20th Annual Hulathon Forced To Reroute Over Preservation Zone Rules

It’s known as the most beautiful run in the world amongst competitive runners, and provides millions of dollars for charity every year, but for the first time in its long history, the Hulathon will be forced to alter its route. After a prolonged legal battle, race organizers have been forced to move the race course to a stretch of the Honoapiilani Highway, and off the trails of the breathtaking West Maui forests that the race is famous for. Organizers say that the change will have a huge impact on not only the marathon itself, but also the funding of many local charities.

Started in 2030 as way to honor the lives lost in the battle of Kepaniwai and celebrate Hawaiian history, the Hulathon has become one of the most popular events in Maui. Last year over 31,000 ran in the event making it one of the largest marathons in the world.

While the event raises money for a number of causes, Office of Hawaiian Culture (OHC) spokesperson Ike Hoomana, says that the race’s connection to the past is what makes it particularly special. “We celebrate the native Hawaiians with this run through the Iao Valley, honoring all the brave people who died there in the battle of Kepaniwai. One of the fiercest battles ever fought in Hawaiian history, the armies of King Kahekili II, led by his son Kalanikupule, fought the forces of Kamehameha to a standstill for 2 days. Both sides were evenly matched and exhausted when two cannons named “Lopaka” and “Kalola” joined the fray, and the forces of Kamehmeha finally broke the opposing army. So many lives were lost in the Iao Valley that day, that the rivers became blocked by the dead and it would become known as the “Battle of the Dammed Waters of ʻĪao”. What makes the Hulathon great is that you get to run through nature over the same path that these brave Hawaiians did. The flowers, the trees, and the lava fields remind us how important peace and beauty are.”

Stonegate dismisses the idea that the route of the course is integral to a successful Hulathon. She says that the race had been breaking preservation zone rules for years and that she’s simply doing her job. “There were a number of issues with the Hulathon’s path. Having that many people tearing up the soil with their running shoes was causing serious erosion issues. Many important plant species were trampled during the event. In addition, all the excessive cheering disrupted the nesting patterns of endangered birds. I know that I found the sound distant clapping during the event almost intolerable, I can only imagine how hard it was for these fragile animals. The plastic cups and other trash was also a huge issue. Everyone would go home and we’d be left pulling little cups out of the bushes for days. My simple requests that drinks not be provided along the course was flatly denied because they said it was a potential health risk. When I pointed out that they rehydrate you with IVs at the hospital, and not numerous little plastic cups of water, they adjourned the meeting without discussion. But somehow I’m being portrayed as the unreasonable one. Instead of trying to stir up controversy, the race organizers should thank me. The new course is amazing.”

Since its inception, the marathon started under the shadow of the old banyon tree in Kamehame Beach Park just south of Lahaina, ran into the forest, and through the lush Ioa Valley, twisting its way to the finish line on the scenic Waihee trail. The new course would see competitors running back and forth between Kamehameha Iki Park and Black Rock Beach to the North along the Honoapiilani Highway, a decidedly less awe inspiring route.

Stonegate says that the media is focusing too hard on organizer complaints and ignoring the numerous benefits of the new course. “First, there’s the fact that the paved course is much safer for the runners. Every year, you see dozens of sprained knees and twisted ankles caused by the uneven trails. It should be much easier for photojournalists to cover as well, the lighting along the highway is amazing and it’s much easier to get to than the cliffs of Ioa. I can’t imagine how much free time someone has to have in order to have a favorite runner, but if you do, you now have the chance to see them multiple times as they go back and forth over the course. This increased exposure to the competitors has other benefits too. Imagine how bad out of shape people will feel watching these athletes run past them all day. While it might not feel good at the time, everyone knows what an effective motivator shame can be. Sometimes the best medicine tastes the worst. Instead of nitpicking and complaining, maybe the organizers should focus on making their race a success. After all, it is only a week away.”

