Weekend Packed With Whale Day, Valentine’s, Etc.

By Vanessa Wolf

Hey, hey, hey it’s the weekend!

Image courtesy Sweet Clip Art.

Not only that, but there is as much going on over the next three days as there was during the entire month of January combined.

Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.

Work Off Some of That Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates

The “For the Love of Maui” 5K starts at 5:15 p.m. tonight at South Maluaka Beach (that’s the one in front the Makena Beach & Golf Resort).

It’s not too late to sign up and the Valley Isle Road Runners will donate 
event proceeds to their youth running program and Hospice Maui.

Registration at this point, Johnny Come Lately, is $40.

Wake Someone Up Before You Go Go

(Can’t help it. Something about the word “jitterbug” inexorably triggers this idiotic but catchy tune in my head.)

Moving on, tonight is the second annual Kekaulike Valentine’s Swing Dance the King Kekaulike High School band room in Pukalani.

Free dance lessons with Chris and Alison Evan of Maui Jitterbug (into my brain) start at 6 p.m.

Then from 7 to 8:30 p.m. is live music and dancing courtesy of the swinging sounds of the Na Ali’i Big Band.

Tickets are $10 for all students, $15 for adults, and $5 for children 6 to 11 years old.

Proceeds benefit the Kekaulike Music Program.

Get Your Maui Whale Festival Going Early

That’s just amazing, isn’t it? Image courtesy Pacific Whale Foundation.

Tonight from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. is “Whales Under the Stars” at Kalama Park in Kihei.

Offered for the first time, expect an outdoor multimedia presentation with “thrilling video, sounds and photos of whales around the world, accompanied by a riveting presentation by renowned whale research pioneer, author and activist Greg Kaufman.”

Kaufman – who apparently does not enjoy Arctic water – will share his experiences among the whales of Hawai’i, Australia, Ecuador, Brazil, Panama, South Korea and Oman.

The event is free and open to the public – BYOBlanket/chair – although a seating reservation is strongly recommended. Call (808) 249-8811 ext. 1 to make one.

Apparently It’s a Full Moon

At 7:30 p.m. at the MACC, join Amy Hānaiali’i for a night of valentines, violins and violas.

Hānaiali’i and her all-star band will play with the string section from the Maui Pops Orchestra for “a glowing evening of music on a full-moon night.”

Hānaiali’i is Hawaii’s top-selling female vocalist of all time and has received five Grammy nominations and 22 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards.

Tickets are $35, $45 and $65.

Not So Fast: the Night is Still Young!

Late night party animals can hit the Black and Red V-Day Love Bash tonight at 10 p.m. at Mulligans on the Blue.

Organizers suggest you show your love or hatred of the Hallmark holiday by wearing red or black attire (or perhaps a combo if you’re the ambivalent type.)

There will be live performances by rap/hip-hop artist Josh Forde and RnB vocalist Jason Arcilla, as well as music from DJ M!CKY alongside dancing, drink specials and prize giveaways.

People in red or black get in free. Iconoclasts better have $5 on them.

Witness 25K People Gather in One Spot in Kihei

Last year’s parade. Image courtesy PWF.

The all-day celebration known as the 34th Annual World Whale Day kicks off tomorrow at 9 a.m. with Maui’s Parade of Whales.

Mick Fleetwood, co-founder and drummer of the band Fleetwood Mac, will be the parade’s grand marshall and this year’s theme is “Be Whale Aware.”

Marchers and floats assemble at the corner of South Kihei Road and Alanui Keali’i Drive and parade on down to the Kihei Public Library.

Afterwards, plan to swarm Kalama Park where Mick Fleetwood, George Kahumoku, Jr., John Cruz, Anuhea, Na Hoa, Dr. Nat and Rio Ritmo, Ekolu, R.E. Meyoyer Blues Rock, Soul Revue and Marty Dread will perform for thousands and thousands of your closest friends. The day also features food, a children’s carnival, local artisans fair, and environmental displays and goes until 7 p.m.

Events are free to the public.

If You Heat Metal From 932 F (500 C) to 1472 F (800 C) It Will Glow Red Hot

Feel free to use this sparkling bit of scientific literacy while mingling at Gannon’s After Dark’s Red Hot Dance Party Saturday night.

Promoters warn “the dance floor will be RED HOT post-Valentine’s Day, so make sure to break out your best red outfit and heat-resistant steel-toed boots.”

We’re kidding about the boots.

Meanwhile, DJ Joe Cortez and emcee Jay J will be on hand to distract from the person sharing all the weird science trivia.

Events run from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. and tickets are $10 at the door.

In the Original Story the Prince Goes Blind and It’s Kind of His Own Fault

Seriously, it was wall-to-wall tough love and hard knocks in those Grimm’s tales.

Anywho, in honor of Valentine’s Day weekend, the MACC is presenting another Starry Night Cinema.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and at 7 p.m. they will be presenting the movie “Tangled.”

“When the kingdom’s most-wanted (and most-charming) bandit Flynn Rider hides in a mysterious tower, the last thing he expects to find is Rapunzel: a beautiful and spirited teen who takes him hostage with the unlikely superpower of magical, golden, 70-foot-long hair. She’s looking for a ticket out of the tower where she’s been locked away for years, so she strikes a deal with the handsome thief. Together the unlikely duo sets off on a fantastic and suspenseful journey filled with surprising heroes and hilarious adventures.”

Expect live music with Randall Respond, a movie-themed art project for the kids, and food and beverages on sale before the film starts.

Speaking of which, you can bring blankets, mats and low-back chairs, but no coolers or outside snacks/drinks allowed.

The event is free to the public.