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

Wailuku Maui, (May 27, 2011)    EKOLU Live at Wailuku First Friday, June 3 from 6 pm to 8:30 pm.  Street closes on Market Street and stroll through Vineyard and Main Street.   This free event is open to the community!

June 3 is the grand opening of Pride Ink – Tattoo on Main Street.   Owners Boze and Karey Oura Kapoi celebrate this opening by bringing to Wailuku, for the first time, the much acclaimed group Ekolu!   Ekolu’s website says, “Island music, Reggae, Soul, Cotemporary, and Hip Hop by the group Ekolu has touched the hearts of music lovers from all over the world. People of all ages share the same delight when they experience Ekolu’s beautiful musical harmony. Enter a journey with this very special group of Hawaiian music artists, as they present you with a treasure of sounds and lyrics that you will cherish for the rest of your life. As their verification of CD sales, Awards, and Billboard Hits keep coming, this isn’t just any group – this is Ekolu.”  Wailuku welcomes them to a night under the Maui moon t of music and friends.

Ekolu’s Lukela Keala, ukulele player is a  Maui boy whose bio says Lukela never forgets how great God has been to him. On every CD that he has completed you will find a church song on it. This is his way of expressing how thankful he is of the blessings that only GOD can give. Through all the success that has come his way, he takes no credit for the talent God has blessed him with, but in return gives God all the glory.  What a blessing to Wailuku!   Also part of the group are Makapu Ho`opii and Big Island’s own Kamakoa Lindsey-Asing to the Ekolu ohana.

The music continues with high school sensation, Visibly Shaken at the Wailuku Banyan Tree Park; Joel Kaatz steel guitar music at Maui Time stage at 33 N. Market Street; Gene and Shea Argel live music at Café O Lei.  EXHALE first appearance at Wailuku First Friday at the Body Alive Yoga and Movement Studio on Main Street.

The Hawaii Jaycees, 3rd annual free concert at the Iao Theater with Derick Sebastian and Roots Judgment, free concert from 6:30 to 8 pm. And stop by the beer garden and enjoy meeting with friends under the Maui moon!  Proceeds benefit Na Leo Kako`o, Hawaiian Immersion Kula Kaiapuni.

Get glammed in Wailuku! Shuga Salan   and on the other side of Market Street, Grand Opening of Salon 253 (formerly Elaine’s Beauty Shop, across from Iao Intermediate).  Don’t forget a Wailuku institution Stephanie’s Beauty Salon at 32 N. Market Street!   Or get a massage at Green Ti at 40 N. Market! Artisans, crafters and local cuisine enjoyed with the sidewalk vendors on Market Street.  Zip up to Vineyard and see Lori Koprowski the featured artist at Swan Interiors too!

Enjoy Wailuku and Maui’s special people and things to do~!  Come To Wailuku First Friday.    And we want to give a shout-out to the Maui Hotel and Lodging Association, Hawaii Tourism Authority, County of Maui, Tri-Isle RC&D, Inc.  and Maui Visitors Bureau for your continued support!  We could not do this without you!   We also have a new sponsor the Maui Redevelopment Agency who has planning jurisdiction over the historic commercial core of Wailuku Town.

We are asking the community to participate with NO PARK cars on Market Street during the event.  Cars parked on the street during the event will be ticketed.    Event planners have posted signs, given warning and tried to “ask nicely” to keep cars off the street.  As you can guess, this is for the safety of the 100’s of participants who are cruising the event.  Please note vendors, merchants, entertainers and the community that the streets close at 6 pm.  For the safety of participants, your kokua is appreciated.   Maui Medical Group is opening their community spirit and allowing Wailuku First Friday participants to park in their lot, enter from Main Street and parking is free.

Wailuku First Friday is sponsored by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, County of Maui, Tri-Isle RC&D, Inc., Sae Design, Maui Thing, Maui Redevelopment Agency, KPOA, 93.5 FM, Fist Hawaiian Bank, Kamaaina Properties, Wailuku Community Association, Maui Time, IBEW Local 1186, Hawaii Carpenters Union, Maui, Young Brothers, Café O Lei, If the Shoe Fits and Connec, LLC.

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!