Based in Lake Oswego OR, Island Journeys specializes in planning moderate to luxury vacations and honeymoons to Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, the South Pacific….. and beyond!
The Maui Update
The Maui Minute offers insider tips for the Hawaiian Islands' best accommodations, dining, recreation, and beaches, as well as other tips and tricks for getting around the islands, new activities, business openings and closures, and beyond. So grab a Mai Tai, kick back, and read the latest on what Hawaii has to offer! And of course, contact the Island Journeys team for assistance with planning your next vacation to the Hawaiian Islands!
The history of Christie's Maui Update
What began as the scribbles of notes taken to share with friends, evolved into a small volume that was self-published. Over the years and 28 guidebooks later, Paradise Publications shared with their readers tips and updates on the accommodations, dining, recreation, and beaches of the Hawaiian Islands. The books have been retired but I continue to be actively involved in the happenings in the islands. The Maui Update, an augment of the books, continues in its 34th year. I'm excited to share with you what is new and what I have rediscovered, so read on in Christie's Maui Update!
MAUI IN A MINUTE
May 2019
Welcome to a new format for The Maui Update. The new version will be shorter and written sporadically when there are tidbits of interesting information to share. It will be emailed to subscribers of the former newsletter and also posted as a blog on the website island-journeys.com. Nancy is a long time friend and her terrific site can help you plan your next island vacation in Hawai’i or beyond!
LAHAINA – In a previous newsletter we mentioned new tenants coming to Lahaina Gateway. They have now announced that Ace Hardware (the former Barnes & Noble space) will open early this year. By late fall you can expect Ross Dress for Less in the Office Max location. A huge plus for this mall is plenty of free and easy parking!
It seems infrequent that a Starbuck’s closes but the one next to Foodland is now pau.
Maui Ku`ia Estate Chocolate Inc had its first harvest in 2018. The company is scheduled to open their factory in Lahaina late in 2019 and produce a farm-to-bar chocolate. The estate began in 2013 on the leeward side of the West Maui Mountains in the Ahupua`a known as Ku`ia. An Ahupua`a is a traditional division of the land from early Hawaiian times and is a pie shaped piece of land going from the ocean to the mountain. The concept is that each Ahupua`a would have access to all the benefits of the resources of the ocean and the mountain. This estate was former sugar cane fields and the 50 acres is very arid. Normally chocolate likes to grow in the shade of other plants such as coffee.
If you ladies have walked down Front Street in the last few years you will certainly have encountered the sales folks raving about your beauty as stroll by. The last time I was there we counted six – and then we found another tucked into the Hilo Hattie’s stores. They are no more than street hawkers selling their wears in boutique shops. While the products may be good, I think most will agree their tactics can cross the line to harassment. They offer a small product sample and then lead you into the store. During my last visit we would walk far out onto the sidewalk to avoid this unwanted sales pitch. A state resolution is in the works to ban what is considered “predatory” cosmetic stores in Lahaina. Fingers crossed. These folks certainly spoil the warm hospitable feeling of Lahaina town.
Outlets of Maui have a new shopping shuttle. They stop at many Ka`anapali resorts and for $3 per person one way (children under 12 ride for free) you also receive a complimentary VIP coupon book for the Outlets. The shuttle operates 10am-10pm. Major credit cards accepted.
KAPALUA – The Hideaway opened in February 2019 and is located at the Montage Kapalua Bay. Their new concept features a family friend atmosphere, small and shared plates with a rotating menu, and quick service. They do have a bar with plenty of specialty cocktails. Music evenings 6-9pm. Open 4:30-10pm.
WAILEA – The Grand Wailea is looking at some major renovations. They have submitted a plan to remove the chapel and replace it with 12 bungalows and enlarge the north parking lot from three to five levels resulting in parking for an additional 316 cars. The pool would have upgrades and expansions and the spa would also be updated. An additional 30 new beach parking stalls as well as renovation to the luau lawn and infrastructure improvements are also in the plans.
New at the Shops of Wailea is Ways & Means Oyster House. This California-based restaurant has their first Hawaiian restaurant opening on O`ahu later in 2019 and the 4,800 sq. ft. Maui location opens summer 2020.
KAHULUI – The long awaited big news in Kahului is here! The new Maui airport facility will open May 15th. Work began in 2016 on nineteen acres that will house rental car company offices, customer service counters, parking stalls for 4,500 cars, and 72 fuel pumps. Two trains (or trams) will shuttle passengers from the airport to the rental car facility. The Aloha look makes the train cars very distinctive. Each car holds 30 passengers. One train with multiple cars will run 6am-10pm and the other will be added between 10am-2pm. The schedule may be adjusted upon demand. The train will make two to three stops and from end to end the ride will take four minutes. There are currently a couple dozen shuttle buses that take about 85 trips an hour so this is a huge step toward curbing emissions. What might be missing from the tram, however, is help getting your luggage onboard. (I always counted on help from the bus driver!) While the tram ride is free, the project is being funded by a Customer Facility Charge so those of you renting a car will pay an additional $4.50 a day on top of other fees and taxes. I have found these fees generally run more than the rental price of the car. It was noted that about 2,000 cars are rented on Maui on a “good day.”
PAIA – Mama’s Fish House, located in Kuau Cove on the North Shore of Maui, always has some wonderful fish options! Now you can enjoy fresh Kula rainbow trout! The trout farm, Kulahaven, currently has about 10,000 trout. Fish ponds were a mainstay for the early Hawaiians who built rock ponds in the ocean. Small fish could get into the pond but big fish could not get out. The lehi they have on the menu are reel caught near Olowalu and Uku are caught off of Lana`i. I always enjoy that the menu features the source of the fish, including the fisherman and boat! You know you are eating local!
Other amazing options at Mama’s include Hawaiian fish plate with Big Island boar, Opakapaka with Hana ginger in hot peanut oil or octopus caught off Kanaha. One nice option at Mama’s Fish House (that has gone away) was the opportunity to go for lunch and have a less expensive menu. Now the lunch and dinner menu are the same but during the day or early evening you have the added bonus of the lovely ocean view. They start serving at 11am and seating ends at 9pm. Menus rotate daily.
MISCELLANEOUS – Southwest Airlines got into the pool for flights from the mainland to Hawaii in early April. Currently they have flights out of California to O`ahu and Maui.