Changing the Future of Maui Weddings

This may not necessarily be directly related to Maui weddings, Maui wedding videos or webcasts, but in some way our attending this weekend’s TEDx event at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center (MACC) may just help change Maui weddings afterall.

Here is the event description:

TEDxMaui is an independently organized TED event. In the spirit of “ideas worth spreading,” this all-day event will present innovative and inspiring speakers and performers who have the courage to dream and change the world with revolutionary ideas. TEDxMaui is an opportunity to broaden understanding and knowledge in our community. Attendees will hear new ways of thinking, learn about break-throughs and be motivated by those accelerating innovation and improving the lives of citizens around the world. The goal is to have each person walk away feeling enlightened, motivated and dedicated to making a difference in their lives as well as the lives of others. Guest speakers include Elizabeth Lindsey, Art Medeiros, Pualani Kanaka‘ole Kanahele, W.S. Merwin, Byron Washom and Susan Casey.

We’re always looking for ways to better ourselves as individuals, our art and craft, and to hone our technological edge. Attending seminars like this aims to help us in this mission. Who knows, we may need to enhance our Maui wedding mission statement by the time Sunday is through!

You will be able to tune into the live webcast of the event right here…

TedX Live Webcast (not an example of a Maui Weddings Webcast)

Verizon 4G to Help Maui Wedding Webcasts

Well, it’s official: Verizon joins Sprint and Clear in the world of 4G mobile broadband coverage here on Maui. That means that we are now able to offer  Maui wedding webcasts in more places and with even higher quality than ever before. You can be sure that we’re lining up at the Verizon store today to get our hands on this newest technology… that’s just how we roll as tech geeks and video buffs. Your Maui wedding will never look clearer!

Here is the Verizon Press Release

HONOLULU, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Starting Thursday, Verizon Wireless customers on Maui will be able to surf the web, download files and share music and photos up to 10 times faster than before with Verizon Wireless’ 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. The network launches on July 21 and will be available to customers in the following cities and towns:

• Kaanapali
• Kahului
• Kihei
• Lahaina
• Napili
• Wailea
• Wailuku

“We are proud to help lead Maui into the 4G LTE wireless broadband world, helping residents, small businesses and local government connect faster and more fully with each other and those outside our community,” said Kevin Zavaglia, region president for Verizon Wireless. “Our 4G LTE network is revolutionizing the way people communicate, and we know this connectivity will be a key communications and technology enabler for many years to come.”

[...]

Coverage

In real-world, fully-loaded network environments, 4G LTE users should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink, so customers from Napili to Wailea can enjoy the fast speeds of the world’s first large-scale 4G LTE network. Verizon Wireless began introducing the globe’s first large-scale LTE network on December 5, 2010, covering more than 110 million Americans, and is quickly expanding national coverage. In addition to expanding eight markets, the company is adding 28 new markets this week, for a total of 102 areas covered. The company is rapidly building out its 4G LTE network, and is on course to deliver 4G LTE to its entire 3G wireless footprint by the end of 2013.

In addition, the company is working with rural communications companies to collaboratively build and operate a 4G network in those areas using the tower and backhaul assets of the rural company and Verizon Wireless’ core 4G LTE equipment and premium 700 MHz spectrum. To date, 10 rural carriers have announced their participation in the LTE in Rural America program and have leased spectrum covering, in total, more than 2.1 million people in rural communities and nearly 72,000 square miles.

When customers travel outside of a 4G coverage area, the devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless’ 3G network, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast. Verizon Wireless’ 3G network is the most reliable network in the country, allowing customers with laptops, tablets and smartphones to download and use cool apps, from mobile social networking platforms to GPS-enabled maps; rapidly browse the web to keep up with news, sports, stock quotes, Hollywood gossip and more; work on-the-go with fast file sharing; and stream must-see video and customized radio stations.

Honolulu Getaway

Where do Mauians go for a little city life and shopping?

Yes, you guessed it: Honolulu.

