"I Love Lahaina" raises $30,000 for West Maui Schools

EDITOR'S NOTE: While we're typically in the business of assuring the spotlight shine brightest on our family of clients, I wanted to use our blog to additionally acknowledge the hard work of our G&A team on this event. For the long hours and hard work, congratulations on a successful event for both a worthy cause and our client.

- Larry Gilbert, President Gilbert & Associates

Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii – I Love Lahaina funded by Safeway, Property Development Centers and Lahaina Cannery Mall recently raised $30,000 for the West Maui Schools.  This event was a benefit and fundraiser for King Kamehameha III School, Lahaina Intermediate School, Lahainaluna High School, Maui Preparatory Academy, Princess Nahiʻenaʻena Elementary School and Sacred Hearts School.

“It was a great two-day event and we are so grateful to Lahaina Cannery Mall, Safeway, Property Development Centers and all the sponsors and auction donors,” said Art Fillazar, Student Activities Coordinator of Lahainaluna High School.  “These funds will be of great help to our co-curricular programs.”

"We’re proud to support the West Maui Schools in helping to build a solid foundation for the youth of today and support the education of our community,” said Lynn Okamoto, General Manager of Lahaina Cannery Mall.

 

Performances by:

Nuff Sedd

Kapena

Uluwehi Guerrero

King Kamehameha III School Choir

Lahaina Intermediate Band

Lahaina Intermediate Choir

Maui Preparatory Academy “7:00am Band”

Princess Nahi‘ena‘ena ‘Ukulele Group

Sacred Hearts School Choir

Magician Holden Mowat

LCM Hula Dancers

Lahainaluna High School Jazz Band

Lahainaluna High School Concert Choir

Lahainaluna High School Hawaiiana Club

Halau Hula Kauluokala

Silent & Live Auction Items donated by Lahaina Cannery Merchants:

Banana Wind

Boss Frog's Dive & Surf

Crazy Shirts

Hawaiian Islands Creations

Jeans Warehouse

L&L / Chopsticks Express

Lulu's Lahaina Surf Club & Grill

Maui Clothing Company

Maui Showcase Properties

Maui Toy Works

Na Hoku

Safeway

Serendipity

Starbucks

Three Crowns Jewelry

And over 75 other Maui Merchants … Dinner, jewelry, hotel stays, activities, golf, merchandise and more.

Gold Sponsors:

Safeway

Property Development Centers

Lahaina Cannery Mall

Silver Sponsors:

Lulu’s Lahaina

KPOA 93.5 FM

Gilbert & Associates

Bronze Sponsors:

Lahaina News

Securitas

Mala Ocean Tavern

The Maui News

Sunshine Helicopters

Honu Seafood & Pizza

The event also featured games, face painting, food booths, pony rides and a bouncy castle.

 We would like to extend a big mahalo from Gilbert & Associates to everyone that made this event the success that it was.

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Success in a Flash (Mob)

The challenge? Build awareness of annual two-day hula festival with a few hundred dollars.

The inspiration? Gilbert and Associates put a cultural spin on topical phenomenon, organizing the world’s first Tahitian dance flash mob. For this ambient event, our team leveraged existing relationships with production partners and performers to arrange low-cost and in-kind participation. Ka‘anapali Beach was selected as the performance locale for its high concentration of visitors, central Westside location and role as Ka‘anapali Resort’s main pedestrian artery.

On July 22, 2011, a typically placid morning on Ka‘anapali Beach became a swirl of song and dance in a flash as visitors, hospitality workers and other onlookers watched more than 20 youth rise and sway to the sound of Polynesian percussion. The performance was captured on video and posted on Lahaina Cannery Mall’s branded YouTube page.

The return?

• More than 1,300 attendees at the weekend event
• Official flash mob video by Lahaina Cannery Mall received more than 15,000 views in the first 14 days of being posted, and a massive traffic spike to Lahaina Cannery Mall’s official YouTube page
• Tens of thousands of impressions garnered via social sharing (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.)
• Video was shared on Facebook via the HawaiiNewsNow.com posting alone by more than 1,000 individual
• Story made statewide new cycle of every major news network in Hawaii, including KGMB (CBS), KHNL (NBC), KHON (FOX) and KITV4 (ABC), for almost 24 hours (evening, late and morning news broadcasts)
• Video featured very prominently on Maui-based TV/internet newscasts, including MauiNow.com and MauiTVNews.com (full-length video included)
• Mentions in various offline recourses including the Honolulu Star-Advertiser
• Single-month record for visits to official website LahainaCanneryMall.com set in July and again in August
• Spike in YouTube subscribers and Twitter followers
• Recognition from industry publications, including being lead story for Shopping Center Weekly

And, yeah, we got to spend the afternoon at the beach, so there’s that, too.

As the official video has a permanent home online, we can surmise the future will hold thousands of additional impressions promoting the Lahaina Cannery Mall brand to new audiences and reinforcing the center’s reputation as industry thought leaders and culturally aware community members, and, ultimately, promoting the Lahaina Cannery Mall brand indefinitely.

