If you’re a beer and wine fan AND headed to Maui anytime in the future…here are a couple MUST SEE spots for your visit! On my recent (work) trip to Maui we were able to visit and tour the island’s hottest spots for beer and wine…Maui Brewing Company and MauiWine. It was actually my second visit to MauiWine, I had went there previously with my sister and dad…but this time I got more of a “behind the scenes” look! And — I got to spin the footage for each place into feature segments for ABC7 Bay Area LIFE and you can watch them below!
At the start of 2015, going to Maui wasn’t a prospect..in terms of work or pleasure, but as last year developed, many changes occurred in my life (and location), and I ended up living back on the West Coast working as a freelance TV Host. Fast forward, one of my freelance opportunities with ABC7 in San Francisco afforded me an assignment to the island of Maui in early December 2015! Who would’ve thought!?!?
So, now in 2016…last Sunday, the 30-minute “Get Outta Town MAUI” special aired with me as its host. I’m really proud of the work I did in helping put the show together from a writing and editing standpoint, so I want to share it with everyone. It was one of the best work trips and assignments I have ever had and it’s even better that through the magic of “TV,” I can share some of the highlights of the trip in this show.
Hawaii is really a magical place and Maui has many gems that we barely scratched the surface in this half hour show. We did get to showcase the island’s farm to table movement, as well as how Hawaiian culture is weaved into every aspect of life there. WARNING, if you’re going to watch it, be prepared to crave the island life and put Maui on your travel to do list!
To watch, just press play.
Special thanks to all our wonderful hosts while me and the crew were in the islands, from Virgina America to Grand Wailea Resort, Kumu Farms, Maui Tropical Planation, Hoaloha Farm, Hoaloha Group, Mama’s Fish House, Haleakala Ranch, Maui Gold Pineapple Company, Trilogy Excursions, Maui Fresh Streatery, Maui Brewing Co., MauiWine, Maui Ocean Center and all the awesome people we met on the trip…MAHALO!!!
And — here are a few behind the scenes photos from the trip.
I’ve never done one of these “Top 10” lists before, but with the year winding down, I started thinking about all that I’ve done this year and decided to sum it all up! No doubt 2011 has been a VERY memorable one…filled with travel, cross-country moves, fun interviews and always surrounded by the love of family and friends. So, without further adieu…here goes:
SUSTAINATOPIA HONORS 2011, presented by PLUM TV is the world’s premier awards ceremony honoring those doing GOOD through impact investing, philanthropy, and sustainable business practice. Hundreds of global leaders in investment, social entrepreneurship and philanthropy will gather to celebrate those committed to doing GOOD and changing our world forever.
#9 – Back to my Pro Dance/Cheer Roots
I became a Regional Director/Consultant for Going Pro Entertainment. In my role with GPE, I coach women as they work toward their goals of auditioning and being selected as a Dancer and/or Cheerleader for a pro (sports) team! I coordinated and hosted 2 very successful all day dance conventions in Miami and the Bay Area, and I’m proud to say a handful of the women are now on pro and semi-pro teams living out their dreams…namely Rachel of the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush! Another exciting event was the inaugural NFL Pro Cheer Alumni Reunion in Las Vegas. Watch this video for the highlights!
It was a quick flight to Cozumel to meet up and board the ship for a very special “at sea” performance by Taylor Swift! Not to mention I got to experience cruising on one of the biggest and newest vessels out there…very memorable!
One of my Miami gal pal’s heads up marketing for Equinox Gym’s in South Florida and she said there was an event going on with a celebrity that would be featured on The Ellen Show during a Zumba class, so could I attend!?!? I was like sure, no problem…well lo and behold…the celeb was none other than the Miami HEAT’s LeBron James!
On The Flipside continued to take on a life of its own in 2011, bridging my passion for sports and my “career” as a host, reporter, broadcaster. It’s an online TV Show I produce, host and edit in my spare time and I’d say 7 episodes is an accomplishment…we’re finishing the year with a 34 total episodes since its launch in 2009 and a handful of extra “specials” too. This year I had the opportunity to feature sports celebs like Santonio Holmes, Marshawn Lynch, Dwight Howard, Stephen Curry and Dwyane Wade, just to name a few.
I celebrated my birthday on both coasts this year, felt like I was on “tour.” Tariq made sure it was extra special, completely spoiling me…that paired with being able to see and share the occasion with so many of my friends made it so memorable! From Miami to LA and finally back home in the Bay, my 2011 birthday was a reminder of how blessed I am!!