My wife and I took a little one night sabatical to enjoy some Chinatown dim sum, a chinese foot massage in a speak easy clandestine store front, a classic Waikiki sunset cocktail complete with Elvis music and Diamond Head view, an Apple Store visit an authentic Japanese dinner experience and, ohh yeah… TESTING WEBCAST SIGNAL. It seems neighboring islands have caught on to what we’re doing and have inquired about our services.

That’s pretty cool when the main island looks to an “outer island” with far smaller population to service them with a technology service.

Now to the shopping. I scored some on sale board shorts for 20 and get this, 2 rock and roll style jeans for only 15 a piece. Designer jeans for 15? In Waikiki no less? Yep. Go hit the the Genius Boutique on Lewers Street followed up with a glass of sake and a Japanese meal at the Genius Bar upstairs with terrace lanai seating. Genious I’d say.

Live Maui Webcasts is also in the market for new Apple Macbook Pro computers to replace our aging (but totally solid) Dells. The Apple Store in waikiki is amazing. Open until 10pm and a staff that gives workshops and great consultations, hardware and software that’s rock solid (I’m blogging from my iPhone), Apple has really impressed me.

Just had a continental breakfast at the Aqua Boutique Coconut Hotel (rated nr 1 on tripadvisor.com), which I totally recommend and now off to sone spa treatments and more dim sum.

Then – shock of all shocks – we go back home to the real world.

Aloha from Waikiki
Stephan

Are You a Publicity Seeker or A Private Type? Who Sees Your Maui Wedding is Up to You.

So you want to be an internet webcast star? You’re thinking maybe like Jill and Kevin?

What, you aren’t one of the 25,000,000 who’ve seen the video? Well, then, you’ve got to see it here:

This youtube video was so popular and went so viral that cable news station picked it up and ran stories all over the country. Jill and Kevin went on the talk show circuit and had their 15 minutes of fame. They were just two unsuspecting people getting married and turned in to overnight sensations.

Most of our couples choose to do their webcasts on the down-low, inviting just their friends and family in an intimate and personal chat and viewing room. Some even prefer to have their wedding page password protected. No problem, we’ll protect it.

But, in case there are those who want to share their wedding with the world and market it so that it goes viral, we could do that too. It’s really up to individual preference. Just make sure to tell us what you prefer:

1. private OR
2.  viral public.

I can’t guarantee that 25  mil people will tune in to your wedding through. That’s up to your imagination and ingenuity.

We’ll just deliver it to the web, but who tunes in is up to you.

Aloha,
Stephan

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
	An Maui Island resident since the turn of the millenium, Stephan has a passion for sharing Maui with the world. Whether through a live webcast to a wedding couples’ loved-ones stuck at home or through the Live Maui Blog, signup for the newsletter to get insider news and insights. Signup on the right!

Webcasting is Our Passion

While in Europe this winter on video assignment, my girlfriend and I spent a week in Venice, Italy. Unlike up in the alps where 2 meters of snow dumped on us within just 1 week, Venice was downright spring-like!

While Maui boasts the most amazing natural splendor, majestic ocean and Hawaiian Island culture, the island of Venizia boasts beautiful architecture, centuries old arts and humanities culture, pedestrian walkways, and calm canals. And we had the added pleasure of being there during carnival with locals and tourists alike dressed in masks and grand old costumes (see pics below).

In between our lazy afternoons spent walking around, frequent tratoria visits and taking rides on the water buses, we even had time to test live internet broadcast over the cell phone network. Family back home said it was not as smooth and clear as our regular Maui webcast, but it was still nice to tune in and see us on vacation.

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I am very much looking forward to heading back to Maui and joining my brother Thomas who has been broadcasting weddings live over the internet as well as producing maui wedding DVDs while I was gone. And I’ll be hitting the ground running when I get back! The calendar is already pretty packed for April and May!

I encourage you to signup for the PERFECT MAUI WEDDING GUIDE and if you have any questions whatsoever about our services, go ahead and skype me up or call me at 808.270.3027. I would love to chat with you about your wedding and help you however I possibly can!

And I’ll leave you with some photos from our Venice trip! I look forward to chatting with you soon.

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