The “Cinema Under the Stars” is back again for its 20th annual film extravaganza, a spectacle that draws celebrities and film moguls from across the globe to Maui for five days each June.

Get ready for film premieres, filmmaker panels, special screenings, tributes, award ceremonies, culinary arts celebrations and private soirees at the Maui Film Festival, which kicks off on June 12. Filmmakers, actors and actresses will descend upon the Grand Wailea Resort for the event, celebrated as a premier festival for audiences, not just industry executives.  

2019 Maui Film Festival Trailer from Maui Film Festival on Vimeo.

The festival replaces Hollywood’s traditional red carpets with beachfront film screenings under Maui’s starry night skies.

Maui is famous for its luxurious beach resorts, but there’s something incomparably special that comes with sleeping under the stars.

Dozing off while listening to gentle crashing waves and waking up to the warmth of the sun’s rays make camping on island the ultimate outdoor experience. From the mountains to the sea, these are a few of our favorite places to retreat back to nature, where you can plan fun-filled and affordable staycations with family and friends:

Polipoli

Photo: Avriette

Nestled at 6,200 feet up the slopes of Haleakala, you’ll find Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area, one of the only state-managed parks in Maui. Ascend into another world as you climb in elevation, surrounded by trails that meander through old-growth forests —

There are many reasons why so many of Maui’s visitors return year after year — for the sandy beaches, crystal clear water, lush rainforests and picturesque landscapes. But why not spend your vacation giving back to the island that we all love so much?

Maui’s voluntourism opportunities are endless, offering visitors a chance to relax, soak in the sun’s rays and return from vacation with a feeling of fulfillment that only comes from leaving a positive impact. From beach clean-ups to invasive species removal, you can work alongside Maui locals to malama ‘aina and protect the land and sea for everyone who relies on it.

DIY beach clean-up

Photo: Dronepicr

Pick a day and clear the litter from one of your favorite beaches alongside family and

Fragrant, tropical flowers sewn into lei, hula and the sounds of music echoing through public spaces can only mean one thing: It’s Lei Day on Maui.  

Every year on the first day of May, the state celebrates the giving of the flower lei and the history of the Hawaiian people. Better known as May Day across the U.S., a famous song captures the essence of the Hawai’i’s version of the holiday best, “May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii, garlands of flowers everywhere, all of the colors in the rainbow, maidens with blossoms in their hair.” 

From lei making workshops to concerts, here are a few ways you can celebrate the holiday on Maui:

Lei Day Heritage Festival

May 01, 2019

10:00am - 4:00pm

PHOTO: Forest And Kim Starr

Head to the Maui

For many people, Earth Day is just a 24-hour period, a time to remember and celebrate the one thing that gives us life: the earth.

At this Kipahulu retreat, you are truly helping to protect the ‘aina all year round. Situated on more than 3 acres, this gem is offered for $2.249 million and allows its residents to live off the land, harnessing the energy of the natural elements, in one of Maui’s most untouched regions. The two-bedroom, plantation-style home is completely off-grid and zoned conservation and agriculture, nestled on a section of the pristine Maui coastline.

“The portion of the land that runs along the coastline is protected, limiting any development on that part of the property,” explained Island Sotheby's International

For yogis and yoginis across the globe, Maui is a favorite retreat destination that exudes spiritual energy and provides the perfect backdrop for transformative experiences. Sunrise and sunset yoga are always popular, as are practices amidst the island’s most beautiful scenery. But another type of practice is beginning to shake up Maui’s yoga scene: goat yoga.

On a picturesque farm on the slopes of Haleakala, you can roll out your yoga mat and lift into downward dog whilst surrounded by furry, four-legged creatures. Maui Goat Yoga offers yoga classes that boast the company of free-roaming miniature goats, a combination that has exploded in popularity in recent years.

Photographer: Armin Kübelbeck, CC-BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons

Goat yoga was

Megan Bouhey, R(S) isn’t just your average real estate professional - the Island Sotheby’s International Realty agent is now a Brazilian jiu jitsu champion.

Last month, Bouhey participated in the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s Pan-American Championship, often referred to as the "Pan Ams.” Held this year in Irvine, California, the championship is the largest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament held in North America.

“This was actually my first competition,” said Bouhey. “I kind of just went for it and decided to enter the toughest tournament for my first.”

Bouhey didn’t just participate - she ended up placing second, earning a silver medal. That’s a remarkable accomplishment, considering that Bouhey only started jiu jitsu in

Photo: Public Domain

For the Hawaiian people, taro — called kalo in the islands — is more than just a plant. The sacred plant is instead considered an ancestor of their people, known as the elder brother of man. When the first voyagers arrived on the islands’ shores nearly 1,500 years ago, taro was one of the few plants they brought with them.

The plant is still considered sacred today. On Maui, it’s celebrated each year at the East Maui Taro Festival, an event held in Hana for its 27th time this year. From 9 a.m to 5 p.m. this Saturday at the Hana ballpark, you can sample and purchase fresh poi made by East Maui taro farmers, as well as other taro products such as kulolo.

Locals and visitors of all ages can try their hand at poi pounding,

Despite predictions for a tougher year for the real estate industry, the number of sales and property prices are holding steady on Maui.

Each month, the Realtor Association of Maui releases market statistics, including a broad outlook of the industry and historical data. The numbers from February 2019 show that new listings jumped 7 percent and pending sales increased 10 percent for single-family homes compared to the year before.

The growth wasn’t positive for condominiums, however. New listings decreased 21 percent and pending sales dropped 24 percent.

And for both condominiums and single-family homes, inventory remained tight: It actually dropped 14 percent for single-family homes and 22 percent for condominiums. A steady demand for homes

For yet another year in a row, Maui’s famous Ka’anapali Beach has made the list of the top 25 beaches across the globe.

Each year, TripAdvisor ranks beaches across the globe that its millions of users visit on their travels. The white sands and azure waters of Ka’anapali Beach stacked up at No. 14 on the planet, among other world-class vacation destinations like Cuba, Brazil, Greece, Australia, Cyprus and the Seychelles.

With 3 miles of white sand and water so clear it looks like glass, it’s no surprise that Ka’anapali Beach frequently ranks among the nation and world’s best beach. The resort located on the beach was the first of its kind planned in Hawai’i, which has since become a model for the rest of the globe.

Perhaps the most famous