Museum’s Ancestral Skills Workshop a Hit In Lahaina

The Lahaina Museum’s Ancestral Workshops, which offer visitors a hands-on opportunity to learn the survival and crafting skills used by the first Hawaiians, has become one of the most popular events in town. The workshops come hot on the heels of last year’s wildly popular ancestor exhibit, which featured a number of artifacts including shark-toothed weapons called Leiomano. Tickets to the workshops are almost impossible to come by, and the waiting list now extends through the end of the year. Curators Balen and Maci Kiko say they are thrilled at the community’s response and plan on continuing the program next year.

“We want to teach people that when it comes to Hawaiian art and crafts, there’s a whole lot more than just leis,” says Balen. The museum has numerous stations where visitors can learn about the art and clothing of Hawaii. Experts will demonstrate how to make everything from lauhala bracelets, kukui nut art, coconut dishes, various ti leaf crafts, and even a class on making Kapa, the traditional barkcloth made by early Hawaiians from plant fibers.

Ike Hoomana Spokesperson for the Office of Hawaiian Culture (OHC) says he’s impressed with the workshops, especially the detailed history of featherwork. “Without a doubt the most important ancient Hawaiian craft was featherwork. As well as being beautiful and incredibly ornate, It held great social and spiritual significance. Rare feathers were used to create helmets, capes, and elaborate hair ornaments that only the nobility was allowed to wear.”

“It’s not just art on display at the workshops. We also focus on the hunting and fishing techniques of the Hawaiian people,” says Maci. “It is amazing how much these people could do with what they found around them.”

Patrons are taught a number of primitive traps used to catch birds and early agriculture methods. However, the sea provided the biggest bounty and Hawaiians developed numerous fishing techniques. Hooks shaped from human, bird, dog, or whale bones as well as, pearl, turtle shell, or wood are on display. There are demonstrations showing how early people made fishing line and nets from olona fibers and colored them with Koki`o dye to make them less visible in the water. The numerous methods used for trapping fish are also discussed, and some of the simpler methods such as fish baskets, are demonstrated to guests.

The Kiko’s say they are thrilled that so many share their appreciation for the beauty and inventiveness of the early Hawaiians. “We’re talking about incredibly brave people who arrived with little more than their boats, knowledge of the ocean, and ingenuity. I think we can all appreciate, and learn a little from these incredible people,” said Maci.

While most echo her sentiment, not everyone is thrilled about the hands-on nature of the workshops. In fact, local resident John Driscol says the skills taught are potentially dangerous. “The bay was exceptionally calm that day, so I decided to give up my spot on the beach, grab my air mattress, a few beverages, and float away the afternoon. I had no idea that my world was about to turn upside down because someone wanted to practice their ancient fishing skills,” he says.

“When I awoke, I couldn’t figure out where I was at first. I was still floating, but the ocean was at least 50 feet away, and I could barely see over the handmade wall of sharp rocks that surrounded me. After a few seconds, I realized that I was caught in a tidal fish trap. It’s designed as a sort of corral to trap fish at low tide. My mattress and I had drifted a few miles while I was asleep, and the wind had pushed me into the trap. I’m no expert on poisonous coral, but I’ve heard that in nature the more colorful something is the more toxic it is. Looking underneath me, everything was colored like neon lights. It was too shallow to swim without touching any of the coral, and I had lost my shoes. I had left a game running on my phone and it was dead, so calling for help was out of the question. Worse still, I had failed to properly close my floating cooler and all the beer was no longer cold. I knew it might be hours before the tide would come in, and free me from my mini-pool jail. I was already a little sunburned, and it was only going to get worse. Fearing that I might be on the verge of dehydration, I tried drinking one of the warm beers, but as soon as the lukewarm brew touched my tongue, I spit it out. I knew that before the day was done, I might be forced to drink a warm beer to save myself, but I wasn’t that desperate yet. Nonetheless, I put it back just in case. It was torture floating around in there. Normally, I could easily do nothing for hours, but knowing that I had no choice in this case was terrible. I never really liked survival movies before, but enduring those hopelessly uncomfortable three hours before the tide rose and freed my mattress, changed something inside me. The horror of that time, carefully paddling around the tidal trap, with suboptimal beer opened my eyes. I’m afraid I’ll never be able to enjoy doing nothing ever again.”

