I have stopped by this restaurant a few times in the past but never ordered as there was always a good size line up to the counter and all the tables seemed full. It was no different today but today I thought I would try it anyway. The menu for the most part all has to do with fish that can be prepared a few ways, which is what I was there for.  They also have burgers and tacos. Looking around in line at the people sitting at the cafeteria style tables the food all looked very good with good size portions. By the time you place your order there seems to be a place at one of the tables that will fit you or your party. when I ordered there were 8 orders on the wheel in front of me. I sat at my table no more than 5 minutes and my Ahi plate was ready to pick up. Food was extremely good.

Boracay is a small island in the region known as the Visayas. Getting to this location does require a few forms of transportation. Boracay is located about a hour south of Manila by plane. There are no direct flights, and the closest airport is at a place called Caticlan. From here you must get to the port where you will be taken by boat. This requires you to maneuver a moving plank to board your boat, or to wade in the water. The same system applies to getting off at your destination. At your destination, you will again need transportation to your hotel. All the effort is worth it, though — once you are here, it has one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The water is warm, the sand is white, and it is shallow for a long distance. The best resorts are right along the beach.  There is a sand road that runs the length of the beach where no cars or motorcycles are allowed. There are cheap places to stay on this island, but they come with few amenities or services. Expect to pay top rates for the resorts that do have top amenities and services.

Here’s a nice side trip that you can take any time during your vacation. However, since most flights leave the island late in the day, and you have to check out of most hotels and resorts in the morning, this is a great way to pass the few hours in between.

Leaving the Kaanapali Beach area, take a left onto Highway 30 West. Past the resort area of Kapalua is Lower Honoapiilani Rd. There is a very nice beach here, DT Fleming Beach Park. The public beach is shared with the adjoining Ritz Carlton Hotel. You will find anyone from a prince to a pauper on this beach. It is a great place for a picnic with many tables.

Back on the highway, the next several miles will offer many turnout locations for pictures, hiking, snorkeling activities. At mile marker 38 there is the world famous Nakalele Blowhole. Mile marker 40 is another stop where the Ohai Trail is located. Down the road you will see a sign Banana Bread 3 miles ahead. At this point the road becomes just a single lane. On this 10 mile stretch of single lane, you will have to juggle with the cars from the other way, sometimes having to back up or wait in order to pass. (Some people choose to turn around and go back at this point.) After 2 miles on this narrow stretch you will reach Old Kahakuloa Village. There are a few road side stands here — Julia’s advertises here the banana bread as best on the planet. Following the road up and out of the village you will now go past ranch land. Soon, State highway 340 will begin the road will widen and take you into Kahului. This trip can be done in a few hours with minimum stops,  or you can spend the whole day on this route.

Just a couple miles west past the County Court House in the the town of Kahului lies the Iao Valley State Park in West Maui.

A genuine rain forest, Iao Valley receives nearly 400 inches of rain per year, and is one of the state’s wettest locations. Iao Needle is an iconic landmark that towers over 2,000 feet above sea level. Walking trails are abundant within the park. The Kepaniwai Park’s Heritage Gardens are a popular destination within the park, highlighting the multicultural (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, American, Portuguese, Hawaiian) influences on the state’s history.

Around Christmas, the road to the valley is dotted with poinsettias, making for a very pretty little drive, not far from most Maui locations.

While on Maui, take a little time for a snorkel trip. While opportunities are abundant (Molokini seems to get most of the attention), one of our favorite locations is Honolua Bay, on the NW shore of Maui. Better protected from the winds and waves than most beaches, it’s the perfect setting for a calm snorkel among the abundant sealife and catch a glimpse of a humuhumunukunukuapua’a (the official state fish of Hawaii, and more fun to say than its common name, the reef triggerfish)! Turtle sightings are common in the late afternoon, too!

You can sign up with any of the many snorkeling cruises. But if you’re staying in West Maui, you can just take the scenic drive north of Kapalua on Highway 30. There is a parking area between mile marker 32 & 33 (see map below) where you can take a short walk through the jungle (don’t be surprised to see — and hear — roaming wild chickens) and enter the water from the shoreline.

A few things to keep in mind:

• This isn’t your typical sandy Maui beach. The shoreline is rocky, so bring appropriate footwear.
• No taking of marine life, coral, or rock.
• Pack out what you pack in! There are no garbage cans, so please keep Honolua Bay beautiful!

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We have rented all our weeks around the Memorial Day weekend, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t have a star-spangled vacation in Maui this year. As of this moment, we still have 3 Ocean View rooms available at the Ka’anapali Beach Club around the 4th of July.

Maui activities around Independence Day are plentiful, but the highlight for many guests is the opportunity to watch the dazzling fireworks rise over the Pacific.

• The Maui Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 12th Annual 4th of July Fireworks Celebration in Lahaina. Music and activities will take place all day, and fireworks will commence at 8pm.
• Pride of Maui will host their annual “Fireworks Over the Pacific” dinner cruise, departing from Maalaea Harbor at 6:30PM and returning at 9:45PM.
• Closer to the Ka’anapali Beach Club, the highly respected Trilogy will offer a more casual (and therefore, easier on the wallet!) cruise with a great view of the Lahaina fireworks celebrations, departing at 6:30PM from Lahaina Harbor, serving burgers (build your own), snacks, and refreshments (2 alcoholic drinks for the adults are included in the price).

Check our Rental Calendar and reserve your stay now!

Maui Mike’s Beach House looks like a regular surf shop as you are driving down the main highway in Lahaina. But if you pull in around the back of the building you will see a little window where they sell shaved ice. My friend Forrest (who is sort of an organic nut) stops here every day with his girl Amy. They buy their sugar direct from the sugar mill. They only use preprocessed sugar. The blades on their machine are sharpened every 3 weeks, making the ice come out so soft there is no need to punch holes in it to get the topping through. Try it island style (scoop of ice cream on the bottom), then a little tigers blood, coconut, orange dream and top it off with a little sweet cream.

Alaska Airlines has just announced daily nonstop service from San Jose and Oakland to Honolulu.

“With the increased service, Alaska Airlines now offers 35 flights a week from the Bay Area and Sacramento, Calif., to Hawaii. Since October 2007, Alaska Airlines’ service to Hawaii has grown to 22 daily flights from eight cities on the Mainland.”

With the recent summer fare sale and expanded service from Hawaiian Airlines, it will be interesting to see if Alaska follows suit with similar deals.

Read their press release here, or book your flight!

If you’re a fan of the current Hawaii Five-0 series, you have probably seen the breathtaking shot of Waikiki Beach in the opening credits, featuring a towering hotel with a brilliant rainbow emblazoned down one side. It is none other than the Hilton Hawaiian Village, and is prominently featured during many on-location scenes of the series as well. (Hmm, how much did THAT arrangement cost?)

Named by Parenting magazine among its list of top 10 family resorts, the Hilton Hawaiian Village is situated on the beautiful Duke Kahanamoku Beach. With an expansive stretch of sand, and a lagoon perfect for the young ones, the location makes for a perfect family-friendly getaway.

If your Hawaii travel plans call for a trip to Oahu in September or October, we have a 2-bedroom unit available during September or October. Contact us for availability and pricing.