Much credit goes to our client, Lahaina Cannery Mall and CBRE, for allowing us stray from the box a bit, and to our partners at Silver Shark Media for their wiliness to work on a shoestring budget. Not to forget, of course, a big mahalo goes out to the kids and kumu from Te Tiare Patitifa, who embraced this idea passionately.

Thanks for the support. Click here to read entire post!

Fair Grounds for Fun

We have a lot of traditions at Gilbert & Associates. We get Thai food on birthdays. We prank each other on April first (and other times).

And we support the Maui Fair.

We’re proud to be a sponsor of the 89th annual event, to be held September 29 through October 2.

And while some aspects of the fair have changed through the years (like @MauiFair being on Twitter, and check out the new logo we did), the family-friendly weekend is still this island’s largest annual event and the primary source of funding for many of Maui’s nonprofit and community organizations.

If your business can help out, please do. Sponsorship packages are available to fit every budget. With an attendance of nearly 100,000, The Maui Fair relies entirely on corporate and local business sponsorships, donations, and volunteers for support.

Want to learn more? Give these fair folk a shout.

• Carolyn Nishimura: Publicity@MauiFair.com or 808.871.6230 [X13]
• Mahie Wong: Mahie@GilbertAdvertising.com or 808.871.6230 [X12]
• Sherri Grimes, Managing Director: Sherri@MauiFair.com or 808.280.6889

We’ll see you at the fair. Click here to read entire post!

‘Aloha for Japan’ Celebrity Carwash Raises Four Thousand Dollars in Four Hours

EDITOR'S NOTE: While we're typically in the business of assuring the spotlight shine brightest on our family of clients, I wanted to use our blog to additionally acknowledge the hard work of our G&A team on this event. For the long hours and hard work, congratulations on a successful event for both a worthy cause and our client.

- Larry Gilbert, President Gilbert & Associates


KAHULUI, MAUI, HAWAII -- A volunteer effort from Maui musicians, entertainers, politicians, youth and community members raised more than $4,000 for the American Red Cross and its relief efforts in Japan.

The “Aloha for Japan Celebrity Carwash” was held this past Saturday in Wailuku at Ho’ole’a Terrace at Kehalani, the island’s newest community from Maui-born developer Stanford Carr. Over the course of four hours more than 100 cars were soaped up and sprayed down by dozens of volunteers, including familiar names such as Mick Fleetwood, Henry Kapono and Marty Dread.

Laurie Lee, principal broker for Stanford Carr Development’s Ho’ole’a Terrace at Kehalani, credited the generosity of the Maui community for the success of the event.

“Aloha lives on Maui,” said Lee. “Many showed their aloha with their wallets, and many more by donating their time to lend a hand for the greater good. Our most sincere appreciation goes out to our family of volunteers and our island community. It’s because of them we surpassed our fundraising goals and are able to send a little aloha to our extended ‘ohana across the Pacific.”

Ho’ole’a Terrace representatives will present 100% of the proceeds to the American Red Cross later this week.

Celebrity volunteers who appeared include;

• Mick Fleetwood, Legendary drummer and co-founding member of the iconic band, Fleetwood Mac
• Marty Dread, Acclaimed Recording Artist
• Henry Kapono, Acclaimed Recording Artist
• Kathy “Tita” Collins, Mana’o Radio Personality/Comedian
• Sista Val, KPOA Radio Personality
• Hawaiian Homeboy Shane Kahalehau, KPOA Radio Personality
• Hula Honeys, Recording Artists
• Maya Iida, Miss Maui 2011
• Brian Kohne, Screenwriter, Get a Job
• Council Member Gladys Baisa, Maui County Council
• Makani, KISS-FM Morning Show Host
• Carol Reimann, Executive Director Maui Hotel & Lodging Association
• Tom Blackburn-Rodriguez, KNUI Maui Breakfast Club Host
• Chef James McDonald, Pacific’O & I`O
• Terryl Vencl, Executive Director Maui Visitors Bureau
• Representative George Fontaine, State House of Representatives
• Sherri Grimes, Managing Director, Maui Fair
• The Throwdowns, Hawaii’s Newest Hottest Band
• Rick Chatenever, Entertainment & Features Editor Maui News
• Jessica Griffiths, Face of Hawaii-inspired "American Girl" doll
• Kit Okazaki of Nuff Sedd, Recording Artist
• Amanda Taulare, Comedy Hui
• Maui Fire Department Chief Jeffrey Murray & squad from Engine 1 Wailuku

Generous book and CD donations were also made by Chef Mark Ellman of Mala Wailea and award-winning musical duo The Barefoot Natives.

Youth and parents from the Kahului Falcons and hula troupe Hui Lanakila also generously donated their time to help wash cars. Click here to read entire post!

Car Wash!

Feeling dirty?

The G&A team has organized a "Celebrity Carwash" this Saturday (10A-2P) at Hoolea Terrace (Wailuku) to support "Aloha for Japan" relief efforts.

How is this car wash different? Aside from the fact we'll be there, you’ll get soaped up by some familiar Maui folks, including ...

