About Lahaina's Kapalua

I am thrilled to announce that you can now purchase note cards of Maui artist Sarah Howard's artwork at the Honolua Store in Kapalua.

As you may know, Sarah is my favorite Maui artist (she is, after all, my mother). Her artwork includes florals and scenes of Maui.

Her paintings are featured at Hale Zen and Maui Hands Galleries.

For more information, please visit www.SarahKHoward.com

Driving home last night, I was thrilled to see treadmills in the window of the new Kapalua Spa fitness center. Normally, this is not my reaction when it comes to seeing exercise equipment, however, the Kapalua Spa promises to be one of the most beautiful wellness centers on the island.

Scheduled to open in Mid-June, I and other Kapalua Club members have been eagerly awaiting the addition of this new amenity. At nearly 30,000 square feet, the spa will provide indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, a yoga/flex studio, fitness center, saline pool, and more.

The Kapalua Spa is adjacent to the new Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, the latest luxury development in Maui. The Ritz-Carlton Club will open its doors to guests on May 31st, and we should see the first closings of the whole ownership residences shortly thereafter. Comprised of 62 fractional ownership residences and 84 wholly owned residences, the location is truly one of Maui's best: 24 oceanfront acres perched overlooking Kapalua Bay.

It was announced Friday that Maui Land and Pineapple CEO, Rob Webber, has resigned his position. MLP is the parent company of the Kapalua Resort.

Webber joined MLP in May of 2006, as CFO and Senior VP of Business Development. On January 1, 2009, he was appointed to succeed David Cole in the position of President and CEO by the Board of Directors.

MLP has begun an active search for a new CEO. In the interim, Warren Haruki, the Chairman of the Board has been appointed to the position.

Pineapple Grill, one of my favorite Kapalua restaurants, will host the Top Young Chef's Dinner on Thursday, June 11th, during the world famous Kapalua Wine and Food Festival. Cocktails will be served at 6 pm, with dinner to follow at 7 pm.

~First Course~Executive Chef Ben Klein, Mala Ocean Tavern
Five Spiced Dusted Day Boat Scallops,carrot-ginger emulsion, macadamia nut & orange infused croutons, crème fraiche, vanilla bean brown butter 2006 Morlet Family Vineyards ‘La Proportion Doree', Sonoma County

~Second Course~Chef de Cuisine Ryan Urig, The Banyan Tree, Ritz Carlton, Kapalua
Hawaiian Ahi & Kona Kampachi Coconut Ceviche,pickled green papaya salad 2007 Morlet Family Vineyards, ‘Ma Douce' Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 2007 Peay Vineyards Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast

~Third Course~Executive Chef Ryan Luckey, The Pineapple Grill at Kapalua"
Duck a Trois"Confit of Duck & Makawao Oyster mushroom Ravioli, Pan Seared Foie Gras,Opal Basil lacquered Crispy Duck Breast, celery root puree, upcountry Kula rhubarb & strawberry compote 2007 Peay Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

~Fourth Course~Chef de Cuisine, Rich Hinojosa, Tropica Restaurant, Westin, Kaanapali
Grilled Australian Lamb Loin,Tuscan white beans, roasted tomatoes, Mediterranean olives, arugula & red onion 2006 Peay Vineyards Estate "La Bruma" Syrah, Sonoma Coast

~Cheese Plate~Imported Cheese Selections, Island Fruit and accompaniments, Mignardes of Chocolate, Maui Grown "Private Blend" Coffee, Decaf or Premium Hot Tea Selections

$140 per person all inclusive of tax and tip. Seating is limited. Please contact the Pineapple Grill for information to confirm reservations.

The latest update to the Kapalua Resort Newsletterand Market Update is now available online!

In it, you'll find updates on The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, the Kapalua Spa, and the new sponsor for the PGA Tour's Mercedes Championship.

The following is an overview of MLS activity in the Kapalua Resort looking back at the month of April:

• There are a total of 147 active listings in the resort. Of these listings, 9 were new listings, ranging from a low of $495,000 as a starting price for the Auction of Ridge 2512 to a high of $2,350,000 for a vacant lot in Plantation Estates II.
• There was one new escrow: Bay Villa 15G1-3, a Gold Program, two bedroom listed at $1,575,000.
• There was one closing: the bank owned property at 406 Monarch sold at $1,700,000 and has been re listed at $2,300,000.
• We have had 4 closings year to date in 2009. By comparison, we had 16 closings as of this date in 2008.

For more information on the Kapalua Resort, you'll find links to active MLS listings and sales histories.