One of my favorite things to do is travel, and while I’m usually not too much of an adventurous type, in 2011 I dared to be different. During my visit to Maui with my sister and Dad, we decided to embark on a downhill bike ride on the Haleakala Volcano! It was a 22-mile ride, that in the end I am so glad to say I did, but really there were times I was like what did I get myself into!?!? haha
Then on my Ocho Rios, Jamaica excursion, I had the unique opportunity to go horseback riding in the ocean…which was fun, but seeing the horses relieve themselves in the water while we were riding around in it…not so much! LOL
Well, what can I say, in 2011 I left Miami and the East Coast in May to return to my beloved Bay Area. I took a job as a TV Reporter at KRON and decided it was time to take that leap of faith! Needless to say, it didn’t last long…the gloom & doom, murder & mayhem nature of the news just wasn’t for me! I’ve been back living the (freelance) Miami life and 2012 is promising to deliver lots of new beginnings! I can’t hardly wait.
#2 – Virgin Atlantic’s RED HOT REPORTER in LONDON
In October of 2011 I had the opportunity and trip of a lifetime courtesy of Virgin Atlantic, after I was chosen as their Red Hot Reporter for the NFL International Series between the Chicago Bears and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium! Tariq was able to come long for the “ride” and together we were privy to VIP access for all the events, parties and fun festivities!! The entire journey from start to finish was a top notch, 5-star, first class experience that I will never forget…I’ve got my fingers crossed they’ll want more of my Red Hot Reporting next fall 2012 too!! 😉
#1 – TARIQ
Hands down THE highlight of my 2011 was finally finding my best friend and partner for life! The story of how Tariq and I came to be is something you could read in the pages of a romance novel, but certainly a long time coming…our paths have definitely crossed more than a few times over the years, but in 2011, they finally were in sync and the rest is history, with the BEST yet to come! 😀
It’s a milestone..EPISODE 30 for On The Flipside!! And on this special episode, my sister Adrienne helped me shoot the intros and wraps while we were on vacay in Maui (you know I always multi-task)! This show features a photo shoot with NBA star Dwyane Wade, separate sit down interviews with the NFL’s Santonio Holmes and Ronnie Brown…and we can’t forget the Sideline Distraction feature on an Orlando Magic dancer! See this and all the episodes at http://ontheflipsidetv.com
Aloha! I’m completely rejuvenated after a wonderful week in Maui with mi familia (well, a couple fam members anyway…)! It’s been 9 years since I have visited that island and it was so nice to be back…
We stayed in Kihei and our timeshare is in the perfect location, across the street from the beach AND an ABC store – what else do you need in Hawaii!?!? 🙂
Usually, it’s a lot of lounging, beach and plate lunches on our Hawaii vacays…but this trip we also dared to complete a 22-mile bike ride down Haleakala – with the Haleakala Bike Company. Now, if you’re my sister, Ade, it’s no big deal, because for her, biking is how she gets around in SF, but for me and my Dad…well, we’re not exactly “outdoorsy and adventurous” on the regular…
So, this excursion was the highlight of the trip because not only did we get to look at gorgeous views on the way down, but me, my sister Adrienne and my Dad successfully made it down the volcano together, with NO problems!!
I mean I was out of breath…but I just gotta work on my cardio for next time..hehehe 😉
Basically, they drive you up in a van (we didn’t go all the way up 10k feet to the summit, just a manageable 6500 feet), and then it’s all “downhill” from there… haha We even make a pit stop at the Kula Cafe to grab lunch. Good times, I recommend it, if you ever get the chance.
Another point of interest was our visit to the Tedeschi Winery at Ulupalakua Ranch in upcountry Maui, where they make grape and pineapple wines…
…and the winery grounds have an abundance of extra-beautiful trees and flowers.
Adrienne and I also stopped by one of our favorite beaches on the island…Makena’s Big Beach aka Oneloa Beach.
I love that “Big Beach” is untouched and part of its beauty is that the ocean still rules above all…there’s also a very nice view of Molokini and Kahoolawee
BUT the wave breaks here can be very dangerous, so you MUST be careful…
And OF COURSE we had to go to a luau..because that’s just what you do in Hawaii…you know… to get “LEI’D!!” 😀
We attended the Old Lahaina Luau, which is a very authentic Hawaiian luau that showcases many beautiful hula dances and dancers, along with the history of the islands…
All in all, this trip was just what I needed to get ready for what’s to come! Remember… you just gotta HANG LOOSE in Hawaii!
#10 – Host of the FIRST EVER 
#8 – My first 
#2 – Virgin Atlantic’s RED HOT REPORTER in LONDON