• Mick Fleetwood, Legendary drummer and co-founding member of the iconic band, Fleetwood Mac
• Marty Dread, Acclaimed Recording Artist
• Henry Kapono, Acclaimed Recording Artist
• Kathy “Tita” Collins, Mana’o Radio Personality/Comedian
• Sista Val, KPOA Radio Personality
• Hawaiian Homeboy Shane Kahalehau, KPOA Radio Personality
• Hula Honeys, Recording Artists
• Maya Iida, Miss Maui 2011
• Stella Rivers, Co-Director, Maui Film Festival
• Brian Kohne, Screenwriter, Get a Job
• Council Member Gladys Baisa, Maui County Council
• Makani, KISS-FM Morning Show Host
• Carol Reimann, Executive Director Maui Hotel & Lodging Association
• Tom Blackburn-Rodriguez, KNUI Maui Breakfast Club Host
• Chef James McDonald, Pacific’o & I`O
• Terryl Vencl, Executive Director Maui Visitors Bureau
• Representative George Fontaine, State House of Representatives
• Sherri Grimes, Managing Director, Maui Fair
• The Throwdowns, Hawaii’s Newest Hottest Band
• Rick Chatenever, Entertainment & Features Editor Maui News
• Jessica Griffiths, Face of Hawaii-inspired "American Girl" doll

This is an official American Red Cross certified event. 100% of the donations go direct to Japan relief efforts.

Event is 10a-2p this Saturday. Map and full details here.

If you're feeling dirty, come see us. We appreciate the support!
Click here to read entire post!

Good Fortune

When was the last time you were given a fortune cookie and didn’t read the script inside?

Smart and simple – not to mention tasty – is a solid recipe for sharing your message, even with the advent of new media and powerful tech tools.

This idea was cooked up for a recent “road show.” Working with a local bakery, we crafted about a dozen custom “fortunes” for those hungry for our message.

Bon appétit. Click here to read entire post!

Support Fair Play

What’s not to love about the Maui County Fair?

Ono grinds. Live entertainment. Jumbo stuffed animals. Maui’s largest annual event offers something for everyone, including community groups. Those famous food and activity booths are the primary source of funding for many of the county's nonprofit organizations.

The 88th fair is slated to kick off September 30, but not without a helping hand from the community.

The Maui County Fair relies entirely on corporate sponsorships, donations and volunteers, and Gilbert & Associates is once again proud to support in the event's corporate sponsorship campaign.

Sponsorship packages provide a visible investment in Maui’s community, and there’s plenty of brand publicity that goes with it. The four-day event has already received support from such companies as First Wind, Maui Thing, Tire Warehouse of Maui, The Maui News, Queen Ka'ahumanu Center and Subway, but there's need for more help.

Your company doesn’t have to be a behemoth to contribute. We’ve designed packages to fit every budget.

If your business can help support fun, contact Carolyn Nishimura at Gilbert & Associates via phone (808.871.6230 X13) or email (pr@mauicountyfair.com).

And for the latest Maui County Fair info, follow @MauiCountyFair on Twitter (http://twitter.com/mauicountyfair) or visit mauicountyfair.com.

Mahalo nui loa. Click here to read entire post!

We Are Hawaii: The G&A Video

Sure we're a dynamic, award-winning agency, but we're also a group of pretty cool individuals.

Check out this short promotional video we did to remind clients of the inherent value of having an agency that lives, breathes and loves the Hawaii market.



Click here to read entire post!

Maui Hotel & Lodging Association Extends, Expands Awareness Campaign

The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (MHLA) today announced it has expanded its “I Work for Aloha” public awareness campaign for 2009. The organization will use print and radio to heighten awareness of the connections between the visitor industry and the average county resident. Nearly half of all jobs in Maui County are directly tied to the visitor industry, and thousands more supply visitors with goods and services.

The campaign, crafted by Kahului-based advertising agency Gilbert & Associates, features island residents from a variety of vocations – from farmers and accountants to bus drivers and food workers – with the message that “family, friends, neighbors and likely you” are connected to the county’s visitor industry.

“Tourism is everyone’s business,” said Carol Reimann, MHLA’s executive director. “It’s not just hospitality employees. There’s a symbiotic relationship with nearly the whole community. A healthy, robust visitor industry benefits our entire county, and it’s now – during these tough economic times – that it’s more important than ever that we support each other.”

The visitor industry is the economic engine for the island and directly encompasses approximately 40% of all jobs in Maui County.

The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association is a nonprofit organization founded in 1987 to advocate for the Visitor Industry. MHLA’s membership is comprised of visitor accommodations and allied businesses in the County of Maui. The organization also provides educational opportunities via the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism and scholarship grants, and benefits the community via the annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk, Excellence in Education golf tournament and Kupuna Dinner. For additional information, contact MHLA at (808) 244-8625.

For an interview with Carol Reimann, call (808) 244-8625.

Related news:

MauiToday.TV (2/5/09) - I Work for Aloha Campaign Gains Momentum

Maui Weekly (2/26/09) - MHLA Launches Campaign

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