50 contents features

22

Imua Discovery Garden

Story by Savy Janssen

Photographs by Jason Moore

A Wailuku estate is transformed into an outdoor learning environment for the children of Maui.

26

OLD LAHAINA LŪ‘AU

By Serene Gunnison

Photographs by Joshua Hardin and Azelan Amundson

A dazzling photo essay showcases authentic hula dancers, musicians and traditional Hawaiian arts.

A MODERN HA‘IKŪ HOME

Story by Serene Gunnison

Photographs by Travis Rowan

Take a tour of the stunning architecture and décor of an elegantly crafted, 6,600-square-foot Ha‘ikū home.

34

Sustainability Stewards

By Serene Gunnison and Ashley Probst

Meet some of the businesses and community members who are making our island a better place.

42 GEORGE KAHUMOKU JR.

by Peter von Buol with Chris Amundson

The life of a legendary Maui slack-key guitarist traces the history of the Hawaiian Renaissance.

To the rest of the world, George Kahumoku Jr. is a Grammy Awardwinning virtuoso, but in his own mind, his most important role is as a steward of the land.

Story page 42.

Here are some of the talented folks who make Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi the magazine it is. 14

By Chris Amundson

Tales of Hawai‘i fresh off the coconut wireless. 58

Discover what’s new and exciting in Maui’s dining scene.

Looking for something to do? Here’s what’s happening. 80

A sea turtle cruises through the waves off Mākena. 82

Meet Wendy Tuivaioge, director of Hawaiian programs at Four Seasons Resort Maui.

Ashley Probst

West Side’s Ashley Probst has been making her mark on Maui’s journalism world since she was in 7th grade, when her first article was published in the Maui News. After attending Chapman University in Southern California and working as an editor for Firebrand Media, Ashley returned home to Maui to live in Lāhainā where she works as a full-time freelance writer and a professional tarot card reader.

Ashley’s intimate knowledge of Maui helped her as she interviewed and co-wrote this issue’s “Sustainability Stewards” feature (page 34), which celebrates businesses and community members making a positive impact on our environment. When Ashley isn’t writing about her home on the Valley Isle, she’s usually traveling. Ashley has traveled solo to 13 European countries, and even embarked on a year-long solo road trip around the western United States. She’s looking forward to visiting new countries like Japan and Indonesia next.

Savy Janssen

Longtime Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi contributor Savy Janssen returns to this issue to share her thoughtful prose. Savy wrote this issue’s feature story, “A World of Pure Imagination,” about the fantastical Will Smith Imua Discovery Garden in Wailuku.

Savy spent her childhood barefoot exploring Maui before moving to California to attend Chapman University. During her time in California, Savy earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in literature and worked as a lecturer. She now lives back on Maui, in Makawao, where she teaches high school English at Seabury Hall and works as a freelance writer. Her writing has been published in Los Angeles Review of Books, Lennon Wall Magazine, Calliope Magazine and The Panther. When Savy isn’t teaching or writing, she enjoys reading at the beach and hiking with her family.

Peter Von Buol

Peter von Buol’s love for Hawai‘i runs deep. The Chicago-based journalist became captivated by Hawaiian history at a young age, engrossed in tales of the Hokule‘a and Captain James Cook. Peter has been making extended bi-annual trips to the islands for nearly 40 years, and in that time, he has met some of Hawai‘i’s most prolific artists, including Herb Kane, Henry Kapono and George Kahumoku Jr., a longtime family friend featured in this issue (cover and “Slack Key,” page 54).

When back home in Chicago, Peter is a docent at the Field Museum’s Ruatepupuke II, a living Maori meeting house. Peter has contributed many stories to Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi through the years, spanning unique topics like native lichens and “singing” tree snails.

MARCH-APRIL 2023

VOL. 27, NO. 2

Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi is an international magazine dedicated to exploring the life and culture of Maui Nui. There’s a saying known in the islands: Maui nō ka ‘oi, Hawaiian for “Maui is the best.” We hope you think so, too. Thanks for reading as we explore the islands, people and cultures of Maui Nui.

Publisher & Executive Editor

Chris Amundson

Associate Publisher

Angela Amundson

ED ITO RIAL

Executive Photo Editor Joshua Hardin

Assistant Editor Matt Masich

Photo Editor Jason Moore

Dining Editor Carla Tracy

Staff Writer Serene Gunnison

ADVERTISING SALES

Brooke Tadena, Marilyn Koponen

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Edie Mann, Karlie Pape

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES

Lea Kayton, Katie Evans, Janice Sudbeck

DIGITAL MEDIA

Azelan Amundson

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COPYRIGHT

All text, photography and artwork are copyright ©2023 by Flagship Publishing, Inc. For reprint permissions, email editor@mauimagazine.net.

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