himself, his wife, Susan, and one employee. “Today we currently employ nine others, in addition to ourselves,” he said. Guard credits his business’ success to taking a long view. “I’ve always held the attitude that I wasn’t in this for the short term, always the long term,” he said. “That meant working hard to build long-lasting, trusting relationships with our customers.”
Guard says his business aim is “to operate with integrity and aloha in all dealings, both with customers as well as vendors,” he said. “We like to treat them as friends.” As a result of this approach, Guard explains, The Pet Shop has grown to become a part of the Maui community. “Our business has grown from an initial 712-square-foot store, and after numerous expansions over the years, we now occupy over 5,300 square feet — and our front door has never moved. “Our growth has involved numerous local construction crews. We advertise with local media. All the animals we currently sell are locally raised (with the exception of the tropical fish, although we do buy many locally). Of course, all of our profits remain on Maui.” The Pet Shop was voted Retail Business of the Year for Maui County in 2007 by the Retail Merchants of Hawaii. Last year, it was awarded the Certificate of Outstanding Achievement by Mayor Alan Arakawa at the Maui County Small Business Awards. In 2012, it was voted “Best Pet Shop on Maui” by “Hawaii on TV.”
Jan 16, 2013 | Community
Husband and wife Alexs and Rebecca Filipovic are sharing their love for soccer with youngsters across the island. They established the Valley Isle Academy this past year with the help of a sponsor who believed in their coaching methods. Aleks, a college soccer athlete, had been independently coaching Maui players in small group clinics. Rebecca, a former New Zealand national team player, has also been coaching soccer on Maui. They said they wanted to create an organization that focused specifically on technical, tactical and emotional player development, rather than building teams entering competition.
The Filipovics said they recognized the need for team training that provides players a chance to compete to be on a team and then evaluated by their own peers. “We understand that, at all levels, passion and fun are critical to success,” Rebecca Filipovic said. “We believe that fundamental skill development and education of the game is a critical aspect of fun; it is more important than winning, even among the best athletes.” Valley Isle Academy provides its players training in eight-week clinic modules. “Through our clinics, we train players from other teams or clubs across Maui,” Aleks Filipovic said. “We meet with head coaches to discuss specific goals they have for their teams’ development and create a curriculum to meet those goals.”
In the end, Rebecca, who works as a full-time attorney, and Aleks, who serves as the director of coaching for the academy, said they realize as coaches that they are also role models, mentors and teachers to all their athletes. “We are creating an environment that instills the values of healthy competition, sportsmanship and teamwork that players will carry in all aspects of life,” Rebecca Filipovic said. The academy operates largely on corporate sponsorship and community support. For more information, contact Rebecca at 281-3839 or Aleks, 240-538-5632, or email them at academy@valleyislesoccer.com. Their website is www.valleyislesoccer.com.
Jan 9, 2013 | Community
Hāli‘imaile Pineapple Vice President Rodrigo Balala (left) and Wailea Beach Marriott General Manager Bill Countryman (right)
The pineapple industry once provided thousands of jobs on Maui. Now, the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is involved in reinvigorating the pineapple market and consumption of locally grown fruit. Wailea Beach Marriott’s General Manager Bill Countryman initiated the promotion of pineapples at the resort after becoming concerned about the downturn in pineapple production and challenges to local farming on Maui. “I’ve been on the island for about 25 years and I really wanted to be able to help farmers here,” Countryman expressed.
One avenue has been with education. Wailea Beach Marriott hosts pineapple demonstrations by the Hāli‘imaile Pineapple Company Ltd. Both guests and employees are encouraged to attend the presentations where the history of the fruit is covered and ideas are provided on how it can be incorporated into a meal. The Marriott’s special VIP clients receive Maui Gold pineapples as both a welcoming and departing gift, and every guest at the resort is provided a card and flyer that offers them an opportunity to order the locally grown fruit. The resort has also spotlighted pineapple during special dinners for local business leaders and some of its best customers. “We’re happy to do this and we see it as a way to promote local agriculture,” Countryman stated.
Hāli‘imaile Pineapple Vice President Rodrigo Balala said Wailea Beach Marriott has brought a “steady” stream of business to his three-year-old company. “It really helps us in getting more exposure with visitors,” Balala said. The pineapple company is working to expand local pineapple promotions with other hotels. “It’s a great matchup and a good way for the tourism industry to support agriculture,” Balala noted. Countryman reported both resort employees and guests have provided positive feedback and appreciation for the pineapple demonstrations and promotions. “When you look up the history, you’ll find that pineapple is a universal symbol of hospitality. So this is great that we can promote pineapple in the hospitality industry,” he said. Countryman believes both the agriculture and hospitality industries can prosper side by side “if they all support each other.”
