It’s that time of the year again … time to be inspired. Maui’s Winery and Ulupalakua Ranch Store invites us  to come on up to beautiful Upcountry Maui for Ulupalakua Inspires on Sunday, June 5, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This wonderful event is free.  It will showcase the musical “artwork” of jazz with a live performance by Grammy-winning saxophone legend Tom Scott and his trio, on the winery grounds from 3 to 3:45 p.m. A prolific musician, composer, arranger and bandleader, Scott has dozens of solo albums to his credit and is maybe best known for his soundtrack work on TV shows like “Starsky and Hutch” in the ’70s and ’80s, as well as the success of his pop-jazz band L.A. Express. Over the years, he has collaborated with artists from Joni Mitchell to George Harrison and has won three Grammy awards for his work.

And Scott’s won’t be the only music on tap: a full lineup of Maui’s finest jazz musicians will perform throughout the day. From 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Hawaiian-style jazz guitarist Benny Uyetake will entertain on the lanai of the Ulupalakua Ranch Store. Robbie Ray (you may have heard him on Mana‘o Radio!) will bring his Cocoland Jazz show to the winery grounds from noon to 12:45 p.m.

Brittni Paiva, one of the islands’ best female ‘ukulele players, will demonstrate her diverse musical talents with jazz ‘ukulele from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Follow up that performance with living legend Henry Kaleaialoha Allen and his trademark “tropical swing and a touch of cool jazz” from 2 to 2:45 p.m., and jazz lovers will be in paradise! Visitors may even get a chance to meet the artists and have CDs signed.

Adding to the inspiration of the day will be the newest member of the Maui’s Winery ‘ohana: the 2009 Plantation Red Maui County Syrah. First released in 1994, this very limited estate wine exemplifies Maui’s unique terroir with a blend of 90 percent Syrah and 10 percent Carnelian handpicked from the slopes of Haleakala. Visitors to “Ulupalakua Inspires” are invited to enjoy exclusive samples of this beautiful, dark purple wine with violet tones. (As only 300 cases of the wine were produced, it is only available for tasting on this day, and purchases are limited to six bottles per customer.)

Free wine tasting is offered throughout the day in the historic King’s Cottage Tasting Room; with a complimentary winery tour at 10:30 a.m.

“Since the early days of Rose Ranch, Ulupalakua has had a history of welcoming guests with music and hospitality,” says Paula Hegele, president of Maui’s Winery. “We hope you’ll come on up and be inspired by the wonderful live jazz and the beautiful surroundings!”

In this “picnic-perfect” setting, visitors will find all the eats they need at Ulupalakua Ranch Store Deli & Grill. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the grill offers delicious lunch specials like Maui Cattle Company burgers (featuring 100-percent natural, premium Angus beef raised on Maui), Ulupalakua Elk Burgers, the ranch’s famous Ulupalakua Steak Chili, Ranch-Style Brisket and more.

To learn more about Ulupalakua’s rich heritage, visit the Winery’s new website at www.mauiwine.com. And more on Ulupalakua at  www.ulupalakuaranch.com

It’s Aloha Friday and we’re excited! Not only it is Aloha Friday today, it’s also the start of summer fun for our family.  Most kids on Maui are now on their summer vacation and we’re cooking up some fun staycation activities.   Yep, “stay-cation” is what we’re doing – we are going to explore Maui like we’re on a vacation, and we are going to have a lot of fun.  To start with, this weekend is packed with many events to go to.  I wish I can go to all of them, but cloning is not possible at this time, so I’d have to choose.  Here are some of the events I recommend for this weekend:

FRIDAY, June 3rd – Go to Wailuku First Friday! It’s a street party and you’re going to have a blast! WE are going to have a blast!.  Details of the event is on  this Wailuku First Friday post. Don’t miss it. The famous EKOLU LIVE will be there, as well the band Visibly Shaken, and more.  Of course one of my favorite part is eating – buying some yummy “street food” while cruizin’.  It’s a good family fun activity for Aloha Friday.   Haven you been to any of these Wailuku First  Friday events? If not, I highly recommend you go. I had been on several of them, and like what said, it’s like a street party, it’s good fun!

SATURDAY, June 4th. Now this is where it gets tricky because there are three (3) events I wanted to go to but it all happens around the same time, I have to choose just one. Here are the 3, and you can choose which one you would want to attend:

1. He Lei Hulu He Lei Makamae “A Feathered Lei, A Treasured Lei” – This is a fundraising event happening at the Old Lahaina Luau for the benefit of “Friends of Moku’ula”.  It starts at 5:30.  More information is on their Facebook Page or at Moku’ula’s official website.

2. Night of the Shooting Stars – This event is organized by the Basketball Maui for the benefit of our youth.  It will be held at the Wailuku Memorial, starts at 5:00PM.  More information at www.basketballmaui.com

3. Aloha to Mr. Cristiano, Principal of Kihei Charter School.  This is the event I am going to on Saturday night.  We are honoring Mr. Cristiano for the services he had done at Kihei Charter School, and we wish him and his family the best as they move to the mainland.

SUNDAY, June 5th – It’s Ulupalakua time!  On Sunday our family will go to Ulupalakua for some relaxation and inspiration at the Ulupalakua Inspires.  The drive to Ulupalakua is a treat in itself and we enjoy the beautiful scenic view of Upcountry.  Details of this Ulupalakua event is here.  Is any of you going?  I am so looking forward to some country picnic and trying out their teriyaki burger (my son says it’s the best on Maui!).

As you can see, we’ve got a full weekend. I did not even mention above the bass lessons, the swap meet trip, the chores, and attending church on Sunday morning and graduation party at the beach too. Add all these to the weekend and whoa, we’re busy!

How about you? How are you planning to spend you weekend? What one particular activity you would recommend? It’s Aloha Friday, so share your answer on the comment section below.  And to add more fun, visit the other bloggers who are participating in the Aloha Friday meme. Go to An Island Life for the links.