If you’ve ever been to Costa Rica, you know the expression “pura vida” – literally translated as “pure life” – is used extensively as a greeting, farewell, toast, adjective meant to communicate a laid-back lifestyle and even a synonym for “excellent.” But why? According to Wikipedia, “Pura...

First off, let’s just come out and address the obvious: Kihei’s Eskimo Candy is the epitome of false advertising if ever there were. Is it a chocolatier run by Inuits? A confectionery staffed with native Yupik people? Nope. Not even close. There aren’t even any sweets… well, unless your idea...

It’s official. We have a new crush, and we have it bad. Seafood lovers and party animals rejoice: Tamura’s Fine Wines and Liquors offers a stunning array of what you crave. Sure, the name, location and appearance are rather deceptive, but trust us on this one: Tamura’s is positioned to give...

South Kihei’s La Tienda del Sol is the Clark Kent of Maui Mexican cuisine: under the radar, quietly typing away at his desk in the back. Forget the Bruce Wayne flash, this little restaurant is artfully disguised as a small, understated Hispanic grocery store. Hidden on the bottom floor of a...

In little more than an hour (correction: day. Thanks for the catch, Laura G. ~VW), Star Noodle’s annual Empty Bowl Project benefit kicks off. Whether due to claustrophobia, empty bowlophobia, conflicting plans or something else entirely, those who miss the event can still take in a little...

Your dreams of winning a billion dollars courtesy of Warren Buffet and a bullet-proof bracket dashed, you can still lose a little of your own money in a friendly Final Four bet or two. While you’re at it, consider taking in the games, some brews and some classic pub grub at the The Sports...

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of anonymous fuming via the internet, is there? Last week’s blurb about Taco Bell’s forthcoming venture into breakfast spawned a whole lotta grumbling and one “I can’t wait for Vanessa’s review!” What’s that? A request? A dare? A double-dog dare? A Cheesy...

Every so often, readers send in review requests or recommendations as to “the best [fill in the blank]” –  a gesture we very much appreciate. After three such endorsements for Pho Saigon 808 in Lahaina, we caved to the pressure and checked it out in person. Surveying the menu, the high-level...

Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman offers an expansive, eclectic menu. Light eaters, multi-plate nibblers and cheapskates will be happy to learn there is also a diverse spread available as part of the happy hour menu. Better yet, it’s offered twice throughout the restaurant every day from 3 to...

Picture an East Coast pizza joint in your mind. If you came up with a small, hot space filled with notable accents, Yankees memorabilia and Scarface posters, then Giannotto’s Pizza in Wailuku is already super legit. They do more than make pizza, but since that’s mentioned in the name, we’ll...

One pitfall of the restaurant business – if not life itself – involves attempting to be too many things to too many people. On the surface, it looks like Café des Amis in Paia may be falling victim to this temptation – “They serve Mediterranean AND Indian food?” – but non, they actually have...

Another day, another west side food truck. This week’s adventure brings us to the Shark Pit, located at the end of the Sugar Cane Train route in Ka’anapali. The eight-item menu is short and to the point, and there is but one rule where the two or three daily specials are concerned: be early...

The latest venture from the owners of Café O’Lei and the Makawao Steakhouse opened in Kihei late last fall. Make no mistake; this is not a French restaurant. Rather, ‘ami refers to the hip-rotation hula move, rather than the word for “friend.” Occupying the breezy space formerly inhabited by...

Here’s the problem with people who love everything: they love everything. How does one distinguish between varying levels of superlative? Is awesome better than amazing? Does scrumptious trump mouthwatering? And what to do about delicious, delightful and de-lovely? Darned if we know. People...

In a veritable Mexican food wasteland all but forsaken by authenticity with the likes of adobo, chilaquiles and mole, Amigos is considered one of the island’s lesser south of the border-style evils. With three locations to serve you – Lahaina, Kahului and Kihei respectively – we went in with...

