All posts by Genevive Bjorn

Culture, maui, Travel

The Maui Film Festival

What else is there to do on Maui when the weather is not postcard perfect? This holiday season the Maui Film Festival offers plenty of choices. Located at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center (or the MACC as locals calls it) in Kahului, the film fest brings together a few encore screenings of films previously shown at the MACC as well as a new line up of independents–many of which have been shown at other fests, but are new to Maui.

Before the evening shows, the Candelight Cafe is open in the courtyard, where food, drinks and music are available. For dinner last night before the 7:30 screening of “Juno“, I munched on a chicken caesar salad ($7) and washed it down with a glass of organic red wine ($6) while listening to a jazz trio (free) who brought it.

With an occupied tummy, I laughed heartily along with the near sell out crowd at the prickly dialog delivered by rising teen star Ellen Page along with a talented cast that included Jennifer Garner, Michael Cera, and Jason Bateman. The other films that I have seen so far this festival are “The Walker” starring Woody Harrelson and “I’m Not There” about singer/songwriter Bob Dylan. With another week and so many interesting films to go, I’m going to need to buy a second pass.

The festival started on December 12, 2007 and runs through December 30, 2007. Each day of the festival there are three screening times: 2:00 PM, 5:00 Pm, and 7:30 PM. A different film is shown each time. Screening listings, times and ticket information are available online.

Environment, Health, Weather

December Storm in Maui Muddies Kihei Water

 

The major southwest storm that flooded South Maui caused power outages that lasted for three days and widespread flood damage. In addition to temporary beach closures, other county services were impacted the storm. Area water treatment plants were closed causing a shortage of potable water. At the same time, flood waters from Upcountry brought runoff downhill into Kihei that was contaminated with animal and other waste. The County recommends that all residents of South Maui, including Kihei treat tap water, such as with purification tablets or by boiling, before consuming. Another option to buy bottled water.

Return visitors to Maui may be caught off guard. There are few, if any, tap water-related illnesses in Hawaii. The County also cautions against ingesting any lake, pond, or stream water without proper filtration. By swimming in natural pools, such as the popular Twin Falls pools, it is possible to contract the intestinal parasites giardia, cyptosporidium and leptospirosis. These cause painful diarrheal diseases that require lengthy drug treatment.

Until further notice, officials recommend the follow steps to protect your health:

  • Treat all tap water before drinking with water purificiation tablets, by boiling, or filtration that removes intestinal parasites
  • Avoid contact with untreated water in sensitive areas, such as: eyes, open cuts or gums
  • Consume bottled water
  • Avoid swimming in or drinking from fresh water streams and pools
Politics, Travel

Hawaii Superferry Traffic Jam in Maui

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This morning I left my house one hour ahead of my 11 AM dental appointment. The drive with normal morning Maui traffic takes 30 minutes or less. Sipping my chai latte from my stainless steel to go cup, the drive along Hana Highway to Kahului was clear as I zipped along in the morning sunshine. I pictured myself arriving early at the clinic, leisurely filling out the forms and maybe being called in early.

The last mile of my journey took 35 minutes. The road was open–no accidents, road crews or lane closures. My car was running fine–no flat tires or spewing pipes. As I turned onto Pu’unene Avenue, I inched a little closer to the center line to rubber neck the delay. In the distance at the end of the road docked next to two cruise ships was the Hawaii Superferry. It had just pulled into the Kahului Harbor and was offloading cars from Oahu.

As I finished my tea and watched the clock tick pat my appointment time, my frustration boiled. This situation is exactly what an environment impact statement (EIS) would have uncovered. The State, County and Superferry would have had to work it out before letting the ferry start ferrying. But at the last minute in special session and under major pressure from the governor, the State legislature passed a new law specifically for the Superferry exempting it from doing an EIS.

For those residents of Maui who may be open to the ferry but find such strong arm tactics by our government to be a mockery of democracy emitting the stink of special interests, elections seem too far away. As I got my teeth cleaned, I drooled over the idea of a legislative house cleaning.