You know how people get all nostalgic about Maui in the 1960s? If you’d like to find out what all the fuss is about, beat a path to Jack’s Inn in Kahului and get a taste of life in the islands 50 years ago… well, at least the décor. In the corner of a building shared with the Glidden...

Bitch, make me a sandwich. This is absolutely not something you should ever say to the lovely lady taking your order behind the counter at the 808 Deli, largely because she is not the one doing the actual sandwich making. Plus, she just called you “hon” and seems to be a nice person, and your...

In honor in this weekend’s 43rd Maui Marathon, let’s talk about a different kind of endurance. You don’t just show up at JB’s Kitchen in Wailuku. It’s more like something you need to condition for at spring training. Materials you’ll need: Elastic waistband pants, preferably in dark colors....

By Vanessa Wolf Tony Bennett is not only real, he can croon.  Too bad for the fictional “most interesting man in the world.” Get an earful of the 87-year-old icon’s stylings next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. when he plays the MACC’s Castle Theater with his daughter Antonia Bennett . As for the title...

Can you name all the items associated with the “12 Days of Christmas” song? Neither can we. But supposing we could, surely some of those gifts were real stinkers. Lords a-leaping? Can you even return those guys? And even if you can, thanks for the chore, True Love. Maybe a gift card next...

WARNING: SATIRE… MOSTLY. Most of this is utter nonsense, but some of it near the end is actually founded in fact. By Vanessa Wolf A public forum focusing on issues surrounding feral cats and chickens on Maui is planned for tomorrow night. With respect to the issues at hand, Mayor Arakawa...

What would you pay for a massive serving of baby back pork ribs with a sweet and spicy blackberry brandy barbecue sauce? $30? $40? What if we also gave you a serving of intensely buttery whipped chive potatoes with that? Before you answer: what if we were to throw in some outstanding Asian...

WARNING: SATIRE. The following is intended to give you a break from the heave ho that is life. For the most part, if it sounds too good to be true, it isn’t. By Vanessa Wolf The multinational biotechnology corporation often makes worldwide headlines for its Roundup brand, an herbicide that...

As you might recall, in earlier chapters of the story, the protagonist spends her time seeking out a wide variety of food venues across a magical land known as Maui. From corner to corner, our heroine follows numerous woodland paths, sky-high beanstalks and white rabbits, only to encounter...

There’s a reason Casanova’s Italian Restaurant has been in business for nearly 30 years. Décor aside, it’s Maui’s answer to the Olive Garden: somewhat Americanized, but reliable Italian fare. When in Rome… er… Makawao, it’s best to start with the standards. The Calamari Fritti ($10) arrives...

This one goes out to all the meat-eaters currently dating, married to or traveling with vegans in the hizzouse. Prepare to become a hero. It’s called Joy’s Place, and it’s in Kihei. Located in a close-to-The-Cove-yet-difficult-to-find-unless-you-know-where-you’re-going-already location, it’s...

WARNING: Satire. By Vanessa Wolf “I don’t know how to describe it,” she explained, visibly shaken, “but I suddenly realized: jumping off this thing is incredibly stupid. I mean, we’re talking a 75-foot leap of faith here. I could cripple myself. Heck, I could DIE.”Despite owning a copy ofMaui...

Like a lone revolutionary, Like Poke? stands out against the rusty landscape on a daunting stretch of Hobron Avenue, shunning crowds and convention and defying you to continue to drive around as a growing conviction in you says you’ve made a wrong turn. You haven’t. Still, unless you’re a...

Juanita’s Mexican Restaurant has materialized in the space the former KFC on South Kihei Road left behind. Similar to offerings typically found in Southern California taco joints, Juanita’s boasts an extensive Mexican take-out style menu. We decided to dive into the deep end and start with...

WARNING: satire By Vanessa Wolf Sources report she has chosen the form of a middle-aged woman with a beehive hairdo. It’s unclear whether or not she is wearing glasses on a chain around her neck or just an unusual blouse.Over the warm waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm...

A weekend late night institution, if you’ve ever been to Sansei after 10 p.m. you developed a whole new appreciation for drunken karaoke performances. But we’ll get to that. The Boom Boom Pow? Sansei is a sushi Mecca. Yes, they have grilled fish, salads and some appetizer-y items, but if you...

Once upon a time, the Ma’alaea General Store sold hammers and red hot dogs. They still sell the hot dogs, but these days there’s far less in terms of hardware. However, there is a wide selection of hot and cold sandwiches, as well as a few salads. At the urging of the man behind the counter,...

Oh, Capische?, you’re twisting our arm. We’re guessing this was some kind of “People don’t know how to pronounce it so let’s give it to ‘em phonetically” decision, but in proper Italian, it’s spelled Capisce. Capisce? Enough of our nitpicking. About grammar anyway. We started with the Salumi...

Tucked into an extraordinarily nondescript strip mall off a constantly jammed up stretch of Dairy Road, this nearly invisible little hole in the wall looks sketch, but offers some unexpected surprises. If the digs don’t clue you in, allow us: the grub ain’t fancy schmancy, but tasty and...

Mike + Hong Kong + Bistro. Hmmmmm… The name alone provides the tip-off. In an epic co-mingling of gastronomical styles, Mike is offering several genre’s worth of cuisine under one roof. Kind of like a little Epcot Center in Wailuku. It’s a four-part battle for supremacy and only one will...