Come On Up! for “Ulupalakua Sparkles”

Celebrating the arrival of the holidays with Maui-style gifts and festivities.

Maui’s Winery and Ulupalakua Ranch Store invite the public to come on up to Upcountry Maui for “Ulupalakua Sparkles” on Sunday, December 5, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The popular event is a festive way to celebrate the holiday season and enjoy delicious food, live music, free wine tasting, and a shoppers’ paradise of Maui-style gifts and specialty items. On this day, the ranch store and winery will offer exclusive Sunday Drive specials on all branded merchandise and wines—at prices previously only available to the Ulupalakua Employee ‘Ohana.

Adding extra sparkle to the shopping experience will be performances by slack key guitar master Jeff Peterson and Hawai‘i’s top-selling female vocalist Amy Hanaiali‘i. The son of an Ulupalakua Ranch paniolo, Peterson grew up immersed in the heritage of Hawaiian music. It’s a tradition that he continues to share with generations of Maui residents and visitors over the years, earning multiple Grammy and NaHoku Hanohano awards. Renowned for her ha‘i falsetto singing, Maui’s own Hanaiali‘i has collected her share of Hoku awards, as well as four Grammy award nominations for Best Hawaiian Music Album. Her new album, “Amy Hanaiali‘i and Slack Key Masters” features collaborations with Hawai‘i’s top slack key artists, including Peterson, and reflects the diversity of Hawaiian music today. The two will perform on the winery grounds from noon to 4 p.m. Meanwhile, over at the ranch store, guitar duo Indio and Avi will add their holiday stylings to the festivities from noon to 3 p.m.

Ulupalakua artist Randy Schaffer and Blow Your Mind Productions will showcase the beauty of handblown glass with demonstrations on the winery grounds throughout the day.

For another only-on-Maui gift idea: give the gift of a nene! Hawai‘i’s state bird was once extinct on Maui but is now making a successful comeback, thanks to efforts like Friends of Haleakala National Park’s Adopt-a-Nene program. Representatives of the program will be on hand at “Ulupalakua Sparkles” to share information about how to help Maui’s feathered favorite.

Photo Credit: @Peterliu47

Hali‘imaile Pineapple Company will bring gifts of gold to the party—Maui Gold Pineapple, that is! This juicy island treat is the stuff that dreams—and the Winery’s delicious Maui wine—are made of. A special Walking Tour of the pineapple crushing and juicing operations will take place at 10:30 a.m., with a chance to learn more during a Talk Story with HPC Director Doug MacCluer in the winery pavilion at 1:30 p.m. Visitors can enjoy samples of field-fresh pineapple and even have the fruit shipped home to family.

Representatives will also be on hand from Maui Cattle Company. Formed in 2002 by a group of Maui ranchers, the company brought Hawaiian beef back to Hawai‘i. The result is premium Angus beef that is full of flavor and 100 percent natural, raised on Maui without growth hormones or antibiotics.

Other goodies include tasty treats by Maui Culinary Academy. Proceeds will benefit students as they further their education in the culinary arts.

A tempting array of lunch fare is also available from Ulupalakua Ranch Store Deli & Grill from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring Maui Cattle Co. and Ulupalakua Elk Burgers, the ranch’s famous Ulupalakua Steak Chili, and Maui Gold Pineapple, along with salads, sandwiches and other holiday lunch specials.

To share the Ulupalakua holiday spirit with family and friends, the ranch will assist guests with boxing and mailing their gift purchases. And Sunday Drive shoppers who purchase $25 or more will receive a one-day coupon valid throughout the month of December, ensuring the same special discounts on their next visit.

“Come on up and share the Ulupalakua holiday spirit!” says Paula Hegele, president of Maui’s Winery.

About the Sunday Drives

Ulupalakua hosts quarterly “Sunday Drive” events to share and honor different aspects of this unique historic area. In the spring, it’s “Ulupalakua Remembers,” celebrating the rich heritage of this historic ranchland. Summertime is “Ulupalakua Inspires,” celebrating the beauty that has captivated artists for generations. Fall is “Ulupalakua Cares,” celebrating the commitment to agriculture and open space in our community. And winter is “Ulupalakua Sparkles,” celebrating the arrival of the holidays with Maui-style gifts and festivities.

Each event features live music on the beautiful grounds of Maui’s Winery, lunch specials at Ulupalakua Ranch Store, free wine tasting, and opportunities to learn more about the area’s history and culture.

For more information about the Sunday Drives, call toll-free (877) 878-6058. To learn more about Ulupalakua, please visit www.mauiwine.com or www.ulupalakuaranch.com.

Wailuku Town sparkles and glitters for the Christmas holiday and celebrates at the Wailuku First Friday event tonight, December 3rd. This free event is Wailuku Town’s monthly block party celebration and Market Street closes from 6 to 8 pm.

Native Intelligence’s Christmas Lu’au Theme presents the winners of the Keiki Na Mele competition with sale of custom made Christmas wreaths by Na Hanona Kulike ‘o Pi’ilani. That night will be the launch of Kealopiko’s new makahiki line; come taste ono Hawaiian foods and it will be a good time to buy your Christmas gifts at the book signing of Uncle Kawaiola’s Dream by Victor Pelegrino.

The Wailuku Coffee Co. presents Lily and Toby from the Arts for Education Children Group’s live music oiutside on the sidewalk from 4:30 to 6 30 pm. Then more live music with Robbie Ray’s Cocoland Jazz show at the Wailuku Banya Tree Park. And visit the Pono … do what is right, Store at the former Gilberts store on the corner of Vineyard and Market Street. And also stop by the Maui Recycling Group beer garden next to the Amercian Savings bank on Market Street from 5 pm to 9 pm. So much is happening!

Vince Esquire Band headlines December’s event at the Maui Thing Stage on the corner of Market and Main Street. Esquire brief but impressive career, he has opened for such music luminaries as Willie Nelson for a 50,000 audence; the Gregg Allman band, The Allman Brothers, Los Lonely boys, fun Music Legend Fred Wesley, Derek Trucks, Little Feat, The Little Memphis Blues Orchestra (formerly the Taylor Hicks Band), Coco Montoya, Tommy Castro, Chris Duarte, Eric Johnson and The Doobie Brother’s co-founder and guitarist Pat Simmons. They will rock the streets of Wailuku. At the Maui Thing store check out the Baldwin High School project grad cookbook fundraiser. You may find some yummy Christmas recipes for the family.

A must see for the holidays is Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” Adapted by Tom Frey at 7:30 pm at the historic Iao Theater, tickets for sale with Maui On Stage.

Travel up the street on Vineyard to check out the Swan Interiors Christmas Village on Vineyard Street featuring artist and live music from 5 to 8 pm. And do walk on over the Main Street for the Gianottos special pizza on Main Street for Wailuku First Friday specials!

Enjoy Gene and Shea Argel, live music at Café O Lei! Also Café O Lei will not only dazzle you with their cuisine but sign up for wine tasting and pairing, call for reservations as limited seats available.

Also at 8 pm is Gallerie Ha ‘s monthly poetry slam with a $20 prize for the best, special emcee for the night is Monte Perez.

The Wailuku First Friday event showcases artisans, handmade crafters and food vendors. A fee of $40 for food vendors with Health Permit, $25 table space for non-food vendors and $20 for non-profits will be assessed each accepted vendor. Contact Teri Edmonds at 249-9710 at If the Shoe Fits on Market Street.

For questions on the event contact 878-1888 or 1stFridayWailuku@gmail.com. Become a fan on Facebook at “Wailuku First Friday” to see what is happening!