Maui Trip Report - Jan 2007
Feb 4th, 2007, 10:49 PM
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Maui Trip Report - Jan 2007
I'm going to keep this as brief as possible, 'kay? 8-) This was a business/pleasure trip -- lots of time with friends all across the island, plus plenny Hawaiian music and FOOD!
Stayed in an "economy cottage" ($145/night) at Mama's Fish House in Pa`ia for 3 nights. We had lots to do in that area, so location was right for us. Wouldn't stay there again though, and wouldn't recommend it to others -- unless they like really, really rustic (and being in the flight path of Kahului airport):
http://www.mamasfishhouse.com/
Don't know why they display photo of large house in their "inn" section -- it's the owners' house; not for rent. Odd, eh?
Best part was, we could just stroll to dinner at Mama's. Dinner was good, but not as good as we remembered. Won't return there again. Did discover -- and enjoy -- Maui's "Ocean" vodka. Smoooooooooothe.
Breakfast in Pa`ia -- Moana Cafe was yummy. Shopping in Makawao was a delight. Drive up to Ulupalakua Ranch was lovely. Dinner at Hali`imaile General Store was possibly the highlight of our week -- recommend it highly:
http://bevgannonrestaurants.com/hali...aliimaile.html
Two nights at Hotel Hana Maui (got employee rate, thanks to concierge friend there):
http://www.hotelhanamaui.com/
Deluxe oceanview cottage with views to _die_ for. Two dinners at the hotel (very good); one lunch at the take-out ranch house (very good). Drive up was delightful and traffic-free; can't say the same for drive back down the hill though (danged drivers who don't yield on the bridges!!). Next time, I'd like to fly in.
Evening at Ritz-Carlton Kapalua (closing in June, for 6-month renovation BTW). Lovely place -- good bar food.
Loved Hali`imaile General Store so much, we took friends there for lunch before we left for home. Yummmmmmmmmmmy!
Stayed in an "economy cottage" ($145/night) at Mama's Fish House in Pa`ia for 3 nights. We had lots to do in that area, so location was right for us. Wouldn't stay there again though, and wouldn't recommend it to others -- unless they like really, really rustic (and being in the flight path of Kahului airport):
http://www.mamasfishhouse.com/
Don't know why they display photo of large house in their "inn" section -- it's the owners' house; not for rent. Odd, eh?
Best part was, we could just stroll to dinner at Mama's. Dinner was good, but not as good as we remembered. Won't return there again. Did discover -- and enjoy -- Maui's "Ocean" vodka. Smoooooooooothe.
Breakfast in Pa`ia -- Moana Cafe was yummy. Shopping in Makawao was a delight. Drive up to Ulupalakua Ranch was lovely. Dinner at Hali`imaile General Store was possibly the highlight of our week -- recommend it highly:
http://bevgannonrestaurants.com/hali...aliimaile.html
Two nights at Hotel Hana Maui (got employee rate, thanks to concierge friend there):
http://www.hotelhanamaui.com/
Deluxe oceanview cottage with views to _die_ for. Two dinners at the hotel (very good); one lunch at the take-out ranch house (very good). Drive up was delightful and traffic-free; can't say the same for drive back down the hill though (danged drivers who don't yield on the bridges!!). Next time, I'd like to fly in.
Evening at Ritz-Carlton Kapalua (closing in June, for 6-month renovation BTW). Lovely place -- good bar food.
Loved Hali`imaile General Store so much, we took friends there for lunch before we left for home. Yummmmmmmmmmmy!
Feb 5th, 2007, 04:02 PM
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Aloha auntie,
What did you do in Hana? Any recommendations? Did you notice a family selling dinners out of their house around the turnoff for Hamoa Beach? Interesting comment about flying in next time, as that is what I've decided to do on our upcoming trip.
Like mak, I want to hear more about the music and hula!
-Bill
What did you do in Hana? Any recommendations? Did you notice a family selling dinners out of their house around the turnoff for Hamoa Beach? Interesting comment about flying in next time, as that is what I've decided to do on our upcoming trip.
Like mak, I want to hear more about the music and hula!
-Bill
Feb 6th, 2007, 11:46 AM
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Okey-dokey...taking your questions, from the top:
makai1:
The music was all-Hawaiian, so it was all-divine! Private party in Haiku -- 18 musicians, and us. We were the official "audience" for all those talented folks. Two new all-female groups (Ahumanu, and The Hula Honeys), and a wonderful falsetto singer (Cody Pueo Pata) -- who gave us a sneak-listen to his new CD (releasing later this month). Hana entertainment was 3 guys (no formal group) -- one of whom will be cutting his debut CD this year (forgot his name already...auwe!). Attended a small concert at the Ritz-Carlton featuring our friends slack key master George Kahumoku, and Martin Pahinui (youngest son of legendary Gabby Pahinui). Also got to hear a new duo (Maui Jam) in the Ritz's bar -- and their new CD is now featured on the MELE.COM front page. Ended the music portion of our trip, with a concert at the magnificent Maui Arts & Cultural Center featuring two young friends of ours -- Raiatea Helm & Kaumakaiwa Kanaka`ole.
iamq:
Our Hana time was pure relaxation. We've been there before, so there wasn't much to see/do that we hadn't seen/done before. Did trek through the ancient Pi`ilani heiau at Kahanu Gardens. Lovely place -- and every educational, with all their assorted canoe plantings and descriptive brochure. Didn't see anyone selling dinners out of their yard this trip -- but did see that, last time.
