Events

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Natural History

Cup Of Gold, Chalice Vine
(Solandra maxima)

The spectacular Cup of Gold (called "Copa de Oro" in Spanish), is a rambunctious ornamental vine that is a native of Mexico, Central America and northern South America.  It is common throughout Hawaii, where its rampant growth and extravagant blooms are very much appreciated, and has escaped and become naturalized in some places. 

In the wild the plant is a scrambling jungle climber and woody creeper that can grow to over 30 feet or more with large, glossy, elliptical leaves that are slightly pointed at the end. The plant is a member of the potato family and belongs to the same family as the Deadly Nightshade and the Tomato.

The vines are often used in gardens as rapidly growing hedges and as specimen plants. They like full sun and need a strong support to show off their blooms to best effect.

Cup of Gold tends to flower during the winter and spring, and sometimes into the early summer. The waxy blossoms form cups that can measure six inches across and up to nine inches long. The flowers are more properly called "chalices," they are so huge. They are especially fragrant in the evening and smell like ripe apricots. Most people enjoy the fragrance of the flowers, but some people feel slightly ill after sniffing these flowers deeply, developing headache, nausea, dizziness and weakness.

The flowers bloom for four days, changing color from light cream when in bud to a golden banana color when in full bloom, to a rusty, orangish-apricot before dying. The huge waxen-textured buds unfold so rapidly that the backward curving movement may be easily observed. They seem to unfold before your eyes. Inside the flowers are five distinctive purplish lines that radiate from the center.

Be aware that the plants contain toxins (either solanin or atropine, and sometimes both) that affect the central nervous system and can cause hallucinations. In fact, the Aztecs once used the flowers to induce sacred hallucinations. It is wise to avoid touching your eyes while you are handling the plants and to thoroughly wash your hands afterwards.

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Arts & Culture

Iao Theater

A landmark in old Wailuku town is the Spanish Mission-style theater on Market Street.  It opened in 1928, in Wailuku and originally was a place where movies were screened and live onstage performances hosted.  It fell into disrepair in the 1980s, faced possible demolition in 1994. 

In December, 1927, Manuel Paschoal and H. B. Weller broke ground for the Iao Theater.  (The theater, they said, was named after the small bait fish, and not the Iao Needle, the other famous Wailuku landmark.)  The building was designed by architect Edward Walsh and after nine months and $40,000 in construction costs, the 75-seat theater opened on August 22, 1928.

The first production was a local play featuring local actors as well as a showing of "Sporting Goods," a movie starring Richard Dix.  In the ensuing years, it was a major entertainment center for Maui.  Local Hawaiian artists performed at the Iao and many community events were held under its tiled roof over the years. The first talking movie "Rio Rita," a musical comedy based on a Ziegfeld production, was shown at the Iao Theater on March 30, 1930.

A snack concession called "Harry's Sweets" was located just outside the main theater entrance.  It was run by Harry Kaya for almost forty years, from 1930 to the mid-1970's.

Movie glams Bob Hope, Betty Hutton and Frank Sinatra appeared at the Iao for USO shows during World War II.  In 1953, the Hawaii premier of "From Here to Eternity," a movie made in Hawaii, was screened at Iao. 

Twenty years later, in 1973, as the theater and the town went through a seedy phase, it was a major scandal when a showing of the X-rated film, "Deep Throat" led to the arrest of the manager.

By the early 1980's after the theater closed down, the threat of demolition loomed.  Community efforts helped save the theater.

In November, 1984, Maui Community Theater produced Gilbert and Sullivan's "HMS Pinafore" after they lost their playhouse at the Kahului Fairgrounds in a fire.  The group occupied the theater for $200 a month. 

In July, 1993, Maui County paid $882,000 to buy the one-acre lot and the theater from the Lyons family trust.  On March, 1996, a blessing was held to celebrate the completion of $734,000 in renovations.  Eventually, they spent $1.8 million on partial restoration. 

The Hawaii State Register of Historic Places listed Iao as the oldest theater building in Hawaii on June 24, 1994.  It was placed o the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

Currently, it is the home of Maui OnStage, a community-based theatrical organization.

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Hawaiiana

 

 

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Braddah-Nics Lexicon

STANDARD:  No, really....I'm not angry.
BRADDAH-NICS:  Not!  I no stay habut!

* * * * * * * *

STANDARD:  I see.  Now you have time for us.
BRADDAH-NICS:  Oh.  Now you like see us now!

* * * * * * * *

STANDARD:   What's the matter? Why are you acting like that?
BRADDAH-NICS:  'Samattah you?  Why you make li' dat?







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Local Grinds

Portuguese Bean Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Red Kidney (Uncooked) Beans
  
• 4 Cups Boiling Water
  
• 1 Pound Portuguese Sausage
  
• 1 Onion (Sliced)
  
• 2 Carrots (Diced)
  
• 2 Potatoes (Diced)
  
• 1 Small Cabbage (Chopped)
  
• 1 Can (8 oz.) Tomato Sauce
  
• 1 Tablespoon Salt
  
  

Procedure:

Wash beans in a large saucepot. Cover with boiling water and let stand for one hour, add in Portuguese sausage and onions and let stand over night (in refrigerator).

Next Day: Cook on medium heat for one hour. Add in remaining ingredients and cook until vegetables are soft (approximately 1 or 11/2 hours).
(For a little extra spice add a dash of red pepper)
Best enjoyed with a side of Portuguese sweet bread.

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