Maui awaits...Wailea Resort is Open for Tourism

Maui, Hawaii

Aloha, 

A few spots leave an internal mark on your heart and soul. The Maui island is one of those special destinations for me. In April, I spent an unforgettable time exploring the beaches and beautiful sights of the island together with my daughter. We loved looking at the rainbows, burning red, pink, and blue sunsets, crystal clear blue waters, unique flowers, trees, and warm sands. We stayed at Ka’anapali and spent time exploring Lahaina and its shops, history, and liveliness while whale watching in the middle of the deep blue waters. We spent our time gazing towards the sun, dreaming, feeling inspired, full of energy, and happiness, while filling our lungs with the sweet smell of flowers. We took a fun road trip to Hana amazed by the vegetation on the way, unforgettable beautiful beaches, and water sights. We returned rejuvenated and excited, ready to live life to the fullest. 

Ka'anapali Beach, Maui

Ka'anapali Beach, Maui

Lahaina, Maui

Little did we know that months later, a tragedy would hit our beloved destination in Maui. Lahaina burnt to the ground leaving people without homes, jobs, and buildings in ashes, spreading death, fear, and pain. My heart hurt deeply for the island as I watched it burn in flames on the news. I cried remembering how many happy memories my daughter and I had there leaving a distant memory from the past embedded in my heart forever. As the months went by after the tragedy, I was happy to see how strong the island and its people were and how they fought for their land and homes. Maui was not to be forgotten but to be to be rebuilt once again. But we all have to do our part in helping the island rise from the ashes. 

Lahaina, Maui

I wanted to do my part and help bring back visitors to the island. I wanted to remind people and tourists that the tragedy doesn’t define Maui - it only makes it stronger and that much more precious. There are parts of the island that remain untouched, unseen, beautiful, and ready to be explored. Maui offers visitors an opportunity to welcome them in other areas so that its economy gets stronger, and better and more island people can go back to work. 

Black Sand Beaches, Maui

Hana, Maui

I had the opportunity to learn in a meeting with Lori Machimoto and Kathleen Costello that one of those precious spots welcoming its doors to tourists is in Wailea. Both Machimoto and Costello wanted to remind visitors that Maui is open and that one way we can all help is by boosting the island’s economy so that more jobs can become available to the island people. Wailea offers tourists a more luxurious and authentic experience with beautiful beaches and sights. The Wailea Resort contributes towards the environmental protection, sustainable practice, and community welfare of Maui while employing more people from the island. 

Wailea Resort spans the emerald slopes of the Pacific offering views of the islands of Kahoolawe, Lana’i, and West Maui, along a beautiful mountain setting. It is situated 17 miles away from Maui’s airport. According to Machimoto, Wailea is the leading luxury resort destination in the state of Hawaii that includes hotel brands such as Four Seasons, Fairmont, Waldorf Astoria, and Relais & Châteaux. It is also home to some of Maui’s top employers, so with the recent devastating wildfires, visitors are encouraged to return soon. Some of the ways Wailea continues to prioritize sustainability in Maui is by supporting responsible tourism, reusable water bottles, recycled cooking oil converted to biofuel, landscape with drought-resistant plants, and local sourcing for meat fish, among others. 

If you want to explore Maui and Wailea, you can learn more here: 

https://wailearesortassociation.com 

@waileamauihawaii 

Mahalo!

Interview with Chicago Actor and Influencer Andre Bellos

 Check out my latest interview with Chicago actor and influencer Andre Bellos: 

"Blueback" - a Visually Stunning Masterpiece for All Senses

One of the films I had the chance to see at the Sundance Film Festival is "Blueback." Its captivating water imagery, sea animals, stunning views of the reef and emotional scenes made it a gem that has to be seen and remembered by many. It is a stunning film to experience both visually and emotionally. My favorite part was the special bond between the mother and her daughter and how the film revolves around their deep bond with the sea and each other. 

"Blueback" is based on Tim Winton’s 1997 novella of the same name. The film stars Mia Wasikowska, Radha Mitchell, and Eric Bana. The film is also geared towards kids making it the perfect family film. 

Synopsis:

While researching Australia’s deteriorating coral reefs, marine biologist Abby receives word of her elderly mother Dora’s stroke. As she rushes to her seaside hometown to care for Dora, Abby recalls her childhood years spent living in concert with the ocean, and her mother’s efforts to protect the bay from greedy developers and invasive fishermen alike, often to the detriment of their own relationship. Among the coral gardens, Abby also befriends a rare fish, the blue groper — affectionately named Blueback — a tether to her environmentalism, and the key to reminding Abby and Dora of their love for each another and the vulnerable waters they call home. 

 The film opens wide theatrically on February 24 by Quiver Distribution. 

Sundance Film Festival 2023 - It's a Wrap!

This year was special for the Sundance Film Festival because it was the first year in two years since the Covid-19 pandemic that the festival took place in person. In addition to attending press lines and meeting some of my favorite celebrities like Debby Ryan and Anne Hathway, I had a great time celebrating films with friends for the short weekend I attended (Jan 21-22). 

