Weekend Highlights Include Fundraisers Galore

By Vanessa Wolf

“Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music, and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays.” ~ Henny Youngman

The Kapalua Food and Wine Festival circa 2012. Courtesy photo

A little old timey Friday humor for you there, folks.

Still, if that scene put you in the mood, there are lots of opportunities for candlelight, dinner and dancing this weekend.

Take a gander below.

Best Excuse (Should You Need One) To Start Drinking At 1 p.m.

The Kapalua Food and Wine Festival starts today with the sparkling wine and cheese seminar at 1 p.m.

Events run the gamut from cooking demonstration to wine education seminars and finale at the Grand Seafood Festival on Sunday night.

Join master sommeliers and renowned winemakers in partaking in delicious food and wine from around the world. Tickets are per event and several still have openings.

Best Event Held by a Guy Named Ron Larsen

The Unity Church’s annual Mexican dinner – a.k.a. “Ron’s Mexican Food Fiesta” takes place tonight from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at his place in Pukalani.

This ain’t no make-your-own burrito bar nonsense. Among the offerings will be a newly invented taco, Tijuana tamales and a Zihuantaneo baked dessert.

Your favorite beverages will be available or you may bring your own.

In addition, “music and dancing will be part of the gaiety.”

The event is $15 and all of the proceeds will go to the Unity Church.

RSVP to at Ron at 808-298-8537 to let him know you’re coming and get the address.

Best Free Thing Tonight

Wailuku First Friday starts at 6 p.m. on historic Market Street.

Besides food and crafts, there will be entertainment from Dr. Nat and the Rio Ritmo Band at Wailuku Banyan Tree Park from 6 to 9 p.m. as well as 2 Years, Pride Ink, Jesse Tanoue, Kamaka Fernandez and Kaumakaiwa Kanakaole on the Maui Thing stage at the same time.

There will also be a beer garden, the 4th anniversary of Native Intelligence, and “What’s it Worth?” a guessing game at Kamaaina Loan-Cash for Gold in which the winner receives $50 certificate to Old Wailuku Grill.

Best Use of $150

The 7th Annual Maui Nurses Scholarship Foundation Event starts Saturday night at 5:30 p.m.

With a theme of “Roaring Twenties,” it will be a fun night of dinner, dancing, music by Xclusive Sound, and a display of live and silent auction items.

Held at the King Kamehameha Golf Club in Wailuku, the event is $150 per person.

Best Use of $200

The J. Walter Cameron Center is hosting its 40th Anniversary Benefit, “Time of Renewal.”

Enjoy cocktails, dinner, and music from George Kahumoku along with a silent auction.

At a cost of $200, this will set you back a little, but it goes to a good cause – 15 resident agencies that provide health and human services to Maui residents – and features honorary co-chairs Eddie Kamae and Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa

The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and will be held at the Pundy Yokouchi Estate in Wailuku.

Best Free Happening on Sunday

Pacific Whale Foundation, image courtesy of the Pacific Whale Foundation

In celebration of World Oceans Day, Pacific Whale Foundation will be offering free Ocean Discovery Cruises on Sunday for all Hawaii residents, as well as for all Pacific Whale Foundation Members, regardless of their place of residence.

Through its free Ocean Discovery Cruises, Pacific Whale Foundation is joining thousands of educational institutions, conservation organizations and individuals in dozens of countries around the world to celebrate World Oceans Day, a United Nations-designated international day of ocean celebration held on June 8 each year.

Pacific Whale Foundation’s free Ocean Discovery Cruises depart from Ma’alaea Harbor at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. and from Lahaina Harbor at 11:30 am and 1 p.m. The cruises are each one hour and take place on modern, double-deck power catamarans with many eco-friendly features. Each cruise features narration about Maui’s ocean environment by Pacific Whale Foundation’s Certified Marine Naturalists, plus a free Jr. Naturalist program for kids.

Reservations are required; please call Pacific Whale Foundation at (808) 249-8811 ext. 1. between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. to book.

Aware of something cool or amazing or incredible or jaw-dropping or WTF that’s happening or going to be happening on Maui? Why are you still sitting there reading these words!? LET US KNOW ABOUT IT: [email protected]