Jan 2, 2013 | Community
From Makawao to Wailuku, Haiku to Lahaina, youth across the island are vowing to do their part to do better in school, show appreciation for family and contribute to their community’s welfare. Noa, 13, of Haiku, vows in 2013 to: “Do my homework earlier in the evening.” In Lahaina, 16-year-old Melissa said she’s been doing “really good” in her senior year but the stress and pressure has been overwhelming. “Basically I shouldn’t let the stress and pressure get to me. I should turn these problems into something positive and let them motivate me,” she said.
Kaitlin, 17, of Makawao, said as a high school senior she’s beginning to realize how much she takes her relationships with family for granted. “I really just want to spend time with them before I go to college, letting them know how much I care about them.” Demi, 18, of Wailuku, said she’s had to deal with the differences in personality with four siblings in her home. “We all tend to be really stubborn and never listen to each other,” Demi said. “We have to improve our communication skills and learn not to talk over each other.” Alisha, 17, of Paia, said she wants to show appreciation for her parents in 2013. “I know that my parents sacrifice a lot for me so that I may succeed, so in return I will make sure to do my part by doing well as a student and contributing to my family by doing my chores as well as thanking them for their support and help.”
In regard to contributing to their community, students were drawn to a variety of causes from caring for the homeless to mentoring younger peers. For Demi, she said she would like to engage in service projects such as beach clean-ups and canned food drives. Alisha said she’d like to continue volunteering at the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center, while Lola, 16, of Kihei, wants to pass on lessons about leadership. “I will mentor younger students at my school and encourage them to expand on their strengths and overcome their weaknesses that may stop them from reaching their full potential.”
Dec 26, 2012 | Community, Innovation
With Christmas presents unwrapped, Maui’s youth turned toward sharing the gifts they’d like to see unfold in their community in 2013.
On education:
“We should pay our teachers more, much more. Teachers are the key to the future for all of us,” said Duncan, 15, of Haiku. Demi, 18, of Wailuku seems to agree that teachers are key to improving education. “I would like to see better quality teachers get hired over quantity so that the money can be spent on keeping kids in school.” Lola, 16, of Kihei added, “I would like to see Maui widen the opportunities for students in a variety of interesting fields such as engineering, literature and the sciences. I don’t think there are enough AP (Advanced Placement) classes in my school compared to other schools on the Mainland.”
On cultural preservation:
Kaitlin, 17, of Upcountry, Maui remarked, “Makawao just got a new bus stop with cowboys on top. Little things like this are easy ways to show and emulate my hometown’s country culture.” Alisha, 17, of Paia, said the variety of cultures on island makes Maui a unique place to live and worth preserving. “To preserve this unique culture, the state and county should encourage and support organizations that promote the education of our island culture.” Lola felt that Hawaiiana courses help to bring cultural awareness. But the discussion needs to expand. “I feel as though Hawaii would benefit toward having educational conversations in the injustices from the past. We should be talking about how to reconcile the past while dealing with our present and moving forward as a community.”
On protecting the natural environment:
Duncan suggested, “Do everything we can to preserve the reefs before they die and plant more forests to help the watersheds.” Lola suggested government officials ensure easy access to beaches and the mountains. “I really enjoy our clean beaches and our safe hiking trails. We really need to keep it up.” Kaitlin said she’s been privileged to grow up on Maui and see “the beauties Mother Earth intended us to see. It is the duty of the Maui community to keep its ocean blue and its mountains green by limiting our pollution and using resources wisely.”
Happy New Year 2013!
Dec 19, 2012 | Community
Karen Wong has been welcoming foster children into her home for the last decade. “Fostering allows me to give the children something they’re missing,” said Wong, a community relations police officer at the Maui Police Department. This month, Wong adopted her fifth child, a two-year-old boy and half-sibling to a three-year-old girl she adopted two years ago. Wong has three other adopted children who share the same biological mom and is related to Wong as well. She said she’s never been able to bear children, but is grateful for the opportunity to have enriched their lives. “Every child to me is a gift, a gift from God,” she said. “I can give them a feeling of what family means.”
Wong first got trained as a foster parent by James and Alda St. James, the founders of Keiki Kokua Inc. Soon after receiving her foster parent license, she adopted her first son. The boy’s younger brother and sister came later into Wong’s home, first as foster children and then became legally Wong’s through adoptions. She said many of the children she’s fostered lack structure and a sense of family. “They’ve had drama and trauma in their life, through no fault of their own.”
Wong said she tries to connect with each and every child who is placed in her care. “To me, these are children from my heart,” she said. She said children aren’t necessarily in need of material things. “I find the most important thing with my children is creating memories, just spending time together,” Wong said. Lory Basa, a volunteer court appointed special advocate for foster children, described Wong as amazing. “Foster parents are really important. We need more caring parents like Karen.” She said Wong has been especially diligent about ensuring that her adopted children get the best education possible on island. “She goes all out and researches every possible way and funding she can get so they can have the very best. … I just really commend her.” For information about foster parenting, call Partners in Development Foundation – Hui Ho‘omalu Program at 268-5122 or visit www.pidf.org
