Uncle Charlie’s Home Away From Home
Ala Moana Newsletter
Fall 2001
Maui resident, Kahu (Reverend) Charles Kauluwehi Maxwell Sr., also known as “Uncle Charlie,” has been calling the Ala Moana Hotel his home away from home for more than 15 years.
Uncle Charlie, a radio personality on KNUI AM 900, is the manager of the Pukalani Hula Hale, and his wife Nina and Hiilei Maxwell-Juan are the Na Kumu Hula of the Halau which started more then 40 years ago. They stay at the hotel at least once every year for the Queen Liliuokalani Keiki Hula Festival.
“We’ve tried other hotels on Oahu, but nothing compares to the Ala Moana Hotel,” he said. “The rooms are nice and roomy. The staff is so friendly and very accommodating. And the location is perfect for getting around town.”
According to Uncle Charlie, he has been offered many deals by other hotels, but has declined those offers in exchange for knowing that everyone in the halau will be happy and satisfied at the Ala Moana Hotel.
But Uncle Charlie calls Ala Moana Hotel “home” more than once a year. He stays at the hotel at least once a month and sometimes as many as three times a month.
His frequent trips to Oahu are a result of his responsibilities as an avid community leader. He serves as Chair of the Maui/Lanai Island Burial Council and Hawaii Advisory Committee to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission; Hawaiian Native Cultural Representative of the Western Pacific Regional Fishers Management Council Indigenous Rights Advisory Panel; Kupuna to the National Marine Humpback Whale Sanctuary; Hawaiian Cultural Representative on the State of Hawaii Shark Task Force; and Hawaiian Consultant at the Maui Ocean Center. He also teaches Hawaiian spirituality and culture at the Maui Correctional Center and has held classes throughout Hawaii on all aspects of Hawaiian Culture.
On his radio show, “Talk Story with Uncle Charlie,” he plays Hawaiian songs and chants, tells stories of the past, talks about island issues, and translates songs and dances. You can listen to Uncle Charlie live on KNUI AM 900 every aloha Friday from 10 a.m. to noon. Or visit his web site at www.moolelo.com.
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Caption: Members of Pukalani Hula Hale take time out from their busy schedule to share a quick hula at Ala Moana Hotel’s Ginger Terrace.