For most adults in today’s world, there are little to no “firsts” left to discover amidst a vast landscape of been there, done that. This alone makes Fiji Indian Food in Wailuku such a treat. The name baffled us at first: is this Fijian food or Indian food? Turns out it’s both. A solid 40% of...

Jorge is Spanish for George, Jorgito means “little George” and Horhito means … errr … we have no idea. Has the name been gringo-ized for Maui? Is it some kind of nod to Japan’s longest-reigning monach, Hirohito? Do we overthink almost everything? Probably, but nonetheless, Horhitos Taqueria –...

Love and hate: two sides of the same coin. There are few topics that inspire either heartfelt allegiance or ardent antipathy quite like Piña Coladas Jennifer Lopez Cilantro Camping Marmite (or Vegemite, its Down Under brother from another mother) Modern Art Anchovies Poodles Main Street...

As with any great adventure worth pursuing, for this endeavor one must be prepared to break laws and confront danger. If you’re willing, begin on Highway 340 and turn left shortly after the schoolhouse. Continue until you see mile marker 5, then pull over into the nearest patch of weeds....

You know what they say about “when in Rome.” When on Molokai, expect to find plenty of locals retrieving “to go” orders, catching up on the latest news and getting their grinds on at Kualapu’u Cookhouse. Follow their lead. Here you can find plenty of time to think your...

When you enter the slightly misleadingly named Maui BBQ & Grill, proprietor Mrs. Han will no doubt be waiting there by the register clearly having been pining all day for your arrival. Like an answered prayer, you appear in her doorstep. The adorable proprietress lights up like a...

Lahaina Grill, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. La-hi-na: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the roof. La. Hi. Na. Grill. Founded in 1994, Lahaina Grill is no nubile underage temptress. Almost old enough to drink, she...

Love him or hate him, outspoken political comedian Bill Maher returns to Maui for his third annual show this January 1, 2014. We caught up with him to chat about his past, politics and pakalolo. Maui Now: The last we met, I had an outstanding view of your rear end as you were running from me...

Depending upon where you get your statistics, it’s averaged that 44% of restaurants fail in the first year, 33% in the second, and a final 23% of those left standing crumble in the third. Why does this happen? While arguably glossing over some other elements, let’s drill this business lesson...

You know what they say about life and/or boxes of chocolate: you never know what you’re going to get. Piñatas are kind of like boxes of chocolate; minus they’re usually shaped like a donkey rather than a box. And you have to beat the living daylights out of them to get to the candy. And it’s...

Act I – The Wanderers: Seeking Foretold Fortune The Scene: a modest strip-mall restaurant with a knockout view of Foodland. Stage Left: Enter Waiter, a ubiquitous presence at the restaurant. If you require a refresher – and even if you don’t – on some basic Spanish, Waiter (serving also as...

Boz Scaggs, a man we thought had a long white beard like Gandalf but apparently does n0t, will be playing a solo show at the MACC’s Castle Theater this Thursday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Scaggs is described by promoters as “both a musical seeker and a man of sizable talent as a singer, songwriter...

Lana’i ‘Ohana Poke Market really chaps our hide. Without hesitation, the worst thing about the place is that it’s on Lana’i, a 50-minute, occasionally nauseating boat ride from Maui. Tis bullsh*t, my friends. If that weren’t enough, while you are within chewing distance of it, ‘Ohana Poke...

Back in fourth grade, we had a major crush on a boy named Robbie Knowles. He was an odd little dude who regularly did a spot-on monkey impression for no apparent reason. It was strictly a “longing from afar” kind of thing that was forced into suppression when a close friend wrote an a capella...

As a thick layer of vog continues to plague Maui, a group of local residents opposed to the pollution have organized a sign-waving event to raise awareness about their plight. “This has got to stop,” said watery-eyed Kihei resident Susan Johnston. “I can barely breathe, I get horrible...