Maui :: places to eat (and see)

:-D

Well, gr8080 to thread...

i have spent a total of 16 hours on Maui.

Rent a car and drive the Road to Hana. But try and do it early in the morning.

Eat here: http://www.colleensinhaiku.com (especially for breakfast).

I dont know much more than that.

Lahaina is the only area that gets wild at night, i'm told.

Rent a car and drive the Road to Hana. But try and do it early in the morning.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ this.

as i recall if you rent a jeep or similar off-road type vehichle, you should be able to drive around the entire eastern part of the island, instead of having to turn around when you get to hana and drive back. but colleen's is terrific. if youre looking for a tattoo, cindy at island ink in paia is one of the best ive ever seen (but i dont know much about tattoos).

whatever you do, dont drop acid and go see the late show of lord of the rings at the lahaina AMC, because you will probably get beaten up outside when it ends.

as i recall if you rent a jeep or similar off-road type vehichle, you should be able to drive around the entire eastern part of the island, instead of having to turn around when you get to hana and drive back.

this route might still be blocked by rockslides from last October's earthquake.

Paia is a nice town, too.

I was in Maui in Febuary, but I can't really remember what we did (mostly sat by the pool). The road to Hana and Haleakala crator are amazing. Both require some pretty serious driving though.

Sorry I can't help more. You should have come to O'ahu instead.

This a good source for some local input: http://hawaiithreads.com/

Hey gr8080,

Today I had the experience of buying a futon from a hipster evangelis at Honolulu Futon Company on Beretania. The first clue was the Faith Talk magazines on the coffee table displays. Then I realized the crappy indy music playing in the background had coded lyrics. Then I noticed the subtle "All things are possible with God" plaque by the register. Is this a one of a kind store or is there some kind of futon franchise for young, hipster, Christian entrepreneurs

It's actually a nice operation though, and the hipster christian guy was helpful. Prices seemed reasonable too. It was just a bit odd somehow.

Logo says it all
http://www.hawaiibid.com/images/honolulufutoncompany1.gif

I have noticed fewer evangilists since moving here.

There's a really good restaurant in Paia called Cafe Mambo -- they serve mostly Mediterannean fare, a lot of vegetarian stuff, and a good selection of microbrewed and organic beers. Staff is super-friendly, and it's got a nice, relaxed vibe. I've been told several times that Mama's Fish House is the place to go on that part of the island, but never had a chance to go.

If you want to go someplace really posh, David Paul in Lahaina is it. It's a 5-star restaurant with a great menu and wine list, and they have a chocolate dessert called Road to Hana that must be eaten to be believed.

Drive around the West Maui mountains and there all all kinds of interesting sites along the way including the Nakalele blowhole on the northern shore. I've seen blooms of 40-50 feet out of that thing. More importantly, when you get to Kahakuloa, there's a green roadside stand that sells The Best Banana Bread on the Planet. Really, that's how they advertise it, and it's pretty damned good.

When you drive the road to Hana, make sure to go through The Garden of Eden. It's a giant garden/arboretum -- there's a nominal per-car entry fee -- with beautiful ocean and waterfall overlooks and acre after acre of beautiful plants and trees. Oh, and peacocks!

Farther down the road in that direction, on Keanae peninsula, there are a couple of ladies that usually put up a stand where they sell homemade macadamia nut brittle. It's amazing! I bought three bags last time I was there.

Finally, visit the Tedeschi Winery, on the lower slopes of Haleakala. Their wines are surprisingly good, and they bottle and sell an amaing raspberry dessert wine. (20% alcohol.) They also have a picturesque tasting room with an amazing 18-foot bar cut from a single mango tree.

That's about all I can remember from my recent trips.

I think there's a hard rock cafe in maui

saw it on a t-shirt

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/Flashlight678/Emotes/emot-slowclap_smith.gif

Finally, visit the Tedeschi Winery, on the lower slopes of Haleakala. Their wines are surprisingly good, and they bottle and sell an amaing raspberry dessert wine. (20% alcohol.) They also have a picturesque tasting room with an amazing 18-foot bar cut from a single mango tree.

Maybe I *do* want to take a day trip out...

thanks for the info so far.....maybe i won't have time to visit the hard rock though,as i am only there two weeks ;)

You are there two weeks? You should pop over to another island. Inter-island airfare is real cheap.

http://www.newt.com/wohler/events/hawaii-2003/lahaina/hard-rock-big.jpg

Super Cub OTM.

Also, the Superferry should be running soon.

Things Big Island has that Maui doesn't: Volcanoes National Park, Hilo Coast (very lush and remote)

Things Oahu has that Maui doesn't: a big city with a nightlife, pearl harbor, LOST filming locations, Waki-fucking-ki.

Or, try and arrange a camping trip on Molokai. (Haven't done this myself, but hope to soon.)

I'm looking forward to taking the Superferry over to Kauai sometime this year.

O'ahu also has several nice museums and LOTs of good restaurants.

trying to plan a not to tacky honeymoon in Hawaii coming from the UK have no idea which island/s to go to...

what do you want to do?

chillax at a resort the whole time? stay at a remote beachside cottage? island hop? hike/surf/mountain bike/snorkel? dine at restaurants and go shopping? nightlife?

food in oahu >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> food in maui

not hatin, just sayin

Shatsta when u coming back? Hawaiian Tropic girls are back the last week on Sep.

lol "shatsta".

february, we will definitely bro down.

never been, and you could find all this out with the google, but my vague impressions are:
Maui and Oahu - the most touristy destinations, though the former offers maybe the most diverse experiences on one island, and the latter has the most recent history/urbanity and isn't without dramatic nature
Big Island - the most comprehensive experience (volcanoes, beaches, local culture) that isn't completely overrun by tourism, though in many places the least-stereotypically-Hawaiian in appearance of the islands
Kauai - the most beautiful island with more green nature than the Big Island
Lanai - where to go for privacy without forgoing golf resorts and such
Molokai - where to go for the greatest escape/most Hawaiian culture

Unless you have very little time, I think it would make sense to pick one of the more-visited islands (Maui, Big Island, Oahu) plus one of the less-visited ones, and personally, being nature-oriented, I think I'd go for Big Island and Kauai.

you have to read "dramatic nature" with a W. Herzog accent

as always, thanks for the input gabby.

somebody's gotta do it

Shasta: Rad!

Lanai's entire industry revolves around two resorts. Hella expensive, but i'm told its gorgeous.

Also, it needs to be said that while Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places in the worl, Honolulu is without a doubt one of the US's most ugly cities.

Also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EAe1s3vi_A

Honolulu is without a doubt one of the US's most ugly cities.

Wa?!

It's true, it's horrible and noone should ever go. it's a complete tourist trap and people there are all lepers with festering faces everywhere. I saw this one guy sneeze and his arm fell off. Seriously stay far away.

I'll bet Honolulu's a pretty interesting place, but my impression is few people go to Hawaii for urban culture.

yes. it's important only to stay in waikiki. the rest of the island is dominated by this shape shifting magnetic monster.

that sounds like that dramatic nature I was talking about

seriously though, a visiting friend told me the architecture in Honolulu paralelled Sarejevo.

Wa?!

-- Super Cub, Monday, August 6, 2007 12:15 PM (1 hour ago) Bookmark Link

wouldn't it be nice if you could actually see the ocean while driving down all of Ala Moana/Nimitz?

I agree that Honolulu has the potential to be far prettier. Anyplace framed by Diamond Head, the Ko'olau Mountains, and beautiful beaches is going to be a nice place to look at though. Kapiolani Park and the Iolani Palace area are both gorgeous. Manoa and Nuuanu vallies are amazing too.

The '70s era condos and hotels are ghastly, but there is a lot of interesting architecture as well. The bungalows and garden apartment buildings can be a bit ramshackled, but they are often charming and have character. I love the '50s and '60s era shops and other commercial buildings (often with the original tenents still in business). Also, there are some amazing turn-of-the-century buildings from the plantation days. I work in an awesome building built in 1908. I can easily think of 10 great buildings off the top of my head.

Chinatown has some really cool architecture as well.

@gr8080

All that said, I totally understand what you are saying.

february, we will definitely bro down.

Forget that, October mid-Pacific FAP.

SC: i agree with everything you're saying; Chinatown is definitely one of my favorite areas when it comes to architecture and infrastructure. I love some of the apartment buildings built in the 50's and 60's near Kapiolani Park. Few US cities are blessed with the beautiful Banyan trees that thrive here, making even the most run-down park someplace wonderful.

Still, I just feel like this town could be so much more beautiful, and not in a clean-up Times Square kind of way. In addition to the ugly architecture and horribly mismanaged roadways, just basic shit like allowing people to leave garbage on their curb for weeks and weeks without any consequences or fines. And my favorite, the zig-zag approach to graffiti removal:

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/dailypix/2006/Jul/16/FPI607160346V2_b.jpg

Yes! Defacing public surfaces in a way more ugly that the graffiti artists! That'll show 'em!

I moved here from Chicago, and am constantly struck by how polar opposite the two are when it comes to Man Made Beauty vs. Natural Beauty. I know that Chicago and Honolulu are different for good reason, and that being in the middle of the ocean makes building a city in the 19th and 20th centuries a matter of necessity over aesthetic, but I still feel that the Pacific's largest urban area should be a lot more beautiful a place than it actually is.

All you say is true, and it goes beyond just the aesthetics. This is a place that has to ship garbage to the mainland, yet has no curbside recycling. A place that has the nation's best alternative fuel potential, yet it's the state with the lowest percentage of energy coming from alternative fuels. A place with an ideal climate for cycling and a congestion problem, yet the city is not very bike friendly (or pedestrian friendly for that matter). A place with a very high cost of living and a ballooning homeless problem, yet it's the state with the highest income tax rate on the bottom income bracket.

Personally, I'm really tired of loud exhaust noise from bikes and cars. Living a stone's throw from Kapiolani Blvd, I've pretty much had enough.

There does seem to be a growing realization that things need to change though.

I think I visited that HArd Rock Cafe. Or another one. Alone. After my friend left a few hrs before.

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/rnr/391065101.html

bump!
i'm going to be in maui for a week. we're staying in kihei. i will definitely note all of these suggestions, but anyone have anything else to offer?
i'm sure we will go to haleakala.

Haleakala is amazing and I highly recommend it. Consider the option of doing very little though. It's one of the greatest places on earth to sit around and do nothing but relax.

yes! that is what i am super looking forward to!

so we wanted to do this: http://hikemaui.com/tours/halfdaywaterfalls/index.html

but it is apparently only on sunday? my father seems up on this co. bc it is sierra club or something, but i'm trying to find something else similar because i want to swim in a pool under a waterfall. anyone done this and can recommend companies or places to go hike by yourself?

wait hmm maybe it wasn't that site. argh, i don't know. anyway, any recs for good hikes are welcome!

bump!

wait hmm maybe it wasn't that site. argh, i don't know. anyway, any recs for good hikes are welcome!

Definitely check out Iao Valley
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iao_Valley

It's easy to get to, and there's plenty of hiking opportunities without having to deal with a tour group. Emphatic second to the recommendation for Colleen's in Haiku above.

Tzzza,

If you get a chance, there's an awesome beach called Windmills on the extreme north of Maui near Kapalua. Totally out of the way but I had some good times. Watch out for Mormon missionaries pickin' pine(apple).

JAWS is a great big wave spot with probably no waves this time of the year lol.

Steve Shasta.

The climb from Paia to the top of Haleakala is the longest paved ascent in the world. 35 miles long with 10k feet of elevation gain.

never been, and you could find all this out with the google, but my vague impressions are:

....

― gabbneb, Monday, August 6, 2007 2:32 PM (4 years ago)

bwahahahahahaha.

gabbneb should win some sort of google earth/wikipedia traveler award.

Sad that Chez Paul closed. They had a great wine list and excellent food.

Old Lahaina town burned down this morning. 3 wildfire complexes plus hurricane force winds on West Maui. The national guard has been called in. Hospitals are in cat3 triage level, unable to handle the devestation.

Wow. I heard that people were running into the ocean for safety.

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/livestream/ is updating live.

looks pretty apocalyptic

Not an area I generally associate with wildfires

This is heartbreaking. Was just here a few weeks ago.

New video from Front Street shows virtually all of downtown Lahaina has been burned down. pic.twitter.com/i4ViDhz8K7

— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) August 9, 2023

The death toll looked pretty light yesterday, that's all changed

What a tragedy

Maui Rescue Mission is not able to access western Maui because it is "completely cut off from communication and power," according to Lauren Henrie, a communications consultant for the hyperlocal nonprofit organization that organizes mobile outreach to the homeless.

"We as a local nonprofit are not able to even access anything west of Maalaea. West Maui is completely cut off from communication and power," she told CNN, adding that there have been more than 1,000 names of those missing posted on local Facebook groups. "That's very fluid, but that's sort of what we're seeing at a hyperlocal level."

this thread title! ahhh! so sad. i feel so bad for everyone over there.

recommended mutual aid organization link for donations

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=Y7J26SYUJFQU8

more details:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6dpfOUP0tc4ceCtuOXB6cDbHZWel98C-Gfs126ZdQ8/htmlview