HAPPY BELTAINE TO ALL !!
We just celebrated BELTANE, a May Day eve festival, dedicated to Bel (also called Beli and Belinus), the sun god, marking the beginning of Summer. Beltane means 'the fires of Bel'. In ancient times, Druids would kindle the Beltane fire, and two seperate bonfires were made, with people and animals being driven between them, to cleanse them of diseases and bad luck form the dark part of the year, winter. Household hearths were re-lit from the Beltane fire, having been extinguished for the occasion. The festival tradition has continued to this day in Britain and Ireland, in the form of May Day celebrations. The Celtic day started at sunset, so did their celebrations.
Our Online Store
ORDER COOL CELTIC GIFTS AT THE 'MAUI CELTIC ONLINE STORE'. Hawaii Tartan, Celtic T-shirts, torcs and tattoos, Pagan and Christian jewelry, specialty books.
Events on Maui & Oahu
Keep an eye on the Celtic Events held on MAUI, OAHU and HAWAII. From Radio shows to live concerts, you'll find all the info you need, right here at mauiceltic.com
HAWAII TARTAN PAGE
is now live online ! Hamish of Maui Celtic together with the Hawaii Tartan's designer Douglas Herring, have made the history and information about this beautiful tartan, or plaid, easily available to the public on our 'Hawaii Tartan' page.
New Hawaii Tartan Apparel is now available !
Sashes, Mini-sashes, Shawls, Fly Plaids, Head Wraps, Cargo Shorts, and Sport Kilts, as well as the previously available made-to-measure Scottish wool Kilts. Give a gift of Hawaii Tartan to your friends and family - you can find these new items in our "Online Store" now !
WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE NOW OFFER A GREAT KILT RENTAL PROGRAM.
Perfect for Scottish, Irish, Welsh or other Celtic Weddings, Robert Burns Night, Proms, or any black tie event. There are 6 Tartans (plaids) and styles of Kilt Outfits to choose from. Please visit our Kilt Rental page for more details.
CELTIC CONCERTS ON MAUI..........
Watch this space for May 22nd/23rd/24th/25th concerts by smoking hot duo Tim Readman & Shona Le Mottee - great Celtic songs and music from this dynamic duo with guitar and fiddle - from beautiful airs to foot-stomping jigs and reels ! Mulligans on the Blue, the Studio Maui in Haiku, and the Haleakala Waldorf School concert hall. More details on our 'CELTIC EVENTS' page.
HOT MAUI NEWS.........
AN ONGOING PROJECT - A new play KA'IULANI, THE ISLAND ROSE celebrates the life of a brave young girl who overcame great sorrow to become Hawaii's 'Hope of the Nation.' The script is a period piece (years 1885-1893) surrounding the life of Princess Victoria Ka'iulani Cleghorn. The play covers a controversial period in Hawaiian history where several members of the musical Kalakaua Royal Family are depicted, as well as other well-known politicians and ladies of the day. It is not widely known that Princess Ka'iulani was a child of dual heritage, her mother being the Hawaiian Princess, Miriam Likelike, and her father, the Scottish entrepreneur, Archibald Cleghorn. This remarkable child of two races was educated in Hawai'i and the British Isles and was heir to the Hawaiian throne at the time of annexation.
At the young age of seventeen, the young princess fought courageously for her country in its hour of need. Ka'iulani was also instrumental in changing the world's prejudiced view of the Hawaiian people.
The public reading took place April 12th at the The Steppingstone Playhouse, Kahului. With a cast of 17, the piece was well received with a standing ovation from the audience. More details on our NEWS ARCHIVE page. This will ultimately lead to a large stage production (with music) for Hawaii, which will first be performed here in Maui. Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian actors of all ages are still needed. Anyone wanting to take part in or sponsor the stage production is encouraged to contact David Johnston, Executive and Artistic Director of MAPA at 808-244-8760, or email Jennifer at islandroseplay@aol.com.
ONLINE SHOPPING
YOU CAN NOW ORDER COOL CELTIC GIFTS ON THE 'MAUI CELTIC ONLINE STORE'. We invite you to check it out by clicking the 'Storefront' button.
MAUI CELTIC IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE NOW HAVE A NEW RANGE OF TEMPORARY CELTIC TATTOOS AVAILABLE IN OUR 'MAUI CELTIC ONLINE STORE'. TATTOO AND PACKACKING DESIGNED AND DRAWN BY HAMISH RIGHT HERE ON MAUI. So far we have two triscele designs and an armband. More to follow soon. Shipping is only a dollar each. Easy to put on with water - last up to a week. Fun and safe. Great for kids. Full instructions on the tattoo.
THIS SITE IS UPDATED WEEKLY
Most recent update:- May 7th '08
Please email us to be added to our mailing list. hamish@mauiceltic.com
ANCIENT CULTURES
The ancient culture of the Celts , although geographically far from these Islands, did in fact have many similarities to the ancient Hawaiian culture.
Both cultures had their own mythology, legends of 'little people' and famous heros, and a belief that animate and inanimate things could posess spiritual power. They both revered the natural forces of their world, with gods and goddesses relevant to that. They both understood their place in their land, the natural way of things inherently entwined with their daily life, and so lived in harmony with nature.
Both cultures ended a seasonal war period every year when the Pleiades stars rose in the night sky, around the end of October. The Hawaiian war god Ku ended his reign, and a season of festivities called Makahiki, began under the god Lono. In the Celtic world, the war goddess The Morrigan ended her reign, and mated with The Good God Dagda, heralding the festival of Samhain.
Both cultures lived in tribes or clans, often in conflict to expand their territories, with an area of land traditionally associated with the clan. Each clan had their own chief or king, who ruled the land for the communual use of his people.
Neither culture had a system of writing, therefore had an oral tradition, stretching back many hundreds of years. The wise men, Druids in the Celtic world, and Kahunas in Hawaii, were keepers of knowledge, genaeology, history, and were healers and experts in certain fields. Both cultures were practised in the art of tattooing, and had a reputation as fierce warriors.
Both cultures at some time were taken over by outsiders, and a new religion, and were stopped from using their language, music, and traditional way of dress. Both later overcame that adversity with a revival of culture.
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MAUI CELTIC IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT OUR WEBSITE RECEIVED AN AWARD FROM THE 'NEW WORLD CELTS' ORGANIZATION, a charitable organization dedicated to promoting Celtic History and supporting Celtic Culture in the New World. Their new chapter is a Hawai'i Branch based over on Oahu.