Veilcorp Expands Veil Drop Program Across Maui and Mainland

Veilcorp has announced that it plans to expand its wildly popular Veil Drop service across Maui, and to a handful of locations in Seattle. Part delivery and pick up program, and part secure personal storage service, Veil Drop currently has over a dozen locations across Lahaina. The service allows customers to both ship and receive packages, as well as deposit items securely for later pick up. A hit with tourists and busy Front Street shoppers alike, Veilcorp plans on adding an additional 30 locations throughout the island.

“Think of it as a personal storage trunk that you don’t have to lug around with you,” says Brie Howard, Veilcorp’s Vice President of Special Projects. Using a revolutionary microveil system, a Veil Drop location is able to send deposited items to a secure Veilcorp facility. Customers need only enter their security code to retrieve the item in seconds when they’re ready. In addition, Veil Drop users can send and pick up packages at any location when it’s convenient for them via Alohagistics, Veilcorp’s shipping partner.

“Veilcorp has always been about expanding horizons and making life easier. We’ve turned the world into a truly global community, and fostered opportunity for millions. We revolutionized the way you travel; and now we’re revolutionizing your daily life. Thanks to Veil Drop you don’t have to worry about carrying around multiple bags if you’re shopping downtown, keeping track of your important paperwork, hiding presents from the kids or loved ones, securing valuables in your home, or figuring out which box in the attic holds the holiday decorations. Thousands of Lahaina residents have come to rely on Veil Drop to store and organize their things, as well as ship and receive packages in over a dozen locations. We are thrilled that many more will be able to enjoy Veil Drop service in a convenient location near them soon,” says Howard.

Some aren’t quite as enthusiastic about the program’s expansion however. Spokesperson for the Office of Hawaiian Culture (OHC) Ike Hoomana says he worries that the island will soon be dotted with Veil Drop kiosks and worries about the effects of 127, the element used to power veil travel, leaking into sacred or delicate areas.

“We have grave concerns about turning this beautiful land of our ancestors into the land of a thousand storage lockers. We already have too many tourists who don’t respect our culture and natural places by leaving their trash and stomping through sacred areas. Even with limiting their numbers through the Interisland Preservation and Travel Act (IPTA) our island is losing its character and aloha spirit. Now Veilcorp wants to put machines fueled by 127 into the wilds, and make it easier for people to access anything they want, at anytime, instead of fully appreciating the beauty around them. We have seen the effects of this dangerous fuel on our shellfish, and I can only imagine how much damage it will cause with this expansion. Trading the health and beauty of Maui for convenience is no trade at all. All native Hawaiians deserve a flourishing homeland. It is our birthright and heritage that must be protected.”

Howard dismisses Hoomana’s concerns as “typical hysterics and fear mongering.” She points out that 127 has been used safely for decades and that there is no evidence that it causes harm to plants or animals. However, some have concerns about the service itself, not its impact on the environment. Scott Stonegate says the Veil Drop service almost cost him his marriage.

“I got a Veil Drop account as soon as it was available, just to check it out a few months ago. I was excited to try it and see how it worked. I deposited a few household items, sent a couple of packages, and timed how long it took to get things out. I was impressed with how quickly the service worked, but didn’t have much use for it at the time. Somehow, I innocently forgot to mention it to my wife, and one night while she was going through my phone she found my passcode, and things went downhill pretty fast.

She went to a location first thing in the morning, and requested everything in storage. Somehow they got my stuff mixed up with someone else, and it was a disaster. She found a few changes of clothing that just happened to be in my size, a couple bottles of wine, some lingerie that just happened to *not* be in her size, and a teddy bear with a heart that said Shelby. Not being Shelby, my wife was understandably upset. Thankfully after a few days, and my explanation of what must have happened, she calmed down. Everything is fine now, but I refuse to use Veil Drop until I can be assured that this type of mixup won’t happen again, or they implement tighter security measures.”

