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Celebrate Upcountry’s beauty at ‘Ulupalakua Inspires’

By Staff | Jun 3, 2010

With the brilliant purple blossoms of jacaranda and agapanthus in bloom, it’s a perfect time to celebrate the natural artistic inspiration of this beautiful area.

ULUPALAKUA — Maui’s Winery and Ulupalakua Ranch Store invite the public to come on up to Upcountry Maui for “Ulupalakua Inspires” on Sunday, June 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Ulupalakua Inspires” is a free community event featuring fun exhibits like a polo match, glassblowing demonstration and photography show, all set against a musical background of live jazz on the picturesque grounds of the winery and ranch store.

Local favorite Uncle Benny Uyetake will open the show at 11:30 a.m. and keep his smooth Hawaiian stylings going until 3 p.m. on the lanai of the ranch store.

Japan-born musician/composer Shiro Mori will perform with his jazz quartet from 1 to 1:45 p.m., and renowned Hawaii saxophonist David Choy will take the stage with his quartet from 2 to 2:45 p.m.

Master musician Henry Kaleaialoha Allen will top off the day from 3 to 4 p.m. with his trademark “tropical swing and a touch of cool jazz.” All live entertainment is produced by Jazz Alley TV and MauiFEST Hawaii.

Allen

If you’ve always wanted to see an authentic Upcountry polo match, here’s your chance. The Ulupalakua team will take on Keokea in an exhibition match from noon to 1 p.m. on the ranch polo field. The free event is coordinated by Ulupalakua Ranch cowboy Kaimi Kona‘aihele and his wife, Ceci, who also offer polo lessons and clinics year-round.

Visitors are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes for the short hike from Maui’s Winery and to bring beach chairs or mats for seating at the scenic field.

Maui glassblowers will share their unique art form with “wow”-inducing demonstrations of glassblowing throughout the day. Ulupalakua artist Randy Schaffer and Blow Your Mind Productions will showcase their craft on the stage of the upper winery grounds from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors may participate in the creation of a custom piece that will then be fired in the onsite kiln and ready for pickup or delivery the next day.

Another chance to be inspired will be offered at the Photography Show, which will feature stunning photos by Ulupalakua and Maui photographers. Visitors can stop by the winery pavilion throughout the day to view photos by Jimmie Hepp, Aubrey Hord, Gwen Arkin and Randy J. Braun, and even meet some of the artists who will be on hand to share insight into their work.

If you’re in the mood for a picnic, you’ll find all you need at Ulupalakua Ranch Store Deli & Grill. Lunch specials from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. include Maui Cattle Company Burgers, Ulupalakua Elk Burgers, the ranch’s famous Ulupalakua Steak Chili and more.

Free wine tasting will be offered throughout the day in the historic King’s Cottage Tasting Room, with tours of Maui’s Winery beginning at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 and 3 p.m.

“The beauty of Ulupalakua’s natural surroundings, combined with the area’s amazing history, has been a source of inspiration for residents and visitors for generations,” said Paula Hegele, president of Maui’s Winery.

“We hope you’ll come on up — and be inspired!”

Ulupalakua hosts quarterly “Sunday Drive” events to share and honor different aspects of this unique and historic area. For more information, call 878-6058 or visit www.mauiwine.com or www.ulupalakuaranch.com.