(skipping references to Auntie drinking oceans of vodka!!!!) 8-)
iceeu2:
hah-lee-ee-MY-leh
For dinner, there were 4 of us and here's what we drooled over -- beet carpaccio salad, steamed mussels, special carrot/curry soup du jour, caesar salad (the best I've ever had in my life!)...then dinner of rack of lamb, coconut seafood curry (monster scallops, prawns, calamari & fish), pasta with sausages and more, duck two-ways...then desserts <burp!> of mango cheesecake, lilikoi (passion fruit) creme brulee, and sorbets. You can see their menus:
http://bevgannonrestaurants.com/hali...aliimaile.html
We were more restrained at lunch later that week -- salads & soups, all around.
makai1:
The music was all-Hawaiian, so it was all-divine! Private party in Haiku -- 18 musicians, and us. We were the official "audience" for all those talented folks. Two new all-female groups (Ahumanu, and The Hula Honeys), and a wonderful falsetto singer (Cody Pueo Pata) -- who gave us a sneak-listen to his new CD (releasing later this month). Hana entertainment was 3 guys (no formal group) -- one of whom will be cutting his debut CD this year (forgot his name already...auwe!). Attended a small concert at the Ritz-Carlton featuring our friends slack key master George Kahumoku, and Martin Pahinui (youngest son of legendary Gabby Pahinui). Also got to hear a new duo (Maui Jam) in the Ritz's bar -- and their new CD is now featured on the MELE.COM front page. Ended the music portion of our trip, with a concert at the magnificent Maui Arts & Cultural Center featuring two young friends of ours -- Raiatea Helm & Kaumakaiwa Kanaka`ole.
iamq:
Our Hana time was pure relaxation. We've been there before, so there wasn't much to see/do that we hadn't seen/done before. Did trek through the ancient Pi`ilani heiau at Kahanu Gardens. Lovely place -- and every educational, with all their assorted canoe plantings and descriptive brochure. Didn't see anyone selling dinners out of their yard this trip -- but did see that, last time.
(skipping references to Auntie drinking oceans of vodka!!!!) 8-)
iceeu2:
hah-lee-ee-MY-leh
For dinner, there were 4 of us and here's what we drooled over -- beet carpaccio salad, steamed mussels, special carrot/curry soup du jour, caesar salad (the best I've ever had in my life!)...then dinner of rack of lamb, coconut seafood curry (monster scallops, prawns, calamari & fish), pasta with sausages and more, duck two-ways...then desserts <burp!> of mango cheesecake, lilikoi (passion fruit) creme brulee, and sorbets. You can see their menus:
http://bevgannonrestaurants.com/hali...aliimaile.html
We were more restrained at lunch later that week -- salads & soups, all around.
Feb 6th, 2007, 01:07 PM
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Glad you had a good time on Maui. We also stayed in one of the cottages at Mama's Fishhouse. There were geckos running rampant in the cottage, it was raining and there was a leak in the skylight above the bed, there was no BBQ at the unit as promised and no place to park. We left after the first night and stayed at The Marriott on Kaanapali. Your room at The Hotel Hana sounds wonderful.
Feb 6th, 2007, 03:09 PM
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Thanks for the review - surprised about the cottage at Mama's - the pics look so nice. I second the recommendation for Hali`imaile General Store. Desserts to die for. We even bought the Hali`imaile General Store Cookbook - fantastic!
Mar 2nd, 2007, 09:23 AM
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We just had an excellent meal at Hailiimaile too! Sashimi Napolean and Duck Confit Toastada were both amazing. Seafood curry and braised pork shank for dinner were great, but the sauce in the curry was like a smooth, delicious river of spices and flavor. Ono! The pineapple upside cake was the winner for dessert.
Mamas, shmamas! Hailiimaile is da best!
Mamas, shmamas! Hailiimaile is da best!
Mar 2nd, 2007, 07:52 PM
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Not sure how much Mama's is these days, but our 2 3 course dinners without alcohol with tip ran us around $140. My guess is that Mama's would be every bit as much as that for comparable courses. Be aware that HGS would not be an oceanfront dining experience as Mamas would be.
