Vol. 33 No. 3 - Summer 2017
EDITOR: CHRISTIE STILSON
LAHAINA -- I have yet to try Valley Isle Komboucha but am looking forward to it! Kombucha is a fermented tea so it is energizing plus there are plenty of good probiotics for the tummy. The beverages are non-GMO and vegan and a 10 oz class is $3.99. They also offer Paninis with assorted vegetarian or meat toppings and salads such as beet, caprese or kale. ($8-11) Free kombucha samplings daily. Located on Kupuohi Street in Lahaina. www.vikombucha.com (808) 495-8886. Monday-Friday, 11am–4pm.
Maui Tropisicles are delicious and now they have their cart conveniently located at Wainee and Lahainaluna. These tasty treats are made from whole fruit with a little organic cane sugar or honey for sweetening. The company is local and they make the popsicles from scratch using seasonal fruit. There are about 30 combinations in their recipe list which rotates offering different selections daily. The Lahaina location is open daily 11am – 4pm except Tuesdays. Look for the colorful cart and umbrella.
I had high hopes for Prison Pizza. A line often out the door and a cozy little place on Prison Street seemed the perfect combination. I finally stopped when walking by and saw a table. I had the gluten free version with ham and pineapple. The crust was more like hard-tack, although I’ve never actually tasted that, it seemed a fitting description. The ham and pineapple portions were minimal. My friend ordered a pizza as well and they delivered to the wrong table! She finally did get to try a slice of Margarita and another of basil pesto. Neither of them had a distinct flavor, they were rather sloppy with sauce and she didn’t care for the crust. Given that the pizza was mediocre at best, $28 was steep for one with no meat. Sorry, thumbs down on this one.
Forever Fab performs the best of the Beatles each Wednesday evening at the Maui Theater. Sorry no review from us yet! We reached out to the PR contact for information and never got a reply. You can book online at www.foureverfabshow.com or (808) 365-7535.
Sale Pepe has expanded into the vacant (KFC) space next door. Now serving lunch with a small menu that includes pasta, a personal size pizza, salads and sandwiches. Located at the Lahaina Center on the back side of Front Street. The address is 878 Front Street but it is confusing! www.salepepemaui.com (808) 667-7667.
Another good reason to visit Down the Hatch is their new longer happy hour. Now daily from 2-6pm you can enjoy discounted appetizers, cocktails, and beer.
Magic on Maui features Seth Grabel at the Maui Theatre each Wednesday and Sunday at 5pm. You may have seen him on “America’s Got Talent.” Tickets start at $49 for adults and $24.50 for children 5-12 years. www.mauitheatre.com
The Plantation Museum has expanded at the Wharf Cinema Center. Its open daily 9am – 6pm with free admission. Take a peek back into the lives of Maui Plantation families at the height of the pineapple and sugar industry.
Pioneer Inn Grill and Bar has announced a new menu. This used to be one of our favorite restaurants for breakfast but it became a bit run down. Now it is spruced up and the new menu features local specialties as well as traditional fare for breakfast. They offer service continually thru lunch and dinner 7am-9pm. They also do reserved dinner seating for groups of 8 or more and private events in their poolside courtyard.
The Cannery will be in the midst of major renovation for the next year. Safeway will be expanded within the current footprint of the shopping center. Safeway and will offer a new, larger organic section when they reopen in June 2018. Long’s Drugstore renewed their lease.
KAANAPALI -- Major re-development is ahead for the Ka`anapali Golf Courses. Residents of the island have plenty to say about the golf course revitalization project. The plans call a 27-hole championship course, a nine-hole par 3 course, a 136 room boutique hotel, 80,000 square feet of retail space, 56 oceanfront condos on 6.1 acres and multifamily ocean view residences on just over 11 acres. Other plans call for a new beach club, and signature restaurant on a total of 164 acres. The property is owned, interestingly enough, by the State of Hawai’i Employees Retirement System. The 119,000 member pension fund acquired the Ka’anapali property thru foreclosure. Plenty of concerns include traffic, right of way, and environmental impact. Construction is scheduled between 2020 and 2025.
The signature restaurant at Maui’s new Westin Nanea Ocean Villas will honor “farming and fishing cultures of ancient Hawaii with contemporary flair.” Their goal is to share local food delivered in an authentic experience. The Mauka Maki restaurant is poolside at the new resort and open daily for breakfast 6:00-10:30am and dinner 5:30-9pm.
KAHANA – The newest restaurant at the Kahana Gateway Center is Kolea. This is a family style restaurant featuring Malaysian food flavors and is a blend of Malay, Indian and Chinese cuisine with a Pacific Rim flair. This was formerly the location for Roy’s. The new restaurant is a sister to Slappy Cakes in Honokowai. Open for dinner 5-10pm daily. For more information info@koleamaui.com
KAPALUA – Hawaiian Airlines has resumed their service to West Maui with their ‘Ohana airline flights. They left the Kapalua airport in 1993 when they retired their small De-Havilland Dash 7 planes. The new plane is a 48 seat ATR-42 turboprop. The Kapalua airstrip was originally owned by Hawaiian but sold to the state in 1993. Those of us long timers to Maui remember the
previous airstrip down along the beach (still referred by some as Airport Beach) but now a long long strip of condominiums and timeshares.
LUANIOPOKO -- This is the stretch of beach right before you enter the Lahaina area and the development on the Mauka side began a decade or so ago. There are beautiful homes along these slopes and now it has become a destination for some interesting tourist activities. You can now visit the Maui Animal Farm and Petting Zoo, which should delight the kids in your family. There are dozens of friendly animals and tours are $25 per person. You can also arrange for a private tour, a birthday party or riding lessons. Public tours are daily from 9:30-11am. And if you think the hare is faster than the tortoise, you might be inspired in the future to root for the tortoise(s) at this quaint animal farm! You’ll find them at 108 S. Lauhoe Place. www.mauianimalfarm.com (808) 280-2597.
KIHEI – Nalu South Shore Grill is a great spot for lunch or dinner. The huge bar makes it a gathering place in the afternoon and evening. Nalu’s features mainland comfort foods with plenty of burgers and sandwiches as well as daily specials. It is an order-at-the-counter style restaurant. Located at Azeka Makai in the back of the mall. Breakfast, lunch and dinner 8am-10pm. 1280 S. Kihei Road. (808) 891-8650.
WAILEA -- The Residence Inn Maui has now opened with 200-all-suite rooms that range from studio to two bedrooms. Complimentary full breakfasts are available. For information call 1-800-331-3131 or visit www.residenceinn.com
The Humble Market Kitchen is Roy Yamaguchi’s newest island restaurant. It was named in honor of Roy’s grandfather who ran the Yamaguchi General Store in Wailuku. The restaurant is located at the newly renovated Wailea Beach Resort-Marriott Maui. More information in a future newsletter!
Sarento’s on the Beach has a new brunch daily from 7am-3pm. The breakfast menu is also available. At 11am the menu adds lunch entrees such as chicken Caesar, fresh fish tacos or pasta primavera. And Happy Hour is even happier on the beach at Sarento’s daily from 3-5:30pm with special appetizers or well drinks just $5. 2980 South Kihei Road. (808) 875-7555.
The Pint and Cork is proving increasingly popular with their dining fare a step up from normal pub food. Located at 3750 Wailea Aanui they do have those popular big flat TV screens but check out the menu! Perhaps the most popular is their ‘bib burger’ that has everything but the kitchen sink and begins with locally grown beef that is aged and then ground on site. Happy hour is 2pm–5pm and late night specials. Open daily 11am–2am.
Now just “Humuhumu,” the beautiful restaurant at the Grand Wailea has perhaps Maui’s most Polynesian atmosphere. Some recent renovation has taken place but you will still find the cute thatched hales that seem to float over a lagoon. Open nightly for dinner and reservations are recommended 5:30-9pm. 1-800-888-6111.
MAKENA – And while development is in discussion in Ka`anapali, work begins on the Makena development in South Maui. The 310-room Makena Beach and Golf Resort will become a 50-unit condominium complex to be called the Makena Golf and Beach Club. This private beachfront community is a $240 million project. They will keep the shell of the original six story hotel which will become the 50 condominiums. Other construction over 24-acres will include two four story buildings with six units in each, nine beach cottages, and a hotel with 76 rooms. It is hoped that occupancy may begin as early as late 2018 with the project taking three years to complete. However, the proposed development is reportedly being sued as the project will have “significant adverse impacts on historic, cultural, and environmental resources of the Makena area.”
WAILUKU / KAHULUI – Queen Ka`ahumanu Shopping Center is encouraging visitors with mid-morning hotel or condo check out but late/red eye flights to visit the shopping mall. You can dine, shop and relax at a movie, a day spa, or hang out at the children’s playground while they provide complimentary luggage storage. They also offer real time flight departures on a monitor and complimentary wi-fi. Another tip is that the Maui Beach Hotel (808-877-0051 mention QKC) offers special rates for hospitality day rooms. The hotel and the shopping center are just a couple of miles from the airport.
Donut Dynamite is where to go for one of Maui’s best donuts. Located at 1246 Lower Main Street in Wailuku. In addition to gourmet donuts, you’d expect to find, they also have some amazing savory creations! The Cheesy Hammy is a ham brioche dough with cheese on top and a bit of chili sauce. Or how about a malsada burger made Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Check out their website for some crazy delicious concoctions www.donutdynamite.com
Kmart has closed. Just too much competition!
Kepaniwai Park in Iao Valley was closed for months when the Wailuku River flooded the park and damaged the parking lot. It is now open for visitors. Daily from 7am-7pm.
Miko’s Cuisine has opened in the Millyard area of Wailuku, replacing the former Asian Star. Sushi bar and yakiniku tables will be the setting for Korean and Chinese fare. Kalbi, veggie tempura and other flavorful entrées from the new owners who are from Korea.
Jersey Mike’s Subs is opening in early 2018 in the Maui Lani Shopping Center near Safeway.
The former Maui Film Studio will open in mid-summer 2017 as a trampoline park. In addition to 23,000 square feet of trampoline equipment there will be basketball hoops, foam pits and dodgeball courts. Concessions, an open lounge and private event rooms are in the development plans. Ultimate Air LLC is the developer.
WAIEHU – A huge outpouring of concerned Maui golfers turned out in April to show their support to keep the island’s only affordable course. The announcement of the closure by Maui’s
mayor took everyone by surprise. Now the council is re-examining operations and ways to improve the efficiency and the funding of the course.
HAIKU – The new Greek Oven pizza is up and running in the Haiku Aloha Aina Center. They will offer gluten free breads and vegan breakfasts daily. On Sundays they feature lamb and check out their vegan moussaka or baklava made with macadamia nuts!
PAIA – Restaurants are not just popping up but hopping around in Paia! Paia Gelato has moved down a few shops on the Hana Highway. Stop in for breakfast or get your Hana box lunch for under $10. Consuelo Bronick (who hails from Brazil) has moved into the old Maka Mana location and features lunch only 11:30-3pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Gluten free foods, and a mix of Mexican, Italian and even Brazilian foods that are vegan. Maka Mana is now to the left of Mana Foods on Baldwin!