Manimal’s “Alpha Club” Comes Under Fire After Contamination of Sacred Spring

The “Alpha Club” promised to provide fans a monthly supply of cold Manimal, and a chance to try out new flavors and products before the general public. However the company’s service is now under fire, after the contamination of a sacred spring North of Lahaina. Officials say it’s hard to say just how much of the energy drink has been introduced into the protected Ho’inu spring, or how long the cleanup effort will take. As days turn into weeks, many are calling on the company to foot the bill, and change the practices that helped cause the problem in the first place.

Costing only $1 the first month, the Alpha Club service promises a monthly supply of the popular Manimal drink (72 cans) delivered to your home, and even put in your refrigerator if you so choose. In addition, members get to try new flavors and products before they are available in retail stores, giving valuable feedback to the company. Many, like 25-year-old Steven Nauwe love the convenience of having their favorite drink delivered monthly.

“Even though the flavor of the month has been ‘Fightberry Punch’ 3 times already this year, I think being a member of the Alpha Club is a great deal. In fact, I drink so much because of my job as a dog walker, that I have two subscriptions. Sure, you pay full price after the first month, but you get to try out new flavors first. I got to try: Green Prepper Blast, Ultigreat Orange, Cherry Fury, and Lightning Phlemon, before anyone! I even got to try the original formula Manimal Spray before they they removed some of the anti-foaming agents. You wouldn’t believe how much that stuff used to burn. I’m not really sure what the problem is.”

According to officials, the problem is that someone need only send a dollar, an address, and very little else, to become part of the Alpha Club. An investigator familiar with the case says, “Normally, these kind of poor practices would only hurt the business. Who in their right mind would send thousands of dollars worth of merchandise without a credit card number, or some sort of verifiable personal information? In this case, we’ve determined that a minor had signed up for the club because his mother didn’t allow Manimal in the house. His parents came forward after finding the bill for his latest order in his pocket. The company had been delivering his supply to the intersection of two trails in the preservation zone for at least 5 months. For reasons that are still unclear to us, the child had been hiding the cans in the spring. Many had ruptured, or were dumped in the water, causing the contamination issues we’re dealing with.”

Ike Hoomana, Spokesperson for the Office of Hawaiian Culture (OHC), says that Manimal should pay for Ho’inu’s restoration because of their gross negligence. He says, “Ho’inu is one of the most sacred spots on the island. According to legend, the first people to come to here had gone two days without water, when they followed birds to the spring. It was here that those brave people made a covenant. They promised to respect, protect, and revere the spirits of the land in exchange for clean water and its bounty. So it went for centuries, until it was befouled by a child, and a company blinded by greed. Even if we drain the spring, some of the Manimal has settled into the ground, and we are unsure how long it will take to work its way out. The crystal clear waters of this is spring used to nourish our bodies and souls. Now, the waters are tinted red, a foul smell hangs like fog, and it attracts only hordes of stinging and biting insects.

Manimal CEO Spencer Kane says he is shocked to hear that a child had joined the club without parental consent, and saddened that the spring was damaged. “We have boxes that every Alpha Club member has to check stating that they are awesome, and 18 or older. In addition, we are totally against hurting, breaking, jumping off of, or doing anything bad to historical monuments or sacred places. We like to focus on amazing people and amazing things, and what happened here is really unamazing.”

Kane says the company has already fixed some of the issues involved with the Alpha club, to ensure that nothing like this happens again. However, he says that we need to understand that awesome kids do awesome things, like drink Manimal, and figure out how to work around the rules. Spencer says that like everyone, he feels bad about the spring, but wishes people would take it easy on the child involved. He says,

“We have to remember that everyone makes mistakes. He’s just a radical kid who made a radical mistake. We should give him a break, and be thankful nothing but some water was hurt. I started the Alpha Club to offer the ultimate drink service for your ultimate life. We believe that legs were made for climbing, jumping, and kicking through cross currents, not walking to the store or standing in aisles. We wanted a way to say thanks to our serious customers, like this kid, and give them a chance to enjoy new products before the casual consumer. Like it says on the application, “Alpha’s Drink First!” We feel super bad about what happened, and have started to coordinate a volunteer effort with area Alpha Club members. I’m sure that with their energy and help, Ho’inu will be an awesome spring again.”