Maui Brewing Company

Posted on October 7, 2015 by duane@mauiiris.com

You have probably had a Maui Brewing Company beer on the mainland, well this is where the magic happens. You can order any one of the brews here, or a flight of small samples. They have tours of the brewery a couple of times each day. They don’t have food but they have arranged for a food truck to be out front. The trucks are different each day on a rotating schedule, repeating each week, one in the day, another at night.

They have a big selection of board games so you can hang out drink beer and play games.

Located off Lipoa Street from the Pi’ilani Highway, towards the mountain. You can’t miss it as there are huge tanks of beer towering over the building. Note that this is not the brew pub in Lahaina, this is the actual brewery in Kihei.

http://mauibrewingco.com

Kula Botanical Gardens

Posted on March 7, 2015 by duane@mauiiris.com

Kula Botanical Gardens can be found upcountry on the way to Haleakala. This is such a beautiful and peaceful place and definitely worth the trip. There are so many amazing plants and flowers here, plus birds of many types and some fish.

They even have two Nene, the Hawaiian state bird, which are rare to see.

To get there take the highway towards the airport, turn on Hansen near the sugar mill, then take highway 37 up Haleakala past the town of Kula and turn left onto highway 377 (Kekaulike Rd) go just a short distance and you will see the entrance.

http://www.kulabotanicalgarden.com

Sunset overload

Posted on January 30, 2015 by duane@mauiiris.com

Stand Up Paddle Rentals

Posted on January 8, 2015 by duane@mauiiris.com

A half mile away from the condo inside the Mana Kai Maui Resort is a place to rent stand up paddle boards and kayaks. You can launch right there at Keawakapu beach it is a very easy entry. SUP boards cost $25 for 1 hour or $55 for the whole day. Kayaks are $35 for a half day. To get there go across the street to Kamaole III and take the trail to the left from the grass. Follow this trail past the boat ramp, past the lawn and the Kihei Surfside hotel, then just past the Five Palms restaurant go into the Mana Kai resort. You will find Surf Shack Maui right behind the pool.

http://www.surfshackmaui.com

Here is a webcam pointing right where you will launch.

http://www.manakaimaui.com/webcam/live-webcam.htm

That’s me!

Places to Eat in South Maui

Posted on January 8, 2015 by duane@mauiiris.com

People ask us where’s a good place to eat. We put this together to help with that. And to justify going out all the time (we are doing ‘research’). We have The Best Maui Restaurants book on the shelf, that is a great reference. That book is from 2010 and they seemed to have not updated it since so it is a little dated. So in addition to that book we are going to play a game. The rules for this game are that;

We have eaten there
It is not ridiculously expensive
Has to be no farther north than Ma’alaea harbor
I can bend the rules whenever I want

Here we go working south to north…

Mulligans on the Blue

http://www.mulligansontheblue.com

This is located on the golf course in Wailea across from the Fairmont ( take a left on Kaukahi). We have only been there to see Willie K perform at the dinner show so we only know about that. You should go see Willie K, he is an amazing musician. The food was pretty good, we weren’t expecting much given the dinner show setting, but were pleasantly surprised. You get to pick from one of two entrees on the menu, and that changes week to week. This show will be packed. Every night. Make reservations as early as you can.

Tommy Bahama’s

This is located inside the shops at Wailea. This place is too expensive given what you get. The food is ok, the drinks are good (my measure of a good bar is how well they make a Mojito) Iris swoons over this “cloud” drink there. Deserts are really good. I would go here to sit at the bar, or for lunch maybe.

Waikiki Brewing Co

https://www.theshopsatwailea.com/store/Waikiki-Brewing-Co/2138993826/

This is located inside the shops at Wailea. Good burgers and more plus craft brews.

Monkeypod Kitchen

http://www.monkeypodkitchen.com/

This is located in the Gateway Plaza in Wailea off Wailea Ike Drive (take a left at the light in front of the shops at Wailea). I really like this place. It is expense (remember what country you are in) but the food is very good. Everything I have ordered here was great. Save room for pie, to die for.

Pita Paradise Wailea

http://www.pitaparadisehawaii.com/

This is located in the Gateway Plaza in Wailea off Wailea Ike Drive (take a left at the light in front of the shops at Wailea). If you have been going to Kihei for a while you might remember there used to be a Pita Paradise there. It was run by the same people who run the 808 Bistro. These are the 2nd generation of that family running this one in Wailea. This is a great restaurant. We go here a lot. Everything there is great. The owner is also the captain of a fishing boat and you will get the fish that was caught that morning. One time we had the poke, the tuna was so fresh it changed my life. I am now a poke snob. It is pronounced “poh kay” not “po key” please! “po key” was Gumby’s pony.

Five Palms

http://www.5palmsrestaurant.com/

This is located a couple of blocks south of the condo, right on the beach at Keawakapu. It is walkable from the condo. Take the Eddie Pu trail, to your left from the grass at Kamaole III beach. Love this place! The location is perfect, beautiful ocean views and sunsets. The food is really good. Great breakfast. Great dinner too. Can’t miss.

Cinnamon Roll Fair

Located just north of the condo in the first shopping area you come to next door to the dive shop. These are the best cinnamon rolls you will ever have. I like macadamia nuts on mine. So bad for you but so good. They have breakfast too.

Coconuts

http://www.coconutsfishcafe.com

News Flash! A new Coconuts location within walking distance! And it is beeeg! Oh no we are in real trouble now. Located north of the condo in the first shopping area you come to upstairs above the cinnamon roll store. Everyone raves about Coconuts and rightly so, the food is amazing. Fish tacos are the best.

Fred’s

http://www.fredsmexicancafe.com/kihei-hawaii.html

This is located just north of the condo a few blocks on South Kihei Rd. It is walkable from the condo. Taco Tuesday is the reason to go to Fred’s. Other than that it is kind of like any other Mexican restaurant. Wait I have to qualify that statement. For the most part Hawaiians have no idea how to make Mexican food. I’m from California where we have a rich Mexican culture and the resulting awesome food. When I go someplace else and they serve what they call Mexican food I have to remind myself that this is their interpretation of what food might be like in Mexico given that they have only seen pictures of the place. So with that in mind, Fred’s is a pretty good Mexican place in Hawaii. Between Taco Tuesday and Mai Tai Wednesday at the pool, you have a good portion of your week covered.

Cafe O’Lei

http://cafeoleirestaurants.com

This is located just north of the condo a few blocks on South Kihei Rd. in the Rainbow Mall upstairs. This is a pretty darn good place and very affordable. Great for lunch and dinner. They have a sushi bar too! Everyone raves over the Maui onion soup, you will see many orders go by, but I’m not an onion person so I can’t say.

South Shore Grindz

https://southshoregrindz.com/

This is located just north of the condo a few blocks on South Kihei Rd. in the Rainbow Mall in the back (used to be Da Kitchen). Really impressed by the food here, nice lunch spot. Our new favorite.

Maui Thai Bistro

http://www.mauithaibistro.com

Located sort of behind South Shore Grindz. This is a great place near the condo for lunch and dinner with beautiful Thai dishes and other items. Nice drinks too. Reasonably priced. We like this place more each time we go.

Maui Tacos

https://www.mauitacos.com

Located next to the Rainbow mall north of the condo on South Kihei Rd. An everyday taco joint, but see my disclaimer above about Mexican food in Hawaii, raising my rating to a pretty good taco joint. They have pineapple salsa. Yummy.

Maui Bread Company

Located in the Dolphin Plaza, the bread here is so good!

Kihei Cafe

http://www.kiheicaffe.com

Located on South Kihei Rd across from Kalama Park (the whale statue). This place is a local favorite so it will be crowded early but not too bad late morning. The setup is a little different, don’t just sit down, you have to order first at the counter then they will seat you. Good food and good prices. Breakfast burritos are as big as your head.

Ohana Sea Food Bar and Grill

http://ohanaseafoodbarandgrill.com

Located on South Kihei Rd next to Kihei Cafe. Nice place, food is good and not very expensive. Nice view for watching the sunset.

Three’s Bar and Grill

http://threesbarandgrill.com

Located on South Kihei Rd across from Kalama Park (the whale statue). This place is awesome! One of our most favorite lunch places but they have dinner too. The food is very good and not too expensive.

Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse BBQ

http://fatdaddysmaui.com

Located next to the Foodland on South Kihei Rd. It has been a while since we have been here, so I guess that is my review. Have not seen a reason to go back. Just ok.

Cuatro

http://www.cuatro808.com

Located next to the Foodland on South Kihei Rd. back in the corner. This is probably the finest dinning in Kihei. The food here is on par with the best of the best anywhere on Maui. If you have a special occasion to celebrate this would be a good place. It has very limited seating so reservations are required. It is very expensive but worth it. Love this place.

Thailand Cuisine

http://www.thailandcuisinemaui.net

Just north past the Foodland off South Kihei Rd. in the Kukui mall. I like this place, good Thai food and good service. Reasonably priced.

Eskimo Candy

http://www.eskimocandy.com

On Halekuia St. off South Kihei Rd. (turn right at Maui Dive Shop) at the end of the road. This is a casual dining place but the fish is great. We have an ongoing discussion about which is better Eskimo Candy or Coconuts (see below). Kind of hidden off the beaten path, one of those places the locals go to. Poke is good (but hot!).

Coconuts

http://www.coconutsfishcafe.com

See above there is a new Coconuts closer to the condo. This one is located in the Azeka mall off South Kihei Rd. next to the Longs Drug Store. This locations is always packed to the point where you have to share a table with other people if you’re lucky enough to find an empty spot.

Peggy Sue’s

http://peggysuesmaui.com

Located in the Azeka mall off South Kihei Rd. next to Coconuts. This is your classic ’50s diner with burgers and shakes and yes they give you the rest of the shake in the metal cup. We like this place, the food is what you expect for a ’50s diner (with a few Hawaiian twists) and the service is really good. Check out the photo board in the back of classic woodies.

Fork and Salad

http://forkandsaladmaui.com

Located in the Azeka mall off South Kihei Rd. mauka near to Coconuts. Really fresh and locally grown ingredients make this a special place. Run by the same folks as Three’s Bar and Grill it does not disappoint. You can build your own salad from the extensive list of ingredients, or pick one of the specials. Also have great sandwiches, juice bar, and kombucha.

Nalu’s

http://www.nalusmaui.com

Located in the Azeka mall off South Kihei Rd, the Makai side. There are two Azeka malls next to each other. One on the ocean side (Makai) the other on the mountain side (Mauka). Go towards the back next to the Ace Hardware. Good food, good prices, and quality ingredients make this a good place to go. The salads are tasty and healthy. They serve breakfast lunch and dinner. A koa wood outrigger hangs from the ceiling so these guys must be ok 🙂
Live Hawaiian music every night!

Outback

http://www.outback.com/Restaurant/Locations/HI/Kihei-Maui/Kihei

Located across the street from Safeway in the Pi’ilani Village shopping center off Pi’ilani Hwy. A fake Australian restaurant in Hawaii is just too many levels of indirection for me to handle, but I kind of like their food. If you have been to an Outback anywhere then you have been to an Outback everywhere. Except this one runs the AC way too cold!

Bale Vietnamese Food

http://www.balemaui.com

Located in the food court next to Safeway in the Pi’ilani Village shopping center off Pi’ilani Hwy. This is just a little hole in the wall place in a food court but wow I really like the food here. The menu is way too complicated. Get the opakapaka special.

Amigos

http://www.amigosmaui.com

Located next to Longs Drugs off South Kihei Rd. There are a couple of Amigos on Maui, and this is the better one. See my comments above about how Hawaiians think Mexican food is supposed to be. This is exhibit A.

Beach Bums Bar and Grill

http://beachbumshawaii.com

Located in Ma’alea Harbor near the aquarium, on the lower level. This place is pretty good and hey there just ain’t that much going on in Ma’alea anymore so you could do worse. The place to go after the aquarium.

Zippys

http://zippys.com/kahului

Located near the airport by Home Depot and Target. This place is a locals favorite. Zippy’s is more of a phenomenon than a restaurant. It sort of like a Hawaiian version of Denny’s. But Denny’s does not have Portuguese bean soup or Malasadas. Ok so you are not going to get a high class meal like a fancy tourist place. But listen, if you want to know what it feels like to be a local Maui girl or boy you need to experience this place.

Koho’s

http://queenkaahumanucenter.com/directory/kohos-grill-bar

Located in Kahului in the Queen Ka’ahumanu mega mall out front. You want to eat like a local? This is where the locals go. Plate lunches, lots of food. Is it good? Like grandma Tutu makes. So no beeg deal eh? Jus eat ‘dem an no make stink eye.

Mill House

http://mauitropicalplantation.com

Located inside the Maui Tropical Plantation off Highway 30 this is a really nice place for lunch. Now owned by Cafe O’Lei. Check out our blog post here.

Whales!

Posted on March 12, 2014 by duane@mauiiris.com

Whale season is between December and March in Maui. There are TONS of whales during whale season. Well technically only one whale would constitute a ton but you know what I mean. You can just see them from the beach. And if you have binoculars even better. Good places to watch whales are on a whale watching cruise, but also from the lookout point along the road to Lahaina just past Maalea harbor, and from the Kealia boardwalk at the bird pond. I took these from a Pacific Whale Foundation tour boat. Another great way to see whales is to go out with the Maui Canoe Club.

Derick Sebastian at Andaz

Posted on March 12, 2014 by duane@mauiiris.com

One of our favorite ukulele players is now playing a couple of nights a week at the new Andaz hotel in Wailea (near Ulua beach). You should check out his music here.

By the way the new Andaz is pretty freak’n nice! And while listening to Derick is free (except for tipping him and the parking guy) the drinks and pupus are VERY expensive so watch out. Here is a picture I took of sunset at the Andaz lounge, sometimes I get lucky with the camera but it doesn’t hurt to have such incredible raw material to work with. Yes that is 100% real, no Photoshop.

Maui Snorkel Spots

Posted on January 21, 2014 by duane@mauiiris.com

Here is a list of snorkel spots. I’ll try to keep updating this post as I get more photos etc.

In general you want to try and go early before 9AM to get the best conditions and see the most fish.

Kamaole Beach III

This is the beach right across the street. We spend a crazy amount of time there because A) it is a GREAT beach and B) it is right across the street! There is a nice open lawn area to play, bathrooms, life guard, swings, barbeques. This is the beach where the locals hang out. Every Sunday you will see a church group of some kind having a luau there with a jumpy castle for the kids etc.

The best snorkeling is to the left going towards the boat launch. Plenty of turtles (we saw six in one spot one day) and lots of fish. If you are a good swimmer go way left until you get to the first swim buoy (the white ones that mark the line between boaters and swimmers) then go straight out. You will have to cross a bit of open sand along the way… just keep going I’m not crazy. The coral opens up into a HUGE field that you can swim over. See the snorkel boats coming in the the boat landing, where they always stop just outside of the entrance? They are doing one last snorkel to see turtles. Go that way.

The wind will pick up about noon so you probably want to be done by then.

Most days have good waves for boogie boarding if you go just to the right by the life guard stand.

Here is a ʻdroneʻ video done at Kam III by my good friend Darrell Burkey from ProUAV Australia.

Here are some turtle videos I shot with the GoPro. If you listen very carefully on the second one you can hear whale songs in the background. This was a low visibility day just after a rain. It is usually much clearer than this.

Keawakapu

No need to drive, just go across the street to Kam III but then enter the trail to the left and walk along the Eddie Pu trail past the boat launch and just past the Five Palms restaurant at the Mana Kai. This is a great beach! Lots of fish, an easy entry and small waves. Go out along the lava outcropping on the right. If you walk all the way to the other end of the beach there are bathrooms and good snorkeling there too. If you walk past the Five Palms, past the pool, you will find a rental place where you can rent kayaks and stand up paddle boards (and bikes).

Mokapu/Ulua

You are going to want to drive to this one. Go like you are going to the shops at Wailea (exit left from the condo, turn right at the stop) but it is only a mile or so. Look for the sign that says Ulua Beach on the right (past Ekahi, past Elua condos) and go down to the end. Parking is limited so go as early as you can to make sure you get a spot.

This is where a lot of SCUBA divers go because the fish are awesome. Ulua beach is on the left, Mokapu on the right. Ulua is the better bet. Go straight out, super easy entry. Follow along the rocks and eventually you get to a nice wall that drops off into deep water. Turtles there most days. Nice beach with good shade. You can walk up the beach and go along a walking path that takes you through the shops at Wailea where you can get a snack at the Whalers general Store.

Turtle Town

There is no such place. “Turtle Town” is wherever your guide or boat captain says it is. Turtles are all over south Maui.

Makena Landing

Drive to Wailea and go past the shops. Just past Makena Surf hotel you want to take a right on Makena Road. Wait weren’t we on Makena Road? Well yes and no. After this point the main road becomes Makena Alanui, and this right turn off becomes Makena Road. Alanui means road in Hawaiian. Confusing isn’t it?

Go down the road past the fancy houses until on your right you see Makena Landing parking. Lots of kayakers go from here. It is an easy entry. The visibility can be not super great here but it is fun to hang out on the little (tiny) beach and lawn area.

Maluaka

Drive like you are going to Makena Landing, but go past and keep going. You will come to a parking area on the left and an old church on the right Keawala’i Congregational church. Check it out, it it the coolest church, and graveyard (but be respectful please). Parking can be limited so go early. This has darn good snorkeling and lots of fish. The visibility can be low especially after a rain.

Ahihi Kina’u – the dumps

Drive down Makena Road, it changes to Makena Alanui, then changes back to Makena Road. Whatevah! Just keep driving south. Keep driving. No you are not lost, keep driving. More details here. The scenery is amazing but keep your eyes on the road! You will see a sign that says Ahihi Kina’u Reserve, keep going. Your brain will be telling you to pull off here because it is gorgeous but fight the urge and keep going. It starts to turn into a moon scape lava field and you are saying “Duane, why did you make me go past all that idyllic scenery to this place where I could die and the buzzards would have trouble finding my body?” But look to the right at the yellow gates and go into the parking area. Walk out on the lava trail (bring good shoes and booties if you have them) until you get to the lava rock beach.

This has THE BEST SNORKELING ON MAUI it will blow your mind. But it has a difficult entry and to get there you have to cross a lava field. Not a spot for beginners. Please don’t die.

La Perouse

Drive like above until you get to the end of the road. This is the end of the line for cars. This has a difficult entry and the wind can blow like a mutha. Snorkeling is good but visibility can be a challenge. Dolphins hang out here in the morning.

Molokini

Take a boat trip to this tiny cinder cone. You can get one that leaves right from Kihei boat ramp. It can get crowded, go on the early trip. This is a must do if you have never gone.

The Road to Hana

Posted on January 21, 2014 by duane@mauiiris.com

Never before has the aphorism “it’s the journey not the destination” been more true than exploring the road to Hana. While the town of Hana itself certainly has its charm, it is the journey to the town that holds the rewards.

With this in mind you want to take your time and spend the day taking in the sights and sounds of the road to Hana. You want to leave early enough such that you won’t feel rushed to get back. Leaving the condo by 7:30 should work out fine. If you have people in your party that are of the “are we there yet” mentality… leave them behind.

Take the CD that is in with the travel books. This will be your audio guide and it is timed to the drive so that it will tell you when and where to pull off to get the most out of your journey. You don’t really need directions, go past the airport and get on Hana Highway. Make sure to bring water and a camera.

Bike to La Perouse Bay

Posted on October 16, 2013 by duane@mauiiris.com

This is one of my most favorite bike rides on Maui. It will take you along one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, and then put you into a lava field that remains unchanged for hundreds of years. It ends up in La Perouse Bay. A little under 20 miles out and back.

As you enter the Ahihi Kinau preserve keep an eye out for the yellow gates on the right. This is the parking area to use for snorkeling the area known as “the dumps”. This is probably the best snorkeling on Maui. Huge number of fish and turtles. You want to wear good shoes and booties if you have them because you will need to walk through a lava field to get there and the beach is rocky. Not a spot for beginners.