Nylos has also opened in Paia at 115 Baldwin Avenue. The restaurant seats only 14 and it is Paia’s only fine dining restaurant. It is intimate and offers a view of chef Jeremy Solyn (Nylos backwards) in the kitchen creating some exquisite cuisine. He promises there is nothing like it on Maui! He is happy to customize his menu for vegetarians, vegans, etc. and the menu includes a three course meal and a glass of sparkling wine. A wine series can be offered with your meal as well. I am so looking forward to visiting this one! Contact Jeremey@nylosmaui.com to arrange your special evening. (808) 579-3354.
ULUPALAKUA – MauiWine operates a 23-acre vineyard with three brands of wine. The Pineapple, The Rose Ranch and the Ulupalakua Vineyards. The grape varietals include Malbec, chenin blanc, gewurtraminer, syrah, viognier, and Grenache. Located on the beautiful slopes of Ulupalakua, they are pleased to announce they have enlisted Mark Beaman as their new winemaster. The winery, established in 1974, is open daily from 10am-5:30pm for general complimentary tastings. The King’s Visit is a private tour for a group of up to ten. The experience includes a tour of the winery and cellar and a private tasting set up in what was once Captain James Makee’s office and later served as a jail. The tour/tasting is 60-75 minutes in length and costs $50 per person. By advance reservation (808) 878-6058.
Historic Hui No`eau Visual Arts Center offers tours of the Kaluanui Estate every Monday and Wednesday at 10am. The one hour walking tour includes history of the beautiful old property and information on the flora grown on site.
UPCOUNTRY – Fees to Haleakala National Park will be increasing from $10 to 12 per person and the three day car pass will increase from $20 to $25. I also heard that the National Park pass for seniors will go up significantly so get one now for those of you 62 years and “better. “ Construction in both the Haleakala Park at the summit and the O’heo Gulch area is continuing. (Tip: Traveling to both? Buy a 3 days pass good at both locations.)
LANA`I – Expeditions is featuring a ferry and Manele golf package. The Manele Course is now the only open course on Lana’i but a fine one that overlooks the ocean and beautiful Hulopo’e
Beach. The package is $502 and includes golf, taxes, ferry ride and transportation for one to and from the harbor, as well as a continental breakfast upon arriving. Recommended departure from Lahaina is 6:45am with a 2pm return or 9:15am departure from Lahaina with a 4:30pm return.
MISCELLANEOUS -- Regular visitors to Maui might be interested in a storage company called A Hui Hou. They offer convenient delivery and pick up at your resort and will store your favorite items until your next trip. This might be the perfect answer to those golf clubs ($99 annual fee for large items), “Da Beach Kine Stuff” or a bin for small items. They also offer beach rentals that include two beach chairs and an umbrella or a boogie board. (808) 205-1778 or www.ahuihoustorage.com
Look for a bump in the transient tax at Maui hotels and resorts. It will go from 9.25 to 12 percent beginning January 1, 2018 for 12 years. The money is being set aside for schools.
Pacific Biodiesel is about to harvest its first season of sunflowers. A new combine will cut the plants (whose heads have already started to down turn and dry) below the head with seeds going into a bin to become biofuel and the rest of the plant goes back into the ground. The sunflower fields are located just off Honoapiilani Hwy at Kuihelani. It was been getting a lot of attraction and plenty of anticipation for the success of this new crop. Another crop was just planted and blooms should start appearing within a few months. The crop is not irrigated and no pesticides are being used. If you’d like more information check out their website www.biodiesel.com
Annual subscriptions $10 by email. Paradyse@comcast.net
VISIT MAUI’S AMAZING NATURAL WONDER!
THE HANA LAVA TUBE - Open 365 days a year
- Self-guided tours mean you can start at any time and go at your own pace. About 40 minutes underground
- Fresh air, handrails and easy walking
- Comfortable temperatures, no mosquitoes or bats, and plenty of photo opportunities.
Follow Hana Hwy. to Mile Marker 31. Turn left and go .04 mile to the visitor center entrance. Admission $12.50 adults, children 5 and under are free. 10:30am-4pm.
www.mauicave.com (808) 248-7308