What I absolutely loved about the festival this year was the great selection of films, the different and exciting sponsor events, as well as the beauty of Park City that I had missed so much. It is only during this time of year that I get to find my perfect place with friends, parties, celebrities, mountains, and film in one!

I stopped by Audible to find out a breathtaking view of the Park City's mountains as well as colorful booths that actually matched my pink jacket. I had a custom Binnie made at the Shore Club. But most of all I had fun celebrating the festival with actors and directors at the LatinX House, as well as journalism colleagues at the Neo Lounge hosted by Ericka Nicole Malone and featuring live music with Angie Stone. I also attended a VIP party hosted by Funny or Die Entertainment at an amazing mountain resort. This year the Cannon studio didn't disappoint as well. 

It was a warm, fun, and extraordinary experience I will not forget! See you next year Sundance!

Actress Yelena De Leon

Josefina Lopez

Cultured Focus Magazine team

Angie Stone

Ericka Nicole Malone

Actress Meagan Good

Funny or Die's Henry R. Munoz III

"Shortcomings" - Sundance Film Festival 2023

Photo Credit: Sundance.org

This year's Sundance Film Festival held in-person at Park City, Utah, had a big comeback after two years of online presence due to the Covid-19 pandemic. There was a variety of great films to choose from and I chose the film "Shortcomings," which was an official selection of the U.S Dramatic Competition section at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. This was also the first Sundance year for actor/director Randall Park. The film also received an emotional standing ovation from the audience. 

Short synopsis:

Ben, a struggling filmmaker, lives in Berkeley, California, with his girlfriend, Miko, who works for a local Asian American film festival. When he’s not managing an art-house movie theater as his day job, Ben spends his time obsessing over unavailable blond women, watching Criterion Collection DVDs, and eating in diners with his best friend, Alice, a queer grad student with a serial dating habit. When Miko moves to New York for an internship, Ben is left to his own devices and begins to explore what he thinks he might want. 

The cast:

Randall Park (Director/Producer), Adrian Tomine (Writer), Justin H. Min (Cast), Sherry Cola (Cast), Ally Maki (Cast), Debby Ryan (Cast), Tim Simons (Cast), Margot Hand (Producer), Hieu Ho (Producer), Jennifer Berman (Producer), Howard Cohen (Producer), Eric d’Arbeloff (Producer), Michael Golamco (Producer), Michael Bloom (Producer), Ryan Heller (Producer), Ryan Paine (Producer), Lia Buman (Producer), Neil Shah (Producer), Max Silva (Producer), Gene Back (Composer), Robert Nassau (Editor), Santiago Gonzalez (Director of Photography), Ava Yuriko Hama (Costume Designer), Nicole Abellera (Casting Director), Bill Boes (Production Designer)

I was able to talk to a few of the cast members at the red carpet event held on Sunday, January 22 at the Eccles Theater.

Margot Hand

Adrian Tomine

Gene Back

Ally Maki

Randall Park

Debby Ryan

Justin H. Min

This is what they had to say:

Margot Hand - Producer

Timothy Simons - Cast

Gene Back - Composer

Ally Maki - Cast

Adrian Tomine - Writer

Randall Park - Director

Debby Ryan - Cast

https://youtube.com/shorts/PuUHKMOPK1g?feature=share 

Justin H. Min - Cast

https://youtube.com/shorts/Bfxt7EgOnpQ?feature=share

Anne Hathaway in "Eileen" - Premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2023

 

Photo credit: Sundance.org

Meeting Anne Hathway was one of my biggest highlights at this year's Sundance Film Festival. She was part of the cast for "Eileen" at this year's Sundance Film Festival - one of the most anticipated films this year. 

Based on the book of the same name by literary powerhouse Ottessa Moshfegh, Eileen follows a peculiar young woman whose dreary life stretches on toward unending misery. In frigid 1960s Boston, Eileen (Thomasin McKenzie) shuffles between her father’s dingy, emotionally haunted home and the prison where she works alongside colleagues who have ostracized her. When an intoxicating woman (Anne Hathaway) joins the prison staff, Eileen is taken. Just when the possibility of a salvational friendship (or maybe more) takes hold and forms a singular glimmer in Eileen’s darkness, her newfound confidant entangles her in a shocking crime that alters all. 

Cast:

Thomasin McKenzie (Cast), Anne Hathaway (Cast), Shea Whigham (Cast), Marin Ireland (Cast), William Oldroyd (Director), Ottessa Moshfegh (Screenwriter), Luke Goebel (Screenwriter), Anthony Bregman (Producer), Peter Cron (Producer) and Ari Wegner (Director of Photography).

The "Eileen" red carpet premiere took place on Saturday, January 21, at the Eccles Theater during Sundance Film Festival. I was able to talk to some of the cast and this is what they had to say:

Anne Hathaway - Cast

Ottessa Moshfegh and Luke Goebel - Screenwriters

Marin Ireland - Cast

Shea Whigham - Cast

More photos from the press red carpet event: