If you like your happy hours crowded with options and other people, Five Palms Beach Grill in the Mana Kai Condo building in South Kihei will likely put a smile on your face. The desirable prime time happy hour seating area by the bar fills up fast and stays that way. Expect service to be...
Choice Health Bar Ma...
posted by Vanessa
Alright stop whatcha doin’ ’cause I’m about to ruin The image and the style that ya used to. Was Shock G foreshadowing the existence of this acai bowl – aptly named “the O.G.” – when he uttered these words back in 1990? Obviously, the answer to that question is “yes.” If you are a person who...
Wow Wee Maui Kava Ba...
posted by Vanessa
If lots and lots of words made a restaurant excellent, well, disregard, because that’s obviously silly. Let’s start with the good news: the “Ren’s Sushi” part of the alphabet soup is really quite solid, filling in a notable gap in Kahului dining options. The location on Dairy Road is...
Saigon Seafood: You ...
posted by Vanessa
Let’s set the scene, shall we? It’s early November. You’re not in a good head space. You want to stay in bed but you’ve made a commitment to meet with a celebrity chef to discuss a potential project. Your mind a whirl, you don’t notice many details as said chef drives you to a little hole in...
Ice Cream Truck Fire...
posted by Vanessa
Editor’s note: The article below is purely for entertainment purposes. (Although an ice cream delivery truck really did catch fire near Launiupoko on Monday.) What started as a favor to Reuben Mattus, the founder of Haagen-Dazs, melted down yesterday morning in frozen confection flames, as...
Ko May Bestow You Wi...
posted by Vanessa
If you have ever wondered what it would be like to be invisible, grab a seat at the bar at Ko at the Fairmont Kea Lani and find out. It could be unfailing bad luck. It could be that the kama’aina deal (50% off food and 25% off drinks) is only offered at the bar and some sort of “you get what...
Resident Hell-Bent o...
posted by Vanessa
This is where you can put the disclaimers that none of this is real, not that it will do any good. (Thanks, that’ll work. -Ed.) Having learned that Paia was voted “Eighth Happiest Seaside Town in America,” resident and trust-fund baby Stephan Higgs became incensed. “Eighth place isn’t...
Maui Onion Festival ...
posted by Vanessa
Saturday’s 24th annual Maui Onion Festival brought a host of onion-based sights, most notably the recipe drink contest. Three mixologists were given were given 10 minutes to make four margaritas utilizing Sauza Blue tequila and… Maui sweet onions. Ummmm. Say what? Before you can fully process...
Mama’s Ribs and Roti...
posted by Vanessa
This isn’t Kansas City, the Carolinas or any part of Texas, either. Try to get some collards, hushpuppies, or sweet potato pie, and you’ll quickly realize this is Maui. That stated, Mama’s Ribs and Rotisserie in both Napili and Kihei proudly presents another one of those “pretty good…for...
Koiso Sushi Bar: Wor...
posted by Vanessa
Koiso Sushi Bar in Kihei has achieved near-legendary status on this island, if only for being so freaking hard to get into. The tiny restaurant has seating enough for 15. This leads to scarcity and related demand. On Yelp alone, 56 people have noted the tip “make a reservation beforehand.”...
Gift Ideas for the T...
posted by Vanessa
Seems the Lahaina Banyan Tree is about to turn 140. How do we know this? Well, legend has it the tree was originally planted by the sheriff on April 24th, 1873 to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Protestant Mission in Lahaina. But is that really the “birth” of the tree?...
Archie’s: Unchanged ...
posted by Vanessa
Drive by Archie’s in Wailuku between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and witness the full lot. What’s going on in that nondescript concrete building? What do these patrons know that you don’t? And can it be appreciated if you aren’t already a seeming insider? Archie’s is like an irascible old man that you...
Restraining Order Na...
posted by Vanessa
Oh, how we pray you will read this part before diving into the sea of words below and realize THIS IS NOT TRUE AND MEANT IN FUN. Court records indicate Charles “Chip” Carlson has filed a restraining order against a migratory humpback whale currently believed to be residing off the west coast...
What to Expect When ...
posted by Vanessa
Although there are many luau opportunities on the island, the general consensus is that the Feast at Lele in Lahaina is one of – if not the – premier offering. So what makes it stand out? First and foremost, it’s not a buffet. Rather, the four courses are split among four Polynesian nations:...
Hawaii Secrets Revea...
posted by Vanessa
Just a little amuse bouche for your brain. In other words, this is satire intended to entertain, thus its location in the arts and entertainment section. Last week, the US Attorney’s Office announced that a former US Army officer living in Hawaii had been charged with disclosing classified...
Ohana Karaoke Cafe’s...
posted by Vanessa
If you like Korean food, Ohana Karaoke Cafe & Grill Go Hyang Jip in Wailuku is – for the most part – a real find. Despite its hole-in-the-wall exterior, it’s actually tastefully decorated and quite new-looking inside. Don’t be surprised to find that most of the clientele is Korean and...
Experimental Spam Fl...
posted by Vanessa
But if this were true. It isn’t. We wish it were true, but it’s really just a little Arts and Entertainment piece that you will hopefully find entertaining or at least slightly amusing. Special thanks to my dad and his mad Photoshop skillz. Hawaii loves Spam. Although made in the Midwest,...
Gannon’s: Wailea’s B...
posted by Vanessa
It takes a certain lifestyle, coupled with an uncommonly flexible schedule and a particular zeal for finger foods to really appreciate a good happy hour. However, if you are of that ilk, you pretty much cannot go wrong at Gannon’s. The food is notably well-priced (albeit portions are scaled...
Top Reasons Not to R...
posted by Vanessa
It’s been almost a month since someone last robbed the First Hawaiian Bank in Pukalani. We bet there are a few of you out there thinking “third time’s the charm” and possibly considering your own hit. Sure, you have a dirt bike and some camouflage pants. Perhaps your lady has been whining...
Cinnamon Roll Fair/P...
posted by Vanessa
Cinnamon Roll Fair/Place (The sign says “Fair” but the van and business cards say “Place.” We suspect a slow-motion name change is underway) is something of a south Kihei institution. In business since 1983, that’s three decades of sweet, sticky, doughy goodness. However, before we focus on...